Objective To investigate the expression of suppressor gene Runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with clinicopathologic parameters. Methods RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA expression and protein expression of Runx3 gene in primary tumor and corresponding normal tissues respectively in 52 patients with gastric carcinoma. The relationship between Runx3 expression and clinicopathologic parameters was analyzed. Results RT-PCR and Western blot analysis in 52 patients with gastric carcinoma showed down-regulation of Runx3 mRNA and Runx3 protein in 59.6% (31/52) and 48.1% （25/52） of the primary tumors tested, and in none of the normal tissues (P＜0.05) respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between the expression level of Runx3 gene and the clinicopathologic parameters such as tumor size, differentiation, infiltrative depth, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P＜0.05， P＜0.01). Runx3 gene transcription was coincident with its protein expression (r=0.840, P＜0.01）. Conclusion The expression of Runx3 gene is down-regulated in gastric carcinoma, which suggests that Runx3 gene plays an important role in carcinogenesis and the progression of gastric carcinoma. It may be a new target of diagnosis and treatment of gastric carcinoma.
Purpose To evaluate the prostag landins(PG) levels and to identify the effect of dexamethasone(DXM) on PG in response to photochemical insult in rat retina. Methods The experiments were performed on 36 SD rats which were separated into two groups,control and treated groups,and the latter received daily intraperitoneal injections of DXM (1 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days,starting 3 days before light exposure.The animals were continually exposed to green fluorescent light(510-560 nm)with an illuminance level of (1900plusmn;106.9)lx for 24 hrs.The retinal concentration of PGE 2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha; were tested at 6hrs,1,3,7 and 14 days after light exposure. Results The PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha; levels of the control groups (37.50plusmn;2.75,48.06plusmn;4.0 4,81.90plusmn;4.89) pg/mg and (4.68plusmn;0.69,7.50plusmn;0.57,10.40plusmn;0.71) pg/mg had significantly higher values than those of the treated rats(20.60plusmn;4.28,37.36plusmn; 3.34,54.85plusmn;4.57) pg/mg and (2.50plusmn;0.59,4．68plusmn;0.81,6.87plusmn;1.10)pg/mg (Plt;0.01) after 6 hrs,1 and 3 days light exposure respectively. Conclusion By inhibition of PG synthesis,the DXM may play an ameliorative effect on retinal photochemical injury of rats. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:94-96)
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of caspase-3 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the incised rat skin healing process and its relationship with the wound time and to provide an experimental evidence for the prediction of injury time. MethodsAfter the rat incised wound model was established, hematoxylin-eosin dyeing technology and immunohistochemical staining technique were used to observe the expression of caspase-3 and TLR4. Then Image Pro Plus Image analysis software and SPSS statistical analysis software were used to deal with the experimental results. ResultsCaspase-3- and TLR4-positive cells were detected in epidermis, hair follicle and sebaceous gland cells in the control skin. The expression of caspase-3 and TLR4 of the ante mortem groups were significantly different compared with the control group except the 0 h group (P<0.05). Caspase-3- and TLR4-positive cells were detected in neutrophils around the hair follicle half an hour later. Caspase-3- and TLR4-positive cell rate increased with the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Caspase-3- and TLR4-positive cell rate reached the maximum on the 3 rd day, and then it began to decrease, and they were mainly expressed in fibroblasts and mononuclear macrophages. Caspase-3- and TLR4-positive cells were mainly expressed in fibroblasts on the 10th day. There was no significant differences between the postmortem injury groups and the normal control groups (P>0.05). ConclusionCaspase-3- and TLR4-positive cell rate is time dependent and stable in 25℃ temperature environment which makes it possible to determine the time of injury.
Objective To observe the histopathologic features and expression patterns of tumor necrosis factor-alpha; （TNF-alpha;）, interleukin-1beta;（IL-1beta;） and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the rat vitreous with LPS inducedendophthalmitis. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into saline control group (SC,136 rats）,endophthalmitis group （EO, 168 rats）and blank control group （BC,12 rats）.EO group received an intravitreal injection of 5 mu;l LPS; SC group received 5 mu;l sterile saline and no intervention for BC group.Six,12,24,48, and 72 hours,5 and 7 days after injection, intraocular inflammation were observed and the eyes and vitreous were collected for histopathological examination and measurement of TNF-alpha;, IL-1beta; and LPS expression. Results Severe inflammatory responses in the eyes were observed in EO group between six and 72 hours after LPS injection，ocular inflammation subsided seven days after LPS injection. In the vitreous, a peak neutrophil count was observed at 24 hours （1224.64plusmn;132.2） cells/eye that rapidly declined at 72 hours （342.25plusmn;47.7） cells/eye. The levels of TNF-alpha; and IL-1beta; in EO group were peaked at 24 hours with （996.18plusmn;89.45） and（5556plusmn;1440）pg/ L, respectively；Persisted at 48 hours and began to decline rapidly thereafter. Seven days after LPS injection, levels of TNF-alpha; and IL-1beta; returned to baseline with （22.16plusmn;5.84）and （73.7plusmn;18.7） pg/L, respectively. LPS concentration in EO group decrease rapidly at 72 hours with （11.03plusmn;3.41） ng and disappear on days 7 with (0.22plusmn;0.08) ng after LPS injection.Conclusions Massive neutrophils infiltration, high levels expression of TNF-alpha; and IL-1beta; and spontaneous elimination of bacterial elements in vitreous cavity were major pathologic characteristics in this experimental model. The expression patterns of TNF-alpha;,IL-1beta; were in accord with LPS clearance process.
Objective To observe the pathological and functional changes of retinal photochemical damages exposed to green flurescent light. Methods The Sprague Dawley rats were continually exposed to green fluorescent light with an illuminancem level of (1 900plusmn;106.9) Lx for 24 hours.The changes of retinal morphology and morphometrics and flash electroretinogram were studied before light exposure and at the 6th hour,6th day and 14th day after light exposure. Results At the 6th hours after light exposure,the outer nuclear layer(ONL)of retina becoma thinner compared with that bfore light exposure.The thickness of ONL decreased by 23.91% and the inner and outer segments appeared disorderly arranged.At the 6th day after light exposure the thickness of ONL is thinner than that at the6th hour,i.e.decreased by 46.6%. At the 14th day after light exposure the thickness of ONL decreased by 42.40%.Flash electroretinogram showed that the amplitudes of a and b wave decreased continuously at the 6th hour and 6th day and unrecovered at the 14th day after light exposure. Conclusion This model might be an ideal one for research on retinal photochemical damage. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:101-103)