ABSTRACT
Purpose To analyze the expression and prognostic value of metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2) in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Methods The expression of MTA2 protein was examined in 91 paraffin-embedded specimens by immunohistochemical SP method, and in fresh specimens by Western blot, and then combined with follow-up data for prognosis analysis. Results There was an increasing tendency in positive rate of MTA 2 expression from benign ovarian cysts (17.5％) to epithelial ovarian cancers (78.43％), and there were significant difference (χ2=33.328, P<0.001). The expression of the MTA2 was significantly correlated to FIGO stage and lymph node metastasis (both P<0.05). The relative expression of MTA2 in benign ovarian cysts and epithelial ovarian cancers was 0.58±0.05, and 1.22±0.10, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-22.274, P<0.001). The survival curve of patients with MTA2 (+) differed from the survival curve of patients with MTA2 (-) and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=10.203, P<0.05). The multiple factor analysis revealed that the expression of MTA2, FIGO stage and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for clinical outcome of epithelial ovarian cancer. Conclusion MTA2 may be involved in the progression and metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer as an oncogene. Overexpression of the marker indicates poor prognosis of patients.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the distribution pattern, the protein expressions, and changes of functional activities of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta in the hippocampus of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) rats of Gan-qi depression syndrome (GDS), and to find out corresponding effect targets of Jingqianshu Granule (JG), thus providing clues for exploring the pathogenesis of PMS of GDS and the mechanisms of JG.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, i. e., the normal group, the model group, and the medication group, 7 in each. Resident intruder stress was used to establish the model in the model group and the medication group. JG was given to rats in the medication group at the dose of 10 mL/kg by gastrogavage while modeling. Equal volume of sterilized water was given to rats in the model group and the normal group, once daily, for 5 successive days. Then the location, protein levels, and ligand-binding capacities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus of rats in three groups were detected using immunohistochemical assay, Western blot, and dextran-active carbon binding assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no difference in the distribution pattern of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus of the three groups. In aspects of protein levels and estrogen-binding capacities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus, CA1 and CA3 regions, they increased more obviously in the model group than in the normal group (P < 0.05), while they decreased more significantly in the medication group than in the model group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Higher estrogen levels and enhanced expressions and activities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus might be important mechanisms for PMS of GDS, which might also be the effect targets for JG.</p>