ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of vacuum-assisted closure(VAC)on the circulating number of endothelia progenitor cell(EPCs)in diabetic patients with mild to moderate degrees of ischemic foot ulcer and their related factors. Methods A total of 84 diabetic patients with foot ulcer duration for at least 4 weeks and ankle brachial index(ABI)0.5~0.9 were selected and divided into and assigned to two groups according to 2: 1 randomization:vacuum-assisted closure(VAC)treatment group(n=56)and Non-VAC treatment group(n=28). The control group (NC) was composed of 18 patients who had normal glucose tolerance and lower extremity ulcer without arteriovenous disease. VAC was performed on the ulcer wound after debridement for 1 week in both VAC group and NC group,and the patients in Non-VAC group received conventional treatment process. The circulating number of EPCs was measured before and after various treatments and the influencing factors of their changes were analyzed. Results After VAC treatment,the circulating number of EPCs significantly increased in both VAC group and NC group[(85.3 ± 18.1)vs(34.1 ± 12.5)/106cells,(119.9 ± 14.4)vs(66.1 ± 10.6)/106cells,both P<0.05]. By contrast,the circulating number of EPCs had no significant change in Non-VAC group[(45.2 ± 19.4)vs(34.7 ± 16.8)/106cells, P>0.05]. In addition,the circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and the protein expressions of VEGF and stromal cell-derived factor-1α(SDF-1α)in the granulation tissue also significantly increased after VAC treatment in both VAC group and NC group,but no significant change in Non-VAC group. Compared with Non-VAC group,the changes of VEGF and SDF-1α levels in the sera and granulation tissue were all significantly higher in both VAC group and NC group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). There were no significant differences in changes of the circulating number of EPCs, and VEGF and SDF-1α in the sera and granulation tissue between VAC group and NC group. Correlation analysis showed that the change of the circulating number of EPCs was correlated with the changes of VEGF and SDF-1α levels in the sera and granulation tissue of VAC group and NC group(P<0.05). Conclusion VAC treatment may increase the circulating number of EPCs in diabetic patients with mild to moderate ischemic foot ulcer as in non-diabetic controls,which may be attributed to the upregulation of systemic and local VEGF and SDF-1α levels.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the adrenal steroidogenic function in genotype-proven heterozygotes carrying mutations in CYP17A1 gene in vivo. Methods Eight patients and 14 family members from 5 families with 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency (17OHD) were recruited. The mutations of the CYP17A1 gene in these individuals were screened by direct sequencing of PCR products. The hormonal response to ACTH was evaluated in the 14 genotype-proven carriers and 45 age- and sex-matched normal subjects. Results Three mutations were found in 5 unrelated families. 14 carriers with CYP17A1 mutation were identified, including 7 heterozygotes with D487_F489del, 6 with Y329fs, and 1 for H373L. Compared to the normal subjects, the carriers exhibited lower basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels, but higher ACTH-stimulated corticosterone level. The ratios of corticosterone to cortisol in the genotype-proven heterozygotes were higher than those of normal individuals at baseline and following ACTH-stimulation. Similarly, progesterone level and ratios of progesterone to 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the male heterozygotes were also higher than that of normal individuals before and after stimulation. No significant differences were observed in the hormone levels between two genotypes (D487_F489del vs Y329fs). Conclusions Genotype-proven carriers of 17OHD without apparent clinical symptoms exhibit decreased enzyme activity,analogous to mildly impaired adrenal 21-hydroxylase activity in the carriers of CYP21 A2 gene mutation.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the relationship between KAI1 gene expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma and clinicopathological features and prognosis. Methods KAI1 mRNA expression was detected by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction in 21 cases papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues and 21 cases adjacent normal tissues, as well as 7 cases benign thyroid disease tissues. KAI1 protein expression was detected by immunohistochemisty in 60 cases papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues and 20 cases thyroid adenoma tissues. Results KAI1 mRNA expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues (P ＜ 0. 05) and benign thyroid lesion tissues (P ＜ 0. 05). Positive expression rate of KAI1 protein was 68. 3% in papillary thyroid carcinoma and 25% in thyroid adenoma tissues. The difference was statistically significant (P ＜0. 01). In papillary thyroid carcinoma, positive expression rate of KAI1 protein in the group without lymph node metastasis was higher than that in group with lymph node metastasis (P＜0.05). There was no difference in positive expression rate of KAI1 protein for male or female patients (P ＞0. 05). KAI1 protein expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma was not related to patients' ages, tumor size, TNM staging or capsule invasion (P ＞ 0. 05). Conclusions The abnormal expression of KAI1 mRNA and protein is correlated to the genesis and progress of papillary thyroid carcinoma,which provides a clue for treatment and prognosis assessment of papillary thyroid carcinoma