Association between matrix metalloproteinase-8 -799C/T polymorphism and instability of carotid plaque / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between a -799C/T polymorphism in the promotor region of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) gene and instability of carotid plaque in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 451 acute infarction patients from the Department of Neurology of Taizhou Hospital were divided into carotid vulnerable plaque group and carotid stable plaque group according to the results of carotid B-mode ultrasonography. Serum MMP -8 level was measured by the means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At the same time, the MMP-8 -799C/T polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum level of MMP-8 in the carotid vulnerable plaque group was higher than that in the carotid stable plaque group (t= 2.894, P= 0.004). The genotype distribution of -799C/T polymorphism between the two groups was significantly different (Chi-square = 13.65, P= 0.000). Serum level of MMP-8 in patients with TT genotype was higher than that in patients with CC genotype (t= 3.141, P= 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present study suggested that serum level of MMP-8 and the -799C/T polymorphism of MMP-8 gene are associated with carotid vulnerable plaque in Chinese Han population, and the T allele may be a predictor for the susceptibility of carotid vulnerable plaque.</p>

The anticancer effect of artesunate and its mechanism / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the anticancer effect of artesunate and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To observe the effect of artesunate on the growth of solid tumor and the expression of PCNA, Bcl-2 and Bax genes in mice bearing H22 solid hepatic carcinoma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After administration of artesunate (ig, 300 mg.kg-1.d-1 x 7 d), growth of solid tumor was obviously inhibited, the tumor inhibitory rates were 49.1%, 48.7% and 46.6% and 46.6% in 3 experiments. The apoptosis of liver cancer cells were increased. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the number of Bcl-2 protein positive cells were decreased, but the number of Bax protein positive cells were increased. The PCNA positive cells were significantly lower than those in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Artesunate showed obvious anticancer activity on H22 hepatic carcinoma bearing mice and undergo apoptosis of liver cancer cells. The mechanism of anticancer effect of artesunate may be related to down-regulation of the expression of PCNA and Bcl-2 genes and up-regulation of the expression of Bax gene.</p>