ABSTRACT
Age-related hearing loss (AHL) is one of the most common sensory disorders among elderly persons. The inwardly rectifying potassium channel 5.1 (Kir5.1) plays a vital role in regulating cochlear K(+) circulation which is necessary for normal hearing. The distribution of Kir5.1 in C57BL/6J mice cochleae, and the relationship between the expression of Kir5.1 and the etiology of AHL were investigated. Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups at 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks of age respectively. The location of Kir5.1 was detected by immunofluorescence technique. The mRNA and protein expression of Kir5.1 was evaluated in mice cochleae using real-time polymerase-chain reactions (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. Kir5.1 was detected in the type II and IV fibrocytes of the spiral ligament in the cochlear lateral wall of C57BL/6J mice. The expression levels of Kir5.1 mRNA and protein in the cochleae of aging C57BL/6J mice were down-regulated. It was suggested that the age-related decreased expression of Kir5.1 in the lateral wall of C57BL/6J mice was associated with hearing loss. Our results indicated that Kir5.1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AHL.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Aging , Genetics , Metabolism , Cations, Monovalent , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Gene Expression Regulation , Ion Transport , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Microtomy , Potassium , Metabolism , Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying , Genetics , Metabolism , Presbycusis , Genetics , Metabolism , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , Metabolism , Spiral Ligament of Cochlea , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To explore the role and clinical significance of interleukin-6(IL-6) in children with bronchial asthma.Methods Sera were collected from 29 cases with asthmatic attacks,32 asthmatic children who in stable conditions,and 20 health children.Serum IL-6 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA).Results 1.Asthmatic children appeared significantly higher levels of serum IL-6 during asthmatic attacks as compared to those in stable conditions and healthy ones respectively(P3 years old had significantly higher serum IL6 concentrations than ≤3 years old children in remission.Conclusion IL-6 may participate pathogenesis of asthma,and it may play different biological roles during asthmatic attacksas or stable conditions.