ABSTRACT
[ ABSTRACT] AIM: To investigate the expression and significance of Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) in chronic superficial gastritis.METHODS:The Wistar rats (n=30) were randomly divided into blank group, model group and control group.The Wistar rat model of chronic superficial gastritis was established by in-tragastric administration of 0.02%ammonia and long-term irregular diet.All rats were sacrificed, and gastric tissues were harvested and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.The expression of Lgr5 at mRNA and protein levels was analyzed by re-verse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:Lgr5 was mainly expressed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm.Lgr5 showed high expression in model group compared with blank group and control group.No obvious difference between blank group and control group was observed.CONCLUSION:Persistent in-flammation leads to increased expression of Lgr5.Lgr5 may be a proinflammatory tumor promoting factor.
ABSTRACT
This study sought to probe into the mechanism of spontaneous contraction of portal vein. The morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of the freshly isolated interstitial cells (ICs) of rabbit portal vein were investigated by using immunohistochemical and conventional whole-cell patch clamp techniques. The isolated interstitial cells exhibited stellate-shaped or spindle-shaped bodies with a variable number of thin processes projecting from cell bodies, and these cells were noted to be c-Kit immunopositive. Under conventional whole-cell patch clamp configuration, the membrane potential was held at -60 mV, the spontaneous rhythmic inward currents were recorded in ICs, and the frequencies of which were similar to those of spontaneous contraction of portal vein. The inward currents were insensitive to nicardipine (an L-type calcium channel blocker) but could be abolished by gadolinium (a non-selective cation channel blocker). The results suggested that the spontaneous rhythmic inward currents recorded in freshly isolated ICs may be pacemaker currents which elicit the spontaneous contraction of portal vein.