Tryptase and Protease-Activated Receptor 2 Expression Levels in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies have revealed that mast cells (MCs) may activate the protease-activated receptors and release of neuropeptides involved in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The levels of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) and tryptase can contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of IBS. METHODS: Colonoscopic biopsies were performed of 38 subjects (20 with IBS-diarrhea [IBS-D], eight with IBS-constipation [IBS-C], and 10 healthy volunteers). The mRNA and protein levels of tryptase and PAR-2 were assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot. The levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were measured by immunohistochemistry, and MCs were counted by toluidine blue staining. RESULTS: Significant increases in the mRNA expression of tryptase (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) and PAR-2 (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) and in the tryptase protein level (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) were detected in IBS. Elevations of MCs, CGRP, VIP and SP (p<0.05, IBS-D vs control) were observed for IBS-D only. CONCLUSIONS: Tryptase levels may upregulate the function of PAR-2, resulting in the release of neuropeptide and they were correlated with clinical symptoms associated with IBS.

The effects of Chinese national medicine of Huoxueruanjian compound on SMAD signal in hepatic stellate cell and its significance / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to explore the roles of Huoxueruanjian compound on liver fibrogenesis and its molecular mechanism, this paper has investigated the Influence of blood serum with such traditional Chinese medicine compound on the expression of Smad3, Smad7 and procollagen alpha2(I) gene in hepatic stellate cell (HSC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HSC-T6 was deal with different Concentration of blood serum medicine with Heluoshugan which was made by routine way. Then expression change of Smad3, Smad7 and procollagen alpha2(I) mRNA among each groups were observed by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the expression change of Smad3 protein were examined by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of Smad3 and procollagen alpha2(I) mRNA as well as Smad3 protein had been downregulated after treating with blood serum medicine of Heluoshugan (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). The expression of procollagen alpha2(I) mRNA changed at the same tendency as those of Smad3. The role of blood serum medicine was significant difference between different concentration, P<0.05. And the expression of procollagen alpha2(I) mRNA changed in concentration-dependent manner. Blood serum medicine has no effects on the Smad7 mRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The anti-fibrosis roles of HuoXueruanjian Compound maybe influence the function of TGF-beta and Smad by nonspecific action, thereby inhibit the transcription of procollegan alpha2(I) mRNA and decrease the production of ECM. As regards Smad3, it may be facilitating the development of liver fibrosis when its expression increases. Otherwise, it manifest with anti-fibrosis role.</p>