ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the expression and significance of fibronectin and metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods:A total of 30 AS patients in our hospital and 30 healthy volunteers were selected in our study. Fibronectin and MMP-3 were measured and compared between these two groups. The AS group received sulfasalazine 2 g daily for 3 months. Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index, bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index, bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were compared before and after treatment. Pearson's linear-correlation analysis was used to determine relationships between parameters.Results:Totally 28 patients in the AS group completed the study. Fibronectin and MMP-3 in peripheral blood of AS patients were evidently higher than that in the normal control group (P<0.05). After treated by sulfasalazine, the level of expressing Fibronectin and MMP-3 significantly decreased compared with baseline values (P<0.05). Pearson's linear-correlation analysis showed that serum fibronectin and MMP-3 level had a positive correlation with bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index global assessment, spine pain, night pain, general pain, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (P<0.05).Conclusions:The expression of fibronectin and MMP-3 in AS patients were significantly higher than that in the normal control group, and they all decreased significantly after treatment. It indicated that both fibronectin and MMP-3 were correlated closely with the onset of AS.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the expression and significance of fibronectin and metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 30 AS patients in our hospital and 30 healthy volunteers were selected in our study. Fibronectin and MMP-3 were measured and compared between these two groups. The AS group received sulfasalazine 2 g daily for 3 months. Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index, bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index, bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were compared before and after treatment. Pearson's linear-correlation analysis was used to determine relationships between parameters. Results: Totally 28 patients in the AS group completed the study. Fibronectin and MMP-3 in peripheral blood of AS patients were evidently higher than that in the normal control group (P<0.05). After treated by sulfasalazine, the level of expressing Fibronectin and MMP-3 significantly decreased compared with baseline values (P<0.05). Pearson's linear-correlation analysis showed that serum fibronectin and MMP-3 level had a positive correlation with bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index global assessment, spine pain, night pain, general pain, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (P<0.05). Conclusions: The expression of fibronectin and MMP-3 in AS patients were significantly higher than that in the normal control group, and they all decreased significantly after treatment. It indicated that both fibronectin and MMP-3 were correlated closely with the onset of AS.
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Objective To explore the influence of human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG)on testicular germ cell apoptosis of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism in rats.Methods Forty immature male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into unilateral cryptorchi-dism group(n=20) and sham operation group(n=20).The 2 groups were divided into group treated with HCG and group without HCG.At age 21 days,unilateral cryptorchidism was produced.Half of the rats were injected with 20 U HCG from day 22 to 34 every other day.At age of 35 d and 60 d,rats were sacrificed for detection germ cell apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL).Results Apoptosis index(AI) of cryptorchidism testis were higher compared with the scrotal testis in sham operation group(P0.05).AI of the scrotal testis of sham operation group and unilateral cryptorchidism group with HCG was higher compared with the correspond groups without HCG,and there were significant difference of AI between sham operation group and the correspond group without HCG at age 35 days(P0.05).Conclusions AI of testicular is increased both in cryptorchidism testis and scrotal testis in experimental unilateral cryptorchidism;HCG adds the number of apoptotic germ cells,and histology damage of testis is not completely recovery after stop using HCG.So clinical application of HCG must be cautious and operation ought to be done as early as possible in cryptorchidism.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare enamel matrix proteins (EMPs) loaded dextran-based hydrogel microspheres (EMPs-dex-MPs), and to evaluate their EMPs controlled release property and their biological effects on the proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using dimethylbenzene as the oil phase, EMPs-dex-MPs were achieved by emulsion-chemical crosslinking technique. The process of the recombination preparation was optimized by orthogonal factorization method. The configuration and size of EMPs-dex-MPs were determined by scanning electron microscope. The EMPs loading content and encapsulation rate of EMPs-dex-MPs, and their biodegradation characteristic were studied by routine analysis methods. Dynamic dialysis method was used to determine the release characteristic of EMPs-dex-MPs in vitro and its influencing factors. The proliferation of cultured PDLCs was measured by MTF method and the differentiation of PDLCs was measured by their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that EMPs-dex-MPs were homogenous and stable with the average diameter 25 microm, and the EMPs loading content was (32.8 +/- 1.2)%, the encapsulation rate was (78.9 +/- 1.0)%. Under 9% physiological saline solution contained a very thimbleful quantity of dextranase EMPs-dex-MPs could be biodegraded completely during about 40 days. The in vitro experiments showed that about 80% of EMPs could be released out in 20 days. Using EMPs-dex-MPs could enhance the proliferation responses and ALP activities of PDLCs more than 12 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a new sustained release system of growth factors, the dex-MPs is stable, workable and biodegradable. EMPs-dex-MPs, whose drug release can be controlled by preparation technique, may be more effective in promoting periodontal tissue regeneration.</p>