Adjunctive medical expulsive therapy with tamsulosin for repeated extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive medical expulsive therapy (MET) with tamsulosin for the promotion of stone fragments clearance for repeated extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis was conducted by systematic search for randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases in January 2020, which compared tamsulosin with either placebo or non-placebo control for repeated ESWL. The primary endpoint was stone-free rate (SFR), the second endpoints were stone clearance time and complications. The quality assessment of included studies was performed by using the Cochrane System and Jadad score. Results: 7 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Tamsulosin provided higher SFR (for stones larger than 1cm, OR: 5.56, p=0.0003), except for patients with stones less than 1cm. For patients with renal stones (OR: 2.97, p=0.0005) or upper ureteral stones (OR: 3.10, p=0.004), tamsulosin can also provide a higher SFR. In addition, tamsulosin provided a shorter stone clearance time (WMD: −9.40, p=0.03) and lower pain intensity (WMD=-17.01, p <0.0001) and incidences of steinstrasse (OR: 0.37, p=0.0002). Conclusion: Adjunctive MET with tamsulosin is effective in patients with specific stone size or location that received repeated ESWL. However, no well-designed RCT that used computed tomography for the detection and assessment of residual stone fragments was found. More studies with high quality and the comparison between tamsulosin and secondary ESWL are needed in the future.

Novel semirigid ureterorenoscope with irrigation and vacuum suction system: introduction and initial experience for management of upper urinary calculi

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to design a novel semirigid ureterorenoscope with irrigation and vacuum suction system and a modified ureteral access sheath (UAS) named Sotn ureterorenoscope® (Sotn=ShuoTong Medical Company) to overcome the deficiencies of the current procedure and to improve the efficiency and safety of using Sotn ureterorenoscope® for treatment of upper urinary calculi. Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight patients, comprising 31 males and 27 females, were evaluated. The medical records of 58 patients with upper urinary calculi treated with Sotn ureterorenoscope® from March 2015 to June 2017 were retrospectively reviewed at the Second Affiliate Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in China. The primary outcome was stone-free rate (SFR) assessed by computed tomography on the 1st day and one month after treatment. The secondary outcome was postoperative complication rate. Results: The mean and SD of operative duration was 48.5 (10.4) min, and the mean and SD of stone size was 15.6 (5.6) mm. The primary overall SFR was 89.7% (52/58) and 100% at 1 month follow-up. Complication, which was Clavien I (minor fever managed by antipyretic therapy), was detected in 1.7% (1/58) of the patients. Conclusions: Sotn ureterorenoscope® is technically feasible, efficacious and safe for treatment of upper urinary calculi because of its advantages of high SFR and low complication rates.

Efficacy of targeted therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ABSTRACT We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the efficacy of the targeted therapies in the treatment of advanced RCC and, via an indirect comparison, to provide an optimal treatment among these agents. A systematic search of Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Clinical Trials unpublished was performed up to Jan 1, 2015 to identify eligible randomized trials. Outcomes of interest assessing a targeted agent included progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). Thirty eligible randomized controlled studies, total twentyfourth trails (5110 cases and 4626 controls) were identified. Compared with placebo and IFN-α, single vascular epithelial growth factor (receptor) tyrosine kinase inhibitor and mammalian target of rapamycin agent (VEGF(r)-TKI & mTOR inhibitor) were associated with improved PFS, improved OS and higher ORR, respectively. Comparing sorafenib combination vs sorafenib, there was no significant difference with regard to PFS and OS, but with a higher ORR. Comparing single or combination VEGF(r)-TKI & mTOR inhibitor vs BEV + IFN-α, there was no significant difference with regard to PFS, OS, or ORR. Our network ITC meta-analysis also indicated a superior PFS of axitinib and everolimus compared to sorafenib. Our data suggest that targeted therapy with VEGF(r)-TKI & mTOR inhibitor is associated with superior efficacy for treating advanced RCC with improved PFS, OS and higher ORR compared to placebo and IFN-α. In summary, here we give a comprehensive overview of current targeted therapies of advanced RCC that may provide evidence for the adequate targeted therapy selecting.

Small activating RNA induces myogenic differentiation of rat adipose-derived stem cells by upregulating MyoD

ABSTRACTPurpose:RNA activation (RNAa) is a mechanism of gene activation triggered by promoter-targeted small double stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), also known as small activating RNAs (saRNAs). Myogenic regulatory factor MyoD is regarded as the master activator of myogenic differentiation cascade by binding to enhancer of muscle specific genes. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a condition primarily resulted from urethral sphincter deficiency. It is thus expected that by promoting differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into myoblasts by activating MyoD gene through RNAa may offer benefits to SUI.Materials and Methods:Rats ADSCs were isolated, proliferated in vitro, and identified by flow cytometry. Purified ADSCs were then transfected with a MyoD saRNA or control transfected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to detect MyoD mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Immunocytochemical staining was applied to determine the expression of desmin protein in transfected cells. Cell viability was measured by using CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay kit.Results:Transfection of a MyoD saRNA (dsMyoD) into ADSCs significantly induced the expression of MyoD at both the mRNA and protein levels, and inhibited cell proliferation. Desmin protein expression was detected in dsMyoD treated ADSCs 2 weeks later.Conclusion:Our findings show that RNAa mediated overexpression of MyoD can promote transdifferentiation of ADSCs into myoblasts and may help treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI)–a condition primarily resulted from urethral sphincter deficiency.

Evaluation of Tumor Formation of Three Bladder Cancer Cell Lines in Nude Mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the differences in tumor formation of three bladder tumor cell lines (BIU-87,T24 and E J) after subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice,in order to find the best technique for establishing in vivo bladder tumor model.BIU-87,T24 and EJ cells at logarithmic phase were re-suspended in serum-free medium.The cells suspensions of the identical concentration were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice and then the success rate and tumor growth were compared among the three cell groups.The results of tumor formation were pathologically evaluated.Lung,liver and kidney tissues were also pathologically examined for distant metastasis.The proliferation of the three cells were determined by immunohistochemically detecting the PCNA expression in the tumors.The results showed that the success rates of EJ and T24 cells were significantly higher than that of BIU-87 cells and no distant metastasis was noted among the three groups.The proliferation levels of EJ and T24 cells was significantly higher than that of BIU-87.But at the later stage of tumor formation,as compared with T24 cells,EJ grew more vigorously,soon resulting in the central necrosis of tumor,which affected the measurement of the actual size of the tumors.Moreover,PCNA staining exhibited that the proliferation of EJ and T24 was significantly higher than that of BIU-87 cells.It is concluded that as compared with BIU-87 cells,EJ and T24 cells had higher success rates,with not significant differences in death rate and distant metastasis found among them.There existed no significant difference in tumor formation between EJ and T24 cells and T24 cells do not rupture easily,which makes it a better cell line for the establishment of in vivo bladder tumor model.

Effect of Silencing LRIG3 Gene on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Bladder Cancer T24 Cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the effect of silencing LRIG3 expression on the proliferation and apoptosis of bladder cancer T24 cells and explored the role of LRIG3 in the tumorigenesis of bladder cancer.Bladder cancer T24 cells were routinely cultured and pSilencer plasmids were employed to construct LRIG3 eukaryotic expression vector of LRIG3-siRNA,i.e.,pSilencer-LRIG3-siRNA.After confirmation,the vector was transfected into HEK293 cells to make a replication-deficient adenovirus,pAd-LRIG3-siRNA,which was then introduced into bladder cancer T24 cells.RT-PCR,Western-blotting were performed to detect the levels of LRIG3 mRNA and proteins.Cells number was determined by using MTT test.Hoechst33258 staining,transmission microscopy,flow cytometery were conducted to examine the cell apoptosis.Three groups included a blank control group,a negative control group (containing non-interfering plasmids) and a pAd-LRIG3-siRNA group.Our results showed that the recombinant pAd-LRIG3-siRNA was successfully transfected into the bladder cancer T24 cells.The siRNA formed by the transcription of the recombinant plasmids resulted in significantly reduced expressions of LRIG3 gene and protein and significantly decreased cell proliferation and growth in the pAd-LRIG3-siRNA group as compared with the control group (P＜0.01).The siRNA also caused apoptotic changes of some cells,with the apoptosis rate being (17.69±0.75)％,which was significantly different from that of the control group (P＜0.01).It was concluded that recombinant pAd-LRIG3-siRNA plasmids could effectively decrease the expression of LRIG3 mRNA and proteins and,to some extent,inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of bladder cancer T24 cells.Silencing LRIG3 gene might be a novel alternative for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Urolithiasis in Pregnancy: Survey in Clinical Epidemiology / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the association of pregnancy with urolithiasis and provided new insights into urolithiasis in pregnancy.A total of 462 subjects were studied from January 2004 to December 2009 in Foshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital,China.Among the 462 subjects,162 cases of urolithiasis during pregnancy (UPG) were selected as the observation group,150 cases of no urolithiasis during pregnancy (NUPG) served as pregnancy control group,and 150 cases of no pregnancy (NPG) at reproductive age who took part in physical examination were randomly assigned into non-pregnant control group.At the same time,the patients in observation group were divided into the following sub-groups:no symptomatic urinary calculus (NSUC) and symptomatic urinary calculus (SUC) groups;SUC group was further divided into surgical intervention (SI) and conservative management (CM) groups.The general information and the data of blood and urine were collected and compared among the groups.The results showed that the incidence of urinary calculi in pregnant women was lower than that in non-pregnant women,the formation of urinary stone was associated with the change of metabolism of protein and sugar in pregnant women,and the surgical intervention was a practicable alternative to treat the clinical intractable symptomatic urinary calculi in pregnancy.

Anti-tumor Activity of Curcumin against Androgen-independent Prostate Cancer Cells via Inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1 Pathway in vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The anti-tumor activity of curcumin against androgen-independent prostate cancer cells in vitro and the possible mechanism were investigated.After curcumin treatment,the effect of curcumin on the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells was assessed by CFSE staining.Flow cytometery (FCM) was performed to analyze the cell cycle and the induction of apoptosis of tumor cells.A luciferase reporter gene assay was used to determine the effects of curcumin on the activities of intracellular NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways.The results showed curcumin could effectively inhibit the proliferation of PC-3 cells in vitro (P＜0.05).Cells were arrested at G2/M phase.After curcumin treatment,the percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher than in control group (P＜0.05).The resuits of the luciferase assay revealed that curcumin selectively inhibited the activities of the NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways in PC-3 cells significantly.It was suggested that curcumin could exert anti-tumor activity against androgen-independent prostate cancer cells in vitro by inhibiting cellular proliferation and inducing apoptosis,which was probably contributed to the inhibition of transcription factors NF-κB and AP- 1.

Relationship between Aberrant Methylation of FAS Promoter and Biological Behavior of Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the promoter methylation of APO-1/CD95 (Fas) gene in bladder urothelial carcinoma and analyzed the relationship between the Fas promoter methylation and the biological behavior of bladder cancer.Promoter methylation of Fas gene was detected by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in 4 bladder cancer cell lines,50 human bladder urothelial carcinoma samples and 10 normal bladder tissue samples.Correlation of the aberrant methylation of Fas promoter with the clinicopathological parameters was statistically analyzed.The results showed that Fas was down-regulated at both mRNA and protein level in bladder cancer cell lines and tissue samples of bladder urothelial carcinoma.The positive rate of Fas protein expression in bladder urothelial carcinoma was 34.0％(17/50),significantly lower than that in normal bladder tissues (70.0％,7/10) (P＜0.01).Fas promoter methylation was detected,and the positive rate of Fas promoter methylation in bladder urothelial carcinoma was 42.0％ (21/50),which was obviously higher than that in normal bladder tissues (0.0％,0/10)(P＜0.01).The aberrant methylation of Fas promoter was reversely correlated with Fas protein expression (P＜0.05).Furthermore,the positive rates of Fas promoter methylation in high-grade and low-grade bladder urothelial carcinoma were 73.3％ (11/15) and 34.2％ (12/35),respectively,with significant difference shown (P＜0.05).No statistical significance was found in the Fas promoter methylation among different clinical stages of bladder cancer.It was concluded that Fas promoter hypermethylation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of bladder urothelial carcinoma and may serve as a prognostic indicator of bladder urothelial carcinoma.

VEGF Pathway-targeted Therapy for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Immunotherapy which has been in practice for more than 20 years proves effective for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).Anti-angiogenesis-targeted therapy has recently been identified as a promising therapeutic strategy for mRCC.This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway-targeted therapy for mRCC by comparing its effectiveness with that of immunotherapy.The electronic databases were searched.Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on comparison of VEGF inhibiting drugs (sorafenib,sunitinib and bevacizumab) with interferon (IFN) or placebo for mRCC treatment were included.Data were pooled to meta-analyze.A total of 7 RCTs with 3451 patients were involved.The results showed that anti-VEGF agents improved progression-free survival (PFS) and offered substantial clinical benefits to patients with mRCC.Among them,sunitinib had a higher overall response rate (ORR) than IFN (47％ versus 12％,P＜0.000001).Bevacizumab plus IFN produced a superior PFS [risk ratio (RR):0.86,95％ confidence interval (CI):0.76-0.97; P=0.01] and ORR (RR:2.19; 95％ CI:1.72-2.78; P＜0.00001) in patients with mRCC over IFN,but it yielded an increase by 31％ in the risk of serious toxic effects (RR:1.31; 95％ CI:1.20-1.43; P＜0.00001) as compared with IFN.The overall survival (OS) was extended by sorafenib (17.8 months) and sunitinib (26.4 months) as compared with IFN (13 months).It was concluded that compared with IFN therapy,VEGF pathway-targeted therapies improved PFS and achieved significant therapeutic benefits in mRCC.However,the risk to benefit ratio of these agents needs to be further evaluated.

Decreased Expression of Vitamin K Epoxide Reductase Complex Subunit 1 in Kidney of Patients with Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Urinary prothrombin fragment 1 (UPTF1) is a potent inhibitor of urinary stone formation.UPTF1 exerts such inhibitory effect by effective γ-carboxylation in which vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1),the rate-limiting enzyme,is involved.This study examined the correlation between VKORC1 expression and calcium oxalate urolithiasis.The renal cortex samples were obtained from patients undergoing nephrectomy and then divided into 3 groups:urolithiasis group,control group A [hydronephrosis-without-stone (HWS) group],control group B (normal control group).The localization and expression of VKORC 1 in renal tissues were determined by using immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence microscopy,Western blotting and SYBR Green Ⅰreal-time reverse-transcription PCR.The rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) were conducted to obtain the 3'- and 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of VKORC1.The results showed that VKORC1was located in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells.The expression of VKORC 1 in the urolithiasis group was significantly lower than that in the other two control groups (P＜0.05).Moreover,the 3'- and 5'-UTR sequence of the VKORC 1 gene was successfully cloned.No insertion or deletion was found in the 3'- and 5'-UTR.However,a 171-bp new base sequence was discovered in the upstream of 5'-UTR end in the urolithiasis group.It was concluded that the decreased expression of VKORC1 may contribute to the development of calcium oxalate urolithiasis in the kidney.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor in Bladder: A Case Report / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) in bladder is extremely rare. In this study, we reported one case of bladder SFT and reviewed the only ten cases of the disease that had been reported so far. The patient suffered from residual urine sensation and urethral pain. Cystoscopy revealed a 7-cm protruding mass at the dome of the bladder, and bladder mucosa biopsy showed normal differentiation of the bladder mucosa with a small amount of inflammatory cells. Radical resection of the tumor was performed in this patient. Pathological examination found uniform, haphazardly arranged spindle cells, the majority of which were CD34-positive and Vimentin-positive and proved that the mass was a solitary fibrous tumor. Within a period of 9 months of follow-up, no reoccurrence was found.

Retroperitoneoscopic Microwave Ablation of Renal Hamartoma:Middle-term Results / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The safety and efficacy of retroperitoneoscopic microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of renal hamartoma were evaluated. From July 2007 to July 2009, a total of 16 cases of renal hamartoma were treated with retroperitoneoscopic MWA. Peri- and post-operative findings were observed. Middle-term efficacy was assessed by contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) in follow-up period. All patients received MWA of 1-5 points. The mean operative time was 85 min and the mean blood loss was 65 mL. During a median follow-up of 16 months, no evidence of disease recurrence was observed despite of incomplete ablation in 1 case. Retroperitoneoscopic MWA is a relatively simple procedure with less impact to renal function and less complication. The outcome of middle-term follow-up is satisfactory. Thus, retroperitoneoscopic MWA appears to be a safe and effective technique for renal hamartoma in selected patients.

Genetic Mutation of Vitamin K-dependent Gamma-glutamyl Car-boxylase Domain in Patients with Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To investigate the exon mutation of vitamin K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX or VKDC) in patients with calcium oxalate urolithasis, renal cortex and peripheral blood sam-ples were obtained from severe hydronephrosis patients (with or without calculi), and renal tumor pa-tients undergoing nephrectomy. GGCX mutations in all 15 exons were examined in 44 patients with calcium oxalate urolithiasis (COU) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denatured high pressure liquid chromatography (DHPLC), and confirmed by sequencing. Mutation was not found in all COU samples compared to the controls. These data demonstrated that functional GGCX mutations in all 15 exons do not occur in most COU patients. It was suggested that there may be no significant association between the low activity and mutation of GGCX in COU.

The Assessment of Bladder and Urethral Function in Spinal Cord Injury Patients / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The correlation between the anatomic site of spinal cord injury and real-time conditions of bladder and urethral function was assessed in order to provide a reasonable basis for the clinical treat-ment of neurogenic bladder. A total of 134 patients with spinal cord injuries (105 males, 29 females;averaged 34.1 years old) were involved in this retrospective analysis, including urodynamic evaluation,clinical examination and imaging for anatomical position, and Bors-Comarr classification. The associa-tions between the levels of injury and urodynamic findings were analyzed. The results showed that mean follow-up duration was 16.7 months (range 8-27 months). Complete spinal cord injuries occurred in 21 cases, and incomplete spinal cord injuries in 113 cases. Of the 43 patients with upper motor neu-ron (UMN) injuries, hyperreflexia and (or) detmsor sphincter dyssynergia were demonstrated in 30 (69.8%), 31 (72.1%) suffered low bladder compliance (less than 12.5 mL/cmH2O), 28 (65.1%) had high detrusor leak point pressures (greater than 40 cmH2O), and 34 (79.1%) had residual urine. Of the 91 pa-tients with lower motor neuron (LMN) injuries, areflexia occurred in 78 (85.7%), high compliance in 75 (82.4%), low leak point pressures in 80 (87.9%), and residual urine in 87 (95.6%), respectively. The as-sociations between the anatomical site of spinal cord injury and urodynamic findings were ill defined. In patients with spinal cord injury, this study revealed a significant association between the level of injury and the type of voiding dysfunction. The anatomical site of spinal cord injury can not be predicted in real-time condition of bladder and urethral function. Management of neurogenic bladder in patients with spinal cord injury must be based on urodynamic findings rather than inferences from the neurologic evaluation.

A Comparative Study on Proteomics between LNCap and DU145 Cells by Quantitative Detection and SELDI Analysis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The differences in intracellular and extracellular protein expressions between human prostate cancer fines LNCap and DU145 were examined. The proteins of the two cell lines were extracted and condensed by using protein extraction kits. And the intracellular and extracellular proteins were quantitatively detected on a micro-plate reader by using bicinchoninie acid (BCA) method. The proteins in cell culture fluid were qualitatively assayed by SELDI-TOF-MS. The results showed that the intracellular protein contents of LNCap cells were extremely higher than those of DU145 cells. After serum-free culture, both intracellular and extracellular protein contents of LNCap and DU145 were decreased to some extent. And the intracellular proteins were decreased by 5% in LNCap and by 36% in DU145 respectively, while the extracellular proteins were decreased by 89% in LNCap and 96% in DU145 respectively. SELDI assay revealed that there were 5 marker proteins in LNCap and 6 in DU145. Although both LNCap and DU145 cell lines originated from human prostate cancer, they had some differences in protein expression.

The Expression and Implication ofTRPV5, Calbindin-D28k and NCX1 in Idiopathic Hypercalciuria / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Summary: The expression of calcium epithelium TRPV5, alcium binding protein Calbindin-D28k and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger NCX1 was detected in renal distal convoluted tubule, and their effects on urine calcium reabsorption and the possible pathogenic mechanism in idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) were investigated. Genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rats were chosen as animal models to study urine calcium reabsorption and IH. The cognate female and male rats that had maximal urine calcium were matched to breed next generation. Twelve GHS rats and 12 normal control (NC) SD rats were selected. Western blot and real time quantitative PCR were used to detect the protein and gene expression of TRPV5, Calbindin-D28k and NCX1 respectively. The expression levels of TRPV5 protein and mRNA in GHS rats were significantly lower than in NC rats (P<0.05). Western blot revealed that the expression levels of Caibindin-D28k in GHS rats and NC rats were 0.49±0.02 and 0.20±0.01 respectively, with the difference being significant between them (P<0.05). By using real time quantitative PCR, it was found that there was no significant difference in Calbindin-28k mRNA expression levels between GHS rats and NC rats (P0.05). There was no significant difference in the NCX1 expression between GHS rats and NC rats (P0.05). It was suggested that TRPV5 and Caibindin-D28k might play an important role in urine calcium reabsorption and IH, but they differently contributed to the pathogenesis: The down-regulation of TRPV5 decreases urine calcium reabsorption, directly leading to loss of the urine calcium and resulting in hypercalciuria, and the increased Calbindin-D28k expression could relieve, neutralize and decrease intracellular Ca2+ concentration to maintain calcium balance. NCX1 is not the key protein in urine calcium reabsorption.

Relationship between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in -174G/C and-634C/G Promoter Region of Interleukin-6 and Prostate Cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in -174G/C and -634C/G of interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoter region and prostate cancer was examined in the population of Han people in Hubei region. TaqMan PCR was employed for the gene-typing of -174G/C and -634C/G in promoter region of IL-6 gene to compare the prostate cancer patients and normal controls in terms of genotype frequency, allele frequency and risk of prostate cancer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of IL-6 concentration in peripheral blood of the patients with prostate cancer and the relationship between the IL-6 level and the genotype was studied.Our results showed that in all the subjects, the genotype of genetic locus -174G/C was found to be GG and no CG and CC were observed. There was a significant difference in gene frequency of GG,CG and CC of-634C/G and allele frequency of G and C between prostate cancer patients and normal controls (P<0.05) and the gene frequency of GG+CG increased with the clinical stages and pathological grades of prostate cancer. The IL-6 level in GG+CG group was significantly higher than that in CC group. It was.concluded that no SNP in-174G/C IL-6 promoter region was found in the population of Han people in Hubei region. The SNP in -634C/G was, to some extent, associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer. The population with GG+CG genetype has higher risk for prostate cancer.

Inhibitory Effect of Matrine on the Expression of PSA and AR in Prostate Cancer Cell line LNCaP / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to investigate the inhibitory effect of matrine on the expression of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and. Androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer cell line LNCaP in vitro, LNCaP cells were treated with matrine at different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 g/L) for 12-36 h. The growth activities of cancer cells were determined by MTI" colorimetric assay, The AR level was measured by Western blotting. The expression of PSA was detected by using AXSYM system-chemical luciferase methods. The results showed that matrine could effectively inhibit the growth of androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell line LNCaP in vitro in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). It could obviously decrease the level of AR (P<0.01) and inhibit the expression of PSA in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) in LNCaP cells. It was concluded that matrine could significantly suppress the growth of LNCaP cells and inhibit the expression of PSA and AR of prostate cancer cells.