ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate pathological changes of lens epithelium cells (LECs) and expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3),alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),and fibronectin (Fn) in lens epithelial cells of experimental diabetic cataract rats,and to evaluate the roles of MMP-3,α-SMA,and Fn in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract.Methods A total of 105 healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats without lens diseases was randomly divided into normal control (n =45) and diabetic model (n =60) groups.Diabetic model rats were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg),and those in the normal control group received injection with 0.1 mmol/L citric acid buffer solution of the same volume.The diabetic models were affirmed upon a fasting blood ≥ 16.65 mmol/L at the 3rd days after the injection.Once a week,the changes of blood glucose and body weight were monitored and the progression of cataract formation in both lenses of all rats was recorded with slit lamp observation.At end of 4 weeks,8 weeks,and 12 weeks after STZ injection,lenses were isolated and embedded in paraffin.The LECs histopathology was examined with HE staining.Immunohistochemical method was used to detect expressions of MMP-3,α-SMA,and Fn in normal and diabetic LECs.The related comparisons and statistic analysis were carried out.Results The lenses of control group were always completely transparent throughout the period of experiment with 31.48％,77.78％,and 100％ of lenses in diabetic model group swelling at 4th,8th,and 12th week,respectively.Under the light microscopic level,it has been showed that lens epithelium cells,which was occurred aggregate plaque and arranged in many layers,presented some morphologic characteristics of fibroblasts by HE staining.In control group LECs regularly,MMP-3,α-SMA,and Fn did not express equally;MMP-3,α-SMA,and Fn expressions increased obviously highly,difference had statistical significance compared to diabetic cataract group LECs (P ＜ 0.01).With the development of course of disease,the differences in expression of MMP-3,α-SMA,and Fn were significant between the diabetic cataract LECs and the control group (P ＜ 0.01).During the progression of diabetic cataract,the expression of Fn was positively correlated with that of α-SMA and MMP-3 (r =0.994,P ＜ 0.01;r =0.993,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The diabetic cataract liyingbody animal model was established successfully,which has laid down necessary basis to expound the morbidity mechanism of diabetic cataract.In the lens of diabetic cataract group,the expressions of α-SMA,MMP-3,and Fn were significantly increased.They participated in the occurrence and development of diabetic cataract.The expression of Fn was positively correlated with α-SMA and MMP-3.The lens epithelium cells which took on elongated aspect like fibroblast cells appeared epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT),which mediated the occurrence and development of LECs fibrosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between the matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3)and the stability of carotid artery plaque,and explore MMP-3's prediction role on the attack and relapse of acute ischemic cerebrovascular events.Methods 100 patients with the first ever acute cerebral infarction,100 patients with chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency(CCCI)and 40 persons without cerebrovascular diseases were enrolled in this study.According to the carotid ultrasound examination,100 cerebral infarction patients were divided into three subgroup: unstable plaque group(45 patients,mixed plaque,soft plaque),stable plaque group(35 patients,plaque Group)and endometrial coarse group(25patients).Matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3)levels of all the subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(as basal level).All the subjects were followed up for one year to observe cerebral infarction events.Serum MMP-3 levels of each group,and the basic serum MMP-3 levels were compared among patients who were attacked or relapsed cerebral ischemic with those who had not been attack cerebral ischemic during this period of time.Results 5 patients in the cerebral infarction group had relapse (5%),2 patients in the CCCI group were attacked by cerebral ischemic(2%),and no one in the normal control group was attacked by cerebral ischemic.Serum MMP-3 levels in the acute cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than CCCI group,and both groups were significantly higher than normal control group (P ＜0.05).The basic serum MMP-3 levels in all patients who were attacked by cerebral ischemic were significantly higher than those who had not been attack by cerebral ischemic during this period of time(P ＜0.05).The serum MMP-3 levels of the unstable plaque group were significantly higher than stable plaque group.And both groups were significantly higher than endometrial coarse group(P ＜0.05).Conclusions Elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3)might have something with the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque,and participate the attack and the relapse of acute cerebral infarction.Determination of MMP-3 might be used to predict the attack and relapse of acute cerebral infarction.