Rat prostate glandular epithelial cells cultured in vitro and their barrier function / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To culture rat prostate glandular epithelial cells and study their barrier functions in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat prostate glandular epithelial cells were cultured in vitro. The expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 was determined by immunohistochemistry, the structure and composition of the epithelial cells observed under the inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope. The transepithelial electrical resistances (TEERs) were monitored with the Millicell system. The permeability of the prostate glandular epithelial cells was assessed by the phenol red leakage test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compact monolayer cell structures were formed in the prostate glandular epithelial cells cultured in vitro. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of tight junctions between the adjacent glandular epithelial cells. The TEERs in the cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells reached the peak of about (201.3 ± 3.5) Ω/cm2 on the 8th day. The phenol red leakage test manifested a decreased permeability of the cell layers with the increase of TEERs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The structure and function of rat prostate glandular epithelial cells are similar to those of brain capillary endothelial cells, retinal capillary endothelial cells, and intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells have the barrier function and can be used as a model for the study of blood prostate barrier in vitro.</p>

Dynamic observation of the biomechanic properties of sciatic nerve at the suture site in rats following repairing / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the biomechanic properties of sciatic nerve at the suture site in rats following repairing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The right sciatic nerves of 40 white Sprague-Dawley 300-350 gm rats were exposed, cut and then repaired with 10-0 nylon sutures, laced in the epineurium. 0, 1, 3, 6 weeks after operation, the tensile strength of the sciatic nerves were measured, the data analyzed statistically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The load-elongation curves for both the normal unoperated and operated nerves had the similar shape. The tensile strength of the 0 week was significant difference to 1, 3 and 6 weeks (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found among 1, 3 and 6 weeks.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The tensile strength of the injured nerves are recovered in the first week and resistant in 6 weeks after repairing.</p>