Expression of keratin 8 in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury of mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of keratin 8 (K8) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury of mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty ICR mice were divided into four groups. CCl(4) 300 microl/kg body weight in olive oil was injected intraperitoneally for 0, 2, 4, 6 weeks in group A, B, C and D, respectively. Mice were sacrificed 3 d after the last injection and then the vital organs were collected and weighed. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry methods were used to analyze the expression of keratin 8 in the liver.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ratios of liver and body weight were increased significantly after administration of CCl(4), which were 5.60 %, 6.87%, 7.83 % and 7.76% at 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after injection, respectively. The expression of K8 was increased at the 2 w, 4 w and 6 w after CL(4) administration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of K8 is positively correlated with the liver injury induced by CCl(4). The accumulation of K8 may be involved in the mechanism of liver injury.</p>

Establishment of a new rabbit model of ischemic cerebral infarction by autologous clot embolism / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a convenient method for preparing rabbit models of ischemic cerebral infarction using autologous clot embolism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ischemic cerebral infarction was induced in rabbits by embolizing the middle cerebral artery using autologous clot emboli. Clinical and histological observations were carried out to evaluate the validity of the animal model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hemiplegia of different severities was observed in the rabbits after the operation. TTC and HE staining of the brain sections confirmed ischemic cerebral infarction 6 h after obstructing the middle cerebral artery with the autologous clot emboli.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Embolizing the middle cerebral artery using the autologous emboli is convenient to induce focal ischemic cerebral infarction in rabbits. This model has practical value in the study on the mechanism of ischemic cerebrovascular disease and in developing new strategies for prevention and treatment of the relevant diseases in human.</p>

Meta-analysis on peginterferon plus ribavirin in treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 1 or 4 infection in HIV patients / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To perform a Meta-analysis on peginterferon with interferon in treatment of HIV patients coinfected with refractory genotype HCV.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A literature search of Medline was conducted to identify eligible randomized controlled trials. Meta analysis was conducted to evaluate peginterferon and interferon in treatment of coinfected HCV genotype 1 or 4 in HIV patients.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six trials of 88 matched the selection criteria. Total 1,131 patients with coinfection of HCV genotype 1 or 4 and HIV were included. Sustain viral response was higher in patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin compared with that of interferon plus ribavirin (26 % compared with 8 %) or peginterferon alone (26 % compared with 13 %). Severe adverse effects and withdrawal rates were similar for patients treated with peginterferon and patients treated with interferon.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Peginterferon plus ribavirin in treatment of patients with coinfection of genotype 1 or 4 HCV and HIV can achieve higher sustain viral response and the likelihoods of serious adverse effects and withdrawal rates are similar to other therapies.</p>

Protective effects of emodin and astragalus polysaccharides on chronic hepatic injury in rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Chinese medicine plays an important role in hepatoprotective treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of emodin and astragalus polysaccharides (APS) in a rat model of chronic hepatic injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chronic hepatic injury was induced by hypodermic injection of an olive oil solution containing 40% carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) twice a week, in addition to a diet of 79.5% maizena, 20% fat, 0.5% cholesterol, and 10% alcohol in the drinking water ad libitum for 12 weeks. Meanwhile, the rats were exposed to different concentrations of emodin (40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), APS (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), combination drug (emodin 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) combined with APS 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and colchicine (0.1 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) in parallel by oral gavage (once a day for 12 weeks). At the end of 12 weeks, blood serum and liver tissue were taken. Serum was collected to determine the levels of total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminose (AST), and albumin (ALB). Liver and spleen indexes were assayed, followed by the measurements of the liver associated enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological changes were studied using optical microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Splenohepatomegalia was alleviated and serum levels of TBIL and ALT were reduced in the groups treated with emodin and APS when compared to the control group. In addition, the ALB level in the APS and combination groups was higher. Similarly, the SOD activity of liver homogenates was significantly higher in the groups treated with emodin and APS, while administration of the herbal derivatives prevented the elevation in MDA levels. Histological analysis showed that the APS and combination groups significantly ameliorated the hepatic injury.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Co-administration of emodin and APS demonstrated a synergistic action in reducing ALT and restoring ALB in the serum from a rat model of chronic hepatic injury. Emodin and APS may ameliorate the CCl(4)-induced hepatic injury in rats by elevating antioxidant-enzyme activities and reducing lipid peroxidation.</p>