Effect of silymarin on acute lung injury and MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats with acute pancreatitis / 中国药理学通报

Aim: To explore the protective effect of silymarin on acute lung injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis and its relationship with mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor κB (NF-kB) signaling pathway. Methods: SD rats were divided into sham operation group, model group, silymarin low, medium and high dose group (50, 100, 200 mg · kg-1), and dexamethasone group (2 mg · kg-1). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect inflammatory markers. Hematoxylin eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the histopathological changes of pancreas and lung. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of MAPK/NF-kB pathway. Results: After modeling, PaO2 and OI decreased, PaCO2, pancreas, lung histopathological score, amylase activity, TNF-α, IL-1β levels all increased in model group, compared with sham operation group, the differences were significant (P < 0. 05). After administration of silymarin, PaO2 and OI increased, PaCO2, pancreas, lung histopathological score, amylase activity, TNF-α, IL-1β levels, W/D and PMN in pancreas, lung tissues decreased, p-JNK, p-p38, p-ERK1/2, p-IκBα protein expression decreased in a dose-dependent manner, which was significantly different from those of model group (P < 0. 05). Conclusions: Silymarin may play a protective role in acute lung injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis by inhibiting MAPK/NF-kB pathway.

Influence of pulmonary function after combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the influence of combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy for early postoperative pulmonary function, and to study the relative factors for postoperative pulmonary complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From September 2009 to December 2010, 61 patients with esophageal cancer had undergone esophagectomy surgery, of which 32 patients had undergone combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy (CTLE group), and 29 patients had undergone open three-field esophagectomy (open group). Pulmonary function, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) were measured on the 1(th) preoperative day, 5(th) and 10(th) postoperative day, and arterial blood gas analyses were performed during the same period. Meanwhile, pain scores and other potentially relevant factors were recorded as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Preoperative pulmonary function and arterial blood gas analysis, including FEV(1)%, FVC%, PaO2 in two groups had no significant difference (t = -1.608 to 0.709, P = 0.113 to 0.481). On the 10(th) postoperative day, FEV(1)%, FVC%, PaO2, and SaO2 of two groups were significantly different (FEV(1)%: 77% ± 17% vs. 53% ± 13%, t = 6.241, P = 0.000; FVC%: 78% ± 13% vs. 57% ± 16%, t = 5.549, P = 0.000; PaO2: (87 ± 9) mmHg vs. (79 ± 14) mmHg, t = 2.477, P = 0.017; SaO2: 96% ± 3% vs. 94% ± 2%, t = 2.313, P = 0.024; 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). Pain score of CTLE group was lower than open group, and the scores of two groups had significant difference before the 5(th) day after surgery (t = -4.398 to -1.815, P = 0.000 to 0.049). Postoperative pulmonary complications of CTLE group was lower than open group (6/32 vs. 12/29, χ(2) = 3.745, P = 0.049).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy has advantages on early postoperative pulmonary function. It can relatively reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications after surgery.</p>

Establishment of animal model of temporomandibular joint synovitis and its histological investigation / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a stable animal model of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen 6-week-old male SD rats were classified into four groups, control group, occlusal dimension increase group, masseter resection group, occlusal dimension increase group and masseter resection group. The rats in the occlusal dimension increase group were adhered composite resin to their maxillary molars in order to increase the occlusal vertical dimension when they were 9-week-old. The rats in the masseter resection group were cut off their bilateral masseter muscles when they were 6-week-old. In the occlusal dimension increase group and masseter resection group, rats' bilateral masseter muscles were resected and occlusal vertical dimension was increased. All rats were sacrificed at their 10 weeks old. TMJ samples were prepared for histology to evaluate the animal model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The control group showed non-inflammatory changes. The occlusal dimension increase group and the masseter resection group showed vascular dilation and synovial lining proliferation, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared to the two disposed groups, the occlusal dimension increase group and masseter resection group showed significant inflammatory changes (P < 0.05), including synovial lining proliferation, vascular dilation and fibrin deposit.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The animal model of TMJ synovitis created in the present investigation could simulate the real pathological features of synovitis in vivo, and this animal model showed the obvious merits of high stability and reproduction.</p>