Dexmedetomidine affects the NOX4/Nrf2 pathway to improve renal antioxidant capacity.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate the protective effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on renal injury caused by acute stress in rats and explore the protective pathways of DEX on rat kidneys in terms of oxidative stress. METHODS: An acute restraint stress model was utilized, where rats were restrained for 3 hours after a 15-minute swim. Biochemical tests and histopathological sections were conducted to evaluate renal function, along with the measurement of oxidative stress and related pathway proteins. KEY FINDINGS: The open-field experiments validated the successful establishment of the acute stress model. Acute stress-induced renal injury led to increased NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) protein expression and decreased expression levels of nuclear transcription factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Following DEX treatment, there was a significant reduction in renal NOX4 expression. The DEX-treated group exhibited normalized renal biochemical results and less damage observed in pathological sections compared to the acute stress group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that DEX treatment during acute stress can impact the NOX4/Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway and inhibit oxidative stress, thereby preventing acute stress-induced kidney injury. Additionally, DEX shows promise for clinical applications in stress syndromes.

Application of Bayesian Approach to Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Antiviral Treatments in Chronic Hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major problem for public health; timely antiviral treatment can significantly prevent the progression of liver damage from HBV by slowing down or stopping the virus from reproducing. In the study we applied Bayesian approach to cost-effectiveness analysis, using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation methods for the relevant evidence input into the model to evaluate cost-effectiveness of entecavir (ETV) and lamivudine (LVD) therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Jiangsu, China, thus providing information to the public health system in the CHB therapy. METHODS: Eight-stage Markov model was developed, a hypothetical cohort of 35-year-old HBeAg-positive patients with CHB was entered into the model. Treatment regimens were LVD100mg daily and ETV 0.5 mg daily. The transition parameters were derived either from systematic reviews of the literature or from previous economic studies. The outcome measures were life-years, quality-adjusted lifeyears (QALYs), and expected costs associated with the treatments and disease progression. For the Bayesian models all the analysis was implemented by using WinBUGS version 1.4. RESULTS: Expected cost, life expectancy, QALYs decreased with age. Cost-effectiveness increased with age. Expected cost of ETV was less than LVD, while life expectancy and QALYs were higher than that of LVD, ETV strategy was more cost-effective. Costs and benefits of the Monte Carlo simulation were very close to the results of exact form among the group, but standard deviation of each group indicated there was a big difference between individual patients. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with lamivudine, entecavir is the more cost-effective option. CHB patients should accept antiviral treatment as soon as possible as the lower age the more cost-effective. Monte Carlo simulation obtained costs and effectiveness distribution, indicate our Markov model is of good robustness.

[Combined use of TUVP and TURP for prostate cancer with bladder outlet obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a new surgical method for the treatment of prostate cancer with bladder outlet obstruction. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with prostate cancer complicated with bladder outlet obstruction were treated by combined use of transurethral electrovaporization ablation of the prostate (TUVP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). RESULTS: The operations were successful, with satisfactory results and no serious complication. IPSS decreased from (26.5 +/- 4.8) pre-operatively to (8.5 +/- 2.2) post-operatively (P < 0.05); Qmax increased from (4.6 +/- 1.5) ml/s to (14.5 +/- 3.6) ml/s (P < 0.05); and PSA decreased from (58.1 +/- 7.2) microg/L to (3.6 +/- 1.8) microg/L (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The combined use of TUVP and TURP is a safe and ideal method for the treatment of prostate cancer with bladder outlet obstruction.

[Gene expression analysis in liver tissue at a single cell level by nested polymerase chain reaction and laser microdissection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the measurements of gene expressing at a single hepatocyte level. METHODS: Individual hepatocyte was isolated from cryostat tissue section using laser microdissection technique. To detect the mRNA expressed by single hepatocyte, RNA was extracted, reversely transcribed to cDNA and amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Single cell was microdissected from cryostat tissue using an ultraviolet laser micromanipulator. The RNA could be extracted from the isolated cell(s), and the RT-PCR production could be observed after electrophoresis, whose quantitation was compatible with the number of cells. CONCLUSION: Combining laser microdissection and nested RT-PCR can monitor gene expression at a single cell level in vivo.

Relationship between overexpression of NK-1R, NK-2R and intestinal mucosal damage in acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

AIM: To study the expression of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) and neurokinin-2 receptor (NK-2R) in distal ileum of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and to evaluate the relationship between expression of these two receptors and intestinal mucosal damage. METHODS: A total of 130 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: the rats in ANP group (n=80) were induced by the retrograde intraductal infusion of 30 g.L(-1) sodium taurocholate. And the rats in normal control group (n=50) received laparotomy only. Sacrifices were made 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h later in ANP and normal control group after induction respectively. Intestinal mucosal permeability was studied by intrajejunal injection of 1.5 mCi radioactive isotope (99m)Tc-diethlene triamine pentacetic acid (DTPA) and the radioactivity of (99m)Tc-DTPA content in urine was measured 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after induction. Then the pancreas and intestine were prepared for pathology. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression of NK-1R and NK-2R, and Western blot was used to investigate the protein level of NK-1R and NK-2R. RESULTS: In ANP rats, serious histologic damages in intestinal mucosa were observed, and the radioactivity of (99m)Tc-DTPA in urine increased significantly in the ANP group. RT-PCR revealed that NK-1R and NK-2R mRNA level was overexpressed in the distal ileum of ANP as compared with the normal control group. Western blot discovered stronger NK-1R (14-fold increase) and NK-2R (9-fold increase) immunoreactivity in the intestinal mucosa of ANP rats. Moreover, the overexpression of NK-1R was associated with mucosal pathological score (r=0.77, P<0.01) and intestinal permeability (r=0.68, P<0.01) in ANP rats. CONCLUSION: NK-1R and NK-2R contribute to disrupted neuropeptides loop balance, deteriorate intestinal damage, and are involved in pathophysiological changes in ANP.

[Laser microdissection of a single cell from colon tissue for gene analysis].

AIM: To investigate the method of detecting gene expression in colon tissue at a single cell level. METHODS: Individual cell(s) were picked up from colon frozen section using laser microdissection. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed to complementary DNA (cDNA). cDNA was then analyzed by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) using two pairs of primers. RESULTS: Single cell(s) were selectively picked up using an ultraviolet laser micromanipulator. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed and used for nested RT-PCR. Amplification products of cDNA from down to a single cell could be clearly visualized in the agarose gel. CONCLUSION: The combined utilization of laser microdissection and nested RT-PCR provides an opportunity to analyze gene expression at single cell(s) level in colon tissue.