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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of serum programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) levels in patients with critical illnesses including systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS, except sepsis), sepsis (except severe sepsis) and severe sepsis.METHODS: A total of 78 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom, 28 were with SIRS, 23 with sepsis and 27 with severe sepsis. Twenty-two healthy individuals were included as controls. The levels of serum PDCD5 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay. And the correlation analyses were made in the levels of sreum PDCD5 and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II(APACHE II), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), white blood cell count, neutrophil count and age factors. RESULTS: Serum PDCD5 levels in the SIRS, sepsis and severe sepsis groups were (19.07±8.91), (29.03±13.27) and (42.83±17.32) μg/L respectively, which were significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (0.32±0.02) μg/L. Serum PDCD5 levels in SIRS, sepsis and severe sepsis groups were gradually increased with significant difference at any in-between comparison (P<0.05). Moreover, serum PDCD5 levels were positively correlated with the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score (r=0.572, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The serum PDCD5 levels in the critically ill patients with sepsis were progressively increased with the worsened condition. The up-regulated expression of PDCD5 may play an important role in the development and progression of sepsis.
Beijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences 04/2013; 45(2):238-241.
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ABSTRACT: Human embryonic stem (hES) cells with the capacity of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation are promising sources for generation of pancreatic islet cells for cell replacement therapy in diabetes. Here we induced hES cells into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in a stepwise process which recapitulates islet organogenesis by directing cells through the stages resembling definitive endoderm, gut-tube endoderm, pancreatic precursor and cells that express pancreatic endocrine hormones. The dynamic expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) during the differentiation was analyzed and was compared with that in the development of human pancreatic islets. We found that the dynamic expression patterns of miR-375 and miR-7 were similar to those seen in the development of human fetal pancreas, whereas the dynamic expression of miR-146a and miR-34a showed specific patterns during the differentiation. Furthermore, the expression of Hnf1β and Pax6, the predicted target genes of miR-375 and miR-7, was reciprocal to that of miR-375 and miR-7. Over-expression of miR-375 down-regulated the expression of gut-endoderm/pancreatic progenitor specific markers Hnf1β and Sox9. Therefore, the miRNAs may directly or indirectly regulate the expression of pancreatic islet organogenesis-specific transcription factors to control the differentiation and maturation of pancreatic islet cells.
Gene 01/2013; · 2.34 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ghrelin is involved in regulating the differentiation of mesoderm-derived precursor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ghrelin modulated the differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells into cardiomyocytes and, if so, whether the effect was mediated by growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1α (GHS-R1α).
Cardiomyocyte differentiation from hES cells was performed according to an embryoid body (EB)-based protocol. The cumulative percentage of beating EBs was calculated. The expression of cardiac-specific markers including cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) was detected using RT-PCR, real-time PCR and Western blot. The dispersed beating EBs were examined using immunofluorescent staining.
The percentage of beating EBs and the expression of cTnI were significantly increased after ghrelin (0.1 and 1 nmol/L) added into the differentiation medium. From 6 to 18 d of differentiation, the increased expression of cTnI and α-MHC by ghrelin (1 nmol/L) was time-dependent, and in line with the alteration of the percentages of beating EBs. Furthermore, the dispersed beating EBs were double-positively immunostained with antibodies against cTnI and α-actinin. However, blockage of GHS-R1α with its specific antagonist D-[lys(3)]-GHRP-6 (1 μmol/L) did not alter the effects of ghrelin on cardiomyocyte differentiation.
Our data show that ghrelin enhances the generation of cardiomyocytes from hES cells, which is not mediated via GHS-R1α.
Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 08/2011; 32(10):1239-45. · 1.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The researches of therapeutic cloning and somatic cell reprogramming, two strategies used to generate patient-specific autologous stem cells, have recently made great progress. Therapeutic cloning refers to derivation of embryonic stem cells from blastocyst produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer, whereas somatic cell reprogramming refers to establishment of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from differentiated somatic cells by ectopic expression of specific transcription factors. The two strategies differ in their methodological approaches, technical obstacles and ethical debates, but confront similar problems including the differentiation of stem cells and the feasibility of cell-replacement therapy. This review discusses the research advance of these two biotechnologies and summarizes their difference and similarity.
Sheng li ke xue jin zhan [Progress in physiology] 05/2009; 40(2):101-5.
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone (RGZ) on expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and caspase-1 in liver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats.
Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control, NAFLD, and RGZ treated NAFLD groups. A NAFLD rat model of NAFLD was established by feeding the animals with a high-fat diet for 12 wk. The NAFLD animals were treated with RGZ or vehicle for the last 4 wk (week 9-12) and then sacrificed to obtain liver tissues. Histological changes were analyzed with HE, oil red O and Masson's trichrome staining. Expressions of IL-18 and caspase-1 were detected using immunohistochemical staining and semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.
The expression levels of both IL-18 and caspase-1 were higher in the liver of NAFLD group than in the control group. Steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis, found in the liver of NAFLD rats, were significantly improved 4 wk after RGZ treatment. The elevated hepatic IL-18 and caspase-1 expressions in NAFLD group were also significantly attenuated after RGZ treatment.
RGZ treatment can ameliorate increased hepatic IL-18 production and histological changes in liver of NAFLD rats. The beneficial effects of RGZ on NAFLD may be partly due to its inhibitory effect on hepatic IL-18 production.
World Journal of Gastroenterology 01/2009; 14(47):7240-6. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the IL-18 expression in the thyroid tissues of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and its cellular localization and the effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the interleukin- (IL)-18 expression in thyrocytes.
RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the IL-18 expression and its cellular localization in the thyroid tissues biopsy specimens of 6 HT patients with normal thyroid function, 6 normal thyroid specimens resected from patients with pharyngeal carcinoma, and 16 specimens of thyroid tissues adjacent to the thyroid adenoma obtained during operation. Thyrocytes were isolated, cultured, and exposed to IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), or IFN-gamma for 48 h. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the IL-18 expression.
IL-18 mRNA expression was at an extremely low levels in the normal thyroid tissues and at a significantly higher level in the thyroid tissues of HT. Immunohistochemical staining showed that IL-18 expression was augmented in the thyroid tissues of HT and was mainly localized in the thyroid follicular cells. The IL-18 mRNA expression in the isolated human thyrocytes was dose-dependently elevated by IFN-gamma rather than TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. Western blotting showed that pro-IL-18, but not mature IL-18, was detected in the lysates of the cultured human thyrocytes and the expression of pro-IL-18 was increased by IFN-gamma.
IL-18 expression is elevated in the thyroid follicular cells of HT. IL-18 is constitutively expressed in the isolated human thyrocytes and its expression is up-regulated by IFN-gamma. Therefore, interplay between IL-18 and IFN-gamma may have an important role in the thyrocytes destruction in HT.
Zhonghua yi xue za zhi 12/2008; 88(40):2817-20.
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ABSTRACT: A 16-year-old "female" patient presented as hypertension, hypokalemia, male pseudohermaphroditism, lowered gonadal steroids and cortisol, elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone and pituitary gonadotropin, and 46 XY karyotype. The patient was diagnosed as 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency, a rare case of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. "She" chose to remain female appearance and social gender after negotiation with the parents. Cryptor-chidism of both inguinal canals was surgically removed for preventing canceration. After the surgery, a very small daily dose of dexamethasone (0.187 5 mg at bedtime) was enough to control hypertension and hypokalemia, and the therapy of conjugated estrogens (Premarin) was given to promote the development of female characters. After 6 months of treatment, normotension and normokalemia remained, and pubarche and mammogenesis emerged.
Beijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences 05/2008; 40(2):221-2.
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Sheng li ke xue jin zhan [Progress in physiology] 05/2008; 39(2):159-61.
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ABSTRACT: To study the efficacy and safety of extended-release metformin and Glucophage in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
150 out-patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus visiting 3 hospitals in Beijing were randomly divided into two equal groups: study group treated with extended-release metformin 1500 mg qd for 12 weeks, and control group treated with Glucophage (tablet of metformin, 500 mg, tid) and in for 12 weeks. The levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma glucose 2 h after meal (2 hPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were examined before and 12 weeks after treatment. Plasma insulin was detected by radioimmunoassay.
Completed study had been obtained in 140 patients, 71 in the control group and 69 in the study group. 12 weeks after treatment there was no significant difference in the FPG level between these two groups (P = 0.07), the postprandial plasma glucose level decreased by 0.4 (-1.4 approximately 1.7) mmol/L in the control group and increased slightly in the study group (P = 0.002), however, the levels plasma glucose area under curve 2 hours after meal in these 2 groups did not changed significantly (P = 0.64). HbA1c decreased in both groups and there was not significant difference between these two groups (P = 0.73). The adverse event rates of the study and control groups were 10.8% and 4.3% respectively (P = 0.21), and the main adverse events were gastrointestinal side effects. No serious adverse events were found in both groups, and no patient was withdrawn due to adverse events of medication.
The efficacy and safety of extended-release metformin within 12 week treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus is comparable to those of Glucophage treatment with good compliance and mild adverse side effects.
Zhonghua yi xue za zhi 06/2007; 87(18):1238-40.
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the acute and chronic effects of nateglinide versus acarbose on plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and lipid profiles in patients with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
A crossover trial of nateglinide and acarbose was conducted on 16 drug-naïve patients with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes during a total period of 9 weeks. Plasma glucose, serum insulin, free fatty acids (FFA), lipids and lipoproteins, and plasma ADMA were measured.
The efficiencies of a single dose of nateglinide (120 mg) and acarbose (50 mg) for lowering postprandial hyperglycemia were similar. Compared to acarbose, nateglinide significantly increased postprandial insulin release after a standard meal test in patients with type 2 diabetes. Nateglinide acutely decreased postprandial 120 min FFA concentrations and 240 min ADMA levels more significantly than acarbose. The fasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased significantly, but the fasting levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and ADMA were unchanged after 4 weeks of treatment with nateglinide. Acarbose did not affect fasting lipid profiles or the ADMA levels after 4 weeks of treatment.
These results suggest that the reduction of postprandial FFA and ADMA concentrations induced by nateglinide may be associated with the partial restoration of early-phase insulin secretion and may impart a cardiovascular advantage in comparison with acarbose.
Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 05/2007; 28(4):534-9. · 1.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate whether ghrelin, a novel endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), was expressed in the thyroid tissues of different thyroid diseases, and its implication.
The paraffin-embedded specimens of thyroid tissues from 2000 to 2004 were obtained from 57 patients with different thyroid diseases, including 5 subacute thyroiditis, 8 Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 7 hyperthyroidism (Graves disease), 8 nodular goiter, 5 thyroid adenoma, 3 thyroid lymphoma, 8 papillary carcinoma, 3 follicular carcinoma, 5 medullary carcinoma and 5 undifferentiated carcinoma cases. The specimens of normal peri-adenoma thyroid tissues served as controls. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect ghrelin expression.
(1) ghrelin expression was undetectable in the thyroid tissues of normal control, subacute thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves disease. (2) ghrelin expression was also undetected in the tissues of nodular goiter, thyroid adenoma and thyroid lymphoma. (3) ghrelin-positive staining was found in the tumor cells of different types of thyroid carcinmoma. Five cases were positive within 8 cases in papillary carcinoma, 2 cases were positive within 3 cases in follicular carcinoma, 3 cases were positive within 5 cases in medullary carcinoma, 3 cases were positive within 5 cases in undifferentiated carcinoma.
Ghrelin is expressed in malignant epithelial thyroid neoplasmas, but not in autoimmune or inflammatory thyroid diseases and benign nodular thyroid diseases. The results indicate that ghrelin expression may play an important role in the occurrence and development of thyroid carcinoma.
Beijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences 05/2006; 38(2):193-6.
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ABSTRACT: To verify the hypothesis that selected nestin positive cells derived from human fetal pancreas (according as medical ethnics) have surface markers similar to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and that these cells have multilineage potential.
The cell surface markers were determined by flow cytometry, and then the potential that these cells might be differentiated into adipocytes and osteoplasts were explored.
These cells have similar surface markers as MSCs of bone marrow origin. These cells was induced to differentiate into adipocytes and osteoplasts.
Selected nestin positive cells derived from human fetal pancreas have certain characteristics of MSCs.
Zhongguo yi xue ke xue yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 01/2006; 27(6):683-7.
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ABSTRACT: The side population (SP) phenotype might represent a common molecular feature for a wide variety of stem cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether monoclonal SP progenitor cells were established from human fetal pancreas. Islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were isolated from human fetal pancreas. Monolayer epithelium-like cells were obtained from the ICCs and passaged thereafter. Single SP or non-SP cells were sorted from these cells at the sixth passage. The rate of clone formation was about 2.7% for the SP cells, whereas there was no clone formation for the non-SP cells. The SP cell clones were further expanded for more than 15 passages and induced for differentiation into cells with characteristics of pancreatic beta-cells. We show for the first time that the monoclonal SP progenitors are established from human fetal pancreas. Therefore, this study may offer a novel method to purify pancreatic progenitor cells from human tissues.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 08/2005; 333(2):603-8. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To isolate nestin-positive progenitor cells from human fetal pancreas and to detect their surface markers and their capability of proliferation and differentiation into pancreatic islet endocrine cells in vitro.
Islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were isolated from human fetal pancreas by using collagenase digestion. The free-floating ICCs were handpicked and cultured in a new dish. After the ICCs developed into monolayer epithelium-like cells, they were passaged and induced for differentiation. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence stain, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) were used to detect the expression of cell markers.
(1) The monolayer epithelium-like cells had highly proliferative potential and could be passaged more than 16 times in vitro; (2) RT-PCR analysis and immunofluorescence stain showed that these cells expressed both nestin and ABCG2, two of stem cell markers; (3) FACS analysis revealed that CD44, CD90 and CD147 were positive, whereas CD34, CD38, CD45, CD71, CD117, CD133 and HLA-DR were negative on the nestin-positive cells; (4) RT-PCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression of insulin, glucagon and pancreatic-duodenal homeobox gene-1 was detected, whereas the expression of nestin and neurogenin 3 disappeared in these cells treated with serum-free media supplemented with the cocktail of growth factors. Furthermore, the intra-cellular insulin content was detected by RIA after the induction culture.
Nestin-positive cells isolated from human fetal pancreas possess the characteristics of pancreatic progenitor cells since they have highly proliferative potential and the capability of differentiation into insulin-producing cells in vitro. Interestingly, the nestin-positive pancreatic progenitor cells share many phenotypic markers with mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow.
World Journal of Gastroenterology 06/2005; 11(19):2906-11. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate whether TF-1 cell apoptosis-related gene 19 (TFAR19), a novel apoptosis-related protein, is expressed in the tissue of thyroid adenoma (TA) or papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the cellular location of the expression.
Thyroid tumor tissue specimens were obtained from six patients with TA and six patients with PTC by surgical biopsies for pathological diagnosis. Normal peri-tumor thyroid tissue from the six TA patients served as control. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect TFAR19 expression.
TFAR19 expression was barely detectable in normal thyroid tissue. However, TFAR19 expression was strongly positive in the thyroid tumor tissue of TA group but negative in that of PTC group.
Our preliminary data have demonstrated for the first time that TFAR19-related apoptotic pathway is activated in the tumor cells of TA and inhibited in those of PTC. The imbalance between cell apoptosis and proliferation might have an important role in the pathogenesis of PTC.
Zhonghua nei ke za zhi [Chinese journal of internal medicine] 08/2003; 42(7):492-4.
