[Expression of inhibin B betaB subunits in the testicular tissues of azoospermia patients with different pathological alterations]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of inhibin B betaB subunits in human testicular tissues.

METHODS

Eighty-three cases of the azoospermia underwent testicular biopsy. In accordance with the pathological alterations of spermatogenesis, the samples were divided into four groups: Sertoli-cell-only syndrome (n = 21); hypospermatogenesis (n = 20), maturation arrest (n = 24) and almost normal spermatogenesis (n = 18). Immunohistochemical staining for inhibin B betaB subunits was conducted on the paraffin-embedded sections of different spermatogenesis to localize inhibin B betaB subunits in the seminiferous tubules.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemically, positive products of inhibin B betaB subunits were found in both the seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues of the testis as brown or yellow particles in the cytoplasm. Leydig cells and early intermediate spermatogenic cells showed a very strong positivity; Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules were mostly positive; peritubular myoid cells showed a weak positive staining; but no positive expression of inhibin B betaB subunits was found in late spermatids and mature sperm.

CONCLUSION

Inhibin B may be produced by both Sertoli cells and early spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules.

[Variation of nestin expression in SD rat eyes in different stages of postnatal development]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the position and quantity of nestin expression in SD rat eyes in different stages of postnatal development.

METHODS

Immunocytochemical method was used to identify nestin expression in the eyes of SD rats of 1 to 30 days old.

RESULTS

Nestin expression was detected in the retina and extraocular muscles of SD rats. The expression varied with the time of postnatal development, distributing in the entire retina layers in earlier stages and confined in the nerve fiber layer in later stages. The quantities of nestin expression in the extraocular muscles decreased gradually with growth.

CONCLUSION

Nestin expression in the retinas and extraocular muscles of SD rats decreases during the postnatal development.

[Inducement effect of matrine on phenotype changes of rat hepatic oval cells]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Atypical dysplasia of oval cells plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To prevent oval cells from carcinogenesis or induce them to differenciate into hepatocytes will become an effective way for chemical treatment of HCC. This study was to construct a rat hepatic oval cell proliferation model, and observe the inducement effect of matrine on phenotype changes of hepatic oval cells.

METHODS

Hepatic oval cell proliferation model was constructed with SD rats by 2-acetaminofluorene administration and 2/3 partial hepatectomy, and divided into model group, low dose matrine group, high dose matrine group, and control group. Ultrastructure of oval cells was observed by electron microscopy. The expression of Thy-1 and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and adenosine triphosphatase was detected by enzyme-histochemisty.

RESULTS

The oval cells in high dose matrine groups were larger and contained more rough endoplasmic reticula than those in control group. The expression index of Thy-1 was 8.15+/-2.64 in model group, 5.27+/-1.32 in low dose matrine group, 3.83+/-0.35 in high dose matrine group, and 1.63+/-0.22 in control group; it was significantly lower in high dose matrine group than in model group (P<0.05). The number of AFP-positive cells was 15.36+/-4.42 in model group, 9.75+/-2.41 in low dose matrine group, 7.33+/-1.38 in high dose matrine group, and 2.51+/-0.93 in control group; it was significantly lower in high dose matrine group than in model group (P<0.05). The inhibition rate of gamma-GT was significantly higher in high dose matrine group than in low dose matrine group (55.37% vs. 33.35%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Matrine can inhibit the proliferation of oval cells, induce ultrastructure changes, and suppress the expression of Thy-1, AFP, and gamma-GT.

Effects of radix salviae miltiorrhizae on endothelin-1-induced calcium changes in hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of radix salviae miltiorrhizae (RSM) on the changes of [Ca²⁺]i induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1) in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

METHODS: After preparation of RSM cream, the effects of RSM on ET-1-induced changes of HSCs [Ca²⁺]i were observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy.

RESULTS: In normal buffer (including Ca²⁺, buffer A), the fluorescence intensity was enhanced accordingly with the increase of ET-1 concentration. The cumulative-response curve showed EC₅₀ was 1.1×10^-9 mol/L. After incubation of HSCs with ET-1 in buffer A and buffer B (absence of extracellular calcium, EGTA), the duration of calcium peak had significant difference (165.2 ± 10.1 s vs 91.0 ± 7.2 s, P < 0.01), while the value of calcium peak had no significant difference. The ET-1-induced duration of calcium wave decreased markedly in the cells pretreated with RSM in buffer A as compared with that in the ones treated by ET-1 alone (69.1 ± 12.5 s vs 165.2 ± 10.1 s, P < 0.01). The calcium peak value and duration of calcium wave had no significant changes between the cells pre-incubated with RSM in buffer B and A (P > 0.05). In the cells pre-incubated with RSM, KCl-induced elevation of [Ca²⁺]i was decreased, and the calcium peak value (78.0% ± 6.1% → 26.3% ± 1.2%, P < 0.01) and duration of calcium wave (70.8 ± 10.4 s → 15.9 ± 5.1 s, P < 0.01) were decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION: RSM inhibits ET-1-induced depletion of intracellular calcium, which has no correlations with the influx of extracellular calcium. RSM can also inhibit KCl-induced influx of calcium, indicating its characteristic of blocking voltage-operated Ca²⁺ channel.

[Establishment of an undifferential orchitis model in rats and changes of spermatogenic epithelium]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the changes of rat testicular spermatogenic epithelium stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo.

METHODS

Twenty Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control group and experimental group. The control group was treated with pyrogen-free saline (1 ml/kg) and the experimental group was injected ip with saline containing LPS (1 mg/kg) once every two days. Two groups were operated after ten days in order to investigate the testicular pathological changes by HE staining and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen( PCNA), alpha-catenin in spermatogenic epithelium by immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTS

The testes of the experimental group showed inflammatory changes. The positive expression of PCNA in seminiferous epithelium was significantly lower than that of control group. The number of positive cells in every seminiferous, in which only spermatogonia were stained in experimental group were 59 +/- 5 and it showed significant decrease compared with the control (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the percentage of such seminiferous tubules was 0.673 +/- 0.054 and increased apparently (P < 0.01). The expression of alpha-catenin in testicular tissue of the experimental group declined (P < 0.01), and cellular positive granular light density was 0.150 +/- 0.014.

CONCLUSION

The ability of spermatogonium proliferation and the function of conglutination of cells under inflammatory condition of the testes declined, which may be one of the etiologies of male infertility.

[Experimental choroidal neovascularization is inhibited by subretinal administration of Endostatin]

OBJECTIVE

Endostatin is an endogeneous angiogenesis inhibitor. The purpose of this study was to investigated the effect of Endostatin on the eyes of rats with experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODS

Experimental CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation. Animals were given subretinal injections of recombinant human Endostatin 20 microl (5 g/L) or 0.9% chlorine sodium. The intensity of fluorescein leakage from the photocoagulated lesions was studied 13 days after photocoagulation. The area of CNV at each rupture site was measured using high molecular weight FITC-dextran (MW 2 x 10(6)) for high resolution angiography in RPE-choroid-sclera flat mounts. In addition, 8 eyes in each group were removed and fixed 14 days after photocoagulation, cut into thin sections. The sections were examined by light microscopy. Immunolocalization of Endoglin (CD105) and factor VIII on sections of CNV lesions was studied by immunohistochemical evaluation.

RESULTS

After Endostatin injection, fluorescein leakage from the CNV lesions decreased significantly compared with the control eyes. The average area of CNV at sites of the Bruch's membrane rupture showed significant difference in eyes injected with Endostatin compared with control eyes. Endothelial cells demonstrated strong immunoreactivity of CD105 and factor VIII in CNV lesions of control eyes. CD105-positive cell were not detected in normal chorioretinal tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of CNV can be inhibited by injection of Endostatin, which suggest that Endostatin may be beneficial in treating CNV and that further studies can be considered to evaluate this possibility.

[The establishment of testicular fibrosis model in Wistar rats]

OBJECTIVES

To establish the testicular fibrosis model in rats.

METHODS

Wistar rats were divided into control group(n = 12) and model group(n = 40) randomly. Testicular fibrosis model was built with the classical method of establishing experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) combined with injecting Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) into left testis.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of EAO and the rate of testicular fibrosis were 100%, 11.1% and 100%, 81.5% at 80, 140 days after the first infection, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The model of rat testicular fibrosis was established successfully.

Effects of Yigan Decoction on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of Chinese herb Yigan Decoction on proliferation and apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro.

METHODS: The study in vitro was carried out in the culture of HSC lines. Various concentrations of Yigan Decoction were added and incubated. Cell proliferation was detected with MTT colorimetric assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by electron microscopy, flow cytometry and TUNEL.

RESULTS: The proliferation of HSC was inhibited by Yigan Decoction, which depending on dose and time significantly. The HSC proliferation rates of groups at the end concentrations 144 and 72 (g·L^-1) were 21.62% and 40.54% respectively, significantly lower than that of normal control group (P < 0.01). The HSC proliferation rates of groups at the end concentrations 36, 18 and 9 (g·L^-1) were 54.05%, 45.95% and 51.35% respectively, lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). When the end concentration was 4.5 g·L^-1, the proliferation rate was 83.78%, which appeared no significant differences compared with control group. At the same concentrations of 18 g·L^-1, the inhibitory effects of Yigan Decoction at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h time point were observed, the effects were time-dependent, and reached a peak at 72 h. Meanwhile, it was showed that the inducing effects of Yigan Decoction on HSC apoptosis were dose-dependent and time-dependent. The apoptosis index (AI) was detected by TUNEL. After Yigan Decoction had been incubated for 48 h at the end concentration of 18 g·L^-1, the AI (14.5 ± 3.1)% was significantly higher than that of control group (4.3 ± 1.3)% (P < 0.01). When visualized under transmission electron microscopy, some apoptotic stellate cells were found, i.e. dilated endoplasmic reticulum, irregular nuclei, chromatin condensation and heterochromatin ranked along inside of nuclear membrane. By flow cytometry detection, after HSC was treated with Yigan Decoction at different concentrations of 36, 18 and 9 (g·L^-1) for 48 h, AI (%) were 13.3 ± 3.2, 10.7 ± 2.7 and 10.1 ± 2.5 respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control group (4.1 ± 1.9) (P < 0.01). At the same concentration of 18 g· L^-1 for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, AI (%) were 9.3 ± 1.8, 10.7 ± 2.7 and 14.6 ± 4.3 respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Yigan Decoction could significantly inhibit HSC proliferation and increase the apoptosis index of HSC dose-dependently and time-dependently, which may be related to its mechanism of antifibrosis.

[Effects of baicalin on hepatocyte apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha and act D in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of baicalin on rat hepatocyte apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factora (TNF-alpha) and actinomycin D (Act D) in vitro.

METHODS

Hepatocytes were cultured with different concentrations of baicalin and the cell apoptosis was induced by TNF-alpha and Act D in vitro. After culturing for 24 h, the activity of hepatocysts was examined by MTT assay and the function of hepatocytes for secreting albumin was detected by bromocresolum Viride method. Agarose gelelectrophoresis and flow cytometric analysis were used to determine the apoptotic cells.

RESULTS

The actively of the hepatocyte (A) and content of albumin (ALB) in the supernatant of cultured cells in the groups of 0.2 microgram.ml-1 and 2.0 micrograms.ml-1 of baicaline were significantly higher than those in apoptotic model group (A: P < 0.01; ALB: P < 0.01); respectively Even the ALB value in the group of 0.2 microgram.ml-1 baicalin was higher that of black control group (P < 0.01); The clear "ladder-like" streak-band of DNA fragments was found only in the apoptosis model group by the agarose gel electrophoresis. The flow cytometry showed that all the apoptosis rates in the three baicalin groups were lower than that of the apoptotic model group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Baicaline can restrain rat hepatocyte apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha and ActD in vitro.

Liver involvement in epidemic haemorrhagic fever: in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical and pathological studies

In the present study, liver biopsy specimens from 37 patients with epidemic haemorrhagic fever (EHF) were investigated by using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry for the EHF virus envelope protein G2 and in situ hybridization (ISH) for EHF viral RNA. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization were both positive, and a few of the aetiological agents, the EHF virus (EHFV) particles, were found individually within the dilated Golgi cisternae and vesicles, and the dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocyte. The pathological alterations of the liver cells infected with EHFV were: hepatocellular degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and spotty necrosis; moreover, zonal necrosis was present and adjacent to the narrowed and occluded sinusoids. In degenerated and spotty necrotic cells, the positive signals from of ISH for EHFV RNA and those from immunostaining for the virus protein were both stronger than those in the zonal liver cell necrosis area. The results showed that hepatocellular degeneration and spotty necrosis might be directly related to the virus and its duplication inside the liver cells, while the zonal necrosis was ischaemic and thought to be caused by microcirculation dysfunction.

Ultrastructural observation on macrophage-lymphocyte interactions in semen from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. takers

Sixty-nine specimens from Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook.f. (TWH) users were investigated by electron microscopy. No macrophages were demonstrated in the 21 specimens collected prior to the administration of TWH. However, it was found in 23 out of the 48 semen specimens obtained following the TWH administration. The macrophages were functionally active as shown by the presence of a large number of cytoplasmic processes and pseudopodia on the surface, and primary and secondary lysosomes in the cytoplasm. The macrophages phagocytized sperm debris and degenerated or dead spermatids with formation of specific phagosomes. Around those macrophages, lymphocytes were commonly noted. The cytoplasmic processes of the two cell types could come into contact or even fuse with each other, leading to tight junction-like structure; in some of the contacts, the plasma membranes were found dissolved so as to form direct cytoplasmic linkage.