Objective To investigate whether protease inhibitor (ulinastatin, UTI) can protect liver from ischemiareperfusion injury in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing hepatectomy after hepatic inflow occlusion. Methods A prospective randomized control study was designed. Thirtyone HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy after hepatic inflow blood occlusion were randomly divided into the following two groups. UTI group (n=16)， 1×105 units of ulinastatin was given intravenously in operation, then the dosage was continuously used twice a day up to 5 days postoperatively. Control group (n=15), the patients received other liver protective drugs. Liver function, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol level were compared between these two groups. Results The postoperative liver function of the UTI group was significantly improved compared with the control group. For example, on the third postoperative day the aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and total bilirubin level in the UTI group were significantly lower than those in the control group, respectively (P＜0.05). On the first postoperative day, the plasma CRP concentration in the UTI group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.01). The plasma cortisol level in the control group markedly increased compared with the level before operation(P=0.046). However, there was no significant difference in the UTI group between before and after operation. Conclusion Ulinastatin can effectively protect liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury in HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy performed after hepatic inflow occlusion. Also, it can relieve the surgical stress for patients.
Objective To explore the effect of Tie-2 small interference RNA (siRNA) treatment in human hepatoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice. Methods Tumor cells were implanted in the hind flank of male nude mice of 6 weeks. Tumor-bearing mice were divided into two groups （gene therapy group and control group） and injected intra-tumorally with Tie-2-siRNA/Lipofectamine and saline/Lipofectamine respectively. The tumor volume and weight, serum AFP and microvessel density (MVD) and the histological change of the tumor were tested after gene therapy. Results The growth inhibitory rates in gene therapy group were 26.94%， 53.01% and 68.91% on day 4， 7 and 10 after gene therapy respectively. The tumor volumes of gene therapy group (118.47, 111.57 and 104.59 mm3) were smaller than those of the control group (162.17, 237.46 and 336.41 mm3) respectively (P＜0.01), and the weight of tumor in gene therapy group was lighter than that of the control group 〔(0.89±0.09) g vs (1.24±0.03), P＜0.01〕. The AFP value in gene therapy group was obviously lower than that of the control group 〔(107.66±24.13) ng/ml vs (266.08±50.96) ng/ml, P＜0.01〕. There was significant diference of MVD between the gene therapy group (34.63±4.07) and the control group (81.01±9.44) with the method of immunohistochemitry (P＜0.01). Histopathology in the control group showed that the tumor volumes were bigger, and a high atypic of tumor cells were seen. The main pathological changes in tumor tissue of gene therapy group were necrosis, there were massive necrosis. The apoptosis cells were seen in the both of necrosis and non-necrosis areas in only 2 mice of gene therapy group. Conclusion Tie-2-siRNA inhibits the tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis， and is a possible new approach for liver neoplasm gene therapy.
【 Abstract 】 Objective To probe into the role of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3) and bax gene expression in apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by genistein (Gen). Methods HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations including 20, 40, 60 and 80 μ mol/L Gen as HepG2 cells cultured with 0 μmol/L Gen for 72 h was control; HepG2 cells were treated with 60 μmol/L Gen for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h as HepG2 cells treated with 60 μmol/L Gen for 0 h was control. IP3 content, bax mRNA expression and apoptosis rate were assayed by IP3- ［ 3H ］ Birtrak assay, RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. ResultsHepG2 cells incubated with each concentration of Gen for 72 h ， IP3 content was lower than that of control 〔 (17.7 ± 1.3), (11.2 ± 0.9), (4.9 ± 0.5), (4.8 ± 0.3) pmol/106 cells vs (29.4 ± 0.5) pmol/106 cells 〕 , P ＜ 0.01 ； bax mRNA expression (RI which was the gray degree multiply area of bax/the gray degree multiply area of β -actin) was higher than that of control (0.26 ± 0.02, 0.33 ± 0.05, 0.35 ± 0.06, 0.38 ± 0.05 vs 0.09 ± 0.01), P ＜ 0.01 ； The apoptosis rate was higher than that of control 〔 (10.1 ± 0.9)%, (18.7 ± 1.6)%, (28.7 ± 2.5)%, (27.9 ± 2.0)% vs (2.6 ± 0.1)% 〕 , P ＜ 0.01. HepG2 cells were incubated with 60 μ mol/L Gen for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h ， IP3 content was lower than that of control 〔 (22.6 ± 0.9), (12.0 ± 1.4), (7.5 ± 0.8), (5.6 ± 0.5), (4.3 ± 0.6) pmol/106 cells vs (29.2 ± 0.6) pmol/106 cells 〕 , P ＜ 0.01 ； bax mRNA expression was higher than that of control incubated with 60 μ mol/L Gen for above 12 h (0.25 ± 0.06, 0.29 ± 0.02, 0.30 ± 0.02, 0.35 ± 0.04 vs 0.09 ± 0.01), P ＜ 0.01 ； The apoptosis rate in groups incubated with 60 μ mol/L Gen for 24, 48 and 72 h was significantly higher than that in control 〔 (7.4 ± 0.5)%, (20.5 ± 2.0)%, (30.7 ± 1.6)% vs (2.6 ± 0.1)% 〕 , P ＜ 0.01. ConclusionGen induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells by reducing IP3 production and increasing bax gene expression.
【Abstract】ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of rhGH on hypoalbuminemia in cirrhotic rats after partial hepatectomy. MethodsThirty rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=6), liver cirrhosis group (LC group, n=6), liver cirrhosis and hepatectomy group (LCH group,n=6), PN (parenteral nutrition) group (n=6， given PN after hepatectomy) and rhGH+PN group (n=6,given rhGH and PN after hepatectomy). Liver function and blood glucose were measured. The expression of ALB mRNA was detected by RTPCR. Liver Ki67 immunohistochemistry was studied. ResultsCompared with PN group, serum ALP was lower; serum ALB and blood glucose were higher in rhGH+PN group. The expression of hepatic ALB mRNA was higher, and hepatic Ki67 labeling index was higher as well in this group. ConclusionrhGH can improve hypoalbuminemia after partial hepatectomy in cirrhotic rats with partial hepatectomy.
【Abstract】ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of whole body hyperthermia (WBH) in the treatment of advanced hepatic carcinoma and its effect on liver function. MethodsFrom 2001 to 2004, 39 cases of advanced hepatic carcinoma were treated with WBH. The effect of WBH on liver function was assessed by liver function test before and after treatment. Results①The effective rate of WBH was 61.5%（24／39） in the treatment of advanced hepatic carcinoma with declined AFP in 60.0%（9/15） of patient and 100% of patients had pain relieve. The survival rates of 6 months, 1 year and 2 years were 76.9%（30/39）, 59.0%（23/39） and 12.8%（5/39）, respectively. ②Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevated obviously in 1-3 d after treatment (Plt;0.05), and then approached to its baseline in 7 d. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased significantly 1 d after treatment (Plt;0.05),and then back to its baseline in 3-7 d. Albumin (ALB) appeared dropped 1 d after treatment (Plt;0.05), and restored normally in 3 d. The levels of total bilirubin (TBIL) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) had no evident significant change with the WBH treatment in abnormal liver function group, but TBIL increased 1-3 d after treatment in normal liver function group (Plt;0.05). ConclusionIn the treatment of advanced hepatic carcinoma, WBH can improve the patients’ life quality and prolong their life expectancy. Meanwhile, it could also result in reversible impairment of liver function.
