Objective To investigate the changes of renal medulla aquaporin 2 expression and morphological changes of epithelia of collecting tube after bile duct recanalizaiton operation. Methods Thirty rats were divided into two groups randomly. Common bile duct ligation was performed on 20 experimental rats with silicon tubes 2 mm in extre-diameter, and sham operation on the other 10 rats. Seven days later, bile duct recanalizaiton was performed on obstructive jaundice group and sham operation on contrast group. Experimental rats were divided into two subgroups randomly. Half of them were killed immediately and the others would be killed 24 hours later. Serum of each rat was collected to detect hepatic function and renal function. Renal medulla was fixed for microscopic examination and was kept in the -80 ℃ refrigerator for aquaporin 2 expression measurement by Western blot technique. Results All of the animals accomplished the experiment smoothly. Golden ascites were found in the rats of obstructive jaundice group. Twenty-four hours after recanalization, serum bilirubin levels decreased 〔(45.95±8.39) μmol/L〕, P＜0.01, and there was no significant change in blood urine and creatine level. Compared with sham operation group (21 966.20±1 544.70), expression of aquaporin 2 decreased significantly after common bile duct ligation in obstructive jaundice group (15 665.30±1 181.85), P＜0.01. After recanalizaion, the expression of aquaporin 2 in obstructive jaundice group increased (19 490.80±4 239.32), P＜0.01. Conclusion Common bile duct obstruction would lead to epithelium injury of renal collecting tube, and down regulate the aquaporin 2 expression.
Objective Aminoguanidine (AG) can reduce brain edema and increase the recovery of neuron functions in surgical brain injury and stroke. To investigate the effect of AG on spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats and its mechanism. Methods A total of 150 adult male Sprague Dawley rats (weighing, 230-255 g) were divided into control group (group A, 25 rats without treatment), the sham-operated group (group B, 25 rats undergoing laminectomy), SCI group (group C, 25 SCI rats with injection of 5%DMSO), SCI + AG groups (groups D, E, and F, 25 SCI rats and AG injection of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg, respectively). The optimal dosage of AG was screened by dry-wet weight method with the percentage of water content at 0, 12, 24, and 48 hours after injury. The blood-spinal cord barriar permeability was further detected by Evans blue (EB) method, aquaporins 4 (AQP4) mRNA expression by RT-PCR, AQP4 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results AG injection at dosage of 150 mg/kg can significantly reduce edema of spinal cords at 12, 24, and 48 hours after SCI (P lt; 0.05), so 150 mg/kg was the optimal dosage. The EB content in group E was significantly lower than that in group C at 12, 24, and 48 hours after SCI, and the permeability of blood-spinal cord barrier was significantly decreased compared with group C (P lt; 0.05). The AQP4 mRNA expressions in groups B and E were significantly lower than that in group C at 12, 24, and 48 hours after SCI (P lt; 0.05). AQP4 protein expressions in groups B and E were significantly lower than that in group C at 24 and 48 hours after SCI (P lt; 0.05) by Western blot. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that AQP4 protein expression in group C was significantly higher than that in groups B and E (P lt; 0.05) at 48 hours after SCI, but no significant difference was found between group B and group E (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion AG injection at dosage of 150 mg/kg can induce spinal cord edema and injury in rats, which could be correlated with the down-regulation of AQP4 expression.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of saikosaponin a (SSa) on the levels of immune inflammation in rats with acute spinal cord injury and its possible mechanism.MethodsSeventy-two Sprague Dawley rats (weighing, 220-250 g) were randomly divided into sham operation group (group A), spinal cord injury group (group B), and SSa treatment group (group C) respectively, 24 rats in each group. The spinal cord injury model was induced by using the Allen’s method in groups B and C; the spinous process and vertebral plate at both sides were cut off by lamina excision to expose the spinal cord in group A. The rats were given intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg SSa in group C and equal volume of normal saline in group B at immediate after injury. The spinal cord tissue was harvested from 18 rats of each group at 24 hours after operation to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) by ELISA, to detect the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) P65, NF-κB P-P65, and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) by Western blot and to observe the morphology of spinal cord by HE staining. The motor function of the lower limbs was evaluated by BBB score and tiltboard experiment in 6 rats at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after injury.ResultsThe BBB score and tiltboard experiment maximum angle were significantly higher in group A than groups B and C at each time point (P<0.05) and in group C than group B at 14, 21, and 28 days after operation (P<0.05). ELISA test showed that the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in group A than groups B and C, and in group C than group B (P<0.05). Western blot results showed that the protein expression levels of NF-κB P65, NF-κB P-P65, and AQP4 were significantly lower in group A than groups B and C, and in group C than group B (P<0.05). HE staining demonstrated normal neurons of the spinal cord and no obvious lesion in group A; neuronal cells were observed in the injured area of group B, with hemorrhage, neutrophil infiltration, and nerve cell edema in the injured area; the neuronal cells were visible in the spinal cord of group C, with microglia mild hyperplasia, and the pathological changes were improved when compared with group B.ConclusionSSa has neuroprotective effects on acute spinal cord injury in rats by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway and AQP4 protein expression and reducing inflammation response and edema.
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in the nerve fiber layer of the cornea in patients with demyelinating optic neuritis (DON) and its correlation with visual acuity. MethodsA cross-sectional study. From March 2021 to July 2022, 27 cases (39 eyes) of DON patients diagnosed in the Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University were enrolled in this study. According to the serological test results, the patients were divided into aquaporin 4 antibody associated optic neuritis (AQP4-ON group) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated optic neuritis (MOG-ON group), with 15 cases (19 eyes) and 12 cases (20 eyes) respectively. According to previous history of glucocorticoid treatment, the patients were divided into glucocorticoid treated group and non-glucocorticoid treated group, with 17 cases (27 eyes) and 10 cases (12 eyes) respectively. Twenty healthy volunteers (20 eyes) with age- and gender-matched were selected as the control group. All eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) examinations. BCVA was performed using Snellen's standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, which was converted into logarithmic minimum angle resolution (logMAR) visual acuity during statistics. The corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve fiber branch length (CNBL), corneal nerve fiber branch density (CNBD) and the density of corneal dendritic cells (DC) were detected by IVCM examination. Parameter comparison between groups by t-test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. The correlation between logMAR BCVA and pamameters of corneal nerve fibers were analyzed using Spearman analysis. ResultsThe CNFL, CNFD, and CNBL of the DON group and the control group were (10.67±2.55) mm/mm2, (57.78±12.35) root/mm2, (3.27±1.34) mm/mm2, and (13.74±3.05) mm/mm2, (70.95±13.14) root/mm2, and (4.22±1.03) mm/mm2, respectively; the difference in CNFL, CNFD, and CNBL between the two groups were statistically significant (t=4.089, 3.795, 2.773; P＜0.05). The CNFL, CNBL, and CNBD of the affected eyes in the MOG-ON group and AQP4-ON group were (12.02±2.13) mm/mm2, (3.80±1.19) mm/mm2, (47.97±8.86) fibers/mm2, and (9.25±2.19) mm/mm2, (2.72±1.19) mm/mm2, (39.43±13.86) fibers/mm2, respectively; the differences in CNFL, CNBL, and CNBD between the two groups were statistically significant (t=－4.002, －2.706, －2.306; P＜0.05). The corneal DC density of the patients in the hormone treated group and the non-hormone treated group was (24.43±8.32) and (41.22±9.86) cells/mm2, respectively. The difference in corneal DC density between the two subgroups was statistically significant (P＜0.001). Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between logMAR BCVA and CNBL and CNFL in patients with DON (r=－0.422, －0.456; P＜0.05). ConclusionsThere are different degrees of corneal nerve fiber damage in patients with different types of DON. There was a negative correlation between BCVA and the length of corneal nerve fibers.
【摘要】 目的 探討腹水引起的腹內高壓對肝硬化小鼠肺組織水通道蛋白1（AQP1）和水通道蛋白5（AQP5）表達的影響。 方法 雄性美國癌癥研究所（Institudo of Cancer Reseach，ICR）小鼠50只，隨機取10只作正常對照組（腹壓0 cm H2O，1 cm H2O=0.098 kPa），其余40只用四氯化碳建立肝硬化小鼠模型，并隨機分為4組:肝硬化（腹壓0 cm H2O）組、肝硬化（腹壓5 cm H2O）組、肝硬化（腹壓10 cm H2O）組、肝硬化（腹壓20 cm H2O）組，通過腹腔注射不同量的白蛋白生理鹽水形成不同的腹壓，并維持腹壓24 h后取肺組織行病理、免疫組織化學、肺濕/干比值及實時熒光定量PCR檢測AQP1和AQP5 mRNA表達量。 結果 與正常對照小鼠相比，肝硬化小鼠肺AQP5、AQP1表達明顯下降（Plt;0.05）；肝硬化小鼠隨著腹內壓的升高，肺濕/干比值升高，AQP5、AQP1表達相應增加（Plt;0.05）。 結論 肝硬化可以影響肺AQP1、AQP5的表達；肝硬化小鼠隨著腹內壓的升高，AQP1、AQP5表達相應增加，并與肺水腫的嚴重程度密切相關。【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the role of intra-abdominal hypertension caused by ascites on the expression of Aquaporin (AQP) 1 and AQP 5 in the lung of cirrhotic mice. Methods We randomly chose 10 from 50 male Institude of Cancer Research (ICR) mice to form the control group [intra-abdominal pressure (IAP)=0 cm H2O, 1 cm H2O=0.098 kPa]. The model of cirrhosis were prepared by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride for the rest 40 mice which were then randomly divided into 4 groups: cirrhosis (IAP=0 cm H2O) group, cirrhosis (IAP=5 cm H2O) group, cirrhosis (IAP=10 cm H2O) group, and cirrhosis (IAP=20 cm H2O) group. Saline with different volume of albumin was injected into the peritoneum of each mouse in order to form different IAP. After 24 hours, analysis of pathology, immunochemistry and wet/dry ratio was done for the lungs of these mice; and the expression of AQP1 and AQP5 at the protein and mRNA levels were analyzed by IHC and qRT-PCR. Results Compared with the normal mice, the expression of AQP1 and AQP5 in lungs of cirrhotic mice were significantly lower (Plt;0.05). Both the lung wet/dry ratio and the expression of AQP1 and AQP5 raised with the increase of IAP. Conclusion Cirrhosis can affect the expression of AQP1 and AQP5 in lungs. The expression of AQP5 and AQP1 in lungs of cirrhotic mice increases with the increase of IAP, which is also closely correlated with the severity of pulmonary edema.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the central nervous systems (CNS) mainly affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. It has the characteristics of high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. NMO related optic neuritis is a common neuro-ophthalmic disease which often results in permanent visual loss or even blindness. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody is a specific and pathogenic autoantibody in NMO patients. Although AQP4 is expressed in multiple tissues, NMO pathology is remarkably limited to the CNS. Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs are the standard managements for NMO patients, in order to reduce the relapses and the severity of the acute attack. Multiple avenues of investigation in the laboratory have significantly advanced our understanding of NMO pathophysiology, which is helpful for our understanding of immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms. Many offer significant means for NMO therapy by selectively targeting pathways. In the future, moving these agents from the bench to the bedside offers the opportunity to identify safe and effective therapies that limit CNS injury and preserve visual function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the alteration of retinal perfusion in aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab) positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) patients by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).MethodsA case-control study. Forty-eight AQP4-ab positive NMOSD patients (96 eyes) and 20 age and gender matched healthy controls (40 eyes) were recruited from September 2015 to August 2017 at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. Patients of both eyes were included in the groups. The patients were further divided into 4 subgroups (0 ON, 1 ON, 2 ON, 3+ ON group) according to the number of episodes of ON (0, 1, 2, or 3+) with respect to 30、22、31、13 eyes. 0 ON group had no history of ON episodes; 1 ON group, 2 ON group, and 3+ ON group had ON episodes 1, 2, ≥3 times, respectively. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations including BCVA, visual field and OCTA examination. The BCVA was recorded for each eye using metric notation from the Snellen chart, and then converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. The central visual field was assessed using a Humphrey Field Analyzer 750 and the mean deviation (MD) was determined. OCTA scans of the optic disc (4.5 mm × 4.5 mm) and macula (6 mm × 6 mm) were acquired. Radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density, superficial capillary plexus vessel density (SVD), the thickness of ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) were determined. The generalized estimating equations was performed to compare the difference of BCVA, MD, pRNFL thickness, GCIPL thickness, RPC vessel density and SVD among the groups and the correlations between retinal perfusion and retinal structure, visual function were analyzed. ResultsThe RPC vessel density and SVD were significant lower in the 0 ON group compared with healthy group (Wald χ2=7.190, 10.134; P＜0.01), however, the BCVA, pRNFL and GCIPL thickness were not significant difference between the two groups (Wald χ2=2.308, 1.020, 2.558; P＞0.05). The BCVA, visual field MD, RPC vessel density, SVD, pRNFL and GCIPL were significant lower in 1 ON, 2 ON and 3+ ON groups compared with healthy group and 0 ON group (Wald χ2=12.390, 11.346, 38.860, 18.040, 45.418, 26.608; P＜0.001 ), but the parameters had no significant difference among the three groups (P＞0.05). The RPC vessel density was significantly correlated with pRNFL thickness (β=0.372, standard error=0.018, P＜0.001), and the SVD was significantly correlated with GCIPL thickness (β=0.115, standard error=0.204, P＜0.001). The MD and BCVA was significantly correlated with peripapillary vessel density after adjustment for other variables (BCVA: β=0.025, standard error=0.005, P=0.000; visual field MD: β=0.737, standard error=0.185, P=0.000).ConclusionsSubclinical primary retinal vasculopathy may occur in NMOSD prior to ON attack, the ON attack may further impair visual function, retinal structure and perfusion, however, the extent of injure is not relevant with the increase of ON attack. The peripapillary vessel density might be a sensitive predictor of visual outcomes in NMOSD patients.
ObjectiveTo observe the ocular manifestations and the titer of aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP-4) in NMO patients, and to evaluate the BCVA prognosis in patients with different titers of AQP-4Ab.MethodsA retrospective case study. From September 2009 to March 2014, 132 NMO patients diagnosed in Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology in Huashan Hospital of Fudan University were included in the study. Among the patients, 74 patients (56.06%) were involved in optic nerve for the first time, among which 63 patients (47.72%) were involved in optic nerve alone, and 11 patients (8.33%) were involved in optic nerve and spinal cord at the same time. The recurrence rate was 62.88% (twice or more). All patients underwent BCVA, slit lamp microscope, fundus examination, thyroid function, sex hormones, and serum AQP-4Ab detection. BCVA was recorded at admission and before discharge from hospital, and worse BCVA was recorded in binocular patients. The BCVA of patients with different titers of AQP-4Ab were analyzed comparatively.ResultsAmong the 74 patients with optic nerve involved in the first onset, 50 patients with BCVA＜0.1 at the initial diagnosis (67.57%); AQP-4Ab positive was found in 56 patients, which including 13, 9 and 34 patients of AQP-4Ab titer 5 - 60, 61 - 100 and ＞100 RSRU/ml. After 2 weeks of treatment, BCVA improved in 40 patients (71.42%), including 11 (84.62%), 6 (66.67%) and 23 (67.64%) of AQP-4Ab titer 5 - 60, 61 - 100 and ＞ 100 RSRU/ml. Among 132 patients, 98 patients (74.24%) were AQP-4Ab positive. There were 73 patients (55.30%) with abnormal immune rheumatoid index.ConclusionsThe optic nerve is involved in 56.06% patients with NMO for the first time, and 67.57% of the patients had poor vision with BCVA＜0.1. BCVA prognosis is better in patients with serum AQP-4Ab titer of 5 - 60 RSRU/ml.
Objective The changes of the aquaporins 1 (AQP-1) expression may be related to the chondrocyte apoptosis. To explore the correlation between the expression of AQP-1 and chondrocyte apoptosis by observing the expression of the AQP-1 and the Caspase-3, so as to provide experimental evidence for the further study in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Seventy-two 8-week-old clean grade male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 286-320 g (mean, 300 g), were randomly divided into the operated group (n=24), the sham-operated group (n=24), and the control group (n=24).OA models were made by amputating the anterior cruciate l igament and medial collateral l igament, and partial excision of medial meniscus in operated group; the articular cavity was exposed only in sham-operated group; and no treatment was given in control group. The general condition of the rat was observed after model was establ ished. At 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the specimens of knee joints were harvested to perform the gross and histological observations; the mRNA expressions of AQP-1 and Caspase-3 were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR; and the activity of the Caspase-3 protease was detected. The correlations between the expression of AQP-1 mRNA and the expressions of Caspase-3 mRNA and protease were analyzed. Results Totally 6 rats died after operation, and the rats were suppl ied immediately; the other rats survived to the end of experiment. The appearance and structure of knee articular cartilage were normal in control group and sham-operated group. While in operated group, the cartilage had a rough surface with fissure and vegetation, and fibrosis and irregular cell arrangement were seen on the surface of cartilage. There were significant differences in the Mankin score between the operated group and sham-operated group, control group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in expressions of the AQP-1 mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA, and the activity of the Caspase-3 protease among 3 groups at 1 week after operation (P gt; 0.05); while the expressions of the AQP-1 mRNA, Caspase-3 mRNA, and the activity of the Caspase-3 protease in operated group were significantly higher than those in sham-operated group and control group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after operation (P lt; 0.05), andthere was an increased trend over time. There was significantly positive correlation (r=0.817, P=0.000) between the expressions of AQP-1 mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA, and the regression equation was y=0.426 7x2+0.051 5x; meanwhile, there was also significantly positive correlation (r=0.945, P=0.000) between the expression of AQP-1 mRNA and the activity of Caspase-3 protease, and the regression equation was y=15.423 0x+4.392 8. Conclusion The up-regulation of AQP-1 expression in OA cartilage may be related to the chondrocyte apoptosis, and the changes of AQP-1 expression may involve in the pathogenesis of OA.
ObjectiveTo observe the thickness of per-papillary retinal fiber layer (pRNFL) and structural changes of inner macular segmented layers in optic neuritis (ON) patients with positive aquaporin-4 antibody[AQP4-Ab(+)].
Methods60 ON patients (84 eyes) including 30 of AQP4-Ab(+) ON patients (42 eyes) and AQP4-Ab(-) ON patients (42 eyes), and 40 age-gender matched health controls(80 eyes) were recruited in present study. There was no statistical significance in gender (χ2=0.568) and age (χ2=1.472) between the three groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical significance in the percentage of different course (χ2=0.000) and logMAR best corrected visual acuity (Z=-1.492) between AQP4-Ab(+)ON and AQP4-Ab(-)ON group (P=1.000, 0.136). All subjects were examined by Spectralis-OCT. The thickness of per-papillary, nasal, nasal lower, temporal lower, temporal, temporal upper, nasal upper and papillomacular bundle (PMB) were analyzed as well as nasal pRNFL/temporal pRNFL (N/T). The macular area was divided into three concentric circles which including central region with 1 mm diameter, inner area with > 1 mm but≤3 mm diameter, and outer ring area with > 3 mm but≤6 mm diameter. The macular volume in each partition and volume in macular RNFL (mRNFL), macular ganglion cell layer (mRGCL), macular inner plexiform layer (mIPL) and macular inner nuclear layer (mINL) were analyzed.
ResultsCompared to HC group, the thickness of pRNFL, every quadrants and PMB were decreased significantly in ON group (P=0.000); the macular volume and the volume of mRNFL, mRGCL, mIPL were also decreased significantly in ON group (P=0.000); but there was no statistical difference in mINL volume between two groups (P=0.700). Compared to AQP4-Ab(-)ON group, the thickness of nasal and nasal lower were decreased significantly in AQP4-Ab(+)ON group (P=0.010, 0.000); the macular and mIPL volume were also decreased significantly in AQP4-Ab(+)ON group (P=0.038, 0.033); the thickness of inferior, superior and inferior mIPL in outer ring area and nasal mRNFL in inner area were decreased significantly in AQP4-Ab(+)ON group (P < 0.05).
ConclusionsCompared to AQP4-Ab(-)ON patients, the pRNFL thickness and mIPL volume decreased in AQP4-Ab(+)ON patients. The thinner pRNFL area is mainly located in nasal, nasal lower quadrants, and inferior, superior mIPL.
