AIM: To study effects of the Fuzheng Huoxue anticancer prescription (Traditional Chinese Medicine) in treatment of gastric cancer.

METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with histologically confirmed mid- or late-stage gastric cancer were assigned to two groups. The treatment group included 35 cases (26 males and 9 females; 2 patients aged 33-40 years, 18 patients aged 41-60 years, and 15 patients aged 61-75 years; mean group age = 58.4 years). The control group included 34 cases (23 males and 11 females; 4 patients aged 33-40 years, 16 patients aged 41-60 years, and 14 patients aged 61-75 years; mean group age = 56.8 years. The two groups were not significantly different in sex, age, their clinical and pathological stages of disease or operation mode. The two groups of patients were given similar treatments; however, patients in the treatment group were given the Fuzheng Huoxue anticancer prescription. In animal studies, SGC-7901 gastric cancers cells were inoculated into the backs of 30 nude mice under sterile conditions. After inoculation, the nude mice were randomly allocated to a control group, a traditional Chinese medicine group, and a chemotherapy group (n = 10 mice per group). The total weight of the 10 mice in each group was similar. Each nude mouse in the control group received 0.5 mL of saline solution each day. Mice in the traditional Chinese medicine group received 0.5 mL of the Fuzheng Huoxue anticancer prescription (containing 1.5 g crude drug) each day, while mice in the chemotherapy group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg of 5-Fu once a week for 8 wk.

RESULTS: Prior to treatment, the mean OKT8 percentage among gastric patients in the treatment group was 45.94% ± 8.45%, the mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio was 0.89 ± 0.19, the mean AT-III concentration was 29.9 ± 7.9 mg/dL, the mean Fa value was 50.4% ± 24.4%, and the mean β-TG concentration was 91.0 ± 25.9 ng/dL. Prior to treatment, the mean percentage of OKT8 cells among patients in the control group was 49.21% ± 6.60%, the OKT4/OKT8 ratio was 0.94 ± 0.20, the AT-III concentration was 32.3 ± 7.2 mg/dL, the mean Fa value was 57.3% ± 24.6%, and the mean β-TG concentration was 87.5 ± 34.2 ng/dL. After treatment, the mean OKT8 percentage among patients in the treatment group was 33.52% ± 7.80%, the mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio was 1.47 ± 0.51, the mean AT-III concentration was 38.8 ± 5.5 mg/dL, the mean Fa value was 102.6% ± 31.6%, and the mean β-TG concentration was 62.3 ± 15.1 ng/dL. After treatment, the mean OKT8 percentage among patients in the control group was 42.22% ± 7.07%, the mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio was 1.12 ± 0.24, the mean AT-III concentration was 30.9 ± 8.0 mg/dL, the mean Fa value was 64.6% ± 26.9%, and the mean β-TG concentration was 67.0 ± 42.1 ng/dL. These data indicate that after treatment, the immunologic function of the T lymphocytes of gastric cancer patients in the treatment group was significantly improved (P < 0.01). Additionally, the hypercoagulability in the treatment group was also improved (P < 0.001), and the mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio, antithrombin III (AT-III) concentration, and fibrinolytic activity, etc. had all beome normalized. The one-year (86%), 3-year (69%), and 5-year (40%) survival rates in the treatment group were all higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The mean tumor weights in the control, traditional medicine, and chemotherapy groups were 0.895 ± 0.289 g, 0.433 ± 0.177 g, and 0.357 ± 0.142 g, respectively. The tumor-inhibition rates in the traditional Chinese medicine group and chemotherapeutic group (51.6% and 60.1%, respectively) were significantly better than that in the control group (P < 0.001). The mean tumor weight in the traditional Chinese medicine group (24.68 ± 1.93 g) was significantly higher than that in both the treatment group (22.96 ± 1.87 g) and control group (22.47 ± 2.18 g).

CONCLUSION: The Fuzheng Huoxue anticancer prescription can not only replenish vital functions (Zhengqi), correct a hypercoagulatory state, improve immunologic function, and extend patient survival times, but may also directly inhibit gastric tumor growth without producing toxic side effects.

• Stomach neoplasms/TCM therapy
• Fuzheng Huoxue
• survival rate
• T lymphocyte subsets
• Medicine Chinese traditional

• Gastric mucosa/ultrastructure
• Gastritis/TCM therapy
• Traditional Chinese medicine

• Esophageal and gastric varices
• Polyp
• Liver neoplasms

AIM: To observe the ultrastructural changes of liver tissues on normal rabbit ablated by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

METHODS: A single shot of 1.1 MHz focused ultrasound at an intensity of 500 W/cm² with 20-s duration of continuous exposure was applied intraoperatively in normal rabbit livers. Ultrastructural changes of the sonoablated lesion, as viewed by light and electron microscopy, were observed.

RESULTS: Liver cells at the center of the sonoablated lesion showed irreversible degeneration immediately after HIFU treatment; electron microscopy showed that although the liver cells appeared normal histologically, irregularly shaped cavities of about 0.3-0.5 μm in diameter were present in the cytoplasm.

CONCLUSION: Thermal damages may be the main mechanism of HIFU-induced ablation of liver tissues besides cavitation effect.

• Liver/ultrastructure
• Ultrasonic therapy
• Eletron microscopy

AIM: To study the significance of monoclonal antibody SC3A expression in gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesions.

METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining and mucin histochemical staining were performed on paraffin-embedded sections from gastric benign and malignant lesions from 101 patients.

RESULTS: SC3A positive rate was 80.3% (57/71) in lesions of gastric carcinoma. The expression of SC3A was not related to the classification, differentiation, metastasis and or survival rates. The positive rate of SC3A in cancers secreting acid mucin (90.2%) or sulphomucin (91.3%) was higher than that in cancers without acid mucin (20.0%) or sulphomucin (60.0%) (P < 0.01). The positive rate of sulphomucin was higher in cases of intestinal metaplasia with cancer (88.9%) than that of cases of intestinal metaplasia with a benign lesion (35.3%) (P < 0.01). Additionally, the positive rate of SC3A with sulphomucin in intestinal metaplasia (60.9%) was higher than that without sulphomucin (31.3%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: SC3A monoclonal antibody might be helpful in the diagnosis of gastric cancer and the discernment of histogenesis.

• antibodies, monoclonal/metabolism
• stomach neoplasms/immunology

AIM: To investigate various characteristics of saliva secreted by patients with TCM-Piyinxu (Spleen-yin deficiency).

METHODS: Twenty-five individuals with Piyinxu (15 males and 10 females; age range 26-70 years, mean age = 45 years) diagnosed based on criteria used in traditional Chinese medicine, were compared with 20 individuals with Shenyinxu (Kidney-yin deficiency) (11 males, 9 females; age range 35-75 years, mean age = 50) and 30 normal individuals (17 males, 13 females; age range 35-65 years, mean age = 49 years). After acid stimulation, the saliva flow in each group was measured, and the levels of amylase and protein in saliva were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The resultant data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and one-way factorial ANOVA test.

RESULTS: The flow rates of saliva and amylase in Piyinxu patients (0.27 ± 0.016 mL/min and 2134.13 ± 343.51 IU/min, respectively) were lower than those in normal subjects (0.46 ± 0.027 mL/min and 3501.63 ± 1099.63 IU/min, respectively, P < 0.01), but higher than those in the Shenyinxu group (0.13 ± 0.051 mL/min and 951.62 ± 383.17 IU/min, respectively, P < 0.01). The three groups showed no significant difference in their level of total salivary protein (Piyinxu group, 3.07 ± 0.60 g/L; Shenyinxu group, 3.01 ± 0.90 g/L, and control group, 2.94 ± 1.13 g/L, P = 0.869), amount of amylase per saliva volume, or their ratio of amylase to protein in secreted saliva (P = 0.173 and P = 0.436, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Piyinxu patients showed altered rates of saliva and amylase secretion when compared with those parameters in patients with Shenyinxu and normal subjects.

• Spleen asthenia/physiopathology
• Yin deficiency/physiopathology
• Salivation

AIM: To compare the efficiency of therapy with a 2-week regimen of amoxicillin plus metronidazole and six weeks of Tagamet (AMT group) vs the efficacy of therapy with 6 wk of omeprazole plus 2 wk of amoxicillin (OA group) for ulcer healing, Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication, and decreasing the recurrence of duodenal ulcers.

METHODS: This cost-effectiveness analysis was based on results shown in a randomized controlled trial conducted in 1995 in patients with a duodenal ulcer (OA group, 46 patients; AMT group, 43 patients) and treated at class grade III A hospitals in Shanghai, China.

RESULTS: The costs of treatment in the AMT group were less than those in the OA group for ulcer healing (￥546.25 vs ￥1296.76 per case, P < 0.01), Hp eradication (￥702.32 vs ￥1742.53 per case, P < 0.01), and decreasing ulcer recurrence (￥640.39 vs 1424.54 per case, P < 0.01). Direct costs comprised the major cost involved in treatment of duodenal ulcers. The difference in the cost of treating ulcers in the two groups was primarily due to the costs of the different drugs. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding their direct non-medical costs and indirect costs.

CONCLUSION: When based on therapeutic effectiveness and financial costs, AMT therapy was more cost-efficient than OA therapy. AMT therapy is recommended for its low cost, acceptable ulcer healing rates, ability to cure of an Hp infection, and especially when treating patients with an ulcer < 1 cm in diameter.

• Duodenal ulcer
• Helicobacter+pylori","b":null,"f":null}]" target="_blank">Helicobacter pylori
• Cost-effectiveness analysis

AIM: To elucidate the role of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in chronic non-A–E hepatitis and sequence the partial NS5 genome of HGV isolated from the serum of a Chinese patient with chronic non-A–E hepatitis

METHODS: Serum samples of patients with chronic non-A–E hepatitis were collected and total nucleic acids were extracted and subjected to reverse transcriptase-nested-polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested-PCR) using primers from the putative NS5 region of HGV genome. Then, 994bp cDNA was prepared from the positive serum, purified with electrophoresis of polyacrylamide gels, and directly sequenced using the dideoxy-mediated chain-termination method.

RESULTS: HGV-RNA was detected in 1 of the 35 patients with chronic non-A–E hepatitis. Compared with the 2 HGV isolates (PNF2161 and R10291) obtained from American patients, the HGV NS5 gene of this Beijing isolate (HG-G) showed homology of 88.0% and 89.2% respectively. On the other hand, in comparison with the West African isolate (GBV-C), the Beijing isolate showed homology of 93.5%. The patient showed persistent increase of alanine transaminase, but normal levels were achieved after interferon therapy with persistent positive HGV RNA.

CONCLUSION: HGV is one of the causes of chronic non-A–E hepatitis, but it may not be a very important cause. The nucleotide sequence of partial NS5 gene of HG-G was found to be highly homologous to the West Africa isolate.

• Hepatitis G
• Non-A–E hepatitis
• Genes, viral
• RNA, viral
• DNA, viral
• Polymerase chain reaction
• Genome, viral

AIM: To elucidate the effect of angiogenesis inhibitor, Linomide, on tumor growth and metastasis in nude mice implanted with human gastric cancer.

METHODS: A metastatic model of gastric cancer was established using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tumor tissues into the gastric wall of nude mice. Linomide (0, 80, 160 mg·kg^-1) was given p.o. every day after the implantation, and the mice were sacrificed after 10 wk to detect tumor size and metastasis. The microvessel counts were measured by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody against Human Factor VIII related antigen.

RESULTS: Linomide treatment significantly decreased the size of the implanted tumors (control group: 1.36 ± 0.81 cm³vs Linomide treated group: 0.84 ± 0.51 cm³ and 0.62 ± 0.35 cm³, P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Additionally, an antimetastatic effect of Linomide was clearly demonstrated in a dose dependent manner: mice given 80 mg·kg^-1 Linomide developed liver metastasis in 4 of 10 cases, mice given 160 mg/kg developed metastasis in only 1 of 10 mice, while it developed in 19 of 28 mice of the control group (P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). The number of metastatic foci was also significantly less in the treated group. Furthermore, the microvessel counts in tumors of treated mice was reduced by 33%-42% as compared with the control tumors (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Linomide has a strong inhibitory activity against in vivo tumor growth and metastasis of gastric cancer, effectively suppressing the growth of the primary tumor, preventing liver metastasis, and attenuating the rate of neovascularization.

• Linomide
• Stomach neoplasms
• Neoplasm metastasis
• Liver neoplasms/secondary
• Neovascularization, pathologic

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic value of occult fecal blood testing in mass colorectal cancer screening.

METHODS: A reverse passive hemagglutination reaction fecal occult blood test (RPHA-FOBT) and colorectal cancer risk factor quantitative method were used as preliminary screening for colorectal cancer. A 60-cm fiber optic colonoscopy was used to validate the preliminary screen and was used to detect colorectal cancer in a community of 75813 subjects.

RESULTS: Compared to the 60-cm fiber optic colonoscopy as a standard reference, FOBT has a sensitivity of 41.9%, specificity of 95.8%, Youden′s index of 0.38, and positive predictive value of 0.68%. These results increased with subject age from the first detection. A 3-year follow up in the target mass showed that all new cases had initially been FOBT-negative.

CONCLUSION: The value of FOBT as an indicator of colorectal cancer in mass screening is limited.

• Colorectal neoplasms/diagnosis
• Occult blood
• Mass screening
• Risk factors
• Colonoscopy

AIM: To investigate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on intestinal oxygen consumption both in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS: The oxygen consumption of the intestine was measured using an arteriovenous (A-V) O₂ difference analyzer after treatment with AM in the intestinal lumen of ten healthy, anesthetized mongrel dogs. The effects of AM on the oxygen consumption of the intestinal mucosa in vitro were observed using constant volume manometers.

RESULTS: The oxygen consumption of the intestine in vivo increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) after treatment with AM compared to the saline control. The oxygen consumption significantly increased after treatment with the 30% AM dilution and the 50% AM dilution compared to that of the 10% AM dilution (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the 30% AM dilution and the 50% AM dilution (P > 0.05). The effects of AM on oxygen consumption of the intestinal mucosa in vivo were similar to those in vivo. After treatment with the 5% AM dilution and the 1% AM dilution, the intestinal oxygen consumption increased compared to the control (Krebs Ringer phosphate buffer (KRPB)) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). There was no significant difference between treatment with the 10% AM dilution and the KRPB control (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: AM improved the function of intestinal oxidative metabolism.

• Astragalus+membranaceus","b":null,"f":null}]" target="_blank">Astragalus membranaceus
• Oxygen consumption
• Small intestine metabolism

AIM: To evaluate the role of p53 in the development and progression of colorectal cancer and gastric carcinoma by analyzing the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 17p13.1 and 17p13.3.

METHODS: LOH at the p53 gene locus and 17p13.3 were examined in 22 cases of gastric carcinoma and 14 cases of colorectal cancer by Southern blot analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 22 gastrocarcinoma cases, 12 (54%) were heterozygous and LOH was detected in 6 (50%) of the 12 informative cases. In the 14 colorectal cancer cases, 10 (71%) were heterozygous, and LOH was detected in 6 (60%) of the 10 informative cases.

CONCLUSION: LOH at the p53 gene locus is a frequent event in multiple step carcinogenesis progression. The high frequency of LOH at 17p13.3 suggests that there may be another tumor suppresser gene in that chromosome region.

• Stomach neoplasms
• Colorectal neoplasms
• p53+gene","b":null,"f":null}]" target="_blank">p53 gene
• Heterozygosity loss
• Genes, suppressor, tumor

AIM: To establish the hepatoma cell–specific expression of human interferon (IFN) gene mediated by retroviral vectors

METHODS: Human interferon α and interferon β complementary DNA (IFN cDNA) were cloned into the polylinker site of pMNSM retroviral vector to construct recombinant retroviral vectors pMNSIFNA and pMNSIFNB, with the transcription of IFN gene being driven by Simian virus 40 early region promoter (SV40) early region promoter. IFN cDNAs were also cloned into pMNAIFNA, pAMNSIFNA, and pMNAIFNB, with the transcription of IFN gene being driven by SV40 early region promoter regulated by α-fetoprotein enhancer. Next, the retroviral constructs were introduced into retroviral amphotropic packaging cells using the lipofectamine-mediated gene transfer procedure. The rate of plasmid transfection was (4-40) × 10³ colonies/μg DNA/10⁶ PA317 cells. The rate of retrovirus infection was (5-500) × 10⁴ colony forming units (CFU)/mL. Further, the recombinant retroviruses were used to infect human hepatoma cells, renal carcinoma cells, and melanoma cell lines in the presence of 4 μmg/L polybrene.

RESULTS: Northern and Dot hybridization of total RNA from the neomycin-resistant colonies and IFN expression assay indicated that human α fetoprotein enhancer induced efficient and specific transcription and expression of IFN genes driven by the promoter of different origins in human hepatoma cells, leading to high production of α fetoprotein.

CONCLUSION: Cis active element of α-fetoprotein gene can drive specific expression of IFN genes in human hepatoma cells, which provides some valuable data for the hepatoma-specific immune gene therapy.

• Interferon alpha
• Interferon beta
• Retroviridae
• Carcinoma, hepatocellular
• Liver neoplasms
• Genes, regulatory
• Gene expression
• Gene therapy

• Liver neoplasms
• Carcinoma, hepatocellular
• Alpha-fetoproteins
• MRNA
• Polymerase chain reaction

AIM: To study the relationship between the expression of the c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene product with gastric mucosal carcinogenesis and the behavior of gastric carcinoma.

METHODS: Specimens from nine normal gastric mucosa, 23 gastric mucosal dysplasia (10 slight, six moderate, seven severe), 18 early gastric carcinoma, and 30 advanced gastric carcinoma were marked with P₁₈₅ monoclonal antibody using the immunohistochemical peroxidase-avidin-biotin complex method. The relation between P₁₈₅ expression with histological type, size, and lymph node metastasis of gastric carcinoma were analyzed.

RESULTS: Normal gastric mucosa was negative for P₁₈₅; Only a few cells in the neck region of the mucosal glands were very weakly positive. Relatively high positive rates were found in the slight, moderate, and severe dysplasia specimens (50%, 83.3%, and 85.7%, respectively). A 22.2% and 56.7% P₁₈₅-positive rate was found in early gastric carcinoma and in advanced gastric carcinoma, respectively. Statistically, the P₁₈₅-positive rates in severe dysplasia and advanced gastric carcinoma were significantly higher than that in early gastric carcinoma (P < 0.05). The P₁₈₅-positive rate in the group with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that of the group without lymph node metastasis (59.3% vs 23.8%, P < 0.05), but P₁₈₅ expression was not related to histological type and size of gastric carcinoma.

CONCLUSION: The c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene might participate in gastric mucosal proliferation, repair, and carcinogenesis, and gastric carcinoma with P₁₈₅ expression might have a stronger potential of infiltration and metastasis.

• Stomach neoplasms/genetics
• Precancerous conditions/genetics
• Proto-oncogene proteins c-erbB-2/metabolism

AIM: To prepare hybridoma cell lines that secrete monoclonal antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) recombinant proteins NS3 and NS5 and to evaluate their use in the study of HCV NS3 and NS5 antigen distribution in human liver tissue.

METHODS: Hybridoma cell lines were generated using spleen cells from BALB/C mice immunized with recombinant NS3 and NS5 proteins, following conventional protocols. Antibody-secreting cells were screened by solid phase ELISA and cloned by limited dilution. The specificity of the monoclonal antibodies was determined by testing hybridoma culture supernatants by Western blots of E. coli expressing the recombinant HCV proteins and ELISA with HCV core and hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens. The monoclonal antibodies were employed in immunohistochemistry studies to determine the distribution of HCV NS5 and NS3 antigens in 51 paraffin embedded human liver tissue samples.

RESULTS: Eight hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against HCV NS3 and NS5 proteins were generated and named 2B6, 2F3, 3D8, 3D9, 8B2, 6F11, 4C6 and 7D9. Only one of them, 2B6 (secreting antibodies against NS3 protein), cross-reacted with the C7 polypeptide, a different recombinant NS3 polypeptide. The rest of the cell lines showed no cross-reactivity with HCV core or HBV antigens. In addition, monoclonal antibodies against NS3 antigens did not cross-react with NS5 antigens, and vice versa. In immunohistochemistry studies, these monoclonal antibodies did not detect HCV antigens in specimens from patients infected only with HBV (n = 20). In HCV-infected specimens (n = 31), the rates of positive detection of NS3 and NS5 antigens were 51.6% (16/31) and 54.9% (17/31), respectively. Six of these 31 specimens were from patients infected only with HCV and half of them were positive for HCV NS3 and NS5 antigens. In specimens from patients co-infected with HBV and HCV (n = 25), the rates of NS3 and NS5 antigen positive detection were 52% (13/25) and 56% (14/25), respectively, which are similar to those obtained in samples from patients infected only with HCV. In specimens from chronic active cirrhosis patients, the rates of HCV NS3 and NS5 antigen detection were 70.6% (12/17) and 76.5% (13/17), respectively.

CONCLUSION: We successfully prepared monoclonal antibodies that are specific against recombinant HCV NS3 and NS5 proteins and could be useful for clinical immunohistochemistry diagnosis.

• Hepatitis C virus
• Antibodies
• Monoclonal
• Viral proteins
• Antigens
• Viral

AIM: To study the correlation between changes in p53 and Waf1p21 expression and cell proliferation, determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), at different stages of human esophageal carcinogenesis.

METHODS: Biopsied and resected esophageal tissues from a high risk population of esophageal cancer in northern China were used in this study. All specimens were fixed in 85% alcohol and processed for routine histology. The avidin biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) method was used to detect p53, Waf1p21 and PCNA.

RESULTS: Strong nuclear staining of p53, Waf1p21 and PCNA was observed in normal esophageal epithelium and epithelia with different lesion severities. As the lesions progressed to dysplasia (DYS) and to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the Waf1p21 immunoreactivity percentage decreased. The number of Waf1p21-positive cells slightly increased from normal to basal cell hyperplasia (BCH), but did not further increase in DYS and SCC. The total number of Waf1p21-positive cells was lower than the number of p53-positive cells in normal and BCH esophageal epithelia and much lower in DYS and SCC. Waf1p21-positive cells were located in the third and fourth cell layers in half of the samples examined, which was 2-4 cell layers higher than the cells expressing PCNA and p53 in the same histological categories of normal, BCH and DYS.

CONCLUSION: Low Waf1p21 levels at the DYS stage may be related to a functional loss of p53. Other mechanisms may also be responsible for the decreased Waf1p21 expression in DYS and SCC.

• Esophageal neoplasms
• Precancerous conditions
• p53 genes
• Waf1p21
• Genes suppressor
• Tumor

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of microsatellites on the deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC) gene and prognosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS: A retrospective study of 58 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases with follow-up data and paired control normal mucosal tissues from 1983 to 1985 from files from the West China University of Medical Sciences Department of Pathology was carried out by PCR microsatellite analysis. Sixteen, 35, and seven cases had well-, moderately, and poorly differentiated tumors, respectively; 11, 30, and 17 cases were staged as Dukes’ A, B, and C, respectively.

RESULTS: LOH of DCC microsatellites was detected in 18 cases (31.0%). The 5-year survival rate between LOH-positive and LOH-negative patients was 44.4% and 77.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). The results suggest that LOH of DCC microsatellites correlate with prognosis but not with differentiation (P > 0.05) and Dukes’ stage (P > 0.05) in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION: LOH of DCC microsatellites may be a marker of malignancy. Combined with the traditional prognostic indicators, LOH can predict prognosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

• Colorectal neoplasms
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• Oncogenes
• Adenocarcinoma
• Heterozygote
• Prognosis

AIM: To study the action of remedies for enhancing resistance and relieving blood stasis on metastasis in postoperative gastric cancer and its influence on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC).

METHODS: Sixty-three postoperative patients with gastric cancer were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-one patients were treated with western medicine consisting of the FAP (5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, cisplatin) and CODP regimens (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, daunorubicin, prednisone), whereas 32 patients were treated with the FAP regimen and traditional Chinese medicine. Correlations were made between the ODC levels detected before and after treatment and other factors such as tumor diameter, infiltration depth, histological type, and lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS: The ODC levels in the gastric cancer tissue and adjacent normal gastric mucosal tissue were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls. There was an obvious correlation between increased ODC and tumor size, infiltration depth, degree of differentiation, and lymph node metastasis. Six months later, there were no significant changes in the ODC levels of the group using only Western medicine, while the ODC levels decreased markedly in the group using combined Western and traditional Chinese medicine (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The effects of traditional Chinese medicine remedies on metastases in postoperative gastric cancer are related to the reduction of ODC activity.

• Stomach neoplasms/surgery
• Neoplasms metastasis
• Ornithine decarboxylase
• Traditional Chinese medicine

AIM: To study the inhibitory effect of somatostatin analogue (octreotide) on tumor growth.

METHODS: The influence of cell-cycle kinetics on hepatic metastases of BALB/c mice colonic adenocarcinoma (CT26) with octreotide treatment in vivo was investigated by flow cytometry. The serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were also determined.

RESULTS: The results showed that the proliferative index (PI) and the S-phase fraction in hepatic tumors of mice treated with octreotide decreased markedly and that the G₀/G₁ serum CEA phase fraction increased significantly in comparison with the control (P < 0.01). After administration of octreotide, the serum CEA levels were also lower than those in the control group. The incidence of liver metastases in the treated group was lower than that in the control. The body weight loss in the mice was slower and survival was longer in the treated group than in the control group. Furthermore, the changes in PI and the fraction distribution of S-phase or G₀/G_1-phase in cell cycle were closely related to the serum CEA levels.

CONCLUSION: Octreotide may be useful for inhibiting the hepatic metastases of colonic carcinoma.

• Colonic neoplasms
• Liver neoplasms/secondary
• adenocarcinoma
• Cytometry
• Octreotide
• Carcinoembryonic antigen/analysis

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of age-related reduction of Kupffer cell (KC) phagocytic capacity and the protective management.

METHODS: Using rhodamine 123 fluorescence density and rate of glucose utilization as parameters, we measured the mitochondrial energy metabolism status in vitro and the glucose utilization capacity of isolated rat liver Kupffer cells (KCs) from rats of various ages (6 mo, 12 mo, 18 mo and 24 mo) and the effect of vitamin E (VE) pretreatment (500 mg/kg/wk × 13 wk).

RESULTS: The rate of KC glucose utilization and the rhodamine fluorescence density of KC mitochondria of 18 mo-old untreated rats (NVEG) were significantly lower than that of 6 mo-old NVEG by 19.3% (4.0 nmol·h ± 0.4 nmol·h^-1 10.6 cells^-1vs 5.7 nmol·h ± 0.6 nmol·h^-1 10⁶ cells^-1, P < 0.05) and 19.5% (80.5 ± 6.3 vs 100.0 ± 4.7, P < 0.01) respectively; Rate of KC glucose utilization and the rhodamine fluorescence density of KC mitochondria of 6 mo-old rats were also lower than the 24 mo-old NVEG by 35.1% (3.7 nmol·h ± 0.6 nmol·h^-110⁶ cells^-1vs 5.7 nmol·h ± 0.6 nmol·h^-1 10⁶ cells^-1, P < 0.01) and 32.1% (67.9 ± 7.4 vs 100.0 ± 4.7, P < 0.01) respectively. The two parameters of 18 mo-old VE pretreated rats (VEG) were significantly higher than those of 18 mo-old NVEG, and statistically comparable to those of 6 mo-old VEG. The two parameters of the 24 mo-old VEG were significantly higher in comparison with those of 24 mo-old NVEG, but still significantly lower than those of 6 mo-old VEG.

CONCLUSION: Aging has a significantly negative effect on KC energy metabolism, which can be alleviated by VE pretreatment.

• Aging
• Kupffer cells
• Energy metabolism
• Glucose metabolism
• Vitamin E
• Liver metabolism

AIM: To study the ultrastructural localization of five marker enzymes (ALPase, ACPase, G6Pase, TPPase and CCOase) in gastric cancer signet ring cells to demonstrate their biologic behaviors.

METHODS: Five marker enzymes were examined in signet ring cells of seven gastric cancer patients by ultrastructural enzyme cytochemical techniques.

RESULTS: The number of corresponding organelles and the activities of marker enzymes, especially ACPase and TPPase, increased, leading to stronger mucus synthesis, secretion and digestion in gastric cancer signet ring cells. There was a lack of collagenous fibers in the stroma around the cancer nests.

CONCLUSION: Signet ring cell carcinoma is very invasive with metastasis rates due to the secretion of proteolytic enzymes.

• Stomach neoplasms/enzymology
• Carcinoma, signet ring cell/enzymology
• Alkaline phosphatase/analysis
• Acid phosphatase/analysis

AIM: To investigate the clinical significance of the PCR assay in the diagnosis of gastric Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection.

METHODS: Hp infection in gastric antral biopsied specimens was identified by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the specific Hp urease gene fragments (PCR-Hp-DNA) in 154 patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Hp urease gene oligonucleotide primers specific for Hp (16s rRNA) were used. Urease test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti Hp-IgG serum were also used as controls.

RESULTS: PCR-Hp-DNA was detected in 140 (91%) of the 154 patients, where patients 114 and 125 were found infected with Hp by urease test and ELISA Hp IgG, respectively. There was a marked difference in the Hp-positive rate between the PCR-Hp-DNA and the urease test or ELISA-Hp-IgG (P < 0.05). The Hp infection rate increased with age, although a minority of infected people developed signs and symptoms of gastric disorders. Hp infection is closely related to adenocarcinoma in both the gastric antrum as well as the down body of the stomach.

CONCLUSION: PCR is a sensitive and specific method for the detection of Hp in human gastric tissues. Detection of Hp DNA in vivo using this approach might improve the clinical diagnosis and epidemiological research related to H. pylori infection.

• Peptic ulcer
• Gastritis
• Stomach neoplasms
• Helicobacter+pylori","b":null,"f":null}]" target="_blank">Helicobacter pylori
• Helicobacter infections
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

AIM: To study the anti-fibrotic mechanism of amygdalin, a component of Semen Persicae, on fat-storing cells (FSC).

METHODS: Livers of normal adult rats were perfused with Pronas E and collagenase in situ. FSC were isolated by centrifugation with 11% Metrizamide. The subcultured FSC were incubated with 10^-4-10^-8 mol/L amygdalin for 72 h, and then FSC proliferation and collagen production were assayed, respectively.

RESULTS: Low doses of amygdalin reduced incorporation of L-[³H]-thymidine into FSC and L-[5-³H]-proline into secreted collagenase-sensitive proteins and cell layer-associated collagenase-sensitive proteins. the strongest effects were seen for the 10^-8 mol/L dose of amygdalin, which inhibited the proliferation of FSC by 25.0%, and decreased collagen production in medium and cell layer by 24.2% and 26.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: An anti-fibrotic mechanism of amygdalin is to inhibit the proliferation and collagen production of active FSC.

• Amygdalin
• Pharmacology
• Liver
• Drug effects
• Cirrhosis
• Drug therapy
• Collagen
• Biosynthesis

AIM: To investigate the effects of DNA repair induced by DNA polymerase β in hepatoma cells after γ-ray irradiation.

METHODS: Cell nuclei were prepared from mouse model (SMMC LTNM), in which human hepatoma cells are transplanted on nude mice. The nuclei were then irradiated with ⁶⁰Co-γ rays at different dose levels or dose rates. A selective inhibitor test was then used to detect the effects of the radiation on DNA repair using N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and ddTTP as selective inhibitors to DNA polymerases γ and β respectively.

RESULTS: ³H-TTP incorporation into irradiated nuclei or calf thymus DNA was significantly higher than that the rate at which it is incorporated into non-irradiated nuclei when either DNA polymerase β or γ was inhibited. When both NEM and ddTTP are present, the ³H-TTP incorporation in irradiated DNA was not significantly different from the non-irradiated nuclei. Furthermore, ³H-TTP incorporation into DNA of SMMC-LTNM hepatoma nuclei was higher than that of normal hepatocyte nuclei (P < 0.01). This suggests that DNA repair induced by DNA polymerase β was more active in hepatoma cell nuclei than in normal hepatocyte nuclei.

CONCLUSION: DNA polymerase β may be more responsive to DNA damage in some tumor cells than that in normal cells, which may facilitate the cells to repair DNA damages from radiation more efficiently.

• DNA polymerases
• DNA repair γ-rays
• Liver neoplasms
• Liver/radiation effects