Objective To determine the contents of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) in the tissues of the lumbar disc herniation and to investigate their roles in the pathogenesis. Methods The tissues of the herniated lumbar disc were obtained from 30 patients undergoing surgery for persistent radiculopathy from June 2003 to December 2004 and at the same time these samples were divided into the following three experimentalgroups: the bulge group (n=11), the protrusion group (n=9), and the prolapsus group (n=10)，14 males, 16 females, aged 33.64 years. As the control group, 9 lumbar disc specimens were harvested from 9 patients(4 males, 5 females, aged 21-58 years) suffering from bursting fracture of the lumbar spine. The specimens were analyzed by the ELISA method for the contents of MMP-3 and IL-1. Results The contents of MMP-3(14.25±1.32, 19.89±2.97,20.69±2.18 ng/ml in the bulge group, protrusion group and prolapsus group, separately) and IL-1(8.52±0.22， 11.88±0.52，11.90±0.73 pg/ml in the bulge group, protrusion group and prolapsus group, separately) in the experimental groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. The contents of MMP-3 and IL-1 in the protrusion group were not significantly higher than those in the prolapsus group, but they were significantly higher than those in the bulge group(P＜0.01). The contents of MMP-3 had a significant relationship with the contents of IL-1 in the three experimental groups and the control group(P＜0.01). Conclusion The result demonstrates that the tissues of the lumbar disc herniation can produce both MMP-3 and IL-1, which may have an unknown but important relationship with each other.
Interleukin-18 is an inactive precursor which lacks a signal peptide, it has a role in regulating retinal pathological angiogenesis. It also inhibits experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) via interferon-γand thrombospondin-1. Currently little is known about its mechanisms of inhibition for CNV, may be speculated to be due to effects of anti-angiogenesis, down-regulates vascular permeability and lower vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels via directly acting on the vascular endothelial cell and epithelial cells. Exogenous administration of mature recombinant interleukin-18 has no adverse effect on retinal pigment epithelial cell viability. In addition, the anti-VEGF role of interleukin-18 is tested to be safe and effective for humans. Interleukin-18 alone or in combination with anti-VEGF shows to be a good prospect for improving the prognosis of experimental CNV. However, more large clinical studies are required to confirm the exact efficacy of interleukin-18 for CNV.
目的 通过检测浸润性乳腺癌中白细胞介素18（IL-18）和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的表达情况，探讨其表达相关性及与临床病理学参数的关系。 方法 应用免疫组织化学法检测IL-18和VEGF在42例浸润性乳腺癌组织和12例正常乳腺组织中的表达情况。 结果 IL-18和VEGF在42例浸润性乳腺癌中的表达阳性率均显著高于12例正常乳腺组织（P＜0.05）。且在42例浸润性乳腺癌组织中，IL-18阳性组中VEGF阳性率（87.1%）显著高于IL-18阴性组中VEGF阳性率（12.9%），差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。在亚组分析中，IL-18的表达只与有无腋窝淋巴结转移有相关性（P＜0.05），而VEGF的表达与有无腋窝淋巴结转移和TNM分期有相关性（P＜0.05）。 结论 在浸润性乳腺癌中，IL-18的表达上调与VEGF的表达上调显著相关，IL-18可能具有促进肿瘤新生血管形成的作用。
Objective To evaluate the role of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in acute pancreatitis. Methods Thirty mongrel dogs were divided into three groups based on the severity: acute edematous pancreatitis (AEP) group (n＝11), acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (AHNP) group (n＝12), and control group (n＝7). Serum level of IL-10 was determined with enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). Results Within 24 hours, AEP group had serum level of IL-10 significantly higher than that of AHNP group. Control group had no detectable serum IL-10. No significant difference was observed between AEP group and AHNP group at 48 hours. Conclusion The finding of low values of serum IL-10 suggests that there may be more consumption in AHNP group than in AEP group and it may be beneficial to decrease the severity of experimental acute pancreatitis.
Objective To investigate the possible role of ulinastatin(UTI) in f lipopolysacccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI).Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups，ie.a normal control group，a LPS group and a LPS plus UTI group.The rats were injected with 1 mL of normal saline via caudal vein in the control group，with LPS 5 mg/kg via caudal vein in the LPS group，and with UTI 100000 U/kg shortly after injection with LPS in the LPS plus UTI group.The rats were sacrificed 4 h after the injection.Lung wet/dry weight ratio was measured.IL-18 level in serum and lung tissue was determined by ELISA and the expression of NF-κB in lung tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry.Pathological changes of rats’ lung were observed by optical and electron microscope.Results Compared with the control group，IL-18 level in serum and NF-κB expression in lung tissue were significantly higher in the LPS group(Plt;0.01).The IL-8 level was somewhat elevated in the LPS+UTI group but with no significant difference from that in control group was found (Pgt;0.05).The lung inflammation in the LPS+UTI group was milder than that in the LPS rats.Conclusion UTI can alleviate LPS-induced inflammatory reaction and lung injury in rat model.
The synthesis and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in the monocytes of 68 cases of multiple system organ failure (MSOF) patients was investigated by the method of MTT stained in cytokines dependent defferential cell strain. The data showed that the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukine 1 and interleukine 6 were increased (Ｐ＜0.01) in the monocytes of MSOF patients. The synthesis and secretion of these inflammatory cytokines gradually increased in the monocytes after onset of MSOF. After 5 days of treatment with antibiotics and electrolytes intravenous infusion, the secretion of TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 were decreased respectively. These results suggested that the TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 are integrated into system inflammatory responese and caused the injury to the tissues and organs. The production levels of these cytokines can be regarded as the index of MSOF and its severity.
ObjectiveTo study the inhibitory effects of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) on oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization in mice, and to investigate the possible involvement of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the neovascular-inhibitory function of PEDF. Methods A total of 140 postnatal day (P)7 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group, oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model group, PEDF treatment group and PBS treatment control group. All mice except normal control group with their mothers were exposed to (75±2)% oxygen environment for 5 days and then kept in room air for another 5 days to establish the OIR model. Mice in normal control group were kept in room air only. At P12 and P14, respectively, mice in PEDF treatment group received intravitreous injections of 1 μl PEDF (2 μg/μl), while PBS treatment control group received the same volume of PBS (10 mmol/L, pH7.4).All mice were euthanized at P17 and eyes were isolated. The changes of retinal vessels were observed on retinal flat mounts and cryosections by fluorescence microscopy. Retinal specimens were prepared for IL-1β protein and mRNA analysis by Western blot and real time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (Real-time RT-PCR). ResultsChanges of retinal vessels had been viewed by fluorescence microscopy on flat-mounted retina, the relative retinal neovascularization areas were significantly increased in OIR model group compared with normal control group (t=15.02, P < 0.01), and the relative retinal neovascularization areas were obviously smaller in PEDF treatment group than those in PBS treatment control group (t=5.96, P < 0.01). Fluorescence staining revealed that retinal vascular tufts were extending from outer plexiform layer (OPL) to ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the retina along with multiple interconnections; Neovascular tufts in OIR model group and PBS treatment control group were presenting distinctly more than those of normal control group and PEDF treatment group. The specific expression levels of IL-1β protein in retinas of OIR mice by Western-blot analysis were higher than those of normal control group(t=3.35, P < 0.05), While these of PEDF treatment group showed a considerable decline in comparison with PBS treatment control group (P < 0.01), and there were no difference in normal control group and PEDF-treated group (F=11.764, P > 0.05). Similarly, expression levels of IL-1β mRNA tested by Real-time RT-PCR were obviously increased in the OIR model group when compared to normal control group(t=4.43, P < 0.01). After treated with PEDF, expression levels of IL-1β mRNA showed a considerable decrease when compared to PBS treatment control group (P < 0.01), and there were no difference in normal control group and PEDF-treated group (F=11.15, P > 0.05). ConclusionsPEDF can inhibit oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization. The mechanism may be related to that PEDF can downregulate the expression of IL-1β in retina.
Objective To examine the role of recombinant interleukin-10 (IL-10) and the therapeutic effect of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats.Methods Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups. IL-10 treatment group and positive control group had 24 rats respectively, and the normal control group had eight rats. Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) is an established animal model of acute ocular inflammation induced by LPS intravenous injection (1 mu;g/kg). The onset times and signs were observed and the clinical scores were recorded. The blood samples and the aqueous humor samples of right eye were collected separately before the rats were sacrificed at fourth hour, 24th hour and third day after LPS injection. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha;,IL-6, and IL-10 levels in the serum and aqueous humor. The left eyes were used for pathological examination and pathological grading. Results The symptoms of uveitis were appeared in all 24 rats in the positive group. The average onset time was (3.81plusmn;1.05) hours, the average clinical score was 3.67plusmn;1.97. The mild manifestations of uveitis were also appeared in all of the rats in treatment group. The average onset time was (5.63plusmn;1.02) hours, the average clinical score was 2.00plusmn;1.25. The average onset time in treatment group was postponed compared with the rats of positive group (t=4.95, P=0.000). The clinical scores (t=3.50, P=0.00) and the pathological grades (t=3.28, P=0.00) in treatment group were lower than those of positive group. There were not signs or pathologic changes in all the eight rats in the negative control group. The serum and aqueous humor levels of TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in the rats of positive group were higher than those of the treatment group and control group (F=15.34, 57.65, 67.59, 8.42; P=0.00). The serum and aqueous humor levels of IL-10 in the rats of treatment group were higher than those of the positive group and the control group (F=17.84,7.76; P=0.00). There were positive correlations between the level of aqueous humor TNF-alpha;, serum and aqueous humor levels of IL-6 and the disease severity (reye＝0.58, 0.31,0.81, rpath＝0.56, 0.31, 0.74; P＜0.05). The negative correlations were presented between the serum levels of IL-10 with the disease severity (r=-0.54,-0.55; P=0.00). There were negative correlations between the serum and aqueous humor levels of TNF-alpha; and IL-6 and the onset time of the disease (r＝-0.47,-0.59,-0.77,-0.36; P＜0.05) as well. Conclusions These findings bly suggest that suppressive IL-10 is a potent candidate for the prevention of TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in uveitis and could be applied as a novel immunoregulatory agent to control EIU.