Expression and potential roles of sodium-potassium ATPase and E-cadherin in human gastric adenocarcinoma.

Background: Gastric adenocarcinoma originates from an abnormal epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of sodium-potassium ATPase (NKA), a transmembrane protein located in the epithelium for Na+ and K+ transportation, and E-cadherin, which are both crucial for the epithelium and adherens junction, as potential gastric cancer biomarkers.

Methods: 45 patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma were recruited.

Differential Expression of Renal Outer Medullary K Channel and Voltage-gated K Channel 7.1 in Bladder Urothelium of Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the changes including expression and localization of 2 potassium channels, renal outer medullary K channel (ROMK) and voltage-gated K channel 7.1 (KCNQ1), after increased urinary potassium leakage in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS).

Materials And Methods: The study group included 24 patients with IC/PBS and a control group consisting of 12 volunteers without any IC/PBS symptoms.

Increased expression of the sonic hedgehog and vascular endothelial growth factor with co-localization in varicocele veins.

Objectives Varicocele is characterized by dilatation and tortuosity of the internal spermatic vein. Sonic hedgehog plays an important role in angiogenesis and vascular remodeling under hypoxic stress. We studied the relationship and distribution of SHH and vascular endothelial growth factor in internal spermatic vein in patients diagnosed with varicocele.

Impaired Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase Function in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome.

Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (NKA) is abundantly expressed in the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells, which is necessary for tight junction formation. The tight junction is an urothelial barrier between urine and the underlying bladder. Impairment of tight junctions allows migration of urinary solutes in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS).

Metallothionein overexpression of bladder biopsies associated with tissue hypoxia in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Objective: To study the relationship between hypoxia and metallothionein expression in bladder biopsies of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome patients.

Methods: The study group consisted of 41 patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, and the control group consisted of 12 volunteers without any interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome symptoms. All biopsy specimens were analyzed for both proteins of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and metallothionein expression by immunoblotting, immunostaining and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Decreased expression of zonula occludens-1 and occludin in the bladder urothelium of patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Background/purpose: Unique barrier properties of the urothelial surface membrane permit urine storage without contents leak into the bloodstream. Previous reports suggested that the bladder urothelial barrier might be compromised in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). We examined the changes of tight junction proteins (zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin) in IC/PBS patients.

Activation of extrinsic apoptotic pathway from bladder biopsy in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the intrinsic or extrinsic pathway of apoptosis from bladder biopsy that was performed in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Although previous studies have reported observations of the dysfunction, denudation, and thinning of the bladder urothelium in patients associated with an increase of cell apoptosis, the molecular mechanism is unclear.

Methods: The study group consisted of 32 patients with IC/PBS, and the control group consisted of 12 volunteers without any symptoms of IC.

Increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and Bcl-2 in varicocele and varicose veins.

Background: Primary vein wall abnormalities leading to secondary blood stasis and increased venous pressure that cause tissue hypoxia are observed in varicocele and varicose veins. Both types of diseased vessels are characterized by dilated thickened vein walls. Hypoxia upregulates Bcl-2 (antiapoptosis protein) expression in different human cell types.

Increased extrinsic apoptotic pathway activity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following transarterial embolization.

Aim: To determine the apoptosis pathway in residual viable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues following transarterial embolization (TAE).

Methods: Ten patients with HCC who received surgical resection after TAE were enrolled in the study group, and 24 patients with HCC who received surgical resection only served as the control group. In the study group, we measured the changes in tumor size and α fetoprotein (AFP) levels after TAE.

Increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor associated with glomerulation formation in patients with interstitial cystitis.

Objective: To examine whether hypoxia occurs in the bladders of patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) by monitoring the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and VEGF. Previous studies have reported that bladder perfusion is decreased in patients with IC. Hypoxia induces overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which has been reported to be associated with the formation of glomerulations in patients with IC.

Involved intrinsic apoptotic pathway in the varicocele and varicose veins.

Background: Disordered programmed cell death may play a role in the development of venous diseases. Tissue hypoxia caused by blood stagnation and venous hypertension is the similar etiology of varicocele and varicose veins. We studied the vascular histopathology and determined whether there is the same apoptotic pathway in both venous diseases.

Dysregulated apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway in the internal spermatic vein of patients with varicocele.

Background/purpose: Apoptosis plays a critical role in various physiological processes. Varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility in adults. The dilated and thickened wall of the internal spermatic vein (ISV) in varicocele is considered similar to that in varicose veins.

Cadmium concentration and metallothionein expression in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia of humans.

Background/purpose: Cadmium (Cd) causes various genitourinary disorders and is a carcinogen for prostate cancer. Metallothionein (MT) is a protein that detoxifies heavy metals. We evaluated changes in Cd concentration and MT expression in human prostate cancer (CaP) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Cadmium accumulation and metallothionein overexpression in internal spermatic vein of patients with varicocele.

Objectives: To determine the possible molecular mechanism for the thickened wall in the internal spermatic vein (ISV) of patients with varicocele, we examined the cadmium (Cd) content and metallothionein (MT) expression in these diseased vessels. Previous studies have shown that Cd might play a role in the etiology of varicocele-associated infertility. MT, a metal-binding protein, protects against cell apoptosis during hypoxia.

Involved intrinsic apoptotic pathway of testicular tissues in varicocele-induced rats.

Introduction: Increased testicular germ cell apoptosis has been reported in varicocele-induced rats. We studied intrinsic or extrinsic pathway of apoptosis by detecting Bcl-2, caspase-9, caspase-8, and activated caspase-3 expressions in the bilateral testes of experimental varicocele-induced rats.

Materials And Methods: Experimental left varicocele (ELV) was created by partial ligation of left renal vein in a study group of 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Bcl-2 overexpression in the internal spermatic vein of patients with varicocele.

Background/purpose: Varicocele is characterized by dilatation and tortuosity of the internal spermatic vein (ISV). Cross sections of ISV showed marked thickening of smooth muscle layer under microscopy. This study examined Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) expression in the ISV of patients with varicocele.

Increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in the internal spermatic vein of patients with varicocele.

Purpose: Varicocele is recognized as a cause of male infertility. Testis hypoxia may be one of the possible mechanisms of varicocele. We examined whether tissue hypoxia occurred in the ISV of patients with varicocele by detecting the expression of HIF-1alpha.