DAX-1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation by inhibiting β-catenin transcriptional activity.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the most common type of liver cancer. DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on X chromosome, gene 1), an atypical member of the nuclear receptor family due to lack of classical DNA-binding domains, has been known for its fundamental roles in the development, especially in the sex determination and steroidogenesis. Previous studies also showed that DAX-1 played a critical role in endocrine and sex steroid-dependent neoplasms such as adrenocortical, pituitary, endometrial, and ovarian tumors.

MicroRNA-195 regulates steroid receptor coactivator-3 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Multiple studies have shown that steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3) is upregulated and promotes cell proliferation in several human cancers, including breast, lung, and prostate carcinoma. However, its molecular determinants remain largely unexplored. In the current study, by way of informatics software, we found that MicroRNA-195 (miR-195) could negatively regulate protein levels of SRC-3 through targeting its 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Celastrol exerts synergistic effects with PHA-665752 and inhibits tumor growth of c-Met-deficient hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo.

PHA665752 (PHA), a selective small molecule c-Met Inhibitor, potently inhibited HGF-stimulated and constitutive c-Met phosphorylation, as well as HGF and c-Met-driven phenotypes of a variety of tumor cells including hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However, these effects were impaired in c-Met-deficient cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated the potential anti-human c-Met-deficient hepatocellular carcinoma effects of Celastrol, a novel triterpene, and its combination with PHA.

[Relationship between pigment gallstone and intestinal barrier function: experiment with guinea pigs and clinical observations].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the intestinal barrier function and pigment gallstone formation.

Methods: Ninety Guinea pigs were divided randomly into 3 groups: normal control (CON) group receiving normal forage, pigment gallstone (PS) group receiving pigment gallstone-forming forage, and intestinal mucosa protection group receiving pigment gallstone-forming forage with supplemental glutamine intestinal (GLN), a mucosa protector. The guinea pigs were observed for 8 weeks, the gallstone-forming rate, plasma diamine oxidase ( DAO), serum endotoxin, proportionality of urine lactulose/mannitol, and biliary beta-glucuronidase were detected.

Sphincter of Oddi hypomotility and its relationship with duodenal-biliary reflux, plasma motilin and serum gastrin.

Aim: To detect whether patients with a T tube after cholecystectomy and choledochotomy have duodenal-biliary reflux by measuring the radioactivity of Tc99m-labeled diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA) in the bile and whether the patients with duodenal-biliary reflux have sphincter of Oddi hypomotility, by measuring the level of plasma and serum gastrin of the patients. Finally to if there is close relationship among sphincter of Oddi hypomotility, duodenal-biliary reflux and gastrointestinal peptides.

Methods: Forty-five patients with a T tube after cholecystectomy and choledochotomy were divided into reflux group and control group.

Differences and significance of motilin, vasoactive intestinal peptide and gastrin in blood and gallbladder tissues of patients with gallstones.

Background: The disorders of gallbladder motility may play an important role in the formation of gallstones. Many neural and hormonal factors and their interactions regulate gallbladder motility and bile flow into the duodenum. Further study in these factors may help to reveal the etiology of gallbladder diseases.

Possible relationship between cholecystectomy and subsequent occurrence of primary common bile duct stones: a retrospective review of data.

Background: Most reports on the prognosis of cholecystectomy have been short-term studied, and few long-term reports have suggested variable incidences of common bile duct stones after cholecystectomy. We retrospectively reviewed the data to find the possible association between cholecystectomy and the subsequent occurrence of primary common bile duct stones.

Methods: The data were reviewed retrospectively of 478 patients with primary common bile duct stones diagnosed and treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy at our hospitals between January 1994 and December 2003.

[The relationship between Oddi's sphincter and bile duct pigment gallstone].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between anatomic abnormalities and malfunction of Oddi sphincter with formation of bile duct pigment gallstone.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-three patients with a T tube after cholecystectomy and choledochotomy were divided into reflux group and control group by measuring the amounts of radioactivity of (99m)Tc-DTPA in the bile. Among them 53 were selected randomly to undergo choledochoscopic manometry.

Role of intestinal barrier in pathogenesis of pigment gallstone in a guinea pig model.

Background: The function of the intestinal barrier has drawn more and more attention from researchers in recent years for its important role in many diseases such as burns, wounds, and pancreatitis. In our experimental studies on pigment gallstone, we found potential relationships between the function of the intestinal barrier and pigment gallstone formation. This study was undertaken to investigate the possible action and mechanism of the function of the intestinal barrier in the pathogenesis of pigment gallstone.

Expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 1 and 2 receptor mRNA in gallbladder tissue of patients with gallstone or gallbladder polyps.

Aim: To detect the expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor 1 (VPCAP1-R)and VPCAP2-R mRNA in gallbladder tissues of patients with gallstone or gallbladder polyps.

Methods: The expression of VPCAP1-R and VPCAP2-R mRNA in gallbladder tissues was detected in 25 patients with gallstone,8 patients with gallbladder polyps and 7 donors of liver transplantation by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: The VPCAP2-R mRNA expression level in the control group (1.

[Effects of different drugs on the sphincter of Oddi motility: study with choledochoscope manometry].

Objective: This study assessed the effects of narcotic analgesics, nitrates drugs, somatostatin analogues on human sphincter of Oddi motility and the antagonistic effects of nitrates drugs and anticholinergic agents against morphine measured by choledochoscope manometry.

Methods: 157 patients who had a T tube after cholecystectomy and choledochotomy were assessed by choledochoscope manometry. They were randomly divided into 5 groups.

Effects of somatostatin analogues on human sphincter of Oddi pressure.

Background: Somatostatin, a neuropeptide and hormone, exists in the biliary tract of several species. The effects of somatostatin and its analogues on the sphincter of Oddi motility have been controversial. The aim of this study was to observe the action of stilamin and sandostatin on the sphincter of Oddi via choledochofiberscope manometry.

Nitroester drug's effects and their antagonistic effects against morphine on human sphincter of Oddi motility.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of nitroester drugs on human sphincter of Oddi (SO) motility and their antagonistic effects against morphine which shows excitatory effect on Oddi's sphincter motility.

Methods: The effects of these drugs on SO were evaluated by means of choledochofiberoscopy manometry. A total of 67 patients having T-tubes after cholecystectomy and choledochotomy were involved in the study, they were randomly divided into glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) group, isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) group, pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PTN) group, morphine associated with GTN group, morphine associated with ISDN group and morphine associated with PTN group.

Effects of narcotic analgesic drugs on human Oddi's sphincter motility.

Aim: To assess the effects of intramuscular analgesics (morphine, Ap-237, pethidine and tramadol) on human Oddi's sphincter motility with choledochoscope manometry.

Methods: A total of 70 patients having T tubes after cholecystectomy and choledochotomy were assessed by choledochoscope manometry. They were randomly divided into morphine group, Ap-237 group, pethidine group and tramadol group.

Effect of morphine and M-cholinoceptor blocking drugs on human sphincter of Oddi during choledochofiberscopy manometry.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of morphine on the human sphincter of Oddi pressure and the antagonism of anticholinergic agents against morphine.

Methods: The action of these drugs on the sphincter of Oddi (SO) was evaluated by means of choledochofiberscopy manometry in 40 operated patients with T-tube. The patients were divided randomly into 4 groups: anisodamine, atropine, buscopan, and control.