[Impact of the CFTR chloride channel on the cytoskeleton of mouse Sertoli cells].

Objective: To study the impact of the chloride channel dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) on the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells in the mouse.

Methods: TM4 Sertoli cells were cultured and treated with CFTR(inh)-172 at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L for 48 hours. Then the cytotoxicity of CFT(inh)-172 was assessed by CCK-8 assay, the expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub in the TM4 Sertoli cells detected by immunofluorescence assay, and those of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin determined by qPCR.

The role of the GABA-A receptor of the adjacent intact dorsal root ganglion neurons in rats with neuropathic pain.

We aim to investigate the changes of The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signals in the adjacent intact dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the contribution of these changes to the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain (NPP). After establishment of neuropathic pain model with the lumbar 5 spinal nerve ligation (L5 SNL), the GABA-evoked currents were recorded in the acutely dissociated L4 DRG neurons using whole-cell patch clamp. Moreover, Muscimol or Bicuculline were respectively topically injected to the L4 DRG at the time of nerve injury and post-operative 5 days (POD5).

Nifedipine promotes the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.

Nifedipine is widely used as a calcium channel blocker (CCB) to treat angina and hypertension,but it is controversial with respect the risk of stimulation of cancers. In this study, we demonstrated that nifedipine promoted the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells both invivo and invitro. However, verapamil, another calcium channel blocker, didn't exert the similar effects.

[Expression of heme oxygenase enzyme in the testis tissue and azoospermia].

Objective: To investigate the location of heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme in the human testis, and explore the correlation of the expression of HO enzyme with azoospermia by analyzing its different expression levels in the testes of nonobstructive azoospermia, obstructive azoospermia and normal men.

Methods: We detected the location of the cells expressing HO enzyme in the human testis tissue using immunohistochemistry, determined the mRNA and protein expression levels of HO-1 and HO-2 in the testes of azoospermia patients and normal healthy men by RT-fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-FQ-PCR) and Western blot, and explored the correlation of HO expressions with the pathogenesis of azoospermia.

Results: HO-1 enzyme was expressed mainly in the Sertoli cells and HO-2 enzyme chiefly in the germ cells of the testis tissue.

Role of the epithelial sodium channel in salt-sensitive hypertension.

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a heteromeric channel composed of three similar but distinct subunits, α, β and γ. This channel is an end-effector in the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and resides in the apical plasma membrane of the renal cortical collecting ducts, where reabsorption of Na(+) through ENaC is the final renal adjustment step for Na(+) balance. Because of its regulation and function, the ENaC plays a critical role in modulating the homeostasis of Na(+) and thus chronic blood pressure.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone positively regulates steroidogenesis via extracellular signal-regulated kinase in rat Leydig cells.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is secreted from neurons within the hypothalamus and is necessary for reproductive function in all vertebrates. GnRH is also found in organs outside of the brain and plays an important role in Leydig cell steroidogenesis in the testis. However, the signalling pathways mediating this function remain largely unknown.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism influences lipid phenotypes in Chinese families with familial combined hyperlipidemia.

Background: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism is associated with changes in the lipoprotein profile of individuals with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), but its effects on the lipoprotein profiles of members of Chinese families with FCHL remain uncertain.

Methods And Results: 43 FCHL families (n=449) and 9 normolipidemic families (n=73) were recruited to assess the influence of apoE polymorphism on plasma lipids. The relative frequency of the epsilon4 allele in affected and unaffected FCHL relatives, spouses and normolipidemic members was 13.