[Changes of rabbit IL-1 and TNF-alpha, etc cytokines in response to acute normovolemic hemodilution with HAES-balanced solution as diluting agent].

Aim: To observe effect of acute normovolemic hemodilution(ANH) with HAES-balanced solution as diluting agent on levels of cytokines including IL-1, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in rabbit serum so as to provide theoretical basis for clinical application.

Methods: A total of 20 healthy adult rabbits were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two groups (10 rabbits per group), i.e.

[Hypermethylation of estrogen receptor-alpha gene and high homocysteine in atheromatosis patients].

Objective: To investigate the methylation status in promoter region of ER-alpha gene and the relationship beteen the degree of methylation in ER-alpha gene and the level of total plasma homocysteine(tHcy) in atherosclerosis patients.

Methods: 82 cases including 54 atherosclerosis patients and 28 healthy control subjects were selected under carotid colorized ultrasound examination. The methylation status of CpG islands in ER-alpha gene promoter region were analyzed by nested-methylation-specific PCR (nMSP).

Dysfunction of endothelial NO system originated from homocysteine-induced aberrant methylation pattern in promoter region of DDAH2 gene.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-mediated dysfunction of endothelial NO system is an important mechanism for atherosclerotic pathogenesis. Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) is the key enzyme for degrading asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which is an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS). This study was designed to investigate whether the dysfunction of endothelial NO system originates from HHcy-mediated aberrant methylation modification in promotor region of DDAH2 gene.

[Effect of decreased GSH on sensitivity of breast cancer cells to ADM].

Objective: Glutathione(GSH) maintains an optimum cellular redox potential. Elevated levels of GSH render some types of cancer cells resistant against anti-cancer drugs. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a thiol-depleting agent, diethylmaleate (DEM), on the sensitivity of human breast cancer cells to ADM.