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Objective To investigate the changes in Th1 cells and CD4+CD25+Treg cells in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice at early stage of diabetes, and to evaluate the significance of these changes. Methods Four week- (group A), 8 week- (group B) and 16 week-old (group C) female NOD mice (8 each) were used in present study. The spleen, thymus and pancreas were harvested. Th1 and CD4+CD25+Treg cells in spleen were determined by flow cytometer, and the ratios of Th1/CD4+T, CD4+CD25+Treg/CD4+T and Th1/CD4+CD25+Treg were calculated. Subsequently, CD4–CD8–T, CD4+CD8+T, CD4–CD8+T and CD4+CD8–T cells in thymus were determined by flow cytometer, and the ratio of CD25+Treg/CD4+CD8–T was calculated. The histopathological changes in pancreas were also evaluated by HE staining and immunohistochemistry staining. Results The proportion of Th1 cells in spleen and the ratios of Th1/CD4+T and Th1/CD4+CD25+Treg were higher significantly in group C than in group A and B. However, no significant differences were found in the proportion of spleen CD4+CD25+Treg cells and the ratio of CD4+CD25+Treg/CD4+T among the three groups. Compared with group A, no obvious changes were found in thymus CD4–CD8–T, CD4+CD8+T, CD4–CD8+T and CD4+CD8–T cells in group B and C, but the ratio of thymus CD25+Treg/CD4+CD8–T increased significantly in group B and C. Lymphocytic infiltration was observed in pancreatic islets of group B and C as shown with HE staining, but Foxp3+T cells were not seen in pancreatic islets by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion Th1 cells are gradually increased at early stage of diabetes in NOD mice, but CD4+CD25+Treg cells are relatively default. These changes may play an important role in the progress of diabetes. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2013.11.004

Objective To investigate the effect of caprine testicular extract on the acrosomal formation of spermatids of lead-treated mice, and find a theoretical and experimental basis for further research on the effects of caprine testicular extract on the reproductive system. Methods The study was carried out on thirty male adult ICR mice, which were randomly assigned into control group, model group and treatment group (10 each). The testis-injury model was reproduced by intragastric administration of lead acetate (30mg/kg, 0.1ml/10g). Animals in treatment group received intragastric administration of lead acetate and intraabdominal injection of 0.5ml caprine testicular extract at the same time for 21days, and the mice in control group received the same amount of distilled water by intragastric administration and 0.5ml distilled water by intraabdominal injection. By the end of the experimental period, the mice were sacrificed. The testes were fixed by cardiac perfusion and processed for light microscopic examination. The acrosomal formation in round spermatids was observed by PAS staining. Results Compared with the control group, the acrosomal formation in model group was blocked. Acrosomal vesicle was incomplete, the membrane was shrunken, rough and fuzzy. The acrosomal formation in treatment group was similar to that of the control group. The structure of the acrosomal vesicle was complete and the membrane was smooth. Conclusion Administration of caprine testicular extract may protect the acrosomal formation of spermatids from lead poisoning, and the normal structure and function of the acrosome are preserved. Thus, indepth study of the effects of caprine testicular extract may contribute to the treatment of male infertility caused by heavy metal-induced testicular damage, and offer an effective protective measure for the lead-exposed males.

Objective To investigate the effect of Huntingtin-interacting protein1 (HIP1) gene silencing on the proliferation of PC-3 cells in a human androgen-independent prostate tumor. Methods pSlience-shHIP1, a shRNA expression vector targeting HIP1, was constructed and transfected into PC-3 cells by liposome. RT-PCR was adopted to detect the silencing effect of HIP1 gene. Western bloting was then used to confirm the effective target point. Moreover, the scratch assay and growth curve assay were performed to analyze the effect of HIP1 on the proliferation of PC-3 cells. Results The efficiency of HIP1 gene silencing was increased to 83% (PConclusions The pSilence-HIP1 expression vector can specifically suppress the expression of the HIP1 gene. In addition, HIP1 gene silencing can inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells.