[Abstract]: Multiple organ failure (MOF) is the most serious result followed by trauma and infection. Our previous study has shown that activated intestinal mucosal mast cells (IMMC) may play an important role in the development of MOF. Somatostatin (SST), one of gut peptides, is an important regulator in the neuro-endocrine-immune network. However, the effects of SST on IMMC especially in the case of MOF remain unclear. Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of SST on the activity of IMMC in the development of MOF. Methods: The rat model of MOF was established by injection of zymosan. Thirty minutes after the injection of zymosan, SST at 2.3ng/Kg/h or 0.023ng/Kg/h was injected respectively through tail veins. The concentration of histamine and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in plasma and intestine tissue were measured. The pathological alterations of essential organ including intestine, liver, kidney and lung were studied under light microscope. Their corresponding functions were reflected with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cretinine (Cr) and oxygen pressure (PO2). In addition, the ultra structure of the IMMC was observed under a transmission electronic microscope. Results: Compared with the controlled rats, the rats injected with SST (2.3ng/Kg/h) showed less serious inflammatory response under light microscope. ALT and Cr were decreased 53% and 60% respectively. However, PO2 was increased 50%. The histamine level in the intestinal tissue from rats treated with SST remarkably increased (8.60±0.50 to 14.50±1.08 ng/g protein), while the plasma histamine level did not show any significant changes. Exdogeneous SST also resulted in lower level of TNF-α in intestine but no changes in plasma. Furthermore, degranulation of IMMC from the rats treated with SST was less obvious. Conclusions: SST may prevent from or arrest the development of MOF through suppression of inflammatory mediators releasing such as histamine and TNF-α.

Objective: To observe the effect of VIP or SST on the lymphocyte homing to the intestinal tract. Methods: Intestinal lymph were collected from mesenteric lymphatic duct of rats. Intestinal lymphocytes, which had been incubated with VIP or SST, were labeled with 51Cr and then were infused into blood circulation of rats. The 51Cr-intestinal lymphocytes in organs (or tissues)were determined with γ-counter. Results: About 10% of 51Cr-intestinal lymphocytes homed to intestinal tract within 1 h at normal physiological state. The distribution of 51Cr-intestinal lymphocytes treated with either VIP or SST in mesenteric node (1.83% or1.56%) and in Peyer's patches (1.85% or 1.60%) were significantly lower than that of control group (3.83%, 3.85%), P<0.05. VIP or SST did not show remarkable affection on the homing of 51Cr-intestinal lymphocytes to diffusive lymphatic tissue in small intestine when compared with control. Conclusion: Either VIP or SST reduces the homing of intestinal lymphocytes to mesenteric nodes and Peyer's patches in rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of somatostatin analogue octreotide on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line as well as the growth of HCC xenografts in nude mice. Methods The effects of octreotide on the proliferation and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 HCC cells was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA and the TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) or flow cytometric assay separately. Nude mice bearing xenografts of the cell line were treated with octreotide or saline as a control daily until eight weeks after tumor implantation. Results Incubation with octreotide decreased 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA of SMMC-7721 cells by～50% at a concentration of 1μM. The inhibit effect of octreotide showed a concentration dependence. After 96h incubation, total cell count was decreased 52.2% compared with control. When cells were treated by octreotide at 1×10-6mol/L for 24 hours, the apoptosis rates was (15.2±2.4)%. At necropsy, in mice given octreotide, the mean tumor weight were significantly lower than that of control group(0.27±0.05 vs 0.85±0.37,P<0.01). The inhibition rate of tumor in vivo at 2 months was 68.2%. Conclusion Octreotide is effective in inhibiting growth of HCC both in vivo and in vitro significantly. The mechanisms of antineoplastic effect action may involved in inhibiting DNA synthesize and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells.

Objective: To study the effect of somatostatin analogue octreotide on the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Using membrane invasion culture system alone or coated with matrigel, we observed the effect of octreotide on blocking migration and invasion of gastric carcinoma cells. Nude mice implanted orthotopically with SGC-7901 human stomach carcinoma were given injections of octreotide for 8 weeks. MMP-2 was detected by gelatin zymography or RT-PCR. The microvascular density and VEGF expression were examined by immunohistochemical staining with factor VIII antibody and VEGF antibody. Results: Octreotide significantly inhibit migration(49.8

Objective: To investigate effects of Aspirin on the growth of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The effects of aspirin on the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells were measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA and cell cycle analysised by flow cytometric analysis, separately. COX-2 protein was examed in SGC-7901 cells by immunohistochemistry. The expression of c-Fos and AP-1 activity were detected by immunoblotting and EMSA separately. Results: Aspirin significantly decreased 3H-thymidine incorporation into SGC-7901 cells. Among concentration of 1