OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of -634G/C gene polymorphism of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) in children. METHODS: One hundred ethnic Han children with HSP, including 50 children with concurrent nephritis (HSPN group) and 50 children without nephritis (HSP without nephritis group), were enrolled. Fifty age-, sex-and ethnics-matched healthy children were used as the control group. VEGF-634G/C genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP. Plasma VEGF levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: CC genotype distribution (32%) and C allele frequency (56%) in the HSPN group were significantly higher than those in the control group (10% and 35% respectively) and the HSP without nephritis group (10% and 33% respectively) (P<0.01). The incidence of nephritis in HSP patients with CC genotype increased significantly when compared with those with GG genotype (76% vs 31%; P<0.01). Plasma VEGF levels in patients with CC genotype (180.5±40.7 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those in patients with CG (145.2±48.3 pg/mL) and GG (101.5±26.5 pg/mL) genotypes (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-634G/C gene polymorphism may be associated with the development of HSPN. C allele may a susceptible gene of HSPN.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):417-421］
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of campylobacter jejuni (CJ) infection and the drug resistance of CJ in children with diarrhea in Guangzhou. METHODS: The fecal samples of 3 351 children with diarrhea between July 2005 and June 2008 were collected for CJ culture. The species of CJ strains were identified by Lior methods. The drug susceptibility tests were performed by the Kirby-Bauer method. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-seven CJ strains (8.0%) were isolated from 3 351 samples. The children at age of 1 month to 1 year were susceptible to CJ, accounting for 91.0%. A higher incidence of CJ infection (76.8%) was found in summer and autumn. The CJ strains were susceptible to imipenem, amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, chloramphenicol, macrolides and lincomycins. Parts of CJ strains (20%-40%) were resistant to ampicillin, quinolones and ambramycin. All CJ strains were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and cefditoren. Two hundred and one strains (75.3%) were CJ biotype I. CONCLUSIONS: CJ is an important pathogen of diarrhea in children from Guangzhou. CJ is resistant to some antibiotics used often in clinical practice, and so it is thus important to use antibiotics based on the results of drug susceptibility tests in children with CJ infection.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):422-424］
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of esophageal mucosa injury in children with reflux esophagitis (RE). METHODS: Esophageal mucosal samples from 36 children with RE (7 months to 16 years of age) were obtained by gastroscopy. The parameters of oxidative stress, including the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in the esophageal mucosa as well as the protein content of the esophageal mucosa, were measured. Twenty children (3 to 16 years of age) without esophageal mucosal injury by gastroscopy served as controls. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the protein content of the esophageal mucosa between the RE and the control groups. The content of MDA in the RE group (15.36±16.67 nmol/mg) was significantly higher than that in the control group (7.51±6.17 nmol/mg) (P<0.01). The activity of T-SOD in the RE group (30.43±35.09 U/mg) was statistically lower than that in the control group (56.34±51.73 U/mg) (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in GSH and NO contents between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The MDA content increases and the SOD content decreases in the esophageal mucosa in children with RE. This suggests that oxidative stress seems to be an important mediator in generation of esophageal mucosal injury.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):425-428］
OBJECTIVE: To study the values of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the evaluation of cardiac function in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Seventy-one children with CHD were classified to two groups: congestive heart failure (CHF) (n=23 ) and non-CHF (n=48). Thirty-five age-matched normal children were used as the control group. Plasma BNP content was measured using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) on the AxSYM. Plasma NT-proBNP content was measured using an automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on a Roche Modular Analytics E170 analyzer. Echocardiographic parameters, including left ventricular end diastolic dimension index (LVEDDI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), were measured. RESULTS: Plasma BNP and NT-proBNP contents in the CHF group were significantly higher than those in the non-CHF group (P<0.01). The non-CHF group had higher plasma BNP and NT-proBNP contents than the control group (P<0.01). LogBNP and LogNT-proBNP values were negatively correlated with the LVEF in the CHF group (r=-0.64, r=-0.67 respectively, P<0.01), and they were positively correlated with the LVEDDI (r=0.58, r=0.76 respectively, P<0.01). In the non-CHF group, LogBNP and LogNT-proBNP values were not correlated with the LVEF, but a positive correlation was found between the LogNT-proBNP value and the LVEDDI (r=0.35, P<0.05). Using plasma BNP content ≥149.8 pg/mL and NT-proBNP content ≥820.1 pg/mL as cut-off values for diagnosing CHF respectively, the sensitivities were 87.0 % and 91.3% respectively, the specificities were 91.7% and 97.9% respectively, and the areas under the ROC curves were 0.935 and 0.987 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both BNP and NT-proBNP can be useful in assessment of cardiac function and diagnosis of CHF in children with CHD. NT-proBNP appears to be more sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of CHF than BNP.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):429-432］
OBJECTIVE: Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a new mode of mechanical ventilation that delivers ventilatory assist in proportion to neural effort. This study aimed to compare the hemodynamic safety, oxygenation and gas exchange effects ventilated with NAVA and with pressure support ventilation (PSV) in infants who underwent open-heart surgery. METHODS: Twenty-one infants who underwent open-heart surgery for congenital heart disease (mean age 2.9±2.1 months and mean weight 4.2±1.4 kg) were enrolled. They were ventilated with PSV and NAVA for 60 minutes respectively in a randomized order. The hemodynamic, oxygenation and gas exchange effects produced by the two ventilation modes were compared. RESULTS: Three cases failed to shift to NAVA because of the bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after operation. In the other 18 cases, there were no significant differences in the heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (BPs) and central venous pressure (CVP) in the two ventilation modes. The PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio in NAVA was slightly higher than in PSV, but there was no statistical difference. PaCO2 did not show significant differences in the two modes. The peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) in NAVA were significantly lower than in PSV. The EAdi signal after extubation was higher in infants who needed reintubation or intervention of noninvasive mechanical ventilation than in those who were extubated successfully (30.0±8.4 μV vs 11.1±3.6 μV; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: As the first study of application of NAVA in infants in China, this study shows that NAVA has the same homodynamic effects as PSV. However the PIP for maintaining the same level of PaCO2 in NAVA is significantly lower than that in the traditional PSV. Monitoring the EAdi signal after extubation may show the risks of reintubation or intervention of noninvasive mechanical ventilation.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):433-436］
OBJECTIVE: A qualitative research was conducted to investigate the problems on the family management of asthmatic children and the needs for family health services in order to provide basis for family-centered care. METHODS: Fifteen caregivers of children with asthma were interviewed with open-ended questions. The collected data were studied using Colaizzi's seven-step method of phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: The problems of family management and the needs for family health services were shown as follows: insufficient knowledge to prevention and treatment of asthma, poor compliance, ignoring psychological effects of asthma on children, a family's failure to cope with the distress and financial burden. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to provide asthma education and prevention program for caregivers and encourage them to participate in the design of medical program for asthmatic children. Individual asthma education and guides are also necessary for caregivers.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):437-440］
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between leukotriene expression in blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in children with asthma. METHODS: Thirty-two children with asthma (5-12 years) and ten healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The asthmatic children were subdivided into ICS well-controlled and ICS poorly-controlled groups based on their clinical symptoms and lung function. The level of leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) mRNA in PMNL was detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The level of LTC4S mRNA was expressed by the value of qCt, and the value of qCt was diversely correlated with the level of LTC4S mRNA expression. The concentration of urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4) was measured using ELISA. RESULTS: The expression of LTC4S mRNA in PMNL was significantly higher in children with asthma (qCt: 1.12±0.27) than that in the control group (qCt: 1.42±0.12;P<0.05). The expression of LTC4S mRNA in PMNL in the ICS poorly-controlled group (qCt: 1.03±0.17) was significantly higher than that in the ICS well-controlled group (qCt: 1.24±0.33; P<0.05) and the control group(1.42±0.12;P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the level of urinary LTE4 among the the ICS poorly-controlled, the ICS well-controlled and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: LTC4S mRNA expression in PMNL in asthmatic children increases, and the LTC4S mRNA expression in the ICS poorly-controlled group is higher than that in the ICS well-controlled group. This suggests that an increased leukotriene expression might be associated with poorly-controlled asthma.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):441-444］
OBJECTIVE: The efficacy and adverse effects of conventional dose and low dose adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) therapy for West syndrome (WS) were compared in order to identify a low effective dose with few adverse effects. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Thirty children with cryptogenic (n=8) or symptomatic (n=22) WS were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to receive either conventional dose or low dose ACTH therapy. For the conventional dose group, ACTH 50 IU per day was administered for 2 weeks and tapered to zero over the subsequent 2 weeks. For the low dose group, 0.4 IU/kg per day was injected for 2 weeks. After seizures were fully controlled, ACTH was tapered to zero over the subsequent 2 weeks. If there was an absence of an effective response in the low dose group, the dosage was increased to 1 IU/kg per day for the next 2 weeks and then tapered to zero over 2 weeks. Both effectiveness and adverse effects were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the good initial responses between the conventional and the low dose groups, which were 53% and 60%, respectively (P>0.05). EEG findings after ACTH therapy, the rate of relapse of spasms, and the interval to relapse were not different between the two groups (P>0.05). The longterm outcomes were assessed in the initial 8 responders, and there were no significant differences between the two groups (follow-up duration>12 months). The rates of good efficacy and disappearance of the hypsarrhythmia were significantly higher in the cryptogenic WS group than in the symptomatic WS group (P<0.05). The incidence of ACTH therapy related-adverse effects in the conventional dose group (93%) was significantly higher than in the low dose group (20%) (P<0.01). The mild brain shrinkage was observed in one patient from the conventional dose group. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term and long-term therapeutic effects of ACTH between 50 IU/d and 0.4 IU/ ( kg?d) doses are similar. ACTH therapy is more effective for cryptogenic WS than symptomatic WS. To reduce adverse effects, ACTH therapy should start with a low dose (0.4 IU/ kg each day).［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):445-448］
OBJECTIVE: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is a rate-limiting enzyme which dictates the activity of human telomerase and thus decides the life span of cells. The aim of this study was to explore the expression of hTERT in bone marrow from children with β-thalassemia major and the relationship between the expression of hTERT and hemoglobin levels. METHODS: Multiple allele specific polymerase chain reaction (MASPCR) was used for targeted DNA amplification and gene mutation analysis of β-thalassemia. hTERT mRNA expression in bone marrow was examined using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in 29 children with β-thalassemia major, in 10 children with agranulocytosis and in K562 cell line. The hemoglobin levels in peripheral blood were measured. The relationship between hTERT expression and hemoglobin levels was evaluated by the Spearman test in the β-thalassemia major group. RESULTS: hTERT mRNA expression significantly increased in bone marrow from children with β-thalassemia major compared with that from children with agranulocytosis (0.2928±0.0838 vs 0.0993±0.0336; P<0.01), but was significantly lower than that in K562 cell line (0.8291±0.0908) (P<0.01). A significantly inverse correlation was found between hTERT mRNA expression and hemoglobin levels (r=-0.841, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A low hemoglobin concentration might contribute to the up-regulation of marrow hTERT expression in children with β-thalassemia major.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):449-452］
OBJECTIVE: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmunity disease and its pathogenesis has not been fully identified. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) shows an abnormal expression in other autoimmunity diseases. This study examined the mRNA expression of two isoforms of HSP90 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and serum cortisol content in children with myasthenia gravis. METHODS: Thirty-six children with myasthenia gravis and 19 healthy children were enrolled. Serum cortisol content was measured by the chemiluminescence assay. The expression of HSP90α and HSP90β mRNA in PBMC was detected by the RT-PCR technique. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of HSP90α (0.7329±0.2120) and HSP90β (0.7193±0.2869) in children with myasthenia gravis was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (0.5574±0.2084 and 0.4892±0.2104 respectively) (P<0.01). Serum cortisol content (285.04±146.39 nmol/L) in children with myasthenia gravis was also higher than that in the healthy controls (196.25±64.52 nmol/L) (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The high mRNA expression of HSP90α and HSP90β in PBMC might be associated with the development of myasthenia gravis. The high serum cortisol level indicates a high stress state or might be correlated to the glucocorticoid receptor abnormality in children with myasthenia gravis.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):453-456］
OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of childhood hepatoblastoma after a combination therapy of resection and chemotherapy. METHODS: The clinical data of 14 children with hepatoblastoma was retrospectively reviewed. Their long-term survival was followed-up. RESULTS: Twelve cases received surgery and planned chemotherapy. The follow-up duration averaged 18 months (range 1.5-74 months). Nine survived free of events, 1 died, 1 survived with multiple lung metastases, and 1 with increased alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) content but without residual tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery assisted with chemotherapy can improve the outcome of hepatoblastoma.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):456-459］
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feeding patterns of infants in Huining County, Gansu Province, an economically undeveloped county in China, so as to provide scientific evidence for nutritional intervention. METHODS: By cluster sampling based on the area distribution and the economic state, 437 children from 7 different areas in Huining County, Gansu Province were enrolled. A questionnaire on the feeding patterns within 24 months of age was completed by the caregivers. The addition of nutrient supplements (calcium, zinc, ferri, vitamin AD, etc.) during the last year was investigated using the food frequency questionnaires. RESULTS: The average percentages of breast feeding, mixed feeding and artificial feeding were 45.3%, 40.5% and 14.2% respectively. Delayed introduction of complementary food was the most common. Formula powder was added earliest, at age of 6.4 months. The meats were added latest, at age of 17.2 months. Only 66.8% of infants received an addition of complementary food at age of 4-6 months. Grains, vegetables, fruits and eggs were common complementary additional diets, but fishes and shrimps were seldom provided. The proportion of nutrient supplement use was low. The choice of nutrient supplements in urban districts mainly depended on the physicians's uggestions, but in rural area it depended on the caregivers' experience and media advertisements. CONCLUSIONS: The feeding patterns for the infants are not reasonable in Huining County, Gansu Province. It is important to provide nutritional education and reasonable feeding program for caregivers from economically undeveloped areas.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):460-463］
OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of multiple course hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal rats when HBO treatment is delayed (96 hrs after the HIBD event). METHODS: Eighty-eight 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly assigned to control, HIBD and HBO groups. The HBO group was subdivided into cohorts receiving treatment 2 h, 48 h and 96 h, respectively, after HIBD was induced. The three subgroups comprising different therapeutic windows were further randomly assigned to receive 1, 2 or 3 courses of HBO treatment ("HBO-1, -2 and -3 sub-groups"). HBO was administered once daily (2 ATA), a course lasting for seven days. There was an interval of three days between the courses. All pups were sacrificed at the end of HBO treatment (31 days after HIBD). TUNEL staining was used for testing neuronal apoptosis in the cortex and the CA1 of the hippocampus, and NSE staining was used to ascertain cortical neuronal population. RESULTS:① There were significantly more TUNEL positive cells in the HIBD group than in the control group; NSE positive cells were significantly lower than in controls (P<0.01). ② With the more delayed therapeutic window, the effects of apoptosis inhibition and neuronal protection of a single course of HBO were gradually reduced. ③ With increasing courses of HBO treatment, the effects of apoptosis inhibition and neuronal protection of HBO increased gradually in rats receiving treatment 48 and 96 hrs after HIBD. In the HBO group receiving treatment 2 hrs after HIBD, the number of apoptotic cells and NSE positive cells were close to that of the control group after one course of HBO treatment. CONCLUSIONS: One course of HBO administered within 2 hrs after HIBD can effectively inhibit neuron apoptosis and protect neurons. The effects of apoptosis inhibition and neuron protection of HBO can be increased through increasing the number of HBO treatment courses in neonatal rats with HIBD even if initiation of treatment is delayed after HIBD.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):464-470］
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of the key marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) IRE1 mRNA and neuronal apoptosis in the rat hippocampus after status convulsivus (SC), and the intervention effects of edaravone, a novel free radical scavenger. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats aged 19-21 days were randomly assigned to three groups: normal control, SC and edaravone-treated SC. SC was induced in the later two groups. The two groups were subdivided into 5 groups sacrificed at 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hrs after SC induction. IRE1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus was detected by RT-PCR. Neuronal apoptosis was observed by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The ultramicrostructural changes of neuron were observed by electron microscopy. RESULTS: IRE1 mRNA expression was obviously up-regulated 4 and 12 hrs after SC compared with the normal control group (P<0.01). IRE1 mRNA expression in the edaravone-treated SC group was notably higher than the untreated SC group 4, 12 and 24 hrs after SC and the normal control group (P<0.01). TUNEL positive cells in the hippocampus in the untreated SC group were significantly more than those in the normal control group (P<0.01). The number of TUNEL positive cells increased with the prolonged convulsion time. TUNEL positive cells in the edaravone-treated SC group were significantly reduced compared with those in the untreated SC group 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after SC (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but remained higher than the normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The peri-nucleus cell organ injuries were observed 4 hrs after SC and karyopycnosis and cytoplasm condensation were observed 12 hrs after SC in the SC and the edaravone-treated SC groups. The edaravone-treated SC group demonstrated less severe apoptosis than the untreated SC group. CONCLUSIONS: Edaravone may have neuroprotections against SC by an up-regulation of IRE1 expression. It might serve as an effective agent for reducing ERS in vivo.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):471-475］
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of clearance of superoxide anion (O2—?) by catechin on the expression of nitrogen monoxidum (NO) and endothelial nitricoxide synthase (eNOS) and apoptosis in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). METHODS: The marrow endothelial progenitor cells of Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and assigned to control (no treatment), Ang II treatment and Ang II + catechin treatment groups. After 48 hrs of culture, the concentration of O2—?in the supernate was measured by the NBT method, and NO concentration in the supernate was measured by the nitrate reductase method; the apoptosis rate of EPCs was detected by the TUNEL method; the mRNA expression of eNOS was detected by RT-PCR; the protein expression of eNOS was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Ang II of 10-6 mol/L was determined as the suitable concentration for cell induction by the MTT test. Catechin of 400 mg/L was determined as an advisable intervention dosage. The apoptosis rate of EPCs in the control, the Ang II and the Ang II+catechin treatment groups were 24.8±1.2‰, 541.8±7.7‰ and 168.7±3.5‰, respectively, and there were significant differences among the three groups (P<0.01). The O2—? concentration in the Ang II and the Ang II+catechin treatment groups (81.7±3. 6 and 62.3±2. 2 U/L respectively) was significantly higher than that in the control group (33.7±2.8 U/L) (P<0.01). An increased NO concentration was also found in the Ang II (189. 8±9.0 μmol/L) and the Ang II+catechin treatment groups (276.4±10.1 μmol/L) compared with that in the control group (105.8±9.8 μmol/L) (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the concentrations of O2—? and NO between the Ang II and the Ang II+catechin treatment groups (P<0.05). The mRNA (P<0.05) and protein expression (P<0.01) of eNOS in the Ang II and the Ang II+catechin treatment groups increased significantly compared with those in the control group. The Ang II+catechin treatment group showed increased eNOS protein expression compared with the Ang II group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ang II may induce the generation of O2—?, inactivate NO and increase gene and protein expression of eNOS in EPCs. Catechin might decrease the apoptosis of EPCs through the effective clearance of O2—? and the reduction of NO inactivation and of eNOS protein uncoupling.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):476-480］
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of enteric nerous system neurotransmitters, nitric oxide (NO), substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the colon in slow transit constipation in rats. METHODS: Thirty-two healthy Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control and constipated groups. In the constipated group, the rats were daily administered with diphenoxylate (8 mg/kg) to develop slow transit constipation, while the control rats were fed with water. The number and the weight of fecal granule and the body weight of rats were recorded every 5 days for 90 days. Transit functions of intestinal movement were examined by an activated charcoal suspension pushing test one week after stopping the administration of diphenoxylate. The levels of NO and SP in the colonic mucosa were measured by nitrate reductase methods and ELISA respectively. The distribution of VIP and ICC positive cells confirmed with symbolic c-kit+ cells in the colonic wall were observed by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The daily number of fecal granule in the constipated group was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0.01). The mean weight of each fecal granule in the constipated group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The discharge time of the first granule of black faeces in the constipated group (430.2±132.1 min) was significantly longer than that in the control group (337.2±74.7 min; P<0.05). There were no significant differences in NO and SP levels and the density of VIP positive cells in the distal colonic segment between the two groups. The number of c-kit+ cells in the distal colonic wall in the constipated group was significantly reduced compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of ICC number in the distal colon may be contributed to the pathogenesis of slow transit constipation in rats.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):481-485］
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Down syndrome cellular adhesion molecule (DSCAM) on differentiation of rat marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neurons in vitro. METHODS: MSCs from Sprague-Dawley rats were induced into neurons by baicalin. The expression of DSCAM before and after induction was evaluated by immunocytochemical staining and Western blot assay. After knockdown of DSCAM by siRNA transfection, the differentiation rate of neurons derived from MSCs was measured. RESULTS: Before induction, the expression of DSCAM was not detectable in MSCs. After bFGF preinduction for 24 hrs, DSCAM was slightly expressed in MSCs (1.71±0.67%). The DSCAM expression increased 6 hrs after baicalin induction (15.79±4.24%), reached a peak at 3 days (53.16±5.94%) and then decreased gradually. The DSCAM expression 6 days after baicalin induction (28.99±6.72%) was significantly lower than that at 3 days (P<0.01). However, after DSCAM-siRNA transfection, the DSCAM expression in MSCs was significantly reduced. MSCs did not express neuron-specific β-III-tubulin before induction. After baicalin induction for 6 hrs, 3 days and 6 days, the expression of β-III-tubulin was 1.40±0.79%, 41.59±3.17% and 59.11±4.76% respectively. But the β-III-tubulin expression significantly decreased 3 and 6 days after DSCAM-siRNA transfection (28.57±2.91% and 43.90±12.31% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: DSCAM may play an important role in MSCs differentiation into neural cells.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (6):486-489］
