103Pd-induced apoptosis of proliferative smooth muscle cells in bile ducts of dogs: significance and effects on related genes.
BACKGROUND
With the objective of developing a locally-produced radioactive stent, the present study used in vivo animal experiments to explore apoptosis of proliferative smooth muscle cells resulting from facilitation of the expression of genes caused by gamma-radiation in order to prevent bile duct restenosis. We therefore explored the effects and significance of gamma-radiation on the activity of caspase-3, Fas and Bcl-2 genes in apoptosis of proliferative smooth muscle cells in the bile duct walls of dogs.


METHODS
Twelve dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups (6 in each group). A postinjury bile duct stenosis model was established and radioactive (103)Pd ((103)palladium) or ordinary bile duct stents were implanted into the bile ducts. HE staining, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of bile duct smooth muscle cells in proliferative endomembrane and the expression of related caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Fas genes.


RESULTS
The expression of caspase-3 and Fas genes in the bile duct tissues of dogs with radioactive stents was higher than that of dogs with ordinary stents. There was significant apoptosis of proliferative smooth muscle cells in the bile ducts. The expression of the Bcl-2 gene in the bile duct tissues of dogs with radioactive stents was lower than that in those with ordinary stents. There was significant apoptosis of proliferative smooth muscle cells in the dogs with low Bcl-2 gene expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation increases the activity of caspase-3 and Fas genes and is associated with apoptosis. The radioactive (103)Pd stent may facilitate apoptosis of proliferative smooth muscle cells in the bile ducts of dogs by activating these genes. The Bcl-2 gene expression level is correlated with the occurrence of apoptosis and the radiosusceptibility of cells.
He
Gui-Jin
GJ
Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shengjing Hospital), China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China. 23318199@163.com
Yu
Fa-Qiang
FQ
Wu
Rong
R
Gao
Qin-Yi
QY
Xu
Shu-He
SH
Gao
Hong
H
Jiang
Wei-Guo
WG
Jiang
Tao
T
Dai
Xian-Wei
XW
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000528:radiation effects; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007554:Isotopes; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010165:Palladium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015607:Stents; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D007554:Isotopes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019014:fas Receptor; D010165:Palladium; D053148:Caspase 3