ObjectiveTo investigate the establishment of rat models with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). MethodsEighty Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into four groups:COPD group (n=20), DM group (n=20), COPD combined with DM group (n=20) and normal group (n=20). COPD rats were established by cigarette smoke. Type 2 diabetes rats were modeled by streptozotocin injection. COPD combined with DM rats were modeled by cigarette smoking and streptozotocin injection at the same time. Pathological examination and blood glucose were tested after three months. ResultsBronchial epithelium was seriously shedding in COPD+DM group, with alveolar structure damaged and some alveolar fused into bullae. The blood glucose level in COPD+DM group was (27.1±1.1) mmol/L, which was statistically different from other groups (P<0.05). ConclusionRat model of COPD combined with type 2 DM could be established by cigarette smoking and streptozotocin injection, which can provide an animal model for further medical research.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of the extended nasolabial flap in repairing small or medium anterior buccal mucosal defects. MethodsBetween March 2013 and April 2014, 10 patients with anterior buccal mucosal defects were treated with extended nasolabial flaps. There were 8 males and 2 females with the average age of 47.2 years (range, 39-62 years). The left side was involved in 4 cases and the right side in 6 cases. The pathological types included 3 cases of oral leukoplakia (OLK), 3 cases of OLK with malignant changes, 1 case of malignant oral lichen planus, and 3 cases of papilloma. The clinical course ranged from 2 to 15 months (mean, 7.1 months). The resection was restricted to the mucosa and little buccinators without cheek penetration, and the defects ranged from 2.5 to 4.0 cm in width and 3.5 to 5.5 cm in length. The distance between defect and the corner of the mouth was 0.5 to 1.5 cm. A falcate flap was designed along the nasolabial fold with a pedicle lateral beside the corner of the mouth. The flap was lifted in the plane of the superficial muscular aponeurotic system from both terminal points to the region of the central pedicle. Then the flap was transposed intraorally through a transbuccal tunnel to cover the mucosal defect while the extra-oral incision was closed directly. ResultsAll flaps completely survived and all wounds healed primarily. All patients were followed up 6 to 18 months (mean, 10.4 months). All patients regained symmetrical appearances and normal mouth commissure only with linear scars hidden in the nasolabial folds. The mouth opening was 2.7 to 3.5 cm (mean, 3.1 cm) at last follow-up. The intraoral flaps healed perfectly with thin and flat outlooks. No cheek biting or fish-mouth deformity was observed. ConclusionThe extended nasolabial flap can be used to repair small or medium anterior buccal mucosal defects because it has the advantages of reliable blood supply, flexibility in design, simplicity in harvesting, and hidden donor site scars.
ObjectiveTo analyze the phasic changes of bone mass, bone turnover markers, and estrogen levels at different time points after glucocorticoid (GC) intervention in rat and their correlation. MethodsThirty-four female 3-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 3 groups:baseline group (n=6), dexamethasone (DXM) group (n=14), and control group (n=14). Rats were injected with DXM at the dose of 0.75 mg/kg, twice a week for 12 weeks in DXM group, with salt solution lavage in control group, and no treatment was given in baseline group. The body mass, adrenal weight, and uterus weight were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone area (BA) of lumbar vertebral and femurs were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Meanwhile, the serum levels of N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX), and estrogen levels were determined by ELISA before experiment in baseline group and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after experiment in control and DXM groups. At last, the correlation was analyzed among body weight, BMD, PINP, β-CTX, estrogen levels, and GC intervention duration of DXM group. ResultsThe body mass, adrenal weight, and uterus weight in DXM group were significantly lower than those in baseline group and control group at all the time points (P<0.05). The levels of PINP and β-CTX elevated slowly in DXM group, significant difference was found at 12 weeks (P<0.05), but no significant difference at the 4 and 8 weeks (P>0.05) when compared with those in baseline group and control group. The estrogen level in DXM group was significantly lower than that in baseline group and control group at all the time points (P<0.05). BMD, BMC, and BA of lumbar vertebral and femurs in DXM group were significantly lower than those in control group at all the time points after GC intervention (P<0.05). Loss of bone mass of L2 and femoral trochanteric region in DXM group was the lowest of all ranges of interest (ROIs). BMC and BA of lumbar vertebrae and BA of femoral shaft in DXM group at 4 weeks were significantly lower than those in baseline group (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in BMD, BMC, and BA of other lumbar vertebrae and femurs' ROIs between DXM group and baseline group at all the time points (P>0.05). After GC intervention, BMD of lumbar vertebrae and femurs had negative correlation with PINP and β-CTX (P<0.05) and positive correlation with estrogen level (P<0.05). ConclusionThe bone mass decreases rapidly at the early stage after GC intervention and then maintains a low level with time, the levels of bone turnover markers show a progressive increase, and the estrogen levels show a decrease trend. In addition, body weight, the levels of bone turnover markers and estrogen are associated with the change of bone mass.