OBJECTIVETo explore Effects of marine collagen peptides (MCPs) on markers of metablic nuclear receptors, i.e peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs), liver X receptor (LXRs) and farnesoid X receptor (FXRs) in type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension. METHOD Study population consisted of 200 type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension and 50 healthy subjects, all of whom were randomly assigned to MCPs-treated diabetics (n = 50), placebo-treated diabetics (n = 50), MCPs-treated diabetics with hypertension (n=50), placebo-treated diabetics with hypertension (n = 50), and healthy controls (n = 50). MCPs or placebo (water-soluble starch) were given daily before breakfast and bedtime over three months. Levels of free fatty acid, cytochrome P450, leptin, resistin, adiponectin, bradykinin, NO, and Prostacyclin were determined before intervention, and 1.5 months, and 3 months after intervention. Hypoglycemia and the endpoint events during the study were recorded and compared among the study groups.

RESULTAt the end of the study period, MCPs-treated patients showed marked improvement compared with patients receiving placebo. The protection exerted by MCPs seemed more profound in diabetics than in diabetics with hypertension. In particular, after MCPs intervention, levels of free fatty acid, hs-CRP, resistin, Prostacyclin decreased significantly in diabetics and tended to decrease in diabetic and hypertensive patients whereas levels of cytochrome P450, leptin, NO tended to decrease in diabetics with/without hypertension. Meanwhile, levels of adiponectin and bradykinin rose markedly in diabetics following MCPs administration.

CONCLUSIONMCPs could offer protection against diabetes and hypertension by affecting levels of molecules involved in diabetic and hypertensive pathogenesis. Regulation on metabolic nuclear receptors by MCPs may be the possible underlying mechanism for its observed effects in the study. Further study into its action may shed light on development of new drugs based on bioactive peptides from marine sources.

Adipokines ; blood ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Bradykinin ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Collagen ; therapeutic use ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Epoprostenol ; blood ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Marine Biology ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Peptides ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo examine relationships between weight status and different forms of bullying victimization among adolescents aged 11-18 years.

METHODSThe relationships between weight status and bullying victimization (physical, verbal, and relational) were examined utilizing data from the Guangdong Provincial Youth Health Behavior Survey. Data on height, weight, and victimization behaviors were collected by self-reporting from 12 439 subjects. , test and logistic regression were used to analyze relationships between weight and bullying victimization.

RESULTSThe incidence of victimization for adolescents aged 11-18 years was 8.6%, with higher rates for boys (12.4%) than for girls (4.7%). For children with normal, overweight and obese body mass index (BMI), the incidence rates of victimization were 8.2%, 17.3%, and 11.5%, respectively. Compared to normal weight, overweight was a risk factor for bullying victimization(OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.18-2.17), and it also increased children's risk of being teased in a hurtful way (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.41-3.24) and being made fun of due to physical appearance (OR = 3.58, 95% CI: 2.27-5.67). Obesity only increased the risk for children of being made fun of due to physical appearance (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.44-4.15).

CONCLUSIONSThe victimization for children at school is common in Guangdong province, China. Overweight and obese children are more likely to be victims of bullying behaviors, especially verbal victimization.

Adolescent ; Body Weight ; Child ; China ; Crime Victims ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; psychology ; Psychology, Adolescent

OBJECTIVETo explore the metabolic syndrome and its association with arterial compliance in Chinese children and adolescents.

METHODS337 participants aged 6 to 18 years with males accounted for 55.8% were grouped according to their traits of metablic syndrome. Anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, insulin and serum lipid profile were measured. Homeostasis model was assessed and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was measured and calculated for estimating individual insulin resistance. Arterial compliance was also measured using digital pulse wave analyzing method (Micro medical, London), and stiffness index was calculated.

RESULTSThe stiffness index in participants with metablic syndrome was significant higher than that in participants with no riskof metablic syndrome [(7.69 +/- 1.63) vs (6.25 +/- 0.86) m/s, P < 0.01] and stiffness index and HOMA-IR were progressively increased with the increase of traits of metablic syndrom (P for linear trend < 0.001). After gender, age, and pubertal development were adjusted, both traits of metablic syndrome and HOMA-IR were correlated positively with stiffness index (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clustering of metablic syndrome was closely associated with risk at increased arterial stiffness in Chinese children and adolescents. It was suggested that arterial compliance assessment of children and adolescents might be an important measure for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Adolescent ; Arteries ; physiopathology ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; China ; Compliance ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; physiopathology ; Photoplethysmography

OBJECTIVETo compare the relative risk of waist circumference (WC) and/or BMI on cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODSA cross-sectional data of 41 087 adults (19 567 male and 21 520 female) from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey were examined. According to the obesity definition of WGOC (BMI, 24 kg/m2 and 28 kg/m2; WC, male 85 cm and 95 cm for male, 80 cm and 90 cm for female), the study population were divided into 9 groups. The prevalence and odds ratio (ORs) of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (hypertension, high fasting plasma glucose and dyslipidemia) were compared among these 9 groups. Stepwise linear regression analyses were used to compare the likelihood of BMI and/or WC on CVD risk factors. RESULTS Both the indexes levels and the odds ratios of CVD risk factors were significantly increased (decreased for HDL-C levels) along with the increase of WC and/or BMI, even when the effect of age, sex, income, education, sedentary activity and dietary factors were adjusted. The variances (R2) in CVD risk factors explained by WC only and BMI only were quite similar, but a little bit larger when WC and BMI were combined. The standard beta was higher of BMI when predicting systolic BP and was higher of WC when predicting TG TC and HDL.

CONCLUSIONSBMI and WC had independent effects on CVD risk factors and combination of BMI and WC would be more predictive. Findings from the present study provided substantive evidence for the WGOC recommendation of a combined use of BMI and WC classifications.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; epidemiology ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Dyslipidemias ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of in-home fortification of complementary feeding on intellectual development of Chinese children aged below 24 months.

METHODSOne thousand and four hundred seventy eight children aged 4-12 months were recruited and divided into study groups (formula 1 group and formula 2 group) and control group. In two study groups, in addition to the usual complementary food, children were fed with a sachet of fortified food supplement each day. Protein and micronutrients were provided in formula 1 group. Formula 2 group had the same energy intake as the formula 1 group . In addition to measurement of physical growth and detection of hemoglobin level, Development Quotient (DQ) or Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was assessed.

RESULTSThe DQ of children aged below 24 months was 97.2, 95.5, and 93.8 in formula 1 group, formula 2 group and control group, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The DQ of children in formula 1 group, formula 2 group, and control group was 92.7, 90.4, and 88.3 respectively in the first follow up showing statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). And, DQ of children in formula 1 group, formula 2 group and control group were 96.7, 94.5, and 93.7 respectively in the second follow up, showing statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Full-IQ of children in the formula 1 group was 3.1 and 4.5 points higher than that in formula 2 group and in control group respectively. Verbal IQ of children in the formula 1 group was 2.1 and 5 points higher than that in formula 2 group and control group respectively. Performance IQ was 2.5 and 3.1 points higher than that in formula 2 group and control group respectively. All above mentioned comparisons were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONFortification of complementary feeding showed persistent effect on intelligence development of young children which could persist to 6 years of age. The critical time for correction of anemia could be under 18 months.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child Development ; China ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Intelligence Tests ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the human myxovirus resistant protein A (MxA), a specifically induced peptide by interferon I, and to use its level as a diagnostic criterion for viral infections.

METHODSAnti-MxA antisera from immunized mice were prepared with the expressed MxA protein of pET32a-MxA in E. coli BL-21(DE3). To confirm the antiserum activity and specificity, the expression product of BL21, wild type MxA pEGFP-C1-wMxA and site-directed mutant MxA pEGFP-C1-mMxA(N589S) stably transfected 3T3 cells and induced A549 cells were detected by Western blot with the antisera using non-MxA transfected or non-IFN-beta induced cells, intact A549, NIH 3T3 cells transfected with pEGFP-C1 and pET32a (+)-transformed BL-21 as controls.

RESULTSThe antisera had specific positive immunoreactivity to the NIH3T3 cells transformed with pEGFP-C1-wMxA and pEGFP-C1-mMxA, INF-beta induced A549 cells and BL21 proteins expressed with pET32a (+)-MxA. The hybridization signals from IFN-beta induced A549 cells depended on the IFN-beta inducing concentrations. Meanwhile, immunohistochemical assay showed that NIH 3T3 cells with pEGFP-C1-wMxA and pEGFP-C1-mMxA had > 98% of positive cells at 1:50 dilution of the serum and A549 cells induced by 20 ng/mL IFN-beta for 48 h showed 95% positive cells. pEGFP-C1-transfected NIH 3T3 cells were all negative.

CONCLUSIONAnti-sera are highly specific to diversified MxAs. The antibody is detectable by Western blot, immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence assay.

Animals ; Antibody Specificity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Mice ; Myxovirus Resistance Proteins ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of soy isoflavone on obesity in the light of hypothalamus and peripheral orexigenic gene regulation.

METHODSFifty-four female rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups: one sham-operated group (SHAM), one ovariectomized (OVX) control group, three OVX groups fed with 400 ppm (L-SI), 1200 ppm (M-SI) and 3600 ppm (H-SI) isoflavone respectively, and one OVX group receiving 0.45 ppm diethylstilbestrol (EC). All rats were allowed to take high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Some neuropeptides were measured by RT-PCR. These neuropeptides included NPY, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), orexin, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), melanin-concentrating hormone precursor (P-MCH), ghrelin, and leptin.

RESULTSCompared with the OVX control group, the body weight and food intake in the H-SI group were reduced significantly and there was a significant dose-dependent manner in the 3 isoflavone groups. The results of RT-PCR showed that the NPY level in the 3 isoflavone groups was significantly increased and the POMC/CART gene expression decreased significantly in rats' hypothalamus compared with that in the OVX control group. However, the expression of orexin, MCH and P-MCH had no change. The peripheral grelin mRNA expression was higher in the 3 isoflavone groups, while leptin gene expression in the fat was not consistent.

CONCLUSIONSThis research showed that isoflavone could prevent obesity induced by high-fat diet and ovariectomy through regulating hypothalamus and peripheral orexigenic gene expressions associated with food intake.

Animals ; Dietary Fats ; pharmacology ; Feeding Behavior ; drug effects ; physiology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Hypothalamus ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Neuropeptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Obesity ; Ovariectomy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Soybeans ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of combined transplantation of neural stem cells (NSC) and olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) on the motor function of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage.

METHODSIn three days after a rat model of caudate nucleus hemorrhage was established, NSCs and OEC, NSC, OEC (from embryos of Wistar rats) or normal saline were injected into hematomas of rats in combined transplantation group, NSC group, OEC group, and control group, respectively. Damage of neural function was scored before and in 3, 7, 14, 30 days after operation. Tissue after transplantation was observed by immunocytochemistry staining.

RESULTSThe scores for the NSC, OEC and co-transplantation groups were significantly lower in 14 and 30 days after operation than in 3 days after operation (P < 0.05). The scores for the NSC and OEC groups were significantly lower than those for the control group only in 30 days after operation (P < 0.05), while the difference for the NSC-OEC group was significant in 14 days after operation (P < 0.05). Immunocytochemistry staining revealed that the transplanted OEC and NSC could survive, migrate and differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The number of neural precursor cells was greater in the NSC and combined transplantation groups than in the control group. The number of neurons differentiated from NSC was significantly greater in the co-transplantation group than in the NSC group.

CONCLUSIONCo-transplantation of NSC and OEC can promote the repair of injured tissue and improve the motor function of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Animals ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; therapy ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; physiology ; Male ; Motor Activity ; physiology ; Motor Neurons ; transplantation ; Myelin Sheath ; transplantation ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Neurons ; cytology ; transplantation ; Olfactory Nerve ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Recovery of Function ; physiology ; Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between adiponectin and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related diseases in older adults from major cities of China.

METHODSA total of 2 049 adults at the age of 60-96 years from 18 major cities of China were enrolled in the study. Plasma adiponectin and insulin concentrations were measured. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The definitions proposed by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NLHBI) were used to identify MetS.

RESULTSThe adiponectin concentration increased with the advance of age and was higher in women than in men. The sex specific adiponectin concentration was inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, glucose and fasting blood insulin, and positively correlated with HDL-C (P < 0.001). The adiponectin concentration decreased with increasing MetS components. Compared with the 4th sex-specific adiponectin quartile, the odds ratio (OR) for prevalent MetS-IDF and MetS-AHA/NLHBI in subjects of the 1st quartile group was 3.25 (95% CI: 2.24, 4.71) and 3.21 (95% CI: 2.26, 4.55), respectively. The association was independent of age, sex, life-style factors, medication, family history of chronic diseases, BMI, and HOMA-IR. The OR for MetS was much higher than those of MetS components and its related diseases.

CONCLUSIONAdiponectin is strongly associated with MetS independent of insulin resistance and obesity in older adults from major cities in China. The adiponectin concentration is a useful predictor for the risk of MetS.

Adiponectin ; blood ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; blood ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Sex Characteristics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of iron on the growth, physiology and photosynthesis of cyanobacteria.

METHODSA gradient of iron concentrations was employed to investigate the growth, photo-pigments (chlorophyll A and phycocyanin), and cell chemical contents (C, N, P) of Microcystis aeruginosa in response to different iron additions.

RESULTSThe specific growth rate during the exponential growth phase, as well as the cell chlorophyll A and the phycocyanin content, was limited by iron below 12.3 tmol Fe x L(-1). The growth was inhibited when the iron concentration was at 24.6 micromol Fe x L(-1). The cell chlorophyll A and the phycocyanin content were saturated when the iron concentration was above 12.3 micromol Fe x L(-1) and declined slightly at 24.6 micromol Fe x L(-1). At a low iron concentration (about 6.15 micromol Fe x L(-1) and less), the cell nitrogen and carbohydrate content were iron limited, and the variation of the cell phosphorus content was similar to that of the nitrogen and carbohydrate, with a transition point of 12.3 micromol Fe x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe variation of cynobacteria growth is synchronous with that of the photo-pigments or the cell chemical content, and there exist relationships among photosynthesis, growth and internal chemical content, which could be useful for the growth estimation from the cell characteristics.

Carbohydrates ; analysis ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Iron ; pharmacology ; Microcystis ; chemistry ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Nitrogen ; analysis ; Phosphorus ; analysis