The values of vitamin E in serum were decreased significantly in rats with 15% BSA III burn from 1.5 hours to 7 days postburn, and then restored gradually, while the levels of lipid peroxides in serum and lung were increased from 1.5 hours to 3 days. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathine peroxidase in blood were also decreased after burns, the former remaining low within 14 days and the latter restoring after 7 days postburn. After intraperitoneal injection of vitamin E to the burned rats, the overproduction of lipid peroxides in serum and lung was inhibited with inhibition rates of 28% and 31%, respectively. No more pathological changes of ultrastructural picture were observed in lung of the burned rats supplemented with vitamin E as compared to the control. The results showed that it was beneficial to supply vitamin E in treatment of burns as soon as possible.

Objective: To investigate the effects of peripheral leptin infusion on metabolism in ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) lesioned obese rats. Methods: Four groups were prepared: (1) VMH lesioned rats with infusion of leptin, (2) VMH lesioned rats with infusion of saline, (3) sham VMH lesioned rats with infusion of leptin and (4) sham VMH lesioned rats with infusion of saline. After VMH lesion and sham operations, a mini pump filled with either leptin or saline was implanted into the back of rats. Body weight and food intake were recorded daily. Seven days later, all rats were sacrificed after overnight fast. Blood samples were collected for determination of glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, insulin and leptin. Perimetric fat pad (PFD) was isolated and weighed. Pancreas was embedded by paraffin and sectioned, and performed by immunostaining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) for study of the proliferative activity of insular cells. Results: In sham operated groups, food intake and increased body weight decreased significantly in rats with leptin infusion than those without leptin infusion. No similar findings were observed in VMH lesioned rats. Plasma insulin, triglyceride and total cholesterol in the rats with leptin infusion regardless of VMH lesion or sham operations were decreased when compared with their controls. In respect to PFD, two VMH lesioned groups did not differ, but two sham operated groups differed. Positive PCNA rate in VMH lesioned rats receiving leptin declined significantly. Conclusion: Leptin regulations of food intake, body weight and body fat are dependent upon intact VMH. Peripheral infusion of leptin decreases plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol in VMH lesioned rats.

Objective: To investigate activities of lipo-related enzymes in ventromedial hypothalamic obese rats at acute phase in fed state. Methods: Female SD rats were divided into two groups, one group received bilateral electrolytic lesions of ventromedial hypothalamus(VMH), and another one was used as sham control. Samples of blood, livers, and subcutaneous, parametric and mesenteric adipose tissues ,and gastrocnemius were collected one week after VMH lesions and sham operations in fed state. Results: Serum insulin in VMH group was higher than that in sham group, meanwhile serum free fatty acids in VMH group were lower (P

Objective: To investigte the lipogenic and lipolytic metabolism at dynamic phase of obesity in ventromedial hypothalamus-lesioned obese rats. Methods: Female SD rats were divided into two groups, one group received bilateral electrolytic lesions of ventromedial hypothalamus(VMH),and the other one was used as sham control. Samples of blood, livers and subcutaneous, parametric and mesenteric adipose tissues were collected one week after VMH lesions and sham operations. Results: Activities of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein(MTP) in hepatocytes, and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP), malic enzyme(ME), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PDH)in liver, parametric and mesenteric adipose tissue in VMH-lesioned rats were increased as compared to their sham counterparts. Activity of hormone sensitive enzyme(HSL) in parametric and mesenteric adipose tissue in VMH-lesioned rats was not changed when compared to sham group. Activity of HSL in subcutaneons adipose tissue was increased, while activity of HSL in gastrocnemius was decreased. Activity of lipoprotein lipase(LPL) in parametric and mesenteric adipose tissue and gastrocnemius were enhanced significantly compared to sham group. Conclusion: In dynamic phase of obesity of VMH-lesioned rats, hepatic production and transportation of triglyceride in these rats were increased significantly ,and lipogenic metabolism and storage of triglyceride in adipose tissues such as parametric and mesenteric adipose tissues were also enhanced.Meanwhile, lipolytic metabolism in subcutaneous adipose tissue and gastrocnemius was also increased.

Eleven old male patients with hyperuricemia were collected ( hyperuricemia group,65-90 years old ).10 healthy middle-aged males ( middle-aged group,30-40 years old) and 10 healthy old males ( older group 60-70 years old ) with normal blood uric acid level were used as controls.All of the subjects were given low purine content diet ( 250 mg/d ) for 3 days followed by high purine content diet ( 800 mg/d ) consecutively for another three days.The samples of fasting blood and 24 h urine were collected for assay.The results showed that there were no significant changes of serum uric acid ( UA ) concentration in three groups after low purine content diet.But the levels of serum UA in three groups all increased significantly after high purine content diet,and the change was higher in hyperuricemia group than middle-aged group [ ( 507.7 ± 108.1 vs 378.9 ± 80.1 ) μmol/L,P＜0.05 ].24 h urine uric acid excretion in three groups was all significantly decreased after low purine content diet and increased after high purine content diet.After high purine content diet,24 h urine uric acid was lower in hyperuricemia group than middle-aged group [ ( 2.99 ± 1.21 vs 3.62 ± 1.02 ) mmol/24 h,P＜0.05 ].Blood urea nitrogen levels in all subjects decreased after low purine content diet and increased after high purine content diet ( P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ).Creatinine clearance rate in hyperuricemia group was decreased after high purine content diet compared with baseline [ (75.3 ± 20.3 vs 80.7 ±20.0) ml/min ],and there were no significant changes in other groups after low and high purine content diet.24 h urine protein in hyperuricemia group was higher than middle-aged group ( P＜0.05 ),and increased after high purine content diet with significant difference ( P＜0.05 ).These results suggest that high purine content diet and decreased by renal uric acid clearance mainly contribute to hyperuricemia in old people.

BACKGROUND: Genistein is the main component of phytoestrogen soy isoflavone and its structure is similar to estrogen,which suggests that it might prevent or delay osteoporosis. Research on the effects of genistein on bone mineralization and calcium(Ca), phosphor(P), zinc(Zn) and magnesium (Mg) in ovariectomized rats are rare.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of genistein on bone mineralization and Ca,P,Zn and Mg in ovariectomized rats to provide a theoretical gist for the prevention of osteoporosis by genistein.DESIGN: A controlled experiment based on experimental animals.SETTING: Department of Nutrition,General Hospital of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The study was conducted in the Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine,Academy of Military Medical Sciences of PLA between February and June 2003. Ten-week old female Wistar rats [certification number: (military medical animal): D98014] with a body mass of(170±20) g were selected.INTERVENTIONS: Experimental animals were fed with normal feeding for 6 weeks and then the feeding was changed to AIN-93 compound. Animals were then randomly divided into ovariectomized group (n=40) and sham-operation group(n=7) based on bodyweight after 5 days. Ovariectomized group received ovariectomy and sham-operation group only received abdominal incision. After 5 days of recovery,the ovariectomized group was further randomly divided into 5 subgroups with 8 rats each including ovariectomized control subgroup,estrogen subgroup [diethylstilbestrol 20 μg/(kg · d)],genistein Ⅰ,Ⅱ,or Ⅲ subgroup[dose of 25,50 or 100 mg/(kg · d)]. After 3months of feeding,6 rats were randomly selected from each group for the detection of bone density and corresponding bone hismorphometric indicators.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bone density,corresponding parameters of bone mineralization,Ca,P,Zn and Mg contents in bone of mice in each group RESULTS: After ovariectomy,femoral bone density decreased [(0. 247± 0.007) g/cm2],mean osteoid width increased[(7. 04 ±0. 32)μm],bone mineralization delayed [(4.96±0.99) days],osteoid maturity prolonged [(26.99±7.70) days],and Ca[ (251.11± 5.31) mg/g],P[(115.08± 3.78) mg/g],Zn[ (299.69±37.1)μg/g] and Mg[(4. 32±0. 12) μg/g]were all significantly different from that of sham-operation group(P<0.05).After the application of genistein,femoral bone density had a tendency of improvement[ (0. 250±0. 007) g/cm2],mean osteoid width narrowed[ (4. 97±0.77) μm],bone mineralization delayed time[ (3.18±0.69) days] and osteoid maturity time[(14.53 ±3.84) days] shortened, contents of Ca [(270.00±5.65) mg/g],P[(124.25±2.37) mg/g] andMg[(4.61±0. 08) μg/g]elevated while Zn content had no significant changes.CONCLUSION: Genistein promotes osteoid mineralization,reduces the loss of Ca, P and Mg in the bone and prevent the generation of osteoporosis in unsexed rats

BACKGROUND: Soybean isoflavone has a variety of bioactivities and its antioxidation becomes a hot spot of research in recent years. At present,the research of soybean isoflavone places more emphasis on animal experiment and clinical observation,but lacks research on cellular level of human body.OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of soybean isoflavone in vascular endothelial cells with oxidative damage.DESIGN: Controlled trial and observation.SETTING: Central Laboratory, Institute of Public Health,Tianjin Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was completed in the Central Laboratory,Institute of Public Health,Tianjin Medical University from January to July 2002.The experimental materials included vascular endothelial cell strain in human umbilical vein,low density lipoprotein,soybean isoflavone and vitamin E,etc.METHODS: The vascular endothelial cells were cultured in vitro.The experiment was divided into 6 groups: blank control group,oxidative damage control group (malondialdehyde content was 1 μmol/L),oxidative damage+vitamin E control group(vitamin E was 50 μmol/L) and oxidative damage+soybean isoflavone 10,50,100 μ mol/L control group. The endothelial cells,which were joined with vitamin E and soybean isoflavone of different concentrations in advance to be incubated for 24 hours,were affected by oxidized low density lipoproteins and then cultured continually for 24 hours.All the indexes of antioxidation were determined in both extra-cell and intra-cell.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Malondialdehyde content,activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase,the release condition of lactate dehydrogenase and productive quantity of nitrogen monoxide inside and outside the endothelial cells of each group.RESULTS: ①Comparison of malondialdehyde content,the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in endothelial cells of each group: The malondialdehyde content was higher significantly in oxidative damage control group than in blank control group (P ＜ 0.01),but the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was lower significantly in oxidative damage control group than in blank control group(P ＜ 0.01).The malondialdehyde content was lower significantly in oxidative damage+vitamin E control group,oxidative damage+soybean isoflavone 10,50,100 μmol/L control group than in oxidative damage control group(P ＜ 0.01),but the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was higher significantly in oxidative damage+vitamin E control group,oxidative damage+soybean isoflavone 10,50,100 μ mol/L control group than in oxidative damage control group (P ＜ 0.01). ②Comparison of the release condition of lactate dehydrogenase and the productive quantity of nitrogen monoxide in endothelial cells of each group: The release percentage of lactate dehydrogenase was higher significantly in oxidative damage control group than in blank control group (P ＜ 0.01),but the productive quantity of nitrogen monoxide was lower significantly in oxidative damage control group than in blank control group(P ＜ 0.01).The release percentage of lactate dehydrogenase was lower significantly in oxidative damage+vitamin E control group,oxidative damage+soybean isoflavone 10,50,100 μmol/L control group than in oxidative damage control group (P ＜ 0.01),but the productive quantity of nitrogen monoxide was higher significantly in oxidative damage+vitamin E control group,oxidative damage+soybean isoflavone 10,50,100 μmol/L control group than in oxidative damage control group(P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Soybean isoflavone can alleviate the oxidative damage in vascular endothelial cells,caused by oxidized low density lipoprotein,possibly through such antioxidization indexes as malondialdehyde content,the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase,the release condition of lactate dehydrogenase and the productive quantity of nitrogen monoxide,etc.

Objective To investigate the effect of oil with medium-long-chain triacylglycerols on blood lip- id and lipoproteins in hyperlipemic patients. Methods Totally, 112 patients with hypertriglyceridemia were en- rolled and randomly divided into MLCT group (consumed oil with medium-long-chain fatty acids) and LCT group (consumed oil with long-chain fatty acids) (both 25-30 g/d for 8 weeks). Patients in both two groups were also instructed to take exercises. Height and weight were measured at baseline and 8 weeks later. Blood glucose, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterols (TC), triglyc- erides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al (ApoAl), ApoB, ApoA II , ApoC2, ApoC3, and ApoE were measured and compared. Results At the end of study, 101 subjects were included. There were 50 subjects left in LCT group and 51 subjects left in MLCT group, respectively. There was no significant difference in weight, ALT, AST, TC, and TG at baseline between two groups (P>0.05). Eight weeks later, weight, serum TG, ApoC2, and ApoC3 were significantly lower and ApoAl level was significantly higher than those at baseline in MLCT group (P < 0.05). At the end of study, the decreases in body weight and blood biochemical variables including TG, ApoB, ApoA II , ApoC2, ApoC3 were significantly much greater in MLCT groups than those in LCT group (P < 0. 05). Conclusion When the diet is reasonably controlled, oil of medium-long-chain triacylglycerols may reduce the concentration of TG and improve the levels of apolipoproteins.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and relation of body mass index (BMI) to body fat percentage and waist circumference in Chinese healthy adults. Methods: 1005 healthy adults were divided into five groups by BMI,which was made by WHO's recent classification of BMI for Asian adults. Anthropometric measurements (waist and hip circumference , skinfold thickness and ratio of waist and hip circumference) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were done in subjects. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity classⅠin males were significantly higher than in females. The prevalence of obesity classⅡwas lower both in males and in females. Females had higher percent body fat than males measured by BIA and by skinfold thickness measurements. BMI was significantly correlated with waist circumference in all age groups. Waist circumference was more than 80 cm in overweight females, and more than 90 cm in obesity classⅠin males. Conclusion: The age of overweight and obesity in males was younger than in females. The body fat in females was higher than in males. BMI cut off points for obesity diagnosis are over estimated much more than BIA and skinfold thickness measurements for percent body fat in adults. It should be noted that age, sex and physical activity need to be considered besides BMI when obesity is diagnosed.