Objective To evaluate the effect of health education on controlling endemic fluorosis in Shaanxi Province between 2004 and 2006. Methods Hanbin, Pingli, Ziyang and Hanyin were selected for the investigation in 2004;in addition to the four areas, Zhengping, Shiquan and Langao were also for the investigation in 2006. Two schools were selected in each area, and 2 villages as the investigation spots. Fifty pupils in the fifth grade in each school, and 30 housewives between 25 - 50 years old in each village were chosen as the research subjects. Referring to the health education questionnaire in Technique Scheme of Endemic Disease Prevention Granted by Central Government of 2004, the degree of health education of endemic fluorine, arsenic poisoning in pupils and housewives were investigated. Results In 2004 and 2006, the average mark of pupils in school was 54.7 and 83.6, the pass rate was 57.5% (230/400) and 90.2% (629/697), respectively;the average mark of housewives was 59.7 and 83.9, the passing rate was 59.6% (143/240), 87.6%(338/386) respectively, indicating that the outcome was improved obviously in 2006 compared to that in 2004. Conclusions In the past three years, health knowledge of endemic arsenic and fluorosis has been improved among pupils and housewives in these areas.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of simvastatin on vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and Bcl-2 protein expression in the aorta in a rat model of atherosclerosis.

METHODSThirty-six rats were randomized into control group (n=10), atherosclerosis model group (n=13) and simvastatin intervention group (n=13). In the latter two groups, rat models of atherosclerosis were established by intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3 combined with high-fat feeding for 6 weeks, and the control rats were fed with regular diet. In the intervention group, the rats were further fed with high-fat diet with daily simvastatin treatment for 4 weeks. After the treatments, the pathological changes and plaque in the thoracic aorta were observed, and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was detected with immunohistochemistry. TUNEL assay was used to determine the apoptosis index (AI) of the vascular endothelial cells.

RESULTSCompared with that in the control group, Bcl-2 protein expression in the aorta of atherosclerotic rats was significantly decreased (P<0.05); simvastatin treatment obviously increased the expression of Bcl-2 protein in atherosclerotic rats (P<0.05) to a level similar to that in the control group. The AI was the highest in the model group (P<0.05) and comparable between the control and simvastatin treatment group.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of simvastatin against atherosclerosis is probably mediated by up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein, which inhibits vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in rats with aortic atherosclerosis.