Objective To observe the effect of Ganoderma lucidum and Astragalus membranaceus on the liver nucleic acid content of the mice exposed to the noise. Methods Noise-exposed mice were given Ganoderma lucidum and Astragalus membranaceus by stomach perfusion. Measured the liver nucleic acid content of the mice liver with diphenylamine and orcinol method. Results The DNA content of the liver cell nucleus, the RNA content of the liver cell nucleus and the RNA content of the liver cytoplasm in the experimental groups approached those in the normal group, but significantly higher than those in the noise exposed group (P

Five population groups, including farmers living in Veining (a cold hilly southern county), farmers and labourers in Shijiazhuang (a northern district), coastal fishermen in Zhoushan and "Yi" nationality farmers in Veining (where the incidence of hypertension is very low in China) were selected randomly (467 male subjects, 40-59 years old) to explore nutritional parameters-BP relationships. The results showed; (1) Pulse rate, QI and BP were lowest in Veining "Han" and "Yi" nationality groups. (2) Values of blood and urine nutritional parameters were in close accord with the diet customs of the different population groups. (3) Urine Na, Ca, Ca/Mg, urea nitrogen and serum cholesterol, total protein, albumin, uric acid were higher, while urine K was lower in hypertensives. (4) Urine Na, Na/K, Ca/ Mg and serum albumin, total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid levels correlated positively, while K inversely with BP on multivariate stepwise regression and/or discrimination analyses. These results suggested high Na (Ca)-intake might be hypertensive, while high K(Mg)-intake an-tihypertensive, the serum protein - BP relationship could not be ascribed as a secondary effect of hemoconcentration in hypertension; a high protein intake, regardless of nature, could be hypertensionogenic; hyperlipidemia seemed to be a risk factor of hypertension, not being the secondary consequence to high BP. In designing a strategic protocol for primary prevention of hypertension, the above should be given due consideration.

Eight populations including 4 Chinese districts and 4 nationalities 484 subjects (male, 40~59 years) were conducted for exploring amino acid (22 sorts)-BP relationship by multi-variate regression and discrimination analyses. Results showed:(1)The different amino acid levels found among "Ka-zak", "Han" and "Uygur" nationalities living in one of the same Xinjiang region might be a reflection of their diverse dietary patterns; while the difference seen between "Han" and "Yi" nationalities living in one of the same Quizhou area, taking similar diet, might be due to the inherited metabolic influence. (2) The levels of aspartic and (or) glutamic acids were the the highest in the Quizhou "Han" and "Yi" groups living in cold hilly area, while other amino acids were comparatively lower, in keeping with their BP, Quetelet's indices and serum urea levels to be the lowest, tentatively denoting that the tissue metabolic turnover rate might be also lower as well in these groups. (3) The serum levels of sulfur containing amino acids in those populations taking much animal foods, were all higher, therefor ethe lower incidences of cardio-cerebro-vascular diseases seen in fishmen can not be thus wholly ascribed to the high intake of fish meat rich in sulfur containing amino acids. (4) From BP regression equations, valine, cysteine, alanine, threonine were found to be the prohypertensives while glycine, leucine, methionine and phenylalanine,the antihypertensives.

Men aged 40-59 years (325 subjects) from 4 districts, 6 populations, 3 nationalities were investigated to explore the relationship between element and blood pressure (BP) . Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, Si, Sn, Sr, V, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca, and Mg -were measured by ion coupled plasma spectroscopy, Se by catalytic pulse polarography. Results showed; (1) The element levels were different among districts and nationalities. (2) The correlation coefficients among serum Pb, Ni, Si, Sn, V, Cd, Cr were rather high, while Sr behaved relatively independently. (3)Using multivariant stepwise regression and discrimination analysis, serum Sr was found to associate positively with BP in normotensive and hypertensive and total pooled groups without exce-piton. (4) Serum Ca (Ca/Mg), Fe, Co were positively associated, while Cr, Sn inversely associated with BP. (5) The harmful element Cd was unexpectedly found to be inversely associated with BP and it was lower in those populations with high BP levels, which might be ascribed to the non-parallel distribution of certain elements in body tissues and blood. Results also indicated; (1) The levels of essential element Ni, V, Co, Cr were lower in hypertensive group. (2) Serum Ca and urinary Ca were non-parallel, and the former could not accurately reflect Ca-intake. In short, the relationship between element and BP still remains to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVETo understand the current status on prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese middle-aged population, and to quantify the magnitude of the trends of development in the past two decades.

METHODSBody mass index (BMI) was measured on 15 389 middle-aged men and women from 15 natural populations all over China with different geographical, economical (urban/rural) and occupational status. Overweight was defined as BMI >/= 25 while obesity as BMI >/= 30.

RESULTS1) The rates of prevalence on overweight and obesity varied dramatically between populations. 2) In general, the prevalence rates were higher in the northern areas, in urban areas, and in women. 3) The current problem of obesity was related to 'pre-obese' stage, with less than 10% in most populations. 4) The prevalence of overweight and obesity started to show significantly increase from early 80's to early 90's but more prominant in the late 90's.

CONCLUSIONPrevention and intervention of overweight and obesity are in urgent need in the Chinese populations, especially in those economically fast developing areas.

Adult ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Prevalence