AIM: To investigate the effects of aging on sperm maturation and fertility in mice. METHODS: Sperm of caput epididymides and cauda epididymides were obtained from Kunming mice aged 6 months (n=15, as control) and 18 months ( n=15). Sperm parameters including sperm density, viability, motility and nor mal morphological rate were recorded. Sperm of cauda epididymides was observed b y transmission electron microscope. The fertility potential and embryo developme ntal competence were performed by in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. RESULTS: Sperm motility, density and normal morphological rate i n aged mice were lower than those in control (P

Obese gene was cloned and its protein product which named leptin was found to be expressed specially in fat tissues in 1994. As a metabolic signal of reproductive system, leptin reflects the situations of nutrition and energy, which the body supplys to the brain, and stimulates reproductive endocrinology system, then regulates the functions of reproduction through hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.The present status of eptin in this field was reviewed.

In this study, serum adiponectin and resistin levels were determined in 46 patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and their correlation with serum sexual hormones and insulin resistance (IR) were examined. The subjects included 26 obese patients with body mass index (BMI)>25 and 20 non-obese patients with BMI[Symbol: see text]25, with 25 obese and 25 non-obese healthy volunteers without PCOS serving as controls. Serum adiponectin and resistin levels in all subjects were measured, and endocrinal and metabolic indices were also analysed. Our results showed that the serum adiponectin levels in both obese and non-obese PCOS groups were significantly lower than their controls, while the serum resistin levels in obese and non-obese PCOS group were significantly higher than in their controls (P<0.001). The serum adiponectin level was significantly lower and serum resistin level significantly higher in the non-obese PCOS group as compared with the obese control group (P<0.05). Serum adiponectin level was negatively correlated with FIN, HOMA-IR, LH and LH/FSH (P<0.05), but serum resistin level was positively correlated with FIN, HOMA-IR, LH and LH/FSH (P<0.05). We are led to conclude that PCOS patients have obvious IR, low serum adiponectin and high serum resistin, and adiponectin and resistin might play important roles in the pathogenesis of IR in PCOS patients.

Obese gene was cloned and its protein product which named leptin was found to be expressed specially in fat tissues in 1994. As a metabolic signal of reproductive system, leptin reflects the situations of nutrition and energy, which the body supplys to the brain, and stimulates reproductive endocrinology system, then regulates the functions of reproduction through hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The present status of leptin in this field was reviewed.

AIM: To establish the quality standard of Siang Pure Oil (menthol, peppermint oil, camphor, cassia oil, basil oil, etc.). METHODS: TLC was used for the identification of cassia oil and basil oil. Capillary gas chromatography (CGC) was used for the identification and determination of camphor and menthol. RESULTS: The TLC and CGC identification were highly specific. The standard curves of camphor and menthol were linear in the range of 0.1018～0.1832?g, and of 0.5947～1.3875?g, respectively. The average recoveries of camphor and menthol were 102.4%, 99.2% and the RSD were 2.3%, 1.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This quality standard is capable of effectively controlling the quality of Siang Pure Oil.

Objective To investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus X (HBX) gene on apoptosis and immune molecules of human proximal renal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2).Methods The eukaryotic vector pcDNA3.1-myc-HBX containing HBX gene was transiently transfected into HK-2 cells by lipofectamine mediation.Untransfected HK-2 cells and those transfected with empty vector were used as controls.The TLR4 expression was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting.The apoptosis of cells and expression of MHC-Ⅱ and CD40 were detected by flow cytometry,and the contents of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the supernatant were detected by EIISA.Results Compared with control groups,the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased in the HBX transfection group (P ＜ 0.05),and the expressions of TLR4,MHC-Ⅱ and CD40 were also significantly increased in the HBX transfection group (all P＜0.05).IFN-γ level in the supernatant of HBX transfection group was higher (P ＜ 0.05),but IL-4 level was lower as compared to control groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Over-expression of HBX gene may induce apoptosis of HK-2 cells and upregulate the expression of immune molecules of renal tubular epithelial cells leading to injury of cells and dysfunction of immunomicroenviroment.

Objective To investigate the expression and distribution of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in renal tissues of early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD),and to elucidate its potential role in renal lesion.Methods Eighty-two patients of early stage CKD (stage 1 and 2) diagnosed as glomerulonephritis (GN) with different pathologic types by renal biopsy in our department between 2009 and 2012 were enrolled in the study.Renal tissues of eight patients with mismatched HLA haplotype or the normal part of renal cancer were chosen as controls.Scr,BUN,serum calcium,phosphorus,PTH and 25(OH)VitD3 were measured.Creatinine clearance (Ccr) was calculated by Cockcroft-Gault (CG)formula.99mTc-DTPA clearance rate was used to detect GFR.Patients were divided into mild,moderate and severe groups according to the renal interstitial extent of inflammatory cells infiltration.Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression and distribution of PTH in renal tissues.Image-Pro Plus software was used to calculate A value of PTH in renal tissues and compare the extent of PTH expression.Results The levels of calcium,phosphorus,25(OH)VitD3 and PTH in peripheral blood from GN patients of CKD stage Ⅰ and 2 were normal.PTH had no correlation with the above indexes.PTH expression could be seen in renal tissues of all the GN patients with different pathologic types,and it mainly located in renal tubular,only a few in glomeruli and interstitium.The expression of PTH in renal tissues of GN increased compared with the controls (P ＜ 0.01).Furthermore,PTH expression elevated with the increase of inflammatory cells infiltration in interstitium.However the expression of PTH was not significantly different among different pathologic types of GN.Conclusions In the early stage CKD,PTH expression in patients of GN increases,which occurs earlier as compared to PTH elevation in peripheral blood and the imbalance of minerals and bone metabolism.The intensity of PTH expression is associated with the local inflammation.

Objective To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus X (HBX) gene on cell morphology and transdifferentiation of human proximal tubular epithelial cells.Methods The eukaryotic vector pcDNA3.1-myc-HBX containing HBX gene was transiently transfected into HK-2 cells by lipofectamine mediation.The expression of HBX was confirmed by Q-PCR and Western blotting.Untransfected HK-2 cells and those transfected with empty vector were used as control.The morphology of HK-2 cells was observed by microscopy,the expressions of differentiation marker proteins α-SMA and E-cadherin were detected by Western blotting and Q-PCR,and the contents of IL-1,IL-6 and TNF-α in the supernatant were detected by ELISA assay.Results HBX was successfully expressed in HK-2 cells after transfection.After transfection of HBX gene,the shape of HK-2 cells became irregular,HK-2 cells significantly expressed E-cadherin and α-SMA,and had high levels of IL-1,IL-6 and TNF-α in the cell supernatant (P＜0.01).Conclusion Overexpression of HBX gene in renal tubular epithelial cells may damage cell morphology and promote the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation,which may be related to the inflammatory microenvironment.

Objective To investigate the values and characteristics of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in pregnant women.Methods A total of 6 103 singleton pregnant women aged (30.4±3.8) years (18-49 years) who delivered in Peking University First Hospital between May 1,2011 and December 31,2012 underwent the 75 g OGTT at gestational age of 24-28 weeks.They were divided into five groups based on maternal age:＜25 years (n=222,3.6％),25-years (n=2 485,40.7％),30-years (n=2 573,42.2％),35-years (n=683,11.2％),and ≥ 40 years (n=140,2.3％).The normal values of the fasting,1 h and 2 h blood glucose were lower than 5.1,10.0 and 8.5 mmol/L.Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was diagnosed when blood glucose of any point was higher than or equal to normal value.Comparison between groups was tested by analysis of variance and LSD test.Logistic regression was used to calculate the risk for GDM in different age groups.Results (1) The fasting,1 h and 2 h blood glucose levels were in Gaussian distribution.The （-x）+2s were 5.51,11.12 and 9.49 mmol/L.The 97.5 percentile were 5.63,11.32 and 9.95 mmol/L.Fasting plasma glucose of ＜ 25,25-,30-,35-,and ≥ 40 years were (4.53±0.40),(4.60±0.40),(4.67±0.43),(4.74±0.46) and (4.82±0.49) mmol/L.The 1 h blood glucose were (6.98± 1.70),(7.55± 1.60),(7.92± 1.63),(8.30± 1.71) and (8.76± 1.86) mmol/L.The 2 h blood glucose were (6.11±1.33),(6.53±1.27),(6.89±1.33),(7.23±1.50) and (7.57±1.60) mmol/L.Therewas statistical difference in the blood glucose levels at a same time-point test among different age groups (F=29.61,60.17 and 72.29,all P＜0.01).(3) The total prevalence rate of GDM was 21.1％ (1 290/6 103) ; and the prevalence rates were 9.9％ (22/222),16.7％ (414/2 485),22.7％ (583/2 573),32.1％ (219/683) and 37.1％ (52/140) among the five age groups,respectively,with significant differences (x2=120.68,P=0.00).Compared with the group aged ＜25 years,the OR (95％CI) of the prevalence among 25-,30-,35-,and ≥40 years group were 1.82 (1.16-2.86),2.66 (1.70-4.18),4.29 (2.69-6.86) and 5.37 (3.08-9.39),respectively.Conclusions Advanced age is a risk factor for GDM.The risk of GDM increases significantly after 35 years old and pregnancy in women aged ＜ 35 years can reduce the risk of GDM.

Objective To understand the growth pattern of infants of mothers with maternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy.Methods Totally,7600 infants,born from singleton pregnant women from January 1st,2007 to December 31st,2009 in Peking University First Hospital and were followed up at 6-12 weeks after birth,were included.Altogether,645 mothers were complicated with hyperglycemia and 6955 with normal glucose metabolism during pregnancy.All infants were divided into four groups based on maternal glucose metabolism and their birth weight:Group N1 (n =6432) was consisted of non-macrosomia infants with normal maternal glucose metabolism; Group N2 (n =523) included macrosomia infants with normal maternal glucose metabolism; Group A1 (n =588) were non-macrosomia infants with abnormal maternal glucose metabolism; Group A2 (n =57) were macrosomia infants with abnormal maternal glucose metabolism.Birth weight,body weight at the day of follow-up and average daily weight gain were compared among these four groups.T-test,single variance analysis and LSD was applied in statistics,and the time at follow-up was used as co variance to find out the early growth pattern of infants.Results The birth weight of infants in normal and abnormal glucose metabolism group showed no statistical difference [(3367.0±420.3) g vs (3368.2±475.1) g,t=-0.061,P＞0.05],but body weight at the day of follow-up and the daily weight gain in the former group were lower than in the latter [body weight at follow-up:(5459.3±625.2) g vs (5393.9±647.2) g;daily weight gain:(44.0±9.5) g vs (42.9±9.5) g,t=2.464 and 2.874,all P＜0.05].The birth weight of infants in Group N1,A1,N2 and A2 was (3300.6±359.2) g,(3282.1±397.0) g,(4183.8±203.8) g and (4256.8±248.8) g,respectively;the body weight at the day of follow-up was (5400.5±590.7) g,(5325.8±618.8) g,(6182.7±584.7) g and (6096.5±502.4) g;daily weight gain was (44.1±9.4) g,(43.2±9.4) g,(42.4±10.9) g and (39.6±10.0) g,respectively (F=1140.471,313.376 and 10.830,all P＜0.001).While using co-variance to compare among the four groups,statistically more daily weight gain was shown in Group N1 than in A1,A2 and N2,in Group N2 than in Group A2,in Group A1 than in A2 (all P＜ 0.05).Conclusions The growth speed may slow down in early infantile period for offsprings of mother with hyperglycemia during pregnancy.