AIM To evaluate the prevention and treatment of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine sodium (MPG-Na) and tiopronin (MPG) on acute liver injury. METHODS The experimental mouse model of hepatotoxicity induced by D-galactosamine (Gal) was applied to investigate preventive and remedial effects. In the preventive experiment, the mice were ip administered with MPG-Na or MPG 37.5，75 and 150 mg·kg~(-1), respectively, for 7 d. Gal 800 mg·kg~(-1) was ip given into the mice 30 min after the last administration. In the remedial experiment, the mice were ip given Gal 800 mg·kg~(-1) and 30 min later followed by MPG-Na or MPG 37.5, 75 and 150 mg·kg~(-1) , respectively, for 2 d. The mice were euthanized and serum was prepared 24 h (pre-treatment) or 48 h (post-treatment) after Gal injection. The activities of serum glutamyl pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), the contents of total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb), and the Alb/globulin (A/G) ratio were determined. The liver tissues were collected for histopathological assessment (HE staining) under light microscope. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, the activities of serum GPT and GOT in model group were significantly increased. The injuries such as fatty degeneration and liver cell necrosis were observed. Compared with model group, the activities of GPT and GOT in pre-treatment groups were obviously decreased in MPG-Na 150 mg·kg~(-1) group. In post-treatment groups, the activity of GPT decreased in 3 MPG-Na groups. The contents of TP, Alb and A/G ratio had little change. In addition, MPG-Na alleviated the injuries such as fatty degeneration and liver cell necrosis obviously. Compared with MPG, MPG-Na showed similar effect. CONCLUSION MPG-Na has an obvious protective effect against Gal-induced acute liver injury in mice and the efficiency is equivalent as MPG.

OBJECTIVEConvincing evidence suggests a link between increased risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) and low intake of folic acid by the mother during pregnancy. The present study was designed to explore if genetic variation in the betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) gene contributes to NSCL/P.

METHODSDNA was obtained from 166 individuals with NSCL/P and 285 healthy subjects. Three known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in the BHMT gene (rs651852, rs3797546, and rs3733890) were investigated by real-time PCR-based TaqMan genotyping.

RESULTSNeither allelic nor genotypic association was found between NSCL/P and SNPs rs651852 and rs3733890. SNP rs3797546 did not show allelic association with NSCL/P; however, a higher proportion of NSCL/P patients carry the CC genotype compared with the TT+CT genotype (P=0.020, OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.11-3.95).

CONCLUSIONOur study suggests that polymorphism rs3797546 in the BHMT gene may confer genetic risk of NSCL/P in a recessive manner.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Betaine-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Cleft Lip ; genetics ; Cleft Palate ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

Objective:In order to investigate the genetic diversity of mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene of Taenia asiatica ( T. asiatica) in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (Dali Prefecture), Yunnan Province. Methods:From May 2019 to August 2021, a total of 131 samples of Taenia were collected from patients admitted to the Dali Prefecture Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, involving five locations (i.e., five groups), including Dali City (58 samples), Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County (Weishan County, 14 samples), Midu County (18 samples), Yangbi Yi Autonomous County (Yangbi County, 24 samples) and Eryuan County (17 samples). Primers were designed based on mitochondrial Cytb gene sequence, and part of the Cytb gene sequence was amplified by PCR, then sequenced and homology comparisons were performed. MEGA 7.0 and DNASP 5.10.01 were used to analyze the measured sequence, and data such as base composition, genetic distance, genetic diversity parameters, genetic differentiation index and gene flow were obtained. Results:The amplified fragments of Cytb gene in 131 samples of Taenia were 235 bp. After homology comparisons, they were all T. asiatica. The average contents of A, T, G and C bases were 23.8%, 42.3%, 24.0% and 9.9%, respectively. Of the 131 samples of T. asiatica, 12 haplotypes were defined. The haplotype diversity and nucleic acid diversity were 0.295 9 and 0.006 0, respectively. The ranges of genetic differentiation index and gene flow among the five groups were-0.053 00 to 0.050 40 and 4.710 31 to 162.087 66, respectively. The genetic distance between the five groups ranged from 0.003 5 to 0.009 0, of which the genetic distance between Midu County and Weishan County was the largest, and the genetic distance between Dali City and Yangbi County was the smallest. Conclusions:The mitochondrial Cytb gene of T. asiatica in Dali Prefecture has rich genetic diversity. There is frequent gene exchange among the five groups, and no significant genetic differentiation has been formed.

AIM: To discuss the expression and diagnostic value of serum trefoil factor 1(TFF1)and annexin A2(ANXA2)in diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:A total of 50 DR patients(100 eyes; research group)and 50 type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients(100 eyes; control group)without retinopathy who visited our hospital between January 2022 and December 2024 were recruited. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed to test serum TFF1 and ANXA2. Pearson method was performed to analyze the correlation between serum TFF1 and ANXA2 in DR. Logistics method was used to discuss the influencing factors of retinopathy in T2DM patients. ROC was performed to analyze the diagnostic value of serum TFF1 and ANXA2 in DR.RESULTS: The research group had clearly longer T2DM course, higher glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol(TC), and serum ANXA2 than the control group(all P<0.001); the research group had significantly lower serum TFF1 than the control group(P<0.001); Serum TFF1 and ANXA2 in DR patients were negatively correlated(r=-0.345, P=0.014). The expression of serum TFF1 and ANXA2 was influencing factor for the occurrence of retinopathy in T2DM patients(all P<0.05). The AUC of serum TFF1 in diagnosing DR was 0.831(95%CI=0.746-0.916), and the AUC of serum ANXA2 in diagnosing DR was 0.832(95%CI=0.755-0.908). The combination of the two had an AUC of 0.932(95%CI=0.884-0.980)for diagnosing DR. The combination of serum TFF1 and ANXA2 had a higher diagnostic value for DR than individual diagnosis(Zcombination-TFF1=2.883, P=0.004; Zcombination-ANXA2=2.947, P=0.003).CONCLUSION: Serum TFF1 is reduced and serum ANXA2 is increased in DR patients. These changes are associated with the increase in risk of retinopathy in T2DM. The combination of serum TFF1 and ANXA2 has certain diagnostic value for DR.

AIM: To investigate the expression of serum growth differentiation factor 11(GDF11)and thrombospondin 1(TSP1)in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR), and discuss their relationship with microvascular injury.METHODS: Totally 102 DR patients were served as DR group and assigned into non proliferative DR group(NPDR group)and proliferative DR group(PDR group)based on the severity of DR lesions. Meantime, 100 patients with simple diabetes were served as control group. Serum indicators of microvascular injury including vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), endothelial cells(ECs), endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs), and levels of GDF11 and TSP1 were measured in each group. Pearson method was used to discuss the correlation between GDF11, TSP1 and microvascular injury indicators. Logistic regression was used to discuss the factors that affected the occurrence of DR. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the evaluation value of serum GDF11 and TSP1 for the DR conditions.RESULTS: For the control group, DR group had lower EPCs and GDF11, and higher VEGF, ECs, and TSP1 levels(all P<0.05). The PDR group had lower GDF11 and higher TSP1 than the NPDR group(all P<0.05). Serum GDF11 was negatively related to VEGF and ECs(r=-0.486, -0.511, all P<0.001), and positively related to EPCs(r=0.475, P<0.001). TSP1 was positively related to VEGF and ECs(r=0.579, 0.594, all P<0.001), and negatively related to EPCs(r=-0.505, P<0.001). Moreover, GDF11 and TSP1 were negatively correlated(r=-0.443, P<0.001). The course of T2DM, VEGF, and TSP1 were risk factors for DR, while GDF11 was a protective factor(all P<0.05). The AUC of GDF11, TSP1, and combined diagnosis for PDR conditions was 0.819, 0.822, and 0.915, respectively. The combined diagnosis was better than single diagnosis(Zcombination-GDF11=2.070, P=0.039, Zcombination-TSP1=2.274, P=0.023).CONCLUSION: GDF11 and TSP1 are closely associated with microvascular injury in DR patients and are related to the progression of DR disease, and the combined detection of their serum levels is of clinical value in the assessment of DR disease.