Objectives To investigate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome (OSAHS), insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MS), as well as to explore the possible mechanism of MS caused by OSAHS. Methods We recruited 186 hospitalized patients with hypertensions, who were divided into four groups based on their nocturnal polygraphs recordings, 35 as controls (group Ⅰ), 61 with mild (group Ⅱ), 52 with moderate (group Ⅲ) and 38 with severe OSAHS (group Ⅳ). They all underwent measurements including body height, body weight, waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), serum uric acid, creatinine, fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterul, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride. Results One hundred and two patients with OSAHS (67.6 percent) also suffered of MS, 33 (86.8 percent) of them with severe OSAHS. There was no significant difference in age, gender, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprutein-cholesterul, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride among the four groups (P>0.05). Body mass index (BMI), WC, ratio of serum uric acid to creatinine and DBP were all significantly higher in patients with severe OSAHS than those in patients with mild and moderate OSAHS and controls (P<0.01). SBP was significantly higher in patients with severe OSAHS than that in those with mild and moderate OSAHS (P<0.01). Insulin resistance was significantly severer in patients with severe OSAHS than that in those with mild OSAHS and controls (P<0.01). Results of multivariate linear regression analysis showed that insulin resistance was correlated with BMI and reversely correlated with minimal blood oxygen saturation, and minimal blood oxygen saturation reversely correlated with WC and ratio of uric acid to creatinine. Condusions Hypoxemia and obesity may promote development of insulin resistance. Patients of hypertension complicated with OSAHS tend to develop MS, particularly in those with severe OSAHS.

Objective To evaluate the effect of total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides L on the nervous behavior and the expression of neurotransmitters in rats. Methods 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:blank group,total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides L treatment with 4 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 ( low dose group) ,8 mg·kg-1 ·d-1( medium dose group) and 16 mg·kg-1 ·d-1( high dose group) groups. After successive intragastric administration for 30 days,the locomotor activity was applied to test the nervous behavior and emotional state of rats in each group. After behavioral tests were finished,the contents of trypto-phan (Trp),5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP),5-serotonin (5-HT),5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine (NE),epinephrine (E) and dopamine (DA) were detected by ELISA in serum and brain. Results In the experiment of locomotor activity,compared with blank group ((95.33±12.75) times),the numbers of horizontal movement of Sophora alopecuroides L in medium and high dose group ( ( 61. 64 ± 5.91),(64.62±5.79)times both P<0.05) were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01).Compared with the blank group ((4.33±0.66) times),the numbers of vertical motion of Sophora alopecuroides L in medium and high dose group ((3.05±0.09)times,(3.77±0.69)times) were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with blank group ((2.25±0.39) number),the granule number in high dose group ((3.38±0.40) number) were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01),and emotional stress degree increased. Meanwhile,compared with blank group,the content detection of 5-HT,5-HIAA in different dose groups of the total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides L was improved obviously(P<0.01),but there was no significant effect on the content of Trp,5-HTP,NE,E,DA(P>0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that the degree of au-tonomic activity in rats with the content of 5-HT,5-HIAA and DA in serum was negatively correlated (P<0.05, P<0.01) ,the degree of emotional stress and the content of 5-HT,5-HIAA in brain was negatively cor-related (P<0.05, P<0.01) . Conclusion The total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides L can reduce the ac-tivity of rats and increase the degree of emotional stress. And the mechanism may be correlated with the in-creasing level of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in serum and brain.

Neurodegenerative diseases refer to incurable conditions that result in progressive degeneration or death of nerve cells. This causes functional movement deficits and cognitive problems such as dementias. Among different types of neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer disease (AD) accounts for majority of the cases. The transient receptor potential melastatin member 2 (TRPM2) channel is a Ca2+-permeable non-selective cation channel which has been studied and implicated in the pathological process of AD through different pathways including inflammation. This review summarizes the contribution of TRPM2 in AD pathology and recent advances in pharmacology of TRPM2, with a focus on relationships between β-amyloid, oxidative stress and Ca2+. We also discuss the potential future research direction for neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective To assess the effectiveness of the quotient of serum sodium to urinary sodium divided by (serum potassium) 2 to urinary potassium (SUSPPUP) in screening for primary aldosteronism (PA).Methods Among 952 patients with hypertension who had renin activity,aldosterone measurements and concomitant serum and urinary biochemistry data,204 patients were diagnosed as cases of PA and 261 as cases of essential hypertension.Diagnosis of PA was made in accordance with established laboratory criteria including renin activity and aldosterone,plasma aldosterone concentration/plasma renin activity (ARR),and saline loading test.The SUSPPUP ratio with the ARR were compared in two groups.Results The area under the curve of SUSPPUP and ARR was 0.797 and 0.796 respectively according to receiver operating characteristic curve,optimal cutoff of SUSPPUP was 1.0,the sensitivity and specificity of SUSPPUP was 98.9％ and 81％ respectively.Conclusions The SUSPPUP ratio is an inexpensive and rapid tool to assess the extent of mineralocorticoid excess,therefore,SUSPPUP ratio can be applied to screen PA in hypertensive patients.

Objective To investigate the association between KCNJ5 gene polymorphism and primary hyperaldosteronism(PA).Methods A total of 248 PA patients and 816 essential hypertension (EH) patients were enrolled in this study,TaqMan assay was used to detect the rs1221497 polymorphism of KCNJ5 gene.Results The genotypes of rs1221497 were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both PA group and EH group,the genotype frequencies ofGG,GC,CC were 208,39,1 in PA group and 631,177,8 in EH group respectively,the allele frequencies in the two groups were 455,41 and 1 439,193 respectively.The frequencies of GG genotype and G allele in PA group were significantly higher than those in EH group.Logistic regression showed that GG genotype was closely associated with PA after adjusting age.Conclusions GG genotype and G allele may contribute to the occurrence of PA.

ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of left ventricular structural damage in patients with primary aldosteronism(PA).MethodsA total of 438 inpatients with hypertension from January 2007 to June 2010 were screened for PA,and diagnosis was made in 213 PA patients and 225 patients with essential hypertension (EH).The left ventricular structure of all subjects was evaluated according to the results of echocardiographic measurements.Results The duration of hypertension and plasma aldosterone level in patients with PA were significantly higher (P＜ 0.01 ),while the serum potassium and plasma renin activity were significantly lower (P＜0.01 ) than those in patients with EH.The interventricular septum thickness,left ventricular end-diastolic dimension,left ventricular mass index (LVMI),left ventricular end-diastolic volume,and stroke volume in patients with PA were significantly higher than those in EH patients( P＜0.01 ) after the duration of hypertension was corrected.In patients with PA,the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was higher than that in EH patients ( 53.1％ vs 33.8 ％,x2 =16.57,P ＜ 0.01 ). Normal left ventricular geometry ( NG ),concentric remodeling ( CCR ),concentric hypertrophy( CCH),and eccentric hypertrophy (ECH) were found respectively in 24.9％,22.1％,22.1％,and 30.9％ of patients with PA.Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the seated plasma aldosterone level (β=0.43,P ＜ 0.01 ) and systolic blood pressure (β =0.45,P ＜ 0.01 ) were the main factors that influenced LVMI.The course was the main parameter that influenced relative wall thickness(β=0.011,P＜0.05 ).Conclusion The prevalence of LVH is higher in patients with PA than that in EH patients.The eccentric hypertrophy is the most common left ventricular geometrical pattern in patients with PA.

e extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Objective:To investigate the effect of HSM on the inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis in mice with cecal ligation and puncture ( CLP) . Methods: Both 5 day and 10 day timepoint pulmonary fibrosis were induced by CLP;mice were randomly divided into three groups,including sham group (sham,n=5),model group (CLP,n=11),therapy group (HSM,n=11). HSM extract (200 mg/kg,less than human dose of 0. 27 g/kg) was orally administered to HSM group 2 hour before surgery and repeated everyday, while sham group and model group were given the same dose of normal saline. We used Q-PCR assay to analyze the expression of in-flammatory molecules ( IL-1β and TNF-α) and fibrogenic cytokines ( TGF-β, MMP9 and TIMP1 ) from lung tissues , we used FACS assay to analyze the amount of Th1 cells in PBMC and spleen sections,as well as Treg in spleen sections. Besides,lung sections were subjected to HE stain and immunohistochemical staining withα-SMA and fibronectin. Results:The amount of model group's Th1 cells in PBMC and spleen sections,as well as Treg in spleen sections were significantly lower than sham group's,whereas HSM succeeded in raising them. By day 5, the expression of inflammatory molecules IL-1β and fibrogenic cytokines (TGF-β,MMP9 and TIMP1) from CLP group's lung sections were remarkably improved,by day 10,the expression had decreased but was higher than sham group's;HSM inhibited these cytokines' expression. The expression of TNF-α of CLP group and HSM group had no significant changes. The CLP group's HE results showed obvious pulmonary inflammatory damage,by day 10,the situation had improved,whereas HSM reduced the histopathologic alterations;contrast to sham group,model group's expression of α-SMA and fibronectin was remarkably improved,while HSM group showed lower expression. Conclusion: HSM extract can suppress inflammation, balances immune system and relieves pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of HSM on the immunoreaction and renal fibrosis in mice with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).Methods: Renal fibrosis was induced by CLP;mice were divided into three groups,including sham group (sham,n =5),model group (CLP,n =11),therapy group (HSM,n =11).HSM extract [200 mg/(kg?d)] was orally administered to HSM group2 hour before surgery and repeated everyday throughout 10 days,while sham group and model group were given the same dose of normalsaline.FACS assay was used to analyze the amount of macrophages ,neutrophils and Treg in PBMC,as well as macrophages in peritonealfluid;we used Q-PCR assay to analyze the expression of inflammatory molecules (IL-1βand TNF-α) and fibrogenic cytokines (TGF-β,MMP9 and TIMP1) from renal sections.Besides,renal sections were subjected to HE stain and immunohistochemical staining with α-SMA and fibronectin.Results: The amount of model group′s macrophages and neutrophils in PBMC,as well as macrophages in theperitoneal fluid were significantly higher than sham group ′s,whereas HSM succeeded in lowering them;contrast to sham group,Tregs′amount of CLP group and HSM group in PBMC had no significant changes .The expression of inflammatory molecules (IL-1βand TNF-α) and fibrogenic cytokines (TGF-β,MMP9 and TIMP1) from CLP group′s renal sections were remarkably improved ,whereas HSM inhibitedthat.The CLP group′s HE results showed obvious renal inflammatory damage ,whereas HSM reduced the histopathologicalterations;contrast to sham group,model group′s expression of α-SMA and fibronectin was remarkably improved,while HSM groupshowed lower expression.Conclusion: HSM extract could regulate immunity response and had effect in improving renal fibrosis .

Objective To explore the lipid metabolism in patients with hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.Methods A total of 896 patients (655 cases of male; 241 cases of female) was recruited who were hospitalized in our department,and were classified into four groups based on the finding of polysomnography (PSG):hypertensive without obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS) (n =243),hypertensive with mild OSAS (n =245),hypertensive with moderate OSAS (n =195),and hypertensive with severe OSAS (n =213).Multiple indices including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI),lowest arterial oxygen saturation(lowest SaO2),body mass index (BMI),blood pressure,total cholesterol (TC),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC),triglycerides (TG),fasting blood glucose(FBG),uric acid (UA),and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) were assessed,and the relevant risk factors of lipid metabolism were analyzed.Results (1)Male patients had more opportunities to suffer OSAS than female (P ＜0.01).Compared with the group without hypertensive,patients in severe OSAS group had higher levels of AGE (48.09 ± 9.48,BMI (29.46 ±3.83),AHI[45.90(37.55,63.65)],MSpO2 (89.08 ±4.93),LSpO2 (67.36 ± 12.60),TC (4.68 ±1.00),TG[2.03(1.54,2.88)],UA (371.85 ±99.29),and hs-CRP[1.43(0.82,3.056)] (P ＜0.05),and had lower levels of HDL-C (1.09 ± 0.28).(2) Two and more than two lipids abnormal metabolic indices increased prevalence with the increase of the severity of OSAS.(3)The prevalence of high TG,high TC in AHI ≥ 15/h was significantly higher than AHI ＜ 15 group.(4) After adjustment for BMI,gender,age and other common risk factors,it confirmed that AHI was still related to lipid metabolism.AHI was an independent risk factor for abnormal lipid metabolism.Conclusions AHI was an independent risk factor for abnormal lipid metabolism.With increasing severity of OSAS,the levels TC,TG,and the category of abnormal lipid metabolism were also increased.