AIM: To investigate apolipoprotein A-Ⅰ gene (Apo A-Ⅰ) polymorphism and its relationship with serum HDL subclasses in patients with hyperlipidemia (HL). METHODS: Apo A-Ⅰ genotype was assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The subclasses of serum HDL in 118 patients with hyperlipidemia and 109 healthy subjects were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis conjunction with immunodetection method. RESULTS: Both in HL group and the control group, G/G and C/C genotypes were the most frequent at -78 bp and +83 bp of Apo A-Ⅰ gene, respectively. The frequency of rare A allele at -78 bp in HL group was significantly higher than that in control group. In HL group, subjects with G/A mutation had higher serum levels of TG, Apo C-Ⅲ, pre ?_1-HDL and HDL_ 3a , and lower levels of HDL_ 2a and HDL_ 2b compared to the subjects with G/G genotype. CONCLUSION: The G/A transition in the -78 bp position of the Apo A-Ⅰ gene promoter in patients with hyperlipidemia is associated with HDL subclasses. There is a general shift toward smaller sized HDL, which, in turn, indicates that HDL maturation might be abnormal.

Objective To investigate the relationship between activity of plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH)and insulin resistance (IR) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods From Oct. 2006 to Jan. 2008, 105 PCOS patients undergoing treatment in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Second Hospital affiliated to West China University were enrolled in the study, among 53 cases with homeostatic model assessment IR (HOMA-IR) exceed or equal 2.77 as IR-PCOS group and 52 cases with HOMA-IR less than 2.77 as non IR-PCOS group. In the mean time, 53 infertile women due to fallopian tube or husband factors were chosen as control group. Plasma PAF-AH activity, high-density lipoprotein-associated PAF-AH (H-PAF-AH) activity, low-density lipoprotein-associated PAF-AH (L-PAF-AH) activity, the ratio of L-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH activity were measured and compared among three groups. The method of Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to study the relationship between the ratio of L-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH activities and hormonal and metabolic parameters. Results (1) Plasma PAF-AH activity [ (0.055±0.012) mmol· L~(-1)·min~(-1)], L-PAF-AH activity [(0.052±0.012) mmol·L~(-1)·min~(-1)], and the ratio of L-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH activity (23±6) in the IR-PCOS group were significantly higher than those at control group [(0.050±0.009) mmol·L~(-1) ·min~(-1), (0.047±0.009) mmol·L~(-1)·min~(-1) and (18±4)] and non-IR-PCOS group [(0.050±0.0012) mmol·L~(-1) ·min~(-1), (0.048±0.012) mmol·L~(-1)·min~(-1) and (18± 5 ), P <0.05 ]. The ratio of L-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH activities at IR-PCOS group was also significantly higher than those at Non IR-PCOS and control group after correction for body mass index (P<0.01). (2) Pearson correlation analysis showed that the ratio of L-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH in PCOS patients was positively correlated with atherogenic index, age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, HOMA-IR, triglyceride levels, fasting insulin levels, fasting glucose levels, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol (r=0.644, 0.247, 0.296, 0.212, 0.356, 0.587, 0.377, 0.375, 0.292 and 0.199, respectively, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=-0.510, P<0.05). The multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that atherogenic index and triglyceride were significant variables for the ratio of L-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH activity (standardized coefficient, β=0.515 and 0.201, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusion The elvated L-PAF-AH activity may be associated with IR in PCOS patients, and the increased ratio of L-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH activities may be a potential marker of inflammation in the patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of small direct‐current electrical stimulation on migration and invasion related MMPs/TIMPs expression of trophoblast cells .Methods The trophoblast cells were exposed to the direct current electrical field at 150 mV/mm for 5 and 10 hours .Cell images were recorded with continuous photographing and analyzed by image analyzer .The ex‐pression levels of MMP2 ,MMP9 ,TIMP1 and TIMP2 were measured using quantitative RT‐PCR and Western blot .Results In non‐electrical field culture trophoblast cells migrated slowly with random directions .Trophoblast cells cultured in media containing 10% calf serum with the application of 150 mV/mm direct current electrical stimulation ,showed marked cathodal migration (P<0 .01) ,the cell body stretched ,perpendicular to the direction of the electric field .Compared with the non‐electrical field stimulation controls ,trophoblasts under the electrical field stimulation had the increased MMP2 mRNA and protein expression (P< 0 .05) , while MMP9 ,TIMP1 and TIMP2 had no obvious changes of mRNA or protein expressions .Conclusion Physiological direct‐cur‐rent electrical fields might induce directed migration and perpendicular orientation of trophoblast cells .The enhanced MMP2 expres‐sion may play an important role in the migration and invasive activity of trophoblast cells in small electrical field .

?AIM: To study the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP) rs1157699 in the calcitonin receptor-like receptor ( CRLR ) gene with primary angle closure ( PAC) in a Han Chinese population.?METHODS: All samples, involved 232 PAC cases and 306 controls, were obtained from an epidemiologic survey conducted in Funing, Jiangsu Province, China. Genotyping were carried out by TaqMan-MGB probe using the real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction system to study the relationship between SNP of rs1157699 in CRLR gene and PAC.?RESULTS: The prevalence of CRLRrs1157699 genotype was 67.4%, 30.0%, 2.6% for CC, CT, TT in cases, and 71.3%, 27.0%, 1.7% in controls respectively.There was no difference between the two groups in the distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of rs1157699 (P>0.05).?CONCLUSION:Our results do not support a significant role for rs1157699 in CRLR with PAC.

AIM: To study the effects of oxidative modification lipoproteins on blood coagulation and fibrino (lysis) in vitro. METHODS: Normal human plasma VLDL, LDL and HDL, which were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation method, were oxidatively modified by Cu~(2+) and HOCl method. N-VLDL, Ox-VLDL, N-LDL, Ox-LDL, N-HDL, Ox-HDL were added to the reaction system which consisted of mixed fresh normal plasma respectively, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thrombplastin time (APTT), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and platelet aggregation were measured according to the direction of the kits. RESULTS: The relative electrophoretic mobility (REM), absorbance at 234nm and TBARS of oxidized VLDL, LDL and HDL mediated by HOCl or Cu~(2+) were significantly higher than that of the control group (P

Objective　 To investigate apolipoprotein(apo) E polymorphism and its relationship with serum lipids and apolipoproteins in Chinese patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia(HTG). Methods　 apoE genotype was assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP), serum lipids were determined by enzyme method, and apolipoproteins were measured by radial immunodiffusion assay in 225 endogenous HTG patients whose fasting serum TG levels were ≥2.26 mmol/L and in 230 healthy subjects whose fasting serum lipids levels were TG<1.82 mmol/L, TC<6.21 mmol/L from a population of Chinese Han nationality in Chengdu area. Results　 Compared with the controls, the values of BMI,TG, TC, nHDLC, apoB100,CⅡ, CⅢ, E and TG/HDLC in HTG patients were significantly increased and the values of HDLC, apoAⅠ and apoE/apoCⅢ were significantly decreased(P<0.001). apoE3/3 genotype and allele ε3 frequency in HTG group and the control group were both the highest, and allele ε2 frequency in HTG group tended to increase than that in the control group(P>0.05). Both in HTG group and control group, the genotype of apoE2 had higher serum TG and apoE levels, lower LDLC level and decreased apoE/apoCⅢ ratio as compared with the genotype of apoE3 or apoE4(P<0.001). Conclusion　 Allele ε2 of apoE gene was associated with higher serum TG and apoE levels and lower serum LDLC level, and the lower ratio of apoE/apoCⅢ was associated with the higher serum level of TG in endogenous HTG.

OBJECTIVETo establish the method of detecting the concentrations of chlorpyrifos in air of workplace with high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC).

METHODSAccording to standards of methods for determining the chemical substances in workplace air, chlorpyrifos in the air was collected by silicone tube, then dissolved by acetonitrile and determined by high performance liquid chromatography with UV-detector.

RESULTSThere was a linear relationship within the range of 0 ∼ 10.0 µg/ml, and regression equation was y = 5206.1x - 104.7, correlation coefficient was 0.9999, the detection limit was 0.006 µg/ml. The lowest detected concentration was 0.001 mg/m(3) (sampling volume 4.5 L). The average recoveries was 98.3% ∼ 102.5%. The within-run precision was 1.96% ∼ 4.39%, the between-run precision was 2.76% ∼ 5.87%. The desorption efficiencies were 99.0% ∼ 103.3% and the sampling efficiencies were 94%. The samples in silicone tube could be stored for 15 days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONThe present method could meet with the requirements of Guide for establishing occupational health standards-Part 4 Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace and be feasible for determination of chlorpyrifos in workplace air.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chlorpyrifos ; analysis ; toxicity ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Limit of Detection ; Reproducibility of Results ; Workplace

To compare the growth characteristics of non-hematopoietic adult stem cells (NASC) derived from rat fetal blood and rat bone marrow in vitro, and to study the differentiation of these stem cells into neuron-like cells in vitro, the fetal blood of pregnant rats and bone marrow of adult rats were sterilely collected; mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated by using standard Ficoll-hypague techniques and then cultured in DMEM/LG containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The acquired NASCs were subcultured for passage. The immunophenotype of NASCs was detected by flow cytometry. The expanded NASCs were induced to differentiate into neurons-like cells by beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The specific markers of these neuron-like cells were detected by immunocytochemistry. The results showed that two kinds of subcultured NASCs showed homogeneous spindle-shaped and expressed antigens CD44 and CD54, but did not expressed CD11b and CD45. The both induced cells were similar to neuron in morphology and were positive for nestin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), but negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). It is concluded that no significant difference of NASCs derived from pregnant rat fetal blood and adult rat bone marrow found in cell morphology and biological characteristics. NASCs of both origins can be induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells, so fetal blood can be regarded as another resource of NASC.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Male ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the variations of ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) gene and its relation to endogenous hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in Chinese population.

METHODSA total of three hundred and nine subjects (one hundred and nine endogenous hypertriglyceridemics and 200 healthy controls) from a population of Chinese Han nationality in Chengdu area were studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSThe frequency of K allele at R219K site 0.472 and 0.436 in normal and HTG group, respectively. No significant difference between normal control and HTG group was found in both allele and genotype frequencies. In both normal and HTG groups, subjects with genotype KK had a higher serum mean concentration of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) when compared with those with genotype RR, respectively (1.48+/-0.45 mmol/L vs 1.27+/-0.29 mmol/L, P<0.05; 1.07+/-0.30 mmol/L vs 0.87+/-0.19 mmol/L, P<0.05). In normal group, subjects with genotype RK had a lower triglyceride (TG) level compared with those with genotype RR (1.22+/-0.37 mmol/L vs 1.41+/-0.84 mmol/L, P<0.05). In addition, the subjects carrying K allele in HTG group had a decreased total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ratio compared with those with genotype RR (KK vs RK vs RR: 4.82+/-1.28 vs 5.42+/-1.62 vs 6.33+/-1.70, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that R219K polymorphism in ABCA1 gene is not only associated with serum HDL-C and TG levels in healthy Chinese subjects in Chengdu area, but also with HDL-C level and TC/HDL-C ratio in subjects with endogenous HTG.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; blood ; ethnology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate variations of apolipoprotein A IV (apo A IV) gene and its relation to endogenous hypertriglyceridemia(HTG) in Chinese population.

METHODSOne hundred and six endogenous hypertriglyceridemics and 171 healthy subjects from a population of Chinese Han nationality in Chengdu area were studied using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and sequencing of apoA IV gene amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The polymorphic sites of apo A IV gene studied included codon 9 (A to G, synonymous mutation), codon 347 (A to T, non-synonymous mutation), codon 360 (G to T, non-synonymous mutation), and Msp I polymorphism (CC/TGG) within intron 2.

RESULTSThe frequency of G allele at codon 9 in HTG group was higher than that in healthy controls(0.453 vs 0.366, P<0.05). The other polymorphic sites showed no significant differences of the allele frequencies between the two groups. The frequencies of rare alleles, such as G allele at codon 9, T allele at codon 347 and T allele at codon 360 polymorphic site were significantly different from those reported in European Caucasians (0.366 vs 0.032, P<0.001, 0.000 vs 0.160, P<0.001; 0.000 vs 0.070, P<0.001), but no differences were found when compared with those in Japanese, including Msp I site (P>0.05). In the healthy male control group, subjects with genotype G/G of codon 9 had a higher serum mean concentration of apoA I when compared with that of genotype A/A(P<0.01). In the HTG group, subjects with genotype C/T of Msp I site had a higher serum mean concentration of TG with compared with those with genotype C/C and T/T (P<0.05). This difference was only observed in male HTG group when male and female subgroups were further separated.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that Msp I and codon 9 polymorphism in apoA IV gene are associated with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia to some extent in Chinese population.

Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Apolipoproteins A ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length