OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone on serum lipid in aged male patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHODSEighty seven patients with chronic heart failure(> or = 60 years old) were randomly divided into 2 groups: the CHF control group (n = 46) who received regular therapy and the CHF experimental group (n = 41) who received regular therapy and recombinant human growth hormone. The treatment would be continued for 3 months. Another group was normal control group (n = 10). The detection of serum growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was carried out before and after treatment in the participants.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the levels of GH and IGF-1 were not significantly different among groups. After treatment, the levels of GH (0.71 +/- 0.34 vs 0.96 +/- 0.48) and IGF-1 (95.64 +/- 21.11 vs 111.64 +/- 23.14)in CHF experimental group were higher than those before the treatment. In CHF control group, the levels of GH(0.81 +/- 0.32 vs 0.79 +/- 0.29) and IGF-1 (97.82 +/- 19.74 vs 99.65 +/- 20.11) had no significant change after the treatment. After treatment, the levels of GH (0.96 +/- 0.48 vs 0.79 +/- 0.29) and IGF-1 (111.64 +/- 23.14 vs 99.65 +/- 20.11) in CHF experimental group were higher compared with that of CHF control group. Before treatment, the serum levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, TC and TG had no significant difference among groups. After treatment,the levels of LDL-C (2.11 +/- 0.82 vs 1.76 +/- 0.51) and TC (3.78 +/- 1.34 vs 3.21 +/- 1.17) in CHF experimental group were lower than those before the treatment. However, the levels of HDL-C (1.10 +/- 0.31 vs 0.99 +/- 0.28)and TG (1. 89 +/- 1.07 vs 1.66 +/- 0.95) had no significant change after the treatment compared with before treatment. In CHF control group, the serum lipid levels had no significant change after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONAs the treatment of rhGH for aged male patients with chronic heart failure, GH influences lipid metabolism, which reduces the level of LDL-C, TC. However GH has no effects on the serum HDL-C and TG level. With the treatment of rhGH for long-term, lipid metabolism should be paid attention,and the treatment for blood lipid reduction should be adjusted in time.

Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Heart Failure ; blood ; therapy ; Human Growth Hormone ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

AIM:It has been recently proved that either decreased number or impaired function of CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells(Treg)can lead to immune dysfunction.Deeper knowledge of CD4+CD25+Treg cells is crucial for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of many diseases,such as autoimmune diseases,graft-versus-host disease,and allergic disease.This study is aimed to investigate the correlation of CD4+CD25+Treg cells in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP)and to analyze the possible immunopathogenesis. METHODS:The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Institute of Hematology,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from June to September in 2007.After the patients and their relative signed informed consents, peripheral blood was obtained from ITP patients(n=27)and health people(n=15)admitted in the Hematology Hospital,Peking Union Medical College.All patients accorded with the standards of ITP diagnosis and curative effect.The amount of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in peripheral blood of normal controls and ITP patients before and after therapy was detected by flow cytometry.For those 23 patients who received effective therapy,blood before and after therapy were both obtained,the mononuclear cells(MNCs)were isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation,then reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression of Foxp3 mRNA. RESULTS:The amount of CD4+CD25+Treg cells and the ratio of CD4+CD25+Treg to total CD4+T cells in peripheral blood of ITP patients were obviously decreased than those of the controls(P0.05),but the expression of Foxp3 mRNA in CD4+CD25+ Treg cells was significantly increased(P

OBJECTIVETo detect the relationship between changes of sex hormone levels and risk factors for atherosclerosis in old patients with castrated prostatic cancer.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty-seven patients, over 65 years old, were divided into three groups: 64 non-prostatic cancer patients (group I), 61 non-castrated prostatic cancer patients (group II) and 122 castrated prostatic cancer patients (group III). Group I and group II served as controls. Testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), luteal hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum homocysteine (Hcy), glucose (GLU), uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), were measured and compared between any two groups.

RESULTSIn patients with castrated prostatic cancer, T, E2, and P levels decreased significantly, LH and FSH increased significantly, change of PRL was not significant, E2/T was elevated significantly; levels of CRP, Hcy, GLU, UA, TC, TG and LDL-C increased significantly compared with those in control groups.

CONCLUSIONSex hormone levels were imbalanced significantly after castration in old prostatic cancer patients, and the risk factors for atherosclerosis also increased accordingly. There might be relationship between decreased sex hormone levels and risk factors for atherosclerosis in old male patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Risk Factors

AIMTo explore the effects of cholesterol rich diet on the activities of blood coagulative and fibrinolytic systems in male rabbits.

METHODS14 male New Zealand white rabbits were randomized to cholesterol rich diet(CRD) group and common diet (control) group. Rabbits in CRD group were fed with 1% cholesterol embedded diet and those in the control group were fed with common diet. Levels of blood TG, TC, LDL, HDL, Lp(a), apoA1, apoB, FIB, D-dimers and FDP, PT and APTT, activity of ADP, AT-III, PLG and alpha2-PI were tested in all rabbits before given cholesterol rich diet and after 12 weeks' feeding with different kinds of diet.

RESULTSLevels of blood TG, TC, LDL, HDL, Lp(a), apoA1, apoB, FIB, D-dimers in CRD group were all elevated significantly compared with those in the control group and the baseline levels. PT and APTT were shortened, ADP, PLG and alpha2-PI activity were increased in CRD group.

CONCLUSIONCholesterol rich diet not only is the direct cause of hyperlipidemia but also can increase the coagulative activity and inhibit the fibrinolytic activity and promoting the evolution of arteriosclerosis.

Animals ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; pharmacology ; Fibrinolysis ; drug effects ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; Male ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Rabbits

AIMTo explore the characteristics of the urinary excretion in the elderly patients and to offer some advice for the prevention and treatment of hyponatremia in the elderly patients.

METHODS42 inpatients aged over 80 were divided into tow groups according to their creatinine clearance rate (CCR). Meanwhile, 24 patients aged 45-59 and 31 patients aged 60-79 were chosen as the control groups. All patients were examined 24h urinary electrolytes and CCR.

RESULTS(1) The CCR in the elderly group was lower than in the middle-aged and old group and the 24 h urinary sodium excretion was accordingly diminished than the two groups. 24 h urinary sodium excretion in CCR abnormal group was also diminished than in CCR normal group. The urinary sodium excretion was not linearly correlate with the CCR in middle-aged group and old group but was linearly correlate in the elderly group. (2) The elderly patients' capability of holding blood sodium and excreting potassium was declined in the CCR normal group. But the urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and phosphonium were all diminished in CCR abnormal group. (3) All patients' sodium intake was higher than the criteria made by China Hypertension Association.

CONCLUSIONTheir urinary sodium excretion is linearly correlate with CCR. Urinary sodium excretion is increased when the elderly patients' renal function is relative normal but when the renal function is severely damaged, urinary sodium excretion is diminished.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Calcium ; urine ; Coronary Disease ; urine ; Creatinine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Potassium ; urine ; Sodium ; urine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the carotid stenosis (CS) and the pulse pressure (PP) in elderly men with essential hypertension.

METHODSAccording to the Color Doppler Flow Imaging (CDFI), 157 elderly men with essential hypertension and carotid atherosclerosis were divided into five classifications and two groups: CS < 50% group (n = 66) and CS > or = 50% group (n = 91). The blood pressures were measured within one year before the CDFI was taken and clinical data were recorded.

RESULTS(1) The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the PP in CS > or = 50% group were significantly increased than those in CS < 50% group, while the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was converse. The independent risk factors of CS > or = 50% were peripheral arterial disease (OR: 4.543, 95%CI: 1.415-14.590) and PP (OR: 1.096, 95% CI: 1.038-1.157). (2) CS classifications positively correlated with PP (r = 0.402, P < 0.01) and fibrinogen (FIB) (r = 0.200, P < 0.05). After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), SBP, DBP, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), fasting serum glucose (FBG), blood uric acid (UA), D-dimer, amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL), multiple regression analysis showed that PP and FIB remained as predisposing risk factors for CS classifications.

CONCLUSIONThe pulse pressure was correlated with carotid stenosis in elderly men with essential hypertension and it was justified for concurrent inhibition of PP in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; Carotid Stenosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the blood lipids and risk factors such as age in middle-aged and elderly men.

METHODS1603 men aged over 50 years old who took health examinations in June 2006 in the Chinese PLA General hospital were taken into the study. The total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), fasting serum glucose (FBG), serum creatinine (Cr) and blood uric acid (UA) were detected, and the clinical data such as age, body height, body weight and blood pressure were recorded.

RESULTS(1) The detection rates of hyperlipidemia, abnormal TC, abnormal TG, abnormal HDL-c and abnormal LDL-c were 56.27%, 36.74%, 28.20%, 10.79% and 6.92% respectively, and the TC and/or TG abnormality were the majority. (2) Compared with the 50 59 years old group, the elderly men aged over 80 years old had lower detection rates of abnormal TC and abnormal HDL-c, lower levels of TC and TG and higher levels of HDL-c (P < 0.05). After adjusting for BMI, SBP, DBP, UA, FBG and CCr, the multiple regression analysis showed that the levels of TC and TG decreased by 0.097 mmol/L and 0.087 mmol/L respectively every 10 years older, while the level of HDL-c increased by 0.113 mmol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe study showed that the majority types of hyperlipidemia in middle-aged and elderly men were abnormal TC and abnormal TG. The levels of TC, TG were correlated with age positively and the HDL-c was negatively correlated with age. The blood lipids metabolism characteristics of elderly men aged over 80 years old should be considered before the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; prevention & control ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the diagnostic value of barium enema (BE), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) in primary colorectal carcinoma.

METHODSA total of 64 patients with suspected colorectal carcinoma received BE (n=39), spiral CT (n=31) and MRI (n=42). The detective results were compared with the surgical results.

RESULTSAmong 64 patients, 54 cases were pathologically proved as colorectal carcinoma. The diagnostic sensitivity of BE,CT and MRI was 96.9% ,96.2% and 97.1% ,and the overall accuracy was 92.3% 83.9 % and 90.5% respectively. The overall accuracy of CT and MRI for tumor T staging was 73.1% and 82.9% respectively.

CONCLUSIONBE can be considered as a primary approach for diagnosing colorectal carcinoma, CT and MRI be necessary diagnostic approaches. Combined BE with MRI is the best choice for diagnosing of colorectal carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Barium Sulfate ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the content variation of furmarid acid and isofraxidin in Sarcandra glabra from 21 different provenances and provide the basis for resource utilization and quality optimization of S. glabra.

METHODHPLC method was developed to determine the contents of furmarid acid and isofraxidin in 330 samples of S. glabra which were collected respectively from 21 different provenances.

RESULTThere were significant differences in the contents of isofraxidin and furmarid acid in S. glabra from different provenances. The contents of isofraxidin and furmarid acid dropped off from low altitude to high altitude, which were also close with longitude and latitude. The content of isofraxidin in S. glabra at central area of natural distribution was the highest. The different parts of the plant had different results, the influence on the contents of the acitive components in stem were more obvious than the leaf.

CONCLUSIONThis simple, accurate and reproducible method could be use to determine the contents of furmarid acid and isofraxidin in S. glabra. The results represented the status of medicines quality and difference of Chinese S. glabra. These agreed with the traditional views that the medicines quality of Sarcandra glabra in Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang was better. These provenances were considered as important areas of medicines breeding and bases building on S. glabra in future.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumarins ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fumarates ; chemistry ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo compare the tubulogenesis capability of malignant glioma-derived microvessel endothelial cells (GDMEC) from human brain with that of ECV304 cells in a three dimentional model and to explore the significance of GDMEC in the study on angiogenesis.

METHODSThe GDMEC were isolated from malignant gliomas of human brain and purified by selective binding to the monoclonal antibody against CD105 bound to the magnetic MACS MicroBeads. GDMEC and endothelial-like cell line ECV304 were compared with their capabilities of formatting tubule-like structure (TLS) in the three dimentional collagen matrix, with or without inducement by various concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

RESULTSThe obtained GDMEC had a high purification (98%) and could be successfully cultured in vitro. GDMECs formed more TLS than ECV304 cells of the same number and at the same time points. VEGF could induce rapid formation of TLS in a dose-dependent manner, however, ECV304 cells were less response to VEGF stimulation.

CONCLUSIONSGDMEC could maintain their endothelial characteristics and potential capability of angiogenesis. They were more response to VEGF than ECV304, therefore, more suitable for in vitro studies on tumor angiogenesis.

Brain Neoplasms ; blood supply ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Glioma ; blood supply ; Humans ; Immunomagnetic Separation ; Microcirculation ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology