Thiazolidinodiones are a synthetic ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ).PPARγhas certain protective effects for several types of tissues.The research covers the areas of glucose,lipid metabolism,cancer and atherosclerosis,etc.At present,the roles of thiazolidinediones in central nervous system diseases have received much attention,such as cerebral infarction,multiple sclerosis,and Alzheimer's disease.This article reviews the effects of PPARγ ligand thiazolidinediones on inhibiting the proliferation of glial cells,promoting angiogenesis,and antagonizing neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia.

The total fatty acid in adipose tissue and total and free fatty acid in plasma, using tridecanoic (Cl3:0) and heptadecanoic acid (Cl7:0) as the internal standard (IS) respectively, were analysed by GC. In analysing total fatty acid, the esterification rate was 103.53% (IS Cl3:0) and 102.86% (IS C17:0); the recovery of lauric, myristic, stearic and arachidic acid was 101.0-103,3%, 102,1-494.1%, 103,1-104.5% and 100,0-105.0%; the CV of individual fatty acid were within the range of 2.24-8.46%. In analysing free fatty acid, the esterification rate in use of C17: 0 as the IS was 102.99%; the recovery of lauric, myristic, stearic and arachidic acid was 83.5-87.3%, 96.4-99.6%, 94.3-101.9%, and 82.0-105.0% respectively, the CV of individual fatty acid were within the range of 1.41-6.21%. The procedure analysing total fatty acid is especially simple, speedy, and reliable.

Objective To study and correlate serum bilirubin and regulatory T cell (Treg) levels in patients with bile duct stone.Methods Flow-cytometry and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) were used to study the peripheral blood expression level of Tregs and the bilirubin level in 27 patients with bile duct stones and jaundice.The changes in the expression level of Tregs and the bilirubin level were studied and correlated before and after treatment.Results After treatment,both the peripheral blood bilirubin level,the Tregs expression level and the cell cytokines decreased significantly.The total bilirubin level decreased from (102.8 ± 33.1) mmol/L to (15.3 ± 5.7) mmol/L (P ＜ 0.05),the direct bilirubin level decreased from (38.1 ± 12.8) mmol/L to (5.0 ± 1.6) mmol/L (P ＜0.05);the percentages of CD4+ CD25 +Foxp3 + T cells in CD4+ T decreased from (4.2 ± 2.0) ％ to (2.4 ± 1.0) ％ (P ＜ 0.05).Before treatment,the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β were 171.4 ± 13.7 and 2016 ±657 pg/ml but after treatment,the two cytokines decreased to 92.1 ± 7.4 and 1 686 ± 168 pg/ml,respectively (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Patients with bile duct stones and jaundice presented with high expressions of bilirubin and Tregs level.These expressions returned to normal after effective treatment.The Tregs expression level was positively correlated with the bilirubin level.

Objective To investigate the short-term outcome of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) for morbid obesity complicated with type 2 diabetes. Methods Eight morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes underwent LAGB from October 2006 to August 2007. The weight parameters, fasting (FBG) and 2-hour blood glucose (2hBG), medication for diabetes were assessed 1,3, 6 and 9 months after surgery. Results All of the patients lost weight, with a mean body mass index decreased from (38.7±7.5) kg/m2 before LAGB to (30.5±4.3) kg/m2 9 months after LAGB. The FBG and 2hBG were decreased significantly at month 6 and 9 after LAGB, with normal FBG and 2hBG in 4 patients. At month 9 after LAGB, 3 of 5 patients with insulin treatment before LAGB were changed to oral hypoglycemics, 1 was continuously administered with a reduced dose of insulin, and 4 patients stopped any medication. Conclusion LAGB is an effective procedure in the treatment of morbid obesity complicated with type 2 diabetes with a favorable short-term outcome.

OBJECTIVESTo assess the incidence of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency among patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) in southern Chinese and evaluate clinical outcome and gene mutations in tetrahydrobiopterin deficient patients.

METHODSUrinary neopterin (N) and biopterin (B) was analyzed in 87 patients with hyperphenylalaninemia by high-performance liquid chromatography. Further combined loading tests with phenylalanine (Phe) (100 mg/kg) and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) (7.5 mg/kg) were performed in suspected patients with abnormal urinary pterin profiles. Gene mutation analysis was performed for patients with BH4 deficiency and their parents. BH4 deficient patients were treated with BH4 and neurotransmitter precursors after diagnosis. Blood phenylalanine levels, clinical symptoms and mental development were followed up.

RESULTSEleven patients were diagnosed as having BH4 deficiency caused by 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) deficiency. The incidence of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency among patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) in southern Chinese was 10%. Combined loading tests with phenylalanine and oral BH4 were done in 4 of 11 patients and their phenylalanine levels were decreased to normal 4 - 6h after BH4 administration. Four different mutations (P87S, N52S, D96N and G144R) in the PTPS gene were detected in 5 families. Five PTPS-deficient patients were treated with synthetic BH4, neurotransmitter precursors (L-dopa plus carbidopa, and 5-hydroxytryptophan). They had satisfactory physical and mental development after treatment. One patient with partial PTPS deficiency had normal growth and mental development without treatment.

CONCLUSIONSOur results emphasize that screening for BH4 deficiency should be carried out in all patients with hyperphenylalaninemia in order to minimize the misdiagnosis. Patients with BH4 deficiency should be treated early with BH4 and a combination of neurotransmitter precursors.

Biopterin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; deficiency ; urine ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Mutation, Missense ; Neopterin ; urine ; Phenylketonurias ; blood ; enzymology ; genetics ; Phosphorus-Oxygen Lyases ; genetics ; metabolism