Objective To explore the relationship between insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders in patients with essential hypertension (EH).Methods Glucose metabolism rate (GMR) was measured by euglycemic insulin clamp technique,and salt sensitivity was tested by increase in blood pressure after salt load and its decreases alter depletion of sodium in 26 healthy subjects and 84 patients with EH.Results GMR lowered significantly in patients with EH than that in healthy subjects,P

HER2, a member of epidermal growth factor receptor family proteins, is overexpressed in about 30% of human breast cancer. Increased levels of HER2 are associated with poor patient prognosis and enhanced metastasis. RNA interference (RNAi) is developed recently as a new technique which can inhibit gene expression specifically in mammalian cells. On the basis of previous study,in which two target sequences with favorable RNAi effect on HER2 were identified, a series of dual promoter siRNA-expressing vectors containing two opposing U6 and H1 promoters were constructed. After transfection of HER2-overexpressing SKBR3 breast cancer cells with the siRNA-expressing vectors, downregulation of HER2 was identified quantitatively. Subsequently, the siRNA-expressing cassettes were subcloned into lentiviral vectors by LR recombination reaction and lentivirus was prepared successfully. The results from infection of SKBR3 cells with siRNA-expressing lentivirus demonstrated that lentiviral-mediated RNAi could downregulate HER2 expression efficiently through fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR), western blot, and FACS analysis. Furthermore, cell growth was inhibited in cell proliferation assay after treatment with siRNA lentivirus.A new tool for clarifying the function of HER2 in cancer metastasis and developing the gene therapy drug was offered.

Objective To study the effect of Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharide on aging mice induced by D-galactose (D-gal). Methods 72 ICR mice were divided into high, moderate, and low dosages (of polysaccharide) groups, piracetam group, model group, and control group, 12 in each group. The model of aging mice was induced with D-gal. They were tested with Y-maze, and the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), lipofuscin and L-glutamate in cerebrum were determined 6 weeks after model. Results Compared with the model group, the achievement of Y-maze improved, the activities of SOD increased and the content of MDA and lipofuscin decreasd in high and moderate dosage groups (P<0.05), while the mass of brain and kidney increased and the L-glutamate decreased in the high dosage group (P<0.05). Conclusion Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharide can ameliorate aging of mice induced by D-gal.

OBJECTIVETo explore prospectively the relationship between the state of perimesencephalic cistern and the degree of deformation of the midbrain on CT scanning and the outcome of the patients with acute craniocerebral injury.

METHODSThe CT scan features including the states of perimesencephalic cisterns, the deformations of the midbrain and the ratios of the occipitofrontal diameter and the transverse diameter of the midbrain of 132 cases were measured. The GOS of the patients 3 months after trauma were regarded as outcome.

RESULTSThe rate of unfavorable outcome (dead, vegetative status, severe disability) was significantly correlated with perimesencephalic cistern narrower than 1 mm (P<0.05), especially narrower than 0.5 mm (P<0.005), deformed midbrain (P<0.005) or abnormal ratio (<0.9 or >1.1) of the occipitofrontal diameter and transverse diameter of the midbrain (P<0.01). But the patient's perimesencephalic cistern wider than 1mm and the patients without deformed midbrain got favorable outcome (moderate disability/good recovery).

CONCLUSIONSThe state of the compressed perimesencephalic cistern (<1 mm) and the deformation of the midbrain may significantly indicate unfavorable outcome of the patients with acute craniocerebral injury.

Acute Disease ; Brain Stem ; injuries ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Mesencephalon ; diagnostic imaging ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the incidence, clinical features and related factors of propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hepatic injury in patients with hyperthyroidism.

METHODSA prospective study were carried out in 70 patients of hyperthyroidism with normal liver function. Every patient was treated with PTU 300 mg/d until the thyroid functions recovered to normal, following by decease and maintenance PTU dose in period of six months. Liver function, including serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL), thyroid function (serum thyroxine, triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and free triiodothyronine and thyrotropin) and blood routine items were measured before therapy and once a month for six months after PTU therapy was begun.

RESULTSSixty-four cases of 70 patients completed the therapy for 6 months. Hepatic injury developed in 33 patients (51.6%). Asymptomatic, transient hepatic injury was shown in 22 patients (34.4%). Slight symptomatic hepatic injury occured in 6 cases (9.4%) and overt hepatic injury in 5 patients (7.8%) after PTU administration. However, all the patients who developed overt hepatic injury did not stop PTU. Hepatic function returned normal one month after stopping PTU. No one finally suffered from viral hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis in patients of symptomatic and overt hepatic injury.

CONCLUSIONSPTU-induced symptomatic hepatic injury is not rare and usually develops within the first few months of PTU administration. Its clinical course is relatively benign. However, it may be difficult to predict its development, so all patients should be monitored for liver function test during the administration in early stage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antithyroid Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; drug therapy ; Liver ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Liver Diseases ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Propylthiouracil ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of sustained-release alpha-lipoic acid tablets (SRLA) on blood lipid, glucose and insulin levels in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits.

METHODSTwenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and high-fat diet + SRLA (300 mg/tablet) group with corresponding feed. At the beginning and 4 weeks after the feeding, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood glucose, and serum insulin were measured, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated.

RESULTSFour weeks after feeding with high-fat diet, the insulin levels was elevated and the ISI lowered in the New Zealand rabbits, indicating successful establishment of the animal model of hyperlipidemia. Compared with the high-fat diet group, the serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and insulin were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the ISI was significantly increased (P<0.05) in high fat diet + SRLA group. But no statistically significant difference was found in the blood glucose among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONSRLA can significantly correct blood lipid and insulin disorders in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits and prevent the occurrence of insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Tablets ; Thioctic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEChemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1alpha) have been paid increasing attention for their involvement in megakaryocytic hematopoiesis. It has been revealed in recent years that they can induce mature and immature megakaryocytes (MKs) to migrate through bone marrow endothelial cells (BMEC) by increasing the affinity of MKs for BMEC. Thus MKs maturity and eventual release of platelet from MKs ensues. While maturity disturbance of MKs and impaired production of platelets have been regarded as the main pathogenesis of ITP, the mechanism of which still remains unclear. Therefore, a clear understanding of the levels of CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha within bone marrow in children with ITP will help us to elucidate further the mechanism of ITP as well as to provide direct theoretical evidence for predicting treatment effect and evaluating prognosis.

METHODSBone marrow were aspirated from 28 children with AITP and 12 normal children. Percoll density gradient and immunomagnetic beads method were used to purify megakaryocytes from the bone marrow. The immune cytochemistry was used to detect CXCR4 on megakaryocytes. The levels of SDF-1alpha were detected by ELISA. SPSS10.0 statistical software was used to deal with the experimental data.

RESULTSBefore the treatment in children with AITP, both the CXCR4 expression on megakaryocytes and the SDF-1alpha level in bone marrow plasma were markedly decreased compared with the normal controls (P < 0.05). As to the cases who were sensitive to the high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HDIVIgG), the CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha levels were much higher in children after the treatment than those before the treatment (P < 0.05). In 6 cases insensitive to HDIVIgG, before the treatment the CXCR4 level was much lower than the children sensitive to HDIVIgG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe low levels of CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system in bone marrow may be one of the factors which contribute to the maturity disturbance of megakaryocytes and disturbance of platelets production in AITP, while decreased CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system may be caused by the effect of autoantibody against platelet. The mechanism of HDIVIgG in the treatment of AITP may involve in the increasing expression of CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system. The level of CXCR4 on megakaryocytes may play a certain role in predicting the treatment effect of immunoglobulin.

Adolescent ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; Chemokines, CXC ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Infant ; Ligands ; Megakaryocytes ; metabolism ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical validity of anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (anti-TPOAb) and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TgAb).

METHODSerum levels of anti-TPOAb and anti-TgAb were assayed using chemiluminescence immunoassay in 434 subjects, including 51 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 58 with Graves' disease, 68 with nodular goiter, 56 with thyroid adenoma and carcinoma, 56 with subacute thyroiditis, 65 with euthyroid non-thyroid endocrine disease, 35 with euthyroid non-thyroid autoimmune diseases, and 45 euthyroid controls.

RESULTSThe highest level and most positive results of serum anti-TgAb and anti-TPOAb were observed in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (median 373 and 6 974 U/ml, positive rate 84.3% and 86.3%), followed by patients with Graves' disease (median 84 and 1 369 U/ml, positive rate 44.8% and 72.4%). Serum anti-TgAb and anti-TPOAb were also more common in patients with subacute thyroiditis and other autoimmune diseases than in the controls.

CONCLUSIONThe assay of serum anti-TPOAb and anti-TgAb by chemiluminescence immunoassy are useful in the differential diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Adenoma ; blood ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Female ; Graves Disease ; blood ; Hashimoto Disease ; blood ; Humans ; Iodide Peroxidase ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroglobulin ; immunology ; Thyroid Gland ; immunology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; blood ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether calcineurin (CaN) contribute to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

METHODSThe protein content was assayed with lowry's method. The cardiomyocytes volumes were measured by computer photograph analysis system. The protein synthesis was assayed with [3H]-leucine incorporation method. [Ca2+]i transient was measured by Till image system by cell-loading Fura-2/AM. The expression of CaN was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) (CsA (0.2 micromol/L), a selective CaN inhibitor, significantly suppressed the increase of protein content, [3H]-leucine incorporation and cell size induced by TNF-alpha. (2) CsA (0.2 micromol/L) significantly suppressed the elevation of the amplitude of the spontaneous Ca2+ transients induced by TNF-alpha in cultured ventricular myocytes from the neonatal rat. (3) TNF-alpha significantly increased the expression of CaN.

CONCLUSIONCa(2+) -CaN signaling pathway are involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by TNF-alpha in rats.

Animals ; Calcineurin ; metabolism ; Calcium Signaling ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between the incidence of abnormal thyroid function of newborns and maternal hyperthyroidism with antithyroid drug therapy.

METHODThe clinical data of 35 neonates born to mothers with hyperthyroidism from 1983 to 2003 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the maternal thyroid function and the antithyroid drugs taken during pregnancy, subjects were divided into different groups.

RESULTSThe proportion of abnormal thyroid function in newborn was 48.6% (17/35). The prevalences of primary hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinemia, and central hypothyroidism were 29.4%, 29.4%, 35.3%, and 5.9%, respectively. The incidence of abnormal thyroid function of neonates whose mothers did not take the antithyroid drugs (ATDs) until the third trimester of pregnancy was significantly higher than those without and with ATDs during the first or second trimester (P < 0.01). The incidence of abnormal thyroid function significantly increased in premature neonates, neonates whose mothers with modest or heavy pregnant hypertension, or neonates whose core serum thyroid-stimulating hormone or serum anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies levels were abnormal.

CONCLUSIONThe risk of abnormal thyroid function of infants whose hyperthyroid mothers did not take ATDs until the third trimester of pregnancy may be increased. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of hyperthyroidism in pregnant women are essential for the prevention of neonatal thyroid functional abnormality.

Adult ; Antithyroid Agents ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; complications ; drug therapy ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Diseases ; congenital ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Time Factors