Objective To explore whether extracellular signal-reg-ulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway is involved in the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression in the hippocampus of epileptic rats.Methods A total of 208 21-d old SD rats were equally randomized into status epilepticusgroup (SE,n=96),normal control group (NS,n=96) and PD98059 (the ERKsignaling pathway specific inhibitor) treatment group (n=16),respectively; SE rat models of the SE group were induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1％ PTZ (80 mg/kg),and rats of the NS group received injection of normal saline (NS); 0.5,1,1.5,6,12 and 24 h after the inducement,the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-lα and ERK1/2 in the hippocampus of rats in these two groups were examined by RT-PCR and Westem blotting.For rats in the PD98059 treatment group,PD98059 was intraperitoneally injected 10 minutes before intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazol; 1 h after the inducement,the mRNA expressions of HIF-1α and ERK1/2 in the hippocampus of rats were examined by RT-PCR,while 1.5 h after the inducement,the protein expressions of HIF-1α and ERK1/2 in the hippocampus of rats were examined by Western blotting.The results of the PD98059 treatment group would be compared with those of the SE group.Results Compared with the NS group,the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α and ERK 1/2 in the hippocampus of rats in the SE group after SE increased significantly; the peakexpression time ofERK1/2 mRNA was 1 h after SE (1.112±0.126 h),and the ERK1/2 protein mostly expressed at 1.5 h after SE (1.127±0.155 h).As to HIF-1α mRNA and its protein,the peak expression time was 1.5 h after SE (0.589±0.090 h) and 6 h after SE (0.230±0.052 h),respectively (P＜0.05).Compared with the SE group,the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α and ERK1/2 in the hippocampus of all the rats in the PD98059 treatment group after SE decreased significantly (P＜0.05);positive correlation between HIF-1α and ERK1/2 mRNA in the SE group was noted (r=0.688,P=0.000).Conclusion ERK signaling pathway is activated in the epileptic rats and it participates in the expressionof HIF-1α in the hippocampus.

OBJECTIVENaFeEDTA was considered as a promising iron fortificant for controlling iron deficiency anemia. Soy sauce is a suitable food carrier for iron fortification and is a popular condiment in China. Iron absorption rates of NaFeEDTA and FeSO4 were observed and compared in adult female subjects.

METHODSThe stable isotope tracer method was used in Chinese females consuming a typical Chinese diet. Ten healthy young Chinese women were selected as subjects in the 15-day study. A plant-based diet was used based on the dietary pattern of adult women in the 1992 National Nutrition Survey. Six milligram of 54Fe in 54FeSO4 soy sauce and 3 mg 58Fe in Na58FeEDTA soy sauce were given to the same subjects in two days. Food samples and fecal samples were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSIron absorption rates of NaFeEDTA and FeSO4 were 10.51% +/- 2.83 and 4.73% +/- 2.15 respectively. The 58Fe (NaFeEDTA) absorption was significantly higher than that of 54Fe (FeSO4) (P < 0.01). The iron absorption rate from NaFeEDTA was 1.2 times higher than that from FeSO4 in Chinese adult women consuming a typical Chinese diet.

CONCLUSIONThe higher absorption rate of NaFeEDTA suggested that NaFeEDTA would be a better iron fortificant used in soy sauce for the controlling of iron deficiency anemia in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Edetic Acid ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Ferric Compounds ; pharmacokinetics ; Ferrous Compounds ; pharmacokinetics ; Food, Fortified ; Humans ; Iron ; pharmacokinetics ; Soy Foods

Objective To investigate the degrees of injury severity of sepsis models made by different kinds of Escherichia coli. Methods The 152 mice were randomly divided into control group, DH5α group, 44102 group, and 25922 group, with 38 rats in each group. DH5α group, 44102 group and 25922 group were intraperitoneally injected with 300 μL of Escherichia coli DH5α, 44102 and 25922 at the concentration of 1.0 × 109CFU/kg to prepare sepsis models of different kinds of Escherichia coli. Control group was injected intraperitoneally with the same amount of normal saline. (1) After 8 h, four mice were taken from each group for peripheral blood bacterial culture . (2) After 12 h, ten mice in each group were used for measuring serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (3) Western blot assay was used to determine the serum levels of high-mobility group protein (HMGB1) in four mice of each group. (4) Ten mice in each group were used to measure serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) by automatic biochemical analyzer. (5) After liver, lung and kidney tissues were fixed with formaldehyde, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed (n=10 for each group). Results In DH5α group, 44102 group and 25922 group, bacteria, inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 protein, liver and kidney indicators ALT, AST, CR and BUN showed a sequential increasing trend (P＜0.01). The severe degrees of alveolar structure damage, hepatic cell infiltration and renal glomerular atrophy were DH5α group, 44102 group and 25922 group in turn. There were no obvious damages of lung, liver or kidney tissues in control group. Conclusion Escherichia coli 25922 induces severe sepsis injury and can be used to study the animal models of the initial inflammatory phase of sepsis. Escherichia coli 44102 induces moderate damage of sepsis and can be used in animal models that do not require definitive sepsis staging experiments. Escherichia coli DH5α induces less damage of sepsis and can be used to explore immunosuppressive therapy of the animal model of sepsis.

Objective To evaluate the prediction value of blood lipid levels on the newly-identified carotid plaque in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. Methods All study subjects were recruited from two cohorts from 2002 to 2007 [the People's Republic of China/United States of America collaborative study ( USA-PRC study) and the Chinese multi-provincial cohort study (CMCS)]. The baseline examination including cardiovascular disease risk factors and B-mode ultrasound of carotid artery was performed in 2002and the second examination was made in September to October, 2007. The relationship between baseline lipids and carotid plaque incidence was analyzed in a total of 2000 subjects aged 47 to 79 years ( mean 63years). Results (1) During these 5 years, the prevalence of carotid plaque increased from 30. 3% to 62. 2% and from 21.5% to 51.5% for men and women, respectively. The newly-identified carotid plaque incidence was 41.8% for men and 34. 1 % for women. (2) The incidence of artery plaque significantly increased in both sexes in proportion to increase of baseline total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and total to high-density cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C) levels ( P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0. 01 ). (3) Cross-stratification analysis of LDL-C,triglyceride (TG) and HDL-C for carotid plaque incidence indicated the existence of conjoint effects between LDL-C and HDL-C, LDL and TG, as well as between TG and HDL-C, on the increased incidence of carotid plaque. (4) Multi-factorial analysis showed that higher LDL-C, non-HDL-C and TC/HDL-C were independent risk factors for development of new carotid plaque [OR = 1.44 (95% CI = 1.07 - 1. 94), OR =1.45(95% CI=1.08-1.96),OR=1.59(95% CI=1. 14-2.23) in men;OR=1.47(95% CI= 1. 13-1.92 ), OR = 1.35 (95% CI= 1.04 - 1.75), OR= 1. 64 (95% CI = 1.20 - 2. 23 ) in women]. Conclusions The prevalence of carotid plaque increased rapidly in this cohort between 2002 and 2007. Elevated LDL-C,non-HDL-C and TC/HDL-C levels were independent predictors of newly developed carotid plaque.

Objective To describe the distribution characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis and to analyze its association with cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged and elderly Chinese. Methods In 2007, the second cross-sectional examination for cardiovascular risk factors and B-mode ultrasound imaging on carotid arteries were performed in a Chinese population consisting of 2681 subjects aged 43-81 years old from two cohorts participants of the People's Republic of China/United States of America collaborative study (USA-PRC study) and the Chinese multi-provincial cohort study (CMCS). The association of cardiovascular risk factors with intima-media thickening (ITM) and plaque of carotid arteries was analyzed. Results ( 1 )The mean intima-media thickening (Mean-IMT) of carotid artery was 0. 68 mm, the maximal intima-media thickening (Max-IMT) was 1.07 mm. (2)The prevalence rate of carotid plaque was 60. 3% in all subjects.As for the different sites of carotid arteries, the plaque prevalence rate at carotid bulb was 61.2% for male and 51.6% for female( x~2 = 23.44 ,P <0. 01 ), and at the internal carotid artery was 24. 7% for male and 12. 2% for female( x~2 =69.57 ,P <0. 01 ) ,at the common carotid artery was 20. 9% for male and 13.8% for female(x~2 =23.18,P<0. 01 ). (3)After adjusting for age and other cardiovascular risk factors, the MeanIMT and Max-IMT increased with elevated levels of systolic blood pressure, plasma glucose and low density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C)( all P < 0. 05 ). Hypertension, diabetes, smoking and high LDL-C (P <0. 05 ) were independent predict factors for the risk of carotid plaque. Conclusion The carotid atherosclerosis was common in middle and older age Chinese and was positively associated with classical cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.