The aim of this study was to examine the priming effect of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) on fMLP-activated neutrophils, mainly to detect the neutrophil respiratory burst products, and to investigate the signaling pathway involved in S1P activity. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the new isolated neutrophil; the superoxide anion output was detected indirectly by cytochrome C reduction in respiratory burst; the dihydro-rhodamine 123 was used to detect the intensity of respiratory burst; the signal transduction pathways of neutrophil respiratory burst were explored by Western blot. The results showed that after pretreated with S1P, the level of superoxide anion released by fMLP-activated neutrophils significantly increased; the Rhodamine 123 mean fluorescence intensity in S1P primed fMLP-activated neutrophils group was significantly higher than that in fMLP treatment group; PI3K and Akt proteins involved in the signal pathway of neutrophil respiratory burst. It is concluded that S1P is a new priming reagent, which primes respiratory burst of fMLP-activated neutrophils; this signal pathway may be that S1P interacts with its receptor, activates PI3K, then activates Akt-transmitting signals through NADPH oxidase, finally results in the respiratory burst.
Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Lysophospholipids ; metabolism ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; Neutrophils ; metabolism ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid ; metabolism ; Respiratory Burst ; Signal Transduction ; Sphingosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Superoxides ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the association between adiponectin and small dense low-density lipoprotein (sLDL-c) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Furthermore, we sought to determine the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs1501299 (+276G/T), rs266729 (-11365C/G) and the incidence of CAD.

METHODSConsecutive subjects with chest discomfort were examined by coronary angiography and divided into non-CAD [n = 250, 147 male, mean age (60.26 ± 7.52) years] and CAD [n = 267, 153 male, mean age (60.79 ± 9.63) years] groups. Blood samples were collected from all participants following an overnight fasting for at least 12 hours. Plasma adiponectin levels were measured by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum levels of sLDL-C and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were determined by ELISA. Genotypes in rs1501299 and rs266729 of the adiponectin were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS1. The adiponectin levels were significantly lower [(306.17 ± 74.52) mg/L vs. (321.78 ± 86.28) mg/L], whereas sLDL-C and ox-LDL levels were significantly higher [(276.30 ± 45.55) ng/L vs. (249.00 ± 32.02) ng/L and (545.06 ± 115.46) µg/L vs. (497.74 ± 106.09) µg/L, P < 0.05] in CAD group than non-CAD group. 2. Adiponectin level was negatively associated with sLDL-C, whereas sLDL-C positively correlated with ox-LDL in all subjects. 3. Genotype distribution and allele frequencies of rs1501299 and rs266729 were similar between CAD and non-CAD subjects and not related to the serum levels of adiponectin, sLDL-C and ox-LDL.

CONCLUSIONSReduced adiponectin and increased sLDL-C were independent risk factors for coronary artery disease. Genetic polymorphisms in rs1501299 and rs266729 were not linked with coronary artery disease.

Adiponectin ; blood ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

Abstract?AIM: To investigate mechanism of bradykinin ( BK) on inflammations of retinal pigment epithelium ( RPE) cells.?METHODS: ARPE -19 cells were cultured in vitro, stimulated by 100nM BK for 24h. Cell morphology changes were observed by microscope, and BK receptor localization was detected through cell immunofluorescence. Changes of Ca2+in BK and BR antagonist stimuli were detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy.The expressions of COX-1, COX-2, eNOS and iNOS protein in control group and BK group were detected by Western Blot.?RESULTS: After the stimulation of BK, there was no significant changes of ARPE-19 cells in morphology.Kinin B1 receptors ( B1R ) and B2 receptors ( B2R ) could be detected in ARPE-19 cells.Compared with control group, Ca2+concentrations significantly increased in BK group; in B1R antagonist group and B2R antagonist group Ca2+concentrations increased less than BK group; B1R and B2R antagonist group showed no obvious changes in Ca2+concentrations.Compared with control group, COX-2 and iNOS protein concentrations were significantly increased in BK group (P<0.001).?CONCLUSION:BK induces the increasing expression of COX-2 and iNOS in the cultured ARPE cells through binding with either B1R or B2R.

OBJECTTo investigate the therapeutic effect of microencapsulated porcine retinal pigmented epithelial cells (RPE-M) transplantation on rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSPrimary porcine RPE cells were harvested by enzyme digestion and expanded in culture medium. Determine the levels of dopamine (DA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) by high performance liquid chromatography electrochemical (HPLC) assay, and the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) were detected by ELISA. Alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microencapsulated cells were produced by using a high voltage electrostatic system. PD rat model was established by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). After that, the RPE-M was transplanted into the corpus striatum of PD rat, and then the rotation test scores were recorded and biochemical changes of the corpus striatum were tested.

RESULTSThe levels of DA, HVA, BDNF and GDNF secreted by RPE were stable in the RPE culture supernatant and were not changed by the microencapsulation. Eighty-three percent rats developed PD by unilateral lesion of 6-OHDA in the MFB. The RPE-M transplantation had therapeutic effect on 33% PD rats.

CONCLUSIONPorcine RPE cells grow actively in vitro and could secrete DA, HVA, BDNF, and GDNF constantly, which does not be affected by the passage culture and the APA miroencapsulation. RPE-M transplantation of may be a curative therapy for PD.

Adrenergic Agents ; toxicity ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; transplantation ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; Parkinson Disease ; etiology ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retina ; cytology ; Swine ; anatomy & histology ; Time Factors ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; methods ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

AIM To investigate the effect of β-cyclodextrin-assisted extraction on Cassiae Semen.METHODS The chemical constituents in aqueous extract and β-cyclodextrin extract determined and analyzed by UPLC and principal component analysis had their antioxidant activities tested by six methods (protective effects on lipid peroxidation injuries induced by spontaneous liver,CCl4,H2 O2,FeSO4-vitamin C,and scavenging effects on DPPH,hydroxyl free radicals).RESULTS Compared with aqueous extract,the component content and antioxidant activity of β-cyclodextrin extract were increased by 10.476％ and 80.88％,respectively.CONCLUSION β-Cyclodextrin can effectively enhance the component extraction rate and antioxidant activity of Cassiae Semen.

AIM: To explore the value of corneal epithelial thickness parameters in the diagnosis of early keratoconus by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography(FD-OCT).

METHODS: Retrospective control study. Patients with early keratoconus who were admitted to the Department of Ophthalmology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2015 to October 2020 and patients who received laser refractive surgery for myopia during the same period were included in this study. Using FD-OCT to measure the cornea in circle centralized by the pupil and with diameter of 9mm in the early-keratoconus group and the control group. This was to obtain the thickness parameter of corneal epithelium with diameter of 7mm, the respective averaged thickness value of corneal epithelium and the respective averaged thickness value of the full corneal layer on each of the 25 divisions. The parameter value differences between the early-keratoconus group and the control group were compared, and the diagnosis value of parameters that hold difference was analyzed.

RESULTS: The Min-e value in early-keratoconus group was significantly lower than that of the control group. On contrary, the value of Std.Dev, Max-Min-e, and Max-e were significantly higher in early-keratoconus group than that in latter one(all P<0.001). The value of Std.Dev and Max-Min-e hold a greater diagnostic efficiency on diagnosis of early keratoconus(AUC=0.937, 0.928), while Max -e value and Min-e value performed a medium diagnostic efficiency(AUC=0.871, 0.797). Analysis on thickness of corneal epithelium on the 25 divisions found that the thickness of corneal epithelium at infratemporal region of inner ring(EIT1)became thinner most obviously in early-keratoconus group, with greatest diagnostic efficiency(AUC=0.827). The average corneal thickness of the 25 zones of the early keratoconus group was significantly thinner than that in the normal control group. Averaged corneal thickness at infratemporal region of inner ring(CIT1)hold a relatively high diagnostic efficiency among the 25 divisions(AUC=0.903).

CONCLUSION: The parameter values of corneal epithelium thickness including Std.Dev, Max-Min-e, Max-e, Min-e, the averaged thickness value of corneal epithelium at infratemporal region of inner ring, and the thickness value of full corneal layer at infratemporal region of inner ring can all be used for diagnosis of early keratoconus.

Objective To investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and hypertension in Hanzhong city of Shaanxi province.Methods A cross-sectional survey on dietarypattern and hypertension together with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was conducted among rural residents aged from 18 to 80 in Hanzhong of Shaanxi province in 2010.Factor analysis by SPSS was used to identify food patterns based on the frequency of food.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between dietary patterns and hypertension.Results 2929 rural residents were investigated with an average age as 50.0 years old and average schooling-years as 6.8.The prevalence rate of hypertension was 34.3％,with 35.4％ in males and 33.7％ in females.Among 29 kinds of food under investigation,only 11 kinds with the frequencies of consumption more than 1 time per week.Four main factors were derived as four dietary patterns by factor analysis and they were diversity dietary pattern,alcohol dietary pattern,beverage dietary pattern and simple dietary pattern.Among them,the balanced dietary pattern was significantly associated with hypertension.All the participants were categorized into 4 groups (Q1-Q4) according to their factor scores,quartile with Q1 as a reference.The residents who were more closer to having balance dietary pattern,were under less risk of suffering from hypertension after controlling for age,sex,BMI,education and income.Compared to Q1,the Q4 had lower risk of hypertension (OR=0.59,95％CI:0.44-0.77) for the balanced pattern.Conclusion Dietary pattern could be related to the prevalence of hypertension.A rational diet with diversity of foods should be suggested as one of the major measures for the prevention of hypertension.

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of Guifu Dihuang Wan (GFDHW) in the treatment of yang deficiency and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODSSixty-two participants without diseases were randomized into control group (n=31) and experimental group (n=31) and were given lifestyle intervention additional GFDHW treatment for a month. NMR technology was used for metabonomics analysis.

RESULTSIntervention with GFDHW resulted in significantly decreased conversion scores of yang deficiency in the experimental group compared with the control group (P<0.005). The concentrations of lactate, valine, proline, arginine and 3-hydroxybutyrate were increased in the plasma of yang-deficient subjects after lifestyle intervention. GFDHW treatment with lifestyle intervention significantly increased the concentrations of lactate, valine, proline, arginine and 3-hydroxybutyrate and also the levels of alanine, glutamine, alpha glucose, isoleucine, betaine and propylene glycol.

CONCLUSIONGFDHW treatment improves yang deficiency possibly by increasing the concentrations of alanine, glutamine, alpha glucose, isoleucine, betaine and propylene glycol and promoting energy metabolism of the body.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the response rate and adverse reactions of exemestane (a new aromatase inactivator) in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-three patients with advanced breast cancer entered this study with two patients excluded because of postmenopausal time being less than one year. Therefore, 173 patients could be evaluated for adverse events and 171 patients could be evaluated for efficacy. Exemestane, 25 mg orally daily for 4 weeks as one cycle was given.

RESULTSIn the 171 patients evaluated for efficacy, 4 (2.3%) experienced a complete response (CR) and 40 (23.4%) a partial response (PR), with the overall response rate of 25.7%. Ninety patients (52.6%) had stable disease (SD), with 25 having SD for at least 24 weeks. The clinical benefit (CR + PR + SD > or = 24 weeks) was shown in 69 (40.4%) patients. Progressive disease (PD) was shown in 37 (21.6%) patients. The untreated patients had a higher objective response rate (33.8%) than the retreated ones (18.1%) with significant difference (P = 0.019 7). The response rates for soft-tissue, bone involvement and visceral metastasis were 32.8%, 23.9%, and 12.4% (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in different ages, time of menopause, disease-free interval or receptor status (P > 0.05). Drug-related adverse events were gastric discomfort (17.9%), malaise (17.9%), nausea (13.9%), hot flushes (11.0%) and dysphoria (5.8%). Other side reactions and abnormal laboratory parameters were observed occasionally which were irrelevant.

CONCLUSIONExemestane can be used to treat postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer giving only mild adverse reactions which are well tolerated.

Adult ; Aged ; Androstadienes ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of human plasma exosomes-like vesicles on the regulatory function of macrophages.

METHODSThe exosomes-like vesicles were purified from healthy donors plasma with a series of high-speed centrifugation and ultrafiltration. Macrophages were derived from cultured human blood monocytes. The molecular markers of macrophages were assayed by FACS. After cultured with exosomes-like vesicles, the changes of macrophages cytoplasma Ca(2+), and related genes and proteins were assayed by FACS, RT-PCR and Western Blot, respectively.

RESULTSAfter cultured with exosomes-like vesicles, mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of macrophages cytoplasma Ca(2+) was increased. The vesicles enhanced macrophages to express cytokines genes, the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α genes being increased by 0.85 and 1.69 times respectively at 2 h, and that of IL-6 gene 3.7 times compared with the control at 8 h. However, the vesicles inhibited the expression of macrophages IL-10 gene, had no influence on the Frizzled5 receptor expression and could induce CaMKII phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONSExosomes-like vesicles can up-regulat macrophages expression of inflammatory cytokines genes, and increase the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by activating the Wnt5A-Ca(2+) signaling pathway.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Signaling ; Exosomes ; Female ; Humans ; Macrophage Activation ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism ; Wnt-5a Protein ; Young Adult