0.05). Conclusion The genotypes of ABCA1 R1587K polymorphism were associated closely with the plasma levels of HDL-C. The HDL-C levels of K allele carriers were remarkably lower. However, there was no significant association of the ABCA1 R1587K polymorphism and the susceptibility to CAD.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of migration of vascular adventitial fibroblasts(AFs) enhanced by advanced glycation end-products(AGEs) and the inhibition effect of candesartan.Methods Isolated vascular adventitial fibroblast of Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were cultured.Migratory potential was estimated with Transwell chamber in vitro.Expression of receptor for AGEs(RAGE) and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) of AFs were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results AGEs modified human serum albumin(AGE-HAS,concentration ranged from 0 to 300mg/L) up-regulated the expression of RAGE at mRNA and protein levels,peaked at a concentration of 200mg/L(P

Objective To evaluate the relationship between autophagy and diabetes mellitus-caused influence on ischemic preconditioning ( IP )-induced cardioprotection in rats. Methods Clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 12 weeks, weighing 290-320 g, were used in this study. Diabe-tes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet ( lasting for 1 week) and intraperitoneal streptozo-tocin 50 mg∕kg ( for 2 consecutive days) and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level≥16. 65 mmol∕L ( for 1 week) . Thirty rats with diabetes mellitus, weighing 350-450 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group ( DM-S group) , myocardial ischemia-reperfusion ( I∕R) group ( DM-IR group) and IP group ( DM-IP group) . Another 30 non-diabetic rats were selected and divided into 3 groups ( n=10 each ) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), myocardial I∕R group (IR group) and IP group. Myocardial ischemia was induced by ligation of the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min reperfusion. IP was produced by 3 cycles of 5-min ischemia followed by 5-min reperfusion prior to establishment of myo-cardial I∕R injury model in IP and DM-IP groups. Blood samples were collected from the internal jugular vein at the end of reperfusion for measuring serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I ( cTnI) and creatine kinase-MB ( CK-MB) . The rats were then sacrificed and myocardial tissues were obtained for determination of myocardial infarct size and expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ ( LC3 Ⅱ) , Beclin-1, phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin ( mTOR) ( by Western blot) . p-Akt∕Akt ratio was calculated. Results Compared with S group, the serum cTnI and CK-MB concentrations were significantly increased, the percentage of myocardial infarct size was increased, the expression of LC3Ⅱand Beclin-1 in myocardial tis-sues was up-regulated, the expression of PI3K and mTOR was down-regulated, and p-Akt∕Akt ratio was decreased in IR group (P<0. 05). Compared with IR group, the serum cTnI and CK-MB concentrations were significantly decreased, the percentage of myocardial infarct size was decreased, the expression of LC3Ⅱand Beclin-1 in myocardial tissues was down-regulated, the expression of PI3K and mTOR was up-regulated, and p-Akt∕Akt ratio was increased in IP group ( P<0. 05) . Compared with DM-S group, the se-rum cTnI and CK-MB concentrations were significantly increased, the percentage of myocardial infarct size was increased, the expression of LC3Ⅱ and Beclin-1 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated, the expres-sion of PI3K and mTOR was down-regulated, and p-Akt∕Akt ratio was decreased in DM-IR group ( P<0. 05) . There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between DM-IP group and DM-IR group (P>0. 05). Conclusion The mechanism by which diabetes mellitus abolishes IP-induced cardioprotection may be related to inhibiting activation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway and enhanced autophagy in rats.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the mechanism underlying inhibition of inflammatory responses induced by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR)agonist postcondition?ing alone or in combination with remote limb ischemic postconditioning during myocardial ischemia?reperfu?sion(I∕R)and glycogen synthase kinase?3β(GSK?3β)in rats. Methods Eighty adult male Sprague?Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 290-320 g, were divided into 4 groups(n=20 each)using a ran?dom number table: I∕R group, α7nAChR agonist postconditioning group(group P), remote limb ische?mic postconditioning group(group L)and α7nAChR agonist postconditioning plus remote limb ischemic postconditioning group(group P+L). Myocardial I∕R was induced by 30 min occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusion. Specific α7nAChR agonist PNU282987 2 mg∕kg was intravenously injected immediately before reperfusion in group P. In group L, limb ischemia was induced by tourniquet occlusion of bilateral hind paws for 10 min starting from 20 min of myocardial ischemia, and the tourniquet was released at the beginning of reperfusion. Combination of inter?vention measures previously described in P and L groups was performed in group P+L. Venous blood sam?ples were taken at 120 min of reperfusion for determination of serum troponin I(TnI)and creatine kinase?MB(CK?MB)concentrations, myocardial infarct size(IS)and expression of phosphorylated GSK?3β [p?GSK?3β(Ser536)], NF?κBp65 and phosphorylated nuclear factor?κBp65(p?NF?κBp65)in myocar?dial tissues(by Western blot). Results Compared with group I∕R, myocardial IS and serum cTnI and CK?MB concentrations were significantly decreased, the expression of p?GSK?3β(Ser9)in ischemic area was up?regulated, and the expression of p?NF?κBp65 in ischemic area was down?regulated in P, L and P+L groups(P<0.05). Compared with group L, myocardial IS and serum cTnI and CK?MB concentrations were significantly decreased, the expression of p?GSK?3β(Ser9)in ischemic area was up?regulated, and the expression of p?NF?κBp65 in ischemic area was down?regulated in group P+L(P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism by which α7nAChR agonist postconditioning alone or in combination with remote limb is?chemic postconditioning inhibits inflammatory responses during myocardial I∕R may be related to inhibiting GSK?3β activity in rats.

The elderly represent a segment with a high incidence of pain.Consciousness impairment and language dysfunction increase the difficulty of pain assessment.At the same time, a lack of understanding of neuropathic mechanisms and assessment scales often leads to inappropriate pain assessment in the elderly with dementia.This article reviews the relationship between dementia and pain, pain assessment protocols and the use of scales in the elderly with dementia.