Objective To investiagte the serum adiponectin concentration in preeclampsia and its relationship with serum leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels.Method The level of adiponectin,leptin and soluble leptin receptor in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 38 patients with preeclampsia and 42 patients as control.The relationship of free leptin index(leptin/soluble leptin receptor) to preeclampsia was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in maternal age,gestational age and body mass index(BMI)between two groups.But the gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in preeclampsia than in control.The patients with preeclampsia had significantly higher levels of serum adiponectin, leptin and free leptin index(1691.7?g/ml,37.5 ng/ml and 0.95 respectively)than the control(689.4?g/ml, 19.3 ag/ml and 0.49,respectively).But there was no significant difference in serum level of soluble leptin receptor between the groups(35.0 ng/ml vs 42.2 ng/ml).Serum adiponectin was not significantly correlated with the level of leptin,soluble leptin receptor and free leptin index.Area of serum adiponectin,leptin and free leptin index in preeclampsia under the ROC curve were less than 0.5.Conclusions The patients with preeclampsia have paradoxical higher serum levels of adiponecfin and more bioavailability of leptin,suggesting these may be important factom of this complication.

BACKGROUND: Although postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy is known to reduce cardiovascular mortality, the mechanism is not clear yet. Furthermore, the effect of estrogen on vascular tonus is reportedly variable according to the animal models, vascular beds and agonists used. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Bilateral ovariectomies were performed in 12 week-old, 18 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and 18 normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Rats were divided into three groups according to the dose of 17beta-estradiol (E 2 ) pellets implanted subcutaneously two weeks after ovariectomy: control (no implantation), low-dose (0.5 mg) and high-dose (5 mg) E 2 replacement group. Two weeks after pellet implantation, organ bath experiments were performed using descending thoracic aortae. For endothelium-dependent relaxation, acetylcholine (10(-9) -3x10(-6) M) was cumulatively added into the vessels precontracted with 10(-7) M norepinephrine (NE). For vasoconstrictor responses, cumulative concentration-contraction curves were constructed in quiescent vessels using NE (10(-9) -10(-5) M), U46619 (10(-9) -3x10(-6) M), endothelin-1 (10(-10) -10(-7) M). In addition, contraction to angiotensin II (10(-7) M) was also obtained. Serum 17beta-estradiol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff method in some SHRs before ovariectomy and after placebo/E 2 replacement. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was impaired in WKY treated with 5 mg E 2 (pIC 50 : control vs 5mg E 2 : 7.75+/-0.13 vs 7.27+/-0.16: n=6: p<0.05). No significant effect was noted in SHR. Contraction to angiotensin II was inhibited by low-dose E 2 in WKY and high-dose E 2 in SHR (% of the contraction to 60 mM KCl: WKY: control vs 0.5 mg E 2 : 39+/-5 vs 25+/-2: SHR: control vs 5 mg E 2 : 34+/-4 vs 22+/-2: n=6 and p<0.05 in WKY and SHR). In contrast, NE-induced contraction was enhanced by E 2 replacement (both low- and high-dose) in WKY and SHR (WKY: control vs 0.5 mg E 2 vs 5 mg E 2 : AUC: 280+/-24 vs 387+/-26 vs 374+/-25: maximal contraction: 137+/-8 vs 166+/-8 vs 162+/-3: pD 2 : 7.63+/-0.11 vs 8.17+/-0.13 vs 8.13+/-0.13: SHR: control vs 0.5 mg E 2 vs 5 mg E 2 : AUC: 265+/-17 vs 349+/-16 vs 406+/-19: maximal contraction: 152+/-6 vs 181+/-9 vs 203+/-16: pD 2 : 7.45+/-0.13 vs 7.91+/-0.08 vs 8.04+/-0.04: n=6 and p<0.05 between control and treated groups in WKY and SHR for all parameters). Contraction to U46619 was enhanced by E 2 replacement in SHR (control vs 0.5 mg E 2 : AUC: 478+/-30 vs 574+/-23: maximal contraction: 181+/-9 vs 230+/-10: n=6: p<0.05 for both parameters). Maximal contractile response to endothelin-1 was also enhanced in SHR (control vs 0.5 mg E 2 vs 5 mg E 2 : maximal contraction: 165+/-7 vs 189+/-7 vs 199+/-8: n=6 and p<0.05 between control and treated groups) but not in WKY. Blood pressure was not different between placebo and E 2- treated SHR (171+/-2 vs 174+/-4 mmHg). CONCLUSION: In WKY, chronic high-dose estrogen replacement impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine.: low-dose estrogen replacement does not affect endothelium-dependent relaxation in SHR and WKY. Estrogen replacement enhances the contraction to most of the contractile agonists tested except angiotensin II in both WKY and SHR. These results suggest that estrogen replacement affect the vascular tonus differently according to the vasoactive substances and/or hormones without significant effect on blood pressure.
15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid ; Acetylcholine ; Angiotensin II ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Area Under Curve ; Baths ; Blood Pressure ; Endothelin-1 ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy* ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Models, Animal ; Mortality ; Norepinephrine ; Ovariectomy ; Radioimmunoassay ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR* ; Relaxation

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and related pathogenetic factors in Takayasu arteritis with myocardial involvement.Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of Takayasu arteritis patients with myocardial involvement of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1987 to 2013.Results Myocardial involvement was diagnosed in 23 patients from 86 Takayasu arteritis patients.Sixty-five percent (15/23) of patients presented with congestive heart failure.Fifteen patients were without coronary artery involvement.Sixty-five percent (15/23) of patients with mild to moderate hypertension.Seventyfour percent(17/23) patients had pulmonary hypertension.Left ventricular ejection fraction was (34.70 ±0.09)％.Glucocorticco costeroid and immunosuppressive therapy could significantly increase left ventricular ejection fraction (t=4.302,P＜0.05).Conclusion We emphasize that myocardial involvement is common in Takayasu arteritis.It is an independent risk factor that impacts the prognosis.Early detection of myocardial involvement and effective therapy can improve the prognosis.

The biocompatibility and osteogenic activity of allogenic decalcified bone matrix (DBM) used as a carrier for bone tissue engineering were studied. Following the method described by Urist, allogenic DBM was made. In vitro, DBM and bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) from rabbits were co-cultured for 3-7 days and subjected to HE staining, and a series of histomorphological observations were performed under phase-contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vivo the mixture of DBM/BMSC co-cultured for 3 days was planted into one side of muscules sacrospinalis of rabbits, and the DBM without BMSC was planted into other side as control. Specimens were collected at postoperative week 1, 2 and 4, and subjected to HE staining, and observed under SEM. The results showed during culture in vitro, the BMSCs adherent to the wall of DBM grew, proliferated and had secretive activity. The in vivo experiment revealed that BMSCs and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in the perivascular region invaded gradually and proliferated together in DBM/BMSC group, and colony-forming units of chondrocytes were found. Osteoblasts, trabecular bone and medullary cavity appeared. The inflammatory reaction around muscles almost disappeared at the second weeks. In pure DBM group, the similar changes appeared from the surface of the DBM to center, and the volume of total regenerate bones was less than the DBM/BMSC group at the same time. The results indicated that the mixture of DBM and BMSC had good biocompatibility and ectopic induced osteogenic activity.
Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Marrow Cells/*cytology ; Bone Matrix/*cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes/cytology ; Coculture Techniques ; Decalcification Technique ; *Osteogenesis ; Stem Cells/cytology ; Stromal Cells/cytology ; *Tissue Engineering

Objective To investigate the effects of heart displacement on hemodynamics during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OP-CABG) while the sites for anastomosis were being exposed. Methods Forty-seven patients of both sexes (36 male, 11 female) aged 50-82 years undergoing OP-CABG were enrolled in the study. Preoperative cardiac function was assessed : class Ⅱ in 22 patients; Ⅲ in 23 and Ⅳ in 2 according to NYHA classification.The mean ejection fraction was 0.55?0.14 before surgery.They received on average 3.2 grafts. Premedication consisted of intramuscular morphine 10 mg, midazolam 3-5 mg and scopolamine 0.3 mg.Before induction of anesthesia ECG and SpO2 were monitored and radial artery was cannulated for continuous direct BP monitoring. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.1 nig?kg-1 , fentanyl 4?g?kg-1 and pancuronium 0.1 mg?g-1 iv.The patients were mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation and PETCO2 was maintained at about 40 mm Hg. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and 50%-60% N2O in O2 and intermittent intravenous boluses of fentanyl and pancuronium. Swan-Ganz catheter which can continuously monitor mixed venous blood O2 saturation (SvO2) was placed in pulmonary artery via right internal jugular vein. SvO2, cardiac output (CO), BP, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and HR were continuously monitored. Right atrial pressure (RAP) and PAWP were measured intermittently. Cardiac index (CI),stroke index (SI),systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI),PVRI, left and right ventricular work index (LVWI,RVWI) and left and right ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI,RVSWI) were calculated. The hemodynamic parameters were recorded after induction of anesthesia before surgery (T1,baseline),before heart displacement (T2), while anastomosis to anterior descending branch was being made (T3), while anastonosis to right coronary artery or posterior descending branch (T4) and to left circumflex artery or diagonal branch (T5) was being made, after normal heart position was resumed (T6) and at the end of operation (T7). Results While anastomosis to the anterior descending branch was being made (T3) SI and LVSWI significantly decreased as compared with the baseline (P

Objective To explore the effects of surface modification of PLGA-[ASP-PEG] scaffold with typeⅠcollagen on the adhesion,proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs).Methods After PLGA-[ASP-PEG] materials were modified with typeⅠcollagen chemically,the collagen was coated onto the materials physically.The BMSCs obtained from rabbits were cultured on the modified PLGA-[ ASP-PEG] and on the unmodified PLGA-[ ASP-PEG] as control.The adhesion and proliferation behavior of the cells was analyzed and the expressions of osteogenie marker alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,osteopontin,typeⅠcollagen and core binding factor al were also detected.Results X-ray photoelectron spectrometry(XPS) confirmed that TypeⅠcollagen was grafted onto the surface of PLGA-[ASP-PEG] successfully and the collagen content on the materials modified chemically and physically was significantly increased.The abilities of adhesion and proliferation and the expressions of osteogenie makers of the BMSCs were significantly greater than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Since Type collagen I can improve the biocompatibility of PLGA- [ASP-PEG] scaffold materials,it can be used as a new way to optimize scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Objective To clarify the effects of Jisuikang on expression levels of BDNF and NGF protein in serum of rats with spinal cord injury;To explore its probable mechanism to improve the axon regeneration microenvironment and resistance spinal cord injury.Methods Ninety SD rats were chosen to establish acute spinal cord injury model through modified Allen's method. 15 rats were chosen randomly as sham-operation group, and the other 75 rats were randomly divided into model group, prednisone group and high-, medium-, and low-doseJisuikang groups. All administration groups were given relevant medicine for gavage, while rats in sham-operation group and model group were given normal saline with the same volume for gavage. The activity and death condition of rats were recorded. Rats were put to death on the 3rd, 7th and 14th d of intervention for carotid artery blood collection. The expressions of BDNF and NGF in serum were detected by ELISA.Results After modeling, the rats in model group showed a typical paraplegia syndrome. 3 day after operation, BDNF showed no statistical significance between model group and prednisone group, while each treatment group showed significant difference when compared with prednisone group (P<0.05,P<0.01). 7 d and 14 d after operation, compared with the model group, BDNF of prednisone group and medium-dose Jisuikang group showed statistical significance, and there was no significant difference between prednisone group and medium-dose Jisuikang group (P<0.05,P<0.01). The expression of NGF in each treatment group at each time point with the prednisone group showed statistical significance. 3 d and 7 d after operation, among prednisone group, high- and medium-doseJisuikang groups, the expression of NGF was significantly higher than model group. 14 d after operation, compared with the model group, the expression of NGF in medium- and low-dose Jisuikang groups and prednisone group still maintained at a relatively high level, with statistical significance (P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Jisuikang can effectively promote the expressions of BDNF and NGF in serum after spinal cord injury and maintained at a relatively high level, so as to improve the microenvironment of axonal regeneration and promote nerve regeneration.

Objective To investigate the effects of azithromycin on airway remodeling and the expression of transforming growth factorβ1 (TGF-β1) in asthmatic mice.Methods BALB/c male mice were random divided into 3 groups:control group(A),asthma group (B),and azithromycin treated group (C),with 10 mice in each group.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected to count the number of white blood cells and eosinophilic granulocytes EOS.The morphological parameters of the bronchi were measured by computer image analysis and the pathologic changes of the bronchi and lung tissue were observed by HE staining.The expressions of TGF-β1 were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The number of EOS in B group was significantly higher than that in control group(8.12 ±0.54 vs 0.70 ±0.40;8.12 ±0.54 vs 0.87 ±0.25,P ＜0.01).WAt and WAi and WAm in group C was significantly lower than that in group B (10.15 ±0.95 vs 15.36 ±0.85,4.16 ±0.32 vs 10.64 ± 1.03,3.77 ±0.15 vs 7.97 ±0.17,P ＜0.01)but higher than that in group A.The expression of TGF-β1 in group C was significantly lower than that in group B but higher than that in group A.TGF-β1 expression of lung tissue in C group was significantly correlated with EOS,(r =0.840,P ＜0.01) and WAt(r =0.735,P ＜0.01) and WAm (r =0.870,P ＜0.01).Conclusion Azithromycin inhibited airway remodeling in asthmatic mice,which might possibly be achieved through inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1.

Objective To investigate the correlation between heat-shock protein 70-2 (HSP70-2) gene+1267A/G polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD) in Han Chinese population. Methods Using the method of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) , the polymorphism and genotype and allele distribution of HSP70-2 gene + 1267A/G in 185 CHD patients and 149 controls were analyzed. Results The HSP70-2 gene + 1267A/G polymorphism was found in this study population.The distribution of HSP70-2 genotypes was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of G allele in CHD group was significantly higher than that in control (61.89% vs51.68%, P ＜ 0. 01). After multiple logistic regression analysis, HSP70-2 gene (GG + AG) genotype was an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease. Conclusion HSP70-2 gene + 1267A/G polymorphism was associated with CHD risk of Han Chinese population, the G allele might serve as a genetic risk factor of coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the time-course expression of calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase II delta (CaMK II delta) in cerebral cortex after traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: The TBI rat model was established. The expression of CaMK II delta in cerebral cortex around injured area was tested by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Western blotting revealed expression of CaMK II delta in normal rat brain cortex. It gradually increased after TBI, peaked after 3 days, and then returned to normal level. The result of immunohistochemical staining was consistent with that of Western blotting. CONCLUSION The expression of CaMK II delta around injured area after TBI increased initially and then decreased. It could be used as a new indicator for wound age determination following TBI.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/metabolism* ; Cerebral Cortex/metabolism* ; Forensic Medicine ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rats ; Time Factors