OBJECTIVETo analyze the changes of risk factors in cerebrovascular diseases in cohort-based population after intervention and evaluating the intervention effect.

METHODSIn 1987, an intervention cohort and a control cohort were selected randomly in urban areas of Changsha. Risk factors in cerebrovascular diseases were investigated in two cohort populations aged over 35 years as baseline indication. Then comprehensive prevention of cerebrovascular diseases was carried out in intervention cohort during 1987 - 2000. After intervention for 14 years, a reexamination was taken in the two groups noted above.

RESULTSAfter 14 years, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, mean systolic and diastolic pressure, weight increased from 33.8% to 35.7%, 30 to 129 per 10,000, 128.41 mm Hg to 134.49 mm Hg, 77.78 mm Hg to 78.54 mm Hg, 54.80 kg to 57.78 kg in the intervention group, respectively while the baseline indication increased from 35.9% to 56.8%, 30 to 228 per 10,000, 127.70 mm Hg to 141.80 mm Hg, 78.27 mm Hg to 82.89 mm Hg, 54.92 kg to 59.69 kg in the control one. The changes were of statistical significance in each group except diastolic pressure and the prevalence of hypertension in intervention group, but all the parameters increased significantly in the control group; rate of alcohol intake decreased significantly in two groups, but rate of cigarette smoking decreased with no significance. The changes between two groups were not significant either; the cumulative incidence of stroke was significantly lower in intervention cohort (3.4%) than in control cohort (4.7%).

CONCLUSIONThe risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases (such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus etc.) were increasing along with by aging. Intervention programs can delay the increase of risk factors and down-regulate the incidence of stroke.

Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; etiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

In the present study, a newly synthesized benzofuran lignan 4-formyl-2-(4-hydroxy-3methoxyphenyl)-5-(2-methoxycarbonyethyl)-7-methoxy-benzo [b] furan (ERJT-12) was tested for its antiproliferative activity on human tumor cells. The related mechanisms were also investigated. In vitro growth inhibitory effects of ERJT-12 on various cancer cell lines were determined by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The integrity of DNA was assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Activation of Caspase-3/7 and Caspase-6 was measured by colorimetric assay. The expressions of cell cycle proteins cell divide cycle 25c (Cdc25c), cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), CyclinB1 and apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blotting. MTT assay showed that ERJT-12 inhibited the proliferation of several cancer cell lines including multidrug resistant cells. MCF-7 cells were markedly arrested at gap2/mitosis (G2/M) phase after treatment with ERJT-12 and progressed into apoptosis. The increased activities of Caspase-3/7 and Caspase-6 in MCF-7 cells were observed. The expression of CyclinB1 was down-regulated. The activities of Cdc25c and CDK1 protein were suppressed and Bcl-2 protein was phosphorylated. ERJT-12 displays potent antiproliferative activity towards cancer cells through suppressing cell cycle proteins, arresting cell cycle at G2/M phase and inducing apoptosis. It might be a novel candidate for cancer therapy.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzofurans ; pharmacology ; CDC2 Protein Kinase ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 6 ; metabolism ; Caspase 7 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin B ; metabolism ; Cyclin B1 ; G2 Phase ; drug effects ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism ; cdc25 Phosphatases ; metabolism