Correlation between Intra-abdominal Fat Thickness and Components of Metabolic Syndrome with Regard to Gender Differences / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To investigate gender differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and to explore the relationship between intra-abdominal fat thickness and MS and its components with respect to gender differences. Methods Based on gender and IDF AHA/NHLBI criteria used to diagnose MS,205 middle-aged and elderly urban residents were divided into a male MS group (124 patients) and a female MS group (81 patients). The relative indices and the thickness of intra-abdominal fat were measured. Results The prevalence of MS was observed to be higher in men (P < 0.01). A greater number of men than women showed waist circumference and blood glucose abnormalities,but fewer men than women showed high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) abnormalities (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for potential confounding factors,intra-abdominal fat thickness was an independent predictor in men,but not in women (men:OR = 1.304,95％CI:1.014-1.676,P = 0.039,women:OR = 1.257,95％CI:0.984-1.605, P = 0.067). Intra-abdominal fat thickness was linearly correlated with age,waist circumference,and the 2-hour insulin levels in men,but only linearly correlated with waist circumference in women. Conclusion Prevalence of MS and MS components varies between genders. Intra-abdominal fat thickness was an independent predictor of MS in men. The role of intra-abdominal fat thickness as a determinant of MS in men can not be replaced by the waistline circumference alone as determined in women.

Macrophage Polarization and Its Role in Development of Atherosclerosis / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Atherosclerosis (As) is an important pathological basis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The pathogenesis studies of As have been a hot topic in the field of vascular biology research. The inflammation is known as a major participant in the development process of As. And monocyte-macrophage plays a central role in inflam-mation. In recent years, with the deepening research on inflammatory mechanisms, the As macrophage polarization is attracting researchers' attention. Under different environmental inductions, macrophages develop into M1 and M2 phenotypes. M1 macrophages (classical type), which can stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, is generally considered as pro-inflammatory subtypes and can facilitate the progress of As. Whereas, M2 macrophages (alternative type), which can inhibit pro-inflammatory factor production, function as anti-inflammatory subtypes and likely to inhibit the progression of As. The mechanisms of As, macrophage polarization in As, and opportunities for herbal medicines will be summarized in this review.