ABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the effect of sulodexide(SDX)on the apoptosis of human dermal microvascu-lar endothelial cells(HDMECs)exposed to hypoxia and its underlying mechanism.METHODS:The HDMECs were cul-tured and divided into normoxia control group cultured under normoxic condition;hypoxia control group cultured in a humid incubator maintained at 37 ℃with 5% CO2and 1% O2for 24 h;treatment groups treated with SDX at 0.25,0.5 and 1 LSU/mL for 24 h under hypoxic condition.The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.The apoptotic rate of the HD-MECs was analyzed by flow cytometry.The activity of caspase-3 in HDMECs was examined by caspase-3 activity assay kit. The expression of pro-apoptotic factor P53,caspase-3,Bax and anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot.RESULTS:SDX increased the viability of HDMECs exposed to hypoxia, but also decreased the apoptosis.Furthermore, SDX down-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic factor P53, Bax and caspase-3 at mRNA and protein levels as well as the activity of caspase-3,while the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 was up-regulated.CONCLUSION:SDX significantly increases the viability and decreases the apoptosis of HDMECs ex-posed to hypoxia.Inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway may be involved in the underlying mechanism.
ABSTRACT
Objective To estimate the intangible cost and associated factors on patients with hepatitis B-related diseases, so as to explore the differences of the three elicitation techniques on the health economics-related information by trained investigators, using a structured questionnaire. WTP was employed to estimate the intangible cost while an open-ended question format, together with iterative bidding game and payment card were respectively used to elicit WTP for the hypothetical cure of hepatitis B-related diseases. A Multiple linear stepwise regression model was determined to identify those factors potentially affecting the intangible cost. Results A total of 564 subjects from 641 patients with hepatitis B-related diseases were identified for the inclusion of this study. The average annual intangible cost of patient with hepatitis B-related diseases was 54 320.4 Yuan (Ren Minbi).The intangible cost accounted for 53.0% of the total cost, which was much more than the proportions of the direct and indirect costs (38.5% and 8.5%, respectively). Among annual personal and the household income of the patient, proportions of intangible cost were 262.6% and 67.6% respectively,suggesting that the patients were under huge spiritual and psychological pressure. Response rate of the approach, combined open-ended questions with iterative bidding game, was the highest (76.6%) among the three elicitation formats. Considered the characteristics of data being gathered, the approach seemed to be more reasonable. Further studies were needed to examine the results yielded from other WTP elicitation formats. We also noticed that the progression of disease was associated with the increase of direct and indirect costs, but not with the intangible cost. Data from the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis indicated that the types of hospital and commercial medical insurance were significantly different in explaining the variation of the intangible cost. Conclusion Measures should be taken to reduce the intangible cost of hepatitis B-related diseases. The approach regarding the combination of open-ended questions with iterative bidding game should be recommended when carrying our further WTP studies of this kind.