Association between muscle mass and quality of life in Shaanxi adults / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To investigate the association between muscle mass and quality of life in adults in Shaanxi adults. Methods: The data in this analysis were part of the baseline survey of the Regional Ethnic Cohort Study in Northwest China from June 2018 to May 2019 in Shaanxi Province. The participants' quality of life, including physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), was assessed by the 12-Item Short Form Survey, and the Body Fat Determination System measured muscle mass. A logistic regression model with adjustment for confounding factors was established to analyze the association between muscle mass and quality of life in different genders. Further, sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted to explore its stability. Finally, a restricted cubic spline was employed to investigate the dose-response relationship between muscle mass and quality of life in different genders. Results: A total of 20 595 participants were included, with an average age of 55.0, and 33.4% were male. After controlling for potential confounders, compared with the Q1 group, the risk of low PCS was reduced by 20.6% (OR=0.794, 95%CI: 0.681-0.925) and the risk of low MCS was lower reduced by 20.1% (OR=0.799, 95%CI: 0.689-0.926) in female Q5 groups. Compared with the Q1 group, the risk of low PCS was reduced by 24.4% (OR=0.756, 95%CI: 0.644-0.888) in the male Q2 group. However, no significant association between muscle mass and MCS in males has been found. In females, restricted cubic spline analysis showed a significant linear dose-response relationship between muscle mass and PCS and MCS. Conclusions: There is a positive association between muscle mass and quality of life in Shaanxi adults, especially females. With the increase in muscle mass, the physical and mental functions of the population continue to improve.

Neuroprotective effects of Yiqihuoxue calm wind capsule on ischemic stroke in rats / 中国天然药物

Stroke remains the third leading cause of death and of adult disability worldwide. Vascular occlusion, followed by ischemic cascade, leads to irreversible tissue injury. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is the only FDA approved drug for the current treatment of acute ischemic stroke. However, traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and rich clinical experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of ischemic stroke. Using a classical middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) stroke model, we tested the effectiveness of Yiqihuoxue calm wind (YCW) capsule on neurological function, gross pathology and oxidative stress status in MCAO rats. YCW capsule (3.36 and 6.72 g·kg of crude drug) could significantly lower Longa's score and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, together with less necrotic cells and infarcted area. In addition to elevated MDA and downregulated iNOS expression, YCW capsule exhibited its neuroprotective effects via free radical scavenging and NO inhibition.

Hypoglycemic Effect of Total Flavonoids from Ampelopsis grossedentata / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of total flavones of Ampelopsis(TFAG) on blood glucose and its antioxidant capacity. METHODS: The TFAG were extracted by ultrasonic assisted extraction and purified by D-101 macroporous resin. The effect of TFAG on the activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase were determined in vitro. Diabetes mellitus(DM)mouse models were established by induction of streptozotocin(STZ). And the mice were daily treated by different dose of TFAG (100, 200, 400 mg·kg-1) for 15 d. In order to determine the blood glucose, blood was collected every 3 d. After administration of drug for 16 d, the blood was collected from the eyes and serum insulin and other biochemical indicator were measured. Hematoxylin and eosin stain will be used for histological analysis after collection of pancreatic tissues. Meanwhile, the amount of SOD, CAT and MDA in liver were measured. RESULTS: TFAG could significantly inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, and that TFAG had a better inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase than α-amylase. The results of in vivo assay showed that TFAG could significantly reduce the levels of blood glucose, LDL, TC and TG, and increase the concentration of insulin and HDL in diabetic mice. HE staining showed that TFAG had some repair effects on pancreatic islet in diabetic mice. It was found that TFAG significantly decreased the levels of MDA, but instead it significantly increased the activities of SOD and CAT in liver of diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: The TFAG has significant effect on the hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity, and promote repair of pancreatic islets. Collectively, TFAG are valuable raw material with medicinal and edible properties and high development value.

Study on the Extraction Technology of Phenolic Acids from Anemone altica / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To determine the content of phenolic acids from Anemone altica,and optimize its extraction technolo-gy. METHODS:HPLC was used to determine the contents of mono-ferulyl tartaric acid and ferulic acid from A. altica;using the total contents of 2 index components as index,volume fraction of extraction solvent,extraction solvent volume,extraction times and extraction time as factors,orthogonal test was used to optimize extraction technology,and verification test was conducted. RE-SULTS:The contents of mono-ferulyl tartaric acid and ferulic acid were 0.059%,0.0025%,respectively;the optimal extraction technology was as follow as 30% ethanol 600 mL added to 20 g medicinal material,extracted twice,90 min every time. In verifi-cation test,the average contents of 2 components in extract were 0.2971%(RSD=3.64%,n=3),0.0041%(RSD=5.11%,n=3). CONCLUSIONS:A method for contents determination of mono-ferulyl tartaric acid and ferulic acid from A. altica is estab-lished;optimized extraction technology is stable and feasible.

LPS promotes autophagy in rat hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 / 基础医学与临床

To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on autophagy in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6) and involvement of NF-κB pathway in it.Methods 1)HSC-T6 cells were treated with LPS at the concentraction of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L for 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h respectively, Microtubule-associated protein light chain Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ) and Beclin1 levels were detected by Western blot; 2)HSC-T6 cells were randomized into groups of control group, LPS group, PDTC group, LPS+PDTC group, PMA group and LPS+PMA group, Western blot assay was used to measure the levels of LC 3Ⅱand Beclin1, immunofluoresence was used to measure NF-κB P65 intracellular distribution.The levels of hydroxyproline (Hyp) were determined by the method of colorimetry and the levels of laminin (LN) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were determined by ELISA in the culture supernatants after corresponding processing .Results The levels of LC3Ⅱand Beclin1 were significantly increased after HSC-T6 cells were treated with LPS at the concentraction of 0.1 mg/L for 6 h and the levels of Hyp, LN, and HA in the culture supernatants increased remarkably as well (P<0.05).PDTC pretreatment increased the levels of LC3Ⅱand Beclin1 in the LPS-treated HSC-T6 cells while decreased the levels of Hyp , LN, and HA significantly (P<0.05).PMA pretreatmen decreased the levels of LC 3Ⅱand Beclin1 in the LPS-treated HSC-T6 cells while increased the levels of Hyp, LN, and HA (P<0.05).Conclusions LPS can promote autophagy and activation of NF -κB pathway in HSC-T6 cells.Activation of NF-κB pathway may inhibit the LPS-induced autophagy of HSC-T6 cells.

Advances in study on antitumor activities of triterpenoids / 中草药

As a kind of bioactive natural products with unique space structure, triterpenoid is widely used in diminishing inflammation, antibacterial, and protecting liver and kidney. Because of the strong ability of antitumor, it is likely to be developed as a new generation of anticancer drugs. In this review, the antineoplastic mechanism, structure-activity relationship, and pharmacophore improvement were summarized for further research on the antitumor properties of triterpenoid.

Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and cystatin C levels in patients with coronary artery disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and cystatin C levels in patients with or without coronary artery disease (CAD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We recruited 87 CAD patients (39 with acute myocardial infarction and 48 with unstable angina pectoris) and 51 non-CAD controls. Plasma ADMA was measured by HPLC, cystatin C by particle-enhanced immunonephelometric assay (N Latex cystatin C, Dade Behring) with nephelometer (BNII, Dade Behring). CAD patients were further divided into low cystatin C group (< 1.0 mg/L, 36 cases) and high cystatin C group (> 1.0 mg/L, 51 cases).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The plasma levels of ADMA [(0.47 ± 0.15) µmol/L vs. (0.37 ± 0.15) µmol/L], SDMA [(0.39 ± 0.19) µmol/L vs. (0.28 ± 0.12) µmol/L] and cystatin C [(1.16 ± 0.32) mg/L vs. (0.73 ± 0.16) mg/L] were significantly higher in CAD patients than in controls (all P < 0.05). The plasma L-Arg was significantly lower in CAD patients than in controls [(59.4 ± 19.4) µmol/L vs. (83.7 ± 19.6) µmol/L, P < 0.05]. (2) Plasma ADMA was similar in CAD patients with low cystatin C level and controls [(0.42 ± 0.12) µmol/L vs. (0.39 ± 0.15) µmol/L, P = 0.251] and Plasma ADMA was significantly higher in CAD patients with high cystatin C level than in controls [(0.50 ± 0.17) µmol/L vs. (0.39 ± 0.15) µmol/L, P < 0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ADMA levels were significantly increased only in CAD patients with elevated cystatin C levels but not in CAD patients with normal renal function. The reported relationship between coronary heart disease and ADMA may not be direct, but could be secondary due to reduced renal function.</p>

Aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio is a sensitive parameter for screening patients with primary aldosteronism / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen primary aldosteronism cases with ARR (aldosterone/plasma renin activity, ARR) from patients with hypertension, and to evaluate the diagnosis value of ARR in primary aldosteronism cases and analysis the clinical characters of primary aldosteronism cases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nine hundred and two patients with hypertension were collected, the plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity ratio were detected by radio-immunity method, after that, ARR were calculated. Retrospective analysis was made of clinical data in 126 primary aldosteronism cases, which ARR were over 25.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred and twenty-six cases (14%) were diagnosed as primary aldosteronism, and of them, 49 cases had hypokalemia. 25 patients received surgical operation and the rate of efficiency and cure of surgery treatment were 100% and 48%, respectively. The rate of efficiency and cure of drug treatment was 89% and 24% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Primary aldosteronism affects over 10% of patients with hypertension in China. Patients with hypertension and most patients with treatment-resistant hypertension should undergo screening for primary aldosteronism with ARR. A high ARR is a positive screening test result, a finding that warrants confirmatory testing.</p>

Study on the distribution of serum homocysteine and on multi-stepwise regression analysis of the associated factors in the population of community areas in Wuhan / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the serum homocysteine (Hcy) distribution and characteristics in different sex and age groups in the community residents in Wuhan, and to analyse its associated factors with multi-stepwise regression analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The population under study was from three community areas in Wuhan. Demographic distribution and the correlation with other risk factors of serum Hcy were analyzed statistically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Geometric mean of serum Hcy was 14.43 micromol/L in males and 10.89 micromol/L in females with P <0.001. (2) Hcy of per age level in males was also higher (P <0.001). (3) The prevalence rate of hyperhomocysteinemia was 23.94% in the general population in Wuhan. The prevalence rate of hyperhomocysteinemia in males was 2.62 times higher than in females. (4) Multi-stepwise regression analysis showed that Hcy had different affecting factors in males and females. The affecting factors of Hcy in males were daily cigarettes smoking, urine micro-albumin (UMALB) and times of exercise per week. The affecting factors of Hcy in females were duration of exercise each time, weight, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), urine micro-albumin (UMALB) and age.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>(1) Hcy at the population level was significantly different by sex and age. (2) Population living in the community in Wuhan had a higher serum level and prevalence rate of Hcy comparing to some other cities in China and even in developed countries. (3) The important affecting factors of Hcy in population also showed sex difference, unlike the reports from other countries or other areas in China. Serum Hcy seemed to be affected by environmental and other factors.</p>

A case-control study on the relationship between stroke and plasma homocysteine level and the mutation of MTHFR gene / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship of stroke and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level and the mutation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred patients with stroke were included as the case group in this study while 300 subjects without stroke matched with the case group for sex and age were collected as the control group. Plasma Hcy level was measured using HPLC and MTHFR 667C-->T mutant was determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment analysis. The relationship of stroke and plasma Hcy level and the mutation of MTHFR gene was then analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The plasma Hcy level of the case group was significantly higher than that of the control group (16.92 +/- 3.43 micromol/L vs. 14.57 +/- 2.59 micromol/L, P <0.05). There was no significant difference in mutation rate of MTHFR C677T between stroke group and control group (P >0.05), as well as between ischemic stroke group and homorrhagic stroke group (P >0.05). The mutation of MTHFR C677T had no significant influence on the Hcy level (15.28 +/- 2.17 micromol/L vs. 15.11 +/- 3.81 micromol/L, P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased plasma Hcy level played an important role in the occurrence of stroke in Chinese people, and the mutation of MTHFR C677T was not associated with Hcy level or stroke which led to the speculation that plasma Hcy level was important in the prevention of cardio-cerebro-vascular diseases among Chinese people.</p>