Effect of Taiji Quan on Sleep Quality of Patients with Chronic Insomnia Disorder / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effect of Taiji Quan on the sleep quality of patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID) and its mechanism. Methods:From January, 2015 to December, 2017, 31 patients with CID were enrolled in the sleep disorder clinic. Before and 24 weeks after Taiji Quan exercise, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess their sleep quality, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF-β, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNF-R)1 and sTNF-R2 were detected with protein chip, and the correlation between the total score of PSQI and the serum levels of TNF-α, TNF-β, sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2 were analyzed after exercise. Results:After Taiji Quan exercise, the scores of PSQI factors (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction) and the total score of PSQI decreased (t > 4.080, P < 0.05). The serum levels of TNF-α and TNF-β decreased (t > 13.580, P < 0.01), however, the serum levels of sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2 significantly increased (t > 160.189, P < 0.001). The serum levels of TNF-α and TNF-β were positively correlated with the total score of PSQI (r > 0.638, P < 0.001), while the serum levels of sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2 were negatively correlated with the total score of PSQI (r > 0.532, P<0.001). Conclusion:Taiji Quan exercise could help to improve the sleep quality of patients with CID. The mechanism may be related to the decrease of the serum levels of TNF-α and TNF-β, and the increase of the serum levels of sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2.

Investigation of Volume Load in Outpatients with Hypertension and Analysis of Influencing Factors / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To assess the difference in volume load between different blood pressure control levels in outpatients with hypertension. To investigate the effect of clinical factors on volume load in outpatients with hypertension. To analyze the clinical baseline characteristics and use of antihypertensive drugs in outpatients with hypertension. 【Methods】 A total of 514 outpatients with hypertension were included from July to November 2017. Clinical indicators including gender，age，height，weight，years of hypertension，blood pressure levels，treatment options for hypertension and comorbidities of these patients were recorded. The body volume load was evaluated by detecting the ratio of extracellular fluid（ECW）to total body water（TBW）using a Bioimpedance Analyzer. Whole body ECW/TBW≥0.39 was defined as high volume load. The effects of clinical factors on the volume load of hypertensive patients and whether there was a difference in volume load between different antihypertensive therapy were analyzed. 【Results】The blood pressure compliance rate of outpatients with hypertension was 15.37% ，which was still very low. Male patients had lower blood pressure compliance rate than female patients. Blood pressure was more difficult to control in patients with older age ，higher body mass index （BMI），higher waist-to-hip ratio（WHR）or longer duration of hypertension. The higher the blood pressure grading，the higher the proportion of combination medication. Diuretics were still the most widely used antihypertensive drugs. Age ，gender and different hypertension grades were the main factors affecting the volume load of hypertensive patients. Volume load was higher in female，older or higher systolic blood pressure（SBP）patients. Among them，age was the most important factor affecting the volume load of hypertensive patients.【Conclusion】The blood pressure compliance rate of outpatients with hypertension was still low. Effectively reducing the volume load was one of the important means to control blood pressure，which was more important in female，older or higher SBP patients.

Correlation between LDL-C/HDL-C Ratio and the Severity of Coronary Artery Lesion in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To explore the correlations between different indices of lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipopro-tein of coronary heart disease(CHD)patients,especially that between low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and that between apolipoprotein A1(apoA1)and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100),as well as the correlations between these indices,indices ratios and the severity of coronary artery lesion.[Methods]301 coronary heart disease patients hospitalized to accept percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University during 2013-2014 were recruited in the study. Fasting serum lipid indices including triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),LDL-C,HDL-C,apoA1 and apoB100 were examined before surgery.Gensini score was calculated to evaluate the severity of coronary artery lesion. 153 patients whose Gensini score was less than 50 were assigned to Group A,while 148 patients with Gensini score greater than or equal 50 were distributed to Group B.[Results]Positive correlations were found between LDL-C and HDL-C(r=0.161,P=0.005), apoA1 and apoB100(r=0.358,P<0.001),apoB100 and LDL-C(r=0.487,P<0.001),apoA1 and LDL-C(r=0.178, P=0.002)by linear correlation analysis. No significant correlation was found between apoB100 and HDL-C. None of LDL-C,HDL-C,TC was correlated with Gensini score. However,LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was positively correlated with Gensini score(r=0.148,P=0.01). The results showed no significant correlations between apoB100,apoB100/apo A1 ratio and Gensini score but negative correlation between apoA1 and Gensini score(r=-0.129,P=0.025). The positive correlation between HDL-C/LDL-C ratio and Gensini score was still valid after multi-factors adjustment (β=5.071,P=0.018).[Conclusion]Of patients with coronary heart disease,there exist some correlations between LDL-C and HDL-C,apoA1 and apoB100,while the correlation between LDL-C and HDL-C is relatively weak.The LDL-C/HDL-C ratio,weakly positively correlated with the severity of coronary artery lesion,is a risk factor of coronary artery lesion,while the level of apoA1,negatively correlated with the severity of coronary artery lesion,could play a protective role.

The effects of atorvastatin on C-reactive protein induced Toll-like receptor 4 expression on CD14+ monocyte / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on C-reactive protein (CRP) induced Toll-Like receptor 4 (TLR4)expression on CD14+ monocyte, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), and to study the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of statins.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The monocytes were isolated from blood of healthy volunteers by the Ficoll density gradient and stimulated by CRP with different doses (5, 25, 50, 100 microg/ml) and different exposure time (6, 12, 24, 48 h). Cells were also incubated with atorvastatin of different doses (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 micromol/L) in the presence of CRP 50 microg/ml. The protein expression of TLR4 was measured by flow cytometry, mRNA expression of TLR4 and of myeloid differentiation protein (MD2)was detected by quantitative PCR. TNFalpha, IL-6, MMP-9 concentrations in supernatants of cultured medium were measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with the un-stimulated control group, enhanced TLR4 protein expression was already detected at a concentration of 5 microg/ml of CRP and increased in a dose-dependent manner (32.22 +/- 2.80)%, (49.94 +/- 5.58)%, (74.82 +/- 3.24)% and (90.82 +/-2.88)% at 5, 25, 50 and 100 microg/ml CRP. (2) TLR4 protein expression on 50 microg/ml CRP stimulated cells also increased in a time-dependent manner (29.80 +/- 2.70)%, (47.44 +/- 4.41)%, (81.71 +/- 2.92)% and (50.57 +/- 3.34)% after 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h. (3) When monocytes were incubated with CRP 50 microg/ml and atorvastatin (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 micromol/L), protein expression [(68.17 +/- 1.71)%, (52.43 +/- 1.38)%, (27.72 +/- 4.55)%, (17.46 +/- 3.20)%, (9.99 +/- 2.81)%] and mRNA expression (82.72%, 67.34%, 48.16%, 30.88%, 13.85%) of TLR4 as well as mRNA expression of MD2 (81.78%, 71.04%, 47.85%, 27.06%, 18.30%) were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. (4) Level of TNFalpha, IL-6 and MMP-9 in supernatants was significantly reduced by atorvastatin (2.5 micromol/L) compared with control group (P < 0.01). When monocyte incubated with CRP 50 microg/ml and atorvastatin 10.0 micromol/L, the level of TNFalpha, IL-6, MMP-9 decreased to (25.8 +/- 2.5) microg/ml, (128.2 +/- 14.7) pg/ml, (65.2 +/- 12.3) ng/ml, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CRP increased the protein expression of TLR4 on CD14+ monocyte in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Atorvastatin can inhibit the signal transduction of TLR4 and reduce proinflammatory cytokines release induced by CRP on CD14 monocyte, and this might be one of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of atorvastatin.</p>

Association between hemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 expression and coronary atherosclerotic severity in patients with coronary heart disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between hemoglobin scavenger receptor (CD163) expression levels on monocytic surfaces and coronary atherosclerotic severity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) as well as the roles of CD163 in inflammation and lipidperoxidation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-four patients were diagnosed as CHD according to the results of coronary angiography and ACC/AHA diagnostic criteria. The patients were divided into 3 groups: acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group (n = 30), unstable angina (UA) group (n = 30), stable angina (SA) group (n = 24). Another 20 patients with normal coronary artery served as control. Expression levels of CD163 on monocytes were detected by means of flow cytometry, and the results were shown as mean fluorescence intensity (mfi). All patients underwent coronary angiography and the results were further evaluated by Jenkins score. Serum CRP and LDL-C were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression levels of CD163 on monocytes in peripheral blood were significantly higher in CHD patients compared to controls (P < 0.01) in the order of AMI group [(84.4 +/- 6.9) mfi] > UA group [(64.1 +/- 5.5) mfi, P < 0.01 vs. AMI] > SA group [(46.7 +/- 6.5) mfi, P < 0.01 vs. AMI and UA] > control group [(22.0 +/- 6.1) mfi, P < 0.01 vs. AMI, UA and SA]. The expression levels of CD163 on monocytes in patients with CHD were positively correlated with Jenkins score (r = 0.9107, P < 0.01), CRP (r = 0.766, P < 0.01) and LDL-C (r = 0.749, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Expression levels of CD163 was significantly increased in patients with CHD and positively correlated with coronary heart disease severity and serum CRP and LDL-C.</p>

Effect of the sera of rabbits fed with Tongxinluo on MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression and secretion in U937 monocyte-derived macrophages / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of the sera of rabbits fed with Tongxinluo on the expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in U937 monocyte-derived macrophages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Atherosclerosis was induced in rabbits by high-cholesterol feeding, and the serum was obtained from the rabbits after administration of the aqueous solution of Tongxinluo or simvastatin by gavage. U937 monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with the sera at different concentrations for 24 hours, and the changes in MMP-9 and TIMP-1 gene expression and secretion were detected by RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum of rabbits fed with Tongxinluo concentration-dependently inhibited the expression and secretion of MMP-9 in U937 macrophages, but did not affect TIMP-1 expression or secretion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tongxinluo may stabilize the atherosclerotic plaques by inhibiting the expression and secretion of MMP-9.</p>

Effects of irbesartan on nitric oxide system in the heart of diabetic rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of irbesartan for heart protection and on heart nitric oxide (NO) system in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups, namely control group, diabetes group and irbesartan group. Streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg) was injected to the abdomen to induce diabetes in the rats. After treatment for 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the urine volume, body weight, ratio of heart to body weight, plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured. NO levels in the serum and myocardium were determined. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, and iNOS mRNA detected by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Urine volume, ratio of heart to body weight, plasma glucose, HbA1C, NO levels in the urine, blood and myocardium in diabetic and irbesartan rats were significantly greater than those of normal controls (P<0.05). The ratio of heart to body weight and NO levels of urine, serum and heart tissue in rats of irbesartan group were significantly decreased as compared with those of diabetes rats (P<0.05). Myocardium iNOS mRNA and protein expression decreased significantly in irbesartan group, but not in diabetes group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The abnormality in NO and iNOS mRNA expression might be related to diabetic cardiomyopathy. Irbesartan can decrease iNOS mRNA and protein expressions and reduce NO levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats.</p>

Effects of Sini decoction on vascular stenosis after iliac artery balloon injury and oxidative stress in rabbits / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Sini decoction (SND) in preventing vascular restenosis and protecting against oxidative stress after rabbit iliac artery balloon injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four male New Zealand albino rabbits were equally randomized into control group, model group and SND group. Rabbits in the control group were fed with common forage, and those in the model and SND groups with high-fat diet. Two weeks later, the iliac arteries of the rabbits in the latter two groups were subjected to balloon injury. Four weeks after the operation, the rabbits were killed and the vascular structure was observed by scanning electron microscope and optical microscope, with the serum cholesterol level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Scanning electron microscopy showed that the endothelial cell lining in the iliac artery of the control and SND group remain regular, but the arteries in the model group presented with desquamated and exposure of the collagen fibril beneath the endothelium. Optical microscope revealed narrowed vascular lumen, thicken intima and numerous arteriosclerotic plaques in the model group in comparison with the control group, whereas the vascular lumen and intima thickness remained basically normal in SND group. The levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were decreased with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased in SND group, which was not observed in the model group. The serum SOD activity was higher in the control group than in the model and SND groups, but SND group had higher serum SOD activity than the model group. The serum MDA level was lower in the control group than in the other two groups, but SND group had lower MDA level than the model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SND can alleviate intimal hyperplasia and vascular stenosis in injured rabbit iliac artery, possibly in relation to increased SOD activity and decreased lipid peroxidation as a result of SND treatment.</p>