Association between plasma leptin level and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with aggressive periodontitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Increasing evidence supports an association between periodontitis and systemic diseases. Leptin is involved both in the energy metabolism and inflammatory processes and is suggested to be a link between periodontal infection and systemic health. The present study aimed to evaluate the peripheral leptin concentration in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and to explore the relationship between leptin and systemic inflammation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety patients with AgP visiting the Clinic of the Periodontology Department, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology between July 2001 and May 2006, and 44 healthy controls (staff and student volunteers in the same institute) were recruited. Plasma levels of leptin and inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to analyze the association between plasma leptin level and other variables.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Plasma leptin level of AgP group was significantly higher than that of the control group (19.7 ± 4.4 ng/ml vs. 7.5 ± 1.3 ng/ml, P < 0.01). After controlling for age, gender, and body mass index, positive correlation was observed between plasma leptin concentration and log-transformed levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and CRP), and the partial correlation coefficients ranged from 0.199 to 0.376 (P < 0.05). Log-transformed IL-1β and IL-6 levels entered the final regression model (standardized β were 0.422 and 0.461 respectively, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Elevated plasma leptin concentration may be associated with increased systemic levels of inflammatory markers in AgP patients.</p>

Postoperative pituitary hormonal disturbances and hormone replacement therapy time and dosage in children with craniopharyngiomas / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The proliferative activity and penetration into the hypothalamic structures in children craniopharyngiomas (CP) often make radical resection difficult. Therefore, complete resection of CP often results in permanent multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD). This study aimed to elucidate the postoperative pituitary hormonal disturbances, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) time and dosage in children with CP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty patients with growth retardation and CP after resection, comprising 14 boys and 6 girls, with a mean age of (10.63 +/- 3.18) years (Group A) and 10 male patients of group A aged > 10 years (Group B) were entolled. Thirty age-, sex- and Tanner stage-matched normal children (control Group A), and 44 male older children > 10 years (control Group B) served as controls. The serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticortropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol (COR), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) were measured in the CP patients after resection and in controls. The appropriate time and dosage of HRT were investigated. Linear correlation analysis was made between levothyroxine (L-T4) dosage and primary FT4 in CP patients after resection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All cases had MPHD. The serum peak GH, IGF-1, FT4 and COR levels of Group A were significantly lower than that of the control Group A. The serum IGF-1 concentration increased to the normal level after 3 months of rhGH therapy; the serum FSH, LH, and T levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.001); however, E2 and PRL were significantly increased (P < 0.001) in Group B compared with the control Group B; 18 cases were found to have central diabetes insipidus (DI) by water deprivation test and MRI. There was a significant negative linear regression (r = -0.8, P < 0.001) between L-T4 and primary FT4 in Group A patients with CP after resection, giving a regression equation of L-T4 dosage (microg.kg(-1).d(-1)) = 3.5-0.2 x FT4 (microg.kg(-1).d(-1)). The time and corresponding dosage of HRT for CP after resection were: rhGH started 1 year after resection and no recurrence of CP on MRI, when IGF-1 reached the normal range, the rhGH dosage was (0.13 +/- 0.04) U.kg(-1).d(-1); hydrocortisone (H-C) was started as soon as possible, and was kept in the lower normal range, at a dosage of (12.6 +/- 4.8) mg/m2; levothyroxine started after H-C or at the same time to maintain FT4 in the higher normal range, at a dosage of (1.65 +/- 0.70) microg.kg(-1).d(-1); Minirin (DDAVP) was started as soon as possible, elicited no symptoms, and maintained normal electrolyte levels; the dosage was (0.16 +/- 0.04) mg/m2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with CP after resection often displayed MPHD, and needed total HRT at appropriate time and dosage to improve the quality of life and normal growth.</p>

Expression and significance of angiopoietins in oral squamous cell carcinoma / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the expression of angiopoietins in oral squamous cell carcinoma and relationship between the expression of angiopoietins and pathologic classification.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 protein in samples from 42 oral squamous cell carcinoma and 16 oral normal mucosa were detected by immunohistochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 was found in both oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal control. It was found Ang-1 expression alike in oral squamous cell carcinoma and control (P > 0.05). Ang-2 expressed at low level in control while strongly positive in oral squamous cell caroinoma and the level of Ang-2 expression in oral squamous cell caroinoma was related to pathologic classification (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ang-2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma is related to angiogenesis and pathological classification, which is probably involved in angiogenesis regulation, promotes the development and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.</p>