Attenuation of atherogenic apo B-48-dependent hyperlipidemia and high density lipoprotein remodeling induced by vitamin C and E combination and their beneficial effect on lethal ischemic heart disease in mice

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is highly prevalent and its underlying pathogenesis involves dyslipidemia including pro-atherogenic high density lipoprotein (HDL) remodeling. Vitamins C and E have been proposed as atheroprotective agents for cardiovascular disease management. However, their effects and benefits on high density lipoprotein function and remodeling are unknown. In this study, we evaluated the role of vitamin C and E on non HDL lipoproteins as well as HDL function and remodeling, along with their effects on inflammation/ oxidation biomarkers and atherosclerosis in atherogenic diet-fed SR-B1 KO/ApoER61h/h mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice were pre-treated for 5 weeks before and during atherogenic diet feeding with vitamin C and E added to water and diet, respectively. Compared to a control group, combined vitamin C and E administration reduced serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels by decreasing apo B-48-containing lipoproteins, remodeled HDL particles by reducing phospholipid as well as increasing PON1 and apo D content, and diminished PLTP activity and levels. Vitamin supplementation improved HDL antioxidant function and lowered serum TNF-α levels. Vitamin C and E combination attenuated atherogenesis and increased lifespan in atherogenic diet-fed SR-B1 KO/ApoER61h/h mice. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C and E administration showed significant lipid metabolism regulating effects, including HDL remodeling and decreased levels of apoB-containing lipoproteins, in mice. In addition, this vitamin supplementation generated a cardioprotective effect in a murine model of severe and lethal atherosclerotic ischemic heart disease.

Tashinone II A-sulfoacid-natrum elevates the pain threshold through inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B pathway in neuropathic cancer pain.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Tashinone II A-sulfoacid-natrum on the pain threshold and potential molecular mechanism for neuropathic cancer pain. METHODS: Forty‑five male Balb/c mice were divided into control group model group and experiment group with each 15. The sciatic nerve muscle plexus of experiment and model group were given injection containing S180 sarcoma cell 2 × 106 mL for each mouse. Mice in the experiment group were given Tashinone II A-sulfoacid-natrum 25 mg/kg once a day intraperitoneal injection. Moreover, mice in the control group were given physiological saline 25 mg/kg, once a day intraperitoneal injection. The mechanical withdraw threshold and thermal withdraw latency were recorded before S180 sarcoma cell injection and in the time point of day 3, 6, 9, 12, and 14. After 14 days treatment, the mice were treated to death and the sciatic nerve CX3CR1 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‑κB) mRNA was tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the mechanical and thermal pain threshold of experiment group was significant decreased (P < 0.05). However, compared with the model group, the mechanical, and thermal pain threshold of experiment group was significant elevated in time point of day 3, 6, 9, 12, 14 for mechanical pain threshold and day 9, 12 14 for thermal pain threshold (P < 0.05); the pain threshold for the experiment and model group was decreased in the first 9 days and then elevated gradually. Compared with control group, the CX3CR1 and NF‑κB mRNA relative expression in mice sciatic nerve of experiment group was significant elevated (P < 0.05); but compared with model group, the CX3CR1 and NF‑κB mRNA relative expression of experiment group was significant decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tashinone II A-sulfoacid-natrum can elevates the mechanical and thermal pain threshold through inhibiting the NF‑κB in neuropathic cancer pain rat.

Dose findings of dihydroartemisinin in treatment of falciparum malaria.

Forty patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were respectively treated in an open randomized comparative study of dihydroartemisinin tablets given at total doses of 480 mg over 5 days and 640 mg over 7 days in a drug-resistant malaria endemic area in Hainan, China. The result showed that all patients were clinically cured. In 5-day and 7-day groups, the mean fever clearance times (FCT) were 26.1+/-10.2 and 21.1+/-11.8 hours respectively; the mean parasite clearance times (PCT) were 58.7+/-20.9 and 59.4+/-20.9 hours respectively, which showed no significant difference. 28-day follow-ups were accomplished on 39 and 37 cases respectively in two groups, the recrudescence rates were 20.5% (8/39) in 5-day group, while 2.7% (1/37) in 7-day group with significant difference (chi2=4.19, p<0.05). No clinical drug-related side effect was found in two groups during treatment.

Filariasis surveillance at the post-control stage in China.

From 1956, when filariasis control was first listed in our national program, up to 1991, a cumulative total of 677,931,521 person-time blood examinations and 217,472,045 person-time diethylcarbamazine treatments were made in the whole country, and 835 (96.6%) out of the 864 endemic counties achieved the criterion for control of filariasis. Surveillance data collected in various provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities starting from the second year after they reached the criterion for control of filariasis demonstrated that in 1991 the microfilarial rate in human populations and natural infection of filarial larvae in mosquito vector populations in previous endemic areas had already declined to a very low level, even zero, without resurgence in quite a number of villages. In some places where filariasis was brought under control relatively early, the anti-filarial antibody positive rate of the human population has fallen to a level the same as or similar to that in nonendemic areas. Therefore, the data suggest that in most places where filariasis has been controlled, the transmission of bancroftian filariasis and periodic malayan filariasis has been interrupted. However, filariasis is still endemic in 29 counties in China at present, the danger of introduction of sources of infection by the floating population hasn't been extinguished yet, and there are still a few areas with weak links in filariasis control. Therefore, control work still needs to be strengthened and systematic surveillance must be pursued until the elimination of filariasis in the whole country.

The development of culture-specific health education packages to increase case-finding of leprosy in Sarawak.

For any health education to succeed, the people's perception of the disease, their beliefs and cultural practices are of utmost importance as these have tremendous influence on their acceptance of new ideas. It is therefore essential to develop appropriate health education packages based on the understanding of the traditional and socio-cultural belief systems of the people. Thus on the basis of anthropological studies, health education packages were developed for the leprosy control programme in Sarawak, aimed at both adults and children. Newspaper articles, cartoon tape-slides, cartoon story books as well as posters were developed for both Chinese as well as other groups such as Malays, Ibans and Kayans. These were field tested and are now used in the Rejang Valley of Sarawak.

Human behavioural research applied to the leprosy control programme of Sarawak, Malaysia.

In 1984, in Sarawak, there were a total of 1,099 recorded cases of leprosy for a population of 1.3 million. However, for each case recorded, it is estimated that two others remain undiagnosed as a consequence of the stigmatization associated with leprosy. For the five year period, 1979-1983, an average of 29 new cases were detected each year of which 8.6 (30%) were deformed due to the late stages at which it was being reported. To increase the case-finding rate, human behavioural research was applied to the leprosy control programme so as to develop culture-specific health education packages aimed at self diagnosis and self referral in order to detect the large pool of undiagnosed cases hidden behind the veil of aversion, fear and ignorance. This was achieved through anthropological studies to identify how the various major ethnic groups perceived leprosy and their attitudes towards leprosy. Taking into account these findings, health education packages aimed at adults as well as children were developed for the Chinese as well as the non-Chinese, and consisted of newspaper articles, cartoon tape-slides, cartoon story books and posters.

Plasmodium falciparum strains from Papua New Guinea: culture characteristics and drug sensitivity.

Seven strains of Plasmodium falciparum from Papua New Guinea have been established in continuous in vitro culture. Samples with a high initial parasitaemia were more likely to form continuous lines, possibly due to the time required for transport of infected blood samples from Papua New Guinea to laboratories in Australia. Most but not all established lines were resistant to chloroquine and all were resistant to pyrimethamine, possibly reflecting the parasite strain characteristics in that region.