Functional Connections of the Vestibulo-spino-adrenal Axis in the Control of Blood Pressure Via the Vestibulosympathetic Reflex in Conscious Rats

Significant evidence supports the role of the vestibular system in the regulation of blood pressure during postural movements. In the present study, the role of the vestibulo-spino-adrenal (VSA) axis in the modulation of blood pressure via the vestibulosympathetic reflex was clarified by immunohistochemical and enzyme immunoassay methods in conscious rats with sinoaortic denervation. Expression of c-Fos protein in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and blood epinephrine levels were investigated, following microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists or antagonists into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and/or sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension. Both microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists (NMDA and AMPA) into the MVN or rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus (RVLM) and SNP-induced hypotension led to increased number of c-Fos positive neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and increased blood epinephrine levels. Pretreatment with microinjection of glutamate receptor antagonists (MK-801 and CNQX) into the MVN or RVLM prevented the increased number of c-Fos positive neurons resulting from SNP-induced hypotension, and reversed the increased blood epinephrine levels. These results indicate that the VSA axis may be a key component of the pathway used by the vestibulosympathetic reflex to maintain blood pressure during postural movements.

The differential expression profile of polycystic ovary syndrome associated genes / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To explore the gene differential expression pattern of polycystic ovary syn-drome.Methods:We carried out microarray analysis to define the gene networks by the PCOS granulosacells in order to identify differentially expressed genes in PCOS patients.These granulosa cells of fivePCOS cases and five control cases which were derived during oocyte retrieval from women undergoingIVF.Results:As compared with control human ovarian granulosa cells,46 genes were screened out,25genes were up-regulated,and 21genes were down-regulated in PCOS.These differentially expressedgenes were involved in various biologic functions,such as regulation of fatty acid metabolism,cell-cellsignal transduction,immune and inflammatory response,reflecting the complexity of clinical manifesta-tions of PCOS.Conclusion:Microarray analysis technology is an effective mothod to identify novel PCOSassociated candidate genes.

Interrelationship of abnormal family history in the first degree relatives and clinical phenotype of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To study the relationship of abnormal family history in the first degree relatives and the clinical phenotype of patients with polyeystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Clinical data of first degree relatives of 139 women with PCOS were collected by questionnaires,including body mass index(BMI),waist hip ratio(WHR),and hursutism score.Follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH),prolactin(PRL),testosterone(T),androstenedione(A),oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)and insulin releasing test were measured.Results(1)Compared with patients with a negative family history of diabetes mellitus,for women with a positive family history,WHR(0.99?0.10 vs 0.79?0.08)and score of hirsutism(1.9?1.2 vs 1.8?1.2)were increased,the duration of menstruation was longer[(108?10)vs(92?19)days];A[(11?6)vs(8?5)nmol/L],homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR,3.5?2.0 vs 2.7?1.6),area under curve(AUC) glucose[(836?245)vs(748?139)nmol?L~(-1)?min~(-1)],AUC insulin[(9670?4582)vs(7330?4311) mIU?L~(-1)?min~(-1)],fasting glucose[(5.0?1.1)vs(4.8?0.5)mmol/L]and fasting insulin[(15?8)vs (11?8)mIU/L]were increased,while early insulin secretion function index(?I60/?G60,32?22 vs 52?30),insulin sensitive index(ISI,0.019?0.011 vs 0.033?0.014)and disposition index(DI,18? 10 vs 30?22;P