LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and hypertriglyceridemia: a meta-analysis involving 1,640 subjects

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene Pvu II polymorphism has been associated with an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia (HT), there is no clear consensus within the scientific community. METHODS: A meta-analysis of 1,640 subjects from six individual studies was conducted to better elucidate the potential relationship between the LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and HT within the Chinese population. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated by using fixed effect models. RESULTS: Our analysis indicated a significant association between LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and HT within the Chinese population under allelic (OR, 1.550; 95% CI, 1.320 to 1.830; p = 1.158 × 10-7), recessive (OR, 0.540; 95% CI, 0.390 to 0.750; p = 0.0002), dominant (OR, 1.889; 95% CI, 1.501 to 2.377; p = 5.960 × 10-8), homozygous (OR, 2.167; 95% CI, 1.531 to 3.067; p = 1.242 × 10-5), heterozygous (OR, 1.810; 95% CI, 1.419 to 2.309; p = 1.842 × 10-6), and additive genetic models (OR, 1.553; 95% CI, 1.320 to 1.828; p = 1.158 × 10-7). CONCLUSIONS: Because LPL gene Pvu II restriction fragment length polymorphism polymorphism was associated with an elevated risk of HT, the P+ allele carriers of the LPL gene might be predisposed to HT.

Effects of rutaecarpine on right ventriclar remodeling in rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of rutaecarpine (Rut) on right ventricular remodeling in rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Forty-eight SD rats were fed adaptively for 1 week and then were randomly divided into the following 4 groups (n = 12): normal control group, monocrotaline (MCT) treatment group, MCT treatment with Rut (20 mg/kg)group and MCT treatment with Rut (40 mg/kg) group. PH rats were induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg, sc) and were administered with Rut (20 or 40 mg/kg/d) for 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) were monitored via the right jugular vein catheterization into the right ventricle. The ratio of right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) + septum (S) and the ratio of RV to tibial length were calculated. Right ventricular morphological changes were deserved by HE staining. Masson's trichrome staining was used to display collagen deposition. The total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in right ventricle were determined according to the manufacturer's instructions. mRNA and protein expression levels of NOX4, collagen I and collagen III were analyzed by immunohistochemisty, real-time PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that Rut treatment for 4 weeks attenuated RVSP, mPAP and right ventricular remodeling index (RV/LV + S and RV/Tibial length) of PH rats induced by monocrotaline. Furthermore, the right ventricular collagen deposition and collagen I and collagen I expression induced by MCT were both significantly suppressed by Rut. The expression levels of NOX4 and MDA were obviously decreased, while the T-AOC was significantly increased in right ventricular from PH rats treated with Rut.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggested that Rut ameliorates the right ventricular remodeling in rats with PH induced by MCT through down-regulating of NOX4 expression and collagen accumulation.</p>

Expression of claudin-3 and β-catenin in borderline ovarian tumors and its clinicopathological significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the expression of claudin-3 and β-catenin in borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) and its clinicopathological significance. Methods We examined the expressions of claudin-3 and β-catenin and their relationship with the clinicopathological features in 17 normal ovarian tissues, 31 epithelial benign ovarian tumors, 39 epithelial malignant ovarian tumors and 69 BOTs by SP immuno histochemistry method. Results The positive expression rate of claudin-3 protein in BOTs (59. 4%, 41/69) was significantly lower than that in the malignant ovarian tumors (89. 7%, 35/39), and higher than that in normal ovaries (5.9%, 1/17) and benign ovarian tumors (22. 6%, 7/31)(P0. 05). The positive expression rate of β-catenin protein in BOTs (52.2%, 36/39) was significantly lower than that in the malignant ovarian tumors (84. 7%, 33/39), and higher than that in normal ovaries (11. 8%, 2/17) and benign ovarian tumors (29. 0%, 9/31; P0. 05). The expression of claudin-3 and β-catenin was correlated with the clinciopathological stage and intraperitoneal metastases (P0. 05). Expression of claudin-3 and β-catenin was positively correlated in BOTs (r = 0. 439, P = 0. 000). Conclusion Claudin-3 and β-catenin may play a synergistic role in the oncogenesis and progression of BOTs. Simutaneous detection of claudin-3 and β-catenin is valuable for diagnosis and treatment of BOTs.

Effect of Erzhi Pill (二至丸) on improving cerebral nerve cell apoptosis in aging rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Erzhi Pill (二至丸,EZP) on nerve cell apoptosis in senescence model rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats model of senescence was established by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy. Forty SD rats were randomized into four groups, the normal control group, the senescence model group, the EZP treated group, and the vitamins treated group, 10 in each group. The rats were made into senescence model except those in the normal group. In the same time of D-galactose injection, the rats were treated respectively with distilled water, EZP 4.32 g/kg, and vitamins E and C 0.06 g/kg daily for 6 weeks via intragastric infusion. The index of main viscera (as brain, testis, etc.), serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total anti-oxidation capacity (T-AOC) were measured after a 6-week treatment. Meanwhile, the cerebral cortex neuronal apoptosis proportion and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both EZP and vitamins E and C treatments showed effects on increasing testis index and serum level of T-AOC, reducing the percentage of neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex, and elevating MMP in the aging rats model.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EZP could inhibit the cerebral cortex neuron apoptosis and maintain the mitochondrial function in the senescent process of rats induced by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy. It also shows antioxidation effect to some extents.</p>