Changes in metabolic capacity and gene expression of brown adipose tissue in the first and third trimester of pregnancy / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To explore gene expression and metabolic capacity changes of brown adipose tissue(BAT)during different gestation periods.Methods:A normal pregnancy model was established using C57BL/6J mice, while infertile mice of the same age were served as the control group. The morphological alteration of BAT during pregnancy as well as the gene expression of uncoupling protein 1(UCP1) and other fat browning and mitochondrial marker genes were detected. Moreover, BATs from early and late gestation were selected to screen differentially expressed genes in relation to pregnancy progressing by RNA sequencing(RNA-seq), and gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto gene and gene sequencing(KEGG)were performed.Results:With pregnancy progressing, the size of BAT lipid droplets was substantially enlarged, UCP1 protein expression was decreased( P<0.01), and the fat browning marker genes(Ucp1, Dio2, and Pgc1α)and the mitochondrial marker gene CytC were downregulated( P<0.001). Additionally, a total of 1 298 distinct genes were identified by RNA-seq, 906 of which were upregulated and 392 were downregulated at later stage of pregnancy. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in bioregulatory functional pathways such as lipid metabolism, sex steroid hormones, and inflammatory factors. Conclusion:BAT in mice showed larger lipid droplets and reduced thermogenic and metabolic capacity during late gestation, and BAT gene expression was significantly different in different periods of gestation, so reduced metabolic capacity of BAT may contribute to metabolic abnormality during pregnancy.

Isolation of human genomic DNA from archival dried blood spots for neonatal disease screening and its application to methylation detection / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To establish an effective DNA isolation method for neonatal disease screening,so as to explore its application to the methylation detection.Methods The 20 dried blood spots samples were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the gender:the traditional method group (n =10) and the improved kit method group(n =10).The DNA quality was evaluated based on its concentration,integrity and whether it could be used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR).These DNA samples with or without bisulfite treatment were used as template in the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP).The methylation levels of Leptin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene promoter region were detected.Results DNA concentration of the improved kit method [(5.70 ± 0.81) mg/L] was significantly higher than that of the traditional method [(3.50 ± 0.45) mg/L] (t =2.79,P ＜ 0.05),and biochemical analyzer analysis showed a better DNA integrity.Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that 18S gene fragment could be successfully amplified by PCR method,suggesting its potential application to PCR study.MSP results showed different DNA methylation levels of Leptin and TNF-α genes promoter regions from various samples.Conclusions The improved kit method can effectively extract DNA from dried blood spots samples,and these DNA can be used in methylation research.The study can provide a new research direction and technical method to reveal the pathogenesis of disease from the perspective of DNA methylation.

The changes in brown adipose adipogenic differentiation function with aging of mouse / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the status of C57BL/6J mouse brown fat adipogenic differentiation function with aging.Methods C57BL/6J female and male mice at the ages of 0-week (newborn),4-week,8-week,12-week old were selected from the same brood,brown adipose tissue was obstained from their interscapular region,and the brown adipose was identified by using immunohistochemical markers.Then the total RNA was extracted from the brown adipose and quality identification was determined at the same time.The expression levels of the related genes (PPARα,C/EBPα,PGC-1α,PPARγ,FOXC2,BMP7) induced by brown adipose adipogenic differentiation were detected by quantitative real-time PCR in 0-week,4-week,8-week,12-week mice.Results Uncoupling protein -1 (UCP1) immunohistochemical data indicated that positive deep-colour substance was brown adipose tissue.Quantitative Real-time PCR also indicated that the expression volume of adipogenesis gene gradually reduced with aging,and there were significant differences at the different time points [PPARα (F =11.96,P ＜ 0.000 1),C/EBPα (F =9.39,P ＜0.000 1),PGC-1α(F =17.21,P ＜0.000 1),PPARγ(F =13.11,P ＜0.000 1),FOXC2(F =12.23,P ＜0.000 1),BMP7(F =16.44,P ＜0.000 1)].Conclusions The adipogenic differentiation ability and activity of mouse brown adipose gradually reduce with aging.But the regulatory factors for its function needs to be further investigated.

Nutritional and physiologic significance of human milk proteins / 国际儿科学杂志

Breast milk is the normative standard for infant nutrition and contains a wide variety of proteins that contribute to its unique qualities.Bile salt-stimulated lipase and amylase assist in the digestion and utilization of micronutrients and macronutrients from the milk.Several proteins with antimicrobial activity,such as immunoglobulins,lactoferrin,k-casein,lysozyme and lactoperoxidase,are relatively resistant against proteolysis in the gastrointestinal tract and may,in intact or partially digested form,contribute to the defense of breastfed infants against pathogenic bacteria and viruses.Cytokines,colony stimulating factor and chemokine have immunomodulatory activities,whereas insulin-like growth factor,epidermal growth factor and peptides from caseins are likely to be involved in the development of the intestinal mucosa and other organs of newborns.In combination,breast-milk proteins assist in providing adequate nutrition to breastfed infants while simultaneously aiding in the defense against infection and facilitating optimal development of important physiologic functions in newborns.

The relationship of beta-fibrinogen gene polymorphisms and ischaemic cardiocerebral vascular disease / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the frequency of beta-fibrinogen (beta-Fg) gene -455G/A, -148C/T and 448G/A polymorphism, fibrinogen molecular reactivity and their association with plasma fibrinogen levels in health adults, myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The beta-Fg gene -455G/A, -148C/T and 448G/A polymorphisms were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Fibrinogen molecular reactivity was analyzed for the conversion kinetics of fibrinogen into fibrin by a computer assistant procedure. Plasma fibrinogen levels were determined by Clauss method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of -455A, -148T, 448A allele in health adults were 0.185, 0.194 and 0.192, in myocardial infarction disease 0.295, 0.318 and 0.307, in cerebral infarction disease 0.177, 0.193 and 0.182, respectively. The frequencies of -455A, -148T, 448A alleles in myocardial infarction disease were apparently higher than that of health adults. There were close linkage between -455G, -148C and 448G or -455A, -148T and 448A, the correspondence was over 98%. There are no differences in the plasma fibrinogen levels of the three polymorphisms in two genotype groups. The fibrinogen molecular reactivity was significantly increased in cardiocerebral vascular disease and related with plasma fibrinogen level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The three polymorphisms loci are strong linkage disequilibrium. There are no significant differences in the plasma fibrinogen levels of the three polymorphisms in two genotype groups. The frequencies of -455A, -148T, 448A alleles in myocardial infarction disease were apparently higher than that of health adults. It suggest that there was no association between beta-Fg gene -455G/A, -148C/T and 448G/A polymorphisms and plasma fibrinogen levels, but did in myocardial infarction disease. The fibrinogen molecular reactivity was significantly increased in cardiocerebral vascular disease and related with plasma fibrinogen level.</p>