Ursolic acid in / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of ursolic acid in Hippophae rhamnoides L. on hepatocyte apoptosis in rats with alcoholic liver disease based on the mitochondria-cytochrome c pathway. Methods A total of 50 specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats were divided into normal control group, alcohol model group, and low-, middle-, and high-dose ursolic acid groups using a random number table, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the normal control group were given normal saline by gavage once a day for 8 weeks; the rats in the alcohol model group were given alcohol at increasing concentrations by gavage for 8 consecutive weeks; the rats in the low-, middle-, and high-dose ursolic acid groups were given ursolic acid at a dose of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, respectively, followed by an equal volume of alcohol as the model group 1 hour later. Serum liver function parameters were measured for each group; HE staining was used to observe liver histopathology; an electron microscope was used to observe hepatocyte ultrastructure; the TUNEL method was used to measure hepatocyte apoptosis; Western Blotting was used to measure the protein expression levels of cytochrome c and activated caspase-3 in hepatocyte mitochondria and cytoplasm. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the alcohol model group, the middle- and high-dose ursolic acid groups had significant reductions in the serum level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and cholinesterase (all P < 0.05). The rats in the alcohol model group had disordered arrangement of hepatic cords with marked hepatocyte edema and fatty degeneration, while those in the middle- and high- dose ursolic acid groups had basically normal arrangement of hepatic cords and a significant improvement in hepatocyte fatty degeneration, as well as a significant increase in the number of hepatocyte mitochondria and a significant improvement in morphology. Compared with the alcohol model group, the middle- and high-dose ursolic acid groups had significantly lower hepatocyte apoptosis rate and protein expression levels of cytochrome c and caspase-3 in cytoplasm (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Ursolic acid in Hippophae rhamnoides L. can improve the liver function and histomorphology of rats with alcoholic liver disease, possibly by inhibiting the release of cytochrome c in hepatocyte mitochondria, the activation of caspase-3, and the apoptosis of hepatocytes via the mitochondria-cytochrome c pathway.

Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physicaL activity in earLy pregnancy reduces risk of gestationaL diabetes meLLitus / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in early pregnancy on the onset of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Sichuan Province. Methods A case-control study was performed on 1 508 gravidas at 8-14 gestational weeks in Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children from February to July, 2017. Baseline information during early pregnancy was collected through questionnaires. Information on time and intensity of physical activity were collected through pregnancy physical activity questionnaire. The time spent in MVPA was calculated and was categorized as active ( ≥ 3.5 h/week) or inactive MVPA (<3.5 h/week). Based on self-reported pre-pregnancy weights collected by questionnaire as well as the measured heights, body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy was calculated. After a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24-28 gestational weeks, all subjects were divided into GDM (n=561) or non-GDM group (n=947), according to the GDM diagnostic criteria of the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pregnancy Diabetes in China (2014). Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between the time of MVPA in early pregnancy and GDM incidence. ResuLts The median time spent in MVPA [M(P25-P75)] in early pregnancy was 3.00 (0.50-3.12) h/week, and 345 gravidas (22.9%) were classified as active in MVPA. After the control of confounding factors such as age, gravidity and parity history, and pre-pregnancy BMI, the multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the inactive group, the risk of GDM of active MVPA gravidas was reduced by 26.1% (OR=0.739, 95%CI: 0.553-0.989, P=0.042). Among primigravidas and primiparae, the risk of GDM in active MVPA gravidas was decreased by 47.6% and 44.3% than the inactive ones, respectively (primigravidas: OR=0.524, 95%CI: 0.297-0.925, P=0.026; primiparae: OR=0.557, 95%CI: 0.357-0.868, P=0.010). ConcLusions Insufficient physical activity in early pregnancy is common in gravidas in Sichuan, China. The risk of GDM could be reduced if the frequency of MVPA during early pregnancy is no less than 3.5 h/week, especially in primigravidas and primiparae.

Association between gestational weight gain and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a prospective study / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods A prospective study was conducted among 1 220 healthy singleton pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy,from Chengdu city,Sichuan province.Pre-gestational body mass and other basic information were collected through a set of questionnaires.Weight at the last week before delivery was measured and GWG was classified by IOM criteria (2009).Related information on pregnancy outcomes was collected after delivery,through the hospital information system.Multiple non-conditional logistic regression models were used to test the association between GWG and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Results In total,data on 1 045 pregnant women were analyzed.Compared with adequate GWG,excessive GWG was associated with the increased risks of cord entanglement and large for gestational age (OR=1.641,95％CI:1.197-2.252;OR=1.678,95％ CI:0.132-2.488),respectively.Additionally,when compared with the adequate GWG,insufficient GWG was associated with the increased risk of preterm delivery (OR=3.189,95％CI:1.604-6.341).Conclusions Both excessive and insufficient GWG appeared associated with the pregnancy outcomes.Weight monitoring should be strengthened for pregnant women to reduce related risks on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Association between gestational weight gain and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a prospective study / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods A prospective study was conducted among 1 220 healthy singleton pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy,from Chengdu city,Sichuan province.Pre-gestational body mass and other basic information were collected through a set of questionnaires.Weight at the last week before delivery was measured and GWG was classified by IOM criteria (2009).Related information on pregnancy outcomes was collected after delivery,through the hospital information system.Multiple non-conditional logistic regression models were used to test the association between GWG and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Results In total,data on 1 045 pregnant women were analyzed.Compared with adequate GWG,excessive GWG was associated with the increased risks of cord entanglement and large for gestational age (OR=1.641,95％CI:1.197-2.252;OR=1.678,95％ CI:0.132-2.488),respectively.Additionally,when compared with the adequate GWG,insufficient GWG was associated with the increased risk of preterm delivery (OR=3.189,95％CI:1.604-6.341).Conclusions Both excessive and insufficient GWG appeared associated with the pregnancy outcomes.Weight monitoring should be strengthened for pregnant women to reduce related risks on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Effect of microRNA-29b on proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells and its molecular mechanism / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of microRNA(miRNA)-29b on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells and its molecular mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The recombinant lentiviral expression vector (lenti-miRNA-29b) was constructed and transfected into 293T cells to obtain lentivirus particles that were used to infect breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Transfection efficiency of lenti-miRNA-29b in MCF-7 cells was identified by the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP). The expression of miRNA-29b was detected by real-time PCR. The cell proliferation and migration were detected by CCK8 assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The bioinformatics softwares were used to predict and screen the downstream target genes regulated by miRNA-29b, which were verified by double luciferase reporter gene assay, RT-PCR and Western blot. The effects of screened target gene RTKN on the growth and migration of MCF-7 cells were verified by RTKN siRNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Recombinant lentiviral expression vector of miRNA-29b were successfully constructed. About 90% and 60% of the breast cancer cells showed green fluorescence in lenti-miRNA-29b and lenti-miRNA-NC groups, respectively. The expression of miRNA-29b in lenti-miRNA-29b group increased significantly compared with the lenti-miRNA-NC group and blank control group (all<0.05); the proliferation and migration ability of MCF-7 cells significantly reduced compared with the control group (all<0.05). The screening with bioinformatics softwares found that the 3'UTR coding region RTKN had the binding site to miRNA-29b; the dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the luciferase activity decreased significantly after the MCF-7 cells were co-transfected with wild type RTKN-WT-3'UTR and miRNA-29b mimics report gene vector (<0.05). The RTKN proteins in MCF-7 cells were significantly decreased after transfection with siRNA-RTKN, and the proliferation and migration ability of MCF-7 cells were significantly reduced (all<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MiRNA-29b can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells by inhibiting the expression of RTKN.</p>

Relationship between C-reaction protein (CRP) and glucose metabolism in advanced solid tumor patients / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To explore the relationship between CRP and glucose metabolism in advanced solid tumor patients. Methods 32 advanced stage malignant tumor patients with mild pain took celecoxib 200mg/qd orally, the plasma level of CRP, FBS, FINS, IR were measured before taking drug and 5 days later. Results CRP is well related with FINS, IR, P level, CRP[(8.17?1.76) mg/L vs (4.37?0.65) mg/L], P(876?123)pmol/L vs (621?145) pmol/L], FINS[(14.23?7.21) ?U/L vs (9.83?3.37) ?U/L] and IR [(3.2?1.01) vs (1.9?0.78)] all were improved significantly after taking celecoxib. Conclusion CRP has some relationship with abnormal glucose metabolism in advanced stage malignant tumor patients, taking celecoxib may improve this abnormal glucose metabolism.