High glucose promotes the release of IL-1β and IL-18 from placental trophoblast by activating NLRP3 inflammasome / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of high glucose on the release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in placental trophoblast by activating NLRP3 inflammasome.Methods:Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) placentas and control placentas were collected and the expression levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 were determined. Human placental trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo were cultured and divided into control group(5.5 mmol/L glucose), high glucose group(25 mmol/L glucose), DMSO+ high glucose group, and Ac-YVAD-cmk(NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor)+ high glucose group. The expression levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in cells as well as the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in the medium were determined.Results:The expression levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in GDM placenta were higher than those in control placenta( P<0.05) and positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistant index(HOMA-IR) and fasting insulin. The expression levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in HTR-8/SVneo cells and the secretion levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in high glucose group were higher than those in control group( P<0.05). Ac-YVAD-cmk significantly suppressed high glucose-stimulated IL-1β and IL-18 secretion( P<0.05). Conclusion:High glucose promotes the release of IL-1β and IL-18 from placental trophoblast via activating NLRP3 inflammasome.

The efficacy and safety of injection-related risk management based on WeChat platform in type 2 diabetic patients with the first insulin self-injection / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective:To assess the implementation of injection-related risk management based on WeChat platform for type 2 diabetic patients with the insulin self-injection.Methods:A total of 124 diabetic patients, who would receive insulin therapy by self-injection at home after discharge from the PLA 903 hospital during April 2017 to July 2018, were divided into the control group( n=62)and the study group( n=62). All patients were given routine education on insulin injection during the hospitalization,while the study group( n=62)received additional video and text education based on WeChat platform after discharge. The skill of self-injection and the status of blood glucose control were evaluated in both groups 4 weeks and 8 weeks after discharge, respectively. Results:The insulin injection skill, including skin disinfection [36(58%) vs. 11(18%),χ 2=21.42, P<0.01], exhaust before injection [62(100%) vs. 51(82%),χ 2=12.07, P<0.01], stay 10s after injection [60 (97%) vs. 47(76%),χ 2=11.52, P<0.01], disposal of used needle[49(79%) vs. 18(29%),χ 2=31.20, P<0.01], rotation of injection site [48(77%) vs. 35(56%),χ 2=6.16, P=0.01], insulin storage [62(100%) vs. 57(92%),χ 2=5.21, P=0.02], and the ability of correctly dealing with hypoglycemia [52(84%) vs. 38(61%),χ 2=7.94, P=0.01] in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group after 4 weeks of injection-related risk management. The fasting plasma glucose [(6.41±0.76) vs.(7.19±0.81)mmol/L, t=5.61, P<0.01], glycosylated hemoglobin A1c [(6.71±0.64)% vs. (7.37±0.78)%, t=5.18, P<0.01], incidence of hypoglycemia [6(10%) vs. 15(24%),χ 2=4.64, P=0.03] in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group after 12 weeks of the management. Conclusion:The risk management based on WeChat platform can improve insulin self-injection skill and the ability of dealing with hypoglycemia,also promote effective blood glucose control for diabetes patients.

Application of formatted text message in follow-up improves treatment compliance of patients with hyperthyroidism / 中华全科医师杂志

Eighty patients with hyperthyroidism treated in PLA 903 Hospital from February 2016 to May 2017 were randomly divided into two groups with 40 cases in each group.Patients in control group received routine outpatient education and those in study group received regular formatted mobile short message during follow-up in addition to routine education.The knowledge of disease,the compliance and satisfaction of treatment were assessed.After 12 weeks of follow-up,the TSH level was higher [0.430(0.050,2.806) vs.0.210(0.003,1.098) mU/L,Z=-8.07,P＜0.01],FT3 [(3.24± 1.18) vs.(4.18±2.07)ng/L,t=-2.49,P＜ 0.05] and FT4 levels [(12.43±6.82) vs.(19.58±19.06) ng/L,t=-2.26,P＜0.05] were lower in study group than those in control group.The scores of disease knowledge (6.12± 1.77 vs.5.25±1.79,t=4.67,P＜0.05),the Morisky scores of medication compliance (3.77±0.47 vs.3.37±0.73,t=8.22,P＜0.01),the rates of compliance for returning (85％ vs.65％,x2=4.27,P＜0.05) and the satisfaction rates with treatments (93％ vs.75％,x2=3.30,P＜0.05) in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group.The score of disease knowledge in study group increased from 4.32± 1.55 before treatment to 6.12± 1.77 after 12 weeks of follow-up (t=22.65,P＜0.01).The results indicate that the health education plus regular formatted text message during follow-up can effectively improve the disease knowledge score,the compliance and satisfaction with treatment in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Effect of combination therapy with sitagliptin on abdominal visceral fat area in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华全科医师杂志

The clinical data of 96 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated in Department of endocrinology of our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had been treated with metformin ≥1 000 mg combined with sulfonylureas for>12 weeks and their glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was>7.5%. On the basis of the original scheme, 57 patients received oral sitagliptin (100 mg q.d, sitagliptin group) and 39 patients received insulin glargine injection (insulin group) for 26 weeks. The blood lipid, liver and kidney function were examined before and after treatment. The abdominal visceral fat area (VFA) was measured by CT scan. Results showed that the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) , 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 hPG) and HbA1c were significantly lower than baseline levels in both groups(P<0.05). The decrease of VFA in sitagliptin and insulin groups was by 9.6 (1.4,19.6)cm2 and by 8.3(-2.2,26.8) cm2, respectively; there was significant difference in variation of VFA before and after treatment between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in blood pressure, liver function (ALT, AST) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before and after treatment in the sitagliptin group (P>0.05). Additional sitagliptin administration can effectively and safely reduce HbA1c and decrease the abdominal visceral fat content in T2DM patients who failed to metformin and sulfonylureas combined therapy.

Experimental study of regulatory effect of hydrogen sulfide on sFlt-1 production in adipocytes through ADAM17 / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To study the effect of hydrogen sulfide on the production of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) through a distintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) in adipocytes. Methods 3T3-L1 cells were cultured and induced to differentiate into adipocytes, then treated with different doses of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), L-cysteine or transfected with cystathionine-γ-lyase ( CSE) siRNA, ADAM17 siRNA or treated with ADAM17 inhibitor, monoclonal antibody. 24 hours after treatment, the expression of ADAM17, CSE, and the production of sFlt-1 were determined. Results After the treatment of 10, 25, 50 nmol/L NaHS or 0. 5, 1. 0, 2. 0 μmol/L L-cysteine, the expression of ADAM17 and the production of sFlt-1 in adipocytes were significantly decreased, the higher dose of L-cysteine and sFlt-1, the lower expression of ADAM17 and the production of sFlt-1; the effect of 2.0 μmol/L L-cysteine decreasing the expression of ADAM17 and the production of sFlt-1 were reversed by transfection of CSE siRNA; after the transfection of ADAM17 siRNA and treatment of ADAM17 inhibitor or monoclonal antibody, the production of sFlt-1 in adipocytes were significantly decreased. Conclusion Hydrogen sulfide can reduce the production of sFlt-1 in adipocytes by downregulating the expression of ADAM17.

Clinical Observation of Metformin in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy and safety of metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes(T2DM) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). METHODS:106 patients with T2DM with NAFLD were randomly divided into control group and observation group. Control group was received health education about T2DM with NAFLD and living intervention(diabe-tes diet and physical therapy);observation group was additionally given Metformin tablet 0.5 g,orally,3 times a day. The treat-ment course for both groups was 12 weeks. Clinical efficacy,and liver fat content,BMI,FPG,IR,TG,TC,LDL-C,HDL-C,HbA1c before and after treatment,and incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups were observed. RESULTS:After treatment,liver fat con-tent and related index in 2 groups were significantly better than before(except HOMA-IR in control group),and observaton group was better than control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Based on the conventional treatment,metformin has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of T2DM with NAFLD.

Abdominal visceral fat area and its relationship with insulin resistance in male patients with type 2 diabetes and normal body mass index / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To investigate abdominal visceral fat area and its relationship with insulin resistance in male patients with type 2 diabetes and normal body mass index (BMI).Methods Seven male patients with type 2 diabetes and normal BMI were divided into two groups according to the abdominal visceral fat area (VFA) measured by CT:visceral obesity group (VFA ≥ 100 cm2) and non-visceral obesity group.Indicators of glucose and lipids metabolism were measured in two groups.Results Among 70 patients 50 (71％) had visceral obesity.In 59 patients who had normal BMI and normal waist circumference (≤90 cm),41 presented visceral obesity (69％).Compared with non-visceral obesity group,the waist circumference,homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR),triglyceride,and VFA were significantly higher in visceral obesity group [(86.4 ± 5.6) vs.(81.2 ± 4.8) cm,t =-2.980,P ＜ 0.01;2.83±2.31 vs.2.01±1.30,t=-2.025,P＜0.05;1.93(1.26-2.79) vs.1.11(0.75-1.46) mmol/L,Z=-3.777,P＜0.01;(143.6 ±31.8)vs.(73.7 ±17.3)cm2,t =-11.456,P＜0.01].Fasting insulin,fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin tended higher in visceral obesity group but not significantly (P ＞ 0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that after adjustment for age and body mass index,abdominal VFA was positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r =0.240,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Male type 2 diabetic patients have a high rate of visceral obesity even when their body mass index and waist circumference are normal.Abdominal visceral fat area is closely associated with insulin resistance.

Relationship among ALDH2 gene polymorphism, alcohol metabolism and acetaldehyde level in peripheral blood / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore alcohol pharmacokinetics as well as acetaldehyde level in peripheral blood in human subjects with different ALDH2 genotypes after drinking.@*METHODS@#Venous blood samples of 14 unrelated volunteers were collected. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technology was adopted for DNA extraction and ALDH2 genotyping. The volunteers were asked to drink beer at certain doses. The concentration of alcohol and acetaldehyde were assayed by headspace gas chromatography method at different time. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.@*RESULTS@#According to the results of electrophoresis, 5 people carried ALDH2*1/*1 as wild group and 9 people carried ALDH2*1/*2 as mutation group. The good linear range of alcohol and acetaldehyde were 0-1 570.7 microg/mL and 0-5.1772 microg/mL, respectively. The AUC values of alcohol and acetaldehyde and the t1/2Z value of alcohol were higher in the mutation group than that in the wild group. But the CL/F value of alcohol was lower in the mutation group than that in the wild group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#After the consumption of alcohol, alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolism in blood slow down in ALDH2*1/*2 mutation group influenced by the inhibition of enzyme activity, leading to the accumulation of acetaldehyde in peripheral blood, thus reinforcing their effects in the body.

Prevalence of overweight, obesity and related metabolic diseases among male public institution office workers in health check-up / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence of overweight,obesity and related metabolic diseases among male public institution office workers in health check-up.Methods Total 1 018 male public institution office workers aged 23-60 underwent annual health check-up at our hospital in 2012.The data including blood pressure,waist circumference,height,body weight,serum glucose,plasma lipids and serum uric acid were analyzed.According to body mass index (BMI),the subjects were classified as:underweight(BMI ＜ 18.5 kg/m2),normal weight (18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ＜ 24 kg/m2),overweight (24 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ＜ 28 kg/m2) and obesity(BMI≥28 kg/m2).Results The prevalence of overweight,obesity,central obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS) were 40.9％ (416/1 018),7.9％ (80/1 018),53.0％ (540/1 018),and 11.2％ (114/1 018),respectively.There were significant differences in fasting blood glucose (FPG),TC,TG,uric acid(UA),systolic blood pressure(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure(DBP) levels among different groups (F =4.82,12.09,40.55,6.19,28.97 and 49.29,respectively,all P ＜0.01).The prevalence rate of hypertension in underweight,normal,overweight and obesity groups was 0,11.8％,27.4％ and 37.5％,respectively; that of diabetes was 0,1.6％,5.5％ and 10.0％,respectively; that of hyperlipidemia was 40.0％,47.2％,66.3％ and 71.2％,respectively; that of hyperuricemia was 0,5.0％,13.5％ and 13.8％,respectively,which showed that with the increasing of BMI,the prevalence rates of related metabolic diseases were increased(x2 =55.97,9.65,43.32 and 24.08,all P ＜0.01).And the co-morbidity rate with ≥3 diseases in 4 BMI groups were 0(0/20),1.4％ (7/502),5.8％ (24/416) and 13.8％ (11/80),respectively (x2 =31.90,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Obesity and overweight are correlated with metabolic disorders and the obese subjects are at high risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Correlation of serum visfatin and free fatty acid with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To investigate the association of serum visfatin and free fatty acid (FFA) with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods One hundred and nineteen patients with T2DM and 65 health subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were enrolled in the study.TheT2DM patients were further classified as insulin resistant (HOMA-IR ＞ 2.8 mU/L,T2DM-IR group,n =61) and non-insulin resistant (HOMA-IR≤2.8 mU/L,T2DM-NIR group,n =58).Serum visfatin,free fatty acid and related clinical variables were measured,and HOMA-IR was calculated.Results The serum levels of visfatin and FFA in T2DM patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls [(4.7 ±2.5) vs.(1.7±0.9) ng/L,t=-11.831,P＜0.01; (1.65±0.69) vs.(0.61 ±0.21) mmol/L,t=-9.239,P ＜0.01].The serum levels of visfatin and FFA in T2DM-IR group were significantly higher than those in T2DM-NIR group [(6.3±2.3) vs.(3.0±1.4) ng/L,P＜0.01; (2.16±0.45) vs.(1.12± 0.46) mmol/L,P ＜0.01].Multiple regression analysis showed that FFA,fasting insulin level and waist/ hip ratio (WHR) were independent risk factors of serum visfatin level (r =0.564,0.267 and 0.188 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Serum levels of visfatin and FFA are increased in T2DM,and they are closely associated with insulin resistance.

The correlation study of fibroblast growth factor 23 and chronic heart failure / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective Through the correlation study of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and chronic heart failure to investigate the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure and provide a new method for chronic heart failure diagnosis.Methods One hundred and twenty-eight chronic heart failure patients (chronic heart failure group) were involved in this study.According to the level of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),they were divided into LVEF slightly lowing group (LVEF 40％-50％,50 patients),LVEF moderately lowing group (LVEF 30％-39％,35 patients),LVEF severely lowing group (LVEF ＜30％,43 patients).Fifty healthy people was as control group.The level of FGF-23,parathyroid hormone (PTH),creatinine (Cr),urea nitrogen (BUN),blood calcium,blood phosphorus,N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were detected.The patients in two groups were performed color Doppler ultrasonography.Results The level of FGF-23,blood phosphorus,PTH,left ventricular mass index (LVMI),NT-proBNP in chronic heart failure group were significantly higher than those in control group [68.44(55.85-94.73) ng/L,34.18(30.57-38.87) ng/L,(1.13 ± 0.13) mmol/L vs.(1.02± 0.12) mmol/L,(15.51 ± 3.99) ng/L vs.(9.97 ± 0.89) ng/L,(112.27 ± 52.02) g/m2 vs.(71.37 ± 12.95) g/m2,(6 265.3 ± 15 991.6) ng/L vs.(76.12 ± 51.80) ng/L](P ＜ 0.01).The level of blood calcium,glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in chronic heart failure group were significantly lower than those in control group [(2.28 ±0.16) mmol/L vs.(2.48 ±0.13) mmol/L,(78.28 ± 14.20) ml/ (min ·1.73 m2) vs.(85.03 ± 14.44)ml/ (min·1.73 m2)] (P ＜ 0.01).Spearman correlation analysis showed that FGF-23 had positive correlation with age (r =0.256,P ＜0.01),blood phosphorus (r =0.326,P ＜0.01),PTH (r =0.584,P ＜0.01),NT-proBNP (r =0.799,P ＜ 0.01),LVMI (r =0.540,P ＜ 0.01),and had negative correlation with blood calcium (r =-0.308,P ＜ 0.01),GFR(r =-0.527,P ＜ 0.01).The level of FGF-23 was increased when LVEF reduced.Conclusions It has significant correlation between the level of FGF-23 and the degree of chronic heart failure.It suggests that the level of FGF-23 can evaluate the myocardial systolic function and ventricular remodeling.

Association of serum soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and hypersensitivity-CRP levels with peripheral vascular disease of lower limbs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To investigate the association of serum levels of soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1),soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with peripheral vascular disease of lower limbs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods One hundred and thirty T2DM patients admitted from October 2011 to October 2012,and 30 age/sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study.The serum levels of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,hs-CRP and other clinical parameters were measured; the peripheral blood vessels of lower limbs were examined with color Doppler ultrasonography.Based on the extent of angiopathy of lower limbs T2DM patients were classified as normal vascular group (n =26),mild angiopathy group (n =45),moderate/severe angiopathy group (n =59).Results The serum levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in moderate/ severe angiopathy group of T2DM patients were higher than those in mild angiopathy group,normal vascular group and healthy controls (t:4.15-8.93,all P ＜0.05) ; the serum levels of hs-CRP in moderate/severe angiopathy group were higher than those in mild angiopathy group,normal vascular group and healthy controls (t:2.18-4.27,all P ＜ 0.05).The serum sICAM-1 level was positively correlated with total cholesterol (TC),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and sVCAM-1.The serum sVCAM-1 level was positively correlated with course of disease,systolic blood pressure and CRP.Conclusions Serum levels of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1 and hs-CRP are correlated with the extent of angiopathy of lower limbs in T2DM patients,and the elevated sICAM-1 ; sVCAM-1 and hs-CRP levels are also associated with hyper blood pressure,dislipidemia and chronic inflammation.

Correlation of free fatty acids with carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes / 中华全科医师杂志

Seventy patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM),23 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 35 individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were recruited in the study.Fasting free fatty acids (fFFA) and postprandial free fatty acids (2 hFFA) after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured; homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR),area under the curve of free fatty acids (AUCFFA) were calculated.The carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed by color ultrasonography.HOMA-IR,fFFA,2 hFFA,AUCFFA and IMT in T2DM group were 3.3 ±3.2,(0.55 ± 0.20) mmol/L,(0.28 ±0.18)mmol/L,(0.83 ±0.34)mmol · L-1 · h-1 and (0.12±0.05) cm,which were significantly higher than those in NGT group,respectively [1.9 ± 1.3,(0.41 ±0.15) mmol/L,(0.12 ± 0.10) mmol/L,(0.53 ± 0.20) mmol · L-1 · h 1 and (0.09 ± 0.03) cm,all P ＜0.05].Both HOMA-IR and IMT were positively correlated with fFFA,2 hFFA and AUCFFA (all P ＜ 0.05).The results indicate that the levels of fasting and postprantial free fatty acid were related with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis of carotid artery.

Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin phosphate in type 2 diabetics poorly controlled by antidiabetic drugs / 中华全科医师杂志

A 24-week study was performed to compare the efficacies of before and after dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin phosphate 100 mg/d in 42 type 2 diabetics who were inadequately controlled with multiple oral antidiabetic drugs for at least 3 months.The treatment group sitagliptin phosphate fasting plasma glucose,2 h postprandial glucose (2 hPPG) and glycated hemoglobulin decreased significantly compared with before treatment [(9.3 ±1.2) to (6.5 ±1.9) mmol/L,(15.2 ±3.1) to (8.1 ±2.1)mmol/L,(8.2 ± 2.1) ％ to (6.7 ± 1.3) ％,all P ＜ 0.01].There was no hypoglycemia,weight gain or other adverse reactions.The short-term sitagliptin phosphate could effectively reduce the blood sugar levels of poorly controlled obese type 2 diabetics.With a low incidence of hypoglycemia and an excellent safety profilc,there was no weight gain.

The expression of hepatitis B virus surface antigen in 120 Hodgkin's lymphoma patients / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>Little is known about the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. This study was to evaluate the impact of HBV infection on the survival of Hodgkin's lymphoma patient.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 120 Hodgkin's lymphoma patients treated at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2004 and October 2007 were collected. The impact of prognostic factors including HBV infection on survival was examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. A log-rank test was used for univariate analysis and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 120 patients, 18 (15.0%) were hepatitis B virus surface antigen HBsAg-positive. The HBsAg-positive patients had lower 5-year survival rate than did the HBsAg-negative ones (66.9% vs. 91.3%, P = 0.006). When the patients were divided into early-stage (I + II) and advanced-stage (III + IV) groups, the 5-year survival rate was significantly different between the HBsAg-positive and -negative patients in early-stage group (64.8% vs. 96.0%, P < 0.001), while not significantly different in advanced-stage group (75.0% vs. 84.8%, P = 0.667). Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that radiotherapy and HBV infection were independent prognosis factors for the patients with early-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (P = 0.006 and 0.014, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence of HBV infection is similar between Hodgkin's lymphoma patients and normal population. HBV infection is an independent prognosis factor for survival in the patients with early-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma.</p>

Protective effects of omega-3 fish oil on lead-induced impairment of long-term potentiation in rat dentate gyrus in vivo / 生理学报

In order to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fish oil supplement by gavage (0.4 mL/100 g body weight) on the chronic lead-induced (0.2% lead acetate) impairments of long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat dentate gyrus (DG) in vivo, we designed the experiments which were carried out in four groups of newborn Wistar rats (the control, the lead-exposed, the control with fish oil treatment and the lead-exposed with fish oil treatment, respectively). The excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and population spike (PS) amplitude were measured in the DG of rats with above different treatments at the age of 80-90 d in response to stimulation applied to the lateral perforant path. The results showed (1) postnatal chronic lead-exposure impaired LTP measured on both EPSP slope and PS amplitude in DG area of the hippocampus; (2) in the control rats, omega-3 fish oil had no effect on LTP while in the lead-exposed rats, omega-3 fish oil had a protective effect on LTP. These results suggest that omega-3 fish oil supplement could protect rats from the lead-induced impairment of LTP. Omega-3 fish oil might be a preventive substance in reducing LTP deficits induced by lead.

Effects of chronic administration of melatonin on spatial learning ability and long-term potentiation in lead-exposed and control rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the changes in spatial learning performance and long-term potentiation (LTP) which is recognized as a component of the cellular basis of learning and memory in normal and lead-exposed rats after administration of melatonin (MT) for two months.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Experiment was performed in adult male Wistar rats (12 controls, 12 exposed to melatonin treatment, 10 exposed to lead and 10 exposed to lead and melatonin treatment). The lead-exposed rats received 0.2% lead acetate solution from their birth day while the control rats drank tap water. Melatonin (3 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered to the control and lead-exposed rats from the time of their weaning by gastric gavage each day for 60 days, depending on their groups. At the age of 81-90 days, all the animals were subjected to Morris water maze test and then used for extracellular recording of LTP in the dentate gyrus (DG) area of the hippocampus in vivo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Low dose of melatonin given from weaning for two months impaired LTP in the DG area of hippocampus and induced learning and memory deficit in the control rats. When melatonin was administered over a prolonged period to the lead-exposed rats, it exacerbated LTP impairment, learning and memory deficit induced by lead.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Melatonin is not suitable for normal and lead-exposed children.</p>

Protection effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine on lead-exposed rats during development and its mechanism of long-term potentiation / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) on blood lead concentration and oxidative stress of tissue in prenatal and postnatal lead-exposed rats, and evaluate the potential reparation exerted by SAM on paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and long-term potentiation (LTP) in lead-exposed rat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, lead-exposed and lead-exposed with SAM treatment groups. Lead-exposed rats drank 1.5 g/L lead acetate solution through pregnancy until weaning and then the pups received 20 mg/kg SAM or saline daily intraperitoneally depending on their group. Control group rats drank tap water throughout the experiment. At the postnatal 44-60 days, all the pup rats were given an extracellular recording measured in dentate gyrus (DG) area of hippocampus. The blood lead concentration and oxidative stress in liver, brain and hippocampus were also detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The blood lead concentration in lead-exposed group was higher (159. 3 +/- 10. 9 microg/L) in comparing with those of control group (27.5 +/-3.8 microg/L) and lead +SAM group (33.1 +/-9.5 microg/L) (F=213.5, P<0.01). A significant recovery of liver, brain glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was clearly produced in lead-exposed rats after SAM treatment (P <0.05). Chronic lead exposure during development impaired LTP measured on field excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) [(112 +/-2.1)%] compared with control rats [(131+/-4.5)%] and the impaired LTP could be significantly increased by SAM treatment [(120 +/- 2.6)%] (F = 26. 1, P <0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SAM might be beneficial for treatment of lead intoxication, especially in the rescue of learning and memory impairment induced by lead and should deserve more detailed research.</p>

Accumulation and distribution of arsenic and cadmium by tea plants / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

It is important to research the rules about accumulation and distribution of arsenic and cadmium by tea plants, which will give us some scientific ideas about how to control the contents of arsenic and cadmium in tea. In this study, by field investigation and pot trial, we found that mobility of arsenic and cadmium in tea plants was low. Most arsenic and cadmium absorbed were fixed in feeding roots and only small amount was transported to the above-ground parts. Distribution of arsenic and cadmium, based on their concentrations of unit dry matter, in tea plants grown on un-contaminated soil was in the order: feeding roots>stems approximately main roots>old leaves>young leaves. When tea plants were grown on polluted soils simulated by adding salts of these two metals, feeding roots possibly acted as a buffer and defense, and arsenic and cadmium were transported less to the above-ground parts. The concentration of cadmium in soil significantly and negatively correlated with chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and biomass production of tea plants.

A novel technique of three-dimensional reconstruction segmentation and analysis for sliced images of biological tissues / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

A novel technique of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, segmentation, display and analysis of series slices of images including microscopic wide field optical sectioning by deconvolution method, cryo-electron microscope slices by Fourier-Bessel synthesis and electron tomography (ET), and a series of computed tomography (CT) was developed to perform simultaneous measurement on the structure and function of biomedical samples. The paper presents the 3D reconstruction segmentation display and analysis results of pollen spore, chaperonin, virus, head, cervical bone, tibia and carpus. At the same time, it also puts forward some potential applications of the new technique in the biomedical realm.