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1.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces ; 11(4): 4242-4251, 2019 Jan 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30652470

ABSTRACT

Carbon nanocoils (CNCs) are employed to fabricate fast, high-resolution, and reversible humidity sensor based on a flexible liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate. The humidity sensor displays fast-response (1.9 s) and recovery time (1.5 s), a broad relative humidity (RH) detection range (4-95%), linearity, repeatability, and stability. The rapid response and recovery are considered to benefit from the hydrophobic effect of the LCP substrate and high purity of the CNCs, which give rise to weak physical adsorption. Meanwhile, the high sensitivity results from both the unique helical structure of CNCs and the microporous structure of the LCP substrate. The distinctive structure-related properties enable the sensor to reliably perceive an extremely small RH variation of 0.8%, which is too small to be detected by most humidity sensors reported previously. These features allow the sensor to monitor a variety of important human activities, such as respiration, speaking, blowing, and noncontact fingertip sensation, accurately. Furthermore, different human physical conditions can be distinguished by recognizing the respiration response patterns. In addition, the long-term operation and mechanical bending do not adversely affect the sensing performance.


Subject(s)
Carbon/chemistry , Nanostructures/chemistry , Humans , Humidity , Polymers/chemistry
2.
Med Sci Monit ; 23: 5728-5734, 2017 Dec 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29197221

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to examine the expression of miRNA-21 in the serum of elderly patients (>65 years) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to investigate the potential role of serum miRNA-21 as a marker of early cardiac myocyte damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-eight elderly patients with recent AMI, 27 elderly patients with unstable angina pectoris, and 25 healthy elderly individuals were included in the study. Serum miRNA-21 expression was determined following total RNA extraction and reverse-transcribed into cDNA, followed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence. Apoptosis of human cardiac myocytes (HCM) was analyzed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and protein expression of caspase-3 was detected using Western blot. RESULTS Expression levels of miRNA-21 in the serum of elderly patients with AMI were positively correlated with serum levels of CK-MB (r=0.3683, P=0.0229) and cTnI (r=0.5128, P=0.009). Following tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induction, the apoptosis rates of HCM transfected with the miRNA-21 mimic short hairpin RNA (shRNA) were downregulated by 39.1% compared with control HCM cells, and protein expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 were unchanged (P>0.05); protein expression of p-JNK, p-p38 and caspase-3 were downregulated by 37.1%, 35.8%, and 36.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Expression of miRNA-21 was upregulated in the serum of elderly patients with AMI, which inhibited TNF-a induced apoptosis in HCM by activating the JNK/p38/caspase-3 signaling pathway.


Subject(s)
MicroRNAs/blood , Myocardial Infarction/genetics , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Apoptosis/genetics , Biomarkers/blood , Caspase 3/metabolism , Cell Line , Creatine Kinase, MB Form/blood , Creatine Kinase, MB Form/genetics , Female , Humans , MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology , Male , MicroRNAs/biosynthesis , MicroRNAs/genetics , Myocardial Infarction/blood , Myocardial Infarction/pathology , Myocardium/metabolism , Myocardium/pathology , Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism , Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology , Troponin I/blood , Troponin I/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
3.
Chin Med J (Engl) ; 129(17): 2074-8, 2016 09 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27569234

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies revealed that culprit vessels of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were often related to mild or moderate stenosis. However, recent studies suggested that severe stenosis was primarily found in culprit lesions. The objective of this study was to analyze the stenosis severity of culprit lesions in STEMI patients and to clarify the paradoxical results. METHODS: A total of 489 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were retrospectively studied from January 2012 to December 2014. The patients were divided into three groups based on stenosis severity using quantitative coronary analysis: Group A, 314 cases, stenosis ≥70%; Group B, 127 cases, stenosis 50-70%; and Group C, 48 cases, stenosis ≤50%. The clinical, demographic, and angiographic data of all groups were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients in Group A exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of history of angina pectoris (95.9% vs. 62.5%, P< 0.001), multivessel disease (73.2% vs. 54.2%, P = 0.007), and lower cardiac ejection fraction (53.3 ± 8.6 vs. 56.8 ± 8.4, P= 0.009) than those in Group C. Multivariable analysis revealed that history of angina pectoris (odds ratio [OR]: 13.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.21-31.11) and multivessel disease (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.25-4.31) were correlated with severe stenosis of the culprit lesion in Group A. CONCLUSIONS: Most culprit lesions in STEMI patients were severe stenosis. These patients exhibited a higher prevalence of angina history and multivessel diseases.


Subject(s)
Coronary Thrombosis/diagnosis , Coronary Thrombosis/therapy , Myocardial Infarction/complications , Myocardial Infarction/therapy , Aged , Coronary Angiography , Coronary Thrombosis/pathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Myocardial Infarction/pathology , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Retrospective Studies
4.
Biomed Pharmacother ; 74: 145-7, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26349976

ABSTRACT

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes and remains a major cause of preventable blindness among adults at working age. DR involves an abnormal pathology of major retinal cells, including retinal pigment epithelium, microaneurysms, inter-retinal oedema, haemorrhage, exudates (hard exudates) and intraocular neovascularization. Hyperglycemia is the driving force for the development of diabetic retinopathy. The exact cause of diabetic nephropathy is unknown, but various postulated mechanisms are: hyperglycemia, advanced glycosylation products, activation of cytokines. In this review article, we have discussed a number of diabetes-induced metabolites such as glucose, advanced glycation end products, protein kinase C and oxidative stress and other related factors that are implicated in the pathophysiology of the DR. An understanding of the biochemical and molecular changes especially early in the DR may lead to new and effective therapies towards prevention and amelioration of DR.


Subject(s)
Diabetic Retinopathy/physiopathology , Hyperglycemia/complications , Oxidative Stress , Adult , Animals , Diabetic Retinopathy/etiology , Glucose/metabolism , Glycation End Products, Advanced/metabolism , Humans , Hyperglycemia/etiology , Protein Kinase C/metabolism
5.
Biomed Pharmacother ; 74: 187-90, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26349983

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with acute and chronic complications that cause major morbidity and significant mortality. Calpains, a family of Ca(2+)-dependent cytosolic cysteine proteases, can modulate their substrates' structure and function through limited proteolytic activity. Calpain is a ubiquitous calcium-sensitive protease that is essential for normal physiologic function. However, alterations in calcium homeostasis lead to pathologic activation of calpain in diabetes mellitus. Since not much is known on the relationship between calpain and diabetes mellitus, this review outlines the contribution of calpain to chronic complications of diabetes mellitus, such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy.


Subject(s)
Calpain/metabolism , Diabetes Complications/physiopathology , Diabetes Mellitus/physiopathology , Animals , Calcium/metabolism , Chronic Disease , Humans
6.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 433(4): 359-61, 2013 Apr 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23541575

ABSTRACT

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic disease characterized by proteinuria, glomerular hypertrophy, decreased glomerular filtration and renal fibrosis with loss of renal function. DN is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, accounting for millions of deaths worldwide. Hyperglycemia is the driving force for the development of diabetic nephropathy. The exact cause of diabetic nephropathy is unknown, but various postulated mechanisms are: hyperglycemia (causing hyperfiltration and renal injury), advanced glycosylation products, activation of cytokines. In this review article, we have discussed a number of diabetes-induced metabolites such as glucose, advanced glycation end products, protein kinase C and oxidative stress and other related factors that are implicated in the pathophysiology of the DN. An understanding of the biochemical and molecular changes especially early in the DN may lead to new and effective therapies towards prevention and amelioration of DN.


Subject(s)
Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology , Hyperglycemia/physiopathology , Cell Proliferation , Enzyme Activation , Glycation End Products, Advanced/metabolism , Humans , Inflammation/physiopathology , Macrophages/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , PPAR gamma/metabolism , Protein Kinase C/metabolism , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
7.
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi ; 46(6): 514-8, 2012 Jun.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22943897

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life of people living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA) and to identify influencing factors. METHODS: During September to December 2010, by a convenience sampling, a questionnaire survey was undertaken in 310 PLWHA living in Beijing, which included the general questionnaires, SF-36 for assessing quality of life and Berger-HIV stigma scale. T test and multivariable linear regression model were used to analyze the results. RESULTS: For the subjects investigated, the age was (32.87±8.76) years old. Homosexual behavior was the main dissemination (84.52%, 262/310). The results of SF-36 questionnaire were: the summary score 66.75±15.70; physical function 93.00±9.49, role physical 66.53±40.26, bodily pain 73.88±22.63, general health 50.06±22.75, vitality 61.11±19.67, social function 69.50±24.24, role emotional 59.68±42.38, mental health 60.63±19.81. Except physical functioning, the scores of every scale were lower than general persons (P<0.05). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the stronger stigma, the lower the summary score (standardized coefficients (ß')=-0.38), role physical (ß'=-0.21), bodily pain (ß'=-0.13), general health (ß'=-0.33), vitality (ß'=-0.31), social function (ß'=-0.34), role emotional (ß'=-0.31), mental health (ß'=-0.47) (all P values<0.05). The higher expend on treating HIV, the lower the summary score (ß'=-0.17), physical function (ß'=-0.28), role physical (ß'=-0.15), bodily pain (ß'=-0.19), general health (ß'=-0.15), social function (ß'=-0.11), role emotional (ß'=-0.16) (all P values<0.05). Who having work got higher score in the summary score (ß'=0.13), physical function (ß'=0.13), role physical (ß'=0.12), bodily pain (ß'=0.12), vitality (ß'=0.13), social function (ß'=0.12), role emotional (ß'=0.12) than others (all P values<0.05). CONCLUSION: The quality of PLWHA's life was low. High stigma feeling, high expend on treating HIV, having a job were the main influencing factors of quality of life in PLWHA.


Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , HIV Infections , Quality of Life , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , China/epidemiology , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
8.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 427(3): 441-3, 2012 Oct 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22995317

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular complications account for significant morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a prominent cardiovascular complication, has been recognized as a microvascular disease that may lead to heart failure. During the past few decades, research progress has been made in investigating the pathophysiology of the disease; however, the exact molecular mechanism has not been elucidated, making therapeutic a difficult task. In this review article, we have discussed a number of diabetes-induced metabolites such as glucose, advanced glycation end products, protein kinase C, free fatty acid and oxidative stress and other related factors that are implicated in the pathophysiology of the DCM. An understanding of the biochemical and molecular changes especially early in the DCM may lead to new and effective therapies toward prevention and amelioration of DCM, which is important for the millions of individuals who already have or are likely to develop the disease before a cure becomes available.


Subject(s)
Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/metabolism , Enzyme Activation , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Humans , Metabolic Networks and Pathways , Oxidative Stress , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/metabolism , Polymers/metabolism , Protein Kinase C/metabolism
9.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 427(2): 229-31, 2012 Oct 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23000155

ABSTRACT

Micro- and macrovascular complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus. The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) is a family of proteins which exchange Na(+) for H(+) according to their concentration gradients in an electroneutral manner. The exchanger also plays a key role in several other cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and cytoskeletal organization. Since not much is known on the relationship between NHE and diabetes mellitus, this review outlines the contribution of NHE to chronic complications of diabetes mellitus, such as diabetic nephropathy; diabetic cardiomyopathy.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism , Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/metabolism , Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism , Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers/metabolism , Humans
10.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 426(4): 445-7, 2012 Oct 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22982318

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious metabolic disorder with micro- and macrovascular complications that results in significant morbidity and mortality. It is well established that cytosolic Ca(2+) play an important role in controlling insulin secretion in pancreatic ß-cells. The Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX), an ion transport protein, is expressed in the plasma membrane of virtually all animal cells. NCX is a reversible carrier that can mediate the transport of Ca(2+) across the plasma membrane in both directions. Therefore, great efforts have been made to identify NCX associated with DM. NCX is expressed in several tissues, and acts in the protection against intracellular calcium overload; in the regulation of insulin secretion by beta cells, and in improving vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation. All these mechanisms are associated with DM pathogenesis and its chronic complications. Therefore, NCX is a candidate protein for the development of these disorders. Only a few studies investigated NCX in relation to chronic complications of diabetes, with inconclusive results.


Subject(s)
Calcium/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism , Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/metabolism , Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism , Sodium-Calcium Exchanger/metabolism , Humans
11.
Chin Med J (Engl) ; 125(8): 1405-9, 2012 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22613643

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest is one of the most serious complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), especially in the out-of-hospital patients. There is no general consensus as to whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is effective in treating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients complicated by out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). In our study, we evaluated the efficacy of PCI in treating STEMI patients complicated by OHCA through observing their clinical conditions in hospital; including total mortality, adverse cardiac events, stroke, acute renal failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding events. METHODS: A total of 1827 STEMI patients were enrolled in this study, where 81 were STEMI with OHCA. Between the patients with and without OHCA, and the OHCA patients with and without PCI, we compared the clinical characteristics during hospitalization, including total mortality and incidences of adverse cardiac events, and stroke. RESULTS: Compared to the patients without OHCA, the OHCA patients had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05) and a faster heart rate (P < 0.05), and a higher percentage of Killip class IV or Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ≤ 7 on admission (P < 0.001). And the in-hospital mortality was higher in the OHCA patients (55.6% vs. 2.4%, P < 0.001). Comparing the OHCA patients without PCI to the patients with PCI, there was no obvious difference of heart rate, blood pressure or the percentage of Killip class IV and GCS ≤ 7 on admission, but the incidences of cardiogenic shock, stroke were significantly lower in the with-PCI group during hospitalization (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). And the in-hospital mortality of the OHCA patients receiving PCI was significantly lower (36.7% vs. 84.3%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During hospitalization, the incidence of adverse events and mortality are higher in the STEMI with OHCA patients, comparing with the STEMI without OHCA. Emergency PCI reduces the incidence of adverse events and decreases mortality during hospitalization, which is effective for treating STEMI with OHCA patients.


Subject(s)
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary , Electrocardiography , Myocardial Infarction/therapy , Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest/etiology , Adult , Aged , Emergencies , Female , Hospital Mortality , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Infarction/complications , Myocardial Infarction/mortality
12.
Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi ; 32(5): 473-6, 2011 May.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21569730

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of and factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing. METHODS: Five hundred MSM were recruited for a survey using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method, from September to October in 2009. A computer-assisted, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather information including demographics, sexual behaviors and condom use social norms (a scaled number). Variables were evaluated by using RDSAT and SAS software. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 30.6 years, with 96.0% of them as Han ethnicity and 68.5% having had at least high school or higher education level. 72.8% of them were unmarried, with 61.7% of them identified themselves as homosexual, 61.2% had > 1 male partners in the past six months, and the prevalence of UAI was 42.0%. Significant bivariate predictors of UAI would include condom use social norms score, role for anal sex with male sex partner, number of male sexual partners in the past 6 months and amount of alcohol consumed. In multivariable analysis, UAI was associated with a higher condom use social norms score (AOR = 1.2, 95%CI: 1.1 - 1.3), receptive anal intercourse (AOR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.3 - 3.2) and drinking alcohol more than 3 times per month in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.1 - 2.5). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of UAI was high in the MSM community in Beijing, suggesting that efforts should be targeting on how to make the condom use a social norm and being promoted.


Subject(s)
Homosexuality, Male , Safe Sex/statistics & numerical data , Sexual Behavior , Unsafe Sex/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Alcohol Drinking , China , Condoms/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Risk-Taking , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
13.
Int J Cardiol ; 147(3): 383-7, 2011 Mar 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19883950

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate the effect of sarpogrelate hydrochloride on impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) induced by high glucose in isolated rat aorta. Both acetylcholine-induced EDR and sodium nitroprusside-induced endothelium-independent relaxation (EIR) were measured after the rings were exposed to high glucose in the absence and presence of sarpogrelate hydrochloride. Co-incubation of aortic rings with high glucose for 24h resulted in a significant inhibition of EDR, but had no effects on EIR. After incubation of the rings in the co-presence of sarpogrelate hydrochloride with high glucose for 24h, sarpogrelate hydrochloride significantly attenuated impaired EDR. This protective effect of sarpogrelate hydrochloride was abolished by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Sarpogrelate hydrochloride significantly decreased superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) production and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the nitric oxide (NO) release. These results suggest that sarpogrelate hydrochloride can restore impaired EDR induced by high glucose in isolated rat aorta, which may be related to scavenging oxygen free radicals and enhancing NO production.


Subject(s)
Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Glucose/antagonists & inhibitors , Glucose/toxicity , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Succinates/pharmacology , Animals , Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism , Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism , Female , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Glucose/administration & dosage , Male , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology , Vasodilation/drug effects , Vasodilation/physiology
14.
Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi ; 38(10): 875-9, 2010 Oct.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21176628

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients complicated pre-hospital cardiac arrest underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: From September 2004 to November 2008, 1446 consecutive patients with acute STEMI underwent PCI in our department. 49 out of 1446 patients complicated by pre-hospital cardiac arrest. Clinical outcome including total mortality, adverse cardiac events, stroke and bleeding events during the hospitalization period and within 1 year after discharge was compared between patients with or without pre-hospital cardiac arrest. RESULTS: PCI success rate was similar (85.7% vs. 88.8%, P = 0.497) while the incidence of in-hospital cardiogenic shock 22.4% vs. 3.0%, P < 0.001 and cardiac arrest (44.9% vs. 5.9%, P < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (36.7% vs. 2.0%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with pre-hospital cardiac arrest than patients without pre-hospital cardiac arrest. Time from symptom onset to emergency treatment, asystole as initial rhythm, Glasgow coma scale (GCS ≤ 7) and cardiogenic shock on admission were independent risk factors of in-hospital death in patients with pre-hospital cardiac arrest. During follow up, incidences of overall mortality, re-infarction, revascularization and stroke were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: STEMI patients with pre-hospital cardiac arrest undergoing emergency PCI are facing higher risk of cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest and higher in-hospital mortality compared to those without pre-hospital cardiac arrest. However, the post-hospital discharge outcome was similar between the two groups.


Subject(s)
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary , Emergency Treatment , Heart Arrest/therapy , Myocardial Infarction/therapy , Adult , Aged , Female , Heart Arrest/complications , Hospital Mortality , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Infarction/complications , Myocardial Infarction/mortality , Treatment Outcome
15.
Clin Cardiol ; 33(4): 222-7, 2010 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20394043

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have antiatherogenic effects beyond their cholesterol-lowing effect. Whether atorvastatin has a stronger antioxidant effect than other statins is uncertain. HYPOTHESIS: To determine the effects of simvastatin and atorvastatin on markers of oxidative stress in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: This study was comprised of 164 patients with CHD and a control population of 122 healthy subjects. The patients with CHD were divided into 2 groups and treated with either simvastatin 20 mg/day or atorvastatin 10 mg/day. The markers of oxidative stress were measured before and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The effects of atorvastatin on reducing oxidative stress were significantly greater compared with those of simvastatin (P < 0.05). The changes in the markers of oxidative stress did not correlate with the changes in the plasma lipid profile (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that atorvastatin reduces oxidative stress more effectively than simvastatin.


Subject(s)
Coronary Disease/drug therapy , Coronary Disease/physiopathology , Heptanoic Acids/therapeutic use , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Pyrroles/therapeutic use , Simvastatin/therapeutic use , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Atorvastatin , Biomarkers/blood , Chi-Square Distribution , Diet, Fat-Restricted , Female , Glutathione/blood , Humans , Liver Function Tests , Male , Malondialdehyde/blood , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Superoxide Dismutase/blood , Treatment Outcome
16.
Peptides ; 31(6): 1205-7, 2010 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20338208

ABSTRACT

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of simvastatin on the levels of plasma leptin and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The study population consisted of 65 patients with CHD and 48 control individuals without signs or symptoms of CHD. The patients with CHD were treated with simvastatin 20mg/day. Fasting serum lipids, leptin and NO were determined before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Leptin levels were higher in patients with CHD than control (P<0.05). Statin treatment significantly decreased plasma lipids and leptin levels and increased NO concentration in all CHD patients (P<0.05). Serum leptin levels after treatment correlated negatively with the NO concentration (P<0.05). Simvastatin may provide beneficial effects of reducing leptin levels, independent of its lipid-lowering action, which may play an important role in patients with CHD.


Subject(s)
Coronary Disease/drug therapy , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Leptin/blood , Simvastatin/therapeutic use , Aged , Coronary Disease/blood , Female , Humans , Lipids/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Nitric Oxide/blood
17.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 392(4): 516-9, 2010 Feb 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20096662

ABSTRACT

Hyperglycemia is the major cause of diabetic angiopathy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of KB-R7943, an inhibitor of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) on cell growth and function of human "diabetic" endothelial cells (EC). Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and NCX activity were determined after EC were exposed to high glucose in the absence and presence of KB-R7943. Coincubation of EC with high glucose for 24 h resulted in a significant increase of monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and the expression of ICAM-1. These effects were abolished by KB-R7943 and KB-R7943 significantly decreased the activation of NCX induced by high glucose. These findings suggested that KB-R7943 may play a role in inhibiting expression of adhesion molecules by inhibiting the reverse activation of NCX.


Subject(s)
Blood Glucose/metabolism , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Hyperglycemia/metabolism , Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/biosynthesis , Sodium-Calcium Exchanger/antagonists & inhibitors , Thiourea/analogs & derivatives , Cell Adhesion/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Diabetic Angiopathies/etiology , Diabetic Angiopathies/metabolism , Diabetic Angiopathies/pathology , Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism , Humans , Hyperglycemia/complications , Hyperglycemia/pathology , Monocytes/drug effects , Monocytes/pathology , Thiourea/pharmacology
18.
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol ; 55(1): 21-5, 2010 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19786892

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of simvastatin and atorvastatin on the markers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study population consisted of 151 patients with T2DM and 147 control individuals. The patients with T2DM were treated with 40 mg of simvastatin per day or 10 mg of simvastatin per day. Waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, and glucose and insulin values were obtained; and fasting serum lipids, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity were determined before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Statin treatment significantly decreased plasma lipids in all patients with diabetes (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected between the two treatment groups with respect to plasma lipid profile (P < 0.05). In addition, the effects of atorvastatin to increase nitric oxide concentration (33.28 +/- 3.37 micromol/L versus 27.32 +/- 4.15 micromol/L, P < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (17.67 +/- 1.41 micromol/L versus 14.28 +/- 1.65 micromol/L, P < 0.05), superoxide dismutase activity (34.28 +/- 4.71 micromol/L versus 27.91 +/- 3.38 micromol/L, P < 0.05 ) and decreased malondialdehyde level (49.52 +/- 5.67 micromol/L versus 42.08 +/- 5.16 micromol/L, P < 0.05) were significantly greater in patients with T2DM compared with simvastatin. The changes in the markers of oxidative stress did not correlate with the changes in plasma lipid profile (P > 0.05). This study suggested that atorvastatin reduced oxidative stress more effectively than simvastatin in patients with T2DM and the clinical benefits of statins may be independent of their cholesterol-lowering effects.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Heptanoic Acids/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Pyrroles/pharmacology , Simvastatin/pharmacology , Aged , Atorvastatin , Case-Control Studies , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Lipids/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Prospective Studies , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
19.
Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi ; 29(8): 2176-9, 2009 Aug.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19839333

ABSTRACT

In the present research, a field experiment with different N application rate was conducted to study the possibility of using visible band color analysis methods to monitor the N status of rice canopy. The Correlations of visible spectrum band color intensity between rice canopy image acquired from a digital camera and conventional nitrogen status diagnosis parameters of leaf SPAD chlorophyll meter readings, total N content, upland biomass and N uptake were studied. The results showed that the red color intensity (R), green color intensity (G) and normalized redness intensity (NRI) have significant inverse linear correlations with the conventional N diagnosis parameters of SPAD readings, total N content, upland biomass and total N uptake. The correlation coefficient values (r) were from -0.561 to -0.714 for red band (R), from -0.452 to -0.505 for green band (G), and from -0.541 to 0.817 for normalized redness intensity (NRI). But the normalized greenness intensity (NGI) showed a significant positive correlation with conventional N parameters and the correlation coefficient values (r) were from 0.505 to 0.559. Compared with SPAD readings, the normalized redness intensity (NRI), with a high r value of 0.541-0.780 with conventional N parameters, could better express the N status of rice. The digital image color analysis method showed the potential of being used in rice N status diagnosis in the future.


Subject(s)
Nitrogen/chemistry , Oryza/chemistry , Photography/instrumentation , Chlorophyll/chemistry , Color , Plant Leaves/chemistry
20.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 382(2): 336-40, 2009 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19275881

ABSTRACT

Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MI/R) is associated with an intense inflammatory reaction, which may lead to myocyte injury. Because statins protect the myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury via a mechanism unrelated to cholesterol lowering, we hypothesized that the protective effect of statins was related to the expression of TNF-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA. Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into three groups as follows: sham, I/R and I/R+atorvastatin. Atorvastatin (20 mg kg(-1)day(-1)) treatment was administered daily via oral gavage to rats for 2, 7 or 14 days. Ischemia was induced via a 30-min coronary occlusion. Reperfusion was allowed until 2, 7 or 14 days while atorvastatin treatment continued. We measured infarct size, hemodynamics and the plasma levels and the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha and IL-10 in the three groups. We demonstrated that the up-regulation of expression of both TNF-alpha mRNA and IL-10 mRNA was associated the increased plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 in the ischemic and reperfused myocardium compared with that in the sham group (P<0.01). Atorvastatin treatment prevented ischemia-reperfusion-induced up-regulation of both TNF-alpha and IL-10 mRNA, and improved left ventricular function (P<0.01). Our findings suggested that atorvastatin may attenuate MI/R and better recovery of left ventricle function following ischemia and reperfusion and IL-10 was not directly likely involved in this protective mechanism.


Subject(s)
Heptanoic Acids/administration & dosage , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Interleukin-10/biosynthesis , Myocardial Infarction/prevention & control , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control , Pyrroles/administration & dosage , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/biosynthesis , Animals , Atorvastatin , Heart Ventricles/drug effects , Heart Ventricles/metabolism , Heart Ventricles/pathology , Male , Myocardial Infarction/pathology , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/pathology , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Ventricular Function/drug effects
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