New insights on the association of weight loss with the reduction in carotid intima-media thickness among patients with obesity: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a noninvasive marker of atherosclerosis, a typical pathologic process underlying cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is essential to explore the relationships between weight loss and the reduction of CIMT. STUDY DESIGN: This was an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to collect relevant clinical trials. The pooled results of meta-analyses were assessed by weighted mean difference (WMD) and the corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: Thirty-three articles involving 2273 participants were collected in this meta-analysis. Among all participants with obesity, the pooled mean of weight loss was -23.26 kg (95% CI: -27.71 to -18.81), and the pooled mean change of CIMT was -0.06 mm (95% CI: -0.08 to -0.04). Compared with Non-surgical interventions, Surgical ones could lead to much higher weight loss (Pbetween groups < 0.001). A more significant CIMT reduction was identified among Surgical intervention patients than among Non-surgical intervention participants (Pbetween groups < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Effective interventions, especially Surgical interventions, could reduce the weight of patients with obesity, followed by the decline of CIMT, which might further disturb atherosclerosis progression and lower CVD risk.

LncRNA DARS-AS1 regulates microRNA-129 to promote malignant progression of thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DARS-AS1 in thyroid cancer, and to further investigate whether it can promote the development of thyroid cancer by regulating microRNA-129. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the level of DARS-AS1 in tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues of 34 thyroid carcinomas. It was also used to analyze the relationship between the expression of DARS-AS1 and the clinical indicators of thyroid cancer and the prognosis of patients. qPCR was used to further verify the expression of DARS-AS1 in thyroid cancer cell lines. The DARS-AS1 knockdown model was constructed using lentivirus in thyroid cancer cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), cell clone formation, and transwell migration assays were performed to evaluate the effects of DARS-AS1 on the biological function of thyroid cancer cells. Finally, the potential mechanism was explored by using recovery experiments and the interplay between DARS-AS1 and microRNA-129 was further studied. RESULTS: qPCR results revealed that the level of DARS-AS1 in tumor tissues of thyroid cancer patients was remarkably higher than that in adjacent tissues, and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with patients with low expression of DARS-AS1, patients with high DARS-AS1 expression had a higher incidence of high tumor stage, distant metastasis, and a lower overall survival rate. Besides, compared with NC group, the proliferation and migration ability of shRNA-AS1 expression knockdown group sh-DARS-AS1 was remarkably decreased. qPCR results indicated that there was a negative correlation between the level of microRNA-129 and DARS-AS1 in thyroid cancer tissues. In addition, cell proliferation and migration ability in the microRNA-129 overexpression group were remarkably decreased. The recovery experiment also found that there was a mutual regulation between DARS-AS1 and microRNA-129, which together affected the malignant progression of thyroid cancer. CONCLUSIONS: DARS-AS1 level in tumor tissues of thyroid cancer was remarkably increased and was correlated with the pathological stage, distant metastasis, and poor prognosis of thyroid cancer. Moreover, DARS-AS1 could promote the proliferation and migration capabilities of thyroid cancer cells by modulating microRNA-129.

[Bortezomib inhibits hypoxia-induced increase of Orai-1 expression in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell].

Objective: In this study, a primary culture system for the rat distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) was established to observe the effect of Bortezomib a treatment on the basal intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+) ](i)), store operated calcium entry (SOCE) and Orai-1 expression in rat PASMC. Methods: We employed the primary culture method for the rat distal PASMC including the enzymatically dissociation of PASMC from the freshly isolated distal pulmonary artery and the culture of PASMC. The In Cyte system was used to measure the basal [Ca(2+) ](i) and SOCE after substantial treatment.Orai-1 protein expression in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle was detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with Hypoxia group, the basal [Ca(2+) ](i) were significantly reduced in Hypoxia+ BTZ group(P<0.01). The basal [Ca(2+) ](i) A340/A380 ratio of Normoxia group was(1.07±0.02). The basal [Ca(2+) ](i) of Hypoxia group was(1.49±0.03); The Hypoxia+ BTZ group was(1.17±0.03). Compared with Hypoxia group, the store operated calcium entry were significantly reduced in Hypoxia+ BTZ group(P<0.01). The SOCE A340/A380 ratio of Normoxia group was(0.56±0.02). The SOCE of Hypoxia group was(0.84±0.02); The Hypoxia+ BTZ group was(0.66±0.02). The level of Orail-1 protein in pulmonary artery smooth muscle of Hypoxia group was (181.5±12.7)% higher than control group which was(100±0)%, (P<0.05). In the Hypoxia+ BTZ group Orai-1 protein expression was recovered(146.7±15.1)%, (P<0.05). Conclusion: Bortezomib inhibit chronically hypoxic enhancement of Orail-1 protein expression, basal [Ca(2+) ](i) and SOCE in rat distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells.

Decreased urinary secretion of belotecan in folic acid-induced acute renal failure rats due to down-regulation of Oat1 and Bcrp.

The effects of folic acid-induced acute renal failure on the renal excretion of belotecan were investigated in rats after intravenous administration. Both glomeruli and renal tubules were seriously damaged by folic acid-induced acute renal failure. The renal excretion clearance, CLr, of belotecan was significantly decreased by folic acid-induced acute renal failure. Furthermore, glomerular filtration rate and secretion clearance of the drug were dramatically decreased by folic acid-induced acute renal failure. In vivo renal uptake of belotecan was inhibited by p-aminohippurate, whereas renal excretion was inhibited by GF120918, but not by verapamil and bromosulphalein. This indicates that Oat1/3 and Bcrp are involved in the renal uptake and urinary excretion of belotecan, respectively. Both mRNA and protein levels of Oat1, Oat3 and Bcrp were significantly decreased in folic acid-induced acute renal failure rats. Based on the finding that belotecan is a substrate of OAT1 but not of OAT3, the decrease in CLr of belotecan in folic acid-induced acute renal failure could, therefore, mainly be attributed to the down-regulation of Oat1 and Bcrp, in addition to the decrease in glomerular filtration rate.

[Structure elucidation of glycan of a glycoconjugate SPPA-1 isolated from Spirulina platensis].

AIM: To elucidate the structure of the glycan of SPPA-1, a glycoconjugate isolated from Spirulina platensis. METHODS: Methylation analysis, GC/MS, and 1D, 2DNMR techniques were used to determine the structures of the glycoconjugate (SPPA-1). RESULTS: SPPA-1 was only composed of alpha-D-glucose and shown to be a (1-->4) linked alpha-D-glucan to which a few glucosyl side chains are attached at O-6 of the glucosyl residues of the main chain. CONCLUSION: The glycan of SPPA-1 is a new glucan.

[Studies on the glycoconjugates and glycans from Lycium barbarum L in inhibiting low density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation].

AIM: To determine the effects of glycoconjugates and their glycans from Lycium barbarum L. on inhibiting low density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation. METHODS: Using Cu(2+)-induced oxidation as a model, the oxidative production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the LDL electrophoresis migration on agarose gel were measured. RESULTS: The effects of glycoconjugates and their glycans from Lycium barbarum L. on inhibiting LDL peroxidation were different, among them, glycoconjugate LbGp5 showed the best effect on inhibiting LDL peroxidation. CONCLUSION: The glycoconjugates can inhibit LDL peroxidatin while their glycans showed no effects on inhibiting LDL peroxidation.

[Physico-chemical properties and biological activities of a glycoconjugate SPPA-1 from Spirulina platensis].

AIM: To isolate polysaccharide from Spirulina platensis and determine its sugar position, molecular weight and biological activities. METHODS: Sephadex G-75 and CM-Sephadex C-50 were used. The sugar position was analyzed by gas chromatography, the molecular weight was determined by GPC. The homogeneity of this glycoconjugate was determined by HPLC and CE. IR and NMR spectra were used to determine the glycosidic linkage. RESULTS: SPPA-1 was a homogeneous glycoconjugate, its carbohydrate chain was composed of alpha-glucopyranan, carbohydrate content is 91.70%, Nitrogen content was 0.96%, the molecular weight was 69.00 x 10(4), SPPA-1 could eliminate O2-. radicals. CONCLUSION: SPPA-1 was an antioxidative glycoconjugate from Spirulina platensis.

[Physico-chemical properties and activity of glycoconjugate LbGp2 from Lycium barbarum L].

AIM: To isolate and purify a glycoconjugate (LbGp2) from the fruit of Lycium barbarum L. and study its immunoactivity and antioxidative activity. METHODS: By means of gel permeation chromatography, LbGp2 was purified. Based on HPLC, CE, GC, SEC and component analysis and so on, its physico-chemical properties were studied. RESULTS: Molecular weights of LbGp2 was 68.2 ku and its carbohydrate content was up to 90.7%. Component analysis showed that it composed of Ara and Gal in a molar ratio of 3:4, and 18 kinds of amino acids. The immunologic function and bioactivity of Lbp2 has been studied preliminarily. Lbp2 was shown to increase rate of phagocyticaction and phagocytic index, promote lymphocyte translation and accelerate the production of serum hemolysin. LbGp2 has distinct effect of antioxidation and the superoxide anion produced by DMSO-NaOH system was scavenged effectively. CONCLUSION: LbGp2 was shown to be a kind of homogeneous glycoconjugate with good immunoactivity and antioxidative activity.

Structure elucidation of glycan of glycoconjugate LbGp3 isolated from the fruit of Lycium barbarum L.

The structure of the repeat unit of the glycan of glycoconjugate LbGp3 with pronounced immunoactivity, isolated from the fruit of Lycium barbarum L. was elucidated based on methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis and 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy of the original glycan and products of its partial hydrolysis.

[Synthesis of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide sulfate and its antivirus activity].

Sulfation of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide (Abps) with sulfuric acid or sulfur trioxide-pyridine or chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine was studied. A homogeneous sulfation method with good yield of 82.11% was obtained, using chlorosulfonic acid in an excess of pyridine. Sulfated Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide was obtained as an amorphous sodium salt easily soluble in water. The UV and IR spectrum of Abps sulfate showed absorptions at 208, 268, 286 nm and 1232, 823.6 cm-1 respectively. The sulfur content of the products was found to be 20-22%. The degree of substitution varied from 2.8 to 3.2. It showed that the hydroxy group of Abps was almost completely esterified by chlorosulfonic acid. The Abps sulfate was shown to have high activity as anti-HBsAg and HBeAg. It is also effective on simple herpes virus type-I.