Expression of the gene coading for PGC-1α in peripheral blood leukocytes and related gene variants in patients with Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) plays an important role in Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of the study was to evaluate PGC-1α gene expression in the peripheral blood of PD patients. We also investigated PGC-1α-related gene variants and identified whether they are associated with PGC-1α gene expression. METHODS: 259 PD patients and 253 healthy controls were included in this study. PPARGC1A (the gene encoding PGC-1α) expression levels were tested using real-time PCR. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PGC-1α-related genes (PPARGC1A, PPARG and SIRT1) were genotyped by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). RESULTS: PPARGC1A levels were significantly decreased in PD patients (P = 0.000) and negatively correlated with the patients' H&Y stage (r = -0.212, P = 0.039) and UPDRS-III score (r = -0.208, P = 0.044), after correcting, these correlations disappeared. The genotype frequencies of PGC-1α-related gene variants were not associated with the risk of PD. PPARGC1A rs2970870 variant was associated with the NMS score (P = 0.026), SIRT1 rs7895833 variant was associated with HAMA score (P = 0.029). PPARG rs4684847 variant was associated with MMSE score (P = 0.031). PPARG rs1801282, rs4684847, rs3856806 variants were associated with MoCA score. After correcting, only the association between PPARG rs4684847 and MoCA score remained significant (FDR = 0.048). PGC-1α-related gene variants had no effect on PGC-1α gene expression. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of PGC-1α may not be due to its related gene variants. PGC-1α could become a candidate blood-based biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.

[Normal alkanes characteristic parameters of Jinzhou Bay surface sediments].

The concentration, composition and characteristic parameters of 18 surface sediment samples collected from Jinzhou Bay were studied. The samples were soxhlet-extracted with a mixture of 1: 1 (V/V) dichloromethane-hexane and analyzed by GC-MS after purification and concentration. Concentrations of n-alkanes vary from 1.9 to 4.2 microg x g(-1) with an average value of 2.6 microg x g(-1) dry weight. n-Alkanes distribution patterns of all positions were characterized by double peak-cluster, which means double sources from terrestrial and marine origin. The sum of nC25 to nC31 accounts for 20%-32% of the total n-alkanes, while the average value of L/H, C31/C19, TAR ratio are 0.67, 3.06, 2.02, respectively. All of these three indices suggest that the terrestrial contributions are higher than marine sources, especially for No. 2, 3 and 7 stations, which were influenced by riverinput nearby. Carbon Preference Index (CPI) ranges from 1.19 to 2.63 with an average value of 1.73, which is close to 1; the ratio of Pristane/Phytane (Pr/Ph) and unresolved/resolved compounds (U/R) range from 0.91 to 1.28, 2.2 to 4.3, respectively. All of these three parameters indicate that No. 13 and 15 stations are influenced by petroleum pollution. Comprehensive analysis of various parameters shows that Jinzhou Bay is threatened by both terrestrial inputs and petroleum hydrocarbons contaminations, which may relate to river discharging and port shipping in Jinzhou Bay.