Diagonal earlobe crease and coronary artery disease in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Many reports have claimed associations between diagonal earlobe crease (DELC) and coronary artery disease (CAD), but data in Chinese populations are limited. METHODS: This cohort study investigated 449 consecutive Chinese, 250 cases with CAD and 199 without CAD, who were certified by coronary artery angiography in our center. Characteristic differences and the relation of DELC to CAD were assessed by Chi-square and t tests. The multivariate regression was performed to adjust for confounders and ROCs mode were used to detect its predicting performance for CAD. RESULTS: The prevalence of DELC was 46.2% in those without CAD and 75.2% in those with CAD (P < .001). Subjects with DELC had more stenostic vessels and higher prevalence of both any and significant coronary artery stenosis than those without DELC (P < .001). The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for DELC to diagnose CAD in the whole population were 0.752, 0.538, 0.671 and 0.633. The higher sensitivity and positive predictive values (ppv) were found in male, the lowest sensitivity and the highest ppv in the <45 years old group, and the lowest specificity and ppv in the >75 years old group. After adjusting for other variables including age, gender and traditional risk factors, DELC remained a positive predictor for CAD (OR, 3.408; 95% CI 2.235-5.196; P < 0.001), but not for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. ROC analysis showed the area under the curve was 0.645 (95% CI 0.593-0.697, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a significant association between DELC and CAD independent of established risk factors in Chinese.

The ratio of second to fourth digit length (2D:4D) and coronary artery disease in a Han Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: The association between index finger to ring finger length ratio (2D:4D) and cardiac disorders has been reported, however it has not been discussed in terms of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated whether 2D:4D could be used as a marker for predisposition to CAD as assessed by coronary angiography in Chinese men and women. METHODS: This study included 1764 persons divided into 4 groups, 441 cases with CAD and 441 persons without CAD as control in each sex of the same age. Finger lengths were measured twice for both hands using electronic calipers. Student t test was used to detect the difference of 2D:4D among groups. The receiver operator characteristic curves (ROCs) were used to detect the diagnostic effect of 2D:4D for CAD. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age among the four groups. A significant difference of 2D:4D ratios between right and left hand were observed only in men in both control and CAD groups. On the right hand in the control group and on both hands in the CAD group, the 2D:4D ratios were higher in women than in men (all, P < 0.001). In men with CAD, mean 2D:4D was higher than mean 2D:4D in control men (right hand 0.962±0.042:0.927±0.038; left hand 0.950±0.044:0.934±0.048; both hands, P < 0.001), but this was not observed in women. No relationship was found between 2D:4D and age (all, P >0.05). The area under the curve of right hand 2D:4D in male was 0.72 (95% CI 0.683-0.753, p<0.001), while it was 0.602 (95% CI 0.565-0.639, p<0.001) in left hand. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed an association between high 2D:4D ratio and CAD in both hands in men. There were no significant differences in mean 2D:4D between women with CAD and controls.

Inhibitory effect of atorvastatin on the cell growth of cardiac myxomas via the PTEN and PHLPP2 phosphatase signaling pathway.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a molecule with strong proliferative effects, and statins have been reported to exhibit antitumor effects based on clinical and experimental studies. However, their effects on cardiac myxoma (CM) cells and the underlying signaling mechanism(s) are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether the protein/lipid phosphatases and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat phosphatase 1 and 2 (PHLPP1 and 2) are involved in the proliferative effect of IGF-1 on CM cells and the pharmacological impact of atorvastatin. The activity of PTEN and PHLPPs was determined using specific substrate diC16PIP3 and pNPP. We found that IGF-1 enhanced CM cell proliferation and inhibited both PTEN and PHLPP2 activity in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Atorvastatin acted counter to IGF-1 and reversed the above effects mediated by IGF-1. Both IGF-1 and atorvastatin did not affect the activity of PHLPP1 and the protein expression of the three phosphatases. The results suggest that IGF-1 may exert its proliferative effects by negatively regulating the PTEN/PHLPP2 signaling pathway in CM cells, and atorvastatin may be a potential drug for the treatment of CM by enhancing the activity of PTEN and PHLPP2.

A randomized trial of Chinese medicine Lirukang Granule combined with psychological intervention for cyclomastopathy and menoxenia.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of therapy with Chinese medicine Lirukang Granule (, LRKG) combined with psychological intervention on anxiety states and sex hormones in patients with cyclomastopathy and menoxenia. METHODS: A total of 470 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups by the net-central randomization system, the treatment group (161 patients, treated with LRKG and psychological intervention), the Chinese medicine group (157 patients, treated with LRKG), and the psychological intervention group (152 patients, treated with psychological intervention). The dose of LRKG was 12 g three times per day; psychological intervention included establishing relations, cognitive intervention and psychological persuasion, 30-40 min per session, once a week. The therapy duration for all groups was three months. The efficacy was compared and anxiety state/State-Trait Anxiety Invertory (STAI) scoring was measured before and after treatment. The serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), prolactin (PRL) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels of 60 patients selected randomly from each group during the luteal phase were measured before and after treatment, and a group of 20 healthy women were evaluated for comparison. A follow-up was arranged for one year after treatment. RESULTS: Thirty subjects were lost to follow-up. (1) Comparison of efficacy: the markedly effective rate and the total effective rate of the treatment group were 86.67% (131/150) and 98.00% (147/150), respectively; of the Chinese medicine group, 64.58% (93/144) and 90.27% (130/144), respectively; and of the psychological intervention group, 0% (0/146) and 3.42% (5/146), respectively. The markedly effective rate and the total effective rate in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the Chinese medicine and psychological intervention groups (P < 0.05). (2) Comparison of STAI scoring: STAI scoring was decreased dramatically in the treatment group after treatment compared with that of the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference compared with the psychological intervention group. (3) Comparison of levels of sex hormones: E2, P, PRL and FSH of the three patient groups were disordered before treatment, and significantly different from healthy women (P < 0.01). After treatment, the levels of P and FSH of the treatment group were significantly increased (P < 0.01), E2 and PRL were significantly reduced, which were also significantly decreased compared with the psychological intervention groups (P < 0.01). (4) FOLLOW-UP: the markedly effective rate and the total effective rate of the treatment group remained higher than those of the other two groups after one year of treatment (P < 0.05). (5) Adverse reactions: no obvious adverse reactions were found among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with Chinese medicine combined with psychological intervention was effective for short-term and long-term treatment of cyclomastopathy and menoxenia. The mechanism might be related to the regulation of sex hormones.

[Effect of phosphatase PHLPP1 gene transfer on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the constituent expression of PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the effect of PHLPP1 gene transfer on the proliferation of the cells in vitro. METHODS: Cultured HUVECs were transfected with pcDNA3-GFP or pcDNA3HA-PHLPP1 via lipofectamine 2000. The cell proliferation ability was determined by cell counting and MTT colorimetric assay, and Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of PHLPP1 in the cells. RESULTS: No PHLPP1 protein was detected in the non-transfected cells or pcDNA3-GFP-transfected cells. pcDNA3HA-PHLPP1 gene transfection significantly increased PHLPP1 expression in the HUVECs (P<0.01), but the cell proliferation status remained unchanged (P>0.05). The absorbance of the cells measured by MTT assay was 0.134-/+0.0152, 0133-/+0.014 and 0.137-/+0.016, with cell counts of (8.293-/+0.962)x10(5), (7.937-/+0.101)x10(5) and (8.127-/+0.112)x10(5), respectively, showing no significant differences between the 3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Phosphatase PHLPP1 may not be the most important signal protein in the regulation of HUVEC proliferation.

[Effect of IGF-1 on PI3K/PTEN signal pathway in vascular smooth muscle cell].

AIM: To investigate the cellular signal transduction pathway of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation stimulated by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). METHODS: Rabbit aortic VSMCs was cultured in 3 groups. Cell proliferating ability was determined by measuring cell number and mitochondrial dehydrogenase (MD) activity (MTT assay). Wortmannin (WT), the specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), was used to evaluate indirectly the possible involvement of PI3K. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of phosphatase PTEN. Diphosphate action of PTEN on its specific substrate diC16PIP3 was measured by green reagent method. RESULTS: IGF-1 (100 microg/L) increased cell number and MD activity by 2.8-3.8 fold. WT markedly inhibited VSMC proliferation and completely abolished the above effects of IGF-1. IGF-1 inhibited PTEN activity in a concentration-(10-100 microg/L) and time--(3 min-24 h) dependent manner (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: IGF-1 increases VSM proliferation by increasing PI3K activity and inhibiting PTEN activity.

[Effect of manshuailing oral liquid on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with heart disease of Xin-Shen Yang deficiency type].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Manshuailing Oral Liquid (MSL) on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with heart disease. METHODS: Ninety patients with LVDD were randomly divided into the conventional treated group (Group A, treated by conventional treatment with western drugs of cardiotonic, diuretic, coronary dilator, etc.) and the Chinese drug treated group (Group B, treated by conventional treatment plus MSL 2 times a day, 100 ml each time), 45 in each group. After 4 months treatment, the total heart failure coefficient (HFC) and cardiac functions were re-determined. RESULTS: After treatment, in both groups, the HFC lowered significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the left ventricular peak velocity of early diastolic rapid filling (Emas) quickened, the left atrial systolic peak velocity (Amas) slowed down and Emas/Amas (E/A) enhanced, the isovolumetric relaxation time shortened. However, comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05) in either item, Group B was superior to Group A (P < 0.05). In the 62 patients with mixed heart failure, i.e. both systolic and diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle, Group B was superior to Group A in increasing ejection fraction, cardiac output and thickening rate of left ventricular posterior wall (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MSL could improve the heart function of patients with LVDD, and alleviate their clinical symptoms.

[A clinical study on manshuailing oral liquid in treating elder patients with congestive heart failure of type heart and kidney yang deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of manshuailing oral liquid on patients with congestive heart failure of type heart and kidney Yang deficiency. METHOD: 90 patients of heart failure were randomly divided into 2 groups. 45 cases in the routine treatment group (RT) received general therapy including diuretics and digitalis, and 45 cases in the Chinese herb medicine group (CH) were treated basically with the above medicine, with additional manshuailing oral liquid. The clinical effect was summarized 6 weeks after treatment. RESULT: Total effect rate was 82.2% and 62.2% in CH and RTgroup respectively. Compared with pretreatment, heart function including stroke volume (SV), stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac index (CI), shorten rate of left ventricular short axe (deltaD%), distance of inter-ventricular septal to mitral valve (EPSS) were all improved significantly in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and with even better effects in the CH group than the RT group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), except the SV. CONCLUSION: Manshuailing oral liquid can alleviate clinical symptom, decreased EPSS, increase deltaD% and improve heart function.

[Effects of shenqifuxin oral liquid on the plasma kaliuretic peptide, the myocardial contractility and relaxation of left ventricle and the left ventricular remodeling in experimental rats with heart failure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Shenqifuxin oral liquid(SQFXOL) on plasma kaliuretic peptide (KP), atrial natriuretic polypeptide(ANP), angiotension II (Ang II), endothelin(ET) and the left ventricular remodeling and the myocardial contractility and relaxation of left ventricle in experimental rats with heart failure(HF). METHOD: The SD rat model with HF was produced by constricting abdominal aorta. Hemodynamic parameters including maximum rate of intraventricular pressure rise (+dp/dtmax), left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP), maximum velocity of contractile element shortening(Vmax), maximum rate of intraventricular pressure down(-dp/dtmax) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure(LVEDP) were measured by the method of the catheterization. Plasma concentrations of KP, ANP, Ang II and ET were determined by radioimmunoassays. The effects of treatment were evaluated by observing and comparing the changes of heart morphological structure, collagen element, heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW), left intraventricular area(LVA) and myocardial nuclei number (MNN) per square area. RESULT: In high dose SQFXOL group, the LVSP, -dp/dtmax and Vmax were increased, while LVEDP was decreased, and plasma concentrations of KP, Ang II and ET were decreased. In comparision with those in model group, the difference was significant(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Though the +dp/dtmax and the level of ANP were decreased, the difference was insignificant(all P > 0.05). The collagen tissues around myocardial cells were reduced. HW/BW and LVA were lower, and MNN per square area was higher significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The indices of +dp/dtmax in all of treatment groups and control group were not considerably different in comparison with those in model group. The levels of plasma ANP in middle dose group and low dose group were significantly lower than those in model group(all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SQFXOL can reduce the plasma concentrations of KP, Ang II, ET, and ANP, improve the myocardial contractility and relaxation of left ventricular and inhibitate left ventricular remodeling in rats with HF.