Therapeutic effect and mechanism of danshensu on coronary heart disease using liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry metabolomics.

Metabolomics can discover the biomarkers and metabolic pathways, provides the possibility for insights into the pharmacological action and mechanism of natural products. The therapeutic effect and mechanism of danshensu (DSS) on total metabolic pathways has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to explore the disturbed endogenous biomarkers and metabolic pathways reflecting the pharmacological activity of DSS, and mechanism of action of DSS using comprehensive metabolome analysis based on high-throughput metabolomics technology combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS) and pattern recognition method. Through the changes of the overall metabolic profile and the related biomarkers, the intervention effect of natural product danshensu (DSS) treatment on CHD model rats was revealed. The results showed that after the model replication was established, the metabolic profile was clearly separated, and a total of 26 potential biomarkers were screened out, and involving 8 metabolic pathways. After different doses of DSS solution were given, a total of 20 biomarkers could be significantly regulated, mainly involving primary bile acid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and lipid metabolism. It showed UPLC-MS-based metabolomics can be used for discovering potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways of CHD, and to further understand and dissecting pharmacological effects and mechanisms of natural products via metabolomics techniques.

Meta-analysis of interleukin 6, 8, and 10 between off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass groups.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of off-pump coronary artery bypass (CAB) surgery on the decrease of postoperative inflammatory responses in patients. We systematically searched databases of PubMed and Embase to select the related studies. Interleukin (IL) 6, 8, and 10 were used as outcomes and pooled analysis was performed using R 3.12 software. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were considered as effect estimates. A total of 27 studies, including 1340 participants, were recruited in this meta-analysis. The pooled analyses showed that postoperative concentration of IL-10 at 12 hours was significantly lower in off-pump CAB group compared to on-pump CAB group (SMD = -1.3640, 95% CI = -2.0086--0.7193). However, no significant differences were found in pre and postoperative concentrations of IL-6 and 8 between off-pump and on-pump CAB groups. These results suggest that there is no advantage of off-pump CAB surgery in the reduction of inflammation compared to on-pump CAB surgery.

Parathyroid hormone and risk of heart failure in the general population: A meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Inconsistent findings have been reported on the association between the parathyroid hormone (PTH) level and risk of heart failure. We aimed to systematically evaluate the association between circulating level of PTH and risk of heart failure in the general population by conducting a meta-analysis. We made a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Embase, VIP, CNKI, and Wanfang databases published until January 2016. Only prospective observational studies reporting the association between circulating level of PTH and risk of heart failure in the general population were selected. Pooled adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the highest versus lowest PTH category. Six studies with 25,207 participants identified. Higher circulating level of PTH was associated with an increased risk of heart failure (HR: 1.38; 95% CI 1.09-1.74) in a random effect model. Subgroup analyses revealed that the risk of heart failure was more pronounced among men (HR: 1.75; 95% CI 1.38-2.22) than in both genders. However, the risk increment was not statistically significant (HR: 1.12; 95% CI 0.76-1.66) in the middle-aged population. Higher PTH level is independently associated with an exacerbated risk of heart failure in the general population.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a risk factor of hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Some studies investigated the association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and hypertension risk. However, the results remained inconclusive. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association of OSAS and hypertension risk. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Online electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) was searched. The strength of association between the OSAS and hypertension risk was assessed by calculating OR with 95% CI. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 6 articles with 20,637 patients on OSAS and hypertension risk met the study inclusion criteria, and were included in the meta-analysis. OSAS was associated with a significantly increased risk of hypertension (OR=1.41; 95%CI, 1.29-1.8855 I2=20%). In the race subgroup analysis, Caucasians with OSAS had increased hypertension risk (OR=1.43; 95%CI, 1.29-1.59; I2=20%). In the subgroup analysis according to gender, male OSAS patients were significantly associated with risk of hypertension (OR=1.59; 95%CI, 1.16-2.17; I2=0%), while female OSAS patients were not significantly associated with risk of hypertension (OR=1.18; 95%CI, 0.80-1.73; I2=0%). All of the different severities of OSAS patients had an increased hypertension risk (mild: OR=1.26; 95%CI, 1.17-1.35; I2=45%; moderate: OR=1.50; 95%CI, 1.27-1.76; I2=46%; severe: OR=1.47; 95%CI, 1.33-1.64; I2=63%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that OSAS may be associated with hypertension risk.

Elevated levels of serum S100B is associated with the presence and outcome of haemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: Serum S100B was suggested to be elevated after brain damage in previous studies. Nowadays, increasing evidence has revealed S100B was also elevated in other tissue traumas outside the brain such as bone fracture and acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the level of serum S100B is associated with haemorrhagic shock (HS), as well as multiple organ failure (MOF) and mortality in patients with HS. METHODS: A total of 314 patients who had multiple trauma and 132 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of S100B were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during the first 24 hours after injury. RESULTS: The levels of serum S100B were significantly elevated in multiple trauma patients with HS compared with those without HS and healthy controls. HS patients with MOF had significantly elevated levels of serum S100B compared with those without MOF. Furthermore, non-surviving patients with HS showed significantly higher levels of serum S100B when compared with the survivors. Simple linear regression analysis shows that the serum levels of S100B were positively correlated with PaO2, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score. Only the SOFA score remained significantly associated with serum S100B after multiple stepwise regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of serum S100B could be considered as an independent predicting marker of the presence and outcome of HS.

Folate intake, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms, and risk of esophageal cancer.

AIM: Genetic and environmental factors may play roles in the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer and susceptibility may be modified by functional polymorphisms in folate metabolic genes, such as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). We here evaluated associations of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and folate intake with esophageal cancer. METHODS: A matched hospital-based case-control study with 155 esophageal cancer and 310 non-cancer controls was conducted in Southern of China with gene-environment interactions evaluated between the MTHFR C667T polymorphism and drinking and smoking, as well as folate intake. RESULTS: Individuals carrying MTHFR 667CT [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.95; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.62] and TT [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.46-8.74] had significantly increased esophageal cancer risk compared with those with MTHFR 667CC genotype. Folate intake was seen to have non-significant preventive effect. In former, moderate and heavy drinkers, a high esophageal cancer risk was observed for those with an MTHFR 677T allele genotype [ORs: 5.0(1.29-18.88), 3.70(1.83-7.66) and 5.77(2.11-15.72), respectively]. Significant interaction was found for moderate-heavy drinking and the MTHFR 677T allele genotype for esophageal cancer risk (p<0.05). Significant increased risk was also found in moderate and heavy smokers with the two genotypes [ORs: 3.58(1.64-7.80) and 4.51(1.15-17.78), respectively]. High folate intake and MTHFR 677TT was associated with a non-significant tendency for decreased esophageal cancer risk. CONCLUSION: Our finding supports the hypothesis that MTHFR C667T polymorphisms play a role in pathogenesis of esophageal cancer in the Chinese population.

[Effect of acupuncture on the expression of Bcl-xl and BDNF of retina in rabbits with chronic intraocular hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protection effects of acupuncture on glaucomatous optic nerve damage and its mechanism. METHODS: Experimental glaucoma model was induced by intracameral injection of compound Carbomer solution in rabbits. After 28 days, ocular tension returned to normal by filtration surgery. Twenty rabbits (40 eyes) were randomly divided into a model group, an acupuncture group, a neurotrophy group and a nomal control group, 5 cases in each group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Qiuhou" (EX-HN 7),"Fengchi" (GB 20) and "Xingjian" (LR 2), twice a day. The neurotrophy group was treated with intramuscular injection of Vitamin B1 (100 mg) and Vitamin B12 (500 microg), once a day, and the other groups with no treatment. The expressions of Bcl-xl and BDNF in rabbits retina were observed after 4 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, the positive expression cells of Bcl-xl and BDNF were (31.20 +/- 5.97) per mm2 and (6.3 +/- 1.89) per mm2 in the acupuncture group, being significantly higer than (26.70 +/- 4.32) per mm2 and (4.0 +/- 1.89) per mm2 in the model group (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can raise the expression of Bcl-xl and BDNF of retina, so as to prevent optic nerve damage caused by intraocular hypertension.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of adult aortico-right ventricular tunnel.

Aortico-right ventricular tunnel (ARVT) was successfully corrected in a 32-year-old patient. The diagnosis was preoperatively suspected on the basis of Doppler echocardiography and it was confirmed by a three-dimensional computed tomographic scan. The ARVT originated independently above the right coronary sinus. Surgical closure with 5-0 polypropylene in the middle of the tunnel under modest hypothermia was successfully performed. Follow-up was found to be satisfactory 3 months later.