PTGS2 gene polymorphism -765G>C is associated with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis.

Previous studies focusing on the association of PTGS2 polymorphism -765G>C with coronary artery disease (CAD) have failed to reach the same conclusion. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically summarize the possible association between PTGS2 polymorphism -765G>C and the risk of CAD. We conducted a search of case-control studies on the associations of PTGS2 with susceptibility to CAD in PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Data from eligible studies were extracted for meta-analysis. CAD risk associated with PTGS2 -765G>C was estimated by pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) with the RevMan 5.2 software. Eleven independent case-control studies on PTGS2 -765G>C were included in our meta-analysis. Our results showed that PTGS2 -765G>C was associated with a decreased risk of CAD (OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.56-0.79; P < 0.001). This meta-analysis suggests that PTGS2 -765G>C is associated with a decreased risk of CAD.

Comparison of extracts from cooked and raw lentil in antagonizing angiotensin II-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy.

AIM: The objective of this study is to examine effects of extracts from cooked lentils on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in normotensive rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were divided into four groups (n=5 each group): control group, Ang II group, Ang II plus cooked lentil extract (Ang II+CLE) group, and Ang II plus raw lentil extract (Ang II+RLE) group. The telemetry blood pressure transducers were implanted into all rats. A telemetry BP probe was positioned intra-abdominally and secured to the ventral abdominal muscle with the catheter inserted into the lower abdominal aorta. Heart wall thickness, cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, diameter of the arterial cross-sections, and perivascular fibrosis in heart and kidney were measured. The surface area of positive-staining cardiomyocytes was analyzed using image analysis software. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined using an oxidant-sensitive fluorogenic probe. RESULTS: Rats that received cooked or raw lentil extracts (oral administration, 8 weeks) show significantly attenuated Ang II-induced elevation in blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, perivascular fibrosis. Results demonstrated that pretreatment of cardiomyocytes with cooked or raw lentil extract significantly attenuated the Ang II-induced increase in the size of cells (16.0±1.7% and 21.2±2.9%, respectively, n=5, p < 0.05), and cooked or raw lentil extracts also attenuated the Ang II-induced increase in the reactive oxygen species levels in cardiomyocytes (19.8±2.2% & 26.6±3.1%, respectively, n=5, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that extracts from cooked lentils could prevent Ang II-induced elevation in blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, small arterial remodeling and perivascular fibrosis, and heating process does not have any significant affect on these protective effects.