Effects of curcumin nanoparticles on proliferation and VEGF expression of human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

AIM: To investigate the effects of curcumin (Cur) nanoparticles loaded with chitosan derivatives grafted by deoxycholic acid (Chit-DC) on human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cell proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression. METHODS: Cur nanoparticles were synthesized with Chit-DC as the carrier and Cur as the supported drug. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to detect the effects of different concentrations of Cur/Chit-DC, Chit-DC, and Cur on the proliferation of hRPE cells for different times. The changes of Cur/Chit-DC and Cur on hRPE cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of VEGF in hRPE cells treated with Cur, Chit-DC and Cur/Chit-DC at 10 µg/mL for 24h. RESULTS: Different concentrations of Chit-DC nanoparticle treated hRPE cells had no significant difference in terms of optical density (OD) values compared with the control group at 24h and 48h. Moreover, there was no change in the cell morphology under a light microscope. After 24h treatment with Cur/Chit-DC and Cur, the percentage of G0-G1 phase cells increased and the percentage of S phase cells decreased in all concentration groups. Cur/Chit-DC and Cur in all concentration groups inhibited the proliferation of hRPE cells in a time and dose dependent manner, and reduced the expression level of VEGF mRNA. CONCLUSION: The Cur/Chit-DC nanoparticles can release Cur continuously and have sustained release function. Both Cur/Chit-DC nanoparticles and Cur could inhibit hRPE cells cultured in vitro, and could reduce the expression level of VEGF mRNA in hRPE cells.

[Diagnostic value of 64-slice spiral computed tomography coronary angiography for coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography (64-SCTCA) in individuals with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: The study enrolled 285 individuals undergoing 64-SCTCA with calcium scoring and thereafter invasive coronary angiography (CAG) within 4 weeks for suspected CAD. Pretest probability of having obstructive CAD was determined using the Duke clinical score, which was estimated by type of chest discomfort, age, gender, and traditional risk factors and stratified into 3 levels of probability: low (≤ 30%, n = 80), intermediate (31% to 70%, n = 92), and high (≥ 71%, n = 113). CAD was defined as the presence of at least one vessel of ≥ 50% coronary stenosis on CAG. RESULTS: The patient-based diagnostic accuracy of 64-SCTCA for detecting CAD according to CAG revealed a sensitivity of 81.2%, a specificity of 93.3%, a positive predictive value of 68.0% and negative predictive value of 96.6%. The CAD prevalence in the low, intermediate and high risk groups according to Duke probability was 46.3%, 72.8% and 82.3%, respectively. The sensitivity and positive predictive value were lower in the low probability group than those in the intermediate and high probability groups. For those with coronary artery Agatston calcium score > 400, the diagnostic accuracy was linked with a higher sensitivity but lower specificity. The diagnostic value of 64-SCTCA for proximal and mid-segment of coronary artery was superior to that for distal segment. CONCLUSIONS: 64-SCTCA is mainly indicated in individuals with an intermediate probability of having CAD. The diagnostic value of 64-SCTCA could be affected by coronary artery calcium, lesion location and vessel diameter.

[Alcohol consumption and coronary heart disease in Eastern Asian men: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and relative risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity, mortality and all-cause mortality among Eastern Asian men. METHODS: Potential prospective cohort studies were retrieved by searching Pubmed (1966 - 2000), Biosis Previews (1980 - 2009), Embase (1980 - 2009) and ISI Web of Knowledge (1986 - 2009) using Medical Subject Headings alcohol drinking, ethanol, coronary heart (or artery) disease, myocardial infarction, mortality, etc; and Koreans, or Japanese or Chinese. From the 28 relevant retrieved reports, 15 prospective cohort studies met the criteria were included. Information on study design, participant characteristics, level of alcohol consumption, CHD outcome, control for potential confounding factors, and risk estimates were abstracted using a standardized protocol. For each study, relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were extracted and pooled with either a fixed effect model or random effect model according to the result of the test of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Due to the limited available data for women, this study only comprised of 2406 cases of CHD among 177 723 male subjects. Findings were also pooled from 216 233 male subjects and 15 462 deaths from any cause. Compared with nondrinkers, the RRs on CHD morbidity for those who drank alcohol ≤ 20, 21 - 40, 41 - 60, > 60 g/d were 0.65 (0.34 - 1.23, P = 0.18), 0.48 (0.26 - 0.87, P = 0.02), 0.46 (0.32 - 0.67, P < 0.01), and 0.48 (0.29 - 0.78, P < 0.01) respectively; the RRs on CHD mortality were 0.98 (0.73 - 1.31, P = 0.87), 0.68 (0.58 - 0.79, P < 0.01), 0.64 (0.43 - 0.96, P = 0.03), 0.75 (0.54 - 1.03, P = 0.08); and on all-cause mortality were 0.83 (0.79 - 0.91, P < 0.01), 0.93 (0.87 - 0.99, P = 0.03), 1.01 (0.95 - 1.07, P = 0.86), 1.32 (1.29 - 1.36, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Light-to-moderate alcohol intake was associated with decreased risk of CHD morbidity and mortality, while heavy alcohol intake was associated with increased all-cause mortality among Eastern Asian men.