Vitamin E Improves the Aminotransferase Status of Patients Suffering from Viral Hepatitis C: A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Study

Vitamin E has been shown to protect against liver damage induced by oxidative stress in animal experiments. Based on our previous findings of diminished vitamin E levels in patients suffering from viral hepatitis, we treated 23 hepatitis C patients refractory to a-interferon therapy with high doses of vitamin E (2 × 400 IU RRR-α-tocopherol/day) for 12 weeks. Study design: pro-spective randomized double-blind crossover design. Clinical parameters including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined for monitoring the disease state, in parallel vitamin E plasma levels and plasma lipids were determined. The plasma levels of the a-tocopherol were increased about 2-fold in all 23 patients. In 11 of 23 patients the clinical parameters indicative of liver damage were improved during the phase of vitamin E treatment (48% responders). ALT levels in responders were lowered by 46% and AST levels were lowered by 35% after 12 weeks of vitamin E treatment. Cessation of vitamin E treatment was followed by a rapid relapse of ALT and AST elevation, whereas retreatment led to a reproducible ALT decrease by 45% and AST decrease of 37% after a 6 months followup. Since vitamin E is non-toxic even at elevated doses ingested over extended periods, we suggest the treatment of patients refractory to α-interferon therapy suffering from hepatitis C with vitamin E as a supportive therapy.     

乙肝病毒载量与血清标志物及ALT相关性研究

探讨了乙型肝炎病毒核酸(HBV-DNA)水平与乙型肝炎免疫标志物(HBVM)和丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)的关系。分别采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(FQ-PCR),酶联免疫法和连续监测法检测了345例血清标本HBV-DNA含量,HBVM(HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、抗HBcIgM)表达及ALT水平。HBsAg、HBeAg(和抗HBcIgM)阳性患者HBV DNA阳性率要明显高于HBsAg、HBeAb(和抗HBcIgM)阳性患者、仅HBsAg阳性患者及HBsAb、HBeAb阳性患者(P<0.01)。血清HBeAg阳性标本HBV-DNA阳性率为98.7%,明显高于HBeAg阴性标本的61.6%(P<0.01),并且血清HBeAg阳性标本HBV-DNA含量(log值,7.42±1.43)也明显高于HBeAg阴性标本(4.36±1.73)(P<0.01);在HBV-DNA含量小于107copy/mL的标本中,ALT与HBV-DNA含量呈正相关(P<0.01)。血清中HBV DNA含量与乙型肝炎免疫标志物以及肝细胞损伤三者之间存在密切的关系,在临床工作中应对血清HBVM、ALT和HBV-DNA含量联合检测,这样才能更准确地判断患者病情、预后及指导抗病毒药物的应用。     

饵料维生素E含量对酸应激中华鳖幼鳖血清补体C3和C4的影响

为探讨维生素E(VE)对中华鳖(Pelodiscus sinensis)幼鳖血清补体C3和C4的影响及补体在酸应激下的变化,在6组(对照组,实验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组)幼鳖的饵料中依次添加0、50、250、500、1000和5000mg／kg的VE,喂食4周,每组取半数幼鳖经酸应激处理24h。取幼鳖血清,用透射比浊法测定血清补体C3和C4的含量。经和未经酸应激的实验Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组幼鳖血清补体C3的含量均明显高于对照组,实验Ⅰ和Ⅱ组C4含量也明显高于对照组;经酸应激的幼鳖与未经酸应激的比较,对照组和实验Ⅰ组C3和C4的含量显著下降,其余4组没有变化。分析说明,VE在一定剂量范围内能促进血清补体C3和C4的合成,酸应激能导致其下降;而高剂量的VE对酸应激导致的不利影响有拮抗作用。     

血脂代谢指标及血清维生素A、E水平与子痫前期的相关性分析

目的:探讨血脂代谢指标及血清维生素A、E水平与子痫前期的相关性。方法:选取2016年12月至2017年12月期间来我院产检及住院分娩的722例妊娠妇女,选取94例子痫前期的妊娠妇女作为A组,其中轻度子痫前期32例作为A1组,重度子痫前期62例作为A2组,并从剩余的628例正常妊娠者中选取126例自愿参与本研究的妊娠妇女作为B组。收集并记录妊娠妇女的临床指标,包括入院时的孕周、孕次、产次、流产次数、血脂代谢指标、血清维生素A、E水平,分析血脂代谢指标、血清维生素A、E水平与子痫前期的相关性。结果:三组孕妇总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)、载脂蛋白A(ApoA)、载脂蛋白B(ApoB)、维生素A、维生素E水平整体比较差异均具有统计学意义(均P0.05);A1组、A2组的TC、TG、LDL、HDL、ApoA、ApoB、维生素A、维生素E水平与B组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05),A2组TG、LDL高于A1组,而维生素A、维生素E水平低于A1组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05),Spearman秩相关分析结果显示,TC、TG、LDL、ApoB水平与子痫前期呈正相关(r=0.214,0.432,0.517,0.226,P=0.012,0.008,0.005,0.012),HDL、ApoA、维生素A、维生素E水平与子痫前期呈负相关(r=-0.282,-0.357,-0.539,-1.217,P=0.010,0.009,0.003,0.000)。结论:血脂代谢指标、维生素A、维生素E水平在子痫前期孕妇中表达异常,且这些指标与子痫前期密切相关,应重视妊娠期孕妇的血脂代谢指标、维生素A、维生素E水平的监测,并控制其水平,从而有效防治子痫前期。     

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Status and Serum Vitamin C Levels in Cancer Patients

Taking into account the importance role of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in the prevention and incidence of cancer, the present study was carried out to determine oxidative stress, serum total antioxidant (TAS), and vitamin C levels in cancer patients. Malondialdehyde(MDA), total antioxidant status, and vitamin C levels of 57cancer patients aged 19–80 years and 22 healthy subjects (control group) aged 22–76 years were evaluated. Serum concentrations of MDA as thiobarbitaric acid complexes were measured by fluorometry method, the serum TAS by using commercial test kits from Randox Laboratories, and vitamin C by using spectrocolorimetric method. The mean serum MDA concentrations of all cancer groups except lung cancer were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.004). The mean total antioxidant status was insignificantly higher than control group. The mean serum vitamin C level was significantly lower in patients as compared to the healthy subjects (PV < 0.0001). In conclusion, an alteration in the lipid peroxidation with concomitant changes in antioxidant defense system in cancer patients may be due to excessive oxidative stress. Serum low levels of vitamin C in the different type of cancer patients in spite of adequate daily intake may be due to increased utilization to scavenge lipid peroxides as well as their sequestration by tumor cells.     

维生素C和E混合饲喂对中华鳖幼鳖抗酸应激能力的影响

来自甲鱼养殖场的60只中华鳖(Pelodiscus sinensis)幼鳖驯养3周后,实验设5组：对照组、处理Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组。各组设2个平行,依次在饵料中混合添加维生素C(Vc)和E(VE)为0和0、250和50、2500和50、250和250、2500和250mg／kg,喂食4周后,每组取半数幼鳖经酸应激处理24h。取幼鳖血液,用镜检法测定血细胞的吞噬率,透射比浊法测定血清溶菌活力、杀菌活力以及补体C3和C4含量。①经酸应激与未经酸应激处理相比：对照组血细胞吞噬率显著降低,而处理Ⅰ-Ⅳ组无显著变化;对照组和处理Ⅰ组血清溶菌活力和补体C3含量显著下降,而处理Ⅱ-Ⅳ组无显著变化;血清杀菌活力均有显著下降(对照组、处理Ⅰ和Ⅲ组极显著,处理Ⅱ组和Ⅳ组显著);对照组、处理Ⅰ和Ⅲ组血清补体C4显著下降,而处理Ⅱ和Ⅴ组无显著变化。②经酸应激处理,血细胞吞噬率、血清溶菌活力、杀菌活力和补体C3含量,处理Ⅰ～Ⅳ组的均显著高于对照组,处理Ⅳ组显著高于其他4组;血清杀菌活力,处理Ⅱ组又高于处理Ⅰ和Ⅲ组;血清补体C4,对照组显著低于处理Ⅰ-Ⅳ组,而处理Ⅰ-Ⅳ组间无显著相异。Vc和VE混合饲喂对酸应激后中华鳖血细胞吞噬率、血清溶菌活力、杀菌活力和补体C3含量有显著协同促进作用,对血清补体C4的合成无协同作用。说明Vc和VE混合饲喂能显著增强中华鳖抗酸应激能力,缓解或部分缓解酸应激造成的不利影响。     

Inflammation and Liver Cell Death in Patients with Hepatitis C Viral Infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver disease contributes to chronic hepatitis. The immune factors identified in HCV include changes in the innate and adaptive immune system. The inflammatory mediators, known as “inflammasome”, are a consequence of the metabolic products of cells and commensal or pathogenic bacteria and viruses. The only effective strategy to prevent disease progression is eradication of the viral infection. Immune cells play a pivotal role during liver inflammation, triggering fibrogenesis. The present paper discusses the potential role of markers in cell death and the inflammatory cascade leading to the severity of liver damage. We aim to present the clinical parameters and laboratory data in a cohort of 88 HCV-infected non-cirrhotic and 25 HCV cirrhotic patients, to determine the characteristic light microscopic (LM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) changes in their liver biopsies and to present the link between the severity of liver damage and the serum levels of cytokines and caspases. A matched HCV non-infected cohort was used for the comparison of serum inflammatory markers. We compared the inflammation in HCV individuals with a control group of 280 healthy individuals. We correlated the changes in inflammatory markers in different stages of the disease and the histology. We concluded that the serum levels of cytokine, chemokine, and cleaved caspase markers reveal the inflammatory status in HCV. Based upon the information provided by the changes in biomarkers the clinician can monitor the severity of HCV-induced liver damage. New oral well-tolerated treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis C patients can achieve cure rates of over 90%. Therefore, using the noninvasive biomarkers to monitor the evolution of the liver damage is an effective personalized medicine procedure to establish the severity of liver injury and its repair.     

戊肝与丙肝病毒在献血员人群中感染状况的对比研究

采用市售试剂对武汉地区乡村献血员进行血清抗ＨＥＶ与抗ＨＣＶ检测,两者的阳性率分别为５．７４％及９．３５％。在２８８份有ＡＬＴ记录的单采浆献血员中,有近期ＡＬＴ升高史的献浆者抗ＨＥＶ及抗ＨＣＶ检出率分别为１４．０４％及１４．１８％,均显著高于无近期ＡＬＴ升高史的献浆者。对上述标本同时进行多项血清ＨＢＶ标志检测,抗ＨＥＶ阳性及抗ＨＣＶ阳性组献血员多项ＨＢＶ标志检测结果与相应阴性组比较均未见显著的差别。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织和外周血白细胞中钠离子依赖性维生素C转运体的表达

用免疫组化和Western blot技术检测SVCT1和SVCT2蛋白在慢性乙型肝炎患者及正常人外周血白细胞中的表达.免疫组化结果显示：在慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织中SVCT1和SVCT2蛋白的阳性表达率和阳性表达强度显著低于正常肝组织（P〈0.01）;Western-blot检测显示,慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血白细胞中SVCT1表达缺失,SVCT2蛋白表达强度为0.481&#177;0.056,均显著低于正常人（分别为0.325&#177;0.085和0.971&#177;0.140）（P〈0.01）.提示慢性乙型肝炎患者体内肝细胞和外周血白细胞存在SVCT1和SVCT2蛋白表达低下或缺失;SVCT1和SVCT2蛋白表达低下或缺失可能是乙型肝炎病毒易感性的主要原因之一.     

Improved oxidative stress and cardio-metabolic status in obese prepubertal children with liver steatosis treated with lifestyle combined with Vitamin E

Abstract

In obese adults with non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), treatment with Vitamin E has resulted in an improvement in liver histology, whereas variable and limited results are available in children. Our aim was to assess whether lifestyle combined with supplementation with Vitamin E might reduce oxidative stress and improve cardio-metabolic status in obese children with NAFLD.

24 obese prepubertal children (16M) followed a 6-month lifestyle intervention combined with Vitamin E supplementation (600 mg/day) and they were compared with 21 age and sex-matched obese peers who underwent lifestyle intervention only. At baseline and after 6-month urinary prostaglandin F2α (PGF-2α), endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products (esRAGE), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), alanine aminotransferases (ALT), lipid profile, glucose, and insulin were assessed.

The two groups were comparable for age (8.3 ± 1.6 vs 8.4 ± 1.3 yr), sex and BMI SDS (2.16 ± 0.29 vs 2.13 ± 0.28). At the beginning of the study, PGF2-α, esRAGE hsCRP, ALT, lipid profile and HOMA-IR levels were similar between the two groups (all p > 0.05). After 6-month treatment, levels of PGF2-α (p < 0.001) significantly decreased and esRAGE significantly increased (p < 0.001) in children treated with Vitamin E. A significant reduction was also found in ALT (p = 0.001), lipid profile and HOMA-IR (p < 0.001). In contrast, no significant change in any of these markers was detected in the lifestyle only group.

In conclusion, Vitamin E supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in oxidative stress and improved cardio-metabolic alterations. These data suggest that Vitamin E supplementation could represent a valuable treatment in obese children affected by NAFLD.     

Effect of Caffeine-Containing Beverage Consumption on Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Levels in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Hospital-Based Cohort Study

Introduction

To date, there have been no prospective studies examining the effect of coffee consumption on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level among individuals infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). We conducted a hospital-based cohort study among patients with chronic HCV infection to assess an association between baseline coffee consumption and subsequent ALT levels for 12 months.

Materials and Methods

From 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2006, total 376 HCV-RNA positive patients were recruited. A baseline questionnaire elicited information on the frequency of coffee consumption and other caffeine-containing beverages. ALT level as a study outcome was followed through the patients’ medical records during 12 months. The association between baseline beverage consumption and subsequent ALT levels was evaluated separately among patients with baseline ALT levels within normal range (≤45 IU/L) and among those with higher ALT levels (>45 IU/L).

Results

Among 229 patients with baseline ALT levels within normal range, 186 (81%) retained normal ALT levels at 12 months after recruitment. Daily drinkers of filtered coffee were three times more likely to preserve a normal ALT level than non-drinkers (OR=2.74; P=0.037). However, decaffeinated coffee drinkers had a somewhat inverse effect for sustained normal ALT levels, with marginal significance (OR=0.26; P=0.076). In addition, among 147 patients with higher baseline ALT levels, 39 patients (27%) had ALT reductions of ≥20 IU/L at 12 months after recruitment. Daily drinkers of filtered coffee had a significantly increased OR for ALT reduction (OR=3.79; P=0.034). However, in decaffeinated coffee drinkers, OR could not be calculated because no patients had ALT reduction.

Conclusion

Among patients with chronic HCV infection, daily consumption of filtered coffee may have a beneficial effect on the stabilization of ALT levels.     

Effect of Aloe vera preparations on the human bioavailability of vitamins C and E

There are no literature references describing the effect of consumption of Aloe vera liquid preparations on the absorption of water- or fat-soluble vitamins. There is a very large population worldwide which consume vitamins and many people also consume Aloe. Thus we report the effect of Aloe on the human absorption of vitamins C and E, the most popular vitamin supplements. The plasma bioavailability of vitamins C and E were determined in normal fasting subjects, with eight subjects for vitamin C and ten subjects for vitamin E. In a random crossover design, the subjects consumed either 500 mg of ascorbic acid or 420 mg of vitamin E acetate alone (control), or combined with 2 oz of two different Aloe preparations (a whole leaf extract, or an inner fillet gel). Blood was collected periodically up to 24 h after consumption. Plasma was analyzed for ascorbate and tocopherol by HPLC with UV detection. There was no significant difference in the areas under the plasma ascorbate–time curves among the groups sincerely due to large differences within the groups. For comparative purposes the control area was 100%. The Aloe Gel area was 304%, and Aloe Whole Leaf 80%. Only Aloe Gel caused a significant increase in plasma ascorbate after 8 and 24 h. For vitamin E, the results for the relative areas were control 100%, Gel 369%, and Leaf (198%). Only the Aloes produced a significant increase in plasma tocopherol after 6 and 8 h. Both Aloes were significantly different from the control after 8 h. Aloe Gel was significantly different from the baseline after 24 h. The Aloes slowed down the absorption of both vitamins with maximum concentrations 2–4 h later than the control. There was no difference between the two types of Aloe. The results indicate that the Aloes improve the absorption of both vitamins C and E. The absorption is slower and the vitamins last longer in the plasma with the Aloes. Aloe is the only known supplement to increase the absorption of both of these vitamins and should be considered as a complement to them.     

丙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达

目的：建立稳定表达丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)核心蛋白的原核表达系统,获得高产量的纯化核心蛋白。方法：应用多聚酶链反应(PCR),以HCV—H株全长cDNA序列为模板,扩增获得核心区基因片段,克隆入原核表达载体pBVIL1,构建原核表达载体pBVIL1-C,转化HB101宿主菌,通过温度诱导表达核心蛋白。结果：扩增得到目的基因长度为573bp,构建pBVIL1-C表达载体,在HB101宿主菌中通过温度诱导获得稳定表达,表达蛋白占菌体总蛋白含量的21％,Western—Blot检测证实表达产物可与HCV患者阳性血清发生特异性结合反应。结论：HCV核心蛋白可在大肠杆菌中获得高表达并具有良好的反应原性。     

Hepatitis C virus E2 protein induce reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related fibrogenesis in the HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cell line

Chronic infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to hepatic fibrosis and subsequently cirrhosis, although the underlying mechanisms have not been established. Previous studies have indicated that the binding of HCV E2 protein and CD81 on the surface of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) lead to the increased protein level and activity of matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) 2, indicating that E2 may involve in the HCV-induced fibrosis. This study was designed to investigate the involvement of HCV E2 protein in the hepatic fibrogenesis. Results showed that E2 protein may promote the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen α(I). Furthermore, several pro-fibrosis or pro-inflammatory cytokines, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, were significantly increased in E2 transfected-HSC cell lines, while the expression of MMP-2 are also considerably increased. Moreover, the significant increases of CTGF and TGF-β1 in a stable E2-expressing Huh7 cell line were also observed the same results. Further molecular studies indicated that the impact of E2 protein on collagen production related to higher production of ROS and activated Janus kinase (JAK)1, JAK2 and also enhance the activation of ERK1/2 and p38, while catalase and inhibitors specific for JAK, ERK1/2, and p38 abolish E2-enhanced expression of collagen α(I). Taken together, this study indicated that E2 protein involve in the pathogenesis of HCV-mediated fibrosis via an up-regulation of collagen α(I) and oxidative stress, which is JAK pathway related.     

Vitamins C and E Modulate Neuronal Potassium Currents

We investigated the effects of vitamins C and E on the delayed-rectifier potassium current (IK_DR), which is important in repolarizing the membrane potential, and on the transient A-type potassium current (IK_A), which regulates neuronal firing frequency. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to measure the currents from cultured Drosophila neurons derived from embryonic neuroblasts. The membrane potential was stepped to different voltages between −40 and +60 mV from a holding potential of −80 mV. IK_DR and IK_A measured in the vitamin C-containing solution (IK_DR 305 ± 16 pA, IK_A 11 ± 2 pA) were smaller than those measured in the control solution (488 ± 21 pA, IK_A 28 ± 3 pA). By contrast, IK_DR and IK_A measured in the vitamin E-containing solution (IK_DR 561 ± 21 pA, IK_A 31 ± 3 pA) were greater than those measured in the control solution (422 ± 15 pA, 17 ± 2 pA). These results indicate that vitamins C and E can modulate potassium current amplitudes and possibly lead to altered neuronal excitability.     

苏南地区1b型丙型肝炎病毒包膜区变异进化研究

本研究旨在了解本地区丙型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis C virus,HCV)基因型构成的前提下,分析1b型丙型肝炎病毒包膜2(second envelope glycoprotein E2)区的变异和种系进化,并研究其准种变异与临床肝病活动度的关系。对宜兴市人民医院收集的抗HCV抗体阳性患者166名,RT-PCR方法检测HCVRNA,HCVRNA阳性患者采用型特异性引物分型法确定病毒基因型;选择其中未经干扰素治疗的43例1b型慢性丙型肝炎患者的血清标本,扩增E2区,从中选取肝硬化患者4例,慢性非肝硬化患者6例的E2区PCR产物纯化测序,序列采用CLUSTALW与GENBANK上多株不同型别的HCV序列进行比对分析,结果采用Phylip软件构建遗传进化树;并观察E2区高变区1(HVR-1)的氨基酸(aminoacid,aa)残基序列的变异特征;采用单链构象多态性垂直电泳检测43例患者个体内HCVE2区准种的变异情况,比较不同肝病活动度患者准种变异情况。结果表明本地区HCV以1b型为主(84.3%),对E2区基因序列和氨基酸序列变异的分析显示其变异具有一定的规律性,种系进化树提示本地区HCV病毒序列与上海、湖南、日本等地的HCV株有较近的亲缘性。43例患者中ALT高于正常的丙型肝炎患者准种复杂程度明显高于ALT正常者(P<0.05)。故本地区HCV基因变异符合中国东南部的特点,基因变异与临床肝病活动度具有相关性。     

丙型肝炎病毒F蛋白缺失对病毒复制及感染性的影响

探索了F蛋白缺失及核心蛋白(Core)二级结构改变对丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)复制和感染性的影响．利用定点突变方法,将J6JFH1的核心基因引进5个终止密码子以中断F蛋白的表达,从而获得F蛋白缺失的病毒复制子J6JFH1/ΔF．体外制备RNA转录体,并电穿孔转染Huh7.5.1细胞,采用免疫荧光、实时荧光定量PCR方法以及病毒感染等方法,观察F蛋白缺失对病毒复制、蛋白质表达及转染细胞上清感染性病毒颗粒产生的影响．在此基础上,构建5个单一突变病毒体,对HCV核心蛋白进行二级结构分析,观察核心蛋白二级结构对HCV复制和翻译的影响．结果显示,转染48 h后,J6JFH1/ΔF与野生型J6JFH1相比,J6JFH1/ΔF转染阳性细胞数明显降低,细胞内HCV RNA 水平降低约95%,J6JFH1/ΔF转染后不同时间点细胞上清中HCV RNA拷贝数和病毒颗粒也明显降低．5个单一突变体不影响核心基因二级结构,病毒在细胞内复制和感染性与野生型水平一致．J6JFH1/ΔF所产生的改变可能是由于5处突变导致核心基因二级结构改变而造成的．结果说明,HCV F蛋白缺失不影响病毒的复制翻译及病毒颗粒的包装释放,核心蛋白二级结构的改变对病毒复制和翻译则产生较大影响．     

Effects of Vitamin E and Selenium on Serum Trace and Major Elements in Horses

The combined effects of vitamin E and selenium were studied in native Anatolian horses subject to strenuous exercise. The concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium were determined in serum by atomic absorption spectrometry in two study groups (n = 25 each), one of which served as untreated controls. After exercising the horses by running 1,500 m in about 7 min, only the copper level and the copper/zinc ratio significantly increased (p < 0.05), but the concentrations of calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium remained unchanged. In horses treated with vitamin E and selenium, the calcium and potassium levels decreased to levels lower than those of untreated controls before and after exercise. The iron levels were not changed by exercise or treatment alone but increased when the horses had been supplemented and exercised. The copper level and the copper/zinc ration increased as a result of exercise in both treated and untreated horses. These changes suggest that supplementation with vitamin E and selenium had an important effect on the serum concentrations of calcium, potassium, copper, iron, and the copper/zinc ratio.     

苏南地区1b型丙型肝炎病毒包膜区变异进化研究

本研究旨在了解本地区丙型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis Cvirus,HCV)基因型构成的前提下,分析1b型丙型肝炎病毒包膜2(second envelope glycoprotein E2)区的变异和种系进化,并研究其准种变异与临床肝病活动度的关系.对宜兴市人民医院收集的抗HCV抗体阳性患者166名,RT-PCR方法检测HCVRNA,HCVRNA阳性患者采用型特异性引物分型法确定病毒基因型;选择其中未经干扰素治疗的43例1b型慢性丙型肝炎患者的血清标本,扩增E2区,从中选取肝硬化患者4例,慢性非肝硬化患者6例的E2区PCR产物纯化测序,序列采用CLUSTALW与GENBANK上多株不同型别的HCV序列进行比对分析,结果采用Phylip软件构建遗传进化树;并观察E2区高变区1(HVR-1)的氨基酸(amino acid,aa)残基序列的变异特征;采用单链构象多态性垂直电泳检测43例患者个体内HCV E2区准种的变异情况,比较不同肝病活动度患者准种变异情况.结果表明本地区HCV以1b型为主(84.3%),对E2区基因序列和氨基酸序列变异的分析显示其变异具有一定的规律性,种系进化树提示本地区HCV病毒序列与上海、湖南、日本等地的HCV株有较近的亲缘性.43例患者中ALT高于正常的丙型肝炎患者准种复杂程度明显高于ALT正常者(P＜0.05).故本地区HCV基因变异符合中国东南部的特点,基因变异与临床肝病活动度具有相关性.