Change of serum L-tryptophan levels following the development and recovery of acute puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis in rats

Summary It is known that total L-tryptophan (Trp) levels decrease with a decrease in albumin-bound Trp levels and an increase in free Trp levels in the plasma or serum of nephrotic children. We, therefore, examined the change of serum Trp levels following the development and recovery of acute nephrosis in 6-week-old male Wistar rats injected once with puromycin aminonucleoside (100mg/kg body weight) and checked the levels of 16 amino acids including Trp in the serum and the levels of Trp in the liver, kidney, and urine under nephrotic conditions. In this study, the development and recovery of nephrosis were checked by the changes of levels of urinary protein and serum protein and albumin. Total serum Trp and albumin-bound serum Trp levels decreased with the development of nephrosis and these decreased levels returned to the normal level with its recovery. In contrast, free serum Trp levels increased with the development of nephrosis and this increased level returned to the normal level with its recovery. In the serum of nephrotic rats, the decrease of albumin-bound Trp levels and the increase of free Trp levels were well consistent with a decrease in albumin levels and an increase in the level of non-esterified fatty acids which are known to weaken the binding of Trp to albumin and among 16 amino acids studied, only Trp showed a significant change in its levels. Trp levels increased in the liver and kidney but not in the urine under nephrotic conditions. These results indicate that the change of serum Trp levels should be closely related to the condition of nephrosis and that although serum Trp is lost under nephrotic conditions, the lost serum Trp is accumulated in the liver and kidney.     

老年2型糖尿病患者的血清FGF21水平与临床参数的相关性研究

目的目的对老年糖尿病患者的空腹血浆成纤维细胞生长因子（Fibroblast growth factor21,FGF21）的水平与其临床参数进行相关性分析。方法对辽宁省沈阳市部分社区进行糖尿病普查,对78名65岁以上老年糖尿病患者的空腹血浆FGF21的水平与其临床参数进行相关性分析。其中包括腰围、体重指数（BMI）、血生化学指标、应用针对糖尿病,高血压和血脂异常治疗药物的情况等。结果在单变量分析中,2型糖尿病患者的FGF21水平与是否使用贝特类药物、甘油三酯水平、肌酐水平、腰围和BMI有独立相关性。经过校正年龄,性别和BMI之后进行多元线性回归分析发现,血清FGF21水平与贝特类药物的使用、TG水平、肌酐水平、LDL-C水平、胰高血糖素水平等独立相关。结论在老年2型糖尿病患者中,空腹血清FGF21水平与使用贝特类降脂药物,血脂水平,肾功等密切相关,说明FGF21水平在此类患者的糖脂代谢中占有重要地位。     

Radioimmunoassay for calcitonin gene-related peptide and its measurement in sera of patients with thyroid disease.

To investigate serum levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), we developed a sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA). RIA for CGRP in serum can present some problems: the serum may degradate the tracer during incubation and suppress the antigen-antibody reaction. We avoided these problems by using aprotinin and CGRP-free serum instead of a buffer for the standard curve. We detected serum CGRP in all 39 healthy subjects when CGRP-free serum was not used for the standard curve, but 34 of these subjects had serum CGRP levels below the detection limit (less than 80 pmol/l) when CGRP-free serum was used for the standard curve. We defined the normal range for serum CGRP as below 100.8 pmol/l, which was the maximum level found in the healthy subjects. We studied serum levels of this peptide in patients with thyroid diseases, because the thyroid may be one origin of circulating CGRP. Four of 10 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma had elevated serum levels of CGRP. Seven of 24 patients with subacute thyroiditis had elevated serum levels of CGRP, but at least one year after clinical recovery, CGRP was undetectable in all. Seven of the 37 patients with hypothyroidism had elevated serum levels of CGRP. None of the patients with hyperthyroidism, adenomatous goiter, thyroid adenoma, or thyroid carcinoma had elevated serum CGRP levels. It is necessary to use a standard curve obtained by the addition of aprotinin and CGRP-free serum to the assay standards to measure serum CGRP levels. Some patients with subacute thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, or medullary thyroid carcinoma had elevated serum CGRP levels.     

Hormone levels in serum and seminal plasma of men with different types of azoospermia

Hormone concentrations in the serum and seminal plasma of 15 normozoospermic, 17 excretory azoospermic and 14 secretory azoospermic men were measured. The results indicate that: (a) serum FSH and LH levels are markedly elevated in secretory azoospermia, as compared with excretory azoospermia and normozoospermia; (b) serum 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels are somewhat raised in secretory azoospermia as compared with excretory azoospermia and normozoospermia; (c) serum testosterone levels are lower in both types of azoospermia with respect to normozoospermia; (d) in secretory azoospermia the oestradiol serum levels are relatively high and dihydrotestosterone serum levels relatively low, whereas the serum levels of these hormones in excretory azoospermia are similar to those in normozoospermic men; (e) in the seminal plasma of azoospermic patients the levels of prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and oestradiol were depressed, but only dihydrotestosterone levels could be of value in differentiating types of azoospermia because they are lower in secretory azoospermia. We suggest that the measurement of FSH, LH, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, dihydrotestosterone and oestradiol in serum and dihydrotestosterone in seminal plasma may be used in the differential diagnosis between secretory and excretory azoospermia when invasive tests are unavailable.     

胃癌血清Periostin、E-cadherine水平的研究

目的：通过检测并分析胃癌患者血清Periostin、E-cadherine水平与胃癌临床病理参数的关系以评价两者对胃癌的临床应用价值。方法：应用固相夹心酶联免疫吸附实验（Elisa）检测54例胃良性疾病患者对照组和128例胃癌患者（胃癌组）血清Periostin、E-cadherine水平。结果：胃癌组血清Periostin[（409.429±154.851）pg/ml]、E-cadherine[（38.834±11.676）ng/ml]水平均显著高于对照组,差异有显著统计学意义（P〈0.05）。胃癌根除组,有淋巴结转移组血清E-cadherine水平显著高于无淋巴结转移组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;血清Periostin水平随淋巴结转移个数的增多而升高,多重比较不同淋巴结转移个数分组差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;血清Periostin、E-cadherine水平随着胃癌浸润程度加深而升高,多重比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。胃癌组,有远处器官转移组患者血清Periostin水平[（505.617±163.950）pg/ml]、E-cadherine[（48.705±8.067）ng/ml]均明显高于无远处转移组,差别有显著统计学意义（P〈0.05）。胃癌组血清Periostin水平和血清E-cadherine水平呈低度正相关性。结论：血清Periostin、E-cadherine水平与胃癌的临床病理参数密切关系,对评价胃癌进展程度及预后有一定临床意义。     

Relevance of Post-Stroke Circulating BDNF Levels as a Prognostic Biomarker of Stroke Outcome. Impact of rt-PA Treatment

The recombinant form of tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only curative treatment for ischemic stroke. Recently, t-PA has been linked to the metabolism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neurotrophin involved in post-stroke neuroplasticity. Thus, the objective of our study was to investigate the impact of rt-PA treatment on post-stroke circulating BDNF levels in humans and in animals. Serum BDNF levels and t-PA/plasmin activity were measured at hospital admission and at up to 90 days in stroke patients receiving (n = 24) or not (n = 14) rt-PA perfusion. We investigated the relationships between serum BDNF with concurrent t-PA/plasmin activity, neurological outcomes and cardiovascular scores at admission. In parallel, serum BDNF levels and t-PA/plasmin activity were assessed before and after (1, 4 and 24h) the induction of ischemic stroke in rats. Our study revealed higher serum BDNF levels and better neurological outcome in rt-PA-treated than non-treated patients. However, serum BDNF levels did not predict stroke outcome when the whole cohort of stroke patients was analyzed. By contrast, serum BDNF levels when measured at admission and at day 90 correlated with cardiovascular scores, and those at day 1 correlated with serum t-PA/plasmin activity in the whole cohort of patients whereas no association could be found in the rt-PA-treated group. In rats devoid of cardiovascular risk, no difference in post-stroke serum BDNF levels was detected between rt-PA- and vehicle-treated animals and no correlation was found between serum BDNF levels and t-PA/plasmin activity. Overall, the data suggest that serum BDNF levels may not be useful as a prognostic biomarker of stroke outcome and that endothelial dysfunction could be a confounding factor when serum BDNF levels after stroke are used to reflect of brain BDNF levels.     

Antidiabetic activity of a polyherbal preparation (tincture of panchparna) in normal and diabetic rats

The present work was executed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potency of a polyherbal formulation, and its influence on derangement in the metabolism of glucose and cholesterol and changes in sodium levels in serum and urine in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels were found to be increased in diabetic animals. Serum sodium and urinary sodium, hepatic glycogen levels are found to be decreased in diabetic state. Treatment with the polyherbal formulation (1.0 ml/kg body wt) for 30 days in diabetic animals has shown decrease in serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels in comparison to control animals, whereas in normal treated animals, the formulation does not effect the serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels. Serum sodium and urinary sodium levels were increased in both diabetic treated and the control animals. Hepatic glycogen levels were increased in diabetic treated animals, but there was no change in the control treated animals.     

Determination of serum and plasma uridine levels in mice,rats, and humans by high-pressure liquid chromatography

Serum and plasma uridine levels in mice, rats, and humans were conveniently measured by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Human serum levels were in the range of 1.9 to 8.4 nmol/ml, rat serum levels ranged from 3.7 to 9.4 nmol/ml, and mouse serum levels measured 8.0 to 11.8 nmol/ml. Levels of uridine were the same in human plasma and serum; however, plasma from mice and rats was somewhat lower than serum in uridine content ranging from 1.7 to 4.1 nmol/ml in rats and 1.5 to 4.7 nmol/ml in mice. There was some variation in the individual human serum and rat plasma uridine levels throughout the day, but the values were within the normal range, and the variations had no set pattern. Withholding food for 16–24 h had no observable effect on serum uridine levels in mice and humans or on rat plasma levels. These results suggest that uridine levels are regulated and are not a direct reflection of dietary intake of uridine.     

The effect of heat-stable extract from bovine sublingual salivary gland on serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits

An extract of bovine sublingual glands (SLF3) reduced the serum cholesterol levels of normal rabbits 34.6% and serum triglyceride levels 19.6% when injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at 20 mg/kg body wt on alternate days for 7 days. SLF3 also reduced serum cholesterol levels 69.0% and triglyceride levels 46.5% in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, while in similar rabbits injected with a control muscle tissue extract, the rate of decrease in serum cholesterol levels was 33.3% and triglyceride levels 26.7%.     

Serum transferrin as a marker of bone growth in boys: correlation with serum alkaline phosphatase activity, plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 and rate of growth in height

Transferrin (TF) has a growth promoting activity in cell culture. The aim of this work was to study possible relationships between serum TF, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and rate of height increase in boys. 149 boys aged 13-15 yrs were studied. TF levels were measured using turbidimetric method. The serum levels of ALP could be used as a biochemical marker for bone formation. Significant correlation was found between serum TF levels and ALP levels (r = 0.31, P less than 0.0005). The TF levels are higher in iron-deficiency anemia. The hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin were measured in all boys. Thirty-one of 149 boys had no iron-deficiency anemia (Hb 14.0 g/dl and serum ferritin 23 ng/ml). The rate of growth in height was estimated over a 5 month period. In these boys, the rate of growth in height was significantly correlated with serum TF levels (r = 0.37; P less than 0.05). A significant correlation was found between serum TF levels and plasma IGF-1 levels (r = 0.45; P less than 0.05). These data indicate that serum TF levels may be a marker of skeletal growth in normal boys.     

Serum and urinary immunoglobulin in the rat model of acute urinary tract infection

Total levels of urine and serum immunoglobulin IgM, IgG and IgA, and the E. coli-specific bacterial immunoglobulin response were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a rat model of acute urinary tract infection. High levels of urinary IgM were detected as early as day 3 post infection and then decreased to statistically insignificant levels. Peak levels of IgG occurred in the serum and urine on day 14. Urine and serum IgA levels remained low throughout the study period. The results demonstrate that in the rat model of acute urinary tract infection, IgM appears first in the urine and serum, and rapidly decreases. IgG then appears in the serum and urine followed by a late E. coli-specific immunoglobulin serum and urine response. Also, a non-specific component of the immunoglobulin response was noted in both the serum and urine. In the rat, IgA appears to play little or no role in the urine or in the serum response to the infection.     

自体骨髓干细胞移植治疗失代偿期肝硬化的临床效果分析

目的:观察自体骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSC)移植治疗合并不同并发症的失代偿期肝硬化的临床效果。方法:回顾性分析我院自2008年12月至2013年12月收治的148例经自体BMSC移植治疗的肝硬化合并肝性脑病、肝肾综合征、肝源性糖尿病以及消化道出血患者治疗前后的肝、肾功能、血清蛋白、血常规等指标的变化情况。结果:治疗后,肝硬化合并肝性脑病患者的ALT、血氨水平改善明显,TBIL反复;合并肝肾综合征的患者HB、Crea水平改善明显,ALT、AST、DBIL反复;合并肝源性糖尿病患者的ALT、TBIL、DBIL、TB、ALB、血糖水平改善明显;合并消化道出血患者的ALT、TP、ALB改善明显,AST、TBIL、PLT反复。结论:自体BMSC移植治疗肝硬化合并肝源性糖尿病的效果较好,对合并肝性脑病、肝肾综合征以及消化道出血患者的效果欠佳。     

Evidence for a role of prostaglandins in the antepartum release of relaxin in the pregnant rat

The relationship of the antepartum elevation in serum relaxin levels in pregnant rats to luteolysis was examined by determining the effects of the luteolysin prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin on antepartum serum relaxin levels, as well as on luteolysis and birth. Intravenous administration of PGF2 alpha on the morning of Day 20 elevated serum relaxin levels approximately fourfold within 15 min. Administration of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin from Day 19 until Day 23 protracted luteolysis, delayed or prevented birth, and delayed the antepartum elevation of serum relaxin levels, until after indomethacin treatment had been terminated. Collectively, these results indicate that prostaglandins, in particular PGF2 alpha, may promote the antepartum increase in serum relaxin levels, as well as luteolysis and birth in rats.     

The effects of the acute administration of phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP) on the release of corticosterone, growth hormone and prolactin in the rat

There is little information on the neuroendocrine effects of PCP. The present study examined the effects of the acute subcutaneous administration of PCP on serum levels of corticosterone, growth hormone and prolactin in the male rat. PCP increased serum levels of corticosterone, decreased serum levels of prolactin and failed to affect growth hormone levels. The results indicate that, like other drugs of abuse, PCP alters neuroendocrine function.     

Clinical significance of serum bone Gla protein and urinary gamma-Gla as biochemical markers in primary hyperparathyroidism

The serum bone Gla-protein (BGP) and urinary gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (gamma-Gla) levels were determined in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). The mean serum BGP and urinary gamma-Gla levels were 18.6 +/- 2.34 ng/ml and 65.5 +/- 4.62 nmoles/mgCr, respectively, for the 11 patients with the skeletal type of PHP, 5.13 +/- 0.85 ng/ml and 45.2 +/- 1.33 nmoles/mgCr for the 4 with the chemical type, and 7.91 +/- 2.43 ng/ml and 43.2 +/- 3.47 nmoles/mgCr for the 5 with the renal type. Thus, patients with skeletal-type PHP had significantly higher serum BGP and urinary gamma-Gla levels than those with the other type of PHP. Serum BGP levels had significant positive correlations with serum Ca (r = 0.64, P less than 0.005), serum A1-p (r = 0.77, P less than 0.001) and serum PTH (r = 0.45, P less than 0.005). Urinary gamma-Gla levels also had significant positive correlations with serum Ca (r = 0.50, P less than 0.05), serum A1-p (r = 0.67, P less than 0.005), serum 1,25(OH)2D (r = 0.62, P less than 0.02), and serum BGP (r = 0.72, P less than 0.001). Mineral content in the left radius had significant negative correlations with serum BGP levels (r = -0.73, P less than 0.001) and urinary gamma-Gla levels (r = -0.59, P less than 0.01). As these data show, serum BGP and urinary gamma-Gla levels clearly reflect the abnormal bone metabolism and can therefore be useful biochemical markers in PHP.     

急性心肌梗死患者血清Hcy、hs—CRP、Cys—C水平变化及临床意义

目的：评价心肌梗死患者血清同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）、超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）及胱抑素C（Cys-c）水平变化及临床意义。方法：对急性心肌梗死（AMI）组66例患者血清Hcy、hs—CRP、Cys—C水平进行测定,并与正常对照组的40例健康受试者进行比较分析。结果：AMI组血清Hey、hs—CRP、Cys-C水平均显著高于正常对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;且AMI组血清Hey、hs-CRP、Cys-C两两之间均呈正性显著相关。结论：检测AMI患者血清Hey、hs-CRP、Cys—C水平对患者病情评估及治疗措施的选择具有重要的临床意义。     

摄食不同淀粉含量饲料对军曹鱼血清生化指标的影响

实验旨在研究经过10周投喂不同淀粉含量的饲料的养殖实验后, 禁食1d后再投喂对170 g军曹鱼血清生化指标的影响. 饲料以鱼粉为蛋白源, 鱼油、豆油、大豆卵磷脂为脂肪源, 分别添加0%(对照组)、6%、12%、18%、24%和30%的小麦淀粉(以微晶纤维素调平), 养殖实验期间每天饱食投喂2次. 结果表明, 饥饿再投喂饲料后各处理组军曹鱼血糖含量均在(0-5)h升高, 在5h时达到峰值, 并显著高于其他时间组, 摄食5h后开始下降, 7h时基本恢复到投喂前水平; 血清总蛋白含量在不同处理组以及同一处理组的不同时间点上均没有显著差异; 血清中甘油三酯含量在(0-5)h显著升高, 5h后其含量开始下降, 7h时基本恢复到投喂前水平. 其中0%、6%和12%组, 摄食5h后其甘油三酯含量显著高于摄食前与摄食后7h和24h, 而在18%、24%和30%组中, 其含量无显著差异; 0%淀粉组血清中胆固醇含量在(0-2)h显著升高, 2h时达到峰值, 在(2-7)h呈下降趋势, 之后趋于平稳. 其他处理组都是在(0-5)h升高, 5h后开始下降, 在7h时基本恢复到投喂前水平. 18%-30%组, 摄食后5h血清中胆固醇含量显著高于摄食前与摄食后24h. 军曹鱼血清中低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇在(0-5)h显著升高, 摄食5h后其含量开始下降, 7h时基本恢复到投喂前水平, 但各组不同时间点间均无显著性差异. 而血清中高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇含量除在24%添加组中, 摄食后5h显著高于摄食前(0h)及投喂结束后24h处理组, 其他处理之间无显著差异. 综上所述: 170 g军曹鱼禁食再摄入不同含量的小麦淀粉后其血清中血糖含量先升高后降低, 随着饲料中糖添加量的增加, 其峰值先增加, 后趋于平稳. 军曹鱼血清甘油三酯和胆固醇的含量会升高, 对其血清中低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇及高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇影响不显著.       

Antioxidant activity of dioscorea and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in older humans

Dioscorea is a yam steroid extract used in commercial steroid synthesis and consumed by people. DHEA is a steroid which declines with age, but without known activity. This study was designed to determine whether dioscorea supplementation could increase serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in humans and modulate lipid levels in older people. The subjects were selected volunteers aged 65–82 years. The serum DHEAS level, lipid peroxidation and lipid profile were assessed. Three weeks of dioscorea supplementation had no affect on serum DHEAS level. However DHEA intake of 85 mg/day increased serum DHEA levels 100.3 %. DHEA and dioscorea significantly reduced serum lipid peroxidation, lowered serum triglycerides, phospholipid and increased HDL levels. Both DHEA and the steroid yam extract, dioscorea, have significant activities as antioxidant to modify serum lipid levels.     

L-阿拉伯糖对尿酸的调节作用

转录因子是一类在生物生命活动过程中起到调控作用的重要因子,参与了各种信号转导和调控过程,可以直接或间接结合在顺式作用元件上,实现调控目标基因转录效率的抑制或增强,从而使植物在应对逆境胁迫下做出反应。 WRKY转录因子在大多数植物体内都有分布,是一类进化非常保守的转录因子家族,参与植物生长发育以及响应逆境胁迫的生理过程。众多研究表明,WRKY转录因子在植物中能够应答各种生物胁迫,如细菌、病毒和真菌等;多种非生物胁迫,包括高温、冷害、高光和高盐等;以及在各种植物激素,包括茉莉酸( JA)、水杨酸( SA)、脱落酸( ABA)和赤霉素( GA)等,在其信号传递途径中都起着重要作用。 WRKY转录因子家族蛋白至少含有一段60个氨基酸左右的高度保守序列,被称为WRKY结构域,其中WRKYGQK多肽序列是最为保守的,因此而得名。该转录因子的WRKY结构域能与目标基因启动子中的顺式作用元件W￣box( TTGAC序列)特异结合,从而调节目标基因的表达,其调控基因表达主要受病原菌、虫咬、机械损伤、外界胁迫压力和信号分子的诱导。该文介绍了植物WRKY转录因子在植物应对冷害、干旱、高盐等非生物胁迫与病菌、虫害等生物胁迫反应中的重要调控功能,并总结了WRKY转录因子在调控这些逆境胁迫反应过程中的主要生理机制。