CHARACTERIZATION OF THE BASIS FOR DIFFERENCES IN SERUM DBH ACTIVITY IN IMMATURE AND ADULT RATS BY USE OF HOMOLOGOUS ANTIBODY

Abstract– Rat serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) activity decreased 5-7-fold between 15 and 60 days of age. Immunoprecipitation performed with homologous antibody (guinea-pig anti-rat adrenal DBH) showed that during this time period the quantity of antibody necessary to precipitate 50% of the enzymatic activity (AD₅₀) decreased 5-fold from 0.25 to 0.05 μl/ml. The biochemical properties of rat serum DBH at 15 and 60 days of age were compared to test the hypothesis that there might be different biochemical forms of the enzyme in the blood of immature and adult rats. Thermal stability, apparent K_m for tyramine, electrophoretic mobility, pH optima and elution profile on gel filtratioh chromatography were all found to be similar for rat serum DBH at both ages. On the basis of homospecific activity and multiple similarities in biochemical characteristics, it appears that differences in serum activity at the two ages reflect differences in the steady-state levels of enzyme. To determine the turnover of serum DBH in the two age groups, the recovery of enzyme activity was monitored after acute clearance of the circulating pool of DBH by treatment with the homologous antiserum. Immunotitration of DBH activity in vivo indicated that the total pool of serum enzyme was 4-fold greater in the mature rat than in 4-day-olds. After treatment of adult rats with 2μl of homologous antiserum, serum DBH activity was reduced by 85% with a half-life of recovery of 3.0 ± 0.6 days; the estimated fractional rate of degradation was 0.23 ± 0.06 day^?1 and the rate of entrance was 2.3 ± 0.2 units/ml/day. After treatment of 4-day-old rats with 1 μl of homologous antiserum, serum DBH activity was reduced by 95% with a half-life of recovery of 3.3 ± 0.5 days: the estimated average fractional rate of degradation was 0.22 ± 0.06 day^?1 and the average rate of entrance was 10.7 ± 1.6 units/ml/day. Thus, the several-fold difference in steady-state levels of serum DBH in rat pups as compared to adult rats appears to be due to greatly increased rates of entrance of the enzyme in the immature rats.     

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase in rat serum and lymph: changes with age and effect of cold exposure.

The pH optimum for rat serum dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) (3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine, ascorbate:oxygen oxidoreductase (beta-hydroxylating)(EC 1.14.17.1) was 4.0 in acetate buffer; other requirements were as reported by others. DBH activity in serum of 20-day-old fetuses is slightly higher than in that of their mothers. Levels of the enzyme in blood a few hours after birth are almost five times greater than in the adult, remain high during the suckling period, then drop rapidly during the 4th week after birth to about three times the adult level, which is then slowly reached over the next few weeks. These fluctuations in serum DBH activity coincide with the period of intense development and maturation of the sympathetic nervous system. There was not significant effect of cold exposure on blood DBH activity when newborn, suckling, weanling or adult warm- and cold-acclimated rats were exposed to cold. Similarly, exposure to cold that elicited two- to three-fold increases in O2 consumption failed to increase DBH activity in thoracic duct lymph. Therefore serum and lymph DBH activities are not sensitive indices of sympathetic secretory activity in the intact rat.     

上皮性卵巢癌患者CT、MRI影像学特征及与血清标志物CEA、CA199、CA125水平的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨上皮性卵巢癌患者电子计算机断层扫描（CT）、磁共振成像（MRI）影像学特征及与血清标志物癌胚抗原（CEA）、糖类抗原199（CA199）、糖类抗原125（CA125）水平的相关性。方法：回顾性分析2014年4月-2020年2月于我院83例诊断为上皮性卵巢癌患者的CT、MRI影像学资料,以手术病理结果作为金标准。分析患者的CT、MRI影像学特征,检测患者血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平,评价患者CT、MRI影像学特征与血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平的相关性。结果：上皮性卵巢癌肿瘤横截面最大径为14.2mm-121.7mm,平均（18.6±4.3）mm,上皮性卵巢癌以混杂密度/信号为主,形态不规则,病灶多为囊实性,可见壁结节及分隔改变,增强后可见分隔或壁结节明显强化,可伴有腹水、腹膜转移、淋巴结转移。血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平分别为（66.35±7.52）ng/mL、（183.59±22.62）U/mL、（225.27±25.34）U/mL。上皮性卵巢癌边界清晰、不清晰的血清CA199、CA125水平组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;上皮性卵巢癌形态圆形/类圆形/椭圆形、分叶状、形态不规则的血清CA199、CA125水平组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;上皮性卵巢癌患者有壁结节、腹膜转移、淋巴结转移的血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;其余CT、MRI影像学表现特征组间血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。上皮性卵巢癌边界与血清CA125水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,上皮性卵巢癌形态与血清CA199、CA125水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,壁结节与血清CA125水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,腹膜转移、淋巴结转移与血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,其余指标之间无明显相关性（P＞0.05）。结论：上皮性卵巢癌CT、MRI影像表现具有特征性,血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平的检测有助于对早期上皮性卵巢癌的诊断以及不同病理类型的判断,CT、MRI影像学特征与血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平具有相关性,可判断疾病的进展及患者预后情况,对指导临床综合治疗及评估患者预后可提供客观依据。     

The Association Between Effective Dose of Magnesium and Mild Compulsive Exercise on Spatial Learning,Memory, and Motor Activity of Adult Male Rats

The relationship of minerals and trace elements with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex. Alterations in their metabolism can be induced by the diseases and their complications. To study the role of trace elements in IBD patients’ serum zinc and copper and their related enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), activity were measured in patients with IBD patients as well as in healthy subjects. In addition, the correlation between serum trace element levels, albumin, total protein, urea level, copper/zinc ratio, and disease activity (DA) was determined in these subjects. Serum samples were obtained from 35 patients (19 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 16 Crohn’s disease (CD)) in the active phase of the disease and 30 healthy control subjects. Serum levels of zinc, copper, SOD activity, albumin, total protein, and urea were measured. The results were compared between the two groups using independent Student’s t test in statistical analysis. Serum levels of zinc, SOD activity, albumin, and total protein were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients than controls, while serum urea level was significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Copper concentrations did not differ between patients with IBD (mean ± SD, 58.8 ± 20.7 μg/d) and controls (55.57 ± 12.6 μg/d). Decreased levels of zinc and SOD activity are associated with increased inflammatory processes indicating inappropriate antioxidant system in patients with IBD. Additionally, lower levels of albumin and total protein with higher level of urea reflect metabolic problems in liver system.     

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in postural tachycardia syndrome

Norepinephrine is frequently elevated in postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a syndrome of heterogeneous etiology characterized by a >30 beats/min increase in heart rate with standing. Norepinephrine is synthesized from dopamine by dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH). The results of a preliminary study suggested that the T allele frequency of the DBH -1021C-->T polymorphism is elevated in POTS. This allele correlates with low DBH activity and might predict reduced serum DBH activity in patients with POTS. To test the hypothesis that low DBH activity and the underlying -1021C-->T polymorphism are associated with increased susceptibility to POTS, we measured serum DBH activity in POTS and determined its relationship to the DBH genotype and plasma norepinephrine. Serum DBH was similar for 83 normal volunteers and 42 patients with POTS: median (range) = 22.5 (0.5-94.2) and 19.6 (0.1-68.8) nmol.min(-1).ml(-1), respectively (P = 0.282). The genotype frequencies for 254 control and 157 POTS patients were not different between groups ( approximately 63% CC genotype and approximately 5% TT genotype, P = 0.319). The T allele associated with lower serum DBH in both groups [control serum DBH = 15.7 (SD 12.3) and 35.1 nmol.min(-1).ml(-1) (SD 18.6) for T carriers and noncarriers, respectively; POTS serum DBH = 8.2 (SD 5.6) and 28.5 nmol.min(-1).ml(-1) (SD 14.7) for T carriers and noncarriers, respectively]. High DBH in POTS was linked to elevated plasma levels of norepinephrine. Although DBH activity and genotype are unlikely to be primary determinants of susceptibility to POTS, differences in DBH activity in POTS may reflect differences in the level of sympathetic activation.     

血清肿瘤标志物联合多层螺旋CT和核磁共振对胆管癌的诊断价值及其与组织侵袭分子的关系分析

目的:探讨血清癌抗原19-9(CA19-9)、糖类抗原125(CA125)、多层螺旋CT和核磁共振(MRI)联合检测对胆管癌的诊断价值,并分析肿瘤标志物与组织侵袭分子的相关性。方法:选择2017年1月至2018年8月赤峰学院附属医院收治的胆管癌患者62例作为胆管癌组,另选择同期我院收治的胆管良性病变患者55例作为胆管良性病变组。比较两组血清CA19-9、CA125水平以及组织侵袭分子含量,观察胆管癌患者和胆管良性病变患者的多层螺旋CT和MRI影像学征象,分析血清CA19-9、CA125、多层螺旋CT和MRI对胆管癌的诊断价值,并分析血清CA19-9、CA125水平与组织侵袭分子含量的相关性。结果:胆管癌组血清CA19-9、CA125水平高于胆总管良性病变组,胆管癌组织赖氨酰氧化酶样蛋白-2(LOXL2)、瞬时受体电位阳离子通道7(TRPM7)含量高于胆总管良性病变组,组织E钙黏素(E-cadherin)含量低于胆总管良性病变组(P0.05)。多层螺旋CT影像学征象:胆管癌可见胆总管、肝管内圆形或类圆形高密度影伴有管壁浸润,胆管内出现不规则结节,肿块与周围组织界限模糊,胆囊管及胆囊颈部浸润,肝叶萎缩,淋巴结肿大等;胆管良性病变则多为圆形或类圆形高密度影,管壁浸润、淋巴结肿大并不多见。MRI影像学征象:胆管癌肝内胆管与肝组织分界不清,肿块呈不规则或分叶状,胆囊增大,肝内外胆管不同程度扩张,胰管扩张,肝叶萎缩,淋巴结肿大;胆管良性病变胆管则多为"杯口状"低信号充盈缺损,胆管梗阻上方出现"鸟嘴样"改变等。血清CA19-9、CA125、多层螺旋CT和MRI联合检测对胆管癌诊断的灵敏度、特异度、准确度均高于CA19-9、CA 125、多层螺旋CT、MRI单独诊断。胆管癌患者血清CA19-9、CA125水平与组织LOXL2、TRPM7含量呈正相关,与组织E-cadherin含量呈负相关(P0.05)。结论:血清CA19-9、CA125、多层螺旋CT和MRI联合检测对胆管癌诊断具有较好的价值,患者血清CA19-9、CA125水平与组织侵袭分子存在相关性,可以为胆管癌恶性程度的评估提供依据。     

Dopamine β-hydroxylase: Determination of half-life and appearance in lymph fluid after IV injection of 125I-DBH into rats

A 4 day half-life of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) was determined for rats injected IV with ¹²⁵I-rat DBH from the slow exponential component of radioactivity appearing in plasma, urine, feces and combined urine and feces. Half-life estimates for ¹²⁵I-rat DBH injected IV into WKY and SHR animals did not differ from Sprague Dawley (Zivic Miller) rats. Radioactivity declined in parallel in plasma, urine and feces following IV ¹²⁵I-rat DBH administration and each radioactivity falloff curve could be resolved into two components. The slow phase of the decline of radioactivity excreted into urine and feces from which DBH half-life was calculated occurred between 5 and 25 days after ¹²⁵I-rat DBH injection. The early fast phase which is associated with distribution of the exogenous protein in body fluids and tissues continued for approximately the first 140 hr after DBH injection. The distribution characteristics of IV administered active bovine DBH and ¹²⁵I-rat DBH into the lymphatic system were examined. After active bovine DBH or ¹²⁵I-rat DBH was injected IV into rats, active DBH or radioactivity, respectively, appeared in lymph fluid (thoracic duct) within 20 min; reached peak concentrations within 90 min, and thereafter, declined in parallel with the plasma concentration. The concentration of radioactivity in plasma and lymph fluid were found to be unequal at 9 hr but were equivalent 68–75 hrs after IV injection of ¹²⁵I-rat DBH. Based on the amount of active DBH or radioactivity which accumulates in lymph fluid it is clear that'a substantial amount (> 50%) of the DBH in blood circulates through the lymphatic channels. Analysis of parallel experiments with labelled serum albumin indicate that use of these methods to study plasma proteins do provide sensitive measures of biological half-life and lymphatic distribution characteristics. Specifically for DBH, the results of our study suggest that DBH normally circulates in plasma and lymph fluid with a biological half-life of 4 days.     

上皮性卵巢癌患者血清 microRNA-21 的水平及其临床意义研究

目的:检测上皮性卵巢癌患者血清中microRNA-21的表达,并探讨其作为标记物预测上皮性卵巢癌化疗耐药患者预后的可行性。方法:采用探针型实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应检测和比较20例上皮性卵巢癌患者和10例正常人卵巢血清标本中microRNA-21的表达,并分析血清microRNA-21水平与上皮性卵巢癌患者化疗耐药及其临床病理特征的相关性。结果:正常人、上皮性卵巢癌化疗敏感和化疗耐药患者血清中micro RNA-21的相对表达量分别为0.573±0.318、2.606±1.057、26.766±26.710,上皮性卵巢癌化疗敏感和化疗耐药患者血清中miR-21的相对表达量均显著高于正常人血清中miR-21的相对表达量(P<0.05),而上皮性卵巢癌化疗耐药患者血清中miR-21表达显著高于上皮性卵巢癌化疗敏感患者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。上皮性卵巢癌化疗耐药患者血清miR-21表达水平与其手术-病理分期无及是否发生淋巴结转移均无明显相关性(P>0.05)。结论:上皮性卵巢癌患者血清microRNA-21水平显著升高,可能作为其化疗耐药的预测参考指标,但血清microRNA-21水平与上皮性卵巢癌化疗耐药患者的不良预后并无显著相关性。     

SERUM DOPAMINE-β-HYDROXYLASE IN SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Abstract— Dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) activity in serum was decreased significantly in schizophrenic patients (16.17 ± 12.60 μmol/min/1 of serum, mean ± S.D., n = 149) when compared with that of normal controls (42.53 ± 30.94 μmol/min/1 of serum, mean ± S.D., n= 153) and neurotic patients. Long duration of disease did not cause any significant changes in serum DBH activity except a tendency for increase in patients of lodger than 18 years duration. We also examined the possibility that the serum DBH deficiency in the schizophrenic group was an artifact of treatment with antipsychotic drugs, especially phenothiazines. No significant difference was observed between the patients treated with the drugs and the patients not receiving the drugs.     

The Reference Intervals of Hair Trace Element Content in Hereford Cows and Heifers (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos taurus</Emphasis>)

Numerous observations suggest a possible connection between the levels of Mg, Zn, Fe, and Zn and the incidence of depressive symptoms. Depression is two to three times more common in women than in men. The menopausal period is extremely conducive to depressive disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women depending on the levels of Mg, Zn, Ca, Cu, and Fe. The study included 198 healthy postmenopausal women at the average age of 56.26 ± 5.55 years. In the first part of the study, standardized research tools were used, namely the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The second part involved biochemical analysis of Mg, Zn, Ca, Cu, and Fe levels in blood serum. The lowest Cu levels were observed in women without depressive symptoms (1.07 ± 0.22 mg/l) and the highest in those with severe depressive symptoms (1.19 ± 0.17 mg/l), (p ≤ 0.05). The lowest Mg levels were observed in women with depressive symptoms (14.28 ± 2.13 mg/l), and the highest in women without depressive symptoms (16.30 ± 3.51 mg/l), (p ≤ 0.05). The average serum Mg levels (15.75 ± 3.23 mg/l) decreased compared to the reference values (18.77–24 mg/l). What is striking is a potential relation between the levels of Mg and Cu and depressiveness. Our results indicate to a higher vulnerability to depression in a group of women with lower levels of Mg and higher levels of Cu.     

肾小球肾炎血清BUN、RBP的诊断价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨肾小球肾炎血清中尿素氮（BUN）、视黄醇结合蛋白（RBP）的表达及意义。方法：选择2018年1月至2021年1月大华医院和我院接诊的75例肾小球肾炎患者为本研究对象,设为试验组,另选择同期在我院体检的55例作为对照组,分析血清BUN、RBP水平变化情况,及其诊断价值。结果：试验组患者血清BUN、RBP水平（15.52±1.51 mmol/L、97.87±21.28 mg/L）显著高于对照组（5.07±0.97 mmol/L、42.17±10.25 mg/L）,差异显著（P＜0.05）;重度肾小球肾炎患者血清BUN、RBP水平（19.01±1.20 mmol/L、118.83±21.24 mg/L）均显著高于轻度（11.56±1.07 mmol/L、71.24±19.87 mg/L）、中度肾小球肾炎患者（14.89±1.12 mmol/L、95.75±22.13 mg/L）,差异显著（P＜0.05）;中度肾小球肾炎患者血清 BUN、RBP水平（14.89±1.12 mmol/L、95.75±22.13 mg/L）均显著高于轻度肾小球肾炎患者（11.56±1.07 mmol/L、71.24±19.87 mg/L）,差异显著（P＜0.05）;BUN诊断肾小球肾炎的AUC为0.866,95%CI为0.807~0.926,截断值为8.45 mmol/L;RBP诊断肾小球肾炎的AUC为0.957,95%CI为0.927~0.987,截断值为57.29 mg/L;联合检测诊断肾小球肾炎的AUC为0.991,95%CI为0.980~1.000,单独检测分别和联合检测曲线下面积比较均具有显著差异（Z=4.11、2.150,P＜0.05）;联合检测的特异度、准确度分别为93.41%、94.15%。结论：在肾小球肾炎患者中血清BUN、RBP的表达和病情严重程度之间存在着密切关系,可作为诊断肾小球肾炎的重要指标。     

The aflatoxin-detoxifizyme specific expression in the parotid gland of transgenic pigs

Producing aflatoxin-detoxifizyme (ADTZ) in pigs to control the AFT contamination of pig feed is a new research strategy by transgenic technology. In this study, transgenic pigs specifically expressing ADTZ gene in the parotid gland were successfully produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. The ADTZ activity in saliva of 6 transgenic pigs was found to be 7.11 ± 2.63 U/mL. The feeding trial with aflatoxin (AFT) results showed that there were significant difference about the serum biochemical index such as total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB) contents and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and AFT residues in serum and liver between the pigs in the test treatment (transgenic pigs) producing ADTZ and those in the positive control (P < 0.05). In order to investigate the inheritance of the transgene, 11 G1 transgenic pigs were successfully obtained. The ADTZ activity in saliva of 11 G1 transgenic pigs was found to be 5.82 ± 1.53 U/mL. The feeding trial with AFT results showed that the serum biochemical index containing TP, ALB and GLB contents and ALT and AST activity and AFB1 residues in serum and liver of the pigs in the test treatment (transgenic pigs) producing ADTZ were significantly different than those in the positive control (P < 0.05). The above results demonstrated that ADTZ produced in transgenic pigs could improve the effect of the AFT contamination of feed on pigs.     

Paraoxonase and Arylesterase Levels in Behcet’s Disease and Their Relations with the Disease Activity

The aim of this study was to determine the paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase (ARE) enzyme activity levels in Behcet’s disease (BD) and to investigate whether they are associated with the disease activity. Twenty-six patients (study group) with active BD and 28 healthy controls (control group) were included in this study. While the patients who had at least one of the symptoms related to genital ulcer, skin lesions, active uveitis, arthritis, thrombophlebitis, or central nervous system involvement in addition to oral ulcers were considered as the active group, the patients who did not show clinical symptoms in the last one month due to the medical treatment were considered as the inactive group in the clinical evaluation of patients with BD. The PON and ARE levels were found to be significantly lower in the study group than the control group (p < 0.05). The PON levels of the active and inactive groups were 96.23 ± 57.84 and 112.2 ± 65.14, respectively. The ARE levels of the active and inactive groups were 30.49 ± 5.81 and 30.85 ± 6.40, respectively. No significant correlations were found between clinical findings and the activity levels of PON and ARE in the active patient group (p > 0.05). The activities of the antioxidant PON and ARE enzymes are reduced in BD. Therefore, it may be useful to add antioxidant therapy to the conventional treatment of the disease.     

血清C反应蛋白、正五聚蛋白-3对小儿肺动脉高压的诊断价值

目的:研究血清C反应蛋白(CRP)和正五聚蛋白-3(PTX-3)在小儿肺动脉高压(PAH)诊断中的临床价值。方法:选择32例PAH患儿及32例健康小儿,检测和比较其血清CRP、PTX-3水平,分析血清CRP、PTX-3水平的相关性,通过绘制ROC曲线评价其对于PAH的诊断价值。结果:PAH组血清CRP水平(29.63±15.82 mg/L)、PTX-3水平(1.20±1.03 ng/m L)与对照组[CRP水平(3.38±1.74 mg/L)、PTX-3水平(0.64±0.43 ng/m L)]相比均显著升高(P0.01)。血清CRP与PTX-3的相关系数r为0.356(P0.05)。血清CRP诊断PAH的ROC曲线AUC为0.983,临界点为6.6 mg/L;PTX-3诊断PAH的ROC曲线AUC为0.669,临界点为0.95ng/m L;两者联合诊断的AUC为0.986,临界点为1.01。结论:PAH患儿血清PTX-3和CRP水平均显著升高,CRP大于PTX对PAH的诊断价值,两者联合诊断的价值更大。     

缺血性脑卒中患者血清超敏C反应蛋白、糖化血红蛋白水平及其与神经功能缺损的关系

目的:探讨缺血性脑卒中患者血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)水平及其与神经功能缺损的关系。方法:选择2016年10月~2017年9月我院接诊的123例缺血性脑卒中患者作为观察组及同期于我院进行体检的健康人群123例作为对照组,检测和比较两组血清hs-CRP、HbA1c水平的差异,并分析缺血性脑卒中患者血清hs-CRP、HbA1c水平与其美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分的关系。结果:观察组患者血清hs-CRP、Hb A1c水平显著高于对照组[(6.23±1.97)mg/L、(7.96±0.65)%vs.(2.54±0.85)mg/L、(5.21±0.30)%],NIHSS评分明显高于对照组[(4.08±3.12)分vs. 8.62±3.25)分],差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);缺血性脑卒中患者血清hs-CRP、Hb A1c水平与NIHSS评分呈显著正相关(r=-0.465,-0.564,P0.05)。结论:缺血性脑卒中患者血清hs-CRP和HbA1c水平均明显上调,二者可以在一定程度上反映缺血性脑卒中患者神经功能缺损的严重程度。     

Clinical Study on the Prevention of Post-ERCP Pancreatitis by Pancreatic Duct Stenting

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is one of the most common and serious complications of ERCP, which has become a major concern for digestive endoscopists. In the present study, we examine whether pancreatic duct stenting can reduce the incidence of PEP. Forty patients who underwent an ERCP in our hospital were selected according to their risk factors for PEP. They were randomly divided into two groups: (1) 20 subjects received a pancreatic duct stenting after ERCP to prevent pancreatitis (stent group, S); and (2) the other 20 subjects did not receive pancreatic duct stenting after ERCP (non-stent group, NS). Urine and serum amylase, and serum lipase were determined after the operation; symptoms of abdominal pain were monitored; cost of hospitalization was evaluated for the comparison. The results show that (1) 18 cases developed PEP, and they were significantly less in S group than in NS group (4 vs. 14 cases; P < 0.01); (2) Serum amylase was significantly lower in S group than in NS group (197.8 ± 339.7 vs. 825.4 ± 1253.4 U/l, respectively; P < 0.05); (3) The intensity of abdominal pain was 3.4 ± 0.8 in S group, compared to 4.1 ± 1.2 in NS group; (4) Duration of pharmaceutical treatment was not significantly different between the two groups (4.2 ± 1.4 vs. 6.1 ± 2.3 days, in S and NS group, respectively); and (5) The total hospitalization cost was significantly less in S group (8928 ± 2635 RMB) than in NS group (11288 ± 4325 RMB; P < 0.05). It is concluded that pancreatic duct stenting can reduce the incidence of PEP, shorten the duration of hospitalization, and therefore, lessen patients’ financial burden. It is shown to be an effective way to prevent PEP.     

The association of metabolic syndrome and Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus type 1: The Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study

Background

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries and most patients with diabetes die from complications of atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of diabetes mellitus and other conventional coronary heart disease risk factors (cigarette smoking, hypertension and hyperlipidemia) in patients with acute coronary events in an Iranian population.

Methods

The study included 514 patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction (MI) out of 720 patients admitted to CCU ward of a general hospital from March 2003 to March 2005. History of diabetes, hypertension and cigarette smoking, demographic indices, coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus treatment, myocardial enzymes, serum triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol and fasting and non fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1C of diabetics were recorded of admission sheets. The data were structured to appropriate one way ANOVA, T tests, and chi square test with SPSS 13 product for windows.

Results

Out of all patients 35.8% were female, 30% were diabetics (Duration 13.4 ± 8.7 years), 42% were smoker and 91% were hypertensive. Twenty four percent had MI and 76% had unstable angina. MI was significantly higher in diabetic patients (36.4% vs. 19.2%, P < 0.001). Location and extension of MI and myocardial enzymes did not differ between diabetics and non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients were older than non diabetics (65 ± 11.6 vs. 59.7 ± 12.5 years, p < 0.05). Five (66.7%) out of 9 patients with fatal MI were diabetics (Odds Ratio = 2.98). Age, duration of diabetes and HbA1c levels, did not differ between diabetic patients with or without MI. Hypertension and current smoking was significantly higher in patients with MI compared to patients with unstable angina (p < 0.05). Serum TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and total cholesterol level did not differ between patients with MI and unstable angina. Diabetic patients compare to non diabetic patients were more hypertensive (96% vs. 88.7%, p < 0.005) and had higher serum triglyceride (TG over 200 mg/dl, 35.1% vs. 26.4, p <0.05). Diabetes was more frequent among women than men (36.4% vs. 26.4%, p < 0.05). Women were older than men (65 ± 11.6 vs. 59.2 ± 13 years, p < 0.005) and had higher total serum cholesterol (200 ± 41.8 vs. 192 ± 42.5 mg/dl, p < 0.05) and HDL-C levels (49.7 ± 22 vs. 40 ± 13 mg/dl, p < 0.005). Ninety seven percent of all patients had at least one of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and low HDL-cholesterol levels).

Conclusion

In this study 19 out of 20 patients with acute coronary event have at least one of conventional cardiac risk factors. Diabetes and hypertension are leading risk factors, which may directly or indirectly interfere and predict more serious complications of coronary heart disease.     

Hepatic Gluconeogenesis and the Activity of PDH in Individual Tissues of GTG-Obese Mice Following Adrenalectomy

Adrenalectomy (ADX) lowers circulating glucose levels in animal models of non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) and obesity. To investigate the role of hepatic glucose production (HGP) and tissue glucose oxidation in the improvement in glucose tolerance, hepatocyte gluconeogenesis and the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) were examined in different tissues of gold thioglucose (GTG) obese mice 2 weeks after ADX or sham ADX. GTG-obese mice which had undergone ADX weighed significantly less than their adrenal intact counterparts (GTG ADX: 37.5 ± 0.7g; GTG: 44.1 ± 0.4g; p<0.05), and demonstrated lower serum glucose (GTG ADX: 22.5 ± 1.6 mmol/L; GTG: 29.4 ± 1.9 mmol/L; p<0.05) and serum insulin levels (GTG ADX: 76 ± 10μ.U/mL; GTG: 470 ± 63μU/mL; p<0.05). Lactate conversion to glucose by hepatocytes isolated from ADX GTG mice was significantly reduced compared with that of hepatocytes from GTG mice (GTG ADX: 125 ± 10 nmol glucose/10⁶ cells; GTG: 403 ± 65 nmol glucose/10⁶ cells; p<0.05). ADX also significantly reduced both the glycogen (GTG ADX: 165 ± 27 μmol/liver; GTG: 614 ± 60 pmol/Iiver; p<0.05) and fatty acid content (GTG ADX: 101 ± 9 mg fatty acid/g liver; GTG: 404 ± 40 mg fatty acid/g liver; p<0.05) of the liver of GTG-obese mice. ADX of GTG-obese mice reduced PDH activity by varying degrees in all tissues, except quadriceps muscle. These observations are consistent with an ADX induced decrease in hepatic lipid stores removing fatty acid-induced increases in gluconeogenesis and increased peripheral availability of fatty acids inhibiting PDH activity via the glucose/fatty acid cycle. It is also evident that the improvement in glucose tolerance which accompanies ADX of GTG-obese mice is not due to increased PDH activity resulting in enhanced peripheral glucose oxidation. Instead, it is more likely that reduced blood glucose levels after ADX of GTG-obese mice are the result of decreased gluconeogenesis in the liver.     

Additive Antiatherogenic Effects of CETP rs708272 on Serum LDL Subfraction Levels in Patients with CHD Under Statin Therapy

Recently, subfraction analysis of serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered to be a better predictor of the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared to the other lipid parameters. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the HDL-associated Taq1B (rs708272) SNP of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) gene on serum LDL subfractions in patients with CHD. Serum lipid levels were measured enzymatically and LDL subfraction analysis was carried out by the Lipoprint System (Quantimetrix, CA, USA). The CETP rs708272 SNP was studied in 66 healthy controls and 79 patients with CHD receiving statin therapy by the PCR–RFLP technique. The CHD patients had elevated antiatherogenic LDL-1 subfraction (p = 0.042), decreased atherogenic IDL-C subfraction (p = 0.023), and total IDL (p = 0.030) levels compared to the healthy controls. The CETP rs708272 Taq1B minor B2 allele was associated with increased levels of antiatherogenic LDL-1 (B2: 0.40 ± 0.20 vs. B1B1: 0.25 ± 0.08, p = 0.004) and large-LDL (LDL 1–2) subfractions in the CHD group (B2 allele: 0.68 ± 0.41 vs. B1B1: 0.42 ± 0.20; p < 0.05), while it was associated with reduced levels of the large-LDL subfraction in healthy subjects (B2 allele: 0.29 ± 0.14 vs. B1B1: 0.54 ± 0.24; p = 0.017). However, there was no statistically significant association between the CETP rs708272 SNP and small dense LDL subfraction (LDL 3–7) and lipoprotein levels (p > 0.05). Our findings have indicated that the CETP rs708272 SNP together with statin therapy may show a favorable effect on antiatherogenic LDL-1 and large-LDL subfractions in CHD patients with an atherogenic effect on large-LDL subfraction in healthy subjects. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the effects of the CETP variation on LDL subfraction could change in cardiometabolic events such as CHD and statin therapy.