Meta-analysis of Quantitative Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Pancreatic Masses

There have been numerous studies done to explore the diagnostic performance of quanti- tative diffusion-weighted （DW） MR imaging to differentiate between benign and malignant pancre- atic masses. However, the results have been inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate whether DW-MR imaging can differentiate between these two diseases. Databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were utilized to find relevant articles published between January 2001 and January 2014. A Stata version 12.0 and a Meta-Disc version 1.4 were used to de- scribe primary results. Twelve studies with 594 patients, which fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were enrolled for the analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of DW imaging was 0.91 （95% CI： 0.84, 0.95） and 0.86 （95% CI： 0.76, 0.93） respectively. The area under the curve of the summary re- ceiver operating characteristic was 0.95 （95% CI： 0.93, 0.96）. The results indicated that DW imaging might be a valuable tool for differentiating benign and malignant pancreatic masses.     

乳腺癌保乳手术MRI影像学证据的多中心前瞻性研究

Background This multicenter prospective study aimed to assess the utility of dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） prior to breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer.Methods The research subjects were drawn from patients with primary early resectable breast cancer treated in the breast disease centers of six three-level hospitals in Beijing from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012.The participants were allocated to a breast-conserving surgery group （breast-conserving group） or a total mastectomy group （total mastectomy group）.Enhanced MRI was used to measure breast volume,longest diameter of tumor and tumor volume.The correlations between these measurements and those derived from histopathologic findings were assessed.The relationships between the success rate of breast-conserving surgery and MRI-and pathology-based measurement results were statistically analyzed in the breast-conserving group.Results The study included 461 cases in the total mastectomy group and 195 in the breast-conserving group.Allocation to these groups was based on clinical indications and patient preferences.The cut-off for concurrence between MRI-and pathology-based measurements of the longest diameter of tumor was set at 0.3 cm.In the total mastectomy group,the confidence interval for 95％ concurrence of these measurements was 35.41％-44.63％.Correlation coefficients for MRI and histopathology-based measurements of breast volume,tumor volume and tumor volume/breast volume ratio were r=0.861,0.569,and 0.600,respectively （all P ＜0.001）.In the breast-conserving group,with 0.30 cm taken as the cut-off for concurrence,the 95％ confidence interval for MRI and pathology-based measurements of the longest diameter of tumor was 29.98％-44.01％.The subjective and objective success rates for breast-conserving surgery were 100％ and 88.54％,respectively.Conclusions There were significant correlations between dynamic enhanced MRI-and histopathology-based measurements of the longest diameter of breast lesions,breas     

Three-dimensional-fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition and T2-weighted fast spin-echo magnetic resonance sequences on visualization of cranial nerves Ⅲ-Ⅻ

Because of the small diameter and complex anatomic course of the cranial nerves except for the optic nerve, trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, and cochlear and vestibular nerve, other cranial nerves are difficult to be visualized in magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） scanning with conventional thickness （5-10 mm）. With the rapid development of MRI technology high spatial resolution, three-dimensional and two-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging technologies have been used in recent years in the observation of normal and abnormal cranial nerves, including three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state （3D CISS） sequence, three- dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo （3D MP-RAGE） sequence, three-dimensional fast inflow with steady-state precession （3D FISP） seohuence, and some fast spin-echo （FSE） sequences. - Threedimensional fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition （3D-FIESTA） is a fast three-dimensional steady-state imaging sequence with high spatial resolution and contrast between the organizational structures. And this sequence was reportedly used in the study on the diseases in the cerebellopontine angle; inner ear and posterior fossa tumors.7＇8 However, the reports about the value of 3D-FIESTA sequence for the visualization of normal cranial nerves are still rare.     

Hyperperfusion of Multiple Sclerosis Plaques Characterized by 3D FSE Arterial Spin Labelling

MULTIPLE sclerosis （MS） is a common inflammatory demyelinating disorder of central nervous system, and the disease burder could be well evaluated by conven-tional magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）,1 including T2-weighted, fluid-attenuatd inversion recovery, and postcontrast Tl-weighted sequences. 2 We investigated the perfusion state of MS plaques using brain perfusion imaging in a 12-year-old boy with MS.     

Associations among cerebral microbleeds, cerebral large-artery diseases and endothelial function

Background Endothelial dysfunction is not only an early stage of atherosclerosis,but also involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral small-vessel diseases.Patients with cerebral microbleeds （CMBs） may have arteriolosclerosis as well as systemic atherosclerosis.However,little is known about the associations among CMBs,atherosclerosis of cerebral large arteries,and endothelial function.Our study aimed to investigate the relationships among them.Methods This was a cross-sectional study.Ninety patients hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled consecutively between November 1,2007 and January 31,2008.All subjects underwent transcranial Doppler and carotid color duplex ultrasonography to record the intima-media thickness （IMT） of common carotid artery,carotid plaque,and cerebral artery stenosis.Brain magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） routine sequences and gradient recall-echo T2＊-weighted imaging were performed to count CMBs with clinical data blindness.Endothelial function was evaluated using flow-mediated dilation （FMD） and nitroglycerin-mediated dilation （NMD） of the brachial artery.FMD and NMD were examined by an experienced vascular sonographer using a high-resolution ultrasound.Results Thirty cases （33.3%） had CMBs with counts ranging from 1 to 30.Both FMD （（9.9＆#177;4.8）% vs.（15.2＆#177;7.4）%,P=0.001） and NMD （（13.7＆#177;6.1）% vs.（19.0＆#177;7.4）%,P=0.001） were significantly decreased in CMB-positive patients than in CMB-negative patients.No significant relationships were demonstrated between CMBs and intracranial and/or extracranial artery stenosis.The frequencies of CMBs in patients with IMT≥1.0 mm,carotid plaque,and extracranial artery stenosis were 37.5%,39.4%,and 47.6% respectively,with no significant difference,but much higher than in patients with IMT 〈1.0 mm （5%,P 〈0.05）.In Logistic regression analysis,impaired FMD （OR=5.783,95% CI 1.652-6.718,P=0.007） and high pulse pressure （OR=6.228,95     

Magnetic resonance imaging of disc space infection revisited: temporal changes

Background Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） has advantages in showing pathologic changes of disc space infection,which is important in clinical treatment.The purpose of this study was to describe the MRI findings of disc space infections in relation to chronicity.Methods MRI of 60 patients from January 1,2002 to April 30,2012 in Ottawa Hospital were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists blindly.All patients had histological confirmation,with 55 having microbiological confirmation as well.These patients were divided into acute （n=18）,subacute （n=21） and chronic （n=21） based on histological findings.The following potential signs of MRI finding were assessed：marrow edema,endplate erosions,disk fluid and height change,paraspinal mass,epidural collection,facet fluid and enhancement in the marrow,disc,paraspinal mass,and epidural involvement.Statistical analysis consisted of t-or F-tests and chi-square test.Results In the 60 patients,83 infected discs （single disc in 45 patients,2-4 discs in 15 patients） were found,including 22 discs in the acute group,30 discs in the subacute group,and 31 discs in the chronic group.There was a significant difference in the extent of marrow edema between the acute,subacute and chronic groups （P ＜0.05）,with a gradually increasing extent from acute to chronic.The extent of endplate erosions increased with chronicity,but was not statistically significant.There were significant differences in the disc fluid,epidural collection,and disc enhancement among the acute,subacute and chronic groups,as well as the facet fluid between acute and chronic groups （P ＜0.05）.There were no significant differences in the present probability of disc height loss,paraspinal mass,and marrow enhancement among the three groups （P ＞0.05）.Conclusions From acute to chronic infections,the extent of marrow edema and endplate erosions appeared to gradually increase.Epidural collections and facet fluid are most frequently found in the acute group,while disc fluid and disc     

Primary pulmonary artery chondrosarcoma: the use of different imaging modalities

Fewer than 300 patients with primary pulmonary artery sarcoma have been reported since 1923,when it was first described by Mandelstamm.1 The diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma is difficult,and misdiagnosis as chronic pulmonary embolism often occurs.Herein,we reported a case of primary pulmonary artery chondrosarcoma.So far as we know,this patient served as the first case ever reported to receive computed tomography pulmonary angiography （CTPA）,gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）,and positron emission tomography/computed tomography （PET/CT） before surgery.By these means,the utility of different imaging modalities for pulmonary artery sarcoma was well demonstrated.Keywords：primary pulmonary artery chondrosarcoma; computed tomography pulmonary angiography;magnetic resonance imaging; positron emission tomography     

Application of immunosuppressant facilitates the therapy of optic neuritis combined with Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome

Background Optic neuritis （ON） is often the first symptom of multiple sclerosis （MS） and neuromyelitis optica （NMO） while there has been very little research reported on ON combined with Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome （SS）.The aim of this study is to provide different treatments and services for and NMO patients combined with SS.Methods Twenty-seven patients with ON combined SS were divided into two groups：corticosteroid group （C group,methylprednisolone sodium succinate,14 patients） and corticosteroid＋ immunosuppressant group （C＋I group,leflunomide,13 patients）.ON relapse times in 1 year after treatment,number of patients who relapsed to NMO/MS in 1 years,visual acuity and retina nerve fiber layer （RNFL） thickness were measured.Mann Whitney-Wilcoxon test was used to compare continuous variables and Chi-square test or Fisher＇s exact test was to compare proportions.Results ON combined with SS patients had higher incidence rates in middle-aged women who have binocular damage and heavier visual function damage or when there is an easy relapse,and the patients are often hormone dependent.The patients are more likely anti-aquaporin-4 IgG seropositive （70.4％）.They are liable to form a centrocecal scotoma and tubular vision.The times of relapse decreased in patients who used immunosuppressant,and a significant difference was found between immunosuppressant and non-immunosuppressant groups in visual acuity recovery during 6-month followup period （P ＜0.05）; however,the RNFL thickness at the four quadrants was not significantly different.Conclusions The effect of immunosuppressant plus corticosteroid on the early onset of ON combined with SS was to provide ON remedy and to prevent recurrence in clinics.This study provides a significant reference for the prevention and treatment of ON on the basis of immunosuppressant and corticosteroid.     

Is ecstasy-induced protracted symptom of motion perception associated with altered regional homogeneity of brain？

The synthetic hallucinogen 3,4-methylenedioxymet hamphetamine （MDMA） is the main psychoactive constituent of the popular recreational drug ＂ecstasy.＂ Whether its neurotoxic effects are fully reversible is unknown. Here we report a patient with protracted syndrome induced by ecstasy.     

Effect and intracellular uptake of pure magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the cells and organs of lung and liver

Magnetic particles have unique features and are being used in biological and medical science such as drug targeting, diagnosis and therapy. We have developed technologies that enable magnetic particle to be changed from microscale to nanoscale, and the latter are termed magnetic nanoparticles （MNPs）. Currently, biomedical applications of MNPs have received growing attention due to their remarkable properties. Nanoparticles are widely used for drug delivery, heating mediators for cancer thermotherapy （hyperthermia）, gene therapy etc. The MNPs also have the potential for application in these fields. Since MNPs can be used as an intracellular magnetic marker, they are also attractive for cellular and targeted magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）.     

Multimodality imaging assessments of response to metformin therapy for breast cancer in nude mice

Background Metformin is the most widely used anti-diabetic drug in the world.An increasing body of evidence shows metformin also blocks cell cycle progression and selectively induces apoptosis via caspase activation in some breast tumor cells.Diffusion-weighted imaging （DWl） and bioluminescence imaging （BLI） have great potential in the evaluation of the early response to cancer therapies.We used DWl and BLI in evaluating the response of breast cancer to metformin.Methods The luciferase-engineered human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was inoculated into the mammary fat pad of nude mice.Twelve female nude mice bearing tumors were divided into two groups.The mice in the treatment group received metformin （2 mg/ml in drinking water daily） after tumor inoculation,and the mice in the control group were offered drinking water without any drug added.We performed 7T magnetic resonance imaging and optical imaging every week.Imaging included T1-and T2-weighted imaging,DWl,and BLI.After imaging.The tumors were collected and subjected to histological analysis.Results The mean photons/second of tumors in the treatment group was （3.00±0.43）×106 at day one,（1.01±0.14）×107 at 2 weeks,（5.79±1.42）×107 at 4 weeks,and （2.33±0.70）×107 at 8 weeks.The mean photons/second of tumors in the control group was （3.29±0.59）×106 at day one,（3.59±0.63）×107 at 2 weeks,（3.87±0.56）×108 at 4 weeks,and （4.12±1.72）x108 at 8 weeks.Compared to the control group,the treatment group showed an obvious decrease in the mean bioluminescence （photons/s） of the tumors and fewer metastases.Histological examination confirmed the presence of fewer metastases.DWI showed the apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） value of the tumors; the mean ADC value was （0.9287±0.04346）x10-3 mm2/s in the treated tumors and （0.7553±0.01804）x103 mm2/s in the untreated tumors.The ADC value of tumors in the treatment group was significantly higher than the control tumors （P=0.0013）.Conclusions The growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer may be inhibited by metformin.DWI and BLI have great potentials in the evaluation of the early response to metformin treatment.BLI has a high degree of sensitivity and is able to detect micrometastasis,thus can be used for identifying tumor metastasis in vivo.     

Value of diffusion-weighted imaging in distinguishing pancreatic carcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis: a meta-analysis

Background Several previous studies have shown that diffusion-weighted imaging （DWl） can provide additional information for focal pancreatic lesions by demonstrating more restricted diffusion in solid malignant tumors than in chronic pancreatitis, which can be indicated by a decreased apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC）. However, these studies have a modest sample size and convey inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to determine, in a meta-analysis, the diagnostic performance of quantitative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in distinguishing pancreatic carcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis. Methods We determined the sensitivities and specificities across studies. A summary receiver operator characteristic （sROC） curve was constructed to calculate the area under the curve （AUC）. Results The pooled sensitivity of DWI was 0.86 （95% Cl： 0.80-0.91） and the pooled specificity was 0.82 （95% CI： 0.72- 0.89）. The AUC of the sROC was 0.91 （95% CI： 0.88-0.93）. Conclusions DWl may be a potentially technically feasible tool for differentiating pancreatic carcinoma from mass- forming chronic pancreatitis. However, large-scale randomized control trials are necessary to assess its clinical value.     

Changes in energy metabolism in the quadriceps femoris after a single bout of acute exhaustive swimming in rats: a 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Background Little is known about the value of 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy （31P-MRS） in in vivo assessment of exhaustive exercise-induced injury in skeletal muscle.We aimed to evaluate the value of a 31P-MRS study using the quadriceps femoris after a single bout of acute exhaustive swimming in rats,and the correlation between 31P-MRS and histological changes.Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control,half-exhaustive,and exhaustive exercise groups.31P-MRS of the quadriceps femoris of the right lower limb was performed immediately after swimming exercise to detect Pi,PCr,and β-ATP.The Pi/PCr,Pi/β-ATP,PCr/β-ATP,and PCr/（PCr＋Pi） were calculated and pH measured.Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve （AUCs） were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic potential of 31P-MRS in identifying and distinguishing the three groups.HE staining,electron microscopy and desmin immunostaining after imaging of the muscle were used as a reference standard.The correlation between 31P-MRS and the mean absorbance （A value） of desmin staining were analyzed with the Pearson correlation test.Results Pi,PCr,Pi/PCr,and PCr/（PCr＋Pi） showed statistically significant intergroup differences （P＜0.05）.AUCs of Pi,PCr,Pi/PCr,and PCr/（PCr＋Pi） were 0.905,0.848,0.930,and 0.930 for the control and half-exhaustive groups,while sensitivity and specificity were 90％/85％,95％/55％,95％/80％,and 90％/85％,respectively.The AUCs of Pi,PCr,Pi/PCr and PCr/（PCr＋Pi） were 0.995,0.980,1.000,and 1.000 for the control and exhaustive groups,while sensitivity and specificity were 95％/90％,100％/90％,100％/95％,and 100％/95％,respectively.The AUCs of Pi,PCr,Pi/PCr,and PCr/（PCr＋Pi） were 0.735,0.865,0.903,and 0.903 for the half-exhaustive and exhaustive groups,while sensitivity and specificity were 80％/60％,90％/75％,95％/65％,and 95％/70％,respectively.In the half-exhaustive group,some muscle fibers exhibited edema in HE staining,and the unclear Z-discs and the mitochondria with vacuolar degeneration under electron microscopy.Compared with the half-exhaustive group,muscle fiber edema was increased in the exhaustive group,and the Z-discs were broken and the mitochondria exhibited marked vacuolar degeneration under electron microscopy.There were significant difference in A values of desmin staining in the right vastus lateralis among the control,half-exhaustive,and exhaustive groups with 0.58±0.06,0.30±0.04,and 0.21±0.02,respectively （P＜0.05）.Histological examination also showed injury-induced changes in the vastus lateralis among the different intensities groups.Statistically a moderate correlation between 31P-MRS and desmin was observed,the correlation coefficients of Pi,PCr,Pi/PCr,and PCr/（PCr＋Pi） were-0.706,0.709,-0.726,and 0.791,respectively （P＜0.01）.Conclusions 31P-MRS can effectively reflect the changes in energy metabolism in the skeletal muscle after a single bout of acute exhaustive swimming in rats.Based on the significant correlation between 31P-MRS parameters and histological changes,the changes of Pi,PCr,Pi/PCr,and PCr/（PCr＋Pi） can indirectly reflect the degree of exercise-induced injury.     

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome:a Case Report

REVERSIBLE posterior leukoencephalopathy syn- drome （RPLS） is a rare neurological syndrome charac- terized by headache, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbance,associated with reversible white matter cnanges,- n been commonly reported in patients with severe hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Here we report a case with nephrotic syndrome complicated by RPLS.     

Brain stimulation for epilepsy

Anumber of therapies have been developed in the past decades.About two thirds of patients can be seizure free with antiepileptic drugs.1 Other patients are drug resistant,some of whom are good candidates for epileptic focus resection and become seizure free after surgery.2 The treatment for drug-resistant patients who are not eligible for resection is still challenging.Traditionally,these patients can receive palliative surgery such as callosotomy and multiple subpial transection,3,4 but the long-term outcomes of these procedures are not satisfactory.5-7 In the past decades,neuromodulation techniques have been applied in the treatment of epilepsy.Much evidence has been accumulated about the therapeutic effects of vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy.In contrast to peripheral nerve stimulation,brain stimulation techniques have also been developed for patients with epilepsy recently.     

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging findings in children with myocarditis

Background Myocarditis is a common,potentially life-threatening disease that presents a wide rang of symptoms in children,as an important underlying etiology of other myocardial diseases such as dilated and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.The incidence of nonfatal myocarditis is probably greater than that of the one actually diagnosed,which is the result of the challenges of establishing the diagnosis in standard clinical settings.Currently,no single clinical or imaging finding confirms the diagnosis of myocarditis with absolute certainty.Historically,clinical exam,electrocardiogram （ECG）,serology and echocardiography had an unsatisfactory diagnostic accuracy in myocarditis.Endomyocardial biopsy remains as a widely accepted standard,but may not be suitable for every patient,especially for those with less severe disease.Our aim was to find the changes in cardiovascular magnetic resonance （CMR） imaging of children with myocarditis diagnosed by clinical criteria.Methods We studied 25 children （18 male,7 female; aged from 5-17 years） with diagnosed myocarditis by clinical criteria.CMR included function analyses,T2-weighted imaging,T1-weighted imaging before and after i.v.gadolinium injection （early gadolinium enhancement （EGE） and late gadolinium enhancement （LGE））.Results The T2 ratio was elevated in 21 children （84％,11 in anterolateral （44％）,5 in inferolateral （20％）,and 5 in septum （20％））,EGE was present in 9 children （36％,3 in anterolateral （12％）,4 in inferolateral （20％）,and 2 in septum （8％））,and LGE was present in 5 children （20％,2 in anterolateral （8％）,1 in inferolateral （4％）,1 in septum （4％）,and 1 in midwall of left ventricular （LV） wall）.In 9 children （36％）,two （or more） out of three sequences （T2,EGE,LGE） were abnormal.Conclusions The CMR findings in children with clinically diagnosed myocarditis vary within the groups,including regional or global myocardial signal increase in T2-w     

Evaluating transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for primary hepatic cancer by magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging

Hepatic cancer is associated with very high mortality and morbidity, and the world＇s highest morbidity and mortality rates for this malignant tumor are found in China. Each year, the number of people who die of hepatic cancer in China amounts for 53% of the world total. Although resection is the first-choice treatment for hepatic cancer, only 20%-30% of patients have the opportunity to undergo resection. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） is a typical intervention therapy. Its advantages include minimal trauma, precise efficacy,     

益智健脑颗粒联合针灸对阿尔茨海默病大鼠学习记忆的影响

目的观察益智健脑颗粒联合针灸对阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimers disease,AD）大鼠学习记忆的影响。方法将大鼠随机分为假手术组（A组）、模型组（B组）、针灸组（C组）、益智＋针灸组（D组）各10只,B、C、D 3组分别以海马CA1区注射β淀粉样蛋白25-35（Aβ25-35）造模,A组注射等量的双蒸水,各组分别治疗20 d后行Morris水迷宫试验,观察大鼠学习记忆能力变化。结果B组较A组的平均潜伏期明显延长,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;与B组比较,C组、D组的平均潜伏期明显缩短,过台次数增多,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）;与C组比较,D组的潜伏期缩短,过台次数增多,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论益智健脑颗粒联合针灸能够提高Aβ25-35介导的AD模型大鼠的学习记忆能力。     

New Mechanism of Herb-herb Interaction between Ginseng and Trogopterus Based on CYPs in Rat Livers

The study was designed to investigate the potential mechanism of herb-herb interaction between ginseng and Trogopterus （Trg） based on Cytochrome P450 isozymes （CYPs） in rat livers. We estimated the influence on CYP1A2, CYP2E1, and CYP3A1/2 activity caused by ginseng and Trg used in combination. The CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 enzyme activity were induced by ginseng and Trg used in combination. And this induction effect was caused via inducing CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 protein expression which was supposed caused by inducing the gene expression of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1.     

Liuwei Dihuang,a traditional Chinese herbal formula,suppresses chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in obese rats

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and adipokine-ameliorating effects of Liuwei Dihuang （LWDH）, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, in obese rats. METHODS： After 2 weeks of acclimation with free access to regular rodent chow and water, obese-prone-caesarean-derived （OP-CD） rats were fed a modified AIN-93G diet containing 60% energy from fat. Treatment was performed twice daily by gavage feeding with 500, 1 500, or 3 500 mg/kg body weight LWDH suspended in water （n=12 rats per group）. Twelve obese-resistant-CD （OR-CD） rats were fed the atherogenic diet and gavaged with water, and served as the normal control. Blood biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and adiponectin were measured post-sacrifice and used to determine the treatment effect of LWDH and assess the suitability of OR/OP-CD rats for studying these parameters. RESULTS： After 9 weeks of treatment, LWDH lowered serum C-reactive protein （CRP） and tumour necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） levels. Serum interleukin-6 （IL-6） levels showed a tendency towards reduction, but were not significantly different from the OP-CD control. Liver superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity was increased in response to all three doses of LWDH, while the levels of reduced （GSH） and oxidized glutathione （GSSG） and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances （TBARS） were unchanged. Serum adiponectin levels were increased in response to oral administration of LWDH at the dose of either 500 or 1 500 mg/kg body weight. In addition, comparisons between OR-CD and OP-CD rats revealed differential, and for some biomarkers, conflicting characteristics of high-fat diet-fed OP-CD rats in reference to obese human subjects in terms of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers and circulating adiponectin levels. CONCLUSION： The results show, for the first time, the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress and adiponectin-ameliorating effects of LWDH in obese rats. The suitability of the OP-JOP-CD rat model as