高频超声评价RBP4对2型糖尿病患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度的影响

目的探讨应用高频超声评价视黄醇结合蛋白4(RBP4)对2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)的影响。方法采集137例T2DM患者血标本,酶联免疫法测定RBP4,并按RBP4(≥31.37μg/L和<31.37μg/L)浓度分为高浓度的A组(68例)和低浓度的B组(69例)。C组为60名正常人。应用高频超声测量颈动脉IMT,计算斑块总积分,分析RBP4与颈动脉IMT等的关系。结果 A组和B组颈总动脉干、颈总动脉分叉处、颈内动脉IMT、颈动脉平均IMT及斑块总积分均高于C组(P均<0.05);A组颈总动脉干、颈总动脉分叉处、颈内动脉IMT、颈动脉平均IMT及斑块总积分高于B组(P均<0.05);A组及B组颈动脉平均IMT和斑块总积分均与RBP4呈正相关(P均<0.05)。结论 T2DM患者的RBP4水平与颈动脉IMT密切相关。     

2型糖尿病患者RBP4水平与颈动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者血清视黄醇结合蛋白4(RBP4)水平与颈动脉粥样硬化(AS)的关系。方法 T2DM患者148例,按超声诊断仪测量的颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)结果和粥样斑块将其分三组:非IMT增厚组46例I、MT增厚组53例和斑块形成组49例,并选择健康体检者50例作为对照组,分别检测身高、体重、血脂、血糖、空腹胰岛素、RBP4,并计算BMI及IR,分析其相关性。结果 T2DM患者组血清RBP4水平均高于对照组(P<0.05),非IMT增厚组I、MT增厚组和斑块形成组组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);T2DM患者各组的RBP4水平与BMI、TG、HOMA-IR呈正相关,IMT增厚组和斑块形成组的RBP4水平与IMT呈正相关;Logistic回归分析显示血清RBP4水平是IMT值的独立相关因素。结论血清RBP4水平升高是T2DM患者颈动脉内膜增厚的主要危险因素,与颈动脉粥样硬化发病关系密切。     

老年2型糖尿病脂联素和C反应蛋白与动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的探讨老年2型糖尿病(T2DM)脂联素水平和高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)与颈总动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)的关系。方法将T2DM和糖耐量减退(IGT)患者各80例分别作为T2DM组和IGT组,另选择78例年龄、性别匹配的健康体检者为正常对照组,测定血浆脂联素,hs-CRP、空腹血糖、餐后2 h血糖、糖化血红蛋白,同时采用彩色多普勒显像仪测量双侧颈总动脉IMT。结果T2DM组体重指数、空腹血糖、餐后2 h血糖、糖化血红蛋白、空腹胰岛素、稳态模型评估胰岛素抵抗指数、甘油三酯、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血白细胞与正常对照组比较差异有显著性意义;T2DM组脂联素、hs-CRP和双侧颈总动脉IMT与IGT组和正常对照组比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);T2DM组脂联素与hs-CRP、双侧颈总动脉IMT呈负相关(P<0.05);IGT组脂联素与hs-CRP呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论老年T2DM随着脂联素水平降低,C反应蛋白水平增高,胰岛素抵抗增加,动脉粥样硬化加重。     

2型糖尿病合并冠心病患者血清内脂素和视黄醇结合蛋白4的临床意义

目的探讨血清内脂素(visfatin)和视黄醇结合蛋白4(RBP4)水平与2型糖尿病(T2DM)合并冠心病(CHD)的临床意义。方法选取单纯T2DM(T2DM组)患者61例、T2DM合并CHD(T2DM+CHD组)患者58例、单纯CHD(CHD组)患者60例、门诊健康体检者(对照组)60例,检测各组血清内脂素、RBP4水平、空腹血糖(FBG)、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平,HbA1c和空腹血清胰岛素(FINS),计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、体重指数(BMI)及腰臀比(WHR),并作相关性分析。结果 T2DM+CHD组血清内脂素和RBP4水平均明显高于T2DM组、CHD组和对照组,差异均有统计学意义(q=2.56~3.13,均P<0.05)。T2DM+CHD组内脂素水平与WHR、RBP4、TG和HOMA-IR呈正相关(r=0.27~0.52,均P<0.05);T2DM与RBP4和HbA1c密切相关(OR=2.09~3.67,P=0.05),T2DM合并CHD与内脂素、RBP4和TG密切相关(OR=2.13~3.81,P=0.05)。结论血清内脂素和RBP4与T2DM合并CHD的发病有一定联系。     

成人隐匿性自身免疫糖尿病与2型糖尿病动脉内中膜厚度的研究

目的探讨成人隐匿性自身免疫糖尿病(LADA)与2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者亚临床动脉粥样硬化(AS)的差异及其影响因素。方法选取2002年8月至2005年2月中南大学湘雅二医院70例LADA患者,检测其颈总动脉及股动脉内中膜厚度(IMT),与匹配的T2DM患者进行比较。采用多元线性回归分析LADA患者IMT增加的危险因素。结果LADA和T2DM患者亚临床AS发生率相似(11.4%对17.1%,P>0.05)。多元线性回归分析显示,年龄、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、吸烟及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)是颈总动脉IMT增加的主要影响因素;年龄、HOMA-IR、性别及LDL-C是股动脉IMT增加的主要影响因素。结论该组LADA与T2DM患者亚临床AS发生率相似。LDL-C、吸烟、性别、年龄及HOMA-IR可能是LADA患者IMT增加的主要影响因素。     

2型糖尿病患者血清胰高糖素样肽1水平变化及意义

目的 观察2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者血清胰高糖素样肽1（GLP-1）水平变化,并探讨其临床意义.方法 选择T2DM并动脉粥样硬化（AS）26例（A组）、单纯T2DM 24例（B组）、正常对照组30例（C组）,分别检测各组空腹血糖（FBG）、胰岛素（FINS）、血脂、GLP-1及颈总动脉内膜中层厚度（IMT）.结果 各组男女比例、年龄、SBP、DBP、BMI差异无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）.A、B组腰围、FBG、胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）、TG、TC、LDL-C、颈总动脉IMT高于C组（P均＜0.05）,GLP-1、HDL-C、FINS低于C组（P均＜0.05）,A组血清GLP-1、颈总动脉IMT高于B组（P均＜0.05）.相关性分析显示,颈总动脉IMT与FBG（r=0.461）、LDL-C（r=0.395）、TG（r =0.315）、TC（r=0.293） FINS（r=0.232）、HOMA-IR（r=0.216）呈正相关,与GLP-1（r=-0.402）、HDL-C（r=-0.371）呈负相关,P均＜0.05.逐步回归分析结果显示,GLP-1、LDL-C、FBG是影响T2DM患者IMT水平的独立危险因素.结论 T2DM患者血清GLP-1水平降低,在AS发生、发展中起重要作用.     

老年高血压患者胰岛素抵抗与动脉粥样硬化研究

目的:观察老年高血压合并糖尿病(DM)患者颈动脉和冠状动脉粥样硬化的特点,探讨胰岛素抵抗在老年高血压病动脉粥样硬化中的作用。方法:本科住院或门诊老年患者64例,分为3组:单纯高血压组(EH组)29例;高血压合并DM组(EH合并DM组)21例;血压正常对照组14例。所有病例均行颈部动脉超声、16排冠状动脉CT检查。测定空腹血糖和胰岛素,计算稳态模式评估法的胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR),并与心血管危险因素作相关分析。结果:①HOMA-IR与体重指数(BMI)、空腹血糖和颈动脉斑块积分呈正相关;②与对照组比较,EH组颈总动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)、颈动脉分叉处IMT、Crouse积分显著增高;EH合并DM组颈总动脉IMT、Crouse积分显著高于EH组(P<0.01);③EH合并DM组冠状动脉钙化积分及冠状动脉狭窄程度与EH组比较有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论:老年高血压合并DM患者颈动脉与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度显著高于单纯高血压者,DM和高血压同时存在时可加速动脉粥样硬化的进展,其机制可能与胰岛素抵抗有关。     

2型糖尿病患者血清护骨素与颈动脉内膜中层厚度的相关性

目的探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者血清护骨素(OPG)与颈动脉内膜-中层厚度的相关性。方法选取2型糖尿病患者102例作为病例组(T2DM组),40例同期健康志愿者为对照组(NC组)。应用彩色高频多普勒超声诊断仪检测患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT),以ELISA法检测血浆血清OPG含量。结果与NC组相比,T2DM组体重指数(BMI)、腰臀比(WHR)、空腹血糖(FPG)、糖化血红蛋白(Hb A1c)、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMAIR)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、IMT及血清OPG水平均升高(P<0.05);两组颈动脉IMT与血清OPG均有相关性。T2DM组血清OPG与IMT、FPG、Hb A1c、HOMA-IR具有线性关系,多元逐步回归分析显示,IMT与年龄、收缩压(SBP)、血清OPG呈线性回归关系。结论年龄、(SBP)与血清OPG是影响T2DM患者颈动脉内膜中层的相关因素。     

非糖尿病腹膜透析患者胰岛素抵抗与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性

目的探讨非糖尿病腹膜透析患者胰岛素抵抗与动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法选择非糖尿病腹膜透析的成年患者64例,对其临床资料包括胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)进行分析。采用高分辨二维超声对双侧颈总动脉内膜中膜厚度(IMT)及颈动脉粥样斑块进行测量。按IMT厚度及有无斑块分为两组:无颈动脉硬化组(IMT1.0 mm)和颈动脉硬化组(IMT≥1.0 mm和/或已发现有颈动脉斑块)。结果颈动脉硬化组餐后2 h血糖(2h PBG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、甘油三酯(TG)和HOMA-IR高于无颈动脉硬化组(P0.05),而血浆白蛋白则低于无颈动脉硬化组(P0.01);颈动脉硬化组胰岛素抵抗患者占53.49%,而无颈动脉硬化组胰岛素抵抗患者仅占4.76%(P0.01)。相关分析显示非糖尿病腹膜透析患者动脉硬化与年龄、2h PBG、LDLC、hs-CRP、TG和HOMA-IR呈正相关(r=0.375、0.373、0.420、0.345、0.351、0.458,P0.05);Logistic回归分析发现,年龄、HOMA-IR、2h PBG、hs-CRP是非糖尿病腹膜透析患者发生动脉粥样硬化的危险因素。结论在非糖尿病腹膜透析患者中HOMA-IR水平与颈动脉粥样硬化正相关,HOMA-IR可能促进了动脉粥样硬化的发生。     

彩色多普勒超声检查结果与2型糖尿病下肢病变患者血清生化指标的相关性

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声检查结果与2型糖尿病(T2DM)下肢病变患者血清生化指标的相关性。方法 T2DM患者80例,依据有无下肢血管病变分为T2DM对照(T2DM-C)组38例和T2DM观察(T2DM-O)组42例,另选该院健康体检者40例为对照组。所有受试者接受彩色多普勒超声检查,测量股动脉、腘动脉内-中膜复合体厚度(IMT)和粥样斑块数;采集静脉血检测血清中C反应蛋白(CRP)、25羟维生素D3〔25(OH)D3〕,并分析上述指标与股动脉、腘动脉IMT的相关性。结果 T2DM-O组CRP水平均显著高于T2DM-C组和对照组,T2DM-O组25(OH)D3均显著低于T2DM-C组和对照组,T2DM-C组CRP水平高于对照组,25(OH)D3水平低于对照组(均P<0.05);T2DM患者颈动脉和腘动脉IMT均显著高于对照组,且T2DM-O组显著高于T2DM-C组(均P<0.05);T2DM患者斑块阳性率显著高于对照组,且T2DM-O组显著高于T2DM-C组(均P<0.05);T2DM患者动脉IMT与血清CRP水平呈正相关,与25(OH)D3水平呈负相关(均P<0.05)。结论 T2DM患者下肢动脉IMT增加与血清指标异常存在显著相关性,可以据此判断疾病的发生、发展情况,采取预防和治疗措施,改善预后。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Variabilité des concentrations plasmatiques de l’angiotensinogène et risque d’hypertension artérielle chez le rat transgénique

Aim

Genetic polymorphisms of the human angiotensinogen gene are frequent and may induce up to 30% increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations with a blood pressure increase of up to 5 mmHg. Their role for the pathogenesis of human arterial hypertension remains unclear. High plasma angiotensinogen levels could increase the sensitivity to other blood pressure stressors.

Methods

Male transgenic rats with a 9-fold increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations and male non-transgenic rats aged 10 weeks were treated or not with NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester for 3 weeks in their drinking water (n = 3/group). Systolic blood pressure and body weight were measured at baseline and at the end of the study when left ventricular weight and ventricular expression of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and procollagen Iα1 were determined (polymerase chain reaction).

Results

At baseline, transgenic rats had +18 mmHg higher bood pressure and –8% lower body weight compared to non-transgenic rats (P < 0.05) without significant changes for the vehicle groups throughout the study (P > 0.05). NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester increased blood pressure, left ventricular weight and left ventricular weight indexed for body weight by +41%, +17.6% and +18.6% (P < 0.05) in transgenic and +25%, +5.3% and +6.7% (P > 0.05) in non-transgenic rats compared to untreated animals, respectively. Cardiac gene expression showed no differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased plasma angiotensinogen levels may sensitize to additional blood pressure stressors. Our preliminary results point towards an independent role of angiotensinogen in the pathogenesis of human hypertension and associated end-organ damage.     

Morphological and immunocytochemical heterogeneity of cultured pinealocytes from one-week-and two-month-old rats: Planimetric and densitometric investigations

Abstract: In vitro preparations of rat pinealocytes are widely used for biochemical analyses of signal transduction processes. This paper deals with morphological and immunocytochemical features of such preparations. Special attention was paid to the problems of whether pinealocytes represent a heterogeneous cell population and how such heterogeneity may develop during ontogeny. The investigations were performed with cells which were obtained from the pineal organ of one-week-and two-month-old rats, attached to synthetic peptide-coated coverslips or tissue culture chamber slides, and maintained under in vitro conditions overnight. The attached cells were then fixed with paraformaldehyde. These preparations yielded monolayers of spherical cells of different sizes; most cells were isolated, but some of them were aggregated and formed small clusters. On the average, the cells from the one-week-old animals were smaller than the cells from the two-month-old animals. Immunocytochemical demonstration of S-antigen, a pinealocyte-specific marker, showed that the majority of the cells from two-month-old animals were intensely or moderately labelled. Pinealocytes from one-week-old animals were less S-antigen immunoreactive. Only very few cells (less than 1% displayed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity. Planimetric investigations of the cell size and semiquantitative densitometric investigations of the intensity of the S-antigen immunoreaction revealed that (i) pinealocytes kept in vitro form a heterogeneous cell population, and that (ii) this heterogeneity increases during postnatal development from one-week-old to two-month-old animals. Two groups of pinealocytes can be distinguished based on their developmental fate: pinealocytes of one group grow dramatically, but show only a moderate increase in S-antigen immunoreactivity, and pinealocytes of the other group retain their size, but display a distinct increment in S-antigen immunoreacti vitv.     

Effects of pinealectomy and melatonin administration on certain indices of ovarian hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in rats with both ovaries intact or after unilateral ovariectomy

Abstract: In earlier studies from other laboratories it was shown that melatonin decreased ovarian weight in rats and inhibited compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining ovary after unilateral ovariectomy. This study was designed to examine the influence of melatonin on certain indices of ovarian hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in adult female rats with both ovaries preserved and with either an intact pineal gland or with the pineal gland removed (pinealectomy, PX) or, finally, in sham-PX animals. Similar studies were conducted on rats after unilateral ovariectomy, referring the examined parameters to the remaining intact ovary. The studies included mitotic activity of granulosa layer cells and corpus luteum cells, ovarian weight, ovarian cross-sectional area, cross-sectional area of the granulosa layer of all the Graafian follicles and the cross-sectional areas of the corpora lutea, visible on the ovarian cross-section. On the basis of results, we conclude that: 1) the effect of PX on the processes of ovarian hyperplasia and hypertrophy may vary; analogously, exogenous melatonin administration may influence ovarian hyperplasia and hypertrophy in different ways; 2) PX and exogenous melatonin may, under certain conditions, exert similar biological effects, even synergistic effects; 3) melatonin inhibits ovarian growth processes, while the effects of PX are variable; 4) the results indicate that in experiments performed on rats, with the use of two control groups, i.e., intact and sham-PX, melatonin effects on these two groups may differ.