EFFECTS OF ANTICOAGULATION PROTEIN DEFECT IN MATERNAL PLASMA ON SPONTANEOUS ABORTION

Objective To investigate the mechanism of anticoagulation protein defect in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent miscarriage.Methods Fifty-seven patients with a history of unexplained abortion were enrolled as the investigation group for tests of protein C, protein S, antithrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ), as well as activated protein C resistance (APC-R). The control group consisted of fifty healthy women with a history of hormal pregnancy and delivery. Blood samples were obtained for measuring serum activity of protein C, protein S, AT- Ⅲ, and APC-R. Patients with positive APC-R were tested for factor Ⅴ (FV) Leiden gene mutation by PCR-RFLP method.Results Of the 57 patients, 12 (21.1%), 1 (1.8%), and 5 (8.8%) cases were found with protein S, protein C, and AT-Ⅲdeficiency respectively, and 13 (22.8%) cases with positive results of APC-R. Of the control group, no protein C or AT-Ⅲdeficiency was ever found, whereas 2 (4.0%) volunteers were presented with protein S deficiency and 3 (6.0%) with positive results of APC-R. No FV Leiden gene mutation was identified in all the patients with positive APC-R results. Late spontaneous abortion cases had higher incidence of anticoagulation protein defect than the early cases.Conclusion Anticoagulation protein defect may play a role in the pathogenesis of fetal loss, especially for those occurring in late stage of pregnancy.     

Biochemical activity and gene analysis of inherited protein C and antithrombin deficiency in two Chinese pedigrees

Background We identified the gene mutations in two Chinese pedigree of type Ⅰ hereditary protein C deficiency and type Ⅰ hereditary antithrombin deficiency.Methods The plasma level of protein C activity (PC: A), protein C antigen ( PC: Ag) , protein S activity, antithrombin activity (AT: A) and antithrombin antigen (AT: Ag) of propositi and two family members were detected using ELISA and chromogenic assay, respectively. All exons and intron-exon boundaries of protein C gene and antithrombin gene were analyzed by direct sequencing of the corresponding amplified PCR products in DNA from the propositus.Results The plasma PC: A and PC: Ag of propositus 1 was 26% and 1.43 mg/dl, respectively. The PC: Ag and PC: A of his father were normal. The decreased PC: A level was seen in his mother and 4 of his maternal pedigree. PS: A and AT: A were all normal in pedigree 1 members. A C5498T heterozygous mutation in exon 3 of protein C gene, resulting in the substitution of Arg for Trp at the 15th amino acid, was identified in propositus 1 and 8 of his relatives. The plasma AT: A and AT: Ag of propositus 2 was 48.6% and 10.4 mg/dl, respectively. The reduced AT: A and AT: Ag levels were found in his father and 5 of paternal pedigree. PC: A, PC: Ag and PS: A were all in normal range. A heterozygous 13387-9G deletion in exon 6 of antithrombin gene was identified in propositus 2. This mutation introduced a frameshift and a premature stop at codon 426 and existed in 6 members of pedigree 2.Conclusion The C5498T heterozygous mutation in exon 3 of protein C gene, first reported in China,leads to type Ⅰ hereditary protein C deficiency. The 13387-9G deletion, a novel mutation, can cause antithrombin deficiency and thrombosis.     

Prognostic value of plasma C-reactive protein in the evaluation of paraquat poisoning patients

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of plasma C-reactive protein(CRP) level in patients with paraquat poisoning.Methods: This study included 162 patients with paraquat poisoning. The data of plasma paraquat, CRP level and arterial blood gas were analyzed. Cox regression analysis was applied to evaluate the risk factors of prognosis. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis and area under curve were used to calculate the predictive power of significant variable. Differences in patient survival were determined using the Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test.Results: Plasma CRP level was significantly increased in non-survival patients compared with survival patients(P 0.05), and positively correlated with plasma paraquat level(P 0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that plasma CRP level was an independent prognostic marker of mortality within 30 days. The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis indicated that area under curve of plasma CRP level was0.867(95% CI: 0.81–0.93), and the cut-off value was 18 mg/L, and patients with CRP level over this value had a poor survival time compared with those with less than this value.Conclusions: These results suggest that plasma CRP level is distinct increased in patients with paraquat poisoning, and the plasma CRP level may be useful for the prediction of prognosis in paraquat poisoning.     

Relationship between tumor suppressor gene p53 and tumors of adipose tissue

Objective　To investigate the relationship between p53 gene and tumors of adipose tissue at the level of protein and gene. Methods　Immunohistochemical LSAB, PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing were used in 82 cases. Results　p53 protein is expressed only in liposarcomas, in which the positive staining rate was 48.08% (25/52). In different subtypes of liposarcomas, the positive staining rate in well differentiated liposarcomas was 30.00% (9/30), which is much lower than that of the poorly differentiated liposarcomas (P<0.005). Abnormality in the single-stranded DNA pattern was determined in 2 samples (pleomophic liposarcomas) by PCR-SSCP analysis. Missense mutations in exon 8 codon 268 of p53 gene (AAC→ATC) were detected by DNA sequencing. Another heterozygotic cosense mutation may exist at exon 6 codon 221 of p53 gene (GAG→GAA). Conclusions　The data suggest that the p53 protein has a relationship with development, differentiation and malignancy of liposarcoma. Detecting the level of p53 protein expression may be valuable in evaluating the level of differentiation and malignancy of liposarcoma. There appear point mutation on exon 8,6 of p53 gene.     

Influence of L-arginine on the Expression of eNOS and COX2 in Experimental Pulmonary Thromboembolism

The influence of L-arginine on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cyclooxy-genase 2 (COX2) was observed in experimental pulmonary thromboembolism and the action mechanism on pulmonary thromboembolism was explored. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group. Pulmonary thromboembolism models were established by auto-blood back transfusion, and L-Arg 100 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected after successful model preparation. The animals were sacrificed at 3 h, 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after embolism. Plasma NO, TXB2 and 6-Keto-PGF1αwere detected. The expression of eNOS and COX2 protein and mRNA in pulmonary tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively. The results showed that pulmonary thrombosis could be seen post pulmonary embolism and inflammatory reaction was significant. Plasma NO was decreased (P<0.01), and the levels of TXB2, 6-Keto-PGF1αand T/P ratio were all elevated. The expression of eNOS protein and mRNA in the pulmonary tissue was down-regulated (P<0.05), while that of COX2 protein and mRNA was upregu-lated (P<0.01). In treatment group, the level of NO was increased, the levels of TXB2 and T/P ratio were decreased, but the level of 6-Keto-PGF1αwas increased. The expression of eNOS protein and mRNA in pulmonary tissue was upregulated (P<0.05), while that of COX2 protein and mRNA was down-regulated (P<0.05). In conclusion, L-arginine can educe the role of pulmonary tissue protection through up-regulating the expression of intra-pulmonary NOS and down -regulating COX2 in pulmonary thromboembolism.     

NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in hippocampus of D-galactose-induced aging rats

Mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) common deletion(CD) plays a significant role in aging and age-related diseases.In this study,we used D-galactose(D-gal) to generate an animal model of aging and the involvement and causative mechanisms of mitochondrial damage in such a model were investigated.Twenty 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:D-gal group(n=10) and control group(n=10).The quantity of the mtDNA CD in the hippocampus was determined using a TaqMan real-time PCR assay.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the hippocampus.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NADPH oxidase(NOX) and uncoupling protein 2(UCP2).We found that the level of mtDNA CD was significantly higher in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats than in control rats.In comparison with the control group,the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the hippocampus of D-gal-treated rats was damaged,and the protein levels of NOX and UCP2 were significantly increased in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats.This study demonstrated that the levels of mtDNA CD and NOX protein expression were significantly increased in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats.These findings indicate that NOX-dependent reactive oxygen species generation may contribute to D-gal-induced mitochondrial damage.     

Expression of Toll-like receptor 4 in neonatal cord blood mononuclear cells in patients with preeclampsia

The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in neonatal cord blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) and serum TNF-α were investigated in order to explore the roles of TLR4 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.The study enrolled 27 patients suffering from preeclampsia (experimental group) and 21 normal pregnancy patients (control group).After MNCs were separated, the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein was detected by using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting respectively, and the expression of TNF-α by using ELISA.The results showed the TLR4 mRNA level in cord blood MNCs (2-CT:0.07±0.17), TLR4 protein expression level (absorbance ratio:0.81%±0.15%) and TNF-α level (9.5±1.73 pg/mL) were all increased in experimental group as compared with control group with the differences being statistically significant (P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between the expression of TLR4 mRNA and TNF-α in both experimental group and control group (r=0.54 and 0.53, respectively, P<0.05).It was concluded that TLR4 expression in the experimental group of cord blood MNCs was increased and there was a positive correlation between the expression of TLR4 mRNA and TNF-α in both groups.TLR4-mediated release of inflammatory cytokines may be one of the important reasons leading to preeclampsia.     

Renal impairment in multiple myeloma: Presenting features in different departments

In order to analyze the causes of delayed diagnosis and raise the level of early diagnosis of atypical multiple myeloma (MM),the differences of presenting features between the patients presented to nephrologists and those presented to hematologists were compared.MM patients in our hospital were studied retrospectively.Those who referred renal impairment were divided into two groups:group I presented to nephrologists prior to MM diagnosis (n=29) and group II presented to hematologists di-rectly (n=62).The age,sex,initial symptoms,haematological and biochemical parameters,the pheno-type of paraprotein,bone marrow biopsy and cytology were undertaken and analyzed.The results showed that the median time between the initial symptoms and diagnosis in the patients of group I was longer than that in group II (P<0.001);patients in group I had significantly lower incidence of bone pain (P<0.01) and worse renal function (P<0.05) on presentation.There were lower level of myeloma cells (P<0.05),lower incidence of hypergammaglobulinemia (P<0.05),lower positive rate of monoclonal immunoglobulin (M protein) (P<0.05) and M protein level (P<0.05) in the patients of group I than those in group II.The ratio of monoclonal to lambda monoclonal proteins in a population was 1:3.67 in pa-tients of group I,whereas 1:0.90 in patients of group II (P<0.01).Moreover,patients with λ type had a higher degree of renal insufficiency than those with κ type (P<0.05).It was suggested that the median time between the initial symptoms and diagnosis in the patients presented to nephrologists was longer than that in those presented to hematologists;the patients presented to nephrologists had the lower inci-dence of bone pain,lower level of myeloma cells and M protein,which made early diagnosis more dif-ficult;more patients presented to nephrologists had the majority of λ light chain type,moreover,patients with λ light chain type had a higher incidence of renal insufficiency.     

舟山渔民血清尿酸水平及其对心血管可能产生的影响

In Order to probe the relationship between serum uric acid level andcardiovascular disease,the serum uric acid level was measured with mo-dified Caraway's technic,among 1.089 normal persons aged over 35years,including 499 fishermen(male),366 fishermen's wives(female),44 cadres of fishery(male)and 180 university staff members(male)withan average level of 6.26±0.85,5.34±1.17,6.43±1.30,5.54±1.45 res-pectively.The mean value of fishermen and cadres of fishery was sig-nificantly higher than that of the other two groups.There were statisti-cally significant differences between two sexes and among various agegroups.Blood pressure and other four serum components:triglyceride,total cholesterol,high density lipoprotein cholesterol,total protein weredetermined simultanously,suggesting that a higher serum level of uricacid in fishermen was not a risk index of cardiovascular diseases.Thepossible effect of uric acid on cardiovescular system was discussed.Theconclusion was that uric acid might be a protective factor for the cardi-ovascular system.     

CD151 Promotes Proliferation and Migration of PC3 Cells via the Formation of CD151-integrin α3/α6 Complex

Over-expression of CD151 was found to be associated with metastasis and poor prognosis of prostatic carcinoma. This study was designed to examine the mechanism by which CD151 promotes the proliferation and migration of prostatic cancer cells. The pAAV-CD151, pAAV-GFP and pAAV-CD151-AAA mutant plasmids were constructed and used to transiently transfect PC3 cells (a prostatic carcinoma 3 cell line) by the mediation of Fugene HD. Then, the cells were assigned to control group, pAAV-GFP group, pAAV-CD151 group, and pAAV-CD151-AAA group respectively. Cell proliferation was evaluated by using the 3-[4,5-dimet-hylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5, diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Cell migration assay was performed by using Boyden chambers. The formation of CD151-integrin a3/a6 complex was determined by the method of co-immunoprecipitation. The protein expression levels of CD151 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were measured by Western blotting. The results showed that transfection of pAAV-CD151 or pAAV-CD151-AAA mutant increased the expression of CD151 protein in PC3 cells. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that more CD151-integrin a3/a6 complex was formed in the pAAV-CD151 group than in the control group, the pAAV-GFP group and the pAAV-CD151-AAA mutant group. Furthermore, the proliferative and migrating capacity of PC3 cells was substantially increased in the pAAV-CD151 group but inhibited in the pAAV-CD151-AAA mutant group. CD151 transfection increased the expression of phospho-ERK. Taken together, it was concluded that CD151 promotes the proliferation and migration of PC3 cells through the formation of CD151-integrin complex and the activation of phosphorylated ERK.     

TGF-β1-induced synthesis of collagen fibers in skeletal muscle-derived stem cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of deposition of extracellular matrix induced by TGF-β1 in skeletal muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs). Rat skeletal MDSCs were obtained by using preplate technique, and divided into four groups: group A (control group), group B (treated with TGF-β1, 10 ng/mL), group C (treated with TGF-β1 and anti-connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), both in 10 ng/mL), and group D (treated with anti-CTGF, 10 ng/mL). The expression of CTGF, collagen type-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ) and collagen type-Ⅲ (COL-Ⅲ) in MDSCs was examined by using RT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescent stain. It was found that one day after TGF-β1 treatment, the expression of CTGF, COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ was increased dramatically. CTGF expression reached the peak on the day 2, and then decreased rapidly to a level of control group on the day 5. COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ mRNA levels were overexpresed on the day 2 and 3 respectively, while their protein expression levels were up-regulated on the day 2 and reached the peak on the day 7. In group C, anti-CTGF could partly suppress the overexpression of COL-I and COL-Ⅲ induced by TGF-β1 one day after adding CTGF antibody. It was concluded that TGF-β1 could induce MDSCs to express CTGF, and promote the production of COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ. In contrast, CTGF antibody could partially inhibit the effect of TGF-β1 on the MDSCs by reducing the expression of COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ. Taken together, we demonstrated that TGF-β1-CTGF signaling played a crucial role in MDSCs synthesizing collagen proteins in vitro, which provided theoretical basis for exploring the methods postponing skeletal muscle fibrosis after nerve injury.     

Klotho is a serum factor related to human aging

Background Does klotho (KL) protein exist in human serum, and is there any correlation between KL protein in serum with human aging? In order to answer those questions, we identified KL protein in human serum and established the correlation between KL protein in human serum and aging.Methods We prepared a polyclonal antibody against human KL protein that was able to recognize the C-terminal of human secreted KL protein. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to identify KL protein in human serum.Results In Westem blot, the antibody specifically recognized a 60-kD KL protein in both human and mice serum. The population aged from 0 to 91 years screened by ELISA revealed that the level of serum KL declined while age increased, though each individual level was variable and that the trend of decreasing in serum KL had no difference in sex.Conclusion Our data suggest that KL is a serum factor related to human aging.     

Copper ions stimulate the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells via oxygen stress in vitro

This study examined the effect of copper ions on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the role of oxidative stress in this process in order to gain insight into the mechanism of hepatic fibrosis in Wilson’s disease. LX-2 cells, a cell line of human HSCs, were cultured in vitro and treated with different agents including copper sulfate, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) for different time. The proliferation of LX-2 cells was measured by non-radioactive cell proliferation assay. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor β subunit (PDGFβR), ELISA to determine the level of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), dichlorofluorescein assay to measure the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid hydroperoxide assay to quantify the level of lipid peroxide (LPO). The results showed that copper sulfate over a certain concentration range could promote the pro- liferation of LX-2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effect was most manifest when LX-2 cells were treated with copper sulfate at a concentration of 100 μmol/L for 24h. Additionally, copper sulfate could dose-dependently increase the levels of ROS and LPO, and decrease the ratio of GSH/GSSG in LX-2 cells. The copper-induced increase in mRNA and protein expression of PDGFβR was significantly inhibited in LX-2 cells pre-treated with NAC, a precursor of GSH, and this phenome- non could be reversed by the intervention of BSO, an inhibitor of NAC. It was concluded that copper ions may directly stimulate the proliferation of HSCs via oxidative stress. Anti-oxidative stress therapies may help suppress the copper-induced activation and proliferation of HSCs.     

Effect of dexamethasone on expression of AGR2 protein in asthmatic mice

This study examined the expression of the anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) protein and Muc5ac protein in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice and the effect of dexamethasone, with an at- tempt to explore the role of AGR2 in the over-secretion of mucus in the airway. Eighteen BALB/c mice were divided into asthma group, control group and dexamethasone group. In dexamethasone group, dexamethasone was intraperitoneally administered. Expression of AGR2 protein and Muc5ac protein in the murine lung tissues was immunohistochemically detected. IL-13 level was determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by ELISA. The results exhibited that the expression of AGR2 protein in asthma group (0.522±0.041) was significantly higher than that in normal controls (0.361±0.047) (P<0.01) and bore a positive linear relationship to the expression of Muc5ac protein (r=0.873, P<0.05) and IL-13 level (r=0.828, P<0.05). Expression of AGR2 protein in the dexa- methasone group (0.456±0.049) was significantly lower than that in the asthma group. It was con- cluded that:(1) the expression of AGR2 protein was significantly higher in asthmatic mice as com- pared with their normal counterparts; (2) the expression was obviously related to the expression of Muc5ac protein and IL-13; (3) dexamethasone could down-regulate the expression of AGR2 protein. Our findings suggested that AGR2 might be involved in the over-secretion of mucus in the airway in asthma.     

Association between Cardiac Changes and Stress,and the Effect of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-γ on Stress-induced Myocardial Injury in Mice

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of stress induced by high-intensity exercises on the cardiovascular system. In the epidemiological investigation, 200 subjects(test group) engaged in special high-intensity exercises, and 97 who lived and worked in the same environment and conditions as those in the test group, but did not participate in the exercises served as controls. In the second part of the study, 50 mice were randomly divided into control group, exhaustive swimming group, white noise group, exhaustive swimming plus white noise group, and pioglitazone intervention group. The results showed that the plasma concentrations of the myocardial injury markers heart fatty acid-binding protein(H-FABP), C-reactive protein(CRP), β-endorphin(β-EP) and levels of psychological stress were significantly increased in test group as compared with control group; special high-intensity exercises resulted in a significant elevation of the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. Animal experiments showed that the plasma levels of corticosterone(CORT) and troponin I(Tn I) were raised while the level of SOD was reduced in exhaustive swimming group, white noise group, and exhaustive swimming plus white noise group. The expression levels of PPARγ m RNA and protein were decreased in myocardial tissues in these groups as well. HE staining showed no remarkable change in myocardial tissues in all the groups. Treatment with pioglitazone significantly decreased the plasma levels of Tn I and CORT, while increased the level of SOD and the expression levels of PPARγ m RNA and protein. It was concluded that the high-intensity exercises may induce a heavy physical and psychological stress and predispose the subjects to accumulated fatigue and sleep deprivation; high-intensity exercises also increases the incidence of arrhythmias and myocardial injury. PPARγ may be involved in the physical and psychological changes induced by high-intensity exercises.     

PIN1 Gene Overexpression and β-catenin Gene Mutation/Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Their Significance

The evolution of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a compound process which involves many kinds of genes and transductional pathways. The expression of the peptidyl-proplyl- isomerase PIN1 gene, the mutation in exon 3 of β-catenin and its correspondent abnormal expression and their roles in the hepatocellular carcinogeneisis were investigated. Among 29 pair cases of HCC and non-carcinoma tissues, the expression of PIN1 gene was detected by immunochemical staining. Mu-tations in exon 3 of β-catenin gene and differential expression of β-catenin gene were investigated by the methods of PCR-SSCP, direct sequencing and immunohistochemical technique as well. The re-sults indicated: (1) 44.8% (13/29) cases of HCC presented higher level of PIN1 gene expression than non-cancerous tissues (χ2 =32.63, P<0.05), especially in cytoplasm and nucleus, while there was lower level of PIN1 expression in non-cancerous tissues; (2) 58.6% (17/29) HCC tissues showed β-catenin protein accumulation in cytoplasm and nucleus. 46.2% (6/13) HCC tissues indicated β-catenin protein accumulation with higher level of PIN1 expression, while 53.8% (7/13) HCC tis-sues indicated β-catenin protein accumulation with lower level or trace of PIN1 expression (χ2 =0.00, P>0.05); (3) 24.1% (7/29) of primary tumor lesions carried gene mutations in exon 3 of β-catenin, and accompanied by β-catenin protein accumulation. There was no mutation in non-cancerous tissues. All the mutation presented in tissues with low level of PIN1 expression. There was no mutation of β-catenin gene in tissues with high PIN1 expression level (χ2=58.12, P<0.05). So it was postulated that the increase of PIN1 gene expression could promote hepatocellular carcinogenesis via a way dif-ferent from β- catenin gene mutation.     

Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 5 (SFRP5) in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely related to obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation. Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is a recently discovered adipokine. It is involved in insulin resistance and inflammation in obesity. This study aimed at evaluating the association between SFRP5 and sleeping characteristics as well as biochemical parameters of OSA patients. Methods This was a prospective case control study. Nondiabetic OSA patients and controls were consecutively recruited and divided into three groups: OSA group, apnea–hypopnea Index (AHI)≥5/h; healthy controls with normal body mass index (BMI); obese controls without OSA, and BMI > 24.0 kg/m2. All participants underwent polysomnography (PSG). Plasma SFRP5 was examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood biochemical examinations, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), were performed early in the morning after PSG. Patients with severe OSA were treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), and plasma SFRP5 was repeatedly measured for comparison. Results Sixty-eight subjects were enrolled in the study, including 38 patients of OSA, whose medium AHI was 58.70 /h (36.63, 71.15), 20 obese controls, and 10 healthy controls. The plasma SFRP5 level of OSA patients was not significantly different from that of healthy controls or obese controls. In OSA patients, SFRP5 level correlated positively with triglyceride level (r=0.447,P=0.005) and negatively with LDL-cholesterol level and HDL- cholesterol level (r=?0.472 andP=0.003;r=?0.478 andP=0.002; respectively). SFRP5 level was not found correlating with FBG, AHI, or any of nocturnal hypoxia parameters. After overnight nCPAP treatment, plasma SFRP5 levels of OSA patients did not change significantly (t=1.557, P = 0.148) compared to that of pretreatment. Conclusions In nondiabetic OSA patients, plasma SFRP5 is associated with the lipid profile. However, no correlation was observed between SFRP5 and FBG or sleep parameters. The SFRP5 level of OSA patients did not differ from that of non-OSA individuals in our study.     

The Roles of Four Multi-drug Resistance Proteins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Multidrug Resistance

The roles of multi-drug resistance protein 1 (MDR1), multi-drug resistance related pro- tein 1 (MRP1), lung resistance protein (LRP) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in the multi-drug resistance (MDR) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were studied. By exposing HepG2 cell line to progressively increased concentrations of adriamycin (ADM), HepG2 multi-drug resistant subline (HepG2/ADM) was induced. The MDR index of HepG2/ADM was detected by using MTT. The expressions of the four MDR proteins in the three cell lines (L02, HepG2, HepG2/ADM) were investigated at mRNA and protein levels by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Our re- sults showed that when the ADM concentration was under 100 μg/L, HepG2 could easily be induced to be drug-resistant. The IC50 of the HepG2/ADM to ADM was 282 times that of HepG2. The expres- sion of MDR1 and BCRP mRNA in HepG2/ADM cells were 400 and 9 times that of HepG2 cells re- spectively while there was no difference in the mRNA expressions of MRP1 and LRP. There was no difference between HepG2 and L02 cells in the mRNA expressions of the four genes. At the protein level, the expressions of MDR1, BCRP and LRP but MRP1 in HepG2/ADM were significantly higher than those of HepG2 and L02. Between HepG2 and L02, there was no difference in the ex- pressions of four genes at the protein level. HepG2/ADM is a good model for the study of MDR. The four genes are probably the normally expressed gene in liver. The expressions of MDR1 and BCRP could be up-regulated by anti-cancer agents in vitro. The MDR of HCC was mainly due to the up-regulation of MDR1 and BCRP but MRP1 and LRP. These findings suggest they may serve as targets for the reversal of MDR of HCC.