Obesity-induced testicular oxidative stress,inflammation and apoptosis: Protective and therapeutic effects of orlistat

Obesity has been reported to induce oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the testis. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the anti-obesity drug orlistat, on testicular oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 250−300 g were randomized into four groups (n = 6/group), namely; normal control (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus orlistat (10 mg/kg body weight/day administered concurrently for 12 weeks) (HFD + Opr) and HFD plus orlistat (10 mg/kg body weight/day administered 6 weeks after induction of obesity) (HFD + Ot) groups. Antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly decreased, while mRNA levels of pro-apoptotic markers (p53, Bax/BCl-2, caspase-9, caspase-8 and caspase-3) were significantly increased in the testis of HFD group relative to NC group. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory markers (nuclear factor kappa B, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin (IL)-1β increased significantly, while anti-inflammatory marker (IL-10) decreased significantly in the testis of the HFD group relative to NC group. However, in both models of orlistat intervention (protective and treatment models) up-regulated antioxidant enzymes, down-regulated inflammation and apoptosis were observed in the testis of HFD-fed rats. Orlistat ameliorated testicular dysfunction by attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in HFD-fed rats, suggesting its potential protective and therapeutic effects in the testis compromised by obesity.     

Interchangeability of two Enterovirus 71 inactivated vaccines in Chinese children: A phase IV,open-label,and randomized controlled trial

BackgroundIn China, three inactivated Enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccines have been approved. Although the vaccines in an immunization series should be from a single manufacture, children sometimes have to receive EV71 vaccines from more than one manufacturers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interchangeability and safety of vaccination with EV71 vaccines from two manufacturers among Chinese children.MethodsWe conducted an open label and randomized controlled study among children aged 6–35 months from November 2018 to January 2019. The participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to receive EV71 vaccines in one of the four different schedules (two using a single vaccine for all doses from one manufacture, and two mixed schedules using vaccines from two manufactures). Blood samples were collected pre-vaccination (Day 0) and one month after the second dose (Day 60) for neutralizing antibody assay. Immunogenicity was assessed in the per-protocol cohort and safety was assessed in the total vaccinated cohort.ResultsA total of 300 children were enrolled and randomized, of whom 89.0% (267/300) were included in the per-protocol cohort for immunogenicity analysis. The seroconversion rates of the EV71 neutralizing antibody in four groups ranged from 98.4% to 100.0%, and were not significantly different among the groups. Compared with other groups, geometric mean titer was higher in group D, in which the participants received Institute of Medical Biology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) vaccine in the first dose and the Sinovac vaccine in the second dose. Safety profiles were similar among the four groups and no serious adverse events related to the vaccination were reported.ConclusionsInterchangeability of EV71 vaccines from two manufactures to complete an immunization series showed good immunogenicity and safety. The antibody response levels may vary by vaccination sequences of EV71 vaccines from the two manufacturers.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.govNCT03873740.     

GATA6基因启动区多态性与急性心肌梗死患者易感性和临床特征的相关性分析

目的探讨GATA6基因启动区-493(rs144923558)G/A、-172(rs146748749)G/A 2个位点单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与急性心肌梗死(AMI)之间的关系及其相关的危险因素。方法采用病例-对照研究方法,收集328例AMI患者和344例正常对照;应用聚合酶链反应-限制性内切酶片段长度多态性技术结合DNA测序后的序列比对进行数据统计;运用Hardy-Weinberg平衡检验后,应用χ~2检验进行相关分析;利用Logistic回归对多种危险因素以及2个SNP位点与AMI发病进行关联性分析;利用Haplovview4.2软件和SHEsis网站进行连锁不平衡及单倍体分析。结果 2个SNP位点共检测出3种基因型为GG、GA和AA,其基因型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡(P0.05),同时在AMI组与对照组间差异无显著性(P0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析:增龄、高血压病、吸烟、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)和甘油三酯(TG)升高是AMI发病的独立危险因素(P0.05),HDLC为保护因素(P0.05)。在显性、隐性和加性3种不同遗传模式下进行Logistic回归分析发现,2个SNP位点与AMI发病无关联性。进行连锁不平衡和单倍型分析提示,该2个SNP位点处于同一个连锁不平衡区域(D′=1.000,r~2=1.000),单倍型GG和AA均未增加AMI易感性(P0.05)。结论 GATA6基因启动区-493(rs144923558)G/A与-172(rs146748749)G/A两个SNP位点为完全连锁不平衡,其中GG为主要单倍型。该2个SNP位点及其单倍体型与AMI发病无相关性,但提供了GATA6基因启动区多态性的群体遗传学资料。     

Comparative Analysis of Safety and Efficacy of Transarterial Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with and without Pre-Existing Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts

PurposeTo compare the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with and without transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS).Materials and MethodsThis single-institution study included a retrospective review of 50 patients who underwent transarterial chemoembolization for HCC between January 2010 and April 2017. Twenty-five patients had preexisting TIPS, and 25 patients were selected to control for age, sex, and target tumor size. Baseline median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD; 13 TIPS, 9 control; P < .001) and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI; 3 TIPS, 2 control; P < .001) differed between groups. Safety was assessed on the basis of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and change in MELD and ALBI grade assessed between 3 and 6 months. Efficacy was assessed by tumor response and time to progression (TTP).ResultsThere was 1 severe adverse event (CTCAE grade >2) in the TIPS group. There was no difference in the change in MELD or ALBI grade. Although there was no difference in tumor response (P = .19), more patients achieved a complete response in the control group (19/25, 76%) than in the TIPS group (13/25, 52%). There was no difference in TTP (P = .82). At 1 year, 2 patients in the control group and 3 patients in the TIPS group received a liver transplant. Seven patients died in the TIPS group.ConclusionsTransarterial chemoembolization is as safe and effective in patients with TIPS as in patients without TIPS, despite worse baseline liver function. Severe adverse events are rare and may be transient.     

Depletion of T lymphocytes ameliorates cardiac fibrosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy

T cell infiltration has been associated with increased coronary heart disease risk in patients with diabetes mellitus. Effect of modulation of T cell trafficking on diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis has yet to be determined. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the circulatory T cell depletion-mediated cardioprotection in streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy. Fingolimod (FTY720), an immunomodulatory drug, was tested in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 and recombination activating gene 1 (Rag1) knockout (KO) mice without mature lymphocytes in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic model. FTY720 (0.3 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally daily for the first 4 weeks with interim 3 weeks then resumed for another 4 weeks in 11 weeks study period. T lymphocyte counts, cardiac histology, function, and fibrosis were examined in diabetic both WT and KO mice. FTY720 reduced both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in diabetic WT mice. FTY720-treated diabetic WT mouse myocardium showed reduction in CD3 T cell infiltration and decreased expression of S1P₁ and TGF-β1 in cardiac tissue. Fibrosis was reduced after FTY720 treatment in diabetic WT mice. Rag1 KO mice exhibited no CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in the blood and CD3 T cells in the heart. Diabetic Rag1 KO mouse hearts appeared no fibrosis and exhibited preserved myocardial contractility. FTY720-induced antifibrosis was abolished in diabetic Rag1 KO mice. These findings demonstrate that chronic administration with FTY720 induces lymphopenia and protects diabetic hearts in WT mice whereas FTY720 increases cardiac fibrosis and myocardial dysfunction in diabetic Rag1 KO mice without mature lymphocytes.     

Do different types of stress differentially alter behavioural and neurobiological outcomes associated with depression in rodent models? A systematic review

Cataloguing the effects of different types of stress on behaviour and physiology in rodent models has not been comprehensively attempted. Here, we systematically review whether chronic exposure to physical stress, psychosocial stress, or both types of stress can induce different behavioural and neurobiological outcomes in male and female rodents. We found that physical stress consistently increased depressive-like behaviour, impaired social interaction and decreased body weight, while psychosocial stress consistently increased both anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour, impaired social interaction and learning and memory, increased HPA axis activity, peripheral inflammation and microglial activation, and decreased hippocampal neurogenesis in male rodents. Moreover, we found that the combined effect of both stress types resulted in a more severe pathological state defined by increased anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour, impaired social interaction and learning and memory, increased HPA axis activity and central inflammation, and reduced hippocampal neurogenesis and neural plasticity in male rodents. Phenotypes for females were less consistent, irrespective of the type of stress exposure, on account of the limited number of studies using females. This review highlights that the type of stress may indeed matter and will help animal researchers to more appropriately choose a stress/depression model that fits their research purposes.