Early kidney injury during long-term adefovir dipivoxil therapy for chronic hepatitis B

AIM: To evaluate urine β2-microglobulin(β2-M), retinol-binding protein(RBP) excretion, and renal impairment with adefovir dipivoxil(ADV) for chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: We enrolled 165 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection who were treated with ADV monotherapy(n = 90) or ADV plus lamivudine combination therapy(n = 75). An additional 165 chronic hepatitis B patients treated with entecavir were recruited as controls. We detected serum creatinine, urine β2-M, and RBP levels, and estimated the glomerular filtration rate(e GFR) at the initiation of antiviral therapy and every 6 mo for a period of five years. RESULTS: Urine β2-M abnormalities were observed in patients during the first(n = 3), second(n = 7), third(n = 11), fourth(n = 16), and fifth(n = 21) year of ADV treatment. Urinary RBP abnormalities were observed in patients during the first(n = 2), second(n = 8), third(n = 12), fourth(n = 15), and fifth(n = 22) year of ADV treatment. e GFR decreased 20%-30% from baseline in 20 patients, 30%-50% in 12 patients, and > 50% in 3 patients during the five years of treatment. Further analysis indicated that decreases in e GFR of ≥ 30% relative to the baseline level correlated significantly with urine RBP and β2-M abnormalities. In contrast, both serum creatinine and e GFR remained stable in patients treated with entecavir, and only one of these patients developed a urine β2-M abnormality, and two developed urine RBP abnormalities during the five years of treatment. CONCLUSION: Urine RBP and β2-M are biomarkers of renal injury during long-term ADV treatment for chronic hepatitis B, and indicate when treatment should be switched to entecavir.     

miR-130a和miR-125b在川崎病外周血细胞中的表达及意义

目的 通过检测miR-130a 和miR-125b 在伴或不伴冠脉扩张（CAD）川崎病（KD）患儿与正常健康儿童外周血单核细胞（PBMC）中的表达差异，探讨两者可否作为KD 和CAD诊断及预后评估的全新血清生物标志物。方法 利用基因芯片技术筛选出KD 患儿与正常健康儿童之前具有差异表达的miRNAs，通过生物信息学分析，确定候选基因。进一步选取KD 患儿30 例（伴或不伴CAD 各15 例）、正常健康儿童15 例，采用茎环RT-PCR 的方法，验证候选基因miR-130a 和miR-125b 在PBMC 中的表达情况。结果 （1）通过基因芯片技术，分析KD 患儿与正常健康儿童PBMC 中存在明显差异表达的miRNA 共63 条，经过生物信息学分析，确定候选基因；（2）通过茎环RT-PCR 验证发现miR-130a 和miR-125b 在患儿IVIG 治疗前表达明显下调，而IVIG治疗后表达明显上调（P＜0.05）；（3）伴CAD 的KD 患儿miR-130a 及miR-125b 表达较不伴CAD 明显升高，且呈正相关性（R2 =0.734，mir-130a；R2 =0.709，miR-125b）；（4）ROC 曲线分析表明miR-130a（特异度87.5%和敏感度77.5%）和miR-125b（特异度83.3%和敏感度76.6%）对KD 及CAD 的判断有较高的特异度和敏感度。结论 PBMC 中的miR-130a 和miR-125b 参与了KD的发生与发展，可作为KD 及CAD诊断及预后评估的一项全新血清生物标志物，并为KD冠脉扩张的防治提供新的思路。     

薄荷醇及其受体TRPM8与肿瘤关系研究进展

薄荷是一种被广泛使用的植物药和食品添加剂,其发挥功能的主要成分为薄荷醇。研究发现薄荷醇具有抗炎镇痛、抗菌抗病毒及止咳等多种生理功能。近年来,研究发现薄荷醇具有明显的抗肿瘤活性,能抑制多种恶性肿瘤的生长和演进。然而,也有研究发现使用添加薄荷醇的香烟制品其肺癌发病率明显高于一般烟民。该文对薄荷醇的生理功能及其受体TRPM8进行综述,着重对近年来薄荷醇及其受体与肿瘤关系的研究进展进行综述,并探讨薄荷醇在临床应用的局限性和不良反应,为后续的科学研究及指导临床提供参考。     

Increased activity of Rho kinase contributes to hemoglobin-induced early disruption of the blood-brain barrier in vivo after the occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage

This study is to examine whether the activation of Rho kinase (ROCK) accounts for hemoglobin (Hb)-induced disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) after the occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage. A model of intracerebral injection of Hb was established in rats. Changes in the levels of mRNA of RhoA, ROCK2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression of RhoA, ROCK2, claudin-5 and MMP-9, as well as ROCK activity, were determined using Western blotting. Immunohistochemical assay was performed to visualize the expression of RhoA, ROCK2, claudin-5 and MMP-9 in endothelial cells. Hb injection produced a significant increase in BBB permeability and water content in the brain. Significant reduction of claudin-5 expression was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence in Hb group. The levels of RhoA and ROCK2 were significantly up-regulated from 6 h to 12 h after Hb injection and were concomitant with the increase in ROCK activity. Immunofluorescence double staining showed enhanced p-myosin light chain immunoreactivity but diminished claudin-5 staining in endothelial cells. Significant up-regulation of MMP-9 expression was detected after Hb injection, and statistical analyses further confirmed a positive correlation of MMP-9 expression with ROCK activity. The results showed that ROCK was activated in endothelial cells by Hb. This may account for the early disruption of the BBB via up-regulation of p-myosin light chain expression and aggravation of injuries to TJ proteins. The activation of ROCK may also increase MMP-9 expression, thereby leading to further BBB disruption.