化瘀祛痰方通过调节ApoE-/-小鼠胆固醇代谢相关基因表达抗动脉粥样硬化

目的 观察化瘀祛痰方对载脂蛋白E基因敲除（ApoE^－/－）小鼠粥样斑块以及胆固醇代谢相关基因的影响,探讨化瘀祛痰方抗动脉粥样硬化（As）作用及可能的机制。方法 10只C57BL/6/J小鼠作为空白对照组,30只ApoE^－/－小鼠随机分为模型组、化瘀祛痰组［20 g/（kg·d）］和辛伐他汀组［0.005 g/（kg·d）］。全自动生化分析仪检测血清甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDLC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDLC）,HE染色观察主动脉结构及动脉粥样硬化程度,油红O染色观察主动脉脂质沉积,RT-PCR和Western blot检测肝脏低密度脂蛋白受体（LDLR）、卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶（LCAT）及主动脉CD36 mRNA和蛋白表达水平,流式细胞术检测腹腔巨噬细胞CD36蛋白表达。结果 与空白对照组相比,模型组小鼠血清TC、TG、LDLC水平显著升高;HDLC水平显著降低,主动脉管腔中形成较大粥样斑块,管壁形成大量脂质沉积,肝脏LDLR、LCAT 基因表达显著下调,主动脉、巨噬细胞CD36基因表达显著上调。通过药物干预,与模型组相比,化瘀祛痰组和辛伐他汀组小鼠TC、TG、LDLC水平显著下降,HDLC显著升高,主动脉管腔中粥样斑块面积和管壁脂质沉积量明显减少,肝脏LDLR、LCAT 基因表达显著上调,主动脉、巨噬细胞CD36基因表达显著下调。结论 化瘀祛痰方可抑制ApoE^－/－小鼠主动脉斑块形成,其机制可能与调控血脂及胆固醇代谢相关基因LDLR、LCAT及CD36的表达有关。     

内质网应激介导的凋亡在糖尿病ApoE－/－小鼠内膜钙化中的作用

目的　观察内质网应激（ERS）介导的凋亡在糖尿病动脉粥样硬化（As）性载脂蛋白E基因敲除（ApoE^－/－）小鼠内膜钙化启动中的作用。方法　6周龄雄性ApoE^－/－小鼠,给予腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）40　mg/（kg·d）,连续5天。2周后血糖水平＞3000　mg/L的小鼠纳入本研究,并由普通饮食转为半合成型高脂饮食（HFD）,同时给予尾静脉注射羧甲基赖氨酸（CML）10　mg/（kg·d）,连续4个月。在转换高脂饮食和给予CML注射后的0个月（0月组,n＝10）、2个月（2月组,n＝10）和4个月（4月组,n＝10）时对小鼠实施安乐死,进行相关检测与分析。结果　病理形态学研究证实STZ-CML-HFD联合处理2个月后,糖尿病ApoE^－/－小鼠可形成早期的As斑块,4个月后形成典型的晚期As内膜钙化。主动脉壁平滑肌细胞固有表型SM22α逐渐丢失,而成骨表型骨形成蛋白2、核心结合因子α1、碱性磷酸酶的表达与活性则增加。主动脉壁CML沉积信号和糖基化终产物受体（RAGE）表达主要局限于粥样斑块内。Western　blot检测显示,随着糖尿病ApoE^－/－小鼠病程的延长,主动脉壁CML、RAGE、CD36表达显著上调,而胆固醇外流调控子三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体A1先出现代偿性增加继而又减少至基线附近。TUNEL染色与Cleaved　Caspase-3免疫组织化学染色发现,随着糖尿病As的演进,斑块内细胞凋亡率明显增加。定位分析显示ERS伴侣分子葡萄糖调节蛋白78（GRP78）、C/EPB同源蛋白（CHOP）主要分布在As病变区的脂质池内,而且相对于CHOP,4月组GRP78的分布位置似乎更倾向于脂质池的基底部。Western　blot半定量分析发现,ERS相关指标GRP78、磷酸化蛋白激酶样内质网激酶、磷酸化eIF2α、活化转录因子4和CHOP的表达随着动物实验时间的延长均呈上调趋势。结论　STZ-CML-HFD联合干预4个月可成功诱导ApoE^－/－小鼠形成糖尿病As钙化。CML/RAGE可能首先启动了斑块ERS介导的凋亡,继而诱发了钙化级联信号。     

冠心舒通胶囊对ApoE－/－小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块内MMP-9和TIMP-1表达的影响

目的 观察中成药冠心舒通胶囊对高脂饮食喂养ApoE^－/－小鼠主动脉粥样硬化斑块病理变化、人组织型基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂1（TIMP-1）、基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）表达的影响,探讨冠心舒通胶囊对粥样斑块稳定性的影响以及对相关机制进行初步研究。方法 将8周龄雄性ApoE^－/－小鼠30只给予高脂喂养,12周时随机分为：模型组、冠心舒通胶囊高剂量［1.8 g/（kg·天）］组和冠心舒通胶囊低剂量［0.6 g/（kg·天）］组,喂养12周后处死,取主动脉中段,大体标本油红O染色观察斑块面积,冰冻切片后HE染色观察斑块厚度,冰冻切片免疫荧光法检测斑块内TIMP-1、MMP-9表达情况。结果 与模型组相比,冠心舒通胶囊组平均斑块浸润面积减小（P<0.05）,弥漫程度减轻,斑块厚度降低,MMP-9表达减少,而且冠心舒通胶囊高剂量组与低剂量组相比,各项统计指标亦有统计学意义（P<0.05） ,TIMP-1表达未见明显变化。结论 冠心舒通胶囊可以对抗ApoE^－/－小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成和进展,以及通过降低斑块内MMP-9表达,从而抑制胶原纤维分解,稳定易损粥样斑块。     

血管生成素样蛋白2促进ApoE－/－小鼠动脉粥样硬化内膜钙化

目的探讨血管生成素样蛋白2(Angptl2)对ApoE-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化内膜钙化的影响。方法 12只6周龄雄性ApoE-/-小鼠随机分为对照组与干预组,每组6只,对照组小鼠予以高脂饮食,干预组小鼠在高脂饮食的基础上在第8周予以静脉注射人重组Angptl2蛋白,每周一次,持续1个月。两组小鼠高脂饮食喂养至16周龄时处死,测定血清脂质水平,HE染色观察主动脉组织形态学变化;von Kossa染色观察主动脉钙化,测定血管钙含量和碱性磷酸酶活性判断血管钙化程度;分别用免疫组织化学法、Western Blot、实时定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测血管Runx2(核心结合因子α1)蛋白和mRNA的表达。结果干预组小鼠血清甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)水平显著高于对照组(P0.05);血管壁Runx2表达水平较对照组显著升高(P0.05);对照组小鼠主动脉可见粥样硬化斑块,von Kossa染色斑块内未见明显黑色钙盐沉积,而干预组小鼠主动脉HE染色可见内膜较对照组显著增厚,有典型的动脉粥样硬化斑块形成,且von Kossa染色斑块灶状黑色钙化团块较对照组显著增强;干预组小鼠主动脉血管壁钙含量和碱性磷酸酶活性均明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论 Angptl2会使高脂饮食ApoE-/-小鼠主动脉血清TG、TC、LDLC水平及Runx2的表达水平增高,同时增加小鼠主动脉中钙含量及血清中碱性磷酸酶活性,促进小鼠主动脉粥样硬化内膜的钙化。Angptl2可促进动脉粥样硬化内膜的钙化,控制和降低血浆中Angptl2的水平似乎可以抑制动脉粥样硬化的钙化,从而为临床预防冠心病的发生发展及治疗提供了一种新的靶标。     

miR-31-5p通过靶向抑制胰岛素降解酶发挥促进动脉粥样硬化作用

目的　探讨miR-31-5p是否通过靶向抑制胰岛素降解酶（IDE）发挥促进动脉粥样硬化作用。方法　应用生物信息学和双荧光素酶技术筛选并验证miR-31-5p与IDE　3’UTR靶向结合情况。miR-31-5p　mimic和inhibitor转染THP-1巨噬细胞及THP-1巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞;采用miR-31-5p　agomir处理高脂饮食的ApoE^－/－小鼠;Western　blot检测IDE蛋白表达;ELISA检测ApoE^－/－小鼠血浆脂质水平;油红O染色检测小鼠肝脏脂质蓄积及主动脉粥样硬化斑块病变。结果　miR-31-5p靶向结合IDE　3’UTR　并引起转录抑制;miR-31-5p可下调THP-1细胞、小鼠肝脏和主动脉组织中IDE蛋白表达（P<　0.05）,同时引起泡沫细胞和小鼠血清中脂质含量增加（P<　0.05）,小鼠主动脉窦和主动脉树病变面积明显增加（P<0.05）。结论　miR-31-5p可通过靶向抑制IDE发挥促进动脉粥样硬化作用。     

OX40-OX40L信号对ApoE－/－小鼠颈动脉斑块中亲环素A表达的影响

目的 观察OX40-OX40L信号对载脂蛋白E基因敲除（ApoE^-/-）小鼠颈动脉粥样硬化斑块内亲环素A（CyPA）表达的影响。方法 采用颈动脉硅胶圈植入法快速诱导ApoE^-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块形成,48只雄性ApoE^-/-小鼠随机分成抑制组、刺激组、对照组,刺激组腹腔注射鼠抗OX40 200 μg,抑制组腹腔注射鼠抗OX40L 200 μg,对照组腹腔注射IgG2b 200 μg,均每周一次,连续6周。分别采用免疫组织化学、Western blot 和qRT-PCR检测小鼠颈动脉斑块内CyPA蛋白和mRNA的表达。结果 ApoE^-/-小鼠颈动脉置管并6周高脂饮食后,对照组可见斑块形成,部分内膜和中膜增厚,弹力板变形,刺激组颈动脉斑块面积与对照组相比显著增加,而抑制组颈动脉斑块面积明显减少。与对照组相比,刺激组颈动脉斑块内CyPA蛋白和mRNA表达明显增强,而抑制组颈动脉斑块内CyPA蛋白和mRNA表达明显减弱。结论 OX40-OX40L信号能调控ApoE^-/-小鼠颈动脉斑块中CyPA的表达。     

血脂康对动脉粥样硬化大鼠肝脏过氧化物酶体活化物激活受体-gamma及小凹蛋白-1的影响

目的探讨血脂康对动脉粥样硬化模型大鼠肝脏的保护作用及可能机制。方法 16只大鼠一次性给予维生素D3腹腔注射（6×10⁵ u/kg）后高脂饲养6周,随机分为2组:模型组饲以高脂饮食,血脂康组在饲以高脂饮食基础上给予300 mg·kg^-1·d^-1血脂康;另选8只大鼠作为正常组给予普通饮食。12周末,观察大鼠主动脉斑块面积、肝脏病理形态学变化,检测血脂、肝脏氧化应激水平,western blot法检测肝脏过氧化物酶体活化物激活受体-gamma及小凹蛋白-1的表达。结果模型组血清总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、甘油三酯（TG）水平较正常组升高（P<0.05）;动脉粥样硬化斑块形成,肝细胞脂肪变性明显;肝脏超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性下降、脂质过氧化物（MDA）明显增加（P<0.05）;过氧化物酶体活化物激活受体-gamma（PPAR-gamma）蛋白表达下降（P<0.05）,小凹蛋白-1表达增加（P<0.05）。血脂康组TC、LDLC、TG水平较模型组明显降低（P<0.05）;肝脂肪变性程度及氧化应激水平明显改善;PPAR-gamma蛋白表达水平上调,小凹蛋白-1水平下调。结论血脂康能降低动脉粥样硬化大鼠的血脂水平,上调肝PPAR-gamma的表达,下调小凹蛋白-1的水平,减少脂质进入肝细胞,从而减少肝脏氧化应激水平,对动脉粥样硬化大鼠脂肪肝具有保护作用。     

红景天甙对间歇性低压低氧诱导的ApoE－/－小鼠动脉粥样硬化的影响

目的　观察红景天甙对间歇性低压低氧诱导的载脂蛋白E基因敲除（ApoE^－/－）小鼠动脉粥样硬化的影响及其可能机制。方法　30只8周龄健康雄性ApoE^－/－小鼠随机分为常压常氧组、间歇性低压低氧组、低压低氧＋红景天甙组,其中间歇性低压低氧组和低压低氧＋红景天甙组被放置在模拟海拔5000　m低压低氧舱内每天8　h,每组给予相同的普通饮食喂养,低压低氧＋红景天甙组灌服红景天甙30　mg/（kg·d）,而常压常氧组和间歇性低压低氧组灌服等量蒸馏水,连续灌胃12周后取小鼠血样测空腹血糖和血脂,取小鼠主动脉根部,HE染色观察动脉粥样硬化斑块的大小,Masson染色观察斑块内胶原含量,Western　blot检测基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP-2）、基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）和组织型基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂2（TIMP-2）蛋白的表达。结果　三组空腹血糖和血脂水平无统计学差异（P>0.05）;与常压常氧组比较,间歇性低压低氧组动脉粥样硬化斑块面积明显增加（P<0.01）,胶原含量明显减少（P<0.01）;与间歇性低压低氧组比较,低压低氧＋红景天甙组斑块面积、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白水平明显降低（P<0.01）,而斑块内胶原含量、TIMP-2蛋白水平明显增加（P<0.01）。结论　红景天甙能抑制间歇性低压低氧诱导的动脉粥样硬化斑块形成,并提高斑块的稳定性,其机制可能与红景天甙增加斑块内胶原含量有关。     

黄酒多酚对LDLR－/－小鼠MMP-2、MMP-9、TIMP-1、TIMP-2表达和动脉粥样硬化斑块的影响

目的　观察黄酒是否可以通过黄酒多酚发挥对动脉粥样硬化斑块的抑制作用并探讨其可能机制。方法　40只6周龄雄性低密度脂蛋白受体敲除（LDLR^－/－）小鼠,高脂饲料喂养诱导形成动脉粥样硬化模型,随机分为高脂对照组、瑞舒伐他汀组、黄酒多酚10　mg/（kg·d）组、黄酒多酚30　mg/（kg·d）组和黄酒多酚50　mg/（kg·d）组,每组8只,分别予以无菌水、10　mg/（kg·d）瑞舒伐他汀和10、30、50　mg/（kg·d）黄酒多酚干预。16周后处死小鼠,检测血脂,观察胸腹主动脉粥样硬化情况,Western　blot测定胸主动脉组织内基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP-2）、基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）、组织型基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂1（TIMP-1）及组织型基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂2（TIMP-2）的表达,明胶酶谱法测定主动脉弓动脉粥样硬化处MMP-2和MMP-9的活性。结果　与高脂对照组相比,总胆固醇（TC）和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDLC）在黄酒多酚组和瑞舒伐他汀组明显下降（P<0.01）,甘油三酯（TG）在瑞舒伐他汀组明显下降（P<0.01）,在黄酒多酚组差异不明显（P>0.05）,在黄酒多酚组与瑞舒伐他汀组差异明显（P<0.05）;5组间高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDLC）水平差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。与高脂对照组相比,主动脉粥样硬化面积在瑞舒伐他汀组和黄酒多酚10、30、50　mg/（kg·d）组分别减少74.14%、18.51%、40.09%、38.42%（P<0.01）,不同浓度黄酒多酚组主动脉粥样硬化面积与瑞舒伐他汀组比较差异显著（P<0.01）。黄酒多酚和瑞舒伐他汀均能明显抑制MMP-2、MMP-9的表达和活性（P<0.01）,增强TIMP-1、TIMP-2的表达（P<0.01）。结论　黄酒多酚具有类似瑞舒伐他汀的作用,能够调节血脂,在抑制MMP-2、MMP-9表达和活性的同时增强TIMP-1、TIMP-2的表达,减轻动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成,这可能是黄酒对心血管系统的保护机制之一。     

成纤维细胞生长因子21对载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠动脉粥样硬化病变中内质网应激诱导的凋亡的影响

目的　探讨成纤维细胞生长因子21（FGF-21）对载脂蛋白E基因敲除（ApoE^-/-）小鼠主动脉中内质网应激诱导的凋亡的影响。方法　将24只ApoE^-/-小鼠随机分为动脉粥样硬化模型组（简称模型组）和FGF-21组（n12）,另选12只C57BL/6J小鼠作为正常对照组,三组小鼠都给予高胆固醇饮食4周,同时FGF-21组皮下给予FGF-21［0.1　mg　/（kg·d）］4周,而模型组和正常对照组给予等量生理盐水。4周后处死小鼠进行主动脉病理学检测,观察斑块面积,采用放射免疫法检测血浆中FGF-21的水平,采用免疫组织化学染色和Western　Blot检测主动脉成纤维细胞生长因子受体1（FGFR-1）的表达水平,采用Tunel染色检测主动脉斑块中的细胞凋亡水平,采用Western　Blot检测主动脉中剪切后Caspase-12和C/EBP　同源蛋白（CHOP）的表达水平。结果　与正常对照组比较,模型组血浆中的FGF-21水平及主动脉中FGFR1蛋白表达显著升高　（P<0.05）,模型组主动脉根部斑块面积、细胞凋亡数量、剪切后Caspase-12及CHOP蛋白的表达水平增加（P<0.05）;与模型组比较,FGF-21组主动脉根部斑块面积、细胞凋亡数量、剪切后Caspase-12及CHOP蛋白的表达水平减少（P<0.05）。结论　FGF-21可能通过抑制剪切后Caspase-12及CHOP相关促凋亡蛋白表达,抑制ApoE^-/-小鼠主动脉斑块病变中细胞的凋亡及斑块进展。     

Cytochrome 1A1 and 1B1 gene diversity in the Zanzibar islands

Amodiaquine (AQ) is a 4‐aminoquinoline widely used in the treatment of malaria as part of the artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). AQ is metabolised towards its main metabolite desethylamodiaquine mainly by cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8). CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 play a minor role in the metabolism but they seem to be significantly involved in the formation of the short‐lived quinine‐imine. To complete the genetic variation picture of the main genes involved in AQ metabolism in the Zanzibar population, previously characterised for CYP2C8, we analysed in this study CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 main genetic polymorphisms. The results obtained show a low frequency of the CYP1A1*2B/C allele (2.4%) and a high frequency of CYP1B1*6 (approximately 42%) followed by CYP1B1*2 (approximately 27%) in Zanzibar islands. Genotype data for CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 show a low incidence of fast metabolisers, revealing a relatively safe genetic background in Zanzibar’s population regarding the appearance of adverse effects.     

CYP1A1 , GSTM1 , GSTT1 and NQO1 polymorphisms and colorectal adenomas in Japanese men

AIM: To investigate the role of functional genetic poly-morphisms of metabolic enzymes of tobacco carcinogens in the development of colorectal adenomas. METHODS: The study subjects were 455 patients with colorectal adenomas and 1052 controls with no polyps who underwent total colonoscopy in a preretirement health examination at two Self Defense Forces hospitals. The genetic polymorphisms studied wereCYP1A1*2A (rs 4646903), CYP1A1*2C (rs 1048943), GSTM1 (null or non-null genotype), GSTT1 (null or non-null genotype) and NQO1 C609T (rs 1800566). Genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism or PCR method using genomic DNA extracted from the buffy coat. Cigarette smoking and other life-style factors were ascertained by a self-administered questionnaire. The associations of the polymorphisms with colorectal adenomas were examined by means of OR and 95%CI, which were derived from logistic regression analysis. Statistical adjustment was made for smoking, alcohol use, body mass index and other factors. The gene-gene interaction and effect modification of smoking were evaluated by the likelihood ratio test. RESULTS: None of the five polymorphisms showed a significant association with colorectal adenomas, nor was the combination of GSTM1 and GSTT1 . A borderline significant interaction was observed for the combination of CYP1A1*2C and NQO1 (P = 0.051). The OR associated with CYP1A1*2C was significantly lower than unity among individuals with the NQO1 609CC genotype. The adjusted OR for the combination of the CYP1A1*2C allele and NQO1 609CC genotype was 0.61 (95%CI: 0.42-0.91). Although the interaction was not statistically significant (P = 0.24), the OR for individuals carrying the CYP1A1*2C allele and GSTT1 null genotype decreased significantly compared with those who had neither CYP1A1*2C allele nor GSTT1 null genotype (adjusted OR: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.49-0.97). Smoking did not modify the associations of the individual polymorphisms with colorectal adenomas. There w     

Inhibition of procarcinogen-bioactivating human CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 enzymes by melatonin

Abstract:  Administration of melatonin to rodents decreases the incidence of tumorigenesis initiated by benzo[ a ]pyrene or 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene, which requires bioactivation by cytochrome P450 enzymes, such as CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1, to produce carcinogenic metabolites. The present study tested the hypothesis that melatonin is a modulator of human CYP1 catalytic activity and gene expression. As a comparison, we also investigated the effect of melatonin on the catalytic activity of CYP2A6, which is also a procarcinogen-bioactivating enzyme. Melatonin (3–300 μ m ) decreased 7-ethoxyresorufin O -dealkylation catalyzed by human hepatic microsomes and recombinant CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1, whereas it did not affect coumarin 7-hydroxylation catalyzed by hepatic microsomes or recombinant CYP2A6. Melatonin inhibited CYP1 enzymes by mixed inhibition, with apparent K _i values (mean ± S.E.M.) of 59 ± 1 (CYP1A1), 12 ± 1 (CYP1A2), 14 ± 2 (CYP1B1) and 46 ± 8 μ m (hepatic microsomes). Additional experiments indicated that melatonin decreased benzo[ a ]pyrene hydroxylation catalyzed by hepatic microsomes and CYP1A2 but not by CYP1A1 or CYP1B1. Treatment of MCF-10A human mammary epithelial cells with melatonin (up to 300 μ m ) did not affect basal or benzo[ a ]pyrene-inducible CYP1A1 or CYP1B1 gene expression. Consistent with this finding, melatonin did not influence reporter activity in aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent pGudluc6.1-transfected MCF-10A cells treated with or without benzo[ a ]pyrene, as assessed in an in vitro cell-based luciferase reporter gene assay. Overall, melatonin is an in vitro inhibitor of human CYP1 catalytic activity, and it may be useful to develop potent analogues of melatonin as potential cancer chemopreventive agents that block CYP1-mediated chemical carcinogenesis.     

The target of ezetimibe is Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1)

Ezetimibe is a potent inhibitor of cholesterol absorption that has been approved for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, but its molecular target has been elusive. Using a genetic approach, we recently identified Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) as a critical mediator of cholesterol absorption and an essential component of the ezetimibe-sensitive pathway. To determine whether NPC1L1 is the direct molecular target of ezetimibe, we have developed a binding assay and shown that labeled ezetimibe glucuronide binds specifically to a single site in brush border membranes and to human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing NPC1L1. Moreover, the binding affinities of ezetimibe and several key analogs to recombinant NPC1L1 are virtually identical to those observed for native enterocyte membranes. KD values of ezetimibe glucuronide for mouse, rat, rhesus monkey, and human NPC1L1 are 12,000, 540, 40, and 220 nM, respectively. Last, ezetimibe no longer binds to membranes from NPC1L1 knockout mice. These results unequivocally establish NPC1L1 as the direct target of ezetimibe and should facilitate efforts to identify the molecular mechanism of cholesterol transport.     

Interleukin 1 (IL 1)

Interleukin 1 is an essential factor of macrophage dependent T cell activation and has a large quantity of other biological activities. This paper gives a review of present knowledge of Interleukin 1. In addition to biochemical properties, the IL 1 production and IL 1 activities, methods for determining of IL 1 and inhibitory factors of IL 1 induced T cell proliferation are described.     

Pandemic H1N1 influenza

The 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus that has targeted not only those with chronic medical illness, the very young and old, but also a large segment of the patient population that has previously been afforded relative protection - those who are young, generally healthy, and immune naive. The illness is mild in most, but results in hospitalization and severe ARDS in an important minority. Among those who become critically ill, 20-40% will die, predominantly of severe hypoxic respiratory failure. However, and potentially in part due to the young age of those affected, intensive care with aggressive oxygenation support will allow most people to recover. The volume of patients infected and with critical illness placed substantial strain on the capacity of the health care system and critical care most specifically. Despite this, the 2009 pandemic has engaged our specialty and highlighted its importance like no other. Thus far, the national and global critical care response has been brisk, collaborative and helpful - not only for this pandemic, but for subsequent challenges in years ahead.