自体外周血干细胞移植治疗血液恶性肿瘤231例临床观察

目的观察自体外周血干细胞移植(APBSCT)治疗血液恶性肿瘤的疗效。方法2001年3月至2007年2月对第三军医大学新桥医院231例血液恶性肿瘤患者施行APBSCT,其中急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)45例,急性髓性白血病(AML)34例,非霍奇金淋巴瘤(NHL)100例,霍奇金淋巴瘤(HD)31例,多发性骨髓瘤(MM)21例,观察临床疗效和并发症。结果除1例ALL外,230例患者移植后造血功能均快速重建。ALL首次完全缓解(CR1)28例患者中无病存活(DFS)13例,带病存活4例,死亡11例;ALL二次缓解(CR2)17例患者中DFS3例,带病存活4例,死亡10例。AMLCR120例患者中DFS11例,带病存活3例,死亡6例;AMLCR214例患者中DFS6例,带病存活2例,死亡6例。NHLCR159例患者中DFS43例,带病存活7例,死亡9例;NHLCR230例患者中DFS18例,带病存活5例,死亡7例;NHL未缓解(NR)11例患者中DFS2例,带病存活4例,死亡5例。HDCR110例患者中DFS10例;HD部分缓解(PR)15例患者中DFS12例,带病存活3例;HD疾病复发(RE)6例患者中DFS3例,带病存活2例,死亡1例。MM21例患者中DFS7例,带病存活6例,死亡8例。结论APBSCT是一种安全有效的血液肿瘤治疗方法。     

Comparison of late (62 to 140 months) degenerative changes in simultaneously implanted and explanted mitral valve positions in six patients

A Hancock porcine bioprosthesis (PB) was simultaneously implanted in each of 6 patients aged 30 to 64 years (mean 45) in the tricuspid and mitral valve positions and both PBs were explanted 62 to 140 months (mean 102) later. Cuspal degenerative changes occurred in all 12 PBs. In 5 patients, the changes were more extensive on the PBs in the mitral position than in those in the tricuspid position. Cuspal calcific deposits, as determined by radiographs of the explanted bioprostheses, occurred in 5 PBs in the mitral position and in 3 in the tricuspid position: 1 patient with calcific deposits in the PB in the mitral position had no calcific deposits in the corresponding PB in the tricuspid position; 1 patient had heavy calcific deposits in the PB in the mitral position and only mild deposits in the PB in the tricuspid position; and 3 patients had similar but mild calcific deposits in both PBs. Cuspal tears occurred in 5 of the 6 PBs in the mitral position and in no PB in the tricuspid position. Thrombus was observed on the ventricular aspects of the bioprosthetic cusps in 1 PB in the mitral position and in 4 PBs in the tricuspid position. Thus, in our 6 patients, the degenerative changes were more extensive in the PBs in the mitral position than in those in the tricuspid position. These observations indicate that wear characteristics of simultaneously implanted PBs vary according to the site of implantation.     

药物洗脱球囊在冠状动脉特殊病变介入治疗中的应用分析

目的分析药物洗脱球囊（DEB）在再狭窄病变、支架内闭塞病变、分叉病变及小血管病变中的应用情况。方法根据冠状动脉造影结果选择不同型号的DEB,严格按照DEB使用要求进行操作。结果 DEB在支架内再狭窄病变中应用26例（27处病变）,使用28个DEB,其中左主干（LM）1个、左前降支（LAD）12个、右冠状动脉（RCA）12个、回旋支（LCX）1个、钝缘支（OM）2个,出现1例冠状动脉夹层,给予裸金属支架置入;DEB在分叉病变中应用27例（28处病变）,使用28个DEB,其中LM至LCX开口6个、LM至LAD开口1个、LAD与第一对角支（D1）开口17个、LCX至OM 2个、RCA至左心室后支（PL）2个;DEB在小血管病变中应用13例（13处病变）,使用13个DEB,其中LCX 6个、LAD 3个、D1 2个、OM 1个、PL 1个;DEB在支架内闭塞病变中应用10例（10处病变）,使用12个DEB,其中LAD 8个、LCX 2个、OM 1个、中间支1个。术中及术后未见并发症发生,随访至今未发生主要不良心血管事件（MACE）。结论 DEB在再狭窄病变、支架内闭塞病变、分叉病变及小血管病变介入治疗过程中是安全的。     

The clinical and angiographic spectrum of isolated,nondominant, left circumflex coronary disease

Sixteen of 994 patients with arteriosclerotic heart disease and dominant right coronary arteries had isolated left circumflex obstruction. Of these, 6 patients had significant (75%) narrowing in the main circumflex, 10 in 1 of the marginal branches and 1 in the atrioventricular groove branch. Angina was mild in 5, moderate to severe in 8, and unstable in 1. Four patients had prior myocardial infarction (MI), and 1 had a recent MI complicated by posterior papillary muscle rupture. The EKG was normal in 5, showed an MI in 2, LBBB in 1, RBBB in 2, ST-T wave changes in 3, LVH in 2, and atrial fibrillation in 2. Left ventricular angiography performed in the right anterior oblique projection revealed normal contraction in 9 patients, apical hypokinesis in 4, posterobasal hypokinesis in 1, and diffuse hypokinesis in 2. The left ventricular end diastolic pressure was normal in 11 patients and elevated in 5. The cardiac index was normal in 12 patients and reduced in 2. Isolated, nondominant, left circumflex coronary disease is an uncommon entity in symptomatic patients. However, when present, it may produce significant clinical and hemodynamic impairment.     

新疆地区107例低体质量婴儿先天性心脏病的外科治疗

目的:探讨新疆地区体质量5 kg以下少数民族婴儿,先天性心脏病(先心病)的外科治疗方法及围术期处理。方法:2006年7月至2011年12月,本院手术治疗5 kg以下先心病患儿107例,年龄11 d至13个月,体质量2.6～5 kg。病种包括:动脉导管未闭(PDA)4例,室间隔缺损(VSD)和(或)房间隔缺损(ASD)54例,其中部分伴动脉导管未闭(PDA)和(或)肺动脉高压(PH),肺动脉瓣狭窄(PS)1例,法洛三联症3例,法洛四联症(TOF)9例,完全性心内膜垫缺损(ECD)9例,右心室双出口(DORV)9例,完全性大血管转位(TGA)8例(室间隔完整4例,室间隔缺损4例),完全性肺静脉异位引流(TAPVC)3例,主动脉弓缩窄(COA)并室间隔缺损、房间隔缺损3例,肺动脉闭锁(PA)2例,三尖瓣闭锁(TA)1例,房室连接不一致1例。本组中I期根治手术96例,减状手术11例(肺动脉环缩术6例,中心分流术4例,右心室流出道疏通术1例);体外循环下手术93例,其中深低温停循环3例。结果:本组术后早期死亡6例(5.6%),死于低心排出量综合征(低心排)1例,多脏器衰竭2例,呼吸衰竭2例,凝血功能障碍1例。术后主要并发症:低心排9例,多脏器损害5例,肾衰竭3例,肺部感染28例,心律失常3例,切口感染3例,心包积液2例,残余分流1例及乳糜胸1例。随访2个月～5年,81例无中期死亡,再手术3例。结论:严格评估低体质量先心病患儿手术适应证和时机,加强围手术期处理,是提高治疗效果的关键。     

Study on lymphocyte-response in early stage of respiratory infection--a view point from experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia]

This study was performed to demonstrate the early immuno-responses of lymphocytes in an experimental pneumonia with K. pneumoniae in mature mice (45 week-old) comparing with it in juvenile ones (4 week-old). Acute mice pneumonia was made by inhalation with K. pneumoniae DT-S strains into lung. Changes in lymphocytes including their subpopulation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), peripheral blood, hilar lymphnodes and lung tissue were observed after the inhalation. In addition, lung tissue and hilar lymphnode were examined immunohistologically. The following results were obtained: 1. Total lymphocytes in BALF were more rapidly increased in the mature group than in the juvenile one. But there was no significant change in leukocyte count in peripheral blood between both groups. 2. Such a rapid increase in lymphocytes in BALF in mature group depended on L3T4-Ly6c cells and L3T4-LFA 1 cells. These cells in juvenile group were not accumulated in BALF at initial phase of the infection. But in contrast, they were gradually increased in peripheral blood and in hilar lymphnode. There was significant time-differences in appearance of these cells in BALF between both groups. It might be, that L3T4-Ly6c cells and L3T4-LFA1 cells observed in BALF in mature animals were induced from bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) or small lymph tissue in alveolar interstitium, but in juvenile ones were originated in hilar lymphnode. 3. Changes in Ly2-Ly6c cell and Ly2-LFA1 cell were shown the same tendency changes in L3T4-Ly6c cell and L3T4-LFA1 cell. 4. Accumulation of B220:Ly5-LFA1 cell in BALF was not observed in significant difference between the mature group and in the juvenile one. 5. L3T4 cells were markedly accumulation in subcortex area of hilar lymphnode in the juvenile group, but they were only seen scattered in the mature group. 6. It can be concluded that active T lymphocyte begins to response in situ in the early stage of respiratory infection in the mature host and this finding is a characteristic lymphocyte response, that is never seen in the juvenile group.     

The effect of angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor (SQ 14225) on plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone in sodium depleted conscious rats

Altered sodium intake is known to cause a greater change in plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB) level than in plasma aldosterone level, resulting in an increase of plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio in sodium-depleted man and rats. To evaluate the role of endogenous angiotensin II in the high plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio in sodium-depleted rats, we examined the effect of the angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor SQ 14225 on plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone in sodium-depleted (SD) and sodium-repleted (SR) conscious rats. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma angiotensin II were higher in the SD rats than in the SR rats. The ingestion of SQ 14225 caused an increase in PRA and a decrease in plasma angiotensin II, whereas these changes were more prominent in the SD rats than in the SR rats. Plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone levels were higher in the SD rats than in the SR rats. The plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio was also higher in the SD rats than in the SR rats. The ingestion of SQ 14225 caused decreases in plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone levels in both the SR and SD rats, whereas the SQ 14225-induced decreases in plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone levels were more prominent in the SD rats than in the SR rats. Thus, the ingestion of SQ 14225 induced a decrease in the plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio in both the SR and SD rats. The decrease in plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio was more prominent in the SD rats than in the SR rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lower gastrointestinal malignancy in Crohn's disease.

An increased incidence of carcinoma of the small bowel and colon has been described in patients with Crohn's disease. Tumours arising in the rectum and anus are reported less often. Between 1940 and 1992, of some 2500 patients with Crohn's disease seen at this hospital, 15 are known to have developed carcinoma of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Malignancy occurred in the colon in two patients, in the upper two thirds of rectum in one, in the lower third of rectum in seven, and in the anus in five. The 12 patients with carcinoma arising in the anus or lower rectum had longstanding severe anorectal Crohn's disease, which included a stricture in four, fistula in four, proctitis in one, abscess in two, and enlarged anal skin tags in one. The development of malignancy in patients with Crohn's disease may apply particularly to those with chronic complicated anorectal disease.     

THE ABO SYSTEM IN MILK AND SALIVA

In a study of the ABO system in milk and saliva, the following observations were made: Isoagglutinins were found in 91·6% of milk samples and in 62·7% of saliva specimens. Anti-B isoagglutinins were present in greater amounts in group O individuals than in group A, both in milk and in saliva. Blood group substance A specificity was poorly expressed in milk, and B specificity was virtually not expressed at all. Less H substance was found in milk than in saliva in group O individuals, but more H substance was found in group A and B individuals in milk than in saliva. The possible physiological, clinical and genetic significance of these observations is discussed.     

A survey of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs in Indonesia

In August 1994, blood samples were collected from 110 pigs at a slaughter house in Bandar Lampung (Sumatra) and from 98 pigs in a slaughter house in Ujung Pandang (Sulawesi), 208 pigs in total. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody titer in these samples was surveyed using the latex agglutination test. The positivity rate was 3.6% (4/110) in Bandar Lampung, and 9.2% (9/98) in Ujung Pandang. The antibody titer was 1:128 in two and 1:512 in two in Bandar Lampung, and 1:64 in six, 1:128 in two, and 1:256 in one in Ujung Pandang, showing that the titer was higher in Bandar Lampung.     

Uptake of alpha-tocopherol by the mammary gland but not by white adipose tissue is dependent on lipoprotein lipase activity around parturition and during lactation in the rat

This study was undertaken to test the potential role of changes in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in the mammary gland and adipose tissue around parturition and lactation on the uptake of alpha-tocopherol in the rat. Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol and triglycerides were higher in 20-day pregnant rats than in virgin rats, whereas its concentration was higher in the mammary gland of the former, and no differences were detected in adipose tissue between the groups. After an oral alpha-tocopherol and triglyceride load, both appeared in plasma faster in pregnant rats than in virgin rats, the change being even faster for alpha-tocopherol than for triglycerides. After 24 hours, both alpha-tocopherol and triglycerides in d < 1.006 lipoproteins were higher in pregnant rats than in virgin rats, LPL activity was higher in the mammary gland, and lower in adipose tissue in the former, whereas alpha-tocopherol concentration also appeared higher in the mammary gland of pregnant rats, and no differences were detected between the groups in adipose tissue. At day 13 of lactation, an oral load of alpha-tocopherol and triglycerides caused a higher increase of plasma alpha-tocopherol levels than triglycerides, and this effect decreased when rats had their litter removed 48 hours before analysis. In these litter-removed rats, the appearance of alpha-tocopherol and triglycerides in plasma was higher in d < 1.006 lipoproteins than in lactating rats. Also, both LPL activity and alpha-tocopherol concentration in the mammary gland plus milk was lower in litter-removed rats than in the lactating rats, whereas LPL in adipose tissue was higher in the former, although no difference in alpha-tocopherol was found. Thus, data are consistent with the role of LPL activity in the mammary gland modulating the uptake of alpha-tocopherol during pregnancy and lactation, although this is not true in adipose tissue.     

Right bundle branch block in a prospective population study

The prevalence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) according to clinical findings was investigated in 4210 randomly selected subjects of both sexes, aged 35 to 54, in 1969 and after a period of three years (1972). Rheumatic heart disease and decreased forced vital capacity were more often found in persons with RBBB than in persons without RBBB. The prevalence of RBBB was 0.24% in 1969 and 0.35% in 1972. Incomplete RBBB (iRBBB) was found in 2.95% in 1969 and in 1.64% in 1972. The R1 smaller than the R wave in V1 or V2 was seen in 3.37% in 1969 and in 2.72% in 1972. RBBB remained constant over a period of three years, iRBBB was constant in 40.8% and R1 smaller than the R wave in V1/V2 was constant in 34.8%. Hypertension and depression of the S-T segment and inverted T wave before and after exercise were not more frequent in subjects with RBBB than in those without RBBB.     

Epidemiology of syphilis in Bulgaria, 1990-1998

There have been great political, social and economic changes in Bulgaria since 1990 with higher incidences of syphilis when compared with the previously controlled morbidity of syphilis. There has been a 7-fold increase in 1998 compared with 1990. The male/female ratio remained the same 1.2:1. A higher number of cases was reported in cities than in villages and small towns, 80.68% in 1990; 73.4% in 1998. The number of employed patients with syphilis has decreased during the years--from 75.5% in 1990 to 44% in 1998, with a corresponding increase in syphilis in the unemployed. The age group at highest risk is 20-24 years, 28.7% in 1991; 24% in 1998. The least affected group are those older than 55--the incidence being 6.34% in 1990; 2.6% in 1997 and 4% in 1998. The prevalence of the different stages of early infection remained the same. The incidence of congenital syphilis increased from 1 in 1990 and 1991 to 21 in 1996, 29 in 1997 and 35 in 1998.     

Cell Membrane Enzymes: L-γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase, Leucine Aminopeptidase, Maltase and Trehalase in Normal and Leukaemic Lymphocytes

Several cell-membrane enzymes, which serve functions in amino acid and sugar transport, were measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes from chronic B and T lymphocytic disorders, blast cells in acute leukaemias, and in normal lymphocytes from cord blood, peripheral blood of adults, tonsils and bone-marrow plasma cells in myelomatosis. The specific activities of L-gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, maltase and trehalase were low, as compared with those measured in normal blood lymphocytes, in the acute leukaemias and in the chronic B-cell disorders. In myelomatosis and in the chronic T-cell disorders, the specific activity of these three enzymes was in the normal range or above normal. The specific activity of leucine aminopeptidase was low in all the chronic B-cell disorders and in some of the lymphoblastic leukaemias. It was elevated in Sézary syndrome cells but low in T-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. All four enzymes were lower than normal in cord blood lymphocytes and higher than normal in tonsils. These findings are discussed in relation to the patterns of lymphoid cell differentiation and maturation in normal tissues and in leukaemic states.     

Autoregulatory system of insulin degradation in liver. II. Relationship between blood insulin levels and GSH-dependent insulin degrading activity in liver and blood.

An autoregulatory system of insulin degradation in the liver in which the rate of insulin metabolism changes in response to fluctuation in its blood levels, was investigated. In the plasma of rats and man in the absence of reduced glutathione (GSH), insulin degradation was not observed, but when a sufficient amount of reduced glutathione was added, the plasma did degrade insulin. This GSH-dependent insulin degrading activity in plasma was quite similar to that in liver in its nature. In rats, this GSH-dependent insulin degrading activity in the liver and plasma was fluctuated in response to fluctuation in the blood insulin levels, and the GSH-dependent insulin degrading activity in plasma was well correlated with that in the liver. Similarly, in man the GSH-dependent insulin degrading activity in plasma was changed in response to fluctuation in the blood insulin levels. In plasma under the physiologic conditions, there is an insufficient amount of reduced glutathione to elicit the insulin degrading activity, but in the liver there is a sufficient amount of reduced glutathione to manifest this activity. This evidence further supports the concept that an autoregulatory system of insulin degradation in the liver exists in man.     

Effects of body weight control on changes in blood pressure: three-year follow-up study in young Japanese individuals.

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown a close relationship between obesity and hypertension. However, there have been few reports on the relationship between changes in the body weight and blood pressure of lean to normal-weight young subjects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of body weight control on blood pressure in lean to obese young Japanese individuals in a 3-year follow-up study. University students (3,558 males and 1,418 females, aged 18.6+/-0.8 in 1994) were classified into 4 groups according to the baseline body mass index (BMI), and were followed up for 3 years. Among male students, changes in body weight were significantly correlated with changes in blood pressure during the 3 years in all 4 BMI groups, and the correlation coefficient was larger in the group with higher baseline BMI. Positive correlations between changes in body weight and changes in heart rate were noted only in the obese and mildly-obese groups. Also in female students, positive correlations were observed between changes in body weight and changes in blood pressure in lean to obese groups. However, no correlations between changes in body weight and changes in heart rate were noted in any of the female groups. To summarize, close correlations were observed between changes in body weight and those in blood pressure during the 3 years in both male and female university students. These findings suggest the importance of body weight control not only in obese but also in normal to mildly-obese young subjects in reducing or preventing an increase in blood pressure. There could be, however, a gender difference in the effects of body weight change on heart rate.     

Effect of medical treatment of acute myocardial infarction in coronary care unit--study on its effect mainly on the cases with complication

Four hundred sixty-five patients with acute myocardial infarction who were treated in our coronary care unit in the past 14 years were classified into three stages (Stage I, II and III) for the purpose to study the effect of the treatment at CCU in each stage. The mortality in acute phase were 25.8%, 16.1% and 18.8% in Stages I, II and III, respectively. The mortality of cases admitted within 24 hours was 32.2% in Stage I, 27.1% in Stage II and 15.6% in Stage III, decreasing significantly (p less than 0.01) in Stage III. In cases of early hospitalization within 3 hours after the attack, the mortality in Stages I, II and III were 36.6%, 17.2% and 11.4%, decreasing in Stages II and III, specifically significant in Stage III compared with Stage I (p less than 0.01). The mortality in Class III of Killip's classification in each stage was 100% in Stage I, 33.3% in Stage II, and 16.7% in Stage III, and decreased significantly in Stages II and III (p less than 0.01). The mortality in Class IV are still high, although a decreasing tendency is observed as shown in figures such as 87.5% in Stage I, 62.5% in Stage II and 60% in Stage III. Thus, the mortality was markedly improved in cases which were hospitalized in early phase. Therefore, this result implies the importance of measures to promote early hospitalization including educational activity to appeal it. Early hospitalization in CCU is expected to minimize the death of acute myocardial infarction.     

Objective grading of the loss of pain and touch sensations in leprosy patients

Two new instruments named Pain/Touch Sensation Testing and Grading devices, which provide standardized and graded stimuli of pain and touch, respectively, were employed to grade the sensory loss at the center of 110 lesions in 97 patients. The grades of sensory loss for pain were 0 (no sensory loss) in 8 lesions, 1 in 6 lesions, 2 in 14 lesions, 3 in 26 lesions, 4 in 19 lesions, and 5 (complete loss) in 37 lesions (total 110 lesions). Grades of sensory loss for touch were 0 in 12 lesions, 1 in 3 lesions, 2 in 5 lesions, 3 in 9 lesions, 4 in 15 lesions, and 5 in 22 lesions (total 66 lesions). Reevaluation done after 2-40 weeks in 46 of these lesions revealed that the grade for pain had decreased in 17 lesions, increased in 4, and remained the same in 25. The grade for loss of touch sensation had decreased in 10, increased in 1, and remained the same in 35. Grading of the sensory loss in most of the 1-cm-square areas of the entire lesion, done in 19 patients (26 lesions), revealed that the sensory loss was not uniform all over the lesion and it was also not maximum at the center of the lesion, though generally it was less at the margin in comparison with the central area. Follow up of 11 of these lesions revealed a decrease in the grades in 7 lesions for both pain and touch sensations, while 2 lesions showed a decrease in the grades for touch sensation only.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

湖北省血吸虫病不同亚型流行区抽样调查病情对比分析

目的 掌握全省血吸虫病不同亚型流行区病情动态，评价防治效果，为制定防治规划提供科学依据。方法 以行政村为单位．采用分层整群随机抽样法，于1989、1995、2001三个年度分别对人、畜进行血吸虫粪检查病，用EXCELL建立数据库，SAS统计分析。结果 3次抽样调查中，不同亚型流行区人群和耕牛感染率总体呈下降趋势，但病人和人群感染度(EPG)均呈上升趋势。洲滩、垸内地区居民感染率和EPG男性高于女性，但丘陵地区女性高于男性；各亚型流行区30-岁以上的年龄组人群感染率和EPG较高。2001年洲滩、丘陵地区人群感染率和EPG最高的职业是农民，垸内地区是渔民。结论 3次抽样调查结果显示，虽然全省人群和耕牛感染率总体呈下降趋势，但不同亚型流行区的病人和人群EPG均呈上升趋势。因此，防治工作需针对不同亚型地区的流行特点，因地制宜，加大力度。巩固血防成果。     

Influences of gender and age on relationships between alcohol drinking and atherosclerotic risk factors

Background: Alcohol drinking affects atherosclerotic progression mainly through blood pressure and lipid metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to clarify whether effects of alcohol drinking on atherosclerotic risk factors differ by gender and age. Methods: The database of periodic health check-ups for local district workers was used. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to mean ethanol consumption per day (nondrinkers; light drinkers, less than 30 g per day; moderate-to-heavy drinkers, 30 g or more per day). The mean levels of each atherosclerosis-related variable in the 3 groups were compared. Results: The mean level of body mass index (BMI) was slightly but significantly lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers in the thirties, forties, and fifties age groups in men and in the twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties age groups in women, while this tendency was not found in the sixties age groups of men and women. In men, mean blood pressure was higher in moderate-to-heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers in all age groups and was higher in light drinkers than in nondrinkers only in the age groups after 40 years. Mean blood pressure of women was higher in the moderate-to-heavy drinker group than in the nondrinker group and this difference became higher with advance of age. In women, mean blood pressure was not affected by light drinking in any of the age groups except for the fifties age group. In men, serum total cholesterol was higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers in the twenties age group but was lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers at thirties or older. Serum total cholesterol in women was lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers in the age groups from twenties to forties but tended to be higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers in the sixties age group. Serum HDL cholesterol increased with advance of age from thirties to sixties in men, while it decreased with advance of age from twenties to sixties in women. Serum HDL cholesterol was higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers in all age groups of men and women, and atherogenic index, calculated by using serum total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol concentrations, was lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers in all age groups of men and women. Conclusion: Both in men and women, blood pressure and HDL cholesterol were strongly affected by alcohol drinking: the elevating effect of alcohol drinking on blood pressure was more prominent in the elderly than in the young, while the elevating effect of alcohol drinking on serum HDL cholesterol was not influenced by age. Relationships of drinking with total cholesterol and BMI vary by age and gender.