The concentrations of serum,plasma and platelet BDNF are all increased by treadmill VO2max performance in healthy college men

The most current human-based studies in which brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the peripheral blood system are analyzed use it as an indicator that represents BDNF levels in the CNS. However, whether circulating BDNF (serum and plasma) is positively or inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness levels (VO_2max) is still controversial, and no study has done to investigate exercise effects on the concentration of BDNF stored in circulating platelets which, in fact, store a large amount of circulating BDNF. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the relation between VO_2max and all circulating BDNF levels (serum, plasma and platelets) in college male students (N = 18; age, 19 ± 1 years; height, 173.22 ± 7.65 cm; weight, 78.25 ± 14.25 kg; body fat percent, 13.82 ± 5.68%). Dual X-ray energy absorptiometry whole body scan was used to measure their body composition. After the overnight fast, all participants were performed VO_2max test, and their blood was collected at rest and immediately after the exercise. Our data resulted in significant increases in platelet counts and serum, plasma and platelet BDNF levels immediately after the exercise (p < 0.01). VO_2max had a significant negative correlation with serum BDNF, plasma BDNF and platelet BDNF at rest (p < 0.05) but a significant positive correlation with serum, plasma BDNF, and platelet BDNF immediately after the exercise (p < 0.01). However, our data show no correlation between VO_2max and platelet count both at rest and immediately after the exercise. In conclusion, this is the first study showing that basal BDNF levels are inversely correlated with cardiorespiratory fitness levels but that the inverse correlations turn into positive correlations with all circulating BDNF levels immediately after the exercise. Moreover, it is the first time to provide evidence that platelet BDNF levels are also positively affected by the exercise. However, future studies will be needed to investigate what tissues provide BDNF into the circulating system and to elucidate the role of circulating BDNF.     

Beneficial effect of autologous transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells and endothelial progenitor cells on cerebral ischemia in rabbits

We tested the therapeutic effect of autologous transplanted bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on cerebral ischemia in rabbits. Rabbit permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models were intravenously injected with ex vivo expanded autologous BMSCs (n = 8), EPCs (n = 8), or phosphate-buffered saline (n = 6). 14 days after the transplantation, both infusion groups witnessed a functional improvement, a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells and an increase in the microvessel density in the ischemic boundary area, as compared to vehicle-treated control group. The EPCs treated group also exhibited a diminished infarct area in comparison with the control group. Moreover, immunohistochemistry revealed that few transplanted BMSCs expressed markers for astrocytes (GFAP⁺) and neurons (NeuN⁺), and most of EPCs were capable of binding to UEA-1 lectin and were incorporated into capillaries. Our data suggest that both BMSCs and EPCs, despite differences in their action mechanism, can be functional cytoreagents for treatment of cerebral ischemia in rabbits.     

Risk Factors for Intraprocedural Rerupture during Embolization of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

BackgroundIntraprocedural rupture (IPR) is a devastating complication in endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms, but its risk factors have not been fully assessed. This study was performed to explore the risk factors for IPR during embolization of ruptured cerebral aneurysms.MethodsA total of 1,494 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent endovascular interventional embolization were enrolled. Clinical characteristics were collected for each patient. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the factors independently associated with IPR. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff values of continuous variables predicting IPR.ResultsForty-one patients suffered from IPR (2.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that aneurysm size (odds ratio [OR], 0.819; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.732–0.916), aneurysms with irregular morphology (OR, 2.162; 95% CI, 1.143–4.091), time from symptom onset to intervention (OR, 1.615; 95% CI, 1.207–2.161), and vasospasm during embolization (OR, 2.021; 95% CI, 1.038–3.934) were the independent risk factors of IPR. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for aneurysm size and time from onset to intervention were 0.697 (cutoff value, 3.4 mm; sensitivity, 78.8%; and specificity, 53.7%) and 0.659 (cutoff value, 2 days; sensitivity, 78.0%; and specificity, 45.2%), respectively.ConclusionAneurysms with irregular morphology, aneurysms ≤ 3.4 mm in diameter, time from onset to intervention > 2 days and cerebral vasospasm during embolization are independent risk factors for IPR during coil embolization of ruptured aneurysms. More attention should be paid to the factors increasing the risk of IPR in patients with ruptured aneurysms so as to minimize this complication.     

Decreased IL-35 levels in patients with immune thrombocytopenia

IL-35 is a novel heterodimeric anti-inflammatory cytokine consisting of Epstein–Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) and the p35 subunit of IL-12. IL-35 has been shown to possess the potency of inhibiting the CD4+ effector T cells and alleviating autoimmune diseases. In the study we investigated the levels of IL-35 as well as its prospective role in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).ELISA was adopted to measure plasma IL-35, TGF-β and IL-10 levels. The mRNA expression levels of P35 and EBI3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were studied based on real-time quantitative PCR. The correlation between plasma cytokine levels and clinical parameters was analyzed. Significantly lower plasma IL-35 levels were found in active ITP patients compared with those in remission (p = 0.017) and the healthy controls (p < 0.001). In active ITP patients, the plasma IL-35 levels displayed a significantly positive correlation with platelet counts (r = 0.5335, p < 0.0008). Further, P35 mRNA expression levels were lower in patients with active ITP than patients in remission (p = 0.033) and normal controls (p = 0.016).Thus, for the first time, this research reported a dramatically decreased IL-35 levels in ITP patients, suggesting that IL-35 may be involved in the pathogenesis of ITP.     

Lvis支架辅助弹簧圈血管内栓塞治疗颅内破裂动脉瘤的临床效果和安全性

目的:探讨Lvis支架辅助弹簧圈血管内栓塞治疗颅内破裂动脉瘤中的临床效果和安全性。方法:选取84例颅内破裂动脉瘤患者作为观察对象,随机分为A、B两组,每组42例患者。A组采用Lvis支架辅助弹簧圈血管内栓塞方式进行治疗,B组采用Solitaire支架辅助弹簧圈血管内栓塞方式进行治疗。采用RS评分、Raymond评分和GOS评分对临床效果进行评价,并对治疗后的不良反应发生率及复发率进行分析。结果:RS评分方面,A组为（0.23±0.57）分,B组为（2.48±0.96）分,A组低于B组（P<0.05）;Raymond评分方面,A组Ⅰ级发生率为92.24%,B组为78.57%,A组高于B组（P<0.05）;GOS评分方面,A组5分的发生率为92.86%,B组为73.81%,A组高于B组（P<0.05）。不良反应发生率方面,A组为2.38%,B组为21.43%,A组低于B组（P<0.05）。复发率方面,A组无一例复发,B组复发率为4.76%,A组低于B组（P<0.05）。结论:Lvis支架辅助弹簧圈血管内栓塞治疗颅内破裂动脉瘤,临床效果好且具有一定安全性。 【关键词】颅内破裂动脉瘤;Lvis支架;弹簧圈血管内栓塞     

The relationship between visfatin and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women

Objective

The biological role and activity of visfatin, an adipokine mainly produced by visceral fat, has not been fully elucidated. The observed relationships between visfatin and metabolisyndrome are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the relationship between visfatin and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Methods

The present study included a sample of 110 postmenopausal Korean women. Subjects with cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled diabetes were excluded from the study sample. Body weight, height, blood pressure (BP), and waist and hip circumference were measured, and biochemical tests were performed.

Results

The mean serum visfatin level (mean ± SD) of subjects with metabolic syndrome was 2.74 ± 1.70 ng/ml. This was significantly higher than the mean level of subjects without metabolic syndrome (p < 0.01). As the number of components of metabolic syndrome increased, the concentration of serum visfatin also increased (p < 0.01). Visfatin concentration was positively correlated with age (r = 0.209, p < 0.05), waist circumference (r = 0.261, p < 0.01), systolic BP (r = 0.255, p < 0.01), diastolic BP (r = 0.252, p < 0.01), fasting glucose level (r = 0.278, p < 0.01), fasting insulin level (r = 0.313, p < 0.01), HOMA-IR (r = 0.345, p < 0.01), total cholesterol level (r = 0.213, p < 0.05), triglyceride level (r = 0.368, p < 0.01), WBC count (r = 0.352, p < 0.01), and homocysteine level (r = 0.196, p < 0.05). Using a multiple logistic regression analysis, visfatin was found to be an independent factor associated with metabolic syndrome after an adjustment for confounding variables including age, body mass index (BMI), and HOMA-IR.

Conclusions

Serum visfatin was associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. This suggests that visfatin may act as the underlying pathophysiological trigger for metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.     

Physical activity under confinement and free-living conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the physical activity (PA) and its related variables under confinement and in free-living conditions in Asian individuals, where no such information presently exists. The subjects consisted of eighty-six Japanese individuals with a mean age of 38 ± 12 years. Under confinement in a large respiratory chamber, the energy expenditure (EE) was measured for 24 h. In addition, two moderate walking exercises of 30 min each on a horizontal treadmill were assigned. Free-living measurements of 7 days were also performed using a validated accelerometer. The PA level in the chamber (1.47 ± 0.11), expressed as a multiple of the basal EE, was lower than that in free-living conditions (1.53 ± 0.12) (p < 0.001). However, the two values were closely correlated (r = 0.744, p < 0.001). Conversely, a residual analysis showed a wide variation in the mean difference for both conditions and revealed a significant systematic error (r = −0.548, p < 0.001), thus indicating an increased gap with increasing PA levels in free-living conditions. Similar results were obtained following the exclusion of the imposed exercise sessions. In contrast, the daily step counts under both conditions did not show any correlation. The PA level in the chamber (including and excluding imposed walking exercises) is compatible with the PA level in free-living conditions at the group level, although the daily step counts are unrelated. Thus, the PA level in the chamber may provide valuable information to help us achieve a better understanding of human PA in daily life as it is related to behavioral research.     

Patient-derived endothelial progenitor cells improve vascular graft patency in a rodent model

Late outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from the peripheral blood of patients with significant coronary artery disease were sodded into the lumens of small diameter expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts. Grafts (1 mm inner diameter) were denucleated and sodded either with native EPCs or with EPCs transfected with an adenoviral vector containing the gene for human thrombomodulin (EPC + AdTM). EPC + AdTM was shown to increase the in vitro rate of graft activated protein C (APC) production 4-fold over grafts sodded with untransfected EPCs (p < 0.05). Unsodded control and EPC-sodded and EPC + AdTM-sodded grafts were implanted bilaterally into the femoral arteries of athymic rats for 7 or 28 days. Unsodded control grafts, both with and without denucleation treatment, each exhibited 7 day patency rates of 25%. Unsodded grafts showed extensive thrombosis and were not tested for patency over 28 days. In contrast, grafts sodded with untransfected EPCs or EPC + AdTM both had 7 day patency rates of 88-89% and 28 day patency rates of 75-88%. Intimal hyperplasia was observed near both the proximal and distal anastomoses in all sodded graft conditions but did not appear to be the primary occlusive failure event. This in vivo study suggests autologous EPCs derived from the peripheral blood of patients with coronary artery disease may improve the performance of synthetic vascular grafts, although no differences were observed between untransfected EPCs and TM transfected EPCs.     

Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor is independently and negatively associated with trait anxiety and depressive mood in healthy Japanese university students

Objective

Anxiety and depressive mood are sometimes accompanied by modulation of neuroendocrine and immune functions. The aim of this study was to identify circulating immune mediators reflecting anxiety and depressive mood in healthy young adults.

Methods

Anxiety and depressive mood in 209 healthy medical students (125 males and 84 females, aged 20.7 ± 2.7 years (mean ± SD)) were assessed by the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and the Zung self-rating depression scale (Zung-SDS), respectively. Cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA) levels in saliva were measured using enzyme immunoassay kits, and 50 different mediators in sera were measured by a multiplex-suspension array system. The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.05.

Results

Forty-four mediators were measurable in sera, and each mediator showed substantial individual variations. After determining Pearson correlation coefficients, we selected candidate cytokines whose levels were associated with STAI-state (2 cytokines), STAI-trait (8 cytokines), or SDS scores (8 cytokines). The candidate cytokines plus interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor were then subjected to multiple regression analysis adjusted for gender, BMI, and salivary concentrations of cortisol and CgA. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was independently and negatively associated with both trait anxiety (p < 0.05) and depressive mood (p < 0.01). IL-1β showed independently positive association with depressive mood (p < 0.05). Interactions between these two cytokines and gender or BMI were not observed.

Conclusion

Besides IL-1β, circulating VEGF may be a potential biomarker for negative mood states in healthy young adults.     

Low sexual function and its associated risk factors in pre- and postmenopausal women without clinically significant depression

Objectives

To investigate the low sexual function and its associated risk factors in pre- and postmenopausal women without clinically significant depression.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with 180 women aged between 19 and 60 years who admitted to our outpatient clinic. Sexual function was assessed by female sexual function index and clinically significant depression was measured by Beck depression inventory test.

Results

The rate of low sexual function was 85.9% in postmenopausal (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.8–4.8) and 47.7% in premenopausal women (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3–0.5) (p < 0.0001). The postmenopausal group reported significantly lower desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain scores than controls (p < 0.0001, for all of them). Low sexual function was positively correlated with age (r = 0.37, p < 0.0001), menopausal status (r = 0.40, p < 0.0001), gravidity (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001), parity (r = 0.43, p < 0.0001), abortion rates (r = 0.27, p = 0.001) and marriage period (r = 0.40, p < 0.0001). There were also significant negative correlations between low sexual function and education (r = −0.39, p < 0.0001) and family income (r = −0.29, p < 0.0001). However, multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that education, family income and menopausal status were the only independent variables for low sexual function after adjusted for age, gravidity, parity, abortion, marriage period and menopausal status.

Conclusion

Low sexual function was relatively high in postmenopausal women without clinically significant depression. Education, family income and menopausal status were the independent risk factors for low sexual function. Investigation of female sexuality was essential for these patients.     

Measurement of constructs using self-report and behavioral lab tasks: Is there overlap in nomothetic span and construct representation for impulsivity?

There has been little empirical evidence examining the overlap in nomothetic span for self-report measures and construct representation for behavioral lab tasks in most psychological constructs. Using the personality trait of impulsivity as an example, the authors completed a meta-analysis of 27 published research studies examining the relationship between these methods. In general, although there is a statistically significant relationship between multidimensional self-report and lab task impulsivity (r = 0.097), practically, the relationship is small. Examining relationships among unidimensional impulsivity self-report and lab task conceptualizations indicated very little overlap in self-report and behavioral lab task constructs. Significant relationships were found between lack of perseverance and prepotent response inhibition (r = 0.099); between lack of planning and prepotent response inhibition (r = 0.106), delay response (r = 0.134), and distortions in elapsed time (r = 0.104); between negative urgency and prepotent response inhibition (r = 0.106); and between sensation seeking and delay response (r = 0.131). Researchers should take care to specify which particular unidimensional constructs are operationalized with not only impulsivity, but with all traits. If self-report and lab task conceptualizations measure disparate aspects of impulsivity, we, as a field, should not expect large conceptual overlap between these methods.     

Circulating estradiol defines the tumor phenotype in menopausal breast cancer patients

Objective

To correlate circulating hormone levels with the clinical and biological features of the tumors in menopausal breast cancer patients.

Design

Circulating hormone levels were measured in 161 previously untreated menopausal breast cancer patients within 72 h of their planned surgery. The obtained hormone levels were correlated with tumor size, histological and nuclear grade, histological score, axillary nodal status, DNA-ploidy and Ki67-, c-erb-B2-, p53, Bax-, VEGF- and Nup88-expression.

Results

The only statistically significant correlations found between circulating hormone levels and all tested variables were an inverse one between estradiol and the expression of the apoptosis-associated Bax gene (p = 0.009), and again an inverse correlation between estradiol and the expression of c-erb-B2 (p = 0.04). When comparing hormone levels with each other, a significant correlation between estradiol and progesterone (p < 0.0001), an inverse one between estradiol and FSH (p = 0.04) and a direct one between LH and prolactin (p = 0.001) were found.

Conclusion

Higher circulating estradiol levels in postmenopausal breast cancer patients are associated with molecular features usually defining a biologically less aggressive tumor phenotype.     

Increased plasma d-lactic acid associated with impaired memory in rats

Aim

d-Lactic acidosis is associated with memory impairment in humans. Recent research indicates that d-lactic acid may inhibit the supply of energy from astrocytes to neurons involved with memory formation. However, little is known about the effects of increased hind-gut fermentation due to changes in diet on circulating lactic acid concentrations and memory.

Method

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were fed three dietary treatments: a commercial rat and mouse chow, a soluble carbohydrate based diet or a fermentable carbohydrate based diet. The parameters estimating memory were examined by employing the object recognition test. Physical parameters of fermentation including hind-gut and plasma lactic acid concentrations were examined after sacrifice, either 3 or 21 h after feeding.

Results

Increased fermentation in the hind-gut of rats, indicated by lower caecum pH, was associated with increased plasma l-lactic acid (r = −0.41, p = 0.020) and d-lactic acid (r = −0.33, p = 0.087). Memory, being able to discriminate between a familiar and a novel object during the object recognition test, was reduced with increasing plasma d-lactic acid (r = −0.51, p = 0.021).

Conclusions

Memory impairment was associated with alterations in plasma d-lactic acid following the fermentation of carbohydrate in the hind-gut. Further work is still required to determine whether these effects are mediated centrally or via direct connections through the enteric nervous system.     

Waist circumference and serum adiponectin levels in obese and non-obese postmenopausal women

Objectives

A proposed missing link between obesity and metabolic disturbances is adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived peptide. Adiponectin is a potent antidiabetic hormone and seems to have a beneficial influence on lipid profile as well. The need to explain the complex physiological roles of this hormone prompted the authors to study the relationship between adiponectin level and obesity – related abnormalities in a homogenous population of postmenopausal women.

Study design

The study involved 272 postmenopausal women aged 50–60 years. Invitations to participate in the study were sent to 4000 randomly chosen women from the Wroclaw city population fulfilling the age criterion. A telephone questionnaire was administered to the group of 1731 women who responded to the invitation and then subjects for the study were selected. Main outcome measures anthropometrical measurements of body fat tissue content and fat tissue distribution assessment were carried out in all the women. Moreover, serum concentrations of adiponectin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin were measured.

Results

The most frequent (76%) phenotype among the investigated women was obesity (BMI >25) with abnormal (= 80 cm) waist circumference (OAW), Obesity with normal (<80 cm) waist (ONW) and normal weight with abnormal waist (NOAW) were observed in only 5% and 14% of the women, respectively. Non-obese women with normal waist (NONW) were noted in only 5% of the subjects. Serum adiponectin levels in both groups of non-obese women (NOAW and NONW) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the women with obesity or overweight and abnormal waist circumference (OAW group). Adiponectin levels in the women with obesity or overweight and normal waist (ONW) were also higher than in the OAW group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.05). In all the women, serum adiponectin level correlated negatively with BMI (r = −0.34, p = 0.0001), total fat (r = −0.28, p = 0.0001), android fat deposit (r = −0.23, p = 0.0001), waist circumference (r = −0.33, p = 0.0001), glucose (r = −0.27, p = 0.0001), triglycerides (r = −0.34, p = 0.0001), and FIRI (r = −0.34, p = 0.0001) and positively with the gynoid/android fat deposit ratio (r = 0.28, p = 0.0001) and HDL cholesterol (r = 0.36, p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

These results confirm that adiponectin could be a marker of the development of menopausal insulin resistance syndrome.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and vasculitis susceptibility: A meta-analysis

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to vasculitis.

Methods

Meta-analyses were conducted on the associations between the −634 C/G, +936 C/T, −1154 A/G, and −2578 A/C polymorphisms of VEGF and vasculitis.

Results

Eight studies on VEGF polymorphisms and vasculitis involving 2740 subjects (vasculitis 834, controls 1906) were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF −634 C allele (OR = 1.161, 95% CI = 0.921–1.464, p = 0.207) among study subjects. Meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF + 936 T allele (OR = 1.121, 95% CI = 0.905–1.390, p = 0.295). However, stratification by ethnicity indicated a significant association between the VEGF + 936 T allele and vasculitis in Europeans, but not in Asians (OR = 1.486, 95% CI = 1.038–2.128, p = 0.030; OR = 0.958, 95% CI = 0.773–1.253, p = 0.755). Meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF −1154 A/G and 2578 A/C polymorphisms.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that the VEGF + 936 T allele is associated with susceptibility to vasculitis in Europeans, but not in Asians.     

Beclin 1 and bcl-2 expressions in bladder urothelial tumors and their association with clinicopathological parameters

Beclin 1 plays a critical role in the regulation of autophagy, apoptosis, differentiation, as well as in the development and progression of cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of beclin 1 and bcl-2 in bladder urothelial tumors, and to investigate the relationship between these two markers and clinicopathological parameters. Our study included 84 bladder urothelial tumors and 10 non-tumoral bladder tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue microarray (TMA) sections and was evaluated semiquantitatively on the basis of the percentage of positively stained cells (proportion) and staining intensity. A significant association was found between the expression score of beclin 1 and pT stages of the urothelial tumors (p = 0.012). Also, the level of beclin 1 expression inversely correlated with histological grade and pT stages (p = 0.009, r = −0.284; p = 0.001, r = −0.361, respectively). The bcl-2 expression level positively correlated with histological grade and pT stages of the urothelial tumors (p = 0.026, r = 0.243; p < 0.0001, r = 0.491, respectively). In addition, the level of beclin 1 expression tended to be inversely correlated with the bcl-2 expression level in urothelial tumors (p = 0.055, r = −0.210). According to our data, down-regulation of beclin 1 expression and also bcl-2 overexpression seem to play an important role in the progression and aggressiveness of bladder urothelial tumors.     

The dose-effectiveness of intranasal VEGF in treatment of experimental stroke

The aim of the present study was to assess the dose-effectiveness of intranasal (IN) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in the treatment of experimental stroke. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into four groups as IN low (100 μg/ml), IN middle (200 μg/ml) and IN high (500 μg/ml) VEGF-treated group, and IN saline-treated group (n = 12), given recombinant human VEGF 165 or saline intranasally. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by transient (90 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. Behavioral neurological deficits were assessed 1, 7 and 14 d after the onset of MCAO. Rats were sacrificed at 14 d, the brain sections were stained and an image analysis system was used to calculate the infarct volume. Microvessels were labeled by FITC-dextran and the segment lengths, diameters and number of microvessels were measured by Image Pro-Plus Version 6.0 software. Fourteen days post MCAO, infarct volume significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in rats which received the middle dose of IN VEGF when compared to IN saline. And middle dose of VEGF significantly improved behavioral recovery (P < 0.01). No significant difference in the behavioral recovery and infarct volume was observed between the saline-treated group and the low or high VEGF-treated groups (P > 0.05). Compared to IN saline, middle and high doses of VEGF significantly increased the segment length, diameter and number of microvessels (P < 0.01). No significant difference in the segment length, diameter and number of microvessels was observed between the IN saline-treated group and the low VEGF-treated group (P > 0.05). The middle dose of IN VEGF was most effective on reducing infarct volume, improving behavioral recovery and enhancing angiogenesis in stroke brain, which can be used in the following treatments to further evaluate the effect of VEGF.     

Leukocyte telomere length is independently associated with gait speed in elderly women

Objectives

Declining gait speed is common in the elderly population and is associated with age-related conditions. Because telomere length is a reflection of aging and known to affect degenerative changes in organ systems, gait speed may be associated with telomere length. We therefore investigated the relationship between gait speed and leukocyte telomere length in elderly Korean women.

Study design

Cross-sectional study.

Main outcome measures

A total of 117 Korean elderly women participated. Metabolic variables were assessed along with gait speed calculated as walking distance (6 m) divided by time. Leukocyte telomere length was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Gait speed correlated with telomere length (r = 0.38, p < 0.01), fasting insulin (r = −0.19, p = 0.04), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR; r = −0.22, p = 0.02), triglyceride (r = −0.20, p = 0.03), and Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE; r = 0.20, p = 0.03) after adjusting for age. On step-wise multiple regression analysis, telomere length (β = 0.35, p < 0.01), K-MMSE (β = 0.16, p = 0.02), age (β = −0.23, p = 0.01), and HOMA-IR (β = −0.19, p = 0.03) were identified as independent variables associated with gait speed.

Conclusions

This study suggested that telomere length may have a role in maintaining overall health status as well as preserving gait speed in the elderly population. Further studies are required to better understand the significance of our findings.