Polymorphism analysis of Glutathione S-transferase A1 in patients with hematological diseases and its effect on GST enzyme activity

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are important drug-metabolizing enzymes that catalyze the binding of glutathione (GSH) to electrophilic substances. GST has genetic polymorphism, and the enzyme activity of GST affects the metabolism of certain drugs in vivo. In the present day, we investigated the GST enzyme activity and GSTA1 gene polymorphism in 170 patients with hematological diseases and explored their relationship. The GSTA1 gene polymorphism of the patient was analyzed by PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique, and the base sequences of the four mutation sites (-631, -567, -69, and -52) in the promoter region were determined by DNA-Sequencer. The patient's GST enzyme activity was calculated by measuring the rate at which it catalyzed the reaction between 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and GSH. The average GST enzyme activities of males and females were 5.20±0.13 and 5.17±0.12 nmol/min/mL, respectively, and the difference was not significant (P = 0.91). The frequencies of genotypes GSTA1*A*A (wild genotype), GSTA1*A*B (heterozygous genotype), and GSTA1*B*B (homozygous mutant genotype) were 75.3%, 22.9%, and 1.8%, respectively. Alleles GSTA1*A and *B were distributed at 86.8% and 13.2%, respectively. The genotype frequency distribution between males and females was no significant difference by Pearson’s chi-square test (P = 0.743). The average GST activity of the heterozygous mutant genotype (4.83±0.76 nmol/min/mL) was lower than the wild genotype (5.34±1.26 nmol/min/mL, P = 0.018), and higher than that of the homozygous mutant genotype (3.32±0.07 nmol/min/mL, P = 0.022). These findings might help us improve the individualized treatment of patients with hematological diseases in the future and promote the development of precision medicine for blood diseases.     

Does glyceryl trinitrate cause central sympatholytic effects? Insights from a case of baroreflex failure

Whether part of the blood pressure lowering effects of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is the result of centrally mediated reduction in sympathetic activity is debated. In humans, baroreflex activity potentially obscures the central sympatholytic effects of GTN. We examined this in a routine clinical tilt test in a patient with baroreflex failure secondary to previous neck radiotherapy. With reduced baroreflex function we observed an exaggerated fall in blood pressure and reduced sympathetic activity with GTN, supporting a peripheral vasodilation and central sympatholytic effect.     

2019 Chinese Hypertension League guidelines on home blood pressure monitoring

In China, automated blood pressure monitors have been readily available for home use. Home blood pressure monitoring has been indispensable in the management of hypertension. There is therefore a need to establish guidelines for home blood pressure monitoring on the basis of the 2012 consensus document. In this guidelines document, the committee put forward recommendations on the selection and calibration of blood pressure measuring devices, the frequency (times) and duration (days) of blood pressure measurement, and the diagnostic threshold of home blood pressure.     

Relationship between high‐normal albuminuria and arterial stiffness in Chinese population

High‐normal albuminuria is related to the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness has been regarded as a predictor of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between high‐normal albuminuria and arterial stiffness is uncertain in Chinese population. A total of 1343 Chinese participants (aged 58.9 ± 12.1 years, 63.53% male) were included in this study. High‐normal albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR) above the median within normal albuminuria. Based on the level of UACR, all participants were divided into low‐normal albuminuria group (UACR < 6.36 mg/g, n = 580), high‐normal albuminuria group (6.36 mg/g ≤ UACR < 30 mg/g, n = 581), microalbuminuria (30 mg/g ≤ UACR < 300 mg/g, n = 162), and macroalbuminuria (UACR ≥ 300 mg/g, n = 20). Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). With the increment of UACR, the level of cfPWV was increased gradually (P < .001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure, age, serum creatinine, heart rate, logarithmic (LG)‐transformed UACR, and fasting plasma glucose were independently associated with cfPWV in all subjects (P < .001). LG‐UACR was found to be related to cfPWV in high‐normal albuminuria and macroalbuminuria subjects. After further stratification in the high‐normal albuminuria subjects, their relation remained in male, elderly over 65 years old, or normotensives. In summary, UACR is associated with arterial stiffness in subjects with proteinuria excretion in high normal level. High‐normal albuminuria might be an early indicator of arterial stiffness, especially in male, elderly, or normotensives in Chinese population. Furthermore, age and blood pressure are still observed to be the most important risk factor of arterial stiffness.     

Isthmin 对博来霉素诱导肺纤维化小鼠胶原沉积及血管生成的影响

目的探讨Isthmin（ISM）对肺纤维模型小鼠肺部胶原沉积、血管新生的影响,为肺纤维化的防治提供理论依据。方法将昆明小鼠随机分成：对照组、模型组、ISM组3组,每组16只。博来霉素（BLM）气管内滴人制作小鼠肺纤维化模型,对照组（气管内注射0．9％NS＋尾静脉注入0．9％NS）、模型组（气管内注射BLM＋尾静脉注入0．9％NS）、ISM组（气管内注射BLM＋尾静脉注入Isthmin蛋白）。分别于第7天、14天、21天、28天取实验小鼠肺组织,病理切片苏木精-伊红染色（HE）染色观察肺结构变化,Masson染色了解肺部胶原沉积情况,CD31免疫组化观察对血管内皮细胞数目的影响。结果给予ISM蛋白可减轻小鼠肺结构破坏,减少肺部胶原沉积,血管内皮细胞数目增加。肺组织胶原纤维Masson染色经平均光密度比较,模型组与对照组第7、14、21和28天差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;Isthmin组与模型组比较,第21天和28天差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;肺组织CD31蛋白平均光密度比较,模型组与对照组第14天、21天和28天差异显著（P〈0．05）、第7天差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,Isthmin组与模型组比较,第21天和28天差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论ISM蛋白可减轻肺纤维化程度,但不是通过抑制血管形成实现的。     

不同剂量低分子肝素雾化吸人对急性肺损伤／急性呼吸窘迫综合征的作用

目的探讨不同剂量低分子肝素（LMWH）雾化吸入对急性肺损伤／急性呼吸窘迫综合征ALI／ARDS的治疗作用。方法将急诊ICU收治的（ALI／ARDS）患者64例随机分为对照组、LMWH低剂量雾化治疗组和LMWH高剂量雾化治疗组,分别测定并比较各组治疗前后的氧合指数、急性生理学和长期健康评定（APACHE）Ⅱ评分、7d病死率和凝血功能。结果低剂量和高剂量LMWH雾化吸入治疗后,ALI／ARDS患者的氧合指数提高（P〈0．05）,APACHEⅡ评分及7d病死率降低（P〈0．05）,凝血酶原时间（PT）以及活化部分凝血酶原时间（APTT）无显著变化（P〉0．05）,高、低剂量组间无显著差异,而对照组上述指标均未见明显改变。低、高剂量LMWH雾化吸收治疗组7d病死率均为13．6％,显著低于对照组25％（χ2=0．877,P=0．349）。结论高、低剂量的LMWH雾化吸人治疗均可以改善氧合,缓解ALI／ARDS患者的症状,降低病死率,而且不会引起明显出血倾向,是ALI／ARDS的一种有前景的治疗手段。     

Detection of apoptosis-associated microRNA in human apheresis platelets during storage by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis

Background

Platelet transfusion is an essential part of the treatment of a variety of conditions such as thrombocytopenia and qualitative platelet disorders. As indicated in previous reports, during in vitro storage, platelets undergo morphological and physiological changes collectively known as the platelet storage lesion. Apoptosis is a programmed process of cell death, which has been considered as an important cause of platelet storage lesion under the common storage conditions in standard blood banks. Platelets are anucleate blood cells, but contain significant amounts of microRNA (miRNA, miR), which may play an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Drawing on previously published reports on cell apoptosis, we selected 49 miRNA for analysis to explore whether miRNA are of importance during the storage of platelets.

Materials and methods

We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis to determine the levels of expression of miRNA in apheresis platelets at different times of storage. Bioinformatics analysis was applied to explore target genes and the main functions of the selected miRNA.

Results

Our observations suggest that apheresis platelets contain large amounts of apoptosis-associated miRNA. The levels of expression of 25 miRNA remained high and ten of these miRNA showed different expression from that at day 0. Of these ten miRNA, hsa-miR-326, hsa-miR-96, hsa-miR-16, hsa-miR-155 and hsa-miR-150 were up-regulated, while hsa-miR-7, hsa-miR-145, hsa-miR-24, hsa-miR-25 and hsa-miR-15a were down-regulated. The markedly increased expression of hsa-miR-326 in all platelets is noteworthy (p<0.001).

Discussion

Since Bcl-xl and Bak1, members of the Bcl-2 family, are the targets of hsa-miR-326, our findings suggest that hsa-miR-326 may be involved in platelet apoptosis during storage.     

中医药促进新型冠状病毒肺炎恢复期康复临床研究方案

恢复期是新型冠状病毒肺炎中医临床治疗继早期、进展期、危重期之后的第4个阶段。该阶段的康复治疗对本次新冠肺炎后期疫情的防治和防控都具有重大意义。依托2020年四川省科技厅应对新型冠状病毒科技攻关应急项目,本方案将给予健康指导和龟息调肺功法康复作为基础治疗,对照组给予基础治疗,试验组给予基础治疗+口服参苓白术散+外用灸法,分别在第0天、2周、12周、24周对患者进行生活质量评定量表,焦虑自评量表,抑郁自评量表、血常规、血生化、新冠肺炎病毒核酸检测和胸部CT检查及对患者密切接触者健康状况进行观察。该方案已通过伦理审查及临床试验注册,希望为新冠肺炎恢复期治疗提供高级别的证据。     

IL-35与炎症性疾病

IL-35是一种抑制性细胞因子,属于IL-12细胞因子家族的新成员,它是由调节性T细胞结构性分泌产生,由P35和EBI3两个亚基组成.研究发现,IL-35在自身免疫性疾病、炎症性疾病、肿瘤等治疗中有重要作用.在临床上,感染性疾病的控制一直是个难题,IL-35的应用也许为临床提供一种新的思路和方法.