Environmental lead exposure, maternal thyroid function, and childhood growth

Prenatal and early-life exposure to lead is hypothesized to have a range of adverse effects on childhood health. Drawing on data collected from a population-based prospective cohort study of a highly exposed town and a low exposed town in Kosovo, Yugoslavia we assessed whether elevated maternal blood lead (BPb) concentrations during pregnancy were associated with reduced childhood measures of attained height and BMI or growth rate, and whether the associations, if any, were mediated by maternal thyroid hormone concentration at mid-pregnancy. There was no association between blood lead levels and height or BMI in either town. However, increased maternal thyroid hormone was unexpectedly associated with reduced attained childhood height, and growth rate of height from 6.5 to 10 years, in the low-exposure town. We examine potential reasons for this unexpected inverse association.     

Daily flaxseed consumption improves glycemic control in obese men and women with pre-diabetes: a randomized study

The study hypothesis was that fasting glucose, insulin, fructosamine, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 decrease and adiponectin increases with daily flaxseed consumption in overweight or obese individuals with pre-diabetes. In this randomized, cross-over study overweight or obese men and postmenopausal women (n = 25) with pre-diabetes consumed 0, 13, or 26 g ground flaxseed for 12 weeks. Glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), and normalized percent of α-linolenic fatty acid (ALA) were significantly different by treatment (multiple analysis of variance, P = .036, P = .013, P = .008, P = .024 respectively). Paired t tests showed glucose decreased on the 13 g intervention compared to the 0 g period [13g = −2.10 ± 1.66 mg/L (mean ± SEM), 0 g = 9.22 ± 4.44 mg/L, P = .036]. Insulin decreased on the 13 g intervention but not the 26 g (P = .021) and 0 g (P = .013) periods (13 g = −2.12 ± 1.00 mU/L, 26 g = 0.67 ± 0.84 mU/L, 0g = 1.20 ± 1.16 mU/L). HOMA-IR decreased on the 13 g period but not on the 26 g (P = .012) and 0 g (P = .008) periods (13g = −0.71 ± 0.31, 26g = 0.27 ± 0.24, 0g = 0.51 ± 0.35). The α-linolenic fatty acid decrease for the 0 g period was different than the 13 g (P = .024) and 26 g (P = .000) periods (13 g = 0.20 ± 0.04, 26g = 0.35 ± 0.07, 0g = −0.01 ± 0.07). Fructosamine, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity interleukin-6 had no significant differences. Flaxseed intake decreased glucose and insulin and improved insulin sensitivity as part of a habitual diet in overweight or obese individuals with pre-diabetes.     

Effects of an aqueous extract of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br. fruit on experimental atherosclerosis in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Atherosclerosis (AS) can result in severe cardiovascular diseases. Early indications of AS include disorders in lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and endothelial dysfunction. Statins are the preferred drugs for stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques because of their lipid-lowering, anti-inflammation and endothelial-protection activities. However, they can exhibit side effects and are effective in only one-third of patients. Many natural products (especially traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs)) possessing similar lipid-lowering, anti-inflammation and antioxidant activities are of interest in many studies exploring new AS drug therapy.The widely distributed hawthorn is used to prevent and cure heart disease not only in China but also in the United States and several European countries. For example, the fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. and Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br. (a commonly used hawthorn fruit in China) is used in combination with other TCMs to treat AS. Studies have also shown that the water extracts of these two hawthorn fruits are effective against hyperlipidemia by lowering lipid levels, reducing endothelial dysfunction, and inhibiting inflammation. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of the aqueous extract of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major on AS rats.

Materials and methods

The fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major was extracted with 70% ethanol; the ethanol extract was chromatographed on a D101 macroporous resin to obtain a sugar-free aqueous extract (AECP). Atherosclerotic rats were fed a high-fat diet and injected with vitamin D₃ and ovalbumin. Rats were divided into five groups: normal, model, model plus simvastatin, model plus low-dose AECP, and model plus high-dose AECP. AECP and simvastatin were administered (via the intragastric route) to AECP groups and the simvastatin group. For normal and model groups, water was given for 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood were measured by an automatic biochemistry analyzer. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α (6-keto-PGF_1α) and thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological changes in arteries were observed using an optical microscope and the intima-media thickness (IMT) calculated. Cholesterol deposition was evaluated by filipin staining. Chemical ingredients in AECP were analyzed by qualitative and quantitative means by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

AECP significantly reduced the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C but increased HDL-C levels. It also decreased the concentrations of CRP, IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-18. AECP increased levels of ET and TXB₂ but increased 6-keto-PGF_1α levels. Histopathological examination showed that AECP inhibited pathological changes in the arteries of AS rats and reduced IMT. Chemical analysis suggested that the main components of AECP were chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B₂, (−)-epicatechin, rutin and isoquercitrin.

Conclusions

These data suggest that AECP can inhibit AS progression in high-fat-diet-fed rats. Possible mechanisms of action include improvement of lipid metabolism, decrease in inflammatory cytokine responses, and protection of the endothelium.     

Measurement of Serum 17α-hydroxyprogesterone in Newborn Infants by Stable Isotope Dilution—Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Immunochemical measurement of serum 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), the most important parameter for diagnosis of classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) in newborn infants, is known to be inaccurate due to the cross-reactivity of antibodies with a large quantity of fetal adrenal steroids. The aims of this study were 1) to establish reference values for the serum 17OHP level in Japanese newborn infants using non-immunochemical stable isotope dilution —gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SID-GC/MS) and 2) to compare the serum 17OHP levels determined by SID-GC/MS with those determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The first study subjects were used for determination of reference values and included 57 healthy full-term newborn infants (4–5 d of age). The second study subjects were used for comparison of SID-GC/MS with RIA and included 27 healthy full-term newborn infants (3–6 d of age) and two subjects with neonatal transient hyper 17OHPnemia; these two subjects were 16 and 27 d of age, respectively. In the first study subjects, the intra-assay coefficient of variation for SID-GC/MS was 3% (n=5), the recovery rate was 98%, the sensitivity was 0.2 ng/ml, and the range of linearity was 0.5–200 ng/ml. The reference values for the serum 17OHP level determined by SID-GC/MS ranged from 0.3–1.5 (0.6) (ng/ml) (median). In the second study subjects, the serum 17OHP levels determined by SID-GC/MS were lower in one of the 27 subjects and both of the two subjects with neonatal transient hyper 17OHPnemia compared with the levels determined by RIA. Measurement of the serum 17OHP level using SID-GC/MS may be clinically useful for definitive diagnosis of classical 21OHD in newborn infants.     

大理白族健康成人TT3、TT4、TSH正常值调查

放射免疫分析（RIA）血清总T3（TT3）、总T4（TT4）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）是判断甲状腺功能及垂体对甲状腺功能调节的灵敏而相对可靠的指标。自采用RIA以来均用厂家提供的参考正常值。为较准确而客观使用该指标,对白族健康成人进行TT3、TT4、TSH测定,确定了本地区正常值。     

肿瘤标志物的联合检测在大肠癌诊断中的应用

目的探讨血清CEA、CA50、CA19-9、CA72-4、CA242等5项肿瘤标志物联合检测在大肠癌诊断中的应用价值。方法采用放免技术测定67例大肠癌2、3例大肠良性肿瘤患者和55例体检正常者血清CEA、CA50、CA19-9、CA72-4、CA242水平。结果大肠癌患者血清CEA、CA50、CA19-9、CA72-4、CA242水平及阳性率明显高于正常对照组及大肠良性肿瘤组(P<0.01)。结论CEA、CA50、CA19-9、CA72-4、CA242对大肠癌的诊断有临床意义,联合检测可提高肿瘤标志物对大肠癌的诊断准确性。     

2型糖尿病并发高血压者血清瘦素、胰岛素、胰高血糖素的水平变化及关系研究

目的：探讨2型糖尿病并发高血压者血清瘦素（Leptin）、胰岛素（Insulin）、胰高血糖素（Glucagon）水平变化与关系。方法：采用放射免疫分析对30例2型糖尿病并发高血压者和30例不伴高血压者进行血清瘦素、胰岛素及胰高血糖素含量测定,分析两组瘦素水平及其相关性。结果：两组糖尿病患者上述三指标显著高于健康正常人组（30例）,具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;合并高血压的糖尿病病人与无高血压病人比较,差异也非常显著（P〈0．05）,且与血压的程度呈正相关关系。结论：糖尿病并发高血压者血清瘦素、胰岛素、胰高血糖素的升高,参与了本病的发生与发展过程,作为判断其病情指标有重要临床价值。     

母血、脐血INS、GLUC、COR RIA及其意义

目的：测定胎龄儿（AGA）母血、脐血胰岛素（INS）、胰高血糖素（GLUC）、皮质醇（COR）水平,探讨AGA体重与孕妇体重指数（BMI）及母血脐血INS、GLUC、COR相关性及意义。方法：随机选取无明显产科并发症的母亲及新生儿,共26对,新生儿分为体重偏低组（A组）及体重偏高组（B组）,采用放射免疫分析测定INS、GLUC、COR含量。结果：新生儿体重与孕妇BMI有明显关系,B组孕妇BMI显著高于A组（P〈0．05）;新生儿GLUC与COR水平与孕妇比较也具重要的统计学意义（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;B组新生儿COR含量远高于A组水平（P〈0．01）,而GLUC则相反（P〈0．05）。结论：胎儿发育与孕妇BMI及母血、脐血INS、GLUC及COR水平有关,提示母亲营养状况与上述三种代谢激素的分泌水平直接影响胎儿发育。     

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine Shu-Mai-Tang on attenuating TNFalpha-induced myocardial fibrosis in myocardial ischemia rats

Shu-Mai-Tang (SMT) is a traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of ischemic heart disease. The effect of SMT on inflammation-induced myocardial fibrosis, left ventricular (LV) remodeling, and the potential mechanism in myocardial ischemia (MI) rats were investigated. Rats with ligated left anterior descending coronary artery (MI model) were randomly divided into three groups (SMTL, SMTH, and MIR). A group undergoing Sham operation (Sham; n=16) was also included. SMT (342 or 1710 mg/kg for SMTL or SMTH groups, respectively) was orally administered daily for 1 and 6 weeks. Cardiac function, myocardial fibrosis, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) concentration, the cardiac expressions of phosphorylated p38 MAPK and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TNFalpha were examined by echocardiography, histological staining, radioimmunoassay, western blot, respectively. In the present study, significant reduced myocardial fibrosis, as well as decreased phospho-p38 MAPK, TIMP-1, and TNFalpha proteins, and serum TNFalpha level, accompanied by improved cardiac function in the SMT-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner as compared with the MIR. These results suggested that SMT could anti-inflammation-induced myocardial fibrosis and reverse LV remodeling in MI rats, and the mechanism may be related to the effect of SMT on inhibiting p38 MAPK signaling pathway.