Influence of the Mediterranean diet on carotid intima–media thickness in hypercholesterolaemic children: A 12-month intervention study

Background and aimsThe Mediterranean diet has been recognised as having a protective role on the cardiovascular system due to its low lipid and high antioxidant content. Lipid profile and oxidant status represent two important risk factors related to endothelial dysfunction, even at early stages of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a 12-month Mediterranean diet on the variation of lipid profile and carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) in pre-pubertal hypercholesterolaemic children.Methods and resultsWe performed a cross-sectional study comparing lipid profile and cIMT in a group of 68 pre-pubertal children (36 with hypercholesterolaemia and 32 controls). In addition, in the hypercholesterolaemic children a 12-month intervention programme with a Mediterranean diet was started to evaluate the variation of lipid profile and cIMT. At baseline, hypercholesterolaemic children showed a significantly higher cIMT (both right and left carotid artery) compared to controls (both p < 0.05). After 12 months of diet intervention, a significant reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and cIMT was documented (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, at the end of follow-up, delta body mass index-Standard Deviation score and delta LDL-cholesterol were significantly and independently related to the changes of cIMT (both p < 0.05).ConclusionThe Mediterranean diet represents a valid approach in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia even during childhood.     

Design and Synthesis of Galactose-Biotin Lipid Materials for Liposomes to Promote the Hepatoma Cell–Targeting Effect

A series of novel low-toxic hepatoma cell–targeting lipid materials were designed and synthesized, in which monogalactose, digalactose, and galactose-biotin were used as targeting moieties and hydrophilic heads while stearate was used as hydrophobic tail (Mono-Gal-ST, Di-Gal-ST, and Gal-Biotin-ST). The corresponding galactose-biotin-modified liposomes (Mono-Gal-LPs, Di-Gal-LPs, and Gal-Biotin-LPs) and conventional liposomes (LPs) were prepared. These galactose-biotin-modified liposomes can distinguish hepatoma cells from other tissue cells owing to the recognition of asialoglycoprotein receptor by galactose group. Moreover, the ability of liposomes to distinguish hepatoma cells from normal hepatocytes follows a trend of LPs < Mono-Gal-LPs < Di-Gal-LPs < Gal-Biotin-LPs, which is attributed to the cluster glycoside effect and the synergistic effect of galactose and biotin. In addition, the endocytosis of these galactose-biotin-modified liposomes were competitively inhibited by galactose, further confirming these liposomes entered hepatoma cells via asialoglycoprotein receptor–mediated pathway.     

大港油田地区不同性别及BMI的工作人群糖尿病风险因素分析

摘要： 目的 探讨大港油田地区不同性别工作人群及不同体质量指数 （BMI） 亚组的糖尿病风险因素。方法 采用横断面研究方法, 通过芬兰糖尿病风险评分问卷确定高风险人群, 将其分为糖尿病组和非糖尿病组。采用多因素 logistic回归分析不同性别及不同BMI亚组人群的糖尿病风险因素。结果 研究纳入1 995例, 男性985例 （49.4%）。男性人群糖尿病风险因素中血糖升高史 （HHBG） 风险比最高 （OR=3.183, 95%CI： 1.921~5.272）, 其次为年龄、 天冬氨酸转氨酶 （AST）、 高血压及治疗史 （HHT）、 吸烟, 三酰甘油 （TG） 风险最低 （OR=1.494, 95%CI： 1.033~2.162）; 女性人群中丙氨酸转氨酶 （ALT） 风险比最高 （OR=2.383, 95%CI： 1.153~4.927）, 其次为腰围、 TG和年龄, HHBG风险比最低（OR=2.081, 95%CI： 0.947~4.571）; BMI＜23.9 kg/m2 亚组男性风险因素为HHBG、 TG, 女性为年龄、 TG; 24.0 kg/m2 ≤ BMI＜27.9 kg/m2 亚组男性风险因素为年龄、 HHBG、 HHT, 女性为年龄、 ALT、 TG; BMI≥28.0 kg/m2 亚组男性风险因素为 HHBG、 HHT、 AST、 ALT, 女性为年龄。结论 油田地区男性工作年龄人群糖尿病主要风险因素依次为HHBG、 年龄、 AST、 HHT、 吸烟、 TG, 在不同BMI亚组中HHBG始终为糖尿病风险因素; 女性依次为ALT、 腰围、 TG、 年龄、 HHBG, 年龄成为不同BMI亚组共同风险因素。     

不同提取方法对丁香精油体外杀螨效果的影响

目的探讨不同提取方法获取的丁香精油对蠕形螨的体外抑杀效果。方法采用水蒸气蒸馏法、乙醇回流法和超临界二氧化碳萃取法获取丁香精油;采用挤黏结合法获取蠕形螨;镜下观察丁香精油对人体蠕形螨的抑杀效果。结果3种提取方法获取的丁香精油对蠕形螨均有较好的抑杀效果,差异无统计学意义,但是超临界二氧化碳萃取法与水蒸气蒸馏法对两种人体蠕形螨抑杀效果比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．005）,3种提取方法获取的丁香精油对两种人体蠕形螨的抑杀效果与对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．005）。超临界二氧化碳萃取法获取的丁香精油含量最高,3～5min内抑杀效果优于其他方法。结论超临界二氧化碳萃取法因提取率高,提取时间短,无溶剂残留,抑杀蠕形螨效果好,是选择和应用含挥发油类中药材进行抑杀蠕形螨实验的一种首选提取方法。     

Sesame Oil Therapeutically Ameliorates Cardiac Hypertrophy by Regulating Hypokalemia in Hypertensive Rats

Background: Hypokalemia and hypertension are common manifestations of preclinical cardiovascular conditions that have a predictive value for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiac hypertrophy, an important risk factor in heart failure, is attributed to long‐term hypokalemia and hypertension. Sesame oil is rich in nutrients and possesses potent antihypertensive activities. Methods: We investigated the therapeutic potential of sesame oil using a hypertensive model created by subcutaneously injecting deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA; 15 mg/mL/kg in mineral oil; twice weekly for 5 weeks) and supplementing with 1% sodium chloride drinking water (DOCA/salt) to uninephrectomized rats. Sesame oil was administered by oral gavage (0.5 or 1 mL/kg/d for 7 days) after 4 weeks of DOCA/salt treatment. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), electrocardiography (ECG), and K⁺ and Mg²⁺ levels were assessed 24 hours after the last dose of sesame oil. Heart tissue was collected for histologic analysis. Results: Sesame oil effectively reduced the SBP/DBP and ECG abnormalities and increased the serum levels of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ while limiting the urinary excretion of K⁺ in DOCA/salt‐induced hypertensive rats. In addition, sesame oil decreased the heart mass, the thickness of the left ventricle, and the diameter of cardiomyocytes, indicating the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in the hypertensive rats. Conclusion: We demonstrate that sesame oil therapeutically ameliorates cardiac hypertrophy by regulating hypokalemia in hypertensive rats.