Genetic variants of IL-33 are associated with clinical phenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease in Han population of southern China

AIM：To investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin-33 (IL-33) gene are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Han population of southern China. METHODS：Eight tag-SNPs were selected from the IL-33 gene using the HapMap database. These tag-SNPs were genotyped in 250 Crohn disease (CD) patients, 115 ulcerative colitis (UC) cases and 622 healthy controls by MALDI-TOF MS assay. RESULTS：No difference of the distribution frequencies of genotypes and alleles between the cases and the controls was observed (P>0.05). Genotype-phenotype analysis suggested that several sites were associated with clinical phenotypes of CD.The T allele of SNP rs10118795 was a protective factor for extra-intestinal manifestation (EIM; P<0.05, OR=0.513, 95% CI： 0.281~0.938), while the CC genotype of SNP rs7025417 (P<0.05, OR=1.363, 95% CI： 1.006~1.846) was a risk factor for EIM. The C allele of rs10118795 decreased the risk for developing perianal lesions (P<0.05, OR=0.480, 95% CI： 0.232~0.994), while the CC genotype of rs10975519 was a risk factor for perianal lesions (P<0.05, OR=2.054, 95% CI： 1.053~4.009). The G allele of rs10975509 increased the risk of upper gastrointestinal CD (P<0.05, OR=3.570, 95% CI： 1.328～9.600), and the A allele of it increased the risk for developing ileocolonic CD (P<0.05, OR=0.613, 95% CI： 0.377~0.996). In the aspect of treatment, the genotypes of rs10118795, rs10975509 and rs7025417 were associated with mucosal healing after infliximab treatment for 30 weeks (P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.05). In the UC patients, no significant effect of the selected 8 tag-SNPs on the UC phenotypes was observed. CONCLUSION：Eight polymorphisms of IL-33 do not increase the risk of CD and UC in the Han population of southern China, but some of them have an effect on the clinical phenotypes of CD, and 3 SNPs may be potential markers for prediction of effectiveness of infliximab treatment.     

Serum CTRP1 and CTRP7 levels are associated with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus

AIM To investigate the relationship between the serum levels of C1q/TNF-related protein (CTRP) 1 and CTRP7 and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) in the patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS Totally 138 cases of participants were selected, and divided into control group (without T2DM or CAD; n=40), T2DM group (with T2DM, but without CAD; n=30), CAD group (with CAD, but without T2DM; n=40), and CAD+T2DM group (with both T2DM and CAD; n=28). The serum levels of CTRP1 and CTRP7 in these participants were measured by ELISA. RESULTS (1) Compared with control group, serum CTRP1 level in CAD group and CAD+T2DM group was significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and serum CTRP7 level in CAD, T2DM and CAD+T2DM groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (2) Increased serum CTRP1 level was a risk factor for CAD [odds ratio (OR)=1.136; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.010~1.278; P=0.034). Sex, hypertension and serum triglyceride level were also correlated with CAD. Decreased serum CTRP7 level was a risk factor for T2DM (OR=0.984; 95% CI: 0.969~0.999; P=0.038). Sex, hypertension and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level were also correlated with T2DM. Increased serum CTRP1 level was a risk factor for CAD+T2DM (OR=1.009; 95% CI: 1.005~1.203; P=0.040). Hypertension was also a risk factor for CAD+T2DM. (3) In CAD group, serum CTRP1 level had certain diagnostic value, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.670 (95% CI: 0.580~0.760; P=0.001), but serum CTRP7 level had no diagnostic value for CAD. In T2DM group, both serum CTRP1 and CTRP7 levels had diagnostic value, and the AUC values of their ROC curves were 0.607 (95% CI: 0.505~0.710; P=0.032) and 0.665 (95% CI: 0.574~0.756; P=0.001), respectively. In CAD+T2DM group, both serum CTRP1 and CTRP7 levels had diagnostic value, and the AUC values of their ROC curves were 0.666 (95% CI: 0.552~0.781; P=0.007) and 0.632 (95% CI 0.517~0.747; P=0.032), respectively. CONCLUSION Increased serum CTRP1 level and decreased serum CTRP7 level are associated with increased risk of T2DM and CAD. Increased serum CTRP1 level is a risk factor for CAD and CAD+T2DM, while decreased serum CTRP7 level is a risk factor for T2DM. Serum CTRP1 level has certain specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of CAD, T2DM and CAD+T2DM, while serum level of CTRP7 has certain specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of T2DM and CAD+T2DM.     

Association analysis between two SNPs in SNCA and PARK16 genes and Parkinson disease in a Han Chinese population in Liaoning area

AIM: To investigate the genotypic frequency of rs3857059 in SNCA gene and rs16856139 in PARK16 gene for determining the potential genetic risk factors of Parkinson disease (PD) in a Han Chinese population in Liaoning area of China. METHODS: The genomic DNA from 213 PD patients and 214 matched controls was amplified in the multiplex PCR system and subsequently genotyped by digestion with endonuclease Pvu II. Genetic parameter and association studies were carried out with SPSS 13.0 and PLINK 1.07 software. RESULTS: We accurately detected all genotypes in the 2 loci with PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. The gene frequency of G allele in the rs3857059 locus was higher in PD group than that in control group with statistical significance (χ²= 7.592,P<0.01, OR=0.677, 95% CI=0.517~0.888). The T allele frequency in the rs16856139 locus was lower in PD group than that in control group and statistical result revealed a significant difference (χ²=11.511, P<0.01, OR=0.390, 95% CI=0.227~0.669). CONCLUSION: The 2 SNPs investigated in SNCA and PARK16 genes are likely to play roles as common risk factors for PD disease in the Han Chinese population.     

Association of Pro12Ala polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 with gastric cancers in China

AIM: To study the relationship among peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPAR γ2) gene Pro12Ala polymorphism, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and gastric cancer in China.METHODS: 104 consecutive patients with gastric cancer and 104 age-and sex-matched controls from Guangdong Province of southern China were examined. PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP). H. pylori status of subjects was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-H. pylori IgG. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in gastric cancer patients than that in control (81.7% vs 59.6%, 2=12.27, P<0.01; OR=3.0, 95% CI=1.6-5.7). The CC, CG and GG genotype frequency of PPARγ2 gene in Chinese common people was 91.3%, 8.7%, 0 and the G allele frequency was 4.3%. The frequency of PPARγ2 G (Ala12) allele was significantly higher among patients with gastric cancer (19.2%) than that in control subjects (8.7%; P<0.05, OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.1-5.8). Moreover, the combination of PPARγ2 G allele and H. pylori infection substantially increased the risk of gastric cancer (P<0.01, OR=8.9, 95% CI=2.2-35.7). CONCLUSION: PPARγ2 G allele is associated with gastric cancer in China. The risk of developing gastric cancer is significantly increased in the PPARγ2 G allele carriers with H. pylori infection.     

A meta-analysis of 5-aminosalicylic acid preventing the development of intestinal neoplasia in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:We conducted an evaluation of clinical data with meta analysis to investigate the preventive effect of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated colorectal cancer (CRC) or dysplasia (Dys) (IBD-CRC/Dys). METHODS:The information was retrieved from the main databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, etc. All full-text articles about the prevention of IBD-CRC/Dys by 5-ASA were included if they conformed to the standards. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. According to the types of IBD and the treatment course, the subgroup analysis was conducted, respectively. RESULTS:Fifteen articles were selected, including 5 038 IBD patients. Pooled analysis showed a protective association between 5-ASA and IBD-CRC/Dys (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.37～0.76). Among them, both ulcerative colitis patients (OR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.27～0.77) and Crohn disease patients (OR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.16～0.97) with 5-ASA therapy were less likely to develop CRC/Dys compared with those without 5-ASA treatment. 5-ASA treatment for 1～20 years shows a preventive benefit (OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.25～0.74). However, a minimum 5-ASA exposure of 2～6 months did not show a preventive benefit (OR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.26～1.34). CONCLUSION: 5-ASA protects against CRC/Dys in IBD patients. Additionally, the protective effect is treatment time dependent. Treatment course for 1～20 years shows an evident preventive benefit.     

Relationship between monocyte to HDL-C ratio and coronary lesion severity/short-term prognosis in postmenopausal women with normal LDL-C level

AIM To investigate the relationship between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (MHR) and coronary lesion severity/short-term prognosis in postmenopausal women with coronary atherosclerotic heart diseases (CAD) and normal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level. METHODS A cohort of 180 postmenopausal women diagnosed as CAD with LDL-C≤130 mg/dL were enrolled. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the admission MHR: low MHR group (MHR<0.28, n=54), moderate MHR group (0.28≤MHR≤0.44, n=55), and high MHR group (MHR>0.48, n=71). Hospital medical records and coronary angiography of the postmenopausal women were collected. Dominance coronary system, number of lesions, segments for lesions, total occlusion, trifurcation, bifurcation, aorto-ostial lesion, severe tortuosity, length>20 mm, heavy calcification, thrombus, and diffusely diseased and narrowed segment of coronary arteries were scored by SYNTAX score Ⅰ system. The relationship between MHR and SYNTAX score Ⅰ was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis, while the relationship between MHR and acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema was assessed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The incidence of acute myocardial infarction in high MHR group (59.2%, 42 cases) was higher than that in low MHR group (22.2%, 12 cases) and moderate MHR group (32.7%, 18 cases)， with statistical significance (P=0.001). The SYNTAX score Ⅰ in high MHR group was significantly higher than that in low MHR group and moderate MHR group (P=0.003). The incidence of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema within 7 d during admission in high MHR group (22.5%) was higher than that in low MHR group (3.7%) and moderate MHR group (3.6%)， with statistical significance (P<0.001). The positive correlation between MHR and SYNTAX score Ⅰ was observed (r=0.196, P=0.008). The result of multiple linear regression indicated that SYNTAX score Ⅰ was affected by MHR (F=7.631, P=0.001). The result of logistic regression analysis indicated that MHR (OR: 7.910, 95% CI: 2.268~27.589, P=0.001) and serum creatinine (OR: 1.017, 95% CI: 1.005~1.029, P=0.006) were independent predictors of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. CONCLUSION The MHR was a novel biomarker for coronary lesion severity and incidence of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema in postmenopausal women with CAD and normal LDL-C level.     

Relation between severe coronary stenosis lesion distribution and risk factors in young and middle-aged adults

AIM: To evaluate the classical and novel risk factors in young and middle-aged patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and to analyze the relation between coronary risk factors and coronary lesion distribution. METHODS: A group of one hundred and eighty-nine patients, aged not more than 60 years with severe coronary stenosis on coronary angiography, and the other group of age-matched one hundred and sixty-one patients having normal or non-severe stenosis on coronary angiography were comprised in the study. Conventional factors (such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension, lipid spectrum and fasting plasma glucose) and novel risk factor (homocysteine) were compared between the groups. Moreover, the relation between the risk factors, and coronary lesion distribution including left main artery (LMA) or proximal or mid-left anterior descending (LAD) artery and remaining coronary lesions were investigated. Logistic regression analysis was used to define confounding factors for predicting severe CAD and coronary lesion distribution. RESULTS: Male and smoking were more prevalent in the group with severe coronary stenosis compared to the other group. The levels of homocysteine, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B were also higher in the group with severe coronary stenosis than those in the other group. From the perspective of gender analysis, homocysteine and apolipoprotein B significantly increased regardless of gender in severe coronary stenosis group. In men, the prevalence of diabetes rates and fasting plasma glucose were higher in severe coronary stenosis group. In women, the prevalence of triglyceride is obviously increased in severe coronary stenosis group. Male, smoking, homocysteine and apolipoprotein B were independent predictors of severe CAD in young and middle-aged patients according to logistic regression analysis with odds ratios of 2.798 (95% CI: 1.520~5.152; P<0.01), 3.570 (95% CI: 2.125~5.996; P<0.01), 1.079 (95% CI: 1.028~1.133; P<0.01), and 2.883 (95% CI: 1.427~5.825; P<0.01). Group analysis in the severe coronary stenosis patients revealed that only homocysteine was an independent predictor of LMA or proximal or mid-LAD lesion presence with an odds ratio of 0.911 (95% CI: 0.831~0.998; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, young and middle-aged patients with severe CAD have different risk profiles with higher frequency of male, smoking and increased levels of apolipoprotein B and homocysteine. Only homocysteine predicts coronary lesion distribution in LMA and proximal or mid-LAD.     

Association of OPG gene single nucleotide polymorphisms with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese Han population

AIM：To investigate the association of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 163A/G (rs3102735) and 245T/G (rs3134069), with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese Han population. METHODS：A total of 205 patients with RA and 171 healthy control subjects were enrolled into this study. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism and subsequently confirmed by DNA sequencing. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the risk genotypes and alleles. RESULTS：OPG gene polymorphisms 163A/G and 245T/G were conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The statistical differences in the genotypes of AA, AG and GG at 163A/G locus were found in RA and controls. The G allele was associated with an increased risk of RA, with OR of 1.219 (95％ CI: 1.066~2.339). No significant difference was observed between RA group and control group with respect to genotypic and allelic frequencies of OPG gene 245T/G (P>0.05）. CONCLUSION：The OPG gene 163A/G SNP may be associated with RA susceptibility, and G allele may be the risk factor for developing RA.     

Diagnostic value of serum miR-21 for diabetic nephropathy

AIM:To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum miR-21 as a molecular biomarker in the patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS:Twenty-five patients with DN, 50 patients with type II diabetes ［divided into DMA group and DMB group base on urinary microalbumin (UmAlb), 25 in each group］, 25 patients with diabetic nephropathy-induced uremia (UM) and 25 normal controls (NC) were included in the study. Total RNA was extracted from the serum samples for determining the miR-21 level using real-time PCR. The relationship between miR-21 level and clinical parameters of the patients with diabetic nephropathy was analyzed. RESULTS:The relative expression level of serum miR-21 was significantly lower in DN group than that in DMA group, DMB group and NC group, and was significantly higher than that in UM group (all P<001). The serum miR-21 level showed significant negative correlation with cystatin C, UmAlb, UmAlb/urinary creatinine in DN patients (P<0.01,P<0.05,P<0.05). For discriminating the DN patients from NC, DMA, DMB, DMA＋NC, DMB＋NC and DMA＋DMB, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) for serum miR-21 were 0848 (95% CI: 0737~0959), 0896 (95% CI: 0812~0980), 0782 (95% CI: 0641~0922), 0838 (95% CI: 0743~0933), 0796 (95% CI: 0675~0917) and 0808 (95% CI: 0704~0911), and the sensitivity and specificity were 800% and 720%, 720% and 880%, 720% and 840%, 760% and 770%, 760% and 820%, 700% and 860%, respectively. For discriminating the DN patients from DMA＋DMB＋NC, the AUC-ROC was 0845 (95% CI: 0752~0939), and the sensitivity and specificity were 760% and 773%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum miR-21 can serve as a molecular diagnostic marker for diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.     

Genetic polymorphism of caspase-7 isoform β in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

AIM: To investigate the association between the rs2227309 polymorphism of cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-7 (caspase-7) isoform β and the genetic susceptibility in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Taizhou of China. METHODS: Genotyping of rs2227309 of caspase-7 isoform β gene was performed in 204 RA patients and 203 matched healthy controls using TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assays. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of GG, AG and AA of caspase-7 polymorphism in the RA patients were 33.3%, 53.4% and 13.2%, respectively, and 33.0%, 44.3% and 22.7% in the healthy individuals,respectively. There was a significant difference in caspase-7 genotype frequencies between the RA patients and healthy controls (P<0.05). The frequency of GG+AG genotype in RA patients was higher than that in healthy controls with significant difference (P<0.05, OR=1.921, 95%CI: 1.140~3.236). The frequencies of the G allele were 60.0% and 55.2% in the RA patients and the healthy individuals,respectively. No significant difference was observed in allele frequency between the RA patients and healthy controls (P>0.05, OR=1.221, 95%CI: 0.924~1.613). CONCLUSION: The rs2227309 polymorphism of caspase-7 isoform β gene is associated with the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. The high production of the non-functional variant of caspase-7 may reduce the apoptosis of rheumatoid synovial cells, indicating the mechanism of this association.     

Effect of anesthesia depth with Narcotrend monitoring on cognitive function after gastrointestinal tumor surgery in elderly patients

AIM: To determine the correlation of anesthesia depth and the regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO₂) under the monitoring of Narcotrend (NT), and its predictive value for post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in senior patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery. METHODS: From June 2018 to June 2019, 90 elderly patients who were scheduled for gastrointestinal tumor surgery were enrolled. The depth of anesthesia was monitored with Narcotrend index (NTI), and the rSO₂ was evaluated by the near-infrared spectroscopy throughout the intraoperative periods. Cognitive function of the patients was evaluated by using mini-mental state examination (MMSE) 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: The patients (n=25) were diagnosed with POCD at 24 h after surgery. The patients with POCD had significantly longer duration of NTI<35 than that in non-POCD patients (P<0.05). Moreover, there was significantly longer duration of ΔrSO₂>13% to baseline and rSO₂<55%. The duration of NTI<35 was highly correlated with the duration of ΔrSO₂>13% to baseline (r=0.62, 95% CI=0.35~0.89, P=0.004). The serum S100β level in POCD group was significantly higher than that in non-POCD patients, while there was no statistically difference with respect to the serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6). CONCLUSION: Deep anesthesia was likely to exacerbate the imbalance of cerebral oxygen supply and consumption in elderly surgical patients, which might further cause the injury of central nervous system. Narcotrend-guided anesthesia might have beneficial effects on the prevention of POCD especially in elderly patients.     

Association of rs2162459 polymorphism in CYP7A1 gene with effectiveness of atorvastatin in northern Chinese Han population

AIM：To investigate the association of the polymorphism of rs2162459 locus in cytochrome P-450, family 7, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP7A1) gene, encoding cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, with the effectiveness of atorvastatin in northern Chinese Han population. METHODS：Clinical data and blood samples of 200 cases of hyperlipidemia patients were collected. The variants of rs2162459 in CYP7A1 gene were detected by multiplex SNaPshot technology. Several genetic models were constructed to analyse the association of gene polymorphism with the effectiveness of atorvastatin by logistic regression method. RESULTS：The polymorphism of rs2162459 was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The baseline high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations in three genotypes of AA, GA and GG were (136±0.94) mmol/L, (1.16±0.38) mmol/L and (1.07±0.28) mmol/L, respectively (P<0.05). There were differences in the genotypic frequency and allelic frequency between atorvastatin effective and ineffective groups (both P<005). Significant differences in regulating HDL-C level among the three genotypes of rs2162459 were found after logistic regression. The results of additive model, generalized model and dominant model, presented as OR (95% CI), were 1.74 (1.09~2.77), 2.86 (1.13~7.25) and 2.21 (1.12~4.33), respectively. CONCLUSION: The baseline HDL-C level in the carriers of GG genotype is lower than that in the carriers of the other two genotypes. The HDL-C-elevating effect of atorvastatin on GG genotype carriers is more significant than that on AA genotype carriers.     

Investigating the correlation between MTDH/AEG-1 gene 5'-UTR polymorphism and genetic susceptibility to sporadic colorectal cancer

AIM: To assess the correlation between MTDH/AEG-1 gene 5'-UTR polymorphism and genetic susceptibility to sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) in southern Chinese population by TaqMan-MGB fluorescence probes. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out on southern Chinese population to collect blood DNA samples (693 sporadic CRCs and 660 controls respectively) to investigate MTDH/AEG-1 gene 5'-UTR polymorphism by TaqMan-MGB probes. RESULTS: The distribution of MTDH/AEG-1 5'-UTR genotypes (-1 913C/G,-797G/A) had no significance between CRCs and controls. But GG genotype of -1 913C/G could increase the susceptibility of CRC in drinker(OR=1.71,95%CI=1.13-2.57) and female(OR=1.48, 95%CI= 1.01-2.17), -1 913GG had interaction with drinking and female gender to increase the risk of CRC( P<0.01); Mutated genotypes of -797(GA+AA) also could increase the susceptibility of CRC in drinker (OR=1.55,95%CI= 1.06-2.27) and person with family history of cancer(OR=3.48,95%CI= 1.60-7.57), -797(GA+AA) had interaction with drinking and positive family history of cancer to increase the risk of CRC( P<0.01). But both polymorphisms were not interacted with age, smoking and fatness. CONCLUSION: MTDH/AEG-1 gene 5'-UTR polymorphism has no significant relevance with sporadic CRC susceptibility, but is irrelevant with drinking, gender and family history of cancer to increase the risk of CRC.     

Relationship between levels of plasma endothelin-1/serum nitric oxide and hearing impairment in type 2 diabetes

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between endothelin-1 (ET-1)/nitric oxide (NO) and hearing impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).METHODS: Eighty-eight type 2 diabetic patients with no signs of microangiopathy (retinopathy and nephropathy) or peripheral neuropathy, and 53 healthy subjects in the same period were enrolled in this study. Auditory function was evaluated using pure tone audiometry. Totally,type 2 DM group (n=88) and normal control group (NC, n=53) were divided into subgroups based on the presence and absence of hearing impairment. The concentration of plasma ET-1 was detected by radioimmunoassay. The concentration of serum NO was measured by the method of nitric acid reductase.RESULTS: Significantly increased plasma ET-1 and decreased serum NO were observed in diabetic patients with hearing impairment compared with those in diabetic patients without hearing impairment. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hearing impairment in type 2 DM group was significantly associated with elevated level of HbA1c (OR＝4.525, P<0.05), LDL-C (OR=2.381,P<0.05) and plasma ET-1 (OR＝6.207,P<0.01). Besides, elevated serum level of NO (OR＝0.862, P<0.05) was associated with lower risk of hearing impairment in diabetics.CONCLUSION: Hearing impairment may happen earlier than other complications in diabetic patients. In addition to hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia, high level of ET-1 and low levels of NO might contribute to hearing impairment in diabetic patients.     

Correlation of adiponectin gene SNP+45 T/G polymorphism with coronary heart disease

AIM: To investigate the relationship between adiponectin gene SNP+45 polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD) in south China Han population. METHODS: The nondiabetic CHD patients diagnosed by the coronary angiography were selected as CHD subjects (153 cases), and 73 healthy adults served as normal control subjects. The polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to identify the distribution pattern of adiponectin gene SNP+45 in all subjects. The levels of plasma adiponectin were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The frequency of T/G + G/G genotype and G allele in CHD patients were significantly higher than those in control subjects (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the adiponectin gene SNP+45 T/G+G/G genotype had a strong positive association with CHD (OR: 2.132, 95.0% CI: 1.034-4.397, P＜0.05). The plasma adiponectin was negatively associated with CHD (OR: 0.868, 95.0% CI: 0.785-0.959, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The T/G+ G/G genotype was a possible risk factor for CHD in southern China Han population.     

Circadian protein Cry2 is a prognostic factor of colorectal cancer and a predictor of chemotherapy

AIM:To assess the association between the expression of Cry2 and the prognosis of colorectal cancer for determining the role of Cry2 in predicting the outcome of chemotherapy. METHODS:Sixteen primary colorectal cancer patients who consecutively underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil were enrolled in the present study. The tumor specimens were obtained by colonscopy prior to treatment. The tumor response was evaluated by the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors(RECIST). Accordingly, the patients were divided into 2 groups:complete response(CR)/partial response(PR) and stable disease(SD)/progress disease(PD). Two-tail ² test was applied to analyze the data. In parallel, we assessed 307 patients, who underwent tumor resection between 2001 and 2005. Survival time was calculated from the date of surgery to the date of death or the last follow-up date. Survival curves were obtained by Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test was applied for univariate analysis. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the independent prognostic factors. RESULTS:The expression of Cry2 was high in CR/PR patients and was low in SD/PD patients, with significant difference(P<0.05). The average survival time of the 84 patients with high expression of Cry2 was 83.458 months, while the average survival time of 223 patients with low expression of Cry2 was 100.10 months, also with significant difference(P<0.05). The patients with low expression of Cry2 lived longer. The multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the expression of Cry2 was an independent prognostic factor for colorectal cancer patients(HR was 1.70, 95% CI was 1.09 to 2.66, P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression showed that high Cry2 expression predicted a worse prognosis(HR was 2.88, 95%CI was 1.03 to 8.06, P<0.05) in colorectal cancer patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION:Expression of Cry2 is an independent prognostic factor for colorectal cancer patients. Lower expression of Cry2 indicates good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.     

Role of calcineurin in airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma

AIM:To investigate the role of calcineurin (CaN) in airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma.METHODS:Male guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control, asthma group and CsA group. The following parameters were measured: 1. The protein content, cell count and differential count of BALF; 2. The amount of [³H]-TdR incorporation into central airway smooth muscle; 3. The mean thickness of airway wall and airway smooth muscle of small airwaysl; 4.CaN activity of trachea and lung tissue.RESULTS:1. The protein content, cell count and eosinophil of BALF in CsA group were 46%, 51% and 60% lower than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01); 2. [³H]-TdR incorporation in CsA group was 22% lower than that in asthma group (P＜0.05);3. The mean thickness of airway wall and airway smooth muscle were 34% and 37% less in CsA group than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01); 4. CaN activity of lung tissue and trachea were 52% and 44% lower in CsA group than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:CsA reduced airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma, indicating the role of CaN in the airway remodeling.