芒果苷减轻缺氧复氧所致人心肌细胞损伤

目的:探讨芒果苷减轻缺氧复氧所致人心肌细胞损伤的效应及机制。方法:将人心肌AC16细胞分为正常对照组、缺氧复氧组及芒果苷(50、100和200μmol/L)+缺氧复氧组。分别采用RT-qPCR及Western blot法检测Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白1(Keap-1)、Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3、caspase-9和超氧化物歧化酶2(SOD2)的mRNA及蛋白表达;Western blot法检测细胞核中核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf-2)的表达水平;RT-qPCR法检测miR-432-3p的表达;DCFH-DA探针检测细胞内活性氧簇(ROS)的生成;CCK-8法检测细胞活力;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡。结果:相对于正常对照组,缺氧复氧处理AC16细胞后,miR-432-3p和Keap-1的mRNA及蛋白表达无明显变化,Nrf-2核转位和ROS生成增多(P<0.05),Bax、caspase-3和caspase-9的mRNA及蛋白水平显著升高(P<0.05),SOD2和Bcl-2的mRNA及蛋白水平以及细胞活力显著降低(P<0.05),细胞凋亡显著增多(P<0.05);相对于缺氧复氧组,芒果苷处理组miR-432-3p表达显著上调(P<0.05),ROS生成减少(P<0.05),Keap-1、Bax、caspase-3和caspase-9的mRNA及蛋白水平显著下降(P<0.05),Nrf-2核转位进一步增多(P<0.05),SOD2和Bcl-2的mRNA及蛋白水平以及细胞活力显著升高(P<0.05),细胞凋亡显著减少(P<0.05),中、高剂量组的效应明显优于低剂量组,中、高剂量组间的差异无统计学显著性。结论:芒果苷可抑制缺氧复氧损伤所造成的心肌细胞活力下降及细胞凋亡,其机制可能与其促进miR-432-3p表达,进而上调Nrf-2抗氧化应激效应有关。     

芍药苷减轻布比卡因诱导背根神经节细胞神经毒性的机制研究

目的 基于细胞凋亡和氧化应激途径探讨芍药苷减轻布比卡因（BV）麻醉诱导背根神经节（DRG）原代神经细胞神经毒性的作用。方法 将DRG原代神经细胞随机分成空白对照组、芍药苷组、BV组及芍药苷+BV组。MTT法检测细胞的增殖率;Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色检测细胞凋亡率;Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2和活性caspase-3的表达水平;DCFH-DA法检测细胞内活性氧（ROS）水平;ELISA法检测细胞内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）和丙二醛（MDA）水平。结果 与空白对照组比较,BV组、芍药苷+BV组中DRG原代神经细胞的增殖率、Bcl-2表达及SOD和GPx含量显著降低,而细胞凋亡率、Bax和活性caspase-3表达、平均荧光强度、MDA含量显著升高,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）;芍药苷组DRG原代神经细胞的增殖率、凋亡率、Bax、Bcl-2、活性caspase-3表达无显著变化（P>0.05）,但平均荧光强度、MDA含量显著降低,SOD、GPx含量显著升高,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。与...     

紫草素减轻低氧-复氧致大鼠心肌细胞系H9c2损伤

目的探索紫草素对低氧-复氧(H/R)损害的H9c2心肌细胞的保护作用。方法将心肌细胞系H9c2分为对照组、H/R组、紫草素(0.1、1和10μmol/L)干预组,每组3个平行孔;MTT法检测紫草素对H9c2细胞毒性;流式细胞计量术检测细胞凋亡和周期;DCFH-DA检测细胞活性氧水平;生化检测细胞中MDA、8-OHdG和GSH含量;qPCR检测细胞γ-GCS、HO-1和NQO1 mRNA表达;Western blot检测细胞中Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3、cleaved caspase-3、Keap1和Nrf2蛋白表达;免疫荧光检测细胞Nrf2蛋白进核情况。结果紫草素呈浓度-时间依赖性抑制H9c2细胞增殖(P<0.05);H/R诱导H9c2细胞凋亡、细胞周期阻滞及促进Bax及cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达,抑制Bcl-2蛋白表达(P<0.05),紫草素呈浓度依赖性抑制细胞凋亡、解除细胞周期阻滞及cleaved caspase-3和Bax蛋白表达,增加Bcl-2蛋白表达;紫草素可降低H/R所致活性氧水平、MDA及8-OHdG升高,增高H/R所致GSH含量以及γ-GCS、HO-1和NQO1 mRNA的表达下调,导致Nrf2蛋白的升高及Keap1下调,并促进Nrf2蛋白进核(P<0.05)。结论紫草素减轻低氧-复氧致H9c2心肌细胞的损伤。     

低氧训练与低氧大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及凋亡因子的表达

背景：低氧训练时,机体既要承受运动负荷,同时处于外界的低氧环境,此时, 心组织将如何适应其变化?其机制研究国内外较少。 目的：观察低氧与低氧训练对大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及Bax及Bcl-2表达的影响。 方法：SD大鼠共60只随机分为6组,常氧组、低氧8 h组、低氧12 h组、常氧训练组、低氧8 h训练组和低氧12 h训练组,每组10只。后3组大鼠每天在坡度为0的动物跑台上以25 m/min的速度训练1 h。训练完后,将低氧8 h组、低氧8 h训练组和低氧12 h组、低氧12 h训练组放入氧体积分数为12.5%(相当于海拔4 000 m)的低氧舱内8 h和12 h。实验期为4周,5 d/周。最后1次实验结束后24 h,大鼠均实施速眠新Ⅱ腹腔麻醉后取材,采用苏木精-伊红染色、原位末端脱氧核糖核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记法及蛋白免疫组织化学法检测各组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡和Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达。 结果与结论：①与常氧组相比, 低氧12h组、常氧训练组、低氧训练组心肌细胞凋亡指数均显著增加 (P < 0.05) ;低氧12 h训练组心肌细胞凋亡指数显著多于常氧训练组和低氧8h训练组(P < 0.05) 。②与常氧组比较,其他各组Bcl-2、Bax、Bcl-2/Bax均显著性增高(P < 0.05) ;常氧训练组Bcl-2、Bax、Bcl-2/Bax表达显著高于低氧 8 h组,显著低于低氧12 h训练组(P < 0.05) ;低氧12 h训练组Bcl-2、Bax、Bcl-2/Bax表达比低氧12 h组、低氧8 h训练组显著增加(P < 0.05)。提示低氧、低氧训练可诱导大鼠心肌细胞Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达, 运动时低氧刺激与细胞凋亡率、凋亡指数及病理损伤有关,其中以低氧12 h后运动训练组最明显,心肌细胞的凋亡调控与Bcl-2和Bax相关。     

红景天苷对急性心肌缺血大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的作用及机制研究

目的：观察红景天苷对急性心肌缺血大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响,探讨其可能的分子机制。方法：制备Sprague Dawley大鼠急性心肌缺血模型,随机分为红景天苷高、低剂量组(40 mg/kg、10 mg/kg)、急性心肌缺血组和对照组。原位末端转移酶标记染色法检测心肌组织凋亡情况,免疫印迹法检测心肌组织Bcl-2、Bax、Cytochrome c (Cyt-c)、cleaved caspase-3以及cleaved caspase-9蛋白的表达水平。结果：原位末端转移酶标记染色法显示红景天苷浓度依赖性抑制急性心肌缺血所引起心肌细胞的凋亡;免疫印迹法结果显示,与急性心肌缺血组相比,红景天苷干预后心肌组织中Bcl-2的蛋白表达显著增加,Bax的蛋白表达显著减少,胞浆(cyto)中Cyt-c的蛋白表达水平显著下降,cleaved caspase-3和cleaved caspase-9表达均显著降低。结论：红景天苷具有抗心肌细胞凋亡的作用,其作用机制可能是通过抑制线粒体通路减少细胞的凋亡。本实验为红景天苷可作为临床上治疗缺血性心脏病提供实验依据。     

心肌再灌注对抑郁大鼠心肌细胞凋亡以及bcl-2、bax和caspase-3表达的影响

目的: 探讨心肌缺血再灌注(I/R)对抑郁大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及凋亡基因bcl-2、bax和 caspase-3 的影响。方法: Wistar大鼠32只,随机分为4组,每组各8只。A组:非抑郁大鼠假手术组;B组:抑郁大鼠假手术组;C组:非抑郁大鼠心肌I/R组;D组:抑郁大鼠心肌I/R组。采用慢性轻度不可预知性应激结合孤养制备抑郁模型,用敞箱实验和液体消耗实验观察大鼠行为改变;运用结扎左冠状动脉前降支的方法复制心肌I/R模型。运用 TUNEL法检测心肌凋亡细胞;运用免疫组化法和逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法检测bcl-2、bax和 caspase-3 的表达。结果: (1)与A、B组比较,C、D组心肌细胞凋亡数量显著增加(P<0.01),A、B两组间比较无显著差异;与C组比较,D组心肌细胞凋亡数量显著增加(P<0.05)。(2)与A、B组比较,C、D组Bcl-2、Bax和caspase-3蛋白和mRNA表达显著增加(P<0.01),A、B两组间比较无显著差异; 与C组比较,D组Bcl-2蛋白和mRNA表达显著减少(P<0.05),而Bax和caspase-3蛋白和mRNA表达显著增加(P<0.05)。结论: 心肌缺血再灌注可加重抑郁大鼠缺血心肌细胞凋亡,其机制可能与上调bax和 caspase-3 基因表达、下调 bcl-2 基因表达有关。     

敲减G蛋白偶联受体75表达抑制20-HETE诱导的H9c2心肌细胞凋亡

目的:探讨G蛋白偶联受体75(GPR75)对20-羟二十烷四烯酸(20-HETE)诱导H9c2心肌细胞凋亡的影响及机制。方法:慢病毒转染敲减H9c2心肌细胞GPR75基因表达;TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡率;RT-qPCR法检测GPR75以及凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2和Bax的mRNA表达;JC-1荧光探针检测线粒体膜电位水平;Western blot法检测GPR75、Bcl-2、Bax及细胞色素C(CytC)蛋白表达;发色底物法检测caspase-3的活性。结果:H9c2心肌细胞在mRNA及蛋白水平均表达GPR75,敲减GPR75抑制了20-HETE诱导的细胞凋亡(P<0.05);同时,敲减GPR75阻断了20-HETE诱导的Bax和CytC表达上调以及caspase-3活性增高作用(P<0.05),逆转了20-HETE诱导的Bcl-2表达下调和线粒体膜电位下降(P<0.05)。结论:20-HETE通过GPR75介导引起线粒体功能紊乱,诱导H9c2心肌细胞凋亡。     

牛磺酸对烧伤大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响及其机制

目的:观察牛磺酸（Tau）对烧伤后心肌细胞凋亡的影响并探讨其作用机制。方法:选健康Wistar大鼠50只，随机分为对照组、烧伤组（造成30%TBSAⅢ度烧伤）、烧伤+牛磺酸组（烫伤后即刻腹腔注射牛磺酸，200 mg/kg）、烧伤+牛磺酸(Tau)+SB202190组及烧伤+SB202190组（烫伤后立即注射SB202190，10 mg/kg）。末端标记（TUNEL）法检测凋亡细胞，放射免疫法测定TNFα含量，荧光分析法测定caspase-3活性及免疫组化分析心肌Fas、caspase-8、Bcl-2和Bax蛋白的表达。结果:烧伤组心肌细胞凋亡指数（18.69±2.47）显著高于对照组（0.48±0.05）（P<0.01），心肌Fas、caspase-8、TNF-α和Bax蛋白水平及caspase-3活性也显著高于对照组，但Bcl-2蛋白表达显著低于对照组（P<0.01）。Tau组和Tau+SB202190组心肌细胞凋亡指数分别为3.15±0.41和1.63±0.31，显著低于烧伤组。心肌TNFα、Fas、caspase-8和Bax蛋白表达及caspase-3活性均不同程度低于烧伤组（P<0.05）,但Bcl-2蛋白表达则显著高于烧伤组（P<0.05）。结论:牛磺酸对烧伤后心肌细胞凋亡有较好的抑制作用，其机制可能是牛磺酸调控了部分凋亡相关基因的表达和减少TNF-α的生成。     

柚皮苷抑制低氧/复氧致大鼠心肌细胞系H9c2损伤

目的研究柚皮苷(NAR)对H9c2低氧/复氧(H/R)损伤心肌细胞内质网应激的影响。方法将H9c2心肌细胞随机分为对照组(C组)、低氧/复氧组(H/R组)低氧4 h后复氧24 h、柚皮苷10、20和40μg/mL组。于低氧前6 h给予柚皮苷培养再行低氧4 h后复氧24 h。实验后TUNEL检测心肌细胞凋亡;Western blot检测GRP78、ATF6、Bax及Bcl-2蛋白表达。结果与对照组相比,H/R组细胞凋亡增加,GRP78、ATF6、Bax蛋白表达和Bax/Bcl-2比率显著上调,而Bcl-2蛋白表达显著下调(P0.05);与H/R组比较,柚皮苷3个剂量组均可使细胞凋亡减少,GRP78、ATF6、Bax、Bax/Bcl-2比率下调,Bcl-2上调(P0.05),尤其以柚皮苷20和40μg/mL组作用最显著。结论柚皮苷预处理可以降低细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制内质网应激有关。     

Urocortin调控Bcl-2家族与大鼠缺氧/复氧心肌细胞凋亡

目的观察神经肽Urocortin对大鼠缺氧/复氧心肌细胞Bcl-2及相关基因mRNA表达和细胞凋亡的影响。方法培养新生大鼠的心肌细胞并缺氧/复氧处理,用RT-PCR检测Bcl-2、Bax、Bcl-xL、Bad mRNA表达,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡。结果Urocortin治疗组Bcl-2的mRNA表达与缺氧/复氧组比较明显增加(P<0.05),Bax的表达明显下降(P<0.05),Bcl-xL、Bad mRNA表达无明显改变(P>0.05)。Urocortin治疗组凋亡细胞率与缺氧/复氧组比较减少(P<0.05)。结论Urocortin调节心肌细胞Bcl-2家族基因转录下凋促凋亡基因Bax表达,上调抑凋亡基因Bcl-2使Bcl-2/Bax比值增加。这可能是Urocortin抗大鼠缺氧/复氧心肌细胞凋亡的机制之一。     

Renal dysplasia and asplenia in two sibs

A family is reported in which two sibs, one male and the other female, both died within 24 hours of birth with enlarged polycystic kidneys. Postmortem histology in the second child showed gross renal dysplasia. In both children the pancreas was enlarged, nodular and cystic but the liver appeared macroscopically normal. In the second child, histological examination confirmed pancreatic fibrosis with cystic dilation of ducts, but showed portal fibrosis with bile duct proliferation in the liver.
This combination of findings is very reminiscent of those in a girl and her brother reported by Ivemark et al. (1959). The children reported here also showed absence or hypoplasia of the spleen, cardiac anomalies and other features of the Ivemark syndrome (Ivemark 1955), a quite different, usually sporadic, congenital disorder. It is suggested that the children described here have a distinct lethal congenital disorder, probably inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.     

Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

What will studies of Fulani individuals naturally exposed to malaria teach us about protective immunity to malaria?

There are an estimated over 200 million yearly cases of malaria worldwide. Despite concerted international effort to combat the disease, it still causes approximately half a million deaths every year, the majority of which are young children with Plasmodium falciparum infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Successes are largely attributed to malaria prevention strategies, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor spraying, as well as improved access to existing treatments. One important hurdle to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of malaria is our limited understanding of the biology of Plasmodium infection and its complex interaction with the immune system of its human host. Therefore, the elimination of malaria in Africa not only relies on existing tools to reduce malaria burden, but also requires fundamental research to develop innovative approaches. Here, we summarize our discoveries from investigations of ethnic groups of West Africa who have different susceptibility to malaria.     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

Class II HLA in Georgia Caucasus Tbilisi Georgians and their Mediterranean ancestry: The Usko Mediterranean languages

Georgia (or Sakartvelo in its own language) is a South Caucasus Mts. country with its easternmost part is enigmatically named Iberia, like the Iberian Peninsula, which may refer to rivers “Kura” and “Ebro” or their valleys respectively. Most of their inhabitants speak Georgian which is included within Dene-Caucasian group and Usko-Mediterranean subgroup of languages. The latter includes Basque, Berber, ancient Iberian-Tartessian, Etruscan, Hittite, Minoan Lineal A and others. In the present paper, HLA class II -DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles has been studied and extended haplotypes calculated. Most frequent haplotypes are also of Mediterranean origin (i. e.: (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*13:01-DQB1*06:03, or (A*24-B*35)-DRB1*01:01-DQB1*05:01) and DA genetic distances show that closest world populations to Georgians are Mediterraneans. Georgians also show common extended haplotypes ((A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*13)-DRB1*07:01-DQB1*02:01 and (A*03-B*35)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01) with Svan people, a secluded population in North Georgia mountains. We can conclude that Georgians belong to a very old Mediterranean substratum according to both linguistics (Usko Mediterranean languages) and HLA genetics.     

Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie aus kardiologischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe pathologischer Zustände bedingen Magnesiummangel. Zustände mit Hypermagnesämie sind ebenfalls bekannt, doch wesentlich seltener. Für den Kardiologen beachtenswert ist, daß unter Therapie mit bestimmten Diuretica bei Herzinsuffizienz, bei Herzinfarkt, Kardiomyopathie, Digitalisintoxikation und bestimmten Herzrhythmusstörungen Hypomagnesämie beobachtet wurde. Leider kann in der klinischen Routine nur ein extracelluläres Magnesiumdefizit durch Serumbestimmungen gemessen werden; über Magnesiummangel einzelner Organe kann nichts ausgesagt werden. Hinweise für Magnesiummangel geben aber neben der Messung des Serumspiegels Anamnese, klinischer Befund, bestimmte EKG-Veränderungen wie auch evtl. Hypokalämie, ein Zustand, bei dem sich oft — besonders bei Aldosteronismus — parallele Veränderungen zeigten.Tierexperimente deuten darauf hin, daß infarktähnliche Läsionen unter Magnesiummangel entstehen, doch ob Herzinfarkt beim Menschen durch Magnesiummangel ausgelöst werden kann, ist noch ungeklärt. In Leichenherzen zeigte sich im Infarktgebiet neben Calciumakkumulation signifikanter Magnesiumverlust, wobei unklar blieb, ob sich Ursache oder Folge des Infarktes widerspiegelten. Falls ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang besteht, ist er im Myokardstoffwechsel selbst zu suchen, wie bei der Alkoholkardiomyopathie, wo myokardialer Magnesiummangel zumindest als pathogenetischer Teilfaktor anerkannt wird. Andererseits versucht man aber auch Beziehungen zwischen Atherosklerose, Blutgerinnung und Hypomagnesämie herzustellen, in der Meinung, daß Magnesiummangel auch über den coronaren Pathomechanismus des Herzinfarktes wirken könnte. Sicher scheint, daß gewisse EKG-Veränderungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen durch einen irritierten Magnesiumhaushalt bedingt sein können, da sie bei Gabe bzw. Entzug von Magnesium verschwinden. Daß Magnesiummangel die Glykosidtoleranz verringert, wird tierexperimentell bestätigt. Unter Hypomagnesämie bewirkt Acetylstrophanthidin eher und länger Rhythmusstörungen als ohne, außerdem lassen diese sich durch Magnesiumgaben eliminieren. Da in gewissen Fällen spontane und digitalisinduzierte Herzrythmusstörungen durch Magnesiuminjektionen beseitigt wurden, scheint Magnesium als Therapeuticum angebracht. Einsatz verschiedener Magnesiumsalze bei Angina pectoris, degenerativen Herzerkrankungen und Herzinsuffizienz ohne geprüften und offensichtlich gestörten Magnesiumhaushalt ist fragwürdig, weil keine eindeutigen klinischen Erfolgsbeweise vorliegen. Immerhin mag es aber larvierte, durch Serumbestimmungen nicht erfaßbare Mangelzustände geben. Allgemein erscheint es aus kardiologischer Sicht ratsam, den Magnesiumhaushalt zu überwachen und in entsprechenden Fällen auszugleichen, um möglichen Myokardläsionen oder fatalen Herzrhythmusstörungen entgegenzuwirken.     

HLA in North Colombia Chimila Amerindians

HLA-A,-B,-C,-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles have been studied in Chimila Amerindians from Sabana de San Angel (North Colombian Coast) by using high resolution molecular typing. A frequent extended haplotype was found:HLA-A*24:02-B*51:10-C*15:02-BRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 (28.7%) which has also been described in Amerinndian Mayos Mexican population (Mexico, California Gulf, Pacific Ocean). Other haplotypes had already been found in Amerindians from Mexico (Pacific and Atlantic Coast), Peru (highlands and Amazon Basin), Bolivia and North USA. A geographic pattern according to HLA allele or haplotype frequencies is lacking in Amerindians, as already known. Also, five new extended haplotypes were found in Chimila Amerindians. Their HLA-A*24:02 high frequencies characteristic is shared with aboriginal populations of Taiwan; also, HLA-C*01:02 high frequencies are found in New Zealand Maoris, New Caledonians and Kimberly Aborigines from Australia. Finally, this study may show a model of evolutionary factors acting and rising one HLA allele frequency (-A*24:02), but not in others that belong to the same or different HLA loci.     

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Introduction: The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors.

Areas covered: We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD.

Expert commentary: The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.     

Functional role of fertility α2

Fertility α₂-microglobulin is one of the main proteins expressed between the late lutein phase of the menstrual cycle and the first gestation trimester. It is produced by endometrial secretory glandular epithelium and decidual membrane. It is believed to be involved in the preparation to gestation, conception, normal development of the fetoplacental system, and initiation of labor. The immunomodulating, effect of fertility α₂-microglobulin and its possible involvement in the regulation of fertilization by blocking the spermatozoon reaction with the ovocyte lucid membrane were demonstratedin vitro. The data of structural analysis (appurtenance to lipocalines and unique pattern of N-glycosylation) and analysis of the spatial and temporal parameters of the expression in connection with other events in the organism within the same system of coordinates propated us to investigate the probability of realization of other, so far unknown functions of α₂-microglobulin. The probable mechanisms of realization of the immunomodulating function are analyzed. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 10, pp. 364–373, October 1998