Report on three cases of familial primary aldosteronism type IV.

Primary aldosteronism is the most common cause of secondary hypertension, which is caused by increased aldosterone secretion in the adrenal cortex and contains many subtypes, among which familial hyperaldosteronism is relatively rare. Familial hyperaldosteronism can be divided into four subtypes based on its clinical manifestations and mutated genes: FH-I, FH-II, FH-III, and FH-IV. This article reports on three patients with FH-IV: a mother and her two sons. They were diagnosed with hypertension in other hospitals, and hypokalemia was found during hospitalization in our department. Diltiazem and terazosin were used for elution for 1 month. Renin and aldosterone levels in standing or supine positions improved, and the aldosterone-to-renin ratio was positive. Primary aldosteronism was diagnosed based on improved saline and captopril inhibition tests. As the three patients were blood-related immediate family members, gene screening was performed, diagnosing them with FH-IV. This article reports the clinical characteristics of the three cases in combination with related literature to improve the understanding of FH-IV.

Central and peripheral blood pressures in relation to the triglyceride-glucose index in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been proposed as a surrogate marker of insulin resistance. However, the relationship between the TyG index and central blood pressure (BP), has not been well studied in adults. METHODS: A total of 715 Chinese adult participants were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric and BP were assessed. The TyG index was calculated as ln[fasting triglycerides(mg/dL) × fasting glucose(mg/dL)/2]. Central BP was measured using SphygmoCor system. RESULTS: The participants were stratified into three groups based on the TyG index, and significant differences were observed in metabolic and cardiovascular parameters and the prevalence of hypertension among the groups. Both brachial (ß = 1.38, P = 0.0310; group highest vs. lowest, ß = 2.66, P = 0.0084) and aortic (ß = 2.38, P = 0.0002; group highest vs. lowest, ß = 3.96, P = 0.0001) diastolic BP were significantly and independently associated with the TyG index and increasing TyG index tertile. However, there was no independent association between the TyG index and systolic BP. A one-unit increase in the TyG index was associated with a 46% higher risk of hypertension (P = 0.0121), and compared with the lowest group, participants in the highest group had a 95% higher risk of hypertension (P = 0.0057). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a significant and independent association between the TyG index and both brachial and aortic diastolic BP in Chinese adults. Furthermore, the TyG index was found to be an independent predictor of hypertension.

QSAR study of phenolic compounds and their anti-DPPH radical activity by discriminant analysis.

Phenolic compounds (PCs) could be applied to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and are used to prevent and treat diseases related to oxidative stress. QSAR study was applied to elucidate the relationship between the molecular descriptors and physicochemical properties of polyphenol analogues and their DPPH radical scavenging capability, to guide the design and discovery of highly-potent antioxidant substances more efficiently. PubMed database was used to collect 99 PCs with antioxidant activity, whereas, 105 negative PCs were found in ChEMBL database; their molecular descriptors were generated with Python's Rdkit package. While the molecular descriptors significantly related to the antioxidant activity of PCs were filtered by t-test. The prediction QSAR model was then established by discriminant analysis, and the obtained model was verified by the back-substitution and Leave-One-Out cross-validation methods along with heat map. It was revealed that the anti-DPPH radical activity of PCs was correlated with the drug-likeness and molecular fingerprints, physicochemical, topological, constitutional and electronic property. The established QSAR model could explicitly predict the antioxidant activity of polyphenols, thus were applicable to evaluate the potential of candidates as antioxidants.

No significant association of serum klotho concentration with blood pressure and pulse wave velocity in a Chinese population.

Klotho, an important anti-aging protein, may be related to elevated blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness. We aimed to investigate associations between the serum klotho concentration and peripheral/central BP and arterial stiffness based on the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in a Chinese population. We invited all inhabitants aged ≥ 18 years in two Dali communities for participation. The SphygmoCor system was used to record radial arterial waveforms. Aortic waveforms were derived using a generalized transfer function. The central BP was assessed by calibrating the brachial BP, which was measured using an oscillometric device. The serum klotho concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and logarithmically transformed. Of the 716 participants (mean age: 51.9 ± 12.6 years), 467 (65.2%) were women. The median serum klotho concentration was 381.8 pg/mL. The serum klotho concentration did not significantly differ between patients with and without hypertension (P > 0.05) and between those with and without arterial stiffness (cfPWV ≥ 10 m/s) (P > 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, the serum klotho concentration was not significantly associated with the peripheral or central BP (P > 0.05) and cfPWV (P > 0.05). Our data indicated that the serum klotho concentration was not associated with BP or cfPWV in the general Chinese population.

The Outlook of the Development of Innovative Products from Biocompatible Natural Spider Silk in the Beauty Thread-Lifting Industry.

Embedding thread lift rhytidectomy, also known as "thread lifting" in China, with the natures of simple operation, less trauma and quick recovery, is progressively used in clinical practice as a new technology of face lifting. Herewith, a brief introduction of the previous advances of thread lifting techniques and materials in the facial beauty industry, combined with the discussion on various types of sutures, common complications, and the site of actions were provided. The main limitations of present thread lifting material include: (1) the use of non-absorbable sutures is liable to cause allergies and a series of complications; (2) the absorbable sutures are easily degradation, and people need to reshape in a relatively short period. Therefore, the high biocompatible spider silk was proposed as a novel material of thread lifting suture and related devices, the advantages and preliminary achievements on spider silk were also addressed.

Association of thyroid hormones with blood pressure and arterial stiffness in the general population: The Dali study.

Thyroid dysfunction plays a role in blood pressure (BP) regulation. However, the associations between thyroid function and BP and arterial stiffness in the general Chinese population without thyroid disease are unknown. This population-based cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between thyroid function and peripheral and central BP and arterial stiffness in Chinese individuals. After excluding those who had thyroid diseases or incomplete clinical measurements, this study included 691 participants. Of the participants, 444 (64.2%) were women and 215 (31.1%) had hypertension. After adjustment for covariates, serum FT3 was significantly associated with a higher pulse rate in both sexes. In men, each 2.72-fold increase in serum FT4 levels was associated with higher peripheral systolic BP (+10.82 mmHg, p = .005) and pulse pressure (+5.71 mmHg, p = .03). Each 2.72-fold increase in serum FT4 levels was associated with higher central systolic BP (+8.03 mmHg, p = .03) and pulse pressure (+3.89 mmHg, p = .05). In women, serum FT4 was only associated with a higher central pulse pressure (+2.96 mmHg, p = .04). After adjustment for covariates, serum FT4 was significantly associated with a faster cfPWV exclusively in men. Our study showed that serum FT4 is associated with higher peripheral and central BP and faster cfPWV in men, whereas serum FT3 is positively associated with a higher pulse rate in both sexes, indicating that the effects of thyroid function on BP and arterial stiffness are more significant in men than in women.

Lead contamination alters enzyme activities and microbial composition in the rhizosphere soil of the hyperaccumulator Pogonatherum crinitum.

Pogonatherum crinitum is a promising lead (Pb) hyperaccumulator; however, the effects of Pb contamination on P. crinitum rhizosphere soil enzymatic activities and microbial composition remain largely unexplored. Thus, an indoor experiment was conducted by cultivating P. crinitum seedlings and exposing them to four Pb concentrations (0, 1,000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg Pb). Protease, urease, acid phosphatase and invertase activities were determined using standard methods while soil bacterial composition was determined by 16 S rDNA sequencing. The results showed that rhizosphere soil acid phosphatase activity significantly increased with increasing Pb concentration, while urease activity was significantly greater in rhizosphere soil contaminated with 1000 and 2000 mg/kg than in the control. There was a clear shift in bacterial composition during phytoremediation by P. crinitum. Compared to the control, Bacteroidetes was more abundant in all Pb-contaminated soils, Actinobacteria was more abundant in 1000 mg/kg Pb-treated soil, and Firmicutes was more abundant in 3000 mg/kg Pb-treated soil. Positive correlations were observed between dominant bacterial phyla and soil enzyme activities. Metabolic pathways, such as ABC transporter, quinine reductase, and ATP-binding protein were significantly increased in rhizosphere soil bacteria with Pb contamination. In conclusion, Pb contamination differentially influenced the activities of rhizosphere soil enzymes, specifically increasing acid phosphatase and urease activities, and alters the dominance of soil bacteria through up-regulation of genes related to some metabolic pathways. The strong correlations between dominant bacterial phyla and enzymatic activities suggest synergetic effects on the growth of P. crinitum during Pb contamination.

Periplaneta americana extract promotes intestinal mucosa repair of ulcerative colitis in rat.

PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanism of Periplaneta americana extract promoting intestinal mucosal repair of OXZ-induced colitis in rat. METHODS: All experiments used an equal number of male and female SD rats (n=48). We injected OXZ into the colon to induce UC rat model. To determine the optimal concentration of P. Americana's extract (PA-40), it was classified into low (L), medium (M), and high (H) doses. After OXZ treatment, each drug was administered by enema for 7 consecutive days. Rats were divided into the following 6 groups: (1) Saline treatment group (NC), (2) OXZ treatment UC model group (MC), (3) OXZ + budesonide group (BUN), (4) OXZ + PA-40 L group, (5) OXZ + PA-40 M group, (6) OXZ + PA-40 H group. Disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length, histopathological score, serum cytokine level (IL-4, IL-10, iNOS, tNOS), and amount of MPO, EGF, IL-13 in colonic mucosa were measured. RESULTS: PA treatment had a significant healing effect on the OXZ-colitis model and significantly reduced the lesioned area, especially in the PA-40H groups. PA treatment did not alter the expression of IL-10 and MPO level, but increased EGF (epidermal growth factor) and decrease IL-13 in the colonic tissue. PA inhibited the rise of NOSs (nitric oxide synthase) and decreased the serum IL-4 level. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that Periplaneta americana extract may be a potential compound for the treatment of colonic lesions. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the secretion of IL-13 and promoting the formation of EGF.

Identification of the metabolites in normal and AA rat plasma, urine and feces after oral administration of Daphne genkwa flavonoids by LC-Q-TOF-MS spectrometry.

Daphne genkwa Sieb. et Zucc., as a traditional oriental herb, has been widely distributed and employed in China. The major bioactive components in D. genkwa are flavonoid compounds, which showed pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities. In this study, we analyzed total flavonoids in D. genkwa and their metabolites in normal and adjuvant arthritis (AA) rat plasma, urine and feces samples by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS). A total of 4 metabolites in plasma, 9 metabolites in urine and 15 metabolites in feces were characterized respectively by LC-Q-TOF-MS technology in normal rat. And 9 of the metabolites were observed in the AA rat urine, while there was no prototype drug or its metabolites detected in plasma and fecal samples. The metabolic pathway mainly involves hydroxylation, methylation, glucuronide, sulfate conjugation, oxidation and reduction, during the phase I and phase II biotransformation pathway. All the information gained here will be greatly helpful in elucidating the potential biological and pharmacological mechanism of flavonoid in D. genkwa, thus providing new ideas for drug development.

Periplaneta americana extract promotes intestinal mucosa repair of ulcerative colitis in rat

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the mechanism of Periplaneta americana extract promoting intestinal mucosal repair of OXZ-induced colitis in rat. Methods: All experiments used an equal number of male and female SD rats (n=48). We injected OXZ into the colon to induce UC rat model. To determine the optimal concentration of P. Americana's extract (PA-40), it was classified into low (L), medium (M), and high (H) doses. After OXZ treatment, each drug was administered by enema for 7 consecutive days. Rats were divided into the following 6 groups: (1) Saline treatment group (NC), (2) OXZ treatment UC model group (MC), (3) OXZ + budesonide group (BUN), (4) OXZ + PA-40 L group, (5) OXZ + PA-40 M group, (6) OXZ + PA-40 H group. Disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length, histopathological score, serum cytokine level (IL-4, IL-10, iNOS, tNOS), and amount of MPO, EGF, IL-13 in colonic mucosa were measured. Results: PA treatment had a significant healing effect on the OXZ-colitis model and significantly reduced the lesioned area, especially in the PA-40H groups. PA treatment did not alter the expression of IL-10 and MPO level, but increased EGF (epidermal growth factor) and decrease IL-13 in the colonic tissue. PA inhibited the rise of NOSs (nitric oxide synthase) and decreased the serum IL-4 level. Conclusions: The data suggest that Periplaneta americana extract may be a potential compound for the treatment of colonic lesions. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the secretion of IL-13 and promoting the formation of EGF.

Therapeutic effects of Smilax glabra and Bolbostemma paniculatum on rheumatoid arthritis using a rat paw edema model.

Smilax glabra Roxb. (Tufuling) and Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.) Franquet (Tubeimu) are used as couplet medicine in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of arthritis. This study is conducted to provide evidence on their therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore its possible mechanisms of action. The identification and quantification of representative components (Astilbin and Tubeimoside I) in the n-butyl alcohol fraction of this couplet medicine (BFCM) were carried out by HPLC-UV assays. The contents of Astilbin and Tubeimoside I in BFCM were 13.13% (15.434 min) and 3.4% (18.619 min) respectively. For the assessment of anti-RA and anti-inflammatory activities, a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats was used. The swelling rates of paws and levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the swelling tissue were determined. We observed that the BFCM exhibited significant inhibitory activity on carrageenan-induced paw edema model (p<0.01). The down regulated levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α (all p<0.05) were reported. The results indicate that BFCM possesses significant anti-RA and anti-inflammatory effects, and it has a potential to be developed as a new therapeutic agent against RA.

Simultaneous analysis of 23 illegal adulterated aphrodisiac chemical ingredients in health foods and Chinese traditional patent medicines by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

This paper presents an application of ultra high-performance liquid-chromatography-quadrupole-TOF high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF HRMS) for simultaneous analysis of 23 illegal adulterated aphrodisiac type chemical ingredients in health foods and Chinese Traditional Patent Medicines (CTPMs). The mass spectrometer was operated in Information Dependent Acquisition (IDA) mode, which provides crucial information for the elemental composition analysis, structure elucidation and quantitative analysis simultaneously. Quantitative analysis was performed using the peak areas of the precursor ions in the XICs. The method validation included assessment of selectivity, sensitivity, calibration curve, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effect and stability. The results show good linear relationship with the concentrations of the analytes over wide concentration ranges (e.g., 0.05-10 µg/g for sildenafil) as all the fitting coefficients of determination r2 are >0.9984. The detection limits (LODs) were in the range of 0.002-0.1 µg/g. The recoveries were able to reach 82.5-103.6%, while the matrix effects ranged from 87.7 to 109.3%. The intra- and inter-day accuracies were in the range of 82.3-113.8%, while the intra- and inter-day precision ranged from 0.4 to 13.6%. Among 40 batches of health foods and 32 batches of CTPMs (including 28 capsules, 32 tablets, 10 liquid and 2 pills) samples, 28 batches of heath foods were positive. The detected chemical ingredients involved sildenafil, tadalafil, aildenafil and sulfoaildenafil. This method can be used for the screening, identification and quantification of illegal adulterated aphrodisiac chemical ingredients in health foods and CTPMs. Moreover, the LC-Q-TOF MS is very useful to structural elucidation of unknown compound.

Therapeutic potential of naringin: an overview.

CONTEXT: Naringin is a natural flavanone glycoside that is found in the Chinese herbal medicines and citrus fruits. Studies have demonstrated that naringin possesses numerous biological and pharmacological properties, but few reviews of these studies have been performed. OBJECTIVE: The present review gathers the fragmented information available in the literature describing the extraction of naringin, its pharmacology and its controlled release formulations. Current research progress and the therapeutic potential of naringin are also discussed. METHODS: A literature survey for relevant information regarding the biological and pharmacological properties of naringin was conducted using Pubmed, Sciencedirect, MEDLINE, Springerlink and Google Scholar electronic databases from the year 2007-2015. RESULTS: Naringin modulates signalling pathways and interacts with signalling molecules and thus has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activities, as well as effects on bone regeneration, metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, genetic damage and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Information was gathered that showed the extraction of naringin can be improved using several modifications. There has been some progress in the development of controlled release formulations of naringin. CONCLUSION: Naringin is a promising candidate for further in vivo studies and clinical use. More detailed studies regarding its mechanism of action are required.

[Extraction of intraocular foreign body at or near the ciliary body under endoscopic vitrectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility and effectiveness of the extraction of intraocular foreign body (IOFB) at or near the ciliary body by using endoscopic vitrectomy. METHODS: It was a retrospective case series study. Clinical materials and data of 15 patients (16 eyes) with IOFB at or near the ciliary body from July 2002 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. Vitrectomy and IOFB extraction under endoscope were conducted in all cases. RESULTS: Thirty six IOFB (18 magnetic and 18 nonmagnetic IOFBs) were extracted successfully. The size of IOFB ranged from smaller than 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm to 9 mm×6 mm×4 mm. Among them, 31 IOFB were extracted from ciliary body or nearby and 5 IOFB were located at other places. The cornea was opaque before the operation in 11 eyes. Postoperative visual acuity was improved in 12 eyes. Vision was improved from finger-counting and below to 0.1-0.3 in 4 eyes. Intraocular pressure was normal in 14 eyes. The retina was reattached in 12 eyes. The cornea was clearer than before in 8 eyes. After the end of the fellow-up, vision was remained in finger-counting and below in only 7 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: There was almost no blind spot by using endoscope to observe the ciliary body, periphery retina tear or other pathological changes, the IOFB at or near ciliary body and the whole retina in the vitrectomy. This makes the extraction of IOFB at or near the ciliary body and the conduct of cyclophotocoagulation more accurate and simple.

[Correlation study on polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene in patients with periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and periodontitis. METHODS: Ninety patients with aggressive periodontitis(AgP), 34 patients with chronic periodontitis and 91 healthy controls were recruited in this study. VDR gene was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with Taq I restriction endonuclease. RESULTS: The detection frequency of Tt genotype was higher in the aggressive periodontitis patients than in the healthy controls (16.7% vs 7.7%, P>0.05). The difference between the female aggressive periodontitis patients and healthy controls (20.8% vs 4.2%, P<0.05) was statistically significant, but no difference was found between the male patients and controls (10.8% vs 11.6%, P>0.05). There was a strong association between aggressive periodontitis and Tt genotype in females (AgP patients vs healthy controls, OR=6.02). The detection frequency of Taq I ER-alpha genotypes was not statistically different between the chronic periodontitis patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: In female Han Chinese population, the Tt VDR genotype may be associated with aggressive periodontitis.

[Interleukin-1 polymorphisms in patients with aggressive periodontitis].

PURPOSE: To study whether interleukin-1 (IL-1) genotypes and/or alleles were associated with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). METHODS: Anti-coagulated peripheral blood samples were obtained from 122 AgP patients and 95 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from each sample. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at IL-1A +4845 and IL-1B +3954 were analyzed by standard polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. The polymorphism of a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in intron 2 of IL-1RN was detected by PCR amplification and fragment size analysis. The genotypes and/or alleles distribution differences between two groups were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The frequencies of A2+ genotype and allele 2 at IL-1A +4845 were significantly increased in male AgP patients compared with male controls (genotype: 18.0% vs 4.3%, adjusted OR=5.58, 95% CI=1.09-28.68, P=0.039; allele: 9.0% vs 2.2%, adjusted OR=4.97, 95% CI=1.01-24.50, P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The IL-1A +4845 polymorphism may be associated with AgP susceptibility in Chinese males.

[The relationship between a nucleotide substitution of S100A8 gene and aggressive periodontitis].

OBJECTIVES: To screen polymorphisms in the upstream region of S100A8 gene and to detect whether the polymorphisms were associated with aggressive periodontitis. METHODS: Thirty aggressive periodontitis patients and twenty-eight healthy controls were recruited for the study with informed consent. All subjects were of Chinese descent and systemically healthy. The regions about 800 bp upstream from the ATG start codon in exon 2 of the S100A8 gene of 10 patients and 8 controls were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by direct sequencing. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at 94 bp upstream from the ATG start codon was selected, and then the shorter regions (about 250 bp upstream from the ATG start codon) of the rest subjects were also amplified by PCR and analyzed by direct sequencing. The frequency of the SNP and the distribution of the genotype were detected and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A nucleotide substitution (A-->G) at 94 bp upstream from the ATG start codon was demonstrated in Chinese, which was in a cis-acting element, named gamma interferon response element (gamma-IRE) in intron 1 of S100A8 gene. All of the subjects that carried the polymorphism were heterozygous. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of allele 2 (corresponding to the nucleotide G) between patients and controls (11.7% vs. 17.9%, chi2 = 0.887, P > 0.05). The prevalence of the heterozygous genotype was 23.2% and 35.7% (chi2 = 1.07, P > 0.05) in patients and controls, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report that a nucleotide substitution of S100A8 gene was demonstrated in Chinese. The frequencies of allele 2 and heterozygous genotype were lower in patients, but there is no statistically significant difference between the aggressive periodontitis patients and healthy controls in this preliminary study.

Association analysis between interleukin-1 family polymorphisms and generalized aggressive periodontitis in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that aggressive periodontitis (AgP) has a genetic basis, but this theory has not been confirmed. The intent of this investigation was to study whether specific interleukin (IL)-1 genotypes and/or alleles could be used to predict susceptibility to generalized AgP (GAgP) in Chinese. METHODS: The GAgP group consisted of 122 patients, and the control group included 95 healthy subjects. Single nucleotide polymorphisms at IL-1A (+4845) and IL-1B (-511, +3954) were analyzed by standard polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. The polymorphism of a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in intron 2 of IL-1RN was detected by PCR amplification and fragment size analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant association of IL-1 polymorphisms with GAgP in the unstratified subjects. However, when cases were stratified by gender, the frequencies of A2+ genotype and allele 2 at IL-1A +4845 were significantly increased in male patients compared to male controls (genotype: odds ratio [OR] 5.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09 to 28.68, P = 0.039; allele: OR 4.97, 95% CI: 1.01 to 24.50, P = 0.049; adjusted for age and smoking status). The frequency of IL-1B -511 A1/A2 heterozygote was significantly increased in male GAgP group compared to male controls (adjusted OR 3.16, 95% CI: 1.01 to 9.89, P = 0.048). In females, no significant differences were found between patients and controls in corresponding analyses at all polymorphic loci. A possible combined effect of IL-1B -511 polymorphism and smoking on the elevated risk to GAgP was observed. The OR of GAgP for combined A2+ genotype and smoking was 12.45 (95% CI: 1.43 to 108.06, P = 0.022), and for combined allele 2 and smoking was 18.25 (95% CI: 2.32 to 143.86, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The polymorphisms of IL-1A +4845 and IL-1B -511 may play an important role in determining GAgP susceptibility in Chinese males. Furthermore, a possible combined effect of the polymorphism of IL-1B -511 and smoking on GAgP susceptibility was suggested.