The association between complement C1q tumour necrosis factor-related protein-1 (CTRP-1) level and metabolic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Complement C1q tumour necrosis factor-related protein (CTRP-1) is a member of the C1q protein superfamily that plays a role in metabolism. This retrospective study aimed to investigate associations between CTRP-1 and metabolic syndrome (MetS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study screened subjects who had undergone regular health examinations at the Physical Examination Centre in the First People's Hospital of Yinchuan (the Second Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University) between November 2017 and September 2020. The total recruited population included 430 subjects who had undergone regular health examinations, excluding 112 subjects with high glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c ≥ 7). Finally, the data of 318 participants were further analysed. Non-diabetic subjects were divided into 2 groups: one with MetS and one without MetS (controls). Serum CTRP-1 concentrations were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A total of 318 subjects were included, among whom 176 were diagnosed with MetS (MetS group) and 142 were not (non-MetS controls). The MetS group had significantly lower CTRP-1 levels than non-MetS controls (128.51 [111.56-143.05] vs. 138.82 [122.83-154.33] ng/mL, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that serum CTRP-1 levels correlated negatively with body mass index (r = -0.161, p = 0.004), waist circumference (r = -0.191, p = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = -0.198, p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.145, p = 0.010), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (r = -0.562, p < 0.001), fasting insulin (FIns) (r = -0.424, p < 0.001), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = -0.541, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression models showed that CTRP-1 levels were associated with MetS (p < 0.01). The lipid profile area under the curve (AUC) was comparable to those for FBG and FIns, and it was significantly higher than the AUCs for demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the serum CTRP-1 level is negatively associated with MetS. CTRP-1 is a potential metabolism-related protein and is likely to be associated with lipid profiles in MetS.

Modulatory effects of silibinin in various cell signaling pathways against liver disorders and cancer - A comprehensive review.

Silibinin, a natural flavanone, derived from the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum), was illustrated for several medicinal uses such as liver-protective, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and many other. However, silibinin has poor absorbance and bioavailability due to low water solubility, thereby limiting its clinical applications and therapeutic efficiency. To overcome this problem, the combination of silibinin with phosphatidylcholine (PC) as a formulation was used to enhance the solubility and bioavailability. The results indicated that silibinin-PC taken orally markedly enhanced bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency. In addition, a deeper understanding of the signaling pathways modulated by silibinin is important to realize its potential in developing targeted therapies against liver disorders and cancer. Silibinin has been shown to inhibit many cell signaling pathways in preclinical models, demonstrating promising effects against liver disorders and cancer through in vitro and in vivo studies. This review summarizes the pharmacokinetic properties, bioavailability, safety data, clinical activities and modulatory effects of silibinin in different cell signaling pathways against liver disorders and cancer.

Comparison of the effectiveness of whole-brain radiotherapy plus temozolomide versus whole-brain radiotherapy in treating brain metastases based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Temozolomide (TMZ) combination with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) has been tested by many randomized controlled trials in the treatment of brain metastases (BMs) in China and other countries. We performed an up-to-date meta-analysis to determine (i) the log odds ratios (LORs) of objective response (ORR) and adverse effects (AEs) for all-grade, and (ii) the T value of mean overall survival in patients with BMs treated with WBRT combined with TMZ versus WBRT alone. PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data were searched for articles published up to 28 January 2015. Eligible studies were selected according to the PRISMA statement. ORR, AEs, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects models. Eighteen studies were included in our analysis. A total of 1028 participants were enrolled. Summary LORs of ORR were 1.0239 (P<0.0001) on comparing WBRT plus TMZ with WBRT ORR (n=17). The overall mean difference of mean overall survival (n=17) between TMZ plus WBRT and WBRT was 2.2505 weeks (P=0.02185). There was a significant difference between WBRT plus TMZ and WBRT alone with a LOR of AEs for all-grade of (i) 0.923 for gastrointestinal toxicity and (ii) 0.7978 for myelosuppression. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were also performed. The 18 eligible randomized controlled trials demonstrated that the combination of WBRT and TMZ significantly improves the ORR and is statistically insignificant in prolonging the survival of patients with BMs. In addition, an increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal toxicity and myelosuppression was significant for all-grade.

Distinct propagation efficiencies of H5N1 influenza virus Thai isolates in newly established murine respiratory region-derived cell clones.

Inbred mice have been widely used for the study of influenza viruses as a mammalian model, while suitable cell lines derived from murine tissue have been limited. Here, we established several immortalized cell clones from respiratory regions of inbred mice (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) by transformation using simian virus 40 large T antigen expression vector. Twenty-five cell clones from C57/BL and BALB/c, designated as MRDC/C and MRDC/B series, respectively, showed different susceptibility to Thai isolates of influenza A virus H5N1. Two murine cell clones, C6 and B7 which were extensively studied expressed both SAα2,3 and SAα2,6 sialic acid receptors. Interestingly, the 6 Thai patient-derived H5N1 isolates examined showed varied virus propagation efficiency in murine cell clones, although there were only slight differences in their propagation in MDCK and A549 cell lines. The results indicate that the murine cell clones are useful for examining the propagation efficiency of H5N1 viruses in vitro.