[Study on mechanism of Tibetan medicine Zuomua Decoction in treatment of hypertension based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology].

Hypertension is a kind of chronic cardiovascular system disease caused by a series of factors and carriers dysfunction, which belongs to the category of Tibetan medicine "Chalong disease", and has a high rate of disability and mortality. Zuomua Decoction is a classical Tibetan medicine for Chalong disease, but its mechanism is not clear. Therefore, in this paper we explored the multi-components, multi-targets and multi-channels mechanism of Zuomua Decoction in the treatment of hypertension based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. First of all, the chemical components of Zuomua Decoction were obtained in the retrieval of traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database(TCMSP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) and Wanfang database. The potential targets of Zuomua Decoction were predicted by BATMAN-TCM database, and the targets of hypertension were obtained by using DisGeNET database. The intersection of these two targets set was taken to obtain the potential targets of Zuomua Decoction in the treatment of hypertension, and then the chemical compositions-targets network was constructed. Secondly, the intersection targets were imported into STRING database to obtain the interaction relationship of intersection targets, and the protein interaction network of Zuomua Decoction in the treatment of hypertension was constructed in Cytoscape. Topological, GO, and KEGG enrichment analysis were used to construct the key targets-signal pathways-biological processes network diagram and explore the mechanism of Zuomua Decoction in the treatment of hypertension. Finally, the key targets were selected to construct the pharmacodynamic identification models to verify the effect mode of Zomua Decoction in treating hypertension. The results showed that there were 61 chemical components and 90 potential targets in the compounds-targets network. We obtained 21 key targets, 154 signal pathways, and 382 biological processes in topological, GO, and KEGG enrichment analysis of the protein interaction network, and in the comprehensive analysis, it was found that Zuomua Decoction could reduce blood pressure by regulating renin angiotension aldosterone system, balancing the concentration of intracellular calcium and sodium ions and regulating vasoconstriction and relaxation. ACE, AGTR1, and ADRB2 were used as the carriers for molecular docking study on the components of Zuoma Decoction, and the results showed that the chemical components of Zuomua Decoction had a good binding activity with key targets. The purpose of this study is to provide ideas for the in-depth study of Zuoma Decoction in the treatment of hypertension, and provide scientific basis for its clinical rational application.

Cigarette smoking is associated with increased diastolic blood pressure among Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians.

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoking has been confirmed as a factor influencing arterial blood pressure. In the present study, we studied whether cigarette smoking habits were still associated with arterial blood pressure among Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians. METHODS: The present study analyzed data from a survey conducted on all residents aged 90 years or more in the DuJiangYan district (in total 2,311,709 inhabitants) in 2005. RESULTS: The individuals included in the statistical analysis were 216 men and 445 women. Individuals who were heavy smokers (76.62 ± 13.28 mmHg) had higher diastolic blood pressure, compared with medium and light smokers (72.33 ± 12.98 and 70.28 ± 10.31 mmHg) (F = 3.551, p = 0.030). There was a higher prevalence of diastolic hypertension (21.62% vs 5.75% and 7.14%, χ(2 =) 6.302, p = 0.043). Furthermore, there was a higher risk for diastolic hypertension in heavy smokers (OR = 3.886, 95% CI 1.241-12.161) (adjusted) compared with medium (OR = 1.475, 95% CI 0.599-3.360) and light smokers (1.00 reference). There was, however, no significant difference in systolic blood pressure or prevalence of systolic hypertension among the different smoking groups. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that among Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians, heavy smoking (current or former) could increase diastolic blood pressure and prevalence of diastolic hypertension, but was not associated with changes in systolic blood pressure.

Cigarette smoking and its association with serum lipid/lipoprotein among Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians.

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoking had been confirmed as an increased risk for dyslipidemia, but none of the evidence was from long-lived population. In present study, we detected relationship between cigarette smoking habits and serum lipid/lipoprotein (serum Triglyceride (TG), Total cholesterol (TC), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) among Chinese Nonagenarians/Centenarian. METHODS: The present study analyzed data from the survey that was conducted on all residents aged 90 years or more in a district, there were 2,311,709 inhabitants in 2005. Unpaired Student's t test, χ2 test, and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze datas. RESULTS: The individuals included in the statistical analysis were 216 men and 445 women. Current smokers had lower level of TC (4.05 ± 0.81 vs. 4.21 ± 0.87, t = 2.403, P = 0.017) and lower prevalence of hypercholesteremia (9.62% vs. 15.13%, χ2 = 3.018,P = 0.049) than nonsmokers. Unadjusted and adjusted multiple logistic regressions showed that cigarette smoking was not associated with risk for abnormal serum lipid/lipoprotein. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that among Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians, cigarette smoking habits were not associated with increased risk for dyslipidemia, which was different from the association of smoking habits with dyslipidemia in general population.

Cognitive impairment and depression among Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians.

PURPOSE: In this study, we explored the association between cognitive impairment and depression in the very elderly using a sample aged 90-108 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The sample included 682 unrelated Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians (67.25% women, mean age of 93.49 years). The mean depression score (measured with the brief 23-item Geriatrics Depression Scale-Chinese Edition was 8.45 (standard deviation [SD] = 3.30). The mean of cognitive function scores (measured with the 30-item Mini-Mental State Examination) was 15.54 (SD = 5.38). There was no significant difference in cognitive function scores between subjects with and without depression, and there was also no significant difference in depression scores between subjects with and without cognitive impairment. There was also no significant difference in the frequency of depression between subjects with and without cognitive impairment or in the frequency of cognitive impairment between subjects with and without depression. Both the odds ratio (OR) of depression (as a function of increased cognitive impairment) and the OR of cognitive impairment (as a function of increased depression) were found to be insignificant. Pearson Correlation also showed no significant correlation between depression scores and cognitive function scores. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that depression was not directly correlated with cognitive impairment in Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians.

Depression and hypertension among Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians.

PURPOSE: In this study, we explored association between hypertension and depression in the very elderly using a sample ranged in age from 90 to 108 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The sample included 687 unrelated Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians (67.4% women, mean age 93.51 years). The mean depression score (measured with brief 23-item geriatrics depression scale Chinese-edition (GDS-CD)) was 8.46 (standard deviation (SD) 3.33 range 0-20). There was no significant difference in depression scores between subjects with and without hypertension and there was also no significant difference in depression prevalence between subjects with and without hypertension. There was no significant difference in prevalence of hypertension between subjects with and without depression and there were also no significant differences in levels of arterial blood pressure (including SBP and DBP). Neither odd ratio (OR) of depression as a function of increased hypertension nor OR of hypertension as a function of increased depression was significant. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that depression was not directly correlated with hypertension among Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians.

[Epidemiological screening of an epidemic of imported cutaneous leishmaniasis in Luoyang City].

OBJECTIVE: To understand Leishmania infections among employees of China Petroleum First Construction Corporation returning from Uzbekistan, and take timely actions to prevent the spread of the epidemic. METHODS: Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect screening subjects'information. Palpation of the liver, spleen and superficial lymph nodes was performed by a physician, and the lesions on the frequently exposed skin were detected by a dermatologist. In addition, the liver and spleen sizes were measured using B-mode ultrasonography, and serum samples were collected to be subjected to an rK39-based rapid diagnostic test for detection of visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmania was detected using microscopy in the specimens sampled from the lesioned skin, and the parasites species was identified using molecular assays in parasitologically positive specimens. RESULTS: Among the 181 employees screened, enlarged cervical lymph nodes were palpable in 6 subjects, and skin lesions were found in 12 cases. B-mode ultrasonography displayed hepatosplenomegaly in 5 cases, and rK39 test were positive in 3 serum samples. Two classical lesioned skin specimens were sampled, and Leishmania was detected in one specimen. The promastigote DNA was extracted and two fragments of 120 bp and 350 bp in sizes were amplified using PCR assay with K13A/K13B and L5.8S/LITSR primers specific to Leishmania. The two amplification products were 90% and 98% homologous to the corresponding sequences of L. major (GenBank accession numbers: EU370906.1 and FN677342.1). CONCLUSIONS: Six patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were screened, including 2 uncured cases. One uncured case was diagnosed as imported cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. major infection.

Association of fasting serum insulin and fasting serum glucose levels with cognitive impairment in Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians.

In this study, we examined the association of fasting serum insulin (FSI) and fasting serum glucose (FSG) with cognitive impairment in the very elderly using a sample of Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians. This study used data from a survey that was conducted in 2005 on all residents aged 90 years or more in a district with 2,311,709 inhabitants. FSG, FSI, and cognitive function were analyzed. The sample included 661 unrelated Chinese individuals (aged 90-108 years; mean, 93.52 ± 3.37 years; 67.17 % women; FSI, 6.27 ± 2.27 mU/mL; FSG levels, 4.46 ± 1.45 mmol/L). The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 61.81 % and that of hypoinsulinemia was 31.92 %. Individuals with hypoinsulinemia showed lower cognitive function scores (14.81 ± 5.79 vs. 15.78 ± 5.24, t = 2.160, P = 0.031). No differences in cognitive function score between different FSI and FSG groups were significant, and no differences in FSI and FSG between individuals with and without cognitive impairment were statistically significant. Unadjusted multiple logistic regressions showed that hypoinsulinemia, impaired fasting glucose, or diabetes did not change the risk of cognitive impairment significantly. In summary, we found that in elderly subjects, cognitive function appeared associated with FSI, and higher FSI may be associated with enhanced cognitive function.

Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPARgamma2 associated with depression in Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Pro12Ala polymorphism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has been associated with decreased obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and other age-associated diseases such as cognitive impairment, hypertension, cancer, osteoarthritis. Each one of these diseases had been linked to depression. Moreover, there is also an association between Pro12 Ala polymorphism in PPAR gamma2 and longevity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between Pro12 Ala polymorphism and depression in Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians. METHODS: The sample included 697 unrelated Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians (aged between 90-108 years, mean age: 93.5+/-3.35 years; 67.2% women). The Pro12Ala variant was examined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Depression was measured with brief 23-item Geriatrics Depression Scale Chinese-edition (GDS-CD). RESULTS: In this sample, the genotype frequencies of the Pro12Ala polymorphism were 0% Ala12Ala, 9.2% Pro12Ala, 90.8% Pro12Pro and the prevalence of depression was 25.3%. Subjects who were 12Ala carriers had significantly lower prevalence of depression than those who were not 12Ala carriers (14.06 vs. 26.38%, p=0.034). Subjects without depression also had a higher frequency of 12Ala gene than those with depression (5.28 vs. 2.56%, p=0.031). Adjusting for certain clinical factors that may be associated with depression or with 12Ala carriers, multiple logistic regressions showed the 12Ala gene was associated with decreased incidence of depression. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that among Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians, the Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPARgamma2 was associated with depression and that the 12Ala gene may be a factor for decreased depression.