Evaluation study of single-anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy in the treatment of Chinese obese patients based on efficacy and nutrition.

To evaluate the efficacy and nutrition of single-anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) in Chinese obese patients in the first postoperative year. Clinical data of 66 obese patients who underwent SADI-S surgery at China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from November 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively collected. The weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), and percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) were recorded at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Moreover, metabolic disease remission and nutrient deficiencies were assessed at 1 year postoperatively. Overall, 66 patients (38 males and 28 females) were recruited, with a mean age of 35 (18-61) years and an average preoperative BMI of 42.94 kg/m2. Before surgery, 38 patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 46 patients had hyperuricemia (HUA), 45 patients had hypertension (HTN), 35 patients had hyperlipidemia, 12 patients had hypercholesterolemia, 12 patients had hyper-low-density lipoproteinemia, and 14 patients had gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms (GERD). All patients had undergone a DaVinci robotic or laparoscopic SADI-S surgery, and none converted to laparotomy or died. Four patients developed postoperative complications and were cured and discharged after conservative treatment or surgical treatment. At 3, 6 and 12 months, the average %EWL was 62.07 ± 26.56, 85.93 ± 27.92, and 106.65 ± 29.65%, %TWL was 22.67 ± 4.94, 32.10 ± 5.18, and 40.56 ± 7.89%, respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), uric acid (UA), triglycerides (TG), blood pressure (BP), and other indexes were significantly lower after one year post-surgery compared with the preoperative period (P < 0.05). The remission rates of T2DM, HUA, HTN, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hyper-low-density lipoproteinemia 1 year after surgery were 100, 65.2, 62.2, 94.3, 100, and100%, respectively. One year after surgery, the remission rate of GERD was 71.4% (10/14), the rate of new occurrence of GERD was 12.1% (8/66), and the overall incidence rate was 18.2% (12/66). Except for vitamin B12(vit B12), the other nutrient indexes were significantly decreased after 1 year of surgery relative to levels before surgery (P < 0.05). The deficiency rates for vitamin A (vit A), vitamin E (vit E), zinc ion (Zn), and folic acid (FA) were higher (45.5, 25.8, 24.2, and 16.7%, respectively); however, there were no related clinical symptoms. SADI-S had significant effects on weight loss and metabolic disease remission. The main nutrient deficiencies after SADI-S were vit A, vit E, Zn, and FA deficiencies. The long-term efficacy and safety of SADI-S warrant further follow-up.

The Relationship between Beverages Consumption and Cognitive Impairment in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Population.

Some evidence shows that beverage consumption has an impact on cognitive performance. This is a follow-up study of dietary habits and cognitive function in the Chinese middle-aged and elderly population. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between beverage consumption and cognitive impairment. The source and grouping of the participants can be seen in the previous article, "Study of Diet Habits and Cognitive Function in the Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: The Association between Folic Acid, B Vitamins, Vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation and Cognitive Ability". Among 892 participants, one-third (296) completed both Amyloid beta(Aß)-PET and plasma biomarkers. The results showed that the consumption of beverages (green tea, coffee, pure milk) was a protective factor for cognitive impairment, daily water consumption <1500 mL (especially <500 mL) was a risk factor for cognitive impairment, and the above correlated with baseline cognitive status. The relationship of green tea, coffee, and pure milk consumption with cognitive impairment was related to gender. We also found that among the participants with Aß deposition, the consumption of pure milk and green tea was associated with low levels of p-Tau-181. In conclusion, the relationship between beverage consumption and cognitive impairment in Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults may be related to baseline cognitive status, gender, and Aß deposition.

Study of Diet Habits and Cognitive Function in the Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: The Association between Folic Acid, B Vitamins, Vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation and Cognitive Ability.

A growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin supplements play a role in the prevention of cognitive decline. The objective of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between cognitive ability and folic acid, B vitamins, vitamin D (VD) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation. The sample consisted of 892 adults aged above 50 who were assessed for their cognitive status in the Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (China) from July 2019 to January 2022. According to the degree of cognitive impairment, the subjects were divided into a normal control (NC) group, subjective cognitive decline (SCD) group, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group and Alzheimer's disease (AD) group. The results indicated a lower risk of AD in the daily VD-supplemented subjects with MCI compared to those who were not supplemented; a lower risk of cognitive impairment in those with normal cognitive who consumed VD, folic acid or CoQ10 on a daily basis compared those who did not; and a lower risk of cognitive impairment in subjects with normal cognitive performance who consumed B vitamin supplements, either daily or occasionally, compared to those who did not. The correlation was independent of other factors that potentially affect cognition, such as education level, age, etc. In conclusion, our findings confirmed a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment in those who took vitamins (folic acid, B vitamins, VD, CoQ10) daily. Therefore, we would recommend daily supplementation of vitamins (folic acid, B vitamins, VD, CoQ10), especially group B vitamins, as a potential preventive measure to slow cognitive decline and neurodegeneration in the elderly. However, for the elderly who have already suffered from cognitive impairment, VD supplementation may also be beneficial for their brains.

A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study to evaluate the role of Yinhua Miyanling tablets in the prevention of bacterial biofilm formation on ureteral stents: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Yinhua Miyanling tablet (YMT) not only has the functions of clearing away heat and toxin, dredging drenching and diuresis, but also has antibacterial activity. The formation of bacterial biofilm in ureteral stent and its related infection have plagued the clinic. Antibacterial traditional Chinese medicine is a potential method. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to enroll patients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy associated with indwelling ureteral stents at six centers between March 2019 and June 2020. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group to take YMT 2 g qid orally or the control group to take dummy YMT 2 g qid orally from the first day after the operation according to a random number table. The unused drugs were recalled 14±3 days after the operation and record the body temperature. Relevant laboratory tests (urinalysis and urine culture) were performed before extubation. The ureteral stent was removed. The specimen was collected for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biofilm formation, USSQ scores, postoperative infectious complications, stone formation, and adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 211 patients enrolled, 165 were included in the per-protocol set (PPS), including 86 in the control group and 79 in the experimental group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in baseline parameters (P>0.05). The prevalence of biofilm formation in the control group (47%) was significantly higher than that in the experimental group (22.7%, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in total USSQ score and domain score between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were more patients with symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) in the control group (12.9%) than in the experimental group (2.6%, P=0.017). The incidence of other complications did not show a significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of stone formation on the ureteral stent surface and adverse drug reactions did not show a significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: YMT is helpful to reduce the formation of bacterial biofilms on ureteral stents and the incidence of symptomatic UTIs related to ureteral stenting after surgery for ureteral calculi. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000041399.

Dysregulated metabolism underpins Zika-virus-infection-associated impairment in fetal development.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an Aedes-mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes debilitating congenital and developmental disorders. Improved understanding of ZIKV pathogenesis could assist efforts to fill the therapeutic and vaccine gap. We use several ZIKV strains, including a pair differing by a single phenylalanine-to-leucine substitution (M-F37L) in the membrane (M) protein, coupled with unbiased genomics to demarcate the border between attenuated and pathogenic infection. We identify infection-induced metabolic dysregulation as a minimal set of host alterations that differentiates attenuated from pathogenic ZIKV strains. Glycolytic rewiring results in impaired oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial dysfunction that trigger inflammation and apoptosis in pathogenic but not attenuated ZIKV strains. Critically, pyruvate supplementation prevents cell death, in vitro, and rescues fetal development in ZIKV-infected dams. Our findings thus demonstrate dysregulated metabolism as an underpinning of ZIKV pathogenicity and raise the potential of pyruvate supplementation in expectant women as a prophylaxis against congenital Zika syndrome.

Effect of chromium supplementation on hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 as risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this systematic review is to assess the relationship between chromium supplementation and inflammatory biomarkers levels (hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6) as risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies raise questions regarding the potential of chromium supplementation to decrease the blood-levels of inflammatory markers, lowering cellular oxidative stress as markers of myocardial infarction; however, the results of the researches are inconclusive. METHODS: The following databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochran Library and Embase databases were systematically searched until April 2020. Analysis was performed using random-effect model. RESULTS: The pooled findings for biomarkers of inflammation showed that chromium supplementation significantly reduced serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (WMD: -0.87 mg/dL, 95% CI: -1.49, -0.26), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (WMD: -0.97 pg/ml; 95% CI: -1.92, -0.01) and chromium insignificantly reduced interleukin -6 (IL-6) (WMD: -0.45 pg/ml, 95% CI: -1.18, 0.29). CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis imply that chromium supplementation may help to improve biomarkers of inflammation as markers of myocardial infarction.

Hyperoside Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammation and Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Finding the novel drug from the effective components of traditional Chinese herbal medicine is a hotspot of the modern pharmacological research.Hyperoside (HYP) belongs to flavonoid glycosides,and it has various properties,such as anti-inflammation,anti-spasm,anti-diuretic,antitussive,lowering blood pressure,and lowering cholesterol effects as well as protective effects for the cardiac and cerebral blood vessels.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of HYP on inflammatory and apoptotic responses in vascular endothelial cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and further to identify the possible mechanisms underlying these effects.In our study,human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with 1 μg/mL LPS in the presence or absence of HYP (10,20 and 50 μrnol/L).Our results indicated that HYP alone exerted no cytotoxicity on HUVECs,while it had an up-regulatory effect on the viability of HUVECs induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner;increased mRNA expression of IL-1β,IL-6,TNFα and iNOS induced by LPS was attenuated after treatment with HYP both in a dose-and time-dependent manner;LPS-induced HUVECs apoptosis and cleaved-caspase 8,9,3 were all significantly reduced by HYP.Furthermore,the possible pathway involved in apoptosis and inflammation by HYP was detected,and the results showed that when treated with HYP,LPS-induced mitochondrial membrane instability was significantly inhibited through up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax.Furthermore,the expression of TLR4 and the phosphorylation of Iκ Bα and p65 in LPS-treated cells were blocked by HYP.Our results suggested that HYP treatment prevented HUVECs from LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis responses,which might be mediated by inhibiting TLR4/NFκB pathway.

Hyperoside Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammation and Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Finding the novel drug from the effective components of traditional Chinese herbal medicine is a hotspot of the modern pharmacological research.Hyperoside (HYP) belongs to flavonoid glycosides,and it has various properties,such as anti-inflammation,anti-spasm,anti-diuretic,antitussive,lowering blood pressure,and lowering cholesterol effects as well as protective effects for the cardiac and cerebral blood vessels.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of HYP on inflammatory and apoptotic responses in vascular endothelial cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and further to identify the possible mechanisms underlying these effects.In our study,human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with 1 μg/mL LPS in the presence or absence of HYP (10,20 and 50 μrnol/L).Our results indicated that HYP alone exerted no cytotoxicity on HUVECs,while it had an up-regulatory effect on the viability of HUVECs induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner;increased mRNA expression of IL-1β,IL-6,TNFα and iNOS induced by LPS was attenuated after treatment with HYP both in a dose-and time-dependent manner;LPS-induced HUVECs apoptosis and cleaved-caspase 8,9,3 were all significantly reduced by HYP.Furthermore,the possible pathway involved in apoptosis and inflammation by HYP was detected,and the results showed that when treated with HYP,LPS-induced mitochondrial membrane instability was significantly inhibited through up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax.Furthermore,the expression of TLR4 and the phosphorylation of Iκ Bα and p65 in LPS-treated cells were blocked by HYP.Our results suggested that HYP treatment prevented HUVECs from LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis responses,which might be mediated by inhibiting TLR4/NFκB pathway.

Mass amplifying probe for sensitive fluorescence anisotropy detection of small molecules in complex biological samples.

Fluorescence anisotropy (FA) is a reliable and excellent choice for fluorescence sensing. One of the key factors influencing the FA value for any molecule is the molar mass of the molecule being measured. As a result, the FA method with functional nucleic acid aptamers has been limited to macromolecules such as proteins and is generally not applicable for the analysis of small molecules because their molecular masses are relatively too small to produce observable FA value changes. We report here a molecular mass amplifying strategy to construct anisotropy aptamer probes for small molecules. The probe is designed in such a way that only when a target molecule binds to the probe does it activate its binding ability to an anisotropy amplifier (a high molecular mass molecule such as protein), thus significantly increasing the molecular mass and FA value of the probe/target complex. Specifically, a mass amplifying probe (MAP) consists of a targeting aptamer domain against a target molecule and molecular mass amplifying aptamer domain for the amplifier protein. The probe is initially rendered inactive by a small blocking strand partially complementary to both target aptamer and amplifier protein aptamer so that the mass amplifying aptamer domain would not bind to the amplifier protein unless the probe has been activated by the target. In this way, we prepared two probes that constitute a target (ATP and cocaine respectively) aptamer, a thrombin (as the mass amplifier) aptamer, and a fluorophore. Both probes worked well against their corresponding small molecule targets, and the detection limits for ATP and cocaine were 0.5 µM and 0.8 µM, respectively. More importantly, because FA is less affected by environmental interferences, ATP in cell media and cocaine in urine were directly detected without any tedious sample pretreatment. Our results established that our molecular mass amplifying strategy can be used to design aptamer probes for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of small molecules by means of FA in complex biological samples.

Two novel creatinine adducts of andrographolide in human urine.

Andrographolide is a major labdane diterpenoid of the traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Andrographis paniculate (Burm) Nees, is used in clinical situations in China mainly to treat fever, cold, and inflammation. In our previous study, fifteen metabolites of andrographolide were identified in human urine. However, there are still two other unknown metabolites. The aim of this study was to elucidate the structures of these two metabolites. 3. The two metabolites which are probably epimers were identified as creatinine adducts, and their structures were determined to be 14-deoxy-12-(creatinine-5-yl)-andrographolide-19-O-ß-D-glucuronide A (Metabolite 1) and 14-deoxy-12-(creatinine-5-yl)-andrographolide-19-O-ß-D-glucuronide B (Metabolite 2) by means of spectroscopic evidences. 4. It is for the first time that the formation of creatinine adducts as a novel metabolic pathway is reported. The mechanism was presumed that ß-carbon (C-12) of α, ß-unsaturated carbonyl was attacked by a 5-anion intermediate of creatinine formed through elimination of a proton, followed by the double bond migration from 12(13) to 13(14) and elimination of the hydroxyl group at C-14.

In vitro maturation and artificial activation of donkey oocytes.

Three media were evaluated for their ability to support in vitro maturation of donkey (Equus asinus) oocytes and their development after parthenogenetic activation. The basal medium for Medium 1 (M1) and Medium 2 (M2) was M199 and DMEM/F12 respectively, whereas, Medium 3 (M3) consisted of equal parts (v/v) of M199 and DMEM/F12. All three media were supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal calf serum, 0.01 units/mL porcine FSH, 0.01 units/mL equine LH, 200 ng/mL insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-I), 10 µl/mL insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS), 0.1 mg/mL taurine, 0.1 mg/mL L-cysteine, 0.05 mg/mL L-glutamine, 0.11 mg/mL sodium pyruvate, and 25 mg/mL gentamycin. There were no significant differences among the three maturation media for oocyte maturation. Maturation rate of donkey oocytes in M1 was 53% for compact (Cp) cumulus-oocyte complexes and 75% for expanded (Ex) cumulus-oocyte complexes; in M2 these were 55 and 77%, respectively; and in M3, 58 and 75%. The percentage of cleaved parthenotes and 4- or 8-cell embryos were not significantly different for oocytes matured in the various media (61 and 24% for M1; 66 and 32% for M2; and 67 and 33% for M3). Oocytes matured in M3 tended to yield a higher rate of advanced embryo development (morula) than oocytes matured in M1 (22 vs 9%; P = 0.07). In conclusion, donkey oocytes were matured and parthenogenetically activated in vitro, using methods similar to those used in the horse.

High-dose glucose-insulin-potassium has hemodynamic benefits and can improve cardiac remodeling in acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention: From a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of high-dose glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solution on hemodynamics and cardiac remodeling in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We observed the changes in the hemodynamic parameters in 26 patients with AMI. All patients received primary PCI before entering the study. All patients in the study were randomized into the GIK group (n = 14) or the control group (n = 12). Patients in the GIK group received high-dose GIK solution (25% glucose, 80 mmol/L KCl and 50 IU/L insulin; 1.5 ml/kg/h) over 24 h. Patients in the control group received standard therapy. We monitored the hemodynamic parameters at baseline and after 6 h, 12 h, 18 h and 24 h, respectively. Then, we followed-up the cardiac function with echocardiography after 7 days, 1 month and 6 months. RESULTS: The basic clinical data was similar between the groups. Primary PCI was performed successfully in 25 patients. The two groups were indistinguishable in all factors measured. GIK solution did not have a deleterious effect on the hemodynamic parameters. The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure increased during the first 12-h period and then decreased smoothly (F = 3.75, P = 0.02). The trends were similar between the two groups. The system vascular resistance index (SVRI) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) decreased during the first 12 h in the GIK group but increased in the control group. The GIK solution significantly influenced SVRI (F = 4.71, P = 0.02). GIK solution improved the cardiac function measured by stroke volume (F = 4.11, P = 0.03) and cardiac index (F = 4.40, P = 0.02). In the 6-month follow-up, GIK improved cardiac remodeling (left ventricular diastolic diameter: 49.2 ± 2.89 vs. 53.9 ± 2.48, P < 0.001; left ventricular systolic diameter: 32.9 ± 2.24 vs. 35.9 ± 2.78, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: High-dose GIK solution had no adverse effects on the hemodynamics in AMI patients treated with primary PCI. It can improve cardiac function by lowering SVRI. In the 6-month follow-up, it improved cardiac remodeling.

High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis for rat metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies of lithospermic acid B from danshen.

Metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies on rat were conducted for lithospermic acid B, one of the components from Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (danshen) that shows many bioactivities. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method was applied for the determination of lithospermic acid B and its metabolites in samples from in vitro and in vivo metabolism studies. Rat plasma samples collected after intravenous administration were analyzed for obtaining pharmacokinetic data of lithospermic acid B. Four O-methylated metabolites, namely one monomethyl-, two dimethyl- and one trimethyl-lithospermic acid B, were detected when lithospermic acid B was incubated in rat hepatic cytosol. These four metabolites were also detected in rat bile, plasma and feces samples after intravenous administration of lithospermic acid B. The in vitro and in vivo results indicate that the methylation is the main metabolic pathway of lithospermic acid B. The danshen component and its methylated metabolites were excreted to rat bile and feces.

Identification of four urea adducts of andrographolide in humans.

Andrographolide is a component of a famous traditional Chinese herbal medicine Andrographis paniculate (Burm) Nees. In this study, the metabolites of andrographolide in human urine after oral administration were investigated. Four urea adducts were isolated by chromatography methods and identified by high-resolution mass spectra, 1 D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.

Isolation and identification of seven glucuronide conjugates of andrographolide in human urine.

Andrographolide is one of the principal components of a famous traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Andrographis paniculate (Burm) Nees, and has been widely used in the clinic for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this paper, metabolites of andrographolide in the urine of eight healthy volunteers after oral administration were further investigated. Building on previous findings, an additional seven phase II metabolites were isolated by liquid-liquid extraction, open-column chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography, and, finally, preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Structural elucidation was carried out by mass spectra and NMR spectroscopy including 1H NMR, 13C NMR and two-dimensional NMR (distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer, heteronuclear multiple-quantum correlation, heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation, 1H-1H correlated spectroscopy, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy). All of the metabolites were characterized as glucuronide conjugates, and the structures were determined to be andrographolide-19-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-1), isoandrographolide-19-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-2), 14-deoxy-12-hydroxy-andrographolide-19-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-3), andrographolide-19-O-[6'-methyl-beta-D-glucuronide] (M-4), 14-deoxy-12(13)-en-andrographolide-19-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-5), 14-deoxyandrographolide-19-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-6), and 3-oxoandrographolide-19-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-7), respectively.

Effects of simvastain combined with omega-3 fatty acids on high sensitive C-reactive protein, lipidemia, and fibrinolysis in patients with mixed dyslipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of simvastatin combined with omega-3 fatty acids on high sensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP), lipidemia, and fibrinolysis in coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD risk equivalent patients with mixed dyslipidemia. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind placebo controlled and parallel group trial was conducted. Patients with CHD and CHD risk equivalents with mixed dyslipidemia were treated with 10 or 20 mg simvastatin for 6-12 weeks. Following with the treatment of patients whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-ch) reaching goal level (< 100 mg/dL) or close to the goal (< 130 mg/dL), while triglyceride (TG) > or = 200 mg/dL and < 500 mg/dL, was combined with omega-3 fatty acids (3 g/d) or a placebo for 2 months. The effects of the treatment on HsCRP, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-ch, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-ch), TG, lipoprotein (a) [LP (a)], apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) were investigated. Forty patients finished the study with each group consisting of twenty patients. RESULTS: (1) There were significant reductions of HsCRP, TG, TC, and TC/HDL-ch, which decreased by 2.16 +/- 2.77 mg/L (38.5%), 94.0 +/- 65.4 mg/dL (31.1%), 13.3 +/- 22.3 mg/dL (6.3%), 0.78 +/- 1.60 respectively in the omega-3 fatty acids group (P < 0.01, < 0.001, < 0.05, < 0.05) compared to the baseline. HsCRP and triglyceride reduction were more significant in omega-3 fatty acids group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.021 and 0.011 respectively). (2) In the omega-3 fatty acids group, the values and percentage of TG reduction had a significantly positive relation with HsCRP reduction (r = 0.51 and 0.45, P = 0.021 and 0.047 respectively). CONCLUSION: In CHD and CHD risk equivalent patients with mixed dyslipidemia, dyslipidemia's therapeutic effect using simvastatin and omega-3 fatty acids may result from not only the combination of lipid adjustment, but also enhancement of their own nonlipid influences.

Four new andrographolide metabolites in human urine.

Andrographolide is one of principal components of a famous traditional Chinese herbal medicine Andrographis paniculate (BURM) NEES. Four new metabolites of andrographolide were isolated from human urine. All of them were characterized as sulfate and one of them also as a cysteine S-conjugate. The structures were determined to be andrographolide-3-O-sulfate (M-1), isoandrographolide-3-O-sulfate (M-2), 14-deoxyandrographolide-3-O-sulfate (M-3), 14-deoxy-12-(cysteine-S-yl)-andrographolide-3-O-sulfate (M-4), respectively, based on chemical evidence and spectroscopic analyses.

[Identification of volatile components in rat urine after oral administration of "wu-hu-tang"].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the volatile components in rat urine after oral administration of "Wu-Hu-Tang" (WHT). METHOD: GC-MS technique was applied to analyzing urine samples. RESULT: Eighteen components were detected in the WHT-treated rat urine other than the corresponding control. Among them, 14 components were identified, and 7 were also found in the extract of WHT. CONCLUSION: The above detected components might be derived from WHT, and some of them are effective components of WHT.