[Relationship between nutrient-related dietary pattern and mild cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly people in 15 provinces of China].

Objective: To explore the relationship between nutrient-related dietary pattern and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in middle-aged and elderly people. Methods: A total of 6 444 middle-aged and elderly people aged ≥55 years were selected in 2018 China Health and Nutrition Survey. MCI was evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination, and the intakes of various foods were obtained by consecutive 3-day 24-hour dietary survey and weighing method. The intakes of various nutrients and total dietary energy were calculated based on the food composition table. Demographic and social information, lifestyle and health status of the respondents were obtained through questionnaire survey and physical measurements. In this study, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, iron, copper and selenium were selected as dependent variables. Nutrient-related dietary patterns were extracted by reduced rank regression method, and the relationship between dietary patterns and MCI was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Six dietary patterns were extracted in this study, and dietary pattern 1 with the highest explanatory degree was selected for subsequent analysis. Dietary pattern 1 was characterized by higher intakes of legume products, vegetables, fruits, nuts, pork, aquatic products and plant oil. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of MCI was lower in Q4 dietary score group than in Q1 dietary score group (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.49-0.98) in the 55-64 age group. In people with sleep duration of 8 hours per day, the risk of MCI was reduced in Q2, Q3 and Q4 dietary score groups compared with the Q1 dietary score group, with OR values of 0.68 (95%CI: 0.51-0.92), 0.67 (95%CI: 0.49-0.92) and 0.65 (95%CI: 0.45-0.92), respectively. Interaction analysis showed that the risk for MCI increased in those aged 65-74 years and ≥75 years compared with those aged 55-64 years in Q1 dietary score group. However, the risk for MCI decreased in both age groups as dietary pattern scores increased. Compared with those with sleep duration less or more than 8 hours per day in Q1 dietary score group, those with sleep duration of 8 hours per day in Q2 and Q3 dietary score groups had a reduced risk for MCI. Conclusion: Dietary patterns with higher intakes of legume products, vegetables, fruits, nuts, pork, aquatic products, and plant oil are negatively associated with MCI in people aged 55-64 years and those who slept 8 hours per day, and may reduce the risk of MCI with aging.

[Association of vitamin D nutritional status with calcaneal bone mineral density in school-age children: a prospective cohort study].

Objective: To investigate the relationships between vitamin D nutritional status and the calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) in children. Methods: Data were obtained from School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program. In 2017, a total of 15 391 children aged 6-16 years in Beijing selected through stratified cluster sampling were included in the baseline survey. A follow-up investigation was conducted in 2019. The questionnaire survey, detection of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and ultrasound measurement of calcaneal BMD were conducted. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationships between baseline vitamin D nutritional status and the follow-up calcaneal BMD. Results: A total of 10 914 children aged (11.5±3.3) years (boys accounting for 49.6%) were included in the analysis. The average 25(OH)D level was (35.4±12.0) nmol/L, and the deficiency rate was 36.1%. After the adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use status, dairy products intake, vitamin D supplement, calcium supplement, physical activity, pubertal development, and baseline calcaneal BMD Z-score, for per 10 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D, the follow-up calcaneal BMD Z-score increased by 0.01(P=0.041), and the OR(95%CI) of decreased calcaneal BMD Z-score after 2 years was 0.96 (0.93-1.00)(P=0.030). Compared with vitamin D adequacy, the follow-up calcaneal BMD Z-score of children with vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency decreased by 0.03(P=0.307) and 0.06 (P=0.046), and the risk of decreased calcaneal BMD Z-score after 2 years increased by 15%(P=0.037) and 21%(P=0.006), respectively (P for trend<0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D nutritional status was closely related to calcaneal BMD, and children with adequate vitamin D nutritional status tended to obtain higher BMD. Children and adolescents are encouraged to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels, strengthen nutrition and exercise to promote bone health.

[Association of vitamin D nutritional status with body muscle mass in school-age children adolescents].

Objective: To investigate the association between vitamin D nutritional status and the body muscle mass in children. Methods: Data were obtained from School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program. In 2017, a total of 15 391 children aged 6-16 years in Beijing were selected through stratified cluster sampling in baseline survey. A follow-up investigation was conducted in 2019. The questionnaire survey and the detection of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level were conducted. The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) apparatus was used to measure body muscle mass, and muscle mass index (MMI) was calculated. Multivariable linear models were used to analyze the association of vitamin D nutritional status with the baseline and follow-up MMI measures. Results: A total of 10 890 children aged (11.5±3.3) years(boys accounting for 49.6%) were included in the analysis. The average 25(OH)D level was (35.4±12.0) nmol/L, with an adequacy ratio of 11.1%. After multivariate linear regression adjustment for age, sex, body fat mass, smoking status, alcohol use status, dairy supplement, calcium supplement, physical activity, and pubertal development, no statistically significant association between vitamin D nutritional status and baseline MMI level was observed (P>0.05). For the follow-up MMI, the Z-score increased by 0.008 (P=0.058) for per 10 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D, which were 0.002 (P=0.815) and 0.037 (P=0.031) higher in children with insufficient and adequate vitamin D than those with vitamin D deficiency, respectively (P for trend =0.089). Subgroup analysis showed that in the normal BMI group, for per 10 nmol/L increase in 25 (OH) D, the MMI at baseline survey and MMI Z-score at follow-up of children with adequate vitamin D and increased by 0.019 and 0.014, respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D nutritional status was related to muscle mass in children, and children with adequate vitamin D tended to obtain higher MMI. Children and adolescents are encouraged to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels, strengthen nutrition and exercise to promote body health.

[Study on the damage of the tight junctions of nasal mucosal epithelial cells by artemisia annua pollen].

Objective: To investigate the damage and mechanism of artemisia annua pollen on tight junction of human nasal mucosa epithelial cells (HNEpC). Methods: HNEpC were cultured in vitro. Different concentrations of artemisia annua pollen (0, 20, 40, 80, 100, 160, 200 µg/ml) were used to intervene the cells for 24 h, and the cell proliferation activity was detected by the CCK-8 method. The expression and phosphorylation of p38MAPK signaling pathway were detected by Western Blot before and after the intervention of SB203580, a p38MAPK inhibitor in HNEpC. Immunofluorescence chemical staining, Western Blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to observe the expression and distribution of tight junctions Occludin and Claudin-1. SPSS 21.1 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: CCK-8 results showed that, compared with the control group, the proliferation activity of HNEpC increased after 6 h intervention with different concentrations of artemisia annua pollen (all P<0.05). After 12 h of intervention, the proliferation activity of HNEpC in the 20, 40, 80, 100 and 160 µg/ml groups was not significantly changed (all P>0.05), while that in the 200 µg/ml group was decreased (P<0.05). After the intervention for 24 h, the proliferation activity of cells in the 20 and 40 µg/ml groups was not significantly changed (all P>0.05), while that in the 80, 100, 160 and 200 µg/ml groups was decreased (all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the Occludin and Claudin-1 proteins in the normal control group were localized on the cell membrane and expressed more and formed a ring structure around the cell membrane. However, under the intervention of high concentration artemisia annua pollen, its expression level decreased, appeared broken, fuzzy, and nonuniform distribution. Western Blot and qPCR results showed that after 24 h of intervention, the expression levels of HNEpC Claudin-1 protein and its mRNA in the pollen groups (40, 80, 100, 160, 200 µg/ml) of artemisia annua decreased compared with those of those of the control group (mRNA expression levels were 0.567±0.214, 0.443±0.109, 0.462±0.160, 0.497±0.134, 0.388±0.076 compared with 1.001±0.067, respectively, all P<0.05). However, the mRNA of Occludin protein and its mRNA only decreased in the 200 µg/ml treatment group (mRNA expression level was 0.631±0.109 compared with 1.016±0.026, P<0.05), while all the other treatment groups increased (mRNA expression levels were 1.258±0.134, 1.827±0.103, 2.429±0.077, 1.707±0.085, 1.477±0.066 compared with 1.016±0.026, respectively, all P<0.05). Western Blot showed that p-p38MAPK expression increased after intervention with 100, 160, 200 µg/ml artemisia annua pollen for 24 h. SB203580 could inhibit the decreasing expression of Occludin caused by artemisinin pollen (mRNA expression was 1.255±0.179 compared with 0.631±0.109, P<0.05), but had no effect on Claudin-1 protein expression. Conclusion: Pollen from artemisia annua may activate p38MAPK signaling pathway and destroy the close connection of HNEpC.

High stocking density alters bone-related calcium and phosphorus metabolism by changing intestinal absorption in broiler chickens.

Live performance, bone health and metabolic responses to the interaction among stocking density and dietary concentrations of total calcium (TCa) and non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) were determined on 2,232 Ross 308 female broilers over a 3-wk experimental period. From 22 d of age, birds were randomly divided into 48 groups and provided with different corn-soybean meal-based diets varying in TCa (0.70% or 0.90%) and NPP (0.28% or 0.36%) content at 1 of 2 stocking densities [28.6 (LSD, 13 broilers/m2) and 39.6 (HSD, 18 broilers/m2) kg of predicted final BW/m2 floor space], according to a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design with 6 replications in each treatment. Regardless of NPP supplementation, a high-TCa (0.90%) diet aggravated the impact of HSD on growth (BW gain and feed efficiency, P < 0.001) and motility (gait score, P < 0.001). This might be explained by deteriorating tibia quality (relative weight, mineral composition and biomechanical property; P < 0.01), due to the involvement of decreasing duodenal absorption (type IIb sodium-phosphate co-transporter mRNA, P < 0.001) in reduced phosphorus retention (P < 0.001). On the contrary, increasing dietary NPP (0.36%), particularly if high in TCa (0.90%), boosted TCa retention (P < 0.05) by improving absorption (calcium-binding protein D28k transcription, P < 0.05) for LSD chickens, hence enhancing bone development (relative tibia weight and tibia breaking strength, P < 0.05) and leg health (walking ability, P < 0.05). Together, HSD and LSD birds show an impaired TCa tolerance and a higher TCa+NPP threshold, respectively, to allow the optimization of bone quality via altered intestinal absorption.

High dietary biotin levels affect the footpad and hock health of broiler chickens reared at different stocking densities and litter conditions.

Responses to stocking density (SD), dietary biotin concentration and litter condition were evaluated on 2016 Ross 308 male broilers in the fattening period (day 22-day 42). The birds were placed in 48 pens with either dry or wet litter to simulate the final stocking density of 30 kg (12 broilers/m2 ; normal stocking density, NSD) and 40 kg (16 broilers/m2 ; high stocking density, HSD) of body weight (BW)/m2 floor space. A corn-soybean meal-based diet was supplemented with biotin to provide a normal (NB; 155 µg/kg) or high (HB, 1521 µg/kg) level of dietary biotin. There were six repetitions per treatment. The inappropriate moisture content of litter associated with HSD was avoided (p < 0.05) by good management (SD difference: dry litter, 6.65% vs. wet litter, 13.23%; 42 days), which made it advantageous (p < 0.01) for footpad (SD difference: dry litter, 0.118 vs. wet litter, 0.312; weekly average value) and hock health (SD difference: dry litter, 0.090 vs. wet litter, 0.303; weekly average value) of HSD birds, but not (p > 0.05) for growth and processing yield. In HSD, the biotin effect (gains, FCR) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in NSD. The similar response of HSD birds to supplemental biotin was observed (p < 0.05) for lesion scores of footpad and hock in particularly finishing chickens, and a significant interaction (p < 0.01) among stocking density, biotin supplementation and litter condition existed from 35 to 42 days of age. Taken together, increasing dietary biotin improves the performance and well-being of broiler chickens stocked at high densities in litter-independent and litter-dependent manners respectively.

Resveratrol appears to protect against oxidative stress and steroidogenesis collapse in mice fed high-calorie and high-cholesterol diet.

The detrimental effects on Leydig cells steroidogenesis in mice on high-calorie and high-cholesterol diet (HCD) were determined, and the possible protection conferred by resveratrol supplementation was investigated. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed high-calorie and alone (HCD group) or with resveratrol supplementation (HCD + Res group) for 18 weeks. Male C57BL/6J mice fed standard diet without or with the same dose of resveratrol served as controls. At the end of the experiment, there were significant declines of serum testosterone and luteinising hormone (LH) in HCD group as compared to controls. In line with the hormone alterations, the expressions of StAR and steroidogenic enzymes in testicular tissues were significantly down-regulated in HCD group. Resveratrol supplementation could significantly improve expressions of StAR and steroidogenic enzymes, and increase serum testosterone and LH concentrations in HCD + Res group. Mice in HCD group also showed a statistically significant down-regulation in the mRNA expressions of MnSOD and GPx4. Resveratrol supplementation improved testicular MnSOD and GPx4 expression in comparison with HCD group. We propose that resveratrol may attenuate detrimental effects on Leydig cells steroidogenesis in HCD-fed mice, and its upregulations of antioxidant defence mechanisms and LH level may play a role in its protection. Our data suggest resveratrol appears to have the potential for therapeutic approaches targeting male obesity-associated secondary hypogonadism.

Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract with N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (N-BCA) embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract and to establish an appropriate technique. METHODS: 40 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal venous intervention for various reasons. Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract was performed after the procedure in all of the patients using N-BCA and Lipiodol® (Lipiodol Ultra Fluide; Laboratoire Guerbet, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France) mixture. Immediate ultrasonography and fluoroscopy were performed to evaluate perihepatic haematoma formation and unintended embolization of more than one segmental portal vein. Follow-up CT was performed, and haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were checked to evaluate the presence of bleeding. RESULTS: Immediate haemostasis was achieved in all of the patients, without development of perihepatic haematoma or unintended embolization of more than one segmental portal vein. Complete embolization of percutaneous access tract was confirmed in 39 out of 40 patients by CT. Seven patients showed decreased haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. Other complications included mild pain at the site of embolization and mild fever, which resolved after conservative management. 16 patients died during the follow-up period owing to progression of the underlying disease. CONCLUSION: Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein access tract with N-BCA is feasible and technically safe. With the appropriate technique, N-BCA can be safely used as an alternate embolic material since it is easy to use and inexpensive compared with other embolic materials. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of N-BCA for percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract embolization.

In vitro evaluation of the therapeutic potential of nevirapine in treatment of human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a severe thyroid malignancy with poor prognosis, due to its early metastasis and unresponsiveness to both radiation and chemotherapy. Nevirapine, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, has been used as a re-differentiation agent to treat cancers in several human cancer models. So far, the effects of nevirapine on human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma cells have not been documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of nevirapine in treatment of human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma. Cell proliferation was determined by methly thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by Hoechst 33258 staining. The mRNA expression of NIS and TSHR was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR). Iodine uptake was determined by (125)I radioactivity assay. At all doses (100, 200, 350, 500 µmol/L) tested, nevirapine significantly inhibited cell proliferation after 48 h treatment. At high dose (500 µmol/L), nevirapine significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells compared with control (P<0.01). At lower doses (200 µmol/L and 350 µmol/L), nevirapine did not induce cell apoptosis, but up-regulated NIS and THSR mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. In FRO cells pre-treated with nevirapine, the increase in NIS expression had no obvious effect on iodine uptake. These findings indicate that nevirapine has an anti-proliferative effect on FRO cells, which correlates with an induction of cell differentiation.

Phytochemical Assays of Commercial Botanical Dietary Supplements.

The growing popularity of botanical dietary supplements (BDS) has been accompanied by concerns regarding the quality of commercial products. Health care providers, in particular, have an interest in knowing about product quality, in view of the issues related to herb-drug interactions and potential side effects. This study assessed whether commercial formulations of saw palmetto, kava kava, echinacea, ginseng and St. John's wort had consistent labeling and whether quantities of marker compounds agreed with the amounts stated on the label. We purchased six bottles each of two lots of supplements from nine manufacturers and analyzed the contents using established commercial methodologies at an independent laboratory. Product labels were found to vary in the information provided, such as serving recommendations and information about the herb itself (species, part of the plant, marker compound, etc.) With regard to marker compound content, little variability was observed between different lots of the same brand, while the content did vary widely between brands (e.g. total phenolic compounds in Echinacea ranged from 3.9-15.3 mg per serving; total ginsenosides in ginseng ranged from 5.3-18.2 mg per serving). Further, the amounts recommended for daily use also differed between brands, increasing the potential range of a consumer's daily dose. Echinacea and ginseng were the most variable, while St. John's wort and saw palmetto were the least variable. This study highlights some of the key issues in the botanical supplement market, including the importance of standardized manufacturing practices and reliable labeling information. In addition, health care providers should keep themselves informed regarding product quality in order to be able to appropriately advise patients utilizing both conventional and herbal medicines.

The management of white phosphorus burns.

Phosphorus burns are a rarely encountered chemical burn, typically occurring in battle, industrial accidents, or from fireworks. Death may result even with minimal burn areas. Early recognition of affected areas and adequate resuscitation is crucial. Amongst our 2765 admissions between 1984 and 1998, 326 patients had chemical burns. Seven admissions were the result of phosphorus burns. Our treatment protocol comprises 1% copper sulfate solution for neutralization and identification of phosphorus particles, copious normal saline irrigation, keeping wounds moist with saline-soaked thick pads even during transportation, prompt debridement of affected areas, porcine skin coverage or skin grafts for acute wound management, as well as intensive monitoring of electrolytes and cardiac function in our burns center. Intravenous calcium gluconate is mandatory for correction of hypocalcemia. Of the seven, one patient died from inhalation injury and the others were scheduled for sequential surgical procedures for functional and cosmetic recovery. Cooling affected areas with tap water or normal saline, prompt removal of phosphorus particles with mechanical debridement, intensive monitoring, and maintenance of electrolyte balance are critical steps in initial management. Fluid resuscitation can be adjusted according to urine output. Early excision and skin autografts summarize our phosphorus burn treatment protocol.

[A study on quality standard for herba cistanches].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the quality standard for Herba Cistanches. METHOD: A qualitative identification method by TLC was established for five kinds of active components(acteoside, echinacoside, cistanoside A, betaine and mannitol) and RP-HPLC was used to quantify the acteoside contents. RESULTS: Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out for fourteen kinds of Herba Cistanches and eleven kinds of Yinpian. This method is accurate, reliable and of good separability and reproducibility. CONCLUSION: This method can be applied as standard for the quality control of cistanche deserticola.

[Analysis of phenylethanoid glycosides in the extract of herba Cistanchis by LC/ESI-MS/MS].

AIM: To analyze the phenylethanoid glycosides in Cistanche deserticola Y. D. Ma and its alternatives. METHODS: An HPLC/MS/MS method has been developed for the analysis of seven kinds of phenylethanoid glycosides in Cistanche deserticola Y. D. Ma, C. salsa (C. A. Mey) G. Beck and C. tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight. The [M - H]- ions were observed for five standards and Cistanche extracts. The glycosidic linkages, the core, and the attached sugar (s) of the phenylethanoid glycosides can be determined from the collision-induced dissociation spectra of the molecular. RESULTS: Seven kinds of phenylethanoid glycosides (echinacoside, acteoside, cisacteoside, isoacteoside, 2'-acetylacteoside, cistanoside A, osmanthuside B) in Cistanche deserticola Y. D. Ma, six kinds (echinacoside, acteoside, cisacteoside, isoacteoside, 2'-acetylacteoside and cistanoside A) in C. salsa (C. A. Mey) G. Beck and five kinds (echinacoside, acteoside, cisacteoside, isoacteoside and 2'-acetylacteoside) in C. tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight were detected. CONCLUSION: The difference of the relative distribution of these phenylethanoid glycosides in each extract was found out. Phenylethanoid glycosides are the specific constituents in Cistanchis, which can be used to distinguish different species in Genus Cistanchis.

Dietary modulation of omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios in patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-6 (omega-6) class, as found in corn and safflower oils, can act as precursors for intermediates involved in the growth of mammary tumors when fed to animals, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 (omega-3) class, as found in fish oil, can inhibit these effects. The effects of dietary intervention on the ratios of these fatty acids in breast and other adipose tissues have not previously been prospectively studied. PURPOSE: The present investigation was conducted to study the impact on the ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid in plasma and in adipose tissue of the breast and buttocks when women with breast cancer consume a low-fat diet and fish oil supplements. METHODS: Twenty-five women with high-risk localized breast cancer were enrolled in a dietary intervention program that required them to eat a low-fat diet and take a daily fish oil supplement throughout a 3-month period. Breast and gluteal fat biopsy specimens were obtained from each woman before and after dietary intervention. The fatty acid compositions of specimens of plasma, breast fat, and gluteal fat were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Statistical analysis involved use of a two-sided paired t test. RESULTS: After dietary intervention, a reduction in the level of total omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the plasma was observed (P<.0003); moreover, total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased approximately three-fold (P<.0001) and the omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio increased approximately fourfold (i.e., mean values increased from 0.09 to 0.41; P = .0001). An increase in total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast adipose tissue was observed following dietary intervention (P = .04); the omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio increased from a mean value of 0.05 to 0.07 (P = .0001). An increase in total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed in gluteal adipose tissue following the intervention (P = .05); however, the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (mean ratio values of 0.036-0.045; P = .06) was unchanged. CONCLUSION: Short-term dietary intervention can lead to statistically significant increases in omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios in plasma and breast adipose tissue. Breast adipose tissue changed more rapidly than gluteal adipose tissue in response to the dietary modification tested in this study. Therefore, gluteal adipose tissue may not be a useful surrogate to study the effect of diet on breast adipose tissue.

The anti-aging effect of moxibustion and moxibustion combined with skin allograft evaluated from optic and electron microscopy study of thymus and pituitary glands.

The effect of moxibustion combined with acu-area skin allograft therapy for the aging was evaluated using a mice model. This study provides experimental basis and a new research clue for the clinical application of "combination" therapy with the use of optic and electron microscope. We observed that moxibustion, skin allograft, and a combination of the two had the effect of retarding the aging of the thymus gland and pituitary gland. Among them, the moxibustion combined with skin allograft was more effective compared with other single therapies. This study suggests that the combined therapy could raise the therapeutic effect.

Mechanisms responsible for sustained hypotension after captopril treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate new aspects of the relationship between sustained reduction of blood pressure and alteration of cardiovascular structure and function after cessation of early captopril treatment. METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were given captopril 20 mg/kg per day (n = 13) or 100 mg/kg per day (n = 12) from the intra-uterine period to age 16 weeks and then the treatment was stopped. Age-matched untreated SHR (n = 16) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats (n = 17) served as controls. The experiments were carried out at 40 weeks. RESULTS: Withdrawal of captopril treatment resulted in a rapid rebound of SBP to a level close to that of untreated SHR in the low-dose group, whereas a persistently lower SBP was maintained in the high-dose group. Both doses of captopril treatment completely prevented wall hypertrophy either of arteriolar resistance vessels or of muscular vessels. Captopril decreased left ventricular mass:body weight ratio dose-dependently. High-dose captopril improved the resting and stress systolic and diastolic function. Thoracic angiotensin converting enzyme levels were dose-dependently reduced by captopril treatment. The curves of perfusion pressure response to incremental doses of phenylephrine shifted to the right in both captopril treatment groups compared with those of the control SHR. Addition of L-NAME and L-arginine to the perfusate augmented or attenuated the vasoconstrictor activity in all of the rats, whereas high-dose captopril totally restored the abnormal hypersensitivity to L-NAME and caused less attenuation in response to L-arginine in the control SHR. CONCLUSIONS: The persistent lower blood pressure caused by early captopril treatment was ascribed mainly to its sustained normalization of structure and function of resistance vessels, which may be partly mediated by the improvement of endothelial cell function. The persistent reduction of angiotensin converting enzyme activity in blood vessel wall attenuated left ventricular hypertrophy, and the improvement of cardiac systolic and diastolic function may also contribute to the sustained hypotensive effect.

Soybean isoflavone extract suppresses early but not later promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis by phenobarbital in female rat liver.

The antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities of soybean isoflavone extracts were investigated in female F344/rats. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 15 mg/kg body wt) as a cancer initiator was injected intraperitoneally into 120 female F344/N rats at 10 days of age, and at weaning, phenobarbital (PB, 500 mg/kg diet) was fed to one-half of the rats. Soybean isoflavones were extracted in acetone-0.1 N HCl and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and two levels of soybean isoflavones (920 and 1,840 mumol/kg diet) were fed during PB treatment for 3 and 11 months. Control rats were fed diets without PB and with or without isoflavones. The effect of soybean isoflavone extract on hepatic glutathione peroxidase was measured, and development of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)-positive (GGT+) and placental glutathione transferase (PGST)-positive (PGST+) altered hepatic foci (AHF) was analyzed by computerized stereology. Soybean isoflavone extract providing 920 or 1,840 mumol/kg diet normalized total heptic glutathione peroxidase activity, which was suppressed about 17% by PB (p < 0.05), and both doses of isoflavone extract suppressed PB promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis, decreasing the volume occupied by GGT+ and PGST+ AHF (p < 0.05) after three months. After 11 months of PB promotion, isoflavone extract at 920 mumol/kg diet decreased PGST+ AHF compared with the PB-fed group, but neither dose of isoflavone extract suppressed development of GGT+ AHF compared with the group fed PB alone. Furthermore the control group fed isoflavone extract at 1,840 mumol/kg diet showed greater development of GGT+ and PGST+ AHF than the group fed the basal diet alone. Therefore soybean isoflavones may be anticarcinogenic, but their margin of safety is relatively narrow, with a cancer-promoting dose of 1,840 mumol/kg in female F344/N rats initiated with DEN.

[Treatment of congestive heart failure complicating chronic Keshen disease with magnesium sulfate and captopril].

150 hospital patients of chronic Keshen disease with congestive heart failure were divided into two groups: the treatment group (TG) and control group (CG). Patients in TG (80 patients) were treated with magnesium sulfate and captopril, while those in CG (70 patients) with digoxin. The results showed a marked difference (P < 0.01) in the total effective ratio between TG (92.5 percent) and CG (65.7 percent). Both groups had an increase in cardiac output and cardiac index, but it was more apparent in TG. With sum vessel resistance (SVR), TG had a remarkable decrease (P < 0.01), patients in while those in CG did not (P > 0.05). The results also showed that the therapeutic effect in TG was satisfactory. The important function of magnesium, the basis of its treatment and the simultaneous administration of magnesium and captopril to reduce the cardiac preload and afterload and to improve the heart function were discussed.

Norepinephrine levels in the vomeronasal system and their responses to male urine in young and aged female rats.

Norepinephrine (NE) levels in brain areas of the vomeronasal system in young (4-5 months) and aged (25-26 months) ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats, which were implanted with a 17 beta-estradiol silastic capsule and then exposed to male rat urine, were investigated. The unilateral vomeronasal organ was removed in all rats one week before exposure to urine stimulation. NE levels in the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MA), medial preoptic area (MPOA), ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus (VMH) and bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST) were measured. NE concentrations in these brain areas of the surgical side served as the control. Urine collected from young adult male rats was poured into the female's cage at 12:00h and the animals were sacrificed before and 1, 2, or 3 hours after the male urine was given. The NE basal levels in the MA and MPOA of young rats decreased significantly from 13:00h to 15:00h, and those in young rat VMH declined markedly from 13:00h to 14:00h compared to those at 12:00h. No marked alterations in NE basal levels in young rat BST were found. In contrast, no obvious changes in the NE concentrations were observed in these brain areas of old rats. Continuous exposure to male urine did not affect the NE levels in any of these brain areas of young and aged rats. We concluded that (1) the time-dependent fluctuation of the NE basal levels in some brain areas of the vomeronasal system in female rats is age-related, and (2) the NE in all these nuclei of the vomeronasal system is not involved in pheromone-induced effects.