Relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in subjects who underwent a routine health checkup. We intended to establish a clinical association between NAFLD and MS as well as to compare the diagnostic criteria of MS based on the definitions set forth by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (2001) (NCEP/ATP-III) and the Metabolic Syndrome Study Group of Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS). METHODS: Weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, percentage of body fat, blood pressure and ultrasound of liver were performed on subjects undergoing routine health checkup. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose level were measured. RESULTS: A total of 2394 subjects were included in this analysis and 437 had NAFLD. The prevalence of MS in the whole sample according to IDF, NCEP/ATP-III and CDS definitions was 11.11%, 8.48% and 5.30%, respectively. The total degree of agreement between IDF, NCEP/ATP-III and CDS definition was 87.76%. The prevalence of MS in NAFLD subjects is much higher than that in non-NAFLD subjects. The prevalence of NAFLD in MS subjects is also much higher than that in non-MS subjects. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MS varied depending on the diagnostic criteria used. NAFLD was strongly associated with the MS, although it remains unknown whether NAFLD is a cause or effect of MS.

Roles of sulfonylurea receptor 1 and multidrug resistance protein 1 in modulating insulin secretion in human insulinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) are two prominent members of multidrug resistance proteins associated with insulin secretion. The aims of this study were to investigate their expression in insulinomas and their sole and synergistic effects in modulating abnormal insulin secretion. METHODS: Fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide were measured in 11 insulinoma patients and 11 healthy controls. Prolonged oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in 6 insulinoma patients. Insulin content, SUR1 and MRP1 were detected in 11 insulinoma patients by immunohistochemistry. SUR1 and MRP1 were also detected in 6 insulinoma patients by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Insulinoma patients presented the typical demonstrations of Whipple's triad. Fasting glucose of each insulinoma patient was lower than 2.8 mmol/L, and simultaneous insulin and C-peptide were increased in insulinoma patients. Prolonged oral glucose tolerance tests showed that insulin secretion in insulinoma patients were also stimulated by high glucose. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining showed that SUR1 increased, but MRP1 decreased in insulinoma compared with the adjacent islets. CONCLUSIONS: The hypersecretion of insulin in insulinomas might be, at least partially, due to the enrichment of SUR1. In contrast, MRP1, which is down-regulated in insulinomas, might reflect a negative feedback in insulin secretion.

The modulatory effects of the volatile oil of ginger on the cellular immune response in vitro and in vivo in mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of the volatile oil of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in vitro and in vivo in mice. In vitro, the volatile oil of ginger (0.001-10 ng/mL) significantly inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation (P < 0.01), decreased the number of the total T lymphocytes and T helper cells (P < 0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner, but increased the percentage of T suppressor cells to the total T lymphocytes in the mice. In addition, the volatile oil of ginger (0.001-10 ng/mL) inhibited IL-1alpha secretion by the mice peritoneal macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo, oral administration of the volatile oil of ginger in the doses of 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg body weight dose-dependently weakened the delayed type of hypersensitivity response to 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene in the sensitized mice (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the volatile oil of ginger influences both cell-mediated immune response and nonspecific proliferation of T lymphocyte, and may exert beneficial effects in a number of clinical conditions, such as chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

Effects of tea polyphenols on hepatic fibrosis in rats with alcoholic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: As an anti-oxidation agent, tea polyphenols may have the effect of anti-fibrosis. This study was designed to observe the effect of tea polyphenols on hepatic fibrosis in rats with alcoholic liver disease and to explore the related mechanisms. METHODS: Sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into normal control group, single alcohol group, and three alcohol groups given different doses of tea polyphenols. Alcohol or isovolumic normal saline and corresponding doses of tea polyphenols were given daily to the rats separately. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the 24th week. Masson staining was performed to observe liver fibrosis, serum endotoxin, and oxidant and anti-oxidant activity. RESULTS: Hepatic fibrosis was less severe in the rats of the alcohol groups given tea polyphenols than in the single alcohol group. Tea polyphenols increased the serum anti-oxidant capacity and decreased the endotoxin level. CONCLUSION: Tea polyphenols show anti-fibrosis effect in rats with alcoholic liver disease, and the mechanism may be related to the clearance of overall oxidant and decrease of the endotoxin level.