ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: A novel method for quantitative analysis of multi-elements (Ca, Fe, K, Na, Cu, Mn, Zn, Mg, Ni, Sr, Cr, Cd and Co) in food was established by using microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). METHODS: Samples were digested with HNO3 and H2O2 followed by dilution with ultrapure water to 25 mL (g), and then analyzed directly by MP-AES. RESULTS: In the optimal conditions, the linear calibration curve was established for each element, and the linear regression correlation coefficient was more than 0.9999. The limit of detection (LOD) of these multi-elements varied from 0.04 µg/kg to 3.90 µg/kg. The spiked recovery was between 89.8% and 110.4% . The relative standard deviation of precision measurement was between 1.33% and 3.85%. The accurate and reliable results were obtained for validation of the MP-AES method with food reference material according to the standard reference materials (Nist 1549, Nist 1567, Nist 1568 and Nist 1570) and national standard (GBW08501 and GBW10051), and the measured values were in good agreement with the certified values. CONCLUSION: The established method is accurate, simple, fast, reproducible and environmentally friendly.
Subject(s)
Microwaves , Spectrophotometry, Atomic/methods , Trace Elements/analysis , Plasma , SodiumABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dietary pattern during pregnancy and the compositions of fatty acids of phosphatidylcholine (PC) during pregnancy in different regions of China. METHOD: 35 Health women of each region were recruited from three different geographical regions in China: Jurong (an inland region close to freshwater), Rizhao (a coastal region) and Xushui (an inland region with limited access to freshwater). All women were long-term residents of their respective region. Their dietary status (including consumption frequency of food and consumption of culinary oil) during second trimester pregnancy was recorded and the fatty acid composition of PC in plasma during late pregnancy (34 weeks gestation) was quantified by GC. RESULTS: The consumption frequency of marine fish in Rizhao was significant higher than in other two regions. The main n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids of PC in plasma was docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in all regions. The composition of DHA in three regions were (3.31 +/- 0.77) %, (3.74 +/- 1.21) % and (2.44 +/- 0.63) %, respectively. The composition of DHA in Xushui was significant lower than in other two regions (P < 0.017). There was positive relationship between consumption frequency of marine fish and composition of DHA of PC in plasma (r = 0.337, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was relationship between pregnant women's fatty acids composition of PC in plasma and their dietary. The consumption of food with high content of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy would be more practical for DHA store of pregnant women.
Subject(s)
Diet , Fatty Acids/blood , Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Nutritional Status , Phosphatidylcholines/blood , Pregnancy , China , Docosahexaenoic Acids/blood , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/blood , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/blood , Female , Humans , Pregnancy Trimester, SecondABSTRACT
Background: Although some studies have found that nitrates were beneficial for bone health, the findings are inconsistent. To assess the efficacy of nitrates for bone health, we conducted a meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE databases, Cochrane Library for relevant articles published before December 2021 were searched. All observational and randomized controlled studies that reporting bone mineral density (BMD), fractures with nitrates use were included. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate risk ratios (RRs) for fractures, change differences for bone mineral density. Results: Four cohort studies and two case-control studies examining the association between nitrates use and fractures were identified. The nitrates use was not associated with any fracture risk (RR = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-1.01; I2 = 31.5%) and hip fracture (RR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.76-1.02; I2 = 74.5%). Subgroup analyses revealed no differences in fracture risk, whereas two cohort studies revealed a reduced risk of hip fracture (RR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.58-0.86, I2 = 0.0%). There were no statistically significant differences in BMD percent changes at lumbar spine (WMD = -0.07, 95% CI,-0.78-0.65; I2 = 0.0%), total hip (WMD = -0.42, 95% CI,-0.88-0.04; I2 = 0.0%), femoral neck (WMD = -0.38, 95% CI,-1.02-0.25; I2 = 0.0%), or total body (WMD = -0.17, 95% CI,-0.51-0.17; I2 = 0.0%) in two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared with a placebo. Another two RCTs compared nitrates with alendronate. Nitrates were comparable to alendronate in increasing bone mineral density at lumbar spine (WMD = 0.00, 95% CI,-0.01-0.02; I2 = 0.0%). Besides, the most common adverse effect was headache, contributing to low adherence to therapy. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis showed no association between nitrates use and fractures in observational studies. The results of RCTs on the usage of nitrates and their effects on BMD were inconsistent. High-quality, long-term studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of nitrates for bone health.
Subject(s)
Bone Density/drug effects , Bone and Bones/drug effects , Fractures, Bone/epidemiology , Isosorbide Dinitrate/analogs & derivatives , Isosorbide Dinitrate/therapeutic use , Nitrates/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Male , Nitric Oxide Donors/therapeutic use , Nitroglycerin/therapeutic use , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal malignancy lacking effective treatment. The Cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 (CDK4/6) and PI3K/AKT signal pathways play pivotal roles in carcinogenesis and are promising therapeutic targets for HCC. Here we identified a new CDK4/6 and PI3K/AKT multi-kinase inhibitor for the treatment of HCC. Methods: Using a repurposing and ensemble docking methodology, we screened a library of worldwide approved drugs to identify candidate CDK4/6 inhibitors. By MTT, apoptosis, and flow cytometry analysis, we investigated the effects of candidate drug in reducing cell-viability,inducing apoptosis, and causing cell-cycle arrest. The drug combination and thermal proteomic profiling (TPP) method were used to investigate whether the candidate drug produced antagonistic effect. The in vivo anti-cancer effect was performed in BALB/C nude mice subcutaneously xenografted with Huh7 cells. Results: We demonstrated for the first time that the anti-plasmodium drug aminoquinol is a new CDK4/6 and PI3K/AKT inhibitor. Aminoquinol significantly decreased cell viability, induced apoptosis, increased the percentage of cells in G1 phase. Drug combination screening indicated that aminoquinol could produce antagonistic effect with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. TPP analysis confirmed that aminoquinol significantly stabilized CDK4, CDK6, PI3K and AKT proteins. Finally, in vivo study in Huh7 cells xenografted nude mice demonstrated that aminoquinol exhibited strong anti-tumor activity, comparable to that of the leading cancer drug 5-fluorouracil with the combination treatment showed the highest therapeutic effect. Conclusion: The present study indicates for the first time the discovery of a new CDK4/6 and PI3K/AKT multi-kinase inhibitor aminoquinol. It could be used alone or as a combination therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.