Interleukin Polymorphisms and Predisposition of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is plausible that interleukin polymorphisms may affect predisposition of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the results of so far published studies remain controversial. OBJECTIVES: The authors conducted this meta-analysis to clarify relationships between interleukin-1 (IL-1)/interleukin-4 (IL-4)/interleukin-6 (IL-6)/interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms and SLE by pooling the findings of eligible studies. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI was endorsed by the authors to identify already published studies. Fifty-seven studies were found to be eligible for meta-analyses. RESULTS: The overall pooled meta-analyses yielded positive findings for IL-1A -889 C/T, IL-1B -31 T/C, IL-6 -174 G/C, IL-4 -590 C/T, and IL-10 -1,082 A/G polymorphisms. In addition, we also detected similar positive findings for IL-1B -511 C/T, IL-4 -590 C/T, IL-10 -592 A/C, IL-10 -819 C/T, and IL-10 -1,082 A/G polymorphisms in Asians, and such positive findings were also observed for IL-1A -889 C/T, IL-6 -174 G/C, and IL-10 -1,082 A/G polymorphisms in Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analyses' results suggest that IL-1A -889 C/T, IL-1B -31 T/C, IL-6 -174 G/C, IL-4 -590 C/T, and IL-10 -1,082 A/G polymorphisms might affect predisposition of SLE.

Effects of Sini San used alone and in combination with fluoxetine on central and peripheral 5-HT levels in a rat model of depression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Sini San and fluoxetine on the levels of central and peripheral 5-HT in a rat model of depression, and provide new insight into the treatment of depression with integrated Chinese-Western Medicine. METHODS: A rat model of depression was established by chronic mild stress (CMS). Model rats received either Sini San, fluoxetine, a combination of the two drugs, or no drug treatment. Healthy naive rats were used as controls. Open field and sucrose preference tests were used to assess depression-like behavior. ELISA and immunohistochemistry were used to determine central and peripheral levels of 5-HT. RESULTS: In the group with no drug treatment, central 5-HT expression decreased while peripheral 5-HT concentrations increased as CMS continued. Four weeks after CMS, Sini San alone was less effective in reducing depression-like behavior than fluoxetine alone or in combination with Sini San, but combined use was more effective than fluoxetine alone. Eight weeks after CMS, Sini San alone or in combination with fluoxetine was more effective in reducing depression-like behavior than fluoxetine alone. Furthermore Sini San and fluoxetine used alone or in combination notably increased central 5-HT expression and decreased peripheral 5-HT levels in the rat model. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that there is a synergistic action between the two medicines in the treatment of depression. Sini San exhibited a relatively long lag before its effects were observed; however, by eight weeks the Traditional Chinese Medicine appeared at least as effective as fluoxetine. We suggest that Sini San can replace fluoxetine in the later stages of depression treatment to minimize side effects observed with long-term fluoxetine administration.

Amyloid-ß protein and MicroRNA-384 in NCAM-Labeled exosomes from peripheral blood are potential diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to establish a method to determine whether amyloid-ß (Aß) protein and miR-384 in peripheral blood neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)/ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) dual-labeled exosomes may serve as diagnostic markers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: This was a multicenter study using a two-stage design. The subjects included 45 subjective cognitive decline (SCD) patients, 50 amnesic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients, 40 AD patients, and 30 controls in the discovery stage. The results were validated in the verification stage in 47 SCD patients, 45 aMCI patients, 45 AD patients, and 30 controls. NCAM single-labeled and NCAM/ABCA1 double-labeled exosomes in the peripheral blood were captured and detected by immunoassay. RESULTS: The Aß42, Aß42/40 , Tau, P-T181-tau, and miR-384 levels in NCAM single-labeled and NCAM/ABCA1 double-labeled exosomes of the aMCI and AD groups were significantly higher than those of the SCD, control, and vascular dementia (VaD) groups (all p < 0.05). The Aß42 and miR-384 levels in NCAM/ABCA1 dual-labeled exosomes of the aMCI and AD groups were higher than those of the control and VaD groups (all p < 0.05). The exosomal Aß42, Aß42/40 , Tau, P-T181-tau, and miR-384 levels in peripheral blood were correlated with those in cerebrospinal fluid (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study, for the first time, established a method that sorts specific surface marker exosomes using a two-step immune capture technology. The plasma NCAM/ABCA1 dual-labeled exosomal Aß42/40 and miR-384 had potential advantages in the diagnosis of SCD.