SOX6 AU controls myogenesis by cis-modulation of SOX6 in cattle.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle development through multiple mechanisms. The present study revealed that the lncRNA SOX6 AU (SRY-box transcription factor 6 antisense upstream) is reverse transcribed from upstream of the bovine sex-determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility-group box 6 (SOX6) gene. SOX6 AU was significantly differentially expressed in muscle tissue among different developmental stages in Xianan cattle. Subsequently, knockdown and overexpression experiments discovered that SOX6 AU promoted primary skeletal muscle cells proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation in bovine. The overexpression of SOX6 AU in bovine primary skeletal muscle cells resulted in 483 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 224 upregulated DEGs and 259 downregulated DEGs. GO functional annotation analysis showed that muscle development-related biological processes such as muscle structure development and muscle cell proliferation were significantly enriched. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways were important pathways for DEG enrichment. Notably, we found that SOX6 AU inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of the SOX6 gene. Moreover, knockdown of the SOX6 gene promoted the proliferation and apoptosis of bovine primary skeletal muscle cells. Finally, we showed that SOX6 AU promoted the proliferation and apoptosis of bovine primary skeletal muscle cells by cis-modulation of SOX6 in cattle. This work illustrates our discovery of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of SOX6 AU in the development of beef.

[Association of Next Generation Sequencing Based Genotypic Profiling with MICM Characteristics in NPM1 Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explain the clinicobiological heterogeneity of NPM1 mutated (NPM1mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by analyzing the association between next-generation sequencing (NGS) profiles and MICM characteristics in patients with this AML subtype. METHODS: Data of 238 NPM1mut patients with available NGS information on 112 genes related to blood disease was collected, and χ2 test and nonparametric test were used to analyze the distribution association between NGS-detecting mutations and conventional MICM parameters. RESULTS: In entire NPM1mut cohort, totaling 240 NPM1 mutation events were identified, of whom 10 (10/240, 4.2%) were missense mutations, which did not involve any W288 or W290 locus and were found exclusively in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD- group. All but one of these missense mutations (9/10, 90%) were accompanied by AML subtype-defining recurrent cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities, of which 7 cases were in the low risk and 2 in the high risk. NPM1mut occurred solely as an insertion/deletion (indel) type in the NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD+ group. The incidence of favorable plus unfavorable karyotypes in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD- group was higher than in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD+ group (6.4% vs. 0, P=0.031). The positive rates of CD34 and CD7 in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD+ group were significantly higher than in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD- group (CD34: 47.9% vs. 20.6%, P<0.001; CD7: 61.5% vs. 29.9%, P<0.001). Logistic analysis showed that FLT3-ITD independently predicted for CD34+ and CD7+ [odds ratio (OR)=5.29, 95%CI: 2.64-10.60, P<0.001; OR=3.47, 95%CI: 1.79-6.73, P<0.001; respectively]. Ras-pathway mutations independently predicted for HLA-DR+ (OR=4.05, 95%CI: 1.70-9.63, P=0.002), and KRAS mutation for MPO- (OR=0.18, 95%CI: 0.05-0.62, P=0.007). TET2/IDH1 mutations independently predicted for CD34- and CD7- (OR=0.26, 95%CI: 0.11-0.62, P=0.002; OR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.14-0.62, P=0.001; respectively), and MPO+ (OR=3.52, 95%CI: 1.48-8.38, P=0.004). DNMT3A-R882 independently predicted for CD7+ and HLA-DR+ (OR=3.59, 95%CI: 1.80-7.16, P<0.001; OR=13.41, 95%CI: 4.56-39.45, P<0.001; respectively), and DNMT3A mutation for MPO-(OR=0.35, 95%CI: 1.48-8.38, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Co-existing FLT3-ITD in NPM1mut AML independently predicts for CD34+ and CD7+, co-existing Ras-pathway mutation for HLA-DR+ and MPO-, co-existing TET2/IDH1 mutation for CD34-, CD7-, and MPO+, and co-existing DNMT3A mutation for HLA-DR+, CD7+, and MPO-, thereby providing a new mechanism explanation for the immunophenotypic heterogeneity of these AML patients.

[The Mutated Gene Sequenced by NGS and the Correlation of Their Coexistent Mutual Exclusiveness in NPM1 Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinicobiological heterogeneity of NPM1 mutated (NPM1mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) detected by next generation sequencing (NGS) and their coexistence and mutual exclusivity relationship in the AML subtype. METHODS: The NGS data based on 112 genes related to blood disease in 238 newly diagnosed patients with NPM1mut were collected. The χ2 test and non-parametric test were used to analyze the distribution correlation between the genes in the mutational spectrum. RESULTS: Among all the patients, at least one co-mutation was detected out. The median number per case of the mutated genes, including NPM1mut was 4.5 (range 2－14), among them, there were 5.0 (range 2－10) for NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD+ and 4.0 (range 2－14) for NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD- cases, but it was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.378). A total of 240 NPM1 mutational events were detected out in entire 238 NPM1mut patients, of which 10 (4.2%) were missense mutations, and were all found in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD- patients. Most (9/10, 90%) of these NPM1 missense mutations were accompanied by AML subtype-defining cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities, of which 7 patients were in low risk or 2 in high risk. The most common NPM1mut coexisting mutations were DNMT3A (104, 43.7%), followed were FLT3-ITD (95, 39.9%) and FAT1 (57, 23.9%), FLT3-ITD and DNMT3A showed significant coexistence (P=0.005). FLT3-ITD showed significantly reciprocal exclusivity with FLT3-nonITD (P<0.001), NRAS (P<0.001), PTPN11 (P=0.017) and IDH1 (P=0.005), and showed an exclusivity inclination with KRAS (P=0.073). In addition, FLT3-nonITD along with KRAS (P=0.035), NRAS along with KRAS (P=0.008) and PTPN11 (P=0.039) coexisted significantly. CONCLUSION: Prognoses of AML involving less common NPM1 missense mutations should be stated on a case by case basis. The mutational landscape and co-occurrence and mutual exclusivity correlations of NPM1mut AML provide a mechanism explaining biological diversity and clinical heterogeneity in this AML subset.

[Effect of miR-100 on Migration of Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of miR-100 on the migration of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(rBMMSC). METHODS: The rBMMSC were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, cell surface epitopes of CD105, CD45, CD34, CD29 and CD44 were analyzed by flow cytometry. The rBMMSC were transfected with miR-100 mimic or inhibitor, then the expression of miR-100 in transfected cells was detected by real-time PCR. Migration test was used to observe the effect of miR-100 on cell migration ability. The secretion level of chemokine SDF-1 in culture supernatant of cells was quantitatively detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The isolated cells were identified as BMMSC. After rBMMSC were transfected with miR-100 mimic or inhibitor, as compared with control group,the expression of miR-100 in rBMMSC significantly increased or decreased respectively. In the migration experiment, the rBMMSC migration was significantly inhibited in the miR-100 mimic group (P<0.01), while the rBMMSC migration was significantly enhanced in the miR-100 inhibitor group (P<0.01). The concentration of SDF-1 in the supernatant of the miR-100 mimic group and the miR-100 inhibitor group did not change significantly compared with the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-100 can significantly inhibit the migration of rBMMSC, but not significantly correlated with the SDF-1.

New neo-lignan from Acanthopanax senticosus with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activity.

New neo-lignan, (7S, 8R)-3-hydroxyl-4-methoxyl-balanophonin (1), together with seven known compounds (2-8) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble extract of Acanthopanax senticosus. The structure of the new neo-lignan was elucidated with spectroscopic and physico-chemical analyses. All the isolates were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against PTP1B, VHR and PP1. Among them, the new compound (1) was found to exhibit selective inhibitory activity on PTP1B with IC50 value 15.2 ± 1.4 µM.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) inhibition by furofuran lignans from stems of Acanthopanax senticosus.

Two new furofuran lignans were isolated from the stems of Acanthopanax senticosus, along with seven known compounds. Their structures were all determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. All the isolates were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against DGAT1 and DGAT2. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to exhibit selective inhibitory activity on DGAT1 with IC50 values 89.5 ± 1.5 and 57.5 ± 1.3 µM, respectively.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Tubby-Like Protein Family in the Malus domestica Genome.

Tubby-like proteins (TLPs), which have a highly conserved ß barrel tubby domain, have been found to be associated with some animal-specific characteristics. In the plant kingdom, more than 10 TLP family members were identified in Arabidopsis, rice and maize, and they were found to be involved in responses to stress. The publication of the apple genome makes it feasible to systematically study the TLP family in apple. In this investigation, nine TLP encoding genes (TLPs for short) were identified. When combined with the TLPs from other plant species, the TLPs were divided into three groups (group A, B, and C). Most plant TLP members in group A contained an additional F-box domain at the N-terminus. However, no common domain was identified other than tubby domain either in group B or in group C. An analysis of the tubby domains of MdTLPs identified three types of conserved motifs. Motif 1 and 2, the signature motifs in the confirmed TLPs, were always present in MdTLPs, while motif 3 was absent from group B. Homology modeling indicated that the tubby domain of most MdTLPs had a closed ß barrel, as in animal tubby domains. Expression profiling revealed that the MdTLP genes were expressed in multiple organs and were abundant in roots, stems, and leaves but low in flowers. An analysis of cis-acting elements showed that elements related to the stress response were prevalent in the promoter sequences of MdTLPs. Expression profiling by qRT-PCR indicated that almost all MdTLPs were up-regulated at some extent under abiotic stress, exogenous ABA and H2O2 treatments in leaves and roots, though different MdTLP members exhibited differently in leaves and roots. The results and information above may provide a basis for further investigation of TLP function in plants.

Four new sesqui-lignans isolated from Acanthopanax senticosus and their diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) inhibitory activity.

Four new sesqui-lignans, (7R, 7'R, 7″S, 8S, 8'S, 8″S)-4',5″-dihydroxy-3,5,3',4″-tetramethoxy-7,9':7',9-diepoxy-4,8″-oxy-8,8'-sesquineo-lignan-7″,9″-diol (1), (7R, 7'R, 7″S, 8S, 8'S, 8″S)-4',3″-dihydroxy-3,5,3',5',4″-pentamethoxy-7,9':7',9-diepoxy-4,8″-oxy-8,8'-sesquineo-lignan-7″,9″-diol (2), (7R, 7'R, 7″S, 8S, 8'S, 8″S)-3',4″-dihydroxy-3,5,4',5″-tetramethoxy-7,9':7',9-diepoxy-4,8″-oxy-8,8'-sesquineo-lignan-7″,9″-diol (3) and acanthopanax A (7) together with three known compounds (4-6) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble extract of Acanthopanax senticosus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and physicochemical analyses. All the isolates were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against DGAT1 and DGAT2. Among them, compounds 1-6 were found to exhibit selective inhibitory activity on DGAT1 with IC50 values ranging from 61.1 ± 1.3 to 97.7 ± 1.1 µM and compound 7 showed selective inhibition of DGAT2 with IC50 value 93.2 ± 1.2.

Effects of Morus root bark extract and active constituents on blood lipids in hyperlipidemia rats.

OBJECTIVE: Chinese crude drug Mori Cortex Radicis (the root cortex of Morus species) has been used as a folk medicine to treat hypertension, diabetes, as well as in expectorant, diuretic agents. This investigation aims to study the anti-hyperlipidemia effects of Mori Cortex Radicis (MCR) extracts in hyperlipidemic rat models and the potential therapeutic activities of compounds isolated from the extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of MCR on hypolipidemic parameters were investigated using Wistar rats induced by high-lipid emulsion. Sixty healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, hyperlipidaemia model group, simvastatin, and high-, medium- and low-dose MCR extracts. After four weeks, body weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high and low-density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), as well as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured. To further investigation, four major active compounds were isolated from extracts through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and their diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) inhibitory activity was evaluated. RESULTS: MCR dose-dependently reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C, inhibited the activity of ALT, AST, and increased HDL-C. Furthermore, in vitro biochemistry tests revealed that four active isolates showed moderate inhibitory activity against DGAT1 with IC50 values ranging from 62.1 ± 1.2 to 99.3 ± 2.3 µM. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that MCR could effectively ameliorate hyperlipidaemia and inhibit DGAT1 that a key enzyme closely related to hyperlipidaemia and type 2 diabetes. It may provide a new pharmacological basis for treating hyperlipidaemia and related diseases using MCR.

Pseudonocardia nematodicida sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment in Hainan, China.

Two aerobic, Gram-stain positive actinobacterial strains with nematicidal activity, designated HA11164(T) and HA12591, were isolated from mangrove sediments in Hainan, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains HA11164(T) and HA12591 belong to the genus Pseudonocardia and are closely related to Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans (with the similarities of 98.30 and 98.24 %, respectively), Pseudonocardia alni (98.23 and 98.16 %, respectively) and Pseudonocardia antimicrobica (98.10 and 98.03 %, respectively). The major polar lipids of the strain HA11164(T), as a representative strain of the two strains, were found to consist of phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, five unidentified glycolipids and four unidentified polar lipids. The predominant menaquinone of strain HA11164(T) was identified as MK-8 (H4), and the major fatty acids were identified as iso-C16:0, C17:1 ω10, C16:0 and C16:1 ω9. The G+C content of strain HA11164(T) was determined to be 74.9 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strains HA11164(T) and P. alni, Pseudonocardia tropica, Pseudonocardia antarctica, P. carboxydivorans and Pseudonocardia parietis were 58.3, 56.2, 50.0, 57.1 and 46.0 %, respectively. Based on the results of this polyphasic study, strains HA11164(T) and HA12591 are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia nematodicida sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HA11164(T) (=CGMCC 4.7118(T) = DSM 45940(T)).

Nocardiopsis mangrovei sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment.

Two Gram-positive actinobacterial strains, designated HA11166(T) and HA12420, were isolated from mangrove sediments in Hainan, China. The bacterial cells grew with 0-9 % (w/v) NaCl, at 15-40 °C and pH 5.0-10.0, with the optimum growth at 1 % NaCl, 30-37 °C and pH 7.0. The organisms had a range of chemical and morphological properties consistent with their classification in the genus Nocardiopsis. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains HA11166(T) and HA12420 can be affiliated to the genus Nocardiopsis and most closely related to Nocardiopsis trehalosi VKM Ac-942(T) (with the similarity of 97.2 and 97.5 %, respectively). The value of DNA-DNA relatedness between type strain HA11166(T), selected as the representative strain, and N. trehalosi VKM Ac-942(T) was 38.8 %. The DNA G+C content of strain HA11166(T) was 73.7 %. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strains HA11166(T) and HA12420 are proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis mangrovei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HA11166(T) (=CGMCC 4.7119(T)=DSM 46665(T)).

Two new lignans from Saururus chinensis and their DGAT inhibitory activity.

Two new lignans were isolated from Saururus chinensis, along with eight known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and physico-chemical analyses. All the isolates were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against DGAT1 and DGAT2. Among them, compounds 2, 3, 5 and 7 were found to exhibit selective inhibitory activity on DGAT1 with IC50 values ranging from 44.3±1.5 to 87.5±1.3µM.

Ginkgo biloba attenuates oxidative DNA damage of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by intermittent high glucose.

Intermittent high glucose (IHG), one of the general and important symptoms of patients with diabetes, has greater effect than sustained high glucose on the development of diabetic cardiovascular complications, in which endothelial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress is regarded as the initiation. However, no study investigated either the degree of endothelial DNA oxidation caused by IHG or the potential protective effects of antioxidants. In this study, DNA oxidation, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentration and comet assay, was studied in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under IHG with or without treatment of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761). We found that high glucose, especially IHG, increased reactive oxygen species generation, 8-OHdG content and oxidative DNA damage in HUVECs. These high glucose-induced oxidative stress could be suppressed by EGb 761 (25-100 microg/ml) in a dose-dependent manner through the improvement of total antioxidant capacity. Our results indicated that the presence of significant DNA oxidation in HUVECs exposed to high glucose, and especially higher in the cells in IHG conditions. EGb 761, an antioxidant herbal medicine, can remarkably alleviate endothelial DNA oxidation caused by IHG, which may provide a novel approach for endothelial protection in the presence of IHG.

Clinical significance of automatic warning function of cardiac remote monitoring systems in preventing acute cardiac episodes.

OBJECTIVE: In addition to ambulatory Holter electrocardiographic recording and transtelephonic electrocardiographic monitoring (TTM), a cardiac remote monitoring system can provide an automatic warning function through the general packet radio service (GPRS) network, enabling earlier diagnosis, treatment and improved outcome of cardiac diseases. The purpose of this study was to estimate its clinical significance in preventing acute cardiac episodes. METHODS: Using 2 leads (V1 and V5 leads) and the automatic warning mode, 7160 patients were tested with a cardiac remote monitoring system from October 2004 to September 2007. If malignant arrhythmias or obvious ST-T changes appeared in the electrocardiogram records was automatically transferred to the monitoring center, the patient and his family members were informed, and the corresponding precautionary or therapeutic measures were implemented immediately. RESULTS: In our study, 274 cases of malignant arrhythmia, including sinus standstill and ventricular tachycardia, and 43 cases of obvious ST-segment elevation were detected and treated. Because of early detection, there was no death or deformity. CONCLUSIONS: A cardiac remote monitoring system providing an automatic warning function can play an important role in preventing acute cardiac episodes.

Neuroprotective effect of curcumin on spinal cord in rabbit model with ischemia/reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the spinal cord is a serious complication that can result from thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin against I/R injury in a rabbit model. METHODS: A total of 36 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: sham, I/R, and curcumin-treated group. Rabbits were subject to 30-min aortic occlusion to induce transient spinal cord ischemia. Neurological function was observed after reperfusion and spinal cord segment (L3-L5) was collected for histopathological evaluation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were also assayed. RESULTS: Rabbits in I/R group were induced to paraplegia. While after 48-hour treatment, compared with I/R group, curcumin significantly improved neurological function, reduced cell apoptosis and MDA levels as well as increased SOD activity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that curcumin, at least in an animal model, can attenuate transient spinal cord ischemic injury potentially via reducing oxidative damage, which may provide a novel approach in the treatment of spinal cord ischemic injury.

Overexpression of interleukin-18 aggravates cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in fructose-fed rats.

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome (MS). We determined whether the overexpression of interleukin (IL)-18 could aggravate left ventricular (LV) remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in fructose-fed rats (FFRs). To create an animal model for MS, male Wistar rats received 10% fructose in water for 8 months. We used an adenovirus encoding rat IL-18 to overexpress IL-18 in FFRs by intravenous administration. IL-18 overexpression led to increases in collagen volume fraction and collagen deposition. LV systolic function was unaltered. But the LV end-diastolic pressure and the time constant of isovolumic relaxation (tau) were increased. Peak negative value of time derivative of LV pressure (-dp/dt) was decreased. Isovolumic relaxation time and myocardial index, as assessed by echocardiography, were increased. Overexpression of IL-18 leads to aggravated LV remodeling and dysfunction in FFRs. Attenuation of the inflammatory process may provide a novel therapeutic strategy in treating metabolic cardiomyopathy.

IL-18 overexpression promotes vascular inflammation and remodeling in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

Although considerable evidence implicates the cytokine interlukin-18 (IL-18) in metabolic syndrome (MetS), the direct effect of IL-18 on vascular changes of MetS remains unknown. We investigated the chronic in vivo effect of IL-18 on development of MetS and vascular inflammation and remodeling by overexpressing IL-18 protein in fructose-fed rats (FFR), a model of MetS using intravenous administration of an adenovirus encoding rat IL-18. Increased serum IL-18 and vascular inflammatory response were found in FFR. Overexpression of IL-18 aggravated insulin resistance and enhance vascular inflammation and remodeling, which can be reflected by increased aortic expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and enhanced infiltration of macrophages and increased aortic wall thickness and wall-to-lumen ratio. Interestingly, the levels of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and the activity of nucleus factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) were also significantly increased. Together, these results indicated that chronic elevated IL-18 levels at a supraphsiological concentration aggravated insulin resistance, enhanced vascular inflammation and remodeling, probably by increasing the level of IRAK1 and the activity of NF-kappaB. Targeting expression of IL-18 or its specific downstream mediators may retard the progression of MetS and its complications.

Overexpression of activated nuclear factor-kappa B in aorta of patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is an established risk factor for atherosclerosis. In an inflammatory state, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is frequently activated as a key transcription activator for the downstream responses. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of NF-kappaB in the aorta of patients with coronary atherosclerosis and its association with atherosclerotic risk factors. METHODS: From 2004 to 2005, we collected a small piece of ascending aorta in the bypass procedure from patients (n = 31) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The expression of NF-kappaB was determined by immunohistochemistry, and its transcriptional activity was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Celiac aortic tissues from 4 subjects without known atherosclerosis through the kidney donation program were taken as control. RESULTS: NF-kappaB was detectable in aortas from CABG patients with the transcriptional activities significantly increased. The relative level of aortic NF-kappaB expression was elevated in patients who were smokers or with hypertension. Spearman correlation revealed that aortic NF-kappaB expression had significant correlation with coronary severity scores (Gensini score, r = 0.608, P < .05). The NF-kappaB expression was positively correlated with the levels of blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), total cholesterol, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .05); but negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a highly activated NF-kappaB in aortas from patients with coronary atherosclerosis, which may reflect overall arterial overinflammatory status. The findings of hyperactive NF-kappaB in aortas may provide a diagnostic parameter for the inflammation that is associated with and may cause atherosclerosis.