[Association of hs-CRP with frailty and its components among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the association of the levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with frailty and its components among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Health Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS, 2017-2018) were used and the elderly over 65 years old were included in this study. Through questionnaire interview and physical examination, the information including demographic characteristics, behavior, diet, daily activity, cognitive function, and health status was collected. The association between hs-CRP and frailty and its components in the participants was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model and restrictive cubic spline. Results: A total of 2 453 participants were finally included, the age was (84.8±19.8) years old. The median hs-CRP level was 1.13 mg/L and the prevalence of frailty was 24.4%. Compared with the low-level group (hs-CRP<1.0 mg/L), the OR (95%CI) value of the high-level group (hs-CRP>3.0 mg/L) was 1.79 (1.35-2.36) mg/L. As for the components, the hs-CRP level was also positively associated with ADL disability, IADL disability, functional limitation and multimorbidity. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with the low-level group, the OR (95%CI) values of the high-level group for the four components were 1.68 (1.25-2.27), 1.88 (1.42-2.50), 1.68 (1.31-2.14) and 1.39 (1.12-1.72), respectively. Conclusion: There is a positive association between the levels of hs-CRP and the risk of frailty among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. The higher hs-CRP level may increase the risk of frailty by elevating the risk of four physical functional disabilities, namely ADL disability, IADL disability, functional limitation and multimorbidity.

Serum antioxidant vitamins and risk of lung and stomach cancers in Shenyang, China.

In a hospital-based case control study, we measured serum concentrations of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E for subjects with cancer (58 cases of lung cancer and 22 cases of stomach cancer) and 63 matched controls in Shenyang, China. Lung cancer patients had significantly (P < 0.01) lower mean serum levels of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E than controls, while the mean serum level of vitamin E did not differ between stomach cancer patients and the controls. Lower serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene were associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Lower serum levels of vitamin A and beta-carotene were associated with a higher risk of stomach cancer, although the number of cases was small. An increased risk of lung cancer associated with lower serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin E was more evident among heavy smokers than among non-heavy smokers.

Gene deficiency of glutathione S-transferase mu isoform associated with susceptibility to lung cancer in a Chinese population.

Increased lung cancer risk associated with genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) isozyme mu was examined in a Chinese population. A significantly higher proportion in lung cancer patients showed GST mu deficiency compared with control group (71.0% vs. 51.1%, P < 0.005). Although the susceptibility to lung cancer showing gene deletion for GST mu isoform in non-smoking group is not significantly different from that in smoking group, a great number of individuals with gene deletion was found among cancer patients who are less than 50 years old. The pathology of lung tumors related to that lack of class mu isoform which occurred most frequently in patients with small cell carcinomas. Thus, present data further support that sensitivity to chemical toxins and pulmonary carcinogens may be affected by GST mu isoform polymorphism.