Positive correlation between plasma PCSK9 and tissue factors levels in patients with angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus

Background Pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 （PCSK9） is a secreted protein that influences plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Both oxidized LDL and tissue factor （TF） contributed to the development of prothrombofic state. The pre- sent study aims to explore the relationship between plasma level of PCSK9 and that of TF in patient with coronary artery disease （CAD）. Methods From July 2013 to March 2014, we enrolled 197 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography because of suspected CAD at Beijing Anzhen Hospital in this study. All patients had no history of using lipid-lowering medication. Of these 197 patients （1B 1 male and 66 female, mean age 56.9 ± 11.8 years）, 81 had angiographically diagnosed CAD. Clinical data were collected. Plasma PCSK9 and TF were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Levels of plasma PCSK9 and TF were compared and their correlation analyzed among different patient groups. Results Both plasma levels of PCSK9 （279.8 ± 60.4μg/L vs. 216.5 ± 45.3μg/L, P 〈 0.01） and TF （156.4 ± 26.6 μg/mL vs. 112.1 ± 38.3 μg/L, P 〈 0.01） were significantly higher in patients with CAD, as compared with those with- out CAD. Correlation analysis showed plasma level of PCSK9 was significantly correlated with that of TF in both patients with and without CAD. However, multivariate regression analysis after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, alcohol, hypertension and hyperlipidemia showed that only in CAD patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, there was significant positive correlation between plasma levels of PCSK9 and TF （β = 0.353, P 〈 0.01）. Coneluslons The plasma level of PCSK9 is independently and positively associated with that of TF in CAD patients with diabetes mellitus, but not in those without diabetes mellitus. Further study is needed to investigate the underlying mechanism.

Buyanghuanwu decoction promotes angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury：mechanisms of brain tissue repair

Buyanghuanwu decoction has been shown to protect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury,but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.In this study,rats were intragastrically given Buyanghuanwu decoction,15 m L/kg,for 3 days.A rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion.In rats administered Buyanghuanwu decoction,infarct volume was reduced,serum vascular endothelial growth factor and integrin αvβ3 levels were increased,and brain tissue vascular endothelial growth factor and CD34 expression levels were increased compared with untreated animals.These effects of Buyanghuanwu decoction were partially suppressed by an angiogenesis inhibitor（administered through the lateral ventricle for 7 consecutive days）.These data suggest that Buyanghuanwu decoction promotes angiogenesis,improves cerebral circulation,and enhances brain tissue repair after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Expression and Antigenic Characterization of the Epitope-G_1 of the Bovine Ephemeral Fever Virus Glycoprotein in Pichia pastoris

The epitope-G1 gene of Bovine ephemeral fever virus(BEFV) glycoprotein was synthesised by PCR and cloned into expression vector pPIC9K to construct recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-G1.Then the pPIC9K-G1 was linearized and transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115.The recombinant P.pastoris strains were selected by a G418 transformation screen and confirmed by PCR.After being induced with methanol,an expressed protein with 26 kDa molecular weight was obtained,which was much bigger than the predicted size(15.54 kDa).Deglycosylation analysis indicated the recombinant G1 was glycosylated.Western blot and ELISA tests,as well as rabbit immunization and specificity experiments indicated that the target protein had both higher reaction activity and higher immunocompetence and specificity.The recombinant G1 protein could be used as a coating antigen to develop an ELISA kit for bovine ephemeral fever diagnosis.