Value of N-Terminal Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide,High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein,and Homocysteine Levels in Predicting Cardiovascular Events in Chronic Heart Failure Patients After Discharge

Objective:To investigate the value of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),and homocysteine(Hcy)levels in predicting cardiovascular events(CV)in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods:A total of 63 patients with CHF admitted to our hospital between June 2019 and July 2021 were selected.Their NT-proBNP,hs-CRP,and Hcy levels were detected at discharge,and a 12-month follow-up was done after their discharge to collect clinical data.The collected data were inclusive of data from 21 CHF patients with cardiovascular disease and 42 CHF patients without cardiovascular disease.The effect of NT-proBNP,hs-CRP,and Hcy levels on the occurrence of CV was analyzed.Results:The levels of NT-proBNP,hs-CRP,and Hcy in the group with cardiovascular disease were significantly higher than those in the group without cardiovascular disease(P<0.05);the levels of serum NT-proBNP,hs-CRP,and Hcy at discharge had certain value in predicting short-term CV in CHF patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:NT-proBNP,hs-CRP,and Hcy levels can be used to predict CV in CHF patients,thus having clinical application value.

Distribution of High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein Status in an Urban Population in China

Objectives To evaluate the distribution by age and sex of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP)in an urban Chinese population and to provide a profile prediction for the risk of bacterial infection,inflammatory diseases,or tissue damages in the body.Methods Serum hsCRP was determined using the Roche Tina-quant immuno-turbidimetric assay on a Hitachi 7600–010 automatic biochemical analyzer(Roche Diagnostics)in 1,572 males and 1,800 females,including 78 pregnant women,who were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Survey in2010–2012.Results The average hsCRP concentration in urban China was 0.68 mg/L for males and 0.65 mg/L for females.Significant differences in hsCRP were found among different age groups(P<0.05).Monitoring results showed no significant differences among the 6–11,45–59,and≥60-year-old groups in the comparison of hsCRP between males and females in large cities.However,hsCRP concentration was significantly higher in men aged 12–17 and 18–44 years than in women.Conclusion The distribution of the hsCRP status of residents in large cities in China was influenced by age and gender,and the hsCRP levels of both sexes increased gradually with age.In addition,hsCRP concentration was higher in healthy pregnant women than in non-pregnant women.Basing on our results,we recommend that this parameter be included in future national and international screening for early detection of various illnesses.

Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in periodontitis patients in Kosovo: A pilot study

The following article has been retracted due to the investigation of complaints received against it. The Editorial Board found that the same contents have been published in another journal at the same time. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter, and the Open Journal of Stomatology treats all unethical behavior such as plagiarism seriously. This paper published in Vol.3 No.1 32-38, 2013 has been removed from this site. Title: Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in periodontitis patients in Kosovo: A pilot study Authors: Zana Sllamniku-Dalipi, Hasan Mehmeti, Fatmir Dragidella, Ferit Kocani, Metush Disha, Kastriot Meqa, Luljeta Begolli, Gramos

Responses of serum inflammatory factor high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in elderly males with cerebral infarction Non-randomized concurrent control

BACKGROUND： Cerebral infarction is poorly treated due to neuronal necrosis and secondary pathophysiological changes; for example, free radical production and inflammatory reactions. OBJECTIVE： To detect the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）, interleukin-6 （IL-6）, and tumor necrosis factor- a （TNF- α ） in elderly males with cerebral infarction. DESIGN： Non-randomized current control study. SETTING： Cadre Medical Department, Guizhou Provincial People＇s Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： Forty elderly males （65-89 years old） with cerebral infarction were selected from Cadre Medical Department, Guizhou Provincial People＇s Hospital from February 2004 to December 2006. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of cerebral infarction modified at the 4th National Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting, and were diagnosed on the basis of CT or MRI tests. Furthermore, 35 elderly male inpatients （65-87 years old） without cerebral infarction were selected as the control group. Included subjects provided confirmed consent and did not have heart disease, diabetes mellitus, lipid disorder, acute trauma, infection, rheumatism, or other inflammatory diseases. The study was approved by the local ethics committee. There were no significant differences in age, blood pressure, and lipid levels between the cerebral infarction group and the control group （P 〉 0.05）, and this suggested that the baseline data of both groups were comparable. METHODS： Fasting venous blood was drawn from cerebral infarction patients 24 hours after cerebral infarction attack and from control subjects 24 hours after hospitalization. A latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF- α in the serum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The levels of hs-CRP, 1L-6, and TNF- α in the serum in both groups. RESULTS： Forty cerebral infarction patients and thirty-five control subjects were included in the final analysis without any loss. Levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than those in the control group （P 〈 0.01 ）. CONCLUSION： Levels of serum inflammatory reactive factors are increased in elderly males with cerebral infarction.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide but not high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is related to severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objective Biochemical indicators such as N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide（NT pro-BNP）and high-sensitivity Creactive protein（hsCRP）predict mortality in acute coronary syndrome（ACS）.However,little is known about the relationship of these factors with severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with.Methods Three hundred and thirty-one subjects including 246 unstable angina pectoris patients and 85 myocardial infarction patients were recruited and classified into two groups：single-vessel disease group（1-vessel disease,n=93）and multiple-vessel disease group（≥2-vessels disease,n=238）according to selective coronary angiography.Plasma levels of NT pro-BNP and hsCRP were measured and severity of coronary stenosis was determined by Gensini score.Results NT pro-BNP but not hsCRP level was higher in patients with myocardial infarction than in patients with unstable angina pectoris.The patients with multiple-vessel disease had significantly higher NT pro-BNP level but not hsCRP compared with those with single-vessel disease.NT pro-BNP levels increased significantly as left ventricle（LV）function decreased,and only NT proBNP but not hsCRP level was related to Gensini score of severity of coronary stenosis in ACS.Conclusion NT proBNP but not hsCRP level is related to severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients in ACS.

The diagnostic value of tumor abnormal protein and high sensitivity C reactive protein in screening for endometrial cancer with endometrial thickness less than 8 mm

Objective This study aimed to combine tumor abnormal protein(TAP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) level detection to diagnose endometrial cancer in patients with endometrial thickness less than 8 mm, and to provide a reference for clinical screening and diagnosis. Methods Clinical data from 19 cases of endometrial cancer, diagnosed on the basis of pathological findings, were collected from September 2014 to December 2015. The inclusion criteria were as follows: the patients were first diagnosed with endometrial thickness less than 8 mm and were all in menopause. Perimenopausal patients(n = 26) with uterine fibroids seen during the same period were selected as a control group. Serum TAP and hs-CRP levels of the patients in the two groups were simultaneously determined on admission. Results We found that both TAP and hs-CRP levels in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group [(182.95 ± 72.14) μm^2 vs.(133.19 ± 55.18) μm^2, P = 0.019;(7.52 ± 19.03) mg/L vs.(1.66 ± 2.31) mg/L, P = 0.136]. The sensitivity of TAP for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer was 73.68%, the specificity was 69.23%, and the Youden index was 0.4291. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of hs-CRP was 15.79% and 100%, respectively, and the Youden index was 0.1579. After plotting the receiver operating characteristics curves, the optimal cut-off value for TAP in diagnosing endometrial cancer was found to be 160.662 μm^2 and that for hs-CRP was 1.07 mg/L. Conclusion For patients suspected of having endometrial cancer with endometrial thickness less than 8 mm, combined detection of TAP and hs-CRP levels can be used as a screening tool and can provide new ideas regarding clinical diagnosis and treatment.

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Associated with Different Health Predictors in Middle-Aged and oldest old Chinese

Objective To describe the distribution of plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein （hsCRP） and explore the relationship between hsCRP and metabolic risk factors among residents living in longevity areas of China. Methods 268 individuals aged between 40 and 59 years and 506 individuals aged over 90 years were selected from 5 longevity areas of China to participate in a cross section longitudinal cohort study. The participants were interviewed with general health related questionnaire to collect their demographic, behavioral and lifestyle data, as well as their chronic conditions, and meanwhile their physical and biomedical parameters including waist circumference （WC）, blood pressure （BP）, hsCRP, plasma lipids, and fasting blood glucose （FBG） were measured. Results The median of hsCRP was 0.99 mg/L in the middle-aged group and 2.76 mg/L in the oldest old group. No significant gender difference was observed between the above two groups. Among the oldest old individuals, 36.56% had an hsCRP level 〉3.0 mg/L. The prevalence of high hsCRP was 26.79% in the middle-aged group. The results of stepwise multiple linear regression analyses showed that HDL-C was independently associated with In （hsCRP） concentration in the middle-aged group, whereas In （TG）, HDL-C and FBG were correlated after adjustment for gender, study site, smoking, drinking, education and BMI in the oldest old group. Conclusion HDL-C is a stronger predictor of elevated hsCRP than other metabolic factors in the middle-aged population. For the oldest old persons, high TG, low HDL-C, and FBG predict elevated plasma hsCRP.

Negative Association of Circulating MicroRNA-126 with High-sensitive C-reactive Protein and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background： Percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） causes endothelial damage, resulting in an inflammatory response with elevation of markers such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein （hs-CRP） and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1（VCAM-1）, which are associated with restenosis after PCI. Evidence suggests that microRNA-126 （miR-126） plays an important role in vascular inflammation, but its correlation with PCl-mediated inflammation has not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the effect of PCI on circulating miR-126 and inflammation markers such as hs-CRP and VCAM-1. Methods： We enrolled 130 patients with coronary artery disease （CAD） in the Second Hospital of Jilin University from October 2015 to December 2015. Among them, 82 patients with CAD, defined as at least one major epicardial vessel with 〉70% stenosis who planned to undergo PCI, were divided into acute coronary syndrome （ACS） group （46 patients） and stable angina （SA） group （36 patients）. Forty-eight patients confirmed by coronary angiography without PCI were used as controls. The plasmas of all patients were collected prior to PCI and at 30 min, 24 h, and 72 h after PCI. The plasma VCAM-1 and hs-CRP were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the miR-126 was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results： Plasma concentrations of hs-CRP and VCAM-I in patients with either ACS （n = 46） or SA （n = 36） were significantly higher than in controls （n = 48） （P 〈 0.01） prior to PCI, and increased further at 24 h and 72 h after PCI, compared with prior PCI. Moreover, VCAM-1 was positively correlated with balloon time and pressure. In contrast, the plasma concentration of miR-126 was significantly lower in patients with CAD than in controls, and further decreased with time post-PCl. A negative correlation was observed between miR-126 and hs-CRP and VCAM-1 at 72 h after PCI. Conclusion： There was a negative correlation of miR-126 with the PCI-induced markers of inflammation such as hs-CRP and VCAM-1.

Relationships of High-sensitive C-reactive Protein ant P-wave Dispersion in Lone Atrial Fibrillation

Background： Current evidence links atrial fibrillation （AF） to the inflammation. Inflammatory indexes such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein （hs-CRP） have been related to the development and persistence of AF. However, the role of inflammation in the atrial electrophysiological remodeling indexed by P-wave dispersion （Pa） remains unclear. Methods： The study consisted of 71 patients with lone paroxysmal AF （AF group） and 71 age- and gender-matched controls of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia without history of AF （control group）. Electrocardiography, P hs-CRP, and other clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results： There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age, gender, hyperlipidemia, etc. Compared to controls, left atrial diameter （44 ± 7 vs 39 ± 7 mm）, Pd （49 ± 13 vs 26 ± 8 ms）, and hs-CRP （2.17 [1.46-2.89] vs 1.12 [0.74-1.41] rag/L） were increased （P 〈 0.05）, respectively. Linear regression identified hs-CRP as an independent correlation ofPd level both in the total population and the AF group （r = 0.464 and 0.313; P 〈 0.001, respectively）. Multiple logistic regression revealed hs-C RP as an independent determinant of AF （odds ratio [OR] =l 5.430, 95% confidence interval： 6.031-39.476： P 〈0.001）. Further adjusted tbr Pd, both Pd and hs-CRP were independent predictors for AF, but the OR for hs-CRP in predicting AF has been attenuated from 15.430 to 6.246. Conclusions： In lone AF, P and plasma hs-CRP concentration are inter-associated and related to AF. The interaction between hs-CRP and AF may be mediated by Pe, suggesting an important role of inflammation in the atrial electrophysiological remodeling predisposing to AF.

老年慢性心力衰竭患者血脂及血清C-反应蛋白水平与心功能关系

目的:通过测定老年慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者的血脂及血清C-反应蛋白(CPR)血浓度,了解血脂及CPR在老年CHF发生、发展过程中的作用。方法:选择心功能Ⅱ-Ⅳ级(NYHA)老年CHF患者126例,同期住院患有上呼吸道感染或住院体检的老年人42例。用全自动生化分析仪检测血清CPR,血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)。结果:老年慢性心衰患者血清CPR浓度均明显增高,具有显著差异(P<0．05)。且随着NYHY心功能级别增高,血清CPR水平明显升高(P<0．001)。血清TC、TG及HDL-C在不同NYHY心功能分级组存在显著差异,尤其在心功能Ⅳ级组的TC、TG均明显低于心功能Ⅱ、Ⅲ级组,具有显著差异,但LDL-C未显示出有显著的改变。心功能分级与CPR、TC、TG、HDL-C均呈显著负相关(P<0．05及P<0．01),而与LDL-C无明显相关(P> 0．05)。结论:老年CHF患者血脂、血清CRP与CHF程度相关,NYHA分级方法结合血脂、血清CRP也许更能客观评价心衰的严重程度,对评估老年心衰患者预后及其临床诊治价值有待进一步的研究。

丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠治疗不稳定型心绞痛的临床应用研究

目的观察丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠注射液治疗不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)的疗效以及对不稳定型心绞痛血清炎症因子水平的影响。方法将2007年12月～2009年10月间在我院心内科住院治疗的64例UAP患者随机分为治疗组(32例)和对照组(32例),两组均常规给予硝酸酯类、β受体阻滞剂、阿司匹林等药物治疗。治疗组加用丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠注射液,疗程为14d,观察治疗前后临床症状、EGG及血液流变学等参数变化,比较两组治疗的临床疗效;测定各组患者入院时和治疗后hs-CRP、IL-6的水平。结果加用丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠注射液干预2周后,治疗组临床症状、EGG及血液流变学参数的改善均优于对照组,两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组血清hs-CRP、IL-6水平及两组治疗后血清hs-CRP、IL-6水平比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在常规治疗基础上加用丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠可显著降低不稳定型心绞痛患者血清中多种炎症因子水平,并明显改善不稳定型心绞痛患者的临床症状。

慢性肾脏病患者血清成纤维细胞生长因子23水平及其与冠状动脉钙化的关联研究

目的探讨慢性肾脏病(CKD)患者冠状动脉钙化的发生与成纤维细胞生长因子23(FGF23)水平的相关性。方法收集该院2016年3月至2017年9月收治的62例CKD中晚期患者为研究对象,根据是否透析及透析模式进行分组,非透析(ND)组19例、腹膜透析(PD)组22例和血液透析(HD)组21例,另选择40例健康体检者作为对照组。统计各组临床资料,检测血清FGF23、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、清蛋白(Alb)、前清蛋白(PA)、血红蛋白(Hb)、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)、全段甲状旁腺素(iPTH)、血钙(Ca)、血磷(P),并计算Ca×P值,同时记录患者冠状动脉钙化分数(CaS),分析CKD冠状动脉钙化发生情况与FGF23的关系。结果 62例CKD患者冠状动脉钙化发生率为59.68%,PD组和HD组患者的冠状动脉CaS评分明显高于ND组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与对照组比较,CKD患者血清FGF23水平明显升高,CKD患者的组内比较中,血清FGF23水平依ND组、PD组、HD组呈逐渐升高趋势,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。经Pearson相关分析,FGF23与CaS评分呈正相关(r=0.402,P<0.05)。结论CKD中晚期患者存在血清FGF23水平高表达的状况,高水平FGF23与CKD患者冠状动脉钙化的发生及不良预后有关,FGF23可能是反映CKD冠状动脉钙化有意义的指标。

降钙素原及C-反应蛋白在肺结核治疗中的意义

目的:探讨肺结核患者治疗前后血清降钙素原及C反应蛋白的变化及其临床意义。方法:应用化学发光法及免疫比浊方法检测30例活动性肺结核患者(实验组)治疗前后和24例非活动性肺结核患者(对照组)降钙素原及C反应蛋白的含量。结果:治疗前实验组血清中降钙素原及C反应蛋白的含量高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后实验组血清中降钙素原的含量显著低于治疗前(P<0.05)。结论:联合检测肺结核患者血清中降钙素原及C反应蛋白的含量可以用于评价活动性肺结核的治疗效果。

阿托伐他汀及普罗布考对急性冠状动脉综合征患者血清hs-CRP、ox-LDL的影响

Objective:To research the anti-inflammatory and antioxidation effect of atorvastatin and probucol joint therapy on patients with acute coronary syndrome.Methods:228 patients with acute coronary syndrome were enrolled and randomized to atorvastatin group(atorvastatin 10 mg/d,n=120)and joint therapy group(atorvastatin 10 mg/d and probucol 0.25 g,2/d,n=108).The serum total cholesterol,low density lipoprotein cholesterol,hs-CRP and oxLDL level were measured before and 1 month after the therapy.Results:The indexes were no difference between the two groups before the therapy but significant difference 1 month after the therapy.Conclusion:Compare with atorvastatin alone,the joint therapy with probucol can give better anti-inflammatory and antioxidation effect and than better prognosis.

阿托伐他汀治疗血脂正常高血压病患者临床研究

目的探讨阿托伐他汀对血脂正常的高血压病患者血清炎性因子和踝臂指数的影响。方法将126例血脂正常的轻中度高血压病患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,对照组给予ACEI制剂、钙拮抗剂等常规降压治疗,治疗组在对照组基础上每天加用阿托伐他汀10mg口服,治疗12个月。观察两组治疗前后的血清血清炎性因子标志物高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)、踝臂指数和血脂等变化。结果治疗后,与对照组比较,治疗组的hsCRP水平明显下降、踝臂指数明显升高(均P<0.05)。结论对于血脂正常的高血压病患者,阿托伐他汀可以降低血清hsCRP水平,升高踝臂指数水平。

Elevated IL-37 levels in the plasma of patients with severe coronary arterycalcification

Background Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin （IL）-37 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 family and is considered an anti-inflammatorycytokine. Our recent study on mice indicated that IL-37 could attenuate atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, which suggests that IL-37could be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if IL-37 plays arole in the progression of CAC in patients. Methods Two hundred participants with suspected cardiovascular disease were recruited. Thelevels of plasma IL-37, osteoprotegerin （OPG）, hypersensitive C-reactive protein （hsCRP） together with other biochemical parameters weremeasured, and a coronary calcium assessment was carried out by multi-detector row CT. A score of 〈 10 AU （Agatston units） denotes anabsence of CAC, a score of 11-100 AU denotes mild CAC, 101-400 denotes moderate CAC, and 〉 400 AU denotes severe CAC. ResultsOur initial data showed that there were no apparent differences in plasma IL-37 levels among patients with or without mild or moderate CAC.However, IL-37 levels were significantly increased in patients with severe CAC （P 〈 0.001）. Similar results were observed for plasma OPGand hsCRP levels. When IL-37 levels in patients with severe calcification were compared with that in all of the other non-severe CAC groups,it became apparent that there was a significant positive correlation between IL-37 level and severe CAC （r = 0.360, P 〈 0.001; OR = 1.033）using Spearrnan＇s correlation and binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the anti-inflammatory cy-tokine IL-37 is associated with high coronary calcium levels, suggesting that IL-37 expression may be caused by the activation ofinf/amma-tion and that IL-37 might become a predictor of severe CAC in the future, which requires further investigation.

系统性红斑狼疮患者心血管疾病危险因素检测分析

目的探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者心血管疾病危险因素特征及其临床意义。方法对56例SLE患者和50例健康体检者(对照组)的血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)、甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)、载脂蛋白A1(ApoA1)和载脂蛋白B(ApoB)水平进行检测分析。结果 SLE患者血清Hcy、CRP、TG、TC和LDL水平均高于对照组(P<0.05)、HDL和ApoA1水平均低于对照组(P<0.05)。SLE患者高Hcy血症率和血脂异常率分别为76.8%和82.1%。血清Hcy水平与SLEDAI评分和CRP水平呈正相关(P<0.05),与TG水平和TC水平无明显相关性(P>0.05)。结论高Hcy血症是SLE患者心血管疾病的独立危险因素。

Associations of plasma homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels with arterial stiffness in Chinese population： a community-based study

Background Arterial stiffness increases with age and is also associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Little is known about the relations of homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP） to arterial stiffness in the Chinese community. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of plasma homocysteine and hs-CRP levels with arterial stiffness in a community-based cohort. Methods We related levels of homocysteine and hs-CRP to four measures of arterial stiffness （carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity （PWV）, carotid-radial PWV, carotid-ankle PWV and heart rate corrected augmentation index） in 1680 participants from two communities of Beijing, China. Arterial stiffness was measured within two days of the time of biomarker measurement. Results In univariate analysis, homocysteine was positively associated with the carotid-femoral PWV （r=0.211, P 〈0.0001）, carotid-radial PWV （r=0.120, P 〈0.0001） and carotid-ankle PWV （r=0.148, P 〈0.0001）, whereas it was inversely related to the augmentation index （r= -0.052, P=0.016）. Hs-CRP was positively associated with the carotid-femoral PWV （r=0.074, P=0.001） and carotid-ankle PWV （r=0.050, P=0.02）. In multiple-adjusted models （R2=0.57）, homocysteine levels remained a significant determinant of the carotid-femoral PWV （standardized 13=0.065, P=0.007）, whereas the association of hs-CRP with measurements of arterial stiffness was not present. Conclusions In the Chinese population, plasma homocysteine levels are associated with alterations of aortic stiffness, whereas plasma levels of hs-CRP are not independently related to artery stiffening.

Protective effect of LIF-huM SCs on the retina of diabetic model rats

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUCMSCs)modified by the LIF gene on the retinal function of diabetic model rats and preliminarily explore the possible mechanism.METHODS:A stably transfected cell line of hUCMSCs overexpressing leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF)was constructed.Overexpression was verified by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).Forty-eight adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control group(group A),streptozotocin-induced diabetic control group(group B),diabetic rats at 3mo injected with empty vector-transfected hUCMSCs(group C)or injected with LIF-hUCMSCs(group D).Four weeks after the intravitreal injection,analyses in all groups included retinal function using flash electroretinogram(F-ERG),retinal blood vessel examination of retinal flat mounts perfused with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran(FITCdextran),and retinal structure examination of sections using hematoxylin and eosin staining.Expression levels of adiponectin(APN),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP),and neurotrophin-4(NT-4)in each group was detected using immunohistochemistry,PCR,Western blotting,and ELISA,respectively.RESULTS:A stable transgenic cell line of LIF-hUCMSCs was constructed.F-ERG and FITC-dextran examinations revealed no abnormalities of retinal structure and function in group A,severe damage of the retinal blood vessels and function in group B,and improved retinal structure and function in group C and especially group D.qPCR,ELISA,and Western blot analyses revealed progressively higher APN and NT-4 expression levels in groups B,C,and D than in group A.hs-CRP expression was significantly higher in group B than in groups A,C,and D,and was significantly higher in group C than in group D(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:LIF-hUCMSCs protect the retina of diabetic rats by upregulating APN and NT-4 expression and downregulating hs-CRP expression in the retina.

急性脑梗死患者血清脂联素及高敏C-反应蛋白变化的研究

目的探讨急性脑梗死患者治疗前后血清脂联素(APN)、高敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及NIHSS评分的变化。方法明确诊断的急性脑梗死患者75例(ACI组)和健康体检者60例(对照组),分别检测其治疗前后血清APN、hs-CRP水平,进行NIHSS评分,并进行比较。结果与治疗前相比,治疗后ACI组hs-CRP水平下降、APN水平升高、NIHSS评分降低。APN、hs-CRP及NIHSS评分在不同大小梗死灶各组间均存在显著性差异,在不同梗死部位各组间差异无显著性。结论 APN和hs-CRP水平可以作为评估病情、判断脑梗死的辅助诊断指标。