Effects of Radix Puerariae, Radix Rehmanniae and Their Compatibility on Blood Glucose and Blood Lipids in Mice

[Objectives]To explore the effects of the compatibility of Radix Puerariae and Radix Rehmanniae on blood glucose and blood lipids in diabetic mouses.[Methods]Diabetic mouse model was established.The body weight and fasting blood glucose of mice were measured after 7 and 14 d of administration,and the biochemical indicators of blood lipids(TC,HDL-C,and LDL-C)were detected after 14 d of administration.[Results]Compared with the Radix Puerariae group and Radix Rehmanniae group,the compatibility group(1:2)had the best hypoglycemic effect(P<0.05),and TC and LDL-C in the compatibility group(2:1)significantly decreased(P<0.05),while HDL-C in the compatibility group(1:1)significantly increased(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Radix Puerariae,Radix Rehmanniae and their combination can reduce the blood glucose of diabetic mice.The compatibility group(1:2)had a significant hypoglycemic effect(P<0.05),and LDL-C in the compatibility group(2:1)significantly declined,while HDL-C in the compatibility group(1:1)rose significantly.

Analysis of Blood Lipids, Blood Glucose, Blood Uric Acid, and Blood Routine Test Results in Retired Employees of a Unit in the Civil Aviation System

Objective:To investigate and analyze the annual physical examination results of retired employees from a unit in the civil aviation system,focusing on blood lipids,blood glucose,blood uric acid,and blood routine results.The study aims to provide relevant references for formulating reasonable disease management measures for preventing and controlling hyperlipidemia,hyperuricemia,and other conditions in retired employees.Methods:The examination results of 231 participants were collected and analyzed.The participants were divided into four groups based on age:middle-aged group,young-old group,middle-old group,and old-old group.The blood test results were compared across these groups,and an assessment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)risk levels was completed in conjunction with medical history.Blood test results were also compared by gender.Results:There were no significant statistical differences in blood test results when grouped by age.However,the prevalence of hyperuricemia was higher in males than in females,while the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was higher in females than in males.The LDL-C target achievement rate was lower in the moderate-and-high-risk group as well as the very high-risk group as defined by ASCVD risk levels.Conclusion:Management of hyperuricemia and hyperlipidemia in retired employees(elderly patients)should be strengthened to reduce the risk of ASCVD events and alleviate the potential medical burden associated with disease progression.

Blood biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease:important considerations for use in clinical practice

Introduction:Fluid and positron emission tomography(PET)biomarkers that enable the detection of the hallmark proteins of Alzheimer’s disease(AD)(amyloid and tau)have revolutionized our approach to the diagnosis of AD.The evolution of AD diagnostic criteria to include biological characterization(Alzheimer’s Association Working Group,2023)provides an appropriate framework to reduce levels of clinico-pathologic mismatch and improve in-vivo diagnostic accuracy.As the therapeutic landscape for neurodegenerative disease evolves,it is increasingly incumbent on clinicians to provide timely,and pathologically precise diagnoses for patients.However,the expensive and invasive nature of these tests limits their scalability.

Beyond wrecking a wall:revisiting the concept of blood–brain barrier breakdown in ischemic stroke

The blood–brain barrier constitutes a dynamic and interactive boundary separating the central nervous system and the peripheral circulation.It tightly modulates the ion transport and nutrient influx,while restricting the entry of harmful factors,and selectively limiting the migration of immune cells,thereby maintaining brain homeostasis.Despite the well-established association between blood–brain barrier disruption and most neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases,much remains unknown about the factors influencing its physiology and the mechanisms underlying its breakdown.Moreover,the role of blood–brain barrier breakdown in the translational failure underlying therapies for brain disorders is just starting to be understood.This review aims to revisit this concept of“blood–brain barrier breakdown,”delving into the most controversial aspects,prevalent challenges,and knowledge gaps concerning the lack of blood–brain barrier integrity.By moving beyond the oversimplistic dichotomy of an“open”/“bad”or a“closed”/“good”barrier,our objective is to provide a more comprehensive insight into blood–brain barrier dynamics,to identify novel targets and/or therapeutic approaches aimed at mitigating blood–brain barrier dysfunction.Furthermore,in this review,we advocate for considering the diverse time-and location-dependent alterations in the blood–brain barrier,which go beyond tight-junction disruption or brain endothelial cell breakdown,illustrated through the dynamics of ischemic stroke as a case study.Through this exploration,we seek to underscore the complexity of blood–brain barrier dysfunction and its implications for the pathogenesis and therapy of brain diseases.

Refractory lipoatrophy treated with autologous whole blood injection:A case report

BACKGROUND Intramuscular corticosteroid injection may cause adverse effects such as dermal and/or subcutaneous atrophy,alopecia,hypopigmentation,and hyperpigmentation.Although cutaneous atrophy can spontaneously resolve,several treatment options have been suggested for this condition.CASE SUMMARY In this paper,we report a case of corticosteroid injection induced lipoatrophy treated with autologous whole blood(AWB)injection,as the condition had been unresponsive to fractional laser therapy.A 29-year-old female patient visited the dermatology clinic complaining of skin depression on her right buttock area,which had appeared six months earlier.There had been only subtle improvement at the margins after fractional CO2 laser treatment;therefore,after obtaining informed consent from the patient,AWB treatment was initiated.One month after the first AWB injection,the size and depth of the lesion had noticeably improved,and a slight improvement was also observed in discoloration.CONCLUSION Close observation is the initial treatment of choice for steroid induced skin atrophy;however,for patients in need of immediate cosmetic improvement,AWB injection may be a safe and cost-effective alternative.

Blood diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease for which the current treatment approaches remain severely limited.The principal pathological alterations of the disease include the selective degeneration of motor neurons in the brain,brainstem,and spinal cord,as well as abnormal protein deposition in the cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells.The biological markers under extensive scrutiny are predominantly located in the cerebrospinal fluid,blood,and even urine.Among these biomarke rs,neurofilament proteins and glial fibrillary acidic protein most accurately reflect the pathologic changes in the central nervous system,while creatinine and creatine kinase mainly indicate pathological alterations in the peripheral nerves and muscles.Neurofilament light chain levels serve as an indicator of neuronal axonal injury that remain stable throughout disease progression and are a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker with high specificity and sensitivity.However,there are challenges in using neurofilament light chain to diffe rentiate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from other central nervous system diseases with axonal injury.Glial fibrillary acidic protein predominantly reflects the degree of neuronal demyelination and is linked to non-motor symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis such as cognitive impairment,oxygen saturation,and the glomerular filtration rate.TAR DNA-binding protein 43,a pathological protein associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,is emerging as a promising biomarker,particularly with advancements in exosome-related research.Evidence is currently lacking for the value of creatinine and creatine kinase as diagnostic markers;however,they show potential in predicting disease prognosis.Despite the vigorous progress made in the identification of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis biomarkers in recent years,the quest for definitive diagnostic and prognostic biomarke rs remains a formidable challenge.This review summarizes the latest research achievements concerning blood biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that can provide a more direct basis for the differential diagnosis and prognostic assessment of the disease beyond a reliance on clinical manifestations and electromyography findings.

Peripheral blood RNA biomarkers can predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common cause of spinal cord injury,with longer symptom duration and higher myelopathy severity indicating a worse prognosis.While numerous studies have investigated serological biomarkers for acute spinal cord injury,few studies have explored such biomarkers for diagnosing degenerative cervical myelopathy.This study involved 30 patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy(51.3±7.3 years old,12 women and 18 men),seven healthy controls(25.7±1.7 years old,one woman and six men),and nine patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(51.9±8.6 years old,three women and six men).Analysis of blood samples from the three groups showed clear differences in transcriptomic characteristics.Enrichment analysis identified 128 differentially expressed genes that were enriched in patients with neurological disabilities.Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis,we constructed a five-gene model(TBCD,TPM2,PNKD,EIF4G2,and AP5Z1)to diagnose degenerative cervical myelopathy with an accuracy of 93.5%.One-gene models(TCAP and SDHA)identified mild and severe degenerative cervical myelopathy with accuracies of 83.3%and 76.7%,respectively.Signatures of two immune cell types(memory B cells and memory-activated CD4^(+)T cells)predicted levels of lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy with 80%accuracy.Our results suggest that peripheral blood RNA biomarkers could be used to predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Effects of binuclear copper(Ⅱ)threonine complex on blood glucose, lipids and protection of the hearts and kidneys in diabetic mice

Aim To study the effects of binuclear copper （Ⅱ） threonine complex （Cu2 （Thr）4） as analogue of superoxide dismutase （SOD） on blood glucose, blood lipids and vessels of hearts and kidneys in diabetic mice. Methods Diabetic mouse model was established by intraperitioneal injection of alloxan. Low, middle, and high doses of Cu2（Thr）4 at 0.002%, 0.02% and 0.1% were given respectively to diabetic mice following lavage. The fasting blood glucose was determined after the diabetic mice were given Cu2 （Thr）4 for 0, 30, and 45 d. The diabetic mice were killed on the 45th day. Then glycosylated hemoglobin （HbAlc） and blood lipids were assayed, and pathologic changes in hearts and kidneys stained with HE were observed. Results Compared with the control group in which the diabetic mice were given distilled water, the value of blood glucose reduced significantly in middle dose group （P 〈 0.01 ）, followed by that in low dose group （P 〈 0.05）. TC level reduced markedly and HDL level increased significantly in all three treatment groups （P 〈 0.05）. Especially in middle dose group, cardiac muscle fibers were neatly arranged, nucleus and cytoplasm well distributed, glomeruli showing normal structure, cells well distributed and staining being normal. Conclusion Cu2 （Thr）4 reduces blood glucose, regulates blood lipids, and play protective action on the vessels of hearts and kidneys in diabetic mice. The effects of it in middle dose were better than those of other doses.

Effects of tanshinone Ⅱ sodium sulfonate plus cinepazide maleate on the hemorrheologic indexes and blood lipids in patients with acute cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND： The severity of cerebral infarction is associated with the increase of blood viscosity caused by hyperfibrinogenemia and hyperlipidemia, etc. Thus it has become one of the target for treating cerebral infarction to decrease blood viscosity by integrated Chinese and western medicine. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the influence and clinical therapeutic effects of cinepazide maleate combined with tanshinone Ⅱ A sodium sulfonate on the hemorrheologic indexes and blood lipids of patients with acute cerebral infarction, and compare the results with those of simple cinepazide maleate treatment. DESIGN： A non-randomized case-controlled observation. SETTINGS： Hebei North University; the Second Affiliated Hospitals of Hebei North University; the Third Affiliated Hospitals of Hebei North University, PARTICIPANTS： Eighty-six inpatients with cerebral infarction were selected from the infirmary, the Second and Third Affiliated Hospitals of Hebei North University from September 2004 to October 2006. They were all diagnosed to have acute cerebral infarction by CT or MRI, and accorded with the diagnostic standards for acute cerebral infarction set by the Fourth National Academic Meeting for Cerebrovascular Disease in 1995. Meanwhile, 40 teachers and medical staff of voluntary physical examinees were selected as the control group. Informed contents were obtained from all the patients and their relatives. METHODS： The patients were divided into combined treatment group （n=43） and simple treatment group （n=3）. In the combined treatment group, the patients were administrated with 160 mg cinepazide maleate injection （Beijing Four-ring Pharmaceutical, Co.,Ltd, No. H200220125; 80 mg/2 mL） added in 5% glucose, and 40 mg tanshinone Ⅱ sodium sulfonate （Shanghai No.1 Biochemical ＆ Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd., No. H31022558, 10 mg/2 mL） added in 250 mL normal saline. In the simple treatment group, the patients were only administrated with cinepazide maleate 320 mg added in 5% glucose or 250 mL normal saline. They were treated for 1 or 2 courses, once a day, and 14 days as a course. The patients were detected before treatment and at 14 and 28 days after treatment respectively. ① Determination of hemorrheologic indexes： Whole blood viscosity was determined with LBY-N6B automatic hemorrheologic meter; Plasma viscosity with LBY-F200B automatic plasma viscosity meter; Volume of fibrinogen was determined by the method of 12.5% sodium nitrate depositing biuret reaction. ② Determination of blood lipids： The serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）, triglyceride （TG）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） and high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were determined. ③ Severity of neurological deficit： The total score of neurological deficit score （NDS） ranged from 0 to 45 points, 0 - 15 points was taken as mild, 16 - 30 points as moderate and 31 - 45 points as severe.④ Evaluation of curative effects： Generally cured： NDS decreased by 91% - 100%, and disabled severity of grade 0; Significantly improved： NDS decreased by 46% - 90%, and disabled severity of grades 1 - 3; Improved： NDS decreased by 18% - 45%; No change： NDS decreased by less than 18%; Aggravated： NDS increased by more than 18%. Generally cured and significant improved were taken as significant effect. ⑤ The adverse events and side effects after medication were observed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ① Results of hemorrheologic indexes and blood lipids; ② NDS results in the combined treatment group and simple treatment group; ③ Therapeutic effects and adverse events. RESULTS： All the 86 patients with cerebral infarction and 40 healthy controls were involved in the analysis of results. ① Results of hemorrheologic indexes and blood lipids： The hemorrheologic indexes and blood lipids before treatment were manifested as abnormalities to different extents in both the combined treatment group and simple treatment group; The hemorrheologic indexes after treatment were obviously improved in both groups. But the hemorrheologic indexes were improved more obviously in the combined treatment group as compared with those in the simple treatment group （P 〈 0.05）; The levels of TC, TG and LDL-C after treatment in the combined treatment group were obviously lowered （P 〈 0.05）, whereas those in the simple treatment group were not significantly changed （P 〉 0.05）. ② NDS results： The NDS scores at 14 and 28 days after treatment in the combined treatment group [（6.23±2.34）, （4.27± 1.83） points] were obviously lower than those in the simple treatment group [（8.76±3.41）, （6.65±2.49） points, P 〈 0.05]. ③ Therapeutic effects and side effects： The total significant effective rates in the combined treatment group and simple treatment group were 93% and 81% respectively. In the combined treatment group, 1 case suffered from palpitation, dizziness and agrypnia. In the simple treatment group, 1 case suffered from palpitation, dizziness and agrypnia, 1 case had itch of skin. All the above symptoms disappeared gradually after the transfusing speed was adjusted to be slower. No drug withdrawal occurred in the patients due to the adverse events. CONCLUSION： Cinepazide maleate combined with tanshinon can obviously improve the abnormalities of hemorrheologic indexes and blood lipids and nerve function in patients with acute cerebral infarction, and its curative effect is faster than that of simple cinepazide maleate treatment.

Effects of SNPs at Newly Identified Lipids Loci on Blood Lipid Levels and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Chinese Han Population:A Case Control Study

Associations between ＂lipid-related＂ candidate genes,blood lipid concentrations and coronary artery disease（CHD） risk are not clear.We aimed to investigate the effect of three newly identified lipids loci from genome-wide association studies on CHD and blood lipid levels in Chinese Han population.The genotypes of SNPs at three newly identified lipid loci and blood lipids concentrations were examined in 1360 CHD patients and 1360 age-and sex-frequency matched controls from an unrelated Chinese Han population.Allele T of rs16996148 occurred less frequently in CHD patients with the odds ratio（OR） being 0.64（95% CI 0.50 to 0.81）,after adjusting for conventional risk factors and was associated with a 33% decreased CHD risk（P0.01） comparing with the major allele G.Individuals with GT genotype had the lowest CHD risk.No associations were found between the polymorphisms of other two loci with CHD risk and all three SNPs had no effect on lipid profile in this population.SNP rs16996148 on chromosome 19p13 is significantly associated with lower risk for CHD in Chinese Han population.However,it remains unresolved why these lipid-related loci had significantly less effects than the correspondingly expected effects on blood lipids levels in this population.

Yangxin Dawayimixike honey paste inhibits atherosclerosis in ApoE^(-/-)mice by attenuating blood lipids and exerting anti-inflammatory activity

Background:Yangxin Dawayimixike honey paste(YDHP)is a representative traditional Chinese medicine,and its main function is curing angina pectoris,palpitation and neurasthenia.However,it is unclear whether YDHP can suppress the development of atherosclerosis.The aim of this study was to validate the potential application of YDHP in atherosclerosis therapy and search for its potential mechanisms.Methods:Seven-week-old ApoE^(-/-)mice were randomly divided into a normal group fed a normal diet,an atherosclerosis model group fed a high-fat diet,YDHP groups fed a high-fat diet mixed with different doses of YDHP and positive control groups fed a high-fat diet mixed with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin.After feeding for 10 weeks,body weight,blood lipids,liver and kidney function indexes,serum inflammatory cytokines and atherosclerotic plaque areas were measured.Serum metabolic profiles were detected by an automatic biochemical analyser.Serum inflammatory cytokines were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.Atherosclerotic plaque areas were analysed using Oil Red O staining.Results:The YDHP(200,400 and 800 mg/kg/d)treated groups showed reduced serum levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(P<0.05,when 200 or 400 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group;P<0.01,when 800 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group),total cholesterol(P<0.05,when 200 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group;P<0.01,when 400 or 800 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group)and triglyceride(P<0.01),however,elevated serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(P<0.01)compared to the atherosclerosis model group.YDHP inhibited the area of atherosclerotic lesions.In addition,YDHP suppressed the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6(P<0.05,when 200 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group;P<0.01,when 400 or 800 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group)and tumor necrosis factorα(P<0.05,when 200 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group;P<0.01,when 400 or 800 mg/kg/d of YDHP group compared with the atherosclerosis model group).Conclusion:Our study demonstrated that YDHP showed considerable activity in alleviating the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE^(-/-)mice by reducing blood lipids and exerting anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of crude-herb moxibustion on blood lipids in rats with dyslipidemia

Objective:To evaluate the lipid-regulating effect of crude-herb moxibustion on rats with dyslipidemia.Methods:Fifty-four SpragueeDawley rats were randomly divided into six groups with nine rats each.Control group rats were fed a normal diet,and bilateral acu-point Fenglong(equivalent to ST40 in humans)on the hind legs were covered with a placebo(general mucilage)for 2 hours each day.Model group rats were fed a high-lipid diet for 2 weeks.Therapy group rats were fed a high-lipid diet for 2 weeks and then administered crude-herb moxibustion at ST40 for 2 hours each day for the next 2 weeks.Prevention group rats were administered crude-herb moxibustion 2 hours a day for 2 weeks and then fed a high-lipid diet for the subsequent 2 weeks.Prevention/Therapy group rats were each administered crude-herb moxibustion at ST40 for 2 hours each day for 2 weeks,followed by a high-lipid diet for the next 2 weeks,and then crude-herb moxibustion again at ST40 for another 2 weeks.Simvastatin group rats were fed a high-lipid diet for 2 weeks and then treated with simvastatin for the next 2 weeks.Blood lipids,hepatosomatic indices(HSIs)and epididymal fat pad weights of all rats were examined.Results:Compared with the Model group,levels of total cholesterol(TC),glycerinate,lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(VLDL-C)in plasma collected from the Therapy group,the Prevention/Therapy group,and the Simvastatin group were decreased.Moreover,compared with the Model group,HSIs in Therapy group rats were also decreased following administration of crude-herb moxibustion,but TC,TG,HDLC,LDL-C,and VLDL-C levels in the Prevention group were higher than those in the Model group.Conclusion:The results reveal that blood lipids and HSIs appear to be modulated by the effect of crude-herb moxibustion and suggest therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dyslipidemia.

Effect of Terazosin on Blood Pressure and Serum Lipids

In an open multicenter prospective study, the effects of short-term (4weeks, n= 101) and long-term (6 months, n = 38) terazosin treatment on blood pressure, serum lipids and safety in the patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were observed. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in sitting position were significantly reduced by 16. 4 % and 14. 0 % respectively (P<0.01 ) after 4 weeks of terazosin therapy, with the total efficacy rate being 87.1 %.During a 6 month therapy, antihypertensive effect of terazosin could be main-tained- Total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL ) cholesterol in serum were significantly decreased P < 0. 05-0.01) in patients with hyperc-holesterolemia (TC≥6 mmol/ml)after 4 week terazosin treatment; the levels of TC, LDL and triglyceride were significantly improved in hypertensive patients af-ter 3-6 month terazosin treatment. The improvement of lipid metabolism was re-lated to the dosage of terazosin but not to antihypertensive effects of terazosin.The results suggested that terazosin is effective in decreasing blood pressure and improving lipid metabolism. It may serve as a good antihypertensive agent for hy-pertensive patients with hypercholesterolemia.

The Relationships between Erythrocyte Membrane n-6 to n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Ratio and Blood Lipids and C-reactive Protein in Chinese Adults:An Observational Study

Objective To investigate the relationships between erythrocyte membrane n-6：n-3 PUFAs ratio and blood lipids and high sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）. Methods The Chinese and a observational study consisted of a population-based cross-sectiona subsequent 1-year follow-up study of 171 subjects with the fasting cholesterol of 5.13-8.00 mmol/L. study of 456 plasma total Results In the cross-sectional analysis, plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-c） had a significant and negative association with the erythrocyte membrane n-6：n-3 PUFAs ratio （P for trend=0.019） after adjusting for sex, age and total PUFA percentage. In the follow-up study, 171 subjects were categorized into quartiles by the changes of n-6：n-3 ratio in erythrocyte membrane （△=month 12-month 0）. In the top quartile whose ratios of n-6：n-3 increased by an average of 1.25 during the follow-up, the LDL-c-lowering extent was 3.3 times of that in the lowest quartile whose ratios of n-6：n-3 decreased by an average of 1.13 （-1.07 mmol/L v.s. -0.32 mmol/L）. The hsCRP decreased by 0.11 mg/dL in the lowest quartile while increasing by 0.10 mg/dL in the top quartile （P for difference=0.052）. Conclusion Our results suggested that the balance between n-6 and n-3 fatty acids may optimize the cardiovascular benefits from dietary PUFAs.

Effects of Zhibitai capsules on blood lipids and arterial elasticity

Objective To evaluate the effects of Zhibitai(ZBT) on blood lipids and arterial elasticity in patients with high cardiovascular risk.Methods Eighty three subjects with high risk factors of cardiovascular diseases were enrolled into the study and randomized to two groups,i.e.,the ZBT group(n =44,treated with ZBT 0.48 g twice per day) and the atorvastatin(ATO) group(n =39,treated with ATO 10 mg per day).The levels of fasting serum lipids including total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C and LDL-C) and pulse wave velocity(PWV) were investigated before and eight weeks after treatment.Results The serum levels of TG,TC,LDL-C,femoral-ankle PWV(FAPWV) and carotid-radial PWV(CRPWV) were markedly decreased after the therapy with ZBT or ATO for 8 weeks(P <0.05).There was no significant alteration in HDL-C and carotid-femoral PWV(CFPWV) levels in both ZBT and ATO groups(P >0.05) after eight-week's treatment.Conclusion ZBT could reduce the levels of FAPWV and CRPWV,thus improve the elasticity of medium-sized peripheral muscular arteries in addition to its lipids lowering effect.The efficacy of ZBT is similar to that of ATO.

The effects of smoking on blood lipids, C-reactive protein, and homocysteine in young patients with ischemic stroke

Objective:To investigate clinical significance of the effects of smoking on blood lipids, C-reactive protein,and homocysteine in young ischemic stroke patients.Methods:The clinical data of 423 young stroke patients in the department of neurology at Taihe Hospital in Shiyan City, China were retrospectively analyzed, including age,gender,drinking history,family history,and atrial fibrillation history. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they smoked,and the blood lipids, C-reactive protein, and homocysteine were compared between groups.Results:The proportion of smokers was 41.83%.The levels of total cholesterol,triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and homocysteine were higher in patients who smoked than in those who did not(P < 0.05). High density lipoprotein (HDL) was lower in the smoking group (P < 0.05). C-reactive protein test results were divided into groups according to whether the levels exceeded the normal range or not, and no correlation was found between C-reactive protein levels and smoking(P>0.05). Conclusion:Total cholesterol, TG, LDL, HDL, and homocysteine were significantly different between stroke patients who smoked and those who did not. We therefore suggest that smoking cessation take place as soon as possible and that it be avoided entirely in order to reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis and stroke.

Altered Levels of Blood Glucose and Serum Lipids in Sudanese Patients with Ovarian Cancer

Background: The etiology of ovarian cancer is not well-understood;numerous metabolomics profiling, epidemiological, and hospital-based case control studies have associated abnormal levels of blood glucose and serum lipids with the risk and the prognosis of various types of cancers including ovarian cancer. The association between the risk of the incidence of ovarian cancer and the alterations in the levels of blood glucose and serum lipids is not well defined. Objective: In this study we aimed to compare the levels of blood glucose, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with different stages of ovarian cancer and healthy controls to determine how they relate to the risk and prognosis of ovarian cancer. Methodology: In a case-control cross sectional study, we enrolled ninety-nine Sudanese women, diagnosed with ovarian cancer but had not received any kind of treatment as the study group, and a control group of forty-one age-matched, apparently healthy women. The patients were classified according to the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists staging system into two groups: early stages (stage I & II) and late stages (stages III & IV). Blood glucose and serum lipids;triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined by enzymatic colorimetric methods using commercially available analytical kits. The IBM SPSS version 20 software was used for statistical analysis. A Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of the median concentrations of blood glucose, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the study groups. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the relative risk of ovarian cancer in relation to levels of blood glucose and serum lipids. P value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Our data indicated significantly higher levels of blood glucose (p < 0.001), triacylglycerols (p = 0.002), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001), and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.023), in ovarian cancer patients compared to the control subjects. No significant difference was found in the levels of blood glucose or any of the serum lipids between patients in the early stages (stage I & II) and those in late stages (stage III & IV) of ovarian cancer. The logistic regression analysis indicated significant association between the elevated levels of the blood glucose, triacylglycerols and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the risk of the ovarian cancer. Conclusion: We conclude that the levels of blood glucose, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol differ significantly between ovarian cancer patients and the healthy control subjects. The risk of ovarian cancer was positively associated with the levels of blood glucose, triacylglycerols and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and negatively associated with levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Therefore, determination of blood glucose and serum lipids, particularly, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol may be helpful as diagnostic indicators of ovarian cancer (OC).

Evaluation of Specialty Lipids Based on Fish Oil and Capric Acid on Blood Lipid Chemistry Using Animal Models

This study aimed to produce new generation of fats or oils, known as specialty lipids, from enzymatic reaction of fish oil rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, serving as a source of essential fatty acids, and a medium-chain fatty acid (Capric acid, C10:0), for rapid energy release, using self-designed bioreactor. The beneficial aspects of the resultant specialty lipids (SL) on blood lipid chemistry were evaluated using animal models. Serum lipids were analyzed for lipid profile. Animals in the three treatments: Group 1 fed with corn oil, Group 2 fed with a physical blend (PB) of fish oil (FO) and capric acid (CA);and Group 3 fed with specialty lipids (SL) showed a significant (p 0.05) in HDL-c level after 60 days of treatment. Although SL caused an increase in HDL-c level but lower than CO. Animals in CO group showed insignificant increase (p > 0.05) in the level of LDL-c, whereas SL did not cause any change in LDL-c level. On the other hand, the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) is considerably (p 0.05) concerning TAG, TC, and LDL-c levels, but the only difference between these two groups was in the HDL-c level. The weight of animals was increasing with time in animals fed CO, while it was decreasing with time for animals fed PB and SL. The difference in percent body change between SL and CO was significant (p < 0.05) after 8 weeks of treatment.

Blood lipids may have influence on the emotional well-being in young men

Anamnestic data on general health and medical conditions were achieved from 136 men (20-49 yrs). Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaire was used to assess depressive symptomatology. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumference, arterial blood pressure were mea- sured. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglicerydes (TG), glucose, SHBG, total testosterone, DHEA-S and estradiol were determined. Calculated were body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and free testosterone index (FTI). In men aged 40-49 general health significantly got worse, BMI, WHR, blood pressure increased and mean serum levels of FTI, DHEA-S, estradiol decreased in comparison to younger men. Only in 40-49 age band BDI-II scoring was negatively related with FTI, however, in the whole group there were no significant correlations. Nevertheless, some symptoms of depression were negatively related with LDL-C or HDL-C and positively with TG. Similar relations were found among young men, but not in the middle-aged. Conclusions: Only blood lipids may have influence on emotional well-being in young healthy men. The decreased testosterone level becomes probably the main risk factor for the lower mood in middle-aged men. Atherosclerosis risk factors and general health worsen with the advancing age, but they have no significant effect on psychological situation.

Astrocytes dynamically regulate the blood-brain barrier in the healthy brain

The blood-brain barrier(BBB)(discovered and defined by Max Lewandowsky and Lina Stern,and not,as it is universally,and yet erroneously believed,by Paul Ehrlich(Verkhratsky and Pivoriunas,2023))that separates the nervous system from the circulation is evolutionarily conserved from arthropods to man.The primeval BBB of the invertebrates and some early vertebrates was made solely by glial cells and secured(in invertebrates)by septate junctions.