Causal associations between intermediate very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-total lipids ratio and peptic ulcer:A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Previous epidemiologic investigations have consistently demonstrated a strong association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-lowdensity lipoprotein(VLDL)and the occurrence of peptic ulcers(PU).However,the precise causal relationship between these factors remains ambiguous.Consequently,this study aims to elucidate the potential correlation between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and the incidence of peptic ulcer.AIM To investigate the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-low-density lipoprotein(VLDL)association with PU via genetic methods,guiding future clinical research.METHODS Genome-wide association study(GWAS)datasets for the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL and peptic ulcer were retrieved from the IEU OpenGWAS project(https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk).For the forward Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis,72 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were identified as instrumental variables.These SNPs were selected based on their association with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL,with peptic ulcer as the outcome variable.Conversely,for the inverse MR analysis,no SNPs were identified with peptic ulcer as the exposure variable and the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL as the outcome.All MR analyses utilized inverse variance weighted(IVW)as the primary analytical method.Additionally,weighted median and MR-Egger methods were employed as supplementary analytical approaches to assess causal effects.Egger regression was used as a supplementary method to evaluate potential directional pleiotropy.Heterogeneity and multiplicity tests were conducted using the leave-one-out method to evaluate result stability and mitigate biases associated with multiple testing.RESULTS The genetically predicted ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was significantly associated with an elevated risk of peptic ulcer(IVW:OR=2.557,95%CI=1.274-5.132,P=0.008).However,no causal association of peptic ulcer with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was observed in the inverse Mendelian randomization analysis.CONCLUSION In conclusion,our study reveals a significant association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and an elevated risk of peptic ulcers.However,further validation through laboratory investigations and larger-scale studies is warranted to strengthen the evidence and confirm the causal relationship between these factors.

Relationships among body weight,lipids and bone mass in elderly individuals with fractures:A case-control study

BACKGROUND The prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass is steadily rising each year.Low body weight is commonly linked to diminished bone mass and serves as a robust predictor of osteoporosis.Nonetheless,the connection between body mass index(BMI),bone mineral density,and lipid profiles among the elderly remains elusive.AIM To examine the association between BMI and bone mass,explore the correlation between lipid profiles and bone mass,and delve into the interplay between lipid metabolism and bone health.METHODS The study included 520 patients aged≥65 years(178 men and 342 women).Age,sex,weight,and height were recorded.Femoral neck bone mineral density and T scores were determined using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner.Blood calcium(Ca),phosphorus(P),albumin(ALB),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein(HDL)and low-density lipoprotein(LDL)levels were measured.Patients were classified by sex(male and female),age(65-79 years and≥80 years),and T score(normal bone mineral density,osteopenia and osteoporosis).RESULTS Age,sex,BMI,and ALP and TG levels were independent risk factors for osteoporosis.For the 65-79-and≥80-yearold groups,females presented lower T scores than males.Ca,P,ALB,ALP,TC,HDL and LDL levels were significantly different between men and women in the 65-79-year-old group.In addition,BMI and TG levels were significantly decreased in osteoporotic patients compared with patients with normal bone mass.TC levels declined in 65-to 79-year-old male and female osteoporosis patients.In the group of women aged≥80 years,osteoporotic patients showed significantly increased ALP levels.Furthermore,we found positive correlations between BMI and TG levels in the male and female patient groups.However,we found no significant differences in ALB,Ca,P,HDL and LDL levels in osteoporotic patients compared to patients with normal bone mass.CONCLUSION Osteoporotic patients showed significantly decreased BMI and TG levels compared with those with normal bone mass.BMI showed positive correlations with TG levels in male and female patients.These results indicate correlations between BMI and bone mass and between lipid profiles and bone mass.

Relationship Between Serum Leptin Concentration and Lipids & Body Mass Index in Patients With Chronic Congestive Heart Failure

Objectives To investigate the relationship of serum leptin concentration with the lipids and body mass index （BMI） in patients with chronic congestive heart failure（CHF）. Methods The serum concentration of leptin in 39 patients with CHF （14 in cardiac function class Ⅱ , 21 in class Ⅲ, 4 in classⅣ , NYHA） and in 46 patients with cardiac function class Ⅰ （NYHA） were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Results The serum concentration of leptin were 9.018±4.519 μg/l in CHF group （cardiac function class Ⅱ 11.492±5.649 μg/l, class Ⅲ 7.763±3.321 μg/l, class Ⅳ 6.100±2.657 μg/l）; 11.674± 6.911 μg/l in class Ⅰ group. The serum concentrations of leptin were significantly lower in CHF group, as compared with class Ⅰ group （P〈 0.05）. Moreover, the decrease of serum leptin concentration was significantly correlated with the decreased serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, body mass index and left ventricular ejection fraction in CHF group, respectively （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions The significance of the decrease in serum leptin in CHF patients needs further study.

Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate-lipid Ratio on Growth, Body Composition and Digestive Enzyme Activities of Juvenile Peanut Worm,Sipunculus nudus

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrate-lipid( C / L) ratios on growth performance,body composition and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile peanut worm. [Methods]Juvenile peanut worm with average body weight of( 16. 77 ± 0. 40) mg were fed with five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets formulated to contain different carbohydrate / lipid( C / L) ratios( 0. 68,1. 02,1. 62,2. 61 or 4. 35) for 8 weeks. [Results] The dietary C / L ratios had no significant effects on survival of juvenile peanut worm( P 】 0. 05). With the increasing of dietary C / L ratios,weight growth rate( WGR)and specific growth rate( SGR) increased when dietary C / L ratios were between 0. 68 and 2. 61,and then decreased significantly with dietary C / L ratio further increased. When the dietary C / L ratio was 2. 61( carbohydrate level was 20. 64%,lipid level was 7. 92%) both WGR and SGR produced the maximum value,they were 451. 78 ± 16. 85% and 3. 41 ± 0. 06 % / d,respectively. The dietary C / L ratios had significant effects on body moisture,body protein content and body lipid content( P 【 0. 05),but no significant effects on body ash content of juvenile peanut worm( P 】 0. 05). Different C / L ratios had significant effects on amylase activity and lipases activity of juvenile peanut worm( P 【 0. 05),but no significant effects on protease activity( P 】 0. 05). [Conclusion]The regression model analysis showed that the most suitable dietary C / L ratio which can make juvenile peanut worm acquire the best weight growth rate is 2. 42.

Effects of Astragalus Powder on Serum Lipid and Body Fat Content of Fast Large-scale Quality Chickens

[ Objective] To study the effects of astragalus powder on serum lipids and body fat contents of fast large-scale quality chickens, and thus provide a theoretical basis for its application in poultry production,[ Method ] All the 180 1-day-old healthy Liangfeng chickens were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 was the control group, fed with basal diet; group 2, group 3 and group 4 were fed with basal diet added with 0.75%, 1.0% and 1.25% astragalus powder, respectively; group 5 and group 6 were separately fed with basal diet added with 1.0% and 1.25% astragalus pow- der, but the astragalus powder was used for 10 d and then was forbidden for 10 d in turn during the whole experiment. The content of triglyceride （TG）, total cholesterol （TCHO）, high-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol （ HDL-C）, and low-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol （LDL-C） were respectively determined when the chickens were 35-day-old and 63-day-old, while the percentage of abdominal fat （PAF） as well as intramuscular fat （IMF） and subcutaneous fat ply （SFP） was measured when the chickens were 63-day-old. [ Result] In 35-day-old chickens, the levels of TCHO were sig- nificantly or very significantly lower in group 3, group 4, and group 6 than in control group （ P 〈0.05 or 0.01 ） ; the levels of LDL-C significantly lower in group 3 and group 6 （ P〈0. 05） ; the level of HDL-C significantly higher in group 5 （P〈0.05）. In 63-day-old chickens, the levels of TCHO and LDL-C were significantly or very significantly lower in group 3, group 4, and group 5 than in control group （ P 〈 0.05 or 0.01 ） while the levels of HDL-C were significantly higher in these groups; the PAF was significantly lower in group 3 （ P 〈 0.05）. [ Condasion] Astragalus powder should re- duce the levels of TG, TCHO and LDL-C, promote HDL-C content, and also play a certain regulative role in deposition of abdominal fat.

Body condition score prior to parturition is associated with plasma and adipose tissue biomarkers of lipid metabolism and inflammation in Holstein cows

Background: Previous research has revealed a strong inflammatory response within adipose(AT) tissue during the transition into lactation. Whether this effect is a result of oxidative stress induced by lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation associated with differences in prepartum body condition score remains to be determined. The objectives of this study were to investigate systemic biomarkers of energy balance and inflammation and the expression of lipid metabolismand inflammation-related genes in AT during the transition period in dairy cows.Results: Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were retrospectively divided by body condition score(BCS) prior to parturition into two groups(10 cows/group): BCS ≤ 3.25(Lo BCS) and BCS ≥ 3.75(Hi BCS). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was biopsied from the tail-head region at d-10, 7 and 20 relative to parturition. Plasma was used to evaluate biomarkers of energy balance(EBAL) [free fatty acids(NEFA), glycerol, insulin] and inflammation [IL-1β, haptoglobin, myeloperoxidase, and reactive oxygen metabolites(ROM)]. Although insulin concentration was not affected by BCS, NEFA was overal greater and glycerol lower in HiB CS cows. Greater activity of myeloperoxidase in plasma coincided with increased haptoglobin and IL-1β postpartum in LoB CS cows.Among genes related with oxidative stress, the expression of the cytosolic antioxidant enzyme SOD1 was greater in LoB CS compared to HiB CS. Cows in LoB CS compared with HiB CS had greater overal expression of ABDH5 and ATGL along with ADIPOQ, indicating enhanced basal lipolysis and secretion of adiponectin. Expression of CPT1 A, ACADVL, and ACOX1 was greater overal in HiB CS than LoB CS indicating enhanced NEFA oxidation. Although the temporal increase in plasma NEFA regardless of BCS coincided with the profile of CPT1 A, the gradual decrease in genes related with reesterification of NEFA(PCK1) and glycerol efflux(AQP7) coupled with an increase in glycerol kinase(GK) suggested some stimulation of NEFA utilization within adipose tissue. This idea is supported in part by the gradual decrease in insulin regardless of BCS. Although expression of the inflammation-related gene toll-like receptor 4( TLR4) was greater in Hi BCS versus Lo BCS cows at-10 d, expression of TLR9 was greater in Hi BCS versus Lo BCS at 20 d.These profiles did not seem to be associated with concentrations of pro-inflammatory biomarkers or ROM.Conclusions: Overall, data indicated that cows with BCS 3.25 or lower before calving experienced greater alterations in systemic inflammation and basal lipolysis without excessive increases in NEFA plasma concentrations.Despite the greater plasma NEFA around parturition, cows with BCS 3.75 or higher seemed to have a more active system for catabolism of NEFA and utilization of glycerol within adipose tissue. A linkage between those pathways and risk of disorders postpartum remains to be determined.

Body mass index and serum lipid profile influence serum prostate-specific antigen in Chinese men younger than 50 years of age

This study is to assess the potential factors that could affect the serum prostate-specific antigen （PSA） level in healthy younger men. We evaluated the associations of age, body mass index （BMI） and serum lipid profile with serum PSA level in 6774 Chinese men （aged 20-49 years） who received a routine health examination. Eligible men were classified into 10-year age groups, BMI was categorized as underweight （〈18.5）, normal （18.5-22.9）, overweight （23.0-24.9）, obese （25.0-29,9） and very obese （〉30） according to the redefined World Health Organization （WHO） criteria for the Asia-Pacific region. PSA levels were compared among groups as well, In multiple linear regression analysis, PSA was positively correlated with age （P〈0.0001）. Negative correlations existed between PSA and BMI （P〈0.0001） and triglyceride level （P=0.01）. No relationship could be found between PSA and serum cholesterol （P=0.711） or high-density lipoprotein （HDL; P =0.665）. In addition, we found that serum PSA levels increased with age and decreased with BMI. Our study demonstrates that age, BMI and triglyceride levels influence the PSA level in men 〈50 years of age.

Association of glycosylated hemoglobin level with lipid ratio and individual lipids in type 2 diabetic patients

Objective:To study the correlation of lipid ratios and individual lipid indexes of patients with type 2 diabetes with glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA_(1c)).Methods:Samples were collected from 128 type 2 diabetic patients(aged 19-90 years;male 72,female 56).The sera were analyzed for HbA_(1c),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C).According to the HbA_(1e) level,the patients were divided into three groups,group A(HbA_(?)<7%,n=31),group B(7%<HbA_(1c)<10%,n=48),and group C(HbA_(1c)>10%,n=49).The correlation of HbA_(1c)with lipid ratios & individual lipid indexes were analyzed.Results:With the increased level of HbA(1c),LDL-C had a significantly increasing trend(P<0.05);whereas TC went up with the increased HbA(1c),without any significant differences between three groups.There was no significant correlation between HbA_(1c) and TG or HDL-C. With the increased level of HbA_(1c),TC/HDL-C,LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were gradually increased, with significant differences among groups(P<0.05).The lipid ratios,especially LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was more susceptible to impaired lipid metabolism in T2DM patients than individual lipid. Conclusions:LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is helpful in assessing and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by impaired lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients.

Effect of Different Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on the Growth,Body Composition,and Intestinal Digestive Enzyme Activities of Juvenile Yellow Drum Nibea albiflora(Richardson)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein-to-lipid ratio for juvenile Nibea albiflora with an initial weight of(11.76 ± 0.20) g.Nine experimental diets containing different concentrations of protein(40%,47%,or 54%) and lipids(5%,9%,or 13%) in a 3 × 3 factorial experimental design were tested in triplicate groups of fish,while the protein-to-energy(P/E) ratios of the diets varied in the range of 19.74–28.32 mg k J^(-1).Results showed that fish fed diets containing 9% or 13% lipids with 54% protein exhibited significantly higher weight gains and specific growth rates than those fed other diets.The feed conversion rate of fish fed the diet with 40% protein and 5% lipids was significantly poorer than that of fish fed other diets.The protein efficiency rate of fish fed diets with 5% lipids was significantly lower than that of fish fed 9% or 13% lipid diets.Carcass lipid and energy contents were positively correlated with dietary lipid level regardless of protein level.Fish fed a 54% protein diet showed the highest trypsin activity.The intestinal lipase activity of fish fed the diet containing 13% lipids was significantly higher than that of fish fed 5% or 9% lipid diets.These results demonstrate the high protein dietary requirements of N.albiflora.A diet containing 54% protein and 9%–13% lipids with a P/E ratio of 26.2–27.81 mg protein k J^(-1) can be considered optimal for juvenile N.albiflora.

Characterization of the Growth,Chlorophyll Content and Lipid Accumulation in a Marine Microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta under Different Nitrogen to Phosphorus Ratios

Microalgal lipids are regarded as main future feedstock of biofuels for its higher efficiency of accumulation and sus- tainable production. In order to investigate the effect of various nitrogen to phosphorus ratios on cells growth, chlorophyll content and accumulation of lipids in Dunaliella tertiolecta, experiments were carried out in modified microalgal medium with inorganic nitrogen （nitrate-nitrogen） or organic nitrogen （urea-nitrogen） as the sole nitrogen source at initial N：P ratios ranging from 1：1 to 32：1. The favorable N：P of 16：1 in the nitrate-N or urea-N medium yielded the maximum cell density and specific growth rate. Decrease in chlorophyll content were observed at the N：P of 4：1 in both nitrate-N and urea-N cultures. It was also observed that the maximum lipids concentration was obtained at the N：P of 4：1 in both nitrate and urea nutrient medium. The lipid productivity and lipid content of cultures in the urea-N medium at the N：P of 4： lwere markedly higher than those from cultures with other N：P ratios （p〈 0.05）. The results of this work illustrate the possibility that higher ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus have enhancing effect on cells growth of D. tertiolecta. Conversely, higher lipid accumulation is associated with a decrease in chlorophyll content under lower ratios of nitro- gen to phosphorus. The results confirm the hypothesis of this study that a larger metabolic flux has been channeled to lipid accumu- lation in D. tertiolecta cells when the ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus drop below a critical level.

The Impact of Lipid-metabolizing Genetic Polymorphisms on Body Mass Index and Their Interactions with Soybean Food Intake: A Study in a Chinese Population

Objective To evaluate the association of known polymorphisms in the lipid metabolic pathway with body mass index （BMI）, and estimate their interactions with soybean food intake. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a Chinese Han population. BMI, soybean food intake, and single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs599839, rs3846662, rs3846663, rs12916, rs174547, rs174570, rs4938303, and rs1558861 were measured in 944 subjects. A multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association of the studied polymorphisms with BMIs. The expectation-maximization algorithm was employed to evaluate the extent of linkage disequilibrium between pairwise polymorphisms. The gene-environment interaction was assessed in the general multifactor dimensionality reduction model. Results The polymorphisms of rs3846662 and rs3846663 were associated with 10% highest BMIs when comparing to the 10% lowest values both in individuals and haplotype-based association tests. Although no statistically significant gene-environment interactions were found, people with the haplotype composed of C allele in rs3846662 and T allele in rs3846663 and low frequency of soybean intake had significantly hisher risk to overweight and obesity as compared with those with the haplotype consisting of T allele in rs3846662 and C allele in rs3846663 and highly frequent soybean food intake, with an odds ratio of 1.64 （95% confidence interval： 1.15-2.34, P〈0.01） after adjusting for the common confounders. Conclusion Our study has sugsested that rs3846662 and rs3846663 may be the potential candidate polymorphisms for obesity, and their effect on the pathogenesis could be mediated by the frequency of soybean food intake.

Rapid chromatographic method to decipher distinct alterations in lipid classes in NAFLD/NASH

AIM: To establish a simple method to quantify lipid classes in liver diseases and to decipher the lipid profile in p62/IMP2-2/IGF2BP2-2 transgenic mice.METHODS: Liver-specific overexpression of the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein p62/IMP2-2/IGF2BP2-2 was used as a model for steatosis.Steatohepatitis was induced by feeding a methioninecholine deficient diet. Steatosis was assessed histologically. For thin layer chromatographic analysis, lipids were extracted from freeze-dried tissues by hexane/2-propanol, dried, redissolved, and chromatographically separated by a two-solvent system. Dilution series of lipid standards were chromatographed, detected, andquantified. The detection was performed by either2',7'-dichlorofluoresceine or a sulfuric acid/ethanol mixture.RESULTS: Histological analyses confirmed steatosis and steatohepatitis development. The extraction,chromatographic, and detection method showed high inter-assay reproducibility and allowed quantification of the different lipid classes. The analyses confirmed an increase of triglycerides and phosphatidylethanolamine and a decrease in phosphatidylcholine in the methionine-choline deficient diet. The method was used for the first time to asses the lipid classes induced in the p62-overexpressing mouse model and showed a significant increase in all detected lipid species with a prominent increase of triglycerides by 2-fold. Interestingly, the ratio of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine was decreased, as previously suggested as a marker in the progression from steatosis to steatohepatitis.CONCLUSION: The thin layer chromatography analysis allows a reliable quantification of lipid classes and provides detailed insight into the lipogenic effect of p62.

Morphometry of Lipid Bodies in Embryo, Kernel and Mesocarp of Oil Palm: Its Relationship to Yield

Oil palm drupe which has thick fleshy mesocarp contains rich oil, where storage of oil in it can make up to 80% of its dry mass [1]. Ongoing research interest in oil palms has been focused on the mechanisms of oil production in oil palm drupes, while investigation on the ultrastructural morphometry of its oil storage entity, namely lipid body, has received limited attention. By employing microscopy techniques, this study investigated the morphometric of lipid bodies in the mesocarp, kernel and embryo of oil palms drupes at 22 week-after-anthesis (WAA). This study also investigated the relationship between the size of lipid bodies and oil yield of oil palms at the same state of maturity (22 WAA). The structural arrangements of lipid bodies were found to be different among embryo, kernel and mesocarp of oil palms. It was also found that the size of lipid bodies of mesocarp of oil palms was larger compared to other crops. Lipid bodies in both embryo and mesocarp were statistically shown to be larger in low oil-yielding palms.

Female waist-to-hip ratio,body mass index and sexual attractiveness in China

Men and women at Northwest University （n=751）, Xi＇an, China were asked to judge the attractiveness of photographs of female patients who had undergone micrograft surgery to reduce their waist-to-hip ratios （WHR）. Micrograft surgery involves harvesting adipose tissue from the waist and reshaping the buttocks to produce a low WHR and an ‘hourglass＇ female figure. This gynoid distribution of female body fat has been shown to correlate with measures of fertility and health. Significantly larger numbers of subjects, of both sexes, chose post-operative photographs, with lower WHRs, as more attractive than pre-operative photographs of the same women. Some patients had gained, and some had lost weight, post-operatively, with resultant changes in body mass index （BMI）. However, these changes in BMI were not related to judgments of attractiveness. These results show that the hourglass female figure is rated as attractive in China, and that WHR, rather than BMI, plays a crucial role in such attractiveness judgments.

Atherogenic lipids profile relates to postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia due to whole body insulin resistance in prediabetic subjects

Backgrounds: Differences in serum lipids profiles in different type of glucose intolerance are unclear. Aims: To characterize lipid profiles in different type of glucose intolerance, and to assess relationships between serum lipids profile and disturbance of glucose metabolism in prediabetic subjects. Methods: Using the measurements in medical check-up with 75 goral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), total of 620 male subjects, who are not on medications for metabolic diseases or hypertension, were divided into normal fasting glucose and glucose tolerance (NFG/ NGT), isolated impaired fasting glucose (iIFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (iIGT) and combined IFG and IGT (IFG/IGT) based on results of the OGTT. Results: Age and body mass index (BMI) were similar in the four groups. Matsuda index (an index of whole body insulin sensitivity) was lower in iIFG, iIGT and IFG/IGT as compared with NFG/NGT. Plasma insulin excursion during the OGTT was significantly higher in IFG/IGT versus NFG/NGT. Serum triglyceride level (TG) and TG to HDL ratio (TG/HDL) were higher in IFG/IGT versus NFG/NGT. Matsuda index was positively correlated with HDL and was inversely correlated with TG, LDL, non-HDL, TG/ HDL and LDL to HDL ratio (LDL/HDL). Backward stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that increases in BMI, plasma insulin level at 60 min (PI60) and plasma glucose level at 120 min in the OGTT were independently associated with increases in TG and TG/HDL. Increases in BMI and PI60 were related to an increase in non-HDL and LDL/HDL and a decrease in HDL. Conclusions: These results indicate that postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia based on advanced insulin resistance are closely related to lipid risk factors of atherosclerotic macrovascular disease in prediabetic subjects.

Changes of arterial blood ketone body ratio following hypoperfusion in old and adult rats

Objective To evaluate the sensitivity of arterial ketone body ratio as an indicator for multiple organ failure.Materials and methods The experimental model of multiple organ failure was made in adult and old rats by hypoperfusion-induced hemorrhagic shock. After blood sampling, the arterial acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate, total ketone body, ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine at 2, 4, 8 hr in hypoperfusion were examined to compare the differences of ketone body ratio and organ failure between adult and old rats. Hepatic and mitochondrial metabolism were assessed by comparing ketone body ratios (AcAc/β-OHB) and free NAD+/NADH ratios. Results Ketone body ratio in old rats at 2, 4, 8 hr after the induction of hemorrhagic shock decreased from 0.68 to 0.31, 0.27 and 0.22, respectively. In adult rats, it decreased from 1.12 to 0.17, 0.12 and 0.09, respectively. Changes of ketone body ratio in the adult group were larger than in the elderly group ( P ＜ 0.001). The development of multiple organ failure is associated with the time of hemorrhagic shock development. Conclusions There was a different ketone body ratio between multiple organ failure in the elderly (MOFE) and multiple organ failure (MOF) in general adults. Ketone body ratio is a better indicator than ALT and AST in reflecting hepatic function in the early status of MOF. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2004;1(2) :125-128. )

Relationship between Copper-Induced Lipid Peroxidation and Retinal Damage in Intraocular Copper Foreign Bodies

At different,time after copper wire induced into the vitreous of the rabbits,malondialdehydes(MDA)in the retinas and trace element coppar in the aqueous humor and Pa-thology were observed.One day after the induction of copper,the level of MDA increasedabout three times in the retinas of experimental eyes as compared with the control eyes(p【0.01)and the amplitude of electroretinography(ERG)dropped rapidily following increase ofcopper ions in the vitreous.The tncrease of concentration of copper ions in the vitreous wasclosely correlated with that of MDA in the retinas (p【0.01).Early EM examination of ex-perimental eyes reveaisd damage of retinal membranous structure rich in oxygen andpolyunsaturated acid(PUFA),including the ovaer and inner segments of the photoreceptors.These results indicate thu copper-induced isptd peroxidation is an important cause of retinaldumage.

Dynamic genetic analysis for body weight and main length ratio in turbot Scophthalmus maximus

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of body width(BW)to body length(BL)ratio(BW/BL)and of body weight traits(BWT)in turbot,and to elucidate the genetic mechanism of the two traits during ontogeny by dynamic genetic analysis.From 3 to 27 months,BW,BL and BWT of each communally stocked fish were measured every 3 months.The BW/BL ratio was measured at different sampling ages.A twotrait animal model was used for genetic evaluation of traits.The results showed that the heritability values of BW/BL ratio ranged from 0.2168 to 0.3148,corresponding to moderate heritability.The BWT heritability values ranged from 0.2702 to 0.3479 corresponding to moderate heritability.The heritability of BW/BL ratio was lower than that of BWT,except at 3 months of age.Genetic correlation between BW/BL ratio and BWT decreased throughout the measurement period.Genetic correlations were higher than the phenotypic correlations.The current results for estimating genetic parameters demonstrate that the BW/BL ratio could be used as a phenotypic marker of fast-growing turbot,and the BW/BL ratio and BWT could be improved simultaneously through selective breeding.

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.

Effect of LDL-apheresis on plasma lipids, chitotriosidase and anti-oxLDL antibodies in heterozygous familial hypercholes-terolemia

Forty four consecutive subjects aged 29-58 years (21 males and 23 females) with a clinical diagnosis of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia periodically treated every 30 days with LDL-apheresis for statin resistance, were enrolled in this study. A lipid profile was obtained immediately before starting LDL-apheresis, a second profile was obtained within four hours after LDL-apheresis. Chit activity and anti-oxLDL levels were determined with appropriate methods in all patients before and after LDL- apheresis. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly after LDL-apheresis, while the variations of Chit activity and anti-oxLDL were not significant after LDL-apheresis. The correlation between Chit and total cholesterol was negative (r= –0.44 and –0.50 res- pectively) before and after LDL-apheresis as between Chit and LDL-cholesterol (r= –0.45 and –0.55 respectively). Anti-oxLDL concentration before and after LDL-apheresis positively correlated with Chit activity (r= 0.52 and r = 0.63 respectively), negatively with total cholesterol (r= –0.33 and r = –0.35 res- pectively) and with LDL (r = –0.32 and r = –0.21 respectively). We think that removing LDL with LDL-apheresis the anti-oxLDL/oxLDL ratio could increase and the excess of anti-oxLDL could induce macrophage activation through the surface Fc receptors. Alternatively with high levels of LDL- cholesterol, the deposition of foam cells represent the characteristic evolution of atherosclerosis process. Macrophage activation in the heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia could represent an attempt for re-modeling the vessel wall, reducing the growth of lipid plaques.