叉头转录因子3A和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体辅激活因子1A基因多态性协同增加中国南方汉族长寿人群2型糖尿病风险

目的 研究叉头转录因子3A（FOXO3A）基因rs2802288（G/A）和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体辅激活因子1A（PPARGC1A）基因rs8192678 （G/A）与广西汉族长寿及一般人群中2型糖尿病（T2DM）的相关性,并探讨基因间相互作用.方法 2008年7月至2010年8月随机分层选取中国长寿之乡广西永福长寿老人506名（＞ 90岁）和一般人群830名.T2DM诊断依照1999年WHO标准.采用高分辨率熔解曲线（HRM）和聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）技术检测rs2802288和rs8192678基因型,通过logistic回归进行关联分析,通过风险等位基因累积效应分析及非参数多因子降维法（MDR）评价基因间相互作用.结果 隐性遗传模型下,仅在长寿人群中发现FOXO3A基因rs2802288 （G）与T2DM的风险存在正关联（x2=10.933,P＜0.05）,并且同PPARGC1A基因rs8192678（A）存在协同作用（x2=9.617,P＜0.05）;发生T2DM的风险随风险等位基因数目增加,累积4个风险等位基因的携带者具有最高风险（OR=6.482,P＜0.001）.MDR分析提示最佳交互模型为rs2802288、rs8192678和增龄的联合作用模式,最终增加T2DM风险（交叉验证一致性=10/10,P＜0.05）.结论 FOXO3A基因rs2802288 （G）是南方汉族长寿人群T2DM的风险等位基因,PPARGC1A基因rs8192678 （A）与其存在协同作用.

提高CFB锅炉整体脱硫效率试验研究

针对1 060 t/h亚临界参数循环流化床锅炉,通过试验研究得出提高CFB锅炉整体脱硫效率的技术措施。主要通过对石灰石脱硫剂的粒径进行分选优化以及在锅炉尾部增设增激活化深度脱硫装置,提高CFB锅炉的整体脱硫效率。由试验结果可知,CFB锅炉烟气中SO2排放浓度降至200 mg/Nm3以下,为同类机组提供参考。

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ is essential in the pathogenesis of gastric carcinoma

AIM： To investigate whether peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor γ （PPAR-γ） is expressed in human gastric carcinoma and whether PPAR-γ, is a potential target for gastric carcinoma therapy. METHODS： PPAR-γ protein in gastric carcinoma was examined by immunohistochemistry. In the gastric carcinoma cell line MGCS03, PPAR-7, survivin, Skp2 and p27 protein and mRNA were examined by Western blotting and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively; proliferation was examined by MTT; apoptosis was examined by chromatin staining with Hoechst 33342 and fluorescence activated cell sorting （FACS）. and cell cycle was examined by FACS; the knockdown of PPAR-γ was done by RNA interference. RESULTS： A high level of expression of PPAR-γ was observed in human gastric carcinoma and in a human gastric carcinoma cell line MGCS03. The PPAR-γ agonist 15-deoxy-△12,14-prostaglandin J2 （15d-PGJ2）inhibited growth, and induced apoptosis and G1/G0 cell cycle arrest in MGC803 cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. The effect of 15d-PGJ2 on MGC803 cells was not reversed by the selective and irreversible antagonist GW9662 for PPAR-γ. Furthermore, survivin and Skp2 expression were decreased, whereas p27 expression was enhanced following 15d-PGJ2 treatment in a dose-dependent manner in MGC803 cells. Interestingly, we also found that small interfering RNA for PPAR-γ inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in MGC803 cells. The inhibition of PPAR-γ function may be a potentially important and novel modality for treatment and prevention of gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSION： A PPAR-γ agonist inhibited growth of human gastric carcinoma MGC803 cells by inducing apoptosis and G1/G0 cell cycle arrest with the involvement of survivin, Skp2 and p27 and not via PPAR-γ.

Role of PGC-1αin muscle function and aging

This article focuses on the current underlying of molecular mechanisms of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α （PGC-1α） mediated pathway and discuss possible therapeutic benefits of increased mitochondrial biogenesis in compensating for mitochondrial dysfunction and ameliorating aging and aging-related diseases. PGC-1α is the master transcription regulator that stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis, by upregulating nuclear respiratory factors and mitochondrial transcription factor A, leading to increased mitochondrial DNA replication and gene transcription. PGC-1α also regulates cellular oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis by stimulating the gene expression of superoxide dismutase-2, catalase, glutathione peroxidase 1, and uncoupling protein. Recent reports from muscle-specific PGC-1α overexpression underline the benefit of PGC-1α in muscle atrophy and sarcopenia, during which PGC-1α enhanced mitochondrial biogenic pathway and reduced oxidative damage. Thus, PGC-1α seems to have a protective role against aging associated skeletal muscle deterioration.

GCN5 Acetyltransferase Inhibits PGC1α-induced Hepatitis B Virus Biosynthesis

Hepatitis B virus （HBV） biosynthesis is primarily restricted to hepatocytes due to the governing of liver-enriched nuclear receptors （NRs） on viral RNA synthesis. The liver-enriched NR hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α （HNF4α, the key regulator of genes implicated in hepatic glucose metabolism, is also a primary determinant of HBV pregenomic RNA synthesis and HBV replication. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-r coactivator la （PGCla） coactivates and further enhances the effect of HNF4α on HBV biosynthesis. Here, we showed that the acetyltransferase General Control Non-repressed Protein 5 （GCN5） acetylated PGC 1 α, leading to alteration of PGC 1 α from a transcriptionally active state into an inactive state. As a result, the coactivation activity of PGCla on HBV transcription and replication was suppressed. Apparently, an acetylation site mutant of PGC 1 α （PGC 1 αR13） still had coactivation activity as GCN5 could not suppress the coactivation activity of the mutant. Moreover, a catalytically inactive acetyltransferase mutant GCN5m, due to the loss of acetylation activity, failed to inhibit the coactivation function of PGClα in HBV biosynthesis. Our results demonstrate that GCN5, through its acetyltransferase activity, inhibits PGCla-induced enhancement of HBV transcription and replication both in vitro and in vivo.

Moro orange juice prevents fatty liver in mice

AIM:To establish if the juice of Moro,an anthocyaninrich orange,may improve liver damage in mice with diet-induced obesity.METHODS:Eight-week-old mice were fed a high-fat diet(HFD) and were administrated water or Moro juice for 12 wk.Liver morphology,gene expression of lipid transcription factors,and metabolic enzymes were assessed.RESULTS:Mice fed HFD displayed increased body weight,insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.Moro juice administration limited body weight gain,enhanced insulin sensitivity,and decreased serum triglycerides and total cholesterol.Mice fed HFD showed liver steatosis associated with ballooning.Dietary Moro juice markedly improved liver steatosis by inducing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and its target gene acylCoA-oxidase,a key enzyme of lipid oxidation.Consistently,Moro juice consumption suppressed the expression of liver X receptor-α and its target gene fatty acid synthase,and restored liver glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 activity.CONCLUSION:Moro juice counteracts liver steatogenesis in mice with diet-induced obesity and thus may represent a promising dietary option for the prevention of fatty liver.

Effect of Yiguanjian decoction on cell differentiation and proliferation in CCl_4-treated mice

AIM： To investigate the cellular mechanisms of action of Yiguanjian （YGJ） decoction in treatment of chronic hepatic injury. METHODS： One group of mice was irradiated, and received enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP）- positive bone marrow transplants followed by 13 wk of CCh injection and 6 wk of oral YGJ administration. A second group of Institute for Cancer Research mice was treated with 13 wk of CCI4 injection and 6 wk of oral YGJadministration. Liver function, histological changes in the liver, and Hyp content were analyzed. The expres- sion of m-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）, F4/80, albumin （AIb）, EGFP, mitogen-activated protein kinase-2 （PKM2）, Ki-67, fetoprotein （AFP）, monocyte chemotaxis pro- tein-1 and CC chemokine receptor 2 were assayed. RESULTS： As hepatic damage progressed, EGFP-po- sitive marrow cells migrated into the liver and were mainly distributed along the fibrous septa. They showed a conspicuous coexpression of EGFP with ^-SMA and F4/80 but no coexpression with AIb. Moreover, the expression of PKM2, AFP and Ki-67 was enhanced dy- namically and steadily over the course of liver injury. YGJ abrogated the increases in the number of bone marrow-derived fibrogenic cells in the liver, inhibited expression of both progenitor and mature hepatocyte markers, and reduced fibrogenesis. CONCLUSION： YGJ decoction improves liver fibrosis by inhibiting the migration of bone marrow cells into the liver as well as inhibiting their differentiation and suppressing the proliferation of both progenitors and hepatocytes in the injured liver.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis

Fibrosis is a chronic and progressive process characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) leading to stiffening and/or scarring of the involved tissue. Intestinal fibrosis may develop in several different enteropathies, including inflammatory bowel disease. It develops through complex cell, extracellular matrix, cytokine and growth factor interactions. Distinct cell types are involved in intestinal fibrosis, such as resident mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells) but also ECM-producing cells derived from epithelial and endothelial cells (through a process termed epithelialand endothelial-mesenchymal transition), stellate cells, pericytes, local or bone marrow-derived stem cells. The most important soluble factors that regulate the activation of these cells include cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, components of the renin-angiotensin system, angiogenic factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, mammalian target of rapamycin, and products of oxidative stress. It soon becomes clear that although inflammation is responsible for triggering the onset of the fibrotic proc-ess, it only plays a minor role in the progression of this condition, as fibrosis may advance in a self-perpetuating fashion. Definition of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in intestinal fibrosis may provide the key to developing new therapeutic approaches.

Potential efficacy of ginger as a natural supplement for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases and its prevalence is likely to reach epidemic proportions.According to the"two-stage hypothesis"proposed for the pathophysiology of NAFLD,insulin resistance,oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines are among the key promoters of the disease. Here,ginger has been hypothesized to prevent NAFLD or blunt its progression via several mechanisms,such as sensitizing insulin effects,activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγwhich induces adiponectin and down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines,changing the balance between adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-αin favor of adiponectin,promoting considerable antioxidant effects and antidyslipidemic properties,and reducing hepatic triglyceride content which can prevent steatosis.The aforementioned mechanisms imply that ginger possesses interesting potentials for serving as a natural supplement for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.Therefore,conducting trials to explore its benefits in clinical practice is greatly recommended.

Glucose Metabolic and Gluconeogenic Pathways Disturbance in the Intrauterine Growth Restricted Adult Male Rats

Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of type 2 diabetes in intrauterine growth restricted adult rats through determination of blood glucose and expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in liver.Methods Male intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR) offspring induced by maternal protein-malnutrition and normal controls were studied.The body weights of offspring rats were weighted from birth to 12 weeks of age.Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were determined by glucose oxidase method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) respectively at 1 week,8 weeks,and 12 weeks.Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α),phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase(PEPCK),and glucose-6-phosphatase(G6Pase) mRNA and protein levels in liver were measured by real time RT-PCR and Western blot in newborn rats(Week 1) and adult rats(Week 12).Results Birth weights of IUGR rats were significantly lower than those of controls until 4 weeks later,when IUGR rats caught up to controls.Between 8 and 12 weeks,the growth of IUGR rats surpassed that of controls.No significant differences were observed in blood glucose and insulin levels at newborn rats between the two groups.However,by the end of 8 weeks IUGR rats developed hyperinsulinemia and high insulin resistance index.At the age of 12 weeks,IUGR rats had mild fasting hyperglycemia.In addition,hepatic PGC-1α mRNA and protein levels as well as hepatic mRNA levels of PEPCK and G6Pase at Week 1 and Week 12 in IUGR rats were all significantly higher than those of controls(P<0.05).Conclusions As a result of intrauterine malnutrition,the expression of gluconeogenic genes is exaggerated in offspring.This change stays through adulthood and may contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Heme oxygenase-1 prevents liver fibrosis in rats by regulating the expression of PPAR_γ and NF-_κB

AIM:To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase(HO)-1 on liver fibrosis and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARγ) and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in rats.METHODS:Sixty Wistar rats were used to construct liver fibrosis models and were randomly divided into 5 groups:group A(normal,untreated),group B(model for 4 wk,untreated),group C(model for 6 wk,untreated),group D [model for 6 wk,treated with zinc protoporphyrin Ⅸ(ZnPP-Ⅸ) from week 4 to week 6],group E(model for 6 wk,treated with hemin from week 4 to week 6).Next,liver injury was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and albumin levels.The degree of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by measuring serum hyaluronate acid(HA),type Ⅳ collagen(Ⅳ-C) and by histological examination.Hydroxyproline(Hyp) content in the liver homogenate was determined.The expres-sion levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) in liver tissue were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression levels of PPARγ and NF-κB were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting.RESULTS:The expression of HO-1 increased with the development of fibrosis.Induction of HO-1 by hemin significantly attenuated the severity of liver injury and the levels of liver fibrosis as compared with inhibition of HO-1 by ZnPP-Ⅸ.The concentrations of serum ALT,AST,HA and Ⅳ-C in group E decreased compared with group C and group D(P < 0.01).Amount of Hyp and α-SMA in the liver tissues in group E decreased compared with group C(0.62 ± 0.14 vs 0.84 ± 0.07,1.42 ± 0.17 vs 1.84 ± 0.17,respectively,P < 0.01) and group D(0.62 ± 0.14 vs 1.11 ± 0.16,1.42 ± 0.17 vs 2.56 ± 0.37,respectively,P < 0.01).The expression of PPARγ at levels of transcription and translation decreased with the development of fibrosis especially in group D;and it increased in group E compared with groups C and D(0.88 ± 0.15 vs 0.56 ± 0.19,0.88 ± 0.15 vs 0.41 ± 0.11,respectively,P < 0.01).The expression of NF-κB increased with the development of fibrosis especially in group D;and it decreased in group E compared with groups C and D(1.43 ± 0.31 vs 1.89 ± 0.29,1.43 ± 0.31 vs 2.53 ± 0.54,respectively,P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:Our data demonstrate a potential mechanism that HO-1 can prevent liver fibrosis by enhancing the expression of PPARγ and decreasing the expression of NF-κB in liver tissues.

Leptin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ expression in colorectal adenoma

AIM： To investigate the expressions of leptin and per- oxisome proliferator-activated receptor y （PPARG） in relation to body mass index （BMI）. METHODS： We evaluated leptin and PPARG expres- sion in 30 adenomas over 1 cm in size by immunohisto- chemical staining. In addition, clinicopathologic features including BMI were assessed. RESULTS： PPARG and leptin expression showed a strong positive correlation （P = 0.035）. The average BMI of the leptin-positive group was higher than that of the leptin-negative group （25.4 ＋ 3.4 kg/m2 vs 22.6 ＋ 2.4 kg/m2, P = 0.018）, and leptin expression was sig- nificantly correlated with high BMI （P = 0.024）. Leptinexpression was more frequently observed in intermedi- ate/high grade dysplasia than in low grade dysplasia （P = 0.030）. However, PPARG expression was not cor- related with BMI and grade of dysplasia. CONCLUSION： BMI has influenced on the leptin ex- pression of colorectal adenoma. The exact mechanism underlies the strong correlation between leptin and PPARG expression needs further study.

Gut bacteria alteration in obese people and its relationshipwith gene polymorphism

AIM:To investigate the differences in cultivable gut bacteria and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2(PPAR-γ2) gene Pro12Ala variation in obese and normal-weight Chinese people.METHODS:Using culture methods,the amounts of Escherichia coli,Enterococci,Bacteroides,Lactobacilli,Bif idobacteria and Clostridium perfringens(C.perfringens) in the feces of 52 obese participants [body mass index(BMI):≥ 28 kg/m2] and 52 participants of normalweight(BMI:18.5-24 kg/m2) were obtained.Study participants completed comprehensive questionnaires and underwent clinical laboratory tests.The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-PFLP) assay was used to analyze PPAR-γ2 gene Pro12Ala variation.RESULTS:The obese group exhibited a lower amount of C.perfringens(6.54 ± 0.65 vs 6.94 ± 0.57,P = 0.001)and Bacteroides(9.81 ± 0.58 vs 10.06 ± 0.39,P = 0.012) than their normal-weight counterparts.No major differences were observed in Pro12Ala genotype distribution between the two groups;however,obese individuals with a Pro/Ala genotype had a signif icantly lower level of Bacteroides(9.45 ± 0.62 vs 9.93 ± 0.51,P = 0.027) than those with a Pro/Pro genotype.In addition,the obese group demonstrated a higher stool frequency(U = 975,P < 0.001) and a looser stool(U = 1062,P = 0.015) than the normal-weight group.CONCLUSION:Our results indicated interactions among cultivable gut flora,host genetic factors and obese phenotype and this might be helpful for obesity prevention.

Curcumin suppresses PPARδ expression and related genes in HT-29 cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of curcumin on the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorδ(PPARδ)and related genes in HT-29 cells. METHODS:HT-29 cells were treated with curcumin (0-80μmol/L)for 24 h.The effects of curcumin on the morphology of HT-29 cells were studied by Hoechst 33342 staining.The activity of caspase-3 was determined using DEVD-p NA as substrate.The levels of peroxisome PPARδ,14-3-3εand vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in HT-29 cells were determined by Western blotting analysis and their mRNA expression was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS:Treatment with 10-80μmol/L curcumin induced typical features of apoptosis and activated the caspase-3 in HT-29 cells.The expression of PPARδ, 14-3-3εand VEGF was reduced and the activity of β-catenin/Tcf-4 signaling was inhibited by curcumin treatment. CONCLUSION:Curcumin can induce apoptosis of HT-29 cells and down-regulate the expression of PPARδ,14-3-3εand VEGF in HT-29.

On the Role of Intestinal Microbiota in Patients with Cognitive Decline

Objective： The association between gut microbiota composition and biomarkers of immune activation and inflammation was assessed in the elderly. Patients： Serum inflammation markers of fifty-five outpatients （29 females, 26 males, aged 78 ＋ 8.5 years） were analyzed. Stool specimens and thus data on gut microbiota were available from a subgroup of 23 individuals （9 females and 14 males）. Results： Global cerebral atrophy was found in all magnet resonance tomography scans. Mean mini-mental-score examination in Alzheimer＇s disease patients was 18.8 ± 7.1, in patients with mild cognitive impairment 27.8 ± 1.5. Serum neopterin concentrations correlated with concentrations of fecal S100A12 （p 〈 0.001） and cq-antitrypsin （p 〈 0.05）. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii correlated with MMSE （p 〈 0.05）, with Akkermansia muciniphila （p 〈 0.01） and with serum neopterin （p 〈 0.05）. Fecal zonulin correlated inversely with Clostridium cluster I （p 〈 0.02）. Conclusions： Our results underline earlier in vitro and animal studies that cognitive decline associates with age-related changes in the intestinal microbiota and neuroinflammation. However, only correlational evidence can be reported, and a causative relationship still has to be demonstrated.

Omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） has been recognized as a major health burden. It is the most important cause of chronic liver disease and a major in- dependent cardiovascular risk factor. Lacking a definite treatment for NAFLD, a specific diet and an increase in physical activity represent the most commonly used therapeutic approaches. In this review, major literature data about the use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty ac- ids （n-3 PUFAs） as a potential treatment of NAFLD have been described, n-3 PUFAs, besides having a beneficial impact on most of the cardio-metabolic risk factors （hy- pertension, hyperlipidemia, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis） by regulating gene transcription factors [i.e., peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor （PPAR） cz, PPARy, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-i, carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein], im- pacts both lipid metabolism and on insulin sensitivity. In addition to an enhancement of hepatic beta oxidation and a decrease of the endogenous lipid production, n-3 PUFAs are able to determine a significant reduction of the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules （tumor necrosis factor-~ and interleukin-6） and of oxygen reac- tive species. Further strengthening the results of the in vitro studies, both animal models and human interven- tion trials, showed a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFAs on the severity of NAFLD as expressed by laboratory pa- rameters and imaging measurements. Despite available results provided encouraging data about the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs as a treatment of NAFLD in humans, well- designed randomized controlled trials of adequate size and duration, with histological endpoints, are needed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of PUFA, as well as other therapies, for the treatment of NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients. It is worthwhile to consider that n-3 PUFAs cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be derived from exogenous sources （fish oil, flaxseeds, olive oil） which are typical foods of the Mediterranean diet, known for its beneficial effects in preventing obesity, diabetes and, in turn, cardiovascular events. According to these data, it is important to consider that most of the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs can also be obtained by an equilibrate nutrition program.

Functional Variant of C-689T in the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ2 Promoter is Associated with Coronary Heart Disease in Chinese Nondiabetic Han People

Objective To investigate the association between the polymorphism of C-689T in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 （PPARγ2） promoter and coronary heart disease （CHD）. Methods This case-controlled study was conducted in nondiabetic Chinese Han people, which enrolled 455 patients with CHD （cases） and 693 subjects without CHD （controls）. Data of clinical indexes were collected, including height, body weight, waist circumstance, systolic blood pressure （SBP）, diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, smoking, drinking, physical activity, as well as body mass index （BMI）. Fasting blood glucose （FBG）, plasma total cholesterol （TC） and triglyceride （TG） levels were measured. Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragments length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） was used to determine the PPARγ2 promoter C-689→T substitution. The genotype distribution of PPARγ2 promoter C-689T, allelic frequency, clinical indexes, and laboratorial measurements were compared between the two groups. The effect of genotype on the risk of CHD was assessed using univariate and multivariate regression model. Results The genotype frequencies of CC, CT and TT in PPARγ2 promoter C-689T were 89.7%, 9.9% and 0.4% in the case group, and 93.1%, 6.6% and 0.3% in the control group, respectively （CC vs. CT＋TT, χ^2= 6.243, P=0.041）. Carriers of -689T allele （n=95） had significantly higher TC level than non-carriers （n=1053） （5.12±1.26 vs. 4.76±1.22 mmol/L, P=0.001）. Male carriers of -689T allele （n=51） were significantly higher in waist circumference, body weight, TC and TG than male non-carriers （n=656） （all P〈0.05）. In subjects whose BMI was over 25 kg/m2, carriers of -689T allele （n=82） had significantly higher levels of waist circumference, BMI, SBP and TC than non-carriers （n=231） （all p〈0.05）. The -689T allele was an independent risk factor for CHD （OR=1.668, 95%CI： 1.031-2.705, P=0.037） after adjusting for age, gender, waist circumference, body weight, BMI, smoking, physical activities, SBP, DBP, FBG, TC and TG level. Conclusion These data support the hypothesis that the -689T allele is associated with an increased risk of CHD, in Chinese Han people and correlates significantly with the profiles of CHD-related risk factors.

Expression,purification and identification of LBD domain of human PPARδ in E.coli

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors （PPARs） are ligand-activated transcription factors known to play a pivotal role in regulations of metabolism. In order to yield soluble ligand binding domain of PPARδ （PPARδLBD） for screening ligands, the cDNA was amplified using total RNA from HepG2 cells by RT-PCR. Then the enzyme-digested product was inserted . downstream of the malE gene in the vectorpMAL-p2x, which encoded maltose-binding protein （MBP）, resulting in the expression of an MBP-PPARδLBD fusion protein. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli TBI that was cultured shakily at 30 ℃, 200 r/min and induced by 0.4 mmol/L IPTG for 6 h. The cells were harvested by centrifugation and broken by sonication. The expressed fusion protein was soluble and accounted for 0.31 of the total protein in the supernatant. Western blot analysis showed that the expressed MBP-PPARδLBD could bind to anti-MBP-antibody. The MBP-PPARδLBD fusion protein of 77 kDa and the PPARδLBD protein of 34 kDa were obtained by amylose-resin affinity chromatography without or with digestion of Factor Xa. They were both homogeneity, judged by SDS-PAGE. The recombinant MBP-PPARδLBD and PPARδLBD protein with high purity is obtained, which provides the necessary material for screening and researching PPARδ ligands.

Development of a Zebrafish Model for Rapid Drug Screening against Alzheimer＇s Disease

Alzheimer＇s disease, the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, is a complex neurodegenerative disorder which leads to a progressive decline in cognitive functions. A rapid screening model is highly demanded for identification and evaluation of novel anti-Alzheimer＇s disease drugs from a large numbers of compounds. Until now, numerous studies utilized zebrafish model for drug discovery. Since aluminum can induce a similar biological activity in zebrafish as in Alzheimer patients, in this study, we developed a novel animal model using 3 to 5 day post-fertilization larval zebrafish by optimizing the doses and duration of aluminum chloride exposure. Six anti-Alzheimer＇s disease drugs with a variety of mechanisms were tested to validate the newly developed zebrafish model. Importantly, Rivastigmine, ThT, Flurbiprofen and AM-117 could increase the value of Dyskinesia Recovery Rate by 53.4-64%, 169.4-200%, 54.5-96% and 70.9-121%, respectively. Rivastigmine, Memantine, ThT, Flurbiprofen, Rosiglitazone and AM-117 improved the value of Response Efficiency by 86.6-175.1%, 28.2-66.6%, 127.2-236.5%, 118.3-323.7%, 26.6-140.8% and 70.2-161.4%, respectively. Our results suggest that the zebrafish model developed in this study could be a useful tool for high throughput screening of potential novel anti-Alzheimer＇s disease leading compounds targeting acetylcholinesterase, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor, γ-secretase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γand amyloid-β.

The Expression of Ca N and CaMK is Associated with Lipogenesis in the Muscle of Chicken

Intramuscular fat （IMF） content in chickens significantly contributes to meat quality. The main objective of this study was to assess the expression of calcineudn （CAN） and Ca^2＋/calmodutin-dependent protein kinase （CAME） in lipogene- sis in chicken muscle. The chickens were slaughtered and sampled at the ages of 4, 8, and 16 weeks, respectively. IMF content and the expression of CaN subunits and CaMK isoforms were measured in thigh muscle tissue. The results showed that the IMF contents were higher in chickens at the age of 16 weeks compared with those in chickens at the ages of 4 and 8 weeks （P〈0.05）. The expression levels of fatty acid synthase （FAS） and fatty acid translocase CD36 （FAT/CD36） mRNA in 16-week-old chickens were all significantly up-regulated compared with those in 4-week-old chickens （P〈0.05）. The mRNA levels of CaNB and CaMK IV in 16-week-old chickens were significantly lower than those in 4-week-old chickens （P〈0.05）. But the CaMK II mRNA levels in 16-week-old chickens were significantly higher than those in 4-week-old chickens （P〈0.05）. To investigate the roles of CaMK and CaN in adipogenesis, SV cells were incubated in standard adipogenesis medium for 24 h and treated with specific inhibitor of CaMK and CaN. The ex- pressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β（C/EBPJ3）, sterol regulatory element- binding protein 1 （SREBP1） and peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor ）, （PPARy） were dramatically enhanced by CsA and CaN inhibitor （P〈0.05）. KN93, a CaMK Ⅱ inhibitor, dramatically repressed the expression of those lipogenic genes （P〈0.05）. All the results above indicated that CaN and CaMK had different effects on adipogenesis in the muscle of chickens.