Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, and increasing evidence suggests that, it is an inflammatory disease. The prokaryotic obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamy...Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, and increasing evidence suggests that, it is an inflammatory disease. The prokaryotic obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia pneumoniae is emerging as a novel risk factor in cardiovascular disease, and recent seroepidemiological data suggest that C. pneumoniae infection is also associated withAMD. In this study,we examined choroidal neovascularmembrane (CNV) tissue from patients with neovascular AMD for the presence of C. pneumoniae and determined whether the pathogen can dysregulate the function of key cell types in ways that can cause neovascular AMD. Nine CNV removed from patients with neovascular AMD were examined for the presence of C. pneumoniae by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); in addition, we performed PCR on nine non-AMD eyes, and IHC on five nonAMD CNV, seven non-AMD eyes, and one internal limiting membrane specimen. Finally, human monocyte-derived macrophages and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were exposed to C. pneumoniae and assayed in vitro for the production of pro-angiogenic immunomodulators (VEGF, IL-8, and MCP-1). C. pneumoniae was detected in four of nine AMD CNV by IHC and two of nine AMD CNV by PCR, induced VEGF production by human macrophages, and increased production of IL-8 and MCP-1 by RPE cells. In contrast, none of the 22 non-AMD specimens showed evidence for C. pneumoniae. These data indicate that a pathogen capable of inducing chronic inflammation and pro-angiogenic cytokines can be detected in some AMD CNV, and suggest that infection may contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD.展开更多
Objective To assess the risk factors for prehypertension in Xinjiang Uygur population. Methods A cross-section study was conducted in a Xinjiang Uygur population（438 males and 716 females,aged 30 to 70 years）.The fa...Objective To assess the risk factors for prehypertension in Xinjiang Uygur population. Methods A cross-section study was conducted in a Xinjiang Uygur population（438 males and 716 females,aged 30 to 70 years）.The fasting lipid profiles,serum glucose,insulin,and uric acid were determined.Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance（HOMA-IR）index was used to assess insulin resistance（IR）.Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors for prehypertension.Blood pressure levels ofnormotensives and prehypertensives in different body mass index（BMI）categories were compared. Results Binary logistic regression analysis performed after adjustment for gender,lipids profiles,waist-to-hip ratio,uric acid,HOMA-IR,and lifestyle（alcohol drinking and smoking）showed a significantly increasing prevalence of prehypertension with BMI.The odds ratios for prehypertension against the lowest BMI group（separated by 24 and 28）were 1.934 and 2.490（95% confidence interval：1.435-2.606 and 1.825-3.399,respectively）.Age was independently correlated to the increasing prevalence of prehypertension.HOMA-IR was not associated with prehypertensive.The mean diastolic blood pressure（DBP）was significantly increased with BMI categories in either normotensives or prehypertensives（P〈0.001）while the mean systolic blood pressure（SBP）was significantly increased with BMI only in normotensives（P〈0.001）. Conclusions In Xinjiang Uygurs,BMI and age was the risk factors for prehypertension.DBP is significantly increased with BMI.IR is not associated with prehypertension.These findings emphasize the importance of management of obesity for the control of blood pressure and other cardiovascular complications.展开更多
文摘Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, and increasing evidence suggests that, it is an inflammatory disease. The prokaryotic obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia pneumoniae is emerging as a novel risk factor in cardiovascular disease, and recent seroepidemiological data suggest that C. pneumoniae infection is also associated withAMD. In this study,we examined choroidal neovascularmembrane (CNV) tissue from patients with neovascular AMD for the presence of C. pneumoniae and determined whether the pathogen can dysregulate the function of key cell types in ways that can cause neovascular AMD. Nine CNV removed from patients with neovascular AMD were examined for the presence of C. pneumoniae by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); in addition, we performed PCR on nine non-AMD eyes, and IHC on five nonAMD CNV, seven non-AMD eyes, and one internal limiting membrane specimen. Finally, human monocyte-derived macrophages and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were exposed to C. pneumoniae and assayed in vitro for the production of pro-angiogenic immunomodulators (VEGF, IL-8, and MCP-1). C. pneumoniae was detected in four of nine AMD CNV by IHC and two of nine AMD CNV by PCR, induced VEGF production by human macrophages, and increased production of IL-8 and MCP-1 by RPE cells. In contrast, none of the 22 non-AMD specimens showed evidence for C. pneumoniae. These data indicate that a pathogen capable of inducing chronic inflammation and pro-angiogenic cytokines can be detected in some AMD CNV, and suggest that infection may contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （30260038） and the National Supporting Programs for Critical Illness of China （2002BA711A0B）. We are very grateful for the participants from Hetian region. We would also like to thank all the staff of the Center of Diagnosis, Treatment and Research of Hypertension in Xinjiang for support with the medical examination and demographic data collection.
文摘Objective To assess the risk factors for prehypertension in Xinjiang Uygur population. Methods A cross-section study was conducted in a Xinjiang Uygur population（438 males and 716 females,aged 30 to 70 years）.The fasting lipid profiles,serum glucose,insulin,and uric acid were determined.Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance（HOMA-IR）index was used to assess insulin resistance（IR）.Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors for prehypertension.Blood pressure levels ofnormotensives and prehypertensives in different body mass index（BMI）categories were compared. Results Binary logistic regression analysis performed after adjustment for gender,lipids profiles,waist-to-hip ratio,uric acid,HOMA-IR,and lifestyle（alcohol drinking and smoking）showed a significantly increasing prevalence of prehypertension with BMI.The odds ratios for prehypertension against the lowest BMI group（separated by 24 and 28）were 1.934 and 2.490（95% confidence interval：1.435-2.606 and 1.825-3.399,respectively）.Age was independently correlated to the increasing prevalence of prehypertension.HOMA-IR was not associated with prehypertensive.The mean diastolic blood pressure（DBP）was significantly increased with BMI categories in either normotensives or prehypertensives（P〈0.001）while the mean systolic blood pressure（SBP）was significantly increased with BMI only in normotensives（P〈0.001）. Conclusions In Xinjiang Uygurs,BMI and age was the risk factors for prehypertension.DBP is significantly increased with BMI.IR is not associated with prehypertension.These findings emphasize the importance of management of obesity for the control of blood pressure and other cardiovascular complications.
