Subclasses of serum HDL in middle and old aged patients with hyperlipidemia in Chengdu City

AIM: To detect the change of composition and ratio of serum HDL subclasses and explore the relationship between these changes and the plasma lipid level in patients with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: The components of subclasses of serum HDL in 172 middle and old aged patients with hyperlipidemia and 115 healthy middle and old aged were determined by dimensional gel electrophoresis associated with immuno-blotting method. RESULTS: Compared to the healthy controls, the contents of pre β1-HDL，　HDL3b and HDL3a were significantly higher (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01), while that of HDL2b was significantly lower (P＜0.01) in middle and old aged patients with hyperlipidemia. The content of pre β1-HDL increased with age in healthy controls, whereas the HDL2b decreased. The content of pre β1-HDL was significantly higher (P＜0.05), while the HDL2b (P＜0.05) was significantly lower in men than in women in patients with hyperlipidemia and the healthy controls. In middle and old aged patients with hyperlipidemia, the content of pre β1-HDL was positively correlated with the serum TG, TC, apoB100, apoCⅡ, apoCⅢ, apoE and TG/HDL-C (r=0.432; r=0.243; r=0.341; r=0.259; r=0.335; r=0.308 and r=0.453, P＜0.05 or P＜0.01), while it was negatively correlated with HDL-C (r=－0.167, P＜0.05). The content of HDL2b was negatively correlated with TG, TC, apoCⅡ, apoCⅢ and TG/HDL-C (r=－0.296; r=－0.156; r=－0.182; r=－0.216; r=－0.203 and r=－0.313, P＜0.05 or P＜0.01), while it was positively correlated with HDL-C (r=0.124, P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The particle of HDL in the middle and old aged patients with hyperlipidemia showed a general shift towards smaller size, which indicated that the reverse cholesterol transport might be weakened. Men had smaller HDL particle size than women.     

Relationship of subclasses of serum HDL and Apo A-Ⅰ gene polymorphism in hyperlipidemia

AIM: To investigate apolipoprotein A-Ⅰ gene (Apo A-Ⅰ) polymorphism and its relationship with serum HDL subclasses in patients with hyperlipidemia (HL). METHODS: Apo A-Ⅰ genotype was assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The subclasses of serum HDL in 118 patients with hyperlipidemia and 109 healthy subjects were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis conjunction with immunodetection method. RESULTS: Both in HL group and the control group, G/G and C/C genotypes were the most frequent at －78 bp and ＋83 bp of Apo A-Ⅰ gene, respectively. The frequency of rare A allele at －78 bp in HL group was significantly higher than that in control group. In HL group, subjects with G/A mutation had higher serum levels of TG, Apo C-Ⅲ, pre β1-HDL and HDL3a, and lower levels of HDL2a and HDL2b compared to the subjects with G/G genotype. CONCLUSION: The G/A transition in the －78 bp position of the Apo A-Ⅰ gene promoter in patients with hyperlipidemia is associated with HDL subclasses. There is a general shift toward smaller sized HDL, which, in turn, indicates that HDL maturation might be abnormal.     

The interrelationships between serum HDL subpopulations and triacyglycerol

AIM: To Study the influence of plasma TG level on the contents of serum HDL subpopulations. METHODS: Classified by the contents of serum TG, the serum level of HDL subpopulations in 106 normal TC and 183 high TC subjects were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with immunodection method. RESULTS: The apo-AⅠcontents of per-β1-HDL, HDL3c, HDL3b and HDL3a were higher in a certain extent in TC high subjects vs corresponding TC desirable subjects. The apo-AⅠ contents of per-β1-HDL （in borer-line high TG subgroup） and HDL3b （in very high TG subgroup） were significantly higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the apo-AⅠ contents of HDL2b and HDL2a were all lower in TC high subjects vs corresponding TC normal subjects. With the increase in plasma TG levels, the apoA-Ⅰ content of pre-β1-HDL increased, and it was significantly higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in borderline-high TG(except TC desirable subjects), high TG and very high TG subgroups vs corresponding normal TG subgroup. Contents of HDL3b and HDL3a had the same tendency, and in TC high subjects contents of HDL3b (in very high TG subgroup) and HDL3a (in every subgroups, in which levels of TG were higher) were significantly higher (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01） than in normal TG subgroup. On contrast, the apoA-Ⅰcontents of HDL2b and HDL2a following with the increase of plasma TG levels tended to become lower. Contents of HDL2b were significantly lower (P<0.05) in high TG subgroup and very high TG subgroup vs corresponding normal TG subgroup, and in TC high subjects contents of HDL2a were significantly lower (P<0.05) in very high TG subgroups vs normal TG subgroup. CONCLUSION: Our data show the general shift toward smaller size of HDL particle size with the increase in TC and TG levels. Contents of TC and TG are very important to contents of HDL subclasses.     

Water decoction of Platycladus orientalis reduces blood glucose and lipids in mice

AIM: To study the effects of water decoction of Platycladus orientalis on reducing high blood glucose and lipids in diabetic and hyperlipidemia mice, respectively. METHODS: The mouse model of hyperlipidemia was established. The increasing rate of weight, hepatic index, lipid content of liver and atherosclerosis index (AI) were measured. Blood levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), adiponectin (ADP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected. According to these indexes, the function of water decoction of Platycladus orientalis for reducing high blood lipids caused by hyperlipidemia was evaluated. At the same time, the model of diabetes mellitus was established. The levels of fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin and blood tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured. The glucose tolerance test was performed. The insulin resistance index was calculated. The function of water decoction of Platycladus orientalis to reduce high blood glucose caused by diabetes was observed by these above indexes. RESULTS: Water decoction of Platycladus orientalis lowered the increasing rate of weight, hepatic index and lipid content of liver, reduced the blood content of TC, TG and IL-6, and elevated the blood HDL-C and ADP content caused by high-fat diet apparently (P<0.05). The effect of water decoction of Platycladus orientalis at high dose was more effective than that at low dose. Water decoction of Platycladus orientalis obviously alleviated the abnormity of glucose tole-rance test, reduced blood TNF-α and insulin levels, and decreased insulin resistance index caused by diabetes apparently (P<0.05). The effect of the drug at high dose was stronger than that at low dose. CONCLUSION: The water decoction of Platycladus orientalis dose-dependently reduces blood glucose caused by diabetes and blood lipids caused by hyperlipidemia in the mice. The mechanism to reduce blood lipids may be related with elevating blood ADP content and reducing blood IL-6 content, and the mechanism to reduce blood glucose may be related with lowering blood TNF-α content.     

Correlation between TAFI and blood fat and coagulation in the process of atherosclerosis

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) level in plasma and atherosclerosis, the TAFI level in plasma and blood fat and blood clotting index.METHODS: Totally 40 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10), control group, high lipid group, high lipid +vitamin D3 overload group, and high lipid +vitamin D3+endothelium injure group by treating the animals with normal diet, high lipid, high lipid+ vitamin D overload, and high lipid+vitamin D overload+endothelium injury, respectively, for inducing three stages of AS in rats. Then, the total cholesterol (TC), total triglyeride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplasin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib), the activity of TAFI were measured.RESULTS: TC, TG, LDL-C, Fib and the activity level of TAFI in plasma in three model groups increased gradually compared with the control (P＜0.01). HDL-C, PT and APTT in plasma of three model groups decreased gradually compared with the control (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05). The activity of TAFI in plasma had positive correlation with TG, TC and Fib.CONCLUSION: The activity of TAFI increases in the progress of atherosclerosis. The activity of TAFI in plasma has a correlation with blood fat and coagulation, which indicates that TAFI might participate in the process of atherosclerosis, and TAFI is one of etiological factors of atherosclerosis.     

Effects of Shan He Jian Fei Granule on the expression of leptin,adiponectin and resistin in obese rats induced by high-fat feeding

AIM: To study the effects of Shan He Jian Fei Granule (SHJFG), a Chinese medicine, on weight-reduction and fat-decrease in adiposity rats, and to observe the changes of leptin, adiponectin and resistin. METHODS: After the models were prepared successfully, the rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, low dosage, middle dosage, high dosage and obesity control group. After 8 weeks interference with SHJFG, the weight and the naso-anal length of each rat was measured and Lees index were calculated. The levels of TG, TC, LDL, HDL and leptin in serum were carefully determined. The gene expressions of adiponectin and resistin in adipose tissues of rats were determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared to high-fat diet group, the body weights, the Lees indexes, the weight of fat tissues and levels of TG, TC, LDL and leptin in SHJFG groups significantly decreased (P<0.05). Adiponectin mRNA expression in SHJFG group significantly increased (P<0.05), and the resistin mRNA expression also significantly increased. CONCLUSION: SHJFG significantly decreases the body weight and the serum levels of TG, TC and LDL in obese rats. The effects of SHJFG in raising the mRNA expressions of adiponectin and resistin in fat tissues may be one of the main role that results in lowering body weight in obese rats.     

Change of shear stress in hypertriglycerlipidemic patients and the impact on endothelium-dependent relaxation

AIM: To investigate the profile of shear stress in hypertriglycerlipidemic patients and the impacts of fenofibrate on vascular endothelial function. METHODS: 62 hypertriglycerlipidemic patients were randomized into two groups (30 with low-fat diet treatment, 32 with fenofibrate) compared with 20 normal controls. Vessel structure, hemodynamic index and endothelium-dependent vasodilation of brachial artery were assessed by B-mode ultrasound imager. Serum NO, Ox-LDL, TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C were measured. RESULTS: Compared with controls, hypertriglycerlipidemic patients showed higher mean circumferential wall tension(MCWT) and lower mean shear rate(MSR), flow mediated dilatation(FMD) and Da, Dr. They had higher level of Ox-LDL and lower level of NO. NO was positive correlated with MSR, FMD and inversely correlated with TG, TC, LDL-C, Ox-LDL. 8 weeks of low-fat diet reduced TC and TG, but made no difference in NO, Ox-LDL and ultrasonic images. On the other hand, 8 weeks of fenofibrate treatment not only reduced TG, TC, LDL-C and Ox-LDL, but also elevated NO, MSR and FMD. CONCLUSION: The endothelial impairment of hypertriglycerlipidemic patients might be caused by lower level of MSR as well as oxidative substance such as Ox-LDL, which could inactivate NO and result in descent of endothelium-dependent relaxation. Elevation of MSR and elimination of Ox-LDL may improve endothelium-dependent relaxation.     

Relationship between HDL subclass distribution and plasma glucose and lipid levels in patients with metabolic syndrome

AIM: To investigate high-density lipoprotein(HDL) subclass distribution and to analyze the relationship between HDL subclasses with plasma glucose and lipids in metabolic syndrome(MS). METHODS: Apolipoprotein A-I(apoA-I) contents of plasma HDL subclasses were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis associated with immunodetection. The concentrations of lipids and apolipoproteins in the plasma were measured by an automated biochemical analyzer. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the levels of fasting plasma glucose(FPG), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), LDL-C/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), apolipoprotein B₁₀₀(apoB₁₀₀), apoB₁₀₀/apoA-I, systolic blood pressure(SBP), body mass index(BMI) and HDL_3b were increased in the MS patients(P<0.05). Meanwhile, HDL-C, apoA-I and preβ₂-HDL, HDL_2a and HDL_2b were decreased in the MS patients(P<0.01). With the increase in the plasma glucose level, the contents of HDL_2a and HDL_2b were decreased in the MS patients(P<0.05), while preβ₁-HDL was increased(P<0.05). With the decrease in the HDL-C level, the content of HDL_2b was decreased in the MS patients(P<0.01), while preβ₁-HDL was increased(P<0.01). With the increase in the TG level and the decrease in the HDL-C level, the content of HDL_2b had a decreasing trend and the content of small-particle preβ₁-HDL had an increasing trend, indicating that HDL maturation metabolism was disrupted. The correlation analysis showed that FPG was negatively correlated with the levels of HDL_2a and HDL_2b, HDL-C was negatively correlated with the level of preβ₁-HDL and positively correlated with the level of HDL_2b, and TG was positively correlated with the levels of preβ₁-HDL and HDL_3b. CONCLUSION: With the increases in the plasma glucose and TG, and the decrease in HDL-C in the MS patients, HDL particles have minifying tendency, and the maturation metabolism of HDL particles is disrupted.     

Relationship between HDL subclasses and TC/HDL-C,TG/HDL-C ratio

AIM: To study the relationship between HDL subclasses and TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C ratio in serum. METHODS: Apolipoprotein (apo) A-Ⅰ contents of serum HDL subclasses in 292 subjects were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis associated with immunodection method. RESULTS: Compared with low TC/HDL-C ratio subgroup, apoA-Ⅰcontents of preβ1-HDL (P<0.01, in middle or high subgroup) and HDL3a (P<0.05, in high subgroup) were significantly higher, but those of HDL2b (P<0.01, in middle or high subgroup) and HDL2a (P<0.01, in high subgroup) were significantly lower. Compared with middle TC/HDL-C ratio subgroup, apoA-Ⅰ contents of preβ1-HDL, HDL3a were significantly higher (P<0.01, P<0.05), but those of HDL2a and HDL2b were significantly lower (P<0.01, P<0.01) in high subgroup. Compared with low TG/HDL-C ratio subgroup, apoA-Ⅰ contents of preβ1-HDL, HDL3a were significantly higher (P<0.01, P<0.05, in high subgroup), but those of HDL2a and HDL2b were significantly lower (P<0.01, in middle or high subgroup). Compared with middle TG/HDL-C ratio subgroup, apoA-Ⅰ contents of preβ1-HDL, HDL3a were significantly higher (P<0.01, P<0.05), but those of HDL2a and HDL2b were significantly lower (P<0.01). In addition, TC, TG, TC/HDL-C ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio showed a positive correlation with apoA-Ⅰ contents of small-sized preβ1-HDL and a negative correlation with those of large-sized HDL2b, but it was reversed for HDL-C. CONCLUSION: When TC/HDL-C>5 or TG/HDL-C>2.2 in serum, the particle size of HDL shifted towards smaller sizes, which indicates that reverse cholesterol transport might be weakened and HDL maturation might be abnormal.     

Relationship between subclasses of serum HDL and LPL gene HindⅢ polymorphism in hyperlipidemia

AIM: To investigate lipoprotein lipase gene HindⅢ polymorphism and its relationship with serum lipids and apolipoprotein, serum HDL subclasses in patients with hyperlipoidemia. METHODS: Lipoprotein lipase gene HindⅢ polymorphism was assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The subclasses of serum HDL in 152 hyperlipoidemia patients and 128 healthy subjects were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis conjunction with immunodetection method. RESULTS: H+H+ genotype and allele H+ in hyperlipoidemia and control groups were both the highest. In hyperlipidemia group, H+H+ genotypes tended to be higher than that in control group, while H+H- and H-H- genotypes were significantly lower (P<0.05). In hyperlipidemia group allele H+ carriers' frequency tended to be higher than that in control group (P<0.05). In hyperlipoidemia group, the genotype of H+H+ showed higher serum TG, apoB100 levels, TG/HDL-C ratio, preβ1-HDL, HDL3b and lower HDL2a, HDL2b compared with H-H- (P<0.05). In control group, the genotype of H+H+ had higher serum TG，HDL3c and lower HDL2a compared with H-H- (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The HindⅢ polymorphism at intron 8 of LPL gene is associated with the general shift toward smaller size of HDL particle size in hyperlipoidemia, and the change of HDL subclasses distribution profile may be closely related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in Chinese patients with hyperlipoidemia.     

Effects of high fat/high cholesterol diet on differentially expressed gene of the liver in treble genes mutant mice

AIM: To study the effects of dietary factor on liver gene expression profile in apoE-/-/LDLR-/-/Leprdb/db mice and atherogenesis. METHODS: The gene expression profile was determined by using cDNA microarray. Total plasma TC and TG level were measured with COD-PAP and GPO-PAP methods respectively. The morphological characters of the aorta were also observed. RESULTS: Among the 4000 target genes, 78 and 114 genes were up-and down-regulated, respectively, in treble genes mutants fed with high fat high cholesterol diet compared with that of regular chow littermates, including lipid metabolism, carbohydrate, cell skeleton and immune related genes. Atherogenic diet induced severe plasma hyperlipidemia even in the early stage and also accelerated atherogenesis in the treble genes mutant mice. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that atherogenic diet aggravates abnormal plasma lipid metabolism and induces severe hyperlipidemia, and atherogenesis in the treble genes mutant mice as well.     

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on PCSK9-LDLR expression and blood lipid metabolism in golden hamsters

AIM: To explore the regulatory effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on hyperlipidemia in golden hamsters and its mechanism. METHODS: The hamsters (n=30) were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal group, model group, and PNS group. The animals in normal group was given common feed. The animals in other groups were given high-fat diet to construct a hyperlipidemia model. After induction for 4 weeks, the drugs were given by intraperitoneal injection for another 12 weeks. After the last drug given, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured by biochemical tests. The distribution and expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in liver were detected by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with normal group, the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and ALT in model group were increased significantly (P < 0.05). The expression of PCSK9 was increased, while the protein level of LDLR was decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with model group, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and ALT in PNS group were decreased significantly (P < 0.05), PCSK9 was mainly distributed in cytomembrane with decreased expression, and LDLR was mainly distributed in the cell membrane and plasma with increased expression. HDL-C and AST had no significant change during this time. CONCLUSION: Panax notoginseng saponins reduces the blood lipid levels in golden hamsters, which may be related to the regulation of PCSK9-LDLR signaling pathway.     

Downregulation of aortic angiotensin II type 1 receptor mRNA expression by simvastatin in hyperlipidemic rats

AIM:To study the impact of hyperlipidemia on aortic AT₁ mRNA expression and vasoactive substances, and investigate the potential mechanism on reversion of endothelial dysfunction during the statin therapy.METHODS:The investigation included control, hyperlipidemic and simvastatin-treated groups. Hyperlipidemic model was set up on the 4-week atherogenic diet, followed by a 16-week treatment in the simvastatin treated group (simvastatin 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) and without treatment in the hyperlipidemic group. Serum lipid level, the expression of AT₁mRNA of aorta and level of serum AngⅡ and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, hyperlipidemic rats showed a stronger expression of AT₁ mRNA and lower level of NO. No significant difference in systolic blood pressure and AngⅡ was showed in this group. In contrast, in simvastatin treated group, expression of AT₁ mRNA as well as lipid(TC, TG, LDL-C) levels were significantly decreased and NO level increased which associated with improvement of endothelial dysfunction. CONCLUSION:By regulated the lipid level, downregulated AT₁ mRNA expresstion and increased the NO activity, simvastatin restored endothelial function and inhibited atherogenesis.     

Effects of Retinervus luffae fructus on serum lipid level in experimental hyperlipidemia rats

AIM: To investigate effects of Retinervus luffae fructus (RLF) on level of serum lipid and body weight in hyperlipidemia rats. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (A), hyperlipidemia group (B), hyperlipidemia + RLF group (C), RLF group (D). Both group A and C were fed normal diet every day, while group B and group D fed high fat diet. Meanwhile, group C and D were administered with RLF solution at the dose of 10 mL/kg, respectively for 14 days, while group A and B were administered with drinking water. RESULTS: (1) At the end of experiment, a significant reduction was found in the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) of group C animals treated with RLF solution; (2) The levels of serum TC of group D was progressively decreased compared to the level of serum TC at the beginning of experiment; (3) The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of group C remained unaltered 8d after treatment with RLF solution; (4) The body weight in group C was obviously lower than that in group B. CONCLUSION: RLF had an obvious hypolipidemic effect on hyperlipidemia rats. It can inhibit the decrease in the HDL-C and the increase of body weight in rats.     

The impact of scavenger receptor class A typeⅠ/Ⅱ on lipid metabolism in mice

AIM: To investigate the impact of scavenger receptor class A type Ⅰ/Ⅱ(SR-A Ⅰ/Ⅱ) on the lipid metabolism in SR-A Ⅰ/Ⅱ gene deficient mice. METHODS: A probe of 660 bp fragment of SR-A Ⅰ/Ⅱ cDNA digested with PstⅠ and XhoⅠ from plasmid 122 was used to identify whether SR-A Ⅰ/Ⅱ had been knocked out in the tail DNA of the mutant(SR-/-) and control(SR+/+) mice by the method of Southern-blot analysis. The serum levels of triglycerides(TG), cholesterol(CH), low density lipoprotein(LDL), high density lipoprotein(HDL), apolipoprotein(Apo) A and ApoB of the mice fed with normal food and higher lipid food respectively were tested by biochemical method. RESULTS: The serum levels of LDL and body weights of group with SR-A Ⅰ/Ⅱ gene knocked out were higher than that of control group(P<0.05). Although the disorders of serum levels of LDL and body weights deteriorated after high lipid diet in both groups, the disorders in group of SR-/- were worse than those in control group(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that SR-A Ⅰ/Ⅱ were involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism, and SR-A Ⅰ/Ⅱ deficiency is harmful for removing LDL from blood circulation.     

Serum lipid levels and ApoB gene Xba I and 3'-VNTR polymorphisms in longevous elderly Han population in Zhejiang

AIM: To study the levels of serum lipids and the effects of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) gene Xba I-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and 3'-variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism on serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in longevous elderly Han population in Zhejiang. METHODS: Physical and laboratory examinations were performed on longevous elders, children of longevous elders, normal control people and children of non-longevous elders, and the Xba I-RFLP and 3'-VNTR polymorphism in ApoB gene were genotyped. RESULTS: The serum levels of triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and ApoB were negatively correlated with longevity (P<0.05), while the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was positively correlated with longevity (P<0.01). The levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C and ApoB were higher and the HDL-C level was lower in the people with Xba I-RFLP X⁺X^- genotype than those in the people with Xba I-RFLP X^-X^- genotype (P<0.01). The levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and ApoB were higher and the HDL-C level was lower in the people with 3'-VNTR large allele than those in the people with 3'-VNTR minor allele (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: High TG, LDL-C and ApoB levels and low HDL-C level are not conductive to longevity. Serum lipid levels in the people with Xba I-RFLP X^-X^- genotype or 3'-VNTR minor allele are healthy and conductive to longevity.     

Effects of Retinervus luffae fructus on mRNA expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor in hyperlipidemia mice

AIM: To observe the effects of Retinervus luffae fructus (RLF) on mRNA expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) in hyperlipidemia mice. METHODS: Mice were fed with high fat diet to induce a hyperlipidemia model. By using xuezikang, a Chinese medicine, as a positive control, the effect of RLF on serum total cholesterol (TC) and level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in mice were observed. The liver total RNA was extracted by Trizol method. The LDL-R mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: (1) The levels of TC ［(5.71±0.82) mmol/L］ and LDL-C ［(3.99±1.12) mmol/L］ in hyperlipidemia (HPL) group were higher than those in control (P<0.01). The levels of TC ［(3.65±0.28) mmol/L］ and LDL-C ［(2.74±0.54) mmol/L］ in RLF treatment group, and the levels of TC ［(3.94±0.65) mmol/L］ and LDL-C ［(3.00±0.23) mmol/L］ in positive control (PC) group were lower than those in HPL group (P<0.01). (2) The level of hepatic LDL-R mRNA expression was lower in HPL group than that in control group (P<0.01). Compared to HPL group, significant increases in hepatic LDL-R mRNA expression in RLF treatment group and PC group (P<0.01) were observed. CONCLUSION: Retinervus Luffae Fructus exerts obviously lipid-lowering effect and enhances the hepatic LDL-R mRNA expression in experimental hyperlipidemia mice.     

Effects of extract of gingko biloba on the lipid metabolism and the function of macrophages from diabetic rats

AIM: To study effect of extract of ginkgo biloba (EGb) on the lipid metabolism and the function of macrophages from diabetic rats.METHODS: Sprague-Dauley rats were divided into four groups: normal control group, high-fat group, diabetic group and EGb treatment group.At the end of experiment, the rats were sacrificed, the blood glucose, blood insulin and serum lipid were measured.The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), content of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) in alveolar macrophages (AM) and peritoneal macrophages (PM) were assayed.In addition, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CD36 mRNA expression in AM was measured by RT-PCR.RESULTS: The concentration of the blood glucose, blood insulin and total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood increased significantly in type 2 diabetic group.The supplement of EGb decreased blood glucose, blood insulin and TC, TG, LDL-C levels.The activity of SOD decreased, while the content of NO, MDA increased in the diabetic macrophages, the activity of SOD became increased, but the content of NO and MDA decreased in EGb-treated group.The mRNA expression level of CD36 and PPARγ in alveolar macrophages from diabetic group increased, while expression level of CD36 and PPARγ mRNA in EGb treated rats continued to rise.CONCLUSIONS: EGb corrected insulin resistance and ameliorated disturbance of lipid metabolism caused by type2 diabetes in rats.Adjustment of PPARγ and CD36 mRNA expression of as well as reduction of lipid peroxidation and NO level may be involved in this process.     

Pretreatment with Sini decoction induces delayed preconditioning in rat heart and role of p38 MAP kinase

AIM: The present study was designed to determine whether Sini decoction (SND), a traditional Chinese medicine, induces delayed preconditioning-like effect in rat heart and the possible mechanism by which ischemia myocardium is protected. METHODS: Sprage－Dawleyt rats underwent three 5 min episodes of preconditioning ischemia 24 h prior to the global ischemia and reperfusion in ischemic preconditioning/second window of protection (IPC/SWOP) group or were pretreated with Sini decoction (5 mL·kg-1·d-1 for 3 days, the last treatment 24 h before global ischemia and reperfusion) in SND group. Myocardial infarct size, CK, LDH and NO were examined. p38 MAPK and PKC were determined by immunohistochemisty. RESULTS: Myocardial infarct size was significantly decreased, CK and LDH were decreased in the serum, NO2-/NO3- was increased in myocardial tissue in SND group as well as in IPC/SWOP group (there was no difference between the two groups). The expression of p38 MAPK and PKC were upregulated in myocardial tissue in SND and IPC/SWOP groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Sini decoction induces delayed preconditioning-like effect in the rat heart, possibly via inducing p38 MAPK activation.