To investigate the possible association between plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and the incidence and severity of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD).This prospective, cross sectional study involved patients with and without (controls) aortic valve calcification diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and dual source computed tomography (DSCT) scan. Aortic valves calcification scores were calculated from DSCT scans and patients were graded: grade 1, no calcification; grade 2, mildly calcified; grade 3, moderately calcified; grade 4, heavily calcified. Plasma PCSK9 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Forty patients were grade 1 (controls), 32 were grade 2, 48 were grade 3 and 32 were grade 4. Plasma levels of PCSK9 were significantly different between the four groups and the highest value was observed in the patients with grade 2 calcification. Only low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein (Lp)(a) were associated with the severity of CAVD. Regression analysis showed that age, Lp(a) and PCSK9 were independent predictors of CAVD.Data from this cross sectional study in a small sample of patients showed that plasma PCSK9 was correlated with the presence of CAVD but not its severity.
To explore the polymorphisms of T149C and T950C gene in osteoprotectin (OPG) promoter sites and the levels of serum OPG and soluble nuclear factor-ΚB receptor activator ligand (sRANKL) and the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD).528 patients in Tianjin suspected of CHD and underwent coronary angiography (CAG) who admitted to the department of cardiology of Tianjin Chest Hospital from April 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled. According to the CAG results, they were divided into two groups: CHD group (n = 302) and non-CHD group (n = 226). The gender, age, history of hypertension, family history of CHD, diabetes, levels of blood lipid parameters in serum and other clinical data of patients were recorded. The levels of serum OPG and sRANKL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T149C and T950C gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Hardy-Weinberg genetic balance test was performed for alleles. Binomial classification multivariate non-conditional Logistic regression method was used to analyze the relationship between T149C and T950C gene polymorphisms, serum levels of OPG and sRANKL and CHD.All patients were enrolled in the final analysis. The serum level of OPG in CHD group was significantly higher than that in non-CHD group (μg/L: 1.76±0.49 vs. 1.47±0.29, P < 0.01), the serum level of sRANKL was significantly lower than that in non-CHD group (ng/L: 342.14±121.38 vs. 376.63±108.66, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, blood lipid parameters, diabetes and other factors, the increase in serum OPG level was an independent risk factor for CHD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.995, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.935-2.066, P = 0.012]. PCR-RFLP results showed that TT, TC and CC genotypes were found in T149C and T950C of OPG promoter. According to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test, the polymorphisms of OPG T149C and T950C accorded with Hardy-Weinberg law, achieving genetic balance with representative of the population. The frequencies of TT, TC, CC and alleles T and C in T149C genotypes of non-CHD group were 53.5%, 42.9%, 3.6%, 75.0% and 25.0%, respectively, and they were 43.1%, 50.3%, 6.6%, 68.2% and 31.8%, respectively in CHD group. There were statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the two groups (all P < 0.05). It was shown by Logistic regression analysis that the risk of CHD in TC+CC genotype of T149C was 1.86 of TT genotype (OR = 1.86, 95%CI = 1.24-2.78, P = 0.003). It was suggested that C allele might be a susceptible gene for CHD. In non-CHD group, the frequencies of TT, TC, CC, and alleles T and C in T950C genotypes were 39.8%, 46.5%, 13.7%, 63.1% and 36.9%, respectively. They were 39.4%, 43.4%, 17.2%, 61.1% and 38.9%, respectively in CHD group. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that TC+CC genotype of T950C was not related with CHD.The increased level of serum OPG was closely related with CHD and could be used as a risk factor for CHD. The cases carried OPG T149C TC+CC genotype might have the risk suffering CHD. C allele is might be a susceptible gene.
Abstract Background: Several studies have investigated the relationship between secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) expression level and prognosis of various tumors, but the results are far from conclusive. Therefore, we performed the present meta-analysis to investigate the prognostic value of SPP1 in pan-cancer. Furthermore, a followed confirmation based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was also performed to verify our results. Methods: We performed a systematic search from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases and 19 articles, including 3403 patients and 9 types of tumors, were pooled in our meta-analysis. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), which correlated with SPP1 expression, were considered as the primary outcome. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were used to investigate heterogeneity and reliability of the results. Furthermore, we also explored the relationship between SPP1 expression and clinical parameters of tumor patients. Finally, the results were verified with TCGA database and we further explored the relationship between SPP1 expression and tumor immuno-microenvironment (TIME), DNA methylation, and enriched gene pathway. Results: Our meta-analysis showed that high-expressed SPP1 was significantly related to poor OS and DFS in various cancers, especially in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). Furthermore, we also identified that the high expression level of SPP1 was significantly correlated with tumor grade. The expression level of SPP1 in the majority of tumor types were much higher than the corresponding normal tissues analyzed from databases. Besides, we also observed that high-expressed SPP1 was related to poor OS and DFS in LIHC, which supported the conclusion of meta-analysis. In addition, high-expressed SPP1 is related to 6 immune cells in TIME and DNA methylation regulatory genes. Ultimately, the results of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) suggested that tumor-related gene sets, such as hypoxia and lipid metabolism, were significantly enriched in high-expressed SPP1 group. Conclusions: SPP1 is high-expressed in various tumor tissues and correlated with poor prognosis. SPP1 might promote cancer invasion and metastasis by affecting tumor grade, TIME, DNA methylation, hypoxia, and lipid metabolism. SPP1 is expected to become a new clinical indicator for tumor detection and prognosis, and provide a new idea for tumor targeted therapy.
To explore the relationship between serum levels of osteoprotein (OPG), soluble nuclear factor-κB receptor activator ligand (sRANKL), inflammatory factors and coronary heart disease (CHD) and its severity.The patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) due to chest pain admitted to department of cardiology of Tianjin Chest Hospital from April 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled, and they were divided into CHD group and non-CHD group according to the CAG results. The gender, age, history of hypertension, smoking history, diabetes, the levels of cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), apolipoprotein B (apoB), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) and other clinical data of patients were collected. The serum levels of OPG, sRANKL, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). According to the results of CAG, the patients with CHD were divided into single-, double-, triple-branch coronary artery lesion groups, and the relationship between the levels of serum OPG, sRANKL, inflammatory factors and the degree of coronary artery lesions was observed. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of CHD, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the predictive value of main risk factors for CHD.A total of 472 patients were enrolled in the final analysis during the study period, including 264 patients in the CHD group, 208 patients in the non-CHD group, 79 patients in the CHD group with single-branch disease, 75 patients with double-branch disease, and 110 patients with three-branch disease. (1) Compared with the non-CHD group, the CHD group had more older male patients, as well as higher proportion of hypertension and diabetes, the levels of serum Lp (a) and CK-MB were significantly increased, and the levels of serum HDL-C and apoAI were significantly lowered. There was no statistically significant difference in serum TC, LDL-C, or apoB between the two groups. The levels of serum OPG, MMP-9, MCP-1, IGF-1 and IL-6 in the CHD group were significantly higher than those in the non-CHD group [OPG (μg/L): 1.79±0.50 vs. 1.50±0.30, MMP-9 (μg/L): 57.91 (33.50, 130.46) vs. 38.33 (29.43, 109.78), MCP-1 (μg/L): 298.30 (207.96, 537.16) vs. 252.73 (165.22, 476.01), IGF-1 (μg/L): 734.03±486.11 vs. 217.75±126.45, IL-6 (ng/L): 64.76±40.25 vs. 48.60±15.80, all P < 0.05], and the levels of serum sRANKL was significantly lower than that in the non-CHD group (ng/L: 344.31±122.14 vs. 378.74±109.27, P < 0.05). (2) The serum OPG level showed a slight upward tendency with the increase in the number of coronary artery lesions, and the sRANKL level showed a slight downward tendency [OPG (μg/L) in the single-, double-, triple-branch coronary artery lesion groups was 1.74±0.49, 1.76±0.50, 1.85±0.52, and sRANKL (ng/L) was 354.96±116.64, 340.05±124.24, 339.57±125.03, respectively) without statistically significant differences (all P > 0.05). The levels of IGF-1 and IL-6 were increased with the number of coronary artery lesions [IGF-1 (μg/L) in the single-, double- and triple-branch coronary artery lesions groups was 372.13±258.42, 676.06±350.29, 1 033.47±468.06, and IL-6 (ng/L) was 48.87±16.72, 65.36±18.84, 75.76±22.72, respectively], and the differences among different lesion groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that IGF-1 level was significantly positively correlated with the number of coronary artery lesions (r = 0.612, P < 0.01), while IL-6 was not correlated with the number of coronary artery lesions (r = 0.185, P > 0.05). (3) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum OPG and IGF-1 levels were risk factors for CHD [OPG: odds ratio (OR) = 1.995, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.936-2.067, P = 0.012; IGF-1: OR = 1.009, 95%CI = 1.004-1.015, P = 0.001]. (4) ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of OPG and IGF-1 was 0.716 and 0.867, respectively. When the cut-off value of OPG was 1.13 μg/L, the sensitivity was 81.7%, the specificity was 58.1%; when the cut-off value of sRANKL was 401.20 μg/L, the sensitivity was 69.7%, the specificity was 95.7%.CHD was associated with increased in OPG, related inflammatory cytokines including MMP-9, MCP-1, IGF-1 and IL-6, and decreased in sRANKL. The level of IGF-1 was positively correlated with the severity of CHD. The serum levels of OPG and IGF-1 were risk factors for CHD, which had good predictive value for CHD.
To investigate the effect of microRNA-509-3p (miR-509-3p) on the apoptosis of atherosclerotic vascular endothelial cells.Mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) were divided into normal control group, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) group, miR-509-3p overexpression group, miR-509-3p overexpression control group, miR-509-3p inhibitor + ox-LDL group, and miR-509-3p inhibitor control + ox-LDL group. MAEC were induced with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 24 hours, and then transfected with miR-509-3p overexpression/inhibitor and corresponding control for 48 hours. The miR-509-3p expression in MAECs exposed to ox-LDL was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Flow cytometry was used to detect the level of apoptosis, and cell counting kit (CCK-8) was used to detect the proliferation activity of MAECs. The direct gene targets of miR-509-3p were predicted using bioinformatics analyses and confirmed using a dual luciferase reporter assay. The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively.Compared with the normal control group, miR-509-3p was significantly upregulated in ox-LDL-stimulated MAECs (1.68±0.85 vs. 1.00±0.30, t = 2.398, P < 0.05). After transfection of MAECs with miR-509-3p overexpression, the luciferase activity of the BCL2 3'UTR WT reporter gene was significantly lower than that of miR-509-3p overexpression control group (0.83±0.06 vs. 1.00±0.07, t = 4.531, P = 0.001). The luciferase activity of the BCL2 3'-UTR mutant (MUT) reporter gene was not significantly different from that of miR-509-3p overexpression control group (0.94±0.05 vs. 1.00±0.08, t = 1.414, P = 0.188). Compared with the normal control group and miR-509-3p mimics control group, the cell proliferation activity was decreased [(0.60±0.06)% vs. (1.00±0.09)%, (0.89±0.04)%, both P < 0.01], the percentage of apoptotic cells were increased [(23.46±2.02)% vs. (7.66±1.52)%, (10.40±0.78)%, both P < 0.05], and the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 were significantly downregulated (Bcl-2 mRNA: 0.52±0.13 vs. 1.00±0.36, 1.10±0.19, Bcl-2 protein: 0.42±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.11, 0.93±0.10, both P < 0.01) in miR-509-3p overexpression group. Compared with the ox-LDL group, inhibition of miR-509-3p expression could increase the proliferation activity of MAECs induced by ox-LDL [(0.64±0.35)% vs. (0.34±0.20%)%, P < 0.05], and reduce the apoptosis rate [(13.59±2.22)% vs. (29.84±5.19)%, P < 0.01], and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in MAECs induced by ox-LDL (Bcl-2 mRNA relative expression: 0.82±0.09 vs. 0.52±0.10, Bcl-2 protein relative expression: 0.83±0.17 vs. 0.40±0.07, both P < 0.05).Bcl-2 was one of the target genes of miR-509-3p. miR-509-3p can reduce the proliferation activity of endothelial cells, reduce the expression of Bcl-2, and promote cell apoptosis, thereby promoting the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Inhibition of miR-509-3p expression may be a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.
Objective
To investigate the protective effects of MicroRNA-214 on myocardial injury induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, as well as the regulation mechanism of PI3K and its downstream protein kinase B(AKT)and FoxO1(PI3K / AKT / FoxO1).
Methods
Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham operation group(Sham group), myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury(IRI)group(IRI group), microRNA-214+ sham operation group(MS group), microRNA-214+ IRI group(MI group), (n=10, each). The cardiac function was detected at 6 h after ischemia-reperfusion operation.And blood lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), creatine phosphate kinase isoforms MB(CK-MB), cardiac troponin T(cTnT), serum B natriuretic peptide(pro-BNP)in plasma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Interleukin 10(IL-10), Interleukin 6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)were assayed.Pathological changes of myocardial tissue were detected by HE and Masson.The expression of microRNA-214 was detected by RT-PCR.The expression of Bax, Caspase-3, BCl2, PI3K, Akt, FoxO1 was detected by Western Blot.
Results
Compared with Sham group, IRI group showed a significantly increases in myocardial injury parameters of LDH, CK, IL-6 and TNF concentration in plasma, and a significantly reduced concentration of IL-10(P<0.05). And compared with Sham group, MI group showed a significantly increased expression of microRNA-214(P<0.05)and showed a significantly increased myocardial parameters of Bax, Caspase-3, PI3K, Akt protein, and a decreased level of BCl2, FoxO1(P<0.05). Compared with IRI group, microRNA-21 group showed a reduced myocardial ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury in rats and a reduced plasma concentration of LDH, CK, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, a inhibited expression of caspase-3, Bax, myocardial PI3K and Akt, and a promoted expression of BCl2 and FoxO1 protein(P<0.05).
Conclusions
MicroRNA-214 reduces the myocardial injury induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Key words:
MicroRNAs; Myocardial ischemia; Ventricular function
Background It has been recently reported that inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in in-stent restenosis (ISR) processes. Inflammatory factors after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for dynamic monitoring can probably predict ISR. Functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of genes coding for inflammatory factors might be important for determining the magnitude of the inflammatory response. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the serial changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels before and after PCI and the relationship between the -572C/G polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL-6 gene and ISR. We also discussed genetic polymorphisms in the inflammatory response to PCI. Methods A total of 437 patients who successfully underwent bare metal stent (BMS) implantation with a follow-up angiography were divided into an ISR group ( n =166) and a non-ISR (NISR) group ( n =271). The IL-6 gene promoter polymorphism at position -572 was determined by restricted fragment length polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP) method. The serum IL-6 levels before and one day, five days and 180 days after PCI were determined by the radioimmunoassay method. Results ISR patients showed higher IL-6 serum levels than NISR patients before PCI ((324.42±28.14) ng/L vs. (283.22±47.30) ng/L, P <0.001), and one day post-PCI IL-6 serum levels in the ISR group also showed a significantly higher level than in the NISR group ( P <0.001). Increased IL-6 after PCI persisted at a statistically significant level throughout the study in ISR patients, whereas IL-6 levels had normalized five days after the procedure in NISR patients. One day post-PCI serum IL-6 level was the most accurate marker for diagnosis of ISR, the area under the ROC curve being 0.927 (95% CI 0.878-0.977). The cut-off value for IL-6 to predict ISR was over 355.50 ng/L, with a sensitivity of 0.968 and a specificity of 0.865. There were no significant differences in frequencies of -572 genotype and allele between the two groups ( P >0.05). One day post-PCI IL-6 serum levels in patients with the G allele was significantly higher than in patients without the G allele ((366.99±49.37) ng/L vs. (347.20±55.30) ng/L, P <0.05). In the ISR group, one day post-PCI serum levels of IL-6 in patients with the G allele was also significantly higher than that in patients without the G allele ((405.67±26.56) ng/L vs. (375.69±38.81) ng/L, P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed positive correlations between male gender, one day post-PCI serum levels of IL-6, the pre-PCI degree of stenosis, the length of the target lesion stenosis, and restenosis; and there were negative correlations between the stent diameter, the diameter of the reference vessel before stent implantation and restenosis. Conclusions IL-6 is an early post-PCI inflammatory cytokine, and one day post-PCI serum IL-6 level is an independent risk factor for restenosis. The frequencies of IL-6 gene -572 genotype and allele are not different between patients with and without ISR in a Chinese Tianjin Han population, but carrying the IL-6 -572G allele is likely to increase an individual's susceptibility to ISR by promoting serum IL-6 levels.
To analyze the risk factors for hypertension in different age groups of urban and rural residents in Tianjin.A total of 33,997 people (35-75 years old) from 13 community health service centers and primary hospitals in Tianjin participated in this study. They were divided into the youth group (≤ 40 years old), middle-aged group (41-65 years old), and elderly group (> 65 years old). Then, a questionnaire survey was administered, followed by physical and blood biochemical examinations. The demographic characteristics and prevalence were recorded and counted. Subsequently, risk factors were analyzed using univariate and stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis.In the youth, middle-aged, and elderly groups, the prevalence rate of hypertension was 18.65, 51.80, and 76.61%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that obesity(OR: 3.263, 95% CI: 1.039-1.656), men (OR: 2.117, 95% CI: 1.691-2.651), diabetes (OR: 1.978, 95% CI: 1.398-2.799), high triglycerides(OR 1.968 95% CI: 1.590-2.434) and family history of stroke (OR: 1.936, 95% CI: 1.287-2.911) are the five factors in youth. In middle-aged group, the significantly associating factors were obesity (OR: 2.478, 95% CI: 2.330-2.636), diabetes (OR: 2.173, 95% CI: 1.398-2.799), family history of stroke (OR: 1.808, 95% CI: 1.619-2.020), maleness (OR: 1.507, 95% CI: 1.412-1.609),Hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.490 95% CI: 1.409-1.577),family history of cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.484, 95% CI: 1.307-1.684),Hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.228 95% CI: 1.160-1.299). In the elderly group, obesity (OR: 2.104, 95% CI: 1.830-2.418), family history of strokes (OR: 1.688, 95% CI: 1.243-2.292), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.544, 95% CI: 1.345-1.773), family history of cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.470, 95% CI: 1.061-2.036), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.348, 95% CI: 1.192-1.524) increased the risk for hypertension. Waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) increased with age, and the value of these two measures for predicting hypertension was better than BMI in middle-aged group.Obesity is the most important risk factor for hypertension in all age groups. Diabetes, family history of strokes and high triglyceride were also significant risk factors for all age groups. There was a gender difference between the young and middle-aged groups, with men more likely to hypertension. Waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were better predictors of hypertension than BMI in middle-aged group.
Objective:To investigate the effect of chronic alcohol consumption on both left ventricular myocardial collagen and diastolic function in rats,and their relationship thereof.Methods:Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:control group(n=12) and ethanol group(n=12).The changes in cardiac diastolic function were evaluated by echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).The value of myocardial hydroxyproline content was determined by hydroxyproline reagent kit.The expressions of collagenⅠand collagen Ⅲ mRNA were detected by RT-PCR analysis.Results:It was found that mitral E and mitral annulus Ea were decreased,mitral annulus Aa was increased,and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was prolonged in the ethanol group compared with those in control group(P 0.05).The value of Ea/Aa ratio was greater than 1 in control group and less than 1 in ethanol group (P 0.01).It was found that myocardial hydroxyproline content,collagenⅠ,collagen Ⅲ mRNA expression and their ratio significantly increased in ethanol group compared with those in the control group (P 0.01).There was positive correlation between hydroxyproline content,collagenⅠ,collagen Ⅲ mRNA expression,and collagenⅠ/collagen Ⅲ mRNA ratio with IVRT(P 0.05),and negative correlation between hydroxyproline content,collagenⅠ,collagen Ⅲ mRNA expression,and collagenⅠ/collagen Ⅲ mRNA ratio with the Ea/Aa ratio (P 0.01).Conclusion:Chronic ethanol consumption can induce increase in left ventricular myocardial collagen synthesis and impairment in diastolic function in rats.Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction correlates with increase in myocardial collagen synthesis positively.
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