The hallmark lesions of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are drusen and basal linear deposit which are lipid substances deposited in Bruch membrane or the compartment on the Bruch membrane. There is a prevailing hypothesis that lipid and its oxidized derivant deposited in retina may have important roles in the pathogenesis of AMD. Lipid oxidation products are toxic, may affect the adjacent cells, induce inflammation, and trigger neovascularization.7-ketocholestoral (7KCh), a naturally occurring oxidized form of cholesterol, had been found to be toxic to retinal cells and able to induce chronic inflammation, which may play a critical role in the development of AMD. However the precise mechanism remains to be elucidated. Thus we will make a brief review of 7KCh and its association with AMD.
The application of gene therapy in ocular diseases is gradually expanding from mono-gene inherited diseases to multigene, multifactorial, common and chronic diseases. This emerging therapeutic approach is still in the early exploratory stage of treating diseases, and the expected benefits and risks remain highly uncertain. In the delivery process of gene therapy drugs, viral vector is currently one of the most mature and widely used vectors. The occurrence of vector-associated immunity will affect the short-term and long-term effects of gene therapy, and even cause permanent and serious damage to visual function. Therefore, gene therapy vector-associated immunity is the focus and challenge for the safety and long-term efficacy of gene therapy. During the perioperative and follow-up of gene therapy, attention should be paid to the monitoring of vector-associated immune inflammation, and appropriate measures should be taken to deal with the corresponding immune response, so as to achieve the best visual benefits for patients.
ObjectiveTo summarize the advance of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1). MethodsLiteratures about the recent studies on the TREM-1 were reviewed. ResultsTREM1 was a mediator of inflammation. It could amplify the inflammation and lead to overexpression of inflammation in final. ConclusionTREM-1 is very important in development of many diseases and provide a new molecule target to cure.
ObjectiveTo study on the relationship of serum apelin level with inflammation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsWe recruited 58 patients with valvular heart disease who admitted in our hospital between October 2014 and December 2014 and planned to undergo surgery, including 29 patients with persistent AF (an AF group) and 29 patients with sinus rhythm (a SR group). There were 14 males and 15 females in the AF group at an average age of 57±8 years. There were 20 males and 9 females in the SR group at an average age of 54±10 years. The left atrial diameter (LAD) and ejection fraction (EF) were detected by echocardiography. The levels of serum apelin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay, and the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were determined by turbidimetric inhibition immuno assay. ResultsCompare with the SR group, the serum apelin level (201.94±71.96 pg/ml vs. 286.72±129.33 pg/ml) and EF (54.52%±3.94% vs. 56.41%±2.85%) were significantly lower in the AF group, while the hs-CRP (5.58±12.90 mg/L vs. 1.89±3.55 mg/L), IL-6 (2.59±0.64 pg/ml vs. 2.26±0.55 pg/ml) and LAD (57.10±11.69 mm vs. 43.07±5.31 mm) were significantly higher in the AF group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the apelin level was negatively correlated with hs-CRP and LAD (r=-0.308, P=0.019; r=-0.313, P=0.017), and were positively correlated with EF (r=0.265, P=0.044). ConclusionSerum apelin level is significantly lower in patients with AF and levels of inflammation makers are significantly higher. Apelin may be closely related to AF and inflammation, and may take part in the occurrence and maintenance of AF through the regulation of inflammatory processes.
ObjectiveTo study the effects of the new small molecular oxygen free radical scavenger Tempol on the survival and vasculogenesis of the long random pattern skin flap (LRPSF) and its mechanism. MethodsEighty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control and Tempol groups (42 rats in each group). LRPSF of 9 cm×3 cm in size were prepared on the backs of rats in two groups based on the Mcfarlane flap. Rats were administered with Tempol (100 mg/kg) in the Tempol group and with normal saline in the control group by intraperitoneal injection at 15 minutes before operation and at 1-7 day after operation. The rat and the skin flap survival conditions were observed after operation; the survival rate of skin flap was measured, and the vascular structure, vascular volume, and total length of blood vessels were analyzed with Micro-CT three-dimensional imaging after 7 days; HE staining was used to observe the structure of the skin flaps and inflammation, immumohistochemical staining to observe vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression; water-soluble tetrazolium-1 method was used to measure the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and ELISA to detect the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) after 1, 3, and 7 days. ResultsAll of rats survived after operation, without hemorrhage, edema, and infection. With the extension of time, necrosis occurred in the distal part of the skin flaps in 2 groups, but the necrosis degree of the Tempol group was lower than that of control group; meanwhile, the blood vessel distribution and continuity were better than those of control group. The skin flaps survival rate, vascular volume, and total length of blood vessels of Tempol group were significantly higher than those of control group after 7 days (P<0.05). The clearer skin flaps structure, lighter inflammation reaction and inflammation cell infiltration, and higher VEGF staining intensity were observed in the Tempol group than the control group after 7 days. There was no significant difference in SOD, MDA, and TNF-α, and IL-6 contents between the 2 groups at immediate after operation. SOD significantly increased, but MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 contents significantly decreased in the Tempol group when compared with control group after 1, 3, and 7 days (P<0.05). ConclusionTempol can significantly promote the LRPSF survival rates, its mechanism is closely related to the promotion of vasculogenesis and reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading irreversible causes of blindness in China. The pathogenesis of AMD is not fully understood at present. Under various stress conditions, cellular senescence is activated, characterized by telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and the release of various senescence-related secretory phenotype factors. Senescence is implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD through multiple pathways, contributing to chronic inflammation and the onset and progression of AMD. Mechanisms such as oxidative stress, lipofuscin, β amyloid protein and the membrane attack complex have become hotspots of study in the pathogenesis of AMD. The cyclic guanosine phosphate - adenosine synthase - interferon stimulating factor synthase-stimulator of interferon gene pathway has emerged as a critical signaling pathway in the early development of AMD, providing direction for further research on AMD. Currently, senolytics, selective agents targeting the induction of senescent cell apoptosis, show significant potential in the treatment of AMD. The integration of new technologies with cellular senescence may offer a novel approach to AMD treatment, and intervening in the AMD treatment through anti-cellular senescence pathways holds promising prospects.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of levocarnitine by intravenous injection on nutritional and microinflammatory state in maintenance hemodialysis patients. MethodsBetween October 2010 and October 2011, 62 maintenance hemodialysis (>6 months) patients in our dialysis center were enrolled in this study, and were randomly divided into treatment group (n=32) and control group (n=30). Patients in the treatment group were injected with levocarnitine (1.0 g once) after every dialysis for 3 months, while patients in the control group only accepted routine hemodialysis therapy. Blood biochemical indicators, serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured and compared at the experiment onset and 3 months later. ResultsAfter treatment with levocarnitine for three months, the average serum levels of albumin (Alb), hemoglobin (Hb), triacylglycerol (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hs-CRP, and the conditions of dialysis hypotension, muscular spasm, lacking in strength, and anorexia were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) between the two groups (P>0.05). For the control group, after treatment, Alb, Hb and condition of anorexia changed significantly (P<0.05), while TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, hs-CRP, conditions of dialysis hypotension, muscular spasm and lacking of strength did not change (P>0.05); for the treatment group, after treatment, all Alb, Hb, TG, HDL-C, hs-CRP, conditions of dialysis hypotension, muscular spasm, lacking of strength and anorexia changed significantly (P<0.05), while TC and LDL-C did not change obviously (P>0.05). ConclusionLevocarnitine can significantly improve the nutritional and microinflammatory state and better the quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
Objective To investigate the relations between the human beta defensin-2 (HBD-2) and systemic inflammatory responses in patients with lower respiratory tract infection（LRTI）. Methods Eighty-one patients with confirmed LRTI including community-acquired pneumonia，acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or concurrent lung infection，and bronchiectasis concurrent infection were enrolled，and twenty healthy volunteers were included as control. Plasma concentrations of HBD-2，IL-1β，and IL-8 were assayed with ELISA method in all patients and controls. Furthermore the patients were divided into three groups according to the onset of disease:,ie.group A （shorter than 7 days），group B （7 to 14 days），and group C （more than 14 days）. The differences between these groups were compared. Correlation between HBD-2 and IL-1β or IL-8 concentrations was analyzed. Results HBD-2，IL-1β，white blood cell （WBC） of the peripheral blood in the patients with LRTI were all significantly higher than those in the healthy controls. HBD-2 and IL-1β increased in group A and group B，and decreased in group C comparing to the control group （Plt;0.05 respectively）. There was no significant difference of IL-8 in group A，B and C. HBD-2 showed a positive linear correlation with IL-1β （r=0.313，P=0.030） and no correlation with IL-8（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusions The plasma HBD-2 concentration is increased in LRTI patients，which may be a biomarker of systemic inflammation in the early or relative early course of LRTI.
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship of the level of inflammation and nutritional status with the occurrence and prognosis of refractory diabetic foot.MethodsA total of 70 patients with refractory diabetic foot between August 2015 and August 2017 were randomly selected as the observation group. Another 70 patients with diabetes mellitus (without foot ulcer) who visited the hospital in the same period were set as the control group. The observation group was subgrouped into the non-amputation group and the amputation group according to the follow-up endpoint events, and into the grade Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ groups according to Wagner classification method. The blood levels of inflammatory markers and nutritional markers between groups were compared.ResultsIn the observation group, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), fibrinogen (FIB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (LP-PLA2), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher than those in the control group, and albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PA), and transferrin (TRF) levels were significantly lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.01). The blood levels of FGF2, FIB, IL-6, IL-18, LP-PLA2, and CRP in the amputation group were significantly higher than those in the non-amputation group, and the levels of TRF, ALB, and PA were significantly lower than those in the non-amputation group (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the levels of FGF2, FIB, IL-6, IL-18, LP-PLA2, CRP, TRF, ALB, and PA in patients with diabetic foot with different Wagner grades (P<0.05). The result of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that IL-6 [odds ratio (OR)=1.487, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.023, 2.120), P<0.001], IL-18 [OR=1.274, 95%CI (1.052, 1.665), P<0.001], LP-PLA2 [OR=1.478, 95%CI (1.126, 1.789), P<0.001], and CRP [OR=2.085, 95%CI (1.574, 2.782), P<0.001] were independent risk factors for the occurrence of refractory diabetic foot, and TRF [OR=0.645, 95%CI (0.002, 0.898), P<0.001], ALB [OR=0.838, 95%CI (0.429, 0.923), P<0.001], and PA [OR=0.478, 95%CI (0.201, 0.984), P<0.001] were independent protective factors for the occurrence of refractory diabetic foot.ConclusionIn the clinical treatment of diabetic foot, we should pay attention to the monitoring of the level of inflammatory factors and nutritional status, and it is necessary to timely carry out anti-inflammatory treatment and appropriate nutritional support treatment.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) to treat sepsis associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients aged over 80.MethodsForty-one patients diagnosed with sepsis and AKI were enrolled in geriatric RICU department of Huadong Hospital from January 2013 to July 2018, 38 patients were male and 3 were female. All patients were treated with anti-infection and fluid resuscitation therapy. After comprehensive judgment of the indication of renal replacement, they were divided into two groups by the choices of using CRRT. There were 20 patients in CRRT group and 21 in control group. Clinical data such as age, body mass index, previous diseases, 28-day mortality rate, blood cells, APACHEⅡ as well as SOFA scores were compared between two groups. Blood renal function and inflammatory markers at the first day were also compared to those after 3-day treatment of initial time.ResultsNo statistical difference was observed in sex ratio, age, body mass index and previous diseases between two groups (all P>0.05). There was also no difference in APACHEⅡ score, SOFA score, blood cells, hemoglobin and survival time. The 28-day mortality rate in CRRT group was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The levels of serum UA and C reactive protein (CRP) in CRRT group decreased after 3-day treatment compared with those at the onset, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The level of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), uric acid (UA) and cystain C in control group increased after 3 days compared with those at the onset, and the difference were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in serum BUN, Cr, UA, cystain C, CRP and procalcitonin (PCT) between two groups at the onset (all P>0.05). After 3 days of CRRT, the levels of serum PCT, BUN, Cr and UA in CRRT group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05).ConclusionCRRT can improve hyperuricemia, control deterioration of renal function, reduce early systemic inflammatory response and 28-day mortality rate in aged patients with sepsis and AKI.