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The purpose of this study was to characterize the functional consequences of the 393T>C polymorphism of the GNAS1 gene in vivo. PCR-RFLP assays were used to identify GNAS1 and β1-adrenoceptor genotypes. The heart rate (HR), blood pressure, left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were determined in different genotypes through a modified dobutamine stress echocardiography protocol. Our results showed that individuals with homozygous or heterozygous C393 had an increased cardiovascular agonistic response to dobutamine, and the increases from baseline in LVFS at the 3 dosage levels of dobutamine were 19.3% ± 1.0% versus 32.0% ± 2.9%, 36.7% ± 3.1% versus 41.3% ± 4.1%, and 51.7% ± 3.3% versus 58.7% ± 2.6% in T393 homozygotes and C393 homozygotes or heterozygotes, respectively (P = .026). Significant differences were also found between these 2 groups with the increases from baseline in LVEF (P = .007) and SBP (P = .048). In addition, there were significant differences in the increases from atopine in LVFS (P = .011), LVEF (P = .004), and SBP (P = .046) between the T393 homozygotes and C393 homozygotes or heterozygotes. The change of LVEF in C393 homozygous was higher than that in T393 homozygous at the dose of 40 μg/kg/min (28.9% ± 4.0% vs 36.4% ± 2.1%; 95% CI, 18.8%-38.9%; P = .046). These data suggested that the 393T>C polymorphism of GNAS1 was functionally relevant in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colon cancer (CC) is a heterogeneous disease influenced by complex gene networks. As such, the relationship between networks and CC should be elucidated to obtain further insights into tumour biology. Results: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis, a powerful technique used to extract co-expressed gene networks from mRNA expressions, was conducted to identify 11 co-regulated modules in a discovery dataset with 461 patients. A transcriptional module enriched in cell cycle processes was correlated with the recurrence-free survival of the CC patients in the discovery (HR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.42-0.81) and validation (HR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.25-1.05) datasets. The prognostic potential of the hub gene Centromere Protein-A (CENPA) was also identified and the upregulation of this gene was associated with good survival. Another cell cycle phase-related gene module was correlated with the survival of the patients with a KRAS mutation CC subtype. The downregulation of several genes, including those found in this co-expression module, such as cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), was associated with poor survival. Conclusion: Network-based approaches may facilitate the discovery of biomarkers for the prognosis of a subset of patients with stage II or III CC, these approaches may also help direct personalised therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translational control is one of primary regulation mechanisms of gene expression. Eukaryotic translational control mainly occurs at the initiation step, the speed-limiting step, which involves more than ten translation initiation factors [eIFs (eukaryotic initiation factors)]. Changing the level or function of these eIFs results in abnormal translation of specific mRNAs and consequently abnormal growth of cells that leads to human diseases, including cancer. Accumulating evidence from recent studies showed that the expression of many eIFs was associated with malignant transformation, cancer prognosis, as well as gene expression regulation. In the present paper, we perform a critical review of recent advances in understanding the role and mechanism of eIF action in translational control and cancer as well as the possibility of targeting eIFs for therapeutic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the interaction between allicin and omeprazole and to observe the effects of allicin on CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 activity in healthy Chinese male volunteers with different CYP2C19 genotypes. Eighteen subjects (six CYP2C19*1/ CYP2C19*1, four CYP2C19*1/ CYP2C19*2, two CYP2C19*1/ CYP2C19*3, and six CYP2C19*2/ CYP2C19*2) were enrolled in a two-phase randomized crossover trial. In each phase, all subjects received placebo or a 180 mg allicin capsule once daily for 14 consecutive days. The pharmacokinetics of omeprazole (20 mg orally on day 15) was determined for up to 12 h following administration by high-performance liquid chromatography. In carriers of the CYP2C19*1/ CYP2C19*1 and CYP2C19*1/ CYP2C19*2 or *3 genotype, allicin treatment increased the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of omeprazole by 49.7 ± 7.2 ( p < 0.001) and 54.2 ± 9.2% ( p < 0.001), and increased the area under the plasma time–concentration curve ( $${\text{AUC}}_{\left( {0 - \infty } \right)} $$ ) of omeprazole by 48.1 ± 9.0 ( p = 0.001) and 73.6 ± 26.7% ( p < 0.001), respectively. The ratio of $${\text{AUC}}_{\left( {0 - \infty } \right)} $$ of 5-hydroxyomeprazole to omeprazole (a marker for CYP2C19 activity) decreased significantly ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, no pharmacokinetic parameters were significantly changed by allicin in CYP2C19*2/ CYP2C19*2. The Cmax and $${\text{AUC}}_{\left( {0 - \infty } \right)} $$ of omeprazole sulfone were unchanged in all three genotypes. Allicin reduced the metabolism of omeprazole by inhibiting CYP2C19 activity in individuals with the CYP2C19*1/ CYP2C19*1 and CYP2C19*1/ CYP2C19*2 or *3 genotypes, but not in those with the CYP2C19*2/ CYP2C19*2 genotype. Allicin did not significantly affect the activity of CYP3A4 in all subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epigenetic alterations are strongly associated with the development of cancer. The aim of this study was to identify epigenetic pattern in squamous cell lung cancer (LUSC) on a genome-wide scale. Results: Here we performed DNA methylation profiling on 24 LUSC and paired non-tumor lung (NTL) tissues by Illumina Human Methylation 450 K BeadArrays, and identified 5214 differentially methylated probes. By integrating DNA methylation and mRNA expression data, 449 aberrantly methylated genes accompanied with altered expression were identified. Ingenuity Pathway analysis highlighted these genes which were closely related to the carcinogenesis of LUSC, such as ERK family, NFKB signaling pathway, Hedgehog signaling pathway, providing new clues for understanding the molecular mechanisms of LUSC pathogenesis. To verify the results of high-throughput screening, we used 56 paired independent tissues for clinical validation by pyrosequencing. Subsequently, another 343 tumor tissues from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were utilized for further validation. Then, we identified a panel of DNA methylation biomarkers (CLDN1, TP63, TBX5, TCF21, ADHFE1 and HNF1B) in LUSC. Furthermore, we performed receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis to assess the performance of biomarkers individually, suggesting that they could be suitable as potential diagnostic biomarkers for LUSC. Moreover, hierarchical clustering analysis of the DNA methylation data identified two tumor subgroups, one of which showed increased DNA methylation. Conclusions: Collectively, these results suggest that DNA methylation plays critical roles in lung tumorigenesis and may potentially be proposed as a diagnostic biomarker. Trial registration: ChiCTR-RCC-12002830 Date of registration: 2012--12-17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current treatment methods for patients diagnosed with gliomas have shown limited success. This is partly due to the lack of prognostic genes available to accurately predict disease outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate novel prognostic genes based on the molecular profile of tumor samples and their correlation with clinical parameters. In the current study, microarray data (GSE4412 and GSE7696) downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus were used to identify differentially expressed prognostic genes (DEPGs) by significant analysis of microarray (SAM) between long-term survivors (>2 years) and short-term survivors (≤ 2 years). DEPGs generated from these two datasets were intersected to obtain a list of common DEPGs. The expression of a subset of common DEPGs was then independently validated by real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (qPCR). Survival value of the common DEPGs was validated using known survival data from the GSE4412 and TCGA dataset. After intersecting DEPGs generated from the above two datasets, three genes were identified which may potentially be used to determine glioma patient prognosis. Independent validation with glioma patients tissue (n = 70) and normal brain tissue (n = 19) found PPIC, EMP3 and CHI3L1 were up-regulated in glioma tissue. Survival value validation showed that the three genes correlated with patient survival by Kaplan-Meir analysis, including grades, age and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide due to its high incidence and mortality. As the most common lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a terrible threat to human health. Despite improvements in diagnosis and combined treatments including surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the overall survival for NSCLC patients still remains poor. DNA damage is considered to be the primary cause of lung cancer development and is normally recognized and repaired by the intrinsic DNA damage response machinery. The role of DNA repair pathways in radio(chemo)therapy-resistant cancers has become an area of significant interest in the clinical setting. Meanwhile, some studies have proved that genetic and epigenetic factors can alter the DNA damage response and repair, which results in changes of the radiation and chemotherapy curative effect in NSCLC. In this review, we focus on the effect of genetic polymorphisms and epigenetic factors such as miRNA regulation and lncRNA regulation participating in DNA damage repair in response to radio(chemo)therapy in NSCLC. These may provide novel information on the radio(chemo)therapy of NSCLC based on the individual DNA damage response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baicalin is an important active component of the medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and has shown a variety of pharmacological actions. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of baicalin against diabetes-associated cognitive deficits (DACD) in rats and to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of action. A rat model of diabetes mellitus was prepared by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After the successful establishment of the diabetic rat model, baicalin (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) or vehicle was administrated for seven weeks. Learning and memory function were assessed using the Morris water maze test. At the end of the experiment, the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetylase (ChAT) were determined using commercial kits. Furthermore, the expression of proteins involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades [extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38], brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and apoptosis-associated proteins [caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)] were detected by western blot analysis. Caspase-3 activity was also analyzed using a commercial kit. The results demonstrated that diabetic rats exhibited decreases in body weight, decreases in the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant and the number of times of crossing the platform in the water maze test, as well as decreases in neuronal survival, ChAT, phosphorylated (p)ERK, BDNF and Bcl-2. Furthermore, diabetic rats showed increases in escape latency and mean path length in the water maze test, increases in the levels of hippocampal AChE, p-JNK, p-p38, caspase-3 and Bax as well as plasma glucose. However, in diabetic rats treated with baicalin, all of the abovementioned observations were obviously reversed. The findings suggested that baicalin exerts neuroprotective effects against DACD via modulation of MAPK cascades, BDNF and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies reported that the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene was identified to be related to paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), infantile convulsions with PKD, PKD with migraine and benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE). The present study explores whether the PRRT2 mutation is a potential cause of febrile seizures, including febrile seizures plus (FS+), generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) and Dravet syndrome (DS); thus, it may provide a new drug target for personalized medicine for febrile seizure patients. We screened PRRT2 exons in a cohort of 136 epileptic patients with febrile seizures, including FS+, GEFS+ and DS. PRRT2 genetic mutations were identified in 25 out of 136 (18.4%) febrile seizures in epileptic patients. Five loss-of-function and coding missense mutations were identified: c.649delC (p.R217Efs*12), c.649_650insC (p.R217Pfs*8), c.412C>G (p.Pro138Ala), c.439G>C (p.Asp147His) and c.623C>A (p.Ser208Tyr). PRRT2 variants were probably involved in the etiology of febrile seizures in epileptic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Resistance to the antiemetic ondansetron is still a major problem resulting in discomfort and poor compliance with chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Based on our hypothesis that this clinical resistance to ondansetron is associated with ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms, we investigated whether ABCB1 gene variations affect the efficacy of ondansetron in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Methods: AML patients (n -- 215) treated for 3 days with high-dose cytarabine were enrolled in this study. Thirty minutes before the beginning of chemotherapy, 8 mg ondansetron was administered intravenously, followed by 24 mg by continuous infusion and 8 mg intravenously, once per day, until 2 days after chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting occurrence in the acute and delayed phases was calculated. ABCB1 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms were analyzed by allele-specific matrix-assisted laser desorption. Basic clinical characteristics of the AML patients were collected from medical records. Findings: No differences in genotype distribution frequencies of ABCB1 polymorphisms and haplotypes were observed in patients with different CYP2D6- predicted phenotypes. During the acute phase, patients with the CG haplotype (C3435T and G2677T) were associated with a high risk of grade 3/4 nausea and vomiting (P -- 0.003 and P -- 0.026, respectively). After adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, body surface area, body mass index, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group--Performance Status, multivariate survival analysis implicated the CG haplotype as a predictive marker of the risk of grade 3/4 chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in AML patients (P -- 0.003 and P -- 0.039, respectively). In addition, a significant association between the 3435CC genotype and grade 3/4 vomiting in AML patients was observed (P -- 0.016). However, no association between these ABCB1 gene polymorphisms and ondansetron efficacy was found in the delayed phase. Implications: These findings suggest that ABCB1 gene polymorphisms are associated with antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron in the acute phase after highdose cytarabine chemotherapy in AML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to probe the effects of Huperzine A (HupA) on diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) using a streptozotocin (STZ)-injected rat model. Diabetic rats were treated with HupA (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) for seven weeks. Memory functions were evaluated by the water maze test. Nissl staining was selected for detecting neuronal loss. Protein and mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed by ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively. The activities of choline acetylase (ChAT), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), NF-κB p65 unit, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and caspase-3 were measured using corresponding kits. After seven weeks, diabetic rats exhibited remarkable reductions in: body weight, percentage of time spent in target quadrant, number of times crossing the platform, ChAT and BDNF levels, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT accompanied with increases in neuronal damage, plasma glucose levels, escape latency, mean path length, AChE, MDA level as well as CAT, NF-κB p65 unit, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and caspase-3 in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Supplementation with HupA significantly and dose-dependently reversed the corresponding values in diabetes. It is concluded that HupA ameliorates DACD via modulating BDNF, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The Chinese medicinal formula Guanxin II has been shown to have a favorable effect in the attenuation of angina. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of ferulic acid (FA), which is a vasorelaxant compound present in Guanxin II, in healthy volunteers and patients with angina pectoris following the administration of Guanxin II. Ex vivo experiments were performed in order to investigate the vasorelaxant effect of FA on the human internal mammary artery (IMA) to provide evidence that it is a bioactive component of Guanxin II. Following the oral administration of Guanxin II, the FA levels in the serum were quantified by a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Treatment with FA (10-8-10-3 M) caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of endothelial IMA rings following precontraction with KCl. Statistically significant differences were identified between the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax, t1/2 α, t1/2 ß and t1/2 Ka of the healthy volunteers and the patients with angina pectoris following the oral administration of Guanxin II. FA is a bioactive compound absorbed from Guanxin II that attenuates angina pectoris, a condition that may modify the pharmacokinetics of FA. Not only do the pharmacokinetic parameters direct the clinical use of Guanxin II, but they may also be useful for exploring the pathology of angina pectoris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic interventions in prediabetes are important in the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its chronic complications. However, little is known about the pharmacogenetic effect of traditional herbs on prediabetes treatment. A total of 194 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) subjects were treated with traditional hypoglycemic herbs (Tianqi Jiangtang) for 12 months in this study. DNA samples were genotyped for 184 mutations in 34 genes involved in drug metabolism or transportation. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that rs1142345 (A > G) in the thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) gene was significantly associated with the hypoglycemic effect of the drug (P = 0.001, FDR P = 0.043). The "G" allele frequencies of rs1142345 in the healthy (subjects reverted from IGT to normal glucose tolerance), maintenance (subjects still had IGT), and deterioration (subjects progressed from IGT to T2D) groups were 0.094, 0.214, and 0.542, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that rs1142345 was also significantly associated with the hypoglycemic effect of the drug between the healthy and maintenance groups (P = 0.027, OR = 4.828) and between the healthy and deterioration groups (P = 0.001, OR = 7.811). Therefore, rs1142345 was associated with the clinical effect of traditional hypoglycemic herbs. Results also suggested that TPMT was probably involved in the pharmacological mechanisms of T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the pharmacogenetics of platinum-based chemotherapy in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: Publications were selected from PubMed, Cochrane Library and ISI Web of Knowledge. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the association between genetic polymorphisms and platinum-based chemotherapy by checking odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Data were extracted from 24 publications, which included 11 polymorphisms in 8 genes for meta-analysis. MDR1 C3435T (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.11-3.50, P = 0.02), G2677A/T (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.44-4.74, P = 0.002) and GSTP1 A313G (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17-0.58, P = 0.0002) were significantly correlated with platinum-based chemotherapy in Asian NSCLC patients. Conclusion: Attention should be paid to MDR1 C3435T, G2677A/T and GSTP1 A313G for personalized chemotherapytreatment for NSCLC patients in Asian population in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-nitrosoalbumin (SNO-Alb) has been shown to be an efficacious cytoprotective molecule in acute lung injury, as well as ischemia-reperfusion injury in heart and skeletal muscle. Nonetheless, limited information is available on the cellular mechanism of such protection. Accordingly, we investigated the protective effects of SNO-Alb [ and its denitrosated congener, reduced albumin (SH-Alb) ] on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH)-mediated cytotoxicity in cultured rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (RPMEC), as well as hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-mediated cytotoxicity in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (RPASMC). We noted that tBH caused a concentration-dependent necrosis in RPMEC, and pretreatment of RPMEC with SNO-Alb dose-dependently decreased the sensitivity of these cells to tBH. A component of SNO-Alb cytoprotection was sensitive to NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and was associated with activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phenomena that could be reproduced with pretreatment with SH-Alb. Exogenous H2S caused concentration-dependent apoptosis in RPASMC due to activation of ERK1/2 and p38, as well as downregulation of Bcl-2. Pretreatment with SNO-Alb reduced H2S-mediated apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner that was associated with SNO-Alb-mediated inhibition of activation of ERK1/2 and p38. Pretreatment with SNO-Alb reduced toxicity of 1 mM sodium hydrosulfide in an NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester-sensitive fashion in RPASMC that expressed gp60 and neuronal NOS and was capable of transporting fluorescently labeled SH-Alb. Therefore, SNO-Alb is cytoprotective against models of oxidant-induced necrosis (tBH) and inhibitors of cellular respiration and apoptosis (H2S) in both pulmonary endothelium and smooth muscle, respectively, and a component of such protection can be attributed to a SH-Alb-mediated activation of constitutive NOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors investigate the important role played by toll-like receptor 4-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (TLR4-MyD88) signaling in the development of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in mice. The authors found that a high tidal volume ventilation resulted to a series of pathologic changes consistent with VILI including an increased alveolar permeability with increased cells and protein content in alveolar space and important inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine production in lung tissues. They claim that one of the limitations of the study is their failure to distinguish between the magnitude of contributions of downstream pathways of TLR4 signaling in VILI.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Rosiglitazone is one of the thiazolidinedione medicines that is widely used in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM); it acts by activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. • There are no reports on the influence of genetic variations of UCP2 and ADRB3 on rosiglitazone response in Chinese T2DM patients. • The current study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the genetic polymorphisms of UCP2 –866G/A and ADRB3 Trp64Arg with susceptibility to T2DM development and the therapeutic efficacy of multiple-dose rosiglitazone in Chinese patients with T2DM. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • The genetic polymorphisms of UCP2 –866G/A and ADRB3 Trp64Arg are associated with the therapeutic efficacy of multiple-dose rosiglitazone in Chinese T2DM patients. AIMS The aim of this study was to explore the impact of UCP2 and ADRB3 genetic polymorphisms on the therapeutic efficacy of rosiglitazone in Chinese Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. METHODS A total of 199 T2DM patients and 155 healthy volunteers were enrolled to identify UCP2 –866 G/A genotypes, and 273 T2DM patients and 166 controls were genotyped for Trp64Arg of ADRB3 by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Nine patients with GG genotype and 27 with GA+ AA genotype of UCP2 –866 G/A, 11 with Trp64Trp genotype and 25 with Trp64Arg genotype of ADRB3 received oral rosiglitazone as a single-agent therapy (4 mg day−1) for 12 weeks. Serum fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting serum insulin, postprandial serum insulin (PINS), triglycerol (TG), cholesterol, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, leptin and adiponectin in all T2DM patients were determined before and after rosiglitazone treatment. RESULTS There were no differences in allele frequency of either ADRB3 Trp64Arg or UCP2 –866 G/A between T2DM patients and control subjects. The A allele carriers of UCP2 in the T2DM patients had significantly lower PINS (61.5 ± 34.3 vs. 41.6 ± 28.7 mU l−1, P < 0.01) (37.57, 59.16 vs. 34.82, 49.39) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol compared with GG genotypes (3.4 ± 1.1 vs. 2.7 ± 1.1 mmol l−1, P < 0.05) (2.64, 3.52 vs. 2.66, 3.15). After rosiglitazone treatment for 12 consecutive weeks, we found that A allele carriers of UCP2 in the T2DM patients had smaller attenuated PINS (−3.82 ± 13.2 vs.−42.1 ± 30.7 mU l−1, P < 0.01) (9.45, 51.31 vs. 0.48, 11.88) and greater attenuated HbA1c (−1.85 ± 1.62 vs.−0.61 ± 0.80, P < 0.05) (0.14, 1.37 vs. 1.10, 2.38) compared with GG genotypes, and ADRB3 Trp64Arg had greater attenuated serum TG (−3.88 ± 2.77 vs.−0.24 ± 1.16 mmol l−1, P < 0.05) (−0.19, 2.74 vs. 1.19, 1.45) and smaller attenuated LDL-cholesterol (1.08 ± 1.36 vs.−0.36 ± 0.99, P < 0.01) (−1.26, 0.78 vs.−1.26, 0.79) as well as reduced enhanced adiponectin (1.57 ± 1.10 vs. 3.15 ± 2.12 mmol l−1, P < 0.05) (1.68, 4.08 vs.−9.18, 11.40) compared with ADRB3 Trp64Trp. CONCLUSION UCP2 –866 G/A and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms are associated with the therapeutic efficacy of multiple-dose rosiglitazone in Chinese T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) play important role in homeostasis and insulin resistance in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The aims of the present study were to investigate the association between leptin G-2548A and TNF-α G-308A polymorphisms and rosiglitazone response in T2DM patients. 245 patients with T2D and 122 health volunteers were enrolled to identify leptin G-2548A and TNF-α G-308A genotypes by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Forty-two T2D patients with different leptin G-2548A and TNF-α G-308A genotypes received orally rosiglitazone as a single-agent therapy (4 mg day−1 p.o.) for 12 weeks. Serum triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting serum insulin (FINs), glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc), postprandial serum insulin (PINS), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) were determined before and after rosiglitazone treatment. A significant association between the variation of G-2548A allele with body mass index (BMI), serum leptin levels and FPG was observed in T2DM patients. Moreover, patients with G allele of leptin G-2548A had lower BMI and serum leptin concertration as well as bigger FPG than that in AA genotypes (P < 0.05). Moreover, we found an enhanced rosiglitazone effect in patients with AA genotype of leptin G-2548A on FINS and PINS compared with GG+GA genotype (P < 0.05). Finally, our results showed an attenuated rosiglitazone effect in patients with GA+AA genotype of TNF-α G-308A on FINS compared with GG genotype (P < 0.05). These data suggest there were not significantly differences in the frequencies of leptin G-2548A and TNF-α G-308A between patients with T2DM and health control. TNF-α G-308A polymorphism might be associated with the therapeutic efficacy of rosiglitazone in T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Rosiglitazone is able to increase serum adiponectin levels significantly in Type 2 diabetic patients. • The role of genetic factors that determine the marked interindividual variability in glucose-lowering efficacy of rosiglitazone in Chinese patients is not known. • The current study was designed to evaluate the impact of the adiponectin common allele 45T/G and − 11377C/G polymorphisms on the response to rosiglitazone monotherapy in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • The genetic polymorphisms of adiponectin alleles 45T/G and − 11377C/G as well as their common diplotypes are significantly associated with an attenuated fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance as well as an enhanced adiponectin concentration in Chinese patients with T2D after rosiglitazone treatment. AIMS The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of adiponectin allele T45G and C-11377G genetic polymorphisms on efficacy of rosiglitazone in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS Patients with T2D (n = 255) and 120 healthy volunteers were enrolled to identify 45T/G and –11377C/G genotypes by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Forty-two T2D patients with different 45T/G or –11377C/G genotypes received orally rosiglitazone as a single-dose therapy (4 mg day-1 p.o.) for 12 weeks. Serum triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), glycated hemoglobin, fasting serum insulin, postprandial serum insulin, total cholesterol, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) and adiponectin concentration were determined before and after rosiglitazone treatment. RESULTS We showed an attenuated rosiglitazone effect in patients with –11377CG+GG heterozygote genotype on FPG, PPG, HOMA-IR compared with –11377CC homozygote genotype. However, we found an enhanced rosiglitazone effect on serum adiponectin concentration in patients with –11377CC homozygote genotype compared with –11377CG+GG heterozygote genotype ( P = 0.000) and in patients with 45TG + GG heterozygote genotype compared with 45TT homozygote genotype ( P = 0.018). Finally, our results showed that there was an enhanced effect in patients with –11377/45 CGTT diplotype compared with other discovered diplotypes on FPG ( P = 0.001) and PPG ( P = 0.003) after rosiglitazone treatment. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the adiponectin allele 45T/G and – 11377C/G polymorphisms are significantly associated with the therapeutic efficacy of multiple-dose rosiglitazone in Chinese patients with T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Elevated serum bilirubin levels are caused mainly by liver diseases, haematolysis, genetic defects and drug intake. Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) is taken up into hepatocytes by human organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1; encoded for by the SLCO1B1 gene). The present study was performed to determine the association between SLCO1B1 gene polymorphisms and serum bilirubin levels in vivo. Moreover, the effects of administration of low-dose rifampicin on serum bilirubin levels in different SLCO1B1 genotypes was examined. 2. Serum bilirubin levels were examined in 42 healthy volunteers who had been analysed for SLCO1B1 genotype (seven, 13, 14 and eight with SLCO1B1 genotypes * 1a/* 1a, * 1b/* 1b, * 1b/* 15 and * 15/* 15, respectively). Among them, 24 subjects (seven, seven, eight and two with SLCO1B1 genotypes * 1a/* 1a, * 1b/* 1b, * 1b/* 15 and * 15/* 15, respectively) were selected to participate in an open-label, two-phase clinical trial. Each was given 450 mg rifampicin orally once daily at 2000 hours for 5 consecutive days. Serum bilirubin concentrations at 0800 hours on the 1st and 6th days were compared between the different SLCO1B1 genotypes. 3. In the 42 volunteers, the mean (±SD) serum UCB in both SLCO1B1* 1b/* 15 and * 15/* 15 groups was significantly higher than that in the SLCO1B1* 1b/* 1b group (11.07 ± 2.31, 13.01 ± 3.87 and 8.21 ± 2.68 µmol/L, respectively; P = 0.009 and P < 0.001). Total bilirum (T.BIL) in both the SLCO1B1* 1b/* 15 and * 15/* 15 groups was significantly higher than that in the SLCO1B1* 1b/* 1b group (16.69 ± 4.09, 20.71 ± 5.12 and 13.06 ± 5.12 µmol/L, respectively; P = 0.029 and P < 0.001). The direct bilirubin (D.BIL) in the SLCO1B1* 15/* 15 group was significantly higher than that in the SLCO1B1* 1b/* 1b group (7.69 ± 1.81 vs 4.85 ± 1.81 µmol/L, respectively; P = 0.001). Rifampicin significantly increased UCB, T.BIL and D.BIL concentrations in 24 healthy volunteers (17.68 ± 5.96 vs 13.95 ± 4.44 µmol/L ( P = 0.040), 5.72 ± 2.01 vs 4.35 ± 1.50 µmol/L ( P = 0.028) and 12.00 ± 4.26 vs 9.61 ± 3.15 µmol/L ( P = 0.035), respectively). However, the extent of the increase in serum bilirubin caused by 450 mg rifampicin for 5 days was not affected by SLCO1B1 genotype. 4. Genetic polymorphism in SLCO1B1 is a major determinant of interindividual variability in the serum bilirubin level. SLCO1B1* 15 carriers had higher baseline serum UCB, T.BIL and D.BIL levels compared with subjects with the SLCO1B1* 1a/* 1a and SLCO1B1* 1b/* 1b genotypes. SLCO1B1* 15/* 15 homozygotes are more susceptible to hyperbilirubinaemia. Serum bilirubin levels could be increased by low-dose rifampicin administration, but the extent of the increase was not associated with SLCO1B1 genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPAR-γ2) agonist, on the expression of β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) at transcriptional and translational level. Methods: We cloned the cDNA sequences of human PPAR-γ2 (hPPAR-γ2) gene and human wild type and mutant β3-adrenergic receptor ( hβ 3 -AR) genes and established their eukaryotic expression vectors. The pcDNA3.1/hβ3-AR (mutant and wild type) was transfected into SH-SY5Y cells using electroporation method. The expression level of β3-AR protein was determined by Western blot analysis. Results: Our results showed that the reverse transcription-PCR products were consistent with theoretical fragment sizes of human PPAR-γ2 (1544 bp) and human β 3- AR genes (1578 bp). The sequence analysis of PPAR-γ2 and β 3 -AR genes showed that the fragment sizes were the same as that of human PPAR-γ2 and human β3- AR genes in Genebank. The pcDNA3.1/hβ3-AR (mutant and wild type) was successfully cloned to SH-SY5Y cells. We found that the expression of β3-AR protein was significantly inhibited by rosiglitazone in a concentration-dependent manner in SH-SY5Y cell lines stably expressed β 3- AR genes. Conclusions: The results suggest that rosiglitazone has a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the expression of β3-AR protein, and this inhibitory effect may be due to activation of PPAR-γ2 receptor. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1511–6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether histamine induces up-regulated expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and fat acid-binding protein (aP2) in white adipocytes (differentiated 3T3-L1 cells). Methods: Differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to adipocytes was induced by the addition of 5 μg/mL insulin, 1 μmol/L dexamethasone, 10 mmol/L 1-isobutyl-3-methylxanthine, 1% dimethylsulfoxide, and 10% fetal bovine serum in Dulbecco's modification of Eagle's medium. Total RNA from differentiated 3T3-L1 cells was extracted and semi-quantitative RT-PCR was performed to determine the levels of UCP2 and aP2 mRNA. The expression level of UCP2 protein was determined by Western blot analysis. Results: Histamine at a concentration of 30 μmol/L significantly increased the expression of UCP2 mRNA and UCP2 protein, and expression levels reached a peak value. There were significant differences in the expression levels of UCP2 mRNA and UCP2 protein in adipocytes treated with 30 μmol/L histamine at various time points within 48 h, and their levels reached a peak value after 6 h of incubation. In addition, histamine increased the expression level of aP2 mRNA in adipocytes. Expression of aP2 mRNA in adipocytes reached the highest value at a concentration of 20 μmol/L histamine after 6-h incubation. Finally, we found that diphenhydramine (a H1 receptor antagonist) significantly decreased expression levels of UCP2 mRNA and protein, as well as aP2 mRNA. There were significant differences in expression levels of UCP2 and aP2 mRNA in adipocytes treated at concentrations of 20 μmol/L histamine and diphenhydramine, respectively. Conclusions: These data reveal that histamine up-regulated the expression of UCP2 and aP2 in vitro in white adipocytes. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1199–206. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genetic polymorphisms of β3-adrenergic receptor (AR) Trp64Arg and β2-AR Gln27Glu may result in significant change in the functions of these receptors. The aims of the present study were to investigate the association between Trp64Arg, Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms and the susceptibility to obesity and hypertension in a Chinese population. Methods: A total of 437 Chinese subjects including 149 obese hypertensive patients, 139 non-obese essential hypertensive patients, and 149 non-obese normotensive healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and allele-specific (AS)-PCR assays were used to identify Trp64Arg, Arg16Gly, and Gln27Glu genotypes. Results: The allele frequencies of 64Arg and 27Glu in the obese hypertensive group were 0.178 and 0.128, respectively. Both were significantly higher than in the non-obese hypertensive and the control groups (p<0.05). Further analysis showed that this association existed only in male hypertensive patients. Conclusions: These data reveal that frequencies of β3-AR 64Arg and β2-AR 27Glu were significantly higher in our obese hypertensive patients than in the non-obese hypertensive population and healthy controls. β3-AR Trp64Arg and β2-AR Gln27Glu genetic polymorphisms are associated with obesity in Chinese male hypertensive patients. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:493–8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]