Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy characterized by the loss of peripheral vision first and then central vision. Clinically, normal tension glaucoma is considered a special subtype of glaucoma, in whi...Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy characterized by the loss of peripheral vision first and then central vision. Clinically, normal tension glaucoma is considered a special subtype of glaucoma, in which the patient’s intraocular pressure is within the normal range, but the patient experiences typical glaucomatous changes. However, increasing evidence has challenged the traditional pathophysiological view of normal tension glaucoma, which is based only on intraocular pressure, and breakthroughs in central nervous system imaging may now greatly increase our knowledge about the mechanisms underlying normal tension glaucoma. In this article, we review the latest progress in understanding the pathogenesis of normal tension glaucoma and in developing imaging techniques to detect it, to strengthen the appreciation for the connection between normal tension glaucoma and the brain.展开更多
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men. Previous research has determined that androgen deprivation therapy （ADT） may be accompanied by an unfavourable metabolic profile. In this prospective st...Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men. Previous research has determined that androgen deprivation therapy （ADT） may be accompanied by an unfavourable metabolic profile. In this prospective study, 133 men were recruited, including 46 prostate cancer patients who had undergone bilateral orchiectomy and been on flutamide （the ADT group）, 37 men with prostate cancer who had undergone radical prostatectomy （the non-ADT group） and 50 normal control subjects （the control group）. All subjects were followed for at least 12 months. From baseline to 3 months, men in the ADT group had increased levels of fasting serum insulin and low-density lipoprotein compared to the other two groups （P〈0.05）. No obvious changes were found in the other parameters （P〉0.05）. After 12 months, men in the ADT group had increased levels of waist circumference, fasting serum insulin and glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein compared to the other two groups （P〈0.05）. Additionally, the morbidity rate of metabolic syndrome in the ADT group was higher （P〈0.05） compared to the other two groups. ADT through surgical castration for men with prostate cancer may be associated with unfavourable metabolic changes. The benefits of the therapy should be balanced prudently against these risks.展开更多
AIM: To investigate long-term effects of Garcinia Cambogia (GC), weight-loss supplement, on adiposity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese mice. METHODS: Obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet ...AIM: To investigate long-term effects of Garcinia Cambogia (GC), weight-loss supplement, on adiposity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese mice. METHODS: Obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 45 kcal% fat) with or without GC (1%, w/w) for 16 wk. The HFD contained 45 kcal% fat, 20 kcal% protein and 35 kcal% carbohydrate. They were given free access to food and distilled water, and food consumption and body weight were measured daily and weekly, respectively. Data were expressed as the mean ± SE. Statistical analyses were performed using the statistical package for the social science software program. Student's t test was used to assess the differences between the groups. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in body weight and food intake between the groups. However, the supplementation of GC significantly lowered visceral fat accumulation and adipocyte size via inhibition of fatty acid synthase activity and its mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue, along with enhanced enzymatic activity and gene expression involved in adipose fatty acid β-oxidation. Moreover, GC supplementation resulted in significant reductions in glucose intolerance and the plasma resistin level in the HFD-fed mice. However, we first demonstrated that it increased hepatic collagen accumulation, lipid peroxidation and mRNA levels of genes related to oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and inflammatory responses (tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) as well as plasma alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels, although HFD-induced hepatic steatosis was not altered. CONCLUSION: GC protects against HFD-induced obesity by modulating adipose fatty acid synthesis and β-oxidation but induces hepatic fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Cancer cachexia is the wasting condition that is often seen in advanced stage cancer patients. This wasting is largely attributable to a systemic and progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass that greatly ...BACKGROUND： Cancer cachexia is the wasting condition that is often seen in advanced stage cancer patients. This wasting is largely attributable to a systemic and progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass that greatly hinders performance of normal daily activities, resulting in reduced quality of life. Moreover, it negatively influences the prognosis of cancer patients. A general consensus in the field is that the loss of muscle mass is due both to an increase in protein degradation and a decrease in protein synthesis. Recent studies using preclinical models for studying cachexia have been useful in identifying the contribution of inflammatory cytokines （e.g. tumor necrosis factor-a and Interleukin-6）, and myostatin receptors （e.g. the type IIB activin receptor） to cachexia development, and have led to several clinical trials. However, many questions remain about the molecular mechanisms thought to play a role in the development of cachexia. METHODS： We conducted a literature search using search engines, such as PubMed and Google Scholar to identify publications within the cancer cachexia field. RESULTS- We summarized our current knowledge of： 1） the driving mechanisms of cancer cachexia, 2） the preclinical models available for studying the condition, and 3） the findings of recent clinical trials. CONCLUSION： Cancer cachexia is a complex and variable condition that currently has no standard effective therapeutic treatment. Further studies are desperately needed to better understand this condition and develop effective combination treatments for patients.展开更多
基金supported in part by the National Basic Research Program of China,No.81300766(to XSM)the Cultivation and Innovation Fund from the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University,China,No.802168(to XSM)+2 种基金the fund of Leading Talents of Guangdong Province,China,No.87014002(to KFS)the fund of Ningxia Key Research and Development Program(Yinchuan,Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China)Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities,China,No.B14036(to KFS)
文摘Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy characterized by the loss of peripheral vision first and then central vision. Clinically, normal tension glaucoma is considered a special subtype of glaucoma, in which the patient’s intraocular pressure is within the normal range, but the patient experiences typical glaucomatous changes. However, increasing evidence has challenged the traditional pathophysiological view of normal tension glaucoma, which is based only on intraocular pressure, and breakthroughs in central nervous system imaging may now greatly increase our knowledge about the mechanisms underlying normal tension glaucoma. In this article, we review the latest progress in understanding the pathogenesis of normal tension glaucoma and in developing imaging techniques to detect it, to strengthen the appreciation for the connection between normal tension glaucoma and the brain.
文摘Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men. Previous research has determined that androgen deprivation therapy （ADT） may be accompanied by an unfavourable metabolic profile. In this prospective study, 133 men were recruited, including 46 prostate cancer patients who had undergone bilateral orchiectomy and been on flutamide （the ADT group）, 37 men with prostate cancer who had undergone radical prostatectomy （the non-ADT group） and 50 normal control subjects （the control group）. All subjects were followed for at least 12 months. From baseline to 3 months, men in the ADT group had increased levels of fasting serum insulin and low-density lipoprotein compared to the other two groups （P〈0.05）. No obvious changes were found in the other parameters （P〉0.05）. After 12 months, men in the ADT group had increased levels of waist circumference, fasting serum insulin and glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein compared to the other two groups （P〈0.05）. Additionally, the morbidity rate of metabolic syndrome in the ADT group was higher （P〈0.05） compared to the other two groups. ADT through surgical castration for men with prostate cancer may be associated with unfavourable metabolic changes. The benefits of the therapy should be balanced prudently against these risks.
基金Supported by The Basic Science Research Program, No.2011-0022387the SRC program, Center for Food and Nutritional Genomics: No. 2012-0000644 through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education,Science and Technology
文摘AIM: To investigate long-term effects of Garcinia Cambogia (GC), weight-loss supplement, on adiposity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese mice. METHODS: Obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 45 kcal% fat) with or without GC (1%, w/w) for 16 wk. The HFD contained 45 kcal% fat, 20 kcal% protein and 35 kcal% carbohydrate. They were given free access to food and distilled water, and food consumption and body weight were measured daily and weekly, respectively. Data were expressed as the mean ± SE. Statistical analyses were performed using the statistical package for the social science software program. Student's t test was used to assess the differences between the groups. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in body weight and food intake between the groups. However, the supplementation of GC significantly lowered visceral fat accumulation and adipocyte size via inhibition of fatty acid synthase activity and its mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue, along with enhanced enzymatic activity and gene expression involved in adipose fatty acid β-oxidation. Moreover, GC supplementation resulted in significant reductions in glucose intolerance and the plasma resistin level in the HFD-fed mice. However, we first demonstrated that it increased hepatic collagen accumulation, lipid peroxidation and mRNA levels of genes related to oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and inflammatory responses (tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) as well as plasma alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels, although HFD-induced hepatic steatosis was not altered. CONCLUSION: GC protects against HFD-induced obesity by modulating adipose fatty acid synthesis and β-oxidation but induces hepatic fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress.
文摘BACKGROUND： Cancer cachexia is the wasting condition that is often seen in advanced stage cancer patients. This wasting is largely attributable to a systemic and progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass that greatly hinders performance of normal daily activities, resulting in reduced quality of life. Moreover, it negatively influences the prognosis of cancer patients. A general consensus in the field is that the loss of muscle mass is due both to an increase in protein degradation and a decrease in protein synthesis. Recent studies using preclinical models for studying cachexia have been useful in identifying the contribution of inflammatory cytokines （e.g. tumor necrosis factor-a and Interleukin-6）, and myostatin receptors （e.g. the type IIB activin receptor） to cachexia development, and have led to several clinical trials. However, many questions remain about the molecular mechanisms thought to play a role in the development of cachexia. METHODS： We conducted a literature search using search engines, such as PubMed and Google Scholar to identify publications within the cancer cachexia field. RESULTS- We summarized our current knowledge of： 1） the driving mechanisms of cancer cachexia, 2） the preclinical models available for studying the condition, and 3） the findings of recent clinical trials. CONCLUSION： Cancer cachexia is a complex and variable condition that currently has no standard effective therapeutic treatment. Further studies are desperately needed to better understand this condition and develop effective combination treatments for patients.
