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ABSTRACT: To investigate the associations of IκBα gene polymorphisms with the development and clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 110 patients with
SLE and 120 unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The IκBα −881 A/G, −826 C/T, −550 A/T, −519 C/T, and −297 C/T polymorphisms were determined by the polymerase chain reaction/reaction
fragment length polymorphism method. The genotype frequency of IκBα −826 C/T in the patients with SLE was significantly higher than that of the controls (p = 0.003, OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3–3.9). The SLE patients also have significantly higher carriage rate of IκBα −826 T than the controls (p = 0.01, OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2–3.4). We also found that the estimated haplotype frequency of IκBα −881A −826T −550A −519C −297C was significantly increased in the patients with SLE in comparison with that of the controls.
This study also demonstrated that the association of IκBα −826 T with SLE was independent of HLA-DR15, which is associated with susceptibility to SLE in Taiwan. Moreover, a synergistic effect could also be found between IκBα −826 T and HLA-DR15. IκBα −826 T is associated with the development of SLE in Taiwan. The IκBα −881A −826T −550A −519C −297C haplotype is also associated with susceptibility to SLE. This study also demonstrated that
IκBα -881G was associated with the occurrence of vasculitis in SLE patients. IκBα −550T might be a protective factor for the development of malar rash.
Journal of Clinical Immunology 04/2012; 28(3):207-213. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease primarily affecting women (9:1 compared with men). To investigate the influence of female sex hormone estrogen on the development of female-biased lupus, we compared the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) gene and protein levels as well as expression of T-cell activation gene calcineurin in response to estrogen in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from SLE patients and normal controls. PBLs were isolated from 20 female SLE patients and 6 normal female controls. The amount of ERα protein in PBL was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of ERα and calcineurin messenger RNA was measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Calcineurin phosphatase activity was measured by calcineurin assay kit. The expression of ERα messenger RNA and ERα protein was significantly increased (p=0.001 and p=0.023, respectively) in PBL from SLE patients compared with that from normal controls. In addition, the basal calcineurin in PBL from SLE patients was significantly higher (p=0.000) than that from normal controls, and estrogen-induced expression of calcineurin was increased (p=0.007) in PBL from SLE patients compared with that from normal controls, a 3.15-fold increase. This increase was inhibited by the ERα antagonism ICI 182,780. The effects of ER antagonism were also found in calcineurin activity. These data suggest that overexpression of ERα gene and enhanced activation of calcineurin in response to estrogen in PBL may contribute to the pathogenesis of female dominant in SLE.
The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences 04/2011; 27(4):125-31. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the associations of DNA methylation levels and mRNA expressions of DNA cytosine-5-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and methyl CpG-binding domain 2 (MBD2) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The global methylation status of DNA was measured in 65 patients with RA and 64 healthy controls by the ELISA method. DNMT1 and MBD2 mRNA were also detected in 177 RA patients and 95 controls using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method.
The global methylation of DNA was significantly decreased in the RA patients compared to the controls (p=0.005, 95% CI=0.0835-0.4503). The patients with RA had higher expressions of DNMT1 and MBD2 mRNA than the controls (p<0.001, 95% CI=-0.0024 to -0.0053 and p<0.001, 95% CI=-0.0079 to -0.0167, respectively). We also found that the MBD2 mRNA level was not related to the disease activity of RA. However, the expression of DNMT1 mRNA tended to be associated with the disease activity of RA (p=0.08). The levels of DNA methylation and DNMT1 mRNA were significantly decreased in the patients with anti-CCP antibody compared with those without (p=0.005, 95% CI=-0.7333 to -0.1373 and p=0.003, 95% CI=-0.0071 to -0.0022, respectively). The differences in the methylation level and expressions of DNMT1 and MBD2 were not significant between the patients treated with and without anti-TNFα biological agents (Enbrel or Humira).
This study demonstrated that the RA patients have a significantly lower level of DNA methylation than the controls. Moreover, RA patients have higher expressions of DNMT1 and MBD2 mRNA. The anti-TNFα biological agents do not seem to affect DNA methylation and mRNA expressions of DNMT1 and MBD2 in RA patients.
Immunology letters 10/2010; 135(1-2):96-9. · 2.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) mRNA expression and SOCS1 polymorphisms with the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One hundred and eighty-one patients with RA and 96 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The SOCS1 mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. SOCS1 polymorphisms were determined by the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism method. We found that the expression of SOCS1 mRNA in PBMCs was significantly greater in patients with RA than in healthy controls. There were no significant differences in the expression of SOCS1 mRNA among patients with different disease activities. The increment in SOCS1 mRNA after stimulation with various cytokines was slightly lower in the patients with RA than in the healthy controls. This study also demonstrated that the SOCS1 polymorphisms were not associated with susceptibility to RA. In conclusion, the expression of SOCS1 mRNA in PBMCs is higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls. The increment in SOCS1 mRNA expression in PBMCs after stimulation with different cytokines seems to be lower in patients with RA than in healthy controls.
The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences 06/2010; 26(6):290-8. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the role of IkappaBalpha promoter polymorphisms in the development of Behçet's disease, eighty-six patients with Behçet's disease and 120 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The IkappaBalpha -881A/G, -826C/T, -550A/T, -519C/T, and -297C/T polymorphisms were measured by the method of polymerase chain reaction/ restriction fragment length polymorphism. This study demonstrated that the genotype frequencies of IkappaBalpha -826C/T and -826T/T were significantly higher in the patients with Behçet's disease than in the controls. Both in the dominant and in the recessive models, the patients with Behçet's disease have higher frequencies of the IkappaBalpha -826T containing genotype than the controls. The allele frequency of IkappaBalpha -826T was significantly increased in the patients with Behçet's disease. The frequencies of the IkappaBalpha -881A -826T -550A -519C -297C and IkappaBalpha -881A -826T -550A -519T -297C haplotypes were significantly higher in the patients with Behçet's disease than in the controls. In contrast, the haplotype frequency of IkappaBalpha -881A -826C -550A -519C -297C in the patients with Behçet's disease was significantly decreased. This study also revealed that the Behçet's disease patients with IkappaBalpha -826T/T have higher prevalence of skin lesions than those without IkappaBalpha -826T/T. In summary, the IkappaBalpha -826T allele, IkappaBalpha -881A -826T -550A -519C -297C and IkappaBalpha -881A -826T -550A -519T -297C haplotypes might be associated with susceptibility to Behçet's disease. The IkappaBalpha -826T/T genotype was related to the development of skin lesions in the patients with Behçet's disease.
Disease markers 01/2010; 28(1):55-62. · 1.64 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We implemented a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan to compare the physical and biochemical parameters, diet and exercise lifestyles, and prevalences of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension between males and females, and to clarify the determinants of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension in Taiwan. In this cross-sectional study, 7,578 subjects were selected from the general population by stratified random sampling for the Surveillance of Taiwanese Civil Health in 2002. Blood samples were taken and information on body composition, demographics, exercise and dietary habits, and medical and drug histories were obtained from structured interviews administered by well-trained interviewers. A total of 6,600 subjects (87.1%), aged 15.6-95.0 years old, completed the survey. The overall prevalences of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension were 9.9%, 22.8%, and 15.7%, respectively, and hyperlipidemia (27.0%) and hypertension (19.2%) were more prevalent in males. Males were more likely to have high-fat and high-cholesterol diets, compared with females. Although there were differences in the prevalences of hyperlipidemia and hypertension between the sexes, adjusted logistic regression analysis demonstrated little contribution of diet and exercise habits to the risks of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or hypertension after adjusting for age, sex, waist-to-hip ratio, serum blood sugar levels, cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, creatinine, uric acid, and blood pressure.
The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences 12/2009; 25(12):647-55. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The relationship between cigarette smoking and cell damage is complicated, particularly considering the role of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to identify the relationships among plasma nicotine metabolites, lipophilic antioxidants, and metabolic parameters in smokers and nonsmokers. This cross-sectional study recruited 100 subjects who visited the Department of Family Medicine at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. Excluding 14 ineligible cases, 46 smokers and 40 non-smokers were enrolled. Plasma nicotine metabolites, lipophilic antioxidants (including retinol, lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, delta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol), related metabolic parameters, and body composition (including height, weight, body mass index, body fat, and waist circumference) were examined by comparison of means, correlations and regressions. Significant correlations among nicotine metabolites, age, sex, body composition and plasma lipophilic antioxidants were noted. Nicotine metabolites, age, body height and body weight were closely associated with plasma antioxidant levels (p < 0.05) in multiple linear regression. The levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-tocopherol and lycopene were lower in smokers than in non-smokers (p < 0.01). The plasma level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), which is a marker for high cardiovascular risk, was higher in smokers than in non-smokers (p = 0.003). We conclude that the lower plasma antioxidant levels and the higher level of hsCRP in smokers may lead to decreased protective efficacy compared with non-smokers. Further studies are warranted to support our hypothesis.
The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences 08/2009; 25(8):423-30. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of IκBα with the development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Taiwan. One hundred and fifty-four patients with AS and 112 unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The IκBα-881A/G, -826C/T, -550A/T, -519C/T, and -297C/T polymorphisms were determined by the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism method. This study demonstrated that the genotype frequencies of IκBα-826C/T and -826T/T, and allele frequencies of IκBα-826T were significantly higher in the patients with AS than in the controls. We also found that the estimated haplotype frequencies of IκBα-881A -826T -550A -519C -297C and IκBα-881A -826C -550A -519T -297C were significantly increased in the patient with AS in comparison with that of the controls. In contrast, the estimated haplotype frequency of IκBα-881A -826C -550A -519C -297C was significantly decreased in the patients with AS. This study demonstrates that IκBα-826T is associated with the development of AS. Furthermore, the IκBα-881A -826T -550A -519C -297C and IκBα-881A -826C -550A -519T -297C haplotypes are related to susceptibility to AS in Taiwan.
Rheumatology International 05/2009; 30(1):93-7. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Most researchers believe that the peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma-2) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPR2) play important roles in steroid-induced osteonecrosis (ON). However, the molecular mechanism of this process is still unclear. Recent studies indicate that steroid treatments cause adipocyte formation due to differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, which then prevents osteoblast formation. This study examined PPARgamma-2, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), and BMPR2 in patients with systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE) who eventually developed ON after prolonged steroid treatment. The subjects of this experiment included 220 SLE patients who had undergone steroid treatment for at least 2 years. Fifty-five of the 220 patients were ON patients, and 165 were non-ON patients. Real-time PCR was performed to analyze the expression of the PPARgamma-2, BMP2, and BMPR2 mRNA in the peripheral blood of these patients. The results indicated that the expression of PPARgamma-2 mRNA increased 37% in the ON patients' peripheral blood, but the expression of BMPR2 mRNA decreased 57%. The average expression of the PPARgamma-2 mRNA in the ON patients was significantly higher than that in the non-ON patients (p = 0.044). Conversely, the expression of BMPR2 mRNA was significantly lower than that in non-ON patients (p = 0.036), but the expression of BMP2 mRNA did not significantly differ. This study demonstrated that the PPARgamma-2 and BMPR2 have important roles in the ON process after prolonged steroid administration in SLE patients; however, the detailed molecular mechanisms of this process require further study.
DNA and cell biology 12/2008; 27(11):623-8. · 2.28 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: IntroductionTo investigate the association of IkBα promoter polymorphisms with the development of primary Sjögren’s syndrome in Taiwan, 98 patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome
and 110 unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in this study.
Materials and MethodsThe IκBα −881 A/G, IκBα −826 C/T, IκBα −550 A/T, IκBα −519 C/T, and IκBα −297 C/T polymorphisms were determined by the methods of polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism.
ResultsThis study demonstrated that the genotype frequencies of IκBα −826 C/T and IκBα −826 T/T, in comparison with that of IκBα −826 C/C, were significantly higher in the patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome than in the controls. The allele frequency
of IκBα −881 G was significantly decreased in the patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome compared with that of the controls. In
contrast, the allele frequency of IκBα −826 T was significantly higher in the patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome than in the controls. The similar findings
could also be found in the allele carriage frequencies. The patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome had lower allele carriage
frequencies of IκBα −881 G and IκBα −826 C, and a higher allele carriage frequency of IκBα −826 T. We also found that the estimated haplotype frequency of IκBα −881A-826T-550A-519C-297C was significantly increased in the patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome in comparison with
that of the controls.
DiscussionThis study demonstrated that the IkBα −826T allele and IkBα −881A-826T-550A-519C-297C haplotype were associated with susceptibility to primary Sjögren’s syndrome in Taiwan. However,
these findings may not be disease-specific but may be related to inflammatory responses.
Journal of Clinical Immunology 08/2008; 28(5):440-444. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the association of IkBalpha promoter polymorphisms with the development of primary Sjögren's syndrome in Taiwan, 98 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and 110 unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in this study.
The IkappaBalpha -881 A/G, IkappaBalpha -826 C/T, IkappaBalpha -550 A/T, IkappaBalpha -519 C/T, and IkappaBalpha -297 C/T polymorphisms were determined by the methods of polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism.
This study demonstrated that the genotype frequencies of IkappaBalpha -826 C/T and IkappaBalpha -826 T/T, in comparison with that of IkappaBalpha -826 C/C, were significantly higher in the patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome than in the controls. The allele frequency of IkappaBalpha -881 G was significantly decreased in the patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome compared with that of the controls. In contrast, the allele frequency of IkappaBalpha -826 T was significantly higher in the patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome than in the controls. The similar findings could also be found in the allele carriage frequencies. The patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome had lower allele carriage frequencies of IkappaBalpha -881 G and IkappaBalpha -826 C, and a higher allele carriage frequency of IkappaBalpha -826 T. We also found that the estimated haplotype frequency of IkappaBalpha -881A-826T-550A-519C-297C was significantly increased in the patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome in comparison with that of the controls.
This study demonstrated that the IkBalpha -826T allele and IkBalpha -881A-826T-550A-519C-297C haplotype were associated with susceptibility to primary Sjögren's syndrome in Taiwan. However, these findings may not be disease-specific but may be related to inflammatory responses.
Journal of Clinical Immunology 08/2008; 28(5):440-4. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Longitudinal data on bone decline for Chinese elderly people are sparse, especially for the healthy aged male. We report the longitudinal change in bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck, great trochanter and Ward's triangle in healthy older Taiwanese men.
A prospective cohort study was conducted. We screened 1500 subjects aged > or = 65 years. One hundred and seventy men were eligible for hip evaluation, and 167 had hip BMD measured. Two years later, 142 men completed follow-up BMD measurement. Linear regression was performed between aging and bone loss. Paired t test was used to determine changes in BMD between the intervals.
In the initial study, subjects showed significant bone loss through aging by linear regression at all three sites (p < 0.001). Two years later, there was a significant decrease in BMD at all three sites (p < 0.001). For the age cohort, all the age groups showed a significant decrease in BMD at the three study sites (p < 0.05), except those aged > or = 75 years at Ward's triangle (p = 0.667) and the great trochanter (p = 0.1). There was a peak loss of BMD in men aged 65-69 years, as high as 5.57% annually at Ward's triangle.
BMD was negatively related to aging in healthy men. The loss of BMD in the 65-69 years age group was faster at Ward's triangle than at other sites. Bone loss in Chinese men is of concern because it is greater than in Caucasian men.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 08/2008; 107(8):653-8. · 1.13 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the associations of IkappaBalpha gene polymorphisms with the development and clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 110 patients with SLE and 120 unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The IkappaBalpha -881 A/G, -826 C/T, -550 A/T, -519 C/T, and -297 C/T polymorphisms were determined by the polymerase chain reaction/reaction fragment length polymorphism method. The genotype frequency of IkappaBalpha -826 C/T in the patients with SLE was significantly higher than that of the controls (p = 0.003, OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3-3.9). The SLE patients also have significantly higher carriage rate of IkappaBalpha -826 T than the controls (p = 0.01, OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2-3.4). We also found that the estimated haplotype frequency of IkappaBalpha -881A -826T -550A -519C -297C was significantly increased in the patients with SLE in comparison with that of the controls. This study also demonstrated that the association of IkappaBalpha -826 T with SLE was independent of HLA-DR15, which is associated with susceptibility to SLE in Taiwan. Moreover, a synergistic effect could also be found between IkappaBalpha -826 T and HLA-DR15. IkappaBalpha -826 T is associated with the development of SLE in Taiwan. The IkappaBalpha -881A -826T -550A -519C -297C haplotype is also associated with susceptibility to SLE. This study also demonstrated that IkappaBalpha -881G was associated with the occurrence of vasculitis in SLE patients. IkappaBalpha -550T might be a protective factor for the development of malar rash.
Journal of Clinical Immunology 01/2008; 28(3):207-13. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the role of ligands for programmed cell death 1 (PD-L) in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 129 patients with RA and 125 unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The PD-L1 and PD-L2 polymorphisms were determined by the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/direct sequencing or PCR/reaction fragment length polymorphisms. The genotype distributions of PD-L1 6777 C/G were not significantly different between the patients with RA and healthy controls. There was also no significant difference in the allele frequencies of PD-L1 6777 C/G polymorphisms between the patients with RA and controls. Similar findings could also be found in the phenotypes and alleles frequencies of PD-L2 47103 C/T and 47139 T/C polymorphisms between the patients with RA and controls. The patients with PD-L1 6777 G had higher prevalence of rheumatoid nodule in comparison with those without PD-L1 6777 G (p = 0.005, OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.5-10.9). In contrast, the PD-L2 47103 C/T and 47139 T/C polymorphisms were not related to the occurrence of rheumatoid nodule. This study demonstrated that the PD-L1 and PD-L2 polymorphisms were not associated with susceptibility to RA in Taiwan. PD-L1 6777 G was associated with the prevalence of rheumatoid nodule.
Journal of Clinical Immunology 12/2007; 27(6):563-7. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Cross-sectional studies investigated the impact of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) gene polymorphism on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) with conflicting results. We conducted a longitudinal study to investigate the influence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) and angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C gene polymorphisms on the LVMI and geometry.
Of 1500 people screened, 110 nondiabetic normotensive elderly Chinese persons were recruited and received echocardiography at baseline and at the 2nd and 4th year follow-up. No participants had a history of organic heart disease or chronic medication. The gene polymorphisms were analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction.
Participant age was 71.9 +/- 3.9 years (range 60-81 years). The prevalence of concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric hypertrophy was significantly increased as well as LVMI after 4 years (all p <.05). These changes and the magnitude of LVMI increase were significantly higher in participants carrying the ACE D allele than non-D-allele carriers (all p <.05). This association was still significant in multivariate analyses (p </=.02). A similar analysis showed a borderline significance in the AT1R but not in the AGT gene polymorphism.
This longitudinal study showed that the aging process was associated with an increase of LVMI and changes of geometry. The RAS gene polymorphism, especially the ACE D allele, might modulate these changes in the Chinese population. This provides further knowledge that is essential in the assessment of cardiac disease and the determination of the left ventricular structure in older persons.
The Journals of Gerontology Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 10/2007; 62(10):1157-63. · 4.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the role of ligands for programmed cell death 1 (PD-L) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
One hundred sixty-four patients with SLE and 160 healthy controls were enrolled in our study. The PD-L1 and PD-L2 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/direct sequencing or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR.
The genotype distributions of PD-L2 47103 C/T polymorphisms in patients with SLE were significantly different from those of the controls (p = 0.003). The genotype frequency of PD-L2 47103 T/T, in comparison with 47103 C/C, was significantly increased in patients with SLE when compared with that of the controls (odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.4-4.4, p = 0.001). A similar finding could also be found in the allele frequency of PD-L2 47103 T (SLE vs control, OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.4, p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of PD-L1 polymorphisms between the patients and controls.
PD-L2 47103 T may be associated with susceptibility to SLE in Taiwan.
The Journal of Rheumatology 05/2007; 34(4):721-5. · 3.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To test the association between fasting glucose level and left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in people aged 60 and older.
Population-based prospective study with 4-year follow-up.
Department of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, and Graduate Institute of Medicine and Public Health, KMU.
Of 1,500 people screened, 105 without symptoms or signs of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease were recruited from senior activity centers in Kaohsiung city.
All received two-dimensional echocardiography and fasting glucose examination at baseline and at 2- and 4-year follow-up. LVH was defined as a LVM index (LVMI) greater than 122.4 g/m(2) or 51 g/m(2.7).
Age ranged from 60 to 81 (mean 71.7+/-3.9). Baseline glucose ranged from 83 to 118 mg/dL (mean 99.7+/-7.9 mg/dL). LVMI was significantly higher at the 4-year follow-up (97.5+/-24.9 vs 104.5+/-27.5 g/m(2) and 44.2+/-12.1 vs 47.2+/-13.4 g/m(2.7), both P<.01), as was the occurrence of LVH (16% vs 32% and 25% vs 39%, both P<.01). Baseline glucose correlates with 4-year change in LVMI (both P<.02). In the fourth year, baseline glucose was a significant predictor of LVMI (both P<.01) and LVH (P=.03 in g/m(2) definition) using logistic regression analysis.
Because fasting glucose is an independent predictor for greater LVM and for development of LVH, it should be considered in assessment of cardiac disease and LVM in healthy older people without diabetes mellitus.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 05/2007; 55(5):717-24. · 3.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the role of SLC 11A1 polymorphisms in the development of reactive arthritis, 91 patients with reactive arthritis and 163 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The SLC 11A1 polymorphisms were determined by the method of polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotype distributions of SLC 11A1 274, 823, 1703, and 1729+ 55 del 4 were significantly different between the patients with reactive arthritis and controls. The genotype frequency of SLC 11A1 274C/C was significantly decreased in the patients with reactive arthritis when compared with that of the controls. In contrast, the SLC 11A1 274C/T showed a significant association with reactive arthritis. The patients with reactive arthritis have a significantly higher frequency of SLC 11A1 823C/C than the controls. However, SLC 11A1 823T/T was resistant to the development of reactive arthritis. The allele frequencies of SLC 11A1 274T and 823C were significantly increased in the patients with reactive arthritis in comparison with those of the controls, independent of HLA-B27. On the contrary, the allele frequencies of SLC 11A1 274C and 823T were significantly decreased in the patients with reactive arthritis. The estimated haplotype frequency of SLC 11A1 274C 823T 1703G 1729+55del 4 TGTG+ was significantly decreased in the patients with reactive arthritis when compared with that of the controls. In contrast, the estimated haplotype frequency of SLC 11A1 274T 823C 1703G 1729+55 del 4 TGTG+ was significantly increased in the patients with reactive arthritis. This study shows that the SLC 11A1 274T and 823C alleles are associated with susceptibility to reactive arthritis independently of HLA-B27 in Taiwan. The SLC 11A1 274T 823C 1703G 1729+55 del 4 TGTG+ haplotype is associated with the development of reactive arthritis in Taiwan. In contrast, the SLC 11A1 274C 823T 1703G 1729+55 del 4 TGTG+ haplotype may be a protective factor.
Journal of Clinical Immunology 02/2007; 27(1):46-52. · 3.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The National Health Insurance (NHI) and social welfare agencies have implemented the Elderly Health Examination Program (EHEP) for years. No study has ever attempted to evaluate whether this program is cost-effective. The purposes of this study were, firstly, to understand the prevalence and incidence rates of hypertension and, secondly, to estimate the cost and effectiveness of the EHEP, focusing on hypertension screening. The data sources were: (1) hypertension and clinical information derived from the 1996 and 1997 EHEP, which was used to generate prevalence and incidence rates of hypertension; and (2) claim data of the NHI that included treatment costs of stroke patients (in- and outpatients). Hypothetical models were used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the hypertension screening program in various conditions. Sensitivity analysis was also employed to evaluate the effect of each estimation indicator on the cost and effectiveness of the hypertension screening program. A total of 28.3% of the elderly population in Kaohsiung (25,174 of 88,812) participated in the 1996 EHEP; 14,915 of them participated in the following 1997 EHEP, with a retention rate of 59.3%. Criteria from the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI) (systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure>or=160/95 mmHg or taking antihypertensive drugs) were used; we found that prevalence and incidence rates of hypertension were 24.6% and 6.6%, respectively. Hypertension rates are increasing in the aging process as shown in both prevalence and incidence models. In comparison with non-participants, the prevalence model indicates that each hypertension patient who had attended the EHEP not only saved NT$34,570-34,890 in medical and associated costs, but also increased their lifespan by 128 days. The present findings suggest that the EHEP is a cost-effective program with health and social welfare policy implications. With the relatively low participation rate of the EHEP, health and social agencies need to put more effort into the promotion of this free health examination program to attract potential participants. In doing so, the population at risk for hypertension would be identified for early treatment, and the probability of having stroke could be decreased. Consequently, health care expenditures for treatment and caregiving of stroke patients would be minimized. Finally, it should be noted that the sensitivity and values of selected parameters can modify the results of cost-effectiveness analysis. Interpretations of the effects of prevention services on costs and effectiveness need to be treated with caution.
The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences 01/2007; 23(1):17-24. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To search for an effective antiviral agent, this study tested the hypothesis that sho-saiko-to (Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang) and crude saikosaponins possess the activity directly against HBV and could affect the expressions of viral antigens, HBeAg and HBsAg, in HepG(2) 2.2.15 cell model. The viral amount and viral antigens in the suspension were estimated by quantitative real time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The results showed that sho-saiko-to could inhibit the production of HBV (p < 0.0001), 20 microg/ml sho-saiko-to was efficacious at day-3 of treatment and 10 microg/ml at day-6. The calculated IC(50) and CC(50) of sho-saiko-to were 55.76 microg/ml and 372 microg/ml, respectively, with a selectivity index of 6.67. Crude saponin of B. chinense could also inhibit the replication of HBV (p < 0.0001). Owing to the anti-neoplastic activity of sho-saiko-to and saikosaponin, their calculated CC(50) and selectivity index might be under-estimated. Sho-saiko-to also decreased the expression of HBeAg with the minimal effective concentration of 20 microg/ml. Sho-saiko-to contained too little saikosaponin. Therefore, the anti-HBV activity of sho-saiko-to might not be mediated by saikosaponin. Sho-saiko-to could be supplementary to nucleotide analogues to minimize the recurrence of viremia after its discontinuation.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 01/2007; 35(2):341-51. · 1.98 Impact Factor
