Xiu- Li

Factors regulating production of alpha-galactosidase from Bacillus sp. JF2

Certain factors affecting the production of cell‐associated α‐galactosidase by Bacillus sp. JF2 were investigated. The intention was to maximize α‐galactosidase activity of potential commercial application, by consecutive optimization of growth media and conditions. The highest α‐galactosidase activity was obtained when grown on melibiose, whereas sucrose inhibited the production of α‐galactosidase. α‐Galactosidase production was optimally active at pH 7·5 and 55°C. It was identified that a soy effluent stream could be used as the best carbon source for α‐galactosidase by Bacillus sp. JF2.

Phosphate promotes uranium (VI) adsorption in Staphylococcus aureus LZ-01.

Staphylococcus aureus LZ‐01 was isolated from the Yellow River upstream from Lanzhou which can resist and reduce chromium (VI) to chromium (III). In this study, strain LZ‐01s uranium (VI) resistance and adsorption abilities were investigated. Our results showed that it can resist 2 mmol l−1 U(VI) and adsorb 96% of 2 mmol l−1 U(VI) after 6 h incubation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that precipitates were formed on the surface of the cells. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis indicated that the precipitates contained uranium and phosphorus. The U(VI) adsorption rate of strain LZ‐01 was promoted by 20 mmol l−1 phosphate. It adsorbed 45% of 2·5 mmol l−1 U(VI) in 30 min compared to 36% without phosphate (P < 0·05). Strain LZ‐01 can resist heavy metals and survive in nuclear waste‐contaminated environments. Strain LZ‐01 might be a potential candidate for nuclear waste remediation with phosphate added.

Astragalus Membranaceus Improving Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women with Metabolic Syndrome: A Prospective, Open-Labeled, Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have increased cardiovascular morbidity and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). The various protective effects of astragalus membranaceus (AM) have been described in previous studies. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of AM on diastolic function in postmenopausal hypertensive women with MetS. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized controlled study. The postmenopausal hypertensive patients with MetS were enrolled from Lanzhou University Second Hospital from March 2014 to April 2015. Patients were divided into three groups: control group (received conventional medical treatment), AM Group 1 (received AM capsules at 5 g/d additionally), and AM Group 2 (received AM capsules at 10 g/d additionally). Echocardiographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated before and 12 months after treatment. Quantitative data were analyzed using unpaired t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 154 patients were subjected to final analysis. In the AM Group 2, significant improvements were noted in diastolic function 12 months after treatment than those of the control group, including the early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E’; 0.065 ± 0.007 m/s vs. 0.061 ± 0.008 m/s, P = 0.014), the ratio of the early diastolic mitral peak flow velocity to the late diastolic mitral peak flow velocity (E/A; 0.81 ± 0.05 vs. 0.80 ± 0.06, P = 0.012), the ratio of E’ to the late diastolic mitral annular velocity (E’/A’; 0.56 ± 0.12 vs. 0.51 ± 0.13, P = 0.048), and the ratio of the early diastolic mitral peak flow velocity (E) to E’ (E/E’; 10.70 ± 1.30 vs. 11.37 ± 1.73, P = 0.031). After treatment, E/E’ (10.70 ± 1.30 vs. 11.24 ± 1.56, P = 0.021), deceleration time (DT; 261.49 ± 44.41 ms vs. 268.74 ± 53.87 ms, P = 0.046), and E’/A’ (0.56 ± 0.12 vs. 0.52 ± 0.13, P = 0.019) values improved more significantly than those of AM Group 2 before treatment. Besides, waist circumference was positively correlated with E’ (r = 0.472; P = 0.003) and E’/A’ (r = 0.321; P = 0.047). In addition, the waist-to-hip ratio was a significant predictor of DT (r = 0.276; P = 0.041), E’ (r = −0.590; P < 0.001), E/E’ (r = 0.454; P = 0.004), and E’/A’ (r = −0.377; P = 0.018). Conclusions: Conventional medical plus AM therapy improved diastolic function. Moreover, WC and WHR might be risk factors for LVDD. Chinese Clinical Trial Register: ChiCTR-TRC-11001747. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=7798.

MPS 15-02 GENDER BASED COMPARISON OF THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ASTRAGALUS ON CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

Objective: To investigate the influence of Astragalus in the protection of cardiovascular structure and function in essential hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) depending on gender. Design and Method: This is a prospective, open labeled, parallel randomized controlled trial. 206 hypertensive patients with MetS between 18 and 60 years were randomly assigned to control group, Astragalus group 1 (Astragalus 10 g/d) and Astragalus group 2 (Astragalus 5 g/d). Metabolic related indexes were measured by laboratory blood tests. Left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDd), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), left ventricular diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), deceleration time (DT), early diastolic mitral annular velocity/late diastolic velocity of tricuspid annulus (E’/A’), pulmonary venous arterial reversal velocity (Ar) and mitral flow velocity (Vp) were measured by ultrasound echocardiogram. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle brachial index (ABI) were obtained by arteriosclerotic instrument. Aortic pulse wave analyzer was used to measure the carotid and femoral artery pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and augmentation index (AIx). All of the indicators were compared between pre-treatment and post-treatment after a 12 months follow-up. This research program is registered under the Chinese Clinical Trial Register Website (ChiCTR-TRC-11001747). Results: Triglyceride (TG), E’/A’ and Vp were significantly improved after treatment with Astragalus in females as compared to males (P = 0.026, P = 0.031, P = 0.042 respectively). CAVI and AIx were also reduced significantly in females (P = 0.036, P = 0.017 respectively). However, other indicators showed no difference after treatment (P > 0.05). In males, most indicators had no significant difference except total cholesterol (TC) and ABI which were reduced significantly after treatment (P = 0.033, P = 0.029 respectively). Conclusions: The protective effect of Astragalus on cardiovascular structure and function is better in female patients than male. The sex hormones might have a role in it. A further long term study would be helpful in confirming the efficacy of Astragalus extract.

PS 10-07 TETRAHYDROBIOPTERIN EFFECTS LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION BY UPREGULATING PROTEIN KINASE Cε SIGNALING PATHWAY IN DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE-SALT HYPERTENSIVE MICE:

Objective: To identify the influence of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) on left ventricular diastolic function and the expression of protein kinase C &egr;(PKC&egr;) in desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive mice. Design and method: We used the DOCA-salt mouse model, which demonstrates mild hypertension, myocardial oxidative stress, and diastolic dysfunction. Mice were divided into DOCA group(n = 22), DOCA + BH4 group(n = 22), SHAM group(n = 20) and SHAM + BH4 group(n = 20). Arterial pressure, echocardigraphy and hemodynamic method were used to investigate the DOCA model establishment, cardiac structure and function. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP), malonaldehydeby, BH4 and PKC &egr; were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELASA), western-blot or high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) in cardiac tissues of all groups. Results: Compared to Sham group, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in DOCA group were increased (P < 0.05), but between DOCA + BH4 group and DOCA group, there was no significant statistical differences in blood pressure (P > 0.05). The ratio of left-ventricular early diastolic filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E’), end-diastolic pressure-volume relation (EDPVR) and Tau index were increased in DOCA group when compared with Sham group [(14.27 ± 0.79) vs (10.6 ± 0.52) ms, (38.49 ± 3.91) vs (25.77 ± 5.21), (0.22 ± 0.05) vs (0.15 ± 0.02) mm, all P < 0.05]. After BH4 treatment in DOCA mice, EDPVR and Tau index were reduced [(0.17 ± 0.04) vs (0.22 ± 0.05), (12.05 ± 1.35) vs (14.27 ± 0.79), P < 0.05]. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) in DOCA group were reduced when compared with Sham group. After BH4 treatment in DOCA mice, SOD and NO were increased. Compared to Sham group, the protein level of PKC &egr; in DOCA group was decreased (P < 0.05), while it was increased in DOCA + BH4 group as compared with DOCA group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: BH4 had little effect on BP, but it could improve left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive mice, which was related to lowering the levels of oxidative stress, increasing amounts of NO by upregulating PKC &egr; signaling pathway.

E-011 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OXIDATIVE STRESS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN FEMALE PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Backround Evidencessuggest that female sexual dysfunction(FSD) is more prevalent in hypertensive women than in normotensive women. One possible explanation might be the impacts of hypertension oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and FSD in hypertensive women. Methods Total of 160 hypertensive (1 or 2 degree) women and 50 normotensive women, aged 18–60 years, were investigated. Hypertensive patients were newly diagnosed, previously untreated no less than one month. Female sexual function was evaluated using a female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire. Levels of serum 8-Hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of an abnormal FSFI score with variables associated with it during univariate analysis. Funding from: The Specific Project of Technological Research and Development in Gansu Province of China(0709TCYA068). Results Sexual dysfunction was found in 60.4% of hypertensive women compared with 26.0% of normotensive women (P = 0.000). FSD rates gradually increased in older compared with younger hypertensive women. The mean score of FSFI at baseline decreased with age,and the between-age-groupdifference was statistically significant (P = 0.000). Levels of8-OHdG,HNE and MDA werelower in hypertensive patients compared with normotensive women (P = 0.003,P = 0.001,P = 0.000, respectively). In hypertensive women, levels of 8-OHdG,HNE and MDA did not statistically differ between women with FSD and normal sexual function (P = 0.375, P = 0.452, P = 0.378, respectively). No statistically significant correlation was found between FSFI score and concentration of8-OHdG,HNE and MDA(P = 0.231, P = 0.142, P = 0.104, respectively). Serum 8-OHdG,HNE and MDA were not predictors of FSFI score. Conclusions These results suggest that FSD is more prevalent in women withessential hypertension compared with women with normalblood pressure. Status of oxidative stress is enhanced in hypertensive women. However, no relationship shows between FSD and oxidative stress. This topic need to be explored in the future study.