Major royal jelly proteins alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice model by regulating disordered metabolic pathways.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the major cause of global chronic hepatic injury, has obtained increasing attention while the current drug treatment still laid safety hazards. Major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), the water-soluble proteins enriched in royal jelly (RJ), were applied to study its effects on improving NAFLD in the NAFLD mouse model. Herein, we demonstrated that intaking of 250-500 mg/kg/day MRJPs significantly decreased the rate of obesity, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance.

[Protective effect of cold autologous blood cardioplegic solution on the heart of infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease].

Objective: To study the protective effect of cold autologous blood cardioplegic solution on the heart of infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD).

Methods: Ninety-six infants with CCHD who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly and equally divided into three groups: histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution, cold non-autologous blood cardioplegic solution, and cold autologous blood cardioplegic solution. The right auricular tissues were taken before aortic cross-clamping and at 30 minutes after aortic declamping, and ATP level and energy charge (EC) in the myocardium were measured.

The circulating level of endothelial progenitor cells after transcatheter closure of congenital heart disease in children.

Data have shown that circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) closely correlate with the vascular endothelial layer state. The present study was designed to describe the evolution of EPCs in children before and 24 h after transcatheter closure surgery for occluding congenital heart disease. Three groups of patients were studied: the transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) group (group 1), the transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) group (group 2), and the transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) group (group 3).

[Effects of intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin treatment on the functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in children with Kawasaki disease].

Objective: To study the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin treatment on the functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and possible mechanisms.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained in 10 children with KD before and 7 days after the treatment by IVIG and aspirin. MTT method, modified Boyden chamber method and cell culture plate adhesion method were used to assess the functions of EPCs, including proliferation, adhension and migration activities.

The functions of endothelial progenitor cells were significantly improved after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin in children with Kawasaki disease.

We sought to determine the effects of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin on the functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) as well as its relationship with concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Ten KD patients in the acute phase of their disease were recruited. We investigated EPC functions in children with KD before and after treatment with IVIG and aspirin.

[Decreased circulating endothelial progenitor cell function: relationship with serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in children with Kawasaki disease].

Objective: To study the function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and its relationship with serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) in children with Kawasaki disease.

Methods: Ten children with Kawasaki disease and ten healthy children as a control group were enrolled. The peripheral mononuclear cells were induced into endothelial progenitor cells using Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium containing vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor.

[A modified management of the transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus: using angiography combined with transthoracic echocardiography].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of angiography combined with transthoracic echocardiography (TEE) as a modified management of the transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Methods: Forty children with PDA were randomly divided into two groups (n=20 each): observed and control. The control group accepted traditional transcatheter occlusion, and the observed group received a modified management (angiography combined with TEE).

The number and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is associated with coronary artery injury. Studies have shown that the endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) participates in the process of arterial repair. Data have been reported that the number of EPC increased significantly in the subacute phase of KD.