A lipophilic prodrug of Danshensu: preparation, characterization, and in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Danshensu [3-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl) lactic acid, DSS], one of the significant cardioprotective components, is extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza. In the present study, an ester prodrug of Danshensu (DSS), palmitoyl Danshensu (PDSS), was synthesized with the aim to improve its oral bioavailability and prolong its half-life. The in vitro experiments were carried out to evaluate the physicochemical properties and stability of PDSS.

Associations of maternal PLA2G4C and PLA2G4D polymorphisms with the risk of spontaneous preterm birth in a Chinese population.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in infants. Its etiology is multifactorial with genes and immune homeostasis. The authors investigated whether prostaglandin (PG) synthesis related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) PLA2G4C rs1366442 and PLA2G4D rs4924618 were associated with the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) in a Chinese population of 114 cases of SPTB and 250 controls of term delivery.

[SIRT1 promote GTM cell DSBs repair and resist cellular senescence].

Objective: To study the relationship between SIRT1 and glaucoma trabecular meshwork cell (GTM) cell on DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair capability and resist cellular senescence.

Methods: The expressions of SIRT1 in GTM and normal trabecular meshwork (HTM) cell detected by RT-RCR and Western blot; HTM and GTM cells divided into four groups separately: Res group (treat cells with 0.5 micromol/L Resveratrol for 24 h), SIRT1-ShRNA group (cells infected with recombinant SIRT1-ShRNA), microRNA34a group (cells infected with recombinant microRNA34a) and control group.

[The study of esophageal cancer risk associated with polymorphisms of DNA damage repair genes XRCC4 and RAD51].

Objective: Investigate the association between genetic polymorphism of DSBs repair gene XRCC4, RAD51 and susceptibility to esophageal cancer (EC).

Methods: A hospital based case-control study with 123 EC cases and 61 controls in a Chinese population was conducted. PCR-RFLP was applied to investigate the genotype of XRCC4 promoter G-1394T (rs6869366) and RAD51-G135C and then statistical analysis was conducted by calculating the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

[Research on regulation of cell senescence by miRNA-34a].

Objective: To determine miRNA-34a regulated cell senescence indirectly through targeting silent mating-type information regulation 2 homologue 1 (SIRT1) in vitro experiment.

Methods: A constructed pre-miRNA -34a expression vector and a miRNA-1792 expression vector (not directly against any gene) were transfected into HEK293 and HUVEC cell lines respectively. The expression levels of SIRT1 in each cell groups were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.

[The study of hydrogen peroxide induced DNA damage and recovery in normal aging and premature aging human cells].

Objective: To study the DNA damage and recovery induced by hydrogen peroxide in normal aging and premature aging human cells.

Methods: The immunofluorescent assay and comet assay were used to estimate basal DNA damage in normal aging BJ cells and premature aging Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) cells, which were divided into three and two distinct population doubling (PD) number groups (BJ 14, 30, 45 and HGPS 8, 17) respectively. The DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide of these cell populations, as well as their repair activity, was also studied.

[Association of XPC and XPG polymorphisms with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate whether the polymorphism of DNA repair genes XPC (Ala499Val and Lys939Gln) and XPG (His1104Asp) is associated with the susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 500 cases with HCC and 507 controls. Genotypes of XPC and XPG were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction with the TaqMan MGB probe.