Homocysteine level and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: It is reported that elevated homocysteine (Hcy) level represents an independent risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the relationship between Hcy level and GDM remains controversial. Our study aimed to systematically review available literature linking Hcy to GDM for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between circulating Hcy level and GDM in humans.

Visfatin level and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

It is reported that elevated visfatin level is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the relationship between visfatin level and GDM remains controversial. The aim of our study was to systematically review available literature linking visfatin to GDM for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between circulating visfatin level and GDM in human.

Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced H9C2 myocardial cell apoptosis.

The sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway has been reported to protect cells against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury; however, the role of Shh and relevant molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, the rat cardiomyoblast cell line H9C2 was subjected to hypoxia and serum-starvation for 4 h. Cells were subsequently reoxygenated using 95% O and 5% CO.

Diosgenin Protects Rats from Myocardial Inflammatory Injury Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion.

BACKGROUND Diosgenin, a phytosteroid sapogenin, has anti-inflammatory properties shown to reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). However, the specific mechanism by which this is achieved is not clear. This study investigated the protective effects of diosgenin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and the potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 protects against cardiac microvascular endothelial cells injured by high glucose.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of glucagon-like peptid-1 (GLP-1) against cardiac microvascular endothelial cell (CMECs) injured by high glucose.

Methods: CMECs were isolated and cultured. Superoxide assay kit and dihydroethidine (DHE) staining were used to assess oxidative stress.

The effects of subclinical hypothyroidism on serum lipid level and TLR4 expression of monocyte in peripheral blood of rats.

Objective: To observe effect of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on serum lipid level and expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in rats' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Methods: Fifty Wistar female rats were divided into three groups: normal control (NC group; n=10), sham group (n=10), and L-T-4 (L-thyroxine) group (n=30, with thyroidectomy, fed with rich-calcium water after operation. 5 weeks later, abdominal subcutaneous injection of L-T-4: 0.

Ginkgo biloba extract reducing myocardium cells apoptosis by regulating apoptotic related proteins expression in myocardium tissues.

The Bax, cyt-c and caspase-3 proteins play an important role in regulating the myocardial apoptosis. Although very little is known about the specific signal pathways modulated by Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), it seems advisable to suppose that GBE-induced antiapoptotic effect might be attributed to the regulation of the expression of these proteins. Our aim was to investigate whether GBE could attenuate ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis in cardiac myocytes and its potential mechanisms.

A new hepoprotective saponin from Semen Celosia cristatae.

A new triterpenoid saponin, named semenoside A (1), was isolated from Semen Celosia cristatae. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, HR-FAB-MS and ESI-MS techniques, and physicochemical properties. The hepatoprotective activity of semenoside A with an oral dose of 1.