The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin 22 (IL-22) gene and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Chinese population. Three IL-22 SNPs (rs2227485, rs2227513 and rs2227491) were genotyped using SNaPshot SNP genotyping assays and identified by sequencing in 314 SLE patients and 411 healthy controls. The IL-22 level of serum was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Data were analysed by spss version 17.0 software. We found that rs2227513 was associated with an increased risk of SLE [AG versus AA: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2·24, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·22-4·12, P = 0·010; G versus· A: adjusted OR = 2·18, 95% CI = 1·20-3·97, P = 0·011]. Further analysis in patients with SLE showed that the AG genotype and G allele were associated with an increased risk of renal disorder in SLE (G versus A: aOR = 3·09, 95% CI = 1·30-7·33, P = 0·011; AG versus· AA: aOR = 3·25, 95% CI = 1·35-7·85, P = 0·009). In addition, the concentration of IL-22 was significantly lower in the rs2227513 AG genotype compared with AA genotype (P = 0·028). These results suggest that rs2227513 polymorphism might contribute to SLE susceptibility, probably by decreasing the expression of IL-22.

The aim of our study was to investigate the association of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) polymorphisms with IL-17A serum levels and risk of ischemic stroke (IS) in a Chinese population. 392 IS patients and 443 controls were included in this study. The polymorphisms of IL-17A gene were determined by Snapshot SNP genotyping assay and DNA sequencing. Serum IL-17A levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that the G allele, GA and GG genotypes, and GA/GG vs. AA model of rs2275913 polymorphism were associated with increased risk of IS even after adjusted by clinical characters such as age, gender and diabetes (G vs. A: OR=1.27, 95% CI, 1.05∼1.54, P=0.014; GA vs. AA: OR=1.72, 95% CI, 1.05∼2.81, P=0.032; GG vs. AA: OR=1.99, 95% CI, 1.08∼3.67, P=0.028; GA/GG vs. AA: OR=1.78, 95% CI, 1.11∼2.86, P=0.017). Serum IL-17A levels were increased in IS patients compared with controls (P<0.01). Individuals carrying rs2275913 GA or GG genotype present higher serum IL-17A levels compared with the rs2275913AA genotype in the IS group (P<0.01). In conclusion, this is the first study reporting the rs2275913 polymorphism as a risk factor for IS, which may be partly explained by influencing the levels of IL-17A cytokine.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a malignant tumor at the top and side of the nasopharyngeal cavity, highly occurs in the southern region of China. Cancer cell metastasis is one of the leading causes of death in NPC patients. Osteopontin (OPN), is a phosphorylated extracellular matrix protein with a variety of functions, was found to be overexpressed in many cancers. However, the expression and role of OPN in patients with NPC in Guangxi, China are unclear. Here, we observed that NPC patients had upregulated OPN at mRNA protein and levels. Immunochemistry (IHC) analysis of OPN expression in 68 NPC clinical specimens indicated that high expression of OPN had positive correlation with NPC lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012), distant metastasis (P = 0.001) and TNM staging (P = 0.018). Moreover, compared with relatively low OPN, NPC patients with higher expression of OPN showed a poorer overall survival rate (P = 0.001, log rank test). Multivariate analysis showed that OPN expression in NPC was an independent prognostic marker. The proliferation, apoptosis and migration ability of CEN-2Z cancer cells in NPC were determined by MTT, flow cytometry and wound-healing assays, respectively. Upregulation of OPN in CEN-2Z cancer cells promoted cancer cell proliferation and migration, and suppressed apoptosis. In sum, our result suggests OPN could be used as a valuable oncoprotein and show that overexpression of OPN in NPC may serve as a potential prognostic marker.

The levels of serum S100B were elevated in patients with ischemic stroke (IS), which may be a novel biomarker for diagnosing IS. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of S100B polymorphisms and serum S100B with IS risk. We genotyped the S100B polymorphisms rs9722, rs9984765, rs2839356, rs1051169 and rs2186358 in 396 IS patients and 398 controls using polymerase chain reaction-single base extension (SBE-PCR). Serum S100B levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Rs9722 was associated with an increased risk of IS (AA vs. GG: adjusted OR = 2.172, 95% CI, 1.175–4.014, P = 0.013; dominant: adjusted OR = 1.507, 95% CI, 1.071–2.123, P = 0.019; recessive: adjusted OR = 1.846, 95% CI, 1.025–3.323, P = 0.041; additive: adjusted OR=1.371, 95% CI, 1.109-1.694, P = 0.003). The A-C-C-C-A haplotype was associated with an increased risk of IS (OR = 1.325, 95% CI, 1.035–1.696, P = 0.025). In addition, individuals carrying the rs9722 GA/AA genotypes had a higher serum S100B compared with the rs9722 GG genotype in IS patients (P = 0.018). Our results suggest that the S100B gene rs9722 polymorphism may contribute to the susceptibility of IS, probably by promoting the expression of serum S100B.

BackgroundLycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been reported to contribute to the recovery of male hypogonadism and infertility.AimThe aim of current study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of LBP on male infertility recovery.MethodsRecently, it is reported that cell apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was distinguished from that mediated by death reporters and mitochondria pathway, which could induce cell apoptosis independently. The possible signaling mechanisms were investigated using diversified molecular biology techniques, such as flow cytometry, western blotting, and immunofluorescence.ResultsIn this study, we found that LBP protected Leydig MLTC-1 cells against cisplatin (DDP) by regulating ERS-mediated signal pathway, which was evidenced by downregulation of phosphorylation PERK, phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation-initiation factor 2α and activating transcription factor 4. Meanwhile, LBP decreased DDP-induced MLTC-1 cell apoptosis via reducing ERS apoptosis-relative proteins caspase 3, caspase 7, and caspase 12. In addition, the result of monodansylcadaverine staining indicated that LBP significantly inhibited DDP-induced autophagosome formation in MLTC-1 cells. Moreover, immunofluorescences and Western blot assays demonstrated that LBP reversed DDP-induced LC3II and Atg5 upregulation in MLTC-1 cells. Finally, the data of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that LBP markedly recovered MLTC-1 cells testosterone level even in the presence of DDP.ConclusionThus, we suggest that LBP protected MLTC-1 cells against DDP via regulation of ERS-mediated apoptosis and autophagy.

No abstract

Background: The incidence of obesity-associated decline in male fertility has increased over the years. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a natural plant polysaccharide extracted from the Chinese herb L. barbarum has shown promising therapeutic effects in overcoming the same.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of LBP on the testes of obese mice.Methods: Following administration of LBP to high-fat diet-induced obese mice for 35 days, serum, sperm, and testis samples were obtained for subsequent experiments. Biochemical analysis and sex hormone content determination were performed to observe changes in glycolipid metabolism and testosterone levels, respectively, in the blood. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were carried out to assess the pathological changes in the testicular tissue. Oxidative stress levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers were determined using western blot in the testicular tissue.Results: Our results suggested that LBP reduced glucose levels and insulin resistance, increased testosterone levels and insulin sensitivity, and decreased testicular oxidative stress and pathological damage in obese mice. In addition, LBP down-regulated the expression of p-eIF2a, GRP78, and CHOP in the testicular tissues of obese mice. Conclusion:Our results show that LBP is a potential novel drug for preventing male infertility caused by obesity.

center of reproductive and genetic medicine,a liated hospital of youjiang medical college for nationalities Yu-xia Wei center of reproductive and genetic medicine,a liated hospital of youjiang medicine college ofr nationalities Bi-yun Liao center of reproductive and genetic medicine,a liated hospital of youjiang medical college for nationalities Gui-jiang Wei center of reproductive and genetic medicine,a liated hospital of youjiang medical college for nationalities Hai-mei Qin center of reproductive and genetic medicine,a liated hospital of youjiang medical college for nationalities Xiao-xia Pang center of reproductive and genetic medicine,a liated hospital of youjiang medical college for nationalities Jun-li Wang ( 