BackgroundExpression and activity of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 hormone-like protein are associated with development of several metabolic disorders. This study was designed to investigate whether serum FGF21 level was also associated with the metabolic syndrome-related cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and its clinical features in a Chinese cohort.MethodsTwo-hundred-and-fifty-three subjects visiting the Cardiology Department (Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University) were examined by coronary arteriography (to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD)) and hepatic ultrasonography (to diagnose non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)). Serum FGF21 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed for correlation to subject and clinical characteristics. The independent factors of CAD were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsSubjects with NAFLD showed significantly higher serum FGF21 than those without NAFLD (388.0 pg/mL (253.0-655.4) vs. 273.3 pg/mL (164.9-383.7), P < 0.01). Subjects with CAD showed significantly higher serum FGF21, regardless of NAFLD diagnosis (P < 0.05). Serum FGF21 level significantly elevated with the increasing number of metabolic disorders (P for trend < 0.01). After adjustment of age, sex, and BMI, FGF21 was positively correlated with total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triglyceride (P < 0.01). FGF21 was identified as an independent factor of CAD (odds ratio = 2.984, 95% confidence interval: 1.014-8.786, P < 0.05).ConclusionsIncreased level of serum FGF21 is associated with NAFLD, metabolic disorders and CAD.

Serum osteocalcin is inversely associated with the MS as well as the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in Chinese men, supporting the new concept that bone has the reciprocal regulation with energy metabolism.

The first total syntheses of asperchalasines A-E, a collection of unprecedented merocytochalasans, are reported. Aspochalasin B, a key tricyclic cytochalasan monomer, was first synthesized through a unified approach that hinges on a Diels-Alder reaction and a ring-closing metathesis reaction. The bioinspired Diels-Alder reactions of aspochalasin B with different epicoccine precursors were then explored, which enabled the divergent access of the heterodimers asperchalasines B-E as well as related congeners. Furthermore, the heterotrimer asperchalasine A was obtained from one epicoccine unit and two aspochalasin B units through a biomimetic Diels-Alder reaction followed by an oxidative [5+2]-cycloaddition.

BackgroundAdipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) has been described as a novel adipokine, playing an important role in the development of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum levels of A-FABP and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese subjects.Methodology/Principal FindingsCirculating A-FABP level was determined by ELISA in 341 Chinese subjects (221 men, 120 women) who underwent coronary angiography. A-FABP levels in patients with CAD were significantly higher compared with non-CAD subjects (P = 0.029 in men; P = 0.031 in women). Serum A-FABP increased significantly in multi-vessel diseased patients than in non-CAD subjects (P = 0.011 in men, P = 0.004 in women), and showed an independent correlation with coronary atherosclerosis index (standardized β = 0.173, P = 0.025). In multiple logistic regression analysis, serum A-FABP was an independent risk factor for CAD in women (OR = 5.637, 95%CI: 1.299-24.457, P = 0.021). In addition, amino terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was demonstrated to be positively and independently correlated with A-FABP (standardized β = 0.135, P = 0.027).Conclusions/SignificanceSerum A-FABP is closely associated with the presence and severity of CAD in Chinese women.

BackgroundThe fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) has been implicated in recent studies as a potential regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism, which may lead to atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated the association of FGF19 with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Chinese population.MethodsA total of 315 patients with suspected or established CAD, including 205 males and 110 postmenopausal females, were enrolled and assessed by coronary angiography. CAD severity was determined by the Gensini score. Serum FGF19 was measured by quantitative sandwich ELISA.ResultsFGF19 levels were not significantly different between male and female patients (median [interquartile range], 143.40 [87.96–250.80] vs. 141.60 [87.13–226.32] pg/mL, P = 0.773). CAD patients had lower levels of FGF19 than those without CAD (128.20 [80.62–226.58] vs. 188.00 [105.10–284.70] pg/mL, P = 0.007). FGF19 was negatively correlated with 2hPG (r = –0.150, P = 0.008), FINS (r = –0.169, P = 0.004), HOMA-IR (r = –0.171, P = 0.004), and the Gensini score (r = –0.141, P = 0.012), but positively correlated with HDL-c (r = 0.116, P = 0.041) and adiponectin (r = 0.128, P = 0.024). Moreover, FGF19 was found to be independently correlated with 2hPG (β = –0.146, P = 0.022) and adiponectin (β = 0.154, P = 0.016). After adjusting for other CAD risk factors, FGF19 was demonstrated to be an independent factor for Gensini score (β = –0.140, P = 0.019) and the presence of CAD (β = –1.248, P = 0.036).ConclusionsSerum FGF19 is associated with the presence and severity of CAD in a Chinese population.

BackgroundThe lipocalin-2 (LCN2) cytokine, primarily known as a protein of the granules of human neutrophils, has been recently reported to be implicated in metabolic and inflammatory disorders. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between serum LCN2 levels and coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsSerum LCN2 levels of 261 in-patients who underwent coronary angiography were measured by sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Demographic (169 men and 92 postmenopausal women) and clinical (metabolic syndrome (MS), triglyceride (TG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels) characteristics were collected to assess independent factors of CAD (CAD: 188 and non-CAD: 73) and serum LCN2 levels by multiple logistic regression and multivariate stepwise regression analyses, respectively.ResultsSerum LCN2 levels were significantly higher in men (37.5 (27.4-55.4) vs. women: 28.2 (18.7-45.9) ng/mL, p < 0.01) and men with CAD (39.2 (29.3-56.5) vs. non-CAD men: 32.7 (20.5-49.7) ng/mL, p < 0.05), and showed significant positive correlation with CAD in men (odds ratio = 2.218, 95% confidence interval: 1.017-4.839). Similarly, serum LCN2 levels were significantly higher in men with MS (40.2 (31.9-59.4) vs. non-MS: 32.0 (21.7-47.6) ng/mL, p < 0.01) and showed a significant positive correlation with the number of MS components (p for trend < 0.05). No significant differences or correlations were seen in women. TG and neutrophils (standard β = 0.238 and 0.173) were independent factors of serum LCN2 levels in men, and only neutrophils (standard β = 0.286) affected levels in women (all p < 0.05).ConclusionsIncreased serum LCN2 levels are positively correlated with the presence of CAD and MS in a Chinese cohort.

A Rh(II)-catalyzed transannulation of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with 2,1-benzisoxazoles has been developed, which affords an efficient method for the synthesis of quinazoline derivatives. The transformation represents an unprecedented example which utilizes N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole as an aza-[2C]-component in cycloadditions. Meanwhile, a Rh(II)-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with 1,2-benzisoxazoles is also presented, which enables the rapid synthesis of functionalized imidazole derivatives.

BackgroundPigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) has been proved to be closely correlated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components that are all risk factors of cardiovascular disease and may play a protective role against vascular injury and atherosclerosis. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between serum PEDF and coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsA total of 312 consecutive in-patients (including 228 with CAD and 197 with MetS) who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled. Serum PEDF was measured by sandwich enzyme immunoassay and used to carry out multivariate stepwise regression analysis to assess correlation with patient demographic and clinical parameters. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently correlated with CAD.ResultsPatients with MetS had significantly higher levels of serum PEDF than non-MetS subjects (11.1(8.2, 14.2) vs. 10.1(7.6, 12.4) μg/mL; P < 0.05). Patients with CAD also had significantly higher serum PEDF than non-CAD subjects (11.0(8.1, 14.2) vs. 10.3(8.1, 12.8) μg/mL; P < 0.05). Triglyceride (TG), C-reactive protein (CRP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and hypoglycemic therapy were independently correlated with serum PEDF levels, and serum PEDF was independently positively correlated with CAD.ConclusionsSerum PEDF levels are independently positively associated with CAD in a Chinese population. Elevated PEDF may act as a protective response against vascular damage and subsequent CAD.