Hu Lihua

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) plays important roles in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study was aimed to investigate the association between T2DM and polymorphisms of TXNIP genes in a Chinese Han population. To our knowledge, there were no studies on this aspect in China. In our research, genotyping was performed by direct sequencing in 161 T2DM patients and 146 healthy controls. The relationships between the genotypes of single nucleotide polymorphism and serum-specific clinical variables were analyzed. TXNIP protein expression was detected by western blotting. We found that the frequencies of G allele, the CG, and CG/GG genotypes of TXNIP rs7212 were all significantly higher in T2DM patients than the controls. G allele, CG, and CG/GG genotypes of rs7212 were associated with a higher risk of T2DM. Furthermore, the CG and CG/GG genotypes of rs7212 in T2DM patients with a longer duration of disease were more frequent compared with the CC genotype diabetes. For rs7212, T2DM patients with higher glucose (GLU) level or/and HbA1c level more frequently carried G allele. In addition, the protein level of TXNIP in the peripheral leukocytes with T2DM was significantly higher than in the controls. Our study indicates that the TXNIP polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to T2DM in a Chinese Han population from central China.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical values of combined detection of lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2), serum amyloid A (SAA), and plasma fibrinogen (FIB) in the diagnosis of acute cerebral infarction (ACI).Methods: A case‐control study including 100 hospitalized patients with ACI and 47 healthy controls was carried out. The level of Lp‐PLA2, SAA, and FIB was detected, respectively, and their clinical values were analyzed. Carotid lesions and neurological impairment were also analyzed in each patient.Results: The level of Lp‐PLA2, SAA, and FIB in the ACI group was significantly higher than that of the controls, and the three biomarkers showed a significant positive correlation and were considered as risk factors for ACI. The area under the curve (AUC) for Lp‐PLA2, SAA, and FIB was 0.858, 0.743, and 0.672, respectively. When three biomarkers were used in combination, the AUC was 0.879. Compared with the other groups, the levels of three biomarkers in bilateral carotid plaque ACI group were all significantly higher. In addition, the level of Lp‐PLA2 and SAA in ACI patients with severe neurological impairment was also significantly higher than that of the mild‐to‐moderate group.Conclusion: Lp‐PLA2 combined with SAA and FIB had a high clinical value for rapid diagnosis and prediction of ACI. These biomarkers were also significantly associated with the formation of bilateral carotid atherosclerotic plaques and the severe neurological impairment in ACI patients.