Incidence and mortality rates of myocardial infarction in Chinese workers aged 40-59 in relation to coronary risk factors. Results of a Chinese prospective study (Wuhan Study) in comparison to the Göttingen Risk Incidence and Prevalence Study (GRIPS)

Some 2045 male Chinese industrial workers aged 40-59 years living in the city of Wuhan in the People's Republic of China were examined for coronary risk factors in the year 1983. The investigation included a patient history, clinical examination, and ECG and laboratory tests, with special attention to serum lipids. After 5 years, a follow-up investigation of the study group was carried out. The results were compared to the similarly designed German GRIPS project. In comparison to the German population, significantly lower levels for total-, LDL-, and VLDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, triglycerides, uric acid, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure were found in China. The percentage of smokers, however, was remarkably higher in China than in the Federal Republic of Germany. During the 5 year observation period in the Chinese sample, four subjects suffered from sudden death and four from nonfatal myocardial infarction; in the German study group three times as many fatal myocardial infarction and cases of sudden death and 7.5 times as many nonfatal myocardial infarctions were recorded. Nonfatal coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease were also observed less often in China. The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases was 1.5 times higher in China than in Germany. Whereas in Germany, total-, and LDL-cholesterol values were the major distinguishing parameters between infarction and reference groups, in China these values have thus far had no significant influence on the level of risk. Instead in the Chinese incidence group, significantly higher levels for blood pressure, body mass index, uric acid, and the ratio LDL/HDL-cholesterol were found.

[Inhibitory effect of bleomycin A6 on human colon cancer xenografts in nude mice]

As evaluated by clonogenic assay, bleomycin A6 was found to be highly active against established human cancer cell lines derived from colon cancer (HT-29) and cecum cancer (Hce-8693). These human cancer cells have been serially transplanted in nude mice. At a tolerable dosage level, bleomycin A6 exerted remarkable growth inhibition on human colon cancer HT-29 and cecum cancer Hce-8693 xenografts (approximately 90% inhibition). No histopathological changes were found in the organs of treated animals. Compared on the basis of equitoxic doses (1/9 LD50), bleomycin A6 exerted much stronger growth inhibition against colon cancer HT-29 xenografts in nude mice than 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C, with inhibition rates of 82%, 12% and 53%, respectively. More extensive necrosis was found in tumors treated with bleomycin A6 than in those treated with mitomycin C or 5-fluorouracil. The ratio values of non-necrotic tumor tissue to whole tumor tissue for bleomycin A6, mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil were 0.33, 0.65 and 0.57, respectively. These observations indicate that bleomycin A6 is a potent antitumor agent against colon cancer xenografts and may be useful in human colon cancer chemotherapy.

A case of testosterone-secreting adrenal cortical adenoma with spironolactone body-like inclusion

Testosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma is rare. We recently experienced a 17-year-old pubertal girl who showed signs of virilization and a high serum level of testosterone. The excised adrenal gland showed a 3.5 x 3 x 3-cm cortical adenoma. Light and electron microscopic findings together with the high serum level and high tumor tissue contents of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) indicated that the tumor was a testosterone-secreting adrenal cortical adenoma. This appears to be a rather rare tumor from a review of the literature. Interestingly, in this case, the cytoplasm of the tumor cells contained structures resembling spironolactone bodies. From the results of enzyme histochemistry, the steroidogenetic pathways in this tumor were speculated.

Relation between the therapeutic effect of moxibustion in treating arthralgia and SP and enkephalin in nervous tissues

Moxibustion can accelerate the relief of arthralgia of rats suffering from adjuvant arthritis. At the same time, it promotes the recovery of SP in the sciatic nerve, and maintains SP and leu-enkephalin at a higher level in the lumbar spinal cord. The results show that the therapeutic effect of moxibustion in treating arthralgia bears some relation to activating the spinal enkephalin system and modulating the function of primary afferent neurons.