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Biomedical subjects

Min Kang

Publications and source records attributed to Min Kang.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Lack of association between mannose-binding lectin gene polymorphisms and juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a Han population from the Hubei province of China.

Many studies have reported that polymorphisms of the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene are associated with autoimmune disease. Here, we investigate the relationship between MBL gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in a Han-nationality population from the Hubei province of China. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to investigate polymorphisms of codons 54 and 57 in exon 1 of the MBL gene in 93 patients with JIA and 48 control children. Neither group showed codon 57 polymorphisms. There was no significant difference in the genotypic frequencies of codon 54 between patients with JIA and healthy controls (wild type, 71.0% versus 75.0%, respectively; heterozygous type, 25.8% versus 25.0%, respectively; and homozygous type, 3.2% versus 0.0%, respectively). In addition, no association was found between the subgroups of patients with JIA and control individuals. Our results provide no evidence for a relationship between MBL gene mutation and susceptibility to JIA.

Adolescent↗

Immune vasculitis induced atherosclerosis.

The relationship between immune vasculitis and atherosclerosis was studied. The experimental model of weanling rabbits for immune vasculitis was reproduced by intravenous injection of 10% bovine serum albumin. There were 6 groups: group A, 25 weanling rabbits with immune vasculitis subject to coronary arteriography; group B, 10 normal mature rabbits subject to coronary arteriography; group C, 10 weanling rabbits subject to coronary arteriography; group D, 8 weanling rabbits with vasculitis and cholesterol diet; group E, 8 weanling rabbits receiving single cholesterol diet; group F: 8 weanling rabbits receiving basic diet. Four weeks later, coronary arteriography was performed in groups A, B and C. The rabbits in groups D, E and F were sacrificed for the study of pathological changes in the coronary artery after 12 weeks. The results showed that the dilatation of coronary artery occurred in 6 rabbits of group A, but in groups B and C, no dilatation of coronary artery appeared. In comparison with group E, more severe atherosclerosis occurred in group D, showing the thickened plaque, fibrous sclerosis and atherosclerotic lesion. Percentage of plaques covering aortic intima, incidence of atherosclerosis of small coronary arteries and degree of stenosis of coronary arteries were significantly higher in group D than in group E (P < 0.01). No atherosclerosis changes were found in group F. It was concluded that in the acute phase, the serum immune vasculitis can induce the dilatation of coronary artery of some weanling rabbits, and aggravate the formation of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with cholesterol diet. Immune vasculitis is a new risk factor of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.

Animals↗

A phase I/II study of infusional vinblastine with the P-glycoprotein antagonist valspodar (PSC 833) in renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: P-glycoprotein (Pgp) inhibitors have been under clinical evaluation for drug resistance reversal for over a decade. Valspodar (PSC 833) inhibits Pgp-mediated efflux but delays drug clearance, requiring reduction of anticancer drug dosage. We designed an infusional schedule for valspodar and vinblastine to mimic infusional vinblastine alone. The study was designed to determine the maximally tolerated dose of vinblastine, while attempting to understand the pharmacokinetic interactions between vinblastine and valspodar and to determine the response rate in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients received continuous infusion valspodar and vinblastine. Vinblastine was administered for 3 days to compensate for the expected delay in clearance and the required dose reduction. Valspodar was administered initially at a dose of 10 mg/kg/d; the dose of vinblastine varied. RESULTS: The maximum-tolerated dose of vinblastine was 1.3 mg/m(2)/d. As suggested previously, serum valspodar concentrations exceeded those needed for Pgp inhibition. Consequently, the dose of valspodar was reduced to 5 mg/kg, allowing a vinblastine dose of 2.1 mg/m(2)/d to be administered. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated continued inhibition of Pgp at lower valspodar doses by functional assay in Pgp-expressing CD56+ cells and by (99m)Tc-sestamibi imaging. A 15-fold range in cytochrome p450 activity was observed, as measured by midazolam clearance. No major responses were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the pharmacokinetic impact of cytochrome P450 inhibition by valspodar can be reduced although not eliminated, while preserving Pgp inhibition, thus separating the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activities of valspodar.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Reversal of multidrug resistance: lessons from clinical oncology.

Modulation of P glycoprotein (Pgp) in clinical oncology has had limited success. Contributing factors have included the limitation in our understanding of the tumours in which Pgp overexpression is mechanistically important in clinical drug resistance; the failure to prove that concentrations of modulators achieved in patients were sufficient to inhibit Pgp; and the inability to conclusively prove that Pgp modulation was occurring in tumours in patients. New approaches are needed to determine the clinical settings in which Pgp overexpression plays a major role in resistance. (Clinical trials with third generation modulators are ongoing, including trials with the compounds LY335979, R101933 and XR9576. Using the Pgp substrate Tc-99m Sestamibi as an imaging agent, increased uptake has been seen in normal liver and kidney after administration of PSC 833, VX710 and XR9576. These studies confirm that the concentrations of modulator achieved in patients are able to increase uptake of a Pgp substrate. Furthermore, CD56+ cells obtained from patients treated with PSC 833 demonstrate enhanced rhodamine retention in an ex vivo assay after administration of the antagonist. Finally, a subset of patients treated with Pgp antagonists show enhanced Sestamibi retention in imaged tumours. These results suggest that Pgp modulators can increase drug accumulation in Pgp-expressing tumours and normal tissues in patients. Using third generation Pgp antagonists and properly designed clinical trials, it should be possible to determine the contribution of modulators to the reversal of clinical drug resistance.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗