The mean serum HDL-C levels in different quartiles of serum C-peptide levels by sex.

<p>The mean serum HDL-C levels in different quartiles of serum C-peptide levels by sex.</p

The hazard ratios of low serum HDL-C levels for CVD events by sex in national health and nutrition examination survey III.

<p>Adjusted for age, race-ethnicity, education levels, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol use, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, serum insulin level, serum triglycerides level, serum C-reactive protein, serum creatinine and serum cholesterol level.</p><p>HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.</p><p>CVD: cardiovascular disease.</p><p>HR: hazard ratio.</p><p>CI: confidence interval.</p><p>The hazard ratios of low serum HDL-C levels for CVD events by sex in national health and nutrition examination survey III.</p

The odds ratios of quartiles of serum C-peptide levels for low serum HDL-C levels.

<p>Adjusted for age, race-ethnicity, education levels, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol use, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, serum insulin level, serum triglycerides level, serum C-reactive protein, serum creatinine and serum cholesterol level.</p><p>HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.</p><p>The odds ratios of quartiles of serum C-peptide levels for low serum HDL-C levels.</p

The mean and standard error for serum HDL-C levels in different quartiles of serum C-peptide levels by analysis of covariance.

<p>Covariates included in the analysis of covariance were age, race-ethnicity, education levels, physical activity, smoking status and alcohol use.</p><p>*** Comparisons significant at the <0.001 level.</p><p>** Comparisons significant at the <0.01 level.</p><p>*Comparisons significant at the <0.05 level.</p><p>HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.</p><p>The mean and standard error for serum HDL-C levels in different quartiles of serum C-peptide levels by analysis of covariance.</p

Baseline characteristics of study participants by sex from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

<p>Baseline characteristics of study participants by sex from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.</p

Molecular weight distribution of HBMP, and the ACE inhibitory activity of different fractions of HBMP.

<p>Molecular weight distribution of HBMP, and the ACE inhibitory activity of different fractions of HBMP.</p

Alteration of Gene Expression Profile in Kidney of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Treated with Protein Hydrolysate of Blue Mussel (<i>Mytilus edulis</i>) by DNA Microarray Analysis

<div><p>Marine organisms are rich sources of bioactive components, which are often reported to have antihypertensive effects. However, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the antihypertensive effect of enzymatic hydrolysis of blue mussel protein (HBMP) in rats. Peptides with <i>in vitro</i> ACE inhibitory activity were purified from HBMP by ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. And the amino acid sequences of isolated peptides were estimated to be Val-Trp, Leu-Gly-Trp, and Met-Val-Trp-Thr. To study its <i>in vivo</i> action, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were orally administration with high- or low-dose of HBMP for 28 days. Major components of the renin-angiotensin (RAS) system in serum of SHRs from different groups were analyzed, and gene expression profiling were performed in the kidney of SHRs, using the Whole Rat Genome Oligonucleotide Microarray. Results indicated although genes involved in RAS system were not significantly altered, those related to blood coagulation system, cytokine and growth factor, and fatty acids metabolism were remarkablely changed. Several genes which were seldom reported to be implicated in pathogenesis of hypertension also showed significant expression alterations after oral administration of HBMP. These data provided valuable information for our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the potential antihypertensive activities of HBMP, and will contribute towards increased value-added utilization of blue mussel protein.</p></div

Changes in genes thought to be linked to ACE inhibitory effect.

<p>"↑" means up-regulation, and "↓" means down-regulation.</p><p>Changes in genes thought to be linked to ACE inhibitory effect.</p

Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analyses of angiotensinogen(<i>Ang</i>), angiotensin II type-1 receptor (<i>AT1</i>), angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (<i>ACE</i>), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (<i>COX-1</i>), adrenoceptor β-3 <i>(AR-β3)</i>, <i>I</i>nterleukin 24 (<i>IL-24</i>) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (<i>Pparδ</i>) genes expression in kidneys of control and HBMP-treated rats.

<p>According to the comparative method (RQ = 2^–ΔΔCt), the expression level of each gene was first normalized to β-actin (reference gene), and then made relative to the amount of corresponding gene in control group, representing the calibrator. All reactions of qRT-PCR were repeated three times for each sample, and vertical bars indicate standard errors.</p

Other up- and down-regulated genes detected in the kidney of SHRs after administration of HBMP.

<p>"↑" means up-regulation, and "↓" means down-regulation.</p><p>Other up- and down-regulated genes detected in the kidney of SHRs after administration of HBMP.</p