Statins is first choice of hypercholesteroiemia. Recently, clinical investigations have shown that statins can correct blood pressure in hypertension patients accompanied with lipid abnormalities. This result can be observed not only in untreated patients but also in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs. But some researches did not support this result completely. To some extend, the mechanisms responsible for the hypotensive effect seem to be largely independent on the effect of statins on lipid profile, and may be related to the improvement of endothelial function and the regulation of angiotensin II receptors.

The concentrations of plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E_2), and serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in 50 male patients with chronic cor pulmonale (CCP) and in 26 healthy men were detected by radioimmunoassay, and their responses to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) stimulating test were observed. The results showed that (1) during acute attack there was significantly low T value (P

Hypertensive vascular remodeling has always been a hot program in clinic and basic research.Renin-angiotensin system is an importent regulatory mechanism of human physiological function,which plays a fundamental role in vascular remodel- ing.RAS consists of two axes, ACE-AngII-AT_1 receptor axis and ACE2-Ang(1- 7)-Mas receptor axis.The former affects vasoconstriction and promotes vascular re-modeling through its key member,AngII;the latter offsets the effect of the mentioned AngII with the help of seven-peptide Ang-(1-7).A deep knowledge of the relation between RAS and vascular remodeling would provide more remedies for reducing cardiovascular risk.

Objective To observe the changes of serum cystatin C(Cys C) in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD) and normal kidney function ,and evaluate the predictive value of Cys C concentration on coronary arterial lesions .Methods Serum levels of Cys C were detected in 316 patients with coronary heart disease and normal renal function .The relationship between serum 1evels of Cys C and coronary heart disease was evaluated from three aspects :the number of diseased vessels ,the severity of diseased ves‐sels and the CHD Gensini scores .Results The Cys C level in CHD group was significantly higher than that of non‐CHD group [(1 .24 ± 0 .32)mg/L vs .(1 .12 ± 0 .27)mg/L ,P<0 .01] .Serum Cys C was significantly higher in the multi‐vessel disease group than that of the single‐vessel disease group[(1 .31 ± 0 .31)mg/L vs .(1 .20 ± 0 .32)mg/L ,P<0 .01] .Serum Cys C was significantly higher in the severe coronary artery stenosis group than in the mild stenosis group [(1 .29 ± 0 .36)mg/L vs .(1 .16 ± 0 .23)mg/L , P<0 .01] .Cys C was positively correlated with the Gensini scores of coronary arterial lesion (r=0 .195 ,P<0 .01) .Conclusion Cys C levels increased in patients with coronary heart disease and normal renal function .Cys C was positively correlated with the Gensini scores of coronary arterial lesion .Serum Cys C levels has certain predictive value on coronary arterial lesions in patients with CHD .

AIM:To explore the effect of atorvastatin on the function of carotid artery after adventitia removal in SHR.METHODS:16-week old male SHR(n=36) with left carotid artery adventitia removed were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=12,each):SHR control group,atorvastatin group,valsartan group and the half rats of each group were put to death at the 4th and 8th weeks respectively.The systolic blood pressure(SBP) was assessed before and after treatment with atorvastatin every 2 weeks.The velocity of carotid artery was detected by electromagnetic rheometer while vasotension changes to NE was measured using a force transducer connected with a polygraph.RESULTS:Compared with SHR control group,the SBP of atorvastatin group began declining at the 4th week,and was reduced significantly at the 6th and 8th weeks(P0.05).Vasotension to NE of carotid artery was reduced significantly after adventitia removal(P

AIM: To explore the effect of atorvastatin on cardiac remodeling in spontaneous hypertension rats(SHR).METHODS: Twelve spontaneous hypertension rats were divided randomly into two groups: group of atorvastatin(atorvastatin 50 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) and group of SHR(0.5% mucilage of arabic gum,10 mL?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)).Additionally,six male Wistar-Kyoto rats(0.5% mucilage of arabic gum,10 mL?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) were selected as control group.Systolic blood pressure was assessed with the tail-cuff method.After six weeks,entire heart,and left ventricle were weighed.The left ventricular weight index was calculated and myocardial hydroxyproline and collagen protein concentration were measured.The serum high sensitivity CRP(hs-CRP) was measured by nephelometry.The localization of vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM) in myocardium was investigated by immunohistochemistry assays.The level of NF-?B mRNA expression was detected with in situ hybridization.Ultrastructure in cardiac muscle was also observed under transmission electron microscope.RESULTS: The expression of myocardial VCAM and NF-?B in SHR group was stronger than that in WHY group.Compared with SHR group,entire heart weight,left ventricular weight,left ventricular weight index,serum hs-CRP,myocardial hydroxyproline and collagen protein concentration was decreased,the expression of myocardial VCAM and NF-?B in SHR group was weaker than that in atorvastatin treatment group.The myocardial pathological change such as incomplete karyotheca in cardiac muscle cells,no clear of transverse striation and the mess in myofibril alignment,and hyperplasy in interstitial collagen fibre were observed in SHR group and these changes were improved in atorvastatin treatment group.CONCLUSION: The cardiac remodeling in SHR is improved by atorvastatin.The molecular mechanism may be related to its down-regulating the expression of VCAM protein and NF-?B and inhibiting myocardial chronic inflammation.

BACKGROUND:Alterations in secondary hemodynamics around the stent edge can be caused by stent planted. Is there different effect of shear stress on platelet growth factors-A, B (PDGF-A, B) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) of endothelial cells around stent edge after stent planted?OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of shear stress on growth factors of endothelial cells around stent edge.DESIGN: Observational comparative study.SETTING: Department of Cardiology, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College; Laboratory of Biomechanics (National Laboratory), Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Biomechanics, Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University from April to October 2006. The main reagents were detailed as follows: trypsin (Hyclon Company); M-199 medium (Gibco BRL Company); fetal bovine serum (Hangzhou Sijiqing Bioengineering Material Institute); aFGF, Heparin and Hepes (Sigma Company); thymide, Ⅷ factor monoclonal antibody (Rabbit anti-human),biotinylated horse anti-rabbit IgG and propidium lodide (Sigma Company); neonate belly band (Delivery Room of Shanghai the Fifth People's Hospital); trizol (Invitrogene Company); reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit (Fermentas Company); penicillin/streptomycin (AB/M), objective gene primer (Shanghai Bioengineering Company).METHODS: Traditional parallel-plate streaming cavity was modified into rectangular and gradient shear stress models;while static group was established at the same time. Two shear stress groups were subjected to 11.37 dyne/cm2 and 5.66-14.38 dyne/cm2 shear stress, respectively for 3 hours, 6 hours and 12 hours.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expressions of PDGF-A, B and bFGF mRNA of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) were measured by RT-PCR at different time points.RESULTS: Compared with static group, the maximal expression of PDGF-A, B and bFGF mRNA was reached peak at 3 hours in gradient shear stress group and this level of PDGF-A mRNA expression remained till 12 hours. in rectangle shear stress group, the peak value of mRNA expression of these growth factors was all reached at 6 hours, and then gradually decreased.CONCLUSION: Over-expressions of PDGF-A, B and bFGF induced by gradientshear stress after stent planted may play an important role in stent restenosis through intimal hyperplasia.

AIM:To evaluate the diagnostic value of co-detection of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and treadmill exercise test (TET) for silent myocardial ischemia (SMI).METHODS:80 patients [55 males and 25 females;mean age (54?8) years] with suspected SMI were selected.All patients were examined with TET and coronary arteriongraphy(CAG) in one week.IMA was detected before TET and two hours after TET.All patients were divided into CHD and NCHD groups combined with the results of CAG.Changes in the concentration of IMA were observed of two groups before and after TET.The diagnostic value of co-detection of ischemia modified albumin and treadmill exercise test was evaluated for SMI.RESULTS:Among the 80 patients,it was diagnosed as CHD 33 cases,NCHD 47 cases.There were significant higher levels of IMA after TET in CHD group (P0.05).IMA levels were significantly higher in the patients of CHD after TET than those patients of NCHD[(13.3?3.5) vs (4.7?1.8) ng/mL,P0.05).The sensitivity value was 81.8% for IMA after TET,specificity was 76.6%,positive predictive value was 71.1%,negative predictive value was 85.7%.The sensitivity was 93.8% with the co-detection of IMA and TET,specificity was 87.5%,positive predictive value was 83.3%,negative predictive value was 95.5%.CONCLUSION:IMA is a useful biochemical marker for the early myocardial ischemia.There is a high sensitivity and negative predictive value for IMA two hours after TET in the diagnosis of SMI.There is much higher diagnostic value with the co-detection of IMA and TET.

AIM:To study the effect of adventitia removal on vascular structure and function in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR).METHODS: Thirteen-week-old male SHR(n=8) were removed their right carotid artery adventitia(SHR control group),8 age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto rats were selected as normal control group(WKY group).With all rats,the right carotid artery adventitia was removed by mechanical and chemical means,and the left carotid artery adventitia was conducted with fake operation for control.After 4 weeks,the velocity of carotid artery was detected by electromagnetic rheometer.Plasma and carotid artery angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.Lumen cross section area(LA),intraelastic layer area(IELA) and extraelastic layer area(EELA) were measured by computed video processing.The ratio of(IELA-LA)/(EELA-IELA) was calculated.The expression of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE2),extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) and protein kinase C-?(PKC-?) protein were determined by immunohistochemistry method.The expression of ACE2 mRNA was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).RESULTS:(1) The hyperplasia of intima in adventitia removal was more significantly exacerbated than that in adventitia integrity(P

Objective To investigate the effect of 9-cis retinoid acid(c-RA),a retinoid X receptor(RXR)agonist,on hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)induced apoptosis in cultured rat neonatal cardiomyoeytes,and to explore the mechanism.Method Cultured cardiomyocpes were randomly divided into three groups:normal group treated with vehicle(N group),H2O2 group treated with 100 μmol/L H2O2(H group),and c-RA group pretreated with 100nmol/L c-RA(H+R group).Cell viability was detected by MTT.Morphological changes of apoptotic cardiomyocytes were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining under fluorescence microscope.The apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometry.Mitochondrial membrane potential(△(ψ)m)was measured by JC-1 dye.Cellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)production was detected by CM-H2DCFDA fluorescent probe.All measurement data wIe expressed as(x±s),and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA analysis and Dunnett test.Differences were considered significant when P was＜0.05.Results Treatment with c-RA significantly enhanced cell viability,reduced apoptosis ratio,stabled mitoehondrial membrane potential and reduced level of cellular reactive oxygen species.Conclusions RXR agonist c-RA inhibits H2O2-induced myocyte apoptosis in cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes,which may be related to alleviate oxidative stress injury.