Objective To investigate the effects of tissue inhibitor-3 of matrix metalloproteinases(TIMP-3)Gene-transfected vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)transplantation on heart function after acute myocardial infarction(AMI)in rats and to explore the potential mechanisms.Methods Wistar rats were produced AMI models by ligating the descending left coronary artery.Rats were survived and divided into 3 groups randomly(n=18):0.5mlDMEM containing 1?106 TIMP-3 gene-transfected VSMCs(group A),1?106 VSMCs(group B)or 0.5 ml DMEM without cell(group C)were injected into the ischemic myocardium immediately.Ischemic myocardium samples were harvested at 3 day after operation.The heart function was observed through the tissue functional examination.The activity of TIMP-3 gene-transfected VSMCs were measured by immunohistochemical method.mRNA of TIMP-3 and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9)were determined by RT-PCR.Results VSMCs were cultivated and had a high purity(98%).TIMP-3 gene was transfected into VSMCs successfully.Three day after operation in group A the average percentage of LVIDd、LVIDs、EDV and ESV were significantly higher than group normal(P

AIM:To observe the role of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in the regulation of pulmonary artery tension.METHODS:The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was detected by laser-scanning confocal micros-copy, and the pulmonary artery tension was determined by the pulmonary arterial ring technique .RESULTS: Increased levels of [Ca2+]o or Gd3+(an agonist of CaSR) induced the increase in [Ca2+]i and pulmonary artery constriction in a concentration-dependent manner.Additionally, the effects of Ca2+and Gd3+were inhibited by U73122 and D609 (specific inhibitor of PLC), and 2-APB and heparin (specific antagonist of IP3 receptor).However, U73343 (U73122 inactive ana-logue) did not take effect.CONCLUSION: CaSR may be involved in the regulation of pulmonary artery tension by in-creasing [Ca2+]i through G-protein-PLC-IP3 pathway.

Artemisia argyi (A. argyi), a plant with a longstanding history as a raw material for traditional medicine and functional diets in Asia, has been used traditionally to bathe and soak feet for its disinfectant and itch-relieving properties. Despite its widespread use, scientific evidence validating the antifungal efficacy of A. argyi water extract (AAWE) against dermatophytes, particularly Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum gypseum, remains limited. This study aimed to substantiate the scientific basis of the folkloric use of A. argyi by evaluating the antifungal effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms of its active subfraction against dermatophytes. The results indicated that AAWE exhibited excellent antifungal effects against the three aforementioned dermatophyte species. The subfraction AAWE6, isolated using D101 macroporous resin, emerged as the most potent subfraction. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of AAWE6 against T. rubrum, M. gypseum, and T. mentagrophytes were 312.5, 312.5, and 625 μg·mL^-1, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results and assays of enzymes linked to cell wall integrity and cell membrane function indicated that AAWE6 could penetrate the external protective barrier of T. rubrum, creating breaches ("small holes"), and disrupt the internal mitochondrial structure ("granary"). Furthermore, transcriptome data, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and biochemical assays corroborated the severe disruption of mitochondrial function, evidenced by inhibited tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and energy metabolism. Additionally, chemical characterization and molecular docking analyses identified flavonoids, primarily eupatilin (131.16 ± 4.52 mg·g^-1) and jaceosidin (4.17 ± 0.18 mg·g^-1), as the active components of AAWE6. In conclusion, the subfraction AAWE6 from A. argyi exerts antifungal effects against dermatophytes by disrupting mitochondrial morphology and function. This research validates the traditional use of A. argyi and provides scientific support for its anti-dermatophytic applications, as recognized in the Chinese patent (No. ZL202111161301.9).
Antifungal Agents/chemistry* ; Arthrodermataceae ; Artemisia/chemistry* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Mitochondria ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests