Objective To investigate the possible roles of hemodynamics, circulating hormones, cell cation transport and cyclic nucleotides in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) of essential hypertension (EH) in vivo. Methods Blood pressure, total peripheral resistance (TPR) and plasma norepinephrine (NE), endothelin (ET), angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ), endogenous digitalis like substances (EDLS) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were determined, along with the measurements of lymphocytic membrane ion pumps, cations and cyclic nucleotides in 45 EH patients with LVH (12 concentric hypertrophy, 33 eccentric hypertrophy), 30 normal subjects and 45 EH patients without LVH (as double concurrent controls). Multiple stepwise regression analysis was computed using left ventricular mass index (LVMI) as dependent variable and 22 parameters as independent variables. Results (1) In EH patients with LVH, increases were seen in systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and NE, ET, AngⅡ, EDLS and ANP as well as lymphocytic Na +, Ca 2+ , cAMP and cAMP/cGMP ratio, while Na + K + ATPase and Ca 2+ ATPase activities, K + and Mg 2+ decreased. (2) Five hormones were related respectively to ion pumps, Na +, Ca 2+ and cyclic nucleotides. (3) LVMI were correlated with NE, ET, AngⅡ and EDLS, Ca 2+ ATPase, Na +, cAMP and cAMP/cGMP ratio. (4) The regression equation revealed that NE, ET, Ca 2+ ATPase, Mg 2+ and cAMP were the independent factors affecting LVH. (5) TPR and AngⅡ were higher, K + was lower in concentric LVH than those in eccentric LVH. Conclusion The changes of hemodynamics, circulating hormones, cell cation transport and cyclic nucleotides, or their interaction may be involved in the pathogenesis of LVH in EH. NE, ET. Ca 2+ ATPase, Mg 2+ and cAMP seem to play more important parts in LVH . TPR , whereas AngⅡ and K + may relate to cocentric LVH.

Objective To observe the inhibitive effect of electro-acupuncture (EA)at Zusanli points (ST36)on inflammatory mediators of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions and study the relationship between EA and cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.Methods Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (each =8):Group A (control),Group B(abdominal adhesions model),Group C (abdominal adhesions plus EA),Group D(sham acu-point control),Group E (abdominal adhesions plus α-bungarotoxin )and Group F (abdominal adhesions plus EA after α-bungarotoxin).Animal models of abdominal adhesion were produced by Chiang’s path.Bilateral Zusanli points (ST36) and shame acupoints were electro-acupunctured at a constant voltage for 1 hour while rats were awake.The ɑ-BGT(1 μg/kg)was injected into the abdominal cavity after surgery.All the rats were sacrificed on the 3rd day,and the levels of inflammatory mediators (TNF-ɑ,NO and NOS)in tissues were evaluated.Results Three days after surgery,the damaged cecum of abdominal adhesion groups developed obvious edema that did not adhere with other tissues.Compared with sham control,the abdominal adhesion resulted in significant elevation of inflammatory mediators (TNF-ɑ,NO and NOS).EA at Zusanli points obviously lowered the elevated levels of inflammatory mediators (P <0.01 and P <0.05).EA at Zusanli points following the injection of ɑ-BGT showed less anti-inflammatory effect(P <0.01).Conclusion EA at Zusanli points significantly lowers the elevated levels of inflammatory mediators after abdominal adhesion challenge.The activation of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway might be one of the mechanisms by which Zusanli points exert anti-inflammatory effects.