Objective]To assess the effects and mechanism of triptolide(TPL)on cardiac remodeling in chronic heart failure (CHF)rats.[Methods]Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups of eight:Control group,isoprenaline(Iso)group,TPL group(Iso+TPL)and captopril group(Iso+Cap). CHF rat model was induced by Iso. In TPL and Cap group,TPL(20μg/kg·d)and Cap(15 mg/kg·d)were administrated to CHF rats for six weeks. Left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole(LVIDd)and left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole (LVIDs)were detected. Histopathological changes of myocardial tissues of rats were evaluated byMasson staining and immunohistochemical staining of type Ⅰcollagen. Ventricular weight/body weight ratio(VW/BW), collagen volume fraction(CVF),perivascular collagen volume area(PVCA)of myocardial tissues were calculated. With real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,the protein and mRNA levels of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN)were detected.[Results]Compared to the Iso group,the levels of LVIDs,LVIDd,VW/BW,CVF and PVCA reduced in TPL and Cap group. TPL and Cap can alleviate the myocardial fibrosis in CHF rats. The expression of PTEN protein and mRNA increased markedly in the TPL or Cap treated group.[Conclusion]TPL can attenuate cardiac remodeling in Iso-induced CHF rats. The potential mechanism may be highly associated with the up-regulating of PTEN signaling pathway.

Objective To study the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced CT patterns in focal hepatic lesions.Methods Contrast-enhanced CT patterns in 44 patients with focal hepatic lesions (54 foci) were retrospectively analysed.Results (1)78% of the hepatocellular carcinoma presented "rapid-filling and rapid-washout" feature.(2)All hepatic hemangioma presented "rapid-filling and slow-washout", progressive opacification from the periphery to center. (3)All cholangiocarcinoma presented "slow-filling and slow-washout" .(4)Metastatic hepatocarcinoma in 14 cases and hepatic abscesses in 5 cases were presented a enhanced ring around the lesion, metastatic hepatocarcinomas showed single ring,however, hepatic abscesses showed multi-ring. (5)Focal nodular hyperplasia in 3 cases and hepatic adenomas in 1 case presented "rapid-filling and slow-washout".Conclusion The contrast-enhanced patterns at spiral CT can fully reflect the blood supply of focal hepatic lesions, it has significant value in diagnosing focal hepatic lesions.