AIM: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of atorvastatin on myocardial fibrosis induced by aldosterone in SD rats. METHODS: Forty male uninephrectomized SD rats were limited to drink 1% NaCl water for 4 weeks and assigned to the follow groups: vehicle control rats (CON group);aldosterone treated rats (ALD group);spironolactone + aldosterone treated rats(SPI+ALD group);atorvastatin + aldosterone treated rats (ATO+ALD group). Blood pressure was measured by catheterization. Expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-A, PDGF-B), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR-α, PDGFR-β) and ectodermal dysplasia-1 (ED-1) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Collagen volume fraction (CVF) and perivascular collagen area (PVCA) were analyzed by Sirius-Red staining. Myocardium osteopontin protein was detected by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: Mean arterial blood pressure in ALD group, SPI+ALD group and ATO+ALD group was elevated, and significant difference was observed between the three groups and vehicle control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Myocardial fibrosis was observed in ALD group. Compared to other three groups, the index of CVF and PVCA was increased significantly (P<0.01 or P<0.05). No significant difference of the index of CVF and PVCA between ATO+ALD group and SPI+ALD group was observed (P>0.05). Compared to other groups, the levels of PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGFR-α, ED-1 and OPN in ALD group were significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The levels of PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGFR-α and OPN were no significant difference between ATO+ALD group and SPI+ALD group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). However, the level of ED-1 in ATO+ALD group was significantly decreased compared to SPI+ALD group (P<0.05). No significant difference of PDGFR-β level among four groups was found (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that atorvastatin may attenuate myocardial fibrosis induced by aldosterone. The mechanisms concern with reduction of macrophage infiltration, expression of inflammatory cytokines OPN, partially inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor and its receptor expression.

Objective To investigate the effect of persistent ST-segment elevation after successful direct percutanous coronary intervention (PCI) on the late phase of left ventricular (LV) systolic function in acute anterior wall myocardial infarction.Methods Serial electrocardiograms were record before PCI and 1 hour after reperfusion in 72 patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. The reduction of ST-segment elevation after successful PCI more than 50% was defined as ST-segment resolution (ST reduction group). Persistent ST-segment elevation was defined as ≥50% of peak ST elevation (ST elevation group). Echocardiography was performed on 2 to 3 weeks (early phase) and 5 to 6 months(late phase)after PCI to evaluate the LV function and ventricular wall motion abnormality (VWMA). Results Fifty-three patients (74%) had early ST segment elevation resolution and 19 patients (26%) did not. The LV function and VWMA were similar in two groups during early phase. But during the late phase, ST elevation group patients had lower LVEF and higher LVEDVI, LVESVI, VWMA index compared with ST reduction group (P

0.05).MMP-9 reached the peak at 1 month after PCI in DM group,and had significant difference compared with the concentration before or 24h after PCI in DM group 34.74?10.70 ?g/L vs 19.64?6.03 ?g/L,20.00?7.06 ?g/L(P

Objective To study the relationship between histological activity index and serum of tumor nec-rosis factor-α( TNF-α) ,peripheral blood T cell subsets in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods Histopatholog-ical examinations were performed in 237 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 12 controls.The histological activity index( HAI) were analyzed by knodels method.These patients were divided into the four groups according to histologi-cal activity index classification:the control group(n=12),mild group(n=67),moderate group(n=89),and severe group(n=81).The serum levels of TNF-αwere determined by ELISA,and peripheral blood T cell subsets were ana-lyzed by flow cytometry.Results The serum level of TNF-αin the mild group[(29.65 ±10.15)μg/L],moderate group[(38.96 ±7.32)μg/L]and severe group[(47.73 ±6.99)μg/L]were higher than those in the control group [(13.78 ±6.40)μg/L](q=14.38,19.97,24.83,all P<0.05),significant positive correlation lied between the histological activity index classification and the serum level of TNF-α(r=0.708,P<0.05).The rate of CD8+cells in the moderate group[(27.66 ±6.63)μg/L]and the severe group[(28.98 ±5.92)μg/L]were higher than those in the control group[(22.32 ±1.84)μg/L](q=3.84,4.76,all P<0.05),and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+in the moderate group(1.32 ±0.37) and the severe group(1.19 ±0.30) were lower than those in the control group(1.67 ±0.14) (q=4.20,5.72,all P<0.05),but the rate of CD8+cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+showed no significance among the mild group,moderate group and severe group.Conclusion TNF-αand disorder of cellular immunity may play an important role in the development and progression of intrahepatic vascular lesion.

Aim To compare cardioprotection effects between carvedilol and metoprolol in canine late reperfusion of acute myocardial infarction.Methods Eighteen anesthetized dogs were randomly divided into three groups: late reperfusion group(LR,n=6),late reperfusion after metoprolol treatment group(LR+M,n=6),and late reperfusion after carvedilol treatment group(LR+C,n=6),respectively orally giving physiological saline,metoprolol(1 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)),and carvedilol(1 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) for seven days,and then late reperfusion of acute myocardial infarction model was made by ligating the coronary for 6 h,followed by reperfusion for 6 h.SOD,GR activity and MDA content of infarction brim myocardium were detected by colorimetry,Fas/FasL were detected by immunohistochemistry,apoptosis index(AI) were detected by TUNEL.Results Compared with LR,Myocardial MDA content in LR+C was decreased,and SOD and GR activities were significantly higher,but LR+M did not change.The expression of Fas/FasL and apoptosis index were significantly lowered in LR+M and LR+C,especially in LR+C.Conclusion Carvedilol and metoprolol have cardioprotection on late reperfusion of acute myocardial infarction,and carvedilol is superior to metoprolol and the pharmacological effects may due to its antioxidant effect.

AIM:To observe the protective effect of Nano-Se on myocardium of experimental diabetes mice.METHODS:Sixty healthy male KM mice were chosen,ten of which were selected randomly as the normal control group.After fasted for 24 h,the rest 50 mice were injected with streptozotocin(STZ,50 mg/kg)intraperitoneally for 5 d.At 7th d,the blood-sugar was measured from vena caudalis,40 mice,of which blood-sugar exceeded 16.65mmol/L,were selected and randomized into 4 groups:the positive control group,low dose(25 ?g/kg)Nano-Se group,mid dose(50 ?g/kg)Nano-Se group,high dose(50 ?g/kg)Nano-Se group.All mice were given intragastric administration of 0.2 mL normal saline and corresponding dose of Nano-Se.The body weights were measured every week,and the dose of which was adjusted according to the change of the body weights.8 weeks later,the mice were killed and cardiac muscle of the left ventricle was taken.The myocardium was prepared to 10% homogenate for measuring SOD,GSH-Px activity and MDA content.The myocardial cell apoptosis was measured by TUNEL.The expressions of Bc1-2 and Bax proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:Compared to normal group,the SOD and GSH-Px activities in positive control group decreased,MDA level increased,the rate of myocardial cell apoptosis increased significantly,Bc1-2 protein expression deceased and Bax protein expression increased.Compared to positive control group,the SOD and GSH-Px activities in low and mid dose Nano-Se groups expression increased,MDA level decreased,myocardial cell apoptosis rate decreased,Bc1-2 protein expression increased and Bax protein expression decreased.Moreover,the SOD and GSH-Px activities in high dose Nano-Se group decreased obviously compared to those in mid dose Nano-Se group.MDA level and myocardial cell apoptosis rate increased,Bc1-2 protein expression decreased and Bax protein expression increased,no significant difference in SOD,GSH-Px activity,MDA level and myocardial cell apoptosis rate was observed compared with positive control group.CONCLUSION:The damage of cardiac muscle is alleviated when a certain dose of Nano-Se is supplied to diabetes mice.The protective mechanism may be related to antioxidation,blood-sugar adjustment and the increase of Bc1-2 expressing.

BACKGROUND:Silk fibroin, chitosan, and nano hydroxyapatite are natural materials, and they al have good biological activity and physical or chemical properties. As tissue engineering materials, they have been already widely used in clinic or research work, but there are some defects in the application of these three kinds of materials. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the preparation and characteristics of silk fibroin/chitosan/nano hydroxyapatite complicated scaffolds which could be used in bone tissue engineering. METHODS:Silk fibroin, chitosan, and nano hydroxyapatite were separately prepared into 2%solution, and then mixed at the ratio of 1:1:0.5, 1:1:1, 1:1:1.5 respectively. The three-dimensional complicated scaffolds were prepared by those mixed liquids through repeated freeze drying and chemical crosslinking technology. Scanning electron microscope was used to detect the pore size of the scaffolds. Porosity, water absorption rate, and hot-water loss rate were determined. Mechanical tester was used to measure the tensile and compressive modulus of dried three-dimensional scaffolds. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The silk fibroin/chitosan/nano hydroxyapatite complicated scaffold in the dry state had no special smel , appeared to be a stabilized solid cylinder, and exhibited clear resiliency and flexibility with a touch. With the increased content of nano hydroxyapatite, the porosity, water absorption rate and average pore size of the scaffolds appeared to be decreased, while the hot-water loss rate and compressive strength were increased. The scaffold prepared at 1:1:1 was better for bone tissue engineering, and the average pore size, water absorption rate and hot-water loss rate were 85.67 μm, (135.65±4.56)%and (22.84±1.06)%, respectively, closer to the needs of the bone tissue engineering. Uniform pores were found within the scaffold at 1:1:1, showing the network structure, developed transport among pores, and the network structure was approximately 10μm.

Objective To explore risk factors for asthma children in Urumqi aged 0-14 years old through the epidemiological survey data.Methods By cluster sampling method,totally 11 939 children were investigated.There were 148 cases of asthma,by using case-control study,the risk factors for asthma were analyzed.Results The total asthma morbidity rate of childhood asthma (aged 0-14 years old) in Urumqi(1.24％,148/11 939 cases) was significantly lower than that of national city incidence (3.02％) based on the third-time national survey;the prevalence rate was obviously rising compared with the region in 2000 (0.61％) and 1990 (0.40％).The prevalence of asthma in male and female children was 1.72％ (104/6 047 cases) and 0.75％ (44/5 892 cases),respectively (x2 =23.081,P ＜0.001).Preschool children had the highest prevalence of asthma (1.33％,36/2 705 cases),which was slightly higher than that of school-age children (1.29％,86/6 690 cases) and that of the infants (1.02％,26/2 544 cases).The prevalence in Han children (1.36％,121/8 895 cases) was higher than that of the minority children (0.89％,27/3 044 cases)(x2 =4.150,P ＜ 0.05).The uni-variate Logistic regression analysis showed that there were 16 significant factors that related to asthma;bv multivariate Logistic regression analysis,the family history of allergies,allergic rhinitis,food allergy history,use of antibiotics and passive smoking were all risk factors associated with childhood asthma.Conclusions The asthma prevalence is significantly different in genders,ages,Han nationality and minority.Active avoidance of risk factors for asthma in children are of great significance in the prevention and control of children asthma.

BACKGROUND:Poly lactic acid as an excellent delivery has good biocompatibility.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2)/poly lactic acid (PLA) sustained release microspheres, and to study its physical and chemical properties.
METHODS:The rhBMP-2/PLA sustained release microspheres were prepared using w/o/w solvent evaporation method. Scanning electron microscopy, laser particle size, zeta potential, and swel ing properties were detected. ELISA kit was utilized for measurement of encapsulation efficiency, drug-loading rate and in vitro drug release rate.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under the scanning electron microscope, rhBMP-2/PLA sustained release microspheres were approximately circle with excellent dispersion. The uniform spheres were visible with a mean particle size of 839.6 nm. The zeta potential were (-32.93±3.74) mV. The swel ing coefficient was 1.157±0.059. The drug-loading rate and encapsulation efficiency of rhBMP-2/PLA sustained release microspheres were (88.943±2.878)%and (0.026±0.001)%respectively. The drug release rate at 1 day was about 10.199%, then the drug release was relatively constant, and til 19 days, the cumulative drug release rate was 54.643%. These findings indicate that the constructed rhBMP-2/PLA sustained release microspheres meet the requirement of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (10th edition) that the encapsulation efficiency is not less than 80%and the microspheres have a good slow-release function in vitro.