Inflammation plays a pivotal role in atherogenesis. In addition to being a potent predictive and prognostic marker for major cardiovascular events, recent evidence indicates that C-reactive protein (CRP) might directly promote atherogenesis by exerting direct effects on vascular cells. Thus, CRP will become important novel pharmaceutical targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis. This review presents an overview of the current knowledge about the pathological role of CRP in atherosclerosis initiation and progression.

Aim To investigate the role of transcrip-tional cofactors receptor interacting protein 140 ( RIP140 ) and peroxisome proliferator-activated recep-tor γ coactivator-1α ( PGC-1α) in the angiotensin Ⅱ( AngⅡ) mediated energy metabolism regulation in cardiomyocytes. Methods RIP140 or PGC-1α was overexpressed via adenovirus vector system. ATP con-tents were detected by luminescence detection assay system. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to measure the expressions of RIP140 and PGC-1α genes. Results After treated with 100 nmol·L-1 AngⅡfor 36h in neonatal cardiomyocytes, the content of mitochondrial ATP was reduced notably ( P <0. 01). Accordingly, the mRNA and protein levels for RIP140 were increased. However, the mRNA and pro-tein levels of PGC-1α were downregulated markedly. What’ s more,the reduction of ATP induced by AngⅡwas further aggravated by RIP 1 4 0 overexpression , but ameliorated by overexpressing PGC-1α. Conclusion The reduction of ATP mediated by AngⅡis associated with the upregulation of RIP140 , as well as the down-regulation of PGC-1α.

AIM　To study the effects of praeruptorin C (pra-C), a pure constituent isolated from “Qian-Hu”, the roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn. (Umbelliferae), on vascular hypertrophy, collagen content, transient ［Ca2+］i, NO and vascular response of the thoracic aorta of renovascular and spontaneously hypertensive rats (RHR, SHR). METHODS　RHR and SHR were given pra-C 20 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 9 weeks, ig. Blood pressure of both rats were measured using tail cuff manometry. Under inverted microscopy the length and width of the smooth muscle cells were measured by using computer software MICC (Dongnan University). ［Ca2+］i of smooth muscle cell (SMCs) was measured with Fura-2/AM. By measuring the specific aminoacid hydroxyproline content, the collagen content was obtained. By using Griess reagent, the NO in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was measured. RESULTS　The intermedia of the thoracic aorta in RHR was enlarged than that of the normal and pra-C groups. The size (length×width) of the SMCs of thoracic aorta from RHR increased 73.4 μm vs nomal 34.5 μm and pra-C 34 μm. The collagen content of thoracic aorta was 39%±6.8% dry weight in RHR, they were 26.5%±3% dry weight in normal and 25.6%±1.1% dry weight in pra-C, RHR vs pra-C. The resting ［Ca2+］i of single cell of SMCs was (62±6) nmol.L-1. In Hanks solution containing CaCl2 1 mmol.L-1, the resting ［Ca2+］i of SMCs was (150±8) nmol.L-1 in normal. (226±11) nmol.L-1 in RHR. In presence of KCl 60 mmol.L-1, NE 10 μmol.L-1, ANG II 100 nmol.L-1 and ATP 30 μmol.L-1 the ［Ca2+］i of SMCs were increased by 128%; 132%; 233% and 152% in RHR, respectively. The pra-C group was similar to the normal group. The resting ［Ca2+］i of SMCs was (71±6) nmol.L-1 in control of SHR, in Hanks solution containing CaCl2 1 mmol.L-1. The resting ［Ca2+］i of SMCs was (160±8) nmol.L-1 in normal, and (362±18) nmol.L-1 in SHR. In presence KCl 60 mmol.L-1 and NE 10 μmol.L-1 the ［Ca2+］i of SMCs were increased by 235% and 200% in SHR, respectively. Pra-C group was similar to normal group. NO of SMCs was decreased 76% in SHR, pra-C group was nearly normal. The pra-C improved vascular responses of the thoracic aorta of RHR. CONCLUSION　These results indicate that pra-C improved the vacular hypertrophy by decreasing the size of SMCs cells, collagen content. SMCs ［Ca2+］i and increasing NO production.

Aim The limited transfection efficiency for plasmid in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes,which are terminal differentiated cells,and long foreign DNA (the RIP140 gene sequence are as long as 3.5 kb) cause us to choose a better system to study RIP140 gene expression in primary non-replicative cells. Methods Full-length of RIP140 was cloned into pAdTracker-CMV shuttle vector,and then recombined with virus backbone pAdEasy-1 vector in BJ5183 bac-teria.Positive recombinant plasmid was confirmed by sequence analysis and restriction enzyme determina-tion,and then transfected into AD293 cells for amplifi-cation.Titers of virus particles were determined by Tis-sue Culture Infectious Dose 50 (TCID50 )method and cell vitality was analyzed by CCK-8 kit in cardiomyo-cytes.RIP140 gene was identified by Western blot. Results Sequence analysis suggested that full-length RIP140 gene was cloned correctly into AdEasyTM sys-tem.Virus titers of Ad-RIP140 and Ad-GFP were 1011.3 and 1011.7 PFU·mL-1 ,respectively.Cell vitali-ty was not affected when the Multiplicity of Infection (MOI)was lower than 200.Green fluorescent protein (GFP)and Western blot analysis showed RIP140 gene was remarkably increased in cardiomyocytes for 12h in-fection by Ad-RIP140 (P<0.05 ).Conclusion Re-combinant adenovirus containing RIP140 gene was suc-cessfully constructed and effectively expressed in car-diomyocytes.These will be helpful for further research on the function of RIP140 in cardiomyocytes.

Objective To research the reasonable perfusion flow of cardiopulmonary bypass during aortic arch procedure of patients with acute type A aortic dissection.Methods Forty patients suffered from acute Stanford type A aortic dissection had been divided into two groups randomly.Group A named traditional perfusion flow group,group B named modified perfusion flow group.Monitoring cerebral blood flow and cerebral tissue oxygen during deep hyperthermia circulatory arrest and antegrade aelective cerebral perfusion procedure by transcranial doppler(TCD) and near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS).The concentration of S100 protein and lactic acid was measured at six time point.Results Statistical difference of mean blood flow velocity of MCA had been found between two group 3 min after total flow reperfusion.TOI was more tban 60％ during study in both of groups.S100 protein in group A was significantly higher than group B at T6,T7 and T8.Statistical difference of blood lactic concentration had been found between two groups,(4.88± 1.62) mmol/L in group A,(3.83± 1.48) mmol/L in group B,P ＜ 0.05.Safe consciousness time between two groups was difference,(7.36± 2.86) h in group A and (5.27± 3.11) h in group B,P ＜ 0.05.Conclusion Compared with the traditional perfusion flow,modified perfusion flow can provide sufficient cerebral perfusion and prevent the luxury perfusion.

Nuclear receptors(NRs)superfamily signaling plays an important role in regulating the expression of gene involved inenergy homeostasis.The nuclear receptors regulate target gene expression through the recruitment of coregulatory proteins,which act as scaffolds or plateforms for linking NRs with enzyme complexes that modify DNA and histones.As a transcriptional co-repressor for NRs,RIP140 negatively regulates the transcription of target gene in metabolic tissue,such as adipose tissue,muscle and liver.In the absence of RIP140,genes expressions involved in metabolic pathways were upregulated including glycolysis,triglyceride synthesis,TCA cycle,fatty acid ? oxidation,mitochondrial electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.RIP140 may be a candidate therapeutic target for metabolism syndromes.

Objective To study the hypoglycemic effect of total flavonoids from stems and leaves of scatellaria baicalensis (SSTF)on diabetic mice and to explore the therapeutic mechanism.Methods Diabetic mice models were established by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan(200 mg/kg),and the changes of mice blood glucose ,superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdelyde content were observed after preventive or curative treatment with SSTF.Results Preventive treat- ment with SSTF can obviously inhibit the increase of mice blood glucose induced by alloxan ,and the therapeutic treat- ment with SSTF can lower the blood glucose levels of diabetic mice.Both preventive and therapeutic treatment groups can increase serum superoxide dismutase activity and decrease malondialdelyde content.Conclusion SSTF have significant preventive and therapeutic effects on diabetic mice,and the mechanism is related to the anti-oxidation activity.

The muscle tonus of 7 (43 trials) swimmers were measured by the side of theswimming pool before and after training when they felt muscle stiffness and sore-ness. The muscle tonus and EMG of 10 (20 trails) swimmers and 5 (10 trails) runnrswere also measured and taken in the laboratory when they had a pain in the muscleafter training. The results showed that after training the muscle tonus was significantly higherthan before and the athletes had muscle stiffness and soreness. After stretching,not only the muscle tonus decreased, the athletes also felt better. The amplitude of the EMG appeared higher in the first stretching. then it be-came lower and lower with the stretching even showed electric silence. At the sametime, the muscle tonus decreased and the soreness was relieved. This study suggested that the early muscle soreness and stiffness are not cau-sed by local tissue edema, which is thought to be due to biochemical end-productsof metabolism, especially lactic acid. If muscle soreness and stiffness after vigo-rous exercises are the result of tissue edema, they can not be readily relieved byway of stretching technique since the water causing tissue edema cannot be remo-ved from the muscle tissue to the circulation in only about 30 seconds. Therefore, in our opinion, the early muscle soreness and stiffness are not cau-sed by biochemical but by physiological reasons, i. e. the physiological reflex spasmrelated with the functional state of the muscle spindle sensing system. Of course.this still needs to be confirmed by more extensive study in the future.

Objective To study the apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell BGC-823 induced by the components in serum of Banxia Xiexin prescription and different herbal fomulation. Method multiplication of cell BGC-823 was observed with MTT method. The genic expression of bcl-2 was tested by S-P immunohistochemistry tehnique. Results As for inhibition of cell BGC-823 multiplication, the groups of Xinkai, Kujiang and Xinku in Banxia Xiexin prescription and different herbal fomulation was dose-dependent and more sensitive than the groups of Xingan, Kugan, Ganbu and the intact prescription (P

AIM To observe the effects of improved prescription of Didang-tang (IPDT) on exprimental atherosclerosis(AS) in rabbits and study the possible mechanism. METHODS Lipid plaque area of aortic endothelium was measured by image analysis method. lipid metabolism was measured by enzyme dynamics method, one-step method and immunization photoextinction. Plasma SOD and MDA was measured by microcontent fast detecting method and modified Ba MuGuoFu method. Ceramide was measured by thinlayer scannig; apoptosis of foam cell of aorta lipid plaque was measured by TUNEL method.RESULTS IPDT reduced lipid plaque area of aortic endothelium,regulated lipid metabolism, improved antioxidation of organism, ced ceramide content of aorta lipid plaque and apoptosis of foam cell.CONCLUSION IPDT has good effects of anti-exprimental AS,the possible mechanism maybe related to regulation of lipid metabolism and antioxidation and depression of apoptosis of foam cell.