AIM:To examine and compare the effects of several ARBs that are widely used in clinics , on the ACE-Ang II-AT1 receptor and the ACE2-Ang(1-7)-Mas axis during the development of cardiac remodeling after pressure overload .METHODS: All of the mice used in the study underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham operation for 2 or 4 weeks.A solution of either ARBs or sa-line was administered through a stomach tube 3 days before the operation .Meanwhile , to eliminate the influence of Ang II , a recombi-nant adenovirus expressing small interfering RNAs targeting angiotensinogen ( Ad-ATG siRNA) was injected via the tail vein .The sur-gery was then performed and the drug was administered as mentioned above .Cardiac function and remodeling were evaluated by echo-cardiography , hemodynamic measurements and cardiac histology .Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression levels . Meanwhile , we performed similar experiments using ARBs with or without ATG siRNA in cardiomyocytes induced by mechanical stretch.RESULTS:Although all of the six ARBs , none of which repressed the elevation of left ventricular pressure after TAC , attenu-ated the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in the wild-type mice, the degree of attenuation by Olmesartan , Candesar-tan and Losartan tended to be larger than that of the other three drugs tested .Additionally , the degree of downregulation of the ACE-Ang II-AT1 axis and upregulation of the ACE2-Ang(1-7)-Mas axis was higher in response to Olmesartan, Candesartan and Losartan administration in vivo and in vitro.Additionally, Olmesartan had a larger influence when administered long term .However, the expres-sion of ACE was not influenced by the administration of ARBs in vivo and in vitro.Moreover, in angiotensinogen-knockdown mice, TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure were inhibited by Olmesartan , Candesartan and Losartan but not by Telmisartan , Valsartan and Irbesartan administration .Furthermore , only Olmesartan and Candesartan could downregulate the ACE-Ang II-AT1 axis and upregulate the ACE2-Ang(1-7)-Mas axis in vitro.CONCLUSION: Olmesartan, Candesartan and Losartan could effectively in-hibit pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling even when with knockdown of Ang II , possibly through upregulation of the expres-sion of the ACE2-Ang(1-7)-Mas axis and downregulation of the expression of the ACE-Ang II-AT1 axis.In contrast, Telmisartan, Valsartan and Irbesartan only played a role in the presence of Ang II , and Losartan had no effect in the presence of Ang II in vitro.

Objective To explore the change of multiple electrocardiogram(ECG) parameters and their impact on P-R interval in pregnant women.Methods Healthy women aged 20-40 years were enrolled and divided into 4 groups:control group (n =194),early-pregnant group (n =172),mediate-stage group (n =105)and late-phase group(111).The following data were collected for analysis:heart rate (HR),axis,rotation,P-R interval(on lead V3),and p wave duration(on lead Ⅱ).Between-group analysis and multiple liner regression analysis were conducted.Results Compared with the control group,we found no significant difference in the early-pregnant group,but HR significantly increased in the mediate-stage group and late-phase group((77.76 ± 14.75) beat/min vs.(78.12 ± 11.24) beat/min vs.(84.21 ± 11.91) beat/min vs.(88.15 ± 15.05) beat/min,P ＜ 0.05).BP increased with the duration of pregnancy.Axis and P wave duration decreased with the duration of pregnancy.We found no significant difference in the early-pregnant group,but significantly decreased axis and P wave duration in the mediate-stage group and late-phase group (axis:(61.11 ± 225.84) ° vs.(56.97 ±25.17)° vs.(50.11 ±21.78)° vs.(41.72 ±28.36)°,P ＜0.05;P wave duration:(0.100 ±0.015)s vs.(0.099 ± 0.012) s vs.(0.095 ± 0.013) s vs.(0.093 ± 0.013) s,P ＜ 0.05).P-R interval was significantly shorter in women at all the three stages of pregnancy than in the healthy controls ((0.145 ± 0.021)) svs.(0.138±0.019) s vs.(0.133 ±0.020) s vs.(0.131 ±0.019) s,P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference found in heart rotation proportion among the four groups.Multiple liner regression analysis indicated that only pregnancy factors (t =-4.607,P =0.000) and p wave duration (t =9.339,P =0.000) had significant influences on P-R interval.Conclusion P-R interval is negatively correlated to pregnancy stage and positively correlated to p wave duration,but irrelevant to HR and axis in pregnant women.

Objective To investigate the effects of apolipoproteinA1 (apoA1) on levels of cholesterol, cholesteryl ester (CE), and expression of ATP-bindiag cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in human acute monocytie leukemia cell line (THP-1) macrophage-derived foam cells.Methods The cultured THP-1 cells were induced into foam cells by exposing first to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 50 ng/ml) for 48 h, and then to oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 50μg/ml) for 48 h.Under treatment of apoA1 in different doses (5, 10, 15 and 20 μg/ml) and one simple dose (10 μg/ml) for different time (6, 12 and 24 h), THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells were incubated to observe the expression of cholesterol and ABCA1.The concentrations of cellular total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC) and CE were determined by oxidization enzymatic methods.Oil red O dyeing experiment was used to show the cellular lipid droplets in the cells.The expression of ABCA1 was tested by immunofluorescence method.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was applied to investigate mRNA expression of ABCA1.Results The THP-1 cells turned into typical foam cells after treated with PMA (50 ng/ml) for 48 h, and ox-LDL (50 μg/ml) for 48 h.apoA1 could lower the levels of TC, FC and CE in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells in a dose-dependent and a time-dependant manner, apoA1 could increase the expression of ABCA1 protein in THP-1maerophage-derived foam cells without up-regulation of mRNA.Antibody of ABCA1 could up- regulate the expression of ABCA1.Conclusions apoA1 may decrease the levels of cholesterols in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells, by promoting the expression of ABCA1 and the reverse cholesterol transport of high density lipoprotein.

AIM: To investigate the effect of paclitaxel on the quantitative growth of rabbit's vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) and their relationship in vitro. METHODS: An ex vivo model of endothelium repair was developed in which rabbit's SMCs were inoculated in the upper chamber and rabbit's ECs in the lower chamber of a co-culture system. 3 H-TdR incorporation and cell counting were used to determine the effect of paclitaxel on the quantitative proliferation of rabbit's vascular ECs and SMCs. The migration rate was analyzed to determine the effect of paclitaxel on the migration of rabbit's vascular ECs and SMCs. The IC50 of paclitaxel on ECs and SMCs was calculated. RESULTS: The 3 H-TdR incorporation, cell counting and migration of rabbit's vascular SMCs were inhibited by paclitaxel of 1 nmol·L-1-1 μmol·L-1 in a concentration-dependent manner (n=6, P<0.01). The 3 H-TdR incorporation and cell counting of rabbit's vascular ECs were inhibited by paclitaxel of 10 nmol·L-1-1 μmol·L-1 and migration by paclitaxel of 1 nmol·L-1-1 μmol·L-1 in a concentration-dependent manner (n=6, P<0.01). The 3 H-TdR incorporation assay resulted in the IC50 of 10.09±0.47 nmol·L-1 on SMCs and 19.06±0.35 nmol·L-1 on ECs proliferation. The migration assay resulted in the IC50 of 9.16±0.54 nmol·L-1 on SMCs and 5.37±0.51 nmol·L-1 on ECs migration. Paclitaxel (10 nmol·L-1, 20 min) inhibited SMCs growth of the confluent ECs group during the observed period. However, increased SMCs growth was observed in the proliferative ECs group 10 days after paclitaxel intervention. CONCLUSION: Paclitaxel inhibits not only SMCs but also ECs growth in rabbit's vascular. The delayed SMCs proliferation is closely related with the delayed ECs regeneration induced by paclitaxel.

Objective To observe the effects of eluting stents coated with arsenic trioxide(As2O3)and suspended in poly-L-lactic acid(PLLA)on expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)and interleukin-6(IL-6)and to assess the effects of As2O3 eluting stents on local inflammatory reaction in injured coronary arteries in pigs. Methods Bare metal stents,rapamycin eluting stents and As2O3-eluting stents were randomly and double-blindly implanted into the anterior descending branches,circumflex branches and right coronary arteries in eight pigs.Animals were sacrificed and coronary arteries were isolated 7 days after stents implantation.The expression levels of protein and mRNA of MCP-1 and IL-6 were determined by Western blot analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and the inflammatory cell infiltration was observed by HE staining and immunohistochemistry. Results Compared to bare metal stents,As2O3-eluting stents and rapamycin-eluting stents identically and markedly inhibited the protein expression level of MCP-1(0.421±0.055 and 0.406±0.042 vs.0.857±0.053,P＜0.01)and IL-6(0.151±0.032 and 0.146±0.051 vs.0.551±0.032,P＜0.01)and correspondingly lowered the mRNA expression level of MCP-1(0.338±0.047 and 0.327±0.051 vs.0.724±0.027,P＜0.01)and IL-6(0.531±0.052 and 0.523±0.061 vs.1.015±0.041,P＜0.01),and significantly reduced the inflammatory cell infiltration of injured coronary arteries in pigs. Conclusions As2O3-eluting stents can effectively inhibit the expressions of MCp-1 and IL-6 and reduce the inflammatory cell infiltration of injured coronary arteries in pigs.

AIM:To investigate the effects of angiotensin II ( Ang II) on the immune maturation and the oxi-dized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-uptaking capacity of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs).METH-ODS:Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation , and the monocytes were purified by positive selection with anti-CD14 magnetic beads.After cultured with rhGM-CSF (100 μg/L) and rhIL-4 (50μg/L) for 5 d, the monocytes differentiated into immature DCs .On the 6th day of the culture, the cells were treated with various concentration levels of Ang II or pretreated with losartan .The immunophenotypic expression of HLA-DR and CD83 was analyzed by flow cytometry .The secretion levels of IL-12 and IFN-γin the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.Furthermore, DCs were incubated with DiI-labelled Ox-LDL.The DiI-Ox-LDL-incorporated fraction was investiga-ted by flow cytometry .The mRNA expression of 3 scavenger receptors , scavenger receptor A ( SR-A) , CD36 and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1), was examined by real-time PCR.RESULTS: Ang II induced the maturation of human monocyte-derived DCs, stimulated the expression of CD83 and HLA-DR, and promoted the secre-tion of IL-12 and IFN-γ, which were suppressed by losartan .Furthermore, Ang II increased the Ox-LDL-uptaking capacity of DCs, which was partially reduced by losartan .The incubation of DCs with Ang II enhanced the mRNA expression of LOX-1 in a dose-dependent manner , which was reduced by losartan .However, the expression of SR-A and CD36 was not changed .CONCLUSION:Ang II promotes the immune maturation of human monocyte-derived DCs and increases the up-take of Ox-LDL probably through the up-regulation of LOX-1 expression.

AIM: To observe the effect of hypoxia on cardiaomyocytes apoptosis and the role of ALDH2 in the process. METHODS: Cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were used. Hypoxia was imposed to the cardiomyocytes with or without daidzin pretreatment. ALDH2 activity was measured by the method of acetaldehyde metabolism. Apoptosis was measured by Hoechest 33324 staining, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and the DeadEnd~ TM fluorometric TUNEL system. RESULTS: ALHD2 enzyme activity in myocytes was inhibited by daidzin (24 h, 60 ?mol/L) without induction of apoptosis. When exposed to hypoxia, however, the apoptisis was significantly increased in the cells pretreated with daidzin compared to those without the pretreatment. CONCLUSION: The reduction of ALDH2 activity might increase the susceptivity of myocytes to apoptosis following hypoxia, suggesting a protective role of ALDH2 in hypoxia-induced myocardial injury.

Objective: To observe the changes of circulating fractalkine and its receptor CX3CR1 level in patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF).
Methods: Our work included 2 group, CHF group, n=55 patients and Control group, n=25 healthy subjects. Plasma level of soluble fractalkine (sFKN) was measured by ELISA, CX3CR1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell was examined by lfow cytometry method. The relationship between sFKN and NT-proBNP was studied.
Results: Compared with Control group, CHF group had increased sFKN level, P=0.004, and the patients with NYHY III, IV were more than NYHY II, and CHF group also had the higher CX3CR1 expression (14.7 ± 8.1), P<0.05. The CX3CR1 level increased accordingly with NYHY classiifcation, as the patients with NYHY II, CX3CR1 was at (25.1 ± 12.4), P=0.03 compare with Control group;with NYHY III, CX3CR1 was at (37.3 ± 11.0) , P=0.04 compared with NYHY II;with NYHY IV, CX3CR1 was at (41.7 ± 11.1), P=0.009 compared with NYHY II. The circulating sFKN level was positively related to pro-BNP level (r=0.364, P<0.01).
Conclusion: The circulating FKN l and its receptor CX3CR1 might be involved in pathogenesis of immune-inlfammatory pathogenesis in CHF patients.

To observe the influence of neuregulin-1 on the cardiac function of post-myocardial infarction rats. Methods Left ventricular MI was created in Sprague-Dawley rats by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary. Six months after the operation, rats were evaluated with echocardiology methods. 36 rats that had an infarct area and a EF around 60% were randomized into 3 groups: MI group(n=12) were injected a blank vehicle fluid intravenously for 5 days, after which they continued to be raised on standard food and water for 30 days. MI+NRG group(n=12), received NRG-110μg·kg-1 intravenously for 5 days, after which they continued to be raised on standard food and water for 30 days. MI+Capt group (n=12) received captopril orally (dissolved in their drinking water 2g/L) for 30days, after which tap water substituted the solution for 5 days. Final echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements were made at the end of 1 month of therapy. Total RNA was extracted from frozen left ventricular tissues, and was reverse transcribed into firststrand PCR was performed with primers for BNP、 ANP. Results Rats treated with neuregulin had a smaller LVDs (P=0.014), a betterLVEF (P=0.004),and a tendency towards less lung perfusion than untreated rats. Neuregulin decreased the expression of ANP mRNA in the ventricle (P=0.025).Conclusion Neuregulin markedly improved the cardiac function of rats that survived myocardial infarction,and decreased the expression of ANP mRNA in the ventricle.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between aging-induced neointimal formation and Jagged 1 dynamic expression in endothelium after arterial injury in rats. MethodsForty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 3 months (young adult) and 22 months (old) were selected, and thirty of them were subjected to balloon catheter injury at the thoracic aorta. Morphometry analysis was applied to evaluate neointima/media ratio at 28 days after arterial injury. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the dynamic expressions of Jaggedl in endothelium and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in neointima at 7 days, 14 days and 28 days after arterial injury respectively. Cell co-culture system was developed by inoculating endothelial cells(EC) in the upper chamber and smooth musele eells(SMC) in the lower chamber. Fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) was used to assay the effect of aging on the expression of Jagged 1 in EC. ＜'3＞H-TdR incorporation and cells counting were used to determine the influence of EC of different ages of rats on platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced proliferation and migration of SMC. ResultsThe neointima/media ratio were obviously higher in old rats than in young rats (0.35±0.02 vs. 0.28±0.01, n=5, P＜0.01). Compared with the young counterparts, old rats showed in immunohistochemistry that the Jaggedl in endothelium displayed a delayed up-regulation and quickly diminished evolvement pattern. The maximal enhancing level of Jaggedl in old rats was much lower than that in young ones. However, the increased extent of PCNA in neointima was significantly higher in old rats than that in young ones. Jagged 1 expression in EC in old rats was significantly lower than that in young one[(46.6±6.3)% vs. (85.4±4.0)%,n=3, P＜0.05]. The SMC co-cultured with EC in old rats exhibited higher proliferation and migration capability than those in young ones after exposure to PDGF of 10ng/ml[2H-TdR incorporation: (26 438±1857) cpm/well vs. (16 698±2076)cpm/well, n=5, P＜0.05. migration:(32±4) cells/field vs. (18±5) cells/field, n=5, P＜0. 05]ConclusionsThe up-regulation of Jaggedl in EC is impaired in aged rats, which is closely related to aging-indueed SMC proliferation and migration. It also suggests that Jagged1 might be involved in the process of aging-exaggerated neointima formation.