Objective To analyze the relations between obstructive sleep apnea and bradyarrhythmia.Methods From 1999 to 2005,203 patients who came from Bering Tongren Hospital and Fuwai Hospital were found to have sleep apnea in an ambulatory study. A Hoher electrecardiogram was recorded for 24 hours within 2 weeks after patients were diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnem Results Nocturnal episodes of bradyarrhythmia were identified in 12(5.9%)of 203 patients.Body mass index and respiratory disturbance index in patients with bradyarrhythmia(n=12)were higher than those in patientswithour bradyarrhymia(n=191)(34±5 735.24±6 and 63±15 vs.25±5,respectively,both P<0.01).There was a significant difference in end-apneic oxygen saturation in apnea/hypopnea episodes with and without bradyarrhythmia(63%±15% vs.75%±11%,P<0.05).A linear relation between end-apneic oxygen saturation and number of sinus arrests and heart blocks was not found.Conclusions Patients with apnea-associated bradyarrhythmia have higher body mflgB index and higher respiratory disturbance index than patients without bradyarrhythmi&Bradyarrhythmia occurres independently from decrease in oxygen saturation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the liver tissue of rats with bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced hepatic fibrosis and evaluate the inhibitory effects of perindopril and losartan on TLR4 expression.

METHODSMale Wistar Rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (n=6), BDL group, perindopril treatment group (2 mg/kg) and losartan treatment group (50 mg/kg) (n=12). Perindopril and losartan groups were further divided into two subgroups for corresponding treatments by gastric lavage once daily for 14 and 30 days. The protein level of TLR4 in the liver tissue was examined by Western blotting.

RESULTSIn 14-day BDL group, the protein level of TLR4 significantly increased to 6.53∓1.11 folds of that in the sham group (P<0.05), and was lowered significantly to 1.71∓0.41 folds and 0.95∓0.38 folds following perindopril and losartan treatments for 14 days. TLR4 expression significantly increased to 6.51∓0.87 folds and 5.64∓0.87 folds of that of the sham group in perindopril and losartan groups after the 30-day treatments (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTLR4 expression is up-regulated in the liver of rats with BDL-induced hepatic fibrosis, and can be lowered by perindopril and losartan treatmemts for 14 days.

Animals ; Bile Ducts ; surgery ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Ligation ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Perindopril ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism