s:Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and regeneration are present in overload cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac myocyte apoptosis might be a critical factor during the transition from compensatory hypertrophy to heart failure. The mechanisms of apoptosis include extrinsic factors and some cellular signal pathways. On the other hand, cardiomyocyte hyperplasia, as well as hypertrophy, contributes to cardiac hypertrophy. Caridomyocyte regeneration is related to cyclin, cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk), Cdk inhibitors (CdkI), bcl-2, p53 and telomere. Cardiaomyocyte regeneration and apoptosis are linked through several factors.

AIM: To investigate the effect of puerarin on the alteration of ET and ANF in plasma, NO and NOS in serum of diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin(STZ). METHODS: Rat modeling was set up by means of intraperitoneal injection of ST2 with a dose of 60mg?kg -1. Four days later, blood glucose was measured by glucose oxygen kit. On the basis of present documents, the rats that blood glucose was over 16.7mM were accepted as diabetic ones, and then were divided randomly into five groups: diabetic mellitus (DM), aminoguanidine (AG 0.1g?kg -1,ig.), puel (0.5g?kg -1,ig.),pue2(0.25g?kg -1,ig.), pue3(0.125g?kg -1,ig.) and a normal group additionally. In order to set up a chronic model, we observed 12 weeks according to our past experiments. The FBS was measured at the twelfth week using the test kit. NO and NOS in serum were determined by checking their OD values, ET and ANF in plasma were determined by radio-immunization, respectively. RESULTS: In diabetic rats, Plasma ET and ANF levels increased obviously, NO and NOS levels decreased greatly (P

Invasion and metastasis are the distinct biological characterstics of cancer. They are the key factors influencing tumour patients' theraputic effect and prognosis. Recent study shows that metalloproteinases can facilitate tumour cell invasion and metastasis. In this review we evaluate the novel aspects of the function of matrix metalloproteinases in tumor invasion and metastasis. The regulation of the expression and activity of MMPs are summarized. The potential clinical application of metalloproteinase and their tissue inhibitors were also presented.

AIM To investigate the effect of puerarin on the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and RAGE(receptor for advanced glycation end products)mRNA expression in the arota of diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). METHODS Rats were injected streptozotocin into intraperitonel with a dose of 60 mg?kg -1 . Four days later, blood glucose was measured using glucose oxygen kit. The rats with over 16 7 mmol?L -1 blood glucose were considered as diabetic ones, and then divided randomly into five groups: diabetic mellitus(DM), aminoguanidine(AG 0 1 g?kg -1 , ig), pue1(0 5 g?kg -1 , ig), pue2(0 25 g?kg -1 , ig) and pue3(0 125 g?kg -1 , ig). In order to set up a chronic model, we observed 12 weeks according to our past experiments. The fasting blood glucose(FBG) was and the contents of serum fructosamine (FMN) were measured using the test kit. The quantity of AGEs accumulation, the expression of RAGE in the arota was detected using fluorescence method and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT PCR). RESULTS The contents of FBG and FMN, the accumulation of AGEs in the aorta of rats treated with puerarin were lower than that of diabetic model rats( P

Objective: Qualitative and quantitative determination of the contents of inorganic elements in Corium Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor. Methods: Qualitative determination by atomic emission spectrometry and quantitative determination by ICP AES.Conclusion: The content of calcium is the highest in Corium Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor.

AIM To observe the effect of aspirin on a model of Alzheimers disease in rats and its molecular mechanism. METHODS The AD pathological model was made by hippocampal CA 1 lesions with stereotaxic mini-injection of quinolinic acid;the rats learning and memory was observed by Y-maze; the apoptosis of hippocampal cells were detected by using flow cytometry and electronic microscope; the content of calcium in AD rats hippocampus was determined by atomic absortion spectrophotometer. RESULTS Aspirin was shown to improve learning and memory deficiency in rats with bilateral hippocampal lesions induced by quinolinc acid, to decrease apoptosis rate in hippocampal cells significantly and to reduce the concentration of calcium in hippocampus. CONCLUSION The protective effects of aspirin on a model of AD in rats may be involved in antagonism of calcium and inhibition of apoptosis in hippocampal cells induced by quinolinic acid.

The left ventricular (LV) myocardial remodeling process that occurs in various settings of congestive heart failure (CHF) had historically been attributed to intrinsic changes in the cardiac myocyte. However, it is now recognized that important changes also occur within the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the myocardium, contributing to the remodeling process. Matrix metalloproteinases are a family of proteolytic enzymes responsible for myocardial extracellular protein degradation.Several MMP species identified within the human myocardium may be dysregulated in congestive heart failure (CHF). The purpose of the present review is to present a brief overview of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) within the myocardium that likely contributes to myocardial remodeling,to examine the results from basic studies to explore relationship with respect to MMPs activation and congestive heart failure.-

Aim To observe the effects of Xiatianwu tota l alkaloids ( XA ) on learning and memory impairment and the central cholinergic f unction in rats with quinolinic acid microinjected into bilateral hippocampus. Methods Alzheimers disease (AD) rat models were made by damagin g bilateral hippocampus with quinolinic acid (150 nmol in 2 ?l for each hippoca mpus). XA 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg?kg -1 was administrated ig from 1 week before model established to 3 weeks after model established. Y-maze was used to measur e the learning and memory ability. The activity of the acetylcholinesterase ( AC hE ) in hippocampus and the contents of acetylcholine ( ACh ) was determined by spectrophotometry. Results Microinjection of quinolinic acid in to the rats hippocampus induced learning and memory dysfunction (P

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for the generation and development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The lipid-lowering effects of drugs were mediated by the control of lipid metabolism.Recently some new targets in the process of lipid metabolism were found,they may lead to the development of new drugs.