Objective: To investigate the effect of simvastatin on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rabbit aortic atherosclerotic plaques. Methods :Twenty rabbit aortic atherosclerotic models developed by hyper-lipidemic and hypercholesterol feeding were randomly divided into simvastatin treated group (n = 10) and hyperlipidemic diet group (n = 6); another 8 commonly fed rabbits were taken as control group. VEGF protein levels in atherosclerotic plaques were studied by immunohistochemistry. Results: Positive signal of VEGF in simvastatin treated group and hyperlipidemic group were significantly higher than that in control group(P

Objective To investigate the effects of new compound traditional Chinese medicine prepatations Banxiao capsule on the mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells ( EPCs) .Methods After EPCs from mouse bone marrow treated with variable dose of Banxiao capsule, we detected the proliferation by CCK-8 assay, quantified the number of CD34/Flk-1 double positive cells by flow cytometric analysis, evaluated the migratory function of EPCs by transwell chamber assay, and studied the protein level of Bcl-2/Bax by Western blot analysis.Results Compared with untreated group, the proliferation potential of EPCs in Banxiao low dose (20μg/ml) and high dose (200μg/ml) group was increased(P<0.05), the number of CD34/Flk-1 double positive cells were increased (P<0.05), migrative activity of EPCs was increased (P<0.05),the level of Bcl-2 protein were increased, and the level of Bax protein were decreased.Con-clusion Banxiao capsule can enhance proliferation of EPCs through up-regulating of expression of Bcl-2/Bax.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of migration of vascular adventitial fibroblasts(AFs) enhanced by advanced glycation end-products(AGEs) and the inhibition effect of candesartan.Methods Isolated vascular adventitial fibroblast of Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were cultured.Migratory potential was estimated with Transwell chamber in vitro.Expression of receptor for AGEs(RAGE) and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) of AFs were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results AGEs modified human serum albumin(AGE-HAS,concentration ranged from 0 to 300mg/L) up-regulated the expression of RAGE at mRNA and protein levels,peaked at a concentration of 200mg/L(P

The change of PKC activity and cytosolic free Ca 2+ induced by oxLDL and simvastatin in ASMC were measured by its ability to transfer phosphate from 32P-ATP to lysine-rich histone and flow cytometric analysis loading with the Ca 2+ dye fluo-3/Am, respectively. As a result, oxLDL increased total PKC activity in a dose-dependent manner with phase peaking at 14 min, then decreased slowly and maintained for at least 30 min, while oxLDL induced biphasic [Ca 2+]i responses including rapid initial transient phase and sustained phase. Removal of extracellular Ca 2+did not inhibit the rapid phase of oxLDL-induced rise in [Ca 2+]i, but abolished the sustained phase of [Ca 2+]i in response to oxLDL. Activity of PKC was markedly decreased and simvastatin did not impair the initial peak in response to oxLDL but significantly reduced the subsequent plateau phase when simvastatin was added. The results suggested that oxLDL can induce dynamic changes of signal transduction of PKC and cytosolic free Ca 2+in ASMC. The rapid initial transient phase was due to the mobilization of [Ca 2+]i from intracellular Ca 2+ pool and the sustained phase resulted from the influx of extracellular Ca 2+. The inhibition of PKC activity induced by simvastatin may contribute to the changes of intracellular Ca 2+.

To investigate the clinical significance of the expression of CD40L on peripheral blood monocytes and the changes in serum soluble CD40L in patients with acute coronary syndrome, 16 normal controls and fifty-six patients including 24 with SA (8 patients after PTCA), 20 with UA and 12 with AMI entered in this study. The expression of CD40L on monocytes was analyzed by indirect immonofluorescence flow cytometry and serum sCD40L levels were measured by ELISA. The results showed: (1) The expression of CD40L on monocytes in UA and AMI were higher compared with SA and controls ( P 0.05). (2) Patients with UA and AMI had significantly raised serum levels of sCD40L when compared with patients with SA and controls( P

To examine the effect of benapril on atherogenesis, circulating endothelial cells (CEC), and factor vWF. Twenty four healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. In group C (control group) the rabbits were fed normal rabbit diet for ten weeks, in group AS 1% cholesterol diet was fed, and in group B both 1% cholesterol diet and benapril 5mg/day were fed. Fasting blood samples were collected for the determination of serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL c), and triglyceride (TG) on day 0, 5 and 10 weeks after feeding. The levels of plasma CEC were measured by morphometrical count and the levels of plasma vWF were determined by ELISA. After the animals were sacrificed, aortas were obtained, and they were stained with oil red O. The tissue was sectioned for histological examination. Planimetry was performed with a computer system. Endothelial cells were identified by the presence of factor VIII related antigen, which was the specific marker for endothelial cells. The results showed that the levels of serum Tc, TG, and LDL c were increased progressively in group B and group AS, but the levels of vWF in group AS were significantly higher than that in group B at the 5 th and 10 th weeks respectively ( P

Objective: To assess the autonomic nervous impairm ent in chronic renal failure and its related factors. Methods: F orty adults were randomly selected including in-patients in the nephrology ward and healthy subjects for routine medical examination. The subjects were classifi ed into 4 groups: normal subjects(NS)，normal renal function，nitremia， uremic patients. The time domain measurements of heart rate variability(HRV) and ambula tory blood pressure were analyzed simultaneously . Results: (1) There were significant differences as compared with normal subjects in the time domain measurements of HRV in uremic group. It decreased significantly when the patient was defined as end stage chronic renal failure. There were no significan t differences between NS，normal renal function group and nitremic group. (2) Ti me domain measurements of HRV was significantly lower(P<0.05) in uremia with renal hypertension than in uremia with normal blood pressure. Conclusio n: (1) Patients with chronic renal failure(HRV) have their cardiac auton omic nervous system impaired conspicuously in the course of uremia. (2) There is a positive correlation between cardiac autonomic nervous system impairment in p atients with CRF and renal function levels. Uremia itself is an independent fact or for the impairment of cardiac autonomic nervous system. (3) Renal hypertensio n with uremia may intensify the impairment of cardiac autonomic nervous system of the patients.

Objective: To observe the alteration of type-　 Ⅰ collagen protein gene expression after arterial injury and investigate its effect on the development of restenosis. Methods: Firstly, thee xperimental carotid arterial injury rabbit model was constructed. Then, Norther n blot, in situ hybridization and histomorphometric analysis were used to de tect the expression of procollagen mRNA and the accumulation of collagen protein 1,2,4 weeks after injury. Results: Type-　Ⅰ collag en mRNA increased 1 week after injury, peaked 2 weeks later and decreased 4 week s later. The deposition of the collagen protein account for a high percentage o f space in neointima on histomorphometric analysis. Conclusion: Collagen protein may play an important role in the development of neointima and restenosis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of doxazosin on mild to moderate essential hypertension. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double blind study was carried out in 80 patients with hypertension. Forty patients were randomly given doxazosin (doxazosin group) or terazosin (control group) for 8 weeks. The others 40 were given doxazosin (open group), 10 of them for 6 months. Results: BP decreased significantly after administration of both doxazosin and terazosin, and reached its peak at week 4. The effect continued at the end of experiment. HR was slightly increased. In open group, the results was similar and the total effective rate was 90.0%. There were no significant changes in liver and renal functions and electrocardiography. The incidence of adverse effects like dizziness, palpitation and somnolence in doxazosin group was 30.0% . No significant difference between doxazosin and control group was found. Conclusion: Doxazosin has stable hypotensive effect and the patients compliance is good.

Objective: To assess the autonomic nervous impairment in chronic renal failure and its related factors. Methods: Forty adults were randomly selected including in patients in the nephrology ward and healthy subjects for routine medical examination. The subjects were classified into 4 groups: normal subjects(NS),normal renal function,nitremia, uremic patients. The time domain measurements of heart rate variability(HRV) and ambulatory blood pressure were analyzed simultaneously . Results: (1) There were significant differences as compared with normal subjects in the time domain measurements of HRV in uremic group. It decreased significantly when the patient was defined as end stage chronic renal failure. There were no significant differences between NS,normal renal function group and nitremic group. (2) Time domain measurements of HRV was significantly lower( P