Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; therapy ; Child ; Humans

Objective To observe the clinical effect and security of carvedilol on children with endocardial fibroelastosis(EFE).Methods Eighteen children with EFE treatment with carvedilol.The improvement of clinical symptom,heart rate,heart function,side effect and maximal tolerance dose after treatment with carvedilol were observed.Results The clinical symptom was obviously improved;eiection fraction(EF),fractional shortening(FS),mean velocity of circumferential fiber(Mvcf)were significantly increased,left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVDS),left ventricular mass(LVmass),interventricular septal thickness(IVSs)were notably decreased after treatment with carvedilol.Conclusions The data indicates that carvedilol can significantly reduce left ventricular diastolic dimension(LVDD),IVSs,and LVmass,inhibit the remodeling of ventricle,significantly elevate the heart function of EFE.So carvedilol is benefit and security on children with EFE.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different administrations of antibodies against adipocyte plasma membrane proteins on growth and fat deposition in rats.

METHODNinety six female SD rats that weighed approximately 140 g were allotted randomly into four groups which were given negitive control yolk and positive yolk containing antibody (IgY) against adipocyte plasma membrane (APM) proteins by intragastric administration (i.g.) and subcutaneous injection (s.c.) respectively. Rats were given 1 ml of yolk for every three days in i.g. groups. Rats were given 1 ml of yolk for 4 consecutive days, and the procedure was repeated after one month. The trial lasted for 75 days after which rats were slaughtered for carcass analysis and sampling.

RESULTSThe body weight gain and food intake of rats were not different between treatment and control groups. In i.g. goups, positive yolk decreased mesemteric fat index, paramertrial fat index and perirenal fat index (P < 0.05), reduced serum triglycerides (P < 0.05) and increased serum free fatty acids (FFA) (P < 0.01), and also decreased serum leptin, insulin and TNF-alpha levels ( P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but did not affect gastrocnemius muscle index and serum cholesterol. In s.c. groups, positive yolk increased gastrocnemius muscle index (P < 0.05), reduced serum triglycerides and serum leptin (P < 0.01), increased serum TNF-alpha (P < 0.05), but did not affect adipose tissue depots, serum FFA, cholesterol and insulin.

CONCLUSIONAdministration of yolk antibody against APM proteins could effectively improve body composition of rats, and the treatment by intragastric administration could give better effect than by subcutaneous injection.

Adipose Tissue ; growth & development ; Animals ; Antibodies ; pharmacology ; Body Composition ; Egg Yolk ; immunology ; Female ; Growth and Development ; physiology ; Immunization ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEDiet is an important factor influencing blood pressure and, increases in dietary carbohydrate intake can raise blood pressure in adult rats. A previous study showed that the blood pressure of the rats fed with high-carbohydrate was 5-20 mmHg higher than that of control rats. While the mechanism involved is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-sucrose intake on blood pressure of young Wistar rats and the role that sympathetic nerve system in the process.

METHODSMale neonatal Wistar rats were performed sympathectomy operation with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and then divided into four groups: (1) 0.1% VitC saline-common diet group (VN), (2) 0.1% VitC saline-high sucrose (VS), (3) 6-OHDA-common diet group (OHN) and (4) 6-OHDA-high sucrose (OHS) after three week. The data on the body weight (BW), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Then the level of blood glucose, serum insulin and angiotensin II (AngII) were measured and the functional studies of the thoracic aorta was performed.

RESULTSThe VS group exhibited higher SBP than the OHS group from the 6th week (113.7 +/- 4.2 mmHg vs. 104.0 +/- 5.8 mmHg, P < 0.01) and the VN group from the 7th week (117.6 +/- 6.3 mmHg vs. 109.6 +/- 4.6 mmHg, P < 0.01), while the SBP of the VN group was similar to those of the OHN group and the OHS group (P > 0.05). No significant differences in blood glucose, serum insulin and insulin sensitive index (ISI) were found among the four groups. The thoracic aorta segments of the VS group had higher contractive response to AngII (P < 0.01) and NE (P < 0.05) than the VN group, but the relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh) and nitroglycerine (NTG) showed no difference among the four groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe high-sucrose diet might elevate the blood pressure in young Wistar rats and the sympathetic system may play an important role in this process.

Angiotensin II ; blood ; Animal Feed ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; physiology ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Dietary Sucrose ; administration & dosage ; Insulin ; blood ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; administration & dosage ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sympathectomy

Aim To investigate the effect of TaorenHonghua drug pair on intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) in rats.Methods Fifty healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,sham group,meloxicam group and Taoren-Honghua drug pair group,with 10 rats in each group.We established dynamic and static forces imbalance of cervical disc degeneration model or sham surgery in rats.12 weeks later,rats were intragastrically administered with meloxicam,Taoren-Honghua drug pair or saline for 30 days.C4/5 and C6/7 discs were harvested from rats.ABOG staining was used for observation of intervertebral disc morphology,real time PCR for mRNA expressions of type Ⅱ collagen (Col Ⅱ) and type Ⅹ collagen (Col Ⅹ),and immunohistochemical staining for Col Ⅱ and Col Ⅹ.Results Compared with model group,Col Ⅱ expression increased,while Col X expression decreased in chondrocyte of intervertebral disc in Taoren-Honghua-treated group(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Taoren-Honghua drug pair could delay the degeneration of cartilage endplate in rat intervertebral disc.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of incomplete Kawasaki disease(KD).Methods Clinical data includi-ng test results,therapeutic methods were analyzed retrospectively in 579 patients with Kawasaki disease.They were divided into classic KD and incomplete KD and made a compared analysis.Results There were no significant differences in gender,age,symptom and laboratory examination between classic and incomplete KD.But the rate of coronary artery lesions was higher in incomplete KD(18.4%) than that of classic KD(11%).Conclusion The rate of coronary artery lesions was higher in incomplete KD,and it should be paid more attention to earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experience about surgical treatment of aortic dissection.

METHODSThe clinical data of 51 patients with aortic dissection admitted from December 2004 to December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 35 male and 16 female patients with a mean age of 55.7 years (ranged from 18 to 83-years-old). Twenty-seven patients of type I was performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and selected cerebral perfusion with stent-graft which was implanted into the descending aorta through aorta arch. Five patients of type II was performed including Bentall operation in 3 patients, Wheat operation in 1 patient, ascending aorta replacement in 1 patient. Nineteen patients of type III was performed with stent-graft which was implanted into the descending aorta through aorta arch under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

RESULTSThe time of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in type I patients was 250 to 290 min with an average of (274 +/- 53) min, and the arrest time was 40 to 59 min with an average of (53 +/- 14) min. CPB time of type II patients was 130 to 159 min with an average of (146 +/- 43) min, and the cross clamp time was 60 to 79 min with an average of (66 +/- 15) min. CPB time of type III patients was 240 to 280 min with an average of (260 +/- 28) min, and the arrest time was 20 to 27 min with an average of (24 +/- 3) min. The mean hemorrhage volume of the entire group was (500 +/- 250) ml. The mean ICU retention time was (5.0 +/- 1.5) d and the length of stay was (15.0 +/- 2.5) d. Three patients died during perioperative period. Two patients appeared cerebrovascular accident after operation. One patient appeared descending aorta dilation in the follow-up of 2 to 21 months.

CONCLUSIONDifferent clinical manifestations and treatment should be selected according to the different condition of aortic dissection aneurysm.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents

OBJECTIVESVentricular remodeling is an important pathologic progress in almost all end stage heart failure (HF), and it is characterized by ventricular thickening and cardiac fibrosis with poor prognosis. The connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a new growth factor with multi-function, has an important role in fibrosis of tissue and organs. It has been demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) can prevent the development of cardiomyocyte from remodeling and improve cardiac function. Researchers try to test the hypothesis that cardiac function improvement attributable to ACEI is associated with inhibiting expression of CTGF in patients with HF. The aim of this study was to observe changes in CTGF expression in cardiomyocyte of young rats with HF and effect of benazepril on CTGF.

METHODSThe animal model of HF was established by constriction of abdominal aorta. Five weeks old rats were randomly divided into 3 groups after 6 weeks of operation: (1) HF group without treatment (n = 15); (2) HF group where rats were treated with benazepril (n = 15); (3) sham-operated group (n = 15) where rats were administered benazepril through direct gastric gavage. After 4 weeks of treatment, the high frequency ultrasound was performed. The expression of CTGF was detected by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operated group, left ventricular diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular systolic dimension (LVESD), interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (IVSTd), interventricular septal thickness at end-systole (IVSTs), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWTd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-systole (LVPWTs), left ventricular relative weight (LVRW), and right ventricular relative weight (RVRW) were all increased (P < 0.01), but ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were decreased (P < 0.01). CTGF positive cells and expression of CTGF mRNA (0.609 +/- 0.065 vs 0.117 +/- 0.011, P < 0.01) were increased in HF group without treatment. LVESD, IVSTd, IVSTs, LVPWTd, LVPWTs, LVRW and RVRW were all decreased (P < 0.01), but FS and EF were increased (P < 0.01) in cases of HF treated with benazepril when compared with HF group without treatment. LVESD, IVSTd, IVSTs, LVPWTd, LVPWTs, LVRW and RVRW were higher (P < 0.01), EF and FS were lower (P < 0.01), CTGF positive cells and expression of CTGF mRNA were higher (P < 0.01) in HF group treated with benazepril than those of sham-operated group.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of CTGF was increased in the cardiomyocyte of young rats with HF and benazepril could prevent left ventricular from remodeling partly and improve cardiac function by inhibiting the expression of CTGF in cardiomyocyte in cases of HF.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Benzazepines ; pharmacology ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart Failure ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ultrasonography ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEThe release of intracellular stores of Ca(2+) occurs virtually in all types of cells by a means of amplifying external signals that modulate intracellular signaling events. In cardiac myocytes, type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR(2)) is activated during excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling by Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) triggered by Ca(2+) influx across the sarcolemma. The hyperadrenergic state of heart failure results in leaky RyR(2) channels attributable to PKA hyperphosphorylation and depletion of the stabilizing FK506 binding protein, FKBP12.6. Dysregulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release via RyR(2) could contribute to defects in Ca(2+) signaling in failing hearts. Researchers tested the hypothesis that improved cardiac muscle function attributable to beta-AR blockade is associated with restoration of normal RyR(2) channel function in patients with heart failure. The authors aimed to observe change of RyR in junior mouse with HF and the effect of beta-adrenoreceptor blocker on RyR in HF in this experiment.

METHODSThe animal model of congestive heart failure was established by constriction of abdominal aorta. Five weeks old mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) HF group without treatment (n = 20); (2) HF group treated with carvedilol (n = 20); (3) Sham-operated group (n = 20). Carvedilol was administered through direct gastric gavage. After 4 weeks of treatment the high frequency ultrasound was performed. Myocardial SR was fractionated with velocity centrifugation. The time courses of Ca(2+) uptake and leak were determined by fluorescent spectrophotometr.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operated group, left ventricular diastolic dimension (LVEDD) (P < 0.05), left ventricular systolic dimension (LVESD), interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (IVSTd), interventricular septal thickness at end-systole (IVSTs), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWTd), and left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-systole (LVPWTs) were all significantly increased (P < 0.01). Ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were decreased (P < 0.01) in HF group without treatment. LVEDD (P < 0.05), LVESD, IVSTd, IVSTs, LVPWTd and LVPWTs were all prominently decresed (P < 0.01). EF and FS were increased (P < 0.01) in cases of HF treated with carvedilol when compared with HF group without treatment. After adding thapsigargin to the buffer including SR of three groups, there were fewer Ca(2+) leak in sham-operated group and HF group treated with carvedilol than that of HF group without treatment (P < 0.01), while after adding FK506 and thapsigargin together to the buffer including SR of three groups, there were marked Ca(2+) leak in sham-operated group and HF group treated with carvedilol (P < 0.01). However, there was no additional increase in Ca(2+) leak in HF group compared with that of the group where only thapsigargin was added (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is more cardiac Ca(2+) leak in HF. Carvedilol can inhibite Ca(2+) leak by restoring the contactation of FKBP12.6 back to RyR in HF to improve cardiac function and prevent left ventricle from remodeling.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Signaling ; drug effects ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Carbazoles ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart Failure ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Propanolamines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Thapsigargin ; pharmacology ; Ultrasonography