Cathepsin S, one of the lysosomal proteinases, has many important physiological functions in the nervous system, especially in process of extracellular matrix degradation and endocellular antigen presentation. Those functions are closely associated with the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases. It would be beneficial to elucidate the role of Cathepsin S in the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases.
Alzheimer Disease ; physiopathology ; Astrocytoma ; physiopathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; Cathepsins ; physiology ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology

Neovascularization of the adventitial vasa vasorum with extension into the intima of atherosclerotic lesions is frequently observed, but its pathophysiological significance is still subject to debate. Recently, leptin, the product of the Ob gene, was identified. Leptin, via activation of the endothelial receptor (Ob-R), generates a growth signal involving a tyrosine kinase-dependent intracellular pathway and promotes angiogenic processes. We hypothesized that a high concentration of leptin within vasa vasorum and plaque itself, may influence inflammatory and vascular neovascularization coupling with functional upregulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Microscopic computerized tomography was utilized for the spatial distribution of vasa vasorum and intimal neovascularization from atherosclerotic human coronary arteries. Atherosclerotic coronary arteries showed a dense plexus of microvessels in the adventitia and plaque itself. Microscopic analysis from human atherosclerotic aortas revealed an increase in the intimal thickness with neovascularization. The immunoreactivity for Ob-R, VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) increased in atherosclerotic plaque, predominantly in the endothelial lining of the intimal neovessel and macrophages/foam cells. Our observation of a prominent colocalization between Ob-R, VEGF and MMP supports this hypothesis and these factors participate in the neovascularization of atherosclerotic lesions. The present study is the first report on vascular tissue and it opens a promising perspective concerning future investigations of leptin-dependent modulation of atherogenesis and vascular neovascularization under pathophysiolgical conditions.
Adult ; Arteriosclerosis/physiopathology ; Arteriosclerosis/pathology ; Arteriosclerosis/metabolism* ; Blood Vessels/pathology ; Blood Vessels/metabolism ; Carrier Proteins/physiology ; Carrier Proteins/metabolism* ; Human ; Middle Age ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/physiopathology

Endothelial function plays a very important role in the process of erection. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease (CAD) overlap in risk factors, aetiology and clinical outcomes. Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be their shared aetiological factor. There is growing evidence that patients presenting with ED should be investigated for CAD, even if with no symptoms of the problem. Earlier diagnosis of ED can facilitate prompt intervention, reduce long-term complications, especially the risk of CAD, and provide effective treatment for ED.
Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; physiopathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; blood supply ; physiopathology

Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; physiopathology ; Coronary Disease ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Pulse

The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate biomechanical factors in the atherosclerotic process using human in vivo hemodynamic parameters and computed numerical simulation qualitatively and quantitatively. The three-dimensional spatial patterns of steady and pulsatile flows in the left coronary artery were simulated, using a finite volume method. Coronary angiogram and Doppler ultrasound measurement of the proximal left coronary flow velocity were performed in humans. Inlet wave velocity distribution obtained from in vivo data of the intravascular Doppler study allowed for input of in vitro numerical simulation. Hemodynamic variables, such as flow velocity, pressure and shear stress of the left anterior descending coronary bifurcation site were calculated. We found that there were spatial fluctuation of flow-velocity and recirculation areas at the curved outer wall of the left anterior descending coronary artery, which were due to the differences of flow-velocity and shear stress, especially during the declaration phase of pulsatile flow. This study suggests that rheologic properties may be a part of the atherogenic process in the coronary bifurcated and curved areas.
Biomechanics ; Blood Flow Velocity/physiology ; Blood Pressure/physiology ; Coronary Arteriosclerosis/physiopathology* ; Coronary Arteriosclerosis/etiology* ; Coronary Vessels/physiopathology* ; Hemodynamics/physiology* ; Homeostasis/physiology ; Human ; Models, Cardiovascular* ; Pulsatile Flow ; Stress, Mechanical

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a vital index of the cardiovascular pathology, so that the accurate measurement of PWV can be of benefit for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The noise in the measure system of pulse wave signal, rounding error and selection of the recording site all cause errors in the measure result. In this paper, with wavelet transformation to eliminate the noise and to raise the precision, and with the choice of the point whose slope was maximum as the recording site of the reconstructing pulse wave, the measuring system accuracy was improved.
Arteriosclerosis ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Artifacts ; Blood Flow Velocity ; physiology ; Humans ; Pulse ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Wavelet Analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between the pulse pressure (PP) and atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) in middle-age and eldery paients with hyperensio, so as to provide the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of ARAS.

METHODSWe tetro spectively analyzed the data of 257 patients with hypertension undergoing renal arteriography at General Hospital of PLA between 2009 and 2014. Their mean age was (64.09 +/- 7.81) years. According the results of arteriography, they were divided into two groups: ARAS group (n = 145), and non-ARAS group (n = 112). Their PP and multinomial clinical indexes with ARAS were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSSingle factor correlation and Logisitic analysis showed that age, PP, serum creatinine (SCr) levels, and new onset of hypertension after 50 years of age were strongly positively related to ARAS. The age and PP and SCr was a team of continuous variable.

CONCLUSIONPP was the first new risk factor of ARAS in middile-aged and elderly patients with hypertension. It is suggested that PP may be a early predictive indicator and a new therapeutic target for ARAS.

Angiography ; Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery ; physiopathology ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; Risk Factors

According to the pulse-wave theory, the authors developed a new non-invasive instrument for measuring arterial elastic function. It collects the pulse waveforms from the arteries of four limbs as well as from the radial arteries of carpus. After signal pre-processing, it calculates the arterial elastic parameters by the pre-prepared algorithm and program. Individual parameters such as pulse wave velocity (PWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR)can be obtained. At the same time, a series of clinical trials were conducted with reference to PWV and ABI, which confirmed the validity, accuracy and reliability of the instrument. The instrument can be used to determine the differences between cardiovascular patients and normal persons, as well as the extent of atherosclerosis. At the same time it can reflect the situation of vascular obstruction and screen the peripheral arterial disease. Therefore, it is of some value to the epidemiological study, prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease.
Aging ; physiology ; Ankle ; blood supply ; Arteries ; physiopathology ; Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Brachial Artery ; physiopathology ; Elasticity ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Pulsatile Flow ; physiology ; Pulse ; Systole

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of percutaneous renal artery intervention on renal function and blood pressure in patients with renal artery stenosis.

METHODSEighty-seven patients with severe uni- or bi-lateral renal artery stenosis (luminal diameter narrowing >/= 70%) and clinical hypertension received renal artery stenting between January 2002 and December 2002. The changes in blood pressure and serum creatinine level and creatinine clearance (CCr) 48 hours after intervention and during 6 months of follow-up were assessed.

RESULTSRenal stenting was performed in 98 stenotic arteries of 87 patients, and the procedural success rate was 100%. Serum creatinine level was slightly elevated from (176 +/- 21) micro mol/L to (179 +/- 11) micro mol/L (P = 0.15) 48 hours after the procedure, but significantly decreased to (149 +/- 15) micro mol/L at 6 months (P < 0.001). CCr was also greatly improved [(37 +/- 11) ml/min before versus (51 +/- 8) ml/min at 6 months, P < 0.001]. During follow-up, 61% of the patients experienced a normal renal function. Despite conventional medical treatment, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also significantly decreased after stenting [(163 +/- 23)/(96 +/- 13) mm Hg before versus (148 +/- 12)/(79 +/- 15) mm Hg at 6 months, all P < 0.001], and hypertension was well controlled in 67% of the patients at 6 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSIONRenal artery stenting has a high success rate and is effective in improving renal function and blood pressure for patients with severe renal artery stenosis.

Aged ; Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Renal ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Renal Artery ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Stents

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Arteries ; physiopathology ; Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus ; physiopathology ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; physiology ; Guanidines ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Thiazoles ; pharmacology