AIM: To investigate the effects of exogenous L - carnitine on lipid metabolism in semi - starved rats fed on high fat diet. METHODS: The semi - starved rats were restricted half in calorie intake on high fat diet for 2 week. L - carnitine was supplied at dose of 250 mg/kg· bw. The changes of plasma carnitine concentration, urinary excretion of ketone body, serum lipase activity, muscle carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity, triglyceride secretion and clearance rate were measured. RESULTS: The results showed that the concentration of plasma free camitine increased significantly in carnitine supplemented rats compared to normal and semi - starved rats. The activities of muscle carnitine palmitoyhransferase and serum lipase were significantly enhanced in carnitine supplemented rats. The triglyceride secretion rate (TGSR) was also improved remarkably by carnitine supplementation. Meanwhile, the urinary excretion of ketone body was reduced significantly in carnitine supplemented rats compared to semi - starved rats. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that carnitine supplementation can significantly increase the plasma concentration of free carnitine and accelerate the lipid metabolism in semi - starved rats fed on high fat diet.

AIM: To investigate the effects of exogenous L-carnitine on lipid metabolism in semi-starved rats fed on high fat diet. METHODS: The semi-starved rats were restricted half in calorie intake on high fat diet for 2 week. L-carnitine was supplied at dose of 250 mg/kg?bw. The changes of plasma carnitine concentration, urinary excretion of ketone body, serum lipase activity, muscle carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity, triglyceride secretion and clearance rate were measured. RESULTS: The results showed that the concentration of plasma free carnitine increased significantly in carnitine supplemented rats compared to normal and semi-starved rats.The activities of muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase and serum lipase were significantly enhanced in carnitine supplemented rats. The triglyceride secretion rate(TGSR) was also improved remarkably by carnitine supplementation. Meanwhile, the urinary excretion of ketone body was reduced significantly in carnitine supplemented rats compared to semi-starved rats. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that carnitine supplementation can significantly increase the plasma concentration of free carnitine and accelerate the lipid metabolism in semi-starved rats fed on high fat diet.

The effects of high concentrations (1-5mmol/L) of different amino acids in Hanks solution on the proliferation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells were examined. In order to demonstrate the inhibitory effect of some amino acids at high concentration level, the further studies were conducted on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, human hepatoma cells and lung cancer cells, using Eagle's MEM as culture medium. The possible toxicity of the high concentrations of single amino acids to normal tissue cells was tested on mouse bone marrow cells. Although some amino acids exhibited a significant inhibitory effect, the responses of different tumor cells to the high concentrations of different amino acids were not entirely similar. Moreover, the effects presented by some amino acids on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in Hanks solution could be diminished or eliminated in Eagle's MEM. Among the aromatic and basic amino acids, only the tryptophan was found to be inhibitory to the multiplication of mouse bone marrow cells at high concentration levels in vitro.

Objective:[WT5BZ]To explore the molecular mechanism of protection of zinc against hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury(HIRI). [WT5HZ]Methods:[WT5BZ]The expression of hepatic metallothionein 1(MT 1)gene and regulation by zinc were determined by RT PCR(reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction)in HIRI rats. [WT5HZ]Results:[WT5BZ]1.Hepatic MT 1 mRNA was expressed in all groups;2.The level of hepatic MT 1 mRNA in HIRI group(ischemia 30 min,reperfusion 90 min)was significantly lower than control.After zinc supplementation,the content of hepatic MT 1 mRNA was increased significantly;3.The hepatic MT 1 expression was also enhanced by zinc in normal rats. [WT5HZ]Conclusion:[WT5BZ]The results of our studies suggest that the regulation of hepatic MT 1 genes by zinc is one of the main ways contributed to the mechanism of protection by zinc in HIRI.

Objective To explore whether ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction could enhance anti-sense RNA transfection and expression. Methods Phospholamban antisense RNA eukaryon vector PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB was successfully constructed and it was transfected into cardiac myocytes by various methods including calcium phosphate precipitation, ultrasound exposure and ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction. The expression of PLB and sarcoplasmic retculum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2a) in cardiac myocytes was tested by RT-PCR and western blot. Results The transfection and expression of PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB increased significantly in cells treated with ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction compared to other transfer groups( P ＜0.05). The expression of PLB was inhibited specifically after cardiac myocytes were transfected with PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB. There was no change of PLB expression after cardiac myocytes transfected with PcDNA 4. 1 ( P ＜0.05). Though the expression of SERCA2a never exhibited any changes after PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB transfection, the PLB/SERCA2a ratio decreased markedly. Conclusions As a highly effective antisense RNA transfer method, ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction can enhance the transfection and expression of the PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB significantly. The PcDNA4. 1-asPLB transfection inhibits the expression of PLB and result in decrease of PLB/SERCA2a ratio in cardiac myocytes.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect and security of triple antiplatelet with cilostazol in the elderly after drug-eluting stent implantation and compare it with double antiplatelet treatment. Methods 234 elderly patients with coronary disease were randomly divided into two groups.118 cases in the triple antiplatelet group were treated with clopidogrel (300 or 600 mg/d) and aspirin(100 mg/d) in addition with cilostazol(200mg/d) from pre surgery to 6 month after surgery,then received double antiplatelet treatment.116 cases in the double antiplatelet group were treated with Aspirin(100 mg/d) and clopidogrel(300 or 600 mg/d),then clopidogrel was ceased after 1 year and used only Aspirin. The main parameters during follow up included all-cause death,major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE),the secondary parameters during follow- up were recurrence of angina pectoris,myocardial infarction,revascularization and hemorrhage within 2 years. Results The recurrence of angina pectoris and revascularization were found in 1 case (0.85％) and 1 case(0.85％) respectively in the triple antiplatelet group,while 8 cases(6.90％) and 8 cases (6.90％) in the double antiplatelet group,with significant difference between the two groups(both x2 =4.27,P＜0.05).All cause death,myocardial infarction,cerebral apoplexy and hemorrhage were not found in the triple antiplatelet group,while 1 case of death,1 case with myocardial infarction,1 case with apoplexy and no hemorrhage appeared in the double antiplatelet group,with no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions The triple antiplatelet added with cilostazol in the elderly after drug eluting stent implantation may decrease the recurrence of angina pectoris and revascularization with higher security.

Objective To study the changes of plasma cystatin C level (PcyC),and evaluate the effects of the joint use of atorvastatin and probucol on PcyC and severity of coronary lesion in patients with borderline lesion of coronary artery.Methods One hundred and thirty consecutive patients with borderline coronary lesion assessed by quantitative coronary angiography were enrolled into borderline coronary lesion group (BCL),and another 136 subjects without coronary lesion were enrolled as controls (CTR).And in the meantime,the subjects in BCL group were randomized (closed envelope method) into routine treatment subgroup ( RTT,n =60),and combined treatment subgroup in which patients were treated with atorvastatin 20 mg plus probucol 1.0 g daily in addition to routine medication ( CBT,n =70) for 6 months.There were no statistical differences in basic clinical features between two subgroups.PcyC,high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),total cholesterol (TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) and triglycerides (TG) were determined.Of them,104 patients in BCL group rechecked by coronary angiography.Comparison of biomarkers carried out between two groups by using a number of independent-sample t-test and analysis of variance.For enumeration data,chi-square test was used to compare mean values of biomarkers between groups. P ＜ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results PcyC levels were significantly higher in BCL group than those in CTR group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared with RTT subgroup,levels of PcyC,TC,LDL-C,TG and hs-CRP were more significantly decreased in CBT subgroup (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01 ).Moreover,there was a trend of slight decrease in the mean percent of stenosis (MPS) of coronary artery with borderline lesion in RTT subgroup treated for 6 months,whereas more marked decrease in the MPS of coronary artery with borderline coronary lesion in CBT subgroup treated for 6 months ( P ＞ 0.05 ; P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Cystatin C plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery,and PcyC is associated with severity of coronary lesion,the combination of atorvastatin and probucol decreases the PcyC level,and it may be the treatment of choice for borderline lesion of coronary artery.

Objective To evaluate the effect of different regimens of antiplatelet drugs on the major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in elderly patients undergoing selected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in direction of the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) -induced platelet aggregation index. Methods The 1230 cases aged 60-80 years, mean (67. 2±10. 2) years undergoing selected PCI with the drug eluting stent were enrolled. The 615 cases of the ADP guided group according to the ADP-induced platelet aggregation index. After the first loading dose of clopidogrel (300 mg) , once the decrease of ADP-induced platelet aggregation index was more than 50% as compared with the basic level, the dose of 75 mg each day would be maintained for one year. If the decrease of the index was less than 50%. the another 300 mg of clopidogrel would be given again, until up to 900 mg on the 3th day. If the decrease of the index was still not enough, the combination of clopidogrel 75 mg, cilostazol 100 mg and aspirin 100 mg each day would be suggested. The rest 615 patients in the routine dosage group took the routine dose of clopidogrel (the first loading dosage 300 mg was taken, then 75 mg each day for one year ) . The MACEs, including cardiac death, myocardium infarction, revascularization and stent thrombosis, were observed for 12 months. Results After the first 300 mg of clopidogrel, only 45% of patients reached the standards. Until reaching 900 mg, 67.5% of patients in the ADP guided group were eligible. The tailored clopidogrel loading dose in the ADP guided group yielded a better effect on the inhibition of platelet aggregation (the routine dose vs. the tailored loading dose: 45% vs. 67. 5% , P=0. 028). After one year follow up, the MACEs were less in ADP guided group than in routine dosage group (2. 8% vs. 4. 9% , P = 0. 035). All of patients had no major bleeding, and the minor bleeding and other drug adverse events in two groups had no significant differences. Conclusions The patients undergoing selected PCI should receive ADP -induced platelet aggregation test in order to assess the inhibition effect of clopidogrel on the platelet aggregation. It is safe and effective to modify the antiplatelet drugs regimen during the peri-PCI procedure in direction of ADP-induced platelet aggregation.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between plasma cystatin C concentration (PcyC) and coronary artery diseases (CAD). Method A total of 126 subjects with CAD evidenced by coronary angiography admitted from April 2007 to March 2009 were divided into three groups: stable angina pectoris (SAPs, n = 34),unstable angina pectoris (UAPs, n = 56) and acute myocardial infarction (AMIs, n = 36), according to the diag-nostic criteria of CAD set by WHO. Another 34 subjects without CAD were taken as controls. There were no statis-tical differences in demographics among four groups. Serum lipids profile, uric acid (UA), PcyC and high-sensi-tive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were determined. And in the meantime, all patients were followed up for six months and adverse cardiovascular events were recorded. Comparisons were made between groups with a number of independent-sample t -tests. Data were processed with analysis of variance to test the differences in means among four groups, and the means were compared with chi-square test. Statistical significance was established at a P val-ue of less than 0.05. Results Cystatin C levels were significantly higher in UAPs than that in SAPs and in controls (P < 0.05), but were much lower than that in AMIs (P < 0.05). And much higher concentration of hs-CRP was found in UAPs (P < 0.05) and in AMIs (P < 0.01). Cystatin C was positively and significantly corre-lated with age, hs-CRP, WBC, creatinine and UA (r > 0, P < 0.05), whereas a significantly negative correla-tion with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was found (r = - 0.227, P < 0.05). These coefficients were obvi-ously high for creatinine (r = + 0. 612), and WBC (r = + 0.459). During the period of six-month follow-up, 26 patients with adverse cardiovascular events were found, and had significantly higher cystatin C levels than 22 con-trols at admission (P < 0.01). Conclusions Cystatin C plays a pivotal role in the course of CAD, and the PcyC is a strong predictor for the risk of cardiovascular events.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of preoperative CTO lesions by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and to compare the lesion characteristics and clinical data of patients with subsequent vs failed PCI.Methods A total of 113 patients were randomly selected and 116 vessels were analyzed by CCTA before PCI.The patients were further investigated as PCI success group vs PCI failure group according to their PCI result.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors that affected the success of CTO intervention.The ROC curve was used to determine and evaluate the CT-CTO score and J-CTO score for diagnostic efficacy.Results The success rate of PCI was 55.2％.64 lesions were successfully opened,with the success rate of 72.4％.The prevalence of smoking in patients in the PCI failure group was significantly higher than that in PCI success group (65.4％ vs.42.2％,P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups in age,gender,history of hypertension,diabetes mellitus,and myocardial infarction(P ＞ 0.05).Statistical differences were observed between the PCI success group and the PCI failure group in the presence of occlusion segment head-end bifurcation,occlusion severe incision,severe calcification (calcification ≥ 180°),occlusion segment length ≥ 20 mm,occlusion of calcification lesions,occlusion segment distal shape of the unambiguous of fiber cap shape of the distal occlusion segment under CCTA(P ＜ 0.05).In the PCI failure group,approximately 17.3％ of the patients had previous attempt to open the CTO lesions,which were higher than the PCI success group (9.4％).However,The difference was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the unambiguous distal fibrous cap of the occlusion segment and the occlusion of the proximal branch and the occlusion length ≥20 mm were the main factors affecting the failure of CTO intervention.In terms of prediction,the predictive value 30 CT-CTO score yielded a higher area under the ROC curve than that of the J-CTO score (0.8776 vs 0.7387,P ≤ 0.05).Conclusion CT angiography can predict the success rate of intervention for CTO lesions.Compared with J-CTO score,CT-CTO score has a higher predictive value.Unambiguous fiber cap shape,occlusion segment head end bifurcation,occlusion segment length ≥20 mm were the independent risk factors that affecting the success of CTO operation.