Backgroup and objective Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the first known homologue of human ACE gene up till now,however,its regulatory role in oxidative stress remains unclear.Our aim is to in- vestigate the effects of recombinant ACE2 gene transfer on the expression of p22~(phox),a key subunit of NADPH oxi- dase,and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels induced by angiotension(Ang) Ⅱ in cultured human endothelial cells. Methods A recombinant plasmid encompassing human ACE2 gene (pACE2) was constructed and transfected into these cells.The mRNA and protein levels of p22~(phox) in endothelial cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting,respectively.MDA contents were measured by thiobarbiturie acid colorimetrie method in cells. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of p22~(phox) were drastically enhanced after exposures of endothelial cells to Ang Ⅱ(100 nmol/L) and Ang Ⅳ(100 nmol/L),accompanied by an increase in MDA contents (n=6,P

75%(more than 2-vessel disease) and 50 persons with angia and non-diabetes were selected as control.Results The level of NT-proBNP was significantly higher in stable angina patients with diabetes(750?80 ng/L) than that in stable angina patients without diabetes(450?75 ng/L)(P

Background Familial hyperaldosteronism type Ⅱ(FH-Ⅱ) is characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance and hyperaldosteronism.Linkage analysis demonstrated chromosome 7q22 most likely harbor the genetic defect.Objective To identify the disease locus in a Chinese pedigree with FH-Ⅱ using genetic linkage analysis.Methods Haplotypes of the FH-Ⅱ pedigree were analyzed using four microsatellite markers(D7S531,D7S2521,D7S511,D7S481) at 7p22 to determine the critical region,and multipoint logarithm of odds(LOD) scores were calculated to assess linkage with FH-Ⅱ.Results Several members(affected members) in the family had hypertension,hypokalemia,hyperaldosteronism,low renin activity.Hypertension and hypokalemia was improved by spironolactone test.Dexamethasone suppression test was performed but without clinical or hyperaldosteronism improvement in three affected members,confirmed FH-Ⅱ family pedigree.The same haplotypes D7S531(ac,n=24)-D7S2521(ac,n=11)-D7S511(ca,n=21)-D7S481(ac,n=16) were shared by all known affected members and one suspicious member,but also by one unaffected member of the family,making it unlikely that this region contains the causative gene mutation.In this FH-Ⅱ family,the LOD scores of the four markers were

Objective The effect of combined treatment of statins and calcium channel blockers(CCB) in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension(ISH) are not well understood.The purpose of the present study was to assess the additive effect of benidipine-atorvastatin combination therapy in old patients with ISH.Methods Ninety patients with ISH were randomized to receive: placebo(n=15),benidipine treatment(4-8 mg/d,n=25),atorvastatin(20 mg/d,n=25) and benidipine plus atorvastatin treatment(4-8 mg/d+20 mg/d,n=25) for 5 months.Serum concentrations of IL-6,IL-8,hsCRP,flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery,urine microalbumin,left ventricular mass index(LVMI),carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT),BP and plasma lipids profiles were examined before and after treatment.Results After 5-months of treatment,the combination treatment significantly reduced IL-6(IL-6 reduction magnitude,combination group: 6.5+6.3 ng/L vs benidipine group: 3.1?3.2 ng/L vs atorvastatin group: 3.3?2.3 ng/L,P

Background Left atrium size was reported as a marker for ventricular diastolic dysfunction and predictive risk factors for cardiovascular disease.Objective To analyze the relations between left atrial(LA) size and left ventricular(LV) diastolic function echocardiographically in rabbit model with LV dysfunction while with normal LVEF.Methods LV pressure overloaded animal model was established by abdominal aorta constriction in 18 New-Zealand rabbits(model group) which developed LVH with normal EF with 8 healthy rabbits as normal controls.LA dimension and volume(LAD,LAV),left ventricular dimension(LVD) and wall thickness(IVST,PWT),Transmitral inflow E and A,and mitral annulus velocities Ea and Aa were determined by echocardiography.LVEDP was measured within 24 hours after echo examination by catheterization.Results ①Increased LVD,IVST,PWT and LA size were found in model group(P

LAD(OR=1.209). Conclusion Left atrial diameter was independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in hypertensive patients.

Background Hypertension and dyslipidemia are the 2 important risk factors of cardiovascular affecting the prognosis of cardiovascular disease. However paucity data of characteristics of lipid metabolism and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases in high-risk groups with hypertension are available. Objective To analyze the lipid metabolism level and the relevant risk factors of inpatients with essential hypertension (EH) from 2000 to 2007. Methods Retrospective study was performed based on the clinical characteristic and the relationship between different kinds of hyperlipidemia and target organ damages in inpatient with EH. Results For the level of triglyceride (TG) and the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia,males(n=3056) were significantly higher than females(n=1932)(P

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent arrthythmias. Hypertension independently accounts for more AF cases than any other risk factors. Therefore,prevention of risk factors in patients with essential hypertensives(EH) is important for early prevention and diagnosis of AF. However,only a few data are available regarding left ventricle remodeling in essential hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation(EH+AF). Objective To study the characteristics of left heart remodeling and function and its clinical significance in EH+AF,and predict some risk factors of AF. Methods All 561 patients were recruited which included EH+AF(n=224),EH alone(n=171),AF alone(n=166) with normal subjects as control(n=157). Interventricula septal thickness at end-diastole(IVSTd),posterior left ventricular wall thickness at end-diastole(LVPWTd),left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVESD),left atrial dimension (LAD),left ventricular ejection fraction stroke volume(LVEF),stroke volume(SV)cardiac output(CO)were measured with echocardiography. Left ventricular mass(LVM),left ventricular mass index(LVMI)and relative wall thickness(RWT)were calculated. Results LVM,LVMI,IVSTd,LVPWTd,LVESD,LVEDD,LAD,RWT in the EH+AF group were significantly greater than those in the AF alone or EH alone patients(P

Background Resveratrol has been unanimously recognized as an cardiovascular protective substance in red wine. It has been speculated that the anti-atherosclerosis effect of resveratrol is ascribed to its powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Objective To investigate the effects of resveratrol on injured human umbilical veno-endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the reactive oxygen species(ROS) production induced by TNF-? or soluble CD40L (sCD40L). Methods Cultured HUVEC were pre-incubated with resveratrol(1-50 ?mol/L) for 2 hours and then treated with TNF-?(10 ?g/L) or sCD40L?(10 ?g/L) for another 4 hours. MTT assay was used to detect proliterative activity of HUVEC. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used for determination of ROS expression. Results Both TNF-? and sCD40L impaired HUVEC proliferation (-32.7% and -26% vs control,P

Background Left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) is a cardiovascular risk factor independent of the blood pressure. JAK/STAT pathway has been confirmed to participate in cardiac hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Our previous reports have shown that sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate(STS) reversed LVH,inhibited the myocardial cells Ca2+ influx,lowered left ventricular myocardial tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?)and the proto-oncogene c-fos,Bcl-2,and p53 protein expression. Objective To study the effect of sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate(STS) on JAK/STAT pathway in left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) induced by abdominal aorta stenosis in rats. Methods Twenty-four 9-weeks-old rats submitted to abdominal aorta constriction,were randomized to receive STS 10 mg/(kg?d)(n=8)or sterilized distilled water (1 mL/d)(n=8),or valsartan 10 mg/(kg?d) by gavage(n=8),with age and sex matched sham operated rats(n=8) as control. HE,VG and immunohistonchemical staining were used to evaluate the myocardial fiber dimension(MFD). Expressions of JAK1 and STAT3 were assessed by using Western blot. Results Compared with the control group,pressure loaded rats had higher SBP[(117.3?8.3) vs LVH: (186.5?13.5)mmHg,P