OBJECTIVETo investigate the cardiac effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and to explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODSThe video tracking system and spectrofluorometric method were used to measure the cell contraction and intracellular calcium. Fura-2/AM was used as a calcium fluorescence probe. Langendorff perfusion technique was used to determine the effect of IL-2 on the intact heart.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, IL-2 5 U/ml, 50 U/ml significantly decreased cell contraction amplitude [(74.95+/-4.79) vs (98.09+/-5.02)%, (64.30+/-5.24) vs (97.38+/-4.05)%], peak velocity of cell shortening [(70.23+/-4.85)% vs (98.09+/-5.46)%, (61.15+/-5.20)% vs (97.38+/-6.85)%], peak velocity of cell relengthening [(71.22+/-4.79)% vs (98.32+/-6.08)%, (68.16+/-5.24)% vs (97.55+/-5.00)%] and end- diastolic cell length [(88.28+/-5.84)% vs (97.95+/-5.52)%, (84.18+/-6.52)% vs (98.94+/-6.76)%]. IL-2 (5 U/ml, 50 U/ml) also markedly inhibited intracellular calcium transient [(74.94+/-4.90)% vs (98.09+/-3.74)%,(71.00+/-5.28)% vs (97.38+/-5.52)%], and elevated end-diastolic calcium level of ventricular myocytes [(113.91+/-5.93)% vs (100.10+/-3.02)%, (119.09+/-7.12)% vs (100.52+/-6.00)%], which were attenuated by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (Nal,10 nmol/L). In the isolated perfused rat heart,when compared with the control group, IL-2 50 U/ml markedly decreased left ventricular developed pressure [(79.91+/-2.18) vs (93.84+/-2.94)mmHg], maximal rate of rise of left ventricular pressure [(2370.7358.29) vs (2591.50+/-62.81)mmHg] maximal rate of fall of left ventricular [-(1460.95+/-38.6) vs -(1634.24+/-54.05) mmHg/s] and heart rate [(217.35+/-10.56) vs (244.52+/-11.23) beats/min], but increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (11.44+/-1.02 vs 9.23+/-0.46). Pretreatment with Nal (10 nmol/L) antagonized the cardiac depression and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure elevation induced by IL-2.

CONCLUSIONThe cardiac effect of IL-2 is mediated by opioid receptors on the membrane of cardiomyocytes.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Depression, Chemical ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; Naloxone ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid, kappa ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible mechanism(s) of taurine-inhibiting the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), this study investigated the effect of taurine on the HSC cell cycle and its regulatory protein expression.

METHODSCell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell cycle regulatory protein Cyclin D1 and P21waf1 expression were determined by immunocytochemistry and image-analysis system, and real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTSHSC proliferation was markedly inhibited when HSC were treated with taurine at concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mmol/L for 48 hours, and the inhibition rates were 6.7%, 14.4%, 23.3%, 32.2%, 36.7% and 45.6% respectively (P < 0.05-0.01). In the flow cytometry analysis, it was found that taurine could block HSC in the G0/G1 phase from entering the S phase, resulting in more cells in the G0/G1 phase and fewer in the S phase. The percentage of the cells in the G0/G1 phase and the S phase at the dosage of 40 mmol/L were 68.2%+/-1.4% and 26.2+/-1.3% respectively, which was significantly different in comparison to the controls (56.2%+/-1.7% and 38.5%+/-0.8% respectively, P < 0.01). HSC expressed cyclin D1 and P21waf1. Taurine inhibited cyclin D1 expression and induced P21waf1 expression. The cyclin D1 protein and mRNA in the HSC treated with 40 mmol/L taurine were significantly reduced compared with the controls [protein (optical density value): 0.13+/-0.02 versus 0.18+/-0.02, P < 0.01; mRNA: 5776.7+/-3345.0 versus 18,400.6+/-1374.8 copies/10(6) GAPDH, P < 0.01]; and the P21waf1 protein and mRNA were markedly increased compared with the controls [protein (optical density value): 0.19+/-0.02 versus 0.14+/-0.01, P < 0.01; mRNA: 44,866.7+/-3910.7 versus 16,933.3+/-960.9 copies/10(6) GAPDH, P less than 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSCyclin D1 and P21waf1 were cell cycle regulatory proteins in HSC, and taurine can inhibit the HSC cyclin D1 expression and stimulate P21waf1 expression, facilitate arresting cells in G0/G1 phase, and suppress cell proliferation.

Animals ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Depression, Chemical ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Rats ; Taurine ; pharmacology

AIMTo investigate the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced myocardial dysfunction, and explore the related underlying mechanisms.

METHODSExperimental septic model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg x kg(-1)). The study was carried out on the isolated rat hearts to determine the roles of ET-1 and NO in the effect of LPS on the cardiac contractility and on the isolated rat ventricular myocytes model to observe the [Ca2+]i homeostasis in cardiac myocytes.

RESULTS(1) The levels of serum NO2-/NO3- and plasma ET-1 were markedly increased by LPS treatment for 4 hours. (2) LPS induced the decrease in rate-pressure product (RPP), and increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in the isolated perfused rat hearts. Pretreatment with either aminoguanidine (AMG) (100 mg x kg(-1), i.p.) or BQ-123 (1 mg x kg(-1), i.p.) partially attenuated LPS-induced myocardial depression. When these two drugs were simultaneously given, myocardial depression elicited by LPS was almost abolished. (3) LPS significantly decreased the amplitude of caffeine induced [Ca2+]i transients compared to the control cells. The activity of SR Ca22+ -ATPase was significantly decreased in the cardiac myocytes from LPS-treated rats. Single pretreatment with either AMG or BQ-123 did not attenuate the impairment of SR Ca2+ -ATPase induced by LPS.

CONCLUSIONET-1 and NO mediate myocardial dysfunction in hearts isolated and decrease [Ca2+]i transients in cardiac myocytes from LPS-treated rats. But neither ET-1 nor NO participates in the impairment of SR Ca2+ -ATPase induced by LPS.

Animals ; Depression, Chemical ; Endothelin-1 ; physiology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Male ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shock, Septic ; chemically induced ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Ginseng Sini Tang.

METHODThe constituents were identified by physico-chemical properties and spectral analysis.

RESULTThe 12 compounds were identified as ginsenoside-Rb1,-Rb2,-Rb3,-Rc,-Rd,-Re,-Rg1,Rg2,Rg3,Rf,Ra1,Ra2. The 10 compounds were identified as benzoylmesaconitine(BM), benzoylaconitine(BA), benzoylhypaconitine(BH), neoline (NL), fuziline (FL), 14-ethyl-talatisamine14-acetyl-talatisamine (AT), 14-benzoylhypaconine-8-linoleate (HAL),14-benzoyldeoxyaconine-8-oleate(HAO), 14-benzoylhypaconine-8-palmitate(HAP), talatisamine(TS).

CONCLUSIONAll these compounds were obtained from Ginseng Sini Tang for first times.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Depression, Chemical ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ginsenosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Xinkeshu Tablet (XKS) on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODSSixty patients with their diagnosis of CHD confirmed by coronary angiography were randomized into two groups equally. Besides the conventional treatment for CHD, XKS and Metoprolol were given respectively to patients in the treated group and the control group for 8 weeks. Symptoms and 24 h dynamic ECG were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSEpisode of angina pectoris decreased obviously in both groups after treatment, from 8.8 +/- 3.2 times per week (the same hereafter) to 4.4 +/- 2.1 in the treated group (P<0.05), and from 8.4 +/- 3.1 to 3.9 +/- 2.0 in the control group (P <0.05). HRV analysis showed that after treatment the average heart rate lowered from 85.44 +/- 2.89 beat/min to 77.32 +/- 2.17 beat/min in the treated group and from 83.80 +/- 4.30 beat/min to 76.70 +/- 2.93 beat/min in the control group (both P < 0.05), showing no significant difference in extent of lowering between groups (P > 0.05). The time-domain indexes elevated in both groups, showing no statistical difference between groups (P >0.05). As for the frequency-domain indexes, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and total power raised, while LF/HF and very low frequency lowered in both groups, but the changes were more significant in the treated group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONXKS could improve HRV in patients of CHD and reduce the episode of angina pectoris in them.

Cardiovascular Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Depression, Chemical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of baicalin on nerve tissue in rat with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

METHODSRats were randomly divided into five groups: the sham-operated group, the ICH model group, and the three baicalin treated groups treated respectively with small, medium and large doses of baicalin. ICH rat model was established by injecting collagenase VII into caudate nucleus. Baicalin was given by peritoneal injection to the baicalin treated groups, and saline was given to the other two groups once a day started from 2 h after modeling. Animals were sacrificed in batches on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 10th day of treatment to take their brains for detecting protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) expression and cell apoptosis in brain tissue surrounding hematoma by Western blot and TUNEL method, respectively. And the water content of brain was estimated by dry-wet weight method.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the PAR-1 expression and TUNEL-positive cells were significantly reduced in the baicalin treated groups; and brain edema was also significantly reduced (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe up-regulated PAR-1 expression after ICH in rats might play an important role in inducing cell apoptosis and brain edema. Baicalin shows significant protective effect on ICH rats, which may be related to its effects in inhibiting PAR-1 expression and decreasing apoptosis cells, so as to reduce brain edema.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; Depression, Chemical ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, PAR-1 ; metabolism

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intrarenal artery injection of L-arginine on multi- and single-unit spontaneous discharges of renal afferent nerve fibers in anesthetized rabbits. The results obtained are as follows: (1) intrarenal artery injection of L-arginine (0.05, 0.24, and 0.48 mmol/kg) decreased the renal afferent nerve activity (ARNA) in a dose-dependent manner with arterial pressure unchanged; (2) pretreatment with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (N6-nitro-L-arginine methylester, 0.11 mmol/kg), completely abolished the effect of L-arginine; and (3) intrarenal artery injection of a nitric oxide donor SIN-1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine, 3.75 micromol/kg) also resulted in an inhibition of ARNA. The results suggest that intrarenal artery injection of NO precursor (L-arginine) and donor (SIN-1) can inhibit ARNA in anesthetized rabbits.
Animals ; Arginine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Depression, Chemical ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Female ; Injections, Intra-Arterial ; Kidney ; innervation ; Male ; Nerve Fibers ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Renal Artery ; Visceral Afferents ; physiology

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of PPARalpha agonist on the expression of TF (tissue factor) in THP-1 cells. THP-1 cells were pretreated with different concentrations of PPARalpha agonist (fenofibrate) for definite time. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TF mRNA and protein levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The results showed that fenofibrate decreased tissue factor protein and mRNA expression in supernatants of LPS-stimulated human monocytes in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05 - 0.01, n = 5). It is concluded that fenofibrate inhibit TF expression induced by LPS in THP-1 cells, which may be involved in the anti-atherosclerotic effects of PPARalpha agonist.
Depression, Chemical ; Fenofibrate ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; PPAR alpha ; agonists ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Thromboplastin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on the expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells, bovine trabecular meshwork cells were cultured in vitro and reproduced to the third and the fourth generation, then treated with dexamethasone at the concentrations of 5, 25, 50, 250 microg/L respectively for 7 days. Immunohistochemical technique-supervision method was employed to measure, and image analysis system to analyze the expression of AQP-1 in normal cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells and those treated with dexamethasone. In normal bovine trabecular meshwork cells, the grayscale of AQP-1 positive staining was 167.94 +/- 1.18, while it was 168.92 +/- 0.91, 176.72 +/- 1.80, 180.64 +/- 1.31, 185.64 +/- 1.58 in cells treated with 5, 25, 50, 250 microg/L concentrations of dexamethasone. When the concentration of dexamethasone was higher than 25 microg/L, the expression of AQP-1 was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). The regulation of AQP-1 expression by dexamethasone in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells in vitro may be one of causes that retard the aqueous outflow in glucocorticoid- induced glaucoma.
Aquaporin 1/*biosynthesis ; Aquaporin 1/genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Depression, Chemical ; Dexamethasone/*pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Immunohistochemistry ; Trabecular Meshwork/cytology ; Trabecular Meshwork/*metabolism

This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of adrenergic system in the subnucleus commissuriu of nucleus solitrius tractus (CNTS) on renal nerve discharges. Norepinephrine (NE) was microinjected into the CNTS of rabbits and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and renal nerve discharges (FRND) were synchronously recorded. The results indicated that (1) microinjection of norepinephine into the CNTS of rabbit could significantly attenuate the frequency of renal nerve discharge, and at the same time decrease markedly the mean arterial pressure. (2) Microinjection of 0.3 nmol yohimbin into CNTS had no significant influence on FRND and MAP, but could attenuate and even reverse the effects of NE on FRND and MAP. These results suggest that microinjection of NE into CNTS may activate the alpha-adrenorecptor located in CNTS and secondarily produce a depressor effect by attenuating the activity of periphenal sympathetic nervous system.
Blood Pressure/drug effects ; Depression, Chemical ; Kidney/*innervation ; Microinjections ; Norepinephrine/*pharmacology ; Solitary Nucleus/*physiology ; Sympathetic Nervous System/drug effects ; Sympathetic Nervous System/*physiopathology ; Vasomotor System/physiopathology