Protein Kinase C-zeta (PKC-?) is a new member of protein kinase C family and has some specific characteristics as comparing with the classical PKC. It lacks the C 2 domain making its kinase activity Ca 2+ -independent, and it possesses only one zinc-finger region in its regulatory domain. Therefore, PKC-? does not bind Ca 2+ and can not be activated by diacylglycerol or phorbol esters. In addition, many researches showed that PKC-? could induce differentiation, mediate insulin-stimulation protein synthesis, activate immunity of human neutrophils, inhibit proliferation of cancer cells and regulate the function of actin cytoskeleton. What is more, PKC-? plays an important role in signal transduction of cells, such as mediating MAPK and NF-?B activation.

This paper studied the protective effect of gypenosides (GPS) on oxidative damage of myocardium of guinea pig, Using xan-thine-xanthine oxidase (X-XOD) producing free radicals. In the isolated guinea pig papillary muscles, X- XOD produced the quick positive inotropism at first and then the continuous negative one, shortened the functional refractory period (FRP) and elevated the excitability and increased the automaticity induced by adrenaline, inhibited the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increased the content of malondi-aldehyde (MDA). GPS inhibited the negative inotropism of papillary muscles produced by X-XOD,resisted the changes of FRP, automaticity and excitability induced by X- XOD. Meanwhile, GPS antagonized the effect of X-XOD which decreased activity of SOD and increased the content of MDA. These studies indicate that GPS can protect the myocardium from oxidative damage.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the prevention of probucol on restenosis and vascular remodeling after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) in rabbits. METHODS: New Zealand rabbit thoracic aorta atherosclerosis was induced by 3.5F ballon catheter injury following a 4-weeks feeding of high cholesterol diet, and PTA was performed by using 3.5F balloon catheter. Probucol(1g/d) or vitamin E (400 mg/d) was administrated one week before PTA. Two weeks after PTA, the bore and outside diameter (OD) of arteries, the area circumscribing by intimal elastic lamina (IEL), the area circumscribing by extral elastic lamina (EEL), medial area (MA), neointima area/medial area (NEA/MA) were analyzed by computerized digitizer system. Lipids of serum were measured by means of biochemical assay.RESULTS: After two weeks of PTA, the intima proliferation and lumen restenosis were observed obviously. However, with probucol treatment for 3 weeks, the restenosis of aorta was inhibited significantly by increasing bore, outside diameter, and lumen area of rabbits aortas and decreasing NEA, NEA/MA. Furthermore, probucol regulated vascular remodeling by increasing the area circumscribing by IEL [(3.50?0.20)mm 2 vs (1.59?0.23) mm 2, P

Daxx is found in the nucleus where it localizes to PML oncogenic domains (PODs). Its multiple domains can interact proteins involved in transcriptional regulation and apoptotic signal transduction. In addition, Daxx is associated with viral infection、tumorigenesis and embryonic development.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of onychin on the endothelial cells injured by oxidative stress. METHODS: The injured model was established by endothelial cells treated with menadione. The growth inhibitory rate of endothelial cell was determined by MTT assay; NO - 2/NO - 3 concentration in the medium was determined by nitrate reductase assay; eNOS and caveolin-1 protein levels were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Onychin significantly decreased the growth inhibitory rate of endothelial cells injured by menadione, increased NO - 2/NO - 3 concentration in the medium and eNOS activity and up-regulated caveolin-1 expression. CONCLUSION: Onychin possesses a protective effect against endothelial cell injury induced by menadione via caveolin-1/eNOS pathway.

Aim To study the effects of probucol on THP-1 macrophage apoptosis and CD36、Caveolin-1 expression induced by ox-LDL.Methods Apoptosis of THP-1 macrophages was determined by flow cytometry analysis.RT-PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect CD36,Caveolin-1 mRNA level and protein expression respectively.Results Probucol had no effect on mRNA level of CD36,Caveolin-1 in THP-1 macrophages,but it attenuated Caveolin-1 protein expression.Conclusions Probucol can inhibit apoptosis induced by ox-LDL in THP-1 macrophages by down-regulating Caveolin-1 protein expression.

Aim To compare the effects of the non-peptide angiotensin Ⅱ receptor type Ⅰ antagonist,Losartan,and the active vascular peptide,calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP),on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by angiotensin Ⅱ,and to explore the mechanism of depressor effect of Losartan and CGRP in vivo.Methods MTT,Thymidine incorporation and flow cytometry,were used to determine the ability of proliferation of VSMC induced by angiotensin Ⅱ in the presence or absence of Losartan or CGRP,Western blotting was used to determine the activity of ERK1/2.Results Losartan or CGRP inhibited the viability,DNA synthesis,cell proliferation index,and the activity of ERK1/2 in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion Losartan or CGRP significantly inhibits the proliferation of VSMC induced by angiotensin Ⅱ;the inhibitory effect of CGRP is stronger than that of Losartan.The signaling path way is involved in ERK1/2.

AIM: To construct random eight-peptide library for the study on atherosclerosis and restenosis. METHODS and RESULTS: Random oligodeoxynucleotides encoded eight peptides were synthesized and amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). The product was cloned into phage surface display vector fUSE5 in Sfi I site and electroporated into competent MC1061. The library was identified through PCR, hybridization, DNA sequencing and affinity biopanning of streptavidin. Because the upstream primer is complementary to part vector clone site sequences and part exogenous gene sequences, and the other one complementary to pIII gene of vector, thus only clones inserted exogenous gene could be amplified easily. Additionally we used the probe oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to vector clone site sequences to identify clones which were not inserted exogeneous genes. Furthermore, two hybridizing positive clones were sequenced. Their sequences are consistent with two oligodeoxynucleotide probe sequences. As a result, 2.1?108 special clones were obtained. Affinity biopanning proved that the libraries could be amplified steadily. CONCLUSION: The eight-peptide library is reliable.

Object To investigate the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) and Danshen (DS) on the growth and metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma and tumor angiogenesis. Methods C 57BL mice with Lewis lung carcinoma were used in this study, which were injected respectively with TMP injection 50, 100, and 200 mg/(kg?d) and DS injection 5, 10, and 20 g/(kg?d), ip, for 21 days. Then the volume, weight, and numbers of the metastatic foci on lungs, tumor microvessel density (MVD) were determined, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of Lewis lung carcinoma was observed. Results TMP could remarkably reduce the volume, weight, and numbers of the metastatic foci, MVD, and the expression of VEGF of Lewis lung carcinoma. But DS did not show remarkably effect on Lewis lung carcinoma. Conclusion TMP can remarkably inhibit the growth and metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma on mice, and its mechanism might be relative to inhibiting the expression of VEGF and angiogenesis. DS injection has no remarkably effect on Lewis lung carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ-1 receptor antagonist losartan on expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) in the ventricular myocardium in the renovascular hypertension rats. Methods Renovascular hypertension model was obtained by clip left renal artery in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. After operation the rats were divided into 3 groups: sham group, two-kidney one clip (2K1C) group, and losartan treatment group(2K1C and losartan 20 mg/kg?d by drinking). Tail blood pressure was determined every week. Animals were euthanized after treatment with losartan for four weeks. Cardiac index(CI)was calculated by HW/BW, and TNF-? protein of ventricle myocardium was determined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Results Losartan significantly decreased blood pressure(P