Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; physiopathology ; Lung ; blood supply ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Mesoderm ; pathology ; physiopathology

To establish and observe rabbit hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis model, we combined the method of high-lipid diet and immuoreactive injure. We divided 45 New Zealand rabbit into control group and high-lipid group. According to the time (4, 8, 12 weeks) of established model, the control group and high-lipid group were divided into 3 groups respectively. The blood-lipid, the hemodynamics parameter and vascular intima were determined and observed. The results showed: (1) After feeding 4, 8, 12 weeks, TC and LDL-C of the high-lipid group in the serum increased obviously. After feeding 8 week, TG of the high-lipid group began to increase obviously. HDL-C of the high-lipid group was higher than control group, but with a descendent trend. (2) Blood viscosity of the high-lipid group increased obviously under the 0.512 S(-1) and 5.96 S(-1) at 12 week. Blood flow increased obviously at 8 and 12 week. SBP increased evidently at 8 and 12 week. Alteration of the plasma viscosity and vascular diameter were not obvious. (3) By observing with optical microscope the intima of the control group is smooth. The intima of the high-lipid group has a light incrassation at 4 week. The intima of the high-lipid group has a obvious incrassation at 8 and 12 week. By observing with through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the lipid vacuole is under the endothelium cell. (4) By adopting the immunohistochemistry, the foam cell that derived from smooth muscle cell were determined. We concluded that the blood lipid can have a prefigurative role in atherosclerosis; blood flow and blood pressure and blood viscosity increase at low shear rate in the course of the atherosclerosis; vascular intima is incrassate and the composition of the AS plaque is variational continually.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; Hemodynamics ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits

The incidence and mortality rates of diabetes with cardiovascular complications are continually rising, and diabetic cardiovascular disease is becoming a major public health issue that threatens human health. Acute endothelial dysfunction and chronic cellular damage caused by diabetes are important risk factors for diabetic cardiovascular disease and related mortality. Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived molecule with significant cytoprotective effects, including the protection against diabetes-induced vascular endothelial injury. Here we review the mechanisms of adiponectin protective effects on acute vascular endothelial dysfunction and chronic structural damage induced by diabetes.
Adiponectin ; physiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; pathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore young hypertensive people's vascular endothelial dysfunction and the early atherosclerosis changes.

METHODSRural youth subjects aged 20 to 35 in 6 villages were randomly selected from 20 villages of 3 townships, including Qili, Laojun and Shayan, in Hanzhong, Shanxi, China, from March to April of 2005, to survey their blood pressure and other related factors. 97 subjects with high blood pressure (hypertensive group) were detected while 400 with normal blood pressure (normal group). We measured their brachial artery flow-mediated vascular endothelial-dependent diastolic function (FMD) and the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) by high resolution vascular ultrasound method, and other biochemical indexes.

RESULTSThe body mass index (BMI) ((24.7 ± 4.3) kg/m²), waistline ((84.1 ± 11.7) cm), hipline ((92.5 ± 7.4) cm), TC ((4.6 ± 0.8) mmol/L), LDL-C ((2.8 ± 0.5) mmol/L), TG ((1.7 ± 1.1) mmol/L) and the blood insulin (INS) ((8.6 ± 4.4) mIu/L) were all significantly increased in young hypertensive group than those in normotensive group (respectively were (22.1 ± 3.0) kg/m(2), (76.7 ± 8.9) cm, (88.9 ± 5.6) cm, (4.3 ± 0.7) mmol/L, (2.6 ± 0.4) mmol/L, (1.4 ± 0.8) mmol/L and (6.9 ± 2.1) mIu/L) (P < 0.05). The FMD of the brachial artery in hypertensive group was markedly lower than normal group ((0.103 ± 0.04)% and (0.117 ± 0.05)%, P < 0.05). The IMT of two groups were (0.49 ± 0.07) mm and (0.48 ± 0.07) mm, but there was no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYoung hypertensive people with a few cardiovascular risk factors earlier appear dysfunction of the flow-mediated vascular endothelial-dependent dilation, which is prior to the increase in carotid IMT.

Adult ; Arteries ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; Blood Pressure ; Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

Endothelial dysfunction contributes to cardiovascular diseases that are also characterized by insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a hallmark of metabolic disorders including Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome that are also characterized by endothelial dysfunction. Metabolic actions of insulin to promote glucose disposal are augmented by vascular actions of insulin in endothelium to stimulate production of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO). Indeed, NO-dependent increases in blood flow to skeletal muscle account for 25% to 40% of the increase in glucose uptake in response to insulin stimulation. PI 3-kinase-dependent insulin signaling pathways in endothelium related to production of NO share striking similarities with metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle that promote glucose uptake. Other distinct non-metabolic branches of insulin signaling pathways regulate secretion of the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) in endothelium. Metabolic insulin resistance is characterized by pathway-specific impairment in PI 3-kinase-dependent signaling that in endothelium may cause imbalance between production of NO and secretion of ET-1 leading to decreased blood flow that worsens insulin resistance. Therapeutic interventions in both animal models and human studies demonstrate that improving endothelial function ameliorates insulin resistance while improving insulin sensitivity ameliorates endothelial dysfunction. Taken together, cellular, physiological, clinical, and epidemiological studies strongly support a reciprocal relationship between endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance that helps to link cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In this review, pathophysiological mechanisms that couple endothelial dysfunction with insulin resistance will be discussed with an emphasis on important therapeutic implications for the metabolic syndrome.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; physiopathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; metabolism ; pathology ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Metabolic Syndrome ; physiopathology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on endothelial-dependent (EDV) and non- dependent (EIV) vascular relaxation in ex vivo thoracic aortic rings of obese rats.

METHODSFifteen SD rats were randomized into 3 equal groups, namely the control group fed with normal chow, obese group with high-fat chow, and AM intervention group fed with high-fat chow and daily AM gavage. The rats were sacrificed after 6 weeks of feeding, and the aortic rings were dissected and cut into 3-mm rings. The response to acethylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were examined in organ bath. In ex vivo study, the aortic rings obtained from the control group and obese group were incubated with AM or vehicle for 3 h in organ bath before testing the EDV and EIV. The body weight and weight of the visceral fat in each group were recorded.

RESULTSThe weight of visceral fat was greater in the obese group than in the control group, and a 6-week AM treatment significantly reduced the fat tissue due to high-fat diet. The maximum EDV value was (87.0 - or + 3.5)% in the control group, (54.8 - or + 7.8)% in the obese group, and (69.8 - or + 5.7)% in AM intervention group; the EIV values were comparable between the 3 groups. After incubation with AM, the maximum EDV values of aortic rings obtained from the obese group were significantly increased from (55.6 - or + 8.3)% to (85.1 - or + 4.5)%.

CONCLUSIONAM can improve endothelial dysfunction in obese rats, and the mechanism involves improved insulin resistance and increased endothelium-derived NO productor function.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; pathology ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors ; therapeutic use ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Obesity ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

AIMTo observe the effect of homocysteine (HCY) on the function of endothelium cell, and to discuss the possible mechanisms that Tongxinluo super powder affected.

METHODSHealthy male Wistar rats were divided into randomly the control group, the model group, the Tongxinluo group. The effect of Ach on isolated rat thoracic aorta in vitro was examined, the microcirculation was observed by microcirculation meter, the activity of SOD and GSH-PX and content of NO, MDA, ET, Ang II, TXA2, PGI2 was detected.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the effect of Ach on isolated rat thoracic aorta in vitro weakened markablely (P < 0.01), the format and percentage that capillary dilated declined significantly (P < 0.05), after treatment with Tongxinluo powder, the effect of Ach on isolated rat thoracic aorta in vitro was improved obviously (p < 0.01), and the format and percentage that capillary dilated were increased compared with model group; comparing with the control group, the level of Ang II and ET, TXA2 in plasm increased obviously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the content of PGI2 depressed manifestly (P < 0.05), at the same time, both content of NO and activity of SOD, (GSH-PX declined obviously (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). After treatment with Tongxinluo powder, the level of ET, AngII and TXA2 reduced significantly in different degree (P < 0.01), while the content of PGI2 appeared stepping up notably (P < 0.01), and both activity of SOD and NO level increased obviously (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION(1) The high homocystein might cause the contracted and dilated function decreased, it might get involved in endothelium disfunction as a result of the massive free radicals production and diastolic-contract factors balance disorder induced by high homocystein. (2) Tongxinluo powder could improve the function of endothelium-dependment dilation induced by high homocystein, that associated with inhibitting the excessive production of free radicals, and improved function of endothelium.

Animals ; Aorta ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Homocysteine ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Male ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hyperlipidemia on vasa vasorum and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and study the role of vasa vasorum in arteriosclerosis.

METHODSThirty SD rats were randomized into normal control, hyperlipidemic and simvastatin treatment groups (n=10). In simvastatin group, hyperlipidemia was induced by a 4-week administration of atherogenic diet followed by a 16-week treatment with simvastatin at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg, and the rats in hyperlipidemic rats received no treatment. The changes in the aorta and vasa vasorum were examined, and serum lipid concentration and VEGF and NO levels were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the hyperlipidemic rats showed significantly thickened intima and media aorta and increased vasa vasorum density with lowered NO level, but VEGF underwent no significant changes. Simvastatin treatment significantly reduced the thickness of the intima and media aorta and increased vasa vasorum density in comparison with those in hyperlipidemic group. Simvastatin treatment also significantly increased VEGF and NO levels and a positive correlation was noted between their levels.

CONCLUSIONHyperlipidemia can impair the vasa vasorum and aortic endothelial function. Simvastatin increases VEGF and NO and promotes neogenesis of the vasa vasorum for the benefit of the aortic function.

Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Arteriosclerosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiology ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology ; Vasa Vasorum ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the anti-atherosclerosis effect of Taizhi'an Capsule (TZA) for providing a theoretical base of its application in preventing coronary heart disease (CHD), by way of observing the effects of TZA and pravastatin (PVT) on vascular endothelial function in senile patients with CHD.

METHODSSeventy-eight Senile patients with CHD were randomly divided into the TZA group and the PVT group, 39 in each group. Changes of carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) and brachial arterial endothelium dependent diastolic function (FMD) before and after treatment were observed by non-invasive ultrasound test technique, and levels of serum nitric oxide (NO) and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) were determined as well.

RESULTSAfter TAZ treatment, IMT decreased from 1.21 +/- 0.17 mm to 0.91 +/- 0.13 mm, FMD increased from 5.02 +/- 0.58% to 8.97 +/- 0.39%, ET-1 lowered from 95.93 +/- 19.41 ng/L to 49.35 +/- 53.27 ng/L, and NO enhanced from 42.56 +/- 14.12 mumol/L to 69.84 +/- 21.96 mumol/L; after PVT treatment, the corresponding changes were 1.25 +/- 0.21 mm to 0.88 +/- 0.32 mm, 4.90 +/- 0.37% to 8.12 +/- 0.25%, 89.35 +/- 10.02 ng/L to 47.96 +/- 11.05 ng/L and 51.71 +/- 9.39 mumol/L to 72.93 +/- 16.51 mumol/L, all the changes were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONTZA can obviously improve the vascular endothelial function in old patients with CHD, which has the anti-atherosclerosis effect similar to that of PVT.

Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Pravastatin ; therapeutic use ; Ultrasonography

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are immature endothelial cells which have the capacity to proliferate, migrate and differentiate into mature endothelial cells from bone marrow to the peripheral circulation. EPCs have been shown to participate in postnatal endothelial repair and neovascularization of ischemic organs, and have been used as a new source of seeded cells in vascular tissue engineering. In this review, we focus on the origin, identification, property and function of EPCs as well as their application in vascular tissue engineering.
Animals ; Blood Vessels ; physiopathology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; physiology ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; physiology ; Recovery of Function ; physiology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods