AIMTo investigate the differences of membrane capacitance, membrane current, current density and I-V curves between smooth muscle cells isolated from RHR and NTR pulmonary arteries.

METHODSUnder antiseptic conditions, the left renal artery was exposed through a retroperitoneal flank incision and carefully dissected free of the left renal vein. A silver clip with an internal diameter of 0.2-0.3 mm was placed around the left renal artery, resulting in partial occlusion of renal perfusion. SBP was observed by tail blood pressure. Whole cell recordings were made from smooth muscle cells freshly isolated from pulmonary arteries derived from RHR or NTR.

RESULTSThe average membrane capacitance was (3.43 +/- 1.16) pF, decreased by 31.1%; membrane current was (0.54 +/- 0.26) nA, decreased by 68.2%; current density was (180 +/- 90) pA/pF, decreased by 48.6%; membrane potential was (-26.96 +/- 7.23) mV, decreased by 2.5%, all compared with that of NTR respectively. Iptakalim hydrochloride at the concentration of 0.1-100 micromol/L can significantly increased NTR potassium currents. Iptakalim hydrochloride 1-100 micromol/L can significantly increased RHR potassium currents.

CONCLUSIONMembrane capacitance, membrane current, membrane potential were decreased, I-V curves were shift downward, compared with that of NTR. Iptakalim hydrochloride might significantly increase NTR and RHR potassium currents.

Animals ; Hypertension, Renal ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; physiology ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; physiology ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of cyclic biaxial mechanical stimulation on adhesion of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma(SACC) extracellular matrix (ECM) and expression of E-cadherin/cateninin complex in the SACC high metastasis cell lines ACC-M, SACC low metastasis cells line ACC-2, we observed the functions of mechanical stimulation in the adhesion of SACC cell-ECM and investigate the mechanism in the adhesion of ACC.

METHODSMechanical stimulation were applied to the cells for periods of 1, 3 and 6 hours every day, lasting for 2 days. The amplitude of mechanical stimulation applied to the cells were 1000, 4000 micro strain, at a frequency of 3 Hz. Unstrained cells were used as control. The expression of E-cadherin/cateninin complex on the cell of ACC-M, ACC-2 were studied with laser scanning confocal microscope and image analysis. SACC cell-ECM adhesion was assayed by MTT technique.

RESULTSThe results showed that expressions of alpha, beta, gamma-cateninin on the cell of ACC-2 were obviously higher than that ACC-M and E-cadherin on the cell of ACC-M were obviously higher than that ACC-2 without mechanical stimulation. Mechanical stimulation can change the expression of E-cadherin/cateninin complex on the cell of ACC-2 and ACC-M with time. The results also showed that cell-ECM adhesion on the cell of ACC-2 were obviously higher than that of ACC-M without mechanical stimulation. Mechanical stimulation can change the cell-ECM adhesion of ACC-2 and ACC-M with time.

CONCLUSIONMechanical stimulation can change the adhesion of the SACC cell-ECM and expression of E-cadherin/cateninin complex of the SACC cell. We think it played an important role in metastasis of the cancer.

Cadherins ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Humans ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms

To observe in vitro the effect of rat drug serum on the proliferation of HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cells in the pharmacokinetic model for determining peoniflorin in Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet, in order to discover the rational daily administration frequency of Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet. Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet was orally administered to rats with different daily administration frequency. Their blood was collected from veins behind eye sockets at different time points before the administration and after the first administration, in order to determine the concentration of peoniflorin in blood plasma and the effect of rat drug serums on the proliferation of HSC-T6. A comprehensive analysis was made on the relationship between pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to determine the rational daily administration frequency of Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet. The results showed a good correlation between the inhibitory effect of Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet-contained serum on HSC-T6 and the concentration of peoniflorin in blood. The two-time administration group showed higher pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic AUCs than one-time administration and three-time administration groups. In conclusion, Fufang Biejia Ruangan table is recommended to be taken twice a day for treating liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Benzoates ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Monoterpenes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tablets ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis (TYTZ) in improving hemorheology and blood fat of mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.

METHODThirty-six Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided to six groups: the normal control group, the model group, the Shujiangzhi group and TYTZ groups with doses of 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 g x kg(-1), with six mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, all of other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 2 weeks. Interventional balloons are adopted to injure their left anterior descending artery endothelium. After the operation, they were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare the coronary heart disease model of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome. In the 8th week after the operation and administration, the changes in hemorheological parameters, serum lipid level, myocardial ischemia level and range were observed.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significant increase in serum TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels (P < 0.01), whole blood viscosity under the shear rate of 5 s (-1) and 60 s (-1) (P < 0.01), and myocardial ischemia degree and range (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, TYTZ groups revealed significant decrease in myocardial ischemia degree and range (P < 0.01), serum TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and whole blood viscosity under the shear rate of 5 s(-1) and 60 s(-1) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTYTZ could improve the abnormal hemorheology in Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome, and regulate serum lipid, with a certain efficacy for coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.

Animals ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Hemorheology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mucous Membrane ; secretion ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

BACKGROUNDThe association between vulnerability of plaque assessed with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and plasma levels of fibrinolytic biomarkers was determined in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, few data are available on the relationship between the levels of tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and virtual histological intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) signs of plaque instability.

METHODSEighty-nine patients with ACS were enrolled in the study. Blood was collected to measure t-PA levels by liquid phase bead flow cytometry. Eighty-nine nonbifurcate lesions (identified by coronary angiography and ECG) were investigated using IVUS before catheterization. IVUS radiofrequency data obtained with a 20 MHz catheter were analyzed with IVUS virtual histological software. The areas of plaque and media were calculated and lesions were classified into two groups: VH-IVUS derived thin cap fibroatheroma (VH-TCFA) and non-VH-TCFA plaque.

RESULTSPlasma t-PA level in the patients with TCFA was significantly lower than that with non-TCFA ((1489+/-715) pg/ml vs (2163+/-1004) pg/ml). Decreased plasma levels of t-PA were associated with plaque vulnerability. Plasma levels of t-PA correlated negatively with plaque plus media and necrotic core in plaque in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSIONSt-PA is an independent risk factor and a powerful predictor of vulnerable plaques. Decreased levels of t-PA may reflect instability of atherosclerotic plaques and might therefore serve as noninvasive determinants of those at high risk for consequent adverse events.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; pathology ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Objective To improve the biological fidelity of the thorax flexible body in the original MADYMO child human model,so as to further study pediatric thorax injuries of child occupant.Methods The finite element model of six-year-old pediatric thorax was built by the method of reverse modeling based on CT images.By replacing the thorax model with flexible body in MADYMO six-year-old human model,an improved human model containing biomechanical thorax model was developed.The model was verified by joint validation of two tests,including Irwin and Mertz's method of scaling channel reported in Kroell's adult chest impact experiment and Ouyang's thoracic impact test on pediatric cadavers.Results The response of this established thorax model was in good agreement with scaling channel method and cadaver test data,and the thorax model was much more accurate than the original flexible body model.The resilience of simulation model was consistent with cadaver test.Conclusions The validity of the model is verified,and the results can be further used for occupant injury analysis in vehicle frontal crash.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on postangioplasty aortic restenosis in rats.

METHODS48 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, balloon injury group, balloon injury and MSCs transplantation group. MSCs were pre-labeled by DAPI (25 microg/ml) and then infused into aorta through the balloon catheter (MSCs 2 x 10(6)/animal). Thoracic aorta were taken for histological examination (frozen and paraffin sections) at 1, 2, 6 weeks post angioplasty, respectively. DAPI labeled MSCs were detected under immunofluorescence microscopy. Expressions of c-kit, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), smooth muscle alpha-actin (alpha-SMA) in aorta were determined by immunocytochemistry using related antibodies.

RESULTSThe DAPI-labeled MSCs could be detected on impaired intimae and alpha-SMA expression was seen in these cells 1 weeks after MSCs transplantation. Similar weak c-kit expression in neointima was found in both injury and transplantation group at 2 weeks (P > 0.05). Expressions of PCNA and alpha-SMA in the neointima were significantly higher in transplantation group than in injury group at 2 weeks. Intima/tunica media area ratio and luminal stenosis ratio were significantly increased in transplantation group than injury group at 6 weeks (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBone marrow MSCs transplanted post aortic angioplasty could home to serious wounded aortic intima, differentiate into smooth muscle like cells, promote neointima cellular proliferation and aggravate postangioplasty aortic restenosis in rats.

Angioplasty, Balloon ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Aorta ; pathology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Coronary Restenosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDPatients aged over 85 years have been under-represented in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) trials despite an increase in referrals for PCI. The long-term safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary stenting in patients aged over 85 years with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain unclear. Moreover it is unknown whether there are differences between bare metal stent (BMS) and drug eluting stent (DES) in this special population.

METHODSA total of 80 patients with ACS aged over 85 years undergoing stenting (BMS group n = 21 vs DES group n = 59) were retrospectively studied. In-hospital, one year and overall clinical follow-up (12 - 36 months) of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) including cardiac deaths, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) as well as stroke and other major bleeding were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSIn the entire cohort, the procedure success rate was 93.8% with TIMI-3 coronary flow post-PCI in 93.8% of the vessels and the procedure related complication was 17.5%. The incidence of in-hospital MACEs in BMS group was higher (14.3% vs 6.8%, P = 0.30). The 1-year incidence of MACEs in DES group was 7.0% while there was no MACE in the BMS group. Clinical follow-up for 12 - 36 months showed that the overall survival free from MACE was 82.9% and the incidence of MACE in the BMS group was lower (5.3% vs 21.1%, P = 0.20). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the creatinine level (OR: 1.013; 95% CI: 1.006 - 1.020; P = 0.004) and hypertension (OR: 3.201; 95% CI: 1.000 - 10.663; P = 0.04) are two major factors affecting the long-term MACE.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous coronary stenting in patients aged over 85 years is safe and provides good short and long-term efficacy. Patients with renal dysfunction and hypertension may have a relatively high incidence of MACE.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; pathology ; therapy ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; methods ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metals ; Myocardial Infarction ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Stroke ; etiology ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDDual anti-platelet treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel is established foundation for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to prevent thrombotic events. The present study was conducted to examine whether the CYP2C19 681G > A polymorphism and cigarette smoking had independent or interactive effect on response to clopidogrel.

METHODSAmong 722 Chinese Han patients undergoing elective coronary stent placement due to stable angina pectoris, a loading dose of 300 mg clopidogrel was given to all patients and a daily maintenance dose of 75 mg for a minimum of 12 months. CYP2C19 681G > A polymorphism was genotyped. The platelet reactivity was measured by light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) with 5 µmol/L adenosine diphosphate (ADP) induced. The poor response was defined as 10% or less absolute difference between aggregation at baseline and 24 hours after loading dose of clopidogrel.

RESULTSThe results showed that the poor-response to clopidogrel was presented in 105 patients (14.5%). Overall, the genotype GA/AA carriers were likely to be poor-responsive cases (19.6% vs. 11.0%, P = 0.001) with odds ratio (OR) of 1.971 (95%CI: 1.296 - 2.998, P = 0.002), compared with the GG homozygotes. Meanwhile, compared with nonsmokers, the smokers showed lower rate of poor-response (10.9% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.015) with OR of 0.582 (95%CI: 0.374 - 0.904, P = 0.016). The smokers with GG genotype had the lowest risk with OR of 0.487 (95%CI: 0.246 - 0.961, P = 0.038) while nonsmokers with GA/AA genotype had the highest risk of poor-response with OR of 1.823 (95%CI: 1.083 - 3.068, P = 0.024), compared with nonsmokers with GG genotype. However, there was no significant interaction between genotype and smoking.

CONCLUSIONOur study indicated that both CYP2C19 polymorphism and smoking independently affected response to clopidogrel.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases ; genetics ; Coronary Artery Disease ; genetics ; therapy ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19 ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of plasma renin activity, antidiuretic hormone and brain natriuretic peptide in chronic heart failure (CHF) and their correlation with hyponatremia.

METHODSPlasma levels of PRA, ADH, and BNP were measured by radioimmunology in 76 CHF patients. Forty-one out of 76 CHF patients with hyponatremia and 35 CHF patients without hyponatremia were identified by serum sodium. The rates of rehospitalization within 3 months were compared in two groups.

RESULTSLevels of plasma renin activity, ALD, and BNP in CHF patients with hyponatremia were notably higher than those in patients without hyponatremia classified by New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade II - IV: PRA [(2.7 +/- 1.0) ng.ml(-1).h(-1) vs. (1.8 +/- 0.7) ng.ml(-1).h(-1), (4.3 +/- 1.2) ng.ml(-1).h(-1) vs. (3.0 +/- 0.9) ng.ml(-1).h(-1), (5.6 +/- 1.3) ng.ml(-1).h(-1) vs. (3.5 +/- 1.1) ng.ml(-1).h(-1), respectively, P < 0.05], ADH [(59.7 +/- 17.4) ng/L vs. (48.6 +/- 15.3) ng/L, (68.4 +/- 17.6) ng/L vs. (56.3 +/- 19.2) ng/L, (75.3 +/- 20.0) ng/L vs. (51.4 +/- 16.2) ng/L, respectively, P < 0.05] and BNP [(276.4 +/- 75.2) ng/L vs. (185.3 +/- 55.3) ng/L, (380.1 +/- 113.6) ng/L vs. (258.5 +/- 62.1) ng/L, (564.0 +/- 125.2) ng/L vs. (405.3 +/- 102.9) ng/L, respectively, P < 0.05]. In the simple regression analyses, hyponatremia was negative correlated with PRA, ADH and BNP (r = -0.31, P < 0.05; r = -0.28, P < 0.05, r = -0.80, P < 0.01). The rate of rehospitalization within 3 months in hyponatremia group was higher than that in control group.

CONCLUSIONSThere is relation of hyponatremia to the changes of plasma renin activity, antidiuretic hormone and brain natriuretic peptide in chronic heart failure. Hyponatremia may accelerate the excretion of plasma PRA, ADH and BNP in chronic heart failure. Neuroendocrine activation in patients of congestive heart failure with hyponatremia is higher than that of normal natremia group.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Renin ; blood ; Sodium ; blood ; Vasopressins ; blood