0.05). Conclusions E 3/3 and the prevalence of ? 3 allele were significantly higher in Shandong elderly population.

Objective To observe the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract(GSPE) plus atorvastatin treatment on matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9) in experimental atherosclerosis rabbits and to explore its mechanism. Methods Thirty male New Zealand rabbits were randomized into five groups. The normal control group were fed with standard diet for 24 weeks. And the other groups were fed with standard diet containing 1 % cholesterol for 12 weeks. In the sequential 12 weeks, the model control group was fed with standard diet. The GSPE group was fed with standard diet containing 1% grape seed proanthocyanidin(GSP). The atorvastatin group was fed with standard diet containing atorvastatin(2. 5 mg · kg~(-1) · d~(-1)). The GSPE plus atorvastatin group was fed with standard diet containing 1% GSP and atorvastatin (2. 5 mg~(-1) · kg~(-1) · d~(-1)). Blood samples were drawn from ear middle arteries of rabbits just before the experiment and at the 12th and the 24th weekend of the experiment. All the rabbits were fasted for at least eight hours before the blood was drawn. The blood samples were analyzed for the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). All the rabbits were sacrificed at the 24th weekend, and the expression of MMP-9 was observed in the thoracic aortic tissue using immunohistochemistry technique. Results The serum level and aorta expression of MMP-9 were increased in model group compared to control group (all P< 0. 05). The severity of atherosclerosis was less in three drug groups than that in model control group. The GSPE,atorvastatin and GSPE plus atorvastatin groups versus model group showed less atherosclerotic lession, the decreased expression of aorta MMP-9 and the decreased serum level of MMP-9 C(1. 06±0. 21), ( 1. 07 ±0.20), (0.81 + 0.16) vs. (1. 32±0. 24)ng/ml,all P<0. 05]. The effect in the GSPE and atorvastatin group was most obvious. Conclusions GSPE plus atorvastatin group has the most efficacy of anti-atherogenesis, which is associated with its reducing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase.

Objective To summarize the clinical and imaging characteristics of primary Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD)in central nervous system in order to understand well its features and improve the diagnosis.Methods The clinical and imaging features in 3 patients with RDD in CNS proved by pathology were retrospectively analyzed in combination with the related literatures.Results The lesions in 2 patients occurred in brain and other lesion in 1 occurred outside the brain.Iso-or slight hyperintensity on T1 WI and marked enhancement of the lesion were found.Single lesion was found in 2 patients near the dura mater and located near the superior sagittal sinus or cervical spinal cord.Multiple lesions in 1 patient were located in the lateral ventricle.Conclusion It’s suggested that single or multiple lesions in dural or spinal meninges located in the midline or near the intracephalic venous system would be considered as RDD in CNS.

Objective To evaluate correlations between left atrial(LA) and left ventricular(LV) function in patients with hypertension by acoustic quantification(AQ) technique. Methods Forty-eight hypertensive patients and twenty control subjects were studied. Patients with hypertension were divided into two groups by left ventricular mass index(LVMI),normal LVMI group(32 cases) and left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) group(16 cases). Left atrial ejection fraction(LAEF),atrial emptying volume(AE),conduit volume(CV) and reservoir volume(RV) were measured with AQ technique. Results RV and AE significantly increased in normal LVMI subgroup and LVH subgroup;CV and LAEF respectively decreased or increased in LVH subgroup. LA booster pump function positively correlated to onset atrial emptying volume and RV,negatively correlate to CV and LV diastolic function. LA conduit function positively correlated to LV diastolic function,negatively correlated to LAEF and AE,RV as well as onset atrial emptying volume. LA reservoir function positively correlated to onset atrial emptying volume and LAEF,negatively correlated to CV. There was no significant correlation between LA reservoir function and LV diastolic function. Conclusions LV diastolic dysfunction induces decreased LA conduit function and increased reservoir function,which may facilitate early diastolic filling of the left ventricle. The changes of LA conduit function and reservoir function may increase of LA preload. Enhancement of LA preload and LA systole makes increased LA booster pump function,which facilitate late diastolic filling of left ventricle.

Serum zinc, copper, calcium, cobalt, magnesium, cadmium, nickel, chromium and titanium of 60 normal controls and 45 hypertensive patients were measured by spectraspan-V emission spectrometer.The results showed that the serum levels of titanium, zinc, calcium and cobalt in hypertensive patients were significantly lower, however the magnesium and cadmium were higher than that of the normal controls. The serum levels of chromium, copper and nickel between these two groups were not significantly different. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.3213, p

Objective To explore the relationship between morphological features of carotid arterial atherosclerosis plaque and various cardiovascular risk factors in the aged.Methods The 321patients who underwent cerebral angiography were classified into two groups:256 patients with carotid arterial atherosclerosis and 65 patients without plaque.The relationships between carotid arterial plaque and cardiovascular risk factors including age,gender,cholesterol(TC),triglyceride (TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),C-reactive protein(CRP),homocysteine (HCY),hypertension,diabetes,smoking and drinking were analyzed.The relationships between morphological features,including the stenosis degree,surface fairing of plaque,and cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed.After 1 year follow-up,the prospective cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were analyzed in the two groups.Results Carotid atherosclerosis was connected with cardiovascular risk factors such as TC,LDL-C,uric acid,CRP,hypertension,diabetes,smoking and drinking.Positive correlation was showed between the stenosis degree of carotid artery and age,smoking and diabetes.Closely correlation was showed between surface fairing of carotid arterial plaque and LDL-C,CRP,smoking and diabetes.The stenosis degree of carotid artery only showed positive correlation with cerebrovascular events,but the morphological features of surface fairing of carotid arterial plaque equally showed positive correlations with cerebrovascular events and cardiovascular events.Conclusions The development of carotid arterial atherosclerosis plaque in the aged is closely related to cardiovascular risk factors.Morphological features of carotid arterial plaque may respond the level of general atherosclerosis better than stenosis degree,and it is also in close correlation with cerebrovascular events and cardiovascular events.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE) on advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE),NF-Κb and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the myoeardium of diabetic rats.MethodsTotal 30 streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:diabetic group (DM1,n-15) and GSPE (250 mg/ kg,i.g) treated diabetic group (DM2,n= 15).Another two control groups:normal rats(C1,n= 10)and normal rats treated with GSPE (250 mg/kg,i.g) (C2 group,n= 10) were also observed.After 24 weeks,blood was collected to measure fasting plasma glucose (FBG) and RAGE.The protein expression of NF-Κb was determined in myocardial tissue by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.The protein expressions of RAGE and CTGF were measured by Western blot.Results The levels of FBG and RAGE were significantly higher in diabetic rats than in control rats (P＜0.05).After GSPE treatment,RAGE level significantly reduced (P＜0.05),but FBG had no change in diabetic rats.The protein expressions of RAGE,NF-Κb and CTGF in the myocardial tissue of diabetic rats had marked increase compared with control rats (P＜ 0.05),however,their levels significantly reduced after GSPE treatment (P＜0.05).ConclusionsGSPE may protect diabetic rats against cardiomyopathy,possibly by decreasing the protein expressions of RAGE,NF-Κb and CTGF.

Objective To investigate the association between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and composition of the ascending aorta in patients with coronary heart disease (CAD),Methods The study population comprised 60 consecutive CAD patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University.cfPWV vas measured using an automatic device (Complior,Artech,France).A quantitative study was conducted on ascending aorta specimens by histological observation (Masson staining and weigert's resorcin-fuchsin staining) and computer image analysis.Bivariate analyses were performed to study the association between composition of the ascending aortic media and cfPWV.Results cfPWV of the CAD patients was higher (14.2±2.0) m/s than that of the normal subjects.On Masson's-stained specimen slides,disorganization of smooth muscle and focal accumulations of collagen (44.1 ± 3.9)％ were visible alongthe medial aorta of the CAD patients.Weigert's-stained cross sections of the ascending aortic media in CAD patients frequently exhibited focal breakdown or discontinuous segments of elastic fibers(18.4±3.2)％,cfPWV had a positive correlation with relative contents of collagen in the ascending aorta(r=0.68,P＜0.01)and a negative correlation vith relative contents of elastin in the ascending aorta (r=-0.59,P＜0.01),but no relation with relative contents of smooth muscle(r=0.01,P＞0.05).Conclusions The reduced aortic elasticity in CAD patients can be partly ascribed to decreased elastin,increased collagen,and their disorganization.cfPWV can reflect the quantitative changes of collagen and elastin in the ascending aortic media in CAD patients.

Objective To observe the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on vascular remodeling in ouabain-induced hypertensive rats.Methods A total of 30 male SpragueDawley rats were randomized into 3 groups:control group (received 0.9％ 1 ml normal saline by intraperitoneal injection and oral gavage in the morning),ouabain treatment group (received 2 mg/kg ouabain by intraperitoneal injection and 0.9 ％ 1 ml normal saline by oral gavage in the morning),and GSPE treatment group (received 2 mg/kg ouabain by intraperitoneal injection and 250 mg Kg 1 d-1 GSPE by oral gavage in the morning).Blood pressure was determined before and 5 weeks after the treatment.The aortas were observed 5 weeks after the treatment.The mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB p65) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in rat aorta were detected using real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Morphological observations were obtained by Hemotoxylin and Eosin staining and Electron microscope.Results The systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in GSPE treatment group than in ouabain treatment group [(133.6±6.0) mm Hg vs.(146.5±7.9) mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa,P＜0.01].Morphological observation showed that the thickening aortic intimal and structural disorder were found in the ouabain treatment group,and aortic intimal structural integrity were normal in the other two groups.The mRNA and protein levels of NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1 were significantly lower in GSPE treatment group than in the ouabain treatment group (NF-κBp65:2.77±0.58 vs.3.14±0.64,0.73±0.20 vs.0.93±0.21,both P＜0.05; TGF-β1:5.80±0.67 vs.6.09±0.95,0.42±0.14 vs.0.69±0.16,both P＜0.05).Conclusions GSPE may inhibit endogenous ouabain,and delay the process of elevated blood pressure and vascular remodeling by inhibiting NF-κ B p65 and (or) TGF-β3 1 pathways.

Objective To investigate the changes of capacitive arterial compliance(C1) and oscillatory arterial compliance (C2) in elderly patients with the coronary atherosclerosis and the coronary heart disease (CHD)and to study the association between Gensini Score and C1 or C2.MethodsElderly subjects (160 cases) were divided into three groups according to the results of selective coronary angiography: the normal,the coronary atherosclerosis and the CHD group. C1 and C2 were measured using a DO-2020 cardiovascular profiling instrument.The stenosis severity of coronary artery diseases was assessed using a scoring system called Gensini score. Bivariate analyses were performed to study the association between Gensini Score of coronary artery and each of C1 and C2.Results C2 in the coronary atherosclerosis group was significantly lower than that in the normal group, and higher than in CHD group. C1 had no statistically difference among the three groups. Gensini integral in the coronary atherosclerosis versus the CHD groups were ( 5.4+2.6) vs.( 51.3+ 32.1), respectively (t= 10.574, P＜0.01). Gensini Score in the coronary atherosclerosis group had no relation with C1, and was negtively correlated with C2. ConclusionsC2 is decreased in the early stages of the coronary artery atherosclerosis in elderly patients, and may help the identification of early coronary atherosclerosis.