BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether proinflammatory factor, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), γ-interferon and anti-inflammatory cytokine, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels can change after laryngeal transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of TNF-α and IL-10 in different expressive tissue layers and its relationship during the acute rejection episodes, and to evaluate the role of TNF-α and IL-10 levels in serum for prediction of early acute rejection after laryngeal transplantation. METHODS: Laryngeal heterotopic transplantations were performed in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats. According to different dosages of immunodepressant, all recipients were divided into three groups: Group 0 mg, Group 5 mg, and Group 10 mg. Untreated Sprague-Dawley rats served as normal control group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Changes in serum TNF-α and IL-10 levels at postoperation days 3, 7 and 11 were positively correlated with these expressions in the epithelium mucosa and submucosa at various time points after transplantation. These indicate that the high-antigenicity of graft mainly concentrates on the layers of mucosa and submucosa. TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations can serve as indexes for predicting acute rejection after laryngeal transplantation.

Objective To investigate the short and long term therapeutic effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGEl) on diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods Patients with DN in stage Ⅲ to Ⅴ according to Mogensen criteria were randomly assigned to four groups of PGE1, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), PGE1 + ACEI and control drug. The levels of proteinuria and albuminuria were measured before and 15 days, 6 months and 18 months after treatment. Patients with DN in stage Ⅳ were subdivided into three groups according to proteinuria: early stage IV (protienuria was less than 1.5 g/d), middle stage Ⅳ (protienuria was between 1.5 g/d and 2.5 g/d) and late stage Ⅳ (protienuria was larger than 2.5 g/d). Results Fifteen days after treatment, the levels of proteinuria and albuminuria were significantly decreased compared with pre-treatment in PGE1 and PGE1 + ACEI groups (P<0. 01), and the therapeutic effect was better in PGE1 + ACE1 group than in ACEI group (P<0. 01). Six months after treatment, there were still significant differences in above parameters in patients with DN in stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ between PGE1 + ACEI and PGE1 groups. And for the patients in stage Ⅴ, statistic significance between pre-and post-treatment existed only in PGE1 + ACEI group (P<0. 05). but not in PGE1 and ACEI groups (both P>0. 05). Eighteen months atter treatment, the levels of proteinuria and albuminuria were significantly decreased in patients in stage HI and early stage IV in all treatment groups (P<0. 01). For patients in middle stage IV and late stage Ⅳ , the significant differences still occurred between pre-and post-treatment in PGE1 + ACEI group (P<0. 01 or P<0. 05), and were significantly better than in ACEI group (P<0. 01 or P<0. 05). However, the proteinuria of patients in late stage IV elevated in PGE1 group in post-treatment versus pre-treatment (P<0. 05). Conclusions The short term therapeutic effect of PGE1 is quick and good in patients with DN. The therapeutic effect is much better in patients in stage Ⅲ compared with stage Ⅴ. The combination of PGE1 and ACEI will get better best therapeutic effect than PGE1 or ACEI alone in long term.

Objective To study the effects and mechanism of different administrations of atorvastatin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) in rats.Methods A total of 160 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham group,MI/R group,atorvastatin of conventional dose (MI/R + N) group,atorvastatin of preoperative signal loading dose (MI/R+SL) group,and atorvastatin of preoperative continuous loading dose (MI/ R+ML) group.MI/R model was established in the rats.Myocardial infarction size was detected by Evans blue/ TTC staining.The activity of ATPase of cardiac muscle and the levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA.The level of LVEF％ was detected by small animal ultrasound.Results Compared with MI/R+N group,MI/R+ SL and MI/R+ ML groups had significantly smaller myocardial infarction size (P＜0.05),higher activity of ATPase (P＜0.05),lower levels of serum IL-6 andTNF-α (P＜0.05),and more advancedLVEF％ (P＜0.05).However,MI/R+SL group and MI/R+ML group did not differ significantly in the above-mentioned parameters.Conclusion Atorvastatin of loading dose might alleviate MI/R injury by improving ATP metabolism of cardiac muscle and reducing abnormal expressions of inflammation factors.Meanwhile,the administration of preoperative continuous loading dose and preoperative signal loading dose of atorvastatin may not differ in protecting against MI/R injury.

Objective To observe the influence of high-salt intake on the blood pressure,weight of left ventricle,myocardial microRNA133a and fibrosis levels by implementing the high-salt diet intervention trial in Dahl salt-sensitive rats and SD rats so as to explore the role of microRNA133a in salt-sensitive hypertensive cardiac fibrosis with high-salt intervention.Methods Sixteen 4-week male Dahl salt-sensitive rats are divided into two groups,8 in the SLS group and 8 in the SHS group.Similarly,sixteen 4-week male SD rats were divided into two groups. Systolic blood pressure of the rats was measured by the indirect tail-cuff method.Left ventricular mass index was measured after the rats were sacrificed. The expression levels of left ventricular myocardial tissue collagen I (LVMI),connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)expression and microRNA133a were observed.Results Blood pressure in high-salt groups both increased (P<0.01).Compared with that of SD rats,blood pressure was more significantly increased in high-salt group than in low-salt group of Dahl salt-sensitive rats (P<0.01).After the intervention of high-salt diet,LVMI,CTGF and collagen I expression in Dahl salt-sensitive rats increased more significantly than the low-salt group,with a significant difference (P<0.01);however,there was no significant difference between high-salt and low-salt groups (P>0.05).After the intervention,microRNA133a expression was significantly decreased in all high-salt groups compared with that in low-salt groups (P<0 .0 1 ),and the expression decreased more significantly in high-salt group of Dahl salt-sensitive rats than in high-salt group of SD rats (P<0.05).Conclusion High-salt diet is probably involved in salt-sensitive hypertension myocardial fibrosis by downregulating the expression of myocardial microRNA133a.

Objective To observe the changes of Lipids,FBS,ISI and lipoprotein lipase in obesity-related hypertensive patients and investigate the relationship of abnormal glucose and lipid with obesity-related hypertension as well as metabolic syndrome.Methods A total of 122 obesity-related hypertensive patients and 122 matched normal individuals were enrolled.Blood pressure,BMI,WHR and serum lipids and glucose,serum and adipose tissue LPL were measured.Results The TG,FBS and INS in obesity-related hypertensive patients were significantly higher than those in normal control group(P(0.05)).Correlated analysis showed that serum LPL mass was respectively correlated with BMI(r=-0.64,P

Objective To investigate the endothelial dysfunction in pre-hypertension and its influencing factors.Methods A total of 373 youth were divided as the subjects into hypertension group (HBP group),prehypertension group (PHT group) and normal blood pressure group (NBP group).Endothelial function was assessed based on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT),brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).Results IMT and baPWV in PHT group were higher than those in NBP group (P＜0.05),but did not reach the significant difference when compared with HBP group (P＞0.05).Compared with HBP,the levels of FMD in PHT group significantly increased (P＜ 0.05);however,no difference was observed in comparison with NBP group (P＞0.05).In the early stage of hypertension,diastolic BP (β=-0.120,P＜0.05) and body mass index (β=-0.115,P＜0.05) were negatively correlated with FMD;diastolic BP (β=0.146,P＜0.05),2-hour glucose (β=0.147,P＜0.05),high-density lipoprotein cholestrol (β=0.150,P＜0.05),and waist-hip ratio (β=0.126,P＜0.05) showed a positive correlation with IMT.baPWV was correlated with systolicBP (β=0.358,P＜0.01),waist circumference (β=0.254,P＜0.05),fasting glucose (β=0.155,P＜0.05),postprandial 2 h blood glucose (β =0.152,P ＜0.05),uric acid (β =0.206,P ＜ 0.05),and C-reactive protein (β=0.099,P＜0.05).Corclusion Our study shows that endothelial dysfunction may exist in the prehypertensive young,and several cardiovascular risks contribute to its development in the early stage of hypertension.

Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of nicorandil on Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon (CSFP) .Methods The CSFP patients(n=60) were randomly divided into the control group treated with placebo and the treatment group treated with nicorandil .The changes of the clinical symptoms ,the frequency and duration of pectoralgia ,the six-minute walk test ,and TIMI frame counts were observed before and after treatment .Results The treatment group had a better therapeutic effect than the con-trol group(P<0 .05) .There were significant differences in the frequency and duration of pectoralgia ,the six-minute walk test ,and TIMI frame counts in treatment group before and after treatment ,which were superior to those of control group (P<0 .05 ,P<0 .01) .The blood routine examinations and hepatorenal function were within the normal range before and after treatment .Conclusion Nicorandil has better therapeutic effect and safety on CSFP .

Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between blood pressure response to cold pressor test (CPT) and follow-up blood pressure after 8 years in subjects, and to evaluate the predictive value of CPT for long-term blood pressure levels.Methods:A total of 365 individuals from eight natural villages were enrolled by stratified cluster sampling from Mei County, Shaanxi Province in 2004. Baseline characteristics of subjects were collected and CPTs were conducted. Subjects were followed up in 2009 and 2012, respectively. According to the maximal change of systolic response (SR), the area under the curve (AUC) of systolic blood pressure change (AUC-SBP), the maximal change of diastolic response (DR) and the AUC of diastolic blood pressure change (AUC-DBP) in CPT, the individuals were divided into four quartile groups by above parameters, respectively: group Ⅰ ( P25), group Ⅱ ( P50), group Ⅲ ( P75) and group Ⅳ ( P100). The correlation between blood pressure response to CPT and the follow-up blood pressure was analyzed. Results:(1) There were no significant differences in baseline blood pressure levels and prevalence of hypertension among four quartile groups no matter it was grouped on SR, DR, AUC-SBP or AUC-DBP. (2) The prevalence of hypertension in each group from lowest ( P25) to highest ( P100) in 2012 was 25.64%, 30.67%, 38.03%, 55.74% on SR grouping ( P<0.01), and 27.5%, 29.17%, 38.46%, 57.35% on AUC-SBP grouping ( P<0.05), respectively. (3) There were no significant differences in the prevalence of hypertension among four groups in 2012 ( P>0.05) either on DR or on AUC-DBP grouping. (4) The random effects model analysis showed that the correlation coefficient between SR, AUC-SBP and long-term systolic blood pressure increase were 1.91 ( P<0.05) and 1.44 ( P<0.05), respectively, and the correlation coefficient between DR, AUC-DBP and long-term diastolic blood pressure increase were 0.82 ( P<0.05) and 0.78 ( P>0.05), respectively. Age, male, body mass index, and fasting blood glucose were independent risk factors for long-term blood pressure elevation, and age, body mass index and fasting blood glucose positively correlated with changes in long-term blood pressure (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Individual systolic blood pressure response to CPT can be used as a predictor of long-term hypertension.

The present study explored the therapeutic potential of hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) in restoring aging-induced loss of cardioprotective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) along with the involvement of signaling pathways. The left hind limb was subjected to four short cycles of ischemia and reperfusion (IR) in young and aged male rats to induce RIPC. The hearts were subjected to IR injury on the Langendorff apparatus after 24 h of RIPC. The measurement of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and cardiac troponin served to assess the myocardial injury.The levels of H2S, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) were also measured. There was a decrease in cardioprotection in RIPC-subjected old rats in comparison to young rats along with a reduction in the myocardial levels of 2, CBS, CSE, HIF-1α, and nuclear: cytoplasmic Nrf2 ratio. Supplementation with sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS, an H2S donor) and l-cysteine ( H 2S precursor) restored the cardioprotective actions of RIPC in old hearts. It increased the levels of H2S, HIF-1α, and Nrf2 ratio without affecting CBS and CSE. YC-1 (HIF-1α antagonist) abolished the effects of NaHS and l-cysteine in RIPC-subjected old rats by decreasing the Nrf2 ratio and HIF-1α levels, without altering 2.The late phase of cardioprotection of RIPC involves an increase in the activity of H2S biosynthetic enzymes, which increases the levels of H2S to upregulate HIF-1α and Nrf2. H2S has the potential to restore aging-induced loss of cardioprotective effects of RIPC by upregulating HIF-1α/Nrf2 signaling.

The present study explored the therapeutic potential of hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) in restoring aging-induced loss of cardioprotective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) along with the involvement of signaling pathways. The left hind limb was subjected to four short cycles of ischemia and reperfusion (IR) in young and aged male rats to induce RIPC. The hearts were subjected to IR injury on the Langendorff apparatus after 24 h of RIPC. The measurement of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and cardiac troponin served to assess the myocardial injury.The levels of H2S, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) were also measured. There was a decrease in cardioprotection in RIPC-subjected old rats in comparison to young rats along with a reduction in the myocardial levels of 2, CBS, CSE, HIF-1α, and nuclear: cytoplasmic Nrf2 ratio. Supplementation with sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS, an H2S donor) and l-cysteine ( H 2S precursor) restored the cardioprotective actions of RIPC in old hearts. It increased the levels of H2S, HIF-1α, and Nrf2 ratio without affecting CBS and CSE. YC-1 (HIF-1α antagonist) abolished the effects of NaHS and l-cysteine in RIPC-subjected old rats by decreasing the Nrf2 ratio and HIF-1α levels, without altering 2.The late phase of cardioprotection of RIPC involves an increase in the activity of H2S biosynthetic enzymes, which increases the levels of H2S to upregulate HIF-1α and Nrf2. H2S has the potential to restore aging-induced loss of cardioprotective effects of RIPC by upregulating HIF-1α/Nrf2 signaling.