OBJECTIVE:To study the therapeutic effect of L-arginine on collagen metabolism of pulmonary artery in rats with high pulmonary blood flow METHODS:The rat model of pulmonary hypertension was established with an abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava shunting L-arginine was intragastrically given to the rats with shunt in L-arginine group(1g/(kg?d)) for 11 weeks After 11 weeks of experiment,the expressions of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ in pulmonary artery were detected by immunohistochemical assay RESULTS:The expressions of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ in shunt group elevated obviously compared with those in control group(P

Objective To examine serum lipid levels and to investigate the risk factors of dyslipidemia in children and to study the indices of screening test for dyslipidemia of children in Beijing.Methods Serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-c) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-c) were detected by HITACHI 7060 automatic biochemical analyzer in Beijing students.Body height, weight,upper body height,waist circumference,upper arm circumference and blood pressure were measured.Body mass index(BMI) was calculated according to the measurement of body height and weight.Waist-to-height ratio(WHR) was also calculated.Then a Logistic regression analysis and ROC study were conducted to examine the relationship between the above indices and dyslipidemia.Results Of 962 students,107 were found dyslipidemia.The prevalence rate was 11.12%.The upper body height,upper arm circumference,BMI,WHR,systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in children with dyslipidemia were higher than those of normal subjects(P

Aim To investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide(H2S) on apoptosis of myocardial tissues of adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Weight-matched male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows:(1) ADR group(n=12),2.5 mg?kg-1 of adriamycin was injected intraperitoneally once a week for 10 weeks(total dose of 25 mg?kg-1);(2) ADR+small-dose-NaHS group(n=12),the dosage and use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while NaHS solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 2.8 ?mol?kg-1?d-1 at the same time;(3) ADR+large-dose-NaHS group(n=12),the dosage and use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while NaHS solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 14 ?mol?kg-1?d-1 at the same time;(4) ADR+PPG group(n=12),in which the dosage and use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while PPG solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 30 mg?kg-1?d-1;(5) control group(n=9),an equivalent volume of physiological saline was administered weekly for 10 weeks.(6) NaHS group(n= 9),14 ?mol?kg-1 of NaHS solution was injected to rats intraperitoneally for 10 weeks.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements were obtained 10 weeks after treatment.Histological examination was implemented at the 10th week after sacrificed.And apoptotic index,Fas and Bcl-2 expressions in myocardiocytes were analyzed semiquantitatively by TUNEL or immunohistochemical analysis.Meanwhile,H2S concentrations in serum and myocardial tissues were evaluated by a modified sulfide electrode-based method.Results Left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP),difference of left ventricular pressure(△LVP=left ventricular systolic pressure minus left ventricular diastolic pressure) and ventricular peak rate of contraction(+LV dp/dtmax),peak rate of relaxation(-LV dp/dtmax) were significantly reduced in the group of ADR rats(P0.05).Conclusion H2S might play an important role in the development of adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy.Administration of exogenous H2S could protect the cardiac function and myocardial pathological lesions via the down-regulation of augmented myocardiocyte apoptosis.

AIM:To investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide(H2S)donor(NAHS)on oxidative stress of adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy rats.METHODS:Weight-matched adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows:(1)ADR group(n=12),in which 2.5 mg/kg of adriamycin was injected intraperitoneally once a week for 10 weeks(total dose of 25 mg/kg).(2)ADR+small-dose NaHS group(n=12),in which the dosage and the use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while NaHS solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 2.8 ?mol?kg-1?d-1 at the same time.(3)ADR + large-dose NaHS group(n=12),in which the dosage and the use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while NaHS solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 14 ?mol?kg-1?d-1 at the same time.(4)Control group(n=9),in which an equivalent volume of physiological saline was administered weekly for a total of 10 weeks.(5)NaHS group(n=9),in which 14 ?mol/kg of NaHS solution was injected to rats intraperitonealy once a week for 10 weeks.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements were obtained 10 weeks after the treatment.Meanwhile,H2S and malondialdehyde(MDA)concentrations,the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in serum and myocardial tissues were evaluated,respectively.RESULTS:The cardiac functions in the group of ADR rats depressed obviously.H2S concentrations,SOD and GSH-Px activities in serum and myocardial tissues of ADR group rats were all significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group(P

Objective To observe the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on vasoactive peptides in aorta of atherosclerotic(AS) rats.Methods Twenty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (8 cases),AS group (10 cases) ,AS + SO2 group (10 cases).The rats in AS group and AS + SO2 group were given 700 000 U/kg Vitamin D3 and fed a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks to induce AS.Meanwhile, the rats in AS + SO2 group were intraperitoneally injected SO2 donor Na2SO3/NaHSO3 (0.54 mmol/kg,0.18 mmol/kg) every day.And the rats in control group and AS group were given the same dose of saline.After 8 weeks, the changes in atherosclerosis plaque size in the aortic root were observed by way of oil red O staining.Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the aortic homogenate were detected by using radioactive immunoassay.Results Compared with the control group, the atherosclerosis plaque size was markedly increased in AS group, while SO2 treatment significantly decreased the atherosclerosis plaque size in AS rats.Meanwhile,the content of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in the aortic homogenate from AS group were increased compared to those in the control group [(11.52 ±4.15) ng/g vs (5.46 ± 1.21) ng/g, (11.91 ± 4.93) ng/g vs (3.81 ± 1.21) ng/g,all P ＜0.01] ,while SO2 donor treatment markedly decreased the content of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in AS rats [(6.25 ± 2.85) ng/g, (8.35 ± 2.45) ng/g] (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions SO2 can play an important role in the regulation of vasoactive peptide Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in AS rat aorta.This effect may be one of the mechanisms by which SO2 antagonize AS.

BACKGROUND: Cassia seed acts on decreasing blood pressure and blood lipid, protecting liver and inhibiting bacteria. It is worth to carry on a further discussion on its effect of weight loss.OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of cassia seed decoction drunk naturally on body mass of nutritional obese rats in physiological state.DESIGN: Completely randomized grouping was designed, in which, control experiment, analysis of variance and q test were applied in comparison among groups.SETTING: Cardiovascular Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Cardiovascular Instutute,Second Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology from March 2004 to September 2004, in which, 27 male SD rats were employed and randomized into 3 groups, named normal control group, model group and cassia seed group, 9 rats in each one.METHODS: [1] In normal control, the rats were bred with basic forage(the contents of protein, fat, carbohydrate were 18.2%, 4.5% and 55.2%successively, with 14.54 kJ caloric each gram) and drank water naturally.In model group, the rats were bred with high nutritive forage (the contents of protein, fat, carbohydrate were 23.7%, 21.6% and 39.0% successively,with 19.56 kJ caloric each gram) and drank water naturally. In cassia seed group, the rats were bred with high nutritive forage and drank cassia seed decoction of various concentration naturally. The concentration of cassia seed decoction started at 10 g/L (equally contained 10 mg raw cassia seed each milliliter) and was increased by 100% concentration each day (10 g/L)till to 60 g/L on the 6th day. Since the 7th day, the concentration of 60 g/L was maintained till to the 7th weekend. [2] It was to record appetite and drinking quantity at definite time every day and calculate absorbed caloric(intake mass × caloric contained each gram). It was to measure body mass at definite time each week. On the 7th weekend, the body length of rat was measured and Lee's index was calculated [ 3√body mass (g)×103/body length (cm)]MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Influences of cassia seed on body mass, Lee's index, appetite, caloric and drinking quantity in nutritional obese rats.RESULTS: Twenty-seven rats all entered result analysis. [1] Body mass:that in model group from the 3rd to 7th week in experiment group was higher remarkably than normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). That in cassia seed group from the 2nd to 7th week was lower remarkably than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). [2] Lee's index: that in model group and cassia seed group on the 7th week of experiment was higher remarkably than that in the normal control group [(358.60±8.55), (341.84±7.29), (322.00±6.89) g/cm, P ＜ 0.05-0.01] and that in cassia seed group was lower remarkably than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.05). [3] Appetite: that in model group and cassia seed group was lower remarkably than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01) and that in cassia seed group was near to the control group (P ＞ 0.05). [4] Absorbed caloric: that in model group and cassia seed group was higher remarkably than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01) and that in cassia seed group was near to the control group (P ＞ 0.05). [5] Drinking quantity: that in cassia seed group was basically near to that in the model group and the control group (P ＞ 0.05) and that in model group was near to the control group. It was indicated that cassia seed decoction at mass concentration of 60 g/L did not affect appetite.CONCLUSION: Cassia seed decoction at mass concentration of 60 g/L inhibits remarkably the increased body mass of nutritional obese rats and is free from influence on appetite.

OBJECTIVE:To study the preventive and therapeutic actions of L-arginine on pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow volume.METHODS:Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group(n=6),shunt group (n=7) and shunt+L-arginine group(n=8).Abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt was performed to make the blood flow from left to right,11 weeks later,mPAP was detected with right cardiac catheter;the structure of pulmonary vessels and expression of PCNA of smooth muscle cells were observed.RESULTS:The mPAP of shunt group was obviously higher than that of control(P

Objective This study was designed to investigate the importance of H2S in rats with adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy.Methods Weight-matched adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows:(1)the ADR group(n=12)where adriamycin(2.5 mg/kg)was given once a week;(2)ADR + small-dose NaHS group(n=12)where NaHS solution [2.8 ?mol/(kg?d)] was given;(3)ADR+large-dose NaHS group(n=12)where NaHS solution [14 ?mol/(kg?d)] was given;(4)the control group(n=9)where physiological saline was administered instead of adriamycin.(5)NaHS group(n=9)where NaHS solution [14 ?mol/(kg?d)]was given.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements were carried out after treatment.Histological examination was implemented at the 10th week after the rats were sacrificed.Meanwhile,H2S concentrations in serum and myocardial tissues were evaluated by modified sulfide electrode method.Results The heart function of ADR rats decreased obviously.Pathological examination demonstrated that characteristics consistentwith cardiomyopathy were found in ADR group.H2S concentrations in serum and myocardial tissues of the rats in ADR group were both significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group(both P

Objective: To examine the alteration of pathologic structure and endogenous hydrogen sulfide pathway in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow. Methods: Sixteen SD rats were randomly divided into shunting group and control group. An 11 week aortocaval shunting was produced in rats of shunting group, and pulmonary artery mean pressure (mPAP) was evaluated using right cardiac catheterization. The ratios of right ventricular mass to body weight (RV/BW) and right ventricular mass to left ventricular plus septal mass[RV/(LV+S)] were also detected. Pulmonary vascular micro and ultra structures were examined. Meanwhile the concentration of plasma hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) was measured by spectrophotography. The gene expression of cystathionine ? lyase (CSE)was detected by in situ hybridization, and the activity of CSE in lung tissues was measured by H 2S production according to chemical analysis. Results: After 11 weeks of aortocaval shunting, pulmonary artery mean pressure was significantly increased. Muscularization of small pulmonary vessels and relative medial thickness of pulmonary arteries were obviously increased in shunting rats compared with controls. Ultrastructure of intrapulmonary arteries changed obviously in shunting rats. Meanwhile, plasma H 2S concentration was decreased and the activity of CSE (according to H 2S production) in lung tissues decreased in shunting rats. CSEmRNA expression by pulmonary arteries was significantly suppressed. Conclusion: Pulmonary vascular structural remodeling is the important pathologic basis for pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow. The down regula tion of endogenous H 2S pathway might play an im portant role in the development of high pulmonary blood flow induced pulmonary hypertension.

Objective:To study the modulatory effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on oxidative stress in the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia. Methods:Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n=6), hypoxic group (n=6) and hypoxia+NaHS group (n=8). Hypoxic challenge was performed everyday for 21 days. NaHS solution was injected intra-peritoneally everyday before hypoxic challenge for rats in the hypoxia+NaHS group. After 21 days of hypoxia, the mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP) was measured by cardiac catheterization. The weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle+septum [RV/(LV+SP) ] was also measured. The lung homogenates were assayed for total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondiadehyde(MDA) and hydroxy radical(?OH), and the SOD mRNA levels were assayed by real time polymerse chain reaction. Results: After three weeks of hypoxic disposure, hypoxic hypertension and vascular remodeling developed. Compared with the control group, the mPAP[(23.7?2.2) mm Hg vs. (16.3?3.7) mm Hg,P