In this study, untargeted metabolomics was conducted using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) technique to analyze the potential biomarkers in the plasma of mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF) induced by a high-fat diet(HFD) and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor(Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, L-NAME) and explore the pharmacological effects and mechanism of Jiming Powder in improving HFpEF. Male C57BL/6N mice aged eight weeks were randomly assigned to a control group, a model group, an empagliflozin(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) group, and high-and low-dose Jiming Powder(14.3 and 7.15 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) groups. Mice in the control group were fed on a low-fat diet, and mice in the model group and groups with drug intervention were fed on a high-fat diet. All mice had free access to water, with water in the model group and Jiming Powder groups being supplemented with L-NAME(0.5 g·L~(-1)). Drugs were administered on the first day of modeling, and 15 weeks later, blood pressure and cardiac function of the mice in each group were measured. Heart tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining to observe pathological changes and Masson's staining to observe myocardial collagen deposition. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed on the plasma collected from mice in each group, and metabolic pathway analysis was conducted using MetaboAnalyst 5.0. The results showed that the blood pressure was significantly lower and the myocardial concentric hypertrophy and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were significantly improved in both the high-dose and low-dose Jiming Powder groups as compared with those in the model group. HE and Masson staining showed that both high-dose and low-dose Jiming Powder significantly alleviated myocardial fibrosis. In the metabolomics experiment, 23 potential biomarkers were identified and eight strongly correlated metabolic pathways were enriched, including linoleic acid metabolism, histidine metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, purine metabolism, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. The study confirmed the pharmacological effects of Jiming Powder in lowering blood pressure and ameliorating HFpEF and revealed the mechanism of Jiming Powder using the metabolomics technique, providing experimental evidence for the clinical application of Jiming Powder in treating HFpEF and a new perspective for advancing and developing TCM therapy for HFpEF.
Male ; Mice ; Animals ; Heart Failure/metabolism* ; Powders ; Stroke Volume/physiology* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Metabolomics ; Biomarkers ; Water

OBJECTIVETo investigate the action of nitric oxide (NO) on testicular dysfunction in cirrhotic rats.

METHODSCirrhotic rats were induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Concentration of NO in the serum and homogenates of the testicular tissue in biliary cirrhotic rats, L-NAME rats, and sham operated rats were measured by assay of nitrate reductase. Concentrations of testosterone in the serum of 3 groups were measured by radioimmunoassay. Sperm density and percent of motive sperm in the epididymis of the rats were determined.

RESULTSConcentrations of NO in the serum and homogenates of the testicular tissue of cirrhotic rats were significantly greater than those of sham operated rats (4.165 micromol/L 1.162 micromol/L, and 1.305 micromol/g 0.087 micromol/g vs 0.535 micromol/L 0.237 micromol/L and 0.720 micromol/g 0.063 micromol/g). Concentrations of testosterone in the serum, the sperm density and percent of motive sperm in the epididymis were significantly lower in cirrhotic rats than sham operated rats (0.049mug/L 0.020 microgram/L, 16.46% 4.84%, and 86.89 10(6)/ml 33.17 10(6)/ml vs 2.680 microgram/L 0.403 microgram/L, 62.45% 9.21%, and 299.43 10(6)/ml 53.85 10(6)/ml). By contrast, the administration of a low dose of L-NAME (0.5 mg/kg per day) for one week to cirrhotic rats was associated with a significant reduction in concentration of NO (1.975 micromol/L 0.406 micromol/L and 0.950 micromol/g 0.057 micromol/g) and a significant increase in concentration of testosterone in the serum, the sperm density and percent of motive sperm in the epididymis (0.993 microgram/L 0.179 microgram/L, 33.85% 4.93%, and 188.94 10(6)/ml 38.34 10(6)/ml).

CONCLUSIONSNO is associated with testicular dysfunction in cirrhosis. The testicular dysfunction induced by cirrhosis can obtain improvement by using low dose of L-NAME.

Animals ; Liver ; parasitology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testicular Diseases ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of different doses of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on hemodynamics, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production and the level of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) mRNA in a heart failure rat model after BRL-37344 (beta(3)-ARs agonist) injection. Meanwhile, to investigate the influence of beta(3)-ARs and L-NAME on signal transduction in failing heart.

METHODSThe rats were randomly divided into six groups, control group (group I), Iso (isoproterenol) group (group II), Iso + BRL group (group III), Iso + BRL + low dose of L-NAME group (5 mg/kg, group IV), Iso + BRL + moderate dose of L-NAME group (50 mg/kg, group V), Iso + BRL + high dose of L-NAME group (100 mg/kg, group VI). The hemodynamics [left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVESP), +/- dp/dt, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP)], cardiac cGMP and the levels of beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and beta(3)-ARs mRNA were measured.

RESULTS(1) LVESP, +/- dp/dt values in group II were significantly lower, and LVEDP was significantly higher than that in group I (except -dp/dt P < 0.05, the rest were P < 0.01). Comparing with group II, group III had lower -dp/dt value and LVESP, higher LVEDP (P < 0.05). The level of +dp/dt had a trend to be lower but lacked statistical significance between two groups. The value of +/- dp/dt got higher and LVEDP got lower along with higher dose of L-NAME, but a large dose of L-NAME had more deteriorated cardiac functions. (2) The cardiac cGMP in group I, II and III had a higher tendency (P < 0.01). The tendency of cardiac cGMP in group IV, V and VI was inversed with the dose of L-NAME. After a large dose of L-NAME was applied, cGMP returned to the same level as Group I. (3) Among groups I, II and III, the level of beta(1)-AR mRNA was the highest in group I and the lowest in group III (P < 0.01). The levels of beta(2)-AR mRNA were also tended to be lower among three groups but with no significance. While the level of beta(3)-AR mRNA was the highest in group III. The levels of beta-AR mRNA were all the same in group VI, V and VI.

CONCLUSIONSThe negative inotropic effect of beta(3)-ARs stimulation was mediated by activation of the NOS pathway. L-NAME blocked beta(3)-ARs agonist negative chronotropic effect on failing heart partly and improved hemodynamics, but a large dose of L-NAME had more deteriorated cardiac functions.

Adrenergic Agonists ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3 ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDDyslipidemia caused by liver injury is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Previous studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) protects against multiple cardiovascular disease states in a similar manner as nitric oxide (NO), and NO/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway is the key route of NO production. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether H2S can ameliorate the high blood pressure and plasma lipid profile in Nw-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats by NO/eNOS pathway.

METHODSThirty-six 4-week old Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 6): control group, L-NAME group, control + glibenclamide group, control + NaHS group, L-NAME + NaHS group, and L-NAME + NaHS + glibenclamide group. Measurements were made of plasma triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (CHO), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) levels after 5 weeks. Then measurements of NO level and proteins expression of eNOS, P-eNOS, AKT, P-AKT were made in liver tissue.

RESULTSAfter 5 weeks of L-NAME treatment, the blood pressure, plasma TG ((1.22±0.12) mmol/L in L-NAME group vs. (0.68±0.09) mmol/L in control group; P < 0.05) and LDL ((0.54±0.04) mmol/L in L-NAME group vs. (0.28±0.02) mmol/L in control group; P < 0.05) concentration were significantly increased, and the plasma HDL ((0.26±0.02) mmol/L in L-NAME group vs. (0.69±0.07) mmol/L in control group; P < 0.05) concentration significantly decreased. Meanwhile the rats treated with L-NAME exhibit dysfunctional eNOS, diminished NO levels ((1.36±0.09) mmol/g protein in L-NAME group vs. (2.34±0.06) mmol/g protein in control group; P < 0.05) and pathological changes of the liver. H2S therapy can markedly decrease the blood pressure ((37.25±4.46) mmHg at the fifth week; P < 0.05), and ameliorate the plasma TG ((0.59±0.06) mmHg), LDL ((0.32±0.04) mmHg), and HDL ((0.46±0.03) mmHg) concentration in L-NAME + NaHS group (all P < 0.05). H2S therapy can also restore eNOS function and NO bioavailability and attenuate the pathological changes in the liver in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.

CONCLUSIONH2S protects the L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats against liver injury via NO/ eNOS pathway, therefore decreases the cardiovascular risk.

Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; toxicity ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDCoronary artery damage from Kawasaki disease (KD) is closely linked to the dysfunction of the endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modulatory effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on EPCs and elastin breakdown of coronary arteries in a KD mouse model.

METHODSA Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE)-induced KD model was established in C57BL/6 mice that were subsequently administrated with recombinant human G-CSF (rhG-CSF). Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was administrated for the negative intervention. Evaluations included coronary artery lesions, EPC number and functions, and the plasma concentration of nitric oxide (NO).

RESULTSElastin breakdown was found in the coronary arteries of model mice 56 days after injection of LCWE. The number of circulating EPCs, plasma concentration of NO, and functions of bone marrow EPCs, including proliferation, adhesion, and migration abilities, were all lower in the KD model group compared with those in the control group. After administration of rhG-CSF, the number of circulating EPCs and plasma concentration of NO were increased significantly compared with those in the KD model group. There were also increases in the functional indexes of EPCs. Furthermore, rhG-CSF administration improved the elastin breakdown effectively. However, these protective effects of rhG-CSF on coronary arteries were attenuated by L-NAME.

CONCLUSIONThe present study indicated that the administration of G-CSF prevents elastin breakdown of the coronary arteries by enhancing the number and functions of EPCs via the NO system, and then accelerates the repair of coronary artery lesions in the KD.

Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Elastin ; metabolism ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells ; cytology ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitrogen Oxides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in Balb/C mice and discuss the therapeutic mechanism induced by apoptosis.

METHODSThirty male Balb/C mice were divided into normal control group, model control group and experimental group randomly (n = 10). Model control group and experimental group were created into EAM by injection of porcine cardiac myosin subcutaneously in double groin and axilla and pertussis toxin intraperitoneally on day 0 and 7 respectively. Model control group was intraperitoneally administered 5 mg/(kg x day) of physiological saline after infective myosin and pertussis toxin. Experimental group was intraperitoneally given 5 mg/(kg x day) of L-NAME on day 1-21. The hearts and blood were processed after sacrificed on day 21. Cardiac inflammation score was measured by HE staining. Heart weight / body weight (HW/BW), serum nitric oxide (NO) level, activity of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and mRNA expression of iNOS in heart were measured in each group. Degree of heart apoptosis were evaluated by cardiac apoptotic index through TUNEL, immunohistochemical examination and real time PCR of Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9.

RESULTSCompared with normal control group, cardiac inflammation score, HW/BW level of NO and activity of iNOS, mRNA expression of iNOS, the levels of mRNA and protein of Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 and cardiac apoptotic index were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in model control group, and those of model control group were higher than those of experimental group (P < 0.01). HW/BW was only a little elevation in model control group compared with that in the experiment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe development of EAM is related with the NO catalyzed by iNOS. L-NAME protects cardiac myocyte via suppressing the activity of iNOS and further decreased production of NO in EAM. The mechanism might be that L-NAME alleviated myocardial inflammation through inhibited the apoptosis of cardiac myocyte.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autoimmune Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism

The effect of astaxanthin on N(Ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced preeclampsia disease rats was investigated. Thirty pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): blank group, L-NAME group and astaxanthin group. From day 5 to 20, astaxanthin group rats were treated with astaxanthin (25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) x bw(-1)) from pregnancy (day 5). To establish the preeclamptic rat model, L-NAME group and astaxanthin group rats were injected with L-NAME (125 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) x bw(-1)) from days 10-20 of pregnancy. The blood pressure and urine protein were recorded. Serum of each group was collected and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities were analyzed. Pathological changes were observed with HE stain. The expression of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B), ROCK II (Rho-associated protein kinase II), HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) and Caspase 3 were analyzed with immunohistochemistry. L-NAME induced typical preeclampsia symptoms, such as the increased blood pressure, urinary protein, the content of MDA, etc. Astaxanthin significantly reduced the blood pressure (P < 0.01), the content of MDA (P < 0.05), and increased the activity of SOD (P < 0.05) of preeclampsia rats. The urinary protein, NO, and NOS were also decreased. HE stain revealed that after treated with astaxanthin, the thickness of basilal membrane was improved and the content of trophoblast cells and spiral arteries was reduced. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that the expressions of NF-κB, ROCK II and Caspase 3 in placenta tissue were effectively decreased, and HO-1 was increased. Results indicated that astaxanthin can improve the preeclampsia symptoms by effectively reducing the oxidative stress and inflammatory damages of preeclampsia. It revealed that astaxanthin may be benefit for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia disease.
Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Placenta ; enzymology ; Pre-Eclampsia ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Xanthophylls ; therapeutic use ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism