@@

@@

Objective To investigate the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP)/ N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP) and New York Heart Association ( NYHA) classification, left ventricular structure and function, and explore the value of BNP/ NT-proBNP in the diagnosis of heart failure in the elderly. Methods Fifty-five elder patients with heart failure were selected (NYHA II, n = 15; NYHA III, n = 25; NYHA IV, n = 15) (heart failure group), and another 16 elder people with NYHA I were served as control group. The plasma mass concentrations of NT-proBNP and BNP were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and immunofluorescence method, respectively, and the structure and function of left ventricle were examined by echocardiography. Results The levels of plasma BNP and NT-proBNP increased with NYHA grades, were negatively correlated with LVEF (P <0.001), and were positively correlated with LVST, LVEDD, LAD and LVMI( P < 0.05). The area under the curve of BNP in diagnosis of heat failure was 0. 879 (P < 0.001), and that of NT-proBNP was 0.914(P < 0.001). Conclusion Both plasma BNP and NT-proBNP can be used to evaluate the heart function of patients with heart failure, and are useful tools for diagnosis of HF in the elderly.

Objective To realize the clinical characteristics and treatment strategies in elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and investigate the correlation between severity of BPH and cardiovascular diseases. Methods One hundred consecutively referred patients with BPH were enrolled in this study, and the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) scores were recorded. All patients were queried in detail about history of cardiovascular disease, and underwent detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, prostate volume (PV)measurement by abdominal ultrasound. Results PV and serum PSA level increased with age.Forty-eight percent of patients had a moderately enlarged prostate (IPSS 8-19). Patients with BPH had higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes, as well as coronary artery disease (P＜0.05). The most common medical treatments were 5α-reductase inhibitors and a-receptor blockers in our hospital and most patients had good compliance. Conclusions The severity of BPH is correlated with age and morbidity of coronary artery disease. For the drug intervention therapy, 5a-reductase inhibitors have the highest utilization rate.

Objective To explore the relationship between primary hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the elderly.Methods From August 2010 to June 2012,135 consecutively referred patients with BPH were enrolled in this study,in which 70 cases were BPH with hypertension,65 cases were isolated benign prostatic hyperplasia.All patients were questioned in detail about history,body weight and height were measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI).Prostate specific antigen (PSA) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipids were assayed in the study.The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) were recorded.Prostate volume (PV) was detected by abdominal ultrasound.Results The levels of IPSS and PV were higher in BPH with hypertension than simple BPH group [(18.9±7.5)scores vs.(13.2±7.8) scores,P＜0.05 ;(43.0±15.4) ml vs.(39.2 ± 13.9) ml,P＜ 0.05].Pearson analysis showed that PV was positively correlated with age and the years of hypertension (r=0.34,0.29,P＜0.05).After adjustment for age,PV was significantly greater in hypertension group with more than 15 years compared to less than 15 years of hypertension group.Conclusions Hypertension,particularly long-term hypertension is related to BPH in the elderly.The long term of hypertension may accelerate the occurrence and clinical progression of BPH.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protein expression of ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,HIF-1α and α-enolase in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes induced by ET-1 and explore the regulation mechanism of overexpression of α-enolase in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes.MethodsET-1-induced abnormal cardiomyocytes were used as model of cardiac hypertrophy.Cellsurface area, [<'3>H]-leucine incorporation and the actin staining were measured to determine the extent of hypertrophy. Cultured cardiomyocytes were divided into 4 groups at random, control group, PD98059 treated group, ET-1 treated group and PD980594- ET-1 treated group. The protein expressions of ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2,HIF-1α and α-enolase were detected by immunoblotting analysis.ResultsCompared with the control group , cell surface area and [<'3>H] leucine incorporation were increased in ET-1 treated group ((1350.7±107.5)μtm<'2> vs. (896.1±70. 2)μtm<'2> , P<0.05; (1387.9±14.8) dpm vs. (787.7±10.2)dpm,P<0.013. Actin staining showed that ET-1-treated cardiomyoeytes had more intense actin staining and clear cross-striations than did control group, which suggested that myocardial cell hypertrophy could be induced by ET-1 in WKY neonatal cardiomyocytes. After MEK 1/2 inhibitor PD98059 was used, the cell surface area and [<'3>H] leucine incorporation were decreased in PD980594-ET-1 treated group compared with ET-1 treated group[(907.0±92.5)μm<'2> vs. (1350.7±107.5)μm<'2>;(841.5±10. 5)dpm vs. (1387.9±14.8)dpm, both P<0.05], which suggested that myocardial cell hypertrophy could be regulated by ERK1/2 signal pathway. Immunoblotting analysis showed that the protein expressions of p-ERK1/2, HIF-1α and α-enolase increased after ET-1 treatment,while PD98059 as an inhibitor of the upstream kinase of ERK1/2 was used, the protein expressions of HIF-1α and α-enolase were partially inhibited.ConclusionsET-1 induces hypertrophic cardiomyocytes through ERK1/2 phosphorylation in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.ERK1/2 and HIF-1α signal pathway may play an important role in the overexpression of α-enolase in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and myocardial fibrosis in the process of hypertension, and the therapeutic effect of losartan, an angiotension Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ ) receptor antagonist. Methods Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)were used as experimental model of myocardial fibrosis, and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were selected as control group. The therapeutic group was given losartan. Cardiac collagen was detected by Masson staining and HGF was determined by immunohistochemistry. All the pictures were analysed by Leica Qwin image disposal and analysis system. Results The cardiac collagen volume fraction (CVF) in SHR increased with aging and had a negative correlation with myocardium HGF. Losartan therapy increased the myocardium HGF expression but decreased the CVF. Conclusions Myocardium HGF may play a robe in hypertensive myocardial fibrosis due to its anti-fibotic effect reducing. Ang 1I AT1 receptor antagonist attenuates cardiac fibrosis by increasing myocardium HGF expression.

Objective The effect of combined treatment of statins and calcium channel blockers(CCB) in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension(ISH) are not well understood.The purpose of the present study was to assess the additive effect of benidipine-atorvastatin combination therapy in old patients with ISH.Methods Ninety patients with ISH were randomized to receive: placebo(n=15),benidipine treatment(4-8 mg/d,n=25),atorvastatin(20 mg/d,n=25) and benidipine plus atorvastatin treatment(4-8 mg/d+20 mg/d,n=25) for 5 months.Serum concentrations of IL-6,IL-8,hsCRP,flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery,urine microalbumin,left ventricular mass index(LVMI),carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT),BP and plasma lipids profiles were examined before and after treatment.Results After 5-months of treatment,the combination treatment significantly reduced IL-6(IL-6 reduction magnitude,combination group: 6.5+6.3 ng/L vs benidipine group: 3.1?3.2 ng/L vs atorvastatin group: 3.3?2.3 ng/L,P

Objective To evaluate the significance of coronary calcification and stenosis in elderly hypertensive patients by 16-row multi-sliced computed tomography (MSCT) and its association with peripheral arterial atherosclerosis and other target organ damages. Methods Sixty-four patients with hypertension (n=50) 76.1?6.5 years and normotensions (n=14) 73.4?6.8 years were enrolled. All patients underwent coronary calcification scan by MSCT and the coronary calcification score(CCS) was calculated as AJ130 and Volume. Fourty-four patients in the hypertensive group were subjected to MSCT enhanced scan for evaluation of coronary stenosis. Intima media thickness (IMT), atherosclerotic and calcified plaques in carotid and femoral arteries and ankle-brachial index (ABI) carotid and femoral arteries were measured by echosonography and echocardiography; Fasting plasma blood glucose, blood lipid series, insulin, HOMA-IR, hsCRP and morning urine albumin were determined. Results (1) Both AJ130 and Volume of left anterior descending artery(LAD), left circumflex artery(LCX) and the total calcification score were higher in the hypertensive group than those in the control group (P

Background Greater variability in blood pressure and the disappearance of circadian rhythm are frequently found in the very elderly with hypertension.Blood pressure variability may be closely related to the target organ damages.Objective To assess the relationship between nocturnal blood pressure fall(NBPF)and 24 h blood pressure variability(BPV)by using BP weighted standard deviation as a new index for computing 24 h BPV,and to verify the clinical value of this new marker in the very elderly with hypertension.Methods We analysed retrospectively 1441 ambulatory blood pressure(BP)recordings,and computed:①the standard deviation(SD)of 24 h BP directly from all individual readings;②weighted mean value of daytime and night-time SD(wSD);③the magnitude of nocturnal BP fall(NBPF).Left ventricular mass(n=345)and carotid intima-media thickness(n=216)were determined by echocardiography.Results The 24 h SD of BP was significantly greater than the 24 h wSD(P