OBJECTIVETo observe the collagen spatial distribution, collagen volume fraction (CVF) and Cx40, Cx43mRNA expressions in rapid atrial pacing dogs post vagal denervation by removing fat pad located between the medial superior vena cava and aortic root (SVC-Ao fat pad).

METHODSTwenty-four dogs were randomly divided into unpaced sham operation group (S group, n = 8), Keeping SVC-Ao fat pad group (K group, n = 8) and Removing SVC-Ao fat pad group (R group, SVC-Ao fat pad was removed by surgical excision before pacing, n = 8). K and R groups were paced for six weeks. Six weeks later, all dogs were sacrificed, left atrium (LA), right atrium (RA), left atrial appendage (LAA), right atrial appendage (RAA) and atrial septum (AS) were collected and stained with HE or Masson Trichrome or frozen in liquid nitrogen for quantifying the expression of Cx40, Cx43 mRNA by Real-time quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSSpatial distribution of collagen fibers as well as CVF between S and R group were similar (all P > 0.05). CVF was significantly higher in K group compared to R group, especially at LAA and AS locations (all P < 0.05). Cx40mRNA expression in K group was significantly decreased in LA, RA, and significantly increased in LAA, RAA and AS compared those in S group (all P < 0.05), significantly lower in LA and RA while significantly higher in LAA and RAA compared to R group (all P < 0.05). Cx43mRNA expression in K group was significantly reduced in LA, RA, LAA and RAA while significantly increased in AS compared to S group (all P < 0.05), significantly higher in LA, RA, RAA and AS while significantly lower in LAA compared to R group.

CONCLUSIONPacing induced collagen remodeling and modulation on Cx40mRNA and Cx43 mRNA expressions could be partially attenuated by removing SVC-Ao fat pad suggesting vagal denervation plays a key role in the initiation and preservation of atrial fibrillation.

Animals ; Atrial Fibrillation ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Connexins ; metabolism ; Dogs ; Heart Atria ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the hepatotoxicity effects in rats with different extract of Fructus Gardeniae.

METHODObserve the change of appearance, behavior and weight of rats through oral gavage daily for 3 d. Weigh the liver and calculate the liver index. Detect the ALT, AST and TBIL. Observe the liver tissue by optical microscope.

RESULTThe weight and index of liver were increased by 3.08 g x kg(-1) aqueous extract, 1.62 g x kg(-1) alcoholic extract and 0.28 g x kg(-1) geniposide, compared to those of the blank group (P < 0.005, P < 0.001) and the activities of ALT, AST and the content of TBIL were also increased, compared to those of the blank group (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). The liver cells were obviously swell, necrotic and changed with inflammatory infiltrate.

CONCLUSIONAqueous extract, alcoholic extract and geniposide displayed hepatotoxicity, and the geniposide which was the main substance of the Fructus Gardeniae might be mainly responsible for the hepatotoxicity.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Female ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyrans ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adult ; Aged ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; blood ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

Objective To investigate the expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with multiple myeloma and analyse it's clinical significance.Methods Thirty patients with multiple myeloma in the Department of Hematopathy,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2016 to January 2017 were selected as observation group;and thirty healthy donors whose gender and age machted with patients in the observation group were selected as control group.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from subjects in observation group and control group by using the method of density gradient centrifugation.The content of IL-17 in supernatant of PBMC culture solution of subjects in the two groups was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the expression of IL-17 mRNA in PBMC was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction;the cellular morphology of PBMC of subjects in control group was observed by scanning electron microscope after co-culturing with the serum of patients in observation group.Results The content of IL-17 in supernatant of PBMC culture solution of subjects in the observation group and control group was (30.79 ± 4.96),(10.10 ± 4.15) ng · L-1 respectively;the content of IL-17 in supernatant of PBMC culture solution of subjects in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (t =3.412,P ＜ 0.05).The expression of IL-17 mRNA in PBMC in the observation group and control group was 4.28 ± 1.34 and 2.45 ±0.95 respectively;the expression of IL-17 mRNA in PBMC in the observation was significantly higher than that in the control group (t =2.796,P ＜0.05).After co-culturing of PBMC of subjects in the control group with the serum of patients in the observation group,the morphology of PBMC changed obviously,and membrane desquamate,membrane disintegration,even membranolysis were observed in some cells with the prolongation of co-culture time.Conclusion The over-expression of IL-17 in PBMC of patients with multiple myeloma may play a certain role in the occurrence and development of this disease.

Acoustic Stimulation ; Brain Mapping ; Hallucinations ; Humans