OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Scrophulariae of cold nature and Aconite of hot nature on myocardial hypertrophy and neuroendocrine factors in rats and mice. METHODS: A mouse model of myocardial hypertrophy was established by hypodermic injection of isoproterenol. Sixty myocardial hypertrophy mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, untreated group, metoprolol-treated group, Scrophulariae-treated group and Aconite-treated group. A rat model of myocardial hypertrophy was established by peritoneal injection of L-thyroxin. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, untreated group, captopril-treated group, Scrophulariae-treated group and Aconite-treated group. After 7-9 days of treatment with intragastric administration of the corresponding drugs, the effects of Scrophulariae and Aconite on left ventricular weight index (LVWI) and heart weight index (HWI) were determined. The concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in plasma and angiotensin II (Ang II) in myocardium were detected through radio-immunity method. Cardiocyte cross-section area was determined by using HE staining. RESULTS: Scrophulariae of cold nature could significantly reduce the LVWI, HWI and cardiocyte cross-section area, and could decrease the content of cAMP and Ang II. However, Aconite had no such effects. CONCLUSION: Scrophulariae of cold nature can inhibit myocardial hypertrophy through restraining the activity of sympathetic nervous system and decreasing the level of Ang II. The inhibition of Aconite of hot nature on cardiac hypertrophy is not significant.

PURPOSE To investigate the indications for surgical treatment of peripheral neurofibroma and the cause of postoperative recurrence.METHODS Analysis of the clinical data of 15 cases of limb neurofibroma in different locations,whichhave been operated 16 times.RESULTS Neurofibroma normally grows in two ways:along nerve cord and in plexiform.The former can be excised along tumor edge and the latter should be removed extensively.Pathological studies were performed postoperatively,and confirmed that it was neurofibroma.13 of 15 cases have been followed up on average 3.4 years.No cases had recurrence except 1 case after a half year which was reoperated and has not recurred for 8 months up to now.CONCLUSION If the patients have pain or discomfort,limb malfunction or disfigurement,operation should be done in the early stage.Different operative methods were chosen due to different types of neurofibroma.Rccurrence is related to the extent of operation

Objective:To approach the in unce of wild chrysanthemum on some neuroendoerine factors in ventricular remodeling induced by abdominal aortic banding(AAB)in rats.Methods:Myocardial hypertrophy,ventricular remodeling model was induced by abdominal aortic banding(AAB)in rats.After 35 days' treatment,the systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP) and mean arterial pressure(MAP) were measured.Then the ratios of LVW/BW(1eft ventricle weight/ body weight),HW/BW(heart weight/body weight)were Calculated.The Angiotensin II(Ang II) content in heart tissue and the Aldosterone(ALD),Tumor Necrosis Factor(TNF-?)concentration of blood plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay.Results:The experimental data demonstrated that wild chrysanthemum could decrease SBP,DBP,MAP and the cardiac indexes of LVW/BW and HW/BW,significantly reduce the content of Ang II,ALD and TNF-?,decrease the Hydroxyproline content(P

The concept of modern medicine in treating chronic heart failure (CHF) has changed markedly in recent years. To improve the quality of life and prolong life, the treatment goal is no longer just temporary improvement of symptoms, more importantly, is to prevent and delay the occurrence and development of ventricular remodeling. Long-term chronic over-activation of sympathetic system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and other neuroendocrine factors promotes myocardial remodeling, increases myocardial injury and deteriorates cardiac function. Despite short-term use can significantly improve the blood flow dynamics, long-term use of beta-adrenergic receptor stimulators and phosphodiesterase inhibitors does not prolong life, but increases the rate of sudden death caused by cardiac arrhythmia. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers have become the preferred drugs in treating chronic heart failure. In fact, after long-term use, beta-blockers can significantly improve ventricular remodeling, enhance ventricular function and reduce the incidence of sudden death of patients with CHF. In traditional Chinese medicine practice, short-term use of drugs for warming yang and reinforcing qi can improve symptoms of CHF, but long-term use may have adverse effects, for these medicines can stimulate sympathetic system. Early treatment with medicines of cold and cool property may be more favorable to patients with CHF, except the advanced patients who need special intervention. Eliminating heat and nourishing yin may play more active role in controlling the occurrence and development of CHF. Drugs with good efficacy and value in treating CHF may be developed from the Chinese herbal medicines with eliminating heat and nourishing yin property.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of Chrysanthemum indium on collagen accumulation and signaling transduction pathways in left ventricle tissue of cardiac hypertrophy induced by abdominal aortic banding in rats.

METHODVentricular remodeling was induced by abdominal aortic banding (AAB) in rats. After 35 day treatment, the blood pressure was measured, then the ratios of LVW/BW and HW/BW were calculated. The histological assay was performed by HE staining for determining the myocardium cell cross section and picric acid/sirius red staining for determining collagen content. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expressions of PKC, bFGF and P38.

RESULTThe experimental data demonstrated that C. indium could decrease blood pressure and the cardiac indexes of LVW/BW and HW/BW, significantly diminish cross sectional area of cardiomyocyte, ameliorate collagen accumulation such as collagen volume fraction, perivascular collagen area and collagen distributions of type I and II and significantly down regulate the protein expressions of PKC, bFGF and P38 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONC. indium can significantly attenuate the experimental ventricular remodeling. The mechanism may be related to reducing the blood pressure, decreasing the total collagen content of left ventricle tissue and modulating signaling transduction pathway.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Cardiomegaly ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Chrysanthemum ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; Heart Ventricles ; metabolism ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; analysis