Objective To evaluate the concentration of serum homocysteine,C-reactive protein and the expressions of P-selectin and their relationship in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD).Methods Our study included 44 patients with CAD and 22 negative controls based on coronary angiography(CAG).The concentration of serum Hcy,CRP and the expressions of PS were tested before CAG in 66 patients.Results The concentration of serum Hcy and CRP were markedly increased and the expressions of PS on platelets were significantly increased in patients with CAD compared to control group(P

Objective To determine the relationship between the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems(RAAS)and left atrial structure remodeling in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.Methods The patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis were divided into two groups according to atrial fibrillation:sinus rhythm group(SR group,n=25)and atrial fibrillation group(AF group,n=30).17 normal subjects were selected as normal control group(NC).The plasma concentration of renin,angiotonin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)and aldosterone(Ald)were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA).Results The average value of the left atrial diameter in AF group was significantly greater than that of both SR group and NC group,increased by 16.9%[(57.71±8.07)mm vs.(48.48±5.05)mm,P＜0.01)]and 87.8%(57.71±8.07 mm vs.30.18±2.85 mm,P＜0.01)respectively.Compared with NC group,the left atrial diameter of SR group was also significantly greater,elevated by 60.6%[(48.48±5.05)mm vs.(30.18±2.85)mm,P＜0.01)].The level of plasma rennin activity(PRA),Ang Ⅱ and Aid in AF and SR patients was significantly higher than those of NC subjects(P＜0.01),and compared with SR patients,the level of those in AF patients was also significantly increased(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between the plasma level of PRA,Ang Ⅱ or Ald and the value of the left atrial diameter(r=0.277,0.485,0.431,P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.01).Multiple liner stepwise regression analysis showed that plasma Ang Ⅱ and Ald were the important risk factors that affected left atrial diameter in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis(Bate=0.362,0.261,P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis are characterized by the activation of circulating RAAS,and the plasma Ang Ⅱ and Ald may contribute to left atrial structure remodeling.

AIM: To investigate the effects of irbesartan on acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and on expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion areas in rabbits. METHODS: Anterior descending branch of left coronary artery (LAD) was ligated in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group but not in the sham group. Rabbits of IR group were subjected to 60 min of LAD occlusion, and 360 min of reperfusion. In the treated group, the rabbits were given irbesartan until the trial ended. Then, all rabbits were killed and tissue samples were removed from IR areas. After disposed with routine histological methods and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), these samples were examined by light microscopy. The expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were also investigated by employing immunohistochemical SP method in the tissue samples. RESULTS: Degree of damage in cardiocytes and of neutrophil infiltration were more serious in IR group than those in sham group (P

Objective To investigate the effects of probucol and losartan on cell proliferation after balloon angioplasty in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits.Methods Forty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into high cholesterol diet group,probucol group,losartan group and combined drugs group.The iliac arteries of the rabbits were balloon-injured and the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor(IGF-IR),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) were detected by using immunohistochemical method.Results Compared with high cholesterol diet group,the lumen areas were enlarged and the intimal areas were decreased in the probucol group,losartan group and combined drugs group(all P