Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; blood ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Chemokine CCL11 ; genetics ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; Chemokine CCL5 ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of adenosine on endothelin-1 (ET-1) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and reperfusion and explore the possible mechanism of no-reflow.

METHODSTwenty-four mini-swine were randomized into three study groups: control group (n=8), adenosine treated group (n=8), and sham-operated group (n=8). The mini-swine in the groups were subjected to 3 hours of coronary occlusion, followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion except those in the sham-operated group. The levels of ET-1 in blood sample, normal, infracted reflow and no-reflow myocardium were evaluated by radioimmuno-assay (RIA). The gene expressions of ET-1 in normal, infracted reflow and no-reflow myocardium were quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSIn both control group and adenosine group, compared with that at the baseline, ET-1 in blood sample significantly increased at 5 minutes and 180 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, as well as 5 and 60 minutes of reperfusion (all P < 0.01). In adenosine group, the levels of ET-1 were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In both control group and adenosine group, compared with that in normal myocardium, ET-1 levels in both infarcted reflow and no-reflow myocardium significantly increased (both P < 0.01), with the level of ET-1 in no-reflow myocardium significantly higher than that in infarcted reflow myocardium (P < 0.01). In adenosine group, the level of ET-1 in infarcted reflow myocardium was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). In both control and adenosine groups, compared with that in normal myocardium, the gene expression of ET-1 in infarcted reflow myocardium was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.01), while that of ET-1 in. no-reflow myocardium significantly down-regulated (P < 0.01). In adenosine group, the level of ET-1 in infarcted reflow myocardium was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe endothelium injury may be one of the important mechanisms for no-reflow phenomenon. Adenosine cay prevent endothelium from injury to reduce no-reflow.

Adenosine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of doxycycline, losartan, and their combination in the prevention of left ventricular remodeling (LVRM) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats.

METHODSTwenty-four hours after the induction of AMI, the 254 survival rats were randomly assigned to the following groups and received drug treatment: (1) AMI controls (n=64), (2) doxycycline (30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), n = 63), (3) losartan (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), n = 62), and (4) combination doxycycline and losartan (30 and 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) respectively, n = 65) treatment groups. Also, sham operated rats (n = 30) were selected randomly. Each group was further divided into three subgroups of 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment. After the completion of treatment, hemodynamic studies were performed. Then, the heart of rat was fixed and analyzed pathologically.

RESULTSExclusive of the dead rats and the hearts with the myocardial infarction size < 35% or > 50%, complete experimental data were obtained in 157 rats. Besides sham operated rats, there was no significant difference in myocardial infarction sizes among the 12 subgroups of AMI control and drug treatment groups (P> 0.05). Compared with sham operated rats, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and left ventricular absolute weight and relative weight (LVAW and LVRW) were significantly increased in 1, 2, and 4 week subgroups of AMI controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001, respectively), with LVEDP elevated more significantly in 4 week than in 1 and 2 week subgroups (P < 0.01); whereas the maximum rising and dropping rate of left ventricular pressure (+/-dp/dt) and its corrected value by left ventricular systolic pressure (+/-dp/dt/LVSP) were all significantly decreased only at 4 week subgroup of AMI controls (P < 0.001). Compared with AMI controls group, LVEDP was significantly decreased in all 1, 2, and 4 week subgroups of the three treatment groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001, respectively); LVAW and LVRW were significantly decreased in 2 and 4 week subgroups of losartan and combination groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001, respectively), and in only 4 week subgroup in doxycycline (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001, respectively); whereas the maximum dropping rate of left ventricular pressure and the corrected value of left ventricular pressure rising and dropping rate were significantly increased only in 4 week subgroups of all three treatment groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). There is no significant difference in all indices above among the three treatment groups at all three time points (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is indicated that doxycycline can prevent left ventricular remodeling and improve its systolic and diastolic function after AMI in rats, with the equivalent effect to that of losartan. There seems no additive effect when the two drugs are used in combination.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Doxycycline ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Losartan ; therapeutic use ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor doxycycline, losartan, and their combination on the expression of MMP-8, 13, tissue inhibitor of MMP-1, 2 (TIMP-1, 2), and collagen remodeling in the noninfarcted myocardium after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats.

METHODSTwo hundred and fifty-four AMI rats, induced by left coronary ligation, were randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) AMI controls group (n = 64); (2) doxycycline group (30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), n = 63); (3) losartan group (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), n = 62); (4) concomitant doxycycline and losartan group (30 and 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) respectively, n = 65); and (5) Sham-operated rats (n = 30), which were randomly selected to serve as noninfarction controls. Each group was further divided into three subgroups of 1, 2, and 4 weeks that received treatment. After the completion of treatment, the rats were killed. The mRNA and protein expression of MMPs and TIMPs in the noninfarcted myocardium were quantified by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The type I and type III collagen volume fraction (CVF) of the noninfarced myocardium were assessed immunohistochemically.

RESULTSNo significant difference existed in myocardial infarction sizes among the 12 subgroups of AMI controls and the three treatment groups (42%-48%, all P > 0.05). Compared with sham operated rats, the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-8 and 13 significantly increased by 39%-183% in all three subgroups of AMI controls (all P < 0.05), except both of their mRNA expressions in 2-week subgroups; the mRNA and protein levels of TIMP-1 increased only in 1-week subgroup of AMI controls by 104% and 67%, respectively (both P < 0.05); the mRNA of TIMP-2 increased in all 1, 2, and 4-week subgroups by 144%-232% (all P < 0.05), but its protein expression lagged and only enhanced in 2 and 4-week subgroups of AMI controls by 231% and 332%, respectively (both P < 0.05). Meanwhile, both type I and type III CVF of noninfarcted myocardium significantly increased in all three subgroups of AMI controls (type I CVF: 3.01%-5.64% vs 1.53%-1.67%, P < 0.01-0.001; type III CVF: 2.19%-4.42% vs 1.46%-1.59%, P < 0.05-0.001), with type I CVF being higher in 4-week than in 1 and 2-week subgroups (5.64% vs 3.01% and 3.02% respectively, all P < 0.05). Compared with AMI controls, all three kinds of treatment significantly reduced the increased mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-8, 13 and TIMP-1, 2 after AMI by 14%-60% (all P < 0.05), as well as type I/III CVF in their 2 and 4-week subgroups (type I CVF: 1.56%-2.38% vs 3.02%-5.64%, P < 0.05-0.001; type III CVF: 1.92%-2.65% vs 4.19%-4.42%, P < 0.05-0.01), except for doxycycline's effect on type III CVF in any of its three subgroups (all P > 0.05). Among the three treatment groups, significant differences existed in the above mentioned indicators only at some subgroup levels (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLike losartan, doxycycline can also suppress the enhanced mRNA and protein expression of MMP-8, 13 and TIMP-1, 2, and reduce type I collagen deposition in the noninfarcted myocardium after AMI in rats. However, it has no effect on type III collagen deposition.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Collagenases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Doxycycline ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) changes post acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSThe serum BNP level was determined in 230 consecutive patients with AMI admitted to CCU and in 111 normal cases from October 2002 to October 2003 in Fuwai Hospital. The 230 AMI patients were further divided into various subgroups according to first or recurrent AMI, ST elevations myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST elevations myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) group, infarction location, coronary arteries involved, infarction related arteries (IRA), TIMI blood flow of IRA and primary PCI or not. Serum BNP, CK-MB, TnT and heart function were analyzed.

RESULTSThe serum BNP level was significantly increased in patients with AMI (553.7 +/- 735.1) ng/L than that in normal subjects [(26.4 +/- 27.4) ng/L, P < 0.05]. LVEF was significantly lower, and LVEDd, BNP and LnBNP were all significantly higher in the first time AMI group compared to recurrent AMI group (all P < 0.001). The BNP level were significantly higher in AMI patients with single or triple coronary arteries stenosis than those without coronary stenosis (P < 0.05), in TIMI blood flow 0 - 1 and 2 groups than in TIMI 3 group (all P < 0.001). The CK-MB and TnT were significantly increased while BNP significantly decreased in the patients underwent primary PCI group compared with patients did not receive PCI therapy (all P < 0.05 - 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSerum BNP was significantly elevated in patients after AMI but decreased after successful primary PCI in patients with AMI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; therapy ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Troponin I ; blood ; Troponin T ; blood

Objective To find out the status of brick-tea type fluorosis in the epidemic areas.Methods Based on "Scheme for Epidemiological Brick-tea Type Fluorosis in Sichuan Province",ten counties were selected in Sichuan brick-tea areas and ten towns were selected in every county,then the epidemicologic survey was performed in children of 8～12 year-old and adults aged above 20 years old.Results 5044 children and 4053 adults were selected from brick-tea areas.The rates of dental fluorosis in children and adults were 55.69%(2809/5044)and 60.41%(4053/6709)respectively.The dental fluorosis was mainly of mild damage.The skeletal fluorosis found in X-ray film was 44.64%(167/1241)and in clinical examination,38.94%(3883/9973).The levels of urine fluoride in children and adults were 1.88 and 2.78 mg/L.The level of urine fluoride was not differenet among children of different age,but in adults it was higher in the elder than the younger.The level of fluoride in urine was related to the severeness of skeletal fluorosis(r=0.74).The detective rates of skeletal fluorosis in agricuIture,pasturing,and agriculture-pasturing areaswere 31.70%(1369/4318),50.04%(1228/2454),and 40.17%(1286/3201),respectively.The X-ray detecting rates of skeletal fluorosis in men and wonlen were 49.57%(229/462)and 41.72%(325/779) respectively(χ2=11.72,P＜0.05).Conclusion The prevalence of brick-tea type fluorosis is very serious in the regions studied.

OBJECTIVETo compare the beneficial effects of Atenolol and Metoprolol on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and related gene expressions after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats.

METHODSAMI model was established with the ligation of anterior descending coronary artery in 251 randomly selected female SD rats. Twenty-four hours after operation, the 124 survivors were randomly assigned to AMI control group (MI group, n = 43), Atenolol group (group A, 10 mg x kg(-1) d(-1), n = 39), and Metoprolol group (group B, 20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), n = 42). Sham operation group (group S, n = 27) was also established. Two subgroup (48 h subgroup and 4 weeks subgroup) was randomly divided in each group according to the time points. Drugs were given to each treatment group by gastric gavage 24 h after ligation. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA ladder. Bcl-2, bax and caspase-3 genes were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTSCompared with AMI control group, myocyte apoptosis rate (MAR) significantly decreased only in infarction area (P < 0.01) in group B. Bcl-2 expression was found to increase in myocytes of infarction, border and non-infarcted areas except for non-infarcted area of group A. Changes of the expressions of bax and caspase-3 was not significant. Four weeks after AMI, MAR was found to decrease significantly in scar, border and non-infarcted areas (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in both group A and group B. No significant changes of bcl-2, bax and caspase-3 expressions was found except for a significant decrease of bax expression in non-infarcted area of group A. As indicated by Western blot, no significant change of the expressions of caspase-3, bcl-2 and bax were found in myocytes of group A and group B compared with AMI control group; however, bcl-2/bax ratio significantly increased to the same level of sham-operated group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth Atenolol and Metoprolol treatment can reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis in infarction/scar, border and non-infarcted areas after AMI, mainly through the increase of bcl-2 expression and bcl-2/bax ratio.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Atenolol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Metoprolol ; pharmacology ; Myocardial Infarction ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo compare the procedural and in-hospital outcomes in a large series of diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing selective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus on the procedural and in-hospital outcomes.

METHODS1294 consecutive patients underwent selective PCI from January to December 2002 in this institution were analyzed retrospectively. Baseline clinical, in-lab and in-hospital outcome information were recorded. Rates of procedural success, device success and clinical success were analyzed and logistic regression was performed to model the association between diabetes status and outcomes.

RESULTSTwo hundred and sixty-nine patients (20.8%) complicated with diabetes. Type C lesion, double and triple vessel diseases were more prevalent in diabetics than those in non-diabetics. The pre-PCI diameter stenosis of diabetics was significantly more severe than that of non-diabetics (91.00 +/- 6.62 vs 89.81 +/- 6.64, P < 0.01). The balloon length, maximum balloon diameter and maximum balloon inflation pressure, maximum inflation duration were larger in diabetics than those in non-diabetics [(17.07 +/- 6.31) mm vs (16.07 +/- 7.28) mm, (2.30 +/- 1.11) mm vs (2.12 +/- 0.94) mm, (9.86 +/- 4.40) atm vs (9.05 +/- 4.75) atm, (20.94 +/- 14.69) s vs (18.26 +/- 14.65) s, respectively, P < 0.05]. The stent diameter was smaller in diabetics than that in non-diabetics [(3.15 +/- 0.47) mm vs (3.23 +/- 0.43) mm, P < 0.05]. The procedural success rate showed no significant difference between two groups (89.6% vs 90.3%, P > 0.05). But a higher incidence of acute/subacute stent thrombosis was observed in diabetics compared with that in non-diabetics (1.9% vs 0.5%, P < 0.05). The rate of clinical success was similar between diabetics and non-diabetics (99.3% vs 99.2%, P > 0.05). Diabetes was not an independent predictor of acute outcomes in the regression model.

CONCLUSIONSA higher incidence of acute/subacute stent thrombosis was observed in diabetics. The incidence of procedural and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events and the rate of clinical success were similar between diabetics and non-diabetics. Diabetes was not an independent predictor of in-hospital outcomes after selective PCI.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Stenosis ; complications ; therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Diabetes Complications ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDSpontaneous attack of variant angina (VA) is a unique component of coronary artery disease (CAD), and associated with severe cardiac events. However, no data are available regarding sex differences in Chinese patients with spontaneous attacks of VA. Accordingly, the present retrospective study was initiated to evaluate the Clinical characteristics of Chinese female patients with spontaneous attacks of VA.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to January 2008, a total of 209 patients were diagnosed to have had a spontaneous attack of VA at Fu Wai Hospital. Of them, 27 were female, and their clinical findings were collected and compared with male patients for aspects of risk factors, clinical features and angiographical findings.

RESULTSSpontaneous attacks of VA was relatively uncommon in female (12.9%) compared with male patients. The female patients were less likely to have a history of smoking (14.8% vs. 79.7%, P < 0.001), more likely to have a family history of CAD (33.3% vs. 11.0%, P < 0.01), and to have had a greater incidence of ventricular fibrillation during attack (11.1% vs. 2.2%, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in other characteristics between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONChinese female patients who experienced a spontaneous attack of VA had the characteristics of less smoking history, more family history of CAD and higher occurrence of ventricular fibrillation than male patients.

Adult ; Angina Pectoris, Variant ; pathology ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Coronary Angiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors