OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether salidroside (Sal) plays a part in protecting myocardial cell through reducing the myocardial ischemia and the apoptosis pathway of both death receptors and mitochondria in acute exhausted rats. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6): control group(Con), acute exhaustive swimming group (EE), low-dose and high-dose Sal pre-treatment exhaustive swimming group (SLE, SHE). Rats were treated with Sal solution (15 or 30 mg/(kg·d)) or 0.9%NaCl (3 ml/(kg·d)) by intraperitoneal injection for 15 d, respectively. The Con group did not carry out swimming training. The next day after the end of intraperitoneal administration, the rats in EE, SLE and SHE group were forced to swim until they were exhausted followed the standard of Thomas. After the end of exhaustive exercise, the rats were anesthetized and the blood samples and hearts were collected immediately. The myocardial ischemia and hypoxia area and myocardial apoptosis index (AI) were also observed. Serum ischemia modified albumin (IMA), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) and myocardial cell Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were determined. The expressions of myocardial TNF receptor superfamily member 6 (Fas), cytochrome C (Cyto-c), aspartate proteolytic enzyme-3(Caspase-3), aspartate proteolytic enzyme-8(Caspase-8), and aspartate proteolytic enzyme-9(Caspase-9) were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the Con group, the myocardial ischemia and hypoxia area in EE group was increased significantly. The serum levels of IMA, cTnI and BNP, AI and Bax levels and cardiac Fas, Cyto-C, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 protein expressions of EE group were also increased significantly (P＜0.01), while the protein expression of Bcl-2 in cardiac tissues was decreased significantly (P＜0.01). Compared with the EE group, the myocardial ischemia and hypoxia area, serum levels of IMA, cTnI and BNP, AI and Bax levels, and the protein expressions of cardiac Fas, Cyto-C, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 in Sal group were all decreased significantly(P＜0.01). while the protein expression of cardiac Bcl-2 in Sal group were increased significantly (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION Sal plays a role in protecting myocardial cell through reducing the myocardial ischemia and inhibiting myocardial cell apoptosis in exhaustive exercise rats. The mechanism of reducing myocardial cell apoptosis may be related to inhibiting the expressions of Fas, Cyto-C, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and increasing the expression of Bcl-2.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Fatigue ; physiopathology ; Female ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To observe the immediate effect and safety of Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills (, STDP) on patients with coronary slow flow (CSF), and furthermore, to explore new evidence for the use of Chinese medicine in treating ischemic chest pain. METHODS: Coronary angiography (CAG) with corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC) was applied (collected at 30 frames/s). The treatment group included 22 CSF patients, while the control group included 22 individuals with normal coronary flow. CSF patients were given 4 STDP through sublingual administration, and CAG was performed 5 min after the medication. The immediate blood flow frame count, blood pressure, and heart rate of patients before and after the use of STDP were compared. The liver and kidney functions of patients were examined before and after treatments. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in CTFC between groups (P<0.05). The average CTFC values of the vessels with slow blood flow in CSF patients were, respectively, 49.98 ± 10.01 and 40.42 ± 11.33 before and after the treatment with STDP, a 19.13% improvement. The CTFC values (frame/s) measured before and after treatment at the left anterior descending coronary artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery were, respectively, 48.00 ± 13.32 and 41.80 ± 15.38, 59.00 ± 4.69 and 50.00 ± 9.04, and 51.90 ± 8.40 and 40.09 ± 10.46, giving 12.92%, 15.25%, and 22.76% improvements, respectively. The CTFC values of vessels with slow flow before treatment were significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.05). There were no apparent changes in the heart rate, blood pressure, or liver or kidney function of CSF patients after treatment with STDP (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The immediate effect of STDP in treating CSF patients was apparent. This medication could significantly improve coronary flow without affecting blood pressure or heart rate. Our findings support the potential of Chinese medicine to treat ischemic chest pain.
Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Coronary Circulation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; No-Reflow Phenomenon ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the in vivo effect of Danlou Tablet (, DLT) on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODSDLT effects were evaluated in mouse heart preparation using 30-min coronary occlusion followed by 24-h reperfusion and compared among sham group (n=6), I/R group (n=8), IPC group (ischemia preconditioning, n=6) and DLT group (I/R with DLT pretreatment for 3 days, 750 mg•kg•day, n=8). The effects of DLT were characterized in infarction size (IS) compared with risk region (RR) and left ventricle using the Evans blue/triphenyltetrazolium chloride double dye staining method in vivo. Furthermore, the dose-dependent effect of DLT on I/R injury was evaluated by double staining method. Five different concentrations of DLT (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 g•kg•day) were chosen in this study, and dose-response curve of DLT was obtained on these data.

RESULTSThe ratio of IS to left ventricle was significantly smaller in the DLT and IPC groups than the I/R group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the ratio of IS to RR was also reduced in the DLT and IPC groups (P<0.01), while there were no differences in RR among the four groups (P>0.05). Experiments showed incidence of arrhythmias was reduced in the DLT group (P<0.01). Furthermore, DLT produced a dose-dependent inhibitory effect with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 1.225 g•kg•day.

CONCLUSIONSOur research concluded that DLT was effective in reducing I/R injury in mice, and provided experimental supports for the clinical use of DLT.

Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Body Temperature ; drug effects ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Risk Factors ; Tablets

Cardiac dysfunction, a common consequence of sepsis, is the major contribution to morbidity and mortality in patients. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is a water-soluble derivative of Tanshinone IIA (TA), a main active component of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, which has been widely used in China for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebral system diseases. In the present study, the effect of STS on sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction was investigated and its effect on survival rate of rats with sepsis was also evaluated. STS treatment could significantly decrease the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), cardiac troponin T (cTn-T), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced) septic rats and improve left ventricular function, particularly at 48 and 72 h after CLP. As the pathogenesis of septic myocardial dysfunction is attributable to dysregulated systemic inflammatory responses, several key cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), were detected to reveal the possible mechanism of attenuation of septic myocardial dysfunction after being treated by STS. Our study showed that STS, especially at a high dose (15 mg·kg), could efficiently suppress inflammatory responses in myocardium and reduce myocardial necrosis through markedly reducing production of myocardial TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1. STS significantly improved the 18-day survival rate of rats with sepsis from 0% to 30% (P < 0.05). Therefore, STS could suppress inflammatory responses and improve left ventricular function in rats with sepsis, suggesting that it may be developed for the treatment of sepsis.
Animals ; C-Reactive Protein ; genetics ; immunology ; Cecum ; surgery ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Female ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; immunology ; Ligation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Myocardium ; immunology ; Phenanthrenes ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Punctures ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Sepsis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Troponin T ; genetics ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology

Background: Valproic acid (VPA) exposure during pregnancy has been proven to contribute to congenital heart disease (CHD). Our previous findings implied that disruption of planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes might be a factor for the cardiac teratogenesis of VPA. In addition, the teratogenic ability of VPA is positively correlated to its histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition activity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the VPA on cardiac morphogenesis, HDAC1/2/3, and PCP key genes (Vangl2/Scrib/Rac1), subsequently screening out the specific HDACs regulating PCP pathway. Methods: VPA was administered to pregnant C57BL mice at 700 mg/kg intraperitoneally on embryonic day 10.5. Dams were sacrificed on E15.5, and death/absorption rates of embryos were evaluated. Embryonic hearts were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining to identify cardiac abnormalities. H9C2 cells (undifferentiated rat cardiomyoblasts) were transfected with Hdac1/2/3 specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). Based on the results of siRNA transfection, cells were transfected with Hdac3 expression plasmid and subsequently mock-treated or treated with 8.0 mmol/L VPA. Hdac1/2/3 as well as Vangl2/Scrib/Rac1 mRNA and protein levels were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Total HDAC activity was detected by colorimetric assay. Results: VPA could induce CHD (P < 0.001) and inhibit mRNA or protein expression of Hdac1/2/3 as well as Vangl2/Scrib in fetal hearts, in association with total Hdac activity repression (all P < 0.05). In vitro, Hdac3 inhibition could significantly decrease Vangl2/Scrib expression (P < 0.01), while knockdown of Hdac1/2 had no influence (P > 0.05); VPA exposure dramatically decreased the expression of Vanlg2/Scrib together with Hdac activity (P < 0.01), while overexpression of Hdac3 could rescue the VPA-induced inhibition (P > 0.05). Conclusion VPA could inhibit Hdac1/2/3, Vangl2/Scrib, or total Hdac activity both in vitro and in vivo and Hdac3 might participate in the process of VPA-induced cardiac developmental anomalies.
Animals ; Cell Polarity ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; Female ; Fetal Heart ; embryology ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; Histone Deacetylases ; drug effects ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Transfection ; Valproic Acid ; adverse effects

PURPOSE: Urapidil is putatively effective for patients with hypertension and acute heart failure, although randomized controlled trials thereon are lacking. We investigated the efficacy and safety of intravenous urapidil relative to that of nitroglycerin in older patients with hypertension and heart failure in a randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (>60 y) with hypertension and heart failure were randomly assigned to receive intravenous urapidil (n=89) or nitroglycerin (n=91) for 7 days. Hemodynamic parameters, cardiac function, and safety outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Patients in the urapidil group had significantly lower mean systolic blood pressure (110.1±6.5 mm Hg) than those given nitroglycerin (126.4±8.1 mm Hg, p=0.022), without changes in heart rate. Urapidil was associated with improved cardiac function as reflected by lower N terminal-pro B type natriuretic peptide after 7 days (3311.4±546.1 ng/mL vs. 4879.1±325.7 ng/mL, p=0.027) and improved left ventricular ejection fraction (62.2±3.4% vs. 51.0±2.4%, p=0.032). Patients given urapidil had fewer associated adverse events, specifically headache (p=0.025) and tachycardia (p=0.004). The one-month rehospitalization and all-cause mortality rates were similar. CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of urapidil, compared with nitroglycerin, was associated with better control of blood pressure and preserved cardiac function, as well as fewer adverse events, for elderly patients with hypertension and acute heart failure.
Acute Disease ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/*administration & dosage ; Blood Pressure/drug effects ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Heart Failure/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Heart Rate/drug effects/physiology ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/blood ; Nitroglycerin/administration & dosage ; Peptide Fragments/blood ; Piperazines/*administration & dosage ; Ventricular Function, Left/drug effects/physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Shenfu Injection (, SFI) on cerebral metabolism in a porcine model of cardiac arrest (CA).

METHODSThirty Wuzhishan minipigs were randomly assigned to the control group (n=6), epinephrine group (EP group, n=12) and Sfigroup (n=12). After 8 min of untreated ventricular fifibrillation (VF), pigs in the EP group or Sfigroup were administered with either EP (0.02 mg/kg) or Sfi(1.0 mL/kg), respectively. After successful resuscitation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, glutamate and glycerol were measured at 1, 6, 12 and 24 h after recover from spontaneous circulation (ROSC). In addition, neurologic defificit score (NDS) was calculated at 24 h after ROSC. Surviving pigs were killed at 24 h after ROSC, and the brain tissue was obtained for ultra-microstructure examination.

RESULTSCompared with the EP group, CSF glucose and pyruvate levels were higher (all P<0.01), and lactate levels were lower in the Sfigroup (P<0.01). Meanwhile, CSF glutamate and glycerol levels in the Sfigroup were lower in comparison to the EP group (all P<0.05). In addition, Sfidecreased NDS at 24 h after ROSC (P<0.01), and alleviated the histopathological damage of the brain.

CONCLUSIONSSficould alleviate brain injury after CA, which may be associated with improving cerebral metabolism.

Animals ; Blood Circulation ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Heart Arrest ; cerebrospinal fluid ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Injections ; Jugular Veins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Perfusion ; Sus scrofa

BACKGROUNDThe molecular mechanisms of Shenxianshengmai (SXSM), a traditional Chinese medicine, on bradycardia have been incompletely understood. The study tried to investigate the gene expression profile and proteomics of bradycardia rabbits' hearts after SXSM treatment.

METHODSTwenty-four adult rabbits were randomly assigned in four groups: sham, model, model plus SXSM treatment, and sham plus SXSM treatment groups. Heart rate was recorded in all rabbits. Then, total RNA of atria and proteins of ventricle were isolated and quantified, respectively. Gene expression profiling was conducted by gene expression chip, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to confirm the results of gene expression chip. We used isobaric tags for elative and absolute quantitation and Western blotting to identify altered proteins after SXSM treatment.

RESULTSThere was a constant decrease in the mean heart rate (32%, from 238 ± 6 beats/min to 149 ± 12 beats/min) after six weeks in model compared with that in sham group. This effect was partially reversed by 4-week SXSM treatment. Complementary DNA microarray demonstrated that the increased acetylcholinesterase and reduced nicotinic receptor were take responsibility for the increased heart rate. In addition, proteins involved in calcium handling and signaling were affected by SXSM treatment. Real-time RT-PCR verified the results from gene chip. Results from proteomics demonstrated that SXSM enhanced oxidative phosphorylation and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in ventricular myocardium to improve ATP generation.

CONCLUSIONSLong-term SXSM stimulates sympathetic transmission by increasing the expression of acetylcholinesterase and reduces the expression of nicotinic receptor to increase heart rate. SXSM also restored the calcium handling genes and altered genes involved in signaling. In addition, SXSM improves the ATP supply of ventricular myocardium by increasing proteins involved in TCA cycle and oxidation-respiratory chain.

Animals ; Bradycardia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Proteomics ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Kanli Granule (KG) on myocardial mechanics in pressure overload induced diastolic heart failure (DHF) rats.

METHODSTotally 60 male Wistar rats were divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, the KG group, and the Valsartan group according to random digit table, 15 in each group. The pressure overload induced DHF model was established in all groups except the sham-operation group using abdominal aortic constriction surgery. Totally 7 rats died after modeling (with the mortality of 10. 67%) , and the rest 53 finished the following test. Rats in the KG group were administered with KG extract (calculated as 6. 75 g crude drug/kg) by gastrogavage. Rats in the Valsartan group were administered with Valsartan (7.2 µg/g) by gastrogavage. Equal volume of double distilled water was administered to rats in the model group and the sham-operation group by gastrogavage. All rats were intervened for 32 weeks. The response of isolated heart papillary muscle tonus to isoprenaline (ISO) and adenylate cyclase (Forskolin) was respectively observed. The enhancement phenomenon after resting development force (DF) of isolated heart papillary muscle tonus, and changes of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations were observed.

RESULTS(1) In the ISO response test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF, ±df/dt, -df/dt were obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt were obviously lowered in the KG group (P < 0.01), and the amplification of ±df/dt was also reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.01). (2) In the Forskolin response test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt were obviously reduced in the KG group (P < 0.01), and the amplification of DF was also reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.05). (3) In post-resting DF enhancement test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplification of DF showed gradually decreasing tendency along with prolonged resting time in the model group, and they were obviously lowered at all time points (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplification of DF was gradually increasing along with prolonged resting time in the KG group. The amplification of DF at post-resting 240 s was obviously larger in the KG group than in the model group (P < 0.05). The amplification of post-resting DF still showed gradually decreasing tendency along with prolonged resting time in the Valsartan group, with increased amplifications of DF at post-resting 60 s and 120 s (P < 0. 05) (4) The amplifications of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF were significantly elevated in different Ca²⁺ concentrations (1.75, 3.5, 7.0 mmol/L ) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was no statistical difference in amplification of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations in the KG group (P > 0.05). The amplifications of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations were significantly reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe ISO response and the Forskolin response were enhanced in isolated heart papillary muscle tonus of pressure overload induced DHF rats; enhanced post-resting DF was reduced; DF in different supra-physiologic levels of Ca²⁺ was still enhanced. KG could significantly improve excessive enhancement of pressure overload induced DHF rats in ISO response and Forskolin response, and improve enhancement of post-resting myocardium.

Animals ; Colforsin ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Heart Failure, Diastolic ; drug therapy ; Isoproterenol ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of Shen-Fu Injection (SFI) and epinephrine on the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) in a pig model with post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction.

METHODSVentricular fibrillation (VF) was electrically induced in Wu-zhi-shan miniature pigs. After 8 min of untreated VF and 2 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), all animals were randomly administered a bolus injection of saline placebo (SA group, n=10), SFI (0.8 mg/kg, SFI group, n=10) or epinephrine (20 μg/kg, EPI group, n=10). After 4 min of CPR, a 100-J shock was delivered. If the defibrillation attempt failed to attain restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), manual chest compressions were rapidly resumed for a further 2 min followed by a second defibrillation attempt. Hemodynamic variables were recorded, and plasma concentrations of catecholamines were measured. Adenylate cyclase (AC), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the expressions of β1-adrenoceptor (AR) and SERCA 2a were determined.

RESULTSCardiac output, left ventricular dp/dtmax and negative dp/dtmax were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI groups at 4 and 6 h after ROSC. The expression of β1-AR and SERCA2a at 24 h after ROSC were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe administration of epinephrine during CPR decreased the expression of SERCA2a and aggravated postresuscitation myocardial function (P<0.01). SFI attenuated post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction, and the mechanism might be related to the up-regulation of SERCA2a expression.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cardiac Output ; drug effects ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Injections ; Male ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; pathology ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects