Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO on the expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1),endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)and endothelin A receptor(ETAR) in cerebral circulation blood vessel in the rabbit model of cerebral ischemia.Methods Forty healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups;the surgical group (n =30) and the control group (n =10).The rabbits in the surgical group were further divided into the HBO + cerebral ischemia group (n =15) and the simple cerebral ischemia group (n =15) in accordance with different treatment methods.In the surgical group,cerebral ischemia model was established by thread embolus method.The HBO + cerebral ischemia group was exposed to HBO at a pressure of 0.22 MPa(2.2 ATA)for 60 minutes,one session a day,for a succession of 3 days.In the sham surgical group,neck vessel was only separated and the incision was soon sutured.The animals in the sham surgical group and the cerebral ischemia group did not receive HBO exposure,had normal diet and left there intact for 3 days.Three days later,all the animals were sacrificed,and then immunohistochemical staining was performed by using ET-1,ETAR and eNOS antibodies,and observations were made on the expressions of ET-1,eNOS and ETAR in the internal carotid artery and basilar artery of the 3 groups.Results Experimental results indicated that there were expressions of ET-1,eNOS and ETAR in the internal carotid artery and basilar artery after HBO exposure.As compared with those of the sham surgical group and the cerebral ischemia group,the expression levels of ET-1 and ETAR in the internal carotid artery (51.6 ± 2.1,53.4 ± 1.5) of the HBO + cerebral ischemia group were obviously higher than those in the basilar artery (20.3 ± 2.6,24.3 ± 1.7),and eNOS expression level in the basilar artery (52.1 ± 2.3) was significantly higher than that in the internal carotid artery(22.3 ± 1.2).Conclusions HBO exposure could enhance ET-1 and ETAR expression levels in the internal carotid artery,and could improve eNOS expression in basilar artery,resulting in anterior circulation contraction and posterior circulation dilation.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO on the expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1),endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)and endothelin A receptor(ETAR) in cerebral circulation blood vessel in the rabbit model of cerebral ischemia.Methods Forty healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups;the surgical group (n =30) and the control group (n =10).The rabbits in the surgical group were further divided into the HBO + cerebral ischemia group (n =15) and the simple cerebral ischemia group (n =15) in accordance with different treatment methods.In the surgical group,cerebral ischemia model was established by thread embolus method.The HBO + cerebral ischemia group was exposed to HBO at a pressure of 0.22 MPa(2.2 ATA)for 60 minutes,one session a day,for a succession of 3 days.In the sham surgical group,neck vessel was only separated and the incision was soon sutured.The animals in the sham surgical group and the cerebral ischemia group did not receive HBO exposure,had normal diet and left there intact for 3 days.Three days later,all the animals were sacrificed,and then immunohistochemical staining was performed by using ET-1,ETAR and eNOS antibodies,and observations were made on the expressions of ET-1,eNOS and ETAR in the internal carotid artery and basilar artery of the 3 groups.Results Experimental results indicated that there were expressions of ET-1,eNOS and ETAR in the internal carotid artery and basilar artery after HBO exposure.As compared with those of the sham surgical group and the cerebral ischemia group,the expression levels of ET-1 and ETAR in the internal carotid artery (51.6 ± 2.1,53.4 ± 1.5) of the HBO + cerebral ischemia group were obviously higher than those in the basilar artery (20.3 ± 2.6,24.3 ± 1.7),and eNOS expression level in the basilar artery (52.1 ± 2.3) was significantly higher than that in the internal carotid artery(22.3 ± 1.2).Conclusions HBO exposure could enhance ET-1 and ETAR expression levels in the internal carotid artery,and could improve eNOS expression in basilar artery,resulting in anterior circulation contraction and posterior circulation dilation.

Objective To investigate the effects and signal transduction pathway of vasonatrin peptide(VNP),a novel man-made natriuretic peptide,on hepatic fibrosis.Methods Mice were injec ted with carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)for 12 weeks,with or without VNP treatment in the last 6 weeks.HE staining and Sirius red staining were performed to evaluate the status of hepatic fibrosis.In vitro after treatment of VNP,and DNA and collagen synthesis of cultured HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cells were assessed by[3H]-thymidine and[3H]proline incorporation,respectively.The signaling pathway involved was identified by radioimmunoassay to detect the levels of intracellular cGMP,and by mimicking experiments using 8-br-cGMP(a membrane-permeable cGMP analog).Blocking experi ments were performed using HS-142-1,an antagonist of guanylyl cyclase-coupled natriuretic peptide receptor(NPR),or KT-5823,the cGMP-dependent protein kinase(PKG)inhibitor.Results VNP markedly alleviated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice.In vitro,HSC-T6 cells demonstrated a dosedependent reduction of DNA and collagen synthesis in the presence of VNP.In addition,VNP significantly increased intracellular levels of cGMP.The effects of VNP were mimicked by 8-br-cGMP,but they were inhibited by HS-142-1,or KT-5823.Conclusion VNP ameliorated liver fibrosis by inhibiting collagen production from hepatic stellate cells via guanylyl cyclase-coupled NPR/cGMP/PKG signal pathway,indicating that VNP might be a new effective agent in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Objective To evaluate the impact of sarpogrelate on the in-stent restenosis (ISR) after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in peripheral arterial diseases (PAD).Methods PAD patients who had PTA for the first time were divided into two groups receiving respectively clopidogrel and aspirin (clopidogrel group) or sarpogrelate and aspirin (sarpogrelate group).Vascular ultrasonography was performed at 6 months after PTA in all patients to evaluate the degree of ISR.Results 62 patients finished the follow-up visits as required.The in-stent restenosis in the sarpogrelate group and clopidogrel group was 7.0％ vs.18.1％ (P =0.036),the peak systolic velocity ratio was 1.34 vs.2.08 (P =0.010) and the cases of ISR was 1 vs.10 (P =0.005) respectively.No patients reported serious adverse events.Conclusions Sarpogrelate combined with aspirin is safe and effective.Compare with clopidogrel and aspirin,sarpogrelate and aspirin can significantly reduce the rate of ISR after PTA and the intimal proliferation in the stent.