[Tianma Gouteng Decoction regulates MFN2 expression to delay vascular aging in spontaneously hypertensive rats].

We studied the effect of Tianma Gouteng Decoction on vascular aging in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs) to explore the molecular mechanism of the decoction in improving arterial vascular aging by regulating the expression of mitofusin 2(MFN2).Twenty 64-weeks-old SHRs were randomly assigned into the aging group and the treatment group(Tianma Gouteng Decoction 5.48 mg·kg~(-1)).Wistar-Kyoto(WKY) rats of 64 weeks old were taken as the normal group and SHR rats of 14 weeks old as the young group.The intervention with Tianma Gouteng Decoction lasted for 12 weeks.We then employed HE staining and Masson staining to observe the morphology of thoracic aorta under an electron microscope and measured the malondialdehyde(MDA) content, superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity, respiratory chain complex Ⅲ level, and thioredoxin peroxidase(TPX) activity.The vascular aging was detected via the biomarker senescence-associated beta-galactosidase(SA-ß-Gal).The expression levels of MFN2 and aging marker proteins silent information regulator 1(SIRT1), Klotho, p21, and p53 in thoracic aorta were detected by immunohistochemistry/fluorescence, qRT-PCR, and Western blot.Compared with the young group and the normal group, the aging group had risen blood pressure, lumen stenosis caused by thickened intima of blood vessels, decreased SOD and TPX activities, increased MDA and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅲ levels, down-regulated expression of MFN2, SIRT1, and Klotho, and up-regulated expression of p21 and p53(P<0.01 or P<0.05).The treatment with Tianma Gouteng Decoction significantly lowered blood pressure, mitigated vascular intimal thickening, increased SOD and TPX activities, and decreased MDA and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅲ levels, thus alleviating vascular aging.At the same time, the decoction up-regulated the expression of MFN2, SIRT1, and Klotho, while down-regulated that of p21 and p53(P<0.01 or P<0.05).In summary, Tianma Gouteng Decoction can significantly delay the vascular aging in hypertension.Specifically, it may up-regulate the expression of MFN2 and regulate the expression of aging-related proteins to alleviate oxidative stress.

Hypoxia promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling via HIF-1α to regulate mitochondrial dynamics.

BACKGROUND: Increasing research suggests that mitochondrial defect plays a major role in pulmonary hypertension (PH) pathogenesis. Mitochondrial dynamics and quality control have a central role in the maintenance of the cell proliferation and apoptosis balance. However, the molecular mechanism underlying of this balance is still unknown. METHODS: To clarify the biological effects of hypoxic air exposure and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) on pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) and pulmonary arterial hypertension rats, the cells were cultured in a hypoxic chamber under oxygen concentrations. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species level, cell death, mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial function and mitochondrial biosynthesis, as well as fission-and fusion-related proteins, were measured under hypoxic conditions. In addition, rats were maintained under hypoxic conditions, and the right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy index and right ventricular weight/body weight ratio were examined and recorded. Further, we assessed the role of HIF-1α in the development and progression of PH using HIF-1α gene knockdown using small interfering RNA transfection. Mdivi-1 treatment was performed before hypoxia to inhibit dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). RESULTS: We found that HIF-1α expression was increased during hypoxia, which was crucial for hypoxia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and hypoxia-stimulated PASMCs proliferation and apoptosis. We also found that targeting mitochondrial fission Drp1 by mitochondrial division inhibitor Mdivi-1 was effective in PH model rats. The results showed that mitochondrial dynamics were involved in the pulmonary vascular remodeling under hypoxia in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, HIF-1α also modulated mitochondrial dynamics in pulmonary vascular remodeling under hypoxia through directly regulating the expression of Drp1. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data suggests that abnormal mitochondrial dynamics could be a marker for the early diagnosis of PH and monitoring disease progression. Further research is needed to study the signaling pathways that govern mitochondrial fission/fusion in PH.

[Effect of simvastatin on the reserve of heart function and endothelial function in X-syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effect of simvastatin combined with traditional medicine on patients with X-syndrome, and on the reserve of heart function and endothelial function. METHODS: Forty patients with X-syndrome were recruited from September 2006 to September 2007 and randomly divided into 2 groups (a simvastatin group and a control group). The control group received routine treatment including beta receptor blocker, calcium-channel blocker (CCB) and long active nitrate. The simvastatin group received simvastatin and the routine treatment. The clinical condition and exercise test (TET) were performed before and after the treatment.The levels of triglyeride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. RESULTS: The frequencies of chest pain in the simvastatin group were lower than those in the control group. The levels of ET-1, ET-1/NO, TG, TC, and LDL-C were significantly decreased in the simvastatin group as compared with the control group after the treatment. The levels of HDL-C and NO were significantly increased in the simvastatin group as compared with the control group after the treatment. The time in TET was significantly increased in the simvastatin group as compared with the control group. The frequencies of chest pain were positively related to the level of ET-1/NO and negatively related to the time in TET. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin is effective for patients with X-syndrome and may improve the endothelial function and the reserve of heart function.

[Expression of cardiotrophin-1 and effects of irbesartan in adriamycin induced cardiomyopathy in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cardiotrophin-1(CT-1) expression in the ventricle and the effects of angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist (AT(1)RA) irbesartan on the ventricular remodeling in adriamycin myocardiopathy. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomized into 2 groups: a control group (n=10) and a model group (n=20). The model group was administered adriamycin and 18 rats survived. And theses rats were randomized again into 2 groups. One was treated with irbesartan [50 mg/(kg x d), with stomach-tube], and the other received equal saline, so did the control group. After 12 weeks, the protein level of CT-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Ventricular CT-1 in the model control group and the treatment group was higher than that in the control group and the correlation analysis showed that ventricular CT-1 of the model control group was positively correlated with the left ventricular weight index, and CT-1 of the treatment group was lower than that of the model control group. CONCLUSION: CT-1 was assumed to take part in the ventricular remodeling. The mechanism of irbesartan on the ventricular remodeling may be related to the downregulation of CT-1 expression.

[Effect of diet control combined with aerobic exercise on the metabolic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of diet control and aerobic exercises on the patients with metabolic syndrome(MS). METHODS: Sixty sedentary patients with MS were randomly divided into a diet control group, an aerobic exercise group, and a diet control combined with aerobic exercise group, each group with 20 persons. Patients in the simple diet control group ate a low-salt, low-cholesterol, low-calorie and high-cellulose diet; patients in the simple aerobic exercises group performed aerobic exercise 30 minutes every time, 3-5 times per week for 12 weeks; while patients in the combination therapy group performed aerobic exercises and diet control. Fasting serum insulin and free fatty acid (FFA) were measured by radio immunity and enzyme-colorimetric method. Serum leptin concentration was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance index was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment equation. Twenty healthy subjects were selected as the control group. RESULTS: Serum concentration of FFA, blood pressure, and leptin and insulin resistance index (IRI)of patients with MS significantly increased compared with those of the controls. After 12 weeks, IRI and body mass index (BMI)significantly decreased but blood fat and leptin did not change significantly in the diet control group. IRI and BMI significantly decreased, and triglyceride, FFA and leptin also significantly decreased in the combination therapy group. CONCLUSION: Simple diet control and aerobic exercises are beneficial for patients with MS. It could significantly improve the effect of diet control combined with aerobic exercises on patients with metabolic syndrome.

Comparison of ferulic acid content in Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Danggui-Buxue-Tang and Danggui-Sini-Tang.

The aim of the present study was to determine the ferulic acid (FA) content of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (AS), Danggui-Buxue-Tang (DBT) and Danggui-Sini-Tang (DST) using the same ultra performance liquid chromatography system and method. FA was eluted using an Acquity BEH C18 column (100×2.1 mm inner diameter; 1.7 µm). A mobile phase of methanol and 0.5% acetic acid was used and a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min was selected. The calibration curve exhibited a good linear regression (R2=0.9997). The inter- and intra-day precision measurements of FA ranged between 0.27 and 3.03% and the recovery ranged between 98.44 and 101.64% with relative standard deviation (RSD) values ≤4.73%. The method was reliable and simple. The results of the chromatographic analyses indicate that the FA contents of the DBT and DST decoctions were increased compared with that of AS due to the presence of other herbs.