ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of renal denervation combined with Losartan on cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneous hypertensive rats. Methods Spontaneous hypertensive rats with cardiac hypertrophy underwent renal denervation combined with following 4 weeks drug treatments. Transthoracic two-dimensional guided M-mode echocardiography was performed. The expression of hypertrophy-related gene was detected. Left ventricularmass index was calculated and histological sectionsstained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Results The characteristics of cardiac hypertrophy was observed in left ventricular tissues with HE staining in12 weeks old spontaneous hypertensive rats.The thickness was increased in those ventricular (IVSs, IVSd, LVPWs and LVPWd). After4 weeks after treatment, histological improvements were observed in both RDN and R+L groups compared with sham group. The improvement was more obvious in R+L group. Similar results were observed in histological sections, ventricular thicknesses (IVSs, IVSd, LVPWs and LVPWd), related-hypertrophy genes (ANP and β-MHC) expression, left ventricular mass idex (LVMI) and the protein expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). Conculsion Renal denervation therapy can improve hypertensive-induced cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneous hypertensive rats. The effect was more significant when combined with Losartan. The mechanism might be involved in inhibiting inflammatory cytokines.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe platelet dynamics in a monkey infected with Plasmodium cynomolgi before and after treatments with antibiotics and antimalarial drug. Methods One experimental monkey was examined for parasite density and platelet count 2 days after parasite inoculation. Observation without treatment continued for 24 days after the parasite was detected in the blood sample of the monkey. Then the monkey was treated with Azithromycin (total 1500 mg) for 3 days. Thirty days after parasite detection in the blood, the monkey was treated with Artesunate for 5 days. Parasite density and platelet count were monitored daily during treatments. The result was compared with that from a healthy monkey as control. Results The experimental monkey's platelet count was 240× 109/L before infection. When parasite density was 2/100 white blood cells (WBC),platelet count increased to 540 × 109/L. During the subsequent period of infection, parasite density fluctuated at (1-60)/100 WBC, and the platelet count reduced to a persistent level of (130-150)×109/L. After the infected monkey was treated with Azithromycin, parasite density reduced initially but subsequently fluctuated at (16-64)/100 WBC. Meanwhile, platelet count was restored to 234.5 × 109/L.The infected monkey was treated with Artesunate and parasite clearance time was 64 hours, and the mean platelet count was 247 × 109/L after treatment. Conclusion Azithromycin and Artesunate treatment have direct influence on the recovery of platelet counts during malaria infection in monkeys.