Recent advances in ZnO-based photosensitizers: Synthesis, modification, and applications in photodynamic cancer therapy.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are important semiconductor materials with interesting photo-responsive properties. During the past, ZnO-based NPs have received considerable attention for photodynamic therapy (PDT) due to their biocompatibility and excellent potential of generating tumor-killing reactive oxygen species (ROS) through gentle photodynamic activation. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent developments and improvements in optical properties of ZnO NPs as photosensitizers for PDT. The optical properties of ZnO-based photosensitizers are significantly dependent on their charge separation, absorption potential, band gap engineering, and surface area, which can be adjusted/tuned by doping, compositing, and morphology control. Here, we first summarize the recent progress in the charge separation capability, absorption potential, band gap engineering, and surface area of nanosized ZnO-based photosensitizers. Then, morphology control that is closely related to their synthesis method is discussed. Following on, the state-of-art for the ZnO-based NPs in the treatment of hypoxic tumors is comprehensively reviewed. Finally, we provide some outlooks on common targeted therapy methods for more effective tumor killing, including the attachment of small molecules, antibodies, ligands molecules, and receptors to NPs which further improve their selective distribution and targeting, hence improving the therapeutic effectiveness. The current review may provide useful guidance for the researchers who are interested in this promising dynamic cancer treatment technology.

Analysis of gene expression profiling of amyloidogenic immunoglobulin light-chains on cultured rat cardiomyocytes.

The present study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of different amyloidogenic light-chains (LCs) on cardiomyocytes, and demonstrate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and signaling pathways that participate in this process. Cultured cardiomyocytes were treated with recombinant κ LC peptide (AL-09) or with serum from a patient diagnosed with multiple myeloma (λ LC) with cardiac involvement. The 6xHis peptide or serum from healthy patients was used as peptide control or serum control, respectively. Cell viability was determined using CCK-8 assay and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The DEGs were detected by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), followed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Changes in gene expression levels were confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The cell viability in the AL-09 peptide-treated (0.2 mg/ml) and patient serum-treated (1:10 dilution) cardiomyocytes decreased to 42 and -72% of the corresponding control groups. The extent of cell apoptosis increased in AL-09-treated cardiomyocytes compared with the control group. RNA-Seq showed 256 DEGs co-existed in the two paired groups, including 127 upregulated and 88 downregulated genes. The KEGG pathways for upregulated expressed genes included the 'TGF-ß signaling pathway', the 'Hedgehog signaling pathway', the 'ErbB signaling pathway' and 'lysine degradation'. The higher mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) 4, Bmp6, prostaglandin G/H synthase (Ptgs)1, Ptgs2, epiregulin, Tgfa and procollagen-lysine,2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 were confirmed. The KEGG pathways of downregulated expressed genes included genes involved with the 'p53 signaling pathway' and the 'cell cycle'. The mRNA expression levels of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase CCNB1IP1 showed significant downregulation in the AL-09 peptide group compared with those in the 6xHis peptide group. In conclusion, cardiomyocytes treated with amyloidogenic λ and κ LCs presented with decreased cell viability compared with controls. Cell apoptosis increased in κ LC-treated cells compared with controls. The gene expression profiles associated with transforming growth factor-ß-bone morphogenetic protein, the receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2 signaling pathways, prostaglandins, collagen production, the p53 signaling pathway and the cell cycle were altered in light-chain-treated cardiomyocytes.

Cardiac Myosin-Binding Protein C Release Profile After Cardiac Surgery in Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgical procedures produce iatrogenic myocardial cell injury with necrosis that result in an obligatory release of biomarkers. Cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C) has recently emerged as a specific and sensitive biomarker in patients with acute myocardial injury. We therefore aimed to investigate the release profiles of cMyBP-C after cardiac surgical procedures. METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect blood cMyBP-C was established by using two monoclonal antibodies against N-terminus of human cMyBP-C. Consecutive patients undergoing cardiac operations (N = 151) were recruited in this study. Blood cMyBP-C was assayed preoperatively, at intensive care unit arrival (0 hour after the operation), at 2 to 48 hours, and before discharge. The characteristics and detailed surgical procedure were recorded. RESULTS: The established immunoassay was capable of detecting human cMyBP-C (0 to 1000 ng/L). The released cMyBP-C peaked immediately after cardiac surgery (0 h), attaining 3.8-fold higher than before the operation, dropped abruptly within 24 hours, and stayed at a higher level until discharge. Postoperative cMyBP-C levels correlated positively with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), creatine kinase, myoglobin, and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme. Different cardiac surgical procedures were characterized by different levels of release of cardiac biomarkers. Isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was associated with the smaller amount of cMyBP-C release, whereas valve replacement/plasty surgery produced higher release, in particular the multiple-valve surgery. Both cMyBP-C and hs-cTnT correlated with surgical techniques, postoperative intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating cMyBP-C is a promising novel biomarker for evaluating cardiac surgical trauma in patients undergoing a cardiac operation.

Astragaloside IV Prevents Cardiac Remodeling in the Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice by Regulating Cardiac Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress.

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Astragaloside IV (AST-IV) possesses cardiovascular protective properties. We hypothesize that AST-IV prevents cardiac remodeling with hypercholesterolemia via modulating tissue homeostasis and alleviating oxidative stress. METHODS: The ApoE-/- mice were treated with AST-IV at 1 or 10 mg/kg for 8 weeks. The blood lipids tests, echocardiography, and TUNEL were performed. The mRNA expression profile was detected by real-time PCR. The myocytes size and number, and the expressions of proliferation (ki67), senescence (p16INK4a), oxidant (NADPH oxidase 4, NOX4) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, SOD) were observed by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Neither 1 mg/kg nor 10 mg/kg AST-IV treatment could decrease blood lipids in ApoE-/- mice. However, the decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (FS) in ApoE-/- mice were significantly improved after AST-IV treatment. The cardiac collagen volume fraction declined nearly in half after AST-IV treatment. The enlarged myocyte size was suppressed, and myocyte number was recovered, and the alterations of genes expressions linked to cell cycle, proliferation, senescence, p53-apoptosis pathway and oxidant-antioxidants in the hearts of ApoE-/- mice were reversed after AST-IV treatment. The decreased ki67 and increased p16INK4a in the hearts of ApoE-/- mice were recovered after AST-IV treatment. The percentages of apoptotic myocytes and NOX4-positive cells in AST-IV treated mice were decreased, which were consistent with the gene expressions. CONCLUSION: AST-IV treatment could prevent cardiac remodeling and recover the impaired ventricular function induced by hypercholesterolemia. The beneficial effect of AST-IV might partly be through regulating cardiac homeostasis and anti-oxidative stress.

Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies and a Simple Myeloperoxidase-Immunosorbent Assay for Detecting Human Myeloperoxidase.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a leukocyte hemoprotein released from neutrophils, is thought to be a potential participant in plaque formation and plaque rupture. Therefore, MPO is regarded as an early marker predicting the risk for atherosclerosis, especially for coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome. We generated hybridoma clones 1E3 and 3E8 secreting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to human MPO. BALB/c mice were immunized with MPO protein purified from human neutrophils. Splenocytes from these mice were fused with the mouse myeloma cell line SP2/0. Based on isotyping of the mAbs, both clones 1E3 and 3E8 were referred to the IgG1 subclass. The specificities of 1E3 and 3E8 were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and only 3E8 was confirmed by western blot. We developed a simple MPO-immunosorbent assay (MPO-ISA) on microplate based on both the immune activity and peroxidase activity of MPO. The mAb secreted by clone 3E8 was chosen as coating antibody to capture the plasma MPO without interfering with the peroxidase activity of MPO. Then, tetramethylbenzidine substrate was added to the microwell directly, catalyzed by captured MPO, and a colored product was formed. The simple MPO-ISA test has a sensitivity of 3.68 ng/mL. The linear concentration of MPO-ISA for commercial MPO standard ranged to 250 ng/mL. The average recovery rate is 101.02%. The imprecision within-day was <10% at three different MPO levels. The imprecision between-day was <10% at low and middle MPO levels and varied to 14.61% at the high MPO level. We found that the established MPO-ISA can detect the plasma MPO from human and cavy, but not from mouse and rat. Compared with the commercial human MPO ELISA assay, the MPO-ISA can be used to detect the natural human MPO protein, but not recombinant MPO polypeptides. The generated mAbs and MPO-ISA test may be useful tools to assess risk for inflammation and cardiac events.

The effects of different initiation time of exercise training on left ventricular remodeling and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether different initiation of exercise training (ET) produces different effect sizes for left ventricular (LV) remodeling and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in patients with LV dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). METHOD: Trials evaluating ET outcomes identified by searches in OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and WEB OF SCIENCE were used. Meta-analysis was conducted with the use of the software STATA 11.0. The results were expressed as the standardized mean difference (SMD), with corresponding 95% CI and p value. RESULTS: The largest changes in LV remodeling and cardiopulmonary capacity rehabilitation were obtained when programs began the acute phase after MI. With the healing of MI, the beneficial effects of ET on LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-systolic diameter (LVDs) and peak VO2 were gradually weakened even worse. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events was not significantly increased in acute phase post-MI. Sensitivity analyses show that ET still had significant effect in reducing LVDs and increasing peak VO2, while ET no longer had statistical effect in increasing LVEF but showed favorable trends when the same research institution's works were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: ET has favorable effects on LV remodeling and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in LV dysfunction post-MI patients. The greatest benefits are obtained when ET starts at the acute phase following MI. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Early exercise training is safe and feasible in acute and healing phase after myocardial infarction. Early exercise training could attenuate LV remodeling and improve cardiopulmonary capacity in patients with myocardial infarction after hospital discharge (around one week post-MI). Exercise training has favorable effects on LV remodeling and cardiopulmonary capacity rehabilitation. Exercise training should be treated to have the same roles with drugs in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction.

Hepatocellular carcinoma associated microRNA expression signature: integrated bioinformatics analysis, experimental validation and clinical significance.

microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles varied greatly among current studies due to different technological platforms and small sample size. Systematic and integrative analysis of published datesets that compared the miRNA expression profiles between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue and paired adjacent noncancerous liver tissue was performed to determine candidate HCC associated miRNAs. Moreover, we further validated the confirmed miRNAs in a clinical setting using qRT-PCR and Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. A miRNA integrated-signature of 5 upregulated and 8 downregulated miRNAs was identified from 26 published datesets in HCC using robust rank aggregation method. qRT-PCR demonstrated that miR-93-5p, miR-224-5p, miR-221-3p and miR-21-5p was increased, whereas the expression of miR-214-3p, miR-199a-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-150-5p and miR-145-5p was decreased in the HCC tissues, which was also validated on TCGA dataset. A miRNA based score using LASSO regression model provided a high accuracy for identifying HCC tissue (AUC = 0.982): HCC risk score = 0.180E_miR-221 + 0.0262E_miR-21 - 0.007E_miR-223 - 0.185E_miR-130a. E_miR-n = Log 2 (expression of microRNA n). Furthermore, expression of 5 miRNAs (miR-222, miR-221, miR-21 miR-214 and miR-130a) correlated with pathological tumor grade. Cox regression analysis showed that miR-21 was related with 3-year survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.509, 95%CI: 1.079-2.112, P = 0.016) and 5-year survival (HR: 1.416, 95%CI: 1.057-1.897, P = 0.020). However, none of the deregulated miRNAs was related with microscopic vascular invasion. This study provides a basis for further clinical application of miRNAs in HCC.

Cardiac troponin I is abnormally expressed in non-small cell lung cancer tissues and human cancer cells.

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is the only sarcomeric protein identified to date that is expressed exclusively in cardiac muscle. Its expression in cancer tissues has not been reported. Herein, we examined cTnI expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues, human adenocarcinoma cells SPCA-1 (lung) and BGC 823 (gastric) by immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and real-time PCR. Immunopositivity for cTnI was demonstrated in 69.4% (34/49) NSCLC tissues evaluated, and was strong intensity in 35.3% (6/17) lung squamous cell carcinoma cases. The non-cancer-bearing lung tissues except tuberculosis (9/9, 100%) showed negative staining for cTnI. Seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human cTnI were applied in immunofluorescence. The result showed that the staining pattern within SPCA-1 and BGC 823 was dependent on the epitope of the cTnI mAbs. The membrane and nucleus of cancer cells were stained by mAbs against N-terminal peptides of cTnI, and cytoplasm was stained by mAbs against the middle and C-terminal peptides of cTnI. A ~25 kD band was identified by anti-cTnI mAb in SPCA-1 and BGC 823 extracts by western blot, as well as in cardiomyocyte extracts. The cTnI mRNA expressions in SPCA-1 and BGC 823 cells were about ten thousand times less than that in cardiomyocytes. Our study shows for the first time that cTnI protein and mRNA were abnormally expressed in NSCLC tissues, SPCA-1 and BGC 823 cells. These findings challenge the conventional view of cTnI as a cardiac-specific protein, enabling the potential use of cTnI as a diagnostic marker or targeted therapy for cancer.

Targeted efficacy of dihydroartemisinin for translationally controlled protein expression in a lung cancer model.

OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with greatest morbidity and mortality around the world. The keys to targeted therapy are discovery of lung cancer biomarkers to facilitate improvement of survival and quality of life for the patients with lung cancer. Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is one of the most overexpressed proteins in human lung cancer cells by comparison to the normal cells, suggesting that it might be a good biomarker for lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, the targeted efficacy of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on TCTP expression in the A549 lung cancer cell model was explored. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: DHA could inhibit A549 lung cancer cell proliferation, and simultaneously up-regulate the expression of TCTP mRNA, but down-regulate its protein expression in A549 cells. In addition, it promoted TCTP protein secretion. Therefore, TCTP might be used as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancers.

Astragaloside IV alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocyte injury via the protein kinase a pathway.

BACKGROUND: Astragaloside IV (As-IV) exerts beneficial effects on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte injury, possibly through normalization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA2a) function. The exact mechanisms remain unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in the protective effect of As-IV on SERCA2a function. METHODS: Cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats were exposed to 6 h of hypoxia followed by 3 h of reoxygenation (H/R) with or without As-IV treatment. Myocyte injury was determined by the creatine kinase (CK)-MB fraction in supernatant. Myocardial SERCA2a activity and PKA kinase activity were assessed. PKA subunit mRNA expression and Ser(16) phosphorylated phospholamban (Ser(16)-PLN) protein expression were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of As-IV significantly decreased CK-MB release and restored SERCA2a activity in H/R cardiomyocytes. The mRNAs of PKA subunits, PKA-RIα, PKA-RIIα, PKA-RIIß, PKA-Cα and PKA-Cß, were downregulated in H/R cardiomyocytes. However, PKA-Cα mRNA expression was significantly increased after As-IV treatment. Meanwhile, there was a tendency to recovery of the H/R-induced PKA kinase activity decrease after As-IV treatment. The expression of Ser(16)-PLN protein, which is specifically phosphorylated by PKA, was upregulated in As-IV-treated H/R cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the cardioprotection of As-IV may be through the upregulation of PKA and Ser(16)-PLN, thereby restoring SERCA2a function in H/R injury.

Astragaloside IV improved intracellular calcium handling in hypoxia-reoxygenated cardiomyocytes via the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase.

Although astragaloside IV, a saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, has been shown to protect the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury, its effect on the status of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ transport in the injured myocardium remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether in cultured cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) administration of astragaloside IV during H/R attenuates the myocardial cell injury and prevents changes in Ca2+ handling activities and gene expression of SR Ca2+ pump. Cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats were exposed to 6 h of hypoxia followed by 3 h of reoxygenation. Myocyte injury was determined by the release of cardiac troponin I in supernatant. Astragaloside IV significantly inhibited cardiac troponin I release after H/R in a dose-dependent manner. The diastolic [Ca2+]i measured with Fura-2/AM was significantly increased after reoxygenation. Astragaloside IV prevented the rise of diastolic [Ca2+]i and the depression of caffeine-induced Ca2+ transients caused by H/R. Furthermore, the observed depressions in SR Ca2+-ATPase activity as well as the mRNA and protein expression of SR Ca2+-ATPase in hypoxic-reoxygenated cardiomyocytes were attenuated by astragaloside IV treatment. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of astragaloside IV in H/R-induced injury may be related to normalization of SR Ca2+ pump expression and, thus, may prevent the depression in SR Ca2+ handling.

[Assessment of cardiac structure and function by echocardiographic values for male Balb/c mice].

AIM: To assess the parameters of cardiac structure and function of male Balb/c mice by the echocardiography. METHODS: A total of 27 male Balb/c mice (from five to seven week old) were examined with a 13-MHz transthoracic linear-array transducer, hearts were removed from mice anesthetized with Nembutal, and the left ventricular (LV) mass were weighed. RESULTS: Complete 2-dimensional echocardiography for cardiac structure and function were obtained. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded. A correlation existed between LV weight (x) and echocardiographic LV mass (y) with the 2D) guided M-mode method: y = 1.15x + 3.26, (r = 0.80). CONCLUSION: Echocardiography appears to be a promising approach for noninvasively assessing LV mass and function in mice.

[Reduced Ca2+ current in rat cardiomyocytes transfected with troponin I R145W mutation gene].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of cardiac troponin I R145W mutation, detected in Chinese patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, on Ca(2+) current modulation. METHODS: R146W mutation (resemble R145W in human) was introduced into rat cardiac troponin I cDNA by site-directed mutagenesis. With EGFP as a reporter gene, replication-defective adenovirus containing the wild or mutant cTnI gene was constructed. Adult rat cardiomyocytes, were isolated by Langendorff perfusion and cultured with serum-free medium and transduced with the recombinant adenoviruses. Western blot was used to determine the recombinant proteins. Whole cell patch clamp was employed to record L-type Ca(2+) currents on cultured myocytes. Intracellular free Ca(2+) and caffeine-induced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release were determined after the cells incubated with Fura-2/AM. RESULTS: DNA sequencing confirmed that R146W mutation was generated in rat cTnI cDNA. Bright green fluorescence was observed in the cultured cardiomyocytes at 48 h after transduction. The recombinant proteins could be identified with cTnI or GFP monoclonal antibody. The peak current of L-type Ca(2+) channel in cells transduced with cTnI R146W was significantly decreased compared to control cells and cells transfected with wild cTnI. Intracellular free Ca(2+) concentrations and caffeine-induced SR Ca(2+) release determined by Fura-2/AM were similar among various cells. CONCLUSION: Reduced peak current of L-type Ca(2+) channel in cells transduced with cTnI R146W might contribute to the disease-causing mechanism of this mutation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

[Association between cardiac troponin I phosphorylation/degradation and cardiomyopathies].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between cTnI phosphorylation/degradation and cardiomyopathies in extransplanted myocardium. METHODS: cTnI phosphorylation and degradation as well as PKC (beta1, beta2) expressions were determined in extransplanted hearts from patients with cardiomyopathies (n = 8) and from traffic accidents (n = 6) by Western blot. RESULTS: The cTnI bands were observed in LV myocardium of cardiomyopathy patients and normal myocardium while and cTnI degradation bands were only detected in LV myocardium from patients with cardiomyopathies. The phosphorylated cTnI bands were significantly upregulated in LV myocardium of cardiomyopathy patients compared to normal myocardium (P < 0.05). There was no myocardial PKCbeta1, PKCbeta2 expression in all examined hearts. CONCLUSION: The cTnI degradation products and increased phosphorylated cTnI expression are likely involved in the pathogenesis and development of cardiomyopathy.

Protective effect of astragalosides on myocardial injury by isoproterenol in SD rats.

We have extracted and roughly purified astragalosides (AS) from Astragalus membranaceus, a natural herb used as a traditional Chinese medicine, regarded to have pharmacodynamic benefits of protecting injured myocardium. We hypothesized that the astragalosides might exert beneficial effect in myocardial lesion by preserving both energy metabolism and Ca(2+) homeostasis. Sprague-Dauley (SD) rats were injected with isoproterenol (ISO) subcutaneous (s.c.) at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day consecutively for two days as models and were treated with astragalosides and trimetazidine intraperitoneally (i.p.) respectively, at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day one day prior to isoproterenol for 8 days. The histological changes were alleviated in isoproterenol-injected SD rats treated with astragalosides. Compared with isoproterenol-injected rats, the concentration of myocardial intracellular [Ca(2+)]i was decreased, L-type Ca(2+) current density and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) load were recovered, the concentration of myocardial ATP was increased and phosphocreatine (PCr) was decreased in rats treated with astragalosides. In conclusion, the efficacious treatment of astragalosides for myocardial injury might be through regulating intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and energy metabolism.

Cardiac protective effect of Astragalus on viral myocarditis mice: comparison with Perindopril.

In clinical practice, Astragali Radix (Astragalus), the root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, has been widely applied to treat patients with viral diseases, including viral myocarditis in China. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Astragalus on the function of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA2) activity and endothelin system at acute and chronic periods of myocarditis mice induced by CVB(3) infection. Astragalus feeding (2.2 mg/kg/day) could significantly increase the survival rate, alleviate pathological alterations and serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), as well as restore impaired SERCA activity at the acute stage. Low affinity and capacity of ETR were reversed with Astragalus after the first CVB(3) inoculation up to 7 days and after the second virus inoculation up to 150 days. In the meantime, the contents of cardiac ET-1 and ANP were reduced. Comparison the myocarditis mice treated with Perindopril (0.44 mg/kg/day), an ACE inhibitor, shows that Astragalus achieved a similar effect on survival rate, SERCA2 and ET system. These results indicated that the beneficial effects of Astragalus and Perindopril for treating viral myocarditis might be partly mediated by preserving the functions of SERCA 2 activity and ET system.

Trimetazidine improved Ca2+ handling in isoprenaline-mediated myocardial injury of rats.

Dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis plays an important role in mediating myocardial injury. We tested the hypothesis that treatment with trimetazidine (TMZ) would improve intracellular Ca2+ handling in myocardial injury of rats. The control group received saline only (10 ml kg(-1) day(-1), i.p.) for 7 days. In a second group, isoprenaline (ISO; 5 mg kg(-1) day(-1), s.c.) was administered to rats for 2 days to induce an acute injury of the myocardium. In a third group, treatment with TMZ (10 mg kg(-1) day(-1), i.p.) was initiated 1 day before ISO administration and continued for 7 days (n = 7 rats in each group). Histopathological evaluation showed that TMZ prevented ISO-induced myocardial damage. TMZ preserved the ATP levels and decreased the maleic dialdehyde (MDA) content in the hearts compared with ISO-treated rats. The diastolic [Ca2+]i measured by loading with fura-2 AM in isolated cardiomyocytes was increased significantly in ISO-treated rats compared to the control animals. TMZ prevented the rise of diastolic [Ca2+]i and the depression of caffeine-induced Ca2+ transients caused by ISO administration. The reduction in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content in the heart cells and in cardiac SR Ca2+-ATPase activity in ISO-treated rats was abolished by TMZ, although there were no differences in SR Ca2+-ATPase protein levels between the control, ISO and ISO + 7 mz-treated rats. In addition, TMZ prevented the reduction in sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ current density in the heart cells induced by ISO treatment. These results demonstrate that the treatment of rats with TMZ inhibited the increase of diastolic [Ca2+]i and prevented the decrease of SR Ca2+ content, SR Ca2+-ATPase activity and L-type Ca2+ current density in cardiomyocytes in ISO-mediated myocardial injury of rats. These changes in Ca2+ handling could help to explain the favourable action of TMZ in myocardial injury.

Effect of astragalosides on intracellular calcium overload in cultured cardiac myocytes of neonatal rats.

Astragalosides were the main active components from a native Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus. Recent studies have shown that Astragalosides have a protective effect on myocardial injury in rats. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Astragalosides on intracellular calcium overload and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium load (SR Ca2+ load) in cultured cardiac myocytes from neonatal rats. Astragalosides (100 microg/ml) were incubated in the presence of isoproterenol (ISO) (10(-5) M) for 72 hours in cardiomyocytes. Metoprorol (10(-6) M), a beta1-selective antagonist, was cultured in the same condition as Astragalosides. The result showed that intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and SR Ca2+ load increased in ISO-treated cardiac myocytes as compared to control (P < 0.01). Astragalosides prevented ISO-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and SR Ca2+ load. Metoprolol also inhibited those increase. The mRNA expression and activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) were enhanced following ISO treatment in cardiac myocytes, and these increases were inhibited by Astragalosides or metoprolol (P < 0.05). The decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the elevation of intracellular maleic dialdehyde (MDA) were observed after ISO treatment in cardiac myocytes. Both Astragalosides and metoprolol restored the SOD activity and reduced the level of MDA. We conclude that Astragalosides have the effects on reducing [Ca2+]i and SR Ca2+ load, enhancing free radical removal and decreasing lipid peroxidation in ISO-treated cardiomyocytes, which might account for their protective effect on myocardial injury.

Alteration of endothelin system and calcium handling protein in left ventricles following drug treatment in dilated cardiomyopathy rats.

AIM: To investigate the changes of cardiac calcium handling proteins and endothelin system in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) rats and the effects of perindopril and bisoprolol on the remodeling ventricles. METHODS: DCM rats were employed using a 2-kidney, 1-clip hypertensive and diabetic model. Some of the DCM rats were treated with perindopril and bisoprolol for 3 months, respectively. The ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight (LVW/BW), mRNA expressions of calcium handling proteins and endothelin receptors were determined. The alterations of maximum binding capacity (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) values of cardiac endothelin receptors (ETR) and its subtypes were detected. RESULTS: Compared with those of normal control, blood pressure, and LVW/BW in the DCM rats were elevated. Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (SERCA) mRNA expression and SERCA activity decreased in the left ventricle. The ETR Bmax decreased, especially the endothelin receptor A. Endothelin converting enzyme activity and expression were elevated, and mRNA expressions of beta1-adrenoreceptor and inositol-3-phosphate receptor in some hearts increased as well. The administration of perindopril and bisoprolol could reverse myocardial hypertrophy and restore the imbalance of calcium handling proteins and endothelin system. CONCLUSION: The disorder of calcium handling proteins and endothelin system existed in the hearts of DCM rats. Treatment of perindopril and bisoprolol could reverse myocardial hypertrophy and changes in DCM rats.

[Role of calcineurin in the progression of cardiac hypertrophy in renovascular hypertensive rats].

The present study was to investigate the mRNA, protein expression and the activity of calcineurin in the hypertrophic heart, and to determine the effect of calcineurin inhibitor--cyclosporine A (CsA) on the regression of cardiac hypertrophy in renovascular hypertensive rats. Renovascular hypertension was induced by two kidney-one clip methods. Two months after the operation, cardiac hypertrophy was determined by histological analysis performed in some rats (2K1C-2M), then the rats were subdivided into 2 groups: (1) 3-month old two kidney-one clip group (2K1C-3M) with rats receiving 0.9% NaCl per day for one month, and (2) CsA-treated group with rats treated with CsA for one month. Sham-operated rats were used as control. The ratio of the left ventricular weight to tibial length (LVW/TL), the area of cardiac myocyte, mRNA and protein expression and the activity of calcineurin were determined. Both the LVW/TL and the cardiomyocyte area were significantly larger in 2K1C-2M and 2K1C-3M rats than in age-matched sham-operated rats. Treatment with CsA significantly attenuated the increase in the LVW/TL as well as the cardiomyocyte area. The mRNA, protein expression and the activity of calcineurin were significantly higher in 2K1C-2M and 2K1C-3M rats than those in the age-matched sham-operated rats, while the elevation of mRNA, protein expression and activity of calcineurin were significantly suppressed in the CsA-treated rats. In conclusion, calcineurin plays a role in the progression of cardiac hypertrophy in renovascular hypertensive rats. The inhibition of calcineurin can reverse cardiac hypertrophy.