Energy metabolism and redox balance: How phytochemicals influence heart failure treatment.

Heart Failure (HF) epitomizes a formidable global health quandary characterized by marked morbidity and mortality. It has been established that severe derangements in energy metabolism are central to the pathogenesis of HF, culminating in an inadequate cardiac energy milieu, which, in turn, precipitates cardiac pump dysfunction and systemic energy metabolic failure, thereby steering the trajectory and potential recuperation of HF. The conventional therapeutic paradigms for HF predominantly target amelioration of heart rate, and cardiac preload and afterload, proffering symptomatic palliation or decelerating the disease progression. However, the realm of therapeutics targeting the cardiac energy metabolism remains largely uncharted. This review delineates the quintessential characteristics of cardiac energy metabolism in healthy hearts, and the metabolic aberrations observed during HF, alongside the associated metabolic pathways and targets. Furthermore, we delve into the potential of phytochemicals in rectifying the redox disequilibrium and the perturbations in energy metabolism observed in HF. Through an exhaustive analysis of recent advancements, we underscore the promise of phytochemicals in modulating these pathways, thereby unfurling a novel vista on HF therapeutics. Given their potential in orchestrating cardiac energy metabolism, phytochemicals are emerging as a burgeoning frontier for HF treatment. The review accentuates the imperative for deeper exploration into how these phytochemicals specifically intervene in cardiac energy metabolism, and the subsequent translation of these findings into clinical applications, thereby broadening the horizon for HF treatment modalities.

Identification and analysis of differential miRNA-mRNA interactions in coronary heart disease: an experimental screening approach.

Objective: This aim of this study is to screen the differential molecules of kidney deficiency and blood stasis (KDBS) syndrome in coronary heart disease by high-throughput sequencing. In addition, the study aims to verify the alterations in the expression levels of miR-4685-3p and its regulated downstream, namely, C1QC, C4, and C5, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and to determine whether the complement and coagulation cascade pathway is the specific pathogenic pathway. Methods: Patients diagnosed with unstable angina pectoris with KDBS syndrome, patients with non-kidney deficiency blood stasis (NKDBS) syndrome, and a Normal group were recruited. The clinical symptoms of each group were further analyzed. Illumina's NextSeq 2000 sequencing platform and FastQC software were used for RNA sequencing and quality control. DESeq software was used for differential gene expression (DGE) analysis. qPCR and ELISA verification were performed on DGE analysis. Results: The DGE profiles of 77 miRNA and 331 mRNA were selected. The GO enrichment analysis comprised 43 biological processes, 49 cell components, and 42 molecular functions. The KEGG enrichment results included 40 KEGG pathways. The PCR results showed that, compared with the Normal group, the miR-4685-3p levels decreased in the CHD_KDBS group (P = 0.001), and were found to be lower than those observed in the CHD_NKDBS group. The downstream mRNA C1 regulated by miR-4685-3p showed an increasing trend in the CHD_KDBS group, which was higher than that in the Normal group (P = 0.0019). The mRNA C4 and C5 in the CHD_KDBS group showed an upward trend, but the difference was not statistically significant. ELISA was utilized for the detection of proteins associated with the complement and coagulation cascade pathway. It was found that the expression level of C1 was significantly upregulated in the CHD_KDBS group compared with the Normal group (P < 0.0001), which was seen to be higher than that in the CHD_NKDBS group (P < 0.0001). The expression levels of C4 and C5 in the CHD_KDBS group were significantly lower than the Normal group, and were lower than that in the CHD_NKDBS group (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The occurrence of CHD_KDBS might be related to the activation of the complement and coagulation cascade pathway, which is demonstrated by the observed decrease in miR-4685-3p and the subsequent upregulation of its downstream C1QC. In addition, the expression levels of complement C4 and C5 were found to be decreased, which provided a research basis for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Pioneering therapies for post-infarction angiogenesis: Insight into molecular mechanisms and preclinical studies.

Acute myocardial infarction (MI), despite significant progress in its treatment, remains a leading cause of chronic heart failure and cardiovascular events such as cardiac arrest. Promoting angiogenesis in the myocardial tissue after MI to restore blood flow in the ischemic and hypoxic tissue is considered an effective treatment strategy. The repair of the myocardial tissue post-MI involves a robust angiogenic response, with mechanisms involved including endothelial cell proliferation and migration, capillary growth, changes in the extracellular matrix, and stabilization of pericytes for neovascularization. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of six key pathways in angiogenesis post-MI: the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, the Notch signaling pathway, the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, the Hippo signaling pathway, the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway, and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. We also discuss novel therapeutic approaches targeting these pathways, including drug therapy, gene therapy, protein therapy, cell therapy, and extracellular vesicle therapy. A comprehensive understanding of these key pathways and their targeted therapies will aid in our understanding of the pathological and physiological mechanisms of angiogenesis after MI and the development and application of new treatment strategies.

[Mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine formulas and active ingredients in regulation of macrophage subsets involved in inflammation and repair of coronary heart disease].

Coronary artery disease(CAD) caused by atherosclerosis(AS) is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. The pathogenesis of CAD is complex, and the subset and function of cardiac macrophages are important factors affecting the occurrence and development of AS and the prognosis of CAD. Recent studies have shown that some traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formulas and active ingredients can regulate macrophage subsets involved in the inflammation, injury, and repair process of CAD. This paper summarized the significant role of macrophages in AS and myocardial infarction. Based on the plasticity of macrophages, this paper elaborated that traditional Chinese medicine prevented and attenuated AS by regulating macrophage subsets, reducing the level of inflammatory factors, and promoting macrophage autophagy.Traditional Chinese medicine participated in the cardiac repair process after myocardial infarction by accelerating the recruitment of M2 macrophages, inhibiting the polarization of M1 macrophages mediated by glycolysis, inhibiting M1 macrophage-mediated cardiac nerve remodeling, and promoting M2 macrophage-mediated angiogenesis. In addition, in vitro studies on the regulation of macrophage subsets by the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine were also reviewed. It was pointed out that nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB), adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), chemokine(C-C motif) ligand 2/C-C chemokine receptor type 2(CCL2/CCR2) were the key targets and pathways for the regulation of macrophages by TCM.

Protection of Vitamin C on Oxidative Damage Caused by Long-Term Excess Iodine Exposure in Wistar Rats.

Vitamin C was reported to be able to protect against oxidative damage due to its reducibility. 120 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 × 2 groups, including normal iodine (NI), high iodine (HI), low vitamin C (HI + LC), and high vitamin C (HI + HC); potassium iodide (KI) and potassium iodate (KIO3) were commonly used as additives for iodized salt, so every group was also divided into KI and KIO3 groups. After 6 months' feed, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and Lipid Peroxide (MDA) content in serum, liver, kidney, brain, thyroid and lens were determined. In serum, for males, long-term excess iodine intake caused oxidative damage; in the liver, male rats in the HI + LC group had the highest MDA content, which showed that low-dose vitamin C might promote oxidative damage; in kidneys, the MDA content in the HI and HI + LC groups of females was higher; in the brain, high-dose vitamin C could increase the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which was decreased by high iodine intake, and it also decreased MDA content; in the thyroid, for KIO3, the activity of SOD in the HI group was lower than NI and HI + LC; in the lens, the MDA content in females was lower than males. Long-term excess iodine exposure caused oxidative damage and showed sex difference, and vitamin C had a protective effect on it, especially for high-dose vitamin C.

Functional compounds of ginseng and ginseng-containing medicine for treating cardiovascular diseases.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.) is the dry root and rhizome of the Araliaceae ginseng plant. It has always been used as a tonic in China for strengthening the body. Cardiovascular disease is still the main cause of death in the world. Some studies have shown that the functional components of ginseng can regulate the pathological process of various cardiovascular diseases through different mechanisms, and its formulation also plays an irreplaceable role in the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this paper elaborates the current pharmacological effects of ginseng functional components in treating cardiovascular diseases, summarizes the adverse reactions of ginseng, and sorts out the Chinese patent medicines containing ginseng formula which can treat cardiovascular diseases.

The relationship between different iodine sources and nutrition in pregnant women and adults.

Background: Different iodine supplement measures emerge along with the economy development in China. The article objectives are to compare and explore the relationship between iodine sources and nutrition of pregnant women and adults. Methods: A total of 2,145 pregnant women and 1,660 adults were investigated by multi-stage random method. Questionnaire was used to collect basic information and the consumption of food, water, and iodine preparations. Household salt and individual urine and blood samples were collected, and thyroid function and morphology of pregnant women were measured. Results: The median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) of pregnant women (164.49 µg/L) was lower than adults (187.30 µg/L, p < 0.05). Iodine supplement with IS (iodized salt) was the main measure for pregnant women and adults, and the difference was mainly on the consumption of iodine preparations between pregnant women (5.19%) and adults (0.85%). Moreover, adults' dietary iodine intake from food (100.6 µg/day), IS (140.8 µg/day), and drinking water (6.0 µg/day) was higher than those of pregnant women (86.5, 107.2, and 3.5 µg/day, respectively). Compared with iodine supplement with IS, ISFP (IS + iodine-rich food + iodine preparations) could reduce the risk of iodine deficiency for pregnant women. The MUICs for pregnant women and adults of iodine supplements with IF (iodine-rich food) and ISF (IS + iodine-rich food) were lower. For pregnant women, thyroid nodule (11.90%) and peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positive (9.32%) were high prevalent thyroid diseases, and habitation (urban/rural), gestation, annual income, and drinking water type would affect them. Conclusion: Pregnant women and adults had adequate iodine nutrition in four provinces. Their iodine supplement measures were different, the consumption of iodine preparations in pregnant women was higher, and their dietary iodine intake was lower than adults. ISFP was an effect measure for pregnant women to supplement iodine.

Study on influential factors and reference values for thyroid volume in Chinese children aged 6-12 years.

The purpose of the current study was to research the factors influencing thyroid volume (TVOL) in 6-12-year-old children and update the reference values. A cross-sectional study was carried out in iodine-sufficient areas of four provinces in China. Urine, edible salt and drinking water samples were collected from children. Children's height, weight and TVOL were measured. Ridge regression was used to screen variables for solving the multicollinearity problem. Quantile regression was used to analyse the relationship between the quantiles of TVOL and other variables. In total, 5653 children aged 6-12 years were enrolled in this study, including 2838 boys and 2815 girls. There was no significant difference in TVOL between boys and girls (P > 0·05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that total TVOL was positively correlated with age, height, weight, body surface area (BSA) and BMI, and the correlation coefficients were 0·616, 0·663, 0·669, 0·685 and 0·479, respectively. Among them, the correlation between TVOL and BSA was the strongest. According to the ridge regression results, age and BSA influenced TVOL, and the ridge regression coefficients were 0·13 and 0·94, respectively. Quantile regression further showed that age and BSA had significant influences on the whole TVOL distribution (P < 0·001). Therefore, the TVOL of children aged 6-12 years in China was mainly influenced by age and BSA, and reference values for TVOL of different genders based on age and BSA were established.

Saponins and their derivatives: Potential candidates to alleviate anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and multidrug resistance.

Anthracyclines (ANTs) continue to play an irreplaceable role in oncology treatment. However, the clinical application of ANTs has been limited. In the first place, ANTs can cause dose-dependent cardiotoxicity such as arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure. In the second place, the development of multidrug resistance (MDR) leads to their chemotherapeutic failure. Oncology cardiologists are urgently searching for agents that can both protect the heart and reverse MDR without compromising the antitumor effects of ANTs. Based on in vivo and in vitro data, we found that natural compounds, including saponins, may be active agents for other both natural and chemical compounds in the inhibition of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) and the reversal of MDR. In this review, we summarize the work of previous researchers, describe the mechanisms of AIC and MDR, and focus on revealing the pharmacological effects and potential molecular targets of saponins and their derivatives in the inhibition of AIC and the reversal of MDR, aiming to encourage future research and clinical trials.

Comparative Analysis of Five Correction Methods for Thyroid Volume by Ultrasound and Their Recommended Reference Values in Chinese Children Aged 8-10 Years.

Considering the influence of body's growth and development on thyroid volume (TVOL), whether five existed corrected methods could be applied to correct TVOL remains unclear, in terms of Chinese children's increased growth and development trends. This study aimed to compare the applicability of five correction methods for TVOL: Body Surface Area corrected Volume (BSAV), Body Mass Indicator corrected Volume (BMIV), Weight and Height corrected Volume Indicator (WHVI), Height corrected Volume Indicator 1 (HVI1) and Height corrected Volume Indicator 2 (HVI2); to establish the reference values for correction methods. The data of Iodine Nutrition and Thyroid Function Survey was used to analyse the differences in TVOL between normal and abnormal thyroid function children. Data of National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Survey were used to compare five correction methods and to establish their reference values. The median urinary iodine concentration of children surveyed were 256.1µg/L in 2009 and 192.6µg/L in 2019, respectively. No significant difference was found in TVOL and thyroid goitre rate between children with normal and abnormal thyroid function. In the determination of goitre, HVI1, HVI2, BSAV and BMIV all showed high agreement with TVOL, while the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of WHVI was relatively low for children aged 8(AUC=0.8993) and 9(AUC=0.8866). Most differences of TVOL between light and heavy weight, short and tall height children can be eliminated by BSAV correction. BSAV was the best method of TVOL correction in this research. Reference values were established for corrected thyroid volumes in Chinese children aged 8-10 years by sex.

Study on association between height, weight, iodine supplementation and thyroid volume.

The policy of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) could reduce population's thyroid volume (TVOL) in iodine deficiency areas. Conversely, the improved growth and developmental status of children might increase the TVOL accordingly. Whether the decreased TVOL by USI conceals the increase effect of height and weight on TVOL is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between height, weight, iodine supplementation and TVOL. Five national Iodine Deficiency Disorder surveys were matched into four pairs according to the purpose of analysis. County-level data of both detected by paired surveys were incorporated; 1:1 random pairing method was used to match counties or individuals. The difference of TVOL between different height, weight, different iodine supplementation measures groups and the association between TVOL and them were studied. The mean height and weight of children aged 8-10 years increased from 129·9 cm and 26·9 kg in 2002 to 136·2 cm and 32·1 kg in 2019, while the median TVOL decreased from 3·10 ml to 2·61 ml. Iodine supplementation measures can affect TVOL; after excluding iodine effects, the median TVOL was increased with the height and weight. On the other side, after excluding the influence of height and weight, the median TVOL remained decreased. Only age, weight and salt iodine were significantly associated with TVOL in multiple linear models. Development of height and weight in children is the evidence of improved nutrition. The decreased TVOL caused by iodised salt measures conceals the increase effect of height and weight on TVOL. Age, weight and salt iodine affect TVOL significantly.

Identification of Two Long Non-Coding RNAs AC010082.1 and AC011443.1 as Biomarkers of Coronary Heart Disease Based on Logistic Stepwise Regression Prediction Model.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a global health concern with high morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to identify the possible long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) biomarkers of CHD. The lncRNA- and mRNA-related data of patients with CHD were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE113079). The limma package was used to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs (DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs, respectively). Then, miRcode, TargetScan, miRDB, and miRTarBase databases were used to form the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Furthermore, SPSS Modeler 18.0 was used to construct a logistic stepwise regression prediction model for CHD diagnosis based on DElncRNAs. Of the microarray data, 70% was used as a training set and 30% as a test set. Moreover, a validation cohort including 30 patients with CHD and 30 healthy controls was used to verify the hub lncRNA expression through real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). A total of 185 DElncRNAs (114 upregulated and 71 downregulated) and 382 DEmRNAs (162 upregulated and 220 downregulated) between CHD and healthy controls were identified from the microarray data. Furthermore, through bioinformatics prediction, a 38 lncRNA-21miRNA-40 mRNA ceRNA network was constructed. Next, by constructing a logistic stepwise regression prediction model for 38 DElncRNAs, we screened two hub lncRNAs AC010082.1 and AC011443.1 (p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 98.41%, 100%, and 0.995, respectively, for the training set and 93.33%, 91.67%, and 0.983, respectively, for the test set. We further verified the significant upregulation of AC010082.1 (p < 0.01) and AC011443.1 (p < 0.05) in patients with CHD using RT-qPCR in the validation cohort. Our results suggest that lncRNA AC010082.1 and AC011443.1 are potential biomarkers of CHD. Their pathological mechanism in CHD requires further validation.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Bushen Huoxue Decoction on Treating Coronary Heart Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BSHXD) in treating coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTS) of BSHXD in treating CHD were searched until March 2020, through six electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang, SinoMed, and VIP. This study used the Cochrane Risk Test bias tool in the Cochrane Handbook to assess the quality of the methodology. Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3 was used to analyze the results. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria were applied in the classification of evidence quality. RESULTS: Ten RCTs involving 901 patients were finally included in this meta-analysis. It revealed that the effectiveness of BSHXD in treating CHD was significantly better than that of the conventional western medicine (CWM) treatment (P < 0.00001). The effective rate of BSHXD treatment group on ECG was also significantly higher than that of CWM group (P < 0.00001). The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was decreased in the treatment groups compared with those in the control groups (P < 0.00001). There was also a reduction in frequency and duration of angina pectoris (P < 0.00001). There were no significant differences in TC level (P=0.08), TG level (P=0.86), and HDL level (P=0.76) between the treatment and control groups. Five studies had informed adverse events, including nausea and diarrhea. CONCLUSION: Our findings laid the foundation to the use of TCM Formula BSHXD in combination with conventional western medicine for treating CHD. However, due to the limitation of the quality of the included researches, in addition to potential reporting bias, the above conclusions still need verification by higher-quality and better-designed studies.

[Correlation between estrogen levels and coronary heart disease with kidney deficiency and intervention effect of kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine].

With the process of urbanization and population aging in China, the burden of cardiovascular disease and the incidence of coronary heart disease among postmenopausal women have greatly increased. Studies have found that the incidence of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women is closely related to the level of estrogen, but there are still difficulties of low efficiency and large side effects in current therapies. Kidney deficiency has a strong correlation with reproductive development and overall function. The clinical manifestations and characteristics of postmenopausal coronary heart disease patients conform to the pathogenesis of kidney deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine. The kidney-invigorating method has a good efficacy in treating postmenopausal coronary heart disease patients. This paper summarizes clinical and pharmacological evidences, expounds the relationship between kidney deficiency and the level of estrogen, and the pathological mechanism of the kidney-tonifying method in the treatment of coronary heart disease, and defines the clinical efficacy and advantages of the kidney-tonifying method. The method may become an effective method to prevent and treat postmenopausal coronary heart disease, and is expected to benefit patients with coronary heart disease better.

Effectiveness and safety of Yufengningxin for treating coronary heart disease angina: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: More than 11 million people suffer from coronary heart disease (CHD) angina in China, showing high morbidity and mortality rates. Yufengingxin (YFNX) is a commonly used Chinese patent medicine in CHD angina treatment. The purpose of this protocol is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of YFNX for the treatment of CHD angina. METHODS: A systematic search of randomized controlled trials related to the effectiveness and safety of YFNX in the treatment of CHD angina will be performed from relevant databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP) and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). We will screen all the literatures from the database inception to November 1, 2020. The data including study ID, study characteristics, methodological information, patients information, interventions, comparisons and outcomes will be extracted. The frequency and duration of angina attacks will be served as the primary outcome. Review Manager 5.3 and STATA 14.0 software will be used for data analysis. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide strong evidence for the effectiveness and safety of YFNX in the treatment of CHD angina. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020110040.

Shengmai injection combined with conventional therapy in treating Adriamycin-related cardiotoxicity: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Tumor is a common and frequently-occurring disease that seriously threatens human health, and is one of the main causes of death. Adriamycin (ADM) is the most commonly used and effective anti-tumor chemotherapeutics in clinical practice, but they can cause severe cardiotoxicity, which obviously limits their clinical application. Shengmai injection is a modern injection form of traditional Chinese medicine widely used for heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, and cardiotoxicity patients in China. Therefore, we design this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of Shengmai injection for treating ADM-related cardiotoxicity. METHODS: We will methodically search PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Science Network, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Journal Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database, in order to include randomized controlled trials which used Shengmai injection in treating ADM-related cardiotoxicity up to September 2020. The search strategies will use the following phrase: "Shengmai injection," "Adriamycin," "doxorubicin," "cardiotoxicity," "cardiomyopathy," "randomized controlled trial." The outcomes included cardiotoxicity rate, echocardiography, electrocardiogram, myocardial enzymes. Two researchers will independently select the study, extract the data and assess the quality by using Stata 14.0 and RevMan 5.3 software. The plan follows the preferred reporting items declared by the systematic review and meta-analysis plan, and the complete systematic review will follow the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness and safety of Shengmai injection will be assessed in treating ADM-related cardiotoxicity which can give some evidence for clinical decision making. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202090040.

Study on the relationship between hyperthyroidism and vascular endothelial cell damage.

The aim of the research is to explore the relationship between hyperthyroidism, iodine, antithyroid drugs (propylthiouracil) and vascular endothelial injury. In total, 136 SD rats were randomly allocated into the control group, the hyperthyroidism group, the hyperthyroidism propylthiouracil group, the hyperthyroidism low iodine group, the high iodine group, and the endothelial injury group. Rats were raised for 60 days. Afterward, indicators concerning endothelial damage were determined, including the von Willebrand Factor (vWF), thrombomodulin (TM), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin 1 (ET-1), and P-selectin, as well as the plant hemagglutinin sample type oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1) from the aorta and the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in whole blood. The hyperthyroidism group had significantly higher values for vWF, TM, NO, ET-1, and P-selectin in serum and a higher number of EPCs in whole blood compared with the control group, similar to the LOX-1 expression in abdominal aorta. The hyperthyroidism low iodine group had significantly higher values for vWF, ET-1, and P-selectin in serum and a higher number of EPCs in whole blood compared with those of the control group, as was the case for LOX-1 expression in the abdominal aorta. The hyperthyroidism propylthiouracil group had significantly higher values for FT4 in the serum compared with those in the control group. The electron microscope showed that hyperthyroidism caused a certain degree of endothelial injury to the abdominal aorta in rats. Hyperthyroidism can damage the vascular endothelium and is a high-risk factor for cardio-cerebrovascular disease. Propylthiouracil could be used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, thus protecting endothelial cells from damage.