Efficacy and feasibility of catheter-based adrenal ablation on Cushing's syndrome associated hypertension / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the value of catheter-based adrenal ablation in treating Cushing's syndrome (CS)-associated hypertension. Methods: A clinical study was conducted in patients with CS, who received catheter-based adrenal ablation between March 2018 and July 2023 in Daping Hospital. Parameters monitored were blood pressure (outpatient and 24-hour ambulatory), body weight, clinical characteristics, serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) at 8 am, 24-hour urinary free cortisol (24 h UFC), fasting blood glucose and postoperative complications. Procedure effectiveness was defined as blood pressure returning to normal levels (systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and diastolic blood pressure<90 mmHg), cortisol and 24 h UFC returning to normal and improvement of clinical characteristics. The parameters were monitored during follow up in the outpatient department at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after catheter-based adrenal ablation. Results: A total of 12 patients (aged (40.0±13.2) years) were reviewed. There were 5 males, with 5 cases of adenoma and 7 with hyperplasia from imaging studies. Catheter-based adrenal ablation was successful in all without interruption or surgical conversion. No postoperative complication including bleeding, puncture site infection, adrenal artery rupture or adrenal bleeding was observed. The mean follow up was 28 months. Compared to baseline values, body weight declined to (59.48±11.65) kg from (64.81±10.75) kg (P=0.008), fasting blood glucose declined to (4.54±0.83) mmol from (5.53±0.99) mmol (P=0.044), outpatient systolic blood pressure declined to (128±21) mmHg from (140±19) mmHg (P=0.005), diastolic blood pressure declined to (78±10) mmHg from (86±11) mmHg (P=0.041), and the mean ambulatory daytime diastolic blood pressure declined to (79±12) mmHg from (89±8) mmHg (P=0.034). Catheter-based adrenal ablation in 8 patients was defined as effective with their 24 h UFC significantly reduced after the procedure (1 338.41±448.06) mmol/L from (633.66±315.94) mmol/L, P=0.011). The change of 24 h UFC between the effective treatment group and ineffective group was statistically significant (P=0.020). The postoperative systolic blood pressure in the treated adenoma group was significantly lower than those of hyperplasia group (112±13) mmHg vs. (139±20) mmHg, P=0.026). Conclusions: For patients with CS-associated hypertension who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgical treatment, catheter-based adrenal ablation could improve the blood pressure and cortisol level. Catheter-based adrenal ablation could be a safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapy. However, our results still need to be validated in further large-scale studies.

Efficacy and feasibility of catheter-based adrenal ablation on Cushing's syndrome associated hypertension / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the value of catheter-based adrenal ablation in treating Cushing's syndrome (CS)-associated hypertension. Methods: A clinical study was conducted in patients with CS, who received catheter-based adrenal ablation between March 2018 and July 2023 in Daping Hospital. Parameters monitored were blood pressure (outpatient and 24-hour ambulatory), body weight, clinical characteristics, serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) at 8 am, 24-hour urinary free cortisol (24 h UFC), fasting blood glucose and postoperative complications. Procedure effectiveness was defined as blood pressure returning to normal levels (systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and diastolic blood pressure<90 mmHg), cortisol and 24 h UFC returning to normal and improvement of clinical characteristics. The parameters were monitored during follow up in the outpatient department at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after catheter-based adrenal ablation. Results: A total of 12 patients (aged (40.0±13.2) years) were reviewed. There were 5 males, with 5 cases of adenoma and 7 with hyperplasia from imaging studies. Catheter-based adrenal ablation was successful in all without interruption or surgical conversion. No postoperative complication including bleeding, puncture site infection, adrenal artery rupture or adrenal bleeding was observed. The mean follow up was 28 months. Compared to baseline values, body weight declined to (59.48±11.65) kg from (64.81±10.75) kg (P=0.008), fasting blood glucose declined to (4.54±0.83) mmol from (5.53±0.99) mmol (P=0.044), outpatient systolic blood pressure declined to (128±21) mmHg from (140±19) mmHg (P=0.005), diastolic blood pressure declined to (78±10) mmHg from (86±11) mmHg (P=0.041), and the mean ambulatory daytime diastolic blood pressure declined to (79±12) mmHg from (89±8) mmHg (P=0.034). Catheter-based adrenal ablation in 8 patients was defined as effective with their 24 h UFC significantly reduced after the procedure (1 338.41±448.06) mmol/L from (633.66±315.94) mmol/L, P=0.011). The change of 24 h UFC between the effective treatment group and ineffective group was statistically significant (P=0.020). The postoperative systolic blood pressure in the treated adenoma group was significantly lower than those of hyperplasia group (112±13) mmHg vs. (139±20) mmHg, P=0.026). Conclusions: For patients with CS-associated hypertension who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgical treatment, catheter-based adrenal ablation could improve the blood pressure and cortisol level. Catheter-based adrenal ablation could be a safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapy. However, our results still need to be validated in further large-scale studies.

Characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients with metabolic syndrome / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of cognitive impairment and the characteristics of EEG changes in patients with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Totally 96 patients hospitalized between May 2017 and May 2018 were included in this study.Among them, there were 34 patients with type 2 diabetes, 20 patients with hypertension, and 42 patients with metabolic syndrome.All of them completed the physical examination, laboratory tests, assessment of cognitive function scale and the P300 test. RESULTS: There were significant differences in blood glucose, HBA1c, systolic blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference and triglyceride among the three groups(P0.05).CONCLUSION: The cognitive impairment of patients with metabolic syndrome manifests itself in memory, execution, visual space, etc.,and has its own damage characteristics.The event-related potential is characterized by prolonged information processing time of the prefrontal lobe and reduced processing capacity.

Status of glucose metabolism in Chinese essential hypertensive patients / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate glucose metabolism status and its relationship with blood pressure, obesity, renal function and cardio-cerebral vascular events in Chinese essential hypertensive patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Essential hypertensive patients without diabetic history were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey. All patients filled in questionnaires and received physical examination and laboratory tests. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, fasting and 2 hours glucose level after drinking the 75 g glucose solution) was performed in patients who signed the informed consent.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The control rate of systolic BP was lower in patients with dysglycemia than in patients without dysglycemia (41.0% vs. 46.4%, P = 0.000). (2) The albuminuria detection rate and the abnormal rate of estimated glumerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased significantly with the deterioration of glucose metabolism. (3) Multifactor-analysis showed that abnormal waist circumference, decreased eGFR and presence of albuminuria were independent risk factors for abnormal glucose metabolism. Cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients with abnormal glucose metabolism than patients with normal glucose metabolism.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Abnormal glucose metabolism is common in Chinese essential hypertensive patients. When complicated with abnormal glucose metabolism, essential hypertensive patients had poor blood pressure control rate and were related to higher cardiovascular risk.</p>

Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 inhibits RhoA/Rho kinase and improves vasorelaxation dysfunction mediated by high-fat diet in mice / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of dietary capsaicin in activating transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and thus influencing the vascular dysfunction mediated by high-fat diet and the potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 80 male C57BL/6J mice aged 10 weeks were equally divided into four groups, in which the mice were fed with normal diet (ND), normal diet plus capsaicin (NC), high-fat diet (HD), or high-fat diet plus capsaicin (HC) for 20 weeks. Tail-cuff blood pressure (BP), vascular function of mice aortic rings, expressions of voltage-gated potassium-channel Kv1.4, RhoA and Rho kinase in aorta were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with ND group, both nitroglycerin [(18.9 +/- 13)% vs. 100%, P < 0.01] and acetylcholine [(26 +/- 12)% vs. 100%, P < 0.01] induced vasorelaxation of aortic rings were significantly reduced in HD group. Both endothelium dependent and independent aortic rings vasorelaxation in HC group were significantly improved compared with that in HD group [acetylcholine: (69 +/- 15)%; nitroglycerin: (46.5 +/- 6)%, P < 0.05], but still reduced compared with that in ND group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). High fat diet induced the expression of RhoA and Rho kinase. Dietary capsaicin down-regulated the expression of RhoA and Rho kinase but up-regulated the expression of Kv1.4 in aorta in mice fed with normal or high fat diet (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dietary capsaicin can ameliorate vasorelaxation dysfunction mediated by high-fat diet. The potential mechanisms may be related with TRPV1 activation, which in turn stimulates potassium channel and inhibits RhoA and Rho kinase in the vasculature.</p>

Population characteristics and individual variations of enhancement of pancreas and aorta: a contrastive analysis of 2 injection rates / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To contrastive analyze the population characteristics and individual variations of enhancement modes of normal pancreas and aorta at intravenous injection rates of 3 mL/s and 2 mL/s.@*METHODS@#Sixty-seven patients with normal pancreas were selected, and were divided randomly into 2 groups with different intravenous injection rates (3 mL/s for 35 patients in Group A and 2 mL/s for 32 patients in Group B). Single-level serial dynamic CT scan was performed at the level where the pancreas was best demonstrated. The enhancement values of pancreas and aorta for each time point of each patient were calculated, and the time-density curves of enhancement of pancreas and aorta of each patient were obtained. The peak enhancement and the time to reach the peak enhancement of pancreas and aorta of each individual patient were evaluated, and the 2 groups were compared. The individual variations of the enhancement modes of pancreas and aorta in each group were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The peak enhancement of pancreas was (75.7+/-17.0) Hu at (43.9+/-6.6) s for Group A, and (66.5+/-16.0) Hu at (55.2+/-5.0) s for Group B; the peak enhancement of aorta was (226.2+/-35.2) Hu at (35.4+/-4.5) s for Group A, (182.8+/-32.8) Hu at (48.0+/-3.7) s for Group B. There were significant differences in both the peak enhancement and the time to reach the peak enhancement of pancreas and aorta between the 2 groups. The coefficients of variation of time to reach the peak enhancement for pancreas and aorta were 15.0% and 12.7% in Group A, and 9.2% and 7.7% in Group B, respectively. The temporal windows of the optimal enhancement of pancreas were (9.7+/-4.5)s and (13.7+/-3.6)s in Group A and B, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Better enhancement of pancreas and aorta is obtained at 3 mL/s than 2 mL/s, the time to reach the peak enhancement of pancreas and aorta is comparatively earlier at 3 mL/s than 2 mL/s, and the temporal windows of optimal enhancement of pancreas and aorta are comparatively shorter at 3 mL/s than 2 mL/s.

Relationship between abdominal obesity and left ventricular weight/function / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the relationship between abdominal obesity and left ventricular weight/function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 495 patients [265 males, mean age (55 +/- 12) years] with hypertension (139), diabetes (65), metabolic syndrome (285), diabetes complicated with hypertension (11) were enrolled in this study. Visceral adipose area (VA), the subcutaneous adipose (SA), the total abdominal adipose (TA) were measured by computerized tomography (CT) and left ventricular weight and function were obtained by echocardiography. Patients were divided into three groups according to the VA (I. VA<75 cm(2), n=173, II. VA>75 and < 110 cm(2), n=153, III. VA >or= 110 cm(2), n=169).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVMI) increased and LVEF and E/A decreased in proportion to increasing VA. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) rate was significantly higher in group II and III compared to group I and LVEF was significantly reduced in group III compared to group I and II. There are significant correlation between LVMI and VA, SA, TA as well as between LVEF and VA after adjusting gender, age and blood pressure. Logistic regression analysis showed that VA is an independent predictor for LVH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abdominal adipose accumulation is closely related to the left ventricular weight and function.</p>

Effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonism on matrix metalloproteinases and fibronectin in rats with experimental myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of angiotensin II (AngII) receptor (AT(1), AT(2)) antagonists on myocardial matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and fibronectin (FN) in rats with myocardial infarction (MI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat MI was induced by permanent ligation of the left coronary artery. Placebo, AT(1) receptor antagonist valsartan (10 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) or AT(2) receptor antagonist PD123319 (30 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) were given 7 days prior MI surgery. On the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after MI, Expressions of MMP-2, 3, 9, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and FN at protein level were determined by Western blot in left ventricular free wall (LVFW), interventricular septum (IS) and right ventricular (RV). Myocardial FN distribution was also assayed by immunofluorescence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Typical myocardial remodeling was shown in IS and LVFW 7 days after MI. MMP-2, 3, 9 expressions at protein level were significantly increased whereas TIMP-1 and FN expressions significantly decreased in IS 1, 3, 7 days post MI in a time-dependent manner compared to that of sham operated hearts. MMP-2, 3, 9 expressions was significantly increased and TIMP-1 and FN expression significantly decreased in LVFW at the 1st post MI day and maintained up to 7th post MI day compared to that of sham operated hearts. Up-regulated expressions of MMP-2, 3, 9 and down-regulated TIMP-1 and FN expressions in IS and LVFW could be significantly attenuated by valsartan but not by PD123319. Valsartan but not PD123319 also significantly reduced MI sizes (40.4% +/- 2.1% vs 49.5% +/- 2.1%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AT(1) receptor antagonist involves in the pathology procession of myocardial remodeling and might lead to the development and progression of congestive heart failure by the increasing expressions of MMP-2, 3, 9, which contribute to degradative extracellular matrix FN in myocardium.</p>

Angiotensin II induced cardiac hypertrophy is blocked by PTEN via suppressing Ca2+/Calcineurin pathway / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of PTEN on Ang II induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and subsequent Ca(2+)/Calcineurin pathway changes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured and were treated with phosphate-buffered saline, empty adenovirus (Ad-GFP), or adenovirus encoding for PTEN (Ad-PTEN-GFP) for 48 h and Ang II (10(-7) mol/L) was added to the medium for another 24 h. Cells were harvested and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)] i) was determined by Fura-2/AM ratio imaging analysis; PTEN, ANF, beta-MHC and CaNAbeta mRNA evaluated with RT-PCR; PTEN and CaNAbeta protein by Western blot; CaN phosphatase activity by CaN detecting kits.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PTEN at mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in Ad-PTEN-GFP treated cardiomyocytes than that of Ad-GFP treated cardiomyocytes. Ang II stimulation upregulated [Ca(2+)] i, CaNAbeta at mRNA and protein levels and CaN phosphatase activity in Ad-GFP treated cardiomyocytes but not in Ad-PTEN-GFP treated cardiomyocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cardiac hypertrophy induced by Ang II could be blocked by PTEN overexpression via suppressing Ca(2+)/Calcineurin pathway.</p>

The autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation by intracoronary route treat patients with severe heart failure after myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chronic effects of intracoronary autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BM-MNCs) transplantation in patients with refractory heart failure (RIHF) after myocardial infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty patients with RIHF (LVEF < 40%) were enrolled in this nonrandomized study, autologous BM-MNCs (5.0 +/- 0.7) x 10(7) were transplanted with via infarct-related coronary artery in 16 patients and 14 patients received standard medical therapy served as control. Baseline and follow up evaluations included complete clinical evaluations, plasma BNP, ANP, ET-1 measurements, echocardiography, PET, and Holter monitoring.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. There were no major periprocedural complications. One patient developed ventricular premature contractions during cell infusion for several seconds and recovered spontaneously. Compared to pre-transplantation, plasma BNP and ET-1 significantly decreased and plasma ANP significantly increased at 7 days post transplantation; 6 minutes walking distance increased from (72.1 +/- 31.5) to (201.6 +/- 23.3) m (P < 0.01), LVEF increased 9.9% (P < 0.001) and FDG-PET revealed vital myocardium area increased (10.3 +/- 3.4)% (P < 0.01) at 3 months after BM-MNCs transplantation. At 6 months follow up, the NYHA class improved from (3.4 +/- 0.1 to 2.4 +/- 0.2, P < 0.001) and no patient died and 1 patient rehospitalized due to lower extremities edema. In control group, LVEF decreased 7.2% compared to baseline (P < 0.001) and was significantly lower than transplantation group at 3 months (P < 0.001). At 6 months follow up, the NYHA class increased from (3.5 +/- 0.1 to 3.9 +/- 0.1, P < 0.05), 2 patients died and 10 patients rehospitalized due to aggravated heart failure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Present study demonstrates that intracoronary transplantation of autologous BM-MNCs is safe and effective for treating patients with RIHF after myocardial infarction.</p>

Renin-angiotensin system in mesenteric adipose tissues in rats with metabolic syndrome / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in mesenteric adipose tissues and effect of angiotensin II on adipocyte differentiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty normal 8-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into groups on normal diet and high-fat diet. The rats on high-fat diet for 24 weeks developed the metabolic syndrome respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of mesenteric adipose tissue were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Lipid drop in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mature adipocytes were observed using oil-red O staining. The fluorescence microscope was used to detect cytosolic-free calcium in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mature adipocytes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of angiotensinogen, angiotensin converting enzyme, angiotensin II receptor type 1 in mesenteric adipose tissue were significantly increased in rats with metabolic syndrome compared with those in rats on normal diet (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). After administration of angiotensin II , no lipid droplet in 3T3 -L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes were observed, however, intensive lipid droplet in adipocyte was found after administration of captopril and candesartan. Angiotensin II increased the intracellular-free calcium concentration in preadipocytes (P < 0. 01 ) , which was blocked by captopril and candesartan; in contrast, angiotensin II effect was blunt in mature adipocyte. Captopril and candesartan partially recovered the angiotensin II -mediated increase of cytosolic-free calcium.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RAS in the mesenteric adipose tissues is active in rats with metabolic syndrome, and antagonization of RAS can recover the lipogenesis of adipocyte.</p>

PPARdelta + 294T/C gene polymorphism related to plasma lipid, obesity and left ventricular hypertrophy in subjects with metabolic syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between PPARdelta + 294T/C gene polymorphism and lipid profile, obesity and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study was conducted in 300 patients with MS and 174 patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 143 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MS was diagnosed according to 1999 WHO criteria. Fasting insulin (FINS), fasting blood glucose (FBG), plasma lipids levels were measured, LVH was examined by Doppler echocardiography. The PPARdelta + 294T/C gene polymorphism were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and subsequently digested by BSLI restriction endonuclease.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of the PPARdelta + 294T/C genotypes were not different among three groups. Compared with T2DM and EH, MS patients had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), plasma total cholesterol, TG and LDL-C levels (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). LVM, LVMI and incidence rate of LVH were significantly higher in MS and EH patients than that in T2DM (P < 0.01). MS patients with CC genotype had significantly higher total cholesterol and LDL-C levels than those with TT and TC genotypes (total cholesterol in CC genotype: 6.13 +/- 1.86 mmol/L vs in TC genotype: 5.14 +/- 1.10 mmol/L, P < 0.05, and CC genotype: 6.13 +/- 1.86 mmol/L vs TT genotype: 4.99 +/- 1.42 mmol/L, P < 0.01; LDL-C in CC genotype: 3.82 +/- 1.52 mmol/L vs in TC genotype: 3.14 +/- 0.88 mmol/L, P < 0.05, and in CC genotype: 3.82 +/- 1.52 mmol/L vs in TT genotype: 2.90 +/- 0.87 mmol/L, P < 0.01). BMI and LVMI in MS patients with C allele carriers (CC + TC) were significantly higher than that of TT genotype (LVMI in CC + TC: 46 +/- 10 g/m(2.7) vs in TT: 44 +/- 10 g/m(2.7); BMI in CC + TC: 26 +/- 3 kg/m(2) vs in TT: 25 +/- 3 kg/m(2), P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is indicated that PPARdelta + 294T/C gene polymorphism in subjects with MS may be involved in the occurrence of obesity and dyslipidemia. MS patients with C allele had a predominant LVH than subjects with TT genotype.</p>

Calpain involved in signal transduction of myocardial remodeling in patients with congestive heart failure / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the regulation of calcium sensitive signal substance calpain in signal transduction of myocardial remodeling in patients with congestive heart failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All 39 congestive heart failure (CHF) patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis disease were selected and 38 cases of healthy persons were included as controls. Cardiac function parameters were measured by echocardiography. The concentration of angiotension II (AngII) in plasma and myocardial tissues was determined by radio immunoassay (RIA). Western blot was used to assay the protein expression of calpain, cain/cabin 1, cain/cabin 1Delta, and calcineurin (CaN) phosphorylation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The AngII concentrations in the plasma and myocardial tissues in patients with CHF were higher than those in the control group. Meanwhile the AngII concentrations positively correlated to the parameters of the cardiac dilation respectively but negatively correlated to the parameters of cardiac function. Pathological changes of myocardial tissues in CHF with valvular heart disease showed typical myocardial remodeling. The hypertrophy was dominant at early stage of CHF, while at the end stage the characteristics include disordered alignment of the myocytes, the discontinuity and dissolving of cardiomyofibrills, destroyed subcellular organs, and the hyperplasia of interstitial tissue. Compared to the control group, u-calpain, m-calpain, and cain/cabin 1Delta protein expression, CaN phosphorylation in myocardial tissues in CHF groups were highly expressed and their expressions were positively correlated to the severity of CHF. The expression of cain/cabin1 deceased and its expression was negatively correlated to the severity of CHF.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The degradation of cain/cabin 1 by calpain may play an important role by causing the activation of CaN signal pathway in myocardial remodeling mediated by renin angiotension system in CHF.</p>

Obesity and diseases in the elderly inpatient / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the obesity distribution in old people and the relation between senile obesity and health.@*METHODS@#First, a questionnaire was designed which included chronic disease history, body mass index (BMI), physiological value, biochemistry index, anti-oxidation index, diagnosis of diseases, etc. Second, the measure and detection methods were unified; and the last, the investigation was made along with daily clinical work by clinicians.@*RESULTS@#We received 391 questionnaires. The overweight rate was 36.1% and the obesity rate was 7.9% . Total anti-oxidation activity in serum (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased with body mass index (BMI), and the value in the obesity group was the lowest; Malonaldehyde (MDA) of overweight obesity was the largest. The mean blood pressure, blood fat, and blood glucose as well as the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, hyperlipemia, and glycuresis increased with BMI; and the value in the obesity group was the largest.@*CONCLUSION@#The prevalence of the senile obesity was below the average and the senile obesity complications were various and serious, and perhaps related to imbalance of free radical's production and cleanup, so the senile obesity seriously harmed old people's health.

Effects of sympathectomy on the blood pressure of young Wistar rats fed with high-sucrose diet / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Diet is an important factor influencing blood pressure and, increases in dietary carbohydrate intake can raise blood pressure in adult rats. A previous study showed that the blood pressure of the rats fed with high-carbohydrate was 5-20 mmHg higher than that of control rats. While the mechanism involved is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-sucrose intake on blood pressure of young Wistar rats and the role that sympathetic nerve system in the process.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male neonatal Wistar rats were performed sympathectomy operation with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and then divided into four groups: (1) 0.1% VitC saline-common diet group (VN), (2) 0.1% VitC saline-high sucrose (VS), (3) 6-OHDA-common diet group (OHN) and (4) 6-OHDA-high sucrose (OHS) after three week. The data on the body weight (BW), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Then the level of blood glucose, serum insulin and angiotensin II (AngII) were measured and the functional studies of the thoracic aorta was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VS group exhibited higher SBP than the OHS group from the 6th week (113.7 +/- 4.2 mmHg vs. 104.0 +/- 5.8 mmHg, P < 0.01) and the VN group from the 7th week (117.6 +/- 6.3 mmHg vs. 109.6 +/- 4.6 mmHg, P < 0.01), while the SBP of the VN group was similar to those of the OHN group and the OHS group (P > 0.05). No significant differences in blood glucose, serum insulin and insulin sensitive index (ISI) were found among the four groups. The thoracic aorta segments of the VS group had higher contractive response to AngII (P < 0.01) and NE (P < 0.05) than the VN group, but the relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh) and nitroglycerine (NTG) showed no difference among the four groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The high-sucrose diet might elevate the blood pressure in young Wistar rats and the sympathetic system may play an important role in this process.</p>

Effect of PDGF-AA on Ca2+i in vascular smooth muscle cells in SHRs / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the relationship between proliferation and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells and PDGF-AA and PDGFR-alpha expression in SHRs and the role of [Ca2+]i in it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Express difference of PDGF-AA, PDGFR-alpha, PDGFR-beta in SHR/WKY-VSMC was observed by Western blot. The effect of Ca2+ inhibitor (nimodipine) on proliferation, hypertrophy and free Ca2+ concentration of SHR-VSMC induced by PDGF-AA was observed by Western blot, [3H] incorporation and fluorescent digital image technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PDGF-AA and PDGFR-alpha expression was markedly increased in SHR-VSMC than in WKY-VSMC, but PDGFR-beta was not different in SHR and WKY-VSMC. PDGF-AA-stimulated PCNA expression, [3H] incorporation and [Ca2+]i increasing were observed in SHR-VSMC. Dose-dependent nimodipine-inhibited PCNA expression, [3H] incorporation and [Ca2+]i increasing induced by PDGF-AA also were observed in SHR-VSMC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Spontaneously expression increasing of PDGF-AA and PDGFR-alpha in spontaneously hypertension rats (SHRs) may be one of the important factors on vascular reactivity and vascular modeling mediated through proliferation and hypertrophy in SHR-VSMC, and [Ca2+]i play an important role in this process.</p>

Effect of removal of the adventitia on vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction in rabbits / 生理学报

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of removal of the adventitia on vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction of the carotid artery in New Zealand rabbit. Adventitia of carotid artery was removed mechanically. The histology, morphology and reactivity of the carotid artery was observed by immunohistochemistry and measurement of carotid ring tension immediately, 1 week and 2 weeks after removal of the adventitia. No damage of intima and media was observed after removing the adventitia. Removal of the adventitia caused a remarkable proliferation of the vascular media and formed the neointima. Compared with the control ring, norepinephrine (NE)-induced vasocontraction in adventitia-denuded carotid artery was significantly reduced immediately and 1 week after the operation (P<0.05). Adventitia removal promoted the neointima formation and decreased vasoconstriction of the carotid artery, indicating that the adventitia is involved in the regulation of vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction.

Relationship between proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and PDGF-AA and PDGFR-alpha expression in SHRs / 生理学报

To explore the role of platelet derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA) and PDGFR-alpha expression in the proliferation and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in spontaneously hypertension rats (SHR), protein expression of PDGF-AA, PDGFR-alpha and PDGFR-beta in SHR/Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)-VSMC was observed by Western blot. Proliferation and hypertrophy of SHR-VSMCs induced by PDGF-AA were observed by measurement of PCNA and [(3)H] incorporation. PDGF-AA and PDGFR-alpha expression was markedly increased in SHR-VSMCs compared with that in WKY-VSMCs, but PDGFR-beta was not different in SHR and WKY-VSMCs. PDGF-AA induced PCNA expression and [(3)H] incorporation was increased in a dose-dependent manner in SHR, but not in WKY. It is suggested that an enhancement of PDGF-AA and PDGFR-alpha in SHRs may be one of the important factors for vascular modeling.

Role of transfected angiotensinⅡ receptor anti-sense nucleotide in the growth of cardiomyocytes / 第三军医大学学报

Objective　To evaluate the role of transfected angiotensinⅡ(Ang Ⅱ) receptor AT1 anti-sense nucleotide (AT1A) in the expression of subtypes of AngⅡ receptor mRNA, synthesis of protein and nucleic acid in cardiomyocytes. Methods　AT1 cDNA sequence (476 bp) was cloned with RT-PCR and reversely inserted into PcDNA3.1 (5.4 kb) to construct an intact plasmid containing AT1A (PAT1A). The plasmid was then transfected into the cultured cardiomyocytes and identified with RT-PCR and Western blot. The synthesis of protein and nucleic acid identified by 3H-Leu and 3H-TdR incorporation, and expressions of AT1 and AT2 mRNA by RT-PCR, were compared between transfected and nontransfected cardiomyocytes after being stimulated with 10-7 mol/L AngⅡ for 24 h. Results　The plasmid PAT1A were successfully constructed. The AT1 mRNA and its protein were expressed significantly less in the transfected cardiomyocytes than in the control (P<0.01). In the transfected cardiomyocytes, AT1 mRNA expression was markedly decreased, but that of AT2 mRNA obviously increased (P<0.01) when compared with the nontransfected cardiomyocytes after stimulation for 24 h with AngⅡ 10-7 mol/L; no significant difference was found in 3H-Leu and 3H-TdR incorporation between them. Conclusion　After the cardiomyocytes was tranfected with AT1A, the expression of AT1 mRNA was markedly suppressed，while AT2 mRNA up-regulated at the same time. Our results indicate that AT1A blocking can not effectively interrupt the Ang Ⅱ-induced synthesis of the protein and nucleic acid in cardiomyocytes.

Cold-stress stimulates pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome in pregnant rats / 第三军医大学学报

Objective　To determine whether cold-stress stimulation could lead to pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome (PIH) in rats. Methods　Female adult Wistar female rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: non-pregnant control group (NN), non-pregnant cold-stress group (NC), pregnant control group (PN) and pregnant cold-stress group (PC). The rats were kept in (4±2) ℃ for 4 h (cold-stress groups) every day or remained in 25 ℃ (control groups) from the 1 st day to 19 th day of pregnancy. The blood pressure, urine protein, body weight, haematocrit (HCT), weight of placenta, length and weight of fetus were all measured. The histological change of the placenta and kidneys were also observed. Results　After cold-stress stimulation for 2 weeks, the blood pressure, urine protein in NC and PC group increased significantly compared with that in control group, while the weight of placenta and fetus, the length of fetus in PC decreased significantly than that in PN. Obvious ischemic and anoxic histological changes in kidneys and all layers of placenta were found in PC group. Conclusion　Repeated cold-stress stimulation can induce PIH in rats, thus provide a new non-invasive method to establish an animal model of PIH.