Inhibition of leptin-induced vascular extracellular matrix remodelling by adiponectin.

Vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, which is the result of disruption in the balance of ECM synthesis and degradation, induces vessel fibrosis and thereby leads to hypertension. Leptin is known to promote tissue fibrosis, while adiponectin has recently been demonstrated to be anti-fibrogenic in tissue fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the leptin-antagonist function of adiponectin and to further elucidate the mechanisms through which adiponectin dampens leptin signalling in vascular smooth muscle cells, thus preventing excess ECM production, in our already established 3D co-culture vessel models.

Effects of propofol on ischemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias and mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Aim: To investigate the potential of propofol in suppressing ventricular arrhythmias and to examine whether mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels are involved.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with intravenous infusion of propofol (Prop), a selective mitochondrial KATP channel inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), propofol plus 5-HD (Prop+5-HD), a potent mitochondrial K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide (DZ) or NS, respectively. The dosage of each drug was 10 mg/kg.

Propofol and arrhythmias: two sides of the coin.

The hypnotic agent propofol is effective for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. However, recent studies have shown that propofol administration is related to arrhythmias. Propofol displays both pro- and anti-arrhythmic effects in a concentration-dependent manner.

IL-8 reduces VCAM-1 secretion of smooth muscle cells by increasing p-ERK expression when 3-D co-cultured with vascular endothelial cells.

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the crosstalk between vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) using a three-dimensional (3-D) co-culture model. In addition, the role of IL-8 in this crosstalk was investigated.

Methods: A 3-D co-culture model was constructed using a Transwell chamber system and type I collagen gel.

[Effects of control-releasing arsenic trioxide-eluting stent on intimal smooth muscle cells and type III collagen in canine coronary artery post-stent model].

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of control-releasing arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-eluting stent on intimal smooth muscle cells (SMC) and type III collagen (CIII) in canine coronary artery post-stent model.

Methods: Twenty-four experimental canines were equally divided into 4 groups, the three tested groups were deployed by stents with different dosage of As2O3 (1.6 microg/mm2, 2.

Pravastatin attenuates interferon-gamma action via modulation of STAT1 to prevent aortic atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice.

1. The beneficial effects of pravastatin, beyond that of lowering cholesterol in atherosclerosis, include reducing the action of interferon (IFN)-gamma. Interferon-gamma activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), but it is unclear whether the inhibitory effect of pravastatin in atherosclerosis is via modulation of the IFN-gamma/STAT1 pathway.

[Effect of zedoary turmeric oil-eluting stents for post-stenting restenosis prevention and treatment].

Objective: To investigate the effect and safety of Zedoary Turmeric Oil (ZTO)-eluting stents for post-coronary stenting restenosis prevention and treatment in the experimental dogs.

Methods: Bare stents, stents coated with polybutyl methacrylate/Nano silica, and stents eluted with 100 microg ZTO were randomly deployed in canine anterior descending or circumflex coronary artery. Four weeks after stent implantation, the dogs were sacrificed and the vascular histomorphologic changes in the stenting segment analyzed.

Amelioration of myocarditis by statin through inhibiting cross-talk between antigen presenting cells and lymphocytes in rats.

Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, have been recognized as a new type of immunomodulator and reported to have anti-inflammatory effect. To investigate the effect of simvastatin, a lipophilic statin, on myocarditis, we explored whether simvastatin is able to inhibit experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) and adoptive transfer of EAM in rats. We found that administration of simvastatin not only interfered with the development of EAM, but also inhibited the transfer.

[Electrocardiographic and angiographic characteristics of patients with acute solitary posterior myocardial infarction].

Objective: To investigate electrocardiographic (ECG) and angiographic characteristics of patients with acute solitary posterior myocardial infarction. Patients complicated by inferior wall or right ventricular infarction were excluded.

Method: ECG and angiographic changes in 11 patients with acute solitary posterior myocardial infarction admitted to our emergency room from 2001 to 2006 were analyzed.

[Effect of early and non-early controlled-release of arsenic-trioxide eluting stents on restenosis inhibition in a canine model].

Objective: To observe the safety and efficacy of early or non-early controlled-release arsenic-trioxide (As(2)O(3))-eluting stents on reducing in-stent neointimal hyperplasia.

Methods: Bare stents, stents coated with polybutyl methacrylate/Nano silica (containing 200 microg of As(2)O(3) per stent or not), stents coated with polybutyl methacrylate/Nano silica inside (containing 200 microg of As(2)O(3) per stent or not) and poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) outside were deployed with mild oversizing in left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex coronary arteries (LCX)of 30 canines (n = 6, 12 stents for each group).

Results: The mean injury scores were similar in all groups at 4 weeks post stents implantation while the mean neointimal thickness, neointimal area and degree of stenosis were significantly reduced and the lumen area significantly increased in canines receiving single coating stents containing As(2)O(3) compared with single or double coating stents and bare stents groups (all P < 0.

[Effects of controlled-release arsenic-trioxide-eluting stents on in-stent neointimal hyperplasia in coronary artery: experiment with dog model].

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of controlled-release arsenic-trioxide (As(2)O(3))-eluting stents to reduce in-stent neointimal hyperplasia in coronary artery.

Methods: As(2)O(3) was sprayed onto the stainless steel coated with polybutyl methacrylate/nano-silica and poly-lactide-co-glycolide so as to make the controlled-release As(2)O(3)-eluting stents with the As(2)O(3) concentrations of 0, 1.6, 2.

[Effects of antidepressant therapy in patients with suspected "angina pectoris" and negative coronary angiogram complicating comorbid depression].

Objective: We observed the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of different antidepressants as well as the correlation between symptomatic improvement of depression and improvement of chest pain in patients with susceptible "angina pectoris" and negative coronary angiogram complicating comorbid depression.

Methods: In this double-blinded randomized study, a total of 123 eligible patients were allocated into three groups: (1) Group F: fluoxetine 20 mg QN (n = 41); (2) Group P: Placebo 1 tablet QN (n = 40); (3) Group F + O: fluoxetine 20 mg + olanzapine 2.5 mg QN for the former 2 weeks and only fluoxetine 20 mg QN for the latter 2 weeks (n = 42).

[Blood pressure changes post liver transplantation in 206 recipients].

Objective: To study the blood pressure (BP) changes in the liver transplant recipients.

Methods: A total of 206 patients without preoperation hypertension received liver transplantation in our hospital from February 2001 to July 2005. The BP level and serum immunosuppressant concentration at preoperation and various time points post operation were determined.

[Histopathological changes post cryoablation in canine myocardium].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe histopathological changes post cryoablation in canine myocardium, to characterize the specific ablation lesion post cryoablation.

Methods: Cryothermal ablation was applied on myocardium (both epicardium and endocardium) of 14 mongrel dogs with different ablation parameters (-25 degrees C x 4 min, -50 degrees C x 4 min, -75 degrees C x 4 min, -75 degrees C x 2 min, -75 degrees C x 6 min, -75 degrees C x 8 min). Lesion dimensions and histopathologic changes were observed.

[Endothelial progenitor cells related gene expression changes before and early after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe the endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) related gene expression changes before and early after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were taken from patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction 6 hours and 7 days after PCI and stenting. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated by Ficoll-density centrifugation and cultured in M-199 medium.

[Comparison of different pacing sites of the right ventricle on left ventricular mechanical synchrony and systolic performance using tissue Doppler imaging].

Objective: Right ventricular apical pacing may induce cardiac desynchronize and deteriorate left ventricular systolic performance. We hypothesized that right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) pacing could produce better mechanical synchrony and left ventricular contraction.

Methods: We enrolled nine patients without structural heart disease who underwent electrophysiological studies.

[Immediate effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy by tissue synchronization imaging and tissue tracking in patients with congestive heart failure].

Objective: To evaluate the immediate effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI), tissue synchronization imaging (TSI) and tissue tracking imaging (TTI) in patients with congestive heart failure.

Methods: Ten patients with congestive heart failure who had cardiac resynchronization therapy were enrolled. The TSI and TTI imaging were performed by GE vivid 7 with M3s probe.