A20 overexpression inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB activation, TRAF6 and CD40 expression in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells.

Zinc finger protein A20 is a key negative regulator of inflammation. However, whether A20 may affect inflammation during peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis is still unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of A20 overexpression on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs).

Resveratrol inhibits hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells via the activation of PI3K/Akt by miR-126.

Aim: Resveratrol(RSV) is an edible polyphenolic phytoalexin present in different plant species that plays an important role in improving endothelial dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. In the present study, the mechanism underlying the protection of CRL-1730 cells by RSV against oxidative stress was examined.

Mineralocorticoid receptor, CYP11B2 mRNA expression, and atrial matrix remodelling in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation is associated with the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the atria. It is not clear whether the expression of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and aldosterone synthase CYPII B2 in patients with atrial fibrillation is altered. This study aimed to investigate the mRNA expression of MR and CYPIIB2 and to reveal the correlation between CYPIIB2 mRNA and matrix remodelling in patients with atrial fibrillation.

[Atrial 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression in rheumatic heart disease patients with or without atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To investigate the mRNA and protein expressions of 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11betaHSD2) in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Right and left atrial lateral wall tissue samples were obtained during mitral/aortic valve replacement operation from 25 patients with rheumatic heart valve disease (12 in sinus rhythm and 13 in chronic atrial fibrillation). Realtime quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of 11betaHSD2 in atria specimens.

[Expression of mineralocorticoid receptor and 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in human atria during chronic atrial fibrillation: study of 25 cases].

Objective: To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11betaHSD2), which plays a crucial role in the human heart to confer specificity on MR, in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Twenty-five patients of rheumatic heart valve disease, 12 with sinus rhythm, and 13 with chronic atrial fibrillation for 6 months or over, underwent transthoracic echocardiography and mitral/aortic valve replacement operation during which right atrial lateral wall tissue samples were obtained and left atrial lateral wall tissue samples were obtained from 14 of them in addition. Realtime quantitative PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression of MR and 11betaHSD2 and Western blotting was employed to detect the protein expression of MR and 11betaHSD2 in the atrial myocardium.

[Ablation of the orifices of the pulmonary veins under direct vision by using the transballoon ultrasound ablation catheter for permanent atrial fibrillation with rheumatic valve disease].

Objective: To evaluate the effect and possibility of surgical ablation of the pulmonary vein orifices under direct vision with transballoon ultrasound ablation catheter for patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and rheumatic valve disease.

Methods: 21 consecutive patients with rheumatic valve disease and permanent atrial fibrillation undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery were enrolled for this study from December 2002 to September 2003. All the cases were divided into 2 groups by whether or not receiving an additive pulmonary vein ablation procedure.