Low-dose exercise protects the heart against established myocardial infarction via IGF-1-upregulated CTRP9 in male mice.

Regular exercise is recommended as an important component of therapy for cardiovascular diseases in clinical practice. However, there are still major challenges in prescribing an optimized exercise regimen to individual patients with established cardiac disease. Here, we tested the effects of different exercise doses on cardiac function in mice with established myocardial infarction (MI).

Forkhead box O6 (FoxO6) promotes cardiac pathological remodeling and dysfunction by activating Kif15-TGF-β1 under aggravated afterload.

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy exhibits complex and abnormal gene expression patterns and progresses to heart failure. Forkhead box protein O6 (FoxO6) is a key transcription factor involved in many biological processes. This study aimed to explore the role of FoxO6 in cardiac hypertrophy.

Clinical profiles and outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection and intramural hematoma in the current era: lessons from the first registry of aortic dissection in China.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and acute type A intramural hematoma (ATAIMH) are life-threatening diseases with high mortality. To better understand their clinical features in the Chinese population, we analyzed the data from the first Registry of Aortic Dissection in China (Sino-RAD) to promote the understanding and management of the diseases.

Methods: All patients with ATAAD and ATAIMH enrolled in Sino-RAD from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016 were involved.

Evaluating the monogenic contribution and genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with isolated thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm with or without dissection (TAAD) can be broadly categorized as syndromic TAAD (sTAAD) and isolated TAAD (iTAAD). sTAAD and is highly correlated with genetics. However, although the incidence of iTAAD is much higher, its monogenic contribution is not yet clear.

Sex Differences of Clinical Presentation and Outcomes in Propensity-Matched Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Objectives: To assess sex differences of clinical presentation and outcomes in propensity-matched patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD).

Methods: We collected the clinical data of patients with AAAD from a single heart center between January 2009 and July 2014. After propensity score matching, we compared differences in clinical presentation and outcomes of patients with AAAD between men and women.

Novel PGC-1/ATF5 Axis Partly Activates UPR and Mediates Cardioprotective Role of Tetrahydrocurcumin in Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy.

Mitochondrial unfolding protein response (UPR) effectively resists the pathological cardiac hypertrophy and improves the mitochondrial function. However, the specific activation mechanism and drugs that can effectively activate UPR in the cardiac muscle are yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the regulation role of UPR on preventing pathological cardiac hypertrophy by tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and explore its underlying molecular mechanism.

Effectiveness of a novel, completely biomaterial valved pulmonary arterial conduit: An study.

As a pre-clinical assessment, the present study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a novel valved pulmonary arterial conduit constructed entirely from biomaterials by transplanting it in the outflow tract of the right ventricle in sheep. Under extracorporeal circulation, the valved pulmonary arterial conduit was used to replace the pulmonary artery of sheep with a beating heart. The performance was assessed at 30, 90 and 180 days post-surgery.

Melatonin protects against thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection through SIRT1-dependent regulation of oxidative stress and vascular smooth muscle cell loss.

Melatonin functions as an endogenous protective molecule in multiple vascular diseases, whereas its effects on thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) and underlying mechanisms have not been reported. In this study, TAAD mouse model was successfully induced by β-aminopropionitrile fumarate (BAPN). We found that melatonin treatment remarkably prevented the deterioration of TAAD, evidenced by decreased incidence, ameliorated aneurysmal dilation and vascular stiffness, improved aortic morphology, and inhibited elastin degradation, macrophage infiltration, and matrix metalloproteinase expression.

Modified Glucose-Insulin-Potassium Regimen Provides Cardioprotection With Improved Tissue Perfusion in Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery.

Background Laboratory studies demonstrate glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) as a potent cardioprotective intervention, but clinical trials have yielded mixed results, likely because of varying formulas and timing of GIK treatment and different clinical settings. This study sought to evaluate the effects of modified GIK regimen given perioperatively with an insulin-glucose ratio of 1:3 in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Methods and Results In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial with 930 patients referred for cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, GIK (200 g/L glucose, 66.

C1q-TNF-related protein-3 attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy by suppressing the p38/CREB pathway and p38-induced ER stress.

C1q-tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) is an adipokine, which exerts protective function in ischemic or diabetic heart injury. However, the role of CTRP3 in cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects of CTRP3 on pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by hypertension.

Cardiac-derived CTRP9 protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via calreticulin-dependent inhibition of apoptosis.

Cardiokines play an essential role in maintaining normal cardiac functions and responding to acute myocardial injury. Studies have demonstrated the heart itself is a significant source of C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9). However, the biological role of cardiac-derived CTRP9 remains unclear.

Honokiol Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Type 1 Diabetic Rats by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis through Activating the SIRT1-Nrf2 Signaling Pathway.

Reducing oxidative stress is a crucial therapeutic strategy for ameliorating diabetic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Honokiol (HKL) acts as an effective cardioprotective agent for its strong antioxidative activity. However, its roles and underlying mechanisms against MI/R injury in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remain unknown.

Lipopolysaccharide impairs permeability of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells via Connexin40.

The endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier disruption is a key pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying LPS-impaired permeability of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) are not fully understood. Gap junctions, particularly Connexin40 (Cx40), are necessary for the maintenance of normal vascular function.

Melatonin protects against the pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by transverse aortic constriction through activating PGC-1β: In vivo and in vitro studies.

Melatonin, a circadian molecule secreted by the pineal gland, confers a protective role against cardiac hypertrophy induced by hyperthyroidism, chronic hypoxia, and isoproterenol. However, its role against pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological effects of melatonin on pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC).

C1q/TNF-Related Protein 9 Protects Diabetic Rat Heart against Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

As a newly identified adiponectin paralog, C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9) reduces myocardial ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury through partially understood mechanisms. In the present study, we sought to identify the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in CTRP9 induced cardioprotection in diabetic heart. Isolated hearts from high-fat-diet (HFD) induced type 2 diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to ex vivo IR protocol via a Langendorff apparatus at the presence of globular CTRP9.

Melatonin reduces PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: role of RISK and SAFE pathways interaction.

Recently, we demonstrated that melatonin reduced protein kinase RNA (PKR)-like ER kinase (PERK)-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α)-activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4)-mediated myocardial endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not clear. Myocardial reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) pathway as well as survivor activating factor enhancement (SAFE) pathway are two pivotal intrinsic pro-survival signaling cascades.

A feasibility study of total endovascular aortic arch replacement: From stent-graft design to preclinical testing.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of total endovascular repair of the aortic arch using a novel designed stent-graft system (Yanger stent-graft system; Lifetech Scientific, Shenzhen, China) in vitro and in a canine model.

Methods: The Yanger stent-graft system is composed of a main stent-graft, branched stent-graft, and a delivery system. In an in vitro aortic arch simulation test bench, the system was tested, and the success rate of stent-graft releasing, anchoring, and positioning was recorded and analyzed.

Effectiveness and Safety of Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects in Adults.

This study was designed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of using modified double-disk occluders for perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) closure in adults. From January 2004 to December 2014, 337 adults with pmVSDs were treated through transcatheter intervention using 2 types of double-disk occluders; 302 patients received a symmetrical concentric pmVSD occluder, and 35 patients received an asymmetrical concentric pmVSD occluder. All patients were followed up through electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography until June 2015.

Berberine Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Response: Role of Silent Information Regulator 1.

Berberine (BBR) exerts potential protective effect against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Activation of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) signaling attenuates MI/R injury by reducing oxidative damage and inflammation response. This study investigated the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of BBR treatment in MI/R condition and elucidated its potential mechanisms.

Reduced silent information regulator 1 signaling exacerbates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in type 2 diabetic rats and the protective effect of melatonin.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases myocardial oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Melatonin confers cardioprotective effect by suppressing oxidative damage. However, the effect and mechanism of melatonin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury in type 2 diabetic state are still unknown.

Membrane receptor-dependent Notch1/Hes1 activation by melatonin protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Melatonin confers profound protective effect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI). Activation of Notch1/Hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) signaling also ameliorates MI/RI. We hypothesize that melatonin attenuates MI/RI-induced oxidative damage by activating Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway with phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (Pten)/Akt acting as the downstream signaling pathway in a melatonin membrane receptor-dependent manner.

The roles of nanocarriers on pigment epithelium-derived factor in the differentiation of human cardiac stem cells.

Over the past decade, adult stem cells have attracted great attention because of their ability to potentially regenerate desired tissues or entire organs. With the emergence of nanomaterial-based gene therapy, adult stem cells have been considered as a proper tool for the biomedical field. In this study, we utilized organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) against pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and induce the differentiation of human cardiac stem cells (CSCs).

Endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates the anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl pyruvate in endothelial cells.

Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is a simple aliphatic ester of the metabolic intermediate pyruvate that has been demonstrated to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent in a variety of in vivo and in vitro model systems. However, the protective effects and mechanisms underlying the actions of EP against endothelial cell (EC) inflammatory injury are not fully understood. Previous studies have confirmed that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays an important role in regulating the pathological process of EC inflammation.

Clinical features of acute aortic dissection from the Registry of Aortic Dissection in China.

Objective: To establish a systematic registry of aortic dissection in China, assess the clinical features of Chinese patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD), and compare our results with the data published by the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD).

Methods: We established the first Registry of Aortic Dissection in China (Sino-RAD) in 2011. Then we evaluated 1003 patients with AAD in Sino-RAD and compared our results with those reported by IRAD.