Amiloride attenuates lipopolysaccharide-accelerated atherosclerosis via inhibition of NHE1-dependent endothelial cell apoptosis.

Aim: To investigate the effects of the potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride on endothelial cell apoptosis during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-accelerated atherosclerosis.

Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to LPS (100 ng/mL) in the presence of drugs tested. The activity of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 (NHE1) and calpain, intracellular free Ca(2+)level ([Ca(2+)](i)), as well as the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the cells were measured.

Selection of housekeeping genes for gene expression studies on the development of fruit bearing shoots in Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujube Mill.).

Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujube Mill.) is important economically for its fruit and also bears attractive medical value. Its flower development concurs with the growth of current fruit bearing shoots (FBSs).