[Effect of Astragalus polysaccharides on the phenotype and functions of human dendritic cells in vitro].

Objective: To assess the effect of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) in inducing phenotypic and functional changes of human dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro.

Methods: Human dendritic cells were induced from the peripheral blood monocytes in vitro by the application of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and GM-CSF, and cultured in the presence of APS at different concentrations (50, 100, and 200 mg/L). The morphological changes of the DCs were identified by optical microscope or scanning electron microscope.

[Association of dendritic cell distribution with intima hyperplasia in rats with diabetes mellitus].

Objective: To investigate the association of dendritic cell distribution in the peripheral blood, spleen and arterial wall with intimal hyperplasia in rats with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and high-fat feeding for 8 weeks. Peripheral blood, arterial wall and the spleen were collected from the rats to prepare cell suspensions, in which the proportions of dendritic cells and T cells were determined by flow cytometry.

[Efficacy and safety of implantation of multiple drug-eluting stents].

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of implantation of multiple drug-eluting stents.

Methods: A retrospective study of 151 cases was conducted, including 34 with implantation of at least 3 drug-eluting stents in the coronary artery (MS group), 53 with implantation of two stents (TS group), and 64 with a single stent (OS group). The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) and restenosis was evaluated.

[Effect of enalapril on diabetic rat myocardial ultrastructure].

Objective: To observe the changes in the myocardial ultrastructure of diabetic rats and the effect of enalapril treatment.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups, namely the control group, diabetic group and enalapril intervention group. Diabetes was induced with peritoneal injection of streptozotocin in the latter 2 groups, and in enalapril group, the rats were treated with enalapril at the daily oral dose of 2 mg/kg for 1, 3 and 5 months after streptozotocin injection.

[Changes of CD4+CD28- T cell and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell subsets in patients with coronary heart disease].

Objective: To investigate the changes of CD4(+)CD28(-) T cell and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cell (Treg) subsets in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with angiographically established CAD were recruited in this study, including 16 with unstable angina (UA group) and 12 with stable angina (SA group). Eleven patients with chest pain syndrome served as the control group.

[Effects of proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide on angiotensin II-induced NO production in rat cardiac fibroblasts].

Objective: To explore the effects of proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) on nitric oxide (NO) production in rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) induced by angiotensin II (AngII) stimulation.

Methods: Neonatal SD rat CFs isolated by trypsin digestion were cultured and stimulated with PAMP, AngII or their combination, and NO production in the CFs in response to the treatments was measured by nitric acid reductase method.

Results: NO levels in the cell culture treated with 1x10(-9), 1x10(-8), 1x10(-7), and 1x10(-6) micromol/L AngII were 73.

[Effect of urotensin II on secretion of adrenomedullin from human vascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To study the effect of human urotensin II (HU II) on secretion of adrenomedullin (ADM) from human vascular endothelial cells (HVEC) and its mechanism.

Methods: In cultured HVEC, different concentrations of HUII were used to stimulate the ADM secretion from HVEC, and the inhibitors of different signal transduction pathway were used to investigate their effects on ADM secretion. The contents of ADM in medium were determined by radio immunoassay.

[Changes of the new gaseous transmitter H2S in patients with coronary heart disease].

Objective: To investigate the changes of plasma hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Plasma H(2)S levels were measured in 40 patients with CHD and 17 angiographically normal patients by sulfide-sensitive electrodes, and the variation of plasma H(2)S levels was analyzed in different clinical types of CHD and in different types of coronary artery lesions. The association of plasma H(2)S levels with the risk factors of CHD was also analyzed.

[Mechanism of urotensin II-stimulated adrenomedullin secretion in human vascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To study the mechanism of urotensin II(U II)-stimulated adrenomedullin secretion in human vascular endothelial cells.

Methods: In cultured human vascular endothelial cells (HEVCs), different concentrations of U II was used to stimulate the secretion of Adm, and different inhibitors were used to study the changes in the secretion after block of different signal transduction pathways. The contents of Adm in the medium were detected with radioimmunoassay.

[Effect of percutaneous intervention on adrenomedullin and tumor necrosis factor in the coronary circulation].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of percutaneous intervention (PCI) on coronary circulation levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Thirty-three CHD patients underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting (altogether 48 stents were implanted). Blood samples were collected from the coronary sinus and femoral artery at the time points of immediately before and after angioplasty, immediately after PTCA or stenting, 10 min after procedures, respectively.

[Clinical study of plasma urotensin II in patients with coronary heart disease].

Objective: To investigate the changes in plasma urotensin II(U II) expression levels in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Plasma U II levels in 50 CHD patients with coronary stenosis indicated by coronary angiography and 20 healthy subjects were determined by radio immunoassay.

Results: Venous plasma U II levels were significantly lowered in CHD patients in comparison with the healthy subjects (1.

[Expression of urotensinII in human coronary artery and coronary atherosclerosis].

Objective: To assess the expression intensity of urotensinII (UII) in normal and atheromatous human coronary artery and explore its significance in coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods: Specimens of coronary arteries were obtained from 5 normal subjects and the expression of human UII in the specimens was detected by immunohistochemical method.

Results: UII expression was found in the endothelial cells (ECs), foam cells (FCs), inflammatory cells (ICs) and intima smooth muscle cells (ISMs) of human coronary artery.

[Clinical study of changes of urotensin II in patients with congestive heart failure].

Objective: To investigate the changes of plasma urotensinII (UII) levels in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) of different severities and their clinical implications.

Methods: Plasma UII was determined by radioimmunoassay in 45 patients with CHF and 20 healthies control subjects. In all the subjects, the left ventricular fraction (LVEF) and the ratio of E/A were measured by echocardiography.

[Relation of the ST-segment elevation pattern in acute phase of anterior wall acute myocardial infarction to short-term prognosis].

Objective: To observe the relation of ST-segment elevation pattern of electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded in acute phase of anterior wall acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to short-term prognosis.

Methods: Sixty-two patients with first anterior wall AMI were divided into 3 groups according to ST-segment elevation pattern in lead V3 of a 12-lead ECG at admission. Patients in group A (n=18) were characterized by concave type of ST-segment elevation, group B (n=27) by straight type and group C (n=17) by convex type.

Changes of plasma adrenomedullin and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide concentrations in patients with heart failure.

Objective: To study the changes in plasma adrenomedullin (ADM) and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) concentrations and their clinical significance in the pathological process of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods: Plasma ADM and PAMP concentrations in 45 patients with CHF (according to the functional classification of New York Heart Association, NYHA) and 20 control subjects were measured by specific radioimmunoassay.

Results: Plasma ADM concentrations were 51.

[Changes in plasma levels of adrenomedullin and cyclic adenosine monophosphate and their interrelation in patients with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To investigate the changes in plasma levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) in an attempt to understand the role of ADM in the occurrence and development of CHF.

Methods: The plasma levels of cAMP and ADM were measured by radioimmunoassay in 45 patients with CHF (including 10 of NYHA classII, 15 of class III, and 20 of class IV) and 20 healthy controls respectively.

Results: Plasma ADM and cAMP levels significantly increased in patients of NYHA class II, III, and IV as compared with the healthy controls (P<0.