Point-of-care test of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein for the diagnosis of early acute myocardial infarction.

Aim: To investigate the efficacies of point-of-care test of heart-type fatty-acid binding protein (H-FABP) and its combinations with the conventional biomarkers in the diagnosis of early acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: 227 patients suspected of AMI were consecutively recruited in two centers. Biomarkers including H-FABP, myoglobin (MYO), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were determined simultaneously at admission.

Atorvastatin reduces tissue factor expression in adipose tissue of atherosclerotic rabbits.

Background: We have recently demonstrated that tissue factor (TF) expression increases in adipose tissues/adipocytes of cholesterol-fed rabbit, which is associated with a hypercoagulable state that contributes to thrombosis. In this study, we evaluated the ability of atorvastatin to modulate TF expression in cholesterol-fed rabbit and the regulatory mechanism.

Methods: Male rabbits were randomly fed with normal diet and high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, following 4 weeks, those fed high-cholesterol diet were randomly assigned to atorvastatin or starch.

Atorvastatin reduces plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in adipose tissue of atherosclerotic rabbits.

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression are increased in adipose tissues/adipocytes of obese mice, which is associated with a hypofibrinolytic state that contributes to thrombosis. We recently demonstrated that PAI-1 expression increases in adipose tissues/adipocytes of cholesterol-fed rabbits. In this study, we evaluated the ability of atorvastatin to modulate PAI-1 expression in cholesterol-fed rabbits and the regulatory mechanism.

Valsartan reduces interleukin-1beta secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with essential hypertension.

Background: Chronic low-grade inflammation response may contribute to the pathology of essential hypertension. Angiotensin II (Ang II) may be partly responsible for this process. Our early studies showed that individuals with essential hypertension had increased interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Fenofibrate enhances CD36 mediated endocytic uptake and degradation of oxidized low density lipoprotein in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemia rabbit.

Background: CD36 as a fatty acid transporter is predominantly expressed in adipocytes. We studied whether adipocytes could uptake and degrade OxLDL through CD36 and explored the effect of fenofibrate on OxLDL uptake in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemia rabbits.

Methods: Subcutaneous adipose tissues were collected from normal, high-cholesterol and high-cholesterol plus fenofibrate treatment rabbits for adipocytes culture.