Effect of angiotensin II on primary cardiac fibroblast matrix metalloproteinase activities.

Left ventricular dysfunction is associated with reperfusion injury occurring during open-heart surgery. There is an increased secretion of angiotensin II (Ang II) and increased matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activities associated with open-heart surgery that may affect the cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM). The goal of this study was to determine the effects of Ang II and selective angiotensin II receptor (AT1-R and AT2-R) blockers on the enzymatic activities of MMPs in primary adult murine cardiac fibroblasts (CF).

Owner impressions of three premium diets fed to healthy adult dogs.

Objective: To determine owner impressions of 3 premium canine diets when factors such as price and retail source were removed; to compare body condition scores (BCSs) assigned by owners versus a veterinarian; and to determine consistency of owner impressions of diets when owners were not informed that they were feeding the same diet during 2 consecutive periods.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Animals: 44 healthy adult dogs.

Differential effects of endothelin receptor activation on cyclic flow variations in rat mesenteric arteries.

Background: Cyclic flow variations (CFVs) represent repetitive cycles of platelet adherence-aggregation and vasoconstriction, followed by dislodgment of platelet thrombi and restoration of blood flow at the site of vascular injury. Although activation of endothelin A (ETA) and endothelin B (ETB) receptors leads to vasoconstriction and nitric oxide release, respectively, the roles of endogenous endothelin-1 (ET-1) and its receptors in CFVs are unknown.

Methods And Results: A side branch of a mesenteric artery of male Wistar rats was cannulated and a short segment of the artery was mechanically injured to induce CFVs.

A tissue plasminogen activator/P-selectin fusion protein is an effective thrombolytic agent.

Background: P-selectin is expressed on the surface of activated endothelial cells and platelets. We hypothesized that a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)/P-selectin fusion protein would have not only thrombolytic activity but also might target TPA to the thrombi. In addition, it seemed possible that this chimeric protein would competitively inhibit the binding of native P-selectin on endothelial cells and platelets to leukocytes and thus further promote thrombolysis.