SIRT3 suppression resulting from the enhanced β-catenin signaling drives glycolysis and promotes hypoxia-induced cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

The precise mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of SIRT3, a mitochondrial sirtuin protein, on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, as well as its impact on mitochondrial respiration, remain poorly understood. We assessed sirtuins 3 (SIRT3) levels in HCC tissues and Huh7 cells cultured under hypoxic condition. We investigated the effects of SIRT3 on cell proliferation, glycolytic metabolism, mitochondrial respiration, mitophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis in Huh7 cells.

IL-33 promotes IL-10 production in macrophages: a role for IL-33 in macrophage foam cell formation.

We evaluated the role of IL-10- in IL-33-mediated cholesterol reduction in macrophage-derived foam cells (MFCs) and the mechanism by which IL-33 upregulates IL-10. Serum IL-33 and IL-10 levels in coronary artery disease patients were measured. The effects of IL-33 on intra-MFC cholesterol level, IL-10, ABCA1 and CD36 expression, ERK 1/2, Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4 activation, and IL-10 promoter activity were determined.

Macrophage-derived foam cells impair endothelial barrier function by inducing endothelial-mesenchymal transition via CCL-4.

Recently, endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been demonstrated to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, the molecular mechanisms of which remain unclear. In the present study, scanning electron microscopy directly revealed a widened endothelial space and immunohistofluorescence demonstrated that EndMT was increased in human aorta atherosclerotic plaques. M1 macrophage-derived foam cell (M1-FC) supernatants, but not M2 macrophage-derived foam cell (M2-FC) supernatants, induced EndMT.

Effects of C-reactive protein on K(+) channel interaction protein 2 in cardiomyocytes.

Several studies have found that C-reactive protein (CRP) was associated with QTc interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved. K(+) channel interaction protein 2 (KChIP2) is a necessary subunit for the formation of transient outward potassium current (Ito.

Tachycardia pacing induces myocardial neovascularization and mobilizes circulating endothelial progenitor cells partly via SDF-1 pathway in canines.

Neovascularization plays pivotal role in ischemic heart failure; however, it is unclear in non-ischemic heart failure. Non-ischemic heart failure was induced by chronic rapid right ventricular pacing at 200 beats/min, respectively, for 3 and 6 weeks in 12 dogs. Sham-operation was performed in another 6 dogs as control.

Atorvastatin Attenuates TNF-alpha Production via Heme Oxygenase-1 Pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages.

Objective: To assess the effect of atorvastatin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-α production in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Methods: RAW264.

Angiotensin II-derived reactive oxygen species promote angiogenesis in human late endothelial progenitor cells through heme oxygenase-1 via ERK1/2 and AKT/PI3K pathways.

Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main component of renin-angiotensin system, could mediate pathogenic angiogenesis in cardiovascular disorders. Late endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) possess potent self-renewal and angiogenic potency superior to early EPCs, but few study focused on the cross-talk between Ang II and late EPCs. We observed that Ang II could increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promote capillary formation in late EPCs.

[Diagnostic value of 64-slice spiral computed tomography coronary angiography for coronary artery disease].

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography (64-SCTCA) in individuals with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: The study enrolled 285 individuals undergoing 64-SCTCA with calcium scoring and thereafter invasive coronary angiography (CAG) within 4 weeks for suspected CAD. Pretest probability of having obstructive CAD was determined using the Duke clinical score, which was estimated by type of chest discomfort, age, gender, and traditional risk factors and stratified into 3 levels of probability: low (≤ 30%, n = 80), intermediate (31% to 70%, n = 92), and high (≥ 71%, n = 113).

[Alcohol intake and stroke in Eastern Asian men:a systemic review and meta-analysis of 17 prospective cohort studies].

Objective: To assess the dose-response relationship between alcohol intake and relative risk of stroke and all-cause mortality among Eastern Asian men.

Methods: Potential prospective cohort studies were retrieved by searching Pubmed (1966 - 2000), OVID (1980 - 2009), Embase (1980 - 2009) and ISI Web of Knowledge (1986 - 2009) using Medical Subject Headings: alcohol drinking, ethanol, stroke, cerebrovascular disease, mortality, etc; and Koreans or Japanese or Chinese. From the relevant retrieved reports, 17 prospective cohort studies fulfilling the criteria were included into the study.

Potential proarrhythmic effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy during perioperative period: data from a single cardiac center.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) could improve heart function, symptom status, quality of life and reduce hospitalization and mortality in patients with severe heart failure (HF) with optimal medical management. However, the possible adverse effects of CRT are often ignored by clinicians.

Method: A retrospective analysis of CRT over a 6-year period was made in a single cardiac center.

Poor coronary collateral vessel development in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency.

Background: The development of coronary collaterals is crucial to survival through acute ischemia. Mild to moderate loss of renal function has been suggested to play a role in this event, but evidential data are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mild to moderate renal insufficiency and coronary collateral development in patients with chronic total coronary artery occlusion.