Augmentation of autophagy by atorvastatin via Akt/mTOR pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Autophagy is activated in hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy. However, the mechanisms and significance of an activated autophagy are not clear. This study was designed to determine the role of atorvastatin (ATO) in cardiac autophagy and associated benefits on cardiac remodeling and left ventricular function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

[Change of peripheral blood monocytes derived macrophage scavenger receptors activity in patients with coronary heart disease, and the intervention effect of ginkgo biloba extract].

Objective: To observe the activity of peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs) derived macrophage scavenger receptors (MSR) and changes of serum inflammatory factor in peripheral blood in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), and to evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on the MSR activity, to explore the relationship between inflammatory factor and scavenger receptors activity as well as the possible mechanism of GBE in stabilizing the atheromatous plaque.

Methods: Ninety-seven CHD patients with normal blood lipids were classified into the stable angina group, the unstable angina group and the acute myocardial infarction group, and 29 healthy persons were taken as control. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in all subjects were determined.

[Effect of combined therapy of shenmai and compound danshen injection on myocardial reperfusion injury after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To explore the effect of combined therapy of shenmai and compound danshen injection (SM-DS) on myocardial reperfusion injury after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Thirty-eight AMI patients who received PCI were randomly divided into two groups, the 19 patients in the treated group were treated with SM-DS before and after PCI. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients' venous blood were measured at different time-points, and the integrated left ventricular ejection isometric index (Tei) was determined by echocardiogram.

[Effect of different angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on coronary collateral circulation].

Objective: To observe the effects of different angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on coronary collateral circulation.

Methods: Twenty-four healthy dogs underwent measurement of distolic aortic pressure (DAP) and ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The distolic coronary pressure (DCP) and retrograde blood flow (Qret) were measured.