Andrographolide inhibits NF-kappaBeta activation and attenuates neointimal hyperplasia in arterial restenosis.

The NF-kappaBeta transcription factors modulate the expression of tissue factor (TF), E-selectin (CD62E) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), which are essential for thrombosis and inflammation. We have previously shown that andrographolide (Andro) covalently modifies the reduced cysteine(62) of p50 - a major subunit of NF-kappaBeta transcription factors, thus blocking the binding of NF-kappaBeta transcription factors to the promoters of their target genes, preventing NF-kappaBeta activation and inhibiting inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Here we report that Andro, but not its inactive structural analog 4H-Andro, significantly suppressed the proliferation of arterial neointima ( approximately 60% reduction) in a murine model of arterial restenosis.

Surgical repair of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in Asian patients.

Background: Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare cardiac anomaly, and the difference between Asian and Western countries in its occurrence is not well established. This study was designed to investigate the difference between Asian and Western patients.

Methods: Between September 1988 and February 2006, 83 patients with sinus of Valsalva aneurysm underwent surgical repair in our institute.

[The effects of coronary abnormalities on reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract in patients with complex congenital heart disease].

Objective: To explore the effects of coronary abnormalities on reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract in patients with complex congenital heart disease.

Methods: Eighty patients, including tetralogy of Fallot 14 cases and double outlet right ventricle (DORV) 4 cases with anomalous coronary artery, underwent surgical treatment from April 1989 to May 2004. The coronary diseases included single left or right coronary artery in 11 cases, left anterior descending coronary artery originating from right coronary artery in 6 cases, vascular plexus on right outflow tract in 1 case.

[Construction of vector tandem expressing rat ventricular myocyte Kir2.1 shRNA and its effect in vitro].

Objective: To construct a recombinant vector that expresses 5 shRNAs targeting on the rat ventricular myocyte Kir2.1 gene in tandem and its effect in vitro

Methods: Ventricular myocytes were collected from newborn Wistar rats and cultured. Five sites targeting on the rat Kir2.

[Clinical analysis for 70 sinus of valsalva aneurysm].

Objective: To review retrospectively the experience of surgical repair of sinus of valsalva aneurysm (SVA) in 70 patients.

Methods: Between September, 1988 and October, 2003, Seventy patients with SVA underwent surgical repair by the aid of general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass, comprised 1.4% (70/4960) of all open-heart operation.