Ameliorative effect of sevoflurane on endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury .

We aimed to investigate whether the cardioprotection of sevoflurane against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is via inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress. The rat in vivo model of myocardial IR injury was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Sevoflurane significantly ameliorated the reduced cardiac function, increased infarct size, and elevated troponin I level and lactate dehydrogenase activity in plasma induced by IR injury.

[Effects of astragalus injection on renal function in patients after cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass].

Objective: To observe the effects of Astragalus Injection (AI) on renal function in patients after cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Forty patients scheduled to receive cardiac valve replacement with CPB were randomly assigned to 2 groups equally, the control group and the AI group. Patients in the AI group were administered with AI 40 mL before anesthesia by diluting it in 250 mL 5% glucose solution via intravenous dripping, 20 mL by adding it into the priming solution before CPB and 40 mL once a day diluted as before via intravenous dripping at the foremost 5 successive days after operation.

[Myocardial protective effect of Shenfu injection in patients undergoing valve replacement].

Objective: To investigate the myocardial protective effect of Shenfu injection in patients undergoing valve replacement.

Methods: Forty patients undergoing valve replacement surgery under cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly divided into two equal groups: group C (control group, given with 4:1 blood containing cardioplegic liquid during the CPB) and group SF (Shenfu injection, receiving the blood containing cardioplegic liquid with 20 ml/L of Shenfu injection additionally). Blood samples were withdrawn from the central vein before operation, 30 minutes after aorta declamping, and 4, 12, and 24 hours after CPB, to test the serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine phosphokinase (CK), and creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme (CK-MB).

[Intracellular dialysis with a microcatheter inserted into the patch-clamp pipette].

In this paper we present an easily available method of intracellular dialysis via a microcatheter inserted into glass pipette during patch clamp experiment. An oblique hole through the glass pipette holder (above the lateral hole for cell-seal suction) is drilled, through which a microcatheter (O.D.