[New insights in regulation factors of lipoprotein lipase].

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is an essential enzyme in the lipid metabolism, and proper regulation of LPL is important for controlling the delivery of lipid nutrients to tissues. Recent studies have identified glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high density lipoprotein-binding protein 1(GPIHBP1) as the important regulation factor of LPL that serves as a binding platform for lipolysis on the vascular lumen and an endothelial cell transporter transporting LPL from the interstitial spaces to the capillary lumen. In addition, several other regulation factors of LPL have also been identified including microRNAs, SorLA (Sortilin-related receptor with A-type repeats), and apolipoproteins that are potentially important for regulating LPL activity.

Urotensin II contributes to the formation of lung adenocarcinoma inflammatory microenvironment through the NF-κB pathway in tumor-bearing nude mice.

Urotensin II (UII), a somatostatin-like cyclic peptide, was originally isolated from the fish urophysis. Our previous study showed that UII stimulates the proliferation of A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells and promotes tumor growth in a nude mouse xenograft model, suggesting that UII may contribute to the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma. In this study, the underlying mechanism for UII to promote lung adenocarcinoma growth was explored by observing the effect of UII on the tumor inflammatory microenvironment in tumor-bearing nude mice.

Enhanced expression of salusin-β contributes to progression of atherosclerosis in LDL receptor deficient mice.

Atherosclerosis is an important underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to observe the expression of salusin-β, a new vasoactive peptide, in vascular tissues of low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLR(-/-)) mice, and to evaluate the effect of salusin-β on the development of atherosclerosis in LDLR(-/-) mice. Six-week-old, male LDLR(-/-) mice were subcutaneously injected with salusin-β or the vehicle, once a day for 12 weeks.

Protective effect of edaravone against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury and compared with ischemic postconditioning in rats.

The aim of this study is to clarify whether edaravone postconditioning had protective effect against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury and to compare the protective effect between ischemic postconditioning and edaravone postconditioning. Rats were subjected to 45 min ischemia followed by 24 h reperfusion. The rats were randomly assigned to seven groups: a sham-operated control group, an ischemia/reperfusion group, an ischemic postconditioning group, a normal saline vehicle postconditioning group and an edaravone postconditioning (1, 3, and 6 mg x kg(-1)) group.

Expression of urotensin II and its receptor in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and the effect of urotensin II on lung adenocarcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo.

Urotensin II (UII), originally identified from fish urophysis, is a potent vasoactive peptide and an endogenous ligand for an orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR14, now named as urotensin II receptor (UT-R). In this study, we investigated the mRNA and protein expressions of UII and its receptor (UT-R) in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, and the effect of exogenous UII on the proliferation of A549 cells in vitro and in vivo. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis showed that both mRNAs and proteins of UII and UT-R were obviously expressed in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

[Effects of potassium channel activators on transient inward current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) activator cromakalim (CRK) on action potentials and transient inward current (I(ti)) in isolated guinea pig papillary and ventricular myocytes and to explore the mechanisms of effects of I(ti) and K(ATP) treatment in idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.

Methods: The whole-cell patch clamp recording technique was used to detect the action potentials and I(ti) and K(ATP) current alterations during the stimulated and triggered activity. Myocytes were isolated from guinea pig ventricle by enzyme digestion.

Protective effect of a standardized Ginkgo extract (ginaton) on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury via suppressing the activation of JNK signal pathway.

A new standardized Ginkgo extract (ginaton) destined for i.v. injection was investigated in rats for its protective effect on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

SP600125, a selective JNK inhibitor, protects ischemic renal injury via suppressing the extrinsic pathways of apoptosis.

Accumulating evidence suggests that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway plays a critical role in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the downstream mechanism that accounts for the proapoptotic actions of JNK during renal ischemia/reperfusion has not been elucidated. We report that SP600125, a potent, cell-permeable, selective, and reversible inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), potently decreased renal epithelial tubular cell apoptosis induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion via suppression of the extrinsic pathway.

[The protective effects of melatonin on global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils].

Aim: To investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on histology and behavioral tests during global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in gerbils.

Methods: Global cerebral ischemia was induced by occluding the bilateral common carotid arteries for 10 min in gerbils. Three doses of MT were administrated intraperitoneally 30 min prior to the onset of ischemia.