Contraction-dependent TGF-β1 activation is required for thrombin-induced remodeling in human airway smooth muscle cells.

Aims: Thrombin is a serine proteinase that is not only involved in coagulation cascade, but also mediates a number of biological responses relevant to tissues repair, and induces bronchoconstriction. TGF-β plays a pivotal role in airway remodeling due to its effects on airway smooth muscle proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Recently, bronchoconstriction itself is found to constitute a form of strain and is highly relevant to asthmatic airway remodeling.

[Red blood cell distribution width combined with lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 detection for improving diagnostic accuracy of coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease].

Objective: To study the association of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LP-PLA2) with the degree of coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and the value of RDW combined with LP-PLA2 detection in accurate evaluation of coronary artery stenosis.

Methods: A total of 224 patients including 119 non-CAD cases and 105 CAD cases admitted in our hospital between June, 2013 and June, 2014 were enrolled in this study. The patients' baseline clinical data were collected and venous blood samples were obtained for detecting WBC, RDW-CV and LP-PLA2.

Rosiglitazone attenuates atherosclerosis and increases high-density lipoprotein function in atherosclerotic rabbits.

Rosiglitazone has been found to have anti-atherogenic effects and to increase serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. However, in vivo studies investigating the regulation of adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) by rosiglitazone are limited. Moreover, the effects of rosiglitazone on the function and levels of HDL are unclear.

Sclederma of Poria cocos exerts its diuretic effect via suppression of renal aquaporin-2 expression in rats with chronic heart failure.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sclederma of Poria cocos (Hoelen) has been used as a diuretic in traditional Asian medicine. However, the underlying mechanism by which Sclederma of Poria cocos (hoelen) exerts its diuretic effect has not been well identified. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Sclederma of Poria cocos (hoelen) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) induced by acute myocardial infarction and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Acute coronary syndrome remodels the protein cargo and functions of high-density lipoprotein subfractions.

Objectives: This study examined alterations in the functions and proteome of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions (HDL2 and HDL3) isolated from patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with control subjects.

Methods: We measured HDL subfraction cholesterol efflux capacity, inflammatory index (HII), paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity, and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels in both male age-matched controls and the ACS group (n = 40/group). Additionally, proteomic analysis was used to monitor changes in the HDL subfraction proteome between controls and ACS subjects.

[Effect of dexamethasone on expressions of TWEAK and Fn14 in the lung of asthmatic mice].

Aim: To investigate the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) on the expressions of TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and fibroblast growth factor-inducible immediate-early response protein 14 (Fn14) in the lung of asthmatic mice.

Methods: Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to induce asthma in BALB/c mice. Thirty-six female mice were randomly divided into control group (n=12), asthmatic group (n=12) and Dex treated group (n=12).

Probucol alleviates atherosclerosis and improves high density lipoprotein function.

Background: Probucol is a unique hypolipidemic agent that decreases high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). However, it is not definite that whether probucol hinders the progression of atherosclerosis by improving HDL function.

Methods: Eighteen New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into the control, atherosclerosis and probucol groups.

[Activation of Rho-kinase pathway is involved in angiotensin II-induced contraction of human airway smooth muscle cells].

Objective: To investigate of the regulatory effect of Rho-kinase pathway activation on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced contraction of human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) in vitro.

Methods: Cultured primary HASMCs were divided into control group, AngII group, AngII + irbesartan group and AngII + Y-27632 group with corresponding treatment. AngII-induced contraction of HASMCs was evaluated using collagen gel lattices and observed morphologically using immunofluorescence assay.

[Change of IL-22R1 expression in human airway smooth muscle cells in response to different stimulating agents].

Objective: To explore the effects of serum of asthmatic patients, dexamethasone, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on the expression of interleukin-22 receptor 1 (IL-22R1) mRNA and protein in HASMCs in vitro.

Methods: IL-22R1 mRNA and protein expressions in HASMCs treated with different stimulating agents were measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

Results: IL-22R1 mRNA and protein expressions in HASMCs were significantly increased after stimulation by serum from asthmatic patients, but decreased after co-stimulation with dexamethasone.

[Alteration of PTEN gene expression affects the migration of human airway smooth muscle cells in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the changes in human airway smooth muscle cell (HASMC) migration and related signaling pathway after interference with PTEN gene expression.

Method: HASMCs were infected with an adenovirus vector and RNA interference vector of human PTEN gene to establish the cell model with PTEN gene over-expression (Ad-GFP-PTEN-HASMC) and one with PTEN gene silencing (Ad-shPTEN-HASMC), using Ad-GFP-infected and a blank cells as the negative controls and LY294002 as the positive control. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric analysis were used to evaluate the transfection efficiency, and Western blotting was performed to examine the expression of PTEN and the activation of AKT and ERK1/2 signal pathway.

[Effect of physiological doses of testosterone on mitochondrial DNA deletion in castrated mice].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of physiological doses of testosterone on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion in the aortic vascular wall of castrated C57BL/6J mice.

Method: Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into normal control group (n=8), castrated+placebo group (castrated group, n=8), and castrated+physiological doses (1 mg/kg every 3 days) of testosterone group (n=8). The mice were fed normally for 3 months along with 8 mice with natural aging (18 months old), after which blood samples were obtained from all the groups for measurement of testosterone concentrations.

[Effects of simvastatin on plasma SOD, MDA and 8-iso-PGF2α in patients with stable angina].

To observe the effects of simvastatin on plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) as well as uric acid (UA) and serum lipids in patients with stable angina. METHODS Eighty-five patients with stable angina were divided into 4 groups, including hyperlipemia treatment group (HLT), hyperlipemia control group (HLC), normolipemia treatment group (NLT), and normolipemia control group (NLC). All the patients received routine treatment according to the guideline of CHD treatment, and those in the treatment groups were given Simvastatin (40 mg) every night, whereas those in the control group received placebo for 3 months.

[Effects of a new houttuyfonate derivative on proliferation of NIH3T3 cell and expression of syndecan-4 induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha].

Objective: To investigate the effect of a new houttuyfonate derivative (NHD) on proliferation of NIH3T3 cell and expression of Syndecan-4 induced by TNF-alpha in vitro.

Methods: NIH3T3 cells were cultured and exposed to TNF-alpha or NHD respectively, and then cotreated with TNF-alpha and NHD. All the groups were cultured for 24 hour in vitro, in addition to the untreated control group established for comparison.

[Pravastatin inhibits the expression of syndecan-4 protein in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced rat vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effect of pravastatin on the proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and expression of syndecan-4 protein induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Methods: VSMCs cultured in vitro were exposed to 20 ng/ml TNF-alpha, 10 micromol/ml pravastatin, 20 micromol/ml pravastatin, 10 micromol/ml pravastatin with 20 ng/ml TNF-alpha, or 20 micromol/ml pravastatin with 20 ng/ml TNF-alpha for 24 h. The proliferation of the VSMCs was determined by non-radioactive MTS/PMS assay and the expression of syndecan-4 protein was detected by Western blotting using anti-syndecan-4 antibody.

ISO-1, a macrophage migration inhibitory factor antagonist, inhibits airway remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma.

Airway remodeling is the process of airway structural change that occurs in patients with asthma in response to persistent inflammation and leads to increasing disease severity. Drugs that decrease this persistent inflammation play a crucial role in managing asthma episodes. Mice sensitized (by intraperitoneal administration) and then challenged (by inhalation) with ovalbumin (OVA) develop an extensive eosinophilic inflammatory response, goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition, airway smooth muscle thickening, and airway wall area increase, similar to pathologies observed in human asthma.

[Effects of dexamethasone on expression of Th17 transcription factor RORgammat mRNA in experimental asthma mice.].

Aim: To study the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on expression of Th17 transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t(RORgammat)in asthma.

Methods: The BALB/c mice asthma model was induced by ovalbumin(OVA) with classic method.Thirty female mice were randomly divided into control group, asthmatic group and Dex treated group.

[Effects of dexamethasone on intracellular expression of Th17 cytokine interleukin 17 in asthmatic mice].

Objective: To study the effects of dexamethasone on intracellular expression of Th17 cytokine interleukin 17 and the mechanisms in asthmatic mice.

Methods: Experimental asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization in 20 in female Balb/c mice with (dexamethasone group, n=10) or without dexamethasone treatment (model group, n=10), with another 10 serving as the control group. The levels of IL-17 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of the mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the airway inflammation was evaluated by HE staining.

[Effect of recombinant adenovirus carrying PTEN gene on the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells in vitro and the mechanisms].

Objective: To observe the effect of exogenous phophatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosone 10 (PTEN) gene transfer via recombinant adenoviruses on the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) in vitro and investigate the possible mechanisms.

Methods: With a recombinant adenovirus vector containing PTEN (Ad-PTEN) constructed using the pAdxsi system, PTEN gene was transiently transfected into HASMCs and the transfection efficiency was determined by fluorescence microscope. RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in the infected cells.

[Construction of a recombinant adenovirus vector containing PTEN and its expression in airway smooth muscle cells].

Objective: To construct a recombinant adenovirus vector containing phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) using the pAdxsi system.

Methods: PTEN cDNA from plasmid pcDNA3-PTEN was cloned into the shuttle plasmid pShuttle-GFP-CMV. The shuttle vector was transformed into competent DH5alpha strain with the vector pAdxsi to achieve the homologous recombination.

[Effects of losartan on left ventricular hypertrophy and plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 in elderly patients with hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the effects of losartan on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in elderly patients with essential hypertension (EH).

Methods: The elderly patients with EH were divided into two groups, namely EH+LVH group and EH group according to the data of echocardiogram. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the patients were monitored.

[Association of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 R219K polymorphism with atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To investigate the association of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene R219K polymorphisms with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 250 patients with AF and 250 control subjects were selected. Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the ABCA1 genotype, and the serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured in all the subjects.

[Role of antigen-specific T cell-mediated immune response in coronary heart disease].

Unlabelled: To investigate the effect of immune response mediated by the T cells stimulated with the specific antigen (oxidized low-density lipoprotein, oxLDL) on plaque stability in coronary heart disease.

Methods: This study involved 20 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 34 with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 27 with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 22 healthy control subjects. With MTS/PMS colorimetric assay, the T cells from all the subjects were tested for proliferative response to stimulation by 5 microg/ml oxLDL and 5 microg/ml low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

[Shikonin inhibits the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells].

Objective: To study the inhibitory effect of shikonin on the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) in vitro.

Methods: HASMCs from the trachea were obtained by primary culture of the tissue explants and adherent culture. The HASMCs were exposed to shikonin at 0 (control group), 0.

[Association of polymorphism of Met764Thr locus allele in ADAM33 gene with bronchial asthma and lung function of asthmatic subjects].

Objective: To analyze the association of the polymorphism of Met764Thr with bronchial asthma and lung function of asthmatic subjects of Han nationality in Southern China.

Methods: In 164 unrelated patients with asthma and 112 unrelated healthy controls, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were used to determine polymorphism of Met764Thr locus allele in ADAM33 gene. The clinical indexes associated with lung function (FVC%, FEV(1)%) were compared among the three genotypes (Met764/Met764, Met764/Thr764, Thr764/Thr764) in asthmatic subjects.