Melatonin protects against sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction by regulating apoptosis and autophagy via activation of SIRT1 in mice.

Aims: The apoptosis and autophagy play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. Previous studies have demonstrated that melatonin protects against cardiac dysfunction during sepsis. In addition, silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) is a therapeutic target for sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction.

Increased local expressions of CX3CL1 and CCL2 are related to clinical severity in lumbar disk herniation patients with sciatic pain.

Background: Chemokines have been identified to be involved in the modulation of pain through both peripheral and central mechanisms. However, the role of chemokines in lumbar disk herniation (LDH) with sciatic pain remains unknown.

Objective: The current study was performed to explore the expression of two most commonly studied chemokines CX3CL1 and CCL2 and assess their associations with clinical severity in LDH patients with sciatic pain.

IL-32 was involved in cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation in COPD.

Purpose: Previous study has proven the overexpression of interleukin 32 (IL-32) in lungs with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But the soluble IL-32 levels and the role of IL-32 in smokers and COPD are still unclear.

Methods: In this study, we enrolled 133 subjects who were divided into three groups: nonsmokers, control smokers and smokers with COPD.

Effects of cigarette smoking on HDL quantity and function: implications for atherosclerosis.

Cigarette smoking has been identified as an independent and preventable risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Population studies have shown that plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are inversely related to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Cigarette smoking is associated with reduced HDL cholesterol levels.

[Endoplasmic reticulum stress and related apoptosis in the lungs of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rat model].

Objective: To study the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells in a COPD rat model.

Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into a control group and a COPD group at random. The COPD rat model was established by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) twice and exposure to cigarette smoke daily.

Protective effect of neferine on endothelial cell nitric oxide production induced by lysophosphatidylcholine: the role of the DDAH-ADMA pathway.

Neferine, extracted from the seed embryo of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., has multiple cardiovascular pharmacological effects. The dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) - asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) system is a novel pathway for modulating nitric oxide (NO) production.

Protective effect of HDL on endothelial NO production: the role of DDAH/ADMA pathway.

Accumulating studies have demonstrated that the dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase/asymmetric dimethylarginine (DDAH/ADMA) system is a novel pathway for modulating nitric oxide (NO) production. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the protective effect of high density lipoprotein (HDL) on endothelial NO production was related to its effect on DDAH/ADMA pathway. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were prior exposed to HDL (10, 50, or 100 μg/ml) for 1 h, and then incubated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) (100 μg/ml) for 24 h.

Role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in regulating cell cycle progression.

Aims: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a polypeptide protein hormone, similar in molecular structure to insulin, which plays an important role in cell migration, cell cycle progression, cell survival and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms of IGF-1 mediated cell cycle redistribution and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells.

Method: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with 0.

[Neferine protects endothelial cells against damages induced by LPC and relationship with asymmetric dimethylarginine].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of neferine against damages of endothelial cells induced by lysophos-phatidylcholine (LPC) and the relationship with asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA).

Method: The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC-12) were treated with LPC (10 mg x L(-1)) for 24 h to establish the model of endothelial cells damages; HUVECs were prior exposed to neferine (0.1, 1.

[Effects of insulin like growth factor-1 on cell viability and tissue factor in vascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To study the effects of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on cell viability and tissue factor (TF) in angiotensin II (Ang II) induced vascular endothelial cells and to investigate its mechanisms.

Methods: 10(-6) mol/L Ang II was added to human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) culture media alone or 30 min after pretreatment with IGF-1 (0.1 microg/ml , 0.

[Effects of Tongxinluo on cell viability and tissue factor in AngII induced vascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To determine the effects of Tongxinluo on cell viability and tissue factor (TF) in AngII induced vascular endothelial cells and to investigate its mechanism.

Methods: AngII(10(-6)mol/L) was added to human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) culture media alone or with various concentration of Tongxinluo drug containing plasma (5%,10%, and 20%) added 30 minutes before AngII. Cell viability was evaluated after 24-hour incubation with AngII in a dose manner.