Abstract:Aim To examine the roles of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor(uPAR),a cellular receptor for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator(uPA) in monocytic migration induced by Monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1). Methods Monocytes were separated and purified by density gradient centrifugation and adhering assay.MCP-1 were added into each lower chamber of TranswellR at a concentration of 25 μg/L.In the upper chamber,monocytes were incubated with uPA antibody,uPAR antibody,uPA and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor(PAI-1) respectively,the number of monocytes moved through TranswellR mambrane were calculated to detect their effect on cell migration. Results uPA had a trend to promote monocytic migration,the number of migrated cells was increased from 179.40±38.49 of the control to 251.00±26.11,P=0.076.PAI-1 and uPA antibody had no effect on cell migration,however the amino terminal fragment of uPA(ATF)significantly suppressed the cells to migrate through transwell,from 179.40±38.49 of the control to 56.40±76.98,p<0.05.Similar result was observed in uPAR antibody,the number of migrated monocytes was decreased from 228.40±83.96 to 151.20±20.33,when the concentration of uPAR rised from 10 μg/L to 160 μg/L,p<0.05. Conclusions uPAR,a membrane protein,participated in monocytic migration induced by MCP-1.The suppressive effect of ATF,which was stronger than that of anti-uPAR antibody,indicated that a specific uPA-uPAR interaction may play an important role in monocytic migration.

Abstract:Aim To observe the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Ⅰ(CPT-Ⅰ) gene in vascular smooth muscle tissue during atherosclerosis at 8th,16th,24th week after high-cholesterol diet to rabbit to determine whether atherogenesis is associated with the changes in the gene expression of vascular smooth muscle tissue energy metabolism. Methods 36 rabbits were randomly and equally assigned to control group and high-cholesterol diet group.The gene expression of CPT-Ⅰ were detected in vascular smooth muscle tissue of aorta thoracalis by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) at the end of 8th,16th,and 24th week. Results 16 and 24 weeks after high-cholesterol diet,the atherosclerosis formed and expression of CPT-Ⅰ mRNA was reduced.Compared with that of 16th week,CPT-Ⅰ mRNA was reduced at the end of 24 th week. Conclusion During atherosclerosis of rabbit,the expression of CPT-Ⅰ mRNA was downregulated in vascular smooth muscle tissue.

Abstract:Aim In order to investigate the effect of local application of prostaglandin E1(PGE1)-loaded fibrin glue on intimal hyperplasia after balloon-induced injury to common carotid artery in rabbits. Methods Forty healthy male white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control group,PGE1 group,fibrin glue group and normal group.Each group had 10 rabbits.The right common carotid artery endothelial was denuded with balloon catheter,and the intima was injured.Two weeks after intervention,the models were sacrificed and defined segments were sectioned and measured by means of morphology and immunohistochemistry.The images were digitalized by computer video analysis system.Meanwhile the phenotypes of the vascular smooth muscle cells were observed with electron microscope. Results The intimal areas,the degree of the vascular stricture,the expression of PCNA in smooth muscle cells and the number of synthetic smooth muscle cells in PGE1 group decreased significantly compared with the control group(all p<0.01).No significant deviation was found between control group and fibrin glue group(p>0.05). Conclusions PGE1 can significantly suppress the intimal hyperplasia and inhibit smooth muscle cells proliferation in injured arterial by local fibrin glue.Thus,PGE1 may have potentially clinical prospect in prevention and treatment of restenosis after angioplasty.

Abstract:Aim To explore the effects of niacin on expression of lipoprotein lipase(LPL) and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1) in the aorta of hypercholesterolemic rabbits and its possible antiatherogenic mechanisms. Methods Ten male New Zealand white rabbits were fed with 1% cholesterol,7.5% protein,8% lard diet for 8 weeks,and then were randomly divided into starch group maintained cholesterol diet and starch for 6 weeks,niacin group fed with the same cholesterol diet supplemented with niacin [400 mg/(kg·d)] for 6 weeks.And control group was fed with normal diet for 14 weeks.LPL and ABCA1 expression in aorta were measured by immunohistochemistry and evaluated by semiquantitative analysis. Results After 6-week niacin treatment,the levels of total cholesterol,low density lipoprotein cholesterol,triglycerides were decreased by 43.9%,47.0% and 44.3% respectively,high density lipoprotein cholesterol was markedly increased(all p<0.001);compared with starch group,the surface area of atherosclerotic lesions reduced 1.97-fold,intimal thickness and intima/media thickness reduced 2.87-fold and 3.70-fold respectively in niacin group;niacin down-regulated LPL and up-regulated ABCA1 expression in the aorta. Conclusion The antiatherogenic mechanisms of niacin may be related to the down-regulation of LPL and up-regulation of ABCA1 in the aorta.

Abstract:Aim To investigate the relationship between connexin37(CX37) gene I1297D polymorphism and premature coronary heart disease(CHD) in Chinese Han population. Methods CX37 genotype was examined with the methods of polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) in 196 patients with CHD and 218 Chinese healthy individuals as control diagnosed by angiogram. Results The results showed that CX37 ID genotype in CHD group and CX37 II genotype in control group were dominant genotypes respectively.The DD genotype and D allele were rarity in both groups.The genotype frequencies of II,ID and DD were 44.39%,47.45% and 8.16% in patients with CHD,47.71%,44.04% and 8.25% in the controls respectively,and no difference was found between CHD and healthy subjects(χ2=0.51,P=0.77).CX37 I allele in the population was significantly higher than D allele,while the distribution of allele frequency was similar between the patients and controls(68.11% vs 69.72%,P=0.62,Or=0.93,95%CI=0.70～1.24).Frequency of the D allele carriers(ID+DD) was 55.61% in the CHD group and 52.29% in the control group.Compared with the II homozygote,no significant difference was found in the CHD risk of the carriers of D allele(ID+DD)(χ2=0.46,P=0.50,Or=0.87,95% CI=0.58～1.30).Subsequent stratified analysis revealed that the distribution of CX37 I1297D genotype and allele frequency in the myocardial infarction group was also similar to the control group(p>0.05). After adjustment for conventional risk factors,including gender,age,body mass index,smoking status,hypertension,diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia,a binary logistic-regression analysis suggested that no difference was demonstrated between the I1297D polymorphism and CHD(p>0.05). Conclusions CX37 gene I1297D polymorphism is not associated with an increased risk of premature CHD in Chinese Han population and might not be considered as an independent predictor factor of the coronary atherosclerotic disease.

Abstract:Aim To investigate the association of lipoproteins subfractions with intimal medial thickness(IMT) of carotid artery in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods The subfractions of lipoproteins were determined by ultracentrifugation and high-performance liquid chromatiography,and the IMT of both sides carotid artery were measured by B-mode ultrasonography in 55 type 2 diabetic patients,divided into two groups by the IMT >1.2 mm(n=20) and ≤1.2 mm(n=35).The relationship between the lipoprotein subfractions and IMT was investigated. Result The older age was more common in patients with IMT>1.2 mm compared to those with IMT≤1.2 mm(p<0.05).The serum level of lipoprotein(a) was higher in group IMT>1.2 mm(0.122±0.077 mmol/L vs 0.081±0.049 mmol/L,p<0.05).After adjusting the age,sex and BMI,the higher IMT was positively correlated with Lp(a) and LDLb;Lp(a) was positively correlated with LDL;TG was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose and LDLb,inverse correlated with HDL、HDL2 and LDLa(p<0.05). With stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis,older age and Lp(a) were identified as significant and independent risk factors for higher IMT of carotid artery in type 2 diabetic patients(p<0.001 and P=0.021 respectively). Conclusion The results suggest that Lp(a) has a strong association with IMT of carotid arteries and might be the important predictor for early atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients.

Abstract:Aim To investigate the prevalence rate of hypertension and its primary risk factors in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM). Methods 362 patients with DCM(DCM group)and 401 age-matched residents(control group) were enrolled randomly in the study,the hypertensive prevalence rate were calculated respectively in the two groups and was compared with each other.The patients in the DCM group were divided into two subgroups(hypertension subgroup and no-hypertension sub-group) according to whether the patients had hypertension;the clinical data relating to blood pressure were compared between the two subgroups. Results The pervalence rate of hypertension in DCM group was significantly higher than that in the control group(32.9% vs 21.7%,p<0.01).There were no significant differences on the age,gender,occupation and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) between the two subgroups,but the mean heart rate and the percentage of patients who had hypertensive family history were significantly higher in the hypertension subgroup than that in the no-hypertension subgroup(p<0.05 or p<0.01). Conclusion The prevalence rate of hypertension in patients with DCM was high.The increased activity of sympathetic nervous system and the hypertensive genetic factor may be the primary risk factors of hypertension in patients with DCM.

Abstract:Aim To explore relationship between the serum neopterin level and atherosclerosis thrombotic cerebral infarction(ATCI). Methods The neopterin of peripheral vein were measured in 50 cases of acute stage of ATCI and 50 cases of healthy controls. Results The levels of neopterin of peripheral vein in acute stage of ATCI group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls(5.07±1.70 μg/L vs 2.04±0.21 μg/L,p<0.05). Conclusion The levels of neopterin were significantly elevated in patients with ATCI,immune activition probably participated in course of pathophysiology of acute stage of ATCI,and neopterin was an important mark of the activity of ATCI.