Abstract:AimTo investigate the signaling pathways involved in the process which adipophilin induced the intracellular lipid accumulation.MethodsWe obtained the RAW2647 cells of high or low expression of adipophilin by constructing retroviral vector.Then the cells were incubated with 300 nmol/L of Calphostin C (PKC inhibitor) for 16 h or incubated with 50 mg/L ox-LDL simultaneously.The expression of ACAT1 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. ResultsThe results showed that RAW2647 cells with high expression of adipophilin increased the expression of ACAT1, and decreased in cells of low expression of adipophilin.Calphostin C inhibited the expression of ACAT1 in the cells with high or low expression of adipophilin.Compared with the cells incubated without Calphostin C, the difference was significant.Calphostin C also inhibited the expression of ACAT1 when incubated the cells of high expression of adipophilin with oxLDL for lipidloading.Both mRNA and protein were significantly decreased after incubated for 16 h and the difference was significant compared with the control.In the condition of lipidloaded, Calphostin C could inhibit ACAT1 expression timedependently in cells of low expression of adipophilin.ConclusionThe results indicated that PKC signaling molecules affected adipophilin expression and further affected the expression of ACAT1.It suggests that PKC signal could be related to adipophilin causing intracellular lipid accumulation.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the role of endothelial damage related to septic myocardial injury.Methods 30 SpragueDawley rats were divided into 3 groups: shamoperation group, sepsis group and ulinastatin group.Plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) and thrombomodulin (TM) levels were detected with ELISA, plasma creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKMB) levels with reflotron plus clinical chemistry analyser, left ventricular pressure (LVP), the maximum and minimum rates of LVP change (＋dp/dtmax and －dp/dtmax) by cardiac catheterization and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels by Western blot.ResultsPlasma CK, CKMB and cardiac BNP levels were elevated, LVP, ＋dp/dtmax and －dp/dtmax decreased as vWF and TM levels increased in sepsis group compared with those in shamoperation group.However, reduced myocardial injury and improved cardiac function were observed in ulinastatin group.ConclusionEndothelial damage in coronary probably contributes to sepsis induced myocardial injury.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the effect of atorvastatin and tinidazole control animation atherosclerosis and the elimination of periodontitis levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the basis of animal models of atherosclerotic arteries with merged periodontitis.MethodsA total of 48 male New Zealand white rabbits with atherosclerosis and chronic periodontitis were randomly divided into 4 groups (n＝12): the control group, the atorvastatin group, the tinidazole group, the atorvastatin＋tinidazole group.Every group accepted the corresponding treatment.All the animals were sacrificed until 20 weeks, and the blood vessels were taken for quantitative determination by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.ResultsThe standard curve parameters of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and β -actin standard Ct values of their corresponding serial dilutions of the standard concentration showed a good linear relationship (R2＞0.990) by melting the song in three kinds of inflammatory factors.The atorvastatin＋tinidazole group, the lowest detection rate was far lower than in control group (P<0.05), while the detection rate of the atorvastatin group and the tinidazole group (P<0.05) in the atorvastatin＋tinidazole group and control group.ConclusionAtorvastatin＋tinidazole can reduce the level of TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 in the rab-

Abstract:AimTo investigate the effect and mechanism of berberine on ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1) expression and cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage.MethodsTHP-1 macrophage foam cell were exposed to berberine with different levels(0, 5, 10, 20 μmol/L） for 24 h or treated with berberine(20μmol/L) for increasing periods of time( 0, 6, 12, 24 h).Western Blot was used to determine protein levels for ABCA1, liver X receptor-α (LXR-α) and acetylated LXR-α.Cellular lipid accumulation was determined by high performance liquid chromatography analysis.Cholesterol efflux was determined by liquid scintillator. ResultsCompared with control group, berberine increased the expression of ABCA1 in dose (0～20 μmol/L）and time（0～24 h）dependent manner while decreased the acetylation of LXR-α.In addition, berberine increased the levels of cholesterol efflux and decreased the accumulation of cholesterol in THP-1 macrophage foam cells when the content of the berberine was 20 μmol/L and treated time was 24 h, the blends had the maximum impact.ConclusionBerberine may upregulate ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux via deacetylation of LXR-α.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the role of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) on apoptosis in rat cardiomyocytes.MethodsIn our study, newborn rats cardiomyocytes was isolated, cells were transfected with miR-29a mimic by lipofectamine RNAiMAX, and then real time RT-PCR was used to measure the level of miR-29a, flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the cells apoptosis, and western blot was used to detect the protein expressive level of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9.ResultsMiR-29a mimics could upregulate the level of miR-29a in rat cardiomyocytes after 48h of transfecting, accompanied with the increase of cells apoptosis rate, and descent of the protein level of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in cardiomyocytes when compared to the control group(P<0.05).ConclusionOur study demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-29a may regulate cells apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes, and the mechanisms among it may be concerned with Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 pathway.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the functional effects of telmisartant on endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) functional activities.MethodsPeripheral blood derived mononuclear cells containing EPC were isolated from healthy volunteers and then cultured on fibronectin-coated dishes with endothelial cell growth medium-2 (EBM-2).The cells were cultured alone (control groups),with telmisartan (0.1 μmol/L, 1 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L), or telmisartan plus peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) inhibitor(GW9662) or telmisartan plus PI3K-inhibitor(Ly294002).The proliferation, migration and adhesion activities of EPC were determined with MTT assay, transwell assay and adhesive assay, respectively.The expression of Akt and p-Akt were measured by Western Blot analysis.ResultsIn the presence of telmisartan, numbers of colonies increased in a dose-dependent manner.DiI-ac-LDL uptake and lectin staining revealed that these proliferation colonies were EPC.The proliferative, migratory and adhesive activities of EPC were significantly enhanced after treated with telmisartan in a dose-dependent manner.The inhibition of PPARγ and Akt activa tion attenuated the effect of telmisartan on EPC functions.Meanwhile, the expression of pAkt were significantly upregulated by the treatment of telmisartan.ConclusionsTelmisartan could improve the proliferative, migratory and adhesive activities of EPC via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Abstract:AimTo analyze the different expression of lipid metabolism-related genes such as ApoB100, PPARα, LXRα and ABCA1 in wild type and LDLR-/-mouse.MethodsqRT-PCR and ELISA were used respectively to measure the mRNA abundances and protein expression after LDLR-/-mouse genotype detecting by multiple PCR.ResultsThe expression of ApoB100, PPARα were up-regulated both in mRNA and protein level (P<0.05) in LDLR-/-mouse comparing to wild type; The ABCA1 expression was down (P<0.01), and the drop in protein was more striking than in mRNA level.However, there was no significant difference in mRNA and protein expression for LXRα gene between wild type and LDLR-/-mouse.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) expression derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cell-12 (HUVEC-12) on the cell migration of human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells (HUASMC).MethodsHUVEC-12 cells were pretreated with different concentrations of amlodipine (0, 0.1, 10, 10.0 μmol/L) for 30 min and then incubated with 50 mg/L oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 24 h.PDGF-B protein expression was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the culture medium.HUASMC were pretreated with 10.0 μmol/L amlodipine or 20 μmol/L PDGF-B antibody for 30 min respectively and then incubated with PDGF-B suspernatant fluid for 24 h, the cell proliferation was determined by thiazolyl blue (MTT) and the migration was determined by Transwell migration experiment.ResultsAmlodipine could down-regulate the PDGF-B protein expression in HUVEC-12 cells induced by ox-LDL.The cell proliferation and migration were both significantly decreased in the amlodipine pretreated group, the same as PDGF-B antibody pretreated group.ConclusionAmlodipine inhibits HUASMC proliferation and migration by down-regulating endothelial cell-derived PDGF-B expression.

Abstract:AimTo Study the basic expression of the interferon-inducible protein p204 in murine vessel wall cells, and the characteristic induced by interferon (IFN).MethodsWe used immunohistochemistry and Western blot to observe the expression of protein p204 in adult Kunming (KM) mice and Wistar rat or SD rat vessel wall, through immunocytochemistry and Western blot observation studied the expression and distribution of p204 in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and vascular adventitia fibroblasts (VAF) which was isolated from SD rat aorta, and used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the characteristic of IFN-α induced interferon induced protein 204 (Ifi204) mRNA expression.ResultsImmunohistochemistry showed that p204 antigen stain were positive in vascular endothelial cells (VEC), intima, media and adventitia of intracardiac venules and arterioles vessel wall; p204 stain were positive in adult Wistar rat aortic endothelium, VSMC, adventitia, and negative in elastic fiber membrane.Western blot indicated the basic expression of p204 in SD rat aorta, and the VAF p204 basic expression was obviously higher than VSMC.Immunocytochemistry showed that p204 were present in the cytoplasm and also nucleus of VSMC.Ap- plication of IFNα with the terminal concentration of 10×106 IU/L stimulated VSMC cell for 8 hours, that is to say, induced the significant expression of Ifi204 mRNA,then it expressed more intense when stimulated for 24 hours.ConclusionsThere are basic expressions of p204 in full vessel wall of mice or rat and cultured rat VSMC or VAF.p204 expression is not limited to the nucleus and IFNα can induce the Ifi204 mRNA expression increased in VSMC.p204 expression in murine vessel wall cells suggests its potential and important role in vascular physiology and also in the occurrence and development of vascular proliferation diseases.

Abstract:AimTo study the expression of insulin resistance-associated gene and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms in skeletal muscle tissue between fructose-fed rats and normal rats with cDNA microarray.MethodsThe rats were divided into two groups, one was normal and the other was fructose-rich chow.The mRNA was isolated and purified from skeletal muscle tissue of two groups.The mRNA from two kinds of tissue was reverse transcribed to cDNA with Cy3-dUTP and Cy5-dUTP separately to prepare hybridization probes.The mixed probes were hybridized to cDNA microarray .The microarray was scanned , analyzed and repeated for two times.ResultsAmong the total 4096 tested genes, 140 genes were differently expressed,62 up-regulated,78 down-regulated.ConclusionsGene expression profile is different from skeletal muscle tissue between fructose-fed rats and normal rats.The differential expression of genes may be related to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.

Abstract:AimTo investigate whether the Camellia chrysantha (Hu) Tuyama can improve lipid metabolism and decrease hepatic apoptosis in aging rats.MethodsForty healthy male SD rats were recruited and divided into two groups randomly as follow: group 1 is normal control, group 2 to group 4 was subacute aging model induced by subcutaneous injection with D-galactose.Group 3 and 4 were treated with high/low Camellia chrysantha concentration respectively, meanwhile the group 2 was treated with saline as the control.Assay the levels of serum lipid in tail vein including the triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC).Test liver issue content of TC, TG, and the level of mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.ResultsCompared with the control group, serum HDLC level and Bcl-2 expression level of the treatment group increased significantly, while serum TC, TG, LDLC content as well as the TC, TG, Bax expression levels associated with the liver tissues declined markedly (P<0.05).These indicators still exhibited significant difference with comparison between high and low Camellia chrysantha (Hu) Tuyama groups (P<0.05).ConclusionsCamellia chrysantha can improve lipid metabolism, reduce fataccumulation in liver which may decrease the hepatic apoptosis in aging rats, to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the relationship between haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and arterial compliance in healthy individuals.Methods1175 healthy individuals were enrolled in a cross sectional study in coastal areas of Fujian Province.Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) and HbA1c were measured.Results(1) The BaPWV levels were significantly and positively correlated with HbA1c (r=0.147, P<0.05); (2) HbA1c levels were classified into quartile groups, and the BaPWV differences among the four groups were statistically significant (P<0.001); following the increase of HbA1c, pulse wave velocity increased, and the percentage of abnormal BaPWV increased gradually; The mean HbA1c of abnormal BaPWV group was higher (P<0.05); (3) BaPWV was independently associated with age, sysolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, and uric acid by stepwise Logistic regression analysis (P<0.05), where HbA1c odds ratio was the biggest (OR=2692, P<0.05);ConclusionBaPWV was independently associated with HbA1c, suggesting that high blood glucose levels of the prediabetes were involved in the arterial wall of early functional or structural damage.

Abstract:AimTo study the role of CD4+CD28－T cell and Th1 at the early phase of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).MethodsThe total of 60 cases were recruited in the study,including 30 cases of small AAA and 30 cases of large AAA, 30 healthy controls.Levels of peripheral CD4+ CD28－-T cells were determined by FACS, the serum level of IFN-γ, TNF-α were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).ResultCompared with healthy controls, the serum level of CD4+CD28－T cells and IFN-γ, TNF-α in AAA patients were higher than that in controls （P<0.05），the expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α were positively correlated with the diameter of abdominal aortic.ConclusionExpression levels of CD4+CD28－T cells and IFN- γ were significantly increased in AAA patients, suggesting a potential role of CD4+CD28－T cells and IFN-γ on pathophysiology of AAAs, especially during the early development of AAAs.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the effect of cytotoxin associated gene A(+) Helicobacter pylori eradication on vascular endothelial function and arterial elasticity in patients with essential hypertension.Methods62 essential hypertension patients infected with cytotoxin associated gene A(+) Helicobacter pylori (eradication therapy group)and 62 essential hypertension patients without infecting with Helicobacter pylori (control group) were recruited into the study.The patients in eradication therapy group were adminstrated with eradication therapy for a week to Helicobacter pylori, however, the patients in control group were adminstrated with placebo for a week on the basis of general treatment.The levels of plasma lipids, circulating endothelial- derived microparticles and arterial elasticity were performed at the beginning and the end of study in all subjects.The follow-up period was 6 months.ResultsIn comparison with the levels at beginning, the levels of plasma total cholesterol and circulating endothelial-derived microparticles were significantly decreased and C2 significantly increased in erdication therapy group at the end of study(P<0.05).ConclusionHelicobacter pylori eradication might improve the vascular endothelial function and arterial elasticity in essential hypertension patients infected with cytotoxin associated gene A(+) Helicobacter pylori.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the relationship between serum resistin level and insulin resistance (IR) in the patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI).MethodsFasting serum resistin and insulin (INS) levels were determined by ELISA in 68 patients with ACI and 40 healthy control subjects, the correlation among resistin, insulin resistance index (IRI) and other subjects were analyzed.ResultsCompared with the control subjects, there were significantly higher fasting serum resistin, insulin level and IRI (P<0.01) and lower QUICKI, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) in the ACI patients (P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between resistin and body mass index (BMI), insulin, IRI and negative correlation between resistin and QUICKI, HDLC (P<0.05).Resistin, IRI, QUICKI, blood pressure and age were the major risk factors of ACI by Logistic (OR＝3505, 2222, －0.589, 5367 and 2481).ConclusionsIR may exist in the patients with ACI and serum resistin level may be associated with IR.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the risk factors of cardiac valve calcification in non-dialysis uremic patients.MethodsEchocardiographic examination was performed to detect the calcificaion in 88 non-dialysis uremic patients.Patients were divided into two groups based on the echocardiographic, one as valve calcification, and the other as valve non-calcification.The blood biochemical indicators were collected, serum parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was detected by radioimmunology.Thirty healthy cases were selected for normal control group.Serum fetuin-A was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA) in both of the study group and control group.The calcification risk factors were analyzed by binary logistic regression.ResultsOf the 88 patients studied, cardiac valve calcification was found in 25 patients, aortic valve calcification in 21 patients, mitral valve calcification in 4 patients, aortic and mitral valve calcification in 2 patients.Serum fetuin-A was lower in study group than in normal control group(P<0.05).Age, serum phosphorus, calcium phosphorus product(Ca×P), C-reaction protein (CRP) and iPTH were higher in calcification group than in non-calcifiation group,while serum fetuin-A was lower (P<0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age (B=3732, P=0.015), Ca×P (B=1255, P=0.003), P (B=1774, P=0.003), CRP (B=1503, P=0.025) and iPTH (B=0.832, P=0.017) were the risk factors of cardiac valve calcification.Fetuin-A (B=－0.59, P=0.043) was negatively correlated with cardiac valve calcification.Fetuin-A was negatively correlated with CRP (r=－0.545, P=0.000).ConclusionsThe cardiac valve calcification is prevalent in non-dialysis uremic patients, of which aortic valve calcification is more common than mitral valve calcification.The risk factors include age, Ca×P, P, inflammation, iPTH.Serum fetuin-A is the valve calcification inhibitors and negatively correlated with CRP.

Abstract:AimTo analyze the characteristics of coronary artery stenosis and the cardiovascular risk score i.e.

Abstract:AimTo evaluate the clinical applicability of high sensitivity-C reactive protein（hs-CRP）and free fatty acid （FFA） in atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsThe 122 cases were divided into 3 groups as 41 persistant AF, 42 paroxysmal AF, and 39 healthy volunteers; the serum levels of hs-CRP and FFA were detected.ResultsThe levels of hs-CRP and FFA in patients of persistant AF and paroxysmal AF were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01).And the above levels in persistant AF were significantly higher than those in paroxysmal AF (P<0.01).ConclusionThe increase of hs-CRP and FFA indicate inflammation and abnormal metabolism might promote the occurrence and development of AF.

Abstract:Endothelial microparticles (EMP) are small vesicles released from endothelial cells during their activation or apoptosis, a variety of disease states have elevated EMP content.In the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, EMP can initiates coagulation, participate in the inflammatory reaction, cause endothelial dysfunction, these all make great contribution to the pathogensis of cardiovascular disease.Improved knowledge of EMP composition and their biological effects will probably open new therapeutic approaches in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract:Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene encodes an enzyme involved in catalyzing the conversion of angiotensin Ⅰ(AngⅠ) into a physiologically active peptide angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ).AngⅡ is a potent vasopressor and aldosterone-stimulating peptide that controls blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte balance, at the same time ACE can function in the kallikrein-kinin system through inactivation of bradykinin to cause vasoconstriction, vascular permeability decrease and vascular response to stimulus enhancement.Recent studies have shown that the ACE gene polymorphism is closely related to cerebrovascular disease.This article will review some recent literatures on ACE gene polymorphism and its relevance to the cerebrovascular disease.

Abstract:Angioplasty treatment is one of the main methods for narrow or occlusive vascular disease, but restenosis affects the long-term effect.Prevent vascular restenosis has been an important subject in cardiovascular diseases. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction can deliver gene or drug to the points of interest in the body, which can enhance the concentration of the gene or drug, enhance efficacy cure effects, and provide a new method for restenosis.In this review, we will introduce the theory of gene or drug therapy mediated by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction, and its prospects in vascular restenosis.