Abstract:AimTo investigate the protective effects of adiponectin (APN) on endoplasmic reticulum stress injury of the 3～4 days SD rat cardiomyocytes, which was induced by the tunicamycin and the signaling pathway of its protection.MethodsPrimary cardiomyocytes were obtained from neonatal rat and cultured by enzymatic digestion methods.The morphology of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes was studied by inverted phase contrast microscope.Its molecular markers were observed by α-actin immunocytochemistry.Primary 3～4 days cells were used in experiment, and they were randomly divided into control group, 1 mg/L tunicamycin group (1 mg/L tunicamycin, 24 h), 1 mg/L tunicamycin＋100 mg /L APN group, 1 mg/L tunicamycin＋3 μmol/L SB203580 (the inhibitor of p38-MAPK), 1 mg/L tunicamycin＋3 μmol/L SB203580＋100 mg/L APN group.The change of morphology of cardiomyocytes was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope.The cardiomycocytes apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC / PI flow cytometry.The expressions of GRP78 and CHOP which were molecular markers of endoplasmic reticulum were detected by qRT-PCR and immu-nofluorescence technic.ResultsCompared with the control group, the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased and the molecular makers of endoplasmic reticulum stress GRP78 and CHOP were greatly increased after exposed to tunicamycin.APN pretreatment significantly decreased the apoptosis rate, and the expression of GRP78 and CHOP.SB203580 pretreatment decreased the protection of APN, the apoptosis was higher compared with 1 mg/L tunicamycin＋100 mg/L adponectin group and the expression of GRP78 and CHOP were increased.Compared to 1 mg/L tunicamycin group, the apoptosis was lower and the expression of GRP78 and CHOP was decreased.ConclusionTunicamycin enhance the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP, and make endoplasmic reticulum stress to start which induces the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.APN which can attenuate endoplasmic reticulum stress, have a protective effect on myocardial cells.Its protection against endoplasmic reticulum stress was partly through p38-MAPK signaling pathway.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the effects of glycine on endothelial function in rats with a high-fructose diet induced hypertension and the mechanisms of glycine on lowering hypertension.MethodsModel group rats were fed with 8% fructose water, and glycine intervention group rats were fed with water containing 8% fructose and 1% glycine.The body weight and systolic blood pressure were measured monthly, and the animals were killed in 4 th month and 8 th month respectively.The levels of plasma glucose, insulin, endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6, NO and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were detected, and HOMA-IR was calculated.The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was determined by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of endothelin A receptor (ETA-R) mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR.ResultsThe body weight and systolic blood pressure were increased in model group after 3 months.The levels of plasma glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, endotoxin, pro-inflammatory cytokines, ET-1 and the expression of ETA-R mRNA were increased in model group, but the levels of plasma NO and the expression of eNOS were decreased in 4 th and 8 th month.However, there was no significance of the parameters at different stages.Glycine significantly reduced the weight gain at 4 th month and 6 th month, and reduced the elevated systolic blood pressure in 4 th month to 6 th month, and significantly decreased the levels of plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, endotoxin, pro-inflammatory cytokine, ET-1 and the expression of ETA-R mRNA in 4 th and 8 th month, and significantly increased the levels of plasma NO and the expression of eNOS in 4 th month.ConclusionsGlycine can ameliorate early hypertension induced by a high-fructose diet, which may be related

Abstract:AimTo confirm the effects of left ventricular hypertrophy reversed by loosening abdominal aortic banding, and observe the changes of cardiac morphology, myocardial collagen volume fraction (CVF) and myocardial apoptotic index (AI).Methods75 SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group (N group, n=15), abdominal aortic banding group (AAB group, n=30) and loosening abdominal aortic banding group (LAAB group, n=30).AAB and LAAB group received the first operation of narrowing the abdominal aorta to establish left ventricular hypertrophy model in rat.After 5 weeks, the LAAB group received the second operation of removing the abdominal aorta banding.After 5 weeks of the first operation and after 4 weeks of the second operation, heart mass index (HMI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), interventricular septum thickness of end-diastolic (IVSTd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness of end-diastolic (LVPWTd), myocardial CVF and myocardial AI of three groups of rats were observed by general observation, ultrasonic cardiogram, myocardial Masson staining, myocardial tunel staining.ResultsHMI, LVMI, IVSTd, LVPWTd, myocardial CVF and myocardial AI were significantly increased in AAB group.After 4 weeks of removing the abdominal aorta banding, HMI, LVMI, IVSTd, LVPWTd, myocardial CVF and myocardial AI of LAAB group were significantly decreased compared with AAB group, but still higher than N group.ConclusionLoosening abdominal aortic banding could partly reverse the left ventricular hypertrophy.

Abstract:AimTo invstigate the regulation of angiotensin-(1-7) （Ang(1-7)） to the expression of the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) and the activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in THP-1 derived-foam cells and to analyze the relationship between the ERK1/2 signal pathway and the NF-κB signal pathway.MethodsTo establish a macrophage-derived foam cell model of human monocylic THP-1 cell line, handle the cells in different conditions for 72 hours, which are divided into control group with medium added nothing, foam cell group, intervention fo-am cell groups advanced respectively by 10－6 mol/L Ang-(1-7), 10 μmol/L PD98059, 10 μmol/L TPCK (tosyl-phenylalanine chloromethyl-ketone), 10－6 mol/L Ang-(1-7)＋10 μmol/L TPCK, 10－6 mol/L Ang-(1-7)＋10 μmol/L PD98059.The differentiated cells were observed after oil red O staining under light microscope, high performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used for quantitative analysis of cellular cholesterol, immunohistochemistry was employed to identify the expression of NF-κB in the differentiated cells, and the expression of p-ERK1/2 protection in the differentiated cells was detected by Western blotting.ResultsAng-(1-7) downregulated the expression of the activity of ERK1/2 and the activity of NF-κB (p<0.05), meanwhile, Ang-(1-7) downregulated the content of cholesterol in THP-1 derived foam cells (p<0.05), specific inhibitor PD98059 and specific inhibitor TPCK was used to reduce the content of total cholesterol in THP-1 derived foam cells (p<0.05), compared with povidone Ang-(1-7) and specific inhibitor PD98059 or specific inhibitor TPCK was proved to significantly decrease the content of total cholesterol in THP-1 derived foam cells (p<0.01).Specific inhibitor TPCK was used to abrogate phosphorylation of NF-κB for further evaluation (p<0.01), but didn't abrogate phosphorylation of ERK1/2 for further evaluation (p＞0.05).Specific inhibitor PD98059 was used to abrogate phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB for further evaluation (p<0.05).ConclusionsAng-(1-7) can lessen the content of cholesterol in THP-1 derived foam cells by decreasing the the activity of ERK1/2 and the activity of NF-κB.Specific inhibitor PD98059 and specific inhibitor TPCK is used to reduce the content of total cholesterol in THP-1 derived foam cells.ERK1/2 may be the upstream substance before NF-κB in the signaling pathway.

Abstract:AimTo investigate effects of pioglitazone on the expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1（LOX-1） and Bax, Bcl-2 in aorta of hyperlipidemia rats, and also to study the possible mechanism of pioglitazone, the effects of LOX-1 on pioglitazone regulating Bax, Bcl-2 expression.Methods26 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=9) and high-fat diets group (n=17).High-fat diets group raised for 12 weeks were randomly divided into model group (n=8) and pioglitazone treated group (n=9).After 4 weeks, serum lipid level of all rats was measured, HE staining was used to observe aortic pathological changes.LOX-1 and apoptosis protein of Bax, Bcl-2 in the aorta were analyzed by immunohistochemical method.ResultsAfter 12 weeks, the serum lipid level was significantly higher in high-fat diets group (p<0.01). Intervention with pioglitazone for 4 weeks, compared with modle group, serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) was decreased (p<0.01), and aortal endothelial tissue was intact, proliferation of smooth muscle cells were few in pioglitazone treated group.Compared with control group, the expression of LOX-1 and Bax protein in aorta were significantly increased (p<0.01), the Bcl-2 protein and ra-tio of Bcl-2/Bax was markedly decreased in model group (p<0.01).On the other hand, compared with model group, the expression of LOX-1 and Bax protein were lower, the Bcl-2 protein and ratio of Bcl-2/Bax were prominently higher in the pioglitazone treated group.ConclusionsHigh-fat diets have an effect on expression of LOX-1 and apoptosis protein Bax and Bcl-2 in aorta, while pioglitazone can regulate the expression of LOX-1 and apoptosis protein, protecting endothelial from damage and apoptosis, improving the process of atherosclerotic pathological formation.

Abstract:AimTo observe the effect of ibrolipim on the expresstion of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by high glucose, and to investigate its molecular mechanism.MethodsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cell-12 (HUVEC-12) were cultured respectively under normal glucose level (5.5 mmol/L), high glucose level (33.3 mmol/L), and high glucose level with ibrolipim treatment.HUVEC-12 activity or injury was assayed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT).The ET-1 concentrations were evaluated by radioimmunoassay.The expression of vWF in the conditioned media was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Endothelial dysfunction was identified by the expression of ET-1 and vWF through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The protein content of ET-1 and vWF were evaluated by cell immunofluorescence.ResultsHigh glucose condition significantly weakened cell viability, and increased the expression of ET-1 and vWF.Ibrolipim treatment significantly attenuated these alterations of endothelial dysfunction.The low er con-cen trations (2, 4, 8 μmol/L) of ibrolipim improved cell viability, down-regulated the expression of ET-1 and vWF, and attenuated the cytotoxicity, however, higher concentration (16, 32 μmol/L) of ibrolipim aggravated the damage of HUVEC-12 cultured under high glucose level.ConclusionIbrolipim at low concentration can inhibit high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction of cultured HUVEC-12, which may be related to the alternation of ET-1 and vWF expression.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the effect of nuciferine on scavenger receptor class B type Ⅰ(SR-BⅠ) expression and foam formation in human THP-1 derived macrophage induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and probe the possible mechanism of nuciferine in anti-atherosclerosis.Methods After the establishment of monocyte lines THP-l -derived foam cell, these foam cells were treated with nuciferine at different concentrations（0, 25, 50, 100 mg/L）for 24 h.The effect of nuciferine on foam cell was observed by oil red O staining; the levels of SR-BⅠ mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western Blot, respectively.ResultsCompared with control group, lipid droplets was increased while mRNA (1.00±0.00, 0.53±0.04, 0.30±0.04, 0.18±0.03）and protein（1.00±0.00, 0.62±0.10, 0.39±0.08, 0.22±0.05）expression of SR-BⅠ were downregulated in ox-LDL groups in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01); after the intervention of nuciferine, lipid droplets was decreased while mRNA (0.32±0.02, 1.07±0.02, 1.28±0.03, 1.49±0.03）and protein（0.28±0.03, 1.06±0.02, 1.32±0.03, 1.41±0.02） expression of SR-BⅠ were upregulated in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01).ConclusionNuciferine upregulates SR-BⅠ expression in THP-1 derived macrophages, lessen the degree of foam formation.We probe that this may be the possible mechanism of nuciferine in anti-atherosclerosis.

Abstract:AimTo examine the changes of blood pressure and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(BaPWV) in hypertensive patients who took amlodipine to treat hypertension.MethodsEighty male hypertensive patients were divided into two groups, one group was smokers,the other was nonsmokers,they all received amlodipine（5 mg/d） to treat hypertension, twelve weeks later, the changes of blood pressure and BaPWV were examined.ResultsThe efficiency of the two groups was 55.0% and 57.5% respectively, there was no differences between them.Before treatment, the BaPWV of smoking group was much higher than nonsmoking group（p<0.05）.There was no difference in the BaPWV of smoking group after antihypertensive therapy, but the BaPWV of nonsmoking group decreased distinctly after treatment（p<0.05）.ConclusionSmoking has no influence on antihypertensive therapy of calcium channel blocker amlodipine, but smoking increases the arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients, and reduces improvement of arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients who receive amlodipine.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the relationship of alpha 2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG) gene polymorphism including four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs4917, rs4918, rs1071592 and rs2248690) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and combined lower extremity atherosclerosis (LEA) in T2DM.MethodsA case-control study for 333 Kunming Han subjects including 88 normal control and 245 T2DM (84 without LEA and 161 T2DM with LEA) was performed.Four SNPs of AHSG gene polymorphism analysis were performed with polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and allelic specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (ASP-PCR) in three groups.ResultsThe SNPs including rs4917 (C/T), rs4918 (C/G) and rs2248690 (A/T) frequency of geno-type and allele of AHSG gene had no significant differences in three groups (p>0.05).In the groups of T2DM without LEA and with LEA there were significant difference on the AC and AA frequency of genotype and A allele distributions in rs1071592 compared with control subjects (p<0.01 or p<0.05).The Logistic regression showed that A allele s of rs1071592 was an important risk factor in T2DM (OR＝8.501, 95% CI 1.210-60.153).ConclusionsThe study suggested that A allele of rs1071592 was probably a predisposing gene for T2DM, but it was not found AHSG gene was related with T2DM combined LEA.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) gene and soluble TNFR2 (sTNFR2) with coronary heart disease (CHD) in Shanxi population.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty CHD patients confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) were enrolled, 98 healthy subjects served as control group.CHD group was divided into stable angina pectoris (SA, n=54), unstable angina pectoris (UA, n=110) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n=86) according to the clinical symptom.The clinicai information about disease history, physical examination, assistant examination and CAG of all patients were recorded.The polymorphism of TNFR2 gene (＋676) was detected by the polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) and the concentration of sTNFR2 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The association of TNFR2 gene polymorphism in different clinical situation with the level of sTNFR2 were analysed.Results(1)On 676 site, there were three genotypes: TT, TG and GG. (2)The frequency of GG type and G allele were significantly different between CHD and control (p<0.05).(3)Compared with UA and AMI group, the frequency of T/G allele was decreased in SA group (p<0.05), but no difference was found between UA and AMI group.(4)The levels of sTNFR2 were signifieantly higher in CHD patients than controls (p<0.05); In three genetypes of CHD patients the levels of sTNFR2 were increased compared with control group, but in both CHD group and control group the relation betwean levels of sTNFR2 and TG genotype and G allele were not found.(5)Although no differences were found in blood glucose, total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure between TG＋GG type and TT type, the risk of patients with TG＋GG type suffer from CHD was 1.648 times of those patients with TT type.ConclusionsThe TG＋GG genetype confers independent risk factor of CHD in Han nationality population in Shanxi Province.Levels of sTNFR2 can reflect the body’s inflammatory state for monitoring CHD.There is no relationship between level of sTNFR2 and genetype.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the impact of nicorandil on coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients with slow coronary flow.MethodsA total of 44 patients with coronary slow flow but normal coronary angiography were included in this study, patients were divided into nicorandil group (5 mg/d for 6 months, n＝24) and control group (n＝20), Doppler coronary flow velocity and Doppler reserve measurement of distal left anterior descending were recorded at rest and adenosine measurement of distal left anterior descending were recorded at rest and adenosine infusion induced hyperemia state, CFR was calculated by the ratio of maximal hyperemia and baseline peak diastolic coronary flow velocity (HCFV and BCFV) before and after nicorandil treatment.Results6 months later, compared with control group and nicorandil group before treatment, 6 months nicorandil treatment was associated with no difference of BCFV (26.37±5.39 cm/s vs 24.72±4.35 cm/s, p>0.05; 26.37±5.39 cm/s vs 24.61±6.18 cm/s, p>0.05), increased HCFV (73.69±9.84 cm/s vs 55.97±7.62 cm/s, p<0.05; 73.69±9.84 cm/s vs 51.29±9.72 cm/s, p<0.05), and increased CFR (2.79±0.53 vs 1.99±0.47, p<0.05; 2.79±0.53 vs 2.08±0.44, p<0.05).ConclusionCoronary flow reserve could be significantly improved by nicorandil therapy in patients with coronary slow flow

Abstract:AimTo discuss clinical efficacy and safety of symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis Wingspan stent placement.MethodsThe retrospective analysis includes 23 cases of symptomatic MCA acute ischemia and medical treatment-failed MCA M1 stenosis receiving self expandable Wingspan stent and 8 clinical cases of MCA M1 stenosis acute ischemia which enjoy stent treatment indications but receive medical treatment instead of stent treatment for economic reasons.Stent group receives Gateway sacculus pre-expansion and then is implanted with self expandable Wingspan stent.Medicine group receives edaravone injection and salvia miltiorrhiza needle and effect evaluation 7, 14 and 21 days after the operation and group’s clinical curative effect is then analyzed.ResultsThere is significant difference between the two groups 14 and 21 days after treatment in improvement of neural function and daily life activities.ConclusionsWingspan self expandable stent placement on symptomatic M1 stenosis is feasible, safe and effective.Recent follow-up visits have confirmed its curative effects in effectively improving neurologic impairment resulting from acute cerebral infarction and daily life ability.But it is a high-technical wounded treatment.Therefore indications must be strictly treated to prevent abuse for sake of security.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the correlation between serum total bilirubin level and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.MethodsForty-eight non-dialytic CKD patients and sixteen healthy volunteers were involved in the study.CKD patients were classified into three groups according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR): CKD 2-3 stage, CKD 4 stage and CKD 5 stage.Their serum bilirubin levels were measured and compared.Intima-medial thickness of carotid artery and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques were determined by using noninvasive high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography.ResultsSermu total bilirubin, IMT and prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques in CKD patients were significantly lower than those in healthy groups (p<0.01).The serum total bilirubin will lower following with the decreased renal function.The serum total bilirubin and concentrations were significantly decreased in CKD patients with atherosclerosis of carotid artery group (5.38±1.95 μmol/L vs 9.15±3.53 μmol/L, p<0.01).The linear correlation analysis indicated the serum total bilirubin was correlated negatively with urea nitrogen and serum creatinine (r＝－0.611, p<0.0001; r＝－0.492, p<0.0001).The serum total bilirubin level was correlated positively with glomerular filtration rate and hemoglobin (r＝0.693, p<0.0001; r＝0.602, p<0.0001).Logistic regression analysis further indicated that serum total bilirubin (β＝0.918, p＝0.004) was an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis in non-dialytic CKD patients.ConclusionsHypobilirubinemia exists in the patients of CKD.

Abstract:AimTo determine serum levels of interferon-γ (INF-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable angina (SA), so as to investigate the relationship between plaque morphology characteristics and serum levels of INF-γ, IL-4, IL-2, and IL-10.MethodsThis study enrolled 37 patients with ACS and 33 patients with SA.The serum INF-γ, IL-4, IL-2 and IL-10 levels were determined by ELISA.Coronary artery plaques were divided into type I, II and Ⅲ through plaque morphology characteristics according to coronary angiography.Carotid artery plaques were divided into vulnerable plaque and unstable plaque according to ultrasound characteristics.The changes of INF-γ, IL-4, IL-2 and IL-10 levels in the patients with different plaque types were compared.ResultsThe serum INF-γ, IL-2 levels were significantly higher in the ACS group than those in the SA group (p<0.05), but IL-4 and IL-10 levels had no significant difference.Coronary artery plaque was the main type Ⅱ and carotid artery plaque was vulnerable plaque in the ACS patients.Coronary artery plaque was the main type Ⅰ and Ⅲ and carotid artery plaque was unstable plaque in the SA patients.The plasma levels of INF-γ, IL-4, IL-2, IL-10 in different types of plaque were significantly different.The serum INF-γ, IL-2 levels in the patients of type Ⅱ coronary plaque were significantly higher than those in the patients of type Ⅰand Ⅲ coronary plaque.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the characteristics of lesion of infarct-related artery (IRA) at different stages after acute myocardial infarction.MethodsThe data of 1 524 patients with myocardial infarction (MI) who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) from June 2005 to June 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients were divided into four groups according to the time between onset and CAG: Group A: patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) who received emergency CAG within 24 hours; Group B: patients who received selective CAG between 1 and 2 weeks after the onset of STEMI; Group C: patients with old myocardial infarction; Group D: patients who received CAG within 3 days after the onset of non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI).The incidences of total occlusion of IRA in all groups were investigated and calculated.ResultsThe incidence of total occlusion of IRA in group A (82.9%,651/785) was significantly higher than group B (56.4%,185/328), group C (72.7%,125/172), and group D (55.2%,132/239) (p<0.001).There were also significant differences between group C and group B,D (p<0.01).ConclusionsThe incidence of total occlusions of IRA decreased sharply in two weeks after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and almost half of the patients achieved blood flow of TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) grade 2 to 3 in IRA.A low rate of total occlusion of IRA was found in the patients with NSTEMI, which may account for non-ST-segment elevation.

Abstract:AimTo detect the level of blood lipid, blood pressure and weight index and explore the relationship between those three indexes and Arteriosclerosis in High Altitude Polycythemia（HAPC）.MethodsThe physiology parameters such as blood pressure,weight,heart rate and blood lipid detection were performed at the early morning empty stomach condition in 86 HAPC patients and 200 healthy people in Geermud,Qinghai, 2800 meters above sea level,then the results were analyzed.Results（1）The level of TG, LDL and arteriosclerosis index were higher,while the level of blood HDL,ApoA1 and the ratio of ApoA1/ ApoB were lower in HAPC group than the control group.It has the significant difference(p<0.05).The relevance ratio of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, combined hyperlipidemia, hypo-high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, were higher in HAPC group than the control group.The relevance ratio of hypertriglyceridemia was the highest in those high blood lipid group.It has the significant difference(p<0.05).（2）The level of weight,BMI and heart rate were higher in HAPC group than the control group.The relevance ratio of obesity and high bood pressure were higher in HAPC group than the control group.Hypertension is more common with increased diastolic blood pressure.It has the significant difference(p<0.05).ConclusionHAPC has those three atherosclerosis risk factors such as blood pressure, obesity, lipid disorders.It suggests the increased risk of atherosclerosis and associated diseases in HAPC.

Abstract:AimTo investigate the association between circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPC) and coronary heart disease(CHD) using a Meta analysis.MethodsMajor online database including Wanfang, CNKI, VIP, and PubMed were searched to collect case-control studies on the association between EPC and CHD published in China.The results were analyzed using RevMan 6.0 software.Funnel plot was made to confirm publication bias.Results Totally 14 studies containing 890 subjects were enrolled.The number of EPC colony forming units was counted under phase contrast microscope.Meta analysis showed that the number of EPC was significantly higher in patients with stable CHD than in control group (SMD=－2.81,95%CI (－4.03,－1.59), p<0.01).When the EPC specific surface mark were assessed by fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis, the result was similar(SMD=－1.85,95%CI(－2.95,－0.76), p<0.01).But the number of EPC was lower in patients with acute myocardial infarction than in control group.ConclusionsHigh EPC level is closely related with CHD.

Abstract:Connective tissue growth factor is a new factor which has been widely researched in the recent ten years, and it is highly expressed in the diseases closely related to vascular calcification such as atherosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney diseases and so on.The role of connective tissue growth factor on vascular calcification will be discussed in this review.

Abstract:Apolipoprotein B48 (ApoB48) is mainly synthesized by intestine epithelial cells, and involved in the assembly and metabolism of chylomicrons.It has an obligatory role in the intestinal absorption of dietary fats.Expression of ApoB48 can be regulated by a variety of factors.The abnormal expression of ApoB48 may lead to disorder of lipid metabolism in the intestine.This may lead to obesity and atherosclerosis eventually.We mainly review the recent progress in the study of ApoB48.