Pretreatment with Sini decoction induces delayed preconditioning in rat heart and role of p38 MAP kinase

AIM: The present study was designed to determine whether Sini decoction (SND), a traditional Chinese medicine, induces delayed preconditioning-like effect in rat heart and the possible mechanism by which ischemia myocardium is protected. METHODS: Sprage－Dawleyt rats underwent three 5 min episodes of preconditioning ischemia 24 h prior to the global ischemia and reperfusion in ischemic preconditioning/second window of protection (IPC/SWOP) group or were pretreated with Sini decoction (5 mL·kg-1·d-1 for 3 days, the last treatment 24 h before global ischemia and reperfusion) in SND group. Myocardial infarct size, CK, LDH and NO were examined. p38 MAPK and PKC were determined by immunohistochemisty. RESULTS: Myocardial infarct size was significantly decreased, CK and LDH were decreased in the serum, NO2-/NO3- was increased in myocardial tissue in SND group as well as in IPC/SWOP group (there was no difference between the two groups). The expression of p38 MAPK and PKC were upregulated in myocardial tissue in SND and IPC/SWOP groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Sini decoction induces delayed preconditioning-like effect in the rat heart, possibly via inducing p38 MAPK activation.     

Changes of serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction

AIM and METHODS: To study the changes of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and its significance. Eighty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. MI was produced by left coronary arterial ligation in 80 animals, and eight rats undergoing thoracotomy but not coronary ligation served as controls (sham).Blood samples were drawn from the right atrium before (sham animals) and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours and 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 days after MI(n=8, respectively). Serum VEGF concentrations were measured by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a rabbit polyclonal antibody specific for VEGF. RESULTS: In 8 sham animals, the concentration of serum VEGF was (66.99±17.83) pg/mL. Six hours after MI, the level of serum VEGF significantly increased to (125.68±28.07)pg/mL (P＜0.01 vs sham control), and reached a peak (240.61±70.63 pg/mL, P＜0.01 vs sham control) at 24 hours after ligation and then decreased gradually over the remaining 2 weeks. But the level remained significantly elevated for 14 days (107.64±30.31 pg/mL, P＜0.01 vs sham control).CONCLUSION: Serum VEGF levels markedly and permanently increase in the rat model of acute MI may play an important role in the angiogenesis associated with MI     

Effect of ligustrazine on protein kinase C signaling pathway in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

AIM:To investigate whether Ligustrazine(LTZ) has an effect on the changes of protein kinase C(PKC) signaling pathway induced by inflammatory mediators involved in asthma in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL).METHODS:10 mL peripheral venous blood was obtained from each of 63 health humans and treated as follows. The activities of PKC from cytosolic and membrane fractions in PBL were measured by -ATP-catalyzing assay, after PBL had been isolated and performed by following processes: (1) First: three groups treated with 5 g/L LTZ(n=6) or 5 μmol/L Ro31-8220 (n=6); Paired untreated PBL served as control of this group, as well as the negative controls of the following groups(n=6); (2)Second : three groups treated with 100 nmol/L Methacholine (Mch, n=5), 5 g/L LTZ+100nmol/L Mch(n=5)or 5 μmol/L Ro31-8220(a PKC inhibitor)+100 nmol/L Mch(n=5); (3)Third: three groups treated with 100 nmol/L histamine, 5 g/L LTZ+100 nmol/L histamine(n=5) or 5 μmol/L Ro31-8220+100nmol/L histamine(n=5); (4)Fourth: three groups treated respectively with 100nmol/L PMA(a PKC activator, n=5), 5 g/L LTZ+100nmol/L PMA(n=5) or 5 μmol/L Ro31-8220+100nmol/L PMA(n=5).RESULTS:(1)LTZ had no effect on the activities of PKC in inactive PBL in normal humans; (2) Methacholine or histamine resulted in an increase in membrane PKC activity of normal human PBL, which was partly suppressed by LTZ (all P＜0.05); (3) PMA caused an increase in membrane PKC activity of normal human PBL, which was partly decreased by LTZ (all P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:LTZ has an inhibitory effect on activation of PKC signaling pathway in PBL in normal humans induced by some inflammatory mediators involved in asthma, which may be one of the mechanisms that LTZ plays a role in the prevention and therapy of asthma.     

Effect of Xin-Tong capsule on nitric oxide production and cGMP content of ventricular myocardium in rats with experimental myocardial ischemia

AIM:To study the effect of xin-tong capsule on nitric oxide production and cGMP content of ventricular myocardium in rats with experimental myocardial ischemia. METHODS:Rat model of acute myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin was used in this study, and the lift of ST segment in ECG was used as the index of myocardial ischemia. The NO₂^-/NO₃^- and cGMP contents of ventricular myocardium in rats with myocardial ischemia were determined.RESULTS: NO₂^-/NO₃^- and cGMP contents in ventricular myocardium of myocardial ischemia were (486±59) nmol/g protein and (0.38±0.08) nmol/g protein, respectively, and markedly lower than those of control (P＜0.01). After administration of Xin-Tong capsule, contents of NO₂^-/NO₃^- and cGMP in ventricular myocardium of rats with myocardial ischemia were obviously elevated . In comparison with control, ST segment of ECG in rats with myocardial ischemia was lifted, and the lift peak of ST segment occur in 45 min after myocardial ischemia (P＜0.01). Pretreatment of Xin-Tong capsule can improve conditions of myocardial ischemia . CONCLUSION:Xin-Tong capsule can elevate the contents of nitric oxide and cGMP, and attenuate myocardial ischemia injury in rats.     

Effect of apelin on isoproterenol-induced myocardium injury in rats

AIM: To explore the change and significance of vasoactive peptide apelin and its receptor APJ during myocardial ischemia, and the therapeutic effects of apelin on myocardial ischemia injury. METHODS: The myocardial ischemia injury was induced by subcutaneous injection of high dose isoproterenol (ISO). Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the apelin contents. Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA levels of apelin and APJ in myocardium. Apelin (10 nmol/kg) was administered through femoral vein to observe the effect of apelin on ischemic heart induced by ISO. The hemodynamic parameters were recorded by Powerlab. RESULTS: In ISO-treated rat, histological sections showed severe myocardial ischemic injury. The apelin contents in plasma, atrial and ventricular myocardium were markedly decreased (all P<0.01), respectively. The mRNA levels of apelin and APJ in myocardium were also markedly reduced. However, therapy with apelin significantly ameliorated myocardial injury and heart failure induced by ISO. Compared with ISO alone, in the low dose apelin (200 ng·kg-1·d-1) group, the LV±dp/dtmax values were 39% and 66% higher, and the LVEDP was 29% lower (P<0.01). In the high dose (apelin 10 nmol/kg) group these parameters were superior to low dose group. Interestingly, it was found that when bolus injection of apelin (10 nmol/kg), its inotropic effect was more potent in ISO-treated rat than that in control. CONCLUSION: The data show that the myocardial injury induced by ISO leads to a hypoexpression of apelin and of its receptor APJ. Administration of exogenous apelin ameliorates heart failure and myocardial ischemia injury induced by ISO. These results suggest that apelin has a cardioprotective effect and apelin/APJ system may be a new therapeutic target for myocardial ischemia and heart failure.     

Effects of ischemic postconditioning on sizes of myocardial infarction induced by ischemia/reperfusion and PKCα expression in rats

AIM: To observe the effects of ischemic postconditioning on the sizes of myocardial infarction induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and expression of protein kinase C-α (PKCα) in rats. METHODS: The infarction sizes (IS) were measured with Evan’s and TTC dye, and the expression of PKCα in myocardial tissue was investigated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the I/R group, the IS was reduced significantly (P<0.01), and the expression of PKCα increased significantly in IPC and IPTC groups (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between IPC and IPTC groups. CONCLUSIONS: The postconditioning is as effective as preconditioning in reducing infarct size, and the expression of PKCα may be one of the potential mechanisms of reducing the infarction sizes.     

Expression of endostatin in ischemic myocardium of myocardial infarction rats

AIM: To study the expression of endostatin in ischemic myocardium of myocardial infarction (MI) rats in various periods and the correlation with VEGF expression and microvascular density (MVD).METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats after myocardial infarction were randomly divided into 7, 14, 21 and 28 days group.The sham group was normal control group (eight rats in each group).The expression of endostatin, VEGF and MVD in ischemic myocardium were observed by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: The expression of endostatin significantly increased in the ischemic myocardium after MI, peaked at 7 days, then gradually decreased at 14, 21 and 28 days.The endostatin level at 28 days was the same as the shams.The changing trends of expression of endostatin in ischemic myocardium after MI were similar to that of VEGF and were significantly correlated with the MVD.CONCLUSION: The expression of endostatin increased in ischemic myocardium of myocardial infarction rats.The changing trends of endostatin were similar to that of VEGF and positively correlated with the MVD.These data suggest that endostatin may modulate ischemic myocardium angiogenesis after myocardial infarction.     

Effects of down-regulation of protein kinase C on activation of store-operated Ca2+ channels and the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) on the activity of store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOC) and the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). METHODS: Rat bronchial smooth muscle cells were isolated and cultured. Fluo-3/AM fluorescence was measured by laser confocal microscope to assessing intracellular Ca2+. Down-regulation of PKC activity was achieved by incubation of ASMCs with PKC activator phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, 10 μmol/L) or phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 1 μmol/L) for 24 h. The proliferation of ASMCs was assayed by calculating the reduction rates of Alamar blue. RESULTS: Down-regulation of PKC activity by long-term exposure of PMA or PDBu inhibited the proliferation of ASMCs, the similar results were obtained by using PKC inhibitor chelerythrine. Both down-regulation of PKC activity and inhibition of PKC activity by chelerythrine reduced Ca2+ entry through SOC channels. Low concentration of PMA (0.1 μmol/L) promoted the proliferation of ASMCs, and this effect was inhibited by SOC blocker SKF-96365. CONCLUSION: Inhibition or down-regulation of PKC activity results in the inhibition of SOC channels, suggesting that PKC is involved in the activation of these channels. Ca2+ entry through SOC channels might contribute to PKC-promoted proliferation of ASMCs.     

Salvia extract promotes angiogenesis of myocardium in rats with myocardial infarction

AIM: To determine the effect of salvia extract on angiogenesis of the myocardium in the rats with myocardial infarction (MI) and to analyze its possible mechanism. METHODS: Left coronary artery of Sprague-Dawley rats was ligated to establish a MI model. The rats were randomly divided into MI model group, 3 different dose groups of salvia (10, 20 and 40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1), and sham operation group. Each group consisted of 8 rats. The rats in all treatment groups were orally administered with the salvia extract, and the rats in MI group and sham operation group were fed with the same volume of saline. The rats were sacrificed 4 weeks later. The hemodynamic changes of the rats were determined, and the segmental heart samples were used for morphological observation by hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, or electron microscopic analysis. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) was analyzed according to immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group, the morphological changes of the myocardium in MI group were disordered, part of myocardial cell outline disappeared, and obvious fibrosis in the necrosis myocardial tissue and fuzzy or disappearing microvascular ultrastructure were also observed. Compared with MI group, the number of new microvessels in all the treatment groups increased obviously, and the morphological changes of the endothelial cells were relatively complete according to electron microscopy. Compared with sham operation group, the protein expression of VEGF and CD34 in the cytoplasm of the myocardial tissues in MI group increased only a little. Compared with MI group, the protein expression of VEGF and CD34 in the cytoplasm of the myocardial tissues in all treatment groups increased significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Salvia extract obviously promotes angiogenesis of the myocardial tissues in the rats after myocardial infarction.     

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2, Bax protein after acute myocardial infarction and late reperfusion in dogs

AIM: To study the effect of late reperfusion on apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the risk area of acute myocardial infarctin in dogs. METHODS: The experiment was divided into three groups: sham operation group, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group, and late reperfusion (LR) group. Apart from sham operation group, the other two groups were subjected to left anterior descending branch of coronary artery ligation. The acute myocardial infarction group was only subjected to ligation for 12 hours, late reperfusion group was subjected to ligation for 6 hours following by 6 hours of reperfusion. The cardiomyocyte apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein. RESULTS: The number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in late reperfusion group was much less than acute myocardial infarction group (P<0.05), and increased significantily as compared with sham operation group (P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 protein was enhanced gently in late reperfusion group in contrast to acute myocardial infarction group, but no significant difference in the two groups (P>0.05) was observed, although it was much more in the two groups than that in sham operation group (P<0.01). The expression of Bax protein in late reperfusion group was much higher than that in sham operation group (P<0.01), and was lower than that in acute myocardial infarction group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Late reperfusion reduces cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the risk area of acute myocardial infarction. The mechanism may be that late reperfusion can decrease the expression of Bax protein.     

Effect of protein kinase C on the expression of myocardial HSP70 mRNA during myocardic ischemic preconditioning in rabbits

AIM:To study the relationship between myocardial HSP70 and PKC during myocardial ischemic preconditioning(IPC). METHODS: PKC inhibitor, polymyxin B(PMB) and PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) were applied to the models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in vivo and in vitro in rabbits, respectively, and the ventricular functions, PLA₂ in the serum, and the expression of mycardial HSP70 mRNA were examined. RESULTS:IPC decreased PLA₂ activity, improved the left ventricular function and increased the expression of myocardial HSP70 mRNA. Howerer, all these effects of IPC could be blocked by PMB. Interestingly, PMA mimicked IPC with attenuating the injuries of cardial myocytes and increasing myocardial HSP70 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION:PKC is involved in the myocardial HSP70 expression in case of ischemic preconditioning.     

Impacts of connexin 43 degradation on conduction velocity during acute myocardial ischemia

AIM:To study the impacts of the myocardial connexin 43 degradation on conduction velocity during acute myocardial ischemia.METHODS: Studies were carried out in 16 dogs which were randomly divided into control group(n=4) and ischemia group(n=12). The acute myocardial ischemia was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The conduction velocity of ischemic myocardium was determined. The content of Cx43 of the ischemic myocardium was examined by laser confocal microscopy with a double-label immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS:(1)The Cx43 degraded rapidly during acute myocardial ischemia, and the conduction velocity of ischemic myocardium declined greatly; (2)The conduction velocity correlated positively with the Cx43 pixel density in each small region of ischemic myocardium; (3) The Cx43 pixel density decreased over 50% in the region which occuring permanent conduction block.CONCLUSION: These data suggest the degradation of Cx43 decreases the conduction velocity greatly during acute short time myocardial ischemia, and severe degradation of Cx43 would lead to permanent conduction block.     

Effect of pretreatment with 11,12-EET on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

AIM: To examine the effect of pretreatment with low-concentration of 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid(EET) on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: After tracheotomy, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion was produced by occlusion and release of the left anterior descending artery(LAD) of the rats. Ischemic preconditioning(IP) was made by two times of ischemia(5 min)/reperfusion(5 min). The experiment was conducted in three groups: control,IP and pretreatment with 11,12-EET(6.24×10^-8 mol/L), and each group was subdivided into two subgroups:A,the rats were subjected to ischemia(10 min)/reperfusion(10 min) and arrhythmias during the whole periods were monitored; The rats in B were subjected to ischemia(60 min)/reperfusion(30 min) and arrhythmias, cardiac funtion and myocardial infarction size were documented. RESULTS: Both IP and pretreatment with 11,12-EET could protect the heart against arrhythmias, cardiac disfunction and myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with 11,12-EET had protective effect on myocardium in case of ischemia/reperfusion, which was similar to ischemic preconditioning.     

Protective effect of delayed ischemic preconditioning on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury via induction of hypoxia inducible factor

AIM: To investigate the effects of delayed ischemic preconditioning on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice and to study the role of hypoxia inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α). METHODS: Male C57/BL6N mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group(sham), ischemia/reperfusion group(IR) and ischemic preconditioning group(IPC). Thirty-minute ischemia was induced by clamping renal bilateral pedicles followed by reperfusion in IR group. Fifteen-minute pre-ischemia was performed 4 days before IR in IPC group. Serum creatinine(Scr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), kidney morphology and apoptosis were observed at different time points following reperfusion. The expression of HIF-1α in the renal tissues was evaluated by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis. The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and glucose transporter-1(Glut-1) was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.RESULTS: Compared with IR group at 24 h following reperfusion, acute tubulointerstitial injury was significantly relieved in IPC group. The levels of Scr and BUN, and apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells were also decreased in IPC group. Nuclear expression of HIF-1α was higher in IPC group than that in IR group. The mRNA expression of VEGF and Glut-1, the target genes of HIF-1, was also increased significantly in IPC group. CONCLUSION: Delayed ischemic preconditioning attenuates both morphologic and functional injuries induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion. This protective effect may be related to the increased expression of hypoxia inducible factor.     

Effect of shenmai injection on myocardial eNOS mRAN expression in myocardial ischemic rats

AIM:To study the effect of shenmai injecti on (SMI),a Chinese medicine,on nitric oxide and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA in myocardium of rats with experimental myocar dial ischemia.METHODS:Rats were randomly divided into four groups:control,m odel (ischemia),SMI 1 and SMI 2 group.A rat model of acute myocardial ischemia was established by isoprenaline treatment and the lift of ST segment in ECG was used as the index of myocardial ischemia.The nitric oxide (NO) contents in ser um and myocardium and the expression of eNOS mRNA in myocardium were measured.RESULTS:Compared with control group,ST segment of ECG was sign ificantly elevated 20,30,40 min after myocardial ischemia in model group,the lift peak of ST segment occurred 20 min after myocardial ischemia,the concentra tion of NO in the serum and myocardium and the expression of eNOS mRNA in myocar dium were significantly lowered in model group.Compared with the model group,i n SMI 1 group and SMI 2 group,the concentration of NO in the serum and myocard ium and the expression of eNOS mRNA in myocardium were significantly increased,the lift of ST segment were significantly reduced 20,30,40 min after myocardi al ischemia.Compared with SMI 1 group,the concentration of NO in the serum and myocardium and the expression of eNOS mRNA in myocardium and the lift of ST seg ment were not statistically different in SMI 2 group.CONCLUSION:Shenmai injection can increase the expression of eNO S mRNA in myocardium and the content of NO,and protect against myocardial ische mia in rats.     

Protective effect of fluvastatin on ischemic reperfused myocardium in rabbits

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of fluvastatin and its influence on ICAM-1 mRNA expression in ischemia/reperfusion myocardium of normocholesterolemic rabbits. METHODS: 24 rabbits were divided into three groups randomly and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model in the rabbit was made. Rabbits were subjected to 45 min of regional myocardial ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion. 10 mg·kg－1·d－1 fluvastatin were administered for one week. Dynamic index of blood flow was recorded and analyzed. Serum activity of CK, CKMB, LDH and LDH-1 were measured. The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA in ischemic myocardium was detected with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: In comparison with control group, pretreatment with fluvastatin decreased LVEDP at the whole observed duration, and spontaneously increased ±dp/dtmax. Serum activities of CK, CKMB and LDH-1 in control group were significantly higher than those in sham group, but heavily reduced in fluvastatin group. Increased expression of ICAM-1 mRNA due to ischemia reperfusion was reduced significantly in fluvastatin group compare to control group. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment of fluvastatin may reduce inflammation reaction in reperfused myocardium, and this may contribute to its protective effect against experimental myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.     

Astragaloside IV promotes angiogenesis in rats with myocardial infarction via PKD1-HDAC5-VEGF pathway

AIM: To investigate the angiogenic effect and mechanisms of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) in rats with myocardial infarction via protein kinase D1 (PKD1)-histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5)-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. METHODS: The classic model of myocardial infarction by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was replicated, and the rats were randomly divided into model group, AS-IV group, and AS-IV+CID755673 (PKD1 inhibitor) group. The sham operation control group and DMSO control group were also set up. All the rats were given intravenous injection via caudal vein. The rats were sacrificed 4 weeks later, and segmental heart samples were used for HE staining and Masson staining. The expression of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group and DMSO group, the myocardium in model group showed disordered arrangement, accompanied with necrotic myocardial cells and obvious fibrosis tissue. After treatment with AS-IV, the morphological changes of myocardium were obviously improved, and the number of new blood vessels increased significantly. However, after treatment with AS-IV+CID755673, the myocardial tissues of the rats became disordered again, with increased necrotic cells and some closed vessels. The mRNA and protein expression of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF in myocardial tissue in model group was significantly lower than that in sham operation and DMSO groups (P<0.05). The expression in AS-IV group was significantly higher than that in model group (P<0.01), while that in AS-IV+ CID755673 group was significantly lower than that in AS-IV group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: AS-IV promotes the angiogenesis of myocardial tissues in the rats after myocardial infarction partly by regulating the PKD1-HDAC5-VEGF signaling pathway.     

Effect of nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor on the responsiveness of pulmonary artery rings to protein kinase C in rats with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension

AIM: To investigate the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor in the responsiveness of isolated pulmonary artery rings to protein kinase C (PKC) in rats with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: The pulmonary artery rings removed endothelium were prepared from model rats with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and control rats. The effects of PKC activator PMA (0.5 μmol/L) time-response cures and NF-κB inhibitor PDTC (0-1 000 μmol/L) concentration-response cures on pulmonary artery rings were observed. The responsiveness of each ring was tested by applying a maximally effective concentration of phenylephrine (10 μmol/L). Data were calculated as relative ratio by the maximally responseness ( P₀ ) setting at 100%, and the relative responseness tensions to PMA and PDTC were derived by dividing by the counts in P₀. t_1/2 and T show the time achieving half-maximal response and lasting maxima response to 0.5 μmol/L PMA, respectively. RESULTS: mPAP and RV/(LV+S)in hypoxia group were greater than those in control group(P<0.05).For the responseness of the artery rings to PMA of 0.5 mol/L,the relat ive tensions of hypoxia group were significantly higher(P<0.05)as compared with respective controls;mean t_1/2 in hypoxia group was shorter than that in control group(P<0.05).Mean T in hypoxia group was longer than that in control group(P<0.05).For the relative tensions of the artery rings to PDTC and PMA,hypoxia group were higher than those of controls in the range of PDTC 0-100 mol/L(P<0.05);the relative tensions of two group significantly decreased beyond PDTC of 500 mol/L(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The responsiveness of pulmonary artery rings to PMA was increased during hypoxia and decreased to PDTC in concentration-dependent manner. These results further suggest that changes of PKC－NF-κB signaling pathway of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells may be involved in vasoconstriction of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.     

Role of ROS/PKC/p38 MAPK pathway in protective effects of polysaccharide from Fructus cornion rat cardiomyocytes against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury

AIM: To investigate the effect of polysaccharide from Fructus corni(PFC) on cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury and its possible relationship with ROS/PKC/p38 MAPK pathway.METHODS: Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal SD rats and randomly divided into normal group, H/R group, PFC (20 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L) preconditioning+H/R groups, chelerythrine+PFC (100 mg/L)+H/R group and SB203580+PFC (100 mg/L)+H/R group. The cell viability was measured by inverted microscopic observation. Apoptosis in the cardiomyocytes was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and fluorescence microscopy. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cell culture supernatants, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells were also measured by microplate reader. The protein levels of PKC, p-p38 MAPK and HSP70 in the cells were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS: Compared with normal group, the cell viability and beating frequency were decreased in H/R group. LDH and ROS contents, apoptotic rate and p-p38 MAPK level increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with H/R group, PFC preconditioning increased beating frequency, SOD activity and the protein level of PKC and HSP70, and decreased ROS production, the protein level of p-p38 MAPK and cell apoptotic rate. However, the effect of PFC was inhibited by chelerythrine or SB203580.CONCLUSION: PFC may protect cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Its mechanism is possibly involved in the inhibition of ROS via increasing the activity of SOD and the activation of PKC, and suppression of excessive activation of p38 MAPK.