Therapeutic effect of neuregulin-1β on pressure overload-induced myocardial hypertrophy in rats

AIM：To investigate the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of neuregulin-1β (NRG-1β) on the rat model of myocardial hypertrophy induced by pressure overload．METHODS：Eight weeks after coarctation of abdominal aorta, the Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: myocardial hypertrophy (model) group, sham operation (sham) group, NRG-1β treatment group (intravenous injection of NRG-1β at dose of 10 μg/kg daily for 7 d) and NRG-1β+Herceptin (HERCE) treatment group ［intravenous injection of NRG-1β (10 μg/kg) plus HERCE (10 μg/kg) daily for 7 d］. The characteristics of heart functions were evaluated by the methods of hemodynamics and echocardiography. Masson staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissues. The concentration of angiotensin II (Ang II) in myocardial tissues was measured by radioimmunoassay. The level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in myocardial tissues was detected by ELISA. The mRNA expression of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (bcl-2) and bcl-2-associated X protein (bax) in the myocardium was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS：The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) were higher, while the left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were smaller in NRG-1β group than those in model group. The left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVESP) and maximal rate of increase/decrease in left ventricular pressure (±dp/dtmax) were higher, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was significantly lower in NRG-1β group than those in model group. Compared with model group, treatment with NRG-1β decreased collagen volume fraction (CVF), reduced the Ang II and TNF-α, increased bcl-2 mRNA expression, and decreased bax mRNA expression in myocardial tissues. No difference of the above parameters between model group and NRG-1β+HERCE treatment group was observed. CONCLUSION：NRG-1 reduces the expression of Ang II and TNF-α in myocardial tissues in pressure-overload rats, thus reducing Ang II and TNF-α mediated myocardial interstitial remodeling. Increase in the mRNA expression of bcl-2 and decrease in the mRNA expression of bax by NRG-1 inhibit myocardial cell apoptosis, which is responsible for its role of improving cardiac function of myocardial hypertrophy induced by pressure overload.     

Evaluation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction at the early stage of pressure overload-induced myocardial remodeling in rats

AIM: To investigate the evaluation method of left ventricular diastolic function and myocardial hypertrophy induced by pressure overload in rats.METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subject to left ventricular pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction (TAC).Cardiac structure and diastolic function were evaluated by echocardiography, hemodynamic analysis and examination of hydroxyproline concentration in the myocardial tissues.RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operated controls, left ventricular wall dimension in diastole significantly increased in the rats 3 weeks after TAC .Left ventricular early diastolic posterior wall motion velocity (E') significantly decreased in the rats 3 weeks after TAC , and was much lower than that in the rats 6 weeks after TAC.Left ventricular mass to tibia length in TAC rats was much higher than that in sham-operated controls .The ratio of maximum rate of degression of left ventricular pressure (dp/dt_min) to left ventricular systolic pressure (dp/dt_min/LVSP) started to decrease in TAC rats in the 3rd week (48.9±5.9 vs 63.5±9.9) and significantly decreased in TAC rats in the 6th week as compared with sham-operated controls (35.4±4.0 vs 54.4±2.9, P<0.01).Sirius red-stained collagen in cardiac interstitium, especially around the blood vessels, was increased in TAC rats.Six weeks after TAC, a significant increase in the content of myocardial hydroxyproline was observed.CONCLUSION: The early diastolic posterior wall motion velocity (E') detected by tissue Doppler imaging is a sensitive indicator of diastolic dysfunction at the early stage of myocardial remodeling induced by pressure overload in rats.     

Protective effect of diphenyleneiodonium,a NADPH oxidase inhibitor,on hyperpermeability of endothelial cells exposed to AOPP-HSA in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effect of advanced oxidation protein product-human serum albumin (AOPP-HSA) at different concentrations on the permeability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayer and the protective effect of NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) against AOPP-HSA exposure. METHODS: Cultured HUVECs were exposed to 200 mg/L HSA (control) or AOPP-HSA (50, 100 and 200 mg/L). The permeability of the endothelial monolayer was assessed by measuring CMFDA-labeled THP-1 cells across the endothelial cells. The cultured HUVECs were treated with HSA (200 mg/L), AOPP-HSA (200 mg/L), or AOPP-HSA (200 mg/L) + DPI (100 μmol/L), and the activation of NADPH oxidase, endothelial monolayer permeability and cytoskeleton rearrangement were evaluated. RESULTS: AOPP-HSA increased the permeability of the endothelial cell monolayer, and AOPP-HSA at 200 mg/L significantly increased the phosphorylation level of NADPH oxidase in the cells. Treatment with 100 μmol/L DPI obviously attenuated AOPP-HSA-induced NADPH oxidase activation, the increase in the permeability of the cell monolayer and the cytoskeleton rearrangement. CONCLUSION: AOPP-HSA increases the hyperpermeability of HUVEC monolayer via the phosphorylation of NADPH oxidase, and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI reverses such effects.     

Zacopride attenuates pressure overload-induced ventricular remodeling in rats

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of zacopride (ZAC) on the pressure-overload left ventricular remodeling in the rats induced by coarctation of abdominal aorta. METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with pressure overload were induced by the coarctation of abdominal aorta. The model rats were intraperitoneally administered with ZAC, chloroquine (Chlor), and zacopride+chlorquine (ZAC+Chlor). The study duration was 8 weeks. The cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography. The heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) ratio and the left ventricular weight/body weight (LVW/BW) ratio were calculated. The changes of structure and shape in myocardial tissue were observed with HE staining. The ultrastructure of the myocytes was observed under transmission electron microscope. The inward rectifier potassium channel (I_K1) protein expression was determined by Western blot. The mRNA expression of Kir2.1 was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS:Compared with vehicle group, ZAC improved cardiac function, as indicated by the decreased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic dimension (LVESD) (P<0.05), and the increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01). The HW/BW and LVW/BW ratios were significantly decreased, and the cross-sectional area of the cardiomyocytes was significantly less in ZAC group than that in vehicle group (P<0.01). The ultrastructure of the myocytes was significantly improved. Chlor blocked the protective effect of zacopride on the pressure-overload left ventricular remodeling. The protein level of I_K1 and mRNA expression of Kir2.1 in the cardiac tissues in ZAC group were significantly increased compared with vehicle group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:I_K1 agonist ZAC significantly attenuates pressure overload-induced ventricular remodeling in rats.     

Expression of NADPH oxidase subunit p22phox in myocardial infarction rats

AIM: To determine the relevance of NADPH oxidase subunit p22hox and the expression of superoxide anion on ventricular remodeling in myocardial infarction (MI) rats. METHODS: MI of Sprague-Dawley rats were established by left anterior descenting coronary artery ligation. 8 weeks after MI, Doppler echocardiography, hemodynamic study and histomorphometry were performed to analyze the ventricular remodeling. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in plasma and myocardium were measured, and the distribution of superoxide anion was observed with laser scanning confocal microscope. The expression of p22phox mRNA and protein level was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The left ventricular remodeling was significant in MI rats, also the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance increased in the plasma and non-infarcted myocardium. The expressions of p22-phox mRNA and protein levels, and superoxide anion increased in infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium in MI rats. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the expression of NADPH oxidase and its derived superoxide anion may take part in left ventricular remodeling through oxidative stresss after MI.     

Role of vascular NAD(P)H oxidase in vascular remodeling

NAD(P)H oxidase was initially found in phagocytes and it participates in the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS). Recent researches have showed that NAD(P)H oxidase also expresses in other tissues including blood vessels and it plays a critical role in vascular remodeling through ROS which are important signaling molecules in vascular cells.This article reviews the biochemical characterization, activation paradigms, structure, and function of this enzyme.     

Correlation between intraventricular pressure and early phase proto-oncogene expression in volume overload rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of intraventricular pressure change by volume overload (VOL) on expression of proto-oncogene c-fos,c-jun,c-myc and egr-1. METHODS: Left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) of rat with VOL induced by aortacaval fistula operation and rats of control group were measured at 30 min, 1, 4, 6, 12 and 48 h after the operation,these mRNAs at the foregoing time points were measured by slot bloting method and quantified with densitometry. RESULTS: Be compared with the control group, VOL rats LVSP decreased (P＜0.05) and declined most remarkably at 48 h,LVEDP elevated significantly at 30 min (P＜0.05), reached a maximal value at 12 h and the levels of control group at 48 h (P＞0.05) after the operation.The proto-oncogene expression signals were not detected in the control,negative controls and VOL rats at 30 min after the operation. The c-fos,c-jun and egr-1 mRNA signals appeared earlier,at 1 h, and c-myc mRNA increased later at 4 h.All reached peak value at 4 h and then declined gradually.The c-fos mRNA were not detected at 48 h. The c-myc,c-0jun and egr-1 mRNA persisted throught the entire observation period from 1 h to 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: During VOL early phase the overload have effect on expression of the proto-oncogene mRNA,c-fos,c-jun and egr-1 mRNA appear earlier, c-myc later,egr-1,c-jun and c-myc persist longer period, but the expressions do not strengthen with the ventricule wall load increase.This sequential induction pattern may reflect the time course regularity of the proto-oncogenes expression induced by VOL,and indicate the proto-oncogenes expression initiate while the heart load accumulate some extent and duration and the load magnitude may not play a critical role.     

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.     

茶树NADPH氧化酶基因的克隆、亚细胞定位与表达分析

以茶树(Camellia sinensis)‘迎霜’为试验材料,采用同源克隆的方法,利用RACE和RT-PCR技术获得茶树NADPH氧化酶基因Cs RBOHA的c DNA全长(Gen Bank登录号:KJ782632)。该基因全长3 157 bp,开放阅读框2 769 bp,编码922个氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示,该基因编码的蛋白分子量为103.33 k D,理论等电点为9.28;C端序列较保守,N端序列保守性较低,与烟草和蓖麻的相似性达79%,进化关系最近;蛋白结构具有典型的家族特征。该蛋白分布于细胞质膜上,与预测结果一致。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,该基因的表达存在组织特异性,并且在低温(4℃)、高盐(200 mmol·L-1 Na Cl)、ABA(200 mg·L-1)和干旱(10%PEG 6000)条件下出现不同程度的上调。     

Progress in signal transduction of erythropoietin

Erythropoietin is a critical growth factor in development of erythrocyte. After binding to its receptor, eryhropoietin produces biological action through consequent activation of intracellular signal transduction systems, including JAK2-STAT5, sos-Ras-MAPK, IRS-2-PI₃-K⁺ and Ca²⁺ channel.     

Effects of erythropoietin on expression of SDF-1 and its receptor in peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells from rats with chronic renal failure

AIM:To investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on the expression of homing factors in peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS:The CRF model was established by a two-stage 5/6 nephrectomy procedure in rats. Experimental rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, CRF model group and EPO treatment group. From the third week after the second stage of 5/6 nephrectomy procedure, rats in EPO treatment group received subcutaneous injection of human recombinant EPO at 50 U/kg every time and three times a week for 6 weeks, and then all the rats were sacrificed. EPCs were isolated from rat peripheral blood and primarily cultured. The mobilization, angiogenesis and functional activity of EPCs in vitro were detected. The mRNA and protein expression of EPO, EPO receptor (EPOR), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in EPCs was also detected by the methods of real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS:Compared with CRF model group, the expression of EPO and EPOR in EPCs in EPO treatment group was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 in EPCs was also up-regulated by administration of EPO (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EPO can mobilize EPCs from CRF rat peripheral blood, which may be associated with the increased expression of SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4.     

Effects of ERK1/2 on pressure overload-induced cardiomyopathy and heart failure in mice

AIM: To explore the changes in extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) in the hypertrophic myocardium induced by pressure overload at the different time courses and to determine the molecular mechanism in the myocardium from hypertrophy to heart failure. METHODS: C57/BL mice, aged 12 week old, were subjected to sham-operation (SH) or transversing aortic constriction (TAC) to establish left ventricular hypertrophy. Echocardiographic assessments, hemodynamic determination, organ weight measurement, morphological and histological examination were performed at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after surgery. Meanwhile mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC), bcl-2 and bax were measured by RT-PCR, and ERK1/2 levels were detected by Western blotting. The animals in SH group were performed the same tests then sacrificed at 16 weeks. RESULTS: (1) Compared to SH group, LVESd, LVEDd, Awsth, Awdth, Pwsth and Pwdth progressively increased after TAC. Meanwhile, ejection fraction (EF%) significantly decreased at 16th week (P<0.05). LVSP, dp/dtmax and dp/dtmin in TAC group were progressively increased after 4 weeks. From 8-12 weeks these parameters maintained stable and then sharply decreased at 16th week (all P<0.05). However, LVEDP was statistically increased at 8th week. These echocardiographic and hemodynamic changes indicated a development of LVH and eventually progressing towards to heart failure. (2) Histologically, cardiac collagen measured by percentage of Sirius red positive stained area and apoptosis index showed progressive increases from 4 to 16 weeks. (3) Compared to SH group, mRNA levels of ANP was time-dependently increased while α-MHC and Bcl-2 were time-dependently decreased. The ratio of Bcl-2 /Bax was decreased. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was increased at 4th week, then decreased with age of TAC (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pressure-overload induced by TAC results in a development of LVH from early concentric hypertrophy to late eccentric hypertrophy, and eventually toward cardiac dysfunction or heart failure. Those changes are associated with increase in cell size and cardiac fibrosis. ERK1/2 signaling pathway may involve in the regulation of myocardial cell apoptosis in hypertrophic and failure heart.     

Effects of oxidative stress on high-fat,high-salt diet and sucrose solution-induced metabolic syndrome in nephropathy rats

AIM: To establish a suitable animal model of nephropathy associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) induced by abnormal diet, and to investigate the effects of oxidative stress on renal damage in MS rats. METHODS: Normal 7-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups.The animals were fed with normal chow (control group, n=10) or high-fat and high-salt diet plus 20% sucrose solution (MS model group, n=10) for 20 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured monthly. The levels of blood glucose, serum and urinary creatinine (Cr), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting insulin (FIns), urinary protein, urinary albumin and urinary sodium were determined. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), creatinine clearance (Ccr), urinary protein excretion (UPE), urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and urinary sodium excretion (USE) were calculated. Renal total-antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), inhibiting superoxide anion capacity (ISAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. Renal protein expression of Cu/Zn-SOD, NADPH oxidase subunit p47^phox and p22^phox was detected by Western blotting. In addition, pathological changes of the kidney were observed with PAS and Masson staining,and degree of glomerulosclerosis (GS) and tubulointerstitial injury was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with control rats, SBP, TC, TG, FIns, USE and UAE were increased in MS rats. Furthermore, the MS rats showed a significant elevation of renal MDA content, p47^phox protein expression and GS score, and reduction of T-AOC, ISAC, SOD activity, and Cu/Zn-SOD protein expression in the kidney. CONCLUSION: SD rats fed with abnormal diet produce a suitable animal model of MS nephropathy that mimics the major features of human MS. Oxidative stress caused by up-regulation of NADPH oxidase expression and down-regulation of SOD expression may be one of the mechanisms leading to MS renal damage.     

Differential expression of the ascorbate oxidase multigene family of Camellia sinensis in response to stress

Apoplastic ascorbate oxidase (AO) plays a major role in cell growth. Although AO genes have been studied in depth, some articles have mistakenly identified AO homologues as AO genes. Overall, the divergence between AO genes and AO homologues has not been explored. Meanwhile, there is little information concerning AO and the AO homologue with respect to Camellia sinensis. In the present study, one CsAO homologue and three CsAOs were confirmed by RT-PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing. Multicopper oxidase type 1 (PF00394), type 2 (PF07731) or type 3 (PF07732) domains and one transmembrane helix were the key domains for each member of the cupredoxin family. The CsAOs with their counterparts from seven dicotyledonous plants and three monocotyledonous plants were used to build phylogenetic tree and compare the deduced polypeptides. CsAO may be strongly expressed in the stretch expanded tissues, including bud and root. The abiotic stress-induced expression pattern of the CsAO homologue (CsAO2) is similar to those of CsAO1, CsAO3 and CsAO4. A new and very large group of AO homologues, which may function as AO genes, was present in both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants. Our study may help in identifying stress-responsive AO genes of plants.     

Effects of irbesartan and perindopril on pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats

AIM: To observe the effects of irbesartan and perindopril on pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy in rats. METHODS: 40 male adult Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups. One was sham operation group, other four were aortic banding groups. One week after operation, all rats were gavaged with normal saline, perindopril, irbesartan or combination of perindopril and irbesartan. Morphometric determination, calcineurin (CaN) expression, CaN and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺-ATPase activity were performed at the end of 6 weeks of drug intervention. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), transverse diameter of myocardical cell (TDM), CaN activity were remarkably decreased after drug intervention and this decrease was most remarkable in the combination group. SR Ca²⁺-ATPase activity increased after drug intervention, especially in the combination group. CaN expression in myocardium were remarkably decreased after drug intervention. LVMI was positively correlated with TDM and CaN, negatively correlated with SR Ca²⁺-ATPase. CONCLUSION: Both irbesartan and perindopril decrease CaN activity, increase SR Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and combination of them has synergic effects on regressing of ventricular hypertrophy.     

Effects and possible mechanism of recombinant human erythropoietin on proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells

AIM: To observe the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from healthy volunteers and patients with renal failure,and tried to elucidate the possible mechanism.METHODS: Various concentrations of rhEPO were added to the culture system of EPCs from 15 cases of patients with renal failure (RF group) and 15 cases of healthy volunteers (control group).MTT assays were used to detect proliferative rates.Annexin-V/PI stains were used to measure the apoptotic rates.Western blotting was used to determine the expression of Akt protein kinase.RESULTS: Numbers and proliferative ability of EPCs from control group and RF group were improved in dose-dependent manner when concentrations of rhEPO were 100 U/L,600 U/L and 1 200 U/L.However,compared to the control group,numbers and function of EPCs from RF group were remarkably decreased.The apoptosis rate of EPCs was decreased and the activity of Akt protein kinase was improved in the presence of 1 200 U/L rhEPO.Wortmannin was able to block the effects.CONCLUSION: rhEPO improves the number and function of EPCs from both healthy volunteer and patients with renal failure.PI3K/Akt might play an important role in it.     

Effects and mechanism of fenofibrate and pioglitazone on ventricular remodelingin in pressure overload rats

AIM: To study the effects and mechanism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) ligands,fenofibrate and pioglitazone,on ventricular remodeling in pressure overload rats.METHODS: A pressure overload model was established by the constriction of abdominal aorta in Wistar rats.The hemodynamics and ventricular remodeling parameters,plasma and myocardial renin activity,angiotensin Ⅱ and aldosteron,the mRNA expression of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1) were investigated in the constriction of abdominal aorta group (CAA group,n=7) at 12-week after operation and treated experimental groups in which rats were treated with fenofibrate (F group,n=8),pioglitazone (P group,n=7),concomitant fenofibrate and pioglitazone (F+P group,n=6) for 12 weeks since 2 days after operation.The sham-operated rats served as controls (n=8).RESULTS: The ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight,mean arterial pressure,left ventricular systolic pressure,left ventricular end diastolic pressure,left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate were significantly lower,the maximum left ventricular pressure rising and declining rates(±dp/dtmax) were significantly higher in all treated experimental groups than those in CAA group.Fenofibrate or pioglitazone had no effect on plasma and myocardial levels of renin,angiotensin Ⅱand aldosteron.The mRNA expression of AT1 was downregulated in treated groups except F group.CONCLUSION: PPAR ligands have no effect on plasma and myocardial levels of renin,angiotensin Ⅱand aldosteron,but fenofibrate and pioglitazone inhibit ventricular remodeling,decrease preload and afterload,increase ±dp/dtmax in pressure overload rats.The expression of mRNA of AT1 is downregulated in myocardium of pressure overload rats by the PPARγ signaling pathway.     

Effects of Shenmai injection on acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

AIM: To observe the effect of Shenmai injection on the acute myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: The left-anterior coronary artery was ligated for 10 minutes and then loosed for 15 minutes to establish the animal model of acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. During the process, electrocardiogram was traced continuously to observe the arrhythmia caused by reperfusion. The levels of SOD, MDA, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺ -ATPase in ventricular myocardium were measured. The mitochondria was observed through electron microscope. RESULTS: Shenmai injection decreased the incidence of arrhythmia caused by reperfusion and shortened its duration. Shenmai injection improved the activity of SOD, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺ -ATPase, decreased the content of MDA in myocardium and relieved the injury of mitochondria. CONCLUSION: Shenmai injection had a protective effect on acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. The mechanism may be related to relieving the injury caused by oxygen free radical and calcium overload.     

Effects of rAAV9-mediated siRNA for p65 knockdown on myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis in rats with pressure overload

AIM To investigate the effect of p65 gene knock-down mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 （rAAV9） on the cardiac function of pressure overload rat and its possible mechanism. METHODS The rat model of left ventricular hypertrophy was established by abdominal aortic coarctation（AAC）. SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, AAC group, AAC+rAAV9-eGFP group and AAC+rAAV9-eGFP-P65-siRNA group. The abdominal cavity was closed directly after laparotomy in the rats of sham operation group, the abdominal cavity was closed after ligation of the abdominal aorta in the rats of AAC group, and normal saline, rAAV9-eGFP and rAAV9-eGFP-P65-siRNA were injected into the tail vein 3 d after operation. After 4 weeks, the hemodynamic indexes were measured, the heart mass parameters were calculated, the degree of myocardial fibrosis was detected by Masson staining, the expression level of myocardial P65 was detected by Western blot, the degree of apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining, and the serum contents of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） of the rats in each group were measured by ELISA. RESULTS The expression of P65 in AAC group and AAC+rAAV9-eGFP group was higher than that in sham operation group, while the expression of P65 in AAC+rAAV9-eGFP-P65-siRNA group was significantly lower than that in AAC group. The levels of systolic blood prossure （SBP）, diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, left ventricular weight/body weight （LVW/BW）, cardiomyocyte apoptotic rate and TNF- α and IL-6 in AAC group and AAC+rAAV9-eGFP group were higher than those in sham operation group, while SBP, DBP, LVW/BW, cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and TNF-α in AAC+rAAV9-eGFP-P65-siRNA group were significantly lower than those in AAC group. The results of Masson staining showed that the deposition of collagen in cardiac tissue in AAC group and AAC+rAAV9-eGFP group was higher than that in sham operation group, and treatment with rAAV9-eGFP-P65-siRNA alleviated hypertension-induced fibrosis. CONCLUSION Knockdown of p65 gene reduces the degree of left ventricular fibrosis and apoptosis in rats with stress overload, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of NF-κB pathway and the reduction of inflammatory response.