Effect of homocysteine on expression of interleukin-8 mRNA and protein in THP-1 macrophages

AIM: To investigate the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA and protein in THP-1-derived macrophages (THP-1 macrophages). METHODS: Cultured THP-1 monocytes were induced to macrophages by 0.1 μmol/L PMA treatment for 72 hours, then the differentiated THP-1 macrophages were incubated with homocysteine (0.01 mmol/L-0.20 mmol/L) for 24 hours, or with 0.10 mmol/L Hcy for various time up to 48 hours. IL-8 protein in THP-1 supernatants was measured by ELISA, and IL-8 mRNA expression was detected by semiquantitive RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with control, Hcy significantly increased the expression of IL-8 protein in a concentration-dependent manner. 0.05 mmol/L, 0.10 mmol/L and 0.20 mmol/L Hcy increased IL-8 production by 1.28 fold, 1.32 fold and 1.55 fold, respectively (P＜0.01). IL-8 production were elevated significantly 3 h after treatment with 0.10 mmol/L Hcy. In addition, Hcy also increased IL-8 mRNA expression in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Hcy may contribute to atherogenesis by inducing IL-8 expression and secretion in THP-1 macrophages.     

GM-CSF induces human vascular endothelial cells to form vessel-like structure and the role of VEGF

AIM: To investigate the influence of GM-CSF on human vascular endothelial cells induced to form new blood vessels and the role of VEGF. METHODS: HUVECs were cultured by Matrigel to set up a stable angiogenesis system with the stimulating factors. The rhGM-CSF concentration-dependent and time-dependent effects and the role of VEGF165 were detected. CD34 was measured by immunochemical staining and numbers of vessel formation was calculated under microscopic observation. RESULTS: After treatment with rhGM-CSF at various concentrations and at different time points, the numbers of vessel formation increased in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. In the presence of VEGF165, the numbers of vessel formation increased evidently. CONCLUSION: HUVECs were induced to develop tubular structure in vitro cultured with Matrigel. GM-CSF promotes human vascular endothelial cells to form vessel-like structure in vitro in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. VEGF also in vitro promotes human vascular endothelial cells to form new vessel-like structure.     

Effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide on cardiac remodeling in coronary atherosclerotic rabbits

AIM:To study the intervention effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on cardiac remodeling during the development of rabbit coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS:60 male New Zealand rabbits were equally divided into 3 groups randomly: control group (C group), atherosclerosis model group (A group) and PACAP intervention group (P group). At the 4th, 8th and 12th week, 5-6 cases of rabbits in each group were sacrificed, cardiac tissue with coronary arteries were harvested to make paraffin sections. The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and van Gieson separately. The qualitative observation and/or quantitative analysis were made by light microscope. RESULTS:（1）There was no lesion in C group. For A group and P group, there were plaques in large epicardial coronary arteries and small coronary arteries; an impressive accumulation of collagen was also observed in myocardium. In P group, the lesions of small coronary arteries were less serious, and the degrees of perivascular and myocardial fibrosis also appeared to be less.（2）For A group, the wall-to-lumen ratios in small coronary arteries were significantly greater at the 12th week (2.58±1.54) than C group (1.34±0.58) and P group (1.39±0.48) （P<0.05）； and the width of cardiomyocyte (13.85 μm±2.27 μm) was already remarkably narrower than C group (14.68 μm±2.40 μm) at the 8th week (P<0.05) and narrower significantly than C group and P group at the 12th week. （3）There were not difference significantly between the above-related parameters of P group and C group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:Structure changes exist in coronary arteries and myocardium during the development of rabbit coronary atherosclerosis, PACAP can inhibit the cardiac remodeling.     

Adenovirus-mediated mPPARγ1 gene overexpression inhibits IFN-γ-induced galectin-9 gene and protein expression in ECV304

AIM:To investigate whether adenovirus-mediated mPPARγ1 gene overexpression inhibits IFN-γ-induced galectin-9 gene and protein expression in ECV304. METHODS:A replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus expression vector of mPPARγ1 was constructed by using the AdEasy system. ECV304 were incubated for 24 h with 1×104 U/L, 5×104 U/L, 1×105 U/L and 2×105 U/L IFN-γ, respectively. ECV304 stimulated with 1×105 U/L IFN-γ were divided into 4 groups in random: P group (PPARγ1 gene overexpression), T group (treated with troglitazone 40 μmol/L in DMSO), PT group (PPARγ1 gene overexpression+troglitazone treatment) and control group. Changes of PPARγ and galectin-9 in mRNA and protein levels in different groups and subgroups were investigated by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. RESULTS: Galectin-9 expression was very few in normal ECV304. IFN-γ induced the expression of galectin-9 in ECV304. Degree of galectin-9 expression increased with the dose of IFN-γ. PPARγ1 gene overexpression inhibited IFN-γ-induced galectin-9 expression in ECV304. Galectin-9 mRNA and protein expressions from PT group and P group were inhibited in similar degree (P>0.05). However, this effect was not observed in troglitazone intervention (P>0.05). PPARγ expression was also very few in normal ECV304. PPARγ1 gene overexpression/activation had no effect on endogenous mPPARγ expression. CONCLUSION: This may partly contributed to the anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory effect of PPARγ1 gene overexpression by inhibiting IFN-γ-induced galectin-9 gene and protein expression in ECV304.     

Dogs with heart diseases causing turbulent high-velocity blood flow have changes in platelet function and von Willebrand factor multimer distribution

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate platelet function using in vitro tests based on both high and low shear rates and von Willebrand factor (vWf) multimeric composition in dogs with cardiac disease and turbulent high-velocity blood flow. Client-owned asymptomatic, untreated dogs were divided into 4 groups: 14 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (Cavaliers) with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and no or minimal mitral regurgitation (MR), 17 Cavaliers with MVP and moderate to severe MR, 14 control dogs, and 10 dogs with subaortic stenosis (SAS). Clinical examinations and echocardiography were performed in all dogs. PFA100 closure times (the ability of platelets to occlude a hole in a membrane at high shear rates), platelet activation markers (plasma thromboxane B2 concentration, platelet surface P-selectin expression), platelet aggregation (in whole blood and platelet-rich plasma with 3 different agonists), and vWf multimers were analyzed. Cavaliers with moderate to severe MR and dogs with SAS had longer closure times and a lower percentage of the largest vWf multimers than did controls. Maximal aggregation responses were unchanged in dogs with SAS but enhanced in Cavaliers with MVP (regardless of MR status) compared with control dogs. No significant difference in platelet activation markers was found among groups. The data suggest that a form of platelet dysfunction detected at high shear rates was present in dogs with MR and SAS, possibly associated with a qualitative vWf defect. Aggregation results suggest increased platelet reactivity in Cavaliers, but the platelets did not appear to circulate in a preactivated state in either disease.     

Effect of dietary black rice outer layer fraction on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in apoE-deficient mice

AIM: To explore the effect of dietary black rice outlayer fraction (BRF) on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and elucidate the possible mechanism of BRF anti-atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice. METHODS: After 16 weeks intervention by 5% BRF, aortic iNOS activity in different groups was determined by RIA. iNOS mRNA expression in aorta were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Mice in BRF group showed weaker expression of iNOS mRNA and lower iNOS activity than those in positive and WRF group (P＜0.05). No significant difference was observed between positive group and WRF group (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION:The supplementation of BRF has dra- matically reduced aortic sinus atherosclerotic plaque areas compared to WRF in apoE-deficient mice and its action of ant-atherogenesis may be attributed to its inhibition of iNOS activity and iNOS mRNA expression.     

Effect of valsartan on atherosclerosis in the cholesterol-fed rabbits

AIM: To investigate whether valsartan inhibits the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Male rabbits were fed either: (1) normal rabbit chow for 16 weeks; (2) 1.5% cholesterol diet for 16 weeks; or (3) 1.5%cholesterol diet for 16 weeks supplemented by valsartan(3 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) for the last 4 weeks. After 16 weeks, the arteries were harvested for histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:Rabbits fed with cholesterol-rich diet showed higher serum lipids levels(P<0 05)than thosefed with normal diet.Treatment with valsartan did not alter serum lipid levels or arterial pressure.However,the percent age of the aortic surface atherosclerotic area were about 30% less in valsartan-treated group than that in cholesterol group,and in the number of monocyte/macrophage,20%of reduct ion was noted.In addition,the activation of nuclear factor-B and the expression of its target gene,intracellular adhesion molecule-1,were both inhibited by treatment with valsartan.CONCLUSIONS: Valsartan inhibited atherosclerotic progression. The mechanism may be related to inhibition of monocyte/macrophage proliferation and /or accumulation, and inhibition of nuclear factor-κB activation.     

Oxidized low density lipoprotein induces the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor

AIM: To examine expression of macrophage migration inhibitroy factor (MIF) gene and protein in macrophages induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). METHODS: Macrophages were incubated with ox-LDL at the concentration of 150 mg/L for time course (0-36 h) and with ox-LDL at the different concentrations (0-300 mg/L) for 24 h, expression of MIF mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: The results showed that ox-LDL increased MIF gene and protein expression in macrophages in a dose and time-dependent manner. After the exposure of macrophage to ox-LDL, the expression of MIF mRNA level increased consistently with protein. CONCLUSION: MIF may play an important role in atherosclerosis.     

Experimental studies on anti-atherosclerosis effects of Momordica charantia L in rabbits

AIM: Anti-atherosclerosis effects of Momordica charantia L was further studied in a New Zealand rabbit atherosclerotic model at the basis of anti-inflammation and antioxidant effects. METHODS: Animals were divided into 3 groups: normal group (normal rabbit diet), atherosclerosis group(diet containing 2% cholesterol), and Momordica charantia L group(diet containing 2% cholesterol and 1.5% sarcocarp of Momordica charantia L ). Ninety days later, all animals were sacrificed. The effect of Momordica charantia L on atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring serum lipid and total cholesterol content of artery wall, observing fatty liver degree, aorta arteriosclerotic area, and the thickness of intima. RESULTS: The level of total serum cholesterol and LDL-C in Momordica charantia L treatment group were obviously lower than those in atherosclerosis group, so were the total cholesterol content of artery wall, fatty liver degree, atherosclerotic area, intima thickness and I/M ratio, but no significantly difference was found between the two groups in TG level. The level of HDL-C in Momordica charantia L treatment group was evidently lower than that in normal control group. CONCLUSION: Momordica charantia L has an anti-atherosclerosis action in rabbits.