Effects of matrix metalloproteinases on ventricular remodelingfollowing myocardial ischemia in the rat

AIM:To examine the relationship between the activity of matrix metallproteinases(MMPs) and ventricular remodeling following myocardial ischemia in the rat.METHODS:The model of myocardial ischemia(MI) in the rat was established by isoprenaline(ISP). The activity of MMPs was measured by zymography and collagen concentration was assessed by the method of chloramine T, so did I/III collagen ratio by immunohistochemical staining. The microstructure of myocardium was also observed by electron microscope.RESULTS:The activity of MMP-2 in myocardial ischemia group (group M) increased by 5.8 folds at 1 st week(P＜0.01), 2.3 folds at 2 nd week(P＜0.01) and 1.7 flods at 4 th week(P＜0.05) compared with control group (group C) and MMP-9's activity in group M increased by 4.9 folds (P＜0.01), 1.9 flods(P＜0.01) and 1.4 folds(P＜0.05), respectively. Collagen amount and I/III collagen ratio in group M increased compared with that in group C at 2 nd week and 4 th week. It showed that cardiac myocytes in group M were necrosed and collagen grew abundantly in interstitium under electron microscope.CONCLUSION:The activity of MMPs in the myocardial interstitium increased following myocardial ischemia, then collagen amount and I/III collagen ratio increased, which may be the major causes of ventricular remodeling.     

Changes of myocardial glycogen content and right ventricular function in hypoxia swimming rats

AIM: To investigate the changes of myocardium glycogen content and the relation ship between changes of the myocardial glycogen content and the myocardial function. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were placed in (hypoxia rats) and made to swim in (hypoxia swimming rats) a hypobaxic chamber simulating an altitude of 5 000 m above sea level. The content of myocardium glycogens was determined by colorimetry. RESULTS: The myocardium
glycogen content of rats significantly reduced along with the prolongation of hypoxic exposure and approached to control level in hypoxia swimming rats. The myocardial function of right ventricule was improved significantly compared with control group.CONCLUSION: Moderate exercise (swimming) is beneficial to hypoxic adaptation of rats under the condition of chronic hypoxia.     

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.     

Long-term effects of TCV116 on left ventricular remodeling and heart function after myocardial infarction in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of long-term TCV116 on left ventricular remodeling and heart function after myocardial infarction. METHODS: Myocardial infarction (MI) was caused by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. One week after the surgical performance, the surviving rats were randomly assigned to the following treatment protocols: (1) MI rats with no therapy; (2) MI rats treated with TCV116 2 mg/kg per day; (3) Sham-operated control; (4) Sham-operated rats, treated with TCV116 2 mg/kg per day. At 22 weeks, cardiac hemodynamic parameters such as MAP, LVSP, dp/dt_max and LVEDP, and histomorphometric parameters such as LVW/BW and LVCA/BW were measured, mRNA of cardiac genes such as βMHC, BNP, TGF-β₁, collagen I and III were quantified, and survival rates were calculated. RESULTS: Compared with sham-operated rats, MI rats without therapy showed significant increases in histomorphometric parameters as well as in mRAN expressions of cardiac genes (P<0.01); While their hemodynamic parameters were significantly impaired (P<0.01), and survival duration shortened (P<0.05). Compared with MI rats without therapy, MI rats treated with TCV116 showed significant attenuation of mRAN expression of cardiac genes (P<0.01); While their hemodynamic parameters were significantly improved (P<0.05 or P＜0.01), and survival duration extended (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with long-term angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist may improve left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function after MI in rats.     

肉鸡和蛋鸡心肌易颤性的比较研究

以常规饲养的肉鸡和蛋鸡作为试验动物,通过电刺激诱颤阈和输钾诱颤阈的测定以及进行冷加压试验,对同体重肉鸡和蛋鸡的心肌易颤性进行了比较研究。结果表明:(1)同体重肉鸡和蛋鸡相比,电刺激诱颤阈和输钾诱颤阈肉鸡均极显著低于蛋鸡(P<0.01);(2)在电刺激诱发室颤的过程中,开胸时室颤的发生率肉鸡(14%)显著高于蛋鸡(0%)(P<0.05);(3)冷加压试验:冷加压5min内,心率和PT波宽出现了显著的变化,而且变化幅度肉鸡均明显大于蛋鸡。上述试验结果从不同方面均表明肉鸡心肌易颤性高于蛋鸡。     

BQ123对低温诱发的肉鸡肺血管重塑的影响

动态观察了肺小动脉中膜平滑肌的增殖及管腔面积的改变,探讨内皮素受体拮抗剂BQ123 对低温诱发的肉鸡肺血管重塑的影响。200只16日龄AA肉鸡随机均分为4组: 常温(20 ℃)对照组、低温(7~9 ℃)组、低温低剂量BQ123组和低温高剂量BQ123组。23日龄、30日龄时测定肺动脉压,并取肺组织做石蜡切片, 以Weigert间苯二酚复红染色,形态学计算机图象分析法测定肺细小动脉外径和内径、管总面积和管腔面积,计算中膜厚度占外径百分值(%)mMTPA及管壁面积/管总面积WA/TA(%)。结果显示:(1)BQ123 抑制低温肉鸡平均肺动脉压的升高,23日龄时低温高剂量BQ123组显著低于低温组(P<0 05),30 日龄时低温低剂量BQ123 组和低温高剂量BQ123组均极显著低于低温组(P<0 01);(2)BQ123 抑制低温肉鸡肺小动脉WA/TA(%)的升高,30~50μm的肺小动脉,低温组极显著高于低温低剂量BQ123 组及低温高剂量BQ123 组(P<0 01),其它分级的肺小动脉组间差异性与此类似;(3) BQ123抑制低温肉鸡肺小动脉的mMTPA的升高,30~50μm的肺小动脉,23日龄时低温组极显著高于低温低剂量BQ123 组和低温高剂量BQ123 组(P< 0 01), 30 日龄时低温组显著高于低温低剂量BQ123组(P<0 05)、极显著高于低温高剂量BQ123组(P<0 01),30μm以下的肺小动脉组间差异性与此类似,50~120μm     

Retrospective Evaluation of the Effect of Heart Rate on Survival in Dogs with Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) usually is associated with a rapid ventricular rate. The optimal heart rate (HR) during AF is unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Heart rate affects survival in dogs with chronic AF.

Animals

Forty‐six dogs with AF and 24‐hour ambulatory recordings were evaluated.

Methods

Retrospective study. Holter‐derived HR variables were analyzed as follows: mean HR (meanHR, 24‐hour average), minimum HR (minHR, 1‐minute average), maximum HR (maxHR, 1‐minute average). Survival times were recorded from the time of presumed adequate rate control. The primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards analysis identified variables independently associated with survival; Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis estimated the median survival time of dogs with meanHR <125 bpm versus ≥125 bpm.

Results

All 46 dogs had structural heart disease; 31 of 46 had congestive heart failure (CHF), 44 of 46 received antiarrhythmic drugs. Of 15 dogs with cardiac death, 14 had CHF. Median time to all‐cause death was 524 days (Interquartile range (IQR), 76–1,037 days). MeanHR was 125 bpm (range, 62–203 bpm), minHR was 82 bpm (range, 37–163 bpm), maxHR was 217 bpm (range, 126–307 bpm). These were significantly correlated with all‐cause and cardiac‐related mortality. For every 10 bpm increase in meanHR, the risk of all‐cause mortality increased by 35% (hazard ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.17–1.55; P < 0.001). Median survival time of dogs with meanHR<125 bpm (n = 23) was significantly longer (1,037 days; range, 524‐open) than meanHR ≥125 bpm (n = 23; 105 days; range, 67–267 days; P = 0.0012). Mean HR was independently associated with all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality (P < 0.003).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Holter‐derived meanHR affects survival in dogs with AF. Dogs with meanHR <125 bpm lived longer than those with meanHR ≥ 125 bpm.     

农民工贫困的特征·成因及破解对策

农民工是我国经济社会转型期的特殊群体,他们的贫困具有转移性、边缘性、介入性、聚集性、发展性、循环累积性以及代际传承性等特征。农民工贫困包括资本贫困、权利贫困及其可持续发展能力贫困,其中资本贫困和权利贫困是阻碍农民工城市生存、发展,乃至于实现市民化的工具性手段,而可持续发展能力贫困才是其贫困的真正根源。只有进行制度重构、资本赋予和能力再造,才能使农民工走出贫困的陷阱。