A study on the relationship between smoking and blood inflammatory cytokines as well as atherosclerosis / 预防医学

Objective To explore the influence of long -term smoking on the level of blood inflammatory cytokines and the degree of atherosclerosis in healthy middle -aged men.Methods A total of 84 middle -aged men who accepted the health examination were divided into smoking group and non -smoking group.The risk factors of atherosclerosis,such as age,body mass index (BMI),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),fasting blood glucose (GLU),total cholesterol (TC),low density lipoprotein (LDL),high density lipoprotein (HDL)and triglyceride (TG) were recorded.The white blood cell (WBC)level and neutrophil cell (NC)level were also recorded.The interleukin -6 (IL -6)concentration was assayed by using enzyme -linked immunosorbent double antibody method and the high -sensitivity C reactive protein (Hs -CRP)concentration was assayed by using immune turbidimetry method.The carotid artery intima -media thickness (IMT)and plaques were measured by B -mode ultrasonography.Results There were no significant differences in the risk factors of atherosclerosis between the two groups.But there were statistically significant differences between smoking group and non -smoking group in IL -6 (1 .46 ±0.27 vs.1 .21 ±0.24),Hs -CRP (6.57 ±2.47 vs.3.1 4 ±2.07),WBC (5.78 ±0.79 vs.5.25 ±0.64)and NC (3.40 ±0.45 vs.2.87 ±0.42)(P <0.05). The carotid artery IMT in smoking group was significantly thicker than that of the non -smoking group (1 .0 ±0.1 8 vs. 0.82 ±0.1 6,P <0.01 ).The detection rate of plaque and carotid stenosis in smoking group was significantly higher than that of the non -smoking group (P <0.01 ).Conclusion Long -term smoking not only leads to increased inflammatory cytokines,but also aggravates the degree of atherosclerosis in healthy middle -aged men.Long -term smoking healthy middle -aged men are potential in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Relationship between hs-CRP, proMMP-1, TIMP-1 and coronary plaque morphology: intravascular ultrasound study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Rupture of unstable plaque with subsequent thrombus formation is the common pathophysiological substrate of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is of potential significance to explore the blood indexes predicting plaque characteristics. Little studies have focused on this field. Therefore we investigated the relationship between hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), pro-matrix metalloproteinase-1 (proMMP-1), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and coronary plaque morphology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination was done in 152 patients with confirmed coronary heart disease before percutaneous coronary intervention from February 2003 to July 2005. Plasma samples of arterial blood were collected prior to the procedure. The level of hs-CRP, proMMP-1 and TIMP-1 were respectively measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Unstable and ruptured plaque were found more frequently in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina. External elastic membrane cross-sectional area (EEM CSA), plaque area, lipid pool area and plaque burden were significantly larger in ruptured and unstable plaque group. Positive remolding, thinner fabric-cap, smaller minimal lumen cross-sectional area (MLA), dissection and thrombus were significantly more frequent in ruptured and unstable plaque group. The levels of plasma hs-CRP, proMMP-1 and TIMP-1 were higher in ruptured plaque group. hs-CRP > 8.94 mg/L was used to predict ruptured plaque with a ROC curve area of 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 67.0% - 85.8%], sensitivity of 71.8%, specificity of 77.0% and accuracy of 69.2% (P < 0.01), similarly for proMMP-1 > 0.12 ng/ml with a ROC curve area of 0.69 [95% CI, 58.2% - 80.2%], sensitivity of 69.2%, specificity of 75.2% and accuracy of 66.2% (P < 0.01), and TIMP-1 > 83.45 ng/ml with a ROC curve area of 0.67 [95% CI, 56.2% - 78.3%], sensitivity of 66.7%, specificity of 61.9% and accuracy of 66.2% (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The plaque characteristics correlate with the clinical presentation. The elevation of hs-CRP, proMMP-1 and TIMP-1 are related to the plaque instability and rupture.</p>

C-reactive protein induced human endothelium cells apoptosis is associated with Bcl-2/Bax gene expression changes / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In the present study, we examined the expression changes of Bcl-2/Bax in C-reactive protein (CRP) treated human endothelium cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured by digest method for 2 - 3 posterities and incubated with human CRP (0, 1, 5, 25 mg/L for 24 hours) and analyzed by flow cytometer for apoptosis ratio. The effects of CRP in various concentrations on Bcl-2/Bax mRNA and protein expression were examined by RT-PCR and Western Blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Apoptosis ratio increased, downregulated Bcl-2 (gene promoting cell survival) and upregulated Bax (gene promoting apoptosis) at mRNA and protein levels in proportion to increased CRP concentrations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results demonstrate that Bcl-2/Bax could be regulated by CRP in human HUVECs and might play a causal role in CRP-induced apoptosis.</p>

Puerarin suppresses the proliferation of vscular smooth muscule cells and c-fos and bcl-2 protein expression / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the role of puerarin on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) induced by thrombin (T) and the effect of puerarin on the c-fos and bcl-2 protein expression.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Cell number and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry were adopted as two different indicators of effects on proliferation of VSMC. Western blot was used to indicate the changes of c-fos and bcl-2 protein after 24 h of treatment of T and puerarin.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>1.5 x 10(-5) - 1.5 x 10(-3) mol x L(-1) puerarin could significantly suppress this stimulation of VSMC proliferation and DNA synthesis induced by T. Western blot demonstrated that after 24 hour of treatment with T and puerarin, T could significantly increase c-fos and bcl-2 protein and 1.5 x 10(-5) - 1.5 x 10(-3) mol x L(-1) puerain could significantly suppress this increase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>puerarin can suppress the proliferation and DNA synthesis of VSMC promoted by T. This inhibitory effects of puerarin are closely related with the suppression of c-fos and bcl-2 protein.</p>

Effects of intravenous metoprolol by two injection methods on atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular rates complicated with heart failure / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To explore the effectiveness and safety of intravenous metoprolol by two injection methods in treatment for patients of atrial fibrillation anti rapid ventricular rates complicated with heart failure.Methods Patients of atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular rates complicated with heart failure were administrated regular drug therapy for their heart failure,and then they were observed for half an hour.If their ventricular rates were above 100 beats/min and blood pressure equal to or above 100/60 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),they were randomly divided into three groups,the first one administrated with metoprolol 10 mg by minipump in an hour,the second one administrated with metoprolol 5 mg in 10 minutes by direct injection,and repeated by 5 mg 10 minutes later if their heart beats were still above 100 beats/min and blood pressure equal to or above 100/60 mm Hg,and the third one administrated with normal saline as control group.As either ventricular rates were equal to or lower than 60 beats/min or blood pressure lower than 90/60 mm Hg,drug administration would be terminated.Symptoms,physical signs, heart rate,blood pressure,rale on auscultation of the chest,parameters of haemodynamics,serum levels of brain natrium peptide (BNP) and atrial natrium peptide (ANP) were observed at 0 h and 1 h after drug injection.Results Clinical symptoms and physical signs of heart failure were improved significantly,heart rates and serum levels of BNP (F=15.929,14.534,all P