Effects of buyang huanwu decoction on the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake in abdominal aortic constriction induced myocardial hypertrophic rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>objective: To investigate effects of buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWD) on the rats' myocardial hypertrophic model induced by abdominal aortic constriction, and to clarify the molecular regulatory mechanisms for sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hypertrophic myocardium rat model was induced by abdominal aorta constriction (AAC). Four weeks after modeling, rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (Group S), the AAC model group (Group M), the Enalapril group (Group E), and the BYHWD treatment group (Group BYHWD), respectively. The left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), + dp/dtmax,-dp/dtmax, cardiac output (CO), heart mass index (HMI), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were observed in each group after 12-week medication. The serum contents of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were detected using ELISA. The SERCA2a activity, the ex- pressions of SERCA2a, phospholamban (PLN), and PLN phosphorylation were observed finally.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with Group S, LVSP and LVEDP significantly increased,-dp/dtmax and CO obviously decreased, the myocardial tissue was obviously thickened, the serum contents of ANP and BNP increased, the activity and expression of SERCA2a decreased, the SERCA2a/PLN ratio and PLN phosphorylation degree decreased in Group M (all P <0.05). Compared with Group M, LVEDP obviously decreased, -dp/dtmax and CO obviously increased, the hypertrophy myocardial tissue was obviously lessened, the serum contents of ANP and BNP decreased, the activity of SERCA2a increased, the relative expression contents of SERCA2a, Ser16, and Thrl7 were elevated in Group BYHWD (all P <0.05). BYHWD had significant roles in elevating the SERCA2a/PLN ratio and PLN phosphorylation degree (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BYHWD could significantly improve hemodynamics of heart failure rats, elevate CO, lessen cardiac hypertrophy, and improve the capabilities for sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake.</p>

Advances of statins effects on preverting stroke / 医学研究生学报

Statins have pleiotropic effects in lowering the lipid, stabilizing plaque, antiinflammation, neural protection , and preventing thrombosis. The author highlights the latest progress of cholesterol-independent effects of statins on preventing stroke.

Catheter closure of ventricular septal defects using Amplatzer occluder / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinic effectiveness and safety of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect using homemade Amplatzer VSD occluder. Methods From Jan 2003 to April 2005,16 patients (11 males,5 femles) with VSD underwent an attempt of catheter closure using homemade Amplatzer occluder.The mean age of patients was (13.98 ?11.05) years (ranged from 3.5 to 41 years);the mean weight of patients was (32. 1 ?17.59) kg (ranged from 12.5 to 59 kg);the mean diameter ofVSD measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was(5.34?1.75)mm(ranged from 3.7 to 9mm). All patients underwent closure under TTE or transthoracic echocardiography(TEE)guidance. Results The devices were deployed successfully in 12patients.There was complete closure in 11patients immediatelly,and residual sbunt in 1 patients.After proccdure, bundle branch block(right and left bundle) were occurred in 7patients.Hemolysis was in 1patients.There were no other servere complications.Conclusions Transcatheter closure of VSD using this new occluder is safe and effective. Early results are good.Further clinical trials are underway to assess the long-term results.