Effects of doxazosin and its enantiomers on serum lipid levels in rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of (-)doxazosin(DOX), (+)DOX and (+/-)DOX on serum lipid levels and the mortality rates of the rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male white New Zealand rabbits were fed by an atherogenic diet for 4 weeks. 8 rabbits whose serum TC <10 mmol/L were confirmed as normal diet group and were fed normally. 40 rabbits whose serum TC >10 mmol/L were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10): atherogenic diet group, atherogenic diet with (-)DOX group, atherogenic diet with (+)DOX group and atherogenic diet with (+/-)DOX group, which were intraperitoneally injected with (-)DOX, (+)DOX and (+/-)DOX for 9 weeks respectively. Normal and atherogenic diet group were intraperitoneally injected with double distilled water. After 9 weeks administration of (+/-)doxazosin and its enantiomers, effects of the three agents on serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mortality rate of the rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet for 13 weeks was 40%, and it was much higher than that of the rabbits fed by a normal diet (10%). The mortality rates in the rabbits treated with (-)DOX and (+/-)DOX were lower than that in the rabbits fed by a normal diet (10%). Serum LDL-C level of the rabbits was increased markedly after 4 weeks of atherogenic diet, and it was further increased significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) during the continued 9 weeks of atherogenic diet. However, serum LDL-C levels were not further increased significantly (P > 0.05) during the continued 9 weeks of atherogenic diet in the rabbits treated with (-)DOX, (+)DOX and (+/-)DOX, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(-)DOX and (+/-)DOX increase the survival rate and improve LDL-C disorder mildly in the rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet. The improvements in LDL-C induced by (-)DOX and (+/-)DOX, however, might not be the reason for exploration about the increased survival rate in the rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet.</p>

Cell Specific Non-Viral Vector Enhances Expression of BMP-2 Gene in Human Dermal Fibroblasts / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To construct the fibroblast-specific non-viral vector pcDNA3-CEP-BMP-2 containing collagen 1A2 enhancer and promoter,and to validate the enhancement of BMP-2 expression in the human dermal fibroblasts by this vector,compared with the routine non-viral BMP2 vector. Methods The sequences for collagen 1A2 enhancer and promotor,and BMP-2 gene were ligated into the pcDNA3 plasmids.The plasmids were transfected into human skin fibroblasts and vein endothelial cells by means of cationic liposomes.The expressions of the plasmids in these two kinds of cells were detected by RT-PCR.The osteogenic phonotypes of fibroblasts were determined.(Results)pcDNA3-CEP-BMP-2,which contained collagen 1A2 enhancer and promoter could enhance the BMP-2 expression in the fibroblasts but not in vein endothelial cells.Osteogenetic phenotypes were more obvious in the fibroblasts transfected with pcDNA3-CEP-BMP-2 than in pcDNA3-BMP-2-transfected ones. Conclusion Collagen 1A2 enhancer and promoter can enhance BMP2 expression in fibroblasts.