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Objective: To observe the impact of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) on myocardial remodeling in rabbit model of chronic heart failure (CHF) with its possible mechanism. Methods: Rabbit HF model was established by ascending aortic root ligation; the animals were divided into 3 groups: Sham group, the animals received thoracotomy without aortic ligation, HF group and HF+CCM group, the HF animals received CCM treatment for 4 weeks. n=10 in each group. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography at 12 and 16 weeks in each group respectively; myocardial tissue fibrosis and pathological changes were examined by Masson staining; plasma BNP level was assessed by ELISA; protein expressions of collagen I, collagen II, MMP2,MMP9, TIMP1 and galectin-3 in myocardial tissue were determined by Western blot analysis. Results: ① By echocardiography: with 12 weeks treatment, compared with Sham group, HF group and HF+CCM group had increased LVESD, LVEDD and decreased LVFS, LVEF, all P<0.05; with 16 weeks treatment, compared with HF group, HF+CCM group had improved LVESD, LVEDD, LVEF and LVFS, all P<0.05. ② Pathological changes:compared with Sham group, HF group showed increased collagen content in myocardial tissue, P<0.05; CCM treatment could partially decrease collagen accumulation, P<0.05. ③ After 12 weeks treatment, compared with Sham group, HF group and HF+CCM group presented elevated plasma BNP level, P<0.05; after 16 weeks treatment, compared with HF group, HF+CCM group presented reduced plasma BNP, while it was still higher than that in Sham group, P<0.05. ④ By Western blot analysis: compared with Sham group, HF group demonstrated increased protein expressions of collagen I, collagen II, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1 and galectin-3 in myocardial tissue; the above indexes were much lower in HF+CCM group while still higher than those in Sham group, all P<0.05. Conclusion: CCM could improve myocardial remodeling in rabbit model of CHF which might be related to down-regulated protein expressions of collagen I, collagen III, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1 and galectin3 in myocardial tissue.
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Objective To explore the relationship between interleukin-18 (IL-18) and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),and between SLE and early atherosclerosis.Method A total of 59 female patients with SLE were divided into three groups according to the level of IL-18:＜2× 107g/L (A group,19 cases),2.0-3.2 × 107 g/L (B group,22 cases),≥ 3.2 × 107 g/L (C group,18 cases).The cardiovascular risk factors including body mass index (BMI),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),fasting insulin and glucose,plasma glucose,plasma lipid,brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) were determined in all patients.Result Plasma levels of insulin,triglyceride,homocysteine and values of homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA IR) in SLE patients with IL-18 ≥3.2×107 g/L were significant higher than patients with IL-1＜2× 107 g/L or 2-3.2 × 107 g/L (F =15.61,4.06,11.18,8.49;P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05).About 72.88％ patient had hyperhomocysteinaemia which lead to significantly increase the level of IL-18 (P＜0.05).The level of IL-18 of patients in A,B and C groups were (208.75 ± 23.21),(261.20± 17.82) and (339.05 ± 32.54),and it increased significantly as IL-18 increase (P＜0.05).The level of IL-18 was increased as risk factors of SLE including baPWV,level of insulin and IR increased (P =0.019,0.002,0.000).Conclusion The synergistic effects of hyperinsulinaemia,insulin resistance,hyperhomocysteinaemia and vascular stiffness most likely contribute to the elevation of plasma IL-18 concentrations in patients with SLE.
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Objective To examine the effect of Pu-Erh tea extract(PTE) on genes expression of lipogenesis in white adipose tissue of rats fed high fat diet.Method Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups(n=10):the control group(basal diet);the high fat group(high fat diet);the PTE group(high fat diet + Pu-Erh tea extract).Body weight and adipose tissue were measured.Expression of genes regulating lipid metabolism was assessed in adipose tissue.Results PTE supplementation prevented diet-induced increases in body weight and adipose tissue.Diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1(DGAT1),stearoyl-CoA desalurase-1(SCD1) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c) mRNA levels were markedly decreased in adipose tissue of rats fed PTE.Conclusion This study shows for the first time that Pu-Erh tea extract prevents diet-induced obesity,and this effect is partly mediated via a direct influence on adipose tissue.