Effects of Astragalus injection in reversing left ventricular hypertrophy induced by renal hypertension in rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether the Astragalus injection (AI) has effect for reversing left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis induced by renal vascular hypertension in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty male SD rats were randomized equally into three groups: the AI group, the control group and the sham-operated group. All rats, except those in the sham-operated group, were established into the hypertension models by two kidney one clip (2K1C) operation. Blood pressure was measured before operation and every 4 weeks after operation. AI intervention was given to rats in the AI group starting from the 4th week of experiment at dose of 8 g/kg by peritoneal injecting once a day for 8 weeks, while for rats in the other 2 groups, equal volume of normal saline was given instead. All rats were sacrificed 12 weeks after operation by cervical breaking. And indexes including left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT), inter-ventricular septal thickness (IVST), left ventricular diameter (LVD), cardiomyocytes diameter (CCD), collagen volume fraction (CVF), and peri-vascular volume collagen area (PVCA) in rats were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Blood pressure was not different in the three groups before operation (P>0.05), whereas it rose in the control group and the AI group 4, 8 and 12 weeks after operation correspondingly, showing no difference between the two groups, but significantly higher than that in the sham-operated group (P<0.05). The related indexes in the sham-operated group, control group and AI group were: LVMI, 2.71 +/- 0.24, 3.42 +/- 0.26, 3.13 +/- 0.23, respectively; LVWT (mm), 2.25 +/- 0.42, 4.26 +/- 0.48, 3.28 +/- 0.36; IVST (mm), 2.13 +/- 0.38, 3.98 +/- 0.32, 3.02 +/- 0.28; and LVD (mm), 3.76 +/- 0.29, 2.18 +/- 0.27, 2.82 +/- 0.20 respectively. Comparisons showed that LVMI, LVWT and IVST were significantly higher, but LVD was significantly lower in the control group than those in the sham-operated group (P<0.05); LVMI, LVWT and IVST were significantly lower but LVD was significantly higher in the AI group than those in the control group (P<0.05). CCD, CVF and PVCA in the three groups (in the fore-mentioned order) were: CCD (microm), 14.54 +/- 2.25, 19.56 +/- 2.53, 16.58 +/- 2.46; CVF(%), 3.83 +/- 1.40, 11.21 +/- 2.96, 7.83 +/- 1.67; PVCA (%), 15.71 +/- 3.85, 30.58 +/- 6.25, 21.76 +/- 4.36, respectively. These indexes showed that CCD, CVF, PVCA in the control group were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group (P<0.05); and those were significantly lower in the AI group than in the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AI intervention can reverse the left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis induced by renal vascular hypertension in rats.</p>

Study on the prevalence rate of hypertension in Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang population / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the prevalence rate of hypertension and the risk factors in Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1068 people of Hei Yi Zhuang nationality aged 20 and over were surveyed. Blood pressure, height, weight, serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels were measured ,and both body surface areas and body mass index were calculated. Results were compared with those in 933 people of Han nationality living in the same district.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rates of hypertension in Hei Yi Zhuang population were significantly higher than that in Han population (25.2% vs. 17.3%, P < 0.001) ,as well as the isolated systolic hypertension (12.5% vs. 3.9%, P < 0.001). The mean levels of systolic pressure and pulse pressure in Hei Yi Zhuang population were significantly higher than those in Han population (125.20 +/- 18.62 vs. 121.88 +/- 15.99 mm Hg, P < 0.001 and 48.64 +/- 14.75 vs. 44.98 +/- 11.12 mm Hg, P <.001; respectively). The prevalence rate of hypertension in Hei Yi Zhuang population was positively correlated with triglyceride, sex and age whereas the prevalence rate of hypertension in Han population was positively correlated with total cholesterol, sex, age, and alcohol consumption. Rates of awareness on hypertension in Hei Yi Zhuang and Han population were 8.6% vs. 21.1% (P <.001), patients with treatment rate of established hypertension were 4.5 vs. 15.5 (P < 0.001) with the control rates as 1.9 vs. 10.6 (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence rate of hypertension in Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang population was significantly higher than that in Han ethnic group. The causes of high prevalence rate of hypertension might be ascribed to special geographical surroundings, unhealthy life style, high sodium intake, low education, and possibly genetic factors. The rates on awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were still under satisfaction.</p>

Survey on blood pressure and serum lipids in Hei Yi Zhuang Chinese living in Guangxi / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the levels of blood pressure and serum lipids, and examine the relationship between hypertension and hyperlipidemia in Hei Yi Zhuang Chinese living in Guangxi.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1056 people of Hei Yi Zhuang ethnicity were studied. Blood pressure, body height, body weight, and serum levels of lipids and apolipoprotein were measured. The data were compared with those in 925 people of Han ethnicity, who live in the same region.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were significantly higher in Hei Yi Zhuang than Han Chinese (P < 0.001). The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension and hypertension was also significantly higher in Hei Yi Zhuang than Han Chinese (P < 0.001). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein (Apo) B, and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia were significantly lower in Hei Yi Zhuang than Han Chinese (P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the Apo A1 to Apo B ratio were significantly higher in Hei Yi Zhuang than Han Chinese (P < 0.001). The prevalence of hypertension in Hei Yi Zhuang Chinese was positively associated with triglycerides (r = 0.425, P < 0.05), whereas the prevalence of hypertension in Han Chinese was positively correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.623, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present study revealed a significant difference in blood pressure and serum lipids between Hei Yi Zhuang and Han ethnic groups, and an association between hypertension and hyperlipidemia.</p>