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Objective Detrusor overactivity (DO) is one known cause of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).In this study,OAB symptoms suggestive of DO in BPH were treated with α1-blocker monotherapy or α1-blocker and antimuscarinics add-on therapy,and the efficacy and safety were assessed.Methods BPH patients who suffered from OAB symptoms for at least 3 month were enrolled in a prospective self-control study from August 2010 to April 2012.The inclusion criteria are total international prostate symptom score (IPSS) ≥8,OAB Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥3,OABSS urgency score ≥2,Postvoid residual volume (PVR) ＜ 100 ml,and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) ≥ 5 ml/s.All the patients who met the inclusion criteria were treated with α1-blocker ( tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day or doxazosin 4 mg/day) for 2 weeks.After 2 weeks,patients with no symptomatic improvement ( OABSS≥3) underwent pressure-flow test,and those whose Pdet≥ 40 cm H2O and DO presented more than one time were added antimuscarinics (solifenacin 5 mg/day or tolterodine 4 mg/day) for an additional 2 weeks.OABSS,IPSS,QOL,Qmax and PVR were re-evaluated every 2 weeks.Results Ninety-four cases of BPH/OAB patients met the inclusion criteria and completed 4 weeks treatment.The baseline of total OABSS was 7.0 ± 1.3,IPSS was 17.0 ± 1.7,QOL was 5.0 ±0.7,Qmax was (8.8 ±2.5) ml/s and PVR was (86.0 ± 16.5) ml.After 2 weeks treatment with α1-blocker alone,OABSS was 5.2 ± 0.8,IPSS was 14.2 ± 1.9,QOLwas4.O±0.8,Qmaxwas (11.4±2.4) ml/s and PVR was (67.9±12.9) ml.After another2 weeks treatment with α1-blocker plus antimuscarinics,OABSS was 3.1 ± 0.8,IPSS was 11.1 ± 1.9,QOL was 3.1 ± 0.7,Qmax was ( 10.8 ± 2.4) ml/s and PVR was (71.8 ± 11.9 ) ml.Compared with baseline values,OABSS,IPSS,QOL,Qmax and PVR significantly improved (P ＜ 0.01 ) in α1-blocker monotherapy group and α1-blocker plus antimuscarinic group.The improvement of OABSS,IPSS,QOL scores of α1-blocker plus antimuscarinic group were greater than α1-blocker monotherapy group (p ＜ 0.05 ),while Qmax and PVR showed no differences between the two groups.No acute urinary retention (AUR) was deteted.Conclusion Both of α1-blocker monotherapy and α1-blocker with antimuscarinics add-on therapy can improve OAB symptoms.
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Objective To investigate the expression of cyclooxgenase 2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and their correlation with Prognosis. Methods EnVision immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of COX-2 and VEGF in 80 CCRCC tissues and 20 normal kidney tissues .The relationship between the above marks and prognosis were analyzed. Results The positive rates of COX-2[65.00 % (52/80) vs 10.00 % (2/20), x2= 7.760, P= 0.021]and VEGF[61.25 % (49/20) vs 20.00 (4/80),x2 = 8.870, P= 0.012]were much higher in CCRCC than those in normal kidney. The expression of COX-2 was correlated with TNM stage (x2 = 8.200,P =0.005), histological grade (x2 = 13.860, P = 0.000) and lymph node metastasis (x2 = 6.050, P = 0.001) in CCRCC, but not with age (x2 = 0.560, P = 0.663) and diameter of tumor (x2 = 0.700, P = 0.528). Both COX-2 expression and VEGF expression were associated significantly with prognosis in CCRCC (x2 = 18.280,P = 0.038;x2 = 6.420, P= 0.042, respectively). There was a positive correlation between COX-2 and VEGF in CCRCC (r =0.485, P < 0.01). Conclusion COX-2 is related to prognosis in CCRCC and can be used as prognostic indicators in patients.
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Objective To study the application of pediculated skin flaps in the treatment of com-plicated long urethratresia. Methods From March 1999 to May 2006, a total of 18 male patients with complicated long urethratresia were treated by using the pediculated skin flaps. The causes of urethratresia were 7 cases of postoperative pelvic fractures with posterior urethral stricture, 4 cases of transurethral intravesical chemotherapy, 3 cases of postoperative bulbar urethral stricture, 2 cases of gonorrhea, and 2 cases of long-time urethral catheter placement. Four cases were urethratresia nf cor-pus penis, 7 cases were anterior urethral obliteration, 7 cases were posterior urethral and anterior ure-thral obliteration. Urethro-perineal fistulas were found in 8 cases, posterior urethrorectal fistulas in 7 cases, false passage formations in 8 cases. The average length of urethratresia was 15.1 cm (range 8. 7 to 23. 0 cm). The urethral scar was rasected, the posterior urethrorectal fistula was repaired, and different kinds of pediculated skin flaps depending on the length of urethratreaia was used. Results All the patients were followed up for 12 to 18 months (mean 14 months). Fifteen patients voided well 3 months postoperatively, none of the urography showed stricture. The mean peak urinary flow rate was 16. 9 ml/s (range from 16. 5 to 21.7 ml/s). Of the other 3 cases, 1 case experienced difficult voi-ding due to the long and circuitous tabularized skin flap but recovered after proper shortening;1 case had restenosis for the infection of anastomosis but voided well after excision and reanastomnsis;1 casehad a urinary fistula resulting from hematoma and infection, but was successfully treated by the neo-plasty of the urinary fistula. The mean peak urinary flow rate was 17.0 ml/s (range 15.0 to 22.0 ml/s) for 17 patients 6 months postoperatively, except for one who experienced genuine urinary incon-tinence. At 9-18 months after operations, the mean peak urinary flow rate was 17.5 ml/s (range 15.8 to 22.5 ml/s) for 17 patients. Conclusion The single-stage urethroplasty based on pediculated skin flaps is a reliable and durable method for complicated long urethratresia.
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Objective To analyse the operation technique and therapeutic effect of "inserting" uretero-intestinal anastomosis in orthotopic bladder substitution.Methods Thirty-eight patients undergoing orthotopic bladder substitution operations were followed up,and the way of uretero-intestinal anastomosis in all Datients was the "inserting"uretero-intestinal anastomosis.The therapeutic effect was observed by radiation,cystoscopy,pathologic biopsy and blood test.Results The average follow-up time was(3 1.65±14.14)montll8.and the stricture rate was 4%(3/75),but no vesicoureteric reflux was found.The rate of leakage was 0.Nipples were formed at the site of anastomosis under the view of cystoscope,and among the 7 patients whose nipples were taken to be examined by histology,2 cases were intestinal epithelium which were taken at the base of nipple8.while the others were transitional epithelium which were taken at the top of nipples.The renal function of all patients was normal (Cr 54-135 μmol/L,BUN 3.2-9.4 mmol/L).Conclusion "Inserting"uretem-intestinal anastomosis is an ideal antireflux uretero-intestinal anastomosis method.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy of mitomycin (MMC) intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder carcinoma by in vitro chemosensitivity using histoculture drug response assay (HDRA).Methods Forty-one cases of superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma(TCC) were obtained,including 30 males and 11 females with mean age of 55 years.Of them,10 cases were Ta and 31 were T1 according to TNM stage system (UICC 2002) while 9 cases were G1,22 were G2 and 10 were G3 (WHO1973).All cases had no chemotherapy history before operation and were operated to retain bladder.Tumor specimens were cultured by three-dimensional histoculture.HDRA with im-proved MTT assay was utilized for chemosenstivity test of MMC with 1 g/L concentration and 2 hours exposure.Growth inhibition rate (GI) exceeding 70% was defined as high-sensitive while less than 50% GI was defined as insensitive,others were moderate-sensitive.All cases were performed standard intravesical chemotherapy with MMC 40 mg plus 40 mt saline.Every case was followed up every 3 months.The patients were followed up for 5 years or untill recurrence.Results The MMC chem-osensitivity was different among 41 patients.Thirteen cases were insensitive including 1 of Ta,12 of T1 (P=0.009) and 1 of G1,7 of G2,5 of G3(P=0.101).Total recurrence rate was 39%(16/41) af-ter 3 to 5 years follow-up.There were 1 of Ta,15 of T1 (P=0.059) and 10 of G2 6 of G3 (P=0.016).Insensitive group recurrence rate was 77% (10/13) while sensitive group was 21% (6/28,P= 0.004).Patients in sensitive group showed a longer median time(49.2 months) than patients in insen-sitive group (16.5 months,P<0.001) according to Kaplan-Meier analysis with Log-rank test.The MMC chemosensitivity was independent prognostic factor examed by Cox regression analysis (P= 0.008).There was a 78% correlation rate of chemosensitivity by HDRA to clinical effect of MMC in-travesical chemotherapy.Conclusion HDRA could evaluate MMC intravesical chemotherapy for su-perficial bladder TCC,improve therapeutic effect and lower tumor recurrence rate.
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BACKGROUND: The studies about cellular cardiomyoplasty (CCM) of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) are centered on modeling autologous cell transplantation while the study of myocardium transplantation of allogeneic BMSC is seldom reported domestically.OBJECTIVE: To study the hypothesis that the allogeneic BMSC, after transplanted into the myocardial infarction (MI) regions, can survive, further proliferate, differentiate, and its effects on host hearts.DESIGN: A randomized and controlled trial with experimental animals as subjects.SETTING: Laboratory of Internal Cardiology, Affiliated Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: Ten Wistar rats of one-month old, body mass of 100-120 g and unconfined sex were used to culture BMSC while eighty female Wister rats of three-month old, body mass of 200-250 g were used for animal models.METHODS: The experiment was completed in the Laboratory of of Internal Cardiology, Affiliated Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June to December 2004. ①Eighty rats were used to establish the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) models by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery, and 45 of them were successful. ② After 4 weeks, the models were divided into 2 groups at random. In the experiment group (n=25), the passaged and uninduced BMSC cultured in vitro were injected into the MI region of the recipients while only medium was injected in the control group (n=20). ③At 4 weeks after implantation,the hemodynamic indexes of recipients' hearts were examined. Then the samples were obtained to detect the survival, differentiation and angiogenesis status of the removal cells.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Comparison of hemodynamic indexes in rats of two groups②Results of the implantation cells③Changes of angiogenesis in rats of two groups.RESULTS: Totally 13 rats in the experiment group and 11 in the control group were involved in the result analysis. ①The hemodynamic indexes of rats were significantly improved in the experiment groups compared with the control group [Left ventricle systolic blood pressure (LVSBP): (88.61±5.99),(76.93±4.75) mm Hg, left ventricle end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP): (7.72±1.36),(12.77±2.76) mm Hg, P ＜ 0.05;The maximum changing velocity of LVSBP:(2 365.26±266.31),(2 025.04±230.25) mm Hg/s; The maximum changing velocity of LVDBP:(2 313.26±159.30),(2 140.12±191.03) mm Hg/s]. ②After implanted in the MI region, the allogeneic BMSC passed the acute inflammation period and did not induce the remarkable reject reaction of transplantation. The BMSC in the infarcted region were mainly differentiated into fibroblast. Some cells around the infarcted region were differentiated into endothelial cells, and improved the angiogenesis. ③The number of angiogenesis in and around the transplantation regions was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: The allogeneic BMSC can not form cardiomyocyte in the infarcted region after cell transplantation, and the engendered endothelial cells of blood vessels may promote the angiogenesis after AMI and ameliorate the cardiac function.
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BACKGROUND: Experimental evidence suggests that growth factors can promote myocardial angiogenesis, but the effect and mechanism of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in controlled release delivered via fibrin glue has not been fully recognized.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of controlled-release bFGF delivered via fibrin glue in the myocardium on the expressions of vascular growth factors and cell proliferation in the local acute myocardial infarct area in canines, and assess the therapeutic effect of this strategy.DESIGN: Completely randomized controlled experiment.SETTING: Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Shanghai Xinxing Blood Product Research Institute.MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Animal Surgery, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and the Experimental Animal Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between June 2001 And March 2003.Twelve clean healthy adult mongrel dogs of either sex were selected and randomized into transmyocardial laser revascularization group and bFGF group with 6 in each group.METHODS: With appropriate anesthesia, the chest of the dog was opened and the left anterior descending (LAD) branch of the coronary artery was ligated to establish acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model.The dogs were then randomized into transmyocardial laser revascularization group to receive transmural myocardial penetration 30 minutes after AMI and bFGF group with non-transmural myocardial penetration 30 minutes after AMI and subsequent injection of bFGF-containing fibrin glue into the channel. The expressions of vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the loacl ischemic myocardium were examined immunohistochemically (IHC) at postoperative 18 weeks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative IHC analysis of VEGF,TGFβ1 and the PCNA expressions in the local ischemic myocardia in transmyocardial laser revascularization group and bFGF group.RESULTS: Five dogs in the transmyocardial laser revascularization group and 6 in the bFGF group survived the operations. Quantitative IHC analysis revealed obviously larger positive area stained for myocardial VEGF,TGFβ1 and PCNA in bFGF group than in transmyocardial laser revascularization group (t=-7.505, -2.690 and -6.895, P ＜ 0.05), and the average absorbance of PCNA staining in bFGF group was greater than that in the transmyocardial laser revascularization group (t= -5.271, P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Controlled-releasing bFGF delivered in the myocardium can increase local expressions of the vascular growth factors in the ischemic myocardium and enhance cell proliferation, promoting revascularization after AMI.
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To study the angiogenic potency of hypoxia-prestimulated bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) when transplanted into acute myocardial infarction models of rats. BMSCs were cultured under hypoxia condition for 24 h. Their expression of VEGF was investigated. The rat acute myocardial infarction models were made by coronary artery ligation and divided into 3 groups at random. In normoxia group, twice-passaged BMSCs were labeled with Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and then implanted into the infarction regions and ischemic border of the recipients in 4 weeks. The rats in hypoxia group were implanted with hypoxia-prestimulated BMSCs. In control group, the model rats received only DMEM medium injection. Six-weeks after AMI, the infarction regions were examined to identify the angiogenesis and the expression of the VEGF. Our results showed that viable cells labeled with BrdU could be identified in the host hearts. The infarction regions in normoxia and hypoxia groups had a greater capillary density and increased VEGF expression than the regions in control group. The capillary density and VEGF expression in hypoxia group were higher than in normoxia group. It is concluded that the enhanced expression of VEGF in BMSCs could be induced by ex vivo hypoxia stimulation. BMSCs implantation promoted the angiogenesis in myocardial infarction tissue via supplying exogenic VEGF. Angiogenic potency of bone marrow stromal cells was improved by ex vivo hypoxia prestimulation though the enhanced VEGF expression.
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Animals , Rats , Bone Marrow Cells , Cell Biology , Metabolism , Bone Marrow Transplantation , Cell Hypoxia , Cells, Cultured , Coronary Circulation , Myocardial Infarction , Metabolism , General Surgery , Neovascularization, Physiologic , Random Allocation , Rats, Wistar , Stromal Cells , Cell Biology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors , GeneticsABSTRACT
This study examined the potential roles of astragalus and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2) in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy. Of 52 female 4-week-old Wistar rats treated with high glucose and lipid diet to induce insulin resistance, 7 treated with sodium citrate buffer (pH=4.5) served as controls (con1) and the other 45 were treated by intraperitoneal injection (ip) of STZ to induce type 2 diabetes. After 20 weeks, the maximal velocity decrease of pressure per second in left ventricle within the period of isovolumic relaxation (-dp/dtmax) was detected by inserting cannula through right carotid artery. Of the 45 rats, 24 with -dp/dtmax < or = 700 mmHg/s (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) developing diabetic cardiomyopathy were grouped as follows: 7 treated with double distilled H2O (ip) were included in control group 2 (con2); other 8 treated with AT2 agonist (CGP42112A, ip) were included in experimental group1 (exp); 9 treated with astragalus (po) constituted experimental group 2 (exp2). All injections lasted 4 weeks (qd) and the heart weight (HW) was recorded. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis index (CAI), mRNA of AT2 and Bcl-2 as well as AT2 and Bcl-2 protein values in cardiomyocytes were also measured. Our results showed that -dp/dtmax in exp1, exp2 and con2 were much lower than those in con1 (P<0.01). CAI and AT2 in both mRNA and protein in con1 were lower than those in the other three groups (P<0.01). The three parameters above were higher in exp1 but less in exp2 than those in con2, respectively (P<0.01). The three parameters and HW in exp1 were much higher than those in exp2 (P<0.01). Changes of Bcl-2 were opposite to those of AT2. Our results suggested that high expression of AT2 might accelerate the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in diabetic rats and play an important role in precipitating diabetic cardiomyopathy and astragalus protects diabetic rats from developing cardiomyopathy by downregulating AT2.
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Animals , Female , Rats , Apoptosis , Astragalus propinquus , Chemistry , Cardiomyopathies , Pathology , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental , Metabolism , Down-Regulation , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Myocytes, Cardiac , Pathology , Phytotherapy , Rats, Wistar , Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 , GeneticsABSTRACT
0.05). Conclusion The human body blood coagulation or fibrinolytic system was not activated or inhibited by ETUS under the condition of this study.
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Objective To evaluate the diagnostic valu e of ~131I-MIBG adrenomedullary scintigraphy for high blood cat echolamine. Methods 96 cases of high blood catecholamine and 197 cases of other diseases were screened with ~131I-metaiodo benzylguanidine(MIBG) adrenomedullary scintigraphy. Results 56 cases of the total 60 cases of pheochromocytoma and 33 cases of the total 36 cases of adrenomedullary hyperplasia showed positive image. The positiv e rate were 93.3% and 91.7% respectively. 138 cases of primary hypertension, 4 9 cases of adrenal and other organic tumor, 4 cases of pheochromocytoma befor e operation, 10 cases of cured pheochromocytoma after resection and 3 cases of adrenomedullary hyperplasia all showed negative image. The total positive rate for high blood catecholamine was 92.7%, which was much higher than other method s, such as biochemical assay, type B ultrasound, computer tomography and magneti c resonance image. Conclusions ~131I-MIBG w as of great value for the locative and qualitative diagnosis of high blood catec holamine,especially for the silent, ectopic and multiple pheochromocytoma, the m etastatic malignant pheochromocytoma and adrenomedullary hyperplasia. It could be used for the differential diagnosis of high blood catecholamine from primary hypertension and other kinds of tumors.
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AIM: To evaluate the method of inducing mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro to differentiate into cardiomyocytes without using any chemical reagents.METHODS: BRL conditioned medium was used to promote the growth of ES cells and maintain them in an undifferentiated state before the experiment of differentiation. Then a three-step method including ES cell culture in hanging drops and in suspending was used to induce the differentiation of ES cells. RESULTS: Rhythmically contracting cells were observed among differentiated cells, which were proved to be cardiomyocytes with electron microscope and immunocytochemistry. CONCLUSION: A simple and economical method was established to induce mouse ES cells cultured in vitro to differentiate into cardiomyocytes without using any chemical reagents. [
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AIM: To study the electrophysiological characteristics of ion channels of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (SCDC) of mouse. METHODS: Embryonic stem cells of D 3 line (ES-D 3) were cultured on the MEF feeder layer with BRL conditioned medium, and fetal mouse heart cells(FMHC)were cultured in vitro. Then ES-D 3 cells were induced to differentiate into many kinds of cells. SCDC were harvested on day 12 after differentiation initiating and identified by electro-microscope and immunocytochemistry. SCDC and FMHC were prepared for the patch-clamp research. Sodium and calcium currents together were elicited and compared between SCDC and FMHC. RESULTS: The current characteristics of sodium and calcium channels of SCDC were very similar to FMHC. CONCLUSION: The functional expression of ion channels occurred during ES-D 3 cells differentiation and the electrophysiological characteristics of sodium and calcium channels of SCDC are very similar to FMHC.
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The plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), angiotension II (AII, vaso-pressin (VP) and endogenous digitalis-like factor (EDLF) were determined in 23 patients with mi-tral stenosis before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). Before PBMV, the plasma levels of ANF and EDLF were elevated in all patients with lower level of All than nor-mal. After the procedure, with a concomitant decrease of left atrial pressure, the plasma ANF de-creased at 15 minutes (from 317. 4?96. 2 to 164. 9?56. 8ng/L , P
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AIM: To evaluate whether tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) loaded with heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) inhibit the progression of aortic atherosclerotic plaque in hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein E (Apo-E) -null mice. METHODS: Bone marrow derived DC of the mice were loaded with HSP60 and co-cultured with rapamycin to generate tolerogenic DC. The tolerogenic DC, DC loaded only HSP60 and PBS were injected into the ApoE-null mice at 8 weeks of age for three times at a one-week interval. 8 weeks after the last injection, aorta were harvested for HE staining and anti-CD4~+T cell immunostaining. Responses of pleenic cells to HSP60 were also evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with DC, DC_ HSP60 expressed higher levels of CD86, and stimulated T lymphocytes to proliferation significantly, while the tolerogenic DC expressed lower levels of CD86, and inhibited T lymphocytes to proliferation. After immunization with different injection, the numbers of CD4~+ T cells in plaque were increased significantly in DC_ HSP60 group vs in PBS group (P
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AIM: To investigate the effects of homocysteine (Hcy) on apoptosis and expression of caspases-3 in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs). METHODS: HVSMCs were cultured in vitro. The rate of apoptosis in HVSMCs was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of caspases-3 mRNA in HVSMCs was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The rates of apoptosis in HVSMCs incubated with 500 ?mol/L Hcy for 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h were 2.39%?0.47%, 2.45%?0.64%, 7.58%?1.02%, 13.37%?4.71% and 17.69%?3.13%, respectively. The ratio of the absorbance of caspases-3 mRNA/GAPDH was 0.24?0.08, 0.29?0.10, 0.89?0.26, 1.37?0.24 and 1.82?0.53,respectively, suggesting that Hcy induces the apoptosis and expression of caspases-3 mRNA in HVSMCs in a time-dependent manner. The rates of apoptosis in HVSMCs incubated with 0, 100, 200, 500 or 1 000 ?mol/L Hcy for 24 h were 2.68%?0.23%, 2.79%?0.12%, 8.45%?2.41%, 13.37%?4.71% and 23.75%?5.56%, respectively, revealing that Hcy induced the apoptosis in HVSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Hcy induces the apoptosis in HVSMCs by regulating the expression of caspases-3, which may be one of the mechanisms involved in atherosclerotic effects of Hcy.
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AIM: To study the role of NOS2 in the devel op ment of cardiac dysfunction after rat myocardial infarction by observing effects of S-methylisothiourea (SMT) on left ventricular morphology and haemodynamics. METHODS: An selective NOS2 inhibitor, was used. Administration o f SMT by gavage began 30 min before coronary ligation. Six weeks later, left ventricular morphologic and haemodynamic parameters were o bserved,and NOS2 expression, plasma NO 2-/NO 3- level and myocardial fibr osis were studied. RESULTS: Six weeks after myocardial infarction, NOS2 level in ra t non-infarct cardiac muscle, plasma NO 2-/NO 3- level, CVP and LVEDP were higher than that in controls. Long term administration of SMT decreased plasma NO 2-/NO 3- level [(26.6?6.1) ?mol/L vs (50.1?10.4) ?mol/L, P