Establishment of a rat model with aortic dissection induced by β-aminopropionitrile combined with angiotensin Ⅱ / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the optimal administration combination of β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) and Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang-Ⅱ) in the establishment of SD rat aortic dissection (AD) model and the related complications. Methods    Forty-two three-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: a group A (0.25% BAPN), a group B (0.40% BAPN), a group C (0.80% BAPN), a group D [1 g/(kg·d) BAPN], a group E [1 g/(kg·d) BAPN+ 1 μg/(kg·min) saline], a group F [1 g/(kg·d) BAPN+1 μg/(kg·min) Ang-Ⅱ] and a group G (control group). There were 6 rats in each group. The intervention period was 4 weeks (groups E and F were 4 weeks+5 days). Rats were dissected immediately if they died during the experiment. After the intervention, the surviving rats were sacrificed by pentobarbital sodium, and the whole aorta was separated and retained. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the changes of aorta from the pathological morphology. Results    There was no statistical difference in the survival rate among the groups after 4 weeks of BAPN intervention (P>0.05). After 5 days of mini-osmotic pumps implantation, the survival rate of rats was higher in the group E than that in the group F (P=0.008), and the incidence of AD in the group E was lower than that in the group F (P=0.001). BAPN could affect the food and water intake of rats. After BAPN intervention for 4 weeks, the body weight of rats in the group G was higher than those in the intervention groups (P<0.05). BAPN combined with Ang-Ⅱ could make the aortic intima thick, elastic fiber breakage, arrangement disorder, and inflammatory cell infiltration in rats, which conformed to the pathological and morphological changes of AD. BAPN could also affect mental state and gastrointestinal tract. Conclusion    The combination of BAPN [1 g/(kg·d)] and Ang-Ⅱ [1 μg/(kg·min)] can stably establish AD model in rats, which will provide a stable carrier for further study of the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of AD. However, the complications in this process are an unstable factor. How to balance the influence of BAPN on other tissues and organs in the process of AD model establishment remains to be further studied.

Mechanism of Modified Zhenwutang in Delaying Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Chronic Renal Failure Based on Ang Ⅱ/AT1R/NOX4 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the underlying mechanism of modified Zhenwutang in delaying renal interstitial fibrosis in chronic renal failure （CRF） by observing the effects of modified Zhenwutang on the expression of angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH） oxidase 4 （NOX4）， transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）， type I collagen （COL1A1）， and type Ⅲ collagen （COL3A1） in the serum and renal tissues of adenine-induced CRF rats. MethodFifty male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group （n=10） and an experimental group （n=40） using a random number table. After one week of adaptive feeding， the experimental CRF model was established in rats by administering adenine at 150 mg·kg-1·d-1 orally. Three rats from each group were randomly selected to evaluate the model induction. After successful modeling， rats in the experimental group were randomly divided into a model group， low-， medium， and high-dose modified Zhenwutang groups， and a benazepril hydrochloride group， with six rats in each group. The rats were orally administered the corresponding drugs once daily for four weeks. At the end of the first week， 13th week， and 17th week of the experiment， 24 hour urinary protein quantification （24 h-UTP） was measured. At the end of the 17th week， the rats were euthanized， and blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta for the measurement of total protein （TP）， albumin （ALB）， creatinine （Cr）， and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） in the serum. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the expression levels of serum Ang Ⅱ. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson's trichrome staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in renal tissues. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was performed to observe the expression of AT1R， NOX4， TGF-β1， COL1A1， and COL3A1. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to observe the mRNA expression levels of AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1. Western blot was conducted to measure the protein expression levels of AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1. Result① Compared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant increase in 24 h-UTP （P<0.01）. The levels of Cr and BUN in the model group were significantly higher （P<0.01）， while the levels of TP and ALB were significantly lower （P<0.01）. The serum Ang Ⅱ level in the model group was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The model group exhibited widening of the renal glomerular mesangial space， necrotic glomeruli， increased interstitial width with extensive inflammatory cell infiltration， brownish precipitates blocking the renal tubular lumens， irregular renal tubules， and significant deposition of collagen fibers in the renal interstitium. Additionally， the collagen fibers around the renal vessels， outside the parietal layer of the renal sacs， glomerular basement membrane， and tubular basement membrane increased significantly. The expression of AT1R and NOX4 in the glomeruli and renal tubules of the model group was significantly enhanced， and TGF-β1 expression also significantly increased in the renal tubules. The expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 in the renal interstitium significantly increased. The mRNA expression of AT1R and TGF-β1 in the model group significantly increased （P<0.01）， while NOX4 mRNA expression significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression of AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1 was significantly enhanced （P<0.01）. ② Compared with the model group， modified Zhenwutang significantly reduced 24h-UTP （P<0.01）， decreased levels of Cr and BUN （P<0.01）， increased levels of TP and ALB （P<0.01）， reduced serum Ang Ⅱ level （P<0.01）， alleviated renal pathological damage， reduced expression of AT1R， NOX4， TGF-β1， COL1A1， and COL3A1 in the glomeruli， renal tubules， and renal interstitium， reduced mRNA expression of AT1R and TGF-β1 （P<0.01）， increased NOX4 mRNA expression （P<0.01）， and weakened protein expression of AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1 （P<0.01）. The modified Zhenwutang groups showed a significant dose-effect trend. ConclusionModified Zhenwutang may delay renal interstitial fibrosis in CRF rats by reducing the expression of Ang Ⅱ， AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1 in the serum and renal tissues， thereby alleviating renal pathological damage， reducing proteinuria， protecting renal function， and delaying the progression of CRF. The modified Zhenwutang group exhibited a dose-effect trend.

Effect of histone methylase EZH2 on proliferation and apoptosis of hypertrophic myocardial cells of AC16 / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of the effect of the histone methylase zeste gene enhancer homolog 2 (EZH2) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hypertrophic cardiomyocytes AC16.Methods:The AC16 hypertrophic cardiomyocyte model was constructed by adding angiotensin Ⅱ to the AC16 cell culture medium. The cells were divided into four groups, including the blank control group, the angiotensin Ⅱ group, the empty vector + angiotensin Ⅱ group, and the EZH2 overexpression + angiotensin Ⅱ group. The expression levels of EZH2 and brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP) genes were measured using fluorescent quantitative PCR. The EZH2, trimethylation of lysine at position 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3), and BNP proteins expression were detected by Western Blot. The MTS method was used to detect the proliferation of AC16 cell. The Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining method was used to detect the apoptosis of AC16 cell. Results:Compared with the blank control group, the expression levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3 in the angiotensin Ⅱ group were decreased, the expression level of BNP was increased, cell proliferation was decreased, and apoptosis was increased (all P < 0.001). Compared with the empty vector + angiotensin Ⅱ group, the expression levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3 in the EZH2 overexpression + angiotensin Ⅱ group were increased, the expression level of BNP was decreased, the cell proliferation level was increased, and the apoptosis level was decreased (all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the angiotensin Ⅱ group and the empty vector + angiotensin Ⅱ group (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:Histone methylase EZH2 has an effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of AC16 cell, providing a reference for the treatment of myocardial hypertrophy and revealing the exact pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy.

Inhibitor of growth protein-2 silencing alleviates angiotensin Ⅱ-induced cardiac remodeling in mice by reducing p53 acetylation / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of inhibitor of growth protein-2 (Ing2) silencing on angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)-induced cardiac remodeling in mice and explore the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#An adenoviral vector carrying Ing2 shRNA or empty adenoviral vector was injected into the tail vein of mice, followed 48 h later by infusion of 1000 ng · kg-1 · min-1 Ang Ⅱ or saline using a mini-osmotic pump for 42 consecutive days. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess cardiac geometry and function and the level of cardiac hypertrophy in the mice. Masson and WGA staining were used to detect myocardial fibrosis and cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and myocardial cell apoptosis was detected with TUNEL assay. Western blotting was performed to detect myocardial expressions of cleaved caspase 3, ING2, collagen Ⅰ, Ac-p53(Lys382) and p-p53 (Ser15); Ing2 mRNA expression was detected using real-time PCR. Mitochondrial biogenesis, as measured by mitochondrial ROS content, ATP content, citrate synthase activity and calcium storage, was determined using commercial assay kits.@*RESULTS@#The expression levels of Ing2 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the mice with chronic Ang Ⅱ infusion than in saline-infused mice. Chronic infusion of AngⅡ significantly increased the left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) in the mice. Ing2 silencing obviously alleviated AngⅡ-induced cardiac function decline, as shown by decreased LVEDD and LVESD and increased LVEF and LVFS, improved myocardial mitochondrial damage and myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Chronic AngⅡ infusion significantly increased myocardial expression levels of Ac-p53(Lys382) and p-p53(Ser15) in the mice, and Ing2 silencing prior to AngⅡ infusion lessened AngⅡ- induced increase of Ac-p53(Lys382) without affecting p53 (ser15) expression.@*CONCLUSION@#Ing2 silencing can inhibit AngⅡ-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in mice by reducing p53 acetylation.

Study on inhibitory effect and mechanism of hydrogen sulfide on the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect and the possible mechanism of hydrogen sulfide （H2S） on the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts. METHODS The heart of neonatal SD rats was collected， and cardiac fibroblasts were separated with differential centrifugation. Using sodium hydrosulfide as the donor of H2S， the effects of H2S on the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts induced by angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）， hydroxyproline content and the expression of sirtuin 3 （SIRT3） protein were detected. After SIRT3 knockdown with siRNA technology， the effects of H2S on the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts induced by Ang Ⅱ， hydroxyproline content， the expressions of collagen Ⅰ （Col Ⅰ）， collagen Ⅲ （Col Ⅲ ） and optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） were detected. RESULTS H2S could inhibit the proliferation of Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiac fibroblasts， reduce the content of hydroxyproline and increase the expression of SIRT3 （P＜0.05）. After down-regulating the expression of SIRT3 with siRNA technology， the inhibition of H2S on the proliferation of Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiac fibroblasts and the reduction of hydroxyproline content were both inhibited， and the effect of H2S on reducing the expression of Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ and enhancing the expression of OPA1 was also significantly weakened. CONCLUSIONS H2S inhibits the proliferation of Ang Ⅱ -induced cardiac fibroblasts through increasing the expression of SIRT3.

Application value of ultrasound in evaluating the morphological and hemodynamic changes of aorta in mice model with aortic dissection induced by angiotensinogen Ⅱcombined with β-aminopropionitrile / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To observe the morphological and hemodynamics changes of aortic segments in mice with angiotensinogen Ⅱ(Ang II) combined with β-aminopropionitrile(BAPN) induced-aortic dissection by color Doppler ultrasound(CDUS).Methods:Twenty male mice of 6-8 weeks old C57BL/6 were randomly divided into two groups: the model group( n=10) was induced by intraperitoneal injection of Ang Ⅱ combined with BAPN to establish mice model with aortic dissection; the control group( n=10) was intraperitoneally injected with normal saline.The body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the mice were routinely recorded. On the 42th day, CDUS was used to measure the indexes of ascending aorta(AoA), descending thoracic aorta(DAo) and suprarenal aorta(SAo) in both groups, including the inner diameter of the cross section, peak systolic velocity(PSV), the end diastolic velocity(EDV), the resistance index(RI), the pulsatility index(PI), time average mean velocity(TAMV), the heart rate(HR) and the maximal shear rate(SR). Then, the aortas were harvested from the root to the bifurcation of the renal artery. The pathological changes of the aortic wall were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. Results:①There were statistically significant differences in body weight, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate between the model group and the control group(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group(0/10), the incidence of the AoA dissection(8/10) in the model group was obviously higher, the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05); while the incidence of the DAo dissection(4/10) and the SAo dissection(3/10) in the model group was slightly higher, the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). ②Compared with the ascending aorta of the control group, the inner diameter, PSV, EDV, TAMV, PI and SR in the model group were significantly higher(all P<0.05), while RI showed no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). For the descending thoracic aorta, PSV, EDV, TAMV, PI and SR in model group were higher than those of the control group(all P<0.05), however the inner diameter and RI were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). And for the superior renal aorta, PSV, TAMV, RI, PI and SR in the model group were obviously higher than the control group(all P<0.05), whereas the inner diameter and EDV were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). ③The HE of the tissue section in the model group showed, the aortas were obviously dilated, irregular, with inhomogeneously thickening wall; the endothelial cell nuclei were slightly stained, and some intima and middle layer ruptured and protruded outward to form dissecting aneurysms. The adventitias were markedly infiltrated with inflammatory cells. Conclusions:Ultrasonography could primarily evaluate the hemodynamic changes of aorta in hypertension with aortic dissection, and the PSV, TAMV, PI and SR of aorta may be important indicators for early predicting the occurrence of aortic dissection in hypertension.

Establishment of a candidate reference method for angiotensin Ⅱ in human plasma / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To establish a candidate reference method for the determination of angiotensin Ⅱ in human plasma by isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS) and to evaluate its performance.Methods:Using [ 13C 6- 15N]-angiotensin Ⅱ as the internal standard, the plasma was accurately weighed by gravimetric method and mixed with a certain amount of internal standard. At the same time, enzyme inhibitor was added. After zinc sulfate solution protein precipitation and reversed-phase solid-phase extraction plate treatment, it was analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The multi reaction ion monitoring mode(MRM)was selected by mass spectrometry to detect specific ion fragments of angiotensin Ⅱ and internal standard. The linearity, sensitivity, precision, recovery rate and uncertainty of the performance of the established method were evaluated according to ISO15193. Results:Angiotensin Ⅱ had good linearity in the range of 10-1 000 pg/g ( r=0.999 5), the lower limit of quantification was 7.68 pg/g, the analytical recoveries were 97.14% to 102.85%, intra-batch imprecision≤3.21%, inter-batch imprecision≤2.96%, and total imprecision≤3.67%. Conclusion:A method for the determination of plasma angiotensin Ⅱ was established by ID-LC-MS/MS. The method is accurate and reliable, and is expected to be a reference method for the determination of plasma angiotensin Ⅱ.

Study on neurogenic bladder-induced renal fibrosis based on AngⅡ/TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To establish a rat model of neurogenic bladder and analyze the changes in kidney morphology and function and the expression of proteins in AngiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ)/transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads pathway.Methods:Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into experimental group (spinal nerve amputation, n=36) and control group (sham operation, n=12). At 6, 12, and 24 weeks, the bladder compliance was measured by cystometry, the kidney morphology was detected by B-ultrasound, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) in blood samples were examined, the kidney pathological changes were detected by Masson and HE staining, the distribution of AngⅡ/TGF-β1/Smads pathway proteins was analyzed by immunohistochemisty, and the protein expressions in kidney were detected by Western blotting. Results:Urodynamics showed that the basic bladder pressure in experimental group was higher than that in control group. B-ultrasound showed that compared with the control group, the diameter of the renal pelvis of the rats with nerve dissection gradually increased ( P<0.05), and the hydronephrosis was gradually obvious. Compared with the control group, the BUN and Scr in experimental group gradually increased (both P<0.01). Masson and HE staining showed that compared with the control group, the collagen expression and renal tubulointerstitial scores in experimental group were gradually increased (both P<0.01). Immunohistochemisty showed that compared with the control group, in experimental group the expression of angiotensinⅡ receptor type 1 (AT1), TGF-β receptor 1(TGF-βR1), phosphorylated Smad2 gradually increased (all P<0.01), the pathway inhibitor Smad6 gradually decreased ( P<0.01), and the distribution of each protein in kidney was consistent. Western blotting showed a corresponding expression trend with immunohistochemisty. Conclusions:In neurogenic bladder caused by bilateral spinal nerve amputation, due to bladder dysfunction, increased bladder pressure induces hydronephrosis, destruction of the nephron structure, activation of AngⅡ/TGF-β1/Smads pathway, and renal fibrosis. This method is effective and has clinical similarities, laying a foundation for exploring neurogenic bladder treatment.

Effects of Quercetin on the Expression of Ang Ⅱ-induced Myocardial Contractile Protein of Rats through ACE 2- Ang-（1-7）-Mas Axis / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To in vestigate the effects of quercetin （Que）on the expressio n of angiotensin Ⅱ（AngⅡ）-induced myocardial contractile proteins of primary rats through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin-（1-7）-Mas （ACE2-Ang- （1-7）-Mas）axis. METHODS ：Cardiac tissue of rats aged 1-2 d were collected ，and primary cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured. The gene silencing model of cardiomyocytes ACE2 was constructed. Experiments were divided into 12 groups. Among them，AngⅡ group，AngⅡ+ small interference RNA （siRNA）group，and Ang Ⅱ+ A 779 group were the model groups ；AngⅡ+ losartan group was positive control group ；AngⅡ+Que40 group，AngⅡ+Que80 group，AngⅡ+siRNA+Que40 group，AngⅡ+ siRNA+Que80 group，AngⅡ+A779+Que40 group and Ang Ⅱ+A779+Que80 group were the experimental groups ；blank group and siRNA group were set up. Ang Ⅱ concentration was 1×10－6 mol/L；siRNA final concentration was 50 nmol/L；Que concentration was 40 and 80 μmol/L；A779（Mas receptor inhibitor ）concentration was 1 μmol/L；losartan concentration was 1×10－4 mol/L. mRNA and protein expression of ACE 2，Ang-（1-7） and Mas in primary cardiomyocytes were detected ；the expressions of myocardial contractile proteins were also determined ，such as Na +/Ca2+ exchange channel （NCX），calcium pump （SERCA2a）， phosphoprotein （PLB）. RESULTS ：Compared with Ang Ⅱ group，mRNA expression of Mas was increased significantly in Ang Ⅱ + Que 80 group （P＜0.05）；mRNA expression of ACE2 and Mas were increased significantly in Ang Ⅱ + CZ0210-01） losartan group （P＜0.05）. Compared with Ang Ⅱ group，the 851136165@qq.com protein expression of ACE 2 and Ang- （1-7） were increased significantly in Ang Ⅱ+ Que 40 group（P＜0.05）；compared with Ang Ⅱ + siRNA group ，the protein expression of Ang-（1-7）were increased significantly in Ang Ⅱ+ siRNA+Que 40 group（P＜0.05）；compared with Ang Ⅱ+A779 group，the protein expression of Ang- （1-7）were increased significantly in Ang Ⅱ+A779+ Que 40 group（P＜0.05）. Compared with Ang Ⅱ group，the protein expression of NCX was decreased in Ang Ⅱ+Que40 group（P＜0.05），protein expression of NCX was reduced in Ang Ⅱ+ losartan group （P＜0.05）；compared with Ang Ⅱ+A779 group，the protein expression of NCX was decreased in Ang Ⅱ+A779+ Que80 group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：Que improves the expression of Ang Ⅱ -induced ACE 2-Ang-（1-7）-Mas axis in cardiomyocyte model to some extent ，so as to regulate myocardial contractile protein.

Effect of Fushengong Prescreption on Regulation-antagonism Effect of ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R Axis and ACE2-Ang(1-7)-MASR Axis of Rats with Chronic Renal Failure / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the effect of Fushengong prescreption on the regulation-antagonism effect of angiotensin converting enzyme-angiotensin Ⅱ-angiotensin Ⅱ 1 receptor （ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R） axis and angiotensin converting enzyme 2-angiotensin （1-7）-Mas receptor［ACE2-Ang（1-7）-MASR］ axis of rats with chronic renal failure（CRF）， and to explore its mechanism of delaying the development of CRF. Method:The 65 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （<italic>n</italic>=10） and modeling group （<italic>n</italic>=55）. The normal group was routinely reared， while the modeling group were administered by gavage with 0.25 g·kg^-1d^-1adenine suspension for 28 days. After the model was successfully established， the survival model rats were randomly divided into model group， benazepril group（0.01 g·kg^-1·d^-1）and low，medium and high dose of Fushengong prescreption groups （4，8，16 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. The normal group and model group were administered the same volume of normal saline by gavage， lasted for 28 days. After the experiment， systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP） of caudal artery were measured， and 24-hour urine was collected to determine 24-hour urine protein （24 h U-pro）. The content of serum creatinine（SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） in the serum were measured， the histological morphology was observed by hematoxylin eosin（HE）staining， and the degree of renal interstitial fibrosis was observed by Masson staining. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the contents of AngⅡ， Ang （1-7） and Cystatin C （CysC） in serum and renal homogenate. The protein level of ACE， ACE2， AT1R and MASR were detected by Western blot. The expression of ACE and ACE2 protein in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Result:Compared with normal group， the expression levels of SCr， BUN and CysC in model group were significantly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the content of AngⅡ in serum and kidney tissues were significantly increased， the content of Ang （1-7） were significantly decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the expression of ACE and AT1R protein in renal tissues were significantly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the expression of ACE2 and MASR protein were significantly decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with model group and benazepril group， after the intervention with Fushengong prescreption， the serum SCr，BUN and CysC decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.05），the content of AngⅡ in serum and kidney tissues decreased significantly，Ang（1-7） increased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the expression of ACE and AT1R protein in renal tissues decreased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， ACE2 and MASR protein increased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The high-dose Fushengong prescreption has the best effect. The high， medium and low-dose effects of Fushengong prescreption were dose-dependent. Conclusion:Fushengong prescreption improved renal function and pathological change of kidney in adenine-induced rats with chronic renal failure. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R axis and promotion of ACE2-Ang（1-7）-MASR axis ，which leads to the delaying of the progression of chronic renal failure.

Protective Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan on Podocytes of Nephrotic Syndrome Rats Based on AngⅡ-TRPC6 Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the protective effect and the mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan（DSS） on angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ）/transient receptor potential cation channel 6 （TRPC6） pathway in nephrotic syndrome （NS） rats. Method:In animal experiments， doxorubicin （4 mg·kg^-1 for the 1^st week and 2 mg·kg^-1 for the 2^nd week） was injected twice to the tail vein of rats to induce NS model in 160 rats， which were then randomly divided into model group （normal saline）， losartan group （30 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-（4.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-（8.6 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose （17.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1） DSS groups. Besides， a normal group was also set. After intervention for four weeks， ultrastructure changes of the kidney were identified by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The 24-hour urine protein was detected by kits. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect the content of AngⅡ and Calcineurin （CaN） in plasma. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TRPC6， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， podocyte slit diaphragm-specific protein （Nephrin）， and cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 （Caspase-3） in the renal cortex. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TRPC6 and AT1R in the slit diaphragm. In cell experiments， AngⅡ stimulated MPC5 podocytes. The cells were randomly divided into a normal group， an AngⅡ group， an AngⅡ+SAR7334 （TRPC6-specific inhibitor） group， an AngⅡ+5%DSS group， an AngⅡ+10%DSS group， and an AngⅡ+15%DSS group. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TRPC6， AT1R， Nephrin， and Caspase-3 in podocytes. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased 24-hour urine protein content （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and AngⅡ and CaN in plasma （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， incomplete glomerular structure， the extensive fusion of podocyte process with elevated fusion rate （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， increased expression distribution of AT1R and TRPC6 in the renal cortex， and up-regulated protein expression of AT1R， TRPC6， and Caspase-3 in renal tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and reduced Nephrin protein expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with model group， the losartan group and the high-dose DSS group exhibited decreased 24-hour urine protein content （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and the content of AngⅡ and CaN in plasma （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， improved glomerular structure， reduced fusion rate of podocyte process （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， diminished expression distribution of TRPC6 and AT1R in the renal cortex， declining protein expression of AT1R， TRPC6 and Caspase-3 in renal tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and elevated Nephrin protein expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Additionally， compared with the normal podocytes， AngⅡ-stimulated podocytes showed increased protein expression of AT1R， TRPC6 and Caspase-3 （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and decreased expression of Nephrin （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the AngⅡ group， the AngⅡ+SAR7334 group displayed reduced protein expression of AT1R， TRPC6， and Caspase-3 （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and increased protein expression of Nephrin （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:DSS can improve the pathological characteristics of NS presumedly by inhibiting the interaction between AngⅡ and TRPC6 in podocytes and improving the structural integrity of podocytes to repair the damage of glomerular molecular barrier and slow down the progression of NS-induced proteinuria.

Fermented Cordyceps Powder Combined with ACEI/ARB in Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease： A Systematic Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

［Abstract］Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fermented cordyceps powder combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors （ACEI）/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker （ARB） in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease （DKD）. Method:The randomized controlled trials （RCTs） concerning the treatment of DKD with fermented cordyceps powder plus ACEI/ARB were retrieved from Pubmed， Embase， Cochrane library， China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Chinese BioMedical Literature Database on disc （CBMdisc）， Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform， and Chongqing Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals （VIP）. The quality of the included articles was evaluated by the Cochrane Collaboration's tool， followed by data analysis using RevMan 5.3. Result:A total of 48 RCTs were included， involving 4 562 cases. As revealed by Meta-analysis， the effective rate of fermented cordyceps powder combined with ACEI/ARB was higher than that of ACEI/ARB ［risk ratio （RR）=1.20， 95% confidence interval （CI） （1.15，1.24）， <italic>P</italic><0.000 01］. Moreover， such combination effectively reduced urinary albumin excretion rate ［standardized mean difference （SMD）=-2.61，95%CI （-3.17，-2.05），<italic>P</italic><0.000 01］，24-h proteinuria［SMD=-1.75，95%CI （-2.15，-1.35），<italic>P</italic><0.000 01］， serum creatinine（Scr）［mean difference （MD）=-14.57，95%CI （-17.94，-11.21），<italic>P</italic><0.000 01］， blood urea nitrogen（BUN）［MD=-1.05，95%CI （-1.29，-0.81），<italic>P</italic><0.000 01］， cystatin C （Cys-C） ［MD=-0.52，95%CI （-0.68，-0.36），<italic>P</italic><0.000 01］， fasting blood glucose（FBG）［MD=-0.59，95%CI （-0.93，-0.25），<italic>P</italic>=0.000 6］， hemoglobin A1c（HbA1c）［MD=-0.50，95%CI（-0.75，-0.24），<italic>P</italic>=0.000 1］， tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic>（TNF）-<italic>α </italic>［SMD=-1.68，95%CI （-2.21，-1.15），<italic>P</italic><0.000 01］， C-reactive protein（CRP） ［SMD=-1.35，95%CI （-1.77，-0.93），<italic>P</italic><0.000 01］， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） ［SMD=-1.52，95%CI （-1.98，-1.07），<italic>P</italic><0.000 01］. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups ［RR=0.77，95%CI （0.49，1.21），<italic>P</italic>=0.25］. Conclusion:Fermented cordyceps powder combined with ACEI/ARB is more effective than ACEI/ARB in the treatment of DKD， which is worthy of clinical promotion and use. More multi-center RCTs with a large sample size are needed for verification.

Risk of Hyperkalemia due to the Administration of Angiotensin Ⅱ Type 1 Receptor Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker： Retrospective Cohort Study Based on Japanese Medical Information Database / 薬剤疫学

Objective：To assess the risk for hyperkalemia caused by treatment with angiotensin Ⅱ Type 1 receptor blockers （ARB） in clinical practice with Japanese medical database.Design：A cohort study in patients treated with ARB alone and those treated with calcium channel blockers （CCB） alone as control.Methods：The Diagnosis Procedure Combination （DPC） database provided by Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd. was used to identify patients who received a diagnosis of hypertension (ICD-10 codes, I10 to I15) and were treated with ARB or CCB from April 2008 to June 2017. A logistic regression model was applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios （OR） and their 95％ confidence intervals （CI） in these patients. The outcome in the logistic model was hyperkalemia （serum potassium≧5.5 mEq/L） and the covariates were sex, age, renal insufficiency, hepatic insufficiency, and baseline serum potassium levels. And, subgroup analysis was also performed in patients with and without renal insufficiency.Results：The incidence of hyperkalemia （per 1000 person-years） with ARB was 39.4 and that with CCB was 32.6. And, median periods from the index date to the date of occurrence of hyperkalemia for both exposure and control groups were 36 days （Min-Max：12-85） and 51.5 days（Min-Max：8-88）respectively. However, treatment with ARB was not associated with occurrence of hyperkalemia （OR 1.26, 95％CI： 0.58-2.75). The risk for hyperkalemia among those with renal insufficiency was higher （OR 3.31, 95％CI： 1.39-7.88）and as baseline serum potassium increased, the risk increased as well （OR 9.20, 95％CI： 3.52-24.10). And, the subgroup analysis also showed that rare occurrence of hyperkalemia by ARB and elevation risk for hyperkalemia by baseline serum potassium.Conclusion：The clinical data showed rare occurrence of hyperkalemia caused by ARB, indicating that renal insufficiency and baseline serum potassium levels affected the onset of the disease in clinical practice. Previous studies also reported the effects of renal insufficiency and other factors on the onset of hyperkalemia. ARB should be prescribed carefully in patients with these factors, as is conventionally done.

Relationship between five hormone levels of hypertension and essential hypertension / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To investigate the characteristics of five hormone levels of hypertension in patients with essential hypertension,and explore the correlation between them and essential hypertension.Methods The clinical data of 1 731 patients with essential hypertension and 305 healthy people in General Hospital of Heilongjiang Province Land Reclamation Bureau from April 2018 to March 2019 were analyzed retrospectively.The levels of renin,angiotension Ⅱ (AT Ⅱ),aldosterone,adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured by magnetic particle chemiluminescence,and the ratio of aldosterone to renin (ADRR) was calculated.Results The renin,AT Ⅱ,aldosterone,ACTH,cortisol and ADRR in patients with essential hypertension were significantly higher than those in healthy controls:(13.58 ± 9.78) ng/L vs.(9.20 ± 2.12) ng/L,(181.06 ± 89.82) ng/L vs.(133.49 ± 5.47) ng/L,(174.96 ± 103.14) ng/L vs.(136.04 ± 15.48) ng/L,(76.39 ± 61.43) ng/L vs.(26.98 ± 5.10) ng/L,(176.4 ± 88.8) μg/L vs.(145.1 ± 18.9) μg/L and 27.71 ± 18.37 vs.15.18 ± 1.77,and there were statistical differences (P＜0.01).The renin and AT Ⅱ in male patients with essential hypertension (904 cases) were significantly higher than those in female patients with essential hypertension (827 cases):(16.04 ± 10.67) ng/L vs.(10.34 ± 8.59) ng/L and (194.28 ± 96.22) ng/L vs.(166.37 ± 83.42) ng/L,the aldosterone was significantly lower than that in female patients with essential hypertension:(166.31 ± 101.91) ng/L vs.(184.68 ± 104.37) ng/L,and there were statistical differences (P＜0.01 or ＜0.05);there were no statistical difference in ACTH,cortisol and ADRR (P＞0.05).The renin and AT Ⅱ in patients aged 51 to 60 years (610 cases) and ＞60 years (572 cases) were significantly lower than those in patients aged ＜ 50 years (549 cases):(12.67 ± 10.76),(12.43 ± 8.29) ng/L vs.(16.05 ± 10.29) ng/L and (172.62 ± 81.63),(166.04 ± 79.09) ng/L vs.(208.94 ± 108.75) ng/L,and there were statistical differences (P＜0.05 or ＜0.01);there were no statistical difference in aldosterone,ACTH,cortisol and ADRR (P＞0.05).Multivariate linear regression analysis result showed that renin and AT Ⅱ were negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (P＜0.01 or ＜0.05),and aldosterone,ACTH and cortisol were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (P＜0.05 or ＜0.01).Conclusions Renin and AT Ⅱ are negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure;aldosterone,and ACTH and cortisol are positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.The five hormone levels of hypertension can reflect the function of renin-angiotension-aldosterone (RAAS) system and hypothalamus pituitary adrenocortical axis (HPA axis),which are the influencing factors of essential hypertension.

Mechanism of Huanglian Ejiao Tang on Prevention and Treatment of Myocardial Injury Induced by Anthracycline Chemotherapy Drugs / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To observe the preventive and therapeutic effect of Huanglian Ejiao Tang on myocardial injury induced by anthracycline chemotherapeutic drugs in all kinds of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Method:We chosen all kinds of cancer patients with combined use of anthracycline chemotherapy drugs in our hospital, 21 days as one cycle. The cardiac toxicity reaction was observed after three continuous chemotherapy cycles. A total of 64 patients who met the dialectical criteria of "imbalance between heart-Yang and kidney-Yin" were randomly divided into treatment group (32 cases) and control group (32 cases). Patients in treatment group were treated with Chinese medicine Huanglian Ejiao Tang based on original chemotherapy regimen, adding and subtracting Chinese medical materials according to the symptoms. Patients in control group continued to maintain the original chemotherapy regimen, and both two groups of patients continued to receive 3 cycles of continuous chemotherapy. By comparing the cardiac function classification and cardiac function tolerance between the 3 cycles and 6 cycles of two groups of patients after chemotherapy; changes of echocardiography index, QTc interval, creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), Myoglobin (MYO), cardiac troponin I (cTNI)and nitrogenous terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-pro-BNP) concentration value were compared between two groups; and the concentrations of adrenaline (E), norepinephrine (NE) and angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ) were observed and compared; meanwhile, the correlation analysis was carried out at the same time. Result:After 6 cycles of chemotherapy in Chinese medicine treatment group, degree of cardiac function classification and the 6 minute walking heart function tolerance were significantly better than those at the 3 cycles of chemotherapy (PPPPPConclusion:Huanglian Ejiao Tang can reduce the excitability of the symppthetic nervous system (SNS) and renin-angiotensin system(RAS) in human body and inhibit the release level of NE, E and AngⅡ by effect of "invigorating the kidney and clearing the heart". It has a certain preventive and treatment effect on the cardiac toxicity of patients with the cumulative use of anthracycline chemotherapy. To a certain extent, it can inhibit myocardial injury, improve cardiac function and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events.

Effect of Kangxianling Decoction on Renal Fibrosis and ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R Axis in 5/6 Nephrectomized Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of Kangxianling decoction on renal fibrosis induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, and angiotensin converting enzyme-angiotensin Ⅱ-angiotensin Ⅱ 1 receptor (ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R) axis. Method: Totally 50 SD rats were randomly divided into the following groups:control group (n=10), sham-operation group (n=10), 5/6 nephrectomized renal fibrosis model group (n=30). After two weeks, the rats in operation group were divided into the model group, Kangxianling group, and losartan potassium group, n=10 in each group. Rats in losartan potassium group were administered with losartan potassium by gastrogavage, and rats in Kangxianling group were administered with Kangxianling by gastrogavage. Equal volume of saline was administered to rats in the other groups. The rats were put to death after 16 weeks of consecutive medication, and serum creatinine(SCr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), 24 h urine protein(24 h-Pro) were measured in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of kidney tissues, and the degree of renal fibrosis was observed by Masson staining. The expressions of ACE1 and AT1R were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression levels of ACE1, AngⅡ and AT1R were determined by Western blot. Result: Compared with control and sham-operation groups, SCr, BUN and 24 h-Pro in model group were significantly increased (PPPPConclusion: Kangxianling decoction can delay the progress of renal fibrosis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats, which is closely related to the inhibition of ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R axis activation.

Regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin (1-7)-Mas axis provides a new target for the treatment of cardiac remodeling and heart failure / 中华危重病急救医学

Cardiac remodeling is a common pathological manifestation of various end-stage cardiovascular diseases, which leads to myocardial diastolic and systolic dysfunction, low ejection fraction which cannot meet the needs of systemic tissue and organ metabolism, and ultimate progress into heart failure. Excessive activation of the classical renin angiotensin system (RAS), which is the angiotensin-converting enzyme-angiotensinⅡ-type 1 angiotensinⅡ receptor axis (ACE2-AngⅡ-AT1R axis), plays a key role in the pathological process of cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin (1-7)-Mas axis [ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas axis] is an endogenous negative regulatory pathway of classical RAS, which can reduce its harmful effects. ACE2 is a monocarboxypeptidase that can hydrolyse AngⅡ and produce Ang (1-7), which has cardio-protective effects. Ang (1-7), via endogenous receptor Mas, plays the role of vasodilating, anti-proliferation and anti-differentiation, anti-fibrosis, anti-thrombosis and reversing myocardial remodeling. In recent years, with increasingly growing studies on the ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas axis, there are more understanding about their metabolic characteristics and mechanism of action. This article describes the role of ACE2 and Ang (1-7) in cardiac remodeling and heart failure and the related mechanisms, and discusses the potential benefits by regulating ACE2 activity and Ang (1-7) levels in clinical and experimental studies, hopefully providing potential therapeutic strategies.

Aconitine ameliorates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin Ⅱ / 中国中药杂志

This paper was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of aconitine(AC) on angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced H9 c2 cell hypertrophy and explore its mechanism of action. The model of hypertrophy was induced by Ang Ⅱ(1×10-6 mol·L-1),and cardiomyocytes were incubated with different concentrations of AC. Western blot was used to quantify the protein expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC),and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA expression levels of cardiac hypertrophic markers ANP,BNP and β-MHC. In addition,the fluorescence intensity of the F-actin marker,an important component of myofibrils,was detected by using laser confocal microscope. AC could significantly reverse the increase of total protein content in H9 c2 cells induced by Ang Ⅱ; qRT-PCR results showed that AC could significantly inhibit the ANP,BNP and β-MHC mRNA up-regulation induced by AngⅡ. Western blot results showed that AC could significantly inhibit the ANP,BNP and β-MHC protein up-regulation induced by AngⅡ. In addition,F-actin expression induced by Ang Ⅱ could be inhibited by AC,and multiple indicators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by Ang Ⅱ could be down-regulated,indicating that AC may inhibit cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting the expression of hypertrophic factors,providing new clues for exploring the cardiovascular protection of AC.

Angiotensin Ⅱ induces apoptosis of HEK293T cells by up-regulating Cyr61 expression / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the role of Cyr61 in angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)-induced functional changes in HEK293 cells and explore the mechanism.@*METHODS@#Cyr61 knockdown in cultured HEK293T cells was achieved by transfection of the cells with CRISPR/Cas9 KO plasmid. The changes in apoptosis and expression levels of Cyr61 and Bcl-2 in the cells with or without Cyr61 knockdown in response to treatment with 10 mol/L AngⅡ for 48 h were analyzed using flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#The cells with Cyr61 knockdown showed significantly decreased expression of Cyr61 protein as compared with the control cells ( < 0.05). AngⅡ treatment for 48 h significantly increased the expression of Cyr61 and lowers the expression of Bcl-2 at both the protein and mRNA levels in HEK293T cells. In HEK293T cells with Cyr61 knockdown, AngⅡ treatment resulted in significantly increased expression of Bcl-2 in HEK293T cells as compared with that of the control group ( < 0.05). AngⅡ treatment caused significantly increased apoptotic rate in HEK293T cells as compared with the cells with Cyr61 knockdown [(26.94 ± 3.73)% (3.87 ± 0.83)%, < 0.05), and the apoptosis rate was significantly lowered to (15.76 ± 1.31)% in HEK293T cells with Cyr61 knockdown following AngⅡ treatment ( < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The up-regulation of Cyr61 expression is related with AngⅡ-induced injury in HEK293T cells, and down-regulating Cyr61 expression can effectively protect HEK293T cells against AngⅡ-induced injury.

Regulation of angiotensin Ⅱ type 2 receptor in mechanically ventilated lung injury / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective@#Through the study of angiotensinⅡ- type 2 receptor agonist (AT2R) after pretreatment of mechanical ventilation lung injury (VILI) in rats model, to clarify the role of angiotensin Ⅱ - type 2 receptor agonist (C21) in alleviating VILI inflammation and the damage of immune function and its possible mechanism.@*Methods@#In this experiment, the acute lung injury model was established by mechanical spring-volume ventilation in SD rats, and C21 pretreatment was performed to observe the pathological condition of lung tissue in rats with different ventilation duration, and to detect the inflammatory changes of BALF lavage fluid. Flow cytometry was used to detect the CD68+/iNOS+ labeled M1 type AMφ and the CD68+/Arg-1+ labeled M2 type AMφ in alveolar lavage fluid.@*Results@#The mechanical VILI rat model was successfully established. The pathological injury score of the mechanical ventilation 4 h model, the wet/dry weight of lung tissue, the number of cells and protein in BALF lavage fluid were increased significantly, the levels of TNF-α and IL - 1 were increased significantly, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were decreased significantly, and the level of inflammatory reaction decreased with the increase of ventilation time. The M1/M2 ratio in the 4 h ventilation model group was the highest, which was significantly different from the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the C21 pretreatment significantly reduced the levels of proinflammatory factors TNF-αand IL-1, and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-10 in BALF (P<0.01). After the intervention of AT2R agonist at 4 h, 6 h and 8 h, the M1/M2 ratio of the model was lower than that of the model without AT2R agonist at 4 h, 6 h and 8 h.@*Conclusion@#Mechanical ventilation for 4 h in SD rats can establish a mechanical ventilation lung injury model. AT2R agonist C21 can promote the polarization of macrophages to m2-type, and C21 pretreatment may alleviate VILI inflammation and immune damage by altering the polarization of macrophages.