Budget impact analysis for adjusting the price of carotid endarterectomy over the next five years / 复旦学报（医学版）

Objective To analyze the budget impact of a price increase for carotid endarterectomy(CEA)on the total expenditure of health insurance expenditure in China.Methods We set 2021 as the base year,and 2022-2026 as the study years.A budget impact analysis model was developed to calculate the expenditure of health insurance funds over the next 5 years following a 30%price increase for carotid endarterectomy.Data on the target population,treatment costs,and market share changes both nationwide and in four sample cities were used.The data was collected in May to Jul 2022.Results The price increase for carotid endarterectomy will reduce total health insurance fund expenditures nationwide by 143.176 2 million yuan over five years.Total health insurance fund expenditures in the sample cities will also decrease to varying degrees.The higher the price increase for the surgical procedure,the greater the decrease in total expenditure of the health insurance fund.The market share of the surgical procedure has the greatest impact on the total expenditure of the health insurance fund.Conclusion Increasing the price of carotid endarterectomy may lead to increase in its market share and decline in the health insurance fund expenditures in future five years.

Efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage:a randomized controlled exploratory clinical study / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P＜0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P＞0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P＞0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.

Review of constructing animal models of depression after myocardial infarction / 中国药理学通报

The incidence of depression after myocardial infarction (DAMI) is high, causing significant harm to the patients' physical and mental health, but the pathogenesis is unknown. Establishing animal models which simulate the pathogenesis of DAMI in humans is an effective way to explore the mechanism of the disease. In this paper, problems existing in the modeling process, such as animal selection, model selection, model preparation and behavioral evaluation, are summarized and considered in order to provide reference for DAMI model research.

Mechanism of stress-induced microglial activation in depression and traditional Chinese medicine regulation / 中国中药杂志

Depression exists with high prevalence and heavy disease burden. Stress events play a key role in the occurrence of depression, but the pathological mechanism has not been fully clarified by reason of the complexity and heterogeneity. In recent years, neuroinflammation as a pathological mechanism of depression has received extensive attention. The activated microglia is regarded as the marker of neuroinflammation, which is an important link of stress-induced depression. Stress might induce microglia activation through pattern recognition receptors(PRR), intestinal flora, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis, and other pathways. Cross-talk between impaired microglia function and neurobiological factors such as inflammatory cytokines, serotonin metabolism, and neuroplasticity may lead to depression. At present, a large number of studies have proved that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) plays an anti-depressive role by inhibiting microglia activation, which may be potential treatment strategies for depressive disorder. This paper reviewed the research progress of stress-induced microglia activation in depression and summarized the mechanism of TCM against depression with regard to microglia, hoping to provide experimental evidence and consideration for TCM against depression through microglia.

Evaluation of Renal Impairment in Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease by Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the factors related to renal impairment in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from the perspective of integrated Chinese and Western medicine.@*METHODS@#Totally 492 patients with DKD in 8 Chinese hospitals from October 2017 to July 2019 were included. According to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) staging guidelines, patients were divided into a chronic kidney disease (CKD) 1-3 group and a CKD 4-5 group. Clinical data were collected, and logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related to different CKD stages in DKD patients.@*RESULTS@#Demographically, male was a factor related to increased CKD staging in patients with DKD (OR=3.100, P=0.002). In clinical characteristics, course of diabetes >60 months (OR=3.562, P=0.010), anemia (OR=4.176, P<0.001), hyperuricemia (OR=3.352, P<0.001), massive albuminuria (OR=4.058, P=0.002), atherosclerosis (OR=2.153, P=0.007) and blood deficiency syndrome (OR=1.945, P=0.020) were factors related to increased CKD staging in patients with DKD.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Male, course of diabetes >60 months, anemia, hyperuricemia, massive proteinuria, atherosclerosis, and blood deficiency syndrome might indicate more severe degree of renal function damage in patients with DKD. (Registration No. NCT03865914).

Analysis of clinical features and prognosis of acute severe autoimmune hepatitis / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and prognosis of acute severe autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of patients with acute severe AIH admitted to our hospital from 2008 to 2019 was divided into acute AIH (A-AIH) and chronic acute AIH (AC-AIH) according to the presence or absence of liver diseases. Patients' general condition, liver biochemistry, immunology, histological features of liver, hormonal therapies prognosis and related factors were analyzed. Results: A total of 41 cases [39 females, age (54.24 ± 10.55) years] were collected. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TBil) were significantly increased, and the international normalized ratio (INR) was > 1.5. Acute lobular inflammation was the feature of acute and severe AIH in the histology of liver. The serum IgG level was (28.36 ± 8.35) g / L. The positive rate of antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA) was 82.9%, and 17.1%, respectively. Over 70% of acute severe AIHs were AC-AIH. The duration of onset of AC-AIH was > 8 weeks, while most A-AIHs < 8 weeks, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P = 0.001). The mortality rate within 30 days after hormonal treatment was 19.5%. There were statistically significant differences in TBil, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and leukocyte count between the death and survival group. Conclusion: The mortality rate in acute severe AIH is high, and most of them have the basis of chronic liver disease. Serum IgG level, autoantibodies and acute lobular inflammation are important factors for diagnosis. The prognosis of hormonal therapy is related to the patients' condition and course of disease.

Screening of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in Artemisia argyi / 中国中药杂志

Artemisia Argyi Folium, a traditional Chinese medicine of important medicinal and economic value, sees increasing demand in medicinal and moxibustion product market. Screening stable and reliable reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR) is a prerequisite for the analysis of gene expression in Artemisia argyi. In this study, eight commonly used reference genes, Actin, 18s, EF-1α, GAPDH, SAND, PAL, TUA, and TUB, from the transcriptome of A. argyi, were selected as candidate genes. The expression of each gene in different tissues(roots, stems, and leaves) of A. argyi and in leaves of A. argyi after treatment with methyl jasmonate(MeJA) for different time(0, 4, 8, 12 h) was detected by qRT-PCR. Then, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, ΔCT, and RefFinder were employed to evaluate their expression stability. The results demonstrated that Actin was the most stable reference gene in different tissues and in leaves treated with MeJA, and coming in the second was SAND. Furthermore, the expression of DXS and MCT which are involved in terpenoid backbone biosynthesis was detected in different tissues and after MeJA treatment. The results showed that the expression patterns of DXS and MCT in different tissues and under MeJA treatment calculated with Actin and SAND as internal reference genes were consistent, which validated the screening results. In conclusion, Actin is the most suitable reference gene for the analysis of gene expression in different tissues of A. argyi and after MeJA treatment. This study provides valuable information for gene expression analysis in A. argyi and lays a foundation for further research on molecular mechanism of quality formation of Artemisia Argyi Folium.

Value of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Parameters in Evaluating K-W Nodule Formation in Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To discuss the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)parameters in evaluating the formation of Kimmelstiel-Wilson(K-W)nodules in diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods Sixty-two patients pathologically diagnosed with DN and undergoing CEUS in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 2017 to January 2020 were assigned into two groups according to whether K-W nodules were formed.The cortical CEUS parameters and the ratios of cortical to medullary CEUS parameters were compared between the two groups.Results The 62 patients included 19 patients without K-W nodules(group A)and 43 patients with K-W nodules(group B).The median rise time(

Investigation on alcohol use among the patients with methadone maintenance treatment in Shanghai / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of alcohol use and related influencing factors among the patients with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Shanghai, and to provide information for the alcohol intervention in the future. Methods: A total of 837 MMT patients were investigated and evaluated by General Situation Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, General Well-being Schedule. According to whether drinking or not in the past year, the two groups were divided into the non-drinking group and the drinking group. T-test, Chi-square test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to detected between two groups. Results: 30.9% of the patients had drinking behavior in the past year, 13.8% of them had problem drinking behavior. The main factors affecting patients' drinking behavior were sex (P=0.029), age of first drug use (P=0.005), drinking before taking heroin (P=0.000) and drinking when taking heroin (P=0.000). Conclusion: In Shanghai, alcohol consumption is generally prevalent among MMT patients who lack awareness of the dangerous of drinking. In the future, targeted intervention measures should be taken to reduce the harm of drinking among MMT patients.

Clinicopathological Features of Nondiabetic Renal Diseases from Different Age Groups: An Observational Cross-sectional Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nondiabetic renal diseases (NDRDs) have different clinicopathological features and prognosis from those of diabetic nephropathy. Our study sought to analyze the clinical and pathological features of NDRDs, in different age groups through a cross-sectional study.@*Methods@#All patients with type 2 DM at our center who underwent renal biopsy between March 1997 and March 2017 were screened and divided into three groups by age: Group 1 (youth group), 18-44 years old; Group 2 (middle-aged group), 45-59 years old; and Group 3 (elderly group), ≥60 years old. We analyzed the clinicopathological data and risk factors by univariate and multivariate logistic regression for NDRD of the patients to identify the features of NDRD in different age groups.@*Results@#We included 982 patients in the final analysis. Patients with NDRD accounted for 64.4% of all patients. IgA nephropathy (IgAN) was the most common pathological pattern in young patients with NDRD, accounting for 26.3%. In the middle-aged group, the two most common pathological patterns were IgAN and membranous nephropathy. Membranous nephropathy was the most common pathological pattern in elderly patients with NDRD, accounting for 29.3%. Consistent with pathological features, glomerular hematuria is a risk factor for NDRD in Group 1 (odds ratio [OR], 26.514; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.503-280.910; P = 0.006). On the other hand, rapidly increasing proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome is a risk factor for NDRD in Group 2 (OR, 5.921; 95% CI, 2.061-17.013; P = 0.001) and Group 3 (OR, 90.409; 95% CI, 6.198-1318.826; P = 0.001).@*Conclusions@#This single-center study showed that the proportion and composition of NDRD differ among different age groups. Consistent with pathological features, some clinical indices such as hematuria and proteinuria showed different features among different age groups.

Construction methods of America,s health rankings and county health rankings: Implications for China / 中国卫生政策研究

This review summarised and compared the contents and methods of America,s Health Rankings (AHR)and the County Health Rankings(CHR)in the United States by using literature review.AHR and CHR are the currently widely used population health assessment index ranking systems in the United States,respectively,which provided an analysis of population health on a state-by-state basis and a county-by-county basis by evaluating a histori-cal and comprehensive set of health outcomes and health determinants data to determine the health benchmarks and state/county rankings.The selection criteria of each indicator take into account of reliability, availability, stability, and intervention.The determination of weights of each indicator took into considerations the literature review,a histori-cal perspective,weights used by other rankings,internal analyses of the variation in outcomes explained by each factor, and pragmatic issues involving communications and stakeholder engagement.By comparison, it was found that AHR and CHR have a higher level of accuracy in the classification as they are well -defined by population demographics and geography respectively.The evaluation of health cities and health villages and towns in China is more complicated. There are few studies on village and town health rankings systems.This article reviewed the evaluation methods of AHR and CHR with a view to providing a reference for research on the evaluation system of City Health Rankings and the Village and Town Health Rankings in China.

Effectiveness analysis for reconstruction algorithms of the corneal aberration applied in adaptive optics / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM:To investigate the accuracy, time-consuming and reliability of three Zernike algorithms in reconstruction of the corneal aberration in adaptive optics.<p>METHODS: Elevation data of corneal front surface collected on 20 normal eyes over a 6mm pupil were converted into the simulated original wave-front data by subtracting the best fitting sphere, which was then resampled at resolutions of 100, 300, and 500μm. Differences in elevation between adjacent pixels were used to generate simulated wave-front slope data, which were used to reconstruct wave-front by three algorithms: the regularized solution, the singular value decomposition, and Householder transform separately. The number of Zernike modes was from 1 to 130 separately in each reconstruction procedure. Each new wave-front map generated was directly compared to the originally sampled wave-front and the residual root-mean-square(RMS)error between the original and reconstructed map was recorded, also we investigate the time-consuming and reliability of the solution by calculating the condition numbers of the linear model and observing the mode coefficient matrix. <p>RESULTS: Householder transformation performed as well as the singular value decomposition by three sampling rates in reconstruction accuracy, while the regularized solution showed unacceptable results when the number Zernike modes used higher than 88 by the resolution was 500μm. With the modes number increased, the time that the singular value decomposition consumed increased more obviously than the time that the Householder transformation and the regularized solution consumed, and the difference between the latter two didn't show obviously. The higher the sampling rate was, also the lower the Zernike exponent number was, and the more reliable the result was, and the instability of regularized solution is more serious than the other two at the low sampling rate.<p>CONCLUSION:Householder transformation is superior the other two in accuracy as well as the highly effectiveness, and the reliability of three algorithms was almost identical at high sampling rate, while the Householder transformation still showed relatively stable performance at low sampling rate, which provides the reference and the theory basis of choice to the optimal algorithm which is applied in the adaptive optics system of real-time correction eyeball's aberration wave-front reconstruction.

Comparison of adaptation of crowns of different lithium disilicate glass-ceramic / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the adaptation of different lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crown and whether different fabrication processes affect the adaptation of crowns.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty epoxy dies crowns were divided into 3 groups. They were cemented to domestic lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crowns in Group A, to IPS e.max CAD crowns in Group B and to IPS e.max Press crowns in Group C respectively. All crowns were cut by cutting machine. A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to measure the gap between crown tissue surface and die.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences in the three groups of measurement points(P<0.05). Within the groups, specimens in group A showed in the lowest marginal fit([46.8±9.1] μm). Those in group B showed the lowest shoulder suitability([59.3±7.9] μm), axial plane([50.5±3.6] μm) and occlusal surface([87.6±11.6 μm]. Those in group C demonstrated the lowest axial plane angle[(84.4±10.1) μm]. In addition to the axial plane angle, the CAD/CAM system exhibited good accuracy of fit.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The three groups of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crowns appeared to have clinically acceptable fit.</p>

Television news coverage of obesity in China, 1982-2009 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study was to explore how obesity was covered in television news in China, including the trends over time and the characteristics of obesity-related news.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The frame analysis was adopted to assess the content of obesity-related news broadcasted in China Central Television (CCTV) from 1982 to 2009. To investigate the characteristics of the news, the obesity-related news was divided into subgroups according to populations concerned, as well as the period in which the news was broadcasted. The differences between subgroups were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 1 599 pieces of news reported obesity, in which 1 278 pieces (79.92%) aired in "wealthy" period (2006-2009). More news was concerned with adults (1 134, 70.92%). "Individual behavior" dominated most of the cause frames (389, 24.33%), solution frames (522, 32.65%), and responsibility frames (860, 53.78%). There was more news mentioning individual factors in news aired in "wealthy" period and news concerning children. The coverage of social-structure causes was higher in news concerning children, while the coverage of social-structure solutions was higher in news concerning children and news aired in "wealthy" period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Although the coverage of obesity was modest, it showed an incremental trend as the economy grew. Obesity was mostly depicted as an individual problem in terms of responsibility, causes and solutions.</p>

Observation on therapeutic alliance with UDCA and glucocorticoids in AIH-PBC overlap syndrome / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>19 patients with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome were divided randomly into two groups: initiate combined group and initiate UDCA-monotherapy group. Biochemical responses and pathological features before and after treatment were analyzed retrospectively with student's t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the initiate combination group, biochemical responses in terms of AIH features (ALT decline to normal, IgG is less than or equal to 16 g/L) and PBC features (ALP decline ≥ 40% or to normal) were achieved. In UDCA-monotherapy group, no statistical difference existed in biochemical responses before adding glucocorticoids, whereas the levels of ALT, AST, GLB and IgG decreased significantly when combined with glucocorticoids. No statistical difference of rates of biochemical responses eixted between the two groups, whereas variance could be seen in different pathological stages. Alleviation of inflammatory infiltration after therapy appeared in 3 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combination therapy of UDCA with glucocorticoids could be suitable for AIH-PBC overlap syndrome. Early treatment is of benefit for achieving better biochemical response and pathological improvement.</p>

A two-year follow-up study on the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid on primary biliary cirrhosis in different stages / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the therapeutic effect of primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) in different stages with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>91 patients with PBC were divided into 4 periods based on levels of liver test and symptoms. Clinical manifestations, biochemical changes and pathological changes were observed for 2 years on UDCA therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutamyltranspetidase (GGT) at the second PBC period were declined by 51.9% and 67.3% respectively after a 6-month UDCA therapy. The biochemical responses were 81.25% (Paris criteria) and 93.75% (Barcelona criteria). The levels of ALP and GGT at the third PBC period were declined by 48.8% and 46.6% after 6 months of UDCA therapy, and the biochemical responses were 36.84% (Paris criteria) and 57.89% (Barcelona criteria). Symptoms like fatigue, pruritus and jaundice after UDCA therapy were better than before. Same results also appeared at the fourth period. 11 patients in different periods underwent pathological examinations before and after UDCA therapy and no progression found in the first and the second periods, however difference found in the third and the fourth periods with the lymphocyte infiltration was less than before UDCA treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Good biochemical responds appear in patients at the second, third and forth periods after UDCA therapy, in which the second period is best. Symptoms could be improved after UDCA treatment. Early UDCA therapy is benefit for slowing down the progression of liver pathology.</p>

Cell traction forces measurement based on BioMEMS microposts matrix / 医用生物力学

A review of cell traction forces (CTFs) measurement based on Biological MiCro Electromechanical Systems (BioMEMS) microposts matrix is presented.CTFs are exerted by cells and ansmitted to the underly-ing substrate through focal adhesions and close contacts.which is essential for cells movement.Cells probe the mechanicaI compliance of the exlracellular mabix (ECM) in part by locally deforming it with nanonewton-scale traction forces.Precision measurement of CTFs is significant for many researches such as call biology and tissue engineering and so on.Enabled by the advancement in BioMEMS technology,surface treated high aspeect ratio Polydimethyisiloxane(PDMS)micropos matrix devices,which serve as BioMEMS sensom for de-tecting cellular nanoforces and studying in vitro cell mechanics,have been developed.Closely spaced vartical microposts matrixes were designed to encourage cells to attach and spread across multiple microposts,and to bend the microposts like vertical cantilevers as the cells locomote on the surface.Using this dense and dis-crete matrix of microposts rather than a convanfional continuous substrate,CTFs can be directly measured and quantified by processing the microscopy images of the deformations of microposts.The resolution of the force was in tens of nN/μm scale.At first,the conventional CTFs measurement methods were concisely summa-rized.Then BioMEMS microposts matrix method was described in detail,including principle and fabfication process,Surface treatment and cell expedment results.Furthermore,high aspect ratio structure collapse prob-lem was investigated.

Cell traction forces measurement based on BioMEMS microposts matrix / 医用生物力学

A review of cell traction forces (CTFs) measurement based on Biological MiCro Electromechanical Systems (BioMEMS) microposts matrix is presented.CTFs are exerted by cells and ansmitted to the underly-ing substrate through focal adhesions and close contacts.which is essential for cells movement.Cells probe the mechanicaI compliance of the exlracellular mabix (ECM) in part by locally deforming it with nanonewton-scale traction forces.Precision measurement of CTFs is significant for many researches such as call biology and tissue engineering and so on.Enabled by the advancement in BioMEMS technology,surface treated high aspeect ratio Polydimethyisiloxane(PDMS)micropos matrix devices,which serve as BioMEMS sensom for de-tecting cellular nanoforces and studying in vitro cell mechanics,have been developed.Closely spaced vartical microposts matrixes were designed to encourage cells to attach and spread across multiple microposts,and to bend the microposts like vertical cantilevers as the cells locomote on the surface.Using this dense and dis-crete matrix of microposts rather than a convanfional continuous substrate,CTFs can be directly measured and quantified by processing the microscopy images of the deformations of microposts.The resolution of the force was in tens of nN/μm scale.At first,the conventional CTFs measurement methods were concisely summa-rized.Then BioMEMS microposts matrix method was described in detail,including principle and fabfication process,Surface treatment and cell expedment results.Furthermore,high aspect ratio structure collapse prob-lem was investigated.

Activation of δ-opioid receptors inhibits L-type Ca(2+) current and transient outward K(+) current in rat ventricular myocytes / 生理学报

In the present study, whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to observe the effects of SNC162, a selective agonist of δ-opioid receptors, on L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca-L)) and transient outward K(+) current (I(to)) in rat ventricular myocytes. The results showed that SNC162 significantly inhibited I(Ca-L) and I(to) in rat ventricular myocytes. The maximal inhibition rate of I(Ca-L) and I(to) reached (46.13±4.12)% and (36.53±10.57)%, respectively. SNC162 at 1×10(-4) mol/L inhibited the current density of I(Ca-L) from (8.98±0.40) pA/pF to (4.84±0.44) pA/pF (P<0.01, n=5) and inhibited that of I(to) from (18.69±2.42) pA/pF to (11.73±1.67) pA/pF (P<0.01, n=5). Furthermore, the effects of naltrindole, a highly selective antagonist of δ-opioid receptors, on I(Ca-L) and I(to) were also observed. The results showed that naltrindole alone had no effects on I(Ca-L) and I(to), while it abolished the inhibitory effects of SNC162 on I(Ca-L) and I(to). In conclusion, SNC162 concentration-dependently inhibited I(Ca-L) and I(to) in rat ventricular myocytes via activation of the δ-opioid receptors, which may be a fundamental mechanism underlying the antiarrhythmic effect of activating δ-opioid receptors.