Peripheral blood miRNAs as a biomarker for chronic cardiovascular diseases.

Vascular diseases are the most prevalent diseases worldwide. This study intended to analyze peripheral blood miRNA levels and their correlation with NT-pro-BNP and cTN-I in patients with atherosclerosis or pre-atherosclerotic conditions to build a dynamic correlation between vascular diseases and their biomarkers. Serum NT-pro-BNP and cTN-I levels were measured by their respective ELISA kits. The miRNA levels were assayed by quantitative PCR. Unique miRNA signatures were identified for both atherosclerosis and pre-atherosclerosis. The levels of miR-92a, 126, 130a, 222, and 370 levels were decreased in the peripheral blood of pre-atherosclerotic subjects. In atherosclerosis, miR-21, 122, 130a, and 211 were significantly increased whereas miR-92a, 126, and 222 were markedly decreased. Serum levels of NT-pro-BNP and cTN-I correlated with each other and increased with the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, the levels of cTN-I and NT-pro-BNP were positively correlated with miR-21 and negatively correlated with miR-126. Integrating specific pattern of miRNA levels with NT-pro-BNP and/or cardiac troponin may improve the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.

[An experimental study on injury of hippocampus neurons in rats by simulated push-pull maneuver of different degrees].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the degree of injury and phase of push-pull effect induced by different degrees of push-pull maneuver on hippocampus neurons in rats. METHOD: Injury of push-pull maneuver on hippocampus neurons in rats after different degrees of push-pull maneuver were determined by general evaluation of animal model, pathologic examination and electronic microscopy. RESULT: 1) General evaluation of animal model: the apoplexy index and the pathological grading increased with the increase of intensity of the push-pull maneuver. 2) Routine HE: No abnormity was found in appearance and distribution of hippocampus neurons in the control rats and various groups of +/-2 Gz exposures, and 30 min groups of +/-6 Gz, +/-8 Gz exposures, but denatured necrosis of neurons were found in 6 h and 24 h groups of +/-6 Gz, +/-8 Gz exposures. 3) Examination of ultrastructure under electronic microscope: No significant change were found in hippocampus neurons of CA1 area in 30 min and 24 h after +/-2 Gz exposures as compared with the normal control group. But various degrees of denatured necrosis of neurons were found in some of the hippocampus neurons of CA1 area in 6 h after +/-2 Gz exposures, 6 h and 24 h after +/-6 Gz and +/-8 Gz exposures. CONCLUSION: +/-6 Gz and +/-8 Gz exposures may cause injury of hippocampus tissues and it is most severe at 6 h after the +/-8 Gz exposures.