Circ_0008285 silencing suppresses angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis in thoracic aortic aneurysm via miR-150-5p/BASP1 axis.

BACKGROUND: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type of the aortic middle layer, the abnormal number or function of which has been demonstrated to have a role in thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Here, this study aimed to identify the function of circ_0008285 in VSMC apoptosis. METHODS: Human VSMCs were treated with angiotensin II (Ang II) for functional experiments. Cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and flow cytometry were applied for function analysis. The interaction between miR-150-5p and circ_0008285 or brain acid-soluble protein 1 (BASP1) was also evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Exosomes were isolated by the commercial kit. RESULTS: A highly expressed circ_0008285 was observed in the aortic tissues of TAA patients and Ang-II-induced VSMCs. Circ_0008285 deficiency dramatically reversed Ang-II-induced proliferation arrest and apoptosis promotion in VSMCs. Circ_0008285 functionally targeted miR-150-5p. MiR-150-5p inhibition attenuated the inhibitory effects of circ_0008285 silencing on Ang-II-evoked apoptosis in VSMCs. BASP1 was verified to be a target of miR-150-5p, and was proved to attenuate miR-150-5p-triggered apoptosis arrest in Ang-II-stimulated VSMCs. Additionally, extracellular circ_0008285 was packaged into exosomes, which could be transferred into the recipient cells. CONCLUSION: Circ_0008285 silencing could suppress Ang-II-induced VSMCs apoptosis via miR-150-5p/BASP1 axis, adding further understanding of the pathogenesis of TAA.

Application of Autologous Blood Cell Salvage in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Operation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether application of autologous blood cell salvage can reduce the transfusion volume of allogeneic blood and complications of blood transfusion in off-pump coronary artery bypass operations. Methods: We randomly divided 120 patients into autologous blood cell salvage group (experimental group, n = 60) and non-autologous blood cell salvage group (control group, n = 60). Volume of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion of each patient was recorded. Moreover, complications and ICU retention times (H) of each patient were also recorded. The data were analyzed using t tests. Results: The volume of allogeneic blood transfusion was significantly less in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: Application of autologous blood cell salvage in off-pump coronary artery bypass graft operation can reduce the volume of allogeneic blood transfusion, alleviate blood shortage, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, leading to medical, economic, and social benefits.

Tanshinone IIA suppresses the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells and the proliferation and migration of macrophages induced by ox-LDL.

The profound inhibitory effect of Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) on atherosclerosis has been demonstrated, whereas the latent mechanism is not completely cleared. This study aimed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Tan IIA protecting against atherosclerosis. Oil Red O staining and ELISA assay showed that Tan IIA suppressed the progress of atherosclerosis and reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum of apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE -/- ) mice. Flow cytometry assay revealed that Tan IIA inhibited oxidized LDL (ox-LDL)-induced apoptosis of VSMCs. MTT and transwell assay indicated that Tan IIA suppressed the ox-LDL-stimulated proliferation and migration of RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, Tan IIA ameliorated inflammatory cytokine upregulation elicited by ox-LDL in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, Tan IIA inhibited the apoptosis of VSMCs and decreased the levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 in ApoE-/- mice. In conclusion, our study demonstrated Tan IIA suppressed the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting vascular inflammation, apoptosis of VSMCs and proliferation and migration of macrophages induced by ox-LDL.

Level of perioperative B-type natriuretic peptide associates with heart function after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery on a beating heart.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of the perioperative B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level with heart function among patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery on a beating heart. METHODS: Total 90 patients expected to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery were selected and their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were examined before operation. Patients with LVEF greater than or equal to 50% were selected as the A group (n=46), and those less than 50% formed the B group (n=44). BNP levels of the patients were examined and its relationship with cardiac function was analyzed. RESULTS: BNP levels of group A was lower than that in group B pre-and post-operatively (until 7 days after the surgery), the difference is statistically significant (p<0.05). Pearson analysis showed that the BNP level was negatively correlated with the LVEF (r = 0.767, p< 0.05). The area under the Roc curve is 0.865. CONCLUSION: BNP level was negatively correlated with the LVEF. Perioperative BNP level can be used as the prediction for heart function of patients with on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery on a beating heart.

Does posterior pericardial window technique prevent pericardial tamponade after cardiac surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the intraoperative posterior pericardial window technique in preventing pericardial tamponade following open heart surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult patients undergoing coronary and/or valve surgery were randomly divided into a control (traditional) or a pericardial window (PW) technique group. Pre-, intra-, peri- and postoperative clinical data were collected prospectively, including incidence of pericardial tamponade, cardiac arrest, drainage volume, ventilation assistance time and moderate-to-large pericardial effusion. RESULTS: In total, 458 patients were included: 230 controls and 228 in the PW group. The incidence of pericardial tamponade in the PW group was significantly lower than in controls. Cardiac arrest occurred in one patient (0.4%) in the PW group and five (2.2%) controls; this difference was not statistically significant. Moderate-to-large pericardial effusion after drainage extubation and new-onset atrial fibrillation were significantly more common in controls than in the PW group. After stratification by age (≤ 70 versus > 70 years), there was no between-group difference in duration of endotracheal intubation, although in the PW group, after removal of the tracheal cannula, duration of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation was significantly longer in older patients. CONCLUSIONS: The pericardial window procedure did not increase the rate or severity of procedure-related complications. This simple technique significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative pericardial tamponade and new-onset atrial fibrillation.

Twelve years' experience and clinical results of using the radial artery for coronary revascularization.

BACKGROUND: The radial artery (RA) is becoming a popular conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), yet data reporting the long-term results are rare. We reported our clinical, angiographic and intravascular ultrasound findings on 93 patients who had the RA used as part of the conduit for the CABG procedures during a 12-year period from June 2001 to June 2013. METHODS: A total of 118 radial artery conduits were harvested in 87 males and 6 females, age from 28 to 66 (mean 49.9) years. An "intra-operative Allen's test" was developed to safeguard blood supply to the arm and hand. A "double-clip & scissors-cut" technique was carried out to minimize the thermal injury to the radial artery from the diathermy. The left radial artery was used in 67 patients, the right in one, and bilateral radial arteries in 25 patients. One hundred and twenty-two out of 272 distal anastomoses (44.9%) were constructed with radial arteries, with an average of 2.9 grafts per patient (range 2-6). RESULTS: Follow-up angiography and intravascular ultrasound study at 3-139 postoperative months (mean 59 months) revealed a 93.1% RA patency. String sign occurred in one patient in whom the RA was directed to a big right coronary artery with a stenosis of around 50%. The patency for the internal mammary artery was 96.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The RA is an excellent conduit that broadens the options for total arterial CABG surgery. Good graft patency could be achieved through careful harvesting techniques and choice of proper target coronary vessels.

Investigation of the long-term patency of a transmural heparinized polycaprolactone and poly(D,L-lactic/glycolic acid) scaffold.

BACKGROUND: The transmural biodegradable polycaprolactone/poly(D,L-lactic/glycolic acid) (PCL/PLGA) scaffold is a promising modality for diffuse coronary atherosclerosis cases that are not suitable for bypass grafting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term performance of the PCL/PLGA scaffold in vivo in the setting of polymer and heparin degradation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After mechanical drilling through the ventricular wall was performed in the whole ventricular wall, two scaffolds were implanted into the ventricular wall. Animals were grouped into the single drilling group (SD group), the blank scaffold group (BS group), and the heparinized scaffold group (HS group) and were allowed to survived for 6 mo. Next, the patency and integrity of the scaffolds were evaluated by echocardiography and 3D-DOCTOR software. Endothelium coverage of the lumen was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Neovessels and collagen fiber within the scaffolds were identified by histologic staining. Metabolite production of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in the plasma was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of PGI2 synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) involved in PGI2 production and COX-1 involved in TXA2 production were measured by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The heparinized scaffolds were patent for up to 6 mo and the lumen was covered with confluent endothelial cells. Histologic staining revealed collagen fiber remodeling and reconstruction of the neovascular network immediately surrounding the lumen. The expression of PGI2 synthase and COX-2 in the HS group was significantly higher compared with the SD and BS groups (P < 0.01). The expression of COX-1 was similar in the three groups (P > 0.05). Consistent with synthetase expression, a PGI2 metabolite (6-keto-PGF1a) also showed a significant increase in the HS group relative to the SD and BS groups (P = 0.021 and P = 0.015, respectively). Concomitantly, as a PGI2 antagonist, the TXA2 metabolite (TXB2) did not exhibit a significant difference among the three groups (P = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Despite polymer and heparin degradation, the scaffold could continuously maintain the structural integrity and lumen patency for up to 6 mo by reinforcement of host collagen fiber and the balance of PGI2/TXA2.

[Study on linkage between polymorphism of interleukin 6 gene -572C/G and susceptibility to myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the polymorphism and gene frequency of interleukin 6 (IL6) gene -572C/G in Chinese Han nationality population, that associating with susceptibility to myocardial infarction(MI) and impacting on the extent of coronary artery lesions; to analyze the function of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism. METHODS: With PCR-RFLP method, IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was genotyped to 232 MI patients and 260 healthy adults. The effect of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was observed to the extent of coronary artery lesions and the ability of IL6 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). RESULTS: There was IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism in Chinese Hans. -572CG+GG genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients than in controls (P< 0.01). The relative risk for G allele carrier to suffer from MI was 1.68 times of CC genotype individual (95%CI 1.17-2.41, P< 0.01). However, the distribution of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was no significant difference among patients with single-vessel, two-vessel and three-vessel lesions (P> 0.05). After PBMC cultured for 24 hours, the IL6 concentration in supernatant was significantly higher in subjects with CG genotype than those with CC genotype (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: IL6 gene -572G allele may be a genetic susceptibility factor to MI attack of Chinese Hans population, and related to the high expression of IL6.