Correlation between LTC4S -444 A>C polymorphism and susceptibility to asthma: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: This study aims to uncover the potential correlation between LTC4S -444 A>C polymorphism and susceptibility to asthma. Methods: Literatures reporting the correlation between LTC4S -444 A>C polymorphism and susceptibility to asthma published before 1st June, 2019 were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Wanfang and CNKI. Eligible literatures were enrolled and their data were extracted. OR and its 95% CI were calculated for assessing the correlation between LTC4S -444 A>C polymorphism and susceptibility to asthma. The included data were weighted by an inverse variance and then analyzed by a fixed or random effects model. Heterogeneity test and sensitivity analysis were performed on the enrolled reports. STATA12.1 and TSA (trial sequential analysis) were utilized for analyses.

Adjunctive Effect and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The primary objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to assess the impact of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an adjunctive therapy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to evaluate its safety and efficacy. Methods: Studies were obtained from multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), WanFang Data (WanFang), and Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP). Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of CHM intravenously or orally in patients with CAD undergoing PCI were included. The primary outcome was improvements in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and the secondary outcomes included differences in echocardiography, serum biomarkers, vascular structures and functions, clinical symptoms, and adverse drug reactions. Data synthesis was conducted using relative risk (RR), weighted mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Forty-seven trials, including 12,638 participants, were included in the meta-analyses. CHM significantly reduced MACEs compared with the control group(RR = 0.51, 95% CI= 0.45 to 0.58)). CHM also led to improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction((MD=6.93, 95% CI = 4.03 to 8.03), ventricular end-diastolic dimension(MD=-5.01, 95% CI = -7.0 to -3.03), and cardiac troponin-I levels(MD=-0.37, 95% CI = -0.77 to 0.03]). The anti-inflammatory effects of CHM were observed through downregulation of C-reactive protein(MD=-2.13, 95% CI = -3.1 to -1.05) and high-sensitivity CRP (MD=-1.47, 95% CI= -2.47 to -0.48) when compared with the control groups. CHM also showed a protective effect on renal function and augmented platelet inhibition(7.05, 95% CI=5.91 to 8.19, P < .00001). The blood stasis scores of patients treated with Chinese Medicine were lower in the CHM group (MD=-4.30, 95% CI= -6.53 to -2.07). No significant difference in adverse events was found between the CHM and control groups. Conclusion: The addition of CHM to conventional treatment in patients undergoing PCI for CAD improved primary and secondary endpoint events with no significant adverse drug reactions. These findings suggest that CHM has better clinical efficacy and safety. However, more high-quality studies are needed to validate these results and provide further evidence for the clinical application of CHM in CAD patients undergoing PCI.

Regulatory Mechanisms of the Molecular Pathways in Fibrosis Induced by MicroRNAs.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) play critical roles in the fibrotic process in different organs. We summarized the latest research progress on the roles and mechanisms of miRNAs in the regulation of the molecular signaling pathways involved in fibrosis. DATA SOURCES: Papers published in English from January 2010 to August 2015 were selected from the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the search terms "microRNA", "miR", "transforming growth factor ß", "tgf ß", "mitogen-activated protein kinase", "mapk", "integrin", "p38", "c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase", "jnk", "extracellular signal-regulated kinase", "erk", and "fibrosis". STUDY SELECTION: Articles were obtained and reviewed to analyze the regulatory effects of miRNAs on molecular signaling pathways involved in the fibrosis. RESULTS: Recent evidence has shown that miRNAs are involved in regulating fibrosis by targeting different substrates in the molecular processes that drive fibrosis, such as immune cell sensitization, effector cell activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Moreover, several important molecular signaling pathways involve in fibrosis, such as the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, and the integrin pathway are regulated by miRNAs. Third, regulation of the fibrotic pathways induced by miRNAs is found in many other tissues in addition to the heart, lung, liver, and kidney. Interestingly, the actions of many drugs on the human body are also induced by miRNAs. It is encouraging that the fibrotic process can be blocked or reversed by targeting specific miRNAs and their signaling pathways, thereby protecting the structures and functions of different organs. CONCLUSIONS: miRNAs not only regulate molecular signaling pathways in fibrosis but also serve as potential targets of novel therapeutic interventions for fibrosing diseases.

Impact of miR-208 and its Target Gene Nemo-Like Kinase on the Protective Effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 in Hypoxia/Ischemia Injuried Cardiomyocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ginsenoside Rb1 (GS-Rb1) is one of the most important active pharmacological extracts of the Traditional Chinese Medicine ginseng, with extensive evidence of its cardioprotective properties. Mir-208 has been shown to act as a biomarker of acute myocardial infarction in vivo studies including man. However the impact of miR-208 on the protective effect of GS-Rb1 in hypoxia/ischemia injured cardiomyocytes remains unclear. The current study aims to investigate the target gene of miR-208 and the impact on the protective effect of GS-Rb1 in hypoxia/ischemia (H/I) injuried cardiomyocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) was subjected to the H/I conditions with or without GS-Rb1. Cell viability was calculated by MTT assay and confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. Mir-208 was then detected by qRT-PCR. Luciferase reporter assay was carried out to detect the target gene of Mir-208. Then the NRCMs were transfected with miR-208 mimics and inhibitors to evaluate the impact on cardioprotective properties of Rb1. RESULTS: The miR-208 expression level was clearly upregulated in the H/I treated NRCMs accompanied by the percentage of the apoptotic cells which could be reversed by GS-Rb1 pretreatment. The nemo-like kinase (NLK) mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased in H/I group measured by RT-PCR and western blotting. Luciferase activity assay was then carried out to identify that NLK may be a direct target of mir-208. MTT assay showed that miR-208 inhibitor slightly decreased the protective effect of Rb1 on the H/I impaired NRCMs. However, results showed no statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: These findings proved that NLK was a direct target of mir-208 and miR-208 act indirectly during Rb1 protecting H/I impaired NRCMs and further researches were needed to explore the relationship that microRNAs and other signal pathways in the protective effect of GS-Rb1 on the hypoxia/ischemia injuries in cardiomyocytes.

Ginsenoside-Rb1 Protects Hypoxic- and Ischemic-Damaged Cardiomyocytes by Regulating Expression of miRNAs.

Ginsenoside (GS-Rb1) is one of the most important active compounds of ginseng, with extensive evidence of its cardioprotective properties. However, the miRNA mediated mechanism of GS-Rb1 on cardiomyocytes remains unclear. Here, the roles of miRNAs in cardioprotective activity of GS-Rb1 were investigated in hypoxic- and ischemic-damaged cardiomyocytes. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were first isolated, cultured, and then incubated with or without GS-Rb1 (2.5-40 µM) in vitro under conditions of hypoxia and ischemia. Cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry. Expressions of various microRNAs were analyzed by real-time PCR. Compared with that of the control group, GS-Rb1 significantly decreased cell death in a dose-dependent manner and expressions of mir-1, mir-29a, and mir-208 obviously increased in the experimental model groups. In contrast, expressions of mir-21 and mir-320 were significantly downregulated and GS-Rb1 could reverse the differences in a certain extent. The miRNAs might be involved in the protective effect of GS-Rb1 on the hypoxia/ischemia injuries in cardiomyocytes. The effect might be based on the upregulation of mir-1, mir-29a, and mir-208 and downregulation of mir-21 and mir-320. This might provide us a new target to explore the novel strategy for ischemic cardioprotection.

Shenfu Injection suppresses inflammation by targeting haptoglobin and pentraxin 3 in rats with chronic ischemic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effects of Shenfu Injection (SFI, ) on hemodynamic parameters and serum proteins in rats with post-infarction chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Forty-five healthy Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: sham, heart failure (model) and SFI group. The CHF was induced by left coronary artery ligation. Seven days after the surgical operation, animals in the sham group and the model group received saline (6.2 mL/kg/d), while animals in the SFI group received SFI (6.2 mL/kg d) intraperitoneally. Four weeks later, cardiac hemodynamic parameters were measured via the carotid route. The expression of serum proteins was analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS). RESULTS: Recording of hemodynamic parameters showed that left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum rate of left ventricular pressure (+dp/dtmax) rise, and maximum rate of left ventricular pressure (-dp/dtmax) decrease, while the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) rose in the model group compared to those in the sham group (P <0.05). The results of the MALDI-TOF MS indicated that haptoglobin (HP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and alpha-1-antitrypsin were up-regulated, while serum albumin and 40S ribosomal protein were down-regulated in the model group (P <0.05). Compared with the model group, LVSP, +dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax were higher, while LVEDP was lower in the SFI group (P<0.05). Expression levels of HP and PTX3 were lower than in the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SFI could improve hemodynamic function and decrease inflammatory reactions in the pathophysiology of CHF. The serum proteins HP and PTX3 could be potential biomarkers for chronic ischemic heart failure, and they could also be the serum protein targets of SFI.

Ginsenoside rb1 protects neonatal rat cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/ischemia induced apoptosis and inhibits activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Aim. To investigate the effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 (GS-Rb1) on hypoxia/ischemia (H/I) injury in cardiomyocytes in vitro and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway mediated mechanism. Methods. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) for the H/I groups were kept in DMEM without glucose and serum, and were placed into a hypoxic jar for 24 h. GS-Rb1 at concentrations from 2.5 to 40 µM was given during hypoxic period for 24 h. NRCMs injury was determined by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay. Cell apoptosis, ROS accumulation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were assessed by flow cytometry. Cytosolic translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c and Bcl-2 family proteins were determined by Western blot. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities were determined by the assay kit. Results. GS-Rb1 significantly reduced cell death and LDH leakage induced by H/I. It also reduced H/I induced NRCMs apoptosis induced by H/I, in accordance with a minimal reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst. Moreover, GS-Rb1 markedly decreased the translocation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, increased the Bcl-2/ Bax ratio, and preserved mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm). Its administration also inhibited activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Conclusion. Administration of GS-Rb1 during H/I in vitro is involved in cardioprotection by inhibiting apoptosis, which may be due to inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Inhibitory effects of glycyrrhetinic Acid on the delayed rectifier potassium current in Guinea pig ventricular myocytes and HERG channel.

Background. Licorice has long been used to treat many ailments including cardiovascular disorders in China. Recent studies have shown that the cardiac actions of licorice can be attributed to its active component, glycyrrhetinic acid (GA). However, the mechanism of action remains poorly understood. Aim. The effects of GA on the delayed rectifier potassium current (I K), the rapidly activating (I Kr) and slowly activating (I Ks) components of I K, and the HERG K(+) channel expressed in HEK-293 cells were investigated. Materials and Methods. Single ventricular myocytes were isolated from guinea pig myocardium using enzymolysis. The wild type HERG gene was stably expressed in HEK293 cells. Whole-cell patch clamping was used to record I K (I Kr, I Ks) and the HERG K(+) current. Results. GA (1, 5, and 10 µ M) inhibited I K (I Kr, I Ks) and the HERG K(+) current in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion. GA significantly inhibited the potassium currents in a dose- and voltage-dependent manner, suggesting that it exerts its antiarrhythmic action through the prolongation of APD and ERP owing to the inhibition of I K (I Kr, I Ks) and HERG K(+) channel.

Roles and mechanisms of ginseng in protecting heart.

Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Mayer, has long been used clinically in China to treat various diseases. Multiple effects of ginseng, such as antitumor, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidative, antidiabetic and antihypertensive have been confirmed by modern medicine. Recently, the clinical utilization of ginseng to treat heart diseases has increased dramatically. The roles of ginseng in protecting heart are foci for research in modern medical science and have been partially demonstrated, and the mechanisms of protection against coronary artery disease, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, cardiac energy metabolism, cardiac contractility, and arrhythmia are being uncovered progressively. However, more studies are needed to elucidate the complex mechanisms by which ginseng protects heart. All such studies will provide evidence of ginseng's clinical application, international promotion, and new drug development.