动脉粥样硬化不稳定斑块的药物治疗进展

动脉粥样硬化(As)不稳定斑块也称易损斑块.不稳定斑块表面溃疡形成、破裂及继发血栓形成,是引起急性心脑血管事件的闹饕±砘?药物治疗对防治不稳定斑块破裂的发生,降低急性心脑血管事件的发病率具有重要意义.治疗不稳定斑块的药物主要有他汀、抗氧化荆等,其主要药理学机制是抗炎、抗氧化、调节细胞因子、抑制MMPs活性等作用.本文对不稳定斑块有治疗作用的药物研究与应用进展做一综述,为急性心脑血管事件的治疗提供理论依据及线索.     

急性缺血性脑卒中患者血浆Lp-PLA2 的表达及与斑块稳定性及神经功 能缺损的关系

目的：探讨急性缺血性脑卒中患者血浆脂蛋白相关磷脂酶（Lp-PLA2）的表达及与斑块稳定性及神经功能缺损的关系。方法： 按照颈动脉彩超结果将2014 年5 月-2015 年1 月我院收治的80 例急性缺血性脑卒中患者分为斑块稳定组（25 例）、斑块不稳定 组（39 例）和无斑块组（16 例）,并于同期随机抽取120 例健康体检者为对照组。采用散射比浊法测定各组血浆Lp-PLA2,同时采 用美国国立卫生研究所中风量表（NIHSS 评分）对三组的神经功能缺损情况进行评估。结果：斑块稳定组、斑块不稳定组以及无斑 块组血浆Lp-PLA2 高于对照组,斑块稳定组、斑块不稳定组高于无斑块组,斑块不稳定组高于斑块稳定组,差异均有统计学意义 （P<0.05）,患者血浆Lp-PLA2水平与动脉粥样硬化斑块的稳定性呈正相关性（rs=0.638,P<0.05）。神经功能缺损中型组、重型组血 浆Lp-PLA2 高于轻型组,重型组高于中型组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,患者血浆Lp-PLA2 水平与神经功能缺损程度呈正相关 性（rs=0.715,P<0.05）。结论：血浆Lp-PLA2 可作为预测急性缺血性脑卒中患者颈动脉硬化斑块稳定性以及评估患者神经功能缺 损程度的重要指标。     

血清尿酸水平对急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的影响

目的:探讨血清尿酸(UA)水平对急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的影响。方法:回顾性分析2011年6月至2016年1月我院收治的251例急性脑梗死患者的临床资料,根据有无颈动脉粥样硬化斑块分为伴颈动脉粥样硬化斑块组(观察组)176例和无颈动脉粥样硬化斑块组(对照组)75例,观察组根据颈动脉粥样硬化程度分为斑块形成组(113例)、内中膜增厚组(63例),根据颈动脉斑块稳定程度分为不稳定组(106例)、稳定组(70例),比较各组血清UA水平,根据UA水平不同分为高UA组(134例)和正常UA组(117例),进行颈动脉斑块发生情况比较。结果:观察组的血清UA水平显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。(1)斑块形成组和内中膜增厚组血清UA水平显著高于对照组(P0.05),而斑块形成组和内中膜增厚组血清UA水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);(2)不稳定组血清UA水平显著高于对照组和稳定组(P0.05),而稳定组和对照组血清UA水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);(3)正常UA组和高UA组颈动脉斑块的发生情况比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:血清UA水平可以作为表征急性脑梗死患者伴随出现颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的生物学指标之一,此外,血清UA的水平在颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成者和不稳定者表达更高,但血清UA水平与颈动脉斑块形成无明显联系。     

急性脑梗死患者血清RBP、NLR、PTX3水平与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的关系研究

目的:探讨急性脑梗死(ACI)患者血清视黄醇结合蛋白(RBP)、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)、内正五聚蛋白3(PTX3)水平与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的关系。方法:收集我院2017年1月～2019年1月收治的300例ACI患者,根据颈动脉粥样硬化斑块超声结果分为稳定斑块组(n=173)和不稳定斑块组(n=127),另选同期在我院体检中心进行健康体检的志愿者100例为对照组。对ACI患者和对照组进行RBP、NLR、PTX3、血脂指标的检测,并进行组间统计学对比。采用Pearson检验对ACI患者的RBP、NLR、PTX3与血脂指标的相关性进行分析。结果:三组受试者性别、年龄、体质指数(BMI)、吸烟史、饮酒史等基础资料对比无显著性差异(P0.05)。稳定斑块组、不稳定斑块组患者的RBP、NLR、PTX3水平均高于对照组,且不稳定斑块组上述指标水平高于稳定斑块组(P0.05)。稳定斑块组、不稳定斑块组患者的总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)水平均高于对照组,且不稳定斑块组上述指标水平高于稳定斑块组(P0.05)。经Pearson检验分析,ACI患者的RBP、NLR、PTX3水平与TC、TG、LDL-C、FIB均呈正相关性(P0.05)。结论:在ACI患者中RBP、NLR、PTX3水平较高,并与患者的颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的稳定性有紧密的关联性。初步推测RBP、NLR、PTX3可能参与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成,进而影响ACI疾病的发生发展过程。     

血清MMP-8、IL-6表达与缺血性脑血管病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的关系研究

目的：研究血清基质金属蛋白酶-8(MMP-8)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)表达与缺血性脑血管病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的关系。 方法：选取2012 年9 月至2013 年11 月就诊60 例缺血性脑血管病患者为研究组和健康体检者60 例为对照组。按照超声影像学 资料并参考患者颈动脉斑块类型把研究组分为不稳定斑块类型(18 例),稳定斑块类型(22 例)以及斑块性质介于两组之间为中间 类型(20 例)。采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)对血清MMP-8、IL-6 水平进行测定,探讨血清MMP-8、IL-6 表达与不同 程度缺血性脑血管病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的关系。结果：研究组血清MMP-8、IL-6 水平显著高于对照组,差异均有统计学意 义(P<0.01);三种不同类型斑块血清中MMP-8、IL-6 水平差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);Spearman 等级相关性分析发现,研究组患 者颈动脉斑块稳定程度与血清MMP-8、IL-6 浓度水平存在显著正相关关系(P<0.01);线性相关分析发现,研究组血清MMP-8 水 平与IL-6 水平呈正相关关系(P<0.01)。结论：缺血性脑血管病患者血清MMP-8、IL-6 水平明显升高,其与颈动脉斑块不稳定程度 相关,同样与缺血性脑血管病发病机制方面存在相关协同作用。     

缺血性脑血管病患者血清MMP-8和IL-6水平与颈动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的：分析缺血性脑血管病患者血清MMP-8 和IL-6 的表达水平与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的关系。方法：选取2013 年5 月至2014 年10 月我院收治的80 例缺血性脑血管病患者作为研究组,另选取同期在我院门诊接受体检的80 例健康人群作为对 照组。采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测两组研究对象血清MMP-8 和IL-6 水平。利用Spearman 等级相关性分析方 法分析缺血性脑血管病患者颈动脉斑块的稳定程度与血清MMP-8和IL-6 水平的关系。结果：研究组缺血性脑血管病患者血清中 MMP-8 和IL-6 水平明显高于对照组,两组间数据差异存在统计学意义（P<0.01）。研究组患者中不稳定斑块28 例,稳定斑块32 例,斑块类型介于中间20 例。不稳定斑块患者血清MMP-8 和IL-6 水平高于中间斑块和稳定斑块患者,中间斑块患者血清 MMP-8 和IL-6 水平高于稳定斑块患者,组间比较,差异均具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Spearman 等级相关性分析结果显示,缺血性 脑血管病患者颈动脉斑块的稳定程度与血清MMP-8 和IL-6 水平存在显著的正相关关系（r=0.71,0.66;P<0.05）。结论：缺血性脑 血管病患者血清MMP-8 和IL-6 水平与颈动脉斑块稳定程度相关。     

高寒草地甘肃臭草斑块不同发育阶段茎-叶生物量分配:异速生长分析

植物生物量分配格局反映了环境对植物的选择和植物对环境的响应。在祁连山高寒退化草地,采用标准化主轴估计(standardized major axis estimation)方法,探讨甘肃臭草(Melica przewalskyi)茎、叶生物量变化及其分配策略对斑块不同发育阶段(斑块形成、斑块扩散、斑块稳定及斑块衰退阶段)的响应。结果表明:随着甘肃臭草斑块的发育,甘肃臭草茎生物量积累呈先上升后下降趋势,茎生物量分配比例呈先下降后上升趋势;叶生物量积累及生物量分配比例在斑块形成、斑块扩散及斑块稳定阶段均呈逐渐上升趋势,斑块衰退阶段呈下降趋势;斑块形成阶段甘肃臭草茎叶生物量呈等速生长模式,斑块扩散及稳定阶段叶生物量的增长速度大于茎生物量的增长速度,斑块衰退阶段转为茎生物量的增长速度大于叶生物量的增长速度。随着斑块的发育,甘肃臭草由依靠增加叶干物质投入占领资源,转为减小叶生物量投入、提高茎生物量的增长速度。     

hs-CRP、D-二聚体和Lp-PLA2与冠心病患者冠状动脉粥样硬化易损斑块的相关性

目的:研究超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、D-二聚体和脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(Lp-PLA2)与冠心病患者冠状动脉粥样硬化易损斑块的相关性。方法:选择2014年1月~2016年12月在我院进行冠状动脉造影和血管内超声检查的患者106例,按照检查结果分为易损斑块组、稳定斑块组和对照组。检测和比较三组患者的血清hs-CRP、D-二聚体和Lp-PLA2水平,并采用Pearson相关分析探讨其与纤维帽厚度、斑块偏心指数和血管重构指数的相关性。结果:易损斑块组和稳定斑块组的血清hs-CRP、D-二聚体和Lp-PLA2水平明显高于对照组(P0.05),且易损斑块组的血清hs-CRP、D-二聚体和Lp-PLA2水平明显高于稳定斑块组(P0.05)。hs-CRP与纤维帽厚度呈负相关(r=-0.712,P0.05),与斑块偏心指数和血管重构指数呈正相关(r=0.813,0.756,P0.05);D-二聚体与纤维帽厚度呈负相关(r=-0.654,P0.05),与斑块偏心指数和血管重构指数呈正相关(r=0.912,0.853,P0.05);Lp-PLA2与纤维帽厚度呈负相关(r=-0.796,P0.05),与斑块偏心指数和血管重构指数呈正相关(r=0.836,0.729,P0.05)。结论:hs-CRP、D-二聚体和Lp-PLA2与冠心病患者冠状动脉粥样硬化易损斑块具有较高的相关性,可作为评估冠状动脉粥样斑块不稳定性的参考指标。     

动脉粥样硬化易损斑块形成和破裂的研究进展

动脉粥样硬化能导致斑块形成。随着疾病的进展,斑块发展和破裂会引起致死性冠状动脉血栓形成,表现为急性冠脉综合征。斑块破裂后,斑块内具有高度成血栓性的物质暴露在血液中,导致血栓形成。斑块破裂主要发生于薄帽纤维斑块。此外,未破裂的斑块也可以形成血栓。然而,斑块破裂的机制仍不太清楚。本文将讨论动脉粥样硬化斑块发生和发展机制、斑块是如何参与危及生命的血栓形成等问题。     

Toll样受体4对动脉粥样硬化发生、发展的研究进展

动脉粥样硬化（atherosclerosis,AS）是多种细胞、炎性介质参与形成的慢性炎症性疾病。Toll样受体家族（Toll like receptors,TLRs）中的TLR4是机体重要的诱导分泌多种炎性因子的模式识别受体。现有证据表明,TLR4不仅产生多种炎性因子诱发血管炎症反应,而且促进AS斑块形成和发展,造成斑块不稳定,甚至破裂,对AS的发生、发展具有重要作用。因此,了解TLR4对AS的影响有助于发现新的治疗靶点和对策。主要对TLR4在AS发病机制和易损斑块发展中的作用进行综述。     

A prediction tool for plaque progression based on patient-specific multi-physical modeling

Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is responsible for a majority of acute vascular syndromes and this study aims to develop a prediction tool for plaque progression and rupture. Based on the follow-up coronary intravascular ultrasound imaging data, we performed patient-specific multi-physical modeling study on four patients to obtain the evolutional processes of the microenvironment during plaque progression. Four main pathophysiological processes, i.e., lipid deposition, inflammatory response, migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and neovascularization were coupled based on the interactions demonstrated by experimental and clinical observations. A scoring table integrating the dynamic microenvironmental indicators with the classical risk index was proposed to differentiate their progression to stable and unstable plaques. The heterogeneity of plaque microenvironment for each patient was demonstrated by the growth curves of the main microenvironmental factors. The possible plaque developments were predicted by incorporating the systematic index with microenvironmental indicators. Five microenvironmental factors (LDL, ox-LDL, MCP-1, SMC, and foam cell) showed significant differences between stable and unstable group (p < 0.01). The inflammatory microenvironments (monocyte and macrophage) had negative correlations with the necrotic core (NC) expansion in the stable group, while very strong positive correlations in unstable group. The inflammatory microenvironment is strongly correlated to the NC expansion in unstable plaques, suggesting that the inflammatory factors may play an important role in the formation of a vulnerable plaque. This prediction tool will improve our understanding of the mechanism of plaque progression and provide a new strategy for early detection and prediction of high-risk plaques.     

Delay of Poliovirus Plaque Formation with Use of Fresh Bovine Serum in the Growth Medium of Host Cellsd

The plaque formation of poliovirus in HeLa cell monolayers was decreased upto 95% when the host cells were subcultured several times in a growth medium containing fresh bovine serum prior to their inoculation with virus. Extended incubation of infected cell monolayers indicated that the inhibition was in the form of a delay in plaque formation rather than a permanent inhibition of it. The inhibitory factor, which was found in most bovine sera, was very unstable and disappeared after storage of the serum at -20 C for a few weeks or at 36 C within a few days. In HeLa-cell monolayers, the fresh serum brought about a decrease in the plaque formation of all three poliovirus types as well as that of poliovirus ribonucleic acid. The plaque formation of poliovirus in monkey heart and HEp-2-cell monolayers was decreased irregularly by the use of fresh serum in the growth medium of these cells. Speculations were made as to the possible mode of action of the bovine serum inhibitor.     

Oxysterols and symptomatic versus asymptomatic human atherosclerotic plaque

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of mortality in the Western world, contributing to about 50% of all deaths. Atherosclerosis is characterized by deposition of lipids onto the coronary or carotid arterial wall and formation of an atherosclerotic plaque. Atherosclerotic plaques are categorized into two groups: symptomatic and asymptomatic. The symptomatic plaques tend to be unstable and prone to rupture, and are associated with an increase in ischemic events. Oxysterols, products of cholesterol oxidation, are cytotoxic materials. Their level and type may be associated with plaque formation, development and stability. Oxysterols stimulate the formation of foam cells, advance atherosclerotic plaque progression, and contribute to plaque vulnerability and instability due to their cytotoxicity and their ability to induce cell apoptosis. Studies indicate that plasma 7β-OH CH level can be used as a biomarker for detecting carotid and coronary artery disease. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the potential of oxysterols for use as biomarkers for plaque vulnerability and instability. The identification of biomarkers in the blood that can distinguish between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques remains an unresolved issue.     

不同程度内质网应激对ApoE-/- 小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的影响

目的:采用Apo E-/-小鼠建立不稳定动脉粥样硬化斑块模型,给予不同剂量衣霉素,观察其对动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的影响。方法:取40只6-8周的Apo E-/-小鼠随机分为对照组和手术组。对照组小鼠给予正常饮食;手术组小鼠行右侧颈总动脉套管术(Perivascular carotid collar placement,PCCP),同时给予高脂喂养。9周末分别取对照组和手术组小鼠颈动脉,HE染色观察小鼠颈动脉斑块形成情况。成功造模后,将小鼠随机分为正常对照组、单纯PCCP组、小剂量衣霉素组和大剂量衣霉素组;正常对照组和单纯PCCP组给予生理盐水腹腔注射,小剂量衣霉素组和大剂量衣霉素组分别给予小剂量衣霉素、大剂量衣霉素腹腔注射。2周后,处死小鼠,通过HE染色观察颈动脉斑块形态,油红O染色观察斑块内脂质聚集,抗巨噬细胞免疫组化染色观察斑块内巨噬细胞聚集,Western-blot检内质网应激标志蛋白GRP78和自噬标志蛋白Atg7、P62的表达水平。结果:HE染色结果显示:与单纯PCCP组和大剂量衣霉素组相比,小剂量衣霉素组颈动脉腔内的斑块脂质池减少,斑块结构较为完整且相对稳定;油红O染色结果显示:小剂量衣霉素组斑块内脂质含量显著降低(P0.05 vs单纯PCCP组和大剂量衣霉素组);巨噬细胞免疫组化染色显示:与单纯PCCP组和大剂量衣霉素组相比,小剂量衣霉素组斑块内巨噬细胞的含量显著降低(P0.05);Western-blot结果显示:小剂量衣霉素干预诱导的一定程度的内质网应激可以适度上调自噬(P0.05 vs单纯PCCP组和大剂量衣霉素组)。结论:PCCP手术加高脂饮食可以短期成功建立小鼠不稳定动脉粥样硬化斑块模型,其动脉粥样硬化斑块不稳定性较高,而小剂量衣霉素干预可以使得颈动脉管腔内斑块相对较小,内部脂质池明显较小,纤维帽变厚且结构更完整,斑块结构较稳定;斑块内脂质含量降低;巨噬细胞含量明显降低,且小剂量衣霉素组自噬水平适度上调。因此,小剂量衣霉素干预引起的适度的内质网应激一定程度对动脉粥样硬化斑块起到保护作用。     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy for longitudinal studies of carotid plaque development in mice: validation with histological endpoints

Atherosclerosis is responsible for the death of thousands of Americans each year. The carotid constriction model of plaque development has recently been presented as a model for unstable plaque formation in mice. In this study we 1) validate ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) for the determination of carotid plaque size, percent stenosis, and plaque development in live animals, 2) determine the sensitivity of UBM in detecting changes in blood flow induced by carotid constriction and 3) test whether plaque formation can be predicted from blood flow parameters measured by UBM. Carotid plaques were induced by surgical constriction in Apo E−/− mice. Arteries were imaged bi-weekly by UBM, at which time PW-Doppler measurements of proximal blood flow, as well as plaque length and percent stenosis were determined. Histology was performed 9 weeks post surgery. When compared to whole mount post-mortem measurements, UBM accurately reported carotid plaque length. Percent stenosis, based on transverse B-mode UBM measurements, correlated well with that calculated from histological sections. PW-Doppler revealed that constriction reduced maximum systolic velocity (v_max) and duration of the systolic velocity peak (t_s/t_t). Pre-plaque (2 week post-surgery) PW-Doppler parameters (v_max and t_s/t_t) were correlated with plaque length at 9 weeks, and were predictive of plaque formation. Correlation of initiating PW-Doppler parameters (v_max and t_s/t_t) with resulting plaque length established the degree of flow disturbance required for subsequent plaque development and demonstrated its power for predicting plaque development.     

Cloning a replication function from the streptomycete bacteriophage FP43.

Streptomyces griseofuscus cells carrying a 4.4-kb SphI DNA fragment from bacteriophage FP43 inhibited plaque formation (Pin) by FP43, and the Pin function was localized to a 0.96-kb SacII fragment. The same 4.4-kb SphI fragment was able to replicate freely in several streptomycetes, including S. griseofuscus, and the replication (Rep) function was localized to a 1.2-kb SphI-FspI fragment. Plasmids with FP43 Rep function are unstable and are present at about 20-50 copies per chromosome. Plasmids with FP43 Rep function are compatible with SCP2* plasmids.     

Ambivalence of progenitor cells in vascular repair and plaque stability

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss crucial cues (chemokines, adhesion molecules and pharmacological means) that guide and control the context-specific mobilization, recruitment and fate of circulating progenitor cells in arterial repair and plaque stability. RECENT FINDINGS: The mobilization and recruitment of bone marrow derived or resident progenitor cells giving rise to smooth muscle cells have been implicated in accelerated forms of primary plaque formation and neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury. By contrast, convincing evidence has emerged that the arterial homing of endothelial progenitor cells contributes to endothelial recovery and thereby limits neointimal growth after endothelial denudation. In the chronic context of primary atherosclerosis, plaque progression and destabilization, a more complex picture has become apparent. Clinically, the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells have been linked with an improved endothelial function or regeneration and have been frequently inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk (factors). In animal models, however, the injection of bone marrow cells or endothelial progenitor cells, as well as the application of stem-cell mobilizing factors, have been associated with an exacerbation of atherosclerosis and unstable plaque phenotype, whereas the contribution of smooth muscle progenitors to primary atherosclerosis appears to be more confined to supporting plaque stability. SUMMARY: Considering the balance between distinct circulating vascular progenitor cells and identifying mechanisms for selective control of their mobilization and homing appears crucial to improve prediction and to directly modulate endogenous vascular remodeling processes.     

Atherosclerotic plaque imaging using phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography

Reliable, noninvasive imaging modalities to characterize plaque components are clinically desirable for detecting unstable coronary plaques, which cause acute coronary syndrome. Although recent clinical developments in computed tomography (CT) have enabled the visualization of luminal narrowing and calcified plaques in coronary arteries, the identification of noncalcified plaque components remains difficult. Phase-contrast X-ray CT imaging has great potentials to reveal the structures inside biological soft tissues, because its sensitivity to light elements is almost 1,000 times greater than that of absorption-contrast X-ray imaging. Moreover, a specific mass density of tissue can be estimated using phase-contrast X-ray CT. Ex vivo phase-contrast X-ray CT was performed using a synchrotron radiation source (SPring-8, Japan) to investigate atherosclerotic plaque components of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Samples were also histologically analyzed. Phase-contrast X-ray CT at a spatial resolution of 10-20 mum revealed atherosclerotic plaque components easily, and thin fibrous caps were detected. The specific mass densities of these plaque components were quantitatively estimated. The mass density of lipid area was significantly lower (1.011 +/- 0.001766 g/ml) than that of smooth muscle area or collagen area (1.057 +/- 0.001407 and 1.080 +/- 0.001794 g/ml, respectively). Moreover, the three-dimensional assessment of plaques could provide their anatomical information. Phase-contrast X-ray CT can estimate the tissue mass density of atherosclerotic plaques and detect lipid-rich areas. It can be a promising noninvasive technique for the investigation of plaque components and detection of unstable coronary plaques.