黄芪甲甙对急性心肌梗死大鼠心室重构和NOX/ROS/TNF⁃α信号通路的影响

研究旨在探究黄芪甲甙对急性心肌梗死大鼠心室重构的作用及其机制。选取36只Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、黄芪甲甙低剂量组、黄芪甲甙中剂量组、黄芪甲甙高剂量组和阳性对照组,每组6只。除假手术组外,其余大鼠手术建立急性心肌梗死模型,假手术组大鼠开胸后仅分离冠状动脉左前降支,不做结扎处理便逐层缝合,造模后第2天开始药物干预：黄芪甲甙低、中、高剂量组分别给予20、40、60 mg·kg^-1黄芪甲甙灌胃处理,阳性对照组给予100 mg·kg^-1阿司匹林灌胃处理。比较各组治疗第0、2、4周心功能指标[左心室射血分数（left ventricular ejection fractions,LVEF）、左心室短轴缩短率（left ventricular fractional shortening,LVFS）、左心室质量指数（left ventricular mass index,LVMI）]的变化情况。采用心脏血流动力学监测系统监测心脏血流动力学指标[左心室舒张末压（left ventricular end diastolic pressure,LVEDP）、左心室收缩压（left ventricular systolic pressure,LVSP）和左心室等容收缩/舒张压上升最大速率（maximal rate of left ventricular pressure increase/decrease,±dp/dt_max）]的变化情况,采用酶联免疫吸附法测定血清血管紧张素Ⅱ（angiotensin Ⅱ,AngⅡ）、内皮素1（endothelin-1,ET-1）、脑钠肽（brain natriuretic peptide,BNP）含量,试剂盒检测心肌组织活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）含量,实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测大鼠心肌组织NADPH氧化酶（reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase,NOX）、肿瘤坏死因子α（tumor necrosis factor α,TNF-α）mRNA相对表达量和蛋白表达水平。结果显示,治疗4周后,黄芪甲苷高剂量组和阳性对照组LVEF、LVFS随着治疗时间延长不断升高（P<0.05）;与相同治疗时间假手术组比较,模型组LVEF、LVFS均显著降低（P<0.05）;与治疗第0周模型组比较,各治疗组LVEF、LVFS差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;治疗第2、4周与模型组比较,黄芪甲苷中剂量组、黄芪甲苷高剂量组和阳性对照组LVEF、LVFS显著升高（P<0.05）;与模型组比较,黄芪甲苷中剂量组、黄芪甲苷高剂量组和阳性对照组LVMI显著降低（P<0.05）,LVSP、LVEDP、±dp/dt显著升高（P<0.05）,血清AngⅡ、ET-1、BNP显著降低（P<0.05）,心肌组织ROS含量显著降低（P<0.05）,NOX、TNF-α基因和蛋白表达量显著降低。研究结果表明,黄芪甲甙可改善AMI大鼠心功能和血流动力学紊乱,抑制心室重构,可能与下调NOX/ROS/TNF-α信号通路表达有关。     

血清同型半胱氨酸及尿酸水平检测对冠心病的临床价值研究

目的:探讨血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)和尿酸(UA)水平检测对冠心病的临床价值。方法:选择经冠状动脉造影确诊为冠心病的182例患者,分为以下3组,稳定型心绞痛(SAP)组78例,不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)组56例,急性心肌梗死(AMI)组48例。另外,随机选择单纯性高血压患者60例作为对照组,比较各组血清Hcy和UA水平并分析二者与各临床类型冠心病之间的关系。结果:⑴冠心病组的血清Hcy和UA水平明显高于单纯性高血压组(P0.05);⑵AMI组的血清Hcy和UA水平均明显高于UAP组和SAP组(P0.05);⑶Spearman相关分析显示:在AMl组中血清Hcy和UA水平呈高度正相关(P0.01);⑷Logistic风险回归显示:血清Hcy和血清UA升高是冠心病的危险因素(P0.05),而血清Hcy升高是急性心肌梗死的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论:高Hcy与高UA血症是冠心病发病的重要危险因素,联合监测二者对预防冠心病尤其是急性心肌梗死具有重要的临床意义。     

早产儿超声心脏几何形态学与血流动力学的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨与分析早产儿超声心脏几何形态学与血流动力学的相关性。方法：研究时间为2018年8月到2020年6月,选择本院收治的早产儿150例(早产组)和足月儿150例(足月组)作为研究对象,两组新生儿都给予超声检查,记录、左心室舒张期内径(Left ventricular diastolic diameter,LVDd)、左心室收缩期内径(Left ventricular systolic diastolic,LVDs)、左房内径(Left atrial diameter,LAD)、左心室相对厚度(Left ventricular relative wall thickness,LVRWT)、左心室心肌质量(Left ventricular myocardial mass,LVM)、左室后壁舒张期厚度(Left ventricular posterior walldepth,LVPWd)、左心室舒张末期容积(Left ventricular end diastolic volume,LVDV)、左心室收缩末期容积(Left ventricular end systolic volume,LVSV)、每搏输出量(Stroke volume,SV)、左心室射血分数(Left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)、左心室缩短分数(Left ventricular fractional shortening,LVFS)等指标并进行相关性分析。结果：早产组的LVDd、LVDs、LAD、LVPWd、LVRWT、LVM值都显著低于足月组(P<0.05)。早产组的LVDV、LVSV、SV值低于足月组(P<0.05),两组LVEF、LVFS值对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。在早产组中,Pearson相关性分析显示LVDd、LVDs、LAD、LVPWd、LVRWT、LVM值与LVDV、LVSV、SV值存在正相关性(P<0.05)。Cox比例风险回归模型显示早产儿的出生体重、身长为影响LVDd、LVDV值的主要因素(P<0.05)。结论：早产儿超声心脏几何形态学指标与血流动力学指标呈正相关,提示超声能准确记录和监测早产儿的心脏几何形态学与血流动力学,可作为评估早产儿心功能的一种可靠方法。     

高蛋氨酸饮食对大鼠血管内皮细胞分泌功能的影响

目的:探讨高蛋氨酸饮食对大鼠血管内皮细胞分泌功能的影响。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常饮食对照组(对照组)和高蛋氨酸饮食组(高蛋氨酸组)。对照组喂饲普通饲料,高蛋氨酸组大鼠喂饲含3%蛋氨酸的饲料,共8周。采用高效液相色谱法测定大鼠血浆同型半胱氨酸含量,以MDA、SOD、NO/ET和t-PA/PAI平衡等指标建立研究平台和内皮功能评价体系,同时以扫描电镜观察主动脉弓血管内皮细胞形态。结果:与对照组相比,高蛋氨酸组血浆Hcy含量显著高于对照组,是对照组的2倍以上;血浆MDA和SOD活力显著升高(P<0.05),t-PA/PAI-1和NO/ET比值均显著降低(P<0.05)。扫描电镜显示高蛋氨酸组大鼠内皮细胞呈典型虫蛀样损害,伴有附壁血栓形成和脂质沉积。结论:高蛋氨酸饮食可诱发大鼠高半胱氨酸血症,Hcy可通过氧化应激机制损伤血管内细胞分泌功能,血浆NO/ET和t-PA/PAI-1系统失衡。     

硫化氢减轻同型半胱氨酸诱导大鼠海马CA1区神经元损伤

目的探讨硫化氢(H2S)对同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)诱导大鼠海马CA1区神经元损伤的改善作用。方法以侧脑室注射同型半胱氨酸的SD大鼠为同型半胱氨酸神经毒性动物模型,采用Tunel染色法分析大鼠海马CA1区神经元的凋亡情况,采用Elisa法分析大鼠海马组织MDA含量。结果 0.6μmol和2.0μmol的同型半胱氨酸使大鼠海马CA1区神经元发生大量的凋亡(P0.01),而NaHS(100μmol/kg)显著抑制同型半胱氨酸(0.6μmol)诱导大鼠海马CA1区神经元的凋亡(P0.05);同型半胱氨酸(0.2,0.6μmol)可增加大鼠海马CA1区丙二醛含量(P0.001),而NaHS(100μmol/kg)可抑制同型半胱氨酸(0.6μmol/L)诱导大鼠海马CA1区丙二醛水平的增加(P0.001)。结论硫化氢可减轻同型半胱氨酸诱导大鼠海马CA1区神经元的损伤。     

超声心动图评价室间隔缺损封堵术前后心功能

目的:探讨经胸超声心动图(Transthoracic echocardiography,TTE)在评估室间隔缺损(Ventricular septal defect,VSD)封堵术前、后心脏负荷、功能变化的应用价值。方法:回顾性研究2007年1月至2012年8月广西医科大学一附院62例成功实施经皮穿刺VSD封堵术的患者资料。术前经超声筛查,术后3天、术后3个月、术后6个月及术后1年分别行TTE复查,常规测量左房收缩末期前后径(Left atrium end-systolic diameter,LAESD)、左室舒张末期前后径(Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter,LVEDD)、左室收缩末期前后径(Left ventricular end-systolic diameter,LVESD)、左室舒张末期容积(Left ventricular end-diastolic volume,LVEDV)、左室每博输出量(Left ventricular stroke volume,LVSV)、右室舒张末期前后径(Right ventricular end-diastolic diameter,RVEDD)、主肺动脉中段内径(Main pulmonary artery,MPA)、左室射血分数(Left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)、左室短轴缩短率(Left ventricular fraction shortening,LVFS)、三尖瓣反流压差(Pressure gradient of tricuspid regurgitation,PGTR)。结果:术后3个月、术后6个月、术后1年LAESD、LVEDD、LVESD、LVEDV、LVSV、MPA均较术前降低(P0.05),且术后3天LVEDD、LVEDV、LVSV、MPA均较术前降低(P0.05),术后3天LAESD、LVESD较术前差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后3天PGTR较术前降低(P0.05),术后3个月、术后6个月、术后1年较术后3天无统计学差异(P0.05);术前、术后RVEDD、LVEF、LVFS差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:TTE对VSD封堵术后心脏功能变化的评估有重要临床指导意义。     

α-硫辛酸对糖尿病肾病患者氧化应激, Hcy, CysC的影响

目的:探讨α-硫辛酸对糖尿病肾病患者的疗效及对氧化应激、同型半胱氨酸(homocysteine,Hcy)、血清胱抑素C(cystatin C,CysC)的影响。方法:将82例于我院进行治疗的2型糖尿病肾病患者随机分为观察组和对照组,对照组患者接受常规治疗,观察组患者在对照组的基础上加用α-硫辛酸。治疗时间均为2周。观察两组治疗效果并比较两组患者治疗前、后氧化应激指标超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)及Hcy、CysC水平变化。结果:治疗后,观察组氧化应激指标SOD水平均较治疗前显著升高(P0.05),MDA水平均较治疗前显著降低(P0.05),对照组氧化应激指标SOD及MDA水平与治疗前无明显差异(P0.05),两组治疗后SOD及MDA水平差异显著(P0.05);治疗后,观察组Hcy、CysC水平较治疗前显著降低(P0.05),对照组Hcy、CysC水平与治疗前无明显差异(P0.05),两组治疗后Hcy、CysC水平差异显著(P0.05)。结论:α-硫辛酸可缓解糖尿病肾病患者氧化应激状态,降低Hcy、CysC水平,改善患者肾功能。     

经胸超声心动图引导下行房间隔缺损封堵术治疗先天性房间隔缺损的临床研究

目的:探讨经胸超声心动图引导下行房间隔缺损封堵术治疗先天性房间隔缺损(Atrial septal defect,ASD)的临床疗效。方法:比较先天性ASD患者行超声心动图组(49例)或介入组(53例),患者的疗效及心脏功能的变化。结果:超声心动图组并发症发生率显著低于介入组(P0.05);术后4周,两组患者的心率、舒张期室间隔厚度(Interventricular septal thickness,IVST)、左室后壁厚度(Left ventricular posterior wall thickness,LVPWT)、左心室心肌重量(Left ventricular mass,LVM)和左心室心肌重量指数(Left ventricular mass index,LVMI)明显降低(P0.05),左心室射血分数(Left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)和左心室高峰充盈率(Left ventricular peak filling rate,LVPFR)均显著升高(P0.05),其余指标则无明显变化(P0.05);但术后1周超声心动图组的LVEF、IVST和LVMI即显著高于术前(P0.05)。结论:胸超声心动图引导下行ASD封堵术与X线介入封堵术疗效相当,但前者可能对ASD患者的心脏功能的改善更为显著。     

甲硫氨酸诱导高Hcy血症的抗氧化作用研究

为探讨甲硫氨酸在诱导高Hcy血症过程中的抗氧化作用,将Wistar大鼠随机分为正常组和1%甲硫氨酸组,喂养6周后,采用高效液相色谱法测定血清中同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)和谷胱甘肽含量(GSH),全自动氨基酸分析仪测定蛋氨酸和牛磺酸含量,转氨酶活性采用试剂盒测定。肝组织丙二醛(MDA)含量采用硫代巴比妥酸法,黄嘌呤氧化酶法和比色法测定肝组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、总抗氧化能力(FRAP值)和还原性谷胱甘肽含量。结果表明,1%甲硫氨酸组血清Hcy和牛磺酸含量分别为3.56±0.68μmol·L-1和568.68±57.02μmol·L-1,较正常组显著升高(p<0.05)。1%甲硫氨酸组肝组织GSH含量和SOD活性分别为132.19±25.49mg·g-1和6.86±1.46U·mg-1,较正常组103.97±16.30mg·g-1和5.01±1.24U·mg-1显著升高(p<0.05)。1%甲硫氨酸组较正常组肝组织FRAP值亦升高而MDA含量降低。结果表明,甲硫氨酸在诱导高Hcy血症过程中同时具有抗氧化作用。     

脑利钠肽后处理对兔急性心肌梗死的保护作用

目的：脑利钠肽后处理对兔急性心肌梗死的保护作用及可能机制。方法：30 只兔随机分为3 组,每组10 只,左冠状动脉的左 室支缺血30 分钟,再灌注120 分钟。AMI（急性心肌梗死）组：再灌注期间静脉滴注生理盐水;BNP（脑利钠肽）组：再灌注期间静脉 滴注rhBNP(重组人脑利钠肽);BNP+GLY（脑利钠肽+格列苯脲）组：再灌注期间静脉滴注rhBNP,同时舌下静脉注射GLY 。连续 监测心电变化,统计再灌注120 min 室性心动过速(VT)、心室颤动(VF)的发生率。心肌再灌注120 min 后,分别测定SOD(超氧化 物歧化酶)、MDA（丙二醛）、cTnI（肌钙蛋白I）、CK-MB（肌酸激酶同工酶）。各组随机抽取2 只兔,分别于再灌注1 小时和2 小时末 取心尖组织,HE 染色。结果：（1）再灌注心律失常：BNP 组与AMI组比较,VT 和VF发生率均明显升高（均为P<0.01）;BNP+GLY 组与BNP 组比较,VT 和VF 发生率均明显升高（均为P<0.01）。（2）SOD、MDA、cTnI 和CK-MB 水平：BNP 组与AMI 组比较, MDA、cTnI 和CK-MB 均明显降低（均为P<0.01）,而SOD 明显升高（P<0.01）;BNP+GLY 组与BNP 组比较,MDA、cTnI 和 CK-MB 均明显升高（分别为P<0.01,P<0.05和P<0.01）,而SOD明显降低（P<0.01）。（3）心肌HE 染色：AMI组和BNP+GLY 组心 肌损伤明显,BNP 组心肌损伤轻微。结论：脑利钠肽后处理对兔急性心肌梗死（缺血- 再灌注损伤）具有保护作用,可能与KATP 通道相关。     

Role for dopamine in malonate-induced damage in vivo in striatum and in vitro in mesencephalic cultures

Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the reactive metabolites generated from the metabolism and oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) are thought to contribute to the damage to neurons of the basal ganglia. We have previously demonstrated that infusions of the metabolic inhibitor malonate into the striata of mice or rats produce degeneration of DA nerve terminals. In the present studies, we demonstrate that an intrastriatal infusion of malonate induces a substantial increase in DA efflux in awake, behaving mice as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with tetrabenazine (TBZ) or the TBZ analogue Ro 4-1284 (Ro-4), compounds that reversibly inhibit the vesicular storage of DA, attenuates the malonate-induced DA efflux as well as the damage to DA nerve terminals. Consistent with these findings, the damage to both DA and GABA neurons in mesencephalic cultures by malonate exposure was attenuated by pretreatment with TBZ or Ro-4. Treatment with these compounds did not affect the formation of free radicals or the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulting from malonate exposure alone. Our data suggest that DA plays an important role in the neurotoxicity produced by malonate. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular DA levels and indicate that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through a mechanism involving DA.     

SSTR5 ablation in islet results in alterations in glucose homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) peptide is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and its effect is mediated via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) in the endocrine pancreas. To investigate the consequences of gene ablation of SSTR5 in the mouse pancreas, we have generated a mouse model in which the SSTR5 gene was specifically knocked down in the pancreatic beta cells (betaSSTR5Kd) using the Cre-lox system. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 gene expression was absent in beta cells at three months of age. At the time of gene ablation, betaSSTR5Kd mice demonstrated glucose intolerance with lack of insulin response and significantly reduced serum insulin levels. Insulin tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase of insulin clearance in vivo at the same age. In vitro studies demonstrated an absence of response to SST-28 stimulation in the betaSSTR5Kd mouse islet, which was associated with a significantly reduced SST expression level in betaSSTR5Kd mice pancreata. In addition, betaSSTR5Kd mice had significantly reduced serum glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels at 12 months of age. Glucose tolerance test at an older age also indicated a persistently higher insulin level in betaSSTR5Kd mice. Further studies of betaSSTR5Kd mice had revealed elevated serum C-peptide levels at both 3 and 12 months of age, suggesting that these mice are capable of producing and releasing insulin to the periphery. These results support the hypothesis that SSTR5 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the mouse pancreas.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2017年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2017年中国植物科学继续保持高速发展态势, 重大成果频出, 具体表现在中国植物学家在国际顶级学术期刊发表的文章数量平稳上升。中国植物科学领域的研究工作者成果精彩纷呈, 如新型广谱抗病机制的发现、水稻广谱抗病遗传基础及机制和疫霉菌诱发病害成灾机制研究等。2017年中国生命科学领域十大进展评选中, 有两项植物科学领域的研究成果入选。水稻生物学、进化与基因组学和激素生物学等领域学科发展突出。另外, 值得一提的是, 长期从事高等植物与代谢途径调控分子网络研究和水稻品种设计育种的李家洋院士的研究成果“水稻高产优质性状形成的分子机理及品种设计”荣获2017年国家自然科学一等奖。这一具有重大国际影响的开创性贡献标志着中国植物科学在该领域的国际科学前沿居于引领和卓越地位。该文对2017年中国本土科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了系统梳理, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域发展的最新前沿动态, 与广大读者共同分享我国科学家所取得的辉煌成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义。综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义.综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望.     

Changes in aquatic vegetation in Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace in relation to disturbance

Abstract. Changes are described in aquatic vegetation in oligotrophic, groundwater-fed Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace (eastern France), resulting from disturbance. Disturbance factors include changes in nutrients, either permanent ones - effluent from a waste water treatment plant or trout hatcheries - or periodic ones: flooding. Regular inputs of high levels of phosphate and ammonia modified the macrophyte vegetation in these streams. The floristic composition, which was characteristic of oligotrophic waters upstream of the eutrophicated sector, changed to that of a eutrophic situation as originally found downstream. Periodic disturbance by floods which normally occur once a year, irregularly eutrophicates the small streams, causing the development of a mixture of eutrophic and oligotrophic species. Six macrophyte communities are distinguished, indicating different trophic levels. The aquatic vegetation is adapted to the variations of phosphate and ammonia levels. Hence, aquatic macrophytes can be used as bio-indicators of fluctuations in water nutrient levels in relation to the type of disturbance.     

Morphine-potentiated platelet aggregation in in vitro and platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments

The detailed mechanisms underlying morphine-signaling pathways in platelets remain obscure. Therefore, we systematically examined the influence of morphine on washed human platelets. In this study, washed human platelet suspensions were used for in vitro studies. Furthermore, platelet thrombus formation induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium was used for an in vivo thrombotic study. Morphine concentration dependently (0.6, 1, and 5 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation and the ATP release reaction stimulated by agonists (i.e., collagen and U46619) in washed human platelets. Yohimbine (0.1 microM), a specific alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly abolished the potentiation of morphine in platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Morphine also potentiated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 microg/ml). Moreover, morphine (0.6-5 microM) markedly inhibited prostaglandin E(1) (10 microM)-induced cyclic AMP formation in human platelets, while yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP by morphine (0.6 and 1 microM) in this study. The thrombin-evoked increase in pH(i) was markedly potentiated in the presence of morphine (1 and 5 microM). Morphine (2 and 5 mg/g) significantly shortened the time require to induce platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules. We concluded that morphine may exert its potentiation in platelet aggregation by binding to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in human platelets, with a resulting inhibition of adenylate cyclase, thereby reducing intracellular cyclic AMP formation followed by increased activation of phospholipase C and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. This leads to increased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and finally potentiation of platelet aggregation and of the ATP release reaction.     

Apoptosis in experimental myocardial infarction in situ and in the perfused heart in vitro

We report the appearance of apoptotic cells in experimental myocardial infarction (rabbit heart) in in situ and in vitro preparations. Apoptosis was recognized by intravital staining with Hoechst 33342 (Ho342), by nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and by DNA laddering. A steady rise in the relative number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (apoptotic index) was noted in in situ preparations. Apoptosis was first noted 6 h after the onset of ischemia with its highest value occurring after 72 h. Apoptotic nuclei were absent in remote areas of the left and right ventricles. Apoptotic nuclei within the infarcted area showed diminished intensity of Ho342 fluorescence. Three days after ischemia, a border zone adjacent to the infarcted area consisting of apoptotic macrophages was recognized. A novel finding was the appearance of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the isolated perfused ischemic heart. Occurring as early as 50 min after the onset of ischemia, a high apoptotic index was present adjacent to the ligature placed around the coronary artery. This observation provides the opportunity to selectively examine factors leading to apoptosis in the ischemic heart under controlled experimental conditions.