西格列汀对糖尿病小鼠心肌重构和自噬的影响及其机制

目的: 探讨西格列汀对糖尿病小鼠心肌重构和自噬的影响和可能的机制。方法: 10周龄的C57小鼠腹腔注射STZ 50 mg/(kg·d),连续注射5 d,7 d测血糖浓度＞16.7 mmol/L视为糖尿病小鼠造模成功,造模成功4周后给与药物干预。本实验分四组,对照组(control, 腹腔注射等体积的缓冲液, n=10)、模型组(Streptozocin, STZ腹腔注射诱导糖尿病模型,n=8)、处理组(在模型组基础上给与西格列汀灌胃10 mg/(kg·d),n=8)、抑制剂组(在处理组的基础上给与腹腔注射Compound C (AMPK通路抑制剂,10 mg/(kg·d),n=8),对照组腹腔注射等体积缓冲液,6周后称体重,处死,取小鼠心脏并分离心室称重,计算心室/体重比,HE染色观察心肌细胞形态,Masson染色观察纤维化程度,Western blot 检测心肌脑钠肽(BNP)、转化生长因子β(TGF-β)、缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)、AMP依赖的蛋白激酶(AMPK)、LC3B蛋白表达。结果: 给药6周后,与对照组相比,模型组小鼠体重没有明显改变,心室/体重比明显增加(P＜0.05),苏木素-伊红(HE)染色显示细胞增大,Masson染色显示心肌间隙纤维化增多,BNP、TGF-β蛋白明显升高,Cx43、LC3B、AMPK蛋白下降(P＜0.05)。与模型组相比,西格列汀组BNP、TGF-β蛋白明显下降,Cx43、LC3B、AMPK蛋白增多(P＜0.05)。然而Compound C会抑制Cx43、LC3B、AMPK蛋白表达的上调(P＜ 0.05)。结论: 西格列汀可以改善糖尿病小鼠心肌肥厚和纤维化,并且可以通过AMPK相关通路调节Cx43和自噬。     

缺氧大鼠心肌α1,β肾上腺素能受体的变化

为了探讨α_1、β肾上腺素能受体在大鼠缺氧性心脏肥大进程中的作用,本研究应用放射配基结合法观察了不同缺氧时间大鼠心室α_1、β肾上腺素能受体变化的动态过程,同时也观察了α_1、β受体阻断剂在预防缺氧性心肌肥大发生中的作用。缺氧10d后,测定右心室重量及组织学检查未见右心室肥大,但此时心室肌α_1受体数量从对照组的27.49±1.25增加到33.80±0.90fmol/mg蛋白(P<0.05);β受体从对照组的51.80±7.60下降到25.10±2.30fmol/mg蛋白(P<0.01)。缺氧20和30d后α_1受体进一步增加到40.70±1.43和32.30±1.96fmol/mg蛋白(P<0.05);β受体分别为27.90±2.30和42.80±1.70fmol/mg蛋白(P<0.05)。缺氧20和30d后右心室重量指数明显高于对照组,在整个缺氧过程中α_1、β受体的亲和性(K_d)未见明显变化,未见左心室肥大。缺氧同时应用α_1受体阻断剂(哌唑嗪4mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))30d,可明显预防缺氧所致的右心肥大;而β受体阻断剂(心得安10mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))没有此种作用。由此可见,在缺氧所致右心肥大之前,心肌α_1受体数量即明显升高,α_1受体阻断剂可以预防缺氧引起的右心肥大。     

和厚朴酚对心梗小鼠的心肌保护作用研究

目的 探讨和厚朴酚(Honokiolc, HKL)对急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction, AMI)小鼠的心肌保护作用及其可能的调控机制。方法 80只雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为四组,每组20只：假手术(Sham)组、心梗模型+空白溶剂(Vehicle)(MI+V)组、心梗模型+和厚朴酚治疗(MI+HKL)组、心梗模型+和厚朴酚+沉默调节蛋白1(Sirtuin-1,SIRT1)抑制剂(selisistat, EX527)处理(MI+HKL+EX)组。造模后记录28 d内小鼠的死亡情况;术后第28天检测小鼠超声心动图后,处死动物留取血清标本,酶联免疫吸附剂(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA)法检测血清炎症指标。留取心脏组织标本,活性氧荧光探针-二氢乙啶(dihydroethidium, DHE)法检测心肌组织氧化应激水平;末端DNA转移酶dUTP缺口末端标记(terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling, TUNEL)法...     

虎刺提取物对CCl_4致肝损伤的保护作用

目的:研究虎刺提取物对CCl4致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用及与所含蒽醌类化合物之间的量效关系。方法:小鼠分为模型组,正常组,阳性药组(联苯双酯),石油醚部位组、乙酸乙酯部位组、水部位组和75%乙醇提取物组。正常组小鼠每日灌胃(ig)生理盐水10 m L·kg~(-1),阳性对照组联苯双酯200 mg·kg~(-1),药物组按300 mg·kg~(-1)(高剂量组)、150 mg·kg~(-1)(低剂量组)剂量给药。连续给药6天后小鼠按剂量10 m L·kg~(-1)腹腔注射(ip)0.1%CCl_4花生油溶液,心脏取血,测血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT),谷草转氨酶(AST)活性,并取肝脏做组织切片观察其病理学形态变化。采用高效液相(HPLC)法初步分析,采用醋酸-甲醇显色法测定各样品中总蒽醌的含量。结果:与模型组相比,虎刺水部位(300 mg·kg~(-1))能明显降低小鼠血清中ALT、AST的含量(p0.01),水部位(150 mg·kg~(-1))和75%乙醇提取物(300 mg·kg~(-1))也能降低ALT、AST的含量(p0.05)。病理切片发现水部位和总提物能明显减轻肝组织病理学症状。结论:虎刺提取物具有明显的肝保护作用,其中水部位活性最强,保护活性可能与蒽醌化合物有关。     

姜黄素在宫颈癌治疗中对MIF、VEGF-C、P53表达及肿瘤生长的影响

为了揭示姜黄素治疗宫颈癌的实验效果及其作用机制。选取成功建立的宫颈癌Caski细胞移植瘤裸鼠48只,随机分为空白组(等量生理盐水灌胃)、顺铂组(顺铂3 mg·g~(-1)·d~(-1))、高剂量组(100 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))、低剂量组(50 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)),每组12只,连续处理15 d后,对比各组小鼠肿瘤体积、瘤体重量、抑瘤率,采用流式细胞仪技术检测各组小鼠肿瘤组织中Caski细胞周期分布情况、采用RT-PCR技术和Western-blotting技术检测各组小鼠瘤组织中巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(MIF)、血管内皮细胞生长因子-C(VEGF-C)、p53mRNA及蛋白的表达情况。结果显示,顺铂组、高剂量组、低剂量组的小鼠肿瘤体积、肿瘤重量均显著低于空白组(p0.05),顺铂组、高剂量组的小鼠肿瘤体积、肿瘤重量显著低于低剂量组(p0.05),顺铂组、高剂量组的抑瘤率显著高于低剂量组(p0.05);顺铂组、高剂量组、低剂量组的G1期细胞比例低于空白组(p0.05);顺铂组、高剂量组的G1期细胞比例低于低剂量组(p0.05),而S期及G2/M期细胞比例高于低剂量组(p0.05);顺铂组、高剂量的MIF、VEGF-C mRNA表达低于低剂量组(p0.05),顺铂组、高剂量的p53mRNA表达高于低剂量组(p0.05);顺铂组、高剂量组、低剂量组的MIF、VEGF-C蛋白低于空白组(p0.05);顺铂组、高剂量组的MIF、VEGF-C蛋白低于低剂量组(p0.05),而p53蛋白高于低剂量组(p0.05)。姜黄素能有效抑制宫颈癌Caski细胞移植瘤裸鼠肿瘤细胞的生长,可能与下调MIF、VEGF-C及上调p53 mRNA及蛋白有关。     

罗汉果多糖对环磷酰胺所致的免疫 抑制小鼠免疫功能的影响

该研究将小鼠随机分成正常组,模型组,罗汉果多糖低、中、高剂量组(25、50、100 mg·kg~(-1))和左旋咪唑组,采用腹腔注射环磷酰胺(20 mg·kg~(-1))建立免疫抑制小鼠模型,连续灌胃给药14 d后,测定各组小鼠的免疫器官指数、廓清指数(K)、吞噬指数(α)、T和B淋巴细胞增殖水平、耳肿胀度、半数溶血值(HC50)以及免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、TNF-α的含量,并观察脾组织病理形态变化,考察罗汉果多糖对免疫抑制小鼠免疫功能的影响。结果表明:罗汉果多糖各剂量组(25、50、100 mg·kg~(-1))均能显著提高免疫抑制小鼠的免疫器官指数、半数溶血值(HC_(50))、B淋巴细胞增殖能力,明显降低耳肿胀度,显著增加IgG、IgM、IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、TNF-α的含量。罗汉果多糖中、高剂量组(50、100 mg·kg~(-1))能显著增强T淋巴细胞增殖能力,明显增加廓清指数(K)、吞噬指数(α)。脾组织病理学观察结果表明,罗汉果多糖可以减轻免疫抑制小鼠脾脏的病理损伤。这表明罗汉果多糖能明显增强环磷酰胺所致免疫抑制小鼠的免疫功能。     

蒙药孟根乌苏-18 味丸、孟根乌苏炮制品的肝肾毒性作用研究

目的:对比研究孟根乌苏(水银)-18味丸、孟根乌苏(水银)炮制品与硫化汞、氯化汞、氯化亚汞的肝肾毒性作用。方法:将Wistar雄性大鼠,根据体重随机分为正常对照组、孟根乌苏-18味丸低、高剂量组(0.29,2.9 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))、孟根乌苏-18味丸简化方组(0.26 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))、孟根乌苏炮制品低、高剂量组(0.033,0.33 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))、硫化汞组(17.39 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))、氯化汞组(4.06 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))、氯化亚汞组(35.3 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)),共9组,每组6只。各组大鼠适应7天后,灌胃给药7天后分别检测肝肾功能,肝肾组织形态学变化,并用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪(ICP-OES)和电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)法测肾汞蓄积量,原位末端标记(TUNEL)法测肾细胞凋亡,免疫组化法测肾Ⅲ型胶原蛋白表达,实时荧光定量PCR(Real-Time-PCR)法检测肾脏MT-1、MT-2基因表达的变化。结果:在实验过程中,氯化亚汞组4只大鼠死亡,因此未对实验数据进行统计。大鼠连续7天给药后,药物对各组大鼠肝、肾功能并无影响。肝脏和肾脏病理检查结果表明,孟根乌苏-18味丸和孟根乌苏炮制品低剂量组肝细胞肿胀变性程度较轻,肾小球轻度肥大,肾小管上皮轻度肿胀变性,孟根乌苏-18味丸和孟根乌苏炮制品高剂量组以及硫化汞组大鼠肝脏、肾脏均出现了一定的病理变化,而氯化汞、氯化亚汞组大鼠肝肾病理变化更显著。与正常对照组和孟根乌苏炮制品低剂量组相比,氯化汞组大鼠肾汞蓄积量显著升高(P0.01);硫化汞、氯化汞组大鼠肾细胞凋亡率和Ⅲ型胶原蛋白表达显著升高(P0.01);与正常对照组比较,氯化汞组大鼠肾组织中MT-1和MT-2 m RNA表达显著升高(P0.01,P0.05);氯化汞组大鼠肾组织中MT-1表达显著高于孟根乌苏炮制品低剂量组(P0.01)。结论:临床常用量的孟根乌苏-18味丸和孟根乌苏炮制品肝肾毒性要远低于氯化亚汞、氯化汞。     

杭白菊提取物对异丙肾上腺素诱导小鼠心肌肥厚的影响*

目的:探讨杭白菊提取物对异丙肾上腺素(Iso)诱导小鼠病理性心肌肥厚(CH)的影响。方法:健康雄性JCR小鼠,随机分为4组(n=12): 对照组、单纯药物处理组(CFE组)、CH模型组(Iso组)和 CH模型+药物处理组 (CFE+Iso 组);Iso 组和CFE+Iso 组每天一次i.h Iso(3 mg/kg),以构建小鼠CH模型,对照组和 CFE组每天一次i.h同体积生理盐水,连续14 d;同时i.h在4 h后,CFE组和 CFE+Iso组每天一次灌胃CFE(200 mg/kg) ,对照组和Iso 组每天灌胃同体积的生理盐水;28 d后取小鼠心脏, 检测全心质量指数(HMI)、左室质量指数(LVMI)、心脏质量/胫骨长度比值(HW/TL)、心肌纤维化程度、心肌SOD、GSH、MDA水平和左心室组织环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)、血管紧张素II(Ang II)水平。结果:与正常组比较, Iso组LVMI、HMI 和 HW/TL升高(P＜ 0.01);与 Iso组相比,CFE＋Iso组HMI、LVMI和HW/TL比值降低(P＜0.01),心肌纤维化减轻(P＜0.01), GSH、T-SOD水平升高(P＜0.05 或P＜0.01),MDA水平下降(P＜0.01);心肌cAMP和Ang II 含量下降(P＜0.01 或P＜0.05)。结论:CFE改善Iso诱导小鼠CH的心脏状况,其机制可能与其抗氧化、抑制心肌纤维化进展、降低心肌cAMP、AngⅡ水平有关。     

促红细胞生成素通过提高Sca-1+干细胞的功能参与小鼠心肌梗死的修复(英文)

心肌梗死(myocardial infarction, MI)是目前全球主要的死亡病因之一。随着临床治疗水平的提高,MI急性期的死亡率已显著下降,但其对心肌重构及心功能的长远影响仍无法有效防治。促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin, EPO)是一种糖蛋白细胞因子,具有促进造血、抗凋亡和促血管生成的作用。研究表明EPO在心脏缺血损伤、心力衰竭等心血管疾病中发挥心肌保护作用,机制与促进心脏祖细胞活化有关。本研究旨在探讨EPO是否可通过增强Sca-1⁺干细胞的活性促进MI的修复。通过直接注射法将达贝泊汀-α (darbepoetin alpha,一种长效EPO类似物,EPO_anlg)注射到成年小鼠MI的交界区,观测MI面积、心脏重构及功能、心肌细胞凋亡及微血管密度变化。用磁性分选技术从新生和成年小鼠心脏中分离Lin^-Sca-1⁺干细胞,分别用于克隆形成能力及EPO效应的测定。结果显示,和单纯的MI组相比,在体应用EPOanlg可显著降低MI面积、心肌细胞凋亡率,减轻左室腔的扩张,同时提高心功能、增...     

鞘鞍醇激酶-1抑制剂PF-543改善1型糖尿病心肌纤维化的实验研究

目的:研究鞘鞍醇激酶-1抑制剂PF-543对1型糖尿病心肌纤维化的影响及其机制。方法:取60只8周龄雄性C57BL6J小鼠,随机分为对照组、对照+PF-543组、1型糖尿病组及1型糖尿病+PF-543组。采用禁食后一次性腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ,150 mg/kg)构建1型糖尿病模型。造模后每天通过腹腔注射给予溶媒或PF-543(1 mg/kg),持续至造模后第16周末。造模第16周末采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测心肌组织1-磷酸鞘鞍醇(S1P)浓度;采用心脏超声评估心脏收缩与舒张功能;Masson三色法染色以评估心肌纤维化情况;Western blot检测心脏转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)、I型胶原蛋白(Col I)、Ⅲ型胶原蛋白(Col Ⅲ)表达水平。结果:1型糖尿病+PF-543组小鼠血浆及心肌S1P水平显著低于1型糖尿病组(所有P0.05)。超声结果显示,1型糖尿病+PF-543组小鼠心脏左心室射血分数(LVEF)显著高于1型糖尿病组(65.7±3.3%vs 54.4±3.4%,P0.05),左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)显著小于1型糖尿病组(3.81±0.21mm vs 4.52±0.20mm,P0.05)。Masson三色法染色显示1型糖尿病+PF-543组心肌纤维化程度显著低于1型糖尿病组(7.13±0.32%vs 10.21±0.41%,P0.05)。1型糖尿病+PF-543组小鼠心脏TGF-β1、Col I与Col Ⅲ蛋白表达水平均低于1型糖尿病组(所有P0.05)。结论:鞘鞍醇激酶-1抑制剂PF-543可显著降低1型糖尿病小鼠血浆与心脏S1P水平,降低心脏TGF-β1表达与胶原蛋白沉积,改善1型糖尿病小鼠心脏纤维化与心功能。     

巨噬细胞来源外泌体介导心肌梗塞后心脏重塑的作用研究

目的:研究活化的巨噬细胞来源外泌体在心肌梗塞后心脏重塑中的作用。方法:采用超高速离心分离提取溶血磷脂酸作用下巨噬细胞来源的外泌体,将其与心脏成纤维细胞共同孵育48小时,利用Edu细胞增殖实验、Transwell实验及免疫荧光等方法检测溶血磷脂酸刺激(LPS)下巨噬细胞来源外泌体对心脏成纤维细胞的增殖、迁移以及分化的影响。选取正常C57雄性小鼠32只,根据其是否结扎左侧冠状动脉前降支及是否进行心脏原位外泌体注射,将实验小鼠随机分为:正常组,假手术组,心梗+空白外泌体组及心梗组+LPS刺激外泌体组。手术完成4周后行心脏超声、Masson染色以检测各组实验小鼠心功能状态及心脏纤维化程度。结果:在细胞实验中,LPS刺激的巨噬细胞来源外泌体可以显著增加心脏成纤维细胞的增殖、迁移以及分化能力;在动物实验中,相对于正常组、假手术组及心梗+空白-外泌体组,心梗+LPS-外泌体组小鼠的左心室射血分数及短轴收缩率显著下降,左心室舒张末及收缩末内径显著增加。Masson染色检测提示心肌梗塞+LPS-外泌体组小鼠心脏纤维化程度显著高于其余三组。结论:活化的巨噬细胞来源的外泌体可以显著加速心梗后心脏重塑的进程。     

基于三维超声心动图对比分析扩张型心肌病与二尖瓣关闭不全左室构型和收缩功能的研究

摘要 目的：基于三维超声心动图对比分析扩张型心肌病（DCM）与二尖瓣关闭不全（MI）左室构型和收缩功能的研究。方法：收集我院2018年1月至2021年7月就诊患有左心室（LV）扩张的患者100例,其中DCM患者57例,MI患者43例。LV大小大致相仿,DCM组（43±5）mm/m²,MI组（42±5）mm/m²。另选取同时期50例健康受试者作为对照组。所有患者均进行常规超声心动图及三维超声心动图检查,测量指标主要包括左室大小（LVID）、左室后壁厚度（PWT）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左室舒张末期室间间隔厚度（IVS）、左室舒张末期容积（LVEDV）、收缩末期容积（LVESV）、相对室壁厚度（RWT）、LV质量指数（LVMI）、三维左室射血分数（3D-LVEF）、三维舒张末期血流速度（3D-EDV）、二维或三维超声心动图球形指数（2D-SI/3D-SI）。结果：DCM组和MI组LVEDD均大于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。DCM组比MI组患者心功能分级III/IV和心力衰竭的发生率更高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。DCM组和MI组患者的LVEDD、LVEDD指数、LVEDV、LVEDV指数、3D-EDV、3D-EDV指数均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;但DCM组和MI组对比差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。DCM组和MI组患者的LV长度、LV长度指数、LVMI均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;且MI组高于DCM组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。DCM组和MI组患者的LVESV、LVESV指数、2D-SI、3D-SI均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;且DCM组高于MI组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。DCM组3D-LVEF、RWT均低于对照组和MI组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。ROC分析显示,3D-SI在评估左室扩大患者的左室重构方面优于其他变量,3D-SI的ROC曲线下面积为0.875,95%CI为0.816-0.920,3D-SI>0.62对于DCM和MI区分左室构型的特异性（81.66%）和敏感性（92.09%）较高。DCM和MI患者的3D-LVEF和3D-SI均呈线性负相关（r=-0.719,P=0.000;r=-0.682,P=0.000）。DCM和MI患者3D-SI检测心力衰竭的ROC曲线下面积均大于3D-LVEF的ROC曲线下面积,差异有统计学意义（P=0.000）。结论：与MI患者相比,尽管LV大小大致相仿,但DCM患者的左室几何形状更接近球形,且收缩功能更差。收缩功能与3D-SI显著相关,3D-SI较好地描述了左室重构,可能是LV扩张患者心力衰竭的较强指标。     

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases improves left ventricular function in mice lacking osteopontin after myocardial infarction

Osteopontin (OPN) plays an important role in left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) by promoting collagen synthesis and accumulation. This study tested the hypothesis that MMP inhibition modulates post-MI LV remodeling in mice lacking OPN. Wild-type (WT) and OPN knockout (KO) mice were treated daily with MMP inhibitor (PD166793, 30 mg/kg/day) starting 3 days post-MI. LV functional and structural remodeling was measured 14 days post-MI. Infarct size was similar in WT and KO groups with or without MMP inhibition. M-mode echocardiography showed greater increase in LV end-diastolic (LVEDD) and end-systolic diameters (LVESD) and decrease in percent fractional shortening (%FS) and ejection fraction in KO-MI versus WT-MI. MMP inhibition decreased LVEDD and LVESD, and increased %FS in both groups. Interestingly, the effect was more pronounced in KO-MI group versus WT-MI (P < 0.01). MMP inhibition significantly decreased post-MI LV dilation in KO-MI group as measured by Langendorff-perfusion analysis. MMP inhibition improved LV developed pressures in both MI groups. However, the improvement was significantly higher in KO-MI group versus WT-MI (P < 0.05). MMP inhibition increased heart weight-to-body weight ratio, myocyte cross-sectional area, fibrosis and septal wall thickness only in KO-MI. Percent apoptotic myocytes in the non-infarct area was not different between the treatment groups. Expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the non-infarct area was higher in KO-MI group 3 days post-MI. MMP inhibition reduced MMP-2 activity in KO-MI with no effect on the expression of TIMP-2 and TIMP-4 14 days post-MI. Thus, activation of MMPs contributes to reduced fibrosis and LV dysfunction in mice lacking OPN.     

Overexpression of Na+-HCO3– cotransporter contributes to the exacerbation of cardiac remodeling in mice with myocardial infarction by increasing intracellular calcium overload

The role of the cardiac isoform of the electrogenic sodium-bicarbonate ion cotransporter (NBCe1) in cardiac remodeling is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of NBCe1 overexpression on cardiac remodeling induced by myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. We generated NBCe1 transgenic (Tg) mice and NBCe1 overexpressing adult mouse ventricular myocytes (AMVMs) to investigate the role of NBCe1 on post-MI remodeling and calcium kinetics. Tg mice showed a markedly higher mortality rate and larger infarct size after MI. At 6 weeks after MI, the maximum rising rates of left ventricular pressure (dp/dt), contractility index, and the exponential time constant of relaxation (τ) were markedly lower, and there was higher cardiomyocyte apoptosis, in Tg mice compared with WT mice. In cultured AMVMs, overexpression of NBCe1 decreased sarcomere shortening and calcium amplitude. In WT AMVMs, the rates of the rise and decay phase of calcium transients, indicated by the rising time (T_peak, time to peak) and decay time constant (τ_d), and the number of apoptotic cells, were increased following hypoxia, while overexpression of NBCe1 further increased T_peak and cellular apoptosis, but not τ_d. Intracellular resting calcium and sodium concentrations were significantly increased following both hypoxia and NBCe1 overexpression. Co-treatment with S0859, an NBCe1 antagonist, blocked the hypoxia-induced increase in T_peak, τ_d, intracellular resting calcium and sodium concentrations, and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. These findings indicate that NBCe1 overexpression promotes cardiac remodeling by increasing intracellular calcium overload. Therefore, NBCe1 should be a potential target for treatment of cardiac remodeling.     

Effects of pre-, peri-, and postmyocardial infarction treatment with losartan in rats: effect of dose on survival, ventricular arrhythmias, function, and remodeling

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and improve LV function and survival when started postmyocardial infarction (MI). ARBs also reduce ventricular arrhythmias during ischemia-reperfusion injury when started pre-MI. No information exists regarding their efficacy and safety when started pre-MI and continued peri- and post-MI. We evaluated whether the ARB losartan improves the outcome when started pre-MI and continued peri- and post-MI. Male Wistar rats (n = 502) were treated for 7 days pre-MI with losartan at a high dose (30 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)), progressively increasing dose (3 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) increased to 10 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) 10 days and 30 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) 20 days post-MI), or no treatment. Ambulatory systolic blood pressure and Holter monitoring were performed for 24 h post-MI. Echocardiography was done 30 days post-MI, and LV remodeling, cardiac hemodynamics, and fetal gene expression were assessed 38 days post-MI. High-dose losartan reduced 24-h post-MI survival compared with the progressive dose and control (21.9% vs. 36.6% and 38.1%, P = 0.033 and P = 0.009, respectively). This was associated with greater hypotension in the high dose and no change in ventricular arrhythmias in all groups. In 24-h post-MI survivors, the progressive dose group had reduced mortality from 24 h to 38 days (8.5% vs. 28.6% for control vs. 38.9% for high dose, P = 0.032 and P = 0.01, respectively). Survivors of both losartan groups demonstrated improved LV remodeling, cardiac hemodynamics, preserved GLUT-4, and reduced cardiac fetal gene expression. Pretreatment with ARBs does not reduce 24-h post-MI ventricular arrhythmias or survival, and high doses increase mortality by causing excessive hypotension. In 24-h post-MI survivors, progressively increasing doses of losartan have multiple beneficial effects, including improved survival.     

Effects of Renal Sympathetic Denervation on Post-Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Remodeling in Rats

Objective

To investigate the therapeutic effects of renal denervation (RD) on post- myocardial infarction (MI) cardiac remodeling in rats, the most optimal time for intervention and the sustainability of these effects.

Methods

One hundred SPF male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to N group (Normal, n = 10), MI group(MI, n = 20),RD group (RD, n = 10), RD3+MI (MI three days after RD, n = 20), MI1+RD (RD one day after MI, n = 20), MI7+RD (RD seven days after MI, n = 20). MI was produced through thoracotomic ligation of the anterior descending artery. RD was performed through laparotomic stripping of the renal arteriovenous adventitial sympathetic nerve. Left ventricular function, hemodynamics, plasma BNP, urine volume, urine sodium excretion and other indicators were measured four weeks after MI.

Results

(1) The left ventricular function of the MI group significantly declined (EF<40%), plasma BNP was elevated, urine output was significantly reduced, and 24-hour urine sodium excretion was significantly reduced. (2) Denervation can be achieved by surgically stripping the arteriovenous adventitia, approximately 3 mm from the abdominal aorta. (3) In rats with RD3+MI, MI1+RD and MI7+RD, compared with MI rats respectively, the LVEF was significantly improved (75±8.4%,69±3.8%,73±5.5%), hemodynamic indicators were significantly improved, plasma BNP was significantly decreased, and the urine output was significantly increased (21.3±5 ml,23.8±5.4 ml,25.2±8.7 ml). However, the urinary sodium excretion also increased but without significant difference.

Conclusions

RD has preventive and therapeutic effects on post-MI cardiac remodeling.These effects can be sustained for at least four weeks, but there were no significant differences between denervation procedures performed at different times in the course of illness. Cardiac function, hemodynamics, urine volume and urine sodium excretion in normal rats were not affected by RD.     

Cardiac Restricted Overexpression of Membrane Type-1 Matrix Metalloproteinase Causes Adverse Myocardial Remodeling following Myocardial Infarction

The membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is a unique member of the MMP family, but induction patterns and consequences of MT1-MMP overexpression (MT1-MMPexp), in a left ventricular (LV) remodeling process such as myocardial infarction (MI), have not been explored. MT1-MMP promoter activity (murine luciferase reporter) increased 20-fold at 3 days and 50-fold at 14 days post-MI. MI was then induced in mice with cardiac restricted MT1-MMPexp (n = 58) and wild type (WT, n = 60). Post-MI survival was reduced (67% versus 46%, p < 0.05), and LV ejection fraction was lower in the post-MI MT1-MMPexp mice compared with WT (41 ± 2 versus 32 ± 2%,p < 0.05). In the post-MI MT1-MMPexp mice, LV myocardial MMP activity, as assessed by radiotracer uptake, and MT1-MMP-specific proteolytic activity using a specific fluorogenic assay were both increased by 2-fold. LV collagen content was increased by nearly 2-fold in the post-MI MT1-MMPexp compared with WT. Using a validated fluorogenic construct, it was discovered that MT1-MMP proteolytically processed the pro-fibrotic molecule, latency-associated transforming growth factor-1 binding protein (LTBP-1), and MT1-MMP-specific LTBP-1 proteolytic activity was increased by 4-fold in the post-MI MT1-MMPexp group. Early and persistent MT1-MMP promoter activity occurred post-MI, and increased myocardial MT1-MMP levels resulted in poor survival, worsening of LV function, and significant fibrosis. A molecular mechanism for the adverse LV matrix remodeling with MT1-MMP induction is increased processing of pro-fibrotic signaling molecules. Thus, a proteolytically diverse portfolio exists for MT1-MMP within the myocardium and likely plays a mechanistic role in adverse LV remodeling.     

Angiotensin AT2 receptor deficiency after myocardial infarction

Hearts of normotensive angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT₂)-deficient mice do not develop fibrosis after angiotensin II-induced chronic hypertension. Thus, the goal of our study was to clarify whether AT₂ knockouts (KOs) are also characterized by altered left ventricular (LV) function and modified remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) after induction of myocardial infarction (MI). MI was induced in 5-mo-old female AT₂-deficient mice and controls by occlusion of the left coronary artery. Time-matched sham-operated animals served as controls. After 48 h, the first sets of mice were hemodynamically characterized using a pressure-tip catheter (n=8/group). We also obtained pressure volume loops using a microconductance catheter in additional sets of animals 3 wk after induction of MI (n=7/group). Finally, the collagen index was illustrated by Sirius red staining and quantified by digital analysis. Whereas the LV function of sham-operated animals did not differ between both genotypes, the collagen index was 44% lower in KO animals. Forty-eight hours and 3 wk post-MI, systolic and diastolic LV function were impaired in both AT₂-deficient and wild-type (WT) animals to the same extent by approx 45%. No differences were found between the two genotypes with respect to LV hypertrophy and the fibrosis index in the infarcted and noninfarcted areas 3 wk post-MI. While AT₂-KO mice had less cardiac collagen content under basal conditions, the receptor deficiency had no significant influence on LV function at the two investigated time points after induction of MI or on the remodeling of ECM at the latter time point. Thus, hypetension-induced fibrosis is probably triggered by other control mechanisms than fibrosis induced by MI.     

Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids Promote Arrhythmogenic Remodeling of Cellular Ca2+ Handling in a Postinfarction Model of Sudden Cardiac Death

It has been proposed that dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) can reduce the risk of ventricular arrhythmias in post-MI patients. Abnormal Ca²⁺ handling has been implicated in the genesis of post-MI ventricular arrhythmias. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that dietary n-3 PUFAs alter the vulnerability of ventricular myocytes to cellular arrhythmia by stabilizing intracellular Ca²⁺ cycling. To test this hypothesis, we used a canine model of post-MI ventricular fibrillation (VF) and assigned the animals to either placebo (1 g/day corn oil) or n-3 PUFAs (1-4 g/day) groups. Using Ca²⁺ imaging techniques, we examined the intracellular Ca²⁺ handling in myocytes isolated from post-MI hearts resistant (VF-) and susceptible (VF+) to VF. Frequency of occurrence of diastolic Ca²⁺ waves (DCWs) in VF+ myocytes from placebo group was significantly higher than in placebo-treated VF- myocytes. n-3 PUFA treatment did not decrease frequency of DCWs in VF+ myocytes. In contrast, VF- myocytes from the n-3 PUFA group had a significantly higher frequency of DCWs than myocytes from the placebo group. In addition, n-3 PUFA treatment increased beat-to-beat alterations in the amplitude of Ca²⁺ transients (Ca²⁺ alternans) in VF- myocytes. These n-3 PUFAs effects in VF- myocytes were associated with an increased Ca²⁺ spark frequency and reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ content, indicative of increased activity of ryanodine receptors. Thus, dietary n-3 PUFAs do not alleviate intracellular Ca²⁺ cycling remodeling in myocytes isolated from post-MI VF+ hearts. Furthermore, dietary n-3 PUFAs increase vulnerability of ventricular myocytes to cellular arrhythmia in post-MI VF- hearts by destabilizing intracellular Ca²⁺ handling.     

Targeted deletion of MMP-2 attenuates early LV rupture and late remodeling after experimental myocardial infarction

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is prominently overexpressed both after myocardial infarction (MI) and in heart failure. However, its pathophysiological significance in these conditions is still unclear. We thus examined the effects of targeted deletion of MMP-2 on post-MI left ventricular (LV) remodeling and failure. Anterior MI was produced in 10- to 12-wk-old male MMP-2 knockout (KO) and sibling wild-type (WT) mice by ligating the left coronary artery. By day 28, MI resulted in a significant increase in mortality in association with LV cavity dilatation and dysfunction. The MMP-2 KO mice had a significantly better survival rate than WT mice (56% vs. 85%, P < 0.05), despite a comparable infarct size (50 +/- 3% vs. 51 +/- 3%, P = not significant), heart rate, and arterial blood pressure. The KO mice had a significantly lower incidence of LV rupture (10% vs. 39%, P < 0.05), which occurred within 7 days of MI. The KO mice exerted less LV cavity dilatation and improved fractional shortening after MI by echocardiography. The LV zymographic MMP-2 level significantly increased in WT mice after coronary artery ligation; however, this was completely prevented in KO mice. In contrast, the increase in the LV zymographic MMP-9 level after MI was similar between KO and WT mice. MMP-2 activation is therefore considered to contribute to an early cardiac rupture as well as late LV remodeling after MI. The inhibition of MMP-2 activation may therefore be a potentially useful therapeutic strategy to manage post-MI hearts.