急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织TOLL样受体4及CD14mRNA的表达

目的 探讨内毒素致急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织TOLL样受体4及CD14 mRNA表达的变化.方法 24只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为2组:对照组、LPS模型组,每组再分为4 h和8 h两个亚组.尾静脉注射脂多糖(LPS)(10 mg/kg)建立大鼠急性肺损伤模型.检测大鼠动脉血气、肺体指数,实时荧光定量PCR测定肺组织TOLL样受体4及CD14 mRNA的表达,并观察肺组织病理变化.结果 与对照组相比,模型组4 h和8 h时大鼠肺组织中的TLR4及CD14 mRNA表达均显著增高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).病理学观察显示,模型组大鼠肺组织出现出血及坏死.结论 内毒素致急性肺损伤的发病机制可能与TLR4及CD14 mRNA的表达升高有关.     

血管钠肽对低氧大鼠心脏钠尿肽C受体表达的影响

目的 :探讨低氧对大鼠心脏钠尿肽C受体 (NPR C)表达的调节作用 ,以及血管钠肽 (VNP)对这一过程的影响。方法 :将大鼠随机分为 3组 :对照组、低氧组 (3～ 2 8d)和VNP(2 5～ 75 μg/kgbw) 低氧组 ,采用放射免疫的方法测定大鼠血浆心房钠尿肽 (ANP)的浓度 ,并采用定量PCR的方法分析NPR C的mRNA水平。结果 :低氧 2 8d大鼠血浆ANP浓度显著高于正常大鼠 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,而且每天注射 75 μg/kgbw的VNP使ANP浓度进一步升高 (P <0 .0 1)。低氧 3d对大鼠心脏NPR C的mRNA的量没有显著影响 ;低氧 7d使大鼠心脏NPR C的mRNA的拷贝数显著升高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;低氧 14d、2 8d使大鼠心脏NPR C的mRNA的拷贝数进一步升高 (P <0 .0 1)。每日注射 2 5μg/kgbw的VNP对低氧诱导的大鼠心脏NPR C表达没有显著影响 ;5 0 μg/kgbw的VNP显著降低低氧大鼠心脏NPR C的表达 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;75 μg/kgbw的VNP进一步降低低氧大鼠心脏NPR C的表达 (P <0 .0 1)。 结论 :VNP可以升高低氧大鼠的血浆ANP水平 ;低氧可以使大鼠心脏NPR C表达增加 ,而且具有时间依赖性 ,而VNP对这一过程有抑制作用 ,并且呈剂量依赖性     

急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织高迁移率族蛋白1的表达及其意义

目的动态观察高迁移率族蛋白1（HGMB1）在失血性休克复合内毒素注射致急性肺损伤（ALl）大鼠肺组织的表达情况,初步探讨HMGB1在ALI发病机制中的作用。方法采取失血性休克复合内毒素注射手段建立ALl大鼠动物模型,采用RT-PCR方法,检测肺组织HMGB1mRNA的表达情况。结果正常大鼠肺组织有少量HMGBlmRNA表达,遭受失血性休克复合内毒素注射打击后,HMGB1mRNA表达迅速升高,至ALI24h达最高峰,随后有所下降,ALl各组大鼠表达水平与正常对照组比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论正常大鼠肺组织有一定水平HMGBlmRNA的表达,遭受失血性休克及内毒素注射打击后,HMGBlmRNA表达异常增高,可引起过度炎症反应,从而促进ALI的发生与发展。     

内毒素致大鼠肺损伤时肺组织β受体的变化与膜磷脂代谢的关系

采用放射性配基结合分析法,现察内毒大致大鼠急性肺损伤时肺β－肾上腺素能受体（β－ＡＲ）的变化。分别用荧光偏振法和高效液相色谱测定肺组织细胞膜脂流动性和磷脂含量。结果显示：（１）静脉注射内毒素后４ｈ,大鼠肺β－ＡＲ的最大结合容量明显降低,较对照组减少４７％;（２）内毒素组肺膜脂流动性和磷脂含量均明显降低,同时伴有肺组织磷脂酶Ａ２（ＰＬＡ２）活性升高。提示：（１）β－ＡＲ下调导致其介导的功能减弱,在内毒素诱导的大鼠急性肺损伤发病机理中起一定作用;（２）ＰＬＡ２激活是膜磷脂减少的重要原因,后者可导致膜脂流动性降低,结果引起β－ＡＲ的侧向扩散和旋转运劝减弱,从而减少β－ＡＲ与配基结合的机率,出现β－ＡＫ下调。     

C型钠尿肽的扩血管作用及机制

目的和方法：用常规离体血管灌流方法,观察钠尿肽家族新成员C型钠尿钛（CNP）对家兔腹主静脉及腹主动脉的作用及作用机制。结果：CNP在10^-1-10^-6mol/L浓度范围内对家兔静脉及动脉均呈剂量依赖性的舒张效应。其对静脉的作用与硝酸甘油（NTG）相似,且扩血管作用无ANP强,以腹主动脉为主对象分别施加阿托品（10^-7mol/L）,酚妥拉明（20μg）或消炎痛（20μg）等均不影响CNP的舒血管作用,优降糖和心得安可明显降低CNP对腹主动脉的舒张作用。CNP在基础状态下提前加入不抑制NE的缩血管反应。结论：CNP可能是一种静脉系统的扩张剂,同时亦是调节动脉张力的选择性调节肽,CNP舒血管作用机制至少有两途径：一是与K^ -ATP通道的开放有关,二是与激活β受体有关。     

血管钠肽、 C型钠尿肽和心房钠尿肽舒血管作用的对比

本实验采用离体血管灌流方法,观察和比较血管钠肽（ＶＮＰ）,Ｃ型钠尿肽（ＣＮＰ）和心房钠尿肽（ＡＮＰ）对大鼠肺动脉,腹主动脉和腹腔静脉的舒张作用。．结果表明,ＶＮＰ,ＣＮＰ和ＡＮＰ对离体大鼠的保留内皮与去内皮的肺动脉,腹主动脉和腹腔静脉均有浓度依赖性舒张作用。     

脑缺血大鼠肺组织NGF/TrkA表达变化及其意义

目的:探讨大鼠脑缺血后肺组织神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)/酪氨酸蛋白激酶A(tropomyosin-related kinase A,TrkA)表达的变化。方法:成年雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组和脑缺血后6 h、24 h及48 h组,每组8只。建立大脑中动脉永久性局灶性缺血模型,术后于各时间点麻醉处死大鼠后,测定肺组织湿重/干重(W/D),光镜下观察HE染色肺组织病理学改变;Western blot法检测肺组织NGF、TrkA蛋白表达。结果:与假手术组相比,脑缺血后6 h肺组织W/D有增加,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而脑缺血后24 h及48 h肺组织W/D均有显著增高(P<0.05),其中以24 h组最明显(P<0.01);脑缺血后6 h肺组织出现轻度充血、水肿及炎性改变,24 h及48 h组肺泡结构破坏明显。病理学评分结果显示,脑缺血后24 h及48 h组大鼠肺组织病理评分较假手术组显著升高(P<0.05);Western blot法显示,脑缺血6 h肺组织中NGF表达增加(P<0.05),48 h时表达有下降趋势,但仍高于假手术组(P<0.05)。而肺组织中TrkA表达在脑缺血6h有下降(P>0.05),24 h下降明显(P<0.05),48 h时TrkA蛋白表达虽有上升,仍显著低于假手术组(P<0.05)。结论:大鼠肺组织NGF/TrkA的动态变化可能参与了脑缺血后肺损伤的病理生理过程。     

急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织基质金属蛋白酶2及其抑制因子蛋白和mRNA的表达

目的探讨内毒素致急性肺损伤（ALI）大鼠肺组织核转录因子-κB（NF-κB）、基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP-2）及其抑制因子（TIMP-2）蛋白和mRNA表达的变化。方法 20只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为2组：对照组、LPS模型组,每组再分为4 h和8 h两个亚组。尾静脉注射脂多糖（LPS）（10 mg/kg）建立大鼠急性肺损伤模型。检测血白细胞计数、支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）蛋白含量,采用免疫组化ABC法和实时荧光定量PCR分别测定肺组织NF-κB、MMP-2、TIMP-2蛋白及其mRNA的表达,并观察肺组织病理变化。结果与对照组相比,模型组4 h和8 h时大鼠肺组织中的NF-κB、MMP-2蛋白染色阳性面积率及其mRNA表达均显著增高（P〈0.01）、TIMP-2蛋白染色阳性面积率及其mRNA表达均明显降低（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。病理学观察显示,模型组大鼠肺组织出现出血及坏死。结论内毒素致急性肺损伤的发病机制可能与NF-κB、MMP-2蛋白及其mRNA表达升高、TIMP-2蛋白及其mRNA表达降低有关。     

C 型钠尿肽对糖尿病兔下肢动脉硬化的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨C型钠尿肽(CNP)对糖尿病兔下肢动脉硬化的影响作用及其机制。方法:选取成功建模的糖尿病兔30只,随机分为A组(球囊损伤组)、B组(对照组)和CNP干预组各10只,分别抽取三组糖尿病兔术前1 d、术后1 d、7 d、14 d、28 d的血浆测定CNP及C反应蛋白水平(CRP)。并于术后第28 d处死三组糖尿病兔观察股动脉腔的狭窄程度及股动脉组织中环磷鸟苷(cGMP)、环磷鸟苷依赖蛋白(PKGⅠa)含量。结果:三组糖尿病兔术后28 d的cGMP、PKGⅠa差异显著(P0.05);A组的cGMP、PKGⅠa显著低于B组和CNP干预组(P0.05);术后第1 d、7 d、14 d三组CRP含量差异显著,A组显著高于B组和CNP干预组(P0.05);术后第1 d、7 d、14 d、28 d A组CNP含量显著高于B组(P0.05);三组间管腔面积两两比较差异显著(P0.05);A组中膜面积、内膜面积显著高于B组和CNP干预组(P0.05)。结论:CNP对糖尿病兔股动脉狭窄有一定的抑制作用,可能与其抑制CRP、提高cGMP及PKGⅠa水平有一定关系。     

髓系细胞触发受体-1在脂多糖急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织中的表达及其与内质网应激和炎性反应的关系

目的:研究髓系细胞触发受体-1(TREM-1)在脂多糖急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠肺组织中的表达及其与内质网应激和炎性反应的关系。方法:选择成年雄性SD大鼠100只作为研究对象,将其分成ALI组(n=60)、对照1组(n=15)、观察组(n=20)和对照2组(n=5)。对比ALI组和对照1组TREM-1、内质网应激表达及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平、Smith评分,对比观察组和对照2组的CHOP mRNA、GRP mRNA表达情况,并分析TREM-1与内质网应激、炎性反应和Smith评分的相关性。结果:ALI组6h、12h、1d及2d时间点的TREM-1 mRNA、CHOP mRNA、GRP78 mRNA、TREM-1、TNF-α水平及Smith评分均高于对照1组,且ALI组随着时间的推移,TREM-1 mRNA、CHOP mRNA、GRP78 mRNA、TREM-1、TNF-α水平及Smith评分均呈升高的趋势,在1d时达到最高,然后呈下降趋势(P0.05)。观察组6h、12h、1d及2d时间点的CHOP mRNA、GRP mRNA表达高于对照2组,且观察组随着时间的推移CHOP mRNA、GRP mRNA表达均呈升高的趋势,在1d时达到最高,然后呈下降趋势(P0.05)。根据Spearman法分析相关性发现,TREM-1 mRNA及TREM-1水平均与CHOP mRNA、GRP78 mRNA及Smith评分呈正相关,且TREM-1水平与TNF-α呈正相关(P0.05)。结论:TREM-1在脂多糖ALT大鼠肺组织中的表达较高,且参与ALT肺部炎性反应,激活TREM-1可增强巨噬细胞内质网应激。     

Expression of C-type natriuretic peptide and of its receptor NPR-B in normal and failing heart

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) was recently found in the myocardium, but possible insights into differences between atrium and ventricle production are so far lacking. Our aim was to evaluate, in an experimental model of pacing-induced heart failure (HF), plasma and tissue levels of CNP and mRNA expression of the peptide and of its specific receptor, NPR-B. Cardiac tissue was collected from male adult minipigs without (control, n=5) and with pacing-induced HF (n=5). Blood samples were collected at baseline and after pacing (10 min, 1, 2, 3 weeks). CNP in plasma and in cardiac extracts was determined by a radioimmunoassay, while the expression of mRNA by real time PCR. Compared to control, plasma CNP was increased after 1 week of pacing stress (36.9+/-10.4 pg/ml vs.16.7+/-1.1, p=0.013, mean+/-S.E.M.). As to myocardial extract, at baseline, CNP was found in all cardiac chambers and its content was 10-fold higher in atria than in ventricles (RA: 13.7+/-1.9 pg/mg protein; LA: 8.7+/-3.8; RV: 1.07+/-0.33; LV: 0.93+/-0.17). At 3 weeks of pacing, myocardial levels of CNP in left ventricle were higher than in controls (15.8+/-9.9 pg/mg protein vs. 0.9+/-0.17, p=0.01). CNP gene expression was observed in controls and at 3 weeks of pacing. NPR-B gene expression was found in all cardiac regions analyzed, and a down-regulation was observed in ventricles after HF. The co-localization of the CNP system and NPR-B suggests a possible role of CNP in HF and may prompt novel therapeutical strategies.     

C-type natriuretic peptide plasma levels are reduced in obese adolescents

The high prevalence of obesity in children may increase the magnitude of lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease (CD). At present, explicit data for recommending biomarkers as routine pre-clinical markers of CD in children are lacking. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is assuming increasing importance in CD; in adults with heart failure, its plasma levels are related to clinical and functional disease severity. We have previously reported five different reference intervals for blood CNP as a function of age in healthy children; however, data on plasma CNP levels in obese children are still lacking. Aim of this study was to assess CNP levels in obese adolescents and verify whether they differ from healthy subjects. Plasma CNP was measured in 29 obese adolescents (age: 11.8 ± 0.4 years; BMI: 29.8 ± 0.82) by radioimmunoassay and compared with the reference values of healthy subjects. BNP was also measured. Both plasma CNP and BNP levels were significantly lower in the obese adolescents compared to the appropriate reference values (CNP: 3.4 ± 0.2 vs 13.6 ± 2.3 pg/ml, p < 0.0001; BNP: 18.8 ± 2.6 vs 36.9 ± 5.5 pg/ml, p = 0.003). There was no significant difference between CNP values in males and females. As reported in adults, we observed lower plasma CNP and BNP levels in obese children, suggesting a defective natriuretic peptide system in these patients. An altered regulation of production, clearance and function of natriuretic peptides, already operating in obese adolescents, may possibly contribute to the future development of CD. Thus, the availability of drugs promoting the action of natriuretic peptides may represent an attractive therapeutic option to prevent CD.     

C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Is a Potent Stimulator of Cyclic GMP Production in Cultured Mouse Astrocytes

The effect of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), a novel member of the natriuretic peptide family, on cyclic GMP (cGMP) generation was studied in primary cultures of mouse astrocytes. CNP stimulated cGMP production by mouse astrocytes in a dose-dependent fashion, with an EC50 of 32 nM and a maximal stimulatory concentration of greater than 1 microM, which induced a rise of cGMP level from a baseline of 1.0 +/- 0.1 pmol/mg of protein to 196.2 +/- 22.0 pmol/mg of protein. Compared with our previously reported atrial and brain natriuretic peptide-induced cGMP responses, CNP had a lower EC50 and was 10-20 times more efficacious in its maximal effect on cGMP stimulation. These data lend support to the concept of a significant role of CNP in neuromodulation/neurotransmission.     

Plasma C-type natriuretic peptide levels in healthy children

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is assuming increasing importance in cardiovascular disease, and in adults its plasma levels are related to clinical and functional disease severity. Data are scarce regarding the reference values for CNP in infancy. Aim of this study was to assess the reference intervals for CNP in human healthy newborns and infants. Plasma CNP was measured in 121 healthy children divided into: 41 newborns (age 0-3 days), 24 newborns (4-30 days), 22 infants (1-12 months) and 32 children (1-12 years). A group of 32 healthy adult subjects (age 64 ± 1 years) was also studied. CNP was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. Between- and within-assay variability resulted ≤ 30 and 20%, respectively and analytical sensitivity 0.77 ± 0.05 pg/tube. Plasma CNP resulted significantly higher in children than in adult subjects (13.6 ± 1.2 pg/ml vs. 7.4 ± 1.0 pg/ml, p=0.030). When the results were analyzed as a function of the age the reference intervals for plasma CNP resulted: 11.6 ± 2.1 pg/ml for newborns (0-3 days), 16.4 ± 3.7 pg/ml for newborns (4-30 days), 15.4 ± 2.7 pg/ml for infants (1-12 months), 13.6 ± 2.3 pg/ml for children (1-12 years) [p=0.01 newborns (4-30 days) vs. adults; p=0.03 infants (1-12 months) vs. adults]. CNP showed the highest concentrations after 12h of life with a peak between 4 and 5 days of life and with a progressive decline afterwards. According to these data at least five different reference intervals for CNP determinations should be used. These observations may be helpful for future clinical application of CNP in human children.     

Asymmetrical myocardial expression of natriuretic peptides in pacing-induced heart failure

High-frequency pacing of the left ventricle (LV) free wall causes a dyssynchronous pattern of contraction that leads to progressive heart failure (HF) with pronounced differences in regional contractility. Aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) mRNA expression in the anterior/anterior lateral region (pacing site, PS) as compared to the infero-septal region (opposite site, OS) and to explore possible association between the contractiling pattern and biomarker expression. Cardiac tissue was collected from minipigs with pacing-induced HF (n = 8) and without (control, n = 6). The samples were selectively harvested from the anterior left ventricular (LV) wall, PS, and from an area remote to the pacing-site, OS. BNP and CNP mRNA expression was evaluated by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A significant difference in BNP expression was found in the PS between HF animals and controls (BNP/GAPDH: 0.65 ± 0.11 vs. 0.35 ± 0.04, p = 0.02), but not in the OS (BNP/GAPDH: 0.36 ± 0.05, ns vs. controls). CNP expression was not different compared to controls, although higher levels were observed in the PS and in the OS with respect to the controls (CNP/GAPDH: controls 0.089 ± 0.036, PS 0.289 ± 0.23, OS 0.54 ± 0.16). This finding was in tune with an increase of CNP tissue concentration (controls: 0.69 ± 0.13; PS = 1.56 ± 0.19; OS = 1.70 ± 0.42 pg/mg protein; p = 0.039 controls vs. OS). Higher BNP mRNA expression in the PS is consistent with a reduction in contractile function in this region, while higher CNP mRNA expression in the OS suggests the presence of concomitant endothelial dysfunction in the remote region.     

C-type natriuretic peptide ameliorates ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats

Aims

Although atrial natriuretic peptide has been shown to attenuate ischemia–reperfusion (IR)-induced kidney injury, the effect of natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-B activation on IR-induced acute kidney injury is not well documented. The purpose of the present study was to identify the effect of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), a selective activator of NPR-B, on the IR-induced acute kidney injury and its mechanisms involved.

Main methods

Unilaterally nephrectomized rats were insulted by IR in their remnant kidney, and they were randomly divided into three groups: sham, vehicle + IR, and CNP + IR groups. CNP (0.2 μg/kg/min) was administered intravenously at the start of a 45-min renal ischemia for 2 h. Rats were then killed 24 h after I/R, and the blood and tissue samples were collected to assess renal function, histology, TUNEL assay, and Western blot analysis of kidney Bax and Bcl-2 expressions.

Key findings

The levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were significantly increased in rats after IR compared with vehicle-treated rats. IR elevated apoptosis, Bcl-2/Bax ratio, TUNEL positivity, oxidative stress parameters, malondialdehyde concentration, and superoxide dismutase activity. IR also induced epithelial desquamation of the proximal tubules and glomerular shrinkage. CNP significantly attenuated the IR-induced increase in BUN and serum creatinine. Furthermore, CNP restored the suppressed renal cyclic guanosine 3′ 5′-monophosphate levels caused by IR insult.

Significance

Study findings suggest that CNP could ameliorate IR-induced acute kidney injury through inhibition of apoptotic and oxidative stress pathways, possibly through NPR-B-cGMP signaling.     

C-type natriuretic peptide system in rabbit colon

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is mainly distributed in the brain and vascular endothelium and is considered to act as a local regulator in many tissues. The present study was aimed to determine the presence of CNP system and its biological function in rabbit colon. The serial dilution curves of tissue extracts were parallel to the standard curve of CNP-22. With gel permeation chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC, the major immunoreactive peak of CNP was observed at the same elution time corresponding to the synthetic CNP-53. The concentration of CNP in the mucosal layer of colon was 212.49 ± 30.44 pg/g tissue wet weight (n = 7), which was significantly higher than that in the muscular layer. The presence of CNP mRNA was also detected by RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis. Production of cGMP by the activation of particulate guanylyl cyclase stimulated by BNP and CNP was higher in membranes obtained from the muscular layer than from mucosal layer. More cGMP was produced by CNP than by ANP. Both natriuretic peptide receptor-A and -B mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR and specific binding sites to ¹²⁵I-[Tyr⁰]-CNP-22 were mainly localized to the muscular layer. Synthetic CNP inhibited basal tension, frequency and amplitude of basal motility of taenia coli of the right colon. This study showing the presence of CNP system and its biological function in colon suggests that endogenous CNP synthesized in the mucosal layer may have a paracrine function as a local regulator of colonic motility.