基于Akt/mTOR/NF-κB信号通路研究地龙提取物对病理性心肌肥厚大鼠的保护作用

基于Akt/mTOR/NF-κB信号通路,探讨地龙提取物对病理性心肌肥厚的保护作用及机制。30只Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、地龙低剂量组(400 mg/kg)、地龙高剂量组(800 mg/kg)和卡托普利对照组(50 mg/kg),每组6只;采用腹主动脉缩窄术建立病理性心肌肥厚模型,假手术组除不结扎外,与模型组相同。地龙各剂量组大鼠按照体重腹腔注射给药,假手术组和模型组给予等体积生理盐水,每天1次,连续3周。小动物超声观察大鼠心脏射血分数(ejection fraction, EF)和短轴缩短率(short axis shortening rate, FS)的变化;ELISA测定大鼠血清TNF-α含量;HE染色观察心肌组织病理变化;qRT-PCR检测心肌肥大基因(ANP、BNP和β-MHC)及促炎因子(TNF-α、IL-6)的表达水平;免疫印迹法测定Akt/mTOR/NF-κB通路蛋白的表达水平。结果表明,与模型组相比,地龙各剂量组和卡托普利组大鼠的EF、FS升高,心脏质量指数(HW、HW/BW及LVW/BW)降低,心肌肥大因子和促炎因子水平下调,且Akt/mTOR/NF...     

法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚的干预作用及其机制

目的：研究法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚的影响及其机制。方法：除正常对照组外,其它SD大鼠均皮下注射异丙肾上腺素（Iso,5 mg/kg）建立心肌肥厚模型。大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组、Iso模型组、法舒地尔低剂量组（Fas,5 mg/kg,i.p）和法舒地尔高剂量组（Fas,20 mg/kg,i.p）,连续给药8周。给药结束后,血流动力学检测大鼠心率（HR）、左心室收缩压（LVSP）、左心室末舒张压（LVEDP）和左室压力变化最大速率（±dp/dt_max）;分别测定大鼠体重（BW）,心脏重量（HW）,并计算HW/BW;大鼠心肌HE、Masson染色观察组织病理学改变;免疫组化法观察大鼠心肌组织ERK1、ERK2蛋白表达,RT-PCR观察ERK1、ERK2 mRNA的表达。结果：Iso模型组HR和LVEDP明显升高,LVSP和±dp/dt_max明显下降;HW/BW增大;心肌细胞体积变大,排列紊乱,胶原纤维增生;左心室组织ERK1、ERK2蛋白与mRNA表达上调。法舒地尔不同剂量干预后,心脏收缩和舒张能力得到改善,心指数明显下降,心肌细胞体积变小,纤维化减少,ERK1/2 mRNA表达下调,心肌组织损害均得到不同程度改善。结论：ERK1/2信号通路活化参与了异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌肥厚,法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌肥厚具有明显改善作用,这可能与法舒地尔阻断ERK1、ERK2通路活化有关。     

钠氢交换体1在病理性心肌肥厚大鼠心肌组织及血浆中的表达

目的：研究异丙肾上腺素诱导的病理性心肌肥厚大鼠心肌组织及血浆中钠氢交换体1（sodium—hydrogen exchanger1,NHE—1）的表达,探讨NHE1在心肌肥厚发生和发展中的作用。方法：30只雄性SD大鼠随机并平均分为2组：病理性心肌肥厚组和对照组,每组15只,病理性心肌肥厚组（以下简称ISO组）予以ISO（异丙肾上腺素）连续每日以20、10和5mg／kg的剂量递减皮下注射,再以3mg／kg的剂量维持皮下注射7d,对照组予相同剂量生理盐水皮下注射。给药结束后进行心脏超声检测左室舒张末径（LVEDD）、左室收缩末径（LVESD）、室间隔厚度（IVST）、短轴缩短率（FS）、左室射血分数（LVEF）。分别测定各组大鼠体重（Bw）、心室重量（VW）、左心室重量（LVW）,计算心室重量指数VWI（VW／BW）、左心室重量指数LVWI（LVW／BW）。取血检测血浆中NHE．1的浓度,并取心肌组织观察病理形态学特征,用免疫组化法检测心肌组织中NHE—1的表达量。结果：与对照组相比,ISO组大鼠LVEF、IVST显著增加（P〈0．05）,LVESD明显降低（P〈0．05）,VWI、LVWI明显增加（P〈0．01）,血浆NHE—1浓度明显升高（P〈0．01）,心肌组织NHE-1表达增多（P〈0．01）。结论：NHE-1可能在病理性心肌肥厚的发生和发展过程中起着重要作用。     

心肌营养素-1和结缔组织增长因子在糖尿病大鼠心肌中的表达及厄贝沙坦的干预作用

目的通过观察心肌营养素-1（CT—1）mRNA和结缔组织增长因子（CTGF）在糖尿病大鼠心肌中的动态表达以及厄贝沙坦干预的影响,探讨CT—1和CTGF在糖尿病心肌病（DMCM）发病机制中的作用。方法SD雄性大鼠78只,随机分为对照组和糖尿病组。用链脲佐菌素（STZ）一次性腹腔注射建立糖尿病模型后,糖尿病组再为厄贝沙坦治疗组及糖尿病未治疗组。治疗组以厄贝沙坦灌服12周。分别在病程2、4、6、8、10、12周处死各组大鼠。称量体重（BW）、全心重量（HW）、左室重量（LVW）,计算心体比（HW／BW）和左室重量指数（LVWI）。检测心肌CT—1 mRNA和CTGF的表达水平;心肌胶原（Col）和心肌血管紧张素（AngⅡ）含量。观察心肌超微结构病理改变。结果糖尿病组大鼠的HW／BW、LVWI明显高于正常对照组（P〈0．01）,厄贝沙坦治疗组大鼠的HW／BW、LVWI明显低于糖尿病组（P〈0．01）,但仍高于正常对照组（P〈0．01）。厄贝沙坦组心肌细胞变性、坏死程度和范围较糖尿病组明显减轻。糖尿病组大鼠CT—1 mRNA、CTGF表达明显卜调,随病程延长呈升高趋势（P〈0．01）,心肌col、AngⅡ含量较正常对照组明显升高（P〈0．01）。而厄贝沙坦治疗组大鼠的CTI mRNA、CTGF表达与糖尿病组相比较下调（P〈0．01）;心肌Col、AngⅡ含量明显低于糖尿病组（P〈0．05）。糖尿病组大鼠心室CT—1mRNA、CTGF和心室局部Col、AngⅡ含量呈明显正相关。结论糖尿病大鼠心肌CT—1mRNA、CTGF表达上调与心肌肥大、间质纤化密切相关,在糖尿病心肌病的心室重构中起重要作用。厄贝沙坦町减轻糖尿病心肌病的心室重构,其心肌保护作用机制可能与其下调CT—1和CTGF水平有关。     

PTEN在心肌肥厚中的作用初探

目的：观察肿瘤抑制因子PTEN mRNA在腹主动脉狭窄大鼠及卡托普利处理的腹主动脉狭窄大鼠左心室肌中的表达,以探讨PTEN在心肌肥厚发生发展中的可能作用。方法：采用腹主动脉狭窄术制备压力超负荷心肌肥厚动物模型,于术后4周应用逆转录—聚合酶链式反应(RT—PCR)方法,分别检测和观察对照组、心肌肥厚组和卡托普利组大鼠左心室PTEN mRNA表达的变化。结果：①与对照组相比,心肌肥厚组大鼠左心室肌PTEN mRNA表达减少;②与心肌肥厚组相比,卡托普利组大鼠左心室肌PTEN mRNA表达增加,接近对照组。结论：PTEN在心肌肥厚发生发展中可能起负调控作用,该作用与肾素—血管紧张素系统密切相关。     

miRNA在异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚中的表达及生物信息学分析*

目的:探讨miRNAs(miR199a-5P、miR206、miR133a-3P、miR499-5P)在异丙肾上腺素(ISO)诱导大鼠心肌肥厚模型组中的表达变化;并运用生物信息学方法分析相关的主要信号通路及分子机制。方法:将16只SD雄性大鼠随机分为2组:对照组和ISO模型组,模型组给予ISO(1 mg/kg)诱导心肌肥厚模型,对照组给予等量生理盐水,均采用背部皮下多点注射。连续给药10 d后采用超声心动图测量舒张期室间隔厚度(IVSd)、舒张期左室后壁厚度(LVPWd)、左室舒张末期内径(LVDd)及心脏收缩功能(EF%);称量心脏重量(HW)、大鼠体重(BW),并计算心脏/体重比(HW/BW);心肌组织HE染色,Image J分析软件测量心肌细胞表面积;RT-qPCR检测大鼠心肌组织中4种miRNAs的表达情况。运用Targetscan、miRDB、miRwalk 数据库预测大鼠4种miRNAs可能的靶基因,FunRich软件分析预测靶基因相关的信号通路。结果:与正常组相比,模型组IVSd、LVPWd增厚,LV增大,EF%明显降低;HW、HW/BW增加;模型组心肌细胞体积明显增大,排列紊乱,细胞表面积增加;模型组miR199a-5P、miR206表达上调(P＜0.05);miR133a-3P、miR499-5P表达下调(P＜0.05)。应用生物信息学预测4种miRNAs的靶基因可能参与心肌肥厚相关的信号通路主要有:VEGF/VEGFR信号通路、ErbB受体信号通路等。结论:ISO诱导心肌肥厚导致miRNAs表达的改变,生物信息学预测4种miRNAs参与心肌肥厚相关的靶基因及其主要信号通路,这些研究为心肌肥厚的调控机制及其防治措施提供了新思路。     

钠氢交换体1 在病理性心肌肥厚大鼠心肌组织及血浆中的表达

目的:研究异丙肾上腺素诱导的病理性心肌肥厚大鼠心肌组织及血浆中钠氢交换体1(sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1,NHE-1)的表达,探讨NHE1在心肌肥厚发生和发展中的作用。方法:30只雄性SD大鼠随机并平均分为2组:病理性心肌肥厚组和对照组,每组15只,病理性心肌肥厚组(以下简称ISO组)予以ISO(异丙肾上腺素)连续每日以20、10和5mg/kg的剂量递减皮下注射,再以3mg/kg的剂量维持皮下注射7d,对照组予相同剂量生理盐水皮下注射。给药结束后进行心脏超声检测左室舒张末径(LVEDD)、左室收缩末径(LVESD)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、短轴缩短率(FS)、左室射血分数(LVEF)。分别测定各组大鼠体重(BW)、心室重量(VW)、左心室重量(LVW),计算心室重量指数VWI(VW/BW)、左心室重量指数LVW(ILVW/BW)。取血检测血浆中NHE-1的浓度,并取心肌组织观察病理形态学特征,用免疫组化法检测心肌组织中NHE-1的表达量。结果:与对照组相比,ISO组大鼠LVEF、IVST显著增加(P<0.05),LVESD明显降低(P<0.05),VWI、LVWI明显增加(P<0.01),血浆NHE-1浓度明显升高(P<0.01),心肌组织NHE-1表达增多(P<0.01)。结论:NHE-1可能在病理性心肌肥厚的发生和发展过程中起着重要作用。     

CyPA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclinD2信号通路在大鼠左心室肥厚过程中表达上调(英文)

亲环素A(cyclophilin A,Cy PA),其受体CD147及其下游信号通路在心肌肥厚过程中变化情况不清楚。本实验目的是研究血清Cy PA、心肌中Cy PA、CD147及其信号通路与心肌肥厚的关系。大鼠左心室肥厚模型用2肾2夹(2-kidney,2-clip,2K2C)方法制备,并观察1周,4周和8周。用左心质量和体重比值(ratio of left ventricular heart weight to body weight,LVW/BW)及心肌横切面面积(cross sectional area,CSA)评价左心室肥厚。用ELISA检测血清中Cy PA水平。用蛋白免疫印迹和免疫组化观察Cy PA、CD147、磷酸化ERK1/2和cyclin D2在心肌组织中表达水平。在第4周和8周,与对照组比较,2K2C组大鼠血压明显增高,LVW/BW和CSA显著增加。ELISA结果显示2K2C组大鼠血清中Cy PA水平随着左心室肥厚程度加剧而明显增加。蛋白免疫印迹和免疫组化结果表明,Cy PA、CD147、磷酸化ERK1/2和cyclin D2在2K2C组大鼠心肌组织中表达水平也随左心室肥厚发展而增加。本研究表明血清中Cy PA水平以及心肌组织中Cy PA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclin D2信号通路在心肌肥厚发展过程中被激活并表达上调,提示该信号通路在左心室肥厚发病机制中可能发挥了作用。     

银杏叶提取物和槲皮素对心肌细胞肥大的防治作用及其机制

目的：探讨银杏叶提取物（EGb）及其单体槲皮素（Que）对心肌细胞肥大的防治作用及其机制。方法：采用血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）诱导新生大鼠心肌细胞肥大模型;分别在培养液中加入EGb（40／μg／ml）或Que（4／μg／m1）,观察Lowry法测定心肌细胞蛋白质含量的变化;测定SOD活性和MDA含量观察心肌细胞氧自由基代谢的变化;Western blot方法检测心肌细胞p-ERK1／2、p-JNK和p-P38蛋白表达;应用RT-PCR法检测心肌细胞c-fos mRNA表达。结果：①EGb和Que能明显抑制AngⅡ引起的心肌细胞总蛋白质含量的增加;②EGb和Que可显著提高SOD活性,降低MDA含量;③AngⅡ诱导的心肌细胞p-ERK1／2、p-JNK和p-P38表达均明显增强,Que能明显抑制AngⅡ诱导的p-JNK表达;④EGb、Que、可降低AngⅡ诱导心肌细胞c-fos mRNA表达的上调水平。结论：EGb和Que对AngⅡ诱导的心肌细胞肥大有明显的防治作用,Que的作用机制可能与ROS／JNK／c-fos信号通路有关。氧化应激参与了心肌肥大的发生发展过程。     

实验性糖尿病心肌病大鼠模型建立及心脏功能和结构相关性分析

目的建立实验性糖尿病心肌病大鼠模型,观察心功能和结构变化,初步分析心脏功能和结构指标相关性。方法雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组、高糖高脂膳食组和糖尿病心肌病模型组,采用高糖高脂膳食12周负荷一次性小剂量STZ腹腔注射建立糖尿病心肌病模型,观察各组动物心脏功能、心脏重量和心重指数、左心室形态和胶原含量等的变化。结果 (1)与正常对照组比较,糖尿病心肌病模型组大鼠左心室舒张末压(LVEDP)和最大舒张速率(-dp/dtmax)值显著升高(P0.05),心率(HR)、左心室收缩压(LVSP)、左心室最大收缩速率(+dp/dtmax)、每搏输出量(SV)和心排量(CO)明显降低(P0.05);全心重指数(HW/BW)和左心室重量指数(LVW/BW)明显升高(P0.01);常规HE染色显示心肌细胞排列紊乱,心肌细胞肥大,细胞核边缘不清等,室间隔和左心室壁厚度明显增加(P0.001,P0.05);心肌胶原含量明显增加(P0.05)。(2)大鼠心脏功能参数±dp/dtmax和CO值分别与结构参数HW/BW和LVW/BW呈现明显的相关性(P0.01或P0.05)。结论大鼠高糖高脂膳食喂养负荷小剂量STZ一次性腹腔注射,可造成心脏舒张和收缩功能紊乱以及心肌结构重塑,心脏功能与结构变化呈显著相关性,可复制实验性糖尿病心肌病模型。     

金丝桃苷对主动脉弓缩窄所致的小鼠心肌肥厚的保护作用

目的:研究金丝桃苷(hyperoside, HYP)对主动脉弓缩窄所致小鼠病理性心肌肥厚的保护作用及其机制。方法:将32只C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为4组:假手术(Sham)组、单纯给药(HYP)组、主动脉弓缩窄(TAC)组及主动脉弓缩窄给药(TAC+HYP)组,每组8只。采用经典的主动脉弓缩窄术建立小鼠压力负荷型心肌肥厚模型。TAC术后4周,超声心动图仪检测心脏功能;左心室导管监测血流动力学指标;分离心脏、肺脏和胫骨计算心/体比、肺/体比和心/胫比,HE染色计算心肌细胞平均横截面积,Masson染色观察心肌纤维化程度,试剂盒检测心肌组织中SOD的活性和MDA的含量;DHE荧光探针检测心肌组织ROS生成量;Western blotting检测SIRT3、NOX 4、Collagen-1和Collagen-3蛋白表达,实时定量PCR检测SIRT3、ANP、α-MHC、β-MHC的m RNA表达情况。结果:与Sham组相比,TAC组小鼠的LVPWD值增加,LVSP和LVEDP值上升,LVEF、LVFS、E/A和±dp/dtmax值均降低;HM/BW、LW/BW和HW/TL值升高,心肌细胞横截面积增加;心肌组织胶原沉积加重;肥厚基因ANP的m RNA表达水平显著上升,α-MHC/β-MHC的比例倒置;心肌组织SOD活性降低,MDA和ROS生成量增加;SIRT3信号表达明显降低(均P<0.05)。给予HYP药物处理后,TAC+HYP组小鼠的心脏功能、血流动力学改变、心肌细胞肥厚程度、心肌组织纤维化和氧化应激水平均明显改善,并且心肌细胞SIRT3信号表达也显著增强(均P<0.05)。结论:HYP能够通过减轻心肌组织氧化应激损伤,抑制心肌纤维化进展,改善压力负荷引起的病理性心肌肥厚,且其作用机制可能与激活SIRT3信号有关。     

内源性一氧化氮在高血压心肌肥厚中的作用

目的和方法：本实验用Ｌ精氨酸和一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）抑制剂ＬＮＡＭＥ观察内源性一氧化氮（ＮＯ）在高血压性心肌肥厚中的作用。结果：腹主动脉缩窄引起大鼠动脉血压显著升高,左心室重量／体重比值显著增加,左心室ＮＯ含量显著下降;Ｌ精氨酸不影响主动脉缩窄大鼠动脉血压,但减轻左心室重量／体重比值,明显升高左心室ＮＯ含量,加入ＬＮＡＭＥ可消除Ｌ精氨酸的上述作用;主动脉缩窄大鼠给予ＬＮＡＭＥ,动脉血压和左心室／体重比值并没有进一步增加;假手术大鼠给予ＬＮＡＭＥ,血压明显升高,左心室重量／体重比值轻度增加;主动脉缩窄大鼠不论是服用Ｌ精氨酸还是ＬＮＡＭＥ,左心室ｃＧＭＰ含量都明显增加。结论：口服Ｌ精氨酸可减轻主动脉缩窄大鼠心肌肥厚但不影响动脉血压,此作用可能是通过Ｌ精氨酸ＮＯ途径实现的,与ｃＧＭＰ机制无关。     

丹参酚酸B通过抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路促进自噬减轻大鼠心肌纤维化的研究

目的:研究丹参酚酸B(SA-B)能否通过抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路促进自噬,从而减轻大鼠心肌纤维化。方法:选用SD大鼠40只,完全随机化分为对照组、模型组、低剂量SA-B治疗组和高剂量SA-B治疗组,采用皮下注射异丙肾上腺素(ISO)构建大鼠心肌纤维化模型。低、高剂量SA-B治疗组在造模同时灌喂丹参酚酸B水溶液,对照组和模型组分别灌胃等体积0.9%生理盐水。测定心重指数(HW/BW)和左心室重指数(LVW/BW);ELISA法测定心肌中Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型胶原水平;Western blot检测自噬相关蛋白PI3K、AKT、p-AKT、mTOR、Beclin1、LC3-Ⅱ水平;大鼠心肌HE染色评估心肌纤维化程度。结果:与对照组比较,模型组中大鼠的心重指数、左心室重指数和心肌中Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型胶原的水平升高(P0.05),HE染色结果提示心肌组织发生明显的纤维化。模型组大鼠心肌细胞中的自噬相关蛋白PI3K、AKT、p-AKT、mTOR表达升高,Beclin1、LC3-Ⅱ表达较对照组明显降低(P0.05)。SA-B组中心重指数、左心室重指数和心肌中Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型胶原的水平明显降低,HE染色未见明显纤维化病灶,其自噬相关蛋白PI3K、AKT、p-AKT、mTOR表达降低,Beclin1、LC3-Ⅱ表达较模型组明显升高(P0.05)。结论:丹参酚酸B能够抑制ISO所致的大鼠心肌纤维化,且具有剂量依耐性,其机制与抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR传导通路促进细胞自噬密切相关。     

Reduction of ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats by L-arginine

The purpose of this experiment was to explore long-term L-arginine administration on ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Twenty-four rats of each strain at eight wks of age were divided into two groups--one receiving L-arginine and the other vehicle for twelve wks. Arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate were monitored. At 20 wks of age, the rats' rings of thoracic aorta were isolated to record isometric tension. The study measured left ventricular weight (LVW), body weight (BW), left ventricular (LV) contents of cGMP, and collagen volume fraction (LVCVF). Histological examination of the LV tissue determined changes in cardiomyocytes. Administration of L-arginine did not alter the AP change in SHR, but reduced the AP in WKY after six wks. Our results showed a significantly higher LVW/BW ratio and LVCVF in vehicle-treated SHR compared to levels in corresponding WKY, whereas, the LV cGMP and nitrite/nitrate measurements were higher in vehicle-treated WKY than in SHR. L-Arginine treatment decreased LVW/BW ratio and LVCVF, while increasing the levels of LV cGMP and nitrite/nitrate only in SHR, consistent with histopathological examinations that showed L-arginine prevented cardiomyocytes from thickness and hypertrophy. Our results suggested that the mechanism of reduction in ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis following long-term L-arginine administration in SHR may stem from increased myocardial nitric oxide-cGMP signaling, independent of AP and EDV of thoracic aorta.     

Effect of ACE inhibitor captopril and L-arginine on the metabolism and on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the isolated rat heart

We investigated the effects of in vivo treatment with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) captopril and/or of in vitro administration of L-arginine on the metabolism and ischemia-reperfusion injury of the isolated perfused rat myocardium. Captopril (50 mg/l in drinking water, 4 weeks) raised the myocardial content of glycogen. After 25-min global ischemia, captopril treatment, compared with the controls, resulted in lower rates of lactate dehydrogenase release during reperfusion (8.58 +/- 1.12 vs. 13.39 +/- 1.88 U/heart/30 min, p<0.05), lower myocardial lactate contents (11.34 +/- 0.93 vs. 21.22 +/- 4.28 micromol/g d.w., p<0.05) and higher coronary flow recovery (by 25%), and prevented the decrease of NO release into the perfusate during reperfusion. In control hearts L-arginine added to the perfusate (1 mmol/l) 10 min before ischemia had no effect on the parameters evaluated under our experimental conditions, presumably because of sufficient saturation of the myocardium with L-arginine. In the hearts of captopril-treated rats, L-arginine further increased NO production during reperfusion and the cGMP content before ischemia. Our results have shown that long-term captopril treatment increases the energy potential and has a beneficial effect on tolerance of the isolated heart to ischemia. L-arginine added into the perfusate potentiates the effect of captopril on the NO signaling pathway.     

Knockdown of farnesylpyrophosphate synthase prevents angiotensin II-mediated cardiac hypertrophy

The Rho guanosine triphosphatases (Rho GTPases) family, including RhoA, plays an important role in angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated cardiac hypertrophy. Farnesylpyrophosphate synthase (FPPS)-catalyzed isoprenoid intermediates are vital for activation of RhoA. The present study was designed to investigate the role of FPPS in myocardial hypertrophy mediated with Ang II. First, we demonstrated that FPPS expression was elevated both in cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes (NCMs) following Ang II treatment and in the hypertrophic myocardium of 18-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Then, the importance of FPPS was assessed by RNA interference (RNAi) against FPPS in NCMs. Successful FPPS silencing in NCMs completely inhibited the hypertrophy marker genes of β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), as well as cell surface area. Furthermore, FPPS knockdown prevented elevated RhoA activity compared with non-silenced controls. Similarly, increased-phosphorylation of p-38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) by Ang II was attenuated. In vivo gene transfer also attenuated hypertrophic responses as indexed by left ventricular weight/body weight (LVW/BW), heart weight/body weight (HW/BW), and echocardiography, as well as expression of β-MHC and BNP mRNA in SHRs. In conclusion, FPPS with RhoA associated p-38 and JNK MAPK signaling might play an important role in Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy.     

Evaluation of the antioxidant properties of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor,captopril and the nucleotide enhancing agent,acadesine

The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril and the nucleotide enhancing agent, acadesine, protect myocardial tissue from ischaemia/reperfusion-induced injury. Although both drugs have well established, independent mechanisms of cardiac protection, they may also have antioxidant activity which could contribute to their beneficial action. In this study we have examined the antioxidant activity of captopril and acadesine by examining their ability to scavenge ABTS radicals, formed from the interaction of ferryl metmyoglobin with phenothiazine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. For comparison, we compared these results to those obtained for a range of other drugs commonly used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. These included verapamil (arrhythmia), isosorbide dinitrate (angina), atenolol (hypertension) and enalapril (congestive heart failure). The antioxidant properties of these drugs were then compared to the well characterised antioxidants, Trolox (a water soluble vitamin E analogue), ascorbate and glutathione. Captopril and acadesine were both shown to be efficient scavengers of ABTS radicals, importantly at drug concentrations expected to be found in vivo. These data confirm that the antioxidant potential of captopril and acadesine may be an important component of their mechanism of action, with both drugs probably protecting the myocardium against oxygen derived free radicals during ischaemia/reperfusion.