Ca2+- or Mg2+-dependent ATPase in plasma membrane of cultured endothelial cells from bovine carotid artery

ATPase was found in plasma membrane of cultured endothelial cells from bovine carotid artery. The activity of the enzyme solubilized by octaethyleneglycol mono-n-dodecyl ether was enhanced by the addition of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ and was not affected by F-actin and ouabain. V_max was 2.8 and 10.0 μmol P_i/mg protein per h for Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-dependent activity, respectively, and the corresponding K_m was 4.8·10^?4 M and 3.2·10^?4 M. Molecular weight of the protein was estimated to be approx. 250 000, as determined by activity-staining electrophoresis with polyacrylamide gels.     

兔血管外膜对血管重构及收缩功能影响的初步观察

本文研究血管外膜在血管重塑及功能调控中的作用。实验采用在体去除兔颈动脉外膜的方法,于术后即刻、1周及2周取出动脉作组织学、免疫组织化学染色及血管反应性测定。结果显示：(1)去除颈动脉局部外膜对内皮及中层平滑肌无明显损伤;(2)去除外膜后血管平滑肌细胞增殖,并有新生内膜形成;(3)与对照例比较,去外膜侧血管对去甲肾上腺素的收缩反应在术后即刻及1周时减弱(P＜0．05)。上述研究结果提示：去除动脉外膜可导致血管内膜增殖及血管平滑肌收缩功能的改变,表明外膜可能参与血管重塑及对血管功能的调控。     

腺苷对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的易化作用

在27只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的麻醉大鼠,观察了腺苷（adenosine,Ado）对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的影响。所得结果如下：（1）以 Ado（125μmol／L）隔离灌流大鼠左侧颈动脉窦区时,压力感受器机能曲线向左下方移位,曲线最大斜率（PS）由0．37±0．02增至0 55±0．02kPa／KPa（P＜0．001）,反射性血压下降幅度（RD）由5．53±0．12增至7．76±0．36KPa;阈压（TP）、平衡压（EP）和饱和压（SP）则分别从8．60±0．27,12．53±0．30和23．69±0．15下降至5．63± 0．11kPa,10．89±0．29KPa和20．18±0．55KPa（P＜0．01－0．001 ）。其中RD,PS和TP的变化呈明显的剂量依赖性。（2）用腺苷选择性 A1受体拮抗剂（8－cyclopentyl－l,3－dipropylianthene,0．134mmol／L）预处理后,Ado的上述反射效应即被阻断。（3）先给予KATP通道阻断剂格列苯脲（glibenclamide．10μmol／L）亦可取消腺苷对压力感受器反射的影响。以上结果表明, Ado对大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器活动有易化作用,这一作用似与腺苷A1受体介导的KATP通道开放有关。     

Relationship between low-density lipoprotein subclasses and asymptomatic atherosclerosis in subjects from the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) Study

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size has been associated with coronary heart disease, but an association between LDL size and preclinical atherosclerosis is less well established. Using gradient gel electrophoresis, large (A), intermediate (I) and small (B) LDL size subclasses were determined in 198 cases with asymptomatic carotid artery atherosclerosis (determined by B-mode ultrasonography) and 318 controls from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. In Caucasians, a smaller LDL size was more prevalent in men and associated with a higher body mass index, hypertension prevalence, and plasma total- and LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, but lower HDL-cholesterol. In African-Americans, a smaller LDL size was associated with higher triglycerides and lower HDL-cholesterol and hypertension prevalence. In Caucasians, Subclass B prevalence was 29.1% among cases and 14.8% among controls. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for Subclass B rather than Subclass A in Caucasian cases was 2.94 (1.67-5.17); the association remained significant after controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, and either plasma triglycerides or HDL-cholesterol. In African-Americans, however, there was no significant association between LDL subclass and case status. A predominance of smaller LDL particles is associated with asymptomatic carotid artery atherosclerosis in Caucasians, through mechanisms that remain to be elucidated.     

Relationship between low-density lipoprotein subclasses and asymptomatic atherosclerosis in subjects from the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) Study

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size has been associated with coronary heart disease, but an association between LDL size and preclinical atherosclerosis is less well established. Using gradient gel electrophoresis, large (A), intermediate (I) and small (B) LDL size subclasses were determined in 198 cases with asymptomatic carotid artery atherosclerosis (determined by B-mode ultrasonography) and 318 controls from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. In Caucasians, a smaller LDL size was more prevalent in men and associated with a higher body mass index, hypertension prevalence, and plasma total- and LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, but lower HDL-cholesterol. In African-Americans, a smaller LDL size was associated with higher triglycerides and lower HDL-cholesterol and hypertension prevalence. In Caucasians, Subclass B prevalence was 29.1% among cases and 14.8% among controls. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for Subclass B rather than Subclass A in Caucasian cases was 2.94 (1.67–5.17); the association remained significant after controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, and either plasma triglycerides or HDL-cholesterol. In African-Americans, however, there was no significant association between LDL subclass and case status. A predominance of smaller LDL particles is associated with asymptomatic carotid artery atherosclerosis in Caucasians, through mechanisms that remain to be elucidated.     

Leptin to high-molecular-weight adiponectin ratio is independently correlated with carotid intima-media thickness in men,but not in women

Background: The leptin:adiponectin ratio (L:A ratio) is an independent predictor of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

Objective: To evaluate whether the leptin:high-molecular-weight adiponectin ratio (L:HA ratio) is associated with CIMT in the general population.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between the L:HA ratio and CIMT in 233 Japanese study participants (106 men and 127 women).

Results: After adjustment for confounding factors, CIMT was significantly correlated with the log L:HA ratio (β?=?0.11, p?=?0.014) in men, whereas no correlation was observed in women (β?=?0.01, p?=?0.50).

Conclusion: The L:HA ratio is closely correlated with CIMT in men, but not in women.     

Caffeine inhibition of rat carotid body chemoreceptors is mediated by A2A and A2B adenosine receptors

Caffeine, an unspecific antagonist of adenosine receptors, is commonly used to treat the apnea of prematurity. We have defined the effects of caffeine on the carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors, the main peripheral controllers of breathing, and identified the adenosine receptors involved. Caffeine inhibited basal (IC50, 210 microm) and low intensity (PO2 approximately 66 mm Hg/30 mm K+) stimulation-induced release of catecholamines from chemoreceptor cells in intact preparations of rat CB in vitro. Opposite to caffeine, 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine (NECA; an A2 agonist) augmented basal and low-intensity hypoxia-induced release. 2-p-(2-Carboxyethyl)phenethyl-amino-5'-N-ethylcaboxamido-adenosine hydrochloride (CGS21680), 2-hexynyl-NECA (HE-NECA) and SCH58621 (A2A receptors agents) neither affected catecholamine release nor altered the caffeine effects. The 8-cycle-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; an A1/A2B antagonist) and 8-(4-{[(4-cyanophenyl)carbamoylmethyl]-oxy}phenyl)-1,3-di(n-propyl)xanthine (MRS1754; an A2B antagonist) mimicking of caffeine indicated that caffeine effects are mediated by A2B receptors. Immunocytochemical A2B receptors were located in tyrosine hydroxylase positive chemoreceptor cells. Caffeine reduced by 52% the chemosensory discharges elicited by hypoxia in the carotid sinus nerve. Inhibition had two components with pharmacological analysis indicating that A2A and A2B receptors mediate, respectively, the low (17 x 10(-9) m) and high (160 x 10(-6) m) IC50 effects. It is concluded that endogenous adenosine, via presynaptic A2B and postsynaptic A2A receptors, can exert excitatory effects on the overall output of the rat CB chemoreceptors.     

Low testosterone levels are inversely correlated with carotid artery plaque formation in elderly women

Objective To study the relationship between serum testosterone levels and the plaque formation of the carotid artery in a population-based cohort of independently living healthy women above 60 years of age. Methods Analysis of the healthy elders from a population-based cohort study in 9 communities of Beijing. Carotid intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques were determined ultrasonographically. Serum testosterone levels were measured by immunoassay. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and logistic regression analysis. Results There was an inverse correlation between testosterone and plaque formation in old females（P〈0.01）, while no association was found in males. Female with testosterone levels in the lowest quartile （〈0.49 nmol/L） had more risk of plaque formation（OR=3.805, P〈0.01） after adjusted with age and other traditional factors of atherosclerosis. Conclusion Testosterone concentrations are negatively associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in old women in Beijing, experimental and prospective studies are needed to determine the possible therapeutic role of testosterone in atherosclerosis.     

Meningeal arterial patterns in great apes: Implications for hominid vascular evolution

Arterial meningeal patterns were observed for 100 hemispheres from great ape endocasts (Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes, Gorilla gorilla, and Pongo pygmaeus). Eight patterns emerged based on the relative contributions to the walls and dura mater of the middle part of the braincase of meningeal arteries that stem from two sources. These arteries enter the braincase through either the orbit (delivering blood from the internal carotid artery) or through the base of the middle cranial fossa (via the middle meningeal artery whose blood comes from the external carotid artery). The three genera of apes manifest different frequencies of the eight, patterns, with orangutans highly dependent on orbital meningeal arteries at one extreme, and chimpanzees showing the greatest reliance on the middle meningeal artery at the other. As was the case in an earlier study of rhesus monkeys, there is a trend across the two genera of African apes for increased mean cranial capacity to be associated with increased reliance on the internal carotid artery for supplying the middle portion of the braincase. However, unlike the case for macaques, this trend does not reach statistical significance in African apes. Because it is rare for humans to manifest significant arterial contributions from the orbit to the middle cranial fossa, the comparative data on monkeys, apes, and humans suggest that, during the course of vascular evolution in Homo, the middle meningeal artery eventually took over supply of the entire middle cranial fossa. This hypothesis should be tested in the hominid fossil record. Earlier work on meningeal arterial patterns in apes has traditionally relied on Adachi's system that was determined from humans and focuses on the origin of the middle branch of the middle meningeal artery. As a result, the extensive orbital contributions to the middle portion of the braincase that characterize apes were not recognized and the eight patterns described in this paper were often erroneously assigned to the three patterns that adequately describe only humans. Adachi's system should therefore be abandoned for nonhuman primates and early hominids. A correct understanding of meningeal arterial evolution cannot be achieved until the orbital contributions to the meningeal arteries are recognized and incorporated into an evolutionary study that spans from apes to fossil hominids to living people. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

腺苷易化大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器的活动

在36只麻醉大鼠,以隔离灌流颈动脉窦区记录窦神经传入放电的方法观察了腺苷（adenosine,Ado）对颈动脉窦压力感受器传入放电的影响。所得结果如下：（1）以75μmol／LAdo隔离灌流大鼠左侧颈动脉窦区时,窦内压-窦神经传入放电积分（ISP－ISNA）关系曲线向左上方移位,曲线最大斜率（PS）由（18．75±0．12）％／kPa增至（22．21±0．11）％／kPa（P＜0．001）,最大积分值（PIV）由（209．83±2．57）％增至（239．17±1．75）％;阈压（TP）和饱和压（SP）则分别从（8．57±0．24）和（22．99±0．34）下降至（7．15±0．23）kPa（P＜0．001）和（21．21±0,43）kPa（P＜0．01）。再分别以125和175μmol／LAdo灌流,机能曲线进一步向左上方移位,PS、TP和SP的变化均呈明显的剂量依赖性。（2）用腺苷选择性A1受体拮抗剂8－cyclopentyl－1,3－dipropylxanthine（0．134mmol／L）预处理后,Ado的上述效应即被阻断。（3）先给予KATP通道阻断剂格列苯脲（10μmol／L）亦可取消腔苷对窦神经传入放电的影响。结果表明,在体隔离灌流大鼠颈动脉窦区条件下,Ado对颈动脉窦压力感受器活动有易化作用,此作用似与腺苷A1受体介导的KATP通道开放有关。     

The homologies of the lorisoid internal carotid artery system

The development of the “internal carotid” arterial system of the lesser galago (Galago senegalensis senegalensis)is described. The first artery to be formed is a typical promontory artery which runs through the middle-ear cavity and gives off the stapedial artery. It terminates in the cranial cavity by dividing into the middle cerebral, anterior cerebral, and two ophthalmic arteries. It is accompanied by the internal carotid nerve. A medially directed artery to the external carotid rete arises from the commencement of the promontory artery and joins the caudal end of the rete, whose cranial end lies in the foramen lacerum. As the promontory artery enters the cranial cavity, it communicates with the cranial end of the rete. The promontory artery, between the origin of the artery to the rete and its connection with the rete, becomes narrowed and eventually disappears. Thus the internal carotid artery is formed from the commencement of the promontory artery, the artery to the rete, the external carotid rete, and the terminal intracranial part of the promontory artery. The relationships of the artery to the rete indicate that it is the homologue of the human ascending pharyngeal artery.     

银杏苦内酯B抑制麻醉大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受性反射

本研究在30只麻醉雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠隔离灌流颈动脉窦区观察了银杏苦内酯B(ginkgolide B)对颈动脉窦压力感受性反射的影响.结果显示:(1)银杏苦内酯B(0.1,1,10 pmol/L)隔离灌流序侧颈动脉窦区,使压力感受性机能曲线向右上方移位,曲线最大斜率(peak slop,PS)减小,血压反射性下降(reflex decrease,RD)幅度减小(P<0.01),阂压(threshold pressure,TP)、平衡压(equilibrium pressure,EP)和饱和压(saturation pressure,SP)均升高(P<0.05,P<0.01).其中PS、RD、TP、EP和sP呈明显的剂量依赖性;(2)预先应用钙通道开放剂Bay K8644(500 nmol/L),可以完伞取消银杏苦内酯B的抑制作用.(3)预先应用钾通道阻断剂四乙铵(tetraethylammonium,TEA,1 mmol/L),银杏苦内酯B的上述作用也被完全取消.结果表明,银杏苦内酯B对大鼠颈动脉实压力感受性反射有抑制作用,此作用与银杏苦内酯B减少颈动脉窦压力感受器神经末梢钙离子内流和增加钾离子外流有关.     

猫颈动脉区压力和化学感受性刺激对孤束核自发放电的影响

对27只氯醛糖和氨基甲酸乙酯麻醉的猫观察了选择性激活颈动脉压力和化学感受器对孤束核(NTS)及其附近区域单位放电的影响。共记录到103个对颈动脉压力感受器激活(新福林1—2μg/kg,iv)和/或颈动脉化学感受器激活(尼古丁,5—20μg,注入甲状腺动脉)起反应的单位,其中81个位于NTS,在这些单位中,14个仅对化学感受器激活起反应(10个兴奋和4个抑制),44个以各种组合形式对化学和压力感受性刺激都起反应,23个仅对压力感受器刺激起反应(18个兴奋和5个抑制)。在定位分布上,对两种刺激都起反应的单位主要位于NTS尾部,仅对化学感受性刺激起反应的单位多位于NTS的腹外侧,其它有反应的单位分别位于舌下神经旁区,旁正中网状核和延髓腹侧尾端。这些结果表明,颈动脉区压力和化学感受器活动传入到NTS,并在其中的一些神经元上发生会聚。 在全部有反应的NTS单位中,68个对压力感受性刺激起反应,其中46个兴奋,21个抑制(P<0.005);58个对化学感受性刺激起反应,其中36个兴奋,22个抑制(P>0.05)。这些结果提示,化学感受性刺激对NTS神经元引起兴奋和抑制两种反应,而压力感受性刺激则诱发兴奋为主的反应。     

The carotid rete and artiodactyl success

Since the Eocene, the diversity of artiodactyls has increased while that of perissodactyls has decreased. Reasons given for this contrasting pattern are that the evolution of a ruminant digestive tract and improved locomotion in artiodactyls were adaptively advantageous in the highly seasonal post-Eocene climate. We suggest that evolution of a carotid rete, a structure highly developed in artiodactyls but absent in perissodactyls, was at least as important. The rete confers an ability to regulate brain temperature independently of body temperature. The net effect is that in hot ambient conditions artiodactyls are able to conserve energy and water, and in cold ambient conditions they are able to conserve body temperature. In perissodactyls, brain and body temperature change in parallel and thermoregulation requires abundant food and water to warm/cool the body. Consequently, perissodactyls occupy habitats of low seasonality and rich in food and water, such as tropical forests. Conversely, the increased thermoregulatory flexibility of artiodactyls has facilitated invasion of new adaptive zones ranging from the Arctic Circle to deserts and tropical savannahs.     

Changes to the geometry and fluid mechanics of the carotid siphon in the pediatric Moyamoya disease

Background: The Moyamoya disease is a cerebrovascular disease that causes occlusion of the distal end of the internal carotid artery, leading to the formation of multiple tiny collateral arteries. To date, the pathogenesis of Moyamoya is unknown. Improved understanding of the changes to vascular geometry and fluid mechanics of the carotid siphon during disease may improve understanding of the pathogenesis, prognosis techniques and disease management. Methods: A retrospective analysis of Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) images was performed for Moyamoya pediatric patients (MMD) (n = 23) and control (Ctrl) pediatric patients (n = 20). The Ctrl group was composed of patients who complained of headache and had normal MRA. We performed segmentation of MRA images to quantify geometric parameters of the artery. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was performed to quantify the hemodynamic parameters. Results: MMD internal carotid and carotid siphons were smaller in cross-sectional areas, and shorter in curved vascular length. Vascular curvature remained constant over age and vascular size and did not change between Ctrl and MMD, but MMD carotid siphon had lower tortuosity in the posterior bend, and higher torsion in the anterior bend. Wall shear stress and secondary flows were significantly lower in MMD, but the ratio of secondary flow kinetic energy to primary flow kinetic energy were similar between MMD and Ctrl. Conclusion: There were alterations to both the geometry and the flow mechanics of the carotid siphons of Moyamoya patients but it is unclear whether hemodynamics is the cause or the effect of morphological changes observed.     

猫颈动脉区压力和化学感受性刺激对巨细胞旁外侧核单位放电的影响

在31只氯醛糖和氨基甲酸乙酯麻醉的猫,观察了选择性激活颈动脉压力和化学感受器对巨细胞旁外侧核(PGL)单位放电的影响。136个PGL自发放电单位中,有84个在激活颈动脉压力感受器(BA)(新福林,1—2μg/kg,iv)和/或激活颈动脉化学感受器(CA)(nicotine 5—20μg,溶于0.25—0.5ml生理盐水中,注入甲状腺动脉)时,放电频率有变化。在这些有反应的单位中,16个仅对CA起反应(11个兴奋、5个抑制);54个以各种组合方式对CA和BA都起反应,其中以CA引起兴奋反应而BA引起抑制反应的占比例最大;14个仅对BA起反应(7个兴奋,7个抑制)。在定位分布上,那些只对CA起反应的单位多位于PGL的腹侧部份;仅对BA起反应的单位则位于对CA起反应单位的较背侧;对BA和CA均起反应的单位介于上述两者之间或在较深区域。这些结果表明,颈动脉区压力和化学感受器活动传入到PGL,并会聚在其中一些神经元上。 在PGL内全部有反应的单位中,68个对激活颈动脉压力感受器起反应,其中兴奋的29个,抑制的39个(P>0.05);70个对激活颈动脉化学感受器起反应,其中48个兴奋,22个抑制(P<0.005)。这些结果提示,BA对PGL神经元引起兴奋和抑制两种效应,而CA则诱发兴奋为主的反应。     

Relationship of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and oxidized low density lipoprotein in carotid atherosclerosis

Plasma levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) have been identified as risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Lp-PLA₂ is the sole enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of oxidized phospholipids on LDL particles in atherosclerotic plaques. We have studied the relationship between Lp-PLA₂ and oxLDL in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) tissues and in matched plasmas. In extracts from CEA anatomical segments, the levels of oxLDL were significantly associated with the levels of Lp-PLA₂ protein (r = 0.497) and activity (r = 0.615). OxLDL and Lp-PLA₂ mass/activity were most abundant in the carotid bifurcation and internal segments where plaque was most abundant. In extracts from CEA atheroma, the levels of oxLDL and Lp-PLA₂ were significantly correlated (r = 0.634). In matched plasma and atheroma extracts, the levels of Lp-PLA₂ were negatively correlated (r = − 0.578). The ratio of Lp-PLA₂ to oxLDL was higher in atheromatous tissue (277:1) than in normal tissue (135:1) and plasma (13:1). Immunohistochemical experiments indicated that in plaques, oxLDL and Lp-PLA₂ existed in overlapping but distinctly different distribution. Fluorescence microscopy showed both oxLDL and Lp-PLA₂ epitopes on the same LDL particle in plasma but not in plaque. These results suggest that the relationship between Lp-PLA₂ and oxLDL in the atherosclerotic plaque is different from that in the plasma compartment.     

非显微外科手术建立小鼠颈动脉损伤模型

目的：探讨以非显微外科方法建立小鼠颈动脉损伤模型的可能性。方法：60只C57BL/6小鼠随机分成两组（n=30）：传统显微外科手术组和非显微外科手术组。结果：非显微外科手术方法建立颈动脉损伤模型与传统方法相比效果一致,手术成功率相似（P〉0.05）,术后1 d存活率无统计学差异（P〉0.05）,且手术时间较短（P〈0.01）。结论：非显微外科手术方法建立小鼠颈动脉损伤模型简单、有效、手术时间稍短,且无需显微外科设备、器械及专业的显微外科手术人员。     

单片机控制的颈动脉窦区自动灌流系统的研究

目的：建立一种自动控制颈动脉窦区灌流压的新方法。方法：采用AT89C2051单片计算机构成谦价实用的灌流控制器,钭它与LDB-M型电子蠕动泵、实验动物的颈动脉窦区构成自动灌流系统。结果及结论：该系统能对大鼠颈动脉窦区进行均匀斜坡升压,阶梯升压-降压灌流,并已用于压力感受器反射效应研究中,此系统能保证灌流曲线的准确性和可重复性。进一步提高了实验的技术水平。