高糖高脂饮食对兔肾小管间质纤维化的影响

为研究高糖高脂饮食对新西兰兔(Oryctolagus cuniculus)肾小管间质纤维化的影响,将20只雄兔随机均分2组,分别喂正常饲料(对照组)和高糖高脂饲料(模型组),每月测空腹血糖和甘油三酯(TG),5个月后取尿液测尿糖、微量白蛋白(mAlb)和N-乙酰β-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG),H.E、VG染色观察肾髓质病理改变,计算肾小管间质纤维化指数(TIFI)和胶原纤维面积,免疫组化测Ⅳ型胶原、纤维连接蛋白(FN)和转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)的蛋白表达。结果显示,与对照组相比,模型组血糖、TG、尿糖、mAlb和NAG上升(P0.05或P0.01);肾小管间质肿胀,炎症细胞浸润,胶原纤维面积增加(22.47%±5.66%vs.9.43%±3.03%,P0.01),TIFI升高(2.369±0.6734vs.0.6810±0.2248,P0.01);Ⅳ型胶原、FN和TGF-β1的表达显著增加(P0.01)。上述结果说明,高糖高脂喂养兔5个月可导致肾小管、间质的结构和功能发生改变,细胞外基质表达增加,促进纤维化形成。     

运动预处理部分抵抗小鼠长期高脂饮食喂养引起的脂代谢紊乱

已有研究表明运动具有广泛的健康效应,其能够通过改善机体代谢等机制防治慢性疾病。新近研究表明运动预处理(即在疾病发生、发展之前给予运动干预)具有一定的心脏保护效应,但其能否抵抗高脂饮食诱导的肥胖和代谢紊乱尚不清楚。本研究旨在明确运动预处理对长期高脂饮食喂养小鼠的体重和代谢的影响,并探讨其可能机制。C57BL/6小鼠(4周龄)在经过3个月的游泳训练或安静对照后,给予正常饮食(normal diet, ND)或高脂饮食(high fat diet, HFD)喂养4个月。结果显示：3个月的游泳训练能够显著降低小鼠血糖、提高葡萄糖耐量和增加抓力。运动预处理不能改善由于HFD喂养引起的体重增加,但能够改善由于HFD喂养引起的糖耐量异常。运动预处理对ND和HFD喂养小鼠的运动能力和运动节律均无明显影响。HFD喂养后小鼠血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白水平增加,皮下脂肪和附睾脂肪含量增加。运动预处理能够显著降低ND喂养小鼠循环游离脂肪酸和低密度脂蛋白水平。运动预处理能够增加HFD喂养小鼠的循环高密度脂蛋白水平,降低循环低密度脂蛋白水平,但不影响皮下脂肪和附睾脂肪的重量。HFD喂养增加肝脏重量,提高肝脏总胆固...     

高果糖高脂饮食对小鼠体内能量代谢的影响

目的:高热量物质的过度摄入是导致机体代谢紊乱,诱发2型糖尿病等代谢性疾病的主要原因,本文通过比较高果糖、高脂及高果糖高脂混合喂饲对小鼠体内能量代谢的影响,探索饮食诱发代谢紊乱性疾病的可能发病机制。方法:采用20%高果糖水,60%高脂饲料,及二者混合方式饲养C57BL/6小鼠3个月后,观察各组小鼠24小时内氧气消耗量,二氧化碳生成量,呼吸商及能量消耗的改变。结果:不同饮食喂饲3个月,与对照组小鼠相比,高果糖组、高脂组、及高果糖高脂组小鼠均表现出明显的肝内脂质蓄积,氧气消耗量增加,呼吸商下降,能量消耗增加。结论:过剩的高热量物质摄入导致机体内物质代谢、能量代谢发生改变,糖代谢受损,脂代谢增强,能量代谢方式从糖氧化为主转变为脂氧化供能。     

高脂饮食对小鼠胃蛋白质组表达水平的影响

以高脂饮食小鼠为模型,多角度分析高脂饮食对小鼠胃蛋白组表达的影响。实验小鼠(C57BL/6)随机分配两组,实验组食用高脂饲料,对照组食用正常饲料,喂养110d后,把胃组织分为前胃、胃体和胃窦3个区分别进行蛋白质谱鉴定,随后比较两组实验的蛋白表达谱,分别筛选两组之间的差异蛋白以及胃分区的差异蛋白(差异倍数≥2),并对其进行GO富集及蛋白相互作用网络分析。对照组和实验组共鉴定到9 307种蛋白,筛选特异性肽段≥1且重复实验中至少鉴定到2次的蛋白,最后剩余4 066种蛋白,其中对照组3654种,实验组3832种。进一步从生物功能角度整体分析了胃组织的蛋白表达谱,结果发现实验组小鼠胃组织中高表达蛋白主要参与蛋白稳定和运输等生物学过程。而在对胃分区差异蛋白的功能分析表明,前胃主要参与角质化和肌动蛋白组装相关生物学过程,且受饮食影响程度较小;胃体和胃窦主要执行消化功能,高脂饮食后对胃的基本消化功能并无显著影响,但与对照组相比,参与蛋白转运和脂肪代谢相关生物学过程的蛋白显著高表达。     

黄芪水提取物减轻高脂饮食引起的小鼠肥胖

目的:研究黄芪水提取物(Astragalus radix extract,ARE)对高脂饮食(High fat diet,HFD)引起的小鼠肥胖的作用及可能机制。方法:将30只C57 BL/6小鼠随机分为正常喂养组(ND组,n=10)、高脂喂养组(HFD组,n=10)和高脂喂养+黄芪水提取物处理组(ARE组,n=10)。记录三组小鼠体重及食物摄入。在喂养16周时,对小鼠附睾白色脂肪称重,并进行HE染色观察脂肪细胞大小;对小鼠肝脏进行进行HE染色观察肝脏脂肪变性情况。应用ELISA方法检测血清瘦素及脂联素水平。应用Western Blot检测脂肪组织过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(Peroxisome proliferator activated receptorγ,PPARγ)表达。结果:1与ND组相比,HFD组体重及热量摄入均显著增加,表明肥胖模型建立成功;ARE处理组的体重较HFD组显著下降,但其热量摄入与HFD组相当。2与ND组相比,HFD组白色脂肪组织重量增加、脂肪细胞增大、肝细胞出现显著脂肪变性;ARE处理组上述指标较HFD组明显改善。3与ND组相比,HFD组瘦素水平升高、脂联素水平下降;ARE处理组与HFD组相比,瘦素水平降低、脂联素水平升高。4与ND组相比,HFD组PPARγ表达显著增加,而ARE处理组较HFD组PPARγ表达下降。结论:黄芪水提取物可能通过抑制PPARγ减轻高质饮食引起的肥胖。     

芦笋对高脂饮食小鼠肠道微生物及酶活性的影响

目的 探明芦笋对高脂饮食小鼠肠道微生物及酶活性的影响情况,为芦笋的应用提供依据。方法 将实验动物随机分为正常组、高脂饮食组、高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组和高脂饮食阳性对照组。其中正常组喂食正常饲料,其余组喂食高脂饲料。分别灌胃蒸馏水（正常组、高脂饮食组）、芦笋1.05 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组）、芦笋2.10 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组）、芦笋4.20 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组）和降脂理肝汤1.19 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食阳性对照组）,每天2次,每次0.35 mL。比较分析小鼠肠道微生物及肠道酶活性。结果 酶活方面,高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组能明显降低淀粉酶、木聚糖酶以及蛋白酶的活性,与高脂饮食组相比差异具有统计学意义（Ps<0.01）。肠道微生物方面,高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组能显著降低细菌、乳杆菌和双歧杆菌的数量。与高脂饮食组相比差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05或P<0.01）。结论 芦笋能降低高脂饮食小鼠的肠道内细菌、乳杆菌和双歧杆菌的数量,并且可以显著降低高脂饮食小鼠淀粉酶、木聚糖酶和蛋白酶等肠道酶的活性。     

高蛋白高胆固醇饮食诱导大鼠心肌纤维化协同效应及其机制的研究

目的:探讨高蛋白高胆固醇饮食诱导心肌纤维化的协同效应及其发生机制.方法:在每日标准饮食中增加20%蛋白质或/和100 mg胆固醇摄入8周的大鼠,以羟脯氨酸法测心肌胶原含量;以放免法测左心室及血浆AngⅡ和Ald浓度;以Griess法测血清亚硝酸盐(NO-2)浓度.结果:高蛋白高胆固醇组较高蛋白组心肌胶原含量升高了1.69倍,血总胆固醇和AngⅡ浓度分别升高了0.7倍和1.5倍,血NO-2 浓度亦明显降低,心肌Ald含量上升了1倍;较高胆固醇组心肌胶原含量升高了0.48倍,血AngⅡ升高了0.23倍.结论:高蛋白高胆固醇饮食可协同诱导心肌纤维化,其发生机制可能与RAAS激活和内皮功能受损有关.     

高脂饮食对小鼠脂质代谢和leptin基因表达水平的影响

目的建立高脂饮食诱导小鼠肥胖模型,分析高脂饲料对小鼠脂质代谢和leptin基因表达水平的影响。方法用高脂饲料饲喂小鼠,每周定时称重和断尾采血一次,分别测定血清中血糖、胆固醇、甘油三酯、胰岛素和leptin的浓度;5周后,分离、称重小鼠体脂并提取腹部脂肪组织RNA,半定量RT-PCR分析leptin基因表达水平。结果从第2周开始,实验组小鼠体重明显高于对照组小鼠,4周后,体重差异显著（P〈0．05）;血清中血糖、胆固醇、甘油三酯、胰岛素和leptin的含量随体重增加明显增高,4周后,差异显著（P〈0．05）;实验组体脂含量明显高于对照组（P〈0．05）,半定量RT-PCR分析表明,肥胖小鼠脂肪组织leptin基因表达水平高于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论高脂饮食诱导可建立小鼠肥胖模型,并能够引起高胰岛素和高leptin血症,为进一步研究肥胖的发病机制奠定基础。     

芦笋对高脂饮食小鼠脏器指数及血生化的影响

目的 探究芦笋对高脂饮食小鼠脏器指数以及血生化的影响。方法 将实验动物随机分为正常组、高脂饮食组、高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食阳性对照组。其中正常组喂食正常饲料,其余组喂食高脂饲料。分别灌胃蒸馏水（正常组、高脂饮食组）、芦笋1.05 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组）、芦笋2.10 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组）、芦笋4.20 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组）、降脂理肝汤1.19 g/（kg•d）（高脂饮食阳性对照组）,每天2次,每次0.35 mL。比较分析小鼠的脏器指数及血生化活性。结果 脏器方面：高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组小鼠的肝脏指数最低,但与高脂饮食组相比差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组小鼠的脾脏指数最高,并且高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组雌性与正常组雌性相比差异有统计学意义（t=1.486,P0.05）。血生化方面：高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组以及高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组小鼠的总胆固醇（TC）以及甘油三酯（TG）水平低于高脂饮食组,但与高脂饮食组相比差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,其中高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组中的TC、TG水平最低,而高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组相应的数值最高。芦笋治疗组小鼠在高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）方面高于正常组与高脂饮食组,但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,其中高脂饮食低、中、高剂量芦笋三组相比,低剂量芦笋组小鼠的HDL-C数值最低,而在LDL-C方面三组差异无统计学意义。结论 高脂饮食中剂量芦笋能够降低高脂饮食小鼠的肝脏指数,高脂饮食低剂量芦笋对小鼠脾脏以及胸腺等免疫器官具有一定的促进作用,而高剂量芦笋则对小鼠脾脏以及胸腺等免疫器官具有一定的抑制作用。芦笋能降低小鼠的TC、TG水平,其中低剂量的芦笋效果最好。芦笋能提高小鼠HDL-C和LDL-C的含量。     

敲除Nrf2促进高脂饮食诱导小鼠肝脏NF-kB的活化

目的：氧化应激和炎症反应是NASH进展的关键因素,同时二者之间存在着密切关系,而转录因子Nrf2和NF-kB分别是氧化应激和炎症信号通路的关键调控靶点,因此,研究Nrf2对高脂饮食诱导小鼠肝脏NF-kB信号通路的影响,对探讨NASH进展具有重要的意义。方法：雄性野生型（WT）和Nrf2基因敲除（Nrf2-/-）ICR小鼠各10只,随机分为WT对照组（Control）、Nrf2-/-对照组（KO）、WT高脂饮食组（HFD）和Nrf2-/-高脂饮食组（KOHFD）（n=5）。喂养8周后,观察肝脏光镜下改变,检测肝脏GSH、MDA、TNFα和IL-6水平。Western-Blot检测肝脏NF-kB蛋白表达水平,观察敲除Nrf2对肝脏NF-kB活性作用的影响。结果：1.光镜下观察,Control组与KO组小鼠肝脏结构无明显变化,HFD组小鼠肝脏呈现大片脂肪沉积和炎症细胞浸润,KOHFD组小鼠肝脏则呈现明显的大泡性变性,且炎症细胞浸润较HFD组明显加重;2.与Control组相比,KO组小鼠肝脏MDA轻度升高,GSH轻度降低,但无明显差异,而HFD组和KOHFD组小鼠肝脏MDA显著升高（P〈0.05）,GSH显著降低（P〈0.05）,且KOHFD组MDA明显高于HFD组（P〈0.05）,GSH明显低于HFD组（P〈0.05）。3.ELISA结果显示,与Control组相比,KO组小鼠肝脏TNFα和IL-6分泌轻度增加,而HFD组和KOHFD组小鼠肝脏TNFα与IL-6水平显著升高（P〈0.05）,且KOHFD组小鼠肝脏TNFα与IL-6显著高于HFD组（P〈0.05）;4.Western-Blot结果显示,Control组和KO组之间无明显差异,而KOHFD组和HFD组小鼠肝脏胞核NF-kB蛋白表达水平显著升高,且KOHFD组高于HFD组。结论：敲除Nrf2可以显著加重高脂饮食诱导的小鼠肝脏氧化应激水平,进而促进NF-kB的活化,从而为通过以Nrf2为靶点治疗NASH提供重要的实验依据。     

内皮素-1 mRNA反义寡核苷酸预防大鼠急性缺血性心律失常

本实验夹闭雄性ＳＤ大鼠冠状动脉左前降支（ＬＡＤ）造成急性心肌缺血,观察ＬＡＤ闭塞后１ｈ内缺血性心律失常的发生。在ＬＡＤ夹闭前２ｈ,静脉注射本室设计的人内皮素－１ｍＲＮＡ反义寡核苷酸（ＡＳ－ＯＤＮ）以阻断ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,观察ＡＳ－ＯＤＮ对血浆ＥＴ－１浓度和急性缺血性心律失常的影响。     

miR-34a attenuates myocardial fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy mice via targeting Pin-1

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)-34a on myocardial fibrosis in DCM and its potential mechanism of targeting Pin-1 signaling. Vimentin and Pin-1 proteins in mouse cardiac tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Locked nucleic acid in situ hybridization was used to measure miR-34a expression in cardiac tissues. Primary mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were transfected with a mimics control/miR-34a mimics or Pin-1 plasmid and cultured in high-glucose (HG) Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. The miR-34a levels were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The apoptosis and viability of transfected cells were detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays respectively. A cell migration experiment and dual-luciferase reporter assay were also performed. The body weight and fasting blood glucose of DCM mice were significantly higher than those in the control (CTL) group. In addition, DCM mice had decreased serum insulin levels and impaired cardiac function. The number of CFs in the DCM group was higher than in the CTL group and Pin-1 expression was upregulated. The expression level of miR-34a in the cardiac tissue of mice in the DCM group was obviously downregulated compared with the CTL group. The HG stimulation of CFs for 48 h significantly downregulated the expression level of miR-34a and was associated with increased Type I collagen expression, cell viability, and migration and decreased apoptosis. However, these effects could be reversed by overexpressing miR-34a in HG-induced CFs. Furthermore, we found that Pin-1 was a direct target of miR-34a. Our results suggest that miR-34a can attenuate myocardial fibrosis in DCM by reducing Type I collagen production, cell viability, and migration and increasing the apoptosis of CFs by targeting Pin-1 signaling.     

贯叶连翘提取物对小鼠免疫性心肌炎心肌纤维化的影响及其机制*

目的:研究贯叶连翘提取物(HPE)对小鼠实验性免疫性心肌炎心肌纤维化(MFEAM)的影响。方法:利用猪心肌肌球蛋白免疫易感鼠系,建立小鼠MFEAM模型,将MFEAM模型组小鼠随机分为: MFEAM模型组(n=14)、HPE100 mg/kg组(n=13)、HPE 40 mg/kg组(n=13)、Cap 50 mg/kg对照组(n=13)。各组药物每次均分别以0.4 ml生理盐水溶解,采用灌胃给药方式,每天2次,共60 d;正常对照组(n=10),MFEAM模型组按上述方法同体积同疗程给予生理盐水。通过观察小鼠一般情况,测定心脏重量、脾脏重量与体重之比,检测小鼠血清中I型前胶原N端前肽(PINP)、III型前胶原N端前肽(PIIINP)含量及转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)浓度,Masson染色显微镜观察心肌纤维化(MF)程度及胶原容积分数(CVF)测定,Western blot检测心肌TGF-β1蛋白表达。结果:MFEAM模型组小鼠血清中TGF-β1浓度及PINP、PIIINP含量显著升高,MF程度及CVF增加,心肌TGF-β1蛋白表达上调,与正常组比较差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);而HPE 40 mg/kg、100 mg/kg及Cap对照组血清PINP、PIIINP含量及TGF-β1浓度均减少,不同HPE或Cap剂量显著改善或降低MFEAM模型小鼠MF程度及CVF,不同程度下调心肌TGF-β1蛋白表达水平,与MFEAM模型组比较差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。结论:HPE对MF有治疗作用,可能与其减少胶原蛋白沉积,抑制TGF-β1信号通路有关。     

Calcium and integrin binding protein 1 (CIB1) induces myocardial fibrosis in myocardial infarction via regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a severe coronary artery disease resulted from substantial and sustained ischemia. Abnormal upregulation of calcium and integrin binding protein 1 (CIB1) has been found in several cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we established a mouse model of MI by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. CIB1 was upregulated in the heart of MI mice. Notably, CIB1 knockdown by intramuscular injection of lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Cib1 improved cardiac function and attenuated myocardial hypertrophy and infarct area in MI mice. MI-induced upregulation of α-SMA, vimentin, Collagen I, and Collagen III, which resulted in collagen production and myocardial fibrosis, were regressed by CIB1 silencing. In vitro, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) isolated from mice were subjected to angiotensin II (Ang II) treatment. Inhibition of CIB1 downregulated the expression of α-SMA, vimentin, Collagen I, and Collagen III in Ang II-treated CFs. Moreover, CIB1 knockdown inhibited Ang II-induced phosphorylation of PI3K-p85 and Akt in CFs. The effect of CIB1 knockdown on Ang II-induced cellular injury was comparable to that of LY294002, a specific inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt pathway. We demonstrated that MI-induced cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac dysfunction might be attributed to the upregulation of CIB1 in MI mice. Downregulation of CIB1 alleviated myocardial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction by decreasing the expression of α-SMA, vimentin, Collagen I, and Collagen III via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway. Therefore, CIB1 may be a potential target for MI treatment.     

肠道菌群及其代谢产物对心肌纤维化影响与治疗的研究进展

心肌纤维化是多种心血管疾病,如冠心病、心肌梗死和心力衰竭等的终末期表现和主要致病因素。研究发现,免疫和炎症过程在心肌纤维化的发病机制中起决定性作用。近年来,人们发现肠道微生物在心肌纤维化的发病机制和发展中起着至关重要的作用。肠道菌群的失调可导致微生物的代谢产物转移到血液循环中,如短链脂肪酸、脂多糖和氧化三甲胺等。这些代谢物直接或间接地诱导组织损伤免疫和激活全身炎症反应,进而影响心肌纤维化。如何改变肠道菌群来改善心肌纤维化已成为当前的研究重点,包括饮食干预、使用抗生素、补充益生菌和益生元,以及粪便微生物群移植等。本综述旨在回顾肠道菌群及其代谢产物与心肌纤维化的相互作用,介绍通过干预肠道菌群改善心肌纤维化的研究进展,为心肌纤维化的治疗提供新思路。     

Effects of valsartan on ventricular arrhythmia induced by programmed electrical stimulation in rats with myocardial infarction

The impact of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on electrical remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI) remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of valsartan on incidence of ventricular arrhythmia induced by programmed electrical stimulation (PES) and potential link to changes of myocardial connexins (Cx) 43 expression and distribution in MI rats. Fifty-nine rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham (n = 20), MI (n = 20) and MI + Val (20 mg/kg/day per gavage, n = 19). After eight weeks, the incidence of PES-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF) was compared among groups. mRNA and protein expressions of Cx43, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) in the LV border zone (BZ) and non-infarct zone (NIZ) were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Connexins 43 protein and collagen distribution were examined by immunohistochemistry in BZ and NIZ sections from MI hearts. Valsartan effectively improved the cardiac function, reduced the prolonged QTc (163.7 ± 3.7 msec. versus 177.8 ± 4.5 msec., P < 0.05) after MI and the incidence of VT or VF evoked by PES (21.1% versus 55%, P < 0.05). Angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression was significantly increased in BZ and NIZ sections after MI, which was down-regulated by valsartan. The mRNA and protein expressions of Cx43 in BZ were significantly reduced after MI and up-regulated by valsartan. Increased collagen deposition and reduced Cx43 expression in BZ after MI could be partly attenuated by Valsartan. Valsartan reduced the incidence of PES-induced ventricular arrhythmia, this effect was possibly through modulating the myocardial AT1R and Cx43 expression.     

Danqi soft capsule prevents infarct border zone remodelling and reduces susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in post‐myocardial infarction rats

Danqi soft capsule (DQ) is a traditional Chinese medicine containing Salvia miltiorrhiza and Panax notoginseng; it is safe and efficient in treating ischaemic heart diseases. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether DQ could prevent infarct border zone (IBZ) remodelling and decrease ventricular arrhythmias occurrence in post‐myocardial infarction (MI) stage. MI was induced by a ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. DQ was administered to the post‐MI rats started from 1 week after MI surgery for 4 weeks. The results showed that DQ treatment significantly attenuated tachyarrhythmia induction rates and arrhythmia score in post‐MI rats. In echocardiography, DQ improved left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function. Histological assessment revealed that DQ significantly reduced fibrotic areas and myocyte areas, and increased connexin (Cx) 43 positive areas in IBZ. Western blot revealed that DQ treatment significantly reduced the protein expression levels of type I and III collagens, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and Smad3 phosphorylation, while increasing Cx43 amounts. Overall, these findings mainly indicated that DQ intervention regulates interstitial fibrosis, Cx43 expression and myocyte hypertrophy by TGF‐β1/Smad3 pathway in IBZ, inhibits LV remodelling and reduces vulnerability to tachyarrhythmias after MI. This study presents a proof of concept for novel antiarrhythmic strategies in preventing IBZ remodelling, modifying the healed arrhythmogenic substrate and thus reducing susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in the late post‐MI period.     

厄贝沙坦对抗糖尿病大鼠心肌纤维化作用及机制

目的：观察厄贝沙坦对抗糖尿病大鼠心肌纤维化的作用,并分析细胞外调节信号激酶（ERK）通路在其中的作用。方法：健康雄性SD大鼠32只,随机分成两组：正常对照组（CON,n=10）,实验组（n=22）。实验组糖尿病造模成功20只,随机分为2组（n=10）：糖尿病组（DM）、厄贝沙坦+糖尿病组（Ir+DM）。8周后测定空腹血糖（FBG）水平,计算各组大鼠体重（BW）、心体比（H/B）和左室重量指数（LVWI）;Masson染色观察心肌形态及纤维化的发生;ELISA检测心肌组织胶原Ⅰ（colⅠ）、胶原Ⅲ（colⅢ）含量;Western blot检测心肌组织ERK1/2、p-ERK1/2蛋白的表达。结果：与CON组相比,DM组大鼠FBG水平、H/B、LVWI显著升高,体重显著减轻,colⅠ、colⅢ含量显著增加,心肌组织p-ERK1/2蛋白表达及p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2比值增加（P<0.05,P<0.01）,ERK1/2无明显变化。Masson染色显示DM组心肌胶原纤维粗大,交织成网状,排列分布不均,沉积增多。与DM组大鼠相比,厄贝沙坦干预后大鼠体重明显增加,H/B、LVWI、心肌组织colⅠ、colⅢ含量明显降低（P<0.05,P<0.01）,p-ERK1/2蛋白表达及p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2比值降低（P<0.01）,且心肌形态改善明显。结论：糖尿病可诱导心肌纤维化的发生,厄贝沙坦可通过抑制ERK的活化减轻糖尿病诱导的心肌纤维化损伤。     

The role and mechanism of transforming growth factor beta 3 in human myocardial infarction‐induced myocardial fibrosis

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) plays a crucial role in tissue fibrosis. A number of studies have shown that TGFβ3 significantly attenuated tissue fibrosis. However, the mechanism involved in this effect is poorly understood. In this study we found that the expression level of TGFβ3 was higher in human myocardial infarction (MI) tissues than in normal tissues, and interestingly, it increased with the development of fibrosis post‐myocardial infarction (post‐MI). In vitro, human cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were incubated with angiotensin II (Ang II) to mimic the ischaemic myocardium microenvironment and used to investigate the anti‐fibrotic mechanism of TGFβ3. Then, fibrosis‐related proteins were detected by Western blot. It was revealed that TGFβ3 up‐regulation attenuated the proliferation, migration of human CFs and the expression of collagens, which are the main contributors to fibrosis, promoted the phenotype shift and the cross‐linking of collagens. Importantly, the expression of collagens was higher in the si‐smad7 groups than in the control groups, while silencing smad7 increased the phosphorylation level of the TGFβ/smad signalling pathway. Collectively, these results indicated that TGFβ3 inhibited fibrosis via the TGFβ/smad signalling pathway, possibly attributable to the regulation of smad7, and that TGFβ3 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis post‐MI.     

The effector cells and cellular mediators of immune system involved in cardiac inflammation and fibrosis after myocardial infarction

The cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI) involves two phases, namely, inflammatory response and proliferative response. The former is an inflammatory reaction, evoked by different kinds of pro-inflammatory leukocytes and molecules stimulated by myocardial necrosis, while the latter is a repair process, predominated by a magnitude of anti-inflammatory cells and cytokines, as well as fibroblasts. Cardiac remodeling post-MI is dependent on the balance of individualized intensity of the post-MI inflammation and subsequent cardiac fibrosis. During the past 30 years, enormous studies have focused on investigating immune cells and mediators involved in cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, which are two interacting processes of post-MI cardiac repair. These results contribute to revealing the mechanism of adverse cardiac remodeling after MI and alleviating the impairment of cardiac function. In this study, we will broadly discuss the role of immune cell subpopulation and the involved cytokines and chemokines during cardiac repair post-MI, particular in cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.