Chemical Synthesis and Cloning of Overlapping Concatenated Human Atrial Natriuretic Factor Gene with Gene Engineering

Eight oligonucleotide fragments were designed with the aid of a computer and synthesizedaccording to the amino add sequcnce of human atrial natriuretic factor(ANF).By means of an-nealing and ligation,these fragments were assembled into an overlapping concatenator consisting oftwo ANF genes ligated by TGATG for termination and initiation of translation.Theconcatenator was omserted into plasmid pRC23 and the recobinant DNA was transformed into E.coli strain TAP106.Analysis by restriction enzyme mapping,hybridization and DNA sequenongshowed that the orientation and reading frame of the gene were correct.

The dynamic changes of angiotensin Ⅱ and atrial natriuretic factor levels in hypothalamus and infarct volume of rats with focal cerebral ischemia

Changes of hypothalamus angiotensin Ⅱ (A Ⅱ) and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) levels and infarct volume were measured in hypertension and normotension rats at different time after focal cerebral ischemia. The results showed that the hypothalamus ANF lev

Forskolin Modulates the Inhibitory Effect of C-Type Natriuretic Peptide on Hypoxia-Induced Atrial Dynamics and Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 Alpha Activity

Our study investigated effects of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on atrial dynamics and hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) activity in perfused beating rat atria, under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia significantly increased the levels of HIF-1α, concomitant with decreased trial dynamics. CNP (0.1 μmol/L) further decreased atrial dynamics under hypoxia and suppressed hypoxia-induced stimulation of HIF-1α expression. An adenylylcyclase (AC) activator, forskolin (0.1 μmol/L), significantly up-regulated atrial phosphodiesterase subtype 3A (PDE 3A) protein without affecting hypoxia-induced dynamics. In the presence of forskolin, the inhibitory effects of CNP on hypoxia-induced atrial dynamics and HIF-1α levels were significantly attenuated. Forskolin also prevented hypoxia-induced downregulation of PDE3A protein. These findings suggested that CNP inhibited atrial dynamics and HIF-1α activity in the isolated perfused beating rat atria under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, both effects were modulated by the AC activator forskolin, through activation of CNP-PDE 3A signaling.

Mendelian randomization provides evidence for a causal effect of serum insulin-like growth factor family concentration on risk of atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation(AF)is one of the most common persistent arrhythmias among adult cardiovascular diseases.It is important to identify potential risk factors for AF.Members of the insulin-like growth factor(IGF)family exert a variety of effects on various cell types in the context of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases,and previous population-based studies indicate associations between IGF family members and AF.However,the causal effects of IGF family members in AF have not been evaluated.assess genetic relationships between IGF family members and AF.METHODS MR was performed based on genome-wide association study(GWAS)datasets,and concentration levels of 14 IGF family members were retrieved.An initial MR analysis was conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms potentially associated with IGF serum concentrations.A GWAS meta-analysis including 60620 AF cases and 970216 control participants of European ancestry was then conducted to identify AF causal effects.Two-sample MR packages were used to perform MR analysis in R.MR-Egger,weighted median(WM),and inverse va-riance weighted(IVW)methods were used.RESULTS Core Tip:Due to the high prevalence of atrial fibrillation(AF),and adverse outcomes related to it,it is important to identify risk factors associated with development of the condition.Insulin-like growth factor(IGF)family members exert a variety of effects on various cell types in the context of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases,and previous population-based studies indicate associations between IGF family members and AF.However,the causal effects of IGF family members in AF have not been evaluated.The results of the current study provide novel insights on the pathogenesis of AF,and implic-ations of serum IGF family member concentrations when assessing the risk of AF.The study generated evidence on the potential roles of developmental pathological effects in the pathogenesis of AF.Further observational and experimental studies are critically needed.

Atrial natriuretic peptide signal pathway upregulated in stomach of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

AIM:To investigate atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) secretion from gastric mucosa and the relationship between the ANP/natriuretic peptide receptor type A (NPR-A)pathway and diabetic gastroparesis. METHODS:Male imprinting control region(ICR)mice (4 wk old)were divided into two groups:control mice, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.Eight weeks after injection,spontaneous gastric contraction was recorded by using physiography in control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.The ANP-positive cells in gastric mucosa and among dispersed gastric epithelial cells were detected by using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry,respectively.ANP and natriureticpeptide receptor type A(NPR-A)gene expression in gastric tissue was observed by using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS:The frequency of spontaneous gastric contraction was reduced from 12.9±0.8 cycles/min in the control group to 8.4±0.6 cycles/min in the diabetic mice(n=8,P<0.05).However,the amplitude of contraction was not significantly affected in the diabetic group.The depletion of interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastric muscle layer was observed in the diabetic mice.ANP-positive cells were distributed in the gastric mucosal layer and the density index of ANP-positive cells was increased from 20.9±2.2 cells/field in control mice to 51.8±2.9 cells/field in diabetic mice(n=8, P<0.05).The percentage of ANP-positive cells among the dispersed gastric epithelial cells was increased from 10.0%±0.9%in the control mice to 41.2%± 1.0%in the diabetic mice(n=3,P<0.05).ANP and NPR-A genes were both expressed in mouse stomach, and the expression was significantly increased in the diabetic mice. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that the ANP/ NPR-A signaling pathway is upregulated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice,and contributes to the development of diabetic gastroparesis.

Increased N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level predicts atrial fibrillation after surgery for esophageal carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the value of plasma N-terminal pro- brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level for predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: NT-proBNP levels were measured in 142 patients 24 h before and 1 h after surgery for esophageal carcinoma. All patients having a preoperative cardiac diagnosis by electrocardiogram (ECG), remained under continuous monitoring for at least 48 h after surgery, and then underwent clinical cardiac evaluation until discharge. RESULTS: Postoperative AF occurred in 11 patients (7.7%). AF patients were significantly older (69.6 ± 12.2 years vs 63.4 ± 13.3 years, P = 0.031) than non-AF patients. There were no significant differences in history of diabetes mellitus, sex distribution, surgical approach, anastomosis site, intraoperative hypotension and postoperative fever. The preoperative plasma NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in patients who developed postoperative AF (121.3 ± 18.3 pg/mL vs 396.1 ± 42.6 pg/mL, P = 0.016). After adjustment for age, gender, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), history of cardiac diseases, hypertension, postoperative hypoxia and thoracic-gastric dilation, NT-proBNP levels were found to be associated with the highest risk factor for postoperative AF (odds ratio = 4.711, 95% CI = 1.212 to 7.644, P = 0.008).CONCLUSION: An elevated perioperative plasma BNP level is a strong and independent predictor of postoperative AF in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal carcinoma. This finding has important implications for identifying patients at higher risk of postoperative AF who should be considered for preventive antiarrhythmic therapy.

p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinases inhibit atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA transcription in gp130-mediated hypertrophic ventricular myocytes

Objective:To understand the role of ANP mRNA transcription regulation in gpl30-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,and the involved mitogen-aetivated protein kinase kinase(MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK,also called p42/p44 MAPK)signaling pathway.Methods:isolated neonatal ventricular myocytes were treated with different concentrations of CT-1(10^(-9),10^(-8)and 10^(-7)mol/L).MTT was used to analyze the viability and RT-PCR was used to detect ANP mRNA levels in eardiomyocyte.To inhibit p42/p44 MAPK activity in hypertrophic cardiomyoeytes,the cells were pretreated with a specific MEKI inhibitor.Results:CT-1significantly induced ANP mRNA expression and the viability of canliomyocytes in a doseand time-dependent manner.Furthermore,blocking p42/p44 MAPK activity by the special MEk1 inhibitor uprcgulatcd the ANP mKNA.Conclusions:p42/p44 MAPK have an important role in suppressing ANP mRNA transcription and cell activity in gpl30-mediated hypertrophic ventricular myocytes.

Effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a porcine total hepatic vascular exclusion model

AIM： To evaluate the effect of ANP on warm I/R injury in a porcine THVE model.METHODS： Miniature pigs （mini-pigs） weighing 16-24 kg were observed for 120 min after reperfusion following 120 min of THVE. The animals were divided into two groups. ANP （0.1 μg/kg per min） was administered to the ANP group （n = 7）, and vehicle was administered to the control group （n = 7）. Either vehicle or ANP was intravenously administered from 30 min before the THVE to the end of the experiment. Arterial blood was collected to measure AST, LDH, and TNF-α. Hepatic tissue blood flow （HTBF） was also measured. Liver specimens were harvested for p38 MAPK analysis and histological study. Those results were compared between the two groups.RESULTS： The AST and LDH levels were lower in the ANP group than in the control group; the AST levels were significantly different between the two groups （60 min： 568.7 ± 113.3 vs 321.6 ± 60.1, P = 0.038 〈 0.05, 120 rain： 673.6± 148.2 vs 281.1±44.8, P = 0.004 〈 0.01）. No significant difference was observed in the TNF-α levels between the two groups. HTBF was higher in the ANP group, but the difference was not significant. A significantly higher level of phosphorylated p38 MAPK was observed in the ANP group compared to the control group （0min： 2.92± 1.1 vs 6.38 ±1.1,,P= 0.011 〈 0.05）.Histological tissue damage was milder in the ANP group than in the control group.CONCLUSION： Our results show that ANP has a protective role in I/R injury with p38 MAPK activation in a porcine THVE model.

Differential effects of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides on human pulmonary artery:An in vitro study

BACKGROUND The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases,especially heart failure,continues to rise worldwide.In heart failure,increasing levels of circulating atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)are associated with a worsening of heart failure and a poor prognosis.AIM To test whether a high concentration of BNP would inhibit relaxation to ANP.METHODS Pulmonary arteries were dissected from disease-free areas of lung resection,as well as pulmonary artery rings of internal diameter 2.5–3.5 mm and 2 mm long,were prepared.Pulmonary artery rings were mounted in a multiwire myograph,and a basal tension of 1.61gf was applied.After equilibration for 60 min,rings were pre-constricted with 11.21μmol/L PGF2α(EC80),and concentration response curves were constructed to vasodilators by cumulative addition to the myograph chambers.RESULTS Although both ANP and BNP were found to vasodilate the pulmonary vessels,ANP is more potent than BNP.pEC50 of ANP and BNP were 8.96±0.21 and 7.54±0.18,respectively,and the maximum efficacy(Emax)for ANP and BNP was-2.03 gf and-0.24 gf,respectively.After addition of BNP,the Emax of ANP reduced from-0.96gf to-0.675gf(P=0.28).CONCLUSION BNP could be acting as a partial agonist in small human pulmonary arteries,and inhibits relaxation to ANP.Elevated levels of circulating BNP could be responsible for the worsening of decompensated heart failure.This finding could also explain the disappointing results seen in clinical trials of ANP and BNP analogues for the treatment of heart failure.

CHANGES OF PLASMA ENDOTHELIN AND ATRIAL NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE DURING THE ONSET AND AFTER TERMINATION OF PAROXYSMAL SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

Radioimmunoassays were used to measure the concentration changes of plasma endothelin(ET) and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) during the onset and after termination of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia(SVT). 30 cases were reviewed and compansons with 42 normal subjects were made. There are very significant differences(P<0.0001) in the concentration changes of both plasma ET and ANP during the onset and 30 minutes after the termination of SVT. During the onset period of SVT. the plasma ET and ANP were markedly elevated and 30 minutes after its termination they were lowered significantly, but their concentrations were still 2-fold higher than ihose of the control group. As the biological effects of ANP and ET are antagonistic to each other. their parallel elevation and lowering of plasma concentrations during and.after the termination of SVT reveal that these 2 hormones parucipate in the pathophysiological process of SVT. This phenomenon is possibly one of the homeostatic regulatory functions in the organism.

Endogenous Endothelin-1 Regulates Hypoxia-Induced Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Secretion by Activating the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways in Isolated Beating Rabbit Atria

The present study investigated a possible mechanism for endogenous endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion in isolated perfused acute hypoxic rabbit atria. Acute hypoxia significantly enhanced the release of ET-1 and the expression of the ET receptor (ETR) type A and B (ETRA and ETRB) in atrial tissues, with a concomitant increase in ANP secretion. The ETRA or ETRB antagonist, BQ123 (0.3 μmol/L) or BQ788 (0.3 μmol/L), respectively attenuated hypoxia-induced ANP secretion. Both antagonists significantly attenuated the levels of hypoxiainduced atrial phosphorylated (p)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p-protein kinase B (Akt). The ERK and Akt inhibitors, PD098059 (30 μmol/L) and LY294002 (30 μmol/L), respectively mimicked the effect of the ETR antagonists. These results demonstrated that acute hypoxia- mediated atrial ET-1 regulated ANP secretion through ETR and the subsequent mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK and ETR-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways. These pathways may mediate atrial endocrine functions under hypoxic conditions.

Effect of acupuncture on the genetic expression of myocardial endothelin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide in rats with stress-induced prehypertension

Objective:To explore the protective effect of acupuncture against myocardial injury in rats with stress-induced prehypertension (SIPH) by observing the genetic expression of myocardial endothelin-1 (ET-1) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).Methods:Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomized into three groups:the control group,model group,and model + acupuncture (AP) group (n =12 rats per group).During the 11-day modeling period,the model group and the model + AP group experienced plantar electric stimulation in combination with noise exposure,and daily acupuncture intervention was applied simultaneously in the model + AP group;the control group did not experience modeling or acupuncture.Systolic pressure (SP) was measured the day before modeling began,and on the 3rd,5th,7th,9th,and 11th day after modeling initiation.On the 12th day,histopathological observation of the left ventricle was made with hematoxylin-eosin staining and quantitative genetic expression of myocardial ET-1,and ANP was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:SP was higher in the model group than the control group on the 3rd,5th,7th,9th,and 11th days (all P <.01).SP in the model + AP group was lower than that in the control group on the 5th and 7th days (respectively,P =.008,P =.002) and on the 9th and 11th days (P =.029,P =.039).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed normal myocardial cellular structure in the control group.The model group showed disordered arrangement of cardiac cells with morphological changes in some nuclei,including enlargement or dissolution;there was also infiltration of inflammatory cells and proliferation of collagen fibers.In the model + AP group,most of the myocardial cells were normally structured,and only part of the cells had morphological changes with enlarged nuclei or dissolution.Real-time PCR showed that expression of ET-1 and ANP mRNA in the model group was greater than the control group (respectively,P =.024,P =.000101).The model + AP group had lower expression of ET-1 and ANP mRNA compared with the model group (respectively,P =.033,P =.043).Conclusion:Acupuncture may lower blood pressure and downregulate the genetic expression of myocardial ET-1 and ANP in SIPH rats,suggesting a protective effect of acupuncture against myocardial damage.

The Role of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) in Cardiopulmonary Diseases

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a peptide hormone that has potent natriuretic, diuretic, vasodilator, sympatholytic, and renin - and aldos-terone - suppressing activities and is involved in the regulation of volume and electrolyte balance and blood pressure. Further, ANP has also been shown to inhibit cellular growth, proliferation and induce apoptosis in a variety of cell lines, including vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiac myocytes. Recent studies have demonstrated that ANP is not only involved in blood pressure and volume homeostasis but also in the direct regulation of cardiac growth. We and other investigators have demonstrated the existence of natriuretic peptide receptors in the heart and cardiac cells, suggesting that ANP has direct actions on cardiac tissue. Several recent in vivo studies have suggested that statement of ANP is inversely related to cardiac growth/hypertrophy. Transgenic mice overexpressing ANP have lower heart weight and blood pressure than wild type mice. Conversely, we demonstrated that transgenic mice with homozygous disruption of the pro - ANP gene (Nppa) (ANP -/- mice) have no circulating or tissue ANP and exhibit significant cardiac hypertrophy and increased blood pressure. Further, transgenic mice lacking a functional natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPR-A) gene display elevated blood pressure and marked cardiac hypertrophy. The role of ANP in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in response to hemodynamic stress has not previously been studied. Our previous studies demonstrated that ANP - / -mice with hypoxia - induced pulmonary hypertension and high salt diet - induced systemic hypertension develop greater cardiac enlargement than their wild type controls under same experimental conditions, suggest-ing that cardiac enlargement in ANP -/- mice might, at least in part, be related to increased afterload. In a recent study, we used ANP -/- mice to further test the hypothesis that ANP plays an important role in protecting against the development of cardiac enlargement induced by volume overload stress. Adult (8-10 wk old) male ANP -/- and wild type ANP+/+ mice underwent an aorto - caval fistula (ACF) or sham surgery and were subjected to echocardiographic examination at 2 wks. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and atrial, left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) mass were greater in sham - operated ANP-/-mice than in ANP+/+mice. MAP decreased following ACF to a similar extent in both genotypes. ACF induced significant concentric cardiac enlargement in both genotypes. Cardiac enlargement and lung weight increased to a greater extent in ANP - / - mice than in ANP+/ + mice, indicating that disrupted ANP statement worsens ACF- induced cardiac enlargement and pulmonary congestion. LV function (velocity of circumferential shortening [VCFr], circumferential stress, fraction shortening, fraction shortening, and e-jection time and fraction) assessed by echocardiography did not differ between sham - operated ANP + / + and ANP - / - mice and remained unchanged after ACF. These findings indicate that ANP deletion results in biventricular enlargement and an exaggerated response to the stress of volume overload. This support the hypothesis that ANP has direct antihypertrophic and car-dioprotective actions in heart. Further study is needed to dissect the contributions of increased afterload from those of removing the antihypertrophic effects of ANP to basal and stress induced cardiac enlargement in this animal model.

Relationship between contents of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and serum lipids of atherosclerosis in rabbits

Changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP)and serum lipids were observed us-ing dietetic atherosclerosis(AS)models.The results showed that plasma ANP level of the ASgroup was significantly higher than that of the control group(14.33±3.58μg/L vs 9.43±3.14μg/L).There was also a marked increase in serum Tch,TG,LDL-ch and VLDL-ch comparedwith the control group(P【0.01),suggesting that release of ANP increased with disturbance ofthe serum lipids and during AS formation,and that change in ANP was closely related to Tchand LDL-ch(P【0.05).Possible mechanisms causing these changes are also discussed.

Effects of highly potent atrial natriuretic peptide on circulating reninangiotensin-aldosterone system and cardiac function in dogs with ischemic heart failure

The effects of highly-potent atrial natriuretic peptide (HPANP) on circulating re nin-angiotensin-aldos-terone system (RAAS) and cardiac function were studied in an acute ischemic heart failure model. HPANP (6 μg/kg and 3 μg/kg) was infused intracoronarily. It was found that both doses of HPANP could cause significant decrease in plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (AII) and aldosterone (Ald). After the administraticn of HPANP, PRA, AII and Ald in the coronary sinus were decreased by 73. 2% (P<0.01), 68. o% (P<0.01) and 73. 6% (P<0.01), and the hormones in peripheral venous blood by 63. 3% (P<0.01), 53. 3% (P<0.01) and 64. 9% (P<0.01), respectively at the dose of 6 μg/kg. While PRA, AII and Ald in the coronary sinus and in peripheral venous blood decreased by 55. 9%, 55. 3%, 61. 9%, and 54. 0%, 42. 3%, 53, 3%, respectively at the 3μg/kg dose level. At the higher dose, HPANP increased left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP, +13. 1%, P<0. 05), +dP/dtmax(+24.1 %, P<0.01), -dp/dtmax (+35.9%, P<0.01), and VCE(+28.9%, P<0.05). Mean arterial pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were decreased (-15.0%, P<0.01, and 29. 6%, P<0.01, respectively). In contrast, the lower dose caused no significant changes of LVSP, +dp/dtmex,dp/dtmax and VCE(not including LVEDP, - 20. 5 %, P<0.05). Neither of the doses caused significant changes in heart rate and T value- Normal saline infusion has no effects on cardiac function and circulating RAAS- We conclude that in ischemic heart failure, intracoronary administration of HPANP can significantly suppress the activity of circulating RAAS, and improve cardiac function by reducing pre- and after-load of the heart, but has no direct myocardial effects.

Association of Atrial Fibrillation and Amino-terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations in Patients After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Objectives To investigate the possible role of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation （AF） after coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG）. Methods This study group included 70 consecutive patients scheduled for elective off-pump CABG. The patients with ejection fraction （EF） less than 0. 30, history of AF, use of class Ⅰ or Ⅲ antiarrhythmic drug, implanted pacemaker, postoperative myocardial infarction or chest reopening for pericardial tamponade were excluded. Preoperative and postoperative serum NT-proBNP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay technique. Results Postoperative AF occurred in 15 patients （21.4%）; these patients had significantly higher median NT-proBNP levels when compared with those without AF after the operation （ P 〈 0. 01 ）. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, an increase in NT-proBNP level after CABG was found to be independently associated with AF （ OR = 3.78, 95% IC = 1.81 - 4. 89, P 〈 0. 01 ）. Increased age, diabetes mellitus, preoperative use of β-blocker, proximal right coronary artery involvement, and longer operation time were al- so associated with AF. Conclusions These results indicated that AF was associated with higher NT-proBNP concentrations after off pump CABG; the increase in NT-proBNP after CABG may play an important role in the occurrence of AF after the operation. The further studies are needed to define the reason that lead to higher NT-proBNP concentrations among the patients who present AF after off pump CABG.

EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON PLASMA ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE AND ATRIAL NATRIURETIC POLYPEPTIDE IN RABBITS WITH ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on plasma angiotensin (Ang Ⅱ), aldosterone (ALD) and atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) contents in experimental cerebral infarction rabbits for analyzing the underlying mechanism of acupuncture in ameliorating blood supply of the brain tissue. Methods: A total of 80 rabbits were randomized into control (n = 8), pseudo-operation (n = 24), model (n = 24) and EA (n = 24) groups. Cerebral infarction model was established by infusion of self-thrombus into the carotid artery. EA (1 mA, 2 Hz) was applied to 'Baihui'(百会 GV 20) and 'Shuigou'(水沟 GV 26) for 30 min, once every 12 hours. Plasma Ang Ⅱ, ALD and ANP contents were detected with radioimmunoassay method. In the later 3 groups, blood samples were taken at 6 h, 24 h and 48 h after cerebral ischemia. Results: Compared with control and pseudo-operation groups, Ang Ⅱ and ALD contents of model group at 6 h, 24 h and 48 h after cerebral ischemia increased significantly while plasma ANP of the 3 time-courses of model group decreased considerably (P<0.01). In comparison with model group, results showed that Ang-Ⅱ and ALD contents of EA group decreased significantly whereas ANP level of EA group increased strikingly (P<0.01). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture has the effects of raising plasma ANP level and lowering plasma Ang-Ⅱ and ALD in cerebral infarction rabbits.

Effect of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide on serum inflammatory factors, neuroendocrine hormones and cardiac function in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with heart failure

Objective:To investigate the effect of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on inflammatory factors, neuroendocrine hormones and cardiac function indexes in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with heart failure.Methods:A total of91 cases of acute myocardial infarction with heart failure patients were divided into the control group (n=44) and observation group (n=47) according to the random data table, two groups of patients were given conventional treatment, based on this, the control group was given intravenous infusion of Nitroglycerin Injection treatment, the observation group received intravenous injection of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide treatment, compared serum inflammatory factors, neuroendocrine hormone and cardiac function and other indexes of two groups before and after treatment.Results: there was no significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the levels of TNF-α, hs-CRP, IL-6, MCP-1, LVESD and LVEDD in the two groups were significantly lower than those within the group before treatment, and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group;The two groups after treatment LVEF levels were significantly higher than those in the group before treatment, and the observation group was significantly higher than that of control group;the observation group after treatment PRA, Ang II and ALD and NE levels were significantly lower than those before treatment, and was significantly lower than the control group after treatment, the difference was significant, PRA, Ang, ALD and NE levels of control group before and after the treatment was no significant difference.Conclusion:recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction with heart failure can effectively reduce the serum inflammatory factors and neuroendocrine hormone levels, improve heart function, and have a certain clinical value.

Effects of compound danshen dripping pills on the levels of serum inflammatory factors, brain natriuretic peptide and blood lipid in CABG postoperative patients

Objective:To explore the effects of compound danshen dripping pills on the levels of serum inflammatory factors,brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and blood lipid in CABG postoperative patients.Methods:156 cases of patients who were given CABG from January 2015 to January 2018 in Baogang Hospital were chosen and randomly divided into the observation group(n=78)and the control group(n=78).Both groups were given conventional drugs,simultaneously,the observation group was given compound danshen dripping pills.The treatment lasted 3 months.The clinical efficacy was compared between two groups of patients,and the levels of serum inflammatory factors,plasma BNP and blood lipid before and after treatment in two groups of patients were detected in order to make a comparison in the incidence of adverse cardiac events between two groups of patients.Results:After treatment,the total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group;in the two groups,the levels of serum interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8(IL-8),C-reactive protein and plasma BNP after treatment were obviously lower than those before treatment,and these indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(p<.05);the levels of TG,TC and LDL-C in two groups were obviously lower(p<.05)with the level of HDL-C significantly higher(all p<.05),and the descending or ascending range of each indicator in the observation group was obviously larger than that in the control group(p<.05);in the follow-up visit,the incidence of adverse cardiac events in the observation group of patients was significantly lower than that in the control group of patients(p<.05).Conclusions:Compound danshen dripping pills can effectively reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors and BNP,regulate blood lipid metabolism and reduce the incidence of adverse cardiac events in CABG postoperative patients.

Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in China and Its Risk Factors

Objective To study the prevalence of atrial fibrillation （AF） and the relation with its risk factors in China. Methods A total of 19 363 participants （8635 males and 10 728 females） aged 〉35 years in geographically dispersed urban and rural regions of China were included in this cross-sectional survey. All participants received questionnaire, physical and blood examination. Echocardiography were performed for AF patients found in the survey. Results Of the 19 363 participants, 199 were diagnosed with AF. The estimated age-standardized prevalence of AF was 0.78% in men and 0.76% in women. The prevalence of AF in participants aged 〈60 years was 0.41% in men and 0.43% in women, and was 1.83% in both men and women aged 〉_60 years. About 19.0% of males and 30.9% of females with AF were diagnosed with valve disease. Age- and sex-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that myocardial infarction, left ventricular hypertrophy （LVH）, obesity, and alcohol consumption were associated with a increased risk of AF（P〈0.05）. Conclusion The age standardized prevalence of AF is 0.77% in the participants enrolled in the present study. The number of AF cases aged 〉35 years is 5.26 million according to 2010 Chinese Census. Most risk factors for AF, identified mainly in Western countries, are also detected in China.