Yizhining elixation improves sustained attention deficit and impulsiveness of spontaneous hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND： The core symptoms of attention deficit, impulsiveness, hyperactivity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders （ADHD） can concurrently present in spontaneous hypertensive rats. Neuropathological, biochemical and pharmacological studies also support it. Spontaneous hypertensive rats are one kind of best ADHD animal models, which has been accepted at present. Yizhining elixation can reinforce kidney and calm liver, strengthen spleen and nourish heart, benefit intelligence and focus attention, but its therapeutic effect on treatment of ADHD needs to be further investigated. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of Yizhining elixation on the persistent active attention deficit and impulsiveness of rats with spontaneous hypertension. DESIGN： Observational and controlled analysis. SETTING： Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS： Thirty-six male rats with spontaneous hypertension, of clean grade, were involved in this experiment. The involved rats were provided by Shanghai SLAC Laboratory Animal Co., Ltd., and they did not undergo any experiments; Yizhining elixation was composed by Guiban, Shenglonggu, Yuanzhi, Shichangpu, Yejiaoteng, Shudi, Dangshen, Yunling, Fuxiaomai, Wueizi. etc. Crude drug, provided by Outpatient Dispensary, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, was prepared into water elixation, which contained crude drug of 1.154 g/mL. METHODS： This experiment was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine between March and July 2005. The involved rats were randomized into 3 groups： Yizhining high dose group, Yizhining low dose group and blank control group, with 12 rats in each. Changes in sustained attention and impulsiveness of rats were detected before and after administration of Yizhining elixation by ＂5-choice serial response time task＂ method. Following above-mentioned training and detection, rats in each group were daily drenched with Yizhining elixation once for 14 days successively. Rats in the Yizhining High-dose and low-dose groups we, e drenched with 12.6 mL/kg and 6.3 mL/kg Yizhining elixation （diluted to 25 mL/kg） respectively, and those in the blank control group were drenched with 12.5 mL/kg normal saline. On the 14^th day after administration, the ratios of correct and immature response of rats were re-detected for 3 days successively by formal detection method for later analysis. The sustained attention of rats was evaluated with ratio of correct response： Ratio of correct response=[times of correct response/（times of correct response ＋ times of incorrect response）]; impulsiveness was evaluated with the ratio of immature response： ratio of immature response=[times of immature response/ （times of correct response＋times of incorrect response＋times of omission＋times of immature response） ]. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The effects of different doses of Yizhining elixation on the sustained attention （ratio of correct response） and impulsiveness （ratio of immature response） of spontaneous hypertensive rats. RESULTS： Thirty-six spontaneous hypertensive rats were involved in the final analysis. The ratio of correct response of rats in the Yizhining high dose and low dose groups after administration was （98.9±2.30）% and （96.6±4.00） %, respectively, which was significantly higher than that before administration [ （80.4±11.5 ） %, （839±8.90） %, P 〈 0.01] and that in the blank control group[ （83.3±6.30） %, P 〈 0.01]. The ratio of immature response of rats in the Yizhining high dose and low dose groups after adminisWafion was （5.04 ±1.04 ） %, （7.23 ± 1.22 ） %, respectively, which was lower than that before administration [ （9.85 ±2.50） %, （9.40±1.73 ） %, P 〈 0.05] and that in the blank control group [ （ 9.42 ±1.64） %, P 〈 0.01 ]. CONCLUSION： Yizhining elixation can improve the sustained attention and impulsiveness of spontaneous hypertensive rats.

AngiotensinⅡor epinephrine hemodynamic and metabolic responses in the liver of L-NAME induced hypertension and spontaneous hypertensive rats

AIM To study hepatic vasoconstriction and glucose release induced by angiotensin(Ang)Ⅱ or Epi in rats with pharmacological hypertension and spontaneously hypertensive rat(SHR).METHODS Isolated liver perfusion was performed following portal vein and vena cava cannulation; AngⅡ or epinephrine(Epi) was injected in bolus and portal pressure monitored; glucose release was measured in perfusate aliquots. RESULTS The portal hypertensive response(PHR) and the glucose release induced by AngⅡ of L-NAME were similar to normal rats(WIS). On the other hand, the PHR inducedby Epi in L-NAME was higher whereas the glucose release was lower compared to WIS. Despite the similar glycogen content, glucose release induced by AngⅡ was lower in SHR compared to Wistar-Kyoto rats although both PHR and glucose release induced by Epi in were similar. CONCLUSION AngⅡ and Epi responses are altered in different ways in these hypertension models. Our results suggest that inhibition of NO production seems to be involved in the hepatic effects induced by Epi but not by AngⅡ; the diminished glucose release induced by AngⅡ in SHR is not related to glycogen content.

Underlying anti-hypertensive mechanism of the Mizuhopecten yessoensis derived peptide NCW in spontaneously hypertensive rats via widely targeted kidney metabolomics

The angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitory peptide NCW derived from Mizuhopecten yessoensis has been demonstrated to have significant in vivo anti-hypertensive effects,however,its anti-hypertensive mechanism is still not fully clarified.This study established a UPLC-Q-TRAP-MS/MS-based widely targeted kidney metabolomics approach to explore the changes of kidney metabolic profiles and to clarify the antihypertensive mechanism of peptide NCW in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the kidney metabolic profiles were clearly separated between the SHR-NCW and SHRUntreated groups.A total of 85 metabolites were differentially regulated,and 16 metabolites were identified as potential kidney biomarkers,e.g.,3-hydroxybutyrate,malonic acid,deoxycytidine,and L-aspartic acid.The peptide NCW might regulate kidney metabolic disorder of SHRs to alleviate hypertension by suppressing inflammation and improving nitric oxide production under the regulation of linoleic acid metabolism,folate related pathways,synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies,pyrimidine metabolism,β-alanine metabolism,and retinal metabolism.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate exerts antihypertensive effects and improves endothelial function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG)on endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR).Methods:Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats and SHR were divided into four groups;WKY control,SHR control and SHR treated with EGCG(50 mg/kg/day)or losartan(10 mg/kg/day).The treatment was given daily for 4 weeks by oral gavage and the blood pressure was monitored by tail-cuff method every 3 days.Acetylcholineinduced endothelium-dependent relaxations were assessed in isolated phenylephrine-precontracted aortic rings at the end of treatment.The vascular levels of reactive oxygen species,nitric oxide,tetrahydrobiopterin,and cyclic guanosine monophosphate were also measured.Moreover,the expression of angiotensinⅡtype 1(AT_(1))receptor protein was determined.Results:The systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased in SHR treated with EGCG.The impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly improved in aortic ring isolated from the EGCG-treated SHR group.EGCG also significantly increased the levels of nitric oxide,tetrahydrobiopterin,and cyclic guanosine monophosphate,while decreasing the level of reactive oxygen species and the protein expression of AT_(1)receptor in SHR.Conclusions:EGCG attenuates endothelial dysfunction in SHR by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing vascular nitric oxide bioavailability,which may be modulated partly by inhibition of vascular AT_(1)receptors.An increase in endothelium-dependent relaxation may contribute to a decrease in blood pressure in hypertensive animals.

Effects of Qindan Capsule (芩丹胶囊) on Blood Pressure, Endothelin, Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide and Angiotensin-Ⅱ in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats

Objective： To observe the hypotensive effects of Qindan Capsule （芩丹胶囊, QC） on spontaneous hypertensive rats （SHR） and its effect on the contents of endothelin （ET）, calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） and angiotensin-Ⅱ （Ang-Ⅱ ） in plasma and vascular tissues, and to investigate the possible mechanism of QC in lowering blood pressure. Methods： Forty SHRs were divided into 5 groups： the high dosage QC group [QCHD, 750 mg/（kg.d） ], the low dosage QC group [QCLD, 150 mg/（kgd） ], the Niuhuang Jiangya Pill group [牛黄降压丸,, NJP, 200 mg/（kg.d）], the Captopril group [ 15 mg/（kgd）]and the model group, 8 in each group. Meanwhile, a normal control group consisting of 8 Wistar-Kyoto （WKY） rats was set up also. All the rats were administered with medicine level of ET, CGRP and Ang-Ⅱ in plasma and Ang-Ⅱ rats after 12 weeks of treatment. Results： The leve through gastrogavage. Systolic blood pressure （SBP）, in tissues of mesenteric artery were detected in all the of SBP after treatment in the QCHD group was lower than that in the model group （ P〈0.01 ）, but with no significant difference as compared with that in the Captopril group and the NJP group （P〉0.05）. After treatment, the plasma level of ET was lower and CGRP higher than those in the model group （both P〈0.05）, and also higher than those in the NJP and Captopril group （both P〈0.05）. As for the content of Ang- Ⅱ , in mesenteric arterial tissues, it was lower in the QCHD group than that in the model group （ P〈0.05）, but in plasma, it showed no significant difference between the two groups （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： QC has a satisfactory hypotensive action on SHR rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation on plasma vasoactive peptide and regional renin-angiotensin system.

Effects of Total Flavonoids ofHippophae RhamnoidesL.on Intracellular Free Calciumin Cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Wistar-Kyoto Rats

To explore the effects of total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides L. （TFH） quercetin （Que） and isorhamnetin （Isor） on the intracellular free calcium （[Ca^2＋]） in vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMC） of spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR） and Wistar-Kyoto rats （WKY）. Metheds： Fluo 3-acetoxymethylester（Fluo-3/AM） was used to observe the effects of TFH （100mg/L） and its essential monomers, namely Que （10^-4mol/L） and Isor （10^-4mol/L） on changes of [Ca^2＋]1 in cultured SHR and WKY VSMC （abbr. to Ca-SHR ＆ Ca-WKY） following exposure to high K^＋, norepinephrine （NE） and angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ）, and to compare with the effects of verapamil （Ver）. Results： （1） TFH, Que and Isor had inhibitory effects on resting Ca-SHR （P〈0.05）, but had no significant effects on Ca-WKY （P〉0.05）. （2） High K^＋ could increase Ca-SHR more significantly than Ca-WKY （P〈0.05）; TFH, Que and Isor could inhibit the elevation of [Ca^2＋]1 induced by high K^＋ -depolarization, with the effects similar to that of Ver, and the effect on Ca-SHR was more significant than that on Ca-WKY （P〈0.05）. （3） NE and Ang Ⅱ could increase Ca-SHR more significantly than Ca-WKY （P〈0.05）, TFH, Que and Isor had remarkably inhibitory effect on the elevation of Ca-SHR and Ca-WKY induced by NE or Ang Ⅱ. （4） In the absence of extracellular Ca^2＋ , TFH, Que and Isor also had certain inhibitory effect on Ca-SHR and Ca-WKY induced by NE, and the effect on the former was more significant than that on the latter（P〈0.05）. Ceaclusiea： TFH, Que and Isor might decrease the levels of [Ca^2＋], in VSMCs by blocking both voltage-dependent calcium channels （VDC） and receptoroperated calcium channels （ROC） in physiological or pathological state, which may be one of the important mechanisms of their hypotensive and protective effects on target organs in patients with hypertension.

A hippocampal anti-hypertensive mechanism induced by twirling reinforcing-reducing manipulation in rats

Objective:To investigate a hippocampal anti-hypertensive mechanism induced by twirling reinforcingreducing manipulation(TRRM)using proteomics in rats.Methods:Forty-two male spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,and 14 Wistar-Kyoto rats were served as control group.In the twirling reinforcing(TRF)group,needles were directly inserted into the Taichong(LR 3)point,then thumbs were moved heavily forward and lightly backward for 3 min,while needles remained inserted for 17 min.In the twirling reduction(TRD)group,the same treatment was applied as in the TRF group except that the thumb moved lightly forward and heavily backward.In the model and control groups,only the corresponding grasping and fixation were applied.All interventions were conducted for 14 days.The blood pressure(BP)of all rats was measured one day before intervention and every other day after.Then hematoxylin-eosin(H&E)staining,label-free and parallel reaction monitoring proteomic techniques were used to assess hippocampal samples from each group.Results:Systolic BPs showed a significant decrease in the TRF and TRD groups compared with the model group(P<.01).In the model group,H&E staining showed obvious pathological changes in the hippocampus,while in the TRF and TRD groups,the hippocampal morphology was only slightly altered.Labelfree proteomic analysis revealed 1163 differential protein expressions between groups.Gene Ontology enrichment analysis confirmed that the differentially expressed proteins were enriched in different biological processes,cellular components,and molecular functions.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis showed that TRRM proteins were expressed in the serotonergic synapse pathway,renin-angiotensin system,the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway,and the peroxisome pathway,which were all also related to BP regulation.Conclusion:TRRM can significantly lower the BP of SHRs.The mode of action may be through the activation of various protein pathways in the hippocampus that are related to BP regulation.

The Expression of VIP and SP in the Cochlea of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Its Implication

To investigate the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) in the cochlea of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), and to assess the function of VIP and SP in the cochlea following the damage of hypertension, hearing thresholds of ABR were observed and the fixative (4% paraformaldehyde) was pumped through the circulatory system. Adult Wistar rats (3 months, n=20) served as the control group and SHRs (3 months, n=20) as the hypertension group. Bullas were taken out and cochleas were irrigated in vitro with the same fixative. The number of base turn's spiral ganglions in the sections was counted. The expression of VIP and SP were detected by SABC method and the images of the sections were analyzed. The number of base turn's spiral ganglsons in the hypertension group was significantly less than in the normal group (P<0.01). VIP and SP were expressed in the spiral ganglion cytoplasma and stria vascularis of the two groups. There were no significant difference in the expression of VIP and SP in spiral ganglion cytoplasma (P>0.05) between the two groups. However, in stria vascularis the expression of VIP in the hypertension group was higher than in the normal group (P<0.05), and no significant difference in SP was found between the two groups. It was suggested that VIP not only contributed to the regulation of the cochlea microcirculation, but also made the neurotransmitter in the pathway of the auditory system. However, SP made only the neurotransmitter in the pathway of the auditory system.

Effect of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and the Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The effects of salvia miltiorrhiza Bge (SMB) on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats and the action mechanism were investigated. Normal Wistar-kyoto (WKY) rats were used as negative control, and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomly assigned to receive pla- cebo or SMB. SMB (1 g/kg·d) was injected intraperitoneally for 12 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured. HE, VG and immunohistochemical staining combined with computed morphometry were employed to evaluate the cardiomyocyte size, diameter, the collagen volume fraction (CVF), perivascular circumferential area (PVCA), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in the left ventricular tissue. The results showed, as compared with WKY rats, the SBP, LVMI, cardiomyocyte size, diameter, CVF, PCVA, and TNF-α expression were increased markedly in the 20-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats. SMB decreased LVMI (P<0.01), size of cardiomyocytes (P<0.01), collagen volume fraction (P<0.01), perivascular circum- ferential area (P<0.01), and TNF-α expression (P<0.01), but had no effect on SBP (P>0.05). It was suggested that chronic administration of SMB could inhibit and reverse the development of LVH in spontaneously hypertensive rats independent of BP. TNF-α may be involved in the reversal mecha- nism of LVH by SMB.

Telmisartan Attenuates the Growth of Epithelium-like Cells and Glomerular Injury in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The abnormal growth of epithelium-like cells has been noticed in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs)with hypertensive nephropathy.However,the characteristics of abnormal epithelium-like cells and their pathogenesis in hypertensive nephropathy are not fully understood.In the present study,we investigated the correlation of epithelium-like cells with glomerular injury,and the effects of early drug intervention with telmisartan,an anti-hypertensive drug,on the growth of epithelium-like cells.The results showed that the epithelium-like cells were obviously observed lining along the luminal surface of Bowman’s capsule in glomeruli,significantly resulting in the atrophy of the glomerular tuft.Some of the epithelium-like cells strongly expressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and vimentin,indicating active cellular proliferation.The incidence of epithelium-like cells varied from 13.6%to 54.4%of glomeruli in 48-week-old SHRs,and from 5.1%to 18.0%of glomeruli in age-matched Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats(P<0.01).The linear regression analysis further confirmed an obvious correlation between the incidence of epithelium-like cells and the glomerular injury.Moreover,early intervention with telmisartan could dramatically attenuate the progression of epithelium-like cells growth.However,no significant effect of telmisartan on the established epithelium-like cells was observed.Taken together,we demonstrated the involvement of abnormal epithelium-like cells growth in glomerular injury during hypertensive nephropathy in SHRs,and firstly showed the positive effects of the anti-hypertensive drug on the progression of epithelium-like cells growth.

Effect of Salvia Miltiorrhiza on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Cardiac Aldosterone in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Chronic treatment with Salvia Miltiorrhiza preventing left ventricular hypertrophy (L VH) and its possible mechanism- inhibiting the action of cardiac aldosterone in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were investigated.Normotensive Wistar- kyoto (WKY ) rats and SHRs were used.Part of SHRs was treated with Salvia Miltiorrhiza for 12 weeks.Systolic blood pres- sure (SBP) and left ventricular mass index were measured.Sections of heart tissue were stained with HE method and Van Gieson method.Collagen volume fraction was determined in the leftven- tricle by automatically quantitative m orphometry.Cardiac aldosterone concentration was measured by radioimm unoassay.The results indicated thatcom pared with WKY rats,SHRs exhibited high- er SBP,left ventricular collagen volume fraction,and aldosterone concentration (all P<0 .0 5 ) . After the treatm ent with Salvia Miltiorrhiza,SBP,left ventricular collagen volum e fraction,and aldosterone concentration in SHR were decreased as compared with control group (P<0 .0 5 ) ex- cept SBP.It was concluded thatchronic treatment with Salvia Miltiorrhiza could preventleftven- tricular hypertrophy in SHR,significantly inhibit collagen compositions in left ventricle.The m echanism was probably related with the inhibition of the cardiac aldosterone action.

Effect of 2-Selenium Bridged β-Cyclodextrin,Glutathione Peroxidase Mimic on Stroke of Stroke-prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

To investigate the treatment effect of 2-selenium bridged β -cyclodextrin(2-SeCD),a GPX mimic,on the stroke of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRSP),fifty-two SHRSP of 8-week old were randomly divided into four groups A,B,C and control group D. The rats of groups A,B,C and D were given 1.0%-1.5% NaCl mass fraction as drinking fluid. After onset of stroke,groups A,B and C were given \{orally\} 16.05,160.5 and 1605 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 of 2-SeCD,respectively,and group D was given water for \{2 weeks.\} The clinical score of stroke,systolic blood pressure(SBP),survival time of rats were recorded and the histopathologic examinations of their brain and carotid artery were made after decapitation. The clinical scores of stroke after treatment with 160.5 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 (Group B) and 1605 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 (Group C) of 2-SeCD are 2.55±0.98 and 1.98±0.79,respectively,those are obviously lower than that of group D(3.41±0.83,p<0.01). The survival days in group B(10.0±8.6) and group C(14.4±7.9) are longer than that for group D(4.7±2.9,p<0.01). The electron microscope study showed that the endothelium of carotid artery was near to normal in group B and group C,while it was seriously injured in control group D and mildly injured in group A. 2-SeCD may effectively be used to treat the stroke for SHRSP.

Protective effect of sodium ferulate on cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of sodium ferulate(SF)on myocardial hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive(SHR).METHODS Forty 14-week-old SHR male rats were randomly divided into model group(SHR,receive distilled water)and SF treatment groups(SF 20,40 and 80 mg·kg^-1 per day,respectively).Age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats gavaged with distilled water served as controls.After 12 weeks of treatment,the effects of SF on cardiac hypertrophy were evaluated using echocardiographic measurement,pathological analysis and the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),myosin heavy chainβ(β-MHC)-a gene related to myocardial hypertrophy.In order to explore the mechanism of SF on myocardial hypertrophy,the calcium-sensing receptor(CaSR),calcineurin(CaN),nuclear factor of activated T cell 3(NFAT3),phosphorylation NFAT3(p-NFAT3),zinc finger transcription factor(GATA4),phosphorylation GATA4(p-GATA4),protein kinase Cβ(PKC-β),Raf-1,extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK 1/2),phosphorylation ERK1/2(p-ERK 1/2)and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1(MKP-1)were detected.RESULTS The myocardial hypertrophy parameters,myocardial cell cross section area,left ventricular wall thickness and expression of ANP and β-MHC,CaSR,CaN,NFAT3,p-GATA4,PKC-β,Raf-1,and p-ERK 1/2 were significantly increased,while the left ventricular cavity was significantly smaller,expression of p-NFAT3 and MKP-1 were significantly decreased,meanwhile,the ultra⁃structure of cardiomyocytes was significantly damaged in 26-week-old SHR rats.Notably,SF significantly ameliorated myocardial hyper⁃trophy in 26-week-old SHR rats;suppressed the overexpression of ANP,β-MHC,CaSR,CaN,NFAT3,p-GATA4,PKC-β,Raf-1,and p-ERK 1/2 and increased the expression of p-NFAT3 and MKP-1.CONCLUSION SF can inhibit cardiac hypertrophy in SHR rats,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CaSR mediated signaling pathway.

Integrated network pharmacology and experimental verification to explore the mechanism of Sangqi Qingxuan formula against hypertensive vascular remodeling

Objective: To investigate the bioactive components of Sangqi Qingxuan formula(SQQX), predict the pharmacological targets, and explore the mechanism of hypertensive vascular remodeling(HVR).Methods: Network pharmacology was adopted to predict how SQQX acts in HVR. The effectiveness was assessed by blood pressure measurements and pathological morphology observation based on a spontaneously hypertensive rat model, while the mechanism of SQQX on HVR was validated by immunohistochemistry(IHC) and western blot(WB) according to the results of network pharmacology.Results: There were 130 bioactive components of SQQX and 231 drug targets predicted by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database. Subsequently, 181 common targets were identified for SQQX against HVR, with TP53, MAPK1, and AKT1 as the core targets. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses was employed to identify the top 20 enriched functions and the top 20 pathways(P <.01). Finally, the key role of the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway in HVR was determined. The in vivo results suggested that SQQX reduced systolic blood pressure and increased the ratio of thoracic aortic wall thickness to lumen diameter. Additionally, compared with the model group, SQQX increased the expression of smooth muscle 22 alpha(IHC: P <.001;WB:P <.05) and decreased the expression of osteopontin(IHC: P <.001;WB: P <.05), ERK1/2(IHC: P <.001;WB: ERK1 & ERK2, all P <.05), p-ERK1/2(IHC: P <.001;WB: ERK1 & ERK2, all P <.05), and the ratio of pERK1/2 to ERK1/2 protein(IHC: P <.001).Conclusions: SQQX, which has multiple bioactive ingredients and potential targets, is an effective treatment for HVR. The mechanism of antihypertensive and vascular protection may be related to the inhibition of phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

Expression of Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate Receptor mRNA in Myocardium of Spontaneous Hypertension Rats and Cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells of Rats

Objective\ To investigate expression of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (IP\-3R) mRNA on sacroplasmic reticular in myocardium of spontaneous hypertension rats (SHRs) and cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) of rats and effects of perindopril and urapidil on them. Methods\ SHRs were orally given perindopril (1.0 mg·kg\+\{ 1\}·d\+\{ 1\}) or urapidil (15 mg·kg\+\{ 1\}·d\+\{ 1\}) for 24 weeks, respectively. Expression of IP\-3R mRNA was examined by semi quantitative reverse transcription polymers chain reaction (RT PCR) using three oligonuclotide primers for each subtype of IP\-3R with β actin as internal label. Results\ All subtypes of IP\-3R were expressed in myocardium of SHR, WKY and cultured VSMC. Expression of IP\-3R mRNA in left ventricle of SHR was markedly enhanced. Urapidil could down regulate expression of IP\-3R Ⅰand IP\-3R Ⅲ, perindopril slightly increased expression of IP\-3R Ⅱ and decreased expression of IP\-3R Ⅰand IP\-3R Ⅲ in myocardium of SHR. Conclusion\ Our results suggest that expression of IP\-3R mRNA in cardiovascular system could be regulated by urapidil and perindopril.

Mangiferin alleviates renal infammatory injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats by inhibiting MCP-1/CCR2 signaling pathway

Objective: Hypertension is a low-grade infammation state of the disease and was easily complicated by kidneys’ infammatory response. Mangiferin(MGF), a pharmacologically active compound in various plants including Mangifera indica, has a strong anti-infammatory activity. However, the effects of MGF on renal infammatory injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of MGF on renal infammatory injury in SHRs.Methods: MGF was used in SHRs at the doses of 10, 20, 40 mg/kg/d for 8 weeks consecutively. The blood and urine were collected for assessment of renal function. Renal tissues were collected for histological,immunohistochemistry, ELISA, Western blot and real time reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR) analysis.Results: The results showed that the levels of interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-a(TNF-a), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) and recombinant chemokine C-C-Motif receptor 2(CCR2) were increased in SHRs, meanwhile, the level of IL-10 was decreased in SHR. Treatment of MGF inhibited the expression of IL-6, TNF-a, MCP-1 and CCR2, and promoted the expression of IL-10. Furthermore, the content of blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and serum uric acid(SUA) was significantly increased in the model group, and treatment of MGF had no obvious effects on these parameters at all dose levels.Conclusion: Our study proved that the kidneys of SHRs had significant infammatory injury, and MGF had the protective effects on renal infammatory injury in SHRs;The protective mechanism may be mediated partly by the MCP-1/CCR2 signaling pathway. Thus, it is a potential new drug for the treatment of hypertension.

Effect of Hypertension on Hearing Function,LDH and ChE of the Cochlea in Older Rats

The relationship between the hypertension and the aging process of hearing organ was investigated Twenty Wistar 3-month old rats and 20 Wistar 12-month old rats, 20 spontaneously hypertensive rat stroke-prone (SHRSP) 3-month old rats and 20 SHRSP 12-month old rats free of middle ear infections as observed under otomicroscopy, with normal tympanic membrane and auricle reflex, were selected to be divided into two experimental groups and two control groups respectively The tail artery blood pressure was measured non-invasively The threshold of auditory brainstem response (ABR) was measured by Spirit TM evoked potential meter The LDH and ChE staining in the inner ear was performed and the optical density was analyzed by the HPIAS analysis system The results showed that there was no difference in the ABR thresholds, the activities of LDH and ChE between Wistar 3-month old group and SHRSP 3-month old group ( P >0 05) The mean value of ABR threshold and the activities of LDH and ChE in the Wistar 12-month old group at relevant sections were significantly greater than those in the two 3-month old groups ( P< 0 05), whereas the mean value of ABR threshold and the activities of LDH and ChE in the SHRSP 12-month old group at relevant sections were significantly higher than those in the 3-month old control group ( P< 0 01) It was concluded that presbycusis existed in the Wistar 12-month old group rats The glycogenosis and the abnormal secretion of neural transmitter were discerned after hypertension All the above factors may worsen the aging of the hearing system

Tong-xin-luo capsule inhibits left ventricular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats by enhancing PPAR-γ expression and suppressing NF-κB activity

Background Tong-xin-luo capsule （TXL）, used as a traditional Chinese herb, offeres a therapeutic potential for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. It has been shown to exert a variety of pharmacological effects, including antihypertensive effects, and is able to improve ventricular remodeling. However, the mechanisms of its action are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of Tong-xin-luo capsule on left ventricular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR）. Methods Sixteen eight-week-old SHRs were randomized into an SHR group （n=8） and a TXL group （n=8） that were given Tong-xin-luo capsule （1.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Eight Wistar Kyoto （WKY） rats fed with 0.9% NaCl served as the control group （WKY group）. Systolic blood pressure （BP）, body weight and heart rate were monitored once every two weeks. Ventricular remodeling was detected by histopathological examination. Nuclear factor kappa B P65 （NF-κB P65） and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor y （PPAR-γ） protein and phosphorylated inhibitor kappa a （IκBα） protein were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot respectively. The physical interaction of the P65-P50 heterodimer with IκBα and NF-κB were measured by co-immunoprecipitation. PPAR-γ mRNA, collagen Ⅰ mRNA and collagen Ⅲ mHNA were measured by real-time PCR.Results TXL inhibited NF-κB P65 expression and ventricular remodeling and suppressed the activation of NF-κB compared with the SHR group （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. TXL reduced IκBα phosphorylation, increased expression of PPAR-γ protein and enhanced the physical interaction of the P65-P50 heterodimer with IκBα. The mRNA expression of PPAR-γ was enhanced but the mRNA expression of collagen Ⅰ mRNA and collagen Ⅲ mRNA were suppressed by TXL. Conclusions In spontaneously hypertensive rats, TXL could inhibit ventricular remodeling induced by hypertension, and the inhibitory effect might be associated with the process of TXL increasing the expression of PPAR-γ that could result in the inhibition of the activation of NF-κB.

Electrical remodeling of membrane ionic channels of hypertrophied ventricular myocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats

To study the difference in membrane ionic currents between hypertrophied and normal myocytes and to explore the electrical remodeling of hypertrophied myocytes Methods Membrane ionic channels were studied in enzymatically dispersed spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) left ventricular myocytes using the whole cell configuration of patch clamp technique, with normal Wistar rats ventricular myocytes as controls We observed depolarizing currents (sodium current, I Na ; L type calcium current, L I Ca ) and repolarizing currents (inward rectifier potassium current, I K1 ; delayed rectifier potassium current, I K; transient outward potassium current, I to ) and compared the differences between normal and hypertrophied myocytes Results The heart to body weight ratio of Wistar rats and SHRs was 3 70±0 29?mg/g and 5 66±0 46?mg/g, respectively ( P <0 001), and the mean cell membrane capacitances were 189 94±56 59?pF and 280 68±67 98?pF, respectively ( P <0 05) These differences suggest that SHRs have heart hypertrophy and hypertrophied myocytes The amplitude of L I ca of SHRs (1944±466 8?pA) was significantly greater than that of Wistar rats (1136±383 3?pA) ( P <0 001), and the current density was 6 93±1 71?pA/pF and 6 19±2 85?pA/pF respectively when normalized to cell capacitance, and the slow inactivation time constant of SHRs was significantly prolonged (56 01±13 36?ms vs 43 63±17 89?ms, P <0 001) The amplitude of I Na of SHRs (6132 5±1162 9?pA) was significantly greater than that of Wistar rats (3613 9±794 44?pA) ( P <0 001), but there was no difference when normalized to cell capacitance (24 61±6 72?pA/pF vs 24 95±6 99?pA/pF) Channel activation and inactivation time constants were also the same The amplitude of I K of SHRs (3461 5±1967 10?pA) was greater than that of Wistar rats (2302 4±893 72?pA) ( P <0 05), but there was no difference when normalized to cell capacitance (12 38±5 46 ?pA/pF vs 11 86±3 59?pA/pF) The inward portion of I K1 of SHRs was significantly lower than that of Wistar rats (11 3±2 26?pA/pF vs 14 3±3 00?pA/pF, P <0 05), but there was no difference in the outward portion (2 360±0 86?pA/pF vs 2 957±1 27? pA/pF) The current density of I to of SHRs (8 21±6 64?pA/pF) was significantly lower than that of Wistar rats (19 16±6 17?pA/pF) ( P <0 001), but channel kinetics were similar, suggesting that the reduction of I to may result from the decrease in channel number Conclusions Membrane ionic current changes of hypertrophied left ventricular myocytes in SHRs include: 1 there was an increase of L I ca , I Na and I k, but the current density was similar to that in normal myocytes, indicating that channel numbers increase as the myocytes become hypertrophied; 2 I to was small in hypertrophied ventricular myocytes and its current density was even smaller, indicating that channel numbers decrease as the myocytes enlarge The former is recognized as a physiologically compensatory change which does not lead to electrophysiological disturbance; the latter is viewed as pathological change, where the reduction of I to may lead to a repolarizing delay in myocytes, prolongation of the action potential and the occurrence of arrhythmias because of repolarizing heterogeneity Therefore, the reduction of I to in hypertrophied myocytes should be recognized as a significant or substantial change of electrical remodeling

Atorvastatin prevents connexin43 remodeling in hypertrophied left ventricular myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background Connexin43 （Cx43） is the predominant gap junction protein in heart and is involved in the control of cell-to-cell communication to modulate the contractility and the electrical coupling of cardiac myocytes. Left ventricular （LV） hypertrophy is accompanied by changes of Cx43 expression. Recent studies have demonstrated that statins reduced cardiac hypertrophy. However, it is unknown whether statins can affect Cx43 expression in hypertrophied left ventricular myocardium. This study was designed to assess the effects of atorvastatin on LV hypertrophy and Cx43 expression in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR）. Methods Nine-week old SHRs were randomly divided into two groups. Some received atorvastatin at 30 mg/kg by oral gavage once daily for 8 weeks （SHR-A）; others received vehicle. Age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats （WKY） received atorvastatin or vehicle for 8 weeks were used as controls. At the end of the experiment, we investigated LV hypertrophy and the expression of Cx43 in LV myocardium in four groups. Cx43 expression was investigated by the methods of Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscope. LV hypertrophy was accessed by pathological analysis and plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） level. Results LV hypertrophy was prominent in untreated SHR. In SHR, LV myocardium Cx43 level was upregulated, and the distribution of Cx43 was displaced from their usual locations to other sites at various distances away from the intercalated disks. After atorvastatin treatment, myocardium Cx43 level was reduced in SHR-A, and the distribution of Cx43 gap junction became much regular and confined to intercalated disk. Statins also prevented LV hypertrophy in SHR. Conclusions These results provide novel in vivo evidence for the key role of Cx43 gap junctions in LV hypertrophy and the possible mechanism in anti-hypertrophic effect of statins. Atorvastatin treatment may have beneficial effects on LV hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.