Objective We performed experiments using Neuregulin-1β （NRG-1β） treatment to determine a mechanism for the protective role derived from its beneficial effects by remodeling gap junctions （GJs） during heart failu...Objective We performed experiments using Neuregulin-1β （NRG-1β） treatment to determine a mechanism for the protective role derived from its beneficial effects by remodeling gap junctions （GJs） during heart failure （HF）. Methods Rat models of I-IF were established by aortocaval fistula. Forty-eight rats were divided randomly into the HF （HF, n = 16）, NRG-1β trealanent （NRG, n = 16）, and sham operation （S, n = 16） group. The rats in the NRG group were administered NRG-1β （10 μg/kg per day） for 7 days via the tail vein, whereas the other groups were injected with the same doses of saline, Twelve weeks after operation, Connexin 43 （Cx43） expression in single myocytes obtained from the left ventricle was determined by immunocytochemistry. Total protein was extracted from frozen left ventricular tissues for immunoblotting assay, and the ultrastmcture of myocytes was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results Compared with the HF group, the cardiac fimction of rats in the NRG group was markedly improved, irregular distribution and deceased Cx43 expression were relieved. The ultrastmcture of myocytes was seriously damaged in HF rats, and NRG-1β reduced these pathological damages. Conclusions Short-term NRG-1β treatment can rescue pump failure in experimental models of volume overload-induced HF, which is related to the recovery of GJs structure and the improvement of Cx43 expression.展开更多
The heart is an unusual site of metastasis from any malignancy. We report a case of cardiac metastasis from colorectal cancer. A 70-year-old woman was referred with a presumptive diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer with...The heart is an unusual site of metastasis from any malignancy. We report a case of cardiac metastasis from colorectal cancer. A 70-year-old woman was referred with a presumptive diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer with cardiac myxoma. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed a 4 cm x 4.5 cm mobile mass on the lateral right atrial wall, and computed tomography revealed a low attenuated Iobulating mass in the right atrium. The patient underwent anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer （T4N2）. Thereafter, she experienced progressive shortness of breath. Therefore, a cardiac operation was performed 2 wk after the colorectal operation. Histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma, which was identical to the primary lesion. Although two- dimensional echocardiography has become the diagnostic test of choice for detecting cardiac tumors, in patients with colorectal cancer showing a cardiac mass, further diagnostic evaluation such as a magnetic resonance imaging might be necessary.展开更多
Background To document the pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure （CHF） and to evaluate the adherence to treatment guidelines in Australian population. Methods The pharmacological management of 677 patients （fema...Background To document the pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure （CHF） and to evaluate the adherence to treatment guidelines in Australian population. Methods The pharmacological management of 677 patients （female 46.7%, 75.5 ±11.6 years） with CHF was retrospectively analyzed. Results The use of angiotensin converting enzyme （ACE） inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers （ARB） and β-blockers were 58.2 % and 34.7 %, respectively. Major reasons for non-use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs were hyperkalemia and elevated serum creatinine level. For patients who did not receive β-blockers, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the main contraindications. Treatment at or above target dosages for ACE inhibitors/ARBs and β-blockers was low for each medication （40.3% and 28.9%, respectively）. Conclusions Evidenced-based medical therapies for heart failure were under used in a rural patient population. Further studies are required to develop processes to improve the optimal use of heart failure medications.展开更多
To determine the clinical application of pulsed Doppler tissue imaging in assessing the left ventricular diasto-lic function and in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ...To determine the clinical application of pulsed Doppler tissue imaging in assessing the left ventricular diasto-lic function and in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction. Methods We measured the peak diastolic velocities of mitral annulus in 81 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction and 50 normal volunteers by Doppler tissue imaging using the apical window at 2-ch-amber and long apical views, respectively. The myocardial velocities were determined with use of variance F statistical analysis. Results Early diastolic myocardial velocities of mitral annulus were higher in normal subjects than in patients with hy-pertrophic cardiomyopathy with either delayed relaxation, pseudonormal filling, or restrictive filling. However, peak myocar-dial velocities of mitral annulus during atrial contraction were similar in normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Conclusion Doppler tissue imaging can directly reflect upon left diastolic ventricular function. Early phase of diastole was the best discriminator between control subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.展开更多
Objective -To determine the distribution of endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) in different parts of the heart of adult normal Chinese and Sprague-Dawley (SD-) rat. Methods-The ECE mRNA was determined by semi-quantita...Objective -To determine the distribution of endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) in different parts of the heart of adult normal Chinese and Sprague-Dawley (SD-) rat. Methods-The ECE mRNA was determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymer ase chain reaction. ECE activity was determined by the conversion of exogenously added big endothelin-1 to endothelin-1. Results : The ECE mRNA and activity were detected in different parts of the heart. In human, the ECE expression in atria was significantly higher than those in ventricles. No significant difference was observed between left and right atrium, and among the left ventricle, right ventricle and interventricular septum. The distribution of ECE activity was consistent with that of mRNA expression. The rat had a similar pattern of distribution of either ECE mRNA expression or activity with that of human. Conclusion :ECE exists in all parts of the heart of normal Chinese and SD rat and its distribution is similar in human and rat hearts.展开更多
Purpose：The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of total soy saponins（TS） on the myocardial antioxidant capacity in rats exercised to exhaustion.Methods：The one-time exhausted treadmill model wa...Purpose：The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of total soy saponins（TS） on the myocardial antioxidant capacity in rats exercised to exhaustion.Methods：The one-time exhausted treadmill model was used.All rats were divided into 4 groups：the control group,the TS group,the exhausted group,and the TS exhausted group.The TS and TS exhausted groups were fed TS at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight,once a day,for 2 weeks.The exhausted group was given a placebo,and the control group was not given any treatment.The treadmill speed was set at 30 m/min,and the rats（exhausted and TS exhausted groups） were trained at this speed until exhausted.The rats were decapitated and anatomized immediately after exhausted.A 10% homogenate of the myocardial tissue was prepared.Results：TS significant y increased the exercise time by 20.62%（p〈0.05）.As compared with the control group,the enzyme activities for catalase（CAT）,glutathione peroxidase（GSH-Px）,and glutathione reductase（GR） were significant y enhanced in the TS group（p〈0.01）;GR and GSH-Px activity was significant y enhanced in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.01）;malondialdehyde（MDA） levels were significant y decreased in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.05）.As compared with the exhausted group,the GSH-Px activity was significant y enhanced in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.01）;CAT,GSH-Px,and GR activities were significant y enhanced in the TS group（p〈0.01）.As compared with the TS group,the CAT and GR activity in the TS exhausted group was significant y decreased（p〈0.01）.Conclusion：TS can improve the exercised rats＇ antioxidant activity in their cardiac muscle to varying degrees,decrease MDA and serum AST and LDH levels,increase the exercise time,and delay the occurrence of sports fatigue.展开更多
基金This research was supported by the Key Program，the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Objective We performed experiments using Neuregulin-1β （NRG-1β） treatment to determine a mechanism for the protective role derived from its beneficial effects by remodeling gap junctions （GJs） during heart failure （HF）. Methods Rat models of I-IF were established by aortocaval fistula. Forty-eight rats were divided randomly into the HF （HF, n = 16）, NRG-1β trealanent （NRG, n = 16）, and sham operation （S, n = 16） group. The rats in the NRG group were administered NRG-1β （10 μg/kg per day） for 7 days via the tail vein, whereas the other groups were injected with the same doses of saline, Twelve weeks after operation, Connexin 43 （Cx43） expression in single myocytes obtained from the left ventricle was determined by immunocytochemistry. Total protein was extracted from frozen left ventricular tissues for immunoblotting assay, and the ultrastmcture of myocytes was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results Compared with the HF group, the cardiac fimction of rats in the NRG group was markedly improved, irregular distribution and deceased Cx43 expression were relieved. The ultrastmcture of myocytes was seriously damaged in HF rats, and NRG-1β reduced these pathological damages. Conclusions Short-term NRG-1β treatment can rescue pump failure in experimental models of volume overload-induced HF, which is related to the recovery of GJs structure and the improvement of Cx43 expression.
文摘The heart is an unusual site of metastasis from any malignancy. We report a case of cardiac metastasis from colorectal cancer. A 70-year-old woman was referred with a presumptive diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer with cardiac myxoma. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed a 4 cm x 4.5 cm mobile mass on the lateral right atrial wall, and computed tomography revealed a low attenuated Iobulating mass in the right atrium. The patient underwent anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer （T4N2）. Thereafter, she experienced progressive shortness of breath. Therefore, a cardiac operation was performed 2 wk after the colorectal operation. Histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma, which was identical to the primary lesion. Although two- dimensional echocardiography has become the diagnostic test of choice for detecting cardiac tumors, in patients with colorectal cancer showing a cardiac mass, further diagnostic evaluation such as a magnetic resonance imaging might be necessary.
文摘Background To document the pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure （CHF） and to evaluate the adherence to treatment guidelines in Australian population. Methods The pharmacological management of 677 patients （female 46.7%, 75.5 ±11.6 years） with CHF was retrospectively analyzed. Results The use of angiotensin converting enzyme （ACE） inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers （ARB） and β-blockers were 58.2 % and 34.7 %, respectively. Major reasons for non-use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs were hyperkalemia and elevated serum creatinine level. For patients who did not receive β-blockers, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the main contraindications. Treatment at or above target dosages for ACE inhibitors/ARBs and β-blockers was low for each medication （40.3% and 28.9%, respectively）. Conclusions Evidenced-based medical therapies for heart failure were under used in a rural patient population. Further studies are required to develop processes to improve the optimal use of heart failure medications.
文摘To determine the clinical application of pulsed Doppler tissue imaging in assessing the left ventricular diasto-lic function and in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction. Methods We measured the peak diastolic velocities of mitral annulus in 81 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction and 50 normal volunteers by Doppler tissue imaging using the apical window at 2-ch-amber and long apical views, respectively. The myocardial velocities were determined with use of variance F statistical analysis. Results Early diastolic myocardial velocities of mitral annulus were higher in normal subjects than in patients with hy-pertrophic cardiomyopathy with either delayed relaxation, pseudonormal filling, or restrictive filling. However, peak myocar-dial velocities of mitral annulus during atrial contraction were similar in normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Conclusion Doppler tissue imaging can directly reflect upon left diastolic ventricular function. Early phase of diastole was the best discriminator between control subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
基金Supported by grant from the National Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK 99141-2)
文摘Objective -To determine the distribution of endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) in different parts of the heart of adult normal Chinese and Sprague-Dawley (SD-) rat. Methods-The ECE mRNA was determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymer ase chain reaction. ECE activity was determined by the conversion of exogenously added big endothelin-1 to endothelin-1. Results : The ECE mRNA and activity were detected in different parts of the heart. In human, the ECE expression in atria was significantly higher than those in ventricles. No significant difference was observed between left and right atrium, and among the left ventricle, right ventricle and interventricular septum. The distribution of ECE activity was consistent with that of mRNA expression. The rat had a similar pattern of distribution of either ECE mRNA expression or activity with that of human. Conclusion :ECE exists in all parts of the heart of normal Chinese and SD rat and its distribution is similar in human and rat hearts.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11101354)
文摘Purpose：The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of total soy saponins（TS） on the myocardial antioxidant capacity in rats exercised to exhaustion.Methods：The one-time exhausted treadmill model was used.All rats were divided into 4 groups：the control group,the TS group,the exhausted group,and the TS exhausted group.The TS and TS exhausted groups were fed TS at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight,once a day,for 2 weeks.The exhausted group was given a placebo,and the control group was not given any treatment.The treadmill speed was set at 30 m/min,and the rats（exhausted and TS exhausted groups） were trained at this speed until exhausted.The rats were decapitated and anatomized immediately after exhausted.A 10% homogenate of the myocardial tissue was prepared.Results：TS significant y increased the exercise time by 20.62%（p〈0.05）.As compared with the control group,the enzyme activities for catalase（CAT）,glutathione peroxidase（GSH-Px）,and glutathione reductase（GR） were significant y enhanced in the TS group（p〈0.01）;GR and GSH-Px activity was significant y enhanced in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.01）;malondialdehyde（MDA） levels were significant y decreased in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.05）.As compared with the exhausted group,the GSH-Px activity was significant y enhanced in the TS exhausted group（p〈0.01）;CAT,GSH-Px,and GR activities were significant y enhanced in the TS group（p〈0.01）.As compared with the TS group,the CAT and GR activity in the TS exhausted group was significant y decreased（p〈0.01）.Conclusion：TS can improve the exercised rats＇ antioxidant activity in their cardiac muscle to varying degrees,decrease MDA and serum AST and LDH levels,increase the exercise time,and delay the occurrence of sports fatigue.
