Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor activation:anti-inflammatory effects in the brain

The glucagon-like peptide 1 is a pleiotropic hormone that has potent insulinotropic effects and is key in treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.Glucagon-like peptide 1 exerts its effects by activating a membrane receptor identified in many tissues,including diffe rent brain regions.Glucagon-like peptide 1 activates several signaling pathways related to neuroprotection,like the support of cell growth/survival,enhancement promotion of synapse formation,autophagy,and inhibition of the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines,microglial activation,and apoptosis during neural morphogenesis.The glial cells,including astrocytes and microglia,maintain metabolic homeostasis and defe nse against pathogens in the central nervous system.After brain insult,microglia are the first cells to respond,followed by reactive astrocytosis.These activated cells produce proinflammato ry mediators like cytokines or chemokines to react to the insult.Furthermore,under these circumstances,mic roglia can become chro nically inflammatory by losing their homeostatic molecular signature and,consequently,their functions during many diseases.Several processes promote the development of neurological disorders and influence their pathological evolution:like the formation of protein aggregates,the accumulation of abnormally modified cellular constituents,the formation and release by injured neurons or synapses of molecules that can dampen neural function,and,of critical impo rtance,the dysregulation of inflammato ry control mechanisms.The glucagonlike peptide 1 receptor agonist emerges as a critical tool in treating brain-related inflammatory pathologies,restoring brain cell homeostasis under inflammatory conditions,modulating mic roglia activity,and decreasing the inflammato ry response.This review summarizes recent advances linked to the anti-inflammato ry prope rties of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor activation in the brain related to multiple sclerosis,Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,vascular dementia,or chronic migraine.

Effect Study of the Recombinant Human Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Heart Failure Combined with Hypotension

Objective: This paper aims to investigate the effect of applying recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure combined with hypotension. Recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide is a synthetic polypeptide drug that is primarily used to treat acute heart failure. Its mechanism of action closely mimics that of human endogenous brain natriuretic peptide. By binding to receptors on cardiomyocytes, it exerts its pharmacological effects. Methods: For the study, 76 heart failure patients with hypotension were selected from our hospital between May 2022 and June 2023. These patients were divided into two groups: a control group and an observation group, each comprising 38 patients. The control group received dopamine treatment, while the observation group was treated with recombinant brain natriuretic peptide. The objective was to compare the effects of the treatments in both groups by analyzing cardiac function indices and levels of vasoactive substances to identify any significant differences in outcomes. Results: The overall response rate of the patients in the observation group and the control group was 94.74% and 73.68%, significantly higher as compared with the observation group (P 0.05). After the following treatment, BNP, ANNP and urine output in the observation group were significantly different compared with the control group, of the statistical significance (P Conclusion: For the treatment of heart failure patients with hypotension, the clinical application of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide is the most ideal, and significantly improves the cardiac function of patients, which is worth popularizing.

Lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide: A promising therapy in patients with chronic heart failure

Lyophilized recombinant brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)is an exogenous peptide synthesized by artificial recombination technology,with a similar structure and similar physiological effects with the endogenous natriuretic peptide secreted by the human body.It’s main mechanism of action is to increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate by binding with its corresponding receptor in the body,regulating,thus,the imbalance of the vascular system and cardiac hemodynamics,improving the heart’s pumping capacity,and inhibiting sympathetic excitability and myocardial remodeling.Moreover,it can promote mitochondrial metabolism and enhance the use of adenosine triphosphate in cardiomyocytes.In the present study,102 chronic heart failure(HF)patients were randomly assigned to a control and an observation group consisting of 51 patients each.Patients of the control group were treated with standard HF therapy for 3 d including oral metoprolol tartrate tablets,spironolactone,and olmesartanate while patients of the observation group were administered the recombinant human BNP injection for the same time-period,plus the standard HF therapy.The recombinant human BNP group(observation group)demonstrated better physical,emotional,social,and economic scores,as well as cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers such as serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein,N-terminal pro BNP and troponin I levels,compared to the control group.Moreover,cardiac function was also improved,as left ventricular ejection fraction and stroke volume were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group.Interestingly,adverse reactions were not different between the 2 groups.However,these results are not generalizable and the need of large multicenter randomized controlled trials examining the safety and efficacy of recombinant human BNP in HF patients is of major importance.

Lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide for chronic heart failure:Effects on cardiac function and inflammation

BACKGROUND Chronic heart failure(CHF)is a serious and prevalent condition characterized by impaired cardiac function and inflammation.Standard therapy for CHF has limitations,prompting the exploration of alternative treatments.Recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)has emerged as a potential therapy,with evidence suggesting that it can improve cardiac function and reduce inflammation in patients with CHF.However,further research is required to determine the efficacy and safety of lyophilized recombinant human BNP in CHF patients and its impact on microinflammatory status.This study aimed to investigate the effects of lyophilized recombinant human BNP therapy on CHF patients’cardiac function and microinflammatory status.AIM To investigate the effects of freeze-dried recombinant human BNP therapy on cardiac function and microinflammatory status in patients with CHF.METHODS In total,102 CHF patients admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were randomly assigned to control and observation groups(n=51 patients/group).The control patients were treated with standard HF therapy for 3 d,whereas the observational patients were injected with the recombinant human BNP for 3 d.Clinical efficacy,inflammatory factor levels,myocardial damage,cardiac function before and after the treatment,and adverse reactions during treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The overall clinical efficacy was higher in the observation group than in the control group.Compared with baseline,serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein,N-terminal proBNP,and troponin I level,and physical,emotional,social,and economic scores were lower in both groups after treatment,with greater reductions in levels and scores noted in the observation group than in the control group.The overall incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was not significantly different compared with that in the control group(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Freeze-dried recombinant human BNP therapy can improve heart function and enhance microinflammatory status,thereby improving overall quality of life without any obvious side effects.This therapy is safe and reliable.

The Role and Significance of Brain-gut Peptide and Its Receptor's Expression in the Mechanism's Explanation of Cleaning Away Heat and Dampness

Cleaning away Heat and Dampness is one of the general methods in treating the syndrome of the Spleen and Stomach’s damp heat in Febrile Diseases,and its efficacy of invigorating the spleen regulating the stomach is involved in regulation of gastrointestinal motility.Many factors and systems act as the regulation,including Brain-gut peptide,which quantitative change in the gastrointestinal tissues and plasma can reflex the functions of gastrointestinal motility.So carrying on an investigation into the relation between brain-gut peptide and its receptors and gastrointestinal dyskinesia in the syndrome of damp heat in the spleen and stomach has its relevant to the explanation of the mechanism of cleaning away Heat and Dampness.

Relationship of calcitonin gene-related peptide with disease progression and prognosis of patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Calcitonin gene-related peptide（CGRP） has been implicated in multiple functions across many bioprocesses; however, whether CGRP is associated with severe traumatic brain injury（TBI） remains poorly understood. In this study, 96 adult patients with TBI（enrolled from September 2015 to December 2016） were divided into a mild/moderate TBI group（36 males and 25 females, aged 38 ± 13 years） and severe TBI group（22 males and 13 females, aged 38 ± 11 years） according to Glasgow Coma Scale scores. In addition, 25 healthy individuals were selected as controls（15 males and 10 females, aged 39 ± 13 years）. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect serum levels of CGRP and endothelin-1 at admission and at 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days after admission. CGRP levels were remarkably lower, but endothelin-1 levels were obviously higher in the severe TBI group compared with mild/moderate TBI and control groups. Levels of CGRP were remarkably lower, but endothelin-1 levels were obviously higher in deceased patients compared with patients who survived. Survival analysis and logistic regression showed that both CGRP and endothelin-1 levels were associated with patient mortality, with each serving as an independent risk factor for 6-month mortality of severe TBI patients. Moreover, TBI patients with lower serum CGRP levels had a higher risk of death. Thus, our retrospective analysis demonstrates the potential utility of CGRP as a new biomarker, monitoring method, and therapeutic target for TBI.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide and traumatic brain injury

Dear editor,It is with great interest that we read the article“Relationship of calcitonin gene-related peptide with disease progression and prognosis of patients with severe traumatic brain injury”(Chen et al.,2018).In this study,the authors evaluated 121 patients who were divided into mild/moderate traumatic brain injury(TBI)(n=61),severe TBI(n=35)and control(n=25)groups,and measured serum levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)and serum endothelin-1(ET-1).They found that low levels of CGRP and high levels of ET-1 were associated with high mortality at 6 months.Identification of morphological abnormalities on CT scans is very important for evaluating patients with TBI because different diagnoses are made based on different imaging findings(Maas et al.,2005).

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.

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide, platelet parameters, and cardiopulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a chronic respiratory disease with worldwide occurrence and high disability and mortality rate.It occurs mostly in the elderly population with pulmonary heart disease,type II respiratory failure,and other serious complications.AIM To investigate the correlation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and platelet parameters with cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension in patients with COPD and pulmonary heart disease.METHODS From June 2016 to June 2019,52 patients with COPD-pulmonary heart disease(pulmonary heart disease group),30 patients with COPD(COPD group),and 30 healthy individuals(control group)in our hospital were enrolled in the study.The pulmonary heart disease group was further divided into subgroups according to cardiac function classification and pulmonary artery pressure.Plasma BNP and platelet parameters were estimated and compared among each group and subgroup.The correlation of plasma BNP and platelet parameters with cardiac function classification and pulmonary artery pressure was then analyzed.RESULTS In the pulmonary heart disease group,the COPD group,and the control group,the levels of plasma BNP,platelet distribution width(PDW),and mean platelet volume(MPV)showed a decreasing trend(P<0.05),while an increasing trend was found in platelet count(PLT)and plateletcrit(PCT)levels among the three groups(P<0.05).In the pulmonary hypertension mild,moderate,and severe subgroups,the levels of plasma BNP,PDW,and MPV showed an increasing trend(P<0.05),while a decreasing trend was observed in PLT levels(P<0.05);however,PCT levels showed no significant difference among the three subgroups(P>0.05).In the cardiac function grade I,II,III,and IV subgroups,the levels of plasma BNP,PDW,and MPV showed an increasing trend(P<0.05),while a decreasing trend was noted in PLT and PCT levels among the four subgroups(P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the levels of plasma BNP,PDW,and MPV in patients with pulmonary heart disease were positively correlated with their pulmonary artery pressure(P<0.05),while PLT was negatively correlated with their pulmonary artery pressure(P<0.05).Moreover,plasma BNP,PDW,and MPV levels were positively correlated with cardiac function grade(P<0.05)of these patients,while PLT and PCT levels were negatively correlated with their cardiac function grade(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Plasma BNP and PLT parameters are significantly correlated with the cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension in patients with COPD and pulmonary heart disease,indicating that these parameters have high clinical relevance in reflecting the health condition of these patients and for guiding their treatment.

Effect of amitriptyline on gastrointestinal function and brain-gut peptides: A double-blind trial

AIM: To study the effects of low-dose amitriptyline (AMT) on gastrointestinal function and brain-gut peptides in healthy Chinese volunteers. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, two-period cross-over trial. Twentyeight healthy volunteers were randomised and administered 1-wk treatments of AMT (12.5 mg tid) or placebo. Before and during the final two days of treatment, gastric emptying, proximal gastric accommodation and visceral sensitivity were measured by drinkingultrasonography test; the orocecal transit time (OCTT) was measured by lactulose hydrogen breath test, and fasting blood was collected. Plasma levels of ghrelin, motilin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.RESULTS: AMT slowed the OCTT (109.2 ± 29.68 min vs 96.61 ± 23.9 min, P = 0.004) but did not affect liquid gastric emptying and had no effect on proximal gastric accommodation. AMT resulted in decreases in the visual analogue scale (VAS) for difficulty in drinking 600 and 800 mL of water (3.57 ± 0.94 vs 2.98 ± 0.85, 5.57 ± 0.82 vs 4.57 ± 0.98, P < 0.01 for both), although it had no significant effect on the VAS for difficulty in drinking 200 mL and 400 mL of water. AMT significantly increased the plasma ghrelin level (442.87 ± 176.79 pg/mL vs 526.87 ± 158.44 pg/mL, P = 0.04) and the neuropeptide-Y level (890.15 ± 131.46 pg/mL vs 965.64 ± 165.63 pg/mL, P = 0.03), whereas it had no effect on the MTL level. CONCLUSION: Low-dose AMT could slow OCTT, make the stomach less sensitive and increase the plasma levels of ghrelin and NPY. Thus, we recommend the use of low-dose AMT for functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide level in older outpatients with heart failure is associated with physical frailty, especially with the slowness domain

ObjectiveTo 决定在血浆大脑 natriuretic 之间的协会在有心失败( HF )和物理脆弱以及与心血管的药的 106 个门诊病人变老的物理 frailty.MethodsTwo 的每个领域的病人的肽( BNP )水平60岁以上为 HF 被就医了或被给了一为 HF 的药方药被包括。物理脆弱用下列五个领域被估计：缓慢，软弱，疲劳，低活动，并且缩小，根据心血管的健康学习。病人们根据脆弱分数被划分成 nonfrailty 和脆弱组。血浆 BNP 水平被测量。6-min 散步测试被执行测量 endurance.ResultsPlasma BNP 在二个组之间是显著地不同的(脆弱组：158.0 &#x000b1；214.7 pg/mL， nonfrailty 组：65.2 &#x000b1；88.0 pg/mL， P &#x0003c；0.01 ) 。Multivariate 逻辑回归分析表明转变木头的血浆 BNP (木头 BNP ) 显著地与物理脆弱被联系(或：1.68， 95% CI：1.11-2.56 ) ，并且木头 BNP 显著地与缓慢领域被联系(走的速度 &#x0003c；1.0 m/s ) 物理脆弱(或：1.75， 95% CI：1.15-2.67 ) 。另外，木头 BNP 否定地被相关到 6 分钟的散步距离(6MWD )(&#x003c1；=&#x02212； 0.37， P &#x0003c；0.01 ) ，当 6MWD 断然被相关到走速度时(&#x003c1；= 0.66， P &#x0003c；0.01 ).ConclusionsPlasma BNP 水平与物理脆弱有关，特别在缓慢领域。耐力可以在在血浆 BNP 水平和走的速度之间的协会干涉。

Brain natriuretic peptide is a potent vasodilator in aged human microcircula- tion and shows a blunted response in heart failure patients

BackgroundBrain natriuretic 肽(BNP ) 在在发行量的底层是通常在场的，但是它在心失败题目(CHF ) 与拥挤的度同时被提高。BNP 有 natriuretic 效果并且是有势力血管扩张药。BNP 能是在 CHF 的一种治疗学的选择，这被建议。然而，我们要求了在 CHF 的传播 BNP 的高水平可以 downregulate microvascular natriuretic 受体的反应。这被比较 15 个 CHF 病人测试(BNP &#x0003e；3000 ng/L ) 与 10 匹配的、健康 controls.MethodsCutaneous microvascular 血，在前臂的流动被激光 Doppler Flowmetry 测量。本地加热(+44 &#x000b0； C， 10 min ) 被用来唤起一个最大的本地扩张器 BNP 或醋胆素(ACh ) 的 response.ResultsNon 侵略的 iontophoretic 管理，一个已知的内皮细胞层依赖者扩张器，在本地流动得到了增加。氮的氧化物 synthase 禁止者， l-N-Arginine- 甲基酉旨(L 名字) ，堵住了 BNP 反应(在控制) 。有趣地，对在 CHF 病人的 BNP 的回答被归结为在健康控制看见的大约三分之一那些(的增加流动：251% 在 CHF 对 908% 在控制；P &#x0003c；0.001 ) 。相反，对 ACh 并且到本地加热的血管扩张药回答仅仅有点在 CHF 病人被稀释。因此，发信号的扩张器能力和氮的氧化物没被影响到象调停 BNP 的膨胀的一样的程度，第一次显示后者 response.ConclusionsThe 调查结果表演的特定的 downregulation 对 BNP 的 microvascular 回答显著地在 CHF 病人被减少。这与 BNP 受体功能的假设一致是在 CHF 的 downregulated。

Brain natriuretic peptide and optimal management of heart failure

Aside from the important role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in diagnosis, and differential diagnosis of heart failure, this biological peptide has proved to be an independent surrogate marker of rehospitalization and death of the fatal disease. Several randomized clinical trials demonstrated that drugs such as beta blocker, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, spiro- nolactone and amiodarone have beneficial effects in decreasing circulating BNP level during the management of chronic heart failure. The optimization of clinical decision-making appeals for a representative surrogate marker for heart failure prognosis. The serial point-of-care assessments of BNP concentration provide a therapeutic goal of clinical multi-therapy and an objective guid- ance for optimal treatment of heart failure. Nevertheless new questions and problems in this area remain to be clarified. On the basis of current research advances, this article gives an overview of BNP peptide and its property and role in the management of heart failure.

Effect of atorvastatin on serum oxidative stress and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide expression in rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on serum oxidative stress and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide expression in rats.Methods:A total of 40 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group(Croup A,n=10,saline 5 mL/d),ischemia-reperfusion group(Group B,n=10,saline S mL/d),atorvastatin group(Group C,n=10.atorvastatin 20 mg/kg·d),atorvastatin + N-amino-arginine group(Group D,n=10,atorvastatin 20 mg/kg·d + N-amino arginine 15 mg/kg).Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion rat model was eslablished after 3 days of gavage.N-amino arginine 15 mg/kg was given by tail vein injection 15 min before ischemia.After reperfusion,enzymology indicators such us creatine kinase(CK) and lactate dehydrogenase and the oxidative stress parameters such as nitric oxide(NO),malondialdehyde(MDA) and total superoxide dismutase(TSOD),and n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)expression was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:LDH and CK levels of group A were significantly lower than the outer three groups,and group B was the highest.There was significant difference between group B and group C(P<0.05),and no significant difference between group B and group D(P>0.05).MDA levels in group B were significantly higher than the other three groups.The lowest was group A,followed by group C,the difference among groups was significantly(P<0.05).TSOD and NO levels in group B was the lowest,the level in group A was the highest,followed by group C,the difference among groups was significant(P<0.05).NT-proBNP level in group B was significantly higher than the other three groups,the lowest was group A,followed by group C,the difference among groups was significant(P<0.05).Conclusions:Atorvastatin has a protective effect on the myocardial injury in the myocardial ischemia and reperfusion rats.It can increase NO synthesis and decrease MDA content,increase serum TSOD activity and the oxidative stress effect,meanwhile protect myocardial cells and reduce myocardial injury.

Clinical study of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicating congestive heart failure

Objectives To observe the efficacy and safety of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(rh-BNP) on patients with acute myocardial infarction complicating congestive heart failure.Methods 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by congestive heart failure were randomly divided into control group and treatment group of 20 cases.The control group,15 cases of acute anterior myocardial infarction,5 cases of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction, 15 males and 5 females,aged 55-70 years,mean age 58±12 years;treated 16 cases of acute anterior myocardial infarction,4 cases of acute myocardial infarction,16 males and 4 females,aged 56-70 years,mean age 59±11 years;two groups of age,gender,severity of disease and vascular lesions no significant difference and comparable(P】0.05).Conventional group were given aspirin,clopidogrel, statins,Inotropic,diuretic and vasodilator therapy.In the con- ventional treatment group based on the use of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(new bios,Tibet Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.Chengdu Nuodikang biopharmaceutical production, usage:1.5μg/Kg intravenous injection(impact), then 0.0075μg-0.01μg/(kg·min)infusion rate).Continuous medication 72 h.The clinical symptoms observed for 3 days in patients before treatment and after treatment,heart rate,blood pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) levels were measured.Results In control group,8 cases markedly effect,5 cases effect and 7 cases no effect,the total effective rate was 65%;In treatment group,13 cases markedly effect,6 cases effect and 1 cases no effect,the total effective rate was 95%,compared with two groups P New bios treatment group significantly increased cardiac index(CI) in patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) than the control group(all P【0.05),further reduce the levels of tumor necrosis (TNF-α) and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP).Conclusions rh-BNP can improve symptoms and heart function,reduced plasma tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) and BNP levels of acute myocardial infarction patients with congestive heart failure,the treatment safe and reliable.As small sample size observed,larger sample to be accumulated to further evaluate its efficacy and safety.

Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in elderly patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction

To investigate plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-BNP) levels and to assess their clinical significance in elderly patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction. Methods Plasma NT-BNP level were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in 34 symptomatic patients (Group 1), 34 asymptomatic patients (Group 2) with isolated diastolic dysfunction, and in 16elderly healthy subjects (control group, Group 3), serving controls. Colored Doppler echocardiography was performed to evaluate the patients' cardiac structures and functions. Results The plasma NT-BNP level in Group 1 was significantly higher than those in Group 2 and Group 3 and increased with the severity of heart failure. There was no significant difference of plasma NT-BNP levels between Group 2 and Group 3 (p＞0.05). A NT-BNP value of 102.75 pg/mL showed a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 87.5%, and an accuracy of 88.1% for diagnosing diastolic dysfunction. Patients with restrictive filling pattern on echocardiography had higher NTBNP levels than those of impaired relaxation pattern (1961.2±304.9 versus 460. 1±92.7pg/mL, p＜0.001). Conclusion The elevation of plasma NT-BNP level in elderly patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction correlates with the severity of their diastolic abnormalities.The level of plasma NT-BNP has an important clinical value in the diagnosis of elderly patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction.

Dual-targeting AAV9P1-mediated neuronal reprogramming in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury results in neuronal loss and glial scar formation.Replenishing neurons and eliminating the consequences of glial scar formation are essential for treating traumatic brain injury.Neuronal reprogramming is a promising strategy to convert glial scars to neural tissue.However,previous studies have reported inconsistent results.In this study,an AAV9P1 vector incorporating an astrocyte-targeting P1 peptide and glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter was used to achieve dual-targeting of astrocytes and the glial scar while minimizing off-target effects.The results demonstrate that AAV9P1 provides high selectivity of astrocytes and reactive astrocytes.Moreover,neuronal reprogramming was induced by downregulating the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 gene via systemic administration of AAV9P1 in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury.In summary,this approach provides an improved gene delivery vehicle to study neuronal programming and evidence of its applications for traumatic brain injury.

Experimental study on vasoactive intestinal peptide—like immunoreactivity in plasma and brain in high—velocity missile injuries of extremity

Experimental high-velocity missile injuries were produced on both hind legs of 15 dogs.It was found that the concentration of vasoactive intestinal peptide-like immunoreactivity(VIP-LI)significantly elevated in both plasma and brain at the early stage after injuries.However,thechanges of VIP-LI concentration in the plasma and brain did not coincide with each other.The re-sults suggest that VIP-LI may participate in the post-traumatic general reaction.The significanceand machanism of the elevation of cerebral VIP-LI level after a severe non-cerebral trauma remainto be clarified.

Biological characteristics of brain natriuretic peptide and its association with central nervous system diseases

OBJECTIVE： To explain the mechanisms of tuhe synthesis, secretion and regulation of brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）, and analyze its role in central nervous system diseases. DATA SOURCES： An online search of Pubmed was undertaken to identify articles related to BNP published in English from January 1990 to February 2007 by using the key words of ＂brain natriuretic pepfide （BNP）, central nervous system, subarachnoid hemorrhage （SAH）, brain edema, epilepsy＂. Other articles were searched in China Hospital Knowledge Database （CHKD） by concrete name of journals and title of articles. STUDY SELECTION： The collected articles were primarily screened, those about BNP and its association with central nervous system diseases were selected, whereas the obviously irrelative ones excluded, and the full-texts of the other literatures were searched manually. DATA EXTRACTION： Totally 96 articles were collected, 40 of them were enrolled, and the other 56 were excluded due to repetitive studies or reviews. DATA SYNTHESIS： At present, there are penetrating studies on BNP in the preclinical medicine and clinical medicine of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, and the investigative outcomes have been gradually applied in clinical practice, and satisfactory results have been obtained. However, the application of BNP in diagnosing and treating central nervous system diseases is still at the experimental phase without - outstanding outcomes, thus the preclinical and clinical studies should be enhanced. CONCLUSION： As a kind of central medium or modulator, BNP plays a certain role in the occurrence, development and termination of central nervous system diseases, the BNP level in serum has certain changing law in SAH, brain edema, epilepsy, etc., but the specific mechanisms are unclear.

Effect of thermal therapy using hot water bottles on brain natriuretic peptide in chronic hemodialysis patients

Introduction: The use of repeated thermal therapy for improving the symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) has been recently demonstrated. Usually, thermal therapy requires an infrared dry sauna. However, it is difficult for small clinics to acquire such an expensive and extensive system. The author assessed the efficacy of its substitution with hot water bottles. Moreover, there are no prior studies demonstrating the efficacy of thermal therapy in hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: The author evaluated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in 98 hemodialysis patients in a clinic. A total of nine patients whose BNP levels were more than 500 pg/mL agreed to be enrolled in this study and received thermal therapy using hot water bottles. Results: Plasma BNP levels, a potential marker for CHF, tended to decrease (891 ± 448 pg/mL to 680 ± 339 pg/mL), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.0845). The oral temperature changed from 36.44℃± 0.45℃ to 37.04℃ ± 0.48℃ (+0.597℃, P < 0.0001). No side effects were experienced during the therapy. Moreover, most patients had an improvement in their symptoms and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Conclusion: Thermal therapy using hot water bottles is very safe and tends to reduce plasma BNP levels in hemodialysis patients with CHF.