Production of Soybean Oil Nanoemulsion (SONE) and Evaluation of Angiogenic and Embryotoxic Activity

The SONE oil/water was prepared using the pseudo-ternary phase diagram, using a low energy method with phase inversion by changing the composition. In order to optimize the preparation of SONE, three speeds were used in the agitator arm and two different rods. The particle size and polydispersity index were determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and the stability test by the freeze-thaw cycle. Angiogenesis in chicken embryo egg chorioallantoic membrane and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryotoxicity was performed. The lower stirring speed and propeller shaft induced smaller particle size (550.2 nm). Regarding angiogenesis, there was a statistically significant difference for all the evaluated parameters (length, caliber, junctions, and number of blood vessel complexes) and the result was higher in SONE when compared to the inhibition control (Dexamethasone), but lower than the induction control (Regederm®) and there was no statistically significant difference between SONE and distilled water. It was observed that the exposure of the zebrafish embryos to SONE caused an increase in the mortality rate dependent on time and concentration. The LC50 for SONE decreased statistically with increasing exposure (p-value = 0.046). Heart rate decreased significantly with increasing concentration at all exposure times (p-value < 0.05), as a result of progressive embryo mortality. The hatching rate was late until the concentration of 0.0193 mg/mL and no hatching rate was verified from that concentration. Exposure of zebrafish embryos to different concentrations of SONE induced malformations such as spinal changes, pericardial edema and yolk sac edema, but there was no significant difference in the malformation rate of embryos exposed to SONE when compared to the control group. The SONE produced remained stable in the freeze-thaw cycle, with changes only in pH. Despite the low results for embryotoxicity, further studies are needed, aiming at the ideal formulation for angiogenesis purposes.

Comparison of isotonic and hypotonic contrast agent in inducing contrast induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background The incidence of contrast induced nephropathy （CIN） is increasing while patients are more and more frequently undertaking coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. CIN correlates with the later cardiovascular events, the rising mortality risks and the increasing one-year target vessel revascularization. At present, few articles reported on whether the incidence of CIN induced by isotonic and hypotonic contrast agent after PCI is different or not. Objectives To investigate the different effect of isotonic and hypotonic contrast agent in inducing CIN in patients with coronary artery disease after PCI. Methods We enrolled 355 patients with coronary artery disease who undertook PCI from January 2007 to December 2008 as subjects. Renal functions of all 355 patients were normal. Patients were randomly divided into isotonic group and hypotonic group. Concentrations of serum creatinine （SCr） were measured before, 48～72 hours and 7 days （if needed） after PCI. The glomerular filtration rate （eGFR） was calculated according to MDRD formula. The incidence of CIN was defined as the concentration of SCr ≥0.5 mg/dL（44.2 μmol/L）. Hemodialysis rates and mortality were recorded in the hospital. Results There was no significant difference in the basline eGFR （79.52±5.28 vs 81.03±6.09, P0.05）, dosages of contrast agent （125.68±15.88 mL vs 123.51±16.38 mL, P0.05）, eGFR of 48-72 hours after PCI （70.26±9.48 vs 69.06±9.59, P0.05） and incidences of CIN （5.56% vs 5.78%, P0.05） between the two groups. eGFR and concentrations of SCr 7 days after PCI showed no significant difference between the two groups （P0.05）. No patient was dead or needed hemodialysis in hospital. Conclusions The effect of isotonic and hypotonic contrast agent in inducing CIN in patients with coronary artery disease after PCI has no difference.

Mechanistic Insights into the Shear Effects on Isotactic Polypropylene Crystallization Containingβ-Nucleating Agent

The crystalline structures and crystallization behaviors of iPP containing β nucleation agent TMB-5 （iPP/TMB-5） were investigated by synchrotron radiation wide angel X-ray diffraction （SR-WAXD）, differential scanning calorimeter （DSC） and polarized light microscope （PLM）. It was found that α-crystallization lagged behind β-crystallization at normal temperatures, but the discrepancy reduced with increasing temperature. TMB-5 could not induce β-iPP when the nucleation agent is wrapped up with α-crystal that crystallized at high temperatures. The polymorphic composition of iPP/TMB-5 was susceptible to the introductory moment of shear. New crystallization process of β-nucleated iPP was proposed to understand the experimental phenomena which could not be explained by those reported in the literature. It was supposed that polymer crystallization initiated from mesophase, and the formations of iPP crystals involved the organization of helical conformation ordering within rnesophase. It was proposed that the iPP melt contained mesophases with stereocomplex-type ordering of right-handed and left-handed helical chains which could be disturbed by shear or TMB-5, leading to different polymorphic structures.

Effect of calycosin on left ventricular ejection fraction and angiogenesis in rat models with myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE:To evaluated the effect of calycosin on left ventricular ejection fraction and angiogenesis.METHODS:Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into calycosin-treated groups(0.5,1,2,and 4 mg/kg qd),a dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),or a sham-operated control group.The myocardial ischaemia(Ml) model was intraperitoneally administered calycosin for 28 days.The survival rates and left ventricular ejection fractions(LVEF)were compared between groups.The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and cluster of differentiation 31(CD31) in ischaemic myocardium were also measured and compared.RESULTS:The construction of MI model resulted in a LVEF reduction of 50% compared with the sham-control.After 28 days,the LVEF value was 10% higher when calycosin(4 mg/kg) was administered compared with the DMSO group.The expression of VEGF and CD31 showed a dose-dependent manner when calycosin was administrated.The calycosin-treated(4 mg/kg) group displayed a twofold increase in VEGF expression at both the mRNA and protein levels compared with the DMSO group.In addition,CD31 expression in the microvascular increased 1.5-fold in the 4 mg/kg calycosin-treated group.CONCLUSION:Calycosin improved left ventricular ejection fraction in the MI rat models,induced VEGF expression in the ischaemic myocardium,increased CD31 expression and promoted angiogenesis.

Criculating fibrocytes： a potent cell population in antigen-presenting and wound healing

Fibrocytes are bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitors that co-express hematopoietic cell antigens and markers of monocytic lineage as well as fibroblast products. During wound healing, fibrocytes have been found to possess the ability of antigen-presentation to naive T cells in the inflammatory phase. Moreover, they can promote the endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis by secreting several proteins. Fibrocytes can further differentiate into mature mesenchymocyte lineage, such as fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and adipocytes, and they may represent the systemic source of myofibroblasts that exert a contractile force required to close tissue wounds. A deep understanding of the mechanism involved in fibrocyte migration and differentiation may lead to the development of a novel theory of normal physiology and pathology.