Vascular smooth muscle cells（VSMCs） are the major component of vascular wall which are often stretched and compressed by pounding intravascular pressure.These mechanical signals are usually transformed to electrical...Vascular smooth muscle cells（VSMCs） are the major component of vascular wall which are often stretched and compressed by pounding intravascular pressure.These mechanical signals are usually transformed to electrical signals by the opening or closing of ion channels in VSNCs and endothelial cells.Intravascular pressure causes a graded membrane potential depolarization of the VSMCs and leads to vasoconstriction（i.e.,myogenic response）,independent of the vascular endothelium. Although the important role of cation channels including L-type Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels,K<sup>+</sup> channels,and TRP channels in the regulation of vascular tone has been well established the functional roles played by Cl<sup>-</sup> channels in the regulation of the membrane potential and vascular tone remain essentially obscure. Recent emerging evidence implicates very important roles of Cl<sup>-</sup> channels in vascular function ranging from the control of membrane potential equilibrium, vascular contraction and relaxation to the regulation of intracellular pH,cell volume homeostasis,cell proliferation,migration,and apoptosis.展开更多
Given that vascular calcification is inversely correlated with the clinical intake of menaquinone, a rat model of warfarin-induced calcification may be useful for testing menaquinone and vitamin K-1 potential effects ...Given that vascular calcification is inversely correlated with the clinical intake of menaquinone, a rat model of warfarin-induced calcification may be useful for testing menaquinone and vitamin K-1 potential effects on vascular function. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of vitamin K-1 and menaquinone-7 treatments on blood pressure and vascular function in warfarin-induced vascular calcification model during five-week intervention in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. Blood pressure was measured weekly, and at the end of the intervention in vitro vascular reactivity measurements were done. Alizarin Red S and von Kossa stainings were used to record possible calcification of aortic sections. Routine clinical chemistry was done from serum and urine samples. Vascular calcification was seen only in a few warfarin-treated animals in histological staining. Warfarin-treatment did not change significantly blood pressure of the rats. Warfarin-treatment increased slightly the endothelium-dependent relaxation of aorta after the L-type calcium channels were blocked. Also the vascular relaxation improved after NOS inhibition in the aorta of the healthy controls and menaquinone-7 treated animals, indicating that the relaxation in those groups was not totally dependent on NO. Clinical chemistry from serum showed some differences in urea, creatinine as well as lipid and glucose metabolism between the healthy controls and warfarin-treated rats.展开更多
Little attention has been paid to the effect of Rho-kinase inhibitor on the vascular dysfunction of nitric oxide-deficient hypertension.We aimed to investigate whether the Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil showed beneficia...Little attention has been paid to the effect of Rho-kinase inhibitor on the vascular dysfunction of nitric oxide-deficient hypertension.We aimed to investigate whether the Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil showed beneficial effect on the vascular dysfunction of the N^(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME)treated rat,as well as to compare the differential effects of fasudil and angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist valsartan on vascular function.In the present study,both valsartan and fasudil exerted antihypertensive action on the L-NAME-treated rats,while only va lsartan attenuated the cardiac hypertrophy.Treatment with valsartan showed improvement on vascular reactivity to norepinephrine,KCl and CaCl_(2),whereas fasudil therapy showed little effect on vasoconstriction.Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to acetylcholine was reduced in the NO-deficient group but was normalized by the fasudil therapy.The increased expression of RhoA and Rho-kinase(ROCK)in the vasculature was corrected well to normal level by either valsartan or fasudil administration,which seemed to be at least partially responsi ble for the beneficial effect of the drug infusion.These findings suggest that the angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist interferes more with the contractile response than Rho-kinase inhibitor,whereas inhibition of Rho-kinase activity exhibits a better improvement on vasorelaxation than blockade of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor.展开更多
Atherosclerosis occurs as a result of organized processes that include vascular endothelial dysfunction, lipid accumulation, abnormal inflammatory reaction, excessive reactive oxygen species production, and vascular c...Atherosclerosis occurs as a result of organized processes that include vascular endothelial dysfunction, lipid accumulation, abnormal inflammatory reaction, excessive reactive oxygen species production, and vascular cell proliferation and migration. In patients with atherosclerosis, vascular endothelial dysfunction is commonly observed with the damage of vascular endothelial glycocalyx, which is an extracellular matrix bound to and encapsulating the endothelial cells that line the blood vessel wall. Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking and physical inactivity also induce glycocalyx degradation. Additionally, vascular endothelial glycocalyx can be damaged by various pathological conditions including dehydration, acute infectious disease, trauma, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, Kawasaki disease, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, dementia, microvascular angina, acute coronary syndrome, and heart failure. Vascular endothelial glycocalyx has been shown to be important as a physical cytoprotective barrier for vascular endothelial cells and as a regulatory mechanism for intracellular cell signaling. Therefore, vascular endothelial glycocalyx has immense potential in the exploration of novel strategies for the evaluation of beneficial conditions of healthy vasculature.展开更多
Objective Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and its related ischemia reperfusion injury may cause endothelial cell injury. To study the protective effects of sodium ferulate in vascular endothelial function during CPB by t...Objective Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and its related ischemia reperfusion injury may cause endothelial cell injury. To study the protective effects of sodium ferulate in vascular endothelial function during CPB by testing the changes of vascular endothelial cell(CEC) ,nitric oxide(NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in children with congenital heart disease. Methods Sixty patients展开更多
In this study, we induced cerebral infarction in rats by occluding the right middle cerebral artery, and tested the effects of electroacupuncture at the Baihui acupoint （DU 20）. Motor and sensory function was tested...In this study, we induced cerebral infarction in rats by occluding the right middle cerebral artery, and tested the effects of electroacupuncture at the Baihui acupoint （DU 20）. Motor and sensory function was tested using Garcia’s scale and motor weakness grading, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the brain was quantified using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. We found that scalp electroacupuncture at DU 20 significantly improved motor performance and sensory function in rats with stroke, and this was accompanied by an increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the ischemic brain tissue and peri-ischemic area. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis showed that the improvements in functional recovery were correlated with the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.展开更多
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in diabetic patients due to the heightened oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory state in vascular tissues.Effective approaches targeting cardiovascular health for ...Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in diabetic patients due to the heightened oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory state in vascular tissues.Effective approaches targeting cardiovascular health for diabetic patients are urgently needed.Crocodile blood,an emerging dietary supplement,was suggested to have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro,which have yet to be proven in animal models.This study thereby aimed to evaluate whether crocodile blood can protect vascular function in diabetic mice against oxidation and inflammation.Diabetic db/db mice and their counterparts db/m+mice were treated daily with crocodile blood soluble fraction(CBSF)or vehicle via oral gavage for 4 weeks before their aortae were harvested for endothelium-dependent relaxation(EDR)quantification using wire myograph,which is a well-established functional study for vascular function indication.Organ culture experiments culturing mouse aortae from C57BL/6 J mice with or without IL-1βand CBSF were done to evaluate the direct effect of CBSF on endothelial function.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in mouse aortae were assessed by dihydroethidium(DHE)staining with inflammatory markers in endothelial cells quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).CBSF significantly improved deteriorated EDR in db/db diabetic mice through both diet supplementation and direct culture,with suppression of ROS level in mouse aortae.CBSF also maintained EDR and reduced ROS levels in mouse aortae against the presence of pro-inflammatory IL-1β.Under the pro-inflammatory state induced by IL-1β,gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines were downregulated,while the protective transcripts UCP2 and SIRT6 were upregulated in endothelial cells.Our study suggests a novel beneficial effect of crocodile blood on vascular function in diabetic mice and that supplementation of diet with crocodile blood may act as a complementary approach to protect against vascular diseases through anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation in diabetic patients.展开更多
Objectives To understand the effect of carvedilol on the coronary vascular endothelial function of the patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Methods 51cases,...Objectives To understand the effect of carvedilol on the coronary vascular endothelial function of the patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Methods 51cases, having one or more than two branches narrow ( ≥ 70% ) , were diagnosed by coronary angiography. These patients were divided randomly into carvedilol group (n = 28) and control group ( n = 23) who did not take carvedilol. Endothelin (ET) and nitro dioxide (NO) levels of peripheral blood were measured before and after PTCA, before and after two weeks by taking earvedilol. Results Compared with the ET and NO levels before PTCA, ET were markedly increased and NO were decreased after PTCA (p <0. 05) ; compared with the ET and NO levels before taking carvedilol, ET were decreased and NO were increased after two week (p <0.05 ) , but the ET and NO levels of the control group did not change in the period of two weeks observation (p > 0.05). Conclusions Carvedilol may improve the coronary vascular endothelial function after PTCA.展开更多
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation （rTMS） is a non-invasive treatment that can enhance the recovery of neurological function after stroke. Whether it can similarly promote the recovery of cognitive functio...Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation （rTMS） is a non-invasive treatment that can enhance the recovery of neurological function after stroke. Whether it can similarly promote the recovery of cognitive function after vascular dementia remains unknown, In this study, a rat model for vascular dementia was established by the two-vessel occlusion method. Two days after injury, 30 pulses of rTMS were ad- ministered to each cerebral hemisphere at a frequency of 0.5 Hz and a magnetic field intensity of 1,33 T. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate learning and memory function. The Karnovsky-Roots method was performed to determine the density of cholinergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the number of brain-derived neurotroph- ic factor （BDNF）-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region, rTMS treatment for 30 days significantly improved learning and memory function, increased acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activity, increased the density of cholinergic neurons, and increased the number of BDNF-immunoreactive cells. These results indicate that rTMS can ameliorate learning and memory deficiencies in rats with vascular dementia, The mechanism through which this occurs might be related to the promotion of BDNF expression and subsequent restoration of cholinergic system activity in hippocampal CA 1 region.展开更多
The functional formula diet AHP, containing polysaccharides from Auricularia auricular, polyphenolic compounds from Hawthorn (Crataegus) and Pueraria radix, has been recently developed as a dietary intervention agains...The functional formula diet AHP, containing polysaccharides from Auricularia auricular, polyphenolic compounds from Hawthorn (Crataegus) and Pueraria radix, has been recently developed as a dietary intervention against dyslipidemia in our previous study. In the present study, its antioxidant activities and protective effects against proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were investigated. AHP possessed the potent radical-scavenging effects against hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, and also the inhibitory effects against peroxidation of low density lipoprotein induced by Cu2+ in vitro. The protective effects of AHP against proliferation of VSMCs were evaluated through the methodology of serum pharmacology. The serum containing AHP significantly inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and also promoted the nitric oxide production of VSMCs. Our study indicated that this functional formula diet would be a potent alternative as a functional diet to prevent atherosclerosis at early stage.展开更多
Inflammation is a multifaceted cellular and molecular response triggered by injury,infection,or various pathological conditions.Serving as a protective defense mechanism,the inflammatory response involves clinical sig...Inflammation is a multifaceted cellular and molecular response triggered by injury,infection,or various pathological conditions.Serving as a protective defense mechanism,the inflammatory response involves clinical signs like redness,swelling,pain,and increased body temperature.Immune cells,notably neutrophils and macrophages,play key roles in orchestrating this response.The delicate balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators,including cytokines and chemokines,regulates the inflammatory cascade.While acute inflammation is crucial for tissue repair,chronic inflammation may indicate an imbalance,contributing to conditions like autoimmune diseases.Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing therapeutic strategies and managing chronic diseases.展开更多
文摘Vascular smooth muscle cells（VSMCs） are the major component of vascular wall which are often stretched and compressed by pounding intravascular pressure.These mechanical signals are usually transformed to electrical signals by the opening or closing of ion channels in VSNCs and endothelial cells.Intravascular pressure causes a graded membrane potential depolarization of the VSMCs and leads to vasoconstriction（i.e.,myogenic response）,independent of the vascular endothelium. Although the important role of cation channels including L-type Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels,K<sup>+</sup> channels,and TRP channels in the regulation of vascular tone has been well established the functional roles played by Cl<sup>-</sup> channels in the regulation of the membrane potential and vascular tone remain essentially obscure. Recent emerging evidence implicates very important roles of Cl<sup>-</sup> channels in vascular function ranging from the control of membrane potential equilibrium, vascular contraction and relaxation to the regulation of intracellular pH,cell volume homeostasis,cell proliferation,migration,and apoptosis.
基金DuPont Nutrition Health, Finska Läkaresalskapet Finnish Clinical Chemistry Foundation
文摘Given that vascular calcification is inversely correlated with the clinical intake of menaquinone, a rat model of warfarin-induced calcification may be useful for testing menaquinone and vitamin K-1 potential effects on vascular function. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of vitamin K-1 and menaquinone-7 treatments on blood pressure and vascular function in warfarin-induced vascular calcification model during five-week intervention in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. Blood pressure was measured weekly, and at the end of the intervention in vitro vascular reactivity measurements were done. Alizarin Red S and von Kossa stainings were used to record possible calcification of aortic sections. Routine clinical chemistry was done from serum and urine samples. Vascular calcification was seen only in a few warfarin-treated animals in histological staining. Warfarin-treatment did not change significantly blood pressure of the rats. Warfarin-treatment increased slightly the endothelium-dependent relaxation of aorta after the L-type calcium channels were blocked. Also the vascular relaxation improved after NOS inhibition in the aorta of the healthy controls and menaquinone-7 treated animals, indicating that the relaxation in those groups was not totally dependent on NO. Clinical chemistry from serum showed some differences in urea, creatinine as well as lipid and glucose metabolism between the healthy controls and warfarin-treated rats.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30572182)National Scientific&Technological Major Special Project-“Significant Creation of New Drugs”(Nos.2009ZX09302-003 and 2009ZX09501-021).
文摘Little attention has been paid to the effect of Rho-kinase inhibitor on the vascular dysfunction of nitric oxide-deficient hypertension.We aimed to investigate whether the Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil showed beneficial effect on the vascular dysfunction of the N^(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME)treated rat,as well as to compare the differential effects of fasudil and angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist valsartan on vascular function.In the present study,both valsartan and fasudil exerted antihypertensive action on the L-NAME-treated rats,while only va lsartan attenuated the cardiac hypertrophy.Treatment with valsartan showed improvement on vascular reactivity to norepinephrine,KCl and CaCl_(2),whereas fasudil therapy showed little effect on vasoconstriction.Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to acetylcholine was reduced in the NO-deficient group but was normalized by the fasudil therapy.The increased expression of RhoA and Rho-kinase(ROCK)in the vasculature was corrected well to normal level by either valsartan or fasudil administration,which seemed to be at least partially responsi ble for the beneficial effect of the drug infusion.These findings suggest that the angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist interferes more with the contractile response than Rho-kinase inhibitor,whereas inhibition of Rho-kinase activity exhibits a better improvement on vasorelaxation than blockade of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor.
文摘Atherosclerosis occurs as a result of organized processes that include vascular endothelial dysfunction, lipid accumulation, abnormal inflammatory reaction, excessive reactive oxygen species production, and vascular cell proliferation and migration. In patients with atherosclerosis, vascular endothelial dysfunction is commonly observed with the damage of vascular endothelial glycocalyx, which is an extracellular matrix bound to and encapsulating the endothelial cells that line the blood vessel wall. Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking and physical inactivity also induce glycocalyx degradation. Additionally, vascular endothelial glycocalyx can be damaged by various pathological conditions including dehydration, acute infectious disease, trauma, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, Kawasaki disease, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, dementia, microvascular angina, acute coronary syndrome, and heart failure. Vascular endothelial glycocalyx has been shown to be important as a physical cytoprotective barrier for vascular endothelial cells and as a regulatory mechanism for intracellular cell signaling. Therefore, vascular endothelial glycocalyx has immense potential in the exploration of novel strategies for the evaluation of beneficial conditions of healthy vasculature.
文摘Objective Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and its related ischemia reperfusion injury may cause endothelial cell injury. To study the protective effects of sodium ferulate in vascular endothelial function during CPB by testing the changes of vascular endothelial cell(CEC) ,nitric oxide(NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in children with congenital heart disease. Methods Sixty patients
基金the Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea, through the Clinical Research Laboratory Foundation Program, Korea Health 21 R&D Project, No. A092058, and WCU Neurocytomics
文摘In this study, we induced cerebral infarction in rats by occluding the right middle cerebral artery, and tested the effects of electroacupuncture at the Baihui acupoint （DU 20）. Motor and sensory function was tested using Garcia’s scale and motor weakness grading, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the brain was quantified using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. We found that scalp electroacupuncture at DU 20 significantly improved motor performance and sensory function in rats with stroke, and this was accompanied by an increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the ischemic brain tissue and peri-ischemic area. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis showed that the improvements in functional recovery were correlated with the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.
基金supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council Grant ECS[24163117]GRF[14101119]+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China[81970423]SKLA(CUHK).
文摘Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in diabetic patients due to the heightened oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory state in vascular tissues.Effective approaches targeting cardiovascular health for diabetic patients are urgently needed.Crocodile blood,an emerging dietary supplement,was suggested to have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro,which have yet to be proven in animal models.This study thereby aimed to evaluate whether crocodile blood can protect vascular function in diabetic mice against oxidation and inflammation.Diabetic db/db mice and their counterparts db/m+mice were treated daily with crocodile blood soluble fraction(CBSF)or vehicle via oral gavage for 4 weeks before their aortae were harvested for endothelium-dependent relaxation(EDR)quantification using wire myograph,which is a well-established functional study for vascular function indication.Organ culture experiments culturing mouse aortae from C57BL/6 J mice with or without IL-1βand CBSF were done to evaluate the direct effect of CBSF on endothelial function.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in mouse aortae were assessed by dihydroethidium(DHE)staining with inflammatory markers in endothelial cells quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).CBSF significantly improved deteriorated EDR in db/db diabetic mice through both diet supplementation and direct culture,with suppression of ROS level in mouse aortae.CBSF also maintained EDR and reduced ROS levels in mouse aortae against the presence of pro-inflammatory IL-1β.Under the pro-inflammatory state induced by IL-1β,gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines were downregulated,while the protective transcripts UCP2 and SIRT6 were upregulated in endothelial cells.Our study suggests a novel beneficial effect of crocodile blood on vascular function in diabetic mice and that supplementation of diet with crocodile blood may act as a complementary approach to protect against vascular diseases through anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation in diabetic patients.
文摘Objectives To understand the effect of carvedilol on the coronary vascular endothelial function of the patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Methods 51cases, having one or more than two branches narrow ( ≥ 70% ) , were diagnosed by coronary angiography. These patients were divided randomly into carvedilol group (n = 28) and control group ( n = 23) who did not take carvedilol. Endothelin (ET) and nitro dioxide (NO) levels of peripheral blood were measured before and after PTCA, before and after two weeks by taking earvedilol. Results Compared with the ET and NO levels before PTCA, ET were markedly increased and NO were decreased after PTCA (p <0. 05) ; compared with the ET and NO levels before taking carvedilol, ET were decreased and NO were increased after two week (p <0.05 ) , but the ET and NO levels of the control group did not change in the period of two weeks observation (p > 0.05). Conclusions Carvedilol may improve the coronary vascular endothelial function after PTCA.
基金supported by a grant from the Major Project of Educational Commission of Hubei Province of China,No.D20152101
文摘Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation （rTMS） is a non-invasive treatment that can enhance the recovery of neurological function after stroke. Whether it can similarly promote the recovery of cognitive function after vascular dementia remains unknown, In this study, a rat model for vascular dementia was established by the two-vessel occlusion method. Two days after injury, 30 pulses of rTMS were ad- ministered to each cerebral hemisphere at a frequency of 0.5 Hz and a magnetic field intensity of 1,33 T. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate learning and memory function. The Karnovsky-Roots method was performed to determine the density of cholinergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the number of brain-derived neurotroph- ic factor （BDNF）-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region, rTMS treatment for 30 days significantly improved learning and memory function, increased acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activity, increased the density of cholinergic neurons, and increased the number of BDNF-immunoreactive cells. These results indicate that rTMS can ameliorate learning and memory deficiencies in rats with vascular dementia, The mechanism through which this occurs might be related to the promotion of BDNF expression and subsequent restoration of cholinergic system activity in hippocampal CA 1 region.
文摘The functional formula diet AHP, containing polysaccharides from Auricularia auricular, polyphenolic compounds from Hawthorn (Crataegus) and Pueraria radix, has been recently developed as a dietary intervention against dyslipidemia in our previous study. In the present study, its antioxidant activities and protective effects against proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were investigated. AHP possessed the potent radical-scavenging effects against hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, and also the inhibitory effects against peroxidation of low density lipoprotein induced by Cu2+ in vitro. The protective effects of AHP against proliferation of VSMCs were evaluated through the methodology of serum pharmacology. The serum containing AHP significantly inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and also promoted the nitric oxide production of VSMCs. Our study indicated that this functional formula diet would be a potent alternative as a functional diet to prevent atherosclerosis at early stage.
文摘Inflammation is a multifaceted cellular and molecular response triggered by injury,infection,or various pathological conditions.Serving as a protective defense mechanism,the inflammatory response involves clinical signs like redness,swelling,pain,and increased body temperature.Immune cells,notably neutrophils and macrophages,play key roles in orchestrating this response.The delicate balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators,including cytokines and chemokines,regulates the inflammatory cascade.While acute inflammation is crucial for tissue repair,chronic inflammation may indicate an imbalance,contributing to conditions like autoimmune diseases.Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing therapeutic strategies and managing chronic diseases.
