上调miR-133a表达水平对自发性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化的影响

目的:观察上调微小RNA-133a(miR-133a)的表达水平对自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)心肌纤维化的影响。方法:以同源正常血压Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)大鼠为正常对照组,另将SHR随机分为SHR组、SHR+腺相关病毒(AAV)组和SHR+携带miR-133a的腺相关病毒(miR-133a-AAV)组。通过冠脉灌注法将miR-133a-AAV转染至SHR大鼠的心脏,监测大鼠的尾动脉压,Masson染色观察心肌胶原沉积情况,real-time PCR检测心肌组织中miR-133a的表达水平,免疫组化法和Western blot法检测心肌组织中转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)和结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)的蛋白表达水平。结果:与WKY大鼠相比,SHR的尾动脉压明显升高,心肌组织中miR133a表达水平降低,TGF-β1和CTGF蛋白表达水平升高,出现心肌纤维化;上调SHR心肌miR-133a的表达水平后,心肌纤维化程度明显减轻,TGF-β1和CTGF蛋白表达水平降低。结论:上调心肌组织中miR-133a的表达水平,对高血压导致的大鼠心肌纤维化有改善作用,其机制可能与抑制心肌组织中TGF-β1和CTGF蛋白表达有关。     

转化生长因子-β_1在自发性高血压大鼠肾小管的表达及作用

目的:研究转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)在自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)肾小管的表达及其与肾小管间质纤维化的关系。方法:以同龄雄性正常血压大鼠(WKY)和SHR为研究对象,监测实验前后大鼠尾动脉血压、肾功能及β2-微球蛋白(β2-MG),并采用免疫组织化学方法检测TGF-β1在肾小管中的表达。结果:同WKY组比较,SHR大鼠组24周时β2-MG显著增高,尾动脉血压显著性增高,尿素氮和血肌酐的差异无显著性意义。TGF-β1在WKY组肾小管的表达无或极微量,而在SHR组肾小管的表达明显,且随高血压病程的进展显著性增加。结论:TGF-β1在SHR肾小管的表达显著增加,提示其可能是致肾问质纤维化的重要因素。     

神经调节蛋白1β与卡托普利对慢性心衰大鼠心肌纤维化及转化生长因子β1的影响

目的:探讨神经调节蛋白1β(neuregulin-1β,NRG-1β)与卡托普利联合应用对慢性心力衰竭大鼠心肌纤维化及转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)表达的影响。方法:将青年雄性SpragueDawley大鼠随机分为假手术组、心衰组、NRG组、卡托普利组和联合用药组,采用腹主动脉-下腔静脉穿刺造瘘法制备心衰模型。通过超声心动图评价大鼠心功能;Masson染色检测心肌纤维化程度,并计算胶原容积分数(collagen volume fraction,CVF);放射免疫法检测血浆中血管紧张素II(Ang II)的浓度;Western blot检测各组大鼠左心室心肌组织中TGF-β1和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的蛋白表达水平;透射电镜观察左室心肌的超微结构。结果:与心衰组比较,NRG组、卡托普利组及联合用药组左心室舒张末直径和心肌纤维化程度明显降低,射血分数明显升高(P0.05);TGF-β1和α-SMA蛋白表达明显降低(P0.05);电镜下显示,NRG组、卡托普利组及联合用药组心肌纤维化程度较心衰组明显减轻,而与NRG组和卡托普利组相比,联合用药组效果更加显著(P0.05)。结论:神经调节蛋白1β与卡托普利单用及联合应用均可有效改善心功能、抑制心肌纤维化,且联合用药的疗效优于单独用药。     

安体舒通改善自发性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化

目的：观察安体舒通对自发性高血压大鼠（spontaneously hypertensive rats,SHR）心肌纤维化的影响及可能机制。方法:将16只14周龄雄性SHR随机分为安体舒通组和对照组,每组8只，分别以安体舒通30 mg·kg-1·d-1 及等量生理盐水灌胃12周，同时取8只同龄雄性SD大鼠作为正常对照组，用免疫组化的方法对结缔组织生长因子（connective tissue growth factor,CTGF）、转化生长因子β1（transforming growth factors beta-1,TGFβ1）、 胶原Ⅰ和 Ⅲ（collagenⅠand Ⅲ）在大鼠左室心肌的分布及表达进行半定量分析；用RT-PCR的方法检测TGFβ1、CTGF mRNA在心肌表达水平；用Masson染色法观察左室心肌胶原形态，图像分析测量胶原容积分数（collagen volume fraction,CVF）；用碱水解法测定左室心肌羟脯氨酸(hydroxyproline,Hypro)含量。结果:（1）SHR对照组左室重量指数（left ventricular index,LVI）、CVF、Hypro、collagenⅠ和Ⅲ、CTGF、TGFβ1蛋白及mRNA表达明显高于SD大鼠组（P<0.01）；相对于SHR对照组，安体舒通组则显著降低（P<0.05）；（2）相关分析表明：CTGF与TGFβ1、CVF、Hypro和LVI呈高度正相关（P<0.01）。结论:安体舒通能明显改善SHR心肌纤维化，其作用可能是通过阻断盐皮质激素受体和抑制CTGF的表达而实现的。     

缝隙连接在TGF-β1 诱导的自发性高血压大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

目的: 探讨缝隙连接是否参与转化生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁)诱导的自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)血管平滑肌细胞增殖及可能的分子机制。方法: 原代培养SHR胸主动脉平滑肌细胞,细胞分4组:对照组、TGF-β₁组、缝隙连接阻断剂18α-甘草次酸(18α-GA)组和TGF-β₁+18α-GA组。MTT法及流式细胞术检测细胞的增殖活性,免疫荧光技术观察细胞中缝隙连接蛋白(Cx)43和Cx40蛋白表达及定位,Western blotting法检测细胞中Cx43和Cx40蛋白表达, 染料示踪分子传递法(划痕标记染料传输法)检测细胞的缝隙连接功能。结果: (1)与对照组相比,TGF-β₁组MTT法测得A值及细胞周期S期比例增高 (P<0.05),细胞增殖活性增强。18α-GA组降低(P<0.05);与TGF-β₁组比,TGF-β₁+ 18α-GA组A值及S值比例均降低(P<0.05),细胞增殖活性减弱。(2)免疫荧光技术检测细胞中Cx43与Cx40蛋白表达呈阳性,两者共定位于胞浆。(3)与对照组相比,TGF-β₁组Cx43蛋白表达增强(P<0.05),Cx40表达无显著差异(P>0.05),18α-GA组Cx43和Cx40表达均减弱(P<0.05),与TGF-β₁组比,TGF-β₁+18α-GA组Cx43表达减弱(P<0.05),Cx40表达无显著差异(P>0.05)。(4)与对照组相比,TGF-β₁组缝隙连接功能明显增强(P<0.05);18α-GA组缝隙连接功能明显减弱(P<0.05);与TGF-β₁组比,TGF-β₁+18α-GA组缝隙连接功能显著降低(P<0.05)。结论: TGF-β₁主要通过上调SHR血管平滑肌细胞Cx43蛋白表达,引起缝隙连接通讯功能增强,从而促进了SHR血管平滑肌细胞的增殖,而Cx40蛋白表达可能不起主要作用。     

定坤丹对PCOS 模型大鼠TGF-β1、CTGF 和AR 表达的影响

目的:研究定坤丹对PCOS 模型大鼠TGF-β1、CTGF 和AR 表达的影响,探讨定坤丹治疗PCOS 的作用机制。方法:应用高、中、低剂量定坤丹(4.5、2.25、1.125 g/ kg)干预DHEA 诱导的PCOS 大鼠模型,采用ELISA、免疫组化、RT-PCR 及Western blot 检测各组大鼠血清激素水平、TGF-β1、CTGF 和AR mRNA 及蛋白的表达。结果:与模型组比较,定坤丹高、中、低剂量组E2、LH 及T 均下降,FSH 则升高,且差异均具有统计学意义;TGF-β1、CTGF 和AR mRNA 及蛋白表达均下降,且差异均具有统计学意义。结论:定坤丹对PCOS 大鼠有一定治疗作用,其机制可能是通过调节卵巢组织中TGF-β1、CTGF 和AR 的表达水平。     

糖尿病大鼠局灶脑缺血/再灌注损伤与脑组织TGF-β1mRNA表达

目的:观察糖尿病和对照组鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤与转化生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁) mRNA表达的异质性。方法:采用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)检测大鼠中脑动脉阻塞(MCAO)后脑内TGF-β₁ mRNA表达水平,并且应用组织病理进行损伤程度评定。 结果:糖尿病组大鼠脑缺血及缺血/再灌损伤程度明显重于"相应对照组"。糖尿病及对照组大鼠在MCAO 2 h时TGF-β₁ mRNA表达量明显增高,后者增高比前者更为明显。再灌24 h后TGF-β₁ mRNA表达量下降,但仍高于假手术组。结论:糖尿病加重缺血/再灌性脑损伤|MCAO后TGF-β₁ mRNA表达增高可能是机体一种抗损伤反应,糖尿病组抗损伤反应下降。     

川芎嗪和siRNA沉默转化生长因子β1干预大鼠肝星状细胞 结缔组织生长因子的表达

背景：作者前期研究发现川芎嗪可以通过抑制肝星状细胞的增殖、阻抑p38MARK信号通路、下调结缔组织生长因子的表达等多途径发挥抗肝纤维化的作用。一般认为转化生长因子β1是促进纤维化发生最重要的细胞因子,结缔组织生长因子是转化生长因子β1的下游效应介质,siRNA靶向抑制转化生长因子β1可能成为治疗肝纤维化的新方法。 目的：观察川芎嗪及化学合成的siRNA转化生长因子β1对大鼠肝星状细胞结缔组织生长因子表达的影响。 方法：体外培养大鼠肝星状细胞,从3条siRNA转化生长因子β1中筛选一条有效的基因沉默片段,然后利用脂质体转染试剂共同转染培养24 h的细胞作为转染组,并设计空白对照组、转染试剂组、川芎嗪组及联合治疗组。 结果与结论：与空白对照组相比,转染组、川芎嗪组、联合治疗组Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原及结缔组织生长因子mRNA表达均下调(P < 0.05)。在转染组、川芎嗪组及联合治疗组,结缔组织生长因子蛋白表达均下调(P < 0.05);培养上清液中Ⅰ型胶原和Ⅲ型胶原含量均降低(P < 0.05)。结果表明,siRNA 沉默转化生长因子β1基因能下调结缔组织生长因子的表达,减少Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原的表达。川芎嗪也能下调结缔组织生长因子的表达,但对Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原表达的抑制作用更加显著,提示川芎嗪抗肝纤维化可能是多种作用靶点。     

乙型肝炎病毒对肝内TGF-β1/Smads信号通路的作用

 目的：探讨乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）对肝内TGF-β1蛋白表达及Smads信号通路的作用,为制定慢性乙肝肝纤维化临床治疗策略提供理论依据。方法：(1)运用免疫组化PV-6000法检测对照组和慢性乙肝组肝组织中TGF-β1、HBsAg和HBcAg的表达,并采用荧光定量PCR法测定慢性乙肝患者血清HBV DNA含量。(2)应用体外细胞培养技术培养HBV刺激的人肝星状细胞系LX-2细胞,Western blotting方法测定其细胞内TGF-β1、Smad3和Smad7的蛋白表达。结果：(1)慢性乙肝组肝组织内TGF-β1的表达高于对照组（P＜0.01）;肝内TGF-β1表达水平与血清HBV DNA含量呈正相关（P＜0.01）,且HBcAg阳性肝组织水平较高（P＜0.01）。(2)体外细胞学实验中,HBV刺激组LX-2细胞内TGF-β1和Smad3蛋白含量高于对照组和HBV+抗-TGF-β1组（P＜0.01）;Smad7蛋白表达差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：(1)TGF-β1在慢性乙肝患者肝组织中的表达与血清HBV DNA含量及肝内HBcAg的表达有关。(2)在TGF-β1/Smads信号通路中,HBV致纤维化作用机制以Smad3的正性调控为主,Smad7的作用不明显。     

血小板反应蛋白1在纤维化模型大鼠肾组织中的表达

BACKGROUND:Thrombospondin-1 is an important endogenous activator of transforming growth factor beta 1 in this experimental inflammatory kidney disease model. Transforming growth factor beta 1 is considered the major cytokine that causes tissue fibrosis in many different inflammatory disease processes, in particular in renal disease. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of thrombospondin-1 on renal fibrosis in rats. METHODS:Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group and model group. In the model group, right ureters of rats were ligated to construct models of renal fibrosis. 3 weeks after surgery, blood and urine were obtained weekly. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Bradford method were used to detect the contents of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and urinary protein. After rats were sacrificed, kidneys were fixed. Western blot assay was utilized to identify the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor beta 1 and thrombospondin-1 protein. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was applied to detect the changes in pathological structure of the kidney after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) One week after model induction, urinary protein, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher in the model group than in the sham surgery group (P < 0.05). Three weeks later, the difference in each index was significant (P < 0.01), which showed that the injury of the kidney was aggravated. (2) Transforming growth factor beta 1 protein and thrombospondin-1 expression was significantly higher in the model group than in the sham surgery group, but vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression was significantly lower in the model group than in the sham surgery group. (3) Hematoxylin-eosin staining results demonstrated that severe pathological changes of renal tissue in rats were detected after ligation of renal tubule. (4) These results confirmed that thrombospondin-1 expression increased in renal tissue, and its expression was strongly associated with vascular endothelial growth factor protein and transforming growth factor beta 1, which may play an important role in the renal fibrosis.     

葛根素对自发性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化的影响及其机制

 目的：观察葛根素对自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）心肌局部血管紧张素II (Ang II)、巨噬细胞及心肌组织形态学的影响,探讨其保护心肌的可能机制。方法：35只12周龄SHR随机分为葛根素高、中、低剂量组（100 mg/kg、50 mg/kg、25 mg/kg,腹腔注射）、卡托普利组（30 mg/kg灌胃）和SHR对照组（生理盐水腹腔注射）。另设WKY空白对照组（生理盐水腹腔注射）。每组7只,给药6周。给药6周后麻醉下迅速处死取出心脏,称量左心室湿重后,备做Masson染色、组织匀浆和RT-PCR。结果：与WKY大鼠相比,SHR左室质量指数增高（P<0.01）,心肌组织Ang II含量上升（P<0.01）,单核细胞趋化蛋白1 （MCP-1）和蛋白酶激活受体2（PAR2） mRNA表达增加（P<0.01）,巨噬细胞浸润明显（P<0.01）,间质纤维化严重（P<0.01）。高剂量葛根素和卡托普利明显降低左室质量指数（P<0.01）,降低心肌Ang II含量（P<0.01）,下调MCP-1和PAR2 mRNA表达（P<0.01）,减少巨噬细胞浸润（P<0.01或P<0.05）,减轻心肌间质纤维化（P<0.01）。结论:葛根素具有治疗自发性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化作用,其机制可能与降低心肌局部Ang II含量、下调MCP-1和PAR-2 mRNA表达及减少巨噬细胞浸润有关。     

钩藤碱对自发性高血压大鼠心室重构过程中TGF-β_1/Smad通路的影响

目的:观察钩藤碱对自发性高血压大鼠血压、心肌肥厚及心肌纤维化的影响并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法:32只自发性高血压大鼠随机分为模型组、钩藤碱高(10 mg·kg-1·d-1)、低(2.5 mg·kg-1·d-1)剂量组、卡托普利组(17.5 mg·kg-1·d-1),每组8只。另设8只Wistar-Kyoto大鼠作为正常对照组。分别于给药前和给药后每2周测量尾动脉收缩压(SBP)。治疗10周后处死大鼠,取其心脏计算全心重量指数和左心室重量指数;检测心肌中羟脯氨酸(HYP)及血浆中血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)的含量;HE染色观察心肌病理学变化,Masson染色观察心肌胶原纤维变化;免疫组化法和Western blot法测心肌组织转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)和Smad3蛋白的表达。结果:与模型组相比,钩藤碱能明显降低自发性高血压大鼠的血压(P0.05),降低心肌HYP含量及血浆AngⅡ的含量(P0.05),减轻心肌组织的病理损伤和胶原纤维沉积,下调TGF-β1和Smad3蛋白的表达(P0.01)。结论:钩藤碱能降低自发性高血压大鼠的血压、调节改善自发性高血压大鼠的心室重构,其机制可能与其影响TGF-β1/Smad通路以及降低AngⅡ含量有关。     

Umbilical vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Summary Umbilical vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats, control strain Wistar-Kyoto rats and rats treated with -methyldopa were compared using the scanning electron microscope and light microscope. Observations with the scanning electron microscope revealed that the venous endothelial cells were relatively flat, giving the luminal surface of the vein a smooth appearance. The nuclear region of the fusiform arterial endothelial cells was responsible for the bumpy appearance of the luminal surface of the artery. Microvilli were a consistent feature of the endothelium in both umbilical vessels. There was no consistant pattern of distribution or density of microvilli within either vessel, but microvilli were more abundant on the luminal surface of the artery than in the vein. The luminal surface of some endothelial cells of the artery had long straight processes which crossed several cells before terminating. Light microscopic observations revealed that the endothelial cells and cells of the tunica intima and media contained an abundance of glycogen. The same layers stained sparsely for acid glycosaminoglycans. Maternal hypertension and treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats with the antihypertensive drug, -methyldopa, did not result in significant morphological alterations of either the endothelium or tunica media of the umbilical blood vessels.     

Variations in arterioles in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Summary In the present study, the diameters of afferent and efferent arterioles of kidneys from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were evaluated and compared with those from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) using a vascular cast model. At 4 weeks of age, the blood pressure was slightly higher in SHR than in WKY (124±1 vs 116±7 mmHg, ns). The diameters of afferent arterioles in SHR were smaller than those in WKY (10.3±0.6 vs 12.3±0.7 µm,P<0.001), whereas the diameters of efferent arterioles were comparable in the two strains. At 20 weeks of age, the blood pressure was markedly elevated in SHR than in WKY (192±5 vs 140±4 mmHg,P<0.001). The diameters of afferent arterioles in SHR at this age were much smaller than those in WKY (14.3±0.5 vs 17.1±0.6 µm,P<0.01). The diameters of efferent arterioles in SHR were, however, larger than those in WKY (15.4±l.2 vs 12.9±0.4 µm,P< 0.05). The net effect of these changes in arteriolar size helps to maintain normal intraglomerular pressure and to protect glomeruli from damage due to hypertension.     

Effects of a diet rich in Q-3 fatty acids on left ventricular geometry and dynamics in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Summary The aim of the present study was to investigate the chronic effects of a dietetic antihypertensive treatment on blood pressure, ventricular dynamics and geometry of the pressure loaded heart. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) received a standard diet enriched with 10% mackerel oil, containing 30% polyunsaturated Q-3 fatty acids, over a period of 70 days. As described previously the diet reduced blood pressure permanently by 40-50 mm Hg. Despite this reduction, the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy was only slightly (statistically insignificantly) reduced. This was probably a result of an increase in sympathetic tone as indicated by a raised pulse rate. On the other hand, the treatment prevented the development of eccentric hypertrophy, typical to the SHR, without changing the elastic material properties of the myocardium. Since the age-matched controls did not show significant degenerative alterations, protective effects at the level of myocardial tissue could not be demonstrated. Furthermore, future investigations need to investigate why myocardial contractility of the treated animals diminishes as observed in this study.     

Behavioral reactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Spontaneously hypertensive rats of the Okamoto strain (SHR) were compared with inbred normotensive rats of the Wistar-Kyoto strain (WKY) and with normally bred Wistar rats (NT) in tests on the audiogenic immobility reaction (freezing), open-field behavior in a dark and an enlightened arena respectively, auditory startle response and male sexual behavior. Compared to the WKYs the SHRs showed increased locomotion and rearing in the open-field situations, reduced startle response and shortened immobility reaction. The SHRs differed in the same way from the NT rats with the exception for motor activity in the dark arena, where no differences were observed. The WKY rats showed less motor activity than the NT animals. Both SH and WKY rats showed shorter latency time for ejaculation than the NT rats. The characteristics of the behavior patterns displayed by the SH rats were interpreted as indicating a reduced propensity for fear reactions in this strain of rats compared to the WKY and NT strains used in the present study.