Early stage of adjuvant arthritis alters behavioral responses in male but not female rats

Anxiety and depression commonly occur in the pathology of rheumatic diseases. Little is known about how inflammatory disease in its early stage, before any clinical manifestation, may affect general activity. The aim of this study was to compare the anxiety-like behaviour in the early stage of adjuvant arthritis (AA), and the paw edema, and corticosterone (CORT) levels in the developed stage of AA among male and female Long Evans rats. The behavioural activity was evaluated by elevated plus maze tests. These revealed significantly reduced number of entries into the open arm of the maze in arthritic males compared to controls or to females 4 days after AA induction. Arthrihtic and control females did not differ. The number of entries into the closed arm of the maze was the same across the genders and studied intervals. Time spent in the open arm was significantly lower in arthritic males against controls or arthitic females. Time spent in the closed arm showed inverse picture to the time spent in the open arm. Hind paw swelling measured on day 23 of AA was the same in males and females, as was the elevation of CORT levels in plasma. Male rats showed anxiety-like behaviour on day 4 of AA, while female rats did not show any change, indicating different brain sensitivity to early inflammation among the genders.     

大鼠γ谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶催化亚单位基因5′端调控序列初步分析

目的　分析大鼠γ谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶(γ-GCS)催化亚单位 (GCLC)基因 5′端调控区域和相应转录因子的特性。方法　克隆 1 760bp大鼠GCLC上游调控基因并构建含荧光素酶基因的报道载体GCLC-Luc(GCLC/pGL-3),利用外切核酸酶Ⅲ将大鼠GCLC基因的 5′端序列单向切成不同长度的缺失体,将所构建的GCLC-Luc及其 11个缺失体转染大鼠肺泡上皮细胞,通过测量转染后细胞的荧光素酶活性确定该基因的调控区域,并通过转录因子分析软件分析出可能与这些调控区域结合的转录因子,最后通过电泳迁移率改变实验 (EMSA)以明确该调控区的顺式元件和转录因子。结果　实验成功地克隆出大鼠GCLC上游调控基因及其报道载体GCLC-Luc及GCLC-Luc的 11个缺失体。将GCLC-Luc及其缺失体转染肺泡上皮细胞并分析荧光素酶活性:GCLC Luc(-1 758 /+2 Luc),缺失体 1(-1 231 /+2 Luc),缺失体 2(-1 108 /+2 Luc),缺失体 3(-1 087 /+2 Luc),缺失体 4(-876 /+2 Luc),缺失体 5(-745 /+2 Luc),缺失体 6(-705 /+2 Luc),缺失体 8(-613 /+2 Luc),缺失体 9(-595 /+2 Luc),缺失体 10( -403 /+2 Luc)和缺失体 11( -111 /+2 Luc)的荧光素酶值分别为(90 012±2 445)、(77 652±840)、(149 927±4 915)、(71 588±1 108)、(99 283±2 612)、(75 443±1 438)、(28     

Dobutamine stress echocardiography compared with dipyridamole thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography in detecting coronary artery disease

To compare the diagnostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiographywith dipyridamole thallium-201 single-photon emission computedtomography (SPECT) in detecting coronary artery disease (CAD),we performed both tests on 54 patients who also underwent coronaryarteriography. Dobutamine was infused at an incremental regimenof 5,10,20,30 and 40 µg. kg^-1. min^-1. Dipyridamole wasinfused at a rate of 0.14 mg. kg^-1. min^-1 over 4 min. Dobutaminestress echocardiography detected 40 (93%) and SPECT 42 (98%,P=ns) of the 43 patients with significant CAD, defined as (greaterthan or equal) 50% diameter stenosis. The specificity was 73%(8 of 11) for both tests. The sensitivity for detecting individualcoronary artery stenosis with dobutamine stress echocardiographywas 81% (30 of 37) for the left anterior descending artery,75% (24 of 32) for the right coronary artery, and 61% (17 of28) for the left circumflex artery. For SPECT it was 89%, 97%(P>0.05 vs dobutamine stress echocardiography) and 75%, respectively. Among the 97 stenotic coronary arteries, 17 had mild to moderatestenosis (50%-69% diameter stenosis) and 80 had severe stenosis($$70% diameter stenosis). With dobutamine stress echocardiography,53% of the arteries with mild to moderate stenosis were identifiedvs 78% of those with severe stenosis (P<0.05). With SPECT,the sensitivity was 82% (14 of 17) in mild to moderate stenosisand 89% (71 of 80) in severe stenosis (P=ns). No major sideeffects occurred during either test. Thus, both dobutamine stressand SPECT are highly sensitive for detection and localizationof CAD. However, the sensitivity of dobutamine stress is affectedby the level of stenosis severity.     

Mental stress and gastric acid secretion

In 14 healthy male volunteers, we studied the influence of acute mental (=psychological) stress induced by performing mental arithmetic and solving anagrams against a financial reward on endogenously stimulated gastric acid output. Personality factors were determined by the Personality Research Form. Acute mental stress significantly (P<0.05) increased systolic blood pressure (+8.9±2.0 mm Hg±sem) and heart rate (+5.3±1.6 beatslmin). The mean gastric acid output during the mental stress period (17.9±2.7 mmol/32 min) did not significantly differ from pre- (16.9±2.3 mmol/32 min) and poststress (18.1±2.2 mmol/32 min) values. However, detailed analysis revealed that mental stress induced contrary changes of gastric acid output in different subjects. About half the individuals reacted with a decrease (up to 60%) and the other half with an increase (up to 60%) in acid output. In some individuals the changes of gastric acid output were very small. By multiple correlations, impulsivity was identified as the personality trait with the highest correlation coefficient (r=0.82) with changes of gastric acid output during the acute mental stress period. During the mental stress period, gastric acid output increased in subjects with high scores on the impulsivity scale, but significantly decreased in those with low scores. We conclude that (1) there is a great individual variability in gastric acid response to acute mental stress, and (2) this variability may be partly attributed to differences in personality traits.     

Effects of dietary sodium on reactive oxygen species formation and endothelial dysfunction in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice on high-fat diet

Hypertension and high serum cholesterol level are important risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. In the present study we tested the hypothesis whether high sodium intake, when given in combination with Western type high-fat diet, induces endothelial dysfunction and promotes atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the role and enzyme sources of increased oxidative stress were examined. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice (LDLR^−/−) and control C57Bl/6 mice received either high-fat, normal-sodium diet (fat 18% and cholesterol 0.5%; NaCl 0.7%; w/w) or high-fat, high-sodium diet (7% NaCl w/w) for 12 weeks. Superoxide formation was assessed by lucigenin enhanced chemiluminescence, endothelial functions were examined ex vivo, and atherosclerotic lesions from the aorta were assessed by light microscopy. High-fat, high-sodium diet increased systolic blood pressure in LDLR^−/− mice but not in C57Bl/6 mice, whereas it induced cardiac hypertrophy in both mouse strains. Dietary combination of fat and sodium induced endothelial dysfunction in LDLR^−/− mice. Preincubation with a superoxide scavenger Tiron normalized endothelial dysfunction, whereas the hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase did not alter endothelial function. High sodium intake induced superoxide formation in LDLR^−/− mice on high-fat diet. Stimulation of muscarinic receptors in the endothelial cells by acetylcholine increased superoxide generation, whereas preincubation with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-arginine methyl ester or endothelium removal reduced superoxide production. Inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase by apocynin decreased vascular superoxide formation whereas the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol did not significantly affect oxidative stress in LDLR^−/− mice. In conclusion, the detrimental effects of dietary sodium on endothelial function and progression of atherosclerosis in LDLR^−/− mice on high-fat diet are mediated by increased ROS formation mainly through uncoupled NOS and NADPH oxidase. The present study also underscores the importance of superoxide and endothelial NOS uncoupling in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction.     

硒、蛋白质和维生素E联合缺乏致大鼠甲状腺损伤的实验研究

目的 探讨长期低硒、低蛋白质和低维生素E(VE)膳食对大鼠甲状腺组织及其激素代谢的影响.方法 Wistar大鼠40只,按体质量随机分为4组:低硒低蛋白低VE组、低硒低蛋白常VE组、常硒常蛋白低VE组、常硒常蛋白常VE组.饲养至第26周处死,测定大鼠全血谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和肝脏Ⅰ型5'-脱碘酶(ID Ⅰ)活性,血清活性氧(ROS)、丙二醛(MDA)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)、四碘甲状腺原氨酸(T4)和促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平;光镜下观察甲状腺组织病理学改变.结果 ①硒+蛋白质和vE对大鼠全血GSH-Px和肝脏ID Ⅰ活性的影响均无交互作用(F值分别为0.003、0.871,P＞0.05),但对血清MDA和ROS水平的影响均存在交互作用(F值分别为13.057、6.706,P＜0.05或＜0.01).②硒+蛋白质和VE对血清T3、T4水平均有影响(F值分别为431.977、28.271、6.570、41.419,P＜0.05).但均无交互作用(F值分别为0.871、0.136,P＞0.05).无论在低硒低蛋白还是常硒常蛋白条件下,常VE组T4水平[(79.095±12.199)、(64.392±6.261)μg/L]均高于低VE组[(61.068±6.648)、(44.176±7.090)μg/L],差异有统计学意义(t值分别为3.670、6.045,P＜0.01);在低VE条件下,常硒常蛋白组T3、T4水平[(0.718±0.079)、(44.176±7.090)μg/L]均低于低硒低蛋白组[(0.966±0.156)、(61.068±6.648)μg/L],差异有统计学意义(t值分别为4.568、4.916,P＜0.01);在常VE条件下,常硒常蛋白组Td水平[(64.392±6.261)μg/L]低于低硒低蛋白组[(79.095±12.199)μg/L],差异有统计学意义(t=3.033,P＜0.01).③低硒低蛋白低VE膳食大鼠甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞出现变性坏死,而补充VE可减轻这种损伤:常硒常蛋白低VE膳食大鼠偶见滤泡腔内胶质稀疏.结论 长期低硒、低蛋白、低VE膳食可导致大鼠体内含硒酶活性降低,从而引起机体氧化代谢产物堆积,甲状腺组织出现病理性损伤,其激素代谢紊乱,而在低硒、低蛋白膳食中补充适量VE可部分降低这种损伤现象.     

Application and perspectives of transesophageal stress echocardiography using monoplane and biplane instruments

Transesophageal stress echocardiography has been reported to have a high sensitivity and specificity for noninvasive identification and assessment of coronary artery disease. Its advantage is the virtually never obstructed acoustic window on the heart yielding superior image quality in almost all patients. Pharmacological stress as well as simultaneous atrial pacing--attaching electrodes to the echoscope--have been applied as stress modalities. Both transesophageal stress echocardiography modalities have been shown to be well tolerated, safe, and feasible in most patients. These promising initial experiences led to clinical application of this method for preoperative risk evaluation, for detection of restenosis after PTCA, and for evaluation of hibernating myocardium. This technique was also successful for evaluation of stress induced changes of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary artery disease. Although all studies published so far were performed with monoplane technique, the sensitivity for detection of one-vessel and, even more so, multivessel disease was high. However, apical and basal wall-motion abnormalities may go undetected using monoplane equipment. The advent of biplane transesophageal imaging enables the visualization of more ventricular segments. Future studies will show to which degree biplane transesophageal stress echocardiography improves the diagnostic accuracy.     

职业紧张--一个冠心病潜在危险因素的研究进展

职业紧张是指工作场所中的社会心理因素超出人体的调节能力时,或工作要求与能力、资源、需求不相匹配时所产生的有害的生理和心理反应。职业紧张已经成为重要的职业健康问题,并且成为经济损失的重要原因。职业紧张很可能是冠心病的一个新的危险因素,探讨职业紧张与冠心病的关系对于冠心病的预防有重要意义。     

Effective blood pressure treatment improves LDL-cholesterol susceptibility to oxidation in patients with essential hypertension

OBJECTIVES: LDL-cholesterol particles from hypertensive patients exhibit enhanced susceptibility to in vitro oxidation, an abnormality thought to increase cardiovascular risk. We tested whether blood pressure (BP) normalization can reverse this abnormality. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized pharmacological intervention trial. SETTING: Clinical research centre. Subjects. A total of 29 nondiabetic, normolipidaemic patients with essential hypertension (BP= 151 +/- 3/99 +/- 1 mmHg) and 11 normotensive controls (BP=125 +/- 3/85 +/- 1 mmHg) matched for gender, age, obesity, glucose tolerance and lipid profile. Intervention. Anti-hypertensive treatment for 3 months with a calcium-antagonist in randomized combination with either an ACE inhibitor or a beta-blocker. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lag phase of copper-induced LDL oxidation, cell-mediated (human umbilical vein endothelium) generation of malondialdehyde (MDA) by LDL and vitamin E content in LDL. RESULTS: At baseline in hypertensives versus controls, lag phase was shorter (89 +/- 3 vs. 107 +/- 6 min, P < 0.04), MDA generation was higher (5.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.1 +/- 0.2 nmol L(-1), P=0.002), and vitamin E was reduced (6.40 +/- 0.05 vs. 6.67 +/- 0.11 microg mg(-1), P=0.03). At 3 months, BP was normalized (124 +/- 3/81 +/- 1, P < 0.0001 vs. baseline, P=ns versus controls), lag phase was prolonged (to 98 +/- 3 min, P=0.0005), MDA generation was reduced (5.6 +/- 0.1 nmol L-1, P = 0.001), and vitamin E was increased (6.53 +/- 0.05 microg mg(-1), P=0.003), with no significant differences between the randomized groups. CONCLUSIONS: In nondiabetic, nonobese, normolipidaemic patients with essential hypertension, LDL susceptibility to copper- and cell-mediated oxidation is increased. BP normalization is associated with a significant improvement, but not a full reversal, of this abnormality.     

Day/night differences in stress-induced gastric lesions in rats with an intact pineal gland or after pinealectomy

Abstract:  The formation of acute gastric lesions depends upon the balance between the aggressive factors promoting mucosal damage and the natural defense mechanisms. Previous studies have shown that melatonin inhibits gastric acid secretion, enhances the release of gastrin, augments gastric blood flow (GBF), increases the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)–prostaglandin (PG) system and scavenges free radicals, resulting in the prevention of stress-induced gastric lesions. Besides the pineal gland, melatonin is also generated in large amounts in the gastrointestinal tract and due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; this indole might serve as local protective endogen preventing the development of acute gastric damage. The results of the present study indicate that stress-induced gastric lesions show circadian variations with an increase in the day time and a decline at night. These changes are inversely related to plasma melatonin levels. Following pinealectomy, stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions were more pronounced both during the day and at night, and were accompanied by markedly reduced plasma melatonin levels with a pronounced reduction in mucosal generation of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), GBF and increased free radical formation and by small rise in plasma melatonin during the dark phase. We conclude that stress-induced gastric ulcerations exhibit a circadian variation with an increase in the day and attenuation at night and that these fluctuations of gastric stress ulcerogenesis occur also after pinealectomy, depending upon the interaction of COX–PG and free radicals, probably mediated by the changes in local gastric melatonin.