靶向人PDE5A3基因的shRNA对人阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞cGMP的影响

目的:观察腺病毒载体介导特异性短发夹RNA(shRNA)对人阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞环磷酸鸟苷(cGMP)的影响,为应用RNA干扰(RNAi)技术治疗阴茎勃起功能障碍(ED)提供实验依据。方法:成功构建携带3条针对人PDE5A3基因位点特异性shRNA的重组腺病毒(rAd5-shRNA-PDE5A3),并设立阴性对照病毒组和空白对照组,分别转染人阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞。以放射免疫法分别检测转染重组腺病毒24、48、72h后细胞内cGMP浓度变化,观察rAd5-shRNA-PDE5A3对海绵体平滑肌细胞内cGMP的影响。结果:实验组rAd5-shRNA-PDE5A3转染人阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞后胞内cGMP水平显著高于阴性对照组和空白对照组,在转染后72h最为显著。结论:3条特异性针对人PDE5A3mRNA靶位点的shRNA可有效地增加海绵体平滑肌细胞内cGMP的水平,增强对PDE5基因的阻抑效果。     

Methotrexate reduces the levels of pentosidine and 8-hydroxy-deoxy guanosine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

This study was performed to investigate whether methotrexate (MTX) affects the levels of oxidative stress markers, including pentosidine one of the glycation end products (AGEs) or 8-hydroxy-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG). These stress markers represent DNA damage; 19 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients underwent MTX treatment. The levels of serum total, urinary total, urinary-free pentosidine and also urinary 8-OHdG, as well as clinical parameters, including disease activity scores for 28 joints (DAS28) were measured at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after the initial treatment with MTX. After the initial treatment with MTX, serum total and urinary total pentosidine levels were reduced at 6 months, and urinary-free pentosidine levels were reduced at 3 and 6 months. Urinary 8-OHdG levels also were significantly reduced at 6 months after the initial treatment with MTX. This study demonstrated that MTX plays a role as a regulator against pentosidine formation and oxidative DNA damage in RA patients.     

Characterization of guanine and guanosine transport in primary cultured rat cortical astrocytes and neurons

In this study, we examined the transport mechanisms for guanine and guanosine in rat neurons and astrocytes, and compared their characteristics. In the both types of cell, the uptake of [(3)H]guanine and [(3)H]guanosine was time-, temperature-, and concentration-dependent, and Na(+)-independent. Their uptake decreased on the addition of purine and pyrimidine nucleobases or nucleosides, and the inhibitory effect of the purine analogues was greater than that of the pyrimidine ones. In both cell types, equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) 1 and ENT2 expression was confirmed at the mRNA level, and nitrobenzylmercaptopurine riboside, a representative inhibitor for ENT, decreased their uptake at concentrations of over 10 microM. Comparing uptake characteristics between the substrates, [(3)H]guanine uptake exhibited higher affinity and clearance than [(3)H]guanosine uptake in each type of cell. Although between neurons and astrocytes, there was no difference in the apparent uptake clearance for [(3)H]guanine and [(3)H]guanosine, which was calculated based upon the cellular protein content, the cellular uptake clearance was significantly greater in astrocytes than in neurons. These findings indicate that guanine and guanosine, of which the former is a preferable substrate, are taken up into both neurons and astrocytes via ENT2, and that the extracellular concentrations of guanine and guanosine are mainly regulated by astrocytes to maintain brain physiology.     

Variability in individual responsiveness to clopidogrel: clinical implications, management, and future perspectives

Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes and/or undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. Clopidogrel, in combination with aspirin, is currently the antiplatelet treatment of choice for prevention of stent thrombosis, and clinical trials have shown that, in high-risk patients, prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment is more effective than aspirin alone in preventing major cardiovascular events. However, despite the use of clopidogrel, a considerable number of patients continue to have cardiovascular events. Numerous in vitro studies have shown that individual responsiveness to clopidogrel is not uniform in all patients and is subject to inter- and intraindividual variability. Notably, there is a growing degree of evidence that recurrence of ischemic complications may be attributed to poor response to clopidogrel. The mechanisms leading to poor clopidogrel effects are not fully elucidated and are likely multifactorial. Although the gold standard definition to assess antiplatelet drug response has not been fully established, there is sufficient evidence to support that persistence of enhanced platelet reactivity despite the use of clopidogrel is a clinically relevant entity. This paper reviews the impact of individual response variability to clopidogrel on clinical outcomes and current and future directions for its management.     

Validated liquid chromatographic method and analysis of content of tilianin on several extracts obtained from Agastache mexicana and its correlation with vasorelaxant effect

Ethnopharmacological relevance

To optimize the obtention of tilianin, an antihypertensive flavonoid isolated from Agastache mexicana (Lamiaceae), a medicinal plant used in Mexico for the treatment of hypertension. Also, a validated HPLC method to quantify tilianin from different extracts, obtained by several extraction methods, was developed.

Materials and methods

The aerial parts of Agastache mexicana were dried at different temperatures (22, 40, 50, 90, 100 and 180 °C) and the dry material was extracted with methanol by maceration to compare the content of the active constituent tilianin in the samples. Furthermore, EtOH:H₂O (7:3), infusion and decoction extracts were prepared from air-dried samples at room temperature to compare the content and composition of the different extraction methods. Moreover, an ex vivo vasorelaxant test on endothelium-intact aortic rat rings was conducted, in order to correlate the presence of tilianin with the activity of each extract.

Results

Higher concentration and amounts of tilianin were determined from chromatograms in the obtained methanolic extracts from plant material dried at 90, 50, 40 and 22 °C, followed by 100 °C; however, lower concentrations were observed in dried at 180 °C and EtOH:H₂O (7:3). It is worth to notice that methanolic extracts with higher amount of tilianin were the most potent vasorelaxant extracts, even though these extracts were less potent than carbachol, a positive control used. Finally, decoction, infusion and EtOH:H₂O (7:3) extracts did not show any vasorelaxant effect.

Conclusion

Results suggest that extracts with higher concentration of tilianin possess the best vasorelaxant activity, which allowed us to have a HPLC method for future quality control for this medicinal plant.     

A new insight of anti-platelet effects of sirtinol in platelets aggregation via cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase

Sirtinol, a cell permeable six-membered lactone ring, is derived from naphthol and potent inhibitor of SIR2 and its naphtholic may have the inhibitory effects on platelets aggregation. In this study, platelet function was examined by collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) and collagen/ADP-induced closure times using the PFA-100 system reveal that CEPI-CT and CADP-CT were prolonged by sirtinol. The platelets aggregation regulated by physiological agonists such as: thrombin, collagen and AA and U46619 were significantly inhibited by sirtinol. Increases cAMP level was observed when sirtinol treated with Prostaglandin E1 in washed platelets. Moreover, sirtinol attenuated intracellular Ca²⁺ release and thromboxane B2 formation stimulated by thrombin, collagen, AA and U46619 in human washed platelets. This study indicated that sirtinol could inhibit the platelet aggregation induced by physiological agonists, AA and U46619. The mechanism of action may include an increase of cAMP level with enhanced VASP-Ser157 phosphorylation via inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity and subsequent inhibition of intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization, thromboxane A2 formation, and ATP release during the platelet aggregation.     

Hemodynamic and humoral effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on pulmonary circulation after cardiac surgery

Purpose Human atrial natriuretic peptide (h-ANP) elicits biological effects such as natriuresis, diuresis, and vasodilation, and plays a role in regulating pulmonary circulation. We conducted this clinical study to define its role and elucidate its mechanisms. Methods Twelve consecutive adult patients scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were prospectively selected for this study. After the completion of surgery, h-ANP was infused from the right atrium through a Swan-Ganz (S-G) catheter. Blood samples for measurement of ANP and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the second messenger of ANP, were drawn from the pulmonary artery (PA) through the S-G catheter and from the left atrium (LA) through the left atrial pressure line, before and after the infusion of h-ANP. Hemodynamic values were measured at the same time. Results After the h-ANP infusion, the plasma levels of ANP were significantly lower in the LA than in the PA, whereas the plasma levels of cGMP were significantly higher in the LA than in the PA. The infusion of h-ANP decreased the mean PA pressure significantly, and the systolic PA pressure remarkably. Conclusion The infusion of h-ANP after cardiac surgery stimulates the secretion of cGMP from the pulmonary vascular bed and dilates the PA, thereby decreasing the PA pressure. This work was presented at the 2nd Annual Symposium of the American Heart Association Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences in 2005, Keystone, CO, USA.     

国人多巴敏感性肌张力障碍的分子遗传学研究

目的：分析国人多巴敏感性肌张力障碍（DRD）患发病与三磷酸鸟苷环化水解酶I（GCH－I）基因突变的关系。方法：来自3个家庭的5例临床确诊的DRD患及其亲属共12名成员，经静脉采血2ml，常规提取基因组DNA，以PCR扩增GCH－I基因，反应产物用自动DNA测序仪直接测序。结果：在A家系，先证母亲为正常个休，基因测序显示无基因突变，其中3例患病个体DNA测序发现第2个外显子142号碱基由鸟嘌呤转换为腺嘌呤（G→A），导致半胱氨酸被为酪氨酸；估计其突变基因来自自己故父系一方。在B有系，先证第1个外显子 71号碱基由胸腺嘧啶为胞嘧啶（T－C），导致亮氨酸被替换为脯氨酸；而其父母及弟均为正常个体。丙家庭无GCH－I基因突变。结论：GCH－1基因突变只是部分DRD患的发病原因。     

Endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease – a 30th anniversary update

The endothelium can evoke relaxations of the underlying vascular smooth muscle, by releasing vasodilator substances. The best‐characterized endothelium‐derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is nitric oxide (NO) which activates soluble guanylyl cyclase in the vascular smooth muscle cells, with the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) initiating relaxation. The endothelial cells also evoke hyperpolarization of the cell membrane of vascular smooth muscle (endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarizations, EDH‐mediated responses). As regards the latter, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) now appears to play a dominant role. Endothelium‐dependent relaxations involve both pertussis toxin‐sensitive G_i (e.g. responses to α₂‐adrenergic agonists, serotonin, and thrombin) and pertussis toxin‐insensitive G_q (e.g. adenosine diphosphate and bradykinin) coupling proteins. New stimulators (e.g. insulin, adiponectin) of the release of EDRFs have emerged. In recent years, evidence has also accumulated, confirming that the release of NO by the endothelial cell can chronically be upregulated (e.g. by oestrogens, exercise and dietary factors) and downregulated (e.g. oxidative stress, smoking, pollution and oxidized low‐density lipoproteins) and that it is reduced with ageing and in the course of vascular disease (e.g. diabetes and hypertension). Arteries covered with regenerated endothelium (e.g. following angioplasty) selectively lose the pertussis toxin‐sensitive pathway for NO release which favours vasospasm, thrombosis, penetration of macrophages, cellular growth and the inflammatory reaction leading to atherosclerosis. In addition to the release of NO (and EDH, in particular those due to H₂O₂), endothelial cells also can evoke contraction of the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells by releasing endothelium‐derived contracting factors. Recent evidence confirms that most endothelium‐dependent acute increases in contractile force are due to the formation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids (endoperoxides and prostacyclin) which activate TP receptors of the vascular smooth muscle cells and that prostacyclin plays a key role in such responses. Endothelium‐dependent contractions are exacerbated when the production of nitric oxide is impaired (e.g. by oxidative stress, ageing, spontaneous hypertension and diabetes). They contribute to the blunting of endothelium‐dependent vasodilatations in aged subjects and essential hypertensive and diabetic patients. In addition, recent data confirm that the release of endothelin‐1 can contribute to endothelial dysfunction and that the peptide appears to be an important contributor to vascular dysfunction. Finally, it has become clear that nitric oxide itself, under certain conditions (e.g. hypoxia), can cause biased activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase leading to the production of cyclic inosine monophosphate (cIMP) rather than cGMP and hence causes contraction rather than relaxation of the underlying vascular smooth muscle.