Pieces of the preeclampsia puzzle.

Introduction Several interesting articles have been published recently thataddress novel mechanisms for preeclampsia. These mechanismsall involve circulating factors, a favourite topic for preeclampsiaresearchers. These factors may interfere with angiogenesis,engage angiotensin (Ang) II signalling, and directly impairendothelial function. VEGF, PlGF and sFlt1 Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) must be very busyduring pregnancy. The growth factor’s receptor, fms-liketyrosine kinase 1 (Flt1), exists in two forms, namely a membrane-boundreceptor tyrosine kinase that transmits angiogenic signals anda soluble secreted ectodomain (sFlt1), which may capture VEGFand keep the growth factor from its active bound receptor. Maynardet al. [     

Role of oxidative stress,angiogenesis and chemo-attractant cytokines in the pathogenesis of ischaemic protection induced by remote ischaemic conditioning: Study of a human model of ischaemia-reperfusion induced vascular injury

Aims

We explored the effect of remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) on endothelial function and on circulating mediators.

低浓度乙醇对血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用

目的研究乙醇对氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导的人脐带静脉内皮细胞损伤的保护作用与内源性一氧化氮合酶抑制物的关系。方法在培养的人脐带静脉内皮细胞中加入ox-LD(L100μg/ml)诱导内皮细胞损伤。检测细胞培养液中非对称性二甲基精氨酸(ADMA)、丙二醛(MDA)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、一氧化氮(NO)和肿瘤坏死因子-(αTNF-α)的含量。结果体外给予ox-LD(L100μg/ml)显著诱导内皮细胞损伤,增加培养液中ADMA、MDA、LDH和TNF-α水平,而降低NO水平。两个剂量乙醇(5或15μg/ml)均能显著抑制ox-LDL所致ADMA、MDA、LDH和TNF-α浓度升高和NO的降低。结论低剂量乙醇对ox-LDL诱导的人脐带静脉血管内皮细胞损伤有保护作用,其保护作用与降低ADMA和TNF-α浓度有关。     

A fish-based diet intervention improves endothelial function in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized crossover trial

Objective

The beneficial effects of fish and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) consumption on atherosclerosis have been reported in numerous epidemiological studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effects of a fish-based diet intervention on endothelial function have not been investigated. Therefore, we studied these effects in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials/Methods

Twenty-three postmenopausal women with T2DM were assigned to two four-week periods of either a fish-based diet (n-3 PUFAs ≧ 3.0 g/day) or a control diet in a randomized crossover design. Endothelial function was measured with reactive hyperemia using strain-gauge plethysmography and compared with the serum levels of fatty acids and their metabolites. Endothelial function was determined with peak forearm blood flow (Peak), duration of reactive hyperemia (Duration) and flow debt repayment (FDR).

Results

A fish-based dietary intervention improved Peak by 63.7%, Duration by 27.9% and FDR by 70.7%, compared to the control diet. Serum n-3 PUFA levels increased after the fish-based diet period and decreased after the control diet, compared with the baseline (1.49 vs. 0.97 vs. 1.19 mmol/l, p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between serum n-3 PUFA levels and endothelial function. An increased ratio of epoxyeicosatrienoic acid/dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid was observed after a fish-based diet intervention, possibly due to the inhibition of the activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase.

Conclusions

A fish-based dietary intervention improves endothelial function in postmenopausal women with T2DM. Dissociation between the serum n-3 PUFA concentration and endothelial function suggests that the other factors may contribute to this phenomenon.     

Relation of asymmetrical dimethylarginine levels with renal outcomes in hypertensive patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between high plasma ADMA levels, a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, with the progression of albuminuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in hypertensive patients, with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

ADMA对单核细胞来源的树突状细胞成熟和免疫的影响

目的:通过观察非对称性二甲基精氨酸(ADMA)对树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DCs)成熟及免疫的影响来探讨AS形成的可能机制。方法:贴壁法分离人外周血单核细胞,在含重组人粒-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(rhGM-CSF 20ng/ml)和重组人白细胞介素-4(rhIL-4,10ng/ml)的完全培养基中培养,五天后收集imDC,用1、8、16umol/L的ADMA干预未成熟DC 24h。用流式细胞术检测DC细胞表面分子的表达、吞噬能力及DC的凋亡,用混合淋巴细胞反应检测成熟DC刺激T淋巴细胞增殖的能力,用ELISA检测DC细胞因子的分泌。结果:生理浓度ADMA并不刺激DC成熟及分化;但病理浓度ADMA抑制DC成熟;抑制DC诱导的T淋巴细胞增殖;诱导DC凋亡:抑制DC分泌IL-12细胞因子、TNF-α及IL-10细胞因子。结论:生理浓度ADMA并不刺激DC成熟及分化;但病理浓度AD-MA抑制DC成熟和免疫。