Screening wheat genotypes for tolerance of soil acidity

A soil-based screening method was used to test tolerance of wheat genotypes to acidity. Plants were grown for 6 days in an acid soil with the pH adjusted to 3.9–5.8. The number and length of roots were measured. To validate the method, 12 wheat cultivars of known acidity tolerance and one acid-sensitive barley cultivar were grown on an acid soil in the field with or without amelioration of subsoil acidity. The relative yields of these wheat genotypes on the soil with subsoil acidity ranged from 50 to 89% of yields on soil without subsoil acidity, and were correlated with root growth parameters obtained in the glasshouse. The best correlation was obtained between relative yields in the field (y) and root length per plant (x) at pH 3.9 in the glasshouse (y = –43 + 52*log x, r = 0.95) or root length per plant at pH 3.9 as a percentage of root length at pH 4.8 (y = 1.2 + 46*log x, r = 0.94). Following validation of the glasshouse screening method in the field, 115 wheat genotypes, including cultivars and breeding lines, were screened in the glasshouse. A substantial genotypic variation in acidity tolerance was found, with root length per plant at pH 3.9 ranging from 66 to > 350 mm. Many Western Australian breeding lines displayed better tolerance than existing tolerant wheat cultivars. The screening system can be instrumental in breeding wheat for increased tolerance to acid soils.

Effects of adrenomedullin on vascular calcification in rats

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of adrenomedullin (ADM) on vascular calcification.

METHODS

The vascular calcification model was established in rats (VND group) by using vitamin D3 (300,000 IU/kg) and nicotine (25 mg/kg, two doses). The effect of liposome-encapsulated ADM was observed. Vascular calcium content, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, ADM in aortic tissue and plasma, binding ability of 125I-ADM for ADM receptor on vascular plasma membrane and content of cAMP in vessels were measured.

RESULTS

Compared with control rats, the aortic calcium content and vascular ALP activity in rats of the VDN group was obviously increased; in addition ADM concentrations in plasma and vessels of rats in VDN group were increased. But the maximum binding sites of 125I-ADM for ADM receptor (Bmax) on vascular plasma membrane in rats of VDN group were significantly decreased compared with control rats. The affinity of 125I-ADM for the ADM receptor was reduced, as shown by the Kd value and vascular cAMP content being reduced in rats of the VDN group compared to the control group. The in vitro response of isolated vessels to ADM incubation was weakened. Administration of empty liposome had no effect on vascular calcification. But administration of ADM significantly decreased vascular calcium content and ALP activity. The Bmax of 125I-ADM for ADM receptors on vascular plasma membrane increased by 17.7% (p < 0.01), and the value of Kd decreased by 36.2% (P < 0.01) in rats treated with ADM as compared with rats of the VDN group. In addition, the vascular cAMP content and the response to ADM in isolated aorta were markedly increased.

CONCLUSION

Vascular calcification induced an alteration of the vascular ADM-ADM receptor-cAMP pathway. Treatment with exogenous ADM inhibited vascular calcification by improving the vascular ADM-ADM receptor-cAMP pathway.

Improved tolerance of maize plants to salt stress by arbuscular mycorrhiza is related to higher accumulation of soluble sugars in roots

The effect of colonization with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe on the growth and physiology of NaCl-stressed maize plants ( Zea mays L. cv. Yedan 13) was examined in the greenhouse. Maize plants were grown in sand with 0 or 100 mM NaCl and at two phosphorus (P) (0.05 and 0.1 mM) levels for 34 days, following 34 days of non-saline pre-treatment. Mycorrhizal plants maintained higher root and shoot dry weights. Concentrations of chlorophyll, P and soluble sugars were higher than in non-mycorrhizal plants under given NaCl and P levels. Sodium concentration in roots or shoots was similar in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants had higher electrolyte concentrations in roots and lower electrolyte leakage from roots than non-mycorrhizal plants under given NaCl and P levels. Although plants in the low P plus AM fungus treatment and those with high P minus AM fungus had similar P concentrations, the mycorrhizal plants still had higher dry weights, soluble sugars and electrolyte concentrations in roots. Similar relationships were observed regardless of the presence or absence of salt stress. Higher soluble sugars and electrolyte concentrations in mycorrhizal plants suggested a higher osmoregulating capacity of these plants. Alleviation of salt stress of a host plant by AM colonization appears not to be a specific effect. Furthermore, higher requirement for carbohydrates by AM fungi induces higher soluble sugar accumulation in host root tissues, which is independent of improvement in plant P status and enhances resistance to salt-induced osmotic stress in the mycorrhizal plant.

[Discrimination of black inks by FT-Raman spectrometry]

Six brands of black inks on paper were examined by FT-Raman spectrometry. The results showed that the black inks could be discriminated by FT-Raman spectrometry. As the method is easy, quick and undestructive to samples, it is useful in black ink examination.

The first clinical results of "wide-focus and low-pressure" ESWL

A clinical study of the concept "wide-focus and low-pressure" extracorporal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed in a scientific cooperation between the Physical Institute of the University of Stuttgart and the Xixin Medical Instruments Co. Ltd. in Wuxian-Suzhou, China. In this cooperation, self-focusing electromagnetic shock-wave generator systems from the University of Stuttgart were integrated into Xixin lithotripters and installed in seven hospitals in China. A total of 297 detailed patient protocols revealed an average of 1532 shock pulses for successful treatment with no necessity for pain medication and auxiliary measures, and a stone-free rate of 86% after a follow-up of 3 months. These results are discussed in terms of the wide-focus low-pressure conditions and the mechanism of binary fragmentation by squeezing.

Differences in the absorption, metabolism and biliary excretion of a diastereomeric pair of alphavbeta3-antagonists in rat: limited role of P-glycoprotein

1. The study investigated mechanisms underlying the pharmacokinetic differences of two zwitterionic diastereomers ((3S)-3-[(3R or 3S)-2-oxo-3-[3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl)propyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-3-quinolin-3-ylpropanoic acid) with different lipophilicities using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches. 2. In rat, both isomers possessed comparable plasma clearances (CL). However, the more lipophilic diastereomer I exhibited a higher metabolic clearance (>2-fold higher than II), whereas the hydrophilic zwitterion II exhibited a higher biliary clearance (approximately 5-fold higher than I). Following oral administration, the bioavailability (F) of I (17%) was much higher than that of II (1%). 3. Consistent with these in vivo observations and the expectation based on their lipophilicity differences, the metabolism in rat liver microsomes was faster and the permeability in Caco-2 and LLC-PK1 cells and in situ rat intestinal loop was better for I than for II. 4. Only the absorption of the more lipophilic diastereomer I was subjected to an efflux system in the Caco-2 and in situ rat intestinal loop models. I was a good substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in both the human MDR1 and mouse mdr1a transfected cell lines, and in the wild-type mdr1a (-/-) mouse when compared with the P-gp-deficient mdr1a (-/-) mouse. Concomitant administration of I with verapamil in rat caused significant increases in oral AUC, F and Cmax of I without affecting its CL, further supporting the effect of P-gp in limiting the intestinal absorption of I in vivo in this animal model. 5. Since the findings that the lipophilic diastereomer I, but not II, was a good P-gp substrate were not in line with the observations that I was excreted to bile much slower than II and that I was absorbed better than II, the results suggested that P-gp played a minor role to the observed differences in the biliary excretion and intestinal absorption of the diastereomers I and II in rat.

The designability of protein structures

It has been noted that natural proteins adapt only a limited number of folds. Several researchers have investigated why and how nature has selected this small number of folds. Using simple models of protein folding, we demonstrate systematically that there is a "designability principle" behind nature's selection of protein folds. The designability of a structure (fold) is measured by the number of sequences that can design the structure--that is, sequences that possess the structure as their unique ground state. Structures differ drastically in terms of their designability. A small number of highly designable structures emerge with a number of associated sequences much larger than the average. These highly designable structures possess proteinlike secondary structures, motifs, and even tertiary symmetries. In addition, they are thermodynamically more stable and fold faster than other structures. These results suggest that protein structures are selected in nature because they are readily designed and stable against mutations, and that such a selection simultaneously leads to thermodynamic stability.

Urotensin II receptor in the rat airway smooth muscle and its effect on the rat airway smooth muscle cells proliferation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of urotensin II (U-II) receptor in the rat airway smooth muscle and the effect and signal transduction pathway of U-II on the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells.

METHODS

Using 125I-UII binding assay to measure the Bmax and Kd of U-II receptor. Using the 3H-TdR incorporation to determine the effect of U-II on the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells and its signal transduction pathway. Using Fura-2/AM to measure the effect of U-1I on the cytosolic free calcium concentration.

RESULTS

1. 125I-UII binding increased with the time and reached saturation at 45 min. The B(max0 was (11.36 +/- 0.37)fmol/mg pr and Kd was (4.46 +/- 0.61) nmol/L. 2. U-II increased 3H-TdR incorporation of the airway smooth muscle cells in a dose-dependent manner. 3. H7, PD98059 and nicardipine, inhibitors of PKC, MAPK, calcium channel, respectively, significantly inhibited U-II-stimulated 3H-TdR incorporation of airway smooth muscle cells. W7, inhibitor of CaM-PK, had no effect. 4. Cyclosporin A, inhibitor of CaN, inhibited 3H-TdR incorporation of the airway smooth muscle cells induced by U-II in a dose-dependent manner. 5. U-II promoted cytosolic free calcium concentration increase by 18%.

CONCLUSIONS

1. There was U-II receptor in the rat airway smooth muscle. 2. The effect of U-II-stimulated 3H-TdR incorporation of airway smooth muscle cells was mediated by such signal transduction pathway as Ca2+, PKC, MAPK and CaN, etc.

The effect of simulated elbow arthrodesis on the ability to perform activities of daily living

The dominant elbow joint of 24 healthy volunteers was immobilized with a functional brace in increments of 20 degrees (6 positions ranging from 30 degrees to 130 degrees ). Average scores were obtained for personal care hygiene tasks (PCH), activity of daily living (ADL), and total functional scores (PCH + ADL) for each elbow flexion position. Functional scores increased with increasing elbow flexion, peaking at 110 degrees and then tapering down. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed statistical significance, with functional scores improving with increasing elbow flexion for PCH, ADL, and PCH + ADL scores. Further pairwise comparisons for elbow position between 90 degrees and 110 degrees flexion groups demonstrated significant higher mean functional scores for ADL and combined PCH + ADL for the 110 degrees group. The results of this study support a clear advantage in subjects' upper-extremity functional abilities with the elbow immobilized at 110 degrees of flexion when dealing with normal upper-extremity joints. This angle of flexion should be considered in patients undergoing trial immobilization before an elbow arthrodesis.

Intravascular local gene transfer mediated by protein-coated metallic stent

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility, efficiency and selectivity of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to local arterial wall by protein-coated metallic stent.

METHODS

A replication-defective recombinant adenovirus carrying the Lac Z reporter gene for nuclear-specific beta-galactosidase (Ad-beta gal) was used in this study. The coating for metallic stent was made by immersing it in a gelatin solution containing crosslinker. The coated stents were mounted on a 4.0 or 3.0 mm percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloon and submersed into a high-titer Ad-beta gal viral stock (2 x 10(10) pfu/ml) for 3 min, and then implanted into the carotid arteries in 4 mini-swines and into the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery in 2 mini-swines via 8F large lumen guiding catheters. The animals were sacrificed 7 (n = 4), 14 (n = 1) and 21 (n = 1) days after implantation, respectively. The beta-galactosidase expression was assessed by X-gal staining.

RESULTS

The results showed that the expression of transgene was detected in all animal. In 1 of carotid artery with an intact intima, the beta-gal expression was limited to endothelial cells. In vessels with denuded endothelium, gene expression was found in the sub-intima, media and adventitia. The transfection efficiency of medial smooth muscle cells was 38.6%. In 2 animals sacrificed 7 days after transfection, a microscopic examination of X-gal-stained samples did not show evidence of transfection in remote organs and arterial segments adjacent to the treated arterial site.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenovirus-mediated arterial gene transfer to endothelial, smooth muscle cells and adventitia by protein-coated metallic stent is feasible. The transfection efficiency is higher. The coated stent may act as a good carrier of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and have a potential to prevent restenosis following PTCA.

[The 5-year death analysis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy]

OBJECTIVE

To study the main death cause of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with radiotherapy for 5 years.

METHOD

An analysis had been made to evaluated the 5-year death in 165 patients with NPC treated with radiotherapy.

RESULT

The death correlates strongly with the clinical stage, type and radiation dose (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The distant metastasis and local recurrence are the main death cause of NPC.

[Inhibition effects of octreotide on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of somatostatin analogue octreotide on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line as well as the growth of HCC xenografts in nude mice.

METHODS

The effects of octreotide on the proliferation and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 HCC cells was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA and the TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) or flow cytometric assay separately. Nude mice bearing xenografts of the cell line were treated with octreotide or saline as a control daily until eight weeks after tumor implantation.

RESULTS

Incubation with octreotide decreased 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA of SMMC-7721 cells by approximately 50% at a concentration of 1 mumol/L. The inhibit effect of octreotide showed a concentration dependence. After 96 h incubation, total cell count was decreased 52.2% compared with control. When cells were treated by octreotide at 1 x 10(-6) mol/L for 24 hours, the apoptosis rates was (15.2 +/- 2.4)%. At necropsy, in mice given octreotide, the mean tumor weight were significantly lower than that of control group (0.27 +/- 0.05 vs 0.85 +/- 0.37, P < 0.01). The inhibition rate of tumor in vivo at 2 months was 68.2%.

CONCLUSION

Octreotide is effective in inhibiting growth of HCC both in vivo and in vitro significantly. The mechanisms of antineoplastic effect action may involved in inhibiting DNA synthesize and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells.

P450 interaction with farnesyl-protein transferase inhibitors metabolic stability, inhibitory potency, and P450 binding spectra in human liver microsomes

Methyl substitution at the 2-position of the imidazole ring greatly improved drug metabolism profiles, in human liver microsomes, of ras farnesyl-protein transferase inhibitor (FTI) candidates for drug development. Methyl substitution markedly reduced the P450 inhibitory potency of non-substituted FTIs for CYP3A4 (by a factor of 12-403) and 2C9 (by a factor of 4.2-28), while it had little effect on the CYP2D6 enzyme. An immunochemical inhibition study demonstrated that CYP3A4 plays a predominant role in the metabolism of both non-substituted and 2-methyl-substituted imidazole-containing FTI candidates. Very strong type II binding spectra with human liver microsomes were observed for all non-substituted FTIs, while methyl substitution markedly weakened type II spectra or shifted the type of spectra from II to I. This indicated that methyl substitution on the imidazole moiety interfered with the substrate-P450 heme interaction, likely due to a steric effect caused by the methyl group. A kinetics study revealed that the methyl substitution increased V(max) and K(m) values to the same extent. These studies suggested that the 2-methyl substitution on the imidazole ring improved its drug metabolism profile by reducing the potential to inhibit CYP3A4-mediated metabolism without affecting intrinsic metabolic clearance (V(max)/K(m)).

Inhibition of p53 transcriptional activity by the S100B calcium-binding protein

The levels of S100 Ca(2+)-binding proteins correlate with the progression of certain tumors, but their role, if any, in carcinogenesis is still poorly understood. S100B protein associates with both the p53 oligomerization domain (residues 325-355) and the extreme C terminus of the tumor suppressor p53 (residues 367-392). Consequently, S100B inhibits p53 tetramer formation and p53 phosphorylation mediated by protein kinase C, on p53 C-terminal end. In this report, we show that the S100B protein decreases p53 DNA binding and transcriptional activity. The effect of S100B is reflected in vivo by a reduced accumulation of p53, p21, and MDM2 protein levels in co-transfection assays and in response to bleomycin. The S100B can still interact with p53 in the absence of p53 extreme C-terminal end and reduce the expression of p53 downstream effector genes. These data indicate that S100B does not require p53 extreme C-terminal end to inhibit p53 activity. Collectively, these findings imply that elevated levels of S100B in tumors such as astrocytomas and gliomas could inhibit p53 functions and contribute to cancer progression.

Interleukin 10 inhibits the rat VSMC proliferation and collagen secretion stimulated by angiotensin II

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of interleukin 10 (IL-10) on the angiotensin II (AngII) stimulated rat VSMC proliferation and collagen secretion, and furthermore, explore its mechanism.

METHODS

On cultured VSMC of rat, 3H-thymine (3H-TdR) and 3H-proline incorporations were used to evaluate the DNA and collagen synthesis, respectively. Western blot and immunoprecipitation were applied to assay the expression and activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), respectively.

RESULTS

IL-10 (10(-8) approximately 10(-10) g/ml) inhibited the increase of 3H-TdR and 3H-proline incorporation as well as FAK activity, which was induced by 10(-7) mol/L AngII (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). IL-10 also obviously downregulated the synthesis and secretion of collagen by AngII stimulated VSMC. But there was no difference in the protein expression of FAK among all the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

IL-10 antagonizes the VSMC proliferation and collagen synthesis by regulating FAK activity stimulated by AngII.

Striatal size and relative glucose metabolic rate in schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) shares social deficits and cognitive impairment with schizophrenia, but is not typically characterized by frank psychosis. Because striatal size and functional activity have both been shown to be associated with psychotic symptoms, we carried out the first study of SPD to assess the caudate and putamen for comparison with findings in schizophrenia.

METHODS

Patients with SPD (n = 16), schizophrenic patients (n = 42), and age- and sex-matched normal control subjects (n = 47) were assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. All of the patients with SPD and subsamples of the schizophrenic patients (n = 27) and control subjects (n = 32) were also assessed with positron emission tomography using fluorodeoxyglucose F-18.

RESULTS

The relative size of the putamen in controls was significantly larger than in patients with SPD and significantly smaller than in schizophrenic patients, while the relative size of the caudate was similar in all 3 groups. Compared with control values, relative glucose metabolic rate in the ventral putamen was significantly elevated in patients with SPD and reduced in schizophrenic patients. When subsamples of schizophrenic patients (n = 10) and patients with SPD (n = 10) both of whom never received medication were compared, this pattern was more marked, with the highest value for the putamen being found in patients with SPD for the ventral slice and the lowest value for the right dorsal putamen.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SPD showed reduced volume and elevated relative glucose metabolic rate of the putamen compared with both schizophrenic patients and controls. These alterations in volume and activity may be related to the sparing of patients with SPD from frank psychosis.

Alleviation of hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling by L-arginine

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of L-arginine on hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling and its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Eighteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: the hypoxia group, the hypoxia with L-arginine group and the control group. Pulmonary artery mean pressure was evaluated with right cardiac catheterization. Pulmonary vascular structural changes were also observed. Plasma concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was measured via spectrophotometry, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) mRNA expression in pulmonary artery endothelial cells was detected using in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

The pulmonary artery mean pressure was significantly high in hypoxic rats than in normal controls (20.33 +/- 2.18 mm Hg vs 15.38 +/- 1.05 mm Hg, P < 0.05). Microstructural and ultrastructural analysis revealed the development of hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling in the hypoxic rats. Meanwhile, the plasma NO concentration was markedly lower in the hypoxic rats than in controls (P < 0.05). The expression signals of ET-1 mRNA by pulmonary artery endothelial cells of hypoxic rats strengthened obviously. L-arginine ameliorated pulmonary hypertension (16.73 +/- 1.35 mm Hg vs 20.33 +/- 2.18 mm Hg, P < 0.05) as well as pulmonary vascular structural remodeling in the hypoxic rats in association with an increase in plasma NO concentration (P < 0.05) and inhibited ET-1 mRNA expression by the endothelial cells of pulmonary arteries.

CONCLUSION

L-arginine might play an important role in the regulation of hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. The mechanism is probably related to promoting NO production and, as a result, inhibiting ET-1 mRNA expression by pulmonary artery endothelial cells in hypoxic rats.

The catalytic function of bovine lysyl oxidase in the absence of copper

Bovine lysyl oxidase (BLO) contains two different cofactors, copper (Kagan, H. M. (1986) in Biology of Extracellular Matrix (Mecham, R. P., ed) Vol. 1, pp. 321-398, Academic Press, Orlando, FL) and lysine tyrosyl quinone (LTQ) (Wang, S. X., Mure, M., Medzihradszky, K. F., Burlingame, A. L., Brown, D. E., Dooley, D. M., Smith, A. J., Kagan, H. M., and Klinman, J. P. (1996) Science 273, 1078-1084). By a combination of UV-visible spectroscopy, metal content analysis, and activity measurements, we find that copper-depleted BLO reacts in an irreversible manner with phenylhydrazine, an amine substrate analog, and catalyzes multiple turnovers of the substrate benzylamine. After removal of the majority of enzyme-bound copper, apoBLO exhibits a decrease in the LTQ content, as evidenced by the drop of the 510-520-nm absorbance, suggesting that the copper may play a structural role in stabilizing the LTQ. The remaining intact LTQ in the apoBLO reacted with phenylhydrazine, both in the presence and absence of the chelator, 10 mm 2,2'-dipyridyl. When benzylamine was used as the substrate, the apoBLO turned over at a rate of 50-60% of the native BLO (after correction for the residual copper and the change of LTQ content). Copper contamination from the assay buffer was ruled out by comparison of enzyme activity using different apoBLO concentrations. These studies demonstrate that the mature form of lysyl oxidase retains many of its functions in the absence of copper.

A novel cdk2-selective inhibitor, SU9516, induces apoptosis in colon carcinoma cells

Recent studies have indicated that the development of cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk)2 inhibitors that deregulate E2F are a plausible pharmacological strategy for novel antineoplastic agents. We show here that 3-[1-(3H-Imidazol-4-yl)-meth-(Z)-ylidene]-5-methoxy-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (SU9516), a novel 3-substituted indolinone compound, binds to and selectively inhibits the activity of cdk2. This inhibition results in a time-dependent decrease (4-64%) in the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein pRb, an increase in caspase-3 activation (5-84%), and alterations in cell cycle resulting in either a G(0)-G(1) or a G(2)-M block. We also report here cell line differences in the cdk-dependent phosphorylation of pRb. These findings demonstrate that SU9516 is a selective cdk2 inhibitor and support the theory that compounds that inhibit cdk2 are viable resources in the development of new antineoplastic agents.

Altered phosphorylation and calcium sensitivity of cardiac myofibrillar proteins during sepsis

Altered phosphorylation and Ca(2+) sensitivity of cardiac myofibrillar proteins during different phases of sepsis were investigated. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The results show that phosphorylation of troponin I (TnI) was increased by 268% during the early phase (9 h after CLP) but decreased by 46% during the late phase (18 h after CLP) of sepsis. Phosphorylation of C protein was increased by 76% during the early phase but decreased by 41% during the late phase of sepsis. Phosphorylation of myosin light chain-2 (MLC-2) remained unaltered during the early phase but was decreased by 38% during the late phase of sepsis. Phosphorylation of TnT was unaffected during the progression of sepsis. The increases in the phosphorylation of TnI and C protein during early sepsis were associated with the decrease in the Ca(2+) sensitivity of myofilaments and the increases in myocardial changes in tension development (+dP/dt(max)) and cAMP level. The decreases in the phosphorylation of TnI and C protein during late sepsis coincided with the declines in the activities of myofibrillar ATPase, Ca(2+) sensitivity of myofilaments, myocardial +/-dP/dt(max), and cAMP content. The increases and the decreases in the phosphorylation of TnI and C protein, +/-dP/dt(max), and the tissue cAMP level were sensitive to isoproterenol stimulation and propranolol inhibition. These findings suggest that alterations in the phosphorylation of myofibrillar proteins, such as TnI, C protein, and MLC-2, and changes in the activities and the Ca(2+) sensitivity of myofibrillar ATPase may contribute to the altered cardiac function during the progression of sepsis. Furthermore, the sepsis-induced alterations in the phosphorylation and Ca(2+) sensitivity of cardiac myofibrillar proteins were mediated via a beta-adrenergic receptor pathway.

The role of hypertension-related gene in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells from mice and rats

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of hypertension-related gene (HRG-1) in cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

The expression of HRG-1 was analyzed with RT-PCR and Northern blotting. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation was measured with 3H-TdR incorporation and was confirmed with histological analysis.

RESULTS

Northern blot analysis showed that HRG-1 mRNA was expressed not only in VSMC, but also in various rat tissues (heart, brain, lung, kidney, and liver). In addition, the expression of HRG-1 mRNA in heart, brain, kidney and liver of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) was lower than that in the same tissues of Wistar-Kyotorat (WKY). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and histological analysis showed that the expression of HRG-1 mRNA in ApoE-knockout mice and in animal models of restenosis was decreased and neointimal formation was observed in both models. ET, AII, and IL-1 stimulating VSMC proliferation reduced the expression of HRG-1 mRNA of VSMC. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), calcitonin gene-related peptide and adrenomedullin, inhibited VSMC proliferation and elevated the expression of HRG-1 mRNA. These effects could be blocked or attenuated by their corresponding antagonists or antibodies.

CONCLUSION

HRG-1 is a gene related to VSMC proliferation. It may play an important role in several occlusive cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, restenosis and hypertension.

[Comparative effects of decreasing viscosity in different preparations of Chinese angelica root and ginseng]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of different preparations of Chinese angilica root and ginseng on decreasing whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity in rats.

METHOD

The hemorheological method was used in vivo or in vitro and a Decreasing Viscosity Index (DIV) was defined as a comparative scalar.

RESULTS

In the effect of the groups of Chinese angilica root on decreasing viscosity, the effect of whole root group was the best and the effect of main root group was better than that of the tributary root group. Meanwhile the same effect of transplant wild ginseng group was greater than that of dried raw ginseng group.

CONCLUSION

This work provided some fundamental evidences for clinical application and pharmacological data for the quality evaluation.

P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux of indinavir metabolites in Caco-2 cells expressing cytochrome P450 3A4

The role of P-glycoprotein in secretion of indinavir metabolites produced by CYP3A4 was evaluated in Caco-2 cells expressing CYP3A4. Metabolism of indinavir by CYP3A4 expressing Caco-2 cells grown on filters resulted in the formation of N-dealkylation products (M5 and M6) and hydroxylation of indinavir, which were preferentially secreted into the apical compartment. Apical secretion of the metabolites was inhibited by cyclosporin A (CsA) with all three classes of metabolites showing similar sensitivity to CsA, suggesting that they are all secreted by the same pathway. M6 stimulated P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-ATPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This stimulation was inhibited by the Pgp-specific monoclonal antibody C219. A method was developed to specifically inhibit Pgp using the monoclonal antibody UIC2 to determine whether Pgp efflux accounts for a significant proportion of the apical secretion of indinavir metabolites. UIC2 recognizes an extracellular transient conformational epitope that is stabilized by some Pgp substrates or by ATP depletion. Incubation of Caco-2 cells with UIC2 in the presence of 1 microM CsA resulted in 50 to 80% inhibition of Pgp-mediated vinblastine efflux, with no significant inhibition observed by UIC2 or CsA alone. Inhibition of Pgp in CYP3A4-expressing Caco-2 cells by UIC2 and 1 microM CsA resulted in a significant decrease in the apical secretion of M6, M5, and OH-indinavir and an increase in the amount of the metabolites secreted in the basolateral compartment and retained in the cytosol. These results are consistent with a role of Pgp in elimination of CYP3A4-generated metabolites and indicate that even relatively polar metabolites may be secreted from the cell by Pgp.