BackgroundTo investigate the effects of a Chinese herbal medicine Fufang-Zhenzhu Tiaozhi Capsule (FTZ) on restenosis and elucidate the mechanism of action.MethodsA restenosis model was established by balloon rubbing the endothelium of the abdominal aorta followed by high fat diet. Rabbits were divided into blank control group, restenosis group, FTZ group (0.66 mg/kg/day), atorvastatin group (5 mg/kg/day) and FTZ + atorvastatin group (n = 8). Vascular stenosis was analyzed by X-ray. Serum levels of chemokines and cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured by ELISA. The levels of NF-κB, IκB-α, P-IκBα, IKK-α, and P-IKKα/β from injured abdominal arteries were detected by Western blotting.ResultsRestenosis was induced successfully via abdominal artery balloon injuries and high fat diet. Restenosis was significantly decreased in FTZ group compared with restenosis group (P < 0.05). FTZ group had markedly reduced serum lipid levels (P < 0.05). In addition, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, ICAM-1 and MCP-1 decreased by FTZ treatment (P < 0.05). The expression of NF-κB in the atherosclerotic lesions was significantly attenuated in FTZ group (P < 0.05).ConclusionFTZ could reduce restenosis via reducing NF-κB activity and inflammatory factor expression within the atherosclerotic lesion in a rabbit restenosis model. FTZ may be a new therapeutic agent for restenosis.

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BackgroundAtrial myxoma accounts for approximately 50% of all cardiac tumors. The majority of myxomas are located in the left atrium and present variable clinical manifestation.Case presentationA young man was transferred to our hospital with sudden onset of resting pain, pallor and numb in right leg. An atrial mobile mass was detected by transthoracic echocardiography. Anticoagulant and antithrombotic therapy were administered, a timely surgery was performed and the mass was confirmed as a myxoma. The patient did not discharge any discomfort post-operation.ConclusionFor patients with atrial myxoma, early diagnosis is essential, anticoagulant or antithrombotic therapy and surgery have a great importance to prevent further embolism.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of lipoprotein(a) level on long-range prognosis after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in patients with lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment. In this retrospective study, 350 patients in Coronary artery disease (CAD) with LDL-C less than 1.8 mmol/L were enrolled in the Guangdong Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases from January 2011 to December 2013. Follow-up was 1 year after PCI. According to the median value of the study population based on Lp(a), the patients were assigned to the high-level group and low-level group. The clinical data of the 2 groups were collected. We compared the baseline data between the 2 groups and the incidence rate of major cardiovascular events. After statistical analysis, the gender composition, hypertension, diabetes, and age of the patients between the 2 groups were similar, and the distinction was not significant. There was no significant distinction in cardio-vascular death, ischemic stroke, and recurrent myocardial infarction between the 2 groups, but the incidence of revascularization was higher in the high-level group (P <0.05). High Lp(a) level predicts an increased incidence of revascularization of patients in CAD with LDL-C less than 1.8 mmol/L after PCI.

Wenxin Keli (WXKL) is a traditional Chinese medicine drug approved for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to identify WXKL-targeting genes involved in antiarrhythmic efficacy of WXKL. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) technology platform was used to screen active compounds of WXKL and WXKL-targeting arrhythmia-related genes. A pig model of myocardial ischemia (MI) was established by balloon-expanding the endothelium of the left coronary artery. Pigs were divided into the model group and WXKL group (n = 6). MI, QT interval, heart rate, and arrhythmia were recorded, and the mRNA expression of target genes in myocardial tissues was detected by PCR. Eleven active ingredients of WXKL and eight WXKL-targeting arrhythmia-related genes were screened. Five pathways were enriched, and an “ingredient-gene-path” network was constructed. WXKL markedly decreased the incidence of arrhythmia in the MI pig model (P<0.05). The QT interval was significantly shortened, and the heart rate was slowed down in the WXKL group compared with the model group (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of sodium channel protein type 5 subunit alpha (SCN5A) and beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) was downregulated, while muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 (CHRM2) was upregulated in the WXKL group (P<0.05). In conclusion, WXKL may shorten the QT interval and slow down the heart rate by downregulating SCN5A and ADRB2 and upregulating CHRM2 during MI. These findings provide novel insight into molecular mechanisms of WXKL in reducing the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia.

Background and objective: Although liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a well-known tumor suppressor gene, and its encoded protein has important biological functions, it is not clear whether LKB1 can inhibit atherosclerosis by regulating vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship among LKB1, VSMCs and atherosclerosis. Methods and results: ApoE-/- mice with VSMCs-specific overexpression of LKB1 were constructed by adeno-associated virus transfection technique, and then fed with high-fat diet for eight weeks. The effect of LKB1 overexpression on atherosclerosis in mice was investigated by oil red O staining, HE staining, immunofluorescence and Western Blot. The results showed that the expression of LKB1 mRNA and protein in arterial tissue of mice increased significantly after overexpression of LKB1. The degree of atherosclerosis, smooth muscle fiber proliferation and lipid accumulation were significantly alleviated in the overexpression group. The results of Western Blot showed that the expression of α-SMA was increased, while the expression of OPN and CD68 was significantly decreased in the overexpression group (P<0.05). The Immunofluorescence results of Image Pro Plus software analysis showed that the co-localization relationship between α-SMA and CD68 was more obvious in the control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our results suggested that LKB1 can delay the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting the phenotypic transition of VSMCs.

Coronary artery–left ventricular multiple microfistulas (CALVMMFs) are a very rare type of coronary artery fistula. Because of their special anatomical structure and hemodynamics, CALVMMFs often result in no obvious symptoms and signs. Most patients are diagnosed by coronary angiography; however, as a routine noninvasive screening method, Doppler echocardiography is a potential first-choice diagnostic technique for patients with CALVMMFs. Although satisfactory results of CALVMMF closure are difficult to achieve, the clinical symptoms of these patients are not obvious, and drug therapy has a clear therapeutic effect on most patients. We herein introduce seven cases of CALVMMFs confirmed by our hospital and briefly review the related literature.