Abstract: Objective To study the antiacute rejection effect of Pachymic acid (PA) in heart transplantation rats, in order to select a new antirejection medicine with low side effect from traditional Chinese medicine. Methods We established the model by transplanting Wistar rats (32,donor) heart allografts into the abdomen of SD rats (32,receptor). The homologous hearttransplanted rats were then randomly divided into 4 groups with 16 rats in each group. Olive oil solution with PA 1 mg/(kg·d), PA 10 mg/(kg·d), Cyclosporine (CsA) 5 mg/(kg·d) and olive oil solution 0.5 ml/(kg·d) were respectively given intragastrically to lowdosage PA group, highdosage PA group, CsA group and the control group till the end of observation. Survival time of heart allografts, heart beating and the histological changes of allografts were examined and serum level of interleukin2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Survival time in the highdosage PA group, the lowdosage PA group and the CsA group were 24.90±0.99 d, 15.50±1.60 d and 26.80±0.88 d respectively, which is much better than the control group (6.10±1.10 d, q=22.363, P=0.000; q=44.793, P=0.000; q=49.272,P=0.000). IL-2 serum level in the highdosage PA group, the lowdosage PA group and the CsA group were all lower than that in the control group (q=14.483, P=0.000; q=3.705, P=0.000; =21.418,P=0.000), whileIL-2 serum level in the highdosage group was lower than that in the lowdosage group (q=10.778,P=0.000). Similarly, IFN-γ serum level in the first three groups were all lower than that in the control group (q=16.508,P=0000; q=4.281, P=0.000;q=19.621, P=0.000) and IFNγ serum level in the highdosage group was also lower than that in the lowdosage group (q=14.975, P=0.000). Pathological examination 7 days after the surgery showed that pathologic lesion was much more relieved in the two PA groups and the CsA group than the control group. Conclusion Acute rejection of heart transplantation can be effectively suppressed by PA.
Abstract: Objective To build a rat model of right ventricular failure （RVF） by subcutaneous injection of Monocrotaline. Methods Forty Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups, 10 rats each group. Exp4 group: four weeks after Monocrotaline injection, experimental results were observed; Exp6 group: six weeks after Monocrotaline injection, experimental results were observed; Con4 group: four weeks after normal saline injection, experimental results were observed; Con6 group: six weeks after normal saline injection, experimental results were observed. Four and six weeks after Monocrotaline or normal saline injection respectively, the hemodynamic indexes of each pair of groups were measured. Their hearts and livers were excised to measure physiological indexes and had pathological examinations. Results Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP), maximal rate of change of right ventricular pressure (RV dp/dtmax) and right ventricular ypertrophy index in Exp4 group were higher than those in Con4 group（Plt;0.05,0.01）. Compared with Con6 group, there were obvious symptoms of RVF in Exp6 group which included the increases of heart rate, increases of central venous pressure (CVP) and MPAP, the decreases of RV dp/dtmax, the decreases of weight, the increases of liver weight/body weight ratio and right ventricular hypertrophy index, significant pleural and peritoneal effusions（P＜0.05,0.01 ）. Pathological examination of Exp6 group showed disordering and bifurcated cardiac muscle fibers, large and thickly dying cell core, enlarged transverse diameter of the cardiac muscle fibers and stroma fibrosis. Vacuolar degeneration and dissolved carcoplasm could be seen. The vessel wall of the lung arteriole thickened, intercellular layer smooth muscle cell hyperplasied, elastic fibers increased, vessel wall arteriosclerosised, lumens stenosized. Conclusion This model is simple to build and successful rate is high. It is valuable for further research.
ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the population aged 50 and over in Qidong County of Jangsu Province. Methods3644 individuals from 4 villages were randomly selected by clustering sampling method, according to the household registration information and door to door visits. Visual acuity was measured by modified Bailey-Lovie E logMAR chart. The examination of eyelids, cornea, lens and fundus were also carried out. The diagnosis of AMD was made according to the clinical hierarchy system by Age-Related Eye Diseases Study. χ2 test was used to analyze the prevalence of AMD and its related factors. ResultsAmong 3644 selected individuals, 2985 individuals received examination with a participating rate of 81.92%. In total 97 patients (136 eyes) had AMD with a prevalence rate of 3.25%. Among them, 71 patients (105 eyes) had early stage of AMD (2.38%); 26 patients (31 eyes) had late stage of AMD (0.87%). In these late stage patients, there were 9 patients (13 eyes) of exudative lesions (0.30%). There were 32 male (3.11%) and 65 female (3.32%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female prevalence (χ2=0.29, P > 0.05). Correlation analysis results showed that the long-term smoking (χ2=15.19) and heart cerebrovascular disease (χ2=81.50) was associated with AMD (P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of AMD is 3.25% in the residents aged 50 and above in the rural area of Qidong County, Jangsu Province. Long-term smoking, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease are the risk factors of AMD.