ObjectiveTo explore the effects of curcumin on lipid profile and liver function in mice with hyperlipidemia.MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 per group): control group, model group, low-dose curcumin group, and high-dose curcumin group. A hyperlipidemia model was established by intragastric administration of a fat emulsion. Serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), as well as hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were measured using biochemical assays. Hepatic histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Oil Red O staining. The ultrastructure of liver mitochondria was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify hepatic levels of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase F (PPIF), malate dehydrogenase 1 (MDH1), and acyl-CoA synthetase medium-chain family member 1 (ACSM1). Western blotting was used to assess the protein expression of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B).ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased hepatic lipid deposition, elevated serum levels of TG and LDL-C, higher hepatic levels of MDA, AST, AST/ALT ratio, 8-OHdG, and NF-B protein expression, along with reduced serum HDL-C, hepatic SOD, T-AOC, PPIF, MDH1, ACSM1, and PPAR protein expression (P<0.05). In contrast, both low- and high-dose curcumin group significantly attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation, lowered serum TG and LDL-C levels, decreased hepatic MDA, AST, 8-OHdG, and NF-B protein expression, and increased serum HDL-C, hepatic SOD, T-AOC, PPIF, MDH1, ACSM1, and PPAR protein expression (P<0.05). Furthermore, the high-dose curcumin group demonstrated superior effects compared to the low-dose group, with higher hepatic T-AOC, PPIF, MDH1, and ACSM1 levels, as well as reduced 8-OHdG and NF-B protein expression (P<0.05).ConclusionCurcumin effectively reduces blood lipid levels, mitigates hepatic lipid deposition, enhances antioxidant capacity, and ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction in hyperlipidemic mice. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the modulation of the PPAR/NF-B signaling pathway.
ObjectiveTo analyze the predictive value of plasma D-dimer (D-D) and fibrinogen (Fg) combined with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for atrial fibrillation in patients with stable angina pectoris.MethodsA total of 148 patients with stable angina pectoris who were admitted to the hospital from May 2022 to October 2023 were divided into atrial fibrillation group (n=62) and non-atrial fibrillation group (n=86). Plasma D-D, Fg, and NT-proBNP levels were determined in all patients using standard biochemistry techniques. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors for atrial fibrillation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive efficacy of plasma D-D and Fg combined with NT-proBNP for atrial fibrillation.ResultsBoth univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that plasma D-D (OR=2.370), Fg (OR=2.158), and NT-proBNP (OR=2.370) were independently associated with atrial fibrillation (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that plasma D-D and Fg combined with NT-proBNP provided a significantly better prediction for atrial fibrillation in patients with stable angina pectoris (AUC=0.958, sensitivity 95.20%, specificity 96.50%), compared to the predictive value of a single indicator (P<0.05).ConclusionPlasma D-D, Fg, and NT-proBNP are risk factors for atrial fibrillation in patients with stable angina. The predictive ability is greatly improved with the combined use of these three measurements.
ObjectiveThis study sought to determine the risk factors for pressure injury after heart valve replacement (HVR).MethodsForty-five patients with pressure injury after HVR admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, from January 2021 to December 2023 were included (pressure injury group), and 50 patients without pressure injury after HVR during the same period served as controls (control group). Clinical data were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression model was used to identify the independent risk factors for pressure injury after HVR, and, Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to analyze the ability of each risk factor for predicting pressure injury after HVR.ResultsMultivariate analysis showed that age, body mass index, preoperative serum albumin, cardiopulmonary bypass time, intra-operative blood transfusion, operative time, and intra-operative use of vasoactive drugs were independent factors for pressure injury after HVR (P<0.05). ROC curve showed that these clinical and procedural factors also predicted the occurrence of pressure injury after HVR (all P<0.05).ConclusionAge, body mass index, preoperative serum albumin, cardiopulmonary bypass time, intra-operative blood transfusion, operative time, and intra-operative use of vasoactive drugs were independent factors for pressure injury after HVR. Careful clinical and procedural assessment is important for predicting pressure injury after HVR and improving the prognosis of these patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Dipteris sinensis (Kudiezi) on cardiac function in rats with heart failure (HF).MethodsThirty rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, HF group and HF+Kudiezi group (n=10 in each group). Echocardiography was performed to determine cardiac function, including LVEF, LVFS, LVEDD, LVESD. HE staining was used to examine myocardial pathological changes. Cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area was measured by WGA staining, and myocardial cell apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL kit. Mitochondrial ultra-structure was examined by transmission electron microscope. Western blotting was used to assess the protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, Cyto c and Caspase-1 in myocardial tissues.ResultsCompared with the control group, LVEF and LVFS were decreased, LVEDD and LVESD were increased in the HF group (P<0.05). Myocardial tissue structure was shown to be loose and disordered, with increased cross-sectional areas and apoptosis of myocardial cells (P<0.05). The mitochondria became swelling, associated with abnormal morphology and reduced number of mitochondrial cristoid in myocardial tissues. Similarly, the expression of Bcl-2 protein in myocardial tissues was decreased, and the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway proteins Bax, Cyto c and Caspase-1 protein was elevated (all P<0.05). Compared with the HF group, both LVEF and LVFS were increased, LVEDD and LVESD were decreased, myocardial structural distortion, myocardial cell cross-sectional area, and apoptosis were decreased, and myocardial mitochondrial structure was improved in the HF+Kudiezi group (all P<0.05). The expression levels of Bcl-2 protein in myocardial tissues were increased, and those of Bax, Cyto c and Caspase-1 proteins were reduced (P<0.05).ConclusionDipteris sinensis (Kudiezi) can improve cardiac function in HF rats by down-regulating mitochondrial apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate whether coronary stenosis severity was correlated with CT angiography (CTA)-derived quantitative parameters and serum total bilirubin (TBIL), homocysteine (Hcy) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).MethodsClinical data of 132 patients who underwent coronary angiography in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College from January 2020 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the degree of angiographic coronary stenosis, patients were divided into mild group (53 cases), moderate group (46 cases) and severe group (33 cases). CTA-derived quantitative parameters, including reconstruction index (RI), plaque burden and diameter stenosis, and serum levels of TBIL, Hcy, ALT were compared among the three groups. The relationship between CTA-derived quantitative parameters and serum measurements in patients with moderate or severe coronary stenosis was evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of the combination of these indexes on moderate or severe coronary stenosis.ResultsRI, plaque burden, diameter stenosis, serum Hcy and ALT increased gradually across mild, moderate and severe groups, and the serum TBIL level in severe group was lower than that in mild group and moderate group (all P<0.05). Serum Hcy level correlated positively with diameter stenosis in moderate and severe group, and ALT was strongly related to CTA-derived diameter stenosis in severe group (P<0.05). Serum TBIL level was negatively correlated with CTA-derived plaque burden in moderate group (P<0.05). Combination of diameter stenosis, RI, serum TBIL, Hcy, ALT and plaque burden provided a good diagnostic value for moderate to severe coronary stenosis (AUC=0.948).ConclusionSerum Hcy, TBIL and ALT levels are closely correlated with CTA-derived quantitative parameters. These measurements may have clinical relevance in the preventive and therapeutic decision-making for patients with coronary artery disease.