Cardiology Commons^™

Association Between Obesity And Infarct Size: Insight Into The Obesity Paradox., Beatriz Cepeda-Valery, Md, Leandro Slipczuk, Md, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D., Gregg S. Pressman, D Lynn Morris, Md, Carl J Lavie, Md, Abel Romero-Corral, Md

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Abstract:

Background: In patients with coronary heart disease, being overweight or obese is associated with better outcomes, a phenomenon known as the 'obesity paradox'. Despite the high prevalence of obesity in the United Sates, its effects on infarct size are largely unexplored.

Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study of 102 consecutive patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Standardized forms were used to collect data on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), cardiovascular risk factors, and medications. Peak troponin I and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) were used to estimate infarct size. Epicardial and pericardial fat were measured by echocardiography. We used univariate …

Alcohol And The Heart: To Abstain Or Not To Abstain?, Rajesh Movva, Md, Mrcp, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Alcohol has been consumed by most societies over the last 7000 years. Abraham Lincoln said "It has long been recognized that the problems with alcohol relate not to the use of a bad thing, but to the abuse of a good thing." Light to moderate alcohol consumption reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease, CHD mortality, and all-cause mortality, especially in the western populations. However, heavy alcohol consumption is detrimental causing cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, hepatic cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and hemorrhagic stroke. In this article, we review the effects of alcohol on CHD, individual cardiovascular risk …

A Review Of Nutritional Factors In Hypertension Management., Ha Nguyen, Olaide A Odelola, Janani Rangaswami, Aman Amanullah

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Hypertension is a major health problem worldwide. Its attendant morbidity and mortality complications have a great impact on patient's quality of life and survival. Optimizing blood pressure control has been shown to improve overall health outcomes. In addition to pharmacological therapies, nonpharmacological approach such as dietary modification plays an important role in controlling blood pressure. Many dietary components such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium have been studied substantially in the past decades. While some of these nutrients have clear evidence for their recommendation, some remain controversial and are still of ongoing study. Dietary modification is often discussed with patients …

Cardio-Oncology For The 21st Century: Introduction., Marc L Schwartz, Md

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Based on the latest statistics the prognosis for patients with malignancy has dramatically improved. The overall 5 year survival rate for those who were diagnosed with a cancer between 2002 and 2008 was approximately 65%¹, and as of 2008, 12 million Americans were cancer survivors.² However, this extended longevity now exposes these patients to the risk of other health issues related to their primary cancer or to the treatment that ensured their survival. Specifically, patients who have not succumbed prematurely to their oncologic disease may develop cardiovascular disease that is either a result of the long-term effects …

Distribution Of Dyssynchrony In Subjects With No Known Cardiac Disease And Comparison Of Velocity Vector Imaging To Color-Coded Tissue Doppler Imaging., Anoop C Parameswaran, Bhaskar Purushottam, Aman Amanullah, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Data on the distribution of dyssynchrony in subjects with normal ejection fraction (EF) and normal QRS are scarce. We studied 100 subjects with no known cardiac disease (52% male, mean age 60 ± 17 years) using velocity vector imaging (VVI). Seventeen percent had septal to lateral (S-L) wall longitudinal delay >75 msec, 63% of subjects had S-L wall radial delay >75 msec, and 25% had a circumferential opposing wall delay >100 msec. Those with circumferential opposing wall delay of >100 msec had a lower EF (57 ± 5% vs. 62 ± 5%, P < 0.05). In an additional group of 33 patients, we compared the longitudinal dyssynchrony parameters as assessed by VVI and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and found them to be comparable. In conclusion, we find significant variation in time to peak velocities in subjects with no known cardiac disease, who had a normal left ventricular ejection fraction and QRS duration. VVI is comparable to TDI.

A Genome-Wide Methylation Study On Essential Hypertension In Young African American Males., Xiaoling Wang, Bonita Falkner, Haidong Zhu, Huidong Shi, Shaoyong Su, Xiaojing Xu, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Yanbin Dong, Frank Treiber, Bernard Gutin, Gregory Harshfield, Harold Snieder

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: There is emerging evidence from animal studies suggesting a key role for methylation in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. However, to date, very few studies have investigated the role of methylation in the development of human hypertension, and none has taken a genome-wide approach. Based on the recent studies that highlight the involvement of inflammation in the development of hypertension, we hypothesize that changes in DNA methylation of leukocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

METHOD & RESULTS: We conducted a genome-wide methylation analysis on 8 hypertensive cases and 8 normotensive age-matched controls aged 14-23 years and performed …

Infective Endocarditis Epidemiology Over Five Decades: A Systematic Review., Leandro Slipczuk, J Nicolas Codolosa, Carlos D Davila, Abel Romero-Corral, Jeong Yun, Gregg S. Pressman, Vincent M. Figueredo

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

AIMS: To Assess changes in infective endocarditis (IE) epidemiology over the last 5 decades.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched the published literature using PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from inception until December 2011.

DATA FROM: Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA were also included. Criteria for inclusion in this systematic review included studies with reported IE microbiology, IE definition, description of population studied, and time frame. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed manuscript quality. One hundred sixty studies (27,083 patients) met inclusion criteria. Among hospital-based studies (n=142; 23,606 patients) staphylococcal IE percentage increased over time, with coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) increasing over …

Periodontal Disease Is An Independent Predictor Of Intracardiac Calcification., Gregg S Pressman, Atif Qasim, Nitin Verma, Masami Miyamae, Kumiko Arishiro, Yasuhiro Notohara, Vitalie Crudu, Vincent M. Figueredo

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is the most common chronic inflammatory condition worldwide and is associated with incident coronary disease.

HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that periodontal disease would also be associated with cardiac calcification, a condition which shares many risk factors with atherosclerosis and is considered a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study at two sites (USA and Japan) involving subjects with both clinical echocardiograms and detailed dental examinations. Semiquantitative scoring systems were used to assess severity of periodontal disease and echocardiographic calcification.

RESULTS: Fifty-six of 73 subjects (77%) had cardiac calcifications, and 51% had moderate to severe periodontal disease (score > 2). In …

Matrix Metalloproteinase Levels Identify Heart Failure Patients With Higher Burden Of Atrial Fibrillation, Toshimasa Okabe, Md, Avinash Chandra, Shaw R. Natan, Suzanne Adams, Jocelyn A. Sendecki, Melissa M. Mccarey, Reginald Ho, Md, Behzad B. Pavri, Md, Arnold J. Greenspon, Md, Daniel Frisch, Md

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Presented at ACC Mid-Atlantic conference in Washington DC.

INTRODUCTION/HYPOTHESIS

•Adverse cardiac remodeling and fibrosis provide an arrhythmic substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF), but the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as a biomarker is not well understood. MMPs are zinc-dependent endopeptidases known to degrade substrates such as elastin, gelatin and collagen.

•In excised human atrial tissue, MMP 2 and 9 levels rise as the AF burden increases from sinus rhythm (“No AF”) to non-permanent AF (“Non-Prm AF”) to permanent AF (“PrmAF”). Higher plasma levels of MMPs are also associated with recurrent AF after cardioversion.

•This study sought to elucidate 1) the …

Brachytherapy: A New Weapon Against Coronary Restenosis, Rob Silver

The Medicine Forum

Since its introduction in the late 1970's, coronary angioplasty has become a common procedure for treating coronary atherosclerotic disease. It offers significant improvement in symptoms of coronary artery disease through a less invasive procedure than coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Each year, over 500,000 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures are performed in North America alone. In larger epicardial vessels that are 3 millimeters or greater in diameter, a metal stent can be placed during angioplasty to reduce the incidence of restenosis. In fact, stents are now deployed in approximately 80 percent of PTCA procedures. The success rate of PTCA …

Severe Dyspnea And Cough, Traci Mellinger Kohl, Elizabeth Cartwright

The Medicine Forum

A 43 year-old white male with a history of hypertension and a smoking history of 30 pack-years presented to the emergency room coplaining of cough, severe dyspnea, nausea, and vomiting. Ten days prior to presentation, he experienced flu-like symptoms with a low-grade fever, myalgias, and malaise that lasted approximately four days but resolved spontaneously. He had a cough productive of white sputum and blood-tinged nasal drainage for one week. Three days prior to presentation he began to experience right upper quadrant abdominal pain and bilious vomiting. The patient worked as a bar inspector and had a routine PPD check 9 …

A Case Of Thrombosis And Thromboembolic Events, Daniel Lin

The Medicine Forum

A 65 year old black woman with hypertension (HTN), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and anxiety had complained to her primary care physician of vague abdominal pain. Initial empiric treatment as an outpatient for worsening GERD was unsuccessful. The patient had insidious development of generalized fatigue, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. An ultrasound of the abdomen revealed multiple liver lesions, with the largest lesion being 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm. She subsequently underwent a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, which confirmed multiple hyperdense liver lesions. The remainder of the scan was unremarkable. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as well as …

Trends In Permanent Pacemaker Implantation In The United States From 1993 To 2009: Increasing Complexity Of Patients And Procedures., Arnold J Greenspon, Jasmine D Patel, Edmund Lau, Jorge A Ochoa, Daniel R Frisch, Reginald T Ho, Behzad B. Pavri, Steven M Kurtz

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to define contemporary trends in permanent pacemaker use by analyzing a large national database.

BACKGROUND: The Medicare National Coverage Determination for permanent pacemaker, which emphasized single-chamber pacing, has not changed significantly since 1985. We sought to define contemporary trends in permanent pacemaker use by analyzing a large national database.

METHODS: We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify permanent pacemaker implants between 1993 and 2009 using the International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision-Clinical Modification procedure codes for dual-chamber (DDD), single-ventricular (VVI), single-atrial (AAI), or biventricular (BiV) devices. Annual permanent pacemaker implantation rates and patient demographics were analyzed. …

Acute Heart Transplant Rejection In The Presence Of Apparently Weak, Non-Complement-Fixing Donor-Specific Antibodies Detected At The Time Of Transplant, Anthony Nizio, Paul J. Mather, Beth Colombe

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Poster presented at: American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) conference.

AIM: A 66 year old female with an end-stage NYHA class IV inotrope-dependent, ischemic cardiomyopathy received a heart transplant on 9-12-09 from a doctor having antigens B13 and DR7. Pre-transplant antibody testing indicated only weakly positive, non-complement fixing donor-specific antibodies. The patient suffered a cardiac arrest on POD#6 and was resuscitated. She was in cardiogenic shock from allograft failure and subsequently expired on POD#9 of multiorgan failure due to "acute humoral rejection". These antibodies were investigated further.

METHODS: Antibodies were evaluated using Labscreen PRA (One Lambda), Labscreen Single Antigen …

Characterization And Normal Measurements Of The Left Ventricular Outflow Tract By Ecg-Gated Cardiac Ct: Implications For Disorders Of The Outflow Tract And Aortic Valve., Ethan J Halpern, Shiva Gupta, David J Halpern, David H Wiener, Alyson N Owen

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Studies suggest that electrocardiographically gated coronary computed tomographic angiography provides a clear definition of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), and normal LVOT morphology may not be round, as assumed when the continuity equation is applied during echocardiography. The aims of this study were to demonstrate the morphology of the LVOT on coronary computed tomographic angiography and to establish normal values for LVOT measurements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two independent readers retrospectively measured anterior-posterior (AP) and transverse diameters of the LVOT and performed LVOT planimetry on coronary computed tomographic angiographic studies of 106 consecutive patients with normal aortic …

Determining The Absolute Requirement Of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 5 For Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy: Short Communication., Jessica I Gold, Erhe Gao, Xiying Shang, Richard T Premont, Walter J Koch

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

RATIONALE: Heart failure (HF) is often the end phase of maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy. A contributing factor is activation of a hypertrophic gene expression program controlled by decreased class II histone deacetylase (HDAC) transcriptional repression via HDAC phosphorylation. Cardiac-specific overexpression of G proteinen-coupled receptor kinase-5 (GRK5) has previously been shown to possess nuclear activity as a HDAC5 kinase, promoting an intolerance to in vivo ventricular pressure overload; however, its endogenous requirement in adaptive and maladaptive hypertrophy remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE: We used mouse models with global or cardiomyocyte-specific GRK5 gene deletion to determine the absolute requirement of endogenous GRK5 for cardiac hypertrophy …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Blood Pressure Plus Program At Thomas Jefferson University, Adam C. Winters

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Blood Pressure Plus program enhances the role of the community in chronic disease prevention and management. There is much evidence that controlling disease and cost is greatly improved through the involvement of community leaders and resources. By offering free blood pressure screenings, the BP+ program was able to document the current status of many underserved individuals in the city of Philadelphia, provide the necessary education and referrals. Perhaps more importantly, the program allowed us to foster relationships with individuals who could further the efforts of chronic care management within their communities. More and more we’re seeing …

Influence Of The Menstrual Cycle On The Incidence Of Nausea And Vomiting After Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery: A Pilot Study., Tatjana Simurina, Boris Mraovic, Neven Skitarelić, Tatjana Andabaka, Zdenko Sonicki

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the phase of menstrual cycle influences the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in women undergoing general anesthesia for elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

DESIGN: Prospective, observational, blinded study.

SETTING: General hospital, Postanesthesia Care Unit, and gynecologic floor room.

PATIENTS: 111 ASA physical status 1 and 2 women, aged 18 to 53 years.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were classified into three groups according to the phase of menstrual cycle at the time of anesthesia: Group F1: follicular phase (menstrual days 1-8; n = 34); Group O2: ovulatory phase (days 9-15; n = 40); and Group L3: luteal …

Cardiac G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 Ablation Induces A Novel Ca2+ Handling Phenotype Resistant To Adverse Alterations And Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction., Philip W Raake, Xiaoying Zhang, Leif E Vinge, Henriette Brinks, Erhe Gao, Naser Jaleel, Yingxin Li, Mingxin Tang, Patrick Most, Gerald W Dorn, Steven R Houser, Hugo A Katus, Xiongwen Chen, Walter J Koch

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a primary regulator of β-adrenergic signaling in the heart. G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 ablation impedes heart failure development, but elucidation of the cellular mechanisms has not been achieved, and such elucidation is the aim of this study.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Myocyte contractility, Ca(2+) handling and excitation-contraction coupling were studied in isolated cardiomyocytes from wild-type and GRK2 knockout (GRK2KO) mice without (sham) or with myocardial infarction (MI). In cardiac myocytes isolated from unstressed wild-type and GRK2KO hearts, myocyte contractions and Ca(2+) transients were similar, but GRK2KO myocytes had lower sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content …

Ketamine As An Adjunct For The Long-Term Sedation And Analgesia Of A Patient With A Left Ventricular Assist Device (Lvad) And An Open Chest, Avni Gupta, Charles S. Kato, Eugene R. Viscusi

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

Conclusion:

A multimodal sedative and analgesic regimen that incorporates ketamine offers important therapeutic advantages in select patients who require very high doses of opioids and benzodiazepines, but warrants futher study.

Effect Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea On Mitral Valve Tenting., Gregg S. Pressman, Vincent M. Figueredo, Abel Romero-Corral, Ganesan Murali, Morris N Kotler

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Obstructive apneas produce high negative intrathoracic pressure which imposes an afterload burden on the left ventricle. Such episodes might produce structural changes in the left ventricle over time. Doppler echocardiograms were obtained within 2 months of attended polysomnography. Patients were grouped according to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): mild/no OSA (AHI < 15) and mod/severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15). Mitral valve tenting height and area, left ventricular (LV) long and short axis, and LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), were measured along with tissue Doppler parameters. Comparisons of measurements at baseline and follow up between and within groups were obtained; correlations between absolute changes (deltas) in echocardiographic parameters were also performed. After a mean follow up of 240 days mitral valve tenting height increased significantly (1.17 ± 0.12 cm to 1.28 ± 0.17 cm, p=0.001) in mod/severe OSA as did tenting area (2.30 ± 0.41 cm² to 2.66 ± 0.60 cm², p=0.0002); delta tenting height correlated with delta LVEDV (rho 0.43, p=0.01) and delta tenting area (rho 0.35, p=0.04). In mild/no OSA patients there was no significant change in tenting height; there was a borderline significant increase in tenting area (2.20 ± 0.44 cm …

Hyperphosphorylation Of The Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor At Serine 2808 Is Not Involved In Cardiac Dysfunction After Myocardial Infarction., Hongyu Zhang, Catherine A Makarewich, Hajime Kubo, Wei Wang, Jason M Duran, Ying Li, Remus M Berretta, Walter J Koch, Xiongwen Chen, Erhe Gao, Héctor H Valdivia, Steven R Houser

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

RATIONALE: Abnormal behavior of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) has been linked to cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure (HF) after myocardial infarction (MI). It has been proposed that protein kinase A (PKA) hyperphosphorylation of the RyR2 at a single residue, Ser-2808, is a critical mediator of RyR dysfunction, depressed cardiac performance, and HF after MI.

OBJECTIVE: We used a mouse model (RyRS2808A) in which PKA hyperphosphorylation of the RyR2 at Ser-2808 is prevented to determine whether loss of PKA phosphorylation at this site averts post MI cardiac pump dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS: MI was induced in wild-type (WT) and S2808A …

Invited Commentary On: Orthotopic Heart Transplantation In Patients With Metabolic Risk Factors, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Paul Mather

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

This is invited commentary to the following article:

Kilic, A., Conte, J. V., Shah, A. S., & Yuh, D. D. (2012). Orthotopic heart transplantation in patients with metabolic risk factors. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 93(3), 718-724.

Effects Of Preoperative Aspirin On Cardiocerebral And Renal Complications In Non-Emergent Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Sub-Group And Cohort Study., Longhui Cao, Scott Silvestry, Ning Zhao, James Diehl, Jianzhong Sun

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Postoperative cardiocerebral and renal complications are a major threat for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This study was aimed to examine the effect of preoperative aspirin use on patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS: An observational cohort study was performed on consecutive patients (n = 1879) receiving cardiac surgery at this institution. The patients excluded from the study were those with preoperative anticoagulants, unknown aspirin use, or underwent emergent cardiac surgery. Outcome events included were 30-day mortality, renal failure, readmission and a composite outcome - major adverse cardiocerebral events (MACE) that include permanent or transient stroke, coma, perioperative myocardial …

Improved Cardiac Management With A Disease Management Program Incorporating Comprehensive Lipid Profiling., John F Mcana, Neil I Goldfarb, Joseph Couto, Michelle A Henry, Gary Piefer, George M Rapier

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the improved effectiveness of a disease management treatment protocol incorporating comprehensive lipid profiling and targeted lipid care based on lipid profile findings in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) or congestive heart failure (CHF) enrolled in a managed care plan. This retrospective cohort study, conducted over a 2-year period, compared outcomes between patients with a standard lipid profile to those evaluated with a comprehensive lipid profile. All adult members of the WellMed Medical Management, Inc. managed care health plan diagnosed with IHD or CHF, and continuously enrolled between July 1, 2006 and …

Direct Evidence For Inhibition Of Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening By Sevoflurane Preconditioning In Cardiomyocytes: Comparison With Cyclosporine A., Anna Onishi, Masami Miyamae, Kazuhiro Kaneda, Junichiro Kotani, Vincent M. Figueredo

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

To assess whether sevoflurane preconditioning is associated with inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), the effects of sevoflurane were compared with those of cyclosporine A, a known inhibitor of MPTP opening. Isolated perfused guinea pig hearts underwent 30 min global ischemia and 120 min reperfusion (control). Sevoflurane preconditioning was elicited by administration of 2% sevoflurane for 10 min with 10 min washout before ischemia (sevoflurane). A preconditioning-like cardioprotection was also induced by administering cyclosporine A (0.2 μM) for 15 min, starting 5 min before ischemia and for 10 min after the onset of reperfusion (cyclosporine A). Left ventricular developed …

Acute Hypotensive Transfusion Reaction: A Case Report, Waleed Shah, Elia S. Elia

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

Introduction:

Acute hypotensive transfusion reactions are characterized by an abrupt and early onset of hypotension. This is often severe and lacks other signs of symptoms associated with more common causes of hypotension or transfusion reactions. Once the transfusion is stopped, the hypotension rapidly resolves, usually without the need for therapy.

Case Report detailed in poster.

Cardioprotection Of Controlled And Cardiac-Specific Over-Expression Of A(2a)-Adenosine Receptor In The Pressure Overload., Eman A Hamad, Weizhong Zhu, Tung O Chan, Valerie Myers, Erhe Gao, Xue Li, Jin Zhang, Jianliang Song, Xue-Qian Zhang, Joseph Y Cheung, Walter Koch, Arthur M Feldman

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

Adenosine binds to three G protein-coupled receptors (R) located on the cardiomyocyte (A(1)-R, A(2A)-R and A(3)-R) and provides cardiac protection during both ischemic and load-induced stress. While the role of adenosine receptor-subtypes has been well defined in the setting of ischemia-reperfusion, far less is known regarding their roles in protecting the heart during other forms of cardiac stress. Because of its ability to increase cardiac contractility and heart rate, we hypothesized that enhanced signaling through A(2A)-R would protect the heart during the stress of transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Using a cardiac-specific and inducible promoter, we selectively over-expressed A(2A)-R in FVB …

Orphan Nuclear Receptor Nur77 Regulates Androgen Receptor Gene Expression In Mouse Ovary., Anyi Dai, Guijun Yan, Qinyuan He, Yue Jiang, Qun Zhang, Ting Fang, Lijun Ding, Jianxin Sun, Haixiang Sun, Yali Hu

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

The androgen receptor (AR) is a nuclear receptor that is expressed in growing follicles and involved in folliculogenesis and follicle growth. The orphan nuclear receptor, Nur77, also has an important role in steroid signaling and follicle maturation. We hypothesized that AR levels and androgen signaling through AR are regulated by Nur77 in the ovary. In the ovaries of Nur77 knockout mice (n = 5), real-time PCR results showed that the mRNA levels of AR and an androgen signaling target gene, Kitl, were decreased by 35% and 24%, respectively, relative to wild-type mice (n = 5), which suggested transcriptional regulation of …

Microrna-145 Protects Cardiomyocytes Against Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)-Induced Apoptosis Through Targeting The Mitochondria Apoptotic Pathway., Ruotian Li, Guijun Yan, Qiaoling Li, Haixiang Sun, Yali Hu, Jianxin Sun, Biao Xu

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

MicroRNAs, a class of small and non-encoding RNAs that transcriptionally or post-transcriptionally modulate the expression of their target genes, has been implicated as critical regulatory molecules in many cardiovascular diseases, including ischemia/reperfusion induced cardiac injury. Here, we report microRNA-145, a tumor suppressor miRNA, can protect cardiomyocytes from hydrogen peroxide H₂O₂-induced apoptosis through targeting the mitochondrial pathway. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) demonstrated that the expression of miR-145 in either ischemia/reperfused mice myocardial tissues or H₂O₂-treated neonatal rat ventricle myocytes (NRVMs) was markedly down-regulated. Over-expression of miR-145 significantly inhibited the H₂O₂-induced cellular apoptosis, ROS production, mitochondrial structure disruption as well as the …