Background: Vein graft restenosis has an adverse impact on bridge vessel circulation and patient prognosis after coronary artery bypass grafting. Objectives: We used the extravascular supporter ?-cyanoacrylate (?-CA), the local application rapamycin/sirolimus (RPM), and a combination of the two (?-CA-RPM) in rat models of autogenous vein graft to stimulate vein graft change. The aim of our study was to observe the effect of ?-CA, RPM, and ?-CA-RPM on vein hyperplasia. Methods: Fifty healthy Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into […]

Background: Prenatal stress may increase risk of developing cardiovascular disorders in adulthood. The cardiotoxic effects of catecholamines are mediated via prolonged adrenergic receptor stimulation and increased oxidative stress upon their degradation by monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). Objectives: We investigated long-term effects of prenatal stress on ? (1, 2, 3) adrenergic receptors and MAO-A gene expression in the hearts of adult rat offspring. Methods: Pregnant rats were exposed to unpredictable mild stress during the third week of gestation. RNA was isolated […]

The endothelium is considered an active and dynamic tissue with important properties such as maintenance of blood circulation, regulation of vascular tone, microvascular permeability, signaling, and vascular angiogenesis and inflammatory response. The endothelium allows the connection among components of the circulation and body systems. Endothelial cells produce and, depending on the stimulus received, release factors that lead to vascular smooth muscle cells contraction or relaxation. Vascular tone control by the endothelium is modulated by the production and release of mediators […]

Abstract Background: Restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention in coronary heart disease remains an unsolved problem. Clusterin (CLU) (or Apolipoprotein [Apo] J) levels have been reported to be elevated during the progression of postangioplasty restenosis and atherosclerosis. However, its role in neointimal hyperplasia is still controversial. Objective: To elucidate the role Apo J in neointimal hyperplasia in a rat carotid artery model in vivo with or without rosuvastatin administration. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control […]

Abstract Background: Caloric restriction is known to impair the cardiac function and morphology in hypertrophied hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR); however, the influence of fasting/refeeding (RF) is unknown. Objective: To investigate the fasting/refeeding approach on myocardial remodeling and function. In addition, the current study was designed to bring information regarding the mechanisms underlying the participation of Ca2+ handling and b-adrenergic system. Methods: Sixty-day-old male SHR rats were submitted to food ad libitum (C), 50% food restriction (R50) or RF […]

Abstract Background: Regulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) in cardiomyocytes is altered by hypertension; and aerobic exercise brings benefits to hypertensive individuals. Objective: To verify the effects of aerobic exercise training on contractility and intracellular calcium (Ca2+) transients of cardiomyocytes and on the expression of microRNA 214 (miR-214) in the left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: SHR and normotensive Wistar rats of 16 weeks were divided into 4 groups -sedentary hypertensive (SH); trained hypertensive (TH); sedentary normotensive (SN); and […]

Abstract Background: The cardiac hypertrophy (CH) model for mice has been widely used, thereby providing an effective research foundation for CH exploration. Objective: To research the effects of CH modeling under abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) using different needles and weights in mice. Methods: Four needles with different external diameters (0.35, 0.40, 0.45, and 0.50 mm) were used for AAC. 150 male C57BL/6 mice were selected according to body weight (BW) and divided into 3 weight levels: 18 g, 22 g, […]