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The study was designed to investigate whether endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) plays a role in vascular calcification (VC) in rats and its possible mechanisms. In vivo medial vascular calcification was induced in rats by vitamin D3 and nicotine for four weeks. In vitro calcification of cultured A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was induced by calcifying media containing 5 mmol/L CaCl2. Aortic smooth muscle (SM) alpha-actin, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and Smad expression was measured. VC rats showed dispersed calcified nodules among the elastic fibers in calcified aorta with increased aortic calcium content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. SM alpha-actin was markedly decreased, but the osteochondrogenic marker Runx2 concomitantly increased and TGF-beta/Smad signaling was activated, in association with the downregulated SO2/aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) pathway. However, SO2 supplementation successfully ameliorated vascular calcification, and increased SM alpha-actin expression, but inhibited Runx2 and TGF-beta/Smad expression. In calcified A7r5 VSMCs, the endogenous SO2/AAT pathway was significantly downregulated. SO2 treatment reduced the calcium deposits, calcium content, ALP activity and Runx2 expression and downregulated the TGF-beta/Smad pathway in A7r5 cells but increased SM alpha-actin expression. In brief, SO2 significantly ameliorated vascular calcification in association with downregulation of the TGF-beta/Smad pathway., Funding Agencies|National Natural Science Foundation of China [81400311, 31130030]; Major Basic Research Development Program of China [2012CB517806, 2013CB933801]

The present study was designed to explore the role of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/PKG pathway in sulfur dioxide (SO2)-induced vasodilation. We showed that SO2 induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine (PE)precontracted rat aortic rings in association with an increase in cGMP concentration, whereas L-aspartic acid beta-hydroxamate (HDX), an inhibitor of SO2 synthase, contracted rings in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of aortic rings with the sGC inhibitor ODQ (30 mu M) attenuated the vasodilatory effects of SO2, suggesting the involvement of cGMP pathway in SO2-induced vasodilation. Mechanistically, SO2 upregulated the protein levels of sGC and PKG dimers, while HDX inhibited it, indicating SO2 could promote cGMP synthesis through sGC activation. Furthermore, the dimerization of sGC and PKG and vasodilation induced by SO2 in precontracted rings were significantly prevented by thiol reductants dithiothreitol (DTT). In addition, SO2 reduced the activity of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), a cGMP-specific hydrolytic enzyme, implying that SO2 elevated cGMP concentration by inhibiting its hydrolysis. Hence, SO2 exerted its vasodilatory effects at least partly by promoting disulfide-dependent dimerization of sGC and PKG, resulting in an activated sGC/cGMP/PKG pathway in blood vessels. These findings revealed a new mode of action and mechanisms by which SO2 regulated the vascular tone., Funding Agencies|National Natural Sciences Foundation of China [31130030, 81400311, 91439110]; Beijing National Nature Science Foundation [7142060]; National Youth Top-notch Talent Support Program, Major Basic Research Project of China [2012CB517806]

This study aimed to explore whether and how L-cystathionine had any regulatory effect on the inflammatory response in THP-1-derived macrophages cultured in vitro under oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) stimulation. The human monocyte line THP-1 cell was cultured in vitro and differentiated into macrophages after 24 hours of PMA induction. Macrophages were pretreated with L-cystathionine and then treated with ox-LDL. The results showed that compared with the controls, ox-LDL stimulation significantly upregulated the expression of THP-1-derived macrophage MCP-1 by enhancing NF-kappa B p65 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation and DNA binding with the MCP-1 promoter. Compared with the ox-LDL group, 0.3 mmol/L and 1.0 mmol/L L-cystathionine significantly inhibited the expression of THP-1-derived macrophage MCP-1. Mechanistically, 0.3 mmol/L and 1.0 mmol/L L-cystathionine suppressed phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the NF-kappa B p65 protein, as well as the DNA binding activity and DNA binding level of NF-kappa B with the MCP-1 promoter, which resulted in a reduced THP-1-derived macrophage MCP-1 generation. This study suggests that L-cystathionine could inhibit the expression of MCP-1 in THP-1-derived macrophages induced by ox-LDL via inhibition of NF-kappa B p65 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and binding of the MCP-1 promoter sequence after entry into the nucleus., Funding Agencies|National Natural Science Foundation of China [31130030, 81370154, 91439110]; Major Basic Research Project of China [2012CB517806, 2011CB503904]; Program for New Century Excellent Talents of Ministry of Education, China [NCET-11-0005]

Objective: We aimed to determine upright heart rate and blood pressure (BP) changes to suggest diagnostic criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and orthostatic hypertension (OHT) in Chinese children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1449 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years were randomly recruited from two cities in China, Kaifeng in Henan province and Anguo in Hebei province. They were divided into two groups: 844 children aged 6-12 years (group I) and 605 adolescents aged 13-18 years (group II). Heart rate and BP were recorded during an active standing test. Results: 95th percentile (P-95) of delta heart rate from supine to upright was 38 bpm, with a maximum upright heart rate of 130 and 124 bpm in group I and group II, respectively. P-95 of delta systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase was 18 mm Hg and P-95 of upright SBP was 132 mm Hg in group I and 138 mm Hg in group II. P-95 of delta diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increase was 24 mm Hg in group I and 21 mm Hg in group II, and P-95 of upright DBP was 89 mm Hg in group I and 91 mm Hg in group II. Conclusions: POTS is suggested when delta heart rate is greater than= 38 bpm (for easy memory, greater than= 40 bpm) from supine to upright, or maximum heart rate greater than= 130 bpm (children aged 6-12 years) and greater than= 125 bpm (adolescents aged 13-18 years), associated with orthostatic symptoms. OHT is suggested when delta SBP (increase) is greater than= 20 mm Hg, and/or delta DBP (increase) greater than= 25 mm Hg (in children aged 6-12 years) or greater than= 20 mm Hg (in adolescents aged 13-18 years) from supine to upright; or upright BP greater than= 130/90 mm Hg (in children aged 6-12 years) or greater than= 140/90 mm Hg (in adolescents aged 13-18 years)., Funding Agencies|National Twelfth Five-Year Plan for Science and Technology Support [2012BAI03B03]; Major Basic Research Project of China [2012CB517806, 2011CB503904, 2012BA103B03]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [81121061]

The study was designed to investigate whether H2S could upregulate expression of K-ATP channels in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and by this mechanism enhances vasorelaxation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Blood pressure, vascular structure, and vasorelaxation were analyzed. Plasma H2S was detected using polarographic sensor. SUR2B and Kir6.1 expressions were detected in VSMCs of SHR and in A7r5 cells as well as primarily cultured ASMCs using real-time PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and confocal imaging. Nuclear translocation of forkhead transcription factors FOXO1 and FOXO3a in ASMCs was detected using laser confocal microscopy, and their binding activity with SUR2B and Kir6.1 promoters was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation. SHR developed hypertension at 18 weeks. They showed downregulated vascular SUR2B and Kir6.1 expressions in association with a decreased plasma H2S level. H2S donor, however, could upregulate vascular SUR2B and Kir6.1 expressions, causing a left shift of the vasorelaxation curve to pinacidil and lowered tail artery pressure in the SHR. Also, H2S antagonized endothelin-1 (ET-1)-inhibited K-ATP expression in A7r5 cells and cultured ASMCs. Mechanistically, H2S inhibited ET-1-stimulated p-FOXO1 and p-FOXO3a expressions (inactivated forms), but increased their nuclear translocation and the ET-1-inhibited binding of FOXO1 and FOXO3a with Kir6.1 and SUR2B promoters in ASMCs. Hence, H2S promotes vasorelaxation of SHR, at least in part, through upregulating the expression of K-ATP subunits by inhibiting phosphorylation of FOXO1 and FOXO3a, and stimulating FOXO1 and FOXO3a nuclear translocation and their binding activity with SUR2B and Kir6.1 promoters. H2S increased vascular SUR2B and Kir6.1 expression of SHR, promoting vasorelaxation. H2S antagonized ET-1-inhibited K-ATP expression in A7r5 cells and cultured ASMCs. H2S inhibited ET-1-induced FOXO1 and FOXO3a phosphorylation in ASMCs. H2S promoted FOXO1 and FOXO3a nucle, Funding Agencies|Major Basic Research Development Program of Peoples Republic of China [2012CB517806, 2013CB933801]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [81100181, 81121061]; Beijing Natural Science Foundation [7121014, 7122184]; Ministry of Education, China [20130001120047]; Program for New Century Excellent Talents of Ministry of Education, China [NCET-11-0005]

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is common, and has a serious impact on childrens quality of life. Midodrine hydrochloride, an alpha 1-adrenoreceptor agonist, is an effective treatment. The study was designed to examine the therapeutic efficacy of midodrine hydrochloride by quantifying changes in blood pressure during the head-up test (HUT), in children with POTS. Overall, 104 out of 110 children with POTS were treated with midodrine hydrochloride and successfully followed-up. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) changes were analyzed during the HUT. In a retrospective analysis, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the therapeutic predictive value of pre-treatment changes in SBP, DBP, and a combination of both, from the supine position to standing, in the subjects. The increase of SBP and DBP from the supine position to standing in responders were significantly lower than that of the non-responders. The ROC curve showed that midodrine hydrochloride for children with POTS would be predicted to be effective when the pre-treatment increase of SBP was a parts per thousand currency sign0 mmHg, or when the pre-treatment increase of DBP was a parts per thousand currency sign6.5 mmHg (from the supine position to standing), yielding a sensitivity of 72 % and specificity of 88 %. The area under the curve was 0.744 and 0.809, respectively. Hence, the results suggested that looking at the changes in blood pressure during the HUT was useful in predicting the response to midodrine hydrochloride in children with POTS.

This study was designed to investigate the regulatory role of L-cystathionine in human macrophage apoptosis induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and its possible mechanisms. THP-1 cells were induced with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and differentiated into macrophages. Macrophages were incubated with ox-LDL after pretreatment with L-cystathionine. Superoxide anion, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening were examined. Caspase-9 activities and expression of cleaved caspase-3 were measured. The results showed that compared with control group, ox-LDL treatment significantly promoted superoxide anion generation, release of cytochrome c (cytc) from mitochondrion into cytoplasm, caspase-9 activities, cleavage of caspase-3, and cell apoptosis, in addition to reduced mitochondrial membrane potential as well as increased MPTP opening. However, 0.3 and 1.0 mmol/L L-cystathionine significantly reduced superoxide anion generation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, and markedly decreased MPTP opening in ox-LDL + L-cystathionine macrophages. Moreover, compared to ox-LDL treated-cells, release of cytc from mitochondrion into cytoplasm, caspase-9 activities, cleavage of caspase-3, and apoptosis levels in L-cystathionine pretreated cells were profoundly attenuated. Taken together, our results suggested that L-cystathionine could antagonize mitochondria-mediated human macrophage apoptosis induced by ox-LDL via inhibition of cytc release and caspase activation., Funding Agencies|Major Basic Research Development Program of Peoples Republic of China [2012CB517806, 2013CB933801, 2011CB503904]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [31130030, 81370154, 81121061]; Grant of Ministry of Education, China [20130001120047]; Beijing Natural Science Foundation [7121014]; Key Laboratory of Remodeling-related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education [2014XXGB02]

In the middle of the 1980s, nitric oxide received extensive attention because of its significant effects in life science. Then, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide were discovered to be gasotransmitters playing important roles in regulating cellular homeostasis. As a common air pollutant, sulfur dioxide (SO2) can cause great harm to the human body by producing free radicals, which causes oxidative damage to various organs. Recently, endogenous SO2 was found to be produced in the cardiovascular system and might be a bioactive molecule regulating the physiological activities including cardiovascular oxidative stress., Funding Agencies|National Natural Science Foundation of China [31130030]; Major State Basic Research Development Program [2012CB517806, 2011CB503P04]

The authors investigated the regulatory effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on myocardial injury induced by isopropylarterenol (ISO) hydrochloride and its mechanisms. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group, ISO group, ISO plus SO2 group, and SO2 only group. Cardiac function was measured and cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected. Bcl-2, bax and cytochrome c (cytc) expressions, and caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities in the left ventricular tissues were examined in the rats. The opening status of myocardial mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and membrane potential were analyzed. The results showed that ISO-treated rats developed heart dysfunction and cardiac injury. Furthermore, cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the left ventricular tissues was augmented, left ventricular tissue bcl-2 expression was down-regulated, bax expression was up-regulated, mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly reduced, MPTP opened, cytc release from mitochondrion into cytoplasm was significantly increased, and both caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities were increased. Administration of an SO2 donor, however, markedly improved heart function and relieved myocardial injury of the ISO-treated rats; it lessened cardiomyocyte apoptosis, up-regulated myocardial bcl-2, down-regulated bax expression, stimulated mitochondrial membrane potential, closed MPTP, and reduced cytc release as well as caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities in the left ventricular tissue. Hence, SO2 attenuated myocardial injury in association with the inhibition of apoptosis in myocardial tissues, and the bcl-2/cytc/caspase-9/caspase-3 pathway was possibly involved in this process.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs frequently during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium, and preconditioning has been regarded as one of the best strategies to prevent myocardial injury during the ischemia/reperfusion process. Our previous studies indicated that a small dose of sulfur dioxide (SO2) used as preconditioning exerts cardioprotection. However, the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotection remain unclear. The present study was designed to examine if the extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway mediated protection against cardiac dysfunction after SO2 preconditioning in isolated rat hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Langendorff heart perfusion was performed in vitro, where 56 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control group, 5 mol/L SO2 group (S5), 2-(2-Amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (PD98059) + 5 mol/L SO2 (PD98059 + S5) group, PD98059 group, I/R group, 5 mol/L SO2 + I/R (S5 + I/R) group and PD98059 + 5 mol/L SO2 + I/R (PD98059 + S5 + I/R) group. Cardiac function and myocardial phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein were measured. We found that I/R in isolated rat heart resulted in cardiac dysfunction with a significant increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein. SO2 preconditioning markedly suppressed phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein and improved cardiac function in isolated rat heart with I/R (p less than 0.05). However, pre-treatment with PD98059 could prevent the above effects of SO2 preconditioning. In conclusion, SO2 preconditioning protected against cardiac dysfunction in isolated rat heart subjected to I/R via suppression of the over-activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an important pathophysiological process in the development of many diseases. However, the mechanism responsible for the development of PH remains unknown. The objective of the study was to explore the possible impact of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on the endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pathway in rats with PH induced by high pulmonary blood flow. Compared with sham group, the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) in the shunt group was significantly increased, along with the increased percentage of muscularized arteries and partially muscularized arteries of small pulmonary arteries. Compared with the shunt group, SPAP in the shunt + SO2 group was significantly decreased, and the percentage of muscularized pulmonary arteries was also decreased. Additionally, rats that developed PH had significantly lower levels of SO2 concentration, aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) activity, protein and mRNA expressions of AAT2 in pulmonary tissues. Administration of an SO2 donor could alleviate the elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and decrease the muscularization of pulmonary arteries. At the same time, it increased the H2S production, protein expression of cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), mRNA expression of CSE, mercaptopyruvate transsulphurase (MPST) and cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) in the pulmonary tissue of the rats. The results suggested that endogenous SO2/AAT2 pathway and the endognous H2S production were downregulated in rats with PH induced by high pulmonary blood flow. However, SO2 could reduce pulmonary arterial pressure and improve the pulmonary vascular pathological changes in association with upregulating endogenous H2S pathway., Funding Agencies|Beijing Natural Science Foundation|7112130|Major Basic Research Development Program of Peoples Republic of China|2011CB5039042012CB517806|National Natural Science Foundation of China|81121061810701 1131130030