Cardioprotective Effects of HO-1-Loaded Collagen-Targeted Phase Change Nanoparticles on Cardiomyocytes Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of death worldwide. This study utilized collagen-targeted phase change material (PCM) nanoparticles (NPs) to co-encapsulate HO-1 and explored the efficacy of composite PCM NPs on cardiomyocyte progression and development of MI. In this study, we enrolled 32 acute MI patients and 32 healthy participants, and ELISA assay was used to assess the content of creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB). Mice with MI received tail vein administration of HO-1-loaded PCM NPs, followed by RT-qPCR detection of expressions of hypoxia-reoxygenation related genes (SpA, SpB, SpC, Occludin, KGF, and CK18). Patients with acute MI had a higher level of CK-MB. Treatment with HO-1-loaded collagen-targeted PCM NPs decreased expressions of SpA, SpB, SpC, Occludin, KGF, and CK18, facilitating repair of damaged tissues. Of note, NPs loaded with siRNA HO-1 up-regulated the expression of these genes. Collagen-targeted PCM NPs carrying HO-1 effectively promoted the repair of myocardial cells and relieved MI through down-regulation of hypoxia-reoxygenation related genes, which may enhance prevention and treatment for acute MI.

Test results comparison and sample stability study

Introduction: The aim was to evaluate the BD Barricor tubes by comparison with the BD Rapid Serum Tubes (RST) through measuring 25 analytes and monitoring sample stability after 24 hours and 7 days. Materials and methods: Samples of 52 patients from different hospital departments were examined. Blood was collected in BD RST and BD Barricor tubes (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, USA). Analytes were measured by Beckman Coulter AU 480 (Beckman Coulter, Brea, USA), Dimension EXL (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Newark, USA) and ARCHITECT i2000SR (Abbott Diagnostics, Lake Forest, USA). Between-tube comparison for each analyte was performed, along with testing analyte stability after storing samples at 4 °C. Results: BD Barricor tubes showed unacceptable bias compared to BD RST tubes for potassium (K) (- 4.5%) and total protein (4.4%). Analyte stability after 24 hours was acceptable in both tested tubes for most of analytes, except for glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) in BD Barricor and free triiodothyronine in BD RST sample tubes. Analyte stability after 7 days was unacceptable for sodium, K, calcium, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB, AST, LD and troponin I in both samples; additionally for glucose, alkaline phosphatase and albumin in BD Barricor. Conclusion: All analytes, except K and total protein, can be measured interchangeably in BD RST and BD Barricor tubes, applying the same reference intervals. For most of the analytes, sample re-analysis can be performed in both tubes after 24 hours and 7 days, although BD RST tubes show better 7-day analytes stability over BD Barricor tubes.

COVID-19 Epidemic: Clinical Characteristics of Patients in Pediatric Isolation Ward

In order to accurately admit children with COVID-19 to an isolation ward, our study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of children in isolation wards during the COVID-19 epidemic. It was found that 55 cases (83.3%) had fever and 48 cases (72.7%) coughed in the isolated area, 31 cases (47%) had a history of exposure, 26 cases (39.4%) had a decrease in lymphocytes (LYM), more than half had an increase in lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase isoenzyme, 14 cases (21.2%) had positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid, 58 cases (87.9%) had abnormal chest computed tomography (CT), and 11 cases (16.7%) had sinus arrhythmia. Therefore, for some suspected children with COVID-19, we can make a comprehensive judgment through clinical symptoms, epidemiological history, LYM number, myocardial enzyme spectrum, chest CT, and electrocardiogram; put these children in an isolation ward for treatment; and then transfer them to a general ward for treatment after excluding COVID-19.

Analysis of myocardial enzyme spectrum in 230 COVID-19 patients of Chongqing, China.

Background A novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 outbreak caused pandemic in China and worldwide. In addition to pneumonia, Cardiac failure is also a clinical outcome of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients and one of the leading causes for the death of COVID-19 patients. This study focused on a spectrum of cardiac enzymes to provide biomarkers for the severity of cardiomyopathy, and provide guidance of clinical treatment. Methods 230 coronavirus patients (182 mild and 48 severe cases) enrolled in Three Gorges Hospital of Chongqing University from January to March 2020 were analyzed for a spectrum of cardiac injury enzymes including α-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase (αHBDH), lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB). Results The severe cases had significantly higher myocardial enzyme levels than mild cases, regardless of male and females. Males appeared to be more susceptible than females to COVID-19 induced heart injury, having higher CK and CK-MB in mild cases, and higher αHBDH and LDH levels in severe cases. Age is also a susceptible factor to COVID-19, but affected males were younger than females. Conclusions This study reveals that the heart is also a major target of COVID-19 infection, and myocardial enzyme spectrum assays could help the diagnosis, prognosis and guide the treatments to prevent heart failure in COVID-19 patients.

Assessment of the neutralizing potency of antisera raised against native and γ-irradiated Naja nigricollis (black-necked spitting cobra) venom in rabbits, concerning its cardiotoxic effect

The present study was designed to prepare a specific safe antiserum for Naja nigricollis using γ-irradiated (1.5KGy and3KGy) venoms. Rabbits were used for active immunization using irradiated venoms (1.5 and 3 kGy) as a toxoid, mice were used for determination of LD50 post immunization and the rats were used for neutralization of the cardiotoxic effect of venom. Results of the immunodiffusion test indicated that the sera of rabbits raised against non-irradiated, 1.5- and 3-kGy γ-irradiated venom, had the same results of precipitin bands. A significant inhibition of phospholipase A2 activities was obtained when neutralized with native, γ-irradiated (1.5KGy and3KGy) venoms. On the other hand, preincubation of the venom ½ LD50 (0.154 mg/kg i.p.) with each antiserum (non-irradiated or irradiated venom) at 37°C for 1 h in a ratio (1:4) produced a significant reduction in the values of creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB. However, significant elevation in aspartate aminotransferase level and no change in lactate dehydrogenase level were observed. So the results of this study indicated that the irradiated venom treatment reduces the cardiotoxic effect of venom in immunized immunization animals for preparing vaccines.

CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MENTHA LONGIFOLIA AGAINST CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY IN RATS: A BIOCHEMICAL, ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The current research was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective activity of <em>Mentha longifolia</em> (ML) leaf extract on cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cardiotoxicity was induced in <em>Albino wistar</em> rats of either sex by administering a single injection of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg, i. p.) on the first day of the experimental period. <em>Mentha longifolia</em> (250 and 500 mg/kg, p. o.) was administered daily for 10 d immediately after administration of cyclophosphamide on the first day. The general observations such as oxidative marker enzyme assays, ECG and histopathology were examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cyclophosphamide administration significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased the levels of antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Cyclophosphamide elevated the levels of biomarker enzymes like creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), creatine kinase isoenzyme NAC (CK-NAC) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Further, the cyclophosphamide-treated rats showed changes in electrocardiographic parameters. Treatment with <em>Mentha longifolia</em> significantly (p&lt;0.05) reversed the status of cardiac biomarkers, ECG and oxidative enzymes in cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity. Histopathological examination was also supported the potential cardioprotective effect of <em>Mentha longifolia</em> with reduced damage to the myocardium.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The biochemical, ECG and histopathology reports support the potential benefits of <em>Mentha longifolia</em> against myocardial damage which could be attributed to antioxidant activity.</p>