Aims Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in gene regulation in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of circRNA_000203 on cardiac hypertrophy and the potential mechanisms involved. Methods and results CircRNA_000203 was found to be up-regulated in the myocardium of Ang-II-infused mice and in the cytoplasma of Ang-II-treated neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes (NMVCs). Enforced expression of circRNA_000203 enhances cell size and expression of atrial natriuretic peptide and β-myosin heavy chain in NMVCs. In vivo, heart function was impaired and cardiac hypertrophy was aggravated in Ang-II-infused myocardium-specific circRNA_000203 transgenic mice (Tg-circ203). Mechanistically, we found that circRNA_000203 could specifically sponge miR-26b-5p, -140-3p in NMVCs. Further, dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-26b-5p, -140-3p could interact with 3′-UTRs of Gata4 gene, and circRNA_000203 could block the above interactions. In addition, Gata4 expression is transcriptionally inhibited by miR-26b-5p, -140-3p mimic in NMVCs but enhanced by over-expression of circRNA_000203 in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, miR-26b-5p, -140-3p, and Gata4 siRNA, could reverse the hypertrophic growth in Ang-II-induced NMVCs, as well as eliminate the pro-hypertrophic effect of circRNA_000203 in NMVCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that NF-κB signalling mediates the up-regulation of circRNA_000203 in NMVCs exposed to Ang-II treatment. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that circRNA_000203 exacerbates cardiac hypertrophy via suppressing miR-26b-5p and miR-140-3p leading to enhanced Gata4 levels.

An hs-CRP >16.10 was a significant and independent predictor of CIN after primary PCI in patients with STEMI.

Background-Few studies have investigated the safe limits of contrast to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) based on hydration data. We aimed to investigate the relative safe maximum contrast volume adjusted for hydration volume in a population with a relatively low risk of CIN. Methods and Results-The ratios of contrast volume-to-creatinine clearance (V/CrCl) and hydration volume to body weight (HV/W) were determined in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis based on the maximum Youden index was used to identify the optimal cutoff for V/CrCl in all patients and in HV/W subgroups. Eighty-six of 3273 (2.6%) patients with mean CrCl 71.89±27.02 mL/min developed CIN. Receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis indicated that a V/CrCl ratio of 2.44 was a fair discriminator for CIN in all patients (sensitivity, 73.3%; specificity, 70.4%). After adjustment for other confounders, V/CrCl >2.44 continued to be significantly associated with CIN (adjusted odds ratio, 4.12; P<0.001) and the risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.62; P<0.001). The mean HV/W was 12.18±7.40. We divided the patients into 2 groups (HV/W ≤12 and >12 mL/kg). The best cutoff value for V/CrCl was 1.87 (sensitivity, 67.9%; specificity, 64.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.24; P=0.011) in the insufficient hydration subgroup (HV/W, ≤12 mL/kg; CIN, 1.32%) and 2.93 (sensitivity, 69.0%; specificity, 65.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.04; P=0.004) in the sufficient hydration subgroup (HV/W, >12 mL/kg; CIN, 5.00%). Conclusions-The V/CrCl ratio adjusted for HV/W may be a more reliable predictor of CIN and even long-term outcomes after cardiac catheterization. We also found a higher best cutoff value for V/CrCl to predict CIN in patients with a relatively sufficient hydration status, which may be beneficial during decision-making about contrast dose limits in relatively low-risk patients with different hydration statuses. (Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2015;8:e001859.

A V/CrCl ratio > 2.62 was a significant and independent predictor of CIN after PCI in unselected patients.