Determinant Role of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) on Angiotensin II in Isolated Umbilical Arteries from Normal and Gestational Diabetes Pregnant Women.

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common condition that occurs during pregnancy and results in cesarean section, pre-eclampsia, and neonatal morbidity. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor and an important determinant of uteroplacental perfusion. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was found to contribute to diabetes progression.

Neuroprotective Effect of Intrastriatal Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Treatment in 6-OH Dopamine Model of Parkinson's Disease in Rats.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, and the main cause of PD is still not known. Until now, no cure for Parkinson's disease is yet in sight. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a polyphenolic component of the propolis, which can be derived from honeybee hive propolis.

The effects of botulinum toxin A and papaverine on human saphenous vein and internal mammary artery grafts: an study.

Introduction: Autologous saphenous vein (SV) and internal mammary artery (IMA) are used as bypass conduits during coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Vasospasm of the arterial and venous grafts may constitute a significant clinical problem. Pretreatment with a vasodilator drug of the graft or intraluminal injection before implantation may be used for spasm prophylaxis.

Relaxation matters: comparison of in-vitro vasodilatory role of botulinum toxin-A and papaverine in human radial artery grafts.

Background: Radial artery (RA) is widely used in coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery and the prevention of spasm is crucial for graft patency. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) and B are commonly used for aesthetic reasons and neuromuscular disorders. They are proven to raise blood flow and increase survival of ischemic skin flaps.

Protective effects of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) extract against digoxin-induced arrhythmias in rats.

Objective: Digitalis preparations are commonly used by children and adults with heart diseases worldwide, although excessive doses may cause cardiac effects. The aim of the study is to evaluate the antiarrhythmic effect of Crataegus oxyacantha extract on digoxin-induced arrhythmias in anesthetized Wistar rats.

Methods: Control and experimental groups were evaluated for arrhythmias induced by digoxin.

Infralimbic cortex Rho-kinase inhibition causes antidepressant-like activity in rats.

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the world; however, its mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, a new signal-transduction pathway, namely Rho/Rho-kinase signalling, has been suggested to be involved in diverse cellular events in the central nervous system; such as epilepsy, anxiety-related behaviors, regulation of dendritic and axonal morphology, antinociception, subarachnoid haemorrhage, spinal cord injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However there is no evidence showing the involvement of Rho-kinase pathway in depression.

Cardiovascular effects of resveratrol and atorvastatin treatments in an HO-induced stress model.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several types of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are widely used to inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis and reduce the incidence of CVD. Certain over-the-counter products, including resveratrol, show similar effects to statins and may thus be used in conjunction with statins for the treatment of the majority of patients with CVD.

The effect of supplementation of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on vascular dysfunction in experimental diabetes.

Increased oxidative stress and impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation could underlie many of the vascular complications associated with diabetes. We aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation with grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), a natural antioxidant, on vascular responses and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control rats, untreated diabetic rats, and GSPE (100 mg/kg, for 6 weeks)-supplemented diabetic rats.

Preconditioning with levosimendan prevents contractile dysfunction due to H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human myocardium.

We studied the inotropic and possible antioxidant effects of levosimendan in human atrial strips, before and after induction of oxidative stress induced by H2O2. Levosimendan (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) increased contractions induced by electrical stimulation (ES) in human atrial strips. The maximal positive inotropic effect of levosimendan was 145.

Effect of cooling on the responses of human saphenous vein to fentanyl, remifentanil and sufentanil.

We studied the vasodilatory effects of fentanyl, remifentanil and sufentanil on the human saphenous vein strips at 37, 32 and 28 degrees C. Fentanyl produced concentration-dependent relaxation of human saphenous vein strips precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) at every temperature studied. Compared with vein strips at 37 degrees C, relaxant responses to each one concentration of fentanyl were significantly reduced at 32 and 28 degrees C.

Cooling and response to hydrogen peroxide in human saphenous vein: role of the endothelium.

In the present work we studied the responses of human saphenous vein to H2O2 and effects of moderate cooling on these responses with analysis of the role of endothelium. H2O2 (10(-7)-10(-2) M) induced concentration-dependent contraction in the intact human saphenous vein strips at both temperatures. At 28 degrees C, the maximal contraction induced by H2O2 was significantly lower than that at 37 degrees C.

The mechanisms of the direct vascular effects of fentanyl on isolated human saphenous veins in vitro.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of the direct effects of fentanyl on human veins in vitro.

Design: In vitro, prospective with repeated measures.

Setting: University research laboratory.

The in vitro effects of remifentanil and fentanyl on isolated human right atria and saphenous veins.

Objective: To determine the myocardial and vascular effects of remifentanil and fentanyl in human atria and saphenous veins.

Design: In vitro, prospective with repeated measures.

Setting: University research laboratory.