Red Blood Cell and Endothelial eNOS Independently Regulate Circulating Nitric Oxide Metabolites and Blood Pressure.

Background: Current paradigms suggest that nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial cells (ECs) through endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the vessel wall is the primary regulator of blood flow and blood pressure. However, red blood cells (RBCs) also carry a catalytically active eNOS, but its role is controversial and remains undefined. This study aimed to elucidate the functional significance of RBC eNOS compared with EC eNOS for vascular hemodynamics and nitric oxide metabolism.

Targeting spectrin redox switches to regulate the mechanoproperties of red blood cells.

The mechanical properties of red blood cells (RBCs) are fundamental for their physiological role as gas transporters. RBC flexibility and elasticity allow them to survive the hemodynamic changes in the different regions of the vascular tree, to dynamically contribute to the flow thereby decreasing vascular resistance, and to deform during the passage through narrower vessels. RBC mechanoproperties are conferred mainly by the structural characteristics of their cytoskeleton, which consists predominantly of a spectrin scaffold connected to the membrane via nodes of actin, ankyrin and adducin.

On the Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide on Red Blood Cell Deformability.

The main function of red blood cells (RBCs) is the transport of respiratory gases along the vascular tree. To fulfill their task, RBCs are able to elastically deform in response to mechanical forces and, pass through the narrow vessels of the microcirculation. Decreased RBC deformability was observed in pathological conditions linked to increased oxidative stress or decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, like hypertension.

Nrf2 Deficiency Unmasks the Significance of Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity for Cardioprotection.

The transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a key master switch that controls the expression of antioxidant and cytoprotective enzymes, including enzymes catalyzing glutathione de novo synthesis. In this study, we aimed to analyze whether Nrf2 deficiency influences antioxidative capacity, redox state, NO metabolites, and outcome of myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. In Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2 KO) mice, we found elevated eNOS expression and preserved NO metabolite concentrations in the aorta and heart as compared to wild types (WT).

A robust and versatile mass spectrometry platform for comprehensive assessment of the thiol redox metabolome.

Several diseases are associated with perturbations in redox signaling and aberrant hydrogen sulfide metabolism, and numerous analytical methods exist for the measurement of the sulfur-containing species affected. However, uncertainty remains about their concentrations and speciation in cells/biofluids, perhaps in part due to differences in sample processing and detection principles. Using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography in combination with electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry we here outline a specific and sensitive platform for the simultaneous measurement of 12 analytes, including total and free thiols, their disulfides and sulfide in complex biological matrices such as blood, saliva and urine.

[Pseudomyxoma peritonei with appendiceal and ovarian mucinous cystadenoma. A case report. Correlations with synchronous or metachronous colorectal carcinomas].

Mucocele is a rare pathology which is difficult to diagnose prior to surgery. The clinical symptoms are aspecific. Diagnosis is generally made at the time of surgery.

[The utility of isolating the recurrent nerve and parathyroids in the prevention of complications in thyroid surgery. The role of the superior laryngeal nerve and C cells].

The authors emphasize systematic isolation of the recurrent nerve and of the parathyroids, to prevent complications in surgery of the thyroid. Moreover they try to underline the significance of the superior laryngeal nerve and the role of parafollicular cells (today unknown) for a rational and modern therapy of the non-neoplastic diseases of the thyroid.

[Heredity and colorectal cancer].

The authors underline the role of inheritance in colorectal cancer and reporting the genealogical study of two families with high incidence of colorectal cancers personally observed. They thought that the genetic endowment (oncogenes, suppressor genes, microsatellite instability, protein-kinase C) was implicated directly in the genesis of disease.

[Low ileorectal anastomosis in the surgery of ulcerative rectocolitis].

The authors report their experience of 23 patients with ulcerative colitis treated with surgery from 1991 to 1994. At admission 8 patients had a high-grade illness, 10 patients had a middle-grade illness, 5 patients had a toxic megacolon. All the patients were treated with systemic medical management (mesalazine + methylprednisolone) and topical medical management with rectal steroid (methylprednisolone) and rectal mesalazine by enema, and with nutritional support (Total Parenteral Nutrition).

Protective effect of zinc acexamate on experimental gastric ulcers: a histochemical study.

The antiulcerogenic effect of zinc acexamate on gastric ulcers induced by reserpine and changes in the morphology of gastric mucosa were studied in rats by histochemical methods. Histochemistry revealed that zinc acexamate preserved reserpine-depleted neutral and acid glycoproteins. ATPase reaction remained strong in nearly normal periglandular capillaries.

[Surgical chemoprophylaxis with ceftriaxone].

Unlabelled: Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin of third generation. It is characterized by a broad spectrum, a long half-life and a good capacity of diffusion in tissue. We have studied 67 patients.

[Staplers in surgery: state of the art].

After a review of the technical development and application of staplers from their introduction to the present day, the indications to the use of this instrument in all gastroenterological areas from the oesophagus to the rectum as well as in chest, gynaecological and urological surgery specified. The advantages offered by staplers in the creation of intestinal anastomoses are undeniable, but these instruments must be considered alternatives to traditional surgery, the techniques of which should be well known to all surgeons. In certain areas (gastric, ileal and colonic resections etc.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of obstructive jaundice.

The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in differentiating between medical and surgical jaundice (99%), and in revealing the site (80%) and nature of the obstruction (79.8%) was assessed in a study on 128 jaundiced patients. The validity of this diagnostic procedure is underlined and its use is recommended in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Effects of zinc-aspartate and zinc-glycinate in healthy rats and on reserpine-induced gastric lesions.

Experimental studies performed on 227 rats showed that Zn-aspartate and Zn-glycinate administered ip lowered the incidence, number, and severity of the reserpine-induced gastric lesions ensuring significant protection indices. Histochemical methods revealed increased amount of mucosal glycoproteins. The activity of dehydrogenases involved in energy metabolism that modulates acid secretion in the parietal cells was depressed.

Short-term systems to assess thiophosphoryl chloride standards.

The rat acute oral LD50 value of PSCl3 is 750 mg per kg body weight. A rat 90-day oral feeding study at dose levels of 7.5 mg (P1) and 37.

Effect of silymarin on experimental liver lesions.

The effect of Silymarin (Legalon) upon liver lesions was investigated using four experimental models: In acute galactosamine-hepatitis, Silymarin administration achieved protection of the liver structure (electron-microscopy included), liver cell glycogen, RNA and enzymatic activity, Galactosamine-depressed gluconeogenesis in the isolated perfused rat liver was significantly preserved by Silymarin treatment. In lead and cadmium poisoning the structural damage and histochemical and histoenzymatic changes were partly but significantly prevented. The complex noxious effects of Imuran overdoses were favourably influenced by Silymarin, without diminishing the cytostatic-immunosuppressive action of Imuran.

[The action of silymarin on Galactosamine-induced hepatitis in the rat (author's transl)].

The hepatoprotective action of Silymarin was studied in 65 male Wistar rats, prior to and following D-galactosamine intoxication. There was a marked reduction in the histological and ultrastructural changes in the nucleolus, nuclear membrane, mitochondria, granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes of the liver cell and also in the Kupffer stellate cells. The reduction in glycogen and RNA loss was determined biochemically.

Protecting action of aspartate on the hepatic changes induced by D-galactosamine.

The protective action of aspartic acid on isolated and perfused rat liver was studied. In case of D-galactosamine intoxication the GOT, GPT and SDH activity and the lactate and pyruvate concentration in the perfusion medium were less augmented and the glycogen level in hepatic tissue was less diminished in animals treated with aspartic acid, as compared to controls. The histochemical applied (PAS reaction for glycogen, nucleic acids, NADH2-diaphorase, glucose-6-phosphatase and membrane-ATP-ase), also stated a protecting effect in the treated animals.