The Doping of a Carbon Coating with Phosphorus as a Potential Way of Improving the Biological Properties of Diamond-like Carbon.

The potential of diamond-like carbon coatings in medicine can be increased by doping them with various elements. Such modifications especially affect the biological properties of the synthetized films. In the following research, phosphorus was introduced into the carbon matrix by means of the chemical vapor deposition technique and using an organic precursor.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of α-Lipoic Acid on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Kidney.

α-Lipoic acid (α-LA) is a naturally occurring organosulfur component. Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as kidney and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer and aging. Kidneys are especially vulnerable to oxidative stress and damage.

Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Rat Ventricles and Atria under LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress.

Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) is a disulfide compound and one of the most effective antioxidants. Many studies have indicated positive effects of α-LA in the prevention of pathologic conditions mediated by oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular diseases. However, the therapeutic potential of α-LA for the heart has not been explored with regards to the ventricles and atria.

[Influence of low frequency magnetic field used in magnetotherapy on interleukin 6 (IL-6) contents in rat heart and brain].

Background: The human population is exposed ever more frequently to magnetic fields (MF). This is due to both technological progress and development of the economy as well as to advances made in medical science. That is why the thorough understanding and systematized knowledge about mechanisms by which MF exerts its effects on living organisms play such an important role.

[Influence of ET-1 and ETA receptor blocker (BQ123) on the level of TNF-α in the brain rat].

Unlabelled: Endothelin 1 (ET-1) in addition to the vasoconstriction, also has mitogenic, proinflammatory and proagregation activities. The mediators of inflammatory responses are cytokines, including special role attributed to tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α).

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ET-1 and its receptor blocker (BQ123) on the level of TNF-α in the brain rat.

ET-1 mediates the release of reactive oxygen species and TNF-α in lung tissue by protein kinase C α and β1.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the ET-1 induced generation of reactive oxygen species and TNF-α in rat lungs.

Methods: Experiments were performed on 6 groups of rats: Group I: saline-treated control; Group II: saline followed by endothelin-1 (ET-1) (3μg/kg); Group III: saline followed by selective PKC αβ1 inhibitor (Gö6976) (2μg/kg); Group IV: Gö6976 (2μg/kg) administered 30min before ET-1 (3μg/kg); Group V: saline followed by the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (50μg/kg); Group VI: Gö6976 (2μg/kg) administered 30min before PMA (50μg/kg). After 5h, the animals were euthanized and their lungs were isolated for measurements.

The protective effect of lipoic acid on selected cardiovascular diseases caused by age-related oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is considered to be the primary cause of many cardiovascular diseases, including endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and heart failure. Oxidative stress increases during the aging process, resulting in either increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production or decreased antioxidant defense. The increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease is directly related to age.

[The effects of endothelin 1 and an inhibitor of phosphorylation of IκB on the content of free sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and protein in rat kidney].

Unlabelled: Endothelin (ET)-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor. ET-1 an increase in the synthesis of transcription factor NF-κB, which is responsible for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytokines.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine whether blocking NF-κB pathway affects the content of free -SH groups and total protein in rat kidney homogenates.

Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of lipoic acid in rat liver.

Introduction: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key inflammatory component of Gram-negative bacteria, which after entering the systemic circulation contributes to the development of septic hepatic failure.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alpha lipoic acid (LA) on oxidative stress parameters and inflammation in endotoxemic rat liver.

Material/methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, each group consisting of 8 animals.

The role of endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor antagonists in inflammatory response and sepsis.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent endogenous vasoconstrictor, mainly secreted by endothelial cells. It acts through two types of receptors: ETA and ETB. Apart from a vasoconstrictive action, ET-1 causes fibrosis of the vascular cells and stimulates production of reactive oxygen species.

[Influence of lipoic acid on the level of TNF-alpha in spleen homogenates].

Unlabelled: Lipoic acid (LA) is a natural antioxidant and possess beneficial effects on oxidative stress parameters in various tissues. The aim of the study was to estimate of influence of LA on free -SH groups and TNF-alpha levels in spleen homogenates in rats during oxidative stress induced by LPS.

Material And Methods: Experiments were performed on Wistar rats devided into 4 groups: group I (control) received 0,9% NaCl; group II --received LA (100 mg/kg); group III received LPS (10 mg/kg); group IV--received LPS (10 mg/kg) and 30 min later received LA at the dose 100 mg/kg.

Effects of lipoic acid on spleen oxidative stress after LPS administration.

Background: Bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide - LPS) is a strong modulator of the immune system that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of endotoxic shock. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of lipoic acid (LA) on oxidative stress markers in spleen homogenates obtained from LPS-induced endotoxic shock rats.

Methods: The animals were treated with saline or lipoic acid (LA) (60 or 100 mg/kg b.

[The influence of endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor blocker on the content of white blood cells in the peripheral blood of rat].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin receptor (ETA) blocker (BQ 123) on the content of white blood cells in the peripheral blood of rat.

Material And Methods: Experiments were performed on Wistar rats divided into following groups: group I (control) received saline; group II (ET-1) received endothelin-1 (3 microg/kg b.w.

The NADPH oxidase family and its inhibitors.

The classical nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase was originally detected in neutrophils as a multicomponent enzyme that catalyzes the generation of superoxide from oxygen and the reduced form of NADPH. This enzyme is composed of two membrane-bound subunits (p22phox and gp91phox), three cytosolic subunits (p67phox, p47phox, and p40phox) and a small G-protein Rac (Rac1 and Rac2). Recently, it has been demonstrated that there are several isoforms of nonphagocytic NADPH oxidase.

Lipoic acid - biological activity and therapeutic potential.

α-Lipoic acid (LA; 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoic acid) was originally isolated from bovine liver by Reed et al. in 1951. LA was once considered a vitamin.

[Role of lipoic acid in health and disease].

Oxidative stress disturbs organism's homeostasis and leads to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Researchers are still focused on antioxidants that help to reduce oxidative stress level and are helpful in treatment of diseases were ROS overproduction is observed. Among those antioxidants is lipoic acid (LA).

[Influence of low frequency magnetic field on chosen parameters of oxidative stress in rat's muscles].

Unlabelled: Free radicals are atoms, molecules or their fragments, which excess leads to the development of the oxidative stress, which is caused of many neoplasmic, neurodegenerative, inflammatory diseases and aging the organism. The main of exogenous sources of free radicals are among others: industrial pollution, tobacco smoke, ionizing radiation, ultrasound and magnetic field. The low magnetic field is applied in the physician therapy.

[Estimation of the effect of lipoic acid in the rat's lung during lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lipoic acid (LA) on lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide concentration (H2O2), sulphydryl group (-SH) contents and total capacity protein a few hours after administration lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced oxidative stress in rats. MATERIALS AND METODS: Male albino Wistar rats were used in this study. The animals were divided into four groups, each group consisting of ten male animals.

Protective effects of early administration of alpha-lipoic acid against lipopolysaccharide-induced plasma lipid peroxidation.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), called endotoxin, is a major component of Gram-negative bacteria cell wall. LPS stimulates the synthesis and release of several metabolites from mammalian phagocytes which leads to fulminant systemic inflammation (endotoxic shock). Among LPS-induced metabolites, reactive oxygen species are considered to play crucial role in the pathogenesis of endotoxic shock via oxidative stress generation.