The Role of Genetics and Epigenetic Regulation in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is progressive disease characterised by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodelling and inflammation of the synovium. The disease is associated with obesity, mechanical load and age. However, multiple pro-inflammatory immune mediators regulate the expression of metalloproteinases, which take part in cartilage degradation.

Association Study of and Genetic Variants in Gallstone Disease.

There is growing evidence that gallstone formation may be genetically determined. Recent studies have shown that polymorphism of genes encoding proteins involved in bile acid transport may be associated with the risk of gallstone disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SLCO1B3 (rs4149117:G>T, rs7311358:A>G) and ABCC3 (rs4793665:T>C, rs11568591:G>A) genetic variants and susceptibility to cholesterol gallstone disease, as well as gallstone composition.

VAV1 Gene Polymorphism is Associated With Kidney Allograft Rejection.

Background: VAV1 is an intracellular signal transduction protein that plays a significant role in signal transduction in T cells. Several studies suggest that VAV1 signaling plays significant roles in allograft rejection. The aim of this study was to examine the association between VAV1 gene polymorphisms and renal allograft function.

Association Between Plasma Concentration of Klotho Protein, Osteocalcin, Leptin, Adiponectin, and Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Patients with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) are susceptible to changes in metabolic processes. Partial loss of kidney function leads to homoeostatic disturbances in bone and fatty tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between plasma concentrations of Klotho protein, FGF23, leptin, adiponectin, osteocalcin, and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with CKD in the pre-dialysis period.

Ionic support of the cough reflex.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the role ofintra-wall nervous and neurohormonal system in the control of airway transport of sodium and chloride ions, as well as to identify regulating mechanisms having an effect on the permanent electric potential of airway tissue, named the transepithelial electric potential (PD) and on reversible changes of this potential (dPD). Using amiloride, a sodium ion blocker, and bumetanide, a blocker of the chloride ion co-transport system, the importance oftransepithelial sodium and chloride ion transport for support of the cough reflex was determined. The conditions were identified for examination of chloride secretion in the airways presented as the chemical isolation of chloride currents with the use of amiloride.

[Electrophysiological characteristics of ion transport in isolated rabbit trachea wall after in effect of mechanical stimuli and sodium transport inhibition].

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine a role of intra-wall nervous and neurohormonal system in control of ion transport in airways, and to identify the control mechanisms, having effect on constant electric potential of this tissue named as PD, and the ones which have effect on reversible changes of this potential marked as dPD. Through the application of amiloride sodium ion transport blocker the importance of transepithelial sodium ion transport for transepithelial electric potential of airways was to be determined, as well as the other amiloride effects on isolated airways. The conditions for examination of secretion of the chlorides in airways have been determined and will be presented as chemical isolation of chloride currents with use of amiloride.

Effect of amiloride and bumetanide on transepithelial ion transport in isolated rabbit cecal and colonic wall.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of amiloride and bumetanide on the baseline transepithelial electrical potential difference (PD) and changes in PD during mechanical stimulation (dPD) in isolated cecal and colonic wall of rabbits.

Material/methods: The experiments were performed with a modified Ussing chamber system. Isolated tissue specimens were incubated in Ringer's solution, in amiloride and/or bumetanide, or in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

Effect of antagonists of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on ion transport in the isolated rabbit caecum wall.

A hypothesis was tested in this study that antagonists of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors affect sodium and chloride ion transport in the rabbit caecum. A modified Ussing chamber was used in the experiment. It was demonstrated that isolated caecum responded to a mechanical stimulus, which consisted in gentle rinsing of the mucous surface, with changes in transepithelial electrical potential difference.

Effect of amiloride and bumetanide on ionic currents in the epithelium of caecum from starved rabbits.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of starvation on the transport of sodium and chloride ions in the epithelium of rabbit caecum. The experiment consisted in measuring transepithelial electrical potential (PD in mV) and the transepithelial electrical potential difference (dPD in mV) of an isolated fragment of rabbit caecum, before and after 4-day-long starvation. The studied tissue was incubated in Ringer solution and subsequently ion transport was modified through incubation in the Ringer solution supplemented with amiloride or/and bumetanide.

Effects of amiloride and bumetanide on ion transport in the caecum of rabbit.

Effect of selective blockers of sodium and chloride ion transport (amiloride and bumetanide) on transepithelial electrical potential (PD), transepithelial electrical potential difference (dPD), and electrical resistance of the tissue (R) of isolated fragment of the rabbit's caecum were determined using electrophysiological methods designed for measuring ionic currents occurring in epithelial tissues. A modified Ussing apparatus enabling application of mechanical and chemical stimuli on the isolated tissue was used in the experiment. It was demonstrated that amiloride used for incubation of the caecum fragments lowered by some 24% the value of PD and by 50% the value of dPD.

Effect of capsaicin on ion transport in the caecum of rabbits.

Effect of capsaicin, a stimulator of C-fibres, on ion transport in the caecum of rabbits was studied using electrophysiological methods, designed to evaluate ionic currents occurring in epithelial tissues. The experiments consisted in measuring transepithelial electrical potential difference (dPD) of an isolated fragment of rabbit's caecum, placed in a Ussing apparatus. The ion transport was modified through incubation in Ringer solution, supplemented with amiloride, bumetanide, and capsaicin.

Effect of capsaicin and dimethyl sulfoxide on ion transport in the selected experimental models.

The aim of the present work was to determine the changes in ion transport in the selected epithelium-lined organs under influence of mechanical stimuli, and also to assess similarities and differences in reactions to capsaicin and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) between trachea and caecum of rabbit and the skin of frog in this experimental setup. The experiments were conducted on rabbit trachea and caecum, and the skin of frog, Rana esculenta L. The experiments consisted in measuring transepithelial electrical potential (PD in mV) with Ussing apparatus, modified to enable testing of the effects of mechanical stimulation of organs and defined pharmacological treatments.