Publications by authors named "Brandon E Pruett"

BACKGROUND Treacher Collins syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by micrognathia and abnormal development of the zygomatic arch, which may result in significant upper airway obstruction. As patients who have it age, their upper airway obstruction may worsen. Therefore, they typically require several surgeries throughout their lives to correct specific facial abnormalities.

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Background: Heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) is the main isoform responsible for the breakdown of heme and release of carbon monoxide in the vasculature. Vascular-derived carbon monoxide protects against excessive vasoconstriction due to agents such as angiotensin II (Ang II) and in states of deficiency of nitric oxide. The current study was designed to determine the role of HO-2 in the development of renovascular hypertension using HO-2 knockout mice.

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Background: Moderate (approximately 2-fold) increases in plasma unconjugated bilirubin levels are able to attenuate the development of angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension. To determine the specific role of decreases in superoxide production to the blood pressure-lowering effects of moderate hyperbilirubinemia (MHyB), we performed this study, in which the Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor apocynin was given to Ang II-infused mice in the presence and absence of moderate hyperbilirubinemia.

Methods: Apocynin (14mM) was administered in the drinking water prior to treatment with UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 antisense morpholino (16 μg/kg), which was administered by intravenous injection every third day.

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