Metformin aggravates immune-mediated liver injury in mice.

Hepatotoxicity of the antidiabetic drug metformin has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We here investigated the effect of metformin in immune-mediated liver damage. While not hepatotoxic alone, metformin (200 mg/kg) aggravated concanavalin A (Con A, 12 mg/kg)-induced hepatitis, an experimental model of T cell-mediated liver injury, in both relatively resistant BALB/c and highly susceptible C57Bl/6 mice.

Oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis patients: relationship to diseases activity.

The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative stress status in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by measuring markers of free radical production, systemic activity of disease, and levels of antioxidant. 52 RA patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study, and clinical examination and investigations were performed and disease activity was assessed. Peripheral blood samples were used for all the assays.

Detergent-like stressor and nutrient in metabolism of .

The influence of detergents on the metabolism of from two aspects, as a stress factor and potential nutrient, was studied. The fungus was isolated from the river bed Lepenica, Kragujevac, at a place where sewage domestic wastewater discharged into the river. The fungus was grown in a liquid nutrient medium according to Czapek with and without addition of commercial detergent (MERIX, Henkel, Serbia) at a concentration of 0.

Effects of DL-homocysteine thiolactone on cardiac contractility, coronary flow, and oxidative stress markers in the isolated rat heart: the role of different gasotransmitters.

Considering the adverse effects of DL-homocysteine thiolactone hydrochloride (DL-Hcy TLHC) on vascular function and the possible role of oxidative stress in these mechanisms, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of DL-Hcy TLHC alone and in combination with specific inhibitors of important gasotransmitters, such as L-NAME, DL-PAG, and PPR IX, on cardiac contractility, coronary flow, and oxidative stress markers in an isolated rat heart. The hearts were retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a 70 cm H2O and administered 10  μM DL-Hcy TLHC alone or in combination with 30  μM L-NAME, 10  μM DL-PAG, or 10  μM PPR IX. The following parameters were measured: dp/dt max, dp/dt min, SLVP, DLVP, MBP, HR, and CF.

The importance of the blood levels of homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in children with malignant diseases.

Purpose: Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with carcinogenesis. Since only little research exists on hyperhomocysteinemia and malignancy in children, the possible relationship between homocysteine and childhood malignancies remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine the serum levels of homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in children with malignant and benign tumors prior to therapy (surgical treatment and/or chemotherapy), and after treatment of malignant diseases as well.

Pattern-formation mechanisms in motility mutants of Myxococcus xanthus.

Formation of spatial patterns of cells is a recurring theme in biology and often depends on regulated cell motility. Motility of the rod-shaped cells of the bacterium Myxococcus xanthus depends on two motility machineries, type IV pili (giving rise to S-motility) and the gliding motility apparatus (giving rise to A-motility). Cell motility is regulated by occasional reversals.

[Tuberculous spondylitis of vertebra with fracture, paraparesis and pleural empyema complications--case report].

Introduction: Spine tuberculosis is caused by Micobacterium tuberculosis. It is localized in the vertebral body or intervertebral disc. Its diagnosis is often delayed because of nonspecific symptoms and neglected presence of tuberculosis, which leads to serious complications.

Discovery of novel chemoeffectors and rational design of Escherichia coli chemoreceptor specificity.

Bacterial chemoreceptors mediate chemotactic responses to diverse stimuli. Here, by using an integrated in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approach, we screened a large compound library and found eight novel chemoeffectors for the Escherichia coli chemoreceptor Tar. Six of the eight new Tar binding compounds induce attractant responses, and two of them function as antagonists that can bind Tar without inducing downstream signaling.

The effects of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on cardiodynamic parameters and coronary flow in isolated rat hearts.

Background: Despite the widespread clinical use of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, dilemmas regarding the potential impact of these drugs on the cardiovascular system persist.

Objective: To estimate the effects of different COX inhibitors (meloxicam, acetylsalicylic acid [ASA] and SC-560) on cardiac function and coronary flow in isolated rat hearts, with special focus on the L-arginine/nitric oxide system.

Methods: The hearts of eight-week-old male Wistar albino rats (n=72; 12 rats per group; body mass 180 g to 200 g) were retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased perfusion pressure (40 cmH2O to 120 cmH2O).

The effects of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on oxidative stress in isolated rat heart.

Despite the widespread clinical use of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, dilemmas still exist about potential impact of these drugs on cardiovascular system. The present study was aimed to estimate the effects of different COX inhibitors (meloxicam, acetylsalicylic acid [ASA], and SC-560) on oxidative stress in isolated rat heart, with special focus on L-arginine/NO system. The hearts of male Wistar albino rats (total number n = 96, each group 12 rats, 8 weeks old, body mass 180-200 g) were retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased perfusion pressure (40-120 cmH2O).

Alteration in basal redox state of young male soccer players after a six-month training programme.

Despite worldwide popularity of soccer, there are still insufficient data about the effects of training process on oxidative stress-induced damage, which may occur during chronic exercise. The present study aimed to determine the effects of a six-month training programme on basal redox status of young male soccer players. The study included 26 male soccer players, aged 12-13, who participated in a six-month training programme, and 26 age-matched non-athletes who were not implemented in the training process.

Carotid enlargement and serum levels of von Willebrand factor in rheumatoid arthritis: a follow-up study.

This follow-up study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of von Willebrand factor (vWf) and common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the initial assessment, 34 female rheumatoid arthritis patients and 30 sex- and age-matched controls were included. The relationship among vWf serum levels, cardiovascular risk factors, and inflammation was initially assessed.

Carotid artery intima-media thickness and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality are increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our study aim was to determine the relationship between carotid artery intima-media wall thickness (IMT) and flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (FMD) in a patients with RA, in context with clinical and laboratory measurements.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-two patients with RA and 30 matched healthy controls without clinically evident CV disease were studied.

The effects of homocysteine-related compounds on cardiac contractility, coronary flow, and oxidative stress markers in isolated rat heart.

Research on the effects of homocysteine on the vascular wall, especially in endothelial and smooth muscle cells, has indicated that increased homocysteine levels lead to cellular stress and cell damage. Considering the adverse effects of homocysteine on vascular function and the role of oxidative stress in these mechanisms, the aim of this study was to estimate the influence of different homocysteine isoforms on cardiac contractility, coronary flow, and oxidative stress markers in isolated rat heart. The hearts of male Wistar albino rats (n = 36, age 8 weeks, body mass 180-200 g), were excised and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a constant perfusion pressure (70 cmH(2)O) and administered with three isoforms of 10 μM homocysteine [DL-Hcy, DL-Hcy thiolactone-hydrochloride (TLHC) and L-Hcy TLHC).

Comparison of blood pro/antioxidant levels before and after acute exercise in athletes and non-athletes.

The aims of our study were to assess the redox state of adolescent athletes and non-athletes both at rest and after acute exposure to physical load and to find relations between parameters of redox state and morphofunctional characteristics of subjects. 58 young handball players and 37 non-athletes were subjected to body composition analysis, measuring of maximal oxygen consumption and blood sampling immediately before and after a maximal progressive exercise test. At rest, athletes had significantly higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, higher levels of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) and lower levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) compared with non-athletes.

Distal venous arterialization and reperfusion injury: focus on oxidative status.

In patients with unreconstructable arterial occlusive disease distal venous arterialization (DVA) seems to be a promising option in the treatment. The goals of this prospective study were to assess clinical efficiency and possible impact of DVA on tissue damage by estimating oxidative status of patients with critical limb ischemia treated with this procedure. The subjects were 60 randomized patients: 30 were undergoing DVA and 30 were treated with antiaggregation therapy.

Neonatal screening of hearing function by otoacustic emissions--a single center experience.

Background/aim: Nowadays development of techniques enables detection of hearing impairment in a very short time, immediately after birth by using otoacoustic emissions. They are low-pitched sounds produced in physiologically clear cochlea and can be recorded in cochlear outer meatus. By this method, complete data are found on a whole presynaptic auditory nervous system functioning that has mostly been affected by pathological changes making it a perfect screening test.

Collective motion and nonequilibrium cluster formation in colonies of gliding bacteria.

We characterize cell motion in experiments and show that the transition to collective motion in colonies of gliding bacterial cells confined to a monolayer appears through the organization of cells into larger moving clusters. Collective motion by nonequilibrium cluster formation is detected for a critical cell packing fraction around 17%. This transition is characterized by a scale-free power-law cluster-size distribution, with an exponent 0.

Toxic effects of palladium compounds on the isolated rat heart.

Taken into consideration limited data about effects of palladium on cardiovascular system, the aim of our study was to compare toxicity of inorganic and organic palladium compounds on the isolated rat heart. The hearts (total number n=30, 6 for each experimental group) excised from Wistar albino rats, male sex, age 8 weeks, and body mass 180-200 g, were retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at constant perfusion pressure (70 cm H2O). After the insertion of sensor in the left ventricle, the parameters of heart function: maximum rate of left ventricular pressure development (dP/dt max), systolic left ventricular pressure (SLVP), diastolic left ventricular pressure (DLVP), mean blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR)), were continuously registered.

[Place and role of von Willebrand factor in acute coronary syndromes].

Introduction: Advanced understanding of the pathophysiology of ACS has led to the marked increase in development of biomarkers for diagnosis, risk stratification, therapeutic decision-making, and assessment of clinical outcomes, but there is still a need for a marker that could verify or exclude the existence of acute coronary syndrome as early as possible. The aim of our study was to assess the value of von Willebrand factor as a potential marker of heart necrosis in early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

Material And Methods: One hundred fifteen patients were taken a blood sample on the first day after being diagnosed to have an acute coronary syndrome in order to determine the values of their von Willebrand factor antigen and von Willebrand factor activity.

Nitroglycerine effects on portal vein mechanics and oxidative stress in portal hypertension.

Aim: Тo examine the effects of nitroglycerine on portal vein haemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients with portal hypertension.

Methods: Thirty healthy controls and 39 patients with clinically verified portal hypertension and increased vascular resistance participated in the study. Liver diameters, portal diameters and portal flow velocities were recorded using color flow imaging/pulsed Doppler detection.

Exercise-induced changes in redox status of elite karate athletes.

Regular training has been claimed to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and, consequently, augments the resistance to oxidative stress; however, large volumes of training performed by elite sportsmen could lead to a chronic oxidative stress state. The aim of our study was to assess the oxidative status of elite athletes at the beginning of the preparatory and the beginning of the competition training phases, so that the influence of three months of programmed physical activity on redox status could be determined. The chronic effects of exercise on the redox state of the athletes were compared to the effects of a single bout of karate training.

Tolerability and toxicity of lipidosterolic extract of American dwarf palm Serenoa repens in Wistar rats: well-known extract, new insight.

Background And Objectives: Serenoa repens extracts (SrE) have been used for centuries in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). According to recommendations that each product should be examined separately, including its tolerability and toxicity, we conducted this study in order to broaden the current cognition about tolerability and toxicity of SrE, in particular of German brand ProstamolunoR.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 6 animals.

[Effect of chromium enriched fermentation product of barley and brewer's yeast and its combination with rosiglitazone on experimentally induced hyperglycaemia in mice].

Introduction: In the recent years, herbal preparations have been more used to treat diabetes. Dietetic supplement based on barley and beer yeast enriched with chromium (BBCr) is registered in Serbia as a supplement in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To investigate the effect of the preparation based on barley and brewer's yeast with chromium (BBCr), rosiglitazone (R) and their combination (BBCr+R) on fasting glycaemia and glycaemia in mice after glucose, adrenalin and alloxan application.