Proteomic Investigations into Hemodialysis Therapy.

The retention of a number of solutes that may cause adverse biochemical/biological effects, called uremic toxins, characterizes uremic syndrome. Uremia therapy is based on renal replacement therapy, hemodialysis being the most commonly used modality. The membrane contained in the hemodialyzer represents the ultimate determinant of the success and quality of hemodialysis therapy.

Astaxanthin treatment confers protection against oxidative stress in U937 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide reducing O2- production.

Recently, astaxanthin (ASTA) studies have focused on several biological functions such as radical scavenging, singlet oxygen quenching, anti-carcinogenesis, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenesis, and immune enhancement activities. In this study, we investigated the potential role protective of ASTA, an antioxidant marine carotenoid, in restoring physiological conditions in U937 cells stimulated with LPS (10 µg/ml). Our results show that pre-treatment with ASTA (10 µM) for 1 h attenuates the LPS-induced toxicity and ROS production.

The biological evaluation of ADMA/SDMA and eNOS in patients with ACHF.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute pharmacological treatment on the plasma levels of l-arginine, asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), and symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA). We also investigated the related effects on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and activity and cytochrome c oxidase activity in the primary blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from patients with acute congestive heart failure (ACHF). Compared to pre-treatment values, ADMA, SDMA, and l-arginine plasma levels were significantly higher after pharmacological treatment (ADMA, 0.

Astaxanthin treatment reduced oxidative induced pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion in U937: SHP-1 as a novel biological target.

It has been suggested that oxidative stress activates various intracellular signaling pathways leading to secretion of a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. SHP-1 is a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) which acts as a negative regulator of immune cytokine signaling. However, intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), generated endogenously upon stimulation and exogenously from environmental oxidants, has been known to be involved in the process of intracellular signaling through inhibiting various PTPs, including SHP-1.

Fast HPLC method for the determination of ketoprofen in human plasma using a monolithic column and its application to a comparative bioavailability study in man.

A fast, specific, accurate, precise and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with diode-array detector (DAD) was developed and validated for the determination of ketoprofen (CAS 22071-15-4) in human plasma using flubiprofen (CAS 5104-49-4) as an internal standard. The chromatographic separation was achieved on an onyx monolithic C18 (100 x 4.6 mm) analytical column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) 0.

Adherence of uremic erythrocytes to vascular endothelium decreases endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression.

Background: High prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events accounts for much of the mortality among patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Endothelial dysfunction as a pathogenic mechanism might contribute to increasing the cardiovascular risk of ESRD. Reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation has consistently been observed in chronic renal failure patients.

Verapamil reduces coronary endothelium damage and cardiomyocyte necrosis but not apoptosis after ischemia and reperfusion: ex-vivo study in rat hearts.

We tested the hypothesis of beneficial effects of the calcium-blocker verapamil in a model of ischemia-reperfusion, and investigated its effects against coronary microcirculation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to 15 min global ischemia and 22-180 min reperfusion in the presence or absence of verapamil (0.25 &mgr;M).

Enhanced adherence of human uremic erythrocytes to vascular endothelium: role of phosphatidylserine exposure.

Background: The exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the outer leaflet of erythrocyte membrane may have several pathophysiological consequences including increased erythrocyte adherence to endothelial cells, a finding that seems relevant in pathologies with reported vascular injury.

Methods: Because PS externalization increases in erythrocytes from patients suffering from chronic uremia, which is frequently associated with vascular damage, the adherence of uremic erythrocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers and the role of PS exposure on such cell-cell interaction were studied.

Results: The number of uremic erythrocytes adhering to HUVEC was markedly greater than with normal erythrocytes and significantly correlated (r = 0.

Clinical expression of 'silent' hepatitis B virus infection in a patient with visceral leishmaniasis.

A 69-year-old male was hospitalized in January 1999 because of visceral leishmaniasis. He had also suffered from anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive chronic hepatitis for years. All serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens and antibodies were negative except for anti-HBc.

Localization of the e-NOS enzyme in endothelial cells and odontoblasts of healthy human dental pulp.

Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) are important enzymes present in different cells such as endothelial cells, macrophages, etc. Recently, it has been found that nitric oxide (NO) is responsible for vasodilation, blood pressure regulation, platelet aggregation, cardiac contractility, and the mediation of immunity during bacterial infections and inflammation. However, the production and role of NO in various structures of the oral cavity have not been investigated extensively.

Non responders to interferon therapy among chronic hepatitis patients infected with hepatitis C virus.

We studied a series of 268 chronic hepatitis C patients (31 chronic persistent hepatitis CPH, 69 mild chronic active hepatitis CAH, 125 severe CAH, and 43 active cirrhosis) enrolled from 1988 to 1991 in different therapeutic protocols using lymphoblastoid or recombinant interferon (IFN) at a dosage of 3 mega units (M.U.), three times a week for 12 months.

Renal mechanisms in the cardiovascular effects of chronic exposure to inorganic mercury in rats.

Male weanling Wistar rats received 200 micrograms/ml of mercury (Hg), as HgCl2, in drinking water for 180 days. At the end of the treatment, systemic arterial blood pressure was augmented, cardiac inotropism was reduced, and heart rate was unchanged. Light and electron microscopical studies of the kidney showed a mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in about 80% of the glomeruli.