Curcumin prevents cisplatin-induced decrease in the tight and adherens junctions: relation to oxidative stress.

Curcumin is a polyphenol and cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent that induces nephrotoxicity associated with oxidative stress, apoptosis, fibrosis and decrease in renal tight junction (TJ) proteins. The potential effect of curcumin against alterations in TJ structure and function has not been evaluated in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The present study explored whether curcumin is able to prevent the cisplatin-induced fibrosis and decreased expression of the TJ and adherens junction (AJ) proteins occludin, claudin-2 and E-cadherin in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Renal tight junction proteins are decreased in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Unlabelled: Cisplatin (CP) is an antineoplastic agent that induces nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress. It is unknown whether renal tight junction (TJ) proteins expression and localization are modified in CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Objective: To study if the expression of the TJ proteins occludin, claudin-2, claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) is modified in rats with CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

An adenosine derivative compound, IFC305, reverses fibrosis and alters gene expression in a pre-established CCl(4)-induced rat cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is a complex process that involves a dynamic modification of liver cell phenotype associated to gene expression changes. This study investigates the reversing capacity of an adenosine derivative compound (IFC305) on a rat model of liver cirrhosis and gene expression changes associated with it. Rats were treated with IFC305 or saline for 5 or 10 weeks after cirrhosis induction (CCl(4) treatment for 10 weeks).

Cold and hot snare endoscopic techniques for removal of the Bravo pH monitoring capsule.

Background: Currently, use of the Bravo capsule is a very common method for evaluating the gastroesophageal reflux because it has the advantage of being an intraesophageal catheter-free system. However, endoscopic removal of the capsule is necessary when technical problems or severe discomfort are present. Most frequently, endoscopists solve this problem by nudging the device with the tip of the endoscope to dislodge it; others have used a cold snare to produce traction on the capsule, and then tear the probe off.

Evidence for tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme in explanted hearts of ischemic cardiomyopathy using targeted radiotracer technique.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to determine the magnitude and distribution of tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), mast-cell chymase, and angiotensin II, type 1, plasma membrane receptor (AT1R), in relation to collagen replacement in infarcted and noninfarcted left ventricular myocardial segments. A new radiotracer, 18F-fluorobenzoyl-lisinopril (FBL), was synthesized without compromising its affinity for tissue ACE.

Methods: Five- to 10-microm contiguous short-axis slices of explanted hearts from 3 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy were incubated in vitro with FBL, with and without 10(-6) M lisinopril.

Imaging the renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system in the heart.

The influence of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is recognized in cardiac and vascular injury. An extrinsic RAS has been known for decades, and an equally important intrinsic RAS has been discovered recently. The latter leads to pathologic tissue alterations in the absence of systemic stimuli and may be the main source of local tissue effects of RAS.

Role of endothelin 1 in the pathogenesis of chronic chagasic heart disease.

On the basis of previous observations, endothelin 1 (ET-1) has been suggested as contributing to the pathogenesis of Chagasic cardiomyopathy. Therefore, ET-1flox/flox;alpha-MHC-Cre(+) mice in which the ET-1 gene was deleted from cardiac myocytes and ET-1flox/flox;Tie 2 Cre(+) mice in which the ET-1 gene was deleted from endothelial cells were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Genetic controls for these cell-specific ET-1 knockout mice were used.

Cardioprotective effects of phosphoramidon on myocardial structure and function in murine Chagas' disease.

Chagas' disease is an important cause of cardiomyopathy. Endothelin-1, a vasoactive peptide has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chagasic cardiomyopathy. C57BL/6 x 129sv and CD1 mice were thus, infected with trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi (Brazil strain) and these infected mice were compared with infected mice treated with phosphoramidon.