The effect of melatonin on hearts in ischemia/reperfusion experiments without and with HTK cardioplegia.

Our aim was to investigate if the cardioplegic solution HTK can be improved by the addition of the ROS scavenger melatonin. 158 guinea pig hearts without (UI80) or with HTK protection (HTK80) were investigated in ischemia/reperfusion experiments. Ischemia lasted 80 min at 30 °C.

The efficiency of heart protection with HTK or HTK-N depending on the type of ischemia.

We investigated isolated guinea pig hearts (n = 121) in an ischemia/ reperfusion model with the aim to compare the efficiency of the cardioplegic solution HTK with its novel replacement HTKN. Following consolidation with Tyrode's solution, ischemia started either immediately or after preceding cardioplegia with HTK, HTKN, or modified HTK enriched with Ca. Ischemia lasted either 80 min at 30 °C, or 360 min at 5 °C, or 81 min at 30 °C with intermittent cardioplegic perfusion.

Hearts during ischemia with or without HTK-protection analysed by dielectric spectroscopy.

Objective: We investigated canine hearts during ischemia after aortic cross clamping (UI, n  =  20) and after HTK-cardioplegia (HTK, n  =  24) at 35 °C, 25 °C, 15 °C, and 5 °C with the aim to compare tissue changes caused by the activity of anaerobic metabolism(AAM), cell membrane destruction(CD), and gap junction uncoupling(GJU).

Approach: We measured continuously the complex dielectric spectrum(DS), ATP- and lactate content, extracellular pH, and rigor contracture. To identify changes in DS caused by AAM, CD, and GJU we performed additional experiments on the gap junction-free skeletal muscle.

The combination of mitomycin-induced blood cells with a temporary treatment of ciclosporin A prolongs allograft survival in vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Background: Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is a rapidly expanding field of transplantation and provides a potential treatment for complex tissue defects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) shortly incubated with the antibiotic and chemotherapeutic agent mitomycin C (MMC) can suppress allogeneic T cell response and control allograft rejection in various organ transplantation models. MMC-incubated PBMCs (MICs) are currently being tested in a phase I clinical trial in kidney transplant patients.

Local administration of Mitomycin-C-Treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) prolongs allograft survival in vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Background: VCA offers a potential treatment for extensive tissue defects. First results of systemic administration of Mitomycin C-treated PBMCs in VCA demonstrated a significant prolongation of allograft survival. The aim of this study is to evaluate if local administration of MMC-PBMCs prolongs allograft survival in allogeneic hind limb transplantations of the rat.

Acute alcohol-induced pancreatic injury is similar with intravenous and intragastric routes of alcohol administration.

Objectives: Five percent of alcoholics develop an acute pancreatitis (AP). The mechanism leading to pancreatic injury is not yet understood. Microcirculatory disorders seem to play a pivotal role.

Adipose derived stem cells protect skin flaps against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: Advances in the treatment of ischemia- reperfusion injury have created an opportunity for plastic surgeons to apply these treatments to flaps and implanted tissues. We examined the capability of adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) to protect tissue against IRI using an extended inferior epigastric artery skin flap as a flap ischemia- reperfusion injury (IRI) model.

Methods: ADSCs were isolated from Lewis rats and cultured in vitro.

Combined effects of chronic and acute ethanol on pancreatic injury and microcirculation.

Objectives: Aim of the study was to investigate pancreatic microcirculatory and histopathological changes in rats after chronic ethanol liquid diet feeding.

Methods: To investigate the influence of chronic alcohol exposition (CAE) on the pancreas, rats were fed with either Lieber-DeCarli (LDC) control diet or LDC alcohol diet for 2, 4, or 6 weeks and received additionally an acute ethanol administration (AEA) for 90 minutes. Intravital microscopy was performed at baseline, 45 minutes, and 90 minutes after starting AEA.

Extracorporeal shock wave treatment protects skin flaps against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Advances in the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury have created an opportunity for plastic surgeons to apply these treatments to flaps and implanted tissues. Using an extended inferior epigastric artery skin flap as a flap ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) model, we examined the capability of extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) to protect tissue against IRI in a rat flap model. Twenty-four rats were used and randomly divided into three groups (n=8 for each group).

Shock wave treatment in composite tissue allotransplantation.

Introduction: Composite tissue allotransplantation is a newly emerged field of transplantation. Shock wave technology has already been used in the treatment of urologic and orthopedic disorders. Recent studies demonstrated a suppression of the early proinflammatory immune response.

Optimal timing of extracorporeal shock wave treatment to protect ischemic tissue.

Enhancement of flap survival through extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) is a promising new technique; however, no attempt has been made to define the optimal time point and frequency of ESWT to optimize treatment with ESWT for ischemic indications. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups and an oversized, random-pattern flap was raised and reattached in place in each animal. ESWT was applied 7 days before (group E7) or immediately after the surgical intervention (group E0).

Targeting of pancreatic and prostate cancer stem cell characteristics by Crambe crambe marine sponge extract.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are suggested as reason for resistance of tumors toward conventional tumor therapy including pancreatic and advanced prostate cancer. New therapeutic agents are urgently needed for targeting of CSCs. Marine sponges harbor novel and undefined compounds with antineoplastic activity but their potential to eliminate CSC characteristics is not examined so far.

Comparison of extracorporal shock wave pretreatment to classic surgical delay in a random pattern skin flap model.

Background: Extracorporal shock wave therapy has a significant positive effect on rescuing the ischemic zone of flap tissue if applied immediately after surgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential preoperative effect of noninvasive extracorporal shock wave therapy to precondition flap tissue compared with the well-established surgical delay procedure.

Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups, and an oversized, random-pattern flap was raised in each animal.

Preoperative shock wave treatment enhances ischemic tissue survival, blood flow and angiogenesis in a rat skin flap model.

Introduction: Extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) has recently been shown to enhance skin flap survival. However, the bio-mechanisms operating during preoperative ESWT remain unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate whether preoperative ESWT can improve blood flow in ischemic skin flaps and to elucidate its possible mechanisms.

Celecoxib enhances radiation response of secondary bone tumors of a human non-small cell lung cancer via antiangiogenesis in vivo.

Purpose: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors mediate a systemic antitumor activity via antiangiogenesis and seem to enhance the response of primary tumors to radiation. Radiosensitizing effects of COX-2 inhibition have not been reported for bone metastases. Therefore, the aim of this study was the investigation of the radiosensitizing effects of the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib in secondary bone tumors of a non-small cell lung carcinoma in vivo.

Glycine and taurine equally prevent fatty livers from Kupffer cell-dependent injury: an in vivo microscopy study.

Background: IRI still is a major problem in liver surgery due to warm ischemia and organ manipulation. Steatosis is not only induced by diabetes, hyperalimentation, alcohol and toxins, but also chemotherapy given before resection. Since steatotic livers are prone to Kupffer cell-dependent IRI, protection of steatotic livers is of special interest.

Induction of HSP70 shows differences in protection against I/R injury derived by ischemic preconditioning and intermittent clamping.

Background: Ischemic preconditioning (IP) and intermittent clamping (IC) increase the ischemic tolerance of the liver. The underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Heat shock proteins protect cellular integrity in stress and have been discussed as mediators in preconditioning.

Effects of gadolinium chloride and glycine on hepatic and pancreatic tissue damage in alcoholic pancreatitis.

Objective: Systemic complications in alcoholic pancreatitis are supposed to be aggravated by inflammatory liver damage. Resident macrophages including hepatic Kupffer cells play a pivotal role in mediating systemic complications in severe necrotizing pancreatitis (SNP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Kupffer cell inhibition on the inflammatory liver damage in experimental alcoholic pancreatitis.

Effects of hemodilution with a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC-201) on ischemia/reperfusion injury in a model of partial warm liver ischemia of the rat.

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion injury is an unavoidable complication in liver surgery and transplantation. Hemodilution with colloids can reduce postischemic injury but limits oxygen transport. Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers have been evaluated as blood substitute and provide a plasma-derived oxygen transport.

Protective effects and anti-inflammatory pathways of exogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide in severe necrotizing pancreatitis.

Background: Microcirculatory disturbances are known to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of severe necrotizing pancreatitis (SNP). Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a vasodilatatory neuropeptide with potential anti-inflammatory effects. This study characterizes the protective effects and the anti-inflammatory pathway of exogenous CGRP in SNP.

Danshen protects liver grafts from ischemia/reperfusion injury in experimental liver transplantation in rats.

Reperfusion injury remains one of the major problems in transplantation. Free radicals and disturbance of microcirculation are the supposed main contributors. Recent evidence shows that Danshen, a traditional Chinese drug used in vascular diseases, can scavenge radicals and improve microcirculation.

Capsaicin reduces tissue damage in experimental acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is released from perivascular pancreatic nerves. It effects vasomotion and cytokine liberation in inflammatory processes, including acute pancreatitis (AP). Calcitonin gene-related peptide liberation is stimulated by capsaicin, a substance of red hot chili peppers.

Fundamental efforts toward the development of a therapeutic cocktail with a manifold ameliorative effect on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Objective: Ischemia/reperfusion injury is mediated by various mechanisms. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a multiple pharmacological approach toward ischemia/reperfusion injury reduction.

Methods: The left liver lobe of Sprague-Dawley rats underwent normothermic ischemia for 90 minutes after a cocktail (glycine, taurine, alanine, arginine, and prednisolon) intravenous administration.

Quantification of liver perfusion by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging: experimental evaluation and clinical pilot study.

Changes in liver microcirculation are considered essential in assessing ischemia-reperfusion injury, which in turn has an impact on liver graft function and outcome following liver transplantation (LTx). The aim of this study was to introduce dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) as a new technique for overall quantification of hepatic microcirculation and compare it to perfusion measured by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF; hepatic artery/portal vein) and thermal diffusion (TD). The study included 3 groups, measuring hepatic blood flow and microcirculation with the help of TD, LDF, and dMRI.

P-selectin inhibition reduces severity of acute experimental pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by disturbed pancreatic microcirculation with tissue necrosis. Platelet and leukocyte activation contributes to microcirculatory disorders and inflammatory tissue infiltration. P-selectin mediates the adhesion of both activated platelets and leukocytes to the vessel wall.