Are polyamines involved in the contractile effects of angiotensin II in the rat aorta? (Polyamines and angiotensin II in rat aorta).

Angiotensin II (AII) is a central factor involved in the pathophysiology of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. On the other hand, polyamines represent a family of organic cations with low molecular weight, playing intracellular regulatory roles essential for the cellular growth and differentiation. The cellular contents, the synthesis and the transport of polyamines are increased following the actions of AII, as well as of other cellular growth factors.

Pepstatin A is inducing contractile effects on isolated rat aorta rings.

In a series of experiments dealing with the effects of angiotensin I (AI) and angiotensinogen on isolated rat aorta we observed that pepstatin A was able to induce contractile effects by itself. The endothelin pathway was excluded by the inhibitory effects of captopril, chymostatin and amastatin. In addition, few preliminary experiments showed that the contractile effects of pepstatin A were inhibited by the pretreatment with losartan, an antagonist of AT1 angiotensin receptors.

[Interactions between angiotensin-(1-7)and angiotensin II in isolated rat portal vein].

Our preliminary data show for the first time the interaction between angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) and angiotensin II (Ang II, 10 nM) in isolated rat portal vein. Very low concentrations (10 nM) of Ang-(1-7) have marked functional antagonizing effects on Ang II-induced contractions. High concentrations of Ang-(1-7) (1-10 mM) do not affect the effects of Ang II.

[Polyamines antagonizing angiotensin II contractile effects in isolated rat aorta].

Our study showed that the administration in pre-treatment of some polyamines (especially spermine and spermidine and almost null agmatine, putrescine and cadaverine) reduced the contractile effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) in isolated rat aorta. These effects might not be associated to the interference of clathrin coated vesicles (coated pits) formation or caveolae interaction (and thus to Ang II internalization through AT1 receptors). In contrast, these effects seem to be due to the interaction with voltage-gated membrane Ca2+ channels.

[Determination of several erythrocyte enzymes activity in patients with different tumors of the oral cavity].

Considering the influence on the molecular level of the neoplasic factors, upon several proteins, nucleic acids, one can say that some of the oncogenesis determinants are represented by genetic mutations. Free radicals, including also some organic peroxides are considered as tumour promoters, although the exact mechanism of this process in still unknown. The neoplasic disease is characterized generally by disorders of the control processes, including the one displayed on the subcellular level.