Pioglitazone prevents capillary rarefaction in streptozotocin-diabetic rats independently of glucose control and vascular endothelial growth factor expression.

Background/aims: Reduction of capillary network density occurs early in the development of metabolic syndrome and may be relevant for the precipitation of diabetes. Agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ transcription factor are vasculoprotective, but their capacity for structural preservation of the microcirculation is unclear.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin and treated with pioglitazone in chow for up to 12 weeks.

Mechanism of photodynamic occlusion using liposomal Zn(II)-phtalocyanine.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of liposomal Zinc(II)-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) to selectively target subretinal vasculature.

Methods: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with liposomal Zinc(II)-phtalocyanine was used to induce choroidal occlusion in eyes of pigmented rabbits. Drug doses of 0.

Videomicroscopy, image processing, and analysis of whole histologic sections of the human brain.

Serial histologic sections of a whole human brain may have extensions of up to 130 x 130 mm within the coronal plane around the temporal lobe. To date, however, technology has not provided a bright field microscope that is able to shift the object holder continuously in the x- and y-direction over such distances and still possess the same optical capabilities as comparable devices. We developed a new light microscope to continuously quantify such sections.

Prophylactic gamma radiation of unaffected vein grafts failed to prevent vein graft disease in a chronic hypercholesterolemic porcine model.

Objective: The value of prophylactic brachytherapy on vein graft disease is unknown.

Methods And Results: Vein bypass grafts in 23 hypercholesterolemic pigs after ex vivo gamma irradiation of the vein grafts (10, 20, and 40Gy) and 16 control veins were analyzed regarding: (1) expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA and -BB, ELISA); (2) smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation/cell death (double-immunohistochemistry Mib-1/TUNEL/SMC alpha-actin); and (3) vessel wall dimensions. Planimetric data on vessel wall dimensions revealed no positive effect of gamma radiation on neointima formation and inner lumen diameter.