Deterioration of epithelium mediated mechanisms in diabetic-antigen sensitized airways of guinea pigs.

Background: The onset of diabetes causes disruption of respiratory epithelial mediators. The present study investigates whether diabetes modifies the epithelium mediated bronchial responses in hyper-reactive airway smooth muscle (ASM) primarily through nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase (COX), and epithelium derived hyperpolarizing factor (EpDHF) pathways.

Methods: Experimental model of guinea pigs having hyper-reactive airways with or without diabetes were developed.

Mercury Exposure and Endothelial Dysfunction: An Interplay Between Nitric Oxide and Oxidative Stress.

Vascular endothelium plays a vital role in the organization and function of the blood vessel and maintains homeostasis of the circulatory system and normal arterial function. Functional disruption of the endothelium is recognized as the beginning event that triggers the development of consequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) including atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. There is a growing data associating mercury exposure with endothelial dysfunction and higher risk of CVD.

Altered alpha adrenergic vasoresponsiveness in a non-cirrhotic portal hypertension model of E. coli injection.

Background And Aim: Portal hypertension is associated with decreased vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictors, which may contribute to the hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhosis. Animal models of cirrhosis and portal vein ligation have helped in our understanding of portal hypertension. The etiopathogenesis of non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF), a common cause of portal hypertension, is still poorly understood.

A rabbit model of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension by repeated injections of E.coli through indwelling cannulation of the gastrosplenic vein.

Background: Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension is a common cause of portal hypertension in developing countries. To understand its etiopathogenesis we developed an animal model by repeated portal endotoxemia induced through the gastrosplenic vein.

Methods: Twenty-nine rabbits (1.