Role of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant compound probucol in antiradical protection of pancreatic beta-cells during alloxan-induced diabetes.

The severity of disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes depended on activity of antioxidant enzymes in the target organ (pancreas). Damage to the pancreas is related to intensive generation of reactive oxygen species, free radicals, and lipid peroxides. Alloxan-induced diabetes in rats is a free radical disease, which in vivo serves as a useful model for the search for pharmacological preparations with antiradical and antioxidant properties.

Complex of vitamins and antioxidants protects low-density lipoproteins in blood plasma from free radical oxidation and activates antioxidants enzymes in erythrocytes from patients with coronary heart disease.

We studied the effect of a complex containing antioxidant vitamins C and E, provitamin A, and antioxidant element selenium on the contents of primary (lipid peroxides) and secondary products (malonic dialdehyde) of free radical lipid oxidation in low-density lipoproteins isolated from the plasma of patients with coronary heart disease and hypercholesterolemia by means of preparative ultracentrifugation. Activity of key antioxidant enzymes in the blood was measured during treatment with the antioxidant preparation. Combination treatment with antioxidant vitamins and antioxidant element selenium sharply decreased the contents of primary and secondary free radical oxidation products in circulating low-density lipoproteins and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes.

Dynamics of interrelationships between the content of lipoprotein particles, fibrinogen, and leukocyte count in the plasma from patients with coronary heart disease treated with Kwai.

The hypolipidemic effect of Kwai, a preparation based on garlic powder (Allium sativum), depended on the initial content of cholesterol and/or triglycerides. This effect was most pronounced in patients with coronary heart disease with initial cholesterol >7.0 mmol/liter and triglyceride >1.

Proliferative activity and expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1 and p53 protein in endothelial cells of human aorta during replicative aging in vitro.

Experiments with bromodeoxyuridine showed that the count of nonproliferating cells in a monolayer culture of aortic endothelial cells from adult humans rapidly increased during long-term subculturing. Cytochemical assay showed that these cells contain neutral b-galactosidase, the marker of aging cells. Immunocytochemical assay demonstrated that most cells express p53 protein and inhibitor of the cell cycle p21WAF1.

Intensification of free radical oxidation of low-density lipoproteins in the plasma of patients with ischemic heart disease receiving beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor cerivastatin and inhibition of low-density lipoprotein peroxidation with antioxidant probucol.

Inhibitors of the key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (statins) decrease cholesterol content in atherogenic low-density lipoproteins in patients with coronary heart disease and hypercholesterolemia, but inhibited biosynthesis of ubiquinone Q10 protecting low-density lipoproteins from free radical oxidation. Cerivastatin in a daily dose of 0.4 mg markedly increased the content of lipid peroxides in low-density lipoproteins.

Changes in the ratio between apolipoprotein (a) and lipids in human plasma during interaction with polyclonal sheep antibodies against lipoprotein (a).

Plasma contents of apolipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein B 100, cholesterol, triglycerides, and vitamin E were measured in 2 patients with lipoprotein (a) concentration >100 mg/dl during the interaction with the anti-lipoprotein (a) immunosorbent. Intraindividual heterogeneity of apolipoprotein (a)-containing particles in the plasma was demonstrated. Polyclonal antibodies against lipoprotein (a) immobilized on Sepharose CL-4B more effectively removed free apolipoprotein (a) than complexes containing apolipoproteins B 100, apolipoprotein (a), lipids, and vitamin E.

Circulating bone marrow osteoclast precursors and osteoclastogenesis in patients with type IIA and IIB hyperlipidemias.

Osteoclasts, the major source of calcium released during bone resorption, and their precursors preosteoclasts derive from bone marrow hemopoietic stem cells, granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units. The factors responsible for commitment of colony-forming units into osteoclast precursors remain unknown. Studies of osteoclastogenesis in cultured blood mononuclear cells from patients with hyperlipidemia accompanied by atherosclerosis and calcification of vessels revealed high content of preosteoclasts in the blood.

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta(1)on proliferation of smooth muscle cells in human aortic intima and human promonocytic leukemia THP-1 cells.

We studied the effects of transforming growth factor on proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells from human aortic intima and proliferation and differentiation of human leukemia THP-1 promonocytes. Transforming growth factor inhibited proliferation of these cells, but stimulated differentiation of THP-1 cells. Therefore, transforming growth factor probably modulates proliferation and differentiation of smooth muscle cells and monocytes/macrophages involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic damages.