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Decellularized grafts have shown promising results in tissue engineering. The aim of decellularization is to create a scaffold that is devoid of immunogenic components, has natural tissue architecture, and can provide cellularity again. The aim of our study is to obtain a living/regenerative valve by coculture of HUVEC and human dermal fibroblast cells on the pulmonary heart valves of decellularized young sheep and subsequently perform their in vitro characterization to determine its suitability for clinical studies. Various characterization tests were applied to sheep pulmonary heart valves decellularized by the detergent-based method. HUVEC and dermal fibroblast cells were seeded on the scaffold, and their viability was determined by MTT analysis, adhesion by SEM, and cell infiltration by histological staining. Finally, to determine the regenerative ability of the resulting live cap, collagen type I (Col1), collagen type III (Col3), and elastin (Eln) gene expressions were analyzed by PCR. The results showed that cell proliferation increased day by day on the scaffold. In histological findings, it was observed that cellular regeneration was almost completely achieved, especially in arterial wall samples. According to PCR findings, a significant increase in Col1, Col3, and Eln gene expressions was observed in arterial wall samples. In this study, for the first time in the literature, the regeneration potential of differentiated human cells on decellularized sheep heart valves was observed, and markers related to new ECM production were analyzed. In conclusion, we suggest that the decellularized heart valves of young sheep can be used as a starting matrix in tissue engineering studies, and clinical studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) has been reported to play an important role in the physiopathology of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. Interaction of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells with RAS, lipoproteins and insulin has been shown to cause the development and progression of diseases such as diabetes, myocardial infarction, hypertension, stroke and stent restenosis. While systemic RAS is mostly responsible for the regulation of blood pressure, salt and water intake, release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), local RAS plays a role in the proliferation, growth, apoptosis and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells. In studies, it has been shown that RAS components are synthesized locally in many places such as vascular smooth muscle, heart cells, fat tissue and brain. Thus, full identification of local RAS components will play an important role in the development of new treatment modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In humans, approximately 95% of the total requirement for vitamin D is synthesized in the skin by the effects of sunlight. The active vitamin D synthesis from 25 (OH) D takes place via the 1-alpha hydroxylase enzyme both in renal and non-renal tissues. The effect of vitamin D on the receptor level is through active vitamin D. Vitamin D receptors are shown in more than 30 tissues. Non-classical effects of vitamin D are grouped under three main headings: Regulation of hormone secretion, regulation of immune function, regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome are mostly researched diseases related with vitamin D. Vitamin D levels were shown inversely to be related with hypertension, obesity, diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia. In vitro studies have shown that vitamin D accelerates relaxation in cardiomyocytes and improves diastolic function of the heart. In clinical studies done in patients with chronic kidney disease, poor vitamin D status was shown to be an independent risk factor for coronary vascular calcification, other heart diseases such as heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality. In this review, the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of vitamin D have been reviewed in the light of current knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in heart tissue of aged female rats. Methods: Twenty aged female rats (aged twenty months) were randomly divided into two grops: control and curcumin. In curcumin supplemented group curcumin was given at 300 mg/kg dosage for 12 days via oral gavage dissolved in corn oil. Twenty-four hour after the last supplementation heart tissues were taken under anesthesia and malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and glutathione (GSH) levels were analyzed in these samples. Results: Curcumin supplementation significantly elevated GSH levels (P<0.05). However, although it was not statistically significant, curcumin supplementation decreased MDA and PC levels (P>0.05). Conclusion: Curcumin supplementation protects the heart against oxidative damage and it improves antioxidant defense system in aged female rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]