Search

Finding neuroprotective agents to counteract the deleterious effects of hypoxia on neuronal cells successfully is one of the most critical targets of clinical research since preclinical studies have identified potential neuroprotective strategies. In clinical practice, amantadine and piracetam are used with reasonable success. We present the cases of three patients with acute brain hypoxia secondary to cardiac arrest, to whom Cerebrolysin was added to the standard neuroprotective treatment regimen, leading to a notable improvement in functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synopsis The objective of this study was to determine the effects of skin moisturizers on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of human skin using EpiDermTM model. Three different skin moisturizers containing antioxidant ingredients (samples 1–3) or aloe vera extract were topically applied to EpiDermTM units and incubated for 2 and 24 h to determine acute and longer-term effects of applied samples on TAC and glutathione peroxidase activity in medium and/or homogenized skin tissues. Total antioxidant capacity in medium and skin homogenates was enhanced ( P < 0.0001) by gel containing antioxidant ingredients (sample 2) after 2 and 24 h of incubation. Total antioxidant capacity in medium was also enhanced ( P < 0.001) by cream containing antioxidant ingredients (sample 3) after 24 h of incubation. Overall, TAC in medium was greater ( P < 0.02) after 24 h than 2 h of incubation. Skin moisturizer cream with high antioxidant levels determined by using oxygen radical absorbance capacity testing (sample 1) and aloe vera extract did not affect TAC. Glutathione peroxidase activity was enhanced ( P < 0.0001) in medium and skin homogenates by sample 2 but not by any other sample. These data demonstrate high potential of gel and cream (samples 2 and 3) containing antioxidant ingredients in enhancing antioxidant capacity of EpiDermTM which will likely contribute to overall skin health. Results of this experiment will help to better understand mechanisms of effects of skin moisturizers containing antioxidant ingredients on skin function at the tissue level and to establish effective strategies for skin protection and clinical treatments of skin disorders and possibly healing wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to determine the effects of colloidal bismuth subcitrate De-Nol on gastric HCO3- secretion in 24 healthy subjects and on gastric and duodenal HCO3- secretion in dogs with gastric and duodenal fistulae. Alkaline secretion was measured after pretreatment with ranitidine to abolish the H+ secretion using a constant perfusion aspiration system and back titration of the perfusates to the original pH 6.0. Luminal release of PGE2 was also measured in the gastric and duodenal perfusates. Addition of De-Nol in gradually increasing concentrations resulted in step wise increments in gastric HCO3- secretion in man and in dogs reaching, respectively, about 80% and 55% of the maximal HCO3- response to 16, 16dimethyl-PGE2 (dmPGE2). The duodenal HCO3- response to De-Nol in dogs reached 72% of the dmPGE2 maximum. These effects were accompanied by a significant increase in luminal release of PGE2. Pretreatment with atropine reduced basal and in part De-Nol induced alkaline secretion, whereas pirenzepine did not affect this secretion in man and dogs. Aspirin (in man) and indomethacin (in dogs) reduced the release of PGE2 by about 80% and suppressed almost completely the gastric and duodenal HCO3- response to De-Nol in these species. This study provides evidence that De-Nol stimulates gastroduodenal alkaline secretion through a prostaglandin dependent mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There is increased awareness that infection with Campylobacter pylori could be a major factor in the pathogenesis of gastric disease. Here, we present evidence that the extracellular protease elaborated by this bacteria, which causes degradation of gastric mucus, is inhibited by an antiulcer agent, colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS; De-Nol). The study was conducted with C. pylori cultured from antral mucosal biopsy specimens of patients undergoing gastroscopy. The grown colonies of bacteria were washed with saline, filtered through sterilization filter, dialyzed, and lyophilized. The powder was used as the enzyme source for proteolytic activity assay employing pig gastric mucus as substrate. Optimum enzymatic activity was obtained at 37°C and at pH 7.0. The apparent Km of C. pylori protease with gastric mucus was 0.71 g/L. Analyses of the degradation products indicated that the protease caused extensive proteolysis of mucus glycoprotein polymer. Introduction of CBS to the incubation mixtures led to a reduction of the rate of mucus degradation. The rate of proteolysis inhibition was proportional to CBS concentration up to 1 x 10-1 g/L, at which point a 37% reduction in mucus proteolysis was obtained. The Km value for proteolytic degradation of mucus by C. pylori protease in the presence of CBS was 1.25 g/ L. The results suggest that CBS is capable of counteracting the proteolysis of the protective gastric mucus layer by C. pylori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to perform complex characterization of cryopreserved and then autotransplanted ovaries including determination of the ability to respond to in vivo follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-treatment, fertilizability of retrieved oocytes, and morphology, vascularization, cellular proliferation and apoptosis in sheep. Methods Mature crossbred ewes were divided into two groups; an intact (control) group (n = 4), and autotransplanted group (n = 4) in which oophorectomy was performed laparoscopically and ovaries with intact vascular pedicles frozen, thawed and transplanted back into the same animal at a different site. Approximately five months after autotransplantation, estrus was synchronized, ewes were treated with FSH, and ovaries were collected. For all ovaries, number of visible follicles was determined, and collected cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) were matured and fertilized in vitro. Remaining ovarian tissues were fixed for evaluation of morphology, expression of factor VIII (marker of endothelial cells), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; expressed by pericytes and smooth muscle cells), and smooth muscle cell actin (SMCA; marker of pericytes and smooth muscle cells), and cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Two fully functional ovaries were collected from each control ewe (total 8 ovaries). Results Out of eight autotransplanted ovaries, a total of two ovaries with developing follicles were found. Control ewes had 10.6 +/- 2.7 follicles/ovary, oocytes were in vitro fertilized and developed to the blastocyst stage. One autotransplanted ewe had 4 visible follicles from which 3 COC were collected, but none of them was fertilized. The morphology of autotransplanted and control ovaries was similar. In control and autotransplanted ovaries, primordial, primary, secondary, antral and preovulatory follicles were found along with fully functional vascularization which was manifested by expression of factor VIII, VEGF and SMCA. Proliferating cells were detected in follicles, and the rate of apoptosis was minimal in ovaries of control and autotransplanted ovaries. Conclusion These data demonstrate successful autotransplantation of a portion of frozen/thawed ovaries manifested by restoration of selected ovarian function including in vitro maturation of collected oocytes, presence of follicles from several stages of folliculogenesis and blood vessels expressing specific markers of vascularization, and proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cells. Thus, heterotopic autotransplantation of a whole frozen/thawed ovary allows for development of preovulatory follicles, oocyte growth, and for restoration of vascularization and cellular function. However, additional improvements are required to enhance the efficiency of autotransplantation of frozen/thawed ovaries to produce more oocytes.