Search

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a stress-induced cardiomyopathy, characterized by an increased concentration of catecholamines, free radicals, and inflammatory cytokines, endothelial dysfunction, and increased apoptotic activity. High doses of isoprenaline are used in animal models to induce Takotsubo (TT)-like myocardial injury. The aim of the study was to investigate the antiapoptotic effects of liraglutide in experimental TTS and its role in the NF-κB pathway. Wistar rats were pretreated with liraglutide for 10 days, and on days 9 and 10, TT-like myocardial injury was induced with isoprenaline. After the sacrifice on day 11, hearts were isolated for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Liraglutide reduced isoprenaline-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by decreasing cleaved caspase-3 (CC3), BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX), and NF-κB and increasing B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (BCL-2). An increase in NF-κB in isoprenaline-treated rats was in positive correlation with proapoptotic markers (BAX and CC3) and in negative correlation with antiapoptotic marker BCL-2. Liraglutide increased BCL-2 and decreased NF-κB, BAX, and CC3, preserving the same correlations of NF-κB to apoptotic markers. It is concluded that liraglutide protects cardiomyocytes against isoprenaline-induced apoptosis in experimental TT-like myocardial injury through downregulation of the NF-κB pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of atorvastatin and simvastatin on myocardial contractility during the different degrees of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in rats. Study was conducted on adult male Wistar albino rats (n = 90; 4 weeks old; 100 [+ or -] 15 g body mass) in which HHcy was achieved by dietary manipulation. Animals were exposed to pharmacology treatment with atorvastatin in dose of 3 mg/kg per day i.p. or simvastatin in dose of 5 mg/kg per day i.p. at the same time every day, according to equivalent therapeutic doses of these statins (10 mg atorvastatin = 20 mg simvastatin). After the dietary manipulation and pharmacological treatment and confirmation of HHcy, all animals were sacrificed, hearts were isolated, and cardiac function was tested according to the Langendorff technique. Size of recovery of maximum rate of left ventricular development (dp/[dt.sub.max]), minimum rate of left ventricular development (dp/[dt.sub.min]), systolic left ventricular development, diastolic left ventricular development, heart rate, and coronary flow at the 40, 60,80,100, and 120cm [H.sub.2]O coronary perfusion pressure were measured in state of physiological condition (homocysteine less than 15 [micro]mol/L), mild HHcy, and moderate HHcy. Atorvastatin treatment significantly attenuated homocysteine-induced impairment of myocyte contractility and dominantly decreased dp/[dt.sub.max], dp/[dt.sub.min], and heart rate and induced greater changes in systolic left ventricular development compared with simvastatin. Treatment with atorvastatin seems able to revert systolic abnormalities and improve contractility during the different degrees of HHcy. Key words: hyperhomocysteinemia, hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, cardiac function, rat. Cette etude avait pour but d'evaluer l'incidence de l'atorvastatine et de la simvastatine sur la contractilite du myocarde a differents degres d'hyperhomocysteinemie (HHcy) chez le rat. A l'aide de manipulations de nature alimentaire, nous avons provoque une HHcy chez 90 rats Wistar albinos de 4 semaines avec une masse corporelle de 100 [+ or -] 15 g. Nous avons expose les animaux a une pharmacotherapie par voie i.p. avec de l'atorvastatine a raison de 3 mg/kg par jour ou de la simvastatine a 5 mg/kg par jour a la meme heure chaque jour, conformement aux doses therapeutiques equivalentes de ces statines (atorvastatine a 10 mg = simvastatine a 20 mg). Apres la manipulation de nature alimentaire et le traitement pharmacologique, ainsi que la confirmation de la presence d'une HHcy, nous avons euthanasie tous les animaux, isole les creurs et etudie la fonction cardiaque selon la technique de Langendorff. Nous avons mesure l'ampleur du retablissement de la vitesse maximale de contraction du ventricule gauche (dp/[dt.sub.max]), de la vitesse minimale de contraction du ventricule gauche (dp/[dt.sub.min]), des contractions systolique et diastolique ventriculaires gauches, de la frequence cardiaque et du flux coronarien a des pressions de perfusion coronarienne de 40, 60, 80,100 et 120 cm[H.sub.2]O, le tout a l'etat physiologique (taux de homocysteine inferieurs a 15 [micro]mol/L), en HHcy legere et en HHcy moderee. Par rapport a la simvastatine, l'administration d'atorvastatine a entraine une attenuation plus marquee de la diminution de la contractilite des myocytes provoquee par l'homocysteine, ainsi qu'une diminution predominante de la dp/[dt.sub.max], dela dp/[dt.sub.min] et de la frequence cardiaque, avec l'obtention de plus grandes variations de contractions ventriculaires gauches systoliques. L'administration d'atorvastatine semble permettre de contrer les anomalies systoliques et d'ameliorer la contractilite a differents degres d'HHcy. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: hyperhomocysteinemie, inhibiteurs de l'hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase, fonction cardiaque, rat., Introduction Homocysteine (Hcy) is an endogenous, nonstructural protein, a sulfur-containing amino acid emerging on the pathway of methionine and cysteine, actively involved in numerous biochemical reactions (Ganguly and Alam 2015; [...]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially myocardial injury. Due to their hypoglycemic effects, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are efficiently used for T2DM management. GLP-1RAs also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects and can improve cardiac function. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of liraglutide, a GLP-1RA, on isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in rats. The study included four groups of animals. They were pretreated with saline for 10 days + saline on days 9 and 10 (control), saline for 10 days + isoprenaline on days 9 and 10 (isoprenaline group), liraglutide for 10 days + saline on days 9 and 10 (liraglutide group), and liraglutide for 10 days, and on days 9 and 10 isoprenaline was administered. This study evaluated ECG, myocardial injury markers, oxidative stress markers, and pathohistological changes. The results showed that liraglutide mitigated the isoprenaline-induced cardiac dysfunction recorded by ECG. Liraglutide reduced serum markers of myocardial injury such as high-sensitive troponin I, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, increased reduced glutathione level, and improved lipid profile. Liraglutide induced antioxidative protection and alleviated isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This study was created to analyze dynamic alterations in coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters and their association with mortality of COVID-19 patients. To identify the most sensitive biomarkers as predictors of mortality more research is required. METHODS: The present study was a prospective, one-year-long observational study conducted on all critically ill, COVID–19 patients with respiratory failure. The following data were collected: demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population, comorbidities, coagulation, biochemical and hematological parameters. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who died. RESULTS: 91 patients with median age 60 (50–67), 76.9% male, met the acute respiratory distress syndrome criteria. It was tested whether dynamic change (delta-Δ) of parameters that were found to be predictors of mortality is independently associated with poor outcome. Adjusted (multivariate) analysis was used, where tested parameters were corrected for basic and clinical patients characteristics. The only inflammatory parameter which dynamic change had statistically significant odds ratio was ΔCRP (p < 0.005), while among coagulation parameters statistically significant OR was found for Δ fibrinogen (p < 0.005) in predicting mortality. CONCLUSION: Monitoring of coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters abnormalities and their dynamical changes can potentially improve management and predict mortality in critically ill COVID –19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Optimal intake of magnesium minerals is essential in maintaining the coordinated physiological functions of cells, tissues and organs. The importance of this element is reflected in the fact that it is the fourth most abundant cation in the human body, participating as a cofactor in more than three hundred enzymatic reactions. Its presence is necessary for the proper functioning of a number of vital functions, such as glycaemic control, the work of the heart and the vascular system and it can potentially play a role in the regulation of body weight. Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of subchronic intake of magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich water on changes in body weight, organ weight and cardiovascular variables in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Methods: Wistar rats (n = 28) were divided into 4 groups: two control groups, on tap water (TW-C, n = 7) and magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich water (MW-C, n = 7); and two experimental groups with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, on tap water (TW-DM, n = 7) and magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich water (MW-DM, n = 7). The values of body weight, organ weight and cardiovascular parameters were compared after 6 weeks between control groups of rats on subchronic treatment with tap water (TW-C) and magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich water (MW-C) and between groups with streptozotocin-induced diabetes on tap water (TW-DM) and with magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich water (MW-DM). Results: By comparing the values of cardiovascular parameters between groups, significant (p < 0.05) positive effects of magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich water were registered on the values of systolic and pulse blood pressure in diabetic rats fed with magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich water (MW-DM) compared to those fed with tap water (TW-DM). In contrast, no significant effect of magnesium hydrocarbonate on changes in body weight and organ weight was observed. Conclusion: Based on the results, the beneficial effects of magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich water in the regulation of blood pressure can be clearly observed. Potential effects on other cardiovascular variables and body weight and organ weight should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Type 2 diabetes is a common comorbidity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Bearing in mind that obesity and insulin resistance are risk factors for the development of knee osteoarthritis, physical therapy and balneotherapy containing hydrogen sulphide (H2S) has a positive effect on the functional and metabolic status of these patients. This work was aimed to investigate the effect of sulphate-sulphide-rich mineral baths containing H2S on the level of serum glucose in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: An open prospective randomised clinical trial included patients suffering from stage I and II of the knee osteoarthritis. Patients were divided into two groups of 40 subjects each: control group and experimental group. All subjects underwent inpatient physical treatment consisting of kinesitherapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) 6 days a week. Patients from experimental group, in addition to all the mentioned treatments, also took sulphate-sulphide mineral water baths once a day for 30 minutes for 7 days, unlike the patients from control group who took tap water baths, according to the same schedule. The level of serum glucose was monitored in all patients on admission, after discharge and 6 months after the treatment. The Student t-test was used for statistical data processing and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Study included 80 patients of both sexes, with an average age of 67.00 ± 5.75 years. All patients had elevated serum glucose values on admission. The initial levels of glycaemia in the control and experimental groups were not significantly different (6.99 ± 1.95 and 7.88 ± 1.90 mmol/L, respectively). At discharge, patients who performed balneotherapy had a statistically significant decrease in serum glucose values compared to patients from the control group (by 1.84 vs 0.26 mmol/L, p < 0.001). This effect did not persist six months after the end of the treatment (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The application of balneotherapy with sulphate-sulphide mineral baths containing H2S as a potent gas transmitter significantly reduces serum glucose levels in patients with knee osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Hypomagnesaemia is one of the most detected electrolyte abnormalities in diabetics. Modulation of numerous cardiovascular pathophysiological processes is a potential goal for anti-diabetic therapy. Magnesium supplementation prevents subclinical tissue magnesium deficiency, thus delaying the onset of metabolic imbalance in diabetes, but long-term effects of magnesium supplementation in chronic diabetes and numerous pathophysiological processes remain unknown. Aim of this study was to determine the effects of subchronic intake of magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich mineral water on cardiometabolic markers and electrolytes in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Methods: A total of 28 Wistar, male rats, body weight 160 g at start, were divided into four groups of 7 each: two controls, group that drank tap water and received a single ip injection of saline (0.9 % NaCl) (TW-C), group that drank mineral water rich in magnesium hydrocarbonate and received a single ip injection of saline (0.9 % NaCl) (MW-C); and two experimental groups with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, group that drank tap water and received a single ip injection of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) in saline (0.9 % NaCl, 1 mL) (TW-DM), group that drank mineral water rich in magnesium hydrocarbonate and received a single ip injection of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) in saline (0.9 % NaCl, 1 mL) (MW-DM). Results: Regarding the biochemical parameters, a decrease was observed in the MW-C group for vitamin B12 and proteins, while triglycerides were higher compared to the TW-C group. By comparing the haemostatic biomarkers between TW-C and MW-C groups, a statistically significant decrease was found for fibrinogen, while the electrolyte analysis showed an increase in phosphates for the MW-C group. Biochemical value comparison between TW-DM and MWDM groups showed that magnesium hydrocarbonate usage in diabetic rats did not significantly reduce glycaemia although the average glycaemic values were lower in the group treated with magnesium hydrocarbonate. Regarding the electrolyte values, a statistically significant decrease was observed for sodium, potassium and phosphate in the MW-DM group. The MW-DM group also showed a significant increase in iron value compared to TW-DM group. Conclusion: Subchronic intake of magnesium hydrocarbonate-rich mineral water, as a form of magnesium supplementation, did not cause a significant improvement in glycaemia or normalisation of diabetes-induced dyslipidaemia. This study showed the reduction of fibrinogen value, thus indicating the possibility of usage of this form of magnesium supplementation in different pro-thrombogenic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourth Congress of Physiological Sciences of Serbia with International Participation was held from 19-22 September 2018 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, city of Nis, in south [...]

Background: The importance of homocysteine (Hcy) is increasingly recognized in last few decades as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and thrombosis, but there is lack of data referring to influence of Hcy on plasma oxidative stress parameters as well as the role of gasotransmitters in these effects. Therefore, this study aim was to assess the role of gasotransmitter inhibitors in Hcy-induced effects on plasma oxidative stress in rats. Material and Methods: Study involved 96 male Wistar albino rats divided into 8 groups: 1) Control group - saline (1ml 0.9 % NaCl i.p.); 2) DL-Hcy (8 mmol/kg i.p. DL homocysteine (DL-Hcy); 3) L-NAME (10 mg/kg i.p. Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), inhibitor of NO production); 4) ZnPPR IX (30 mol/kg i.p. protoporphyrin IX zinc (ZnPPR IX), inhibitor of CO production); 5) DL-PAG (50 mg//kg i.p. DL-propargylglycine (DL-PAG), inhibitor of H2S production); 6) DL-Hcy+L-NAME (8 mmol/kg i.p. DL-Hcy + 10 mg/kg i.p. L-NAME); 7) DL-Hcy+ZnPPR IX (8 mmol/kg i.p. DL-Hcy + 30 mol/kg i.p. Zn PPR IX), and 8) DL-Hcy+DL-PAG (8 mmol/kg i.p. DL-Hcy + 50 mg//kg i.p. DL-PAG). In all experimental groups, tested substances were administered in a single dose, intraperitoneally, 60 minutes before animals' euthanasia. In the collected blood samples malondialdehyde concentration, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity were measured. Results: Applied substances induced rapid and strong increase of plasma antioxidant enzymatic activity probably as a compensatory response to its pro-oxidant influence. Conclusion: The effects of Hcy on the activity of plasma antioxidant enzymes are in part mediated via interaction with gasotransmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest in the activity of sulfur-containing compounds on redox balance in physiological and pathological conditions, considering that some of these compounds have not only antioxidative but also pro-oxidative activities. The aim of this study was to assess possible differences in the effects of various sulfur-containing compounds on redox balance of cardiovascular system in its physiological state and in the early onset of hyperhomocysteinemia. This experimental study divided Wistar albino rats into two groups: saline-treated (control) and DL-homocysteine-treated (experimental group). Rats from experimental group were subjected to subchronic subcutaneous administration of DL-homocysteine at dose of 0.45 ĕmol/g body weight twice a day for 2 weeks. At the end of this period, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected to be analyzed for homocysteine concentration and systemic oxidative stress. Isolated rat hearts were excised and attached to the Langendorff apparatus. To assess the effects of acute administration of L-methionine, L-cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, and sodium hydrogen sulfide, the hearts were perfused individually with each of the mentioned substances at the same single dose of 0.5 mmol/L for 5 min. In collected samples of coronary venous effluent oxidative stress biomarkers were determined using spectrophotometry. Total homocysteine level was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, and the effects of applied sulfur-containing compounds were significantly different in experimental and control groups. DL-homocysteine induced considerable changes in the functioning of a cardiovascular system even before an increase in plasma homocysteine values, and action of sulfur-containing compounds varied depending on the presence of homocysteine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug-induced oxidative stress can occur in numerous tissues and organ systems (liver, kidney, ear, nervous system, and cardiovascular system). Cancer therapy with cisplatin is associated with side effects to which oxidative stress may contribute. We have compared the influences of cisplatin (reference compound) and its’ analogues (dichloro(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II) and chloro(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)platinum(II)) in a model of isolated rat heart using the Langendorff technique. The production of oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, myocardial damage, and expression of Bax, OH-1, and SODs were studied. Cisplatin and the analogues were perfused at concentration of 10−6 and 10−5 M during 30 min. The results of this study showed that examined platinum complexes had different ability to induce oxidative stress of isolated perfused rat heart. Varying the carrier ligands, such as 1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, related to amino ligands (cisplatin) directly influenced the strength to induce production of oxidative stress biomarkers. Introducing 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine ligands provoked the smallest changes in antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation, and expression of heme oxygenase-1, that undoubtedly indicated that this complex had the lowest impact on redox status in heart tissue. These findings may be useful in synthesis of novel platinum analogues with lower potential for oxidative stress induction. However, the fact that platinum complexes could induce toxic effects in the heart by other mechanisms should be taken into the consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This special issue of the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology contains invited and peer-reviewed papers presented at the international scientific conference entitled Nutrition, Treatment and Cardiovascular Risk Management held [...]

Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in clinical practice. They are usually well tolerated and effectively prevent cardiovascular events. Most adverse effects associated with statin therapy are musclerelated. The recent statement of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) has focused on statin associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), and avoided the use of the term "statin intolerance'. Although muscle syndromes are the most common adverse effects observed after statin therapy, excluding other side effects might underestimate the number of patients with statin intolerance, which might be observed in 10-15% of patients. In clinical practice, statin intolerance limits effective treatment of patients at risk of, or with, cardiovascular disease. Knowledge of the most common adverse effects of statin therapy that might cause statin intolerance and the clear definition of this phenomenon is crucial to effectively treat patients with lipid disorders. Therefore, the aim of this position paper was to suggest a unified definition of statin intolerance, and to complement the recent EAS statement on SAMS, where the pathophysiology, diagnosis and the management were comprehensively presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]