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In vitro, several reactive oxygen species have been reported to induce constriction of the airways smooth muscle. The purpose of this paper was to study the reactive oxygen species (hypochlorite) effect on the tracheal smooth muscle in vitro and the prevention effect of Nacetyl- cysteine (NAC) and mepyramine (10-6 M), a histamine H1-receptor antagonist. There were studied 12 spiral tracheas, obtained from male Wistar rats (200 g). A dose-response curve was performed using acetylcholine concentrations from 10-5 to 10-4 M. After 5 doses response curves and a washing period, samples were incubated for long term incubation (30 minutes) with hypochlorite (10-3 M) and a new acetylcholine dose-response curve was performed. Experiments were repeated after a preincubation with NAC 10-3 M for 20 min. The hypochlorite enhanced the acetylcholine constrictor effect (38 ± 2.9%) for all doses of acetylcholine (p<0.001). The preincubation with NAC prevented the constrictor effect induced by the hypochlorite (74±3.7%) (p<0.001). Hypochlorite induced a dose-response-dependent contraction of the tracheal smooth muscle. Addition of hypochlorite to the tracheal preparation induced a high, rapid contraction with a slow relaxation. NAC reduced the amplitude of contraction induced by hypochlorite (which is considered 100%) with 40± 2.4% (p<0,001) and an insignificantly effect was produced by mepyramine (a decrease of contraction induced by hypochlorite only with 2.8±1.03%) (p<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidized lipoproteins may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis by enhancing endothelial injury by inducing foam cell generation and smooth muscle proliferation. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of oxidized triglyceride-rich remnant lipoproteins (ox-IDL) and oxidized low density lipoproteins (ox - LDL) on the vasomotor reactivity in human mammary artery rings. Experiments were performed on human mammary artery rings from patients undergoing coronary by-pass intervention. The remnant lipoproteins were separated from postprandial plasma from hyperlipidemic patients by sequential density gradient ultracentrifugation. Human mammary vascular rings suspended in the organ chambers were incubated for 1 h with a solution of 1% ox-LDL or with a solution of 1% ox-IDL. To study endothelium-dependent relaxation, we preconstricted rings with phenylephrine (PE; 10-5M) and a cumulative concentration-response curve to ADP (10-9 - 10-4M) was obtained in all rings. Finally, to examine endothelium-independent relaxation, vascular rings were exposed to sodium nitroprusside in increasing doses (from 10-9 to 10-4 M) following precontraction by PHE and in the presence of indomethacin. Our data regarding preincubation of human mammary aortic rings with oxidized lipoproteins showed that, both vasoconstrictor effect to 10-5M phenylephrine (PHE) and endothelial-independent vasodilator effect to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were not significantly modified. On the other side, endothelial-dependent vasodilator response to 5'ADP was significantly decreased in human mammary aortic rings preincubated with oxidized lipoproteins, both in case of ox-IDL (p < 0.001) and ox-LDL (p < 0.001). Our results suggest a higher atherogenic capacity for ox-IDL than for ox-LDL (p < 0.001). Oxidized remnant lipoproteins may play an important role in atherogenesis in hyperlipidemic patients; therefore the treatment with high doses of antioxidants may be beneficial in protecting endothelium against the action of lipoprotein remnants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human internal mammary arteries (IMA) are relatively protected from atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of action of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on human mammary artery (IMA) segments. Segments of IMA were obtained from 12 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. They were cut into rings, suspended between two wire hooks in organ bath chambers and constricted submaximally with Phenylephrine. Isometric tension was continuously measured with an isometric force transducer connected to a computer-based data acquisition system. The dose-effect graphs were determined for the following substances: 5'ADP ± L-NAME in concentrations between 10-9 and 10-4M on the precontracted rings by 10-5M Phenylephrine and NSP ± L-NAME for concentrations between 10-9 and 10-4M, on the precontracted rings by 10-5M Phenylephrine. The administration of the pharmacological agents was performed in a cumulative manner, the concentration being expressed in absolute values (cN), and the relaxation as % of the tension induced by the pre-contraction with 10-5M Phenylephrine. In our study, the incubation of the human artery mammary rings for 30 minutes with 10-5M L-NAME determined a significant increase of contractile response to 10-5 M Phenylephrine (p < 0.001), a significant decrease of response to 5'ADP (p < 0.001) and absence of modification of the endothelial-independent response to NSP (p = 0.03). The results of our study showed that, in the case of a rigorous standardized methodology, the experimental protocol study of a vasomotor function of endothelium, in our case human arterial mammary artery, it can reveal endothelial dysfunction. The exposure to an inhibitor of NO Synthase Inhibitor L-NAME, (N (G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), has to attenuate significant the vasodilator response of the vascular ring to Phenylephrine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial vasodilator dysfunction assessed by brachial artery flow - mediated dilatation (FMD) is an indicator of subclinical atherosclerotic disease. The aim of the study was to observe if there is a relationship between FMD and classical cardiovascular risk factors in a group of hypertensive patients. We measured FMD by ultrasound in 75 subjects aged between 42 and 62 years. We examined its correlation and interaction with traditionally cardiovascular risk factors. Endothelial function was assessed by means of flow mediated dilation (FMD) on brachial artery, using B - mode ultrasonography. The values of FMD were 8, 00 ± 2, 02%. We found a weak but significant correlation between FMD and systolic arterial hypertension (r = - 0,125, p < 0, 05), between FMD and diastolic arterial hypertension (r = -0,237, p < 0, 05), between FMD and HDL cholesterol (r = 0,368, p < 0, 05), between FMD and LDL cholesterol (r = - 0,403, p < 0, 05) and between FMD and triglycerides (r = - 0,325, p < 0, 01). We observed a moderate but significant correlation between FMD and total cholesterol (r = - 0,511, p < 0, 01). In conclusion, in hypertensive patients, FMD measurement is an important tool for evaluation of arterial wall remodeling and can be used as valid marker of atherosclerosis in cardiovascular risk prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uric acid is not only regarded as having a causative role in the development of cardiovascular disease, but rather has a biological value of a marker that reflects in an integrated manner the interaction between different cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate serum uric acid (SUA) levels, lipid profile and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with atheromatous plaques. The study comprised 68 patients with clinically suspected coronary artery disease from IVth Medical Clinic of University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara, Romania. All the patients were examined by B-mode ultrasound to measure the C-IMT at the far wall of the common carotid artery. According to the declaration of Mannheim, a patient is considered with atheromatous plaques if C-IMT ≥ 1.3 mm. Based on this principle, we grouped the subjects into two groups: group A: patients with C-IMT < 1.3 mm (n = 36), respectively group B: patients with C-IMT ≥ 1.3 mm (n = 32). We observed in group B significant higher levels of TC (p<0.001), LDL-C (p<0.001) and TG (p<0.001) compared to group A. The values of HDL-C in group B were significantly decreased compared to group A (p<0.001). The values of SUA were significantly increased in group B compared to group A (6.54±0.82 mg/dL vs 4.70±1.59 mg/dL, p<0.001). Our study revealed that patients with C-IMT ≥ 1.3 mm have increased values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, a worse lipid profile and increased values of SUA than patients with C-IMT < 1.3 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonic polyps are slow-growing overgrowths of the colonic mucosa that carry a small risk (<1%) of becoming malignant. The aim of our study was to assess the profile of colonic polyps in the colon cancer patients hospitalized during a one year period in Clinical County Hospital of Timisoara. Data from 795 colonoscopies done in our department during the period January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 were scrutinized and 183 cases with polyps were selected for this study. For each patient, age, sex, anatomic location of polyps at the level of the colon and morphological details of the polyps were recorded. The sex repartition of the patients was 43.4% men and 56.6% women. A progressive, linear increase of the percentage of the adenomatous polyps was noticed depending on the age of the patients. The most frequently affected, 33.96%, was the age group between 50-59 years. We followed the anatomic distribution of these polyps at the level of the colon: cecum 6.16%, ascending colon 9.06%, hepatic flexure 2.17%, transverse colon 15.22%, splenic flexure 2.54%, descending colon 5.79%, sigmoid 39.85 %, rectosigmoidian junction 2.54%, rectum 16.67%. Dimensions of the polyps were: 33.96% < 5 mm, 38.21% were between 5-10 mm, 17.93% were between 11-20 mm and 9.9% of them were > 20 mm. Complications of colonic polyps include bleeding, obstruction, diarrhea, and development of cancer. Colonoscopy is a valuable method of diagnosing colonic polyps. Screening programs are essentially for early cancer diagnosis and for a proper treatment, especially in patients with risk of developing colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonic polyps are slow-growing overgrowths of the colonic mucosa that carry a small risk (<1%) of becoming malignant. The aim of our study was to assess the profile of colonic polyps in the colon cancer patients hospitalized during a one year period in Clinical County Hospital of Timisoara. Data from 795 colonoscopies done in our department during the period January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 were scrutinized and 183 cases with polyps were selected for this study. For each patient, age, sex, anatomic location of polyps at the level of the colon and morphological details of the polyps were recorded. The sex repartition of the patients was 43.4% men and 56.6% women. A progressive, linear increase of the percentage of the adenomatous polyps was noticed depending on the age of the patients. The most frequently affected, 33.96%, was the age group between 50-59 years. We followed the anatomic distribution of these polyps at the level of the colon: cecum 6.16%, ascending colon 9.06%, hepatic flexure 2.17%, transverse colon 15.22%, splenic flexure 2.54%, descending colon 5.79%, sigmoid 39.85 %, rectosigmoidian junction 2.54%, rectum 16.67%. Dimensions of the polyps were: 33.96% < 5 mm, 38.21% were between 5-10 mm, 17.93% were between 11-20 mm and 9.9% of them were > 20 mm. Complications of colonic polyps include bleeding, obstruction, diarrhea, and development of cancer. Colonoscopy is a valuable method of diagnosing colonic polyps. Screening programs are essentially for early cancer diagnosis and for a proper treatment, especially in patients with risk of developing colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transversal deformation response force is an useful parameter for in vivo evaluation of skeletal muscle contractile response in basal conditions, electrical stimulation (induced tetany) or after myorelaxing drugs administration. The present device allows the recording of the transversal deformation response force which represents the parameter for the evaluation of skeletal muscle tone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo relaxing effects of a new purified Helleborus Purpurascens root extract (ACSw05) on skeletal muscle tone, using an experimental device. In this study we used Sprague Dawley rats (200-250g), that were immobilized on the contention table, after they have been anesthetized with Nembutal 20 mg/kg i.p. The evaluation of ACSw05 extract effects on skeletal muscle tone was performed by analyzing the plotted length-force curves; the follow-up period was 90 minutes. First we performed a control recording curve and afterwards we injected intramuscular 200 μl ACSw05 extract. We noticed a decrease of length-force curve slope and a 40% decrease of the contractile muscle response compared with the control recording curve. The relaxation curve slope hasn't shown significant changes compared to the control recording curve. The device and method for skeletal muscle tone evaluation by measuring the transversal deformation response force can be used to compare the effects of different physical, chemical factors and drugs on skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: The main changes of the plasma lipid profile in patients with endothelial dysfunction are the increased triglyceride content of the lipoprotein remnant particles, the presence of the small and dense LDL particles and the decreasing of the HDL-cholesterol level., Material and Method: Considering these observations, we performed "in vitro" experiments using human mammary artery rings, in order to examine the effect of the lipoprotein "remnants" on endothelium-dependent vasodilatation induced by cumulative doses (10(-9) M - 10(-4) M) of adenosine (ADP) and to study the effect on endothelial--independent vasodilatation induced by cumulative doses (10(-9) M-10(-4) M) of sodium-nitropruside (NSP), respectively., Results: Our results showed that 1 hour pre-incubation with triglyceride--rich lipoprotein remnants diminished the endothelial-dependent vasodilator response to ADP, but it has not modified the endothelial-independent vasodilator response to NSP. Vascular response was expressed as maximal vasodilatation from the 10(-4)M phenilephrine (PE) induced pre-contraction, considered as reference. In the case of ADP, the maximal vasodilatation was ranged in 36.50% +/- 10.81% interval, comparing with the control group that presented a maximal vasodilatation of 66.15% +/- 19.41% (p < 0.005). In the case of NSP the maximal vasodilatation was ranged in 99.78% +/- 10.53% interval, comparing with the control that presented a maximal vasodilatation of 98.99% +/- 12.45% (p = 0.44). One hour co-incubation of the rings with a solution containing lipoprotein remnants (1% oxidized IDL (ox-IDL) and antioxidant factor (150 U/mL 10(-4) M Superoxid dismutase (SOD) significantly reduced the impairment of the vasodilatation response to ADP. Maximal vasodilatation of ox-IDL and SOD coincubated human mammary artery rings was 58.50% +/- 10.63% compared to the control, were the maximal vasodilatation was 66.15% +/- 19.41% (p < 0.01), but has not modified the vasodilatation response to NSP (99% +/- 0.53% vs control 98.99% +/- 12.45%, p = 0.56)., Conclusion: The endothelial dysfunction induced by the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein "remnants", could contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the treatment with high doses of antioxidants could "protect" the endothelium against the pro-atherogenic action of the lipoprotein "remnants".

Unlabelled: Oxidation of LDL plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Increased wall thickness precedes plaque formation and noninvasive B-mode ultrasonographic measurement of IMT is considered a useful marker of the development of the carotid atherosclerosis., Material and Method: The present study was designed to assess the association of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in hypertensive patients. Oxidized LDL (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Elisa) and carotid IMT (high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography) were assessed in 74 patients, aged between 45 and 65 years, diagnosticated with arterial hypertension., Results: We observed significantly higher plasma levels of total cholesterol (236.32 +/- 41.96 mg/dl), LDL cholesterol (166.92 +/- 38.55 mg/dl), triglycerides (180.79 +/- 72.05 mg/dl) and low plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol (33.24 +/- 7.99 mg/dl) in all patients. We noticed higher plasma levels of ox-LDL (77.34 +/- 24.78 mg/dl) and carotid IMT was increased (1.41 +/- 0.31 mm). The statistically analysis done using Pearson's test and Student's t - test indicated that there were correlations of ox-LDL with: IMT (p < 0.05, r = 0.408), total cholesterol (p < 0.05, r = 0.498), LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05, r = 0.527), triglycerides (p < 0.05, r = 0.385) and HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05, r = -0.442)., Conclusion: Higher plasma levels of ox-LDL were associated with increased carotid IMT in hypertensive patients. Measurement of plasma Ox-LDL and carotid IMT may represent useful markers for atherosclerosis and may represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

Unlabelled: Endothelial vasodilator dysfunction assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima-media thickening (IMT) are two indicators of subclinical atherosclerotic disease. The aim of the study was to observe if there is a relationship between FMD and IMT in a group of hypertensive patients., Material and Method: We measured FMD and IMT by ultrasound in 75 subjects aged between 42 and 62 years. We examined their correlation and interaction with traditionally cardiovascular risk factors. Endothelial function was assessed by means of flow mediated dilation (FMD) on brachial artery, using B-mode ultrasonography., Results: The mean value of FMD was 8.00 +/- 2.02%. We observed a moderate but significant correlation between FMD and total cholesterol (r = -0.511, p < 0.01) and between FMD and triglycerides (r = -0.325, p < 0.01). All the patients in the study were also examined by high resolution B-mode ultrasound to measure the IMT of the common carotid artery. The mean value of IMT values was 1.41 +/- 0.3 mm. The correlation between FMD and IMT was inverse, moderate and significant. In conclusion, in hypertensive patients, B-mode ultrasound intima-media thickness and FMD measurement are important tools for evaluation of arterial wall remodeling and can be used as valid markers of atherosclerosis in cardiovascular risk prediction.