Search results for "Smooth Muscle"

A novel in vitro model for the study of plaque development in atherosclerosis

2006

SummaryFor the study of atherogenesis in vitro, coculture systems have been devised, in which two or more cell types can be cultured in close contact to each other. Herein, we describe a novel in vitro model that aims at the simulation of the morphology ofa normal muscular artery allowing for the study of the initial events in atherosclerosis. Usinga modified fibrin gel as a scaffold for the coculture of endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), we generated an autologous in vitro model with a multilayer growth of SMCs (intima-like structure) covered by an endothelium. The production of extracellular matrix (ECM) could be visualized histologically and verified by (i) ascorbic-…

Subendothelial infiltration of neutrophil granulocytes and liberation of matrix-destabilizing enzymes in an experimental model of human neo-intima.

2008

SummaryIt was the objective of this study to examine the role of human neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) in an in-vitro model of human neo-intima developed for the study of atherosclerosis. Human granulocytes were subjected to a co-culture model of human endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Subendothelial lipid accumulation was achieved by addition of native LDL to the culture medium. Tissue samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and culture supernatants were examined for the presence of interleukin- 8 (IL-8), MCP-1, GRO-α, elastase and matrixmetalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). Following addition of 2 mg/ml LDL, adherence, transmigration and infilt…

The Participation of the Complement System in Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

1991

Atherosclerosis is a vascular disease of large and medium-sized arteries wherein the tunica intima becomes thickened due to lipid accumulation, mostly cholesterol and its esters, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and increased deposition of connective tissue matrix. A major risk factor in the development of this disease is hypercholesterolemia arising from elevated levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL). The earliest recognizable lesion, which may be a precursor to the fibrofatty plaque, is the fatty streak. It is predominantly composed of monocyte-derived macrophage foam cells, i.e. cells ladened with intracellular lipid droplets. Hence, a fundamental aspect of atherogenesis is the insud…

Small bowel motility: relationship between smooth muscle contraction and electroenterogram signal.

2000

A study is made to correlate the electrical and mechanical activity of the smooth muscle of the small bowel. Bioelectrical signal recording from the intestinal serosa (electroenterogram) comprises a slow wave (SW) and spike burst (SB), though only the latter reflects intestinal pressure. The electroenterogram and smooth muscle pressure are simultaneously recorded in the canine small bowel. Spectral and time series analysis of the electroenterogram are performed to establish those electrical parameters that best reflect intestinal pressure. The results reveal an underlying correlation between the estimated parameters of electrical activity and smooth muscle pressure. In addition, parameters …

Über neue elektronenmikroskopische Befunde zur peripheren vegetativen Synapse am mesenterialen Lymphgefäss vom Meerschweinchen (Cavia porcellus)

1965

Electron microscopic investigations of innervation of the mesenteric lymphatic vessels ofCavia porcellus demonstrate that, besides membrane contacts between Axon and smooth muscle cell, a local direct plasmatic connection from the nature of synapses between the nerve and the effector cell have to be considered. From this study it has been concluded that also this neuromuscular junction is a transitoric structure and not a static connection comparable to the synapses in the motor end-plate of the striated muscle.

P1 and P2 receptors in the rat duodenal smooth muscle

1989

Zur Wirkung von Oxytocin auf einen autorhythmischen glatten Gefässmuskel

1972

The influence of oxytocine on the spontaneously contractile portal vein of the rat has been investigated. This octapeptide decreases the active tension and abolished it completely at a concentration of 5×10−7g/ml. The effect is not caused by an adrenergic mechanism but by a direct action on the smooth muscle cell.

Effects ofThymus species extracts on rat duodenum isolated smooth muscle contraction

1989

The diethylether, ethylacetate and butanolic extracts from Thymus webbianus and Thymus leptophyllus were tested for spasmolytic activity. Pre-incubation of the isolated rat duodenum with these extracts for 10 min produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of acetylcholine-induced contractions. This effect was at least ten times greater with the apolar extracts than with the polar extracts.

Relaxant effects of antidepressants on human isolated mesenteric arteries

1999

Aims The therapeutic action of tricyclic agents may be accompanied by unwanted effects on the cardiovascular system. The evidence for the effects on vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle comes from animal studies. Whether these studies can be extrapolated to human vessels remains to be determined. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the influence of amitriptyline, nortriptyline and sertraline on the contractile responses of human isolated mesenteric arteries to electrical field stimulation, noradrenaline and potassium chloride. Methods Arterial segments (lumen diameter 0.8–1.2 mm) were obtained from portions of the human omentum during the course of 41 abdominal operat…

Calcitonin gene-related peptide partly protects cultured smooth muscle cells from apoptosis induced by an oxidative stress via activation of ERK1/2 M…

2003

Abstract Oxidative stress induced by a glucose/glucose oxidase (G/GO) generator system dose-dependently decreased the viability of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) as estimated by MTT assay. Cell death was induced in 40% of cells exposed to 0.2 IU/ml of the free radical generating mixture. Annexin-V labeling, Hoechst staining together with DNA laddering demonstrated that apoptosis was responsible for this cell loss. Pretreatment of the cells with 10−8 M calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) significantly attenuated the damaging effect of the oxidative stress. Indeed, cell viability was estimated to be 80% in CGRP-treated group, instead of 60% in absence of CGRP treatment. This …