Search results for "TAGL"
showing 10 items of 296 documents
A polymorphism in the cyclooxygenase 2 gene as an inherited protective factor against myocardial infarction and stroke
2004
CONTEXT: Myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke are thought to be caused by matrix digestion by metalloproteinases (MMPs) leading to rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Production of macrophage MMP-2 and MMP-9 is induced by cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E(2) synthesis. Although COX-2 expression may be genetically determined, the relation between COX-2 polymorphisms and the risk of MI and stroke is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the -765G-->C polymorphism of the COX-2 gene and clinically evident plaque rupture. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective, matched case-control study conducted between March 2002 and October 2003 among 864 pa…
Inflammation-responsive focal constrictors in the mouse ear microcirculation
2006
In many capillary exchange beds, blood flow is locally regulated by precapillary sphincter-like activity. In this study, we used intravascular tracers and scanning electron microscopy to investigate precapillary blood flow regulation in the mouse ear. Gelatin ink injections of the normal mouse ear demonstrated 6.8 +/- 2.3 axial vessels with a cutoff of detectable tracer in the early branches: 19 +/- 11 focal constrictions were observed along the 1st to 5th order branches of the axial vessels. A perfusion tracer consisting of biotinylated anti-endothelial lectins (Ricinus Communis Agglutin, Lycopersicon Esculentum and Griffonia Simplicifolia) was circulated for 30 min under physiological con…
The effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha on human joint capsule myofibroblasts.
2009
Introduction Previous studies have shown that the number of myoblastically differentiated fibroblasts known as myofibroblasts (MFs) is significantly increased in stiff joint capsules, indicating their crucial role in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic joint stiffness. Although the mode of MFs' function has been well defined for different diseases associated with tissue fibrosis, the underlying mechanisms of their regulation in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic joint capsule contracture are largely unknown. Methods In this study, we examined the impact of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on cellular functions of human joint capsule MFs. MFs were challenged w…
Downregulation of nNOS and synthesis of PGs associated with endotoxin-induced delay in gastric emptying
2002
A single intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (40 μg/kg) significantly delayed gastric emptying of a solid nutrient meal. Blockade of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with 30 mg/kg ip N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester or 20 mg/kg ip 7-nitroindazole [neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor] significantly delayed gastric emptying in control animals but failed to modify gastric emptying in endotoxin-treated rats. Administration of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg ip N 6-iminoethyl-l-lysine [inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor] had no effect in either experimental group. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg sc), NS-398 (cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor; 10 mg/kg ip), and dexamethasone (10 mg/kg sc) but not quinacrine (20 mg/kg ip) significantl…
Diminished neurogenic femoral artery vasoconstrictor response in a Zucker obese rat model: differential regulation of NOS and COX derivatives.
2014
Objective: Peripheral arterial disease is one of the macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study addresses femoral artery regulation in a prediabetic model of obese Zucker rats (OZR) by examining cross-talk between endothelial and neural factors. Methods and Results: Arterial preparations from lean (LZR) and OZR were subjected to electrical field stimulation (EFS) on basal tone. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) isoform expression patterns were determined by immunohistochemical labelling and Western blotting. Results indicate significantly reduced noradrenergic contractions in preparations from OZR compared with those of LZR. Functional inhibition …
Indicaxanthin from cactus pear fruit exerts anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenin-induced rat pleurisy.
2014
Nutritional research has shifted recently from alleviating nutrient deficiencies to chronic disease prevention. We investigated the activity of indicaxanthin, a bioavailable phytochemical of the betalain class from the edible fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica (L. Miller) in a rat model of acute inflammation. Rat pleurisy was achieved by injection of 0.2 mL of l-carrageenin in the pleural cavity, and rats were killed 4, 24, and 48 h later; exudates were collected to analyze inflammatory parameters, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1b (IL-1b), and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a); cells recruited in pleura were analyzed for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric …
Effects of prostaglandin E1 and buflomedil on left ventricular function in patients with severe chronic occlusive arterial disease: a prospective, ra…
1999
In this study, the effect of a course of prostaglandin E ( 1 ) (60 microg/d intravenously [i.v.]) or buflomedil (150 mg/d i.v.) treatment on parameters of left ventricular systolic function was investigated by echocardiography in patients of comparatively advanced age with severe peripheral occlusive arterial disease (Fontaine's stage III or IV). The study population was 20 patients, 12 men and 8 women, between 51 and 85 years of age (average age, 73. 7 years), with multiple coexisting medical conditions. These patients were no longer suitable candidates for other forms of interventional or surgical treatment. The patients were treated with prostaglandin E ( 1 ) or buflomedil in the dosages…
Anti-inflammatory and joint protective effects of extra-virgin olive-oil polyphenol extract in experimental arthritis
2014
The consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in Mediterranean countries has shown beneficial effects. A wide range of evidence indicates that phenolic compounds present in EVOO are endowed with anti-inflammatory properties. In this work, we evaluated the effects of EVOO-polyphenol extract (PE) in a model of rheumatoid arthritis, the collagen-induced arthritis model in mice. On day 0, DBA-1/J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen. On day 21, mice received a booster injection. PE (100 and 200 mg/kg) was orally administered once a day from days 29 to 41 to arthritic mice. We have demonstrated that PE decreases joint edema, cell migration, cartilage degradation and bone erosion. …
Estrogens inhibit angiotensin II-induced leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in vivo via rapid endothelial nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygena…
2002
Angiotensin II (Ang II) may be a key molecule in the development of atherosclerosis. Because the incidence of coronary atherosclerosis in premenopausal women is lower than that observed in men or postmenopausal women, we have investigated the effect of estrogens on Ang II–induced leukocyte recruitment in vivo using intravital microscopy in the rat mesenteric microcirculation. Superfusion for 60 minutes with Ang II induced a significant increase in leukocyte rolling flux, adhesion, and emigration. Administration of 17-β-estradiol (17-β-E) after 30 minutes of Ang II superfusion produced a reduction of these leukocyte responses by 55.1%, 72.7%, and 70.9%, respectively, an additional 30 minutes…
Pharmacological treatment of patients with chronic critical limb ischemia: L-propionyl-carnitine enhances the short-term effects of PGE-1.
2009
Purpose. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of L-propionyl-carnitine (LPC) in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI), as defined by the TASC guidelines. Methods. The study, double-blinded, randomised, assessed intravenous infusion of LPC 1.2 g/day in combination with PGE-1, 60 mg/day (LPC group: 37 patients), or PGE-1 only (control group: 38 patients) in a total of 75 patients suffering from CLI. Treatment duration was 20 days. We evaluated rest pain, maximum walking distance (MWD) and skin ulcer size. Results. In both groups we observed a significant reduction in pain score and ulcer size and an increase in MWD. In the patients treated with the combination, the improvement was greater…