New Insight Into the Cardioprotective Effects of Allium ursinum L. Extract Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

This study aimed to estimate the effects of increasing doses of Allium ursinum methanol extract on cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) with a special emphasis on the role of oxidative stress. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups (10 animals per group) depending on the applied treatment as follows: sham, rats who drank only tap water for 28 days and hearts were retrogradely perfused for 80 min without I/R injury, I/R, rats who drank only tap water for 28 days and hearts were exposed to ex vivo I/R injury and rats who consumed increasing doses of A. ursinum 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg for 28 days before I/R injury. Hearts from all rats were isolated and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique. Parameters of oxidative stress were spectrophotometrically measured in blood, coronary venous effluent, and heart tissue samples. Intake of wild garlic extract for 28 days significantly contributed to the recovery of cardiac function, which was reflected through preserved cardiac contractility, systolic function, and coronary vasodilatory response after ischemia. Also, wild garlic extract showed the potential to modulate the systemic redox balance and stood out as a powerful antioxidant. The highest dose led to the most efficient decrease in cardiac oxidative stress and improve recovery of myocardial function after I/R injury. We might conclude that wild garlic possesses a significant role in cardioprotection and strong antioxidant activity, which implicates the possibility of its use alone in the prevention or as adjuvant antioxidant therapy in cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Improving Oxidative Stability of Cosmetic Emulsions with Plant Extracts: Current Status and Potential.

There are increasing demands for cosmetic emulsions with natural active components such as plant extracts because of their myriad benefits. Quality of cosmetic emulsions may be affected by distribution and storage processes, which can lead to peroxidation of lipid components. Lipid peroxidation results in undesirable alterations in efficacy, texture, and appearance of the cosmetic product, thus indicating a need to find a safe and potent compound to be added in products to postpone oxidation processes. In that sense, the current article gives an overview of parameters influencing oxidative stability of emulsions, as well as methods for assessing the oxidative stability. Emphasis is given to the usage of plant extracts rich in phenolics for improving oxidative stability of cosmetic emulsions. Application of plant extracts in cosmetic emulsion is promising because of their significant antioxidant properties which may delay lipid peroxidation during storage. Plant species are a valuable source of biologically active compounds that might be exploited in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Effects of rivaroxaban and dabigatran on global hemostasis in patients with atrial fibrillation.

: The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of two standard doses of rivaroxaban and dabigatran on global hemostatic assays in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study included 52 patients treated with rivaroxaban (15/20 mg), 50 on dabigatran (110/150 mg) and 20 healthy individuals. Platelet-poor plasma was used for determination of three global hemostatic assays, namely endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) and overall hemostasis potential (OHP). Rivaroxaban and dabigatran reduced ETP (P < 0.01) although OHP (P < 0.05) was diminished only by dabigatran. Strong correlations were noticed between ETP parameters and the plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban (ETP, r = -0.51; c-max, r = -0.85; t-lag, r = 0.83; t-max, r = 0.66) as well as with plasma concentration of dabigatran (ETP, r = -0.75; c-max, r = -0.74; t-lag, r = 0.73; t-max, r = 0.52). Analysis of dabigatran concentrations under 50 ng/ml showed that ETP parameter has area under the concentration-time curve-receiver operating characteristic value of 0.879 (95% confidence interval 0.776-0.980). Dabigatran treatment paradoxically increased area under the concentration-time curve and peak values although rivaroxaban decreased peak values (P < 0.01). However, significant correlation between CAT parameters and plasma concentration of both direct oral anticoagulants was not observed. We confirmed that the CAT assay is inappropriate for estimation of dabigatran effects and is not fully sensitive as regards rivaroxaban. The ETP assay can potentially be the appropriate method for estimation of global hemostatic capacity as regards both direct oral anticoagulants. The role of OHP needs to be confirmed in additional studies. ETP parameter of chromogenic assay has promising potential in exclusion of high plasma concentrations of dabigatran.

Cardioprotective effects of Galium verum L. extract against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The aim of our study was to determine a chemical composition of methanol extract of Galium verum as well as to assess its effects on functional recovery and redox status of isolated rat heart after ischemia. Rats were divided into control and G. verum group, which included animals treated with 500 mg/kg of methanol extract of G. verum for 28 days. Parameters of heart function and oxidative stress markers were estimated. Cell morphology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Our results demonstrated for the first time that G. verum extract preserved cardiac contractility, systolic, and diastolic function as wells as structural damage of the heart after ischemia. Furthermore, G. verum extract modulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes and alleviated the production of pro-oxidants.

Preconditioning with hyperbaric oxygen and calcium and potassium channel modulators in the rat heart.

The aim of this study was to establish the effect of combined therapy with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy and verapamil, amlodipine or nicorandil on functional recovery and oxidative stress markers after ischemia in the isolated rat heart. The study included 48 rats (Wistar albino, male gender, eight weeks old, body weight 200±50g). All animals were exposed to HBO2 treatment over 14 days. Isolated heart rats were perfused by the Langendorff retrograde method at a constant coronary pressure of 70 cm H2O. After stabilization period the hearts were divided into the following groups: HBO2 group (animals exposed to only HBO2 preconditioning); HBO2 + verapamil; HBO2 + amlodipine; andHBO2 + nicorandil (animals pretreated with HBO2 and appropriate pharmacological agent). Afterward, the hearts in all groups were subjected to 20-minute global ischemia and 30-minute reperfusion. Parameters of heart function were registered, including maximum and minimum rate of pressure development, systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure, heart rate and coronary flow. Levels of pro-oxidants such as index of lipid peroxidation, measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, nitrites, levels of superoxide anion radicals and hydrogen peroxide were determined in coronary venous effluent. Changes in cardiac tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Obtained results clearly indicate that blockage of calcium channel or the activation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) in combination with HBO2 prevented ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac deleterious effects, thus contributing to improvement of functional recovery of the heart. However, future studies are certainly necessary for better understanding the mechanisms through which combination of these two maneuvers of preconditioning triggers cardioprotection.

Assessment of hemostatic disturbances in women with established rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to assess hemostatic disturbances in female patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to menopausal status and disease activity. METHOD: Ninety women were included in the study, 42 patients and 48 age-matched healthy controls. There were no differences between the investigated groups regarding the presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Two global hemostatic assays were employed, namely endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and overall hemostasis potential (OHP). The parameters of the ETP assay (ETP, C-max, t-lag, t-max) and OHP assay (overall coagulation potential (OCP) and overall fibrinolytic potential (OFP)) were assessed. Moreover, the parameters of the fibrin clot (lag time, Max Abs, and slope) were measured by clot turbidity and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both patients and controls were divided into four subgroups according to menopause status. RESULTS: The premenopausal controls differed significantly from all other subgroups in terms of diminished levels of ETP (p = 0.02), C-max (p = 0.01), OCP (p = 0.02), OHP (p = 0.001), and Max Abs (p = 0.008), while OFP (p = 0.0001) was increased. This tendency was not seen in the premenopausal RA patients compared with the postmenopausal RA patients. SEM images showed denser clots composed of thinner fibers in samples from RA patients. The disease activity measured by DAS28 correlated with OCP and OHP (r = 0.54; p = 0.001 and r = 0.44; p = 0.003, respectively) indicating persistent hypercoagulable condition in the whole group of RA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point towards coagulation activation in premenopausal women with established RA. The patients were well characterized, which enabled assessment in a real-life setting. Key Points • Extensive assessment points towards persistent coagulation activation in premenopausal women with established rheumatoid arthritis. • Impaired thrombin generation and fibrin formation are associated with menopause in healthy women, while rheumatoid arthritis closes the gap within patients regarding menopause. • Fibrin morphology is unfavorably altered and fibrinolysis is decreased in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis. • Increased activity of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) may contribute to impaired fibrinolysis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The impact of nine weeks swimming exercise on heart function in hypertensive and normotensive rats: role of cardiac oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of 9-week swimming training on cardiodynamic parameters and coronary flow in a rat model of high salt-induced hypertension with a special focus on the role of oxidative stress. METHODS: Rats involved in the research were divided randomly into four groups: healthy sedentary (SA), healthy trained (TA), sedentary hypertensive (SHA) and trained hypertensive animals (THA). Trained rats were exposed to 9-week swimming training (5 days/week, 60 min/day). Additionally, in order to induce hypertension animals from SHA and THA groups were on high sodium (8% NaCl solution) diet during 4 weeks. Afterwards all rats were sacrificed and hearts were isolated and retrogradely perfused according to Langendorff technique. The following parameters of cardiac function were continuously recorded: maximum and minimum rate of pressure development in left ventricle, systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure and heart rate. Coronary flow was measured flowmetrically. Oxidative stress markers were determined in coronary venous effluent. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated that 9 weeks of swimming training led to improvement of cardiac contractility, relaxation and systolic capacity of normotensive rats, while this training protocol induced enhanced diastolic function in hypertensive conditions. More pronounced effects of exercise in alleviating oxidative stress were observed in hypertensive rats. CONCLUSIONS: Obvious beneficial exercise-induced cardiac adaptations provide scientific basis for further researches which would thoroughly clarify the mechanisms through which swimming training alters myocardial function both in healthy conditions and in the presence of chronic diseases.

Protective Effects of Galium verum L. Extract against Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Galium verum L. (G. verum, lady's bedstraw) is a perennial herbaceous plant, belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It has been widely used throughout history due to multiple therapeutic properties. However, the effects of this plant species on functional recovery of the heart after ischemia have still not been fully clarified. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the effects of methanol extract of G. verum on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), with a special emphasis on the role of oxidative stress. Rats involved in the research were divided randomly into two groups: control (spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)) and G. verum group, including SHR rats treated with the G. verum extract (500 mg/kg body weight per os) for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, in vivo cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Rats were sacrificed and blood samples were taken for spectrophotometric determination of systemic redox state. Hearts from all rats were isolated and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique. After a stabilization period, hearts were subjected to 20-minute ischemia, followed by 30-minute reperfusion. Levels of prooxidants were spectrophotometrically measured in coronary venous effluent, while antioxidant enzymes activity was assessed in heart tissue. Cell morphology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. 4-week treatment with G. verum extract alleviated left ventricular hypertrophy and considerably improved in vivo cardiac function. Furthermore, G. verum extract preserved cardiac contractility, systolic function, and coronary vasodilatory response after ischemia. Moreover, it alleviated I/R-induced structural damage of the heart. Additionally, G. verum extract led to a drop in the generation of most of the measured prooxidants, thus mitigating cardiac oxidative damage. Promising potential of G. verum in the present study may be a basis for further researches which would fully clarify the mechanisms through which this plant species triggers cardioprotection.

The Effects of Potassium Cyanide on the Functional Recovery of Isolated Rat Hearts after Ischemia and Reperfusion: The Role of Oxidative Stress.

This investigation is aimed at examining the effects of pharmacological PostC with potassium cyanide (KCN) on functional recovery, gene expression, cytochrome c expression, and redox status of isolated rat hearts. Rats were divided into the control and KCN groups. The hearts of male Wistar albino rats were retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a constant perfusion pressure of 70 cmH2O. After stabilisation, control hearts were subjected to global ischemia (5 minutes), followed by reperfusion (5 minutes), while experimental hearts underwent global ischemia (5 minutes) followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion with 10 µmol/L KCN. The following parameters of heart function were measured: maximum and minimum rates of pressure development, systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure, heart rate, and coronary flow. Levels of superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, nitrites, and index of lipid peroxidation (measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) were measured in coronary venous effluent, and activity of catalase was determined in heart tissue. Expression of Bax, Bcl-2, SOD-1, SOD-2, and cytochrome c was studied as well. It was shown that expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and SOD-2 genes did not significantly differ between groups, while expression of SOD-1 gene and cytochrome c was lower in the KCN group. Our results demonstrated that KCN improved the recovery of myocardial contractility and systolic and diastolic function, enhanced catalase activity, and diminished generation of prooxidants. However, all possible mechanisms and potential adverse effects of KCN should be further examined in the future.

Comparison of training and detraining on redox state of rats: gender specific differences.

Given the fact that oxidative stress response induced by training/detraining has still not been clarified and may be influenced by gender, the aim of our investigation was to compare the effects of swimming training and detraining on oxidative and antioxidative parameters in rats, with a special focus on sex differences. Wistar albino rats (n = 64) were divided into 4 groups: control, trained group, groups exposed to 2 and 4 weeks of detraining. Each group included two subgroups: males and females. After sacrificing, hearts were isolated and retrogradely perfused according to Langendorff technique. Levels of superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, nitrites and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were measured in plasma and coronary venous effluent, while reduced glutathione, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured in erythrocytes. Our results indicate that swimming training doesn't promote oxidative damage, nor act protectively within the heart. However, 2 and 4 weeks of detraining led to a partial lost in exercise-induced adaptation. It seems that moderate-intensity physical exercise of sufficient duration leads to beneficial adaptations, which may be partially lost during detraining period. Positive antioxidative effects of training remained longer in males. Findings of present study may help in elucidation of training and detraining effects on modulation of redox homeostasis, especially from aspect of gender differences.

Impact of hyperbaric oxygenation on oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

Taking into consideration that a high concentration of oxygen can express toxic effects due to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the aim of our investigation was to establish the influence of hyperbaric oxygenation on oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzymes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2. Investigation included 50 patients with DM type 2 divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 25 patients, mean age 70 years, mean duration of illness 12 years and without manifest peripheral vascular complications (Wagner 0). The second group consisted of 25 patients, mean age 74 years, mean duration of illness 17 years and with manifest peripheral vascular complications (Wagner 1-5). All patients underwent the same therapeutic protocol, which included 10 hyperbaric oxygenation therapies, once a day for a duration of 60 minutes, with an average partial oxygen pressure of 1.7 atmospheres absolute (ATA). In blood samples the following parameters of redox balance were determined: levels of nitrites (NO2-), index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), superoxide anion radical (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Our results clearly show that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy does not have a pro-oxidative effect. Additionally, it seems that this procedure strongly mobilized the antioxidant enzyme system, thus improving defense from oxidative damage. All significant data are marked as P ⟨0.05. Our results have shown that in terms of ROS production, HBO2 can be safe to use in patients suffering from DM type 2 with or without vascular complications.

Effects of ischemia and omeprazole preconditioning on functional recovery of isolated rat heart.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare protective effects of ischemic and potential protective effects of pharmacological preconditioning with omeprazole on isolated rat heart subjected to ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: The hearts of male Wistar albino rats were excised and perfused on a Langendorff apparatus. In control group (CG) after stabilization period, hearts were subjected to global ischemia (perfusion was totally stopped) for 20 minutes and 30 minutes of reperfusion. Hearts of group II (IPC) were submitted to ischemic preconditioning lasting 5 minutes before 20 minutes of ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion. In third group (OPC) hearts first underwent preconditioning lasting 5 minutes with 100 µM omeprazole, and then submitted 20 minutes of ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion. RESULTS: Administration of omeprazole before ischemia induction had protective effect on myocardium function recovery especially regarding to values of systolic left ventricular pressure and dp/dt max. Also our findings are that values of coronary flow did not change between OPC and IPC groups in last point of reperfusion. CONCLUSION: Based on our results it seems that ischemic preconditioning could be used as first window of protection after ischemic injury especially because all investigated parameters showed continuous trend of recovery of myocardial function. On the other hand, preconditioning with omeprazole induced sudden trend of recovery with positive myocardium protection, although less effective than results obtained with ischemic preconditioning not withstand, we must consider that omeprazole may be used in many clinical circumstances where direct coronary clamping for ischemic preconditioning is not possible.

Effects of ischemia and omeprazole preconditioning on functional recovery of isolated rat heart / Efeitos da isquemia e pré-condicionamento com omeprazol na recuperação funcional do coração isolado de rato

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to compare protective effects of ischemic and potential protective effects of pharmacological preconditioning with omeprazole on isolated rat heart subjected to ischemia/reperfusion. Methods: The hearts of male Wistar albino rats were excised and perfused on a Langendorff apparatus. In control group (CG) after stabilization period, hearts were subjected to global ischemia (perfusion was totally stopped) for 20 minutes and 30 minutes of reperfusion. Hearts of group II (IPC) were submitted to ischemic preconditioning lasting 5 minutes before 20 minutes of ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion. In third group (OPC) hearts first underwent preconditioning lasting 5 minutes with 100μM omeprazole, and then submitted 20 minutes of ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion. Results: Administration of omeprazole before ischemia induction had protective effect on myocardium function recovery especially regarding to values of systolic left ventricular pressure and dp/dt max. Also our findings are that values of coronary flow did not change between OPC and IPC groups in last point of reperfusion. Conclusion: Based on our results it seems that ischemic preconditioning could be used as first window of protection after ischemic injury especially because all investigated parameters showed continuous trend of recovery of myocardial function. On the other hand, preconditioning with omeprazole induced sudden trend of recovery with positive myocardium protection, although less effective than results obtained with ischemic preconditioning not withstand, we must consider that omeprazole may be used in many clinical circumstances where direct coronary clamping for ischemic preconditioning is not possible. .

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos protetores de efeitos protetores isquêmicos e potenciais de précondicionamento farmacológico com omeprazol no coração isolado de rato submetido à isquemia/reperfusão. Métodos: Os corações de ratos albinos Wistar machos foram excisados e perfundidos em um aparelho de Langendorff. No grupo controle (grupo I), após o período de estabilização, os corações foram submetidos à isquemia global (a perfusão foi totalmente interrompida) por 20 minutos e 30 minutos de reperfusão. Corações do grupo II (IPC) foram submetidos a précondicionamento isquêmico com duração de 5 minutos antes de 20 minutos de isquemia e 30 minutos de reperfusão. No terceiro grupo (OPC), corações foram submetidos a pré-condicionamento com duração de 5 minutos com 100 μM de omeprazol, e, então, submetidos a 20 minutos de isquemia e 30 minutos de reperfusão. Resultados: A administração de omeprazol antes da indução da isquemia teve efeito protetor sobre a recuperação funcional do miocárdio especialmente em relação aos valores de pressão sistólica ventricular esquerda e dp/dt max. Também os nossos achados são de que os valores de fluxo coronário não se alteraram entre os grupos OPC e IPC no último ponto de reperfusão. Conclusão: Com base nos nossos resultados, o pré-condicionamento isquêmico poderia ser usado como primeira janela de proteção após a lesão isquêmica, especialmente porque todos os parâmetros analisados apresentam tendência contínua de recuperação da função do miocárdio. Por outro lado, o pré-condicionamento induzido com omeprazol apresenta tendência repentina de recuperação com proteção miocárdio positiva, embora menos efetiva da obtida com o pré-condicionamento isquêmico. Devemos considerar que o omeprazol pode ser usado em muitas circunstâncias clínicas em que o pinçamento coronariano direto para pré-condicionamento isquêmico não é possível. .