Differential collagen expression in kidney and heart during hypertension.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of selected collagen types, namely collagen types I and V and procollagen type III in the renal parenchyma and interstitium and in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the present study, we used two age groups of 6- and 12-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats. An immunohistochemical analysis was conducted with monoclonal antibodies against collagen types I and V and procollagen type III. A semi-quantitative analysis of immunostaining intensity was conducted with the Image J software. RESULTS: In the kidney, all three molecules showed higher expression at the age of 12 months, which was particularly notable for procollagen type III and collagen type V, which stained as highly-positive. In the myocardium, the immunoreactivity of collagen types I and V was stronger in 12-month-old animals, while that of procollagen type III did not change substantially. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests a role of collagen types III and V in hypertensive kidney disease, while also establishing the role of increased expression of collagen types I and V in adverse myocardial remodeling (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 48).

NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons in the human inferior colliculus: morphology, distribution and clinical implications.

Using the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) reaction with nitroblue tetrazolium, we provided a detailed investigation of the distribution, dimensional characteristics and morphology of NADPH-d-positive neurons in the three main subdivisions of the human inferior colliculus (IC): central nucleus, pericentral nucleus, and external nucleus. In accordance with their perikaryal diameter, dendritic and axonal morphology, these neurons were categorized as large (averaging up to 45 µm in diameter), medium (20-30 µm), small (13-16 µm) and very small (7-10 µm). Their morphological differences could contribute to varying functionality and processing capacity. Our results support the hypothesis that large and medium NADPH-d-positive cells represent projection neurons, while the small cells correspond to interneurons. Heretofore, the very small NADPH-d-positive neurons have not been described in any species. Their functions-and if they are, indeed, the smallest neurons in the IC of humans-remain to be clarified. Owing to their location, we posit that they are interneurons that connect the large NADPH-d-positive neurons and thereby serve as an anatomical substrate for information exchange and processing before feeding forward to higher brain centers. Our results also suggest that the broad distribution of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in the human IC is closely tied to the neuromodulatory action of NO on collicular neurotransmitters such as GABA and glutamate, and to calcium-binding proteins such as parvalbumin. A deeper understanding of the relationship between NADPH-d-positive fibers in all IC connections and their co-localization with other neurotransmitters and calcium-binding proteins will assist in better defining the function of NO in the context of its interplay with the cerebral cortex, the sequelae of the aging process and neurodegenerative disorders.

Neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity in the cat claustrum: A light- and electron-microscopic investigation.

The claustrum is a telencephalic nucleus located ventrolateral to the basal ganglia in the mammalian brain. It has an extensive reciprocal connectivity with most if not all of the cerebral cortex, in particular, primary sensory areas. However, despite renewed and growing interest amongst investigators, there remains a paucity of data concerning its peptidergic profile. The aim of the present study was to examine the presence, morphology, distribution and ultrastructure of neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive (NPY-ir) neurons and fibers in the claustrum of the cat. Ten adult healthy cats from both sexes were used. All animals received human and ethical treatment in accordance with the Principles of Laboratory Animal Care. Subjects were irreversibly anesthetized and transcardially perfused with fixative solution containing glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde. Brains were promptly removed, postfixed and sectioned. Slices were incubated with polyclonal anti-NPY antibodies according to the standard avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method adopted by our Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. NPY-ir neurons and fibers were found to be diffusely distributed throughout the claustrum, with no obvious topographic or functional patterning other than larger numbers in its central/broadest part (stereotaxic planes A12-A16). Neurons were generally classified by diameter into three sizes: small (under 17 µm), medium (17-25 µm) and large (over 25 µm). Staining density is varied with some neurons appearing darker than others. At the electron-microscopic level NPY immunoproduct was observed within neurons, dendrites and terminal boutons, each differing relative to their ultrastructural attributes. Two types of NPY-ir synaptic boutons were found. Lastly, it is of interest to note that gender-specific differences were not observed.

[Bone mineral density in premenopausal and postmenopausal women between 50-55 and 50-57 years of age].

AIM: To investigate and evaluate the values of the BMD of the spine /L2-L4/ in anterior-posterior position by dual X-ray absorbtiometry in premenopausal women between 50-55 years and postmenopausal women between 50-57 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 93 healthy and with preserved menstruation women between 50-57 years and 112 postmenopausal women between 50-57 years of age were included in the study. BMD in g/cm2 was measured by dual X-ray absorbtiometry on LUNAR-DPX-A version 1.15 bone densitometer at L2-L4 in anterior-posterior position. RESULTS: The BMD L2-L4 of the premenopausal women is statistically significant higher than that of the postmenopausal group. The correlation analyses between BMD and the other investigated variables shows a positive correlation between BMD and the body weight in the postmenopausal group and a weak negative correlation between BMD and the years of menopause. CONCLUSIONS: The lower values of the coefficient of determination R2 in both groups can not allow us to predict the individual values of BMD based only upon the body weight. The years of menopause also have no predictable value for the BMD in the postmenopausal group.

[Bone mineral density in healthy premenopausal Bulgarian women of 40-49 years of age].

UNLABELLED: Osteoporosis is a disease that have a great impact upon health and well being amongst the elderly population worldwide. Bone mineral density /BMD/ is currently the most powerful and worldwide accepted determinant for the future risk of fractures. AIM: To investigate and evaluate the values of the BMD of the spine /L2-L4/in anterior-posterior position by dual X-ray absorbtiometry in healthy and with preserved menstruation Bulgarian women between 40-44 and 45-49 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 186 women between 40 -44 years and 106 women between 45-49 years of age with preserved menstruation were included in the study. Age, height and body weight were recorded to each of them. BMD in g/cm(2) was measured on LUNAR-DPX -A version 1.15 bone densitometer at L2-L4 in anterior-posterior position. RESULTS: The younger group of women between 40 and 44 years of age showed with 0, 049 g/cm(2) /4,2% / higher BMD of the measured vertebrae in comparison with the BMD of the women between 45-45 years. In both groups body weight correlates positively with BMD. The analyses of the mean values of BMD /L2-L4/ in healthy and with preserved menstruation Bulgarian women shows an interval between 1.011 g/cm(2) and 1.321 g/cm(2) for the women 40-44 years old and between 0.947 g/cm(2) and 1.287 g/cm(2) for the group of women between 45-49 years /CI -0.95/. The comparison of the BMD between both groups shows reduction of 4.2% which makes a physiological bone loss of 0. 7% annually. CONCLUSIONS: The higher body weight in the Bulgarian women is protective, but it is not the only determinant of the lumbar bone mineral density and bone loss.

[Lymphocyte populations and subpopulations in peripheral blood of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia].

AIM: To investigate the changes of lymphocyte populations and subpopulations in peripheral blood of pregnant women suffering preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: By means of flowcytometry the following lymphocyte populations and subpopulations were determined in peripheral blood of 37 pregnant women, of whom 12 had preeclampsia and 25 had normal pregnancy pespectively: Total lymphocyte count CD19+ (B-lymphocytes), CD2+ (Total T-lymphocytes), CD3+ (Immunocompetent T-lymphocytes) CD3+CD4+ (T-helpers), CD3+CD8+ (Suppressor-cytoxic T-lymphocytes), CD4+/CD8+ ratio, Lymphocyte subpopulations with predominant killer activity: CD8-CD56+, CD8+CD56+ and activated immunocompetent T-lymphocytes (CD3+HLADR+). RESULTS: In patients with preeclampsia a T-helper increase and relative T-suppressor cytotoxic decrease was found. A significant increase of activated immunocompetent T-lymphocyte was found, compared to the total increase of immunocompetent T cell. No significant difference between cytotoxic cell with MHC unrestrained function (CD8-CD56+) and cell with MHC restrained cytotoxic function (CD8+CD56+) was found. CONCLUSIONS: In pregnant women with preeclampsia the main lymphocyte populations and the immunocompetent T-lymphocytes are increased. The raised level of T-lymphocytes is found as a result of the substantial quantitative changes of T-helper cells an increase of CD4+/CD8+ ratio is prominent, which is a proof of the activated immune potential in pregnant women with preeclampsia with the dominant influence of T-helper subpopulations.