DreamPharm Products:
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2000 Nov;36(5 Suppl 1):S367-70.
Effect of a highly selective endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitor on cardiac remodeling in rats after myocardial infarction.
Martin P, Tzanidis A, Stein-Oakley A, Krum H.
Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Paul.Martied.monash.edu.au
Whilst endothelin (ET) receptor antagonism has been evaluated in post-myocardial infarction (MI) remodeling, endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) inhibition has not been determined. In the study reported here female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent coronary artery ligation, then were randomized 24 h post-MI to either no therapy (control) or 7 days therapy with the highly selective ECE inhibitor, FR901533 (Fujisawa, Osaka, Japan) 100 mg/kg/day, by continuous subcutaneous infusion. Echocardiography [fractional shortening (FS), internal dimensions and relative wall thickness (RWT)] and invasive hemodynamics were performed before sacrifice on day 8, with subsequent cardiac immunohistochemistry. Plasma concentrations of ET-1 and big ET-1 (39 AA) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ECE inhibitor-treated rats [n = 6, infarct size (IS) 37 +/- 2%) were compared to control rats with similar size MI (n = 8, IS 38 +/- 3%). Values for sham-operated rats were: RWT 0.49 +/- 0.02; left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) 6.2 +/- 0.5 mm; left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) systolic3.5 +/- 0.5 mm; blood pressure (SBP) 119 +/- 4 mmHg; heart rate 340 +/- 21 bpm; and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) 12 +/- 2 mmHg, FS 46 +/- 4%. ECE inhibition was confirmed by increased big ET-1 to ET-1 ratio (0.23 +/- 0.06 vs 0.05 +/- 0.02, ECE inhibitor vs control, p < 0.05). ECE inhibitor increased RWT (0.43 +/- 0.03 vs 0.35 +/- 0.02, p < 0.05) contributed to by reduced left ventricular (LV) internal dimensions (EDd 7.5 +/- 0.4 vs 7.9 +/- 0.3 mm, ESd 5.2 +/- 0.5 vs 5.6 +/- 0.3 mm, ECE inhibitor vs control respectively). There were also trends in ECE inhibitor rats to increased FS (31 +/- 4 vs 29 +/- 2%), decreased SBP (99 +/- 4 vs 104 +/- 4 mmHg), heart rate (355 +/- 28 vs 385 +/- 12 bpm) and LVEDP (23 +/- 2 vs 25 +/- 1 mmHg), all p = NS, ECE inhibitor vs control. Immunoreactive cardiac collagen I peptide was unchanged by ECE inhibitor, however, alpha-smooth muscle actin, a marker of myofibroblast activation, was decreased in the infarct zone of ECE inhibitor rats (35 +/- 4 vs 46 +/- 3%, ECE inhibitor vs control, p < 0.05). This study concludes that selective ECE inhibitor with FR901533 reduces the conversion of big ET-1 to ET-1 in post-MI rats and improves some parameters of cardiac remodeling early post-MI. However, longer-term studies are needed fully to assess the therapeutic potential of ECE inhibitor post-MI and in heart failure.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11078422&dopt=Abstract
Int J Oncol. 2000 Dec;17(6):1099-105.
Expression of 92-kDa type IV collagenase correlates with angiogenic markers and poor survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Riedel F, Gotte K, Schwalb J, Bergler W, Hormann K.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Mannheim, D-68135 Mannheim, Germany. frank.riedeno.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
MMP-9, which degrades extracellular matrix, is believed to play a crucial role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Angiogenesis is also perceived as an important step in tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of MMP-9 in tumor samples of HNSCC patients and to study a possible correlation to angiogenic markers. Cryostat sections of 52 HNSCC tumors were immunostained for MMP-9, bFGF and VEGF using a standard streptavidin-biotin complex procedure for light microscopic investigation. Microvessel density (MVD) was determined by staining of endothelial cells immunohistochemically using anti-vWF monoclonal antibody. MMP-9 positive staining was detected in 27/52 (52%) of the tumors. MMP-9 immunoreactivity did not correlate with the main clinicopathological characteristics of the patients (localisation, T-stage, N-stage, histological grading), but correlated with worse survival of the patients. MMP-9 negative tumors showed a significant lower mean MVD per microscopic field than MMP-9 positive tumors (p<0. 001). There was a significant association of MMP-9 and VEGF expression (p<0.05). The presence of MMP-9 in HNSCC cancer and the positive correlation with MVD and VEGF expression supports the theory that MMP-9 functions as a regulator of tumor angiogenesis supporting endothelial cell invasion. MMP-9 and VEGF might act co-operatively in the process of neovascularization in human head and neck cancer.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11078794&dopt=Abstract
Int J Oncol. 2000 Dec;17(6):1187-94.
Altered expression and function of beta1 integrins in a highly metastatic human lung adenocarcinoma cell line.
Takenaka K, Shibuya M, Takeda Y, Hibino S, Gemma A, Ono Y, Kudoh S.
Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
In order to investigate the relationship between beta1 integrins and the metastatic ability of cancer cells, we established a novel and highly metastatic cell line designated PC9-f9 from a poorly metastatic human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (PC9) in nude mice. PC9-f9 cells showed higher invasive activity in the Matrigel invasion assay than PC9 cells. Additionally, in cell adhesion assays, PC9-f9 cells adhered to laminin more strongly than PC9 cells and, unlike PC9 cells, adhered to collagen type IV and fibronectin. FACS analysis showed expression of the integrins alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1 on both of the cell lines but alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 were neo-expressed on PC9-f9 cells. In cell adhesion inhibition assays, alpha3beta1 was the major laminin receptor for PC9 cells but not for PC9-f9 cells. Alternatively, PC9-f9 cells adhered to collagen type IV via alpha2beta1 and adhered to fibronectin mainly via alpha5beta1 but also moderately via alpha4beta1. The pretreatment of PC9-f9 cells with anti-beta1 monoclonal antibodies suppressed lung metastases by more than 50%. These data suggest that the altered expression and function of beta1 integrins allow PC9-f9 cells to become more adhesive and invasive, and lead to increased metastatic potential.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11078804&dopt=Abstract
Int J Mol Med. 2000 Dec;6(6):635-43.
Design, expression, and renaturation of a lesion-targeted recombinant epidermal growth factor-von Willebrand factor fusion protein: efficacy in an animal model of experimental colitis.
Hall FL, Kaiser A, Liu L, Chen ZH, Hu J, Nimni ME, Beart RW Jr, Gordon EM.
Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
In the present study, the mature epidermal growth factor (EGF) protein was engineered to incorporate a high affinity collagen-binding domain (CBD) derived from co-agulation von Willebrand factor, to specifically target EGF to colonic lesions. The fusion protein was expressed in an E. coli bacterial expression system, purified by metal chelate chromatography, and renatured by oxidative refolding into a soluble biologically active growth factor. The EGF-CBD fusion protein bound tightly to collagen matrices under conditions in which native non-targeted EGF was washed away. In biologic assays, the EGF-CBD fusion protein stimulated NIH3T3 cell proliferation with near wild-type biological activity. In vivo binding studies showed that the collagen-targeted EGF, but not the non-targeted EGF, accumulated at areas of exposed collagen on the luminal surface of the inflamed colon. Finally, a single colonic instillation of the collagen-targeted EGF-induced a more rapid regeneration of intestinal crypts 24 h after treatment (no. of crypts = 89.2+/-8.1) compared to the non-targeted EGF (no. of crypts = 52.2+/-29.8; p=0.027), and the PBS control (no. of crypts = 24. 0+/-22.9; p=0.001). Taken together, these findings indicate that intracolonic delivery of collagen-targeted EGF represents a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for acute or chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11078822&dopt=Abstract
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2000 Nov;124(11):1599-607.
Regression of human cirrhosis. Morphologic features and the genesis of incomplete septal cirrhosis.
Wanless IR, Nakashima E, Sherman M.
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Toronto General Hospital and University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
CONTEXT: Cirrhosis is widely regarded as being irreversible. Recent studies have demonstrated that fibrosis may decrease with time in humans and experimental animals if the disease activity becomes quiescent. The histologic appearance of regressing cirrhosis in the human has not been described in detail. OBJECTIVES: To define histologic parameters that indicate regression of cirrhosis and to provide an interpretation of how regression occurs from a histologic point of view. DESIGN: A patient who underwent a series of biopsies that showed apparent regression of hepatitis B cirrhosis is presented. In addition, 52 livers removed at transplantation having cirrhosis or incomplete septal cirrhosis were graded for histologic parameters that suggest progression or regression of fibrosis. Progression parameters were steatohepatitis, inflammation, bridging necrosis, and piecemeal necrosis. The regression parameters (collectively called the hepatic repair complex) were delicate perforated septa, isolated thick collagen fibers, delicate periportal fibrous spikes, portal tract remnants, hepatic vein remnants with prolapsed hepatocytes, hepatocytes within portal tracts or splitting septa, minute regenerative nodules, and aberrant parenchymal veins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Regression parameters were found in all livers and were prominent in the majority. Livers with micronodular cirrhosis, macronodular cirrhosis, and incomplete septal cirrhosis demonstrate a histologic continuum. A continuum of regressive changes was also seen within individual livers. These appearances allow one to understand visually how fibrous regions of hepatic parenchyma can be returned toward a normal appearance. Many examples of incomplete septal cirrhosis could be the product of regressed cirrhosis.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11079009&dopt=Abstract
The average human scalp is covered by approximatey 100,000 hair follicles. Each hair undergoes
Loss of hair itself does not pose critical health problems because biological role of human hair is relatively marginal. Hair on our scalp protects the head from mechanical shock, heat loss, and exposure to UV-light. The eyelashes and eyebrowes protect the eyes, and hair in the ear canal or the nasal passages help filter out particles and pathogens, thus protecting our internal organs.
However, hair does play important social role: it is one of the major determinants of our appearance and identity in daily life. Fullness of hair also implicates or manifests physical integrity and youthfulness of the person. Losing hair could have more than just emotional impacts on individuals.
The hair is a unique organ that goes through a characteristic cycle consisting of an immature phase, a growing phase called anagen, a transitional phase between the growing phase and the resting phase called catagen, and finally a resting phase called telogen in which the hair stops growing, waiting to fall out. 85-90% of hairs on our body are in anagen phase or growing phase, which lasts anywhere from two to five years. This phase is followed by a short regression phase, or catagen, which lasts 2-3 weeks. Approximately 1% of hair follicles are in catagen. Approximately 10-15% of hair follicles are in the resting phase, the telogen, which lasts about 3-5 months. Hair follicles typically goes through 10-20 asynchronous cycles during the lifetime.
Persistent loss of more than 150 hairs would consist a state of hair loss, or alopecia, albeit it could be temporary.
LipitorTramadol
Natural Herbal Supplements||
Best Realtor in Glendale, California: Residential Home and Commercial Property ||
Related Web pages ||
Viagra ||
Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online ||