1,721,076 research outputs found
Aquaporin biology and nervous system
No full textOur understanding of the movement of water through cell membranes has been greatly advanced by the discovery of a family of water-specific, membrane-channel proteins: the Aquaporins (AQPs). These proteins are present in organisms at all levels of life, and their unique permeability characteristics and distribution in numerous tissues indicate diverse roles in the regulation of water homeostasis.Phenotype analysis of AQP knock-out mice has confirmed the predicted role of AQPs in osmotically driven transepithelial fluid transport, as occurs in the urinary concentrating mechanism and glandular fluid secretion. Regarding their expression in nervous system, there are evidences suggesting that AQPs are differentially expressed in the peripheral versus central nervous system and that channel-mediated water transport mechanisms may be involved in cerebrospinal fluid formation, neuronal signal transduction and information processing.Moreover, a number of recent studies have revealed the importance of mammalian AQPs in both physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms and have suggested that pharmacological modulation of AQP expression and activity may provide new tools for the treatment of variety of human disorders in which water and small solute transport may be involved. For all the AQPs, new contributions to physiological functions are likely to be discovered with ongoing work in this rapidly expanding field of research
Different effects of Cyclosporine A and melatonin treatment on the expression of stress protein in rat liver.
No full textModulation of reactive oxygen species production during osmotic stress in Arabidopsis thaliana cultured cells: involvement of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase and H+-ATPase
No full textIn Arabidopsis thaliana cells, hypoosmotic treatment initially stimulates Ca2+ influx and inhibits its efflux and, concurrently, promotes a large H2O2 accumulation in the external medium, representative of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. After the first 10-15 min, Ca2+ influx rate is, however, lowered, and a large rise in Ca2+ efflux, concomitant with a rapid decline in H2O2 level, takes place. The drop of the H2O2 peak, as well as the efflux of Ca2+, are prevented by treatment with submicromolar concentrations of eosin yellow (EY), selectively inhibiting the Ca2+-ATPase of the plasma membrane (PM). Comparable changes of Ca2+ fluxes are also induced by hyperosmotic treatment. However, in this case, the H2O2 level does not rise, but declines below control levels when Ca2+ efflux is activated. Also K+ and H+ net fluxes across the PM and cytoplasmic pH (pH(cyt)) are very differently influenced by the two opposite stresses: strongly decreased by hypoosmotic stress and increased under hyperosmotic treatment. The H2O2 accumulation kinetics, followed as a function of the pH(cyt) changes imposed by modulation of the PM H+-ATPase activity or weak acid treatment, show a close correlation between pH(cyt) and H2O2 formed, a larger amount being produced for changes towards acidic pH values. Overall, these results confirm a relevant role for the PM Ca2+-ATPase in switching off the signal triggering ROS production, and propose a role for the PM H+-ATPase in modulating the development of the oxidative wave through the pH(cyt) changes following the changes of its activity induced by stress conditions
The effectiveness of the use of xenogeneic bone blocks mixed with autologous Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF) in bone regeneration techniques: A case series
No full textAim Different types of biomaterials and surgical techniques are currently used for the augmentation of atrophic ridges in view of implant supported restorations. The aim of this study was to clinically and histologically evaluate the combination of Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF) and xenogeneic bone in vertical and/or horizontal ridge augmentation.
Materials and methods Seven patients (3 males and 4 females), who required oral implant and ridge augmentation surgery, were selected: 3 implants were placed during the surgery and 4 implants were inserted 4 months later, in order to allow complete graft integration. All implants were loaded after a 4-month healing time. The following parameters were assessed: a) the capability of CGF to permeate the bone scaffold; b) the degree of bone regeneration; c) the clinical success rate.
Results The results obtained showed that: a) with the used medical device porous bone scaffolds can be effectively permeated by the CGF; b) the permeated grafting material resulted in effective bone regeneration, as confirmed by histomorphometric analysis; c) all implants were successfully in function at the 12 months follow-up.
Conclusion This technique can be safely performed in the dental office under local anesthesia, so it can be considered a viable option in bone regeneration surgery
Chronic constriction injury induces aquaporin-2 expression in the dorsal root ganglia of rats
No full textAquaporins are a family of water channel proteins involved in water homeostasis in several tissues. Current knowledge of aquaporin expression in the nervous system is very limited. Therefore the First aim of this study was to assess, by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting analysis, the presence and localization of aquaporin-2 in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of naïve adult rats. In addition, we evaluated aquaporin-2 expression in response to chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve, a model of neuropathic pain. Our results showed that aquaporin-2 expression was not detectable either in the spinal cord or the dorsal root ganglia of naïve rats. However, we showed for the first time an increase of aquaporin-2 expression in response to chronic constriction injury treatment in small-diameter dorsal root ganglia neurons but no expression in the lumbar spinal cord. These data support the hypothesis that aquaporin-2 expression is involved in inflammatory neuropathic nerve injuries, although its precise role remains to be determined
Effetti delle fibre di vetro sui processi fibrotici e sulla presenza di mast cells nei linfonodi di ratto.
No full textThe protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester against cyclosporine A-induced cardiotoxicity in rats
No full textCyclosporine A (CsA) is the immunosuppressor, which is most frequently used in transplant surgery and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Oxidative stress has been considered as one of the possible mechanisms of CsA-induced cardiotoxicity.
The present investigation examines the ability of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which is an active component of propolis extracts, as a natural antioxidant to protect against CsA-induced oxidative stress and cardiotoxicity. CsA cardiotoxicity was
induced by subcutaneous injection of CsA at a dose of 15 mg/kg/body weight daily for 21 days in rats. Cardiotoxicity was evaluated by morphological and biochemical studies. CsA treated rats showed degenerative changes with cardiac fibrosis localized
around the fibers. These latters were disorganised and the network was disappeared. The ROS production was increased whereas cytochrome-c-oxidase decreased. The expression and levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) were increased whereas those of its inhibitor were downregulated. CAPE subcutaneous administration (15 mol/kg/day) improved cardiac cytoarchitecture, decreased the levels and the expression of MMP2, and increased those of TIMP2 proteins. Moreover, it increased cytochrome-c oxidase activity and decreased ROS production. These results suggest that CAPE could have protective effect against CsA-induced
cardiotoxicity
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