Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Michiels

Publications and source records attributed to C Michiels.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Effect of Ginkor Fort on hypoxia-induced neutrophil adherence to human saphenous vein endothelium.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Ginkor Fort, a venotropic drug composed of Ginkgo biloba extract, troxerutine, and heptaminol, on neutrophil adherence to the endothelium of saphenous veins. When saphenous veins were incubated 2 h in hypoxic conditions, they showed a five- to sixfold increase in neutrophil adherence to the endothelium. Ginkor Fort at 0.3 mg/ml was able to inhibit this increase by 69%. These results were confirmed by observations in scanning electron microscopy. Ginkor Fort also inhibited the subsequent activation of these neutrophils, as evidenced by the inhibition of superoxide anion release. The biochemical mechanism of this inhibition of neutrophil adherence was studied on endothelial cells in culture. We observed that Ginkor Fort was able to inhibit the different steps of the activation of endothelial cells by hypoxia: the activation of phospholipase A2 and the decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. By preventing the first step of the activation cascade, the decrease in ATP content, Ginkor Fort blocks the subsequent increase in neutrophil adherence as well as neutrophil activation. The biochemical mechanism evidenced in this work might explain the beneficial effect of this drug in the treatment of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1998

Role of PECAM-1 in the adherence of PMN to hypoxic endothelial cells.

Hypoxia induces an increase in PMN adherence to endothelial cells for which an interaction between ICAM-1 and CD18/CD11b has been demonstrated. Since PECAM-1 has been shown to be involved in PMN transmigration through the endothelium and to increase the binding capacity of leukocyte CD18/CD11b, the role of this molecule in the hypoxia-induced PMN adherence was investigated. Hypoxia did not change the total surface expression of PECAM-1 on HUVEC and did not change the cell-cell border localization of this molecule as TNF-alpha did. In addition, blocking anti-PECAM-1 antibodies could not inhibit the increased adherence of unstimulated human PMN to hypoxia-incubated HUVEC while anti-ICAM-1 partially inhibited this process. These results indicate that PECAM-1 is probably not involved in the hypoxia-induced PMN adherence to endothelial cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1997

Perfused human saphenous veins for the study of the origin of varicose veins: role of the endothelium and of hypoxia.

If venous stasis due to blood stagnation has been recognized to be involved in the development of varicose veins, the mechanism linking this situation to the modifications of the venous wall observed in varicoses is still unclear. In order to study this mechanism, human saphenous veins were incubated in normoxic or hypoxic conditions and the interactions between the endothelium and neutrophils were investigated. We observed that many neutrophils adhered to the endothelium of veins incubated in hypoxic conditions rather than in normoxia and that these adherent neutrophils were activated: they released high amounts of superoxide anion and of leukotriene B4. Studies in scanning electron microscopy confirmed the increased neutrophil adherence to the endothelium as well as their activation. These results were then related to the histological observation of varicose veins. These veins show a thickening of the media with extracellular matrix deposit as well as an alteration of the elastic lamina with the presence of smooth muscle cells in the intima. These results are in agreement with in vitro studies on isolated endothelial cells. They all show that hypoxia is able to activate endothelial cells: they release inflammatory mediators and become adhesive for neutrophils which are then activated. These activated leukocytes release free radicals and proteases which are able to degrade the extracellular matrix. In addition, hypoxia-activated endothelial cells secrete growth factors which will trigger smooth muscle cell proliferation and the synthesis of extracellular matrix components. Altogether and because they are frequently repeated, these processes could eventually lead to alterations of the venous wall similar to those observed in varicose veins.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1996

Effect of aescine on hypoxia-induced activation of human endothelial cells.

Phlebotonic drugs are very often old drugs which improve symptoms in chronic venous insufficiency but their precise mechanism remains unclear. One reason for this lack of information is our poor understanding of the aetiology of the varicose vein. One hypothesis which is being more and more substantiated is that the origin of the disease lies in the activation of the endothelium during blood stasis, leading to a cascade of reactions which, in the long term, alter the structure of the vein wall. In this work, we tested aescine (Reparil i.v. form), a phlebotonic drug, in an in vitro model which mimics this situation, i.e. human endothelial cells exposed to hypoxic conditions. Aescine was shown to inhibit 2 important steps of the activation of endothelial cells incubated 120 min under hypoxia the decrease in ATP content, which is the starting point of the activation cascade, and the increase in the activity of phospholipase A2, an enzyme responsible for the release of precursors of inflammatory mediators. Hypoxia-activated endothelial cells also increase their adhesiveness for neutrophils. This process could also be prevented in a dose-dependent manner if endothelial cells were incubated in the presence of aescine. This inhibition was confirmed by morphological observations in scanning electron microscopy. All 3 effects were already evidenced at 100 ng/ml and were maximal at 750 ng/ml. These effects obtained at very low concentrations probably represent one of the main molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie, among others, protection of the vessel wall. Objective criteria for our understanding of the preventive action of this phlebotonic drug are, thus, provided.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Effects of hydroxyethylrutosides on hypoxia-induced activation of human endothelial cells in vitro.

1. A clinically available mixture of hydroxyethylrutosides (HR) was examined as inhibitors of endothelial cell activation by hypoxia in vitro. Thus, the effects of HR on ATP depletion, phospholipase A2 activation and neutrophil adherence were investigated in hypoxia-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells in primary cell culture. 2. Our results show that HR inhibited two important steps of the activation of endothelial cells by hypoxia: the decrease in ATP content, which is the starting point of the process, and the activation of phospholipase A2 one enzyme responsible for the release of inflammatory mediators. This inhibition was dose-dependent with 70 to 90% inhibition at 500 micrograms ml-1 of HR. 3. In addition, hypoxia-activated endothelial cells increased their adhesiveness for neutrophils. This process could also be prevented in a dose-dependent manner if endothelial cells were incubated in the presence of HR. This inhibition was confirmed by a morphological study. 4. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that a possible explanation for the improvement in venous insufficiency by HR observed clinically could be their ability to inhibit the activation of endothelial cells during blood stasis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Interactions between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells after their activation by hypoxia. A possible etiology for venous disease.

Because of their localization at the interface between blood and tissue, endothelial cells are responsible for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. They fulfil a series of various functions and constantly interact with circulating leukocytes and with the smooth muscle cells (SMC) present in the media. Any disturbance of their metabolism can thus lead to alterations of the blood vessel functions. We have shown that hypoxia, for example resulting from venous stasis, induces the activation of endothelial cells which then release inflammatory mediators able to activate neutrophils and to induce their infiltration as well as growth factors for SMC. We propose that these processes are the beginning of a cascade of events eventually leading to structural and functional modifications of the venous wall similar to the ones observed in varicose vein wall. The endothelium alterations resulting from venous stasis would thus be the origin of the development of the venous disease. Pharmacological and clinical evidence reinforce this hypothesis.

Cell Hypoxia↗
PubMed1995

Protection of hypoxia-induced ATP decrease in endothelial cells by ginkgo biloba extract and bilobalide.

Due to their localization at the interface between blood and tissue, endothelial cells are the first target of any change occurring within the blood, and alterations of their functions can seriously impair organs. During hypoxia, which mimics in vivo ischemia, a cascade of events occurs in the endothelial cells, starting with a decrease in ATP content and leading to their activation and release of inflammatory mediators. EGb 761 and one of its constituents, bilobalide, were shown to inhibit the hypoxia-induced decrease in ATP content in endothelial cells in vitro. Under these conditions, glycolysis was activated, as evidenced by increased glucose transport, as well as increased lactate production. Bilobalide was found to increase glucose transport under normoxic but not hypoxic conditions. In addition, EGb and bilobalide prevented the increase in total lactate production observed after 60 min of hypoxia. However, after 120 min of hypoxia, the total lactate production was similar under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and both compounds increased this production. These results indicate that glycolysis slowed down between the 60th and 120th minute of hypoxia, while EGb and bilobalide delayed the onset of glycolysis activation. In another experimental model, both compounds were shown to increase the respiratory control ratio of mitochondria isolated from liver of rats treated orally. Since ischemia is known to uncouple mitochondria, the protection of ATP content and the delay in glycolysis activation observed during hypoxia in the presence of EGb 761 or bilobalide is best explained by a protection of mitochondrial respiratory activity, at least during the first 60 min of hypoxia incubation. Both products retain the ability to form ATP, thereby reducing the cell's need to induce glycolysis, probably by preserving ATP regeneration by mitochondria as long as oxygen is available.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Family history of colorectal tumours and implications for the adenoma-carcinoma sequence: a case control study.

Family history of colorectal cancer is a risk factor for sporadic colorectal cancer, but it is not known which step of the adenoma-carcinoma pathway it influences. This case control study investigated the relation between family history of cancer and colorectal adenomas and cancers. Family history of colorectal cancer (FHCRC) was as frequent in small (< 10 mm) adenoma patients (11.7%, n = 154) as in polyp free patients (10.6%, n = 426), whereas it was more frequent in patients with large adenoma(s) (18.8%, n = 208; p < 0.01). Odds ratios for FHCRC were 1.2 (p > 0.10) for small adenomas and 2.1 (p < 0.01) for large adenomas. Family history of other (non-colorectal) cancers (FHOC) was similar in the three groups. Patients with a colorectal cancer (n = 171) had more frequently a family history of cancer, both colorectal (15.8%; p < 0.01) and other cancers (35.7%; p < 0.001) than general population controls (n = 309; FHCRC: 8.1%; FHOC: 21.7%). In a logistic model, both factors were independently related to colorectal cancers (odds ratios: 1.9 (p < 0.05) for FHCRC and 2.1 (p < 0.001) for FHOC). These data suggest that family history of colorectal cancer influences only the growth of adenomas or their malignant transformation. The finding of a further predisposition to any type of cancer needs to be confirmed.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1995

Hypoxia induces PMN adherence to umbilical vein endothelium.

OBJECTIVE: In vitro incubation of cultured endothelial cells under hypoxia leads to the activation of these cells and results in an increase of their adhesiveness for neutrophils (PMN). Because of the possible relevance of these observations for pathological situations, we investigated whether adherence of PMN also occurs in an entire vein after its incubation in hypoxic conditions. METHODS: Human umbilical veins in complete cords were incubated for 2 h in normoxic or hypoxic conditions and the adherence of unstimulated human 51Cr-labelled-PMN was measured under flow conditions. Experiments with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were performed in parallel for comparison. Morphological studies in scanning electron microscopy were carried out in both in vitro and ex vivo situations. RESULTS: Hypoxia induced an increase in the adherence of PMN either to HUVEC or to the umbilical vein endothelium up to 5- to 6-fold when compared to normoxic conditions (P < 0.001). In both cases, this hypoxia-induced adherence was inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 antibodies or when the PAF (platelet-activating factor) synthesis was blocked during hypoxia by oleic acid. Furthermore, the adherence of PMN was inhibited when PMN were pre-incubated with WEB 2086 (a selective PAF receptor antagonist). These results indicate a crucial role of PAF in this process. Morphological studies confirmed that the number of PMN adherent to hypoxic HUVEC or to the hypoxic umbilical vein endothelium was much greater than the number of PMN on normoxic endothelial cells. Both in vitro and ex vivo, PMN adherent to the hypoxic endothelial cells to the contrary of the ones adherent to normoxic endothelial cells demonstrated membrane foldings typical of an activated state. CONCLUSION: These results show that in a complete vein, hypoxia induced an increased adhesiveness of endothelial cells for PMN by a similar mechanism to the one observed for cultured endothelial cells. They suggest an active role of endothelial cells in the initiation of the inflammatory response often described in ischemic-reperfused organs.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

Hypoxic human umbilical vein endothelial cells induce activation of adherent polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Several pieces of evidence are reported for the accumulation of activated neutrophils in ischemic and reperfused tissues leading to the transformation of the ischemic tissue into an inflammatory territory and to an enhancement of tissue damages during reoxygenation. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these observations and the precise role played by endothelial cells in this process are still poorly understood. In this study, an in vitro model that mimics this situation was used to investigate the effects of hypoxia-incubated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) functions. A strong PMN activation characterized by an increase in intracellular calcium concentration as well as by superoxide anion release and leukotriene B4 production was observed when these cells were coincubated with hypoxic HUVEC. On the other hand, conditioned medium from hypoxia-incubated HUVEC failed to activate PMN, as determined by the lack of PMN calcium concentration increase, the failure of superoxide anion production enhancement, as well as the absence of effects on the integrin CD18, CD11a, and CD11b expression. These results indicate that the presence of hypoxia-incubated HUVEC is necessary to obtain an activation of the PMN, probably via the adherence process. Once activated by coincubation with hypoxic HUVEC, PMN became cytotoxic, as evidenced by 51Cr released from prelabeled HUVEC. This cytotoxic effect of activated PMN for hypoxic endothelial cells could be prevented by a combination of superoxide dismutase and catalase (94% inhibition), whereas superoxide dismutase alone was inefficient. Antiprotease (alpha 2-macroglobulin) and a specific elastase inhibitor (MAAPV-CMK) were also inefficient. These results correlate very well with the fact that no increase in elastase release could be observed in supernatants from PMN coincubated with hypoxic HUVEC. Furthermore, when adherence process was blocked by oleic acid or by anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies, protection was, respectively, 90% and 72%. We thus evidenced that free radicals but not elastase released from activated PMN coincubated with hypoxic HUVEC are involved in HUVEC injury. We conclude from these results that PMN activation is initiated by PMN adherence to hypoxic HUVEC. These observations indicate that hypoxic HUVEC may be partly responsible for neutrophil activation observed in ischemic tissues, which is part of the amplification process of tissue damage.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

Hypoxia stimulates human endothelial cells to release smooth muscle cell mitogens: role of prostaglandins and bFGF.

Abnormal smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation is observed in several pathological situations such as atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, and venous pathologies, resulting in a thickening of the vessel wall. If endothelial cells have been assumed to play a role in the triggering of this proliferation, no direct evidence is available. As ischemia is often linked to these situations, we exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to hypoxia. The HUVEC-conditioned medium was then added to SMC and the proliferation of these cells was measured. We observed a pro-proliferative activity for SMC of the hypoxic HUVEC-conditioned medium but not of the normoxic HUVEC one. This pro-proliferative activity could not be inhibited if HUVEC were treated with cycloheximide but was blocked if the synthesis of prostaglandins by HUVEC was inhibited during hypoxia. PGD2, and especially PGF2 alpha at the concentration found in the hypoxic HUVEC-conditioned medium, were demonstrated to have a mitogenic effect on SMC. PGE2 also showed a pro-proliferative activity but at higher concentrations. In addition, the kinetics of increase in SMC proliferation induced by a mixture of the four prostaglandins at the corresponding concentrations was the same as the one observed with hypoxic HUVEC-conditioned medium. However, when tested on fibroblasts which do not respond to PGF2 alpha, hypoxic HUVEC-conditioned medium also had a pro-proliferative activity. In addition, anti-bFGF antibodies but not anti-PDGF blocked the mitogenic activity of this conditioned medium for SMC. Finally, the mitogenic effects of PGF2 alpha and of bFGF on SMC are additive. These results indicate that bFGF is probably also involved. These results indicate that these prostaglandins act in synergy with bFGF and are the molecules responsible for the pro-proliferative activity observed in hypoxic HUVEC-conditioned medium. We propose that these findings can explain the excessive growth of SMC in blood vessels following chronic ischemic situations.

4,5-Dihydro-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-pyraz↗
PubMed1994

Importance of Se-glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and Cu/Zn-SOD for cell survival against oxidative stress.

Eukaryotic cells have to constantly cope with highly reactive oxygen-derived free radicals. Their defense against these free radicals is achieved by natural antioxidant molecules but also by antioxidant enzymes. In this paper, we review some of the data comparing the efficiency of three different antioxidant enzymes: Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), catalase, and selenium-glutathione peroxidase. We perform our comparison on one experimental model (human fibroblasts) where the activities of these three antioxidant enzymes have been modulated inside the cells, and the repercussion of these changes was investigated in different conditions. We also focus our attention on the protecting role of selenium-glutathione peroxidase, because this enzyme is very rarely studied due to the difficulties linked to its biochemical properties. These studies evidenced that all three antioxidant enzymes give protection for the cells. They show a high efficiency for selenium-glutathione peroxidase and emphasize the fact that each enzyme has a specific as well as an irreplaceable function. They are all necessary for the survival of the cell even in normal conditions. In addition, these three enzymes act in a cooperative or synergistic way to ensure a global cell protection. However, optimal protection is achieved only when an appropriate balance between the activities of these enzymes is maintained. Interpretation of the deleterious effects of free radicals has to be analyzed not only as a function of the amount of free radicals produced but also relative to the efficiency and to the activities of these enzymatic and chemical antioxidant systems. The threshold of protection can indeed vary dramatically as a function of the level of activity of these enzymes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Prognostic factors in colorectal adenocarcinoma of Dukes stage B. Study of a series of population].

A study of prognostic factors in Dukes B colorectal adenocarcinoma was performed on a population basis in order to determine subgroups with poor prognosis which could benefit from adjuvant therapy after surgery. The study considered the 746 cases of Dukes B colorectal carcinoma diagnosed during the 1976-1988 period among Côte-d'Or residents (Burgundy, France). The overall 5-year crude survival rate was 55.7%, the corresponding relative survival rate being 73%. In the final Cox model, age, tumour extension to adjacent organs, number of examined lymph nodes and tumour size were significant prognostic factors. The corresponding multivariate relative survival model considered only tumour extension and number of examined lymph nodes as having a prognostic value. The relative risk of death was 2.3 (range: 1.5-3.3) in case of a tumor extension and 2.5 (range: 1.5-4.4) when no lymph node was found compared to surgical samples with at least 6 lymph nodes. These data should be taken into account when conceiving or analyzing future therapeutic trials.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis by human endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia.

In ischemic organs, arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites and mostly prostaglandins (PGs) have been found to be released in high amounts. The mechanism for this AA metabolism activation and its physiological implications are not clear. Because endothelial cells are an important source of PGs and because they seem to be very rapidly affected by ischemia, we developed an in vitro model where human endothelial cells were submitted to hypoxia. An important specific activation of phospholipase A2 was observed during hypoxia, which was concomitant with a rise in cytosolic calcium concentration. Endothelial cells synthetize in normal conditions as a mean 1.42, 1.00, 7.69, and 26.92 ng/mg proteins of, respectively, PGE2, PGD2, PGF2 alpha, PGI2. An important increase of about five- to ninefold in the synthesis of the four PGs was observed during hypoxia, which followed the same kinetics as the PLA2 activation. This increase in PG synthesis was sensitive to cyclooxygenase inhibitors. During reoxygenation, PG synthesis decreased back to the basal level of resting cells, suggesting that cells were able to recover their homeostasis after hypoxia. These observations indicate that endothelial cells exposed to oxygen deprivation are a major source of PGs and could contribute to the high amounts of PG released in vivo in ischemic organs.

4,5-Dihydro-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-pyraz↗
PubMed1993

Increased PMN adherence on endothelial cells after hypoxia: involvement of PAF, CD18/CD11b, and ICAM-1.

Ischemia is a well-known situation occurring in several diseases. There is a large body of evidence for the accumulation of neutrophils in the microvascular injury and the transformation of ischemic tissue into an inflammatory territory. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are still poorly understood. The effects of hypoxia were investigated on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in culture, and a very strong activation of these cells was obtained with an induction of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) synthesis which was optimal after 90 min of hypoxia. PAF was chemically identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Along with incubation under hypoxia, a constant increase in the adherence of unstimulated human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to endothelial cells was observed. The role of PAF and of adhesion glycoproteins in this hypoxia-induced neutrophil adherence to HUVEC was then assessed. The adherence was mediated by PAF after 90 min of hypoxia as indicated by the inhibition obtained with PAF receptor antagonists and with PAF synthesis inhibition. When tested on HUVEC incubated for 120 min under hypoxia, PAF antagonists could not inhibit the PMN adherence, whereas inhibition of PAF during hypoxia could block the process, suggesting a role of PAF acting as a second messenger. In addition, the inhibitory effects obtained using monoclonal antibodies indicate that this increased adherence was also mediated by intracellular adhesion molecule 1 on HUVEC and by CD18/CD11b on neutrophils. GMP-140 seems also to be involved after 90 min hypoxia but not after 120 min hypoxia, which correlated well with the presence of PAF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1993

Hypoxia-induced activation of endothelial cells as a possible cause of venous diseases: hypothesis.

Blood stasis in leg veins is a situation commonly linked to the development of venous diseases such as varicoses. Such a stasis will provoke an ischemia, thus decreasing oxygen availability to tissues. Owing to its localization between blood and tissue, endothelium is the first target of this insult. The authors develop here a hypothesis in which the effect of oxygen deprivation on the functional state of the endothelium is the starting point of a cascade of events leading to the disorganization of the vessel wall typical of these pathologies. When venous human endothelial cells obtained from umbilical cords (HUVEC) are exposed to hypoxic conditions they become activated without change in their viability. The synthesis of a proinflammatory molecule (PAF, platelet-activating factor) and the adhesion of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) on HUVEC are markedly increased during hypoxia incubation. These two processes are related to a calcium-dependent activation of endothelial cells due to a decrease of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) availability during hypoxia. Adherence of neutrophils to endothelial cells is the first step of diapedesis, which leads to the infiltration of these cells in the media of the veins, where they affect the smooth muscle cells and the connective tissue, leading to tissue alterations typical of the venous pathologies. The authors propose that this sequential process which originates from a reduction in oxygen availability and which involves different cell type as one main cause of the venous disorders, in addition to genetic, hormonal, and mechanical factors.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗