Biomedical subjects

E Hijova

Publications and source records attributed to E Hijova.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Bioavailability of chalcones.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that diets rich in fruits and vegetables decrease the risk of premature mortality from major clinical conditions, including cancer and heart disease. However, it is not yet clear which components or combination of components in fruit and vegatables are protective and what is their mechanism of action is. Phenolic compounds are important compounds because of their contribution to human health and their multiple biological activities. Although these compounds are not a panacea for good health, some of their beneficialt activities presented in this short review showed their importance and their possible usage in the prevention of various diseases (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref: 42).

Biological Availability↗

PubMed2006

Role of the peripheral serotoninergic system in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of peripheral serotoninergic system in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope. BACKGROUND: Increased central serotoninergic activity was suggested to play a role in sudden inhibition of sympathetic activity responsible for the genesis of vasovagal syncope. There is good correlation between the central serotoninergic activity and the plasma levels of serotonine. METHODS: In twenty-two patients (mean age 48 +/- 19 years, 10 men, 12 women) with suspected vasovagal syncope head-up tilt test (HUT) was performed. Passive HUT (60 degrees, 20 minutes) was followed, if negative, by nitroglycerine stimulated HUT (400 microg sublingually, 15 minutes). Blood samples were obtained at baseline (in supine position), in 5 minute, 15 minute of HUT and finally at syncope or end of the test. Plasma levels of serotonine were measured by enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) method. RESULTS: HUT was positive in fifteen patients and negative in seven patients. In all HUT positive patients syncope developed after nitroglycerine stimulation. Mean duration of nitroglycerine phase was 4.8 +/- 1.2 min. In 5 min of HUT serotonine level was significantly lower in HUT positive patients HUT (102.40 +/- 43.11 vs 160.85 +/- 43.71 ng/ml, p = 0.01). At the time of syncope no significant differences were observed between HUT positive and HUT negative patients (184.26 +/- 118.72 vs 196.57 +/- 88.91 ng/ml, p = 0.40). CONCLUSION: In patients with vasovagal syncope lower level of plasma serotonine were observed during early HUT when compared to controls. No differences in serotonin activity were observed at the time of syncope (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 24).

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Matrix metalloproteinases: their biological functions and clinical implications.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are also known as matrixins, are proteinases that participate in extracellular matrix remodelling and degradation. Under normal physiological conditions, the activities of MMPs are precisely regulated at the level of transcription, at that of activation of the pro-MMP precursor zymogenes as well as at that of inhibition by endogenous inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, TIMPs). Alterations in the regulation of MMP activity are implicated in diseases such as cancer, fibrosis, arthritis and atherosclerosis. The pathological effects of MMPs and TIMPs in cardiovascular diseases involve vascular remodelling, atherosclerotic plaque instability and cardiac remodelling in congestive heart failure or after myocardial infarction. Since excessive tissue remodelling and increased matrix metalloproteinases activity have been demonstrated during atherosclerotic lesion progression (including plaque disruption), MMPs represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention aimed at the modification of vascular pathology by restoring the physiological balance between MMPs and TIMPs. Recent findings suggest that MMPs are also involved in cancer initiation, invasion and metastasis; MMP inhibitors could be considered for evaluation as cancer chemopreventive molecules. This review describes the members of MMP and TIMP families and discusses the structure, function and regulation of MMP activity. (Tab. 1, Ref: 45.)

Arteriosclerosis↗

PubMed2005

Changes in ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde in rats after exposure to mercury.

BACKGROUND: Mercury is one of the ubiquitous pollutants participating in generation of reactive oxygen species leading to the formation of oxidative stress. METHODS: Changes in plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde were measured in rats after per os exposure to different doses of mercury (as mercuric chloride) for 30 d. RESULTS: The production of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde was related to the dosage of mercuric chloride. Within the group of rats receiving mercuric chloride in the concentration of 10 micromol/L (corresponding to the LD50 of HgCl2), the concentrations of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde were increased by 22.19 % and by 6.88 % respectively when compared with the control group. The doses of mercuric chloride lower than LD50 reduced the production of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde statistically. CONCLUSIONS: Mercury is one of the inducers of oxidative stress in plasma of rats. The oxidation damage caused by mercuric chloride is proven by increased malondialdehyde formation and subsequently compensated by an overproduction of ascorbic acid (Tab. 3, Ref. 22).

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Metallothioneins and zinc: their functions and interactions.

The impact of environmental and occupational contamination on living organisms has been an interesting topic for scientific and lay public for a long time. The synthesis of metallothioneins is one of the protection strategies, by which organisms protect themselves from metal-induced toxicity. There are four known isoforms of metallothioneins. This article summarizes the role of the widely expressed mammalian metallothionein-1 and metallothionein-2 isoforms in zinc homeostasis, apoptosis, and as novel potential marker of ageing. The metallothionein-3 and metallothionein-4 have been discovered to possess distinct functional properties. The properties of metallothioneins and their interplay are likely to be essential for the still elusive biological function of these proteins. (Ref. 49.).

Aging↗