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Biomedical subjects

M Gacko

Publications and source records attributed to M Gacko.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Matrix metalloproteinases in the vein wall.

AIM: Matrix metalloproteinases contribute to extracellular matrix remodelling that can influence mechanical properties of the vein wall and predispose to varicose veins development. The aim of the study was to assess the following matrix metalloproteinases in the wall of varicose veins: tissue collagenase I (MMP-1), gelatinase A (MMP-2), gelatinase B (MMP-9) and stromelysin 1 (MMP-3). METHODS: Normal, varicose and varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis were collected during the surgical treatment of 26 patients. In harvested tissues the presence of gelatinases was detected with zymography, contents of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were evaluated with ELISA, activity of MMP-1 was assessed with HPLC and activity of MMP-2 with ELISA. RESULTS: Zymography demonstrated particularly high contents of both gelatinases in the wall of varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis. The contents of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly increased only in the wall of varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis, whereas the increased content of MMP-3 was also found in the wall of varicose veins. A significantly higher activity of MMP-1 was shown only in the wall of varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis, whereas an active form of MMP-2 was increased in the wall of varicose, as well as varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis, when compared with normal ones. CONCLUSION: The wall of varicose veins, particularly those complicated by thrombophlebitis shows extensive alterations in the content and activity of matrix metalloproteinases, that may result in extracellular matrix remodelling, influence mechanical properties of the vein wall and predispose to further progression of the disease.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2004

Chemical compound content and enzyme activity in supernatant and sediment of liver homogenate.

Evaluation was performed of chemical compound contents and enzyme activities in the whole homogenate, its supernatant and sediment. Six rabbit livers were pulverized in liquid nitrogen and homogenized. After centrifugation, the contents of protein, haemoglobin, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, as well as the activities of cathepsin B, cathepsin D, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase were assessed in the whole homogenate, its supernatant and sediment. Protein, vitamin A, superoxide dismutase, catalase, cathepsin D, glutathione peroxidase and reductase reveal uniform localisation. Vitamin C and cathepsin B are localized in supernatant, whereas haemoglobin is localized mainly in sediment. Evaluation of chemical compounds and enzyme activities should be performed in the whole homogenate, supernatant and sediment to obtain a real interpretation of biochemical disturbances in the investigated material.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of connective tissue fibres in walls of allogenic arterial grafts preserved by the method of cold ischemia--a preliminary report.

The aim of the study was to evaluate microscopic changes in the wall structures of allogenic arterial grafts, preserved by the method of cold ischemia in relation to the storage period and to test the possibility of the storage period prolongation by allograft freezing at -70 degrees C. The middle layer ultrastructure is well preserved till 30 days from allograft harvesting, however, allograft freezing results in total destruction of elastic and collagen fibres in the arterial wall. An application of allogenic arterial grafts, preserved by the method of cold ischemia till 30 days from their harvesting, seems an efficient therapeutic method in the treatment of patients with synthetic vascular graft infection. Further prolongation of the storage period at -70 degrees C made the allograft useless for implantation.

Aorta, Abdominal↗
PubMed2004

Some components of oxidative-antioxidative system in human blood plasma and serum.

Comparison of the concentrations and activities of components in the oxidative-antioxidative system between blood plasma and serum. Blood plasma and serum samples were obtained from 38 healthy adults to evaluate malondialdehyde concentration, the total antioxidative capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, protein and non-protein sulphydryl groups, ascorbate, haemoglobin, methaemoglobin and protein. Blood plasma shows higher activity of superoxide dismutase, as well as higher concentrations of low-molecular sulphydryl groups and ascorbate, when compared to those in blood serum. The total plasma antioxidative capacity is also higher than that assessed in blood serum. Processes of blood coagulation and blood clot retraction lead to antioxidant consumption. The evaluation of oxidative-antioxidative system for diagnostic purposes should be performed in blood plasma.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Haemoglobin of varicose vein, varicose vein with thrombophlebitis and in parietal thrombus of varicose vein.

Saphenous veins were taken for examination: unchanged, varicose with thrombophlebitis and varicose thrombus. The contents of haemoglobin and protein were determined in the homogenate of that material. Only small quantities of haemoglobin were found in walls of unchanged veins. Greater amounts of haemoglobin were observed in walls of varicose veins, especially in walls of varicose veins with thrombophlebitis. The varicose vein thrombus also contained marked quantities of haemoglobin.

Chromatography, Gel↗
PubMed2004

Amidolytic activity of plasma euglobulins.

Amidolytic activity of plasmin, produced in euglobulin fraction, does not correlate with the time of euglobulin fibrinolysis. It does not depend on fibrinogen concentration.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed2001

[Activity of cathepsin B and cystatins in the placenta during EPH-gestosis].

Activity of cathepsin B using Bz-DL-Arg-pNA contents of SH-group by means of Ellman method, activity of cystatins against papain using casein as a substrate and contents of deoxyribonuclein acids by Burton method were determined in 64 placentas of pregnancies with EPH-gestosis and in 36 placentas of physiological pregnancies. The placentas from pregnancies with EPH-gestosis showed markedly higher activity of cathepsin B, no difference in the contents of SH-group, slightly higher activity of cystatins and they contain less deoxyribonucleic acids than the placentas from physiological pregnancies. The obtained results show that proteolytic--anti-proteolytic balance in placentas from pregnacies with EPH-gestosis is changed to the advantage of cathepsin B. This protease may in formation of structural and functional changes observed in placentas during EPH-gestosis.

Cathepsin B↗
PubMed2001

[Proteolytic activity of placenta with EPH-gestosis determined by casein and azocasein].

Total proteolytic activity, activity of cathepsin B, activity of cysteine cathepsins and contents of protein degradation products were determined in placentas of pregnancies complicated with mild, moderate and severe EPH-gestosis and in placentas from normal pregnancies. The highest activity of all the determined proteases was observed in placentas of pregnancies complicated with severe EPH-gestosis. The placentas of pregnancies complicated with severe EPH-gestosis also include the highest amounts of aminoacids and low-molecular peptides.

Caseins↗
PubMed2000

[Experimental aortic aneurysm].

Experimental aortic aneurysm may be evoked in animals by application of chemical compounds disturbing biosynthesis, posttranslating modifications and degradation of elastin and collagen, local damage of the aortic wall by chemical, thermal and mechanical factors and by increased blood pressure. Administration of protease inhibitors, anti-inflammatory drugs, agents enhancing synthesis and formation of elastic and collagen fibers and hypotensive drugs prevent formation enlargement and rupture of aneurysm.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗
PubMed1999

Distribution, activity and concentration of cathepsin B and cystatin C in the wall of aortic aneurysm.

Intensity of immunohistochemical reaction to cathepsin B is stronger and to cystatin C weaker in the wall of aortic aneurysm than in normal aorta. Localization of cathepsin B and cystatin C in the aneurysm wall is different from that in the control aorta, but activity and concentration of cystatin C in the aneurysmal wall is lower than in normal aorta. The parietal thrombus of aneurysm also shows high activity of cathepsin B. The obtained results point to participation of cathepsin B in degradation of aneurysmal structural proteins and in enlargement of the aneurysmal size.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Coagulative and fibrinolytic activity in parietal thrombus of aortic aneurysm.

Lumen of aortic aneurysm is usually filled with parietal thrombus. Behaviour of the parietal thrombus is determined by the ratio of coagulation factors to factors of fibrinolytic system. Activity of some factors of coagulation and fibrinolysis in the parietal thrombus of aortic aneurysm was determined using coagulative, fibrinolytic and caseinolytic tests. Retracted, blood clot was a comparative material. Tissue factor activity in the parietal thrombus of the aneurysm was above threefold higher and antiheparin activity was nearly twice higher in comparison to the blood clot. Activity of plasminogen activators in the parietal thrombus was higher than in the blood clot. The parietal thrombus contained fourfold more of the plasminogen. Antiplasmin activity in the thrombus was above twofold lower than in the blood clot. High activity of the tissue factor and substances neutralizing heparin may intensify the thrombus growth. Yet the thrombotic tendency may be balanced by a high activity of plasminogen activators and plasminogen.

Aortic Aneurysm↗
PubMed1999

Anticoagulative effect of pepsin.

Anticoagulative effect of pepsin is observed in vitro when its concentration is 36 microM and higher. This effect is due to inhibition of fibrin monomer polymerization. Protamine abolishes anticoagulative effect of pepsin. Pepsin does not influence platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed1998

Activities of proteases in parietal thrombus of aortic aneurysm.

Deterioration of the aortic wall resulting in formation of aneurysm may be evoked by increased activity of elastases, collagenases and lysosomal proteases. These enzymes come from macrophages and neutrophil granulocytes which are elements of the inflammatory reaction accompanying aneurysm. These cells may also come from parietal thrombus in the aneurysm lumen. The aim of this work was to determine activity of elastase, cathepsin G, collagenase-like Pz-peptidase and cathepsins A, B, C, D and E in the parietal thrombus of aortic aneurysm. The thrombus was obtained from the lumen of the aortic aneurysm of six patients during operation. Protease activities were determined using specific substrates at optimum pH. Retracted blood clot was a comparative material. The thrombus of aortic aneurysm showed two-five fold higher activity of elastases, collagenase-like Pz-peptidase and cathepsins A, D and G in comparison to the blood clot (P < 0.001). However, activity of cathepsins B, C and E in the thrombus was only slightly higher (P < 0.05). Prolonged effect of proteases coming from parietal thrombus on the aneurysm wall could evoke marked degradation of fibrillar proteins resulting in increase of aneurysm.

Aortic Aneurysm↗
PubMed1998

Cathepsin D and cathepsin L activities in aortic aneurysm wall and parietal thrombus.

Deterioration of the aortic wall resulting in formation of aneurysms may be caused by increased activity of metalloproteases and lysosomal proteases. The aim of this work was the evaluation of cathepsin D and cathepsin L activities, and activities of inhibitors of cysteine cathepsins in the wall of aortic aneurysms and in parietal thrombus. Aortic aneurysms were obtained during operation. Aortas taken from organ donors and blood clots were used as control material. Activities of cathepsin D and cathepsin L in the aortic aneurysm wall and parietal thrombus were higher than in the control groups. The aneurysm wall showed lower activity of inhibitors of cysteine proteases than the normal aorta. Parietal thrombus had a higher level of cysteine protease inhibitor activity than blood clot. Cathepsin D and cathepsin L present in the aneurysm wall and in the parietal thrombus filling the aneurysm may act on proteins determining elasticity and mechanical resistance of arteries.

Aorta↗
PubMed1998

[The role of proteolytic enzymes in apoptosis].

The literature review dealing with participation of proteolytic enzymes in initiation and execution of apoptosis was done. Cysteine proteases with Asp-X cleavage specificity, called caspases, play the main role in this process. The other proteases such calpains and proteasomes take also part in apoptosis. The proteases degrade proteins of cytoskeleton and structural proteins of nucleus, they also activate proendonucleases.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cellular serine carboxypeptidases.

The literature on serine carboxypeptidases of cells is reviewed. These proteases occur in the vacuoles of fungi and higher plants and in the lysosomes of animals and man cells. Physico-chemical properties, chemical structure, catalytic mechanism and substrate specificity of these enzymes are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Extralysosomal degradation of proteins.

Extralysosomal degradation of proteins is carried out by proteases complex (proteasomes), calcium dependent calpains, proteases of the rough endoplasmatic reticulum and proteases of the cellular membrane. It depends on a limited proteolysis and includes the main enzymatic proteins, hormones, growth factors and cytoskeletal proteins. Thus it plays an important regulatory role in the metabolism and formation of cellular structures.

Animals↗