Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 29, issue 3-4

Authors: Zhao, Ke‐seng | Jin, Chunhua | Huang, Xuliang | Liu, Jie | Yan, Wen Sheng | Huang, Qiaobing | Kan, Wenhong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Polydatin is extracted from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Polygonum cuspidatum, and has a special effect in shock treatment. The aim of this study is to explain the cellular and molecular basis of Polydatin in shock treatment. The fluorescent probe techniques, patch clamp method, and cellular flow chamber were used to test intracellular variables of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), myocardial cells (MC), endothelial cells (EC), and white blood cell (WBC). It was shown that Polydatin could inhibit ICAM‐1 expression in EC stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), attenuate WBC‐EC adhesion, increase [Ca$^{2+}]\tsub{i}$ in MC with enhancement of MC contraction …extent, activate KATP channels of VSMC, and decrease pHi value and [Ca$^{2+}]\tsub{i}$ of VSMC in shock. The study suggests that Polydatin has multiple effects on VSMC, MC, WBC and EC, which are related to the enhancement of heart function and improvement of microcirculatory perfusion in shock. Show more

Keywords: Polydatin, shock, lipopolysaccharide, endothelial cell, white blood cell

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 211-217, 2003

Authors: Mojica‐Henshaw, Mariluz P. | Francisco, Angelica D. | de Guzman, Florecita | Tigno, Xenia T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Carica papaya seed extract is currently being marketed as a nutritional supplement with purported ability “to rejuvenate the body condition and to increase energy”. The product claims to improve immunity against common infection and body functioning. The present study was initiated to analyze the chemical constituents of the Carica® Seed Extract and determine the potential immunomodulatory properties of the different bioactive fractions. These immunomodulatory activities of crude Carica® Seed Extract and its bioactive fractions were examined in vitro using lymphocyte proliferation assays and complement‐mediated hemolytic assay. Three major observations were made in this study: (1) the crude Carica® …Seed Extract and two other bioactive fractions significantly enhanced the phytohemagglutinin responsiveness of lymphocytes; (2) none of the Carica® Seed Extract (at the concentrations used in this study) was able to protect the lymphocytes from the toxic effects of chromium; and (3) some of the bioactive fractions of Carica® Seed Extract were able to significantly inhibit the classical complement‐mediated hemolytic pathway. These findings provide evidence for immunostimulatory and anti‐inflammatory actions of Carica® Seed Extract. No single compound is likely responsible for these activities. Further purification, isolation and characterization of the active components are needed. Show more

Keywords: Carica papaya seed extract, immunomodulation, lymphocyte stimulation

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 219-229, 2003

Authors: Sun, Bao‐liang | Zhang, Jian | Wang, Xing‐cheng | Xia, Zuo‐li | Yang, Ming‐feng | Zhang, Su‐ming | Ye, Wen‐jing | Yuan, Hui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) on cerebral vasospasm and microcirculatory perfusion after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). An endovascular piercing method was used to induce Wistar rat SAH models, and animals were divided into sham‐operated, vehicle controls, and EGb‐treated groups. EGb was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before operation and was repeated every 6 hours, with a single dose of 15 mg/kg bw. Diameters of basilar arteries before and after operation were measured. Microcirculatory blood perfusion of parietal lobe cortex was detected using a laser Doppler flow‐meter probe within 24 hours. Endothelin‐1 levels in …both plasma and brain tissue were detected at different time points. The results showed that SAH caused an immediate drop in microcirculatory blood flow in vehicle controls, which persisted for 24 hours. Endothelin‐1 levels in both plasma and brain tissue increased after SAH. EGb partly reversed spasms of the basilar artery and antagonized a drop in microcirculatory blood flow. EGb also prevented an increase in endothelin‐1 both in plasma and in brain tissue. In conclusion, EGb, by antagonizing the overproduction of endo‐ thelin‐1, partly reverses cerebral vasospasm and improves microcirculation, and thus relieves secondary ischemic brain injury after experimental SAH. Show more

Keywords: Ginkgo biloba, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral vasospasm, microcirculation

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 231-238, 2003

Authors: Duansak, D. | Somboonwong, J. | Patumraj, S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effects of Aloe vera on microcirculation and levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 were investigated in rats after inducing burn. Seventy‐two male Wistar Furth rats were equally divided into four groups as follow: controls (CON), untreated burn‐wound rats (BURN), normal saline‐treated burn‐wound rats (BURN‐NSS) and Aloe vera‐treated burn‐wound rats (BURN‐ALOE). The animals in each group were equally subdivided into three subgroups for the study on day 3, 7 and 14 post‐burn. Dorsal skinfold chamber preparation and intravital fluorescence microscopic technique were performed to examine leukocyte adhesion on postcapillary venules. ELISA techniques were performed to examine serum TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels. …It was found that the amount of leukocyte adhesion was significantly reduced in the BURN‐ALOE group compared to rats in the BURN group on day 14. Levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 were also decreased significantly compared to BURN at all three monitored time points. Aloe vera could inhibit the inflammatory process following burn injury, as characterized by the reduction of leukocyte adhesion, as well as those pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Show more

Keywords: Aloe vera, leukocyte, TNF‐α, IL‐6 levels, burn wounded

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 239-246, 2003

Authors: Ysrael, Mafel C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq, locally known as ‘Tonkin’, has been used for generations by the Dominicans in the Philippines for medicinal purposes. The seeds, stems and leaves are said to be effective in treating several types of skin ailments such as chronic and gangrenous wounds, cuts and blisters due to burns. Scientific investigations to rationalize the reported medicinal uses of the plant were carried out at University of Santo Tomas. Botanists at the University did the identification and studied the cultivation and propagation of the plant. Pharmacists and chemists worked closely together on the ‘Tonkin’ seeds. The seeds were found …to have both analgesic and antiseptic properties. Chemists identified indolizidine alkaloids in the seeds, to which the analgesic properties have been attributed. Antimicrobial and antifungal compounds were also identified. Different formulations of the crude drug have been made, namely, an ointment for the treatment of skin ailments, glycerol preparation for the treatment of pharyngitis and an otic preparation for the treatment of otitis externa. Limited clinical trials of these formulations were carried out in collaboration with the medical doctors. The clinical trial studies were supported by in vitro studies carried out by microbiologists. Basic research on this plant material is still continuing. Efforts are now underway for the commercial production of the Tonkin ointment. Show more

Keywords: Ipomoea muricata Jacq, Tonkin seed, antimicrobial compound, antifungal compound

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 247-251, 2003

Authors: Ramirez, Rebecca O. | Roa, Jr., Camilo C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The gastroprotective effect of quantified tannins (13.4%) from Syzygium cumini was determined. Gastric mucosal damage was induced in sixty eight rats by oral gavage administration of HCl/ethanol solution. For macroscopic and microscopic studies, 30 rats were divided into three groups consisting of a negative control, an Omeprazole group and a Tannins group. There was no significant difference in the number, size and surface area of macroscopic lesions between the three groups. Microscopic examination using Best's Ulcer Staging Index showed that Tannins had a very significant decrease in gastric mucosal damage with p<0.01. Average lymphocyte populations in the three groups showed …no significant difference, although both the Tannins and Omeprazole group had fewer lymphocytes. Thirty‐eight rats were studied for the amount of free radicals present after induction of gastric damage. A dose which consisted of 20.0 g tannins/kg rat weight showed significantly lower stomach free radical concentrations. These findings suggest that tannins extracted from S. cumini have gastroprotective and anti‐ulcerogenic effects. Show more

Keywords: Syzygium cumini, gastroprotective, tannins, HCl/ethanol, ulcers, Omeprazole

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 253-261, 2003

Authors: Amponin, Mark Oliver | Manabat, Cynthia H. | Quintos, Ricardo T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The oxygen binding capacity of human erythrocytes in selected solutions was studied in vitro. Three treatment groups were used in the study: 0.08% ι‐carrageenan solution, dextran 70, and normal saline solution (NSS). The different treatment groups were oxygenated. The percent oxygen saturation and oxygen partial pressure were determined by blood gas analysis, and oxyhemoglobin absorbance was measured using spectrophotometry. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD Test were used to analyze the data. There were significant differences (p<0.05) observed in the percent oxygen saturations and oxygen partial pressures among the three treatment groups, with NSS having the highest values (97.65±0.385% …and 160.18±152.567 mmHg, respectively) followed by dextran 70 (95.38±1.093% and 142.68±73.967 mmHg, respectively) then ι‐carrageenan (89.42±4.327% and 94.02±17.912 mmHg, respectively). However, there were no significant differences observed in the absorbance values of oxyhemoglobin among the three set‐ups. It was concluded that the oxygen binding capacity of erythrocytes in ι‐carrageenan solution is significantly lower than that in dextran 70 and NSS. Show more

Keywords: Iota‐carrageenan, oxygen binding capacity, oxygen partial pressure, oxygen saturation, plasma expanders

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 263-270, 2003

Authors: Khemapech, S. | Monsiri, K. | Patumraj, S. | Siriviriyakul, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the effects of genistein on endothelial dysfunction in bilateral ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar rats were subjected to a bilateral ovariectomy (OVX rat). The animals were divided into three groups: sham treated with vehicle (DMSO 100 μl/day, Shamveh ), OVX treated with vehicle (DMSO 100 μl/day, OVXveh ), and OVX treated with genistein (0.25 mg/kg BW/day, OVXgen ). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), body weight (BW), uterine weight and plasma E2 were monitored at 4‐week after the treatment. We investigated the endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent vasorelaxation by using acetylcholine (Ach 10−6 …M) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP 10−7 M), respectively. The experimental results indicated that the uterine weights of all OVX rats were significantly decreased as compared to the sham groups (OVX$\tsub{veh}=0.007\pm 0.004$ g, OVX$\tsub{gen}=0.003\pm 0.001$ g, Sham$\tsub{veh}=0.017\pm 0.001$ g). MAP of OVXveh group was significantly increased compared to the Sham group (OVX$\tsub{veh}=139.99\pm 7.50$ mmHg, Sham$\tsub{veh}=118.10\pm19.33$ mmHg, p<0.05). No significant increase in MAP was observed in OVXgen (OVX$\tsub{gen}=123.33\pm 8.61$ mmHg; p<0.05). HR showed no significant difference among those groups. The present study of vasodilator responses demonstrated only the significant decrease in endothelium‐dependent, not for endothelium‐independence, in OVX rats, while the treatment of genistein could significantly attenuate this abnormality (OVX$\tsub{veh}=3.03\pm3.99$ %, Sham$\tsub{veh}=45.46\pm 3.59$ %, OVX$\tsub{gen}=33.52\pm 3.25$ % in % change of vessel diameter). The present findings suggest that genistein could be used as a therapeutic agent for menopausal vascular complications. Show more

Keywords: Genistein, endothelial dysfunction, ovariectomized rat

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 271-277, 2003

Authors: Fausto, Christine G. | Zordilla, Zeneth | De Vera, Miriam P. | Quintos, Ricardo T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effect of carrageenan against ischemia‐reperfusion injury was investigated. Rats were grouped into four, subjected to 10 min of ischemia and reperfusion in their mesenteric venules and 30% of their blood volume was replaced with either normal saline solution, dextran 70 in 5% dextrose, or iota‐carrageenan solution, while the fourth group remained untreated. Parameters such as venule diameter, red blood cell velocity, leukocyte rolling and adhesion, were then observed by video. Findings reveal that carrageenan infusion has the tendency to attenuate leukocyte rolling and adhesion, increase venule diameter and regain erythrocyte velocity after ischemia. The data suggest that the effects …of carrageenan were comparable to that of either of the more commercially used plasma expanders, dextran 70 or normal saline solution. Overall, however, these did not differ significantly from the untreated rats. Show more

Keywords: Plasma expander, carrageenan, ischemia‐reperfusion

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 279-288, 2003

Authors: Gerzanich, Volodymyr | Ivanova, Svetlana | Simard, J. Marc

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We studied the early pathophysiological response of lenticulostriate arterioles in rats in three models of human conditions associated with stroke: (a) chronic angiotensin II‐hypertension; (b) chronic nicotine administration; (c) oxidative endothelial injury. In all three models, quantitative patch clamp analysis of freshly isolated vascular smooth muscle cells from lenticulostriate arterioles and posterior cerebral arteries showed significant increases in activity of functional L‐type calcium channels that were due to an increase in open channel probability, with no change in other biophysical properties or in channel expression. In addition, all three models showed evidence of endothelial dysfunction, but of a different nature …in the three. With chronic angiotensin II‐hypertension, but not in the other two models, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was dysfunctional, was mislocalized away from its normal abluminal location, and was accumulated in peri‐nuclear Golgi. By contrast, the other two models showed no mislocalization of eNOS, but instead showed evidence of oxidative stress in endothelium, with up‐regulation of superoxide dismutase and hexose kinase. All three models showed significant up‐regulation of expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (PCNA index, 70–80%) in arterioles in situ, which is associated with increased activation of the nuclear transcription factor, phospho‐cAMP response element binding protein (phospho‐CREB). In addition, calmodulin‐dependent protein (CaM) kinase II was activated, in concert with the activation of L‐type calcium channels. Furthermore, blockers of either L‐type calcium channels (amlodipine) or of CaM kinase II (KN‐93) completely prevented the activation of CREB and the up‐regulation of PCNA in arterioles. Our findings demonstrate that abnormal regulation of L‐type calcium channels is directly responsible for abnormal proliferative responses in vascular smooth muscle in various forms of cerebral arteriolar injury associated with endothelial dysfunction. Show more

Keywords: Angiotensin II‐hypertension, calcium channel, cerebral microvessel, oxidative endothelial injury, stroke

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 291-294, 2003