The present study was designed to examine the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction by cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) on the cardiac functions and morphology, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, myocardial antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione [GSH]), and expression of heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 and connexin 43 (Cx-43) in myocardial muscles in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI). Thirty two adult male Sprague Dawely rats were divided into 4 groups (each 8 rats): normal control (NC) group, ISO group: received ISO at dose of 150 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 2 successive days; ISO + Trizma group: received (ISO) and Trizma (solvent of CoPP) at dose of 5 mg/kg i.p. injection 2 days before injection of ISO, with ISO at day 0 and at day 2 after ISO injections; and ISO + CoPP group: received ISO and CoPP at a dose of 5 mg/kg dissolved in Trizma i.p. injection as Trizma. We found that, administration of ISO caused significant increase in heart rate, corrected QT interval, ST segment, cardiac enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-muscle/brain), cardiac HO-1, Hsp70 with significant attenuation in myocardial GSH, SOD, and Cx-43. On the other hand, administration of CoPP caused significant improvement in ECG parameters, cardiac enzymes, cardiac morphology; antioxidants induced by ISO with significant increase in HO-1, Cx-43, and Hsp70 expression in myocardium. In conclusions, we concluded that induction of HO-1 by CoPP ameliorates ISO-induced myocardial injury, which might be due to up-regulation of Hsp70 and gap junction protein (Cx-43).
Adult ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Body Weight ; Cobalt ; Connexin 43 ; Connexins ; Creatine ; Electrocardiography ; Glutathione ; Hand ; Heart Rate ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Heme ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Male ; Muscles ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardium ; Oxidoreductases ; Rats ; Tromethamine ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a single administration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in promoting the angiogenesis and thereby reducing the formation of capsular contracture. METHODS: We treated 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats with (1) 5 mM Tris Buffer and 150 mM NaCl 0.1 cc, (2) VEGF 15 µg/0.1 cc, (3) VEGF 150 µg/0.1 cc during placement of the implant, or (4) VEGF 150 µg/0.1 cc and VEGF 300 µg/0.2 cc. We histopathologically measured the thickness of the capsule and the number of blood vessels. RESULTS: All experimental groups had a significant difference in the thickness of the capsule compared to the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between experimental group 2 and experimental group 3. The number of blood vessels formed around the capsule was significantly greater in all the experimental groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the experimental groups. There was a significant negative correlation between the thickness of the capsule and the number of blood vessels (Spearman's correlation coefficient, 0.2732; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A single administration of VEGF reduced formation of the capsule and increased the vascularity around the implant, supporting the hypothesis that prevention of tissue ischemia can be a treatment strategy for capsular contracture.
Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Breast Implants ; Contracture ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silicon* ; Silicones* ; Tromethamine ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of high-pressure carbon monoxide for preservation of ex vivo rabbit heart graft in comparison with the conventional HTK cardioplegic solution preservation.

METHODSHeart grafts isolated from 85 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into Naive group (n=5), HTK group (n=40) and CO group (n=40). The grafts underwent no preservation procedures in Naive group, preserved at 4 degrees celsius; in HTK cardioplegic solution in HTK group, and preserved at 4 degrees celsius; in a high-pressure tank (PO2: PCO=3200 hPa: 800 hPa) in CO group with Krebs-Henseleit solution perfusion but without cardioplegic solution. After preservation for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18, and 24 h, 5 grafts from the two preservation groups were perfused for 30 min with a modified Langendorff apparatus and examined for left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP), arrhythmia score (AS), myocardial ultrestructure, and cardiac enzyme profiles.

RESULTSAfter preservation for 6 to 24 h, the cardiac enzyme profiles and systolic and diastolic functions were significantly better in CO group than in HTK group, but these differences were not obvious between the two groups after graft preservation for 2 to 4 h. Significant changes in the myocardial ultrastructures occurred in the isolated hearts after a 24-h preservation in both CO and HTK groups, but the myocardial damages were milder in CO group.

CONCLUSIONPreservation using high-pressure carbon monoxide can better protect isolated rabbit heart graft than the conventional HTK preservation approach especially for prolonged graft preservation.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; Cardioplegic Solutions ; Glucose ; Heart ; physiology ; Heart Transplantation ; Myocardium ; ultrastructure ; Rabbits ; Tissue Preservation ; methods ; Tromethamine

The objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence the success of resynchronization protocols for bovines with and without progesterone supplementation. Cow synchronized and not found pregnant were randomly assigned to two resynchronization protocols: ovsynch without progesterone (P4) supplementation (n = 66) or with exogenous P4 administered from Days 0 to 7 (n = 67). Progesterone levels were measured on Days 0 and 7 of these protocols as well as 4 and 5 days post-insemination. Progesterone supplementation raised the P4 levels on Day 7 (p < 0.05), but had no overall effect on resynchronization rates (RRs) or pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). However, cows with Body Condition Score (BCS) > 3.5 had increased P/AI values while cows with BCS < 2.75 had decreased P/AI rates after P4 supplementation. Primiparous cows had higher P4 values on Day 7 than pluriparous animals (p = 0.04) and tended to have higher RRs (p = 0.06). Results of this study indicate that progesterone supplementation in resynchronization protocols has minimal effects on outcomes. Parity had an effect on the levels of circulating progesterone at initiation of the protocol, which in turn influenced the RR.
Animals ; Cattle/*physiology ; Dinoprost/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Estrus Synchronization/*drug effects/methods ; Female ; Fertility Agents/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Insemination, Artificial/veterinary ; Ovulation/drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Tromethamine/administration & dosage/*pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare a neuroprotective effect of thoracic cord neuromodulation to that of sacral nerve neuromodulation in rat thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) model. METHODS: Twenty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal control group (n=5), SCI with sham stimulation group (SCI, n=5), SCI with electrical stimulation at thoracic spinal cord (SCI + TES, n=5), and SCI with electrical stimulation at sacral nerve (SCI + SES, n=5). Spinal cord was injured by an impactor which dropped from 25mm height. Electrical stimulation was performed by the following protocol: pulse duration, 0.1ms; frequency, 20 Hz; stimulation time, 30 minutes; and stimulation duration at thoracic epidural space and S2 or 3 neural foramina for 4 weeks. Locomotor function, urodynamic study, muscle weights, and fiber cross sectional area (CSA) were investigated. RESULTS: All rats of the SCI + TES group expired within 3 days after the injury. The locomotor function of all survived rats improved over time but there was no significant difference between the SCI and the SCI + SES group. All rats experienced urinary retention after the injury and recovered self-voiding after 3-9 days. Voiding contraction interval was 25.5+/-7.5 minutes in the SCI group, 16.5+/-5.3 minutes in the SCI+SES group, and 12.5+/-4.2 minutes in the control group. The recovery of voiding contraction interval was significant in the SCI + SES group comparing to the SCI group (p<0.05). Muscle weight and CSA were slightly greater in the SCI + SES than in the SCI group, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: We failed to establish a rat spinal cord stimulation model. However, sacral neuromodulation have a therapeutic potential to improve neurogenic bladder and muscle atrophy.
Animals ; Contracts ; Electric Stimulation ; Epidural Space ; Female ; Humans ; Muscles ; Muscular Atrophy ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord Stimulation ; Tromethamine ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urinary Retention ; Urodynamics ; Weights and Measures

Since the advent of whole-genome sequencing, transposable elements (TEs), just thought to be 'junk' DNA, have been noticed because of their numerous copies in various eukaryotic genomes. Many studies about TEs have been conducted to discover their functions in their host genomes. Based on the results of those studies, it has been generally accepted that they have a function to cause genomic and genetic variations. However, their infinite functions are not fully elucidated. Through various mechanisms, including de novo TE insertions, TE insertion-mediated deletions, and recombination events, they manipulate their host genomes. In this review, we focus on Alu, L1, human endogenous retrovirus, and short interspersed element/variable number of tandem repeats/Alu (SVA) elements and discuss how they have affected primate genomes, especially the human and chimpanzee genomes, since their divergence.
Alu Elements ; Coat Protein Complex I ; DNA ; DNA Transposable Elements ; Endogenous Retroviruses ; Genetic Variation ; Genome ; Humans ; Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements ; Pan troglodytes ; Primates ; Recombination, Genetic ; Tromethamine

PURPOSE: To assess the preemptive analgesic effect of topical NSAIDs (0.5% ketorolac tromethamine, Acular) as postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing LASEK. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, paired eye study was performed. Patients undergoing LASEK were randomized to receive 0.5% ketorolac in one eye and 0.3% ofloxacin (placebo) in the contralateral eye at 30 minutes, 20 minutes, or ten minutes prior to LASEK. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale of 0 to 10 in each eye 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours after surgery. Patients were also asked to assess the levels of glare, tearing and irritation using a visual analog scale from 0 to 10. RESULTS: A total of 62 eyes from 31 patients were enrolled in the present study. The mean postoperative pain score in the NSAID group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group at postoperative hours 6 (2.35 versus 4.97), 12 (2.52 versus 5.16), and 24 (3.84 versus 4.94) (p < 0.05). The mean postoperative pain score after 36 and 48hours was also lower in the NSAID group than in the placebo group, but the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Patients reported significantly less tearing and irritation in the NSAID-administered eye compared to those in the placebo eye after LASEK (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive administration of topical NSAIDs before LASEK was effective in reducing acute postoperative pain. Preemptive analgesia with topical NSAIDs may be a valuable treatment option for controlling postoperative pain following ocular surgery.
Analgesia ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Eye ; Glare ; Humans ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Ketorolac ; Ketorolac Tromethamine ; Ofloxacin ; Pain, Postoperative ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the cardiac function and transcriptional response of the heart to propofol after ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: Rat hearts were Langendorff-perfused using the modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer, and took 20 min stabilizing periods, 40 min ischemia periods, and then 120 min reperfusion period. The hearts were divided into 5 groups; Control: 180 min perfusion after stabilization, Ischemic: 40 min global ischemia after stabilization, followed by 120 min reperfusion, Pre: 2 micrometer propofol treatment was preformed only before ischemia, Post: 2 micrometer propofol treatment was performed only during reperfusion after ischemia, Pre/Post: 2 micrometer propofol treatment was performed both before and after ischemia. The measurement for cardiac performances, such as left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), rate of left ventricular pressure generation (dP/dt), heart rate, and coronary flow were obtained. The expression profiles of isolated mRNA were determined by using Agilent microarray and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to confirm the microarray results for a subset of genes. RESULTS: The Post group showed better LVDP and dP/dt than the Ischemic group. But there were no significant differences in heart rate and coronary flow among the groups. On the results of RT-PCR, the expressions of Abcc9, Bard1, and Casp4 were increased, but the expressions of Lyz, Casp8, and Timp1 were decreased in the Post group compared with the Ischemic group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 2 micrometer propofol may provide cardioprotective effect, and modulate gene expression such as apoptosis, and K(ATP) ion channel related-genes during reperfusion in the isolated rat hearts.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Gene Expression ; Glucose ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Ion Channels ; Ischemia ; Perfusion ; Propofol ; Rats ; Reperfusion ; RNA, Messenger ; Tromethamine ; Ventricular Pressure

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the cardiac function and transcriptional response of the heart to propofol after ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: Rat hearts were Langendorff-perfused using the modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer, and took 20 min stabilizing periods, 40 min ischemia periods, and then 120 min reperfusion period. The hearts were divided into 5 groups; Control: 180 min perfusion after stabilization, Ischemic: 40 min global ischemia after stabilization, followed by 120 min reperfusion, Pre: 2 micrometer propofol treatment was preformed only before ischemia, Post: 2 micrometer propofol treatment was performed only during reperfusion after ischemia, Pre/Post: 2 micrometer propofol treatment was performed both before and after ischemia. The measurement for cardiac performances, such as left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), rate of left ventricular pressure generation (dP/dt), heart rate, and coronary flow were obtained. The expression profiles of isolated mRNA were determined by using Agilent microarray and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to confirm the microarray results for a subset of genes. RESULTS: The Post group showed better LVDP and dP/dt than the Ischemic group. But there were no significant differences in heart rate and coronary flow among the groups. On the results of RT-PCR, the expressions of Abcc9, Bard1, and Casp4 were increased, but the expressions of Lyz, Casp8, and Timp1 were decreased in the Post group compared with the Ischemic group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 2 micrometer propofol may provide cardioprotective effect, and modulate gene expression such as apoptosis, and K(ATP) ion channel related-genes during reperfusion in the isolated rat hearts.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Gene Expression ; Glucose ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Ion Channels ; Ischemia ; Perfusion ; Propofol ; Rats ; Reperfusion ; RNA, Messenger ; Tromethamine ; Ventricular Pressure

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of dexketoprofen trometamol in the treatment of patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

METHODSA total of 115 patients with CP/CPPS were divided into a dexketoprofen trometamol group (n = 40), treated with dexketoprofen trometamol (25 mg, tid) and terazosin (2 mg, qn), an indometacin group (n = 40) given indometacin (25 mg, tid) and terazosin (2 mg, qn), and a terazosin group (n = 35) administered terazosin (2 mg, qn) only, all treated for 4 weeks. Scores on the NIH-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) were obtained before and after the treatment, and the efficacy and adverse events were observed and compared.

RESULTSThe NIH-CPSI scores were significantly improved after the treatment in all the three groups. The clinical efficacy was significantly better in the dexketoprofen trometamol and indometacin groups than in the terazosin group (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference between the former two (P > 0.05). The rates of adverse events were 10.00%, 18.57% and 27.50% in the dexketoprofen trometamol, terazosin and indometacin groups, significantly lower in the former two than in the latter one (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of dexketoprofen trometamol with terazosin could effectively improve the clinical symptoms of CP/CPPS, better than terazosin in therapeutic efficacy and than indometacin in drug tolerance.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Indomethacin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Ketoprofen ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; drug therapy ; Prazosin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Tromethamine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use