Comparative two time-point proteome analysis of the plasma from preterm infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Background: In this study, we aimed to analyze differences in plasma protein abundances between infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), to add new insights into a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. Methods: Cord and peripheral blood of neonates (≤ 30 weeks gestational age) was drawn at birth and at the 36th postmenstrual week (36 PMA), respectively. Blood samples were retrospectively subdivided into BPD(+) and BPD(−) groups, according to the development of BPD. Results: Children with BPD were characterized by decreased afamin, gelsolin and carboxypeptidase N subunit 2 levels in cord blood, and decreased galectin-3 binding protein and hemoglobin subunit gamma-1 levels, as well as an increased serotransferrin abundance in plasma at the 36 PMA. Conclusions: BPD development is associated with the plasma proteome changes in preterm infants, adding further evidence for the possible involvement of disturbances in vitamin E availability and impaired immunological processes in the progression of prematurity pulmonary complications. Moreover, it also points to the differences in proteins related to infection resistance and maintaining an adequate level of hematocrit in infants diagnosed with BPD

Metabolism of bradykinin in aorta of hypertensive rats

Alterations in the formation and metabolism of bradykinin (Bk) are hypothesized to play a role in the pathophysiology of hypertension, atherosclerosis and vascular complications of diabetes. However, despite its prominent role in cardiovascular regulation, studies on bradykinin have been limited by various difficulties in accurate measurements of this peptide in biological samples. In this study, using the LC-ESI-MS method we estimated the conversion of exogenous Bk to its main metabolites - Bk-(1-5) and Bk-(1-7) - in endothelial cell culture and in fragments of aorta of normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive rats (SHR). The effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors were more pronounced in SHR: perindoprilat inhibited Bk-(1-5) formation by 49 % and 76 % in WKY and SHR rats, respectively, and tiorphan tended to decrease formation of Bk-(1-5) in both groups of animals. The degradation of bradykinin and generation of both metabolites were significantly higher in the aorta of SHR rats than in WKY controls. Our results show that even in relatively early hypertension (in 4-month old SHR rats) inactivation of Bk by aorta wall is enhanced

Metabolism of bradykinin in aorta of hypertensive rats

Alterations in the formation and metabolism of bradykinin (Bk) are hypothesized to play a role in the pathophysiology of hypertension, atherosclerosis and vascular complications of diabetes. However, despite its prominent role in cardiovascular regulation, studies on bradykinin have been limited by various difficulties in accurate measurements of this peptide in biological samples. In this study, using the LC-ESI-MS method we estimated the conversion of exogenous Bk to its main metabolites - Bk-(1-5) and Bk-(1-7) - in endothelial cell culture and in fragments of aorta of normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive rats (SHR). The effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors were more pronounced in SHR: perindoprilat inhibited Bk-(1-5) formation by 49 % and 76 % in WKY and SHR rats, respectively, and tiorphan tended to decrease formation of Bk-(1-5) in both groups of animals. The degradation of bradykinin and generation of both metabolites were significantly higher in the aorta of SHR rats than in WKY controls. Our results show that even in relatively early hypertension (in 4-month old SHR rats) inactivation of Bk by aorta wall is enhanced