Resveratrol affects histone 3 lysine 27 methylation of vessels and blood biomarkers in DOCA salt-induced hypertension

Hypertension is a risk factor for the cardiovascular diseases. Although, several drugs are used to treat hypertension, the success of the antihypertensive therapy is limited. Resveratrol decreases blood pressure in animal models of hypertension. This study researched the mechanisms behind the effects of resveratrol on hypertension. Hypertension was induced by using the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced (15 mg/kg twice per week, subcutaneously) salt-sensitive hypertension model of Wistar rats. Hypertension caused a decrease in endothelium-dependent relaxations of the isolated thoracic aorta. Resveratrol treatment (50 mg/l in drinking water) prevented DOCA salt-induced hypertension, but did not improve endothelial dysfunction. Plasma nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels were not changed by DOCA salt application. However, treatment of resveratrol significantly decreased ADMA and increased TAC and H2S levels. NO level in circulation was not significantly changed by resveratrol. DOCA salt application and resveratrol treatment also caused an alteration in the epigenetic modification of vessels. Staining pattern of histone 3 lysine 27 methylation (H3K27me3) in the aorta and renal artery sections was changed. These results show that preventive effect of resveratrol on DOCA salt-induced hypertension might due to its action on the production of some blood biomarkers and the epigenetic modification of vessels that would focus upon new aspect of hypertension prevention and treatment. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

Depletion and restoration of the putative photosensitive materials store yielding nitric oxide in the isolated mouse gastric fundus

PubMedID: 10411590We investigated the possibility of there being any photosensitive materials stores yielding nitric oxide (NO), and combined for the first time electrical field stimulation (EFS)- and UV light-induced relaxations in mouse gastric fundus. The tissue responded with relaxation to long wave UV light (366 nm). Repeated exposure to light decreased the fundic photorelaxation in that the initial photorelaxation was 31.5 + 6.9% whereas the last (10th) photorelaxation was 2.3 ± 0.8%. There were no significant differences between EFS (30 V, 0.5 ms, 1 Hz, 15 s)-induced relaxations obtained before (39.7 ± 7.7%) and after (33.4 ± 9.1%) UV irradiation, which were completely blocked by 10-4 M L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester. Treatment of the tissue with NaNO2, L-N(G)nitro-arginine, S-nitrosoglutathione, or sodium nitroprusside for 30 min followed by prolonged washout restored the photorelaxation, whereas glyceryl trinitrate or L-arginine did not produce any improvement. EFS (30 V, 0.5 ms, 3 Hz) applied for 60 min significantly recovered the reduction of the photorelaxation. L-N-S-iminoethyl-L-ornithine, which does not contain NO2 moiety, abolished electrically induced relaxation; however, it did not change photorelaxations. UV irradiation caused relaxation only when the adventitial surface of the preparation was oriented to the source of UV light. These results indicate that there could be a photosensitive relaxant materials store yielding NO in the smooth muscle layer of the gastric fundus from mouse. This putative store can be refilled by NaNO2, L-N(G-nitro-arginine), sodium nitroprusside, S-nitrosoglutathione, or long-term EFS but not glyceryl trinitrate or L-arginine. Possible candidates for NO-yielding substances might not be an organic nitrate but an intracellular nitrite, nitrosylated substances, and unknown nitro-containing compounds, which could be all sensitive to UV light

Comparison of acarbose and gliclazide as first-line agents in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aim: To compare the effect of acarbose and gliclazide on clinical findings, biochemical parameters and safety in type 2 diabetic patients insufficiently controlled with medical nutrition therapy (MNT)

Increased stem cell marker expressions during the peri-implantation period in the rat endometrium: Constructive role of exogenous zinc and/or progesterone

PubMed ID: 24971353Background. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of zinc and/or progesterone via the expression of ?vß5 integrins and Vitronectins and embryonic stem cell markers during the peri-implantation period. Methods. Four experimental groups were organized. All subjects were mated with males of the same strain to induce pregnancy; after 5 days, zinc and/or progesterone were administered. Blood levels of zinc and progesterone were determined on the sixth day and endometrial tissues were obtained in order to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of integrins and embryonic stem cell markers. Results. The ?vß5 integrin and vitronectin expression increased in the zinc group compared with the control group and no difference in the progesterone group and zinc + progesterone group. Expression of Klf-4, Sox-2, and c-Myc was found to be increased in the zinc group compared to controls, while no difference was determined between the progesterone, zinc + progesterone, and control groups. Distinctively, expression of the embryonic stem cell marker Oct-4 was increased in all of the experimental groups. Conclusions. Expression of ?vß5 integrin, vitronectin, and embryonic stem cell markers might be increased by the administration of zinc. Our results suggest that zinc could be useful in the induction of implantation rates. © 2014 Cagdas Sahin et al

Attitudes among medical and nonmedical university students toward the survivors of childhood abuse.

Objective: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is increasing, and current studies should address issues such as stigmas and casual attitudes that may be amenable to intervention. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of education on the attitudes of medical students toward CSA survivors

How do patients with asthma and COPD behave during fasting?

Background-objective: Several factors might affect the adherence to treatment in patients with asthma and COPD. Among these factors, the effect of religious beliefs and behaviours has been less studied so far. In this study, the effect of fasting on drug use behaviours of patients with asthma and COPD were comparatively analysed