Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) in selected diseases

Krążące komórki śródbłonka (CEC, circulating endothelial cells) są komórkami złuszczonego śródbłonka naczyniowego, które przedostały się do krwi obwodowej. Mogą być z niej izolowane i liczone. Ich podwyższona liczba w różnych jednostkach chorobowych, przebiegających z uszkodzeniem naczyń jest nowym i obiecującym markerem diagnostyczno-prognostycznym. Liczba opisanych chorób przebiegających z podwyższeniem stężenia CEC we krwi obwodowej stale rośnie. Krążące progenitorowe komórki śródbłonka (CEPC, circulating endothelial precursor cells) pochodzące ze szpiku kostnego, mają odmienne do CEC cechy fenotypowe, biorą udział w postnatalnej neowaskularyzacji, uczestniczą w odbudowie uszkodzonego śródbłonka, a w odpowiedzi na niedokrwienie tkanki są uwalniane ze szpiku, gdzie stanowią substrat w procesie neoangiogenezy. Celem pracy jest przybliżenie zagadnienia CEC i CEPC, ich charakterystyki immunologicznej, metod oznaczania oraz wybranych jednostek chorobowych i stanów klinicznych, w których stężenie tych komórek współistnieje z ich występowaniem i/lub stopniem zaostrzenia.Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are exfoliated endothelial cells which have penetrated into peripheral blood. CECs can be isolated from peripheral blood and counted. The elevated level of these cells, which occurs in a variety of diseases and leads to blood vessels damage, is a new and promosing diagnostic and prognostic marker. The number of identified diseases that raise endothelial cell levels in peripheral blood has been constantly increasing. Circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEPCs) come from the bone marrow, differ from CECs in terms of phenotypic features, and participate in postnatal neovascularization and reconstruction of the damaged endothelium. CEPCs are released from the bone marrow in response to tissue ischemia and act as a substrate for neoangiogenesis there. The aim of this study is to present the issue of CECs and CEPCs, their immunological characteristics and methods of determination, as well as selected diseases and clinical conditions in which the level of these cells is connected with their manifestation and/or exacerbation

Results of endovascular treatment of iliac and femoral symptomatic lesions. Identification of re-intervention risk factors

Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess a presence of peripheral arterial disease risk factors in patients with symptomatic femoral and iliac lesions treated with use of Jaguar and Supera nitinol stents and to estimate potential relation between these factors and reintervention rate. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 60 patients between 46 and 85 years of age who presented with typical symptoms of intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia and underwent percuta­neous transluminal angioplasty with stenting. We examined and divided group into two subgroups — patients who experienced or did not experience need of reintervention in treated lesion. Results. During the follow-up 24 (40%) of patients underwent reintervention in treated artery due to re­current symptoms of disease. Need of target lesion revascularization occurred more frequent in patients with hypertension (OR = 2.5), patient older than 68 (OR = 1.75) and smokers (OR = 1.75). Patency of all three arteries below knee protected from reintervention. Conclusions. Jaguar and Supera self-expanding nitinol stents has several advantages and its use were char­acterized by high procedural success and moderate frequency of reintervention correlated to some clinical findings like hypertension. Further studies are necessary to estimate factors disturbing and interfering with long-term patency.Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess a presence of peripheral arterial disease risk factors in patients with symptomatic femoral and iliac lesions treated with use of Jaguar and Supera nitinol stents and to estimate potential relation between these factors or some angiographical conditions and reintervention rate. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 60 patients between 46 and 85 years of age who presented with typical symptoms of intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia and underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting using Supera or Jaguar self-expanding nitinol stent. We examined and divided group into two subgroups – patients who experienced or didn’t experience need of reintervention in treated lesion.Results. In 33 patients (55%) nitinol stent Jaguar and in 27 patients (45%) Supera were implanted. During the follow-up 24 of patients (40%) underwent reintervention in treated artery due to recurrent symptoms of disease. Need of target lesion revascularization occurred more frequent in patients with hypertension (OR=2,5), patient older than 68 (OR=1,75) and smokers (OR=1,75). Patency of all three arteries below knee protected from reintervention. Diabetes mellitus type 2, chronic kidney disease, kind or size of implanted stent and antiplatelet therapy model didn’t determine a need of reintervention. Conclusions. Jaguar and Supera self-expanding nitinol stents has several andvantages and its use were characterized by high procedural success and moderate frequency of reintervention correlated to some clinical findings like hypertension. Further studies are necessary to estimate factors disturbing and interfering with long-term patency

Monitoring of endostatin, TNF-a VEGFs, MMP-9, and cathepsin-L during three months of diosmin treatment in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD)

Introduction: Primary CVD as a result of increased venous hypertension caused mostly by reflux from valvular incompetence as an indication for venoactive drug treatment. The objective of the study was the association between three months of treatment with diosmin and changes to the angiogenic factors involved in the pathophysiology and clinical symptoms of CVD. Material and methods: 41 patients were included in the study. Plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor a (TNF-a), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A and VEGF-C), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), Cathepsine-L and endostatin were measured using an ELISA assay at baseline and after three months of diosmin administration. Clinical evaluation was performed using duplex Doppler, the VAS scale, leg circumference measurement and BMI score. Results: Three-month treatment with diosmin was associated with a statistically significant decrease in TNF-a, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, MMP-9, Cathepsin-L and endostatin plasma levels with p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively. The average ankle circumference decreased significantly from 30.45 (± 2.05) to 29.0 (± 1.43) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Diosmin influence on the inflammatory and proteolytic mechanisms involved in the pathology of CVD, could modify endostatin release and angiogenic processes

Effect of diosmin and diosmetin on the level of pro-inflammatory factors in the endothelium artificially induced with inflammatory stimuli

Introduction: Diosmin and its aglycone diosmetin are phlebotropic drugs used in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Diosmin increases the elasticity and tension of blood vessel walls, exhibits an antiedematous effect, and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. As it is commonly known that the endothelium layer plays a significant role in the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system, this paper investigates the effect of diosmin and diosmetin on modulating the levels of pro-inflammatory factors in an endothelial cell culture (HUVEC) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol (PMA). Material and methods: A normal human umbilical vein/vascular endothelium cell line HUV-EC-C (HUVEC) was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Cell viability was assessed using NR and MTT assays. The levels of human IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, COX-2, and PGE2 were measured using ELISA kits. Results: Depending on the agent used to initiate inflammation, different levels of factors associated with this state were obtained. Diosmetin significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 as well as COX-2 in PMA-treated cells. Meanwhile, diosmin did not affect the interleukins but it lowered COX-2 and increased PGE-2. Upon the LPS stimulation of HUVEC cells, diosmetin increased the levels of PGE2, IL-1β, COX-2, and nitric oxide (NO), while diosmin increased NO and IL-6. Conclusion: Diosmin and diosmetin have different impacts on the levels of pro-inflammatory factors depending on the inflammation inducer. Diosmetin more effectively modulated inflammation than diosmin, suggesting that the attachment of the sugar moiety to the aglycone attenuates its activity

Biomarkers of brain ischemia-reperfusion injury after carotid endarterectomy

Abstract Background: Endarterectomy of the internal carotid artery (CEA) is a surgical procedure used to prevent cerebral ischemic stroke. Available data from previous literature indicates that CEA may lead to complications in the form of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of oxidative stress-related biomarkers such as 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients who underwent CEA. Material and methods. Twenty-four patients with severe internal carotid artery stenosis participated in the study. Serum samples were taken from patients at three different times: within 24 hours preoperatively to CEA, 12 hours postoperatively, and 48 hours postoperatively. Serum 8-OHdG and MDA levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum 8-OHdG levels indicated statistically significant elevation 12 hours after surgery when compared to preoperative levels (p<0.05). A further increase in the concentration of this parameter was observed 48 hours after surgery when compared to the previous measurement, however, this increase was no longer statistically significant (p=0.05). Furthermore, serum MDA levels also indicated a statistically significantly elevation 48 hours after surgery when compared to preoperative levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that CEA causes an increase in blood levels of 8-OHdG and MDA, which may be related to the occurrence of oxidative stress during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, 8-OHdG and MDA may represent corresponding markers of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion complications in patients undergoing CEA

Carlina vulgaris

The methanol extracts from three populations of Carlina vulgaris L. were examined for the chlorogenic acid content, mineral content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity. Two populations originated from natural nonmetallicolous habitats (NN (populations from Nasiłów) and NP (populations from Pińczów)), and one metallicolous population (MB) was collected from Bolesław waste heap localized at the place of former open-cast mining of Ag-Pb and Zn-Pb ores dating back to the 13th century and 18th century, respectively. The level of Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Ni, and Mn was significantly higher in the root and leaves of MB plants as a result of soil contaminations compared to those of the NN and NP ones. The highest antioxidant potency has been showed by the plants growing in a nonmetallicolous habitat. The flower head extracts obtained from the nonmetallicolous populations also contained the largest amount of chlorogenic acid, whereas the lowest was determined in the roots (ca. 2–3.5 mg/g and 0.2–0.4 mg/g of air-dry weight, resp.). These studies provide important information on the influence of a habitat on the quality of herbal materials and the content of the biologically active primary and secondary metabolites

Buerger’s disease-like arteritis associated with Crohn’s disease. A case of ‘vas-colitis’?

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are classified as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) [1]. Crohn’s disease is characterized by the involvement of the intestinal wall, which leads to the formation of ulcers, fistulas and strictures of the intestine. The disease is more frequently found among Caucasians. Parenteral manifestations are possible in the course of IBD, including osteoarticular and ocular manifestations, affecting the skin or the blood vessels. Only a few cases of the coexistence of Takayasu’s disease and IBD have been reported so far [2–5]. Takayasu’s disease is a chronic inflammation of the large-diameter vessels, which was described for the first time nearly two hundred years ago [6]. The incidence of Takayasu’s disease in the U.S. is estimated at about 2.6 cases per million. This condition, in contrast to IBD, is most common among young women of the Asian origin [7]. In this paper we discuss the case of the co-existence of Crohn’s disease and vasculitis, with symptoms and some angiographic features similar to Buerger’s disease, that was classified as vasculitis associated with systemic disease. So far, the available literature lacks descriptions of similar cases of Crohn’s disease associated with vasculitis mimicking Buerger’s disease

Can We Improve Diosmetin Activity? The State-of-the-Art and Promising Research Directions

Diosmetin is a natural substance widely distributed in nature, with documented multidirectional biological effects. The wide spectrum of biological activity of diosmetin gives hope that derivatives of this flavonoid may also be used as drugs or dietary supplements used in many diseases. Modification of the structure may, on the one hand, lead to an increase in biological potency, new biological activity, or an increase in solubility and thus bioavailability. This is an important direction of research because the use of pure diosmetin is limited due to its low bioavailability. This work is an attempt to collect information on the possibility of modifying the structure of diosmetin and its impact on biological activity