The challenge to verify ceramide's role of apoptosis induction in human cardiomyocytes - a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cardioplegia and reperfusion of the myocardium may be associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and subsequent myocardial injury. In order to establish a pharmacological strategy for the prevention of these events, this study aimed to verify the reliability of our human cardiac model and to evaluate the pro-apoptotic properties of the sphingolipid second messenger ceramide and the anti-apoptotic properties of the acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor amitryptiline during simulated cardioplegia and reperfusion ex vivo.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cardiac biopsies were retrieved from the right auricle of patients undergoing elective CABG before induction of cardiopulmonary bypass. Biopsies were exposed to <it>ex vivo </it>conditions of varying periods of cp/rep (30/10, 60/20, 120/40 min). Groups: I (untreated control, n = 10), II (treated control cp/rep, n = 10), III (cp/rep + ceramide, n = 10), IV (cp/rep + amitryptiline, n = 10) and V (cp/rep + ceramide + amitryptiline, n = 10). For detection of apoptosis anti-activated-caspase-3 and PARP-1 cleavage immunostaining were employed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In group I the percentage of apoptotic cardiomyocytes was significantly (p < 0.05) low if compared to group II revealing a time-dependent increase. In group III ceramid increased and in group IV amitryptiline inhibited apoptosis significantly (p < 0.05). In contrast in group V, under the influence of ceramide and amitryptiline the induction of apoptosis was partially suppressed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Ceramid induces and amitryptiline suppresses apoptosis significantly in our ex vivo setting. This finding warrants further studies aiming to evaluate potential beneficial effects of selective inhibition of apoptosis inducing mediators on the suppression of ischemia/reperfusion injury in clinical settings.</p

Study of production optimization and effect of hydroxyl gas on a CI engine performance and emission fueled with biodiesel blends

Depletion and environmental impacts of the fossil fuel are the major concerns to think about the alternative energy sources to reduce the load on petroleum fuel. Researchers worldwide are working years to improve the biodiesel fuel economy and emission characteristic. At the same time, they are working on fuel development so that can be used in the IC engine without significant modification in vehicle design. Among different alternative fuels biodiesel as well as hydroxyl gas (HHO, also known as Oxyhydrogen gas) are renewable, recyclable and non-polluting fuel. In this study, HHO gas has been introduced with ordinary diesel (OD) and 20% (v/v) palm biodiesel blended with OD (PB20) for evaluating the engine performance and emission characteristics. Optimum yield of HHO was found using single anode and two cathodes from a solution containing 1% KOH and 100 ml of water producing 2150 cc of HHO gas when electrolysis was carried out for 15 min. Using the HHO generator, about 2% more power and 5% less consumption was observed for biodiesel blended fuel in a single cylinder CI engine at full load variable speed operating conditions. Besides, on an average 20% and 10% reduction of CO and HC emission were observed respectively