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Abstract

P. Podolec¹, R. Drwila², G. Goncerz¹, E. Rokita³, J. Sadowski², W. Tracz¹ and A. Wróbel⁴

¹Department of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, ²Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantology, ³Department of Biophysics, Jagiellonian University Medical College and ⁴Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
The aim of this work was to examine the effect of Ga and Sr ions on the aortic valve homograft (AVH) mineralization using an in vitro model. To assess mineralization quantitatively, the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence method was applied for determination. Aortic valve cusp mineralization was estimated based on the Ca/P ratio. We assumed that the Ca/P ratio ³ 0.6, i.e. 3 × control is the marker of massive mineralization of soft tissue. The experiments indicated that dependence of the Ga/Ca ratios in the tissue on Ga concentrations in the medium could be described by Langmuir’s adsorption model. If surface coverage of calcium deposit exceeds ~65%, mineralization process is inhibited. The Sr/Ca ratios rise linearly with increasing Sr concentrations in the medium. It confirms simple Sr – Ca replacement in the crystal lattice. The investigations indicate that addition of Ga at concentrations 8 mg/l and Sr at concentrations 20 mg/l to the mineralization medium can block the mineralization of AVHs. Mineralization-limiting Ga and Sr concentrations are toxic to human organism. However, it may be supposed that high concentrations of gallium and strontium would be beneficial in wet storage of AVHs before transplantation. Reduction of mineralization should prolong life time of the homografts.Correspondence to:
Dr. A. Wróbel
Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Email: ufawrobe@cyf-kr.edu.pl

Abstract

T. Nasu and Y. Tabe

Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
Mn²⁺, at 5 mM, induced a large tension development in isotonic 126 mM K⁺ medium in taenia coli of guinea-pig, although Na⁺ was not contained in the external medium. The contraction induced by 5 mM Mn²⁺ in isotonic 126 mM K⁺, Na⁺-deficient medium was strikingly inhibited by cooling from 37 °C until 20 °C than that in hypertonic 60 mM K⁺, Na⁺-sufficient medium. In a glucose-free surrounding, the slight tension development by Mn²⁺ in isotonic 126 mM K⁺, Na⁺-deficient medium was resistant to the cooling until 25 °C, suggesting that the contraction dependent on cellular endogenous energy in glucose-free medium was not comparatively influenced by the cooling. In summary, the Mn²⁺-induced contraction maintained by external Na⁺-independent glucose transport, in high- K⁺, Na⁺-deficient medium was largely taken the inhibitory influence by lower temperature compared with that maintained by glucose transport depending on external Na⁺, in the case of Na⁺-sufficient medium.Correspondence to:
Prof. T. Nasu
Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753, Japan
Email: nasu@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp

Abstract

T. Nasu and M. Nakagawa

Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
The maximal contractile response to 1 mM Cu²⁺ attained a similar level that induced by 60 mM K⁺-induced tonic response, after about 20 min of the application, in the guinea pig taenia coli. Cu²⁺, at 1 mM, did not induce any contraction even after incubation for short periods (15 sec) in a Ca²⁺-free medium, although 25 mM caffeine can induce a transient contraction within 6 min of the incubation in Ca²⁺-free medium. The contractile response to 1 mM Cu²⁺ was inhibited dose-dependently, by verapamil, an L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker. Trifluoperazine, a calmodulin inhibitor, and wortmanin, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, inhibited dose-dependently the 1 mM Cu²⁺-induced contraction in concentrations similar to those that inhibit the 60 mM K⁺-induced tonic contraction. In conclusion, Cu²⁺ did not affect the caffeine-sensitive intracellular Ca²⁺ storage sites in taenia coli. Cu²⁺ increased the membrane permeability to Ca²⁺ through the voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels. The increased intracelluar Ca²⁺ activated the contractile system in smooth muscle via calmodulin and myosin light chain kinase.Correspondence to:
Prof. T. Nasu
Department of Veterinary Pharmacology
Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753, Japan
Email: nasu@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp

Abstract

T. Nasu and M. Nakagawa

Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
Cupric ions (Cu²⁺) at high concentration of 5 mM elicited a small contraction after a delay of about 10 min in Ca²⁺-free medium in taenia coli of the guinea pig. Trifluoperazine, a calmodulin inhibitor, or wortmannin, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, which almost suppressed respectively the 1 mM Cu²⁺-induced contraction in the presence of Ca²⁺, had only slight effects on the contraction to 5 mM Cu²⁺ in the absence of Ca²⁺. 2,4-Dinitrophenol, uncoupler of mitochondrial ATP production, augmented the maximal contraction to 5 mM Cu²⁺ in the absence of Ca²⁺ rather than inhibited it. During the latter half of the contraction to 5 mM Cu²⁺ in the absence of Ca²⁺, quick release did not cause any redevelopment of tension. In conclusion the contraction to 5 mM Cu²⁺ at high concentration was insensitive to Ca²⁺ depletion and was not associated with the contractile system via calmodulin. It is therefore possible that Cu²⁺ at high concentration of 5 mM elicited rigor-like contraction independent on aerobic metabolism and Ca²⁺ depletion in taenia coli.Correspondence to:
Prof. T. Nasu
Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753, Japan
Email: nasu@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp

Abstract

B. Bahadori¹,⁶, G. Korisek², M.M. Bratu³, R. Gasser⁴, S. Sejak⁶ and S. Porta⁵,⁶

¹Rheumatology and Obesity Research Center, Mitterdorf, ²Rehabilitation Center AUVA, Tobelbad, Austria, ³“Ovidius” University Constanta, Romania, ⁴Department of Cardiology, Clinique for Internal Medicine, ⁵Institute of Pathophysiology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Graz, and ⁶Institute of Applied Stress Research, Bad Radkersburg, Austria
Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate a potential correlation between magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) values in males and females before and after workloads. Materials and methods: 97 male and 136 female healthy participants underwent an 8-minute ergometric workload of 80 watts (w). Capillary blood samples to determine ionized K and Mg before and after the test were taken. Results: Significant positive linear correlations between Mg⁺⁺ and K⁺ values in blood seem to exist only in groups with very low Mg⁺⁺ values. This may or may not be gender dependent. Conclusion: In all cases where a magnesium substitution is necessary (athletes, patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and arrhythmia etc.) an additional K-substitution should be considered.Correspondence to:
S. Porta, PhD
Institute of Applied Stress Research, Hauptplatz 2 – 4, 8490 Bad Radkersburg, Austria
Email: stresscenter@netway.at

Abstract

H. Avci¹, N. Kizilkan² and M. Yaman³

¹The Ministry of Health, the Health Directorate, Ofis, Diyarbakir, ²Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, Department of anatomy, Gaziantep and ³Firat University, Science and Art Faculty, Department of Chemistry, Elazig, Turkey
Trace elements including Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg and Ca were determined in scalp hair of epileptic and healthy residents in Elazig, Turkey. The analyses were carried out by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). To assess the best dissolution method, wet and microwave digestion procedures were examined. Various parameters that influence the sample preparation such as digestion time, kind of solvent and ratio of acid mixture were studied. The concentrations of Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg and Ca in scalp hair of 22 subjects with epilepsy were compared with those in 23 healthy control subjects. The hair of subjects with epilepsy showed significant lower levels of Cu and Fe for male and female groups, and Mg for female group, when compared with control group. No differences were observed between the two groups for Zn concentrations. The mean levels of Ca in the hair of the epileptic group were quite close to the control group for both male and female subjects. The differences between control and those with epilepsy groups could be of particular interest for the investigation of the cause of epilepsy. Furthermore, it was found that the ratios of Cu/Fe for the epilepsy group were higher than for the normal group, at least 1.5-times. The results obtained were compared with corresponding data reported in the literature.Correspondence to:
H. Avci, PhD
The Ministry of Health, the Health Directorate, Ofis, Diyarbakir, Turkey
Email: halimavci77@gmail.com

Abstract

G. Kaya¹ and M. Yaman²

¹Adiyaman University, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Department of Chemistry, Adiyaman, and ²Firat University, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Department of Chemistry, Elazig, Turkey
The concentrations of lead, cadmium and copper in leaves of cupressaceae species including cupressus sempervirens, cupressus arizonica and biota thuja were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plant samples were collected from industrial areas such as the lead battery-production plant and cement factory in Gaziantep-Turkey. Lead concentrations in the leaves of cupressus sempervirens, cupressus Arizona and bioda thuja, grown around the battery production plant were found to be 5,768, 5,340 and 2,200 mgkg^–1, respectively, which are 2,000-times higher than those grown in uncontaminated regions. Cd levels up to 180 and 270 ngg^–1 were found in cupressus arizona and bioda thuja collected around the battery plant and textile industry, respectively. The concentrations described above for Pb, Cd were found to be 10-fold higher than in those other plants collected from the same points. Thus, it was concluded that the plants mentioned above can be used as biomonitors of atmospheric pollution for Pb and Cd. The highest and lowest Cu concentrations were found to be 7.2 and 1.6 mg kg^–1 in the leaves of studied samples, respectively. Lead concentrations in soil samples collected from 300 m distance of battery were found to be higher than the limit levels for agricultural purposes. The observed Cd and Cu concentrations in the studied soil and plant samples were found to be lower than the allowable limit values.Correspondence to:
M. Yaman, PhD
Firat University, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Department of Chemistry, Elazig, Turkey
Email: myaman@firat.edu.tr

Abstract

E. Salehifar¹, G. Khorasani², M. Shokrzade³, M. Asadi⁴, B. Shabankhani⁵ and S. Rezaeinejad⁵

¹Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Parmacy, ²Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, ³Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, ⁴Fateme Zahra Hospital and ⁵Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran
Objective: Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common disease in the north of Iran. Plumb (Pb) plasma level in EC patients has not been studied extensively and there are some controversial results regarding the value of zinc (Zn) in EC. The aim of this study was to compare the PB and Zn levels of patients with EC and healthy volunteers. Patients and methods: This study was conducted in Imam Hospital of Sari located in the north of Iran. 32 patients with EC diagnosis confirmed by pathological samples and 32 healthy volunteers who had a similar demographic characteristics with patients were included in the study. The plasma levels were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: EC patients had a lower Zn level compared to the matched healthy volunteers (1.28 ± 0.64 ppm vs. 2.13 ± 0.83 ppm, respectively; p-value < 0.001). The plasma Pb level was not different between the two groups (0.52 ± 0.15 ppm in EC patients and 0.56 ± 0.08 ppm in the control group). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the role of Zn deficiency as a risk factor for the development of EC. The consistency of our results with other studies would confirm the potential benefit of Zn supplementation for prevention of esophageal cancer in high risk individuals.Correspondence to:
G. Khorasani, MD
Imam Sq, Serahe Jouybar, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Email: Gakhorasani@yahoo.com

Abstract

Y.G. Zorbas¹, K.K. Kakuris², V.A. Deogenov¹ and K.B. Yerullis²

¹Higher Institute of Biochemistry, Gomel, Belarus and ²European Foundation of Environmental Sciences, Athens, Greece
The objective of this study was to show that during hypokinesia (HK) (diminished movement), copper (Cu²⁺) imbalance increases more significantly with higher than lower Cu²⁺ consumption, and that Cu²⁺ loss increase more significantly with higher than lower Cu²⁺ imbalance due to the inability of the body to use Cu²⁺. Studies were performed during 30 days pre-HK and 364 days HK. 40 healthy male volunteers 23.8 ± 5.5 years of age were chosen as subjects. They were divided into 4 groups: unloaded active control subjects (UACS), unloaded hypokinetic subjects (UHKS), loaded active control subjects (LACS) and loaded hypokinetic subjects (LHKS). LHKS and UHKS were walking average distances of 0.5 ± 0.1 km.day^–1. LACS and UACS were running average distances of 9.5 ± 1.2 km.day^–1. LACS and LHKS loaded with 64.12 µmol copper sulfate (CuSO₄) per day. With higher and lower Cu²⁺ consumption, Cu²⁺ absorption, Cu²⁺ balance, serum Cu²⁺ levels and Cu²⁺ loss in urine and feces did not change in LACS and UACS compared with their pre-HK control values. With higher and lower Cu²⁺ consumption, Cu²⁺ absorption decreased significantly (p < 0.05), and Cu²⁺ imbalance, serum Cu²⁺ levels, and Cu²⁺ loss in urine and feces increased significantly (p < 0.05) in LHKS and UHKS compared with their pre-HK values and their respective active controls (LACS and UACS). However, with higher Cu²⁺ consumption, Cu²⁺ absorption decreased more significantly (p < 0.05) and Cu²⁺ imbalance, serum Cu²⁺ levels, and Cu²⁺ loss in urine and feces increased more significantly (p < 0.05) in LHKS than in UHKS. The higher Cu²⁺ imbalance with higher than lower Cu²⁺ consumption in LHKS than in UHKS shows that Cu²⁺ imbalance increases more with higher than lower Cu²⁺ consumption. The higher Cu²⁺ loss with higher than lower Cu²⁺ imbalance in LHKS than in UHKS shows that Cu²⁺ loss increase more with higher than lower Cu²⁺ imbalance. The higher Cu²⁺ imbalance with higher Cu²⁺ consumption and lower Cu²⁺ imbalance with lower Cu²⁺ consumption shows that the risk of higher Cu²⁺ imbalance is inversely related to the magnitude Cu²⁺ consumption. The higher Cu²⁺ loss with higher Cu²⁺ imbalance and the lower Cu²⁺ loss with lower Cu²⁺ imbalance shows that the risk of higher Cu²⁺ loss is inversely related to the magnitude of Cu²⁺ imbalance. In conclusion, Cu²⁺ imbalance increases more significantly with higher than lower Cu²⁺ consumption and Cu²⁺ loss increases more significantly with higher than lower Cu²⁺ imbalance in LHKS than in UHKS indicating that Cu²⁺ imbalance is due to the inability of the body to use Cu²⁺.Correspondence to:
Dr. K.K. Kakuris
Odos Kerasundos 2, 162 32 Athens, Greece
Email: kkakuris@in.gr

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Volume 25, No. 3/2008(3rd Quarter)