Prognostic value of cardiodynamic indexes with respect to the development of heart failure during massive pulmonary embolism

The cardiodynamics of the right ventricle was studied during the first 30 min of massive pulmonary embolism complicated and uncomplicated by heart failure. Both variants were accompanied by diastolic dysfunction of the right ventricle. Some changes in the cardiodynamics observed during complicated massive pulmonary embolism indicated a lower increase in the contractile activity, decreased myocardial contractility, and more pronounced dilation of the right ventricle. The absolute indexes of mechanical activity including indexes of contractility are not reliable criteria for early diagnostics of heart failure in the acute stage of massive pulmonary embolism, whereas changes in these indexes hold much prognostic value. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 12, pp. 634–637, December, 1999     

Structural and metabolic changes in cardiac conducting system during massive pulmonary embolism

We studied structural and metabolic changes in ventricular conducting cardiomyocytes during the acute phase of massive pulmonary embolism complicated or uncomplicated by cardiac insufficiency. During massive pulmonary embolism without cardiac insufficiency, glycolysis in conducting cardiomyocytes of both ventricles was activated, and its contribution to energy formation increased. Massive pulmonary embolism complicated by cardiac insufficiency was accompanied by inhibition of glycolytic enzymes and damages to conducting cardiomyocytes of the left and right ventricles. Our findings indicate that the development of cardiac insufficiency during the acute phase of massive pulmonary embolism provides structural and morphological basis for impairment of electrophysiological properties of the myocardium. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 10, pp. 382–387, October, 2000     

Hemodynamic reactions in the acute phase of massive pulmonary embolism

Massive pulmonary embolism is accompanied by the differences between a decrease in systemic and peripheral blood flow and imbalanced blood ejection from the ventricles. The results of the study suggest an association of these hemodynamic responses with redistribution of blood outflows from systemic veins whereby the relative proportion of blood outflowing to the right atrium decreases and that of blood outflowing to the left atrium increases via systemic-pulmonary collaterals. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 5, pp. 579–583, May, 1997     

Oxidative metabolism of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes in experimental massive pulmonary embolism

Oxidative metabolism of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes circulating in the blood was studied by chemiluminescent analysis and the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test. Pronounced activation of oxidative metabolism of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was observed by the third and sixth hours of massive embolism of the pulmonary arteries. Comparison of the examined parameters of oxidative metabolism of leukocytes isolated simultaneously from venous and arterial blood indicates a delay of the most active cell fraction in pulmonary vessels during massive embolism. The transfer of functionally active leukocytes from the circulating to the marginal pool of the lungs suggests their participation in damaging the pulmonary microvascular endothelium and in increasing its permeability. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 12, pp. 640–644, December, 1994 Presented by V. V. Kupriyanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Status of adrenergic nerve supply to the ventricular myocardia in experimentally produced massive pulmonary embolism

The production of massive pulmonary embolism in dogs initially results in elevated norepinephrine levels in the stellate ganglion and ventricular myocardia. Six hours after its onset, destructive changes in the stellate ganglion nerve cells are more pronounced than at 1 h and their functional activity is decreased, as are norepinephrine levels in the adrenergic neurons and their terminals. A characteristic feature of compensated massive pulmonary embolism is the presence of many neurons showing pronounced hyperchromatosis and pyknomorphic shrinkage. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N^no 10, pp. 368–373, October, 1994 Presented by V. S. Savel'ev. Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Measurement of dehydrogenase activity in hepatocytes in massive pulmonary embolism

Experimental massive pulmonary embolism in dogs induces structural and metabolic changes in the liver. The severity of these changes depends on the duration of the postembolization period and the development of heart failure. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 6, pp. 635–637, June, 1999     

Histochemical study of myocardial metabolism in experimental massive pulmonary embolism

The period immediately following massive pulmonary embolism largely determines its further course, that is, whether compensation will occur or whether heart failure will ensue. Prognostically favorable or unfavorable histochemical characteristics of myocardial metabolism during this period are revealed in this study. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 12, pp. 647–650, December, 1995 Presented by V. S. Savel'ev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effects of an organophosphorus compound on pulmonary and systemic circulations

Shortly (30–90 min) after an intragastric administration of the organophosphorus pesticide Anthio to cats, their cardiac output begins to decrease and the right ventricular output decreased to a greater extent than the left. Blood is redistributed to the greater circulation with a diminution of blood flow in the pulmonary lobar vessels. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 18–21, January, 1994     

The mechanism of pulmonary hypertension in rats with high-altitude hypoxia

Morphofunctional examinations of the lungs of rats exposed to high-altitude conditions for 3 to 300 days revealed that systolic pulmonary hypertension observed during the entire period of study is caused by a total increase of the elastic resistance of pulmonary arteries. Adequate bloodflow in such a case is provided by intensive work of the right-ventricular myocardium against this resistance. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 324–327, March, 1996 Presented by V. A. Trufakin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Mechanism underlying the effect of the bronchodilator troventol on histamine secretion

Molecular mechanism of the effect of the anticholinergic bronchodilator troventol on histamine secretion, the initial step in bronchospasm, is studied. Atrovent (ipratropium bromide) and atropine sulfate are used as reference preparations. Histamine secretion is induced by adding phorbol myristate acetate to cell suspension. In cells incubated for 5 min with troventol histamine secretion constitutes 52.4% of the maximum level, while atrovent and atropine have no effect on this process. Histamine secretion in mast cells is initiated by a sharp increase in cytosolic calcium. Troventol and atrovent reduce the initial rate of passive calcium entry into the cells by 56.3 and 28%, respectively, while atropine does not affect this parameter. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 11, pp. 537–540, November, 1997     

Role of ultrastructural changes in the lungs of suckling rabbits in the pathogenesis of experimental cholera

Type II alveolocytes are destroyed in suckling rabbits during adhesion ofVibrio cholerae, whereas in type I alveolocytes no ultrastructural disorders are detected. The number of lipid granules is increased in the lipofibroblast cytoplasm. Transendothelial micropinocytosis and endothelial edema and destruction are increased in pulmonary capillaries, and plasmatic impregnation of the stroma is observed. The development of experimental cholera is associated with progressive disorders of the regional circulation, degranulation of platelets and basophils, destruction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and endotheliocytes, and a marked increase of vascular permeability. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, No. 8, pp. 173–177, August, 1995 Presented by P. V. Sergeev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effects of calcium and its antagonists on hemodynamics and respiration

Acute tests on cats under Nembutal anesthesia show that intravenous injection of Ca²⁺ causes pathological respiration of the apneustic type and slight rises in pulmonary and arterial pressures. The calcium channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine decrease the amplitude of respiratory movements, increase the respiration rate and pulmonary pulse pressure, and lower systemic pressure. The introduction of verapamil or nifedipine into the fourth ventricle of the brain does not alter respiration or hemodynamics, whereas the introduction of Ca²⁺ leads to irreversible respiratory standstill. Hemodynamic parameters decrease 2–3 min after the respiratory standstill. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 8, pp. 138–143, August, 1996     

Analysis of changes in the electroencephalogram power spectrum on a new model of brain ischemia in rats

The bioelectrical activity is studied in the left and right parietal cortex by recording the power spectrum of the electroencephalogram in brain ischemia caused by complete ligation of the left common carotid artery and 50% reduction of the blood flow in the right common carotid artery in experiments carried out on nonnarcotized Wistar rats. Ischemia results in marked and stable disorders in the bioelectrical activity manifested in a decrease of the total EEG power, depression of the dominating frequency in the Θ-range, increase of the δ-range power, and interhemispheric asymmetry of some spectrogram parameters. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny Vol. 118, N ^o 12, pp. 565–567, December, 1994 Presented by E. D. Gol'dberg, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Suppression of phagocytosis in immunized animals

It is found that phagocytosis in animals immunized withPseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, andStaphylococcus epidermidis is suppressed in comparison with intact animals, and the degree of suppression rises with the antibody titer. Morphological study of the site of infection shows that antibodies markedly enhance bacteriopyknosis, i.e., convert bacteria into nonphagocytizable detritus. Focal suppression of phagocytosis in immunized animals is attributed to rapid bacteriopyknosis and, consequently, to a sharp decrease in the number of intact bacteria that can be digested by phagocytes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 9, pp. 348–352, September, 1996     

Effect of lidocaine on cholera vibrio-induced changes in the jejunum, renal medulla, and lungs of suckling rabbits

Lidocaine injected into suckling rabbits infected with a virulent strain ofVibrio cholerae abolishes the development of hydropic and ballooning degeneration the jejunal enterocytes. Secretory granules and lipid inclusions accumulate in jejunal enterochromaffin cells and interstitial cells of renal medulla, respectively, and are not released into the vascular bed. In pulmonary tissue ultrastructural changes are mild, and capillary epithelium is undamaged, indicating that lidocaine stimulates pulmonary enzymes which inactivate biologically active substances implicated in the pathogenesis of cholera. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 6, pp. 632–637, June, 1997     

Asymmetry during regeneration of microvessels in rabbit ear

General principle of development, the left-to-right gradient of maturation, is valid for the regeneration of microvessels in rabbit ear. This manifests itself in a more rapid regeneration of microvessels of the left ear. The right ear is characterized by excessive regeneration which then decreases to the normal. Dalargin has different effects on microvessels in different ears: in the left ear the peptide inhibits revascularization, while in the right ear it accelerates the process of revascularization. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 3, pp. 343–345, March, 1997     

Rate of diadenosine polyphosphate degradation by various guinea pig tissues

High-performance liquid chromatography and colorimetry of inorganic phosphorus show that in the presence of muscle tissues from the guinea pig bladder, seminal duct, small intestine, longitudinal cord of the cecum, and right atrium all diadenosine polyphosphates with a common formula APnA (n=2–6) are degraded more slowly than ATP. The rate of AP_nA cleavage is highest in experiments with the small intestinal and right atrial tissues. P2-purine receptor antagonist suramin inhibits degradation of AP3A by right atrial tissue and does not modify degradation of other APnA. Enzymatic stability of endogenous APnA is apparently the principal condition for manifestation of their biological effects. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 2, pp. 207–210, February, 1999     

Morphometric analysis of the pulmonary vessels in premature neonates

In premature neonates with the respiratory distress syndrome the vessels of the pulmonary arterial system show stereotypical changes: dystonia with the predominance of vasoconstriction, a thickened muscular layer, and a narrowed lumen. A morphometric index is proposed: the coefficient of nonuniformity of the medial thickness of the vascular wall, which reflects a structural reorganization of the pulmonary vessels in different pathological processes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 9, pp. 311–314, September, 1994 Presented by Yu. I. Borodin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Graphic analysis of contraction-distension isotherms for pulmonary surfactant monolayers

A new method for analyzing the surface-active properties of pulmonary surfactants is proposed, based on calculating a “local stability index” and then plotting this index as a function ofS/S _o, whereS _o andS are, respectively, the initial and contracted areas of the surfactant monolayer formed at the interface. The course of the curves thus obtained allows for reasonably precise and easy comparisons of alterations in the surface-active properties of pulmonary surfactants in response to different factors acting on the body. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 10, pp 370–372, October, 1995 Presented by B. I. Tkachenko, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Responses of microvasculature in the paired cheek pouches of hamsters to blood loss and blood substitution

Comparison of arteriolar and venular responses in the left and right cheek pouches of hamsters to blood loss and blood substitution showed that blood loss led to a greater constriction of arterioles and venules in the right pouch than in the left and that blood substitution decreased arteriolar constriction and restored venular size in the right pouch, but resulted in a more marked constriction of both arterioles and venules in the left pouch. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 1, pp. 30–32, January, 1996 Presented by V. V. Kupriyanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences