血液稀释和川芎嗪对兔缺血-再灌注损伤心肌内酶及超微结构的影响

目的 观察6%羟乙基淀粉130/0.4(HES 130/0.4)等容血液稀释和川芎嗪对兔心肌缺血-再灌注损伤中心肌磷酸肌酸激酶(CPK)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及超微结构的影响.方法 32只家兔随机均分为四组:血液稀释组(H组)、川芎嗪组(L组)、血液稀释+川芎嗪组(HL组)及对照组(C组).观察在急性心肌缺血45 min、再灌注180min后心肌组织中CPK、LDH、SOD活性及MDA含量,并以透射电镜观察心肌超微结构的改变.结果 与同组非缺血区相比,四组缺血区心肌组织CPK、LDH、SoD活性均明显降低,MDA含量明显升高(P<0.05或P<0.01).与C组缺血区比较,H组缺血区心肌组织CPK、LDH、SOD活性均升高(P<0.05);L组缺血区心肌组织CPK、SOD活性升高,MDA含量降低(P<0.05);HL组缺血区心肌组织CPK、LDH、SOD活性均明显升高(P<0.01),MDA含量降低(P<0.05),且CPK活性高于L组缺血区(P<0.05).心肌细胞超微结构可见C组细胞结构破坏严重,H、L组细胞结构破坏均较C组轻,HL组细胞结构基本接近正常.结论 6%HES 130/0.4等容血液稀释和川芎嗪对心肌缺血-再灌注损伤均有保护作用,二者合用保护作用更为显著.     

医用臭氧对大鼠体外星形胶质细胞的毒性

目的 评价医用臭氧对大鼠体外星形胶质细胞的毒性.方法 Wistar大鼠12只,日龄1～2 d,麻醉下取脑,分离、培养星形胶质细胞,接种入24孔培养板,每孔1 ml,细胞浓度7 × 105/ml,分为4组(n=7):正常对照组(C组)加入无任何干预的完全培养基400 μl;不同浓度医用臭氧组(O2-O340组、O2-O360组、O2-O380组)分别加入经40、60、80 μg/ml医用臭氧干预的完全培养基400 μl,于孵育2 h(T1)、4 h(T2)时观察细胞形态,测定星形胶质细胞超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)漏出率.结果 O2-O360组与O2-O380组胞体肥大、肿胀、突起增多,胞浆内出现黑色变性颗粒及空泡样改变,核固缩细胞增多,O2-O380组更明显.与C组比较,T1时O2-O340组SOD活性和MDA含量升高,LDH漏出率降低,O2-O360组SOD活性和MDA含量升高,O2-O380组SOD活性和MDA含量升高,LDH漏出率升高,T2时O2-O340组SOD活性升高,MDA含量和LDH漏出率降低,O2-O360组SOD活性和LDH漏出率升高,O2-O380组MDA含量和LDH漏出率升高(P<0.01);O2-O340组、O2-O360组和O2-O380组T1时MDA含量和LDH漏出率依次升高,T2时SOD活性依次降低,MDA含量和LDH漏出率依次升高(P<0.01);与T1时比较,T2时O2-O340组、O2-O360组和O2-O380组SOD活性和MDA含量降低,O2-O360组和O2-O380组LDH漏出率升高(P<0.05).结论 医用臭氧对大鼠体外星形胶质细胞的毒性作用与其浓度和作用时间有关.     

PTEN基因表达变化在三羟异黄酮抑制肝癌增长中的作用

目的 探讨PTEN基因表达变化在三羟异黄酮(genistein)抑制裸鼠移植入肝癌增长中的作用及其机制.方法 将移植入肝癌裸鼠分为2组,对照组腹腔注入含0.04％二甲基亚砜(DMSO)的RPMI 1640培养基每天0.05 ml/g,Genistein组腹腔注入genistein每天1 mg/kg,3周后观察肝癌增长,并应用同位素试剂盒检测肝癌组织三磷酸肌醇( IP3)含量,逆转录－聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)分析癌组织PTEN mRNA表达,Western blot分析肝癌组织PTEN蛋白表达.结果 Genistein组肝癌体积和重量均显著低于对照组,其中体积为(12.6±11.6) mm3比(52.3±26.5) mm3,重量为(42.7±27.8) mg比(91.3±31.4) mg,IP3含量显著低于对照组,为(13.4±1.4) pmol/mg蛋白比(35.3±6.6)pmol/mg蛋白,PTEN mRNA表达显著高于对照组,灰度与面积之积的相对强度(RI)为0.81±0.24比0.36±0.09,PTEN蛋白表达显著高于对照组,RI值为3.14±0.13比1.08±0.15.结论 PTEN基因表达上调在Genistein抑制裸鼠移植人肝癌增长中发生一定作用,其机制可能与抑制磷酸肌醇通路信号转导、抑制IP3生成有关.     

羟考酮预给药对大鼠肾缺血-再灌注损伤的影响

目的评价羟考酮预给药对大鼠肾缺血-再灌注损伤的影响。方法健康成年雄性SD大鼠30只,采用随机数字表法,将其分为三组(n=10),假手术组(S组):仅切除右肾、分离左侧肾动脉、肾静脉和输尿管;缺血-再灌注组(IR组):切除右侧肾脏,夹闭左侧肾动脉和肾静脉45min恢复灌注2h;羟考酮预给药+缺血-再灌注组(O组):缺血-再灌注前5min静脉注射羟考酮2mg/kg。于再灌注2h时经腹主动脉采集动脉血样,血清尿素氮(BUN)浓度采用脲酶法测定,血清肌酐(Cr)浓度采用速率法测定。处死大鼠,取部分左肾组织,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性采用黄嘌呤氧化酶法测定,丙二醛(MDA)含量采用硫代巴比妥酸法测定。采用Western blot检测肾组织中B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2(bcl-2)、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2相关x蛋白(bax)、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)蛋白表达。结果与S组比较,IR组和O组血清BUN和Cr的浓度明显升高(P0.05),肾组织MDA的含量明显升高,SOD活性明显降低(P0.05),肾组织bax、Caspase-3蛋白表达明显升高(P0.05),而bcl-2蛋白表达明显降低(P0.05)。与IR组比较,O组血清BUN和Cr的浓度明显降低(P0.05),肾组织MDA的含量明显降低,SOD活性明显升高(P0.05)肾组织bax、Caspase-3蛋白表达明显降低(P0.05),而bcl-2蛋白表达明显升高(P0.05)。结论羟考酮预给药可减轻大鼠肾缺血-再灌注损伤,其机制可能与其抑制肾组织氧化应激反应和细胞凋亡有关。     

羟氯喹及黄芩等中药对紫外线损伤角质形成细胞的保护作用

目的:研究羟氯喹及某些中药活性成分对紫外线损伤角质形成细胞保护作用的影响及作用环节。方法:采用30、60、90mJ/cm~2剂量的UVB照射培养的永生角质形成细胞HaCaT,以羟氯喹及中药茶多酚(EGCG)、黄芩、川芎进行干预处理,观察其保护性能及作用环节。以普通光学显微镜对照观察细胞受损程度,记录72 h内细胞生长曲线,以MTT法检测细胞活性,以酶联免疫吸附实验检测IL-6和TNF-α的分泌量。结果:经UVB照射后,受试HaCaT细胞的损伤程度与紫外线照射剂量呈正相关,细胞计数与活性下降39％-80％,在照射后72h损伤程度超过90％。药物处理后细胞活性可恢复10％-72％。经比较表明,羟氯喹具有一定的光保护作用(OD值为0.43±0.04至0 96±0.04,P<0.05),EGCG具有较强的光保护效应(OD值为1.19±0.07至1.28±0.06,P相似文献   

肾小管细胞氧化性损伤模型的建立

目的建立过氧化氢(H2O2)所致肾小管氧化性损伤模型。方法利用离体培养肾小管细胞建立氧化性损伤模型．观察肾小管细胞形态结构的改变及细胞存活率、乳酸脱氢酶(lactated dehydrogenase，LDH)释放率、脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(malondialdehyde．MDA)含量的变化，以及还原型谷胱甘肽的保护作用。结果H2O2所致肾小管细胞损伤．表现为细胞存活率降低，LDH释放增加和MDA含量增加。还原型谷胱甘肽能提高细胞存活率，降低LDH释放，减轻脂质过氧化反应。结论H2O2可复制离体肾小管氧化性损伤模型．还原型谷胱甘肽对损伤的肾小管上皮细胞有保护作用。     

大豆异黄酮软胶囊治疗黄褐斑与抗氧化能力的实验研究

目的:观察大豆异黄酮软胶囊治疗黄褐斑与其抗氧化能力间的关系。方法:采用老年雌性大鼠为实验动物模型,每天灌服大豆异黄酮软胶囊内容物,连续90天,检测服药后大鼠血及肝组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性及脂质过氧化物(MDA)含量。结论:大豆异黄酮软胶囊提高大鼠血及肝组织中SOD、GSH-PX活性(P<0.05,P<0.01),降低血及肝组织中MDA含量(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:大豆异黄酮软胶囊治疗黄褐斑与其抗氧化能力间有密切关系。     

三羟基异黄酮诱导增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞凋亡及其机制研究

目的：探讨三羟基异黄酮（Genistein）诱导体外培养的人增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞凋亡的作用及相关机制。方法：体外分离培养人增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞,不同浓度Genistein作用后,MTT比色法检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况,Western Blot法检测细胞Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3蛋白表达。结果：在Genistein作用下,增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞的生长受到抑制;细胞凋亡率增加,与对照组相比具有显著性差异（P〈0.05）;Bcl-2的表达下调、Bax、Caspase-3表达增加。结论：Genistein可通过诱导凋亡抑制增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞增殖,其作用机制可能与影响Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3等凋亡调控基因的表达有关。     

PEP-1-血红素加氧酶-1融合蛋白转导对大鼠H9c2心肌细胞缺氧复氧损伤的影响

目的 探讨PEP-1-血红素加氧酶(HO)-1融合蛋白转导对大鼠H9c2心肌细胞缺氧复氧损伤的影响.方法 构建含人HO-1基因的原核表达质粒pETl5b-PEP1-hHO-1,质粒转化后诱导目的 蛋白PEP-1-HO-1表达.用含15%胎牛血清高糖DMEM培养基培养H9c2心肌细胞,随机分为4组(n=4):正常对照组(C组)常规培养;缺氧复氧组(H/R组)细胞缺氧22 h,复氧8 h;低浓度融合蛋白组(L-HO组)缺氧前用终浓度为1.0 μmol/L PEP-1-HO-1融合蛋白孵育细胞;高浓度融合蛋白组(H-HO组)缺氧前即刻用终浓度为2.0 μmol/L PEP-1-HO-1融合蛋白孵育细胞.复氧结束后收集细胞及培养液上清,采用2,4-二硝基苯肼显色法检测培养液乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性,硫代巴比妥酸比色法检测细胞MDA含量,黄嘌呤氧化酶法检测细胞SOD活性.结果 与C组比较,H/R组、L-HO组、H-HO组心肌细胞SOD活性降低,MDA含量升高,培养液LDH活性升高(P＜0.05);与H/R组比较,L-HO组和H-HO组心肌细胞SOD活性升高,MDA含量降低,培养液LDH活性降低(P＜0.05);与L-HO组比较,H-HO组心肌细胞SOD活性升高,MDA含量降低,培养液LDH活性降低(P＜0.05).结论 PEP-1-HO-1融合蛋白转导入大鼠H9c2心肌细胞可减轻细胞缺氧复氧损伤.     

高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉40注射液高容量血液稀释对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的 探讨高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉40注射液高容量血液稀释对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响.方法 雄性Wistar大鼠30只,体重300～350 g,随机分为3组(n=10):假手术组(S组)、缺血再灌注组(IR组)和高容量血液稀释组(HH组).S组仅开腹,不阻断血管;IR组阻断肝门静脉和左肝动脉30 min,再灌注2 h;HH组30 min内经尾静脉输注高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉40注射液10 ml/kg进行高容量血液稀释,输注完毕后15 min,行肝脏缺血再灌注.再灌注2 h时,下腔静脉取血样,测定血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)的活性;取左肝叶组织,光镜下观察病理学结果,采用比色法测定丙二醛(MDA)含量,采用黄嘌呤氧化酶法测定超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性.结果 与S组比较,IR组和HH组血清ALT和AST的活性、肝组织MDA含量升高,肝组织SOD活性降低(P<0.01),肝组织病理学损伤明显;与IR组比较,HH组血清ALT和AST的活性、肝组织MDA含量降低,肝组织SOD活性升高(P<0.01),肝组织病理学损伤减轻.结论 高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉40注射液高容量血液稀释可减轻大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤,可能与氧自由基生成减少有关.     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Synergistic interaction between the effects of propofol and midazolam with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity in rabbits

Background: It has been shown that the depressive effects of both propofol and midazolam on consciousness are synergistic with opioids, but the nature of their interactions on other physiological systems, e. g. respiration, has not been fully investigated. The present study examined the effect of propofol and midazolam alone and in combination with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity (PNA) and whether such interactions are additive or synergistic. Methods: PNA was recorded in 27 anaesthetised and artificially ventilated rabbits. In three groups, propofol, fentanyl and midazolam were administered intravenously in incremental doses to construct dose-response curves for the depressant effects of each one on PNA. In another two groups, the effect of pretreatment with either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. on the effects of propofol and fentanyl respectively on PNA were studied. Results: Propofol and fentanyl caused a dose-dependent depression of PNA with complete abolition at the highest total doses of 16 mg · kg^?1 i. v. and 32 μg · kg^?1 i. v., respectively. In contrast, midazolam in incremental doses to a total of 0.8 mg · kg^?1 reduced mean PNA by 63%, but approximately 12% of PNA remained at a total dose as high as 6.4 mg · kg^?1. The mean ED₅₀s, calculated from dose-response curves, were 5.4 mg · kg^?1, 3.9 μg · kg^?1 and 0.4 mg · kg^?1 for propofol, fentanyl and midazolam, respectively. Initial doses of either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. acted synergistically with subsequent doses of either propofol or fentanyl to abolish PNA at total doses of 8 mg · kg^?1 and 8 μg · kg^?1, respectively. Conclusion: Fentanyl has a synergistic interaction with both propofol and midazolam on PNA and hence potentially on respiration.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.     

Immunomodulation in Transplantation with Photopheresis

Abstract: Photopheresis is a technique in which peripheral blood mononuclear cells, in the presence of a photoacti-vatable compound, are exposed extracorporeally to ultraviolet A light and reinfused, inducing a host autoregula-tory immune response. Experimental work and ongoing clinical studies are helping to define the role of this novel, safe, and non-toxic immunomodulating technology in the field of transplantation.