Beta-carotene-containing preparation carinat inhibits lipid peroxidation and development of renal tumors in rats treated with chemical carcinogen

The effects of pretreatment with β-carotene-containing preparation carinat on the development of renal tumors in rats receiving single intravenous injection of chemical carcinogen 3-(1-α-L-arabinopyranosyl)-1-methyl-1-nitrosourea were studied. Fourteen months after carcinogen administration, the degree of lipid oxidation in rat kidneys 2.5-fold surpassed that in animals receiving carinat in a dose producingin vivo antioxidant effect. Carinat decreased the total number of induced tumors and the incidence of mesenchymal renal tumors and suppressed the development of multiple tumors. The accumulation of lipoperoxides in the kidneys during carcinogenesis is associated with activation of free radical processes and carcinogen-induced inhibition of lipoperoxide enzymatic degradation and probably promotes renal malignancies due to co-carcinogenic action of these compounds. The data suggest that carinat-induced suppression of tumor development attests to antioxidant effects of β-carotene. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 7, pp. 95–97, July, 2000     

Effect of adaptation to anoxia on antioxidative enzyme activity in the liver of stressed animals

All-Union Cardiologic Scientific Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathological Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Grenburg Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR I. K. Shkhvatsabaya.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 106, No. 11, pp. 528–529, November, 1988.     

Effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors and antioxidant vitamins on free radical lipid oxidation in rat liver

We studied the effects of two inhibitors of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, simvastatin and lovastatin, on the lag phase of ascorbate-dependent lipid oxidation in rat liver. Oxidizability of liver biological membranes significantly increased in intact animals and rats with induced hypercholesterolemia after peroral administration of these statins. The lag phase of ascorbate-dependent lipid oxidation in liver biomembranes decreased by 2.1 times in hypercholesterolemic rats. In animals of the lovastatin group this parameter decreased by 4.4 times compared to the control. In intact rats receiving simvastatin, the lag phase of oxidation in biomembranes from the liver decreased practically by 2 times. At the same time, in animals receiving simvastatin in combination with antioxidant vitamins (vitamins E and C, provitamin A) and selenium, the period of induction of oxidation increased by 3.3 times. Our results indicate that β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors produce a prooxidant effect on the liver, which can be prevented by administration of antioxidant agents. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 4, pp. 390–393, April, 2007     

Effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitor atorvastatin on contractility of the isolated rat heart under normal conditions and during oxidative stress

Long-term administration of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor atorvastatin to rats was accompanied by an increase in the relative weight of the heart and decrease in the rate of pressure development in the isovolumic heart. During oxidative stress induced by addition of 100 μM H₂O₂ to the perfusate, the decrease in contractile function was more pronounced that in the control. Our results indicate that administration of atorvastatin is accompanied by a decrease in myocardial contractility, which becomes more pronounced under conditions of oxidative stress. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 4, pp. 383–385, April, 2007     

Relationship between free-radical lipid oxidation and efficiency of coronary angioplasty in coronary patients

Low-dose (250 mg daily) oral probucol produces a significant antioxidant effect in coronary patients: increases activity of glutathione peroxidase (enzyme utilizing lipoperoxides) and reduces the content of free-radical oxidation products in the blood. Probucol therapy for 7 days before and for 6 months after coronary angioplasty significantly reduces the severity of coronary artery stenosis. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 11, pp. 503–506, November, 2007     

Close association of herpes zoster reactivation and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis: case-control study of patients with SLE or noninflammatory nusculoskeletal disorders

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of infections, particularly the frequency of shingles and the timing of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, and antibiotic use, vaccinations, and joint trauma prior to and at diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We sent questionnaires to patients with SLE (n = 93) and controls with noninflammatory musculoskeletal disorders (MSK; n = 353) including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and tendonitis. We matched SLE patients to controls for sex (up to 1:3). RESULTS: The response rate in SLE was 66% and in controls 69% (p < 0.53). Four of 61 SLE patients and 12 of 173 controls were men. The mean disease duration in the SLE group was 8 +/- 1 years compared to 10 +/- 1 years in controls (p < 0.23). SLE patients were significantly younger than controls (mean age of SLE patients 49 +/- 2 vs 57 +/- 1 years for controls; p < 0.0004), and results were adjusted for age. A significantly higher proportion of SLE participants had a history of VZV (shingles) (19% vs 7%, respectively; OR 2.98, p < 0.003), whereas rubella was reported less in SLE (23% vs 42%; OR 0.43, p < 0.03). VZV infections were clustered just prior to or after diagnosis in SLE but were more widely spaced temporally in the controls (1 +/- 4.5 years after the diagnosis of SLE vs -14.7 +/- 4 years before the diagnosis of noninflammatory MSK disorder; p < 0.003). Diagnosis of shingles was observed in 6 of 11 SLE patients within +/- 2 years of SLE diagnosis, whereas only 2 of 15 controls had shingles within +/- 2 years of diagnosis (OR 7.2, p < 0.03). Only 2 patients with SLE were taking immunosuppressive drugs or steroids at time of shingles, so immunosuppressive therapy was not usually concomitant at time of VZV reactivation. Common infections (respiratory, urinary tract, ear, and eye) in the SLE group exceeded controls, but not significantly (23% vs 9%; OR 2.98, p < 0.06) and SLE patients were more likely to have been vaccinated since 18 years of age with any type of vaccine (69% vs 51%; OR 2.21, p < 0.04). SLE patients were less likely than controls to report joint trauma within one year prior to their diagnosis (25% vs 40%; OR 0.49, p < 0.04). There were no differences with respect to streptococcal throat infection (p < 0.96), diarrhea/vomiting (p < 0.84), rash with fever (p < 0.07), parvovirus infection (p < 0.16), infection after surgery (p < 0.58), respiratory tract infection (p < 0.71), or ear (p < 0.09) and eye infection (p < 0.68) one year prior to diagnosis. A higher proportion of SLE patients had a history of urinary tract infections (46% vs 25%), but this was not significant (p < 0.17), nor was it significant one year prior to diagnosis (p < 0.63). Overall, the likelihood of having any infection one year prior to diagnosis was not significantly higher in the SLE group (p < 0.56). There were no differences one year prior to diagnosis in travel history (p < 0.69), hospitalizations (p < 0.47), use of antibiotics (p < 0.54), history of rheumatic fever, positive TB skin test, or hepatitis A, B or C infection. CONCLUSION: Varicella reactivation as shingles is increased in patients with SLE and clusters around diagnosis. Vaccinations are increased in those with SLE compared to controls. Common infections are not significantly increased in SLE patients prior to onset of symptoms. We cannot determine if VZV infections are causally associated with SLE in some people, are from an abnormal immune system response due to the lupus itself or from the use of steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs to control the disease, or are spurious.     

Primary pulmonary hypertension: activation of sympathico-adrenal system and free radical oxidation. Positive effects of carvedilol therapy

AIM: To study the condition of the sympathico-adrenal system (SAS), synthesis of cAMP dependent on beta2-adrenoreceptors and parameters of free radical oxidation in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH); to examine efficacy of non-selective beta- and alpha1-adrenoblocker carvedilol in PPH patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients with PPH had 6-minute walk test, ECG monitoring with assessment of heart rhythm variability (HRV). Tests for noradrenalin and adrenalin concentration in blood plasma, cAMP synthesis by blood lymphocytes in basal conditions and under stimulation with isoproterenol and forskolin, free radical oxidation were made initially, 1 and 6 months later. Ten patients received carvedilol in addition to standard therapy, 10 patients served control. RESULTS: PPH patients had higher NA in the blood, low cAMP synthesis, high malonic aldehyde, low activity of glutathionperoxidase, increased activity of superoxidedismutase and catalase of erythrocytes. The most pronounced changes in the above parameters were observed in patients with PPH FC III-IV. HRV declined in progression of cardiac failure. 6-months of combined treatment with carvedilol increased the distance of 6-min walk. Carvedilol had no effect on HRV, it reduced NA, stimulated cAMP synthesis, demonstrated no antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: In PPH there is activation of SAS and desensitization of beta2-AR cells, oxidative stress develops. Addition of carvedilol to standard therapy with PPH improves clinical condition due to adrenoblocking properties of the drug.