Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to function as important signaling molecules in the cardiovascular system. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contain several sources of ROS, among which the NADPH oxidases are predominant. In VSMCs, ROS mediate many pathophysiological processes, such as growth, migration, apoptosis and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, as well as physiological...

Nitric oxide (NO) is now recognized as an important modulator of an enormous number of physiological processes, ranging from blood pressure regulation to neuronal transmission to penile erectile function. In the gastrointestinal tract, NO also participates in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. In this review, we summarize the contribution made by NO to the ability of the gastr...

Phenomenological differences between older patients with late- and early-onset depression may reflect differences in aetiology and neuropathological processes involved in these two types of depression. Early- onset depression has been mainly correlated to a family history of depression while late-onset depression has been principally correlated to vascular dysfunction. The same cortical and sub...

Prophylaxis of posttraumatic epilepsy will require a detailed knowledge of the epileptogenic pathophysiological processes that follow brain injury. Results from studies of experimental models and human epilepsy highlight alterations in GABAergic interneurons and formation of excessive new excitatory synaptic connectivity as prominent targets for prophylactic therapies. Promising laboratory resu...

The BH3-only Bim protein is a major determinant for initiating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Tight regulation of its expression and activity at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels together with the induction of alternatively spliced isoforms with different pro-apoptotic potential, ensure timely activation...

Left atrial (LA) structural and functional remodeling reflects a spectrum of pathophysiological changes that have occurred in response to specific stressors. These changes include alterations at the levels of ionic channels, cellular energy balance, neurohormonal expression, inflammatory response, and physiologic adaptations. There is convincing evidence demonstrating an important pathophysiolo...

It has been widely suggested that depression negatively affects patients with cardiovascular disease. There are several pathophysiological mechanisms as well as behavioral processes linking depression and cardiac events. Improvements in nursing and medical care have prolonged survival of this patient population; however, this beneficial outcome has led to increased prevalence of depression. Sin...

Under normal physiological conditions, leptin and the leptin receptor (ObR) regulate the body weight by balancing food intake and energy expenditure. However, this adipocyte-derived hormone also directs peripheral processes, including immunity, reproduction, and bone metabolism. Leptin, therefore, can act as a metabolic switch connecting the body's nutritional status to high energy consuming pr...

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) describes the inter-relationship and complex pathophysiological processes by which dysfunction of either the heart or the kidneys is related to dysfunction in the other organ system. Historical definitions may have been overly simplistic; newer definitions have tried to capture the complex interactions and feedback processes which exist between the two organs. These d...

This literature review offers a detailed description of the genes and proteins involved in pathophysiological processes isolated retinitis pigmentosa (RP). To date, 84 7 candidate have been described for non-syndromic RP. Each these encodes protein that plays role vital retina / or retinal pigment epithelium, including cascade phototransduction (transmission visual signal), cycle, ciliary trans...