Apelin (AP), an endogenous ligand of the APJ receptor, is involved in the regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis. Regardless the multiple similarities between AP and angiotensin II (Ang II), their roles seem to be different. We studied both the interactions between Apelin 13 (AP13) and Ang II and to what extent, if any, nitric oxide (NO) is involved. The experiments were performed in endothel...

Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) is an important modulator of airway function, but its role in the regulation of airway microvascular leak (AMVL) remains unclear. Thus we assessed the effects of NO synthase (NOS) inhibition on expired NO (ENO) levels and on AMVL measured by the Evans blue dye technique in guinea pigs. In control unsensitized animals, systemic N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NA...

A series of novel non-peptidicfurin inhibitors with values of inhibitory constants (Ki) in the range of 0.74-1.54 μM was obtained by interactions of aminoguanidine hydrocarbonate with three diaryldicarbalde- hydes. Correspondingly p-hydroquinone, piperazine and adipic acid were used as linkers between their ben- zene moieties. Docking studies of these new inhibitors into recently published 3D-s...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and the inhibitor of their formation, aminoguanidine, on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) production (as a functional marker) by rat peritoneal macrophages (PMphi). DESIGN Charles River rats underwent a daily intraperitoneal injection of peritoneal dialysis solution [(PDS), 4.25 g/dL dextrose; Dialine, Travenol, ...

The exudate of Ferula narthex Boiss. (Apiaceae) is widely used in the Indian subcontinent as a spice and because of its health effects. Six sesquiterpene coumarins have been isolated from this exudate: feselol, ligupersin A, asacoumarin A, 8'-O-acetyl-asacoumarin A, 10'R-karatavacinol and 10'R-acetyl-karatavacinol. Based on its use in infectious and diabetic conditions, the isolated constituent...

The generation of new neurons in the adult mammalian hippocampus is thought to play a role in repairing the brain after injury. Here, we show that 7 d after focal cerebral ischemia, newly divided cells in the dentate gyrus of adult rats increased to approximately sevenfold, compared with sham controls. In the same area, this enhanced dentate neurogenesis was associated with activation of induci...

Smokers have a significantly higher risk for developing coronary and cerebrovascular disease than nonsmokers. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are reactive, cross-linking moieties that form from the reaction of reducing sugars and the amino groups of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. AGEs circulate in high concentrations in the plasma of patients with diabetes or renal insufficiency an...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Excessive release of nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration in ischemic stroke. We compared intracerebral release of indicators of NO generation at the acute and subacute stages of transient focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS In vivo microdialysis in the rat striatum was performed at the acute (first hours) and subacute (after 24...

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was evidenced in mature mouse spermatozoa by means of biochemical techniques and Western blot. During 120 min of incubation, 10(7) spermatozoa synthesized 7 +/- 2 pmol of L-[14C]citrulline. Besides, L-citrulline formation depended on the incubation time and on the concentration of L-arginine present in the incubation medium. Different concentrations of N(G)-nitro-L-a...

Paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis restricted to Latin America and produced by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, is probably acquired by inhalation of conidia produced by the mycelial form. The macrophage (Mphi) represents the major cell defense against this pathogen; when activated with gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), murine Mphis kill the fungus by an oxygen-independen...