Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 29, issue 3-4

Authors: Abarquez, Jr., Ramon F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Hypertension is not an isolated problem. Co‐morbidities of smoking, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia are all associated with microvascular disease (MVD) with abnormal PET scan and endothelial dysfunction. MVD may contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) via an imbalance between hyperplasia and apoptotic signals. Digitalis and other anti‐hypertensive agents have anti‐apoptotic action and MVD blunting effects, respectively. Heart failure progression must then be based on the preservation of myocyte integrity. Indeed, altered contractility appears to be a consequence of rather than the cause of myocyte deterioration. LV systolic dysfunction improvement is already a late strategy. Furthermore, the efficacy of anti‐hypertension therapy …may be limited in restoring LV diastolic function. Recognition of the role of apoptosis and MVD may initiate a paradigm shift in clinical practice. Show more

Keywords: Microvascular disease, hypertension syndrome, apoptosis

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 295-300, 2003

Authors: Yoshida, Masashi | Wakabayashi, Go | Ishikawa, Hideki | Kameyama, Kaori | Shimazu, Motohide | Tanabe, Minoru | Kawachi, Shigeyuki | Kumai, Koichiro | Kubota, Tetsuro | Otani, Yoshihide | Saikawa, Yoshiro | Sano, Katsuko | Kitajima, Masaki

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A possible defensive mechanism in the basal region of the gastric mucosa was hypothesized in the present study. In vivo microscopy was performed to observe the basal region after thermal injury to the back skin of rats. A donor of nitric oxide, 3‐morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN‐1), or a serine protease inhibitor, camostat mesilate, was administered. Anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) neutralizing antibody was administered 5 hours after thermal injury (anti‐VEGF group). Post‐capillary venules could be observed in the basal region of the gastric mucosa (PV‐BGM). The PV‐BGM was dilated 5 hours after thermal injury, and it was reduced by the administration …of SIN‐1 or pre‐treatment with camostat mesilate. In the control group, the erosions did not reach the basal region of the gastric mucosa. Most of the erosions healed within 72 hours. Delayed healing was observed in the anti‐VEGF group. In this group, exudation and congestion in the basal region were observed at 24 hours, and ulcer formation was observed at 72 hours after thermal injury. It is thus hypothesized that blood flow of the PV‐BGM increases when superficial mucosal circulation is disturbed. The PV‐BGM can contribute to defensive mechanisms in the basal region of gastric mucosa. The abnormal healing process may disturb the defensive mechanism at the base of the gastric mucosa, thereby resulting in ulcer formation. Show more

Keywords: Microcirculation, stomach, burn, thermal injury, erosion, vascular endothelial growth factor

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 301-312, 2003

Authors: Amatyakul, Supathra | Chakraphan, Daroonwan | Chotpaibulpan, Siriporn | Patumraj, Suthiluk

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: To examine the effect of vitamin C on blood flow in diabetic dental pulp, the animal model of streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats (i.v. injection of STZ 55 mg/kg BW) was used. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats weighing 200–250 g were divided into 3 groups: non‐diabetes (CON), diabetes (STZ), and diabetes supplemented by vitamin C (STZ+Vit C). Vitamin C was supplemented by drinking water (1 g/l). At 12 weeks (wks) and 24 wks after the STZ injection, the laser Doppler flow‐meter (Model ALF 21, USA) was used to measure pulpal blood flow (PBF) while the animals were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg …BW). The experimental results showed that at 12 and 24 wks after the STZ injection, hyperglycemia hypertension and loss of body weight were significantly developed. Simultaneously, decreased plasma vitamin C level was demonstrated significantly in STZ rats. The reduction of pulpal blood flow (PBF) in the lower incisors was observed in STZ rats at both monitored time points. Interestingly, the supplementation of vitamin C for 24 wks restored PBF. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that long‐term supplementation of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant, could markedly prevent the diabetic‐induced reduction in PBF. Show more

Keywords: Diabetes, laser Doppler flowmeter, pulpal blood flow, vitamin C

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 313-319, 2003

Authors: Tosukhowong, P. | Sangwatanaroj, S. | Jatuporn, S. | Prapunwattana, P. | Saengsiri, A. | Rattanapruks, S. | Srimahachota, S. | Udayachalerm, W. | Tangkijvanich, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: An imbalance between oxidative damage and antioxidative protection in association with the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis has been suggested. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between plasma lipids, the antioxidant system and oxidative damage in Thai patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Sixty‐one patients (40 males, 21 females), who were angiographically defined as having CAD and were clinically stable, participated in this study. Thirty‐two healthy subjects (20 males, 12 females) served as normal controls. The investigation included the measurements of plasma lipid profiles and plasma total antioxidative status (TAS) such as plasma vitamin E erythrocyte glutathione …(GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and total plasma total protein thiols (P‐SH). In patients with CAD, erythrocyte GSH and GPx were significantly lower than those found in controls. However plasma TAS and vitamin E were not significantly different between groups. Patients with CAD also had higher MDA and lower P‐SH levels than the controls, which represents the oxidative damage products of lipid and proteins. Multiple regression analysis revealed negative correlations between GSH and cholesterol, GSH and low density lipoprotein (LDL), vitamin E and MDA, as well as P‐SH and MDA. This study demonstrated the status of oxidative stress in patients with stable CAD. Since oxidative stress is the imbalance between the total oxidants and antioxidants in the body, any single oxidant/antioxidant parameter may not reflect the overall oxidative stress system. Thus, in patients with CAD, diets with various types of antioxidants may be more beneficial in increasing antioxidant activity than any particular antioxidant supplementation. Show more

Keywords: Antioxidant system, coronary artery disease, oxidative stress, Thai patient

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 321-329, 2003

Authors: Jariyapongskul, Amporn | Patumraj, Suthiluk | Niimi, Hideyuki

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Endothelial function of cerebral microvessel in diabetes was evaluated using streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats (blood glucose of ≥300 mg/dl). At 36 weeks after STZ injection, the rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. The cerebral microcirculation in control and STZ groups was directly observed, using intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy. To evaluate the endothelial function in vivo, the number of leukocytes adhering to postcapillary venules were counted, and cerebral arteriolar responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and nitroglycerine (NTG) were examined. The results showed that the leukocyte adhesion to cerebral postcapillary venular endothelium increased significantly in STZ‐rats, compared with control rats. The vasodilatory responses of …cerebral arterioles (20–30 μm) to ACh decreased significantly in STZ‐rats, compared with control rats (p<0.01), but the responses to NTG did not alter in diabetes. These results indicate that the impaired responses should occur on the endothelial cell. In conclusion, endothelial dysfunction induced in diabetes are characterized by impaired endothelium‐dependent vasodilation and increased leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral microcirculation, diabetes, endothelial dysfunction, intravital microscopy, leukocyte adhesion, vasodilation

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 331-335, 2003

Authors: Sun, Bao‐liang | Zhang, Su‐ming | Xia, Zuo‐li | Yang, Ming‐feng | Yuan, Hui | Zhang, Jian | Xiu, Rui‐juan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Secondary cerebral ischemic injury is a major cause of mortality and disability from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In this study, the protective effects of nimodipine were investigated. Rat SAH models were divided into a sham‐operated group, a saline‐controlled, and a nimodipine‐treated group by an endovascular piercing method. Nimodipine, 100 μg/kg BW was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before operation and was repeated every 6 hours. Dynamic changes in cortical regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using a laser Doppler flow‐meter probe, and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were estimated. Brain water content, sodium, potassium and calcium contents at different time points were determined. rCBF, …latency of SEP, brain water and electrolyte contents did not statistically change in sham‐operated rats. In saline‐controlled rats, rCBF decreased immediately after SAH, and stabilized at low levels within 24 hours. The latency of SEP delayed gradually after SAH. Brain water and sodium increased, while potassium decreased at 6 hours and 24 hours. Brain calcium content increased significantly from 1 hour to 24 hours after induction of SAH. Extents of alterations of the above parameters caused by SAH in the nimodipine‐treated group were less than those in the saline‐controlled group, statistically. In conclusion, nimodipine partly prevents a decrease in cerebral blood supply and attenuates secondary cerebral ischemic injury after SAH. Show more

Keywords: Subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain edema, cerebral blood flow, electrophysiology, nimodipine

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 337-344, 2003

Authors: Xia, Zuo‐li | Sun, Bao‐liang | Yang, Ming‐feng | Yuan, Hui | Qiu, Ping‐ming | Chen, Yu‐She

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Disputes on the significance of cerebral lymphatic drainage pathways under physiological and pathophysiological conditions still exist. The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the influence of cerebral lymphatic blockage on cerebral blood flow and cortex somatosensory evoked potential. Wistar rat cerebral lymphatic blockage models were established by removing cervical lymphatic nodes after obstructing their input and output tubes. Animals were divided randomly into a sham‐operated group and a cerebral lymphatic‐blockage group. Regional cerebral blood flow in different regions of the cortex were detected using a laser‐Doppler flowmeter probe, and cortex evoked potential was detected using an electromyogram and evoked …potential instrument before the operation, then 1 day, 5 days and 7 days after the operation. Results showed that the sham operation had no obvious effect on regional cerebral blood flow and the latency of somatosensory evoked potential. From 1 day to 7 days after cerebral lymphatic obstruction, regional cerebral blood flow in different cortical regions decreased markedly (P<0.01). Latency of somatosensory evoked potential was significantly delayed on the 5th and 7th day after blockage of cerebral lymphatic drainage (P<0.01). We concluded that cerebral lymphatic drainage may play an important role in maintaining the equilibrium of the internal environment of the brain, and blockage of this pathway results in cerebral ischemia. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral lymphatic drainage, cerebral blood flow, electrophysiology

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 345-349, 2003

Authors: Wei, R. | Han, J.J. | Bai, B. | Ren, D.L. | Chen, B. | Yang, M.F. | Xia, Z.L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study aimed to correlate plasmatic tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) levels and activity with parameters of artery blood flow and vessel walls, nail fold microcirculation, hemorheology, serum glucose, and lipids. Thirty healthy volunteers (female/male 12/18) aged 40–60 (average 46) were included in the study. In citrate venous blood, the following parameters were determined: carotid mean velocity, carotid intimal‐medial‐thickness (IMT), capillary circulation parameters, hemorheology index, serum glucose, and lipids. Analysis of data showed that t‐PA concentration was positively and significantly correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, and serum glucose (P<0.05, P<0.05, and P<0.01), but t‐PA activity showed no correlation with them; among …the hemorheology factors investigated, t‐PA concentration showed the strongest positive correlation with both whole blood viscosity and reduced blood viscosity at high and low shear rate separately (P<0.01), t‐PA activity showed no correlation with any hemorheology factors; t‐PA concentration showed no correlation with any investigated nail fold capillary parameters, whereas t‐PA activity was significantly and negatively associated with capillary loop number (P<0.05); t‐PA concentration and activity was not associated with values of carotid maximum intimal‐medial‐thickness (mIMT) and mean velocity or systolic, diastolic blood pressure (P>0.05). But subjects with mIMT 1.0 mm showed higher t‐PA levels compared with those with mIMT < 1.0 mm (P<0.05) and decreased carotid mean velocity (P<0.01). These findings suggest that multiple vascular disease risk factors would influence the t‐PA level; t‐PA concentration does not parallelize with t‐PA activity. Show more

Keywords: Tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA), nail fold microcirculation, hemorheology, carotid duplex scanning, serum glucose and lipids

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 351-356, 2003

Authors: Espiritu, Romeo B. | Sy, Grace T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Diabetic maculopathy seen in the Philippines, specifically, the associated factors, the various lesions seen on fluorescein angiography, and the visual acuity associated with these lesions were characterized using 127 patients (254 eyes) with diabetic retinopathy based on the fluorescein angiography done at the Eye Referral Center in 1993. Results showed that 116 (91.34%) patients have maculopathy, the majority of which is bilateral (84.25%). Age (p=0.675), sex (p=0.357), hypertension (p=0.742), duration of diabetes (p=0.778) and myopia (p=0.742) were not significantly associated with maculopathy. However, severity of retinopathy (p=0.001) was significantly associated with it. Fluorescein angiographic findings are macular staining (83.86%), perifoveal …capillary dropout or macular ischemia (10.76%), and preretinal traction and membrane (5.38%). Microaneurysm (72.65%) is the most common lesion associated with macular staining, followed by capillary leakage (4.04%), cystoid macular edema (3.59%), perifoveal capillary dropout with microaneurysm (2.24%), and capillary with microaneurysm leakage (1.34%). Exudates are associated with microaneurysm, perifoveal capillary dropout or a combination of the two. Vision was found to be marginally statistically different between the normal and maculopathy group (p=0.0505). The worst vision was seen in macular ischemia and preretinal traction and membrane, with mean visual acuity of 0.18 and 0.25, respectively. It is concluded that severity of retinopathy is the only variable significantly associated with maculopathy in this study. Good vision does not necessarily indicate a normal macula. Detailed examination and fluorescein angiography should be carried out, regardless of duration of diabetes. Show more

Keywords: Diabetic maculopathy, fluorescein angiography, retinopathy, vision

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 357-365, 2003

Authors: Wang, Cheng | Li, Hongwei | Li, Ailing | Zhang, Jing | Xiu, Ruijuan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper aimed at investigating the properties of cultured cardiomyocytes using microcirculatory and molecular technology to culture cardiomyocytes from different parts of the neonate Wistar rat's heart and record their spontaneous pulsation under time‐lapse video microscopy, then analyze their activity and inspect their survival rate and apoptotic rate under natural and nitric oxide conditions. The pulsation frequency in cardiomtocytes of different parts in heart are: 78.5±11.0 beats/min in the atrium, 88.4±6.3 beats/min in the left ventricle, 90.3±7.9 beats/min in the right ventricle and 115.3 ±11.4 beats/min in the cardiac apex, respectively, with an average frequency of 81.3 beats/min. Different concentrations …of nitric oxide showed no effect on the frequency of cardiomyocyte pulsation. The survival rates of the above cardiomyocytes are 96.0%, 95.0%, 95.0%, and 95.3% respectively and 95.0% for the whole heart. The apoptotic rates are 1.3%, 1.1%, 4.8%, and 1.8% respectively and 5.1% for the whole heart. Different concentrations of nitric oxide had no effect on these results. Our study showed that cultured myocardial cells from different parts of the heart displayed various pulsation frequencies, and the frequency of the cardiac apex is the highest while the atrium is lowest. We also found that there is no statistically significant difference in the survival rates and apoptotic rates of different parts of the heart, and that nitric oxide has no effect on the beating frequency, survival rates or apoptotic rates of the cardiomyocytes in vitro. Show more

Keywords: Cardiomyocytes, beating rate, nitric oxide

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 3-4, pp. 369-374, 2003