Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0038454 (stroke)
 147,016 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Ischemic-reperfusion injury in humans occurs in conditions such as stroke, cardiac arrest, subarachnoid hemorrhage or head trauma. Maximal tissue damage is observed during reperfusion, which is primarily attributed to oxidative injury resulting from production of oxygen free radicals. One of the major consequences of such damage is the depletion of the cellular antioxidant, glutathione (GSH) leading to oxidation of protein thiols to disulfides and the loss of activity of critical enzymes having active thiol group(s). Thus, the maintenance of thiol homeostasis is an important factor in cell survival. The effect of thiol antioxidants like alpha-lipoic acid and the isopropyl ester of GSH was examined on the morbidity and mortality of rats subjected to reperfusion following cerebral ischemia induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion and hypotension. While the GSH isopropyl ester had no significant protective effect; after pretreatment of rats, alpha-lipoic acid was detected in the rat brain and it dramatically reduced the mortality rate from 78% to 26% during 24 h of reperfusion. The natural thiol antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid is effective in improving survival and protecting the rat brain against reperfusion injury following cerebral ischemia.
 ...
PMID:alpha-Lipoic acid protects against reperfusion injury following cerebral ischemia in rats. 873 70

Rat hearts were preserved by simple storage for 18 h at 0-1 degree C and reperfused parabiotically with whole blood from a host rat. The preservation solutions used for flush perfusion and storage were the commercial solutions EuroCollins, HTK, or UW with or without adding 40 mg/l hyaluronidase or EuroFlush-Glutathione (EFG) solution, especially designed for prolonged heart storage. All solutions were filtered (0.45 micron) before use. The functional recovery was measured using a latex balloon in the left ventricle for LVP, dp/dt, and isotonic stroke volume. The metabolic recovery as well as the edema formation was determined from freeze-clamped myocardium at the end of reperfusion. In hearts preserved with hyaluronidase-containing solutions, the edema formation during reperfusion was reduced combined with an improvement in the coronary flow. Functional and metabolic recovery were improved in these hearts with significant increase in the stroke volume and ECP in all groups versus hearts preserved in the hyaluronidase-free basic solutions. The effectiveness of HTK preservation was significantly improved by hyaluronidase in all parameters measured in our study. The best functional and metabolic recovery was found in hearts preserved by HTK + H- or EFG-solution. Thus, preservation solutions containing hyaluronidase, especially HTK + H and EFG, seem best suited for the prolonged storage preservation of the heart.
 ...
PMID:Minimal amounts of hyaluronidase in HTK or UW solution substantially improve the recovery of preserved hearts. 895 82

1. To determine biochemically the incipient timing of cerebral stroke in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) the relation between the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in erythrocytes and the extent of stroke lesion was investigated. 2. When the blood pressure of SHRSP was maintained over 250 mmHg, the GSH-Px activity was lowered and the body weight also decreased. In the SHRSP where the GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes dropped below 23 units/mL blood, the incidence of cerebral stroke was 98% (n = 88/90). 3. The haemoglobin and haematocrit level were unchanged even after the GSH-Px activity dropped to 23 units/mL blood. 4. Lowering of GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes observed during continued hypertension was found to be due to decreased GSH-Px protein, but not to an inactivation of enzymes, as evidenced from immunochemical titration. 5. Lowering of GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes was found to be closely related with the incidence of cerebral stroke in SHRSP. These findings suggest that tracing of the GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes in SHRSP may serve as an indicator for prediction and prognosis of stroke lesion.
 ...
PMID:Relationship between erythrocytes glutathione peroxidase and incidence of stroke lesion in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat. 907 38

Effects of benidipine hydrochloride or triple therapy (hydralazine, reserpine, and hydrochlorothiazide) on renal cortical and medullary intrinsic antioxidant enzyme (AOE) activity were evaluated in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP) as an animal model for human essential hypertension with cerebral stroke. This study showed a significant decrease of renal intrinsic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in untreated SHR-SP. Renal GSH-Px activity in untreated SHR-SP was significantly lower than that in Wister Kyoto rats (WKY) as a normotensive reference strain. GSH-Px activity in SHR-SP was significantly improved after benidipine hydrochloride therapy. Levels of urinary albumin excretion or creatinine clearance (Ccr) in SHR-SP were also improved after the therapy. Glomerular sclerosis index was slightly improved in SHR-SP treated with benidipine hydrochloride according to light microscopic analysis. It appears that hypertension may influence the renal intrinsic GSH-Px activity, albuminuria, and Ccr in SHR-SP. Thus it is indicated that control of blood pressure may improve the GSH-Px activity in SHR-SP.
 ...
PMID:Effects of benidipine hydrochloride on antioxidant enzyme activity in stroke-prone spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR-SP). 913 5

To study the mechanism of the fall of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in erythrocyte after cerebral strokes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), erythrocytes were fractionated into low density erythrocytes (LD-E) and high density erythrocytes (HD-E) by a density gradient centrifugal method using Percoll solution, and fluctuation of the distribution ratio and changes of GSH-Px activity in fractionated erythrocytes were investigated. The distribution ratio of LD-E and HD-E in erythrocytes of SHRSP was about 4:1 at 5 weeks of age (n = 6), and the distribution to HD-E increased along with aging. While the distribution ratio was changed, however, there was no change in the GSH-Px activity in both LD-E and HD-E of erythrocytes. In senile, 30-week-old SHRSP (n = 4) with advanced hypertension, the GSH-Px activity in the HD-E was lower, in proportion to the increase of the distribution rate against HD-E. On the other hand, in SHRSP (n = 5) having cerebral stroke, the distribution ratio of LD-E and HD-E was about 1:4. The GSH-Px activity was 31.4 +/- 2.9 units/10(10) erythrocytes in LD-E, which was hardly different from the value of SHRSP without stroke (35.7 +/- 3.3 units/10(10) erythrocytes). In HD-E, however, the activity was 18.2 +/- 2.2 units/10(10) erythrocytes, being lower than the activity of SHRSP without stroke. At the moment when the GSH-Px activity had dropped to 17 units/mg hemoglobin, and the control diet was changed to one based on fish or a hydralazine treatment given, the activity recovered, and an increase in body weight and the distribution rate of the LD-E over HD-E was increased. It is clear from these experiments that the fall of erythrocyte GSH-Px activity observed after cerebral stroke is due to a decrease of LD-E and increase of HD-E, which has lowered activity. However, nothing definite is known on the relationship between the fall of GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes and disorder in cerebral tissue. It appears that the fall of the GSH-Px activity causes at least functional and structural changes in erythrocytes, which interfere with the delivery of oxygen to peripheral tissues, triggering oxidation stress in cerebral tissues.
 ...
PMID:Cell age distribution of erythrocytes at the incidence of cerebral stroke in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats, and their glutathione peroxidase activity. 957 77

It has been reported that the production of oxygen radicals mediated by xanthine oxidase (XO) is stimulated in hypertensive cardiovascular endothelium, suggesting involvement of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of hypertension. In this study we estimated the effect of nicardipine, a calcium blocker, on the oxidative stress and antioxidant activities in left ventricles from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP). The activity of XO increased 3.5-fold in SHR and 6.2-fold in SHRSP compared to that in normal controls (WKY). Interestingly, the levels of glutathione (GSH) and the activity of its synthesizing enzyme (gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, gamma-GCS) elevated concomitantly in SHR and SHRSP: the level of GSH increased 1.2-fold in SHR and 1.3-fold in SHRSP. The activity of gamma-GCS was elevated 1.5-fold in SHR and 2.4-fold in SHRSP, accompanying an increase in the expression of its mRNA. Treatment of these rats with nicardipine, for 4 weeks improved blood pressure, from 176 +/- 10 to 140 +/- 8 mmHg in SHR, and from 201 +/- 11 to 167 +/- 5 mmHg in SHRSP, respectively, and decreased wet weight of heart, levels of GSH, and the activities of XO and gamma-GCS. Nicardipine reduced the expression of gamma-GCS mRNA. Collectively, these results suggest that reactive oxygen species produced by XO in hypertensive rat heart cause induction of the expression of gamma-GCS and nicardipine plays a role in reducing the oxidative stress in hypertensive heart.
 ...
PMID:Nicardipine normalizes elevated levels of antioxidant activity in response to xanthine oxidase-induced oxidative stress in hypertensive rat heart. 979 May 16

Damage to the mitochondrial electron transport chain has been suggested to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of a range of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There is also a growing body of evidence to implicate excessive or inappropriate generation of nitric oxide (NO) in these disorders. It is now well documented that NO and its toxic metabolite, peroxynitrite (ONOO-), can inhibit components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain leading, if damage is severe enough, to a cellular energy deficiency state. Within the brain, the susceptibility of different brain cell types to NO and ONOO- exposure may be dependent on factors such as the intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and an ability to increase glycolytic flux in the face of mitochondrial damage. Thus neurones, in contrast to astrocytes, appear particularly vulnerable to the action of these molecules. Following cytokine exposure, astrocytes can increase NO generation, due to de novo synthesis of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Whilst the NO/ONOO- so formed may not affect astrocyte survival, these molecules may diffuse out to cause mitochondrial damage, and possibly cell death, to other cells, such as neurones, in close proximity. Evidence is now available to support this scenario for neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis. In other conditions, such as ischaemia, increased availability of glutamate may lead to an activation of a calcium-dependent nitric oxide synthase associated with neurones. Such increased/inappropriate NO formation may contribute to energy depletion and neuronal cell death. The evidence available for NO/ONOO--mediated mitochondrial damage in various neurological disorders is considered and potential therapeutic strategies are proposed.
 ...
PMID:Nitric oxide, mitochondria and neurological disease. 1007 28

In a previous report by Freedman et al (J Clin Invest. 1996;97:979-987), plasma from 2 brothers with stroke or transient ischemic attack inactivated the antiplatelet effects of nitric oxide (NO), and this effect was found to be a consequence of a deficiency of plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). In this study, we attempted to define the generalizability of this deficiency by studying NO-mediated antiplatelet effects in 7 families with familial childhood stroke. Seven families with familial childhood stroke that consecutively presented to a large referral center were included in the study. We monitored ADP-induced aggregation of normal gel-filtered platelets (GFP) in platelet-poor plasma (PPP) from normal individuals and from patients in the presence or absence of an NO donor (S-nitroso-glutathione). Surface P-selectin expression of normal GFP in patients' PPP was analyzed by flow cytometry after incubation with a P-selectin-specific monoclonal antibody in the presence or absence of the NO donor. We also measured GSH-Px activity in plasmas from family members and normal controls using standard methods. In 6 of 7 families, NO failed to inhibit platelet P-selectin expression and platelet aggregation in PPP from the affected family members and some of their relatives. Of 4 families studied, 3 probands and their corresponding affected parent had 50% decrease in plasma GSH-Px activity. In some patients with childhood stroke, impaired metabolism of reactive oxygen species as a result of reduced GSH-Px activity results in NO insufficiency that affects normal platelet inhibitory mechanisms and predisposes to arterial thrombosis.
 ...
PMID:Plasma glutathione peroxidase deficiency and platelet insensitivity to nitric oxide in children with familial stroke. 1044 87

Flavonoids are a family of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables as well as in popular beverages such as red wine and tea. Although the physiological benefits of flavonoids have been largely attributed to their antioxidant properties in plasma, flavonoids may also protect cells from various insults. Nerve cell death from oxidative stress has been implicated in a variety of pathologies, including stroke, trauma, and diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. To determine the potential protective mechanisms of flavonoids in cell death, the mouse hippocampal cell line HT-22, a model system for oxidative stress, was used. In this system, exogenous glutamate inhibits cystine uptake and depletes intracellular glutathione (GSH), leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increase in Ca(2+) influx, which ultimately causes neuronal death. Many, but not all, flavonoids protect HT-22 cells and rat primary neurons from glutamate toxicity as well as from five other oxidative injuries. Three structural requirements of flavonoids for protection from glutamate are the hydroxylated C3, an unsaturated C ring, and hydrophobicity. We also found three distinct mechanisms of protection. These include increasing intracellular GSH, directly lowering levels of ROS, and preventing the influx of Ca(2+) despite high levels of ROS. These data show that the mechanism of protection from oxidative insults by flavonoids is highly specific for each compound.
 ...
PMID:Flavonoids protect neuronal cells from oxidative stress by three distinct mechanisms. 1118 99

Glutathione S-transferases M1 or T1 (GSTM1/GSTT1) affect the body's ability either to detoxify or to activate chemicals in cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate a hypothesized interaction of the genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and T1 with cigarette smoking in the risk of LEAD in the ARIC study. A stratified-random sample, including 212 LEAD cases (ankle-brachial index <0.9 in men or <0.85 in women) and 1277 non-cases, was selected from the ARIC cohort of 12041 middle-aged participants free of CHD, transient ischemic attack and stroke at baseline (1987-1989). Overall, the differences in the frequencies of GSTM1-0 and GSTT1-0 (the homozygous deletion genotype) were not statistically significant between cases and non-cases (44 vs. 41% and 28 vs. 18%). However, smoking was more prevalent among LEAD cases than non-cases. The results suggest that the non-deletion genotype GSTM1-1 interacts with smoking to increase the risk of LEAD, but this interaction was not statistically significant. The functional genotype GSTT1-1 was significantly associated with increased risk of LEAD given smoking after adjustment for other risk factors. In individuals with GSTT1-1, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) of LEAD were 3.6 (1.4, 9.0) for current smoking and 5.0 (1.9, 13.0) for 20+ pack-years. However, in those with GSTT1-0, the ORs were 0.8 (0.2, 2.8) for current smoking and 0.6 (0.1, 2.1) for 20+ pack-years. The interaction was significant (P<0.05) on the additive scale for current smoking and on both the additive and multiplicative scales for 20+ pack-years. Among non-smokers, GSTT1-1 was not associated with LEAD. The results suggest that the GSTT1-1 polymorphism may be a susceptibility factor modifying the risk of LEAD associated with cigarette smoking.
 ...
PMID:Interaction of the glutathione S-transferase genes and cigarette smoking on risk of lower extremity arterial disease: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. 1125 76


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>