Elevated oxidative stress has been characterized in numerous disorders including systemic hypertension, arterial stiffness, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and heart failure. The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ameliorates oxidative stress and LVH. To test the hypothesis that PPARgamma decreased LVH and cardiac fibrosis in chronic pressure overload, in part, by i...

A novel and environmentally benign approach is described to combine reactions and separations, using simultaneously ionic liquids (ILs) and supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2). The novel approach is based on the phenomenon that two (partially) immiscible liquid phases upon pressurization with CO2 is able to force to form one homogeneous fluid phase. The homogeneous phase allows reactions to be...

In this research, hybrid materials based on poly(methyl methacrylate) and silica were synthesized via sol±gel process. Their glass transition behavior was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter. In DSC measurement, 1808C heat-treated hybrid materials exhibited higher miscibility as compared to untreated materials. Relationship between miscibility variation of hybrid materials and hea...

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study was to assess the arterial stiffness and serum levels of selected metalloproteinases (MMPs) in hypertensive patients and their changes following antihypertensive therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 95 patients with essential arterial hypertension (HT) stage 1 or 2 (mean age: 53.1 ±13.0 years). The control group consisted of 31 normotens...

BACKGROUND Cerebral edema is an important risk factor for death and poor outcome following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is held responsible for the degradation of microvascular basal lamina proteins leading to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and, thus, formation of vasogenic cerebral edema. The curren...

Accumulation of oxidized extracellular matrix between endothelium and muscle is an important risk factor in the endothelium-myocytes uncoupling in congestive heart failure. Although ventricular remodeling is accompanied by increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity, it is unclear whether MMP-9 plays a role in endothelial apoptosis in chronic volume overload congestive heart failure. We...

Articular cartilage is optimised for bearing mechanical loads. Chondrocytes are the only cells present in mature cartilage and are responsible for the synthesis and integrity of the extracellular matrix. Appropriate joint loads stimulate chondrocytes to maintain healthy cartilage with a concrete protein composition according to loading demands. In contrast, inappropriate loads alter the composi...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the extracellular matrix remodeling. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that MMP 2 and 9 are upregulated in the dilated failing hearts and involved in the development and progression of myocardial remodeling. However, little is known about the role of MMPs in mediating adverse myocardial remodeling in response to chroni...