PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Mohora

Publications and source records attributed to M Mohora.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Study of fluticasone propionate efficacy in the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma not controlled by other inhaled corticosteroids.

The aim of the study was to test the fluticasone propionate (FP) efficacy in the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma (BA), not controlled by high doses (more than 1 mg) of other inhaled corticosteroids. Asthma symptoms (degree of dyspnea on Sadoul scale, percentage of symptom-free days and nights), and drug consumption were measured and lung function tests were performed in 20 patients (11 women and 9 men, mean age 47 years) for a 2 months period. Biochemical measurements were done referring to oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, which is characteristic to inflammatory diseases of respiratory system. We evaluated lipoperoxidation (LPO) in the plasma and the blood, before and after FP treatment, by determining malondialdehyde (MDA) status, superoxide-dismutase and ceruloplasmine activity and non-protein SH groups (essential glutathione) status. The biochemical measurements showed a significant decrease in lipid peroxides level in the plasma and the blood and a slight increase of glutathione after 2 months treatment with FP. Lung function tests were performed on a Flow Streen Jaeger and we determined: peak expiratory flow (PEF), vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec. (FEV1) and mid-expiratory flow at 50% VC (MEF50). The measurements were done before FP administration, after 3 days, 7 days, 1 month and 2 months. The dose of FP was equivalent to 50-75% of the daily dose of Beclomethasone dipropionate (BD) previously administered. The degree of dyspnea diminished from 3-4 to 0-1. The percentage of symptom-free days and nights improved from 12% to 78% and 25% to 95% respectively. The use of short acting beta agonists diminished with 75% and no patients required i.v. corticotherapy or theophylline. PEF increased with a mean of 25%, VC with a mean of 23%, FEV1 with a mean of 30% and MEF50 with a mean of 36%. Our results demonstrate improved efficacy of FP vs high doses of other inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of moderate persistent and severe forms of BA.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pro- and antioxidant functions of quinones in mammalian cells.

This article is a brief review of current knowledge concerning some basic concepts about the redox and addition chemistry of quinones, followd by a survey of current information regarding the biochemistry of quinones in mammalian cells and their pro- and antioxidant functions. In recent years it has been recognized that ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q), in addition to its involvement as an electron and proton carrier in mitochondrial and bacterial respiration, acts in its reduced form (ubiquinol) as an antioxidant. The antioxidant activity, together with its high degree of hydrophobicity and its widespread occurrence in biological membranes and in low-density lipoprotein, suggest un important role of ubiquinol in cellular defense against oxidative damage. Degenerative diseases and aging may be manifestations of a decreased capacity to maintain adequate ubiquinol levels.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of Nad(P)h: quinone oxidoreductase in the regulation of intracellular redox state.

This paper is a brief overview of current knowledge about DT-diaphorase [NAD(P)H: Quinone Oxidoreductase, NQO], flavoprotein that catalyzes the obligatory two-electron reduction of a wide variety of substrates. The most efficient substrates are quinones but the enzyme will also reduce quinone-imines, nitro and azo compounds. NQO is unique among known NAD(P)H-oxidizing flavoproteins in being a 2-electron transferring quinone reductase, and play a major role in preventing one-electron reduction of exogenous quinones by other enzymes to auto-oxidable semiquinones and concomitant superoxide-radical generation. Induction of NQO by a variety of xenobiotics (potential sources of free-radical formation which lead to DNA and cell damage) provides protection from the cytotoxic and carcinogenic effects of these compounds. NQO has an important role in the bioreductive activation of various quinones used in cancer chemotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Studies regarding the antioxidant effects of selenium on top swimmers.

The authors performed another controlled trial in 33 top swimmers (16 girls and 17 boys) in order to make evident some acute and chronic effects (antioxidant) of selenium. Lipid peroxides (MDA-malondialdehyde), nonproteic--SH (essential glutathione) in the serum and blood lactate had been recorded initially on basal conditions and after 2 h endurance training (swimming) accompanied by a per oral administration of 150 micrograms selenium (respectively placebo); one week later we applied the cross-over method. In another trial we continued the treatment with 100 micrograms selenium daily for 14 days (n = 9), respectively placebo (n = 7) and then we applied the crossover method for another 14 days. The above biochemical parameters were recorded initially at rest, under basal conditions, after 14 days of treatment and again after 14 days of treatment, when crossing-over. No significant changes were noticed after a single dose + 2 h hard training, both under selenium and placebo treatment and also when the cross-over method was applied. Fourteen days of selenium treatment induced significant changes of lipid peroxides (especially when the subjects came after placebo) and nonproteic--SH, compared to placebo, changes which support the idea of some antioxidant effects of selenium which might be useful in endurance athletes.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Studies on selenium in top athletes.

The authors performed a controlled trial in 18 top athletes (9 weight lifters and 9 rowers, girls) in order to make evident some chronic and acute effects (antioxidant) of selenium. Nonprotein--SH (essential glutathione), lipid peroxides (MDA-malondialdehyde), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (G-6-PDH) and fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase in serum, have been recorded initially on basal conditions, after 3 weeks of treatment (100 micrograms/day selenium or placebo) and again after 3 weeks of treatment, also on basal conditions, when crossing over the groups (between a free interval of 10 days). In another trial we registered these parameters on basal conditions and after two hours of hard training accompanied by a per oral administration of 150 micrograms selenium (respectively placebo). The results show significant changes under selenium treatment of the peroxides, G-6-PDH and light changes, not significant of the nonprotein--SH, changes which could suggest an antioxidant effect of this element.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of hemodialysis on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in patients with chronic renal failure.

Plasma and blood lipid peroxidation, activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), and serum antioxidant activity (AOA) in uremic patients were examined before and 15 and 30 minutes after the start of dialysis. Hemodialysis was found to produce increased lipid peroxidation in plasma and blood and a simultaneous decrease of SOD activity. The extracellular antioxidant systems were evaluated by the assay of ceruloplasmin level, which did not modify significantly during the dialysis. Our data indicate that the time since the start of dialysis is an important, but not unique factor, influencing possible oxidative damage during hemodialysis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Importance of reactive oxygen species in rheumatoid arthritis.

Free radical oxidation--peroxidation products, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity--and nonproteic thiols were measured in blood from 10 normal subjects and 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Peroxidation products and SOD activity have been found significantly elevated, while blood nonproteic thiols have been found significantly lower in RA patients, as compared to normal controls. Also, plasmatic concentration of ceruloplasmin has been found significantly higher in RA patients than in controls.

Adult↗