M Wolanska | PubMed Health

PubMed2004

Matrix metalloproteinases in the vein wall.

AIM: Matrix metalloproteinases contribute to extracellular matrix remodelling that can influence mechanical properties of the vein wall and predispose to varicose veins development. The aim of the study was to assess the following matrix metalloproteinases in the wall of varicose veins: tissue collagenase I (MMP-1), gelatinase A (MMP-2), gelatinase B (MMP-9) and stromelysin 1 (MMP-3). METHODS: Normal, varicose and varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis were collected during the surgical treatment of 26 patients. In harvested tissues the presence of gelatinases was detected with zymography, contents of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were evaluated with ELISA, activity of MMP-1 was assessed with HPLC and activity of MMP-2 with ELISA. RESULTS: Zymography demonstrated particularly high contents of both gelatinases in the wall of varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis. The contents of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly increased only in the wall of varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis, whereas the increased content of MMP-3 was also found in the wall of varicose veins. A significantly higher activity of MMP-1 was shown only in the wall of varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis, whereas an active form of MMP-2 was increased in the wall of varicose, as well as varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis, when compared with normal ones. CONCLUSION: The wall of varicose veins, particularly those complicated by thrombophlebitis shows extensive alterations in the content and activity of matrix metalloproteinases, that may result in extracellular matrix remodelling, influence mechanical properties of the vein wall and predispose to further progression of the disease.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed1981

[Changes in the pharyngeal bacterial flora during hyperbaric oxygenation].

Qualitative and quantitative bacteriological tests of throat smears were carried out on the following three groups of patients: 1) Patients exposed to several 90-minute sequences of oxygen hyperbaria, at a height of 2.2 ata O2, at intervals of 2 to 3 days. 2) Patients exposed to a single 30-minute dose of oxygen hyperbaria at a height of 2.5 ata O2/the oxygen test. 3) Patients who had never been exposed to oxygen hyperbaria. Several hundred bacterials strains of the Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella and Nocardia genus were isolated from the material collected from the tested patients over intervals of a few days. The collected samples were when subjected to a detailed bacteriological analysis. At the same time bacteriological tests were performed at intervals on the hyperbaric atmosphere of the therapeutic pressure chamber, the walls of the chamber, and the masks used by the patients during the administration of hyperbaric oxygen. A certain degree of qualitative and quantitative changes (number reduction of bacterial strains) was observed. The authors attribute these results to the influence of hyperbaric oxygenation both on the microorganisms, as well as on a given patient's reactivity.

Bacteriological Techniques↗