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Biomedical subjects

U Resch

Publications and source records attributed to U Resch.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Ex vivo low-density lipoprotein oxidizability and in vivo lipid peroxidation in patients on CAPD.

BACKGROUND: Chronic renal failure is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and a high incidence of cardiovascular disease. Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered a key event in atherogenesis. METHODS: We studied the ex vivo oxidizability of LDL exposed to Cu2+ ions (lag time, rate of propagation, maximum conjugated diene formation) and its relationship with LDL density, fatty acids, and antioxidants, along with plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and autoantibodies against Cu2+-, MDA-, and hypochlorous acid-modified LDL and plasma antioxidants in 17 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and 21 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: LDL alpha- and gamma-tocopherol and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations were significantly higher in the CAPD patients. LDL density was shifted to small, dense LDL. LDL oxidizability was comparable to that of healthy subjects. Lag time correlated positively with LDL alpha-tocopherol and inversely with both total PUFA concentrations and density; the rate of oxidation and LDL density correlated positively with total PUFA and total fatty acid concentrations, respectively. Ratios of autoantibody titers against oxidized to native LDL did not differ between the two groups. While plasma alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations and tocopherol to cholesterol ratios were significantly higher, vitamin C concentrations were very low in the CAPD patients. MDA concentrations were 1.7 times higher than in healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Ex vivo LDL oxidizability is normal in CAPD patients as a result of efficient protection by LDL-associated lipophilic antioxidants, although the LDL composition is altered toward high oxidizability; and (2) the plasma antioxidant screen is insufficient due to impaired vitamin C status.

Adult↗

Do human platelets express COX-2?

The rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin (PG)- and thromboxane (TX)-synthesis is known as cyclooxygenase (COX). The COX-enzyme family consists of the classical COX-1 and the inducible COX-2-enzyme. To investigate whether platelets contain COX-2, we measured thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) after either blocking COX-1 or COX-2 or adding compounds known to affect COX-expression. To stimulate platelets' different reagents such as collagen, thrombin and arachidonic acid (AA) were used. The inhibitors used in this study were acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), indomethacin and NS-398. Using the western-blot technique, we failed to detect COX-2 in platelets while COX-1 was detectable. We were not able to discover COX-2 in platelets using the methods we applied. As the amount of COX-2 in platelets might be below the detection limit of the methods used, the biological relevance COX-2 in platelets, if even existing at low amounts, remains to be established.

Adult↗

Enhanced plasma level of lipid peroxidation in Iranians could be improved by antioxidants supplementation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of supplementation with antioxidants on factors, which might increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Iranians. DESIGN: Twenty-one male volunteers enter the prospective, single-blind, randomized study. SETTING: The supplementation was conducted at the Cardiovascular Center, University of Tehran, the biochemical analysis were carried out in the University of Graz. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one male medical students were recruited by advertisement. Five subjects were dropped out due to lack of the compliance. METHODS: One group of Iranians received 30 mg/d beta-carotene and placebo for alpha-tocopherol; the other received beta-carotene plus 400 IU alpha-tocopherol for ten weeks. Concentrations of antioxidants in plasma and low density lipoproteins (LDL), plasma lipid profile, autoantibody against oxidized LDL (oLAb) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in plasma were measured. Oxidative resistance of LDL was estimated using conjugated diene assay. RESULTS: Iranians had a significantly lower plasma levels of total cholesterol (P < 0.002), LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.01) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < 0.002), compared to healthy Austrian subjects (n = 13). Although the baseline concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene were comparable with Austrians, lycopene, canthaxanthin and lutein were significantly higher in Iranians (P < 0.03-0.001). In vitro oxidative resistance of LDL, measured as lag-time, was slightly higher (P < 0.01) in Iranians comparing with Austrians. Plasma MDA and oLAb concentrations were significantly higher in Iranians (P < 0.001). Both dietary supplementations reduced plasma MDA concentrations (P < 0.001-0.001). A key finding was that a supplement combined with alpha-tocopherol caused also a significant increase of oLAb concentration (P > 0.01) as well as the significant increase of lag-time (P > 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that high plasma MDA level of Iranians can be decreased by beta-carotene supplementation with or without alpha-tocopherol. However, alpha-tocopherol is a more powerful antioxidant, which can increase the resistance of LDL to oxidation, reduce the MDA concentrations in plasma and increase autoantibodies to oLDL.

Adult↗

Marginal adaptation of heat-pressed glass-ceramic veneers to dentin in vitro.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the marginal adaptation of ceramic veneers to dentin at the cervical margins and to enamel at the palatoincisal margins using four dual-curing composite resin cements of different viscosity with their corresponding dentin bonding systems. Thirty-six caries-free human maxillary incisors were prepared for facial ceramic veneers with cervical cavity margins located in dentin. Heat-pressed glass-ceramic veneers (IPS Empress) were inserted adhesively using one of the following luting systems: Sono-Cem (SC) with EBS; Variolink Ultra (VU), Variolink High Viscosity (VHV), and Variolink Low Viscosity (VLV) with Syntac. Both the cervical and the palatoincisal margins of the veneers (tooth/composite resin cement interface and ceramic/composite resin cement interface) were evaluated before and after thermocycling and mechanical loading (TCML) by quantitative margin analysis under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) using an image analysis system. Microleakage was assessed by dye penetration after TCML. Before TCML, SC and VU showed statistically significantly fewer marginal gaps than VHV and VLV. After TCML, SC, VU, and VHV revealed significantly fewer marginal gaps than VLV. TCML had a statistically significant influence on marginal gap formation at both the dentin and enamel margins. After TCML, the percentage of marginal gaps was not significantly different at the cervical dentin than at the palatoincisal enamel margins. Cervical dye penetration after TCML showed no statistically significant differences in microleakage among the four luting systems. In conclusion, this in vitro study showed that similarly favorable marginal adaptations of ceramic veneers to dentin and enamel can be achieved using Sono-Cem, Variolink Ultra, or Variolink High Viscosity with their corresponding dentin bonding systems.

Ceramics↗