Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning causes neuronal and glial apoptosis that can result in delayed neurological symptoms. The damage of brain cells can be prevented by oxygen therapy. Based on the central role of astrocytes in maintaining neuronal function and viability we investigated the toxic effects of 3000ppm CO in air followed by 24h of normoxia and evaluated the possible protective influence of 100% normobaric oxygen or 100% oxygen at a pressure of 3bar (hyperbaric) against CO poisoning in these cells. CO/normoxia caused a progressive decline of viability, increase in reactive oxygen species and decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular ATP levels in cultured rat astrocytes. Increased caspase-9, caspase-8 and calpain activity converged in activation of caspase-3/7. 1h treatment with oxygen disclosed pressure- and time-dependent efficacy in restoring astrocytic mitochondrial function and the prevention of apoptosis. The protective effect was most evident when the astrocytes were exposed to hyperbaric oxygen, but not normobaric oxygen, 1-5h after exposure to CO.
COBISS.SI-ID: 31762905
In line with the hypothesis of complex derangement of cerebral homeostasis in migraine and impairment of function of brainstem modulatory nuclei, we have compared visually evoked cerebral blood flow velocity responses in healthy subjects and patients with migraine to evaluate difference in cerebrovascular reactivity during tonic pain stimulus using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. In contrast to healthy subjects, there was no influence of tonic pain on the visually evoked cerebral blood flow velocity response in patients .
COBISS.SI-ID: 1793964
Background and Objective Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common disorder that affects women of various ages and impacts all aspects of life. Our aim was to evaluate the non-invasive erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser that exploits its thermal effect and has been used in reconstructive and rejuvenation surgery as a potential treatment strategy for stress UI (SUI) and mixed UI (MUI). Study Design/Materials and Methods We included 175 women (aged 49.7+-10 years) with newly diagnosed SUI (66% of women) and MUI (34%), respectively. Patients were clinically examined and classified by incontinence types (SUI and MUI) and grades (mild, moderate, severe, and very severe) using International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire (ICIQ) and assessing Incontinence Severity Index (ISI). Using Er:YAG laser, we performed on average 2.5+-0.5 procedures in each woman separated by a 2 month period. At each session, clinical examination was performed, ICIQ and ISI assessed and treatment discomfort measured with visual analog system (VAS) pain scale, and adverse effects and patients' satisfaction were followed. Follow-ups were performed at 2, 6, and 12 months after the treatment. Results After the treatment, ISI decreased for 2.6+-1.0 points in patients diagnosed with mild UI before the treatment, for 3.6+-1.4 points in those with moderate UI, for 5.7+-1.8 points in those with severe UI and for 8.4+-2.6 in those with very severe UI (P(0.001, paired samples t-test). Altogether, in 77% patients diagnosed with SUI, a significant improvement was found after treatment, while only 34% of women with MUI exhibited no UI at one year follow-up. Age did not affect the outcome. No major adverse effects were noticed in either group. Conclusion The results of our study, have shown that new non-invasive Er:YAG laser could be regarded as a promising additional treatment strategy for SUI with at least one year lasting positive effects. On the other hand, it does not seem appropriate for treating MUI.
COBISS.SI-ID: 32309721
In this monograph publication it is described that the use of external antioxidants and endogenous antioxidant enzymes failed to demonstrate conclusive health benefits. Attenuation of the ROS-induced stress/damage trough triggering the adaptive stress response by increasing the endogenos antioxidant and damage repair processes, however, may increase cellular resistance to subsequent more severe stressors and do not seem to interfere with ROS-dependent cellular signalling.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4814699
BACKGROUND: The inefficient healing of chronic wounds is a result of poor blood perfusion at the wound and surrounding tissues. Artificially applied carbon dioxide (CO2) has the potential to improve the perfusion and oxygenation of tissues, hence is useful for the healing of chronic wounds. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a transcutaneous application of physiological vasodilator gaseous CO2 on cutaneous blood flow. METHODS: Laser Doppler (LD) flux in cutaneous microcirculation, skin temperature, electrocardiogram and arterial blood pressure were measured simultaneously in a group of 33 healthy men, aged 21-28 years, during rest and a 35-minute CO2 therapy. One lower limb of each subject represented the studied extremity, being exposed to gaseous CO2. The contralateral limb was the control, being exposed to air. Each limb was sealed in a plastic bag. RESULTS: During CO2 therapy the LD flux in the studied extremity increased from 5.8 PU % 3.9 PU to 30.3 PU % 16.7 PU (mean % standard deviation; paired t-test, p ( 0.001), while that in the control extremity did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm a local vasodilatory effect of applied CO2 therapy. This finding indicates its potential clinical use.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1885563