Molecular biology reports
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Molecular biology reports · Jun 2010
Sevoflurane postconditioning protects isolated rat hearts against ischemia-reperfusion injury: the role of radical oxygen species, extracellular signal-related kinases 1/2 and mitochondrial permeability transition pore.
The roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) in sevoflurane postconditioning induced cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in Langendorff rat hearts were investigated. When compared with the unprotected hearts subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by 1 h of reperfusion, exposure of 3% sevoflurane during the first 15 min of reperfusion significantly improved functional recovery, decreased infarct size, reduced lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase-MB release, and reduced myocardial malondialdehyde production. However, these protective effects were abolished in the presence of either ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine or ERK 1/2 inhibitor PD98059, and accompanied by prevention of ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and elimination of inhibitory effect on mPTP opening. These findings suggested that sevoflurane postconditioning protected isolated rat hearts against ischemia-reperfusion injury via the recruitment of the ROS-ERK 1/2-mPTP signaling cascade.
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Molecular biology reports · Jan 2010
MEFV mutations in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever from the Aegean region of Turkey.
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) which is frequently present in Mediterranean populations is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene. According to recent data, MEFV mutations are not the only cause of FMF, but these are major genetic determinants which cause FMF. It has also been suggested that there may be a number of other genes causing FMF. ⋯ The remaining alleles (10.76%) showed rare mutations which were R761H, P369S, A744S, K695R, F479L, M694I. When the frequencies of mutations detected in our group were compared to the frequencies reported in the other regions of Turkey, an increase in V726A mutation frequency was observed. No patient showed a I692del mutation which is sometimes evident in other Mediterranean populations.
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Molecular biology reports · Nov 2009
Effects of propofol on pro-inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappaB during polymicrobial sepsis in rats.
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) plays a central role in regulating the transcription of several genes associated with sepsis/septic shock. Therefore, the author investigated the effects of propofol on the plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 (TNF-alpha and IL-6) levels and NF-kappaB activation during polymicrobial sepsis in rats. Male Sprague-Dawlay rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP, a model of polymicrobial sepsis) or sham operation. ⋯ The plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels and the hepatic NF-kappaB activation significantly increased after CLP alone. Compared with CLP group, propofol treatment reversed hypotension, slightly steadied heartbeats, and decreased the plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels, and significantly suppressed NF-kappaB activation. Propofol has inhibited the hepatic NF-kappaB activation and the pro-inflammatory cytokine response during polymicrobial sepsis in rats.
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Molecular biology reports · Sep 2008
Molecular cloning and characterization of 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl-4-diphosphate reductase gene from Ginkgo biloba.
Ginkgo biloba contains terpene triclactones of high pharmaceutical value such as ginkgolides. 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl-4-diphosphate (HMBPP) reductase (HDR) is proved to be the terminal-acting enzyme in the plastid MEP pathway which provides isoprenoid precursors for the biosynthesis of ginkgolides. The full-length cDNA encoding HDR, designated as GbHDR (Genbank Accession Number DQ364231), was isolated for the first time from G. biloba by RACE method. GbHDR contained a 1,422-bp open reading frame encoding 474 amino acids. ⋯ Southern blot analysis indicated that GbHDR belonged to a small gene family. Transcription pattern analysis revealed that GbHDR had high transcription in roots, and low in leaves and stems. The cloning of GbHDR gene will enable us to further understand the role of GbHDR involved in terpene triclatones biosynthetic pathway in G. biloba at molecular level.