Characterizing the Binding of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme I Inhibitory Peptide to Human Hemoglobin: Influence of Electromagnetic Fields.

BACKGROUND: Drug-protein complexes is one of the crucial factors when analyzing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a drug because they can affect the excretion, distribution, metabolism and interaction with target tissues. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of human hemoglobin (Hb) and angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory peptide (ACEIP) in the absence and presence of different- frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF). METHODS: Various spectroscopic methods like fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet, circular dichroism and conductometry techniques were applied to investigate Hb-ACEIP interaction in the absence and presence of EMF. RESULT: The presented spectroscopic studies indicated that EMF changed the interaction between Hb and ACEIP. The a-helix content of Hb decreased upon binding to ACEIP and conductivity of the solution enhanced upon binding. Based on Stern-Volmer equations, it could be stated that the Hb-ACEIP affinity was higher in the presence of EMF. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that for patients who use the drug to control blood pressure, a low-frequency electromagnetic field would have a positive effect on the uptake of the drug.

Ultrasonographic reference values for the deep branch of the radial nerve at the arcade of Frohse.

PURPOSE: The deep branch of the radial nerve (DBRN) enters the forearm as it passes under the arcade of Frohse. This is the most common entrapment site of the DBRN in the forearm. In this study, we investigated the ultrasonographic reference values for the diameters and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the DBRN at the level of the arcade of Frohse in a healthy sample of the population. METHODS: Sixty-five healthy Caucasian volunteers (130 nerves) were recruited for this study. The reference range [mean ± 2 standard deviations (SD); 2.5th-97.5th quintiles] and the upper limit of the side-to-side difference were determined. The effects of age, gender, handedness, height, and body mass index were examined. RESULTS: The mean age was 41.8 ± 11.2 years (range 18-75 years). The mean ± 2SD of the CSA was 0.50-1.42 mm2. The upper limit of the normal side-to-side difference was 0.35 mm2. The differences between males and females and between the dominant and non-dominant arms were not significant. The mean anteroposterior and transverse diameters were 0.83 ± 0.13 and 1.23 ± 0.29 mm, respectively. A significant correlation between the dominant-side CSA and age (r = 0.41; p < 0.001) was observed. The correlations between CSA and height (r = 0.19; p = 0.12) and body mass index (r = 0.22; p = 0.07) were not significant. CONCLUSION: The measurements obtained in this study are valuable for examining DBRN pathologies using high-frequency ultrasound. The findings showed that age was associated with the DBRN CSA, while gender, height, and body mass index were not.