Cytoprotectivity of Prunella vulgaris on doxorubicin-treated rat cardiomyocytes.

The cardioprotective effect of Prunella vulgaris ethylacetate fraction (PVEF) and its constituent rosmarinic acid (RA) was evaluated on isolated rat cardiomyocytes subjected to doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress. The cytoprotectivities of PVEF and RA were concentration-dependent in the range of 0.005 to 0.05 mg/ml and the effect of PVEF correlated with the RA content. Dexrazoxan (DE), used as positive control, was less effective than PVEF or RA.

Determination of anthracycline antibiotics doxorubicin and daunorubicin by capillary electrophoresis with UV absorption detection.

Sweeping preconcentration and electrokinetic injection was used for the capillary electrophoretic analysis of trace amounts of biologically active anthracyclines with UV absorption detection. Phosphate buffer (100 mM), pH 2.5, with addition of 40% v/v methanol was used as background electrolyte (BGE). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (150 mM) was added to BGE in the inlet vial as the sweeping agent. The system enables effective separation of anthracyclines as well as cleanup from matrix impurities. Sweeping preconcentration of sample provides an excellent detection limit (1 x 10(-9) mol L(-1)). The method was applied for the determination of therapeutic levels of doxorubicin in real plasma samples.

Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes--a model for the study of morphological, biochemical and electrophysiological characteristics of the heart.

The neonatal rat cardiomyocyte model enables heart researchers to study and understand the morphological, biochemical and electrophysiological characteristics of the heart. This model offers a broad spectrum of experiments, such as studies of contraction, ischaemia, hypoxia and the toxicity of various compounds. This review examines the methodology for the isolation and cultivation of primary neonatal rat cardiomyocyte cultures, considers possible problems and pitfalls, and presents an optimized protocol for cardiomyocyte preparation.

Determination of total antioxidant capacity in plasma by cyclic voltammetry. Two case reports.

The cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used for the measurement of the plasma total antioxidant capacity from two types of patients. The first one consisted of 29 volunteers (men aged 18-21 years) who were administered placebo or silymarin at a dose of 858 mg/day. After two months of silymarine administration, CV revealed a statistically significant increase in total antioxidant capacity compared to placebo. No statistically significant changes in TBARS, SH-groups, creatininin, urea, and uric acid concentrations were found. The second group under study comprised 49 patients with chronic renal disease during dialysis therapy. After dialysis, CV revealed a decrease of total antioxidant capacity in the plasma, which was equivalent to a decrease in creatinine, urea and uric acid. CV was performed using a system consisting of a working glassy carbon electrode, an auxiliary platinum electrode, and a reference saturated calomel electrode; a linear change of voltage of 200 mV/s was applied. CV is a simple and relatively reliable method for assessment of body antioxidant status. It is also time and cost effective.

Biochemical findings in the ejaculate of men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

In men with non-obstructive azoospermia, testicle biopsy can provide isolated sperm which can be used for fertilization of an oocyte. The male seminal plasma was examined for adequate biochemical parameters and then tested as potential diagnostic parameters for prediction of sperm presence in non-obstructive azoospermia. Sperm was obtained by preparation of the testicular tissue. Biochemical parameters in men with found sperm were compared to findings obtained from men without sperm in the testicular tissue. The following parameters were analysed: fructose, lactate dehydrogenase, total acid phosphatase, Zn, K, Na, Cl, pH. No statistically significant differences were found in both groups under study. Biochemical examination of the ejaculate cannot provide any prediction of sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia.

Use of thiopropyl sepharose for the synthesis of an adsorbent for the affinity chromatography of glutathione S-transferase.

Thiopropyl Sepharose 6B in the 2-thiopyridyl-activated form was used for the reversible immobilisation of reduced glutathione (GSH). The resulting affinity matrix was successfully tested as a sorbent for the partial purification of glutathione S-transferase (GST) from pig kidney. The specific elution of the enzyme was performed with 10 mM GSH in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.8), non-specific elution with 20 mM dithiotreitol (DTT) in the same buffer.

[Results of a study of serum hormones and biochemical findings in seminal plasma in subfertile men examined at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Olomouc 1995-1996]. / Výsledky hormonálních vysetrení v séru a biochemické nálezy v seminální plazme u subfertilních muzu sledovaných na Gynek.-porod. klinice v Olomouci v letech 1995-96.

Based on a comparative study in a group of healthy men and men suffering from oligospermia and azoospermia, the authors consider it useful to examine FSH, LH, PRL and testosterone serum levels for possible evidence of testicular hypofunction and for detection of stress situations associated with raised PRL levels. As to seminal plasma, the authors consider it useful and relevant to assess citric acid levels, total acid phosphatases and in particular fructose with alpha-glucosidase.