Subject(s)
Bone Marrow Cells/radiation effects , Bone Marrow Transplantation/methods , Graft Survival/physiology , Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/physiology , Ultraviolet Rays , Animals , Female , Immune Tolerance/physiology , Male , Nephrectomy , Rats , Rats, Inbred Lew , Rats, Wistar , Reoperation , Subrenal Capsule Assay/methods , Transplantation Chimera , Transplantation, HomologousABSTRACT
Hyperhomocysteinemia has been recognised as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral artery disease. There is strong evidence suggesting that hyperhomocysteinemia accelerates the process of atherogenesis. Possible explanations for this will be shortly reviewed. Recently a growing interest has been focused on the association of hyperhomocysteinemia with diabetes mellitus and with chronic renal disease, including renal transplant recipients. Some clinical aspects of this occurrence, such as interactions with insulin, metformin, and cyclosporine and also with some vitamins, will be described. The issue of hyperhomocysteinemia in heart transplant patients will also be mentioned. Last of all, the interaction of homocysteine concentration with some beverages will be considered.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Diabetes Complications , Hyperhomocysteinemia/complications , Kidney Transplantation , Diabetic Nephropathies/complications , Diabetic Retinopathy/complications , Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology , Heart Transplantation , Hemodynamics , Homocysteine/metabolism , Humans , Hyperhomocysteinemia/genetics , Hyperhomocysteinemia/physiopathology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease caused by the selective destruction of islet beta cells. Allo or xeno transplantation of islet cells may establish a novel promising method of IDDM therapy. Understanding how lymphocytes recognize beta cell antigens is essential for the elucidation of the pathogenesis of islet dysfunction. Leukocyte adhesion to the target cells (endothelium, islets) via adhesion molecule pathways plays an important role in auto and allo/xeno antigen recognition and effector cytodestruction of target cells. However, the expression of these molecules on the endothelium and islet cells during the rejection process still remains unclear. There are some publications describing possible roles of these antigens in the response to the graft. The expression of some of adhesion molecules may contribute to a new method for the diagnosis of graft rejection and its therapy when adhesion blocking substances are used for the treatment.
