Effect of polyamines on superoxide dismutase activity under dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in rat thymocytes.

The intracellular redox state is of importance for cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) functioning as metabolic fine-tuner. Optimal levels of polyamines are necessary for growth, differentiation, and apoptotic cell death while they also protect cell from ROS accumulation. We have carried out studies to find out the interrelation between these two distant metabolic pathways. For that purpose, the glucocorticoid-triggered programmed cell death of rat thymocytes has been used. Our data confirm that SOD activity (which testifies both to the level of ROS generation and antioxidative defense state) changes in response to programmed cell death conditions and to alteration of intracellular polyamines level. Thymocytes death induced by dexamethasone is partially mediated by polyamines content. Our data prove that one of the molecular mechanisms of thymocytes population resistance after dexamethasone treatment is an enhanced level of antioxidant defense. It is evident that in dexamethasone-treated rat thymocytes polyamines modulate signal transduction processes to apoptosis development via changes in cellular redox status.

[Clinical efficacy of citalopram in patients with hypertension and concomitant depression]. / Klinicheskaia éffektivnost' tsitaloprama u bol'nykh arterial'noi gipertoniei s komorbidnoi depressiei.

Patients (n=28) with mild to moderate hypertension and depression were given enalapril (20 mg/day). If target blood pressure was not achieved in 10 days hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg/day) was added. These patients were randomized into 2 groups in one of which antihypertensive therapy was supplemented with citalopram (20 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Psychological status was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Total BDI score in citalopram group decreased 51% (-12.2+/-1.5; p<0.001). Complete reduction of symptoms of depression (BDI score <19) occurred in 86% of patients. There was no significant lowering of BDI score in control group. STAI score among citalopram treated patients with concomitant anxiety (STAI score >50) decreased from initial 62.9+/-2.1 to 46.3+/-3.1 by week 6 (p<0.001). Only minor changes of STAI score took place in control group. According to data of 24-hour monitoring lowering of systolic blood pressure time indexes was somewhat more pronounced in citalopram group than in control group (24 hour -49.8 and -34.4%, diurnal -56.6 and -42%, nocturnal -37.9 and -23%, respectively).

[Ramipril in elderly patients with mild and moderate hypertension. Clinical efficacy, effect on cerebral blood flow and intellectual functioning]. / Klinicheskaia éffektivnost' ramiprila, vliianie na mozgovoi krovotok i intellektual'noe funktsionirovanie u pozhilykh bol'nykh s miagkoi i umerennoi arterial'noi gipertoniei.

AIM: to study different ramipril dosage regimens on cerebral blood flow and cognitive function in elderly patients with mild to moderate hypertension. MATERIAL: 30 out-patient hypertensive patients (13 men, 17 women, age 55-75 years, mean 62+1,5). METHODS: After withdrawal of previous antihypertensive therapy patients were randomized to receive gradual (group 1) and more active (group 2) ramipril regimen. The starting dose (2,5 mg in group 1 and 5 mg in group 2) was increased at 2-week intervals to 10 mg daily. If target blood pressure (BP) level was not achieved hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/day) was added. The treatment duration was 8 weeks. 24-hour BP monitoring, duplex scanning of brachiocephalic arteries were performed at baseline, after the first dose of ramipril, and after 8 weeks of therapy. Intellectual functioning was evaluated with 4 tests of memory and attention assessment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Both single dose and long term ramipril treatment provided stable and steady hypertensive effect throughout 24 hours. There was no case of first dose hypotension in elderly patients. Both starting doses (2,5 mg and 5 mg) were similarly safe. Neither first dose of ramipril nor long term treatment caused impairment of cerebral blood flow. 8-week ramipril treatment in elderly hypertensive patients was associated with improvement of some characteristics of intellectual functioning.