A comprehensive guide to telocytes and their great potential in cardiovascular system.

Telocytes, a recently discovered type of interstitial cells, have a very distinctive morphology - the small cell body with long extensions, named telopodes. In our review, apart from introducing general aspects of telocytes, we focus on properties, functions and future potential of those cells in cardiovascular system. However, physiological functions of telocytes in cardiovascular system are still regarded as quite enigmatic. Previous studies claim that they play a role in organogenesis and regeneration, bioelectrical signalling, mechanoelectrical coupling, anti-oxidative protection, angiogenesis and regulation of blood flow. As well, they are presumably connected with the presence of blood-myocardium barrier and proper organisation of extracellular matrix. Moreover, there exists a significant link between the quantity of telocytes in tissue and numerous cardiovascular diseases such as: myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathies, systemic sclerosis, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, isolated atrial amyloidosis, myxomatous valve degeneration and hyperplastic consequences of vascular injury. Thanks to their unique properties, telocytes might be a breakthrough in treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as they may be effective in reversing effects of myocardial infarction. Telocytes also may play a major role in tissue engineering - they might be the key factor in creating stable and efficient vascular network in larger synthetic tissues or organs (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 53).

Neurological symptoms associated with cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after CEA and CAS--one centre study.

BACKGROUND: There are two equivalent in efficacy methods of the treatment of carotid artery stenosis: endarterectomy (CEA) and stenting (CAS), in which the blood flow increases in most patients by 20-40% over baseline, in some exceeding 100% and being symptomatic and leading to cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS). AIM: The aim of this study is to analyze the structure of neurological symptoms associated with CHS in patients with carotid artery revascularization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis included 1386 consecutive patients treated in the Department of General and Vascular Surgery between 2005 and 2011, with 625 of them were subjected to CEA and 761 to CAS. If neurological symptoms occurred, patients were consulted by a neurologist and ultrasonography (USG) examination and CT were performed. Neurological symptoms in patients with new onset of headache ipsilateral to the carotid revascularization were extracted from medical records and nursing documentation. RESULTS: Neurological symptoms attributed to CHS were observed in 66 (10.6%) of CEA and 61 (8.0 %) of CAS group. The frequency was similar in both groups (p = 0.43). The occurrence of epileptic attacks was similar in both study groups. The only difference was the less frequent falling of the lip in CAS group. Transient bradycardia and/or hypotension were observed in CAS (8.8% vs. 10.4% and 1.3% vs. 1.3%, respectively). No difference in stroke appearance between groups were found. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of neurological symptoms attributable to cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid artery revascularization in short term observation is similar regardless of the method used.

Prevalence of extracranial venous abnormalities: results from a sample of 586 multiple sclerosis patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in an unselected cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. A total of 586 patients with clinically defined MS underwent catheter venography of the internal jugular veins, brachiocephalic veins and azygos vein. The following findings were regarded as pathologic: no outflow, slowed outflow, reversal of flow direction, prestenotic dilation accompanied by impaired outflow, outflow through collaterals, intraluminal structures obstructing the vein, hypoplasia, agenesia or significant narrowing of the vein. Venous abnormalities were found in 563 patients (96.1%). Lesions in one vein were found in 43.5%, in two veins in 49.5%, and in three veins in 3.1% of patients. Venous pathologies in the right internal jugular vein were found in 64.0% of patients, in the left internal jugular vein in 81.7%, in the left brachiocephalic vein in 1.0%, and in the azygos vein in 4.9%. Venous pathologies were found to be highly associated with MS, yet the clinical relevance of this phenomenon remains to be established.

Synthesis and biological activity in the GPI test of scyliorhinin I and its Val7 and Ile7 analogs.

Scyliorhinin I, a decapeptide, of tachykinin family, and its two analogs containing Val or Ile in position 7, have been synthesized using the solid-phase method, and tested for agonistic activity on isolated guinea pig ileum. Both analogs were slightly more active than scyliorhinin I, but they were significantly less potent than substance P.

Central effects of a selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist, ICI 174864.

Leu-enkephalin (LENK) injected intracerebroventricularly (icv) in a dose of 50-400 micrograms to male Wistar rats inhibited their open field locomotor activity. This effect was antagonized by 1 microgram icv of ICI 174864 but not by naloxone (NAL). Doses of 5 and 10 micrograms of ICI 174864 icv induced a characteristic abnormal behavioral syndrome, which was inhibited by icv LENK, but not by morphine. ICI 174864 potentiated the analgesic effect of morphine, whereas NAL inhibited it. The results indicate that ICI 174864 is an antagonist of central delta-opioid receptors. The abnormal behavior induced by higher doses of ICI 174864 is suggested as an experimental model for studying the central delta-opioid receptors.

Effects of chronic oral administration of imipramine in the rat forced swimming test.

Male Wistar rats were treated with imipramine hydrochloride (IMI) in a dose of 2 or 10 mg/kg/24 h in drinking water for 2 weeks, 1, 3 or 6 months. Two or 72 h after the final treatment forced swimming test was performed. It was shown that 2 h after the final dose of 10 mg/kg of IMI the immobility time was reduced following a period of 1-6 month treatment but not after 2 weeks of IMI administration. The dose of 2 mg/kg of IMI has not changed this type of behavior at any time after IMI treatment. After 24 h IMI (2 or 10 mg/kg) decreased the immobility of rats. This paper presents for the first time that also after long-term treatment with IMI the evident effect on the time of immobility in the rat forced swimming test occurs.