Thrombospondins Differentially Regulate Proteins Involved in Arterial Remodeling.

Thrombospondins (TSPs) are matricellular glycoproteins expressed in response to vascular injury. TSP-1 and TSP-2 are promotors of arterial remodeling while TSP-5 is believed to be protective. The current study assessed the differential effect of TSPs on protein expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We hypothesized that TSP-1, TSP-2 and TSP-5 would regulate VSMC proteins involved in arterial remodeling. Human VSMCs were exposed to TSP-1, -2, -5 or serum free media (24 hours). Cell lysates were used to assess the targets TSP-1, TSP-2, TSP-5 and CD44), while the culture media was used to detect TGF-ß1, PDGF-BB, ANGPTL-4 and IL-8. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test and p< 0.05 was considered significant. All TSPs increased their own expression and TSP-5 increased TSP-2. TSP-1 and TSP-2 increased production of ANGPTL-4 and PDGF-BB, while TSP-5 only increased ANGPTL-4. TSP-1 increased exclusively TGF-ß1 and CD44 production. TSP-2 increased TSP-1 expression. All TSPs decreased IL-8. The findings suggest that TSP-1 and TSP-2 may promote vascular remodeling, in part, by increasing ANGPTL-4, PDGF-BB and their own expression. TSP-5 did not upregulate the inflammatory mediators TSP-1, PDGF-BB or TGF-ß1, but upregulated its own expression, which could be a protective mechanism against the response to vascular injury.

Laparoscopic anatomy of caprine abdomen and laparoscopic liver biopsy.

This study was carried out on apparently healthy adult non pregnant female Baladi goats to provide normal laparoscopic anatomy of the abdomen and to assess feasibility of laparoscopy for liver biopsy. Following preparation of animals, equipment and instruments, the primary port and laparoscope was placed on the umbilicus and 360° scan was performed for orientation and exploration of the abdominal cavity. Secondary ports were placed under direct laparoscopic observation to allow insertion of accessory instruments for tissue grasping, coagulation and severing. The obtained results cleared that ventral laparoscopic approach and tilting and rotating the animal during laparoscopic procedures provided better exposure of internal abdomen. Laparoscopy provided a comprehensive description of cranial and caudal abdominal regions. Laparoscopic liver biopsy required two secondary ports; one assisting port inserted in right subcostal area and one operating port inserted subxiphoid. The procedure was safe, practical and easily performed.

Novel 6,8-dibromo-4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives of promising anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

A new series of the title compounds incorporated into diverse N and O heterocyclic moieties of pharmacoavailability as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, were synthesized starting with 6,8-dibromo-2-phenyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (I) by its fusion with p-aminoacetophenone to give the new intermediate compound, 6,8-dibromo-2-phenyl-3-(4-acetylphenyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone (II). The one pot reaction of II with the appropriate aromatic aldehydes and anhyd. ammonium acetate in the presence of either ethyl cyanoacetate or malononitrile afforded the corresponding 2(1H)-pyridones III or 2(1H)-iminopyridines IV, respectively, while its reaction with malononitrile and aromatic aldehydes in piperidine gave 2-aminopyrans V. Also, reaction of the acetyl derivative II with aromatic aldehydes afforded the corresponding 1,3-propen-1-one derivatives VI which underwent cyclization with hydrazine to give the corresponding pyrazolines VII and with urea and/or thiourea to give the corresponding tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ones and/or tetrahydropyrimidin-2-thiones VIII. Some representative examples of the new compounds showed promising anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in experimental animals.