Oenothera paradoxa defatted seeds extract containing pentagalloylglucose and procyanidins potentiates the cytotoxicity of vincristine.

The purpose of the study was a comparison of Oenothera paradoxa Hudziok defatted seeds extract (EPE) effect with the activity of individual constituents of the extract: pentagalloylglucose (PGG), gallic acid, (+)-catechin and the procyanidin fraction, as well as an assessment of the combined effect of EPE and vincristine (VCR) in the absence or presence of MRP1 (indomethacin) and P-glycoprotein (verapamil) inhibitors, on two human cancer cell lines, metastatic melanoma (HTB-140) and hepatoma (HepG2). The presence of EPE, PGG and procyanidins caused a marked reduction in viability (MTT assay) and rise in mortality (LDH release assay) of HTB-140 cells. The combined use of EPE (25 µg/mL) and VCR (1 µM) in HTB-140 and HepG2 cells produced an increased cytotoxicity as compared to vincristine alone - by more than 4 and 1.5 times, respectively. In HTB-140 cells, the level of intracellular ATP (measured by bioluminescence) was lowered over 7-fold as a result of exposure to the combination of EPE and VCR, while the addition of MRP-1 inhibitor did not cause an increased cytotoxicity or further lowering of the ATP level. Our results demonstrate that EPE, containing PGG and procyanidins, significantly increased the sensitivity of cancer cells, particularly the melanoma cells, to the action of vincristine.

Trans fatty acids induce apoptosis in human endothelial cells.

The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that trans fatty acids can induce apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). To test this hypothesis apoptosis was measured in HUVEC treated with 0.1, 1.0 or 5.0 mM trans elaidic acid (t-18:1) or linoelaidic acid (t,t-18:2) for 24 hours. For the detection of apoptosis, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay (TUNEL), cell binding of annexin V and propidium iodide uptake were measured. Active Caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase) were also measured in the cell lysate. Moreover, cellular ability to produce ROS (reactive oxygen species) was measured by DCF fluorescence Both acids studied induce both early (annexin-positive cells) and late stages of apoptosis (cells stained by propidium iodide) in a dose-dependent manner. Also the appearance of TUNEL-positive cells was induced by both trans fatty acids tested, in a dose dependent manner. Both trans acids induce apoptosis through their effect on Caspase-3 activity and on intracellular ROS production. It is worth emphasising that linoelaidic acid proved to be a more potent inducer of apoptosis and ROS production in endothelial cells than elaidic acid. The present studies suggest that trans fatty acids may play a role in damaging and death of vascular endothelial cells in atherosclerosis.

[Transesophageal echocardiograph in the evaluation of proximal segments of coronary arteries]. / Echokardiografia przezprzelykowa w ocenie proksymalnych odcinków naczyn wiencowych.

The study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of TEE for evaluation of morphology and flow in coronary arteries. TEE (2D, spectral and color Doppler imaging) and coronary angiography were performed in 75 patients (pts)-41 with valvular heart disease and 34 with ischemic heart disease. Proximal coronary artery stenosis was detected by coronarography in 11 pts (9--left main coronary artery, 2--right coronary artery). TEE visualization of proximal coronary arteries was possible in all pts. Echocardiographic features of artery stenosis were: the narrowing of the vessel in 2D image (9 pts), high flow velocity spectral Doppler (4 pts, mean 135 cm/s vs 55 cm/s in normal arteries) and mosaic, turbulent flow in color Doppler (10 pts). Sensitivity and specificity of TEE for coronary artery stenosis detection was respectively 81%/98% for 2D imaging and 90%/100% for color Doppler. TEE is a new, noninvasive and safe method for the evaluation of proximal coronary arteries. Detection of LMCA stenosis prior to catheterization may enhance the safety of coronary angiography.

[Heart valve surgery and associated diseases in aged subjects]. / Chirurgie valvulaire et pathologies associées chez les sujets âgés.

The object of this study was to assess the additional risk related to associated pathology in patients aged 70 or over undergoing valvular heart surgery. Two hundred and thirty nine patients aged 70 to 87 years (average 74.6 +/- 3.2) underwent this form of surgery between October 1979 and June 1989. Sixty seven had coronary artery disease, 26 had atherosclerotic occlusive peripheral arterial disease, and 149 had one or more extracardiovascular pathology. Two hundred and thirteen patients underwent monovalvular and 26 bivalvular replacement. Coronary bypass was associated in 25 cases. Eighteen patients (7.5%) died in the 30 days following surgery. The perioperative mortality was not significantly greater in patients with extra-cardiac pathology (9.4% vs 4.4%; NS), in patients with coronary artery disease (11.9% vs 5.8%; NS), in patients with respiratory failure and FEV1 < 1 litre (1 death out of 20 cases) or in patients with renal failure and serum creatinine levels > or = 175 mumol/l (20% vs 6.3%, NS). Respiratory failure was the only extra-cardiac variable identified with increased perioperative morbidity. The perioperative mortality of elderly patients with valvular heart disease is greater than that of patients under 70 years of age (6.4% vs 2.1%) in our experience of the last 6 years p < 0.01). Associated arterial and extra-cardiac pathology does not significantly increase the mortality and strict selection of elderly inoperable patients together with improved surgical techniques and postoperative care has considerably reduced perioperative morbidity and mortality in this group of patients.