Protective Role of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker on Short Time Effect of Oleic Acid Induced Lung and Kidney Injury.

BACKGROUNDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) causes high mortality rate in clinic, and the pathogenesis of this syndrome may interact with renin angiotensin system (RAS) components. The main objective of this study was to determine the protective role of AT1R antagonist (losartan) on oleic acid (OA) induced ARDS and kidney injury. METHODS: The animal model of ARDS was performed by intravenous administration of 250 µl/kg oleic acid (OA). Male and female rats were subjected to received intravenously vehicle (saline, groups 1 and 4), OA (groups 2 and 5), or losartan (10 mg/kg) plus OA (groups 3 and 6), and six hour later, the measurements were performed. RESULTS: Co-treatment of OA and losartan increased the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen significantly (P < 0.05) and creatinine insignificantly in both gender. However, the OA induced kidney damage was decreased by losartan significantly in male (P < 0.05) and insignificantly in female rats. In addition, co-treatment of OA and losartan decreased lung water content significantly in male rats (P < 0.05). Based on tissue staining, no significant difference in lung tissue damages were observed between the groups, however some exudate were observed in lung male rats treated with OA alone which were abolished by losartan. CONCLUSIONS: Losartan may protect the kidney and lung against OA induced tissue injury in male rats. This protective action is not certain in female rats.

A New Shifting Strategy in Flashing Light Based on the Cell Growth Curve to Enhance ß-carotene Biosynthesis in Dunaliella salina.

Microalgae Dunaliella salina has been recognized as an effective source of ß-carotene. To elevate the productivity of this species, light has been served as an important induction factor, in this regard, a new idea was inspired as designing a red-to-blue wavelength shifting system based on the growth rate and cell behavior. A photobioreactor was exposed to two panels of flashing red and blue LEDs. At the commencement of the stationary phase, the wavelength shifting was applied and red LEDs were replaced with blue ones. Maximum ß-carotene content of 10 mg.g-1 was obtained; at least 300% higher than the content in the controlled system (flashing red and blue light to the end of growth).