Formation of oxygen free radicals during heart transplantation seems to be related to the alterations occurring during ischemia and reperfusion and could explain the short preservation time of donor hearts. The aim of our study was (a) to analyze the protective effects of pyruvate during cold cardioplegia and ischemia/reperfusion sequence, and (b) to investigate in vitro the radical scavenging properties of this compound. After 30 min of perfusion, isolated working rat hearts were arrested by cardioplegic solution, stored 4 h in B21 solutions at 4 degrees C, and reperfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 45 min. Pyruvate (2 mM) was added to Krebs-Henseleit, cardioplegic, and storage solutions, and functional parameters were recorded throughout the experiments. In a second part, control hearts and hearts treated with pyruvate were cannulated via the aorta and perfused for 30 min by the Langendorff method, arrested by cardioplegic solution, stored 4 h in B21 solutions at 4 degrees C, and reperfused for 45 min by the Langendorff method. Malonedialdehyde and alpha-tocopherol levels were determined on heart homogenate. In situ detection of apoptotic cells also was performed on tissue samples (left ventricle) at the end of the ischemia/reperfusion sequence. To demonstrate in vitro the antioxidant effects of pyruvate, we monitored (a) its hydroxyl radical scavenging properties by using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and (b) the decrease of fluorescence of allophycocyanin, in the presence of a Fenton system (H2O2/Cu2+). Ischemia for 4 h, followed by myocardial reperfusion, resulted in substantially reduced mechanical function. Hearts subjected to this ischemia and pretreated with pyruvate showed a significant improvement in the function recovery. After the ischemia/reperfusion protocol, no significant decrease of malonedialdehyde levels was shown on hearts treated with pyruvate. However, alpha-tocopherol levels were higher in the pyruvate group compared with the control group. At the end of the reperfusion period, levels of apoptotic cells were significantly lower in hearts treated with pyruvate compared with control hearts. EPR studies showed that pyruvate was an efficient hydroxyl scavenger, with a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 8 mM. The allophycocyanin assay also showed a dose-dependent effect of pyruvate against hydroxyl radicals. In conclusion, these findings showed that pyruvate could prevent reperfusion injuries in the isolated heart, probably by its antioxidative properties. The application of pyruvate may contribute to the preservation of hearts for organ transplantation.

Friction coefficient value depends on the type of slider surface and its physicochemical properties. In vivo,the friction coefficient may quantify the influence of lubrificant/emolients/moisturizers. For example, the friction coefficient of hydrated skin (through the action of moisturizing products) is higher than the friction coefficient of dry skin. The relationship between the friction coefficient and the Hi/Ho balance can be reversed in the presence of water and sebum on forehead, for example.

We suggest that natural mineral water supplementation may be used in order to improve the hydration of skin dryness as a complementary cosmetic approach.

It is well known that aminoguanidine (AG) can diminish advanced glycosylation of proteins, which might be beneficial in preventing chronic diabetic complications. Recent reports suggested an inter-relationship between glycosylation of protein and free radical damage. In the present study, we examined the free radical scavenging properties of AG. Electron paramagnetic resonance using the spin-trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) was performed to determine the superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities of AG. These experiments revealed that AG was an effective hydroxyl radical scavenger even though it expressed a direct inhibitory effect on the xanthine oxidase activity at high concentrations (AG > or = 5 mM). In the second part of the study, allophycocyanin was used as an indicator of free radical mediated protein damage. In the assay, 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) was used as a peroxyl radical generator, and the loss of allophycocyanin fluorescence was monitored. The antioxidant effect of AG was expressed in oxygen-radical absorbing capacity (ORAC), where one ORAC unit equals the net protection produced by 1 microM Trolox (a water soluble analogue of vitamin E) as a control standard. AG exhibited a significant dose-dependent effect against free radical damage. These radical scavenging properties of AG may contribute to protective effects during glycation and explain the prevention of diabetic complications.

The mixture composed of CaHa tends to restore the contractile properties of WF to the same level as NF. Therefore, this study shows that CaHa has positive overall effects on aging.