The relationship between angiotensin II (ANG II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) is known to be complex; both peptides can initiate and potentiate the gene expression of each other. This pilot study investigated the effects of the AT1 receptor blocker losartan or the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and albuminuria and the renal ANG II and ET-1 levels. 3-month-old male Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR) were treated either with losartan (5 mg kg-1 day-1) or aliskiren (10 mg kg-1 day-1) for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, rats were decapitated and cortical and papillary parts of kidneys were separated. Plasma and tissue ANG II levels were measured by RIA and tissue ET-1 concentrations by ELISA. In all four groups of animals ET-1 levels were lowest in renal cortex and more than 100-fold higher in the papilla. Cortical and papillary ET-1 concentrations in untreated TGR significantly exceeded those of control HanSD rats and were significantly depressed by both drugs. In both strains, papillary ANG II concentrations were moderately but significantly higher than cortical ANG II, TGR exhibited higher ANG II levels both in cortex and papilla as compared to control HanSD rats. Aliskiren and losartan at the doses used depressed similarly the levels of ANG II in cortex and papilla and reduced ET-1 significantly in the renal cortex and papilla below control levels in HanSD rats. Albuminuria, which was more than twice as high in TGR as in HanSD rats, was normalized with aliskiren and reduced by 28 % with losartan, although MAP was reduced to a similar degree by both drugs. Despite similar reductions of MAP and renal ET-1 and ANG II levels aliskiren appears to be more effective than losartan, at the doses used, in reducing albuminuria in heterozygous hypertensive Ren-2 rats., Z. Vaňourková ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The article deals with geodynamical phenomena of marginal parts of sandstone plateaus. The area of interest consists of several partial areas in the Bohemian Paradise natural reserve. These areas rise above terrain as relics of a once uniform sandstone plateau. The current relief developed mainly in the Pleistocene, when the Jizera River carved present day wide valley and the underlying soft clay rocks were uncovered. Thus favorable conditions were created for slow destruction of sandstone plateaus. Here, the slope movements occur up to the present days in the form of landsliding and slow block movements and their epiphenomena. Due to this continuing activity of the slope movements, human settlements and cultural monuments are endangered. Research in this area helps us to clarify the relation between slope movements and other factors, such as the presence of a significant tectonic failure in the vicinity or the influence of the water regime., Ingrid Forczek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This paper describes limestone body situated in the northern part of the Branná group near Vápenná village in Javorník area. The body is confined by two major tectonic zones of this area - Sudetic Marginal Fault on the east and Ramzová overthrust on the south. Detailed tectonic analysis has been performed in two big limestone quarries named quarry I and II. Strikes and dips of fault planes and joints were measured. In the quarry I just one important orientation of the fault planes was found - WE mostly vertical. In the quarry II two main fault plane orientations were observed - vertical NW-SE Sudetic and NE-SW Moravo-Silesian. The senses of movements in the fault planes were determined using the calcite steps mainly as the kinematic indicators. Presence of the kinematic indicators allowed performing of paleostress analysis. Several different tectonic phases were identified and discussed., Lucie Nováková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Recent observations suggest the presence of 20S proteasomes (20S) in the lung epithelial lining fluid. However, the physiological relevance of 20S in the alveolar space and possible contribution to disease processes are unknown. Thus, we evaluated whether extracellular proteasomes could have a pathophysiological role in the injured lung using a rat model of lung contusion (LC). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were obtained at various time points for up to 168 h after LC or sham procedure. Enzyme activities, ELISA and Western blots indicated enzymatically active 20S, the 19S subunit Rpt5 and ubiquitin in BALF. 20S and ubiquitin increased significantl y after LC, peaked at 24 h and normalized within 168 h. Mg 2+ /ATP-dependent peptidase activities were detectable 6-24 h after LC. BALF after LC also contained ubiquitin-protein-ligase activity. Addition of Mg 2+ /ATP to BALF after LC led to significant proteolysis and could be prevented with epoxomicin and EDTA. These data suggest for the first time that the Mg 2+ /ATP-dependent 26S proteasome complex exists outside the cell, is released into the lung epithelial lining fluid after LC and contribute s to the proteolysis of the bulk of protein in the alveolar space of the injured lung. We infer that proteasome complexes may have a pathophysiological role during lung edema clearance., M. Majetschak, L. T. Sorell, T. Patricelli, D. H. Seitz, M. W. Knöferl., and Obsahuje bibliografii