CONTENTS
1. Physiological bases and pathogenesis of aging. Pillars of the aging
M Dumitru
2. Subcellular anti-aging mechanisms in brain longevity
D Riga, Fr Schneider, S Riga
3. Particularities of circadian rhythm in children of various age
Mariana Chirca, V Nestianu, P Badea
4. Influence of catecholamines depletion by reserpine on the pancuronium-induced myorelaxation in
rats
Silvia Albu, B Cuparencu, Vl Şandor
5. Brief review: Umbilical cord blood stem cells - cryopreservation and banking
Ioana Siska, Daciana Nistor, Gabriela Tanasie, Carmen Tatu, Carmen Bunu, Florina Mirea, C
Muntean, V Paunescu
6. Effect of acute intraperitoneal administration of zolpidem on serum lipids and blood glucose levels
in hyperlipidemic rats
J Horák, B Cuparencu, Zsuzsanna Fürst, Aliz Horák
7. Immobilization-related muscular atrophy – experimental study
Carmen Tatu, Alice Dema, FR Tatu, Daniela Puscasiu, Ioana Siska, Florina Mirea, Fr Schneider
8. Assessment of urinary vanil mandelic acid and hydroxy indol acetic acid in students under mental
stress condition
Ileana Ion, Cecilia Adumitresi, ND Ceamitru, O Teren, Cristina Farcas, Carmen Ciufu, Ninela
Radulescu
9. FOR THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER: Organophosphorus insecticide poisoning: clinicalfeatures, mechanism of toxicity and management
S Gligor, Dorina Ardelean, Virginia Gligor
10. Book review: Images of Psychiatry in Romania (21st Century Romanian Psychiatry)
Fr Schnider

1. PHYSIOLOGICAL BASES AND PATHOGENESIS OF AGING. PILLARS OF THE
AGING
M Dumitru
Clinical Department of Gerontology, UCLA-Drew University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Address for correspondence: Mircea Dumitru MD, PhD, 15220 San Simon Ln, La Mirada, CA 90638-4753, USA, Email: mircea340@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
What means the aging? Aging is normal-physiological process that begins from the moment ofconception and continues until the end of the life (Fig. no. 2). The aging process / processes is / are aplurality of normal changes in human organism due to the lapse of time, the change in the frame ofmind, in the philosophy and physical condition of each of us. Disease is an accident, a pathologicalprocess which can occur occasionally in childhood, adulthood and not exclusive to old people. The
disease itself can be prevented, treated and cured, or if it becomes chronic it can be alleviated. In
each case, a geriatrician and gerontologist, thinking about a complex of measures could give /improve the Quality of Life. It is important to know that aging is under the influence of genetic(60%) and environmental factors (40%). Under their influence the aging rhythm can be normal,
accelerated or delayed. Each person has his own aging rhythm, his own biological clock. After morethan 30 years of studies in Gerontology and Geriatrics I will present some of the markers / pillars /criteria / indicators of normal / physiological Inner / Biological age.
Key words: normal aging, physiology, pathogenesis, pillars
2. SUBCELLULAR ANTI-AGING MECHANISMS IN BRAIN LONGEVITY
D Riga1, Fr Schneider2, S Riga1

1

Department of Stress Research and Prophylaxis, “Al. Obregia” Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry,
Bucharest
2
Center for Applied Physiology and Molecular Biology, Academy of Medical Sciences, Arad
Addresss for correspondece: Dr. Dan Riga, Department of Stress Research and Prophylaxis, “Al. Obregia” Clinical
Hospital of Psychiatry, 10 Berceni Road, Sector 4, 041914 Bucharest 8, Romania, E-mail: D_S_Riga@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Lipopigments (LP): lipofuscin - hallmark of cellular senescence, and ceroid - cumulating result of
external aggressions and of cellular distresses represent an important indicator of central nervous
system (CNS) vulnerability and aging.
In experiments were used Wistar rats, which were divided in three lots: control old stressed group(C-OS), old stressed group which Meclofenoxat treatment (OS-MF), and old stressed group treatedwith anti-stress, anti-impairment and anti-aging therapy (A-SIA-T). Rat brains were processed,
investigated and analyzed by qualitative and quantitative electron microscopy.
In treated rat groups, LP from CNS (as from neurons, as from glial cells) shown significant antiaging changes (volume / surface reduction and processed structure), more intense at A-SIA-T group.
In addition, lipofuscino- and ceroido-lysis are associated with neurono → glio → capillar (tissual)transfer of sub cellular wastes highly processed. Re-establishment of lysosomal homeostasis isaccompanied also by structural rejuvenation of sub cellular compartments, anabolic [i energetic.
The use of A-SIA-T synergistic-simultaneous therapy opens new prospects in anti-aging andprolongevity medicine.
Key words: lipofuscino- / ceroido-lysis, tissue transfer - elimination of processed lipopigments, antiaging sub cellular mechanisms, brain renewal - longevity.

3. PARTICULARITIES OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM IN CHILDREN OF VARIOUS AGEMariana Chirca1, V Nestianu2, P Badea3
1
The Clinical Hospital No. 2 “Filantropia” Craiova
2
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
3
Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova
Address of correspondence: Prof. V Nestianu, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine
and Pharmacy of Craiova, Petru Rares Street no.2, 200349 Craiova

ABSTRACT
Blood pressure, pulse and body temperature determination have been performed on a number of 108
children distributed by age in four groups (1 to 3; 3 to 7; 7 to 14 and 14 to 16 years old), some ofthem (48) healthy and some (60) having respiratory and digestive pathology, etc. The measurements
have been registered at 7.30, 12.30 and 18.30 hours daily, following the circadian oscillation, curves
being drawn according to cosinor calculation. This curve shows that hourly normal circadianoscillations of body temperature and pulse are present only in healthy children of all ages and also in
ill teenagers and partially in 8 to 14 years old ill children.
Besides, blood pressure oscillations in teenagers and partially in pupils are also ampler and more
likely in adults as daily program.
Key words: circadian rhythm, children, pulse, blood pressure, body temperature.

4. INFLUENCE OF CATECHOLAMINES DEPLETION BY RESERPINE ON THE
PANCURONIUM-INDUCED MYORELAXATION IN RATS
Silvia Albu1, B Cuparencu2, Vl Şandor3

1

Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea
3
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine andPharmacy ”Iuliu Haţieganu” Cluj-Napoca
2Address for correspondence: Prof. Dr. B Cuparencu, 27 Horea Street, 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Email:bcuparencu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACTIn male Wistar albino rats, the intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of pancuronium (0.280 mg/kg)
induced a short–lasting reversible muscle relaxation documented by a more rapid fall from ahorizontal bar in comparison with the non–treated animals (Julou–Courvoisier test). The respiration
was not affected. Reserpine pretreatment (5 mg/kg i.p.) decreased the latency and augments theduration of the myorelaxation. The dose of 1 mg/kg reserpine was ineffective.
Key words: muscle relaxation, pancuronium, rats, reserpine
5. BRIEF REVIEW: UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD STEM CELLS - CRYOPRESERVATION
AND BANKING
Ioana Raluca Siska, Daciana Nistor, Gabriela Tănasie, Carmen Bunu, Carmen Tatu, Florina Mirea,
Calin Munteanu1 and Virgil Paunescu
Department of Physiology and Immunology
1
Department of Medical Informatics
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara
ABSTRACT
Umbilical cord blood banking consists of the collection, processing, and cryopreservation of theremaining blood within the umbilical and placental circulation following the birth of a child andtypically prior to placental delivery. Within this “leftover” blood, traditionally discarded with theplacenta as medical waste, lies a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells. For more than a decade,banked cord blood stem cells have been used to treat thousands of people worldwide with more than
45 different malignant and nonmalignant diseases and to treat patients with severe combined
immunodeficiency syndrome through gene therapy techniques. The premise for banking cord bloodis the fact that cord blood stem cells are the progenitor cells that can reconstitute the blood andimmune systems. These cells are particularly abundant in cord blood - with concentrations nearly 10
times greater than that found in bone marrow - and are more proliferative. When infused, cord blood
stem cells migrate to the bone marrow where they engraft and develop into the cell lines of blood andimmune system components mentioned above. In the present article, we describe and discuss themost important aspects regarding collection, processing, and cryopreservation of umbilical cord
blood (UCB), and also about the indications and advantages of transplantation procedures using
UCB stem cells.
Key words: umbilical cord blood, stem cells, cryopreservation, banking

6. EFFECT OF ACUTE INTRAPERITONEAL ADMINISTRATION OF ZOLPIDEM ON
SERUM LIPIDS AND BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS IN HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS
J Horák1, B Cuparencu1, Zsuzsanna Fürst2, Aliz Horák3
1
Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea,
Romania2
Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University Medicine Semmelweis Budapest,
Hungary3
Institute of Oncology ”Ion Chiricuţa”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Address for correspondence: Dr. J. Horak, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy,
University of Oradea, 10, Independentei Square, 410073 Oradea.

ABSTRACTIn Wistar rats rendered hyperlipidemic by an i.p. injection of TRITON WR-1339, the i.p.
administration of Zolpidem induced significant decreases of serum total cholesterol and triglycerides.
The effective doses were 25, 10 and 15mg/kg, whereas doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg were inactive, whileat this dosage range, bonzodiazepines compounds, acting on the same receptors, induce a bell-shapedose-response curve. Zolpidem failed to affect the HDL-cholesterol level, related to total cholesterol.
Blood glucose level was modified by Zolpidem in a manner which excludes the possibility todescribe it in a definite dose-response curve. We suggest that the antihyperlipidemic activity ofZolpidem was due to the stimulation of a particular subpopulation of peripheral type benzodiazepine
receptors.
Key words: rats, hyperlipidemia, Zolpidem, blood glucose, serum lipids.

7. IMMOBILIZATION-RELATED MUSCULAR ATROPHY – EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Carmen Tatu1, Alice Dema2, FR Tatu3, Daniela Puscasiu4, Ioana Siska1, Florina Mirea1, F
Schneider1
1
Department of Physiology
2
Department of Morphopathology
3 st
1 Department of Orthopedics and Trauma
4
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara
ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to determine the degree of muscle atrophy in a hind limb of SpragueDawley rats, which had been immobilized for a certain period of time. By correlations with clinicalstudies, we aim to develop some clinical solutions for improving the physical condition of patients
who were submitted to a prolonged period of immobilization.
The experimental research was performed on two groups of Sprague-Dowley adult rats, weight
between 280 g and 350 g; group I consists of 10 rats on which elastic bandage immobilization of one
hind limb was performed for a period of 25 days; group II consists of 10 non-immobilized rats, as thecontrol group. Several parameters were monitored: macroscopic changes regarding the thickness of
the immobilized limb compared to the other limb; histopathologic changes of the immobilized hindlimb musculature compared to the contralateral limb (free); changes in body weight during theimmobilization period.
The extremely significant decrease of thigh circumference was found, at 2 cm and 4 cm from theknee joint, respectively. Muscle fragments harvested from the immobilized limbs had shown a seriesof changes: inequalities in fibers size, cytoplasm homogenization, and centralization or nuclei loss
phenomena, multi-nucleation phenomena. In addition, the significant decrease of muscle fiber
diameter in the lower leg and in thigh was shown, both in transversal and in longitudinal section.
The muscular atrophy is always produced as a result of striated muscle immobilization andrepresents a phenomenon that can be demonstrated both macroscopic and microscopic.
Key words: immobilization, muscular atrophy, lower limb, skeletal muscle.

8. ASSESSMENT OF URINARY VANIL MANDELIC ACID AND HYDROXY INDOLACETIC ACID IN STUDENTS UNDER MENTAL STRESS CONDITION
Ileana Ion1, Cecilia Adumitresi1, ND Ceamitru2, O Teren3, Cristina Farcas1, Carmen Ciufu1,
Ninela Radulescu1
1
Physiology Department, “Ovidius” University, Faculty of Medicine, Constanta
2
Physiopathology Department, “Ovidius” University, Faculty of Medicine, Constanta

3Biophysics Department, “Ovidius” University, Faculty of Medicine, Constanta

Address for correspondence: Ion Ileana, Physiology Department, faculty of Medicine, Constanta, Ion Vodă Street no.58,
Constanţa 8700. E-mail: ionileana@medcon.ro

ABSTRACTVia hypothalamus and the sympathetic nervous system, psychological stress stimulates the adrenal
medulla to secrete the two catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine into the blood stream.
The same circumstances induce the increase of serotoninergic activity, being well known that
serotonine is the neurotransmitter involved in sensory perception, mood, depression and otherpsychological disturbances generated by stress.
Assessment of catecholamines and serotonine activity by their main metabolites, urinary vanil
mandelic acid (VMA) and hydroxy indole acetic acid (HIAA) in students under examination stress,
showed significant variations of these parameters as an adaptation to the mental stress.
Key words: catecholamine, products of metabolism, stress

9. FOR THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER: ORGANOPHOSPHORUS INSECTICIDEPOISONING - CLINICAL FEATURES, MECHANISM OF TOXICITY AND
MANAGEMENTS Gligor1, Dorina Ardelean2, Virginia Gligor2
1
West University, Timisoara
2West University “Vasile Goldis” Arad
Address for correspondence: Dr. Serban Gligor, West University Timisoara, Vasile Parvan Street No. 4, Timisoara
300223, Romania

ABSTRACTThe toxicology of organophosphorus insecticides (OP) when taken in large doses is well documented
and relates principally to the interaction between the OP and acetylcholinesterase (AchE). The
clinical picture of OP poisoning results from accumulation of acetylcholine (Ach) at nerves
terminals. As Ach is a neurotransmitter through the whole nervous system, poisoning with OP results
in its excessive stimulation. In mild poisoning, the muscarinic effects prevail, while in severe
poisoning, CNS symptoms and cardiovascular signs are predominant. Following significant
poisoning, two other neurological syndromes are recognized, the intermediate syndrome and OPinduced polineuropathy. This syndrome is related to ability of the OP to interact with neuropathy
target esterase. Although, other cholinolyic (e.g. Dexetimide) substances may have distinct
advantages, the role of atropine, as a mainstay of therapy, is essentially unchallenged; however, there
is still a debate about the most appropriate dosage of atropine. In order to deal with the fatal
neuromuscular dysfunction of respiratory muscles, antidotes reactivating inhibited AchE have beendeveloped, but their effectiveness is still a matter of debate.
Key words: organophosphorus insecticides, poisoning, features, mechanism, management.
10. BOOK REVIEW: IMAGES OF PSYCHIATRY IN ROMANIA (21ST CENTURY
ROMANIAN PSYCHIATRY)
Eliot Sorel, Dan Prelipceanu
Ed. Infomedica, Bucureşti 2004,171 pages, ISBN 973-7912-32-2
This book under aegis of World Psychiatric Association proposes to be a selective inventory of thelast three decades of Romanian Psychiatry, developed around Alexandru Obregia, Constantin I
Parhon, Alexandru Stuzu, Eduard I Pamfil and Petre Brânzei.
Psychiatric research has become an official scientific activity in 1972 thanks to Prof. Vasile Predescu(Institute of Neurology and Psychiatry) but today the official existence of psychiatric research isintegrated in „Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia” Clinical Hospital of Psychiatric Research, Genetics andDevelopment Unit, and Compartiment for Research on Stress. The stress unit created by Sorin Riga
and Dan Riga beginning in the 1970’s, established new concepts in bio-medicine and therapeutics,
anti-stress, anti-impairment, anti-aging therapies and created an original Romanian drugANTAGONIC - STRESS.
In the last chapter the book presents the ethics in Romanian psychiatry, psychotherapy, rehabilitationand the role of NGO organiziations, the field of drug addiction and the „Alliance against Alcoholism
and Drug Addiction”.
Finaly, Radu Mihăilescu, director of “Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia”, Psychiatric Hospital Bucharest,
presents the principles of the reformation of the mental health system: goal and objectives, primary,secondary and tertiary prophylaxis legislation.
Francisc Schneider“Vasile Goldis” University Arad