FIZIOLOGIA (PHYSIOLOGY) 2007; vol.17, nr. 1 (53)
CONTENTS
1. Association of Vitamin D and Vitamin K Deficiency in Nonsupplemented Children
Alexandra M Craciun, N Miu , C Vermeer
2. Brain Natiuretic Peptide- A Biomarker for the Assessment of Heart Failure
Mihaela Iuliana Muntean, Anca Kigyosi, P Erne
3. Imobilization-Induced Osteoporosis – Clinical Study
Carmen Tatu, Dana David, RF Tatu, Daniela Puscasiu, Ramona Cioaca, F Schneider
4. In Vitro Effect of Cigarette Smoke Extract on 5’adenozine Induced Vasodilatation in Guinea Pigs’
Thoracic Aorta
Lavinia Noveanu, O Fira-Mladinescu, V Ordodi, Georgeta Mihalas
5. Closing Wedge Tibial Osteotomy – Technique and Functional Outcome
RF Tatu, R Brediceanu, Carmen Tatu, Daniela Puscasiu, Gabriela Tanasie
6. The Activity of Erythrocyte Superoxide Dismutase in Premature and Mature Infants - The
Relationship with the Gestational Age
Melinda Matyas, Cristina Craciun, Antonia Popescu, Monica Popa
7. Determination of Total and Reduced Glutathione in Guinea Pigs Exposed to Simulated Experimental
Hyperbaric Stress
Cecilia Adumitresi, N. Ceamitru, Doina Balaban, Ileana Ion, Cristina Farcas, Ninela Radulescu,
Carmen Ciufu, Emma Gheorghe, Gabriela Lilios, G Badiu
8. The Effects of the Sympathetic Nervous System upon Thrombocytopoiesis
Ramona Simedrea, Irina Chis, Natalia Giurgea, Adriana Muresan, M Dorofteiu, Ulia Maria Crisan
9. BOOK REVIEW
1. ASSOCIATION OF VITAMIN D AND VITAMIN K DEFICIENCYNONSUPPLEMENTED CHILDREN
Alexandra M. Crăciun1, N. Miu 2, C. Vermeer3
1
Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2
Department of Pediatrics II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3
Department of Biochemistry, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands

IN

Address for correspondence: Dr. Alexandra M. Crăciun, Department of Biochemistry, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca,
Tel: 0264 591942/ 506, e-mail: acraciun@umfcluj.ro

ABSTRACTOne of the objectives of this study was to investigate whether vitamin D and Vitamin K deficiencies areassociated in young children, and whether the apolipoprotein E genotype is a genetic factor contributing
to these deficiencies. Study design: Vitamin K-deficiency bleeding of the newborn (VKDBN) was
analysed in a patient-control design, rickets patients were obtained from a mid-winter cross-sectional
study among 127 inhabitants (aged 4-48 months) of one children's home. It came out that VKDBN was
not correlated with apoE genotype, but in healthy controls the urinary Gla excretion was significantly
lower in subjects bearing the ε2 allele than in the others. In rickets the ε4 allele was slightly
overrepresented as compared to the adult control population. In January, 36% of all children analysed
had developed rickets; besides low circulating vitamin D levels (8.7 ± 1.1 µg/L), also their urinary Glaexcretion (37.1 ± 4.4 mg/g creatinine) was about half that in age-matched controls 18.0 ± 4 and 72.6
±13, respectively). Children diagnosed as healthy in January further decresed in serum vitamin D (7.0 ±1.4 µg/L) and urinary Gla excretion (45.7 ± 5 mg/g), whereas 13 more had developed rickets in April. In
the population investigated, rickets is frequently associated with subclinical vitamin K deficiency.
Supplementation of these children with both vitamins throughout the winter is strongly recommended.

Key-words: vitamin D, vitamin K, osteocalcin, apoE genotype
2. BRAIN NATIURETIC PEPTIDE- A BIOMARKER FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF HEARTFAILURE
Mihaela Iuliana Muntean1, Anca Kigyosi2, Paul Erne3
1
Department of Internal Medicine,University of Medicine and Pharmacy „V. Babes” Timisoara
2
Department of Medical Informatics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy „V. Babes” Timisoara
3
Department of Cardiology, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, Switzerland
Address for correspondence: Dr. Mihaela Muntean, 1st Department of Internal Medicine City Hospital Timisoara, Victor
Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, str. Gh. Dima Street No. 5, 300079 Timisoara. E-mail:michaelamuntean@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a neurohormone synthesized in the myocardial cells of the ventricles
as a result of inhanced wall tension was proven by many studies to be a sensitive and specific biomarker
of left ventricular dysfunction which can be extremely valuable in assessing heart failure severity.
In our study on a group of 25 patients, who presented with clinical signs of chronic heart failure (CHF)
in the Cardiology Department of the Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne/ Switzerland, we tried to establish
whether there was any relationship between BNP relative values on one hand and the QRS duration on
surface ECG as well as several echocardiographic parameters of the left ventricular systolic function on
the other hand.
By proving a strong correlation between increasing BNP levels with longer QRS duration and worsening
paramenters of the left ventricular systolic function including the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), the shortening fraction (LVSF) and the left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVEDD), we
showed that BNP was an important marker for chronic heart failure diagnosis and severity assessment
and could also become an important tool in the prediction of cardio-vascular outcome.
Key words: brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), chronic heart failure (CHF), left ventricular systolic
function
3. IMOBILIZATION-INDUCED OSTEOPOROSISCarmen Tatu1, Dana David2, Rf Tatu3, Daniela Puscasiu4, Ramona Cioca5, F Schneider1
1
Department of Physiology
2
Department of Biochemistry
3 st
1 Department of Ortopedics and Trauma
4
Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology
5
Department of Immunology“Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara
Address for correspondence: Dr. Carment Tatu, Department of Physiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine andPharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041, Timisoara, e-mail: carmentatu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
It has been observed that persons immobilized for different disorder develop osteoporosis in segments,
which are not solicited. In patients immobilized for a period of minimum 5 weeks, we revealed, using
ultrasonographic method, a significant decrease in bone density (p<0.01), expressed by T-score. In themean time, increased elimination of calcium through urine and significant increase of plasma cortisol
level were also changes that were noticed.
Prolonged immobilization and increased plasma cortizol values induce amplification of bone resorption,
associated with calciuria, which are osteoporosis generator factors.
Key words: prolonged immobilization, bone resorption, calciuria, plasma cortizol

4. IN VITRO EFFECT OF CIGARETTE SMOKE EXTRACT ON 5’ADENOZINE INDUCEDVASODILATATION IN GUINEA PIGS’ THORACIC AORTA
Lavinia Noveanu1, Fira-Mladinescu Ovidiu2, Ordodi Valentin1, Georgeta Mihalas1
1
Physiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara
2
Pathophysiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara
Address for correspondence: Dr. Lavinia Nooveanu, Physiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine andPharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041, Timisoara, e-mail: lavinianoveanu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Arterial endothelium produces a large range of active factors which are indispensable for modulation ofvasomotor tone and maintenance of vascular wall integrity. From these factors, nitric oxide (NO), whichis released by the endothelial cells as a response to acetylcholine or adenosine action on specificreceptors, plays an important role. NO is the result of oxidation process of L-arginine into L-citrulline,
under the action of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOSe), which is activated by intracellular Ca2+ calmodulin complex.
Our study, performed in isolated organ bath, analyzed vascular reactivity of 12 guinea pigs’ thoracic
aorta rings. After phenylephrine – PHE 10–5 mol/l precontraction, the dose-effect curves foracetylcholine – ACH, adenosine 5’ phosphate – 5’ADP and sodium nitroprusside – SNP were
determined, before and after incubation of preparation, for 1 hour, with 5% hydrosoluble cigarettes
smoke extract (CSE).
Statistic analysis, performed with the use of „t” pair test and ANOVA parametric test, showed thatincubation of vascular preparation with 5% CSE has increased the contractile response to PHE 10-5 mol/l(p< 0.05), has reduced the endothelium-dependent relaxing response to ATP 10-5 mol/l (p < 0.001) and
5’ADP 10-5 mol/l (p < 0.001), but has not significantly modified the endothelium-independent relaxing
response to SNP 10-5 mol/l (p = 0.05).
Thus, it was proven that evaluation of vasodilatator response of endothelium to adenosine is analternative viable and useful method to clasical method of endothelial dysfunction identification basedon endothelium vascular response to ACH.
5. CLOSING WEDGE TIBIAL OSTEOTOMY – TECHNIQUE AND FUNCTIONALOUTCOMERF Tatu1, R Brediceanu1, Carmen Tatu2, Daniela Puscasiu3, Gabriela Tanasie2
1stDepartment of Ortopedics and Traumatology
2
Department of Physiology
3
Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara
Address for correspondence: Dr. RF Tatu, 1stDepartment of Ortopedics and Traumatology, University of Medicine andPharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No.2, 300041 Timisoara, e-mail: tatuf@xnet.ro

ABSTRACTThe authors are describing their experience with the supratuberositar valgus osteotomy of the tibia, in
gonarthrosis over a period of ten years. They are detailing the indication and their technique utilizing apersonal implant for the fixation of the osteotomy.
The method still has its value due to the simptomatological improvement and the delay of theendoprosthetic replacement.
Key words: supratuberositar osteotomy, arthritis, endoprosthetic replacement
6. THE ACTIVITY OF ERYTHROCYTE SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE IN PREMATURE AND
MATURE INFANTS - THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GESTATIONAL AGE

Melinda Matyas1, Cristina Craciun2, Antonia Popescu1, Monica Popa1
1
Department of Neonatology, 1st Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of
Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca
2
Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca
Address for correspondence: Dr. Melinda Matyas, 1st Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of
Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

ABSTRACT
We studied 14 premature infants with mild respiratory distress and grade I, II and III neonatal asphyxia,
who required oxygen therapy in the first three days of life, in order to measure the antioxidative defense
capacity through superoxide dismutase (SOD) in infants. The control group included 14 healthy infants
who were born at term. The SOD activity was measures in erythrocytes (venous blood) using Ransodkits. The Drabkin method was employed for hemoglobin determination.
The results were analyzed using Student’s t test (statistical significance α=0.05).
The study group underwent two determinations: on the first day of life and at 72 hours after birth. One
evaluation was carried out in the control group on the first day of life. The SOD values registered on thefirst day of life in the two groups were compared. The two values recorded in premature infants werealso compared. Statistically significant differences were noted in premature infants as compared with
infants born at term (p=0.01). Increased and significantly different values were also registered inpremature infants at 72 hours of life (p<0.05). Our study confirms the existence of SOD deficiency inpremature infants with gestational age below 32 weeks. The SOD increase after 72 hours of life in thecontext of respiratory distress and oxygen therapy reveals the existence of a possible compensatory
mechanism for reactive oxygen species.
In conclusion, SOD deficiency in premature infants requires rigorous oxygen therapy in order to limit
SRO production and toxic effects on human body cells.
Key words: infant, oxidative stress, superoxide dismutase
7. DETERMINATION OF TOTAL AND REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN GUINEA PIGSEXPOSED TO SIMULATED EXPERIMENTAL HYPERBARIC STRESS
Cecilia Adumitresi1, N. Ceamitru1, Doina Balaban2, Ileana Ion1, Cristina Farcas1, Ninela
Radulescu1, Carmen Ciufu1, Emma Gheorghe3, Gabriela Lilios1, G. Badiu1
1Normal and Pathological Physiology Department- Faculty of Medicine - “Ovidius” University
Constanta
2
Biochemistry Department- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Pharmacy- “Ovidius” University Constanta
3
Histology Department - Faculty of Medicine - “Ovidius” University Constanta
Address for correspondence: Dr. Adumitresi Cecilia, Physiology Department, Medicine Faculty Constanta, Ion Voda Street
No. 58, Constanta 8700, e-mail: cadumitresi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Experimental hyperbaric exposure using air and Nitrox I as respiratory mixtures induces an increase oforganisms’ free radicals production. The terrestrial beings react to such conditions modifying theconcentration of the protective antiradical system components and intensifying their corresponding
action mechanisms.
The glutathione (GSH) represents the main ingredient of the sophisticated and adaptive protective
antiradical system, being the most frequent low-molecular weight thiole within the living cells. Its
remarkable ability of donating electrons, and the high concentrations within the cells, provide theglutathione with appreciable reductive effects, involved in the regulation of a complex thiole exchangesystem (SH ↔ -S-S-).
Our study followed the evolution of the total and reduced glutathione as a result of the production of free
radicals during experimental hyperbaric exposure. The experiment was based on guinea pigs undergoinga single simulated diving, exposing them to a 6 ATA pressure followed immediately after hyperbaric
exposure by blood sampling for measurement purposes.
Following the blood samples measurements we noted a significant change in the total glutathione as wellas in the reduced glutathione proving the oxidative stress induced by hyperbaric exposure wheneverbreathing in either air or Nitrox I pressurized at 6 ATA.
The increase of the plasma oxygen concentration whenever using Nitrox as a respiratory mixture(oxygen concentration in this mixture being 32%) during simulated diving lead to an additional variationof the total and reduced glutathione concentrations.
Key words: hyperbaric stress, Nitrox I, glutathione
8.
THE
EFFECTSOFTHE
SYMPATHETICNERVOUSSYSTEMON
THROMBOCYTOPOIESIS
Ramona Simedrea1, Irina Chis1, Natalia Giurgea1, Adriana Muresan1, Mircea Dorofteiu2,
Ulia Maria Crisan3
1
Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu HaŃieganu”, Cluj-Napoca,
Romania2
Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea, Romania
3
Student, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu HaŃieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Address for correspondence: Dr. Ramona Simedrea, Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu
Htieganu” Cluj-Napoca, Emil Isac no 13 Street, 3400 Cluj- Napoca, Romania, phone: 0040 264 598575

ABSTRACT
We tried to assess the effects of cathecolamines upon thrombocytopoiesis in normal conditions andunder the influence of hypobaric hypoxia. The experiments were performed on 40 Wistar white rats. For
the evolution of thrombocytopoiesis the number of blood platelets, the adhesivity and the proportion of
circulating platelets aggregates were established. The α2-adrenergic receptors were stimulated with
Dopegyt both at normoxic and hypoxic animals. Hypoxia was induced in the barochamber, at an
atmospheric pressure of 380 mm Hg. We have chosen a period of 14 days for the exposure of animals tohypoxia because during this time a reduction in the number of circulating blood platelets is provoked.
Our results indirectly demonstrate that thrombocytopoiesis is under the control of the sympathetic
division.
Key words: thrombocytopoiesis, hypobaric hypoxia, Dopegyt
9. BOOK REVIEWIMMUNOLOGY OF INFECTION
Manole Cojocaru, Ed. Cartea Universitară, Bucureşti, 159 pages. ISBN 978-973-731-491-8, PublishedMarch 2007
Suzana Rogoz about this book:
A tremendous increase in fundamental knowledge on immunology of infection has taken place inrecent years. The book has been written by Dr. Manole Cojocaru experienced in teaching integrated
courses, he was trained in country and also in abroad, have made of Dr. Manole Cojocaru a complete
physician well trained and well informed, he is outstanding personality in his field of activity. Thissubject is very difficult not only due to its complexity but also because the impetuous development of
immunology has led to numerous nosologic changes of infectious diseases as well as of their
physiopathologic bases. The volume is conceived as a monograph. The book contains up-to-date
information, without unnecesary details. The rich illustration contributes to emphasize the valuable ideasof the text. From the very large number of publications only those which open new prospects are given.
Immunology of infection is a useful book for both specialist and the general practitionner, and also for
medical students. We hope you enjoy reading it.