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Fiziologia‑‑ Physiologysupplement
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2013.23.3(79) Fiziologia-2010
Physiology

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Fiziologia- Physiology 2013.23.3(79)
Fiziologia‑ Physiology 2010supplement

CONTENTS
CONTENTS
1. Prof. Dr. Francisc Schneider, MD, PhD, DHC at the age of 80: performance, value, excellence!....................................................................................................4

1. Review: Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts – Inhabitants of Tumor, However Obscure Underlying the Hallmarks of Cancer ...................................................................................4
2.Cernat
Review:
Heterogeneity
Cells: V,SoPanaitescu
Far, Many Decoys,
Few Validities......................................................................................................................5
L, BojinF, Deica M,Among
TanasieCancer
G, Paunescu
C

Laura Cernat, Florina Bojin, Meda Deica, Gabriela Tanasie, Virgil Paunescu, Carmen Panaitescu

2. The Eﬀects of Rutin and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on the Oxidant-Antioxidant Balance in a Rat Model of Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis ....................................13

3. Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis: Special Features..............................................................................................................................................................11
Baltaru D, Chiş IC, Marton A, Socaciu C, Apostu D, Moldovan R, Vlad D, Mureşan A
Crisanda Vîlciu, Bogdan M. Istrate, Mihaela Marian, Constanta Bănică, Constantin Popa

Quercetin,
Barbarumand Chitosan
Reversethe Eﬀandects Prognostic.
of Hypobaric
Hypoxia and Exert Cardioprotective Eﬀects in Rats ..................................................................18
4.3.Insights
intoLycium
Melanoma
Histological
Aspects,
Progression.............................................................................................................................14
Dumitrovici
A,
Chiş
IC,
MureşanA,
MartonA,
Moldovan
R,
Vlad
D,
Borza
G,
Bolfa
Camelia Sass, Florina Bojin, Cristina Dehelean, Codruta Soica, Virgil Paunescu P
5.4.Prevalenceof Polyglandular
Autoimmune
Syndrome TypeofIIHepaticin a Groupof Children with
Thyroid Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus..........................................21
The Importanceof Myo-Inositol
in the Physiopathology
Encephalopathy........................................................................................................................................23
AdrianaGherbonScheau C, Lazăr M, Bunea M, Ciornei C, Papacocea R, Ion DA, Bădărău AI
6. The Short-Term Effect of Erythropoietin on Hemoglobin during Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats......................................................................................26
5. Pulse Pressure: Prognostic Signiﬁcance in the Stratiﬁcation of Cardiovascular Risk ............................................................................................................................................26
Τsompos Constantinos, Panoulis Constantinos, Τοutouzas Konstantinos, Ζografos George, Papalois Apostolos

Bâibâţa D, Ionescu G, Dragomir A, Mancaș S

7. Comparative Study Concerning the Efficiency of Physical Training at Hypertensive Patients....................................................................................................33
6. JuvenileMircioagă,
Nasopharyngeal
Angioﬁbroma
Histological And Immunohistochemical Landmarks .......................................................................................................................31
Alexandra
Dorian Barzuca,
Mircea- Iurciuc

Gidea DF, Iovanescu G, Ghiran RM, Domuta M, Cotulbea S, Horhat D

8. Bile Synthesis Peculiarities Following Changes in the Functional State of the Endothelin Receptors ......................................................................................39
NadiiaSepidehParchami Vasculitis
Ghazaee, PetroI. Yanchuk, Nikolai Y. Makarchuk
7. NewS.Veselska,
Insight into
the Pulmonary...........................................................................................................................................................................................................35

Cojocaru M, Rusu E, Vrabie CD, Cojocaru IM

CUPRINS
8. Amiodarone Associated Optic Neuropathy, Is It a Real Thing? .............................................................................................................................................................................38
Niculescu N, Muntean M, Zolog I

1. Prof. Dr. Francisc Schneider, MD, PhD, DHC la varsta de 80 de ani: performanta,CUPRINS
valoare, excelenta!.........................................................................................4

2.1.Heterogenitatea
celulelor tumorale:pana intumorale
prezent, cu
multe
capcane,certitudini.
.........................................................................................................5
Fibroblastele peritumorale– Componenterol deﬁnitoriuputine
in cancer.................................................................................................................................................4

CernatCernat,
L, BojinFlorina
F, Deica
M, Tanasie
G, Paunescu
Panaitescu
C Paunescu, Carmen Panaitescu
Laura
Bojin,
Meda Deica,
GabrielaV,Tanasie,
Virgil
3.2.Timectomia
pentruşimiastenia
gravis:polinesaturaţi
caracteristiciOmega-3
speciale....................................................................................................................................................11
Efectul Rutinului
al acizilor graşi
asupra balanţei oxidanţi-antioxidanţi la şobolani cu artrită indusă de adjuvant ...............................................13
CrisandaVîlciu,BogdanM.
Istrate,MihaelaMarian,ConstantaBănică,Baltaru D, Chiş IC, Marton A, Socaciu C, Apostu D, Moldovan R, Vlad D, ConstantinMureşan A Popa
4. Introspecţie în aspectele histologice, progresia şi prognosticul melanomului.........................................................................................................................14
3. Quercetinul, Lycium Barbarum şi Chitosanul contracarează efectele hipoxiei hipobare şi exercită un răspuns cardioprotector într-un model de şobolan ............................18
Camelia Sass, Florina Bojin, Cristina Dehelean, Codruta Soica, Virgil Paunescu

Dumitrovici A, Chiş IC, Mureşan A, Marton A, Moldovan R, Vlad D, Borza G, Bolfa P

5. Prevalenta sindromului autoimun poliglandular tip II in grupul de copii cu boala tiroidiana si diabet zaharat .......................................................................21
4. Importanţa
AdrianaGherbonmio-inozitolului în ﬁziopatologia encefalopatiei hepatice ...............................................................................................................................................................23

Scheau C, Lazăr M, Bunea M, Ciornei C, Papacocea R, Ion DA, Bădărău AI

6. Efectul pe termen scurt al eritropoietinei asupra hemoglobinei in timpul ischemiei de reperfuzie la sobolani.......................................................................26
Τsompos
Constantinos,
Panoulis
Constantinos,
Konstantinos,
George,...................................................................................................................................26
Papalois Apostolos
5. Presiunea
pulsului: semniﬁ
catia
prognosticaΤοutouzas
pentru stratiﬁ
carea risculuiΖografos
cardiovascular

Bâibâţa D, Ionescu G, Dragomir A, Mancaș S

7. Studiu comparativ privind eficienţa antrenamentului fizic la pacienţii hipertensivi...............................................................................................................33
Alexandra Mircioagă, Dorian Barzuca, Mircea Iurciuc

6. Angioﬁbromul nasofaringian juvenil – caraceristici histologice şi imunohistochimice ......................................................................................................................................31
DF, Iovanescu
G, GhiranRM,caDomuta
Cotulbea S, Horhat
D functional al receptorilor pentru endotelina .................................................................39
8.Gidea
Particularitatilesintezei
biliareurmareM,a modificarilor
statusului
Nadiia S.Veselska, Sepideh Parchami Ghazaee, Petro I. Yanchuk, Nikolai Y. Makarchuk

7. Actualităţi în vasculita pulmonară ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................35
Cojocaru M, Rusu E, Vrabie CD, Cojocaru IM

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

3

8. Neuropatia asociată tratamentului cu amiodarona – este o realitate? ................................................................................................................................................................38
Niculescu N, Muntean M, Zolog I
2013.23.1 (77)  Fiziologia - Physiology

3Prof. Dr. Francisc Schneider
MD, PhD, DHC at the age of 80:
performance, value, excellence
On the 80th birthday of distinguished Prof. Dr. Francisc Schneider MD, PhD, DHC we would liketo pay tribute and to summarize
the remarkable didactic and scientific accomplishments of thisgreat Romanian physiologist, asa sign of appreciation and respect
to creation and excellence.
He was born on July 27,
1933 in Timisoara, where he attended the primary and secondary
school (1940-1951) and later the
University of Medicine (19511957), while between 1957 and 1960 he was a country doctor in
Certeze-Negreşti Oaş, a place where he later became a commune
Honorary Citizen. Between 1960 and 1998 he was a faculty member and a researcher at the Physiology discipline of the Faculty of
Medicine within the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “VictorBabeş” based in Timişoara, going through all the university stages,
by passing all exams, from preparatory, assistant, head of works,
conferentiary to professor, head of department, PhD coordinatorand research contract manager. As MD and senior physician, he
was head of the Clinical Physiology and Functional Exploration
Laboratory within the Timişoara County Hospital (1972-1990) andManager of the Timişoara Institute of Hygiene (1996-1998). He is
founding editor-in-chief of the Fiziologia-Physiology magazine, theOfficial Journal of the Romanian Society for Physiological Sciences
as of 1991 and until the present day. It is virtually the only Romanianphysiology review, which remained viable after 1900, professionaland dynamic, also present in the IDB - International Data Bases.
A close collaborator of the founding-rector Prof. Dr. Aurel Ardelean, he wisely and competently supported the development of theArad medical university education, by supporting the establishmentof the Faculty of Medicine from “Vasile Goldiş” Western University(VGWU) based in Arad. Starting with 1991 he organized and coordinated as university professor the Arad physiology education andscientific research, editing, alongside his collaborators, physiology
courses of a high academic standard, coordinating PhD theses
and leading in his capacity of manager the activity of the Centre for
Research in Applied Physiology of VGWU Arad. Actively anchoredin the Arad university, academic and cultural life, he was pro-rector of
VGWU Arad (1999-2002), he continued the cooperation with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş” based in Timişoara,
in particular the Physiology Department (collaborators and students),
he promoted and contributed to projects, contracts, congresses
and regional collaborations - DKMT (Danube-Criş-Mureş-Tisa)
Euro-region, which includes the western part of Romania (the Timiş,Arad, Caraş-Severin and Hunedoara districts), the Bács-Kiskun,
Csongrád, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok and Békés counties in Hungary
and the autonomous Vojvodina province in Serbia.
He is a titular member of the Academy of Medical Sciences,a titular member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts Salzburg, Austria, a member of the Physiological Society - London,
England and an honorary member of the Hungarian Society ofPhysiological Sciences. Some of his distinctions include: the “Ratz
Samuel” Medal of the Hungarian Society of Physiological Sciences,
Academia Brasiliera Medal ”Em tributo pe la luta no integracao dos
noscos dois paises Brasil e Romania”, Doctor Honoris Causa of the
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Haţieganu” Cluj-Napoca,
the CNCSIS Honorary Diploma – the National4

cmyk 4

Council of Scientific Research 2003, the Chrystal Trophy at the
Medical Life Gala 2010, the Silver Medal “20 years of institutional
history” of UVVG Arad (2010) and Professor Emeritus (2011).
He has a vast and valuable editorial activity, increasing by
the year:- 207 scientific papers published in the country and abroad, 22of which are ISI-Thomson-Reuters ranked;- 21 published didactic books on physiology (general, perapparatus and system, fundamental and clinical);- 9 scientific monographs published alone or in collaboration, of
which we mention: Broncho-motricity (1998), in collaboration with A.
Petroiu and G. Mihalaş, awarded with the “Daniel Danielopolu” Prizeof the Romanian Academy; Modern mathematics in contemporary
medicine (2001), in collaboration with M. A. Roz, G. I. Mihalaş, D.
Renti; Introduction into Clinical Physiology (2002); Clinical Physiology of the Venous System (2003), in collaboration with I. R. Şişka
and J. A. Avram, Kluwer Acad. Publ., Boston, MA, awarded withthe “Daniel Danielopolu” Prize of the Romanian Academy; Diet
Biology and the Physiological Nutrition (2008), in collaboration with
A. Ardelean and L. Moş;- 8 literary books (essays, evocations, history of physiology):
Medical and Paramedical Essays (1998); Arad Breaths (2003);
Memories from the Country Above (2004); With the South-West Wind
(2006); Knowingly (2009); Childhood under Three Reigns (2009);
The „Goldiş” University Members (2010); Physiologists (2011).
With a simultaneously analytic and systemic, complex andglobal, open, receptive thinking, in keeping with the novelties andcurrent scientific transformations, he introduced and promoted highly
important concepts in physiological sciences and bio-medicine,cardinal for the future of human knowledge:- the inseparable connection between fundamental-preclinicalphysiology and clinical physiology, the connection being substantiated by bio-mathematical laws, biophysical and biochemical
processes (together with Prof. Dr. Gheorghe I. Mihalaş and Prof.
Dr. Georgeta Mihalaş) and the mechanisms of molecular biology(together with Prof. Dr. Aurel Ardelean and Conf. Dr. Daniela Motoc);- the necessary and obligatory connection between normal
and pathological physiology (physiopathology, pathophysiology),
by identifying the normal connection bridges (adaptology: a concept
introduced with I. Hăulică and later developed with Petru Derevenco,
Dan Riga and Sorin Riga) and pathological ones (stressology, maladaptation: concepts further developed through collaborations with
Petru Derevenco, Dan Riga and Sorin Riga);- dynamic concepts of physiom and physiomics (introducedin Romania at the same time with I. Hăulică and later developed
through Bucharest collaborations with Sorin Riga and Dan Riga)
and the numerous pleas for functional genomics.
The force of this prodigious scientific activity is strengthened by
the respect of Prof. Dr. Francisc Schneider for the forefathers andthe cult of the masters – brilliant figures of Romanian physiology,
alongside the cult of truth, a must for a valuable researcher (Themaster is the one who shows us what is possible in the order of
impossible - Paul Valery; And then, despite the flaws and mistakes,
scientists have more or less the same soul, they all profess the cultof truth by itself, for them science is a religion - Charles Richet).
Prof. habil. Dr. Dan RIGA, MD, PhD, DHC
Prof. habil. Dr. Dan RIGA, MD, PhD, DHC
Titular members of the Academy of Romanian Scientists
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)REVIEW

Heterogeneity among cancer cells: so far, many
decoys, few validities
LAURA CERNAT, FLORINA BOJIN, MEDA DEICA, GABRIELA TANASIE, VIRGIL PAUNESCU,CARMEN PANAITESCU
Department of Functional Sciences, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara

ABSTRACTThe model of clonal evolution and the premise that the majority of tumor cells are capable to propagate and cause the tumor growth
were the cornerstone of antineoplastic treatments: destroying cancerous cells. This approach has been elicited by the cancer stem
cell (CSC) hypothesis. According to this, a rare population of tumor cells own stem cells characteristics, are involved in growth,resistance and recurrence of the tumor. They also are not affected by traditional therapies on the basis of their long-term growth;
thereby it is essential to establish a selective targeting therapy of these cells. As captivating this assumption sounds, as laborious it
is to testify it. Variances of xenotransplantation data, the lack of specificity of CSC markers, the molecular signaling pathways which
underlie the CSC behaviour are still ambiguous issues that have to be elucidated.
Key words: cancer stem cells, heterogeneity, signaling pathways

INTRODUCTION. HYPOTHESES…
The cellular background (the chemical modiﬁcations ofchromatin, or the epigenetic state) in which a transforming genetic
lesion occurs (cell of origin) may contribute to the complexity ofcancer. The potential importance of the cell of origin and thetransformability of multiple cell types raises questions about
hierarchical relationships between cells and the properties oftumor-initiating cancer stem cells (thought to be cells within atumor that can self-renew and give rise to heterogeneous populations of cancer cells that constitute the tumor).
By tradition, cancer has been considered as a disease inwhich environmental or endogenous occurrences induce mutations to critical oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes within anormal cell. The clinical manifestations of cancer appear whenthese mutations result in the cell’s tranformation to a more primitive, highly proliferative state from which the leukemia or solid
tumor develops by clonal expansion (1). This standard model ofclonal (stochastic) evolution asserts that tumours develop as aconsequence of accumulated mutations and selection of clones
over a period of time, resulting in a heterogeneous group of
malignant cell in which cells of the dominant population (selected
and expanded because of their growth benefit) have more or lessequal ability for tumour regeneration and repopulation (2). Evenso, this pattern does not slightly explain the long developmental
latency of many cancers and metastases, the mechanism bywhich the initiating events produce cellular dedifferentiationand cellular immortality, or the genesis of the functional andphenotypic diversity of the cells within the tumor itself.
Recently, developing proofs promote the idea of originating of the tumor from the transformation of tissue stem cells by
mutations that cause a dysregulation of the normal mechanismsthat control stem cell growth and proliferation (3,4,5).
Each organ possess a small niche populated with adult stem
cells. Some of their characteristics are eloquent: these cells are
long-lived and multipotent; they remain quiescent within theniche environment for long periods of time; the asymmetric cell
division gives rise to one stem cell, termed self-renewal, and one
differentiated progeny; they are resistant to apoptosis; they haveenhanced telomerase and DNA repair activities and also possess
membrane-bound ABC transporters that leave out xenobiotics(this fact confers cell resistance to the pharmacological agentseffect) (4,6,7). These abilities of adult stem cells could unveil
them to harmful factors in order to accumulate mutations that
may arise in malignant transformation (8). Cancer stem cells
are displaying mostly the same cell surface markers as theirnormal equivalents, but show uncontrolled proliferation, possibly due to a alteration of responsiveness to negative growth
regulators (6,9,10). These statements emerged to the cancer
stem cells (hierarchy model) hypothesis, which is not a newidea, especially regarding myeloid leukemia and some germ
lineage neoplasm (12,13).
The CSC theory has been released many years ago inpatients with chronic myeloid leukemia in which clonal hematopoiesis including both the myeloid and erythroid lineages was
described (14). First malignant cells capable of reprising thedisease in NOD/SCID mouse were isolated from some acute
myeloid leukemia cases. These cells also possessed hematopoietic stem cells phenotype and self-renewal potential (15).
The debate between the obscure aspects of these hypotheses is more enhanced than ever. Nevertheless, for the interestof a good understanding and approach, it is more than favorable
to look inside the issues from all points of view and to not exclude
any assumption. One single argument supports this: it seems

Received 15th of April 2013. Accepted 20th of May 2013. Adress for correspondence: Laura Cernat, MD PhD student, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2A, RO-3000041, Timisoara, phone/fax: +40256220479; e-mail: mlaura_73@yahoo.com

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

cmyk 5

5

that cancers that follow the stem cell model are also subject toclonal evolution; during progression, various burdens could resultin the emergence of new clones through genetic and epigenetic
alteration inside the cancer stem cells population (16,17). Thereare evidences for functional diversity within the stem cell population of the tumor (for example, a subset of CSC population which
expresses the multidrug resistance transporters ABCB1 and
ABCG2) (18,19). The existence of a different clone of CSC may
compromise the targeted therapy against the CSC population.
Intertumor, but primarily intratumor heterogeneity - a
critical and strategic reality?
Differences in driver mutations and cell-of-origin among
patients raise the question of whether similar hierarchies oftumorigenic and nontumorigenic cells, with similar markers, areconserved among patients with similar cancers. This question
addresses both to leukemic disease (AML) and to solid cancers.
Several studies ((20) (21)) revealed inconsistent data regarding
links between leukemic activity and cells isolated depending
on presence/absence of some surface markers (patients with
AML, comparison of CD34+CD38-, CD34+CD38+, CD34CD38+, CD34-CD38- leukemia-initiating cells: the results
showed that leukemogenic activity is not usually restricted to theCD34+CD38- fraction and there is heterogeneity among patientsin leukemogenic cell phenotype). Same story for solid tumors.
Al-Hajj et al. demonstrated that CD44+CD24-/low markers could
not delineate tumorigenic from non tumorigenic breast cancer
cells (22).
The conclusion is indisputable: it is mandatory to evaluate
the heterogeneity among patients by testing CSC markers in asignificant number of patients, in order to validate the assessment
at clinical level.
Last years, regarding the malignancies study, many
experimental bodies of evidence promoted the idea of anhierarchical structure of heterogeneous tumor cells. The
intratumoral heterogeneity is due to the presence of inflammatory
cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, the distance of tumour cells
from the vasculature (23). But it seems that this is not all. In thispopulation lies a small number of cancer stem cells (CSC). This
small population expresses some particular surface markers,
has higher capacity to develop tumour an in vivo xenograft
and forms spheres in non-adherent culture plates (24). Certain
cancers (including several germ cell cancers, breast, brain andcolon cancers and some leukemias) have been recognized for
decades to include neoplastic cells that differentiate into postmitotic derivatives. At the same time, recent studies showed thata small population of cancer cells shifts the neoplastic diseases
after the transplantation into immunocompromised mice; thesecells exhibit markers which are not present on neoplastic cells
from bulk cell population (22,25,26).
Thus, these ideas boosted the cancer stem cells hypothesis
based on hierarchically structure of tumour in quite samemanner as normal tissues. As normal stem cells differentiate
into phenotypically diverse progeny with limited proliferative
6

cmyk 6potential, it is argued that cancer stem cells also undergo
epigenetic changes analogous to the differentiation of normal
cells, forming phenotypically diverse nontumorigenic cancer
cells that compose the bulk of tumoral cells (27). Furthermore,
there is a promoted idea according to which CSC generate cellprogeny hierarchically organized into transit amplifying (TA) andterminally differentiated (TD) cells (16) (Figure 1).
TA cells possess more rapid though limited proliferation,
low self-renewal and restricted differentiation and increase thenumber of differentiated cells produced by one CSC division.
Although both CSC and TA cells divide and produce the same
outputs - a spectrum of differentiating progeny - they differ intheir ability to proliferate and maintain an undifferentiated state
for an extended period of time (28).
According to some authors, TD cells are representing
the terminal differentiation and are accompanied with loss ofboth proliferation and tumorigenicity; there are findings thatsuggest the possibility of using the nuclear reprogramming as atherapeutic solution in neoplasms (29,30).

Fig.1. [adapted from (16)]. (a) CSC undergo self-renewal as asymmetric
division, resulting in cells with stem properties and transit amplifying cell (TA);TA cells undergo terminal differentiation (TD) after a number of cell divisions;the symmetrical division of CSC leading to daughters CSC; (b) following
a mutation, CSC may develop a clonal population with different genetic
properties; (c) TA cells and TD cells could relapse to stem cell condition
beneath of influence of signaling from tumor stromal cells (including CAFs)

Questions and controversies are more than present. Skeptic
authors question about the xenograft models as gold-standard
assays for CSC. Injecting human CSCs into immunocompromised mice exclude the existing of stem cells niche and gives
rise to questioning whether these cells are initiating tumor ormetastasis. Attempting to study a certain population of cancer
stem cells in vitro does not recapitulate the microenvironment
and may negatively affect observation outcomes. Moreover,cancer stem cell phenotype may be a context-specific event,showing up only in certain patient samples at certain ages (17).
Nevertheless and although controversial, there are somecorrelations that have to be considered; among them, theinfluence of microenvironmental factors on cancer cells looks
relevant. The presence of multiple surface molecules (IL-1, IL6, CD44, CD24, TNFα, IL-4, IL-10 etc.) which promote strong
interactions of CSC with tumor microenvironment contributes to
CSC growing, withstanding chemotherapy and evading immune
vigilance (31,32). Furthermore, it is shown on some cancer cell
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)lines that several microenviromental factors contribute to modulation of stemness of cancer cells (33) (Table I).
Table I. Microenviromental modulating factors of cancer cells stemness[adapted from (33)]

FactorExtracellular ATP
High energy metabolites(lactate, ketones)
Hypoxia
Hepatocyte growth factor

Cancer cell line

Effect ofstemness

Gliomas↓MCF-7 (breast)↑

Prostate, brain, breast,
cervix, lung, colon,
liver, kidney

↑

Colon

↑

Skin,gliomas↑

Nitric oxide

Gliomas↑Retinoic acid

Gliomas↓ROS

Breast↑

DU145 (prostate)↑ or ↓(dependingon themedia)

VEGF

Conditioned medium

However, in terms of clinical issues, the presence of CSCs
responsible for therapy failure is the foundation of devising CSC
targeted therapy; in addition, tumor microenvironment targeted
therapy will notably improve clinical outcomes.
EMT and cell signaling pathways: keystones in embryonicdevelopment & concealed instruments in tumorigenesis andcancer cells heterogeneity
It is already shown that, due to their plasticity, cancer
cells are able to modify their phenotype and to acquire newcapabilities. The tumor microenvironment has its crucial role inthis occurrence.
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a criticalcellular process that entitles polarized, and immobile epithelial
cells to shift to motile mesenchymal cells. During early stagesof embryogenesis mesenchymal cells arise from the primitive
epithelium. The cellular phenotype undergo major changes(34): morphological changes from a cobblestone-like monolayerof epithelial cells with an apical-basal polarity to dispersed,
spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells with migratory protrusions;changes of differentiation markers from cell-cell junction proteinsand cytokeratin intermediate ﬁlaments to vimentin ﬁlaments andﬁbronectin, some integrins; conversion of stationary cells tomotile cells that can invade through extracellular matrix. EMT
could be induced under pathological conditions in adult tissues,
including the tumor invasion and metastasis.
The signaling pathways involved in EMT during
embryogenesis are present and effective also in tumor evolution(Figure 2).
2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

Fig.2. The molecular signaling pathways involved in EMT (34)Some authors state that, after undergoing EMT, cancer cells
gain CSC markers, highly self-renewal capacity, augmented
tumor formation (11). Due to its importance in tumor progression,
the factors and signals that regulate and control EMT have to be
explored and understood. Thereby, hypoxia and TGF-β (provided
by tumor microenvironment) are found to promote undergoing
to CSC phenotype, the upregulating of stem cell factors (OCT4,
NANOG), increase of self-renewal capability (11,36,37).
Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt, and PTEN are known pathways that
control the self-renewal, proliferation, and survival of both normal
and cancer stem cells. Mutations leading to the constitutive
activation of one or more of these pathways are observed inmost aggressive cancers.
The Hh (Hedgehog) signaling pathway is a crucial mediatorof normal tissue development. Aberrant activation of the Hhpathway in cancer is caused by mutations in the pathway(ligand-independent) or through Hh overexpression (liganddependent) (38,39). One xenograft model study showed that Hhpathway inhibition could result in tumor growth inhibition; theseeffects were mediated through the stromal microenvironment,
consistent with a paracrine signaling mechanism (40). A quite
narrow evidence showed a link between Hh signaling and CSCs,
such as the polycomb gene Bmi-1, which may regulate stem cell
self-renewal by control of Gli transcription factor (41).
There is an increasing interest in studying Notch activity andtherapeutic targeting because of the implication of this signaling
pathway in regulation of survival and proliferation both of “bulk”
cancer stem and CSCs and also in angiogenic activation (42,43).
The Wnt pathway is involved in vertebrate limb development
and regeneration; it promotes self-renewal, proliferation, andtransient differentiation of normal stem cells, maintains the adultstem cell populations of tissues with rapid cellular turnover suchas hair follicles, mammary gland, skin, and intestinal lining (44).
The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is complex andcross-talks with other signaling pathways. Regurarly, thispathway is constitutively activated in tumors arising in these
adult stem cell niches (45). It is also known the contribution
to the malignant transformation of cancer stem and progenitor
cells from stomach, pancreas, liver, prostate, brain, and lung,some leukemias (multiple myeloma and chronic myelogenous
7

leukemia) (19,46,47).
Wnt include a family of 19 extracellular glycoproteins thatbind to the Frizzled (Fz) family of receptors, consequently
activating a pathway that inhibits the proteolytic degradation ofbeta-catenin (44). This allows the accumulation of cytoplasmic
beta-catenin and its translocation to the nucleus where it
promotes gene transcription through the Tcf/Lef transcription
factors (56). In the absence of Wnt activation, the proteins Axin
and adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC) form a complex
with glycogen synthase kinase 3 (Gsk3) that promotes thephosphorylation of cytoplasmic beta-catenin that, alternately,
dirrects beta-catenin for proteolytic degradation.
Activation of the Wnt pathway requires the association of Fzwith its coreceptor, LDL receptor-like protein 5/6 (Lrp5/6) (44).
Formation of the Wnt/Fz/Lrp5/6 complex activates thephosphoprotein Dishevelled (Dvl), an integral component of theFz receptor that, in turn, recruits Axin/Gsk3, thus dissociating the
Axin/APC/Gsk3 complex. Lrp5/6 is sequentially phosphoryled
by Gsk3 and casein kinase 1γ (Ck1γ) (57). Phosphorylated
Lrp5/6 binds to Axin/Gsk3, forming a complex that stabilizes
beta-catenin by preventing its phosphorylation.
The Wnt signaling has been divided historically in to thecanonical pathway (including Wnt1, Wnt3A and Wnt8) andthe noncanonical pathway (including Wnt5A and Wnt11). The
canonical pathway is associated with the downstream activation ofbeta-catenin and its subsequent accumulation in the cell nucleus.
In the absence of Wnt signaling, beta-catenin is rapidly
degraded in the cytoplasm. Also, nuclear levels of beta-catenin
are kept low by its interaction with APC and Axin, both of which
are involved in transporting beta-catenin back to the cytoplasm.
The members of Wnt signaling behave as positive andnegative factors, alike all oncogenic signaling pathways (Figure 3).

APC (a tumor supressor) appears to be the most frequent
mutated/lost function protein in colo-rectal tumors. Mutations inbeta-catenin have been described for colon, endometrial andprostate tumors, endometrioid tumors of the ovary and hepatocellular carcinomas and are followed by increased beta-cateninstabilization and activity (49) (50). Other authors revealed that the
upregulation of HER3, activation of HER2/HER3 signaling andenhancement of cell growth by androgen receptor activation wasdependent on beta-catenin; thus Wnt signaling was proposed asa mechanism for the potentiation of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase
family signaling in ER-/Her2+ breast cancers (51).
According to some authors, it seems that Wnt signaling issomehow connected with stem cells from tissue niche and alsowith CSCs. It is the case of intestinal crypt stem cells which,coming next after the deletion of APC gene, are capable toform benign adenoma (52). It is also shown the subordination ofsustainment of cutaneous CSCs of the Wnt pathway (53). Moreappreciable evidences arise from hematopoetic cancer studies
that confirmed the impact of beta-catenin run down without
recognisable genetic lesions and the involving of Wnt signaling
in CSCs maintenance (54).
A very intriguing article advanced the idea that Wnt signalling activity is a marker for colon CSCs and is regulated by the
microenvironment; furthermore, same authors showed thatbulk, differentiated and non-clonogenic cancer cells were reprogrammed to express CSC markers and tumorigenic ability after
stimulation with myofibroblast-derived factors (55). Again, one
more reason for approaching as an overall picture in which thecomplex regulation of CSCs phenotype and function consist of
intrinsic factors (as Wnt signaling) but also of extrinsic influences(tumor microenvironment).
CONCLUSIONS. ARISING QUESTIONS.

Fig.3. Tumor suppressors and oncogenes in the Wnt pathway (48);
Oncogenes – green; Tumor supressors – red

8cmyk 8Emerging evidence suggest that cancer stem cells (CSCs)
are an essential target for effective cancer therapy because
CSCs drive tumor growth, chemo-resistance, tumor relapse,
and metastasis. Although many studies have focused on thegenes and pathways involved in stemness, characterization of
the factors in the tumor microenvironment and the intrinsic factorsthat regulate CSCs is lacking. Current methods for isolation andstudy of CSCs rely on cell surface markers found to be enrichedin populations with stem cell-like properties. But controversial
issues did not hesistate to come out. However, it is clearly thatcancers contain a hierarchy of epigenetically distinct populationsof tumorigenic and nontumorigenic cells. Using tests as sphere
formation, CSCs models in vitro, xenotransplantation models are
required to clarify the complicate depict about the frequency oftumorigenic cells, the degree of hierarchical organization andthe dimension to which markers can distinguish tumorigenic
from nontumorigenic cells; it is also necessary to expose thedifferences between cancers, and even between patients withthe same cancer. At the same time, signalling pathways in CSCs
will need to be thoroughly described, keeping in mind the signalling cross-talk. There are already emerging targeted therapies
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)against CSCs which act on cellular cycle or on pro-apoptotic
steps from siganling pathways, monoclonal antibodies directed
to some surface molecules, etc. The continuous developingof appliances and assays for CSC study will allow revealingof tumor-initiating events, environmental influences, nutrition
aspects. Finally, let’s not forget about the niche that is crucial intumor growth, metastatic formation, protection of CSCs. All theselead to same goals: best efficiency, less toxicity, non-harming
normal tissues, patients cancer-free.
Aknowledgments
This work was supported by the Sectorial Operational
Programme for Human Resources Development, financed fromthe European Social Fund, FSE POSDRU 107/1.5/S/78702.
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HETEROGENITATEA CELULELOR TUMORALE: PANA IN PREZENT, MULTECAPCANE, PUTINE CERTITUDINIREZUMAT

Obiectivul major al terapiei antineoplazice (distrugerea tumorii) se bazeaza modelul de dezvoltare clonala a celulelor tumorale ai pecapacitatea acestora de propagare si de crestere tumorala. Aceasta abordare este pusa la incercare de o ipoteza diferita: existenta
celulelor stem tumorale; acestea se afla in numar redus in masa tumorala si sunt responsabile de dezvoltarea tumorii, rezistenta laterapie si de recaderi. Celulele stem tumorale nu sunt influentate de terapia conventionala datorita ritmului lent de crestere. Astfel suntnecesare variante terapeutice efective asupra acestor celule. Totusi, exista multe necunoscute in acest sens; lipsa unor markeri cu
specificitate ridicata, insuficienta cunoastere a mecanismelor moleculare ce stau la baza comportamentului acestor cellule, rezultate
variate ale experimentelor in vivo pe animale de laborator, sunt doar cateva dintre neclaritatile ce trebuie elucidate.
Cuvinte cheie: celule stem tumorale, heterogenitate, cai de semnalizare

10

Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

THYMECTOMY FOR MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: SPECIAL FEATURESCRISANDA VÎLCIU1, BOGDAN M. ISTRATE2, MIHAELA MARIAN1, CONSTANȚA BĂNICĂ1,
CONSTANTIN POPA3
1
Clinical Institute Fundeni, Department of Neurology “Mareș-Bulandra”, Bucharest
2
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke University of Leuven, Belgium
3
National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, Bucharest

ABSTRACT

Thymectomy is part of the surgical treatment for myasthenia gravis. However, the role of oral medication cannot be neglected, andneither oral medication can be interrupted. From this point of view, a study of certain features in terms of thymectomy efficacy versus
corticotherapy, the age, the disease onset, may be referred. With all of this thymectomy still remains an important link in the overall
therapeutic arsenal of myasthenic ill.
Keywords: thymectomy, myasthenia, variables, conservative therapy, benefits

INTRODUCTIONSURGICAL APPROACH

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder ofneuromuscular transmission with an impact in the biomechanicalfunction of the striated muscle. The deficiency in acetylcholine
receptors (AChR) plays an important role in the disease’s
pathogenesis.
A current treatment option includes:- Symptomatic treatment (anticholinesterase agents)- Chronic immunomodulating treatments (glucocorticoids
and other immunosuppressants)- Rapid immunomodulatory treatment (plasmapheresis,
intravenous immunoglobulin)- Surgical treatment (thymectomy)

The aim of thymectomy is to remove as safely possible thethymic tissue, mediastinal and cervical adipose tissue which
may contain variable amounts of thymic tissue as well can beconsidered as a source of autoantibodies (3).
Four operator options approach are available:- Trancervical thymectomy- Minimmaly invasive thymectomy (videoscopic→ robotic
assisted)- Classical transteranl thymectomy- Combined transcervical/transsternal thymectomy
This situation requires some warnings because the patientswith myasthenia gravis have in general a higher risk for thymectomy when the respiratory function is compromised. However the
pre/paraoperative mortality was significantly reduced by using
the new thymectomy procedures and surgical protocols (4). In
any case, there will always be controversies about which surgical
technique is more effective in MG. The surgical technique usedin all patients in this present study was unilateral thoracoscopic
thymectomy with left or right approach, depending on the appearance of the thymus in computed tomography examination.
After transferring the patient from the intensive care unit to
the department of surgery, the neurological evaluation was
performed in order to appreciate the myasthenic deficit and toresume the oral medication (5).
The postoperative criteria were:- Missing of clinical complications- The normal physical examination- The absence of worsening of myasthenic deficit- A correct respiratory function

The decision and the reasoning for thymectomy in patientswith MG comprise some particularities, such as:- The role played by the thymus in pathogenesis of myasthenia- The thymic abnormalities detected in the most patientswith MG with autoantibody against AChR:- Hyperplasia (60-70 %), thymoma (10-15%)- In plus a computed tomography and magnetic resonanceimaging of the chest/mediastinum is as well a diagnostic tool.
The indication for thymectomy is suitable in all patients withthymoma, regardless of the status of MG (generalized, bulbar,
ocular) (1-2).
Thymectomy in absence of thymoma is generally beneficial for those with generalized MG and AChR antibodies.
There still remain other unanswered remarks regarding
thymectomy.

Received May 21st 2013. Accepted June 15th 2013. Adress for correspondence: Crisanda Vîlciu, MD, PhD student, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Bucharest, Eroilor Sanitari No.8 Avenue, District V, RO-050474; e-mail: crisandavalciu@yahoo.com

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

11

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The lot of patients which was taken into study was 87m/13f,
between 17-51 years old. The lot of operated patients had
6m/44f, and the lot of unoperated patients had 7m/43f. The
statistical methods used in analyzing the desired variables were
determined by the proposed goals. As we already mentioned
were studied non-thymectomized/thymectomized patientsvariables. With regards on the characterization from statisticallypoint of view of the two groups of MG patients we used statisticalindicators of central tendency (arithmetic average, the median,confidence interval for the mean), scattering indicators suchas: standard deviation, dispersion, maximum value, minimum
value, amplitude).
Currently selected variables were:- Patient’s particularities (age)- Surgical intervention- Follow-up of patients (complications of corticotherapy)
The results were expressed as: distribution of the patients
according to their age; the type of the onset; corticotherapy
complications in the thymectomized/non thymectomized patients.

2. Onset
Neither in the terms of the onset, there are no distributiondifferences between groups, as the Table II and Figure 2 reveals.
Table II. Patients’ onset distribution

Onset * Crosstabulation surgery
Count
Lot
Onset

MGNT

MGT

Total

Bulbar9

14

23

Cephalic01

1

Ocular29

23

52

Spinal

12

12

24

Total

50

50

100

RESULTS
1. Patient’s age repartition
As we can see from the Table I and Figure 1, no statistically significant difference is present, which is confirmed by thematch design criteria of the patient’s lot repartition accordingwith their age.
Table I. Patients’ age distribution
Patients
No.

SurgeryAgeNon-surgery

No.

%

No.

%

1
2

>20
20 - 29

3
17

6.0%
34.0%

6
22

12.0%
44.0%

3

30 - 39

18

36.0%

12

24.0%

4

40 - 49

11

22.0%

8

16.0%

5

< 49
TOTAL

1

2.0%

2

4.0%

50

100%

50

100%

Fig. 2. Patients’ onset distribution

3. Corticotherapy complications
From the Table 3 and Figure 3 we conclude that the Chisquare test performed in order to compare the status frequencyof the two patients groups analyzed, were statistically significant.
Table III. Complications of corticosteroid therapy in thymectomized/nonthymectomized myasthenia gravis patients

Complications

Fig.1. Patients’ age distribution

12

Thymectomy

No-thymectomyi

HTA

9.10%

11.30%

Dyslipidemia

34%

43.40%

Diabetes mellitus

5.14%

7.14%

Osteoporosis

8.60%

10.70%

Cataract

7.80%

13.60%

Cushing

3.40%

5.86%

Without
complication

31.96%

8%

Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

remains the important link in the complex treatment of MG withlong-term benefit effects, conditioned by a complete removal of
the thymus containing adjacent tissue. The benefits of thymectomy are proved by the clinical course of the disease with fewer
relapses and milder symptomatology.
Few authors argue that there are no differences between
the patients treated conservatively and the thymectomized
ones. The conservative treatment shouldn’t be stopped after
thymectomy and we consider that must be conducted forpatient benefit.
REFERENCES

Fig. 3. Complications of corticosteroid therapy in thymectomized/non-thymectomized myasthenia gravis patients

CONCLUSIONS
MG is a rare autoimmune disease of the myoneural junction, but growing in frequency in the last years in all age groups.
The thymectomy benefit is not an immediate one. Thymectomy

1. Drachman DB. Myasthenia gravis. N Engl J Med 1994; 330:1797.
2. Giaccone G. Treatment of malignant thymoma. Curr Opin Oncol
2005; 17:140.
3. Sonett JR, Jaretzki A. Thymectomy for nonthymomatous myasthenia
gravis: a critical analysis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2008; 1132:315.
4. Gronseth GS, Barohn RJ. Practice parameter: thymectomy for
autoimmune myasthenia gravis (an evidence-based review): reportof the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of
Neurology. Neurology 2000; 55:7.
5. Werneck LC, Cunha FM, Scola RH. Myasthenia gravis: a retrospective
study comparing thymectomy to conservative treatment. Acta Neurol.
Scand. 2000; 101:41-6.

TIMECTOMIA PENTRU MIASTENIA GRAVIS: CARACTERISTICI SPECIALEREZUMATTimectomia face parte din tratamentul chirurgical al misteniei gravis. Cu toate acestea, rolul medicației orale nu poate fi neglijat și nici
medicația orală nu poate fi întreruptă. Din acest punct de vedere se pot supune atenției studiului anumite particularități în ceea ceprivește eficacitatea timectomiei versus corticoterapie, vârsta și tipul de debut al bolii . Totuși, timectomia rămâne veriga importantă
în arsenalul terapeutic general al bolnavului miastenic.
Cuvinte-cheie: timectomie, miastenie, variabile, tratament conservator, beneficii

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

13

INSIGHTS INTO MELANOMA HISTOLOGICAL ASPECTS,
PROGRESSION AND PROGNOSTICCAMELIA SASS1, FLORINA BOJIN2, CRISTINA DEHELEAN3, CODRUTA SOICA1, VIRGIL
PAUNESCU2
1
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara
2
Department of Functional Sciences, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara
3
Department of Toxicology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara

ABSTRACT

Melanoma, a malignant tumor of melanocytes, is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and its frequency is increasing in all
Caucasian skin populations. The strongest risk factors are family history of melanoma, multiple pre-existent melanocytic nevi,
previous melanoma, previous nonmelanoma skin cancer. Based on the histological features, primary cutaneous melanomas havebeen classified in four types. The major histologic subtypes of melanoma are superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma,
lentigo melanoma and acral lentiginous melanoma. Early diagnosed, melanoma has a good prognosis, beeing completely curedin the early stage by operation. In order to facilitate the early recognition of potentially curable cutaneous malignant melanoma,
the ABCDE acronym is a easy tool provided. The Clinical features described are: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variegation,
Diameter greater than 6 mm and Evolving, which recognize the dynamic nature of the skin malignacy. During the melanomogenesis
process, histological changes are accompanied by biological events, molecular lesions and genetic alterations. Starting with theformation of benign nevus, and then progressing to the junctional melanocytic hyperplasia and then aberrant differentiation, amutation of BRAF gene and activation of the MAPK signaling pathway take place. Progression to the radial growth phase isaccompanied by loss of CDKN24 and loss of PTEN. The switch from radial growth phase to vertical growth phase is the most
crucial step in melanoma tumorigenesis, commonly associated with subsequent metastatic disease. Loss of E-cadherin andexpression of N-cadherin, mutation in BRAF and NRAS genes are events that mark this progression. Also associated events areloss of two transcription factors, activator protein-2α (AP-2α) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). The metastaticmelanoma is the last stage, when the metastatic tumor enter the lymphatic and blood circulation and metastasize to other organs
like lymph nodes, brain, liver or lung. Galentin-3 and Galentin-1, are two members of galentin family which are directly corelatedwith the metastatic potential of melanomas. The review seeks to examine melanoma progression and some molecular changes that
accompanied the process. Also, a histologic classification and prevention and early recognition of melanoma are beeing discussed.
Key words: melanoma progression, radial growth phase, vertical growth phase, early recognition, molecular changes

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONSSkin cancer, one of the most common types of cancer,
could become a significant public health problem over the
coming years. From all skin cancers, melanoma is the mostaggressive form of skin cancer and its frequency is increasing
in all Caucasian skin populations, particularly in the 30–50
age bracket (1). Although melanoma is the rarest form of skincancer (4%), it is responsible for more than 80% of deaths
from skin cancers (2-4), due to its high capacity for invasion
and metastasis, affecting deeper skin layers (5-6). Despite of
public health initiatives, the incidence of melanoma continues
to increase.
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes, thepigment-producing cells, called melanin. Melanoma is formed
either from neoplasms of isolated melanocytes or frompigmented nevi (7). Melanocytes origins derive from the neuralcrest (8-10), being differentiated during embryonic development(11). Although the function of melanocytes from skin is mostcharacterized, melanocytes are cells collated in the skin, hairfollicles, stria vascularis of the inner ear, and uveal tract of theeye (11). Melanin sintesis is carried out by the tyrosinase familyof proteins, including tyrosinase and the tyrosinase-related
proteins TRP-1 and TRP-2, as a physiological defense response
against keratinocytes apoptosis and DNA damage caused byfree radicals generated by UV radiation. This protection occurs
due to photoprotective capacity of eumelanin, with antioxidant
and radical scavenging properties. Melanin is distributed
around keratinocytes and partially protects them, but when its
protective capacity is exceeded, damaged keratinocytes are
eliminated by apoptosis. Unlike keratinocytes, melanocytes
exhibit a resistance to apoptosis. After exposure to UVB,
they rather proliferate and produce melanin in order to keep
their protective role. This resistance is considered importantin the transition from normal melanocytes to melanoma cells(6). The role of melanogenesis in melanoma resistance was

Received May 25th 2013. Accepted June 15th 2013. Adress for correspondence: Camelia Sass (Oprean), PhD student, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Victor
Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2A, RO-300041, phone/fax: +40256490507, e-mail: camelia.sass5@gmail.com

14

cmyk 14

Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

demonstraded by Brozyna et al., who showed that pigmented
cells with higher tyrosinase activity and melanin content,
exhibited lower sensitivity to ionizing radiation compared tounpigmented ones (6, 12).
A strong hereditary link for melanoma coexist in addition toskin pigmentation, melanoma being a disease most associatedwith light skin pigmentation, showing an incidence of 10 times
higher among Caucasians than Africans (13). Regarding the risk
factors for developing melanoma, they were classified as strongrisk factors and additional risk factors. The strongest risk factors
are family history of melanoma, multiple pre-existent melanocytic
nevi (benign or atypical), previous melanoma, previous
nonmelanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell
carcinoma). Amoung additonal risk factors exposure to ultraviolet
radiation, immunosuppression, air skin that burns easily,
blistering sunburn can be mentioned (5, 14, 15).
Unlike non-melanoma skin cancers, which occur in anolder age, more than 60 years, the frequency of melanoma is
greatest between 20 and 45 years. The incidence is higher inwomen than in men, but mortality is higher in men because
men tend to develop lesions in less noticeable areas like theback, and is therefore diagnosed later. Also men can developmelanoma on abdomen and stomach. In women often occurs
on the lower legs (16). Although more than 95% of melanomas
are found in the skin, the tumors can occur in any tissue
that contains melanocytes, including noncutaneous sites
such as the oral mucosa, nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses,
tracheobronchial tree, vulva, vagina, anus, urinary tract, central
nervous system, and eye (17).
A HISTOLOGIC CLASSIFICATION OF MELANOMAS
Based on the histological features, primary cuteneous
melanomas have been classified in four types. The major
histologic subtypes of melanoma are superficial spreading
melanoma, nodular melanoma, lentigo melanoma and acral
lentiginous melanoma (5, 18-20). Other types of melanomas
are mucosal melanomas which arises in mucosal tissues
in the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive tracts anduveal melanomas and uveal melanoma witch arises frommelanocytes in the choroid, ciliary body, or iris of the eye (21).
Smoller described the diagnostic histological criteria ofthe major histological subtypes of melanoma, organizing thedescription by architectural and cytologic features and examining
each subtype in term of epidermal findings and dermal findings(20). The most common type is superficial spreading melanoma(SSM), representing almost 75 % of melanoma. Superficial
spreading melanoma affects the trunk and extremities, andits lesions are often variegated in color (18). Characterized
by the lateral spreading of malignant melanocytes within theepidermis, superficial spreading melanoma, as its name says,
tends to start by spreading out across the surface of the skin,known as the radial growth phase (5, 20). Microscopic featuresof superficial spreading melanoma are: poor circumscriptionof melanocytes, single melanocytes predominating over2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

cmyk 15

nests of melanocytes, haphazard and aberrant distribution ofmelanocytes within the epidermis, the presence of melanocytes
above the basal layer (Pagetoid spread) and dyscohesive nestsof melanocytes (20). Lack of maturation, mitotic activity, brisk
and asymmetrical host, inflammatory response and occasional
focal fibrosis with neovascularization are features of the dermal
component of superficial spreading melanoma, according to
Smoller description.
Nodular melanoma (NM) is the most agressive formof melanoma because it tend to grow rapidly in thicknes,
penetrating the skin deeply entering in a vertical growth phase,corelating with a higher rate of metastatis, wich lead to a poor
prognosis of this subtype of melanoma (5, 20). Malignant
melanoma of the nodular type is an example of a primary tumor
without a precursor developmental stage such as a radialgrowth phase (19). Nodular melanoma occurs most often on
the chest or back and it’s incidence is corelated with middleaged adults. The tumor is most often darkly pigmented; it may
be very dark brown–black or black and enlarge rapidly (18).
Histologicaly, nodular melanoma had a signifiant differentionof superficial spreading melanoma. The tumor often have asymmetrical architectural pattern, beeing well circumscribed,
and no lateral extension of the intraepidermal component. Also,
ulceration is common feature in this subtype. Redarding theepidermal component, epitheloid melanocytes with abundantcytoplasm, vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli can beobserved. The dermal melanocytes are enlarged and haveproeminent and eosinophilic nucleoli (20).
Lentigo melanoma is a subtype of melanoma which usuallyoccurs on sunlight-exposed skin in elderly patients, on face andneck (18). More often, it grows very slowly and can remain in
a non-invasive form for years (5). Lentigo melanoma is the insitu phase of lentigo malignant melanoma, the melanoma thatinvase the dermis. The lentigo melanoma epidermis is athophic
it is characterised by confluent melanocytes along the dermal
epidermal jonction. The cells are hyperchromatic and small,with multinucleoli., dense and often unapparent (20). Lentigo
maligna melanoma has irregular margins (18).
A rare subtype of melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma
arise from melanocytes in the skin but specifically on the partwhich have less UV exposure such as palms, soles, andsubungual surfaces or around the toenails (5, 21). It often
demonstrates massive invasion when the vertical growthphase occurs (18).The melanocytes are present as nests andsingle cells along the dermal epidermal junction with extensive
Pagetoid upward migration. The dermal component ischaracterised by hyperchromatic melanocytes, single cells andnest. Also, it is corelated with aggregation around blood vessels
and a marked tendency to track down eccrine structures (20).
Beside the histologic differention between these subtypesof melanoma, there are differention at the genomic level, thesemelanomas being characterised by distinct oncogenic mutationand distinct pattern of DNA copy number alteration. Several
genes that have different alteration are: BRAF, NRAD, KIT,GNAQ/GNA11 and BAP1 (21).
15

PREVENTION AND EARLY RECOGNITION OF MELANOMA
Because melanoma incidence and mortality still continue
to increase, prevention and early recognition of melanoma are
crucial in reducing morbidity and mortality and recently has
become a continuing public health priority in order to improvemelanoma’s prognostic (22). Early diagnosed, melanoma has
a good prognosis, beeing completely cured in the early stage
by operation, which is dependent on the vigorous spreadingof tumors (5, 23). In order to provide a easy tool for the
early recognition of potentially curable cutaneous malignant
melanoma, in 1985, Friedman et al, developed the ABCD
acronym for melanoma screening (23, 24). The ABCD acronym
refers to some parameters wich can be useful to interpretthe pigmented lesions and diferentiate the benign nevi fromcutaneous melanoma. The Clinical features described are:
Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variegation, and Diameter
greater than 6 mm. Lately, this acronim was improved, withthe addition of another parameter E from Evolving, which
recognize the dynamic nature of the skin malignacy (22), witha big importance in recognition of nodular melanoma. The
evoling lesions are defined as those lesion wich change in size,
shape, symptoms, surface or shades of color. Thise lesions
are a good candidate for a further examination and biopsy.
The ABCDE have the greatest diagnostic accuracy when usedin combination, a concept that should be kept in mind whenevaluating pigmented lesions 6 mm or less in diameter (22).
Another screening test is the ‚revised seven-point checklist’
advocated by MacKie (25), aslo known as the Glasgow 7-point
checklist (22, 26). This checklist has been less widely adopted
than the ABCD criteria (22). The 7-point checklist includes
three major indicators and 4 minor indicator. The three major
indicators are change in size, change in shape, and change
in colour. The four minor signs are inflammation, crusting or
bleeding, sensory change, and a diameter of more than 7 mm,
indicator which are observed less frequently (22, 25-27).
Strategies aimed at improving the early diagnosis ofmalignant melanoma will need to be directed at the generalpublic as well as their doctors. These tools are usefull tools of
evaluation for nondermatologists - clinicians and laypersons - indifferentiating common moles from cancer and were not meant toprovide a comprehensive list of all melanoma characteristics. The
specialist evaluation may result in further workup of pigmented
lesions via dermoscopy, biopsy, or both (22) Dermoscopy (alsocalled epiluminescence microscopy) is a method of evaluationthat can access the subsurface structures of the skin for invivo examination, with a diagnostic accuracy to 70–95% (23).
Nevertheless, there are some limitations of dermoscopy due
to the lack of some specific dermoscopic features that some
pigmented lessions have. These limitations lead to the conclusionthat is important to indentify the interacting mechanisms which
control the early growth of skin cancer in order to develop a ore
accurate diagnostic techniques (23).
PROGRESSION OF MELANOMA
The transformation of melanocytes in melanoma is a16

cmyk 16

pathological process is called melanomogenesis. This process
is associated with changes at cellular level (proliferation,epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, etc.). The interest inundestanding melanoma progression with an established criteria
for the histologic diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma
rise at the late 60’, when Clark proposed a staging model for the
progression of melanoma on the basis of skin invasion levels(28). The model emphasizes the histopathological changes
that occur in the progression of melanoma (14). Subsequently,
Breslow and Macht evidenced that the major prognostic
indicator for melanoma is the depth of invasion (thickness) of
the tumour, known as the Breslow thickness (from the top of the
granular cell layer of the epidermis to the deepest extension of
the tumor) (4,18, 23, 26, 29). Microscopic measurement of the
deepest levels of melanoma involvement in the skin provides
a useful indication of the associated prognosis (18). There isa define association between progressive depth of invasion
and a worsened prognosis (30). The Clark’s model describes
histologic changes grouped in six sequential stages startingwith the normal melanocytes and finishing with the malignant
melanoma (31 – 32). The melanocytic lesions in the first threesteps are nonmalignant while the next three stepts represent
the malignant process of melanoma (33). In the multistep
tumorigenesis, the histological changes are acompaniated bybiological events, molecular lesions and genetic alteration thatinvolve inactivation of tumour suppressor genes, activationof oncogenes, and defects in housekeeping genes such as
mismatch repair (MMR) genes (14, 32 - 34).
The initial event is a proliferation of structurally normalmelanocytes leading to the benign nevus. The benign nevus
are composed of neval melanocytes. At this stage, the growthof nevus is limited and self-controled, rarely progresses tocancer probably due to oncogene-induced cell senescesce(14, 31 - 32, 35). The genetic changes at this first step of
the tumorigenesis are still largely unknown, earliest genetic
changes appearing to involve mutations of the melanocytes ofthe melanocytic dysplastic nevi phase, according to Hussein’s
review (32). However, Pollock et al. found that about 80% of the diverse nevi (congenital, intradermal, compound,dysplastic) show a mutation of BRAF gene and activationof the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling
pathway. BRAF encodes a serine/threonine kinase that acts in
the MAPK pathway to transduce regulatory signals from RAS
to MEK1/2 (36). Activation of MAPK has an important role inmelanocyte proliferation. Thaking into consideration that mostof benign nevus don’t progress to cancer, the conclusion is that
BRAF activation alone is insufficient for the development ofmelanoma and there are required additional molecular events
to become malignant (14, 36).
In order to continue in the tumorigenesis process, a focal
proliferation of the melanocytes from the melanocytic nevus
takes place. The naevus cells proliferate to the dermo-epidermal
junction. Here they establish a lentigenous melanocytic
hyperplasia, which is a junctional melanocytic hyperplasia. Someof the nevi remain stable at this stage but if the process continues,
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

cells grow and start the developmental flaw, called aberrant
differentiation, with the resultant of so called melanocytic nuclear
atypia or melanocytic dysplasia (31-32). These Melanocytic
dysplastic nevi are considered risk factors for cutaneus malignant
melanoma because they are the melanoma’s precursor. Anyway,
not all the melanocytic dysplastic nevi progress to melanoma,
most of them are teminal lesions (31, 34, 37-38). As in theinitial benign nevi, the growth of melanocytic dysplastic nevi
si limited and self-controlled. The melanocytic dysplastic nevi
may arise from preexisting benign nevi or as new lesions (14)and are categorized into sporadic and familial dysplastic nevi
(34, 38). These lesions features are clinically, architecturally,
and cytologically atypic. The clinical features include asymetry,irregular borders, multiple colors and increasing diameters. The
histological feature is random and discontiguous cytologic atypia(14, 37). At the molecular level, the abnormalities of this stage
affect the cell growth, DNA repair and susceptibility to cell death.
The changes incude loss of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A(CDKN24) in 25-40 % of melanoma, CDKN24 beeing a single
gene that encodes two tumor-suppressor proteins, p16INK4A
and p19ARF and loss of phosphatase and tensin homologue(PTEN) in 25-50 % of melanomas(14, 39). You et al. showedthat the colloboration of PTEN and INK4A/ARF (an inhibitor of
CDK4) lead to skn cancer in invo (14, 40). Genetic changes thattake place at this stage of melanoma evolution are complex andinvolve allelic loss, microsatellite instability (MSI), and alterationsof tumour suppressor gene (TSGs), mismatch repair (MMR)
proteins, oncogenes, and some growth factors, due to Hussein
report (32).

Fig. 1. Melanoma progression and mechanisms involved: starting with theformation of benign nevus, and then progressing to the junctional melanocytic
hyperplasia and then aberrant differentiation, a mutation of BRAF gene andactivation of the MAPK signaling pathway take place. Progression to the radial
growth phase is accompanied by loss of CDKN24 and loss of PTEN. The
switch from radial growth phase to vertical growth phase is the most crucial
step in melanoma tumorigenesis, commonly associated with subsequent
metastatic disease. Loss of E-cadherin and expression of N-cadherin, mutation in BRAF and NRAS genes are events that mark this progression. Also
associated events are loss of two transcription factors, activator protein-2α(AP-2α) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Galentin-3 andGalentin-1, are two members of galentin family which are directly corelatedwith the metastatic potential of melanomas. The metastatic melanoma is thelast stage, when the metastatic tumor enter the lymphatic and blood circulation and metastasize to other organs like lymph nodes, brain, liver or lung.

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

The next step is radial growth phase (RGP), a characteristicphase of flat which is considered the first stage of cancer in themelanocytic system (32). Tumors at this stage of evolution are
considered safe, with a superficial and nondestructive invasion.
The term suggested for this stage is microinvasive melanoma
because at this stage melanoma is not associated with intradermal proliferation or tumor nodule formation (41). Tumors in theradial growth phase don’t have the competence for metastasis(33, 41), even the cells have partial growth autonomy, with theability to grow both indefinitely and independently. In order toproceed to the vertical growth phase (VGP), cells need to acquire
more growth autonomy (32). Weder et al. have demonstrated that
RGP cells are not tumorigenic in vivo when injected subcutaneously in immunocompromised mice, but VGP and metastatic
cells (42). The radial growth phase is characterized by the net
enlargement of the tumor at its periphery, along the radii of animperfect circle (31). In the radial growth phase, tumors growlocally in the epidermis, with an increase in the population ofmelanoma cells at the expense of the interstitial liquid, throughwhich the chemical factors diffuse (23, 42-43), being consideredprimary melanoma aroused in situ, before invading the dermis
passing through the basal laminae (23). Some biologic eventsin the radial growth phase are the decreased differentiation,
unlimited hyperplasia and clonal proliferation (14). According to
the ABCDE acronym, asymmetry, border contour irregularities,
color variegation, and diameter increase over time (evolving),
are characteristics of the radial growth phase (41). In the laterstages of radial growth phase evolution, called invasive radial
growth phase, single cells or very small groups of cells start topenetrate the dermis, with a distinctive form of invasion of thepapillary dermis (28, 43-44). This capacity to invade into thedermis is considered a form of invasion across the basement
membrane (41). However, in the dermis these cells don’t form
a tumorigenic nodule and don’t compress or obliterate preexisting structures (41). Molecular changes have to happen for thecells in the radial growth phase acquire a metastatic potential.
Vertical growth phase is another step in Clark model ofmelanoma progression. The progression of radial growth phaseof cutaneous melanoma in the vertical growth phase is the most
crucial step in melanoma tumorigenesis, because it is commonly associated with subsequent metastatic disease (19). The
progression consists in accumulation of growth autonomy (32).
A new population of cells within the melanoma appears at thisstage, tumors that degrade the extracellular matrix and invade
the dermis (42). In the earliest of the vertical growth phase, melanoma is characterized by the tumor nodule formation, formed by
the mitotically active cells (41). Melanoma cells in vertical growthphase have heterogeneity, termed polyclonism. This polyclonism
refers to morphologically distinctive subpopulations comprising
the tumorigenic component of primary human melanomas thatfrequently occur in this stage and may be manifested by distinctive zones of divergent cell size, shape, pigmentation, or stromal
reaction (41, 45). In the transition from the radial growth phaseto vertical growth phase multiple events have been identified.
Changes occur at specific stages and can interfere with critical17

molecules for initiating the tumor development, angiogenesis,
and survival (46).
Alteration in level of adhesion molecules, loss of E-cadherin(epithelial) which are surface molecules that form homophilic andheterophilic interactions on surrounding cell (39), in particularand expression of N-cadherin (neural) are two events that markthe progression from the radial-growth phase to the verticalgrowth phase of melanoma (14, 23, 47). In case of melanoma
these homophilic and heterophilic interactions contribute to theinvasion, migration, cells surviving in circulation due to the aggregation of cancer cells to each other or to host stroma cells
or cell from the circulatory system (39). E-cadherin expression
in melanocytes and keratinocytes permits the association
between the two cells. When E-cadherin switch to N-cadherin,a dissociation of melanocytes from keratinocytes results andmelanoma cells start to invade the dermis (39). Rodriques etal. showed that E-cadherin expression is directly repressed by
Tbx3 protein, a member of the T-box transcription factors family.
Tbx3 is a transcription repressor, overexpressed in melanoma
and it contribute in melanoma invasiveness and transition fromradial growth phase to vertical growth phase by down-reglatingof E-cadherin expression (47).
Mutation in the BRAF gene which started in the initial stepof the tumorigenesis process continue to increase and areaccompaniated by mutation in the NRAS gene as melanoma
progress from an in-situ (RGS) to an invasive stage (VGP), asGreene et al reports (48). BRAF and NRAS mutation conduct toamino acid substitutions within the NRAS and BRAF oncogenic
proteins. These substitution lead to a constitutive activation of
growth signaling through the mitogen-activated protein kinase
pathway (49).
Once the basement membrane and extracellular matrix
are degraded and melanoma cells acquire the capacity to form
a tumor and infiltrate more extensively into the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, the melanoma is considered to be malignant(43). The metastatic melanoma is the last stage, when themetastatic tumor enter the lymphatic and blood circulation andmetastasize to other organs like lymph nodes, brain, liver or lung
(14, 42, 46). Only a small subset of cells from the primary tumor
have the acquired molecular changes to complete the metastaticcascade, because a condition for a tumor to metastasize, is thecells ability to survive the circulation, arrest in the capillary bed ofthe distant organ, enter the parenchyma, grow within the organ
microenvironment, and initiate angiogenesis (46).
Recently the role of galentin family in melanoma is studied
because the melanoma progression has been correlated witha deregulation of the galectin family of carbohydrate-binding
proteins. Proteins from the galentin family have the ability tobind to glycosylated proteins such integrins, fibronectin, laminin,
NCAM, EGRF (50) which made them crucial in many biologicalprocesses such cell-cell adhesion, inhibiton of cell receptor internalization, induction of T-cell apoptosis, induction of angiogenesis(46, 50). The most involved in melanoma progression galentins
are galentin-3 and galentin-1, which are directly corelated withthe metastatic potential of melanomas (51). Galentin-3 binds to18

many cells surface proteins in order to initiate adhesion and metastasis. Also, galentin-3 enhance cell agregation in melanoma
and protects them during the circulation in circulatory system.
In addition, it increase the activity of matrixmetalloproteinases(MMPs) and increases the secretion of MMP-2 contributing at thebasement membrane degradation during the transition from RGP
to VGP. Another role of this protein is in angiogenesis, increasing
neovascularization by modulating the endothelial cell response to
VEGF and bFGF (46). Expressed by the immune cells and endothelial cells , galentin-1 increases tumor aggresion by binding
to T—cells membrane glycoproteins and inducing apoptosis (46,52) and also it is responsable for the melanoma resistance totherapy: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy (53).
The switch from RGP to VGP and further to metastaticmelanoma is also associated with the loss of two transcription
factors, activator protein-2α (AP-2α) and cAMP response
element binding protein (CREB). Dereglation of c-KIT, MCAM/
MUC18 melanoma cell adhesion molecule, E-cadherin, VEGF,
Bcl-2, MMP-2, MMP-9 and p21 are consequences of AP-2αloss (39). Melnikova et al. demostrated that down- regulation of
AP-2α, during melanoma progression is attributed by the activation of CREB, nominating it as a “major regulator” of melanoma
progression (39, 54).
Beeing the most aggressive form of skin cancer, melanoma
is the subject of many studies in order to find effective treatments. Despite modern results in the research, the results of
conventional therapy of metastatic melanoma in the advanced
stages remain unsatisfactory due to the apoptosis resistancethat tumor cells acquire (7). The standard treatment is not welldefined, there is much controversy at this level (55-56). However
the reference treatment in this fiels is considered to be Dacarbazine (57-58). Dacarbazine treatment can be supplemented
with other techniques. However Lev et al. showed that repeatedexposure of melanoma cells with a weak aggressive phenotype
to dacarbazine, leads to a more aggressive phenotype with larger
tumors in vivo (56). Researcher devote much attention to cancer
prevention and early detection and to the development of lesstoxic treatments. In this context new classes of compounds arebeing explored, in particular plant-derived molecules, including
pentacyclic triterpenes. All these issues and developments inresearch requires reproducible and related models of humanpathology. Animal models are used to test new drugs in thetreatment of melanoma are also useful for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathology ofcancer (8, 59).
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19

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INTROSPECŢIE ÎN ASPECTELE HISTOLOGICE, PROGRESIA ŞI PROGNOSTICULMELANOMULUIREZUMAT

Melanomul, o tumoră malignă a melanocitelor, este cea mai agresivă formă de cancer cutanat şi incidenţa lui creşte în toate populaţiile
caucaziene. Cei mai puternici factori de risc sunt istoricul familial, multiplii nevi melanocitari preexistenţi, prezenţa anterioară a unuimelanoma sau a altor forme de cancer non-melanomice. Subtipurile majore ale melanomului sunt melanomul superficial, melanomul
nodular, melanomul lentigo şi melanomul acral lentiginos. Diagnosticat precoce, melanomul are un prognostic bun, fiind complet
curabil în stadiile timpurii prin operaţie. Cu scopul de a facilita recunoaşterea precoce a melanoamelor cutanate maligne cu potenţial
de vindecare, acronimul ABCDE este un instrument prevazut. Caracteristicile clinice descrise sunt Asimetria, Bordura, Culoarea,
Diamentrul mai mare de 6 mm şi Evoluţia, care recunoaşte natura dinamică a malignităţii. În timpul procesului de melanomogeneză,schimbările histologice sunt însoţite de eventimente biologice, leziuni moleculare şi alterări genetice. Începând cu formarea nevilor
benigni, progresia spre hiperplazia melanocitică joncţională şi apoi spre diferenţierea aberantă, au loc mutații în gena BRAF şi activareacăii de semnalizare MAPK. Progresia spre faza de creştere radială este însoţită de pierderea CDKN24 şi a PTEN. Trecerea de lafaza de creştere radială spre cea de creştere verticală este cel mai important pas în procesul tumorigenezei, asociat în mod comuncu boala metastatică ulterioară. Pierderea E-caderinei şi expresia N-caderinei, mutații ale genelor BRAF şi NRAS sunt evenimente
care marchează această progresie. De asemenea, evenimente asociate sunt pierderea a doi factori de transcripţie, AP-2α şi CREB.
Melanomul metastatic este ultima fază, când tumorile metastatice intră în circulaţia sanguină şi limfatică şi metastazează în alte organe
precum noduli limfatici, creier, ficat sau plămâni. Galentin-3 şi Galentin-1 sunt doi membri ai familiei galentinelor direct corelaţi cu
potenţialul metastatic al melanomului. Această trecere în revistă încearcă se examineze progresia melanomului şi câteva schimbări
moleculare care însoţesc procesul. De asemenea, sunt discutate clasificarea histologică, prevenţia şi recunoaşterea timpurie.
Cuvinte cheie: progresia melanomului, faza creşterii radiale, faza creşterii verticale, recunoaşterea timpurie, schimbări moleculare

20

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Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

PREVALENCE OF POLYGLANDULAR AUTOIMMUNE SYNDROME
TYPE II IN A GROUP OF CHILDREN WITH THYROID DISEASESAND DIABETES MELLITUS
ADRIANA GHERBON
Department of Physiology, UMF „V. Babeş”, Timişoara

ABSTRACT

Background&Aims: Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PAS) type II is the most common of the immunoendocrinopathy syndromes.
It is characterized by the obligatory occurrence of autoimmune Addison disease in combination with thyroid autoimmune diseases
and/or type 1 diabetes mellitus. Primary hypogonadism, myasthenia gravis, and celiac disease also are commonly observed in thissyndrome. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of PAS type II in a group of children with thyroid diseases anddiabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: The studied group was of 83 children with DM type 1 (71 girls and 12 boys), aged between 7 and17 years. The methods of investigation were represented by clinical, imaging, biochemical, hormonal and immunological parameters.
Results: The prevalence of PAS type II in the study group was 6.02 % (80% girls and 20 % boys, p = 0.57, X2 = 3.6). In all cases
was a triple association: adrenal insufficiency, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes. We don’t have symptomaticcases of Addison’s disease in children group, but only 5 cases of asymptomatic Addison’s disease identifying through the presenceof specified antibodies. Conclusions: In the children group, PAS type II comprises 3 diseases: adrenal insufficiency, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes; we don’t find significance difference between girls and boys. Because Addison’s disease was
asymptomatic, identifying through the presence of specified antibodies, if we have a children with two or more autoimmune disease,
we must investigate him for another possible autoimmune disease.
Keywords: diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II, children

INTRODUCTION
PAS II is the most common form of PAS. It is characterized
by the presence, in the same patient, a two or more of the following diseases: Addison’s disease, type 1 diabetes, autoimmune
thyroid disease, primary hypogonadism, celiac disease andmyasthenia gravis (5).
It is estimated that the prevalence is 1/200,000, and theincidence of about 1 - 2/10000/year, that is 10-20 times higher
than that of PAS I. Diagnosis is indicated, usually between 20
to 60 years and it is about three times more common in womenthan in men (4).
In PAS II etiopathogenesis are involved the genetic predisposition, environmental factors and specific auto antibodies.
On a background of genetic predisposition acting environmental
factors can trigger the autoimmune process and lead to thedisease (1, 2).
Regarding genetic predisposition (6) transmission modeof PAS II is polygenic, autosomal dominant with incomplete
penetrance. An important role are gene polymorphisms of HLA
system (5), located on the short arm of chromosome 6. Most
diseases are associated with HLA haplotypes following: A1,
B8, DR3 (DQA1 * 0501, DQB1 * 0201) and DR4 (DQA1 * 0301,
DQB1 * 0302) (2, 7). Lately it seems that in genetic susceptibility to PAS II is involved CTLA gene polymorphism („cytotoxic T

lymphocyte antigen-4”) (8).
The main environmental factors which may trigger the autoimmune process in PAS II are: congenital rubella early, intake
of cow’s milk (DM type 1), gliadin (celiac disease), methimazole(anti-insulin auto antibodies), penicillamine (myasthenia gravis),
anti CD-52 monoclonal antibodies (used in the treatment ofmultiple sclerosis) (Graves-Basedow disease), and interferon(hypothyroidism) (8).
Auto antibodies are serological markers of immune process,ongoing, at endocrine gland and predict subsequent occurrenceof clinical manifestations. Some of them have pathogenetic role:anti-acetylcholine for myasthenia gravis, and anti-TSH receptor,
for Graves-Basedow disease (7).
In addition to the three common endocrinopathies (Addison
disease, type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease), theclinical manifestations of patients can include other autoimmune
diseases, endocrine and non-endocrine: celiac disease, vitiligo,
seriousness, IgA deficiency, primary hypogonadism, hypoparathyroidism, stiff man syndrome, alopecia, pernicious anemia,
pituitary gland and myasthenia gravis. Frequently, can be positive
only specific organ auto antibodies, both at the patients and theirrelatives without clinical signs to be present (3).
Various endocrinopathies not begins at the same time,
between the diagnosis of two successive diseases of the
syndrome can go even 20 years. The PAS II occurrence prob-

Received August 5th, 2013. Accepted September 20th, 2013. Address for correspondence: Adriana Gherbon, MD, PhD, Department of Physiology, “Victor Babes” Universityof Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2A, 300041, Timisoara, phone/fax: +40256220479; e-mail: adrianagherbon@yahoo.com

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

21ability in a patient with a particular autoimmune endocrinopathy
varies depending on the prevalence of the disease and family
history. In the case of isolated thyroid disease, common in the
population, and in the absence of family history of PAS II, therisk for other endocrinopathies is very lower. On the other hand,in the rare cases of autoimmune diseases, such as Addison’s
disease, the hypothyroidism probability is much higher, of 1421%. Frequent hypoglycemia or reduced insulin requirements
in a patient with Type 1 diabetes must draw attention to thepossibility of developing adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidismor gluten enteropathy (8).
The diagnosis is established, usually by highlighting autoimmune syndrome components. Based on the symptoms andclinical manifestations of each case is recommended metabolic,hormonal and immunological determination which must confirm
the diagnosis.
Treatment is represented by the hormonal replacement for
endocrine insufficiencies, being specific to each disease (2). If
it is established early, patients have a good evolution and do notdevelop complications. There are some therapeutic particularities, given by certain associations. For example, patients with
Addison disease and hypothyroidism should be treated first for
adrenal insufficiency because if it is administered initially thyroid
hormones may be trigger adissonian crisis. In the case of non
endocrine autoimmune diseases, with unfavorable evolution
it can try immunosuppressive therapy. In recent years, in thepatients with PAS II are being tested a number of preparations,such as anti-CD20 antibody (Rituximab) and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, from which are expected benefit in the preventionof Type 1 diabetes (8).

taken between 70 - 110 mg%; diabetes mellitus - values equal
or over 126 mg%, impaired glucose tolerance - values between
110 - 125 mg% and the OGTT at 2 h between 140 - 200 mg%
and impaired fasting glucose - values between 110 - 125 mg%
and OGTT at 2 h under 140 mg%.
Determination of HbA1c was achieved through the DiaStat
for measuring HbA1c reported to the total HbA.
To determine the TSH level in plasma, the free fraction oftriiodotironin (FT3), and the plasma free fraction of thyroxin(FT4) were performed a quantitative method ARCHITECT; witch
is an immunological method, Chemilumnescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA). Normal values were following: TSH = 0.465- 4.68 Miu/ml, FT3 = 3.69 -10.4 pmol/l, FT4 = 10 - 28.2 pmol/l.
To obtain the level of cortisol was performed the technique
IMMULITE / IMMULITE 1000, an imunometric method, in solid
phase, competitive, of chemiluminescent, Immuno Chemilumino
Enzymometric assay (ICEM). It was considered normal: a.m.
5 - 25 microgram/dl.
FSH level was measured quantitatively by the ARCHITECT
method; a Chemilumnescent Microparticle Immunoassay. Reference values: determined with ARCHITECT test (Table I).

MATERIAL AND METHOD

1.37 – 13.58
LH level was measured quantitatively by the ARCHITECT
method; a Chemilumnescent Microparticle Immunoassay. Reference values: determined with ARCHITECT test (Table II).

INVESTIGATED POPULATION
The group of children was represented by 83 subjects
aged between 7-17 years. All children from the study group
had Type 1 diabetes. In the studied group, the gender
distribution of the children was 5.9/1, represented by 71 girls(85.54%) and 12 boys (14.45%).
METHODS OF INVESTIGATION
The methods of investigation were represented by clinicaldata - case history, current status, imagistic- thyroid ultrasound,biochemical - for glycemic balance: fasting blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin, investigation of the thyroid gland:
TSH, FT4, FT3, thyroid antibodies, investigation of the adrenal
gland: cortisol, 21-hydroxylase antibodies, gonadotropins:
FSH, LH and appropriate sex hormones (testosterone, estradiol),investigation of celiac disease: antitissue transglutaminase
antibodies, investigation of pernicious anemia: complete bloodcount with mean cell volume and vitamin B12 levels.
Determination of plasma glucose was performed byenzyme technique with glucosooxidasis. Normal values were
22

Table I. The reference values for FSH

Population fieldmIU/mlWomen:- Follicular phase- Ovulating phase- Luteal phase- Postmenopausal

3.35 – 21.63
4.97 – 20.82
1.11 – 13.99
2.58 – 150.53

Men

Table II. The reference values for LH

Population fieldmIU/mlWomen:- Follicular phase- Ovulating phase- Luteal phase- Postmenopausal

1.26 – 10.05
2.57 – 26.53
18.06 – 90.23
0.67 – 23.75

Men
1.09 – 92.45
Testosterone was determinate by ELISA method. The
references values are depending by age and gender:
Adults:– men: 0.019 - 0.145 nmol/L;– women in fertile period: < 0.014 nmol/L;– pills: 0.001 - 0.0069 nmol/L;– postmenopausal: 0.0003 - 0.0058 nmol/L.
Estradiol was determinate by immunochemical with electrochemiluminiscent detection method (ECLIA). The references
values are depending by age and gender, and at women also
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)with the menstrual cycle period and pregnancy (Table III).
Table III. The reference values for estradiol

Age and gender

References
values(pmol/L)

Adults – Women • Follicular phase                           • Ovulating phase                           • Luteal phase               • Postmenopausal– Men

46.0 - 607
315 - 1828
161 - 774
<18.4 - 201
28.0 - 156

Pregnancy (first quarter)

789 – 15781

Children (1-10 years) • girls
22.0 - 99.1
                          • boys<18.4 - 99.1
The immunological parameters were represented by
autoimmune thyroid markers - antibodies (antiTPO and antiTg
antibodies).
To determine serum levels of antiTPO antibodies it
was used the kit AxSYM antiTPO, an immunological method(Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay) (MEIA). Normal values:
antiTPO antibodies <35 IU/ml.
To determine serum levels of antiTg antibodies it wasused the kit AxSYM antiTg, a MEIA method as well (Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay). Normal values: antiTg antibodies<55 IU/ml.
To determine 21-hydroxylase (anti 21-OH antibodies)
antibodies level it was used the radioimunodetermination
method combined with a technique of imunoprecipitation, basedon human 21-OH marked with I 125 reacting with the antibodies anti 21-OH from the samples test and forming immune
complexes that precipitated with the solid-phase of protein A.
Normal range: <1 IU/ml
Antitissue transglutaminase antibodies were determinate by ELISA method.
References values: IgA, IgG: <10 U/mL: negative; ≥10 U/
mL: positive.
Vitamin B12 levels were determinate by immunochemicalwith electrochemiluminiscent detection method (ECLIA). References values: 191 - 663 pmol/L (for European population).
Determination of complete blood count was achieved
with automatic method: electric impedance method. Normal
values (for children): erythrocytes = 4 - 5.5 mil/mm3, leucocytes= 4500 – 11000 mil/mm3, plateled = 150000 – 450000/mm3,
hematocrit (Ht): 32 – 44 %, hemoglobin (Hb): 9.5 – 15.5 g/dl.
Constants and red cell indices are calculated automatically,
depending on the values ​​of Hb, Ht and red blood cells (RBC)
count. Normal values: mean corpuscular volume (MCV) = 80 100 fl, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) =32 - 36 g Hb/100 ml erythrocytes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH) = 27 - 32 pg.
Thyroid ultrasound was performed in all cases and allowed
us to measure thyroid volume, thyroid study and the changes inparenchyma’s density.
An increased density, uniform, characterizes normal thyroid
2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

parenchyma easily distinguished from the neck muscles thatare hypo dens.
Inflammatory processes and autoimmune pathology appears hypo dens. The scale was assessed as being discreet +,moderate ++ and marked +++.
In the autoimmune thyroid disease the parenchyma of thegland appears hypo dens.
Chronic autoimmune thyroid disorder appears with ahypoecogenity of the parenchyma and normal or increased
thyroid volume.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
For statistical analysis we used Microsoft Excel and POP
Tools from Microsoft Office 2003 and EPI 2000 program. To
measure the quantitative variables were determined average (A)and standard deviation (SD), and to assess the gender differences we used the unpaired t test and ANOVA test, considering
statistically significant a p < 0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In the case of children group, the main autoimmune endocrine associations were the following (Table IV).
Table IV. The prevalence of autoimmune endocrine diseases in children andadolescents group with type 1 diabetes

Associated autoimmune
endocrine diseases

n

%

ACT

49

59.03%

Graves-Basedow disease

4

4.82%

ACT + asymptomatic
5
6.02%
Addison disease
From the 83 cases of children and adolescents, in 5 caseswith type 1 diabetes and ACT was associated asymptomatic
Addison’s disease.
Asymptomatic Addison’s disease was diagnosed in 5 children by dosing 21-OH antibodies in 37 children from the study.
From the 5 patients with positive titers, 4 were females and 1
male. The titers were between 1 to 2 IU/ml in 4 patients, only 1
patient presented titers of 2-3 IU / ml.
If are associated more endocrine autoimmune diseases, theterm is polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PAS). Autoimmune
polyglandular syndromes comprise a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by inability of endocrine glands to produce
their hormones. These endocrine abnormalities tend to occur
together. It is estimated that about a quarter of patients withevidence one gland hypofunction present another endocrine
diseases. Therefore it is recommended that in the case of one
endocrine glands hypo function to assess the function of otherendocrine glands.
There are several classifications of autoimmune polyendocrinophathies, but was universally accepted classification of
Neufeld and Blizzard (Table V).
23

Table V. PAS classification (9)PAS type

Associated disease

PAS I

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis I, chronic
autoimmune hypoparathyroidism, autoimmune
Addison’s disease

PAS II

Autoimmune Addison’s disease, autoimmune thyroid disease and / or type 1 diabetes(Addison’s disease should always be present)

PAS III

Autoimmune thyroid disease + other autoimmune diseases (excluding autoimmune Addison’s
disease, autoimmune chronic hypoparathyroidism, autoimmune chronic candidiasis)

PAS IV

2 or more organo-specific autoimmune disease(which are not included in the type 1, 2 or 3).

PAS II was present in 5 cases. Initially PAS II covered PAS
IIa (Smith syndrome) (Addison’s disease associated with autoimmune thyroiditis) and PAS II b (Carpenter syndrome) (Addison’s
disease associated with type 1 diabetes). It was later revealed
the possibility of a triple association: adrenal insufficiency, chronic
autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes.
In the case of PAS II onset is usually with adrenal insufficiency (AI), in time associating DM type 1; there are cases
in which the diagnosis is performed simultaneously for AI andType 1 diabetes or Type 1 diabetes diagnosis can precede their
ICSR (9).
To endocrine immunopathies may be associated with a variable incidence no endocrine organ-specific systemic diseases.
In our studied group, the patients don’t present any endocrineorgan-specific autoimmune diseases (celiac disease, vitiligo,
alopecia, pernicious anemia).
The medium interval between onset age of type 1 diabetes
and the occurrence of ACT was 8.59 ± 3.24 years.
No case presented the first endocrine immunopathy ACT,
followed by type 1 diabetes.
The prevalence of PAS type II in the study group was 6.02 %(80% girls and 20 % boys, p = 0.57, X2 = 3.6). In United States,
approximately 14 – 20 people per million populations are affectedby polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II. Observations
have revealed, however, that the disease is much more prevalent
if sub clinical forms are included (3).
Regarding the gender, we don’t find significance difference
between boys and girls, but in United States the female – to –male ratio of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II is3 – 4:1 (3). Normally, the polyglandular autoimmune syndrome
type II occurs in the third or fourth decade of life.
In all cases was a triple association: adrenal insufficiency,
chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes. We don’t
have symptomatic cases of Addison’s disease in children group,
but only 5 cases of asymptomatic Addison’s disease identifying

24

cmyk 24through the presence of specified antibodies.
Among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, thyroid autoimmunity and celiac disease coexist with sufficient frequency
to justify screening. Measuring annual TSH levels in individuals
with type 1 diabetes is recommended as cost – effective.
Clinical history and examination suggesting evidence ofmore than 1 endocrine deficiency should prompt testing, toinclude serum autoantibody screening and an evaluation ofend - organ function.
Evaluation of end – organ function is necessary to confirm
the diagnosis in patients with positive auto antibodies. Even
if these antibodies are negative, still perform testing if clinicalsuspicion is high, because the sensitivity of these assays is not
perfect. Are recommended the following tests to be performed
annually: gonadotropins, TSH, free thyroxin (T4) and free triiodothyronine (T3) if is necessary, adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), fasting blood glucose, complete blood count (CBC) withmean cell volume (MCV) and vitamin B12 levels.
CONCLUSIONSIn the children group, PAS type II comprises 3 diseases:
adrenal insufficiency, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1
diabetes; we don’t find significance difference between girls andboys. Because Addison’s disease was asymptomatic, identifying
through the presence of specified antibodies, if we have a children with two or more autoimmune disease, we must investigate
him for another possible autoimmune disease.
REFERENCES
1. Baker JR Jr. Autoimmune endocrine disease. JAMA. 1997;
278(22):1931-7.
2. Betterle C, Lazzarotto F, Presotto F. Autoimmune polyglandular
syndrome Type 2: the tip of an iceberg? Clin Exp Immunol. 2004;
137(2): 225-33.
3. Bizzaro N. The predictive significance of autoantibodies in organspecific autoimmune diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2008; 34(3):326-31.
4. Cooper GS, Stroehla BC. The epidemiology of autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmun Rev. 2003; 2(3):119-25.
5. Obermayer-Straub P, Manns MP. Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes. Baillieres Clin Gastroenterol. 1998;12(2):293-315.
6. Ramos-Lopez E, Lange B, Kahles H, et al. Insulin gene polymorphisms in type 1 diabetes, Addison’s disease and the polyglandular
autoimmune syndrome type II. BMC Med Genet. 2008; 9:65.
7. Sivarajah S, Fan CY, Akinsoto OPA. Polyglandular Autoimmune
Syndrome, Type II. In Endocrinology (electronic book), 2006.
8. Şerban V. Diabetul zaharat şi bolile autoimune, în Tratat român deboli metabolice, vol. 1, Editura Brumar, 2010.
9. Zosin I. Curs de endocrinologie clinică, Lito UMF, 1997; 59-107.

Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

PREVALENTA SINDROMULUI AUTOIMUN POLIGLANDULAR TIP II INGRUPUL DE COPII CU BOALA TIROIDIANA SI DIABET ZAHARATREZUMAT

Introducere: Sindromul poliglandular autoimun tip II (SPA tip II) este cel mai frecvent dintre sindroamele endocrine autoimune. Se
caracterizează prin prezenţa obligatorie a bolii Addison autoimune în combinaţie cu boala autoimună tiroidiană şi/sau diabetul zaharat
tip 1. În cadrul acestui sindrom se pot asocia şi hipogonadismul primar, miastenia gravis, precum şi boala celiacă. Scopul acestui studiu
este de a determina prevalenţa SPA tip II într – un grup de copii cu afecţiuni autoimune tiroidiene şi diabet zaharat (DZ). Metode:
Grupul de studiu a fost reprezentat de 83 de copii cu DZ tip 1 (71 fete şi 12 băieţi), cu vârsta cuprinsă între 7 şi 17 ani. Metodele deinvestigaţie au fost reprezentate de determinarea unor parametrii clinici, imagistici, biochimici, hormonali şi imunologici. Rezultate:
Prevalenţa SPA tip II în grupul de studiu a fost de 6,02% (80% fete şi 20% băieţi, p = 0,57, X2 = 3,6). În toate cazurile s-a întâlnit o
triplă asociere: insuficienţa corticosuprarenaliană, tiroidita cronică autoimună şi diabetul zaharat tip 1. Nu am avut cazuri de boală
Addison simptomatică, doar 5 cazuri de boală Addison asimptomatică, identificate prin prezenţa anticorpilor specifici. Concluzii: Încazul grupului de copii studiat, SPA tip II a cuprins 3 afecţiuni: insuficienţa corticosuprarenaliană, tiroidita cronică autoimună şi diabetul
zaharat tip 1; nu am constatat diferenţe semnificative statistic între fete şi băieţi. Deoarece boala Addison a fost asimptomatică,identificată prin prezenţa anticorpilor specifici, dacă avem un copil cu una sau mai multe afecţiuni tiroidiene, trebuie să-l investigăm
şi pentru alte posibile afecţiuni autoimune.
Cuvinte cheie: diabet zaharat, boală tiroidiană, sindrom poliglandular autoimun tip II, copii

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

cmyk 25

25

THE SHORT-TERM EFFECT OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON
HEMOGLOBIN DURING ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY
IN RATSΤSOMPOS CONSTANTINOS1, PANOULIS CONSTANTINOS2, ΤΟUTOUZAS KONSTANTINOS3,
ΖOGRAFOS GEORGE4, PAPALOIS APOSTOLOS5
1
Consultant A, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mesologi County Hospital
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens University
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Ippokrateion G. Hospital, Athens University
4
Professor, Department of Surgery, Ippokrateion G. Hospital, Athens University
5
Director, Experimental Research Center, ELPEN Pharmaceutical Co. Inc. S.A.

ABSTRACT
Aim of this experiment study was the erythropoietin testing, on rat model and certainly on ischemia reperfusion protocol.
The beneficial or non effect of that molecule was studied hematological on hemoglobin level.
Material and methods: 40 rats were used of mean weight 247.7 g. Hemoglobin levels (hl) were measured on thesetime points: on 60 min after reperfusion (groups A and C), and on 120 min after reperfusion (groups B and D), A and B
without but C and D with erythropoietin administration.
Results were that erythropoietin administration does not increase importantly the hl by 0.305 gr/dl [-0.4277628 g/
dl - 1.037763 g/dl ] (P = 0.4047), accordant also with paired t-test (P = 0.5008), reperfusion time does not increaseimportantly the hl by 0.3849999 g/dl [-0.3436895 g/dl - 1.113689 g/dl ] (P = 0.2916), accordant also with paired t-test(P= 0.3998) and interaction of erythropoietin administration and reperfusion time does not increase importantly hl by
0.1863636 g/dl [-0.2553986 g/dl - 0.6281259 g/dl ] (P = 0.3984).
Conclusions are that erythropoietin administration, reperfusion time and their interaction has not important short – term
effect on recovery pathophysiology of hl.
Key words: erythropoietin, hemoglobin, reperfusion
INTRODUCTION
Tissue ischemia and reperfusion remains one from maincauses of damage (permanent or transient) with serious implications on near organs and certainly on patients’ health. The use oferythropoietin is a well established knowledge a lot of years ago.
However, even if important progress has been made, satisfactory
answers have not been given yet in fundamental questions, as, bywhat velocity this factor acts, when should it be administered, andin which dosage. The particularly satisfactory action of erythropoietin in stem blood cells recovery was noted by already performedexperiments. It was realized that this certain factor has been triedin ischemia/reperfusion experiments, after international literature(PubMed - Medline) careful examination. However, just few relative
reports were found, not covering completely this particular objectof action velocity. Also, a lot of publications concerned trial of suchparticular other molecules of growth factors “family” in which thestudied molecule also belongs to.
AIM

Aim of present experimental study was the trial of erythro-

poietin in rat animal model and certainly in ischemia/reperfusion
protocol. It was studied hematological the beneficial or no actionof that particular molecule on hemoglobin levels (hl).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental groups
40 Wistar rats of mean weight 247.7 g [Std. Dev: 34.99172
g] were used, min weight ≥ 165 g and max weight < 320 g. They
were naturalized in laboratory for 7 days before experimentation.
They had free access in water and food. They were accidentally
separated in the following experimental groups (10 animals ineach group). The experiment was acute, that is, the animal
use was completed by following experimentation time expiry
as awakening and preservation did not exist.
1 - Ischemia for 45 min and afterwards reperfusion for 60
min (group A).
2 - Ischemia for 45 min and afterwards reperfusion for 120
min (group B).
3 - Ischemia for 45 min and afterwards immediate erythro-

Received August 14th 2013. Accepted September 20th 2013. Address for correspondence: Tsompos Constantinos, Consultant A, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology,
Mesologi County Hospital, Mesologi 30200, Etoloakarnania, Greece; phone: 00306946674264; e-mail: constantinostsompos@yahoo.com

26

cmyk 26

Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

poietin IV administration and reperfusion for 60 min (group C).
4 - Ischemia for 45 min and afterwards immediate erythropoietin IV administration and reperfusion for 120 min (group D).
The molecule erythropoietin dose was 10 mg/Kg bodyweight of animals.
The experiment was beginning by pre-narcosis and generalanesthesia administration in animals. Their electrocardiogramand acidometry were continuously monitored. The vessels
concerning blood supply were prepared so as their flow to be
excluded by forceps. After exclusion, the protocol of ischemia/
reperfusion was applied, described more in experimental groups.
The molecules were administered immediately after reperfusion
through inferior vena cava (catheterization had been preceded atexperiment beginning, after general anesthesia establishment).
The hl measuring was performed on these time points:
1 - on 60 min of reperfusion (groups A and C),
2 - on 120 min of reperfusion (groups B and D).
Performance
Introduction into general anesthesia was becoming by initial
IM administration of 0.5 cc compound, constituted by 0.25 cc
xylazine, [25 cc, 20mg/cc] and 0.25 cc ketamine hydrochloride[1000, 100mg/cc, 10cc]. 0.03 cc butorphanol [10mg/cc, 10cc]
anesthesia was administered s.c. before laparotomy. Continuous oxygen supply was administered during whole experiment
performance. Ischemia was caused by clapping inferior aorta for
45 min after laparotomic access. Reperfusion was achieved byremoving clapping and inferior aorta patency re-establishment.
Control groups
20 control rats (controls: 1 - 20) mean weight 252.5 g [Std.
Dev: 39.31988 g] suffered by ischemia for 45 min and thenreperfusion.
Group A
Reperfusion which lasted 60 min concerned 10 controls ratsof mean weight 243 g [Std. Dev: 45.77724 g], mean hl 13.86 g/
dl [Std. Dev: 0.8771166 g/dl] (Table I).
Group B
Reperfusion which lasted 120 min concerned 10 controls
rats of mean weight 262 g [Std. Dev: 31.10913 g], mean hl 14.52
g/dl [Std. Dev: 1.111355 g/dl] (Table I).
Erythropoietingroup
20 rats (L: 1 - 20) of mean weight 242.9 g [Std. Dev: 30.3105g] suffered by ischemia for 45 min and then reperfusion in the
beginning of which 10 mg erythropoietin /kg body weight wereIV administered.
Group C
Reperfusion which lasted 60 min concerned 10 L rats ofmean weight 242.8 g [Std. Dev: 29.33636 g], mean hl 14.44 g/
dl [Std. Dev: 1.407283 g/dl] (Table I).
Group D
Reperfusion which lasted 120 min concerned 10 L rats ofmean weight 243 g [Std. Dev: 32.84644 g], mean hl 14.55 g/dl
[Std. Dev: 1.139444 g/dl] (Table I).

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

cmyk 27

Table I. Weight and hemoglobin mean levels and Std. Dev. of groups

GroupsVariable

Mean

Std. Dev

A

WeightHemoglobin

243 g13.86 g/dl

45.77724
0.8771166

B

WeightHemoglobin

262 g
14.52 g/dl

31.10913
1.111355C

WeightHemoglobin

242.8 g14.44 g/dl

29.33636
1.407283

D

WeightHemoglobin

243 g14.55 g/dl

32.84644
1.139444

Weight comparison
Weight comparison of each one from 4 rats groups initiallywas performed with other one from 3 remained groups applying
statistical paired t-test (Table II).
Some weight correlations resulted statistically important.
Any emerging important difference among hl, will be investigated whether owed in the above mentioned important weightcorrelations.
Hemoglobin levels (hl) comparison
Hl comparison of each one from 4 rats groups initially was
performed with other one from 3 remainder groups applying
statistical paired t-test (Table II).
Table II. Statistical importance of mean values difference for groups (DG)
after statistical paired t test application

DG

Variable

Difference

p-value

A-B

WeightHemoglobin-19 g-0.66 g/dl

0.24230.2422

A-C

WeightHemoglobin

0.2 gr
-0.5800001 g/dl

0.99000.3868

A-D

WeightHemoglobin

0g-0.69 g/dl

1.00000.0791

B-C

WeightHemoglobin

19.2 g0.0799999 g/dl

0.25980.8569B-D

WeightHemoglobin

19 g-0.0299999 g/dl

0.1011
0.9637

C-D

Weight-0.2 g0.9883
Hemoglobin-0.1099998 g/dl
0.8852
Applying generalized linear models (glm) with dependantvariable the number of hl and independent variables the erythropoietin administration or no, the reperfusion time and theirinteraction, results in: 1) erythropoietin administration does
not increase importantly the hl by 0.305 g/dl [-0.4277628 g/dl
- 1.037763 g/dl ] (P= 0.4047), accordant also with paired t-test(P= 0.5008), 2) reperfusion time does not increase importantly
the hl by 0.3849999 g/dl [-0.3436895 g/dl - 1.113689 g/dl ] (P=0.2916), accordant also with paired t-test (P= 0.3998), and 3)
interaction of erythropoietin administration and reperfusion time
does not increase importantly hl by 0.1863636 g/dl [-0.2553986
g/dl - 0.6281259 g/dl ] (P= 0.3984).
27

Reviewing the above and Table II, the Table III turns up
concerning the increase influence of erythropoietin in connection
with reperfusion time.
Inserting weight as independent variable in glm model, a
non important correlation results with the hl (p= 0.4019).
Table III. The increase influence of erythropoietin in connection with reperfusion time

p-value
Increase

95% c. in.

Reperfusiontime

t-testglm

1h0.38680.2833- 0.4277628 g/dl
- 1.037763 g/dl

1.5h0.50080.40470.0299999 gr/dl - 1.027464 g/dl
- 1.087464 g/dl

2h0.9637

0.95310.5800001 gr/dl - 0.5216883 g/dl
- 1.681689 g/dl
0.305 gr/dl

DISCUSSION
Barshishat-Kupper M. et al. (1) administered captopril for 7
days before mice (total body irradiation) TBI which ablates earlyand late-stage erythroid progenitors, resulted in earlier EPO induction and activation. That short-term mice suppression of radiationinduced EPO immediately after TBI is favorable for erythroid recovery. Weltert L et al. (2) recorded patients with isolated coronary
vessel disease mean hemoglobin 15.5% higher in erythropoietin
group (P < .05), on postoperative day 4. This group required 0.33
units of blood per patient, whereas the controls required 0.76 units
per patient (risk ratio 0.43, P = .008). No adverse events related
to erythropoietin administration were recorded. Gardin C et al. (3)used high-dose erythropoietin to reduce or suppress red blood
cell transfusions needs in selected subgroups of myelodysplastic
syndromes MDS. Ferber A et al. (4) did not detect rise in plasma
erythropoietin (EPO) until 4 to 6 hours after the initiation of hypoxia. One hundred low-risk pregnancies with a normal fetal heart
rate at admission to labor and delivery were eligible for participation. Deliveries for “non-reassuring fetal status (acute hypoxia)”
comprised the study group. All other deliveries served as controls.
Umbilical cord blood was prospectively collected for blood gas
analysis, NRBC counts, EPO. A significant association between
elevated NRBC counts and EPO (P values <.01) was demonstrated. Stepwise regression analysis identified EPO as independent variables associated with elevated NRBC counts at birth (Pvalues <.0001). A significant increase in NRBC counts was notedin study patients. There was no difference in EPO between groups.
The NRBC counts were elevated in fetuses who were delivered
for “non-reassuring fetal status” with EPO being normal. Fujishiro
N et al. (5) studied the long-term response of mammals to hypoxia in the erythropoietin production increase with the consequent
increase in red blood cells. Vatansever U et al. (6) used 69 high-risk
neonates; 37 control group healthy term infants. Three blood
samples were obtained from each infant within 12 h (initial), 3 days
and 7 days after birth to measure NRBC counts and EPO levels.
28

cmyk 28

The initial NRBC counts were significantly lower in the control
groups compared with the study groups (P = 0.002). While there
was no significant difference between patients with good and pooroutcome in terms of serum EPO concentrations of initial samples,a significant difference existed in terms of NRBC counts (P = 0.038)
in the circulation of neonates associated with states of relative
hypoxia. Singbartl G et al. (7) shown erythropoietin to be effective
both in the reversal of anaemia in patients with end-stage renal
failure and to increase the volume of autologous red blood cells
donated preoperatively as well as to decrease the units of homologous blood transfused. Hara H et al. (8) examined serialchanges in erythropoietic precursors in the femur, spleen, andblood of mice prepared with bleeding, erythropoietin injections.
The transient decline in the femoral erythropoietic burst-forming
units BFU-E coincided with the temporary increase in the splenicand blood BFU-E. A more pronounced increase in erythrocyticcolony-forming units CFU-E was noted in the femur and spleenof these mice. Next, we examined the proliferative state of theerythropoietic precursors in the marrow and spleen. In the marrowand spleen of normal mice, the BFU-E and CFU-E in the DNA
synthetic phase was about 36 and 74%, respectively. These results
indicate that the serial changes in the number of BFU-E represent
migration of BFU-E from marrow to spleen rather than BFU-E
proliferation. Marrow CFU-E increased in anemic mice and decreased in polycythemic mice without changes in their proliferative
state. It is possible that the target of erythropoietic stimulation inmice may be cells at maturational stages intermediate between
BFU-E and CFU-E. Shoji S et al. (9) demonstrated that althoughdarbepoetin-α DPO-α has a greater advantage than recombinanthuman erythropoietin rHuEPO (P = 0.030), both maintained hemoglobin level in the target range between 10.0 and 11.0 g/dL inhemodialysis (HD) patients. Emans ME et al. (10) correlated
neutrophil-gelatinase associated lipocalin NGAL levels inverselywith baseline EPO levels but they were decreased in response toshort-term erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA) treatment. There
was no correlation with baseline reticulocyte hemoglobin content(CHr) levels in combined chronic heart failure and chronic kidneydisease CKD/ CHF patients. Chung M et al. (11) suggested that
CHr (with cutoff values of <27 or <28 pg) have better sensitivities
and specificities to predict iron deficiency, better predictive ability
for a response to IV iron treatment than classical markers in HD
CKD patients, reducing potential harms from IV iron treatment.
Golfam M et al. (12) observed no significant decline in serum
haemoglobin or erythropoietin among patients with localized
prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy alone. That change wasfollowed by a significant decline (p < 0.001) in serum hemoglobin
at 3-6 months among patients treated with radiotherapy combinedwith total androgen blockade (tab) either short-term (≤6 months)tab (group 2) or long-term (≥2 years) (group 3). They also observeda small but statistically significant increase in serum erythropoietin (p < 0.001) in group 2 and group 3 after 6 months of tab.
Sureshkumar KK et al. (13) did not show any clinically demonstrable beneficial effects of high-dose erythropoietin-a EPO-α
versus placebo given intra-arterially during the early reperfusion
phase in deceased-donor kidney (DDK) transplant recipients in
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

terms of reducing the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF)
or improving short-term allograft function (P=0.24) having similarlevels of hemoglobin at multiple times points soon after transplantation. Kojima E et al. (14) noted improved hemoglobin levels andreduced erythropoietin-stimulating agent after home hemodialysis
HHD. Martinez-Vea A et al. (15) observed mean Hb levels increased (p < 0.0001) in anemic predialysis patients with chronic
kidney disease CKD and hemoglobin (Hb) levels < 11 g/dl treatedwith EPO for 6 months. Pottgiesser T et al. (16) showed that following a hypoxic intervention with a beneficial Hb outcome (increase by 5.5% after 26 nights altitude camp), there may be a highprobability of a rapid Hb decrease (decrease by 3.0% at day 9 anddecrease in serum EPO (-34%) at 2 d, after return to sea level)
upon return to normoxic conditions. Wang FD et al. (17) indicatedthat 2 U/ml recombinant human erythropoietin rhEPO may possess curative effect for anemia of chronic disease (ACD) disease.
During short-term follow-up of treated patients with multiple myeloma the Hb level is stable, the influence of patients serum on
hepcidin mRNA of Hep-3b cells decreases, which shows thestabilization of disease and amelioration of ACD patient status.
Taniguchi N et al. (18) showed no significant changes of hemoglobin after 24h and 48h short-term `low-dose EPO’ 6,000 IU in
patients with a first ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who was
randomly assigned to EPO or placebo (saline) treatment. Ishikawa
Y et al. (19) did not note difference between groups received
perioperative oral nutrition (ON) with branched chain amino acids
BCAA (BCAA group) or a usual diet (control group) in serum hemoglobin levels after operation among patients with either malignant or benign liver tumors. Among patients with hepatitis, serum
erythropoietin (EPO) levels on POD 3, 5, and 7 were slightly but
not significantly higher in the BCAA group than in the control group.
Among patients with non-hepatitis, serum EPO levels on POD 3,5, and 7 were significantly higher in the BCAA group than in thecontrol group. Higher EPO levels might be beneficial in protecting
liver cells from ischemic injury and preventing intraoperative
hemorrhage associated with lower perioperative levels of alanine
aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum.
Tsubakihara Y et al. (20) established a target Hb level in PD and
ND patients of 11 g/dL or more, and recommended 13 g/dL as thecriterion for erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) therapy dose
reduction/withdrawal. Cohen RS et al. (21) evaluated the shortterm clinical effect of subcutaneous erythropoietin injections withan average weekly dose of 3926 units in patients with heart failure
anemia with preserved ejection fraction (55%+2%) to affect a rateof rise in hemoglobin but not to exceed 0.4 g/dL /weekly during a
3-month study. Weltert L et al. (22) did not found significant difference in mean preoperative hemoglobin levels, but on postoperative day 4, mean hemoglobin was 15.5% higher in erythropoietin
group (P<0.05) between patients presenting with a diagnosis of
isolated coronary vessel disease randomized to either high-dose
erythropoietin therapy for very short-term administration or acontrol group. Kusaba T et al. (23) observed the Hgb value ofpatients having increased significantly (10.3 + 1.2 to 10.6 + 1.4 g/dl) 2 months after switching from epoetin-a to darbepoetin-a so
2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

as to control the hemoglobin (Hgb) value between 10 and 12 g/
dl. Darbepoetin-a increased the Hgb value effectively in HP in thisshort-term analysis. Bradbury BD et al. (24) attributed to confounding-by-indication for higher doses the short-term mortality related
to high EPO doses associated with 90-day mortality risk (Risk
Difference, RD = 3.0%) in unadjusted analyses but after adjustment
for confounding (RD = 1.5%) following Hb < 11 g/dL for HP who
received care for >4 consecutive months. Silver MR et al. (25)demonstrated that de novo every-other-week (Q2W) mediandarbepoetin-a 60 - 80 microg was effective in correcting andmaintaining Hb levels > 11 g/dL in a median time of 5 weeks inerythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA)-naïve chronic kidney disease CKD subjects not receiving dialysis. Capelli JP et al. (26) did
not prove that higher erythropoietic stimulating agent dose levels
were associated with higher mortality rates. Although, locally, there
was a 69-fold increase, nationally was a 4-fold increase, they indicated that individually higher Hgb and albumin levels are associated with increased survival, and when higher Hgb levels arein association with high albumin levels, the survival rates andhospitalizations are synergistically improved. Li SX et al. (27)showed that hemoglobin of two pure erythroid aplasia patientsobviously increased after treatment with rhbeta-EPO 6 000 U by
subcutaneous injection for 3 times per week combined with AMF.
Fauchère JC et al. (28) did not result in significant differences inhemoglobin of very preterm infants (gestational age: 24 to 31
weeks) after recombinant human erythropoietin or NaCl 0.9%
treatment given intravenously 3, 12 to 18, and 36 to 42 hours
shortly after birth. Winslow RM et al. (29) found the two ways ofO2 transport regulation hemoglobin involvement: a long-term adjustment in red cell mass mediated by erythropoietin (EPO), a
response to renal oxygenation, and a short-term, rapid-response
adjustment mediated by hemoglobin oxygen affinity. Homoncik M
et al. (30) alleviated the decrease in hemoglobin combining ribavirin antiviral therapy with erythropoietin (EPO) treatment (p <0.0001). González AJ et al. (31) noted significantly increased
overall EPO levels at 12 (70%; P = 0.0001) and 24 h (72%; P =0.0001) above baseline concentration following exposure tomoderate 2200 m altitude, and thereafter, decreased EPO concentration at 48 h, but a significant increase in Hb levels (4.6 +4%; P = 0.0001) was observed at the end of the experiment,suggesting negative feedback in male endurance athletes. Lalle
M et al. (32) showed a median level of 0.73 g/L hemoglobin increase and a mean level of > 1 gr/L hemoglobin increase frombaseline in patients affected by solid tumors who received epoetin-a 40000 U once weekly. Cusick SE et al. (33) noted that vitamin
A reduced erythropoietin (by 194.7 mIU/mL; P = 0.011) concentrations and increased the reticulocyte production index (by 0.40; P= 0.041) after 72 h than baseline in severely anemic (hemoglobin< 70 g/L) preschool children assigned to receive either vitamin A(100,000 or 200,000 IU depending on age) or the antimalarial drugsulfadoxine pyramethamine (SP) plus daily hematinic syrup for 90
d. Lu XC et al. (34) increased the hemoglobin values in peripheral blood after 5 x 0.4 g amifostine plus 3 x 6,000 U rh-EPO
treatment per week in 2 aged MDS-RCMD patients. Sapojnikov
M et al. (35) showed improvement in arterial stiffness when Hb is29

corrected after 3 months with 2000 units rHuEpo treatment intravenously followed by 80 to 120 s/c units/kg/body weight, withdosage titration according to Hb level in patients with chronic renal
failure anemia who were not receiving dialysis. Casino FG et al.
(36) screened all maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients with
Hb < 11 g/dL at a single unit, to establish the presence/absenceof any common cause associated with inadequate response toepoetin treatment, reaching the Hb target (> 11 g/dL) in at least
85% of all patients in the unit. Sohmiya M et al. (37) reported thatshort-term continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSI) of recombinanthuman growth hormone (rhGH) increased plasma erythropoietin
levels and hemoglobin concentrations in patients with adult GH
deficiency for 1 year. Katz SD (38) invented a subnormal compensatory rise in endogenous erythropoietin levels in response toanemia is one contributory factor in chronic heart failure after
randomized trials with recombinant human erythropoietin therapy
in anemic patients with chronic kidney and concomitant heartdisease. Shander A (39) found that from critically ill patients randomized to receive 40,000 units of exogenous erythropoietin had
significantly greater increases in hemoglobin than placebo. Warady
BA et al. (40) found a significant decreased dose of r-HuEPO(234.0 to 157.6 U/kg per week, P=0.046) and an increased CHr(29.2 to 30.1 pg, P=0.049) only in i.v. iron, these changes were
not significantly different from those experienced by iron-replete
pediatric patients (aged >1 to <20 years) in the oral iron group up
to 16 weeks, with end-stage renal failure in patients receiving
hemodialysis for >2 months. Katz SD et al. (41) found that darbepoetin-a is a glycosylated derivative of erythropoietin with a prolonged half-life that may allow less frequent dosing in chronic heart
failure CHF populations. Rocha VL et al. (42) counted final hemoglobin values of prematurity anemia newborns who did not receive
erythropoietin significantly lower than those of newborns who
received either seven daily doses of 100 U/kg erythropoietin per
week; or two 350 U/kg erythropoietin doses per week. There wasno significant difference between 2 last patients groups. The administration of 700 U/kg/week erythropoietin in premature infants
with gestational age up to 33 weeks and birthweight up to 1550 g
and postnatal age between 10 and 35 days stimulates erythropoiesis. David RB et al. (43) examined the hypothesis that long-term
hypoxic stimuli are less efficient than short-term stimuli in stimulating Epo production in perinatal pigs. They found that in nearly
fully developed fetuses and in new-born piglets, the concentrationof Epo mRNA did not increase upon bleeding and did not observe
significant changes in gene Epo expression. In 2- and 5-week-old
piglets, bleeding was associated with a 12-15-fold increase in
kidney Epo mRNA evoking increased translation of Epo mRNA
into the protein hormone. Małyszko J et al. (44) resulted in a significant hemoglobin increase significantly after 3-month 2,000 U
erythropoietin therapy subcutaneously three times a week oncontinuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) than healthy
volunteers control group. Borawski J et al. (45) induced increases
in hemoglobin after a 4-week course of recombinant humanerythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy. Bolaños L et al. (46) suggested
that hemodialysis patients in the maintenance phase of EPOrHu
administration would obtain further benefit in terms of serum he30

moglobin level (p < 0.05), with a continuous intravenous serum
ferric gluconate regimen than intermittent group, at least in the
short term of 16 weeks. Kato A et al. (47) found significantly increased hemoglobin levels after 4 weeks of intravenous infusionof 40 mg of iron during the first ten HD sessions and remained
increased until the end of the study (p<0.01) in HD patients withiron deficiency resistant due to iron deficiency and adjusted forthe rHuEPO dosage to maintain hemoglobin levels >10.0 g/dl.
They found gradually increased hemoglobin levels in patients
receiving 40 mg of iron injected once a week for 10 weeks until
the end of the study (p<0.01), without difference in the final hemoglobin values between both groups. Lin JL et al. (48) supposedthat a 240-mg intravenous iron challenge during a 2-week period
might be a simple, accurate, and straightforward method to detecta functional iron deficiency status in anemia end-stage renal
disease hemodialysis patients undergoing erythropoietin therapy
increasing hemoglobin at least 0.2 g/dl after a 2-week intravenous
iron trial. Aksoy MC et al. (49) showed that short-term and low-dose
recombinant human erythropoietin usage strongly stimulates thebone marrow but without any significant differences between thatgroup and placebo in terms of early postoperative hemoglobin
level for patients scheduled for a total hip arthroplasty. Sezer S etal. (50) concluded that CAPD treatment has a short-term outcome
superior to that of HD in terms of better control of anemia, seeing
a significant increase in mean haemoglobin and a decrease inerythropoietin dose. Bohl D et al. (51) indicated that the continuous
delivery of high amounts of autologous erythropoietin induced asustained stimulation of β-minor globin synthesis and a stable
improvement of erythropoiesis in β-thalassemic mouse model but
only short-term erythroid precursors programmed to HbF in humans. Wong PN et al. (52) seemed that rHuEPO is effective inincreasing the Hb level in CAPD patients. Gupta A et al. (53)stabilized erythropoietin on regular doses, since hemoglobin did
not change significantly upon month 6, by both intravenous (i.v.)
iron dextran or after oral iron supplements at maintenance hemodialysis patients. Díez JJ et al. (54) observed an increase of thehemoglobin concentration maintained at about 12 g/dL throughout
the study period in uremic patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) than 10 normal controls after
long-term rhEPO administration. Gargano G et al. (55) foundhemoglobin values remaining normal at all patients operated forgynecological tumors receiving r-HuEPO subcutaneously in a doseof 200 IU/kg thrice weekly during the week before and after autologous blood donation (400 ml).
Acknowledgment
Gratefulness to Experimental Research Center of ELPEN
Pharmaceuticals Co. Inc. S.A. for kind experimental backing.
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24. Bradbury BD, Do TP, Winkelmayer WC, et al. Greater Epoetin alfa
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Exp Hematol 2008; 16(5): 1103-6.
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2006;101(10):2275-82.
31. González AJ, Hernández D, De Vera A, et al. ACE gene polymorphism and erythropoietin in endurance athletes at moderate altitude.
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32. Lalle M, Pistillucci G, Antimi M, et al. Epoetin alfa 40000 U once
weekly and intravenous iron supply in solid tumor patients: early
increase of hemoglobin level during chemotherapy. J Exp Clin Cancer
Res. 2005; 24(2): 197-201.
33. Cusick SE, Tielsch JM, Ramsan M, et al. Short-term effects of vitamin A and antimalarial treatment on erythropoiesis in severely anemic
Zanzibari preschool children. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 82(2): 406-12.
34. Lu XC, Zhu HL, Yao SQ, et al. Short-term curative effect of amifostine
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35. Sapojnikov M, Veksler A, Yagil Y, et al. Hemodynamic effects ofanemia correction by recombinant human erythropoietin in predialysis
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36. Casino FG, Lopez T. Regional clinical audit, guideline targets, andlocal and regional benchmarks. G Ital Nefrol. 2005; 22(1):37-46.
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Received January 4th 2013. Accepted February 20th 2013. Adress for correspondence: Dana Florentina Gidea, MD, PhD Student UMF Victor Babes Timisoara, Emergency
Hospital Timisoara County; Brandusei Street No.9, Timisoara; phone: +40748117540; e-mail: danafv@yahoo.com

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EFECTUL PE TERMEN SCURT AL ERITROPOIETINEI ASUPRA HEMOGLOBINEIIN TIMPUL ISCHEMIEI DE REPERFUZIE LA SOBOLANIREZUMAT

Scopul acestui studiu experimental a fost testarea eritropoietinei pe un model animal de sobolan, folosind un protocol de ischemiereperfuzie cardiac. Efectele benefice sau lipsa efectului acestei substante au fost studiate din punct de vedere hematologic prinevidentierea nivelului hemoglobinei.
Materiale si metode: au fost folositi 40 de sobolani cu greutate medie de 247,7 g. Nivelul hemoglobinei (hl) a fost masurat la urmatoarele interval in timp: la 60 min dupa reperfuzie (grupurile A si C), la 120 min dupa reperfuzie (grupurile B si D), grupurile A si B faraadministrare de eritropoietina, grupurile C si D cu administrare de eritropoietina.
Rezultatele au aratat ca administrarea de eritropoietina nu duce la cresteri importante ale hl, doar cu 0.305 g/dl [-0,4277628 g/dl –1,037763 g/dl ] (P = 0,4047), in concordant cu “testul t” pereche (P = 0,5008); timpul de reperfuzie nu creste semnificativ hl, doar cu
0.3849999 g/dl [-0,3436895 g/dl – 1,113689 g/dl ] (P = 0,2916), in concordanta cu “testul t” pereche (P = 0,3998); interactiunea dintre
administrarea de eritropoietina si timpul de reperfuzie nu duce la cresteri importante ale hl, doar cu 0,1863636 g/dl [-0,2553986 g/
dl – 0,6281259 g/dl ] (P = 0,3984).
Concluzia acestui studiu este ca administrarea de eritropoietina, timpul de reperfuzie si inter-relatia dintre acesti doi parametric nu
are efecte importante pe termen scurt asupra fiziopatologiei de recuperare a nivelului de hemoglobina.
Cuvinte cheie: eritropoietina, hemoglobina, reperfuzie

32

cmyk 32

Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)COMPARATIVE STUDY CONCERNING THE EFFICIENCY OF
PHYSICAL TRAINING AT HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTSALEXANDRA MIRCIOAGĂ, DORIAN BARZUCA, MIRCEA IURCIUC“Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara

ABSTRACT

Arterial hypertension is a condition that causes about half of all deaths caused by strokes and heart failure with a prevalence inRomania of about 40% of the adult population. Practicing physical exercises represents a key factor, preventive and curative infighting hypertension.
Purpose: The determination of the cardiovascular parameter change and arterial stiffness after constantly practicing physical andcoordinated activities in the form of physical exercises, at hypertensive patients.
Material and methods: The study comprise 64 patients with first and second stage hypertension, according to the ESC/ESH
2007 guidelines, with the average age of 45.6 years. The patients were divided into two groups: group A-study group: 45 patients,that performed a physical training programme for 3 months, and group B - control group: 29 patients. We have investigated theeffects of physical training on arterial elasticity - aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao), and the evolution of the tension parameters:
the systolic blood pressure (SBP), the diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the pulse pressure(PP). These parameters were evaluated before and after a physical training programme of 3 months.
Results: At the end of the training programme, we have obtained changes regarding the tension parameters and arterial elasticity.
PWVao significantly decreased in the study group with 0.8 m/s (p<0.001) and significantly increased in the control group by +0.7
m/s (p<0.001). MAP significantly decreased in the study group with -6.2 mmHg (p<0.001) and significantly increased in the control
group by 8.7 mmHg (p<0.001). SBP significantly decreased in the study group with -10.2 mmHg (p<0.001) and significantly increased in the control group by 15.6 mmHg (p<0.001). DBP decreased in the study group with -3.2 mmHg (p<0.010) and increased in
the control group by 5.2 mmHg (p=0.065). PP significantly decreased in the study group with -5.9 mmHg (p<0.001) and significantly increased in the control group by + 9.9 mmHg (p=0.007).
Conclusions: The decreased parameters presented above highlight the major effect that coordinated physical exercise has on
the arteries, permanently controlled and continuously executed in order to improve their elasticity with immediate influence on
physical adaptation to physical training and long-term effects on blood pressure: its decrease (maintaining and even reducing
arterial age).
Keywords: physical aerobic exercises, arterial elasticity, pulse wave velocity, blood pressure.

INTRODUCTION
Arterial hypertension represents an important cause ofmorbidity and disability of the productive adult population and isalso a risk factor for various diseases: coronary atherosclerosis,
heart failure, strokes, chronic renal failure, leading to a decreasein the average lifetime.
According to the SEPHARD II study in Romania, theprevalence of arterial hypertension (HTN) is of 23.1% between
35-44 years, 49.7% between 45-54 years, 65.8% between 5564 years and 81%≥65 years, increasing with age, independentof the gender and residential area of the patient (1).
The arterial stiffness is an independent indicator of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality at hypertensive patients beinga generic term that describes the elasticity of the arterial wall(2). The arterial rigidity, in particular that of the aorta, is a majorrisk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, andcorrelates with the overall mortality. The loss of arterial stiffness,determines a pulse pressure increase, an independent marker
of cardiovascular risk, especially at elderly persons (3).
For the evaluation of the arterial elasticity the pulse wave
velocity (PWV) must be determined. PWV is accepted as asimple, direct and non - invasive method of examining arterial
stiffness, currently considerated an independent predictor of
cardiovascular mortality (4).
Age plays a dominant role in altering vascular stiffness,pulse pressure and pulse wave velocity being geneticallyconditioned and influenced by lifestyle: sedentary, food, stress.
Physical exercise contributes substantially to improving vascular elasticity and the marked reduction of the arterial stiffening
processes induced by sedentary and improper lifestyles (5).
It is proved that regular physical exercises have a goodeffect in lowering blood pressure at hypertensive patients. In

Received 14th of April 2013. Accepted 28th of May 2013. Adress for correspondence: Alexandra Mircioaga, PhD student, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine andPharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2A, RO-3000041, Timisoara, phone/fax: +40256220479; e-mail: alexia_tenis21@yahoo.com

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controlled clinical studies, it has been demonstrated that byperforming regular exercises, you can decrease the systolicblood pressure by 5-15 mmHg (an average decrease of 5.3/4.8
mmHg)(6).
The lack of physical movement, inactivity in everyday lifeand especially the lack of coordinated exercise, as an integrated
way of life existence, (regular exercises for at least 2-3 times perweek) contribute greatly to the installation of chronic diseases
with reflection on some vital organs, one of them being the arterial
hypertension, whose negative influence over time substantiallyreduces lifetime (7).

hypertension, according to the ESC/ESH 2007 guidelines, withthe average age of 45,6 years. These patients had controlledtension values ​​and did not suffer any therapeutic changes of
the treatment scheme with at least two months before the startof the physical training programme. The patients were divided
into two groups: group A-study group: 45 patients and groupB – control group: 29 patients.
The patients involved in the study were selected from thepoint of view of the inclusion/exclusion criteria, as well as fromthe point of view of the engagement in the physical training
programme.

PURPOSEThe determination of the cardiovascular parameter change(systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterialpressure, pulse pressure) and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity) after constantly practicing physical and coordinated activities
in the form of physical exercises, at hypertensive patients.
The evaluation of the hemodynamic parameters and vascular elasticity: systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP)and pulse wave velocity (PWV), was made by an personalized
physical exercise programme training lasting three months andassessed objectively through a suitable standardized apparatus
that measures these parameters objectively.
The determinations were made in several steps:- initial measurements were made at all patients includedin the physical study programme,- at the patients belonging to the control group, the measurements were made at the beginning and at the end of thestudy (3 months) during which they have not performed physicalexercises in the study,- current measurements of pulse and blood pressure before
and after every workout- initial measurements were repeated at the end of the study
programme for 3 months, for both groups: study and control.

The inclusion criteria
Patients with blood pressure values without treatment ​​that
had a systolic arterial blood pressure between 140-180 mmHg
and a diastolic arterial blood pressure of 85-110 mmHg. The
patients were kept under tension control (average systolic arterial
blood pressure ≤ 140mmHg and/or diastolic arterial blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg) through proper medication in order for themto avoid presenting risks to the physical exercise programme.
Cooperative patients and those willing to participate in physicaltraining, were people whose physical activity enables them tobe put to physical effort testing.

OBJECTIVES- comparative study of hypertensive patients with or withouta coordinated physical programme performed- voluntary participation in an individualized and coordinatedphysical training for a period of 3 months,- identification of the hemodynamic parameters and arterial
stiffness.
- establishment of an efficient, uniform and graded physicaltraining programme for patients with hypertension.
- to improve the physical performance at hypertensive
patients included in the group,- to lower the cardiovascular risk for the persons includedin the study group.
- the greater adherence of patients to an active life, to a
cardiovascular rehabilitation programme.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
We have selected 64 patients with first and second stage
34

Exclusion criterias
Patients with uncontrolled blood pressure values​​, uncooperative patients, people who can’t be put to physical effort testing
and/or physical training. Patients who refused to participate forvarious reasons at the physical exercise programme. Patientswith various degrees of physical disabilities. Patients with severe
cardio-vascular diseases associated with hypertension.
The haemodynamic parameters followed in the study are:systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate,mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, aortic pulse wave
velocity.
The physical effort test plays an important role in the evaluation and implementation of physical training. Depending on theheart rate and exercise intensity reached at the physical effort
testing, the physical exercise training programme is determined(8). Due to the large experience in this type of physical effort,
the use of ergometry at ergocycle exercises was preferred (9).
We used the TensioMed Arteriography device evaluated ashaving a good performance in the assessment of the parameters
regarding its supposed purpose (10). This device offers us information about the arterial function with a pulse wave analysis andmeasurement of the arterial stiffness. Patients are not allowed totalk or sleep during the measurement. All the patients were tested
in a dorsal position, by applying the sleeve at about the samelevel as the arm of each study participant. For the initial and final
assessments, the measurements were made at the same timeof the day and in the same position. Before the evaluation thepatients had to follow some standard measures of rest, smoking,alcoholic beverages (11).
The statistical analysis was performed using the Microsoft
Office Excel XP and the SPSS v.17 program. For the numeric
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)variables we calculated the central tendency and the dispersion indicators and we presented them as histograms and line
charts; the differences between the independent variables
were analyzed using the ANOVA test followed by the unpaired-t
parametric significance. The differences between the variables
originating from the same patients were analyzed using thepaired-t test.
The patients from the control group did not participate in
the physical training programme.
The patients from the study group (considered suitable)
performed a physical training programme for 3 months as follows:- 3 physical training sessions/week, adapted for people withessential arterial hypertension without cardiovascular relateddiseases, following a complex protocol based on the individual
characteristics of each patient,- the duration of the sessions was 50 minutes and consisted of:• warm-up for 12 to 15 minutes,• the actual physical exercise 25-30 with an intensity of
aproximately 80% of the cardiac frequency (CF) achieved during
the physical effort test,• 8-10 minutes recovery after the physical effort, stretching
exercises to reduce neuromuscular excitability at mild intensity.
- the type of physical exercises performed: dynamic, aerobic,
endurance physical exercises as well as effort capacity development (cardio-respiratory) and isometric exercises performed
with low weights.
- the intensity of the physical effort performed corresponded to the 80% percent of the intensity reached at thephysical effort testing performed at the start of the training
programme. The keeping of this intensity was achieved bymaintaining about 80% of the maximal heart rate regarding
age and 80% of the maximum systolic arterial blood pressure allowed, both achieved during the physical effort testing
performed beforehand.
At the end of training the diastolic and systolic arterial
blood pressure and the heart were checked using the tensiometer.
The physical exercise room was equipped with: treadmills; ergometer training bicycles with a resistive electromechanical torque; elliptical bicycles; complex systems ofresistive torques (gravitational and elastic) for the arms,
hands, legs and torso (abdomen); wall bars, medicine balls,
barbells and light dumbbells, sand bags; synchronous
asynchronous defibrillator; emergency kit with emergency
intubation and medication.
After two weeks of physical training, from the initial group of
45 patients, one was excluded (drop out), because he changed
his residence.
RESULTS
The patients were reviewed at the end of the three monthsof training. In the following tables the most significant changes
I have obtained have been presented for both groups - study
and control:

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

Table I. Pulse wave velocity

Variable
Pulse wave velocity
PWVao (m/s)
Study
Pulse wave velocity
PWVao (m/s)
Control

InitialAfter 3monthspsemnif.

9.7
±2.17

8.9±2.06<0.0019.2±2.14

9.9 ±2.06<0.001

Average value ± standard deviation

Fig. 1. The PWVao average value distribution at the initial moment and thefinal moment, after 3 months for both groups

There is a significant decrease in the pulse wave velocity(PWVao) of -0.8 m/s after 3 months of physical training(p<0.001, α=0.001) in the study group and a significant increase of +0.7 m/s (p<0.001, α=0.001) in the control group.
Table II. Systolic blood pressure

Variable

InitialAfter 3monthspsemnif.

Systolic blood pressure SBP mmHg
Study

136.5±15.22

126.3±13.38<0.001

Systolic blood pressure SBP mmHg
131.1 ±20.49
Control

146.7±22.43<0.001

Average value ± standard deviation

Fig. 2. The SBP average value distribution at the initial moment and the final
moment, after 3 months for both groups

The systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased
after 3 months of training in the study group, in statistical termsby -10.2 mmHg (p<0.001, α=0.001) and significantly increasedin the control group + 15.6 mmHg (p<0.001, α=0.001).
35

Table III. Diastolic blood pressure

Variable

InitialDiastolic bloodpressure DBP
mmHg
Study
Diastolic bloodpressure DBP
mmHg
Control84.0±10.18

81.9 ±15.74(p<0.001, α=0.001). In the control group, the MAP significantly
increased by +8.7 mmHg (p<0.001, α=0.001).

After 3monthspsemnif.

79.8±10.61

0.010

Variable

0.065

Pulse Pressure PP
mmHg
Study
Pulse Pressure PP
mmHg
Control87.2±14.70

Table V. Pulse pressurre

Average value ± standard deviation

InitialAfter 3monthspsemnif.

52.4±10.4246.5±9.51

0.001

49.5
±9.64

59.4 ±17.22

0.007

Average Value ±Standard Deviation

Fig. 3. The DBP average value distribution at the initial moment and the final
moment, after 3 months for both groups

A significant decrease of -3.2 mmHg of the diastolic bloodpressure (DBP) was noticed in the study group after ending thethree months of physical exercise training (p=0.01, α=0.05), but
in the control group even if the increase was by +5.3, it has no
significance value regarding the survey.
Table IV. Mean Arterial Pressure

Variable
Mean Arterial Pressure MAP mmHg
Study
Mean Arterial Pressure MAP mmHg
Control

InitialAfter 3monthspsemnif.

101.5±11.13

95.3±10.69<0.001

98.2 ±16.91

106.9±15.70<0.001

Average Value ±Standard Deviation

Fig. 4. The MAP average value distribution at the initial moment and the final
moment, after 3 months for both groups

In the study group, the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) significantly decreased statistically after 3 months by -6.2 mmHg
36

Fig. 5. The PP average value distribution at the initial moment and the final
moment, after 3 months for both groups

We have obtained significant results regarding the pressure
pulse value (PP) which decreased by -5.9 mmHg, under theaction of physical training (p=0.001, α=0.01) in the study group,
but in the control group, the value significantly increased with
+9.9 mmHg (p=0.007, α=0.01).
DISCUSSION
At the end of the physical exercise training, the study
group improved their arterial tension and elasticity parametersin contrast with the control group as follows: the pulse wave
velocity in the aorta (PWVao) significantly decreased in the
study group with -0.8 m/s (p<0.001) and significantly increasedin the control group by +0.7 m/s (p<0.001), the systolic bloodpressure (SBP) significantly decreased in the study group with
-10.2 mmHg (p<0.001) and significantly increased in the control
group by +15.6 mmHg (p<0.001), the diastolic blood pressure(DBP) decreased in the study group with -3.2 mmHg (p = 0.010)
and increased in the control group with +5.2 mmHg (p0.065),
the pulse pressure (PP) significantly decreased in the study
group with -5.9 mmHg (p = 0.001) and significantly increased in
the control group by +9.9 mmHg (p = 0.007), the mean arterialpressure (MAP) significantly decreased in the study group with
-6.2 mmHg (p< 0.001) and significantly increased in the control
group by +8.7 mmHg (p < 0.001).
Although the pulse pressure (PP) has an average variationassessed in an absolute value, the effect of this parameter asa reflection of arterial elasticity introduced significant changes
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

to the time course of blood pressure, due to the micro-vasculareffects at endothelium molecular level (12). According to thelast ESC/ESH guide a high PP is one of the important factors ofevaluation of cardiovascular risk, associated with the asymptomatic organ damage.
All the results obtained in this study completes the development of the idea issued by past ESC/ESH studies, that
demonstrated the fact that aerobic physical exercise contributes
in a beneficial way to the improvement of vascular elasticity, low
blood pressure and therefore leading to the life extension of
hypertensive patients (13,14,15).
It seems that the aerobic physical exercise acts in a complex
way on the blood vessels and in addition to the direct action onthem, it also has a dual action with other risk factors that diminish
them, especially on the lipid metabolism and on the mechanisms
involved in the atheromatous deposits . Effect of interval training
programme on pulse pressure in the management of hypertension: a randomized controlled trial
PWVao is the noninvasive method best correlated withthe arterial stiffness (16, 17), and the reduction of this parameter with -0.8 m/s confirms the expected aim of this study
regarding that controlled physical effort decrease arterial
stiffness over time.
The beneficial influence of coordinated physical effort was
felt on the pulsatile component of blood pressure (pulse pressure)and as the pulse pressure represents an independent predictor
from the cardiovascular disease in the asymptomatic population(18), it can be concluded that physical training favorably influences the vascular compliance of elastic arteries and thus slowing
the vascular stiffening process (19,20).
Sedendary people who do not practice systematic
physical movement or effort are inclined to a more rapid
deterioration of the arterial wall elasticity (21). Hypertensive
patients who live a sedentary life, have a higher probabilityof getting strokes than trained people, due to the stiffness ofthe vascular system (22).
Vascular aging represented by the arterial stiffness over time
was positively influenced by the physical effort programme, andthis was objectively appreciated by the PWVao with a significantly
decreases of -0.8m/s and the PP with a significantly decreasedof 5,9 mmHg, evaluated in the study.
Also during the cardiovascular rehabilitation programme,no physical incidents and major cardiovascular changes werereported, that could have affected the smooth process of thespecific exercises included in the study.
The study opened a new horizon regarding lifestyle changes
making the patients become more responsive to the importanceof physical movement in their existence, making them aware of
the fact that physical training is beneficial both for their healthas well as for their physical and mental tone.
CONCLUSIONS:
The decreased parameters presented above highlightthe major effect that coordinated physical exercise has on thearteries, permanently controlled and continuously executed in
2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

order to improve their elasticity with immediate influence on
physical adaptation to physical training and long-term effects
on blood pressure: its decrease (maintaining and even reducing
arterial age).
Physical training program is an effective non - pharmaceutical method in delaying the arterial stiffness for hypertensive
patients. The exercise training program has proven effective in
improving the physical performance, being also considered asafe method for reducing the cardiovascular risk.
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2. Laurent S, Cockcroft J, Van Bortel L, et al. Expert consensusdocument
on arterial stiffness: methodological issues and clinical applications.Eur
Heart J 2006; 27: 2588-605.
3. Westerhof BE, Westerhof N. Magnitude and return time of the reflected wave: the effects of large artery stiffness and aortic geometry.
J Hypertension. 2012; 30(5): 932-9.
4. Jadhav UM, Kadam NN. Non-Invasive Assessment of Arterial Stiffness by Pulse-Wave Velocity Correlates with Endothelial Dysfunction.
Indian Heart J 2005; 57: 226-232.
5. Mancia G, et al. Reappraisal of European guidelines on hypertension
management: a European Society of Hypertension Task Force document, J.Hypertension 2009; 27: 2-38.
6. Joep Perk, et al. European Guidelines on cardiovascular disease
prevention in clinical practice (version 2012), The Fifth Joint Task
Force of the European Society of Cardiology and Other Societies on
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice, European Heart
Journal, 2012; 33: 1635-1701.
7. Warren TY, Barry V, Hooker SP, Sui X, Church TS, Blair SN. Sedentary
behaviors increase risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in men. Med
Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 879-885.
8. John JN, et al. Quantitative exercise testing for the cardiac
patient: the value of monitoring gas exchange: introduction. Circulation 1987; 76(VI): I-1–VI-2.
9. Pina IL, Balady GJ, Hanson P, et al. Guidelines for clinical exercise
testing laboratories: a statement for healthcare professionals from theCommittee on Exercise and Cardiac Rehabilitation, American Heart
Association. Circulation, 1995; 91: 912-921.
10. Horvath IG, Nemeth A, Lenkey Z, et al. Invasive validation of anew oscillometric device (Arteriograph) for measuring augmentationindex, central blood pressure and aortic pulse wave velocity. Journalof Hypertension, 2010; 28: 2068-75.
11. Baulmann, et al. Arterial stiffness assessment – a new oscillometricmethod. Journal of Hypertension 2008; 26(3): 523-528.
12. Sikiru L, Okoye GC. Effect of interval training programme on pulsepressure in the management of hypertension: a randomized controlled
trial. Afr Health Sci. 2013; 13(3): 571-578.
13. Mancia G, et al. Guidelines for the Management of Arterial
Hypertension - The Task Force for the Management of Arterial
Hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and of
the European Society of Cardiology ESC. Journal of Hypertension
2007, 25:1105-1187.
14. Guimara GV, Ciolac1 EG, Carvalho VO, D’Avila VM, Bortolotto LA,
Bocchi EA. Effects of continuous vs. interval exercise training on bloodpressure and arterial stiffness in treated hypertension. Hypertension
Research. 2010; 33: 627-632.

37

15. Evenson KR, Stevens J, Thomas R, Cai J. Effect of cardiorespiratory
fitness on mortality among hypertensive and normotensive women andmen. Epidemiology. 2004; 15: 565-572.
16. Laurent S, Boutouyrie P, Gautier I, et al. Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovasculat mortality in hypertensive
patients. Hypertension 2001;37:1236-1241.
17. Vlachopoulus C, Aznaouridis K, Stefanadis C. Predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with arterial stiffness: a systematic
review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol 2010; 55:1318-27.
18. Darne B, Girerd X, Safar M, Cambien F, Guize L. Pulsatile versus steadycomponent of blood pressure: a cross-sectional analysis and a prospective
analysis on cardiovascular mortality. Hypertension, 1989; 13: 392-400.
19. DcSouza CA, Shapiro LF, Clevenger CM, et al. Regular aerobic
exercise prevents and restores age related declines in endotheliumdependent vasodilation in healthy men. Circulation, 2000: 102: 1351-57.

20. Ishikawa K, Ohta T, Zhang J, et al. Influence of age and genderon exercise training-induced blood pressure reduction in systemic
hypertension. Am. J. Cardiol., 1999; 84: 192-196.
21. Sikiru L, Okoye GC. Effect of interval training programme on pulsepressure in the management of hypertension: a randomized controlled
trial. Afr Health Sci. 2013; 13(3): 571-578.
22. Martinez-Gonzales MA, Martinez JA, Gibney MJ, et al. Physicalinactivity, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity in the European Union. Int J
Obes 1999; 23: 1192-1201.
23. Hellemans H, McGee, Perk J, et al. Rehabilitation and Exercise
Physiology of the European Society of Cardiology Physical activity forprimary and secondary prevention. Position paper of the Working Groupon Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology of the European
Society of Cardiology, European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention& Rehabilitation 2003 10: 319.

STUDIU COMPARATIV PRIVIND EFICIENŢA ANTRENAMENTULUI FIZICLA PACIENŢII HIPERTENSIVIREZUMAT

Hipertensiunea arterială reprezintă o afecţiune care provoacă în jur de jumătate din totalul deceselor de accident vascular cerebral şi
insuficienţă cardiacă cu o prevalenţă în România de aproximativ 40% din populaţia adultă. Exerciţiul fizic practicat constant reprezintă
un factor determinant, preventiv şi curativ în lupta cu hipertensiunea arterială
Scop: Determinarea modificărilori parametrilor cardiovasculari şi de rigiditate arterială în urma practicării activitităţii fizice constanteşi coordonate sub forma exerciţiilor fizice, la pacienţi hipertensivi.
Material şi metode: Am selectat 64 de pacienţi cu hipertensiune arterială de stadiul unu şi doi, conform ghidurilor ESC/ESH 2007
cu media de vârstă de 45,6 ani. Pacienţii au fost repartizaţi în două loturi: lotul A-studiu: 45 de pacienţi şi lotul B – control: 29 depacienţi. În grupa de studiu, pacienţii au fost introduşi într-un program de exerciţii fizice aerobe pe o perioadă de 3 luni. Am constatat
eficienţa antrenamentului fizic asupra elasticităţii arteriale - viteza undei pulsatile aortice (PWVao) şi evoluţia parametrilor tensionali:
tensiunea arterială: sistolică (TAS), diastolică (TAD), medie (TAM), presiunea pulsului (PP). Parametrii ce au fost analizaţi înainte şidupă un program de antrenament fizic de 3 luni.
Rezultate: La sfârşitul programului de antrenament fizic am obţinut schimbări ai parametriilor tensionali şi ai elasticităţii arteriale.
PWVao în lotul de studiu scade semnificativ cu -0,8 m/s (p <0.001), versus lotul de control care creşte semnificativ cu +0,7 m/s (p< 0,001). TAM în lotul de studiu scade semnificativ -6,2 mmHg (p < 0,001), iar în lotul de control creşte substanţial cu +8,7 mmHg
(p <0.001). TAS în lotul de studiu s-a diminuat deasemenea semnificativ cu –10,2 mmHg (p <0.001), vs. lotul de control care creşte
semnificativ cu +15,6 mmHg (p < 0,001). TAD în lotul de studiu a scăzut cu -3,2 mmHg (p 0.010) vs. lotul de control care a crescut
cu +5,2 mmHg (p 0.065). PP în lotul de studiu a scăzut semnificativ cu -5,9 mmHg (p 0.001), vs lotul de control unde a crescut
semnificativ cu +9,9 mmHg ( p 0.007).
Concluzii: Scăderea parametrilor prezentaţi mai sus pun în evidenţă efectul major asupra arterelor al exerciţiilor fizice coordonate,controlate permanent şi executate gradat în sensul îmbunătăţirii elasticităţii lor, cu influenţa imediată asupra adaptării fizice la antrenamnet şi efecte pe termen lung asupra tensiunii arteriale: scăderea ei (menţinerea şi chiar diminuarea vârstei arteriale).
Cuvinte cheie: exerciţii fizice aerobe, elasticitatea arterială, viteza undei pulsatile, tensiunea arterială.

38

Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

BILE SYNTHESIS PECULIARITIES FOLLOWING CHANGES IN
THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE ENDOTHELIN RECEPTORSNADIIA S.VESELSKA, SEPIDEH PARCHAMI GHAZAEE*, PETRO I. YANCHUK, NIKOLAI Y.
MAKARCHUK
Department of human and animal physiology, Faculty of biology, National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, Ukraine

ABSTRACT

Objectives: ET-1 regulates variety of biochemical processes in liver. However, there is not a clear view concerning endothelin receptors participation in regulation of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of liver secretory function. The purpose of this study wasto evaluate the choleretic effect of ET-1 and to determine the role of ЕТА receptors functional state in mediating the effect of ET-1
on bile and its organic components secretion. Material and method: Endothelin-1 and BQ-123 were intraportally injected. Bile flow,
bile acid concentration and content, hydroxylation and conjugation coefficients were estimated. Results: Secreted bile volume wasdecreased under the effect of endothelin-1and BQ-123, although this decrease was more prolonged and profound in BQ-123 treatedanimals. Concentration of taurocholates, glycocholic acid and free bile acids was increased in the endothelin treated rats.WhenBQ-123
was administered an increase in GCDCA+GDCA and the taurin-conjugated bile acids concentration was found, whereas free bile
acids concentration altered reversely. Coefficient of hydroxylation was diminished when entholelin receptors were blocked. Activationof endothelin receptors by exogenous endothelin-1 intensified bile acids biosynthesis via “neutral pathway”, involving microsomal
oxidation enzymes. Conclusion: Endothelin receptors blockade eliminated the regulatory function of endogenous endothelin andcaused a shift in bile acids synthesis to mitochondrial enzymes through “acidic pathway”.
Key words: Endothelin-1, BQ-123, bile acid, coefficient

INTRODUCTION
Regulatory peptide endothelin-1(ET-1), the predominantisoform of endothelin, is a potent vasoconstrictor agent that was
originally isolated from bovine aortic and pulmonary endothelium.
The translation of preproendothelin-1 mRNA resultsin formation of a big ET-1precursor processig into ET-1(1) activates
Gi-protein–coupled 7-transmembrane domain receptors. There
are different types of ET receptors thatwith various levels of
expression are distributed in divers tissues in human and animalorgans (1,2). ETA receptor is selective for ET-1, whereas ETB
receptor reveals similar affinities for all isopeptides (2,3). Endothelin-1 has been recognized not only as a vasoconstrictor but
also as a multifunctional agent. This peptide through activationof ETA receptors on intrahepatic vascular smooth muscle cells(4), the common bile duct (5), Kupffer cells (6) and hepatocytes(7) elicits different pathophysiological effects. Moreover, wide
variety of biochemical processes in liver including, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis and hemodynamic action are all regulatedby endothelin (8).There are some investigations confirming
inhibitory effect of ET-1on bile secretion. According to Isales andco-authors (9) ET-1 induces a dose-dependent decrease in bileflow in isolated perfused rat liver, while Tanaka et al (10) applying
similar experimental model, demonstrated that low dose ET-1
increased bile acid-dependent bile secretion. However, theseresults do not permit to have a clear view concerning endothelin

receptors participation in regulation of qualitative and quantitative
characteristics of liver secretory function.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the choleretic effect of ET-1 and to determine the role of ЕТА receptors functional
state in mediating the influence of ET-1 on bile formation andbiliary organic components secretion in vivo in rats.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Study was conducted inacute experiments on 35 linear(male, 180-250g) Wistar rats, obtained from the Institute ofGerontology, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv,
Ukraine) after 18 hours of food deprivation. Rats were anaesthetized with ethyl urethane (100mg/100g rat body weight)
which is sufficient for 3-4 hours of acute experiment.Common
bile duct was then cannulated with polyethylene catheters tocollect bile samples and register choleresis changes following laparotomy, respectedly.Endothelin-1 (Sigma, USA, 0.1
μg/100g rat body weight) and ЕТА-receptors antagonist, BQ123 (Sigma, USA, 6μ g/100gratbody weight) were separately
dissolved in 100 μl 0.9% sodium chloride and injected into
the portal vein. According to previous studies, endothelin-1 inthis concentration causes clear liver vascular movement thatis an evidence for the active interaction between peptide andendothelin-1 receptors.
The animals of the control group were intraportally injected

Received July 15th 2013. Accepted August 20th 2013. Address for correspondence: Sepideh Parchami Ghazaee, Faculty of biology, National Taras Shevchenko Universityof Kyiv, Glushkova 2 Ave. Kyiv, Ukraine; phone: 00380662171321, e-mail: Sep_par_71@ukr.net

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

cmyk 39

39

with0.9% sodium chloride (100 μl/100g rat body weight).Secreted
bile was measured by μl/g rat body weight every 10 minutes
during 3 hours trial.
Free and conjugated bile acids were divided and determined in each sample by thin-layer chromatography methodthat has been initially patented by Veselsky et al and has
been completely described by Parchami Ghazaee and colleagues (11). We divided mixture of bile acids into following
fractions: taurocholic acid (TCA), taurochenodeoxycholic
acid+taurodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA+TDCA), glycocholicacid (GCA), glycochenodeoxycholic acid+glycodeoxycholicacid (GCDCA+GDCA), cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholicacid (CDCA) + deoxycholic acid (DCA). Bile acids concentration and content were estimated by mg% and μg/g
rat body weight. Bile acid hydroxylation and conjugation
coefficients were determined by calculating the ratios of
3-hydroxycholates to dihydroxycholates and conjugated tofree bile acids contents.
All experiments were performed after entherahepatic circulation abortion, following stabilization of bile flow for 30 minutes
at the beginning of experiment.
Stability of rat body temperature was controlled by interarectal thermometer.
Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package“Statistica”. Data were expressed as means±SD.Student’s t-test
for normally distributed values (Shapiro-Wilks W test) was used
to compare variables between groups (р<0,05 was consideredsignificant).
The study protocol was approved by the institutional review
board and ethics committee of Faculty of Biology, National Taras
Shevchenko University of Kyiv.
RESULTSIn experiment on control animals we observed a gradualreduction in secreted bile volume by 13.4% during 3 hours of theexperiment (from 0.298±0.09 μl/g in the first 10 minute interval to0.258±0.11 μl/g in the last one). As illustrated in Figure 1, underthe effect of endothelin there was a considerable retardation in
the level of bile secretion. Maximum choleresis reduction was
registered in 40 minutes following endothelin-1 injection by 15.6%(р<0.05) compared to control. Afterwards, a gradual bile flow
restoration was observed and its level reached control values
towards the end of the experiment. However, its level was lower
than in the first 10 minute interval by 8.6% (Fig.1).
Biochemical analysis of the half-hour bile samples
evidenced that endothelin-1 exhibited a diverse effecton concentration of different bile acids in rats. Althoughconcentration of TCAwas gradually reduced during threehours of the experiment both in control and ЕТ-1treatedanimals, its level in the sixth half-hour sample was higher
by 9.3% (р<0.05) in the second group (141.5±2.3 mg% incontrol versus 154.7±2.8 mg% in ЕТ-1treated animals).
Whereas, in ЕТ-1treated total amount of TCDCA+TDCA wasinsignificantly higher in majority of bile samples compared
to control rats.
40

Fig.1. Effects of endothelin-1 and BQ-123 on choleresis, Mean±SEM; n=35,*
p<0.05 as compared to control rats

The most drastic changes were observed inGCA concentration followingЕТ-1 administration. Although concentration of
GCA in control animals was gradually reduced during whole timeof the experiment, it exceeded in the second half-hour toward
the end of the experiment when ЕТ-1 was applied. Particularly,
GCA concentration was increased by 12.3% (from 131.3±3.4
mg% to148.3±4.1 mg%; р<0.01), 19.7% (127.1±3.7 mg% to152.1±4.3 mg%; р<0.01) and 16.3% (125.3±3.5 mg% to 145±7mg%; р<0.01) in the fourth, fifth and sixth half-hour samples.
At the same time, under the effect of ET-1 only a tendency for
reduction in GCDCA+GDCA concentration was observed.

Fig. 2. Bile acidscontent in endothelin-1 and BQ-123 treated rats;
Mean±SEM; n=35; (М+m);*р<0.05 compared to control.

Endothelin-1 caused an increase in CA concentration.
Maximum changes were observed in the third and sixth halfhour bile samples by 20.6% and 19.8% (P>0.05). Whereas,
CDCA+DCA Concentration in ET-1 treated animals was next tocontrol values (Fig.2).
Peculiar changes in bile secretion were revealed when
ETA-receptors were blocked withET-1 antagonist, BQ-123. It
suppressed the action of both endogenous and exogenous
Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)

endothelin-1 via this subtype of receptors. These functionalchanges in ЕТА-receptors state led to more profound andprolonged decrease in choleresis. Bile secretion decreased
by 15.7% (р<0.05) immediately10 minutes following BQ-123
injection. Further choleresis reduction was observed in the next
two ten-minute periods toward the end of the third period. It
decreased by 26.9% (р<0.05) compared to the initial state and24.2% (р<0.05) compared to the control level. Maximum bileflow reduction was observed in minute 140by 35.6% (р<0.05),
compared to the initial state (Fig.1).
Chromatography analysis depicted considerable changes
in qualitative composition and quantitative content of the bile
acids in BQ-123injected animals. The most marked increase in
GCDCA+GDCA concentration was found in the fifth and sixth
half-hour bile samples by 56% (р<0.05) and 60.6% (р<0.05)
compared to the control values. At the same time, concentrationof GCA remained almost the same. Concentration of taurinconjugated cholates was characterized by fluctuated changes
during BQ-123 injection. Significant changes were only observed
when it was enhanced; TCA concentration in the fifth and thesixth half-hour samples was higher than control by 17.5%(р<0.05) and 25.3% (р<0.05). Also, the level of TCDCA+TDCA
concentration was increased by26.9% (p <0.05) and 35.5% (p<0.05). It is important to note that free bile acids concentration
simultaneously, conversely altered.
Table I. Effect of endothelin-1 and BQ-123 on hydroxylation and conjugation
coefficients of bile acids in rats
interval

3-hydroxy- Dihydroxy Hy- ConjuFree Conjugacholates cholates drox- gatedbileacids tion
mg% mg%ylbile acids
mg% с c o e f f i ation mg%
cient
coefficient
14.5
30 Control 327.6±3.8 151±2.7
2.2 443.1± 5.6 30.6±
330.5± 4.7 136.9±
2.4 434.3± 6.5 2.7
13.2
ET-1
14.2
2.2 428± 5.3 32.8
BQ-123 315.3± 4.8 2.9
142.3 ±3
±2.9
30.1±
2.8
60 Control 330.1±4.1 144.2±2.4 2.3 447.2± 4.7 30.4±
14.7
ET-1
331.4 ±5.2 140.7±3.2 2.4 433.8± 6.3 2.5
12.9
BQ-123 335.7± 5.1 168.8±3.3 1.9 476.9± 4.7 33.5±
17.3
3.1
27.6±
3.1
14.5
90 Control 319.5±3.6 137.8±2.2 2.3 428.7± 5.2 29.6±
12.4
ET-1
327.2± 4.8 136.9±
2.3 430.5± 5.9 2.1
BQ-123 326.8 ±4.4 2.7
2 461.3± 5.5 33.3±
17161.8±
2.7
2.7
27.2±
2.4
120 Control 311.6±3.4 131.2±2.3 2.4 415.6± 4.8 27.2
15.3
ET-1
329.4± 3.6 131.3±
2.5 429.8± 5.4 ±2.2
14.1
BQ-123 331.8± 3.8 2.5
2 468.3± 5.2 30.6±
17.5
163.3
2.5
±2.6
26.8±
2.7

2013.23.3 (79)  Fiziologia - Physiology

150 Control 294.9±3.2 122±1.8
ET-1331.3± 3.4 123.3±
BQ-123 332± 3.7* 2.2
161.8±
2.5

2.4 391.5± 4.5 25.4±
2.6 427.8± 4.7 1.9
2 460.3± 4.2 27.2±
2.3
23.5±
2.5
180 Control 285±2.9 115.3±1.9 2.5 375.9± 3.8 24.1±
2.6 416.5± 4.3 2.1
ET-1
321.6± 3.5 122.4±2.3
1.9 464.3± 4.4 28.1±
BQ-123 324.2±
163.9±
1.8
3.7*
2.4
23.8
±1.9
ET-1: endothelin-1, * p<0.05 compared to control

15.4
15.7
19.6

15.6
14.8
19.5

Dihydroxycholic acids concentration in the most bile
samples was significantly higher in BQ-123 treated animals compared to control. This effect is clearly revealed in hydroxylation
coefficient when endothelin receptors were blocked (Table I).
DISCUSSION
It is of great importance to clarify the bile synthesis peculiarities by evaluating the particular poly enzymatic systems
efficiency in liver, which provide bile acid hydroxylation andamino acid conjugation processes, altering the bile colloidal
system properties.
Determination of hydroxylation and conjugation coefficients,
as well as separate bile acid content under the effect of endothelin-1 and BQ-123, indicated significant disturbances in bileformation process.
The results revealed that endothelin-1 intensified biosynthesis of both free and glycine conjugated 3-hydroxycholates,
synthesis of which is closely associated with the microsomal
oxidation enzymes activity (neutral pathway), and so depends
on tissue supply with oxygen. This agrees with thesis that oxygen consumption by the liver tissue is reducedafterendothelin-1
administration (12,13, 14).
Following BQ-123 injection the coefficient of bile acidshydroxylation was reduced from 2.2 in the first sample to 1.9inthe last one, whereas in control group it was increased from
2.2 to 2.5.This evidences intensification of dihydroxycholates
biosynthesis in ЕТА-receptors blockade that is confirmed bya significant improve in their glycine and taurine conjugatedconcentration. It is known that biosynthesis of the initial chenodeoxycholic acid in liver is realized by active participation of themitochondrial enzymes that in our investigation is supported by asignificant increase in its conjugates under the effect of BQ-123.
Therefore, ЕТА-receptors blockade points out an important roleof endogenous endothelin-1 in neurohumoral regulation of bileorganic components biosynthesis.
Study on rats has demonstrated that endothelin-1 and BQ123 actively influence bile acids biosynthesis efficiency according
to these metabolites content in bile. Endothelin-1 in applied dose
promoted both biosynthesis of glycocholic acid and content ofmajority of bile acids in whole time of the experiment, whereas
endothelin receptors antagonist caused a reversed effect.
It is important to note that significant and long-lasting
choleresis retardation under the influence of BQ-123 is due
41

to partial removal of the bile acids from osmotic and diffusion
processes in bile formation following a considerable decreasein their biosynthesis in hepatocytes.
We conclude that endothelin receptors activation by exogenous endothelin-1 provokes short-term choleresis retardation
which is accompanied by intensification of bile acids biosynthesis
via “neutralpathway”, involving microsomal oxidation enzymes.
The last is evidenced by alteration of 3-hydroxycholates to dihydroxycholates ratio and increasing of glycocholic acid content.
Endothelin receptors blockade with BQ-123, which eliminates theregulatory function of endogenous endothelin, causes a sharp
and long-lasting decrease in bile flow, simultaneously, shifting
process of bile acids synthesis mainly to “acidic pathway”, involving mitochondrial enzymes that is confirmed by enhancing theconcentration of both free and conjugated dihydroxycholates.
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PARTICULARITATILE SINTEZEI BILIARE CA URMARE A MODIFICARILORSTATUSULUI FUNCTIONAL AL RECEPTORILOR PENTRU ENDOTELINAREZUMAT

Obiective: ET-1 regleaza o varietate mare de procese biochimice la nivel hepatic. Cu toate acestea, nu exista o definire clara aparticiparii receptorilor pentru endotelina in reglarea caracteristicilor cantitative si calitative ale functiei secretorii hepatice. Scopul
acestui studiu a fost de a evalua efectul coleretic al ET-1 si de a determina rolul statusului functional al receptorilor ЕТА in medierea
efectelor ET-1 la nivelul secretiei biliare si la nivelul secretiei componentelor organice ale acesteia. Materiale si metode: Endotelina-1
si BQ-123 au fost injectate la nivel intra-portal. Au fost estimati urmatorii parametri: fluxul biliar, concentratia si continutul acizilor
biliari, precum si coeficientii de hidroxilare si conjugare. Rezultate: Volumul secretiei biliare a fost scazut sub efectul endotelinei-1
si a BQ-123, cu toate ca aceasta scadere a fost mai prelungita si mai accentuate la animalele tratate cu BQ-123. Concentratia
taurocolatilor, acidului glicocolic si a acizilor biliari liberi a crescut la sobolanii tratati cu endotelina. Administrarea BQ-123 a dus lao crestere a GCDCA+GDCA si a concentratiei acizilor biliari conjugati cu tarina, in timp ce concentratia acizilor biliari liberi a suferit
modificari in sens opus. Coeficientul de hidroxilare a fost scazut in cazul blocarii receptorilor pentru endotelina. Activarea receptorilor
pentru endotelina prin administrarea exogena a endotelinei-1 a dus la intensificarea biosintezei de acizi biliari prin “calea neutra”, care
implica enzimele de oxidare microzomale. Concluzie: Blocarea receptorilor pentru endotelina elimina functia reglatoare a endotelinei
endogene si determina schimbarea sintezei acizilor biliari la nivelul enzimelor mitocondriale prin “calea acida”.
Cuvinte cheie: Endotelina-1, BQ-123, acizi biliari, coeficient

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Fiziologia - Physiology  2013.23.3 (79)