FIZIOLOGIA (PHYSIOLOGY) 2005; vol.16, nr. 2 (50)
CONTENTS
1. MINIREVIEW: Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (Tafi): Physiology and ClinicalImplications
Ioana Brudasca
2. MINIREVIEW: The Plasticity of Cord Blood Stem Cells
Ioana-Raluca Siska, H Maniu, Daciana Nistor, Erika Deak, Carmen Bunu, Gabriela Tanasie,
Florina Mirea and V Paunescu
3. Dynamics of Reactive Oxygen Species and of Antioxidant System in Hypobaric Hypoxia Inducedby the Altitude Exposure
Adriana Muresan, Daniela-Rodica Mitrea, Steliana Ghibu, Soimita Suciu, Meda-Sandra Orasan
4. Method Optimization for Large Scale Production of Anti-Cd34 and Anti-Cd45 Monoclonal
Antibodies in Hybridoma Cultures
Carmen Bunu, Carmen Tatu, Ioana Siska, Gabriela Tanasie, Florina Mirea, Daciana Nistor, M
Grindei and V Paunescu
5. The Changes of Oxidative Stress Markers in Uterus Tissue of Ovariectomized Female Rats after
the Administration of Soy Isoflavone
Lavinia Sabau, Soimita Suciu, Adriana Muresan, Doina Daicoviciu, Clichici Simona, D Ion, Doina
Colcear
6. In Vitro Expansion of Human Bone Marrow Derived Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Gabriela Tanasie, Simona Anghel, Calin Tatu, Violeta Paunescu, Ioana Raluca Siska, Carmen Bunu,
Romulus Fabian Tatu, Hortensia Ionita, Virgil Paunescu
7. Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolated from Surgery andIntensive Care Units
Licker Monica , Sandesc D, Anghel A, Tutelca A, Orb C, Baditoiu L, Zugravu R, Hogea E,
Roxana Moldovan
8. The Evaluation of Osteocalcin and Osteoprotegerin, Osteogenic Markers of Bone Remodeling inRheumatoid Arthritis
Ramona Cioaca, Daciana Nistor, Ani Mic, Florina Mirea, Gabriela Tanasie, Ioana Siska, Carmen
Tatu, V Paunescu
9. Evaluation of the Total Antioxidant Status in Guineea Pigs in Simulated Unitary Dives at 6
Absolute Atomspheres
Cecila Adumitresi, Ceamitru N, Ileana Ion, Ninela Radulescu, Carmen Ciufu, Cristina Farcas,
Gabriela Lilios, Loredana Pazara, Badiu G

1. MINIREVIEW: THROMBIN ACTIVATABLE FIBRINOLYSIS INHIBITOR (TAFI):PHYSIOLOGY AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Ioana Brudasca
Department of Medical Biochemistry “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj
NapocaAddress for correspondence: Dr. Ioana Brudasca, Medical Clinic I, Clinicilor Street 3-5, 3400 Cluj Napoca, Romania,email: ioanabrudasca@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a fibrinolysis attenuator. It exerts its role by aprocarboxypeptidase action, removing Lys residues from fibrin, which results in a decreased bindingof plasminogen to fibrin and a less efficient fibrin break – down by plasmin. TAFI is activated byplasmin and by the thrombin – thrombomodulin complex, representing a link between coagulationand fibrinolysis. It also seems to be involved in tissue repair and in the inflammatory response. TAFIis involved in various clinical conditions associated with a thrombotic tendency, such as activatedprotein C resistance, stroke, coronary heart disease, preeclampsia and metabolic syndrome.

Key words: TAFI, fibrinolysis, thrombosis
2. MINIREVIEW: THE PLASTICITY OF CORD BLOOD STEM CELLS
Ioana-Raluca Siska, Horia Maniu*, Daciana Nistor, Erika Deak, Carmen Bunu, Gabriela
Tanasie, Florina Mirea and Virgil Paunescu
Department of Physiology and Immunology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Timisoara, Romania*Nicolae Simionescu Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology Bucharest, Romania
Address for correspondence: Dr. Ioana-Raluca Siska, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania, e-mail:irsiska@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Umbilical cord blood stem cells are stem cells collected from the umbilical cord blood at birth. Until
now, stem cells drawn from umbilical cord blood have been reserved mostly for treating children.
However, new research shows that because the umbilical cord cells proliferate so rapidly, they canindeed be used to treat adults and may even replace bone marrow and other cell types. Cord bloodtransplantation “holds the promise of making it so everyone has a donor". This review emphasis on
the differentiation capacity of human cord blood-derived stem cells towards several lineages, such as
endothelial, muscular, epithelial, neural, and even to insulin-secreting cells.
Key words: human, cord blood, stem cells, plasticity

3. DYNAMICS OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND OF ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM INHYPOBARIC HYPOXIA INDUCED BY THE ALTITUDE EXPOSURE
Adriana Muresan1, Daniela-Rodica Mitrea1, Steliana Ghibu2, Soimita Suciu1, Meda-Sandra
Orasan31
Department of Physiology, U.M.Ph. “Iuliu Haţieganu” Cluj-Napoca
2
Department of Pharmacology, U.M.Ph. “Iuliu Haţieganu” Cluj-Napoca
3Medical Student, U.M.Ph. “Iuliu Haţieganu” Cluj-Napoca
Address for correspondence: Prof. Dr. Adriana Muresan, Clinicilor Street no. 1, 400006 Cluj Napoca, Romania

ABSTRACTThe hypobaric hypoxia is characterized by the complex mechanisms in which the reactive oxygenand nitrogen species are involved.
In hypoxia certain cellular compounds are reduced and during reoxygenation the reperfusion lesions
appear. These lesions are produced because of the reactive oxygen species, after the transfer of theelectrons on the oxygen molecule.
The authors have followed the oxidative stress and the effect of some antioxidants(superoxiddismutase-catalase, vitamin E) in animals exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. The results
pointed out a supplementary oxidative stress in animals exposed to hypobaric hypoxia and a more
efficient antioxidant protection in rats, which have received vitamin E.
Key words: hypobaric hypoxia, oxidative stress, superoxiddismutase-catalase, vitamin E

4. METHOD OPTIMIZATION FOR LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION OF ANTI-CD34 AND
ANTI-CD45 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES IN HYBRIDOMA CULTURES
Carmen Bunu1, Carmen Tatu1, Ioana Siska1, Gabriela Tanasie1, Florina Mirea1, Daciana Nistor1,
Mircea Grindei2 si Virgil Paunescu1
1
Physiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara
2
Student at”Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara

Address for correspondence: Dr. Carmen Bunu, Department of Physiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine andPharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041, Timisoara, Romania, e-mail: cbunu@umft.ro

ABSTRACTThe use of monoclonal antibodies for laboratory in vitro isolation of adult hematopoietic andmesenchymal stem cells could represent a useful and effective tool in the development of a vast arrayof cellular therapies. The AC133 and anti-CD45 monoclonal antibodies produced in culture bystandard hybridoma cellular lines serve for the positive selection of a CD34+ subpopulation andnegative selection of adult mesenchymal stem cells, respectively. We report the production of a
maximum of 0.2 mg pure antibodies in 10 mL suspension. Further development will include theconjugation of the obtained antibodies to fluorochromes or magnetic beads and their usage in theisolation of stem cells for the cellular therapy of myocardial regeneration following cardiac arrest.
Keywords: monoclonal antibodies, anti-CD34, anti-CD45, stem cells, hybridoma.

5. THE CHANGES OF OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN UTERUS TISSUE OF
OVARIECTOMIZED FEMALE RATS AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION OF SOY
ISOFLAVONE
Lavinia Sabau, Suciu Soimita, Adriana Muresan, Doina Daicoviciu, Clichici Simona, David Ion,
Doina Colcear
Department of Physiology, UMF ”Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca
Address for correspondence: Dr. Lavinia Sabau, Clinicilor Steet no. 1, 400006 Cluj Napoca, Romania

ABSTRACTThe aim of our study was to determine the effect of soy isoflavone on uterus tissue levels of reactive
oxygen species, antioxidants and nitric oxide in female rats with experimentally induced menopause.
We found that an increased uterus tissue level of reactive oxygen species and decreased levels ofantioxidants and nitric oxide accompanies experimentally induced menopause in rats. Soy isoflavone
reduces significantly the level of free radicals in uterus tissue of ovariectomized rats and increases
the level of nitric oxide in uterus tissue of these rats. Soy isoflavone has antioxidant protective effects
in uterus tissue of ovariectomized rats.
Key words: oxidative stress, uterus tissue, menopause, isoflavone.

6.
IN
VITRO
EXPANSIONOF
HUMAN BONE
MARROW DERIVED
UNDIFFERENTIATED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS
Gabriela Tanasie1, Simona Anghel1, Calin Tatu1, Violeta Paunescu2, Ioana Raluca Siska1,
Carmen Bunu1, Romulus Fabian Tatu3, Hortensia Ionita4, Virgil Paunescu1
1
Department of Physiology and Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”
Timisoara
2
Laboratory of Immunology, County Emergency Hospital Timisoara
3 st
I Department of Orthopedy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara
4
Department of Hematology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara
Address for correspondence: Dr. Gabriela Tanasie, Department of Physiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine
and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041, Timisoara, Romania

ABSTRACT
For most therapeutic purposes using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the preliminary in vitro cell
expansion is required. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and optimize the culture
conditions for better growth and proliferation of undifferentiated MSCs. We used bone marrow
samples from sternum aspirates and from iliac crest. The mesenchymal stem cells were isolated using
standard adherence procedure and the cell growth characteristics were evaluated by morphologicalstudies, surface markers analysis, CFU-F and proliferation potential assays. The results revealed thecritical importance of fetal bovine serum and fibroblast growth factor addition in culture media.
Despite of similar morphological and phonotypical characteristics of cells, the clonogenic capacity
and the proliferative potential of in vitro culture of MSCs seem to be dependent on the compositionof culture media. According to harvesting procedure, we found significant differences between
samples. The better clonogenic capacity and proliferative potential of sternum aspirates versus iliac
crest ones may be due to better sternal vascularization or to peripheral blood contamination in iliac
aspirates samples.
Key words: mesenchymal stem cells, in vitro culture, media composition
7. EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETA LACTAMASE PRODUCING KLEBSIELLAPNEUMONIAE ISOLATED FROM SURGERY AND INTENSIVE CARE UNITS
Licker M1, Sandesc D2, Anghel A3, Tutelca A4, Orb C4, Baditoiu L5, Zugravu R1, Hogea E1,
Moldovan R1
1
Microbiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara,
2
Intensive Care Unit, Timisoara County Hospital3
Biochemistry Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara,
4
Clinical City Hospital Timişoara
5
Epidemiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara
Address for correspondence: Dr. Monica Licker, Department of Microbiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine
and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Street, 300041, Timisoara, Romania

ABSTRACT
Background: A huge increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens, including extended
spectrum beta lactamase producing germs (ESBL) is one of the major problems facing medicine andscience today. Aims\Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL
producing germs, especially of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, isolated from patients hospitalised inSurgery and Intensive Care Units (ICU), and their associated resistance patterns. Methods:
Identification of germs was performed by the API system (BioMerieux France) and susceptibility
tests by disk - diffusion tests (CLSI standards) with manual and automatic (Osiris -Bio Rad
Laboratories) reading methods. We categorized these germs according to their phenotypic patterns.
For ESBL producing germs we also used disk synergy tests and PCR amplification of SHV and TEM
genes. Results: From 611 samples (urines, wound secretions, blood, bronchoalveolar fluids, etc.),collected during a period of one year (June 2005-June 2006) we isolated 466 microbial strains withnosocomial potential. 216 (46.35%) from these strains were represented by enterobacteria, fromwhich, 78 strains (36.11%) were ESBL producers. Discussions: The highest percentage was noticed
in the case of ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (45 from 74 strains – 60.81%). The majorityof these strains were involved in urinary, respiratory and surgical site nosocomial infections,especially in ICU and all of them have associated other resistance phenotypes as well. Conclusions:
The high prevalence of ESBL producing germs is explained by the immunosuppresion of thesepatients and by their prolonged antibiotic therapy. The most important predisposing factor isrepresented by multiple invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involved. Proper surveillanceof medical staff and a rational policy in prescribing antibiotics in this department are therefore
mandatory.
Key words: beta lactamase, ESBL

8. THE EVALUATION OF OSTEOCALCIN AND OSTEOPROTEGERIN, OSTEOGENIC
MARKERS OF BONE REMODELING IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Ramona Cioaca, Daciana Nistor, Ani Mic, Florina Mirea, Gabriela Tanasie, Ioana Siska, Carmen
Tatu, V. Paunescu

Department of Physiology and Immunology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Timisoara
Address for correspondence: Ramona Cioaca, Department of Physiology and Immunology, Victor Babes University of
Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara – Piata E. Murgu no.2, Timisoara, Romania; Tel/Fax 256-490507; E-mail:ramonacioaca@umft.ro

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to evaluate some osteogenic markers involved in bone remodeling, suchas the estimation of osteocalcin (OC) and osteoprotegerin (OPG/RANK) concentrations in thesinovial fluid as well as in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. These measurements were
performed in the initial stage of the disease, without using any anti-inflammatory non-steroidal
therapy for at least 1 month before our study began. The concentration of OPG in the sinovial fluid
represented 14.25±0.75 pmol/l while in the serum the concentration was 1.69±0.80 pmol/l, which
was significantly increased (p<0.001) compared to the values determined in the serum of healthy
controls (1.19±0.30 pmol/l). The increase of OC concentration evolves in the same manner in bothsites of our measurements, the values being of 6.43±4.80ng/ml and 19.9±4.8ng/ml respectively,
compared to the values determined in healthy controls, in the sinovial liquid (<0.5ng/ml) and in theserum (3.1±0.1ng/ml).
Key words: rheumatoid arthritis, osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, bone remodeling, bone metabolism.

9. EVALUATION OF THE TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN GUINEEA PIGS IN
SIMULATED UNITARY DIVES AT 6 ABSOLUTE ATOMSPHERES
Cecila Adumitresi, Nicolae Ceamitru, Ileana Ion, Ninela Radulescu, Carmen Ciufu, Cristina
Farcas, Gabriela Lilios, Loredana Pazara, Gheorghe Badiu
Physiology and Physiopathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Ovidius” University, Constanţa
Address for correspondence: Dr. Cecilia Adumitresi, Department of Physiology, “Ovidius” University Constanta, 2
Decebal Street no. 82, Constanta

ABSTRACTThe use of respiratory gas mixtures including high oxygen concentrations in big depth dives, aviationor space travels, as well as the medical use of hyperbaric oxygen revealed also an accident risk
deriving from the toxicity of oxygen inhaled in hyperbaric conditions, due to the increased formationof reactive oxygen species (ROS). The balance between ROS production and the supply of protective
anti- oxidants seems essential in limiting the negative effects of those highly reactive molecularspecies. Our study aims to measure the protective antioxidant response under simulated experimental
hyperbarism by determining the total antioxidant status (TAS). The results indicate a significant
growth of the TAS level in conditions of hyperbarism, thus pointing to the implication of oxidizing
mechanisms of the hyperbaric stress conditions and to the way of adaptation to such conditions.
Key words: hyperbarism, oxidative stress, respiratory mixture, total antioxidant status