FIZIOLOGIA (PHYSIOLOGY) 2006; vol.16, nr. 4 (52)
CONTENTS
1. A Happy Anniversary: Professor Valeriu Nestianu at 80 years
2. The Behavior of the N-Terminal Pro-BNP in Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Heart Failure Patientswith or without Previous Myocardial Infarction
Luminita Ardelean, Blaga S, Marian I, Anca Cristea, Soimita Suciu, Adriana Muresan
3. Visual Evoked Potentials in Epileptic Children
Adriana Dogaru, Maria Iancau, Georgescu D, Badea P, Nestianu A, Nestianu V
4. Oxidative Stress is involved in Reserpine-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats
Soimita Suciu, Nicoleta Decea, Doina Daicoviciu, Adriana Muresan
5. Antioxidant Effect of Propranolol in Experimental Hyperthyroidism
Adela Elena Joanta, Sanda Andrei , Simona Clichici, Adriana Filip, Nicoleta Decea
6. The Behavior of Some Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients with Unstable Angina
Roxana Chiorescu, Blaga S, Luminita Vida-Simiti, Anca Cristea, Soimita Suciu, Adriana Muresan
7. Dental Pulp Tissue as a Source of Stem Cells for Dental Reconstruction
Podariu A, Jumanca D, Galuscan A, Oancea R, Deak E, Muntean R, Dinu D, Kereszi S, Tanasie G
8. The Role of Attention Focus in Creation and Maintenance of the Memory Vestige for Children
between 5 and 6 Years Old under the Action of a Stress Factor
Mosanu L, Liogchii N, Sarbu A
9. The Ultrastructure of Blood Platelets in Normobaric and Hypobaric Hypoxia and after 14 Days
Treatment with Doxazosin in both Environmental Conditions
Ramona Simedrea, Irina Chis, Natalia Giurgea, Adriana Muresan, Dorofteiu M, Florea A, Pop C

1. PROFESSOR VALERIU NEŞTIANU AT 80 YEARS
Prof.dr. Marius Sabau
President of the Romanian Society of Physiological Sciences
At the beginning of December 2006 professor Valeriu Neştianu reached the age of 80 years.
Charismatic personality of romanian physiology in the last 50 years, Valeriu Neştianu represents for allof us an example of vitality, enthusiasm, scientific curiosity and intuition, organizational capacity.
Springing from a familiy with reputed tradition he was an excellent student of the faculty of Medicine of
Bucharest. He was early remarked by professor Ion NiŃescu who convinced him about the imortance ofphysiology as a science of life. His entire energy was then dedicated to the physiology, especiallly to theneurophysiology.
I had the occasion to meet him in 1964 in the electrophysiology laboratory of the „D.Danielopolu”
Institute of Normal and Pathologic Physiology leaded by Grigore Benetato well-known physiologist,
member of the Romanian Academy. I was impressed by his unequalled knowledge not only in the fieldof neurophysiology but also in the field of medical electronics and informatics new and exciting
domains of increasing importance for scientific research and exploration of human body functions. He
knew and could handle as no one else the electrophysiological devices purchased in premiere from therenowned german ingenieur Tonnies.
In the early 70”s professor Neştianu totally devoted himself to the organization of the new faculty of
Medicine in Craiova. In spite of the inherent difficulties, obtusity and dogmatism of the politicalleadership of the epoch he never gave up and finally succeeded. As consequence of the hard work of thefounders whose soul he was as the first Dean, the faculty of Medicine of Craiova gained the respect andrecognition of the older medical schools of Romania.
The chair of physiology headed by professor Neştianu became soon an example with its newlaboratories, modern equipment and excellent results in scientific research. The proof of this prodigious

work were the numerous original papers presented at the national and international congresses or
published in representative journals and books.
Subtle connoisseur of people, pleasant interlocutor, with zest for life professor Neştianu is the possessorof impressive encyclopedic knowledge appreciated by all of us on the occasion of scientific events
where he regularly participates.
Medical school creator, genuine teacher close to his collaborators and pupils he had a great. contribution
to the formation of numerous specialists and researchers. His activity continues for more than a decadewith the same perseverence and generosity as consultant professor.
Member of the Academy of Medical Sciences, the first president of the Romanian Society ofPhysiological Sciences founded in 1991 by his tireless endeavours, then honorary president of theSociety, pesident of the Comission for Medical Informatics, citizen of honour of Craiova, professor
Valeriu Neştianu is a well-known personality in our country and abroad.
On this occasion I wish him together with the members of our Society „Many happy returns of the day!”

2. THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE N-TERMINAL PRO-BNP IN ISCHEMIC DILATEDCARDIOMYOPATHY HEART FAILURE PATIENTS, WITH OR WITHOUT PREVIOUS
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
LuminiŃa Ardelean1, S. Blaga1, I. Marian2, Anca Cristea2, Soimita Suciu3, Adriana Muresan31County Hospital Satu Mare
2
Medical Clinic One, UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca
3
Physiology Department, UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca
Address for correspondence: Prof. Univ. Dr. Sorin Blaga, Medical Clinic I, Cluj-Napoca, Clinicilor Street no. 3-5, phone:0264592415, e-mail: sbaga@umfcluj.ro

ABSTRACT
Aim. Heart failure following ischemic heart disease, secondary to the myocardial energy metabolism,hydroionic and coronary microcirculation abnormalities, alters the haemodynamic stress balance. The
aim of the present study was to evaluate the haemodynamic stress status and to correlate this to the left
ventricular condition (mass, volume and systolic function), on baseline, in ischemic dilated
cardiomyopathy heart failure patients.
Design. 53 consecutive heart failure patients with ischemic dilated cardiomiopathy, 25 patients with and28 without previous myocardial infarction (43 males and 10 females, mean age 66±14 years) werecomparatively evaluated as for the behaviour of the NT-proBNP plasma level (as marker of thehaemodynamic stress) in correlation with the ejection fraction, the volume and the mass of the left
ventricle.
Results. The patients with a previous myocardial infarction had a significantly higher mean value of the
NT-proBNP levels (p=0.02) and the left ventricular mass (p=0,006) as compared with the patients
without myocardial infarction.
Conclusions. The mechanical disturbances (primarily of mass and volume) added to the haemodynamic
stress anomalies, represent elements of a poor prognosis in ischemic dilated cardiomiopathy heart failure,especially in the patients with previous myocardial infarction.
Key words: ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, haemodynamic stress.
3. VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIALS IN EPILEPTIC CHILDREN
Adriana Dogaru1, Maria Iancau2, Georgescu D3, Badea P4, Nestianu A5, Nestianu V6
1
Family Physician Practice, Craiova
2, 6
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
3
Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy,
Craiova4
5Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
Department of Physiopathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova

Address for correspondence: Dr. Maria Iancau, Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova

ABSTRACTThe studies have been carried out on 28 children, aged between 3 and 16, with a certain diagnosis ofconvulsions, most of them with epilepsy. For these children visual evoked potentials (VEPs) wererecorded on three channels which triggered responses evoked by monocular visual stimulation, patternreversal full-field using a LED matrix and EEG recordings on 16 traces, then the recordings werecorrelated (PEV, EEG).
The 28 children studied from the point of view of the results obtained by the VEP record are divided into
three categories: the first, with normal VEP obtained both by RE (right eye) stimulation and by LE (lefteye) stimulation; the second, with clearly pathological VEP with very long latencies on bothhemispheres, obtained by stimulating one eye and perfectly normal latencies obtained by stimulating theother eye, in the way that the differences of latency between the two ways of light stimulation are verylarge (tens of milliseconds), when normally the maximum difference accepted for the P100 wave is 5,5ms; and, finally the third category, with clearly pathological VEP obtained through successive
stimulation of both eyes.
In these categories were noticed the growth of latencies, of duration and the decrease of amplitudes,
surfaces and slopes, the changes being very highly significant.
We can consider that the VEP recordings have a predictive value on the diagnosis of epilepsy by EEG.
Key words: visual evoked potentials, epilepsy, children

4. OXIDATIVE STRESS IS INVOLVED IN RESERPINE-INDUCED GASTRIC ULCER IN
RATS
Soimita Suciu, Nicoleta Decea, Doina Daicoviciu, Adriana Muresan
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca, Physiology Department
Address for correspondence: Dr. Soimita Suciu, Physiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu
Hatieganu”, Cluj- Napoca, Emil Isac no 13 Street, 3400 Cluj- Napoca, Romania, phone: 0040 264 598575

ABSTRACT
It is currently thought that gastric ulcer induced by reserpine administration is a consequence of anincrease in cholinergic tone. A number of papers suggested that reserpine treatment leads to oxidative
stress in the brain. The aim of this experimental study was to determine if reactive oxygen species areproduced in reserpine-induced gastric ulcer. We found increased levels of lipid peroxidation markers ingastric homogenate of rats with reserpine-induced ulcers. Vitamin E enhanced nonenzymatic antioxidant
capacity, decreased oxidative stress markers and, at the same time, diminished the number of ulcer andthe ulcer index in reserpine treated rats. Therefore, we suggest that oxygen reactive species may play arole in the pathogenesis of reserpine-induced ulcer in rat.
Key words: oxidative stress, reserpine, gastric ulcer, vitamin E

5.
ANTIOXIDANT
EFFECTOF
PROPRANOLOLIN
EXPERIMENTAL
HYPERTHYROIDISM
Adela Elena Joanta1, Sanda Andrei2 , Simona Clichici1, Adriana Filip1, Nicoleta Decea1
1Physiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Cluj- Napoca,
2
Biochemistry Department, University of Agriculture Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj- Napoca,Address for correspondence: Dr. Adela Elena Joanta, Physiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu
Hatieganu”, Cluj- Napoca, Emil Isac no 13 Street, 3400 Cluj- Napoca, Romania, phone: 0040 264 598575, e-mail:adelaelena@yahoo.com

ABSTRACTHigh concentrations of thyroid hormones can affect the metabolism of oxygen in aerobic conditions andstimulate free radicals generation in mitochondria. Reactive oxygen species are toxic to biomembranes
and lead to peroxidation of lipids unless they are not removed by free radical scavengers.
The aim of this study was to examine the dynamic of oxidative stress in animals subjected to
hyperthyroidism and the possible antioxidant effect of Propranolol under these circumstances.
Hypothyroidism was induced by administering Carbimazole (0.1 mg/100g body weight) in drinking
water for 14 days. Hyperthyroidism was elicited by a ten-day treatment of hypothyroid rats with LThyroxin (10 µg/100 g body weight). In order to evaluate the antioxidant effect of Propranolol weadministered both L-Thyroxin (10µg/100 g body weight) and Propranolol (60µg/100 g body weight)
during 10 days to another group of animals, previously treated with Carbimazole. It has been determinedfrom the target tissues of the thyroid hormones (liver, cardiac muscle) the oxidative stress markers suchas protein carbonyls, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the antioxidant enzymes
activities (catalase, peroxidase). The results of the present study indicated that administration of LThyroxin to hypothyroid rats determined a significant augmentation of malondialdehyde (TBARS) andproteins carbonyl content of the hepatic and myocardial tissues comparative to euthyroid rats. The
antioxidant enzymes activities were found increased in the same tissues at the animals treated with LThyroxin too. On the other hand, antioxidant effect of Propranolol was highlighted through a decrease inoxidative stress markers in the both target tissues and a decrease in peroxidasic activity only in thehepatic tissue. The results of the present study suggest that the proxidant/antioxidant balance fromhepatic and myocardial tissues is considerably influenced by the thyroid hormones and Propranolol.
Key words: hyperthyroidism, Propranolol, oxidative stress

6. THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOME INFLAMMATION AND OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS
IN PATIENTS WITH UNSTABLE ANGINA
Roxana Chiorescu¹, S. Blaga1, Luminita Vida-Simiti¹, Anca Cristea¹, Soimita Suciu², AdrianaMuresan²
1
Medical Clinic I, UMF "Iuliu HaŃieganu“ Cluj-Napoca
2
Deptartment of Physiology, UMF "Iuliu HaŃieganu“ Cluj-Napoca
Address for correspondence: Prof. Univ. Dr. Sorin Blaga, Medical Clinic I, Cluj-Napoca, Clinicilor Street no. 3-5,phone:0264592415, e-mail: sblaga@umfcluj.ro

ABSTRACT
Objectives. The aim of this study was the assessment of some markers of inflammation (CRP,
fibrinogen, IL 18, CD 40 ligand) in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UA) in comparison withpatients with stable angina pectoris (SA) and their correlation to some parameters of the oxidative stress.
Methods. The study included 40 patients with UA and 12 with SA admitted to the Medical Clinic I of
Cluj-Napoca during 1 January 2005-1 July 2006. The patients with UA, included in Braunwald classes I– III, were assessed in hospital conditions, based on clinical parameters (focusing on the evolution of theangor and risk factor identification), ECG, echocardiography, angiography (assessing the extension andthe severity of the coronary stenotic alterations), as well as chemical parameters of inflammation (CRP,
fibrinogen, IL 18, CD 40 ligand), myocardial injury (troponin I) and of oxidative stress (lipid peroxides
and plasmatic antioxidative capacity) in 16 of the patients. The comparison with the patients with SA
was made based on the markers of inflammation.
Results. The values of the markers of inflammation in the patients with UA were statistically higher
than in patients with SA, the maximal values of significance being found for the s CD 40 ligand (p =0.002). Comparing the markers of inflammation and of the oxidative stress in the 16 patients with UA,there was a borderline statistically significant correlation between the lipid peroxides and the s CD 40
ligand (r = 0.57).
Conclusions. Patients with UA presented significantly increased values of the markers of inflammation
investigated as compared with patients with SA. Comparing the markers of inflammation and of theoxidative stress in the patients with UA, there was a borderline statistically significant correlation
between the s CD 40 ligand and the lipid peroxides, which confirms the presence of a prothrombotic
status at the onset of the acute coronary syndrome, accompanied by the increase of lipid peroxides.
Keywords: unstable angina pectoris, markers of inflammation, oxidative stress

7. DENTAL PULP TISSUE AS A SOURCE OF STEM CELLS FOR DENTAL
RECONSTRUCTION
Podariu A1, Jumanca D1, Galuscan A1, Oancea R1, Deak E2, Muntean R1, Dinu D1, Kereszi S1,Tanasie G2
1
Department of Dental Prevention, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara
2
Department of Physiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
Address for correspondence: Prof. Dr. Podariu, Department of Dental Prevention, University of Medicine and Pharmacy“Victor Babes” Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041

ABSTRACTThe general objective of the project was the isolation of stem cells from dental tissues (dental pulp) andin vitro culture of this type of cells. The study was focused on evaluation of in vitro viability of stem
cells from dental pulp in various cell culture media, quantification of proliferation rate of these cells andalso the possibility of in vitro differentiation of the stem cells through other lineages. Regarding thebioethics regulations, the experiments were performed after obtaining the agreement of Bioethics
Committee of our University; for dental pulp harvesting the informed writing consent of adult donors or
the parents of minors was obtained. The study evaluated and standardized the procedure for dental pulp
harvesting and the optimal method for isolation of mesenchymal stem cells was identified. The isolated
mesenchymal stem cells from dental tissues had a very low clonogenity, therefore the cell passage was
not performed, but the cells were maintained in vitro culture condition as much time as was possible. Inthat time the cells were evaluated regarding the morphological characteristics and the presence ofdifferentiation markers. The stem cells were placed in differentiation media throughosteoblastic/odontoblastic lineages and the results indicated that the cells acquired some specialized
functions like secretion of mineralization factors.
Key words: dental pulp, mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, odontoblasts

8. THE ROLE OF THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION IN THE CREATION AND MAINTENANCE
OF THE MEMORY VESTIGE FOR CHILDREN OF 5 TO 6 YEARS UNDER THE ACTION OF
A STRESS FACTOR
Mosanu L1, Liogchii N1, Sarbu A2
1
The Institute of Physiology and Sanocreatology, the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova
2
The State University of Moldova (Chisinau)
Address for correspondence: Dr. Mosanu L, Institute of Physiology and Sanocreatology, the Academy of Sciences of the
Republic of Moldova

ABSTRACT
Study results of role of attention in forming and keeping the vestige in the memory for children of 5 to 6
years under the action of a stress factor. During each testing stage, the number of mistakes and vestige’sgraphicalness has established five groups in memory. Many conclusions have been made when speakingof forming and keeping the vestige in the memory. All this depends on activity conditions.
Keywords: attention, memory, vestige, stress factor, stress reactivity, stress resistivity

9. THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF BLOOD PLATELETS IN NORMOBARIC ANDHYPOBARIC HYPOXIA AND AFTER 14 DAYS TREATMENT WITH DOXAZOSIN IN THE
TWO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Ramona Simedrea1, Irina Chis1, Natalia Giurgea1, Adriana Muresan1, Mircea Dorofteiu2, Adrian
Florea3, Calin Pop4
1
Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu HaŃieganu”, Cluj-Napoca
2
Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea, Romania
3
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”,
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
4
Student, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu HaŃieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Address for correspondence: Dr. Ramona Simedrea, Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu
Htieganu” Cluj-Napoca, Emil Isac no 13 Street, 3400 Cluj- Napoca, Romania, phone: 0040 264 598575

ABSTRACT
We tried to assess in what degree platelet ultrastructure changes in hypobaric hypoxia, associated or notwith α1- adrenergic receptor blocker treatment. We conducted our experiments on 40 white Wistar rats,
which were divided into four groups. A daily dose of Doxazosin (α1 receptor blocker) was given to twoof the groups of rats, one in normobaric and the other in hypobaric conditions. Hypobaric hypoxia was
obtained in a barochamber at an atmospheric pressure of 380 mmHg, corresponding to an altitude of
5500 m. We chose a 14 days exposure period to hypobaric hypoxia because this causes a visible
decrease on the number of flowing platelets. Our results show important changes in platelet ultrastucture
both in hypoxia and under the influence of α1- adrenergic receptor blockers.
Key words: thrombocytopoiesis, hypobaric hypoxia, blood platelet ultrastructure, Doxazosin