CONTENTS
1. Free radical theory of aging and disease
Denham Harman
2. The effects of long-term administration of tamoxifen on oxidative stress indices in rat liverŞoimiţa Suciu, Lavinia Sabau, Adriana Muresan
3. Erythropoietin and magnesium in the oxidative stress induced of physical effort
Irina Chiş, Ramona Stanciu, Adriana Mureşan
4. Hypothermia during extracorporeal circulation does reduce both oxygen consumption and delivery
M Crîsnic, Daniela Crîsnic, D Tripon
5. The effects of alprazolam on experimental acute and chronic inflammation and on central andperipheral algesia
Mihaela Ţiglea, Rita Kiss, B Cuparencu
6. Herat rate variability in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with intravenous
thrombolysis
Mihaela Muntean, Anca Kigyosi, Dan Burghina, Constantin Tudor
7. Lung lobation variants and/or abnormalities? Anatomo-physiological considerations
Ana Nadia Schmidt, Adriana Mureşan, Antonia Popescu, D Gheban, Narcisa Botos, O Bota, M Bran
8. In memoriam Ion Baciu
M Sabau

1. FREE RADICAL THEORY OF AGING AND DISEASE
Denham Harman
University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Nebraska Medical Center,
U.S.A.
Address for correspondence: Prof. Denham Harman, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Department ofMedicine,Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198-4653 U.S.A.

ABSTRACT
Aging is a progressive process which involves several changes in cells and tissues, so that the chanceof death rises with age. The average life expectancy at birth (ALE-B) depends on two major factors:
general living conditions (GLC) and the inborn aging process (IAP). Actually, IAP involves theformation of superoxide radicals (SO) by the mitochondria and their level increases with age, SO
becoming the major determinant of life span. SO determine the level of free radicals in the body.
Thus, the free radicals theory of aging and disease (FRTAD-1954) brings in the equation of aging
process another factor: free radicals. After many studies, the conclusion is that the aging and diseaseproblems depend on both the level of free radicals which damage the body in suboptimal living
conditions, and the endogenous free radical reactions (FRR), initiated by SO in the course of normal
metabolism.
Key words: aging, mitochondria, mutation, free radicals, longevity, origin of life, evolution

2. THE EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF TAMOXIFEN ONOXIDATIVE STRESS INDICES IN RAT LIVERŞoimiţa Suciu, Lavinia Sabau, Adriana Muresan
Physiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Cluj-Napoca
Address for correspondence: Dr. Şoimiţa Suciu, Department of Physiology; University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu
Haţieganu, Str. Clinicilor nr. 1, 400006, Cluj-Napoca .

ABSTRACTIn this study we determined the plasma levels and the liver content of malonaldehyde and carbonylgroups of proteins, as markers of oxidative stress, in 10 adult male Wistar rats which were given 10

mg/kg body weight tamoxifen for 6 weeks comparative to controls. We found that both serum andthe liver malonaldehyde and protein carbonyls were significantly higher in our study group than incontrols, suggesting that the chronic administration of tamoxifen leads to oxidative stress in liver.
Key words: tamoxifen, liver, oxidative stress

3. ERYTHROPOIETIN AND MAGNESIUM IN THE OXIDATIVE STRESS INDUCEDOF PHYSICAL EFFORT
Irina Chiş, Ramona Stanciu, Adriana Mureşan
Physiology Department of Pharmacy and Medicine University „Iuliu Hatieganu" Cluj Napoca
Address for correspondence: Dr. Irina Chiş, Department of Physiology; University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu
Haţieganu”, Clinicilor Street no. 1, 400006 Cluj-Napoca

ABSTRACT
Erythropoietin (Epo) is an alpha 1-glicoprotein with a major role in regulation of eritropoiesis. Epo
has multiple roles: antiapoptotic, mitogenetic, chemotactic, angiogenetic, mobilizer of intracellular
calcium, neurotrophic, neuroprotector. Later studies showed that Epo has role in diminishing theoxidative stress and inflammation.
Even if aerobic metabolism provides advantages to different forms of life, oxygen, as is bothan indispensable element for life and a source for very active detrimental and destructive
potential known under the name of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Its destructive effects on
stimulated when ever it is an overproduction of ROS or when antioxidative defense systems on
overtaken leading to oxidative stress.
Nowadays, implication of ROS in a high number of physiological and pathological processes iswell-known, some of them having a special importance in clinical practice, as a causal factor,
leading or accompanying or aggravating primary lesions. In conclusion, the attempt to use
biological with antioxidant effect in diseases with ROS is perfectly justified.
Minerals and oligoelements are necessary for the body to maintain the health and the best levelof physiological functions. It is necessary for the athlets, a suitable quantity of minerals andoligoelements to cope with physical training (effort) and to get the sport performances.
We have studied in this work, the influence of magnesium addition and the magnesium
association with erythropoietin about the oxidants and antioxidants balance in the animals who
are trained for the effort.
The results show that magnesium addition establishes the increase of physical performances toanimals who are trained for swimming. This magnesium addition is in interdependence with increaseof all antioxidative capacity and with the diminution of oxidative stress too. The effects are muchstronger in case of magnesium association with the erythropoietin.
Key words: erythropoietin, reactive oxygen species, carbonylated proteins, capacity of hydrogen
donors, ceruloplasmine, and lipid peroxides levels.

4. HYPOTHERMIA DURING EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION DOES REDUCE
BOTH OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND DELIVERYM Crîsnic1, Daniela Crîsnic2, D Tripon2
1
Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Timişoara
2
Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Victor Babeş” Timişoara
Address for correspondence: Dr. Mircea Crisnic, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Institute of Cardiovascular
Diseases, str. Gh. Adam, nr.13A, 300310, Timişoara

ABSTRACTIntroduction. The temperature-dependence of metabolic rate is expressed as Q10. A Q10 greater than
1.9 during systemic cooling suggests decrease of both tissular oxygen consumption and delivery.

This study tries to verify the hypothesis that hypothermia during extracorporeal circulation (EC)decreases tissular oxygen delivery, creating a tissular oxygen debt.
Material and method. We included in our study 20 consecutive patients with aortocoronary bypass
surgery performed with hypothermic EC (28-30°C), keeping the systemic blood flow constant,regardless the temperature. We studied three moments of the EC: (1) normothermia, at least after 10
minutes of temperature equilibration at 37°C, (2) hypothermia, at least after 10 minutes oftemperature equilibration at 28-30°C and (3) rewarming, at least 10 minutes after the patients′
temperature reached again 37°C. For every moment we measured systemic oxygen delivery,
systemic oxygen consumption and oxygen extraction rate. Q10 was calculated for the cooling andrewarming period.
Results. The systemic oxygen delivery was similar in the three moments. The systemic oxygen
consumption was significantly smaller in (2), compared with (1) (p<0.001); oxygen consumption in(3) was significantly greater, compared with both (2) (p<0.001), and (1) (p<0.01). Q10 calculated forcooling was 3.05 ± 1.9, suggesting decreased tissular oxygen consumption and delivery, and forrewarming was 5.04 ± 3.65, suggesting that the tissues are geting rid of their oxygen debt.
Conclusions. Hypothermia during EC decreases both tissular oxygen consumption and delivery,
creating a tissular oxygen debt.
Key words: hypothermia, extracorporeal circulation, oxygen delivery.

5. THE EFFECTS OF ALPRAZOLAM ON EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE AND CHRONICINFLAMMATION AND ON CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL ALGESIA
Mihaela Ţiglea, Rita Kiss, B Cuparencu
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea
Address for correspondence: Prof. Dr. B. Cuparencu, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy,
University of Oradea, 10, Independentei Square, 410073 Oradea

ABSTRACT
Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine has a proinflammatory effect in doses of 0.25; 0.5 and 1 mg/kg inexperimental acute inflammation and an analgesic effect on experimental central algesia induced inrats. It has no effect on chronic experimental inflammation and on experimental peripheral algesia.
Chronic inflammation under the administration of Alprazolam has a peripheral analgesic action.
Central algesia was not influenced by chronic inflammation. The mechanisms of these effects arestill unknown.
Keywords: alprazolam, rats, inflammation, algesia.
6. HERAT RATE VARIABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL
INFARCTION TREATED WITH INTRAVENOUS THROMBOLYSIS
Mihaela Muntean1, Anca Kigyosi2, Dan Burghina1, Constantin Tudor1
1
Department of Internal Medicine, City Hospital of Timisoara, University of Medicine and Pharmacy“Victor Babes” Timisoara
2
Department of Medical Informatics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”
Timisoara
Address for correspondence: Mihaela Muntean, Clinica Medicala I, Spitalul Clinic Municipal Timisoara, Gh. Dima
Street, 300079 Timisoara, E-mail: michaelamuntean@yahoo.com

ABSTRACTThe study assesses the efficacy of the heart rate variability parameters in the risk stratification for
malignant ventricular arrhythmia in patients with myocardial infarction treated with intravenous
thrombolysis versus classic medical treatment.
30 patients with acute myocardial infarction, included in our study, received a Holter-ECG recording
using a three-channel device from heart Tec with flashcard.

We demonstrated a significant difference for the SDNN Index (HRV parameter) between the patientswith myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis and those who received a conservative
treatment. In all patients with conservative scheme several time domain parameters were diminished
as compared to those in the thrombolysis group.
Heart rate variability, a reliable method in distinguishing patients with a propensity to develop
malignant ventricular arrhythmia is also able to assess the efficacy of the thrombolyic treatment inacute myocardial infarction.
Key words: heart rate variability, Holter-ECG, acute myocardial infarction, malignant ventriculararrhythmia.

7. LUNG LOBATION VARIANTS AND/OR ABNORMALITIES? ANATOMOPHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Ana Nadia Schmidt1, Adriana Mureşan2, Antonia Popescu3, D Gheban4, Narcisa Botos5, O Bota5,
M Bran51
Department of Anatomy and Embryology
2
Department of Physiology
3
Department of Neonatology, Clinic of Gynecology I Cluj-Napoca
4
Department of Pathological Anatomy
5Students - UMF Cluj-Napoca“Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca
ABSTRACTDuring ontogenesis, the lung lobes appear as a result of the fitting of the visceral (mesenchymal)
pleura on the (endodermal and mesenchymal) derivatives of the main bronchi. Lung lobation variants
are the result of the deviation of the normal development of fissures. Lung lobation variants (absenceof horizontal fissure, incomplete fissures and abnormal fissure pattern) were present in a number of
23 fetal subjects, with gestational ages between 13 and 37 weeks – abortions of maternal cause. The
same particular lung lobation forms were found in the case of hypoplastic lungs (hypoplasia being
secondary to congenital diaphragmatic hernia – 2 cases, and to some neural tube defects:
anencephaly and dorsal rachischisis – 2 cases). All the lungs mentioned before were weighed,photographed and studied macro- and microscopically. The macroscopic study (by dissection)
revealed an abnormal branching of the bronchial tree (reduction in the number of divisions) only inhypoplasia cases, and the microscopic study demonstrated a lung histodifferentiation under the levelof gestational age. Since: the mechanism underlying lung development is the epitheliummesenchyme interaction; the development of the diaphragm is based on mesenchymal primordia;
anencephaly could be the consequence of the abnormal formation of (mesenchymal) skull; andvertebral arch defects are also of mesenchymal nature, the presence of an initial mesenchymal defectis probable, and lobation patterns associated with pulmonary hypoplasia are definitely abnormalities,
not variants.
Key words: lung ontogenesis, prenatal diagnosis, pulmonary hypoplasia, neural tube defects,
congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

8. IN MEMORIAM ION BACIU
M Sabau
IN MEMORIAM ION BACIU
Professor Ion Baciu, one of the most prominent Romanian Physiologists, member of the RomanianAcademy, distinguished personality of the medical scientific community, passed away.

I had the privilege to be his student, and then I had the honor to be among the few colleagues,
members of the Romanian Society of Physiological Sciences, that he cherished and consideredfriends.
Sixty years ago, when the young doctor Ion Baciu graduated the Faculty of Medicine in Cluj andpresented his PhD thesis “The role of the central nervous system in phagocytosis”, just a few wereable to see the pathway opened by him.
This was the moment for the beginning of a long and brilliant educational and scientific career,confirming his outstanding value.
It is very difficult to describe in a few words the lifetime truth of a man who had an essential
vocation of researcher and educator. More than 300 papers published in national and international
journals, 60 reviews and major communications presented at meetings in Romania and abroad,numerous books and treaties, as well as several awards and prizes are proofs of his outstanding
activity.
Oxygen homeostasis, macromolecules transport, the role of reticulin M, neuro-endocrine modulationof the immune response, were some of the research topics in which Professor Ion Baciu had an
important scientific contribution.
In 1977, when an international working group for neuroimmune-modulation research was gathered,
his entrance was considered natural, due to the fact he was a well-known scientist, recognized for his
pioneering studies in this field.
He was member of the Romanian Academy of Medical Sciences, member of the RomanianAcademy, president of the Medical Sciences Committee and president of the Cluj Branch of the
Romanian Academy, vice-president and later, honorary president of the Romanian Society ofPhysiological Sciences. He was also member of prestigious international scientific societies andmember in the scientific board of several journals.
Ion Baciu, the scientist, was doubled by an exceptional educator, always interested in thedevelopment of his students. Educated in the spirit of old Universitary traditions, close to his great
masters of medicine in Cluj, he became the young head of the Pathophysiology Department, and thenof the Physiology Department. For his PhD students, he was a closed and loved teacher, working
hard and passionate to form new generations of doctors with a modern thinking, and elite scientists
with a true team spirit.
The medical school in Cluj owes a lot to Professor Ion Baciu, Professor emeritus, secretary of the
Scientific Council and Dean, Vice-Rector and Rector of the Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy in
Cluj, for all the efforts to develop the faculty in order to maintain its reputation and honor its
predecessors.
Even though the last years brought to him lot of pain, he never lost his faith in his force to overcome
all barriers and he continued his devoted activity. The initiator of a medical school, the man and thehonor citizen of Cluj is no longer among us, but he will always remain in our memory. His words“Physiology is the fundamental science of life, but life is more than that” synthesize his lifetime
belief.
Professor Marius Sabău
President of the Romanian Society of Physiological Sciences