In this work we upgraded the kinetic studies of histamine uptake into neonatal rat cultured type 1 astrocytes with quantum chemical calculations of histamine pKa values in conjunction with Langevin dipoles solvation model as the first step toward microscopic simulation of transport. We demonstrated that histamine protonation states depend on the polarity of the environment as well as that histamine, a polar molecule at physiological pH uses at least two different mechanisms for its uptake into astrocytes –an electrodiffusion and Na+-dependent and ouabain sensitive active process.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4319258
We studied the effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on pro-inflammatory cytokines release in rat astrocytes in primary cell culture. The results showed that acute exposure to low concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde increased IL-6 secretion and diminished secretion of TNF-alpha. Chronic exposure lead to higher toxicity of both substances. Acetaldehyde is more toxic substance than ethanol.
COBISS.SI-ID: 28206041
Our study elucidates some mechanisms of contractions or relaxations of isolated porcine left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) induced by two peptides from the honeybee venom, melittin and apamin. Contractions or relaxations were measured on relaxed or precontracted arteries, respectively. melittin evoked relaxation via an endothelium-dependent mechanism (NO production), and by activation of charybdotoxin-sensitive K+ channels of smooth muscle. Melittin could directly affect contractility of porcine LAD, whereas apamin acts as a modulator of the relaxant response to melittin.
COBISS.SI-ID: 27111897
Women with multiple uterine leiomyoma (ULM) had higher prevalence of positive family history, lower age at menarche, lower parity, higher percentage of smoking, younger age at first sexual intercourse, lower prevalence of CYP17A1 AA genotype and A allele frequency in polymorphism CYP17A1 -34 A/G (rs743572). These trends were not apparent among women with solitary ULM. Carriage of CYP17A1 AA is protective for developing ULM in our population. Women with solitary ULM mostly resembled healthy control subjects, whereas women with multiple ULM differed in CYP17A1 AA genotype and external stimuli.
COBISS.SI-ID: 13900822
The aim of the study was to examine the influence of the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and of some generally recognized risk factors on breast cancer risk among Slovenian postmenopausal women. Our analysis revealed some differences from the previously published literature, which might reflect underlying demographic changes. Comprehensive medical care in HRT users without pre-existing breast abnormalities probably reduces the incidence of new breastcancer cases in Slovenia.
COBISS.SI-ID: 28234457