The antioxidant characteristics of medicinal plant extracts from Western Siberia

An antioxidant activity of the water-alcohol extracts of leaves of ten herbs from Western Siberia was studied. In vivo the capability of extracts to protect cells of Escherichia coli against the bacteriostatic action of H ₂O₂ and the influence of the extracts on the expression of the antioxidant gene katG coding catalase-hydroperoxidase I were investigated. In vitro the radical-binding activity with DPhPG^· (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), the chelating capability with ferrozine, and total composition of flavonoids and tannins were determined. The extracts of Filipendula stepposa and Limonium gmelinii were characterized by the highest antioxidant activity. According to data, the test extracts could have an antioxidant effect on bacteria in different ways at once including the direct inhibition of ROS (reactive oxygen species), iron ion chelation and antioxidant gene induction.     

Development of satellite-neuron relations in the spinal ganglia of the rat

Cerebrospinal ganglia of 11-, 13-, 15-, 18- and 20-day-old embryos have been studied light- and electron-microscopically. On the 11th day of anlage the ganglia are presented exclusively as neuroblasts: the satellite-cells are formed later from lemmoblasts that install into the ganglion on the 13th-15th days both from the surrounding mesenchyme and from the developing roots and trunklets of the cerebrospinal nerves. In the ganglion they undergo proliferation and further differentiation. On the 15th day simple satellite-neuron interrelationships are formed: one satellite-cell is tightly connected with perikaryons of some neuroblasts and young neurons. On the 18th day around some neurons a double layered capsule is formed from the satellite-cells. Multilayered tunics are formed only on the 10th-15th day after birth. During the process of the capsule formation an unusual reactive character of the satellite-neuron interrelationships is revealed, it is manifested as, performed by the satellite-cells, an active microphagocytosis of the perikaryon cytoplasmic processes and the initial segment of the sensitive neuron main process. In embryogenesis the lemmocyte-axon interrelationships develop earlier than the satellite-neuronal ones.     

Changes in serum immunoglobulins in subjects with acute myocardial infarct and essential hypertension

20 (12 men and 8 women) acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and 17 (14 men and 3 women) patients with arterial hypertension (II degrees stage according to OMS) in comparison to controls age and sex matched, were studied, serum IgA, IgG, IgM were evaluated with radial immunodiffusion and serum IgE with RIA. Ho significant changes ef immunoglobulins were observed between hypertensive patients and controls; whereas a significant increase of IgM, IgG and IgE, with out changes of IgA, were shown in AMI patients. Serum Ig and IgM were significantly augmented in AMI patients in comparison to hypertensive patients.     

Instaneous changes in the radial artery blood flow under different physiological conditions

Using a Doppler pulse flowmeter we measured the blood flow in the radial artery at rest and during physical exercise and various other stimuli (arithmetical calculations, electrical stimulation, deep inspiration). The mean resting flow in the radial artery was 0.66 ml/s. Every stimulus was instantaneously followed by a drop in the blood flow to a minimum value; there was no significant differences between these values. The results demonstrate that the new, non-invasive apparatus can be used to study quick changes in the blood flow not detected by routine non-invasive methods.