Molecular and cellular biochemistry
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The acute inflammatory response has been triggered in rat lungs by deposition of IgG immune complexes. The inflammatory reaction triggered is highly tissue damaging and requires activation of NF-kappaB with ensuing generation of chemokines and cytokines. ⋯ Antibody induced blockade of IL-10, IL-13 or SLPI enhances NF-KB activation in lung and exacerbates the lung inflammatory response and injury. These data indicate that endogenous IL-10, IL-13 and SLPI are important regulators of the inflammatory response by reducing gene activation with resultant generation of peptide mediators/cytokines and chemokines.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Feb 1998
ReviewRespiratory muscle dysfunction in mechanically-ventilated patients.
The interaction between a patient and a ventilator is the major determinant of the amount of respiratory muscle rest achieved by the machine. We are beginning to acquire a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie this complex interaction, but this information has yet to be integrated into the routine clinical management of ventilator-supported patients. To achieve that goal, we need better techniques of detecting and monitoring patient-ventilation asynchrony, and the development of simple algorithms that can minimize its occurrence. Finally, research is needed to determine the occurrence and importance of respiratory muscle fatigue during failed weaning attempts so as to better guide the timing and pace of the weaning process in problematic patients.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Oct 1996
ReviewElucidating molecular mechanisms of septic cardiomyopathy--the cardiomyocyte model.
In the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome of sepsis and septic shock the heart is one of the organs subject to failure. Many new insights into the mechanisms underlying septic cardiomyopathy were gained in the last years. ⋯ These substances interfere at clinically relevant concentrations with several main inotropic axes, not only with the beta-adrenoceptor/adenylyl cyclase and with the NO-cGMP-system-on which most of the interest is focused at present-but also with the alpha 1-adrenoceptor/phosphoinositide pathway and the Ca2+ homeostasis of the cardiomyocyte, the latter representing the common final inotropic pathway. Not a single cardiodepressant factor, but more likely a total bunch of toxins and mediators with different attack mechanisms seem to contribute to the picture of septic cardiomyopathy.