The interaction of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and oxygen-derived free radicals may potentially play an important role in the pathophysiology of complications associated with diabetes. In the present study, we investigated spontaneous EDRF release in diabetic rat aorta that is unmasked by the addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD). SOD produced a significantly greater relaxation in diabetic aorta compared with control aorta using both aortic ring and bioassay preparations. This relaxation was unaltered by pretreatment with catalase or indomethacin. Removal of the endothelium or pretreatment with either NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or methylene blue eliminated SOD-induced relaxation in both control and diabetic rings. Measurement of antioxidant enzymes revealed an elevation in catalase in diabetic aorta, with no difference in the SOD or glutathione peroxidase activity. The increase in catalase activity suggests increased exposure of diabetic aorta to hydrogen peroxide. Pretreatment of rings with the catalase inhibitor, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, attenuated the SOD-induced relaxation in diabetic aortic rings but had no effect in control aortic rings. In summary, our observations suggest that the diabetic rat aorta releases more spontaneous EDRF than control aorta; however, the activity of EDRF on vascular smooth muscle tone is masked by increased destruction by oxygen-derived free radicals.

AbstractŽ y . Objective: Previous studies suggest a role of superoxide anion radicals PO in impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of 2 diabetic blood vessels; however, the role of secondary reactive oxygen species remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated a role of various potential reactive oxygen species in diabetic endothelial dysfunction. Methods: Thoracic aortic rings from 8-week streptozotocin-induced diabetic and age-matched control rats were mounted in isolated tissue baths. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to Ž . Ž . acetylcholine ACH and endothelium-independent relaxation to nitroglycerin NTG were assessed in precontracted rings. Results: ACH-induced relaxation was impaired in diabetic compared to control rings and was not improved with either indomethacin or daltroban. ACH-induced relaxation in both control and diabetic rings was completely blocked with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, Ž . L -nitroarginine methyl ester or L-nitroarginine L-NA . NTG-induced relaxation was insensitive to L-NA and was unaltered by diabetes.Ž . Pretreatment with superoxide dismutase SOD at activities which did not alter contractile tone failed to alter responses to ACH in diabetic rings. Similar results were obtained using either catalase or mannitol. In contrast, the combination of SOD plus catalase or Ž . DETAPAC, an inhibitor of metal-facilitated hydroxyl radical POH formation, markedly enhanced relaxation to ACH in diabetic but not in control rings. Neither the combination of SOD plus catalase nor DETAPAC altered the sensitivity or relaxation to NTG in control rings with or without endothelium. In diabetic rings with endothelium, both DETAPAC or SOD plus catalase increased sensitivity but not maximum relaxation to NTG. In diabetic rings without endothelium, relaxation and sensitivity to NTG were unaltered by either treatment. In L-NA-treated diabetic rings with endothelium, sensitivity and relaxation to NTG was unaltered by either DETAPAC or SOD plus catalase. Conclusion: Diabetic endothelium produces increases in both PO y and H O leading to enhanced intracellular production of 2 2 2 P OH. Thus, POH are implicated in diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction.

This report shows that robotic surgery can be used for safe removal of a large renal tumor in a minimally invasive fashion, maximizing preservation of renal function, and without compromising cancer control.

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The bioassay technique was utilized to quantitate endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released from perfused donor segments of control and diabetic rat aorta. In the presence of indomethacin, perfusates of donor segments with endothelium were allowed to superfuse recipient detector rings of normal rat aorta without endothelium. Under basal conditions, relaxations of the bioassay rings to perfusates of control and diabetic donor segments were similar. Perfusion of donor segments with acetylcholine produced relaxation of bioassay rings, which was decreased from endothelial perfusion of diabetic donor segments. These relaxations were inhibited by addition of methylene blue to the detector ring or by perfusion of donor segments with nitro-L-arginine. Infusion of superoxide dismutase (SOD) at a site proximal to the donor segment normalized relaxations induced by acetylcholine addition to diabetic donors. In contrast, infusion of SOD distal to the donor had no effect on acetylcholine-stimulated relaxations of detector rings from control donors while attenuating, paradoxically, the relaxations of detector rings from diabetic donors. These results suggest that diabetic rat aortas release similar levels of EDRF in response to acetylcholine, but the action of EDRF arising from diabetic donors is attenuated by enhanced release of oxygen-derived free radicals, which limits EDRF-mediated relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.

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DHT down-regulates NF-kappaB mediated IL-6 expression by human TCC lines in response to BCG. This effect depends on a functional androgen receptor signaling pathway and it can be blocked by the inhibition of androgen/androgen receptor binding.

CTU with 3D rendering can accurately depict both normal and abnormal postoperative findings in patients with urinary diversions. Adding enhanced CTDR can improve visualization of the urinary collecting system.