Cardiovascular System Commons^™

Albumin Use In Cardiopulmonary Bypass Pump Prime And Its Association With Postoperative Renal Function And Acute Kidney Injury: A Scoping Review, Hannah Talbot

Student Works

ABSTRACT

1.Structured summary:

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with significant hemodilution, inflammatory activation, and alterations in renal perfusion, all of which may contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Albumin is frequently used as a component of CPB pump prime due to its oncotic properties and potential to mitigate fluid shifts and support intravascular volume. However, the extent to which albumin-containing priming solutions influence postoperative renal outcomes remains unclear.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to map the available literature examining the use of albumin in CPB pump prime and its reported effects on renal function and the incidence …

Alternative Anticoagulation Strategies For Heparin-Intolerant Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review Of Patient Outcomes, Zachary Nelson

Student Works

Background/Introduction: Heparin intolerance, most notably heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), presents a major clinical challenge during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), where systemic anticoagulation is essential for safe circulation through the extracorporeal circuit. While several alternative anticoagulants have been described, there is limited consensus regarding their safety, dosing, and outcomes. The objective of this study was to map existing evidence describing alternative anticoagulation strategies for heparin-intolerant adult patients undergoing CPB and to summarize reported patient outcomes, dosing strategies, and intraoperative management considerations.

Methodology: This scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) …

Endothelin-1 In The Failing Fontan: Pathobiology, Precision Therapeutics, And Future Trial Design, Iman Maiza

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The Fontan circulation, devised as definitive palliation for single-ventricle congenital heart disease, imposes systemic venous hypertension, loss of pulmonary arterial pulsatility, and restricted preload reserve. These hemodynamic trade-offs progressively injure the pulmonary vasculature, liver, and lymphatic system, producing late morbidities including elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD), protein-losing enteropathy, and arrhythmias. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor and profibrotic mediator, plausibly unifies these complications. Mechanistic studies demonstrate ET-1 upregulation in failed Fontan lungs, activating PLC–Ca²⁺, RhoA/ROCK, and MAPK/ERK cascades to drive vasoconstriction and remodeling. In cirrhotic livers, ET-1 localizes to stellate cells, promoting contraction and fibrogenesis, mechanisms biologically relevant …

Cholesterol Crystal Embolization Induced Kidney Disease, Shohan Pervaze, Shreya Mohandas, Pushkas Gopalan, Stephen A. Morse, Siddhartha Bajracharya, Landon A. Krone, Farshid Yazdi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cholesterol crystal embolization (CCE) results from the release of cholesterol crystals from ruptured atherosclerotic plaques into circulation, resulting in the occlusion of small arteries and arterioles in various organs. Ischemia triggers a systemic inflammatory response resulting in vascular obstruction and organ dysfunction. Kidneys are often involved because of the proximity to the aorta and CCE in the kidneys can result in acute, sub-acute, or chronic kidney disease. There are many known risk factors for renal involvement of CCE, including iatrogenic and spontaneous causes. The pathophysiology of CCE includes complex pathways that lead to acute and chronic effects that can have …

Effects Of Arginine-Vasopressin In The Brain On Cardiovascular Function In A Psychosocial Stress Animal Model, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Fernando Dominguez, Giselle Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Psychosocial stress impacts cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of events like myocardial infarction (MI), stress cardiomyopathy, and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety. However, our understanding of the biological mechanisms that connect psychosocial stress with negative cardiovascular and psychological outcomes remains incomplete. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is linked to both mental and physical health by regulating social behavior, blood pressure, and anxiety-related behaviors. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of the neuropeptide AVP, in an effort to generate evidence that it may strengthen heart function and lessen the severity of adverse cardiovascular events caused by stress, brain …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Ssris On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Under Induced Stress –Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Giselle Padilla, Fernando Dominquez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been found to have a wide range of effects on not just the neuropsychological processes but has also been found to exert effects outside the central nervous system (CNS); regulating numerous biological processes, such as metabolism, gastrointestinal system, reproductive function, and even the cardiovascular system. However, there is still a limited understanding of how serotonin affects all these systems due to its complexity and ability to regulate homeostasis. This project aims to create a stronger foundation of knowledge about serotonin and its influence on the interaction between the CNS, behavior, and cardiac function …

The Central Role For Troponin C Amino-Terminal ⍺-Helix In Vertebrate Thin Filiment Ca²⁺-Activation, Yun Shi, Lauren A. Blackwell, Ryan K. Schroy, B. Max Cleland, Cristina M. Risi, Michelle S. Parvatiyar, Jose R. Pinto, Vitold E. Galkin, P. Bryant Chase

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Troponin C (TnC) is the Ca²⁺-sensing subunit of troponin that is responsible for activating thin filaments in striated muscle, and, in turn, for regulating the systolic and diastolic contractile function of cardiac muscle. The secondary structure of vertebrate TnC is mainly composed of α-helices, with nine helices named sequentially, starting from the amino terminus, from N to A–H. The N-helix is a 12-residue-long α-helix located at the extreme amino terminus of the protein and is the only helical structure that does not participate in forming Ca²⁺-binding EF-hands. Evolutionarily, the N-helix is found only in TnC from mammalian species and most …

Interaction Of Cardiac Leiomodin With The Native Cardiac Thin Filament, Madison Little, Cristina M. Risi, Tania M. Larrinaga, Mason D. Summers, Tyler Nguyen, Garry E. Smith Jr., Jennifer Atherton, Carol C. Gregorio, Alla S. Kostyukova, Vitold E. Galkin

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Every heartbeat depends on cyclical contraction-relaxation produced by the interactions between myosin-containing thick and actin-based thin filaments (TFs) arranged into a crystalline-like lattice in the cardiac sarcomere. Therefore, the maintenance of thin filament length is crucial for myocardium function. The thin filament is comprised of an actin backbone, the regulatory troponin complex and tropomyosin that controls interactions between thick and thin filaments. Thin filament length is controlled by the tropomodulin family of proteins; tropomodulin caps pointed ends of thin filaments, and leiomodin (Lmod) promotes elongation of thin filaments by a “leaky-cap” mechanism. The broader distribution of Lmod on the thin …

Deletion Of Chop In Beta Cell Protects Mice From Cardiovascular Complications In Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence From A Pre-Clinical Mouse Model, Balaji Srinivas, Kiran Alluri, Nour-Eddine Rhaleb, Khalid Matrougui

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction

Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is recognized as a major independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and heart failure. The interrelationship between metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disease is complex and multifactorial, involving hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Evidence indicates that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR) contribute to metabolic dysregulation and vascular dysfunction. However, the specific role of beta cell-derived UPR mediators, particularly C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), in coordinating this interorgan axis between …

Phenotype Specific Nuclear Lamina Remodeling In Hipsc Derived Cardiomyocytes Bearing Tnnt2 Sarcomeric Variants, Isabella Leite Coscarella, Olalekan H. Usman, Lili Wang, Maicon Landim-Vieira, Lillian Wirstiuk, Amber N. Brown, Diego A. R. Zorio, Brian K. Washburn, Cynthia Vied, Bjorn C. Knollmann, Christopher Solís, Vitold E. Galkin, P. Bryant Chase, J. Travis Hinson, Jerome Irianto, Jose Renato Pinto

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

[Summary] Cardiomyocytes endure physical stress from the myocardium environment while generating their own mechanical strains. The force generated by sarcomeres is transmitted both longitudinally to adjacent sarcomeres and laterally to the cytoskeleton via intermediate filaments. This mechanical stimulus impacts other organelles, including the nucleus, thus playing a vital role in sensing and signaling nuclear adaptations. However, there is limited understanding of how changes in cardiac contractility affect nuclear mechanics. Here, we sought to investigate the effects of hyper- and hypo-contractility in nuclei of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) bearing TNNT2 pathogenic variants associated with hypertrophic (HCM) or dilated …

Fibrinolysis For Apical Thrombus As A Bridge To Emergent Valve-In-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Nicholas J. Valle, Omar A. Saleh, Mani C. Akunuri, Parth K. Parikh, Joshua A. Cohen, Deepak R. Talreja, Matthew R. Summers

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

Left ventricular (LV) thrombus is traditionally a contraindication to transcatheter aortic valve replacement due to embolic risk. Consequently, management of valvular cardiogenic shock complicated by LV thrombus identifies unique challenges that require innovative strategies.

Case Summary

A 58-year-old woman with critical bioprosthetic aortic stenosis, cardiogenic shock, and large LV thrombus (2.8 × 2.6 cm) underwent successful valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement after systemic fibrinolysis bridge therapy.

Why Beyond the Guidelines

Current guidelines contraindicate transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with LV thrombus. This case demonstrates the novel use of low-dose, slow infusion tissue plasminogen activator as a bridge therapy …

Factors Associated With Recanalization And Reintervention Following Below Knee Polidocanol Endovenous Microfoam Ablation For Great Saphenous And Small Saphenous Veins, John Fang, Christian Fang, Andy Moyal, Enrico Ascher, Anil Hingorani, Natalie Marks

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Polidocanol endovenous microfoam (PEM) has been used to treat lower extremity venous reflux for almost one decade with specific advantages for below knee (BK) truncal veins where thermal ablation poses a risk of injury to adjacent nerves. The current literature of the BK segment often examines short-term outcomes with modest sample sizes. We aim to identify factors associated with recanalization and reintervention in this subset of patients.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database of patients from a single institution who underwent 1% PEM ablation for BK great saphenous vein (GSV) and small saphenous vein …

Modeling Sex-Specific Changes In Myocardial Fibrosis, Grace Martin

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Heart disease the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Cardiac fibrosis, or accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the heart, can occur after a heart attack and increase the risk for further complications. Current treatments for heart disease do not include extracellular matrix regulators, partly due to the complicated signaling network responsible for the production of these proteins. By using a computational model of the signaling network in cardia fibroblasts, the relationship between particular molecules and downstream extracellular matrix production can be examined.

Biological sex is an important factor for cardiac health and …

Electrophysiological And Clinical Fundamentals Of Qtc Prolongation Induced By Antipsychotic Medications, Zaid Naseer, Minaal Khan, Najeeb Manalai, Allison Foroobar, Patricia Harrison, Charles Scercy, Beth Yanoff, Partam Manalai

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Patients with psychiatric disorders undergoing antipsychotic treatment are at an elevated risk for adverse cardiovascular events, including arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. While the precise mechanisms linking cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric conditions remain unclear, QTc prolongation is suspected to be a contributing factor. The human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG, or KCNH2), which affects potassium channels, is implicated in the cardiotoxicity of various medications, including antipsychotics. This gene plays a critical role in determining whether a drug will be approved for market use. This paper elucidates the electrophysiological basis of QTc prolongation and reviews the evidence concerning which antipsychotics may exacerbate QTc …

Characterization Of Epithelial Growth Factor Transcripts Identified In Crotalus Atrox Venom, Ivan Lopez, Ying Jia

Research Symposium

Epithelial Growth Factor (EGF) is the primary source in regeneration and stimulation of essential fibroblasts cells commonly found in epithelium. Studies have shown that snake venom components are becoming a growing factor in treating illnesses such as cancer, muscular dystrophy, chronic pain, blood pressure, blood clotting, etc. EGF in human cells contains a promising quaternary structure that can bind to snake venom metalloproteinases, proposing a means of activating biochemical responses through protein-protein interactions to regulate unwanted cellular functions. This supports promising research in achieving a greater understanding of regulation along cellular pathways through ligands, increasing the likelihood of targeting unwanted …

Comparison Of Clinical And Radiographic Efficacy Of Particles Versus Nbca/Onyx In Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization For Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Jane Khalife, Mohamed Salem, Victoria Wong Murray, Allen Karimov, Brian Jankowitz, Jan Karl Burkhardt, Hamza Shaikh, Daniel Tonetti, Pratit Patel, Tudor Jovin, Ajith Thomas

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Different embolic materials are utilized in MMA embolization of chronic subdural hematoma per operators’ discretion. We aim to compare the clinical and radiographic efficacy of different embolic materials in a pooled retrospective cohort of two US centers.

H2s, Sg-1002, Protects Against Myocardial Oxidative Damage And Hypertrophy In Vitro Via Induction Of Cystathionine Β-Synthase And Antioxidant Proteins, Rahib K. Islam, Erinn Donnelly, Erminia Donnarumma, Fokhrul Hossain, Jason D. Gardner, Kazi N. Islam

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Endogenously produced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is critical for cardiovascular homeostasis. Therapeutic strategies aimed at increasing H2S levels have proven cardioprotective in models of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF). The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of a novel H2S prodrug, SG-1002, on stress induced hypertrophic signaling in murine HL-1 cardiac muscle cells. Treatment of HL-1 cells with SG-1002 under serum starvation without or with H2O2 increased the levels of H2S, H2S producing enzyme, and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), as well as antioxidant protein levels, such as super oxide dismutase1 (SOD1) and catalase, and additionally decreased oxidative …

Clinical Characteristics And Implications Of Bradycardia In Covid‐19 Patients Treated With Remdesivir: A Single‐Center Retrospective Cohort Study, Ariyon Schreiber, Justin S. Bauzon, Kavita Batra, Salman Mohammed, Kevin Lee, Nazanin Houshmand, Uyen Pham, Celica Cosme, Kim Inciong, Omar Al‑Taweel, Keaton Nasser, Jibran Rana, Chris Sossou, Ariel Go, Dalia Hawwass, Jimmy Diep, Chowdhury H. Ahsan

School of Medicine Faculty Research

Background and Objectives: Remdesivir is an antiviral drug used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a relatively obscure cardiac efect profle. Previous studies have reported bradycardia associated with remdesivir, but few have examined its clinical characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate remdesivir associated bradycardia and its associated clinical characteristics and outcomes. Methods: This is a single-institution retrospective study that investigated bradycardia in 600 patients who received remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19. A total of 375 patients were included in the study after screening for other known causes of bradycardia (atrioventricular [AV] nodal blockers). All patients were …

Alternative Fixation Of Venous Valves For Bioprosthetic Applications, Makenzie Kapales

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Venous valve failure allows for the retrograde, or backward, flow of blood into the lower extremities, which leads to Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). CVI infringes upon quality of life through ulceration and can result in death due to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots, causing pulmonary embolism. A successful treatment of CVI restores valve function and prevents retrograde blood flow; however, current bioprosthetic venous valves exhibit low patency and high calcification. To improve upon bioprosthetic venous valves and CVI treatment, the University of Arkansas’s Cardiovascular Biomechanics Lab conducts studies with the purpose of comparing the properties and performance of …

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (Enos) And The Cardiovascular System: In Physiology And In Disease States, N Tran, T Garcia, M Aniqa, S Ali, A Ally, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a critical role in regulating and maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. The importance of eNOS can be emphasized from the genetic polymorphisms of the eNOS gene, uncoupling of eNOS dimerization, and its numerous signaling regulations. The activity of eNOS on the cardiac myocytes, vasculature, and the central nervous system are discussed. The effects of eNOS on the sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SANS) and the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (PANS), both of which profoundly influence the cardiovascular system, will be elaborated. The relationship between the eNOS protein with cardiovascular autonomic reflexes such as the baroreflex …

The Landscape Of Accessible Chromatin In Quiescent Cardiac Fibroblasts And Cardiac Fibroblasts Activated After Myocardial Infarction, Chaoyang Yi, Jiangwen Sun, Qianglin Liu, Sanjeeva Dodlapati, Hao Ming, Leshan Wang, Yuxia Li, Rui Li, Zongliang Jiang, Joseph Francis, Xing Fu

Computer Science Faculty Publications

After myocardial infarction, the massive death of cardiomyocytes leads to cardiac fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation, which contributes to the extracellular matrix remodelling of the infarcted myocardium. We recently found that myofibroblasts further differentiate into matrifibrocytes, a newly identified cardiac fibroblast differentiation state. Cardiac fibroblasts of different states have distinct gene expression profiles closely related to their functions. However, the mechanism responsible for the gene expression changes during these activation and differentiation events is still not clear. In this study, the gene expression profiling and genome-wide accessible chromatin mapping of mouse cardiac fibroblasts isolated from the uninjured myocardium and the …

The Impact Of Prolonged Estrogen Deficiency On Cardiac Hypertrophy Following Chronic Sympathetic Stimulation, Isabelle Krueger

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in developed countries. Compared to age-matched males, premenopausal women experience lower rates of CVD but this increases after menopause. A central feature in CVD is changes in sympathetic regulation leading to pathological changes such as cardiac hypertrophy characterized by changes in cardiomyocyte size due to overcompensation of the muscle following injury. The goal of this research is to study the effect of prolonged estrogen loss on cardiac hypertrophy following chronic sympathetic stimulation. Female mice were ovariectomized at 10 weeks of age and treated with Isoproterenol to …

The Effects Of Timing And Long-Term Estrogen Deficiency On Cardiac Fibrosis Following Chronic Sympathetic Stimulation, Samuel Wisecarver

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Evidence in animal studies show that estrogen in women is cardioprotective, but discrepancies remain between clinical and animal studies regarding progression of cardiovascular disease after menopause. Cardiac fibrosis, the build-up of type I and III collagen fibers, is a staple of cardiac remodeling. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of long-term estrogen loss in the heart; this study includes two time points (1-month and 5-month) post-ovariectomy. Mice were randomly selected for 4 treatment groups: SHAM, Ovariectomy (OVX), Isoproterenol (ISO) (a β-adrenergic agonist used to mimic chronic sympathetic stimulation) and OVX+ISO. Mice were infused with either Saline …

Role Of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase On Cardiovascular Functions In Physiological And Pathophysiological States, Ahmmed Ally, Isabella Powell, Minora M. Ally, Kevin Chaitoff, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This review describes and summarizes the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) on the central nervous system, particularly on brain regions such as the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) and the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), and on blood vessels and the heart that are involved in the regulation and control of the cardiovascular system (CVS). Furthermore, we shall also review the functional aspects of nNOS during several physiological, pathophysiological, and clinical conditions such as exercise, pain, cerebral vascular accidents or stroke and hypertension. For example, during stroke, a cascade of molecular, neurochemical, and cellular changes occur that affect the nervous system …

Antenatal Glucocorticoid Treatment Is Associated With Diurnal Cortisol Regulation In Term-Born Children, M. N. Edelmann, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, D. A. Wing, Elyssia Poggi Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Due to the rapid developmental changes that occur during the fetal period, prenatal influences can affect the developing central nervous system with lifelong consequences for physical and mental health. Glucocorticoids are one of the proposed mechanisms by which fetal programing occurs. Glucocorticoids pass through the blood-brain barrier and target receptors throughout the central nervous system. Unlike endogenous glucocorticoids, synthetic glucocorticoids readily pass through the placental barrier to reach the developing fetus. The synthetic glucocorticoid, betamethasone, is routinely given prenatally to mothers at risk for preterm delivery. Over 25% of the fetuses exposed to betamethasone will be born at term. Few …

Euphoria From Drinking Alcoholic Beverages May Be Due To Reversible Constriction Of Cerebral Blood Vessels: Potential Roles Of Unrecognized Ionized Hypomagnesemia, And Release Of Ceramides And Platelet-Activating Factor, Burton M. Altura, Aimin Zhang, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Asefa Gebrewold, Bella T. Altura

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown) Publications and Research

The authors discuss the feeling of euphoria when drinking alcohol. They summarize studies that suggest this feeling is due to blood vessel constriction, and explain why they believe that the specific mechanism that results in euphoria is the rapid, reversible release o free magnesium ions ([Mg2+]) coupled to the release of ceramides and platelet-activating factor (PAF).

Novel Oral Anticoagulants For Stroke Prophylaxis And Venous Thromboembolism Prevention And Treatment, Laith G. Alsayegh

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are becoming popular management options for stroke prophylaxis in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation as well as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism treatment and prophylaxis. NOACs have similar efficacy to warfarin along with noninferior safety profiles. Patient comorbidities, size, renal and hepatic function, and concomitant drug regimen play a role in which NOAC a physician may choose.

Oseltamivir-Warfarin Interaction In Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Case Report And Review., Jonathan B. Wagner, Susan M. Abdel-Rahman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

An 8-year-old boy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with a previous history of thrombosis within the inferior vena cava receiving stable warfarin dosing for anticoagulation was diagnosed with influenza B. He was subsequently placed on oseltamivir therapy according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical practice guidelines. During the hospitalization, his international normalized ratio steadily increased to supratherapeutic levels and returned to baseline after discontinuation of oseltamivir therapy. This case represents a drug-drug interaction that has not been previously reported in children or adolescents. An extensive review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic literature did not uncover a definitive …

Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing 5’-Inositol Phosphatase-2 (Ship2) Is An Effector Of Lymphatic Dysfunction, Germaine D. Agollah

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The lymphatic system is essential for the transport of excess fluid, protein, and foreign materials from interstitial tissues to lymph nodes; for immune surveillance, and to maintain fluid homeostasis. Dysregulated lymphatics can be attributed to pathological conditions including tumor metastasis, inflammation, chronic wounds, obesity, blood vascular disorders, and lymphedema. Of these, lymphedema is the most extreme of lymphatic disorders and is represented by a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild, subtle presentation to severe, disfiguring, overt presentation. Lymphedema is more manageable in the early stages of disease but severely reduces quality of life with progression. Due to lack of molecular …

Effects Of Cannabidiol On Contractions And Calcium Signaling In Rat Ventricular Myocytes, Ramez M. Ali, Lina T. Al Kury, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Anwar Qureshi, Mohanraj Rajesh, Sehamuddin Galadari, Yaroslav M. Shuba, Frank Christopher Howarth, Murat Oz

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Cannabidiol (CBD), a major nonpsychotropic cannabinoid found in Cannabis plant, has been shown to influence cardiovascular functions under various physiological and pathological conditions. In the present study, the effects of CBD on contractility and electrophysiological properties of rat ventricular myocytes were investigated. Video edge detection was used to measure myocyte shortening. Intracellular Ca2+ was measured in cells loaded with the Ca2+ sensitive fluorescent indicator fura-2 AM. Whole-cell patch clamp was used to measure action potential and Ca2+ currents. Radioligand binding was employed to study pharmacological characteristics of CBD binding. CBD (1 μM) caused a significant decrease in the amplitudes of …