Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) is the main physiologic inhibitor of fibrinolysis. However, it is also involved in many physiological processes such as extracellular matrix (ECM) proteolysis and remodeling, cell adhesion, motility, and apoptosis, angiogenesis, etc. The aim of the study was to summarize current knowledge and gain insights into the mechanisms of PAI-1 action in the processes of stromal remodeling and diseases with considerable matrix pathologies (atherosclerosis, tissue fibrosis, cancer metastasis, pregnancy related complications, etc). As a component of an early cellular response to injury, PAI-1 reacts with membrane surface proteins and participates in the initiation of intracellular signaling, specifically cytoskeletal reorganization and motility. Complexity of ECM homeostasis resides in varying relation of the plasminogen system components and other matrix constituents. Inflammatory mediators (transforming growth factor-β and interferon-γ) and hormones (angiotensin II) are in the close interdependent relation with PAI-1. Also, special attention is devoted to the role of increased PAI-1 concentrations due to the common 4G/5G polymorphism. Some of the novel mechanisms of ECM modification consider PAI-1 dependent stabilization of urokinase mediated cell adhesion, control of the vascular endothelial cadherin trafficking and interaction with endothelial cells proteasome, its relation to matrix metalloproteinase 2 and osteopontin, and oxidative inhibition by myeloperoxidase. Targeting and/or alteration of PAI-1 functions might bring benefit to the future therapeutic approaches in diseases where ECM undergoes substantial remodeling.

Objective : Here we report the influence of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of the lipid peroxidation process (LP), on multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis and its neurological signs, during the treatment with aminoguanidine (AG) – a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and...

P-glycoprotein (P-gp/MDR1), a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters super family, encoded by the ABCB1/MDR1 gene, is one of suggested respiratory tract protection components, found in various tissues with a barrier function, such as tracheobronchial epithelium and lung parenchyma. As an ATP-dependent pump, P-gp extrudes lipophilic particles out of cells and acts as a gatekeeper against numerous xenobiotics, with a protective role in mediating DNA damage, secretion of toxic compounds, apoptosis and the immune response. Therefore, a presence of MDR1 polymorphisms and altered P-gp expression may be important for pathogenesis of reduced lung inflammatory response on cigarette smoke exposure, as well as for the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer pathogenesis and treatment efficacy. We have analyzed data available from experimental and clinical studies performed to establish the role of MDR1 polymorphisms, especially the 3435C>T variation, and P-gp expression in pathogenesis and clinical outcome of human respiratory diseases. Although there are indications that altered expression of P-gp and/or polymorphisms of MDR1 gene play an important role in respiratory diseases pathogenesis and treatment, their exact role and relevance are insufficiently investigated, with exception of certain chemotherapeutic agents' efficacy in lung cancer treatment. Further research in this field, including bigger series of patients, is necessary for better understanding of respiratory diseases' pathogenesis and treatment.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a well-established cell-mediated autoimmune inflammatory disease of the CNS, which has been used as a model of the human demyelinating disease. EAE is characterized by infiltration of the CNS by lymphocytes and mononuclear cells, microglial and astrocytic hypertrophy, and demyelination which cumulatively contribute to clinical expression of the disease. EAE was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats, 3 months old (300 g +/- 20 g), by immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP) in combination with Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The animals were divided into 7 groups: control, EAE, CFA, EAE + aminoguanidine (AG), AG, EAE + N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and NAC. The animals were sacrificed 15 days after EAE induction, and the level of nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by measuring nitrite and nitrate concentrations in 10% homogenate of cerebellum and spinal cord. Obtained results showed that the level of NO was significantly increased in all examined tissues of the EAE rats compared to the control and CFA groups. Also, AG and NAC treatment decreased the level of NO. in all tissues compared to the EAE group. The level of NO is increased significantly in the spinal cord compared to the cerebellum. The clinical course of the EAE was significantly decreased in the EAE groups treated with AG and NAC during the development of the disease compared to EAE group and its correlates with the NO level in cerebellum and spinal cord. The findings of our work suggest that NO and its derivatives play an important role in multiple sclerosis (MS). It may be the best target for new therapies in human demyelinating disease and recommend the new therapeutic approaches based on a decreased level of NO during the course of MS.

There is increasing evidence about the benefits of regular physical activity in the chronically ill. Patients with chronic renal failure prior to and after renal transplant are one of the target groups in which increased controlled physical activity is highly recommended. Significant atrophy and increased non-contractile tissue are present in the muscle of predialytic and patients on hemodialysis, which is associated with poor physical performance and poor outcome of renal disease. Thus, interventions to increase physical activity or otherwise address atrophy may improve performance and quality of life in these patients. Other abnormalities in these patients, such as metabolic impairments, anemia, and hormonal changes, especially insulin resistance and lipid disorders, could be also modulated by certain therapeutic agents and physical activity. Increasing activity levels in this target group could be particularly important since it is well established that controlled physical exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population. Patients who participate in regular physical activity following transplant will have higher health-related fitness and quality of life compared to those who remain inactive. The potential risk of physical activity can be reduced by medical evaluation, risk stratification, careful supervision, and education