Manuela Ciocoiu

By Manuela Ciocoiu, Laurentiu Badescu and Magda Badescu

This chapter focuses on certain natural polyphenolic extracts from Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott and also on their effects in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The phenolic profile of berries ethanolic extract was characterized by HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS. HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS allowed identification of five phenolic compounds: chlorogenic acid, kuromanin, rutin, hyperoside, and quercetin. The results reveal that the glycosylated hemoglobin values are much higher in the diabetic group (DM) and they are significantly lower in the group protected by polyphenols (DM+P). It is found that due to the polyphenolic protection of the rats from the DM+P, the atherogen risk is preserved at normal limits. The serous activity of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide-dismutase (SOD) has significantly lower values in the diabetic group as compared to the group protected by polyphenols. Renal function indicators like creatinine and blood-urea nitrogen (BUN) were also elevated in the streptozotocin diabetic rats when compared with control rats. When compared with the diabetic group the elevated levels of BUN was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in animals treated with natural polyphenols. Through the hypoglycemiant, hypolipemiant, and antioxidant effects, A. melanocarpa represents a possible dietary adjunct for the treatment of diabetes and a potential source of active agents for the prevention of microvascular diabetes complications.

Part of the book: Phenolic Compounds

By Manuela Ciocoiu, Bogdan Mihail Diaconescu and Codruta Badescu

The aim of this study is to estimate the influence of polyphenolic compounds, renin inhibitors (Aliskiren) and their association on clinical and biochemical parameters, on an experimental model of arterial hypertension (AHT). The combination of Aliskiren and polyphenolic extract has the effect of reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Experimental data highlight the hypocholesterolemic, antiatheromatous, hypolipidemic and cardioprotective effects of polyphenolic extracts. The results demonstrate a significant decrease in the measured biochemical parameters of the oxidative stress (unspecific - ceruloplasmin, uric acid and enzyme - GSH-Px and SOD) of the groups treated with polyphenolic extracts. In the polyphenolically protected AHT group there are statistically significant differences compared to the AHT group, regarding the platelet adhesion index. Aliskiren has more evident vascular protective effects when associated with polyphenols in the experimental AHT compared to unprotected hypertensive group. The antioxidant properties of anthocyanins, combined with the vascular properties of these substances, recommend them as promising therapeutic agents in the prevention/therapy of cardiovascular disorders in general and of AHT in particular. The characterization of polyphenolic extracts, as well as the studies on biocompatibility, will constitute the baseline for understanding the mechanisms, by which phytopreparations can be used for preventive or adjuvant therapeutic purposes.

Part of the book: Blood Pressure

By Iris Bararu Bojan, Oana-Viola Badulescu, Maria Vladeanu, Andrei Bojan and Manuela Ciocoiu

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of myocardial infarction. This process involves a complex interplay between metabolic pathways governing lipid deposition, inflammatory and immune responses to oxidized lipids, and endothelial dysfunction. Myocardial infarction appears when these processes culminate with a thrombotic event. Markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and leukocyte levels are strong predictors of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. This process involves a complex interplay between metabolic pathways governing lipid deposition, inflammatory and immune responses to oxidized lipids, and endothelial dysfunction. Myocardial infarction appears when these processes culminate with a thrombotic event. Markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and leukocyte levels are strong predictors of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. This review will summarize the molecular and cellular links between inflammation and thrombosis in the context of myocardial infarction, which support the concept of a thrombo inflammatory state leading to the vessel obstruction and to the subsequent myocardial necrosis.

Part of the book: Cardiac Diseases

By Iris Bararu Bojan, Stefan Dobreanu, Oana Viola Badulescu, Maria Cristina Vladeanu, Andrei Bojan, Carmen Elena Plesoianu and Manuela Ciocoiu

Thrombophilia is a condition of hypercoagulability, which is defined as an abnormality of blood clotting, disturbing the balance between procoagulants and anticoagulants in favor of the former, thus increasing the risk of thrombosis. It can be classified into different categories, such as genetic/administered; primary/secondary; permanent/transient; low risk/high risk. Venous thromboembolism is the main and most common complication of a hypercoagulable condition, with an enormous impact on any national health system. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved are at various stages of research, some of which are far from being fully elucidated. Treatment of thrombophilia differs—while most conditions do not require anticoagulation as primary prophylaxis, secondary prophylaxis may require transient or permanent anticoagulation. Treatment options include parenteral unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), fondaparinux or orally administered vitamin K antagonists, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), such as rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, with increasing indications as data accumulate from recent and ongoing studies and trials.

Part of the book: Anticoagulation