The condition results in altered electrical membrane properties (EMPs) of fetal neurons, which are qualitatively identical to those of trisomy 16 fetal mice (Ts16), an animal model of the human condition. Ts16 hippocampal cultured neurons reportedly exhibit increased voltage-dependent calcium currents ( (Ca)) amplitude. Since Ts16 animals are unviable, we have established immortalized cell lines from the

cerebral cortex of Ts16 (named CTb) and normal littermates (named CNh). Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we have now studied (Ca) in CTb and CNh cells. Current activation occurs at -40 mV in both cell lines ( (holding) = -80 mV). Trisomic cells exhibited a 2.4 fold increase in the maximal Ca2+ current density compared to normal cells (CNh = -6.3 +/-

Smoothened Agonist ACY-738 Epigenetics inhibitor A 0.77 pA/pF, = 18; CTb = -16.4 +/- A 2.423 pA/pF; < 0.01, = 13). Time dependent kinetics for activation and inactivation did not differ between the two cell types. However, steady state inactivation studies revealed a 15 mV shift toward more depolarized potentials in the trisomic condition, suggesting that altered voltage dependence of inactivation may underlie the increased current density. Further, the total charge movement across the membrane is increased in CTb cells, in agreement with that expected by the potential sensitivity shift. These results indicate that CTb cells present altered Ca2+ currents, similar to those of Ts16 primary cultured central neurons. The CTb cell line represents Bax apoptosis a model for studying DS-related impairments of EMPs.”
“Background: Cranberry juice contains polyphenolic compounds that could improve endothelial function and reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Objective: The objective was to examine the effects of cranberry juice on vascular function in subjects with coronary artery disease.

Design: We completed an acute pilot study with no placebo (n = 15)

and a chronic placebo-controlled crossover study (n = 44) that examined the effects of cranberry juice on vascular function in subjects with coronary artery disease.

Results: In the chronic crossover study, subjects with coronary heart disease consumed a research preparation of double-strength cranberry juice (54% juice, 835 mg total polyphenols, and 94 mg anthocyanins) or a matched placebo beverage (480 mL/d) for 4 wk each with a 2-wk rest period between beverages. Beverage order was randomly assigned, and participants refrained from consuming other flavonoid-containing beverages during the study. Vascular function was measured before and after each beverage, with follow-up testing >= 12 h after consumption of the last beverage. Mean (+/- SD) carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, a measure of central aortic stiffness, decreased after cranberry juice (8.3 +/- 2.3 to 7.8 +/- 2.2 m/s) in contrast with an increase after placebo (8.0 +/- 2.0 to 8.4 +/- 2.8 m/s) (P = 0.003).