The Vascular System

As long as an organism consists of only a few cells, communication and transport from one cell to another can take place without the need for systems specially designed for that purpose. If the number of cells and, thus, the size of the organism increases then special vascular systems must be developed. This need becomes the more imperative for the reason that specialization of individual cells in a multicellular organism is driven so far in quite different directions that an individual, highly differentiated cell, would be neither viable nor able to function without being supplemented by other differentiated cells of other kinds. 

One further property is associated with the conductive function. A part of the conducting elements, those of the xylem, make an important contribution to the mechanical properties of higher plants by lignification and the hardening of their walls, which that implies (Fig. 102). 

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Grafts are also frequently employed in the upper part of the body to reconstmct damaged portions of the aorta and carotid arteries. In addition, grafts are used to access the vascular system, such as in hemodialysis to avoid damage of vessels from repeated needle punctures. Most grafts are synthetic and made from materials such as Dacron or Teflon. Less than 5% of grafts utilized are made from biological materials. 

Blood Access Devices. An investigational device called the Osteoport system allows repeated access to the vascular system via an iatraosseous iafusion directiy iato the bone marrow. The port is implanted subcutaneously and secured iato a bone, such as the iUac crest. Medications are adrninistered as ia any conventional port, but are taken up by the venous sinusoids ia the marrow cavity, and from there enter the peripheral circulation (8). 

Impla.nta.ble Ports. The safest method of accessing the vascular system is by means of a vascular access device (VAD) or port. Older VAD designs protmded through the skin. The totally implanted ports are designed for convenience, near absence of infection, and ease of implantation. Ports allow dmgs and fluids to be deUvered directiy into the bloodstream without repeated insertion of needles into a vein. The primary recipients of totally implanted ports are patients receiving chemotherapy, bolus infusions of vesicants, parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, analgesics, and acquired immune disease syndrome (AIDS) medications. 

Several chemical compounds can have an adverse effect on the heart and the vascular system. The effect may first appear as a transient change in the cardiac function. However, prolonged exposure increases the risk of permanent effects. Occasionally, functional effects such as cardiac arrhythmias may even lead to death. Furthermore, in many cases the effects of chemicals... 

VEGFs, the angiopoietins, the Ephrins and Notch molecules stand out as they act specifically or preferentially on the vascular system and have, thus, to be considered as key regulatory molecules of the angiogenic cascade [3]. 

In the vascular system, endothelial ETB receptors mediate a transient vasodilation, whereas ETA receptors cause a long-lasting vasoconstriction. The role of ETb receptors expressed on smooth muscle cells... 

Mergia E, Friebe A, Dangel O et al (2006) Spare guanylyl cyclase NO receptors ensure high NO sensitivity in the vascular system. J Clin Invest 116 1731-1737... 

Non-neuronal cells (including astrocytes, mechan-osensory hair cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, endothelial cells of the vascular system, muscle cells, lymphocytes, intestinal epithelial cells and various cell-types of the lungs)... 

III COL3A1 Extensible connective tissues such as skin, lung, and the vascular system... 

These results corroborated that alfalfa absorbed the Au(0) from the medium and translocated it through the vascular system. The EXAFS results (Figure 5, Table 3) showed that the Au atoms in plant samples had longer distances that the Au atoms in the tetrachloroaurate, but had equivalent distance to the Au atoms in the gold foil, which confirmed that the Au in plant samples was Au(0). 

Karlsson, K., Sandstrom, J., Edlund, A., Edlund, T. and Mark-lund, S.L. (1993). Pharmacokinetics of extracellular superoxide dismutase in the vascular system. Free Rad. Biol. Med. 14, 185-190. 

The pathophysiologic mechanisms of portal hypertension and of cirrhosis itself are entwined with the mechanisms of ascites (Fig. 19-3). Cirrhotic changes and the subsequent decrease in synthetic function lead to a decrease in production of albumin (hypoalbuminemia). Albumin is the major intravascular protein involved in maintaining oncotic pressure in the vascular system low serum albumin levels and increased capillary permeability allow fluid to leak from the vascular space into body tissues. This can result in peripheral edema, ascites, and fluid in the pulmonary system. The obstruction of hepatic sinusoids and... 

Although most drugs are absorbed from the intestine by the blood capillary network in the villi, they can also be taken up by the lymphatic system (an integral and necessary part of the vascular system, the function of which is to collect extra tissue fluid and return it to the vascular compartment), particularly by M cells that reside in the Peyer s patch regions of the intestine. Peyer s patches have also been implicated in the regulation of the secretory immune response. Wachsmann et al. [277] reported that an antigenic material encapsulated within a liposome, when administered perorally, is taken up by these M cells and exhibited better saliva and serum IgA (primary and secondary)... 

Platelets play a role in each of the mechanisms of normal hemostasis vasoconstriction, formation of the platelet plug, and blood coagulation. However, they are also involved in pathological processes that lead to atherosclerosis and thrombosis (formation of a blood clot within the vascular system). Antiplatelet drugs interfere with platelet function and are used to prevent the development of atherosclerosis and formation of arterial thrombi. 

Introduction of a water-soluble ionic substance into the vascular system results in an increase in the number of particles in the bloodstream as the contrast substance dissolves. The body possesses several internal regulation systems and, when perturbed by an injection, attempts to restore the concentrations of substances in the blood to their normal or preinjection levels. To re-equilibrate the system, water from the cells of surrounding body tissue moves into the blood plasma through capillary membranes. This transfer of water is an example of osmosis, the diffusion of a solvent (water) through a semipermeable membrane (the blood vessels) into a more concentrated solution (the blood) to equalize the concentrations on both sides of the membrane. To accommodate the increase in... 

Although pH optical fibre sensors have been already developed for blood analysis, they were not designed to reach, through a catheter, the vascular system of the brain. A pH sensor was developed for this purpose at the... 

Development of the LAL assay was based upon the observation that the presence of Gramnegative bacteria in the vascular system of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, resulted in the clotting of its blood. Tests on fractionated blood showed that the factor responsible for coagulation resided within the crab s circulating blood cells, i.e. the amoebocytes. Further research revealed that the bacterial agent responsible of initiation of clot formation was endotoxin. 

HSA is the single most abundant protein in blood (Table 12.7). Its normal concentration is approximately 42 g 1 1, representing 60 per cent of total plasma protein. The vascular system of an average adult thus contains in the region of 150 g of albumin. HSA is responsible for over 80 per cent of the colloidal osmotic pressure of human blood. More than any other plasma constituent, HSA is thus responsible for retaining sufficient fluid within blood vessels. It has been aptly described as the protein that makes blood thicker than water. 

In addition to its osmoregulatory function, HSA serves a transport function. Various metabolites travel throughout the vascular system predominantly bound to HSA. These include fatty acids, amino acids, steroid hormones and heavy metals (e.g. copper and zinc), as well as many drugs. 

Rubanyi GM, Kauser K, Johns A (2002) Role of estrogen receptors in the vascular system. Vascul Pharmacol 38 81... 

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