Projects

Dr Nevena Mihailović-Stanojević, dr Đurđica Jovović, dr Zoran Miloradović, dr Jelica Grujić Milanović, dr Milan Ivanov

University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Institute of national importance for the Republic of Serbia

The subproject was designed with the aim to explore the possible role of the active components of Thymus serpyllum L. and Urtica dioica L. from Serbia in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In this subproject, the in vivo effects of extracts of Thymus serpyllum L. and Urtica dioica L. on blood pressure, peripheral circulation resistance, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress were studied in the model of essential and malignant hypertension in rats with congenital hypertension. These results formed the basis for further research into the chronic effects of biologically active substances from Thymus serpyllum L. and Urtica dioica L. and for their application as dietary supplements in the therapy of cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Đurđica Jovović, dr Zoran Miloradović, dr Nevena Mihailović-Stanojević, dr Jelica Grujić Milanović, dr Milan Ivanov, dr Danijela Karanović, dr Una Jovana Vajić

University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Institute of national importance for the Republic of Serbia

One of the main objectives of the project was to investigate the effects of natural and synthetic antioxidant substances in hypertension and acute and chronic renal failure. The effects of using olive extract (which contains potent antioxidants) on animal models of essential hypertension and kidney disease were also studied. Part of the project also included testing the beneficial effects of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant molecule isolated from grapes, in models of experimental essential and malignant hypertension. The relationship between the renin-angiotensin system and oxidative stress in the development of post-ischemic acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease was investigated. We used rats with essential hypertension in which we induced acute kidney injury or adriamycin-induced renal glomerulosclerosis and administered angiotensin-2 receptor blockers and synthetic analogues of the enzyme superoxide dismutase. The results of these studies have revealed to us inadequately known mechanisms of action of oxidative stress and the renin-angiotensin system in hypertension, acute renal failure, and chronic kidney disease.