内,外源性生长抑素对离体培养的胰岛β细胞抗链佐霉素损伤的保护作用

在以前整体及器官水平工作的基础上,本工作进一步在离体培养的胰岛细胞上观察生长抑素(somatostatin,SS)对链佐霉素(streptozotocin,STZ)诱导的胰岛β细胞损伤的保护作用。结果表明,在向培养的胰岛细胞中加入STZ前10min,加入不同剂量(0.025,0.05和0.1μg/ml)的SS,可不同程度地保护β细胞免受STZ的破坏。给药后6h,活细胞数由STZ破坏组的41.13±0.65万个/ml分别回升到49.0±2.0,53.0±1.33和53.38±1.74万个/ml;在给药后12h,活细胞数由破坏组的46.75±0.75万个/ml,分别升为53.0±1.25,57.04±2.39和63.13±0.62万个/ml,与破坏组间均有显著差异。电镜下超微结构的观察显示,破坏组胰岛内β细胞大量死亡,胞质内正常细胞器结构消失,代之以大量空泡和颗粒状物质;胞核结构不清。而保护组的β细胞结构完整,分泌颗粒轮廓典型,高尔基复合体及线粒体结构正常。用SS抗血清中和内源性SS后再给予STZ,β细胞破坏更为严重,但重新补充SS则可翻转抗血清的效果。加入钙离子载体A_(23187),对SS的保护作用无明显影响,表明这一作用可能与Ca~(2 )机制无关。     

大鼠胰岛分离条件的优化

目的:优化大鼠胰岛分离纯化的条件,为胰岛移植实验奠定基础。方法:通过胆总管灌注胶原酶P来消化大鼠胰腺,分离胰岛,采用不连续密度梯度Ficoll离心法纯化胰岛,观察胶原酶浓度、消化时间以及大鼠体重对胰岛分离结果的影响。双硫腙染色鉴定胰岛,丫啶橙/碘丙啶染色鉴定胰岛细胞活率,糖刺激胰岛素释放试验评价胰岛功能。结果:胶原酶浓度、消化时间以及大鼠体重对胰岛分离结果有重要影响。1mg/ml胶原酶P在37℃静止消化45分钟条件下,胰岛分离效果最佳,效果较其他酶浓度和消化时间条件下好(P＜0．05)。体重350g的大鼠的胰岛收获量778．33±80．21IEQ/胰腺,而体重250g的大鼠的胰岛收获量655．00±56．56 IEQ/胰腺(P＜0．05)。优化条件下分离的胰岛其纯度＞90%,胰岛细胞活率＞90%,低糖(2．8mmol/L)、高糖(16．7mmol/L)刺激胰岛素释放分别为(5．40±1．75)mIU/L/30IEQ,(12．27±2．55)mIU/L/30IEQ(P＜0．05),刺激指数为2．33±0．29。结论:胶原酶浓度、消化时间以及大鼠体重影响胰岛分离结果,优化分离条件可改善大鼠胰岛分离结果。     

厄贝沙坦对链脲佐菌素和过氧化氢诱导的β细胞氧化损伤保护作用

目的 探讨厄贝沙坦对链脲佐菌素(STZ)和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)诱导的β细胞损伤影响。方法 (1)将NIT-1细胞分为对照组及1、2、5 mmol/L STZ和300、500μmol/L H₂O₂组,处理30 min后,采用Hoechst 33342法检测各组细胞凋亡形态变化,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,RT-qPCR检测Caspase3 mRNA水平。(2)将NIT-1细胞分为STZ及0.001、0.01、0.1 mmol/L厄贝沙坦组,作用24、48和72 h。(3)将NIT-1细胞分为H₂O₂及0.001、0.01、0.1 mmol/L厄贝沙坦组,作用24、48和72 h。采用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率和活性氧(ROS)含量,RT-qPCR检测血管紧张素II型1受体(AT1R)mRNA表达。结果 Hoechst 33342染色显示,5 mmol/L STZ组相较于1、2 mmol/L STZ组,500μmol/L H₂O_2<...     

可示踪转基因斑马鱼胰岛β细胞破坏和再生模型分析

本研究目的是在斑马鱼体内建立符合高通量药物筛选条件的胰岛β细胞破坏模型,用于筛选出针对糖尿病胰岛β细胞再生的药物。利用胰岛素-硝基还原酶-绿色荧光蛋白(insulin-nfs B-green fluorescent protein;INS-nfs B-GFP)转基因系F1/F2代胚胎分为A组(正常对照组),根据胚胎时相大小分为3个大组,B组受精后24 h(24 hours postfertilization,24 hpf)、C组受精后36 h(36 hours postfertilization,36 hpf)、D组受精后48 h(48 hours postfertilization,48 hpf),分别在不同毫摩尔(mmol/L)浓度(5 mmol/L,7.5 mmol/L,10 mmol/L,15 mmol/L)的甲硝唑中孵育24~48 h,通过体式倒置荧光显微镜和共焦显微镜观察斑马鱼胰岛β细胞破坏及荧光表达的情况,同时用原位杂交方法进一步在分子水平证实。结果显示,斑马鱼胚胎36 hpf加10 mmol/L浓度的甲硝唑并孵育36 h,荧光明显消失,并且畸形率和死亡率较低,是创造胰岛条件β细胞破坏的转基因斑马鱼模型的理想条件,在此基础上去甲硝唑10~86 h后继续观察胰岛β细胞再生,结果发现在去除甲硝唑24 h(即斑马鱼胚胎96 hpf)时胰岛β细胞开始再生。本模型的建立对于糖尿病的临床价值和应用前景有着非常重要的意义,利用这一条件使高通量筛选具有胰岛功能恢复作用药物成为可能,将为糖尿病的治疗开辟新的道路。     

链脲佐菌素致胰岛NO自由基损伤模型的建立和应用

以链脲佐菌素Streptozotocin（简称STZ）为糖尿病的诱因,以NO自由基含量为响应指标,建立了体外小鼠胰岛水平糖尿病药物筛选模型。当STZ作用浓度在0～50mmol/L内变化时,培养液中被检测到的NO大部分是来源于STZ溶于水后释放出的,而很小一部分是由胰岛培养物自身释放的,后者稳定在30～35mmol/L之间。另一方面,NO含量与胰岛素分泌量的剂量关系表明NO的增加伴随着胰岛素分泌量的下降,这标志着NO对胰岛功能的氧化性损伤,从而验证了NO作为该模型响应参量的可靠性。最终确定STZ致胰岛NO自由基损伤模型中STZ的作用浓度为5.0mmol/L,此时NO含量和胰岛素分泌量分别为STZ未加入前的10.81倍和0.43倍。最后应用该模型,快捷地考察了不同铬含量的魔芋葡甘露寡糖铬络合物（简称KOSCr）清除NO自由基的能力。     

小檗碱对游离脂肪酸损伤的胰岛βTC3细胞的保护作用

目的:观察小檗碱对棕榈酸损伤的胰岛βTC3细胞是否具有保护作用,并筛查出小檗碱起保护作用的有效浓度及合适的作用时间。方法:以胰岛βTC3细胞为研究对象,用棕榈酸构建脂毒性模型,MTT法筛选小檗碱起保护作用的有效浓度及时间;流式细胞技术检测胰岛βTC3细胞凋亡情况。结果:10.001-1μmol/L小檗碱作用βTC3细胞24、48、72 h,对细胞增殖有不同程度促进作用(与对照组比较P0.05);随着作用时间的延长,低浓度小檗碱对βTC3细胞的保护作用增加,而1μmol/L浓度保护作用下降,10μmol/L及以上浓度出现细胞毒性作用(与对照组相比P0.01),并呈浓度依赖性。2棕榈酸(0.2-1.0 mmol/L)对βTC3细胞的损伤作用具有浓度及时间依赖性(与对照组比较P0.05)。3棕榈酸处理βTC3细胞不同时间后,小檗碱治疗组较模型组的细胞凋亡率显著降低(P0.01)。结论:小檗碱对脂毒性损伤的胰岛βTC3细胞具有保护作用,且脂毒性作用时间越短,小檗碱的保护作用越好,随着脂毒性作用时间的延长,小檗碱的保护作用明显减弱。因此,建议临床上在脂代谢紊乱早期给予小檗碱干预以减轻甚至逆转游离脂肪酸导致的胰岛β细胞凋亡。     

链脲佐菌素诱导C57BL/6J小鼠2型糖尿病模型研究

目的建立与2型糖尿病(非胰岛素依赖型糠尿病、NIDDM)病人临床特征和发病过程相似的NIDDM动物模型.方法用高脂肪饲料喂养C57BL/6J雄性断乳小鼠3周,腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ),继续喂养4周,测定给药前和给药后1、3、4周非空腹血糖、实验结束时非空腹胰岛素水平,观察胰腺形态学变化.结果喂养3周后(给药前)高脂饲料-STZ组及高脂饲料-柠檬酸组血糖浓度(7.0±0.39)mmol/L、( 6.8±0.45)mmol/L高于普通饲料-STZ组及普通饲料-柠檬酸组(5.3±0.40)mmol/L、(5. 4±0.39)mmol/L,P＜0.05;实验结束时,高脂饲料-STZ组血糖浓度(13 .1±2.01)mmo/L高于高脂饲料-柠檬酸(6.9±0.46)mmol/L、普通饲料-柠檬酸组(6.0± 0.46)mmol/L和普通饲料-STZ组(7.1±0.62)mmol/L(P＜0.05),各组间血浆胰岛素浓度、体重及饮水量差异无显著性,P＞0.05;实验过程中高脂饲料STZ组和柠檬酸组小鼠每天进食热量(64.49±9.2)kJ/只,(70.7±9.6)kJ/只, 显著高于普通饲料STZ组和柠檬酸组(52.7±7.9)kJ/只,(57.3±11.7)kJ/只;各组小鼠胰腺和胰岛细胞形态正常.结论高脂肪饲料和STZ是用C57BL/6J断乳幼鼠建立NIDDM模型所必须的,100mg/kg体重STZ对普通饲料小鼠血糖无影响;用高脂饲料和STZ 处理的小鼠血糖升高、胰岛素浓度正常,与NIDM病人临床特征和发病过程相似;C57BL/6J小鼠易得,建模方法简便,费用低,是在NIDDM实验研究中能广泛使用的较理想的非遗传性NID DM动物模型.     

枸杞多糖对四氧嘧啶损伤的大鼠胰岛细胞的保护作用

报道了枸杞多糖(Lb-PS)对4mmol／L四氧嘧啶(AXN)损伤的离体培养的大鼠胰岛细胞的保护作用。实验分为正常对照素、AXN损伤组和Lb-PS保护组。采用放射免疫分析法测定胰岛细胞内胰岛素水平以及葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素释放水平。分光光度比色法测定细胞内SOD和葡萄糖激酶的活性,以及培养基中NO和MDA的含量。结果表明,AXN显著抑制细胞内的胰岛素合成和葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素释放,以及SOD和葡萄糖激酶的活性。AXN促使培养基中N0和MDA浓度的显著增加。在同时加入AxN和105～102mg／ml Lb—PS的实验组中,均发现能不同程度地保护胰岛细胞免受AXN的损伤。Lb-PS能恢复AXN损伤的胰岛细胞的胰岛素合成和释放水平,以及SOD和葡萄糖激酶的活性,使其基本达到正常对照组的水平。Lb-PS还能降低培养基中NO和MDA的浓度。因此,Lb-PS可能通过减少胰岛β细胞的NO产量和维持SOD和葡萄糖激酶的活性,最终起到保护胰岛素合成和释放功能的作用。     

牛磺酸对HepG2细胞甘油三酯合成的影响研究

本文探讨牛磺酸对HepG2细胞甘油三酯合成的影响,为牛磺酸预防/改善机体高脂状态的深入研究提供参考。在DMEM培养基中添加0.05 mmol/L油酸建立高甘油三酯细胞模型,分别以终浓度为1、5、10、20 mmol/L的牛磺酸处理细胞24、48、72 h,测定细胞内甘油三酯水平;并检测5 mmol/L牛磺酸作用24 h后细胞内固醇调节元件结合蛋白1c(SREBP-1c)及脂肪合成相关酶乙酰辅酶A合成酶(AceCS)、乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)、脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)、长链酰基辅酶A合成酶1(ACSL1)的蛋白表达水平。1 mmol/L牛磺酸作用72 h,5和10 mmol/L牛磺酸作用24、48、72 h,20 mmol/L牛磺酸作用24和48 h均可使高脂HepG2细胞内甘油三酯水平显著下降(P0.05);5 mmol/L牛磺酸作用24 h,高脂HepG2细胞的SREBP-1c、FAS、ACC、AceCS1、ACSL1表达明显减少(P0.05),磷酸化ACC表达显著增加(P0.05)。结论:牛磺酸通过调控SREBP-1c及其下游靶基因而抑制高脂HepG2细胞脂肪酸/甘油三酯的合成。     

Tfh 细胞在NOD小鼠糖尿病发病过程中的作用机制的研究

目的:研究滤泡辅助性T细胞(Follicular Helper T cell,Tfh)在非肥胖性糖尿病小鼠(Non-obese Diabetic mice,NOD)发病过程中的作用机制。方法:实验动物NOD小鼠按血糖值分为胰岛炎组(血糖浓度≤9 mmol/L)及糖尿病组(血糖浓度≥20 mmol/L)。ELISA法检测各组中糖尿病自身抗体谷氨酸脱羧酶抗体(65-kda glutamate decarboxylase antibody,GAD65Ab)、抗胰岛素自身抗体(Insulin autoantibody,IAA)表达水平,Western blot检测B细胞型淋巴瘤6蛋白(B-cell lymphoma 6 protein,Bcl-6)及可诱导共刺激分子(Inducible costimulatory molecule,ICOS)表达,流式细胞仪检测各组外周血及脾脏Tfh细胞水平。结果:糖尿病组NOD鼠自身抗体GAD65Ab(1.21±0.23 nmol/L)、IAA(0.96±0.12 nmol/L)浓度较胰岛炎组(0.32±0.09 nmol/L,0.25±0.06 nmol/L)均有明显升高;糖尿病组NOD鼠Bcl-6及ICOS表达较胰岛炎组NOD鼠有明显升高,外周血和脾脏Tfh细胞水平糖尿病组NOD鼠(24.55%)较胰岛炎组NOD鼠(4.27%)升高明显。结论:NOD小鼠自发糖尿病与自身抗体浓度升高相关,Tfh细胞可能参与NOD鼠糖尿病发生及发展过程。     

The rat model of type 2 diabetic mellitus and its glycometabolism characters.

To develop a rat model of type 2 diabetic mellitus that simulated the common manifestation of the metabolic abnormalities and resembled the natural history of a certain type 2 diabetes in human population, male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 months old) were injected with low-dose (15 mg/kg) STZ after high fat diet (30% of calories as fat) for two months (L-STZ/2HF). The functional and histochemical changes in the pancreatic islets were examined. Insulin-glucose tolerance test, islet immunohistochemistry and other corresponding tests were performed and the data in L-STZ/2HF group were compared with that of other groups, such as the model of type 1 diabetes (given 50 mg/kg STZ) and the model of obesity (high fat diet). The body weight of rats in the group of rats given 15 mg/kg STZ after high fat diet for two months increased significantly more than that of rats in the group of rats given 50 mg/kg STZ (the model of type 1 diabetes) (595 +/- 33 g vs. 352 +/- 32 g, p<0.05). Fast blood glucose levels for L-STZ/2HF group were 16.92 +/- 1.68 mmol/l, versus 5.17 +/- 0.55 mmol/l in normal control and 5.59 +/- 0.61 mmol/l in rats given high fat diet only. Corresponding values for fast serum insulin were 0.66 +/- 0.15 ng/ml, 0.52 +/- 0.13 ng/ml, 0.29 +/- 0.11 ng/ml, respectively. Rats of type 2 diabetes (L-STZ/2HF) had elevated levels of triglyceride (TG, 3.82 +/- 0.88 mmol/l), and cholesterol(Ch, 2.38 +/- 0.55 mmol/l) compared with control (0.95 +/- 0.15 mmol/l and 1.31 +/- 0.3 mmol/l, respectively) (p<0.05). The islet morphology as examined by immunocytochemistry using insulin antibodies in the L-STZ/2HF group was affected and quantitative analysis showed the islet insulin content was higher than that of rats with type 1 diabetes (P<0.05). We concluded that the new rat model of type 2 diabetes established with conjunctive treatment of low dose of STZ and high fat diet was characterized by hyperglycemia and light impaired insulin secretion function accompanied by insulin resistance, which resembles the clinical manifestation of type 2 diabetes. Such a model, easily attainable and inexpensive, would help further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of diabetes and its complications.     

Increased synthesis of thromboxane A(2) and expression of procoagulant activity by monocytes in response to arachidonic acid in diabetes mellitus.

Thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) synthesis and expression of procoagulant activity (PCA) were investigated in mononuclear cells and monocytes prepared from a control and a Type 2 diabetic group. Monocytes from the diabetic group produced 2.10+/-0.81 ng of TXB(2)/5 x 10(5) monocytes compared to 1.26+/-0.43 ng/5 x 10(5) monocytes by the control group (P<0.01, n=11) when incubated in autologous plasma containing arachidonic acid (200 microg/ml). When monocytes were incubated in buffer containing arachidonic acid (20 microg/ml), cells from the diabetic group produced 1.65+/-0.68 ng of TXB(2)/5 x 10(5) monocytes compared to 1.07+/-0.31 ng/5 x 10(5) monocytes by the control group (P<0.02, n=12). Expression of PCA was examined in mononuclear cell preparations. Basal and maximally stimulated PCA with lipopolysaccharide (4.2 microg/ml) were not different between control and diabetic groups. However, arachidonic acid induced a four-fold (P<0.001) increase in PCA in the diabetic group. This activity was characterized as tissue factor. Increased synthesis of TXA(2) and expression of PCA may potentiate thrombosis and increase fibrin deposition, events that play primary roles in the development of vascular disease.     

Correlations between blood glucose levels and bromodeoxyuridine labelling indices of pancreatic islet cells following streptozotocin administration to pregnant Syrian golden hamsters

Eighteen timed-pregnant Syrian golden hamsters were injected subcutaneously with streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg bw) early on gestational day 10. The response varied widely, and based on changes in blood glucose levels during gestational days 11 to 15, the hamsters were categorized into four groups: 1) no change; 2) mild diabetes (200-250 mg/dl), which reverted; 3) moderate diabetes (greater than 300 mg/dl), which reverted; and 4) moderate to severe diabetes (300-500 mg/dl), which was sustained. Two hours before sacrifice, a 25 mg tablet of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was implanted subcutaneously into each experimental hamster and into 17 control pregnant hamsters that had not received STZ. BrdU-labelling was demonstrated immunochemically in the pancreatic islet cells. In control hamsters, the mean labelling index (LI) of the islet cells was 0.07% and did not exceed 0.2% in any hamster. Following injection of STZ, islet cell LI's remained low (0.13%) if the blood glucose levels were not altered by the diabetogenic drug. However, LI's were increased in islet cells of hamsters which showed a mild to moderate diabetes which rapidly reverted; the highest LI's (5% +/- 2.1) occurred in four hamsters that were killed 2 days after receiving STZ. The LI's were moderately increased (1.4% +/- 0.42) in two hamsters with moderate diabetes killed 2 days after STZ, but LI's were low (0.12% +/- 0.04) in six hamsters with moderate to severe diabetes killed 3, 4, and 5 days after STZ. Reversion of hyperglycemia to normoglycemia correlated closely with increased DNA synthesis in the islet cells of the pregnant hamsters. These observations strongly suggest that following mild cytotoxic injury induced by STZ, the B cells regenerated and insulin production was restored sufficiently to maintain normoglycemia.     

The mechanism of action of lutropin on regulator protein(s) involved in Leydig-cell steroidogenesis

The dependence on lutropin of the synthesis of a proposed short-half-life protein regulator involved in Leydig-cell steroidogenesis was investigated. This was carried out by determining the effect of the protein-synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, added before and during incubations with lutropin (and/or dibutyryl cyclic AMP), on the rate of testosterone production in suspensions of purified Leydig cells from adult rat testes. The Leydig cells were preincubated in Eagle's medium for 2.5h followed by 30min incubation with and without cycloheximide. The inhibitor was removed by washing the cells and then lutropin was added and testosterone concentrations were determined after incubation of the cells at 32 degrees C. No significant effect of cycloheximide pretreatment on lutropin-stimulated steroidogenesis was found during 60min incubation. This was in contrast with the complete inhibiting effect of cycloheximide when it was added with the lutropin. The pretreatment experiments with cycloheximide were repeated in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and elipten phosphate (to inhibit cholesterol side-chain cleavage) followed by incubation with lutropin. After 5, 10, 20 and 60min of incubation, testosterone concentrations were 61+/-3, 46+/-3, 27+/-4 and 18+/-4% lower than in the cells pretreated without cycloheximide respectively (means+/-s.e.m., n=4-6). In the cells not pretreated with cycloheximide and in the absence of lutropin, testosterone production increased from 1.36+/-0.5 to 36.5+/-1.0ng/10(6) cells during 20min of incubation, after which no further increase occurred. Pretreatment of the cells with cycloheximide decreased these testosterone concentrations by 65, 46, 42 and 36% in the 5, 10, 20 and 60min incubations respectively (mean values, n=2-4). It is apparent from these results that inhibition of steroidogenesis only occurs if protein synthesis is inhibited in the presence of lutropin or cyclic AMP. A new hypothesis is put forward to explain these findings: it is proposed that lutropin affects the stability of a precursor of a regulator protein by converting it from a stable (inactive) to an unstable (active) form with a short half-life.     

Modulation of vascular smooth muscle cell growth by magnesium-role of mitogen-activated protein kinases

We tested the hypothesis that Mg(2+) influences growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by modulating cell cycle activation through mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-dependent pathways. Rat VSMCs were grown in culture medium containing normal Mg(2+) (1.02 mmol/L, control) and increasing concentrations of Mg(2+) (2-4 mmol/L) for 1-8 days. Effects of varying extracellular Mg(2+) concentration ([Mg(2+)](e)) on intracellular free Mg(2+) concentration ([Mg(2+)](i)) were assessed using mag-fura. Growth actions of Mg(2+) were evaluated by measuring cell cycle activation, DNA synthesis, and protein synthesis. Expression of cell cycle promoters, cyclin D1, cyclin E, Cdk2, and Cdk4 was assessed by immunoblotting. Phosphorylation of cell cycle inhibitors p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) and MAP kinases, ERK1/2, p38MAP kinase, and JNK was evaluated using phospho-specific antibodies. [Mg(2+)](i) increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to increasing [Mg(2+)](e). These effects were evident within 2 days and maximal responses were obtained after 6 days. High [Mg(2+)](e) induced cell cycle activation with a lower proportion of cells in G(1) phase (75 +/- 1.0%) and a higher fraction of cells in S phase (12 +/- 0.7%) versus control (G(1), 88.5 +/- 1.4%; S, 6.8 +/- 1.2%; P < 0.05). This was associated with increased protein content of cyclin D1 and Cdk4 and decreased activation of p21(cip1) and p27(kip1). In cells exposed to 2 mmol/L Mg(2+), DNA and protein synthesis was increased approximately threefold. Phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 was enhanced two to threefold in cells grown in 2 mmol/L Mg(2+). These effects were rapid, occurring within 2 days. Phosphorylation of MEK3/6, p38 MAP kinase, and JNK was unaltered by increasing [Mg2](e). PD98059 (10(-5) mol/L), specific MEK1/2 inhibitor, but not SB202190 (10(-5) mol/L) (specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor), attenuated Mg(2+)-induced growth actions. These data demonstrate the novel findings that cell cycle activation and growth regulation by Mg(2+) occurs via ERK1/2-dependent, p38 MAP kinase-independent pathways.     

Membrane potentials, electrolyte contents, cell pH, and some enzyme activities of fibroblasts

The resting membrane potential of the cultured fibroblasts derived from rabbit subcutaneous tissues was -10.2 +/- 0.20 mV (n = 390). This potential was affected by the potassium concentration in the culture medium, but not by other chemical or hormonal preparations, such as dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (0.5 to 5.0 mmol/l), sodium fluoride (10(-5) to 10(-4) M), hydrocortisone (10(-7) to 10(-6) M), parathyroid extract (0.5 to 1.0 U/ml), or thyrotrophin (5 to 10 mU/ml). The Na+, K+, and Cl- concentrations of the cultured fibroblasts were 35.4, 85.7, and 22.6 mmol/l cell water, respectively. The water and protein contents of these cells were 82.1 and 9.18 g/100-g cells, respectively. The intracellular pH of fibroblasts as determined by [14C] dimethyloxazolidine-2, 4-dione, and 3H2O ranged between 6.9 and 7.1 when the pH of the culture medium was maintained at 7.4. The activities of Na+, K+-, HCO3(-)-, and Ca++, Mg++-ATPases in these cultured cells were 19.0 +/- 2.1, 13.6 +/- 2.1, and 6.6 +/- 1.2 nmol pi/mg protein per minute, respectively, and the carbonic anhydrase activity was 0.054 U/mg protein. Calculations based on the values for the membrane potential and the electrolyte concentrations observed in this study indicate that Na+, K+, Cl-, and H+ are not distributed according to their electrochemical gradients across the cell membrane. Na+, Cl-, and H+ are actively transported out of the cells and K+ into the cells.     

Nicotinamide influence on pancreatic cells viability

The study was undertaken to investigate the modulating effect of nicotinamide (NAm) in different concentrations and under different glucose concentrations on the viability and oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 5 mmol/l) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 100 micromol/l) on isolated rat pancreatic cells of the Langerhans islets in vitro. Cell viability did not depend on the concentration of glucose in the range of 5-20 mmol/l, and in subsequent studies we used glucose in concentration of 10 mmol/l to protect cells against its hypo- and hyperglycemic action. Cytoprotective effect of NAm in concentrations from 5 to 20 mmol/l on cells survival was the same. It was found that the destructive action of STZ and H2O2 during 24 hours on isolated cells of the pancreas resulted in the significant cell death. It was revealed that NAm in concentration of 5 mmol/l not only had cytoprotective effects against STZ and H2O2 but also partially reduced the level of oxidative stress in the investigated cells induced by these compounds. High concentration of NAm, 35 mmol/l, causes cytotoxic effect on the viability of pancreatic islet cells and increase of oxidative stress induced by STZ and H2O2. Most likely these effects could be associated with direct modulatory action of NAm on important effector mechanisms involved in cell death, including PARP-dependent processes, or/and indirectly, through metabolic and antioxidant effects of the compound.