Effect of culture in vitro with eicosatetraenoic (20:4(n-6) ) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5(n-3) ) acids on fatty acid composition, prostaglandin synthesis and chemiluminescence of rat peritoneal macrophages

Rat peritoneal macrophages were cultured in either eicosatetraenoic acid (20:4(n-6) ) or eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5(n-3) ) and the effects on phospholipid fatty acids, prostaglandin synthesizing capacity and the ability of the macrophages to show chemiluminescence were examined. Chemiluminescence is an activity resulting from the synthesis of reactive oxygen species. It has been reported that prostaglandins inhibit this activity. The fatty acid profile of the four major phospholipids reflected the fatty acid component of the medium. Macrophages cultured in 20:4(n-6) synthesized twice the prostaglandin produced by controls and those cultured in 20:5(n-3) synthesized 10% that of controls and 5% that of 20:4(n-6)-cultured cells. Macrophages cultured with 20:4(n-6) for 12 h showed half the chemiluminescence of those cultured with 20:5(n-3), while those cultured with 20:4(n-6) for 24 h showed 10% the chemiluminescence of 20:5(n-3)-cultured cells. Addition of the prostaglandin synthase inhibitor, indomethacin, had no effect on chemiluminescence.     

THE FOURTEEN SPECIES OF ZIZIPHUS INCLUDING SARCOMPHALUS (RHAMNACEAE) INDIGENOUS TO THE WEST INDIES

Taxonomic treatment is presented for the 14 species of Ziziphus P. Mill. (Rhamnaceae: Dicotyledoneae) recognized in the West Indies, with key, synonymies, and statements of distribution. New combinations include Z. crenata (Sarcomphalus crenaius Urb.), Z. microdictya (S. microdictyus Urb. & Ekm.), Z. acutifolia (S. acutifolius Griseb.), Z. bidens (S. bidens Urb.), Z. obovata (S. obovatus Urb.), Z. havanensis var. bullata (S. bullatus Urb.), and Z. taylori (S. taylori Britt.). New names include Z. urbani (S. parvifolius Urb. & Ekm.) and Z. grisebachiana (S. divaricatus Griseb.). The available evidence of evolutionary relationships is assessed.