Increasing the effectiveness of ampicillin in combination with lysozyme

The effect of lysozyme (2 mg/kg) on pharmacokinetics of ampicillin (60 mg/kg) and the lymph nodes was studied in a model of experimental diffuse peritonitis in 52 dogs. The drugs were administered intramuscularly in single doses simultaneously with simulation of the pathological process. Under such conditions, lysozyme promoted an increase in the ampicillin concentration in the lymphatic system, blood and tissues and prolonged the antibacterial activity to 18 hours of the experiment. This resulted in retarding lympho- and hematogenic dissemination of the infection from the primary focus and lowered the infectious and toxic affection of the regional lymph nodes, thus securing their barrier and immunological function. With lysozyme used in combination with the antibiotic the immunomorphological zones of the lymph nodes appeared to be preserved and the volumetric proportion of macrophages increased. Then the volumetric proportion of the blast cells and the frequency of macrophagal and lymphocytic interactions also increased. The most pronounced cell interactions were observed in the distal (tracheobronchial) lymph nodes whose functions before the infection generalization were mainly immunological.     

Initial lentivirus-host interactions within lymph nodes: a study of maedi-visna virus infection in sheep.

Reactive changes occurring within lymph nodes draining the subcutaneous site of acute infection with maedi-visna virus (MVV) were studied, and the appearance of infected cells correlated with the immune response. Cells infected with virus were detected in the node by cocultivation from day 4 postinfection (p.i.), with maximum numbers being seen between days 7 and 14, but even then infected cells were rare, with a maximum frequency of 23 50% tissue culture infective doses (TCID50) in 10(6) lymph node cells. At later times, infected cells were still detected, but their numbers fell to 1 to 2 TCID50 per 10(6) cells. Virus-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell precursors (CTLp) were isolated from infected nodes from day 10 p.i. onwards, and T-cell proliferative responses to MVV were first detected on day 7 and consistently detected after day 18. Histological analysis showed a vigorous immune response in the node. There was a marked blast reaction in the T-cell-rich zones, which was greatest at the time when the number of virally infected cells was at its height. At this stage, large numbers of plasma cells were seen in the medullary cords, indicating that extensive T-cell-dependent B-cell activation was occurring in the T-cell-rich zones. Germinal centers were prominent shortly after the onset of the T-zone response and were still present at 40 days p.i. Phenotype studies of isolated lymph node cells failed to detect major changes in the proportion or phenotype of macrophages, CD1+ interdigitating cells, and CD4+ or CD8+ T cells despite the fact that CD8+ lymphoblasts form a major population leaving the node in efferent lymph. This suggests that there is a balanced increase in the number of all cell types in response to the virus within the node and selective migration of CD8+ lymphoblasts containing virus-specific CTLp from the node. Virus-specific immune responses are therefore present within the node when infectious virus isolation is maximal, but cellular immunity may act to control the level of infection from day 18 onwards.     

Vascular bed of a lymph node and lymphodynamics after leg lengthening by the G. A. Ilizarov method

In the experiments performed on dogs, the right shin has been elongated, lymph movement has been studied in the extremity, as well as in the arteries of the popliteal and medial iliac lymph nodes. The lymph movement rate immediately after fracture decreases 6 times, and during the elongation process it gradually restores with normalization on the 14th day of distraction. The integrity of the arterial bed in the lymph node is not disturbed during the elongation process of the shin. The intraorganic bed of the regional lymph nodes reacts to the shin elongation by increasing diameter of the arteries and the number of the functioning vessels. The changes in the arterial bed demonstrate an acceleration of the blood stream in the lymph nodes under the elongation of the shin. After osteogenesis normalization in the lymph stream takes place.     

Peptidoglycan fragments elicit antibacterial protein synthesis in larvae of Manduca sexta

In several insect species, serum lysozyme and antibacterial peptide concentration increases after injection of bacteria and other foreign substances. The purpose of this study was to characterize the specificity of this induction in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. By 48 h after injection of killed bacteria, lysozyme activity was approximately tenfold greater than in untreated insects. This maximal response was observed after injection of every bacterial species tested and after injection of purified cell walls of Micrococcus luteus. A variety of acellular particles, soluble molecules, and bacterial cell wall components were either poor lysozyme inducers or elicited no change in lysozyme concentration. The polysaccharide zymosan from yeast cell walls was a moderate lysozyme inducer. Peptidoglycan from M. luteus cell walls was found to induce lysozyme to a level as great or greater than whole cell walls. Small fragments of peptidoglycan generated by hen egg white lysozyme digestion were isolated, partially characterized, and shown to be good inducers of lysozyme as well as other antibacterial peptides. It appears that peptidoglycan provides a signal that initiates antibacterial responses in the insect.     

Regional features of the cellular composition of different zones of lymph nodes in the adult human

The amount of plasma cells is connected with intensity of humoral immunological reactions. In people died an accidental death, the amount of immature plasma cells is the least in the axillary and the greatest--in the mesenteric nodes, especially in the thymus-independent zone. The amount of lymphoblasts and large lymphocytes, reflecting intensity of the humoral and cellular immune reactions, is also the greatest in the mesenteric lymph nodes, both in the thymus-dependent and in the thymus-independent zone. In all probability, the intensity of the immunological processes is minimal in the axillary, it is middle in the iliac and cervical and it is maximal in the mesenteric lymph nodes. In each case it is probably connected with peculiarities of antigenic composition of the lymph inflow. The mesenteric lymph nodes are on the way of the foreign protein getting into the intestine. This is evidently reflected by the highest content of immature plasma cells, lymphoblasts and large lymphocytes in them.     

Morpho-functional status of the lymph nodes of rats during rehabilitation after exposure to vapors of dimethyl sulfate]

By means of histological methods inferior tracheobronchial lymph nodes have been investigated in 48 Wistar rats in 2 weeks and 3 months after cessation of inhalation of DNSV at maximum possible dose (0.1 mg/m3) for 2 and 14 days. Cell composition of the lymph nodes and cross sections of structural components have been compared. The cross section of the cortex decreases, while that of the medulla increases in comparison with corresponding parameters of the acute experiment. In 2 weeks and 3 months after DMSV effect for 2 days the part (%) of poorly differentiated cells and middle lymphocytes increases, while content of plasma cells in the medullary cords decreases. During rehabilitation after DMSV effect for 14 days a low level plateau is noted (as in the acute experiment). However, in lymphoid nodules++ within content of the poorly differentiated cells and middle lymphocytes in the cortical germinative centers in 2 weeks and 3 months the number of the poorly differentiated and reticular cells increases essentially, as well as mitotically dividing cells (in comparison to the acute experiment). In the medullary cords of the lymph nodes after 3 months of rehabilitation content of immature plasma cells is essentially higher than in 2 weeks of rehabilitation and than in the acute experiment. During rehabilitation the level of cells destruction in the lymph nodes noticeably decreases in comparison to the acute experiment.     

Effect of somatostatin on beta-endorphin release in rat experimental chronic inflammation.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of somatostatin administration in arthritic rats. Inflammation was induced by daily interplantar injection of 100 microl of Freund's complete adjuvant into the left hind paw of the rat. Arthritis developed 20 days following the first injection and was stable in the inoculate paw. Arthritic rats were treated interplantarly with somatostatin (5 or 10 microg) or with indomethacin (100 microg) daily for 14 days. Inflammatory response was studied at 12 h, 7 and 14 days following drug administration. The effect of somatostatin was determined by local (into popliteal lymph nodes) and systemic production of beta-endorphin. Our results showed that somatostatin treatment significantly increased beta-endorphin levels in the blood and lymphocytes from popliteal lymph nodes. Greater efficiency was seen when 5 microg instead of 10 microg of somatostatin was used. A significant decrease of absolute leukocytosis was observed at the 14th day following somatostatin administration. Moreover, a significant reduction of plasmatic beta-globulins at 12 h and the 7th day and of plasmatic alpha2-globulins at the 14th day was observed after the beginning of somatostatin treatment.     

IgE formation in the rat following infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: I. Proliferation and differentiation of IgE-bearing cells

Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis larvae, and IgE formation was studied. Before infection, the serum IgE level was less than 0.4 μg/ml. The IgE level began to increase from the 10th day of infection, reached its maximum (50–100 μg/ml) at the 14th day and gradually declined. Reinfection of the rats resulted in an increase of the serum IgE level within 7 days. The IgE antibody response to N. brasiliensis antigens did not parallel the increase of IgE synthesis. In most animals, the antibody became detectable in the serum at the 21st day when the total IgE level already began to decrease. The animals showed a secondary IgE antibody response upon reinfection. Both mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen cell suspensions were examined for the presence of IgE-bearing cells (IgE-B cells) and IgE-forming cells by fluorescent antibody technique. The IgE-bearing lymphocytes became detectable in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen at the 8th day of infection. The proportion of the IgE-B cells in nonadherent cell population gradually increased and reached maximum at the 14th day; about 20% of immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and 10% of Ig-bearing cells in spleen bore IgE on their surface. Evidence was obtained that these lymphocytes synthesized IgE. The IgE-forming cells were detected in both mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen of the infected animals. The number of IgE-forming cells was greater in the mesenteric lymph nodes than in spleen, indicating that the regional lymph nodes are the major source of serum IgE in the N. brasiliensis-infected animals.     

Microanatomical organization and cytoarchitectonics of lymphoid tissue in the mesenteric lymph nodes under conditions of experimental total hyperthermia

Microanatomical organization and cell composition of the rat mesenteric lymph nodes have been studied under conditions of experimental total hyperthermia. Possibilities of the compensatory-adaptive reactions of the lymphoid tissue have been determined. Disturbances of microhemo-++- and lymphocirculation in the lymph nodes in different time after hyperthermia are accompanied with accumulation of mast cells and eosinophils in various zones of the node; they normalize certain physiological parameters of microcirculation and permeability of the metabolic microvessel walls. In 30 days after a single total overheating of the rat organism, the microanatomical organization changes in the lymph nodes investigated are manifested as atrophy of B-dependent zones and further volumetric increase of the paracortical zone. Therefore, it is possible to think about a decreasing intensity of the humoral immunity and increasing intensity of the cellular one.     

Regeneration of the parathyroid glands after partial resection

By means of morphometrical methods, as well as by the method of volumetric reconstruction of the organs in 33 rats during 1-30 days regeneration of parathyroid glands have been studied after a simultaneous resection of the whole left and a half of the right gland. Total calcium content in blood serum in the experimental animals decreases on the 1st-2d day and normalizes by the 3d day. Regeneration of the remained part of the gland is realized at the expense of increasing mitotic activity and hypertrophy of parathyrocytes along the whole organ from the 3d up to the 13th day. There are no signs of the glandular parenchyma growth from the wound surface. On the 3d-5th day dividing parathyrocytes predominate in the half of the gland that adjoins the wound. This promotes a predominant longitudinal growth of the gland remnant and restoration of the organ's ellipsoid form on the 20th-30th day. The main pattern of the parathyroid gland restoration after its partial resection is regenerative hypertrophy.     

Structural changes in popliteal lymph nodes in the graft vs. host reaction to H-Y antigen in male C57BL/6-strain mice

Regional popliteal lymph nodes in intact, control and experimental (I, II, III groups, respectively) have been studied by means of the morphometric method in male C57Bl/6 line mice at the pick of the reaction produced by injection of spleen cells and mesenteric lymph nodes obtained from syngenic females and repeatedly immunized to H-Y antigen (10 animals in each group). Injection of the cell suspensions from the immunized and intact females of the C57Bl/6 mice result nearly in two-fold increasing mass of the regional popliteal node at the expense of enlarged size of all its zones. Changes in cytoarchitectonics of the node structural components result from redistribution of certain cellular elements. The essential changes in the cell composition of the lymph nodes in the II and III male groups are accompanied with an increasing part of the stromal reticular cells. Simultaneously, content of small lymphocytes decreases significantly. In the III group of mice there is a sharp increase in the content of young forms of the lymphoid line cells in all structural components of the node, as well as in eosinophilic granulocytes in medullary cords. In the dark cortical zone of the nodes (III group) there occur tissue basophils (mast cells), that, together with increasing number of acidophilic granulocytes and appearance of neutrophilic cells, demonstrates that there is an inflammatory reaction in the organ studied as a response to the lymphocytic suspension injected. In the experimental group of the animals a complete disappearance of plasma cells is noted in the node cortex, but some increase of their part takes place in the medullary cords.     

Functional morphology of the lymphatic system of the rat uterus during pregnancy

In the regional lymph nodes of the uterus the comparative volume of the paracortical zone significantly increases, especially within the period of the 13th-17th days of pregnancy. In the popliteal lymph node similar effect is not discovered. From the 7th up to the 11th day edema, vasodilatation, infiltration with special leucocytes are revealed. Endothelium of the postcapillary venules is hypertrophied, contains many migrating lymphocytes, which accumulate around the vessels mentioned. The volume of the microcirculatory bed is moderately increased. By the 17th day plasmoblasts, plasmocytes, Motta's cells, monocytes and especially macrophages appear in the paracortical zone. In B-zones and in medullary sinuses blasts, plasma cells, monocytes, macrophages, mitotically deviding cells increase in number. The part of the reticular cells decreases. The tensometric method demonstrates an increasing pressure of lymph in the iliac lymph node at pregnancy. Collateralies appear in the ovarian vein system, in the broad ligament of the uterus, in the lumbar area. The uterine vascular system is supposed to participate in adaptation to pregnancy. In genesis of the regional lymph node changes, discirculatory shifts, predominating during placental organogenesis, combine with phenomena of cell migration and proliferation (clearly revealed by the time when formation of the placenta is completed).     

Short time observations of morphological changes and cholinesterase distribution in lymphatic organs of the mouse after corticosteroid and x-ray treatment

Summary The changes in thymus, spleen and lymph nodes of the mouse after a single cortisone application or a single whole body x-irradiation were investigated morphologically and histochemically. During 24 h the alterations following the cortisone application are at all stages examined inditinguishable from those following the x-irradiation.The first signs of lymphocyte destruction can be observed already in the first two hours after treatment. Almost at the same time macrophages accumulate at the sites of cell death in the lymphatic organs studied. The eosinophils display a different behaviour. While they accompany the macrophages in the thymus already at the first stages, they appear in the spleen and lymph nodes with a latency of 6 and 8 h, respectively. The highest amount of necrotic cells is found ten hours after both treatments. At the same time the accumulation of macrophages and eosinophils reaches its maximum.The cholinesterase in the lymphatic organs is largely the true cholinesterase. The enzyme-activity increases in the cortex of the thymus gradually 6 h after treatment, showing the highest deposit of reaction product at 10 h. In spleen and lymph nodes the cholinesterase shows only slight variations.The possible role of the cholinesterase-activity in these non-cholinergic tissues is discussed.     

Short time observations of morphological changes and cholinesterase distribution in lymphatic organs of the mouse after corticosteroid and X-ray treatment.

The changes in thymus, spleen and lymph nodes of the mouse after a single cortisone application or a single whole body x-irradiation were investigated morphologically and histochemically. During 24 h the alterations following the cortisone application are at all stages examined indistinguishable from those following the x-irradiation. The first signs of lymphocyte destruction can be observed already in the first two hours after treatment. Almost at the same time macrophages accumulate at the sites of cell death in the lymphatic organs studied. The eosinophils display a different behaviour. While they accompany the macrophages in the thymus already at the first stages, they appear in the spleen and lymph nodes with a latency of 6 and 8 h, respectively. The highest amount of necrotic cells is found ten hours after both treatments. At the same time the accumulation of macrophages and eosinophils reaches its maximum. The cholinesterase in the lymphatic organs is largely the true cholinesterase. The enzyme-activity increases in the cortex of the thymus gradually 6 h after treatment, showing the highest deposit of reaction product at 10 h. In spleen and lymph nodes the cholinesterase shows only slight variations. The possible role of the cholinesterase-activity in these non-cholinergic tissues is discussed.     

Differentiation of endocrinocytes in the small-intestinal epithelium of albino rats in ontogenesis]

By means of the light microscopy method differentiation and dynamics on contents of endocrinocytes have been studied in epithelium of the initial part of the jejunum, of the caudal part of the ileum and of the middle part between them during pre- and postnatal periods of development. Formation of the endocrine apparatus of the mucous membrane epithelium in the small intestine takes place simultaneously with tissue differentiation of the epithelial layer. The population density of endotheliocytes of the mucous membrane is maximal in the initial part of the jejunum and decreases gradually in the caudal direction. By the 15th day of the postnatal development endocrinocytes in composition of the epithelium in the small intestine reach a high level of the specific differentiation and their amount increases by 1.3 times in comparison with that in newborn animals.     

Structure of the mesenteric lymph nodes in fetuses and offspring of white rats under the effect of indomethacin on the mother-fetus system

Mesenteric lymph nodes in fetuses and offspring of white rats have been studied during various age periods after indomethacin injection in doses 2.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg daily from the 18th up to 21st day of pregnancy. Dose-dependent retardation in formation of main structures of the mesenteric lymph nodes, decreasing amount of the lymphoid type cells have been revealed. Retardation in the capsule, sinuses and reticular fibers of the node takes place, as well as decrease in lympho- and plasmocytopoiesis. It is more pronounced after indomethacin in dose 2.5 mg/kg. Simultaneously, formation of the cerebral substance and appearance of lymphoid nodules and their germinative centers are delayed. After the drug effect (2.5 mg/kg), up to the age of 2 weeks the amount of tissue basophils and eosinophilic granulocytes decreases. When the dose of the drug is 1 mg/kg decreasing amount of these cells is substituted for their compensatory increase on the 2d-3d week. The data obtained demonstrate a decreasing function of the lymph nodes, that depends on the dose of indomethacin.     

Characteristics of the cellular reactions of the T- and B-dependent areas of the regional lymph nodes in dogs to the administration of immunodepressants

Mesenteric, bifurcational, axillary and popliteal lymph nodes have been studied in 22 healthy mature male dogs. Amount of blast cells, small lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages has been taken into account in the paracortical zone, in the germinative centers and in the medullary cords. For two weeks to one group of the animals every day imuran in turn with aurantin (10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg) are injected, or antilymphocytic serum (ALS) intraperitoneally every other day (0.1 ml/kg). The combined injection of imuran and aurantin produces a more pronounced toxic effect to the hemopoietic organs than ALS. ALS is more specific for T-dependent zones of the lymph nodes. In the dose and interval mentioned ALS is an immunostimulating preparation for the immunocompetent cells of the germinative centers of the lymph nodes. The reaction of the lymph nodes depends on their regional belonging.     

Cellular composition of various structural zones of the iliac and mesenteric lymph node of pregnant rats

The dynamic of cellular reactions demonstrates certain changes in functional activity of all structures of the node during pregnancy. A similar trend of processes in the iliac (regional for the uterus) and mesenteric lymph nodes has been defined. At early stages of pregnancy, lymph nodule are the most active, this is demonstrated as an increasing portion of lymphoblasts, macrophages and dividing cells. During this period, cell composition of the cortical plateau is relatively stable. For the paracortical zone of the mesenteric lymph nodes a rather significant decrease in the portion of middle lymphocytes and reticular cells is characteristic. There is not any significant change in the relative amount of the cells in the same functional zone of the iliac lymph nodes during the same period of pregnancy. The medullar cords demonstrate an increasing number of blast forms and young plasmocytes. However, as the pregnancy develops, the structure of the paracortical zone undergoes an essential change--progressively increases the portion of lymphoblasts and large lymphocytes. The blastic reaction in the mesenteric lymph nodes is proved to depend, to some extent, on that in the iliac lymph nodes of the same animal. Mature plasma cells become the dominating cellular element in the medullary cords. At the end of the pregnancy a relative amount of the reticular cells increases in all structural zones of the node.     

Mesenteric lymph nodes in the rat after exposure to hydrocortisone

The construction and cell composition of the cortex and medulla have been morphometrically studied after 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 14-aliquot injection of medical doses of hydrocortisone (0.25 mg per 100 g of body mass). The body mass of the animals decreases, as does the size of the mesenteric lymph nodes. The lymphocyto- and immunocytopoietic functions intensify in the medullary cords with a simultaneous inhibition of these processes in the cortical plateau and in the lymphoid noduli. On the 5th and 7th days there is some increase in the section area of the cortex, while that of the medulla decreases. The part of small lymphocytes in these structures grows large. Therefore, it is possible to suppose a definite tendency towards restoration of the structural components within two weeks.     

Temporal changes in the distribution of thoracic duct lymphoblasts to synovium and other tissues of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis

The distribution of lymphoblasts(lymphocytes in cell cycle) obtained from the central lymph of donor rats and transferred adoptively to syngeneic recipients has been shown previously to be influenced by the presence of arthritis in either donor or recipient rats. The intent of the present study was to examine patterns of distribution of lymphoblasts in the early period after transfer, when extravasation of donor lymphoblasts was expected to occur. Thoracic duct lymphoblasts labelled in vitro with [125I]-iododeoxyuridine were detected in recipient rats by external radiometry and autoradiography.Irrespective of donor status, fewer donor lymphoblasts accumulated in the feet of normal recipients when compared to arthritic recipients at 15 min, 2 h and 24 h after cell transfer.When recipients of similar disease status were compared, the percentages of injected lymphoblasts from normal and arthritic donors recovered in the feet were similar at 15 min and 2 h after transfer. The proportions of lymphoblasts recovered in the feetat 24 h after injection declined in normal recipients and arthritic recipients of cells from normal donor rats. Importantly,this decline did not occur when both the donor and the recipient were arthritic. In the hindpaws, donor lymphoblasts were located predominantly in the bone marrow, except in transfers between arthriticrats, when at 24 h they were predominantly in the synovium.At 15 min, lymphoblasts were detected within the lumen of vessels within synovium, whereas by 2 h extravasation of these cells was evident. In conclusion, lymphoblasts accumulate more readily in hindfeet that are inflamed. In the early hours after injection, lymphoblasts from normal and arthritic donors are recruited equally, but these early levels are only maintained for 24 hin the combination of arthritic donor and arthritic recipient. Adramatic change in the proportion of lymphoblasts located in synoviumat this later time suggests that a dynamic process of relocation,retention and/or local cell division maintains the numbers of arthritic donor cells in the latter combination.