Di-rhamnolipids improve effect of trehalose on both hypothermic preservation and cryopreservation of rat hepatocytes

Trehalose, a disaccharide of glucose, is a highly hydrophilic small molecule (MW?=?342D) and a bioprotectant normally impermeable to the membrane phospholipid bilayer. Di-rhamnolipids, a major component of rhamnolipids, were applied to increase the effect of trehalose in cryopreservation and hypothermic preservation. We found that di-rhamnolipids (10 mg/L) increased the survival of hepatocytes after cryopreservation or hypothermic preservation as indicated by cell viability using trypan blue exclusion and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Correspondingly, after hepatocytes were preserved in the presence of di-rhamnolipids, their hepatospecific functions were comparable to those of freshly cultured cells in terms of intracellular glutathione level, albumin secretion, urea production, and metabolic activities of cytochrome P450 isoforms. Measurement of trehalose intracellular concentration showed that its accumulation increased in the presence of di-rhamnolipids (10 mg/L) but was not altered by two other well-known surfactants, Tween-80, and Pluronic 127. Hence, di-rhamnolipids, which are non-toxic, effective, and commercially available, could be a promising protectant by potentiating the function of trehalose against hypothermic or cryopreservation cell damage.     

Structural characterization of a novel mono-sulfated gangliotriaosylceramide containing a 3-O-sulfatedN-acetylgalactosamine from rat kidney

A novel mono-sulfated glycosphingolipid based on the gangliotriaose core structure was isolated from rat kidney. The isolation procedure involved extraction of lipids with chloroform/methanol, mild alkaline methanolysis, column chromatographies with anion exchangers and silica beads. The structure was characterized by compositional analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, methylation analysis,¹H-NMR spectroscopy and negative-ion liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS) using the intact glycolipid and its desulfation product. The two dimensional chemical shift correlated spectroscopy provided information on the sugar sequence as well as anomeric configurations, and indicated the presence of a 3-O-sulfatedN-acetylgalactosamine within the molecule. Negative-ion LSIMS with high- and low-energy collision-induced dissociation defined the sugar sequence and ceramide composition, confirming the presence of a sulfatedN-acetylgalactosamine at the non-reducing terminus. From these results, the complete structure was proposed to be HSO₃-3GalNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (Gg₃Cer III³-sulfate, SM2b). Abbreviations: Abbreviations for sulfated glycolipids [17] follow the modifications of the nomenclature system of Svennerholm for gangliosides [37], and the designation of the other glycosphingolipids follows the IUPAC-IUB recommendations [38]. Cer, ceramide; LacCer, lactosylceramide, Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; Gg₃Cer, gangliotriaosylceramide, GalNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; Gg₄Cer, gangliotetraosylceramide, Gal1-3GalNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; iGb₄Cer, isoglobotetraosylceramide, GalNAc1-3Gal1-3Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; Gb₄Cer, globotetraosylceramide, GalNAc1-3Gal1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer; SM4s, galactosylceramide sulfate, GalCer I³-sulfate; SM3, lactosylceramide sulfate, LacCer II³-sulfate; SM2a, Gg₃Cer II³-sulfate; SM2b, Gg₃Cer III³-sulfate; SB2, Gg₃Cer II³,III³-bis-sulfate; SM1a, Gg₄Cer II³-sulfate; SM1b, Gg₄Cer IV³-sulfate; SB1a, Gg₄Cer II³,IV³-bissulfate; GLC, gas-liquid chromatography; GC-MS, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; DQF, double quantum filtered; COSY, chemical-shift-correlated spectroscopy; LSIMS, liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry; CID, collision-induced dissociation; MS/MS, tandem mass spectrometry.     

The effect of Ringer solution induced extracellular volume expansion on kidney function

The present study quantitated the effects of extracellular volume expansion on sodium and water excretion in 118 anesthetized dogs. The animals received a priming injection of 10 ml kg-1 Ringer solution i.v. which was followed by a constant Ringer solution infusion at a rate of 0.25 ml.min-1.kg-1 until the end of the experiment. Fifteen minutes after the start of the constant infusion the renal parameters were examined in 11 subsequent 15 min periods (the total time was 3 hours). Volume expansion produced no significant change in arterial blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), plasma sodium and potassium concentration or, haematocrit, but did reduce the CPAH from 284 ml.min-1 to 218 ml.min-1 (the data were calculated for 100 gram wet kidney weight). There were constant significant increases in the urinary excretion rate from 0.84 ml.min-1 to 4.06 ml.min-1 and the 39% of the infused water was excreted during the experiment. Volume expansion also caused a significant increase in sodium excretion during the three first periods from 120 mumol.min-1 to 329 mumol.min-1 followed by a small but significant decrease. The sodium excretion at the end of the experiment was 221 mumol.min-1 and the 23% of the infused sodium was excreted in the course of the experiment. The increase of the water excretion during the volume expansion was associated with fall of the urine osmolality and the urine because hypoosmotic as compared to the plasma. We have provided evidence that vasopressin was not involved in the control of water excretion in our experiments. It is concluded that neither filtered sodium nor decreased aldosterone secretion can account for the increase in sodium excretion that occurs after Ringer solution loading in the dog. It has been proposed that a decrease in plasma protein concentration may decrease passive sodium reabsorption due to oncotic forces in the proximal tubule. The Ringer solution diuresis elicits a rise in medullary blood flow, thereby causing a washout of medullary sodium. This might dissipate the osmotic force for the back-diffusion of water from the collecting duct. Our studies indicate that the response of the diluting segments of the distal nephron to increased delivery of sodium depends upon the presence or absence of volume expansion. However the increase of the distal tubular loading activates the tubuloglomerular feedback which increases the proximal tubular reabsorption. Based on these assumptions our studies provide further evidence that the tubuloglomerular feedback regulates the blood pressure in the peritubular capillaries in the cortex around the proximal tubules.     

低温保存诱导大鼠心肌细胞Smac／DIABLO蛋白表达的动态变化

目的：观察大鼠供心不同时程低温保存后线粒体Smac／DIABLO蛋白表达的差异。方法：根据不同的低温保存时程,SD大鼠随机分5组（n=8）。采用Langendorff离体鼠心灌注法停搏大鼠心脏,检测心脏在4℃条件下celsior保存液中分别保存0、3、6、9、12h后,心肌细胞线粒体内超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量的变化。并采用Westom blotting蛋白印迹分析法观察心肌细胞Smac／DIABLO蛋白表达情况,原位末端标记（TUNEL）染色法检测心肌细胞凋亡。结果：①随着低温保存时间的延长,心肌细胞线粒体内SOD活性随之降低,MDA含量随之升高,心肌细胞凋亡指数也逐渐增高。②随着低温保存时间的延长,Smac／DIABLO蛋白表达逐渐增多,至低温保存6h后最为显著,随后又逐渐减弱。结论：随着低温保存时间的延长,可能由于心肌细胞抗氧自由基的能力逐步减弱,致使诱导细胞凋亡的心肌线粒体Smac／DIABLO蛋白表达逐渐增强,心肌细胞凋亡逐渐增多。     

Effectiveness of protecting the myocardium against ischemia with a normothermic cardioplegic solution and creatine phosphate

The protective effects of cardioplegic solutions (CS) containing creatine phosphate (CP) were studied in a rat heart model of cardiopulmonary bypass and ischemic cardiac arrest. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to a 3-minute coronary infusion with CS containing CP in normothermic (37 degrees C) and hypothermic (4-6 degrees C) regimes. In the normothermia group, the postischemic functional recovery was 70-75% of the preischemic control value, while the cellular ATP and CP content was reduced but insignificantly. By contrast, in the hypothermia group, the postischemic functional recovery was markedly depressed, with the tissue high-energy phosphate content being appreciably lowered. The data obtained confirm high efficacy of CP-containing cardioplegic solutions administered under normothermia conditions.     

Evaluation of intracellular and extracellular trehalose as a cryoprotectant of stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood

Cord blood is a source of hematopoietic stem cells used in transplantation in which hematopoietic reconstitution is necessary. This transplant modality requires the cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Dimethyl sulfoxide has been used as a cryoprotectant (CPA) in the cryopreservation of HSCs; however, it has been demonstrated that Me₂SO exhibits toxic side effects to the human body. Due to its stability upon freezing, disaccharides such as trehalose have been investigated as a cryoprotectant. This study investigated the hypothesis that a cryopreservation solution containing intracellular and extracellular trehalose improves the recovery of stem cells after cryopreservation. After thawing, the cells were tested for their viability using the 7AAD stain, CD45+/CD34+ cells were assessed using flow cytometry and the MTT viability assay, and the proportion of hematopoietic progenitor cells was measured using the CFU assay. Our results showed the effectiveness of the solution containing intracellular and extracellular trehalose in the cryopreservation of cord blood cells, demonstrating that trehalose may be an optimal cryoprotectant when present both inside and outside of cells.     

The role of coenzyme Q10 for preservation of the rat kidney: a model experiment for kidney transplantation.

In an experimental model system for kidney transplantation, the ability of the rat kidney to resynthesize ATP after warm ischemic time and subsequent restoration of renal blood flow was found to determine tissue viability and survival of the animal. The administration of CoQ₁₀ prior to warm ischemia enhanced the rate and extent of ATP resynthesis by reflow following two-hour warm ischemia and this was accompanied by an increase in survival rate of the rats.     

Homothallic switching of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating type genes by using a donor containing a large internal deletion.

Homothallic switching of the mating type genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs by a gene conversion event, replacing sequences at the expressed MAT locus with a DNA segment copied from one of two unexpressed loci, HML or HMR. The transposed Ya or Y alpha sequences are flanked by homologous regions that are believed to be essential for switching. We examined the transposition of a mating type gene (hmr alpha 1-delta 6) which contains a 150-base-pair deletion spanning the site where the HO endonuclease generates a double-stranded break in MAT that initiates the gene conversion event. Despite the fact that the ends of the cut MAT region no longer share homology with the donor hmr alpha 1-delta 6, switching of MATa or MAT alpha to mat alpha 1-delta 6 was efficient. However, there was a marked increase in the number of aberrant events, especially the formation of haploid-inviable fusions between MAT and the hmr alpha 1-delta 6 donor locus.     

Effects of hypothermic kidney preservation on the isolated perfused kidney: a comparison of reperfusion methods

Two isolated-perfused kidney methods were used to study the effects of hypothermic preservation on renal function in dog kidneys. The isolated-machine-perfused kidney (IMPK) used an in vitro perfusion technique--the perfusate was a Krebs-bicarbonate type delivered to the kidney at 37 degrees C by a mechanical pump at a constant pressure (100 mm Hg). The isolated-blood-perfused kidney (IBPK) utilized transplantation of the preserved kidney to the femoral vasculature. Renal function (urine analysis) was determined over a 1-hr reperfusion interval and included GFR (creatinine clearance), urine formation, and Na+ reabsorption. Kidneys preserved for only 24 hr by cold storage in either Collins'--C3 solution or in hypotonic citrate and kidneys hypothermically perfused for 24 hr demonstrated greater retention of renal function when reperfused by blood (IBPK) than with the in vitro perfusate (IMPK). The GFR was reduced by 38-58% when tested with the IBPK, but by 80-90% when tested with the IMPK. Na+ reabsorption was normal (97%) with blood reperfusion but was reduced to 36-50% in cold-stored kidneys and 82% in hypothermically perfused kidneys determined by machine reperfusion (IMPK). However, kidneys perfused for 72 hr demonstrated more similar renal functions when tested by either IMPK or IBPK. GFR was reduced to 20% (IBPK) and 11% (IMPK) and Na+ reabsorption averaged 76-85% (IBPK or IMPK). These results suggest that either reperfusion method is suitable for determining the effects of renal preservation on kidney function in kidneys preserved for 72 hr but, for short-term preserved kidneys (24 hr), the IBPK model may be preferred.     

Induction of type C virions from normal rat kidney cells by 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

The sugar 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) induced the release of type C virions from an established line of normal rat kidney (NRK) cells. Within 20 h after the addition of 5 mg of 2-DG per ml to exponentially growing NRK clutures, more than 80% of the cells expressed the mammalian type C virus interspecies-specific antigen (p30) as determined by indirect cytoplasmic immunofluorescence. Maximal virion release occurred 1 to 2 days after 2-DG was added for 24 h to the growth medium although a low level of virion production was detected as early as 2.5 h after 2-DG treatment. Studies with inhibitors of RNA synthesis indicated a requirement for de novo RNA synthesis after the addition of 2-DG. Sensitivity of NRK cells to type C virion induction was limited to a relatively short period of in vitro growth and preceded spontaneous virion release by 8 to 10 subculture generations. A model is presented for the sequential derepression of latent type C virus information in serially propagated NRK cells.     

Hepatic uptake of solutes from the preservation solution during hypothermic storage: a (1)H NMR study in rat liver.

The hepatic uptake of histidine and carnosine (histidyl-alanine), used as buffer agents in four preservation solutions, was studied during 24-h hypothermic storage of rat livers by use of (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results demonstrated that there was a progressive, concentration-linked passive diffusion of histidine into liver tissues throughout the storage period. A similar inward diffusion of carnosine was also noted. Of the carbohydrate osmotic buffers in the preservation solutions, mannitol permeated the liver tissues to a greater degree and more rapidly than raffinose after the flushing with equivalent concentrations and storage at hypothermia. In general, many solutes from preservation solutions will increasingly penetrate the hepatic inter- and intracellular spaces during extended hypothermic preservation and (1)H NMR spectroscopy is one technique that can assist in the identification of these changes.     

Spin-labeled extracellular loop from a seven-transmembrane helix receptor: studies in solution and interaction with model membranes

A spin-labeled pentadecapeptide was synthesized containing 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid (TOAC) as the N-terminal amino acid and residues 253-266 (EYWSTFGNLHHISL) of the mass oncogene receptor, a membrane-bound protein from the G-protein coupled receptors family. According to predictions, this protein folds into seven transmembrane helices connected by three extra- and three intracellular loops, and the peptide encompasses part of the third extracellular loop and part of the seventh helix. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the spin-labeled peptide (TOAC-14) were obtained in aqueous solution as a function of pH and temperature, in a secondary structure-inducing solvent [trifluoroethanol (TFE)], and in the presence of detergent micelles and phospholipid bilayers. The charged and uncharged amino groups of TOAC and TOAC-14 yielded spectra with different isotropic hyperfine splittings (aN). The slow exchange between protonated and unprotonated forms in the EPR time scale gave rise to composite spectra weighted by the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Plots of aN vs pH allowed the determination of the amino group pK values (8.4 and 4.5, for TOAC and TOAC-14, respectively). A small change in aN centered at pH 6.5 was ascribed to the titration of the histidines. Values of calculated rotational correlation times were indicative of a pH-induced conformational change. A conformational change was also observed in TFE. TOAC-14 bound to micelles irrespective of peptide and detergent head group charge. In contrast, the peptide bound to phospholipid bilayers only when both carried opposite charges. The slow exchange (in the EPR time scale) between membrane-bound and free TOAC-14 allowed the calculation of the peptide's partition coefficient. The spectral line shapes were affected by aggregate size and degree of packing of the constituent molecules. It is proposed that pH, polarity, and lipid environment can affect the conformation of water-exposed regions of membrane-bound receptors, thereby playing a role in the mechanism of signal transduction.     

Isolation and partial characterization of a novel disulfoglycosphingolipid from rat kidney

A novel sulfoglycosphingolipid containing two sulfate ester groups was isolated from the lipid extract of rat kidney by a procedure involving mild alkaline methanolysis and column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephacel and silicic acid. The component carbohydrates were galactose, glucose and $\text{N}$-acetylgalactosamine in equimolar amounts. Infrared spectroscopy, permethylation study, periodate oxidation and solvolysis suggested that the sulfoglycolipid was GalNAc1-4Gal1-4GlcCer sulfated at the C3 hydroxyls of both galactose and $\text{N}$-acetylgalactosamine. The yield of this sulfoglycolipid was 11.2 nmol/g tissue.     

Isolation and characterization of a hydroxyacid-oxoacid transhydrogenase from rat kidney mitochondria

A transhydrogenase that catalyzes the oxoacid-dependent oxidation of specific hydroxyacids has been found in rat kidney, liver, and brain. The hydroxyacids that have been found to be substrates for this enzyme are gamma-hydroxybutyrate, D-alpha-hydroxyglutarate, and L-beta-hydroxybutyrate. The oxoacids that are the best substrates for this enzyme are alpha-ketoglutarate and succinic semialdehyde; alpha-ketoadipate and oxalacetate are also substrates. This enzyme is located in the mitochondrial fraction of the cell and is not dependent on added NAD+ or NADP+.