Gas chromatographic determination of 3-butene-1,2-diol in urine samples after 1,3-butadiene exposure

1,3-Butadiene is an important industrial chemical and a common environmental contaminant. Because of its suspected carcinogenicity butadiene-related research has gained high activity. The obvious lack of knowledge so far has been that a biomonitoring method that can detect at least one of the metabolites of butadiene from body fluids or excretas does not exist. In this communication we describe a robust and simple analytical method which can be applied for biomonitoring purposes. We have developed a method that can detect 3-butene-1,2-diol in urine samples of rats inhalation-exposed to various concentrations of 1,3-butadiene. The method is based on liquid–liquid extraction and subsequent gas chromatographic analysis. The extraction efficiency of 3-butene-1,2-diol at a concentration of 2.2 μg/ml was 95% (SD=±3%, n=3) and was achieved by using sodium chloride saturation and isopropanol as an extracting solvent. The standard deviation of the gas chromatographic analysis was ±2% (n=12), the limit of detection was 0.08 μg/ml, the limit of quantitation was 0.11 μg/ml (SD=±4.8%, n=3) and the analysis was observed to be linear from 0.11 to 486 μg/ml (R=0.9987). Animals exposed to 1,3-butadiene showed a linear excretion of 3-butene-1,2-diol into urine as a function of butadiene exposure. During the exposure saturation of metabolism or accumulation of 1,3-butadiene or 3-butene-1,2-diol into the body was not observed in any exposure levels used.     

Validation of urinary thiocyanate as a biomarker of tobacco smoking

Thiocyanate ion (SCN) is the major detoxication product of cyanide, which is converted to SCN by a thiosulphate sulphurtransferase, mainly in hepatic mitochondria. Low-level cyanide exposure for man is caused by factors such as dietary intake of cyanogenic glucosides, tobacco smoking, drug administration and occupational exposure to organic nitriles. Urinary SCN concentration was determined through a commercial kit for the analysis of cyanide in water. Spot urine samples were collected at 7:30 h and 12:30 h, from 99 healthy male white-collar office workers (non-smokers n=72, smokers n=27). Comparison of SCN excretion values did not show any difference between the morning and midday samples. The SCN median value of non-smokers was 24 μmol l^-1 (range 9-24 μmol l^-1) and was statistically different from that of smokers (SCN = 92 μmol l^-1, range 33-275 μmol l^-1) (     

Analysis of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine among workers exposed to diesel particulate exhaust: comparison with urinary metabolites and PAH air monitoring

Oxidative DNA damage and repair, as measured by 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine and DNA samples were studied in association with work-related diesel exhaust exposure among garage and waste collection workers. Seasonal variations of the urinary 8-OHdG levels in pre- and two post-workshift urine samples of 29 exposed workers and 36 control persons were evaluated. The mean±SE levels of post-workshift 8-OHdG (μmol/mol crea) were 1.52±0.44 in winter and 1.61±0.33 in summer for the exposed workers, and 1.56±0.61 in winter and 1.43±0.49 in summer for the controls, respectively. No significant difference in the urinary 8-OHdG levels between exposed workers and control subjects in winter (p=0.923) and summer (p=0.350) was observed. A linear mixed model, adjusted for years of employment, age, ex/non-smoking and BMI, indicated no significant dose exposure-relationships between the urinary 8-OHdG and 15 PAH air concentrations nor between the 8-OHdG and 7 PAH monohydroxy-metabolites analyzed in the same workers. 8-OHdG was also analyzed in the mononuclear cell DNA of 19 exposed and 18 control subjects. The mean value of 8-OHdG/non-modified 2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG/105 dG±SE) were 4.89±0.17 for the exposed and 4.11±0.16 for the control persons, which showed no correlation with the urinary 8-OHdG levels (r=0.01, n=28, P=0.96). The PAH exposure at workplaces was mainly composed of volatile compounds, particularly naphthalene, suggesting low exposure through the respiratory tract and a low effect of PAH in ROS induction.     

Quantitative determination of the macrolide antibiotics erythromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography using pre-column derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl chloride and fluorescence detection

A validated, highly sensitive and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of the macrolides erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin and roxithromycin in human serum is described. A diethyl ether extract, obtained from serum using a saturated sodium carbonate solution, was treated with 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl chloride (FMOC–Cl) for 40 min at 40°C and chromatographed on a base-deactivated octadecyl column, maintained at 50°C during elution, using an eluent composed of acetonitrile–hydrogenphosphate buffer, pH 7.5, with 0.125% triethylamine (3:2, v/v). Fluorescence detection was used at an excitation wavelength of 255 nm and an emission wavelength of 315 nm. Erythromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin and azithromycin were found to have retention times of 8.8, 15.7, 17.1 and 20.7 min, respectively. Recoveries ranging from 93 to 104% were found with reproducibility coefficients of variation of 1.1–5%. Mean correlation coefficients of 0.9997, 0.9998, 0.9996 and 0.9994 were found for the linear calibration curves (n=2) of erythromycin (0.320–16.1 mg/l), roxithromycin (3.24–19.4 mg/l), clarithromycin (0.190–19.4 mg/l) and azithromycin (0.0988–4.94 mg/l), respectively.     

Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the determination of “high-energy” phosphates in mammalian skeletal muscle: Application to a single-fibre study in man

A sensitive and reproducible method for the determination of adenine nucleotides (ATP, IMP) and creatine compounds [creatine (Cr), phosphocreatine (PCr)] in freeze–dried single human muscle fibre fragments is presented. The method uses isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of methanol extracts. Average retention times (min) of ATP, IMP and PCr, Cr from standard solutions were 10.6±0.42, 2.11±0.06 (n=6) and 10.5±0.31 and 1.19±0.02 (n=9), respectively. Detection limits in extracts from muscle fibre fragments were 2.0, 1.0, 3.0 and 2.0 mmol/kg dm, respectively. The assay was found successful for analysis of fibre-fragments weighing ≥1 μg.     

Longitudinal study of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine excretion in healthy adults

Numerous studies have investigated the urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker for the assessment of oxidative DNA damage in humans. In this study, we performed six consecutive series of measurement of urinary levels of 8-OHdG in 68 healthy probands, in order to provide information on the intra- and inter-individual variability of 8-OHdG and to estimate the influence of smoking, age, sex, body weight and body mass index (BMI) on the excretion of 8-OHdG. The intraindividual coefficient of variation (CV) of urinary 8-OHdG/24h ranged from 0.18 to 1.06 (mean CV=0.48). Women excreted significantly lower amounts of 8-OHdG/24h than men, but the difference lost its significance when the body weight or urinary creatinine were used as covariates. By multiple linear regression analysis significant correlations between the mean individual levels of 8-OHdG/24h excretion and urinary creatinine (r_p = 0.61), and cotinine (r_p = 0.27) have been observed, whereas no statistically significant effect of age, body weight and BMI was found. The 8-OHdG/creatinine ratio was found to be significantly increased in 23 smokers (1.95 ± 0.40 μmol/mol) opposed to 45 non-smoking probands (1.62 ± 0.50 μmol/mol), which is in good agreement with previously published data. No effect of passive smoking on the excretion of 8-OHdG was found. From our data we conclude that the intraindividual variability of urinary 8-OHdG excretion has been underestimated so far, indicating that values of 8-OHdG measured by single spot monitoring are not representative for individual base levels.     

A monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of ursodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfates in human urine

Sulfation of the 3-hydroxy group is assumed to be a major metabolic route of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) which is used for treating various hepatobiliary diseases. We have developed a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determining the total amount of nonamidated, glycine- and taurine-amidated ursodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfates (UDCA 3-Suls) using a newly established monoclonal antibody. In this study, 12 kinds of antibody-secreting hybridoma clones were generated by a fusion experiment between P3/NS1/1-Ag4-1 myeloma cells and the spleen cells from a BALB/c or an A/J mouse which had been immunized with a conjugate of nonamidated UDCA 3-Sul and bovine serum albumin. One of the monoclonal antibodies, Ba-10 (γ2a, κ), had suitable binding properties for clinical application, which was group-specific to the UDCA 3-Suls, and showed negligible cross-reactivities with various related bile acids including potentially interfering compounds, namely, the unconjugated UDCA, UDCA 7-N-acetylglucosaminide, the 3-sulfates of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid. The antibody Ba-10 allowed us to develop a sensitive competitive ELISA system whose measurable range was approximately 2–200 pg per assay. A serial dilution study indicated that the ELISA enables the direct measurement of the UDCA 3-Suls in human urine before and after the administration of exogenous UDCA. The daily urinary excretion rate of UDCA 3-Suls from healthy male volunteers (n = 5) was determined to be a mean of 131 ± 61.2 (SD) μg as the nonamidated UDCA 3-Sul equivalent.     

A miniswine model of heatstroke

We developed a miniswine model of passive heatstroke, in part, to explain the variable hyper-, normo- and hypokalemia seen in heatstroke victims. After a baseline period (T_amb=26–27°C), anesthetized and instrumented miniswine (n=13, mass=44.6 kg) were ramped to 41–43°C, 60% RH; 13 controls were treated identically, but T_re was maintained at 38°C. T_re of the experimental miniswine rose nearly linearly to 45–46°C until death (approx. 4 h). The response patterns of mean arterial pressure, heart rate, plasma K⁺, LPS, Ca²⁺, inorganic phosphate, lactate and a variety of other clinical chemical and physiological variables were determined. An explanation for the variability of plasma K⁺ in heatstroke victims was proposed. This model may be useful in characterizing the multisystemic pathology of severe heat injury and be useful for assessing innovative therapeutic regimens.     

Biopsied and vitrified bovine embryos viability is improved by trans10, cis12 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during in vitro embryo culture

Bovine embryos cultured in serum-containing media abnormally accumulate lipids in the cytoplasm. This is well known to contribute to their higher susceptibility to cryopreservation and biopsied embryos are even further susceptible. We aimed to improve in vitro produced (IVP) embryos resistance to micromanipulation and cryopreservation by supplementing serum-containing media with trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10, c12 CLA). The effect of t10, c12 CLA on lipid deposition and embryonic development was also tested. After in vitro maturation and fertilization (IVF day = D0), zygotes were cultured on granulosa cells + M199 + 10% serum + 100 μM GSH supplemented with 100 μM of t10, c12 CLA (CLA group, n = 1394) or without supplementation (control group, n = 1431). Samples of D7/D8 embryos were observed under Nomarsky microscopy for lipid droplets evaluation while others were biopsied and vitrified (group B-Control, n = 24; group B-CLA, n = 23). Non-biopsied embryos were also frozen (group NB-Control, n = 49; group NB-CLA, n = 45). Biopsied cells were used for embryo sex determination. Postwarming embryo survival and viability were determined at 0 and 24 h of culture, respectively. Supplementation of t10, c12 CLA did not influence cleavage, embryo sex ratio, D7/D8 embryo rate or morphological quality. CLA embryos had higher number of small lipid droplets (P ≤ 0.003) and a smaller (P < 0.001) fat embryo index being leaner (P = 0.008) than control embryos. Embryo postwarming survival was higher in B-CLA than in B-control group (95.0 ± 7.0% versus 62.5 ± 7.9%; P < 0.001). After 24 h of culture, the viability (expansion rate) of biopsied embryos and nonbiopsied embryos, cultured with t10, c12 CLA was higher than control embryos (B-CLA = 64.6 ± 4.4% and B-control = 27.5 ± 2.5%, P = 0.01; NB-CLA = 86.0 ± 3.5% and NB-Control = 68.6 ± 7.0%, P = 0.05). Results showed that supplying t10, c12 CLA to serum-containing media decreases embryo cytoplasmic lipid deposition during in vitro culture and significantly improves resistance of IVP embryos to micromanipulation and cryopreservation.     

Superovulation using recombinant human FSH and ultrasound-guided transabdominal follicular aspiration in baboon (Papio anubis)

The response of baboon females to a modified human ovarian stimulation protocol incorporating start of pituitary suppression in the luteal phase of the cycle with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) and recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) was studied. A long-acting GnRHa implant supplying goserelin acetate was administered s.c. to six adult female baboons experiencing regular menstrual cycles (33–34 days) on days 22–24 of the cycle. Follicular development was monitored by transabdominal ultrasonography and serum levels of E2 and progesterone (P4) and rhFSH were determined by ELISA. Menses occurred 9–10 days after GnRHa administration. Daily i.m. administration of 75 IU rhFSH commenced 9–10 days after menses and continued for 9–10 days. When most follicles were ≥5 mm diameter and serum E2 had reached its maximum level, 2000 IU hCG was administered i.m. to induce follicle maturation. Transabdominal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration of follicles ≥2 mm diameter was performed 30–34 h after hCG administration.

One baboon did not show an adequate response to rhFSH stimulation. This animal did not receive further treatment and no data for it are presented. The number of follicles aspirated was 21±4 and 17.2±3.8 oocytes were recovered per animal with an average recovery rate of 82% (86/105). The number of oocytes collected from five animals were 14, 21, 16, 15, and 20 (n=86). Most of the oocytes recovered were in metaphase II and 3 h after recovery 91% (78/86) were considered suitable for in vitro fertilization. It was concluded that recombinant human FSH can successfully induce follicular recruitment and oocyte maturation in baboon females during pituitary suppression with a GnRHa     

Copper(II) complexes with (2-hydroxybenzyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine–Hbpa: syntheses, characterization and crystal structures of the ligand and [Cu(II)(Hbpa)2](ClO4)2·2H2O

Copper(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR and visible spectroscopies, EPR and electrochemistry, as well as X-ray structure crystallography. The group consists of discrete mononuclear units with the general formula [Cu(II)(Hbpa)₂](A)₂·nH₂O, where Hbpa=(2-hydroxybenzyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine and A=ClO₄ ⁻, n=2 (1), CH₃COO⁻, n=3 (2), NO₃ ⁻, n=2 (3) and SO₄ ²⁻, n=3 (4). The structures of the ligand Hbpa and complex 1 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1–4 have had their UV–Vis spectra measured in both MeCN and DMF. It was observed that the compounds interact with basic solvents, such that molecules coordinate to the metal in axial positions in which phenol oxygen atoms are coordinated in the protonated forms. The values were all less than 1000 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹. EPR measurements on powdered samples of 1–3 gave g/A values between 105 and 135 cm⁻¹, typical for square planar coordination environments. Complex 4·3H₂O exhibits a behaviour typical for tetrahedral coordination. The electrochemical behaviour for complexes 1 and 2 was studied showing irreversible redox waves for both compounds.     

Organotin-induced hemolysis,shape transformation and intramembranous aggregates in human erythrocytes

Organotin compounds examined in this study exhibited a relative order of potency for induction of in vitro hemolysis in human erythrocytes as follows: tri-n-butyltin > tri-n propyltin > tetra-n-butyltin > triphenyltin chloride > tri-n-ethyltin bromide > dibutyltin dichloride > stannous chloride > tri-n-methyltin chloride = butyltin chloride dihydroxide. All of the organotin compounds induced erythrocyte shape transformation from the normal discocyte to an echinocyte and, in addition, triphenyltin chloride, tetra-n-butyltin and tri-n-ethyltin bromide also elicited stomatocyte formation at higher concentrations. Select organotin compounds also formed tin-containing aggregates within the plasma membrane. The relative order of effectiveness for organotin induction of intramembranous aggregates was tri-n-butyltin > tri-npropyltin > tetra-n-butyltin > tri-n-ethyltin bromide, which was based upon the lowest concentration at which they were observed. These results support the previously suggested theory that organotins are membrane effectors because of their comparatively high hydrophobic, lipid partitioning properties. The relatively lipophilic compound, triphenyltin chloride, appeared to be anomalous because it did not readily promote hemolysis or induce the formation of intramembranous aggregates in human erythrocytes. A log-linear statistical model demonstrated an association of hemolysis with both tri-n-butyltin aggregate formation and shape transformation. Select organotin compounds should be useful probes in membrane studies because of their numerous effects.Abbreviations DBT dibutylin dichloride - MBT butyltinchloride dihydroxide - SnCl₂ stannous chloride - TBT tri-n-butyltin - TET tri-n-ethyltin bromide - TMT tri-n-methyltin chloride - TPhT triphenyltin chloride - TPT tri-n-propyltin - TTBT tetra-n-butyltin     

Colocalization of NO and VIP in neurons of the submucous plexus in the rat intestine

Since very few previous studies have carried out the quantitative analysis for the colocalization of nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the submucous neurons in the rat digestive tract, we applied in vivo treatment of colchicine to enhance the immunoreactivity and examined the colocalization of NO synthase (nNOS) and VIP in neurons of the submucous plexus throughout the rat digestive tract. The density of nNOS-containing neurons in the submucous plexus in the stomach corpus (103±25 cells/cm², n=3) and that in the antrum (157±9 cells/cm², n=3) were significantly lower than those in small and large intestine. However no difference was detected in the cell density among duodenum (1967±188 cells/cm², n=3), jejunum (2640±140 cells/cm², n=3), ileum (2070±42 cells/cm², n=3), proximal colon (2243±138 cells/cm², n=3) and distal colon (2633±376 cells/cm², n=3). The proportion of nNOS-immunoreactive (IR), nNOS/VIP-IR and VIP-IR neurons to the total number of submucous neurons was examined. nNOS/VIP-IR neurons comprised 45–55% of total number of submucous neurons from the duodenum to the proximal colon, however those comprised 66.4±5.1% in the distal colon. The results showed that the dense distribution of nNOS-containing neurons was found in the submucous plexus throughout the small and large intestine, and large population of submucous neurons co-stored nNOS and VIP.     

Human prepubertal testicular cells in culture: Steroidogenic capacity, paracrine and hormone control

The neonatal human Leydig cell undergoes a transient period of activation during the first months of life. The biological significance of this activation is unknown. Furthermore, little is known about the hormonal regulation of this biological process, even though it coincides with an elevation of LH levels in serum. In order to study the function of human prepubertal testicular culture cells, obtained during the neonatal period, a method for maintaining primary culture cells (isolated from testes collected at necropsy) in culture was developed. Within 24 h after death, testes were collected from 1–36-month-old subjects. Subjects were divided into two age groups, based on the presence or absence of fetal Leydig cells: 1–7-month-old infants (group 1) and 12–36-month-old children (group 2). Testes were digested with collagenase, and cells were seeded in multi-well dishes. Cells were grown in serum-free conditioned media supplemented with 5 mg/l vitamin C, 0.2 IU/l vitamin E and 10% fetal bovine serum for 2 days. Cells were then grown for an additional 4 days in serum-free media in the presence or absence of hLH (40 IU/l), hCG (135 IU/l), rh FSH (1.5 IU/l), rhGH (0.12 IU/l) or insulin (0.9 μmol/l). Concentrations of steroids in media were determined by RIA on day 6 of culture. In basal conditions cells of group 1 (n = 11) secreted more testosterone, androstendione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (mean ± SE: 6.76 ± 1.86, 7.37 ± 1.82, 61.9 ± 1.86, 5.75 ± 1.74 and 8.51 ± 3.23 pmol/10⁶ cells/24 h, respectively) than cells of group 2 (n = 5) (2.95 ± 1.15, 1.50 ± 2.75, 1.44 ± 2.75, 0.78 ± 1.74 and 3.23 ± 1.32, respectively). Under hLH stimulation, cells of group 1 increased testosterone, androstendione and 17-hydroxyprogesterone secretions (to 38.2 ± 0.89, 13.5 ± 1.17 and 51.7 ± 3.23), while progesterone secretion remained unchanged (2.82 ± 1.20). Cell response to rhFSH and rhGH was similar to that of hLH. On the other hand, medium collected from cultures of cells isolated from a Sertoli cell tumor was able to stimulate testosterone secretion in subcultures of control testicular cells in a way similar to that of hCG. In conclusion, (1) these prepubertal human testicular cells can be maintained in primary culture for several days keeping their in vivo steroidogenic potential; (2) cells isolated from young infants can respond to hLH in culture; (3) response to rhFSH is probably mediated by a paracrine factor; (4) response to rhGH is observed in the absence of gonadotropins. Therefore, the early postnatal activation of the human testis might be under multiple pituitary hormone control; and, finally, (5) Sertoli cell tumors can secrete paracrine factors that stimulate steroidogenesis.     

Effect of various chloride salts on the utilization of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium

Only part of the effect of dietary protein on urinary calcium excretion can be ascribed to sulfur amino acids. We hypothesized that chloride, another factor often associated with isolated proteins, and another amino acid, lysine, affect utilization of calcium. The effects of supplemental dietary chloride, inorganic or organic, on calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium utilization were studied in two rat studies. Weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semi-purified diets that contained moderate (1.8 mg Cl/g diet) or supplemental (15.5 mg Cl/g diet) chloride as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or lysine monohydrochloride with or without calcium carbonate for 56 or 119 days. Rats fed supplemental sodium chloride or potassium chloride had higher urinary phosphorus excretion, more efficient phosphorus absorption, but unchanged tissue phosphorus levels after 7 and 16 weeks of dietary treatment as compared to rats fed moderate chloride. Rats fed supplemental sodium chloride or potassium chloride excreted more calcium in urine at 7 weeks and absorbed calcium less efficiently at 16 weeks. Tissue calcium concentrations were unaffected, but total tibia magnesium and plasma magnesium concentrations were lower in rats fed supplemental sodium chloride or potassium chloride than those fed moderate chloride. Lysine chloride with or without additional calcium elevated urinary calcium excretion even more than sodium chloride and potassium chloride ingestion. Rats fed lysine chloride with supplemental calcium had smaller apparent absorption and urinary losses of phosphorus and magnesium after 16 weeks and lower tibia and plasma magnesium concentrations than rats fed lysine chloride.     

The crystal and molecular structures of lithium trimethylenediaminetetraacetatoferrate(III) trihydrate Li[Fe(trdta)]·3H2O and sodium ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetato-N,N′-di-3-propionatoferrate(II) pentahydrate Na[Fe(eddda)]·5H2O

The crystal structures of Li[Fe(trtda)]·3H₂O and Na[Fe(eddda)]·5H₂O (trtda = trimethylenediaminetetraacetate and eddda = ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetate-N,N′-di-3-propionate) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The former crystal was monoclinic with the space group P2₁/n,a = 17.775(3),b = 10.261(1),c = 8.883(2)Å, β = 95.86(4)° and Z = 4. The latter was also monoclinic with the space group P2₁/n,a = 6.894(2),b = 20.710(6),c = 13.966(3)Å, β = 101.44(2)° and Z = 4. Both complex anions were found to adopt an octahedral six-coordinated structure with all of six ligand atoms of trdta⁴⁻ or eddda⁴⁻ coordinated to the Fe(III) ion, unlike the corresponding edta⁴⁻ complex which is usually seven-coordinate with the seventh coordination site occupied by H₂O. Of the three geometrical isomers possible for the eddda complex, the trans(O₅) isomer was actually found in the latter crystal. Factors determining the structural types of metal–edta complexes are discussed in detail.     

Dynamics of indirect symptoms of skeletal muscle damage after stretch-shortening exercise

Healthy untrained men (age 20.4 ± 1.7 years, n = 20) volunteered to participate in an experiment in order to establish dynamics of indirect symptoms of skeletal muscle damage (ISMD) (decrease in maximal isometric voluntary contraction torque (MVCT) and torque evoked by electrostimulation at different frequencies and at different quadriceps muscle length, height (H) of drop jump (DJ), muscle soreness and creatine kinase (CK) activity in the blood) after 100 DJs from 0.75 m height performed with maximal intensity with an interval of 20 s between the jumps (stretch-shortening exercise, SSE). All ISMDs remained even 72 h after SSE (P < 0.01–0.001). The muscle experienced greater decrease (P < 0.01) in torque evoked by electrostimulation (at low stimulation frequencies and at short muscle length in particular) after SSE than neuromuscular performance (MVCT and H of DJ) which demonstrated secondary decrease (P < 0.01) in neuromuscular performance during the first 48 h after SSE. Within 24–72 h after the SSE the subjects felt an acute muscle pain (5–7 points approximately) and the CK activity in the blood was significantly increased up to 1200 IU/L (P < 0.001). A significant correlation between decrease in MVCT and H of DJ 24–48 h after SSE on the one hand and muscle soreness registered within 24–48 h after SSE on the other was observed, whereas correlation between the other indirect symptoms of skeletal muscle damage was not significant.     

Actigraphic sleep-wake patterns and urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Recent studies suggest melatonin, due to its antioxidant and free-radical- scavenging actions, may play a role in the neuroprotection against amyloid, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we determined urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) excretion together with actigraphic sleep-wake patterns of untreated male patients with AD who lived at home. Results were compared with those obtained from normal age-matched elderly and normal young male subjects. Similar measurements were also performed in another group of patients with AD who were treated with a cholinesterase inhibitor (Donepezil, Aricept). Total 24h aMT6s values were significantly reduced in elderly controls (19.9h ± 5.2 μg/24h), in those with untreated AD (12.7 ± 4.4 μg/24h), and in patients treated for AD (12.4 ± 4.4 μ g/24h) compared with normal young men (32.8 ± 3.1 μ g/24h). A day-night difference in aMT6s was evident in all young controls, in 50% of elderly controls, in only 20% of patients with untreated AD, and in 67% of those with AD receiving Aricept. Sleep quality (expressed as sleep efficiency, wake time, and long undisturbed sleep duration) was better in young and elderly controls compared with the two groups of patients with AD. There was no significant correlation between aMT6s values or sleep patterns and the severity of cognitive impairment in patients with AD. Taken together, these data suggest that disrupted sleep, decreased melatonin production, and partial lack of day-night difference in melatonin secretion were observed equally in normal elderly and in patients with AD. Our results do not permit drawing any conclusion as to whether changes in urinary aMT6s excretion is correlated with disturbed sleep in patients with AD. (Chronobiology International, 18(3), 513-524, 2001)     

Effects of peptide YY and its analogues on chloride ion secretion in fed and fasted rat jejunum

The aim of our study was to determine whether a meal modifies the antisecretory response induced by PYY and the structural requirements to elicit antisecretory effects of analogue PYY(22–36) for potential antidiarrhea therapy. The variations in short-circuit current (Isc) due to the modification of ionic transport across the rat intestine were assessed in vitro, using Ussing chambers. In fasted rats, PYY induced a dose- and time-dependent reduction in Isc, with a sensitivity threshold at 5 × 10⁻¹¹ M (ΔIsc −2 ± 0.5 μA/cm²). The reduction was maximal at 10⁻⁷ M (Isc −23 ± 2 μA/cm²), and the concentration producing half-maximal inhibition was 10⁻⁹ M. At 10⁻⁷ M, reduction of Isc by PYY reached 90% of response to 5 × 10⁻⁵ M bumetanide. The PYY effect was partly reversed by 10⁻⁵ M forskolin (Isc +13.43 ± 2.91 μA/h·cm², p < 0.05) or 10⁻³ M dibutyryl adenosine 3′,5′ cyclic monophosphate (Isc +12 ± 1.69 μA/cm², p < 0.05). Naloxone and tetrodotoxin did not alter the effect of PYY. In addition, PYY and its analogue P915 reduced net chloride ion secretion to 2.85 and 2.29 μEq/cm² (p < 0.05), respectively. The antisecretory effect of PYY was accompanied by dose- and time-dependent desensitization when jejunum was prestimulated by a lower dose of peptide. The antisecretory potencies exhibited by PYY analogues required both a C-terminal fragment (22–36) and an aromatic amino acid residue (Trp or Phe) at position 27. At 10⁻⁷ M the biological activity of PYY was lower in fed than fasted rats (p < 0.001). Our results confirm the antisecretory effect of PYY, but show that the fed period is accompanied by desensitization, similar to the transient desensitization observed in the fasted period with cumulative doses. This suggests that PYY may act as a physiological mediator that reduces intestinal secretion.     

Peripheral insulin administration attenuates the increase in neuropeptide Y concentrations in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of fasted rats

Fasting increases neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentrations in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), its site of synthesis, and in other regions of the rat hypothalamus. Neuropeptide Y is a potent central orexigenic agent and may therefore stimulate appetite during fasting. We tested the hypothesis that low plasma insulin levels stimulate ARC levels of NPY in fasted rats. Compared with freely fed controls (n = 8), rats fasted for 72 h (n = 8) showed significantly lower plasma insulin levels (28.9 ± 1.6 vs. 52.6 ± 5.7 pmol/l; p < 0.001) and higher ARC NPY concentrations (14.2 ± 1.8 vs. 8.4 ± 2.2 fmol/μg protein; p < 0.001). Fasted rats treated with subcutaneous insulin (5 U/kg/day; n = 10), which nearly normalized plasma insulin (46.6 ± 2.8 pmol/l), showed intermediate ARC NPY levels (11.2 ± 1.4 fmol/μg protein; p < 0.01 vs. controls and untreated fasted rats). Insulin administered peripherally, therefore, attenuates fasting-induced NPY increases in the ARC, supporting the hypothesis that hypoinsulinemia stimulates hypothalamic NPY.