Ethyl acetate extraction of spin-trapped free radicals: a reevaluation

We have suggested the use of ethyl acetate for extraction of hydroxyl or superoxide radical adducts of the spin trap phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBM). The technique produced EPR spectra with narrow line widths, the radical adducts were more stable, and there were sufficiently large differences between the isotropic nitrogen hyperfine coupling constant (alpha N) and the beta hydrogen coupling constant (alpha H beta) for both the hydroxyl and superoxide radical adducts to allow their simultaneous quantitation in mixtures. However, Kalyanaraman, Mottley, and Mason have suggested that our assignments of alpha N and alpha H beta were incorrect and that extraction of spin-trapped adducts into ethyl acetate is not as useful as we had proposed. This paper demonstrates that their objections are unfounded and are based on a computational error that they made when they attempted to calculate the hyperfine splittings in their spectra.     

Protective effects of ceruloplasmin against electrolysis-induced oxygen free radicals in rat heart.

The potentially injurious effects of oxygen-derived free radicals (OFR) on the myocardium can be prevented in part by pretreatment with OFR scavengers or antioxidants. Since ceruloplasmin (CP) has been shown to possess potent antioxidant activity and scavenge a variety of OFR in vitro, we have undertaken to study its protective effects against myocardial injury induced by OFR. CP was freshly purified by a fast method that minimized proteolytic enzyme degradation. Free radicals were generated by the electrolysis (10 mA DC current for 1 min) of a Krebs-Henseleit solution perfusing an isolated rat heart preparation under constant pressure conditions. CP (0.25 microM) afforded 80 and 63% protection (n = 8, p less than 0.05), respectively, against the deleterious effects of electrolysis-induced OFR on left ventricular pressure and coronary flow. The increase in left ventricular end diastolic pressure used here as an index of heart failure did not occur in the presence of 0.25 microM CP. Moreover, CP significantly reduced the increase of norepinephrine washout in the effluent perfusate after electrolysis suggesting a protection against free radical-induced injury to sympathetic nerve endings.     

Protective effect of prior immunization on ocular paracoccidioidomycosis in guinea pigs

The present study reproduced the experimental model of ocular paracoccidioidomycosis in guinea pigs, by the intracardiac inoculation of yeast-forms of P. brasiliensis. Ocular involvement was observed in 80% of the infected animals. The uvea, ciliary body, choroid, iris, lids and the conjunctiva were the structures most commonly affected. To protect the animals against the infection, an immunization protocol was standardized utilizing a P. brasiliensis soluble antigen in Freund's complete adjuvant, administered weekly, during 3 weeks, by the subcutaneous route. Two weeks later, previously immunized guinea pigs were challenged by the intracardiac route with yeast-forms of P. brasiliensis (vaccinated group). When compared with a control group (infection in the absence of prior immunization), the vaccinated animals developed higher levels of anti-P. brasiliensis cellular and humoral immune response and a three times lower frequency of ocular involvement (85.7% vs 28.5%). In addition, the ocular lesions were significantly more localized and contained less fungal cells. The data demonstrated that the subcutaneous immunization was effective in decreasing the frequency and extent of ocular lesions, as well as in blocking fungal multiplication.     

Changes in responses of UVB irradiated skin of brownish guinea pigs with aging

It is known that skin often shows irregular pigmentation during aging, which is frequently associated with hyperpigmentation. Many studies have utilized brownish A1 guinea pigs to investigate the pathogenesis of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin pigmentation, however, responses associated with aging following UVB irradiation have not been elucidated. To characterize those responses, dorsal skin of A1 guinea pigs from 14-weeks to 5-yr old were investigated. The minimal erythema dose was found to increase with aging. Further, in pigmentation induced by UVB radiation, skin brightness (DeltaL*-value) decreased equally in both the 14-week old (young) group and in the 3-yr old (old) group of guinea pigs. The DeltaL*-value recovered in the young group from 21 d after UVB irradiation, whereas no such recovery was seen in the old group. In addition, the amount of melanin and the number of melanocytes returned near pre-irradiation levels in the young group, while they remained high in the old group. Our results therefore demonstrate for the first time that skin responses following UVB irradiation change with aging in A1 guinea pigs.     

Met-enkephalin effects on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs

We investigated the effects of the neuropeptide met-enkephalin on histamine-induced bronhoconstriction in an experimental model of asthma. Classic Konzett and R?ssler's method of whole body plethysmography modified by Gjuris, was applied in the study. This method represents a standard experimental model of bronchoconstriction, suitable for the evaluation of peptide effects on the histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. The results of the measurements implicate a dose-related modulatory effect of met-enkephalin on the bronchoconstrictor action of histamine. Met-enkephalin doses of 1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively, caused statistically significant reduction of the histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. Estimated ED50 dose was 0.235 mg/kg. Further studies are needed to define practical and therapeutical use of the presented observations in respiratory pharmacology.     

副猪嗜血杆菌血清4、13和14型TbpA对豚鼠的交互免疫保护性

【背景】副猪嗜血杆菌(Haemophilusparasuis,HPS)是猪革拉瑟氏病(Gl?sser?sdisease)的病原体,目前在对该病的防控中,由于长期使用抗生素产生的耐药性以及灭活疫苗缺乏交互免疫保护力,亟待寻求新的方法来解决这一问题。【目的】探究不同血清型HPS转铁结合蛋白A (TbpA)对豚鼠的交互免疫保护性,为进一步用仔猪开展相关研究奠定基础。【方法】采用HPS血清型4、13和14型重组TbpA以0.1mg/只、经2次间隔期为20d的免疫后,检测豚鼠血清IgG抗体和细胞因子(IL-2、IL-5、IL-8、IFN-γ、MCP-1、TNF-α)水平;以HPS血清型4、13和14型菌株5 LD50剂量腹腔攻毒,检查病理组织学变化及其免疫保护率。【结果】HPS血清型4、13和14型重组TbpA均能诱导豚鼠产生较高水平的特异性抗体IgG,并使细胞因子显著升高。HPS血清型4、13和14型重组TbpA在免疫后均能对豚鼠产生交互免疫保护,其中HPS血清型13型TbpA免疫组的交互免疫保护率最高,对血清型4、14型HPS均为50.0%,对相同血清型HPS的免疫保护率也最高,达到83.3%,病理组织学检查显示与HPS血清型4、14型TbpA免疫组相比,13型TbpA免疫组的组织切片病理变化与攻毒对照组之间差异更明显。【结论】HPS血清型4、13和14型TbpA均能诱导豚鼠的体液免疫和相关细胞因子的分泌,产生交互免疫保护力,其中HPS血清型13型Tbp A的交互免疫保护力最强,可作为一种新的疫苗候选抗原。     

Chilling response of plants: importance of galactolipase, free fatty acids and free radicals

The chilling response of plants is complex and based on the interplay of two important metabolic processes--lipolytic degradation of membrane lipids and a set of oxidative reactions leading to lipid peroxidation and membrane damage evoked in chilling-sensitive (CS) plants subjected to low temperature and light. The effects of chilling of detached leaves and intact plants differ and are often neglected during experiments. In closely-related species, the activity of several constitutive enzymes (i.e. superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase) appears to be higher in chilling-tolerant (CT) than in CS species; while in several native, closely-related CS species, lipid acyl hydrolase (galactolipase) activity is higher than in CT species. Moreover, in chilling-insensitive (CI) plants, galactolipase activity is very low and is neither activated by detachment of leaves nor under stress conditions in growing plants. Dark and low-temperature treatments of detached leaves of CS species and post-chilling recovery of growing plants in the light activate galactolipase, which is responsible for the release of free fatty acids (FFA), the main substrates of peroxidation by lipoxygenase and free radicals. In several CS species, increased galactolipase activity is an important factor contributing to chilling susceptibility. Thus, it seems likely that enhancement of chilling tolerance may be achieved by genetically suppressing galactolipase in order to reduce both the degradation of chloroplast lipids and the level of released FFA, and thereby avoiding the deleterious action of their peroxidation products on plant tissues.     

Vascular effects of oxygen-derived free radicals

This review attempts to summarize the available data regarding the vascular actions of free oxygen radicals. Studies on blood vessels in situ and in vitro demonstrate that free oxygen radicals can evoke both vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Free oxygen radicals can modulate the tone of vascular smooth muscle by acting directly on the smooth muscle cells, and also via indirect mechanisms by changes in the production or biological activity of vasoactive mediators. The individual oxygen radicals may have different (sometimes opposite) vascular effects. Superoxide anion inactivates endothelium-derived relaxing factor and the adrenergic neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Hydrogen peroxide and the hydroxyl radical evoke vasodilation by acting directly on vascular smooth muscle and also by stimulating the synthesis/release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. In acute arterial hypertension or experimental brain injury oxygen radicals are important mediators of vascular damage. Production of oxygen-derived free radicals by activated neutrophils may be responsible for vasodilation and increased permeability of capillary membrane during the acute inflammatory process. Free oxygen radicals also play an important role in reperfusion injury of various organs, and vascular actions of the free radicals may contribute to the damage of parenchymal tissues.     

Antiradiation effects of leucynferon on dogs and guinea pigs

In experiments with two species of animals (dogs, guinea pigs) irradiated with sublethal and lethal doses of gamma-rays, it was observed, that leucynferon had antiradiation effect. Course of injections: dogs--8 injections subcutaneus: 2.0 ml (1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 14, 21, 34 days after irradiation); guinea pigs--14 injections subcutaneus, 0.2 ml (1-14 days after irradiation). Therapeutical effect was explained by capacity of the preparation to defend the hemopoietic organs from the radiation and to stimulate hemopoiesis. Leucynferon hindered the development of acute radiation sickness symptoms. Immunoreactivity of dogs and guinea pigs in experimental group was more complete and restored faster. The growth of the automicroflora on the skin was restrained. Production of interferon-gamma (which is a function of T-lymphocytes) was restored faster.     

The effect of concentration on the antioxidant effectiveness of alpha-tocopherol in lipid peroxidation induced by superoxide free radicals

Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes were rapidly oxidized in the presence of chelated iron and a superoxide-generating system. alpha-Tocopherol incorporated in the bilayer was oxidized at the same time. No lipid or alpha-tocopherol oxidation occurred in liposomes composed of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine. The antioxidant did not inhibit lipid peroxidation until its concentration reached a critical level, which depended on the effectiveness of the oxidative stress. Beyond this level, peroxidation was inhibited completely and, simultaneously, the rate of oxidation of tocopherol was lowered. The results suggest that the antioxidant efficiency of alpha-tocopherol depends on its ability to react mainly with the chain-initiating or chain-propagating lipid radicals. This, in turn, is closely tied to the tocopherol content of the membrane. Ascorbate inhibited the consumption of alpha-tocopherol, possibly by regenerating its reduced form.     

Protective effect of poly I:poly C from gentamicin nephrotoxicity in guinea pigs

Poly(inosinic) and poly(cytidylic) acids (Poly I:Poly C) have been used to induce the production of endogenous interferon or release preformed interferon in mammals. Interferon increases the resistance of the cells. Sixty guinea pigs were used to investigate whether Poly I:Poly C gave protection from gentamicin nephrotoxicity. The animals were divided into six equal groups. Group 1 were controls; group 2 received gentamicin intramuscularly; group 3 received gentamicin and 12 h later frusemide; group 4 received gentamicin and 12 h later 1-deamino-8-D-argine vasopressin (DDAVP) intramuscularly; group 5 received subcutaneously Poly I:Poly C; group 6 received Poly I:Poly C and 24 h later gentamicin. Frusemide in group 3 potentiated gentamicin nephrotoxicity while DDAVP in group 4 ameliorated gentamicin nephrotoxicity. Poly I:Poly C itself had no toxic effect on renal tissue, while Poly I:Poly C followed 24 h later by gentamicin indicated a protective effect from the gentamicin nephrotoxicity as the functional and histological investigations indicated.     

The importance of free radicals and catalytic metal ions in human diseases

The study of free radical reactions is not an isolated and esoteric branch of science. A knowledge of free radical chemistry and biochemistry is relevant to an understanding of all diseases and the mode of action of all toxins, if only because diseased or damaged tissues undergo radical reactions more readily than do normal tissues. However it does not follow that because radical reactions can be demonstrated, they are important in any particular instance. We hope that the careful techniques needed to assess the biological role of free radicals will become more widely used.