Effects of spaceflight on the proliferation of jejunal mucosal cells

The mitotic indices, villus heights, and crypt depths were determined in each of three jejunal regions (proximal, middle, and distal) for five animals each in the flight, vivarium, and synchronous groups. Because of the rapid turnover of intestinal mucosal cells and the delay in recovering the flight animals, it is not known whether the proliferation of jejunal mucosal cells is affected by microgravity conditions associated with spaceflight. However, since there were no consistent differences between animals in the flight group and those in the synchronous and vivarium control groups, it appears that any effects of microgravity on the turnover of jejunal mucosal cells are short-lived. Thus, this study represents an initial step in determining the effects of microgravity on the proliferation and turnover of intestinal mucosal cells.     

Skeletal muscle adaptation in rats flown on Cosmos 1667

Seven male Wistar rats were subjected to 7 days of weightlessness on the Soviet biosatellite Cosmos 1667. Muscle histomorphometry and biochemical analyses were performed on the soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) of flight rats (group F) and compared with data from three groups of terrestrial controls: one subjected to conditions similar to group F in space except for the state of weightlessness (group S) and the others living free in a vivarium (V1, V2). Relative to group V2 (its age and weight-matched control group), group F showed a greater decrease of muscle mass in SOL (23%) than in EDL (11%). In SOL a decrease in the percentage of type I fibers was counterbalanced by a simultaneous increase in type IIa fibers. The cross-sectional area of type I fiber was reduced by 24%. No statistically significant difference in capillarization and enzymatic activities was observed between the groups. In EDL a reduction in type I fiber distribution and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase activity (27%) occurred after the flight. The small histochemical and biochemical changes reported suggest the interest in studying muscular adaptation during a flight of longer duration.     

双歧杆菌对SD大鼠空肠黏膜分泌型免疫球蛋白A的影响

目的研究双歧杆菌的免疫佐剂效应。方法将SD大鼠随机分成3组,即卵清白蛋白（OVA）组,双歧杆菌＋OVA组和PBS空白对照组。各组给予免疫后,收集长约3cm的空肠,通过免疫组织化学技术和Qwin图像处理系统,对空肠分泌型免疫球蛋白A（sIgA）的定位进行系统分析,研究同时注射OVA和双歧杆菌后对SD大鼠在不同时期空肠中sIgA阳性细胞分泌的影响。结果在免疫后的SD大鼠的空肠内均产生了特异性的分泌型抗体sIgA,其中双歧杆菌＋OVA组显著高于其他2组（P〈0．05）。结论双歧杆菌经胃肠道黏膜免疫可诱导有效的免疫佐剂效应。     

Effects of melatonin on acetylsalicylic acid induced gastroduodenal and jejunal mucosal injury

We evaluated the effects of melatonin on acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) induced gastroduodenal and jejunal mucosal injury. We used 40 postpubertal rats divided randomly into five groups of eight animals. The control group consisted of untreated animals. The Mel group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 5 mg/kg melatonin. The ASA group was injected i.p. with 200 mg/kg ASA. The ASA + Mel group was injected i.p. with 5 mg/kg melatonin 45 min after administering 200 mg/kg ASA i.p. The Mel + ASA group was injected i.p. with 5 mg/kg melatonin 45 min before administering 200 mg/kg ASA i.p. We found no statistically significant differences in mean histopathological scores in the ASA + Mel group compared to the ASA group. ASA caused shortened villi and loss of the apical villus in the duodenum. The histopathological score was increased and villus height was decreased in the ASA group compared to untreated controls. Treatment with melatonin attenuated the histological damage. In the ASA group, occasional areas showed erosion of villi in the jejunum; however, differences in mean histopathological score in ASA group compared to the other groups were not statistically significant. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured in stomach, duodenal and jejunum tissue. We found increased MDA activity in both stomach and duodenal tissues in the ASA group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). We found no statistically significant changes in MDA levels in jejunal tissue in the ASA group compared to the control group. We found no change in SOD activity in either stomach or duodenal tissues in the ASA group compared to the control group. We observed decreased SOD activity in jejunal tissue in the ASA group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). We detected no change in GSH activity in stomach, duodenal or jejunal tissues in the ASA group compared to the control group. The stomach damage was less in melatonin treated groups, but the lesions were not completely eliminated. The jejunum in the ASA group retained a nearly normal appearance. We found that melatonin exhibited some healing effects on ASA induced duodenal mucosal injury.     

Regional distribution of mineral and matrix in the femurs of rats flown on Cosmos 1887 biosatellite

We combined biochemical measurements with novel techniques for image analysis in the rat femur to characterize the location and nature of the defect in mineralization known to occur in growing animals after spaceflight. Concentrations of mineral and osteocalcin were low in the distal half of the diaphysis and concentrations of collagen were low with evidence of increased synthesis in the proximal half of the diaphysis of the flight bones. X-ray microtomography provided semiquantitative data in computer-generated sections of whole wet bone that indicated a longitudinal gradient of decreasing mineralization toward the distal diaphysis, similar to the chemistry results. Analysis of embedded sections by backscattered electrons in a scanning electron microscope revealed distinct patterns of mineral distribution in the proximal, central, and distal regions of the diaphysis and also showed a net reduction in mineral levels toward the distal shaft. Increases in mineral density to higher fractions in controls were less in the flight bones at all three levels, with the most distal cross-sectional area most affected. The combined results from these novel techniques identified the areas of femoral diaphysis most vulnerable to the mineralization defect associated with spaceflight and/or the stress of landing.     

Maturation of bone and dentin matrices in rats flown on the Soviet biosatellite Cosmos 1887

We have studied the chemistry, hydroxyapatite crystal size, and maturational changes in bone and dentin from rats exposed to microgravity for 12 days in a Soviet biosatellite (Cosmos 1887). Bone ash was reduced in vertebrae (L5) but not in the non-weight-bearing calvaria or mandibles. All tissues had a relatively normal percentage composition of Ca, P, and Mg. Nevertheless, flight rat calvaria and vertebral tissues tended to exhibit lower Ca/P and higher Ca/Mg ratios that any of their weight-matched controls groups, and gradient density analysis (calvaria) indicated a strong shift to the fractions lower specific gravity that was commensurate with impaired rates of matrix-mineral maturation. X-ray diffraction data were confirmatory. Bone hydroxyapatite crystal growth in the mandibles of flight rats was preferentially altered in such a way as to reduce their size (C-axis dimension). But in the mandibular diastemal region devoid of muscle attachments, flight rat bone and dentin were normal with respect to the Ca, P, Mg, and Zn concentrations and Ca/P and Ca/Mg ratios of age-matched controls. These observations affirm the concept that while microgravity most adversely affects the maturation of newly formed matrix and mineral moieties in weight-bearing bone, such effects occur throughout the skeleton.     

Proliferation and distribution of adrenocortical cells in the gland of ACTH- or dexamethasone-treated rats

The effects of prolonged (7-day) ACTH and dexamethasone administrations on rat adrenocortical-cell turnover have been investigated by combined stereological and metaphase-arrest techniques. ACTH was found to increase the number of parenchymal cells in each adrenal zone; however, ACTH altered the cell distribution in the cortex, lowering their percentage in the zona glomerulosa (ZG) and zona fasciculata (ZF) and enhancing it in the zona reticularis (ZR). The cell birth-rate was markedly raised by ACTH exclusively in ZG and ZF. Dexamethasone notably decreased the number of ZF and ZR cells, without altering that of ZG cells. Moreover, dexamethasone increased the percentage of parenchymal cells in ZG and ZF, and lowered it in ZR. In the adrenal cortices of dexamethasone-administered animals, metaphases were virtually absent. These data indicate that ACTH increases the cell birthrate in ZG and possibly ZF, and enhances the centripetal migration of newly-formed cells and their accumulation in ZR. Dexamethasone inhibits both proliferation of adrenocortical cells in the outer cortical layers and their centripetal migration into ZR. Moreover, it appears to cause parenchymal-cell loss in the inner adrenocortical layers.     

Enzymes of the jejunal enterochromaffine cells in man

Summary A study of enzymatic equipment of enterochromaffine cells (e.c.) in jenual biopsies obtained with a Crosby capsule in normal humans and patients with nontropical sprue was undertaken. The following enzymes were demonstrated: alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase (cell membrane), acid phosphatase (corpuscular), non-specific esterase (diffuse and corpuscular, predominantly eserine resistant, in corpuscular localization E 600 resistant), DPN- and TPN-diaphorases and dehydrogenases of lactic acid, malic acid, isocitric acid, glucoso-6-phosphoric acid, succinic acid, -hydroxybutyric acid and -glycerophosphoric acid. Enzyme activities were not equal in all cells suggesting some type of secretory cycle. In most patients with untreated nontropical sprue or with the disease in relapse e.c. were more numerous and hypertrophic with elevated activities of non-specific esterase and acid phosphatase. Implications of these results are briefly discussed.With 8 Figures in the Text, of which 2 in Colour     

Proliferation index in bone marrow cells from severely malnourished rats during lactation.

The aim of this study was to determine if severe malnutrition affects the proportion of proliferating bone marrow cells in malnourished rats during lactation. Sister chromatid staining of metaphases was used as a parameter, as well as the morphology, size and color of bromodeoxyuridine labeled interphase nuclei. The BrdU proliferation labeling index was statistically lower in malnourished rats (20.4%), than in well-nourished controls (35.1%). A difference was also found between the two groups in the proportion of metaphases in first, second and third or successive cell cycle. The average generation time was longer in the malnourished group: 15.3 h, against 11.8 h for the controls. These results indicate that severe malnutrition affects both the proportion of bone marrow proliferating cells and their cell kinetics.     

Attenuated blood corticosterone rhythm in rats with jejunal resection

Circadian rhythmic changes in blood corticosterone concentration were studied in rats after resection of the jejunum or the ileum. The rats with ideal resection showed a normal corticosterone rhythm, with a peak at the beginning of the dark period when they were fed ad libitum, and the phase of the rhythm shifted when the feeding time was restricted to a specific time of day during the light period. The rats with jejunal resection also showed a similar corticosterone rhythm, but its amplitude was lower compared to that of the rats with ideal resection. There were no differences in body weight and the circadian rhythm of blood urea concentration between two groups of rats. We conclude that the jejunum is an important site where the sense of food is received as an entraining signal for the corticosterone rhythm.     

Gastric mucosal lesions in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Formation of gastric mucosal lesions by streptozotocin-induced diabetes was investigated in rats. A single intravenous administration of streptozotocin in a dose of 65 mg/kg effectively produced hyperglycemia and damaged the gastric mucosa. Incidence and severity of mucosal lesions were progressively increased with time, from one to six weeks posttreatment. Microscopic lesions of the mucosa included hyperemia, desquamation of the surface epithelium with diffuse hemorrhage, and severe hemorrhage with localized erosion. Concurrent to the hyperglycemia, the histamine stimulated gastric H+-secretion was significantly decreased whereas pepsin secretion was not affected. Both soluble mucus and surface mucus gel were increased. The result suggests that the early lesion of gastric mucosa may be associated with the direct action of streptozotocin, the severity of which may be further aggravated by diabetic state.     

Liporotein particles in the jejunal mucosa of fetal rats.

The jejunal mucosa of fetal rats contains particles of the same size, electron density and distribution as particles identified by others in adult jejunum as very low density lipoprotein particles. These particles are first seen in 19-day fetuses at which time the jejunal mucosa is still relatively undifferentiated and formation of villi is just beginning. They become progressively more abundant during the last 3 days of gestation as differentiation proceeds and are seen in virtually all absorptive cells in the apical third of jejunal villi of fetuses at term.