A study of zinc distribution in erythrocytes of normal humans

The assignment of zinc bound to carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes (CA-I and CA-II) and Cu2 Zn2 superoxide dismutase (SOD1) was investigated in the hemolysates from 21 normal male subjects. Sufficient care was taken to remove leukocytes and platelets. The following values of zinc distribution were obtained: total zinc, 113.8 +/- 22.7 (mean +/- S.E.) micrograms X 100 ml-1; CA-I-derived zinc, 866.6 +/- 26.2 micrograms X 100 ml-1; CA-II-derived zinc, 99.9 +/- 3.9 micrograms X 100 m-1; SOD1-derived zinc, 60.3 +/- 1.9 micrograms X 100 ml-1; the other zinc, 87.0 +/- 12.6 micrograms X 100 ml-1. Namely, 7.6% of the zinc in human erythrocytes is not bound to the carbonic anhydrases and Cu2Zn2 superoxide dismutase, but present in available form or attached to other enzymes.     

Exercise alters the distribution of ammonia and lactate in blood

Six subjects (3 males, 3 females) worked for 4 min on a cycle ergometer at 115% of peak O2 uptake (VO2). Venous samples drawn before, directly after, and 15 min after exercise were analyzed for ammonia (NH3) and lactate concentrations of plasma, whole blood, and erythrocytes (RBCs) to examine the effect of exercise on blood NH3 and lactate distribution. Exercise increased (P less than 0.05) the [NH3] of plasma and RBCs, with the larger (P less than 0.05) change in plasma (1.8- vs. 0.7-fold). This reduced (P less than 0.05) the RBC-to-plasma [NH3] ratio of 2.4 at rest to 1.3. The plasma-to-RBC [lactate] gradient (P less than 0.05) at rest (0.5 mmol/l) increased (P less than 0.05) 16-fold immediately after exercise (8.7 mmol/l), reflecting the greater increase (P less than 0.05) in plasma than RBCs [lactate] (15.5 vs. 7.5 mmol/l). [Lactate] and [NH3] did not decrease (P greater than 0.05) immediately after to 15 min after exercise. Plasma and whole blood [NH3] or [lactate] were correlated (r greater than 0.93, P less than 0.01) at all sample times, but the slopes of the relations for [NH3] (immediately after vs. 15 min after exercise) or for [lactate] (before and immediately after vs. 15 min after exercise) differed (P less than 0.05). The results indicate that supramaximal exercise alters the distribution of NH3 and lactate between plasma and RBC, thus changing the relations between plasma and whole-blood concentrations of these metabolites. The alteration of NH3 distribution may reflect changes in the pH gradient between plasma and RBCs.     

Estimation of physiologically active zinc in maize by biochemical assay

Summary The enzymes ribonuclease, aldolase and carbonic anhydrase were evaluated as biochemical assays for physiologically active zinc in maize. Seedlings were cultured for 14 or 30 days on a black-earth soil with factorial combinations of phosphorus and zinc fertilizers so as to produce in the leaves varying levels of active zinc at a constant level of total zinc. Enzyme activity was correlated with plant growth, leaf nutrient composition and the occurrence of visual symptoms of zinc deficiency. Ribonuclease and aldolase activities in leaf tissues were insensitive to the changes in active zinc concentration, though aldolase activity was sensitive to phosphorus deficiency. In contrast, leaf carbonic anhydrase activity correlated well with the onset and correction of zinc deficiency symptoms and, as early as 14 days after emergence, was more sensitive to the deficiency than was plant growth. The sensitivity of carbonic anhydrase to changes in active zinc and its specificity for such changes were further examined in 10 to 30 day-old plants grown in solution culture. Zinc was added to plants which had been cultured without zinc for 16 days. A 2.5-fold increase in carbonic anhydrase activity preceded responses by either zinc concentration or plant growth. We propose the use of leaf carbonic anhydrase as an index of active zinc in maize, particularly to supplement inorganic analysis in the diagnosis of zinc deficiency when much of the zinc in the plants is inactive. The assay is simple, is sensitive to and specific for zinc status, and enables early detection of a deficiency before irreversible biochemical events predispose a large yield reduction.     

Zinc deficiency states and carbonic anhydrase isozyme in experimental hemolytic and bleeding anemia of rabbits

Zinc deficiency states were produced in rabbit erythrocytes by experimentally induced bleeding anemia and hemolytic anemia. Parallel decreases in total zinc levels and the contents for major zinc protein, carbonic anhydrase I and II isozymes were observed in the erythrocytes. During the process of the anemias the zinc status in the erythrocytes varied remarkably and the relative increase of zinc ions other than that derived from carbonic anhydrase was observed, suggesting that the former zinc ions play an important role in forming a zinc pool in the erythrocytes under the anemic conditions.     

Changes in plasma leptin concentration during different types of exercises performed by horses

Leptin is a tissue-derivative adipokine that regulates appetite, food intake and energy expenditure. It is still not clear how exercise affects plasma leptin concentration in horses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of exercise intensity and duration on plasma leptin levels in working horses. A total of 38 horses were prospectively included in the study and grouped according to the type of exercise they performed: dressage (six stallions, group D), jumping (12 stallions, group J), race (12 Thoroughbred horses, six stallions and six mares, group R) and harness (10 light draft stallions, group H). Blood samples were taken both before and after routine exercise (immediately after the exercise, 30 min and 24 h after). Blood lactic acid (LA) and plasma concentration of leptin, cortisol, uric acid, triacylglycerols, glycerol and free fatty acids were determined. Immediately after exercise, group R had the highest level of LA, whereas groups D and J had the lowest levels. A significant increase in plasma leptin concentration was stated only in group H in samples taken immediately after the end of the exercise period and 30 min after the exercise period, as compared with the values obtained at rest. A significant increase in plasma cortisol concentration was found immediately after the end of the exercise period in groups R and H. Leptin exercise-to-rest ratio was significantly correlated with cortisol exercise-to-rest ratio (r=0.64; P<0.001). The increase in plasma leptin concentration in exercised horses was related to the increased plasma cortisol concentration and took place only during long-lasting exercise, which was not intensive.     

Radioimmunoassay of carbonic anhydrase III in rat tissues.

A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for the rat carbonic anhydrase III isoenzyme was developed. High concentrations of carbonic anhydrase III were detected in soleus muscle and male liver. Female liver and other skeletal muscles contained significantly lower concentrations, and only trace amounts were found in heart, prostate, kidney, brain, plasma, urine and, possibly, erythrocytes.     

Interleukin-6 release from human skeletal muscle during exercise: relation to AMPK activity.

We tested the hypothesis that IL-6 release from muscle during exercise may be related to muscle activity of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Eight healthy, well-trained young men completed two 60-min trials on a bicycle ergometer at 70% of their peak oxygen uptake in either a glycogen-depleted or a glycogen-loaded state. IL-6 was released from the leg already after 10 min of exercise in the glycogen-depleted state, whereas no significant release was observed at any time in the loaded state. Nevertheless, plasma IL-6 increased similarly in the two trials from approximately 0.8 pg/ml at rest to approximately 4.5 pg/ml after 60 min of exercise. Activity of alpha1-AMPK (160%) and alpha2-AMPK (145%) was increased at rest in the glycogen-depleted compared with the loaded situation. During exercise, alpha1-AMPK activity did not change from resting levels in both trials, whereas alpha2-AMPK activity increased only in the glycogen-depleted state. After 60 min of exercise in the glycogen-depleted state, individual values of alpha2-AMPK activity correlated significantly (r = 0.87, P < 0.006) with individual values of IL-6 release as well as with average IL-6 release over the entire 60 min (r = 0.86, P < 0.006). The present data are compatible with a role for AMPK in IL-6 release during exercise or a role for IL-6 in activating AMPK. Alternatively, both AMPK and IL-6 are independent sensors of a low muscle glycogen concentration during exercise. In addition, leg release of IL-6 cannot alone explain the increase in plasma IL-6 during exercise.     

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responses to short-duration high-intensity cycle exercise

beta-Endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), and cortisol plasma concentrations were examined before and after maximal exercise at four intensities [36, 55, 73, and 100% of maximal leg power (MLP)] by means of a computerized cycle ergometer. All intensities were greater than those eliciting peak O2 uptake for the individual subjects. Blood samples were collected at rest, immediately after exercise, and at 5 and 15 min postexercise. Significant (P less than 0.05) increases were observed at 36% MLP for beta-EP and ACTH immediately after exercise and at 5 and 15 min postexercise. Plasma cortisol increased at 36% MLP at 15 min postexercise. Blood lactate significantly increased at all postexercise collection points for exercise intensities of 36, 55, and 73% MLP and at 5 min postexercise for 100% MLP. beta-EP concentrations at 36% MLP were significantly correlated (r = 0.75) with capillary density (mm-2), and cortisol concentrations at 36% MLP were significantly correlated (r = 0.89) with percentage of type II muscle fibers. No other significant relationships were observed. These data show that brief, high-intensity exercise up to maximal power production results in a nonlinear response pattern in peripheral blood hormone concentrations. Furthermore, blood lactate levels do not appear to be related to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hormone plasma concentrations at high exercise intensities.     

Carbonic anhydorase isoenzyme I (CA-I) concentration in feces and urine as a temporary marker of occult blood in beagle dogs.

This study was undertaken to investigate whether the concentration of carbonic anhydorase isoenzyme I (CA-I) in canine feces and urine is useful as a temporary marker of occult blood. Concentrations of CA-I were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fecal CA-I concentrations in 113 healthy beagle dogs (50 male and 63 female) of various ages ranged from 4.3 to 16.7 ng/g feces (mean; 7.0 +/- 2.9 ng/g feces). One milliliter of blood from 3 healthy beagle dogs was found to contain 1,047, 1,062 and 1,150 microg CA-I. The fecal CA-I concentrations of dogs receiving intragastric infusions of autologous blood (10 ml) were very low. However, the fecal CA-I concentrations of dogs receiving infusion of autologous blood (5 ml) into the ascending colon were very high. Detection of fecal CA-I would be useful for identifying dogs with hemorrhaging of the large intestine. Of 55 urinary samples collected from healthy beagle dogs by catheter, chemical tests for occult blood were negative in 44, but CA-I concentrations ranged from 1.8 to 12.6 ng/ml (mean; 6.9 +/- 5.4 ng/ml) by ELISA. The CA-I concentrations of the other 11 samples, which tested positive for occult blood on chemical testing, ranged from 41.2 to 525.0 ng/ml by ELISA. Although CA-I is not a specific marker of erythrocytes, CA-I may be used to detect occult blood in canine feces and urine until a specific immunological test kit using antibody for Hb is developed.     

Carbonic anhydrase in human platelets.

The carbonic anhydrase activity of human platelets was investigated by measuring the kinetics of CO2 hydration in supernatants of platelet lysates by using a pH stopped-flow apparatus. An average carbonic anhydrase concentration of 2.1 microM was determined for pellets of human platelets. Analysis of the kinetic properties of this carbonic anhydrase yielded a Km value of 1.0 mM, a catalytic-centre activity kcat. of 130000 s-1 and an inhibition constant Ki towards ethoxzolamide of 0.3 nM. From these values, CO2 hydration inside platelets is estimated to be accelerated by a factor of 2500. When platelet lysates were subjected to affinity chromatography, only the high-activity carbonic anhydrase II could be eluted from the affinity column, whereas the carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme I, which is known to occur in high concentrations in human erythrocytes, appeared to be absent.     

The effects of exogenous extracellular carbonic anhydrase on CO2 excretion in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): role of plasma buffering capacity

The buffering capacity (beta) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) plasma was manipulated prior to intravascular injection of bovine carbonic anhydrase to test the idea that proton (H+) availability limits the catalysed dehydration of HCO3- within the extracellular compartment. An extracorporeal blood shunt was employed to continuously monitor blood gases in vivo in fish exhibiting normal plasma beta (-3.9+/-0.3 mmol 1(-1) pH unit(-1)), and in fish with experimentally (using N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[2-ethanesulfonic acid]) elevated plasma beta (-12.1+/-1.1 mmol 1(-1) pH unit(-1)). An injection of 5 mg kg(-1) carbonic anhydrase equally reduced (after 90 min) the arterial partial pressure of CO2 in trout with regular (-0.23+/-0.05 Torr) or high (-0.20+/-0.05 Torr) plasma beta; saline injection was without effect. Because ventilation and venous blood gases were unaffected by carbonic anhydrase, the effect of extracellular carbonic anhydrase in lowering arterial partial pressure of CO2 was likely caused solely by a specific enhancement of CO2 excretion owing to acceleration of HCO3- dehydration within the plasma. The lowering of arterial partial pressure of CO2 in trout after injection of exogenous carbonic anhydrase provides the first in vivo evidence that the accessibility of plasma HCO3- to red blood cell carbonic anhydrase constrains CO2 excretion under resting conditions. Because the velocity of red blood cell Cl-/HCO3- exchange governs HCO3- accessibility to red blood cell carbonic anhydrase, the present study also provides evidence that CO2 excretion at rest is limited by the relatively slow rate of Cl-/HCO3- exchange. The effect of carbonic anhydrase in lowering arterial partial pressure of CO2 was unrelated to plasma buffering capacity. While these data could suggest that H+ availability does not limit extracellular HCO3- dehydration in vivo at resting rates of CO2 excretion, it is more likely that the degree to which plasma beta was elevated in the present study was insufficient to drive a substantially increased component of HCO3- dehydration through the plasma.     

Prokaryotic carbonic anhydrases

Carbonic anhydrases catalyze the reversible hydration of CO(2) [CO(2)+H(2)Oright harpoon over left harpoon HCO(3)(-)+H(+)]. Since the discovery of this zinc (Zn) metalloenzyme in erythrocytes over 65 years ago, carbonic anhydrase has not only been found in virtually all mammalian tissues but is also abundant in plants and green unicellular algae. The enzyme is important to many eukaryotic physiological processes such as respiration, CO(2) transport and photosynthesis. Although ubiquitous in highly evolved organisms from the Eukarya domain, the enzyme has received scant attention in prokaryotes from the Bacteria and Archaea domains and has been purified from only five species since it was first identified in Neisseria sicca in 1963. Recent work has shown that carbonic anhydrase is widespread in metabolically diverse species from both the Archaea and Bacteria domains indicating that the enzyme has a more extensive and fundamental role in prokaryotic biology than previously recognized. A remarkable feature of carbonic anhydrase is the existence of three distinct classes (designated alpha, beta and gamma) that have no significant sequence identity and were invented independently. Thus, the carbonic anhydrase classes are excellent examples of convergent evolution of catalytic function. Genes encoding enzymes from all three classes have been identified in the prokaryotes with the beta and gamma classes predominating. All of the mammalian isozymes (including the 10 human isozymes) belong to the alpha class; however, only nine alpha class carbonic anhydrase genes have thus far been found in the Bacteria domain and none in the Archaea domain. The beta class is comprised of enzymes from the chloroplasts of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants as well as enzymes from phylogenetically diverse species from the Archaea and Bacteria domains. The only gamma class carbonic anhydrase that has thus far been isolated and characterized is from the methanoarchaeon Methanosarcina thermophila. Interestingly, many prokaryotes contain carbonic anhydrase genes from more than one class; some even contain genes from all three known classes. In addition, some prokaryotes contain multiple genes encoding carbonic anhydrases from the same class. The presence of multiple carbonic anhydrase genes within a species underscores the importance of this enzyme in prokaryotic physiology; however, the role(s) of this enzyme is still largely unknown. Even though most of the information known about the function(s) of carbonic anhydrase primarily relates to its role in cyanobacterial CO(2) fixation, the prokaryotic enzyme has also been shown to function in cyanate degradation and the survival of intracellular pathogens within their host. Investigations into prokaryotic carbonic anhydrase have already led to the identification of a new class (gamma) and future research will undoubtedly reveal novel functions for carbonic anhydrase in prokaryotes.     

不同理化因子对雨生红球藻CG-11碳酸酐酶活性的影响

以雨生红球藻CG-11为实验藻株,探讨在不同CO2、HCO3-、Zn2＋浓度以及pH和氮磷比例条件下,藻细胞的碳酸酐酶活性对这些理化因子的响应。结果表明,通入空气实验组的碳酸酐酶活性最高,为（75.20±1.53）U·mg-1（Chla）,通入5%CO2条件下的碳酸酐酶活性为（9.96±1.43）U·mg-1（Chla）;高浓度HCO3-对碳酸酐酶活性亦具有明显抑制作用,培养液中可溶性无机碳的浓度与碳酸酐酶活性呈负相关;在实验设置的pH范围内,pH9.0时碳酸酐酶活性最高,为（62.32±3.25）U·mg-1（Chla）;适当的氮磷比与Zn2＋浓度显著提高了雨生红球藻CG-11的生长速率,碳酸酐酶的活性亦有明显提高。     

Effect of Zinc Nutrition on Photosynthesis and Carbonic Anhydrase Activity in Cotton

Photosynthesis, respiration, carbonic anhydrase activity and chlorophyll concentrations were correlated with zinc nutrition in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The critical zinc level during early plant growth was 13 μg/g dry weight in recently matured leaves (blade three). Photosynthesis and chlorophyll concentration required a minimum Zn of 13 and 14 μg/g dry weight, respectively, in blade three for maximum activity and synthesis. Respiration was not influenced by zinc status. Carbonic anhydrase activity increased curvilinearly as zinc status improved from deficiency to adequacy.     

Immunocytochemical localization of carbonic anhydrase isozyme III in equine thymus

Sections of equine thymus were examined for the presence of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes by an immunohistochemical method. Carbonic anhydrase III, a major enzyme of skeletal muscle, was localized in some of the epithelial-reticular cells of the equine thymus. This finding suggests the presence of a new type of cell in the thymic cortex. The concentration of CA-III in the thymus was 17 micrograms/g wet tissue. CA-I and CA-II were not found in equine thymus.     

Exercise in rats does not alter hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase activity

Recent studies have demonstrated that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the hypothalamus is involved in the regulation of food intake. Because exercise is known to influence appetite and cause substrate depletion, it may also influence AMPK in the hypothalamus. Male rats that either rested or ran for 30 or 60 min on a treadmill (22 m/min, 10% slope) were sacrificed immediately after exercise or after 60 min recovery either in the fasted state or after oral gavage with glucose (3g/kg body weight). Exercise decreased muscle and liver glycogen substantially. Hypothalamic total or alpha2-associated AMPK activity and phosphorylation state of the AMPK substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase were not changed significantly immediately following treadmill running or during fed or fasted recovery. Plasma ghrelin increased (P<0.05) by 40% during exercise whereas the concentration of PYY was unchanged. In recovery, glucose feeding increased plasma glucose and insulin concentrations whereas ghrelin and PYY decreased to (ghrelin) or below (PPY) resting levels. It is concluded that 1h of strenuous exercise in rats does not elicit significant changes in hypothalamic AMPK activity despite an increase in plasma ghrelin. Thus, changes in energy metabolism during or after exercise are likely not coordinated by changes in hypothalamic AMPK activity.     

Plasma prostaglandins, renin, and catecholamines at rest and during exercise in hypertensive humans

Plasma prostaglandins (PGE and PGF alpha), catecholamine concentration, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured during an uninterrupted graded exercise test on the bicycle ergometer in 11 hypertensive patients. Blood was withdrawn from the brachial and pulmonary arteries after 30 min of recumbent rest, after 15 min of rest sitting, and at the final work load of the exercise test, which averaged 143 +/- 16.5 W. Exercise did not provoke a significant change in these plasma PGE or PGF alpha concentrations, whereas a rise (P less than 0.001) in arterial PRA and (nor)epinephrine concentration was observed. It is thus unlikely that PGE or PGF alpha is an important determinant of PRA release during exercise, although circulating levels of PGE and PGF alpha do not necessarily reflect release rate or activity in the kidney.     

Plasma Levels of Zinc,Copper, Copper/Zinc Ratio,and Activity of Carbonic Anhydrase in Equine Piroplasmosis

We have determined the plasma concentrations of copper, zinc, copper/zinc ratio, and carbonic anhydrase activity in horses infected with Babesia equi. The study was conducted in 14 horses with the disease and 10 healthy animals that served as controls. The infection was confirmed by the clinical manifestations of the disease and by Giemsa staining of thin blood smears showing the parasites inside red blood cells. The horses with piroplasmosis had lower plasma levels of zinc, elevated copper, and increased activity of carbonic anhydrase. Consequently, the copper/zinc ratio was also higher than in the healthy controls.     

Effect of acetazolamide on gas exchange and acid-base control after maximal exercise.

To investigate the interactions between the systems that contribute to acid-base homeostasis after severe exercise, we studied the effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition on exchange of strong ions and CO2 in six subjects after 30 s of maximal isokinetic cycling exercise. Each subject exercised on two randomly assigned occasions, a control (CON) condition and 30 min after intravenous injection of 1,000 mg acetazolamide (ACZ) to inhibit blood carbonic anhydrase activity. Leg muscle power output was similar in the two conditions; peak O2 uptake (VO2) after exercise was lower in ACZ (2,119 +/- 274 ml/min) than in CON (2,687 +/- 113, P less than 0.05); peak CO2 production (VCO2) was also lower (2,197 +/- 241 in ACZ vs. 3,237 +/- 87 in CON, P less than 0.05) and was accompanied by an increase in the recovery half-time from 1.7 min in CON to 2.3 min in ACZ. Whereas end-tidal PCO2 was lower in ACZ than in CON, arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) was higher, and a large negative end-tidal-to-arterial difference (less than or equal to 20 Torr) was present in ACZ on recovery. In ACZ, postexercise increases in arterial plasma [Na+] and [K+] were greater but [La-] was lower. Arteriovenous differences across the forearm showed a greater uptake of La- and Cl- in CON than in ACZ. Carbonic anhydrase inhibition with ACZ, in addition to impairing equilibration of the CO2 system to the acid-base challenge of exercise, was accompanied by changes in equilibration of strong inorganic ions. A lowered plasma [La-] was not accompanied by greater uptake of La- by inactive muscle.     

Carbonic anhydrase C in white-skeletal-muscle tissue.

We investigated the activity of carbonic anhydrase in blood-free perfused white skeletal muscles of the rabbit. Carbonic anhydrase activities were measured in supernatants and in Triton extracts of the particulate fractions of white-skeletal-muscle homogenate by using a rapid-reaction stopped-flow apparatus equipped with a pH electrode. An average carbonic anhydrase concentration of about 0.5 microM was determined for white skeletal muscle. This concentration is about 1% of that inside the erythrocyte. Some 85% of the muscle enzyme was found in the homogenate supernatant, and only 15% appeared to be associated with membranes and organelles. White-skeletal-muscle carbonic anhydrase was characterized in terms of its Michaelis constant and catalytic-centre activity (turnover number) for CO2 and its inhibition constant towards ethoxzolamide. These properties were identical with those of the rabbit erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase C, suggesting that a type-C enzyme is present in white skeletal muscle. Affinity chromatography of muscle supernatant and of lysed erythrocytes showed that, whereas rabbit erythrocytes contain about equal amounts of carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes B and C, the B isoenzyme is practically absent from white skeletal muscle. Similarly, ethoxzolamide-inhibition curves suggested that white skeletal muscle contains no carbonic anhydrase A. It is concluded that white skeletal muscle contains essentially one carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme, the C form, most of which is probably of cytosolic origin.