Orally administered IL-6 induces elevated intestinal GM-CSF gene expression and splenic CFU-GM

Orally administered interleukin (IL)-6 has been shown to be of benefit in eliminating Campylobacter infection and in preventing sepsis following hemorrhage. In related experiments, it was seen that proliferating cells were found in the spleens of untreated mice given IL-6 by oral gavage. Injection of the DNA label, BrdU, showed that significant proliferation began at 4 h and peaked at 24 h in the splenic red pulp of animals given oral IL-6. Mice given saline showed no increase in splenic BrdU uptake. Histological analysis suggested a hematopoietic lineage for these cells. Clonogenic assays performed on spleen cells taken from mice given oral IL-6 revealed that increased granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units (GM-CFU) were present at 24 h post-IL-6 administration. No increase in GM colonies occurred in mice fed IL-3, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF. RT-PCR analysis of intestinal mRNA from treated mice revealed that GM-CSF mRNA was elevated at 4 h after oral IL-6 administration, but not in mice fed other cytokines. It is suggested that oral administration of IL-6 induces both proliferation and a brief elevation of GM-CFU in the hematopoietic spleens of mice. This increase appears to be the result of increased GM-CSF mRNA production in the intestines of mice fed IL-6.     

The effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on cytotoxic immune responses of T cells, antibodies, and natural killer cells, and phagocytosis by macrophages

The effect of vitamin B6 on cytotoxic immune responses of T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic antibody production, and macrophage phagocytosis was assessed in 5-week-old female C57B1/6 mice. Mice were fed 20% casein diets with pyridoxine (PN) added at 7, 1, 0.1, or 0 mg/kg diet, which represents 700, 100, 10, and 0% of requirement, respectively. Compared to mice fed 7 or 1 mg PN diet, animals fed 0 or 0.1 mg PN diet showed significantly reduced primary splenic and peritoneal T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC). Animals fed 0 mg PN diet also showed significantly depressed secondary T CMC of splenic and peritoneal lymphocytes against P815 tumor cells. Complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity against P815 cells, phagocytosis of SRBC by macrophages, and native and interferon-induced NK cell activities against YAC cells were not affected by the level of vitamin B6 intake. The percentage of macrophages present in the peritoneal exudate cells was increased in animals fed the 0 mg PN diet. The immune responses were not enhanced or altered by the excess intake of vitamin B6 (7 mg PN). It appears that vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient for maintenance of normal T-cell function in vivo.     

Prevention of pathogenic Escherichia coli infection in mice and stimulation of macrophage activation in rats by an oral administration of probiotic Lactobacillus casei I-5

Lactobacillus casei I-5 isolated from an alcohol fermentation broth enhanced immunity and prevented pathogenic infection as a probiotic. Mice fed with I-5 cells for 11 days prior to an intraperitoneal challenge with pathogenic Escherichia coli Juhl exhibited a high survival rate compared with the control group. Rats fed with I-5 cells for 10 days significantly increased the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages. In a cell culture system employing peritoneal macrophages from rats, the I-5 administration activated NF-kappaB stimulated by LPS. It also enhanced LPS-stimulated IL-12 and TNF-alpha production, but not IL-6 production. These results show that L. casei I-5 effectively prevented infection by pathogenic E. coli possibly through the activation of peritoneal macrophages. The strain would be useful to prevent pathogenic microbial infections in humans and farm animals.     

Inhibition of normal rat macrophage functions by soluble tumor products

Summary The phagocytic and chemotactic activities of normal rat peritoneal macrophages were inhibited by sera from tumor-bearing rats (TBR) and 3 M KCl extracts of tumor mass. However, sera from Corynebacterium parvum- or Listeria monocytogenes-treated TBR did not inhibit phagocytosis. On the other hand, sera from C. parvum-treated, but not from L. monocytogenes-treated TBR still inhibited the chemotactic response of the normal macrophages. Furthermore, 3 M KCl extracts of tumors from C. parvum-treated TBR did not inhibit phagocytosis and chemotactic response of the same cells. Similar results were obtained with extracts of tumor masses from L. monocytogenes-treated rats. It is suggested that treatment with bacterial immunomodulators can influence the release from neoplastic cells of soluble products influencing normal macrophage functions.     

In vivo effects of lipopolysaccharide on lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells in the mouse spleen

Summary In the present study the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the cellular composition and phagocytosis of India ink in the inner parts of the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheaths (PALS) are described.Staining for B-, T-lymphocytes, and reticulin fibers in the spleen of normal and LPS-injected mice shows that the B-dependent follicular area is increased in size after LPS administration. However, the number of T-lymphocytes in the inner PALS is reduced markedly and a relatively high number of B-lymphocytes can be found in this area. The significance of this phenomenon is discussed.In untreated mouse spleen, carbon particles become localized in strongly acid-phosphatase (AP)-positive macrophages of the red pulp, marginal zone and white pulp 24 h after an intravenous injection of India ink. All these macrophages contain numerous carbon particles. After LPS pretreatment, the phagocytosis of carbon particles in the inner PALS is dramatically diminished, although many strongly AP-positive macrophages can be found in this area. The phagocytosis of carbon particles in the other compartments of the spleen did not change. It appears that injection of 2 g LPS or more is sufficient to induce this phenomenon which is most significant when LPS is injected 24 or 48 h before exposure to India ink.Abbreviations LPS lipopolysaccharide - PALS periarteriolar lymphocyte sheath - AP acid phosphatase - IDC interdigitating cells     

The activation of phagocytosis by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-beta]

The functional activity of phagocytic cells of various types was studied in white non-inbred mice by administering recombinant human tumor necrosis beta (rhTNF-beta). It was shown that rhTNF-beta increased phagocytic activity of the peritoneal exudate, spleen and liver macrophages as well as blood polynuclears. Stimulation of neutrophils was demonstrated in earlier times after administration of the preparation as compared to macrophages (3 h and 24 h, respectively). The duration of the macrophage activation effect and its expression depended on the dose of the preparation and were the most notable when rhTNF-beta was administered in doses of 10(3)-10(5) U/20 g. The addition of reopolyglucin, the polysaccharide filler, didn't remove a stimulatory effect of rhTNF-beta on macrophages, but influenced its dynamics. Multiple administration of the preparation didn't cause the phagocytosis stimulation effect.     

Endocytosis by liver cells during stimulation of the mononuclear phagocyte system by yeast polysaccharides]

Endocytosis (phagocytosis, fluid-phase- and receptor-mediated endocytosis) by liver cells, lysosomal enzyme activities have been studied during macrophages stimulation by yeast polysaccharides. It was shown that like macrophages stimulator zymosan, yeast polysaccharides cryelan and rhodexman increased the carbon particles phagocytosis. The most effective was intravenous administration of yeast polysaccharides. Compared to rhodexman, the effect of cryelan was more prominent. Macrophages stimulation was followed by suppression of fluid-phase endocytosis by liver cells. Increased activity of cathepsin B was discovered on day 5 after macrophages stimulation (proteinase, most typical for macrophages enzymes).     

Effect of stress-induced lipid peroxidation on functions of rat peritoneal macrophages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of stress-induced lipid peroxidation on macrophages' functions. Animals were subjected to 4 h immobilization at 4 degrees C in restraining devices. The peritoneal macrophages obtained from rats exposed to cold and restraint stress exhibited an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decline of chemotaxis and phagocytosis compared with control rats. After supplementation with vitamin E, the increment in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content as the oxidative stress marker and the decline of chemotaxis and phagocytosis in peritoneal macrophages observed during cold-restraint stress was significantly removed. No significant change in catalase activity of peritoneal macrophages was observed in groups exposed to cold-restraint stress and treated with vitamin E. These findings indicate that phagocytic and chemotactic capacities of peritoneal macrophages are decreased by cold-restraint stress and this effect of stress may be related to lipid peroxidation.     

Suppressive effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in vitro on phagocytosis by murine macrophages

Incubation of normal mouse peritoneal cells consisting of over 90% phagocytizing macrophages with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) resulted in a inhibition of phagocytic function. The THC in a dose-related manner suppressed the percentage of macrophages per culture which ingested yeast and the average number of yeast particles ingested by the phagocytizing macrophages. The vehicle used to suspend the THC in vitro, i.e., DMSO, had no detectable effect on macrophage function. Suppression of phagocytosis with no effects on viability or cell number occurred with doses of 10 micrograms or less THC per milliliter culture medium. Measurable suppression also occurred after 24- to 48-hr treatment of the macrophages with the THC. This compound had little if any detectable effect on phagocytosis when added directly to the cultures shortly before testing for phagocytosis. Further studies concerning the effects of THC on macrophage function appear warranted.     

Aromatase inhibition by R 76713: experimental and clinical pharmacology

R 76713 is a new non-steroidal compound which inhibits aromatase in vitro and in vivo with a potency of at least 1000-fold that of aminoglutethimide. In male cynomolgus monkeys peripheral conversion of labeled androstenedione to estrone is decreased by 85%, 4-5 h after a single intravenous dose of 0.003 mg/kg of R 76713, without altering steroid metabolic clearance rates. In rats fed a sodium-depleted diet for 3 weeks, plasma levels of aldosterone and plasma renin activity remain unchanged 2 h after a single oral dose of up to 20 mg/kg of R 76713. This confirms previous data on the selectivity of R 76713 for aromatase inhibition as compared to inhibition of other enzymes involved in steroid biosynthesis. In male volunteers, a single oral dose of 5 or 10 mg of R 76713 lowers median plasma estradiol levels from 70 pM to the detection limit of the assay (30 pM) 4 and 8 h after intake, whereas no important changes are detected after placebo administration. In 15 premenopausal female volunteers receiving a single oral dose of 20 mg of R 76713, mean plasma estradiol levels decrease from 415 pM (before) to 179, 149 and 185 pM respectively 4, 8 and 24 h after intake whereas they remain above 380 pM after placebo (n = 7).     

Produced β-hydroxybutyrate after β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) administration may contribute HMB function in mice

β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is an intermediate in the metabolism of the branched-chain amino acid leucine. HMB has several demonstrated effects on skeletal muscle function, some of which are contradictory. In addition, the effect of exogenous HMB intake on the levels of intermediate metabolites is not known. Therefore, we investigated changes in HMB metabolites after oral HMB administration in mice. First, ICR mice were treated with either distilled water or HMB (0.215 g/10 mL/kg). Sampling was performed at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 24 h after administration. Next, ICR mice were given distilled water or HMB (0.215 g/10 mL/kg/d) for 10 d. Mice given HMB shown a significant increase in liver β-methylcrotonyl-CoA and increased β-hydroxybutyrate in plasma and the gastrocnemius muscle 1 h after HMB administration. Mice administered HMB for 10 d showed significantly decreased food intake and body weight; however, the relative weight of the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly increased. These results may be attributed to an increase in β-hydroxybutyrate resulting from exogenous HMB, since β-hydroxybutyrate inhibits food intake and suppresses skeletal muscle catabolism. In conclusion, β-hydroxybutyrate, a metabolite of HMB, was found to play an important role in the function of HMB.     

Prevention of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in Mice and Stimulation of Macrophage Activation in Rats by an Oral Administration of Probiotic Lactobacillus casei I-5

Lactobacillus casei I-5 isolated from an alcohol fermentation broth enhanced immunity and prevented pathogenic infection as a probiotic. Mice fed with I-5 cells for 11 days prior to an intraperitoneal challenge with pathogenic Escherichia coli Juhl exhibited a high survival rate compared with the control group. Rats fed with I-5 cells for 10 days significantly increased the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages. In a cell culture system employing peritoneal macrophages from rats, the I-5 administration activated NF-κB stimulated by LPS. It also enhanced LPS-stimulated IL-12 and TNF-α production, but not IL-6 production. These results show that L. casei I-5 effectively prevented infection by pathogenic E. coli possibly through the activation of peritoneal macrophages. The strain would be useful to prevent pathogenic microbial infections in humans and farm animals.     

Induction of interferon and activation of NK cells and macrophages in mice by oral administration of Ge-132, an organic germanium compound

After oral administration of an organic germanium compound, Ge-132 (300 mg/kg), a significant level of interferon (IFN) activity was detected in the sera of mice at 20 hr and it reached a maximum of 320 U/ml at 24 hr. This IFN activity was lost after heat- or acid-treatment, suggesting that the induced IFN is of gamma-nature. The molecular weight of this IFN was estimated to be 50,000 daltons by gel filtration. The NK activity of spleen cells was increased 24 hr after the oral administration of Ge-132, and cytotoxic macrophages were induced in the peritoneal cavity by 48 hr. In the mice receiving an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of trypan blue or carrageenan 2 days before oral administration of Ge-132, neither induction of IFN nor augmentation of NK activity occurred, and X-ray irradiation of mice also rendered the mice incapable of producing IFN, all indicating that both macrophages and lymphocytes are required for this IFN induction. Both NK and cytotoxic macrophages appeared 18 hr after ip administration of the induced IFN with a titer as low as 20 U/ml. These facts suggest that both the augmentation of NK activity and activation of macrophages in mice after oral administration of Ge-132 are mediated by the induced IFN.     

Macrophage polarization synergizes with oxaliplatin in lung cancer immunotherapy via enhanced tumor cell phagocytosis

Calreticulin (CALR) exposure is required for most immunogenic cell death (ICD) in the anti-tumor immunity induced by chemotherapeutic agents. The present study aimed to explore the anti-tumor efficacy of the combined administration of oxaliplatin (OXA) and R848 (an agent for macrophage polarization) in lung cancer cells. Flow cytometry and immunostaining assays were performed to evaluate CALR exposure induced by OXA in the murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. The phagocytosis of macrophages was determined using flow cytometry and western blotting assays. The anti-tumor efficacy of the OXA and R848 combination was evaluated using flow cytometry and western blotting in vitro and in vivo. OXA induced CALR exposure on the surface of LLC cells after low dose and short duration of treatment (20 μM OXA for 24 h). LLC cells pretreated with OXA were more prone to be phagocytized by M1 than M2 macrophages. M2 macrophages repolarized to M1 by R848 in vitro showed enhanced phagocytic ability to OXA-treated LLC cells. Finally, combined administration of OXA and R848 exhibited a synergistic anti-tumor effect than single agent applied in vitro and in vivo. Macrophage polarization from pro-tumor M2 to anti-tumor M1 synergizes with OXA in lung cancer immunotherapy via enhanced tumor cell phagocytosis.     

Formation of micronucleated erythrocytes in mouse bone-marrow under conditions of hypothermia is not associated with stimulation of erythropoiesis

Conditions of marked and long-lasting hypothermia have been shown to increase the formation of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MNPCE) in mouse bone-marrow. Stimulation of erythropoiesis as a consequence of anoxic conditions associated with decreased body temperature has been suggested as a possible mechanism for hypothermia-induced micronucleus formation. We examined whether chemically induced hypothermic conditions that produced increased MNPCE formation were associated with stimulation of erythropoiesis by measuring erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations in blood. Marked and long-lasting hypothermia was induced in male mice by oral administration of the antipsychotic compounds E-5842 (200 mg/kg) or chlorpromazine (100 mg/kg). Maximum decreases from the basal temperature, achieved 8 h after treatment, were 14.8 and 12.8 degrees C, respectively. A statistically significant increase in bone-marrow MNPCE frequency was observed 48 h after administration of E-5842 (p<0.01) or chlorpromazine (p<0.05). Mice made anaemic by retro-orbital bleeding (0.5 ml), which acted as positive control for stimulation of erythropoiesis, showed no relevant variation in mean rectal temperature and a slight non-statistically significant increase in MNPCE frequency after 48 h. Blood samples for determination of EPO levels were obtained 4 (bleed-control animals only), 8, 16 and 24 h after treatment. In spite of the induced hypothermia, no significant variation in EPO blood levels was observed after administration of E-5842 or chlorpromazine. Bleed-induced anaemic mice showed a clear increase in EPO blood levels at all sampled time points, differences from baseline values being statistically significant (p<0.001) at the 8-h samplings and beyond. These results indicate that induction of MNPCE secondary to chemically induced hypothermia is not mediated by stimulation of erythropoiesis.     

Release of beta-hexosaminidase after administration of different agents affecting the reticuloendothelial system. An experimental study in rats

Plasma levels of a lysosomal enzyme, beta-hexosaminidase (beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, EC 3.2.1.30) were studied in Wistar rats after administration of 99mTc -sulfur colloid, 198Au colloid, gelatine (Haemaccel), alcohol, methylpalmitate and zymosan. The activity of beta-hexosaminidase was increased 10, 30 and 60 min after the zymosan injection. After 24 and 48 h, enzyme levels had returned to those at outset. The transient release of beta-hexosaminidase probably occurred only during the phagocytosis of zymosan which was evaluated by histological examination of lung, liver and spleen. After the injection of all other agents tested, no significant aberration of beta-hexosaminidase levels was seen. Activity distribution of the radio-labeled colloids revealed differences in organ uptake which were attributed to a difference in colloid particle size. Although the colloids tested have been used extensively for determination of reticuloendothelial function and histological studies suggest phagocytosis of the particles, their administration did not affect plasma beta-hexosaminidase levels. Since lysosomal enzymes are cleared from the blood predominantly by liver macrophages, the primary location of particle phagocytosis may explain the present findings.     

Macrophages,not neutrophils,infiltrate skeletal muscle in mice deficient in P/E selectins after mechanical reloading

Our objective was to test the hypothesis that endothelial selectins, P and E selectins, are necessary for leukocyte migration after muscle injury from unloading/reloading. Mice hindlimbs were suspended for 10 days followed by reloading periods of 6 or 24 h after which the soleus muscle was dissected. Light microscopic observations showed that macrophages, but not neutrophils, were able to invade soleus muscles in mice deficient in P/E selectins (P/E-/-) during reloading periods. The recruitment efficiency of neutrophils after 6 and 24 h of reloading was minimal in P/E-/- mice relative to unloaded animals. The recruitment of macrophages in the soleus muscle was preserved in P/E-/- mice. The concentration of macrophages increased by 8.1-fold compared with unloaded muscles in double-mutant mice after 24 h of reloading. The accumulation of macrophages in reloaded muscles did not lead to fiber necrosis. Together, these findings indicate that macrophages can invade skeletal muscle through cellular mechanisms that do not involve P/E selectins during skeletal muscle reloading.     

Effect of thyroid hormones on the activity of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase in fed and fasted rats

The action of thyroid hormones on hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase was studied in rats. Fed and 24-h fasted rats received T3 (10 micrograms/day) or T4 (25 micrograms/day) 1 h, 1 or 3 days before sacrificing. In addition a group of fed rats was treated with T4 for 7 and 14 days. The glucose-6-phosphatase activity was measured in the isolated microsomes prepared from the liver. The intactness of the microsomal preparation was checked using 2 mM mannose-6-phosphate as a substrate. In fed rats a single injection of T3 or T4 augmented the activities of the translocase and hydrolase components of glucose-6-phosphatase provided that the rats were killed 24 h after the administration of hormone. This effect was more pronounced in animals treated for 3-14 days. As expected, fasting per se increased the activities of both components of the enzyme. Moreover, in fasted rats treatment with T3 and T4 for 3 days further augmented the activities of the translocase and the hydrolase components of glucose-6-phosphatase. In fed animals T3 and T4 increased the latency of the enzyme whereas in fasted animals thyroid hormones increased the activities of the translocase and hydrolase components in parallel, maintaining the level of latency of the enzyme system. Administration of T3 and T4 increased blood glucose level in fasted rats after one day, while in fed rats a significant hyperglycaemia appeared after 7-14 days of treatment. In conclusion, T3 and T4 increase the activities of the translocase and hydrolase components of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase in fed and fasted rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Degradation of quillaja saponins by mixed culture of rumen microbes

Quillaja saponin (QS) was incubated at 39°C in an in vitro medium containing rumenliquor from a cow fed a roughage diet. Nodegradation of QS was observed up to 6 h offermentation. Incubation for 9, 12 and 24 hdecreased the content of QS by 16%, 45% and 100%.The content of QS did not decreasewhen incubated for 24 h in the medium containing autoclavedrumen liquor, suggestingthat rumen microbes have enzyme(s) capable of degrading QS. The fateof QSwill help gain a better understanding of mechanisms of action of QS on rumenfermentation,and its beneficial effects mediated by binding to ammonia.     

KDT501, a Derivative from Hops,Normalizes Glucose Metabolism and Body Weight in Rodent Models of Diabetes

Aims/Hypothesis

We developed KDT501, a novel substituted 1,3-cyclopentadione chemically derived from hop extracts, and evaluated it in various in vitro and in vivo models of diabetes and insulin sensitivity.

Methods

KDT501 was evaluated for anti-inflammatory effects in monocyte/macrophage cells; agonistic activity for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR); lipogenesis and gene expression profile in human subcutaneous adipocytes. Body composition, glucose, insulin sensitivity, and lipids were assessed in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice and Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats after oral administration.

Results

KDT501 mediated lipogenesis in 3T3L1 and human subcutaneous adipocytes; however, the gene expression profile of KDT501 differed from that of the full PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone, suggesting that KDT501 has pleiotropic biological activities. In addition, KDT501 showed only modest, partial PPARγ agonist activity and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in monocytes/macrophages that were not observed with rosiglitazone. In a DIO mouse model, oral administration of KDT501 significantly reduced fed blood glucose, glucose/insulin AUC following an oral glucose bolus, and body fat. In ZDF rats, oral administration of KDT501 significantly reduced fed glucose, fasting plasma glucose, and glucose AUC after an oral glucose bolus. Significant, dose-dependent reductions of plasma hemoglobin A1c, weight gain, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were also observed in animals receiving KDT501.

Conclusion

These results indicate that KDT501 produces a unique anti-diabetic profile that is distinct in its spectrum of pharmacological effects and biological mechanism from both metformin and pioglitazone. KDT501 may thus constitute a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and associated conditions.