Rapid Serodiagnosis of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Complex Infection by ELISA with Cord Factor (Trehalose 6, 6′-Dimycolate), and Serotyping Using the Glycopeptidolipid Antigen

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) is one of the most important opportunistic pathogens, particularly in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The aim of this study was to determine whether an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using trehalose 6,6′-dimycolate (TDM) as an antigen can be used for the rapid serodiagnosis of MAC infection. We also identified MAC serotypes by ELISA using serotype-specific glycopeptidolipid (GPL) antigen. To confirm our findings, the thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) behavior of serotype-specific GPL of the strains isolated from MAC-infected patients was also tested. Forty patients infected with MAC and 30 healthy controls were tested. Thirty-two of the 40 MAC-infected patients had higher titers of serum antibodies against MAC TDM than against MTB TDM, while all 30 healthy control sera were unreactive to MAC TDM and MTB TDM. Results of the GPL ELISA indicated that 20 of the 40 MAC-infected patients' sera were reactive against serotype 4 GPL, 3 against serotype 8 GPL, and 1 against serotype 16 GPL. A TLC analysis of the GPL of the 40 MAC isolates showed that 16 strains were of serotype 4, 5 of serotype 8, and 2 of serotype 16. Results of the GPL ELISA were in good accord with those of the TLC analysis for most patients. Our findings suggest that ELISA using TDM is useful for rapid serodiagnosis of MAC infection, and that complementary ELISA testing using serotype-specific GPL gives additional detailed information concerning MAC serotypes.     

Response of plant functional traits to species origin and adaptive reproduction in weeds

Exotic species and clonal species are more competitive than co-occurring species, and several plant traits have already been identified to contribute to their superior competitiveness. In this study, 13 functional traits of 36 weed species were analyzed to determine if there was generalizable difference among these species. The results indicated that species origin significantly affected fluctuating asymmetry of width (FAW), specific leaf area (SLA), and total dry mass (TDM), with exotic species showing a higher FAW and TDM but a lower SLA. Adaptive reproduction had a significant effect so that FAW and FAA tended to be higher for non-clonal species, but RMF and R/S ratio tended to be higher for clonal species. Meanwhile, the response of these traits to species origin and reproduction was altered by their interactive effect. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination indicated an extremely positive relationship with all leaf traits and TDM, in exotic species, but a similar relationship with SLA, TDM, and S_lw in clonal species. Clonal invasive species tended to have higher TDM, while non-clonal invasive species tended to have higher FA.     

Interaction between thymocytes and thymus-derived macrophages. II. Engulfment of thymocytes by macrophages

A high percentage (80-90%) of immature thymocytes were engulfed by syngeneic thymus-derived macrophages (TDM phi) following cocultivation for 3 days. Elimination occurred via internalization of thymocytes by the macrophages. We unequivocally demonstrated the presence of many live thymocytes inside the TDM phi by means of specific staining. Mature PNA- thymocytes were phagocytized to a lower degree than immature thymocytes, and T splenocytes were not eliminated at all. Bone marrow-derived macrophages internalized immature thymocytes to a degree similar to TDM phi. Since thymocyte survival was not at all affected by M phi culture supernatants alone, we conclude that cell to cell contact is necessary for thymocyte elimination. To identify the surface molecules which participate in internalization of thymocytes by the macrophages, both cell types were pretreated with a variety of agents. Treatment of thymocytes with tunicamycin (N-glycosylation inhibitor) and anti-Lyt-2 mAb decreased their elimination by M phi. Similarly, treatment of M phi with neuraminidase, trypsin, and anti-Ia mAb markedly suppressed their capacity to engulf thymocytes. On the other hand, thymocyte elimination was unaffected by (1) cell cultivation in syngeneic serum rather than heterologous serum; (2) use of allogeneic rather than syngeneic thymocytes; and (3) use of X-irradiated M phi and LPS-activated M phi rather than nontreated M phi.     

FbpA-Dependent biosynthesis of trehalose dimycolate is required for the intrinsic multidrug resistance, cell wall structure, and colonial morphology of Mycobacterium smegmatis

Ligation of mycolic acids to structural components of the mycobacterial cell wall generates a hydrophobic, impermeable barrier that provides resistance to toxic compounds such as antibiotics. Secreted proteins FbpA, FbpB, and FbpC attach mycolic acids to arabinogalactan, generating mycolic acid methyl esters (MAME) or trehalose, generating alpha,alpha'-trehalose dimycolate (TDM; also called cord factor). Our studies of Mycobacterium smegmatis showed that disruption of fbpA did not affect MAME levels but resulted in a 45% reduction of TDM. The fbpA mutant displayed increased sensitivity to both front-line tuberculosis-targeted drugs as well as other broad-spectrum antibiotics widely used for antibacterial chemotherapy. The irregular, hydrophobic surface of wild-type M. smegmatis colonies became hydrophilic and smooth in the mutant. While expression of M. smegmatis fbpA restored defects of the mutant, heterologous expression of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis fbpA gene was less effective. A single mutation in the M. smegmatis FbpA esterase domain inactivated its ability to provide antibiotic resistance. These data show that production of TDM by FbpA is essential for the intrinsic antibiotic resistance and normal colonial morphology of some mycobacteria and support the concept that FbpA-specific inhibitors, alone or in combination with other antibiotics, could provide an effective treatment to tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases.     

Identification of trehalose dimycolate (cord factor) in Mycobacterium leprae

Glycolipids of Mycobacterium leprae obtained from armadillo tissue nodules infected with the bacteria were analyzed. Mass spectrometric analysis of the glycolipids indicated the presence of trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) together with trehalose 6-monomycolate (TMM) and phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I). The analysis showed that M. leprae-derived TDM and TMM possessed both alpha- and keto-mycolates centering at C78 in the former and at C81 or 83 in the latter subclasses, respectively. For the first time, MALDI-TOF mass analyses showed the presence of TDM in M. leprae.     

Alterations in lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, and proline metabolism in Catharanthus roseus under treatment with triadimefon, a systemic fungicide

Triadimefon (TDM), a systemic fungicide with non-traditional plant-growth regulator properties, was administered to Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. plants in order to determine its effects on oxidative injury in terms of H2O2 content, lipid peroxidation (LPO), electrolyte leakage (EL), protein and amino acid contents, as well as proline metabolism. The LPO, estimated as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), decreased under TDM treatment. It was found that H2O2 and EL were reduced under TDM treatment when compared to control. TDM treatment caused a significant increase in the protein and amino acid contents. Glycine betaine (GB) and proline (PRO) significantly accumulated in C. roseus under stress arisen from fungicide applications. Proline oxidase (PROX) activities reduce the PRO content and gamma-glutamyl kinase (gamma-GK) accelerates the synthesis of PRO. Under TDM treatment, the activity of PROX decreased and the gamma-GK activity increased. From our results, it is suggested that fungicide triadimefon causes activation of metabolic processes in the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus. These findings are of great significance for the cultivation of this medicinal plant, as it was previously reported that TDM causes an enhancement of antioxidant metabolism and ajmalicine production in C. roseus.     

Extraction of rIL-2 inclusion bodies from Escherichia coli using cross-flow filtration

A cross-flow membrane filtration process was developed for the recovery of rIL-2 inclusion bodies from homogenized Escherichia coli. The membrane extraction process was comprised of a two-step diafiltration followed by an extraction with 7 M GuHCl and a 40-fold dilution of the solubilized inclusion bodies into 0.01 M Tris-HCl, 0.035 M NaCl, pH 7.9. The first diafiltration was with a 0.03 M Tris-HCl, 5 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), pH 8, followed by a diafiltration with 1.75 M GuHCl. All of the insoluble rIL-2 was retained behind the membrane, whereas a GuHCl wash solubilized approximately 15% of the rIL-2. The membrane process increased the yield of rIL-2 in the diluted extract by threefold as compared to a similar centrifuge process with a significant increase in purity as determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanisms of augmented resistance of cyclosporin A-treated mice to influenza virus infection by trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate.

Cyclosporin A (CsA), which is an immunosuppressive drug of helper T lymphocytes, diminished a resistance of mice to influenza virus infection. Mice inoculated intravenously with trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate (TDM, a glycolipid component of the cell wall of Mycobacterium) in an oil-in-water emulsion (TDM emulsion) recovered the resistance to influenza virus infection impaired by CsA. Number of antibody-producing cells was markedly reduced in CsA- and/or TDM-treated mice. Interferon production in lung of TDM-treated mice was augmented; however, it was extremely reduced not only in CsA-treated mice, but also in CsA- and TDM-treated mice. Activities of natural killer cells of CsA- and/or TDM-treated mice were not different from that of control mice. Numbers of lymphocytes in lung of TDM-treated mice and CsA- and TDM-treated mice were more predominantly increased than that of control mice. Analysis of lung lymphocytes by flow cytometry revealed no difference between the populations of L3T4+ T lymphocytes and Lyt-2.2+ T lymphocytes in CsA- and/or TDM-treated mice and the populations in control mice. However, the population of gamma delta T cell receptor positive (gamma delta TCR+) lymphocytes increased markedly in lung of TDM-treated mice and also CsA- and TDM-treated mice. In vitro experiments showed that macrophage cultures treated with TDM emulsion released a mediator(s) which activates T lymphocytes, but not B lymphocytes. These and our earlier results suggest that the recovered anti-influenza virus resistance of CsA-treated mice by treatment with TDM emulsion was caused by elicitation of macrophages with TDM, then activation of T lymphocytes, especially gamma delta TCR+ lymphocytes.     

Simultaneous determination of the antipsychotic drugs levomepromazine and clozapine and their main metabolites in human plasma by a HPLC-UV method with solid-phase extraction

A HPLC method with UV detection has been developed for the simultaneous determination of levomepromazine, clozapine and their main metabolites: N-desmethyl-levomepromazine, levomepromazine sulphoxide, O-desmethyl-levomepromazine, N-desmethylclozapine and clozapine N-oxide. The analytes were separated on a C8 reversed-phase column using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and a pH 2.0, 34 mM phosphate buffer containing 0.3% triethylamine (29:71, v/v). Loxapine was used as the internal standard. A reliable biological sample pre-treatment procedure by means of solid-phase extraction on C1 cartridges was implemented, which allows to obtain good extraction yields (>91%) for all analytes and appropriate sample purification from endogenous interference. The method was validated in terms of extraction yield, precision and accuracy. These assays gave RSD% values for precision always lower than 4.9% and mean accuracy values higher than 92%. The method is suitable for the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of patients undergoing polypharmacy with levomepromazine and clozapine.     

绿僵菌MaFZ-13对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫致病力及林间防治效果

【目的】橙带蓝尺蛾Milionia basalis近年来在我国南方地区严重危害罗汉松Podocarpusmacrophyllus和竹柏Podocarpus nagi,扩散蔓延速度快,造成了很大的损失。本研究旨在评估金龟子绿僵菌Metarhizium anisopliae MaFZ-13菌株对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫的致病力,探寻橙带蓝尺蛾生物防治新资源。【方法】通过绿僵菌MaFZ-13不同浓度(1.0×10⁵~1.0×10⁹孢子/mL)孢子悬浮液接种橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫,运用时间-剂量-死亡率(TDM)模型对生物测定结果进行分析,同时通过林间喷施1.0×10⁸孢子/mL绿僵菌孢子悬浮液进行林间防治效果试验。【结果】橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫累计死亡率随着绿僵菌MaFZ-13孢子悬浮液孢子浓度的增加和接种时间的延长而增大。接种1.0×10⁹孢子/mL孢子悬浮液8 d后以及接种1.0×10⁸孢子/mL孢子悬浮液10 d后,幼虫死亡率均达到100%;接种1.0×10⁷孢子/mL孢子悬浮液15 d后幼虫死亡率为95.6%。应用TDM模型对生测数据进行分析,结果表明所建模型通过Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合异质性检验,并由模型估算出了该菌株对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫的致死剂量和致死时间。绿僵菌MaFZ-13菌株接种4, 5, 6和7 d后的半致死剂量(LC₅₀)对数估计值分别为7.99, 7.12, 6.46和5.83。以1.0×10⁷, 1.0×10⁸和1.0×10⁹孢子/mL的孢子浓度接种时,绿僵菌MaFZ-13菌株对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫的LT₅₀值分别为5.19,3.99和2.81 d。林间用1.0×10⁸孢子/mL绿僵菌孢子悬浮液喷洒9 d后橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫死亡率可达到85.8%,防治效果为85.05%。【结论】绿僵菌MaFZ-13对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫具有较强的致病力,林间防治效果良好,具有较好的应用潜力。     

Triadimefon Induced C and N Metabolism and Root Ultra-Structural Changes for Drought Stress Protection in Soybean at Flowering Stage

Drought is a major abiotic factor limiting agricultural crop production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of triadimefon (TDM) on leaf physiology and growth of soybean in response to drought stress. Soybean variety of Nannong 99-6 (Glycine max var.) was used to study the effects of TDM on carbon–nitrogen metabolism and root structure under drought stress with pot experiment. The results showed that drought stress significantly depressed the growth and yield regardless of spraying TDM. However, drought-stressed plants treated with TDM (D+T) showed much higher biomass and yield than those without TDM (D). Leaves of D+T plants exhibited a higher relative water content and chlorophyll content, but lower relative electric conductivity as compared with those of the D plants. Formation of lots of new roots, and more mitochondria and electron density deposits in the cells of root tips in D+T plants were noticed. Foliar glucose, fructose, and soluble sugar were increased by drought during the drought stress period. TDM decreased glucose and fructose a little during stress and the beginning stage of the recovery period but increased it later in the recovery period. Activities of sucrose synthase (SS EC 2.4.1.13), sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS EC 2.4.1.13), and glutamine synthetase (GS EC6.3.1) and contents of NO₃-N were increased by TDM. Collectively, the results indicated that TDM could effectively alleviate the adverse effects caused by drought stress, which was partially attributable to modifications in morphology and physiological characteristic.     

A high performance liquid chromatography assay for the rapid analysis of the subunit content of concanavalin A

A high performance liquid chromatography system is described which provides a rapid and convenient assay for the relative amounts of intact (26 000 dalton) and fragmented (14 000 and 12 000 dalton) subunits present in preparations of concanavalin A. Analyses were performed on an HPLC size exlusions column using either 8 M urea or 6 M guanidine hydrochloride as denaturing eluents. The efficiency and resolving power of this technique were confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This HPLC assay facilitated the monitoring of the purification of concanavalin A to prepare a homogeneous preparation necessary for its biological evaluation.     

Influence of input rate on the stereospecific and nonstereospecific first pass metabolism and pharmacokinetics of metoprolol extended release formulations

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of input rate on the stereoselective and nonstereoselective pharmacokinetics of metoprolol, alpha-hydroxymetoprolol, and its acid metabolite. Extended release formulations (100 mg) of metoprolol with varying release rates (e.g., slow (S), moderate (M), and fast (F)) and an oral solution (OS, 50 mg) were administered to normal, healthy extensive metabolizers. Serial blood samples were collected over 48 h, plasma was obtained, and subsequently analyzed by a validated HPLC method with fluorescence detection. The mean T(max) of metoprolol after the S, M, F (4.43, 4.00, 3.14 h, respectively) was found to be different ( P < 0.05) as compared to the OS (2.07 h). The ratio of alpha-hydroxymetoprolol/metoprolol was higher for the OS (1.26) vs. the S, M, and F (1.02, 0.96, 0.99). The S/R enantiomer ratios of the concentration for metoprolol, ACMB, and alpha-hydroxmetoprolol were calculated at each time point and showed a significant difference ( P < 0.05) in the absorption phase (1-4 h) vs. terminal phase (8-16 h) for fast input (solution and fast extended release formulations). Based on these results, it would appear that input rate influences the pharmacokinetics of metoprolol, its metabolites, and their enantiomers.     

斜纹夜蛾核多角体病流行的时间动态

通过对病病幼虫进行跟踪观察,观察了病毒不同浓度处理下,斜纹夜蛾核多角体病的田间流行动态结果表明,在试验病毒浓度范围（３．１＊１０＾５－３．１＾１０＾８ＰＩＢｓ．ｍｌ＾－１）内,幼虫大多在喷施病毒后第４天开始发病,第５－７天为发病高峰,第５－６天开始病死,第６－天为病死高峰,宿主现患高峰民发病高峰基本一致。宿主种群发病和病死时间分布可用时间－剂量－死亡率模型较好地拟合,模型模拟与实测值有较好的吻合（     

Benefits of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Vancomycin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Objective

The necessity of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for vancomycin is controversial. The objective of the current review was to evaluate the available evidence for the necessity of TDM in patients given vancomycin to treat Gram-positive infections.

Methods

Medline, Embase, Web of Sciences, the Cochrane Library and two Chinese literature databases (CNKI, CBM) were searched. Randomized controlled studies and observational studies that compared the clinical outcomes of TDM groups vs. non-TDM groups were included. Two reviewers independently extracted the data. The primary outcome was clinical efficacy of therapy. Secondary outcomes included vancomycin associated nephrotoxicity, duration of vancomycin therapy, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed effect method (FEM). Odds ratios (ORs) or weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated for categorical and continuous outcomes, respectively.

Results

One randomized controlled trial (RCT) and five cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with non-TDM groups, TDM groups had significantly higher rates of clinical efficacy (OR = 2.62, 95%CI 1.34–5.11 P = 0.005) and decreased rates of nephrotoxicity (OR = 0.25, 95%CI 0.13–0.48 P<0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed that TDM group had significantly higher rates of clinical efficacy in both cohort studies subgroup (OR = 3.04, 95%CI 1.34–6.90) and in Asian population subgroup (OR = 3.04, 95%CI 1.34–6.90). TDM group had significantly decreased rates of nephrotoxicity in all subgroup. There was no significant difference in duration of vancomycin therapy (WMD = −0.40, 95%CI −2.83–2.02 P = 0.74) or length of stay (WMD = −1.01, 95%CI −7.51-5.49 P = 0.76) between TDM and non-TDM groups. Subgroup analyses showed there were no differences in duration of vancomycin therapy. Only one study reported mortality rates.

Conclusions

Studies to date show that TDM significantly increases the rate of clinical efficacy and decreases the rate of nephrotoxicity in patients treated with vancomycin.     

Production and partial characterization of antibody to cord factor (trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate) in mice.

Antibody production against the trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM, cord factor) of Rhodococcus ruber, a non-pathogenic species of the Actinomycetales group, was investigated in mice by repeated intraperitoneal injection of TDM in water-in-oil-in-water micelles without carrier protein. The antigenic TDM was isolated and purified chromatographically from the chloroform-methanol extractable lipids of R. ruber. The hydrophobic moiety of this TDM was composed of two molecules of monoenoic or dienoic alpha-mycolic acids with a carbon chain length ranging from C44 to C48 centering at C46. To detect the antibody, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system was employed using plastic plates coated with TDM. The antibody reacted against the TDM of R. ruber. The antibody was reactive in similar fashion against glycosyl monomycolates differing in the carbohydrate moiety, such as that of glucose mycolate (GM) and mannose mycolate (MM), obtained from R. ruber. Moreover, the antibody reacted against mycolic acid methyl ester itself when it was used as the antigen in ELISA, and trehalose did not absorb the antibody to TDM or inhibit the reaction. These results indicate that the epitope of TDM recognized by the antibody is mycolic acid, an extremely hydrophobic part of the molecule. Next, we prepared monoclonal anti-TDM antibody (moAb) in mice myeloma cells to examine its biological activities and the role of humoral immunity in mycobacterial infection. MoAb reacted against the TDM, glycosyl mycolate, and mycolic acid methyl ester in ELISA in the same manner as our polyclonal antibody did. The administration of moAb suppressed granuloma formation in the lungs, spleen, and liver induced by TDM and inhibited the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and chemotactic factor, which is reported to precede granuloma formation.     

Neutrophils Promote Mycobacterial Trehalose Dimycolate-Induced Lung Inflammation via the Mincle Pathway

Trehalose 6,6′-dimycolate (TDM), a cord factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is an important regulator of immune responses during Mtb infections. Macrophages recognize TDM through the Mincle receptor and initiate TDM-induced inflammatory responses, leading to lung granuloma formation. Although various immune cells are recruited to lung granulomas, the roles of other immune cells, especially during the initial process of TDM-induced inflammation, are not clear. In this study, Mincle signaling on neutrophils played an important role in TDM-induced lung inflammation by promoting adhesion and innate immune responses. Neutrophils were recruited during the early stage of lung inflammation following TDM-induced granuloma formation. Mincle expression on neutrophils was required for infiltration of TDM-challenged sites in a granuloma model induced by TDM-coated-beads. TDM-induced Mincle signaling on neutrophils increased cell adherence by enhancing F-actin polymerization and CD11b/CD18 surface expression. The TDM-induced effects were dependent on Src, Syk, and MAPK/ERK kinases (MEK). Moreover, coactivation of the Mincle and TLR2 pathways by TDM and Pam3CSK4 treatment synergistically induced CD11b/CD18 surface expression, reactive oxygen species, and TNFα production by neutrophils. These synergistically-enhanced immune responses correlated with the degree of Mincle expression on neutrophil surfaces. The physiological relevance of the Mincle-mediated anti-TDM immune response was confirmed by defective immune responses in Mincle^−/− mice upon aerosol infections with Mtb. Mincle-mutant mice had higher inflammation levels and mycobacterial loads than WT mice. Neutrophil depletion with anti-Ly6G antibody caused a reduction in IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression upon TDM treatment, and reduced levels of immune cell recruitment during the initial stage of infection. These findings suggest a new role of Mincle signaling on neutrophils during anti-mycobacterial responses.     

Adrenomedullin promotes epithelial restitution of rat and human gastric mucosa in vitro

We have investigated the effect of adrenomedullin (AM) on restitution of mucosal integrity following damage in rat and human gastric mucosa, measuring the potential difference (PD) on a mucosal strip mounted on an Ussing chamber. Mucosal damage was induced by 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 M NaCl solution, and it caused an immediate and significant decrease in PD. In the rat AM group, PD recovered significantly more than in control group at 120 min after exposure to 0.5 M (p < 0.01) and 1.0 M (p < 0.05) NaCl solution. In the human AM group, PD completely recovered at 120 min after exposure to 0.5 M (p < 0.05) NaCl solution. In rat mucosa damaged by 0.5 M NaCl solution, the effect was inhibited by human (h)-CGRP(8-37) and there was no significant difference between the h-CGRP(8-37) group and control group. On immunohistochemical examination of rat gastric mucosa, AM was detected within the chief cell. AM probably promotes epithelial restitution primarily through the CGRP receptor, but it does not ameliorate more severe damage of gastric mucosa in vitro.     

Urinary excretion rates of 8-oxoGua and 8-oxodG and antioxidant vitamins level as a measure of oxidative status in healthy,full-term newborns

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oxidative status in healthy full-term children and piglets. Urinary excretion of 8-oxoGua (8-oxoguanine) and 8-oxodG (8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine) were determined using HPLC/GS/MS methodology and concentrations of vitamins A, C and E with HPLC technique. The levels of 8-oxoGua in urine samples were about 7–8 times higher in newborn children and piglets when compared with the level of adult subjects, while in the case of 8-oxodG the difference was about 2.5 times. The levels of vitamin C and E in umbilical cord blood of newborn children significantly depend on the concentration of these compounds in their mother's blood. However, the values of vitamin C in human's cord blood were about 2-times higher than in respective mother blood, while the level of vitamin E showed an opposite trend. The results suggest that: (i) healthy, full-term newborns are under potential oxidative stress; (ii) urinary excretion of 8-oxoGua and 8-oxodG may be a good marker of oxidative stress in newborns; and (iii) antioxidant vitamins, especially vitamin C, play an important role in protecting newborns against oxidative stress.