2型糖尿病患者甲状腺功能及甲状腺自身抗体变化的研究

目的 探讨2型糖尿病患者甲状腺功能、甲状腺自身抗体的变化及其临床意义.方法 选取131例2型糖尿病患者(2型糖尿病组)及106例非糖尿病患者(对照组).分别测定两组患者的血清总三碘甲腺原氨酸(TT3)、总甲状腺素(TT4)、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、促甲状腺素(TSH)、抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)水平,同时测定体质指数(BMI)、空腹血糖(FPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、血脂等相关指标.按HbA1c水平不同将2型糖尿病患者分为HbA1c＜7.5％组(45例)、HbA1c7.5％～9.0％组(54例),HbA1c＞9.0％组(32例);按照病程不同将2型糖尿病患者分为病程＜1年组(18例)、病程1～5年组(38例)、病程6～10年组(46例)及病程＞10年组(29例),比较各组患者甲状腺功能、甲状腺自身抗体差异及甲状腺超声表现,并分析影响甲状腺功能的因素.结果 2型糖尿病组的TT3、FT3水平分别为(1.29±0.21)nmol/L,(3.82±0.51)pmol/L,明显低于对照组的(1.52±0.37)nmol/L,(4.23±0.54)pmol/L,TGAb水平为(71.37±67.16)kU/L,明显高于对照组的(43.24±40.17)kU/L,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).随着HbA1c的升高,TSH及TT3水平逐渐下降,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);HbA1c＞9.0％组的FT3水平为(3.74±0.33)pmol/L,明显低于HbA1c＜7.5％组的(3.85±0.49)pmol/L及HbA1c 7.5％～9.0％组的(3.82±0.46)pmol/L,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);HbA1c＞9.0％组TGAb水平为(88.45±54.39)kU/L,明显高于HbA1c＜7.5％组的(61.16±49.03)kU/L,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).随着病程延长,TT3、FT3水平逐渐下降,TSH、TGAb水平逐渐增高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).2型糖尿病组甲状腺超声异常发生率高于对照组[69.5％(91/131)比36.8％(39/106),P＜0.01].Spearman相关性分析显示TSH与FPG、HbA1c呈负相关(r=-0.082、-0.135,P＜0.05),与病程、三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)呈正相关(r=0.092、0.124、0.111、0.158,P＜0.05);TT3与TC、LDL呈正相关(r=0.162、0.175,P＜0.05);FT3与年龄、病程、FPG、HbA1c呈负相关(r=-0.236、-0.213、-0.334、-0.148,P＜0.05).多元逐步回归分析发现病程、HbA1c是影响FT3、TT3水平变化的独立因素(OR=-0.177、-0.161、-0.078、-0.057,P＜0.05).结论 甲状腺激素水平对2型糖尿病患者病情的评估具有一定的临床意义.     

1935例初发Graves病患者甲状腺激素水平和甲状腺自身抗体滴度水平分析

目的观察并分析初发Graves病(GD)患者甲状腺激素水平和甲状腺自身抗体滴度水平,为GD的治疗提供依据。方法收集天津医科大学总医院2015年1月至2017年6月内分泌科就诊的1 935例临床确诊初发GD患者资料,入院后次日清晨空腹抽取研究对象肘正中静脉血2 ml,应用化学发光法检测游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)和促甲状腺素受体抗体(TRAb)水平。用SPSS 16.0软件进行统计分析,不符合正态分布的计量资料用中位数(P25,P25)表示,组间比较用秩和检验;相关性分析用Spearman法;影响因素分析用多元线性回归分析。结果 1 935例初发GD患者的年龄中位数为38岁(P25,P75:28,52岁),FT3中位数为14.39 pmol/L(P25,P75:10.80,21.49 pmol/L),FT4中位数为42.41 pmol/L(P25,P75:33.60,56.34 pmol/L),TSH中位数为0.008μIU/ml(P25,P75:0.006,0.011μIU/ml),TRAb中位数为8.08 IU/ml,(P25,P75:3.36,21.88 IU/ml),TPOAb中位数为304.00 IU/ml(P25,P75:46.70,1000.00 IU/ml),TGAb中位数为34.60 IU/ml(P25,P75:20.00,202.00 IU/ml)。TRAb阳性率为99.90%,TPOAb阳性率为84.55%,TGAb阳性率为47.49%,TPOAb在不同滴度水平均有分布,滴度水平超过1 000IU/ml的病例占26.15%。男性患者发病年龄明显高于女性,血清中FT3、FT4、TRAb水平均明显高于女性,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。FT3、FT4与TRAb、TPOAb均呈明显的正相关(r值分别为0.255、0.209、0.094和0.114,P0.05,P0.01),TSH与TRAb、TPOAb均呈明显的负相关(r值分别为-0.091、-0.056,P0.05,P0.01)。FT3、FT4对TRAb、TPOAb的影响均有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01),且均为正向影响,表明FT3、FT4都会随TRAb、TPOAb的增加而增加。结论初发GD患者的甲状腺激素水平明显升高,临床医生应根据GD患者甲状腺激素水平和甲状腺抗体滴度水平,合理选择GD的治疗方案和抗甲状腺药物的使用剂量和疗程。同时注意GD患者不同指标在男女性别间的差异,进行有针对性的筛查及治疗。     

妊娠期糖尿病孕妇甲状腺功能指标与妊娠结局

目的:探讨妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)患者血清抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)、抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、促甲状腺素(TSH)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)等水平及意义。方法:2015年3月—2018年6月在本院治疗的GDM患者200例(GDM组),选取同期健康产妇200例为对照组,检测两组分娩前TGAb、TPOAb、TSH、FT3、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)和甲状腺素(T4)水平。结果:两组TSH、T3、T4、FT3水平比较无差异(P0.05);GDM组FT4(5.01±1.01pmol/L)低于对照组,TGAb阳性率、TPOAb阳性率、TGAb+TPOAb阳性率(14.0%、10.5%和9.0%)高于对照组(均P0.05);GDM组妊娠结局不良与结局正常者血清TSH、T3、T4、FT3、FT4水平比较无差异(P0.05);GDM组不良妊娠结局者TGAb阳性率、TPOAb阳性率、TGAb+TPOAb阳性率(23.1%、16.9%和16.9%)均高于正常妊娠结局者(P0.05)。结论:GDM患者血清TGAb、TPOAb、FT4处于异常状态,对妊娠结局可能有一定影响作用。     

甲状腺相关性眼病血清细胞因子水平及免疫机制的临床关系研究

目的 研究甲状腺相关性眼病患者血清IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α的水平及其与免疫的关系.方法 采用RIA法分析25例GD、25例GO患者及20例对照组血清中IL-2、IL-6、TNF-α、TRAb值;化学发光法测定TGAb、TPOAb、FT3、FT4、TSH.结果 在GO、GD组,IL-6、TNF-α水平均高于对照组（P〈0.01,P〈0.05）;GO组高于GD组（P〈0.01,P〈0.05）;两组患者TGAb、TPOAb值均高于对照组（P〈0.05）;TRAb值在三组间两两比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）、GO组明显高于另两组（P〈0.01）;TRAb与TNF-α、IL-6及甲状腺功能呈正相关（r=0.608,0.827,P〈0.05）.结论 GDGO患者IL-6、TNF-α增高,Th1、Th2细胞因子表达增强,TRAb与GO细胞因子相关,细胞介导和体液免疫在发病机制中起重要作用.     

甲状腺功能亢进症伴周期性麻痹患者血睾酮水平的变化及意义

目的 探讨甲状腺功能亢进症伴周期性麻痹(TPP)患者血睾酮(T)水平的变化及意义.方法 选择男性甲状腺功能亢进症患者50例,按是否伴周期性麻痹分为TPP组和单纯甲状腺功能亢进症组(对照组),每组25例,比较两组治疗前后游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、高敏促甲状腺素(sTSH)、T、促黄体生成素(LH)、促卵泡生成素(FSH).结果 两组治疗前sTSH、LH、FSH比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).TPP组治疗前FT3、FT4低于对照组[(18.04±7.22)pmol/L比(25.06±14.15) pmol/L,(48.68±19.06) pmol/L比(62.23±27.42) pmol/L],T高于对照组[(12.17±2.09) μg/L比(8.62±2.76) μg/L],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).TPP组治疗前FT3、FT4、sTSH、T与治疗后比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),治疗前LH、FSH与治疗后比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).对照组治疗前FT3、FT4、sTSH、T与治疗后比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),治疗前LH、FSH与治疗后比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).两组治疗后FT3、FT4、sTSH、LH、FSH比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).TPP组治疗后T高于对照组[(7.25±1.37) μg/L比(6.17±1.35)μg/L],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 TPP患者存在血T水平升高,血T水平升高可能为甲状腺功能亢进症患者发生周期性麻痹的原因之一.     

促甲状腺激素和甲状腺自身抗体在甲状腺疾病诊断中的临床应用

目的通过分析甲状腺疾病患者血清中的促甲状腺激素、抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体、抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体、促甲状腺激素受体抗体的浓度变化,探讨其在甲状腺自身免疫性疾病中的诊断价值。方法选择我院收治的桥本甲状腺炎(HT)患者、毒性弥漫性甲状腺病(GD)患者与甲状腺机能减退症患者各30例,选取在我院进行常规体检的健康人群30例作为对照组,分别检测各组患者血清中的TSH、TGAb、TPOAb及TRAb水平,并进行比较分析。结果GD组的TSH水平明显低于对照组,甲减组高于对照组;HT组、GD组、甲减组的TPOAb、TGAb水平均明显高于对照组;GD组的TRAb水平明显高于其他三组,各组比较差异均具有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论 TSH水平可以作为甲状腺功能的特异性检测指标,TRAb对于毒性弥漫性甲状腺病具有较高诊断价值,而TGAb与TPOAb检测对于甲状腺疾病的诊断具有重要意义。     

不同妊娠期甲状腺自身抗体筛查结果分析

目的 通过对不同妊娠期甲状腺自身抗体的阳性率调查,并结合文献探讨抗甲状腺自身抗体阳性对母婴的影响,从而提高对相应疾病的诊治.方法 549例不同妊娠期妇女分为妊娠早期组178例,妊娠中期组192例,妊娠晚期组179例,采用电化学发光法检测甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体（TPOAb）、甲状腺球蛋白抗体（TGAb）、促甲状腺激素受体抗体（TRAb）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）,并与200例体检健康者（对照组）比较.结果 妊娠早期组TPOAb阳性率为18.54％ （33/178）,TGAb阳性率为19.66％ （35/178）,TRAb阳性率为0.56％ （1/178）,妊娠中期组TPOAb阳性率为15.62％（30/192）,TGAb阳性率为16.15％（31/192）,TRAb阳性率为0.52％ （1/192）,妊娠晚期组TPOAb阳性率为16.20％ （29/179）,TGAb阳性率为16.76％ （30/179）,TRAb阳性率为0.56％（1/179）.妊娠早期组TPOAb、TGAb中位数及阳性率高于妊娠中期组、妊娠晚期组和对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.妊娠中期组TPOAb、TGAb中位数及阳性率高于妊娠晚期组和对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.结论 应当重视妊娠期甲状腺自身抗体的发生率,对高危孕妇应采取必要的干预.     

幽门螺杆菌感染与自身免疫性甲状腺疾病的关系

目的 分析幽门螺杆菌(Hp)感染与自身免疫性甲状腺疾病(AITDs)的关系。方法 选取2019年1月-2021年3月在川北医学院附属医院确诊的240例AITDs患者为研究对象，根据是否合并Hp感染分成Hp感染组132例和非Hp感染组108例。化学发光免疫法检测血清甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、甲状腺素受体抗体(TRAb)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺激素(FT4)水平；酶联免疫吸附法测定血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)、基质金属蛋白酶-9 (MMP-9)、基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)、白细胞介素(IL)-8、IL-6、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、IgA(Hp-IgA)及IgG(Hp-IgG)抗体水平；蛋白质印迹法检测Wnt通路相关蛋白。结果 两组患者FT3、FT4和TSH水平比较，无统计学差异。Hp感染组患者TPOAb、TGAb、TRAb、IL-6、IL-8、CRP、TNF-α、MMP-9、TIMP-1、Hp-IgG、Hp-IgA水平高于非Hp感染组，IFN-γ水平低于非Hp感...     

Graves病131Ⅰ治疗后甲状腺功能减退发生率与甲状腺球蛋白抗体、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体的关系

目的 探讨甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)和甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)水平与Graves病患者治疗后甲状腺功能减退发生率的关系.方法 选取325例治疗前TGAb、TPOAb阴性Graves病患者,分别于131Ⅰ治疗后3、6、12、18个月测定血清游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、促甲状腺素(TSH)、TGAb、TPOAb 水平,以18个月时血清TGAb、TPOAb水平分为TGAb、TPOAb阴性组和TGAb、TPOAb阳性组,比较两组甲状腺功能减退的发生率.结果 TGAb、TPOAb阴性组271例;TGAb、TPOAb阳性组54例.甲状腺功能减退发生率为7.4％( 24/325),其中TGAb、TPOAb阴性组甲状腺功能减退发生率为3.0％(8/271),TGAb、TPOAb阳性组为29.6％( 16/54),两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 Graves病131Ⅰ治疗后TGAb、TPOAb 水平与甲状腺功能减退发生率显著相关,治疗后动态检测TGAb、TPOAb水平对指导临床、判断预后有重要意义.     

甲状腺功能异常孕产妇发生稽留流产的临床分析

目的分析甲状腺功能异常孕产妇与稽留流产发生的关系,为临床诊疗及早期预防提供依据。方法选择2015年3月-2017年3月于重庆市东南医院就诊的80例稽留流产孕妇作为研究组,另选择同时期常规产检的80例正常孕妇作为对照组。观察两组孕妇甲状腺激素及抗体即游离T3(FT3)、游离T4 (FT_4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)、甲状腺球蛋白过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)及促甲状腺激素受体抗体(TRAb)水平,统计甲状腺功能异常孕妇与稽留流产发生的相关性。结果研究组孕妇FT_3、TGAb及TRAb分别为(4. 77±1. 33) pmol/L、(15. 54±7. 36) IU/L及(0. 76±0. 14) IU/L,对照组孕妇为(5. 13±1. 37) pmol/L、(17. 61±7. 39) IU/L及(0. 81±0. 19) IU/L,两组比较差异均无统计学意义(P0. 05);研究组孕妇FT_4、TSH及TPOAb分别为(8. 45±1. 35) pmol/L、(4. 53±1. 37) u IU/L及(55. 42±6. 38) IU/L,对照组孕妇为(14. 92±1. 38) pmol/L、(1. 12±1. 38) u IU/L及(28. 44±6. 36) IU/L,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0. 05)。研究组孕妇甲状腺功能减退症和低FT_4血症的发生率分别为6. 25%和3. 75%,对照组孕妇为5. 00%和2. 50%,两组比较差异均无统计学意义(P0. 05);研究组孕妇的亚临床甲状腺功能减退症和TPOAb阳性检出率分别为26. 25%和15. 00%,对照组孕妇为7. 50%和3. 75%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0. 05)。稽留流产孕妇与亚临床甲状腺功能减退症具有明显关联性(OR=4. 39,95%CI:2. 99～5. 64),稽留流产孕妇和TPOAb阳性也具有明显关联性(OR=4. 53,95%CI:2. 12～5. 66)。结论临床上应对合并亚临床甲状腺功能减退症和TPOAb阳性的孕妇高度关注,可能较易发生稽留流产。     

Calcium intake in the elderly: validation of a dietary questionnaire

Epidemiological studies of calcium and osteoporosis have been hampered by the lack of a suitable tool for assessing calcium intake. This report describes a new frequency and amount questionnaire for measuring present and past calcium intake in the elderly. The validity of the questionnaire was tested against two commonly used standards of dietary assessment, five-day duplicate diets and seven-day weighed dietary inventories. The resulting correlation coefficients were, respectively, r = 0.76 and r = 0.69, while that for repeatability was r = 0.84. Furthermore, the questionnaire categorized subjects into thirds of the distribution of intake with almost no gross misclassification. It is suggested that the present findings may be extended to the majority of normal, healthy elderly subjects, implying wide application for the questionnaire in the assessment of calcium intake in the elderly.     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

The occurrence of antimicrobial substances in toilet,sink and shower drainpipes of clinical units: A neglected source of antibiotic residues

Antibiotics represent one of the most important drug groups used in the management of bacterial infections in humans and animals. Due to the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance, assurance of the antibacterial effectiveness of these substances has moved into the focus of public health. The reduction in antibiotic residues in wastewater and the environment may play a decisive role in the development of increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. The present study examines the wastewater of 31 patient rooms of various German clinics for possible residues of antibiotics, as well as the wastewater of five private households as a reference.To the best of our knowledge, this study shows for the first time that in hospitals with high antibiotic consumption rates, residues of these drugs can be regularly detected in toilets, sink siphons and shower drains at concentrations ranging from 0.02?μg·L^?1 to a maximum of 79?mg·L^?1. After complete flushing of the wastewater siphons, antibiotics are no longer detectable, but after temporal stagnation, the concentration of the active substances in the water phases of respective siphons increases again, suggesting that antibiotics persist through the washing process in biofilms. This study demonstrates that clinical wastewater systems offer further possibilities for the optimization of antibiotic resistance surveillance.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

深圳公立医院管理体制改革制度设计

深圳公立医院管理体制改革实行政事分开、管办分开,在理事会架构下按法定机构模式组建市医管中心,落实公立医院运营管理自主权.作者从当前公立医院管理体制的弊端入手,介绍了深圳市进行公立医院管理体制改革的基本思路及改革方案设计的主要举措,深入剖析了的改革方案的特点,并对改革效果进行了预测.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on red blood cells of rats: Changes in components of red cell membranes during in vivo exposure to NO2

Red cell membranes, prepared from red blood cells of rats exposed to 4, 10, or 20 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for 1 to 10 days, were examined for evidence of changes in membrane components. Appreciable changes were not found in contents of phospholipid and cholesterol during exposure to 10 ppm NO₂. By contrast, protein content altered with the time of exposure. Moreover, changes in protein composition were observed by employing sodium dodecyl sulfate — polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four-hour exposure to NO₂ at the concentration above 10 ppm resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) to the total phospholipids. The prolonged exposure to 10 ppm NO₂ gave rise to a further increase in LysoPE, whereas the percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) showed a gradual decrease. A 1-day exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂ also caused an increase in sialic acid content and decreases in those of PE and hexose. In addition to contents of these components the percentage of LysoPE increased 5 days after exposure and the elevated values were maintained up to the end of exposure period. These results demonstrate that red blood cells in circulation exhibit different membrane properties in terms of lipid and carbohydrate composition during 10 days of exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂.