Plasminogen activator is involved in the hCG-induced neutrophil extravasation and vasopermeability increase in the rat testis

The role of proteolytic enzymes in the hCG-induced increase in testicular vasopermeability and neutrophil extravasation was studied using protease inhibitors. An intra-testicular injection of hCG together with incubation medium conditioned by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) caused a significant increase in vasopermeability and a coincident extravasation of PMN's from the postcapillary venules in the rat testis. When p-aminobenzamidine, a serine protease inhibitor which inhibits urokinase-type plasminogen activator, was administered together with hCG in the incubation medium, both the permeability increase and PMN extravasation were prevented. Aprotinin, another serine protease inhibitor, and Eglin C, a specific neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G inhibitor were, however, without effect. None of these inhibitors caused any non-specific vascular effects in the testis at the concentrations used. These results support the concept that the hCG-induced increase in vasopermeability in the rat testis is related to extravasation of PMNs and suggest that urokinase-type plasminogen activator is involved in migration of these cells through the postcapillary venular walls.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Azole-Substituted Tetrahydronaphthalenes as Inhibitors of P450 arom,P450 17, and P450 TxA2

In search of potential drugs for the treatment of estrogen- and androgen-dependent cancer as well as the prophylaxis of metastases, tetralones, tetralins, and dihydronaphthalenes bearing a OCH₃ substituent at the benzene nucleus and an imidazol-4-yl, imidazol-1-yl, or 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl substituent in 2-position were synthesized with and without C₁-spacer between the rings (compounds 2 – 26 ). The compounds were tested in vitro for inhibition of the three target enzymes P450 arom (human placental microsomes), P450 17 (rat testicular microsomes), and P450 TxA₂ (citrated human whole blood). To examine selectivity, some compounds were further tested in vitro for inhibition of P450 18 (bovine adrenal mitochondria), P450 see (bovine adrenal mitochondria) and corticoid formation (aldosterone, corticosterone; ACTH stimulated rat adrenal tissue). In vivo, selected compounds were examined in Sprague Dawley rats regarding P450 TxA₂ inhibition, reduction of plasma testosterone concentration, antiuterotrophic activity (inhibition of the uterotrophic activity of androstenedione), reduction of plasma estradiol concentration (pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin-primed rats), and mammary tumor inhibiting activity (dimethylbenzanthracene-induced tumor; pre- and postmenopausal model). In the series of imidazol-4-yl compounds, which represent a novelty in the field of azole inhibitors of steroidogenic P450 enzymes, strong inhibitors of P450 arom and/or P450 17 were found: 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-4-ylmethylene)-1-tetralone ( 4 ) and 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 12 ) are among the most potent inhibitors of P450 arom in vitro known so far. Compound 4 is a selective inhibitor, whereas 12 shows in addition strong inhibition of P450 17. In contrast to 12 , the 6-OCH₃ derivative (compound 11 ) is a selective inhibitor of P450 17, being 50 times more potent than ketoconazole. Some imidazol-1-yl compounds show a marked inhibition of P450 TxA₂: 2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-tetralone ( 13 ) is a selective inhibitor of P450 TxA₂, whereas 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 17 ) as well as 2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 16 ) and 7-OCH₃-2-imidazol-1-yl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene ( 25 ) additionally show strong inhibition of P450 arom and P450 17. Regarding the other steroidogenic P450 enzymes as well as corticosterone formation, the compounds show only little inhibitory activity. Aldosterone formation, however, is inhibited at low concentrations. Nevertheless, 4 and 12 are more selective, i.e. inhibit aldosterone synthesis less than the well known inhibitor of P450 arom fadrozole. The compounds show activity in the aforementioned in vivo tests.     

DIFFERENCES IN ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXATION IN VARIOUS ARTERIES FROM WATANABE HERITABLE HYPERLIPIDAEMIC RABBITS WITH INCREASING AGE

1. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) and the calcium ionophore A 23187 was examined in aorta, coronary, basilar and renal arteries isolated from Watanabe heritable hyperlipidaemic (WHHL) rabbits of 2, 6 and 12 months of age, with normolipidaemic heterozygous WHHL rabbits as controls. 2. In the rings of WHHL rabbit aortae and coronary arteries preconstricted with vasoconstrictors, endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to ACh was attenuated with age compared to the heterozygous WHHL rabbits. A significant negative correlation was found between the total cholesterol content and the relaxation response to ACh in the aortae or coronary arteries from 6 and 12 month old WHHL rabbits. 3. In the rings of basilar arteries, endothelium-dependent relaxations to ACh were not modified with age. Similarly, in the rings of renal arteries, the relaxation response to ACh was not changed with age, but in the 6 and 12 month preparations, after the age of 6 months, a contraction following the relaxation appeared at higher concentrations of ACh (10^?7 to 10^?6 mol/L). The contraction was endothelium-dependent and inhibited by indomethacin. 4. A 23187-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations were also markedly attenuated in the aorta and significantly in the coronary artery with age. 5. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was not changed in all arteries from WHHL rabbits of different ages. 6. These findings indicate that in the aorta and coronary artery of the WHHL rabbit, the endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh and A 23187 becomes impaired with increasing age (i.e., with the progression of cholesterol deposition in the arterial wall) but is preserved in the basilar and renal artery.     

Protective effects of cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A and FK506 against antigen-induced lung eosinophilia in guinea-pigs.

A close association has been recognized between activated T cells and eosinophils in asthma, albeit circumstantial. The present study attempted to investigate this relationship in an animal model of lung eosinophilia using the new generation of T cell-selective immunosuppressants, cyclosporin A and FK506, compared with the myelotoxic immunosuppressive agent cyclophosphamide. Antigen challenge of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pigs resulted in a lung eosinophilia which was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage. All three agents caused a marked suppression of lung eosinophilia at 24 h post-challenge when the compounds were administered at the time of sensitization but not when administered for 3 days before lavage. However, the lung eosinophilia at 72 h post-challenge was reduced significantly by FK506 and by cyclophosphamide, but not by cyclosporin A, when the drugs were administered for 3 days, before lavage. These results strongly suggest the involvement of T cells in antigen-induced late phase (72 h) eosinophilia in guinea-pigs but not at 24 h. The effects of cyclophosphamide were always associated with a reduction in circulating white cell counts, whereas cyclosporin A and FK506 showed no myelotoxic properties. These results suggest the potential therapeutic use of selective, non-cytotoxic immunosuppressive agents in asthma.     

小鼠胸腺和脾脏细胞的体外转化培养

建立了小鼠脾脏、胸腺细胞体外转化微量培养系统,确定了最佳实验条件.点蜡法充CO_2,简便易行,效果好.RPMI-1640培养基内补充胎牛血清,其浓度确定为在脾细胞培养为10%,在胸腺细胞培养为20%.脾细胞培养最适细胞密度为2～5×10~6/ml,Con A最适量为2～4μg/培养;胸腺细胞培养细胞最适密度为1×10~7/ml,Con A最适量为2～4μg/培养.两种已知免疫活性的药物在脾细胞培养体系有明确肯定的反应.     

Down-regulation of Na channel expression by A23187 in NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells

Growth of cultured NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells in 1 μM A23187 for 2 days to elevate internal Ca reduced both membrane Na current and the transient, but not steady state, component of outward K current. Na channel mRNA abundance was reduced by an average value of 45% without effect on Kv3.1. Increases in internal Ca may therefore control excitability by independent regulation of Na and K channel mRNA abundance in neurons.     

2002年广东省H3N2亚型流感病毒流行的分子基础

目的 了解广东省2002年H3N2亚型流感病毒流行及抗原性变异情况。方法 用狗肾传代细胞(MDCK)和鸡胚进行流感病毒分离，用交叉血凝抑制实验对毒株进行抗原性分析；提取病毒RNA，用一步法RT-PCR扩增血凝素基因(H3A)，产物纯化后，并将其克隆到pMD18—T Vector，进行序列测定和分析。结果 2002年1-10月共获得流感病毒246株，其中H3N2亚型210株，占85．4％，H1N1亚型2株，占0．8％，B型34株，占13．8％；2002年流感流行的高峰是6月；抗原性分析显示，2002年广东省H3N2亚型流感病毒A／粤/236/2002和2001年流行株A／粤／448／2001以及目前国内代表株A／闽／151／2001的抗原比分别是5．6和4．0；其HAl区氨基酸序列和国际代表株A／悉尼／5／97同源性为94．2％，有19个氨基酸差异，其中发生在抗原决定族A、B、E上的有6个，受体结合部有3个。结论 2002年广东省流感病毒以H3N2亚型为主，其流行的分子基础是基因变异导致抗原性发生漂移。     

Detecting pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and tics.

BACKGROUND: A subgroup of children with obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders are proposed to have an infectious trigger. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between group A streptococcal titers and symptom fluctuations in children with a clinical course resembling that described for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus. METHODS: Twenty-five children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or tic disorder were evaluated for neuropsychiatric severity and group A streptococcal antibody titers (streptolysin O, deoxyribonuclease B, and carbohydrate A) at 6-week intervals for > or = six consecutive evaluations (total visits=277). RESULTS: Children with large symptom fluctuations (n=15) were compared with children without dramatic fluctuations (n=10). Co-movements of obsessive-compulsive/tic severity and group A streptococcal antibodies were assessed. In subjects with large symptom changes, positive correlations were found between streptococcal titers and obsessive-compulsive severity rating changes (p=.0130). These subjects were also more likely to have elevated group A streptococcal titers during the majority of observations (p=.001). Tic symptom exacerbations occurred more often in the fall/winter months than spring/summer months (p=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with marked obsessive-compulsive/tic symptom changes may be characterized by streptococcal titer elevations and exhibit evidence of seasonal tic exacerbations.     

A型肉毒毒素多表位串联体的设计、表达、纯化及鉴定

目的:设计、表达两个A型肉毒毒素多表位串联体.方法:从文献报道的A型肉毒毒素(botulinum neurotoxin type A,BoNT/A)的表位及生物信息学方法预测得到的B细胞表位中遴选表位,并加入适当的辅助性元件,设计多表位串联体A、B.对其基因进行优化后,经重叠PCR方法合成串联体A、B的全长基因.分别插入原核表达载体pQE-30,再转化E.coli M15[pREP4]感受态细胞中进行诱导表达,以金属螯合亲和层析法纯化重组蛋白,并进行鉴定.结果与结论:成功设计并构建了两个多表位串联体A、B,并在E.coli中以包涵体形式获得高效表达.Ni-NTA法纯化后分别获得纯度大于92.2%、99%的重组串联体A、B蛋白,并经透析复性法复性.Western印迹和间接ELISA显示纯化、复性后的重组蛋白与抗天然BoNT/A马血清有特异性结合反应.     

Die doppler-sonographische beurteilung der funktionsfähigkeit extra-intracranieller anastomosen

Zusammenfassung Wir berichten fiber die Doppler-sonographischen Ergebnisse bei 33 Patienten mit einer Anastomose zwischen der A. temporalis superficialis and der A. cerebri media. Die Indikation zur Bypass-Operation beinhaltete rezidivierende TIA oder ein kurz zuvor erworbenes leichtes neurologisches Defizit bei angiographischem Nachweis einseitiger oder beidseitiger tiefer Obliterationen der A. carotis interna und hochgradiger Stenosen oder Verschlüsse im distalen Abschnitt der A. carotis interna bzw. im proximalen Abschnitt der A. cerebri media. Die Funktionsfahigkeit der Anastomose wurde überpriift durch die Berechnung der modifizier ten Pourcelot-Indices (relative enddiastolische Strömungsgeschwindigkeit) der A. temporalis superficialis praeauriculär und am Bohrlochrand Bowie durch den EinfluB der intermittierenden Kompression des den Bypass-versorgenden Gefäßes auf den modifizierten Pourcelot-Index der ipsilateralen A. carotis communis. Bei allen Patienten mit funktionsfahigen Anastomosen, definiert durch einen modifizierten Pourcelot-Index von zumindest 0,20 am Bohrlochrand, kam es zu einer Reduktion dieses Parameters um durchschnittlich 0,08 an der A. carotis communis bei kurzfristiger Kompression des den Bypass-versorgenden Astes. Bei den 18 Patienten mit unilateraler Obliteration der A. carotis interna war der Bypass über-wiegend dann funktionsfähig, wenn die summierten modifizierten Pourcelot-Indices der verbliebenen hirnversorgenden Gefäße um zumindest 10% gegenüber einem vergleichbaren Normalkollektiv reduziert waren. Das Vorhandensein bzw. das Fehlen von Ophthalmica-Kollateralen hatte dabei keinen Einfluß auf den Prozentsatz der funktionsfahigen Anastomosen in diesen Untergruppen. Bei den vier Patienten mit bilateraler Obliteration der A. carotis interna war die angelegte Anastomose in jedem Fall funktionsfähig, während die Hälfte der Patienten mit Stenosen and Verschlüssen im distalen Abschnitt der Carotisstrombahn nur eine ungeniigende Bypass-Funktion zeigten. Die zwei Patienten mit einer Mediahauptstammstenose bzw. -obliteration hatten Indices von 0,45 bzw. 0,46 am Bohrlochrand als Hinweis auf die Funktionstüchtigkeit. Wir Bind der Auffassung, daß man mittels Doppler-sonographischer Kriterien die Funktionsfahigkeit einer Temporalis superficialis-Cerebri media-Anastomose überprüfen kann. Der praeoperativ berechnete summierte modifizierte Pourcelot-Index der verbliebenen hirnversorgenden Arterien kann zumindest bei uni- and bilateraler Internaobliteration als zusatzlicher Parameter herangezogen werden, um die Indikation zur Bypass-Operation zu klären.