Ⅳ型和Ⅴ型狼疮性肾炎患者外周血与肾组织淋巴细胞亚群的变化和临床意义

目的:观察Ⅳ型与Ⅴ型狼疮性肾炎(LN)患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的变化和肾组织淋巴细胞亚群和单核-巨噬细胞的浸润情况,并进一步分析与临床和病理的关系.方法:52例(男性11例,女性41例,年龄18～55岁)初治活动性系统性红斑狼疮,根据2003年ISN/RPS病理分型标准经肾活检确诊为Ⅳ型(n=32)和Ⅴ型(n=20),流式细胞仪测定外周血淋巴细胞亚群(CD3 、CD4 、CD8 、CD20 细胞)和CD4 CD25 Foxp 3 调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)的比例与计数,计算CD4 /CD8 比值.20例年龄、性别匹配的健康志愿者作为对照.同时检测30例Ⅳ型和11例Ⅴ型LN肾组织CD4、CD8、CD20和CD68免疫组化染色,取10例移植肾供肾活检标本作为正常肾组织对照.从中再选取20例(Ⅳ型和Ⅴ型各10例)行CD4和Foxp 3双标免疫组化染色.比较LN患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群和Treg细胞与正常对照的差别,分析Ⅳ型和Ⅴ型之间外周血和淋巴细胞亚群和Treg细胞的变化特点.进一步分析Ⅳ型和Ⅴ型LN肾组织淋巴细胞亚群,特别是Treg以及单核-巨噬细胞浸润的差异和临床病理联系.结果:活动性Ⅳ型、Ⅴ型LN患者与正常人比较外周血CD4 细胞比例、计数和CD4 /CD8 细胞比值及Treg细胞显著降低,CD8 细胞及CD20 细胞明显升高(P＜0.01).Ⅳ型与Ⅴ型相比:(1)外周血CD4 细胞比例[(25.9±6.86)％vs(31.0±7.59)％,P＜0.05]、计数[(288±173)个/μlvs(420±165)个/μl,P＜0.01]和CD4 /CD8 比例降低更明显(0.74±0.31vs1.06±0.57,P＜0.05);(2)外周血CD20 细胞比例无明显差异,但Ⅴ型CD20 细胞计数升高较Ⅳ型明显[(185±136)个/μlvs(268±179)个/μl,P＜0.05];(3)Treg细胞比例[(0.82±0.4)％vs(1.31±0.7)％,P＜0.05]和计数[(8.19±4.26)个 /μlvs(17.5±10.0)个/μl,P＜0.01]Ⅳ型降低更明显.CD4 细胞比例和计数与AI呈负相关(r分别为-0.281和-0.380,P＜0.05),CD4 /CD8 细胞比值与SLEDAI呈负相关(r=-0.307,P＜0.05).Treg细胞比例和计数与SLEDAI呈显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.411(P＜0.01)和-0.480(P＜0.01),与肾组织AI呈负相关(r为-0.325和-0.473,P＜0.01).肾组织免疫组化见Ⅳ型肾间质浸润的CD4 、CD8 、CD20 和CD68 细胞均高于Ⅴ型病例,其中肾小管浸润的CD20 细胞Ⅳ型明显高于Ⅴ型(119.3±89.7vs36.0±36.0,P＜0.01),肾小球内浸润的CD68 细胞显著高于Ⅴ型(12.4±8.8vs1.7±2.31,P＜0.01).正常肾组织不表达Foxp 3 Treg细胞,绝大多数Foxp 3表达于CD4 细胞,LN中CD4 Foxp 3 Treg细胞主要位于肾间质,Ⅳ型LN CD4 Foxp 3 Treg细胞明显高于Ⅴ型(27.6±18.0 vs2.8±5.0,P＜0.01).结论:Ⅳ型LN患者外周血CD4 细胞数量、CD4 /CD8 细胞比例和Treg细胞数量较Ⅴ型明显降低,Ⅳ型LN肾组织T、B淋巴细胞,特别是调节性T细胞和巨噬细胞浸润较V型明显升高,提示不同病理类型LN的免疫发病机制不同.     

非酒精性单纯性脂肪肝患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞数量变化及临床意义

目的 探索非酒精性单纯性脂肪肝(NAFL)患者外周血CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)数量变化与临床意义.方法 流式细胞术检测50例NAFL患者以及50例健康对照者外周血CD4+ CD25+ Treg的变化,采用成组t检验或Mann-Whitney U检验及Spearman秩相关检验进行统计学分析.结果 NAFL患者外周血CD4+ CD25+ Treg占CD4+T淋巴细胞的比例为(5.39±1.94)％,高于健康对照者的(4.21±1.52)％,差异有统计学意义(t=3.385,P＜0.01).Treg数量与三酰甘油(TG)、体质指数(BMI)水平呈正相关(r=0.307、0.251,P=0.002、0.012),与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)呈负相关(r=-0.306,P=0.002).Treg在高BMI组、高TG组、低HDL-C 组、高血压组及代谢综合征(MS)组升高(t=2.294、2.533、3.154、2.010、4.454,均P＜0.05),在高空腹血糖组差异无统计学意义(U=1143.500,P=0.471).结论 NAFL患者外周血Treg数量增加,可能是NAFL作为MS组分之一,与MS时机体处于慢性低度炎性反应状态所表现出的促炎与抗炎平衡紊乱有关.     

胰岛素抵抗的慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的数量及其功能

目的 了解胰岛素抵抗的慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血CD4 +CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)数量和功能的变化.方法 筛选40例HLA-A2+慢性丙型肝炎患者(其中20例合并胰岛素抵抗),流式细胞仪检测患者CD4+CD25+Treg细胞占外周血中CD4+T细胞的频率,液闪计数仪检测对HCV特异性CD8+T细胞增殖的抑制作用,ELISA法检测IFN-y水平.统计学处理采用t检验.结果 胰岛素抵抗的慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血CD4 +CD25+ Treg细胞占CD4+T细胞的(9.5±1.9)％,明显低于慢性丙型肝炎患者的(11.2±2.2)％(t=2.615,P＜0.05).胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)≥4患者的CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞比例为(9.0±1.8)％,明显低于HOMA-IR＜4患者的(10.8±2.3)％(t=2.413,P＜0.05).胰岛素抵抗的慢性丙型肝炎患者CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞和去除Treg的外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)共培养上清液中IFN-y为(4 050±580) pg/mL,明显高于慢性丙型肝炎患者的(2 005±330)pg/mL(t=13.705,P＜0.01).HOMA-IR≥4患者IFN-y为(5 682±986)pg/mL,明显高于HOMA-IR＜4患者的(2 819±660) pg/mL(t=7.630,P＜0.01).结论 随着胰岛素抵抗程度加重,慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血CD4+ CD25+ Treg细胞频率减低,对HCV特异性CD8+T细胞增殖的抑制作用减弱.     

高龄肝癌患者CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞及转化生长因子-β1检测的临床意义

目的 探讨检测老年原发性肝癌患者外周血CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)及血清转化生长因子(TGF)-β1的临床意义. 方法 应用流式细胞学方法和酶联免疫吸附测定方法分别检测80岁以上老年健康者20例、原发性肝癌患者22例、转移性肝癌患者25例外周血Treg占总CD4+T细胞的比例和血清TGF-β1浓度. 结果 老年原发性肝癌、转移性肝癌患者外周血Treg占总CD4+T细胞的比例与老年健康对照组比较均明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).老年原发性肝癌患者外周血T reg总CD4+T细胞比例较老年转移性肝癌患者亦明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).老年原发性肝癌、转移性肝癌患者血清TGF-β1浓度与老年健康对照组比较均明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).老年原发性肝癌患者血清TGF-31浓度较老年转移性肝癌患者亦明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).相关分析显示,原发性肝癌患者外周血Treg占总CD4+T细胞的比例与病理分期、血清TGF-β1浓度呈正相关(r=0.782、r=0.698,P＜0.01),与Karnofsky功能状态(KPS)评分负相关(r=-0.643,P＜0.01). 结论 高龄原发性肝癌患者外周血Treg比例明显升高,且与血清TGF-β1浓度、病理分期及KPS评分具有一定的相关性.检测老年原发性肝癌患者外周血Treg占总CD4+T细胞的比例,可能有助于评估老年原发性肝癌患者病情进展情况及判断其预后.     

慢性心力衰竭患者外周血CD4+CD25+CDlow127调节性T细胞的变化

目的 探讨外周血CD4+CD25+CDlow127调节性T细胞(Treg)在慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者中的变化及其意义.方法 采用流式细胞仪检测53例CHF患者和17例健康者(对照组)外周血Treg细胞占CD4+细胞的百分比(CD4+CD25+CDlow127细胞/CD4+T细胞),比较CHF不同心功能分级患者及对照组Treg细胞占CD4+细胞的百分比的变化.结果 心功能NYHA分级Ⅲ～Ⅳ级患者Treg细胞占CD4+细胞的百分比[(2.47±0.36)％]低于心功能NYHA分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ级患者[(3.24±0.61)％],且两者与对照组[(5.23±0.94)％]相比,Treg细胞占CD4+细胞的百分比均降低,差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.05).相关性分析显示Treg细胞占CD4+细胞的百分比与脑钠肽呈负相关(r=-0.407,P＜0.05).结论 慢性心力衰竭患者外周血Treg细胞比例降低;与慢性心力衰竭的严重程度有关;心力衰竭程度越重,Treg细胞比例越低;免疫激活以及炎症可能参与了其发生发展.     

调节性T细胞和辅助性T细胞17的平衡变化在慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染中的作用

目的 研究调节性T细胞(Treg)和辅助性T细胞17(Th17)的平衡变化在慢性HBV感染中的作用.方法 应用ELISA法和流式细胞术分别对34例慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者、20例HBV相关慢加急性肝功能衰竭(ACHBLF)患者和20例健康对照者外周血中Treg和Th17分化相关细胞因子及外周血Th17和Treg细胞水平进行检测.计数资料应用Fisher's确切概率法,计量资料应用单因素方差分析和Tukey's多重比较检验.结果 ACHBLF组Th17分化相关因子IL-1β为(3.97±2.85) pg/mL,IL-6为(12.75±8.87)pg/mL,IL-21为(360.0±335.7)pg/mL,比健康对照组的IL-1β[(1.87±0.94)pg/mL,q=4.559,P＜0.01)、IL-6[(5.28±o.72)pg/mL,q=7.309,P＜0.01)和IL-21[(46.68±20.17) pg/mL,q=6.946,P＜0.01)均明显上调.ACHBLF组外周血Th17细胞比例明显高于健康对照组(q=3.972,P＜0.05).与健康对照组和ACHBLF组相比,CHB组Treg细胞分化相关因子TGF-β明显升高(q=4.536、5.323,均P＜0.01),外周血Treg比例也明显升高.ACHBLF组Th17细胞效应因子IL-17A水平最高,ACHBLF患者外周血Th17细胞比例与血清TBil水平呈正相关(γ=0.74,P＜0.01).结论 慢性HBV感染中,宿主免疫存在Th17和Treg失衡,ACHBLF组以Th17细胞活动为主,CHB组以Treg细胞活动为主.     

Treg/Th17细胞在不同时期慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者中的改变及意义探讨

目的 探讨CD4+ CD25+ CD127low调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)、Th17细胞特异性分泌因子IL-17在COPD急性加重期(AECOPD)及COPD稳定期中的改变及临床意义.方法 选取住院AECOPD患者26例,随访COPD稳定期患者20例,健康对照患者15例.流式细胞仪检测患者外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD1271.wTreg细胞比例、ELISA检测外周血IL-17浓度.结果 ①AECOPD组患者外周血Treg细胞比例较COPD稳定期组、对照组均明显升高[分别为(10.319±2.154)％,(6.406±1.498)％,(6.307±1.626)％;P＜0.05],COPD稳定期组患者Treg细胞比例高于对照组但差异无统计学意义;②A ECO PD组及COPD稳定期组外周血IL-17水平较对照组明显升高[分别为(0.813±0.233) ng/L,(o.547±0.157) ng/L,(0.408±0.169) ng/L;P＜0.001],AECOPD组IL-17水平高于COPD稳定期组(P＜0.01),COPD稳定期组IL-17水平高于对照组(P=0.046);③各组Treg细胞、IL-17水平与各指标之间未见相关性.结论 Treg细胞、IL-17在AECOPD及COPD稳定期中的水平异常说明在COPD的不同时期存在着不同的炎症,Treg/Th17细胞失衡可能导致COPD的免疫紊乱和慢性炎症持续.     

急性冠状动脉综合征患者外周血辅助性T细胞和调节性T细胞的检测意义

目的探讨外周血辅助性T细胞(Th17)和调节性T细胞(Treg)平衡在急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者中的变化和意义。方法选择79例冠心病患者分为急性心肌梗死(AMI)组22例、不稳定性心绞痛(UAP)组19例、稳定性心绞痛(SAP)组18例及胸痛综合征(CPS)组20例,用流式细胞术检测外周血中Th17(其占CD3T淋巴细胞比例)及Treg(其占CD4T淋巴细胞比例)的表达,ELISA检测血清Th17及Treg的相关细胞因子白细胞介素(IL)-17和IL-10水平。结果与CPS组和SAP组比较,UAP组及AMI组Th17表达[(2.97±0.62)%和(3.58±1.02)%vs(0.59±0.27)%和(1.37±0.44)%]及血清中IL-17水平显著升高[(41.92±8.89)ng/L和(52.27±9.49)ng/L vs(10.32±2.05)ng/L和(14.73±4.74)ng/L,P0.01],Treg表达及血清中IL-10水平显著降低(P0.01)。SAP组Th17表达及IL-17水平也显著高于CPS组,Treg表达及IL-10水平显著低于CPS组(P0.05,P0.01)。与CPS组和SAP组比较,UAP组和AMI组Th17/Treg比值显著升高(P0.01),SAP组Th17/Treg比值显著高于CPS组(P0.01)。结论 ACS患者外周血中Th17/Treg失衡可能促进了冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块不稳定的进展并进一步诱导ACS的发病。     

干扰素治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者HBeAg转阴率和CD4~+CD25~+调节性T淋巴细胞水平的关系

目的 观察干扰素抗病毒治疗前后慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(CD4+CD25+Treg)表达水平的变化和HBeAg转阴的关系.方法 选择用干扰素α-2b治疗的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎56例,分别于治疗前、48周时检测外周静脉血CD4+CD25+Treg占CD4+T细胞的比例,同时检测HBeAg、ALT和HBVdNA载量.结果 抗病毒治疗48周后HBeAg转阴组CD4+CD25+rreg水平[(9.12±2.45)％]较治疗前[(11.99±3.25)％]明显下降(P＜0.01);而HBeAg未转阴组较治疗前无明显下降(P＞0.05).结论 慢性乙型肝炎患者经干扰素α-2b抗病毒治疗,HBeAg血清转换者CD4+CD25+Treg水平降低,而未转阴者Treg下降不明显.     

烟草烟雾暴露大鼠中CD4白细胞介素-17+T细胞与CD+4Foxp3+调节性T细胞的变化及意义

目的 观察烟草烟雾暴露大鼠外周血与BALF中CD+4白细胞介素(IL)-17+T细胞(Th17细胞)与CD; Foxp3+调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)及相关因子的水平变化,探讨Th17和Treg细胞在烟草诱导气道炎症和COPD的发生与发展中的作用.方法 将40只健康清洁级雄性Wistar大鼠分为暴露12周组和24周组、对照12周组和24周组,每组10只.用烟熏法复制大鼠气道炎症的动物模型.收集BALF进行细胞学计数和分类,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测大鼠血清和BALF上清液中IL-17和IL-6水平,用流式细胞术检测Th17和Treg细胞比例,用实时荧光定量PCR法检测IL-17和Foxp3 mRNA的表达.多组间比较采用单因素方差分析,组内两两比较采用SNK法和GamesHowell法.结果 暴露12周组和24周组大鼠外周血IL-17浓度分别为(52.6±1.8) ng/L和(75.4±6.0) ng/L,BALF中IL-17浓度分别为(78.1 ±5.8) ng/L和(95.0±6.8)ng/L,均显著高于对照12周组[(40.0±3.2) ng/L和(54.5±4.6) ng/L]及24周组[(36.7±3.2) ng/L和(53.9±3.7) ng/L],暴露24周组与其他3组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).暴露24周组大鼠外周血中IL-6浓度为(31.4±2.1)ng/L,显著高于对照24周组[(11.5±0.5)ng/L];暴露12周组和24周组大鼠BALF中IL-6浓度分别为(33.3 ±2.3)ng/L和(44.6±3.0)ng/L,显著高于对照12周组和24周组[(15.6±1.8)ng/L和(18.0±1.9) ng/L].暴露12周组和24周组大鼠外周血中Th17细胞比例分别为(1.81±0.19)％和(3.74±0.55)％,BALF中Th17细胞比例分别为(7.84±0.28)％和(8.01±0.39)％,均显著高于对照12周组[(0.97±0.08)％和(5.64±0.54)％]及24周组[(1.08±0.10)％和(5.95±0.48)％],暴露24周组与其他3组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).暴露12周组和24周组大鼠BALF中Treg细胞比例分别为(8.81±0.49)％和(11.98±0.72)％,均显著高于对照12周组和24周组[(4.34±0.28)％和(5.21±0.42)％].暴露12周组和24周组大鼠外周血中IL-17 mRNA表达量分别为25.7±2.0和33.9±1.5,BALF中IL-17 mRNA表达量分别为22.2±1.8和34.7±4.2,均显著高于对照12周组(11.3±2.6和11.6 ±2.4)及24周组(11.1±2.0和13.5±3.4);暴露12周组和24周组大鼠BALF中Foxp3 mRNA表达量分别为24.4±2.7和30.3±2.7,显著高于对照12周组和24周组(12.7±2.7和14.6±3.8).暴露组大鼠BALF中Th17细胞与其BALF中细胞总数和巨噬细胞数呈正相关(r值分别为0.512和0.543,均P＜0.05).结论 烟草暴露可导致大鼠气道炎症模型的Th17细胞和Treg细胞及相关炎症因子水平升高,提示Treg细胞可能参与气道炎症的免疫调节,Th17细胞异常升高可能与大鼠气道炎症反应的发生及持续进展有关.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Presence of immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in the ovine pineal gland

Abstract: The use of antisera raised against bovine growth hormone (GH) and ovine prolactin (PRL) enabled the detection of related immunoreactive (ir) sequences of proteins in ovine pineal tissue. The isolation of PRL-like ir-material was accomplished using a 0.25 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5) extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, whereas the resulting 2.0 M ammonium sulphate (pH 7.0) precipitate contained a GH-like immunoreactivity. Gel chromatography of the GH-like immunoreactivity (Sephadex G-100) indicated the presence of several GH-like fragments ranging in the M_r range of 7,000 to 55,000. Analyses of the PRL-like ir-material found in pineal tissue on HPLC using a TSK 545-DEAE column led to the resolution into a single peak of immunoreactivity. A single peak of activity was also observed following chromatofocusing and hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the ir-peak from the TSK 545-DEAE column. The PRL-like ir-material inhibited the binding of [¹²⁵I]ovine PRL-S14 to anti-ovine PRL antibodies without showing an affinity for binding to anti-rat PRL or anti-bovine GH antibodies. Scatchard analysis of the binding of pineal PRL-like ir-material and pituitary ovine PRL-S14 to liver membranes from day-20 pregnant rats revealed similar affinity constants (K_a of 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ M^-1). In addition, the replication of Nb 2 Node rat lymphoma cells was stimulated by pineal PRL-like ir-material, an effect known to be specific for lactogenic hormones. The pineal PRL-like immunoreactivity appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels as a single major band of M_r 24,000. The functional status of PRL-and GH-like ir-material in the ovine pineal remains to be determined, but evidence is presented that the overall protein synthesis rate of the rat pineal responded to circulating concentrations of PRL.     

Microbiology of human immunodeficiency virus anorectal disease

PURPOSE: Individuals who are seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus are at high risk for opportunistic infection and anorectal disorders. Little prospective information is available regarding anorectal pathogens in these patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three HIV-seropositive patients presented to the colorectal clinic between 1989 and 1992. Forty-seven (29 percent) patients were thought to have an infectious process and were prospectively studied using a standardized multiculture protocol. RESULTS: Mean age was 33 (range, 19–59) years. All were male; high-risk behavior accounted for 87 percent of HIV transmissions. Presenting complaints included anorectal pain (79 percent), pus per anum (28 percent), and blood per anum (26 percent). Examination revealed perianal tenderness (60 percent), condyloma (38 percent), perianal ulcers (38 percent), and anal fissures (34 percent). Sixty-six sets of cultures were performed; 28 patients had one set, 15 had two sets, and 4 had three sets. Thirty-two of these 47 patients (68 percent) had positive cultures including herpes (50 percent), cytomegalovirus (25 percent),Neisseria gonorrhoeae (16 percent), chlamydia (16 percent), acidfast bacilli (2 percent), and others (9 percent). Six of 32 patients with positive cultures had more than one organism cultured. Sixteen (50 percent) patients with positive cultures were treated medically, 8 (25 percent) were treated surgically and 8 (25 percent) were treated with both modalities. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 17 patients for condylomata. Eighteen patients had 20 procedures for abscesses, 50 percent of whom had positive cultures for other than common bowel flora; all improved. Fourteen patients underwent 33 procedures for perianal fistulas.Mycobacterium fortuitum was cultured from one patient who required 13 procedures for abscesses and fistulas. Forty-five (96 percent) patients were followed for an average of 12.5 months ±2.9 SEM (range, 1–94 months). Symptoms were improved or resolved in 22 of 32 (69 percent) patients with positive cultures and in 11 of 13 (84 percent) with negative cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Specific pathogens may often be identified in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with anorectal disorders if aggressively sought. Although patients without specific pathogens identified may be expected to improve with planned empiric treatment, positive identification allows more directed therapy.