Immune Modulation by Vitamin D and Its Relevance to Food Allergy

Apart from its classical function in bone and calcium metabolism, vitamin D is also involved in immune regulation and has been linked to various cancers, immune disorders and allergic diseases. Within the innate and adaptive immune systems, the vitamin D receptor and enzymes in monocytes, dendritic cells, epithelial cells, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes mediate the immune modulatory actions of vitamin D. Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency early in life has been identified as one of the risk factors for food allergy. Several studies have observed an association between increasing latitude and food allergy prevalence, plausibly linked to lower ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Along with mounting epidemiological evidence of a link between vitamin D status and food allergy, mice and human studies have shed light on the modulatory properties of vitamin D on the innate and adaptive immune systems. This review will summarize the literature on the metabolism and immune modulatory properties of vitamin D, with particular reference to food allergy.     

Effects of Vitamin D3 and Paricalcitol on Immature Cardiomyocytes: A Novel Role for Vitamin D Analogs in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease than in the general population and they are considered the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease. The discovery that vitamin D₃ plays a considerable role in cardiovascular protection has led, in recent years, to an increase in the administration of therapies based on the use of this molecule; nevertheless, several studies warned that an excess of vitamin D₃ may increase the risk of hypercalcemia and vascular calcifications. In this study we evaluated the effects of vitamin D₃, and of its selective analog paricalcitol, on immature cardiomyocytes. Results show that vitamin D₃ induces cAMP-mediated cell proliferation and significant intracellular calcification. Paricalcitol, however, induces cell differentiation, morphological modifications in cell shape and size, and no intracellular calcification. Furthermore, vitamin D₃ and paricalcitol differently affect cardiomyoblasts responses to acetylcholine treatment. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the effects of vitamin D₃ and paricalcitol on cardiomyoblasts are different and, if these in vitro observations could be extrapolated in vivo, they suggest that paricalcitol has the potential for cardiovascular protection without the risk of inducing intracellular calcification.     

Generation of peanut mutants by fast neutron irradiation combined with in vitro culture

Induced mutations have played an important role in the development of new plant varieties. In this study, we investigated the effects of fast neutron irradiation on somatic embryogenesis combined with plant regeneration in embryonic leaflet culture to develop new peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) germplasm for breeding. The dry seeds of the elite cultivar Luhua 11 were irradiated with fast neutrons at dosages of 9.7, 14.0 and 18.0 Gy. The embryonic leaflets were separated and incubated in a medium with 10.0-mg/l 2,4-D to induce somatic embryogenesis. Next, they were incubated in a medium with 4.0-mg/l BAP for plant regeneration. As the irradiation dosage increased, the frequency of both somatic embryo formation and plantlet regeneration decreased. The regenerated plantlets were grafted onto rootstocks and were transplanted into the field. Later, the mature seeds of the regenerated plants were harvested. The M₂ generation plants from most of the regenerated cultivars exhibited variations and segregation in vigor, plant height, branch and pod number, pod size, and pod shape. To determine whether the phenotypes were associated with genomic modification, we compared the DNA polymorphisms between the wild-type plants and 19 M₃-generation individuals from different regenerated plants. We used 20 pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers and detected polymorphisms between most of the mutants and the wild-type plants (Luhua 11). Our results indicate that using a combination of fast neutron irradiation and tissue culture is an effective approach for creating new peanut germplasm.     

Effects of Long-Term Oral Administration of Arachidonic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid on the Immune Functions of Young Rats

Natural killer (NK) cells have many functional activities, including cytotoxicity and the capacity to produce cytokines and chemokines. NK cell activity is regulated partly by eicosanoids, which are produced from arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term therapy with ARA or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the cytotoxic effects of the NK cells of young rats, which were fed on a nonfish oil diet for two generations. Control oil, ARA (240 mg/kg BW/day) or DHA (240 mg/kg BW/day) were orally administrated to the rats for 13 weeks before determining the cytotoxic activity of NK cells from the spleen against YAC-1 mouse lymphoma cell line, as well as the plasma levels of docosanoids or eicosanoids and inflammatory cytokines. Long-term ARA administration significantly suppressed the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. Moreover, ARA administration significantly increased the plasma levels of ARA, prostaglandin (PG) E₂, and PGD₂. However, DHA administration did not produce any different effects compared with those in the control rats. Furthermore, the inflammatory cytokine levels were not affected by the administration of ARA or DHA. These results suggest that long-term ARA administration has an inhibitory effect on the tumor cytotoxicity of NK cells in rat spleen lymphocytes owing to the enhanced synthesis of PGE₂ and PGD₂ from ARA because of the elevated plasma ARA levels in young rats.     

Association of Dietary Vitamin D Intake,Serum 25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2 with Cognitive Performance in the Elderly

Background: As life expectancy increases, cognitive performance decline in the elderly has become one of the major global challenges. We aimed to evaluate the association of dietary vitamin D (VD), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D₃), 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25(OH)D₂), and total 25-hydroxyvitamin (25(OH)D) concentration with cognitive performance in older Americans. Methods: The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011–2014 was used. The cognitive performance was assessed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) Word Learning sub-test, Animal Fluency test, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). A binary logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the association between VD and cognitive performance, and restricted cubic spline model was adopted to evaluate the dose–response relationship. Results: While comparing to the lowest dietary VD intake group, the multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the highest dietary VD intake group were 0.51 (0.36–0.72) for the Animal Fluency test score and 0.45 (0.31–0.66) for DSST score, respectively; and those of serum total 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D₃ concentration were 0.68 (0.47–0.97) and 0.62 (0.44–0.86) for DSST score. L-shaped relationships were identified for dietary VD intake, serum total 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D₃ concentration with cognition performance. The associations between dietary VD intake, serum total 25(OH)D and cognitive performance were non-significant when stratified by gender. Conclusions: The study indicates that dietary VD intake, serum total 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D₃ concentration were positively associated with cognitive performance. Further studies are needed to clarify the possible effects of dietary VD intake and serum 25(OH)D₂, 25(OH)D₃ on cognitive performance.     

Nordic Walking Rather Than High Intensity Interval Training Reduced Myostatin Concentration More Effectively in Elderly Subjects and the Range of This Drop Was Modified by Metabolites of Vitamin D

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent self-isolation exacerbated the problem of insufficient amounts of physical activity and its consequences. At the same time, this revealed the advantage of vitamin D. Thus, there was a need to verify the effects of those forms of training that can be performed independently. In this study, we examined the effects of Nordic walking (NW) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) with regard to the impact of the metabolite vitamin D. We assigned 32 overweight adults (age = 61 ± 12 years) to one of two training groups: NW = 18 and HIIT = 14. Body composition assessment and blood sample collection were conducted before starting the training programs and a day after their completion. NW training induced a significant decrease in myostatin (p = 0.05) concentration; however, the range was dependent on the baseline concentrations of vitamin D metabolites. This drop was accompanied by a significant negative correlation with the decorin concentration. Unexpectedly, NW caused a decrement in both forms of osteocalcin: undercarboxylated (Glu-OC) and carboxylated-type (Gla-OC). The scope of Glu-OC changes was dependent on a baseline concentration of 25(OH)D₂ (r = −0.60, p = 0.01). In contrast, the HIIT protocol did not induce any changes. Overall results revealed that NW diminished the myostatin concentration and that this effect is more pronounced among adults with a sufficient concentration of vitamin D metabolites.     

Quantitative estimation of DNA damage by photon irradiation based on the microdosimetric-kinetic model

The microdosimetric-kinetic (MK) model is one of the models that can describe the fraction of cells surviving after exposure to ionizing radiation. In the MK model, there are specific parameters, k and y_D, where k is an inherent parameter to represent the number of potentially lethal lesions (PLLs) and y_D indicates the dose-mean lineal energy in keV/μm. Assuming the PLLs to be DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), the rate equations are derived for evaluating the DSB number in the cell nucleus. In this study, we estimated the ratio of DSBs for two types of photon irradiation (6 MV and 200 kVp X-rays) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells and human non-small cell lung cancer (H1299) cells by observing the surviving fraction. The estimated ratio was then compared with the ratio of γ-H2AX foci using immunofluorescent staining. For making a comparison of the number of DSBs among a variety of radiation energy cases, we next utilized the survival data in the literature for both cells exposed to other photon types, such as ⁶⁰Co γ-rays, ¹³⁷Cs γ-rays and 100 kVp X-rays. The ratio of DSBs based on the MK model with conventional data was consistent with the ratio of γ-H2AX foci numbers, confirming that the γ-H2AX focus is indicative of DSBs. It was also shown that the larger y_D is, the larger the DSB number is. These results suggest that k and y_D represent the characteristics of the surviving fraction and the biological effects for photon irradiation.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of high-dose folic acid on biomarkers of methylating reaction in vitamin B12-deficient rats

Folate is generally considered as a safe water-soluble vitamin for supplementation. However, we do not have enough information to confirm the potential effects and safety of folate supplementation and the interaction with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. It has been hypothesized that a greater methyl group supply could lead to compensation for vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. On this basis, the present study was conducted to examine the effects of high-dose folic acid (FA) supplementation on biomarkers involved in the methionine cycle in vitamin B₁₂-deficient rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing either 0 or 100 µg (daily dietary requirement) vitamin B₁₂/kg diet with either 2 mg (daily dietary requirement) or 100 mg FA/kg diet for six weeks. Vitamin B₁₂-deficiency resulted in increased plasma homocysteine (p<0.01), which was normalized by dietary supplementation of high-dose FA (p<0.01). However, FA supplementation and vitamin B₁₂ deficiency did not alter hepatic and brain S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) concentrations and hepatic DNA methylation. These results indicated that supplementation of high-dose FA improved homocysteinemia in vitamin B₁₂-deficiency but did not change SAM and SAH, the main biomarkers of methylating reaction.     

A new method for the determination of vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in meat

The total vitamin D content in meat, i.e., vitamin D₃ and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃, was determined by HPLC after alkaline hydrolysation, solid-phase extraction and semi-preparative HPLC. For detection, a DAD detector between 220 and 320 nm was used and quantification was performed at 265 nm. Vitamin D₂ was used as internal standard for vitamin D₃ as well as for 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃. Precision for vitamin D₃ was determined in lean meat and lard to 9.1% and 7.1%, respectively. The corresponding values for 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ were 8.9% and 9.9%. Accuracy was determined in spiked samples, which showed a recovery of 94.7% and 99.0% for vitamin D₃ and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃, respectively. The method is applicable for establishing data for food composition tables.     

Ultra-Marathon-Induced Increase in Serum Levels of Vitamin D Metabolites: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: While an increasing number of studies demonstrate the importance of vitamin D for athletic performance, the effects of any type of exercise on vitamin D metabolism are poorly characterized. We aimed to identify the responses of some vitamin D metabolites to ultra-marathon runs. Methods: A repeated-measures design was implemented, in which 27 amateur runners were assigned into two groups: those who received a single dose of vitamin D₃ (150,000 IU) 24 h before the start of the marathon (n = 13) and those (n = 14) who received a placebo. Blood samples were collected 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h after the run. Results: In both groups of runners, serum 25(OH)D₃, 24,25(OH)₂D₃, and 3-epi-25(OH)D₃ levels significantly increased by 83%, 63%, and 182% after the ultra-marathon, respectively. The increase was most pronounced in the vitamin D group. Body mass and fat mass significantly decreased after the run in both groups. Conclusions: Ultra-marathon induces the mobilization of vitamin D into the blood. Furthermore, the 24,25(OH)₂D₃ and 3-epi-25(OH)D₃ increases imply that the exercise stimulates vitamin D metabolism.     

Differential Involvement of Dopamine D1 And D2 Receptors and Inhibition by Dopamine of Hypothalamic VMN Neurons in Early Postnatally Overfed Juvenile Rats

Dopamine is among the neurotransmitters involved in central regulation of food intake and body weight control. To study possible changes in neuronal responses to dopamine, single unit activity of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) was recorded in brain slices of normal and obese rats. The latter had developed overweight throughout juvenile life (p < 0.05) by early postnatal over-nourishment due to a reduction of litter size from 3rd to 21st day of life (small litters, SL). With effective concentrations of about 100–500 nM/1 dopamine inhibited significantly more VMN neurons in obese than normal rats (Chi-square p < 0.05). While D² receptors in the VMN are reported to mediate inhibition of food intake, the responses to dopamine were blocked by D₂ receptor antagonists in significantly fewer neurons of SL than normal rats (p < 0.05). Furthermore, including results of action of D₁receptor agonists we found that significantly more neurons in SL than NL rats seem to express D₁ receptors. Thus, increased suppression by dopamine of firing of VMN neurons that signal satiety with a rise in the discharge rate, and changed expression or activity of dopamine receptors might contribute to increased feeding behavior in juvenile rats hyperphagic and overweight due to early postnatal overfeeding.     

Effects of combined radiofrequency radiation exposure on levels of reactive oxygen species in neuronal cells

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined RF radiation (837 MHz CDMA plus 1950 MHz WCDMA) signal on levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuronal cells. Exposure of the combined RF signal was conducted at specific absorption rate values of 2 W/kg of CDMA plus 2 W/kg of WCDMA for 2 h. Co-exposure to combined RF radiation with either H₂O₂ or menadione was also performed. The experimental exposure groups were incubator control, sham-exposed, combined RF radiation-exposed with or without either H₂O₂ or menadione groups. The intracellular ROS level was measured by flow cytometry using the fluorescent probe dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Intracellular ROS levels were not consistently affected by combined RF radiation exposure alone in a time-dependent manner in U87, PC12 or SH-SY5Y cells. In neuronal cells exposed to combined RF radiation with either H₂O₂ or menadione, intracellular ROS levels showed no statically significant alteration compared with exposure to menadione or H₂O₂ alone. These findings indicate that neither combined RF radiation alone nor combined RF radiation with menadione or H₂O₂ influences the intracellular ROS level in neuronal cells such as U87, PC12 or SH-SY5Y.     

New model for long-term investigations of cutaneous microcirculatory and inflammatory changes following irradiation

Radiotherapy is used for curative and palliative treatment. However, its negative effect on normal tissue is a limiting factor for the deliverable dose. Microcirculatory breakdown and prolonged inflammation in particular are major features of late side effects. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable animal model that will allow a long-term in vivo analysis of microcirculation and inflammation following irradiation. A single dose of 90 Gy was delivered to the ears of hairless mice (n = 15). Intravital fluorescent microscopy was used to assess microcirculatory parameters and leukocyte behaviour. Values for the identical (control) areas were obtained before as well as during the following days, weeks and months following irradiation. The arteriolar and venular diameter increased up to Day 14, decreased during the following months, and increased again after one year. The red blood cell velocity increased up to 145% on Day 3, decreased on Day 7 to 115%, and stayed above baseline value the whole year. The integrity loss of the endothelium increased up to Day 7 and continued up to Day 75 after radiation. After one year, the oedema was at the baseline level. Leukocytes showed their maximal activity at one year after trauma. An increase was measured up to Day 25; the lowest values were measured at Day 40 post-irradiation, followed by a repeated increase. The present model allows a certain visualization of microcirculatory disturbances and inflammation over a period of months. This permits the possibility of long-term investigations of the underlying pathophysiology following irradiation, including possible drug interactions.     

Determination of vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in foodstuffs by HPLC UV-DAD and LC–MS/MS

In order to generate new data for vitamin D content for the Canadian Nutrient File, a method for the quantification of vitamin D₃ and 25(OH)D₃ in foodstuffs has been modified and improved. Vitamin D₃ was quantified using reverse phase liquid chromatography (LC) with UV-diode array detector (UV-DAD), while 25(OH)D₃ was measured by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (APCI MS/MS). Quantification was by internal standards (IS) using vitamin D₂ and 25(OH)D₂. A Certified Reference Material (CRM-421 containing vitamin D₃) and a control sample (internally generated reference material of ground pork containing both vitamin D₃ and 25(OH)D₃) were used as validation and quality control tools. Limit of detection for both compounds was 0.04 μg/100 g. Accuracy for vitamin D in the CRM-421 was 99% (0.142 mg/kg for a target of 0.143, n = 10). Recovery of vitamin D₃ in ground pork was 97% (88% absolute recovery). For 25(OH)D₃, a recovery of 94% (73% absolute recovery) was obtained. Using this method, data for vitamin D₃ and 25(OH)D₃ content in a variety of foods (pork, beef, eggs, poultry, fish, and dinners) have been generated.     

Assessment of vitamin B6 status in Korean patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

The purpose of this study was to assess vitamin B₆ intake and status in Korean patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Sixty-four patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 8-11% glycated hemoglobin (A1C), along with 28 age-matched non-diabetic subjects, participated. Dietary vitamin B₆ intake was estimated by the 24 hour recall method and plasma pyridoxal 5''-phosphate (PLP) was measured. There was a significant difference in daily total calorie intake between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (1,917 ± 376 vs 2,093 ± 311 kcal). There were no differences in intake of total vitamin B₆ (2.51 ± 0.91 vs 2.53 ± 0.81 mg/d) or vitamin B₆/1,000 kcal (1.31 ± 0.42 vs 1.20 ± 0.32 mg) between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups, andI intakes of total vitamin B₆ were above the Korean RDA in both groups (180.0 ± 57.9 vs 179.0 ± 65.4). There was a higher percentage of diabetic subjects whose plasma PLP concentration was < 30 nmol/L compared to non-diabetic group. Plasma PLP levels tended to be lower in the diabetic subjects than in the non-diabetic subjects, although the difference was not statistically significant due to a large standard deviation (80.0 ± 61.2 nmol/L vs 68.2 ± 38.5 nmol/L). Nevertheless, plasma PLP levels should be monitored in pre-diabetic patients with diabetic risk factors as well as in newly diagnosed diabetic patients for long-term management of diabetes, even though this factor is not a major risk factor that contributes to the development of degenerative complications in certain patients.     

Assessment of HPV 16 and HPV 18 antibody responses by pseudovirus neutralization,Merck cLIA and Merck total IgG LIA immunoassays in a reduced dosage quadrivalent HPV vaccine trial

We assessed HPV 16 and 18 antibody responses of female subjects enrolled in a 2- vs. 3-dose quadrivalent HPV (Q-HPV) vaccine trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00501137) using the Merck competitive Luminex (cLIA) and total IgG Luminex (TIgG) immunoassays, and a pseudovirus neutralizing antibody (PsV NAb) assay. Subjects were enrolled in one of three groups: (1) 9–13 yr, 2 doses of Q-HPV at 0, 6 months (n = 259); (2) 9–13 yr, 3 doses at 0, 2, 6 months (n = 260); and (3) 16–26 yr, 3 doses at 0, 2, 6 months (n = 305). Sera were collected from all subjects at baseline, months 7 and 24, and from half the subjects at months 18 and 36. High correlation was observed between all three assays. At month 36, HPV 16 antibodies remained detectable in all subjects by all assays, whereas 86.4%, 99.6% and 100% of subjects respectively were HPV 18 cLIA, TIgG and PsV NAb (partial neutralization endpoint) seropositive. The proportion seropositive for HPV 18 by cLIA at 36 months was not significantly different for 2-dose girls vs. 3-dose adults (85.9% vs. 79.4%; p = 0.51), whereas the proportion for 3-dose girls was significantly higher than for 3-dose adults (95.3% vs. 79.4%; p < 0.01). The HPV 18 seropositive proportions by the TIgG and PsV NAb (partial neutralization endpoint) assays were the same for all subjects. High baseline HPV 16 and HPV 18 seropositivity was observed for the TIgG assay and it is unclear if all the detected TIgG antibodies are type-specific and/or neutralizing. For the PsV NAb assay, 90% and partial neutralization geometric mean titres were consistently 2–8-fold higher than for 100% neutralization, which enabled detection of HPV 18 NAb in subjects who lost detectable cLIA antibodies over time. We conclude that the PsV NAb assay is more sensitive than the cLIA, and likely more specific than the TIgG assay.     

Prostaglandin E2 production in mice is reduced by consumption of range-fed sources of red meat

Many view bison as a healthful alternative to other red meat sources, and as a way to decrease health risks, they associate it with meat consumption. Using mice as a model for immune function, we hypothesized that consumption of meat from range-fed bison would decrease prostaglandin (PG) E₂ and alter prostacyclin (PGI₂) release upon immune challenge when compared with mice fed meat from grain-finished bison, range-fed beef, feedlot steers, free-ranging elk, or chicken breast. After 2 weeks on an experimental diet and inflammatory stimulation, mouse peritoneal macrophage was isolated and analyzed in 12 animals per diet. Peritoneal cell arachidonic acid increased in response to a chicken-based diet (P < .05), which was likely attributable to higher arachidonic acid intake. Release of PGE₂ was lowest in mice consuming meat of range-fed beef, range-fed bison, and elk but was highest with meat of grain-finished beef and intermediate in mice fed chicken (P < .05). Mice fed elk meat had the greatest PGI₂, whereas PGI₂ was decreased in mice fed meat of either range bison, range beef, or chicken (P < .05) and intermediate in mice fed meat of steers or bison finished in a feedlot. We conclude that consumption of meats characteristic of range-fed ruminants or wild ungulates supports reduced PGE₂ and greater PGI₂ synthesis, indicating potentially greater immune health and lower blood clotting potential than meat from grain-finished cattle or bison in this model system.     

多巴胺D₃受体激动剂BP897治疗小鼠多动秽语综合征的疗效及其可能机制

目的探讨多巴胺D₃受体(DAD₃R)激动剂BP897对小鼠多动秽语综合征(TS)的治疗疗效、有效剂量及其可能的作用机制。 方法将60只健康雄性ICR小鼠按照随机数字表法随机平均分为6组,各组10只,分别为：模型组、BP897Ⅰ组、BP897Ⅱ组、BP897Ⅲ组、阳性对照组及正常对照组。除正常对照组外,其余5组均建立TS小鼠模型。于实验第8天起逐日予小鼠灌胃：对正常对照组及模型组小鼠分别予以生理盐水0.1 mL灌胃,对阳性对照组予以氟派啶醇0.5 mg/kg灌胃,对BP897Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组及Ⅲ组分别予以BP897 0.3,1.0,3.0 mg/kg灌胃。于造模成功后即刻、灌胃第7天及灌胃第28天,分别采用双盲法对小鼠进行刻板行为评分,各组小鼠在灌胃第28天后,采用酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测小鼠脑组织中DAD₃R、多巴胺转运蛋白(DAT)及多巴胺含量,并采用统计学方法比较各组刻板行为评分及DAD₃R、DAT、多巴胺含量差异,分析DAD₃R及DAT分别与多巴胺含量的相关性。各组小鼠体质量等一般情况比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结果①灌胃第7天及第28天时,小鼠刻板行为评分比较：BP897Ⅱ组及BP897Ⅲ组分别较模型组小鼠显著降低,BP897Ⅱ组较BP897Ⅰ组显著降低,BP897Ⅲ组较BP897Ⅱ组亦显著降低,且差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);而BP897Ⅰ组与模型组比较,BP897Ⅲ组与阳性对照组比较,差异则均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②灌胃第28天时,小鼠脑组织中DAD₃R,DAT及多巴胺含量比较：模型组较BP897Ⅲ组、阳性对照组及正常对照组均显著降低,BP897Ⅲ组较阳性对照组亦显著降低,且差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);而模型组分别与BP897Ⅰ组及BP897Ⅱ组比较,阳性对照组与正常对照组比较,差异则均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。③小鼠脑组织中DAD₃R及DAT含量均与多巴胺含量呈正相关关系(r＝0.765,0.766;均为P<0.001)。 结论1.0～3.0 mg/kg的BP897对治疗小鼠TS有效,而3.0 mg/kg的BP897能更好控制TS模型的刻板行为,其疗效与氟哌啶醇相当。     

Evaluation of the efficacy of ultraviolet irradiation for disinfection of hospital water contaminated by Legionella

We evaluated the efficacy of the ultraviolet irradiation on hospital water colonized by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 3, by inserting a lamp system on a hot water pipe supplying a small area. Cultures were performed for four months from 5 L samples of water, collected before and after the ultraviolet treatment at the lamp unit and from two distal points. Irradiation was effective immediately after disinfection (<10 cfu/L), even when the incoming water was highly contaminated. One distal point showed little or no contamination (<10–20 cfu/L), while the other showed little to moderate contamination (<10³ cfu/L). We conclude that ultraviolet irradiation is useful to protect the water system in small area; however, because of the lack of residual activity, it should be combined with other methods of disinfection. Maintenance of the water system is also necessary in order to reduce biofilm formation and Legionella recolonization.