支气管哮喘大鼠细胞周期蛋白D1与气道重塑关系的研究

目的 观察支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)大鼠模型肺组织中细胞周期蛋白D1的表达变化,以及细胞周期蛋白D1与气道重塑的关系.方法 16只SD大鼠随机分成正常组和哮喘组,每组8只.应用卵清蛋白致敏和激发的方法建立哮喘大鼠动物模型.HE染色观察气道炎症情况,采用马松染色观察气道胶原沉积变化,免疫组织化学和蛋白印迹法观察细胞周期蛋白D1的表达变化,免疫组织化学法观察气道平滑肌肌动蛋白-α表达变化.结果 哮喘组大鼠气道胶原沉积、细胞周期蛋白D1和肌动蛋白-α表达较正常组明显增高(P＜0.05),哮喘组肌动蛋白-α与细胞周期蛋白D1表达呈明显正相关(r1=0.20,P＜0.05;r2=0.53,P＜0.05).结论 细胞周期蛋白D1参与哮喘气道重塑的调节.     

支气管哮喘大鼠细胞周期蛋白D1与气道重塑关系的研究

目的 观察支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)大鼠模型肺组织中细胞周期蛋白D1的表达变化,以及细胞周期蛋白D1与气道重塑的关系.方法 16只SD大鼠随机分成正常组和哮喘组,每组8只.应用卵清蛋白致敏和激发的方法建立哮喘大鼠动物模型.HE染色观察气道炎症情况,采用马松染色观察气道胶原沉积变化,免疫组织化学和蛋白印迹法观察细胞周期蛋白D1的表达变化,免疫组织化学法观察气道平滑肌肌动蛋白-α表达变化.结果 哮喘组大鼠气道胶原沉积、细胞周期蛋白D1和肌动蛋白-α表达较正常组明显增高(P<0.05),哮喘组肌动蛋白-α与细胞周期蛋白D1表达呈明显正相关(r1=0.2C,P<0.05;r2=0.53,P<0.05).结论 细胞周期蛋白D1参与哮喘气道重塑的调节.     

循环纤维细胞在慢性哮喘模型小鼠气道重塑中的作用

目的探讨循环纤维细胞在慢性哮喘气道重塑中的作用。方法将30只BALB/c雌性小鼠随机分为对照组,哮喘组和氯化钆清空组。建立小鼠慢性哮喘模型,利用氯化钆清空循环纤维细胞,观察其对慢性哮喘模型气道重塑的影响,HE染色观察其病理改变;Masson染色观察气道胶原沉积;图像分析系统软件测量气道网状基底膜、平滑肌厚度和胶原面积;免疫组化法检测气道CD45、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(SMA)和Ⅰ型胶原的表达。结果 HE染色形态学变化:哮喘组气道上皮细胞脱落,黏膜下见大量炎性细胞浸润,基底膜及平滑肌层明显增厚;与哮喘组相比,氯化钆清空组上述病变均减轻。各组网状基底膜及平滑肌层测量结果:哮喘组小鼠基底膜、平滑肌厚度均显著大于对照组(P0.01);氯化钆清空组基底膜、平滑肌厚度明显薄于哮喘组(P0.01);但显著厚于对照组(P0.01)。Masson染色及胶原面积测量结果:与对照组相比,哮喘组和氯化钆清空组胶原沉积量明显增加(P0.01);与哮喘组相比,氯化钆清空组胶原沉积量明显减少(P0.01)。免疫组化法检测结果:与对照组相比,哮喘组和氯化钆清空组纤维细胞表面CD45、α-SMA和Ⅰ型胶原表达明显增加(P0.01);与哮喘组相比,氯化钆清空组上述表达明显降低(P0.01)。结论循环纤维细胞在慢性哮喘气道重塑中起着重要的作用。     

Sunitinib对支气管哮喘气道重塑小鼠模型Erk通路和cyclin D1表达的影响

目的 探讨sunitinib对支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)气道重塑的干预作用及可能的作用机制.方法 18只BALB/c小鼠随机分为对照组、哮喘组以及sunitinib组,每组6只;以卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏、激发,建立慢性哮喘气道重塑模型.Sunitinib组每次雾化吸人前半小时给予sunitinib(40 mg/kg)灌胃给药.OVA末次激发结束后24 h处死小鼠,HE染色观察气道炎症及形态学改变,采用ELISA法检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中IL-4、IL-13和血清总IgE的表达,免疫组织化学法观察肺组织增殖细胞核抗原(proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA)、α平滑肌肌动蛋白(a smooth muscle actin,α SMA)表达水平.蛋白印记法(Western blot)测定细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(extraeellular signal-regulated kinase,Erk)蛋白磷酸化水平及细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclin D1)的表达.结果 HE染色示哮喘组小鼠黏膜下层和平滑肌层增厚,管腔狭窄,大量炎性细胞浸润,sunitinib组上述改变较哮喘组为轻;sunitinib干预后哮喘小鼠BALF中Th2细胞因子IL4、IL-13和血清总IgE以及肺组织羟脯氨酸含量显著降低(P＜0.01).哮喘组小鼠气道PCNA阳性细胞百分比、α-SMA表达及肺组织Erk磷酸化水平、cyclin D1蛋白表达较对照组明显升高(P＜0.01),sunitinib干预后其表达均降低(P＜0.01).结论 Sunitinib可能通过抑制Erk途径影响cyclin D1的表达,抑制了慢性哮喘模型中气道平滑肌的增殖,发挥抗气道重塑作用.     

H2型松弛素对慢性支气管哮喘小鼠气道重塑与肺组织细胞周期蛋白D1表达的影响

目的 研究H2型松弛素(H2Relaxin)对慢性支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)模型小鼠气道重塑及肺组织细胞周期蛋白D1 (cyclin D1)表达的影响,探素松弛素在哮喘治疗中的可能作用.方法 将40只BALB/c小鼠按随机数字表法分为健康对照组、哮喘组、阴性对照组(vehicle)、松弛素组4组,每组10只;卵清白蛋白(OVA)致敏、激发建立慢性哮喘小鼠模型;vehicle组和松弛素组每日分别给予生理盐水和松弛素(0.25 mg·kg-1 ·d-1)皮下注射.HE和马森(Masson)染色观察各组小鼠气道炎症及胶原沉积情况;采用免疫组织化学半定量法测定气道壁α-平滑肌肌动蛋白( α-SMA)的表达;酶联免疫吸附测定( ELISA)法检测肺组织羟脯氨酸含量;用逆转录-PCR(RT-PCR)及免疫印迹法(Western blot)分别测定各组小鼠肺组织中cyclin D1mRNA和蛋白表达水平.结果 哮喘组、vehicle 组与健康对照组相比,嗜酸粒细胞浸润增多,气道管腔狭窄,平滑肌层增厚,胶原纤维增生,而松弛素组上述改变较此2组轻.与健康对照组相比,哮喘组、vehicle组小鼠支气管α-SMA阳性染色面积/支气管基底膜周径显著增加(均P ＜0.05),松弛素组小鼠支气管α-SMA阳性染色面积/支气管基底膜周径低于哮喘组和vehicle组(均P＜0.05);哮喘组和vehicle组小鼠羟脯氨酸含量[每克肺组织中分别为(0.68±0.10)mg、(0.67±0.10) mg]高于健康对照组的(0.26±0.05)mg(q值分别为16.61和16.01,均P＜0.01),松弛素组小鼠羟脯氨酸含量为(0.40±0.06)mg,低于哮喘组和vehicle组(q值分别为10.88和10.26,均P＜0.05);Western blot检测结果显示,cyclin D1在哮喘组、vehicle组和松弛素组的表达(分别为1.38±0.18、1.50±0.10和0.72±0.13)高于健康对照组的0.38±0.10(q值分别为13.00、14.65和4.49,均P＜0.05),而松弛素组表达量低于哮喘组与vehicle组(q值分别为8.51和10.16,均P＜0.05).哮喘组与vehicle组各项检测指标间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 松弛素可以显著减轻慢性哮喘小鼠气道炎症反应和平滑肌层的增厚,延缓哮喘小鼠气道重塑进程,该作用可能部分与其下调cyclin D1表达有关.     

转化生长因子β1Ⅰ型受体拮抗剂对支气管哮喘小鼠气道炎症及气道重塑的影响

目的 研究转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)Ⅰ型受体拮抗剂SB 431542对慢性支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)小鼠模型气道炎症及气道重塑的影响,为哮喘的治疗提供新思路.方法 将40只BALB/c小鼠随机分为正常组、哮喘组、布地奈德组及SB 431542组,每组10只;卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏、激发建立慢性哮喘小鼠模型;布地奈德组和SB 431542组分别给予布地奈德雾化吸入和SB 431542滴鼻,每周3次.HE和Masson染色观察各组小鼠气道炎症及胶原沉积情况;AB-PAS染色观察杯状细胞增生情况;免疫组织化学半定量法测定气道壁α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的表达;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测BALF中IL-4、IL-5、TGF-β1、MMP-9、TIMP-1水平及血清总IgE水平;免疫印迹法(Western blot)测定各组小鼠肺组织中Smad3、p-Smad3及Smad7蛋白表达.结果 哮喘组与正常组相比,嗜酸粒细胞浸润增多,气道管腔狭窄,平滑肌层增厚,胶原纤维增生;布地奈德组上述改变均较哮喘组轻;SB 431542组嗜酸粒细胞浸润较哮喘组减轻,但仍高于正常组及布地奈德组,平滑肌层增厚、胶原纤维增生较哮喘组明显减轻(P＜0.05),与布地奈德组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).与正常组比较,哮喘组小鼠支气管AB-PAS及α-SMA 阳性染色面积/支气管基底膜周径显著增加(P＜0.05),布地奈德组及SB 431542组小鼠支气管AB-PAS及α-SMA 阳性染色面积/支气管基底膜周径低于哮喘组(P＜0.05).哮喘组气道炎症指标(血清总IgE、IL-4、IL-5及TGF-β1)显著高于正常组(P＜0.05),布地奈德组上述指标低于哮喘组(P＜0.05),SB 431542组与哮喘组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).MMP-9、TIMP-1在哮喘组的表达明显高于正常组(P＜0.05),在布地奈德组及SB 43542组的表达低于哮喘组(P＜0.05),两治疗组之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).Western blot检测显示,各组小鼠肺组织Smad3的表达差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);哮喘组p-Smad3表达明显高于正常组(P＜0.05),布地奈德组及SB 431542组p-Smad3表达低于哮喘组(P＜0.05);与正常组比较,哮喘组Smad7表达降低(P＜0.05),布地奈德组及SB 431542组Smad7表达高于哮喘组(P＜0.05),且这两组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 SB 431542能显著减轻哮喘小鼠细胞外基质沉积及平滑肌增厚,延缓哮喘小鼠气道重塑进程,该作用可能部分与其调节MMP-9、TIMP-1的表达有关.SB 431542对哮喘小鼠气道炎症浸润无明显改善,说明哮喘气道炎症可能不依赖于TGF-β1/Smads通路.     

钙调神经磷酸酶在支气管哮喘大鼠气道重塑中的作用

目的 通过测定支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)大鼠肺组织中钙调神经磷酸酶(calcineurin,CaN)蛋白、Mrna的表达及CaN的活性,探讨CaN在哮喘大鼠气道重塑中的作用.方法 将20只Wistar大鼠随机分为哮喘组和对照组,每组10只.鸡卵清白蛋白溶液致敏及激发复制大鼠哮喘模型.HE染色观察气道炎症情况;图像分析观察支气管管壁厚度;实时定量(Real-time)PCR测定肺组织中CaN Mrna水平;免疫组织化学法检测肺组织中CaN蛋白的相对表达量;生物化学法检测大鼠肺组织CaN活性;流式细胞仪测定外周血单个核细胞细胞周期时相分布;ELISA法测定血浆中白介素4(IL-4)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的含量.结果 ①哮喘组大鼠支气管管壁厚度较对照组明显增加(P＜0.01);②哮喘组大鼠肺组织中CaNmRNA水平的相对表达量、CaN蛋白的相对表达量及CaN的活性均较对照组高(分别P＜0.05、P＜0.01和P＜0.01);③哮喘组大鼠血浆中IL-4和TNF-α含量较对照组明显增加(分别P＜0.01,P＜0.05);④与对照组相比,哮喘组大鼠外周血单个核细胞处于G0/G1期的百分率降低,处于S期、S+G2/M期百分率增加(P值均＜0.01);⑤大鼠肺组织CaN活性分别与大鼠支气管管壁厚度呈正相关(P＜0.01),与处于S期、S+G2/M期的外周血单个核细胞百分率呈正相关(P值均＜0.05),与血浆中IL-4的含量呈正相关(P＜0.05);血浆中IL-4含量与TNF-α含量及大鼠支气管管壁厚度亦呈正相关(P值均＜0.05).结论 哮喘大鼠肺组织CaN的活性增加,其可能通过促进外周血单个核细胞的分裂、增殖及活化产生IL-4和TNF-α而参与哮喘气道重塑的形成.     

转化生长因子β1Ⅰ型受体拮抗剂对支气管哮喘小鼠气道炎症及气道重塑的影响

目的 研究转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)Ⅰ型受体拮抗剂SB 431542对慢性支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)小鼠模型气道炎症及气道重塑的影响,为哮喘的治疗提供新思路.方法 将40只BALB/c小鼠随机分为正常组、哮喘组、布地奈德组及SB 431542组,每组10只;卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏、激发建立慢性哮喘小鼠模型;布地奈德组和SB 431542组分别给予布地奈德雾化吸入和SB 431542滴鼻,每周3次.HE和Masson染色观察各组小鼠气道炎症及胶原沉积情况;AB-PAS染色观察杯状细胞增生情况;免疫组织化学半定量法测定气道壁α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的表达;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测BALF中IL-4、IL-5、TGF-β1、MMP-9、TIMP-1水平及血清总IgE水平;免疫印迹法(Western blot)测定各组小鼠肺组织中Smad3、p-Smad3及Smad7蛋白表达.结果 哮喘组与正常组相比,嗜酸粒细胞浸润增多,气道管腔狭窄,平滑肌层增厚,胶原纤维增生;布地奈德组上述改变均较哮喘组轻;SB 431542组嗜酸粒细胞浸润较哮喘组减轻,但仍高于正常组及布地奈德组,平滑肌层增厚、胶原纤维增生较哮喘组明显减轻(P ＜0.05),与布地奈德组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).与正常组比较,哮喘组小鼠支气管AB-PAS及a-SMA阳性染色面积/支气管基底膜周径显著增加(P＜0.05),布地奈德组及SB 431542组小鼠支气管AB-PAS及α-SMA阳性染色面积/支气管基底膜周径低于哮喘组(P＜0.05).哮喘组气道炎症指标(血清总IgE、IL-4、IL-5及TGF-β1)显著高于正常组(P＜0.05),布地奈德组上述指标低于哮喘组(P ＜0.05),SB 431542组与哮喘组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).MMP-9、TIMP-1在哮喘组的表达明显高于正常组(P＜0.05),在布地奈德组及SB 43542组的表达低于哮喘组(P＜0.05),两治疗组之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).Western blot检测显示,各组小鼠肺组织Smad3的表达差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);哮喘组p-Smad3表达明显高于正常组(P＜0.05),布地奈德组及SB431542组p-Smad3表达低于哮喘组(P＜0.05);与正常组比较,哮喘组Smad7表达降低(P＜0.05),布地奈德组及SB 431542组Smad7表达高于哮喘组(P＜0.05),且这两组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 SB 431542能显著减轻哮喘小鼠细胞外基质沉积及平滑肌增厚,延缓哮喘小鼠气道重塑进程,该作用可能部分与其调节MMP-9、TIMP-1的表达有关.SB 431542对哮喘小鼠气道炎症浸润无明显改善,说明哮喘气道炎症可能不依赖于TGF-β1/Smads通路.     

Sunitinib对支气管哮喘气道重塑小鼠模型Erk通路和cyclin D1表达的影响

目的探讨sunitinib对支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)气道重塑的干预作用及可能的作用机制。方法 18只BALB/c小鼠随机分为对照组、哮喘组以及sunitinib组,每组6只;以卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏、激发,建立慢性哮喘气道重塑模型。Sunitinib组每次雾化吸入前半小时给予sunitinib(40mg/kg)灌胃给药。OVA末次激发结束后24h处死小鼠,HE染色观察气道炎症及形态学改变,采用ELISA法检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中IL-4、IL-13和血清总IgE的表达,免疫组织化学法观察肺组织增殖细胞核抗原(proliferatingcell nuclear antigen,PCNA)、α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA)表达水平。蛋白印记法(Westernblot)测定细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(extracellular signal-regulated kinase,Erk)蛋白磷酸化水平及细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclin D1)的表达。结果 HE染色示哮喘组小鼠黏膜下层和平滑肌层增厚,管腔狭窄,大量炎性细胞浸润,sunitinib组上述改变较哮喘组为轻;sunitinib干预后哮喘小鼠BALF中Th2细胞因子IL-4、IL-13和血清总IgE以及肺组织羟脯氨酸含量显著降低(P0.01)。哮喘组小鼠气道PCNA阳性细胞百分比、α-SMA表达及肺组织Erk磷酸化水平、cyclin D1蛋白表达较对照组明显升高(P0.01),sunitinib干预后其表达均降低(P0.01)。结论 Sunitinib可能通过抑制Erk途径影响cyclin D1的表达,抑制了慢性哮喘模型中气道平滑肌的增殖,发挥抗气道重塑作用。     

罗红霉素和地塞米松对支气管哮喘大鼠气道重塑中成肌纤维细胞的影响

目的探讨成肌纤维细胞（myofibroblast,MF）在支气管哮喘（简称哮喘）气道重塑中的作用。观察罗红霉素对哮喘气道重塑的影响,并与地塞米松作对照。方法SD大鼠40只,随机分为哮喘组（A组）、生理盐水对照组（C组）、地塞米松治疗组（D组）和罗红霉素治疗组（R组）,每组10只。利用卵白蛋白（ovalbumin,OVA）/Al（OH）3致敏与OVA雾化吸入激发建立大鼠哮喘模型。免疫组织化学测定肺组织中支气管上皮下MF的α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA）表达含量,并使用图象分析技术进行积分光密度（integral optical density,IOD）定量分析测定。光镜观察肺组织病理结构变化,图像分析软件分析,并测定肺内支气管总管壁厚度、内管壁厚度、平滑肌层厚度等指标。结果免疫组织化学和图像分析结果：A组与C组相比,总管壁厚度、内管壁厚度、平滑肌层厚度显著增厚（P〈0.01）。D组和R组中的内管壁厚度、平滑肌层厚度与A组相比,均显著变薄（P〈0.01）。R组的总管壁厚度、内管壁厚度、平滑肌层厚度与D组相比差异无统计学意义。定量分析测定的IOD值显示A组支气管上皮下MFα-SMA表达含量较C组显著增加（P〈0.01）,D组和R组表达含量较A组均减少（P〈0.05）,R组表达含量与D组相比差异无统计学意义。相关分析结果：支气管上皮下MFα-SMA表达含量（用IOD值表示）和内管壁厚度呈正相关（r=0.913,P〈0.01,n=40）,和平滑肌层厚度也呈正相关（r=0.626,P〈0.01,n=40）。结论MF在气道重塑形成中起重要作用。罗红霉素和地塞米松均可能通过抑制MF增殖和表达起到抗哮喘气道重塑作用。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.