Early effects triggered by Larrea divaricata Cav. on murine macrophages at apoptotic concentrations

Decoction and infusion of Larrea divaricata were tested at apoptotic concentrations (1 and 4 mg/ml) on peritoneal murine macrophages. Consistent changes were observed after incubation with 4 mg/ml decoction. Phagocytosis of zymosan, lysosomal enzyme activity, nitric oxide production, TNF-alpha release, and expression of CD14, TLR4, and CR3 increased significantly. Decoction at 1 and 4 mg/ml increased the binding of LPS-FITC. Apoptosis triggered by L. divaricata decoction is consequence of cell activation. The effects are independent of nordihydroguaiaretic acid. This "activation and death" could be the mechanism of L. divaricata to exert the antituberculosis effect known in folk medicine.     

In Vivo Immunomodulatory Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Larrea divaricata Cav

Several medicinal plants are considered immunomodulatory as they display a variety of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumoral effects. Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) (Zygophyllaceae) is a plant widely used in popular medicine to treat tumors, infections, and inflammatory diseases. So far, the immunostimulating activities of Larrea divaricata have not been studied in vivo. In this work, we used healthy mice to assess the immunomodulatory potential of aqueous extracts of Larrea divaricata Cav. We found that Decoction (D) and Infusion (I) from Larrea divaricata Cav showed any acute hepatotoxic activity. Only D at 0.5 mg/kg increased the carrageenan-induced inflammation. Macrophages harvested from treated mice showed no signs of apoptosis. These cells showed a significant increase in NO and TNF-α release and exhibited the strongest expression of iNOS. Decoction also increased the phagocytosis of zymosan and the binding of LPS-FITC. The expression of CD14, TLR4 and CR3 was lower in macrophages of mice treated than in controls. Thus, Larrea divaricata was able to prime Mφ in vivo and to induce full activation in vitro. Our finding contribute to characterize the biological activity of Larrea divaricata and to understand the ability of these extracts to enhance immune responses.     

Larrea divaricata Cav (Jarilla): Production of Superoxide Anion,Hydrogen Peroxide and Expression of Zymosan Receptors

Larrea divaricata is a plant widely used in folk medicine in Argentina. This work aimed to study the mechanisms of decoction activity on the release of oxygen reactive species. Decoction increased the binding of zymosan-FITC and superoxide production. Cadmium decreased the superoxide production as well as malonate and barbital. Decoction decreased the release of hydrogen peroxide. Decoction increased the reduction of MTT but not when malonate and barbital were included. Together, decoction increased the expression of dectin-1 leading to increased superoxide production. It is possible that decoction increases the activity of peroxidase, and decreases the Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase.     

Cross reaction between proteins from Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) and cellular and extracellular proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Larrea divaricata is widely used in folk medicine to treat different pathologies, but little is known about its immunological properties. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen which causes several intrahospitalary infections. We aimed to assess the immunological relation between proteins from a crude extract of L. divaricata Cav. (JPCE) and cellular and extracellular proteins (EP) of P. aeruginosa, as well as to establish the cross reactivity between proteins of both species using a mouse anti-JPCE serum. Protein profiles of JPCE and P. aeruginosa were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The percentage of similarity of protein bands between these two species was 43–57%. However, JPCE proteins were immunogenic. The reactivity of mouse anti-JPCE antibodies against different fractions was studied by western blot. The anti-JPCE serum detected several antigenic bands on different bacterial proteins. Several common immunoreactive bands were detected (27–100%) when bacterial proteins were incubated with anti-JPCE serum (heterologous reaction) and anti-bacterial proteins serum (homologous reaction). By enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) assays, high titers of anti-JPCE against different types of cellular bacterial fractions were observed (1/1280–1/2080). Our data clearly demonstrate that antibodies elicited with L. divaricata crude extract are able to cross-react with cellular and EP of P.aeruginosa. These findings could be relevant in the development of alternatives therapies for patients suffering intrahospitalary opportunistic infections with P.aeruginosa.     

Different activities of Schinus areira L.: anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effect

The anti-inflammatory drugs possess many serious side effects at doses commonly prescribed. It is really important to discover novel regulators of inflammation from natural sources with minimal adverse effects. Schinus areira L. is a plant native from South America and is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory herb. For this study, the activity of aqueous extracts on inflammation and the effect on superoxide anion production in mice macrophages were assayed. Aqueous extracts were prepared by soaking herbs in cold water (cold extract), boiling water (infusion), and simmering water (decoction). Cold extract possess an anti-inflammatory activity. Decoction and infusion showed pro-inflammatory activity. Cold extract increased the production of superoxide anion. It has been proposed to use diverse methods to obtain extracts of S. areira L. with different effects. Cold extract, decoction, and infusion could be utilized as extracts or as pharmacological preparations for topical application.     

A quantitative study on the activation of the alternative pathway of complement by mouldy hay dust and thermophilic actinomycetes

Materials associated with the induction of farmer's lung were incubated with fresh normal human serum in the presence of magnesium ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid (MgEGTA) or ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and results compared with material known to activate the alternative pathway of complement—zymosan. Results show that Micropolyspora faeni organisms are as active as zymosan in reducing complement (C) levels in the presence of MgEGTA, with a 50% reduction in CH50 at approximately 140 μg/ml. Thermoactinomyces vulgaris organisms produced a 50% CH50 reduction at approximately 1.25 mg/ml and two samples of respirable mouldy hay dust (MHD) at approximately 5.6 mg/ml whereas extracts of M. faeni and T. vulgaris reduced the CH50 titre by 17% and 39% respectively at 16 mg/ml in the presence of MgEGTA. Organisms and extracts did not reduce the CH50 titre in the presence of EDTA even at the maximum concentration quoted by more than 3%, thus it is considered that alternative pathway activation was responsible for C utilization in the presence of MgEGTA. Respirable MHD used less than 4% available C at 4 mg/ml in the presence of EDTA but at 8 mg/ml dust 11% and 28% available CH50 were used compared with 79% and 81% respectively in the presence of MgEGTA. The elution of immunoglobulin binding material from MHD may be responsible for apparent CH50 consumption in the presence of EDTA.     

In vitro sensitivity of Blastocystis hominis to garlic, ginger, white cumin, and black pepper used in diet

To determine the growth pattern and in vitro susceptibility of Blastocystis hominis to metronidazole (MTZ), garlic, ginger, white cumin, and black pepper. Stool specimens were collected from 16 irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 10 controls between July–November 2010. Stool microscopy and culture for B. hominis was performed. Drug susceptibility assays was done using 0.01 and 0.1 mg/ml of MTZ, garlic, ginger, white cumin, and black pepper. Effect was assessed on B. hominis culture after 48 h. Stool DNA was extracted using stool DNA extraction kit (Qiagen) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) done using subtype-specific sequence-tagged-site primers. B. hominis genotype 3 and coinfection of 1 and 3 tended to grow well in culture compared to isolated type 1 infection. Exposed to MTZ at a concentration of 0.01 mg/ml, 38% (6/16) B. hominis from IBS did not grow in culture compared to 100% (10/10) of B. hominis from control (p = 0.001). When they were exposed to MTZ at 0.1 mg/ml, 56% (9/16) B. hominis from IBS did not grow in cultures compared to 100% (10/10) from control (p = 0.01). Forty-four percent (7/16) B. hominis from IBS did not grow in culture compared to 100% (10/10) B. hominis from control when exposed to garlic at a concentration of 0.01 mg/ml (p = 0.003) and following exposure to garlic at 0.1 mg/ml, 38% (6/16) B. hominis from IBS did not grow in cultures compared to 100% (10/10) from control (p = 0.001). B. hominis isolates from IBS had a cell count of 6,625 at a MTZ concentration of 0.01 mg/ml that reduced to 1,250 as MTZ concentration was increased to 0.1 mg/ml (p = 0.08). B. hominis from IBS with a mean cell count of 3 × 10⁵ at baseline decreased to 1 × 10⁴ when exposed to garlic at 0.01 mg/ml (p < 0.001) and to 1 × 10³ (p < 0.001) when garlic was 0.1 mg/ml. B. hominis from IBS cell count decreased to 1 × 10⁵ when exposed to white cumin at 0.01 mg/ml (p = 0.01) and to 1 × 10⁵ (p < 0.001) when white cumin was 0.1 mg/ml. Exposed to black pepper at 0.1 mg/ml, cell count of B. hominis from IBS decreased to 1 × 10⁵ (p = 0.01). B. hominis from IBS decreased to 1.3 × 10⁵ exposed to ginger at 0.01 mg/ml (p = 0.001). B. hominis isolates were mostly genotypes 3, type 1 and 3 coinfection, and non-typeable B. hominis isolates. B. hominis isolates from IBS mostly genotype 1 demonstrated an increased sensitivity to garlic at 0.01 mg/ml with a B. hominis cell count of 3,714 compared to 6,142 when exposed to 0.01 mg/ml of MTZ. However, this sensitivity did not increase as garlic concentration was increased to 0.1 mg/ml, for B. hominis cell count was 6,000 compared to 1,428 as MTZ was increased to 0.1 mg/ml.     

In vitro screening of medicinal plant extracts for macrofilaricidal activity

Methanolic extracts of 20 medicinal plants were screened at 1–10 mg/ml for in vitro macrofilaricidal activity by worm motility assay against adult Setaria digitata, the cattle filarial worm. Four plant extracts showed macrofilaricidal activity by worm motility at concentrations below 4 mg/ml and an incubation period of 100 min. Complete inhibition of worm motility and subsequent mortality was observed at 3, 2, 1 and 1 mg/ml, respectively, for Centratherum anthelminticum, Cedrus deodara, Sphaeranthus indicus and Ricinus communis. 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay was carried out at 1 mg ml⁻¹ and 4-h incubation period, and the results showed that C. deodara, R. communis, S. indicus and C. anthelminticum exhibited 86.56, 72.39, 61.20 and 43.15% inhibition respectively in formazan formation compared to the control. This research is supported by The International Foundation for Science (IFS) and Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPWC), Stockholm, Sweden through a Grant to Dr. Nisha Mathew (Grant No. F/2929-1).     

Activation of the Complement,Coagulation, Fibrinolytic and Kallikrein–Kinin Systems During Attacks of Hereditary Angioedema

Five patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) were studied during attacks and remission as were healthy controls. The high levels of C1/C1-INH complexes, low C4 and high ratio C4 activation products (C4bc)/C4 also differed significantly during remission compared to controls.During attacks C4bc/C4 increased (922–2007; P=0.022, remission versus attacks, median values throughout), C2 and CH50 dropped (111–31%; P=0.043 and 110–36%; P=0.016, respectively), TCC (C5b-9) increased (0.88–1.23 AU/ml; P=0.028). Cleavage of HK increased to be almost complete during attacks (20–90%; P=0.009). While factor XIa/serpin-complexes did not increase, a more than twofold rise in thrombin/antithrombin-complexes (0.20–0.50 μg/l; P=0.009) and in plasmin/alpha-2-antiplasmin-complexes (7.3–17 nmol/l; P=0.028) was observed. For the first time cascade activation in HAE was studied simultaneously, and corroborates that attacks lead to activation of the kallikrein-kinin system, fibrinolysis and early part of the classical complement pathway. In addition, the authors present novel data of terminal complement and coagulation activation, the latter apparently not via FXIa.     

ESTABLISHMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PERMANENT MURINE HYBRIDOMAS SECRETING MONOCLONAL ANTI-THY-1 ANTIBODIES *

Hybridomas secreting anti-Thy-1 antibodies were produced by fusing cells of the mouse myeloma line P3-NSI/1-Ag4-1 (NS-1) with spleen cells from AKR/J mice immunized with C3H/Di thymus cells and by subsequent growth in tissue culture and selection of the hybrid cells. Two permanent hybridomas, 1B5 and 1aG4/C5, secreting antibodies of IgG3 subclass were isolated by repeated cloning of cells by dilution and in soft agar. Growth of the hybrid cell colonies depended on the presence of feeder cells; spleen cells at 1-2 X 10⁶/ml were most effective, then thymus cells at 1-4 X 10⁶/ml and peritoneal cells at a concentration 1-2 orders of magnitude lower. The two hybridomas were grown in vitro or in vivo and their products were further analysed. In tissue culture in serum-free medium under the optimum conditions the supernatant from hybridoma 1B5 contained 0.07 mg/ml of antibodies and that from hybridoma 1aG4/C5 had 0.26 mg/ml of antibodies, whereas ascites 1B5 contained 3.6 mg/ml and ascites 1aG4/C5 4.4 mg/ml of antibodies. A very low electrophoretic mobility of both antibodies facilitated their isolation. The specificity of the antibodies was tested in the cytotoxicity assay in the presence of complement and by the binding of isotopically labelled antibodies to thymus cells from A/Ph mice and other Thy-1.2⁺ strains and A. Thy-1.1 and AKR/J mice. Antibodies of clone 1aG4/C5 were specific for Thy-1.2⁺ cells, whereas antobodies of clone 1B5 at higher concentrations also reacted with Thy-1.1⁺ cells from the thymus and lymph nodes. Both antibodies killed more than 95% thymus cells and 60-70% lymph node cells in the cytotoxicity assay. The specificity of antibodies for T lymphocytes was confirmed in the functional test in which the antibodies eliminated the response of spleen cells to Concanavalin A but did not affect the response to lipopolysaccharide in the presence of complement.     

Neutralization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa enzymatic activity by antibodies elicited with proteins of Larrea divaricata Cav.

Larrea divaricata Cav. (Jarilla) is a bush widely used in folk therapy for the treatment of several pathologies. Partially purified proteins of crude extract (JPCE) cross-react with proteins of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is an opportunistic pathogen that causes several intrahospitalary infections. This bacterium produces many proteins with enzymatic activity, including hemolysins and proteases that play a major role in acute infection caused by this bacterium. The aim of our work was to investigate if antibodies against with L. divaricata neutralize the hemolytic and proteolytic activity of P. aeruginosa. The hemolytic activity of soluble cellular proteins was inhibited 100% and extracellular proteins (EP) showed an inhibition between 44 and 95% when both bacterial fractions were treated with anti-JPCE serum. Also, in EP the neutralization was directed towards the active site of the hemolysin. When protease activity of extracellular products was tested, bands of 217, 155, 121, 47 and 27?kDa were observed in native zymograms. Neutralization between 55 and 70% of the bands of 217, 155 and 121?kDa was observed when EP were treated with anti-JPCE serum. In conclusion, our data clearly demonstrate that antibodies elicited with L. divaricata’ proteins are able to neutralize the hemolytic and proteolytic activity of P. aeruginosa cellular and extracellular proteins. Our study constitutes the first report that associates the immunogenicity of plant proteins and bacterial proteins with enzymatic activity. These findings could be relevant in the development of alternatives therapies for patients suffering intrahospitalary opportunistic infections with P. aeruginosa.     

Anthelmintic activity of botanical extracts against sheep gastrointestinal nematodes, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis>

The source of chemical anthelmintics (levamisole, flubendazole, and thiabendazole) had limited the success of gastrointestinal nematodiasis control in sheep and goats and thus awakened interest in the study of medicinal plant extracts as alternative sources of anthelmintics. The egg hatching and larvicidal effect of indigenous plant extracts were investigated against the sheep parasite, Haemonchus contortus. The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy of leaf, bark, and seed ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol extracts of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees., Anisomeles malabarica (L.) R. Br., Annona squamosa L., Datura metel L., and Solanum torvum Swartz were tested against the parasitic nematode of small ruminants H. contortus using egg hatch assay (EHA) and larval development assay (LDA). The assays were run in 24-well cell culture plates at room temperature with five replicates. All plant extracts showed moderate parasitic effects after 48 and exposure for egg hatching and LDA, respectively; however, 100% egg hatching and larvicidal inhibition were found in the methanol extracts of A. paniculata, A. squamosa, D. metel, and S. torvum at 25 mg/ml and the effect was similar to positive control of Albendazole (0.075 mg/ml) and Ivermectin (0.025mg/ml) against H. contortus, respectively. The EHA result showed the ED₅₀ of methanol extracts of A. paniculata and D. metel, which were 2.90 and 3.08 mg/ml, and in larval development assay, the ED₅₀ was 4.26and 3.86 mg/ml, respectively. These effects remain to be confirmed through in vivo studies.     

Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs

Acanthamoeba castellanii causes amoebic keratitis which is a painful sight-threatening disease of the eyes. Its eradication is difficult because the amoebas encyst making it highly resistant to anti-amoebic drugs, but several medicinal plants have proven to be more effective than the usual therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro amoebicidal activity of ethanol extracts of Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut), Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), and Pancratium maritimum L. (sea daffodil) on A. castellanii cysts. Acanthamoeba were isolated from keratitic patients, cultivated on 1.5% non-nutrient agar, and then incubated with different concentrations of plant extracts which were further evaluated for their cysticidal activity. The results showed that all extracts had significant inhibitory effect on the multiplication of Acanthamoeba cysts as compared to the drug control (chlorhexidine) and non-treated control, and the inhibition was time and dose dependent. The ethanol extract of A. hypogaea had a remarkable cysticidal effect with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 100 mg/ml in all incubation periods, while the concentrations of 10 and 1 mg/ml were able to completely inhibit growth after 48 and 72 h, respectively. The concentrations 0.1 and 0.01 mg/ml failed to completely inhibit the cyst growth, but showed growth reduction by 64.4–82.6% in all incubation periods. C. longa had a MIC of 1 g and 100 mg/ml after 48 and 72 h, respectively, while the concentrations 10, 1, and 0.1 mg/ml caused growth reduction by 60–90.3% in all incubation periods. P. maritimum had a MIC of 200 mg/ml after 72 h, while the 20-, 2-, 0.2-, and 0.02-mg/ml concentrations showed growth reduction by 34–94.3% in all incubation periods. All extracts seemed to be more effective than chlorhexidine which caused only growth reduction by 55.3–80.2% in all incubation periods and failed to completely inhibit the cyst growth. In conclusion, ethanol extracts of A. hypogaea, C. longa, and P. maritimum could be considered a new natural agent against the Acanthamoeba cyst.     

Efficacy and safety of loratadine plus pseudoephedrine in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and mild asthma

Background: Antihistamines have been shown to have a variety of therapeutic effects in asthma. Although nasal obstruction may play an important role in modulating lower airway function, no prior trial has used a decongestant in combination with an antihistamine in patients with allergic rhinitis and concomitant asthma.Objective: We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of loratadine (5 mg) plus pseudoephedrine (120 mg) (L/P) twice daily in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and mild asthma.Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of L/P in 193 subjects during the fall allergy season. Nasal and chest symptoms, albuterol use, and peak expiratory flow rates were recorded daily for 6 weeks. Spirometry was measured at baseline and after 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of therapy, and health-related quality of life was rated at the beginning and end of the study.Results: Total rhinitis and asthma symptom severity scores were significantly reduced in patients receiving active therapy compared with those receiving placebo throughout the 6-week study. Peak expiratory flow rates improved significantly in patients treated with L/P during weeks 2 through 6 (peak effect [mean ± SEM]: L/P, 26.23 ± 4.64 L/min vs placebo, 8.52 ± 3.53 L/min, p = 0.002) as did FEV₁ (peak effect [mean ± SEM]: L/P, 170 ± 53 ml vs placebo, 20 ± 40 ml, p = 0.01) at all clinic visits. In addition, select measures of asthma-specific quality of life improved significantly relative to placebo.Conclusions: L/P significantly improved nasal and asthma symptoms, pulmonary function, and quality of life in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and concomitant mild asthma. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;100:781-8)     

Modulation of Immune Response by RAGE and TLR4 Signalling in PBMCs of Diabetic and Non‐Diabetic Patients

Diabetes is associated with increased glucose levels and accumulation of glycated products. It is also associated with impairment in the immune response, such as increased susceptibility to infections. In this study, we assessed the possible interactions between TLR4 and RAGE signalling on apoptosis and on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in PBMC from individuals with and without diabetes. PBMCs were isolated from seven diabetic patients and six individuals without diabetes and stimulated in vitro with bacterial LPS (1 μg/ml) associated or not with BSA‐AGE (200 μg/ml). This stimulation was performed for 6 h, both in the presence and in the absence of inhibitors of TLR4 (R. sphaeroides LPS, 20 μg/ml) and RAGE (blocking monoclonal antibody). Apoptosis at early and late stages was assessed by the annexin‐V/PI staining using flow cytometry. Regulation of TNF‐α and IL‐10 gene expression was determined by RT‐qPCR. PBMCs from diabetes patients tended to be more resistant apoptosis. There were no synergistic or antagonistic effects with the simultaneous activation of TLR4 and RAGE in PBMCs from either diabetes or non‐diabetes group. Activation of TLR4 is more potent for the induction of TNF‐α and IL‐10; RAGE signalling had a negative regulatory effect on TNF‐α expression induced by LPS. TLR and RAGE do not have relevant roles in apoptosis of PBMCs. The activation of TLR has greater role than RAGE in regulating the gene expression of IL‐10 and TNF‐α.     

The Importance of Specific IgG and IgE Autoantibodies to Retinal S Antigen, Total Serum IgE, and sCD23 Levels in Autoimmune and Infectious Uveitis

Autoimmunity plays an important role in the development of uveitis. The uveitis are linked to Th1 or Th2 lymphocyte activation. We studied 41 patients with uveitis, divided into autoimmune uveitis (n = 32) and infectious uveitis (n = 9), 30 normal controls, and 20 asthmatic atopic without ocular diseases. The infectious uveitis patients were separated into bacterial (n = 6) and toxoplasmic (n = 3) retinochoroiditis. We measured IgE and sCD23 serum levels and specific IgG and IgE to retinal S antigen by ELISA tests. The IgE levels were 500 ± 325 kU/L in autoimmune uveitis, 57 ± 35 kU/L in bacterial uveitis, 280 ± 38 kU/L in toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, 75 ± 32 kU/L in the controls, and 557 ± 243 kU/L in atopics (P < 0.0005). The sCD23 levels were 10.4 ± 5.4 ng/ml in autoimmune uveitis, 3.7 ± 1.17 ng/ml in bacterial uveitis, 6.76 ± 1.36 ng/ml in toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, 3.4 ± 1 ng/ml in controls, and 8.35 ± 2.2 ng/ml in atopic patients (P < 0.005). The specific IgG to retinal S antigen was positive in 27 of 32 cases, and the specific IgE to retinal S antigen was positive in 22 of 32 autoimmune uveitis. The bacterial uveitis patients as well as the controls were negative for both autoantibodies to retinal S antigen. The toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis patients presented specific IgG and IgE to retinal S antigen in two of three cases, respectively, one of them with overlap of both antibodies. These results suggest the importance of specific IgG and IgE to retinal S antigen in autoimmune uveitis, which, along with higher IgE and sCD23 levels, reveal Th2 activation.     

Macrophages activation by a purified fraction,free of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), from Larrea divaricata Cav. as a potential novel therapy against Candida albicans

Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) is a plant with well-documented applications in Argentinean folk medicine. In order to determine if the treatment with a purified fraction named F1 was capable to maintain a state of priming of macrophages after 15 days of mice infection with Candida albicans. Infected and uninfected mice were used. The effect of F1 on: cytosolic protein levels, apoptosis, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species production, nitric oxide (NO), cell activity, lysosomal activity and the tissue fungal burden were studied. The results showed that F1 increased macrophages yeast phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species and NO production. All these effects were related to a decrease of cell activity and possible apoptosis. In conclusion, it was observed that F1 could induce a state of long-term activation of macrophages, since we observed increased activity of macrophages 15 days after infection, and it could be related to the elimination of C. albicans. These data may suggest that F1 fraction could be useful against disseminated candidiasis in patients and further studies on this field are desirable.     

急性冠脉综合症与补体激活

目的： 评价各种类型急性冠脉综合症 (ACS) 病人补体激活的情况和补体激活与心肌损伤的关系。方法： 研究对象分为ACS组110例和正常对照组18人。 ACS组包括ST段抬高型心肌梗死（STEMI）51例，非ST段抬高型心肌梗死（NSTEMI）28例和不稳定性心绞痛（UA）31人。检测病人和正常对照健康人血浆C₃和C₄，CK-MB和肌钙蛋白T (TnT)浓度。结果： STEMI和 NSTEMI病人峰值C₃ 水平［分别为（1 525±302） mg/L和（1 516±289）mg/L］ 和C₄［分别为（423±123） mg/L和（396±68） mg/L］水平高于UA病人和对照组的C₃［分别为（1 275±172） mg/L和（1 072±196） mg/L,P<0.01］ 和C₄［分别为（356±91）mg/L和（182±73） mg/L,P<0.01］。UA病人的 C₃ ［(1 275±172） mg/L］和C₄ ［（356±91） mg/L］均高于对照组（P<0.01）。 ACS病人C₃和C₄水平在住院的前7 d均有明显的变化（P<0.01）。ACS病人峰值C₃和C₄水平与峰值CK-MB（分别为r=0.51和r=0.46，P<0.01）和肌钙蛋白T（分别为r=0.48和r=0.39，P<0.01）呈正相关。结论： ACS病人血浆C₃和C₄均明显升高。C₃和C₄水平与ACS的联系提示补体激活与心肌坏死有关。     

C3/C4 Concentration Ratio Reverses Between Colostrum and Mature Milk in Human Lactation

The levels of complement fractions C3 and C4 were assayed in human milk in a classic nephelometric assay adapted to this secretion. Concentrations of these molecules were measured in 667 milk samples obtained sequentially from 76 volunteer lactating mothers during the first 12 weeks of lactation. Immunonephelometry was performed using skimmed milk samples diluted 10 times and yielded reproducible (coefficients of variation in within- and between-run precision lower than 9% for C3 and than 14% for C4) and accurate (linear recovery in dilution-overloading assay) data. High concentrations (mean ± SE) were found for C3 (199.32 ± 16.35 mg/L) and C4 (113.42 ± 11.16 mg/L) in colostrum samples (n = 159; days 1–5). A significant (P < 0.001) and rapid decrease was observed in transitional milk samples (n = 198; days 6–14), containing 57.71 ± 5.18 and 72.39 ± 4.98 mg/L of C3 and C4, respectively. Stable lower levels were noted in mature milk samples (n = 310; days 15–84) at 30.36 ± 1.57 mg/L for C3 (P < 0.001) and 53.38 ± 3.61 mg/L for C4 (P < 0.05). The decrease rate was different for C3 and C4, yielding a reversal of the C3/C4 ratio between colostrum and more mature milk.