Sperm aggregation by water extracts from two Bursera species

Some plants have more than the common utility value, as is the case of some members of the Bursera species such as the Mexican copal, a plant used for worship. Water extracts of several plants have vaginal contraceptive properties. The authors evaluated the sperm agglutinating activity of two Bursera species on human and boar sperm. Extracts from stems and leaves were obtained. Capacitated sperm samples were used in all cases. There were different agglutinating capacities, which were not observed in the vehicle-only samples. The most frequent sperm agglutination response was that involving the heads. Agglutinating activity was higher from stem- than leaf-derived extracts. The results indicate that proteins present in the extracts are responsible for the aggregation of sperm heads.     

Motility of the pouch correlates with quality of life after total gastrectomy

BACKGROUND: Jejunal pouch reconstruction is used to provide reservoir function after total gastrectomy, but controversy remains regarding pouch functions and quality of life (QOL). In this study, pouch motility was studied in conjunction with postoperative QOL. METHODS: Pouch motility of 23 patients with jejunal pouch interposition after total gastrectomy was examined by manometry under fasting conditions and by an emptying test using dual-scintigraphy under postprandial conditions. Residual food was graded by endoscopic examinations. QOL was evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, and a stasis- or dumping-related symptom score. RESULTS: The pouch showed interdigestive contractile activity. Bursts of contractile activity occurred frequently and were long-lasting compared with the migrating motor complex phase III of the control jejunum. The percentage of time of contractile bursts correlated with postprandial pouch emptying (liquid: R(2) = 0.229, P < .03; solid: R(2) = 0.243, P < .02). Patients with little or no residual food had more percentage of time of contractile bursts than those with moderate residual food (P < .01). The percentage of time of contractile bursts was correlated with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index score (R(2) = 0.262, P < .02), stasis-related symptoms (R(2) = 0.279, P < .01), and dumping-related symptoms (R(2) = 0.218, P < .03). CONCLUSIONS: An interposed jejunum pouch showed bursts of contractile activity that affected postoperative gastrointestinal function and patient QOL.     

测定24种植物的提取物对酪氨酸酶活性的影响

目的测定几种民间药用植物对酪氨酸酶活性的影响。方法选用24种植物,以多巴为底物,加入植物提取物和蘑菇酪氨酸酶,测定A475,计算酪氨酸酶的抑制百分率。结果与古方中常用的增白药相比,繁缕的抑制百分率最高,绞股蓝、猪秧秧也有抑制作用。结论繁缕对酪氨酸酶有明显的抑制性,提示它对皮肤有增白效果。     

Screening of substances and extracts of plant origin in Walker carcinosarcoma 256]

The authors realized a series of tests with extracts or plants or substances of plant origin in the experimental tumor Walker 256 to determine whether the extracts show anticancer activity. The samples tested were obtained in the authors laboratory or came from other centers. Thirty extracts, 26 of which were inactive and 4 active, were tested. The results shown in the tables are primary screens.     

Effects of Basella alba and Hibiscus macranthus extracts on testosterone production of adult rat and bull Leydig cells

Aim： To determine the androgenic effects of Basella alba and Hibiscus macranthus extracts in the rat and the bull, and to develop a novel in vitro test system using Leydig cells from bull testes. Methods： The effect of methanol extracts from both plants on testosterone production in isolated Leydig cells from the rat and the bull was analyzed using ^125I-radioimmunoassay （^125I-RIA）. Rat Leydig cells were obtained by common methods, whereas a novel technique was used to purify Leydig cells from bull testes. Results： Bull testes from the slaughter house were a cheap source of pure Leydig cells. In culture, these cells produced testosterone for 5-6 days, which can be stimulated by human chorionic gonadotrophin （hCG）. Basella alba extracts significantly enhanced testosterone production in bull and rat Leydig cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Hibiscus macranthus showed no androgenic effect but was shown to inhibit testosterone production at higher concentrations. Conclusion： Leydig cells purified from bull testes can be used as an alternative tool in experimental animal research. Certain fractions of Basella alba extract demonstrated androgenic potential whereas Hibiscus macranthus extracts did not.     

Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage: prevention of upregulation of contractile ETB and 5-HT1B receptors and cerebral blood flow reduction

OBJECT: Cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) leads to reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) and to cerebral ischemia, in some cases even producing infarction and long-term disability. The goal of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that inhibition of neurokinin-1 receptors (NK1Rs) by administration of L-822429 blunts the decrease in CBF as well as cerebrovascular receptor upregulation in an animal model of SAH. METHODS: Subarachnoid hemorrhage was induced in rats by injection of 250 microl of blood into the prechiasmatic cistern. The NK1R inhibitor L-822429 was injected intracisternally 30 minutes and 24 hours after the induction of SAH. Two days after SAH induction, the basilar arteries were harvested, and contractile responses to endothelin-1 (ET-I, an ETA- and ETB-receptor agonist) and 5-carboxamidotryptamine (a 5-hydroxytryptamine- I1 [5-HT1]-receptor agonist) were investigated using sensitive myographs. To determine whether NKIR inhibition had an influence on local CBF after post-SAH, a quantitative autoradiographic technique was used. After SAH, the vascular receptor phenotype was changed in cerebral arteries through upregulation of contractile ET, and 5-HT1B receptors, while regional and total CBF were markedly reduced. Treatment with the selective NK1R inhibitor L-822429 prevented both the receptor upregulation and the reduction in regional and global CBF. CONCLUSIONS: The data reveal the coregulation of vascular receptor changes and blood flow effects, and also show that interaction with a small-molecule NK1R antagonist is a promising area of focus for the development of specific treatments for SAH.     

Selection by means of KB cells of substances and extracts potentially active in cancer chemotherapy

Several synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural compounds as well as plant extracts were screened for their growth inhibition activity on KB cells. The most active ones were naphthoquinones and derivatives of pyrido [4,3-b]carbazole alkaloids, with inhibition dose (ID50) less than 4 micrograms/ml. Of the crude extracts of several plants screened, Vellozia caput-ardeae showed to be the most active.     

Comparison of the histochemical and contractile properties of human gastrocnemius muscle

Contractile and histochemical properties of the human gastrocnemius muscle were compared in 21 male athletes ranging from 20 to 29 years of age. Surface electrical stimulation was used to determine muscle twitch parameters. The contractile variables of the muscle twitch were: latency (L), time to peak force (TPF1 and TPF2), peak force (Pf1 and Pf2), half-contraction time (1/2 CT), and half-relaxation time (1/2 RT). Muscle samples from the belly of the medial gastrocnemius muscle were obtained using the needle biopsy technique. The samples were treated histochemically for myosin ATPase in order to classify the fibers as slow twitch (ST) or fast twitch (FT) and to determine fiber areas. Multiple correlations were performed between the contractile and histochemical variables. The results demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) positive relationships between the calculated twitch recordings and percentage of FT fibers (R = 0.85), percentage of ST fibers (R = 0.85), relative percent area of FT fibers (R = 0.84), and relative percent area of ST fibers (R = 0.84). The results suggest that fiber type percentage and relative percent area determined using myosin ATPase are related to electrically stimulated isometric contractile properties. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1991;13(6):322-328.     

Medicinal plants extracts affect virulence factors expression and biofilm formation by the uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Medicinal plants are an important source for the therapeutic remedies of various diseases including urinary tract infections. This prompted us to perform research in this area. We decided to focus on medicinal plants species used in urinary tract infections prevention. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of Betula pendula, Equisetum arvense, Herniaria glabra, Galium odoratum, Urtica dioica, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea extracts on bacterial survival and virulence factors involved in tissue colonization and biofilm formation of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli rods. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of plant extracts were performed. Antimicrobial assay relied on the estimation of the colony forming unit number. Hydrophobicity of cells was established by salt aggregation test. Using motility agar, the ability of bacteria to move was examined. The erythrocyte hemagglutination test was used for fimbriae P screening. Curli expression was determined using YESCA agar supplemented with congo red. Quantification of biofilm formation was carried out using a microtiter plate assay and a spectrophotometric method. The results of the study indicate significant differences between investigated extracts in their antimicrobial activities. The extracts of H. glabra and V. vitis-idaea showed the highest growth-inhibitory effects (p?<?0.05). Surface hydrophobicity of autoaggregating E. coli strain changed after exposure to all plant extracts, except V. vitis-idaea (p?>?0.05). The B. pendula and U. dioica extracts significantly reduced the motility of the E. coli rods (p?<?0.05). All the extracts exhibited the anti-biofilm activity.     

Loss of ryanodine receptor calcium-release channel expression associated with overactive urinary bladder smooth muscle contractions in a detrusor instability model

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in spontaneous bladder smooth muscle contractions that occur during detrusor instability (DI), and to test the possibility that altered function or expression of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) could account for the increased bladder contractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After 8 weeks of partial bladder outlet obstruction, DI was confirmed in female experimental rats by filling cystometry. Muscle strips were dissected from freshly isolated bladders, and isometric tension recorded in strips from DI and normal bladders. The contractions were recorded during electrical stimulation or exposure to various agents. Western blot analysis was used to determine RyR expression in DI and normal bladder muscle. RESULTS: In DI bladder muscle, spontaneous contractile activity persisted in the presence of blockers for known neurotransmitter receptors in the bladder wall. The RyR blocker ryanodine significantly increased the spontaneous contractile frequency in normal bladder strips, but failed to affect spontaneous contractions in DI muscle. Caffeine inhibited spontaneous contractile activity in both the DI and normal strips. After administering the l-type Ca(2+) channel antagonist nimodipine, the myogenic contractile activity was abolished in normal strips; in contrast, in DI strips, the amplitude of contractions was reduced but the frequency of contractions was unchanged. Western blot analysis showed that RyR expression was lower in DI muscle than in normal bladder muscle. CONCLUSION: These results provide the first characterization of a loss of regulation of spontaneous contractile activity by RyRs in DI muscle associated with a significant decrease in RyR expression. RyRs in normal detrusor muscle act as negative-feedback regulators of spontaneous contractile activity, presumably by releasing Ca(2+) that activates Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels to decrease contractility. This mechanism might be weakened in DI muscle, resulting in spontaneous contractile overactivity.     

Effects of extracts from Hibiscus macranthus and Basella alba mixture on testosterone production in vitro in adult rat testes slices

Aim:To find an in vitro system for the measurement of the androgenic effects of different extracts of Hibiscusmacranthus(Malvaceae)and Basella alba(Basellaceae).Methods:The production of testosterone from testes slicesincubated in two media,either Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5 % Bovine serum albumin(BSA)or Dubecco'sModified Eagle's medium-F12 Ham nutrient mixture(DME/Ham F12),under a mixture of 5 % CO_2 in 95% air wasdetermined either in the presence or absence of cofactors and Hibiscus macranthus plus Basella alba(HMBA)extracts.Results:The testosterone production was increased in testes slices incubated in DME/Ham F12 medium inresponse to the cofactors(49%)and aqueous extracts(34%-60% according to dilutions).Under the same atmo-spheric conditions,there was no positive response of the testes slices to either cofactor or HMBA extract stimulationin Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% BSA.In further investigations related to the effect of HMBA,the DME/Ham F12 medium was used.The results obtained from the in vitro test showed that the activity was present mainlyin methylene chloride and methanol,since these extracts induced an increase in testosterone production by testesslices.Conclusion:The testes slice system is suitable to be used for further in vitro investigations of the isolation ofandrogenic bioactive components of plants.(Asian J Androl 2006 Jan;8:111-114)     

Effect of a NOS inhibitor, L-NMMA, on the contractile function of reperfused skeletal muscle

The authors investigated the effect of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, on the contractile function of skeletal muscle following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of 50 rats were divided into seven groups. Contractile function in non-ischemic EDL did not change statistically significantly with L-NMMA infusion. I/R (1.5 hr I and 3 hr R) significantly decreased EDL contractile function, with an average maximal twitch force of 56 percent of the contralateral normal muscle force and isometric tetanic contractile forces between 47 and 84 percent at four different stimulation frequencies. Following L-NMMA administration at three different dosages, contractile function of I/R muscle decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dosage of L-NMMA (10 micromol/min) reduced the average maximal twitch force to 15 percent and the isometric tetanic contractile forces to between 10 to 23 percent. Histologic evaluation revealed increased edema, neutrophil infiltration, and muscle-fiber necrosis in L-NMMA-infused EDL, compared to the controls. 1) Skeletal muscle contractile function was dose-dependently decreased with the administration of L-NMMA during I/R. 2) The concentrations of L-NMMA used in this study did not influence the function of non-ischemic EDL. These findings suggest that reduction of NO production during I/R is damaging to skeletal muscle function and would impair successful functional outcomes in microsurgical replantation.     

早期反应基因-1(Egr-1)在缺血再灌注肝脏组织中的表达

目的研究缺血再灌注后肝组织中早期反应基因-1(Egr-1)的表达。方法动脉放血至平均动脉压(MAP)25 mmHg,分别维持1 h或2.5 h,复制小鼠整体肝缺血模型;2.5 h后,回输失血+2倍于失血量的平衡液至MAP 80 mmHg,复制小鼠肝缺血再灌注模型。取肝组织,分别通过Northern印迹法、凝胶电泳迁移分析(EMSA)、蛋白质免疫印迹法,检测肝组织mRNA的表达;肝核提取物中Egr-1蛋白与DNA的结合活性;肝组织、胞浆及核提取物中Egr-1蛋白的表达。结果缺血1 h后,Egr-1mRNA在肝组织中的表达明显增强;缺血2.5 h后肝组织中Egr-1mRNA虽有所下降,但表达水平仍较高。缺血2.5 h+再灌注4 h后,肝组织中Egr-1mRNA消失。缺血2.5 h和缺血2.5 h+再灌注4 h后肝细胞核提取物中Egr-1蛋白的DNA结合活性增加。缺血2.5 h及缺血2.5 h+再灌注4 h肝组织及肝细胞核提取物中Egr-1蛋白表达明显增加;Egr-1蛋白仅在缺血2.5 h肝胞浆提取物中表达。结论本实验结果表明肝缺血再灌注后Egr-1mRNA和蛋白表达均明显增强,其DNA结合活性增加,说明其转录和翻译水平均增加。本研究显示缺血再灌注后肝脏中Egr-1基因被激活,Egr-1可能参与了肝I/R后炎症反应基因的调节,并在肝损伤中起一定的作用。     

Typha capensis (Rohrb.)N.E.Br. (bulrush) extract scavenges free radicals, inhibits collagenase activity and affects human sperm motility and mitochondrial membrane potential in vitro: a pilot study

The biodiversity in South Africa provides more than 30,000 higher plants, of which more than 3000 are used by traditional healers to treat diseases. Typha capensis (bulrush) is one of the medicinal plants used in South Africa to treat male fertility problems. Considering that South African traditional healers have been recognised by Law and the health benefits of T. capensis have not been scientifically investigated yet, this study aimed at investigating the in vitro effects of aqueous extracts from this plant on male reproductive functions. Both leaves and rhizomes of T. capensis were dried, infused with distilled water and freeze-dried. Motile sperm from 50 men were isolated by swim-up and incubated with 1 μg ml(-1) aqueous extract of Typha rhizome for 1 h at 37 °C. Vitality, motility, sperm production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential were analysed in the test sample, a control and in the pellet from the swim-up. Results showed that the rhizome extract had significant (P < 0.0001) negative effects on all parameters. The extracts from the leaves and rhizomes revealed dose-dependent inhibitory activity for collagenase and free radical formation. No inhibitory activity for elastase was found. The inhibitory activity for collagenase might indicate possible anti-cancer effects.     

Effects of uremic serum on isolated cardiac myocyte calcium cycling and contractile function.

BACKGROUND: Diastolic dysfunction occurs in patients with chronic renal failure. Moreover, serum from uremic patients contains one or more inhibitors of the plasmalemmal Na,K-ATPase (sodium pump). We hypothesized that a circulating substance present in uremic sera contributes to both sodium pump inhibition and diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from six patients with chronic renal failure and diastolic dysfunction. RESULTS: Their serum samples caused marked inhibition of Na,K-ATPase purified from dog kidney at all concentrations studied (all P < 0.01) and also impaired ouabain-sensitive rubidium uptake by myocytes isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats (P < 0.01). These cardiac myocytes were studied for their contractile function with video-edge detection and calcium metabolism with indo-1 fluorescence spectroscopy after exposure to these uremic sera. These uremic sera caused increases in myocyte fractional shortening (P < 0.01) as well as an increase in the time constant of relengthening (P < 0.01). Examining the calcium transient, the time constant for calcium recovery was also increased (P < 0.01). Exposure of these cells to sera from age- and sex-matched healthy subjects did not result in significant changes in contraction or calcium cycling. Extracts of uremic serum samples inhibited isolated Na,K-ATPase whereas extracts of normal serum samples did not. The effect of uremic serum extracts on contractile function and calcium cycling were quite similar to that of intact serum or the addition of ouabain. Co-incubation of uremic serum extract with an antibody fragment directed against digoxin markedly attenuated the inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity and completely prevented any effects on calcium cycling or contractile function. CONCLUSION: These data show that one or more substances are present in uremic sera that acutely cause increased force of contraction and impaired recovery of cardiac myocyte calcium concentration as well as impaired relaxation. As these effects are similar to that seen with ouabain and can be prevented by co-incubation with an antibody fragment to digitalis, which also attenuates the sodium pump inhibitory effect, we suggest that this (these) substance(s) circulating in uremic sera and inhibiting the sodium pump also causes the acute diastolic dysfunction seen in our system.     

Contractile activity of mouse small intestinal longitudinal smooth muscle

BACKGROUND: Interest in genomic modulation experimentally often necessitates use of mouse models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AIM: To characterize and quantitate smooth muscle contractile activity of the mouse small intestine using in vitro techniques. Full-thickness jejunal and ileal muscle strips from mice were cut in the direction of longitudinal muscle, suspended in tissue baths (37 degrees C), and connected to force transducers. Spontaneous contractility and two dose-response curves to the cholinergic agonist bethanechol and adrenergic agonist norepinephrine were quantitated for 6 h. RESULTS: Total contractile activity increased over 4 to 5 h in jejunum (P < 0.01) but not in ileum. Frequency of contractions (counts/min) in jejunum increased from 16 to 33 (P < 0.01) in the first 4 h, then remained stable; ileal frequency did not change. One hour of cold preservation had no major effect on contractile activity and frequency. Bethanechol increased and norepinephrine decreased contractile activity in dose-dependent fashion. The dose of bethanechol producing 50% increase in maximal response did not differ between the first and second dose-response; in contrast, the concentration of norepinephrine producing 50% decrease in activity for the second dose-response in jejunum was decreased compared to the first dose-response (P < 0.01). Cold preservation had no substantive effect on agonist responses. CONCLUSION: Experiments in murine jejunal but not ileal longitudinal muscle in vitro must consider early changes in contractile activity after tissue harvest. These experiments serve as a baseline for comparison of stimuli or genetic modifications on murine contractile activity of longitudinal muscle in vivo.     

Stricture formation in Crohn's disease: the role of intestinal fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intestinal fibroblasts in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have an enhanced capacity to reorganize collagen and thus cause stricture formation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Stricture formation is a characteristic feature of CD that may distinguish it from other forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Methods Fibroblasts were obtained at surgery from the colon and ileum of patients with CD and ulcerative colitis (UC) and control patients. Primary fibroblast cultures were obtained by explant technique. Fibroblast contractile activity was measured using fibroblast-populated collagen lattices (FPCLs), in which the cultured fibroblasts were seeded in free-floating collagen gel matrices that they reorganize and contract. Fibroblast contractile activity was measured as the reduction of surface area (mm2) of collagen gel matrix at 24-hour intervals for 1 week. RESULTS: Fibroblasts from patients with CD displayed enhanced capacity to contract FPCL when compared to UC and control fibroblasts. This activity was maximal in fibroblasts recovered from strictured regions in CD. Fibroblasts from patients with UC had a contractile capacity similar to that of controls. Hydrocortisone inhibited this in vitro contractile activity in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal fibroblasts in CD possess enhanced capacity for collagen reorganization and contractile activity in vitro. This activity may be responsible for stricture formation in CD.     

Cell composition of the human pulmonary valve: a comparative study with the aortic valve--the VESALIO Project. Vitalitate Exornatum Succedaneum Aorticum labore Ingegnoso Obtinebitur

BACKGROUND: Cell populations present in human semilunar valves have not been investigated thoroughly. The aim of this study was to characterize the cell phenotypes in pulmonary valve leaflets (PVL) in comparison with aortic (AVL) valve leaflets. METHODS: AVL and PVL were dissected from hearts (n = 4) harvested from transplanted patients. Leaflets were processed for immunocytochemistry analysis and Western blotting procedures using a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for cytoskeletal/contractile antigens. RESULTS: The fibrosa and the ventricularis layers of AVL had a higher cellularity than PVL. In PVL and AVL most cells were reactive for vimentin and nonmuscle (NM) myosin, though vimentin-positive cells were more abundant in AVL than in PVL. Sparse cells positive to anti-smooth muscle (SM) alpha-actin, calponin, and anti-SM myosin antibodies were found only at the outer edge of fibrosa. In Western blotting, AVL and PVL extracts were shown to be equally reactive for vimentin, SM alpha-actin, and NM myosin, whereas both valves were negative for SM myosin and SM22. CONCLUSIONS: Three distinct cell phenotypes have been identified in both valves: fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and fetal-type SM cells whose distribution is specifically related to the valve layers. Although PVL and AVL cell populations differ quantitatively, some minor qualitative differences exist for vimentin and NM myosin distribution. These data are essential for studies aimed at repopulating valve scaffolds by using tissue engineering technology.     

Protein kinase C alpha modulates microvascular reactivity in the human coronary and skeletal microcirculation

BACKGROUND: Cardioplegic arrest (CP) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can lead to dysfunction in the coronary and skeletal microcirculation leading to impaired tissue perfusion. alpha-Adrenergic signaling pathways acting on these microcirculatory beds are thought to involve protein kinase C (PKC). We investigate here the role of the conventional PKCs in microvascular function in the setting of CP/CPB. METHODS: Atrial and skeletal muscle was harvested from 30 patients undergoing cardiac surgery before and after CP/CPB. Microvessels were used for Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining against conventional PKCs. Microvascular constriction was assessed in pre- and post-CP/CPB samples in response to alpha-adrenergic stimulation with phenylephrine, with and without a PKC-alpha inhibitor or PKC-alpha activator. PKC activity was assessed in isolated microvessels. RESULTS: Western blotting and immunostaining demonstrated only PKC-alpha in coronary and skeletal microvessels. CP/CPB diminished contractile responses to phenylephrine in coronary and skeletal samples. Inhibition of PKC-alpha reduced phenylephrine induced vasoconstriction in coronary and skeletal microvessels, whereas activation of PKC-alpha-augmented phenylephrine induced responses. PKC activity was decreased in coronary microvessels and to an even greater degree in skeletal microvessels after CP/CPB. CONCLUSIONS: PKC-alpha is the predominant conventional PKC present in the human coronary and skeletal microcirculation. It likely plays a key role in alpha-adrenergic signaling in microvessels and in the vasomotor dysfunction after CP/CPB.     

The effect of macrophages posttrauma on T cell functions

Objective:To study molecular mechanism of suppressive effect of macrophages posttrauma on T cell functions.Methods:A murine closed trauma model was used,macrophages were harvested from the abdominal cavity and added into the culture system of T cells,which were separated from splenocytes in normal mice using nylon column.t cell functions and intracellular messenger molecules were determined.In addition,the effect of macrophages‘ removal from splenocytes of traumatized mice on T cell functions and intracellular messenger molecules was investigated.Results:Macrophages posttrauma in vitro could obviously suppress ConA stimulated normal t cell functions such as T lymphocyte transformation,interleukin 2(IL-2) production,Il-2 receptor α (IL-2Rα) expression,IL-2 mRNA and Il-2Rα mRNA levels,and elevate cAMP contents of activated normal t cells while decreasing cGMP contents,intracellular free calcium ([Ca^2 ]i)concentration and protein kinase C (PKC) activity.Removal of macrophages from splenocytes of traumatized mice could at certain degree reverse the suppression of T cell functions,decrease cAMP contents while increasing cGMP contents,[Ca^2 ]i concentration and PKC activity. Conclusions:Macrophages posttrauma may suppress T cell functions via altering messenger molecule levels in activated T cells.