Red cell and platelet‐derived microparticles are increased in G6PD‐deficient subjects

In response to oxidative stress and during apoptosis, cells often shed microparticles (MPs), submicron elements carrying phosphatidylserine and protein antigens. Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)‐deficient cells are extremely sensitive to oxidative damage that may lead to the formation of MPs. To determine whether G6PD deficiency alters membrane phospholipid asymmetry and increases MPs production, we determined the concentrations and cellular origins of MPs in G6PD‐deficient individuals using flow cytometry. G6PD‐deficient individuals showed an increase in circulating MPs concentrations as compared with G6PD‐normal individuals [1051/μL (865–2532/μL) vs. 258/μL (235–575/μL), P < 0.01]. MPs concentrations were significantly increased with the severity of G6PD deficiency. Median MPs concentrations from individuals with severe G6PD deficiency, and individuals with moderate G6PD deficiency were 2567/μL (1216–2532/μL) and 984/μL (685–2107/μL), respectively (P < 0.01). Importantly, G6PD enzymatic activity was significantly correlated with MPs concentrations with r² = 0.731. MPs found in G6PD deficiency individuals were largely derived from red blood cells (RBCs) (45%) and platelets (30%). Additionally, Atomic Force Microscopy was used to study the morphology and measures the diameter of MPs found in G6PD‐deficient individuals. The mean (SD) width and height of RMPs were 0. 41 (0.18) and 2.04 (0.14) μm, respectively. Together, these results indicate that MP concentration is significantly correlated with G6PD enzymatic activity and is increased in G6PD‐deficient as compared with G6PD‐normal individuals. Our data also provide an evidence for an alteration in cell membrane associated with a decreased in G6PD activity. However, the significance of MPs in G6PD deficiency needs further clarification.     

尼莫地平注射液联合6-氨基己酸在蛛网膜下腔出血中的应用效果

目的：探讨尼莫地平注射液联合6-氨基己酸在蛛网膜下腔出血中的应用效果。方法选取2012年5月—2014年7月赫章县人民医院收治的蛛网膜下腔出血患者50例，将患者随机分为对照组与治疗组，每组25例。对照组单独使用尼莫地平注射液治疗，治疗组应用尼莫地平注射液联合6-氨基己酸治疗，比较两组临床疗效、格拉斯哥预后量表（GOS）评分与并发症发生情况。结果治疗组总有效率（92.00%）高于对照组（64.00%），再出血发生率（16.0%）低于对照组（32.0%），差异有统计学意义（P ＜0.05）。观察组患者 GOS 评分高于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P ＜0.05）。结论尼莫地平注射液联合6-氨基己酸治疗蛛网膜下腔出血临床效果好，可显著降低再出血发生率，改善患者预后。     

Roles of MAPK pathway activation during cytokine induction in BEAS-2B cells exposed to fine World Trade Center (WTC) dust

The World Trade Center (WTC) collapse on September 11, 2001 released copious amounts of particulate matter (PM) into the atmosphere of New York City. Follow-up studies on persons exposed to the dusts have revealed a severely increased rate for asthma and other respiratory illnesses. There have only been a few studies that have sought to discern the possible mechanisms underlying these untoward pathologies. In one study, an increased cytokine release was detected in cells exposed to WTC fine dusts (PM_2.5 fraction or WTC_2.5). However, the mechanism(s) for these increases has yet to be fully defined. Because activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways is known to cause cytokine induction, the current study was undertaken to analyze the possible involvement of these pathways in any increased cytokine formation by lung epithelial cells (as BEAS-2B cells) exposed to WTC_2.5. Our results showed that exposure to WTC_2.5 for 5?hr increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in BEAS-2B cells, as well as its protein levels in the culture media, in a dose-dependent manner. Besides IL-6, cytokine multiplex analyses revealed that formation of IL-8 and -10 was also elevated by the exposure. Both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38, but not c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase, signaling pathways were found to be activated in cells exposed to WTC_2.5. Inactivation of ERK signaling pathways by PD98059 effectively blocked IL-6, -8, and -10 induction by WTC_2.5; the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 significantly decreased induction of IL-8 and -10. Together, our data demonstrated activation of MAPK signaling pathway(s) likely played an important role in the WTC_2.5-induced formation of several inflammatory (and, subsequently, anti-inflammatory) cytokines. The results are important in that they help to define one mechanism via which the WTC dusts may have acted to cause the documented increases in asthma and other inflammation-associated respiratory dysfunctions in the individuals exposed to the dusts released from the WTC collapse.     

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) glucuronidation in vitro : assay development,human liver microsome activities and species differences

1. The main purpose was to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based method to assay serotonin glucuronidation activity using liver microsomal fractions. Application of this method was then demonstrated by determining serotonin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme kinetics using human liver microsomes and recombinant human UGT1A6. Interspecies differences were also evaluated using liver microsomes from 10 different mammalian species. 2. Incubation of liver microsomes with serotonin, UDP-glucuronic acid and magnesium resulted in the formation of a single product peak using HPLC with fluorescence and ultraviolet absorbance detection. This peak was confirmed as serotonin glucuronide based on sensitivity to β-glucuronidase and by obtaining the expected mass of 352 with positive-ion mass spectrometry. 3. Following a preparative HPLC isolation, the structure of this metabolite was established as serotonin-5- O -glucuronide by 1 H-NMR spectroscopy. 4. Enzyme kinetic studies showed apparent K m and V max of 8.8 ±0.3 mM and 43.4 ±0.4 nmoles min <1 mg <1 protein, respectively, for human liver microsomes, and 5.9 ±0.2 mM and 15.8 ±0.2 nmoles min <1 mg <1, respectively, for recombinant UGT1A6. 5. The order of serotonin-UGT activities in animal liver microsomes was rat > mouse > human > cow > pig > horse > dog > rabbit > monkey > ferret. Cat livers showed no serotonin-UGT activity. Heterozygous and homozygous mutant Gunn rat livers had 40 and 13%, respectively, of the activity of the normal Wistar rat, indicating a significant contribution by a rat UGT1A isoform to serotonin glucuronidation. 6. This assay provides a novel sensitive and specific technique for the measurement of serotonin-UGT activity in vitro.