Membrane flow within the myelin sheath in IDPN neuropathy

This report describes some aspects of beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) neuropathy in rats as observed by ultrastructural methods and X-ray diffraction. Light microscopy shows gross swelling of the axons in proximal lumbar spinal roots 8 days after intraperitoneal injection of IDPN. Mean axon cross-sectional area and mean axon perimeter increased to 280% and 160% of their control values, respectively. At the same time, myelin membrane packing was not visibly disturbed. In addition, X-ray diffraction patterns, recorded under physiological conditions, demonstrate that the myelin lipid bilayer thickness and widths of the aqueous spaces between bilayers did not change. Related observations are made on posterior tibial nerve (PNS myelin) and ventral spinal cord (CNS myelin). The various observations together are interpreted in terms of a fluid myelin membrane. It is proposed that the myelin membrane flows during axon swelling even though normal membrane-membrane contacts are maintained within the sheath. Membrane flow and slippage between membranes are explained in terms of a molecular model of the myelin multilayer.     

The spermatozoal volume as indicative of the plasma membrane integrity (modification of the hypoosmotic swelling test). I. Methods

Summary. The aim of the present study was to establish a more differentiating indicator of plasma membrane integrity of spermatozoa than the classic version of the hypoosmotic swelling test according to Jeyendraan. Spermatozoa were prepared by density gradient centrifugation (90% Percoll) to select 'fertilization competent' spermatozoa only. After a second washing procedure sufficiently pure sperm cell suspensions were obtained. The volume distributions of these sperm cells were measured with a Coulter Counter at 25 °C after adaptation in 300 mosmolar NaCl solution resp. 150 mosmolar NaCl solution for 5 min. These volume distributions showed significantly different patterns for the isotonic and hypotonic stress situation in the simple salt solution. Moreover, the comparison of the response to hypoosmotic stress showed more than four reproducible characteristic patterns, promising well differentiated results for different sperm populations. The new method for the detection of hypoosmotic swelling effect might be a real and valuable functional parameter.     

Effect of “Re Du Qing” on the activation,proliferation and membrane fluidity of lymphocytes

Summary Effects of Chinese Medicinal Preparation “Re Du Qing” (RDQ) on the activation, proliferation and membrane fluidity of T lymphocytes from human peripheral blood Were studied by means of³H-TdR incorporation and DPH fluorescence polarization. The results showed that “RDQ” can:1) significantly inhibit the activation of T lymphocytes; 2) restrain the proliferation of activated T lymphoblasts in the presence of exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2); and 3) increase the membrane fluidity of T lymphocytes and antagonize the decreased fluidity of lymphocyte membrane mediated by Con A or PHA. The functional abnormalities of T lymphocytes in some autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and the usefulness of RDQ in the treatment of these diseases were also discussed.     

Familial Juvenile Nephronophthisis in Two Siblings — Histological Findings at an Early Stage —

We present two female siblings with familial juvenile nephronophthisis (FJN) which was diagnosed at the early stage of renal failure. Diagnosis was made during the investigation of anemia in case 1 and by a subsequent family survey in case 2. Most patients with FJN are not identified until the terminal stage of renal failure and such cases have rarely been reported in Japan. Case 2 had a reduction in the maximum urinary concentration ability but no azotemia, and among the FJN patients reported in Japan so far she has the least advanced renal disease. Histological examination of the renal biopsy in case 1 showed typical findings of FJN, such as thickening and lamination of the tubular basement membrane (TBM), interstitial fibrosis, and round cell infiltration of the interstitium. In case 2, renal biopsy revealed an irregular marked thickening of the TBM with trivial interstitial changes and a normal glomerular appearance. The histology of these two cases suggests that the TBM may be the primary site affected in FJN.     

Efficient RT-PCR on platelet mRNA after long-term storage

We have developed a procedure permitting RT-PCR from mRNA even after a long-term storage (1 year) of platelet samples in ethanol (EtOH-platelets) at −80°C. To validate our method, we have analysed the human platelet alloantigen system (HPA-1) which is coded by β₃ mRNA. We have also demonstrated the efficiency of amplification of part of the coding region for (i) α_IIb subunit mRNA, (ii) α_v subunit mRNA, and (iii) the seven transmembrane domain thrombin receptor mRNA.     

硫酸镍对红细胞毒性研究

健康小鼠腹腔注射硫酸镍10.0,5.0,2.5mg/kg,导致外周血中红细胞增高,血红蛋白不变或降低,红细胞中点彩红细胞和碱粒红细胞占有比值明显增高,网织红细胞含量升高、提示镍对外周血红细胞有毒性损害。     

低氧对口腔鳞癌细胞系血管内皮生长因子和MMP-2的影响

目的 :研究低氧对体外培养的口腔鳞癌细胞系血管内皮生长因子 (vascularendothelialgrowthfactor ,VEGF)和明胶酶 A(matrixmetalloproteinase 2 ,MMP 2 )的影响。 方法 :分别用酶联免疫吸附实验 (ELISA)和半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)测定了低氧处理不同时间段时口腔鳞癌细胞系TSCCa和GNM细胞的细胞中VEGF和MMP 2的活性和mRNA表达情况。结果 :低氧处理 4h时 ,VEGF和MMP 2的活性便显著增加 ,8h时达到最高 ,GNM细胞中VEGF和MMP 2分别增加 2倍和 2 .5倍 ;而TSCCa细胞中VEGF和MMP 2增加的更为明显 ,分别增加了 6倍和 4倍。RT PCR结果显示GNM细胞VEGF和MMP 2mRNA表达水平均较TSCCa细胞高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,低氧处理时在TSCCa细胞中VEGF和MMP 2增加的尤为明显。结论 :低氧可通过调节口腔鳞癌细胞VEGF和MMP 2的活性和mRNA的表达在口腔鳞癌血管形成中起重要作用     

Neuroprotection by both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists in in vitro ischemia

We have investigated the relative contributions of oxygen and glucose deprivation to ischaemic neurodegeneration in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Cultures prepared from 10-day-old rats were maintained in vitro for 14 days and then deprived of either oxygen (hypoxia), glucose (hypoglycaemia), or both oxygen and glucose (ischaemia). Hypoxia alone induced degeneration selectively in CA1 pyramidal cells and this was greatly potentiated if glucose was removed from the medium. We have also characterised the effects of both pre-and post-treatment using glutamate receptor antagonists and the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX). Neuronal death following either hypoxia or ischaemia was prevented by pre-incubation with CNQX, MK-801 or tetrodotoxin. MK-801 or CNQX also prevented death induced by either hypoxia or ischaemia if added immediately post-insult, however, post-insult addition of TTX prevented hypoxic but not ischaemic damage. Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures are sensitive to both NMDA and non-NMDA glutamate receptor blockade and thus represent a useful in vitro system for the study of ischaemic neurodegeneration paralleling results reported using in vivo models of ischaemia.