Cyclosporin A upregulates prostaglandin E2 production in human gingival fibroblasts challenged with tumor necrosis factor alpha in vitro

The effect of Cyclosporin A (CsA) on prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production in human gingival fibroblasts challenged with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was studied. TNF-α (1-100 ng/ml) dose-dependently stimulated PGE₂; formation in 24 h cultures. CsA (1-100 ng/ml) did not induce PGE₂; formation itself but potentiated TNF-α induced PGE; formation in gingival fibroblasts in a manner dependent on the concentrations of both CsA and TNF-α. TNF-α (10 ng/ml) stimulated the release of [³H]-arachidonic acid (A.A) from prelabelled fibroblasts that was potentiated by CsA (100 ng/ml). Addition of exogenous unlabelled AA (5-20 μM/ml) to the cells resulted in enhanced PGE₂: formation that was not potentiated by CsA (100 ng/mi). Furthermore. CsA (100 ng/ml) did not further increase the level of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA induced by TNF-α (10 ng/ml). although PGE₂ formation was enhanced. The results indicate that CsA and TNF-α act in concert on PGE₂ formation in gingival fibroblasts. which may be of importance in the pathogenesis of gingival overgrowth induced by the drug.     

Chronic vitamin E treatment prevents defective endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetic rat aorta

Summary We examined the effect in rats of 2 months of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus on relaxation and contraction of aortas in vitro. A further diabetic group was treated from time of diabetes induction with a 1% dietary supplement of vitamin E. Diabetes caused a 26.5% deficit (p<0.001) in maximum endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in phenylephrine-precontracted aortas. This was 64.3% attenuated (p<0.01) by vitamin E treatment; maximum relaxation was not significantly altered compared to non-diabetic rats. Vitamin E treatment of non-diabetic rats did not significantly affect acetylcholine-induced relaxation. Diabetes or treatment did not significantly alter acetylcholine sensitivity. Endothelium-independent relaxation response to glyceryl trinitrate was not affected by diabetes or vitamin E treatment, indicating that vascular smooth muscle responses to nitric oxide remained unaltered. There was a 35.4% reduction in the maximum contractile response to phenylephrine with diabetes (p<0.05) which was unaffected by vitamin E treatment. The data suggest that the chronic deficit in nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetes depends largely upon excess activity of reactive oxygen species. Treatment with vitamin E to increase free radical scavenging specifically protected vascular endothelium although it had no effect on deficits in vascular smooth muscle contractile responses.Abbreviations NO Nitric oxide - ARI aldose reductase inhibitor - ACH acetylcholine - GTN glyceryl trinitrate - GSH reduced form of glutathione - EC₅₀ effective concentration for 50% of the maximal response     

Detection of IgA class antibody to hepatitis E virus in serum samples from patients with hepatitis E virus infection

A newly developed assay for IgA class antibody to hepatitis E virus (IgA anti-HEV) was used to study 145 serum samples collected during an outbreak of an enterically transmitted hepatitis that occurred in 3 villages in the lower Shebeli region of Southern Somalia between January, 1988 and November, 1989. A total of 52.4% of the afflicted patients were found positive for IgA anti-HEV, and 73.1% of these were also positive for IgM. Both antibodies disappeared during the convalescence period. Similar results were also seen in serum obtained from sporadic cases of acute waterborne hepatitis in Pakistan. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

维生素E对老年小鼠脾细胞转化反应及心,脑脂褐质含量的影响

目的探讨维生素Ｅ对老年小鼠细胞免疫功能及心、脑脂质过氧化反应的影响。方法３月龄幼年小鼠和１８月龄老年小鼠各饲以含维生素Ｅ（ＶｉｔＥ）５００×１０－６和３０×１０－６饲料８周后，测定血清ＶｉｔＥ水平、脾细胞转化反应和心、脑脂褐质含量。结果饲以含５００×１０－６ＶｉｔＥ饲料的老年小鼠脾细胞对刀豆蛋白Ａ（ＣｏｎＡ）和脂多糖（ＬＰＳ）的反应及血清ＶｉｔＥ水平均较饲以含３０×１０－６ＶｉｔＥ饲料者显著增高（Ｐ值＜０．０１）；心、脑组织中脂褐质含量则明显降低（分别为Ｐ值＜０．０１及０．０５）。结论膳食中补充较高剂量ＶｉｔＥ后，能显著提高老年小鼠血清ＶｉｔＥ水平，增强脾细胞转化反应，并明显抑制心、脑脂质过氧化，减少脂褐质形成     

Influence of age on faecal carriage of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli and other gram-negative bacteria in hospitalized neonates

The aerobic faecal flora of 953 infants aged over 5 days was studied on discharge from 22 neonatal wards in Swedish hospitals. Klebsiella/enterobacter was isolated from 74% of infants and dominated the aerobic gram-negative flora in 19 wards. Escherichia coli was carried by 42% and showed a slight dominance in two wards. Initially klebsiella/enterobacter dominated the flora but became increasingly mixed with and taken over by E. coli, carriage increasing from 21% in infants discharged after 5-7 days to 57% after 3 weeks or later. Among infants with E. coli, P-fimbriated strains were demonstrated in 23% (range 0-67) and were independent of age. Occasional clustering of such strains was observed in 3/22 wards during the study period. It is postulated that the general and local colonization patterns observed reflect differences between individual strains of E. coli and klebsiella in both their capacity for transmission and their persistence in the newborn gut. The role of P-fimbriae in intestinal colonization of neonates by E. coli was, however, not supported.     

Deficiencies of Vitamins in CAPD Patients: The Effect of Supplementation

Concentrations of the vitamins B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂, C, folic acid,A, E and ß-carotene were determined in blood and 24-hdialysate in 44 CAPD patients. Twenty-five of these patientswere studied during chronic treatment (mean 313 days, range60–1034 days). Nineteen patients were studied during training.In a longitudinal study, 11 patients were analysed again after77–507 (mean 238) days. In both patient groups a considerable portion of patients (11%–64%)had blood concentrations indicative of a deficiency of the vitaminsB₁, B₆, C and folic acid. The average concentrations of thesevitamins were normal in both groups. The only abnormal findingwas the mean EGOT activity being deficient in patients on chronictreatment. Mean concentrations of vitamin A were above normalin both groups. In the longitudinal study a significant increaseof vitamin B₂ and a decrease of vitamin B₆ in blood was found. When compared to 24-h excretion in normal urine, loss with 24-hdialysate was low for vitamin B₁, normal to relatively highfor vitamin B₂ and B₆, but extremely high for vitamin C andfolic acid. The vitamins B₁₂, A, E and carotenoids were hardlydetectable in the dialysate. In ten other patients the effect of daily supplementation with2 mg vitamin B₆, 100mg vitamin C and 400 µg folic acidwas analysed during a 16-week period. In all patients a significantincrease in blood concentrations was obtained. It is concludedthat these dosages were sufficient to maintain a normal statusof these vitamins in CAPD patients.     

一起阴囊皮炎爆发流行的调查与实验研究

本文报道了一起183例农民阴囊皮炎的爆发流行,发病率高达56.63%,不同的年龄、职业与发病率无显著差别,八月份为发病高峰。同时患有口角炎、舌炎并发症者占45.65%,取14例典型患者的阴囊鳞屑作真菌镜检,检出霉菌1例。85例患者经采用核黄素10mg,加复合维生素B10mg,每日两次连服七天进行试治,治愈率为96.47%(82/85),将19例患者与20例健康者对照,作4h尿中核黄素负荷试验比较,结果两者在统计学上具有显著性差别(u=2.11,P≤0.05)。经膳食营养调查,发现6~10月份核黄素供给不足47%。由此证明,发病与核黄素缺乏有关。     

Hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism and hypophosphatemic osteomalacia complicating neurofibromatosis

Summary Neurofibromatosis is sometimes complicated by impaired renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate, hypophosphatemia, and osteomalacia. Hyperparathyroidism has also been reported in patients with neurofibromatosis. When hypercalcemia and elevated levels of parathyroid hormone are found in osteomalacia, however, it may be difficult to determine if the hyperparathyroidism was primary or tertiary. We describe a patient with neurofibromatosis, hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism, hypophosphatemic osteomalacia, vitamin D deficiency, and clear-cell hyperplasia of all four parathyroid glands. Serial biomechanical, bone biopsy, and densitometric studies confirmed that treatment with ergocalciferol, calcium, and phosphate supplements significantly improved the osteomalacia but caused increased parathyroid overactivity. After subtotal parathyroidectomy, the parathyroid hormone concentration became normal and the bone mineral content increased at the spine and hip, but inappropriate phosphaturia persisted. The findings indicate that hyperparathyroidism, osteomalacia, and vitamin D deficiency adversely affect each other.     

前列腺素E1对尸体肾移植术后肾功能延迟恢复的影响

目的探讨前列腺素E1(PGE1)应用于尸体肾移植术后肾功能延迟恢复(DGF)患者对移植肾功能恢复的影响.方法回顾性分析因急性排斥(AR)和急性肾小管坏死(ANT)导致DGF的127例临床资料,其中应用PGE1治疗56例(PGE1组),未用PGE1者71例(对照组).比较两组在出现DGF后的透析治疗时间、肾功能恢复情况、彩超的移植肾血流阻力指数(RI)及6个月内AR发生率.结果与对照组比较,PGE1组透析治疗时间明显缩短(P＜0.05),移植肾的血肌酐下降速度快(P＜0.05),RI及6个月内AR发生率低(P＜0.05).结论PGE1有利于尸体肾移植术后DGF患者移植肾功能的早期恢复,并能降低AR的发生率.