On the quantification of prothrombin from different species using echis carinatus as activator

The generation of thrombin-like activity from rat, human, bovine and mouse prothrombin by Echis carinatus venom (ECV) treatment was compared using a partially purified system (i.e. whole ECV and isolated prothrombin). A rapid increase in coagulant activity was obtained within 0.5 to 2 min., being constant upon further incubation for 60 min. A large variation in coagulant activity of the ECV generated thrombin from the four species was found, whereas no differences were found for the amidolytic activities. The coagulant activities of the ECV generated thrombin was also low compared with the corresponding thrombin activities obtained by physiological activation. Coagulant activity of the ECV generated thrombin levelled off at increasing concentration of prothrombin in the sample as measured by the one-stage coagulation assay. By measuring amidolytic activity a linear relationship to the concentration of prothrombin was found, however. These findings indicate that ECV converts prothrombin from the four different species to a thrombin-like protein with properties distinct from -thrombin. The lack of linearity in the ECV generated clot activity with increasing concentration of prothrombin could be explained by assuming a dimerization of the thrombin like protein molecules making them less accessible to fibrinogen. The significance of these observations for the quantification of prothrombin from different species is discussed.     

PTEN基因敲除降低辐射敏感性及其机制

目的 探讨PTEN基因敲除对辐射敏感性的影响及机制。方法 采用流式细胞术检测MEF1和MEF1/PTEN^－/－细胞内ROS水平;采用Western blot方法,检测H₂O₂和DPI预处理后AKT激酶的表达变化;采用细胞克隆形成率试验分析细胞对⁶⁰Co γ射线的敏感性。结果 PTEN基因敲除后细胞ROS水平增加,辐射敏感性降低。H₂O₂和DPI预处理后影响MEF1细胞AKT激酶活性,但对MEF1/Pten^－/－细胞无影响。 结论 PTEN基因敲除阻断了ROS对AKT的介导,AKT激酶持续活化,可能是辐射敏感性降低的重要原因。     

谷胱甘肽、自由基在砷剂诱导卵巢癌细胞凋亡中的作用

目的　观察谷胱甘肽、自由基在砷剂诱导卵巢癌细胞凋亡中的作用。方法　砷剂孵育卵巢癌细胞 4 8h后 ,琼脂糖凝胶电泳及流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡 ,分光光度法检测细胞内谷胱甘肽、活性氧及丙二醛含量。结果　砷剂具有诱导卵巢癌细胞凋亡作用 ,砷剂诱导后细胞内谷胱甘肽含量减少 (P <0 .0 1)、活性氧及丙二醛含量增加(P <0 .0 5 )。结论　氧化还原系统的改变是砷剂诱导卵巢癌细胞凋亡的重要途径之一。     

Effects of cepharanthin on neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species generation.

The effects of cepharanthin on inflammatory parameters such as neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, were examined. Cepharanthin significantly decreased the levels of O2-, H2O2, and OH. generated by neutrophils. H2O2 and OH. generated in a cell-free, xanthine-xanthine oxidase system were also reduced in the presence of cepharanthin. However, the drug did not affect neutrophil chemotaxis or phagocytosis. The present study indicates that cepharanthin is an effective ROS scavenger, exerting its anti-inflammatory action by reducing the potent ROS species excessively generated in tissues and organs, especially at the sites of inflammation.     

氧化作用与子宫内膜异位症

子宫内膜异位症是育龄妇女的常见疾病 ,近年来其发病率有上升趋势 ,研究认为EM发生发展与腹腔氧化作用有关。氧化作用是一种炎症反应 ,EM中巨噬细胞释放的氧化活性物 ,腹腔液中氧化低密度脂蛋白及其产物的增加 ,子宫内膜细胞氧化酶与抗氧化酶的异常表达 ,腹腔液中VitE的消耗 ,均说明EM与腹腔氧化作用有关。本文综述有关研究结果为用抗氧化剂和抗炎症制剂预防EM发生提供新的研究途径     

袍甲螨属在我国首次发现及一新种记述（蜱螨亚纲：袍甲螨科）

本文记述了新种三歧袍甲螨Ｅｒｅｍａｅｏｚｅｔｅｓｔｒｉｆｕｒｃｕｓｓｐ．ｎｏｖ，模式标本采自广东省珠海海滨土壤中，保存于白求恩医科大学生物学教研室。     

Active oxygen species generated by monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells in Crohn's disease

Chemiluminescence (CL) analysis of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) was performed on 13 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 10 healthy volunteers. The percentages of monocyte populations in mononuclear cells obtained from the patients with CD were greater than those from the healthy volunteers, but the numbers of PMNs were not different between the two groups. The peak level of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced CL activity generated by diluted whole blood from the patients with CD was more significantly elevated than that from the healthy volunteers, whereas the peak levels of opsonized zymosan-induced CL activity did not differ between the two groups. In monocytes, the peak levels of both PMA- and opsonized zymosan-induced CL activity were significantly higher in the patients with CD than in the healthy volunteers. CL in PMNs, however, showed no significant difference between CD and controls. It is suggested that monocytes of CD have a large capacity to generate active oxygen species. The present study suggests that excessive active oxygen species released by monocytes and perhaps macrophages may play an important role in formation of the intestinal lesions in CD.This work was supported by the Grant of Tokuteishitsukan from the Japanese Ministry of Welfare and Health.     

Blockade of superoxide generation prevents high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptor-mediated release of allergic mediators by rat mast cell line and human basophils

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that rat peritoneal mast cells and mast cell model rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL-2H3) cells generate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to antigen challenge. However, the physiological significance of the burst of ROS is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of superoxide anion in mediator release in rat and human cell systems. METHODS: RBL-2H3 cells were directly stimulated with anti-rat FcepsilonRI alpha-subunit monoclonal antibody (mAb). For the analysis of human cell system, leucocytes were isolated by dextran sedimentation from healthy volunteers or from patients, and challenged either with anti-human FcepsilonRI mAb or with the relevant antigens. Superoxide generation was determined by chemiluminescence-based methods. The releases of histamine and leukotrienes (LT)s were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorben assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Cross-linking of FcepsilonRI on RBL-2H3 cells or on human leucocytes from healthy donors by the anti-FcepsilonRI mAb resulted in a rapid generation of superoxide anion, as determined by chemiluminescence using superoxide-specific probes. Similarly, leucocytes from patients generated superoxide anion in response to the challenge with the relevant allergen but not with the irrelevant allergen. Furthermore, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a well-known inhibitor of flavoenzymes suppressed the superoxide generation and the release of histamine and LTC4 induced by the anti-FcepsilonRI mAb or by allergen in parallel. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that both RBL-2H3 cells and human basophils generate superoxide anion upon FcepsilonRI cross-linking either by antibody or by allergen challenge and that blockade of the generation prevents the release of allergic mediators. The findings strongly support the role of superoxide generation in the activation of mast cells and basophils under both physiological and pathological conditions. The findings suggest that drugs regulating the superoxide generation have potential therapeutic use for allergic disorders.