CNS access of selected H3-antagonists: ex vivo binding study in rats

Inflammation Research -     

Nonradioactive quantification of low concentrations of hemoglobin A by HPLC for midtrimester prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia.

The usual methods for prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies by assay of fetal blood erythrocytes are either complex (analysis of globin chains synthesis by carboxymethylcellulose chromatography) or only semiquantitative [isoelectric focusing of hemoglobin (Hb)]. To further simplify the diagnostic procedure and to obtain quantitative data, we measured the small concentrations of Hb A in fetal erythrocytes by using a high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument (DIAMAT-TM; Bio-Rad) equipped with the new column proposed for measuring Hb A2. We analyzed 212 uncontaminated fetal blood samples obtained by cordocentesis between the 18th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy, using the HPLC procedure, and compared the results with those obtained by the above-named methods. The Hb A values obtained ranged between 0% and 8.5%; they were less than or equal to 1.8% in 44 fetuses affected by homozygous beta-thalassemia and greater than 2.5% in 168 unaffected fetuses. The method was simple, rapid, and reproducible (CV 3.2%) and there was good correlation between Hb A concentrations determined by HPLC and the beta/gamma ratio determined by carboxymethylcellulose chromatography (r = 0.7687; P less than 0.0001). No false-negative or false-positive results were observed, and there was no overlap of values between affected and unaffected fetuses.     

The laryngeal status of the workers of 2 plants producing primary aluminum]

The paper reports the results of an indirect laryngoscopic investigation performed in the two-year period 1988-89 on 347 workers in two different primary aluminium production plants. A model is proposed for classification of the laryngeal state into 4 classes of increasing severity of clinical findings. An analysis was made of the statistical relationship between laryngeal class, occupational exposure, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and age. A multivariate analysis of the data was performed using the logistic regression test. Smoking and age were shown to have a statistically significant influence (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.005 respectively) on the development of chronic laryngitis. No statistically significant difference was observed for alcohol consumption and in the comparison between workers and controls.     

Increased frequency of CFTR gene mutations in sarcoidosis: a case/control association study

A complete screening of the CFTR gene by DGGE and DNA sequencing was performed in patients with sarcoidosis. In 8/26 cases, missense and splicing CFTR gene mutations were found, a significant difference over controls (9/89) from the same population (P = 0.014). The odds ratio for a person with a CFTR gene mutation to develop the disease is 3.95 (1.18 < OR < 13.26). Seven different CFTR gene mutations were observed: R75Q, R347P, 621 + 3 A/G, 1898 + 3 A/G, L997F, G1069R, and a novel mutation which was detected in this study, I991V. R75Q mutation was present in 3/26 patients, a significant increase (P = 0. 01) in cases over controls, indicating its preferential association with sarcoidosis. A trend towards disease progression was observed in patients with CFTR gene mutations compared to patients without mutations. These data suggest that CFTR gene mutations predispose to the development of sarcoidosis.     

Activation of cellular functions in macrophages by venom secretory Asp-49 and Lys-49 phospholipases A(2).

The in vitro effects of myotoxin III (MT-III), an Asp-49 catalytically-active phospholipase A(2), and myotoxin II (MT-II), a catalytically-inactive Lys-49 variant, isolated from Bothrops asper snake venom, on phagocytosis and production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) by thioglycollate-elicited macrophages were investigated. MT-II and MT-III were cytotoxic to mouse peritoneal macrophages at concentrations higher than 25 microg/ml. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, MT-II stimulated Fcgamma, complement, mannose and beta-glucan receptors-mediated phagocytosis, whereas MT-III stimulated only the mannose and beta-glucan receptors-mediated phagocytosis. Moreover, both myotoxins induced the release of H(2)O(2) by thioglycollate-elicited macrophages, MT-III being the most potent stimulator. MT-II induced the release of H(2)O(2) only at a concentration of 3.2 microg/ml (130% increment) while MT-III induced this effect at all concentrations tested (0.5-2.5 microg/ml; average of 206% increment). It is concluded that, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, MT-II and MT-III activate defense mechanisms in macrophages up regulating phagocytosis, mainly via mannose and beta-glucan receptors, and the respiratory burst.     

Inflammation induced by Bothrops asper venom: release of proinflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids, and role of adhesion molecules in leukocyte infiltration.

Bothrops asper venom (BaV) causes systemic and local effects characterized by an acute inflammatory reaction with accumulation of leukocytes and release of endogenous mediators. In this study, the effects of BaV on the release of the cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha and the eicosanoids LTB4 and TXA2 in the peritoneal cavity of mice were analyzed. We also investigated the participation of beta2 integrin chain, l-selectin, LFA-1, ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 adhesion molecules in the BaV-induced leukocyte accumulation. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha, as well as eicosanoids LTB4 and TXA2 were significantly increased after BaV injection (250 microg/kg), whereas no increment in IL-1 was observed. Anti-mouse l-selectin, LFA-1, ICAM-1, PECAM-1 and beta2 integrin chain monoclonal antibodies resulted in a reduction of neutrophil accumulation induced by BaV injection compared with isotype-matched control injected animals. These data suggest that BaV is able to induce the activation of leukocytes and endothelium to express adhesion molecules involved in the recruitment of neutrophils into the inflammed site. Furthermore, these results showed that BaV induces the release of cytokines and eicosanoids in the local of the venom injection; these inflammatory mediators may be important for the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory reaction characteristic from Bothrops sp envenomation.