Dietary polyamines promote the growth of azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci in rat colon

We have examined whether dietary polyamines influence the formation and initial growth of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rat colon. Effects of a combination of dietary polyamines at three dose levels (putrescine: 50, 280, 740 nmol/g; spermidine: 10, 261, 763 nmol/g; spermine: 1, 31, 91 nmol/g) in the polyamine-poor AIN-76A diet were studied in animals in two different experimental situations: animals treated with AOM alone and animals treated with AOM + difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a specific inhibitor of endogenous polyamine synthesis. In both experimental situations, dietary polyamines enhanced the growth of ACF, expressed as the number of large ACF (foci with three or more aberrant crypts, ACF > or = 3), whereas the formation of ACF, expressed as the number of ACF, was apparently not altered. In animals treated with AOM alone, maximal growth enhancing effect on ACF was nearly obtained with the median level of dietary polyamine. In rats fed a low polyamine diet, basic AIN-76A, DFMO reduced the growth of AOM-induced ACF by 83%. This inhibitory effect of DFMO was counteracted by dietary polyamines in a dose- dependent manner, and it was abolished at the highest level of polyamines. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that dietary polyamines are able to enhance the growth of AOM-induced ACF. Further, dietary polyamines reversed the DFMO-caused inhibition of ACF growth, probably by compensating for the DFMO-reduced endogenous polyamine synthesis.      

Antimutagenic properties of benzodiazapine tranquilizers

Translated from Khimiko-farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 23, No. 7, pp. 784–786, July, 1989.     

Coenzyme Q(10), vitamin E, selenium, and methionine in the treatment of chronic recurrent viral mucocutaneous infections

ObjectiveHost defense and latency determinants in viral recurrent dermatologic infections are not entirely understood, as conventional protocols are inadequate to achieve fast healing and relapse prevention. Endogenously produced oxygen/nitrogen reactive species (ROS/RNS) are essential for antiviral immune defense, while their excess may aggravate skin inflammation. Here, we sought a nutritional approach capable of controlling ROS/RNS balance to accelerate recovery and inhibit recurrences of two mucocutaneous chronic DNA-virus infections.MethodsTwo controlled clinical trials evaluated the feasibility of ROS/RNS-modulating nutriceutical dosages of coenzyme Q₁₀, RRR-α-tocopherol, selenium aspartate, and L-methionine associated with established therapies. Clinical trial 1 evaluated 68 patients with relapsing human papillomavirus skin warts treated with cryotherapy followed by 180 d of nutriceutical/placebo administration. Clinical trial 2 compared the combination of acyclovir followed by 90 d of nutriceutical administration versus acyclovir alone in patients with recurrences of herpes simplex genitalis (n = 60) or herpes zoster (n = 29). Viral DNA levels were assessed by polymer chain reaction, biomarkers of antiviral defense (peroxynitrite and IFNα/γ) and antioxidant capacity (lipophilic antioxidants and glutathione) were assayed by biochemical/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques in blood fractions.ResultsIn both trials, the nutriceutical induced significantly faster healing (P < 0.01-0.05) with reduced incidence of relapses (P < 0.05) as compared to control groups, which was confirmed by decreased viral load and increased antiviral cytokine and peroxynitrite plasma levels. Plasma antioxidant capacity was higher (P < 0.01) in the experimental versus control groups.ConclusionsResults document positive clinical outcomes of the selected nutriceutical associated with conventional protocols in the management of relapsing mucocutaneous human papillomavirus and herpes infections.     

Membrane fluorescent probes for the demonstration of lymphocyte population heterogeneity. I. T and B lymphocytes of mice and rats

Non-fixed lymphocytes of rats and mice were stained with the membrane fluorescent probe, 3-methoxybenzanthrone. The probe is capable of binding preferentially with lymphocyte membranes and fluoresces in the green spectral region. Microfluorometry of single cells showed that lymphocytes differ in all lymphoid organs and these may be a 3–10-fold variation in fluorescence intensity. Lymphocytes can be divided into two groups according to fluorescence intensity: ‘bright’ and ‘dim’. The proportions of ‘bright’ and ‘dim’ cells were determined in rats and mice for various lymphoid organs in the normal state, after thymectomy and cyclophosphamide treatment, and also after lymphocyte separation on a nylon wool column.In all cases the proportion of bright lymphoctes corresponded to the B-cell content, and the proportion of dim lymphocytes corresponded to the content of T-cells.     

Activity of antioxidant enzymes in the skin during surgical wounds

Full-thickness skin wounds (460 mm²) in rats were associated with increased blood chemiluminescence and neutrophil infiltration of the wound tissue and surrounding skin (recorded by myeloperoxidase activity). Activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase in the skin and wound tissue increased on days 4 and 8. A correlation was revealed between activities of these enzymes and myeloperoxidase activity. Activities of myeloperoxidase and catalase increased in patient’s skin excised during plastic surgeries of more than 2.5 h duration. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 12, pp. 622–625, December, 2006     

Comparative characteristics of the biological aggressiveness of welding dusts

The article contains a study of the cytotoxic properties of welding dusts (WD) and their capacity to activate lipoid peroxidation (LP) depending on the particles of chemical composition. A correlation was established between the WD cytotoxic properties, activation of LP in the lungs and the concentration of cremnium dioxide.