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Biomedical subjects

B S Masters

Publications and source records attributed to B S Masters.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Sequence and transcriptional analysis of a chloroplast insert in the mitochondrial genome of Zea mays.

The complete sequence of a mitochondrial DNA insertional event containing the 3' portion of the chloroplast 23S-4.5S rRNA gene, the entire 5S rRNA gene and intervening sequence and all but the 3' 6 nucleotides of the arginine tRNA gene is reported. Also reported are both chloroplast/mitochondrial DNA junction sequences, 551 nucleotides of flanking mitochondrial sequences and the genomic location of this insert in Zea mays mitochondria. Utilizing the distinctive transcriptional pattern seen for mitochondrial RNA derived from root tissue relative to shoot tissue, we also reported a general experimental test for whether chloroplast sequences transposed to the mitochondrion are transcribed. Although results for the insert reported suggest it is transcriptionally inactive, the technique should be generally applicable to any transposed sequence.

Base Sequence↗

Omega-hydroxylation of prostaglandin E1 in the isolated perfused lungs of pregnant rabbits.

Cytochrome P450PG omega is induced in the rabbit lung in a gestational age-dependent manner and hydroxylates certain eicosanoids at their terminal, or omega (omega), carbon. This enzyme has been isolated from microsomal fractions and its activity has been characterized (Williams, D.E., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 259; 14600-14608, 1984). The experiments presented here examine the omega-hydroxylation activity of the intact lung during presentation of an eicosanoid substrate, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), to the lung vasculature. Isolated, perfused lungs from three pregnant and four nonpregnant rabbits were injected with [3H]-PGE1. One-second fractions were collected from the perfusion effluent and were analyzed for metabolism of PGE1. Lungs isolated from pregnant rabbits metabolized PGE1 mainly to two polar derivatives, 20-hydroxy-PGE1 and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-20-hydroxy-PGE1, whereas lungs from nonpregnant rabbits yielded mainly a relatively nonpolar metabolite, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE1. These metabolites were identified by coelution with standards that were generated enzymatically in vitro and whose structures were confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Alprostadil↗

Yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase is homologous to those encoded by bacteriophages T3 and T7.

Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the genetic locus for yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase (RPO41) reveals a continuous open reading frame with the coding potential for a polypeptide of 1351 amino acids, a size consistent with the electrophoretic mobility of this enzymatic activity. The transcription product from this gene spans the singular reading frame. In vivo transcript abundance reflects codon usage and growth under stringent conditions for mitochondrial biogenesis and function results in a several fold higher level of gene expression than growth under glucose repression. A comparison of the yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase amino acid sequence to those of E. coli RNA polymerase subunits failed to demonstrate any regions of homology. Interestingly, the mitochondrial enzyme is highly homologous to the DNA-directed RNA polymerases of bacteriophages T3 and T7, especially in regions most highly conserved between the T3 and T7 enzymes themselves.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis of a phosphorothioate analogue of flavin mononucleotide: reconstitution of the FMN-free form of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase.

The chemical synthesis of riboflavin 5'-phosphorothioate (5'-FMNS) is described. 5'-FMNS is obtained from the alkaline hydrolysis of riboflavin 4',5'-cyclic phosphorothioate, which is produced upon reaction of riboflavin (RB) with thiophosphoryl chloride in trimethyl phosphate. 5'-FMNS has been tested for enzymatic reconstitution of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase (EC 1.6.2.4) depleted of its FMN prosthetic group, but containing its full complement (1 equiv) of FAD. The synthesis, purification, and characterization of 5'-FMNS are reported, and documentation of its efficacy in reconstituting the reductase by fluorometric and absorbance spectrophotometric measurements, as well as enzymatic activity, is presented. Data indicate that 5'-FMNS is totally competent in reconstituting NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, which requires the presence of both FAD and a flavin mononucleotide, and its fluorescence is completely quenched upon addition to FMN-free NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase.

Flavin Mononucleotide↗

Differential expression of cytochrome P-450 1 and related forms in rabbit liver and kidney.

Monoclonal antibodies developed to cytochrome P-450 1, some of which react with proteins in addition to P-450 1, were used to investigate the differential expression of P-450 1 dependent 21-hydroxylase activity in renal tissue of rabbits exhibiting differences in hepatic 21-hydroxylase activity. Using immunohistochemical techniques, the monoclonal antibodies, 2F5 and 3C3, localized protein in the S2 and S3 segments of the proximal tubule in the renal cortex. These two monoclonal antibodies, 2F5 and 3C3, reacted with a kidney protein that migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a relative electrophoretic mobility that did not correspond to known rabbit hepatic isozymes and was termed P-450 K. Antibodies specific for P-450 1 and 3b, 1F11 and 8-27, respectively, produced no staining in kidney. The protein recognized by the 2F5 and 3C3 antibodies is immunologically distinct from cytochrome P-450s 1, 2, and 3b. The rate of 21-hydroxylation of progesterone was shown to be approximately 100-fold less in kidney than liver microsomes where this pathway is largely catalyzed by P-450 1. The activity of the kidney microsomes was not inhibited by antibodies directed to P-450 1. In addition, the variation observed for the 21-hydroxylase activity in the hepatic microsomal fraction of outbred New Zealand white rabbits was not evident in kidney microsomes from these same animals. The 2F5 antibody was found, however, to be inhibitory (about 50%) of the 11-hydroxylation of lauric acid in kidney microsomes. This suggests that P-450 K participates in lauric acid 11-hydroxylase activity. The treatment of rabbits with phenobarbital, but not 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, was found to induce the levels of P-450 K.

Animals↗

Regulation of the induction of a cytochrome P-450 prostaglandin omega-hydroxylase by pregnancy in rabbit lung.

The mechanism of induction of an adult rabbit cytochrome P-450, prostaglandin (PG) omega-hydroxylase (P-450PG-omega), during pregnancy has been investigated. This P-450 isozyme regiospecifically hydroxylates PGE1, PGA1, and PGF2 alpha at carbon-20 (the omega position). The specific activity of this enzyme is induced from 0.07 nmol of 20-OH-PGE1 to 3.05 nmol of 20-OH-PGE1 formed per min per mg of microsomal protein in the lungs of 25- to 28-day pregnant rabbits as compared to nonpregnant rabbits. Immunoblotting studies with a polyclonal antibody raised against this P-450 have shown that there is a concomitant gestational age-dependent increase in the amount of P-450PG-omega microsomal protein accompanying the increase of omega-hydroxylase activities. Within 3 days postpartum, both omega-hydroxylase activity and the amount of immunodetectable P-450PG-omega drop precipitously to near control levels. In vitro translation of total cellular RNA, extracted from the lungs of pregnant rabbits at various days throughout gestation, and immunoprecipitation of newly synthesized P-450PG-omega demonstrated a similar gestational age-dependent increase in translatable P-450PG-omega mRNA, as was observed with omega-hydroxylase activity and P-450PG-omega protein levels. These data suggest that the induction of this P-450 may occur at the transcriptional level and, furthermore, that control of cytochrome P-450PG-omega expression in the rabbit lung is tightly regulated at both protein and mRNA levels.

Animals↗

omega-Hydroxylation of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by lung microsomes from pregnant rabbits.

15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) was converted by lung microsomes from pregnant rabbits to a polar metabolite that was identified by mass spectrometry as the 15,20-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. The formation of the 20- or omega-hydroxylated product was NADPH dependent, with a specific activity of 1.87 +/- 0.53 nmol/min/mg of microsomal protein. Other hydroxylated derivatives of eicosatetraenoic acid that possessed hydroxy groups at the 5- and 12-carbon atoms were not metabolized by the lung microsomes. This hydroxylation of 15-HETE was observed in lung microsomes of pregnant rabbits and only minor amounts were formed by nonpregnant rabbits. The specific activity for 15-HETE omega-hydroxylation was similar to the value obtained for prostaglandin E1 (1.48 +/- 0.33 nmol/min/mg). It is known that rabbit lungs possess a cytochrome P-450 that is induced during pregnancy and catalyzes the 20-hydroxylation of prostaglandins. The addition of the antibody to cytochrome P-450 prostaglandin omega-hydroxylase or prostaglandin E1, a substrate of this enzyme, resulted in potent inhibition of 15-HETE omega-hydroxylation, providing strong evidence that a common cytochrome P-450 catalyzes the omega-hydroxylation of both prostaglandins and 15-HETE.

Animals↗

Localization of the free radical on the flavin mononucleotide of the air-stable semiquinone state of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase using 31P NMR spectroscopy.

Microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase is the only mammalian flavoprotein known to contain both FAD and FMN as prosthetic groups. The discovery of the air-stable semiquinone [Masters, B. S. S., Kamin, H., Gibson, Q. H., & Williams, C. H., Jr. (1965) J. Biol. Chem. 240, 921-931] and its identification as a one-electron-reduced state [Iyanagi, T., & Mason, H. S. (1973) Biochemistry 12, 2297-2308] have engendered a number of studies to elucidate its unique catalytic mechanism. In this paper, 31P NMR spectroscopy is utilized to probe the localization of the free radical in this air-stable semiquinone form and to ascertain the environments of the FAD and FMN prosthetic groups as affected by the paramagnetic ion Mn(II). Consistent with conclusions drawn from studies utilizing FMN-free reductase [Vermilion, J. L., & Coon, M. J. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 8812-8819], the free radical was shown to reside on the FMN moiety by the broadening of its characteristic resonance in the 31P NMR spectrum. In addition, the effect of the paramagnetic ion Mn(II) was determined on the four resonances attributable to FAD and FMN and the additional ones contributed by NADP+ resulting from the oxidation of the physiological reductant NADPH. The addition of Mn(II) had little effect on the line widths of the FMN and FAD signals but resulted in an increase in their intensities due to a decrease in T1 relaxation times.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Sex differences in cytochrome P-450 isozyme composition and activity in kidney microsomes of mature rainbow trout.

Kidney microsomes from sexually mature male, as opposed to female, rainbow trout displayed an approximately 20-fold higher cytochrome P-450 specific content, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, and rates of hydroxylation of lauric acid, testosterone, progesterone and aflatoxin B1. Little or no sex difference in metabolism was observed with benzo[a]pyrene or benzphetamine as substrates. A similar pattern was observed in hepatic microsomes from these fish, but the difference was much less striking (approximately 2-fold higher activity in males). Juvenile trout (both sexes) possessed activities intermediate between mature males and females. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of kidney and liver microsomes of juvenile and sexually mature male and female trout suggested that the striking sex difference in kidney could be due to the high amount of trout P-450 isozyme LM2 in sexually mature males. Immunoquantitation of LM2, performed by Western Blotting and immunostaining with rabbit anti-trout LM2-IgG, confirmed that mature male kidney contained much higher levels of P-450 LM2 than juvenile or female kidney, or even of liver microsomes of all three groups. The amount of P-450 LM2 in mature female kidney microsomes was barely detectable. The high amount of LM2 in male trout kidney is consistent with the high activity of these microsomes towards lauric acid and aflatoxin B1, which have been shown previously to be preferentially metabolized by trout P-450 LM2. It is suggested that rainbow trout may serve as an alternative to the rat as an animal model for the study of sex-dependent differences in cytochromes P-450.

Animals↗

Substrate specificity of the rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase for amines: oxidation products of primary alkylamines.

Substrate activity of a flavin-containing monooxygenase isolated from rabbit lung microsomes has been examined with a number of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines. Of the secondary and tertiary amines tested, trifluoperazine, prochlorperazine, N, N-dimethyloctylamine, desmethylperazine, and N-methyloctylamine half-saturate the enzyme at concentrations less than 100 microM. Although the lung enzyme does not exhibit detectable substrate activity with primary arylamines, it catalyzes N-oxygenation of alkylamines to oximes. Studies on the mechanism for the oxidation of n-dodecylamine suggest that the amine is first oxidized to the hydroxylamine which is then further oxidized to the oxime. This interpretation is based on product identification, kinetic studies, and changes in the ratio of hydroxylamine to oxime formed as a function of initial substrate concentration. Kinetic constants calculated for the oxidation of n-dodecylamine and n-dodecylhydroxylamine indicate that the latter saturates the enzyme at a 100-fold lower concentration than that required for the parent amine, and the hydroxylamine is the dominant product only at saturating concentrations of the amine. The ratio of substrate-dependent NADPH and O2 consumption and product formation (hydroxylamine + 2 X oxime) is approximately 1.0:0.9:0.7. Although the reason for the less than stoichiometric yield of products is not known, uncoupling of the enzyme by primary amines does not appear to be a major factor since substrate-dependent increase in H2O2 formation is never more than 3% of substrate-dependent O2 consumption.

Amines↗

Regulation of synthesis and activity of bovine adrenocortical NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase by ACTH.

Primary, monolayer cultures of bovine adrenocortical cells have been utilized to demonstrate that ACTH regulates the synthesis and thus the activity of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The temporal pattern of induction correlates well with that previously reported for cytochromes P-45017 alpha and P-450 C21, microsomal steroid hydroxylases serviced by P-450 reductase. Results of in vitro translation studies suggest that ACTH regulates P-450 reductase synthesis at the transcriptional level and show that the adrenocortical enzyme is synthesized as the mature form. The action of ACTH to induce P-450 reductase synthesis in the adrenal cortex can be mimicked by dibutyryl cAMP, but not by phenobarbital which induces P-450 reductase synthesis in liver.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Regulation of aromatase activity of rat granulosa cells: induction of synthesis of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase by FSH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

Aromatase is an enzyme complex that is composed of a specific form of cytochrome P-450 and a flavoprotein, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Aromatase activity of granulosa cells is increased markedly by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and by analogs of cyclic AMP. It was the objective of the present study to investigate the effects of FSH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) on the synthesis of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in rat granulosa cells maintained in vitro. Granulosa cells were obtained from the ovaries of diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated immature rats and were incubated in the presence of DES (10(-7) M), DES + FSH (250 ng/ml), or DES + Bt2cAMP (1 mM) for up to 72 h. After 72 h of incubation, aromatase activity of cells incubated with DES alone was 5 pmoles estrogen formed 2 h-1 mg-1 protein and was increased greater than 60-fold in cells incubated with FSH or Bt2cAMP. NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was immunoisolated from [35S]methionine-labeled lysates of granulosa cells incubated for 72 h in the absence or presence of stimulatory factors. The rate of synthesis of reductase was found to be increased about 3-fold in cells incubated with DES + FSH or DES + Bt2cAMP as compared to cells incubated with DES alone. By immunoblot analysis we found that the cellular content of reductase was increased about 2-fold by FSH and Bt2cAMP treatment. Reductase specific activity was 10 nmoles min-1 mg-1 protein in membrane fractions of DES-treated cells and was increased 1.6-fold by FSH treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase. Purification, characterization, and induction during pregnancy.

A flavin-containing monooxygenase has been purified to apparent homogeneity from lung microsomes of pregnant rabbits and characterized with respect to a number of physical and catalytic parameters. The apparent molecular weight, as determined on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 59,000, and the lung microsomal flavoprotein was shown to contain 14 nmol of FAD/mg of protein. Addition of NADP+ to the oxidized flavoprotein produced a shift in the spectrum characteristic of the flavin-containing monooxygenase from porcine liver, and addition of small amounts of NADPH to the oxidized rabbit lung enzyme produced a stable spectral intermediate consistent with that of a 4a-peroxyflavin. Rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase differed markedly from the porcine liver enzyme in exhibiting a broader pH optimum from 8.5-10.5, by not being inhibited by concentrations of sodium cholate as high as 1% and by withstanding, in the absence of NADPH, incubation at 45 degrees for at least 10 min with no significant loss of activity. Unlike the pig liver enzyme, purified rabbit lung enzyme was not activated by n-octylamine and, in fact, n-octylamine stimulated NADPH oxidation. A number of compounds known to be substrates of the pig liver enzyme, including benzphetamine, chlorpromazine, and imipramine, are not substrates for the rabbit lung enzyme, whereas prochlorperazine and trifluoperazine are excellent substrates. Antibodies to rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase were raised in guinea pig and utilized for the immunoquantitation of this enzyme throughout gestation. The activity (as determined by N,N-dimethylaniline-N-oxidation) and amount of rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase were maximally induced (5-fold) on the 28th day of gestation. Liver microsomes from rabbit did not contain any of the lung form of flavin-containing monooxygenase at any time during gestation, as evidenced by results from Western blotting. These results demonstrate that, at least in rabbit, flavin-containing monooxygenase can exist as more than a single form. The physiological significance of the induction of this enzyme during pregnancy is not known.

Amines↗

A prostaglandin omega-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-450PG-omega) purified from lungs of pregnant rabbits.

Cytochrome P-450-dependent prostaglandin omega-hydroxylation is induced over 100-fold during late gestation in rabbit pulmonary microsomes (Powell, W.S. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 6711-6716). Purification of cytochromes P-450 from lung microsomes of pregnant rabbits yielded three fractions. Two of these fractions correspond to rabbit lung P-450I (LM2) and P-450II (LM5), which together constitute 70-97% of total cytochrome P-450 in lung microsomes from nonpregnant rabbits. The third form, which we designate rabbit cytochrome P-450PG-omega, regioselectively hydroxylates prostaglandins at the omega-position in reconstituted systems with a turnover of 1-5 min-1. Titration with purified pig liver cytochrome b5, demonstrated a 4-fold maximum stimulation at a cytochrome b5 to a P-450 molar ratio of 1-2. Rabbit lung P-450PG-omega formed a typical type I binding spectrum upon the addition of prostaglandin E1 with a calculated K8 of 1 microM, which agreed reasonably well with the kinetically calculated Km of 3 microM. Cytochrome P-450PG-omega was isolated as a low-spin isozyme with a lambda max (450 nm) in the CO-difference spectrum distinguishable from P-450I (451 nm) and P-450II (449 nm). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis demonstrated that although purified P-450PG-omega had a relatively low specific content (12.1 nmol mg-1), it appeared homogeneous with a calculated minimum Mr of 56,000, intermediate between rabbit LM4 and LM6. When lung microsomes from pregnant and nonpregnant rabbit were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a protein band, with a Mr identical to P-450PG-omega, was observed in the pregnant rabbit, whereas this band appeared to be very faint or absent in microsomes from the nonpregnant rabbit. Purification of cytochromes P-450 from nonpregnant rabbit lung yielded only P-450I and P-450II. P-450PG-omega appears to be a novel rabbit P-450, possessing high activity towards omega-hydroxylation of prostaglandins, and is greatly induced during pregnancy in rabbit lung.

Animals↗

Rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase is immunochemically and catalytically distinct from the liver enzyme.

Flavin-containing monooxygenase has been purified to homogeneity from lung microsomes of pregnant rabbits. Antibody to rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase was raised in guinea pig. Ouchterlony double diffusion analysis with this antibody produced precipitin lines of identity with the purified rabbit lung enzyme and lung microsomes from pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits. No cross-reaction was seen with liver microsomes from rabbit or with purified pig liver enzyme. The tricyclic antidepressant drugs, imipramine and chlorpromazine, are not substrates for the rabbit lung enzyme, whereas they are rapidly oxidized by the pig liver enzyme. These results indicate that rabbit lung and liver flavin-containing monooxygenases differ in substrate specificity, are immunochemically distinct proteins, and may be different gene products.

Aniline Compounds↗

Regiospecific hydroxylation of lauric acid at the (omega-1) position by hepatic and kidney microsomal cytochromes P-450 from rainbow trout.

Microsomes from liver or kidney of untreated rainbow trout hydroxylated lauric acid specifically at the (omega-1) position. Turnover numbers for liver (2.72 min-1) and kidney (14.1 min-1) were decreased seven- and twofold, respectively, following treatment with beta-naphthoflavone. Laurate hydroxylation activity from untreated trout hepatic microsomes was sensitive to inhibition by SKF-525A, but was not sensitive to metyrapone and only partially inhibited by alpha-naphthoflavone. The temperature optimum of laurate (omega-1) hydroxylation in trout liver microsomes was 25-30 degrees C. The Km and Vmax for (omega-1)- hydroxylaurate formation was 50 microM and 1.63 nmol min-1 mg-1, respectively, in liver and 20 microM and 3.95 nmol min-1 mg-1, respectively, in kidney from untreated trout microsomes. (omega-1) Hydroxylation of laurate, in both liver and kidney microsomes, was sensitive to an antibody raised against a previously purified cytochrome P-450 isozyme (LM2) of trout liver microsomes, which has been shown to be active towards aflatoxin B1. Antibody to the major isozyme of cytochrome P-450 ( LM4b , active towards benzo(a)pyrene) induced by beta-naphthoflavone did not inhibit (omega-1) hydroxylation of laurate in microsomes from untreated or beta-naphthoflavone-treated trout.

Animals↗

Evidence for the presence of cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 and adrenodoxin in fresh granulosa cells. Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and cyclic AMP on cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 synthesis and activity.

The synthesis of cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 (cytochrome P-450scc) and adrenodoxin was studied both in freshly harvested bovine granulosa cells and in granulosa cells maintained in primary monolayer culture. In addition, the action of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and cyclic AMP analogs to stimulate the synthesis of cytochrome P-450scc was investigated in cultured cells. Precursor forms of cytochrome P-450scc and adrenodoxin were immunoisolated from a cell-free translation system directed by RNA prepared from freshly obtained granulosa cells that were not luteinized. Furthermore, the presence of cytochrome P-450scc in lysates of granulosa cells freshly obtained from very small follicles (containing less than 0.1 ml of follicular fluid) and in mitochondria of freshly obtained granulosa cells was demonstrated by using an immunoblotting technique. Continuous treatment of cultured granulosa cells with FSH or with cyclic AMP analogs (dibutyryl cyclic AMP or 8-bromo cyclic AMP) for 72 h increased incorporation of [35S]methionine into immunoprecipitable cytochrome P-450scc. Moreover, FSH, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and 8-bromo cyclic AMP stimulated pregnenolone production by cultured granulosa cells (2.3-, 4.0-, and 7.5-fold increase over control, respectively), indicative of an increase in cholesterol side chain cleavage activity. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time the presence of two components of the cholesterol side chain cleavage system in freshly obtained granulosa cells, and provide direct evidence for the trophic effect of FSH and its presumed mediator, cyclic AMP, on the synthesis of cytochrome P-450scc in granulosa cells.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Effect of circulating fibronectin on stimulation of leukocyte oxygen consumption and serum opsonizing function in burned patients.

In a study of 27 thermally burned patients (mean TBSA, 58%; range, 32-96%) serum fibronectin levels were decreased with parallel decreased oxygen consumption of stimulated peripheral blood phagocytes and decreased EGTA-blocked burn serum opsonizing activity which correlated with serum fibronectin changes postburn. Normal and burn sera fibronectin content also correlated with the opsonizing times for zymosan and Staphylococcus aureus but not for Enterobacteriaceae. Although in vivo 14 cases showed circulating fibronectin 140 micrograms/ml or lower and a marked decrease in Staphylococcus aureus opsonization, only two patients from this group revealed positive Staphylococcus aureus blood cultures and serum fibronectin levels were higher in patients with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis than in patients with Enterobacteriaceae sepsis. Supplementary experiments on leukocyte oxidative response after zymosan stimulation in normal, fibronectin-depleted, and fibronectin-reconstituted serum demonstrated that the lag period of oxygen burst is a fibronectin-dependent reaction.

Adolescent↗