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Biomedical subjects

G Volden

Publications and source records attributed to G Volden.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The production of tumour necrosis factor, tissue thromboplastin, lactoferrin and cathepsin C during lipopolysaccharide stimulation in whole blood.

The release of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), lactoferrin (LF) and cathepsin C (CC) into plasma and production of thromboplastin (TPL) in monocytes were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated heparinized whole blood from 10 healthy donors. The influence of dextran 70, haemaccel and methylprednisolone on levels of these parameters were examined. TNF concentration in plasma 5 min after the addition of LPS (0 h) was 250 pg/ml (median), 520 pg/ml after 1 h and 1300 pg/ml after 3 h. The addition of dextran 70 to the blood in addition to LPS at the same intervals gave significantly higher values of 740 pg/ml and 1800 pg/ml after 1 h and 3 h respectively. Unstimulated cells had no TPL but after 1 h with LPS, the TPL activity in incubated cells was 2.3 mU/10(6) monocytes and after 3 h, 2.7 mU/10(6) monocytes. LPS induced the secretion of LF from granulocytes (PMN) and the levels 5 min after the addition of LPS (0 h) were 2.1 mg/l (control 0.2 mg/l) and after 1 h, 5.3 mg/l (control 1.3 mg/l) in plasma after LPS stimulation. Haemaccel enhanced the LPS-induced generation of TPL in monocytes and production of CC. The LPS-induced secretion of LF was, to a small extent, influenced by the three reagents tested. Methylprednisolone (1 mmol/l) reduced the production and appearance of TNF in plasma and the generation of TPL activity in monocytes. This model for stimulating heparinized whole blood is suitable for examination of the production and appearance of cellular factors and the influence of drugs on this production.

Adult↗

Degradation of human epidermal keratin by cod trypsin and extracts of fish intestines.

Cod Gadus morhua and bovine trypsin degraded human epidermal keratin with similar efficacies in vitro around optimal pH, which was at pH 8.4 for cod trypsin and at pH 9.5 for bovine trypsin. Extract of intestines of cod, Atlantic herring Clupea harengus, Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, and redfish Sebastes marinus degraded keratin with similar efficacies with pH optima between 8.5 and 9.5. Sheets of plantar callus were degraded with somewhat lower efficacy than keratin. The keratin-degrading activity of extract of cod intestines had a temperature optimum around 45 degrees C. Inhibition with benzamidine and 4-phenylbutylamine showed that trypsin amounted to more than 2/3 of the keratin-degrading activity in all extracts of fish intestines. Apart from cod intestines, which had the lowest chymotrypsin content, chymotrypsin made a smaller but significant contribution to the keratin-degrading activity. The present investigation demonstrates that fish trypsin and extract of fish intestines are effective in degrading human epidermal keratin in vitro, and in a recent investigation the same was shown with fish pepsin. This may suggest a possible mechanism for the development of irritative contact eczema caused by exposure to fish.

Animals↗

Retinoids plus PUVA (RePUVA) and PUVA in mycosis fungoides, plaque stage. A report from the Scandinavian Mycosis Fungoides Group.

Sixty-nine patients with mycosis fungoides, plaque stage, were treated in an open study with photochemotherapy (PUVA) or the combination of oral retinoids and PUVA (RePUVA). The response rate of Re-PUVA was equal to that of PUVA, with complete remission in 73% and 72%, respectively. Remissions were obtained with fewer PUVA sessions, and with a lower UVA dosage, if PUVA was combined with retinoids. A lower UVA dosage was needed if treatment was given four times weekly in stead of twice weekly. The duration of the remissions tended to be prolonged if retinoids were given as maintenance therapy.

Adult↗

Ultraviolet radiation at high latitudes and the risk of skin cancer.

Solar irradiance in the spectral region 280 to 800 nm was measured with a double monochromator at 2 locations in Norway, Tromsø (69.7 degrees N) and Longyearbyen (78.2 degrees N). During the observational (midnight sun) period in Longyearbyen, the maximum UVB irradiance recorded was less than 0.3 W/m2, and no radiation was detected for wavelengths below 300 nm. Such low levels are believed to be a consequence of the low solar elevation angle and the high ozone content of the Arctic ozone layer, which absorbs the incident UV light. With levels between 280 and 350 DU over the period of study, Tromsø and Longyearbyen recorded only one-ninth of the calculated UVB radiation at the equator. There is therefore a considerably higher risk of radiation damage to the skin in equatorial regions (controlling for skin type), a finding that agrees with the statistical evidence for a 7-8 times higher rate of skin cancer in the white population of equatorial countries.

Absorption↗

A simple assay for determining keratin and collagen degradation in vitro.

A simple assay measuring degradation of human epidermal keratin and bovine tendon collagen is presented. Insoluble protein substrate (30 mg) was incubated with 1 ml buffer and enzyme sample for 1 h at 37 degrees C, following addition of 1 ml distilled water and removal of the remaining substrate by filtration/centrifugation. The protein content was determined in the filtrate/supernatant by the Lowry method. Keratin was prepared as follows: Freeze-drying, homogenization in a mortar or beetling mill, extraction in 0.9% (w/v) NaCl followed by water and 100% ethanol, drying at 37 degrees C. The assay was tested with pig pepsin, bovine trypsin, and crude extract of fish stomach, demonstrating that these preparations are effective in degrading human epidermal keratin.

Animals↗

Degradation of human epidermal keratin by fish pepsin.

Stomach extract of Atlantic herring Clupea harengus, Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, cod Gadus morhua, redfish Sebastes marinus, and plaice Pleuronectes platessa, degraded human epidermal keratin effectively in vitro. The keratin-degrading activity of all extracts showed a pH optimum around 3.3-3.4, and sheets of plantar callus were degraded with about the same efficacy as keratin. Pepstatin sensitivity, heat lability, and the acidic pH optimum demonstrated that the keratin-degrading activity was pepsin. The keratin-degrading activity of cod stomach extract had a temperature optimum of around 42 degrees C at optimal pH, and showed a similar pH dependency with collagen as with keratin as substrate. The keratin-degrading activity of pepsin I and pepsin II purified from cod showed a pH optimum of 3.7 and 3.1, respectively, similar to that obtained with hemoglobin as substrate. Pig pepsin showed a pH optimum of about 2 with keratin, hemoglobin, and collagen as substrates. The present investigation demonstrates that fish pepsin is effective in degrading human epidermal keratin in vitro, and in a contemporary study the same was shown with fish trypsin. This may suggest a possible mechanism for the development of irritative hand eczema caused by exposure to fish and acidified fish material.

Animals↗

Genotypic and phenotypic markers in the differentiation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains.

Restriction enzyme (RE) patterns, using Hind III enzyme, were analysed on 101 urogenital strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The strains were also analysed serologically, using monoclonal antibodies, and tested for nutritional requirements by auxotyping. In addition, testing susceptibility to doxycycline was performed by an agar-dilution method. The strains were distributed into 23 RE patterns, of which the five most common accounted for 67.3% of all isolates. The same strains were distributed into 17 serovars, of which the four most common accounted for 77.3% of all isolates. Eleven auxotypes were demonstrated, of which the four most common accounted for 85.1% of all isolates. When the methods were combined, 38 combinations of RE patterns and serovars, 25 combinations of RE patterns and auxotypes, and 31 combinations of serovars and auxotypes were seen. Combining all three methods, 40 combinations of RE patterns, serovars and auxotypes were found. Correlations were particularly seen between RE patterns and auxotypes. The strains were moderately sensitive to doxycycline, those with serological markers for WII/WIII being less sensitive than those with markers for WI.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Lysosomal enzyme pattern in lung lymph and blood during E. coli sepsis in sheep.

Systemic release of lysosomal enzymes and local release in the pulmonary microcirculation from sequestrated and activated leucocytes could be an important factor in the development of the lung microvascular injury seen after septicaemia. The maximal activities of 11 lysosomal acid hydrolases (acid phosphatase, alpha- and beta-glucosidase, alpha- and beta-galactosidase, alpha-mannosidase, beta-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, arylamidase and cathepsins B and C) were measured in serum and lung lymph from seven sheep before and after infusion of live E. coli bacteria. In the early phase of septicaemia (the first hour) the activities of eight enzymes were increased in serum and/or lung lymph (1.1 to 2X pre-infusion values). In the late phase, 3-4 h after sepsis, there were significantly elevated serum activities of beta-glucosidase (5.4X), alpha- and beta-galactosidases (2.7X, 1.5X), beta-acetylglucosaminidase (2.0X) arylamidase (1.2X) and cathespin B (1.7X). In lymph acid phosphatase (1.7X), alpha- and beta-glucosidases (1.6X, 6.4X), alpha- and beta-galactosidases (2.1X, 1.7X). Beta-acetylglucosaminidase (2.6X), and beta-glucuronidase (4.0X pre-infusion) were elevated. The findings of a heterogenicity of changes in serum and lymph activities, as well as the large molecular sizes of some of the enzymes with changed activities indicated to us that permeability changes were not major causes of increased lymph enzyme activities. The results could indicate a local release of enzymes either from sequestrated leucocytes or lung tissue due to local reactions in the lung or lung microvessels. The heterogenous changes in activities for the various lysosomal enzymes as found in the present study indicated that measurement of only one enzyme could be misleading.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The effect of pregnancy on functions of inflammatory cells in healthy women and in patients with rheumatic disease.

Chemiluminescence (CL) after zymosan stimulated phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) and mononuclear cells (MNC), random migration of PMN and intra- and extracellular activities of nine lysosomal enzymes were assessed serially in 8 healthy women and 10 women with rheumatic disease during and after pregnancy. A gestational increase of lysosomal enzymes in serum and enhancement of PMN random migration was observed in all women. Significant differences between healthy and rheumatic women were found for CL of phagocytic cells. In healthy women, CL of PMN was slightly enhanced, while it remained unchanged in MNC during pregnancy. In patients, CL of PMN was markedly suppressed, while MNC CL increased during gestation. An inverse relationship between CL and intracellular enzyme activities was noted. Thus, the presence of an inflammatory state seemed to influence the gestational behavior of phagocytic cells.

Female↗

Retinoids and systemic chemotherapy in cases of advanced mycosis fungoides. A report from the Scandinavian Mycosis Fungoides Group.

In cases of advance mycosis fungoides, the systemic chemotherapy combination of bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone was given to 8 cases, and the same 3-drug combination with the addition of oral retinoids given to 12 cases. All cases were in a progressive phase of the disease. Remission was obtained in 5/8 cases treated with the combination and in 7/12 cases treated with the combination plus retinoids. The remissions were complete in half of the cases, but relapse occurred within 3 to 6 months in all but 2 cases. The two treatment patient groups were not fully comparable but the conclusion is that the addition of retinoids to systemic chemotherapy combination regimens is of some advantage. There still exists, however, need of more adequate treatment modalities in advanced mycosis fungoides.

Bleomycin↗

Oral retinoids in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: a comparison of isotretinoin and etretinate. A study from the Scandinavian Mycosis Fungoides Group.

Thirty-nine patients with mycosis fungoides in various stages or Sézary syndrome were treated with isotretinoin and 29 with etretinate as single drug therapy. Complete remission within 2 months was obtained with isotretinoin in 8 cases (21%) and partial remission in another 15 cases (38%). Etretinate induced complete remission in 5 cases (21%) and partial remission in 11 (46%). Only 1 case with Sézary syndrome went into partial remission. The first sign of remission occurred in 2 to 4 weeks. During continued treatment remissions could not always be maintained. Isotretinoin and etretinate were considered to be of equal potency in the treatment of mycosis fungoides.

Drug Eruptions↗

UVB treatment of factitious urticaria.

Forty-three patients with factitious urticaria were treated with sub-erythematous doses of UVB 5 times weekly for 2-3 weeks. After an average of 13 treatments, 25 were free from symptoms, 14 improved and 4 were unchanged. The dermographism test was negative or considerably reduced after treatment. Most of the patients had permanent effects from the treatment, but 13 relapsed. As the effect of other treatment modalities in this disorder is unsatisfactory, the encouraging results documented in this clinical trial suggest that UVB therapy should be considered for patients with factitious urticaria.

Adolescent↗

Endotoxin-induced human and porcine leucocyte reactions in vitro.

Tube migration of a fixed number of PMN cells in plasma (5 X 10(9) cells/l) was approximately reduced by 50% when 1 ml of cell suspension was exposed to 20 micrograms E. coli endotoxin in 100 microliter NaCl for 2 hours. Procoagulant activity in monocytes increased approximately eight-fold when 1 ml of whole blood was exposed to 2 ng endotoxin in 10 microliters NaCl for 2 hours. Chemiluminescence in both PMN cells (5 X 10(9) cells/l) and mononuclear cells (2 X 10(9) cells/l) in plasma was markedly increased when 100 microliters cell suspension was added to 100 microliters Luminol, exposed to 20 micrograms endotoxin in 100 microliters NaCl and tested immediately. Decreased lysosomal enzyme levels in PMN and mononuclear cells were demonstrated when 1 ml cells in plasma (the same cell numbers as aforementioned) were incubated for 4 hours at 37 degrees C with 200 micrograms endotoxin in 100 microliters NaCl. Similar results were obtained in human and porcine leucocytes, making the pig a suitable animal for studies of humoral and cellular reactions to infections complications following trauma and major surgery.

Animals↗

Effects of mechlorethamine on lysosomal enzyme release from HeLa and 3T3 cells.

The growth of the established malignant HeLa cells was much more inhibited by mechlorethamine (HN2) than that of the nonmalignant 3T3 cells. An initial growth inhibition was followed by complete inhibition even if HN2 was removed from the culture medium. Significant cell death did not occur during the first 24 h of HN2 treatment, but well later on. Incubation with 2.5 micrograms/ml HN2 caused increased release of lysosomal enzymes into the medium and decreased intracellular enzyme activities after a latency period of at least 6 h. The lysosomes from HeLa cells did not seem to be more fragile than those from 3T3 cells. Incubation with 0.25 micrograms/ml HN2 did not alter the intra- or extracellular enzyme levels the first 24 h, but well later on even after refeeding with medium without HN2. This study indicates that lysosomal enzymes are not involved in the genesis of the process leading to cell inactivation by HN2, but may well be correlated with the cytotoxic effects leading to cell death.

Cell Division↗