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Biomedical subjects

M Ruotsalainen

Publications and source records attributed to M Ruotsalainen.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on tryptophan and glucose homeostasis in the most TCDD-susceptible and the most TCDD-resistant species, guinea pigs and hamsters.

We have previously reported that in rats 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) lethality is associated (although not necessarily causally) with changes in brain serotonin (5-HT) metabolism. In the present study, we have examined whether this holds for other species by comparing the effect of TCDD in the most TCDD-susceptible and the most TCDD-resistant species, guinea pigs and hamsters, respectively. Body weight gain of guinea pigs exposed to TCDD (0.3-2.7 micrograms/kg) diminished dose dependently, while the effect was marginal in hamsters (900-4600 micrograms/kg). Brain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (the main metabolite of brain 5-HT), brain tryptophan (the precursor amino acid of 5-HT), and plasma free and total tryptophan were not affected at any dose in guinea pigs. In contrast, 4 days after exposure, the levels of plasma free and total tryptophan were consistently increased in hamsters. These, as well as brain tryptophan, were still elevated 10 days after exposure. TCDD did not affect plasma glucose level in either species. Liver glycogen was decreased in a dose-dependent manner in TCDD-treated guinea pigs as well as in their pair-fed controls on day 10. There was no change in liver glycogen in hamsters. The activity of the gluconeogenic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was only depressed in hamsters by all doses of TCDD. We conclude that changes in tryptophan metabolism or in carbohydrate homeostasis cannot explain the wide interspecies differences in susceptibility to the acute lethality of TCDD, although they may correlate with some aspects of its toxicity in certain species.

Animals↗

Mineral fiber-induced leukocyte activation: the role of intra- and extracellular calcium.

The role of intra- and extracellular calcium in the activation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to produce reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) were studied by using soluble, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), or particulate stimuli, quartz or chrysotile. A calcium channel inhibitor, verapamil, attenuated only quartz-induced elevation of free intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and ROM production. Likewise, ethyleneglycol-bis (aminoethyl ether) tetraacetic acid (EGTA) attenuated quartz-, chrysotile- and fMLP-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i and ROM production. It also inhibited PMA-induced ROM production. A calcium ionophore, A23187 amplified ROM production by all of these stimuli. These results suggest that both intra- and extra-cellular calcium are required for the full activation of respiratory burst by soluble and particulate stimuli in human PMNL.

Asbestos, Serpentine↗

Effects of a protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro 31-7549, on the activation of human leukocytes by particulate stimuli.

1. A new specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, Ro 31-7549, was used to explore the mechanisms by which particulate stimuli, quartz and chrysotile, stimulate human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to produce reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM). Also soluble stimuli, formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine (fMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were used. 2. Ro 31-7549 inhibited chrysotile-induced free intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) elevations but did not have an effect on quartz-induced elevations of [Ca2+]i. Both quartz and chrysotile induced production of ROM were partially inhibited by Ro 31-7549. fMLP-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i was inhibited by Ro 31-7549 whereas PMA did not affect [Ca2+]i. Ro 31-7549 strongly inhibited fMLP-induced ROM production, and completely abolished that induced by PMA. 3. These result suggest that PKC may have an important role in the activation of PMNL to produce ROM by particulate and soluble stimuli. However, the inhibition of chrysotile-, but not of quartz-induced [Ca2+]i elevations by Ro 31-7549 provides evidence that both PKC-dependent and -independent mechanisms may play a role in the activation of human leukocytes to produce ROM.

Adult↗