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Biomedical subjects

M Saxena

Publications and source records attributed to M Saxena.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Two-layered model of Casson fluid flow through stenotic blood vessels: applications to the cardiovascular system.

The effects of peripheral layer viscosity on physiological characteristics of blood flow through the artery with mild stenosis have been investigated. Blood has been represented by a two-fluid model, consisting of a core region of suspension of all the erythrocytes assumed to be a Casson fluid and a peripheral layer of plasma as a Newtonian fluid. The study is based on theoretical considerations and numerical evaluations and is restricted to the flow of blood through small arteries (130-1000 microns in diameter). It has been found that the resistance to flow and the wall shear stress decrease as the peripheral layer viscosity decreases. These characteristics are found to be decreasing as peripheral layer thickness increases. The numerical results show that the existence of the peripheral layer is helpful in functioning of the diseased arterial system. The analysis has been applied to calculate the resistance to flow and wall shear stress in different blood vessels.

Algorithms↗

Salmonella typhi O-polysaccharide--tetanus toxoid conjugated vaccine.

A Salmonella typhi conjugated vaccine was prepared by covalently linking the antigenic O-polysaccharide, selectively activated by periodate oxidation, to tetanus toxoid via reductive amination. The immunogenicity of the conjugate (O-TT) was examined by injecting Balb/c mice with 5 micrograms of the conjugate and Alhydrogel as adjuvant, boosting 14 and 28 days after the primary immunization, and quantification of the development of anti-polysaccharide and anti-tetanus toxoid antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mean anti-O-chain titres after the first and second boost were 129 and 502, respectively, while anti-tetanus toxoid titres were 159 and 1000, respectively. Anti-O-polysaccharide antibodies exhibited complement-mediated bactericidal activity against S. typhi. Immunized mice were fully protected against challenge with 10 LD50 of S. typhi Ty2 (p < 0.001) and partially protected against challenge with 100 LD50 of S. typhi Ty2 (p < 0.04).

Animals↗

Salmonella typhi iron uptake mutants are attenuated in mice.

Iron starvation interferes drastically with the multiplication and virulence of Salmonella typhi mutants defective in enterochelin synthesis or enterochelin transport. Growth of these mutants is inhibited in the presence of human sera and unsaturated transferrin and is restored by fully saturated transferrin. The mutants exhibit decreased ability to grow in HeLa cell monolayers and are attenuated in mice. These findings are consistent with the S. typhi enterochelin system playing a role in the pathogenesis of typhoid fever.

Animals↗

Rapid reversible substrate regulation of fructose transporter expression in rat small intestine and kidney.

To understand the regulation of fructose transport in the small intestine and kidney, we provided rats with "control" diets (46% glucose as starch) and with diets enriched in fructose, glucose, or sucrose (60% each of simple carbohydrate) and measured the concentration of facilitative glucose transporter isoform (GLUT5) protein and mRNA in these tissues. The fructose-enriched diet resulted in a five- and eightfold increase in GLUT5 protein at 1 and 7 days, respectively, in the small intestine, which declined rapidly with reversion to control diet. No change in GLUT5 protein levels was seen after glucose- or sucrose-enriched diets. Glucose, and to a lesser extent fructose, feeding resulted in an increase in the basolateral GLUT2 protein. Feeding glucose to the rats caused a rise in sodium-dependent glucose transporter isoform (SGLT1) protein levels compared with the control diet. There was a transient increase in the small intestine GLUT5 mRNA 1 day after fructose feeding, which returned to normal by 7 days. In the kidney, both fructose and sucrose increased GLUT5 protein levels three- to fourfold, whereas glucose had no effect. Fructose-enriched diet did not increase the levels of GLUT5 protein or mRNA in a segment of small intestine that was isolated from the rest of the small intestine but continued to have mesenteric blood supply. The results suggest that the levels of GLUT5 protein are regulated by fructose, its in vivo substrate, in both the small intestine and kidney, and the regulation requires fructose to interact with the brush border of the small intestine, possibly stabilizing the protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Adenosine triphosphate-dependent transport of doxorubicin, daunomycin, and vinblastine in human tissues by a mechanism distinct from the P-glycoprotein.

Previous studies have demonstrated that a human glutathione conjugate transporter, designated as dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione ATPase (DNP-SG ATPase), catalyzed ATP hydrolysis in the presence of several amphiphilic compounds other than glutathione conjugates (Singhal, S. S., R. Sharma, S. Gupta, H. Ahmad, P. Zimniak, A. Radominska, R. Lester, and Y. C. Awasthi. 1991. FEBS [Fed. Eur. Biochem. Soc.] Lett. 281:255-257). We now demonstrate that DNP-SG ATPase purified from human lung and erythrocyte membranes catalyzed the hydrolysis of ATP in the presence of doxorubicin and its metabolites. Doxorubicin-stimulated ATP hydrolysis by DNP-SG ATPase was saturable with respect to doxorubicin (Km 1.2 and 2.8 microM for the lung and erythrocyte enzymes, respectively). Antibodies against DNP-SG ATPase immunoprecipitated the ATP hydrolyzing activity stimulated by doxorubicin, its metabolites, and glutathione conjugates. Inside our vesicles prepared from erythrocyte membranes took up doxorubicin, daunomycin, and vinblastine in an ATP-dependent manner. The uptake was linear with respect to time and vesicle protein, was dependent on ATP and magnesium, was inhibited by heavy metal salts or by heating the vesicles, and was sensitive to both osmolarity and orientation of the vesicles. The transport had an activation energy of 13 kcal/mol, was saturable with respect to both doxorubicin and ATP (Km values of 1.8 microM and 1.9 mM, respectively), and was competitively inhibited by glutathione conjugates as well as by a number of amphiphiles such as daunomycin or vinblastine. Transport was diminished upon coating the vesicles with antibodies against DNP-SG ATPase. Incorporation of increasing amounts of purified DNP-SG ATPase into the vesicles resulted in a linear increase in transport of doxorubicin. These studies demonstrated for the first time that a membrane protein that catalyzed the transport of anionic amphiphilic molecules such as glutathione conjugates could also mediate the transport of weakly cationic antitumor antibiotic, doxorubicin. Notably, the Km of transport was in the range of doxorubicin concentration achievable in human serum after intravenous dosing of doxorubicin.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Drug detection and trauma cause--a case control study of fatal injuries.

Although drugs are frequently detected when studied in trauma series, the association between specific trauma types (such as gun shot wound) and drug use complicates interpretation of such reports. We carried out a case control study of trauma deaths with drug detection matched by cause with non-drug detection trauma fatality controls. We studied 117 case and control pairs identified from medical examiner's records. By multiple logistic regression analysis, younger adult age (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5 to 6.1) and black race (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 5.0) were both strongly associated with drug detection. In contrast, neither gender, intent (homicide, suicide or unintentional), primary trauma site, nor ethanol detection were significantly associated with drug detection. Our findings suggest that case mix variables should be considered when interpreting the drug use rates in trauma.

Adolescent↗

Gender-related differences in expression of murine glutathione S-transferases and their induction by butylated hydroxyanisole.

The basal levels of mu and pi class glutathione S-transferases RNA were 18-fold higher in the male mouse liver as compared with the female. When 0.75% (w/w) BHA was included in the diet it altered the RNA levels of alpha, mu, pi GST classes and mGSTA4-4 in a tissue and sex specific manner. The most marked induction of RNA was seen for the mu class GSTs of female liver, lung and kidney (52, 10 and 8-fold, respectively), and of male liver and kidney (25 and 3.5-fold, respectively), the pi class GSTs of female liver, lung, and kidney (11, 10, and 5-fold, respectively), and mGSTA4-4 of female liver (4-fold). The effect of BHA on the induction of the mu and pi class GST RNA was 2-9 fold greater in female as compared with male tissues. The degree of induction of GST RNA did not correlate directly with changes in GST protein indicating that post-transcriptional events regulating GST expression may be affected by BHA particularly for GST mu and mGSTA4-4.

Animals↗

Regulation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channel by negative charge in the R domain.

Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) regulates the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel. We previously showed that in vivo PKA phosphorylated 4 serines (Ser-660, Ser-737, Ser-795, and Ser-813) within the R domain. Here we show that a mutant CFTR lacking all 4 serines can still be phosphorylated by PKA to yield an activated Cl- channel, but channel open-state probability was substantially reduced. We also observed phosphorylation and Cl- channel activity in another mutant lacking all 8 consensus PKA serines in the R domain. We were unable to identify the residual phosphorylation sites by tryptic phosphopeptide mapping. These data suggest two possible interpretations: (a) additional, as yet unidentified, phosphorylation sites within CFTR may also open the channel, or (b) the 4 serines, previously identified as in vivo PKA phosphorylation sites, are the primary regulatory sites within CFTR, but in their absence, other sites can be phosphorylated to open the channel. The additional sites are likely located within the R domain: CFTR delta R-S660A, which lacks much of the R domain (residues 708-835) and replaces Ser-660 with an alanine, was no longer regulated by PKA. Substitution of aspartate for consensus PKA phosphorylation sites in the R domain mimicked the effect of phosphorylation. Mutants containing six or more serine-to-aspartate substitutions generated Cl- channels that opened without PKA phosphorylation. These results suggest that the R domain keeps the channel closed and that phosphorylation of the R domain or insertion of the negatively charged aspartate opens the channel, perhaps by electrostatic interactions.

Alanine↗

Glutathione S-transferases of human skin: qualitative and quantitative differences in men and women.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes of male and female leg skin have been characterized. GST activities and protein have been quantified in a number of male and female skin samples and the results indicate that as compared to the male skin, female skin contains a higher amount of GST activity as well as protein. Both male and female leg skin contain three GST isozymes with pI values 9.9, 9.1 and 4.8. In accordance with previous findings the major isozyme, pI 4.8 belongs to the pi-class, whereas the two minor forms pI 9.1 and 9.9 belong to the alpha-class. Each of the three isozymes is more abundant in female skin. Surprisingly, the specific activities and Kcat values of the female skin GSTs, particularly of the pi-class isozyme were found to be significantly higher as compared to those of male skin isozyme. Studies into the kinetics of inhibition by hematin also indicated differences in male and female skin GSTs. Whereas we confirm the presence of an alpha-class GST, pI 9.9, in human skin with an apparently higher subunit M(r) value as compared to other human alpha-class GSTs, contrary to the previous report (Del Boccio et al. (1987) Biochem. J. 244, 21-25), the results of the present studies show that the N-terminus of this alpha-class GST is blocked.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Characterization of two novel subunits of the alpha-class glutathione S-transferases of human liver.

More than 85% of the complete amino-acid sequence of the alpha-class glutathione S-transferase omega (GST omega) of human liver, described for the first time in this communication, show that GST omega is a heterodimer of two closely related novel alpha-class GST subunits. The sequences of these subunits, omega 1 and omega 2, have over 97% homology between them and are also highly homologous to the two alpha-class subunits characterized previously. Characterization of these two novel alpha-class subunits described in this report would explain the molecular basis for high degree of heterogeneity observed among the alpha-class human GSTs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparative kinetic studies on aflatoxin B1 binding to pulmonary and hepatic DNA of rat and hamster receiving the carcinogen intratracheally.

Several epidemiological studies have discussed the outcome of inhalation of airborne aflatoxins by humans. Metabolism of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by lung parenchyma leading to DNA binding is reported here. The tissue distribution pattern of [3H]AFB1 radioactivity revealed the lungs to be the second most important organ after the liver to retain a considerable amount of the radioactivity (66%). The lung indicated a selective activation of AFB1 as it showed only 7.7% binding of [3H]AFB1 to pulmonary DNA. Rats and hamsters were dosed with [3H]AFB1 (2 microCi containing 40 micrograms AFB1/100 g body wt.) intratracheally (i.t.) and sacrificed at different intervals after toxin treatment. Peak binding occurred at 0.5, 1, and 2 h in case of hamster lung, rat lung, and alveolar macrophages of both the species, respectively. At the end of 24 h, the relative AFB1-DNA binding (percentage of peak binding) in hamster lung was 72% while that in rat was 24%. The relative binding in rat lung alveolar macrophages (AMs) was generally higher than that of the hamster. AFB1 binding to hepatic DNA of both the species approached the peak at 1 h after the toxin administration i.t. Under these conditions, binding of AFB1 (or its metabolites translocated to liver) to hepatic DNA of both the species progressively diminished with time in contrast to lung, as revealed by the relative binding values at 12 h for rat and hamster lung, which were 48 and 67%, respectively, while for the rat and hamster liver they were 28 and 24%, respectively. Binding of i.t. administered [3H]AFB1 to rat liver DNA is only marginally higher than that observed with hamster liver, in contrast to the wide difference observed in animals receiving AFB1 intraperitoneally. These results highlight the persistence of AFB1 binding to pulmonary DNA, and the extent of translocated AFB1 binding to hepatic DNA presents an interesting difference from that observed when the toxin was administered through a gastrointestinal route. It is worth concluding that AMs unlike many other xenobiotics, possess specific mixed function oxidase activity to epoxidize AFB1.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Low and high Km forms of dinitrophenylglutathione-stimulated ATPase in bovine lens.

Dinitrophenyl S-glutathione (Dnp-SG) ATPase which catalyses the hydrolysis of ATP in the presence of GSH-conjugates has been implicated previously in the transport of these conjugates. In the present studies we demonstrate that Dnp-SG ATPase is present in bovine lens epithelium and cortex. The specific activity per mg membrane protein was found to be 75-fold higher in the epithelium as compared to the cortex. No enzyme was detected in the nuclear region of the lens. Dnp-SG ATPase was purified from bovine lens epithelium and cortex using Dnp-SG-Sepharose 6MB affinity chromatography. The partially purified Dnp-SG ATPase had two distinct Km values, 120 microM and 1.0 mM. The antibodies raised against human erythrocyte Dnp-SG ATPase cross-reacted with the bovine lens epithelium Dnp-SG ATPase which was identified by Western blot as a band corresponding to an approximate M(r) value of 80,000 Da.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Activity of mouse liver glutathione S-transferases toward trans,trans-muconaldehyde and trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal.

This study investigated the catalytic activities of hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes isolated from CD-1 mice toward two activated alkenals of toxicological relevance: trans,trans-muconaldehyde (MA), a putative myelotoxic metabolite of benzene, and trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a highly reactive lipid peroxidation product. The activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was also determined. Four isoenzymes with pI values of 9.8, 8.7, 6.4, and 5.7 were each isolated from male and female mice. The isoenzymes with pI values of 8.7 and 6.4 are pi and mu class GSTs, respectively, whereas the pI 9.8 and 5.7 GSTs are both alpha class isoenzymes. CDNB activity was greatest in the pi (pI 8.7) isoenzyme of both sexes. In addition, the CDNB activity of the pi (pI 8.7) isoenzyme from males was markedly greater than the corresponding GST from female mouse liver. In contrast to CDNB, both MA and HNE were better substrates for the acidic alpha (pI 5.7) and mu (pI 6.4) GSTs, whereas minimal activity toward either alkenal was detected in the pi (pI 8.7) and alpha (pI 9.8) isoenzymes. Maximum activity toward MA and HNE was exhibited by the alpha (pI 5.7) isoenzyme of both sexes. The level of HNE activity observed with the alpha (pI 5.7) isoenzyme was five- to sixfold greater than that reported previously for any mouse GST isoenzyme. Moreover, the specific activities of the female alpha (pI 5.7) isoenzyme toward both HNE and MA were markedly greater than those of the corresponding isoenzyme from males. A similar gender-specific difference was noted in the activity of the mu (pI 6.4) isoenzyme toward HNE, but not toward MA. These results show that both MA and HNE are substrates for the alpha (pI 5.7) and mu (pI 6.4) GSTs of murine liver, with maximum activity toward both activated alkenals exhibited by the alpha (pI 5.7) isozyme. In addition, evidence is presented that demonstrates a female-dominant sex difference in the activity of the alpha (pI 5.7) isoenzyme toward MA and HNE, which contrasts sharply with the male-dominant activity of pi class GSTs toward CDNB. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that alpha and mu class GSTs are critical detoxication enzymes in female mouse liver, whereas pi-class GST isozymes predominate in the liver of male mice.

Aldehydes↗

Comparative studies on the effect of butylated hydroxyanisole on glutathione and glutathione S-transferases in the tissues of male and female CD-1 mice.

1. Male CD-1 mice had about 1.6-fold higher glutathione (GSH), 2-fold higher glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and 2.8-fold higher GST protein in their livers as compared to the female mice. 2. When mice were fed a diet containing 0.75% BHA for 2 weeks, a 1.8-fold increase was observed in GSH levels of female mice liver as opposed to only 1.2-fold increase in male mice. BHA caused 10-fold increase in GST activity and protein in livers of female mice as compared to only about 3-4-fold increase in livers of males. Differential induction of GSH and GST in males and females was also observed in other tissue besides liver but was not as remarkable. 3. Sex-related differences were also observed in the induction of the alpha- and mu- and pi-classes of GSTs by BHA; most noticeable being GST pi, which was induced to about 10-fold in female liver as opposed to only 3.4-fold in male liver.

Animals↗

A subgroup of class alpha glutathione S-transferases. Cloning of cDNA for mouse lung glutathione S-transferase GST 5.7.

A full-length cDNA clone encoding the previously purified mouse glutathione S-transferase GST 5.7 [(1991), Biochem. J. 278, 793-799] has been isolated from a mouse lung cDNA library in lambda gt11. Sequencing of the clone revealed the presence of microheterogeneity in GST 5.7. Comparison of the deduced protein sequence with other glutathione S-transferases, together with previous information available on GST 5.7, indicates that the enzyme belongs to a novel subgroup within the alpha class of glutathione S-transferases. Members of the subgroup, which also include the rat GST 8-8 and perhaps chicken GST CL3, show high sequence homology with each other, but only moderate similarity to other alpha class enzymes. They share a substrate specificity profile that resembles pi-class enzymes, and are active in the conjugation of lipid peroxidation products.

Amino Acid Sequence↗