The influence of Enterococcus faecalis on the morphology of the bacterial cells which make up the gut microflora and on the levels of circulating IgG bound to the gut microflora was assessed. After 29 days of pretreatment monitoring, ten healthy human volunteers ingested 10(7) viable cells of E. faecalis three times daily, for 21 days. After this treatment another 21 days of follow-up completed the study. Each volunteer delivered eleven faecal samples during the entire study period of 71 days with a 7 day interval. Before and after the faeces sampling period, blood samples were collected from all volunteers. The influence of the ingestion of E. faecalis on the morphology of the gut microflora was measured by image analysis. In addition, the binding of circulating IgG to intestinal bacteria in all intermediate faecal samples was measured by means of quantitative immunofluorescence. The oral administration of E. faecalis resulted in a significant change of the morphological composition of the gut microflora and in a significant decrease in IgG-binding capacity of the gut microflora.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Significant decrease of titres of circulating IgG after oral intake of a preparation of Enterococcus faecalis in a group of ten healthy volunteers.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mu-opioid ([3H]DAGO) binding in slices of rat brain: inhibition by sodium ions, guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate and by the adrenergic neurotoxins DSP4 and xylamine.

We have characterized and quantified the specific binding of the mu-agonist [3H] DAGO to 300 microM slices of hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. The receptors have many of the opioid characteristics previously demonstrated in homogenate assays. Binding is reversible, saturable, stereospecific and of high affinity. The delta-opioids DTLET and DSLET are 36- and 30-fold respectively, less effective than DAGO in competing for the binding site. Assays can be routinely performed in the presence of physiological concentrations of sodium, though in TRIS buffer the affinity and the number of receptors is increased. Protection of the ligand against proteolytic degradation is unnecessary. Unexpectedly, we observed that GppNHp inhibits [3H] DAGO binding to brain slices. This suggests an allosteric modification of the mu-receptor in the membranes of intact cells. The mu-receptors are also blocked by the adrenergic neurotoxins DSP4 and xylamine. This re-emphasizes our contention that care should be exercised in the use of these drugs. The technique is simple, rapid and involves minimal disruption of tissue. It should provide new opportunities for the study of cell surface opioid receptor subtypes in intact tissue.

Animals↗