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Biomedical subjects

R Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to R Sharma.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

Age-specific development of malate-aspartate shuttle in the liver and kidney of mice.

The activities of malate-aspartate shuttle enzymes were measured in the liver and kidney of 15-, 30-, and 60-day old mice. The results indicate that the activities (U/mg protein) of both isoenzymes (cytosolic and mitochondrial) of both malate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase are significantly higher in the liver of 15-day old mice than in the liver of 30- and 60-day old animals. However, the shuttle enzymes showed a peak value in the kidney of 30-day old mice. In vitro reconstitution of malate-aspartate shuttle showed a similar pattern of activity in the tissues studied. These findings suggest that the activity of malate-aspartate shuttle is expressed differentially in these tissues of mice at different postnatal ages.

Aging↗

Angiomyolipoma of kidney.

Angiomyolipoma is an uncommon benign tumour accounting for less than 1% of all surgically excised tumours of the kidney. It may present as an isolated lesion or in association with tuberous sclerosis. An impalpable tumour is often detected incidentally during investigation of a case for some urinary tract pathology. CT scan has proved to be a useful investigation for pre-operative diagnosis; it may however, be of no value if the fat content of the tumour is low. Here a case of angiomyolipoma of left kidney is reported where pre-operative diagnosis was suggested by CT scan and histopathology confirmed it.

Female↗

Effect of pregnancy associated hypertension on immunoglobulin levels in newborns.

In a prospective study of 124 neonates born to mothers with normal pregnancy and pregnancy associated hypertension (PAH), serum IgG, IgA and IgM were estimated by single radial immunodiffusion technique. Significantly low levels of IgG were found in mothers having PAH, as compared to normal pregnancy (p less than 0.001), whereas IgA and IgM showed no difference in the two groups. There was no statistical difference in maternal and cord blood IgG in either the control or study group. IgG was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in cord blood of babies born by vaginal route as compared to forceps (via vaginal route) or cesarean section. IgA and IgM levels did not vary with mode of delivery.

Adult↗

Nucleophilic scission of thioester linkages and conformational changes in human plasma low density lipoproteins.

A comparison between conformations of native and methylamine modified human plasma low density lipoproteins (hydrated density 1.032-1.043 g/ml) has been presented. Near UV circular dichroism and difference absorption spectra of modified low density lipoprotein have suggested substantial differences in the local environments of several aromatic amino acid side chains. Relatively lower ellipticity at 222 nm of modified lipoprotein indicated alterations in the secondary structures of its protein moiety. Nucleophilic reaction of methylamine did not cause the peptide bond scission but it brought conformational transition such that some of the buried hydrophobic domains of the protein moiety got exposed to the aqueous environment.

Apolipoproteins B↗

Pregnancy in a rudimentary uterine horn.

A case of pregnancy reaching term in a rudimentary non-communicating horn of the uterus is presented. The pregnancy resulted in the delivery of a live child by cesarian section. The case is being reported for the rarity with which the foetus survives in this condition.

Adult↗

Purification and characterization of glutathione S-transferases from rat pancreas.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) of rat pancreas have been characterized and their interrelationship with fatty acid ethyl ester synthase (FAEES) has been studied. Seven GST isozymes with pI values of 9.2, 8.15, 7.8, 7.0, 6.3, 5.9 and 5.4 have been isolated and designated as rat pancreas GST suffixed by their pI values. Structural, immunological and kinetic properties of these isozymes indicated that GST 9.2 belonged to the alpha class, GST 7.8, 7.0, 6.3 and 5.9 belonged to the mu class, whereas GST 8.15 and 5.4 belong to pi class. The N-terminal sequences and pI values of the mu class isozymes suggested that rat GST subunits 3, 4 and 6 may be expressed in pancreas. N-Terminal sequences of both the pi class isozymes, GST 8.15 and 5.4, were similar to that of GST-P, but there were significant differences in the substrate specificities of these two enzymes. Results of peptide finger print studies also indicated minor structural differences between these two isozymes. None of the GST isozymes of rat pancreas expressed FAEES activity. Rat pancreas had a significant amount of FAEES activity, but it segregated independently during the purification of GST indicating that these two activities are expressed by different proteins and are not related as suggested previously.

Acyltransferases↗

Independent segregation of glutathione S-transferase and fatty acid ethyl ester synthase from pancreas and other human tissues.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes of human pancreas were purified, characterized and evaluated for their possible role in the metabolism of ethanol. Human pancreas has at least two GST isoenzymes belonging to the Alpha class (pI 8.8 and 8.1), one belonging to the Mu class (pI 6.4) and one belonging to the Pi class (pI 4.9). During the purification of GSTs from pancreas as well as from heart, liver, lung, brain and muscle, the fatty acid ethyl ester synthase (FAEES) activity was monitored in order to evaluate the role of GSTs in metabolism of ethanol, as suggested in earlier studies. Both t.l.c. and h.p.l.c. were used to identify ethyl oleate in reaction mixtures to monitor FAEES activity. During the purification of GSTs with the use of affinity chromatography on GSH linked to epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B, FAEES and GST activities from each of these tissues segregated independently. Purified GST isoenzymes from these tissues did not exhibit any FAEES activity. Antibodies raised against Pi-class GST, as expected, immunoprecipitated most of the GST activity of brain and heart without precipitating FAEES activity. These results suggest that human GST isoenzymes belonging to the Alpha, Mu and Pi classes do not express FAEES activity. The independent segregation of GST and FAEES activities was further demonstrated by monitoring GST activity during the purification of FAEES from pancreas. It was found that purified FAEES had no GST activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and a number of other electrophilic substrates. Results of these studies demonstrate that FAEES and GSTs are distinct proteins.

Acyltransferases↗

The anionic conjugates of bilirubin and bile acids stimulate ATP hydrolysis by S-(dinitrophenyl)glutathione ATPase of human erythrocyte.

These studies demonstrate that bilirubin-ditaurate (an analog of bilirubin-diglucuronide), lithocholic acid 3-O-sulfate, and lithocholic acid 3-O-glucuronide, which are believed to be transported from liver into bile through an active transport process stimulate ATP hydrolysis by purified dinitrophenylglutathione ATPase of human erythrocytes. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme for these substrates are similar to those for dinitrophenylglutathione indicating the transport mechanisms for bilirubin conjugates, and anionic bile acid-conjugates from hepatocytes to bile and transport of GSH-conjugates from erythrocytes may be mediated by similar mechanisms.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Purification and characterization of an ATPase from human liver which catalyzes ATP hydrolysis in the presence of the conjugates of bilirubin bile acids and glutathione.

An ATPase has been purified from the membrane fraction of human liver which catalyzes ATP in the presence of bilirubin ditaurate, lithocholic acid 3-O-sulfate and lithocholic acid 3-O-glucuronide as well as dinitrophenylglutathione and other glutathione conjugates. Its subunit Mr value (38,000) and immunological properties are similar to dinitrophenylglutathione ATPase of human erythrocytes. Kinetic constants of the enzyme for the conjugates of glutathione, bile acids and bilirubin are comparable indicating that this ATPase may mediate active transport of all these anionic conjugates in liver.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Purification and characterization of human muscle glutathione S-transferases: evidence that glutathione S-transferase zeta corresponds to a locus distinct from GST1, GST2, and GST3.

Human muscle glutathione S-transferase isozyme, GST zeta (pI 5.2) has been purified by three different methods using immunoaffinity chromatography, DEAE cellulose chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. GST zeta prepared by any of the three methods does not recognize antibodies raised against the alpha, mu, or pi class glutathione S-transferases of human tissues. GST zeta has a blocked N-terminus and its peptide fingerprints also indicate it to be distinct from the alpha, mu, or pi class isozymes. As compared to GSTs of alpha, mu, and pi classes, GST zeta displays higher activities toward t-stilbene oxide and Leukotriene A4 methyl ester. GST zeta also expresses GSH-peroxidase activity toward hydrogen peroxide. The Kms of GST zeta for CDNB and GSH were comparable to those reported for other human GSTs but its Vmax for CDNB, 7620 mol/mol/min, was found to be considerably higher than that reported for other human GSTs. The kinetics of inhibition of GST zeta by hematin, bile acids, and other inhibitors also indicate that it was distinct from the three classes of GST isozymes. These studies suggest that GST zeta corresponds to a locus distinct from GST1, GST2, and GST3 and probably corresponds to the GST4 locus as suggested previously by Laisney et al. (1984, Human Genet. 68, 221-227). The results of peptide fingerprints and kinetic analysis indicate that as compared to the pi and alpha class isozymes, GST zeta has more structural and functional similarities with the mu class isozymes. Besides GST zeta several other GST isozymes belonging to pi and mu class have also been characterized in muscle. The pi class GST isozymes of muscle have considerable charge heterogeneity among them despite identical N-terminal sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Glutathione S-transferase-catalyzed conjugation of 9,10-epoxystearic acid with glutathione.

The possible role of glutathione S-transferases (GST) in detoxification of fatty acid epoxides generated during lipid peroxidation has been evaluated. Present studies showed that cytosolic human glutathione S-transferases belonging to alpha, mu, and pi classes isolated from human liver and lung catalyzed the conjugation of glutathione and 9,10-epoxystearic acid. The product of enzymatic reaction, i.e., conjugate of GSH and epoxystearic acid, was isolated and characterized. The Michaelis constant (Km) values of the alpha, mu, and pi classes of GSTs for 9,10-epoxystearic acid were found to be 0.47, 0.32 and 0.80 mM, respectively, whereas the maximal velocity (V max) values for the alpha, mu, and pi classes of GSTs were found to be 142, 256, and 52 mol/min/mol, respectively. These results indicate that even though 9,10-epoxystearic acid is a substrate for all the three classes of GSTs, the mu class isozymes have maximum activity toward this substrate and may preferentially metabolize fatty acid epoxides more effectively as compared to the other classes of GSTs.

Glutathione↗

Depression of lymphocyte responses to phytohaemagglutinin in lambs experimentally infected with bovine respiratory syncytial virus.

Eight lambs were experimentally infected with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and the responses of their peripheral blood lymphocytes to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin and BRSV antigen compared with that of control lambs injected with tissue culture fluid. The lymphocyte transformation responses to phytohaemagglutinin were significantly reduced five and 10 days after experimental infection with BRSV (P less than 0.05). It appears that these reductions were associated with CD4+ lymphocytes because CD4-enriched lymphocytes obtained five days after infection had more significantly reduced responses to phytohaemagglutinin than those obtained from the same group before infection and from the control group five days after inoculation (P less than 0.01). There were no significant lymphocyte transformation responses to BRSV antigen in both groups of lambs up to 21 days after inoculation (P greater than 0.05).

Animals↗

Cytotoxic T cell responses in lambs experimentally infected with bovine respiratory syncytial virus.

The role of cell-mediated immune response in the immunopathogenesis of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection is not well established. In the present study, cytotoxic T cell responses of BRSV-infected lambs were examined using the chromium release assay. Lambs experimentally infected with BRSV developed cytotoxic lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and the spleen, which lysed BRSV-infected but not uninfected cells. Peak cytotoxic activity occurred 10-14 days after infection. Pretreatment of mononuclear cells with anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies and rabbit complement significantly reduced cytotoxic activity (P less than 0.05). It appears, therefore, that lambs experimentally infected with BRSV develop virus-specific, predominantly CD8+, cytotoxic lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and spleen.

Animals↗

Lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood of lambs experimentally infected with Pasteurella haemolytica.

The lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood obtained from eleven lambs experimentally infected with Pasteurella haemolytica were compared with those obtained from eight control lambs by flow cytometry, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against specific lymphocyte epitopes. Experimental infection with P. haemolytica was characterized by a transient but significant reduction in SBU-T1+ (CD5+) T cells and SBU-T4+ (CD4+ or helper) T lymphocytes (P less than 0.05) and a significant rise in lymphocytes which did not express the LCA p220 epitope and the pan T cell surface marker (CD5-LCA p220-) ("null"). The reductions in CD5+ and CD4+ lymphocytes occurred 24 h after experimental infection, returning to preinoculation levels 5 days post inoculation (DPI). Five to 9 days after experimental infection, there was a significant increase in the number of lymphocytes, which expresses the pan T cell surface marker (CD5+) but which were CD4-CD8-. Lymphocyte transformation responses to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly reduced 24 h after experimental infection with P. haemolytica (P less than 0.05).

Animals↗

Membrane-bound hemoglobin as a marker of oxidative injury in adult and neonatal red blood cells.

A comparative study of the effect of hydrogen peroxide on adult and neonatal red blood cell (RBC) membrane protein composition has been carried out. The results indicate that (a) the native neonatal RBC membranes contain higher levels of membrane-bound hemoglobin (MBHb) than the adult RBC membranes. (b) The content of MBHb increases when RBCs are incubated with increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), more so in neonatal than in adult RBCs; however, neonatal RBC membrane proteins are less susceptible to H2O2 oxidation than adult ones. This could be attributed to the fact that Hb F, which is more susceptible to oxidation than Hb A, adds to the reduction potential of neonatal RBC (in which it is present in large amounts) and partially protects neonatal membrane proteins against oxidant stress compared to Hb A in adult RBC. (c) In both neonatal and adult RBCs, Spectrin 1 is relatively more susceptible to oxidant stress than spectrin 2, and spectrins in adult RBC are more labile for peroxidation than the spectrins in neonatal RBC. (d) Based on electrophoretic studies with and without reduction of membranes with mercaptoethanol, we have classified two types of MBHb: Type I is adsorbed to membrane by noncovalent interactions and Type II MBHb is chemically crosslinked to membrane components by disulfide bridges; the content of both these types increases when RBCs are incubated with increasing concentrations of H2O2. (e) Band 6 protein is present in higher amounts in neonatal than in adult RBC membranes. (f) Since the total content of MBHb increases linearly with the level of oxidant stress, we suggest that it could be used as a marker for oxygen radical-induced injury to tissues.

Adult↗

H-7 reduces the nuclear binding of [3H]dexamethasone in rat liver slices but does not affect the phosphorylation of glucocorticoid receptor.

The effect of 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), an inhibitor of protein kinase C, on the nuclear binding of [3H]dexamethasone and on the phosphorylation of glucocorticoid receptor was studied in rat liver slices to ascertain the role of protein kinase C in the expression of glucocorticoid action. H-7 reduces the nuclear binding of [3H]dexamethasone in rat liver slices. It does not affect the extent of phosphorylation of glucocorticoid receptor both in the absence or in the presence of glucocorticoid. These findings indicate that protein kinase C may be involved in the nuclear binding of glucocorticoid receptor but does not directly influence the receptor phosphorylation.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗