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Biomedical subjects

W Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to W Zhao.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Increased TGF-beta and decreased oncogene expression by omega-3 fatty acids in the spleen delays onset of autoimmune disease in B/W mice.

This study was designed to investigate the mechanisms by which marine lipids rich in long chain omega-3 fatty acids inhibit autoimmune disease and prolong the survival rate in female (NZB/NZW) F1 (B/W) mice, an animal model for human SLE. Nutritionally adequate semipurified diets containing at 10% either corn oil (CO) or fish oil (FO) were fed from 1 mo of age and were monitored for proteinuria and survival. Proteinuria was detected earlier and became progressively severe in CO-fed mice. The average life span was significantly shortened by the CO diet (266.7 days +/- 12.5), whereas FO extended the survival significantly (402.1 days +/- 26.1; p < 0.001). A cross-sectional study at 6.5 mo of age revealed an increased proliferative response to T cell mitogens including bacterial superantigens and decreased serum anti-dsDNA Ab titers in the FO group compared with the CO group. Furthermore, splenocytes from the FO group when stimulated with Con A had higher IL-2 and lower IL-4 production similar to that of young (3.5 mo) mice. Flow cytometric analyses of splenocytes revealed lower Ig+, higher lymphocyte endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, and lower Pgp-1+ cells within CD4+ and CD8+ subsets in FO-fed mice. Also, elevated IL-2 and IL-4 and significantly higher TGF-beta 1 and lower c-myc and c-ras mRNA expression and higher TGF-beta 1 and significantly lower c-Myc and c-Ha-Ras proteins were detected in spleens of FO-fed mice. Fatty acid analysis revealed significantly higher linoleic (18:2 omega-6) and arachidonic (20:4 omega-6) acid levels in splenocytes of the CO-fed group and higher eicosapentaenoic (20:5 omega-3) and docosahexanoic (22:6 omega-3) acid levels in the FO-fed group, indicating that changes in membrane fatty acid composition may contribute to the altered immune function and gene expression during the development of murine SLE.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Dietary regulation of mammary tumorigenesis in RIII/Sa mice: investigation of a possible mechanism.

The effects of caloric restriction on the incidence of mammary tumor development, the levels of the expression of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)- and prolactin-RNA, as well as the levels of serum prolactin, were investigated in virgin RIII/Sa mice, a strain known to display a high incidence of spontaneous mammary tumor development. Of the 54 mice fed a low-calorie (LC; 10 kcal/day) diet containing low fat (LF; 5% corn oil) for a period of 72 weeks, only seven mice were found to develop mammary tumors, an incidence of 13%. By contrast, the cumulative tumor incidence in a similar sized group of mice, fed a high-calorie (HC; 16 kcal/day) low fat-containing diet was 73%. Estimation of the relative levels of MMTV-RNA, as determined by Northern and slot blot hybridizations, in the mammary glands of mice fed LCLF and HCLF diets for 8, 10, 16, 28, and 36 weeks revealed that the LCLF diet-fed mice expressed 4-15-fold less RNA than the HCLF diet-fed mice. Interestingly, however, the LCLF diet did not appear to exert any effect on the expression of prolactin RNA even though it reduced the levels of serum prolactin. We suggest that in RII/Sa mice the modulation of MMTV-induced mammary tumors by dietary calorie is linked to the secretion of serum prolactin which, in turn, affects the replication of MMTV required for mammary cell transformation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

ICAM-1 expression on human brain microvascular endothelial cells.

There is evidence that leukocytes play an important role in mediating tissue injury during acute ischemic stroke. Endothelial cell adhesive molecules such as ICAM-1 are required for the migration of leukocytes into the brain. Using an Elisa, we compared the expression of ICAM-1 by human brain microvascular endothelial cells with human umbilical vein endothelial cells. There was constitutive surface expression of ICAM-1 on both brain and umbilical vein endothelial cells. With cytokine (IL-1 beta or TNF) or lipopolysaccaride stimulation, ICAM-1 surface expression increased to a greater extent on brain than on umbilical vein endothelial cells. Dexamethasone at doses up to 100 microM had no effect on inhibiting cytokine-mediated upregulation of ICAM-1 on human brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

The amino acid sequence of iguana (Iguana iguana) pancreatic ribonuclease.

The pyrimidine-specific ribonuclease superfamily constitutes a group of homologous proteins so far found only in higher vertebrates. Four separate families are found in mammals, which have resulted from gene duplications in mammalian ancestors. To learn more about the evolutionary history of this superfamily, the primary structure and other characteristics of the pancreatic enzyme from iguana (Iguana iguana), a herbivorous lizard species belonging to the reptiles, have been determined. The polypeptide chain consists of 119 amino acid residues. The positions of insertions and deletions in the sequence are identical to those in the enzyme from snapping turtle. However, the two enzymes differ at 54% of the amino acid positions. Iguana ribonuclease contains no carbohydrate, although the enzyme possesses three recognition sites for carbohydrate attachment, and has a high number of acidic residues in a localized part of the sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

S-thiolation and irreversible oxidation of sulfhydryls on carbonic anhydrase III during oxidative stress: a method for studying protein modification in intact cells and tissues.

S-thiolation of carbonic anhydrase III (CA III) in cultured rat hepatocytes under oxidative stress was studied by immunodetection on nitrocellulose blots of isoelectrofocusing gels. In cells treated with menadione, three S-thiolated forms of CA III were detected, whereas only two forms were observed in hepatocytes treated with t-butyl hydroperoxide. Two "nonreducible" oxidized forms of CA III were also detected on nitrocellulose blots. These forms increased with the amount of stress and were the only modified forms of CA III in buthionine sulfoxide-treated hepatocytes containing 10-fold less glutathione than control hepatocytes. These experiments support the concept that S-thiolation protects CA III from irreversible oxidation during oxidative stress. Partly and fully S-thiolated forms of CA III were easily detected in both male and female hepatocytes by the immunoblotting method, although female cells contained 15-fold less CA III than did male liver. S-thiolated forms of CA III were also detected in rat skeletal muscle and heart showing the utility of this method for determining the effect of oxidative stress on specific S-thiolatable protein in several tissues in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The T-cell repertoire contains cells reactive with hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: recognition of synthetic peptide fragments of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) in the Lewis rat.

This report characterizes T-cell lines developed against peptide fragments of the neuroendocrine hormones, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). A MHC Class II binding motif containing a serine (S) and glutamic acid (E) residue separated by five intervening amino acids was used as a template for synthesizing peptides that may serve as T-cell epitopes. T-cell lines were generated specifically against a 17-amino-acid peptide of POMC or CRH peptide. These T-cell lines were predominantly CD4+ T cells and proliferated in an antigen-specific fashion. Furthermore, proliferation of T-cell lines specific for peptide-hormones could be inhibited by anti-MHC Class II antibody. In vitro the whole CRH protein could be processed and recognized as antigenic by CRH peptide-specific T cells. In addition, POMC-specific T cells can recognize POMC peptide presented on the membrane of MHC Class II+ POMC T cells. These results indicate that the normal T-cell repertoire of the rat contains elements which can recognize and specifically proliferate to self-proteins of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis. Moreover, it seems that T lymphocytes themselves may present antigens which they synthesize. The relationship of these observations to autoimmune reactions affecting the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland, or T-cell regulation, is the subject of ongoing investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Bronchial smooth muscle energetics: effect of iodoacetate and hypoxia.

The active pressure (AP) and the oxygen consumption (VO2) of segments of bovine bronchi were measured during a 10 microM carbachol stimulation. VO2 did not increase during the carbachol-induced contraction whereas there was a twofold increase in the lactate production. Addition of the glycolytic blocker, iodoacetate (83 microM), decreased the AP to 68.9 +/- 6.4% of control value (n = 10, P < 0.05) whereas VO2 remained constant. The lactate concentration in the physiological solution decreased significantly (P < 0.05). When the solution was supplemented with pyruvate (10 mM), the effect of iodoacetate was antagonized. Under hypoxic condition, i.e. when the solution was bubbled with 5% CO2 in N2, VO2 decreased sharply to 7.7 +/- 3.1% of control (n = 8, P < 0.05) whereas AP did not change. The combined effect of iodoacetate and hypoxia led to a fall in both AP (12.4 +/- 3.0% of control, n = 7, P < 0.05) and VO2 (21.2 +/- 5.1%, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the energy required by bronchial smooth muscle to generate contraction could be supplied by either the aerobic or the anaerobic pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

New triterpenoid saponins from Mussaenda pubescens.

Three new triterpenoidal saponins, mussaendosides O [1], P [2], and Q [3] were isolated from whole plants of Mussaenda pubescens. These structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral methods, such as their 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, TOCSY, and NOESY nmr spectra.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Increased expression of ICAM-1 during reoxygenation in brain endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thrombolysis is a promising therapy for acute ischemic stroke. However, there is evidence that neutrophils may physically plug cerebral microvessels on reperfusion, preventing the full benefit of thrombolysis. We undertook this study to determine whether there was increased endothelial expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene during hypoxia-reoxygenation. METHODS: We isolated and cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells and subjected them to hypoxia (PO2 < 10 mm Hg) in an anaerobic chamber followed by variable periods of reoxygenation. RESULTS: Twenty-hour periods of hypoxia did not lead to endothelial cytotoxicity as measured by a chromium-release assay. By Northern blot analysis, ICAM-1 mRNA transcripts were dramatically increased at 4 hours of reoxygenation but fell toward baseline (normoxia) by 12 and 24 hours. Hypoxia alone did not lead to an increase in mRNA levels. Western blot analysis showed an increased expression of ICAM-1 at 4, 12, and 24 hours of reoxygenation. The 4-hour increase in mRNA levels was not attenuated by pretreatment with 100 mumol/L allopurinol but was reduced by 30% with the addition of 20 mmol/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine at the time of reoxygenation and completely prevented by pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia-reoxygenation leads to an increase in ICAM mRNA levels that peaks at 4 hours in human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine can completely block the increase in ICAM-1 mRNA levels.

Brain↗
PubMed1994

Myeloperoxidase gene expression in normal granulopoiesis and acute leukemias.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an abundant heme protein found in granulocytes and monocytes, which plays an important role in host defense against infection. MPO enzyme activity as determined by light microscopic cytochemistry has long been an important marker used in the diagnosis of acute leukemias and other hematopoietic disorders. Recently, MPO expression has been studied at the electron microscopic level, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against MPO protein have been developed. Furthermore, techniques and probes for analysing MPO expression at the RNA level are now available. This has made possible more extensive studies of MPO expression in a wide range of neoplastic and preneoplastic blood disorders. This review will discuss the fundamental biology of MPO as well as recent developments in our understanding of MPO expression in leukemic cells and cell lines of various lineages.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

[The relationship between the amount of gingival crevicular fluid and periodontitis].

In this paper, we report the results of comparing the amount of GCF, collected from 100 patients suffering from periodontitis and 40 patients suffering from gingivitis with 64 normal control subjects. The results showed that the amount of GCF is independent of sex and where the GCF was collected, ie., either side of the maxillary or mandibular teeth. However, the fluid amount was closely related to inflammation of the periodontium and significantly related to the severity of inflammation and bone destruction. This study provide evidence that the determination of the GCF amount is an essential criteria for detecting periodontal activity.

Female↗
PubMed1994

[Anti-virus effect of aralosides].

The result showed that the anti-virus effect of aralosides on infections with poliovirus II, ECHO delta virus, adenovirus II, herpes simplex virus I, coxsackie B3 virus and coxsackie A16 virus was remarkable. Aralosides could inhibit the development of cytopathic effect (CPE) and protect cultural cells from being infected with the above viruses.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1994

Comparative observation on effect of electric acupuncture of neiguan (P 6) at chen time versus xu time on left ventricular function in patients with coronary heart disease.

Paired experimental design was adopted in this experiment for comparative observation on effect of electric acupuncture (EA) of Neiguan (P 6) at Chen Time (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.) versus Xu Time (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.) on left ventricular function in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The results show that EA performed at Chen Time could improve the left ventricular function of CHD patients as indicated by shortening of PEPI and decrease of PEPI/LVETI ratio; on the contrary, EA performed at Xu Time prolonged PEPI and raised PEPI/LVETI ratio in CHD patients, suggesting impairment of left ventricular function.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed1994

[mtDNA polymorphism and differentiation of subspecies of Chinese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonides)].

The mtDNA from 14 Raccoon dogs of 7 geographical populations was analyzed with 8 restriction endonucleases, and the restriction map was constructed. Furthermore, UPG molecular phylogenetic trees of the mtDNA were constructed based on the genetic distances. Our results indicated that the differentiation was obvious within geographical populations of the subspecies N. p. procyonoides, and that the event of divergence in Chinese Raccoon dog first occurred between the southern and northern populations, and then, between the western and the eastern populations. We proposed that both of the Huabei and Shanxi populations which had not been identified could be classified into two independent subspecies respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Prostaglandin E2 level in gingival crevicular fluid and its relation to the periodontal pocket depth in patients with periodontitis.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of 46 normal controls and 90 patients suffering from periodontitis with different periodontal pocket depths were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results demonstrated that PGE2 levels in the GCF of the periodontal pockets are higher in patients with periodontitis. The PGE2 level rises as the periodontal pocket deepens, especially in cases where the periodontal pocket depth exceeds 6 mm. This study shows that the PGE2 level is significantly related to the severity of bone destruction in periodontitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The primary structure of pancreatic ribonuclease from mole rat superspecies Spalax leucodon.

The primary structure of pancreatic ribonuclease of the superspecies Spalax leucodon has been determined. Only one difference with the previously determined sequence of the superspecies Spalax ehrenbergi was detected; the proline residue at position 42 has been replaced by alanine. Proline-42 is a well-conserved residue in mammalian pancreatic ribonucleases; the only other species with alanine at this position is the three-toed sloth. As the Muridae and the Spalacidae diverged 20-40 million years ago and the superspecies S. leucodon and S. ehrenbergi about 1-2 million years ago, and as pancreatic ribonuclease exhibits 24 substitutions in the line from the Muridae/Spalacidae ancestor to Spalax, a difference of one amino residue between the sequences of the two Spalax superspecies is what may be expected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Varieties of inhibition in the processing and control of processing in the mammalian cochlear nucleus.

Seven-barrel micropipettes were used to apply drugs microiontophoretically to single units in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) in chloralose-anaesthetised guinea-pigs. While both agonists and antagonists of putative neurotransmitters in the cochlear nucleus have been investigated in these experiments, the main thrust has been to explore the influence of specific antagonists on cells' spectral and temporal properties, thus elucidating the effects of naturally occurring inhibitory transmitters. At least five types of inhibition appear to be pharmacologically/physiologically separable: (1) Stimulus-evoked tonic "lateral/sideband" inhibition: glycinergic; (blocked by strychnine); responsible for the lateral inhibition of dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) type III and IV cells. Strychnine has its predominant effect on sustained (lateral) inhibition compared with the more transient forms of inhibition. Subtraction of receptive field maps enables us to visualise the extent of the inhibitory receptive field. It extends virtually throughout the unit's response field for both these classes but is generally, especially in type IV cells, maximal at the characteristic frequency (CF). This type of inhibition will primarily be responsible for enhancing spectral contrasts in the way that, in the visual system, surround inhibition enhances visual contrast. Furthermore, lateral inhibitory sidebands can "bias" the "working point" of a cell's response so that the dynamic range of effective stimuli and response can be extended. (2) "Background" tonic inhibition: GABAAergic; (blocked by bicuculline). Blocking this inhibition generally results in an increase in the background (i.e., spontaneous) activity. This inhibition is probably responsible for adjusting excitatory-inhibitory contrasts in both spectral and temporal domains. (3) Stimulus-related off-inhibition appears to be neither glycinergic nor GABAAergic. Blocking these receptors actually enhances off-inhibition. Nicotinic cholinergic blockers may have a small effect on off-inhibition, but so far we have not been able to block it entirely. This off-inhibition is important for enhancing temporal contrast. This inhibition must, therefore, be mediated by other transmitters, yet undetermined, or by a local feedback circuit or, less likely, be a membrane-based after-effect of stimulation. (4) Pre-synaptic inhibition, mediated by GABAB receptors presumed to act on primary afferent terminals, thus controlling afferent input to DCN principal cells. (5) Short-latency contralateral inhibition, mediated by glycine.

Animals↗