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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

The histochemical G6PDH reaction but not the LDH reaction with neotetrazolium is suitable for the oxygen sensitivity test to detect cancer cells.

We used the oxygen sensitivity of the histochemical reaction to detect glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity based on neotetrazolium (NT) reduction to discriminate cancer cells from normal cells. Formazan generation was strongly reduced in normal but not in malignant cells when the incubation was performed in oxygen instead of nitrogen. Competition for reductive equivalents between NT and oxygen via superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been suggested. Since SOD activity is usually decreased in cancer cells, NT reduction would not be hampered in these cells. We tested this hypothesis by demonstrating NAD-dependent lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity instead of NADP-dependent G6PDH activity in normal rat liver and colon, in human colon carcinoma, and in experimentally induced metastases of colon carcinoma in rat livers. Reactions for both enzymes were determined cytophotometrically in an atmosphere of pure oxygen or nitrogen. G6PDH acted as described previously, showing distinct activity in cancer cells but strongly reduced activity in normal cells after incubation in oxygen, but this was not the case with LDH because formazan was also generated in normal tissue in oxygen. It appeared that after 5 min of incubation at 37 degrees C the residual activity of G6PDH in an atmosphere of oxygen compared with nitrogen was 0% in normal liver tissue and 15% in normal colon epithelium, whereas in colon carcinoma and in colon carcinoma metastasis in liver it was 48% and 33%, respectively. The residual activity of LDH in oxygen was 30% in normal female rat liver, 75% in normal male rat liver, and 38% in normal colon epithelium, whereas the residual activity in colon carcinoma and metastases in liver was 54% and 24%, respectively. These experiments clearly indicate that the oxygen sensitivity phenomenon is not solely an effect of competition for reducing equivalents between NT and oxygen via SOD, because NADPH generated by G6PDH and NADH generated by LDH have a similar redox potential. Apparently the system is more complex. The role of specifically NADPH-converting cellular systems such as NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase was excluded because incubations in the presence of exogenous NADPH as substrate for these systems revealed oxygen sensitivity. Involvement of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in the oxygen sensitivity test is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

Progesterone inhibits superoxide radical production by mononuclear phagocytes in pseudopregnant rats.

This study investigated the changes in superoxide radical production by mononuclear phagocytes in the corpus luteum (CL) during pseudopregnancy in rats. Activity of superoxide radical production was determined by the conversion of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) to blue formazan deposit. Rats received 10 mg NBT via the abdominal aorta on day 3, 7, or 13 of pseudopregnancy and were autopsied 1 min later to prepare the histological sections. The cells with blue formazan deposits (NBT-positive cells) in the CL were scarce on days 3 and 7 of pseudopregnancy and significantly increased on day 13 of pseudo-pregnancy. On the other hand, simultaneous administration of 100 micrograms phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which activates mononuclear phagocytes to produce superoxide radical, significantly increased the numbers of NBT-positive cells in the CL on day 7 of pseudopregnancy, but not in the CL on day 3 or 13 of pseudopregnancy. To study the possibility that superoxide radical production by mononuclear phagocytes is inhibited by progesterone on day 7 of pseudopregnancy, peritoneal mononuclear phagocytes prepared on day 7 or 13 of pseudopregnancy were preincubated with 10, 50, or 100 ng/ml progesterone for 6 h and then stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Superoxide radical production was measured by the cytochrome c reduction method. One hundred nanograms per ml progesterone significantly inhibited superoxide radical production by mononuclear phagocytes, and this inhibitory effect of progesterone was significantly blocked by the simultaneous addition of RU486 (10(-7) M). These results suggested that progesterone inhibited superoxide radical production by the mononuclear phagocytes in the CL during midpseudopregnancy in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Spontaneous neutrophil activation in HTLV-1 infected patients.

Human T cell lymphotropic Virus type-1 (HTLV-1) induces lymphocyte activation and proliferation, but little is known about the innate immune response due to HTLV-1 infection. We evaluated the percentage of neutrophils that metabolize Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) to formazan in HTLV-1 infected subjects and the association between neutrophil activation and IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels. Blood was collected from 35 HTLV-1 carriers, from 8 patients with HAM/TSP (HTLV-1- associated myelopathy); 22 healthy individuals were evaluated for spontaneous and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neutrophil activity (reduction of NBT to formazan). The production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha by unstimulated mononuclear cells was determined by ELISA. Spontaneous NBT levels, as well as spontaneous IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production, were significantly higher (p<0.001) in HTLV-1 infected subjects than in healthy individuals. A trend towards a positive correlation was noted, with increasing percentage of NBT positive neutrophils and levels of IFN-gamma. The high IFN-gamma producing HTLV-1 patient group had significantly greater NBT than healthy controls, 43+/-24% and 17+/-4.8% respectively (p< 0.001), while no significant difference was observed between healthy controls and the low IFN-gamma-producing HTLV-1 patient group (30+/-20%). Spontaneous neutrophil activation is another marker of immune perturbation resulting from HTLV-1 infection. In vivo activation of neutrophils observed in HTLV-1 infected subjects is likely to be the same process that causes spontaneous IFN-gamma production, or it may partially result from direct IFN-gamma stimulation.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1984

Electron transport system activity in soil, sediment, and pure cultures.

The major purpose of this review is to examine recent developments in the measurement of electron transport system (ETS) activity (also known as dehydrogenase activity) in soil, sediment, and pure cultures. Since enzyme assays, (such as ETS) measurements can measure the general bioactivity of a large part of the microbial community in soil or sediment, various attempts have been made to develop rapid, simple, and reliable assays for such activities, particularly ETS activity. Since ETS activity is a consequence of many metabolic processes, the ability to measure this activity would be useful in assessing the status of various soils and sediments. Tetrazolium salts, like 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-5- phenyltetrazolium chloride (INT), can be biologically reduced to their respective tetrazolium formazan by soil and sediment microorganisms and enzymes. The formazan produced can then be used as a measure of ETS activity in soil and sediment. The chemical, physical, and biological factors that influence ETS activity and their relationship to respiration will be surveyed.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1987

Iron autoxidation in Mops and Hepes buffers.

Iron autoxidation in Mops and Hepes buffers is characterized by a lag phase that becomes shorter with increasing FeCl2 concentration and pH. During iron oxidation in these buffers a yellow colour develops in the solution. When the reaction is conducted in the presence of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT), blue formazan is formed. Of the many OH scavengers tested, mannitol and sorbitol are most effective in inhibiting Fe2+ oxidation, yellow colour development and NBT reduction. Some inhibition was also noted with catalase. The iron product of the oxidative reaction differs from Fe3+ in its absorption spectrum and its low reactivity with thiocyanate. Similar results are obtained when iron autoxidation is studied in unbuffered solutions brought to alkaline pH with NaOH. In phosphate buffer, no lag phase is evident and the absorption spectrum of the final solution is identical to that of Fe3+ in this buffer. The iron product reacts immediately with thiocyanate. When iron oxidation is conducted in the presence of NBT the formation of formazan is almost undetectable. Of the many compounds tested only catalase inhibits iron autoxidation in this buffer. The sequence of reactions leading to iron autoxidation in Good-type buffers thus resembles that occurring in unbuffered solutions brought to alkaline pH with NaOH and greatly differs from that occurring in phosphate buffer. These results are in agreement with the observation that these buffers have very low affinity for iron. The data presented define experimental conditions where Fe2+ is substantially stable for a considerable length of time in Mops buffer.

Buffers↗
PubMed1999

The decrease of cytochrome c oxidase activity by 15-deoxyspergualin results in enhancement of XTT reduction in cultured cells.

Exposure to immunosuppressant, 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG) induced enhanced formazan producing activity from XTT (2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carb oxanilide, sodium salt) in cultured cells, but not from MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Formazan generation from XTT is known to be stimulated by cytochrome c oxidase (COX) inhibitors such as KCN and NaN3, whereas MTT reduction is not affected by them. So, the effect of DSG on COX was examined. DSG did not directly inhibit the enzyme, but the cellular enzyme activity was decreased by exposure to DSG. It was thought that stimulation of XTT reduction by DSG resulted from the decrease of cellular cytochrome c oxidase activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Application of the nitroblue tetrazolium-reduction method for studies on the production of reactive oxygen species in insect haemocytes.

The in vitro generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in haemocytes of Galleria mellonella, Aporia crataegi, Dendrolimus sibiricus, Aglais urticae (Lepidoptera) and Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera), was studied by the method of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction. Formazan formation (product of NBT reduction) was observed in haemocytes of all the insects examined, except A. urticae. Lypopolysaccharide and zymosan reduced the number of NBT-positive cells after 1 h incubation and an increase was registered after 4 h incubation. The inhibitors of the respiratory chain enzyme (sodium azide) and melanogenesis (phenylthiourea) reduced formazan formation in nonactivated insect blood cells. No influence of sodium azide and phenylthiourea was found on the activated haemocytes. The results suggest that the generation of ROS in insect haemocytes occured as a result of processes such as respiration and melanization during phagocytosis and encapsulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Subcellular distribution of nitroblue tetrazolium reductase (NBT-R) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN).

Subcellular distribution study of cytoplasmic organelles was performed on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes after homogenization in 0.34 molar sucrose by differential centrifugation and sucrose density gradient centrifugation of the homogenate. The whole homogenate and each fraction was assayed for nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-reductase with and without 1 mM potassium cyanide, and the distribution of this enzyme was compared to the distribution of lysozyme, peroxidase, beta-glucuronidase, and acid and alkaline phosphatase. Enzyme recovery was 97 per cent and ranged between 74 and 124 per cent. Latent activity of all enzymes except NBT-reductase, acid, and alkaline phosphatase was demonstrated by observing a four- to sixfold increase in activity after the addition of Triton-X 100. Maximal relative specific activity using either DPNH or without cyanide for NBT-reductase was found in the 100,000 x g differential centrifugation fraction and was concentrated in the less dense top fraction of the sucrose density gradient. The distribution pattern was similar to acid and alkaline phosphatase. In contrast, the maximal concentration of beta-glucuronidase and peroxidase was found in the heavier 7,200 x g granule fraction and in the more dense bottom fractions of the sucrose density gradient. Maximal lysozyme activity was concentrated in the 30,000 x g granule fraction and in the fractions located between the heaviest and lightest fractions of the sucrose density gradient. The lack of latent activity and the similarity of subcellular distribution of NBT-reductase to acid and alkaline phosphatase, two enzymes associated with microsomes and plasmalemal membranes in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), indicates that NBT-reductase is also a nonlysosomal enzyme located in microsomes or in plasmalemal membranes. These findings support the previously described histochemical observations that initial reduction of NBT to formazan occurs on the PMN plasmalemal surface membrane at the point of particle attachment. In addition, they suggest that alteration of the surface membrane of the PMN by particle attachment or other surface forces may activate NBT-reductase, leading to an accumulation of formazan in the region of the altered membrane as the phagocytic vacuole is formed.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed2002

[Freezing injury of plant and oxidative stress--superoxide generation in freeze-thaw cycles of cabbage leaf tissues].

To test the hypothesis that oxidative stress is involved in inducing freezing injury of plants, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) was infiltrated into cabbage leaf tissues before they were frozen. NBT was reduced to formazans in freeze-thaw cycles. The ethanol-extractable mono-formazan was measured by a spectrophotometer, and used as a quantitative indicator of oxidative stress that developed during a freeze-thaw cycle. NBT per se as an oxidant increased the freezing injury slightly. When Me2SO as a cryoprotectant was infiltrated into leaf tissue, it apparently enhanced the freezing tolerance, and this is correlated to its ability in ameliorating oxidative stress, as indicated by the partial inhibition of NBT reduction. The results supported the hypothesis that freezing injury of plants is related to oxidative stress. The experiments indicated that it was possible that the reductant of NBT in the freeze-thaw cycle was superoxide anion free radical.

Brassica↗
PubMed1992

A rapid colorimetric assay with the tetrazolium salt MTT and phenazine methosulfate (PMS) for viability of Entamoeba histolytica.

A rapid colorimetric assay for viability of E. histolytica trophozoites using the tetrazolium salt MTT and phenazine methosulfate (PMS) was developed. The MTT is normally reduced by dehydrogenases of viable cells and transformed to formazan, a colored compound; the reaction is catalyzed by PMS. Trophozoites of E. histolytica were incubated in the presence of MTT and PMS during 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 min, at 37 degrees C. Trophozoites killed by heat or cold were used as controls. The formazan produced into the cells was extracted with isopropanol-HCl and the optical density (OD) was measured at 570 nm. There was a linear relation between the number of viable trophozoites and the OD570 (r2 = 0.98). The trophozoites killed by cold or heat did not reduce MTT. The optimal time of incubation with MTT/PMS was 45 min. The MTT/PMS assay for determining viability of E. histolytica trophozoites is reproducible, rapid and easy to perform and it could be useful to study cytotoxicity and susceptibility to drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The use of antibodies labelled with dyes for fast and simple assay of some human proteins by immunofiltration technique.

Immunofiltration technique with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for semi-quantitative assays of human albumin, chorionic gonadotropin, immunoglobulin G and transferrin was elaborated. An amount of antibody was immobolized in the form of 6 radially located small bars on a dry test filter made of glass microfibre sheet. The other amount of antibody, used in solution, was labelled with some dyes like commercial disperse dyes, colloidal elements, formazans and polypyrrole. Number of colour bars appearing on the test filter showed ranged of analyte concentration. Good results were obtained using antibodies labelled with colloidal gold, Disperse Red 11 and formazan from MTT. Assays with monoclonal antibodies were more sensitive than with polyclonal antibodies.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2003

Cell-based quantitative evaluation of the MTT assay.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the bioreduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) on a per cell basis and evaluate its modulation as a function of different stages of cell metabolism. STUDY DESIGN: Following MTT bioreduction, total optical density (TOD), cell area and specific activity (TOD/area) of V79 cells and cultured macrophages were recorded for individual cells by means of digital image analysis. The effect of different serum (0-10% vol/vol) or genistein (0-100 microM) concentrations was used to modulate the MTT-specific activity response. RESULTS: As cells in culture are heterogeneous in cell size, the contribution of each cell to the total amount of formazan formed per dish is variable. The production of formazan per cell as a result of MTT bioreduction was found to be proportional to cell size. CONCLUSION: Specific MTT-reducing activity was analyzed in phagocytes and nonphagocyte cells, revealing the utility of this variable in evaluating the MTT assay at the single-cell level.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Oxidoreductive capability of boar sperm mitochondria in fresh semen and during their preservation in BTS extender.

The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of dilution and liquid-preservation of boar sperm on oxidoreductive capability of their mitochondria. The semen was diluted with BTS extender produced from water purified by destillation or by reverse osmosis. The spermatozoa were stored over a four-day period at 16-18 degrees C. The function of sperm mitochondria was assessed using the screening cytochemical test for NADH-dependent oxidoreductases (diaphorase/NADH, related to flavoprotein). Morphological assessment of cytochemical reaction was carried out using a light microscope. The intensity of the reaction was evaluated by means of a computer image analysing system (Quantimet 600S), measuring the integrated optical density (IOD) and mean optical density (MOD) of the reaction product (formazans) occurring in the sperm midpieces. In the non-diluted semen, intensive cytochemical reaction throughout the length of the sperm midpiece was observed. Furthermore, spermatozoa with the intensive reaction displayed the high optical density values. After dilution the semen with two variants of experimental extender, and as the conservation time expired, the cytochemical reaction was less intensive. Moreover, the absence of formazan deposits in various parts of the sperm midpiece was also noted. These morphological features corresponded to low values of optical density. These findings suggest that the dilution of semen and the time of sperm preservation may be critical factors that handicap energy metabolism of sperm mitochondria. The type of water used in preparing BTS extender does not have any significant effect on the oxidoreductive capability of sperm boar mitochondria.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Effects of mineral dust on generation of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide by alveolar macrophages, granulocytes and monocytes].

Phagocytosis of quartz dust by alveolar macrophages and monocytes of rabbits and human monocytes and granulocytes is accompanied by stimulation of substrateless recovery of nitroblue tetrazolium to formazan. It reflects activation of oxygen-dependent bactericidal phagocyte system and generation of active oxygen forms. Less fibrogenic and cytotoxic dust of aluminium oxide increased formazan formation insignificantly. Extracellular generation of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide was not discovered during phagocytosis of quartz by alveolar macrophages and monocytes. Incubation of human granulocytes with silica caused, on contrary, considerable increase in exogenous generation of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide. Less fibrogenic dust of aluminium oxide under the conditions had no effect on generation of hydrogen peroxide and induced acute decrease in generation of superoxide radicals by granulocytes. The obtained results testify both to the essential part of active oxygen form during pathologic processes with pneumoconiosis, and also to a great similarity among biochemical processes, characterizing interaction of alveolar macrophages and monocytes with mineral dust.

Aluminum Oxide↗
PubMed1989

[Luminescence of activated phagocytes].

By means of microscope-cytofluorometry "Luman-13" intensive proper luminescence of neutrophilic granulocytes and monocytes in blood and pus, that reduce nitroblue tetrazolium has been investigated. The luminescence is localized in the cytoplasmic areas free from formazan; formazan itself does not demonstrate any luminescence. Two types of luminescence have been revealed: dark blue-blue and yellow-green. According to the luminescence spectral analysis stimulation with radiation at the wave length 360 nm produces luminescence of the I type with its maximum in the area of 450-470 nm and 520-535 nm. When stimulation with light at the wave length is 460 nm, the luminescence spectrum++ of the II type possesses the main maximum at 535 nm. Luminescence spectra of neutrophilic granulocytes and monocytes are similar. The luminescence stripe in the area 450-470 nm results from reduced pyridinenucleotides, luminescence with the wave length 520-535 nm--from oxidized flavoproteins.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1986

[Enzyme histochemical demonstration of sodium-dependent glutamate uptake in glutamatergic brain structures in the rat].

Using a special tetrazolium salt technique, a striking correlation was observed between Na+ concentration of the incubation medium and the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in glutamatergic neuropil areas of the hippocampal formation, cerebellum, and other brain regions. Na+ concentration of 130 to 150 mmol/l caused maximal formazan production. The histochemical enzyme reaction in neuronal perikarya as well as biochemically estimated GDH activity were found to be rather inhibited by such Na+ concentrations. The GDH catalyzed sodium dependent increase in formazan production is discussed to be a consequence of the sodium dependence of glutamate uptake in glutamatergic brain structures supplying the enzyme with substrate.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Nitrofurantoin-stimulated oxidant production in pulmonary endothelial cells.

Nitrofurantoin, a urinary antiseptic, is associated with significant pulmonary toxicity. Our study indicates that nitrofurantoin may produce lung injury by directly stimulating lung parenchymal cells to generate toxic oxygen species such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, which can overwhelm cellular antioxidant defenses and result in permanent injury to the cells. Nitrofurantoin (10(-3) mol/L) stimulates bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells to release 3.7 +/- 0.4 mumol/L superoxide per 10(5) cells and 4.4 +/- 0.5 mumol/L hydrogen peroxide per 10(5) cells (p less than 0.001 compared with endothelial cells without nitrofurantoin). Endothelial cells treated with nitroblue tetrazolium, a yellow dye reduced by superoxide to insoluble blue formazan, can be monitored both spectrophotometrically and morphologically. Nitrofurantoin (10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) mol/L) stimulated pulmonary endothelial cells to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium monitored spectrophotometrically as 0.022 +/- 0.001, 0.032 +/- 0.002, and 0.071 +/- 0.004 delta A515 per 10(5) cells per hour, respectively (p less than 0.001, comparison of cells with 10(-4) and 10(-3) mol/L nitrofurantoin vs. control cells. From the same dose-response curve, endothelial cells incubated with nitrofurantoin morphologically demonstrated formazan granules in the cytoplasm in 17% +/- 6%, 71% +/- 9%, and 92% +/- 5% of cells. Nitrofurantoin (10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) mol/L) directly injures 51Cr-labeled pulmonary endothelial cells, with injury expressed as a cytotoxic index of 1 +/- 1, 20 +/- 4, and 51 +/- 3, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Adaptation of a colorimetric microtitration assay for quantifying Pasteurella haemolytica A1 leukotoxin and antileukotoxin.

A colorimetric microtitration assay was adapted to quantify the cytotoxicity of Pasteurella haemolytica A1 leukotoxin to bovine neutrophils used as target cells. The viability of leukotoxin-treated target cells was detected by use of a tetrazolium dye that living cells reduced to dark blue formazan. The amount of formazan formed (which was quantified by use of an ELISA plate reader) was directly proportional to the number of viable target cells. This assay system also was used to measure leukotoxin-neutralization antibody titers of bovine serum and lung lavage specimens obtained during vaccination experiments. The major advantages of this assay over other methods such as the 51Cr-release and trypan blue-exclusion assays are precision, rapidity, and low cost; it also does not use radioisotopes.

Animals↗