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Two generations of the St. Jude Medical ATG coronary connector systems for coronary artery anastomoses in coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: In the past, coronary anastomoses have been performed using running and, occasionally, interrupted non-resorbable sutures. Recently, special interest has developed in mechanical anastomotic devices to facilitate minimal invasive techniques or limited access surgery. The experience with two series of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using the St. Jude Medical ATG coronary connector systems (investigational stainless steel device, not yet commercially available) for vein-to-coronary artery anastomoses is reported here. METHODS: Between November 2000 and April 2002, we evaluated two generations of distal coronary connector systems in 19 patients who were scheduled for multivessel CABG. One vein graft-to-coronary artery anastomosis per patient was performed with a stainless steel mechanical connector, in an ongoing investigational study. Although these two generations of the St. Jude Medical ATG coronary connectors have the same underlying construction, somewhat cumbersome loading of the first-generation system led to simplification of the second-generation system, which is currently evaluated. RESULTS: With the first generation of distal connector, hemostasis was instantaneous in all cases, and all anastomoses were patent at the end of the procedure. However, retrograde flow to the native coronary artery was restricted in 1 patient. The connector was removed, and the anastomosis was performed with a running suture at the same site. Three-month angiography or magnetic resonance imaging angiography was available in 11 patients with 10 patent connector grafts. With the second-generation connectors one of five had to be removed because of leakage, and the anastomosis could be sutured at the same site. The other four connector anastomoses were patent and hemostatic at the end of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The St. Jude Medical ATG coronary connector system is an effective device for sutureless vein graft to coronary artery anastomoses in CABG. The second-generation system presents a further development eliminating some drawbacks of the first generation such as cumbersome, time-consuming loading as well as suitability for smaller coronary arteries. These connectors allow construction of geometrically round anastomoses and theoretically may also be suitable for sequential anastomoses. After tremendous research and development efforts, an optimized mechanical connection system for small vessel anastomoses has been introduced into clinical investigation. This represents a major step in the era of sutureless vascular connections in cardiac surgery.

Aged↗

Effect of three triterpenoid compounds isolated from root bark of Aralia elata on stimulus-induced superoxide generation and tyrosyl phosphorylation and translocation of p47(phox) and p67(phox) to cell membrane in human neutrophil.

BACKGROUND: Root bark of Aralia elata is used as a folk medicine for neurasthenia, rheumatism, diabetes, hepatitis virus and spasm of the stomach in China, Japan and Russia. METHODS: The effect of three triterpenoid compounds isolated from root bark of A. elata on stimulus-induced superoxide generation and tyrosyl phosphorylation and translocation of p47(phox) and p67(phox) to cell membrane was investigated. The three compounds examined were Elatoside A, Elatoside C, and Tarasaponin V. RESULTS: When the cells were preincubated with these compounds, the superoxide generation induced by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) was suppressed in a low concentration range. However, the superoxide generation was significantly enhanced by 40 micromol/l triterpenoid, and was again suppressed in the higher concentration range. In the case of superoxide generation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), the compounds had no obvious effect on the superoxide generation in low concentration but suppressed that at 40 micromol/l. These compounds also efficiently suppressed the superoxide generation induced by arachidonic acid (AA) at 10 micromol/l. In parallel to the effect on the fMLP-induced superoxide generation, these compounds suppressed fMLP-induced tyrosyl phosphorylation and the translocation to membrane of cytosolic compounds, p47(phox) and p67(phox) at 10 and 80 micromol/l but not at 40 micromol/l. CONCLUSIONS: Triterpenoid saponins examined in this study effect stimulus-induced superoxide generation and tyrosyl phosphorylation and translocation to membrane of p47(phox) and p67(phox) in a concentration-dependent manner, and may have some pharmaceutical applications.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Inhibition of immunoglobulin G-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide generation by dexamethasone and piroxicam.

In the present study, we established a simple and physiologically acceptable in vitro assay system to measure H2O2 generated by human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and other proteins. In addition, the effects of various drugs were also tested in this method. We found that UV irradiation (280 nm) of the test solutions for 1 h at 37 degrees C produced suitable conditions to test the effects of these drugs. The test solution contained 100 microg/ml IgG in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and 1% dimethylformamide (DMF), a solvent used to dissolve each drug. Phosphate anions were preferable for H2O2 generation. H2O2 concentration in the irradiated sample was determined by continuous photometric measurement of absorption (O.D.) at 340 nm for 600 sec. The decrease in O.D. was due to the oxidation of NADPH by H2O2 mediated by the glutathione redox cycle. H2O2 generation was expressed as O.D.(340 nm decrease/400 sec). IgG (100 microg/ml) generated 6-7 microM H2O2/h. With irradiation, most cytokines, proteins and enzymes failed to generate significant amounts of H2O2. The formation of H2O2 from H2O and UV light-induced singlet oxygen (1O2) was demonstrated by the inhibitory effects of 1O2 quenchers. Dexamethasone (IC50: 6 ng/ml = 1.4x10(-8) M) blocked H2O2 generation catalyzed by IgG. This action was not mediated by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor. Piroxicam (IC50: 20 ng/ml = 6.0 x 10(-6) M) and diclofenac.Na (IC50: 500 ng/ml = 1.6 x 10(-5) M), but not indomethacin, also blocked H2O2 generation. The mechanism underlying the inhibition of IgG-catalyzed H2O2 generation is not clear; however, the possibility exists that these drugs intercept, or interfere with, the approach of water molecules at the catalytic interface(s) of the IgG.

Animals↗

Preserved verb generation priming in global amnesia.

In the verb generation task, participants are presented with nouns and generate for each one an appropriate verb. Raichle et al. (Cerebral Cortex, 1994, 4, 8-26) found that when participants generated verbs to repeated nouns, generation latencies were reduced and different patterns of brain activation were present. In order to examine whether verb generation priming is dependent or independent of declarative memory, verb generation priming was compared between 13 amnesic (seven with alcoholic Korsakoff's syndrome, six with other etiologies) and 19 control participants (10 with a history of alcoholism). Both amnesic and control participants became faster across blocks on repeated nouns and slowed when novel nouns were introduced. Priming was verb specific for both groups: it was equivalent whether generated to a repeated or a novel noun. Verb generation priming, therefore, can occur independently of declarative memory.

Adult↗

Acoustic wave generation by microwaves and applications to nondestructive evaluation.

Although acoustic wave generation by electromagnetic waves has been widely studied in the case of laser-generated ultrasounds, the literature on acoustic wave generation by thermal effects due to electromagnetic microwaves is very sparse. Several mechanisms have been suggested to explain the phenomenon of microwave generation, i.e. radiation pressure, electrostriction or thermal expansion. Now it is known that the main cause is the thermal expansion due to the microwave absorption. This paper will review the recent advances in the theory and experiments that introduce a new way to generate ultrasonic waves without contact for the purpose of nondestructive evaluation and control. The unidirectional theory based on Maxwell's equations, heat equation and thermoviscoelasticity predicts the generation of acoustic waves at interfaces and inside stratified materials. Acoustic waves are generated by a pulsed electromagnetic wave or a burst at a chosen frequency such that materials can be excited with a broad or narrow frequency range. Experiments show the generation of acoustic waves in water, viscoelastic polymers and composite materials shaped as rod and plates. From the computed and measured accelerations at interfaces, the viscoelastic and electromagnetic properties of materials such as polymers and composites can be evaluated (NDE). Preliminary examples of non-destructive testing applications are presented.

Journal Article↗

Life span variations in 128 successive generations of D. melanogaster. I. Evidence that the phenomenon exists and analysis of the variations mode.

Survival of Drosophila melanogaster was estimated in 128 successive generations for 5 years. The resultant 116 samples (58 for females and 58 for males) containing series of individual values of life span (LS; 50-90 values in each series) were analyzed. Each of 58 pairs of samples belonged to a definite generation in a continuous succession where every next generation was an offspring of the preceding one. In total, 10180 Drosophila flies (5100 females and 5080 males) were studied. The mean life span (MLS) was found to be considerably heterogeneous in the series of generations: in many pairs of consecutive generations, MLSs significantly differed within two errors of the mean (P<0.05), and the minimum and maximum MLSs in the series differed from each other almost twofold. The use of the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test made it possible to conclusively demonstrate highly significant (P<0.001) differences between LS distributions and their medians in the series of successive generations of D. melanogaster. Highly significant (P<0.0001) positive correlations (from 0.61 to 0.91) between the parameters characterizing the minimum (t(10)), mean, and maximum (t(90)) LSs were found. This indicates considerable consistency of the LS variations in successive generations of the same population, with the proportions of individuals with low and high LSs remaining about the same irrespective of the MLS. It was demonstrated with the use of mathematical simulation that the MLS changes in successive generations may be regarded as an oscillatory process and described as a sum of several (three to five) harmonic components. The calculated determination coefficients were high (93.51 and 88.93% for females and males, respectively). This indicates that the mathematical model used for simulation adequately described the observed variations in MLS. The results are discussed in terms of population gerontology and the problem of geroprotector effectiveness.

Aging↗

Inhibition of the generation of thrombin and factor Xa by a fucoidan from the brown seaweed Ecklonia kurome.

The effects of a fucoidan (C-II), which was purified from the brown seaweed Ecklonia kurome, on the generation of thrombin and factor Xa have been investigated by measuring the amidolytic activities by using the respective specific chromogenic substrates in both plasma and purified systems. C-II inhibited significantly the generation of thrombin in both the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathways, although the intrinsic inhibitory effect by C-II was more remarkable than the extrinsic one. On the other hand, C-II was a good inhibitor of the factor Xa generation in the intrinsic pathway, while it was a poor one in the extrinsic pathway. In the purified systems C-II also inhibited the formation of prothrombin-activating complex (i.e., prothrombinase), but not its activity. The concentration of C-II required for 50% inhibition of thrombin generation was about one-tenth to one-seventh of that of the activity of the generated thrombin in plasma. These results indicate that C-II has an inhibitory effect on the generation of thrombin by blocking the formation of prothrombinase and by preventing the generation of intrinsic factor Xa in addition to its antithrombin activity, and also that the generation-inhibitory effect is more remarkable than C-II's enhancement effect on the antithrombin activity by heparin cofactor II in plasma.

Animals↗

Electrovaporization as a treatment modality for transurethral resection of the prostate: influence of generator type.

OBJECTIVES: To study the influence of the electrosurgical generator on the vaporization efficacy during electrovaporization (EVAP) using different vaporization elements. METHODS: Electrical properties of human prostatic (in vivo) and bovine myocardium (in vitro) tissue were measured under electroresection and electrovaporization conditions. The effective output power of four different generators ("old generation" Force 4 and Force 40 and "new generation" Force 300 and Force FX) was measured at different impedance loads. In vitro, the coagulation and vaporization capabilities of the electrosurgical generators in combination with resection and vaporization elements were studied on homogeneous tissue (bovine myocardium). RESULTS: The electrical impedance of human prostatic tissue and bovine myocardium increases from 400 to 1000 ohms when coagulated. The effective output power of the old generation electrosurgical devices depends strongly on tissue impedance. This implies that working on already coagulated tissue using such devices is not well controlled and not reproducible. By contrast, new generation electrosurgical devices correct for the higher impedance of coagulated tissue, thus delivering constant output power and corresponding tissue effects. CONCLUSIONS: For an effective application of the EVAP technique, the use of a new generation impedance independent electrosurgical unit is highly recommended.

Animals↗

Differential effects of aspirin and misoprostol on 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid generation by leukocytes from aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Although the mechanisms of aspirin-induced rhinosinusitis-asthma appear to be related to arachidonic acid abnormalities, only recently has a specific aspirin-triggered enhancement of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) generation in nasal polyp epithelial cells from aspirin-sensitive patients been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess generation of 15-HETE and other eicosanoids by peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) from aspirin-sensitive and aspirin-tolerant asthmatic patients and modulation of 15-HETE generation by a prostaglandin (PG) E(1) analogue (misoprostol). METHODS: Twenty-four aspirin-sensitive patients with asthma-rhinosinusitis and 18 aspirin-tolerant asthmatic patients were studied, and eicosanoids released from PBLs were assessed by means of enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS: Unstimulated PBLs from aspirin-sensitive and aspirin-tolerant patients generated similar amounts of PGE(2), leukotriene C(4), and 15-HETE, but lipoxin A(4) release was significantly less in aspirin-sensitive patients (300 +/- 70 pg/mL) in comparison with that seen in aspirin-tolerant patients (690 +/- 100 pg/mL, P <.05). Cell incubation with 2, 20, or 200 micromol/L aspirin resulted in a dose-dependent increase in 15-HETE generation (mean change of +85%, +189%, and +284% at each aspirin concentration, respectively) only in aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients. Naproxen stimulated 15-HETE generation in aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients, but indomethacin or specific COX-2 inhibitors (NS-398 and celecoxib) did not affect 15-HETE release. A synthetic PGE(1) analogue (misoprostol) inhibited aspirin-induced 15-HETE release but enhanced 15-HETE generation by aspirin in leukocytes from aspirin-tolerant patients. After preincubation with misoprostol, aspirin induced a dose-dependent production of lipoxin A(4) in both groups. CONCLUSION: PBLs from patients with aspirin-sensitive rhinosinusitis-asthma might be specifically triggered by aspirin to generate 15-HETE. Metabolism of 15-HETE is differentially regulated by misoprostol in aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients.

Adult↗

Differential regulation of antigen-induced IL-4 and IL-13 generation from T lymphocytes by IFN-alpha.

BACKGROUND: IL-4 and IL-13 are related cytokines with similar functional properties. Differential regulation of IL-4 and IL-13 has not been described. OBJECTIVE: We have examined the effects of IFN-alpha on antigen-driven proliferation, IL-4 generation, and IL-13 generation from human PBMCs and T-cell clones. METHODS: Proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Cytokine generation was assessed by reverse transcription PCR and ELISA. Messenger RNA stability was assessed in the presence of actinomycin D. RESULTS: IFN-alpha induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of antigen-driven proliferation of TH1 and TH2 clones (median effective concentration, 150 to 200 U/mL); the sensitivity of TH1 and TH2 clones to IFN-alpha was not significantly different (P =.6). IFN-alpha induced an analogous concentration-dependent inhibition of antigen-driven IL-13 generation from TH1 and TH2 clones (median effective concentration, 100 U/mL); this effect was evident by 12 hours of culture and persisted beyond 48 hours. However, IL-4 generation from TH2 clones was insensitive to IFN-alpha at all concentrations and times tested (1 to 10,000 U/mL). A similar inhibitory effect of IFN-alpha on mitogen-driven proliferation and IL-13 generation from PBMCs was demonstrated; once again, IL-4 generation from PBMCs was insensitive to IFN-alpha. IL-13 mRNA stability was unaffected by IFN-alpha, suggesting transcriptional regulation. CONCLUSION: IFN-alpha differentially regulates antigen-stimulated IL-4 and IL-13 generation.

Adult↗

Effects of tetradifon on Daphnia magna during chronic exposure and alterations in the toxicity to generations pre-exposed to the pesticide.

Daphnia magna was exposed to some nominal sublethal tetradifon concentrations (0.10, 0.18, 0.22 and 0.44 mg/l) during 21 days. Chronic toxicity tests were carried out using neonates of F(1) first brood (F(1)-1st) and F(1) third brood (F(1)-3rd) offspring generations from parentals (F(0)) pre-exposed to the pesticide. The effect of tetradifon on survival, reproduction and growth was monitored for the selected daphnid generations. The parameters used to evaluate pesticide effect on reproduction were: mean total young per female, mean brood size, time to first reproduction, mean number broods per female and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r). Survival and growth (body length) were also determined after 21 days of exposure to the pesticide. Reproduction was significantly reduced when tetradifon concentration increased in the medium. This effect was higher in F(1)-1st and F(1)-3rd offsprings compared to the parental generation (F(0)) daphnids. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) decreased with increasing concentrations of tetradifon especially in those animals from F(1)-3rd. However, the growth of the exposed organisms decreased in the same order of magnitud in all the generations tested. Survival was not affected after exposure to the selected tetradifon concentrations. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) was calculated for F(0), F(1)-1st and F(1)-3rd generations exposed to the pesticide using as parameter of evaluation the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r). The interpolation of these results gave MATC values of 0.13 mg/l pesticide for F(0) and F(1). The EC50 values have been derived for some selected parameters on D. magna exposed to tetradifon. EC50 values decreased in F(1)-1st and F(1)-3rd generations compared to the parental generation F(0), these results mean that less amount of toxicant would be necessary to reduce the selected parameters to 50% in the first and third broods of D. magna. Expanding the reproduction tests to several broods of a parental generation revealed important information on chronic toxicity that could be used in the protection of aquatic environment.

Journal Article↗

The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine decreases defibrillation-induced free radical generation.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that nitric oxide (NO) contributes to free radical generation after epicardial shocks and to determine the effect of a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), on free radical generation. BACKGROUND: Free radicals are generated by direct current shocks for defibrillation. NO reacts with the superoxide (O(2).(-)) radical to form peroxynitrite (O=NOO(-)), which is toxic and initiates additional free radical generation. The contribution of NO to free radical generation after defibrillation is not fully defined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fourteen open chest dogs were studied. In the initial eight dogs, 40 J damped sinusoidal monophasic epicardial shocks was administered. Using electron paramagnetic resonance, we monitored the coronary sinus concentration of ascorbate free radical (Ascz.(-)), a measure of free radical generation (total oxidative flux). Epicardial shocks were repeated after L-NNA, 5 mg/kg IV. In six additional dogs, immunohistochemical staining was done to identify nitrotyrosine, a marker of reactive nitrogen species-mediated injury, in post-shock myocardial tissue. Three of these dogs received L-NNA pre-shock. After the initial 40 J shock, Ascz.(-) rose 39+/-2.5% from baseline. After L-NNA infusion, a similar 40 J shock caused Ascz.(-) to increase only 2+/-3% from baseline (P<0.05, post-L-NNA shock versus initial shock). Nitrotyrosine staining was more prominent in control animals than dogs receiving L-NNA, suggesting prevention of O=NOO(-) formation. CONCLUSIONS: NO contributes to free radical generation and nitrosative injury after epicardial shocks; NOS inhibitors decrease radical generation by inhibiting the production of O=NOO(-).

Animals↗

Improvement of stone fragmentation during shock-wave lithotripsy using a combined EH/PEAA shock-wave generator-in vitro experiments.

To control the collapse of cavitation bubbles induced during shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL), a piezoelectric annular array (PEAA) shock-wave generator was fabricated and combined with an experimental electrohydraulic (EH) shock-wave lithotripter with a truncated HM-3 reflector. The PEAA generator consists of eight individual transducers of 200-kHz resonant frequency. At a discharge voltage of 15 kV, the PEAA generator produces a shock wave with a peak positive pressure of 8.2 MPa, a positive half cycle duration of 2.9 micros, and a -6-dB beam width of 5 mm. The trigger of the PEAA generator was controlled via fiberoptic link with reference to the spark discharge of the EH generator. Hence, the PEAA-generated shock wave could be used to interact with cavitation bubbles induced by the EH source at various stages of their oscillation. The duration of bubble oscillation during SWL was monitored by a 2.25-MHz focused hydrophone, and this information was used to control the release timing of the PEAA generator. Stone fragmentation tests in vitro were carried out, and demonstrated that stone comminution could be significantly enhanced when the shock wave-bubble interaction occurred during the collapsing phase of the bubbles. A maximum increment of 60% to 80% in stone fragmentation was achieved when the PEAA-generated shock wave arrives near the collapse of the bubbles. Under these conditions, much intensified collapse of the bubbles near the surface of the stone, with strong secondary shock-wave emission and increased stress concentration at the impact site of the solid boundary, was observed using high-speed shadowgraph and photoelastic imaging.

Calculi↗

Three-generation reproduction study of rats receiving acrylonitrile in drinking water.

Acrylonitrile, a high volume organic chemical, was tested for reproductive effects in a three generation drinking water study with two matings per generation. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to acrylonitrile in drinking water at 0, 100, or 500 ppm. This corresponds to 0, 11+/-5 and 37+/-10 mg/kg, respectively, for males and 0, 20+/-3 and 40+/-8 mg/kg per day for the females, respectively. Water consumption was reduced in F0 rats in the 100 and 500 ppm groups. At 500 ppm, acrylonitrile reduced body weight gain and food intake of the first generation parental rats (F0). These parameters were not investigated at subsequent generations. The pup survival (both viability and lactation indices) was reduced at the 500 ppm treatment level in both matings of all three generations. Fostering the 500 ppm pups onto untreated mothers following the second mating lessened mortality, suggesting a maternal effect consistent with decreased water consumption. There was no remarkable change in the reproductive capacity in any of matings in rats at the 100 ppm concentration. In contrast, in all three generations, the body weights of the pups of the 500 ppm treatment level were reduced on Day 21 at both matings. No adverse findings were observed in the tissues of a limited number of third generation weanlings (F3b) upon gross and microscopic evaluation. No effect on the sciatic nerve was evident among the adult female rats held for 20 weeks after weaning of the second litter. There was a dose-related effect of acrylonitrile on gross masses in female rats at each parental generation held 20 weeks after the weaning of the second litter. Histopathological evaluation of these dams showed an increase in astrocytomas and zymbal gland tumors.

Acrylonitrile↗

Rat two-generation reproductive toxicity study of bisphenol A.

This study was conducted to determine the low-dose effects of bisphenol A (BPA) in a rat two-generation reproduction study. Groups of 25 male and 25 female Crj: CD (SD) IGS rats were given BPA at 0.2, 2, 20, or 200 microg/kg/day by gastric intubation throughout the study beginning at the onset of a 10- and 2-week premating period, in F0 males and females, respectively, and continuing through the mating, gestation, and lactation periods, for two generations. There were adult (F0, F1, F2) and postnatal day (PND) 22 (F1, F2) necropsies: the oldest F2 males and females being killed at postnatal weeks 7 and 14, respectively. No compound-related clinical signs or effects on body weight or food consumption were observed in any generation. There were no compound-related changes in surface righting reflex, negative geotaxis reflex, mid-air righting reflex, pinna detachment, incisor eruption, eye opening, testes descent, preputial separation, or vaginal opening in F1 and F2 generations, or behavior in the open field or water filled multiple T-maze in the F1 generation. No test compound-related changes in estrous cyclicity, copulation index, fertility index, number of implantations, gestation length, litter size, pup weight, pup sex ratio, pup viability, or other functional reproductive measures were noted in any generation. A few significant changes in the anogenital distance (AGD) per cube root of body weight ratio were found at 0.2 and 20 microg/kg in F1 males, at 2, 20, and 200 microg/kg in F1 females, and at 20 and 200 microg/kg in F2 females. However, the changes in the AGD were consistently small (within 5% of control values), and no continuous changes in the AGD or AGD/cube root of body weight ratio were detected. There were no compound-related changes in epididymal sperm counts or motility in F0 and F1 males. No compound-related necropsy findings or effects on organ weight including the reproductive organs were found in any generation. Histopathologic examinations revealed no evidence of compound-related changes in any organs including the reproductive organs of both sexes. The data indicate that oral doses of BPA of between 0.2 and 200 microg/kg over 2 generations did not cause significant compound-related changes in reproductive or developmental parameters in rats.

Administration, Oral↗

gamma-Glutamyltransferase dependent generation of reactive oxygen species from a glutathione/transferrin system.

In the presence of molecular oxygen and iron or copper ions, a number of antioxidants paradoxically generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to free radical damage of nucleic acids and oxidative modification of lipids and proteins. The present work demonstrates that the combination of three components, which are often considered as part of an antioxidant protection system, can generate ROS. Purified human gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the presence of 2 mM glutathione (GSH) and 80 microM transferrin, as an iron source, at pH 7.4 generates ROS, as measured by chemiluminescence of luminol. Initiated by the addition of purified GGT, generation of ROS reached a maximal rate in the first 6 min. Intensity of the chemiluminescence was only slightly enhanced by addition of 200 microM hydrogen peroxide. Generation of ROS was also investigated in transfected V79 cells expressing human GGT. In comparison with GGT negative V79 cells, only recombinant cells expressing a high level of GGT on the cell membrane were able to generate ROS. Generation of ROS in these cells reached a maximum within 2 min and was enhanced by 200 microM hydrogen peroxide. We further confirmed the hypothesis that cysteinylglycine (CysGly), a product of GGT/GSH reaction, identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, but not GSH, was responsible for ROS formation initiated by the reductive release of iron from transferrin. These data clearly indicate that under physiological conditions, GGT is directly involved in ROS generation.

Animals↗

Free radicals as potential mediators of metal-allergy: Ni2+- and Co2+-mediated free radical generation.

The generation of free radicals by Ni(2+) and Co(2+) was studied at physiological pH in H(2)O(2)-containing solutions in the absence and presence of various radical-mediating ligands and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures. With ESR spectroscopy, free radical species were identified and quantitated by spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). Co(2+) generated hydroxyl radicals from H(2)O(2) in PBS solutions containing glutathione (GSH) or histidine (His). Omission of GSH or His from the reaction mixture significantly reduced the ESR-signal, indicating the importance of metal-chelation in free radical generation. Carnosine did not significantly enhance the reactivity of Co(2+) toward H(2)O(2), whereas cysteine (Cys) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) suppressed free radical generation. Under identical reaction conditions, Ni(2+) was markedly less reactive toward H(2)O(2) in comparison with Co(2+). GSH, His, Cys and NAC did not enhance free radical generation of Ni(2+) from H(2)O(2). However, in the presence of carnosine weak but significantly enhanced ESR intensities were found. Incubation of PBMC cultures from healthy subjects with Co(2+) (10-50 microM) yielded the DMPO-.OH adduct, suggesting Co(2+)-mediated hydroxyl radical generation. In contrast, incubation of PBMC cultures with Ni(2+) (10-50 microM) did not produce a detectable ESR-signal. Ascorbic acid efficiently inhibited Co(2+)-mediated free radical generation in PBS solutions and PBMC cultures. The observed difference in free radical generating capacity between Ni(2+) and Co(2+) is of interest with respect to the absence of cross-reactivity between the two metal-ions in experimental allergic contact dermatitis.

Acetylcysteine↗

Resting T cells negatively regulate osteoclast generation from peripheral blood monocytes.

There is accumulating evidence that T cells may be involved in osteoclastogenesis in a variety of murine systems. However, the precise role of human T cells in the regulation of osteoclast generation is still unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the effect of resting peripheral T cells on receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast generation from human peripheral monocytes. Although osteoclasts were not generated in the culture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), the addition of cyclosporine A (CsA), a potent inhibitor of T-cell function, resulted in the formation of an increasing number of lacunae resorption on dentine, suggesting T cells may inhibit osteoclast formation. In a coculture of T cells and monocytes, which were isolated from PBMC, T cells inhibited the osteoclast generation from monocytes, as determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and a pit assay using dentine. This inhibition of osteoclast generation by T cells was also observed in a culture of the parathyroid hormone-stimulated SaOS4/3 osteoblast cell line and monocytes. The culture in Transwell plates revealed that the cell-to-cell interaction was not required for the inhibition, suggesting that T-cell cytokines may be responsible for the inhibition. Among inhibitory T-cell cytokines on osteoclastogenesis, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were actively produced by CD4 T cells but not CD8 T cells in the coculture of T cells with monocytes, and the neutralizing antibodies to these cytokines partially rescued the T-cell-induced inhibition of osteoclast formation. Although CsA did not affect RANKL-induced osteoclast generation in the culture of monocytes alone, it completely rescued the T-cell-induced inhibition of osteoclast formation and strongly inhibited the production of GM-CSF and IFN-gamma. Thus, we demonstrate that resting T cells negatively regulate the osteoclast generation via production of GM-CSF and IFN-gamma by CD4 T cells and that CsA stimulates the osteoclast generation through the inhibition of the production of these cytokines. These findings provide new insight into therapeutic strategies for immunosuppression-induced bone loss in transplant and other diseases.

Bone Remodeling↗