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At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Observations on blood pressure responses to injections of medicinal plant extracts in rats.

Aqueous extracts of plant species from different families produced dose dependent decreases in blood pressure in rat within the first minute (immediate hypotensive response) and in duration of this hypotensive response following i.v. injection, while the subsequent response could be either hypotensive or hypertensive depending on plant species. The subsequent response was not dose-related in both magnitude and duration. The immediate hypotensive response was not due to the vehicle (NaCl solution) nor the common cations present in the extracts. It represented probably a reflex response with chemicals in the plant extracts acting on the peripheral chemoreceptors, or in the pacemaker and/or cardiac tissue, leading to a decrease in heart rate and tension. The subsequent hypotensive/hypertensive response was due to the chemicals acting on targets in different parts of various body systems.

Acacia↗
PubMed1978

Biochemical effects of gum arabic, gum tragacanth, methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose-Na in rat heart and liver.

Repeated oral administration of commonly used suspending media, gum arabic, gum tragacanth, methylcellulose, and carboxymethylcellulose-Na to rats caused uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in liver and heart mitochondria and partial inhibition of mixed function oxidases of liver endoplasmic reticulum, as measured by 2-biphenylhydroxylation and 4-biphenylhydroxylation. There were considerable differences between the compounds with regard to potency and reversibility of these effects. Only methylcellulose at a concentration of 0.5% did not alter mitochondrial function and mixed function oxidases. It is recommended as suspending medium for the use in pharmacological and toxicological experiments.

Acacia↗
PubMed1989

Therapeutic effects of bezafibrate and gemfibrozil in hyperlipoproteinaemia type IIa and IIb.

Fifty-nine patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia Type IIa and IIb who had failed to respond to 1-month's dietary therapy were treated over a 4-month period with either bezafibrate (600 mg/day) or gemfibrozil (1200 mg/day) in addition to their diet. Fasting serum lipid (cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides) and blood glucose levels were measured on entry and at monthly intervals, and routine laboratory investigations were carried out before and after treatment to monitor hepatic, renal and haematic tolerance. The results showed that whilst both drugs produced significant reductions from baseline in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels from Day 30 onwards, the reductions were more marked in the bezafibrate group. There was a trend for HDL-cholesterol levels to increase. Fasting blood glucose levels decreased significantly in the bezafibrate group and to a greater extent than in patients on gemfibrozil. Only 1 patient on bezafibrate did not tolerate bezafibrate whereas 13 patients on gemfibrozil reported side-effects, mainly gastro-intestinal, and 4 had to withdraw from the study during the first or second month.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

IL-4 induces a wide-spectrum intracellular signaling cascade in CD8+ T cells.

IL-4 has distinct effects on the differentiation and functional properties of CD8+ T cells. In vivo studies have shown that it is critical for the development of protective memory responses against tumors and infections by Leishmania and Plasmodium parasites. The intracellular signaling events mediated by IL-4/IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) interactions on CD4+ T cells have been studied extensively; however, the nature of IL-4-induced signaling on CD8+ T cells has not been characterized. Using naïve, activated, as well as differentiated CD8+ T cells, we show that IL-4 has a strong in vivo and in vitro antiapoptotic effect on activated and resting CD8+ T cells. We demonstrate that IL-4 induces the phosphorylation of the IL-4R, which is followed by the activation of at least two distinct intracellular signaling cascades: the Jak1/STAT6 and the insulin receptor substrate/PI-3K/protein kinase B pathways. We also found that IL-4 induces the Jak3-mediated phosphorylation and nuclear migration of STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 in naïve, activated, as well as differentiated, IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells. The induction of this broad signaling activity in CD8+ T cells coincides with a transcriptional activity of suppressors of cytokine signaling genes, which are decreased significantly in comparison with CD4+ T cells. To our knowledge, this report constitutes the first comprehensive analysis of the signaling events that shape CD8+ T cell responses to IL-4.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ecto-phosphatase activity on the cell surface of Crithidia deanei.

In the present work we have partially characterized an ecto-phosphatase activity in Crithidia deanei, using viable parasites. This enzyme hydrolyzed p-nitrophenylphosphate at a rate of 3.55 +/- 0.47 nmol Pi/h x 10(8) cells. The dependence on p-NPP concentration shows a normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics for this phosphatase activity and the value of the apparent Km for p-NPP was 5.35 +/- 0.89 mM. This phosphatase activity was inhibited by the product of the reaction, the inorganic phosphate. Experiments using classical inhibitors of acid phosphatases, such as ZnCl2 and sodium fluoride, as well as inhibitors of phosphotyrosine phosphatase, such as sodium orthovanadate and ammonium molybdate, showed a decrease in this phosphatase activity, with different patterns of inhibition.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An ectonucleotide ATP-diphosphohydrolase activity in Trichomonas vaginalis stimulated by galactose and its possible role in virulence.

This work describes the ability of living Trichomonas vaginalis to hydrolyze extracellular ATP (164.0 +/- 13.9 nmol Pi/h x 10(7) cells). This ecto-enzyme was stimulated by ZnCl2, CaCl2 and MgCl2, was insensitive to several ATPase and phosphatase inhibitors and was able to hydrolyze several nucleotides besides ATP. The activity was linear with cell density and with time for at least 60 min. The optimum pH for the T. vaginalis ecto-ATPase lies in the alkaline range. D-galactose, known to be involved in adhesion of T. vaginalis to host cells, stimulated this enzyme by more than 90%. A comparison between two strains of T. vaginalis showed that the ecto-ATPase activity of a fresh isolate was twice as much as that of a strain axenically maintained in culture, through daily passages, for several years. The results suggest a possible role for this ecto-ATPase in adhesion of T. vaginalis to host cells and in its pathogenicity.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2005

Improving health, safety, and profits in extended hours operations (shiftwork).

Circadian Technologies, Inc. (CIRCADIAN) is an international consulting firm that for over 20 yr has helped employees better cope with shiftwork, while ensuring their employers reduce costs and maximize profits. This paper describes two of the methods employed to reduce accidents, absenteeism, and turnover, while improving morale and productivity in extended hour operations (shiftwork). Shiftworkers rarely receive on-the-job training to help them cope better with the rigors of working nights, evenings, and early mornings. A pre- and post-training study by CIRCADIAN demonstrated improvements in health and fatigue indices, and an increase in daytime sleep length. Companies who provide shiftwork lifestyle training also have lower rates of absenteeism and turnover compared to companies that do not provide training. The second intervention described in this paper is a novel method of shift scheduling. There are thousands of potential schedules, so how does a company choose the best schedule for their facility? The answer lies in allowing employees to be involved in the process of selection. This results in a workforce that experiences less fatigue, turnover and absenteeism, and higher morale.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1997

Effect of dietary phenolic amines on testicular function and luteinizing hormone secretion in male angora goats.

To test the effect of dietary phenolic amines on pituitary-gonadal functions, 24 postpubertal male Angora goats were assigned during the breeding season to a control diet or to graze on a pasture dominated by phenolic amine-containing vegetation (PA). Compared with control bucks, bucks grazing PA had decreased (P < .001) serum concentrations of testosterone, increased (P < .001) triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), greater (P < .001) reduction in scrotal circumference (SC), lower (P < .001) body weight gains, and reduced (P < .01) semen volume. Sperm concentration and progressive motility were not affected by treatment. On d 75 of treatment, endogenous and GnRH-stimulated LH secretion were greater (P < .01), but endogenous and stimulated testosterone secretion tended (P < .10) to be reduced in the PA bucks relative to the controls. Endogenous serum concentrations of LH and testosterone were positively correlated in the controls, whereas no correlation was detected in the PA males. We conclude that during the breeding season, increased consumption of plants with a high concentration of phenolic amines can affect the reproductive competence of male goats in a manner that suggests a premature ending of the active reproductive phase. The concurrent influence of dietary phenolic amines on serum T3 and T4, and the relationship of these hormones with expression of seasonal reproduction in domestic and wild ruminants, warrants further analysis of the relationship between dietary phenolic amines, thyroid function, and reproduction in these species.

Acacia↗
PubMed1978

Binding of bile acids to anion-exchanging drugs in vitro.

Equal amounts of anion exchanger of the drugs, Secholex, Colestipol, Cuemid, and Questran, were incubated at 37 degrees C with human duodenal fluid containing about 7 mM total bile acid. Binding of bile acid to Qestran, which contains about 45% cholestyramine, was fastest: concentration of unbound bile acid after 2 hours was less than 3 mM compared to about 5 mM in the solutions incubated with the other drugs, including Cuemid, which contains about 83% cholestyramine. After 24 hours, differences were less marked, but binding to Qestran was still greatest. Glycocholic acid was least efficiently bound, especially to Secholex and Cuemid. The differences in rates of binding were unaffected by preincubation of the drugs with 1 N HCl to simulate stomach conditions. Although differences between the cholestyramine components of Cuemid and Questran are not ruled out, it is possible that one or more of the other components of Questran significantly affect the in vitro binding of bile acids. Cholestryramine in the form of Questran may be the drug of choice in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, in which reduction of the bile acid pool is desirable. In cholegenic diarrhoea, however, one of the drugs with lower affinity for glycocholic acid may be preferable.

Acacia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

beta-Glucuronidase activity following complex coacervation and spray drying microencapsulation.

The objective was to develop a microencapsulation process suitable for the controlled release of an active protein drug. beta-glucuronidase was selected as a model protein and a combination of complex coacervation (gelatin/sodium alginate, gelatin/acacia and albumin/acacia) and spray drying was investigated. Coacervates were either spray dried or glutaraldehyde crosslinked to form microcapsules. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol were investigated as potential coacervate enhancers and stabilizers. beta-glucuronidase/polymer mixtures were spray dried to determine any polymer protective effects on protein activity. A BUCHI 190 Spray Drier was used, beta-glucuronidase activity was determined using a Sigma Kit and microcapsule particle size was measured by Accusizer analysis (light blockage). All non-crosslinked coacervates investigated, with the exceptions of albumin/acacia and albumin/acacia/beta-glucuronidase/PVP, were unsuitable for spray drying as they rapidly phase separated and blocked the spray drier nozzle. beta-glucuronidase activity in the albumin/acacia coacervates approximated to 99% prior to and 80% following spray drying. This can be compared to activities of approximately 30% and 68% when spray dried alone and with albumin, respectively, and of 18% in albumin/acacia microcapsules crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Microcapsule particle size was affected by coacervation pH, additives and spray drying. In vitro beta-glucuronidase release was biphasic, with an initial burst release followed by a zero order release phase and continued over the 12 day study period. In conclusion, the spray drying albumin/acacia/PVP method described is useful for the preparation and collection of controlled release microcapsules with minimal loss of beta-glucuronidase activity.

Acacia↗