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[The effect of soy polysaccharide fiber on fecal weight and humidity in growing rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of soy polysaccharide on fecal weight and humidity in growing rats in relation to cellulose and a Soy formula without dietary fiber. METHODS: Twelve, 21-day-old, Wistar male rats, were distributed into three groups and fed AIN-93G ration with varying amounts of dietary fiber: Polysaccharide Group, 5% fiber in the form of soy polysaccharide; Soy Formula Group, 5% soy formula without fiber; and Cellulose Group, 5% fiber in cellulose form. Feces were collected for three 72-hour periods beginning on days 7, 17 and 27. They were weighed while humid and then dried at 105 degrees C until a constant weight. The humidity was calculated using the formula [(humid fecal weight - dry fecal weight)/humid fecal weight] X 100. RESULTS: The total humid fecal weight for Polysaccharide, Soy Formula and Cellulose groups was: 17.372-/+4.743 g; 6.045-/+0.619 g; and 16.012-/+2.600 g, (p = 0.001), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the Cellulose and Polysaccharide groups, but a statistically significant difference was observed between theses two groups and the soy formula group. Values for dry weight, in the same order, were: 6.463-/+1.177 g; 2.909-/+0.277 g; and 10.068-/+1.085 g, (p < 0.001), with a statistically significant difference between each of the groups. CONCLUSION: Animals that received soy formula presented lower humid and dried fecal weight than the other two groups, while the soy polysaccharide caused higher fecal humidity than did cellulose, probably due to greater fermentation.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Antitussive action of extracts and polysaccharides of marsh mallow (Althea officinalis L., var. robusta)].

The complex extract and the polysaccharide isolated from the roots of marsh mallow were tested for antitussive activity in unanaesthetized cats of both sexes. Cough was elicited by mechanical stimulation of laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial mucous area of the respiratory system with a Nylon fibre (diameter 0.35 mm). Cough was evaluated on the basis of the changes in lateral tracheal pressure. The polysaccharide and the complex extract were administered p.o. in a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w., respectively. The efficiency of the mentioned compounds was compared with the cough-suppressing effect of drugs belonging to the non-narcotic antitussics. The results of the experiments showed that administration of the polysaccharide led to a statistically significant decrease of the number of cough efforts both from laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial areas of the the respiratory system. The polysaccharide in a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. was as effective in inhibition of the cough reflex as Sirupus Althaeae in a dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. and more effective than prenoxdiazine in a dose of 30 mg/kg b.w. However, the cough-suppressing effect of the polysaccharide was lower than that of dropropizine. The extract was less effective than the polysaccharide.

Animals↗

Structural determination of the sialic acid polysaccharide antigens of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups B and C with carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance.

The application of 13-C nuclear magnetic resonance to the analysis of some sialic acid-containing meningococcal polysaccharide antigens is described. Complete assignments of the spectra of both the native serogroup B and the de-O-acetylated serogroup C polysaccharides have been made. These assignments were based on the corresponding data for some related monomers (sialic acid and its alpha-and beta-methylglycosides) and on supportive chemical evidence. The data indicate that the serogroup B polysaccharide is a 2 yields 8-alpha-linked homopolymer of sialic acid, identical in structure with colominic acid from Escherichia coli, whereas the de-O-acetylated serogroup C polysaccharide is a 2 yield 9-alpha-linked homopolymer. The native serogroup C polysaccharide is O-acetylated (1.16 mol of O-acetyl per sialic acid residue), all the O-acetyl substituents being located only at C-7 and C-8 of the sialic acid residues, and in addition contains unacetylated residues (24%). The polysaccharide contains di-O-acetylated residues (O-acetyl on C-7 and C-8), and at least one of the possible monoacetylated residues at C-7 or C-8.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

[Degradation of cell wall polysaccharides during postharvest fruit ripening and softening of different apple varieties].

The cell wall material (CWM) and eight cell wall polysaccharides fractions were extracted from 'Fuji' and 'Kinsei' apples during storage at different time (0 and 42 days). The sugar composition characteristics of each fraction were determined by gas chromatography. The results showed that, during storages, the firmness of 'Kinsei' apples decreased significantly, and a significant peak of ethylene production was shown after 10 d storage, but only a little ethylene was produced in 'Fuji' apples, which had a better storability. Compare to other cell wall polysaccharide fractions, in Na(2)CO(3)-soluble pectic fractions of apple fruit, there were abundant rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I), which branched highly in side chains due to the compositions of arabinans, galactans, arabinogalactans etc. As for cell wall polysaccharides, in 'Kinsei' apples, the decrease of pectic fractions was shown most significantly in Na(2)CO(3)-1 fraction, which was associated with a significant degradation of arabinosyl and galactosyl residues on the side chains. Further more, higher molecular mass in Na(2)CO(3)-1 pectic polysaccharides degraded and turned into ones with smaller molecular mass. From these results, the degradation of side chains in Na(2)CO(3)-1 pectic polysaccharides under the activity of enzyme was considered one of the most significant factors of apple fruit softening through modifying the network of cell wall polysaccharides.

Carbonates↗

Human IgA1 blockade of IgG-initiated lysis of Neisseria meningitidis is a function of antigen-binding fragment binding to the polysaccharide capsule.

We have recently shown that human IgA1 can initiate lysis of group C Neisseria meningitidis via the classical C pathway when bound to specific outer membrane proteins, but that IgA1 can also function as a blocking antibody when bound to the polysaccharide capsule of meningococci. In this report, we further characterized IgA1 blockade by examining the effect of IgA1 on IgG-initiated immune lysis of group C meningococci. We purified IgG and monomeric IgA1 from either convalescent group C meningococcal case sera or tetravalent (A, C, Y, W135) polysaccharide vaccinate sera. In the absence of IgA1, IgG initiated complete lysis (greater than 99%) of strains 118V (C:P3,4:L2,4) 126E (C:P3:L1,8), and 35E (C:P5:L2). Addition of IgA1 to the bactericidal reaction mixture completely blocked the lytic function of IgG. Removal of the Fc portion of IgA1 with either pepsin or IgA1 protease did not affect blockade. Both the F(ab')2 and Fab derivatives of IgA1 blocked lysis quantitatively as well as intact IgA1. The Fc fragment produced by IgA1 protease cleavage neither increased nor decreased Fab-mediated blockade. IgA1 and its Fab and F(ab')2 fragments blocked IgG-initiated lysis via either the classical pathway in factor B-depleted and in properdin-deficient serum, the alternative pathway in MgEGTA-chelated serum, or both pathways combined. Absorption of the IgA1 and IgG with alum-bound group C polysaccharide completely removed blocking and lytic activity, respectively, indicating that both the blocking IgA1 and the lytic IgG were specific for the group C capsule. Blocking by IgA1 was a linear function of the polysaccharide Ag-binding capacity (ABC) ratio of blocking IgA1 to lytic IgG. Complete blockade was observed at an ABC ratio of 5.5. At ABC ratios of 3.3 and 4.4, IgA1 affected significant blockade whether added previous to, concurrent with, or subsequent to sensitization of the organisms with IgG. With the use of a C polysaccharide ELISA, we found that the binding of IgA1 to the group C capsule in the presence of IgG exhibited positive cooperativity and therefore that blockade was independent of the ability of IgA1 to directly compete with IgG for binding to epitopes within the group C capsule. We conclude that IgA1, when bound to the group C polysaccharide capsule, can block IgG-initiated lysis of group C meningococci through either the classical or the alternative pathway before or after the organism is exposed to IgG, and that blockade is an Fc-independent event.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

[Determination of antibodies to Streptococcus group A polysaccharide by an immunodiffusion method in human sera in various pathological processes of streptococcal etiology].

A method for the assay of antibodies to the specific antigenic determinant of group A streptococcal polysaccharide (A-polysaccharide) in human sera was developed. The sera were tested in the precipitation test in agar gel with different doses of A-polysaccharide. The presence of a high level of the above-mentioned antibodies is indicative of infection caused by group A streptococcus, but not streptococci of other groups or by the L-forms of streptococci. In 87.5% of patients with primary rheumatism a high level of antibodies to the specific antigenic determinant of A-polysaccharide was detected during the first day of the disease, which confirms most convincingly the etiological role of group A streptococcus in rheumatism. Considerable differences in the level of antibodies to A-polysaccharide in the active and non-active phases of rheumatism have been established, which makes it possible to use the presence of a high level of these antibodies as an indicator of the rheumatic process activity. A considerable percentage of sera with a high level of antibodies to A-polysaccharide was also detected in erysipelas and acute glomerulonephritis patients.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Detection of pneumococcal polysaccharide in the sputum of patients with pneumococcal pneumonia by counterimmunoelectrophoresis.

Each of 41 patients with bacterial pneumonia was placed into 1 of 4 categories based on the relative clinical certainty of the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia. The frequency of pneumococcal polysaccharide in the sputum by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was then noted for each diagnostic category of patients. Detection of pneumococcal polysaccharide in sputum correlated with the diagnostic certainty of pneumococcal pneumonia, while results of culture of sputum were less indicative of pneumococcal infection. Saliva of 83 normal individuals failed to give positive tests for pneumococcal polysaccharide despite the presence of alpha-hemolytic streptococci on culture. Furthermore, the mere presence of pneumococci in cultures did not predict a positive test for polysaccharide by CIE nor did the absence of pneumococci mean that polysaccharide would not be detected. This study suggests that detection of pneumococcal polysaccharide appears more rapid, more sensitive, and more specific than sputum cultures in diagnosing pneumococcal infection of the lung.

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis↗

[Immunologic properties of purified and complex preparations of group-B meningococcal polysaccharide].

The complex preparations of group B meningococcal polysaccharide have been found to be capable of inducing primary immune response in mice, while purified group B polysaccharide has proved to be immunologically inert. As revealed in this investigation, the intravenous injection to mice of the optimum doses of the complex preparation of group B polysaccharide leads to the increased number of specific B-antibody-forming cells in their spleens and to a rise in B-antibody titers in their sera; besides, the time course of the process has been studied. Both preparations have been found capable of forming the immunological memory in mice if booster immunization is made with the complex preparation of group B polysaccharide. The immunological inertness of purified group B polysaccharide is attributed, supposedly, to the action of some specific suppressor mechanism. Considering the pronounced antigenic activity of the complex preparation of group B polysaccharide and the insignificant admixture of endotoxin in this preparation, the suitability of its future use as vaccine for the prophylaxis of meningitis caused by group B meningococcus is indicated and the tentative immunization schedules are discussed.

Animals↗

Characteristics of two types of meningococcal group C polysaccharide conjugates using tetanus toxoid as carrier protein.

Effective meningococcal vaccines have to induce protection against groups A, B, C, W-135 and Y meningocci. Polysaccharides are the most effective vaccine candidates against groups A, C, W-135 and Y meningococci. The vaccine potential of polysaccharides is enhanced by conjugating the polysaccharides to carrier proteins. This paper describes the preparation and immunological characterization of two types of group C polysaccharide - tetanus toxoid conjugate. Both types of conjugate were produced by different procedures. Procedure i. depends on cross-linking of both components with N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodimide. Procedure ii. is a more monofunctional way of conjugating partially depolymerized polysaccharide with tetanus toxoid by reductive amination. The antigenic activity of the tetanus toxoid component of the conjugates containing this carrier protein was studied in ELISA and showed differences between the conjugate preparations. The immunogenic activity of all conjugate preparations was tested in mice. All conjugates produced IgG antibodies to the polysaccharide component, although the booster effects of procedure ii. conjugates were less pronounced than those of procedure i. conjugates. The immunogenic activity of the tetanus toxoid component of the various conjugate preparations correlated rather well with their antigenic activities as measured in ELISA.

Animals↗

[Polysaccharide composition of the cell wall of Streptomyces antibioticus RIA-594(39), a producer of the antibiotic oleandomycin].

The main polysaccharide components of the cell wall in S. antibioticus RIA-594 (39) i.e. peptidoglycan, teichoic acid and polysaccharide were studied. Peptidoglycan consists of the polysaccharide fraction containing equimolar quantities of N-acetylglucosamine and muramic acid and the peptide subunits including alanine, glutamic and L,L-diaminopimelic acids and glycine at a ratio of 1.4:0.9:1:0.9. It is characteristic that certain peptide subunits of the streptomycete contain no alanine. A polysaccharide differing from glycerol teichoic acid and containing galactose and N-acetylglucosamine was isolated from the cell wall. During the streptomycete development the quantity of peptidoglycan remained constant, the quantity of teichoic acid lowered and the quantity of polysaccharide increased. Correlation between the presence of aminosugars in the composition of teichoic acid and polysaccharide specific of the streptomycete cell wall and the presence of aminosugars in the structure of oleandomycin was shown. This is probably connected with characteristic features of the organism physiology.

Amino Acids↗

Phagocytic activity of reticuloendothelial system of mice in shock-like state following administration of polysaccharide-protein complex isolated from Candida albicans.

Fever and shock are symptoms of acute disseminated candidiasis. Phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system (RES), following a single administration of polysaccharide-protein complex, was studied with respect to the role of the RES in the pathophysiology of circulatory shock. The index of phagocytic activity was determined 15 or 120 minutes following IV administration of polysaccharide-protein complex (50 mg/kg) to mice, from the rates of clearance of carbon particles and of heterologous erythrocytes labeled with 51Cr. The mice were pretreated with hydrocortisone 300 mg/kg, methylprednisolone, 30 mg/kg, or saline 120 minutes before administration of the polysaccharide-protein complex. Depression of the phagocytic activity was observed following administration of polysaccharide-protein complex in both time intervals investigated. This depression could be prevented successfully by administration of both glucocorticoids studied. The fractional distribution of 86Rb was determined in other groups of identically treated mice. An increase of 86Rb uptake was found in the heart, lungs, and adrenals 15 minutes after administration of polysaccharide-protein complex. A decrease of 86Rb uptake was found in the intestines and spleen. These changes were also found in mice pretreated with glucocorticoids. A return to the normal picture of 86Rb fractional distribution was found 120 minutes after polysaccharide-protein administration. It was suggested that changes in phagocytic activity were not a result of altered hemodynamics.

Animals↗

Composition of a polysaccharide from mycoplasma (F-38) recognised by antibodies from goats with contagious pleuropneumonia.

A polysaccharide was extracted by warm aqueous phenol from the F-38 strain of mycoplasma which causes contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). After acid hydrolysis, the polysaccharide was found to be composed of the neutral sugars glucose, galactose, mannose and fucose and the amino sugars galactosamine and glucosamine. All the sugars were present in approximately equal quantities. Unmodified goat erythrocytes bound the polysaccharide readily and the sensitised cells reacted with antibodies in sera from goats with experimental or natural CCPP. The unique composition of the F-38 polysaccharide and the specific reactivity of polysaccharide-sensitised red cells with antibodies from CCPP infected animals suggests that the polysaccharide should be useful for identification of F-38 organisms and diagnosis of the disease.

Animals↗

Structure of a polysaccharide containing galactose and galacturonic acid from Rhizobium meliloti. Characterization and partial purification of a 2-O-methyltransferase.

The teichuronic acid type polysaccharide found in Rhizobium meliloti which is associated with sensitivity to phage 16B and is formed in the inner membranes from UDP-galactose and UDP-galacturonic acid (Ugalde, R. A., Coira, J. A., and Brill, W. J. (1986) J. Bacteriol. 168, 270-275) has been studied further. Results of acid hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, and borohydride reduction show that this polysaccharide contains the repetitive unit -galacturonosyl(1-3)galactosyl(1-4-). A soluble enzyme was found to catalyze the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to position 2 of the galacturonosyl residue. The enzyme requires Mn2+ or Mg2+, its pH optimum is 8.2, and the apparent Km for S-adenosylmethionine is 2.7 microM. The teichuronic acid type polysaccharide bound to a trichloroacetic acid-insoluble cell residue is a substrate for the methyltransferase; however, the polysaccharide released from the trichloroacetic acid-insoluble portion by mild acid treatment is no longer methylated. Other soluble galacturonic acid-containing polysaccharides were not used as substrates. The methyltransferase and the polysaccharide acceptor are both found in R. meliloti strain 102F51. Spontaneously arising mutants resistant to phage 16B do not form teichuronic acid but are transferase-positive. Other strains of R. meliloti as well as Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Escherichia coli cells do not form teichuronate and have no transferase.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

The phosphate diester linkage of the peptidoglycan polysaccharide moieties of Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell wall.

The external polysaccharide is a major component of Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell wall and displays distinct composition. The complete structure of the external polysaccharide had been elucidated as a basis for investigation of the cell wall structure-function relation. However, the mode of attachment of the polysaccharide to the peptidoglycan through a phosphodiester was not clear due to limitations in structural and biosynthetic studies. The present study describes purification of a lysozyme-resistant nondialyzable high-molecular-weight fragment of cell wall and identifies the sugar, D-glucose, as the point of external polysaccharide attachment to the peptidoglycan through a phosphate diester. Kinetic studies for the acid-catalyzed release of external polysaccharide from the peptidoglycan were performed in parallel with synthetic [methyl-2-acetamido-3-O-(D-1-carboxyethyl)-2-deoxy-alpha-D- glucopyranoside-6-yl]-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate and showed the presence of a phosphodiester linkage between external polysaccharide and peptidoglycan. In addition, type of phosphate residue and cross-linking between muramic acid and protein part have been determined.

Amino Acids↗

Acetylated methylmannose polysaccharide of Streptomyces.

A polysaccharide composed of 3-O-methyl-D-mannose and D-mannose in a molar ratio of approximately 10:1 and containing 3 to 4 esterified acetyl residues has been isolated from Streptomyces griseus. This acetylated methylmannose polysaccharide (AMMP) is similar to the methylmannose polysaccharide (MMP) of Mycobacterium smegmatis (Gray, G. R., and Ballou, C. E. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 6835-6842) in its size and composition, the absence of acidic or basic groups, and the lack of a reducing end. It is different, however, in its content of esterified acetyl residues, and it is slightly different in its structure and in its gel filtration properties. The structure of AMMP has been established by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and by combinations of methylation analysis and Smith degradation utilizing non-radioactively labeled polysaccharide and [3H]methyl-labeled polysaccharide obtained from cells grown in the presence of L-[methyl-3H]methionine. It is concluded that AMMP is a linear, nonreducing, neutral polysaccharide composed of a terminal D-mannose residue linked alpha(1 leads to 4) to a chain of 10 consecutive alpha(1 leads to 4)-linked 3-O-methyl-D-mannose residues. The reducing terminal 3-O-methyl-D-mannose residue exists, at least in part, as its alpha-methyl glycoside. The positions of attachment of the ester residues have not been established.

Acetylation↗

[Effect of bacterial polysaccharide on the primary and secondary immunologic response following immunization with sheep erythrocytes].

The effect of typhoid bacterial polysaccharide on the primary and secondary immune response to SRBS was studied. The polysaccharide was shown to have both stimulating and depressive effect on the population of antibody-producing cells. This effect depended on the time and the number of polysaccharide injections. Thus, a single polysaccharide injection made on the day preceding immunization resulted in the maximum stimulation in the system of IgM- and IgG-producing cells, while the maximum depression of these cells could be observed after 2 polysaccharide injections: on the day preceding immunization and on the day of immunization. In the secondary immune response considerable stimulation of the populations of antibody-producing cells was observed after polysaccharide injections made on days 2 and 3 after reimmunization.

Animals↗

Serological specificities of polysaccharides from four Salmonellae sharing "O" factor 8.

S. virginia (8) and S. newport (6.8) induced in sera of hyper-immunized rabbits antibodies which precipitated the respective homologous and heterologous polysaccharides as well as the polysaccharides from S. blockley (6.8) and from S. emek (8.20) by homogeneous lines of, apparent, serological identity. S. blockley, sharing with S. newport the same "O" factors, induced however two antipolysaccharides of which only one was identical with that of S. virginia. Different proteinic carriers were found to be responsible for the two induced antipolysaccharides. S. emek (820) induced antipolysaccharide antibodies which displayed a reaction of partial identity with the heterologous polysaccharides, in contrast to the serological homogeneity of precipitation, shown by the S. emek polysaccharide against the heterologous sera. The existence of a more complex structure of the S. emek polysaccharide, of which a small determinant is in common with the heterologous polysaccharides and is associated with a common proteinic carrier explains these different reactions.

Animals↗

Compositional studies on succinoglycan-like extracellular water-soluble Rhizobium polysaccharides.

This study reports structural information on extracellular, water-soluble polysaccharides from 5 different strains of Rhizobium, viz. R. trifolii J60, R. meliloti J1017, 202, 204 and 207. All the 5 polysaccharides had glucose and galactose in approximate molar ratio of 7:1. Methylation analysis revealed that the polysaccharides contained (1 leads to 3), (1 leads to 6), (1 leads to 4), (1 leads to 4, 1 leads to 6)-linked D-glucose residues, (1 leads to 3)-linked D-galactose and non-reducing terminal D-glucose attached to pyruvate. This structure was found to be exactly the same as that of succinoglycan, a succinic acid containing water-soluble polysaccharide elaborated by Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes 10C3. The similarity of the structure of polysaccharides of two different Rhizobium species and also to the polysaccharide produced by Alcaligenes are discussed in terms of host specificity.

Alcaligenes↗