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Effects of milk and colostrum on superoxide generation of oral polymorphonuclear neutrophils and the changes that occur during storage at low temperature.

Human oral polymorphonuclear neutrophils (OPMN) generate reactive oxygen species even in the absence of stimulants. Because OPMN from newborn babies are exposed to colostrum and mature milk, the biological properties of these cells including the generation of reactive oxygen species might possibly be affected by the constituents of colostrum and milk. The present work reports the effects of colostrum and mature milk, including the effects of storage at low temperature, on superoxide generation by OPMN. Fresh colostrum and mature milk did not affect either endogenous or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced generation of superoxide by OPMN. However, superoxide generation stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate or arachidonic acid was inhibited by colostrum and mature milk presumably due to binding of the ligands to milk proteins. During the storage of milk at 4 degrees C, free forms of unsaturated long-chain fatty acids increased, and there was concomitant increase in the ability of milk to generate superoxide radicals in OPMN. Kinetic analysis suggested that colostrum and mature milk regulate superoxide generation by OPMN, thereby modulating the bactericidal activity of these cells in the oral cavity.

Animals↗

Effects of perilla seed oil supplementation on leukotriene generation by leucocytes in patients with asthma associated with lipometabolism.

BACKGROUND: Dietary sources of alpha-linolenic acid, such as perilla seed oil, may have the capacity to inhibit the generation of leukotrienes (LTs) by leucocytes in patients with asthma, as has been reported with the consumption of other long-chain n-3 fatty acids. METHODS: The factors affecting the suppression of leukotriene (LT) C4 generation by leucocytes were examined by comparing the clinical features of patients with asthma who had been given dietary perilla seed oil (n-3 fatty acids). Group A consisted of patients in whom the leucocyte generation of LTC4 was suppressed by dietary perilla seed oil. Group B consisted of those in whom LTC4 generation was not suppressed. RESULTS: LTC4 generation by leucocytes decreased significantly in group A after 2 (p < 0.05) and 4 weeks (p < 0.05); conversely, it increased significantly in group B after 4 weeks (p < 0.05). The two study groups differed significantly in terms of LTC4 generation by leucocytes after 4 weeks of dietary supplementation (p < 0.05). Ventilatory parameters such as peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) increased significantly after 4 weeks of dietary supplementation in group A (p < 0.05). Values of PEF, FVC, FEV(1) and maximum expiratory flow at 25% of the forced vital capacity (V(25)) differed significantly between groups A and B prior to dietary supplementation. Serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and phospholipid were significantly decreased by dietary supplementation in group A after 4 weeks. Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and phospholipid differed significantly between the two study groups prior to dietary supplementation. Serum levels of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol differed significantly between the two study groups after 4 weeks of dietary supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with perilla seed oil in selected patients with asthma suppresses the generation of LTC4 and is associated with clinical features such as respiratory function and lipometabolism.

Adult↗

Myosin mediates contractile force generation by hepatic stellate cells in response to endothelin-1.

Although endothelin-1-stimulated contractile force generation by stellate cells is believed to play an important role in hepatic pathophysiology, the molecular signals that mediate this process are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that myosin mediates the contractile force generated by stellate cells in response to endothelin-1. Contractile force generation by primary and immortalized stellate cells was directly and quantitatively measured. Myosin phosphorylation and reorganization, and actin stress fiber formation were investigated in immortalized stellate cells. Endothelin-1 stimulated a rapid and robust generation of contractile force by primary and immortalized stellate cells with a similar dose dependence. Myosin phosphorylation, actin stress fiber assembly, and reorganization of myosin to stress fibers were induced by concentrations of endothelin-1 that also stimulated stellate cell contraction. BQ-123, a selective endothelin receptor antagonist, inhibited myosin phosphorylation and contractile force generation. Y-27632, which selectively inhibits rho-associated kinase, also blocked endothelin-1-stimulated myosin phosphorylation and contractile force generation with a similar dose dependence. These results suggest that endothelin-1-stimulated contractile force generation by stellate cells is mediated by myosin.

Actins↗

Improved immunogenicity of a novel third-generation recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Hepatitis B (HBV) infection remains a significant epidemiological problem in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. Vaccination programs using second-generation vaccines lead to effective seroprotection in only 50-60% of these patients. The purpose of this case series was to describe our experience with a novel third-generation vaccine, Bio-Hep-B, in ESRD patients who had not developed protective anti-HBs titers following a second-generation HBV vaccination protocol. Twenty-nine ESRD patients who had not responded in the past to a standard second-generation HBV vaccination protocol were included in this series. Each patient received 10 microg of Bio-Hep-B) intramuscularly at 0, 1 and 6 months. A month after completion of the vaccination protocol, anti-HBs antibody levels were measured. Following immunization, 25 of 29 patients (86%) developed seroprotective anti-HBs levels > or =10 mIU/ml. There was a significant difference in the titers of anti-HBs antibodies prior to and following vaccination (p < 0.0001). Statistical analysis of the variables age, gender, diagnosis, dialysis mode, weight, hemoglobin, albumin, and KT/V failed to detect predictors of antibody response. A retrospective analysis of the results of a second-generation vaccination program for the years 1999-2001 in our department showed that 19 of 36 (56.4%) ESRD patients developed seroprotection. In conclusion, the results of this study show that the third-generation HBV vaccine Bio-Hep-B is highly immunogenic in the population of ESRD patients who did not respond in the past to a second-generation vaccine. This enhanced seroprotection offers hope that the new vaccine will reduce the rate of non-responders and help to eliminate HBV infection from dialysis centers.

Adult↗

Aging: functional metabolic balance among cAMP, cGMP and reactive oxygen intermediate generation by human granulocytes.

BACKGROUND: The nature of the aging process has been the subject of considerable speculation. It has been reported that in the aging process several components of the signal transduction pathways, including phosphoinositide, protein kinase C, protein kinase A and reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) generation, are altered. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional metabolic balance among cAMP, cGMP and ROI generation by human neutrophils in relation to age. METHODS: The age-induced ROI generation was studied in healthy subjects ranging in age from 20 to 80 years old, divided into 6 age groups: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-80 years old. The oxidizing cellular generation was quantified in a luminol-dependent (ROI production) chemiluminescence assay and the results expressed as relative light units per minute. RESULTS: Our results show a differential functional metabolic balance of cAMP and cGMP in relation to age from 50 years on. This phenomenon is reflected by the increase in ROI generation by neutrophil stimulation with cGMP at all ages and a simultaneous lack of effect of cAMP on cGMP from 50 years old. The same results were observed when neutrophil reacted with endogenous contents of cGMP (levamisole, an inhibitor of cGMP phosphodiesterase) or cAMP (aminophylline, an inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase). Our results show that the lack of modulation of the endogenous or exogenous contents of cAMP or cGMP on ROI generation altered the age-related functional metabolic balance. CONCLUSIONS: This altered functional metabolic balance in cAMP, cGMP and ROI generation of neutrophils may certainly have consequences on host defenses, mainly on inflammatory processes, in healthy subjects from 50 years old. However, the exact consequences of this phenomenon on the aging process remain unknown.

Adult↗

Hypoglycemic 'stress' and gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity in the rhesus monkey: role of the ovary.

Observations of long standing have suggested that the 'stress' of chair restraint inhibits the GnRH pulse generator in normal female monkeys while this phenomenon is rarely observed in ovariectomized animals. The role of the ovary in the response of the GnRH pulse generator to the stress of insulin hypoglycemia was investigated in both intact and ovariectomized rhesus monkeys. Following an overnight fast the animals, previously habituated to restraint, were placed in primate chairs and GnRH pulse generator activity monitored electrophysiologically. Insulin-induced reductions in mean blood glucose concentrations of 10-40% of control values interrupted pulse generator activity in intact monkeys but were without effect in ovariectomized animals. With larger reductions in blood glucose, pulse generator activity was interrupted in both groups but the inhibition was twice as long in intact than in ovariectomized animals. The reduced responsiveness of ovariectomized animals to insulin hypoglycemia was significantly reversed by estradiol replacement. Naloxone administration did not prevent the hypoglycemia-induced inhibition of pulse generator activity in either intact or ovariectomized rhesus monkeys. It is concluded that hypoglycemic 'stress' inhibits the GnRH pulse generator by a nonopioidergic mechanism and that ovarian products, most probably estradiol, exacerbate this effect.

Animals↗

Comparison between first- and second-generation test for anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in hemodialysis patients.

The serum of 387 hemodialysis patients from 9 dialysis units was checked for anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies with a 1st-generation ELISA (Ortho) test: 61 patients were repeatedly positive. In order to avoid false-positive results, these sera were tested with a 1st-generation confirmatory RIBA test, 2nd-generation screening ELISA test and 2nd-generation confirmatory RIBA test. The 2nd-generation ELISA test confirmed data obtained with 1st-generation ELISA, however, the 1st-generation confirmatory RIBA test underestimated the number of anti-HCV-positive patients.

Diagnostic Errors↗

Effects of antiasthma drugs on superoxide anion generation from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes or hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system.

Airway inflammation with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) may play an important role in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma. Superoxide anion (O2-) and other active oxygen species derived from PMNs cause tissue damage. To evaluate the effects of antiasthma drugs on airway inflammation or antioxidative actions due to the inhibition of O2- generation, we investigated the effects of antiallergic drugs, beta-adrenergic agonists, theophylline and corticosteroids, on the in vitro generation of O2- by human PMNs, using a chemiluminescence (CL) method dependent on a Cypridina luciferin analog (MCLA), a highly sensitive and specific CL probe for O2-. We found that azelastine, one of the antiallergic drugs, and isoproterenol inhibited FMLP-induced O2- generation in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas the other drugs exhibited no such inhibitory action except at very high concentrations. Furthermore, we found that isoproterenol inhibited O2- generation from the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system (an O2(-)-generating system) in a dose-dependent fashion, unlike azelastine and the other drugs. These results suggest that azelastine and isoproterenol inhibit the process of O2- generation from PMNs, while isoproterenol also scavenges O2-. These drugs may be beneficial in the treatment of airway inflammation due to O2- generation in bronchial asthma.

Adolescent↗

Activated protein C generation is greatly decreased in plasma from newborns compared to adults in the presence or absence of endothelium.

Activated protein C (APC) generation strongly affects sepsis and thrombosis by inhibition of thrombin generation. However, it is unclear if there are age-related differences in effectiveness of protein C (PC). We studied age effects on plasma APC generation +/- endothelium. Defibrinated (Ancrod) plasma (from adults or newborns (umbilical cord)) was recalcified with buffer containing tissue factor +/- thrombomodulin (TM) on either plastic or endothelium (HUVEC) at 37 degrees C. Timed subsamples of reaction mixture were taken into either heparin-EDTA or FFRCMK-EDTA solutions and analyzed for APC-PC inhibitor (APC-PCI) or APC-alpha1 antitrypsin (APC-alpha1 AT) by ELISAs. Since heparin converts free APC to APC-PCI, the difference in APC-PCI measured in heparin-EDTA and FFRCMK-EDTA samples was equal to free active APC. APC-alpha2 macroglobulin (APC-alpha2M) was measured as remaining chromogenic activity in heparin-EDTA. Free APC, APC-PCI and APC-alpha1 AT were decreased in newborn compared to adult plasma on plastic. However, APC-alpha2M made up a larger fraction of inhibitor complexes in new-born plasma. On endothelium, significantly more APC, APC-PCI and APC-alpha1AT were generated in either plasma compared to that on plastic with excess added TM. APC, APC-PCI and APC-alpha1AT were also reduced and total APC-alpha2M increased in newborn plasma on HUVEC. Addition of PC to newborn plasma gave APC generation similar to adult plasma. Thus, free APC, APC-PCI and APC-alpha1AT generation is reduced in newborn compared to adult plasma with or without endothelium, likely due to reduced plasma PC levels. Endothelium enhances APC generation, regardless of plasma type, possibly because of cell surface factors such as TM, phospholipid and endothelial PC receptor.

Adult↗

Recombinant factor VIIa partially reverses the inhibitory effect of fondaparinux on thrombin generation after tissue factor activation in platelet rich plasma and whole blood.

Fondaparinux (Arixtra), a specific AT-dependent FXa inhibitor, is effective and safe in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, but some major hemorrhagic events may occur. No specific antidote to fondaparinux has been proposed. Recombinant FVIIa (Novoseven) could be used as an haemostatic treatment, but this option has not been well documented. We studied the effect of rFVIIa (1 micro g/ml) on the inhibition of thrombin generation induced by fondaparinux (0.1 micro g/ml to 1 micro g/ml). Coagulation was triggered in platelet rich plasma (PRP) or in whole blood by recalcification in the presence of diluted thromboplastin. In PRP thrombin generation was assessed using the thrombinoscope assay. In whole blood, prothrombin activation was assessed by measuring the kinetics of F(1+2) formation using an ELISA assay. Fondaparinux at concentrations equal or greater than 0.5 micro g/ml prolonged the initiation phase of thrombin generation, and reduced the velocity of prothrombin activation. It also decreased by 60% the endogenous thrombin potential. In the presence of fondaparinux (0.5 micro g/ml to 1 micro g/ml) rFVIIa accelerated the initiation phase of thrombin generation, but it did not significantly increase the endogenous thrombin potential. However, rFVIIa did not completely reverse the inhibitory effect of fondaparinux on the parameters of thrombin generation and prothrombin activation. This study shows that rFVIIa accelerates thrombin generation, but does not completely reverse the inhibitory effect of fondaparinux on thrombin generation. The potential clinical use of rFVIIa as haemostatic treatment of major bleedings related to fondaparinux has to be evaluated.

Blood Coagulation↗

The role of platelets and recombinant factor VIIa on thrombin generation, platelet activation and clot formation.

In the present study we assessed the effect of platelet counts and rFVIIa on thrombin generation, platelet activation and clot formation after tissue factor pathway activation in human plasma aiming to investigate the mechanism by which rFVIIa induces haemostasis in patients with severe thrombocytopenia. Plasma samples with platelet counts from 5 x 10(9)/l to 150 x 10(9)/l were spiked with rFVIIa (1 micro g/ml) or buffer. Clotting was initiated in the presence of diluted thromboplastin. Thrombin generation was assessed using the Thrombogram-Thrombinoscope trade mark assay. The kinetics of platelet activation was assessed using flow cytometry to measure the expression the P-selectin on platelet membrane of washed platelets suspended in defibrinated homologous PPP. Thromboelastography was used to evaluate the effect of platelets and rFVIIa on the kinetics of clot formation and clot's firmness. In the presence of low platelet counts the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and the maximum concentration of generated thrombin (Cmax) were reduced by 60%-70%. The lag-time of thrombin generation and the time required to reach the Cmax (Tmax) were prolonged, the velocity of platelet activation was decreased and thrombus formation was delayed. Recombinant FVIIa accelerated thrombin generation and platelet activation but it did not significantly modify ETP or Cmax. Recombinant FVIIa enhanced platelet activation in a TF and thrombin dependent manner since its effect on the studied parameters was abolished when TF was omitted or when hirudin was added into the experimental system respectively. Recombinant FVIIa normalized the velocity of clot formation but it did not modify clot firmness, which depended mainly on platelets' count. In conclusion, in experimental conditions simulating severe thrombocytopenia rFVIIa in the presence of low amounts of TF, accelerates thrombin generation, without increasing the maximum amount of generated thrombin, thus leading in enhanced platelet activation and rapid clot formation.

Blood↗

Platelets and thrombin generation.

This review examines the evidence that platelets play a major role in localizing and controlling the burst of thrombin generation leading to fibrin clot formation. From the first functional description of platelets, it has been recognized that platelets supply factors that support the activation of prothrombin. Studies have demonstrated that on activation, the amount of one specific lipid, phosphatidylserine, is significantly increased on the outer leaflet of platelet membranes. When it was found that phosphatidylserine containing lipid extracts could be substituted for platelets in clotting assays, this suggested the possibility that changes in platelet lipid composition were necessary and sufficient to account for platelet surface thrombin generation. Because a growing body of data suggest that platelet-binding proteins provide much of the specificity for platelet thrombin generation, we review in this report data suggesting that changes in lipid composition are necessary but not sufficient to account for platelet surface regulation of thrombin generation. Also, we review data suggesting that platelets from different individuals differ in their capacity to generate thrombin, whereas platelets from a single subject support thrombin generation in a reproducible manner. Individual differences in platelet thrombin generation might be accounted for by differences in platelet-binding proteins.

Animals↗

PGH synthase and lipoxygenase generate superoxide in the presence of NADH or NADPH.

Purified PGH synthase when acting on arachidonic acid in the presence of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide or reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide 3'-phosphate generated superoxide in burst-like fashion. In eight experiments using different batches of enzyme, the mean +/- SE rate of superoxide generation from 100 U of enzyme measured as the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c was 5.06 +/- 0.19 nmol/min in the first minute and 0.35 +/- 0.03 nmol/min subsequently. Optimum rates of superoxide were seen at concentrations of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide in excess of 80 microM and reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide 3'-phosphate in excess of 100 microM. Using prostaglandin G2 or linoleic acid as substrate rather than arachidonate also resulted in superoxide generation. When prostaglandin H2 was used as substrate, no superoxide was generated. The rate of superoxide generation was markedly inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Superoxide generation was also observed during the action of lipoxygenase on either linoleic or arachidonic acid in the presence of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide or reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide 3'-phosphate but not in their absence. Indomethacin had no effect on superoxide generation from lipoxygenase. We conclude that PGH synthase and lipoxygenase produce superoxide via a side-chain reaction dependent on the presence of suitable reducing cosubstrate. This mechanism is analogous to that described for peroxidases in general.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Superoxide generation links protein kinase C activation to impaired ATP-sensitive K+ channel function after brain injury.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE--Endothelin-1, in concentrations similar to that present in cerebrospinal fluid after fluid percussion brain injury (FPI), increases superoxide anion (O2-) production. Endothelin-1 also contributes to altered cerebral hemodynamics after FPI through impairment of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel function through protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Generation of O2- additionally occurs after FPI. Nitric oxide and cGMP elicit pial artery dilation through KATP channel activation. The present study was designed to determine whether PKC activation generates O2-, which, in turn, could link such activation to impaired KATP channel function after FPI. METHODS--Injury of moderate severity (1.9 to 2.1 atm) was produced by the lateral FPI technique in anesthetized newborn pigs equipped with a closed cranial window. Superoxide dismutase-inhibitable nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction was determined as an index of O2- generation. RESULTS--Phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (10(-6) mol/L), a PKC activator, increased superoxide dismutase-inhibitable NBT reduction from 1+/-1 to 37+/-5 pmol/mm2. Staurosporine (10(-7) mol/L), a PKC antagonist, blocked the NBT reduction after phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and blunted the NBT reduction observed after FPI (1+/-1 to 15+/-2 versus 1+/-1 to 5+/-1 pmol/mm2 after FPI in the absence versus presence of staurosporine). Exposure of the cerebral cortex to a xanthine oxidase O2--generating system increased NBT reduction in a manner similar to FPI and blunted pial artery dilation to the KATP channel agonists cromakalim and calcitonin gene-related peptide, the nitric oxide releasers sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, and the cGMP analogue 8-bromo-cGMP (10+/-1% and 21+/-1% versus 4+/-1% and 9+/-1% for 10(-8) and 10(-6) mol/L cromakalim before and after activated oxygen-generating system exposure). CONCLUSIONS--These data show that PKC activation increases O2- production and contributes to such production observed after FPI. These data also show that an activated system that generates an amount of O2- similar to that observed with FPI blunted pial artery dilation to KATP channel agonists and nitric oxide/cGMP. These data suggest, therefore, that O2- generation links PKC activation to impaired KATP channel function after FPI.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effects of heparin and epsilon-aminocaproic acid in dogs on plasmin-125-I generation in response to urokinase injections and venous injury.

The isotopic method described previously for quantification of plasmin- (125)I by disc gel electrophoresis was modified by inclusion of euglobulin precipitation to expand its applicability to plasmas containing low radioactivity of plasmin- (125)I and plasminogen- (125)I. It was found that the euglobulin precipitation method precipitates 72.4+/-2.1 (sd)% of both plasmin- (125)I and plasminogen- (125)I. Using this method and plasminogen- (125)I as a tracer, studies were first made of the effects of heparin and epsilon-aminocaproic acid in dogs on plasmin- (125)I generation in responese to a single injection of urokinase and to venous injury; second, of the effects of venous occlusion and thrombosis on plasmin- (125)I generation; and third, in vitro studies of plasminogen- (125)I affinity to fibrin and its activation in blood clots. The venous injury was produced by the damage of venous endothelium by an injection of 90% phenol and the thrombosis by a thrombin injection into an occluded vein. Heparin and epsilon-aminocaproic acid under the present experimental conditions inhibited about 78 and 100%, respectively of plasmin- (125)I generation by the urokinase injection. Similar inhibitory effects of heparin and epsilon-aminocaproic acid were observed on plasmin- (125)I generation in response to venous injury. The venous occlusion caused a small degree of plasmin- (125)I generation, but thrombin thrombosis did not seem to stimulate the generation of plasmin- (125)I. The in vitro studies showed that plasminogen- (125)I does not have a specific affinity to fibrin and is incorporated into blood clots in approximately equal concentrations as those in serum during clotting processes, and that blood clots per se do not stimulate plasmin- (125)I generation. These results suggest that injured veins release considerable amounts of vascular plasminogen activators into circulation and that these play an important role in thrombus dissolution in vivo.

Aminocaproates↗

Evidence for hydroxyl radical generation by human Monocytes.

A number of highly reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the oxygen-dependent mechanisms involved in bactericidal activity of phagocytic leukocytes. Hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, two agents known to occur during phagocytosis, are thought to interact to generate hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and other potentially reactive molecules. Using an assay system of ethylene generation from methional, cell preparations of human monocytes were demonstrated to generate hydroxyl radical or a similar agent during phagocytosis of zymosan particles. The generation of ethylene was impaired by agents which reduce superoxide or hydrogen peroxide concentrations as well as by agents reported to be hydroxyl radical scavengers. The ethylene generation did not appear to be dependent on myeloperoxidase in that azide enhanced ethylene generation. Monocytes from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease failed to generate ethylene during phagocytosis. This assay technique may be useful in exploring the metabolic events integral to the bactericidal and inflammatory activity of phagocytic leukocytes.

Benzoates↗

Chlorination of taurine by human neutrophils. Evidence for hypochlorous acid generation.

The model hydrogen peroxide-myeloperoxidase-chloride system is capable of generating the powerful oxidant hypochlorous acid, which can be quantitated by trapping the generated species with the beta-amino acid, taurine. The resultant stable product, taurine chloramine, can be quantitated by its ability to oxidize the sulfhydryl compound, 5-thio-2-nitro-benzoic acid to the disulfide, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitroben-zoic acid) or to oxidize iodide to iodine. Using this system, purified myeloperoxidase in the presence of chloride and taurine converted stoichiometric quantities of hydrogen peroxide to taurine chloramine. Chloramine generation was absolutely dependent on hydrogen peroxide, myeloperoxidase, and chloride and could be inhibited by catalase, myeloperoxidase inhibitors, or chloride-free conditions. In the presence of taurine, intact human neutrophils stimulated with either phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan particles generated a stable species capable of oxidizing 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid or iodide. Resting cells did not form this species. The oxidant formed by the stimulated neutrophils was identified as taurine chloramine by both ultraviolet spectrophotometry and electrophoresis. Taurine chloramine formation by the neutrophil was dependent on the taurine concentration, time, and cell number. Neutrophil-dependent chloramine generation was inhibited by catalase, the myeloperoxidase inhibitors, azide, cyanide, or aminotriazole and by chloride-free conditions, but not by superoxide dismutase or hydroxyl radical scavengers. Thus, it appears that stimulated human neutrophils can utilize the hydrogen peroxide-myeloperoxidase-chloride system to generate taurine chloramine. Based on the demonstrated ability of the myeloperoxidase system to generate free hypochlorous acid we conclude that neutrophils chlorinate taurine by producing this powerful oxidant. The biologic reactivity and cytotoxic potential of hypochlorous acid and its chloramine derivatives suggest that these oxidants play an important role in the inflammatory response and host defense.

Cells, Cultured↗

Spontaneous oxygen radical generation by sickle erythrocytes.

Since the various membrane abnormalities of sickle erythrocytes might result from excessive accumulation of oxidant damage, we have measured the generation of superoxide, peroxide, and hydroxyl radical by normal and sickle erythrocytes using assays involving reduction of cytochrome c, aminotriazole inhibition of catalase, and methane evolution from dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively. Compared with normal erythrocytes, sickle erythrocytes spontaneously generate approximately twice as much superoxide, peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. One possible source of hydroxyl radical generation was identified as hemichrome, excessive amounts of which are bound to sickle erythrocyte membranes. Hemichrome did not generate hydroxyl radical when exposed to superoxide alone or peroxide alone. However, in the presence of both superoxide and peroxide, hemichrome greatly facilitated hydroxyl radical generation. Supporting this, normal erythrocyte membranes induced to acquire sickle hemichrome concomitantly acquired an enhanced ability to mediate hydroxyl radical generation. Finally, sickle erythrocyte membranes greatly enhanced superoxide/peroxide-driven hydroxyl radical generation as compared with normal erythrocyte membranes. These data suggest that an excessive accumulation of oxidant damage in sickle erythrocyte membranes might contribute to the accelerated membrane senescence of these cells. They further indicate that accumulation of oxidant damage could be a determinant of normal erythrocyte membrane senescence.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗