Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Trypan Blue”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources

Microbubble damage to the blood-brain barrier: relevance to decompression sickness.

Decompression sickness affecting the nervous system is still a serious problem in diving, but the mechanisms involved are in dispute. Although microbubbles can be detected in the pulmonary artery on decompression using ultrasound, mammalian lungs are competent filters for microbubbles larger than 20 microns in diameter. It has been assumed that smaller bubbles released by the lungs are harmless, because there is evidence that they do not arrest in the cerebral circulation. We injected 15 +/- 5 microns diameter microbubbles in 5 ml of plasma slowly into the right carotid artery of anesthetized guinea pigs. At intervals of 1, 2, or 3 h postinjection, 2% trypan blue in 2 ml of plasma was injected into the same artery or the contralateral carotid artery. A control animal for each experiment was injected with 5 ml of plasma only, followed by the injection of dye at the same interval. After the animals were killed, the brains were examined for evidence of blood-brain barrier dysfunction. All animals at 1 h, and 9 out of 10 animals at 2 h after the injection of microbubbles, showed extravasation of the albumin-binding dye in the ipsilateral hemisphere, indicating gross blood-brain barrier dysfunction. In each of the matched controls, the barrier in the neocortex remained intact. At Hour 3 the barrier was impermeable to the trypan blue in both experimental and control animals. These experiments demonstrate that microbubbles impair the blood-brain barrier integrity to protein, causing focal edema.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of bile acids on fibroblast proliferation and viability.

PURPOSE: To examine the in vitro effects of bile acids and salts on the viability, growth and morphology of human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. METHODS: Human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were grown from explants in culture and used between passages 3 and 5. Fibroblasts (n = 3) were treated in triplicate with deoxycholic acid (DA), sodium deoxycholate (NaD) and cholic acid (CA) at concentrations between 50 microM and 1 mM. Cell viability and growth were assessed with trypan blue staining and haemocytometer counting, and a colorimetric (MTT) assay. Morphology was assessed with light microscopy and cresyl violet staining. RESULTS: A dose-dependent decrease in viability was observed following bile acid treatment (24 and 48 h) where the effects of DA > NaD > CA. The LD50 values at 48 h for DA, NaD and CA were 300 microM, 400 microM and 720 microM respectively. Cell growth following bile acid treatment was reduced compared with controls. Fibroblasts treated with bile acids displayed a loss of normal spindle-shaped morphology and multiple processes, some with varicosities, extended from many cells. These changes were dose-dependent, and at higher concentrations cells became detached and were non-viable (trypan-blue-positive). Extensive cell death was observed in cultures treated with DA 400 microM, NaD 500 microM and CA 800 microM. CONCLUSIONS: Lower doses of bile acids and salts reduced in vitro fibroblast growth associated with morphological changes; higher doses induced fibroblast cytotoxicity. These observations suggest that bile acids and salts, in particular DA, may be useful in regulating wound fibrosis following trabeculectomy surgery.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of growth retardation on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier in the newborn rat exposed to lead].

Postnatal administration of lead to young rats via maternal milk increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to trypan blue. However, since this regimen delays postnatal maturation, the question arises whether growth retardation per se could explain the altered permeability to the dye. The present investigation was undertaken to examine this possibility. A first group of newborn rats were fed by dams having free access to normal food; a second group was fed by dams receiving 3% lead as the acetate salt in their food; a third group was fed by dams whose normal diet was restricted to the amount taken daily by dams of the second group. Signs of encephalopathy as shown by urinary incompetence and hind-limb paralysis were observed only in your pups exposed to lead; similarly, only the latter showed increased brain permeability to trypan blue. These results suggest that the altered permeability of the blood-brain barrier in young rats is the direct consequence of lead toxicity and not of growth retardation secondary to a nutritional effect of lead.

Animals↗

Toxicity of low and moderate multiplicities of Chlamydia psittaci for mouse fibroblasts (L cells).

When mouse fibroblasts (L cells) were infected in suspension or in monolayer with 10 to 100 50% infectious doses (ID(50)) of Chlamydia psittaci (6BC) per host cell, they showed signs of damage 24 to 48 h later. Host-cell injuries were termed multiplication dependent when both the ingestion and subsequent reproduction of C. psittaci were required; when only ingestion but not replication was needed, the injuries were considered to be multiplication independent. The time that the injury was first apparent, as well as its final magnitude, was proportional to the multiplicity of infection. When L cells ingested infectious or ultraviolet-inactivated C. psittaci, damage was manifested by failure to exclude trypan blue, by leakage of lactic dehydrogenase, by inhibition of reproduction as measured by ability to form colonies, by inhibition of protein and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, and eventually by cell disintegration. Infectious, but not ultraviolet-killed, chlamydiae stimulated host-cell glycolysis. Heat-killed chlamydiae were without measurable toxicity. The time of appearance of host-cell injury was always earlier, and its terminal magnitude always greater, with infectious inocula than with ultraviolet-inactivated ones. The multiplication-independent toxicity of ultraviolet-killed C. psittaci disappeared with inocula of less than 10 ID(50) per L cell, but an inoculum of only a single ID(50) of infectious chlamydiae per host cell injured most of the cells it infected, as evidenced by increased trypan blue staining and decreased efficiency of colony formation. The toxicity of multiplicities of infection between 10 and 100 ID(50) of infectious C. psittaci per host cell was the sum of both multiplication-dependent and -independent components. The effects of chloramphenicol and isoleucine deficiency on the ability of C. psittaci to injure L cells suggested that some synthesis of protein by both parasite and host may be essential for expression of multiplication-independent chlamydial toxicity. The failure of infectious chlamydiae to stimulate host-cell glycolysis in the presence of cycloheximide suggested that this multiplication-dependent consequence of chlamydial infection was also dependent on protein synthesis by the host.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Verapamil inhibits proliferation, migration and protein kinase C activity in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

The effects of three calcium channel blockers, verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine, were examined on in vitro proliferation and migration of human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were seeded in Dulbecco's modified essential medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and different concentrations of the three calcium channel blockers. After 3 days of treatment, cell proliferation was determined by cell counting and by [3H]-thymidine uptake. Cell viability was determined with trypan blue exclusion. For determination of cell migration, retinal pigment epithelial cells were grown to confluence and then growth-inhibited with mitomycin C. After a 3 mm zone was denuded, the cells were treated with different concentrations of the calcium channel antagonists. After 24 hr, the cells that had migrated over the wound edge were counted. To determine the involvement of protein kinase C in the verapamil effect, its activity was measured in both verapamil-treated and untreated cells. Verapamil dose dependently inhibited serum-induced proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial cells, when measured by cell number (IC50 14.6 microM) or [3H]-thymidine incorporation (IC50 11.3 microM). At concentrations of 15 microM and below, there was no effect on cell viability, as determined by morphology and trypan blue exclusion. Diltiazem inhibited cell proliferation at a concentration of 100 microM; however, 100 microM nifedipine had no effect. Verapamil showed a significant inhibition of serum-induced migration in the range of 10 microM to 0.1 microM. The IC50 of the inhibition of retinal pigment epithelial cell proliferation and migration by verapamil is significantly higher than that seen for effects on calcium channel blockage. Eight micromolar verapamil reversibly inhibited total protein kinase-C activity in retinal pigment epithelial cells suggesting the possibility that the drug may act by inhibiting the protein kinase-C pathway. These data suggest the potential of the calcium channel blocker verapamil as a pharmacological modulator of disorders such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy in which there is increased retinal pigment epithelial cell proliferation and migration.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Fluorophore-assisted retinal break detection using antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of fluorescent antibodies as a means of enhancing the detection of retinal breaks during vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: In ex vivo studies, unfixed, porcine retinal flatmounts were incubated with Cy3 anti-GFAP. Experiments were repeated in the presence of excess soluble GFAP and after surface excimer laser ablation through the internal limiting membrane, into the Müller cell foot processes. Tissue was also incubated with trypan blue, and cross-species immunoreactivity was determined in bovine, rabbit, and human retina. In vivo studies were conducted in a porcine model of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Cy3 anti-GFAP was injected into the vitreous cavity of eyes with retinal breaks and then rinsed from the eye. Barrier filters were fitted to the operating microscope to allow intraoperative visualization of tissue stained with Cy3. Excitation endoillumination was provided by a 532-nm diode-pumped laser. RESULTS: In ex vivo studies, retinal flatmounts exposed to Cy3 anti-GFAP showed minimal surface fluorescence, but exposed glial elements at the cut edge of the flatmount stained brightly, as did those exposed by excimer ablation of the Müller cell membrane. Blocking studies confirmed that binding was antigen specific. Trypan blue colocalized to the cut edge of retinal flatmounts. All species showed high levels of immunoreactivity except rabbit. In vivo studies demonstrated selective intraoperative staining of retinal breaks with a high level of specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative vital staining of retinal breaks is possible in an animal model of retinal detachment. Ex vivo studies indicate that this occurs because the Cy3 anti-GFAP selectively binds the intermediate filaments of glial cells with damaged or destroyed cell membranes.

Aged↗

The HET-CAM test combined with histological studies for better evaluation of active ingredient innocuity.

In the search for alternative methods to animal testing, the Hen's egg test on chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) plays a central role in evaluating the innocuity of active ingredients. Therefore, in the following studies we combined the HET-CAM test with histological evaluation in order to increase the sensitivity of evaluation. Twenty active ingredients from four different categories of origin (vegetal, marine, biotechnological and chemical synthetic) were subjected to innocuity evaluation at two different concentrations (pure and 10%). We performed the HET-CAM test and histological evaluation after trypan blue and hematoxylin-eosin staining of the chorioallantoic membrane to microscopically evaluate its state of damage after application of each active ingredient. These studies showed that when the active ingredient was diluted (10%), no discrepancy was seen between the classical HET-CAM evaluation and the histological reading of the chorioallantoic membrane. The histological findings corresponded with the visual observation of the CAM. When the active ingredients were tested at pure concentration, 7 out of 20 tested products demonstrated discrepancy between the two tests. In six cases, the histological examination revealed signs of irritation, such as hyperemia, while visual HET-CAM evaluation was negative. In another case, the histological examination revealed a slight hemorrhage whereas the HET-CAM reading showed only hyperemia. Moreover, the results of trypan blue staining corroborated the histological evaluation of the CAM. These results strongly suggest that the combination of histological and visual HET-CAM tests is of interest for a more sensitive evaluation of the innocuity of cosmetic active ingredients. This additional sensitivity may help to prevent some cases of in vivo intolerance reactions.

Allantois↗

Oxygen-dependent hepatotoxicity due to doxorubicin: role of reducing equivalent supply in perfused rat liver.

Doxorubicin is an important anticancer drug that undergoes redox cycling leading to the production of oxygen radicals; however, its clinical use is limited by toxicity. Redox cycling due to doxorubicin was assessed in the perfused rat liver from increases in O2 uptake by the organ, and toxicity was determined from lactate dehydrogenase release and trypan blue uptake. Doxorubicin increased O2 uptake in a concentration-related manner with half-maximal increases at about 100 microM drug. Within 5 min after addition of 300 microM doxorubicin, lactate dehydrogenase was detected in the effluent perfusate. Enzyme release increased steadily and reached values of 600 units/liter after 60 min. Rates of O2 uptake due to redox cycling of doxorubicin (300 microM) increased by 57 mumol/g/hr in oxygen-rich (mean [O2] = 473 microM) periportal regions of the liver lobule, but did not change in pericentral regions where O2 tension was lower [( O2] = 247 microM). Concomitantly, fluorescence of NAD(P)H measured from the liver surface decreased in periportal but not pericentral regions. The zone-specific decrease in NADPH was attributed to redox cycling of doxorubicin. Trypan blue was taken up exclusively by cells in periportal regions of the liver lobule after perfusion with doxorubicin. When the average O2 tension was lowered from 550 to 200 microM, O2 uptake due to redox cycling of doxorubicin in periportal regions was reduced 3-fold and toxicity was abolished, indicating that toxicity due to doxorubicin is oxygen-dependent. Redox cycling of doxorubicin was minimal in regions of the perfused liver where the O2 concentration was below 400 microM. In contrast, isolated microsomes displayed maximal changes in O2 uptake due to redox cycling of doxorubicin at O2 tensions of about 10 microM. Thus, oxygen per se is not rate-limiting for redox cycling of doxorubicin in the intact organ. Since NADPH is also required for redox cycling of doxorubicin, the effect of oxygen on the ability of mitochondria and the pentose cycle to supply reducing equivalents for redox cycling of doxorubicin was examined. NADPH supply from the pentose cycle was reduced by fasting while that from mitochondria was inhibited by cyanide. The increase in O2 uptake due to redox cycling of doxorubicin was around 60 mumol/g/hr in livers from fed or fasted rats. In the presence of potassium cyanide, stimulation of O2 uptake by doxorubicin was reduced by about one-half in livers from fed rats (29 mumol/g/hr) yet was abolished nearly completely in livers from fasted rats (7 mumol/g/hr).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Studies on the metabolism of metallothionein and alkaline phosphatase of adult rat primary hepatocyte cultures: role of fetal calf serum and agonists of the phosphoinositide cascade.

Adult rat primary hepatocytes maintained in DMEM/F12 (Ham) media were used as a model system for studying the role of fetal calf serum (FCS) and agonists of the phosphoinositide cascade in the metabolism of metallothionein (MT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Experiments were performed both after a 24 h preincubation with FCS and with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Hepatocytes were treated with dexamethasone (DEX), zinc (Zn) and with the agonists of the phosphoinositide cascade A23187, 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DiC8), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), angiotensin II (AT), platelet activating factor (PAF), Arg8-vasopressin (VP) and were analyzed for MT and ALP activity in cell homogenates. Cell viability was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) liberation into culture medium, induction of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) through DEX and by trypan blue exclusion. Overall, cell viability was improved by the FCS pretreatment and by DEX. Exposure of hepatocytes to the established direct inducers Zn and DEX of MT resulted in a manifold increase in MT, independent of whether the cultures were FCS pretreated or not. The FCS preincubation produced a moderate elevation of ALP activity by stimulating cell viability. However, ALP was unaltered in response to Zn and DEX. None of the experiments conducted with agonists of the phosphoinositide cascade led to an elevation of MT and ALP. Only the incubation of hepatocytes with A23187 resulted in a concentration dependent significant decrease of MT and ALP. This observation was due to a cytotoxic effect of A 23187, displayed by LDH leakage and an increase in the number of cells stained with trypan blue. In conclusion, in primary hepatocyte cultures agonists of the phosphoinositide did not have an effect on the metabolism of MT and ALP. Previous in vivo results indicating alterations of Zn metabolism in liver, therefore seem to be caused by indirect systemic responses.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Isolation & cryo-preservation of human foetal articular chondrocytes.

An attempt to determine the ideal temperature and duration of storage of human foetal chondrocytes yielded highly cellular preparations with no alteration in morphology or loss of viability. Initial digestion with activated papain was followed by incubation in 0.5 per cent collagenase. Trypan blue exclusion test revealed a viability count of 95-99 per cent and radioactive thymidine uptake a corresponding labelling index. On TEM no subcellular damage was evident. The isolated viable chondrocytes were further banked at varying temperatures of +4 degrees, -4 degrees, -30 degrees, -79 degrees and -196 degrees C, in Eagles MEM with 10 per cent dimethyl sulfoxide. Post storage morphology and viability of these cells, thawed after durations of 20 h, 1 wk, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 months, were compared with prestorage readings in an attempt to define the ideal temperature for banking. Storage in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees C demonstrated excellent preservation even at the end of six months with minimal subcellular change. Electron microscopy and labelling index were found to be superior to Trypan blue exclusion test in assessing the stored chondrocytes for retention of their functions.

Cartilage, Articular↗

Enhancement of paracellular drug transport with highly quaternized N-trimethyl chitosan chloride in neutral environments: in vitro evaluation in intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2).

Previous studies have established that a partially quaternized derivative of chitosan, N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), can be used as an absorption enhancer for large hydrophilic compounds across mucosal surfaces. This study evaluates and compares the effects of the degree of quaternization of TMC, in a neutral environment, on the permeability of intestinal epithelial cells in vitro, where normal chitosan salts are ineffective as absorption enhancers. The effects of TMC-H [61.2% quaternized, (0.05-1.5% w/v)], TMC-L [12.3% quaternized, (0.5-1.5% w/v)], and chitosan hydrochloride [0.5-1.5% w/v] on the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability, for the hydrophilic model compound [14C]mannitol, of intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell monolayers, were investigated at pH values of 6.20 and 7.40. The viability of the monolayers was checked with the trypan blue exclusion technique. At a pH of 6.20, all the polymers caused a pronounced reduction (37-67% at 0.5% w/v concentrations) in the TEER of Caco-2 cells. On the contrary, at a pH of 7.40, only TMC-H was able to decrease the TEER values, even in a concentration as low as 0.05% w/v (35% reduction). Comparable results were obtained with the permeation of [14C]mannitol. Large increases in the transport rate (18-23-fold at 0.5% w/v concentrations) were found at pH 6.20, whereas only TMC-H was able to increase the permeation of [14C]mannitol at pH 7.40 (31-48-fold at 0.05-1.5% w/v concentrations of TMC-H). For all the polymers studied, no deleterious effects to the cells could be demonstrated with the trypan blue exclusion technique. It is concluded that highly quaternized TMC is a potent absorption enhancer and the potential use of this polymer, especially in neutral and basic environments where normal chitosan salts are not effective, is expected to be an important contribution to the development of effective delivery systems for hydrophilic compounds such as peptide drugs.

Biological Transport↗

Advanced glycation end products induce death of retinal neurons via activation of nitric oxide synthase.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are neurotoxic for cultured retinal neurons consisting mainly of amacrine cells, and to determine whether endogenous nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the toxicity. Cultured retinal neurons obtained from fetal Wistar rats (gestational age 19 days) were maintained in culture for 10 days, and then exposed to different concentrations of AGEs (0.02, 0.1, and 0.5 mg ml(-1)) in cultured media for different lengths of time. Both trypan blue exclusion and TUNEL assay were used to determine whether AGEs were neurotoxic, and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 500 microM), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, was used to determine whether NO was involved. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to determine whether specific receptors of AGEs (RAGE) are present on cultured retinal neurons; caspase-3 was activated, and 3-nitrotyrosine was expressed on neurons treated with AGEs. Nitrite levels were measured in the supernatants of the media where neurons were incubated with AGEs. AGEs induced cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. TUNEL-positive cells and immunoreactivity to cleaved caspase-3 were enhanced on neurons following exposure to AGEs. L-NAME significantly suppressed the AGEs-induced neurotoxicity as assessed by both trypan blue exclusion and TUNEL assays. Activation of NOS was suggested by enhanced immunoreactivity to 3-nitrotyrosine on neurons and increased nitrite levels in the media incubated with AGEs. These results indicate that AGEs are neurotoxic to retinal neurons in culture through the activation of NOS. Apoptotic pathways may be in part involved in the death of the neurons.

Amacrine Cells↗

Inhibitors directed towards caspase-1 and -3 are less effective than pan caspase inhibition in preventing renal proximal tubular cell apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Uncontrolled apoptosis contributes to tubular cell deletion in renal scarring. Caspase-3 has a central role in the execution of apoptosis and may provide a target for regulating cell death. Here we evaluate three caspase inhibitors: B-D-FMK (pan caspase inhibitor), Z-DEVDFMK (predominantly Caspase-3 inhibitor) and Z-VAD-FMK (predominantly Caspase-1 and -3 inhibitor) to ameliorate apoptosis induced by cisplatin in rat proximal tubular (RPT) cells. METHODS: Caspase-3 activity (substrate cleavage assay) and protein (immunocytochemistry and Western blotting), apoptosis (Annexin V flow cytometry, in situend labelling of fragmented DNA, light/electron microscopy and DNA laddering) and cell survival (trypan blue exclusion and propidium iodide flow cytometry) were determined in RPT cells exposed to cisplatin with and without caspase inhibitors. RESULTS: Cisplatin induced a dose-dependent increase in Caspase-3 activity and 8-fold of increase in apoptosis (p < 0.01) when applied for 24 h at 100 microM. B-D-FMK (40 microM), Z-DEVD-FMK (15 microM) and Z-VAD-FMK (22 microM) almost completely inhibited the 25-fold increase in Caspase-3 activity and decreased apoptosis from 15.9 +/- 4.4 to 2.0 +/- 0.6% (p < 0.01), 15.0 +/- 2.2 and 15.0 +/- 2.2% respectively. DNA ladders were visible in cisplatin-treated cells, which disappeared following addition of B-D-FMK and decreased with Z-VAD-FMK and Z-DEVD-FMK. Cisplatin reduced cell survival to 61% by trypan blue exclusion. B-D-FMK and Z-VAD-FMK increased this to 87 and 75%, but Z-DEVD-FMK had no significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: Cisplatin causes an increase in RPT apoptosis that is associated with increased Caspase-3 activity. All caspase inhibitors were equally effective at reducing Caspase-3 activity, however the pan caspase inhibitor B-D-FMK was more effective at preventing apoptosis and increasing cell survival. Therefore, pan caspase inhibition offers the greatest potential for the prevention of renal tubular cell deletion by uncontrolled apoptosis.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Paradoxical potentiation by low extracellular Ca2+ of acute chemical anoxic neuronal injury in cerebellar granule cell culture.

Acute chemical anoxic injury was produced in primary cerebellar granule cell cultures incubated with iodoacetate (IAA) alone or IAA combined with potassium cyanide (KCN). Cytotoxicity was assessed using Trypan blue exclusion or LDH release. Four millimolars of KCN induced approx 30% neuron death at 3 h, whereas greater than 50% cell death was produced by 0.2 mM IAA. No potentiation of cytotoxicity was observed by IAA + KCN. A total of 0.2 mM IAA produced an early major reduction of intracellular ATP prior to the onset of neuron injury or reduction in intracellular glutathione (GSH). Medium Na+ replacement by choline, K+, or methylglucamine protected against IAA-induced neuronal injury, reduced the rate of decline of intracellular ATP but had no effect on intracellular GSH. Some 80% neuronal survival was obtained when Na+ was deleted from the medium even after the intracellular ATP had been reduced to less than 10% of control. Removal of Ca2+ from the medium had no effect on control culture, Trypan blue exclusion, GSH, or ATP, but potentiated the onset and magnitude of IAA-induced cytotoxicity. ATP and GSH decline. Loading of granule cells with the Ca2+ chelator Fura-2 did not influence IAA-induced cytotoxicity in control or low Ca2+ media. Addition of 50 microM glutamate had a minimal cytotoxic effect over 3 h and the combined addition of 0.2 mM IAA plus 50 microM glutamate did not potentiate IAA-induced injury. The glutamate receptor antagonists, D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) or kynurenate did not block IAA-induced injury in control medium but inhibited the potentiation of toxicity seen in the low Ca2+ medium. This study suggests the use of IAA as a chemical anoxic agent in cerebellar granule cell culture. The early, dose-dependent decline in ATP may be dissociated from GSH change. Acute IAA-induced injury is Na+/Cl- dependent but paradoxically potentiated in low Ca2+ medium. The low Ca2+ potentiated component was sensitive to glutamate/NMDA receptor antagonists and associated with reduction of intracellular GSH.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on neutrophil oxidative function and viability.

Previous studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) can modulate neutrophil function. Exposure to inhaled NO for pulmonary vasodilation could thus potentially affect neutrophil involvement in lung inflammation and infection. We evaluated the effect of exogenous NO gas exposure at clinically relevant concentrations in vitro on the oxidative function of human neutrophils. Isolated neutrophils were exposed for 2 h to either room air (RA), 80% oxygen (O2), or NO at 20 or 5 ppm blended with room air (NO20/RA, NO5/RA) or blended with 80% oxygen (NO20/O2) (NO5/O2). Neutrophils were then evaluated for superoxide anion generation with the cytochrome c reduction assay, for oxygen consumption with the Clark oxygen electrode technique, and for myeloperoxidase (MPO) release by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Neutrophil viability was determined by both trypan blue dye exclusion and fluorescence viability/cytotoxicity assay. Neutrophils exposed to NO at 20 ppm demonstrated a significant decrease in superoxide anion generation in both NO20/RA (97 +/- 46 nmol/10(6) neutrophils) and NO20/O2 (102 +/- 54 nmol/10(6) neutrophils) groups as compared with RA (190 +/- 41 nmol/10(6) neutrophils) (mean +/- SEM, P < 0.005 by analysis of variance [ANOVA] and the Student-Newman-Keuls test). No significant difference was seen at 5 ppm NO exposure. Neutrophil oxygen consumption was decreased with NO20/O2 (6.5 +/- 1.2 nmol O2/ml/min/10(7) neutrophils) as compared with RA (13.7 +/- 3.9 nmol O2/ml/min/10(6) neutrophils) or O2 alone (11.6 +/- 3.1 nmol O2/ml/min/10(7) neutrophils) (P < 0.002). MPO levels were significantly decreased with NO20/O2 (2.3 +/- 0.4 microg/ml) as compared with RA (4.0 +/- 0.4 microg/ml, P < 0.005), and also with NO5/O2. Cell viability as reflected by trypan blue dye exclusion was decreased with O2 (70 +/- 2.3%), NO20/RA (61 +/- 4%), and NO20/O2 (58 +/- 2.5%) exposure as compared with RA control (84.4 +/- 0.9%) (P < 0.0001). Decreased neutrophil viability was confirmed by live/dead assay for O2 (80.8 +/- 2.8%), NO20/RA (62.8 +/- 6.1%), and NO20/O2 (31.7 +/- 5.6%) groups as compared with RA control (95.8 +/- 1.4%, P < 0.0001). Adjusting neutrophil superoxide anion generation, oxygen consumption, and MPO values for cell viability abolished differences between exposure groups. We conclude that exogenous NO exposure at clinically relevant concentrations decreases neutrophil oxidative function, primarily as a result of reduced cell viability. Further studies are necessary to determine if these effects serve an in vivo immunoregulatory or immunosuppressive role in neutrophil response to lung injury and infection.

Adult↗

Ethanol induced apoptosis in human HL-60 cells.

In this study flow cytometric and morphologic methods of apoptosis detection in human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 were compared. HL-60 cells were harvested at 4, 7, 16, 24 a 48 hours after induction of apoptosis by 3 % ethanol. Little changes were observed both by flow cytometry (decrease of forward scatter, increase of unprocessed cells staining with APO2.7 antibody) and viability determination by Trypan-blue staining until after 7 hours. However, after 4 hours morphologic changes were observed in the nuclear and cytoplasmic structures using Diff-Quik stained cytospin preparations and standard light microscopic techniques (50% apoptotic cells). The same results were obtained by flow cytometric measurement of sub-diploid DNA content (sub-G1 cells), and an increase of staining with APO2.7 antibody in cells permeabilised by digitonin prior to staining. After 7 hours almost all cells exhibited apoptotic morphology. After 16 hours the cell size (forward scatter) decreased significantly, and 54% of unprocessed cells were APO2.7 positive. After 24 hours only 6% of cells were alive (high forward scatter) and these cells were APO2.7 negative. The HL-60 cells did not proliferate during the cultivation in 3% ethanol, and after 48 hours all stained by Trypan blue. HL-60 leukemic cells were CD34-/AC133-, CD33+/CD15+, and only 2% of the cells were CD95+. Induction of apoptosis by ethanol did not enhance CD95 antigen expression.

AC133 Antigen↗

Determination of growth and lysis kinetics in plant cell suspension cultures from the measurement of esterase release.

The death of Medicago sativa L. cells cultivated in a batch culture was investigated by measuring both the appearance of intact dead cells determined on the basis of the trypan blue (TB) dye exclusion, and the release of the cytoplasmic esterase activity into the culture medium upon cell death. Taking into account the strong instability of this released esterase activity, the total dead cell and lysed cell densities have been estimated. A mechanism for cell death and lysis is proposed and the specific rates of cell growth, death and lysis estimated. The specific rate of appearance of TB dead cells was low and essentially constant (0.25 day(-1)) during the first 8 days of the batch culture, and then increased above 1.5 day(-1) after 2 weeks of cultivation. Whereas no lysis occurred during the first seven days, this phenomenon occurred during the second period and accounted for about 20% of the total cell death by the end of the process. Thus, the viability determined by the trypan blue exclusion method appeared to be invalid after 7 days of culture. When lysis of viable cells is taken into consideration, the specific growth rate was significantly increased and growth was shown to continue for a further 8 days. Increased sensitivity of the cells to shear stresses and consequent cell lysis could be the result of a 35% increase in the cell size

Bioreactors↗

Inhibition of human retinal pigment epithelial cell attachment, spreading, and migration by alkylphosphocholines.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of alkylphosphocholines (APCs) on human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) attachment, spreading, migration, and microfilament assembly in vitro. METHODS: Cultured RPE cells of five human donors were treated with one of four APCs (C18:1-PC, C20:1-PC, C21:1-PC, or C22:1-PC) in the presence of fetal calf serum. Cell viability was tested by the trypan blue exclusion assay. Attachment was assessed after a 2-hour incubation of RPE cells on coated 96-well-plates and subsequent MTT testing. Cellular spreading is characterized by cytoplasmic halo formation and was quantified by counting four separate fields of RPE cells allowed to spread on coated 24-well plates for 4 hours. Migration was measured by a modification of the Boyden chamber method in microchemotaxis chambers with polycarbonated filters. Microfilament assembly was assessed by immunofluorescence analysis after incubation with rhodamine-phalloidin. RESULTS: All four APCs inhibited RPE cell attachment by more than 70% of their IC50 (C18:1-PC: 30 microM; C20:1-PC: 10 microM; C21:1-PC: 10 microM; and C22:1-PC: 10 microM). Also, APCs inhibited RPE cell spreading by more than 80% and migration by more than 90% at similar concentrations. Trypan blue staining revealed a toxicity within control limits within the concentration interval tested. Microfilament organization was significantly disturbed after incubation of RPE cells with one of the four APCs close to its IC50. CONCLUSIONS: APCs inhibit RPE cell attachment and spreading in vitro at nontoxic concentrations. As a possible mechanism of action, APCs disturb microfilament assembly, since they are known to interfere with protein kinase C (PKC) function. This could represent a novel method of preventing even early stages of proliferative vitreoretinal diseases like proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Actin Cytoskeleton↗