Effects of bilirubin on oxygen free radicals and caspase-3 in acute lung injury rats

AIM:To investigate the mechanisms by which bilirubin inhibits acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS:30 female Wistar rats were divided into normal group, ALI group and bilirubin treatment group. ALI was induced by intravenous injection of LPS. The contents of OH^-, H₂O₂ and O₂^· in the lung as well as the expression of caspase-3 in the lungs were investigated. RESULTS:(1) The contents of OH^-, H₂O₂ and O₂^· in the lung homogenate and the expression of caspase-3 in the lungs in ALI group increased compared with those in normal group (P<0.05). (2) The contents of OH^-, H₂O₂ and O₂^· in the lung homogenate and the expression of caspase-3 in the lungs in bilirubin treatment group increased compared with those in normal group, but decreased compared with those in ALI models (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:(1) Bilirubin was shown to be able to ameliorate apoptosis in ALI rats. (2) The increase in the contents of OH^-, H₂O₂, O₂^· in ALI group indicated the development of oxidative lung injury, which was ameliorated by bilirubin. (3) Expression of caspase-3 confirmed that the model made by LPS was associated with apoptosis, which was reduced by bilirubin.     

Catecholamine and cortisol responses of horses to incremental exertion

The responses of the plasma concentrations of catecholamines and cortisol in horses to varied relative intensities of exertion were examined. The plasma concentrations of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine increased significantly (p<0.05) with exertion. The plasma cortisol concentrations at relative work intensities of 48.3%±1.4%, 82.3%±2.0% and 99.6%±0.4% of VO_2max were 114%, 124%, and 126%, respectively, of those at rest, whereas the plasma epinephrine concentrations were 239%, 772% and 3483%, and the norepinephrine concentrations were 138%, 255%, and 1121% of the values at rest. There was a significant (p<0.0001) relationship between the plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations. The blood lactate concentration and the plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were significantly (p<0.0001) related, as were the relative work intensity (%VO_2max) and the plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations. The relationships between the plasma cortisol concentration and work intensity or blood lactate concentration were not significant (p>0.05). This study demonstrates a relationship between relative work intensity and indicators of adrenal medullary and sympathetic activity during brief exertion in horses.     

Factors Associated with Survival in Septicemic Foals: 65 Cases (1988–1995)

In order to identify variables obtained at admission that could be used to predict survival in septicemic foals, medical records of 65 foals diagnosed with septicemia were reviewed. Initially, variables were analyzed independently (univariate analysis) for association with survival. Of the physical examination and historical data examined using univariate analysis, the ability to stand at admission, respiratory rate ≥ 60 breaths per minute (bpm), and normal-appearing mucous membranes were significantly associated with survival. Foals with history of induced parturition were significantly less likely to survive. The following hematologic and serum biochemical variables determined at admission were significantly associated with survival: white blood cell count a 6,000 cells/μL, neutrophil count <4,000 cells/μL, serum albumin concentration <2.2 g/dL, serum glucose concentration <120 mg/ dL, blood pH ≥ 7.35, and positive base excess. The administration of plasma at admission was significantly associated with survival. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between survival and variables identified as significantly associated with survival in bivariate analysis. The final multivariate model selected included the variables standing, duration of clinical signs (24-hour intervals) prior to admission, respiratory rate a 60 bpm, neutropenia (> 4,000 cells/μL), and neonatal age category. The probability of survival was significantly increased for foals that were standing, had a respiratory rate a 60 bpm, and that had a neutrophil count <4,000 cells/μL at admission. Probability of survival was significantly decreased for foals that had a longer duration of clinical signs prior to admission. For each 24 hours of duration, the estimated risk of death was increased by 5.8-fold.     

The Effect of Levothyroxine Treatment on Resting Energy Expenditure of Hypothyroid Dogs

Thirty adult, client-owned dogs were diagnosed with hypothyroidism based on history, physical examination findings, hematologic and biochemical abnormalities, thyrotropin (TSH) response testing, endogenous canine thyrotropin (cTSH) concentration, or both, and total serum thryoxine concentration. All dogs received levothyroxine (L-thyroxine) at an initial dose of 22 μg/kg PO sid in either a tablet (13 dogs) or chewable form (17 dogs). Energy expenditure of each dog during apparent rest was estimated with an open-flow indirect calorimetry system by determining the rates of carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption. Energy expenditure of apparent rest (EE) was lower in untreated hypothyroid dogs compared with reference values for EE. After treatment with L-thyroxine, EE of the hypothyroid dogs was significantly ( P < .05) higher than pretreatment values.     

双峰驼精清及其活性组分凝集素寡糖的初步研究

应用植物血凝素与寡糖结构相同或相似的糖复合物专一凝集的原理与方法,结合小鼠排卵试验,间接观察了公驼精清及其经ＤＥ－５２离子交换层析和高效液相层析提取分离的活性组分的蛋白组成。结果表明,公驼精清内糖蛋白含有２种以上的寡糖,其内的活性组分及诱导排卵因子与所试植物血凝素不发生反应     

草坪草种子活力的低温保存试验

用－３０℃、－１０℃、５℃和室内２０～２８℃（对照）对草地早熟禾、紫羊茅、高羊茅、剪股颖四种草坪草种子保存２００ｄ后分析得出,各草坪草种子要求冷藏温度不一样,恰当的低温保存可以保持原种子活力。草地早熟禾和剪股颖种子在－３０℃～－１０℃保存为好,紫羊茅以－３０℃为佳,而高羊茅在２００ｄ内无需冷藏。     

几种抑制木薯采后生理性变质发生方法的比较

比较了热激、酸化和隔绝氧气3种处理对木薯采后生理性变质的影响，结果显示，热激和酸化都能在一定程度上延缓木薯PPD的发生，隔绝氧气是最为理想的抑制木薯PPD发生的方法。因此，通过过量表达或者干扰某些基因表达，降低以至于去除伤口处的氧气的方法将是防治木薯采后生理性变质的有效途径。     

Effects of 5‐aminolevulinic acid on water uptake,ionic toxicity,and antioxidant capacity of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.) under sodic‐alkaline conditions

Sodic‐alkalinity may be more deleterious to plant growth than salinity. The objectives of this study were to determine whether 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA: an essential precursor for chlorophyll biosynthesis) foliar application could improve the sodic‐alkaline resistance of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. cicla ) by regulating water uptake, ionic homeostasis, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant metabolism. Eight‐week‐old uniform plants were grown in nutrient medium without and with a sodic‐alkaline regime generated by a mixture of NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ (NaHCO₃ : Na₂CO₃ = 9:1 molar ratio) for 12 d, and leaves were sprayed daily with water or ALA. The Na⁺ and ALA concentrations were gradually increased to 60 mM and 120 μM, respectively. ALA foliar application alleviated the physiological damage from sodic‐alkalinity, as reflected by the increases in plant dry weight, relative growth rate, chlorophyll, Mg²⁺ concentration, and the decrease in Na⁺ concentration. However, ALA foliar application did not change the water uptake capacity or the concentration of K⁺, Fe³⁺, and endogenous ALA in leaf tissues under sodic‐alkaline conditions. ALA foliar application effectively mitigated damage from sodic‐alkalinity because of the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and guaiacol peroxidase), particularly superoxide dismutase activity, which was maintained at the same level as for control plants. These results suggest that ALA foliar application alleviated sodic‐alkaline stress mainly owing to its antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase has the main responsibility for reducing oxidative stress in Swiss chard.     

Splenectomy enhances sensitivity of islets to STZ in mice

AIM: To explore the protective role of spleen in damage of islet beta cells induced by streptozotocin (STZ).METHODS: Splenectomy in mice was performed by surgery. Sixty splenectomy mice were divided into 3 groups as the mice were intraperitoneally injected with STZ at doses of 80 mg/kg or 160 mg/kg, and saline, respectively. Sixty normal mice (without splenectomy) were also grouped and treated as above for controls. One week later, fasting blood glucose and serum insulin were monitored,and beta cell mass and the apoptosis of islet cells were analyzed by the methods of immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. The content of reactive oxygen species was determined by the method of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence.RESULTS: Compared to the normal control mice, the concentrations of fasting blood glucose significantly increased, and serum insulin reduced in splenectomy mice treated with STZ at the dose of 80 mg/kg. Moreover, beta cell mass decreased, enrichment factor of nucleosomes of islet apoptotic cells and reactive oxygen species produced in pancreas tissues significantly increased in splenectomy mice treated with STZ at the dose of 80 mg/kg.CONCLUSION: Splenectomy increases the sensitivity of islets to STZ in mice by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species in pancreas.     

Polyamines enhance chilling tolerance of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) through modulating antioxidative system

Cucumber chilling-resistant cultivar Changchun mici and -sensitive cultivar Beijing jietou were used in this study to investigate the effects of exogenous PAs on protection against chilling injury as well as on changes of physiological features, and the fluctuation of free PAs content in the leaves under chilling stress. Upon chilling treatment, free spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm) and putrescine (Put) were remarkably induced in the leaves of cv. Changchun mici 1 day after treatment. The induction of Put declined thereafter, whereas Spd and Spm levels increased steadily. In the leaves of cv. Beijing jietou, Put content was increased only at 1 day after chilling while Spd content decreased significantly upon chilling treatment. Chilling reduced soluble protein content, and decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) only in Beijing jietou. However, these changes could be renovated by exogenous application of Put and Spd. It was also found that pretreatment with Put and Spd diminished the increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content caused by chilling in the leaves of both cultivars. Pretreatment of methyglyoxal-bis-(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), the PAs biosynthetic inhibitor cancelled the effects of PAs in most of the treatments. Moreover, histochemical staining and quantitative measurements showed that exogenous application of Put and Spd eliminated but MGBG exaggerated the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation caused by chilling stress, especially in leaves of Beijing jietou. Interestingly, Changchun mici was found to contain higher endogenous free PAs contents compared to Beijing jietou. While no significant difference of SOD, POD and CAT activities was found between non-chilling Changchun mici and Beijing jietou seedlings, the former exhibited higher APX activity than the latter. These results suggest that PAs play important roles in the tolerance of cucumber against chilling stress, which is most likely achieved by acting as oxidative machinery against chilling injury.