大气SO2和NO2污染及植物的抗性和净化能力研究进展

SO2和NO2为我国大气污染主要污染物,城市森林对SO2和NO2具有一定的抵抗能力和吸收净化能力,利用城市森林对大气污染进行修复具有良好的应用前景.文章概述了我国SO2和NO2气体污染的状况,总结了污染物进入植物体的过程及其损伤机理,并从植物抗性和吸附净化能力两方面总结了城市景观树种与SO2和NO2气体污染的关系研究,并基于研究结论提出今后研究可能发展方向,如SO2、NO2与悬浮颗粒物等复合污染对城市树种生长的影响、树种抗性和吸附能力综合研究等.     

Improvement of wood properties by urea-formaldehyde resin and nano-SiO2

In order to improve wood properties of triploid clones of Populus tomentosa, urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin was compounded with nano-SiO₂, coupling agents and flame retardants in different ways to prepare five kinds of modifiers. The poplar wood samples were impregnated with the modifiers and heated to prepare UF-SiO₂-wood composites. The antiswelling efficiency, resistance of water absorption, oxygen index and hardness of the composites were measured. Results show that all of the modifiers reduced water absorption of poplar wood and enhanced flame resistance and hardness. Nano-SiO₂ showed a marked effect in improving the hardness of wood. In addition, all of the modifiers, except UF-C-SiO₂-polymer, improved the dimensional stability of poplar wood. The UF resin and nano-SiO₂ compound improved general properties of poplar wood. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2006, 28(2): 123–128 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

植物对氯化钠和硫酸钠胁迫生理响应研究进展

氯化钠是一种最为常见的盐胁迫类型,在我国乃至全球分布面积最大。但在某些地区(如我国"三北"的局部地区),硫酸钠、碳酸钠和碳酸氢钠等类型盐渍土的面积更大、危害更深,且有很多植物(如碱蓬、白刺、柽柳等)常分布于多种不同类型的盐碱地。因此,开展植物对不同类型盐碱胁迫对比研究、探讨其内在生理机制的异同显得尤为迫切和必要,并极具现实意义和理论价值。根据国内外文献资料,文中在总结盐胁迫生长抑制效应的基础上,对比、分析了植物对氯化钠和碳酸钠胁迫的生理响应异同,主要包括离子代谢生理、水分与渗透调节生理、光合生理等,并对该领域存在的问题和未来研究重点进行了探讨,以期为同类研究提供参考与借鉴。     

Na2SO4胁迫对沙枣幼苗生长和光合生理的影响

采用盆栽控制试验,研究了不同浓度(0、60、120和180 mmol·L-1)Na2SO4胁迫对沙枣幼苗生长和光合特性的影响。结果表明:(1)盐胁迫对沙枣幼苗生长具有显著的抑制效应。不同浓度Na2SO4胁迫沙枣的株高、侧枝数、总叶面积、单株叶片数、比叶面积以及各组织(除根)生物量均显著低于对照,且均随盐胁迫浓度的升高呈下降趋势,而根冠比值则由对照的0.153 1显著增加到180 mmol·L-1Na2SO4胁迫幼苗的0.348 7。(2)盐胁迫显著降低了沙枣幼苗的光合能力。随着Na2SO4胁迫的加剧,净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)和蒸腾速率(Tr)均呈下降的趋势,而气孔限制值(Ls)和水分利用效率(WUE)则依次增加,且Pn下降主要受气孔限制;180 mmol·L-1Na2SO4胁迫沙枣幼苗的Pn、Gs、Ci和Tr分别为对照的71.57%、30.85%、67.15%和51.65%,而Ls和WUE则分别为对照的1.91、1.38倍。(3)盐胁迫强度与幼苗株高、总叶面积、单株叶片数、比叶面积、茎生物量、叶生物量、总生物量等生长指标以及Pn、Gs、Ci、Tr等光合参数呈极显著负相关,叶片的光合参数与总叶面积、单株叶片数呈显著或极显著正相关,而叶片的生长指标、光合参数与幼苗的株高生长和生物量累积也呈显著或极显著正相关。     

外源ABA对短期H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗活性氧代谢及相关基因的影响

[目的]研究外源ABA处理对H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗活性氧代谢系统的影响,探讨ABA调控侧柏氧化胁迫的可能作用机制。[方法]以侧柏幼苗为试验材料,采用水培方式,研究外施低浓度(0.5μmol·L~(-1))和高浓度(200μmol·L~(-1))ABA对100 mmol·L~(-1)H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗活性氧代谢的影响。[结果](1)100 mmol·L~(-1)H_2O_2胁迫48 h显著增加了侧柏幼苗叶片过氧化氢(H_2O_2)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和脯氨酸含量、抗氧化物酶(SOD和CAT)活性,而可溶性蛋白含量降低。(2)相较于高浓度200μmol·L~(-1)ABA,施加0.5μmol·L~(-1)ABA显著减少了H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗H_2O_2和MDA的积累,进一步提高了侧柏幼苗叶片SOD、POD和CAT活性,同时促进GSH、脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白的合成。(3)100 mmol·L~(-1)H_2O_2胁迫处理48 h,侧柏幼苗叶片活性氧代谢相关基因Cu/Zn-SOD、CAT、GR、APX、MDAR和GST表达水平较对照CK均有显著性提高;正常和H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗外施0.5μmol·L~(-1)ABA相较于200μmol·L~(-1)更有利于提高侧柏叶片活性氧代谢相关基因Cu/Zn-SOD、CAT、GR、APX、MDAR和GST的表达量。[结论]低浓度0.5μmol·L~(-1)ABA有效地增强抗氧化系统的防御能力,减弱幼苗的氧化胁迫和膜脂过氧化水平,从而降低活性氧对侧柏的伤害。     

Potential for CO2 emissions mitigation in Europe through prescribed burning in the context of the Kyoto Protocol

The current paper analyses the potential for prescribed burning techniques for mitigating carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from forest fires and attempts to show quantitatively that it can be a means of achieving a net reduction of carbon emissions in the context of the Kyoto Protocol. The limited number of available studies suggests that significant reductions in CO₂ emissions can be obtained and that prescribed burning can be a viable option for mitigating emissions in fire-prone countries. The present analysis shows that the potential reduction attained by prescribed burning as a percentage of the reduction in emissions required by the Kyoto Protocol varies from country to country. Out of the 33 European countries investigated, only in one the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol could potentially be achieved by applying prescribed burning, while three other nations showed a potential net CO₂ emissions reduction of about 4–8% of the Kyoto requirements and the majority showed a reduction of less than 2%. This implies that prescribed burning can only make a significant contribution in those countries with high wildland fire occurrence. Over a 5-year period the emissions from wildfires in the European region were estimated to be approximately 11 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, while with prescribed burning application this was estimated to be 6 million tonnes, a potential reduction of almost 50%. This means that for countries in the Mediterranean region it may be worthwhile to account for the reduction in emissions obtained when such techniques are applied.     

Durability,reaction to fire properties,and environmental impact of treated and untreated wooden claddings

Abstract

This work summarizes the output of durability, reaction to fire properties, and environmental impact of wooden claddings subjected to treatments modified with TiO₂ and clay nanoparticles. The objective was to investigate the effects of 1 wt% of TiO₂ and clay nanoparticles in existing water-based and stain coatings and preservatives regarding the properties mentioned above. Water vapor resistance properties were used to assess the moisture transfer properties of the specimens by using the cup test. The reactions to fire properties of the specimens were analyzed using small-scale cone calorimeter test. Accelerated aging was used to study the weathering properties of specimens, where the performance of the specimens with aging was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The effect of increasing the percentage of nanoparticles from 1 wt% to 3 wt% on the weathering properties of the specimens was further analyzed. Moreover, comparison between the overall environmental impact between unmodified water-based paint and water-based paint modified with 1 wt% of TiO₂ nanoparticles was performed using available environmental data and weathering test results as analyzed by FTIR.     

羟甲基脲改性氧化石墨烯材料的制备及吸附Cu2+和Ni2+的性能

针对当前氧化石墨烯材料存在的吸附后固液分离困难的问题,采用化学接枝法制备了一种新型的氧化石墨烯/羟甲基脲复合材料(UF-GO),并用于水中重金属离子的去除。探讨了pH、时间及初始浓度对重金属离子去除能力的影响。结果表明:UF-GO复合材料保持了GO对重金属离子优异的吸附能力,吸附过程符合Langmuir吸附等温式,室温下对Cu²⁺、Ni²⁺的饱和吸附容量分别为96.9、94.1 mg·g^-1。在循环利用8次后,UF-GO复合材料对Cu²⁺、Ni²⁺两种离子的吸附容量仍保持有初次吸附容量的60、58%,表明UF-GO复合材料的回用性能较好,且能稳定存在。与GO相比,UF-GO复合材料吸附后的固液分离更加方便,有望成为一种具有较好应用前景的吸附材料。     

Simulating leaf net CO2 assimilation rate of C3 & C4 plants and its response to environmental factors

Basic structure and algorithm of leaf mechanism photosynthesis model were described in first part of this study based on former researcher results. Then, considering some environmental factors influencing on leaf photosynthesis, three numerical sensitivity experiments were carried out. We simulated the single leaf net CO₂ assimilation, which acts as a function of different light, carbon dioxide and temperature conditions. The relationships between leaf net photosynthetic rate of C₃ and C₄ plant with CO₂ concentration intercellular, leaf temperature, and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) were presented, respectively. The results show the numerical experiment may indicate the main characteristic of plant photosynthesis in C₃ and C₄ plant, and further can be used to integrate with the regional climate model and act as land surface process scheme, and better understand the interaction between vegetation and atmosphere. Foundation Item: This paper was supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 39900084) Biography: ZHANG Jia-hua (1966-), male, Ph. Doctor, Associate professor in START, Institute of Atmospheric Physics. Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, 100029, P. R. China Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Photocatalytic activity of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystallite-activated carbon composites prepared in supercritical isopropanol for the decomposition of formaldehyde

 An effort was made to develop photocatalytic TiO₂ crystallite–activated carbon (TiO₂-AC) composites from tetraisopropyl titanate (TPT)-soaked activated carbon in supercritical isopropanol. It was subsequently found that TPT in supercritical isopropanol could be effectively converted to the anatase form of the TiO₂ crystallites. The prepared composites, composed of activated carbon as an adsorbent and the anatase form of TiO₂ as a photocatalyst, were evaluated for their adsorption capacity and subsequent photocatalytic activity against formaldehyde, one of the harmful air pollutants in the environment. As a result, the supercritically treated TiO₂–AC composites, particularly at 300°C and 350°C, had much higher formaldehyde-decomposing ability compared to a noncomposite comprising a simple mixture of activated carbon and TiO₂ granules. This indicates that the supercritical treatment can be effective for preparing the photocatalytic composites that have a high synergetic effect of adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of formaldehyde for environmental cleaning. Received: May 18, 2001 / Accepted: March 8, 2002 On leave from Fujian Forestry College, Fujian 353001, P.R. China Acknowledgments The authors express their sincere thanks to Miss H. Tokoro and Mr. D. Kusdiana for their kind, valuable help and cooperation and to Dr. H. Miyafuji for SEM observations of samples, all at the Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University. Correspondence to:S. Saka     

Effect of Allelochemicals of Chinese—fir root extracted by supercritical CO2 extraction on Chinese fir

Allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root was extracted by technology of supercritical CO2 extraction under orthogonal experiment design, and it was used to analyze allelopathic activity of Chinese-fir through bioassay of seed germination, The results showed that as to the available rate of allelochemicals, the pressure and temperature of extraction were the most im-portant factors, The allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root extracted by pure CO2 and ethanol mixed with CO2 have different al-lelopathic activities to seed germination, and the allelochemicals extracted by ethanol mixed with CO2 had stronger inhibitory effects on seed Qermination than that extracted by pure CO2.     

Impregnated wooden claddings and the influence of nanoparticles on the weathering performance

Abstract

This work was an investigation of the effect of nanoparticles on the durability of wood specimens exposed to artificial weathering. TiO₂ and clay nanoparticles were mixed with preservative (Wolmanit CX-8) for improving the durability of Norway spruce (Picea abies). Impregnated and untreated specimens were subjected to Atlas Solar Simulator accelerated ageing test chamber for solar radiation and water spray exposure. The effectiveness of the treatment against colour and chemical changes was investigated using CIEL*a*b* colour measurements system and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The present study showed that the wood specimens that had been treated with preservatives containing nanoparticles were slightly more stable against artificial ageing than both untreated specimens and specimens treated with preservative alone.     

Nutrient contents and efficiencies of beech and spruce saplings as influenced by competition and O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> regime

Saplings of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies were grown under conditions of intra and interspecific competition in a 2-year phytotron study under combinations of ambient and elevated ozone (+O₃ which is 2 × O₃, but <150 nl l⁻¹) as well as carbon dioxide concentrations (+CO₂ which is amb. CO₂ + 300 μl CO₂ l⁻¹) in a full factorial design. Saplings were analysed for various mineral nutrients in different plant organs as well as biomass production and crown development. The study was based on the assumption that nutritional parameters important for growth and competitiveness are affected by stress defence under limiting nutrient supply. The hypotheses tested were (1) that nutrient uptake-related parameters (a) as well as efficiencies in nutrient use for above-ground competition (b) of beech rather than spruce are impaired by the exposure to elevated O₃ concentrations, (2) that the efficiency in nutrient uptake of spruce is enhanced by elevated CO₂ concentrations in mixed culture, and (3) that the ability to occupy above-ground space at low nutrient cost is co-determinant for the competitive success in mixed culture. Clear nitrogen deficiencies were indicated for both species during the 2-year phytotron study, although foliar nitrogen-biomass relationships were not so close for spruce than for beech. O₃ stress did not impair nutrient uptake-related parameters of beech; thus hypothesis (1a). was not supported. A negative effect of elevated O₃ (under amb. CO₂) on the N and P based efficiencies in above-ground space occupation (i.e. lower crown volume per unit of N or P invested in stems, limbs and foliage) of beech supported hypothesis (1b). It appeared that ozone stress triggered a nutrient demand for stress defence and tolerance at the expense of above-ground competition (trade-off). Crown volume of beech under O₃ stress was stabilized in monoculture by increased nutrient uptake. In general, the +CO₂-treatment was able to counteract the impacts of 2 × O₃. Elevated CO₂ caused lower N and S concentrations in current-year foliage of both tree species, slightly higher macronutrient amounts in the root biomass of spruce, but did not increase the efficiencies in nutrient uptake of spruce in mixed culture. Therefore hypothesis (2) was not supported. At the end of the experiment spruce turned out to be the stronger competitor in mixed culture as displayed by its higher total shoot biomass and crown volume. The amounts of macronutrients in the above-ground biomass of spruce individuals in mixed culture distinctly exceeded those of beech, which had been strongly reduced by interspecific competition. The superior competitiveness of spruce was related to higher N and P-based efficiencies in above-ground space occupation as suggested in hypothesis (3). This article belongs to the special issue “Growth and defence of Norway spruce and European beech in pure and mixed stands”.     

Mixed-species plantations of Acacia mangium and Eucalyptus grandis in Brazil: 2: Nitrogen accumulation in the stands and biological N2 fixation

The sustainability of plantation forests is closely dependent on soil nitrogen availability in short-rotation forests established on low-fertility soils. Planting an understorey of nitrogen-fixing trees might be an attractive option for maintaining the N fertility of soils. The development of mono-specific stands of Acacia mangium (100A:0E) and Eucalyptus grandis (0A:100E) was compared with mixed-species plantations, where A. mangium was planted in a mixture at a density of 50% of that of E. grandis (50A:100E). N₂ fixation by A. mangium was quantified in 100A:0E and 50A:100E at age 18 and 30 months by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method and in 50A:100E at age 30 months by the ¹⁵N dilution method. The consistency of results obtained by isotopic methods was checked against observations of nodulation, Specific Acetylene Reduction Activity (SARA), as well as the dynamics of N accumulation within both species. The different tree components (leaves, branches, stems, stumps, coarse roots, medium-sized roots and fine roots) were sampled on 5–10 trees per species for each age. Litter fall was assessed up to 30 months after planting and used to estimate fine root mortality. Higher N concentrations in A. mangium tree components than in E. grandis might be a result of N₂ fixation. However, no evidence of N transfer from A. mangium to E. grandis was found. SARA values were not significantly different in 100A:0E and 50A:100E but the biomass of nodules was 20–30 times higher in 100A:0E than in 50A:100E. At age 18 months, higher δ¹⁵N values found in A. mangium tree components than in E. grandis components prevented reliable estimations of the percentage of N derived from atmospheric fixation (%Ndfa). At age 30 months, %Ndfa estimated by natural abundance and by ¹⁵N dilution amounted to 10–20 and 60%, respectively. The amount of N derived from N₂ fixation in the standing biomass was estimated at 62 kg N ha⁻¹ in 100A:0E and 3 kg N ha⁻¹ in 50A:100E by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, and 16 kg N ha⁻¹ in 50A:100E by the ¹⁵N dilution method. The total amount of atmospheric N₂ fixed since planting (including fine root mortality and litter fall) was estimated at 66 kg N ha⁻¹ in 100A:0E and 7 kg N ha⁻¹ in 50A:100E by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, and 31 kg N ha⁻¹ in 50A:100E by the ¹⁵N dilution method. The most reliable estimation of N₂ fixation was likely to be achieved using the ¹⁵N dilution method and sampling the whole plant.     

In vitro shoot development ofEucalyptus citriodora on Rockwool in the film culture vessel under CO2 enrichment

An efficient system for growingin vitro plantlets ofEucalyptus citriodora Hook was developed. In the conventional closed system of culture with 2% sugar-containing gellan gum Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.02 mg/l indole-3-isobutyric acid, a serious defoliation of shoots was observed after three weeks. In contrast, plantlets grown on the sugar-free MS medium in the aerated bottle under 3,000 ppm CO₂ enriched condition did not show any defoliation. A marked enhanced growth of plantlets and no defoliation were observed on rockwool with the sugar-free liquid MS medium in the “Culture Pack”, made of fluorocarbon polymer film, under CO₂ enriched condition. CO₂ enrichment for this sugar-free “Culture Pack”-Rockwool system was also found to contribute to an improved growth of the plants in acclimatization. A part of this paper was presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (1995).     

Propagation of trembling aspen and hybrid poplar for agroforestry: potential benefits of elevated CO2 in the greenhouse

We examined the usefulness of elevated CO₂ in the greenhouse to aid in early selection of genotypes and in the propagation of Populus tremuloides Michaux (aspen) and hybrid poplars for agroforestry, afforestation, or reclamation. Growth in elevated (800 ppm) vs ambient (375 ppm) CO₂ for 95 days resulted in greater height (14%), stem caliper (16%), overall biomass, and proportional allocation of biomass to roots as well as elevated net assimilation and water-use-efficiency. Aspen clones selected for superior growth (based on phenotypic selection) broke bud significantly earlier than unselected clones under both CO₂ levels; superior clones were also taller with greater stem caliper under both CO₂ treatments (but not significant). Under ambient CO₂ male aspen were taller than females while under elevated CO₂ female aspen were taller than males and also had greater caliper (but not significant). Hybrid poplar grown under elevated (vs ambient) CO₂ broke bud significantly earlier and had significantly greater net assimilation and water-use efficiency; they were also taller with greater caliper (but not significant). Differences in performance among the eight hybrid clones were enhanced by growth under elevated CO₂. Under ambient CO₂, P38P38 was the clone that broke bud earliest, was tallest with greater caliper and had a lower shoot:root biomass ratio. Sargentii, on the other hand, was the shortest with the smallest caliper. The implications of these results need to be considered in the context of using aspen and hybrid poplar for large-scale agroforestry, afforestation and reclamation across Canada. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

根癌农杆菌介导的反义VeFAD2基因对少根根霉的遗传转化及其影响因子

Agrobacteriurn tumefaciens-mediated transformation (AtMT) method was used to study the genetic transformation in Rhizopus arrhizus of antisense expression vector pBI121-fad2 of VeFAD₂ gene. We studied the key factors influencing transformation, such as A.tumefaciens strains,bacterial cell volume initially used, co-cultivation time, effective period and concentration of AS. The results shows that the ideal A.tumefaciens strain is AGL-1, the optimum bacterial cell volume initially used is 50-100 μL and co-culture 24 hours will get the most transformants. At co-culture period, AS induction is indispensable. It is beneficial to improve transformation ratio by adding to 200 μmol·L^-1 AS at preincubate period and increasing AS concentration to 400-600 μmol·L^-1 at co-culture period. It determined that antisense VeFAD₂ gene has been integrated into the genome of R. arrhizus by PCR-Southern detection.     

Soil CO2 efflux in an Afromontane forest of Ethiopia as driven by seasonality and tree species

Variability of soil CO₂ efflux strongly depends on soil temperature, soil moisture and plant phenology. Separating the effects of these factors is critical to understand the belowground carbon dynamics of forest ecosystem. In Ethiopia with its unreliable seasonal rainfall, variability of soil CO₂ efflux may be particularly associated with seasonal variation. In this study, soil respiration was measured in nine plots under the canopies of three indigenous trees (Croton macrostachys, Podocarpus falcatus and Prunus africana) growing in an Afromontane forest of south-eastern Ethiopia. Our objectives were to investigate seasonal and diurnal variation in soil CO₂ flux rate as a function of soil temperature and soil moisture, and to investigate the impact of tree species composition on soil respiration. Results showed that soil respiration displayed strong seasonal patterns, being lower during dry periods and higher during wet periods. The dependence of soil respiration on soil moisture under the three tree species explained about 50% of the seasonal variability. The relation followed a Gaussian function, and indicated a decrease in soil respiration at soil volumetric water contents exceeding a threshold of about 30%. Under more moist conditions soil respiration is tentatively limited by low oxygen supply. On a diurnal basis temperature dependency was observed, but not during dry periods when plant and soil microbial activities were restrained by moisture deficiency. Tree species influenced soil respiration, and there was a significant interaction effect of tree species and soil moisture on soil CO₂ efflux variability. During wet (and cloudy) period, when shade tolerant late successional P. falcatus is having a physiological advantage, soil respiration under this tree species exceeded that under the other two species. In contrast, soil CO₂ efflux rates under light demanding pioneer C. macrostachys appeared to be least sensitive to dry (but sunny) conditions. This is probably related to the relatively higher carbon assimilation rates and associated root respiration. We conclude that besides the anticipated changes in precipitation pattern in Ethiopia any anthropogenic disturbance fostering the pioneer species may alter the future ecosystem carbon balance by its impact on soil respiration.     

外源糖溶液和高浓度CO2处理对白桦叶片糖和蛋白质含量的影响

3年生白桦同时接受3种外源糖溶液(蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖)和3种高浓度CO2(700、1400、2100μL·μL-1CO2)处理.处理1个月后,测定了叶片的总糖、蔗糖、果糖和蛋白质含量.结果表明:在700μL·L-1和1400μL·L-1 CO2下,外源糖溶液增加了叶片的可溶性糖和蛋白质含量,其中外源蔗糖的效果最好:外源糖溶液与2100μL·L-1CO2结合,会抑制叶片积累总糖和蛋白质:在700μL·L-1和1400μL·L-1CO2下,喷施葡萄糖、果糖的叶片在蛋白质含量上没有明显差别:同700、1400μL·L-1CO2相比,除喷施果糖植株外,2100μL·L-1 CO2明显增加了叶片的总糖、蔗糖、果糖和蛋白质含量:在喷施同种外源糖溶液的情况下,叶片的糖含量与CO2浓度呈正相关性.图6参7.     

Flavonols attenuate the immediate and late-phase asthmatic responses to aerosolized-ovalbumin exposure in the conscious guinea pig

We previously reported that quercetin and rutin have potent, anti-asthmatic activity, but the structure-activity relationships of flavonoids and anti-asthmatic agents are still poorly understood. In the current study, the effects of kaempferol, fisetin, and morin on the immediate-phase response (IAR) and late-phase response (LAR) caused by exposure to aerosolized-ovalbumin (OA) in OA-sensitized guinea pigs were evaluated by determining the specific airway resistance (sRaw), recruitment of leukocytes and chemical mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), histopathological surveys, and determination of neutrophil chemotaxis. Fisetin and kaempherol (30 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited sRaw by 47.93% and 30.05% in IAR, and 54.45% and 40.50% in LAR, when compared to vehicle control, respectively. Furthermore, all three studied flavonols (30 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the recruitment of total, as well as subtypes of, leukocytes into the lung BALF. This recruitment inhibition corresponded to the inhibition of leukocyte infiltration, particularly of eosinophils and neutrophils, into the lung in pathological surveys and formly-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced neutrophil chemotaxis studies. Kaempferol inhibited FMLP-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in a concentration-dependent manner in a tested range of 1–100 μM. Fisetin inhibited histamine content and peroxidase (EPO) activity in BALF in a dose-dependent manner. All three tested flavonols significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited histamine content at 10 mg/kg, and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) and EPO activities at 30 mg/kg (p.o.) in BALF. Kaempherol had a greater anti-asthmatic effect than other flavonols. Fisetin demonstrated the greatest inhibition of sRaw, whereas morin had lesser effects. These results indicate that the lower the molecular weight, the greater the anti-asthmatic activities of these compounds.