Changes in cell adhesion molecules and composition of complement activation in patients with acute myocardial infarction

AIM: To explore the possible changes in cell adhesion molecules and composition of complement activation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: The expression of leukocyte CD18, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular-cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and composition of complement activation (sC5b-9) concentrations of patients with AMI (67 cases), old myocardial infarction (OMI, 42 cases) and 38 healthy volunteers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). RESULTS: The expression of leukocyte CD18, sICAM-1,sVCAM -1 and sC5b-9 were significantly higher in AMI patients than that in normal controls and OMI patients(P＜0.01). Interestingly, it was also found that the expression of leukocyte CD18, sICAM-1,sVCAM-1 and sC5b-9 concentrations were much higher in patients with ventricular arrhythemia (VA) and the died than that in patients without VA and survivals (P＜0.01). Furthermore, the leukocyte CD18 expression, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were positively correlated to sC5b-9 in AMI patients (r=0.648,0.652,0.668,0.698,0.914,0.725,0.737,0.752,0.792,P＜0.01),and leukocyte CD18 expression was positively correlated to sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1(r=0.662,0.683,0.695,0.738,0.744,0.745, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:The interaction of cell adhesion molecules and composition of complement activation might participate in the occurance and development of AMI,and closely related to the seriousness of patients'condition and prognosis.     

Effects of constant light on haematological parameters of cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Southern Hemisphere

The effects of artificial photoperiod regimes on reproductive patterns have been studied in several species, as have haematological parameters. However, information on how artificial photoperiods may affect blood components is scarce, especially under field conditions. We have assessed the effects of constant light [long day (LD) photoperiod: 24 h (light):0 h (dark)] on haematological parameters of cultured rainbow trout in Chile (Southern Hemisphere). In the initial stage (March up to June), two groups of fish were maintained under similar conditions and under the ambient (natural) photoperiod (NP). One group was then placed under the LD photoperiod regime for 2 months (June/July), following which it was returned to␣the NP (August–January); the control group remained under the NP throughout the experiment (March–January). All fish were assessed for haematological parameters and growth performance at various times during the experiment. During the initial stage, no differences were found between groups. However, at the end of the LD 24:0 period, the LD fish had increased haematocrit values and erythrocyte numbers and diminished mean corpuscular haemoglobin. After the LD fish had been returned to the NP, they developed secondary sexual characteristics and had a 40–44% decrease in the number of leukocytes.     

Use of peripheral blood leukocytes in the study of cell-mediated immunity in bovine anaplasmosis—A review

Peripheral blood leukocytes separated by erythrocyte aggregation and density-gradient centrifugation were used in tests to measure the cell-mediated response in bovine anaplasmosis. The leukocyte migration inhibition test was apparently related to the host protective immune response. Leukocyte stimulation by a specific anaplasma antigen elicits positive but low level stimulation indices in cultures of cells collected from cattle exposed to live anaplasma. There appears to be a nonspecific enhancement of blastogenesis in cultures of leukocytes from cattle injected with inactivated-oil fortified Anaplasma marginale vaccine. Cytotoxicity tests indicated that both leukocytes and antibodies are active in clearance of anaplasma infected erythrocytes from the circulatory system.     

Expression and effect of glucocorticoid receptor β on children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

AIM: To elucidate the significance of glucocorticoid(GC) receptor isoform β(GRβ)in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome(INS), and to evaluate the effect of sera from GC-resistant INS on the expression of GRβ. METHODS: The percentage of GRβ positive staining peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) and the quantity of nuclear protein of GRβ in PBMC were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting assay, respectively. The effect of sera isolated from children with GC-resistant INS on GRβ expression was examined by cell culture in vitro. RESULTS: The number of GRβ positive staining PBMC and the quantity of nuclear protein of GRβ in children with GC-resistant INS were significantly higher than those in patients with GC-sensitive INS(P<0 01). The quantity of GRβ protein in nuclei of PBMC in children with GC-resistant INS was significantly higher than that in normal control and children with GC-sensitive INS. After 24 hours incubation with sera from children with GC-resistant INS, the percentage of GRβ positive PBMC and the quantity of nuclear GRβ protein in children with GC-sensitive INS and normal control increased significantly(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased expression of GRβ is closely related with the GC resistance in children with INS, and high expression of GRβ is mediated, at least in part, by certain humoral factors in the serum.     

Physical Exercise Affects Serotoninergic System in Horse Leukocytes

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) may induce metabolic effects in different cell types, including leukocytes. In horses, 5-HT is involved in physiological and behavioral functions. Physical exercise is known to increase the amounts of 5-HT both in brain and periphery, but so far, the signal mechanism in response to exercise is not known. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a racehorse intensive training session on plasma 5-HT levels, serotonin transporter (SERT), 5HT_1A, 5-HT_2A, 5-HT_1B, 5-HT₇ receptor, interleukin-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In particular, the research was carried out on 12 trained horses performing daily training. Plasma 5-HT levels were analyzed in platelet-poor plasma fraction by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at T0, T1, and T2 (pretraining, 30 minutes post-training, and 2 hours post-training session), respectively. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated to perform real-time polymerase chain reaction for the evaluation of SERT, 5-HT receptor, and cytokine mRNA levels. The results showed significantly increased levels of plasma 5-HT, 5HT_1A, and 5-HT_2A and significantly decreased levels of SERT, 5-HT_1B, 5-HT₇, and both cytokine mRNAs in PBMC at T1, compared with T0 and T2. The results were confirmed by in vitro experiment. Training may induce a lower degree of 5-HT storage and, therefore, a higher plasma 5-HT concentrations. Leukocyte 5-HT receptor mRNAs seem strongly influenced by the exercise. Observed changes suggest a transient neuroendocrinological response to the exercise. A better understanding of the influence of physical exercise on serotoninergic system could have potential application for the implementation of training protocols in racing horses.     

Some changes in the haematological parameters of rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>) exposed to three artificial photoperiod regimes

Haematological parameters are often used as health status and stress indicators in fish. However, information on the effects of artificial photoperiods on these parameters is scarce and ambiguous. The consequences of three different artificial photoperiod regimes [light/day 12 h:12 h (LD 12:12) for 150 days as controls; LD 14:10 and LD 24:0, both for an initial 60 days, and then LD 12:12 for the remaining 90 days] were evaluated in trout. In all fish the haemogram and the erythrocyte production index (EPI) were assessed at days 7, 14, 30 and 60 (phase 1) and at days 90, 120 and 150 (phase 2). At the end of phase 1, photoperiods LD 14:10 and 24:0 induced higher production of immature (late basophilic) erythrocytes (0.06–0.08 × 10¹² cells/l, P < 0.05) and elevated EPI (young erythrocytes = 1.6 in LD 14:10, 2.25 in LD 24:0; late basophilic erythrocytes = 4.1–4.9 in LD 14:10, 3.3 in LD 24:0) than in controls (late basophilic erythrocytes = 0.02–0.04 × 10¹² cells/l; EPI young erythrocytes = 0.2–1.0; EPI late basophilic erythrocytes = 1.4–2.7). During phase 2, only reduced numbers of lymphocytes and thrombocytes were observed at day 150 in the LD 14:00 group. An increase in the EPI (1.9) of control young erythrocytes was found at day 150.     

复合螺旋藻多糖对小鼠抗辐射损伤的作用机制研究

[目的]研究复合螺旋藻多糖对X射线辐射损伤小鼠的保护作用.[方法]将螺旋藻多糖（PSP）与银杏叶提取物（GBE）按1∶1比例配制不同浓度的复合螺旋藻多糖.昆明种小白鼠随机分为5组（空白对照组、对照组、低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组）,空白对照组不做处理,对照组灌服生理盐水,高、中、低剂量组灌服相应药物,连续14 d,对小鼠进行X射线全身照射,照射后继续灌服药物7d.[结果]高、中、低剂量组外周血白细胞数与对照组差异性均显著（P＜0.01）,并可显著提高小鼠脾脏和胸腺指数（P＜0.01）,CD4 ＋/CD8＋比例上升（P＜0.01）,细胞恢复明显加快,高剂量组CD4＋/CD8＋比例更接近空白对照组.[结论]复合螺旋藻多糖对X射线辐射损伤小鼠的免疫功能有一定的保护作用.     

Effects of protocatechuic aldehyde on chemotactic migration of peripheral blood mononuclear cell of patients with blood stasis syndrome

AIM and METHODS: Chemotactic migration of peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMNC) of healthy blood donors(BD) and patients with blood stasis syndrome(BSS) across polycarbonate membrane(PCM) and human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) monolayer, IL-8 produced by migrat PBMNC and effects of protocatechuic aldehyde(PCA) on the process mentioned above were investigated. RESULTS:1) The numbers of migrating PBMNC in group BSS was higher than that in group BD(P＜0.01); 2) PCA inhibited PBMNC chemotactic migration in both groups; 3)Activity of IL-8 production PBMNC in group BSS was higher than that in group BD (P<0.05); 4)PCA inhibited activity of IL-8 produced by PBMNC. CONCLUSION:Ability of chemotactic migration and IL-8 production of PBMNC was much stronger in patient with blood stasis syndrome than those in healthy blood doner. PCA could significantly inhibit chemotactic migration of PBMNC and production of IL-8 by PBMNC.