Arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid stimulate type II pneumocyte surfactant secretion

Arachidonic acid and its leukotriene metabolites have been shown to stimulate surfactant secretion by alveolar type II cells. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of various unsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid, on surfactant secretion. Surfactant secretion was expressed as the percent of [³H]choline-derived phospholipids released into culture medium by type II pneumocytes of adult rats. Consistent with the earlier findings, arachidonic acid stimulated secretion in a concentration-dependent fashion (3.5–21 μM), doubling baseline secretion at 21 μM. Eicosapentaenoic acid was found to be equally effective as arachidonic acid in stimulating secretion. A comparison with palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids revealed that highly unsaturated fatty acids stimulated secretion to the greatest extent. This was supported by a positive correlation between degree of unsaturation (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 4 and 5 double bonds) and stimulation of surfactant secretion. In the present study, exogenous leukotriene E₄ (10⁻¹³–10⁻⁶) did not stimulate surfactant secretion. Neither nordihydroguaiaretic acid (0.1μM) nor indomethacin (0.1μM) affected arachidonic acid-stimulated secretion. The stimulatory effects of arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid on surfactant secretion were related to the highly unsaturated nature of the fatty acids and were not mediated by increased levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate or calcium.     

Understanding maldistribution in 3-pass trays

Understanding 3 pass trays is the key to design of 6 pass trays, such as those in the large towers expected in carbon-capture services. This paper presents a hydraulic distribution model for 3 pass trays with no liquid or vapor equalization. The model is verified by comparison with FRI's test data and with one operating tower. Our paper predicts good distribution for the 3 pass trays tested at FRI, and shows that the poor efficiencies in some of the tests were due to losing the downcomer seals and not tray maldistribution. The model predicts good distribution at maximum rates in the operating tower, but finds that at lower rates, where valves open and close, there is an extreme sensitivity of vapor distribution to small pressure drop variations. This sensitivity precludes reliable modeling of distribution in this region and may define an unstable region in the operation of 3 pass trays.     

Arachidonic acid biosynthesis in non-stimulated and adrenocorticotropin-stimulated sertoli and leydig cells

The biosynthesis of arachidonic acid in Sertoli and Leydig cells isolated from the testes of mature rats has been investigated. Both types of cells incorporated [2-¹⁴C]eicosatrienoic acid from the incubation medium and transformed it into arachidonic acid. The administration of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) to the rats decreased the Δ5 desaturating activity in the isolated testicular cells, while ACTH produced no changes in the uptake of the substrate. Similar results were obtained when ACTH was added to the incubation medium of cells isolated from non-hormone treated rats. The total fatty acid composition of the Sertoli cells isolated from ACTH-treated rats showed a significant increase in the relative percentage of 18∶2n−6 and a decrease in the C₂₀ and C₂₂ polyenes. This may indicate that ACTH exerts an inhibitory effect on Δ6, Δ5 and Δ4 desaturase activities. Addition of corticosterone to the incubation medium also produced a significant decrease in arachidonic acid biosynthesis. Because ACTH is known to stimulate the release of corticosteronein vivo, both hormones may act cumulatively in the regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism in Sertoli and Leydig cells.     

Arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid ratio in blood correlates positively with clinical symptoms of depression

In this study of 20 moderately to severely depressed patients, diagnosed using current research diagnostic criteria and excluding known bipolar affective disorder and reactive depression, we investigated relationships between severity of depression and levels and ratios of n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids (PL). Severity of depression was measured using the 21-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HRS) and a second linear rating scale (LRS) of severity of depressive symptoms that omitted anxiety symptoms. There was a significant correlation between the ratio of erythrocyte PL arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and severity of depression as rated by the HRS (P<0.05) and the LRS for depression (P< 0.01). There was also a significant negative correlation between erythrocyte EPA and the LRS (P<0.05). The AA/EPA ratio in plasma PL and the ratio of erythrocyte long-chain (C₂₀ and C₂₂ carbon) n-6 to long-chain n-3 PUFA were also significantly correlated with the LRS (P<0.05). These findings do not appear to be simply explained by differences in dietary intake of EPA. We cannot determine whether the high ratios of AA/EPA in both plasma and erythrocyte PL are the result of depression or whether tissue PUFA change predate the depressive symptoms. We suggest, however, that our findings provide a basis for studying the effect of the nutritional supplementation of depressed subjects, aimed at reducing the AA/EPA ratio in tissues and severity of depression.     

Arachidonic acid synthesis by glycerol‐grown Mortierella alpina

Microbiological production of physiologically active AA usually used carbohydrates as substrates. Recently, glycerol attracted attention as a promising renewable substrate for biotechnological industry. The effect of pure glycerol on the growth, lipid synthesis, and AA production by earlier selected Mortierella alpina strains LPM‐301 and NRRL‐A‐10995 was studied. It was shown that AA amount varied from 22–29 to 63–68% of lipid in dependence on the initial glycerol concentration in the medium. The transition from glycerol‐ to nitrogen limitation of the growth was accompanied by a reverse correlation between lipid content of biomass and AA level of lipid. Under selected optimal conditions (nitrogen limitation of fungal growth at glycerol concentrations of 75–81 g/L), AA production by 14‐day cultures reached 40–43% of lipid and 11–13% of biomass indicating that glycerol can be successfully used as a carbon substrate for AA production. Practical applications: AA has found wide application in medicine, pharmacology, diet, and infant nutrition as a precursor of several key eicosanoid hormones and pharmacologically active metabolites. It can also be used in agriculture as an elicitor of plant resistance to phytopathogens. Microbiological processes for AA production usually used carbohydrate substrates. Results of this study indicate that AA can be produced from glycerol, which is known as a promising renewable carbon substrate. Under selected optimal conditions (nitrogen limitation of fungal growth at glycerol concentrations of 75–81 g/L), AA production by Mortierella alpina strains LPM‐301 and NRRL‐A‐10995 reached 40–43% of lipid and 11–13% of biomass. These values are comparable with those obtained for carbohydrate‐grown Mortierella fungi.     

Arachidonic acid supply and metabolism in human infants born at full term

Infants need arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4n-6) for eicosanoid synthesis and deposition in growing tissues, including brain. Human milk supplies performed AA in amounts considered to meet accretion in membrane-rich tissues, but vegetable oil-based infant formulas do not contain AA. We studied two groups of ten healthy infants, each fed human milk or formula, and analyzed plasma lipid composition. Percentage contributions of AA to plasma phospholipids were stable over two months after birth in breast-fed infants, but infants fed formula developed significantly (P<0.05) lower levels at the ages of two weeks (formula 6.9% vs. breast 9.4%, w/w), one month (6.2 vs. 9.1%), and two months (5.7 vs 8.4%). In a second trial, we randomized infants to receive (from birth to age four months) formula without or with both AA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3) at levels typical for mature human milk. Infants fed conventional formula showed a continuous decrease of phospholipid AA over time, whereas feeding of formula supplemented with AA and DHA led to significantly higher AA levels, similar to those in breast-fed infants (two months: supplemented 9.6% vs. unsupplemented 7.1%; four months; 8.7 vs. 6.6%). In order to estimate infantile capacity for endogenous synthesis of AA, we fed four term neonates with newly diagnosed phenylketonuria (mean age 18 d) a formula with all fat contributed by corn oil, which has a higher natural¹³C-enrichment than European human milk or formula. Analysis of¹³C-enrichment in plasma fatty acids over four days allowed us to estimate infantile AA synthesis. We found an increased¹³C-value in plasma AA of all infants, which indicates that term neonates can synthesize AA. However, with a simplified isotope balance equation, we estimate that endogenous synthesis contributed only about 23% of total plasma arachidonic acid by day four. We conclude that full-term infants fed formula may require a dietary supply of some preformed AA if the biochemical status of breast-fed infants is to be achieved. Based on a presentations at the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo in San Antonio, Texas, May 7‐11, 1995.     

An investigation of liquid maldistribution in trickle beds

The influence of liquid maldistribution at the top of the packing on flow characteristics in packed beds of gas and liquid cocurrent downflow (trickle beds) is experimentally investigated. Particular attention is paid to the effect of gas and liquid flow rates on flow development. Tests are made in the trickling and pulsing flow regimes. A uniform, a half-blocked and a quarter-blocked liquid distributor is tested. Packings of various sizes and shapes are employed. Data are presented on pressure drop and liquid holdup as well as trickling to pulsing flow transition. Diagnosis of radial and axial liquid distribution is made by means of conductance probes. The effects of liquid foaming, bed pre-wetting, top-bed material, and blockage midway the bed on liquid distribution are also examined. Overall, liquid waves in the pulsing flow regime have a beneficial effect, promoting uniform liquid distribution in the bed cross section.     

Arachidonic acid uptake by phospholipids and triacylglycerols of rat brain subcellular membranes

In the presence of ATP, MgCl₂ and CoASH, different subcellular membrane fractions isolated from rat cerebral cortex exhibited characteristic profiles for the incorporation of [1-¹⁴C]arachidonic acid into phospholipids and triacylglycerols. In general, uptake of label by phosphatidylcholines was higher in the synaptic membranes, and that by phosphatidylinositols was higher in the microsomes and somal plasma membranes. A substantial amount of the labeled arachidonate was also incorporated into triacylglycerols, especially in the somal plasma membranes and microsomes. Enzymes mediating the transfer of arachidonic acid to phospholipids were unstable with respect to sample storage and exposure to elevated temperatures. In contrast, the acyltransferase for triacylglycerols was more stable to these factors. Washing the membranes with bovine serum albumin resulted in an enhancement of the incorporation of label into phosphatidylinositols without affecting that of phosphatidylcholines, but the incorporation into triacylglycerols was inhibited. Treatment of synaptosomes and plasma membranes with saponin resulted in an enhancement in the labeling of phospholipids, but the labeling of triacylglycerols was inhibited. Thus, although labeled arachidonic acid was incorporated into phospholipids and triacylglycerols in brain subcellular membranes, these two types of acyltransferases exhibited different properties and responded differently to membrane perturbing agents.     

Tomographic diagnosis of gas maldistribution in gas-solid fluidized beds

Phase distribution is one of the key hydrodynamic parameters useful for the design and performance assessment of fluidized bed dryers (FBDs). It has direct influence on the drying rate, thermal efficiency, residence time distribution and degree of mixing. The quality of fluidization strongly depends on the uniformity of distribution of the fluidizing gas and the physical properties of the material to be fluidized. In the present work, gamma ray tomography (GRT) study was carried out in the form of chordal solid hold-up, which was found to be greatly influenced by the gas distributor design. The performance of a gas distributor due to the prevalent practice of operating at lower values of distributor-to-bed pressure drop ratio was characterized in a 0.15 m diameter fluidized bed dryer over a broad range of superficial gas velocity. The effects of various parameters such as solids loading, particle size and particle density were analyzed with the help of the reconstructed solid hold-up profiles. The fluidization was studied in terms of maldistribution factor (χ), a value of 5% or less can be obtained by properly designing distributor for a given bed loading, particularly for batch fluidized bed dryers. An industrial size fluidized bed dryer of 1 m diameter was also examined tomographically to obtain quantitative information on the solid hold-up distribution within the bed.     

Experimental investigation of maldistribution in vertical plate falling film tower

Falling film towers are popular in process industries due to moderate air side pressure drop, less energy ingesting liquid distribution and easy cleanup features. Two major limitations of falling film towers are the uneven distribution of liquid across solid surfaces (maldistribution) and contraction of falling liquid film on the solid surface (poor wetting). Maldistribution of liquid is primarily dependent on the type of liquid distributor and scope of liquid flow (slit opening) across solid surfaces. In the current communication; the influence of liquid distributor on maldistribution problem for vertical plate falling film tower has been experimentally investigated. Four types of liquid distributors: plain tube, spray nozzle, perforated plate, and branch tube distributor have been tested. Effect of parameters: slit opening, liquid flow rate, and the number of plates on maldistribution are also explored. It is found that branch tube distributor is best suited for vertical plate falling film tower application.     

Experimental studies of liquid flow maldistribution in a random packed column

Liquid flow distribution has been a major concern when scaling up random packed columns. This study concerns the measurements of liquid flow distribution in a large scale column packed with 25.4 mm stainless steel Pall rings. The liquid flow distribution was studied with packed bed height from 0.9 to 3.5 m, liquid flow rate from 2.91 to 6.66 kg/m²·s, and gas flow rate from 0 to 3.0 kg/m²·s. In addition, three systems, water/air, aqueous detergent solution/air and Isopar/air, were used to study the effect of liquid physical properties on liquid flow distribution, and two different liquid distributors were employed to test the effect of liquid distributor design. It was found that liquid flow distribution was strongly influenced by liquid distributor design, packed bed height, gas flow rate and liquid viscosity, slightly influenced by liquid flow rate, but not by liquid surface tension.     

Arachidonic acid supplementation enhances synthesis of eicosanoids without suppressing immune functions in young healthy men

This study was conducted to determine the effects of arachidonic acid (AA) supplementation on human immune response (IR) and on the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Ten healthy men (20–38 yr) participated in the study and lived at the Metabolic Suite of the Western Human Nutrition Research Center. They were fed a basal diet (57, 27, and 16 energy percentage from carbohydrate, fat, and protein, respectively, and AA 200 mg/d) for the first 15 d of the study. Additional AA (1.5 g/d) was added to the diet of six men from day 16 to 65, while the remaining four subjects remained on the basal diet. The diets of the two groups were crossed-over from day 66 to 115. In vitro indices of IR were examined using blood drawn on days 15, 58, 65, 108, and 115. Influenza antibody titers were determined in the sera prepared from blood drawn on days 92 and 115 (23 d postimmunization). AA supplementation caused significant increases in the in vitro secretion of LTB4, and PGE2, but it did not alter the in vitro secretion of tumor necrosis factor α; interleukins 1β, 2, 6; and the receptor for interleukin 2. Nor did it change the number of circulting lymphocytes bearing markers for specific subsets (B, T, helper, suppressor, natural killer) and the serum antibody titers against influenza vaccine. The opposing effects of PGE2 and LTB4 may have led to the lack of change in immune functions tested.     

Arachidonic acid autoxidation in an aqueous media effect of α-tocopherol,cysteine and nucleic acids

The autoxidation of arachidonic acid dispersed in aqueous media was evaluated simultaneously with and without different agents, e.g., α-tocopherol at different concentrations, cysteine, DNA and RNA. The autoxidation rate of arachidonic acid was evaluated by quantitative gas liquid chromatography (GLC) determination of the unoxidized acid and by spectrophotometric measurement of conjugated dienes. α-Tocopherol exhibited a prooxidant activity at concentrations of 1.25 × 10⁻⁴ M and 1.25 × 10⁻⁵ M and a weak antioxidant activity at a concentration of 1.25 × 10⁻⁶ M. Cysteine showed antioxidant activity and greatly reduced the prooxidant activity of α-tocopherol. DNA and RNA had no effect in either case. α-Tocopherol oxidation was followed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The prooxidant effect was accompanied by a rapid oxidation of α-tocopherol, except in the presence of cysteine, which prevented the oxidation of α-tocopherol.     

Analytical model of flow maldistribution in polymer electrolyte fuel cell channels

Gas–liquid, two-phase flow through channels of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is of great interest as reactant oxygen is supplied and liquid product water is removed via these PEFC channels. Gas diffusion layer (GDL) intrusion in the channels, which is inherent to the process of PEFC cell and stack assembling, increases the local flow resistance in the intruded channels and consequently lowers their flowrates. This flow maldistribution renders the intruded channels more susceptible to liquid water accumulation or flooding. A one-dimensional analytical model is developed in this work to elucidate the two-phase flow maldistribution in PEFC channels resulting from GDL intrusion. Relative humidity (RH) and the stoichiometric flow ratio of inlet gases are found to be the two key parameters controlling the flow maldistribution in PEFC channels. Interestingly, our analysis shows that decreasing the inlet RH worsens flow maldistribution. As GDL intrusion in channels is inevitable, a good flow-field design must be inherently tolerable to flow maldistribution. Using the analytical model presented herein, the number of flow channels and their U-turns are optimized to minimize the detrimental effect of GDL intrusion.     

Consideration of maldistribution in heat exchangers using the hyperbolic dispersion model

Axial temperature profiles in a shell and tube heat exchanger are numerically calculated for given maldistributions on the tube side. For comparison the same maldistributions are handled with the parabolic and hyperbolic dispersion model with fitted values for the axial dispersion coefficient and third sound wave velocity. The analytical results clearly demonstrate that the hyperbolic model is better suited to describe the steady state axial temperature profiles.     

Arachidonic acid intestinal absorption: Mechanism of transport and influence of luminal factors on absorption in vitro

The mechanism and characteristics of intestinal absorption of arachidonic acid were studied in vitro using everted intestinal sacs of the rat. Arachidonic acid absorption was studied at concentrations of 5 μM to 8.36 mM. The plot of absorption rate vs. concentration fitted best to a rectangular hyperbola at low μM concentrations and to a straight linear relationship in the mM range of concentrations. Metabolic inhibitors and uncouplers did not change absorption in either range of concentrations. The absorption of arachidonic acid increased with thinning of the unstirred water-layer, decrease in the pH, or the substitution of sodium taurocholate by Pluronic F 68 or Tween 80. Absorption decreased following the equimolar additions of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. Absorption rate did not change when the taurocholate concentration was varied from 5–15 mM or following the additions of butyric or glutamic acids, leucine, lysine, or dextrose. It was concluded that arachidonic acid is absorbed by a concentration-dependent dual mechanism of transport which is not energy dependent. At the low μM range of concentrations, facilitated diffusion is predominant, while at mM concentrations, simple diffusion is the dominant mechanism of absorption. Changes in the intestinal fluid composition, flow rate, and pH can modify the rate of absorption of arachidonic acid.