Tumor necrosis factor-induced E-selectin expression on vascular endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To determine the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor type involved in induction of E-selectin expression on vascular endothelial cells. DESIGN: Prospective, in vitro repeated-measures analysis of cellular responses. SETTING: Research laboratory in an academic medical center. SUBJECTS: Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. INTERVENTIONS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with recombinant human TNF (rhTNF) to induce the expression of E-selectin on their surfaces. To block rhTNF from binding to receptors, the cells were incubated with monoclonal antibodies against TNF receptors (anti-CD120a and anti-CD120b). TNF-induced E-selectin expression of the endothelial cells, with and without blocking antibodies, was then determined using indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blocking of either CD120a or CD120b receptors individually resulted in inhibition of TNF-induced E-selectin expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. When both antibodies were added, the inhibition of TNF-induced E-selectin expression was synergistic. Inhibition of E-selectin expression was dependent on both TNF concentrations and antibody concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Both CD120a and CD120b receptors are involved in TNF-induced E-selectin expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Blocking of both or one receptor type can reduce or totally inhibit expression of E-selectin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but the response is dependent on both TNF and antibody concentrations.     

Recommendations for the prevention of coronary artery disease in Asians: a scientific statement of the International College of Nutrition

PURPOSE: Two types of glass wool were used to remove leukocytes in semen for evaluation of reactive oxygen species production by spermatozoa in oligozoospermic patients with leukocytospermia. METHODS: Semen samples were prepared using fine-structure glass wool (SpermFertil) and coarse-structure glass wool. In each treatment group, native semen was evaluated for sperm concentration, percentage motility, viability, leukocyte concentration, and production of reactive oxygen species. RESULTS: Electron microscopically, SpermFertil showed a higher number of leukocytes attached to the fibers compared to coarse-structure glass wool. Leukocytes in native semen and after glass wool filtration as determined by peroxidase cytochemistry confirmed this observation. Reactive oxygen species decreased from 45.303 counts/10(7) viable cells in native semen to 15.806 counts/10(7) cells in coarse structure wool and 7.465 counts/10(7) cells in Spermfertil, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of leukocytes from semen of oligozoospermic patients by means of glass wool filtration is a useful method to distinguish production of reactive oxygen species by leukocytes versus sperm cells.     

Public participation in radiological surveillance

In 1989, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed a program, for the U.S. Department of Energy, to involve local citizens in environmental surveillance at the Hanford Site. The Community-Operated Environmental Surveillance Program was patterned after similar community-involvement efforts at the Nevada Test Site and the Three Mile Island nuclear facility. Its purpose is to increase the flow of information to the public, thereby enhancing the public's awareness and understanding of surveillance activities. The program consists of two components: radiological air monitoring at nine offsite locations and agricultural product sampling at selected locations near the site. At each air-monitoring station, two local school teachers collect air particulate samples and operate equipment to monitor ambient radiation levels. Atmospheric tritium samples (as water vapor) are also collected at some locations. Four of the air-monitoring stations include large, colorful informational displays for public viewing. These displays provide details on station equipment, sample types, and sampling purposes. Instruments in the displays also monitor, record, and show real-time ambient radiation readings (measured with a pressurized ionization chamber) and meteorological conditions. Agricultural products, grown primarily by middle-school-aged students, are obtained from areas downwind of the site. Following analysis of these samples, environmental surveillance staff visit the schools to discuss the results with the students and their teachers. The data collected by these air and agricultural sampling efforts are summarized with other routinely collected sitewide surveillance data and reported annually in the Hanford Site environmental report.     

Medications and cataract. The Blue Mountains Eye Study

PURPOSE: Corticosteroids are known to cause cataracts, but the effects of other medications on the lens are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between cataracts and a range of medications, including allopurinol, aspirin, chloroquine, diuretics, phenothiazines, and simvastatin. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: 3654 individuals 49 to 97 years of age (response rate, 82%) from an urban community near Sydney, Australia, were included. TESTING: Lens photography. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Lens photographs were graded for the presence and severity of cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataract. RESULTS: After adjusting for numerous potential confounders in ordinal regression models, use of phenothiazines was associated with nuclear cataract (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-4.74); long-term aspirin users (> or = 10 years) had higher prevalence of posterior subcapsular cataract than did nonusers and short-term users (test for trend, P = 0.02); and the antimalarial drug mepacrine was associated with posterior subcapsular cataract (adjusted OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.56-8.13). There was a suggestion that use of chloroquine-like drugs for more than 1 year (test for trend, P = 0.12) might also be associated with posterior subcapsular cataract. Antihypertensive medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and allopurinol were not associated with any type of cataract. Potassium-sparing diuretics were the only diuretic to show any evidence of an association with cataract (test for trend for posterior subcapsular cataract, P = 0.14). Amiodarone was associated with cortical cataract (age- and gender-adjusted OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.01-14.81), but there were too few users to do analyses adjusted for multiple confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Most drugs commonly used in the community do not appear to be associated with cataract. The findings of this study do not support the hypothesis that aspirin protects against cataract.     

Esophagitis in Sprague-Dawley rats is mediated by free radicals

Free radical-mediated esophagitis was studied during duodenogastroesophageal reflux (mixed reflux) or acid reflux in rats. The influence of reflux on esophageal glutathione levels was also examined. Mixed reflux caused more gross mucosal injury than acid reflux. Gross mucosal injury occurred in the mid-esophagus. Total glutathione (GSH) in the esophageal mucosa of control rats was highest in the distal esophagus. The time course of esophageal GSH in rats treated by mixed reflux showed a significant decrease 4 hr after initiation of reflux, followed by a significant increase from the 12th hour on. Mucosal GSH was increased in both reflux groups after 24 hr but significantly more so in the mixed than in the acid reflux group. The free radical scavenger superoxide dismutase (SOD) prevented esophagitis and was associated with decreased GSH levels. GSH depletion by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) prevented esophagitis and stimulated SOD production in the esophageal mucosa. It is concluded that gastroesophageal reflux is associated with oxidative stress in the esophageal mucosa. The lower GSH levels in the mid-esophagus may predispose to damage in this area. Duodenogastroesophageal reflux causes more damage than pure acid reflux. Oxidative stress leads to GSH depletion of the esophageal mucosa in the first few hours following damage but then stimulates GSH production. GSH depletion by BSO does not worsen esophagitis since it increases the esophageal SOD concentration.