Homeostatic medicine: new strategy and concept of health maintenance as well as diagnosis and treatment of diseases / 中华口腔医学杂志

Homeostasis is a dynamic balance process of self-regulating. Biological systems remain stable through adapting to changing external conditions to maintain normal life activities. Homeostatic medicine is the science of studying homeostasis of human molecules, cells, organs and the whole body. It is a comprehensive discipline based on maintaining homeostasis to keep human health and assist for diseases prevention and diagnoses. Homeostatic medicine focuses on the whole body and on the role of homeostasis in health and disease, which is expected to provide new ideas and strategies for maintaining health as well as diagnosing and treating diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the control of multisystem homeostasis. Nitrate is an important substance in regulating NO homeostasis through the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway. Sialin, nitrate transporter which is located in the cell membrane and cytoplasm, mediates multiple cellular biological functions. The nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway and sialin-mediated biological functions play an important role in the regulation of body homeostasis.

Oxidative stress on ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice with non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis or steatohepatitis

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the oxidative stress, resulting from ischemia and hepatic reperfusion, in mice with non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were used. Part of them were ob/ob mice, and the other part was fed with standard or MCD diets - this last used to develop steatohepatitis. The animals - MCD-I/R, ob/ob-I/R and I/R groups - were submitted to 30 minutes of partial hepatic ischemia, followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. The blood was collected, for biochemical analysis of AST, and the liver removed for assessment of TBARS and nitrite, and of histology. Results: After the I/R, the animal fed with MCD diet presented higher AST levels (MCD-I/R: 967±349U/L / ob/ob-I/R: 606±18 U/L / I/R: 311±172 U/L), TBARS (MCD-I/R: 7±1 nM/mg protein / ob/ob-I/R: 3±1 nM/mg protein / I/R: 3±1 nM/mg protein) and nitrite (MCD-I/R: 614±87 µg/mL / ob/ob-I/R: 512±81 µg/mL / I/R: 459±29 µg/mL) than the ob/ob mice, when both groups were compared to animals fed with standard diet. Regarding histology, the steatosis level (azonal macrovesicular steatosis of level 3 - >66%) and hepatic fibrosis (periportal and perisinusoidal of level 2) was also more intense, but both animal models presented lobular inflammation of level 3 (>66%). Conclusions: The murine model fed with MCD diet is suitable for the assessment of oxidative stress in hepatic I/R injury associated with the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Although both murine models showed inflammatory infiltrate and macro and micro vesicular steatosis.

Maternal administration of cannabidiol promotes an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal wall in a gastroschisis rat model

Gastroschisis (GS) is an abdominal wall defect that results in histological and morphological changes leading to intestinal motility perturbation and impaired absorption of nutrients. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects, cannabidiol (CBD) has been used as a therapeutic agent in many diseases. Our aim was to test the effect of maternal CBD in the intestine of an experimental model of GS. Pregnant rats were treated over 3 days with CBD (30 mg/kg) after the surgical induction of GS (day 18.5 of gestation) and compared to controls. Fetuses were divided into 4 groups: 1) control (C); 2) C+CBD (CCBD); 3) gastroschisis (G), and 4) G+CBD (GCBD). On day 21.5 of gestation, the fetuses were harvested and evaluated for: a) body weight (BW), intestinal weight (IW), and IW/BW ratio; b) histometric analysis of the intestinal wall; c) immunohistochemically analysis of inflammation (iNOS) and nitrite/nitrate level. BW: GCBD was lower than CCBD (P<0.005), IW and IW/BW ratio: GCBD was smaller than G (P<0.005), GCBD presented lower thickness in all parameters compared to G (P<0.005), iNOS and nitrite/nitrate were lower concentration in GCBD than to G (P<0.005). Maternal use of CBD had a beneficial effect on the intestinal loops of GS with decreased nitrite/nitrate and iNOS expression.

Aerobic Swim Training Restores Aortic Endothelial Function by Decreasing Superoxide Levels in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether aerobic training decreases superoxide levels, increases nitric oxide levels, and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the aortas of spontaneously hypertensive rats. METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were distributed into 2 groups: sedentary (SHRsd and WKYsd, n=10 each) and swimming-trained (SHRtr, n=10 and WKYtr, n=10, respectively). The trained group participated in training sessions 5 days/week for 1 h/day with an additional work load of 4% of the animal’s body weight. After a 10-week sedentary or aerobic training period, the rats were euthanized. The thoracic aortas were removed to evaluate the vasodilator response to acetylcholine (10-10 to 10-4 M) with or without preincubation with L-NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME; 10-4 M) in vitro. The aortic tissue was also used to assess the levels of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase subunit isoforms 1 and 4 proteins, as well as the superoxide and nitrite contents. Blood pressure was measured using a computerized tail-cuff system. RESULTS: Aerobic training significantly increased the acetylcholine-induced maximum vasodilation observed in the SHRtr group compared with the SHRsd group (85.9±4.3 vs. 71.6±5.2%). Additionally, in the SHRtr group, superoxide levels were significantly decreased, nitric oxide bioavailability was improved, and the levels of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase subunit isoform 4 protein were decreased compared to the SHRsd group. Moreover, after training, the blood pressure of the SHRtr group decreased compared to the SHRsd group. Exercise training had no effect on the blood pressure of the WKYtr group. CONCLUSIONS: In SHR, aerobic swim training decreased vascular superoxide generation by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase subunit isoform 4 and increased nitric oxide bioavailability, thereby improving endothelial function.

Sinovite e tenossinovite no Brasil: uma análise dos benefícios auxílio-doença / Synovitis and tenosynovitis in Brazil: analysis of sickness benefit claims

OBJETIVO: Analisar os fatores pessoais associados à prevalência e duração dos benefícios auxílio-doença decorrentes de sinovite e tenossinovite (CID10 M65). MÉTODO: Estudo transversal referente aos benefícios auxílio-doença decorrentes de sinovite e tenossinovite concedidos pelo Instituto Nacional de Seguro Social aos empregados no Brasil em 2008. Dados sobre o ramo de atividade econômica (Classificação Nacional de Atividades Econômicas - CNAE divisão, classe), sexo, idade, espécie e duração dos benefícios foram coletados do Sistema Único de Benefícios. A população corresponde à média mensal dos vínculos empregatícios declarados ao Cadastro Nacional de Informações Sociais. RESULTADOS: Em 2008 foram concedidos 35.601 benefícios auxílio-doença decorrentes de sinovite e tenossinovite, com prevalência de 10,9/10.000 vínculos empregatícios. No conjunto dos benefícios auxílio-doença houve maior razão de prevalência (RP) acidentária (RP 1,2), sendo esta maior em mulheres (RP 3,3), e em trabalhadores com idade acima de 39 anos (RP 1,4). As CNAE 37-Esgoto (55,4) e 60-Atividade de rádio e TV (47,1) apresentaram as maiores prevalências, no entanto, 64-Atividade de serviços financeiros e 6422-Bancos múltiplos caracterizaram mais acidentes de trabalho (RP 3,2 e 3,8, respectivamente) e maior duração (70 e 73 dias, respectivamente). A maior duração de benefício ocorreu entre trabalhadores com idade superior a 39 anos. Tanto a CNAE-divisão 60-Atividade de rádio e TV, quanto a CNAE-classe 6010-Atividade de rádio apresentaram elevadas razões de feminilidade (RP 8,1 e 10,8, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: A incapacidade para o trabalho por sinovite e tenossinovite apresenta associação tanto da prevalência quanto da duração com o ramo de atividade, sexo, idade e espécie de benefício (previdenciário/acidentário). .

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the personal and occupational factors associated with the prevalence and duration of sickness benefit claims due to synovitis and tenosynovitis (CID10 M65). METHODS: Cross-sectional study regarding sickness benefit claims due to synovitis and tenosynovitis granted to employees by National Institute of Social Security in Brazil in 2008. Data on economic activity (Economic Activities National Classification - CNAE division, class), sex, age, type and duration of benefits were collected from the Unified Benefit System. The study's population consists of the average monthly employment contracts declared to the National Register of Social Information. RESULTS: In 2008, 35,601 employees were granted sickness benefits due to synovitis and tenosynovitis, with a prevalence of 10.9/10,000 employments. Sickness benefits showed higher prevalence rates (PR) for work-related claims (PR 1,2), mostly made by females (PR 3.3) and by workers older than 39 years (PR 1,4). The CNAE 37-Sewage (55.4) and 60-Broadcasting Activity (47.1) had the highest overall prevalence. However, the 64-Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding and 6422-Multiple banks with commercial service had the highest rates of work-related claims (RP 3.2 and 3.8, respectively), and the longer duration (70 and 73 days, respectively). Workers older than 39 years had the highest durations of work disability claims. Both the CNAE-division 60-Broadcasting Activity, and the CNAE-class 6010-Radio showed a high activity ratio of females (PR 8.1 and 10.8, respectively). CONCLUSION: The work disability due to synovitis and tenosynovitis presents prevalence and duration associated with economic activity, sex, age and kind of benefit (non work-related and work-related claims). .

Influence of L-arginine during bovine in vitro fertilization.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of using L-arginine during in vitro fertilization (IVF) on in vitro embryonic development using Bos taurus and Bos indicus semen. Effect of different concentrations (0, 1, 10 and 50 mM) of L-arginine, added to the IVF medium, was evaluated on the fertilization rate at 18 h post-fertilization (hpf), NO3-/NO2- production during IVF by the Griess colorimetric method (30 hpf), cleavage and blastocyst rates (on Day 2 and Day 7 of culture, respectively) and total blastocyst cell number (Day 7 of culture). The results reveal that the addition of 50 mM L-arginine to IVF medium, with either Bos taurus or Bos indicus spermatozoa, decreased the cleavage rate and blastocyst rate compared to the control group. Other concentrations did not affect embryo production. However, 1 mM L-arginine with Bos indicus semen increased the proportion of hatched blastocysts. These results indicate that high L-arginine concentrations may exhibit toxic effects on bovine gametes during in vitro fertilization.

Characterization of the microbial community in a lotic environment to assess the effect of pollution on nitrifying and potentially pathogenic bacteria / Caracterização da comunidade microbiana em um ambiente lótico para acessar o efeito da poluição em bactérias nitrificantes e potencialmente patogênicas

This study aimed to investigate microbes involved in the nitrogen cycle and potentially pathogenic bacteria from urban and rural sites of the São Pedro stream. Water samples were collected from two sites. A seasonal survey of bacterial abundance was conducted. The dissolved nutrient content was analysed. PCR and FISH analysis were performed to identify and quantify microbes involved in the nitrogen cycle and potentially pathogenic bacteria. The seasonal survey revealed that the bacterial abundance was similar along the year on the rural area but varied on the urban site. Higher concentration of dissolved nutrients in the urban area indicated a eutrophic system. Considering the nitrifying microbes, the genus Nitrobacter was found, especially in the urban area, and may act as the principal bacteria in converting nitrite into nitrate at this site. The molecular markers napA, amoA, and nfrA were more accumulated at the urban site, justifying the higher content of nutrients metabolised by these enzymes. Finally, high intensity of amplicons from Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides/Prevotella/Porphyromonas, Salmonella, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and the diarrheagenic lineages of E. coli were observed at the urban site. These results indicate a change in the structure of the microbial community imposed by anthrophic actions. The incidence of pathogenic bacteria in aquatic environments is of particular importance to public health, emphasising the need for sewage treatment to minimise the environmental impacts associated with urbanisation.

Este estudo objetivou investigar os micro-organismos envolvidos no ciclo do nitrogênio e bactérias potencialmente patogênicas das áreas urbanas e rurais do Córrego São Pedro. Amostras de água foram coletadas dos dois locais. Um levantamento sazonal da densidade bacteriana foi realizado. O teor de nutriente dissolvido foi avaliado. As técnicas de PCR e FISH foram realizadas para identificar e quantificar os micro-organismos envolvidos no ciclo do nitrogênio e bactérias potencialmente patogênicas. O levantamento sazonal revelou que a abundância bacteriana foi semelhante ao longo do ano na área rural, porém variou na região urbana. Altas concentrações de nutrientes dissolvidos na área urbana indicaram este como um sistema eutrófico. Considerando os micro-organismos nitrificantes, o gênero Nitrobacter foi encontrado, especialmente na região urbana, e pode estar atuando como a principal bactéria convertendo nitrito em nitrato nessa área. Os marcadores moleculares napA, amoA, e nfrA foram mais acumulados na área urbana, justificando o alto teor dos nutrientes metabolizados por essas enzimas. Finalmente, alta intensidade de amplicons para Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides/Prevotella/Porphyromonas, Salmonella, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa e linhagens diarreagênicas de E. coli foram observados na área urbana. Estes resultados indicaram uma mudança na estrutura da comunidade microbiana imposta pelas ações antropogênicas. A incidência de bactérias patogênicas em ambientes aquáticos é de particular importância para a saúde pública, enfatizando a necessidade de tratamentos de esgoto para minimizar os impactos ambientais associados com a urbanização.

Hypertonic saline solution reduces the inflammatory response in endotoxemic rats

OBJECTIVE: Volume replacement in septic patients improves hemodynamic stability. This effect can reduce the inflammatory response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 7.5% hypertonic saline solution versus 0.9% normal saline solution for volume replacement during an inflammatory response in endotoxemic rats. METHODS: We measured cytokines (serum and gut), nitrite, and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) as indicators of oxidative stress in the gut. Rats were divided into four groups: control group (C) that did not receive lipopolysaccharide; lipopolysaccharide injection without treatment (LPS); lipopolysaccharide injection with saline treatment (LPS +S); and lipopolysaccharide injection with hypertonic saline treatment (LPS +H). Serum and intestine were collected. Measurements were taken at 1.5, 8, and 24 h after lipopolysaccharide administration. RESULTS: Of the four groups, the LPS +H group had the highest survival rate. Hypertonic saline solution treatment led to lower levels of IL-6, IL-10, nitric oxide, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances compared to 0.9% normal saline. In addition, hypertonic saline treatment resulted in a lower mortality compared to 0.9% normal saline treatment in endotoxemic rats. Volume replacement reduced levels of inflammatory mediators in the plasma and gut. CONCLUSION: Hypertonic saline treatment reduced mortality and lowered levels of inflammatory mediators in endotoxemic rats. Hypertonic saline also has the advantage of requiring less volume replacement.

The Relationship between Gastric Juice Nitrate/Nitrite Concentrations and Gastric Mucosal Surface pH

PURPOSE: To investigate gastric juice nitrate/nitrite concentration according to mucosal surface pH extent (area) of gastric corpus intimately contacting the gastric juice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included ninety-nine patients with dyspepsia. To evaluate gastric mucosal surface pH and its extent, gastric chromosocpy was performed by spraying phenol red dye on the corpus mucosa and estimating the extent of area with color changed. Nitrate/nitrite concentrations and pH of gastric juice were measured by ELISA and pH meter, respectively. Silver staining was done to histologically confirm the presence of Helicobacter pylori. RESULTS: Intragastric nitrate/nitrite concentrations in patients, showing phenol red staining mucosa were higher than those of unstaining mucosa (p=0.001): the more extensive in the area of phenol red staining area of corpus, the higher gastric juice pH found (r=0.692, p<0.001). Furthermore, the intragastric nitrate/nitrite concentrations correlated positively with gastric juice pH (r=0.481, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The changes of mucosal surface pH and its extent in gastric corpus might affect either pH or nitrate/nitrite level of gastric juice.

Piceatannol-3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside as an active component of rhubarb activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase through inhibition of arginase activity

Arginase competitively inhibits nitric oxide synthase (NOS) via use of the common substrate L-arginine. Arginase II has recently reported as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Here, we demonstrate that piceatannol-3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (PG), a potent component of stilbenes, inhibits the activity of arginase I and II prepared from mouse liver and kidney lysates, respectively, in a dose-dependent manner. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, incubation of PG markedly blocked arginase activity and increased NOx production, as measured by Griess assay. The PG effect was associated with increase of eNOS dimer ratio, although the protein levels of arginase II or eNOS were not changed. Furthermore, isolated mice aortic rings treated with PG showed inhibited arginase activity that resulted in increased nitric oxide (NO) production upto 78%, as measured using 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorescein (DAF-FM) and a decreased superoxide anions up to 63%, as measured using dihydroethidine (DHE) in the intact endothelium. PG showed IC50 value of 11.22 microM and 11.06 microM against arginase I and II, respectively. PG as an arginase inhibitor, therefore, represents a novel molecule for the therapy of cardiovascular diseases derived from endothelial dysfunction and may be used for the design of pharmaceutical compounds.

Protective efficacy of Emblica officinalis against Klebsiella pneumoniae induced pneumonia in mice.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Emblica officinalis (amla), which is a good source of vitamin C, has been shown to be beneficial due to its immune system enhancing property coupled with its tonifying and antiageing effect. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of E. officinalis feeding on the susceptibility of experimental mice to respiratory tract infection induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS: The effect of short- (15 days) and long (30 days)-term feeding of amla in mice on the course of K. pneumoniae ATCC43816 infection in lungs was studied, in terms of bacterial colonization, macrophage activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite production in broncheoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha level in serum was also assessed. RESULTS: Though there was a decrease in bacterial colonization after short-term feeding, it was not significant. On the contrary, the decrease in bacterial load was significant (P < 0.05) on long-term feeding. The operative mechanisms in terms of lipid peroxidation, phagocytosis and nitrite production were studied by estimating their levels in broncheoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Maximum decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increase in phagocytic activity and nitrite levels on long-term feeding was seen. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dietary supplementation with amla protects against bacterial colonization of lungs on long-term feeding in experimental model. Further studies need to be conducted to understand the actual mechanism.

Tyrosine nitration site specificity identified by LC/MS in nitrite-modified collagen type IV

Non-enzymatic nitrite induced collagen cross-linking results in changes reminiscent of age-related damage and parallels the well-known model system, non-enzymatic glycation. We have recently observed that nitrite modification of basement membrane proteins can induce deleterious effects on overlying retinal pigment epithelial cells in studies relevant to age-related macular degeneration. The present work was undertaken in order to confirm 3-nitro-tyrosine (3-NT) as a product of the reaction and to identify the site specificity of nitration in collagen IV, a major component of basement membranes. Human collagen type IV was modified via incubation with 200 mM NaNO2 (pH=7.38) for one week at 37degrees C. The modified protein was prepared in 2 different ways, including acid hydrolysis and trypsin digestion for site specificity determination. The samples were analyzed by LC/MS using a C12 RP column. Site specificity was determined from tandem MS/MS data utilizing TurboSEQUEST software and the Swiss-Prot sequence database. 3-NT was detected in protein digests and acid hydrolysates of nitrite modified collagen IV. Positive identification with standard 3-NT was confirmed by identical Rt, lambda(max)=279 nm and 355 nm, and m/z=227. Analyses of tryptic digests identified four sites of tyrosine nitration, alpha1(IV)Y348, alpha1(IV)Y534, alpha2(IV)Y327, and alpha2(IV)Y1081. These sites are located in the triple-helical region of the protein and provide clues regarding potential sites for nitrite modification in collagen type IV.

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment for simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal--a laboratory study.

The performance of a laboratory-scale Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) has been studied in aerobic-anoxic sequence for simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal. The reactor was operated under three different variations of aerobic-anoxic sequence, viz. 4+4, 5+3 and 3+5 hours with input solutions of soluble COD (SCOD) level 1000 +/- 100 mg/L and initial ammonia nitrogen of 40 and 90 mg/L. It has been observed that 85 to 92% of SCOD removal would be possible at the end of 8.0 hour of overall reaction period, irrespective of the length of the aerobic react period. In the case of 4+4 hour operating cycle, reasonable degree of nitrification (88-100%) and denitrification (73-75%), along with 91-94% of organic carbon removal have been achieved, which has been considered to be the optimum performance of the reactor.

Isolation of a new heterotrophic nitrifying Bacillus sp. strain.

A heterotrophic nitrifier, named Bacillus sp. LY, was newly isolated from a membrane bioreactor (MBR). Bacillus sp. LY could utilize the organic carbon as the source of assimilation when it grew on glucose and ammonium chloride medium companying the formation of oxidized-nitrogen. It also could denitrify nitrate while nitrification. After 24 days incubation, the removal efficiencies of the COD and TN by Bacillus sp. LY were 71.7% and 61.2%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis of Bacillus sp. LY was performed and the phylogenetic tree of Bacillus sp. LY and the neighbouring nitrifiers was given. Bacillus sp. LY could become a new bacterial resource for heterotrophic nitrification and might play a bioremediation role for nutrient removal.

Effect of pesticides on nitrification in aquatic sediment

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito dos herbicidas "Glyphosate", Ácido Nonânico e "Dichlorprop-P" e dos insecticidas "Potassium oil", "Malation" e "Pyretrin" e da combinação destes compostos sobre o processo de nitrificação. As taxas de nitrificação foram mensuradas em uma mistura de água e sedimento do lago Brabrand, um lago raso e eutrófico (Aarhus, Dinamarca), por meio da inibição da oxidação do nitrito a nitrato por cloreto. Foi observada uma influência negativa de todos os herbicidas e inseticidas sobre o processo de nitrificação. A Concentração Sem Efeito Observado (CSEO) foi de 30 µg.L-1 para Glyphosate e Ácido Nonânico e 1 µg.L-1 para Dichlorprop-P. A CSEO para Malation e Pyretrin foi 3 µg.L-1. Não foi observado um efeito conjunto dos inseticidas Malation e Pyrethin e de todos os três herbicidas estudados, indicando que o impacto ambiental é baixo quando reduzidas concentrações destas substâncias estão presentes ao mesmo tempo no ambiente. O procedimento utilizado nesta pesquisa pode ser uma ferramenta útil para obtenção de limites nas concentrações de pesticidas ou outros produtos químicos em um curto período de tempo.

Epigallocatechin gallate, a constituent of green tea, suppresses cytokine-induced pancreatic beta-cell damage

Cytokines produced by immune cells infiltrating pancreatic islets have been implicated as one of the important mediators of beta-cell destruction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In this study, the protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on cytokine-induced beta-cell destruction were investigated. EGCG effectively protected IL-1beta and IFN-g-mediated cytotoxicity in insulinoma cell line (RINm5F). EGCG induced a significant reduction in IL-1b and IFN-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and reduced levels of the inducible form of NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein levels on RINm5F cells. The molecular mechanism by which EGCG inhibited iNOS gene expression appeared to involve the inhibition of NF-kB activation. These findings revealed EGCG as a possible therapeutic agent for the prevention of diabetes mellitus progression.

Nitric Oxide Metabolites, Eosinophils and Eosinophilic Cationic Protein in Patients with Asthma: Sputum versus Blood

The monitoring of airway inflammation has assessed in bronchial asthma directly by sputum examination, and indirectly by measurements in peripheral blood. To investigate the diagnostic value of these two methods, we compared nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, eosinophils, and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in sputum and blood in patients with asthma and control subjects. Sputum and serum were obtained from fifteen patients with asthma, and then were examined before anti-asthma treatment, including steroid preparations. ECP was measured by fluoroimmunoassay. NO metabolites were assayed by using modified Griess reaction. Asthmatic patients, compared with control subjects, had significantly higher level of NO metabolites, higher proportion of eosinophils, and higher levels of ECP in sputum. Asthmatic patients, compared with control subjects, however, had significantly higher number of eosinophils, and were at higher levels of ECP in blood. FEV1, FEV1 /FVC was negatively correlated with sputum eosinophils. The area under receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve showed that eosinophils in sputum are significantly accurate markers than NO metabolites in sputum and blood. These findings suggest that the proportion of eosinophils in sputum have more accurate diagnostic marker of asthmatic airway inflammation than NO metabolites in sputum in differentiating asthmatic patients from control subjects.

Antioxidant activity of brahma rasayana.

Free oxygen radical scavenging activity of brahma rasayana (BR) was studied by in vitro and in vivo models. Addition of aqueous extract of BR was found to scavenge the lipid peroxides already present in rat liver homogenate (IC50 700 micrograms/ml) and inhibit the lipid peroxide generated by Fe(2+)-ascorbate (IC50 2600 micrograms/ml) and Fe(3+)-ADP-ascorbate system (IC50 1200 micrograms/ml). BR was found to scavenge the hydroxyl radical generated by Fenton reaction (IC50 7400 micrograms/ml) and superoxide generated by photoreduction of riboflavin (IC50 180 micrograms/ml). BR was also found to inhibit the nitric oxide radical generated in vitro from sodium nitroprusside (IC50 5.5 micrograms/ml). Oral administration of BR (50 mg/dose/animal) was found to inhibit the PMA induced superoxide generation in mice peritoneal macrophages. Oral administration of BR; 10 and 50 mg/dose/animal was also found to inhibit the nitrite production in peritoneal macrophages and percentage inhibition was 25.2% and 37.8% respectively. These results indicate significant antioxidant activity of BR in vitro and in vivo.