Native Whey Induces Similar Post Exercise Muscle Anabolic Responses as Regular Whey, Despite Greater Leucinemia, in Elderly Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: Elderly muscle seems less sensitive to the anabolic stimulus of a meal. Changes in blood concentrations of leucine are suggested as one important trigger of the anabolic response in muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate whether native whey protein, containing high amounts of leucine, may be a more potent stimulator of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in elderly than regular whey protein (WPC-80) or milk. DESIGN: Randomized controlled partial crossover. SETTING: Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. PARTICIPANTS: 21 healthy elderly men and women (≥70 years). INTERVENTION: Participants received either 20 g of WPC-80 and native whey (n = 11) on separate days in a crossover design, or milk (n = 10). Supplements were ingested immediately and two hours after a bout of lower body heavy-load resistance exercise. MEASUREMENTS: Blood samples and muscle biopsies were collected to measure blood concentrations of amino acids by gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), phosphorylation of p70S6K, 4E-BP1 and eEF-2 by immunoblotting and mixed muscle fractional synthetic rate (FSR) by use of [2H5]phenylalanine-infusion, GCMS and isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Native whey increased blood leucine concentrations more than WPC-80 (P < 0.05), but not p70S6K phosphorylation or mixed muscle FSR. Both whey supplements increased blood leucine concentrations (P < 0.01) and P70S6K phosphorylation more than milk (P = 0.014). Native whey reached higher mixed muscle FSR values than milk (P = 0.026) 1-3h after exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Despite greater increases in blood leucine concentrations than WPC-80 and milk, native whey was only superior to milk concerning increases in MPS and phosphorylation of P70S6K during a 5-hour post-exercise period in elderly individuals.

Effects of strength training on muscle cellular outcomes in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves life expectancy in prostate cancer (PCa) patients, but is associated with adverse effects on muscle mass. Here, we investigated the effects of strength training during ADT on muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and regulators of muscle mass. PCa patients on ADT were randomized to 16 weeks of strength training (STG) (n = 12) or a control group (CG; n = 11). Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis and analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Muscle fiber CSA increased with strength training (898 µm(2) , P = 0.04), with the only significant increase observed in type II fibers (1076 µm(2) , P = 0.03). There was a trend toward a difference in mean change between groups myonuclei number (0.33 nuclei/fiber, P = 0.06), with the only significant increase observed in type I fibers, which decreased the myonuclear domain size of type I fibers (P = 0.05). Satellite cell numbers and the content of androgen receptor and myostatin remained unchanged. Sixteen weeks of strength training during ADT increased type II fiber CSA and reduced myonuclear domain in type I fibers in PCa patients. The increased number of satellite cells normally seen following strength training was not observed.

Intricacies of redoxome function demonstrated with a simple in vitro chemiluminescence method, with special reference to vitamin B12 as antioxidant.

The homeostatic control of the redox system (the redoxome) in mammalian cells depends upon a large number of interacting molecules, which tend to buffer the electronegativity of cells against oxidants or reductants. Some of these components kill - at high concentration - microbes and by-stander normal cells, elaborated by professional phagocytes. We examined whether a simple, in vitro chemiluminescence set-up, utilizing redox components from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and red blood cells (RBC), could clarify some unexplained workings of the redoxome. PMN or purified myeloperoxidase (MPO) triggers formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), quantified by light emission from oxidized luminol. Both PMN and RBC can generate abundant amounts of ROS, necessitating the presence of a high-capacity redoxome to keep the cellular electronegativity within physiological limits. We obtained proof-of-principle evidence that our assay could assess redox effects, but also demonstrated the intricacies of redox reactions. Simple dose-responses were found, as for the PMN proteins S100A9 (A9) and S100A8 (A8), and the system also revealed the reducing capacity of vitamin B12 (Cbl) and lutein. However, increased concentrations of oxidants in the assay mixture could decrease the chemiluminescence. Even more remarkable, A9 and NaOCl together stimulated the MPO response, but alone they inhibited MPO chemiluminescence. Biphasic responses were also recorded for some dose-response set-ups and are tentatively explained by a 'balance hypothesis' for the redoxome.

C-reactive protein triggers calcium signalling in human neutrophilic granulocytes via FcγRIIa in an allele-specific way.

C-reactive protein (CRP) binds to Fcγ-receptors, FcγRIIa (CD32) with high affinity and to FcγRIa (CD64) with low affinity. The binding to CD32 has been shown to be allele specific, that is, it binds to R/R131 but not to H/H131. Little is known about the cooperation of CRP and neutrophilic granulocytes (PMNs) in inflammatory reactions. The purpose of the present study was to examine CRP signalling in human PMNs, and whether this signalling is also allele specific. Cytosolic calcium of PMN was measured in a single-cell digital imaging system. Receptor expression and polymorphism were studied by real-time RT-PCR, flow cytometry and standard PCR. C-reactive protein induced cytosolic calcium signals in PMNs from homozygote R/R131 donors, but not in PMNs from heterozygote R/H131 donors. However, after the heterozygote PMNs had been incubated with IFN-γ (100 U/ml) for 2 h, both the proportion of cells responding and the size of the CRP-induced calcium signals increased. IFN-γ increased mRNA expression of CD64 about fivefold and surface protein expression of CD64 about fourfold. The calcium signal elicited by CRP was augmented by PMN adhesion to fibronectin, but almost totally abrogated by sphingosine kinase inhibitors. The signals were partly dependent on calcium influx. In conclusion, calcium signalling instigated by CRP in human PMN is FcγRIIa allele specific, as R/R131 responded to CRP, whereas R/H131 did not. However, increased expression of FcγRIa (CD64), stimulated by IFN-γ, can augment calcium signalling by CRP in low-responders. This suggests that the state of the PMNs, as well as the genetic origin, affect sensitivity for CRP.

A COX-2 inhibitor reduces muscle soreness, but does not influence recovery and adaptation after eccentric exercise.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor on the recovery of muscle function, inflammation, regeneration after, and adaptation to, unaccustomed eccentric exercise. Thirty-three young males and females participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment. Seventy unilateral, voluntary, maximal eccentric actions with the elbow flexors were performed twice (bouts 1 and 2) with the same arm, separated by 3 weeks. The test group participants were administered 400 mg/day of celecoxib for 9 days after bout 1. After both bouts 1 and 2, concentric and isometric force-generating capacity was immediately reduced (approximately 40-50%), followed by the later appearance of muscle soreness and increased serum creatine kinase levels. Radiolabelled autologous leukocytes (detected by scintigraphy) and monocytes/macrophages (histology) accumulated in the exercised muscles, simultaneously with increased satellite cell activity. These responses were reduced and recovery was faster after bout 2 than 1, demonstrating a repeated-bout effect. No differences between the celecoxib and placebo groups were detected, except for muscle soreness, which was attenuated by celecoxib. In summary, celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, did not detectably affect recovery of muscle function or markers of inflammation and regeneration after unaccustomed eccentric exercise, nor did the drug influence the repeated-bout effect. However, it alleviated muscle soreness.

Macrophages in spleen and liver direct the migration pattern of rat neutrophils during inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: The exact fate of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes (PMN; neutrophils) after their mobilization from the bone marrow is not known. It is believed that they, after a relatively short lifespan (1-3 d), become apoptotic and phagocytosed by macrophages. We have recently shown that transfused neutrophils sequestrate not only in lungs, liver and spleen, but also to a large extent in the bone marrow, possibly because of uptake by macrophages. Hence, we studied if inactivation of macrophages would alter the pattern of neutrophil migration. METHODS: We used transfused congenic or syngeneic neutrophils in rats with or without sterile peritonitis, induced by a casein preparation (Bacto-Tryptone). To perturb macrophage function, we either killed them with liposome-encapsulated clodronate or overloaded them with inert phagocytosable particles. Transfused neutrophils were tracked with flow cytometric or radiometric methods. RESULTS: Not more than a small portion of the neutrophils migrated to the inflamed peritoneal cavity under any circumstance. Their ecotaxis to liver and spleen was reduced in rats with liver and spleen macrophages either congested with polystyrene particles or depleted by clodronate. The bone marrow uptake and blood retention of transfused neutrophils were increased in macrophage-depleted rats 18 h after transfusion. In rats depleted of liver macrophages only, the sequestration in the liver was reduced, without detectably changed uptake in bone marrow and spleen. CONCLUSION: Macrophages are instrumental to the neutrophil migration stream in the organism, and their function in this regard is robust and not easily decreased by inert phagocytosable particles or a killing agent.

Inhibitors of angiogenesis selectively reduce the malignant cell load in rodent models of human myeloid leukemias.

Angiogenesis is essential for growth and metastasis of solid tumors and probably also for hematological malignancies. Angiogenic inhibitors, like endostatin (ES) and PI-88, retard cancer growth. We tested these in mice with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), and in rats with acute myeloid leukemia (BNML). Eight weeks after transplantation and with a continuous drug treatment for the last 4 weeks, the leukemic cell mass decreased from almost 90% of all bone marrow cells to about 15 and 45% with ES, to about 35 and 55% with PI-88, and to about 10 and 25% with ES + PI-88 in the leukemic mice and rats, respectively. The numbers of normal human bone marrow cells transplanted into mice were unchanged by the treatments. The microvessel density in leukemic animals given ES or PI-88 was 10-50% of that in untreated animals. Notably, simultaneous treatment with ES and PI-88 led to a reduction of about 95% in JMML mice and 85% in BNML rats. In vitro proliferation of either JMML or BNML cells was not significantly altered by either drug, demonstrating the selectivity of ES and PI-88 as angiogenic inhibitors. In conclusion, anti-angiogenic therapy may be a valuable adjunct to conventional treatment of leukemia.

Long-term donor chimerism after MHC (RT1) mismatched bone marrow transplantation in the rat: the role of host alloreactive NK cells.

We have investigated the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (RT1) disparities in the engraftment of bone marrow (BM) cells after whole body irradiation of rats. Mononuclear BM cells from PVG.RT7.2 (RT1c) rats were injected i.v. into sublethally (10Gy) whole body irradiated PVG (RT1c) rats and RT1 congenic and recombinant PVG rats. Repopulation of the BM, spleen, and blood with donor cells was assessed by FACS analysis of cells labelled with the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled HIS41 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) against the RT7.2 marker. In RT1 matched (PVG.RT7.2 --> PVG) and RT1-mismatched combinations (PVG.RT7.2 --> PVG.1AV1), where radioresistant host natural killer (NK) cells could not recognize the BM inoculum as foreign, a donor chimerism close to 100% was observed after 6-8 weeks. However, in rat strain combinations where host NK cells could recognize an RT1 mismatch, almost no donor cells survived, and the rats were repopulated with leukocytes of host origin. In intra-MHC recombinant rat strains the element determining rejection or acceptance of the allograft mapped to the RT1-B/D-C/E/M region in PVG.R8 and PVG.R23 rats, in accordance with the patterns of NK alloreactivity in these strain combinations. NK cells may therefore be a primary obstacle to successful allogeneic BM engraftment in this model.

Depressed immunity and impaired proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells in patients with complete spinal cord injury.

The bone marrow is supplied with both sensory and autonomic neurons, but their roles in regulating hematopoietic and immunocompetent cells are unknown. Leukocyte growth and activity in patients with stable and complete spinal cord injuries were studied. The innervation of the bone marrow below the injury level lacked normal supraspinal activity, that is, a decentralized bone marrow. Lymphocyte functions were markedly decreased in injured patients. Long-term colony formation of all hematopoietic cell lineages, including dendritic cells, by decentralized bone marrow cells was substantially reduced. It was concluded that nonspecific and adaptive lymphocyte-mediated immunity and growth of early hematopoietic progenitor cells are impaired in patients with spinal cord injuries. Possibly, this reflects cellular defects caused by the malfunctioning neuronal regulation of immune and bone marrow function.

Granulocytopoiesis versus cytokine activities in peritoneal diffusion chamber cultures in the mouse.

Regulation of granulocyte formation was studied by correlating granulocytopoiesis in diffusion chambers with activities of putative regulatory cytokines in such chambers. The implantation procedure increased the levels in 1- and 2-d chambers of interleukin 6 (IL-6), G-CSF, TNF-alpha, and non-specific granulocyte/macrophage (G/M) colony-stimulating activities (CSA), assessed with bioassays and immunoassays. The activities subsided rapidly thereafter. They could be increased by vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, and a sterile inflammatory reaction (s.c. implanted copper rods; Cu-r). Anti-inflammatory indomethacin curtailed the IL-6, but raised the TNF-alpha, G-CSF, and CSA levels in Cu-r mice. Interferon inducer poly-I:C augmented G-CSF, but decreased TNF-alpha levels. Mouse blood cells cultured in chambers expanded their granulocyte/macrophage progenitor population rapidly during the first week of culture; this population being significantly larger on day 3 in perturbed than in unperturbed mice. A marked decline followed in the second week, significantly larger in mice given cytotoxic treatment than in controls. Peritoneal G-CSF and TNF-alpha may explain progenitor and granulocyte growth and development in diffusion chambers during the first week of culture. GM-CSF and IL-3 were apparently without any influence. None of the peritoneal cytokines assayed could explain the population decline during the second week, which was possibly caused by exhaustion of earlier progenitor cells, rather than by intra-chamber feedback mechanisms.

Ectopic haematopoiesis in the mouse: roles of stroma and cytokines in granulocytopoiesis in in vivo diffusion chamber cultures.

We have examined a possible role of two different types of irradiated stromal cells, i.e. murine bone marrow (BM) stromal cells and stromal cell line MS-5R, when cocultured with murine blood-borne progenitors or sorted Lin- Sca-1+ bone marrow cells in vivo in peritoneal diffusion chambers (DC). Retrieval and quantification of the cultured cells were performed after 4, 7, and 14 d. Granulocyte and/or macrophage colony-forming cells (G/M-CFC) were enumerated in subcultures from the DC. G/M-CFC production was not enhanced in the stroma-contact cultures, in comparison with the standard stroma-non-contact cultures, but early granulocytopoiesis was stimulated. Perturbation of the humoral environment of DC was investigated in a number of ways, for example with continuous infusion of rhG-CSF from a subcutaneous implanted minipump to DC host mice, with DC host mice carrying a transplantable leukaemia, secreting interleukin 3 (IL-3), and with injections of various cytokines. None of these interventions sustained the expansion of the G/M-CFC population. In conclusion, for ectopic haematopoiesis to take place, several requirements must be met. Relevant stromal cells apparently affect haematopoiesis both via direct cell-cell interactions and via humoral mediators (viz. cytokines) which they secrete.

Maturation rate of mouse neutrophilic granulocytes: acceleration by retardation of proliferation, but no detectable influence from G-CSF or stromal cells.

Our purpose was to examine the possible influence of stromal and humoral mediators on granulocytic maturation rates. Sorted immature murine progenitor (Lin-Sca-1+) cells were cultured in peritoneal diffusion chambers (DCs) with or without a confluent layer of irradiated bone marrow stromal cells on one of the micropore membrane walls. In other experiments, 10 microg/kg/d recombinant G-CSF (rhG-CSF) was administered continuously into DC host mice through s.c. implanted osmotic minipumps. Operationally, maturation rate was assessed as the ratio between the number of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and proliferative granulocytes (PG) in short-term cultures, based on the differential cell counts, and supported by flow cytometric measurement of a granulocytic differentiation marker; and by the emergence time of PMN in the DCs, obtained by extrapolation. Also, increased maturation is associated with increased cell density, as reflected by the positioning of the granulocytes during centrifugation in a discontinuous Percoll gradient. This method, as well as the conversion rate of 3H-thymidine labeled PG into the heavier non-PG maturational stages, were also used as indicators of maturation rate. After five, six, and seven days of culture in the peritoneal cavity, DC cells were harvested. Their proliferative status, based on measurement of incorporated bromodeoxyuridine, was determined, and their maturation rates were evaluated. Proliferation of immature granulocytic progenitor cells was apparently inhibited by direct contact with bone marrow stromal cells, and stimulated by G-CSF during the early stage of culturing. However, the subsequent maturation rate, which could be accelerated by increasing culture cellularity, thus decreasing PG proliferation rate, was not detectably influenced by either stromal cells or G-CSF.

Human cytokines modulate arterial vascular tone via endothelial receptors.

Only a few cytokines have been tested for their possible role in modulating vascular function. Moreover, no direct effect of cytokines on vascular tone has yet been thoroughly studied. We therefore examined whether a wide range of well-defined cytokines could directly affect vascular tone in isolated human arterial and venous segments from various organs. We found that the cytokines stem cell factor (maximal response with 1 mM), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (0, 1 mM) and erythropoietin (1 mM) relaxed, while tumor necrosis factor alpha (0.1 mM), interleukin (IL) 6 (10 mM) and IL-10 (0.1 mM) induced contraction of arterial but not of venous segments. The cytokines (maximal concentration tested was 1 mM) IL-3, IL-5, IL-13, macrophage colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor had no apparent effects on either arterial or venous tone. These vascular effects were endothelium-dependent as denuded arteries did not respond to any cytokine, and inhibition of nitric oxide synthase or endothelin receptor A abrogated the cytokine-induced changes in vascular tone. With immunohistochemistry we found receptors for the active cytokines on the arterial endothelium. In conclusion, several cytokines may modulate arterial vascular tone via endothelium-dependent mechanisms. Therefore cytokines might significantly modify blood supply to inflamed or ischemic tissues with elevated local concentrations of cytokines.

Digital image analysis of hematopoietic colonies in vitro.

A system for automatic analysis of in vitro hematopoietic colonies is described and evaluated. With the standard resolution provided by video cameras, the improvement in visualization obtained using features other than size and darkness when classifying potential colonies appears to be limited. We confirmed this by comparing results obtained with the test system with those obtained with a commercial one. However, for some applications it may be useful to supplement the system with specific methods, e.g., to separate merged colonies. Digital image analyses provide new possibilities, for instance of measuring the total cellularity of the dish or analyzing colonies according to the size and cell density of each colony. Examples provided are time course studies of colony development, cellularity feedback effects on colony sizes, and bell-shaped dose-response curves for the growth stimulation obtained by certain conditioned media on a subpopulation of progenitor cells that gives rise to large colonies.

Role of classical (RT1.A) and nonclassical (RT1.C) MHC class I regions in natural killer cell-mediated bone marrow allograft rejection in rats.

BACKGROUND: We have studied the role of the different MHC (RT1) subregions in acute natural killer (NK) cell-mediated bone marrow allograft rejection in lethally irradiated, bone marrow cell (BMC) reconstituted rats. METHODS: We employed a series of MHC congenic and intra-MHC recombinant rat strains so that effects of mismatches in defined RT1 subregions could be studied systematically. BMC allograft survival was measured as 125IUdR uptake in the spleen between day 5 and day 7 after irradiation and BMC reconstitution. RESULTS: We found that in certain RT1 haplotype combinations, nonclassical RT1.C disparities by themselves could determine graft rejection (i.e., in the u/av1 recombinant haplotypes), whereas in another combination (between the av1 and c haplotypes) a mismatch for an isolated classical RT1.A region was decisive for engraftment. Thus, PVG.R1 BMC failed to proliferate in PVG rats, differing in the RT1.A region only, whereas in PVG.1U rats rejection could be determined by isolated differences in the RT1.C region (LEW.1WR1). Also, RT1 homozygous rats (RT1.U) rejected semi-allogeneic F1 hybrid BMC. The acute rejection of BMC was mediated by NK cells, as athymic nude rats, lacking alloreactive T cells but with normal alloreactive NK cells, showed the same patterns of rejection as did normal rats. Nude rats also rejected allogeneic lymphocytes, a previously documented NK-mediated phenomenon, with identical requirements of MHC disparity. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation shows that rat effector NK cells are radioresistant, independent of the thymus, and capable of recognizing and rejecting MHC mismatched transplanted BMC on the basis of mismatches in both classical and nonclassical class I regions in vivo. The studies underline the importance also of NK cells in determining BMC allograft survival.

No neuronal regulation of murine bone marrow function.

Bone marrow is innervated by efferent (sympathetic) and afferent nerves, but it is not clear whether these nerves affect cell formation or release in any significant way. To elucidate this problem, we studied mice neonatally sympathectomized with 6-hydroxydopamine and adult mice in which one hind limb was surgically denervated. Progenitor and transit cell numbers and proliferative activity were estimated in bone marrow, blood, and spleen. In addition, we performed unilateral electrical stimulation of nerve fibers to tibial marrow and applied a cell mobilizing stimulus (bleeding, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor injection, or intraperitoneal injection of a chemotactic substance) to investigate cell egress from the marrow. Blood flow to hindleg bone marrow was assessed with the radioactive microsphere technique. Except for a smaller bone marrow cell population and lower body weight in neonatally sympathectomized mice, we found no clear indications that bone marrow innervation influenced cell production. Also, the innervation did not detectably affect cell release from the marrow. Electrical stimulation of hind limb nerves did not change the blood flow to the marrow, whereas it markedly decreased blood flow to the overlying muscle. We therefore conclude that no obvious function can be ascribed to tibial marrow innervation in the mouse.

Cloning, functional activities and in vivo tissue distribution of rat NKR-P1+ TCR alpha beta + cells.

We have successfully cloned nine NKR-P1+ TCR alpha beta + cells from PVG rat spleens, utilizing murine macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) and IL-2. These clones are either double negative (DN, CD4-CD8-), which included clones 3.31, 3.71, 4.19, 4.59 and 4.65, or single positive (SP, CD4+CD8-), which included clones 1.64, 3.8, 3.76 and 3.78. No CD8+ clone was recovered. All nine clones are restricted in terms of their expression of the V beta antigens, since they express V beta 8.2 but not V beta 8.5, V beta 10 or V beta 16. These clones are agranular and they fall to generate NK or LAK activity upon incubation with IL-2, IL-12 or their combination. On the basis of their production of intracellular cytokines they can be divided into three categories: (I) SP clones (1.64, 3.8, 3.76 and 3.78) do not produce IL-2 or IL-4, but produce IFN-gamma and IL-12, and they vary in their production of IL-1, RANTES or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha; (II) DN clones 4.59 and 4.65 produce IL-1 alpha and IFN-gamma only, and fall to produce other cytokines; and (III) DN clones 3.31, 3.71 and 4.19 produce IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-12, IFN-gamma, RANTES and TNF-alpha. From all the clones examined only DN clones 3.31 and to a lesser degree 4.19 produce IL-4. In vivo tissue localization of clones 3.8, 3.31 and 4.59 shows that these cells distribute into the liver and bone marrow 24 h post i.v. administration. Their accumulation in the liver and bone marrow along with their ability to secrete various cytokines suggest that these cells may influence the generation, differentiation or apoptosis of immune or hematopoietic cells.