Inhibition of neutral endopeptidase potentiates neutrophil activation during Mg-deficiency in the rat.

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP), which degrades substance P (SP), may regulate neutrophil activation during Mg-deficiency (MgD). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180g) were fed MgD (approximately 50 mg Mg/kg) or Mg-sufficient (MgS, 608 mg Mg/kg) diets for 7 days +/- NEP inhibitor phosphoramidon (PR, 5 mg/kg/day, s.c.). MgD alone induced a 9-fold (vs. MgS, p <0.01) elevation in plasma SP; MgD+PR enhanced it further to 18-fold (p <0.001). Neutrophils from MgD+PR rats displayed a 3.9-fold higher (p <0.01) basal .O(2-) generation, but those from MgD or PR alone were not activated. Plasma PGE2-metabolite levels rose 2.67- (p <0.01) and 1.56- (p <0.05) fold, respectively, in MgD+PR and MgD groups; the corresponding red blood cell glutathione levels were decreased 21% (p <0.025) and 7% (NS). MgD+PR significantly reduced neutrophil NEP activity by 48% (p <0.02); PR or MgD alone only reduced this activity 26% and 15%, respectively. We conclude that NEP inhibition potentiates SP-mediated neutrophil .O(2-) production and may promote other inflammatory activities during MgD.

Immunoregulation by neuropeptides in magnesium deficiency: ex vivo effect of enhanced substance P production on circulating T lymphocytes from magnesium-deficient mice.

The first week of dietary magnesium deficiency in rodent models is characterized by the induction of raised levels of neuropeptides (substance P [SP] and calcitonin gene related peptide [CGRP]), followed shortly thereafter by inflammatory cytokine release. Since neuropeptides participate in neurogenic inflammation, we have proposed that the neurogenic inflammatory response plays a role in the pathology of magnesium deficiency. However, the association between the early neuropeptide release and the subsequent pathology in this model remains unclear. Peripheral blood T lymphocytes were obtained from Balb/c mice fed a magnesium-deficient diet (approximately 1.8 mmol Mg/kg), or the same diet supplemented with 20 mmol MgO/kg. These cells were incubated in medium containing 10(-10) to 10(-5) M SP, after which the cells were examined for expression of SP receptors and the supernatants were collected and examined by immunochemical techniques for the presence of T lymphocyte associated cytokines. SP stimulation induced the secretion of interleukin (IL)-2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). T lymphocytes from magnesium-deficient animals, when compared to magnesium-sufficient ones, secreted increased levels of these cytokines. The secretion of these cytokines was maximal at either 5 days (IL-4, IL-5) or 7 days (II-2, IL-10, and IFN-gamma) of magnesium deficiency. This increased sensitivity to SP appears to be related to an increased expression of SP receptors on the surface of T lymphocytes during the first week of magnesium deficiency. These data indicate that SP released early during magnesium deficiency exerts a regulatory role on T lymphocyte cytokine production, especially those cytokines regulating mast cell and immune responses leading to the onset of an immunopathological state.

Immunoaffinity capillary electrophoretic analysis of cyclosporin in tears.

An immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis technique has been developed for the analysis of cyclosporin A in human tear fluid following topical application of the drug. The technique combines the selectivity of immunoaffinity separation with the high-resolution of capillary electrophoresis by immobilizing monoclonal antibody fragments directly onto the internal surface of the capillary. This technique was used to measure cyclosporin levels in tears obtained from corneal transplant patients during normal and drug toxicity episodes in the course of their treatment. Comparison of this technique with HPLC detection of cyclosporin in tears showed a good correlation, with the immunoaffinity CE technique having the advantage of being able to simultaneously detect toxic metabolites of cyclosporin in the same sample.

High-performance affinity isolation of lymphocyte membrane receptors on biotinylated antigen and avidin-coated beads.

Isolation of lymphocyte membrane receptors can be achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography using immobilized streptavidin as the ligand and biotinylated antigen. Activated lymphocytes were allowed to react with biotin-labelled antigen prior to harvesting. The cells were disrupted and their membranes solubilized before passing the suspension through the avidin affinity column. The biotinylated antigen acted as an efficient receptor probe, which helped to maintain the integrity of the receptor during the isolation procedure. The biotin also acted as the substrate that attaches to the immobilized avidin. Recovery of the bound receptor was achieved by dissociation of the receptor from the antigen and recovery of the receptor in the effluent during the elution phase of the separation.