Iron mobilization in three animal models of inflammation.

The effect of acute, subchronic, and chronic experimental models of inflammation upon hematocrit, hemoglobin, serum iron and ferritin iron and nonheme iron concentration in the liver and spleen has been studied in the rat. In the acute model (carrageenan oedema) no iron mobilization took place, whereas in the chronic models differences in iron mobilization were observed, related to their different chronicity and to the time elapsed from induction. The carrageenan-induced granuloma (from 12 h to 8 days) (subchronic model) was accompanied by a decrease of plasma iron (12 and 24 h), a later decrease of the hematocrit values (2 and 4 days) and high ferritin and nonheme iron concentrations in the liver and spleen for 4 days, followed by a tendency to return to the control values. The anemia in the adjuvant arthritis (from 1 to 4 weeks after induction) (chronic model) was observed at 7 days and is related to increased iron stores in the liver and spleen. However, the iron store levels in liver decreased and fell later below control values. The increase of ferritin and nonheme iron concentrations may be responsible for the reduced availability of iron release from tissue.

Antithrombotic effects of three thrombin inhibitors in a rat model of laser-induced thrombosis.

The antithrombotic effects of three thrombin inhibitors (hirudin, NAPAP and argidipine) were investigated in an experimental thrombosis model using laser lesions of rat mesenteric venules. Furthermore, their in vitro anticoagulant activity (partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, Heptest, inhibition of factor IIa and factor Xa) in human platelet poor plasma (PPP) and their in vitro and ex vivo activities were studied in rat plasma. All three thrombin inhibitors showed significant and dose-dependent antithrombotic effects after intravenous injection, if venules were damaged, which lasted for more than 4 but less than 8 h. The anticoagulant effect observed in vitro did not differ much between human and rat PPP. The two synthetic thrombin inhibitors NAPAP and argidipine were about as effective as hirudin in vitro; however, the ex vivo effect after intravenous injection of hirudin in rats was more pronounced than that observed with the two synthetic thrombin inhibitors. The antithrombotic effect of all three thrombin inhibitors in the laser model lasted much longer than the anticoagulant activity. This fact needs further investigations in the future.

The carnitine-deprived newborn rabbit: a potential model to study carnitine deficiency.

This report describes the novel development of an animal model for neonatal carnitine deficiency using the artificially fed newborn rabbit. Each litter was separated from the mother following the first colostrum feeding and divided into 2 groups, one of which was fed a purified rabbit formula that was essentially free of carnitine; the other received the same formula supplemented with L-carnitine (100 mg/l). At 9-13 d of age, rabbit pups receiving the carnitine-free formula had lower concentrations of total, free and acylcarnitine in plasma and urine, as well as lower total acid soluble carnitine concentrations in liver, muscle, heart and brown adipose tissue than those receiving the same formula supplemented with L-carnitine. Their plasma and tissue levels were also lower, but their urinary carnitine concentrations were higher than those in naturally-raised pups. The findings suggest that the described animal model may prove to be a useful tool for the investigation of certain aspects of neonatal carnitine deficiency.

Inhibition of induced acute lung edema by a novel protein kinase C inhibitor.

The effect of the protein kinase C enzyme inhibitor H-7 on the noncardiogenic lung edema induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) in mice was examined. Lung edema was assessed by measurement of 125I-labeled albumin leak into the lung. The results showed that pretreatment of mice with H-7 nearly prevents the albumin leak induced by PMA, whereas post-PMA treatment with H-7 had less of an effect on the albumin leak, although it was still significant.

PAF-acether in chronic arthritis.

Platelet activating factor (PAF-acether) is a potent pro-inflammatory mediator. The possible involvement of this molecule in the pathogenesis of chronic erosive arthritis has been investigated using an animal model, antigen-induced arthritis in the rabbit, which closely resembles rheumatoid arthritis. The arthritic joint fluids from rabbits with antigen-induced arthritis contained low levels of PAF-acether in the acute stages of the disease. However, PAF-acether was not detectable in the chronic stages of the lesion. The biologically inactive precursor/metabolite of PAF-acether, lyso-PAF-acether, was detectable in both control and arthritic joint washes. However, the levels of lyso-PAF-acether in the arthritic joint fluids were significantly elevated above those of control in the acute stages of the disease, but not in the chronic stages. Intra-articular injection of PAF-acether at doses up to 100 times the levels detected in the acute stages of this model did not induce joint swelling or leucocyte accumulation in normal rabbits. This study suggest that PAF-acether may contribute to the acute phase of antigen-induced arthritis but is less likely to be involved in the chronic processes.

Removal of glomerular deposits induced by either preformed immune complexes or by a chronic immune complex model in NZB/W mice.

The solubilization and removal of defined glomerular immune complex deposits by excess antigen was examined in NZB/W female mice. Glomerular deposits were induced by administering preformed immune complexes to young (2 to 4 mo) mice before they naturally acquired deposits from endogenous disease and to old (7 mo) mice with deposits from naturally acquired disease. The administration of excess antigen specifically removed deposits of preformed immune complexes in both groups. This was associated with a reduction in circulating large latticed complexes containing more than two antigen and two antibody molecules (greater than Ag2Ab2). Established deposits in old mice therefore did not interfere with removal of newly induced deposits of preformed immune complexes. Glomerular deposits were also induced in young mice by a chronic human serum albumin (HSA) immune complex model. The antigen in immune deposits induced by 2 wk of chronic antigen administration was solubilized and was removed within 48 hr of administering excess antigen. Circulating antibodies to the antigen were also reduced by excess antigen. Glomerular deposits of mouse immunoglobulin and complement were not significantly reduced by excess antigen but remained more intense than in mice of comparable age given preformed complexes. Thus deposits of other antigen antibody systems and possibly endogenous disease were induced by the chronic HSA immune complex model in NZB/W mice. However, defined antigen deposits within deposits containing multiple antigen antibody systems can clearly be removed by administering excess antigen.

Cerebrovascular and metabolic changes during the delayed vasospasm following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in baboons, and treatment with a calcium antagonist.

A model has been designed in baboons for simulating the clinical situation during the late phase of vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A total amount of 14-33 ml autologous blood was injected into the cisternal system on 3 occasions in the course of 4 days. Neurological symptoms were seen, and the mortality rate was 29%. Angiography 3 days after the last injection showed arterial vasoconstriction amounting to 23% in the vertebro-basilar system, and 11% (right) and 18% (left) in the carotid system. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by the intra-arterial 133Xe technique and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) were reduced by 18% and 11%, respectively. The hypercapnic CBF response was significantly impaired, from a mean of 3.90 ml/100 g/min to 1.72 ml/100 g/min of flow increase for each mm Hg elevation of paCO2. Autoregulation, tested by administration of angiotensin II, was also significantly affected as evidenced by a pressure-dependent increment of CBF during hypertension in 5 out of 7 animals tested. The impaired autoregulation was reflected in the autoregulatory index, which in the whole group increased from 0.06 ml/100 g/min for each mm Hg increase in MABP in the pre-SAH animals to 0.29 ml/100 g/min per mm Hg post-SAH. Treatment with the calcium antagonist, nimodipine (0.5 microgram/kg/min i.v. during 45 min), enhanced CBF significantly by 17% before experimental SAH, whereas after SAH the effect was slight and did not reach statistical significance; CMRO2 was not significantly affected in either group. Intravenous nimodipine combined with hypertension resulted in a marked increase in the autoregulatory index to 1.58 ml/100 g/min per mm Hg in pre-SAH animals and a less pronounced increment to 0.58 ml/100 g/min per mm Hg following experimental SAH. The beneficial effect of nimodipine reported in SAH patients is therefore, in view of our findings, more likely due primarily to a protective mechanism at the cellular level than to an influence on the vascular bed.

Effect of desferrioxamine on the development of hexachlorobenzene-induced porphyria.

The present work deals with the effect of desferrioxamine (DF) on hexachlorobenzene (HCB)-induced porphyria in female rats with the purpose of further investigation of the role of iron in the development of this porphyria. The results obtained show that the repeated injection of DF (three times a week: 100 mg/kg each i.m.) delayed and diminished remarkably the urinary excretion of precursors and porphyrins as well as the accumulation of the latter in liver promoted by HCB (1 g/kg daily given by stomach tube). This was probably due to attenuation by DF of the alterations produced by the fungicide in the two key enzymes: porphyrinogen carboxy-lyase (PCL) and delta-aminolaevulinate synthase (ALA-S). In fact, DF by reducing liver iron levels produced a smaller decrease of the target enzyme (PCL) and a concomitant smaller induction of ALA-S. DF alone did not modify any of these variables or the liver to body weight ratio. DF added at 10(-2) and 10(-3) M to the incubation media of ALA-S and PCL did not alter either of the enzymatic activities, whether in normal or HCB-porphyric preparations. The results obtained show that DF improved the biochemical picture during HCB porphyria. They suggest that iron plays an indirect role in the decrease of PCL enzyme, possibly at the HCB metabolization step. A common iron-involving mechanism for the production of porphyria by different chlorinated compounds is suggested.

Ceroid lipofuscinosis in sheep. I. Bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate, dolichol, ubiquinone, phospholipids, fatty acids, and fluorescence in liver lipopigment lipids.

The ceroid lipofuscinoses are inherited lysosomal diseases of children characterized by a fluorescent lipopigment stored in a variety of tissues. Defects in lipid metabolism or the control of lipid peroxidation have been postulated to explain their pathogenesis. In the present study, lipopigment was isolated from the liver of sheep affected with ceroid lipofuscinosis. It was 70% protein, the rest being mainly lipids. These were only one-sixth as fluorescent as total liver lipids, but contained a number of fluorophors. None were major components of the lipopigment or the postulated fluorescent product of lipid peroxidation. Lipopigment lipids included the lysosomal marker bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate that contained 42.9% linoleate and 16.5% linolenate. Lipopigment neutral lipids were dolichol, dolichyl esters, ubiquinone, free fatty acids, and cholesterol, indicative of a lysosomal origin of the lipopigment. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine were present in proportions and with fatty acid profiles typical of lysosomes. No differences were found between the lipids of total control and affected livers, nor the fatty acid profiles of their phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, or triglycerides. It is concluded that ovine ceroid lipofuscinosis is not a lipidosis, nor does the lipopigment arise from the abnormal peroxidation of lipids. Strong similarities between the lipopigment and the age pigment lipofuscin were noted.

Ceroid lipofuscinosis in sheep. II. The major component of the lipopigment in liver, kidney, pancreas, and brain is low molecular weight protein.

Previous studies on the lipopigment from the livers of sheep affected with ceroid lipofuscinosis showed that the disease does not involve a defect in lipid metabolism or abnormal lipid peroxidation and that most of the lipopigment was proteinaceous. In this study, lipopigment was isolated from liver, kidney, pancreas, and brain of affected sheep without the use of proteolytic enzymes. Lipopigment from all tissues was two-thirds protein. Modified silver staining after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a major band of Mr = 14,800, heterogeneous material between Mr = 5,000 and 9,000, and a major band of Mr = 3,500. These compounds did not stain for RNA or carbohydrate and were digested by a nuclease-free protease as expected for protein. They are not normal lysosomal proteins. Lipopigment levels of dolichol, ubiquinone, and cholesterol were consistent with the lipopigment being protein-enriched lysosome-derived cytosomes. The presence of the Mr = 3,500 proteins in whole affected tissue homogenates distinguished them from homogenates of normal tissues. It was concluded that low Mr proteins are specifically stored in ovine ceroid lipofuscinosis and that the ceroid lipofuscinoses may result from inherited defects in lysosomal protein catabolism.

Limitations of the rat remnant kidney model of chronic renal failure: absence of calcium oxalate tissue injury.

We have studied the rat remnant kidney model as a tool to assess the impact of secondary oxalosis on renal failure. Although the plasma of uremic rats demonstrated increased levels of oxalic acid, deposits of oxalate crystals in tissue were not observed. The absence of such deposits in the remnant kidney, as well as other tissues, may be due to a lesser degree of hyperoxalemia observed in the rat compared to man or may reflect that uremic deaths among the experimental animals occurred prior to formation of detectable calcium oxalate deposition. We conclude that the rat remnant kidney is not a suitable model to study the impact of uremic oxalosis in man.

Benzodiazepine/gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor deficit in the midbrain of the seizure-susceptible gerbil.

The density of benzodiazepine/gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor binding sites was lower in the midbrain of seizure-susceptible gerbils compared to control seizure-resistant gerbils. Binding of [3H]diazepam to high-affinity brain-specific sites in membrane homogenates of gerbil brain showed a 20-30% lower binding in midbrain (but not other regions) in adult seizure-susceptible gerbils than in controls. This binding deficit was localized by tissue slice autoradiography with [3H]flunitrazepam to the substantia nigra and mesencephalic periaqueductal gray regions, while higher binding was observed in the interpeduncular nucleus. These differences were also seen in animals sacrificed immediately after a seizure. A parallel deficit of [3H]bicuculline methochloride binding to low-affinity gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors also was seen in the same midbrain regions. Scatchard plot analysis showed that the benzodiazepine binding deficit in the nigra was due to a lower number of binding sites with not significant difference in affinity. Lower [3H]flunitrazepam binding was likewise seen in younger animals (29% lower at 30 days of age, 38% at 60 days, and 21% at 90 days), indicating that the midbrain receptor deficit is present in the seizure-susceptible gerbil prior to the age of onset of seizures at 50-100 days. Therefore, these changes are not likely to result from seizures but reflect genetically determined biochemical differences that could play a role in the expression of seizure susceptibility. The deficit in midbrain benzodiazepine/gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors in the seizure-susceptible gerbil would be consistent with the hypothesis that a deficit of gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated inhibition might contribute to some kinds of epilepsy.

Kinetics of inflammatory and fibrotic pulmonary changes in a murine model of silicosis.

A murine model of experimental silicosis has been developed after the intratracheal injection of alpha-quartz crystals. Pulmonary inflammation was monitored by increases in wet lung weight and cell number and protein content of the lung lavage fluid; fibrosis was assessed by measuring increases in hydroxyproline content of the lungs. Acute pulmonary cellular inflammation occurred between weeks 1 and 2, followed by a chronic inflammatory response at week 12. Lung hydroxyproline content, an indication of collagen deposition, was initiated as early as 1 week after silica injection and continued to increase steadily over time. The inflammatory and fibrotic changes induced by silica appeared to be a specific effect of the injection of this toxic particulate and not the result of the introduction of a foreign body, because mice injected with silica crystals were found to have significantly greater increases in acute cellular inflammation and chronic collagen deposition than did mice injected with latex beads. A possible role for the immune system in modulating silica-induced damage was suggested by the variability in response of six different strains of mice (C3H/He, CBA/J, Balb/c, DBA/2, C57BL/6, C57BL/10), which differed at specific genetic loci. Both strains with high (DBA/2) and low (C3H/He) response demonstrated similar patterns of inflammation and fibrosis over a period of 12 weeks. This model demonstrates great potential in future studies for elucidating the role of the immune system in the development of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis induced by toxic inorganic particulates.

Energy metabolism in trauma and sepsis: the role of fat.

There seems little doubt that there are signals for the increased mobilization of fat in shock, trauma, and sepsis. Whether those signals are reflected by an actual increase in mobilization is dependent on many variables including cardiovascular status. A hypothetical scheme based on our own experiments in the hyperdynamics phases of response to burn injury and to sepsis is presented in Figure 8. According to this scheme, catecholamines stimulate lipolysis in the adipose tissue, resulting in the release of glycerol and FFA into the plasma at increased rates. The glycerol is cleared by the liver and converted into glucose--a process stimulated by, among other things, glucagon. Some of the increased flux of FFA is also cleared by the liver, whereupon the fatty acids are incorporated into VLDL and released again into the plasma. The increased FFA levels also exert a dampening effect on the factors stimulating hepatic glucose production. At the periphery, plasma FFA as well as VLDL fatty acids are taken up at an increased rate. The tissues are attuned to the oxidation of fat, and as a consequence most of the energy production is derived from fat oxidation. The increased fatty acids exert an inhibitory effect on the complete oxidation of glucose, so although glucose may be taken up at an accelerated rate, the relative contribution of glucose oxidation to total energy production may fall. Rather than being completely oxidized, pyruvate is reduced to lactate and released into the plasma at an accelerated rate. The lactate then contributes to the production of glucose in the liver, completing a cyclical process called the Cori Cycle. Although all aspects of this scheme are supported by data highlighted in this paper, it certainly must be an oversimplification of the overall response of substrate metabolism to trauma and sepsis. It is presented for the purpose of highlighting the potential role of fat as a controller of the metabolic response, and to suggest that the enhanced mobilization and oxidation of fat is one of the fundamental responses to stress.

Cholinergic receptor site binding, choline acetyltransferase, and acetylcholinesterase activity in the forebrain and brainstem of the Dahl rat model of essential hypertension.

Muscarinic and nicotinic receptor site binding and the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the forebrain and brainstem of Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) rats was investigated. The DS line had a greater density of muscarinic sites in the cortex, hypothalamus, and medulla. Hypertensive DS rats had a greater density of sites than normotensive DS rats. ChAT activity was also higher in the cortex and hypothalamus of the DS line than the DR line. No significant differences were found in the activity of AChE or the concentration of nicotinic sites. These results suggest that the central muscarinic cholinergic system may participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension in the DS rat. The data indicate that central cholinergic activity is possibly greater in the DS than the DR rat and that this may help to explain the enhanced pressor response in the DS line after pharmacological activation of the central cholinergic system.

Nulceoprotein changes in the hearts of cardiomyopathic turkeys.

The possible involvement of nuclear proteins in the pathogenesis of a spontaneously occurring model of congestive cardiomyopathy in turkeys was examined. This model is characterised by cardiac hypertrophy and dilatation, reduced cardiac output and depressed contractility. The protein composition of myocardial nuclei was compared in normal (n = 9) and cardiomyopathic (n = 18) turkeys, 70 to 140 days old. Myopathic hearts as a group have a higher histone content (1.75 +/- 0.09 (SD) mg . mg DNA-1 vs 1.65 +/- 0.07 in controls, P less than 0.01) and histone/nonhistone protein (NHP) ratio (1.07 +/- 0.07 vs 0.95 +/- 0.02 in controls, P less than 0.01). The latter was independent of age and correlated well with the degree of cardiac dilatation. The electrophoretic patterns of chromatin proteins was decreased in myopathic hearts. This decrease was primarily accounted for by lower NHP phosphorylation (5.78 +/- 1.38 pmol 32P . mg prot-1 . 15 min-1 vs 8.33 +/- 0.81 in controls, P less than 0.01). DEAE-Sephacel chromatography separated cyclic AMP-dependent and -independent nuclear protein kinases with similar substrate specificities but lower specific activities in myopathic hearts. SDS-polyacrylamide similar substrate specificities but lower specific activities in myopathic hearts. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of phosphorylated nucleoproteins revealed differences in the lower molecular species of NHPs between control and myopathic hearts. There was a significant correlation between NHP phosphorylation and degree of cardiac dilatation (r = -0.78) or contractility as reflected by left ventricular systolic time intervals (r = -0.57). These results suggest that development of this model of spontaneous cardiomyopathy is associated with, and may, in part, be secondary to changes in the composition and function of myocardial nucleoproteins.

Catecholamine release as mediator of intracellular enzyme activation in ischaemic perfused rat hearts.

Isolated rat hearts perfused at suboptimal pressures have been studied as a model for generalised myocardial ischaemia. Glycogen phosphorylase a and hormone-sensitive triglyceridase activities, measured as markers for endogenous catecholamine release, were significantly increased at low perfusion pressures. Pharmacological blockage of noradrenaline re-uptake accentuated these effects, and depletion of catecholamine reserves eliminated them. This phenomenon may be important in the pathophysiology of cardiac ischaemia and its serious complications.