Analysis of Ionizing Radiation Induced DNA Damage by Superresolution dSTORM Microscopy.

The quantitative detection of radiation caused DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) by immunostained γ-H2AX foci using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) provides a deeper insight into the DNA repair process at nanoscale in a time-dependent manner. Glioblastoma (U251) cells were irradiated with 250 keV X-ray at 0, 2, 5, 8 Gy dose levels. Cell cycle phase distribution and apoptosis of U251 cells upon irradiation was assayed by flow cytometry. We studied the density, topology and volume of the γ-H2AX foci with 3D confocal microscopy and the dSTORM superresolution method. A pronounced increase in γ-H2AX foci and cluster density was detected by 3D confocal microscopy after 2 Gy, at 30 min postirradiation, but both returned to the control level at 24 h. Meanwhile, at 24 h a considerable amount of residual foci could be measured from 5 Gy, which returned to the normal level 48 h later. The dSTORM based γ-H2AX analysis revealed that the micron-sized γ-H2AX foci are composed of distinct smaller units with a few tens of nanometers. The density of these clusters, the epitope number and the dynamics of γ-H2AX foci loss could be analyzed. Our findings suggest a discrete level of repair enzyme capacity and the restart of the repair process for the residual DSBs, even beyond 24 h. The dSTORM superresolution technique provides a higher precision over 3D confocal microscopy to study radiation induced γ-H2AX foci and molecular rearrangements during the repair process, opening a novel perspective for radiation research.

Dose-dependent Changes After Proton and Photon Irradiation in a Zebrafish Model.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The importance of hadron therapy in the cancer management is growing. We aimed to refine the biological effect detection using a vertebrate model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Embryos at 24 and 72 h postfertilization were irradiated at the entrance plateau and the mid spread-out Bragg peak of a 150 MeV proton beam and with reference photons. Radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and histopathological changes of the eye, muscles and brain were evaluated; deterioration of specific organs (eye, yolk sac, body) was measured. RESULTS: More and longer-lasting DSBs occurred in eye and muscle cells due to proton versus photon beams, albeit in different numbers. Edema, necrosis and tissue disorganization, (especially in the eye) were observed. Dose-dependent morphological deteriorations were detected at ≥10 Gy dose levels, with relative biological effectiveness between 0.99±0.07 (length) and 1.12±0.19 (eye). CONCLUSION: Quantitative assessment of radiation induced changes in zebrafish embryos proved to be beneficial for the radiobiological characterization of proton beams.

A feasibility study of zebrafish embryo irradiation with laser-accelerated protons.

The development from single shot basic laser plasma interaction research toward experiments in which repetition rated laser-driven ion sources can be applied requires technological improvements. For example, in the case of radio-biological experiments, irradiation duration and reproducible controlled conditions are important for performing studies with a large number of samples. We present important technological advancements of recent years at the ATLAS 300 laser in Garching near Munich since our last radiation biology experiment. Improvements range from target positioning over proton transport and diagnostics to specimen handling. Exemplarily, we show the current capabilities by performing an application oriented experiment employing the zebrafish embryo model as a living vertebrate organism for laser-driven proton irradiation. The size, intensity, and energy of the laser-driven proton bunches resulted in evaluable partial body changes in the small (<1 mm) embryos, confirming the feasibility of the experimental system. The outcomes of this first study show both the appropriateness of the current capabilities and the required improvements of our laser-driven proton source for in vivo biological experiments, in particular the need for accurate, spatially resolved single bunch dosimetry and image guidance.

11Boron Delivery Agents for Boron Proton-capture Enhanced Proton Therapy.

The aim of this review was to define appropriate 11B delivery agents for boron proton-capture enhanced proton therapy (BPCEPT) taking into account the accumulated knowledge on boron compounds used for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). BPCEPT is a promising treatment approach which uses a high linear energy transfer (LET) dose component in conjunction with conventional proton therapy to increase the relative biological effectiveness of highly-selective charged particle therapy. Boron proton fusion reactions occur with highest cross section at certain proton energy level and thus can be tailored to the target volume with careful treatment planning that defines the 675 MeV proton distribution with high accuracy. Appropriate 11B compounds are required in order to achieve relevant high LET dose contribution from the boron proton-capture reaction. Previous scientific results and experiences with BNCT provide background knowledge and information regarding the optimization of boronated compound development, their characterization, measurement and imaging. However, there are substantial differences between BNCT and BPCEPT, which in turn places special unique chemical, physical and biological demands on 11B-carrier compounds for BPCEPT. In this review, we evaluate well-known and recently developed boron compounds for BPCEPT.

l-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine as a Potential Radioprotective Agent in Zebrafish Embryo Model.

This work establishes the zebrafish embryo model for ionizing radiation (IR) modifier research and also evaluates the protective effect of l-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC). Embryos were exposed to a single-fraction whole-body gamma irradiation (5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy) at different postfertilization time points and were serially assessed for viability and macro- and micromorphologic abnormalities. After toxicity evaluation, 194 µM of GPC was added for certain groups with 3-h incubation before the radiation. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) expression changes were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A higher sensitivity could be observed at earlier stages of the embryogenesis. The lethal dose (LD50) for 6 hours postfertilization (hpf) embryos was 15 Gy and for 24 hpf was 20 Gy on day 7, respectively. GPC administration resulted in a significant improvement in both the distortion rate and survival of the 24 hpf embryos. Qualitative evaluation of the histological changes confirmed the protective effect of GPC. IL-1ß and NF-κB overexpression due to 10 Gy irradiation was also reduced by GPC. GPC exhibited promising radioprotective effects in our zebrafish embryo model, decreasing the irradiation-induced morphological damage and lethality with significant reduction of IR-caused pro-inflammatory activation.

The mitochondrial function of the cerebral vasculature in insulin-resistant Zucker obese rats.

Little is known about mitochondrial functioning in the cerebral vasculature during insulin resistance (IR). We examined mitochondrial respiration in isolated cerebral arteries of male Zucker obese (ZO) rats and phenotypically normal Zucker lean (ZL) rats using the Seahorse XFe24 analyzer. We investigated mitochondrial morphology in cerebral blood vessels as well as mitochondrial and nonmitochondrial protein expression levels in cerebral arteries and microvessels. We also measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cerebral microvessels. Under basal conditions, the mitochondrial respiration components (nonmitochondrial respiration, basal respiration, ATP production, proton leak, and spare respiratory capacity) showed similar levels among the ZL and ZO groups with the exception of maximal respiration, which was higher in the ZO group. We examined the role of nitric oxide by measuring mitochondrial respiration following inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and mitochondrial activation after administration of diazoxide (DZ). Both ZL and ZO groups showed similar responses to these stimuli with minor variations.l-NAME significantly increased the proton leak, and DZ decreased nonmitochondrial respiration in the ZL group. Other components were not affected. Mitochondrial morphology and distribution within vascular smooth muscle and endothelium as well as mitochondrial protein levels were similar in the arteries and microvessels of both groups. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and ROS levels were increased in cerebral microvessels of the ZO. Our study suggests that mitochondrial function is not significantly altered in the cerebral vasculature of young ZO rats, but increased ROS production might be due to increased eNOS in the cerebral microcirculation during IR.

C5a inhibitor protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat small intestine.

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is caused by considerable intestinal injury, which is associated with intestinal ischemia followed by reperfusion. To elucidate the mechanisms of ischemia/reperfusion injuries, a C5a inhibitory peptide termed AcPepA was used to examine the role of C5a anaphylatoxin, induction of inflammatory cells, and cell proliferation of the intestinal epithelial cells in an experimental AMI model. In this rat model, the superior mesenteric artery was occluded and subsequently reperfused (Induce-I/R). Other groups were treated with AcPepA before ischemia or reperfusion. Induce-I/R induced injuries in the intestine and AcPepA significantly decreased the proportion of severely injured villi. Induce-I/R induced secondary receptor for C5a-positive polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the vessels and CD204-positive macrophages near the injured site; this was correlated with hypoxia-induced factor 1-alpha-positive cells. Induction of these inflammatory cells was attenuated by AcPepA. In addition, AcPepA increased proliferation of epithelial cells in the villi, possibly preventing further damage. Therefore, Induce-I/R activates C5a followed by the accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte and hypoxia-induced factor 1-alpha-producing macrophages, leading to villus injury. AcPepA, a C5a inhibitory peptide, blocks the deleterious effects of C5a, indicating it has a therapeutic effect on the inflammatory consequences of experimental AMI.

Novel real-time cell analysis platform for the dynamic monitoring of ionizing radiation effects on human tumor cell lines and primary fibroblasts.

Translational research in radiation oncology is important for the detection of adverse radiation effects, cellular responses, and radiation modifications, and may help to improve the outcome of radiation therapy in patients with cancer. The present study aimed to optimize and validate a real­time label­free assay for the dynamic monitoring of cellular responses to ionizing radiation. The xCELLigence system is an impedance­based platform that provides continuous information on alterations in cell size, shape, adhesion, proliferation, and survival. In the present study, various malignant human primary fibroblast cells (U251, GBM2, MCF7, A549, HT­29) were exposed to 0, 5 and 10 Gy of Cobalt60 radiation. As well as the xCELLigence system, cell survival and proliferation was evaluated using the following conventional end­point cell­based methods: Clonogenic, MTS, and lactate dehydrogenase assays, and apoptosis was detected by fluorescence­activated cell sorting. The effects of ionizing radiation were detected for each cell line using impedance monitoring. The real­time data correlated with the colony forming assay results. At low cell densities (1,000­2,000 cells/well) the impedance­based method was more accurate at monitoring dose­dependent changes in the malignant human primary fibroblast cell lines, as compared with the end­point assays. The results of the present study demonstrated that the xCELLigence system may be a reliable and rapid diagnostic method for the monitoring of dynamic cell behavior following radiation. In addition, the xCELLigence system may be used to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying the radiation response, as well as the time­dependent effects of radiation on cell proliferation and viability.

Improvement of small intestinal microcirculation by postconditioning after lower limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Major lower limb vascular surgeries may result in severe, remote injury of the gastrointestinal system, which has high mortality rates. Postconditioning is a technique with potential capability of reducing remote gastrointestinal complications. Our aim was to assess the remote macro- and micro-hemodynamic changes of the small intestine following an infrarenal aortic occlusion and to evaluate the effects of postconditioning on these alterations. METHODS: Rats underwent 3h of infrarenal aortic occlusion followed by 4h of reperfusion. In one group, postconditioning was applied. Blood pressure, superior mesenteric artery flow and mucosal microcirculation of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were assessed. Samples were taken from each intestinal segment for histological examinations. RESULTS: Superior mesenteric artery flow, as well as microcirculation of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum showed significant impairment in the IR group, while histological damage was significantly worsened. Postconditioning was able to limit flow reduction in all three small bowel segments and in the superior mesenteric artery, and was able to significantly reduce histological damage. Strong negative correlation was found between microcirculatory values and histological damage. CONCLUSIONS: Microcirculatory impairment might be responsible for remote intestinal injury following infrarenal aortic occlusion. Postconditioning was able to reduce this remote intestinal damage.

Protective effects of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine on ischaemia-reperfusion-induced inflammatory reactions.

PURPOSE: Choline-containing dietary phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC), may function as anti-inflammatory substances, but the mechanism remains largely unknown. We investigated the effects of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), a deacylated PC derivative, in a rodent model of small intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. METHODS: Anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, mesenteric IR (45 min mesenteric artery occlusion, followed by 180 min reperfusion), IR with GPC pretreatment (16.56 mg kg⁻¹ GPC i.v., 5 min prior to ischaemia) or IR with GPC post-treatment (16.56 mg kg⁻¹ GPC i.v., 5 min prior to reperfusion) groups. Macrohaemodynamics and microhaemodynamic parameters were measured; intestinal inflammatory markers (xanthine oxidoreductase activity, superoxide and nitrotyrosine levels) and liver ATP contents were determined. RESULTS: The IR challenge reduced the intestinal intramural red blood cell velocity, increased the mesenteric vascular resistance, the tissue xanthine oxidoreductase activity, the superoxide production, and the nitrotyrosine levels, and the ATP content of the liver was decreased. Exogenous GPC attenuated the macro- and microcirculatory dysfunction and provided significant protection against the radical production resulting from the IR stress. The GPC pretreatment alleviated the hepatic ATP depletion, the reductions in the mean arterial pressure and superior mesenteric artery flow, and similarly to the post-treatments with GPC, also decreased the xanthine oxidoreductase activity, the intestinal superoxide production, the nitrotyrosine level, and normalized the microcirculatory dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the effectiveness of GPC therapies and provide indirect evidence that the anti-inflammatory effects of PC could be linked to a reaction involving the polar part of the molecule.

Radio-neuroprotective effect of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) in an experimental rat model.

Ionizing radiation plays a major role in the treatment of brain tumors, but side-effects may restrict the efficacy of therapy. In the present study, our goals were to establish whether the administration of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) can moderate or prevent any of the irradiation-induced functional and morphological changes in a rodent model of hippocampus irradiation. Anesthetized adult (6-weeks-old) male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 40 Gy irradiation of one hemisphere of the brain, without or with GPC treatment (50 mg/kg bw by gavage), the GPC treatment continuing for 4 months. The effects of this partial rat brain irradiation on the spatial orientation and learning ability of the rats were assessed with the repeated Morris water maze (MWM) test. Histopathologic (HP) evaluation based on hematoxylin-eosin and Luxol blue staining was performed 4 months after irradiation. The 40 Gy irradiation resulted in a moderate neurological deficit at the levels of both cognitive function and morphology 4 months after the irradiation. The MWM test proved to be a highly sensitive tool for the detection of neurofunctional impairment. The site navigation of the rats was impaired by the irradiation, but the GPC treatment markedly decreased the cognitive impairment. HP examination revealed lesser amounts of macrophage density, reactive gliosis, calcification and extent of demyelination in the GPC-treated group. GPC treatment led to significant protection against the cognitive decline and cellular damage, evoked by focal brain irradiation at 40 Gy dose level. Our study warrants further research on the protective or mitigating effects of GPC on radiation injuries.

Peripheral inflammatory activation after hippocampus irradiation in the rat.

PURPOSE: To detect the possible biochemical signs of inflammatory activation in the peripheral circulation in a rodent model of hippocampus irradiation, and to examine the effects of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) in this experimental protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 40 Gy cobalt irradiation of both hemispheres of the hippocampus, with or without GPC treatment (50 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.), 5 min before the irradiation, n = 6, each). A third group (n = 6) served as saline-treated control. Blood samples were obtained 3 h after the end of irradiation in order to examine the changes in plasma histamine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10); liver tissue samples were taken to determine adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations. RESULTS: The hepatic ATP levels were significantly declined, while plasma concentrations of circulating TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and histamine were significantly increased after hippocampus irradiation. GPC treatment significantly reduced the irradiation-induced release of cytokines and histamine, and the liver ATP level was maintained at the control value. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted brain irradiation produced measurable pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine changes in the systemic circulation. GPC supplementation provides significant protection against irradiation-induced peripheral pro-inflammatory activation and ATP depletion.

Development of a small-animal focal brain irradiation model to study radiation injury and radiation-injury modifiers.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to establish an effective small-animal focal brain radiation model for research on brain injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Groups of up to six rats were exposed to a range of doses from 120-40 Gy, at 10 intervals of a 6 MeV electron beam. Open-field motor functions and water maze learning-memory tests were performed after the irradiation at two-week intervals. Morphological changes were detected through repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monthly and were compared with the histopathological findings to determine if they predicted late microscopic changes. RESULTS: The development of necrosis proved to be dose-dependent. 120 Gy resulted in serious deterioration within 4 weeks in all rats. Localized necrosis in one hemisphere was detected 2 months after the irradiation with ≥ 70 Gy, and 3 months after 40-60 Gy consistent for all animals. The Morris water maze (MWM) tests proved to be the most sensitive tool for the early detection of a brain functional impairment. MRI screening provided useful information on the development of radiation necrosis, which defined the time point for histological examinations. CONCLUSIONS: The described method permits accurate dose delivery to a definite part in one hemisphere of the brain for six rats at a time. Following complex examinations, a dose of 40 Gy and a follow-up time of 4 months are proposed for investigations on neuroradiation modifiers.

[Comparative study of novel therapeutic possibilities in animal experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease]. / Terápiás lehetoségek a gyulladásos bélbetegség állatkísérletes modelljében - összehasonlító vizsgálat.

INTRODUCTION: The consequence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is cytokine-mediated severe local tissue damage. Our aim was to determine the extent of inflammatory response and to influence the morphologic changes during the subacute phase of trinitro-benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced experimental colitis by oral phosphatidylcholine (PC) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist kynurenic acid therapy. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to control, untreated colitis (ic TNBS), colitis fed with 2% PC-containing diet (3 days pre-treatment +3 days treatment after TNBS induction), colitis with kynurenic acid treatment (on day 6, n = 7) groups. The colitis was characterized by tissue myeloperoxidase and plasma TNF-alpha levels, the extent of tissue damage, structural changes in microvasculature (FITC-dextran staining) and mucosal injury (acridine orange staining) were determined by in vivo confocal laser scanning endomicroscopy (Optiscan Five1, Australia) and conventional histology (hematoxyilin-eosin staining). RESULTS: Significant elevation in myeloperoxidase and TNF-alpha levels with remarkable damage in epithelial structure was detected in the colitis group. Both treatment regimens significantly decreased the level of inflammatory activation but only PC pretreatment could preserve the number of goblet cells and the epithelial structure. Treatment with kynurenic acid did not alter the morphology changes. CONCLUSION: Oral PC pretreatment is a promising possibility in the therapy of IBDs through decreasing inflammatory reaction and increasing the number of goblet cells.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist therapy suppresses colon motility and inflammatory activation six days after the onset of experimental colitis in rats.

We set out to investigate the time-dependent colon motility and inflammatory changes in a rodent model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in order to estimate the efficacy of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist therapy administered 6 day after the acute inflammatory event. Anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to control (n=6) or colitis groups (n=18). The endogenous NMDA receptor antagonist kynurenic acid (n=6) or the synthetic analog SZR-72 (n=6) was administered 6 day after TNBS induction. Large bowel motility parameters, macrohaemodynamics and serosal microcirculatory changes were recorded; the severity of colonic damage was monitored by using in vivo confocal laser endomicroscopy. Nitrite/nitrate and nitrotyrosine levels, and xanthine oxidoreductase and myeloperoxidase activities were determined on colon biopsies; plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were compared with those under control and 1-day colitis (n=6) conditions. TNBS induction elevated the tissue inflammatory enzyme activities, proinflammatory cytokine release, and nitrite/nitrate and nitrotyrosine formation. The microscopic vascular and mucosal lesions were accompanied by significant increases in serosal microcirculation and frequent intestinal movements 6 day after colitis. The NMDA receptor antagonist treatments significantly decreased the signs of inflammatory activation and the levels of nitric oxide end-products, normalized the microcirculation and the rate of bowel movements in both NMDA receptor antagonist-treated colitis groups. Blockade of the enteric NMDA receptors 6 day after colitis induction concurrently influenced NO production-linked nitrosative stress and colon dysmotility and may therefore offer a possibility via which to inhibit the progression of inflammatory changes in the later phase of TNBS colitis.

Dietary phosphatidylcholine supplementation attenuates inflammatory mucosal damage in a rat model of experimental colitis.

This study was designed to follow the time course of inflammatory activation in a rodent model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. We hypothesized that oral phosphatidylcholine (PC) pretreatment regimens may influence leukocyte-mediated microcirculatory reactions in this condition. In series I, Wistar rats were monitored 1 day after colitis induction (n = 24), and in series II (n = 24) on day 6 following a TNBS enema. The PC-pretreated animals received a 2% PC-enriched diet for 6 days before the TNBS enema (series I), or for 3 days before and 3 days after TNBS treatment (series II). The macrohemodynamics, serosal microcirculation (visualized by intravital videomicroscopy), colonic xanthine oxidoreductase, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide end products, and changes in proinflammatory cytokine levels in plasma were measured. The mucosal structural injury was monitored in vivo by means of confocal laser scanning endomicroscopy. The TNBS enema induced a systemic hyperdynamic circulatory reaction with increased serosal capillary blood flow and significantly elevated colonic inflammatory enzyme activities, levels of nitric oxide production, and cytokine concentrations. Acute colitis caused disruption of the capillary network, whereas the morphologic damage was less severe in series II. The PC pretreatment protocols led to significant decreases in the serosal hyperemic reaction, the cytokine levels, and the inflammatory enzyme activities. The objective signs of tissue damage were reduced in both series, and the number of mucus-producing goblet cells in the resolving phase of colitis was increased. Dietary PC efficiently decreases the cytokine-mediated progression of inflammatory events and preserves the microvascular structure in the large intestine.

The anti-inflammatory effects of methane.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal methane generation has been demonstrated in various stress conditions, but it is not known whether nonasphyxiating amounts have any impact on the mammalian pathophysiology. We set out to characterize the effects of exogenous methane administration on the process of inflammatory events arising after reoxygenation in a large animal model of ischemia-reperfusion. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled in vivo animal study. SETTING: A university research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Inbred beagle dogs (12.7 6 2 kg). INTERVENTIONS: Sodium pentobarbital-anesthetized animals were randomly assigned to sham-operated or ischemia-reperfusion groups, where superior mesenteric artery occlusion was maintained for 1 hr and the subsequent reperfusion was monitored for 3 hrs. For 5 mins before reperfusion, the animals were mechanically ventilated with normoxic artificial air with or without 2.5% methane. Biological responses to methane-oxygen respirations were defined in pilot rat studies and assay systems were used with xanthine oxidase and activated canine granulocytes to test the in vitro bioactivity potential of different gas concentrations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The macrohemodynamics and small intestinal pCO(2) gap changes were recorded and peripheral blood samples were taken for plasma nitrite/nitrate and myeloperoxidase analyses. Tissue superoxide and nitrotyrosine levels and myeloperoxidase activity changes were determined in intestinal biopsy samples; structural mucosal damage was measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Methane inhalation did not influence the macrohemodynamics but significantly reduced the magnitude of the tissue damage and the intestinal pCO(2) gap changes after reperfusion. Furthermore, the plasma and mucosal myeloperoxidase activity and the intestinal superoxide and nitrotyrosine levels were reduced, whereas the plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations were increased. Additionally, methane effectively and specifically inhibited leukocyte activation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the anti-inflammatory profile of methane. The study provides evidence that exogenous methane modulates leukocyte activation and affects key events of ischemia-reperfusion-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress and is therefore of potential therapeutic interest in inflammatory pathologies.

Protective effects of a phosphatidylcholine-enriched diet in lipopolysaccharide-induced experimental neuroinflammation in the rat.

Our goal was to characterize the neuroprotective properties of orally administered phosphatidylcholine (PC) in a rodent model of systemic inflammation. Sprague-Dawley rats were killed at 3 h, 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days after i.p. administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to determine the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 cytokines. The control group and one group of LPS-treated animals were nourished with standard laboratory chow, whereas another LPS-treated group received a special diet enriched with 1% PC for 5 days before the administration of LPS and thereafter during the 7-day observation period. Immunohistochemistry was performed to visualize the bromodeoxyuridine and doublecortin-positive neuroprogenitor cells and Iba1-positive microglia in the hippocampus, whereas the degree of mucosal damage was evaluated on ileal and colon biopsy samples after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The activities of proinflammatory myeloperoxidase and xanthine-oxidoreductase and the tissue nitrite/nitrate (NOx) level were additionally determined, and the cognitive functions were monitored via Morris water maze testing. The inflammatory challenge transiently increased the hippocampal NOx level and led to microglia accumulation and decreased neurogenesis. The intestinal damage, mucosal myeloperoxidase, xanthine-oxidoreductase, and NOx changes were less pronounced, and long-lasting behavioral alterations were not observed. Phosphatidylcholine pretreatment reduced the plasma TNF-α and hippocampal NOx changes and prevented the decreased neurogenesis. These data demonstrated the relative susceptibility of the brain to the consequences of transient peripheral inflammatory stimuli. Phosphatidylcholine supplementation did not reduce the overall extent of peripheral inflammatory activation, but efficiently counteracted the disturbed hippocampal neurogenesis by lowering circulating TNF-α concentrations.