Aluminium phosphate adjuvants prepared by precipitation at constant pH. Part II: physicochemical properties

The impact of the pH of precipitation on the physicochemical properties of aluminium phosphate adjuvants was investigated by precipitating aluminium phosphate adjuvants under constant pH conditions at pH values from 3.0 to 7.5 at intervals of 0.5. The pH of precipitation did not affect the morphology, but the point of zero charge (PZC) and rate of acid neutralization varied directly with pH of precipitation. Aggregation and protein adsorption capacity exhibited a parabolic relationship to the pH of precipitation. Minimum protein adsorption and maximum aggregation were observed at pH 5.5. In contrast to adjuvants precipitated from the same reactants but under uncontrolled pH conditions, the pH of all of the adjuvants precipitated under constant pH conditions remained constant for a 3-month aging period at room temperature.

Stability of aluminium-containing adjuvants during aging at room temperature

Aluminium phosphate adjuvant and aluminium hydroxide adjuvant became more ordered during aging at room temperature. The increased degree of order was accompanied by a decrease in protein adsorption capacity.

Effect of inhibitors on the ubiquinone binding capacity of the primary energy conversion site in the Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc(1) complex

A key issue concerning the primary conversion (Q(O)) site function in the cytochrome bc(1) complex is the stoichiometry of ubiquinone/ubihydroquinone occupancy. Previous evidence suggests that the Q(O) site is able to accommodate two ubiquinone molecules, the double occupancy model [Ding, H., Robertson, D. E., Daldal, F., and Dutton, P. L. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 3144-3158]. In the recently reported crystal structures of the cytochrome bc(1) complex, no electron density was identified in the Q(O) site that could be ascribed to ubiquinone. To provide further insight into this issue, we have manipulated the cytochrome bc(1) complex Q(O) site occupancy in photosynthetic membranes from Rhodobacter capsulatus by using inhibitor titrations and ubiquinone extraction to modulate the amount of ubiquinone bound in the site. The nature of the Q(O) site occupants was probed via the sensitivity of the reduced [2Fe-2S] cluster electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra to modulation of Q(O) site occupancy. Diphenylamine (DPA) and methoxyacrylate (MOA)-stilbene are known Q(O) site inhibitors of the cytochrome bc(1) complex. Addition of stoichiometric concentrations of MOA-stilbene or excess DPA to cytochrome bc(1) complexes with natural levels of ubiquinone elicits the same change in the [2Fe-2S] cluster EPR spectra; the g(x)() resonance broadens and shifts from 1. 800 to 1.783. This is exactly the same signal as that obtained when there is only one ubiquinone present in the Q(O) site. Furthermore, addition of MOA-stilbene or DPA to the cytochrome bc(1) complex depleted of ubiquinone does not alter the [2Fe-2S] cluster EPR spectral line shapes, which remain indicative of one ubiquinone or zero ubiquinones in the Q(O) site, with broad g(x)() resonances at 1. 783 or 1.765, respectively. The results are quite consistent with the Q(O) site double occupancy model, in which MOA-stilbene and DPA inhibit by displacing one, but not both, of the Q(O) site ubiquinones.

The in vitro displacement of adsorbed model antigens from aluminium-containing adjuvants by interstitial proteins

Vaccines prepared by adsorbing an antigen onto an aluminium-containing adjuvant are usually administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. The vaccine then comes in contact with interstitial fluid which contains proteins. In vitro displacement studies were performed to determine whether antigens, which are adsorbed to aluminium-containing adjuvants, can be displaced by interstitial proteins. It was found that when previously adsorbed model antigens such as lysozyme or myoglobin were exposed to interstitial proteins such as albumin or fibrinogen that extensive displacement occurred. A factorial study of the displacement of myoglobin from aluminium hydroxide adjuvant by albumin was performed. The displacement occurred rapidly with the majority of the displacement occurring in less than 15 min. Whether the concentration of the adsorbed myoglobin was above or below the adsorptive capacity of the aluminium hydroxide adjuvant affected the amount which could be displaced. Less myoglobin was displaced when the concentration was below the adsorptive capacity. The age of the model vaccine (1, 2 or 7 days) prior to exposure to the interstitial protein did not influence the amount of myoglobin that was displaced. The affinity of model antigens and interstitial proteins for aluminium hydroxide or aluminium phosphate adjuvant was characterized by the adsorption coefficient in the Langmuir equation. In every case studied, the protein having the larger adsorption coefficient was able to displace the protein with the smaller adsorption coefficient.

Stability of aluminium-containing adjuvants to autoclaving

Aluminium phosphate adjuvant remained amorphous when autoclaved for 30 or 60 min at 121 degrees C. However, deprotonation and dehydration reactions occurred as evidenced by a decrease in the pH. The protein adsorption capacity, rate of acid neutralization at pH 2.5 and point of zero charge also decreased indicating that the deprotonation/dehydration reactions resulted in a decreased surface area. Autoclaving aluminium hydroxide adjuvant increased the degree of crystallinity as measured by the width at half height of the major band in the X-ray diffractogram. The pH decreased during autoclaving suggesting that the same deprotonation/dehydration reactions which reduced the surface area of aluminium phosphate adjuvant were responsible for the increased degree of crystallinity. These reactions also resulted in a reduced surface area as both the protein adsorption capacity and viscosity decreased following autoclaving.

Selective type III phosphodiesterase inhibition prevents elevated compartment pressure after ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

A new synthetic cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitor, cilostazol, has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation and act synergistically with endogenous prostaglandin I2 to enhance smooth-muscle cell vasodilitation. The effect of cilostazol in ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced compartment syndrome was investigated.

METHODS

Sixteen rabbits underwent femoral artery occlusion after ligation of branches from the terminal aorta to the femoral artery. After 7 hours of ischemia, reperfusion was established with heparinized polyethylene shunts. Experimental animals (n = 8) received cilostazol (3.0 mg/kg) and control animals (n = 8) received normal saline as an intravenous infusion 10 minutes before shunt placement. During reperfusion, anterior compartment pressure was continuously monitored in the left lower extremity, and femoral artery blood flow was measured by laser Doppler fluorometry. To quantitate skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism and viability, triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction (micrograms of TTC per milligram of protein) of tibialis anterior muscle from the right lower extremity was measured at femoral artery occlusion, 7 hours of ischemia, and 2 hours of reperfusion. To assess tissue edema, dry/wet weight ratios were also determined at these intervals. Data were expressed as means +/- SE. Comparisons within groups were performed by analysis of variance, and comparisons between groups with two-tailed unpaired t tests.

RESULTS

At 2 hours of reperfusion, the difference between controls and cilostazol-treated animals was extremely significant (p = 0.0008). Preischemia and 2-hour reperfusion TTC and dry/wet weight ratios were not significantly different within or between experimental groups, nor was femoral artery blood flow during reperfusion.

CONCLUSION

Cilostazol inhibits the increase in compartment pressure central to the development of the compartment syndrome. The mechanism appears to be independent of altered tissue permeability or oxidative metabolism.

Ubiquinone binding capacity of the Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc1 complex: effect of diphenylamine, a weak binding QO site inhibitor

Diphenylamine (DPA), a known inhibitor of polyene and isoprene biosynthesis, is shown to inhibit flash-activatable electron transfer in photosynthetic membranes of Rhodobacter capsulatus. DPA is specific to the QO site of ubihydroquinone:cytochrome c oxidoreductase, where it inhibits not only reduction of the [2Fe-2S]2+ cluster in the FeS subunit and subsequent cytochrome c reduction but also heme bL reduction in the cytochrome b subunit. In both cases, the kinetic inhibition constant (Ki) is 25 +/- 10 microM. A novel aspect of the mode of action of DPA is that complete inhibition is established without disturbing the interaction between the reduced [2Fe-2S]+ cluster and the QO site ubiquinone complement, as observed from the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectral line shape of the reduced [2Fe-2S] cluster, which remained characteristic of two ubiquinones being present. These observations imply that DPA is behaving as a noncompetitive inhibitor of the QO site. Nevertheless, at higher concentrations (>10 mM), DPA can interfere with the QO site ubiquinone occupancy, leading to a [2Fe-2S] cluster EPR spectrum characteristic of the presence of only one ubiquinone in the QO site. Evidently, DPA can displace the more weakly bound of the two ubiquinones in the site, but this is not requisite for its inhibiting action.

Wellness Wednesdays: Health Promotion and Service Learning on Campus

The Wellness Wednesdays program has shown itself to be an effective method for providing community-based service learning opportunities in a setting that is convenient for participants, students, and faculty. As the program continues to grow, it will provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with other health-related departments on campus. It also will provide a setting for faculty and student research in multiple areas related to management, health promotion, disease prevention, and health behavior motivation.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases in Oklahoma

Tick-borne diseases are common in Oklahoma, especially the eastern part of the state where tick prevalence is highest. Three species of hard ticks are present in Oklahoma that are known vectors of human disease--the American dog tick (Rocky Mountain spotted fever; RMSF), the lone star tick (ehrlichiosis) and the black-legged tick (Lyme disease). Oklahoma consistently ranks among the top states in numbers of reported RMSF cases, and Ehrlichiosis may be as prevalent as RMSF. Although Lyme disease is frequently reported in Oklahoma, over-diagnosing of this disease due to false-positive test results is common; positive or equivocal screening tests should be confirmed by Western immunoblot. At present, it is unclear whether the disease seen here is Lyme disease or another Lyme-like disease. If true Lyme disease is present in the state, it is probably rare. Physicians should be aware of the most recent recommendations for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of tick-borne diseases.

Differential sensory block: spinal vs epidural with lidocaine

PURPOSE

In this study we sought to determine if and when a difference exists with regards to differential sensory blockade between spinal and epidural anaesthesia using lidocaine.

METHODS

Ten healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive both spinal and epidural anaesthesia. Non-epinephrine containing solutions of lidocaine, 100 mg lidocaine 5% with 7.5% dextrose (spinal) and 600 mg lidocaine 2% (epidural), were used to establish sensory blockade. At five minute intervals, for a total of 65 min, the following sensory modalities were tested: anaesthesia (complete loss of sensation to pinprick), analgesia (loss of an equally sharp sensation to pinprick compared with that at an unblocked dermatome), cold sensation (complete loss of cold temperature discrimination).

RESULTS

At all times, except at time = 0 during spinal anaesthesia, the levels of analgesia and cold sensation were more cephalad than the level of anaesthesia for both spinal and epidural anaesthesia. Multiple comparison testing among the three dermatomal response levels showed that, during epidural anaesthesia, the level of analgesia was more cephalad than the level of cold sensation at the following times: 25 min, 30 min, and from 40 to 60 min. In contrast, the level of analgesia was not different from the level of cold sensation during spinal anaesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal and epidural anaesthesia with lidocaine produce a similar degree of differential sensory blockade. Epidural anaesthesia produces a detectable difference between the level of analgesia and cold sensation at various times, whereas spinal anaesthesia did not reliably do so in this study.

Effect of pH on the Elution of Model Antigens from Aluminum-Containing Adjuvants

The effect of adjusting the pH of a model ovalbumin (iep = 4.7) and aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (iep = 11.5) vaccine or a model lysozyme (iep = 11.4) and aluminum phosphate adjuvant (iep = 5.0) vaccine to values ranging from 3 to 11 was studied. The model vaccine prepared at pH 7.4 served as the reference. Additional adsorption of ovalbumin occurred in the pH range 7.4 to 4.1. Elution of ovalbumin occurred when the pH was adjusted to values above 7.4 or below 4.1. Maximum elution occurred at pH 2.9 and 11.0. Elution of lysozyme from aluminum phosphate adjuvant occurred when the pH was adjusted to any value other than the reference pH of 7.4. More lysozyme was eluted at pH 2.9 than at pH 11.0. The adsorption/elution behavior could be explained by the effect of pH on: (1) the ionization state of the protein, 2) the solubility of the adjuvant, and (3) the electrostatic interaction between the protein and adjuvant. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Elutability of Proteins from Aluminum-Containing Vaccine Adjuvants by Treatment with Surfactants

The elutability of proteins from adjuvants in model vaccines composed of ovalbumin adsorbed by aluminum hydroxide adjuvant or lysozyme adsorbed by aluminum phosphate adjuvant following treatment with surfactant solutions was studied. Nonionic (Triton X-100, lauryl maltoside), zwitterionic (lauryl sulfobetaine), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate), and cationic (cetylpyridinium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride) surfactants were investigated. Cetylpyridinium chloride produced the greatest degree of elution (60%) of ovalbumin from aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Sodium dodecyl sulfate completely eluted lysozyme from aluminum phosphate adjuvant. The effectiveness of surfactants in removing preadsorbed proteins was directly related to their ability to denature the protein. Micellar solubilization and electrostatic repulsion may also contribute to desorption. Copyright 1998 Academic Press. Copyright 1998Academic Press

Exploiting methyl groups as motional labels for structure analysis in solid polymers

We report results of magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear Overhauser experiments on solid polymers. Specifically, the focus of this work is to demonstrate that methyl groups provide unique motional labels in crystalline and amorphous materials that may be exploited to provide spatial information. The motivation for this work stems from the fact that recently developed techniques for distance determination in organic solids, e.g. REDOR and related spin-echo methods, typically require isotopic labelling. Comparison of heteronuclear MAS 13C-1H NOE growth rates for bis-phenol A (a crystalline organic solid), polycarbonate, chloral polycarbonate, polystyrene, poly(4-methylstyrene), and poly(alpha-methylstyrene) confirms that methyl groups are the only sources of cross-relaxation in these rigid polymers. The experiments are straightforward, and have the advantage that no isotopic labelling is required. In general, decreased growth rates and increased induction periods for carbons distant from methyl groups are observed. Critical analysis of the data suggests that the rates are sensitive to packing density, and we address the contribution of intrachain and interchain interactions to the observed rates. We expect that methyl-stimulated NOE's are general to all rigid solids, and that these experiments could prove useful for local structure characterization of polymers in cases where isotopic labelling is not practical.

Sympathetic block during spinal anesthesia in volunteers using lidocaine, tetracaine, and bupivacaine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Spinal anesthesia to high thoracic dermatomes is alleged to result in almost complete block of all sympathetic efferent nerves. To examine the degree of sympathectomy during spinal anesthesia, the sympathetic response to a cold pressor test (CPT) applied to unblocked dermatomes before and during spinal anesthesia was measured with use of three different local anesthetics.

METHODS

Twelve healthy volunteers were studied in a randomized and double-blind fashion on three separate occasions. In random order, each volunteer received approximately equipotent spinal doses of tetracaine 15 mg, bupivacaine 15 mg, and lidocaine 100 mg in hyperbaric solutions. Prior to and 30 minutes after spinal injection of local anesthetic, a CPT was applied for 2 minutes, and changes from baseline resting conditions in five physiologic variables were measured.

RESULTS

The CPT 1 given before anesthetic administration resulted in an increase in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, and plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine. Spinal anesthesia to a median level of T3 resulted in a decrease in mean arterial pressure by 10-12% but did not significantly decrease the other variables. Spinal anesthesia did not change the increase in heart rate or cardiac index in response to the second CPT, but the increase in mean arterial pressure was attenuated compared to the CPT before anesthesia. No increase in norepinephrine or epinephrine concentration was observed during the CPT given during spinal anesthesia. There was no significant relationship between level of analgesia and sympathetic response to stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric solutions of tetracaine 15 mg, bupivacaine 15 mg, and lidocaine 100 mg attenuated sympathetic function but did not produce complete sympathectomy. The effects were independent of the local anesthetic used.

In vivo absorption of aluminium-containing vaccine adjuvants using 26Al

Aluminium hydroxide (AH) and aluminium phosphate (AP) adjuvants, labelled with 26Al, were injected intramuscularly (i.m.) in New Zealand White rabbits. Blood and urine samples were collected for 28 days and analysed for 26Al using accelerator mass spectrometry to determine the absorption and elimination of AH and AP adjuvants. 26Al was present in the first blood sample (1 h) for both adjuvants. The area under the blood level curve for 28 days indicates that three times more aluminium was absorbed from AP adjuvant than AH adjuvant. The distribution profile of aluminium to tissues was the same for both adjuvants (kidney > spleen > liver > heart > lymph node > brain). This study has demonstrated that in vivo mechanisms are available to eliminate aluminium-containing adjuvants after i.m. administration. In addition, the pharmacokinetic profiles of AH and AP adjuvants are different.

Effect of sorbitol on the phosphate adsorptive capacity of ferrihydrite suspensions

The purpose of this study was to stabilize the phosphate adsorptive capacity of aqueous suspensions of ferrihydrite, a potential phosphate binder. Ferrihydrite was precipitated by the addition of 1 N NaOH to 1 M FeCl3 until pH 8.0 was reached. The ferrihydrite suspension was divided into three portions and an amount of sorbitol was added to produce sorbitol concentrations of 0, 1, or 5% w/v, respectively. The phosphate adsorptive capacity and X-ray diffraction pattern were periodically determined during aging at room temperature. The phosphate adsorptive capacity of the ferrihydrite suspension containing 0% sorbitol decreased steadily from 0.012 mgP/mg to 0.007 mgP/mg during the 1-year aging period. In contrast, suspensions containing 1 or 5% sorbitol exhibited constant phosphate adsorptive capacities during this period. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that ferrihydrite transformed to hematite and goethite during aging of the control suspension. The presence of 1 or 5% sorbitol prevented the transformation of ferrihydrite to more crystalline iron oxides. This study suggests that the phosphate adsorptive capacity of ferrihydrite suspensions can be stabilized by the incorporation of small amounts of sorbitol into the formulation.

Role of the electrostatic attractive force in the adsorption of proteins by aluminum hydroxide adjuvant

The fact that both aluminum hydroxide adjuvant and proteins have a pH dependent surface charge means that electrostatic forces play a role in the adsorption of proteins by aluminum hydroxide adjuvant during the preparation of vaccines. The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of the electrostatic attractive force in the adsorption of proteins by aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Since the surface charge characteristics of aluminum hydroxide adjuvant can be modified by the adsorption of phosphate anion, a series of aluminum hydroxide adjuvants were prepared by treatment with various concentrations of phosphate anion. The isoelectric points (iep) of these adjuvants ranged from 11.0 to 4.6 and the electrophoretic mobilities at pH 7.4 ranged from 2.0 to -3.3 microns cm/V s. The line broadening of the (020) band of the X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that treatment with phosphate anion did not change the primary crystallite dimension. Adsorption at pH 7.4 of positively charged lysozyme (iep = 11.1) was directly related to the negative surface charge of the adjuvant. No adsorption occurred when the surface charge was positive. In contrast, negatively charged ovalbumin (iep = 4.6) was adsorbed by all of the adjuvants at pH 7.4, although the adsorptive capacity was the greatest when the surface charge was positive. The results indicate that adsorptive forces in addition to the electrostatic attractive force play an important role in the adsorption of some proteins by aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. It is believed the structurally flexible proteins, like ovalbumin, exhibit more complex adsorption behavior than structurally rigid proteins, like lysozyme, for which adsorptive behavior can be explained by electrostatic forces.

The Effect of Humidity on the Physical and Chemical Stability of Spray-Dried Aluminum Hydroxycarbonate

The moisture sorption isotherm of amorphous spray-dried aluminum hydroxycarbonate (SDAHC) at 25°C revealed that moisture sorption increased sharply when the relative humidity exceeded 80%. The physical and chemical stability of SDAHC was studied for 1 year at 25°C and 0, 11, 54, 84, or 100% RH. The results were interpreted to reveal that two mechanisms affect the properties of SDAHC at 25°C. The sample stored at 0% RH did not exhibit any significant changes during the 1-year study period. The surface area and rate of acid neutralization decreased when samples were stored at 11 or 54% RH, but the material remained amorphous. This change is believed to be due to aggregation and cementation of particles. Much larger changes in surface area and the rate of acid neutralization occurred in the samples aged at 84 or 100% RH. Under these humidity conditions, polymorphic transformations occurred in addition to aggregation and cementation. X-ray diffraction indicated that microcrystalline boehmite was an intermediate phase. The stable polymorph was bayerite, which is believed to form due to the high surface pH produced by water sorption at 84 or 100% RH. The moisture sorption isotherm was useful in identifying the humidity conditions which resulted in high moisture sorption. Polymorphic transformations were only detected when the SDAHC was aged under these humidity conditions.

Treatment of aluminium hydroxide adjuvant to optimize the adsorption of basic proteins

Aluminium hydroxide adjuvant has an isoelectric point (i.e.p.) of ca 11 and is a good adsorbent for acidic proteins due to the contribution of electrostatic attractive forces. However, electrostatic repulsive forces reduce its ability to adsorb basic proteins. Pretreatment of aluminium hydroxide adjuvant with carefully selected concentrations of phosphate anion reduces the positive surface charge which exists at pH 7.4. Treatment with higher concentrations of phosphate anion produces a negative surface charge. The adsorption of lysozyme (i.e.p = 11.1) was found to be directly related to the concentration of phosphate anion used to pretreat the aluminium hydroxide adjuvant.