Effect of NSAID on Muscle Injury and Oxidative Stress

Indirect markers of muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness were examined and correlated to changes in oxidative stress, plasma antioxidant potential, and use or nonuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 60 ultra-marathoners following the Western States Endurance Run. Blood was collected prior to and immediately following the race and analyzed for muscle damage by creatine phosphokinase and oxidative stress by F (2)-isoprostanes, protein carbonyls, and lipid hydroperoxides and antioxidant potential by the ferric reducing ability of plasma. Subjects recorded delayed onset muscle soreness during the week following the race. Lipid hydroperoxide concentrations were unchanged, but F (2)-isoprostanes, protein carbonyls, ferric reducing ability of plasma, creatine phosphokinase, and delayed onset muscle soreness increased significantly postrace. Protein carbonyls were significantly higher postrace in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users versus nonusers (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference between users and non-users for all other markers. Postrace creatine phosphokinase concentrations were not correlated with oxidative stress markers but were correlated with changes in delayed onset muscle soreness. Based upon these findings, caution should be used when consuming nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during ultra distance events.

Elevation of osteopontin levels in brain tumor cells reduces burden and promotes survival through the inhibition of cell dispersal

Osteopontin (OPN) is a pleotrophic molecule that has been associated with multiple disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Its roles in CNS malignancy are unclear but suggest that higher levels of OPN expression correlate with increased tumor grade and increased migratory capacity of tumor cells. In this study OPN cDNA was cloned into a retroviral vector and used to infect F98 Fischer rat-derived glioma cells and U87 human-derived glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells in vitro. Cells expressing high levels of OPN migrated less distance than control cells in vitro. This effect was not RGD mediated, but was reversed in the presence of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor suggesting that JNK1 is an essential component of a negative feedback loop affecting OPN activated signaling cascades. Implantation of tumor cells expressing high levels of OPN into adult Fischer rats and nude rats resulted in morphologically distinct tumors and prolonged host survival relative to controls. We propose that local produced, high level OPN expression limits the malignant character of glioma cells and that the downstream mechanisms involved represent pathways that may have therapeutic value in the treatment of human CNS malignancy.

Carbohydrate effect: hormone and oxidative changes

Carbohydrate administration during exercise diminishes stress hormone release, but the relationship of these hormones with oxidative stress has not been examined. Fifteen subjects functioned as their own controls and ingested carbohydrate (6 %) or placebo in a randomized design while cycling for 2.5-h ( approximately 75 % V.O (2peak)). Blood and skeletal muscle samples were collected 30 min pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 12-h post-exercise and analyzed for F (2)-isoprostanes, ferric reducing ability of plasma, glucose, insulin, cortisol, epinephrine, and muscle glycogen, respectively. Statistical design was a 2 (treatment) x 3 (time) repeated measures analysis of variance. Glucose, insulin, and ferric reducing ability of plasma were significantly higher and F (2)-isoprostanes, cortisol, and epinephrine significantly lower in carbohydrate versus placebo. The decrease in muscle glycogen was not different. During cycling exercise, oxidative stress appears to be heavily influenced by carbohydrate ingestion and increased stress hormones.

Levetiracetam in pregnancy: Preliminary experience from the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register

It is not known whether the antiepileptic drug (AED) levetiracetam can be used safely in human pregnancy. As part of a study to determine the risks of major congenital malformations (MCMs) for infants exposed to AEDs in utero, we identified all cases exposed to levetiracetam. Three of 117 exposed pregnancies had an MCM (2.7%; 95% CI 0.9% to 7.7%); all 3 were exposed to other AEDs.

Malformation risks of antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy: a prospective study from the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relative risk of major congenital malformation (MCM) from in utero exposure to antiepileptic drug (AEDs).

METHODS

Prospective data collected by the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register were analysed. The presence of MCMs recorded within the first three months of life was the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

Full outcome data were collected on 3607 cases. The overall MCM rate for all AED exposed cases was 4.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), 3.6% to 5.0%). The MCM rate was higher for polytherapy (6.0%) (n = 770) than for monotherapy (3.7%) (n = 2598) (crude odds ratio (OR) = 1.63 (p = 0.010), adjusted OR = 1.83 (p = 0.002)). The MCM rate for women with epilepsy who had not taken AEDs during pregnancy (n = 239) was 3.5% (1.8% to 6.8%). The MCM rate was greater for pregnancies exposed only to valproate (6.2% (95% CI, 4.6% to 8.2%) than only to carbamazepine (2.2% (1.4% to 3.4%) (OR = 2.78 (p<0.001); adjusted OR = 2.97 (p<0.001)). There were fewer MCMs for pregnancies exposed only to lamotrigine than only to valproate. A positive dose response for MCMs was found for lamotrigine (p = 0.006). Polytherapy combinations containing valproate carried a higher risk of MCM than combinations not containing valproate (OR = 2.49 (1.31 to 4.70)).

CONCLUSIONS

Only 4.2% of live births to women with epilepsy had an MCM. The MCM rate for polytherapy exposure was greater than for monotherapy exposure. Polytherapy regimens containing valproate had significantly more MCMs than those not containing valproate. For monotherapy exposures, carbamazepine was associated with the lowest risk of MCM.

Cerebroventricular infusion of pentosan polysulphate in human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy believed to be caused by the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent, an abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP(sc)). At present there is no specific or effective treatment available for any form of CJD. Pentosan polysulphate (PPS), a large polyglycoside molecule with weak heparin-like activity, has been shown to prolong the incubation period of the intracerebral infection when administered to the cerebral ventricles in a rodent scrapie model. PPS also prevents the production of further PrP(sc) in cell culture models. These properties of PPS prompted its cerebroventricular administration in a young man with vCJD. Long-term continuous infusion of PPS at a dose of 11 microg/kg/day for 18 months did not cause drug-related side effects. Follow-up CT scans demonstrated progressive brain atrophy during PPS administration. Further basic and clinical research is needed in order to address the issue of efficacy of PPS in vCJD and in other prion diseases.

Docosahexaenoic acid restores endothelial function in children with hyperlipidemia: results from the EARLY study

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether the National Cholesterol Education Program Step II (NCEP-II) diet or supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with the diet, affects endothelial function in children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) or the phenotype of familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH). As secondary endpoints, the influence of diet and DHA supplementation on lipid profiles as well as biomarkers for oxidative stress and inflammation, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, were all evaluated.

METHODS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study design, 20 children (ages 9-19 years) with FH (n = 12) and FCH (n = 8) received nutritional counseling based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Step II (NCEP-II) and food guide pyramid dietary guidelines for 6 weeks. They were then randomly assigned to supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 1.2 g/d) or placebo for 6 weeks, followed by a washout phase of 6 weeks and crossover phase of 6 weeks while continuing the NCEP-II diet. Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was determined by high-resolution ultrasound. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein classes (LDL, HDL, VLDL) were measured by ultracentrifugation and enzymatic methods, plasma F2 isoprostanes by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, urinary 8-OH-2' deoxyguanosine by liquid chromatography, high sensitivity C-reactive protein by immunonephelometry and ADMA by liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

FMD increased significantly after DHA supplementation compared to baseline (p < 0.001), diet alone (p < 0.002), placebo (p < 0.012) and washout (p < 0.001) phases of the study without affecting biomarkers for oxidative stress, inflammation or ADMA. DHA supplementation was associated with increased levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.01), LDL- and HDL cholesterol concentrations (p < 0.001) compared to the NCEP-II diet.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that DHA supplementation restores endothelial-dependent FMD in hyperlipidemic children. The endothelium may thus be a therapeutic target for DHA. This is consistent with a hypothesis of increasing NO bioavailability, with the potential for preventing the progression of early coronary heart disease in high-risk children.

Effect of endotoxin on oleic acid lung injury does not depend on priming

Recent studies have demonstrated significant synergistic physiological and biochemical effects between low-dose endotoxin (Etx) administration and oleic acid (OA)-induced canine lung injury. To evaluate whether this interaction depends on Etx priming of some key cell population, we compared the effects of giving low-dose Etx both after as well as before inducing lung injury with OA. In addition to hemodynamic and blood-gas measurements, positron emission tomographic imaging was used to measure edema accumulation and intrapulmonary blood flow distribution. Biochemical measurements of the stable metabolites of prostacyclin and thromboxane were obtained as well as measurements of isoprostanes and reactive sulfhydryls as evidence for possible concomitant oxidant production. We found that the physiological and biochemical effects of low-dose Etx developed 30-45 min after its administration, regardless of whether Etx was administered before or after OA. No increase in either isoprostane or reactive sulfhydryl production after Etx and/or OA was detected. These data suggest that the synergistic effect of low-dose Etx and OA-induced lung injury is not due to a priming effect of Etx.

A new recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C for healthy young women

The recently released Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin C for women, 75 mg daily, was based on data for men. We now report results of a depletion-repletion study with healthy young women hospitalized for 186 +/- 28 days, using vitamin C doses of 30-2,500 mg daily. The relationship between dose and steady-state plasma concentration was sigmoidal. Only doses above 100 mg were beyond the linear portion of the curve. Plasma and circulating cells saturated at 400 mg daily, with urinary elimination of higher doses. Biomarkers of endogenous oxidant stress, plasma and urine F(2)-isoprostanes, and urine levels of a major metabolite of F(2)-isoprostanes were unchanged by vitamin C at all doses, suggesting this vitamin does not alter endogenous lipid peroxidation in healthy young women. By using Food and Nutrition Board guidelines, the data indicate that the Recommended Dietary Allowance for young women should be increased to 90 mg daily.

A phase I study of vitamin E, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for advanced malignancies

Six patients with incurable malignancies were originally treated with vitamin E, 3200 IU/day for fourteen days, followed by the same dose of vitamin E daily plus LCV (20 mg/m2 i.v. bolus daily x 5) with 5FU (425 mg/m2 i.v. bolus immediately following LCV). The same schedule of LCV and 5FU was repeated 4 weeks later, then every 5 weeks indefinitely. When 3 of the first 6 had grade 3/4 toxicity, six more patients were treated on the identical drugs and schedule. Seven of twelve total patients had one or more grade 3/4 toxicities. Neutropenia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea were most common. No patient had a documented response, though seven patients did have stable disease. Though the combination of vitamin E and chemotherapy was toxic, this trial demonstrated maximal therapeutic doses of vitamin E can be combined with standard 5FU and LCV, without significantly increasing the side effects of the chemotherapy itself.

Effect of 6 weeks of vitamin E administration on renal haemodynamic alterations following a single dose of neoral in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND

A single oral dose of cyclosporin-A (CsA) transiently reduces renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in transplant patients and, in some patients, chronic administration of CsA leads to renal impairment and fibrosis. Based on experimental studies, several mediators including free radicals have been proposed to account for CsA-nephrotoxicity. We have previously reported that administration of the antioxidant vitamin E in a rat model of chronic CsA-nephrotoxicity reduces renal fibrosis and maintains renal function.

METHODS

In the present study, the effect on renal haemodynamics of a single dose of the new oral formulation of CsA (neoral) was assessed before and after 6 weeks of vitamin E (800 IU/day, 2-fold increase in serum vitamin E). GFR (inulin clearance) and RPF (para-amino hippuric acid clearance) were measured before and after a single dose of 5 mg/kg of neoral in 12 healthy subjects under standardised conditions.

RESULTS

Although the mean area under the curve of the CsA levels was 21% lower after the vitamin E period, the peak CsA level at 120 min after neoral was similar both before and after vitamin E administration. At 120 min after neoral, a transient reduction in RPF and GFR was noted both before and after vitamin E administration. The nadir of the reductions in RPF (-81 +/-27 ml/min) and GFR (-14 +/- 6 ml/min) at 120 min compared with baseline tended to be lower before than after the treatment with vitamin E (-51 +/- 33 ml/min of RPF and -12 +/- 8, ml/min of GFR, respectively). Plasma and urine levels of F2-isoprostanes (free radical-catalysed vasoconstrictive prostanoids (F2-iso) at 120 min after the administration of neoral were not different from the pre-neoral levels.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrate that a single oral dose of neoral causes transient, yet significant, reductions in RPF and GFR, and suggest that F2-iso might not be involved in the CsA-induced acute renal vasoconstriction. The tendency for a lower reduction in RPF and GFR following CsA during the vitamin E period in healthy humans warrants additional studies in transplant patients.

Close genetic similarity between two sympatric species of tephritid fruit fly reproductively isolated by mating time

Two sibling species of tephritid fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni and B. neohumeralis, occur sympatrically throughout the range of B. neohumeralis in Australia. Isolation between the two species appears to be maintained by a difference in mating time: B. tryoni mates at dusk, whereas B. neohumeralis mates during the middle of the day. A morphological difference in humeral callus color also distinguishes the two species. Despite clear phenotypic evidence that B. tryoni and B. neohumeralis are distinct species, genetic differentiation as measured by four markers--nuclear DNA sequences from the white gene and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS2), and mitochondrial DNA sequences from the cytochrome b (cytb) and cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) genes--is very small. Minor fixed differences occur in the ITS2 sequence, however, in all other cases the two species exhibit a high level of shared polymorphic variation. The close genetic similarity suggests either that speciation has occurred very rapidly and recently in the absence of any mitochondrial DNA sorting or that the sharing of polymorphisms is due to hybridization or introgression. A third species within the tryoni complex, B. aquilonis, is geographically isolated. Bactrocera aquilonis is also genetically very similar, but in this case there is clear differentiation for the mitochondrial loci. The three species form a group of considerable interest for investigation of speciation mechanisms.

STAT: a saccharide topology analysis tool used in combination with tandem mass spectrometry

Sequential stages of mass spectrometry (MSn) have the potential to provide a great deal of structural information in glycan analysis. The saccharide topology analysis tool (STAT) presented here is a Web-based computational program that can quickly extract sequence information from a set of MSn spectra for an oligosaccharide of up to 10 residues. After information such as precursor ion mass, possible monosaccharide moieties, charge carrier, and product ion mass has been input, all possible connectivities are generated and evaluated against the MSn data. The list of possible structures is given a rating based on the likelihood that it is the correct sequence. Examples are given to demonstrate the feasibility of applying STAT to MSn data generated from bacterial lipooligosaccharides and an N-linked glycan. The major advantage of STAT is that the list of possible structures is generated quickly and the rating system pushes the more likely structures to the top of the list. Combining the data generated by STAT with data on the branching patterns of the glycan serves to eliminate all but a handful of structures. These remaining structures could then be used to guide further structural analysis.