Dietary fish oil supplementation alters LTB4:LTB5 ratios but does not affect the expression of acute graft versus host disease in mice

One of the mechanisms by which corticosteroids may modify acute graft vs host disease (GvHD) is via inhibition of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a product of that pathway which may take part in the pathogenesis of GvHD through the stimulation of T-lymphopoiesis and T-lymphocyte activation. LTB4 is a metabolite of AA (20:4n-6). Alternate dietary sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), specifically eicosapenteinoic acid (20:5n-3) (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) (DHA), shift the LTs formed with a decrease in LTB4 an increase in LTB5. LTB5 is a less potent agonist than LTB4 and this results in a theoretical decrease of LTB4 mediated events. Supplementation of in vitro bone marrow cultures with EPA or DHA had no detrimental effect on myeloid colony formation. Dietary EPA/DHA supplementation in mice with induced GvHD appeared to be safe and well tolerated. The LTB4:LTB5 ratio shifted from 7.65 +/- 1.75 in control-fed animals to 1.03 +/- 0.18. Fish-oil-supplementation did not compromise engraftment or stem cell content. Alone, this therapy was unable to modify GvHD.

Effect of low intravaginal doses of prostaglandin E2 on the closure time of the ductus arteriosus in term newborn infants

Seventeen term newborn infants (control subjects) and 17 whose mothers had been given intravaginal doses of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were examined serially by color Doppler echocardiography to determine whether maternal PGE2 prolonged ductal patency. No clinically relevant differences in closure times were found. Low-dose intravaginal PGE2 therapy was not associated with prolonged ductal patency in term infants.

Hematopoietic growth factor induction of gamma-glutamyl transferase in the KG-1 myeloid cell line

The enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a multifunctional enzyme that participates in a number of metabolic processes, including the conversion of leukotriene C4(LTC4) to leukotriene D4(LTD4). LTD4 is necessary for normal myeloid proliferation and differentiation. We have examined the ability of hematopoietic growth factors (HGF) to induce GGT enzyme activity and mRNA content in a HGF-responsive cell line (KG-1). Incubation of KG-1 with recombinant human cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), but not interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or monocyte colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), results in significant increases in GGT enzyme activity. The increases in GGT activity are both dose- and time-dependent. In response to IL-1, increases in enzyme activity are seen by 6 hours and activity is maximal by 24 hours. GGT mRNA increases also occur and peak by 3 to 6 hours. These results indicate that induction of increases in GGT mRNA levels and enzyme activity occur in myeloid cells in response to HGFs. This induction, together with the requirement for LTD4 for normal granulopoiesis, supports a role for GGT in the cellular events occurring in myeloid cells in response to HGFs.

Patterns of uterine activity after intravaginal prostaglandin E2 during preinduction cervical ripening

In a randomized study, uterine activity patterns were characterized with a portable pressure-sensitive device in 40 nonlaboring women at term with an unfavorable cervix who were undergoing preinduction cervical ripening with prostaglandin E2. The prostaglandin E2 was inserted into the posterior vaginal fornix as a single dose of either a 2.5 mg methylcellulose gel (20 cases) or 10 mg controlled-release pessary (20 cases). Uterine activity monitoring began 1 hour before dosing and continued for 12 hours. For those treated with the gel, low-amplitude, high-frequency contractions began within the first hour, reached a peak within 4 hours, and initiated sustained high-amplitude contractions in 10 (50%) cases. With the controlled-release pessary, low-amplitude, high-frequency contractions had a slightly later onset, reached a peak between the fifth and eighth hours, and initiated sustained high-amplitude contractions in 18 (80%) cases. Uterine hyperstimulation occurred in two (10%) pessary cases, with no adverse effect after removal. We conclude that low-amplitude, high-frequency uterine contractions began with either method of intravaginal prostaglandin E2 delivery but led to sustained, high-amplitude contractions primarily with the pessary.

Histochemical quantitation of gamma-glutamyl transferase in human leukemia cell lines

The enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) is involved in many biochemical systems, including the signal transduction of hematopoietic growth factors. Standard colorimetric gamma-GT assays require larger cell numbers than may be obtainable in many cases, such as with highly purified stem-cell populations. To study gamma-GT expression in limited populations, we used a histochemical stain to analyze gamma-GT semiquantitatively in cells of hematopoietic origin. Several human leukemic cell lines, including one with inducible increases in gamma-GT, were stained for gamma-GT and graded 0 through 4+ for the amount of positive granules. The gamma-GT activity demonstrated by this stain was found to be directly proportional to the gamma-GT activity obtained with a colorimetric assay and could be used to calculate approximate gamma-GT activity. This stain therefore provides a useful method for determining gamma-GT activity when limited cell numbers are available.

Regulation of HL-60 differentiation by lipoxygenase pathway metabolites in vitro

We have studied the effects of lipoxygenase inhibition and metabolite addition of HL-60 cells induced to differentiate. When HL-60 are induced by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the presence of an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, caffeic acid, there is a marked change from the expected phenotype of mature granulocytes to a population composed predominantly of mature monocytes. (DMSO alone: 54% granulocytes, 10% monocytes; DMSO + caffeic acid: 23% granulocytes, 53% monocytes.) Addition of leukotriene D4 to DMSO-induced, caffeic acid-inhibited cultures resulted in a dose-dependent recovery of the granulocyte phenotype. Addition of lipoxygenase inhibitors to phorbol ester-treated HL-60 cells did not alter the expected monocytic differentiation. These results support a role for leukotriene D4 in the regulation of granulocyte differentiation of HL-60 cells induced with DMSO.

Flecainide excretion in human breast milk

Healthy human volunteers who intended not to breast feed were placed on a regimen of 100 mg oral flecainide every 12 hours for 5 1/2 days beginning 1 day after parturition. Milk and blood samples were collected during the dosing period and for 2 days after the last dose. Concentrations of flecainide in milk and plasma were assayed by HPLC. Apparent steady-state levels of flecainide in both milk and plasma were achieved in most cases by day 4 of the study. Highest daily average concentration of flecainide in milk ranged from 270 to 1529 ng/ml for the 11 subjects. Mean +/- SD milk to plasma flecainide ratios were 3.7 +/- 3.5, 3.2 +/- 2.3, 3.5 +/- 2.1, and 2.6 +/- 0.7 on study days 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. After the last dose of flecainide, peak milk levels of the drug occurred at 3 to 6 hours and then declined monoexponentially. The half-life for elimination of flecainide from milk was 14.7 +/- 3.5 hours and is very similar to the plasma elimination half-life of flecainide in healthy human subjects. The mean milk to plasma ratios for flecainide after the last dose were 2.3 +/- 1.0 and 2.9 +/- 1.1 at 24 and 48 hours after the dose, respectively. Based on the pharmacokinetics of flecainide in infants, the expected average steady-state plasma concentration of flecainide in a newborn infant consuming all of the milk production of its mother (approximately 700 ml/day) would not be expected to exceed about 62 ng/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Oocyte recovery, maturation and fertilization in vitro in the puma (Felis concolor)

Eight female pumas were treated i.m. with 1000 (N = 5) or 2000 (N = 3) i.u. PMSG followed 84 h later by 800 i.u. hCG. Eggs were recovered 24-26 h after hCG from ovarian follicles by using laparoscopy and transabdominal aspiration. Mature eggs were inseminated in vitro 4-6 h later whereas immature eggs were cultured for 24 h and then inseminated. Electroejaculates from 3 pumas were diluted with mKRB before insemination to evaluate the influence of sperm concentration on fertilization. Seven of 8 pumas responded with follicle development, and 140 eggs were recovered from 145 follicles (96.6%; 77 mature, 43 immature, 20 degenerate eggs; mean +/- s.e.m., 20.0 +/- 5.9 eggs/female). Overall fertilization rate was 43.5% (total eggs fertilized = 40) despite using inseminates containing 82-99% pleiomorphic spermatozoa. Of the 36 immature oocytes matured in vitro and inseminated, 12 were fertilized even though 50% of the inseminating spermatozoa contained an acrosomal defect. Fertilization rate of mature oocytes collected from follicles appeared unrelated (P greater than 0.05) to PMSG dose or number of spermatozoa/inseminate. This study demonstrates that a high proportion of follicular eggs can be recovered laparoscopically from adult pumas treated with PMSG and hCG. These gametes are capable of being fertilized in vitro (immediately or after maturation in vitro) even with low quality semen with a high incidence of sperm pleiomorphisms.

In vitro fertilization of gonadotropin-stimulated leopard cat (Felis bengalensis) follicular oocytes

Based on techniques developed for the domestic cat, in vitro fertilization (IVF) studies were conducted in the taxonomically related leopard cat (Felis bengalensis). Adult females received pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG) followed 80 or 84 h later by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on two to four occasions over a 40-day to 27-month interval. Oocytes were collected laparoscopically from ovarian follicles 25-27 h after hCG and co-cultured with processed, homologous spermatozoa (37 degrees C, 5% CO2 in air, humidified atmosphere) for 30-36 h. There was no apparent ovarian refractoriness to repeated treatments with exogenous gonadotropins. Overall, the mean number of mature follicles present and the total number of oocytes and proportion of immature oocytes collected did not differ (P greater than 0.05) between the 80 h (4.9 +/- 0.9; 4.7 +/- 1.2; 14.9%, respectively) and 84 h (5.6 +/- 1.4; 5.4 +/- 1.7; 22.2%, respectively) gonadotropin interval groups. However, the proportion of mature leopard cat oocytes fertilized in vitro, as determined by embryonic cleavage, was increased (P less than 0.005) by extending the interval between PMSG and hCG from 80 (17.5%) to 84 (52.4%) h. These data 1) demonstrate that, compared to the domestic cat, the ovaries of the leopard cat are less responsive to a given PMSG/hCG treatment; 2) indicate that leopard cat follicular oocytes can be recovered readily by laparoscopy and are capable of becoming fertilized in vitro; and 3) suggest that IVF may be a viable approach for producing embryos and perhaps enhancing captive propagation of rare Felidae.

Mating-type control in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: isolation and characterization of mutants defective in repression by a1-alpha 2

The alpha 2 protein, the product of the MAT alpha 2 cistron, represses various genes specific to the a mating type (alpha 2 repression), and when combined with the MATa1 gene product, it represses MAT alpha 1 and various haploid-specific genes (a1-alpha 2 repression). One target of a1-alpha 2 repression is RME1, which is a negative regulator of a/alpha-specific genes. We have isolated 13 recessive mutants whose a1-alpha 2 repression is defective but which retain alpha 2 repression in a genetic background of ho MATa HML alpha HMRa sir3 or ho MAT alpha HMRa HMRa sir3. These mutations can be divided into three different classes. One class contains a missense mutation, designated hml alpha 2-102, in the alpha 2 cistron of HML, and another class contains two mat alpha 2-202, in the MAT alpha locus. These three mutants each have an amino acid substitution of tyrosine or acid substitution of tyrosine or phenylalanine for cysteine at the 33rd codon from the translation initiation codon in the alpha 2 cistron of HML alpha or MAT alpha. The remaining 10 mutants make up the third class and form a single complementation group, having mutations designated aar1 (a1-alpha 2 repression), at a gene other than MAT, HML, HMR, RME1, or the four SIR genes. Although a diploid cell homozygous for the aarl and sir3 mutations and for the MATa, HML alpha, and HMRa alleles showed alpha mating type, it could sporulate and gave rise to asci containing four alpha mating-type spores. These facts indicate that the domain for alpha2 repression is separable from that for a1-alpha2 protein interaction or complex formation in the alpha2 protein and that an additional regulation gene, AAR1, is associated with the a1-alpha2 repression of the alpha1 cistron and haploid-specific genes.

Thermal stress reduces serum luteinizing hormone and bioassayable hypothalamic content of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in hens

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of acute (24 h) thermal stress on anterior pituitary function in hens. Circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured and the ability of the pituitary to respond to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) challenge was determined. Moreover, bioassayable hypothalamic LHRH content was assessed by using dispersed anterior pituitary cells. In two separate experiments, circulating levels of LH were reduced in hens exposed to acute thermal stress (35 degrees C). Injection of LHRH did not result in significant differences in release of LH between normothermic and hyperthermic hens. However, the hypothalamic content of bioassayable hypothalamic releasing activity from hyperthermic hens were significantly reduced compared with normothermic hens. Taken together, these data suggest that the reproductive decline in the acutely heat-stressed hen is mediated by reduced LH releasing ability of the hypothalamus.

The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interaction between single doses of flecainide acetate and verapamil: effects on cardiac function and drug clearance

Flecainide and verapamil are antiarrhythmic agents that may be used in combination. We have examined their pharmacodynamic interaction by M-mode echocardiography and electrocardiography in eight normal male volunteers (24 +/- 1.8 years of age). Flecainide decreased the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (-4.4 +/- 1.2%, p less than 0.008), but verapamil did not. Neither drug affected cardiac output or vascular resistance. Both drugs increased the PR interval (12 +/- 4 msec, p less than 0.01 for flecainide; 12 +/- 5, p less than 0.04 for verapamil). Flecainide, but not verapamil, increased the QTc interval (23 +/- 8 msec, p less than 0.02). Both drugs also increased the systolic time interval ratio (PEPc/LVETc) (0.074 +/- 0.012, p less than 0.0004 for flecainide; 0.029 +/- 0.008, p less than 0.007 for verapamil). The combination of flecainide and verapamil had additive effects on myocardial contractility and on atrioventricular conduction. Verapamil slightly decreased the plasma clearance of flecainide (7.78 +/- 0.60 ml/kg/min for flecainide alone, 7.34 +/- 0.48 ml/kg/min for flecainide and verapamil together, p less than 0.05). On the other hand, flecainide had no effect on the plasma clearance of verapamil, which suggests that there was little interaction between the two drugs on their pharmacokinetic parameters.

Effects of lipoxygenase and glutathione pathway inhibitors on leukemic cell line growth

We have examined the effects of various inhibitors of the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism on the growth of three well-characterized human leukemia cell lines, HL-60, K-562, and KG-1. An intact lipoxygenase pathway, and the synthesis of leukotriene C4 (LTC4), which requires reduced glutathione, is essential for in vitro growth of normal myeloid progenitors (CFU-GM). We tested the effects of nordihydroguiaretic acid (NDGA) and caffeic acid (CA), inhibitors of lipoxygenase; buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), which inhibits glutathione synthesis; and Acivicin, a glutamine antagonist, on these cell lines and compared the effects with those seen on CFU-GM. In semisolid culture, all three cell lines were inhibited by NDGA, CA, and BSO in a dose-dependent manner similar to that in CFU-GM but were relatively resistant to Acivicin. In liquid culture, all three cell lines exhibited relative resistance to inhibition by both BSO and Acivicin, with KG-1 also demonstrating relative resistance to inhibition by NDGA and CA. The inhibition of HL-60 by CA could be completely reversed by the addition of exogenous leukotriene D4. The dependence on the lipoxygenase pathway may be altered to varying degrees in different leukemic lines and may depend on culture conditions. Whether these changes may contribute to the pathogenesis of leukemia or merely represent secondary metabolic changes is yet to be determined.

Regulation of T-lymphopoiesis by arachidonic acid metabolites

The cloning efficiency of T-lymphocyte progenitor cells (CFU-T) is dependent on mononuclear cell concentration, with a triphasic growth curve. At low plating cell concentrations, hydrocortisone causes a dose-dependent decrease in cloning efficiency, whereas at high cell concentrations hydrocortisone causes increased cloning efficiency. To determine if the biphasic effects of hydrocortisone are through its inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism, we tested the effects of various arachidonic acid metabolism inhibitors on cloning efficiency. Indomethacin, which inhibits cyclooxygenase, has no effect at low cell plating doses, but increases cloning efficiency at high cell doses. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) causes a dose-dependent inhibition of cloning efficiency at all cell doses. Caffeic acid, an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, causes a dose-dependent inhibition of CFU-T, particularly at lower cell concentrations. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) restored caffeic acid-inhibited growth, as did addition of recombinant interleukins 1 and 2 (IL-1 and IL-2). These results support a regulatory role for arachidonic acid metabolites in T-lymphopoiesis. PGE2, a cyclooxygenase product, is inhibitory, whereas LTB4, a lipoxygenase product, is stimulatory through its role in IL-1 synthesis.

Flecainide pharmacokinetics after multiple dosing in patients with impaired renal function

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the pharmacokinetics of oral flecainide acetate after single and multiple doses in patients with impaired renal function.

DESIGN

Paired study of single followed by multiple oral doses.

SETTING

PATIENTS enrolled in a Veterans Administration Hospital renal subspecialty clinic and dialysis unit.

PATIENTS

Twenty men and one woman between the ages of 33 and 74 years with impaired renal function including ten patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients received a single, oral, 200-mg dose of flecainide acetate followed by sequential venous blood sampling. Seven to 14 days after the single-dose study, each patient received 100 mg of flecainide acetate by mouth every 12 hours or every 24 hours for 10 days. Venous blood samples were drawn periodically during multiple dosing and sequentially after the last dose. Measurements and primary results: Peak flecainide acetate concentrations (micrograms/L) were 330 +/- 104 micrograms/L (mean +/- SD) after the single dose and 687 +/- 505 micrograms/L after multiple doses. Time to peak occurred at 3.3 +/- 2.3 hours and 2.7 +/- 1.2 hours after single and multiple doses, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution was 8.2 +/- 2.9 L/kg and 9.2 +/- 5 L/kg after single and multiple dose studies, respectively. Plasma elimination half-life after the single dose (20.4 +/- 9.0 hours) was significantly shorter (P less than .001) than after multiple doses (37.8 +/- 39.7 hours), as was total body clearance: 391 +/- 154 mL/min versus 302 +/- 194 mL/min. There were no statistically significant differences between pharmacokinetic measurements determined for patients on chronic hemodialysis when compared with nondialysis patients during the multiple-dose study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in abdominal, pelvic, and prostatic surgery

The literature on use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) for prophylaxis in abdominal, pelvic, and prostatic surgery is meager. There is some evidence that TMP-SMZ may be effective prophylactically in biliary surgery (in patients with functioning gall bladders). Further study is needed to clarify the mixed results seen in prostatic and pelvic surgery. An evaluation was made of the effectiveness of TMP-SMZ in the prevention of endomyometritis following cesarean section in 206 women who were comparable in terms of risk factors. Among patients given a placebo, a total of 44 infections (42%) occurred, whereas among those given TMP-SMZ prophylaxis, 22 infections (22%) occurred, a statistically significant difference (P = .037, chi 2). The rate of endomyometritis among placebo recipients was 33%, as contrasted with one of 19% in those given TMP-SMZ (P = .02, chi 2). Prophylactic treatment resulted in lower rates of endomyometritis in both high- and low-risk women, but the results reached statistical significance only among high-risk patients. In essence, prophylaxis changed high-risk patients into low-risk patients.

Evidence for the role of leukotrienes C4 and D4 as essential intermediates in CSF-stimulated human myeloid colony formation

Products of the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid have been shown to induce a variety of effects on cells of myeloid lineage. Colony-stimulating factor causes release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes, which then undergoes oxygenation via the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and 3-amino-1-[m(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-2-pyrazoline (BW 755C), compounds that inhibit both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, cause dose-dependent inhibition of CSF-induced human granulocyte-monocyte colony formation in vitro, with complete inhibition at 20 and 50 microM, respectively. Indomethacin, which inhibits cyclooxygenase but not lipoxygenase, has no effect on colony growth at 50 microM, which is well in excess of the dose needed for complete inhibition of cyclooxygenase. Leukotrienes (LTs) C4 and D4 (5-100 ng/ml) reverse NDGA inhibition of colony growth. At similar concentrations, neither leukotriene B4 or 5-HETE caused reversal of NDGA inhibition. These results support a role for LTC4 and LTD4 as essential intermediates in CSF-stimulated myeloid colony formation.

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitation of a meta-O-dealkylated metabolite of flecainide acetate, a new antiarrhythmic

A simple, sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed to analyze meta-O-dealkylated flecainide, a major metabolite of flecainide acetate, in human biological fluids. Sample preparation is accomplished through the use of bonded-phase extraction columns and the samples are chromatographed on a reversed-phase system with fluorescence detection. An external calibration method is used for quantitation and the inter-day and intra-day precision and accuracy are good. The method has been used to determine metabolite levels in samples from healthy subjects and patients with arrhythmias or renal impairment.

Identification and comparison of two sequence elements that confer cell-type specific transcription in yeast

The MAT alpha 2 protein of budding yeast represses a set of genes; if the MATa1 protein is also present, a further set of genes is repressed. DNA sequence comparisons reveal a 20-base pair 'operator' sequence that is present in genes repressed by a1/alpha 2. A related, but distinct, sequence is found in genes repressed by alpha 2 alone.

Role of DNA replication in the repression of silent mating type loci in yeast

A putative origin of DNA replication is associated with the DNA sequences necessary for the repression of silent mating type loci in yeast. These sequences lie about a kilobase away from the affected promoters, so the repression must act at a distance. We show here that DNA replication is required for the onset of repression.

Quantitation of flecainide acetate, a new antiarrhythmic agent, in biological fluids by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

A sensitive and selective gas chromatographic (GC) method for the quantitation of flecainide acetate, a new antiarrhythmic agent, was developed. The unchanged drug and internal standard were separated from biological fluids by a sequence of solvent extractions and then the drug was derivatized. The pentafluorobenzamide derivatives were chromatographed on a 3% SP-2250 glass column and detected with a nickel-63 electron-capture detector. By this method, greater than or equal to 12.5 ng of flecainide/mL can be quantitated in a 1-mL sample of plasma, saliva, or urine. The intraday precision, expressed as the RSD, at plasma levels of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 600 ng/mL was 3.4, 6.2, 5.3, 6.4, 1.0, 1.6, 2.0, and 0.5%, respectively; the accuracy, expressed as relative error at these levels was -24.6, -6.9, -6.0, +0.6, +3.8, -0.3, +2.4, and -1.4%, respectively. The interday precision at these levels was 13.8, 13.0, 5.7, 7.6, 8.3, 6.1, 9.0, and 5.4%, respectively. Several other antiarrhythmic agents and one beta-blocker, which might be administered concurrently with flecainide acetate, do not interfere with the assay.