Granulocyte chemiluminescence response to serum opsonized zymosan particles ex vivo during long-term strenuous exercise, energy and sleep deprivation in humans

The Sleep-Immune Crosstalk in Health and Disease

Sleep and immunity are bidirectionally linked. Immune system activation alters sleep, and sleep in turn affects the innate and adaptive arm of our body's defense system. Stimulation of the immune system by microbial challenges triggers an inflammatory response, which, depending on its magnitude and time course, can induce an increase in sleep duration and intensity, but also a disruption of sleep. Enhancement of sleep during an infection is assumed to feedback to the immune system to promote host defense. Indeed, sleep affects various immune parameters, is associated with a reduced infection risk, and can improve infection outcome and vaccination responses. The induction of a hormonal constellation that supports immune functions is one likely mechanism underlying the immune-supporting effects of sleep. In the absence of an infectious challenge, sleep appears to promote inflammatory homeostasis through effects on several inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines. This notion is supported by findings that prolonged sleep deficiency (e.g., short sleep duration, sleep disturbance) can lead to chronic, systemic low-grade inflammation and is associated with various diseases that have an inflammatory component, like diabetes, atherosclerosis, and neurodegeneration. Here, we review available data on this regulatory sleep-immune crosstalk, point out methodological challenges, and suggest questions open for future research.

Identification of anti-inflammatory and other biological activities of 3-carboxamide, 3-carbohydrazide and ester derivatives of gatifloxacin

BACKGROUND

Seventeen 1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide and 1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carbohydrazide derivatives of gatifloxacin have been prepared with a facile one step synthesis aiming to improve antibacterial, antifungal and immunological activities. The methodology allows the introduction of a variety of substituents such as amines, alcohol, phenol, amides and alkyl halides into the core structure of gatifloxacin.

RESULTS

The analog N-(3-aminophenyl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-7-(3-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide has been identified as a potentially excellent anti-inflammatory agent, which exhibited highly potent effects on the oxidative burst activity of whole blood phagocytes (IC50 <12.5 μg mL-1), neutrophils (IC50 <0.1 μg mL-1) and macrophages phagocytes (IC50 <3.1 μg mL-1) as well as potent T-cell proliferation inhibitory effect (IC50 3.7 μg mL-1) while having comparable antibacterial activity to gatifloxacin. Another analog, 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-7-(3-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-4-oxo-N-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carbohydrazide has tremendous T-cell proliferation inhibitory effect IC50 <3.1 μg mL-1 as compared to prednisolone, whereas, 3,5-dihydroxyphenyl1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-7-(3-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate and 2-hydroxyphenyl-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-7-(3-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate envision good inhibitory activity on T-cells proliferation (IC50 6.8 & 8.8 μg mL-1 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The structural modification at carboxylic group has resulted in improved anti-inflammatory activities with comparable antibacterial activity to gatifloxacin. We believe that C3 structural modifications of gatifloxacin are definitely important in bringing major immunomodulatory changes in these compounds.

Cellular reactive oxygen species inhibitory constituents of Hypericum thasium Griseb

The phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of Hypericum thasium has led to the characterization of four benzophenone derivatives 1-4, a known benzophenone 5 and four known flavonoids, quercetin (6), quercitrin (7), isoquercetin (8), and 3, 8''-biapigenin (9). Lucigenin- and luminal-based chemiluminescence assays were employed to monitor the inhibitory activity of these compounds towards the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human polymorphoneutrophils (PMNs). The assay results showed that benzophenones 1 and 3 are extracellular inhibitors of ROS production, while flavonoids 6, 8, and 9 can modulate intracellular ROS production.

LeuCAM and Reactive Oxygen Species during Long-Term Exercise Combined with Sleep and Energy Deficiency

INTRODUCTION

During the Norwegian military ranger-training course, cadets are exposed to prolonged physical exercise combined with sleep-, energy-, and food deficiency. The open-window postexercise hypothesis indicates that after hard physical activity, there is an increased risk of contracting infectious diseases.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to determine leukocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant status (TAS), leukocyte expression of the cell adhesion molecules CD62L and CD11b, and plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecule L-selectin before, during, and in the recovery phase of a military ranger-training course.

METHODS

Ten cadets from the Norwegian Military Academy were recruited to the study. Flow cytometry was used to study the intracellular levels of ROS in leukocytes (basally, as well as after in vitro stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)), applying the probes dihydroethidium (DHE) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) and the leukocyte expression of adhesion molecules CD62L and CD11b. ELISA was used to assess the plasma levels of soluble L-selectin, and TAS in plasma was measured using the ABTS+ reduction assay kit.

RESULTS

The basal levels of ROS as well as PMA-stimulated ROS in leukocytes declined gradually during the ranger-training course, being lowest on the last day (P < 0.05). The level of TAS increased (P < 0.01) during the course. A striking decrease (P < 0.001) was observed in leukocyte CD62L expression and was sustained even after 3 d of recovery. The leukocyte expression of CD11b remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

The ranger-training course leads to a partial exhaustion of the leukocyte ROS-generating machinery and to a nearly total extinguishing of leukocyte CD62L expression. These changes may support the open-window hypothesis indicating reduced ability to combat microbial invasions before total restitution.

Biological activity of five antibacterial flavonoids from Combretum erythrophyllum (Combretaceae)

Preliminary studies with Combretum erythrophyllum showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Seven antibacterial flavonoids were subsequently isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation, i.e. apigenin; genkwanin; 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, rhamnocitrin; kaempferol; quercetin-5,3'-dimethylether; rhamnazin. All compounds had good activity against Vibrio cholerae and Enterococcus faecalis, with MIC values in the range of 25-50 microg/ml. Rhamnocitrin and quercetin-5,3'-dimethylether also inhibited Micrococcus luteus and Shigella sonei at 25 microg/ml. With the exception of 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxy-flavone the flavonoids were not toxic towards human lymphocytes. This compound is potentially toxic to human cells and exhibited the poorest antioxidant activity whereas rhamnocitrin and rhamnazin exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Genkwanin; rhamnocitrin; quercetin-5,3'-dimethylether; rhamnazin had a higher anti-inflammatory activity than the positive control mefenamic acid. Although these flavonoids are known, this is the first report of biological activity with several of these compounds.

Time course of hemorheological alterations after heavy anaerobic exercise in untrained human subjects

The time course of hemorheological alterations was investigated after heavy anaerobic exercise in untrained male human subjects. The Wingate protocol was performed by each subject, and blood lactate, red blood cell (RBC) deformability and aggregation, white blood cell (WBC) activation, and several hematological parameters were investigated during 24 h after the exercise and compared with preexercise values. Compared with the preexercise value, blood lactate level was found to be approximately 10-fold higher immediately after the exercise. There was a transient, significant increment of RBC and WBC counts immediately after exercise that was followed by a decrement of RBC count. There was a second increase of WBC count, accompanied with increased percentages of granulocytes and granulocyte activation, starting 45 min after exercise. RBC deformability was found to be impaired immediately after exercise and remained reduced for at least 12 h; RBC aggregation was also found to be decreased after exercise, with the onset of this decrease delayed by 30 min. The results of this study indicate that a single bout of heavy anaerobic exercise may induce significant hemorheological deterioration lasting for up to 12 h and thus suggest the need to consider such effects in individuals with impaired cardiovascular function.

Ortho-substituted polybrominated biphenyls activate respiratory burst in granulocytes from humans

The in vivo consequences of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been reported to involve reduced phagocytic function, which could be related to increased susceptibility to infections. Though less abundant in the environment, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) have similar toxicological properties as PCB. In this respect the effect of different PBBs on human granulocytes was elucidated. Ortho-substituted PBBs activated respiratory burst, measured by the chemiluminescence assay, and elevated intracellular calcium. The most active polybrominated congener 2,2',5-TBB increased chemiluminescence in a concentration-dependent manner, and ED(50) was approximately 10 microM. PBBs stimulated elevation of intracellular [Ca(2+)] in human granulocytes. The [Ca(2+)]i was elevated from 50 to 250 nM. The respiratory burst due to stimulation by PBBs was inhibited by U73122, ethanol (1%), wortmannin, and bisindolylmaleimide and by the elimination of extracellular calcium in the same way as shown previously for PCBs, indicating that PBB act by the same mechanisms.

Activation of respiratory burst in human granulocytes by polychlorinated biphenyls: A structure-activity study

The respiratory burst in human granulocytes activated by 33 different congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was measured as luminol-amplified chemoluminescence. The selection of 20 (training set) compounds was based on multivariate chemical characterization, laying the groundwork for covering the whole chemical series of tetra- through hepta-chlorinated PCBs. In addition 6 congeners were used as a validation set, and 7 were mono- to tri-chlorinated congeners representing low-chlorinated compounds not covered by the training set. Only ortho-substituted biphenyls activate respiratory burst. There is a correlation between activated respiratory burst and the total surface area of congeners up to 230 x 10(-20) m(2). Congeners of larger size show a reduced activity. There is also a correlation between respiratory burst activity and the number of ortho-substituents. Furthermore, there is also a correlation with parameters that describe absolute hardness of the molecule and respiratory burst activity. Congeners with a 2,4, 6-substitution on one biphenyl ring are optimal activators. In conclusion, all three factors, size, rotation, and electronic properties, which are not independent of each other, are important for the activity of the PCBs.

Exercise and cellular innate immune function

Epidemiological evidence suggests a link between the intensity of exercise and infectious and neoplastic disease. One likely way by which exercise exerts its effect on cancer and infection is by altering the function of the immune system. Cells of the innate immune system (i.e., macrophage [Mphi], natural killer [NK] cell, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils [PMN]) are first-line defenders against cancer and infectious disease by nature of their phagocytic, cytolytic, and antimicrobial properties. The purpose of this review is to define the role of cells of the innate immune system (i.e., Mphi, PMN, and NK cells) in infection and cancer, present current information regarding the effects of acute and chronic exercise on the quantification and functional activities of these cells, and briefly to discuss potential mechanisms as to how exercise affects these cells and describe how these changes may potentially affect susceptibility to infection and cancer. The effects of exercise on the number, functions, and characteristics of cells of the innate immune system are complex and are dependent several factors, including 1) the cell function or characteristic being analyzed; 2) the intensity, duration and chronicity of exercise; 3) the timing of measurement in relation to the exercise bout; 4) the dose and type of immunomodulator used to stimulate the cell in vitro or in vivo; and 5) the site of cellular origin. Further studies are needed to determine whether the exercise-induced changes in immune function alter incidence or progression of disease. Likewise, the mechanisms as to how exercise alters innate immune function are as yet unresolved.

Ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls activate respiratory burst measured as luminol-amplified chemoluminescence in human granulocytes

The effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the activation of respiratory burst measured as luminol-amplified chemoluminescence in human granulocytes is elucidated here. Chemoluminescence was stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner (ED50 approximately 10 microM) by ortho-substituted PCB congeners, while meta- and para-substituted congeners had no significant effect. Two ortho-substituted PCB congeners were chosen for the mechanistic studies, namely 2,2',4,4'-TeCB and 2,2'-DCB, since they have been used in previous studies by others. In the absence of extracellular calcium, the respiratory burst in response to 2,2'-DCB and 2,2',4,4'-TeCB was reduced by 63% and 82%, respectively. Bisindolylmaleimide, which inhibits protein kinase C, reduced activated chemoluminescence by 2,2'-DCB, 2,2',4,4'-TeCB, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Neomycin, which inhibits phospholipase C, had a slight, but significant, effect on the 2,2',4,4'-TeCB-activated chemoluminescence but had a more pronounced effect on the 2,2'-DCB-activated chemoluminescence. 2,2'-DCB and 2,2',4,4'-TeCB significantly increased phospholipase D (PLD) activity measured as the amount of 14C-phosphatidylbutanol formed. Ethanol (1%), a phospholipase D modulator, reduced the response to 2,2'-DCB and 2,2',4,4'-TeCB by 72% and 75%, respectively. Furthermore, wortmannin (25 nM), a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and genistein, a more unspecific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, reduced chemoluminescence in response to PCB. In conclusion, our results indicate that PCB-activated chemoluminescence is dependent on the Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipase D or phospholipase C, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and protein kinase C activation prior to activation of the NADPH oxidase. Defects in neutrophhil functions upon exposure to PCB may render a greater susceptibility in the host to invading microorganisms or evoke inappropriate inflammatory responses leading to tissue injury.