Use of two-dimensional gas chromatography with electron-capture detection for the measurement of lipopolysaccharides in peritoneal fluid and plasma from rats with induced peritonitis

MCP-1 causes leukocyte recruitment and subsequently endotoxemic ileus in rat

Endotoxemia causes an inflammatory response within the intestinal muscularis and gastrointestinal dysmotility. We hypothesize that the resident macrophage-derived chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a significant role in the recruitment of leukocytes into the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rat intestinal muscularis. MCP-1 mRNA expression was investigated by RT-PCR. Leukocyte extravasation and MCP-1 protein localization were determined by immunohistochemistry. Contractile activity was assessed by using a standard organ bath in rats that were treated with saline, recombinant MCP-1, LPS, LPS + nonspecific antibody, or LPS + MCP-1 antibody. Endotoxemia caused a significant 280-fold increase in MCP-1 mRNA expression in the muscularis, peaking at 3 h. MCP-1 protein was immunohistochemically located to muscularis macrophages. LPS application caused significant leukocyte recruitment into the muscularis and a 51% decrease in muscle contractility. MCP-1 antibody treatment significantly averted leukocyte recruitment and significantly prevented muscle dysfunction. These parameters were not significantly altered by the nonspecific antibody. Results show that resident muscularis macrophage-derived MCP-1 plays a major role in the recruitment of monocytes during endotoxemia, which then subsequently secrete kinetically active substances that cause ileus.

The role of the Lps gene in experimental ulcerative colitis in mice

The effects of the Lps gene on the development of experimental ulcerative colitis were studied in two genetically different mouse strains: C57B1 and C3H. Acute colitis was induced by adding 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to the drinking water for a 7-day (C57B1 and C3H) or a 10-day (C57B1) experimental period. Although the DSS treatment initiated the same type of morphological changes in the colon in all groups of mice, an earlier onset and persistent intestinal bleeding occurred in the Lpsn mice (sensitive to lipopolysaccharide, LPS) in comparison with the Lpsd mice (hyporesponsive to LPS). Rectal bleeding appeared on day 7 in 90% of the Lpsn compared to 13% of the Lpsd mice (p < 0.0001). In C57B1 mice, followed for three additional days, 50% of the Lpsn mice died and the surviving animals showed as well as rectal bleeding a large number of Gram-negative bacteria in the liver and spleen. In contrast, the Lpsd mice of the C57B1 strain appeared unaffected by the treatment, although a transient rectal bleeding occurred in 90% on day 8. Also, significantly fewer Gram-negative bacteria were found in the liver and spleen. Even though significantly increased serum endotoxin levels were seen in all DSS-treated groups compared to controls on day 7, the serum levels of TNF alpha were significantly increased only in the Lpsn mice. In DSS-induced colitis the Lpsn genotype conferred on the mice an increased LPS susceptibility, resulting in an augmentation of the inflammatory response to Gram-negative bacteria and their endotoxins. The results suggest that LPS-induced host effector mechanisms significantly enhanced the intestinal bleeding, systemic inflammatory response, and mortality in mice with DSS-induced colitis. In addition, the host defense against the invading and systemically spread bacteria most probably involved additional genes.

Lipopolysaccharide determination by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after fluorescence labeling

A sensitive method for the quantitative determination of lipid A, the covalently bound hydrophobic component of lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins), has been developed. The determination of lipid A was based on the quantitative measurement of beta-hydroxymyristic acid and beta-hydroxylauric acid by reversed-phase HPLC. beta-Hydroxy acids were liberated from ester and amide linkages in endotoxins by acid catalyzed methanolysis. The resulting methyl esters were derivatized with 9-anthracene-carboxyl chloride, 9-fluorene-carboxyl chloride and 4-(1-pyrenyl)butyric acid chloride and quantified with a fluorescence detector. The effectiveness of the three derivatizing agents was compared. As internal standards-beta-hydroxytridecanoic acid [beta-OH(13:0)] and beta-hydroxypentadecanoic acid [beta-OH(15:0)] ethyl esters were used. The limits of detection of beta-hydroxymyristic acid were 0.5 pg for the 9-anthroyl and 2 pg for the fluorenoyl and 4-(1-pyrenyl)butyroyl ester per sample (signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The detection limits of lipopolysaccharide from a smooth strain (Escherichia coli 0111:B4) was 20 pg, while that from two rough strains (E. coli Nissle 1917 and Salmonella typhimurium SL 1181) was 5 pg per sample after methanolysis and derivatization with 9-anthroyl chloride.

Gas chromatographic determination of D-arabinitol/L-arabinitol ratios in urine: a potential method for diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis

A gas chromatographic procedure was developed to determine the relative amounts of D- and L-arabinitol in urine. Samples were filtered, diluted, purified through extractions, evaporated, and treated with trifluoroacetic anhydride; the arabinitol derivatives thus obtained were separated on a chiral stationary phase and registered by using an electron-capture detector. Urine samples from a patient with disseminated candidiasis had higher D-arabinitol/L-arabinitol ratios (referred to as D/L-arabinitol ratios)--up to 19.0--than samples from 96 study individuals with no signs of deep Candida infections (range, 1.1 to 4.5). D/L-Arabinitol ratios in urine samples from hospitalized patients without Candida infections were slightly higher than those in samples from healthy individuals; ratios in urine from children were slightly higher than those in adult urine samples. The D/L-arabinitol ratios in several urine samples culture positive for Candida albicans, but from patients without symptoms of disseminated candidiasis, did not differ from those in the urine of healthy individuals. The described gas chromatographic method is straightforward and can be implemented clinically to determine urine D/L-arabinitol ratios as a means of diagnosing disseminated candidiasis.