[Assay for oxidative stress injury by detection of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence in a freshly obtained blood sample: a study to follow the time course of oxidative injury]

Investigation of the inhibition of bacteria and endotoxin influx by back filtration through dialyzer membranes

We investigated the usefulness of assays using human neutrophils for radical production as well as endotoxin (ET) measurement and bacterial culture for endotoxin and bacterial influx by back filtration using dialyzers with different membrane pore diameters. Three types of dialyzers made of cellulose triacetate membrane material with different pore size FB-110EG eco, FB-110U eco, and FB-150UHβ eco were used. A circuit to generate back filtration was created. Back filtrate generated by hydraulic head pressure operation was collected. ET and bacteria were examined. Human neutrophils were exposed to back filtrate (experiments using three different membranes) and contaminated solution, and free radical production was measured using LBP-953 (Berthold) to see if there were differences in production. No bacteria were detected and the concentration of endotoxin was below the detection limit in the back filtrate from the three types of membranes and purified water. Free radical production from neutrophils in the contaminated water was highest at 4,405,750 ± 61,244 cpm (counts per minute) (mean ± SD) (P < 0.01 vs FB-150UHβ eco, FB-110U-eco, and FB-110EG eco) followed by that in back filtrate via FB-150UHβ eco, FB-110U-eco, FB-110EG eco. Radical production from neutrophils was thereby higher in the back filtrate of dialyzers with larger pore-size membranes. No bacteria were observed and the concentration of ET was below the detection limit in back filtrate from any of the membranes. However, when the reverse filtrate was exposed to neutrophils, radical production increased along with pore size, suggesting the influx of small pyrogens and other pyrogenic substances.

Skin Mucosal, Serum Immunity and Antioxidant Capacity of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Fed Artemisia (Artemisia annua)

In this study, the effect of artemisia (Artemisia annua) leaves extract (ALE) on the immune system, growth performance and antioxidant capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was investigated. Fish with initial weight (90.32 ± 1.12 g) were fed various levels of ALE (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the growth performance (FW, WG, SGR, PER, and LER) in fish fed 1 g/kg ALE was increased significantly (P<0.05) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in fish fed 1 and 1.5 g/kg ALE in comparison to the control group (P<0.05). Skin mucus total protein was higher in fish fed diet containing 0.5 g/kg ALE than the other experimental groups (P<0.05), while the lysozyme, immunoglobulin and protease was increased by increasing of ALE in diets. Respiratory burst activity and serum immune parameters were higher in fish fed 0.5 g/kg ALE than the other treatments (P<0.05). Increasing of catalase (CAT) and decreasing of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed in fish fed ALE, while glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased only in fish fed 0.5 g/kg ALE. Hence, it can be concluded that ALE has considerable potential as a natural immunostimulant and growth promotor supplement for the common carp’s aquaculture.

Activity of antioxidant enzymes in the skin during surgical wounds

Full-thickness skin wounds (460 mm(2)) in rats were associated with increased blood chemiluminescence and neutrophil infiltration of the wound tissue and surrounding skin (recorded by myeloperoxidase activity). Activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase in the skin and wound tissue increased on days 4 and 8. A correlation was revealed between activities of these enzymes and myeloperoxidase activity. Activities of myeloperoxidase and catalase increased in patient's skin excised during plastic surgeries of more than 2.5 h duration.

Preventive and therapeutic effect of complex antioxidant preparation in rats with burn trauma

The production of blood radicals and activity of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes increased in rats with contact burn trauma (20%). In animals with burn trauma antioxidant activity of the plasma was much lower, while myeloperoxidase content in the lung tissue and epidermis was higher than in control rats. The complex of antioxidants (Immudzhen) inhibited radical generation at the peak of inflammation (day 4), increased antioxidant activity of the plasma, and normalized myeloperoxidase content in the lung tissue.

Change in free radical-related substances in plasma following ischemia-reperfusion in rat liver

In order to clarify the relationship between free radicals and liver injury due to ischemia-reperfusion, we investigated the dynamics of radical-related substances in the blood of rats after liver ischemia-reperfusion. Subsequent to 60 min of liver ischemia, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) initiated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and lipid peroxidation significantly increased 2 h after reperfusion and showed peak values at 8-10 h. These values returned to the control level 32 h after reperfusion. The levels of nitric oxide metabolites (NO(x), NO(2)(-)+NO(3)(-)) increased biphasically at 10 and 32 h during the period of reperfusion, but did not return to control levels. Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels increased immediately after 5 min of reperfusion and showed a peak value after 20 min. This increase diminished gradually and returned to the control level 10 h after reperfusion. Mn-SOD increased 2 h after reperfusion, and this level was maintained for 48 h. The levels did not show increases at the end of ischemia and were nearly identical to the pre-ischemia levels. These finding obtained from the dynamics of radical-related substances are considered very meaningful for investigating mechanisms in the pathogenesis of liver injury by ischemia-reperfusion, and are clinically important in liver transplantation.