Effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment on ex vivo neutrophil functions in nonneutropenic surgical intensive care patients.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) preferentially stimulates growth and differentiation of neutrophil precursors and activates neutrophil functions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the functional response of the neutrophil to exogenous recombinant human G-CSF (rHuG-CSF) in nonneutropenic patients. In 30 surgical intensive care unit patients with severely impaired wound healing, leukocyte differential count, plasma G-CSF level, and a broad spectrum of neutrophil functions were monitored before (day 0), throughout (days 1 and 5), and at days 1 and 5 after stopping G-CSF treatment.

Investigation of annexin V binding to lymphocytes after extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy as an early marker of apoptosis.

Background: Induction of programmed cell death is assumed to be a possible effect of extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy (ECPI).

Objective: In the present study lymphocytes of patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma undergoing ECPI were investigated for early apoptotic events.

Methods: Annexin V, known for its selective affinity to phospholipids, was used to detect early phases of apoptosis.

Protection of mitochondrial integrity from oxidative stress by the triaminopyridine derivative flupirtine.

The suitability of the triaminopyridine derivative flupirtine, an analgesic drug with antioxidative property [Gassen, M., Pergande, G. and Youdim, M.

Refsum disease diagnostic marker phytanic acid alters the physical state of membrane proteins of liver mitochondria.

Phytanic acid (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid), a branched chain fatty acid accumulating in Refsum disease to high levels throughout the body, induces uncoupling of rat liver mitochondria similar to non-branched fatty acids (e.g. palmitic acid), but the contribution of the ADP/ATP carrier or the aspartate/glutamate carrier in phytanic acid-induced uncoupling is of minor importance.

Protection against UVA damage and effects on neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species by beta-carotene.

Objective: Phagocyte-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in microbicidal activities as well as in tissue damage at sites of inflammation. Carotenoids play an important function in protecting cells from oxidant damage. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo effect of 13-cis and 9-cis-beta-carotene on human neutrophils.