Reactive oxygen species induce apoptosis of synoviocytes in vitro. Alpha-tocopherol provides no protection.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are released during the inflammation of the synovial membrane associated with cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis. In this work, we exposed synoviocytes to superoxide anions at concentrations that may cause either apoptosis or necrosis. We studied membrane organization, dehydrogenase mitochondrial activity and nuclear morphology and integrity, to determine the nature of the death process initiated by superoxide anions and tried to counteract ROS effects with alpha-tocopherol.

Markers of oxidative stress in fit, health-conscious elderly people living in the Paris area. The Research Group on Ageing (GERBAP).

Lipid peroxidation index and antioxidant indicators were assessed by biochemical means in 193 healthy elderly volunteers (103 men and 90 women), ages 70-89 y and living freely in the Paris area. Lipid peroxidation index was in the same range as in young adults. Zinc, copper, and selenium levels were satisfactory and similar to those in young adults, though the range of copper values tended to be higher.

[Reference intervals and biological profile in a group of healthy elderly population in the Paris region].

The superimposition of pathological processes on ageing-related metabolic changes makes the interpretation of laboratory data difficult in the elderly. Therefore, in order to establish reference values of anthropometric, hematological and biochemical variables, we have carefully selected fit, health-conscious elderly subjects on the basis of clinical and biological criteria. We observed a trend for a wider range of values than in young adults.

Influence of sex and age on vitamin A and E status.

Vitamins A and E were determined in the serum of 80 free-living healthy elderly subjects and in 80 healthy younger adults. Mean values and normal ranges were established for both groups and the influence of sex and age studied. We found a significantly lower level of vitamin A in the elderly men and women and a higher level of vitamin E in elderly women, relative to their younger counterparts.

Comparative proliferation of non-rheumatoid and rheumatoid human synovial cells.

While normal synovial membrane cells have a very long doubling time, rheumatoid arthritis increases cell turn-over leading to the formation of a pannus. We studied the comparative proliferative behaviour in culture of synoviocytes of rheumatoid (RA) and non-rheumatoid (NR) origin in order to evaluate the usefulness of this model to investigate the drugs used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. First-passage cultures of cells from patients with clinically defined non-inflammatory joint disease or rheumatoid arthritis were observed for 8 days.

Effects of human recombinant IL-1 beta on rheumatoid and non rheumatoid human synovial cell growth.

The growth of adherent synovial cells passaged once was studied in response to human recombinant interleukin 1 (hr IL-1) beta. Human synovial cell cultures were established from tissues obtained during therapeutic joint surgery for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid synovial cells, RSC) or non inflammatory rheumatic diseases (non rheumatoid synovial cells, NRSC). The effect of IL-1 beta (0.

[Adaptation of a method for determining serum iron after deproteinization on a parallel analyzer].

The study of the determination of iron in sera by a bathophenanthroline method after deproteinization, has been realized according to the protocol Valtec conceived by SFBC, after adaptation on a FP9 parallel analyzer. The critical study of this adaptation included trials of within run precision (CV of 1.25%), total precision (CV 2.

[Adaptation of a diazoreaction method for determining total and conjugated bilirubins on a parallel analyser].

A diazoreaction method of estimation of bilirubin has been adapted on a FP9 parallel analyzer. Biotrol's kit could be used only after modifications of the protocol. The critical study of this adaptation included trials of within run precision (CV 1.

Aminotransferases in elderly people: influence of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate addition on the determination of serum aminotransferases in healthy elderly subjects.

Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) activity was measured in a group of 81 healthy subjects over 70 years of age and another of 180 younger persons, in order to investigate histograms and means of aminotransferase values in both groups and the variation in stimulation of these enzyme activities by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (P5P) added in vitro. It was found that ASAT and ALAT mean values were significantly higher in both groups in the presence of P5P, than in the absence of P5P. ASAT and ALAT mean values obtained with and without P5P in old people were similar to those found in young subjects.

[Usual values of serum vitamin A using a modified fluorimetric method].

We report a fluorimetric technique for the determination of serum vitamin A. The critical study of this micromethod included trials of repeatability, inter-series reproducibility and an evaluation of its accuracy. It was compared with a method using high performance liquid chromatography followed by detection with UV spectrophotometry.