Human glomerular mesangial cells inactivate leukotriene B4 by reduction into dihydro-leukotriene B4 metabolites.

Due to its potent chemotactic properties leukotriene B4 is an important mediator of inflammatory reactions. Cultured human kidney mesangial cells converted exogenously added leukotriene B4 efficiently into three different more lipophilic metabolites, two of them probably representing dihydro-leukotriene B4 isomers. This represents an alternative metabolic pathway, in contrast to leukotriene B4 omega-oxidation found in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Lyme carditis in immunodeficient mice during experimental infection of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Recently, we described the severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mouse as a laboratory model for B. burgdorferi infection. Scid mice inoculated with the virulent low-passage tick isolate Borrelia burgdorferi ZS7 developed a severe pancarditis involving endocardium, myocardium and epicardium in the absence of functional B- or T-cells.

Interferon-alpha and synthetic peptide malaria sporozoite vaccine in non-immune adults: antibody response after 40 weeks.

Adults with no known immunity to sporozoites received, i.m., at weeks 0 and 8 two single 200 micrograms doses of a peptide Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite vaccine conjugated to tetanus toxoid ((NANP)3-TT) plus placebo (group 1) or interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) (group 2) and were followed for antibody responses at weeks 4, 12 and 40.

[Flumazenil (Anexate): an antagonist of benzodiazepines. Its pharmacopsychologic significance and role in traffic medicine].

Flumazenil (Anexate) reverses promptly the hypnotic effects of all known benzodiazepines. From the point of view of traffic medicine the question is of interest whether side effects after application of flumazenil can be seen and must be taken in account. Our investigations were concerned in answering this question.

Anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug HOE/BAY946 increases membrane hydrophobicity of human lymphocytes and specifically suppresses HIV-protein synthesis.

The polysulfated polyxylan HOE/BAY946, which has been tested in two pilot studies in ARC/AIDS patients and in asymptomatic HIV carries in Germany, was believed to act by inhibiting virus attachment to the cell. However, the drug was also found to reduce the amount of HIV particles released from infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro. Furthermore, preincubation of PBMC with the drug led to a partial inhibition of a following HIV infection, suggesting that the drug also affects virus entry.

[Report of 2 cases of isolated, primary amyloidosis of the male urethra and urinary bladder of a female].

Primary localized amyloidosis of the bladder and urethra is a rare condition. Two cases of isolated primary amyloidosis, of the urethra in a man and of the bladder in a woman, are reported. The clinical specificity of the location and the specific therapy are discussed.

The severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mouse. A laboratory model for the analysis of Lyme arthritis and carditis.

We report that the spirochete B. burgdorferi induces progressive polyarthritis and carditis in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (scid) but not in normal C.B-17 mice.

Enzyme release from chick myocytes during hypoxia and reoxygenation: dependence on pH.

On reoxygenation of ischemic or hypoxic hearts a sudden release of cytosolic enzymes coupled with hypercontraction and cell injury occurs, which has been termed the "oxygen paradox". We have attempted to imitate this phenomenon in cultured chick myocytes to try to find the cause of this sudden enzyme release. During 4 hours of normoxic perfusion (pH 7.

Influences of tromantadine and nonoxinol 9 on the stability of red cell membrane.

The antiviral compound tromantadine (ViruMerz) and the detergent nonoxinol 9 have been investigated in their effects on biophysical parameters of red cell membranes. Up to a maximum ratio of 1 mol per 800 mol of phospholipids tromantadine enhances the membrane phase transition/separation break at 16-20 degrees C measured by 1-anilinonaphthalene-sulfonate (ANS) fluorescence. It also increases order parameters obtained from spin labeling experiments with 5-doxyl stearic acid.

[Bovine virus diarrhea/mucosal disease virus: diagnosis and approach in clinical practice].

Recent studies on bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD virus) afforded a deeper understanding of the epizootiology of this virus. It is of vital importance to determine whether BVD virus infection occurs within the uterus prior to the 120th day of gestation, during a later stage of pregnancy or after birth. When infection occurs before the 120th day of gestation, normal or abnormal calves which persistently carry the BVD virus, will be delivered.

Avoiding reperfusion injury after limb revascularization: experimental observations and recommendations for clinical application.

This study tests the hypothesis that reperfusion injury is the principal cause of limb loss after acute arterial occlusion and that this injury is avoidable. Of 61 isolated hindlimbs amputated at the level of the hip joint, 17 were controls (group I), 5 were perfused without ischemia to establish the validity of the model (group II), and 15 underwent 4 hours of ischemia at room temperature without reperfusion (group III). Acute embolectomy was simulated in 24 limbs after 4 hours of ischemia; 12 were reperfused with standard Krebs-Henseleit solution at 100 mm Hg (group IV), and 12 were reperfused under controlled conditions (i.

Pathogenesis of naturally acquired bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection in calves: morphologic and serologic findings.

Lesions in 32 calves that died or were euthanatized during the course of severe natural infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are described. All calves had been dyspneic for 1 to 2 days. At necropsy, lesions that could be related to dyspnea included congested and cyanotic mucosae and widespread petechiae.

Myocardial protection by 2-mercaptopropionylglycine during global ischemia in dogs.

The hypothesis was tested, if the addition of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG, Thiola) to a crystalloid cardioplegic solution provides superior myocardial protection as assessed by biochemical and morphological parameters. Five mongrel dogs underwent a 60-min hypothermic cardioplegic arrest (untreated group). In six dogs, MPG (1.

Mitochondrial sulfhydryl groups under oligomycin-inhibited, aging, and uncoupling conditions: beneficial influence of cardioprotective drugs.

Uncoupling, oligomycin-inhibited, and aging/swelling conditions comprise three models for mitochondrial dysfunction. In these models, the effects of cardioprotective agents on rat heart mitochondrial membrane -SH reactivity have been studied. For -SH detection two different chromophores were used: dithionitrobenzoate (NbS2) and monobromobimane (MB).

Reactivity of mitochondrial sulfhydryl groups toward dithionitrobenzoic acid and bromobimanes under oligomycin-inhibited and uncoupling conditions.

Thiol reactivity was determined in rat heart mitochondria using chromophores of differing polarities: monobromobimane (MB), dithionitrobenzoate (NbS2), and bromobimane-q (MQ). The purpose of this study is to correlate reaction rates of protein thiols in the mitochondrial membrane with the oligomycin-inhibited and uncoupled states: In all cases investigated the reactivity of -SH groups toward MB decreases under the above conditions. In parallel with an increase of their uncoupling activities the uncouplers reduce the reaction rate of thiol groups toward NbS2 and, progressively, toward MQ, indicating differences in sensitivity of thiol groups to uncouplers depending on the polarity of the environment.

Epidemiological study of bovine respiratory syncytial virus infections in calves: influence of maternal antibodies on the outcome of disease.

A prospective epidemiological survey on bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infections in calves was carried out on 21 dairy farms during one BRSV epidemic season. Special attention was paid to the role of maternal antibodies. On 15 farms the spread of the virus was demonstrated during the investigation period and on eight farms this was accompanied by an outbreak of acute respiratory disease.

2-Mercaptopropionylglycine improves aortic flow after reoxygenation in working rat hearts.

The cardioprotective concentration range of the thiol drug 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG) was investigated during reoxygenation after 30 min of hypoxia. It was found that aortic flow and frequency were increased by 1 mM MPG. Coronary flow, systolic and diastolic pressure were not significantly influenced by the drug.

Spontaneous sister chromatid exchange in normal bone marrow and Ph-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia.

The frequency of spontaneous sister chromatid exchange was studied in normal marrow derived from 38 healthy donors and 40 untreated patients with chronic phase CML. The sister chromatid exchange frequency was significantly lower in the leukemic cells (range, 2.32 +/- 1.

A multiparameter analysis of the perfused rat heart: responses to ischemia, uncouplers and drugs.

In perfused rat hearts alterations of aortic flow and mitochondrial membrane potential resulting from uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, hypoxia and treatment with a cardioprotective drug (2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG) have been studied. Mitochondrial membrane potential was followed by surface fluorimetry on DASPMI stained hearts. This fluorochrome specifically stains mitochondria in living cells; fluorescence intensity is related to the electrochemical gradient.

A novel cardioprotective regimen for improvement of inner mitochondrial membrane function after ischemic stress.

Treatment of the normoxic working rat heart with 1 mmol/l 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG) results in a significant increase of postischemic aortic flow. Measurement of N,N-dimethylaminostyrylmethylpyridinium iodide (DASPMI) fluorescence on the surface of the heart preparation gives semiquantitative information on mitochondrial energization in situ. No differences in fluorescence have been found between therapy and control groups.

Prostaglandin E2 directly protects isolated rat gastric surface cell membranes against bile salts.

Rat gastric surface cell membranes were prepared and the effect of taurocholic acid assessed by ESR spectroscopy using the 16-doxylstearic acid spin label. Taurocholic acid increased the polar part of the spectra, indicating an augmented amount of spin label molecules with a polar environment. Concomitantly, mobility of the spin label molecule was augmented.

Improvement of myocardial function after global hypoxia by protection of the inner mitochondrial membrane.

In the present study the hypothesis is tested that hypoxia causes morphological damage to the inner mitochondrial membrane and that this damage can be reversed by modification of the reoxygenated perfusate. Using the working rat heart model, hearts in group I (n = 40) were subjected to a 30 min normothermic, normoxic phase and a 90 min hypoxic phase, followed by 60 min reoxygenation. Hearts in group II (n = 32) were also subjected to a 30 min normoxic and a 90 min hypoxic phase.

Free radical scavenging drugs, assessed by ESR studies: influence of hemoglobin.

To monitor free radical scavenging properties of drugs, the 'stable' radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino-1-oxyl (TEMPO) was used. The sydnonimine molsidomine (SIN-1) effectively reduced the ESR signal whereas the nitrate isosorbidemononitrate (ISMN) did not. Thiol reagents like 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG) or glutathione (GSH) only were effective in the presence of Fe2+ or Fe3+.

31P-NMR spectroscopic investigations and mitochondrial studies on the cardioprotective efficiency of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine.

Contents of high energy phosphates in the isolated perfused rat heart were followed during ischemia and reperfusion using 31P NMR spectroscopy. Application of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine resulted in significantly higher content of ATP in the reperfusion phase whereas during ischemia no differences between control and therapy hearts were found. Analysis of postischemic mitochondrial function reveals that improved ATP level is paralleled by an increased respiratory control index and a reduced ATPase activity.