[Study on the chemical constituent from the dichloromethane extract. of the pine needles of Cedrus deodara]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of the dichloromethane extracted from pine needles of Cedrus deodara.

METHODS

Compounds were isolated and purified from the dichloromethane extract of pine needles by chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and physicochemical property.

RESULTS

Nine compounds were isolated and purified. Their structures were identified as stigmasterol (1), oleanolic acid (2), parahydroxybenzaldehyde (3), beta-sitosterol (4), syringaresinol (5), daucosterol (6), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (7), gallicin (8) and gallic acid (9).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1-3, 5 -9 are isolated from pine needles of this genus for the first time.

[Monitoring "green tide" in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea using multi-temporal and multi-source remote sensing images]

Landsat-TM (Theme Mapper) and EOS (Earth Observing System)-MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectrora-diometer) Terra/Aqua images were used to monitor the macro-algae (Ulva prolifera) bloom since 2007 at the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. At the turbid waters of Northern Jiangsu Shoal, there is strong spectral mixing behavior, and satellite images with finer spatical resolution are more effective in detection of macro-algae patches. Macro-algae patches were detected by the Landsat images for the first time at the Sheyang estuary where is dominated by very turbid waters. The MODIS images showed that the macro-algae from the turbid waters near the Northern Jiangsu Shoal drifted southwardly in the early of May and affected the East China Sea waters; with the strengthening east-asian Summer Monsoon, macro-algae patches mainly drifted in a northward path which was mostly observed at the Yellow Sea. Macro-algae patches were also found to drift eastwardly towards the Korea Peninsular, which are supposed to be driven by the sea surface wind.

Effect of hyperoxia on the expression of secretory component in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells

AIM: To explore the effect of hyperoxia on the expression of secretory component (SC) in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells.

METHODS: The number of Caco-2 cells was counted with a hemacytometer, and cell division was determined by Giemsa staining. The changes in the expression levels of SC in Caco-2 cells were detected by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS: Caco-2 cells exhibited exponential growth in air containing 400 mL/L O₂. Cell growth was partially inhibited when the proportion of oxygen in air was elevated to 600 mL/L, and completely inhibited when elevated to 900 mL/L. The division index of treated cells was 2.5% in air, 3.3% in 400 mL/L O₂, and 1.3% in 600 mL/L O₂. Many cells died in 900 mL/L O₂. Compared with cells incubated in air, the expression of SC was up-regulated in 400 mL/L and 600 mL/L O₂. The ability of intestinal epithelial cells to express SC was limited in 900 mL/L O₂. Compared with cells incubated in 400 mL/L O₂, the expression of SC was down-regulated in 600 mL/L O₂.

CONCLUSION: Moderately high concentrations of oxygen promote cell growth and SC expression in Caco-2 cells, whereas extremely high concentrations of oxygen inhibit cell growth and SC expression. High levels of SC are beneficial to maintaining and balancing the intestinal mucosa and inhibiting bacterial invasion.

Effect of hyperoxia on the intestinal IgA secretory component in neonatal rats and on intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

Oxygen therapy is essential for the treatment of some neonatal critical care conditions but its extrapulmonary effects have not been adequately investigated. We therefore studied the effects of various oxygen concentrations on intestinal epithelial cell function. In order to assess the effects of hyperoxia on the intestinal immunological barrier, we studied two physiological changes in neonatal rats exposed to hyperoxia: the change in intestinal IgA secretory component (SC, an important component of SIgA) and changes in intestinal epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect changes in the intestinal tissue SC of neonatal rats. To detect intestinal epithelial cell growth, cells were counted, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Giemsa staining were used to assess cell survival. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine SC expression. The expression of intestinal SC in neonatal rats under hyperoxic conditions was notably increased compared with rats inhaling room air (P < 0.01). In vitro, 40% O₂ was beneficial for cell growth. However, 60% O₂ and 90% O₂ induced rapid cell death. Also, 40% O₂ induced expression of SC by intestinal epithelial cells, whereas 60% O₂ did not; however, 90% O₂ limited the ability of intestinal epithelial cells to express SC. In vivo and in vitro, moderate hyperoxia brought about increases in intestinal SC. This would be expected to bring about an increase in intestinal SIgA. High levels of SC and SIgA would serve to benefit hyperoxia-exposed individuals by helping to maintain optimal conditions in the intestinal tract.

[Studies on the chemical constituents from pine needles of Cedrus deodara (II)]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents from pine needles of Cedrus deodara.

METHODS

Chemical constituents were isolated from 95% ethanol extract by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis.

RESULTS

The compounds were identified as 10-nonacosanol (1), dibutyl phthalate (2), protocatechuic acid (3), phthalic acid bis-(2-ethylhexyl) ester (4), (E)-1-O-p-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 5-p-trans-coumaroylguinic acid (6).

CONCLUSIONS

Compounds 1- 6 are obtained from this genus for the first time.

Associations between andrological measures, hormones and semen quality in fertile Australian men: inverse relationship between obesity and sperm output

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization developed a time to pregnancy (TTP) study (number of menstrual cycles taken to conceive) to determine whether the average TTP is increasing and semen quality decreasing with time. The present study describes clinical, semen and hormone characteristics obtained from male partners of pregnant women in Melbourne, Australia, and examines the associations between these characteristics.

METHODS

Male partners (n = 225) of pregnant women (16-32 weeks) who conceived naturally had physical examination, health and lifestyle questionnaires, semen and hormone (FSH, LH, sex hormone-binding globulin, testosterone and Inhibin B) analyses.

RESULTS

Previously known associations between semen, hormone and clinical variables were confirmed as significant: sperm numbers (concentration and total sperm count) correlated positively with Inhibin B and inversely with FSH and left varicocele, while total testicular volume correlated positively with sperm numbers and Inhibin B and inversely with FSH. However, only abstinence, total testicular volume, varicocele grade and obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) were independently significantly related to total sperm count. Compared with those with BMI < 30 (n = 188), obese subjects (n = 35) had significantly lower total sperm count (mean 324 versus 231 million, P = 0.013) and Inhibin B (187 versus 140 pg/ml, P < 0.001) but not FSH (3.4 versus 4.0 IU/l, P = 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Obese fertile men appear to have reduced testicular function. Whether this is cause or effect, i.e. adiposity impairing spermatogenesis or reduced testicular function promoting fat deposition, remains to be determined.

Enhancement of sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding capacity by activation of protein kinase A and C pathways in certain infertile men with defective sperm-ZP binding

BACKGROUND

Defective sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding (DSZPB) is a common cause of failure of fertilization in vitro. This study was to determine if DSZPB is caused by defective pathways upstream of protein kinase A (PKA) and C (PKC), or reduced protein tyrosine phosphorylation (TP).

METHODS

Infertile men with DSZPB and either normal sperm morphology (NSM) > or = 14% (n = 15) or < or =5% (n = 15) were studied. Sperm-ZP binding test was performed by incubation of motile sperm with oocytes for 2 h with or without dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP, PKA activator) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, PKC activator). TP of capacitated sperm in medium was assessed by immunofluorescence with an anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody.

RESULTS

For normal sperm with normal sperm-ZP binding, both PMA and dbcAMP significantly enhanced sperm-ZP binding in a dose-response manner. Only dbcAMP, but not PMA, significantly increased TP of capacitated sperm. In DSZPB men with severe teratozoospermia (NSM < or = 5%), neither PMA nor dbcAMP enhanced sperm-ZP binding, despite dbcAMP significantly increasing the TP of capacitated sperm for all samples. In contrast, for DSZPB with NSM > or = 14%, PMA caused significantly increased sperm binding up to normal levels (> or =40 sperm bound/ZP) in five men, and dbcAMP had a similar result in two men. Again TP was significantly enhanced only by dbcAMP, but not by PMA.

CONCLUSIONS

There is defective signalling in pathways upstream of PKC and PKA in some men with DSZPB and normal semen analysis. Stimulation of TP by dbcAMP does not enhance sperm-ZP binding capacity in DSZPB men with low TP, regardless of sperm morphology.

[Risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding (PBB).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1 262 patients who received ultrasound-guided biopsy of native kidney at our hospital from January 2005 to December 2006.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of PBB was 30.3% (383/1,262), among which the incidence of hematoma was 29.4% (371/1,262) (the percentages of less and more than 5cm were 73.9% and 26.1%, respectively) while that of gross hematuria was only 1.3% (17/1,262). The incidences of minor, intermediate, and major bleeding complications were 21.4% (270/1,262), 8.4% (106/1,262), and 0.6% (7/1,262), respectively. In seven patients with major bleeding complications, six had renal disease secondary to rheumatic disease (lupus nephritis, n = 5; scleroderma crisis, n = 1), while the other one had IgA nephropathy (Lee's classification V). The risk of PBB was relatively higher in women and younger patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic connective tissue diseases are vulnerable to severe PBB complications. A close monitoring of these patients is necessary.

Effects of NO on the tight junction protein occludin in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

AIM: To study the effects of NO on the intestinal mucosal barrier and on the tight junction protein occludin in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro.

METHODS: Colon cancer cell line (Caco-2 cells) was treated with Sin1, a NO donor, in a dose-dependent manner for 24 hours. The protein and total RNA of Caco-2 cells were extracted. Changes in occludin protein mRNA in Caco-2 cells stimulated by NO were determined by Western blotting and real-time quantitative pclymerase chain reaction, respectively.

RESULTS: The killing effect of NO on Caco-2 cells was dose-dependent. When treated with Sin1 at 125, 250, 500 and 1000 μmol/L doses, the levels of occludin protein (375 ± 0.5, 374 ± 0.8, 363 ± 0.3, 363 ± 0.7) and mRNA (0.689 ± 0.01, 0.578 ± 0.09, 0.554 ± 0.03, 0.619 ± 0.04) were significantly decreased compared with those in untreated Caco-2 cells (398 ± 0.7, 1, respectively, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: NO can directly kill intestinal epithelial cells. NO may affect protein and mRNA expression of the tight junction protein occludin in a dose-dependent manner.

Hyperactivation of capacitated human sperm correlates with the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction of zona pellucida-bound sperm

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between human sperm hyperactivation (HA), sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding and the ZP-induced acrosome reaction (AR) of ZP-bound sperm in vitro.

METHODS

Sperm samples from 129 infertile men were studied. Motile sperm (2 x 10(6)) selected by Pure sperm were incubated with four oocytes in 1 ml human tubal fluid supplemented with 10% human serum. After 2-h incubation, the number of sperm bound to the ZP and the AR of ZP-bound sperm were examined. Velocities and HA of sperm in insemination medium were assessed by Hamilton-Thorn Sperm Analyzer.

RESULTS

The HA was highly correlated with the ZP-induced AR in all the subjects (rho = 0.626, P < 0.001). In the 69 men with < or = 100 sperm bound/ZP, allowing accurate counts, HA was not significantly correlated with sperm-ZP binding. Men with <7% HA sperm were more likely to have very low ZP-induced AR. Only normal sperm morphology was significantly correlated with sperm-ZP binding (rho = 0.346 and 0.446 in semen and insemination medium, respectively, both P < 0.001). Sperm motility and velocities were significantly correlated with sperm morphology but not with either sperm-ZP binding or the ZP-induced AR.

CONCLUSIONS

The correlation of HA with the ZP-induced AR of ZP-bound sperm suggests a mechanistic link between HA and the physiological AR in humans. Assessment of HA of capacitated sperm in vitro may be a useful clinical test for male infertility associated with defective ZP-induced AR that does not require the use of human oocytes.

Effect of tumor necrosis factor-α on protein expression of tight junction protein in intestinal epithelial cells

AIM: To explore the mechanism of intestinal epithelial barrier disruption induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). We detected the expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 in Caco-2 cells with TNF-α treatment.

METHODS: Caco-2 cells between passages 20 and 30 were cultured with DMEM including 20% fetal bovine serum and 2 mmol/L glutamine for 7 d. Cells were then treated with different concentrations of TNF-α (0, 10, and 100 μg/L) for 24 h when they became fused. Protein was extracted from cells to prepare NP-40 detergent-soluble and insoluble protein fractions. Western blot was used to measure the protein levels of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated claudin-1. Indirect immunofluorescence was applied to the localization of claudin-1. Real-time quantity polymerase-chain reaction (RQ-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of claudin-1.

RESULTS: Immunofluorescence showed that claudin-1 was distributed around the cell membrane and presented scrobiculate linear fluorescence. A 10 μg/L concentration of TNF-α caused weakened fluorescence signals that were abnormally distributed dentately. Claudin-1 has two molecular forms: one is the nonphosphorylated form (20 kDa) that primarily exists in NP-40 soluble proteins; the other is the phosphorylated form (25 kDa) that only exists in NP-40 insoluble proteins. TNF-α did not affect the protein expression of 65-kDa claudin-1 but decreased 80-kDa claudin-1 protein expression in a concentration-dependant manner compared with the control (10, 100 μg/L: 0.31 ± 0.02, 0.24 ± 0.05 vs 0.43 ± 0.09, P > 0.05, P < 0.05). Real time PCR demonstrated that the mRNA expression of claudin-1 in TNF-α treatment groups with different concentrations (10 and 100 μg/L) for 24 h, or a different reacting time (4, 8, 24 h), was not significantly different from the corresponding time normal groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: TNF-α does not affect the mRNA expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 but decreases the expression of functional claudin-1 in Caco-2 cells.

Human sperm bound to the zona pellucida have normal nuclear chromatin as assessed by acridine orange fluorescence

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine if only sperm with double stranded DNA could bind to the human zona pellucida (ZP).

METHODS

Sperm samples from 124 infertile men with a range of semen abnormalities were studied. Oocytes that had failed to fertilize in IVF or ICSI were used for the sperm-ZP binding test. A group of four oocytes were incubated for 2 h with 2 x 10(6)/ml motile sperm selected by colloidal silica gradient centrifugation (CSGC). After assessing the number of sperm bound per ZP, all sperm bound to the surface of the ZP of four oocytes were dislodged and placed on a glass slide. The double (green fluorescence) or single stranded (denatured, red fluorescence) DNA of sperm in semen, motile sperm selected by CSGC and ZP-bound sperm, was assessed by acridine orange (AO) fluorescence.

RESULTS

The percentage of sperm with green fluorescence was significantly correlated with normal sperm morphology in semen and after CSGC preparation. The proportion of sperm with green fluorescence was significantly higher in motile sperm selected by CSGC than ejaculated sperm. There were very few sperm (average <8%) with red fluorescence bound to the ZP, even in men who had very high (>70%) proportions of sperm with red fluorescence in their semen.

CONCLUSION

Sperm binding to human ZP is highly selective for double stranded DNA. Sperm with single stranded or denatured DNA bind less or do not bind at all to the ZP, probably because of defects of motility and, more especially, morphology.

[Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in a mouse macula densa cell lines and signal transduction of NF-kappaB and AP-1]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of low salt (LS) on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in the mouse macula densa derived (MMDD1) cell line.

METHODS

MMDD1 cells were transfected with luciferase reporter plasmid containing AP-1 or NF-kappaB. Luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the effect of normal salt (NS) and low salt (LS) on the activities of NF-kappaB and AP-1. The changes of COX-2 expression were examined by RT-PCR. The expression of p-p38 MAPK, p-p44/42, c-Jun, c-Fos, and COX-2 in MMDD1 cells were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTS

The expressions of COX-2 mRNA and protein in MMDD1 cells were significantly increased by LS (P < 0.01). Phosphorylated p38 and p44/42 MAP kinase were significantly increased by treatment at 180 min (P < 0.01). The up-regulated COX-2 protein expression with LS were significantly reduced with SB 203580 (p38 inhibitors) and PD-98059 (p44/42 inhibitors) (P < 0.01). The expressions of c-Jun and c-Fos were increased by LS. The luciferase activities of AP-1 and NF-kappaB were stimulated in LS (P < 0.01), the up-regulated luciferase activities were attenuated by PDTC at 25 micromol/L (NF-kappaB inhibitor) and curcumin at 20 micromol/L (AP-1 inhibitor) (P < 0.01). LS altered COX-2 mRNA abundance and protein expression were decreased in treatment with PDTC at 25 micromol/L, curcumin at 20 micromol/L (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

LS can induce the expression of COX-2 in MMDD1 cells, which may be involved in the activation of p38 MAP kinase, p44/42 kinase, AP-1, and NF-kappaB pathways.

Comparison of human sperm morphometry assessment models based on zona pellucida selectivity

Computer image analysis improves the objectivity and reproducibility of conventional assessments of sperm morphology. We have extended this objectivity by using the physiological process of sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding to classify 'normal' sperm morphometry. Linear regression analysis of the morphometric differences between sperm in semen, swim-up and ZP bound samples (n=53) was used to establish 12 "zona preferred" morphometric parameters from which two different morphometric evaluations of an individual sperm's potential for motility and ability to bind to the ZP of human oocytes were calculated. The two models, %Z and %ZB, were then tested, together with conventional morphometry assessments of percent "normal" and other semen variables, against experimental sperm-ZP binding rates (n=64) and natural pregnancy rates in sub-fertile couples (n= 1191). Although %ZB was the most significantly related semen variable to sperm-ZP binding rate, the simpler %Z was more significant in the Cox regression model for natural pregnancy rates in sub-fertile couples. In multivariate analysis, the only additional significant covariates were sperm straight line velocity and female age. %Z is therefore the most appropriate and also easiest of our morphometry assessments to be applied to commercial CASA systems which offer a morphometry module with stain density analysis.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha upregulates the expression of immunoglobulin secretory component

BACKGROUND

The immunoglobulin (Ig) secretory component (SC) is the extracellular component of the polymeric Ig receptor (plgR) that is responsible for the transcytosis of newly synthesized IgA. In addition, the SC seems to play important roles in regulating eosinophil functions and in enhancing local immune responses. SC expression in HT-29 has been shown to increase in response to interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL) 4 and IL-1, but whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha affects SC expression is disputed.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to study whether TNF-alpha can affect the expression of SC in Caco-2 cells.

METHODS

We used immunocytochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to test SC-positive cells, free SC in culture supernatants, plgR mRNA, and protein expression of SC.

RESULTS

TNF-alpha dose-dependently increased SC-positive cells, free SC in culture supernatants, plgR mRNA, and protein expression of SC.

Acrosome-reacted human sperm in insemination medium do not bind to the zona pellucida of human oocytes

In the literature there is still confusion whether acrosome-reacted sperm in medium can initiate primary binding to human zona pellucida (ZP). The ability of acrosome-reacted sperm to bind to ZP in vitro can be deduced by measuring the acrosome reaction (AR) of ZP-bound sperm compared with sperm in medium after incubation under different conditions inhibiting the ZP-induced AR. Motile sperm from fertile men, normospermic men and infertile men diagnosed with disordered ZP-induced AR (DZPIAR) were selected by swim-up (2 x 10(6) in 1 mL medium) and incubated for 1-2 h with four oocytes from failed in vitro fertilization (IVF). The acrosome status of sperm was assessed using pisum sativum agglutinin labelled with fluorescein. The ZP-induced AR was inhibited in experiments using sperm from DZPIAR patients, hyper-osmotic medium (400 mOsm/kg) and medium containing soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI; 4 mg/mL). Pre-treatment with calcium ionophore was used to create a sperm population with elevated AR. In all experiments with factors inhibiting the ZP-induced AR, the AR was significantly lower for ZP-bound sperm compared with sperm in medium: DZPIAR patients 4% vs. 15%, hyper-osmotic medium 3% vs. 12%, SBTI 2% vs. 12% and SBTI 3% vs. 23% after treatment with calcium ionophore. In conclusion, acrosome-reacted sperm in vitro have significantly reduced, in fact probably zero ability to bind to the ZP.

Tyrosine phosphorylation on capacitated human sperm tail detected by immunofluorescence correlates strongly with sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding but not with the ZP-induced acrosome reaction

BACKGROUND

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation (TP) of human sperm is related to sperm capacitation and zona pellucida (ZP) binding. The aim of this study was to determine whether the TP of capacitated sperm is a useful marker for the ability of sperm to bind to the ZP and undergo the ZP-induced acrosome reaction (AR).

METHODS

Semen samples were obtained from 115 subfertile men with sperm count > or =20 x 10(6)/ml, motility > or =25% and variable morphology. Motile sperm (2 x 10(6)/ml) selected by swim-up were incubated with four oocytes for 2 h, and the number of sperm bound to the ZP and the ZP-induced AR was examined. TP of sperm tail was assessed by immunofluorescence (IF) with anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody. The time course and effects of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on TP were also studied.

RESULTS

TP was stimulated more by dbcAMP (P < 0.001) and less by PMA (P < 0.05). TP increased significantly with time of incubation of sperm. TP was not detectable on the surface of unfixed live sperm by either Dynabeads or IF. Sperm TP at 2, 4 and 20 h incubation was all significantly correlated with sperm-ZP binding but not with the ZP-induced AR.

CONCLUSION

Sperm TP detected by IF correlates strongly with sperm-ZP binding capacity but not with the ZP-induced AR. This simple IF assay of TP may be a clinically useful test of sperm function that is predictive of normal sperm ZP-binding capacity.

Hyper-osmotic condition enhances protein tyrosine phosphorylation and zona pellucida binding capacity of human sperm

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of culture medium osmolality, in the range known to occur in the male and female reproductive tracts, on human sperm tyrosine phosphorylation and sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) interaction in vitro.

METHODS

Motile sperm (2x10(6)), selected by swim-up from semen of normozoospermic men with normal sperm-ZP binding, were incubated with or without four oocytes in 1 ml human tubal fluid (HTF) medium with different osmolalities (150, 200, 280, 350, 400 mOsm/kg) adjusted by variation of the NaCl concentration. After 2 h incubation, the number of sperm bound to the four ZP was examined, sperm motility and velocities were assessed by Hamilton-Thorn Motility Analyzer (IVOS 10) and sperm tyrosine phosphorylation was assessed by both western immunoblotting and immunofluorescence with an anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody (PY20). The effect of hyper-osmolality (400 mOsm/kg) on the ZP-induced acrosome reaction (AR) was also determined.

RESULTS

Incubation of human sperm in hyper-osmotic medium significantly increased tyrosine phosphorylation and the number of sperm bound to the ZP. In contrast, hypo-osmotic medium significantly decreased both tyrosine phosphorylation and sperm-ZP binding. Medium with high osmolality (400 mOsm/kg) significantly reduced the ZP-induced AR. Both hypo- and hyper-osmotic media significantly decreased average sperm percentage progressive motility and velocities.

CONCLUSION

Incubation of human sperm in hyper-osmotic media was associated with significantly increased tyrosine phosphorylation and ZP-binding ability but severely reduced the ZP-induced AR.

Changes of IgA and sIgA and its clinical significant in hepatic diseases

AIM: To investigate the values of IgA and sIgA detection in the clinical diagnosis of hepatic diseases.

METHODS: Patients with acute hepatitis (AH, n = 35), chronic severe hepatitis (CSH, n = 9), chronic hepatitis (CH, n = 67) and liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 57) were involved. The level of IgA was assayed by rate nephelometry, and the level of sIgA was detected by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS: The levels of fecal IgA and sIgA were notably elevated in patients with AH, CSH, CH and LC as compared with those in the controls (IgA: 100±47, 251±178, 80±24, 145±164 mg/L vs <67 mg/L, P < 0.01; sIgA: 88±96, 326±237, 88±121, 104±109 mg/L vs 13±10 mg/L, P < 0.01). IgA was positively correlated with sIgA(r = 0.4371, P < 0.01). The levels of serum IgA and sIgA were markedly increased in patients with AH, CSH, CH and LC as compared with those in the controls (IgA: 3.1±1.1, 3.4±1.8, 3.3±1.7, 4.9±3.3 g/L vs 1.6±0.2 g/L, P < 0.01; sIgA: 31.1±25.8, 80.3±25.4, 30.5±24.1, 50.0±20.5 µg/L vs 23.4±8.2 µg/L, P<0.01 or P < 0.05). The fecal IgA and sIgA were not correlated with serum IgA and sIgA, and serum IgA was not correlated with serum sIgA (P >0.05). In patients with CH, CSH and LC, serum sIgA was significantly correlated with alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.523 0, P < 0.01) and total bilirubin (r = 0.4 581, P < 0.01). In patients with AH, serum sIgA level was correlated with alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.4 692, P < 0.01), total bilirubin (r = 0.4 265, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The detection of IgA and sIgA can be used in the clinical diagnosis of hepatic diseases.

Effect of platelet activating factor on function of intestinal immunological barrier in young rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) on the content of secretory IgA (SIgA) in intestinal mucosa.

METHODS: The rats were intraperitoneally injected with different concentrations of PAF (50 and 65 µg/kg) at a dose of 1 µL/g. Double antibody-PEG radioimmunoassay was used to determine the amount of SIgA in the intestinal mucosa. The histological changes were detected by hematoxylin and Eosin staining under light microscope.

RESULTS: In the PAF65 group, the histological examination showed edema of the villus, capillary congestion of the lamina propria, extension of the subepithelial lymphatic channel, polymorphonuclear infiltration in enteric cavity, and shedding of the epithelial layer at 0.5, 1.5, and 3 h. Edema of the villus were still shown at 6 and 24 h. In the PAF50 group, edema of the villus, capillary congestion of the lamina propria were showed at 0.5 and 1.5 h. Edema of the villus were still shown at 3, 6 and 24 h. The content of SIgA was obviously decreased in the experimental group than that in the control group (0.31±0.03 mg/L, 0.40±0.10 mg/L, P < 0.01; 0.43±0.13 mg/L, 0.46±0.11mg/L, P < 0.05, in PAF50 group; 0.28±0.07 mg/L, 0.36±0.08 mg/L, P < 0.01, 0.40±0.11 mg/L, 0.42±0.06 mg/L, P < 0.05, in PAF65 group vs 0.66±0.10 mg/L in the control) at 0.5, 1.5, 3 and 6 h, respectively. The SIgA content decreased most at 0.5 h, but then gradually increased.

CONCLUSION: PAF can lead to damages of the intestinal immunologic barrier by decreasing the SIgA content.