We investigated the release of superxide anion ( O2- ) in human granulocytes stimulated by leukocyte factor ( LF ) and/or concan-avalin A ( Con A ). Some amount of O2- can be released by granulocytes, when LF or Con A was applied alone. The pretreat-ment of granulocytes with a low concentration LF1 potentiated O2-release in granulocytes stimulated by Con A, and the lag time of O2-release was reduced. The results show that the granulocytes were activated by LF. This phenomenon may be related to the curative effects of LF.

Objective To investigate the changes in the expression of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ α (CaMK Ⅱ α) in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) during remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in a rat model of incisional pain (IP).Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats in which caudal vein catheter was successfully placed,aged 260-280 g,were divided into 4 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),IP group,remifentanil group (group R) and remifentanil plus IP group (group RIP).Normal saline was infused via the caudal vein for 60 min at a rate of 0.1 ml · kg-1 · min-1 in group C.Normal saline was infused via the caudal vein for 60 min at a rate of 0.1 ml · kg-1 · min-1,and the model of IP was simultaneously established in group IP.Remifentanil was infused via the caudal vein for 60 min at a rate of 1.0 μg · kg-1 · min-1 in group R.Remifentanil was infused via the caudal vein for 60 min at a rate of 1.0 μg · kg-1 · min-1,and the model of IP was simultaneously established in group RIP.Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 24 h before infusion and 2,6,24 and 48 h after infusion (T0-4).The rats were sacrificed after the last behavioral test,and L4-6 segment of the spinal cord and DRGs were removed for determination of the expression of total and phosphorylated CaMK Ⅱ α (tCaMK Ⅱ α,pCaMK Ⅱ α) by Western blot.The ratio of pCaMK Ⅱ /tCaMK Ⅱ α was calculated.Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,the expression of tCaMK Ⅱ α and pCaMK Ⅱ α in the spinal cord and DRGs was up-regulated,and the ratio of pCaMK Ⅱ α/tCaMK Ⅱ α was increased in I,R and RIP groups (P＜0.05 or 0.01).Compared with group IP and group R,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,the expression of tCaMK Ⅱ α and pCaMK Ⅱ α in the spinal cord and DRGs was up-regulated,and the ratio of pCaMK Ⅱ α/tCaMK Ⅱ α was increased in group RIP (P＜0.05 or 0.01).Conclusion The mechanism by which remifentanil induces hyperalgesia may be related to upregulated expression of CaMK Ⅱ α in the spinal cord and DRGs in a rat model of IP.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between NR2B subunit-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NR2B receptors) and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ α (CaMK Ⅱ α) in the spinal cord during remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in a rat model of incisional pain (IP).Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats in which intrathecal and caudal catheters were successfully placed,weighing 260-280 g,aged 2-3 months,were divided into 4 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),remifentanil plus IP group (group RI),NR2B antagonist Ro 25-6981 group (group Ro) and remifentanil plus IP plus Ro 25-6981 group (group RI+Ro).In group C,normal saline 0.1 ml was intrathecally injected,and 10 min later normal saline was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of0.1 ml · kg-1 · min-1.In group RI,normal saline 0.1 ml was intrathecally injected,and 10 min later remifentanil was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 1.0 μg · kg-1 · min-1,and IP was established immediately after onset of remifentanil infusion.In group Ro,Ro 25-6981 (0.1 ml) 10 μg was intrathecally injected,and 10 min later normal saline was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 0.1 ml · kg-1 · min-1.In group RI+Ro,Ro 25-6981 (0.1 ml) 10 μg was intrathecally injected,and 10 min later remifentanil was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 1.0 μg · kg-1 · min-1,and IP was established immediately after onset of remifentanil infusion.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 24 h before intravenously infusing normal saline or remifentanil and at 2,6,24 and 48 h after the end of infusion (T0-4).The rats were sacrificed after the last behavioral test,and the L4-6 segment of the spinal cord was removed for determination of the expression of NR2B in total and membrane protein (tNR2B and mNR2B) and expression of CaMK Ⅱ α in total protein (tCaMK Ⅱ α) and phosphorylated CaMK Ⅱ α (pCaMKⅡα).The ratios of mNR2B/tNR2B and pCaMKⅡα/tCaMK Ⅱα were calculated.Results Compared with group C,the MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,the expression of tNR2B,mNR2B,tCaMKⅡα and pCaMKⅡα was up-regulated,and the ratios of mNR2B/tNR2B and pCaMK Ⅱ α/tCaMK Ⅱ α were increased in group RI (P＜0.05 or 0.01).Compared with group RI,the MWT was significantly increased,TWL was prolonged,the expression of tNR2B,mNR2B,tCaMKⅡα and pCaMKⅡα was down-regulated,and the ratios of mNR2B/tNR2B and pCaMK Ⅱ α/tCaMK Ⅱ α were decreased in group RI+ Ro (P＜0.05 or 0.01).Conclusion Enhanced function of NR2B can activate CaMKⅡα during remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia,which may be involved in the mechanism of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in a rat model of IP.