BACKGROUND: The identification of in vitro hemolysis (IVH) using a hematology analyzer is challenging because centrifugation of the specimens cannot be performed for cell counts. In the present study, we aimed to develop a scoring system to help identify the presence of hemolysis in anticoagulated blood specimens. METHODS: Thirty-seven potassium EDTA anticoagulated blood specimens were obtained, and each specimen was divided into 3 aliquots (A, B, and C). Aliquots B and C were mechanically hemolyzed by aspirating 2 and 5 times, respectively, using a 27-gauge needle and then tested; aliquot A was analyzed immediately without any hemolysis. After the cells were counted, aliquots B and C were centrifuged and the supernatants were tested for the hemolytic index and lactate dehydrogenase levels. RESULTS: The 4 hematologic parameters were selected and scored from 0 to 3 as follows:< 34.0, 34.0-36.2, 36.3-38.4, and > or =38.5 for mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC, g/dL); <0.02, 0.02, 0.03, and > or =0.04 for red blood cell ghosts (10(12)/L); <0.13, 0.13-0.38, 0.39-1.30, and > or =1.31 for difference value (g/dL) of measured hemoglobin and calculated hemoglobin; and <0.26, 0.26-0.95, 0.96-3.34, and > or =3.35 for difference value (g/dL) of MCHC and cell hemoglobin concentration mean. The hemolysis score was calculated by adding all the scores from the 4 parameters. At the cutoff hemolysis score of 3, the IVH of aliquots B and C were detected as 64.9% and 91.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The scoring system might provide effective screening for detecting spurious IVH.
Anticoagulants/*pharmacology ; *Blood Specimen Collection ; Edetic Acid/pharmacology ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; Hemolysis/drug effects ; Humans

Characterization of ceramide-effector(s), which includes protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is an important prelude to understanding the molecular basis of sphingolipid-mediated biological effects such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Recently, the existence of a metal-dependent form of PP2A has been reported (Cai et al., 1995). In this study, we investigated the effects of metal ions and chelators on ceramide-activated PP2A (CAPP). Our study demonstrates that at 0.5 mM concentration, Mg2+ appears to have no significant effect on either basal or ceramide-stimulated phosphatase activities, whereas Ca2+ stimulated the basal phosphatase activity, but was inhibitory towards CAPP. Moreover, the divalent cations Cr2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ were tested and all were found to be inhibitory towards both CAPP and basal phosphatase activities. By contrast, Cs+ and Li+ had almost no effect on CAPP, although both stimulated basal phosphatase activity. The effects of EDTA and EGTA were tested and it was observed that EDTA decreased CAPP activity in a dose-dependent fashion, but had no effect upon basal phosphatase activity. These results suggest that CAPP is a metal-dependent protein, but, because Ca2+ inhibitied CAPP and EGTA was much less potent than EDTA in inhibiting CAPP, Ca2+ is unlikely to be its metal cofactor.
Cations, Divalent/*pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Edetic Acid/pharmacology ; Egtazic Acid/pharmacology ; Enzyme Activation ; Human ; Lymphocytes/cytology ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatase/drug effects/isolation & purification/*metabolism

Characterization of ceramide-effector(s), which includes protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is an important prelude to understanding the molecular basis of sphingolipid-mediated biological effects such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Recently, the existence of a metal-dependent form of PP2A has been reported (Cai et al., 1995). In this study, we investigated the effects of metal ions and chelators on ceramide-activated PP2A (CAPP). Our study demonstrates that at 0.5 mM concentration, Mg2+ appears to have no significant effect on either basal or ceramide-stimulated phosphatase activities, whereas Ca2+ stimulated the basal phosphatase activity, but was inhibitory towards CAPP. Moreover, the divalent cations Cr2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ were tested and all were found to be inhibitory towards both CAPP and basal phosphatase activities. By contrast, Cs+ and Li+ had almost no effect on CAPP, although both stimulated basal phosphatase activity. The effects of EDTA and EGTA were tested and it was observed that EDTA decreased CAPP activity in a dose-dependent fashion, but had no effect upon basal phosphatase activity. These results suggest that CAPP is a metal-dependent protein, but, because Ca2+ inhibitied CAPP and EGTA was much less potent than EDTA in inhibiting CAPP, Ca2+ is unlikely to be its metal cofactor.
Cations, Divalent/*pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Edetic Acid/pharmacology ; Egtazic Acid/pharmacology ; Enzyme Activation ; Human ; Lymphocytes/cytology ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatase/drug effects/isolation & purification/*metabolism

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of proteases on the degradation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in blood samples. METHODS: Protease inhibitors with specificity against serine proteases (aprotinin), cysteine proteases (E-64), serine and cysteine proteases (leupeptin), metalloproteases (EDTA), or a protease inhibitor cocktail with a broad spectrum of inhibitory activity were added to blood samples. After storage at room temperature (0-48 hr), PTH levels were measured. RESULTS: PTH levels in samples with the protease inhibitor cocktail did not change significantly after 48 hr of storage at room temperature, but the average PTH levels decreased by 40.7% and 20.1%, in samples stored at room temperature and stored at 4degrees C without protease inhibitors, respectively. PTH levels in samples with leupeptin were stable for up to 24 hr. After 48 hr, the mean PTH levels decreased by 17.1%, 16.0%, 26.2%, and 32.1%, with 500 KIU/mL aprotinin, 100 micro mol/L leupeptin, 10 micro mol/L E-64, and 10 micro mol/L EDTA, respectively, in the samples stored at room temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in PTH levels in blood samples seemed to be due to the degradation of PTH by proteases. Various proteases, including especially serine proteases, would act together to degrade PTH in blood specimen. The PTH degradation may be inhibited in blood specimen with protease inhibitor cocktail.
Aprotinin/pharmacology ; Blood Specimen Collection ; Edetic Acid/pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Leucine/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Leupeptins/pharmacology ; Male ; Parathyroid Hormone/*blood/metabolism ; Protease Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Time Factors

The study was purposed to explore the suitable platelet activators to be used in slide platelet aggregation test. Experiments were as follows: (1) to detect the intensity and time in 15 healthy donors' platelet aggregation tests induced by cationic propyl gallate (c-PG) and the usual platelet activators: ADP, collagen, epinephrine, arachidonic acid and ristocentin, respectively; (2) to detect the time in platelet aggregation tests of 15 healthy donors induced by c-PG and the above usual platelet activators respectively after addition of PGI2, cAMP or EDTA; (3) to detect the time in 15 healthy donors' platelet aggregation tests induced by c-PG after addition of heparin; (4) to detect the intensity and time of platelet aggregation induced by c-PG at the platelet count of (240-15) x 10(9)/L, (5) to detect the time of platelet aggregation induced by c-PG in eight patients each of whom had taken 100 mg aspirin per day for five days. The results showed that (1) c-PG reduced the strongest intensity of platelet aggregation and the time taken was appropriate, (2) c-PG was the most effective activator to reveal the inhibitive effect on platelet by PGI2, cAMP or EDTA, (3) 0.5 - 3 U/ml heparin did not significantly change the platelet aggregation induced by c-PG, (4) 15 healthy donors' platelet aggregation induced by c-PG displayed clearly on the slide until the platelet count below 30 x 10(9)/L, (5) The platelet aggregation time induced by c-PG was significantly prolonged in eight patients who had taken aspirin. In conclusion, compared to the usual platelet activators, c-PG has remarkable potential advantages when used in slide platelet aggregation test.
Cyclic AMP ; pharmacology ; Edetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Epoprostenol ; pharmacology ; Heparin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Platelet Activation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Propyl Gallate ; pharmacology

Serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibition has been reported in lead workers treated with CaNa2EDTA and in alcoholic patients repeatedly treated with the alcohol aversive drug Disulfiram. The mechanism of inhibition involves Cu++ chelation at the active site of DBH. The effect of CaNa2EDTA and Disulfiram on serum DBH has been compared to the effect of dithiocarbamate pesticides in vitro for the possible use of serum DBH determination for the biological monitoring of workers exposed to these pesticides. Most dithiocarbamates inhibit human serum DBH at micromolar concentrations (range of I50, 0.027-1.6 mumol/L). The inhibitory potency increased from methyl- and dimethyl dithiocarbamates to diethyl dithiocarbamates up to the most potent ethylene bisdithiocarbamates. The I50 of CaNa2EDTA was 3.8 mumol/L, higher than those of dithiocarbamates. Copper addition to the test system reactivated at stoichiometric concentrations dithiocarbamate-inhibited DBH indicating that both base line values and percent of inhibition can be calculated in a single blood sample. Results suggest that serum DBH determination could be useful in case of acute poisoning involving high doses of dithiocarbamate pesticides.
Alcohol Deterrents ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Chelating Agents ; pharmacology ; Disulfiram ; pharmacology ; Ditiocarb ; pharmacology ; Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase ; blood ; drug effects ; Edetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; blood

FOR smear layer removal from root canal walls, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is an effective chelating agent and its efficiency depends upon a lot of factors such as concentration, pH, duration of application, the type of the solution, the root canal length, penetration depth of the material, and hardness of the dentin.The aim of this scanning electron microscopic study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 19% EDTA gel on smear layer removal at different time periods when used as a final step in the irrigation regime.
Chelating Agents ; pharmacology ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Edetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Gels ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Root Canal Irrigants ; pharmacology ; Smear Layer ; Therapeutic Irrigation

BACKGROUNDWe assessed whether the CaNa2 EDTA could improve the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and photosensitisation in HEp-2 cells as well as the depth of treatment of skin cancers on the topical 5-Aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA) PDT.

METHODSHEp-2 cells were incubated with 5-ALA (0-1 mmol/L) and CaNa2EDTA (0-1 mmol/L) for 4 hours, intracellular protoporphyrin IX content was quantified by extraction, and cell viability was assessed by use of the methyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay four hours after exposure to light. In comparison with the pictures before and after treatment, depth of treatment could be determined using a Acuson Sequioa 512 phase-array system in paired experiments.

RESULTSPpIX accumulation increased with increasing extracellular concentrations of ALA (0-1 mmol/L). Adding 1 mmol/L of CaNa2EDTA increased 30% PpIX accumulation over the same period of incubation in the concentration of 1 mmol/L ALA. Significant difference was observed between the 5-ALA alone group and 5-ALA combined CaNa2 EDTA group in the PpIX accumulation (P < 0.01). Cell viability after exposure to light decreased with adding CaNa2 EDTA, a statistical difference in a same fluence above 1.2 J/cm2 between two groups was demonstrated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively). Depth of treatment of skin cancers were increased in CaNa2 EDTA-treated group.

CONCLUSIONCaNa2 EDTA could improve the PpIX accumulation and photosensitisation in HEp-2 cells. Clinically, CaNa2 EDTA could increase the depth of treatment in the cutaneous cancers.

Aminolevulinic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; Edetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Photochemotherapy ; Protoporphyrins ; analysis ; Skin Neoplasms ; drug therapy

AIMTo explore the intestinal absorption characteristics of lumbrokinase (YJM-I) in the absence or presence of various absorption enhancers and to find the optimum intestinal site for YJM-I absorption.

METHODSThe absorption kinetics and absorption intestinal sites for YJM-I absorption were investigated with the method of diffusion cell in vitro, duodenum bolus injection, recirculating perfusion and in situ duodenum perfusion in vivo.

RESULTSYJM-I could be transported into blood and kept its biological activity across intestinal endothelial membrane after administration via duodenum site, whereas with lower bioavailability. Some of the absorption enhancers were shown good enhancement effects on intestinal absorption of YJM-I in vitro and in situ experiments. The order of enhanced efficiencies of various enhancers on duodenum, ileum and jejunum in vitro permeation experiments were shown as follows: 1% chitosan > 1% SDCh > 1% Na2EDTA > 1% SDS > 1% sodium caprylate > 1% poloxamer > 1% HP-beta-CD. The order of enhanced efficiencies of various enhancers on duodenum absorption of YJM-I in vivo were as follows: 2.5% SDCh > 2.5% Na2EDTA > 2.0% chitosan > 2.5% SDS > 2.5% sodium caprylate > 2.5% Poloxamer > 2.5% HP-beta-CD.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that the absorption of YJM-I could be enhanced by various enhancers, and duodenum was the optimum absorption site of YJM-I. Furthermore, bio-adhesive chitosan might be a potential enhancer of intestinal YJM-I absorption.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Caprylates ; pharmacology ; Chitosan ; pharmacology ; Deoxycholic Acid ; pharmacology ; Duodenum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Edetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Endopeptidases ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intestinal Absorption ; Male ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Poloxamer ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo confirm the stability of exogenous genes in the generation of transgenic chickens using ejaculated chicken sperm, the deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity was evaluated in the seminal plasma of ejaculated semen and the stability of DNA was examined by adding lipofection reagents.

METHODSA PCR fragment (249 bp) of pEGFPN-1 vector was used as the DNA substrate and was incubated with the seminal plasma at 40 degree C for 30 min. Then, the whole reaction solution was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis and the DNA size was evaluated under UV light.

RESULTSThe DNA substrate was completely diminished after incubation with seminal plasma. However, the substrate was intact after incubation with heat-treated seminal plasma or incubation with seminal plasma in the presence of 0.5 mmol/L approximately 5 mmol/L EDTA. The substrate was stabilized in the seminal plasma by the addition of commercially available lipofection reagents.

CONCLUSIONThe DNase activity is present in the seminal plasma of ejaculated chicken semen. However, DNA is stable in the liposomal-DNA complex.

Animals ; Cations, Divalent ; pharmacology ; Chickens ; physiology ; DNA ; analysis ; DNA Primers ; Deoxyribonucleases ; analysis ; Edetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hot Temperature ; Indicators and Reagents ; Male ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Semen ; enzymology