Oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) seems to take a part in atherogenesis through direct interactions with macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, and is thought to participate in renal glomerular injury. For the purpose of illustrating the role of oxidized LDL in the human diseases, monoclonal antibodies were developed and characterized, recognizing oxidized LDL-specific epitopes that do not exist on native LDL. LDL was oxidized by the incubation with CuSO4, and used as immunogen. Splenocytes from the immunized mouse and mouse myeloma cells were fused to produce hybridomas, which were screened for the secretion of oxidized LDL-specific antibodies. Immunoblot analysis and binding affinity assay showed that these monoclonal antibodies recognize malondialdehyde-conjugated peptide epitopes.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibody Affinity ; Antibody Specificity ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes ; Human ; Lipoproteins, LDL/immunology* ; Malondialdehyde/immunology ; Malondialdehyde/analysis ; Peptide Fragments/immunology ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances/analysis

The role of autoantibody against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether autoantibodies against malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified LDL are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and clinical presentations of CAD in non-diabetic patients without acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We determined the serum levels of autoantibody against MDA-modified LDL by ELISA in 71 patients with angiographically significant CAD (> or = 50% diameter stenosis in at least 1 vessel) and 80 controls without angiographically significant CAD. Among the total 151 subjects, 30 subjects did not have any clinical ischemic event, 90 subjects had stable angina symptoms, and 31 subjects had unstable angina symptoms. The autoantibody titer, expressed mean optical density units, was significantly higher in patients with CAD than in controls (0.177+/- 0.014 versus 0.127+/- 0.011, respectively; p=0.006) and higher in unstable angina group than in stable angina group (0.240+/- 0.025 versus 0.145+/- 0.007, respectively; p < 0.001). By logistic regression analysis, the high autoantibody titer was associated significantly with CAD (P=0.008), independent of age, gender, body mass index, triglyceride concentration, and the ratio of total cholesterol-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In multiple regression analysis, presence of CAD, smoking history and low HDL-cholesterol level were independent factors associated with a increased anti-oxLDL Ab titer. The autoantibody titer was significantly lower in nonsmoker than smoker (p=0.019) and higher in low HDL- cholesterol (< or = 35 mg/dl) group than in high HDL-cholesterol group (p=0.012). Elevated autoantibody titer was associated with CAD and the unstable clinical presentation of CAD. Our results suggest that immune response to oxidized LDL may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and plaque instability.
Aged ; Angina, Unstable/*blood/*immunology ; Antibody Formation ; Autoantibodies/*analysis ; Coronary Disease/immunology ; Female ; Human ; Lipoproteins, LDL/*drug effects/*immunology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/*pharmacology ; Middle Age

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the serum malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) levels between normal and T. gondii-infected patients. To this end, MDA, GSH, and NO levels in the sera of 37 seropositive patients and 40 participants in the control group were evaluated. In Toxoplasma ELISA, IgG results of the patient group were 1,013.0 +/- 543.8 in optical density (mean +/- SD). A statistically significant difference was found between patients and the control group in terms of MDA, GSH, and NO levels. A decrease in GSH activity was detected, while MDA and NO levels increased significantly. Consequently, it is suggested that the use of antioxidant vitamins in addition to a parasite treatment shall prove useful. The high infection vs control ratio of MDA and NO levels probably suggests the occurrence as a mechanism of tissue damage in cases of chronic toxoplasmosis. Moreover, it is recommended that the patient levels of MDA, GSH, and NO should be evaluated in toxoplasmosis.
Animals ; Glutathione/*blood ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Malondialdehyde/*blood ; Nitric Oxide/*blood ; Oxidative Stress ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis/*blood/immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Banxia Houpu Decoction on a chronic mild stress model of depression and investigate the antidepressive mechanism.

METHODWith consumption of a 1% sucrose solution as an index, and by subjecting rats to a variety of mild stressors for a prolonged period of time, a chronic mild stress model was developed. The levels of the blood lipid were measured by blood lipid kits, the natural kill (NK) cell activity in the spleen was measured with the method of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in red blood cell was assayed by the Autoxidation of Pyrogallol method, the NO synthase (NOS) activity in serum and tissue was measured by NOS kits, and the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) was measured by MDA kits.

RESULTBanxia Houpu Decoction significantly increased the consumption of sucrose solution, increased the level of the high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), decreased the level of the Triglyceride(TG) in serum, enhanced the activity of the NK in spleen, decreased the activity of the SOD in red blood and the activity of the NOS in serum and tissue, and reduced the content of MDA in tissue by effect on lipid Peroxidation in CNS model of depression.

CONCLUSIONBanxia Houpu Decoction has antidepressant effect in different ways.

Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Depression ; immunology ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Psychological ; complications ; Sucrose ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; blood

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing properties of methyl jasmonate (MJ) in experimental rat models of acute and chronic inflammation. The effects of MJ on acute inflammation were assessed using carrageenan-induced rat's paw edema model. The granuloma air pouch model was employed to evaluate the effects of MJ on chronic inflammation produced by carrageenan in rats. The number of white blood cells (WBC) in pouch exudates was estimated using light microscopy. The levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and activity of antioxidant enzymes in the exudates, were determined using spectrophotometry. The membrane stabilizing property of MJ was assessed based on inhibition of hemolysis of rat red blood cells (RBC) exposed to hypotonic medium. Our results indicated that MJ (25-100 mg·kg, i.p.) produced significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats (P < 0.05). MJ reduced the volume of pouch exudates and the number of WBC in carrageenan-induced granulomatous inflammation. It also exhibited potent antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities. In conclusion, these findings suggest the therapeutic potentials of methyl jasmonate in disease conditions associated with inflammation and its anti-inflammatory activity may be related to its antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities.
Acetates ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; Cell Membrane ; chemistry ; drug effects ; immunology ; Cyclopentanes ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Edema ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Glutathione ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; immunology ; Oxylipins ; administration & dosage ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDErythropoietin elicits protective effects in lung tissue injury induced by ischaemic reperfusion and hyperoxia. We investigated the protective roles of erythropoietin in pulmonary inflammation and lung injury during acute endotoxaemia.

METHODSA total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: saline group, erythropoietin + saline group, saline + lipopolysaccharide group and erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group. Rats were treated with erythropoietin (3000 U/kg, i.p.) or saline, 30 minutes prior to lipopolysaccharide administration (6 mg/kg, i.v.). Four hours after lipopolysaccharide injection, samples of pulmonary tissue were collected. Optical microscopy was performed to examine pathological changes in lungs. Wet/dry (W/D) ratios, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde concentrations and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as well as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta) levels in lungs were measured. The pulmonary expression of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 was evaluated by Western blotting. Differences between the different groups were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTSThe lung tissues from the saline + lipopolysaccharide group were significantly damaged, which were less pronounced in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group. The W/D ratio increased significantly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group (5.75 +/- 0.22) as compared with the saline group (3.85 +/- 0.20) (P < 0.01), which was significantly reduced in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group (4.50 +/- 0.35) (P < 0.01). Myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels increased significantly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group compared with the saline group, which was reduced in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group. The TNF-alpha level of pulmonary tissue increased significantly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group ((9.80 +/- 0.82) pg/mg protein) compared with the saline group ((4.20 +/- 0.42) pg/mg protein, P < 0.01). However, the increase of TNF-alpha level of pulmonary tissue was significantly reduced in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group ((6.50 +/- 0.66) pg/mg protein, P < 0.01). Similarly, pulmonary IL-1beta levels were elevated markedly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group in contrast to the saline group, whereas the elevation was much less in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group. The nuclear localization of p65 increased markedly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group and this enhancement of nuclear p65 expression was much less in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group.

CONCLUSIONErythropoietin attenuates pulmonary inflammation and suppresses TNF-alpha and IL-1beta overproduction during acute endotoxaemia, which is partially mediated by inhibition of NF-kappaB.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Endotoxemia ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; immunology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Animals ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immune Sera ; immunology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Taurine ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenfu Injection (SFI) on erythrocyte immunity function of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

METHODSTwenty patients scheduled for valve replacement were randomly assigned to two groups, i.e. , the SFI group and the control group, 10 in each. SFI 1 mL/kg was intravenously dripped before induction of anesthesia and SFI 1 mL/kg administered in priming solution in the SFI group, while only normal saline was given to those in the control group. Venous blood samples (5 mL) were collected before induction of anesthesia (T1), 30 min CPB (T2), immediate by the end of CPB (T3), and postoperative 24 h (T4) respectively in all groups. The levels of the rosette rate of RBC-C3b receptor (RBC-C3bRR), the rosette rate of RBC-immune complex (RBC-ICR), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), free hemoglobin (FHB), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the levels of RBC-C3bRR, RBC-ICR, plasma MDA, FHB, and IL-6 at T1 in both groups (P > 0.05). RBC-C3bRR at the rest time points was lower in the two groups than before induction of anesthesia. There was no statistical difference in FHB or IL-6 between T4 and T1 in the SFI group. The levels of RBC-ICR, MDA, FHB, and IL-6 increased in the two groups more than before induction of anesthesia at T2-4 ( P < 0.05). Besides, the RBC-C3b RR was lower, and levels of RBC-ICR, MDA, FHB, and IL-6 higher in the control group than in the SFI group, showing significant difference (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFI could decrease the generation of inflammatory mediators during CPB, improve the erythrocyte immune function of patients during CPB, and reduce the risk of postoperative infection.

Adult ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; blood ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Injections ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total flavonoids of Chrysanthemum indicum (TFC) on metabolism of free radical and immunoregulatory effects in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats.

METHODAA rats were induced by Freunds complete adjuvant. Secondary paw swelling of AA rats was measured with volume meter to observe the antirheumatic effect of TFC. The levels of SOD, MDA and NO in serum and supernatant of peritoneal macrophage were measured by commercial assay kits. ConA-induced splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 level produced by splenocyte were detected by MTT method.

RESULTTFC could decrease the levels of MDA and NO, as well as increase the activity of SOD in serum and supernatant of peritoneal macrophage compared with AA model group. Meanwhile, the suppressed lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production of splenic lymphocytes in AA rats were reversed by treatment with TFC.

CONCLUSIONTFC showed significant therapeutical effect on adjuvant arthritis and its mechanism was at least in part related to the antioxidant and immunoregulatory effects.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Chrysanthemum ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; cytology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of polysaccharide ATPS-2 from Armillariella tabescens on the immunological liver injury in mice induced by BCG plus LPS.

METHODBCG and LPS were adopted to establish BCG plus LPS liver injury model in mice. The content of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and NO, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondiadehyde (MDA) content of liver homogenate in mice were measured by colorimetric method. The content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), on serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) , and T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation were measured by MTT. Index of liver, spleen and thymus were calculated after treatment.

RESULTPolysaccharide ATPS-2 from A. tabescens (25, 50, 100 mg x kg(-1)) could obviously reduce the high level of ALT, AST, NO and TNF-alpha, IL-1 on serum, inhibit the high level of MDA, increase the low activity of SOD in liver homogenate and enhance T-and B-lymphocyte proliferation, elevate the spleen, thymic index and decrease liver index of the mice to different extent.

CONCLUSIONPolysaccharide ATPS-2 from A. tabescens had apparently protective effects in the immunological liver injury mice induced by BCG plus LPS.

Agaricales ; chemistry ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; B-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Diseases ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood