刺五加在大鼠实验性肝癌诱发过程中作用的探讨

目的探讨大鼠实验性肝癌发病中刺五加对肌体免疫功能和抗氧化酶活性的影响。方法４６只ＳＤ雄性大鼠被随机分成对照组（喂普通饲料）、３－甲基４－双甲氨基偶氮苯（３－Ｍｅ－ＤＡＢ）组（喂含０．０６％３Ｍｅ－ＤＡＢ饲料 １０周）和刺五加组（饲喂同 ３－Ｍｅ－ＤＡＢ外、另加入刺五加 ４．５ｇ／ｋｇ饲料,用常规方法检测全血谷光甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨ－ＰＸ）、血清超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）活性和丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）含量,用微量化学发光造检测吞噬细胞活性（ＰＭＮ－ＣＬ）。结果１．ＰＭＮ－ＣＬ检测峰值、积分值和吞噬细胞指数,３－ＭｅＤＡＢ组较正常组和刺五加组均有显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５和Ｐ＜０．０１）２．全血ＧＳＨ－ＰＸ活性、ＳＯＤ活性,刺五加组较３－ＭｅＤＡＢ组均有显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）。ＭＤＡ含量刺五加组和３－ＭｅＤＡＢ组均较正常组升高（均Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论刺五加在大鼠实验性肝癌诱发过程中有提高抗氧化酶活性和对抗致癌剂引起的机体中性粒细胞吞噬功能代偿性增高的作用。     

生长抑素对羟自由基损伤的人胃粘膜上皮细胞系GES—1的影响

目的和方法：采用人胃粘膜上皮细胞系ＧＥＳ１细胞传代培养技术,利用Ｆｅ２＋与Ｈ２Ｏ２反应生成的羟自由基（ｈｙｄｒｏｘｙｌｒａｄｉｃａｌ,ＯＨ·）建立细胞损伤模型,探讨ＯＨ·损伤人胃粘膜细胞的机制,观察生长抑素（ｓｏｍａｔｏｓｔａｔｉｎ,ＳＳ）对ＧＥＳ１细胞抗ＯＨ·损伤的影响。结果：（１）ＯＨ·可直接损伤ＧＥＳ１细胞,表现为细胞存活率下降而细胞乳酸脱氢酶（ｌａｃｔａｔｅｄｅｈｙｄｒｏｇｅｎａｓｅ,ＬＤＨ）漏出量增多;预先在细胞培养液中加入ＯＨ·特异性清除剂二甲基亚砜（５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,可预防该损伤。预先加入ＳＳ（０．０１ｍｇ／Ｌ,０．１ｍｇ／Ｌ,１．０ｍｇ／Ｌ,１０ｍｇ／Ｌ）对细胞存活率和细胞ＬＤＨ漏出量无影响;（２）加入ＯＨ·后,细胞丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）、氧化型谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＳＧ）含量上升而还原型谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＨ）含量下降。以ＳＳ０．１ｍｇ／Ｌ,１．０ｍｇ／Ｌ,１０ｍｇ／Ｌ预处理,可部分减轻上述改变。结论：ＯＨ·可直接损伤ＧＥＳ１细胞,其机制与破坏细胞的巯基稳态及加重细胞的脂质过氧化程度有关;ＳＳ可通过维持细胞的巯基稳态,部分减轻ＯＨ·所致的ＧＥＳ１细胞脂质过氧化程度。     

动情周期中大鼠输卵管上皮凝集素受体的研究

大鼠动情周期包括动情前期（ＰＥ）、动情期（Ｅ）、动脉后期（ＭＥ）和动情间期（ＤＥ）。采用生物素标记的５种凝集素（ＣｏｎＡ、ＰＮＡ、ＲＣＡ、ＵＥＡ－Ｉ以及ＷＧＡ）对大鼠动情周期中输卵管上皮细胞的凝集素受体进行了研究,发现在大鼠动情周期中输卵管粘膜上皮细胞凝集素受体均有不同程度的变化：其中,ＣｏｎＡ的阳性反应以ＰＥ组最强,ＤＥ组最弱（Ｐ＜０．０１）;ＰＮＡ的阳性反应以Ｅ组最强,ＤＥ组为阴性;ＲＣＡ的阳性反应强度以ＰＥ和Ｅ组最强,ＤＥ组最弱（Ｐ＜０．０１）;ＵＥＡ－Ⅰ的阳性反应颗粒可见于动情周期各期,但以ＰＥ组为强（Ｐ＜０．０１）,其它各期间的反应强度差异无显著性（Ｐ＞０．０５）;ＷＧＡ的阳性反应以ＤＥ组最强,与其它各组比较,差异有高度显著性（Ｐ＜０．０１）,其它各组之间阳性反应强度差异无显著性（Ｐ＞０．０５）。说明输卵管上皮细胞的糖组分在动情周期中发生了某些变化。推测这些变化有利于输卵管功能活动的进行     

肺动脉内皮细胞与肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的相互调节

血管内皮细胞和血管平滑肌细胞在结构和功能上关系密切,二者的相互关系在血管舒缩和血管壁结构的调节中起重要作用。本文观察了培养的小牛肺动脉内皮细胞（ＰＡＥＣ）和肺动脉平滑肌细胞（ＰＡＳＭ）在细胞增殖方面的相互调节作用。混合培养的ＰＡＥＣ和ＰＡＳＭ细胞的３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入明显降低（Ｐ＜０．００１,与对照组相比）。无论向培养的ＰＡＥＣ和ＰＡＳＭ中分别加入ＰＡＳＭ和ＰＡＥＣ的条件培养基还是二者共培养时,均发现ＰＡＥＣ的３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入明显降低,而ＰＡＳＭ的３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ明显升高（Ｐ＜０．０５,与对照组相比）。流式细胞测定也发现共培养时ＰＡＥＣ的Ｇ１期细胞增多,Ｇ２／Ｍ期细胞减少;而ＰＡＳＭ的Ｇ１期细胞减少,Ｇ２／Ｍ期细胞增多。共培养的ＰＡＳＭ细胞内ｃＡＭＰ增加,ｃＧＭＰ含量降低;而ＰＡＥＣ细胞的ｃＡＭＰ和ｃＧＭＰ含量均降低（Ｐ＜０．０１,与对照组相比）。上述结果提示,ＰＡＥＣ和ＰＡＳＭ相互作用可能通过第二信使而调节它们本身的增殖     

丽珠肠乐对老年腹泻者肠道厌氧菌群、T淋巴细胞亚群、血清SOD及LPO的影响

本文应用双歧杆菌活菌制剂──丽珠肠乐治疗３０例老年腹泻患者。腹泻老年组治疗后与治疗前相比,治疗后外周血ＣＤ３、ＣＤ４、ＣＤ８及ＣＤ４／ＣＤ８比值均回升,ＣＤ４升高显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）,ＣＤ３相对升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,ＣＤ４／ＣＤ８比值回升到正常水平（Ｐ＜０．０１）;血清ＳＯＤ活性亦升高到正常水平（Ｐ＜０．０１）,血清ＬＰＯ含量明显减低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;粪便中双歧杆菌、拟杆菌、乳杆菌数量显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０１）,Ｂ／Ｅ比值也随之升高（Ｐ＜０．０１）,而葡萄球菌和肠球菌数量明显减少（Ｐ＜０．０１和０．０５）．结果提示,丽珠肠乐对老年腹泻患者具有明显调整Ｔ淋巴细胞亚群免疫功能,提高血清ＳＯＤ活性,降低血清ＬＰＯ含量,扶植肠道厌氧菌群生长,改善肠道菌群紊乱的作用。     

热应激对支气管上皮细胞的抗臭氧细胞保护作用

本研究在臭氧（Ｏ３）对培养的兔支气管上皮细胞损伤模型上观察了热应激处理对支气管上皮细胞抗Ｏ３损伤的保护效应,并初步探讨其机制。结果表明,４２℃热应激处理３０ｍｉｎ可明显降低Ｏ３攻击下的细胞毒指数（ＣＩ）及细胞内ＭＤＡ含量,表示热应激对支气管上皮细胞具有细胞保护作用。进一步观察表明,热应激预处理可增加细胞内还原型谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＨ）含量、降低氧化型谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＳＧ）含量、增加ＧＳＨ／ＧＳＳＧ比值,并能增加两型谷胱甘肽的总量。结果提示热应激的细胞保护作用机理可能与其增加从谷胱甘肽合成及增强谷胱甘肽还原酶活性,提高细胞自身的内源性抗氧化能力有关。     

人主动脉硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖对培养的人血管壁细胞生长的作用

通过培养的人主动脉平滑肌细胞（ｈＡＳＭＣ）及脐静脉内皮细胞（ｈＵＶＥＣ）,应用３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入、Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ分析、逆转录多聚酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）、放射免疫分析（ＲＩＡ）、和紫外比色法等技术观察了人主动脉中硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖（ＨＳＰＧ）对ｈＡＳＭＣ和ｈＵＶＥＣＤＮＡ合成的作用及对血小板源生长因子（ＰＤＧＦ）、ＰＤＧＦ受体、转化生长因子β（ＴＧＦ－β）、内皮素－１（ＥＴ－１）或碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（ｂＦＧＦ）基因表达和肾素－血管紧张系统（ＲＡＳ）的影响,结果显示,ＨＳＰＧ明显抑制培养的ｈＡＳＭＣ基础的ＤＮＡ合成（ｃｐｍ值为：１０３８５±３２６３ｖｓ,２５５４１±６４２１,Ｐ＜０．０１）及外源性ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＤＮＡ合成（ｃｐｍ值为：９８７８±１９４７ｖｓ．１３４８１±４４ｌ０,Ｐ＜０．０５）;抑制ＰＤＧＦＡ链、ＴＧＦ－Ｂｐ和ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,提高ＰＤＧＦａ和β受体ｍＲＮＡ的表达;显著降低ｈＡＳＭＣ培养液中血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）的浓度和血管紧张素转换酶（ＡＣＥ）的活性,推测ＨＳＰＧ抑制ＰＤＧＦＡ链、ＴＧＦ－β及ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,降低ＡＣＥ活性及ＡｎｇⅡ浓度是其抑制ｈＡＳＭＣ增殖的重要机     

血管活性肠肽对兔支气管上皮细胞抗臭氧损伤的保护作用

用支气管刷洗法收集新西兰兔支气管上皮细胞（ＢＥＣ）,以臭氧（Ｏ３）攻击培养的ＢＥＣ,建立细胞损伤模型。测定ＢＥＣ的３Ｈ释放率计算Ｏ３的细胞毒指数（ＣＩ）、测定细胞内丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）的含量反映细胞氧化性损伤的程度,测定细胞内过氧化氢酶（ＣＡＴ）活性及还原型和氧化型谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＨ和ＧＳＳＧ）的含量反映细胞抗氧化能力。观察血管活性肠肽（ＶＩＰ）预处理对ＢＥＣ的细胞保护作用并初步探讨其保护机制。观察到：ＢＥＣ的３Ｈ释放率与Ｏ３暴露时间成正比;Ｏ３暴露２ｈ使ＭＤＡ含量和ＧＳＳＧ含量明显增加,ＧＳＨ减少;ＶＩＰ预处理呈剂量依赖性降低Ｏ３暴露的ＣＩ值、降低ＭＤＡ和ＧＳＳＧ含量、增加ＧＳＨ及ＧＳＨ／ＧＳＳＧ比值、增加ＣＡＴ活性,显示出细胞保护效应;ＶＩＰ的保护效应可被放线菌素Ｄ（Ａ－Ｄ）或蛋白激酶Ｃ阻断剂Ｈ７部分取消。结果表明：Ｏ３暴露会导致ＢＥＣ损伤,ＶＩＰ可通过增强ＢＥＣ的抗氧化能力而保护ＢＥＣ,ＶＩＰ的信号在细胞内的转导途径与基因转录及依赖ＰＫＣ的酶蛋白磷酸化有关。     

DDPH对猪肺动脉平滑肌细胞PDGF·BB和bFGF表达的影响：免疫细胞化学研究

ＤＤＰＨ［１－（２．６－二甲基苯乙氧基）－２－（３．４二甲氧基苯乙胺基）丙烷盐酸盐］是南京药科大学合成的降压新化合物,也具有降低肺动脉高压和抑制肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖作用。本实验用细胞培养、免疫细胞化学、图像分析、３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ、细胞周期测定等方法,进一步探讨ＤＤＰＨ对缺氧性肺动脉平滑肌细胞（ＰＡＳＭＣＳ）增殖的抑制机制。结果：缺氧促进肺动脉内皮细胞（ＰＡＥＣｓ）的ＰＤＧＦ·ＢＢ和ｂＦＧＦ两种生长因子的表达（积分光密度ＯＤ值）增高。缺氧内皮细胞条件培养液（ＨＥＣＣＭ）能促进ＰＡＳＭＣＳ的ＰＤＧＦ·ＢＢ的ＯＤ值增高,ｂＦＧＦ的ＯＤ值无明显改变。加药组（ＨＥＣ－ＣＭ＋ＤＤＰＨ）的ＰＤＧＦ·ＢＢ和ｂＦＧＦ的ＯＤ值均显著降低,尤以ＰＤＧＦ·ＢＢ的ＯＤ值减少最多．提示：ＤＤＰＨ能抑制ＨＥＣＣＭ引起ＰＡＳＭＣＳ的ＰＤＧＦ·ＢＢ和ｂＦＧＦ表达增多和细胞增殖。结果与大鼠实验观察相符。     

二甲亚砜与维甲酸对人卵巢癌细胞COC1的生长抑制及转化生长因子β_1表达的影响

本实验以人卵巢癌细胞株（ＣＯＣ１）为模型,观察诱导分化剂二甲亚砜（ＤＭＳＯ）与维甲酸（ＲＡ）对该细胞生长增殖、ＤＮＡ合成和转化生长因子β１（ＴＧＦβ１）在细胞内表达的影响。结果显示：ＤＭＳＯ与ＲＡ对人卵巢细胞ＣＯＣ１生长有明显的抑制作用,生长曲线表明作用５天后其生长抑制率分别为６２．７％和４２．１％;３Ｈ－胸腺嘧啶核苷（３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ）掺入实验说明ＤＭＳＯ组与ＲＡ组的单位时间计数率（ＣＰＭ）明显低于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。用药３天后百分掺入抑制率分别为６０．４％与３７．９％,表明ＤＭＳＯ与ＲＡ抑制ＣＯＣ１细胞的ＤＮＡ合成;免疫细胞化学反应表明,ＤＭＳＯ或ＲＡ处理５天后,对照组细胞ＴＧＦβ１表达为阳性,定位于胞浆,而处理组细胞ＴＧＦβ１呈阴性或弱阳性反应。以上结果提示ＤＭＳＯ和ＲＡ对人卵巢癌细胞有一定的诱导分化作用。     

Cytoprotective effect of reduced glutathione in hydrogen peroxide-induced endothelial cell injury

The kinetic effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on cultured endothelial cells isolated from bovine carotid artery were studied. The cytoprotective effects of glutathione (GSH) on H2O2-induced cell injury were also investigated. H2O2-induced a dose- and time-dependent cell injury in cultured endothelial cells. H2O2-induced cell injury was blocked by simultaneous treatment by catalase, but not by superoxide dismutase. H2O2 also induced endogenous PGI2 biosynthesis, and the maximum PGI2 production was reached after 1 h treatment. Stimulation of PGI2 production was parallel with arachidonate release from H2O2-treated cells. However the prostaglandin biosynthesis enzyme activity in cells was inhibited by H2O2 treatment. When the cells were treated with GSH, the intracellular GSH reached a plateau after 3 h treatment. Both H2O2-induced cell injury and PGI2 production were significantly inhibited by the 3 h pretreatment with GSH. The cytoprotective effect of GSH was completely inhibited by buthionine sulfoximine which is a specific inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase. The results indicate that the cytoprotective effect of GSH on H2O2-induced cell injury in cultured bovine carotid artery endothelial cells depends on the increase in intracellular GSH content.     

Cocaine-induced biochemical changes and cytotoxicity in hepatocytes isolated from both mice and rats

The mechanism of cocaine-induced cytotoxicity was investigated in hepatocytes isolated from both male C3H mice and male Sprague-Dawley rats. Cocaine was more cytotoxic to mouse hepatocytes than rat and induced reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion prior to marked increases in cytotoxicity in both systems. In both mouse and rat cells, GSH depletion was accompanied by GSSG production, but in rat cells, quantitative measures suggested that other mechanisms contributed to GSH depletion. No cocaine-induced depletion of protein-thiol groups or generation of protein-glutathione mixed disulfides could be detected in rat cells. Cocaine induced lipid peroxidation, using malondialdehyde (MDA) production as an index of the peroxidation process, in both mouse and rat hepatocytes. Inhibition of MDA production to below control levels using the antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-phenylene diamine (DPPD) however, had no inhibitory effect on cocaine-induced cytotoxicity in either mouse or rat cells. These data suggest that neither generalized protein thiol depletion nor lipid peroxidation are critical determinants of cocaine-induced cytotoxicity in cellular systems.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyocyanin directly oxidizes glutathione and decreases its levels in airway epithelial cells

Production of pyocyanin enhances Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence. Many of pyocyanin's in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic effects on human cells appear to result from its ability to redox cycle. Pyocyanin directly accepts electrons from NADH or NADPH with subsequent electron transfer to oxygen, generating reactive oxygen species. Reduced glutathione (GSH) is an important cellular antioxidant, and it contributes to the regulation of redox-sensitive signaling systems. Using the human bronchial epithelial (HBE) and the A549 human type II alveolar epithelial cell lines, we tested the hypothesis that pyocyanin can deplete airway epithelial cells of GSH. Incubation of both cell types with pyocyanin led to a concentration-dependent loss of cellular GSH (up to 50%) and an increase in oxidized GSH (GSSG) in the HBE, but not A549 cells, at 24 h. An increase in total GSH, mostly as GSSG, was detected in the culture media, suggesting export of GSH or GSSG from the pyocyanin-exposed cells. Loss of GSH could be due to pyocyanin-induced H(2)O(2) formation. However, overexpression of catalase only partially prevented the pyocyanin-mediated decline in cellular GSH. Cell-free electron paramagnetic resonance studies revealed that pyocyanin directly oxidizes GSH, forming pyocyanin free radical and O(2)(-). Pyocyanin oxidized other thiol-containing compounds, cysteine and N-acetyl-cysteine, but not methionine. Thus GSH may enhance pyocyanin-induced cytotoxicity by functioning as an alternative source of reducing equivalents for pyocyanin redox cycling. Pyocyanin-mediated alterations in cellular GSH may alter epithelial cell functions by modulating redox sensitive signaling events.     

Glutathione regulates transforming growth factor-beta-stimulated collagen production in fibroblasts

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent fibrogenic cytokine. The molecular mechanism underlying TGF-beta fibrogenesis, however, has not been completely elucidated. In this study, we showed that TGF beta decreased the intracellular GSH content in murine embryo fibroblasts (NIH 3T3), which was followed by an increase in collagen I mRNA content and collagen protein production. Prevention of GSH depletion with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), GSH, or GSH ester abrogated TGF-beta-stimulated collagen production, whereas a decrease in intracellular GSH content with L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine, an inhibitor of de novo GSH synthesis, enhanced TGF-beta-stimulated collagen production. These results suggest that GSH depletion induced by TGF-beta may mediate TGF-beta-stimulated collagen production. In addition, we showed that TGF-beta stimulated superoxide production and increased release of H2O2 from the cells, whereas GSH ester decreased basal and TGF-beta + glucose oxidase-stimulated H2O2 release. H2O2, exogenously added or continuously generated by glucose oxidase, enhanced TGF-beta-stimulated collagen production, whereas suppression of superoxide production by diphenyliodonium, an NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor, blocked TGF-beta-stimulated collagen production. These data further suggest that reactive oxygen species are involved in TGF-beta-stimulated collagen production and that the effect of GSH depletion on TGF-beta-stimulated collagen production may be mediated by facilitating reactive oxygen species signaling.     

Effect of EGF on H2O2-induced inhibition of alpha-MG uptake in renal proximal tubule cells: involvement of MAPK and AA release

Both oxidative stress and epidermal growth factor (EGF) contribute to the initiation and progression of renal proximal tubular dysfunction under pathophysiologic conditions. Thus, this study was performed (1) to examine both the individual, and the combined effects of H2O2 and EGF on alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside uptake (alpha-MG uptake) in the primary cultured renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs), and (2) to elucidate the involvement of p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phospholipase A2 in mediating these actions. Both H2O2 and EGF inhibited alpha-MG uptake individually, while the combination of H2O2 and EGF further potentiated the inhibitory effect on alpha-MG uptake, which was elicited by each agent. H2O2 not only caused a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK, but also promoted the translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) from the cytosolic to particulate fraction, and stimulated cellular [3H]-arachidonic acid (AA) release. EGF similarly activates phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK and stimulates [3H]-AA release. When PTCs were exposed to 100 microM H2O2 and 50 ng/ml EGF simultaneously, a further increase in the phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK, of [3H]-AA release, and of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production was elicited as compared with the effects of each individual agonist alone. Moreover, the additive phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK, [3H]-AA release, and PGE2 production by H2O2 and EGF was almost completely inhibited by the p44/42 MAPK inhibitor, PD 98059. In conclusion, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that under conditions of oxidative stress, the H2O2-induced inhibition of alpha-MG uptake in the renal proximal tubule is mediated through a modulation of the EGF signaling pathway, promoting further phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK, activation of PLA2.     

Regulation of normal and cystic fibrosis airway epithelial repair processes by TNF-α after injury

Chronic infection and inflammation have been associated with progressive airway epithelial damage in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, the effect of inflammatory products on the repair capacity of respiratory epithelia is unclear. Our objective was to study the regulation of repair mechanisms by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a major component of inflammation in CF, in a model of mechanical wounding, in two bronchial cell lines, non-CF NuLi and CF CuFi. We observed that TNF-α enhanced the NuLi and CuFi repair rates. Chronic exposure (24-48 h) to TNF-α augmented this stimulation as well as the migration rate during repair. The cellular mechanisms involved in this stimulation were then evaluated. First, we discerned that TNF-α induced metalloproteinase-9 release, epidermal growth factor (EGF) shedding, and subsequent EGF receptor transactivation. Second, TNF-α-induced stimulation of the NuLi and CuFi wound-closure rates was prevented by GM6001 (metalloproteinase inhibitor), EGF antibody (to titrate secreted EGF), and EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, we recently reported a relationship between the EGF response and K(+) channel function, both controlling bronchial repair. We now show that TNF-α enhances KvLQT1 and K(ATP) currents, while their inhibition abolishes TNF-α-induced repair stimulation. These results indicate that the effect of TNF-α is mediated, at least in part, through EGF receptor transactivation and K(+) channel stimulation. In contrast, cell proliferation during repair was slowed by TNF-α, suggesting that TNF-α could exert contrasting actions on repair mechanisms of CF airway epithelia. Finally, the stimulatory effect of TNF-α on airway wound repair was confirmed on primary airway epithelial cells, from non-CF and CF patients.     

Cigarette smoke irreversibly modifies glutathione in airway epithelial cells

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants is acknowledged to result in disease development and progression. Cigarette smoke (CS) is known to deplete total glutathione (GSH + GSSG) in the airways. We hypothesized that components in the gaseous phase of CS may irreversibly react with GSH to form GSH derivatives that cannot be reduced (GSX), thereby causing this depletion. To understand this phenomenon, we investigated the effect of CS on GSH metabolism and identified the actual GSX compounds. CS and H(2)O(2) (control) deplete reduced GSH in solution [Delta = -54.1 +/- 1.7 microM (P < 0.01) and -39.8 +/- 0.9 microM (P < 0.01), respectively]. However, a significant decrease of GSH + GSSG was observed after CS (Delta = -75.1 +/- 7.6 microM, P < 0.01), but not after H(2)O(2). Exposure of A549 cells and primary bronchial epithelial cells to CS decreased free sulfhydryl (-SH) groups (Delta = -64.2 +/- 14.6 microM/mg protein, P < 0.05) and irreversibly modified GSH + GSSG (Delta = -17.7 +/- 1.9 microM, P < 0.01) compared with nonexposed cells or H(2)O(2) control. Mass spectrometry (MS) showed that GSH was modified to glutathione-aldehyde derivatives. Further MS identification showed that GSH was bound to acrolein and crotonaldehyde and another, yet to be identified, structure. Our data show that CS does not oxidize GSH to GSSG but, rather, reacts to nonreducible glutathione-aldehyde derivatives, thereby depleting the total available GSH pool.     

nSMase2 activation and trafficking are modulated by oxidative stress to induce apoptosis

We have previously shown that accumulation of ceramide, triggered by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), induces apoptosis of human airway epithelial (HAE) cells. Under oxidant exposure, a lung sphingomyelinase (SMase) is activated and displays continued ceramide generation and pro-apoptotic signaling, thus leading to the pathological apoptosis that causes lung injury. In a search for a specific SMase that is modulated by oxidative stress, we recently cloned nSMase2 from monkey lung tissue and HAE cells. Here, we show that this nSMase2 is up-regulated by an oxidant (H(2)O(2)) and is inhibited by an antioxidant (glutathione (GSH)). Moreover, nSMase2 subcellular localization is governed by oxidant exposure, which leads to its preferential trafficking to the plasma membrane, where it generates ceramide and induces apoptosis. On the other hand, exposure to GSH results in nSMase2 trafficking to the nucleus, where it neither generates ceramide nor induces apoptosis.     

肺内调节肽对兔支气管上皮细胞与嗜酸性粒细胞粘附功能的影响及机制探讨

为了探讨肺内调节肽在各类过敏性炎症发生,发展中的作用,我们观察了血管活性肠肽（vasoactive intestinal peptide,VIP)、表皮生长因子（epidermal growth factor,EGF)、内皮素-1（endothelin-1,ET-1)、降钙素基因相关肽（calcitonin gene-related peptide,CGRP)在未受应激与臭氧应激两种条件下对支气管上皮细胞（bronchial epithelial cell,BEC)与嗜酸性粒细胞（eosinophil,EOS)粘附的影响,结果发现,VIP、EGF可使O3应激的BEC与EOS的粘附率下降,下调气道上皮炎症反应：ET-1、CGRP可使未受应激的BEC与EOS的粘附率增加,诱发炎症损伤反应;CGRP还能加重臭氧的应激反应;ET-1、CGRP的效应可被W7、H7阻断,抗细胞间粘附分子-1（intercel-lular adhesion molecule,ICAM-1)抗体能阻断BEC与EOS的粘附,提示介导BEC与EOS粘附的粘附分子可能是ICAM-1。     

H2O2 induces apoptosis in bovine tracheal epithelial cells in vitro.

Oxidants play an important role in the pathogenesis of various airway diseases. Oxidants have been shown to induce two distinct types of cell death, i.e., apoptosis and necrosis. However, whether oxidants induce apoptosis in airway epithelial cells remains unclear. To address this question, we evaluated the effect of H2O2 exposure on bovine tracheal epithelial cells cultured under different conditions. When tracheal epithelial cells were isolated and exposed to H2O2 in suspension cultures, they underwent apoptosis as demonstrated by characteristic ultrastructural changes and DNA fragmentation. Interestingly, apoptosis occurred in single cells but not in aggregated cells. In addition, apoptosis was seen in many ciliated and in fewer mucous cells. When tracheal epithelial cells were allowed to attach to the substrate and grow, they became resistant to apoptosis induced by H2O2. These results suggest that H2O2 can induce apoptosis in airway epithelial cells.