Influence of splanchnic vascular infusion on the content of endotoxins in plasma and the translocation of intestinal bacteria in rats with acute hemorrhage necrosis pancreatitis

INTRODUCTIONThe main reason for the death of the patient with acutehemorrhage necrosis pancreatitis(AHNP)is pancreaticinfection and multi-organ failure caused by endotoxemiaand intestinal bacterial translocation.However,thepathogenesis of endotoxemia and intestinal

Endotoxins in the prostatic secretions of chronic prostatitis patients:a need for further biomarkers through the use of proteomics

Dear Sir,Dai et al.[1] must be commended on their useful investigation of the clinical significance of endotoxins in the expressed prostatic secretions （EPS） of chronic prostatitis （CP） patients. However, we take issue with their conclusion. The conclusion that EPS endotoxin determination is helpful in diagnostic confirmation is plausible,

Endotoxins enhance hepatocarcinogenesis induced by oral intake of thioacetamide in rats

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Endotoxins in the prostatic secretions of chronic prostatitis patients

Aim: To evaluate the clinical significance of the quantitative determinations of endotoxins in the expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) of chronic prostatitis (CP) patients. Methods: The EPS of 45 patients with CP and 15 normal volunteers were obtained for microscopic examination, bacterial culture and endotoxin determination. The level of endotoxins was determined by the Limulus-amebocyte-lysate test with chromogenic substrate. Results: Patients with CP had higher mean levels of endotoxins in EPS than normal volunteers [52.06 ± 32.83 EU.L^(-1) vs. 4.77 ± 4.14 EU'L^(-1) (P < 0.05)]. The levels of endotoxins in CP type Ⅱ, type Ⅲa and type Ⅲb were 68.62 ± 34.78 EU.L^(-1), 45.30± 23.33 EU.L^(-1) and 15.83 ± 5.31 EU·L^(-1), respectively [type Ⅱ vs. type Ⅲa (P > 0.05), type Ⅲb vs. normal controls (P > 0.05), type Ⅱ/type Ⅲa vs. normal controls P < 0.05)]. Conclusion: CP patients have elevated levels of endotoxins in the EPS, which suggests that inflammation is a feature of this disease. EPS endotoxin determination is not only helpful in diagnostic confirmation, but also in evaluating the response to treatment in CP patients.

Comparison of result judgment algorithm of test for interfering factors in the bacterial endotoxins test among Chinese, Japanese, European, American, and Indian pharmacopeias

Background The bacterial endotoxins test （BET） is a method used to detect or quantify endotoxins （lipo-polysaccharide,LPS） and is widely used in the quality control of parenteral medicines/vaccines and clinical dialysis fluid.It is also used in the diagnosis of endotoxemia and in detection of environment air quality control.Although BET has been adopted by most pharmacopoeias,result judgment algorithms （RJAs） of the test for interfering factors in the BET still differ between certain pharmacopoeias.We have evaluated RJAs of the test for interfering factors for the revision of BET described in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 （CHP2010）.Methods Original data from 1 748 samples were judged by RJAs of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010,the Japanese Pharmacopoeia 2011 （JP2011）,the European Pharmacopoeia 7.0 （EP7.0）,the United States Pharmacopoeia 36 （USP36）,and the Indian Pharmacopoeia 2010 （IP2010）,respectively.A SAS software package was used in the statistical analysis.Results The results using CHP2010 and USP36,JP2011,EP7.0,and IP2010 had no significant difference （P=-0.7740）.The results using CHP2010 of 1 748 samples showed that 132 samples （7.6%） required an additional step; nevertheless there was no such requirement when using the other pharmacopeias.The kappa value of two RJAs （CHP2010 and EP7.0） was 0.6900 （0.6297-0.7504） indicating that the CHP2010 and other pharmacopoeias have good consistency.Conclusions The results using CHP2010 and USP36,JP2011,EP7.0,and IP2010 have different characteristics.CHP2010 method shows a good performance in Specificity,mistake diagnostic rate,agreement rate,predictive value for suspicious rate,and predictive value for passed rate.The CHP2010 method only had disadvantages in sensitivity compared with other pharmacopeias.We suggest that the Chinese pharmacopoeia interference test be revised in accordance with the USP36,JP2011,EP7.0,and IP2010 judgment model.

Five simple models for interfering factors test of bacterial endotoxins test

Endotoxins have been credited for over 50% of sepsis cases, with significantly greater mortality.1 A literature indicates wide-spread agreement that early detection of endotoxemia, endotoxin in the bloodstream, is the major key for patient survival from sepsis.2 Today the most popular endotoxin detection system is bacterial endotoxins test （BET）, adopted by most pharmacopoeias. Interference test is a part of the bacterial endotoxin inspection method, used to judge whether the sample can be applied in BET. However, Limuloid resources are exhausted in China, which is an important source for LAL. Here, we reported 5 simple models for interfering factors test in the BET, and compared new models with the United States Pharmacopoeia 36 （USP36）.

A new method for concentration analysis of bacterial endotoxins in perfluorocarbon

This communication demonstrates the feasibility of the gel-clot method for the analysis of bacterial endotoxins in water extracts of perfluorocarbon which is a water insoluble liquid medical device. Perfluorocarbon （10 mL） was shaken with 10 mL water for 15 min at 2000 r/min and the endotoxin present was extracted to the aqueous phase without interference inhibition/enhancement of the product and the recovery of endotoxin added to perfluorocarbon was determined, A validation study confirmed that endotoxins presented in perfluorocarbon pass over into the aqueous phase at concentrations of 20, 10 and 5EU/mL with recoveries from 86.8% to 96.8%. Therefore, the gel-clot test is suitable for detecting bacterial endotoxins in perfluorocarbon which is a water insoluble medical device.

Value of combining the serum D-lactate, diamine oxidase, and endotoxin levels to predict gut-derived infections in cancer patients

Objective:This is a retrospective observational cohort study.The objective of this retrospective observational cohort study was to evaluate the value of the combined serum D-lactic acid,diamine oxidase(DAO),and endotoxin levels to predict intestinal barrier impairment and gut-derived infection(GDI)in cancer patients.Methods:Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or palliative care treatment at our hospital were enrolled in the study.The serum concentrations of DAO,D-lactic acid,and endotoxin were determined using the intestinal barrier function biochemical index analysis system.The patients'infection information came from the hospital's Medicom Prescription Automatic Screening System and themedical records.Three hundred fifty-three cancer patients were included in the study(53.8%female,73.7%cancer stage IV,27.8%had bowel obstruction).Results:The total incidence of GDI was 33.4%(118/353).The median length of hospital stay was 16 days for patients with GDI,compared with 7 days for patients without GDI(P<0.001).The media hospitalization costs were¥27,362.35 for patients with GDI compared with¥11,614.08 for patients without GDI(P<0.001).The serum concentrations of DAO,D-lactic acid,and endotoxin were significantly higher in patients with GDI.As malignant bowel obstruction(MBO)worsened,the concentrations of DAO,D-lactic acid,and endotoxin increased.Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that the DAO,endotoxin,IL-6,and C-reactive protein levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of GDI.In addition,we also found a fivefold increased risk of infection in patients withMBO compared with those without bowel obstruction(OR=6.210,P<0.001).All of the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUCs)for DAO,D-lactate,and endotoxin to predict GDI were<0.7(AUC=0.648,P<0.001;AUC=0.624,P<0.01;AUC=0.620,P<0.01,respectively).However,when the parameters were combined(DAO+D-lactate+endotoxin),the predictive power increased significantly(AUC=0.797,P<0.001).Moreover,combining these intestinal barrier indicators and the presence of MBO had better power to predict GDI than either alone(AUC=0.837,P<0.001).Conclusions:Combining the serum DAO,D-lactic acid,and endotoxin levels was a better predictor of GDI than any of the indicators alone,and combining these with the diagnosis of MBO could further improve the efficacy for predicting GDI.

Effect of hepatocyte apoptosis induced by TNF-α on acute severe hepatitis in mouse models

AIM To study the effect of hepatocyteapoptosis and necrosis induced by TNF-α on thepathogenesis of acute severe hepatitis(ASH).METHODS The model of ASH was prepared inD-galactosamine(GAIN)sensitized BALB/c miceby injection of either endotoxin(ET)or tumornecrosis factor-α(TNF-α).Morphologicalchanges of apoptotic hepatocytes were studiedby both light and electron microscope and in siteend labeling method(ISEL).Molecular biologicalchanges of DNA ladder were observed byelectrophoresis of extract from liver tissues.Biochemical changes were measured by alanineaminotransferase(ALT),asparticaminotransferase(AST)and TNF-α.The relationbetween apoptosis and necrosis was evaluatedsimultaneously.RESULTS The sequence of hepatocyteapoptosis,necrosis,and final death from ASHwas observed both in GAIN/ET and GAIN/TNF-agroup.Apoptosis was prominent at 3.5 h and 5 hafter injection of inducer,while necrosis becamedominant at 9 h after challenge.The appearanceof apoptosis was earlier in GAIN/TNF-α groupthan that in GAIN/ ET group.Pretreatment ofmice with antiTNF IgG1 may completely preventthe liver injury induced by GalN/ET.CONCLUSION TNF-α can cause liver damageby inducing hepatic apoptosis and necrosis inmice with endotoxemia.

Effects of aminoguanidine on nitric oxide production induced by inflammatory cytokines and endotoxin in cultured rat hepatocytes

AIM To study the effects of aminoguanidine(AG) and two L-arginine analogues Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) on nitric oxide (NO) productioninduced by cytokines (TNF-α, IL-11β, and IFN-γ)and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mixture(CM) in the cultured rat hepatocytes, andexamine their mechanisms action.METHODS Rat hepatocytes were incubatedwith AG, L-NAME, L-NNA, Actinomycin D (ActD)and dexamethasene in a medium containing CM(LPS plus TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) for 24 h. NOproduction in the cultured supernatant wasmeasured with the Griese reaction. IntracellularcGMP level was detected with radioimmunoasey.RESULTS NO production was markedlyblocked by AG and L-NAME in a dose-dependentmanner under inflammatory stimuli conditiontriggered by CM in vitro. The rate of themaximum inhibitory effects of L-NAME (38.9%)was less potent than that obtained with AG(53.7%, P<0.05). There was no significantdifference between the inhibitory effects of AGand two L-arginine analogues on intracellularcGMP accumulation in rat cultured hepatocytes.Non-specific NOS expression inhibitordexamethasone ( DEX ) and iNOS mRNAtranscriptional inhibitor ActD also significantlyinhibited CM-induced NO production. AG(0.1mmol.L-1) and ActD (0.2ng@Lt) wereequipotent in decreasing NO production inducedby inflammatory stimuli in vitro, and botheffects were more potent than that induced bynon-selectivity NOS activity inhibitor L-NAME(0. 1 mmol@ L- 1) under similar stimuli conditions(P＜O.O1).CONCLUSION AG is a potent selectiveinhibitor of inducible isoform of NOS, and themechanism of action may be not onlycompetitive inhibition in the substrate level, butalso the gene expression level in rathepatocytes .

Possible relationship between intestinal barrier function and formation of pigment gallstones in hamsters

BACKGROUND: The presence of bacteria in bile is an important factor in the formation of pigment gallstones. The bile of healthy people is sterile and bacteria in the biliary system come from endogenous infection from the gut. Yet, the route of bacterial translocation into the bile duct is still unclear. Theoretically, two routes exist: one is through the intestinal barrier and the other is by direct reflux from the sphincter of Oddi. This study was undertaken to explore the relationship between the effectiveness of intestinal barrier and the formation of pigment gallstones in hamsters. METHODS: Thirty-two hamsters were divided into an experimental and a control group, with 16 hamsters in each group. A low protein and high cellulose diet was given for 6 weeks to induce the formation of pigment gallstones in the experimental group (PS) and a normal diet was given to the control group (CON). Morphological changes, changes in the levels of serum endotoxin and diamine oxidase, and changes in the numbers of B lymphocytes, plasma cells and secretory immunoglobin A (sIgA) in the intestinal mucosa were assessed after 6 weeks. RESULTS: Four hamsters died during lithogenesis and body weight decreased in the PS group. Pigment gallstones were found in 11 hamsters at the end of the experiment, giving a lithogenesis rate of 91.67%. The serum endotoxin level before and after gallstone formation in the PS group was 0.2960 +/- 0.1734 U/ml and 8.2964 +/- 4.6268 U/ml, respectively (P<0.05). The blood diamine oxidase level before and after gallstone formation in the PS group was 2.6333 +/- 0.8037 U/ml and 3.3642 +/- 0.9545 U/ml, respectively (P<0.05). The numbers of B lymphocytes, plasma cells and sIgA in the intestinal mucosa in the PS group were 71.56 +/- 2.89, 68.65 +/- 2.09 and 27.56 +/- 1.07, respectively, and were significantly decreased compared with the corresponding values in the CON group (94.25 +/- 3.69, 93.47 +/- 3.98 and 42.57 +/- 1.96, respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A low protein and high cellulose diet can markedly reduce intestinal barrier function and facilitate the formation of pigment gallstones. The decrease of intestinal barrier function may take part in the formation of pigment gallstones.

Expression of TNF mRNA in the internal organs after severe burn injury in rats

Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) mRNA was determined with dot blotting in various viscera 24 h after severe burn injury in rats. It was found that TNF mRNA was detected in the liver, kidneys, spleen,lungs and small intestines in normal conditions. After burn in

Potential roles of functional bacterial amyloid proteins,bacterial biosurfactants and other putative gut microbiota products in the etiopathogeny of Parkinson’s Disease

An increasing number of studies provide evidence for the existence of a microbiota-gut-brain axis and its potential involvement in the development of sporadic Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.The neuropathologic hallmark of Parkinson’s disease is the presence of brain intraneuronal aggregates of misfolded alpha-synuclein,known as Lewy bodies.Some gut microbiota products may trigger alpha-synuclein conformational changes in the neurons of the enteric nervous system,which can then spread to the brain in a prion-like fashion through the vagus nerve.Others may interfere with neuroinflammatory pathways and susceptibility to neurodegeneration.In this review,we assess the potential role of putative gut microbiota products in the etiopathogeny of Parkinson’s disease,with a special emphasis on functional bacterial amyloid proteins,bacterial biosurfactants,endotoxins and short-chain fatty acids.The possible roles of molecular hydrogen,a common byproduct of bacterial fermentation,are also addressed.

African Dust Storms Reaching Puerto Rican Coast Stimulate the Secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 and Cause Cytotoxicity to Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B)

African dust storm events (ADE) travel across theAtlantic Ocean(ADEAO) and reach the Puerto Rican coast (ADEPRC), potentially impacting air quality and human health. To what extent seasonal variations in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) size fractions, composition and sources trigger respiratory-adverse effects to Puerto Ricans is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of PM samples harvested during ADEAO (PM10), ADEPRC (PM2.5 and PM10) and Non-ADE (Pre-and Post-ADEAO and Non-ADEPRC), using BEAS-2B cells. Endotoxins (ENX) in PM2.5 and PM10 extracts and traces of metals (TMET) in PM2.5 extracts were also examined. IL-6 and IL-8 secretion and cytotoxicity were used as endpoints. ADEAO and ADEPRC extracts were found to be more cytotoxic than Non-ADE and ADEAO were more toxic than ADEPRC extracts. PM10 extracts from ADEAO and Post-ADEAO caused significant secretion of IL-8. IL-6 and IL-8 secretion was higher following treatment with PM10 and PM2.5 ADEPRC than with Non-ADEPRC extracts. ENX levels were found to be higher in PM10 ADEAO than in the rest of the samples tested. TMET levels were higher in PM2.5 ADEPRC than in Non-ADEPRC extracts. Deferoxamine significantly reduced cytotoxicity and IL-6 and IL-8 secretion whereas Polymyxin B did not. TMET in PM2.5 fractions is a major determinant in ADEPRC-induced toxicity and work in conjunction with ENX to cause toxicity to lung cells in vitro. ENX and TMET may be responsible, in part, for triggering PM-respiratory adverse responses in susceptible and predisposed individuals.

Lack of new antiinfective agents: Passing into the pre-antibiotic age?

The lack of newly developed antibiotics, together with the increase in multi-resistance of relevant pathogenic bacteria in the last decades, represents an alarming signal for human health care worldwide. The number of severely infected persons increases not only in developing but also in highly industrialized countries. This relates in first line to the most severe form of a bacterial infection, sepsis and the septic shock syndrome, with high mortality on critical care units. No particular anti-sepsis drug is available, and the therapy with conventional antibiotics more and more fails to provide a survival benefit. Due to the fact that the pharmaceutical industry has withdrawn to a high degree from the development of anti-infectious agents, a huge challenge for health care is approaching in the 21 st century. In this article, these problems are outlined and possible alternatives are presented which may be helpful to solve the problem.

Changes of mucosal permeability to lipopolysaccharide in the colon of chronic alcoholic rats

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Difference between periportal and pericentral Kupffer cells in uptaking lipopolysaccharides in rats

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Experimental research on production and uptake sites of TNFα in rats with acute hemorrhagic necrotic pancreatitis

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ISOLATION OF ENDOTOXIN-SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES BY SELECTION OF AN SINGLE CHAIN PHAGE ANTIBODY LIBRARY

Objective: To isolate murine anti endotoxin single chain phage antibody from a constructed library. Methods: Total RNA was firstly extracted from murine splenic cells and mRNA was reverse-transcribed into cDNA. Then the designed primers were used to amplify the variable region genes of the heavy and light chain (VH, VL) with polymerase chain reaction. The linker was used to assemble the VH and VL into ScFv, and the NotI and SfiI restriction enzymes were used to digest the ScFv in order to ligate into the pCANTAB5E phagemid vector that was already digested with the same restriction enzymes. The ligated vector was then introduced into competent E.coli TG1 cells to construct a single-chain phage antibody library. After rescued with M13KO7 helper phage, recombinant phages displaying ScFv fragments were harvested from the supernatant and selected with endotoxin. The enriched positive clones were reinfected into TG1 cells. Finally, 190 clones were randomly selected to detect the anti endotoxin antibody with indirect ELISA. Results: The titer of anti endotoxin in murine sera was 1:12,800. The concentration of total RNA was 12.38 μg/ml. 1.9×107 clones were obtained after transformed into TG1. 3×104 colonies were gotten after one round panning. Two positive colonies were confirmed with indirect ELISA among 190 randomly selected colonies. Conclusion: A 1.9×107 murine anti endotoxin single chain phage antibody library was successfully constructed. Two anti endotoxin antibodies were obtained from the library.

Changes of pulmonary α_1-and β-adrenergic receptors after endotoxininduced acute lung injury in rats

Changes of pulmonary α1-and βadrenergic receptors (α1- ARs and β-ARs) after endotoxin-induced lung injury were dynamically observed with radioligand binding assay and the pulmonary rnicrovascular permeability and histopathology were also studied in rats to investigate the relationship between changes of pu1monary ARs and acute lung injury. It was found that the contents of both α1-ARs and β-ARs were significantly decreased after endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. On the basis of these findings, the authors inferred that the down regulation of β-ARs might be one of the factors to increase pulmonary microvascular permeability and that of α1-ARs seems to be a protective reaction. This inference might serve as the theoretical basis to treat pulmonary edema with α1-antagonists and β-agonists clinically.