Objective： The association between gut microbiota composition and biomarkers of immune activation and inflammation was assessed in the elderly. Patients： Serum inflammation markers of fifty-five outpatients （29 fem...Objective： The association between gut microbiota composition and biomarkers of immune activation and inflammation was assessed in the elderly. Patients： Serum inflammation markers of fifty-five outpatients （29 females, 26 males, aged 78 ＋ 8.5 years） were analyzed. Stool specimens and thus data on gut microbiota were available from a subgroup of 23 individuals （9 females and 14 males）. Results： Global cerebral atrophy was found in all magnet resonance tomography scans. Mean mini-mental-score examination in Alzheimer＇s disease patients was 18.8 ± 7.1, in patients with mild cognitive impairment 27.8 ± 1.5. Serum neopterin concentrations correlated with concentrations of fecal S100A12 （p 〈 0.001） and cq-antitrypsin （p 〈 0.05）. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii correlated with MMSE （p 〈 0.05）, with Akkermansia muciniphila （p 〈 0.01） and with serum neopterin （p 〈 0.05）. Fecal zonulin correlated inversely with Clostridium cluster I （p 〈 0.02）. Conclusions： Our results underline earlier in vitro and animal studies that cognitive decline associates with age-related changes in the intestinal microbiota and neuroinflammation. However, only correlational evidence can be reported, and a causative relationship still has to be demonstrated.展开更多
Objective To investigate whether pretreatment with α 1-AT can attenuate acute lung injury (ALI) in rabbits induced with endotoxin. Methods Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups(n=8):1.I...Objective To investigate whether pretreatment with α 1-AT can attenuate acute lung injury (ALI) in rabbits induced with endotoxin. Methods Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups(n=8):1.Infusion of endotoxin(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS 500μg/kg)without α 1-AT (group LPS).2.Infusion α 1-AT 120mg/kg at 15min before challenge with LPS(group LAV).3.Infusion of α 1-AT 120mg/kg(group AAT).4 Infusion of saline 4ml/kg as control (group NS).Arterial blood gases,peripheral leukocyte counts and airway pressure were recorded every 1h.Physiologic intrapulmonary shunting (Qs/Qt) was measured every 4h.After 8h the bloods were collected for measurement of plasma concentration and activity of α 1-AT.Then bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)was collected for measurement of concentrations of total protein (TP),interleukin-8(IL-8),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),the activities of elastase-like and α 1-AT,total phospholipids(TPL) and disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC).In addition,the wet-to-dry lung weight ratio(W/D) was measured. Results After infusion of endotoxin,it was observed that PaO 2,peripheral luekocyte counts,total respiratory compliance progressively decreased and P peak and Qs/Qt increased comparing with the baseline values.In contrast to group NS,the increased plasma concentration but reduced activity of α 1-AT was found in group LPS.In the BALF,the activity of α 1-AT,TPL,DSPC/TPL were lower,but the concentrations of albumin,IL-8,TNF-α,and the activity of NE were higher.The ratio of W/D also increased.The pretreatment of α 1-AT attenuated the deterioration of oxygenation,the reduction of compliance and the deterioration of other physiological,biochemical parameters mentioned above. Conclusion Pretreatment with α 1-AT could attenuate endotoxin-induced lung injury in rabbits.Those beneficial effects of α 1-AT might be due in part to the inhibitory effect on neutrophil elastase.展开更多
According to the latest World Health Organization report 64 million people suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease （COPD）, 3 million people died from COPD and it is predicted that COPD will become the thir...According to the latest World Health Organization report 64 million people suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease （COPD）, 3 million people died from COPD and it is predicted that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. The alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a rarely diagnosed hereditary disease caused by a genetic mutation and it is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders primarily affecting the lungs, especially in the form of COPD or emphysema, but in some cases also the liver or skin. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease recommends all patients with COPD at a young age or significant family history to be examined for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This article presents the case of a 42 year old, female patient, Portuguese, with history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 40 pack units/year smoker, with unknown family history, coming to her family doctor with breath shortness, especially during physical activities, with unsatisfying response to pharmacological prescribed therapy. Physical examination was normal. Alpha- 1 antitrypsin deficiency was confirmed by blood testing. All patient＇s first degree relatives were investigated showing low alpha-1 antitrypsin blood concentrations thus genetic tests were later performed. This case reinforces the need for primary care physicians to be aware of alphal-antitrypsin deficit as an underdiagnosed clinical entity.展开更多
Objective: To test the hypothesis that acute phase reactants, such as alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, could protect mammalian cells from further damage. Methods: Human dermal fibroblasts (5×10 ...Objective: To test the hypothesis that acute phase reactants, such as alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, could protect mammalian cells from further damage. Methods: Human dermal fibroblasts (5×10 4) were cultured with DMEM plus 10% FBS at 37℃ in a 5% CO 2 incubator. Different doses of LPS (lipopolysaccharide) and/or acute phase reactants were added. After 24 hours, the cultured supernatant was aspirated, the cells were washed, fixed and stained by methylene blue. The unbound stain was washed off. The stained cells were solubilized in 0.1 ml of 1% Triton X-100. The absorbance of each well was measured using an ELISA spectrophotometer. The concentration of LPS which decreased the absorbance to 70% of the control (LPS-free) cultures was defined as LD 30. Results: In order to achieve LD 30 in the presence of acute phase proteins, it was necessary to alter the LPS concentrations. The LD 30 of LPS treated with 0, 0.5, 2, 10 mg/ml antitrypsin and 0, 0.5, 2, 10 mg/ml glycoprotein was 5.4, 6.5, 7.6, 14.2 mg/ml and 5.2, 5.9, 6.9, 10.5 mg/ml, respectively. Statistically, with the treatment of more than 2 mg/ml antitrypsin or glycoprotein, LD 30 increased significantly. Conclusions: Our data show that fibroblasts are susceptible to the direct toxicity of LPS. Alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein can reduce the toxicity and/or increase the tolerance of mammalian cells to LPS.展开更多
文摘Objective： The association between gut microbiota composition and biomarkers of immune activation and inflammation was assessed in the elderly. Patients： Serum inflammation markers of fifty-five outpatients （29 females, 26 males, aged 78 ＋ 8.5 years） were analyzed. Stool specimens and thus data on gut microbiota were available from a subgroup of 23 individuals （9 females and 14 males）. Results： Global cerebral atrophy was found in all magnet resonance tomography scans. Mean mini-mental-score examination in Alzheimer＇s disease patients was 18.8 ± 7.1, in patients with mild cognitive impairment 27.8 ± 1.5. Serum neopterin concentrations correlated with concentrations of fecal S100A12 （p 〈 0.001） and cq-antitrypsin （p 〈 0.05）. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii correlated with MMSE （p 〈 0.05）, with Akkermansia muciniphila （p 〈 0.01） and with serum neopterin （p 〈 0.05）. Fecal zonulin correlated inversely with Clostridium cluster I （p 〈 0.02）. Conclusions： Our results underline earlier in vitro and animal studies that cognitive decline associates with age-related changes in the intestinal microbiota and neuroinflammation. However, only correlational evidence can be reported, and a causative relationship still has to be demonstrated.
文摘Objective To investigate whether pretreatment with α 1-AT can attenuate acute lung injury (ALI) in rabbits induced with endotoxin. Methods Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups(n=8):1.Infusion of endotoxin(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS 500μg/kg)without α 1-AT (group LPS).2.Infusion α 1-AT 120mg/kg at 15min before challenge with LPS(group LAV).3.Infusion of α 1-AT 120mg/kg(group AAT).4 Infusion of saline 4ml/kg as control (group NS).Arterial blood gases,peripheral leukocyte counts and airway pressure were recorded every 1h.Physiologic intrapulmonary shunting (Qs/Qt) was measured every 4h.After 8h the bloods were collected for measurement of plasma concentration and activity of α 1-AT.Then bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)was collected for measurement of concentrations of total protein (TP),interleukin-8(IL-8),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),the activities of elastase-like and α 1-AT,total phospholipids(TPL) and disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC).In addition,the wet-to-dry lung weight ratio(W/D) was measured. Results After infusion of endotoxin,it was observed that PaO 2,peripheral luekocyte counts,total respiratory compliance progressively decreased and P peak and Qs/Qt increased comparing with the baseline values.In contrast to group NS,the increased plasma concentration but reduced activity of α 1-AT was found in group LPS.In the BALF,the activity of α 1-AT,TPL,DSPC/TPL were lower,but the concentrations of albumin,IL-8,TNF-α,and the activity of NE were higher.The ratio of W/D also increased.The pretreatment of α 1-AT attenuated the deterioration of oxygenation,the reduction of compliance and the deterioration of other physiological,biochemical parameters mentioned above. Conclusion Pretreatment with α 1-AT could attenuate endotoxin-induced lung injury in rabbits.Those beneficial effects of α 1-AT might be due in part to the inhibitory effect on neutrophil elastase.
文摘According to the latest World Health Organization report 64 million people suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease （COPD）, 3 million people died from COPD and it is predicted that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. The alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a rarely diagnosed hereditary disease caused by a genetic mutation and it is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders primarily affecting the lungs, especially in the form of COPD or emphysema, but in some cases also the liver or skin. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease recommends all patients with COPD at a young age or significant family history to be examined for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This article presents the case of a 42 year old, female patient, Portuguese, with history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 40 pack units/year smoker, with unknown family history, coming to her family doctor with breath shortness, especially during physical activities, with unsatisfying response to pharmacological prescribed therapy. Physical examination was normal. Alpha- 1 antitrypsin deficiency was confirmed by blood testing. All patient＇s first degree relatives were investigated showing low alpha-1 antitrypsin blood concentrations thus genetic tests were later performed. This case reinforces the need for primary care physicians to be aware of alphal-antitrypsin deficit as an underdiagnosed clinical entity.
基金NationalNatureScienceFundGrant (No .395 0 0 15 0 ) OutstandingTalentFundGrantof NationalNatureScienceFundCommittee (No .3972 5 0 2 9)
文摘Objective: To test the hypothesis that acute phase reactants, such as alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, could protect mammalian cells from further damage. Methods: Human dermal fibroblasts (5×10 4) were cultured with DMEM plus 10% FBS at 37℃ in a 5% CO 2 incubator. Different doses of LPS (lipopolysaccharide) and/or acute phase reactants were added. After 24 hours, the cultured supernatant was aspirated, the cells were washed, fixed and stained by methylene blue. The unbound stain was washed off. The stained cells were solubilized in 0.1 ml of 1% Triton X-100. The absorbance of each well was measured using an ELISA spectrophotometer. The concentration of LPS which decreased the absorbance to 70% of the control (LPS-free) cultures was defined as LD 30. Results: In order to achieve LD 30 in the presence of acute phase proteins, it was necessary to alter the LPS concentrations. The LD 30 of LPS treated with 0, 0.5, 2, 10 mg/ml antitrypsin and 0, 0.5, 2, 10 mg/ml glycoprotein was 5.4, 6.5, 7.6, 14.2 mg/ml and 5.2, 5.9, 6.9, 10.5 mg/ml, respectively. Statistically, with the treatment of more than 2 mg/ml antitrypsin or glycoprotein, LD 30 increased significantly. Conclusions: Our data show that fibroblasts are susceptible to the direct toxicity of LPS. Alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein can reduce the toxicity and/or increase the tolerance of mammalian cells to LPS.
