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Biomedical subjects

B Damerau

Publications and source records attributed to B Damerau.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effect of hog anaphylatoxin (C 5a) on vascular permeability and leukocyte emigration in vivo.

The effects of highly purified hog anaphylatoxin (C 5a) on leukocyte emigration were investigated in guinea pigs in vivo using two experimental models: 1. Subcutaneous infusions. Sterile solutions of C 5a in saline infused at a rate of 1.8 mug C 5a/h (0.2 ml/h) for 10 h induced a dense accumulation of leukocytes, mainly neutrophils but also some eosinophils at the site of application; In control infusions with saline alone comparatively few leukocytes were found. 2. Single injections into the pleural cavity. 10 or 20 mug C 5a (dissolved in 2 ml saline) caused a dose-dependent increase in leukocyte number and volume of pleural exudate. Bradykinin in a dose of 18 mug produced similar fluid exudation as 20 mug C 5a but had no significant effect on leukocyte accumulation. Intrapleural injections of C 5a further caused the appearance of i.v. injected Evans blue in the pleural cavity. This effect, indicating an increase in vascular permeability lasted for about 3 h; Since at least one of the two models used - subcutaneous infusion -simulates natural conditions -continuous local generation of C 5a in small amounts at the site of an inflammatory lesion-the results indicate that C 5a once formed by complement activation in natural defense reactions may contribute to local increase in vascular permeability and leukocyte infiltration.

Anaphylatoxins↗

Induction of platelet aggregation by the complement-derived peptides C3a and C5a.

The effect of two complement-derived peptides, hog serum C3a and C5a, on platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma and suspensions in Tyrode solution was investigated. 1. Guinea-pig platelets were aggregated by both C3a and C5a; the spasmogenically inactive product of C3a, C3ai, also induced aggregation. Threshold concentrations were in the range of 10(-6)--10(-9) M depending on the peptide and platelet preparation. 2. Cat platelets were aggregated by C5a (threshold concentrations 10(-7)--10(-8) M) but not by C3a. 3. Platelets from pig, rabbit and man were not aggregated by either of the two peptides in concentrations of up to 5 X 10(-6) M. 4. When C5a was administered repeatedly in subthreshold doses guinea-pig platelets became tachyphylactic to C5a but were still aggregable by C3a or ADP. Conversely, platelets desensitized to C3a still reacted to C5a or ADP. Tachyphylaxis towards C5a developed also when platelets were incubated with C5a in the absence of free Ca2+ under which condition they do not react. The tachyphylaxis in this case became evident after recalcification of the medium. The lack of cross-desensitization indicates that C3a and C5a react via different receptors. 5. C3a and C5a were injected i.v. into guinea pigs. Histological examination of the lungs revealed that some of the smaller vessels (20-30 mu in diameter) were occluded by platelet aggregates. In addition signs of severe acute emphysema were seen in animals treated with C5a, but only slight emphysema in C3a-treated animals. Intravenous injections of C3a into guinea pigs caused but weak respiratory distress and drowsiness and never killed an animal (at doses of up to 20 mg per kg body weight), whereas C5a caused the well-known severe respiratory failure and death already at doses of 0.03 mg/kg body weight.

Anaphylatoxins↗

Histamine release, formation of prostaglandin-like activity (SRS-C) and mast cell degranulation by the direct lytic factor (DLF) and phospholipase A of cobra venom.

Cobra venom, alone and in combination, on mast cell degranulation, histamine release and formation of prostaglandin-like activity (SRS-C) was studied in perfused guinea-pig lungs and in mast cell-containing rat peritoneal cell suspensions. For comparison, the effect of equivalent doses of whole cobra venom was investigated. 1. Cobra venom caused mast cell degranulation, histamine release and SRS-C formation in both systems. For comparable effects much higher doses had to be used in guine-pig lungs than in rat peritoneal cell suspensions. 2. Phase A showed little degranulation of mast cells in both systems, a limited histamine release in rat peritoneal cell suspensions and none in perfused guinea-pig lungs. It caused a considerable SRS-C formation in both, lung tissue and peritoneal cell suspensions. 3. DLF caused histamine release, SRS-C formation and mast cell degranulation in both systems; in rat peritoneal cell suspensions it acted almost as strong as equivalent doses of cobra venom, in guinea pig lungs it was much less active. 4. In rat peritoneal cell suspensions the effects of DLF and phase A in combination did not exceed the sum of their single effects. In guinea-pig lungs these two substances interacted in a potentiating synergism. It is concluded that DLF is the main cytotoxic principle of cobra venom, whereas ph-ase A alone is not cytotoxic. The difference in the synergism of DLF and ph-ase A between rat peritoneal cells and guinea-pig lungs may be due to two different actions of DLF and species differences as regards sensitivity against these actions.

Animals↗