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Biomedical subjects

B Gressier

Publications and source records attributed to B Gressier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Scavenging of reactive oxygen species by letosteine, a molecule with two blocked-SH groups. Comparison with free-SH drugs.

Acute production of reactive oxygen species by polymorphonuclear neutrophils during the respiratory burst may induce tissue injuries. In this in vitro study, it was demonstrated that letosteine, a mucolytic agent containing two blocked thiol groups, had antioxidant activity, but only when it was first submitted to alkaline hydrolysis. In a cell-free system, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid and hydroxyl radical concentrations were reduced by half by letosteine concentrations of 200, 15 and 350 mumol/l, respectively. The mechanism of letosteine action may be related to the -SH group liberated in vitro by hydrolysis, which seemed to react by scavenging the reactive oxygen species in the same way as acetylcysteine and MESNA, free-thiol drugs known for their antioxidant properties. So, letosteine, a compound with blocked -SH groups which in vivo can metabolically become free, may have a therapeutic application in preventing oxidative tissue injury damage induced by the respiratory burst.

Acetylcysteine

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of budesonide in bronchoalveolar lavage of asthmatic patients.

A simple, sensitive and selective method for the determination of budesonide in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection was developed. BAL samples were extracted twice with methylene chloride, the extracts were centrifuged and the organic layer separated and dried under nitrogen. The samples were reconstituted in the mobile phase and 80 microliters were injected on to a Spherisorb ODS column with UV absorbance detection at 250 nm. The mobile phase was methanol-aqueous buffer (69:31, v/v). Inter-assay coefficients of variation were measured at 7.81 and 500 ng/ml with ranges of 0.89-7.31%. Average recoveries were 97% or greater. This method was successfully implemented for the analysis of BAL from asthmatics, in order to establish the amount of budesonide available to the lung and to investigate the efficacy of inhaler systems. Patients (n = 9) inhaled four puffs of 200 micrograms of budesonide and BAL was performed 10 min after the last inhalation. Only four BAL out of the nine presented detectable amounts of budesonide. The concentrations in BAL in these four patients were 13.44-84.18 ng/ml, corresponding to total amounts of 0.847-7.997 micrograms.

Administration, Inhalation

Stability and compatibility studies of cephamandole nafate with PVC infusion bags.

A rapid isocratic technique was developed for the analysis of cephamandole nafate and cephamandole in parenteral solutions using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection and C18 column. The availability and compatibility of drugs from solutions infused via plastic infusion bags through plastic administration sets have been examined. No significant drugs loss was observed during simulated infusions (n = 4) for 1 h using PVC infusion bags and administration sets. No significant difference was found between infusion solutions (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl). The stability of drugs was also studied in solution in PVC bags after storage at room temperature and at 4 degrees C without protection from light. The results show the stability of cephamandole nafate during 24 h at room temperature and 7 days storage at 4 degrees C to be satisfactory, irrespective of the infusion solution (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl). However, an almost immediate and total transformation of cephamandole nafate to cephamandole in 5% glucose has been observed, whereas in 0.9% NaCl both forms were found in similar proportions.

Calibration

Stability and compatibility of cisplatin and carboplatin with PVC infusion bags.

The availability and compatibility of drugs from solutions infused via PVC infusion bags through PVC administration sets have been examined. No significant drug loss was observed during simulated infusions using PVC infusion bags and administration sets over time periods used in hospitals (cisplatin, 2 h; carboplatin, 1 h). The stability of carboplatin was studied in 5% dextrose. In 0.9% NaCl, we observed that carboplatin could be converted to cisplatin in the presence of chloride ions. With cisplatin, no significant difference was found between infusion solutions (5% dextrose or 0.9% NaCl). The stability of cisplatin (5% dextrose or 0.9% NaCl) and carboplatin (5% dextrose) was also studied in PVC bags after storage in the dark at room temperature. The results show that the drugs were stable over the 9-day storage period studied.

Biocompatible Materials

Protective role of glutathione on alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor inactivation by the myeloperoxidase system. Hypothetic study for therapeutic strategy in the management of smokers' emphysema.

In smoking subjects with obvious emphysema, the interaction between neutrophil-derived MPO and H2O2 produced by alveolar inflammatory cells (alveolar macrophages (AM) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN)) has the ability to spontaneously inactivate, in vitro, the alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1PI). This inactivation can induce a desequilibrium of the protease-antiprotease balance in the lungs. In this study, we investigated the ability of glutathione to protect alpha 1PI. In a cellular model of alpha 1PI inactivation mimicking the effects of alveolar inflammatory cells present in the lower respiratory tract of smoking patients with emphysema, we demonstrated that glutathione can protect alpha 1PI against the oxidative inactivation by these activated cells. This protection has been computed in a cellular experimentation (AM and MPO-system) with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 62 microM. Moreover, glutathione has an important inhibitory effect directly on H2O2 released by PMA-stimulated AM (IC50 = 30 microM) or PMA stimulated PMN (IC50 = 70 microM). The mechanism, which governs glutathione may be a result of a scavenging effect on H2O2 as demonstrated in a free cellular experiment. With this in vitro demonstrated effectiveness, glutathione as a therapeutic antioxidant, via the aerosol, has been proposed, in order to prevent tissue damage, inflicted by an excess of activated phagocytic cells, in some lung diseases such as smoking patients with emphysema.

Glutathione

A rapid density gradient technique for separating polymorphonuclear granulocytes.

A gradient separation technique followed by isotonic ammonium chloride haemolysis was compared with two methods for the isolation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from blood. This technique provided a high yield, excellent purity without lymphocyte and erythrocyte contamination, and made it possible to isolate more than 50 x 10(6) human neutrophils from 15 ml of blood. The polymorphonuclear neutrophils isolated in this way were capable of generating a large amount of reactive oxygen species. This technique for the separation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils is an effective method for in vitro studies.

Cell Separation

Pro-oxidant properties of methotrexate: evaluation and prevention by an anti-oxidant drug.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) have the ability to liberate large amounts of reactive oxygen species like hydrogen peroxide. This free radicals release may have beneficial effect in chemotherapy but may also lead to cytotoxicity in case of prolongated inflammatory reaction. This in vitro study demonstrates that methotrexate (MTX), an anticancer drug, increases the amount of hydrogen peroxide released by stimulated PMNs in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum increase of 43.7% (i.e. 22 microM of hydrogen peroxide) for 500 microM of MTX. The mechanism which govern MTX reaction seems to be a result of an intracellular pro-oxidant mechanism by intervention on the oxidative metabolism of PMNs rather than a cell-free chemical interaction. Moreover, an association of MTX with mesna, an anti-oxidant drug, allowed to suppress the excess of hydrogen peroxide production. This association might be used in anticancer therapy, during oxidative burst, particularly when MTX is used in high concentrations, in order to limit toxic effects induced by free radicals.

Antioxidants

Stability and compatibility studies of cefaloridine, cefuroxime and ceftazidime with PVC infusion bags.

A rapid isocratic technique was developed for the analysis of three cephalosporins: cefaloridine, cefuroxime and ceftazidime in parenteral solutions using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection and C18 column. The availability and compatibility of drugs from solutions infused via plastic infusion bags through plastic administration sets have been examined. No significant drugs loss was observed during the simulated infusions (n = 4) for 1 h using PVC infusion bags and administration sets. No significant difference was found between infusion solutions (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl). The stability of drugs was also studied in solution in PVC bags after storage at room temperature and at +4 degrees C without protection from light. The results show the stability of drugs during 24 h at room temperature and 7 d storage at +4 degrees C to be satisfactory, irrespective of the infusion solution (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl).

Ceftazidime

Oxidative inactivation of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor by alveolar epithelial type II cells.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of guinea pig alveolar epithelial type II cells to generate significant amounts of reactive oxygen species to inactivate alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI). Inactivation of alpha 1-PI was evaluated by its inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic elastase and was expressed as a percentage. The same experiments were performed in parallel with alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained from the same animals and with MRC-5 fibroblasts. Both type II cells and AM released significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, whereas the fibroblasts did not. Unstimulated type II cells (0.5 +/- 2%), AM (1.2 +/- 1.5%), and fibroblasts (0.5 +/- 0.5%) were unable to inactivate alpha 1-PI. Addition of phorbol myristate acetate did not increase their ability to inactivate alpha 1-PI. In contrast, type II cells (79.7 +/- 7%) and AM (80.1 +/- 8%) dramatically inactivated alpha 1-PI in the presence of myeloperoxidase (25 mU/ml), whereas fibroblasts did not. Addition of catalase to the reaction significantly prevented the inactivation of alpha 1-PI. Western blot analysis of alpha 1-PI did not reveal a significant proteolysis of alpha 1-PI, which supports the hypothesis that, in the presence of neutrophil-derived myeloperoxidase, type II cells may oxidatively inactivate alpha 1-PI.

Animals

Inactivation of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor by alveolar inflammatory cells from smoking patients with or without emphysema.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of alveolar inflammatory cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage from the lower respiratory tract of 17 smoking patients with or without emphysema to inactivate alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-Pl). The presence of emphysema was determined and quantified using CT scan and was evidenced in 8 patients (Group 1), whereas 9 patients exhibited a normal CT scan (Group 2). Patients with emphysema had lower values of FEV1, DLCO, and resting PO2 and higher values of RV/TLC ratio than patients without emphysema. BAL analysis showed a higher percentage of neutrophils and of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in BAL fluid in Group 1 than in Group 2. Alveolar inflammatory cells stimulated or not with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were incubated for 45 min with purified alpha 1-Pl, and the results were expressed as a percentage of inactivation of alpha 1-Pl as evaluated by its inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic elastase or human neutrophil elastase. In Group 2, unstimulated alveolar inflammatory cells inactivated only 3.3 +/- 0.7% alpha 1-Pl and stimulated cells inactivated only 5.4 +/- 1.1% alpha 1-Pl. In marked contrast, in Group 1, a significant loss of the antielastase function of alpha 1-Pl was observed (p < 0.001) when alpha 1-Pl was incubated with unstimulated cells (24.2 +/- 8.9%) or stimulated cells (35 +/- 8.9%) from Group 1. The addition of catalase to the cell suspension was associated with a significant decrease in the inactivation of alpha 1-Pl (from 35 +/- 8.9 to 10.2 +/- 1.2%, Group 1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

Human leucocyte elastase (HLE) preferentially cleaves the heavy chain H2 of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI).

Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) is a complex protein containing two heavy polypeptide chains (H1 and H2) and a light chain, which in the free state is known as bikunin. In vitro cleavage of ITI with different proteases releases bikunin, but does not abolish the antitryptic activity. To study the mechanism of bikunin release, ITI was incubated with human leucocyte elastase (HLE). The resulting ITI fragments were characterized by (i) their electrophoretic and chromatographic behavior. (ii) their immunological reactivity towards antibodies specific for each of the heavy chains H1 and H2, and (iii) their N-terminal sequences. Our results demonstrate that the H2 heavy chain of ITI is particularly sensitive to HLE, and that early cleavage products (M(r)-values 120-150,000) consist of H1 linked to bikunin. A scheme is proposed for the mechanism for ITI degradation.

Alpha-Globulins

Comparison of in vitro effects of two thiol-containing drugs on human neutrophils hydrogen peroxide production.

During inflammatory disorders, potentially destructive reactive oxygen species, especially hydrogen peroxide, are produced by activated phagocytic cells. It was demonstrated in vitro that mesna and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), mucolytic thiols, have antioxidant properties. An estimation was made of the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of mesna and NAC for PMA-induced H2O2 production by human neutrophils, the results being 70 mcM and 77 mcM, respectively. The mechanism which governs mesna and NAC reactions results from a scavenging effect of H2O2: the calculated IC50s of this effect were 30 mcM and 42 mcM, respectively, in free cellular experimentation. The results suggest that mesna and NAC might be used as antioxidants in aerosols to prevent tissue damage inflicted by this reactive oxygen species, especially in the lungs.

Acetylcysteine

Stability and compatibility of four anthracyclines: doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin and pirarubicin with PVC infusion bags.

A rapid isocratic technique was developed for the analysis of four anthracyclines (doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin and pirarubicin) in parenteral solutions using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection and a C18 Hypersil ODS column. The availability and compatibility of these drugs from solutions infused via PVC infusion bags through PVC administration sets have been examined. No significant drug loss was observed during simulated infusions (n = 4) for 24 h using PVC infusion bags and administration sets. No significant difference was found between infusion solutions (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl), except for pirarubicin. The reconstitution of pirarubicin in 0.9% NaCl was impossible, because we observed a precipitation of the compound in solution. The stability of the drugs was also studied in solution, in PVC bags after storage at 4 degrees C with protection from light. The results show the stability of doxorubicin, epirubicin and daunorubicin during 7 days of storage to be satisfactory, irrespective of the infusion solution (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl). In the case of pirarubicin, the stability of the drug was satisfactory during 5 days of storage in 5% glucose, but beyond, we observed a degradation of the compound with formation of doxorubicin in the infusion solution.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic

Oxidative inactivation of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor by alveolar macrophages from healthy smokers requires the presence of myeloperoxidase.

The aim of this work was to study the ability of human alveolar macrophages (AM) of 10 healthy smokers to inactivate alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1PI). Purified alpha 1PI was incubated for 45 min, with human alveolar macrophages before and after stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or opsonized zymosan. As a positive control, the same experiments were performed in parallel with blood human neutrophils (PMN). Results are expressed as percentage of inactivation of alpha 1PI as evaluated from its inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic elastase. A strong correlation (r = 0.99) was shown when inhibitory activity of alpha 1PI was evaluated against porcine pancreatic elastase or human neutrophil elastase. Unstimulated AM (1.57 +/- 0.9%) as well as stimulated AM (PMA: 1 +/- 0.4%; zymosan: 3 +/- 0.6%) were unable to inactivate alpha 1PI. Gel electrophoresis of alpha 1PI demonstrated that AM before or after stimulation induced a slight proteolysis of alpha 1PI, whereas both cleaved and complexed alpha 1PI were found when alpha 1PI was incubated with activated PMN. Both unstimulated (22 +/- 2.6%) and activated PMN (PMA: 91.7 +/- 4.7%; zymosan: 90 +/- 5.5%) were responsible for a significant inactivation of alpha 1PI. Catalase, in contrast to superoxide dismutase, was responsible for a near complete protection of alpha 1PI inactivation by PMN. To better determine the role of PMN secretory products, especially myeloperoxidase (MPO), we also investigated the effect of zymosan-activated PMN supernatants or of purified MPO on the alpha 1PI-AM reaction. MPO assay in PMN supernatants demonstrated that activated neutrophils released significant amounts of MPO (16.8 +/- 4.1 U/ml), whereas MPO was undetectable in activated AM supernatants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Crossed immunoelectrophoresis does not allow accurate determination of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor and its derivatives in plasma.

By crossed-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) of plasma, using anti-inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) immunoglobulins, beside native ITI, related components are visualized as an heterogeneous peak migrating farther than ITI. The area corresponding to this peak is largely increased in case of inflammatory disease. So, quantitative CIE has been previously proposed for discrete evaluation of ITI and its derivatives. We herein present evidence that CIE does not allow a clear separation of ITI from its derivatives: in this system, they are to some extent coprecipitated. Therefore the resulting overestimation of ITI may explain the previously reported absence of inverse relation between relative contents of ITI and derivatives in case of inflammatory disorders. Our data confirm the view that ITI acts as a precursor of smaller immunologically related inhibitors.

Alpha-Globulins

Solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatographic determination of dobutamine in plasma of dialysed patients.

An isocratic reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for th e determination of dobutamine in the plasma of dialysed patients. A solid phase extraction method with a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge was used to isolate the drug and isoxsuprine (internal standard) from plasma. The separation was carried out on an ODS-Hypersil column with 0.1 M phosphate buffer:acetonitrile:methanol (72:20:8 v/v/v) as the mobile phase. The recovery of dobutamine added to plasma by the extraction procedure was 87 +/- 2.3% (mean +/- SD). The accuracy and reproducibility of the method were within acceptable limits over the concentration range 0-1000 ng/mL. Quantification was by fluorescence detection at 275 nm excitation and 310 nm emission wavelengths with a detection limit of 5 ng/mL for dobutamine. This procedure was applied to ascertain the pharmacokinetics of dobutamine infusion in nine patients with cardiogenic shock and end-stage renal disease undergoing haemodialysis.

Chemical Phenomena

Oxidant radical release by alveolar macrophages after cadmium chloride exposure in vitro.

Chronic exposure to cadmium can cause lung emphysema, the mechanism of which is unknown. Current concepts on the pathogenesis of emphysema largely emphasize the role of a protease-antiprotease imbalance. The aim of this work was to study the effects of cadmium on the regulation of antiprotease activity and the release of oxidant radicals from alveolar macrophages. Guinea pig alveolar macrophages (AM) were exposed overnight to cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in vitro. To define the cytolytic threshold dose, cell lysis was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase release. Non-cytolytic concentrations were then used (0.1, 0.4 and 0.8 ppm) to simulate chronic exposure conditions. Overnight exposure to 0.1, 0.4 and 0.8 ppm CdCl2 decreased intracellular ATP (mean +/- SD: 91 +/- 8%, 72 +/- 7%, 50 +/- 8% of control cells, respectively), suggesting that even at non-cytolytic doses, Cd2+ can cause cell injury. The assessment of oxygen radical release from AM after overnight exposure to CdCl2 showed a dose-dependent decrease to 54.3 +/- 8.2%, 32.2 +/- 4.3% and 25 +/- 3% of control after exposure to 0.1, 0.4 and 0.8 ppm Cd2+, respectively. At non-cytolytic concentrations (0.1, 0.4 and 0.8 ppm) CdCl2 did not decrease alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor activity either in the absence of AM or in the presence of AM and myeloperoxidase. In conclusion, our in vitro results do not suggest that a protease-antiprotease imbalance is involved in the pathogenesis of cadmium-induced emphysema.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate

Functional and immunoreactive alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor in bronchoalveolar lavages: methodological studies.

The functional activity of alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1PI) in bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) was determined with an automated method, using its inhibitory capacity against porcine pancreatic elastase. Immunoreactive alpha 1PI was measured by immunonephelometry-laser (INL). These two methods may generally be applied on unconcentrated samples. Precision and accuracy of both methods are studied. INL was preferably used to electroimmunodiffusion (EID) because it gave unchanged values after alpha 1PI had reacted with proteases. In BAL, for some specimens, the alpha 1PI content evaluated by EID was underestimated with respect to its measurement by INL. The degree of underestimation is related to the presence of non-functional forms of alpha 1PI.

Blood Proteins