Peptides containing Lys-Pro-Arg or Thr-Lys-Arg segments corresponding to various regions of human C-reactive protein were synthesized. The peptides prepared were composed of amino acid residues, 37-58, 51-58, 173-187 and 181-187 of C-reactive protein. The relationship between C-reactive protein, its synthetic fragments and tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) was investigated in binding studies, enhancement of phagocytosis and change in cyclic nucleotide levels of mouse macrophages. The peptides AA 51-58 and 181-187 did enhance macrophage phagocytosis capacity to a similar extent to that of tuftsin. They showed however only negligible binding to the cells. The effect of C-reactive protein and the synthetic peptides on metabolic activity of neutrophils was also investigated. It was shown that the peptides inhibited to some degree superoxide production, lysozyme release and Vitamin B12 binding protein release from neutrophils in the absence and presence of the stimulants, PMA or Con A. Comparable activity with tuftsin was not found.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Lymphedema of the upper extremity in patients operated for carcinoma of the breast: clinical experience with coumarinic extract from Melilotus officinalis].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this clinical study was to verify the therapeutic activity of cumarinic extract of Melilotus officinalis (CEMO) in patients with chronic lymphedema of the upper arm caused by lymphadenectomy for breast cancer. Cumarine, in fact, has antiedemic properties due to macrophagic action that stimulates proteolysis in the tissues affected by chronic lymphedema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an open clinical study we enrolled 24 patients with chronic upper arm lymphedema due to post-lymphadenectomy of the axilla for breast cancer. 21 patients were eligible to receive 400 mg of CEMO containing 8 mg of cumarine in a sole daily administration for 6 months. We measure the circumference of the upper arm at 3 and 6 months from treatment. We evaluated the symptoms and tolerability through a questionnaire given to the patients at every clinical control. RESULTS: Of the 21 (87.5%) patients eligible, only 14 (66.6%) were treated with CEMO according to protocol. Of these 11 patients (52.3%) had a reduction of the circumference of the affected arm of 5% with respect to base values. Three patients (14.2%) had no change. In 12 patients (57.1%) symptoms improved. As for tolerability: 3 patients (14.2%) had transitory gastrointestinal side-effects. There was worsening of lymphedema and symptoms in 4 patients (19%) that did not receive CEMO and were followed as controls. Three patients (14.2%) were not evaluable because they were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cumarinic extract of Melilotus officinalis (CEMO) was effective in reducing lymphedema in 79% of the pts treated for a period of six months. The median reduction of the upper arm circumference was modest (5% with respect to initial values) but statistically significant (p = 0.048). Treatment with CEMO for lymphedema could be associated to the physiotherapy given to these patients such as manual lymph drainage (MLD).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Graft of cryopreserved human amniotic epithelial cells in a subject with type B Niemann-Pick disease].

Implantation of pure cryopreserved epithelial cells obtained by enzymatic digestion of human amnion was successfully carried out in one patient affected by Niemann-Pick disease type B. No host-versus-graft reaction was recorded after implantation. The clinical improvement observed in this patient is supposed to be effect of the documented increase of sphingomyelinase activity in his leukocytes after implantation, confirming the possibility that an effective release of sphingomyelinase from amniotic epithelial cells and enzyme uptake by deficient cells can occur. Separation and cryopreservation of human amnion epithelial cells markedly improve the procedures of implantation and may represent a further step beyond in the enzymatic therapy of many lysosomal storage disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reassembly of purified bacterial membrane components.

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Amino Alcohols↗