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Biomedical subjects

H J Freisleben

Publications and source records attributed to H J Freisleben.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Lifespan of immunosuppressed NMRI-mice is increased by deprenyl.

Immunosuppressed NMRI-mice (nu/nu) were raised and kept under germ-reduced conditions and fed with a germ-reduced diet (14 animals = controls). For another 14 mice 4 mg of selegiline were admixed to 10 kg of the diet. The 50% survival rate of the latter group was 160% from birth or 220% from the beginning of the study. The survival rate in weeks finally reached 350%, and the area under the curve 250%. The last mouse in the control group died at the age of 5 months, 2.5 months after the study was started; the last mouse in the selegiline group died at the age of 14.5 months, 1 year after the beginning of the study.

Animals↗

Reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle: controlled limb reperfusion reduces local and systemic complications after prolonged ischaemia.

Previous studies in isolated limbs using crystalloid perfusion solutions have shown that control of the initial reperfusion reduces postischaemic complications. However, no experimental study has been undertaken to evaluate the concept of controlled limb reperfusion experimentally in an in vivo blood-perfused model and to assess the local as well as systemic effects of normal blood reperfusion and controlled limb reperfusion. Of 20 pigs undergoing preparation of the infrarenal aorta and iliac arteries, six were observed for 7.5 h and served as controls; 14 others underwent 6 h of complete infrarenal occlusion. Thereafter, embolectomy was simulated in eight pigs by removing the aortic clamp and establishing normal blood reperfusion at systemic pressure. In six other pigs, the composition of the reperfusate and the conditions of reperfusion were controlled during the first 30 min, followed by normal blood reperfusion. Some 6 h of infrarenal aortic occlusion leads to a severe decrease in high-energy phosphates and muscle temperature, together with a slight increase in creatine kinase and potassium in the systemic circulation. Normal blood reperfusion resulted in severe reperfusion injury: massive oedema developed, the tissue showed a marked decrease in oxygen consumption, glucose consumption, tissue ATP, total adenine nucleotides, muscle pH and total calcium in the femoral vein. Furthermore, a massive increase was seen in plasma creatine kinase concentration and potassium, together with the development of muscle rigidity. In sharp contrast, initial treatment of the ischaemic skeletal muscle by controlled limb reperfusion resulted in normal water content, oxygen consumption, glucose consumption, flow and muscle rigidity. Furthermore, controlled limb reperfusion resulted in higher total adenine nucleotides content, less tissue acidosis, markedly reduced creatine kinase release, and potassium release as compared with that of normal blood reperfusion. This study shows that 6 h of acute infrarenal aortic occlusion will result in severe reperfusion injury (postischaemic syndrome) if normal blood at systemic pressure is given in the initial reperfusion phase. In contrast, initial treatment of the ischaemic skeletal muscle by controlled limb reperfusion reduces the metabolic, functional and biochemical alterations.

Acute Disease↗

Penetration of spin-labeled dihydrolipoate into the skin of hairless mice. Modification of epidermal and dermal polarity.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging with the modulated field gradient technique is a novel method to investigate skin biophysical and biochemical properties employing specific nitroxide spin probes. Using this method, a distinct increase in polarity from epidermis towards lower dermis is observed with the spin label dit-butylnitroxide (DTBN). With proxylmaleimide a considerable increase in mobility is found, when epidermis is compared with dermal compartments. The effect of the natural antioxidant dihydrolipoate on skin membrane polarity was studied. Skin penetration of spin labeled dihydrolipoate was investigated by EPR imaging. The results indicate that dihydrolipoate also increases membrane polarity. The biophysical and biochemical changes in the epidermis and dermis as revealed by spatial imaging, provide indirect evidence for skin penetration of dihydrolipoate. This conclusion was supported by the finding that spin labeled derivatives of dihydrolipoate and lipoate were detected inside epidermis and dermis by EPR imaging. This study demonstrates the feasibility of EPR imaging to investigate pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of spin labeled drugs in skin.

Animals↗

Purification of ATP synthase from beef heart mitochondria (F0F1) and co-reconstitution with monomeric bacteriorhodopsin into liposomes capable of light-driven ATP synthesis.

ATP synthase was isolated from beef heart mitochondria by extraction with N,N-bis-(3-D-gluconamidopropyl)deoxycholamide or by traditional cholate extraction. The enzyme was purified subsequently by ion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatographies in the presence of glycerol and the protease inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate. The ATP synthase consisted of 12-14 subunits and contained three tightly bound nucleotides. The co-reconstitution of crude or purified ATP synthase with monomeric bacteriorhodopsin by the method of detergent incubation of liposomes yielded proteoliposomes capable of light-driven ATP synthesis, as detected with a luciferase system for at least 30 min. The reaction was suppressed by the inhibitors oligomycin (> 90%) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (85%) and by the uncoupler carbonylcyanide-p-trifluormethoxyphenylhydrazone (> 95%). The purified ATP synthase was apparently free of cytochrome impurities and of adenylate kinase activity, i.e. the enzyme exhibited light-driven ATP synthesis without the dark reaction. For the first time, this is demonstrated with purified ATP synthase from beef heart mitochondria.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Nitroxide radical biostability in skin.

Nitroxide radicals are important chemical tools in dermatologic research (e.g., for studying biophysical properties of skin lipids and epidermal membranes with the method of electron paramagnetic resonance, EPR, spectroscopy). However, nitroxides may loose their paramagnetic properties in biological tissues, which could limit their usefulness in biomedical applications. We analyzed the biostability of various chemical types of nitroxide radicals in keratinocytes, epidermis homogenate, and intact skin. EPR signal loss of imidazoline, pyrrolidine, piperidine, and oxazolidine nitroxides is attributed to their reduction to the corresponding hydroxylamine. The rate of nitroxide reduction in skin varies considerably with nitroxide ring structure and substitution. The order of nitroxide stability in isolated human keratinocytes, mouse epidermis homogenate, and intact mouse and human skin is imidazoline > pyrrolidine > di-t-butylnitroxide (DTBN) > piperidine > oxazolidine. Cationic nitroxides are reduced much faster than neutral or anionic probes, presumably due to transmembrane electron shuttle or internalization. The results indicate that imidazoline- and pyrrolidine-type nitroxides should be used when high biostability of nitroxides is needed. Piperidine-type nitroxides are versatile probes for studying one-electron transfer reactions in skin.

Animals↗

Studies on lipoate effects on blood redox state in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients.

Several investigators have implicated that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients have a compromised antioxidant defense system. Blood antioxidants are decreased and peroxidation products of lipids and proteins are increased in the patients. This may have pathophysiological implications, because antioxidants, such as glutathione, and reactive oxidants are involved in the regulation of the human immunodeficiency virus. Consequently it was suggested that HIV infected patients may benefit from antioxidant supplementation therapy. In a open and unblinded pilot study the short term effect of the natural antioxidant lipoate (Thioctacid) on blood antioxidants and peroxidation products was investigated in HIV positive patients (CDC IV). In the majority of the patients, lipoate increased plasma ascorbate (9 of 10 patients) total glutathione (7 of 7 patients), total plasma thiol groups (8 of 9 patients); T helper lymphocytes and T helper/suppressor cell ratio (6 of 10 patients), while the lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde (8 of 9 patients) and 4-hydroxynonenal (7 of 9 patients) were decreased. The results of this pilot study indicate that lipoate supplementation changes the blood redox state of HIV infected patients. A prospective and longitudinal therapy study is warranted to investigate the long term effects of lipoate therapy on blood redox state, disease progression and incidence of opportunistic infections in HIV infected patients.

Adult↗

Cardioprotective efficiency of dihydrolipoic acid in working rat hearts during hypoxia and reoxygenation. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance investigations.

The working rat heart model was used for 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies during normoxia, hypoxia and reoxygenation. Aortic flows of about 35 ml/min could be achieved which equals 65% of the values obtained outside the NMR magnet. Addition of dihydrolipoic acid (DHL) at a concentration of 0.3 mumol/l during hypoxia accelerated the recovery of aortic flow and stabilized it during reoxygenation. During hypoxia, inorganic phosphate contents (Pi) were significantly higher in controls. The phosphate shift indicated a pH decrease in control to 6.98, in DHL treated hearts the calculated pH was 7.15. During both hypoxia and reoxygenation, the phosphocreatinine (PCr) contents were higher in the DHL treated hearts than in controls. In the controls, saturation transfer measurements revealed a decrease of the flux PCr-->ATP during initial reoxygenation, whereas after addition of 0.3 mumol/l of DHL during hypoxia creatine kinase flux remained constant or increased. In isolated rat heart mitochondria, creatine kinase activities were measured under saturating and non-saturating concentrations of PCr. An increase in activity was observed under low PCr (non-saturating) conditions in the presence of 0.7 nmol DHL per mg of protein. At higher concentrations of DHL, creatine kinase activity was increased under all conditions. An increase in ATP synthesis in the working rat heart under influence of DHL is corroborated by NMR spectroscopy.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Black lipid membranes of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum.

Black lipid membranes were formed of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum and compared to the bilayer forming lipids diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine and diphythanylglucosylglycerol. Bilayer-forming lipids varied in thickness of black lipid membranes due to the organic solvent used. Measurements of the specific membrane capacitance (Cm = 0.744 microF/cm2) showed that the membrane-spanning tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum form a monolayer of a constant thickness of 2.5-3.0 nm no matter from which solvent. This finding corresponds to the results of Gliozzi et al. for the lipids of another archaebacterium, Sulfolobus solfataricus. Black lipid membranes were formed at room temperature with a torus from bilayer-forming lipids, however, the torus could also be formed by the tetraether-lipid itself at room temperature and at defined concentration. In these stable black lipid membranes, conductance was measured in the presence of valinomycin, nonactin, and gramicidin. At 10(-7) M concentration, valinomycin mediated higher conductance in membranes from tetraether lipids (200-1200 microS/cm2) than from bilayer-forming lipids (125-480 microS/cm2). Nonactin, at 10(-6) M concentration, mediated a 6-fold higher conductance in a tetraether lipid membrane than in a bilayer, whereas conductance, in the presence of 5 x 10(-11) M gramicidin could reach higher values in bilayers than in tetraether lipid monolayers of comparable thickness. Monensin did not increase the conductance of black lipid membranes from tetraether lipids under all conditions applied in our experiments. Poly(L-lysine) destroyed black lipid membranes. Lipopolysaccharides from Thermoplasma acidophilum were not able to form stable black lipid membranes by themselves. The lipopolysaccharide complexes from Thermoplasma acidophilum and from Escherichia coli decreased the valinomycin-mediated conductance of monolayer and bilayer membranes. This influence was stronger than that of the polysaccharide dextran.

Electric Conductivity↗

Calorimetry of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum: incorporation of alamethicin, melittin, valinomycin, and nonactin.

The development and application of model membrane systems on the basis of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum has been proposed. In this respect incorporation of membrane proteins and ionophores is indispensable and is demonstrated in the case of alamethicin, melittin, nonactin, and valinomycin by calorimetry. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dihexadecylmaltosylglycerol (DHMG) were chosen for comparison. Melittin and alamethicin prove to broaden the lipid phase transition and to reduce the melting temperature Tm and enthalpy change (delta H) of the main phospholipid from T. acidophilum (MPL) and DPPC. The decrease in Tm, however, is more pronounced in DPPC than in MPL. Valinomycin shows only a marginal effect on the temperature and width of the transition; delta H is reduced in MPL and remains constant in DPPC and DHMG. With nonactin the phase transition of DPPC is quenched, and delta H and the half-height width are increased. DHMG is affected to a lesser extent and MPL only marginally. The four ionophores exhibit different modulation of the phase transition behavior of the various lipids as expected from their varying molecular structures. Thus, the integral membrane protein alamethicin, the peripheral protein melittin, valinomycin, and nonactin interact primarily with lipid head groups and are readily incorporated into the tetraether lipid structures.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

The effects of glucose, insulin and metformin on the order parameters of isolated red cell membranes. An electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic study.

Human red blood cell (RBC) membranes (RBC ghosts) were treated with glucose, insulin and metformin. The order parameters of RBC membranes were determined by 5- and 16-doxyl-stearic acid spin labels. Metabolic effects were excluded using an isolated system of RBC membranes. The membranes were incubated with glucose in physiological (5 mM), renal threshold (10 mM) and manifested diabetic (20 mM) concentrations for limited times. High concentrations of glucose (10, 20, 100 mM) increase the order parameters of RBC membranes significantly. Insulin by itself has a similar effect which is, however, not strictly concentration-dependent. By contrast, metformin at therapeutic concentrations (0.5 and 5.0 microM) decreases the order parameters. At 50 microM concentration the metformin effect is expressed less and recurs at 100 microM concentration. The effects are significant with 5-doxyl-stearic acid, but are not significant with the 16-doxyl derivative. When RBC membranes are co-incubated with 20 mM glucose and metformin at 0.5 and 5.0 microM concentrations the order parameters as determined by 5-doxyl-stearic acid remain normal (= control values). Higher concentrations of metformin (50 and 100 microM) cause an overshoot to very low order parameters. Insulin at 10, 100 and 200 mU/L does not influence significantly the effects of metformin. Addition of physiological amounts of bovine serum albumin does not abolish the effects of metformin. Metformin, at therapeutic concentrations (0.5 and 5.0 microM), maintains the normal fluidity at the polar interface of isolated RBC membranes by counterbalancing non-enzymatic glycosylation with 20 mM glucose in vitro.

Cyclic N-Oxides↗

Incorporation of synthetic peptide helices in membranes of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum. A calorimetric study.

Four analogues of the membrane-modifying, alpha-helical polypeptide antibiotic alamethicin were synthesized. the alpha-helical deca-, undeca-, heptadeca-, and icosapeptides were mixed with the main tetraether lipid of the Archaebacterium Thermoplasma acidophilum (MPL), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dihexadecylmaltosylglycerol (DHMG) in various ratios and the modification of the lipid phase transition was determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The polypeptides form mixed phases with MPL and DPPC, however, not with DHMG. Heptadeca- and icosapeptide exert a much stronger reduction of enthalpy (delta H) than deca- and undecapeptide and bind about 0.5 molecule of MPL (or one molecule of DPPC) per peptide molecule. delta H of the DPPC pretransition is reduced by the deca- and the undecapeptides and completely disappears with heptadeca- and icosapeptides (at 0.2 mole of peptide/mole of lipid). The modulation of the melting point Tm by the incorporation of peptides is more pronounced with MPL than with DPPC, the heptadecapeptide exhibiting the strongest reduction (with MPL) and the strongest broadening of the transition peak (with DPPC). Helix length, amphiphilicity and charge of the polypeptides can be correlated with the observed modifications of the lipid phase transitions.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Thermotropic properties of dispersions of cholesterol with tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum.

The main glycophospholipid from Thermoplasma acidophilum is composed of a diisopranol-2,3-glycerotetraether. The fraction of pentane cyclizations of its hydrocarbon chains increases with the growth temperature of the source organism (39-59 degrees C). Hydrated mixtures of these lipids together with cholesterol have been studied by calorimetry. With the reduction of the phase transition temperatures and enthalpy changes of the transitions, cholesterol is readily incorporated into lipid monolayers in the liquid-crystalline and the (metastable) solid-analogue phase. Lipid samples with a high number of acyclic hydrocarbon chains form a stable and a metastable solid-analogue phase. With the increasing concentration of cholesterol the metastable solid-analogue phase is stabilized and the time constant for the formation of the stable solid-analogue phase is prolonged.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

One- and two-dimensional electron paramagnetic resonance imaging in skin.

EPR imaging with modulated field gradients provides the possibility for obtaining an EPR spectrum in a selected volume. We demonstrate the feasibility of X-band (9.5 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging in skin biopsies of hairless mice. One- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) EPR images of the persistent free radical di-tertiary-butyl-nitroxide are measured. At a microwave frequency of 9.5 GHz (X-band), 2D images are obtained in skin biopsies with an actual point distinction resolution of 25 microns. In a biological model system, 2D images are measured at L-band frequency (2.0 GHz) with a pixel resolution of 61 microns, and a theoretical spatial resolution of 12.5 microns. In combination with the spin labeling and spin trapping technique, EPR imaging is the most direct approach to analyzing spatial distribution of physicochemical properties in skin, such as membrane fluidity and polarity, as well as detection of free radicals.

Animals↗

Generation of probucol radicals and their reduction by ascorbate and dihydrolipoic acid in human low density lipoproteins.

Probucol, 4,4'-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(thio)]bis-[2,6-bis(1,1- dimethyl)phenol], is a lipid regulating drug whose therapeutic potential depends on its antioxidant properties. Probucol and alpha-tocopherol were quantitatively compared in their ability to scavenge peroxyl radicals generated by the thermal decomposition of the lipid-soluble azo-initiator 2,2'-azo-bis(2,4-dimethyl-valeronitrile), AMVN, in dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) liposomes. Probucol showed 15-times lower peroxyl radical scavenging efficiency than alpha-tocopherol as measured by the effects on AMVN-induced luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. We suggest that probucol cannot protect alpha-tocopherol against its loss in the course of oxidation, although probucol is known to prevent lipid peroxidation in membranes and lipoproteins. In human low density lipoproteins (LDL) ESR signals of the probucol phenoxyl radical were detected upon incubation with lipoxygenase + linolenic acid or AMVN. Ascorbate was shown to reduce probucol radicals. Dihydrolipoic acid alone was not able to reduce the probucol radical but in the presence of both ascorbate and dihydrolipoic acid a synergistic effect of a stepwise reduction was observed. This resulted from ascorbate-dependent reduction of probucol radicals and dihydrolipoic acid-dependent reduction of ascorbyl radicals. The oxidized form of dihydrolipoic acid, thioctic acid, did not affect probucol radicals either in the presence or in the absence of ascorbate.

Antioxidants↗

Hemodynamic and mitochondrial parameters during hypoxia and reoxygenation in working rat hearts.

Hypoxia and reoxygenation in working rat hearts were investigated in this study. Cardiac hemodynamic parameters which decline immediately under hypoxic conditions, recover during reoxygenation. Biochemical and ultrastructural alterations exhibit a more complicated pattern. There is a primary phase in hypoxic perfusion up to 15 min with a steep increase of ADP contents and ATPase activities, and a severe fall of ATP/ADP ratios in mitochondria, as well as in tissue. High CAT (carboxyatractyloside) sensitivity of the ATPase is observed at 5 min of hypoxia. Furthermore, the number of ATPase particles visible at the inner mitochondrial membrane decreases. During the ensuing second phase of hypoxic perfusion (from 30 min on) the damage of mitochondrial ultrastructure becomes more evident. The amount of ATPase particles visible at the inner mitochondrial membrane further decreases. ATPase activities fluctuate, however, they remain connected with the membrane during hypoxia. ATP/ADP ratios attain values of almost 1. During reoxygenation (after 30 min of hypoxia) the levels of mitochondrial adenine nucleotides, oxidative phosphorylation rate and respiratory control index increase within 20 min and then slightly decline again. The ATP/ADP ratio is diminished in the course of reoxygenation. ATPase activity also decreases within 20 min of reoxygenation and the ADP/O ratio reaches control values. The ATPase activity gains its highest sensitivity towards CAT at 10 min of reoxygenation attaining a value similar to that of 5 min of hypoxic perfusion. It is suggested that hypoxia and reoxygenation under our conditions result in reversible derangement of ATPase and mitochondrial membrane structure.

Adenine Nucleotides↗