PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J K Candlish

Publications and source records attributed to J K Candlish.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Effects of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) extract on human neutrophils and the U937 monocytic cell line.

The aqueous extract of the shiitake mushroom was found to decrease IL-1 production and apoptosis in human neutrophils, as measured by ELISA and flow cytometry respectively. It was found to increase IL-1 production and apoptosis in the U937 monocytic cell line. The extract showed no significant effects on the superoxide production of both neutrophils and U937 cells, as measured by chemiluminescence. The extract was further separated into high and low molecular weight components, and it was found that the low molecular weight component retained the activity of the whole extract. This further suggests that the active substance is a novel compound distinct from lentinan, a well-studied high molecular weight anti-tumour agent found in shiitake.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1998

Carnosine and anserine as modulators of neutrophil function.

Carnosine and anserine, the bioactive peptides found in most meats and fish, were tested for their ability to modulate neutrophil and U937 cell function, specifically with respect to respiratory burst, interleukin-1 beta production and apoptosis. Both peptides increased the respiratory burst and interleukin-1 beta production of human neutrophils but not of U937 cells. They suppressed apoptosis of human neutrophils but enhanced apoptosis of U937 cells as assessed by DNA strand breaks. These results suggest that carnosine and anserine have the capacity to modulate the immune response at least in human neutrophils.

Anserine↗
PubMed1997

Plasma lipids and apolipoproteins in a population of Orang Asli ('aborigines') from West Malaysia.

Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and apolipoproteins Al (apo Al) and B (apo B) were measured in a sample of subjects from the Semai tribe of Orang Asli in peninsular Malaysia. They appeared to exhibit the lowest TC ever recorded (1.6 for males and 1.9 mmol/l for females) and relatively high TG (1.4 mmol/l for males and 1.5 mmol/l for females)(means for the whole sample). There was little apparent aging gradient in any of the plasma analytes. but the group of men aged 21-40 had lower HDLC than the corresponding female group. Both low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) (calculated) and HDLC as well as their corresponding apolipoproteins were correspondingly very low. There was a significant correlation between apo AI and HDLC in both sexes.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Genotype associations among seven apolipoprotein B polymorphisms in a population of Orang Asli of western Malaysia.

Associations among seven apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene polymorphisms [C-T promoter site; Leu-Ala-Leu signal peptide (SP) insertion/deletion; AG C,G site at codon 71; AG A1,D site at codon 591; XbaI site at codon 2488; AG H,I site at codon 3611; and AG T,Z site at codon 4154] were investigated in 195 members of an Orang Asli (aborigine) population from western Malaysia. Frequencies of the rare alleles for all these polymorphisms turned out to be low when compared with European but not Asian populations. The AG H,I site was not polymorphic. The highly polymorphic sites are in linkage disequilibrium among themselves, as shown by their delta values: SP 24,27 and AG C,G, 0.68; SP 24,27 and AG A1,D, 0.71; XbaI and AG C,G, 0.64; XbaI and AG A1,D, 0.57; SP 24,27 and XbaI, 0.48; and AG C,G and AG A1,D, 0.68. Ten unequivocal haplotypes on the basis of six sites (excluding the promoter polymorphism) were observed, and they represent 80% of the sample. The frequency of haplotype SP27,G,A1,X-,I,T, defined by the common homozygotes at all the sites for the APOB gene was 0.7, compared with 0.22 in Europeans. The ancestral haplotype SP27,G,D,X-,I,T was present at low frequency (0.01) in both the Orang Asli and Europeans. A cladogram constructed on the basis of haplotypes in the Orang Asli shows two different lines of evolution and that other haplotypes evolved by subsequent mutations on the ancestral haplotype.

Apolipoproteins B↗
PubMed1996

Antioxidants in food and chronic degenerative diseases.

Both preventive and chain breaking antioxidants have a role in the limitation of free radical damage. Some of these may be regarded as "classical", like vitamins E and C but others are more recently discovered, such as the flavonoids, widespread in plant tissues, and the muscle constituents anserine and carnosine. The major conditions in which the role of antioxidants is under intense investigation include coronary artery disease, cancer and diabetes. There are theoretical underpinnings for the efficacy of antioxidants in each of these, with the protection of low density lipoprotein (in respect of the first) being exceptionally persuasive. Much attention is now being focussed on the flavonoids, which are surprisingly pleiotropic in their effects. For one of them, quercetin, over a dozen seemingly independent biological effects can be listed, including the inhibition of low density lipoprotein oxidation. Flavonoids also inhibit peroxidation in foodstuffs, as opposed to tissues. There is much controversy over antioxidant supplementation policies, some authorities recommending a massive programme of supplementation for all ages and classes, others stressing the value of the traditional mixed diet. This matter is unlikely to be resolved soon, but in the meantime sensible supplementation policies should be continued for those most vulnerable, that is, babies and the aged.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1995

Erythrocyte enzymes decomposing reactive oxygen species and gestational age.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px; EC 1.19.1.1) were assayed in erythrocytes from neonates over a range of gestational ages. Both SOD and CAT activities were found to increase, but GSH-Px to decline, with gestational age. Enzyme activities in the erythrocytes of 13 babies who had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were not significantly different from controls matched for gestational age, but four with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were found to have lower SOD activity. The importance of SOD in the preparation for extrauterine life is substantiated.

Catalase↗
PubMed1995

Effect of glucose on the respiratory burst of circulating neutrophils from asthmatics.

The respiratory burst is dependent on a source of glucose. We wished to investigate the effect of glucose on the superoxide production of circulating neutrophils. Superoxide production of neutrophils was significantly enhanced by glucose concentration of from 1 to 50 mmole/liter in the medium. The neutrophils from asthmatics in both the acute and remission phases showed greater production of superoxide than those of controls. When the neutrophils were made to undergo the respiratory burst, initially in the absence of glucose, and thereafter in the presence of 5 and 20 mmole/liter glucose, the rate of superoxide formation with higher glucose medium was decreased in the control cells but significantly increased in the cells of the acute asthmatics in remission. It is concluded that glucose as an energy source is potentially critical in determining the rate of the respiratory burst and that the neutrophils from asthmatic subjects in some way have an enhanced uptake or metabolism of this substrate. Glycemic status may then have some role in determining the amount of superoxide production, and therefore airway inflammation, in asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Influence of polymorphisms for apolipoprotein B (ins/del, XbaI, EcoRI) and apolipoprotein E on serum lipids and apolipoproteins in a Javanese population.

A total of 231 healthy subjects from a central Javanese population were investigated for the distribution of three apolipoprotein B (apo B) polymorphisms (ins/del, XbaI, and EcoRI), as well as apolipoprotein E (apo E) polymorphism in relation to serum lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations. The frequencies of the rarer alleles (del, 0.09; X+, 0.1; and R-, 0.06) were lower than have been found for some Asian and European populations. Distribution of genotypes was in Hardy-Weinburg equilibrium for all the polymorphisms. A linkage disequilibrium was observed only between the ins/del and XbaI site polymorphisms of apo B (chi 2(4)) = 25.3; P < 0.001) consistent with that observed in some other population studies. No polymorphism of the apo B gene had an association with serum lipid or apolipoprotein concentrations in this population except for XbaI, which appeared to be associated with serum TG (as the log transform: R2 = 8.3; F = 4.8; P < 0.01). The apo E4 allele was found to be associated with significantly higher serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC). Apo E polymorphism explained 5.9% of the sample variance of serum LDLC (F = 5.4; P < 0.01).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Superoxide production by neutrophils from diabetics and normal subjects in response to glucose and galactose.

Glucose added to the medium was found to enhance superoxide production by isolated circulating neutrophils from both diabetic and normal subjects, but quantitatively the enhancement decreased from 4 to 50 mmole/liter. Galactose up to 50 mmole/liter had no effect on superoxide production in cells from the control subjects, but appeared to depress it in those from diabetics. No correlations were found between indices of the degree of hyperglycemia (plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c) and the magnitude of the respiratory burst in cells from diabetics. When the isolated cells from normal and diabetic subjects were restored to a medium containing glucose at the original concentration in plasma at phlebotomy, the rate of superoxide production was approximately doubled in every case and there was no significant difference between diabetic and normal cells. Preincubation of cells for 1 hr in the presence of 0-50 mmole/liter glucose or galactose prior to activation had no significantly depressant effect on the respiratory burst except at 50 mmole/liter glucose in diabetic cells. It is concluded that circulating neutrophils from the diabetic population under the conditions studied are just as competent as control cells in their ability to sustain superoxide production over a wide range of energy availability.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Inhibition of the neutrophil respiratory burst by neoglycoalbumin.

Both human serum fraction V albumin subjected to enhanced glycation by incubation with glucose, and a highly glycated albumin fraction prepared by m-phenyl boronic acid agarose affinity chromatography, when compared with albumin preparations of lesser glycation but equal concentration, inhibited the respiratory burst of the human neutrophil. Native albumin also inhibited the respiratory burst in proportion to its concentration. It is suggested that the neoglycoalbumin impairs glucose utilization by the neutrophil.

Albumins↗
PubMed1990

Factors in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from children with viral encephalopathies impair glucose transport.

Since glucose transport appears to be inhibited in viral infections, we looked for inhibitors in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of children with febrile convulsions (FC) and Singapore syndrome (SS). When incubated with rat and human adipocytes both fluids from FCs inhibited the utilization of glucose supplied in the medium as exhibited by decreased synthesis of triglycerides. Sera in the acute stage of the illness were more inhibitory than those from convalescents. There was competition between 3-0 methyl glucose and the CSF factors suggesting competitive inhibition at the plasma membrane. This may be due to anti-idiotypic antibodies. The likelihood of a second inhibitor is suggested by (1) the inhibitory activity of the larger of two fractions (about 80,000 molecular weight, corresponding to albumin) obtained in gel filtration chromatography of pooled CSF and (2) failure to observe a decrease in inhibitory activity with recovery from SS following management with hyperglycaemia-producing infusions. These observations are consistent with glycated albumin as a possible factor. Further characterization is called for to ascertain the genesis of viral encephalopathies.

Albumins↗
PubMed1988

Correlates of diabetes markers with erythrocytic enzymes decomposing reactive oxygen species.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase were assayed in the erythrocytes of a diabetic population on various treatment regimens (diet, oral therapy, and insulin), to investigate any relationships between their activities and diabetes markers (serum glucose, lipids, and fructosamine, as well as glycated haemoglobin). In the group of patients as a whole, there was significant negative correlation of SOD, but not of the other two enzymes with glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine. Specifically, there was a lower activity of the enzyme in the poorly-controlled patients. It is concluded that SOD in particular is potentially an additional marker for long-term diabetic pathophysiology.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in erythrocytes as indices of oxygen loading in disease: a survey of one hundred cases.

It has been established that the pyrogallol autoxidation method for the estimation of the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (EC 1.15.1.1) is superior in precision and sensitivity to a superoxide-generating method (NADH/phenazine methosulfate linked to nitroblue tetrazolium reduction). Reference intervals were established in an urban population in the Far East for SOD activity in erythrocytes using the pyrogallol method, and for glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (EC 1.11.1.9) activity in erythrocytes using a standard glutathione reductase-linked method. On this basis, erythrocyte SOD activities were significantly (P less than 0.05) depressed in cases of visceral cancer, acute myocardial infarct, congestive heart failure, respiratory failure, chronic renal failure, and diabetes mellitus, but within the reference interval in cases of lung cancer and asthma. Erythrocyte GSH-Px activity was significantly (P less than 0.05) depressed in cases of diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure but elevated in respiratory failure and asthma. GSH-Px and SOD activities were well correlated in patients but not in the reference population.

Disease↗