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Effects of manufactured soluble dietary fiber from Quercus mongolica on hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and lipoprotein lipase activities in epididymal adipose tissue of rats fed high cholesterol diets.

This study investigated the effect of a manufactured soluble dietary fiber on lipid metabolism in rats fed high cholesterol diets. Soluble dietary fiber was prepared from wood chips of oak (Quercus mongolica). Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100 +/- 10 g were randomly assigned to either a normal diet or five high cholesterol diets containing 1% cholesterol and different fiber supplements. The high cholesterol groups were subdivided into fiber-free diet (FF), 5% pectin (5P), 10% pectin (10P), 5% manufactured soluble dietary fiber (5QM), and 10% manufactured soluble dietary fiber (10QM) groups. Total serum cholesterol concentrations in all soluble dietary fiber-supplemented groups were lower than in the FF group. The high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration in the FF group was significantly lower, compared with the normal group, but was increased in groups supplemented with soluble dietary fiber. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and the atherogenic index had the same tendency as total cholesterol concentration. Compared with the FF group, in the 5P, 5QM, 10P, and 10QM groups hepatic triglyceride concentrations were 12%, 16%, 20%, and 24% lower, respectively, and hepatic cholesterol concentrations were 48%, 52%, 52%, and 58% lower, respectively. Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in the soluble fiber groups was significantly higher than in the FF groups, but lower than the normal group. When hepatic tissue was observed under a light microscope, the FF group had completely formed lipomas in the hepatic tissue, which led to fat deposits and then a fatty liver. The size and number of lipomas were lower in the soluble dietary fiber-fed groups, as compared with the group not fed dietary fiber. In conclusion, improvements in lipid metabolism were observed as a result of the manufactured soluble dietary fiber from the oak chips, and were similar to that seen for pectin. The preparation method for the soluble dietary fiber from oak chips successfully produced a functional soluble fiber.

Adipose Tissue↗

Detergent-soluble form of acetylcholinesterase in the electric organ of electric rays. Its isolation, characterization and monoclonal antibodies.

The detergent-soluble form of acetylcholinesterase was purified from the electric organ of the electric rays Narke japonica and Torpedo californica, and its properties were examined. The electric organ of N. japonica and T. californica contains three types of acetylcholinesterase: low-salt-soluble, asymmetric or tailed, and detergent-soluble forms. Results showed that in N. japonica, asymmetric forms were predominant, whereas in T. californica the detergent-soluble form was predominant. Low-salt-soluble acetylcholinesterase constituted 10% of the total acetylcholinesterase in both species. Detergent-soluble acetylcholinesterase was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody (Nj-601) to acetylcholinesterase. Triton X-100 extracts of these electric organs were applied to a column of Nj-601-Sepharose, and the bound acetylcholinesterase was eluted quantitatively by lowering the pH to 2.8. This simple procedure gave good yields. The purified enzymes gave single peaks at 6 S on sucrose gradients in the presence of detergent and polydisperse aggregates in the absence of detergent. Reduction of disulfide bonds gave peaks at 4.4 S. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, the purified acetylcholinesterases gave bands with Mr of about 130 000 in the unreduced state and with Mr of 66 000 in addition to a very faint band of Mr 130 000 in the reduced state. The Mr-66 000 polypeptides were labeled with diisopropylfluorophosphate. Thus, the detergent-soluble acetylcholinesterases exist as dimers of the Mr-66 000 components. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of the purified enzymes indicated their homogeneity. The isoelectric points of both enzymes were 5.1 under the conditions employed. The two enzymes had very similar amino acid compositions, and contained more than 14% of neutral sugars and glucosamine. Monoclonal antibodies were raised to detergent-soluble acetylcholinesterase by the hybridoma technique; eight were obtained. All of them recognized the catalytic subunits of detergent-soluble and asymmetric acetylcholinesterase, and reacted only with detergent-soluble acetylcholinesterase in immunoblots. Four of the monoclonal antibodies inhibited the activities of both the detergent-soluble and asymmetric forms of acetylcholinesterase.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

A selective increase in plasma soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels in preeclampsia.

PROBLEM: The study was conducted to determine whether altered plasma levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 are involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHOD OF STUDY: Maternal plasma samples were collected from 20 patients with preeclampsia, 20 matched normotensive patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. and ten healthy nonpregnant women. Samples were assayed for soluble VCAM-1 and soluble ICAM-1 by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Both soluble VCAM-1 and soluble ICAM-1 were detectable in the plasma of all preeclamptic, normotensive pregnant, and nonpregnant women. The mean plasma level of soluble VCAM-1 was significantly higher in preeclamptic women compared to normotensive pregnant women (1831 ng/mL +/- 534 ng/mL vs. 1254 ng/mL +/- 386 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.05). However, the plasma level of soluble VCAM-1 was unchanged during the third-trimester of normal pregnancy compared to nonpregnant women. The mean plasma level of soluble ICAM-1 in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women were increased when compared to nonpregnant women. However, the mean plasma level of soluble ICAM-1 was comparable in women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The selective increased plasma levels of soluble VCAM-1 in patients with preeclampsia provide evidence for endothelial activation and suggest distinct pathways for neutrophil and endothelial activation in preeclampsia.

Adult↗

Radioiodinated soluble canine fibrin. Preparation and evaluation as a thrombus localizing agent in the dog.

To develop a thrombus localizing tracer which has characteristics superior to labeled fibrinogen for external detection, we evaluated radioiodinated soluble fibrin. Labeled soluble fibrin was prepared by clotting and dissolving radioiodinated (131I) canine fibrinogen under specified conditions. Biological clearance studies revealed rapid clearance of the labeled soluble fibrin from the blood with a half-life of 5 hours. The accumulation of labeled soluble fibrin and fibrinogen in induced venous thrombi, coronary artery thrombi, and the myocardium was compared in dogs. In venous thrombi, soluble fibrin and fibrinogen exhibited maximum thrombus-blood ratios when they were injected 4 hours after thrombus induction; the thrombus-blood ratio was greater for soluble fibrin than it was for fibrinogen when these agents were injected 4, 8, or 24 hours after thrombosis induction. In induced coronary artery thrombi, soluble fibrin and fibrinogen accumulated to the same extent. Since the blood clearance of soluble fibrin is faster than that of fibrinogen, a higher thrombus-blood ratio was obtained with soluble fibrin in coronary artery thrombi. The thrombus-infarcted myocardium, thrombus-normal myocardium, and infarcted myocardium-normal myocardium ratios obtained with soluble fibrin were slightly higher than those obtained with fibrinogen. Thus, soluble fibrin offers some advantages when it is compared with fibrinogen as a thrombus detecting agent.

Animals↗

Quantitative analysis of amelogenin solubility.

Amelogenins are a group of extracellular enamel matrix proteins which are believed to be involved in the regulation of the size and habits of forming enamel crystals. The aim of this study was to compare the solubility properties of several amelogenins at various pH (from 4.0 to 9.0) at constant ionic strength (IS), and to examine the influence of buffer composition, IS, and divalent metal ions (including Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+) on amelogenin solubility. The solubility of the recombinant murine amelogenin ("rM179") was minimum near its isoelectric point and increased rapidly below and above, regardless of buffer composition. A similar trend was observed for the native porcine ("25K") amelogenin. Porcine "23K" amelogenin was only sparingly soluble from pH of 4.0 to 9.0, in contrast to the analogous recombinant "rM166", which was more soluble in acidic solutions. The synthetic amelogenin polypeptide "TRAP" was extremely insoluble, while synthetic LRAP was readily soluble. Porcine "20K" amelogenin solubility increased strikingly as the solution pH was lowered from 7.0 to 6.0. Increasing IS decreased the solubility of rM179. While Zn2+ reduced rM179 solubility, Ca2+ and Mg2+ showed no significant effects. We conclude that the solubility of amelogenin was dependent on the primary structure, solution pH, and IS, and the low solubility of amelogenins under physiological conditions may result from their tendency to form quaternary (aggregate) structures in vivo.

Amelogenin↗

Prediction of solubility on recombinant expression of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 domains in Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Cellular interactions elicited by Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein antigen 1 (PfEMP1) are brought about by multiple DBL (Duffy binding like), CIDR (cysteine-rich interdomain region) and C2 domain types. Elucidation of the functional and structural characteristics of these domains is contingent on the abundant availability of recombinant protein in a soluble form. A priori prediction of PfEMP1 domains of the 3D7 genome strain, most likely to be expressed in the soluble form in Escherichia coli was computed and proven experimentally. METHODS: A computational analysis correlating sequence-dependent features to likelihood for expression in soluble form was computed and predictions were validated by the colony filtration blot method for rapid identification of soluble protein expression in E. coli. RESULTS: Solubility predictions for all constituent PfEMP1 domains in the decreasing order of their probability to be expressed in a soluble form (% mean solubility) are as follows: ATS (56.7%) > CIDR1alpha (46.8%) > CIDR2beta (42.9%) > DBL2-4gamma (31.7%) > DBL2beta + C2 (30.6%) > DBL1alpha (24.9%) > DBL2-7epsilon (23.1%) > DBL2-5delta (14.8%). The length of the domains does not correlate to their probability for successful expression in the soluble form. Immunoblot analysis probing for soluble protein confirmed the differential in solubility predictions. CONCLUSION: The acidic terminal segment (ATS) and CIDR alpha/beta domain types are suitable for recombinant expression in E. coli while all DBL subtypes (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon) are a poor choice for obtaining soluble protein on recombinant expression in E. coli. This study has relevance for researchers pursuing functional and structural studies on PfEMP1 domains.

Animals↗

[The study of soluble P-selectin levels and it's correlation to the severity of coronary artery lesions in coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference of soluble P-selectin levels in different subtype of coronary heart disease and the relationship between soluble P-selectin levels with the severity of coronary artery lesions. METHODS: Enzyme linked immuoserbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the plasma soluble P-selectin levels in 69 patients with angiocardiography documented coronary heart disease and 19 normal coronary arteries persons without angiocardiography detectable coronary artery disease (control group). The coronary artery lesions score was recorded according to single, double and triple-vessel lesions while the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association proposed type A, B, C lesion and Gensini scoring system. The relationships between plasma soluble P-selectin levels and the coronary artery score (the severity of coronary heart disease) were assessed. RESULTS: (1) The level of plasma soluble P-selectin was obviously higher in the coronary heart disease group than in the control group (180.6 +/- 60.5 ng/L vs. 145.3 +/- 21.7 ng/L, P<0.05). (2) The level of plasma soluble P-selectin was significantly higher in the acute coronary syndrome group (191.4 +/- 63.7 ng/L) than in the control group (145.3 +/- 21.7 ng/L, P< 0.01) and in the stable angina pectoris group (141.3 +/- 17.9 ng/L, P<0.01). (3) The level of plasma soluble P-selectin was high in multi-vessel coronary artery lesions group than in single-vessel group (190.1 +/- 64.2 ng/L vs. 157.2 +/- 43.4 ng/L, P < 0.05). The level of plasma soluble P-selectin was positively correlated with the Gensini score (r = 0.391, P = 0.001); the numbers of vessels lesions (rs = 0.349, P = 0.003); Type A, B and C lesions (rs = 0.358, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The positive correlation between the level of soluble P-selectin and the coronary artery score may indicate that soluble P-selectin levels might reflect the severity of coronary heart disease. The elevated soluble P-selectin level in acute coronary syndrome suggested the possible relation of P-selectin to the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome, which may save as a potential marker of plaque unstability.

Case-Control Studies↗

The solubility of sickle and non-sickle hemoglobins in concentrated phosphate buffer.

A new turbidimetric method for the direct measurement of the solubility of oxy- and deoxyhemoglobins (Hb) in concentrated phosphate buffer has been established. The principle of the method is the formation of a homogeneous emulsion when hemoglobin is introduced in concentrated phosphate buffer. The solubility of the oxy and deoxy forms of Hb A, Hb S, Hb C, Hb F, and Hb CHarlem (beta 6Glu leads to Val, beta 73Asp leads to Asn) has been studied. The solubility of deoxy-Hb S was the lowest and the solubility curve was broader than those of the other hemoglobins indicating that the aggregates of deoxy Hb S require more water to be dissolved. The solubility of oxy- and deoxyhemoglobins depends on temperature and pH. The solubility of hemoglobins is increased as the temperature is lowered and the pH is raised. The pH dependency of the solubility of deoxy-Hb S in high phosphate buffer was opposite to that of the minimum gelling concentration of deoxy-Hb S. The order of the solubility of Hb CHarlem, Hb FS, Hb AS, Hb CS, and Hb S in concentrated phosphate buffer corresponds to the order of minimum gelling concentration of these hemoglobins or hemoglobin mixtures. Solubility studies of a 1:1 mixture of deoxy-Hb A and deoxy-Hb S show that deoxy-Hb A aggregates in 2.42 M phosphate buffer in which pure deoxy-Hb A is totally soluble. This result indicates that deoxy-Hb S interacts with deoxy-Hb A and decreases its solubility.

Buffers↗

Soluble kit receptor in human serum.

c-kit encodes the transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase (Kit) for the recently described ligand stem cell factor (SCF). We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring soluble human Kit and we have used the assay to show high levels of soluble Kit in human serum. The distribution of soluble Kit levels was investigated among 112 normal human serum donors. The mean serum level (+/- SD) was found to be 324 +/- 105 ng/mL with the values falling between 163 ng/mL and 788 ng/mL. No correlation between soluble Kit levels and the sexes or ages of the donors was found. Partial purification using immunoaffinity chromatography allowed us to characterize the soluble Kit from pooled human serum. Antibodies generated to a 497-amino acid recombinant human soluble Kit corresponding to the N-terminal extracellular domain of the receptor recognized the serum-derived soluble Kit by immunoblotting. We found that the serum-derived soluble Kit is glycosylated, with mostly N-linked but also O-linked carbohydrate, and with terminal sialic acid residues. When compared with the recombinant human soluble Kit, the serum-derived material was similar both in size and glycosylation pattern. CNBr cleavage of the isolated serum-derived material followed by amino terminal sequencing confirmed the presence of five peptides expected for the extracellular portion of the Kit molecule. The immunoaffinity purified serum-derived soluble Kit inhibited binding of [125I]SCF to membrane-bound receptor in an in vitro assay. These results indicate that soluble Kit could modulate the activity and functions of SCF in vivo.

Adult↗

Identification and characterization of a soluble c-kit receptor produced by human hematopoietic cell lines.

Stem cell factor (SCF) triggers cell growth by binding to cell surface c-kit receptors. Soluble forms of several cytokine receptors have been described and may play a role in the modulation of cytokine activity in vivo. For these reasons, we investigated whether human hematopoietic cells produce soluble c-kit receptors. The human leukemia cell lines OCIM1 and MO7e display approximately 80,000 and approximately 35,000 high-affinity cell surface c-kit receptors, respectively. Soluble c-kit receptors were detected by enzyme immunoassay in OCIM1 and MO7e culture supernatants. We determined the molecular weight and binding affinity of soluble c-kit receptor produced by OCIM1 cells, soluble c-kit receptor purified from human serum, and recombinant soluble c-kit receptor expressed in CHO cells. The three soluble c-kit receptors each have a molecular weight of 98 kD. Quantitative binding experiments with 125I-SCF indicate that the soluble c-kit receptors obtained from human serum or OCIM1 cells have binding affinities for SCF of approximately 200 to 300 pmol/L, in contrast to the recombinant form, which has a binding affinity of approximately 1.5 nmol/L. All three forms of the soluble c-kit receptor were able to compete with c-kit receptors on OCIM1 cells for 125I-SCF binding. Thus human hematopoietic cells can produce a soluble form of the c-kit receptor that retains high-affinity SCF binding activity. We speculate that the soluble c-kit receptor may bind SCF and function as a receptor antagonist in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Oral water soluble contrast for the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Adhesions are the leading cause of small bowel obstruction. Most adhesive small bowel obstructions resolve following conservative treatment but there is no consensus as to when conservative treatment should be considered unsuccessful and the patient should undergo surgery. Studies have shown that failure of an oral water-soluble contrast to reach the colon after a designated time indicates complete intestinal obstruction that is unlikely to resolve with conservative treatment. Other studies have suggested that the administration of water-soluble contrast is therapeutic in resolving the obstruction. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this review are:1. To determine the reliability of water-soluble contrast media and serial abdominal radiographs in predicting the success of conservative treatment in patients admitted with adhesive small bowel obstruction.2. To determine the efficacy and safety of water-soluble contrast media in reducing the need for surgical intervention and reducing hospital stay in adhesive small bowel obstruction. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search was conducted using MeSH terms: ''Intestinal obstruction'', ''water-soluble contrast'', "Adhesions" and "Gastrografin", and combined with the Cochrane Collaboration highly sensitive search strategy for identifying randomised controlled trials and controlled clinical trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: 1. Prospective studies (to evaluate the diagnostic potential of water-soluble contrast in adhesive small bowel obstruction);2. Randomised clinical trials (to evaluate the therapeutic role). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: 1. Studies addressing the diagnostic role of water-soluble contrast were critically appraised and data presented as sensitivities, specificities and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results were pooled and summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed. 2. A meta-analysis of the data from therapeutic studies was performed using the Mantel -Haenszel test using both the fixed effect and random effects model. MAIN RESULTS: The appearance of water-soluble contrast in the caecum on an abdominal radiograph within 24 hours of its administration predicts resolution of an adhesive small bowel obstruction with a pooled sensitivity of 0.96, specificity of 0.96. The area under the curve of the summary ROC was 0.98. Four randomised studies dealing with the therapeutic role of Gastrografin were included in the review, water-soluble contrast did not reduce the need for surgical intervention (odds ratio 1.29, P = 0.36). Meta-analysis of two studies showed that water-soluble contrast reduced hospital stay compared with placebo (weighted mean difference = - 2.58) P = 0.004. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Published literature strongly supports the use of water-soluble contrast as a predictive test for non-operative resolution of adhesive small bowel obstruction. Although Gastrografin does not cause resolution of small bowel obstruction, it does appear to reduce hospital stay.

Administration, Oral↗

Recombinant soluble betaglycan is a potent and isoform-selective transforming growth factor-beta neutralizing agent.

Betaglycan is an accessory receptor of members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, which regulates their actions through ligand-dependent interactions with type II receptors. A natural soluble form of betaglycan is found in serum and extracellular matrices. Soluble betaglycan, prepared as a recombinant protein using the baculoviral expression system, inhibits the actions of TGF-beta. Because of its potential use as an anti-TGF-beta therapeutic agent, we have purified and characterized baculoviral recombinant soluble betaglycan. Baculoviral soluble betaglycan is a homodimer formed by two 110 kDa monomers associated by non-covalent interactions. This protein is devoid of glycosaminoglycan chains, although it contains the serine residues, which, in vertebrate cells, are modified by these carbohydrates. On the other hand, mannose-rich carbohydrates account for approximately 20 kDa of the mass of the monomer. End-terminal sequence analysis of the soluble betaglycan showed that Gly(24) is the first residue of the mature protein. Similarly to the natural soluble betaglycan, baculoviral soluble betaglycan has an equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of 3.5 nM for TGF-beta1. Ligand competition assays indicate that the relative affinities of recombinant soluble betaglycan for the TGF-beta isoforms are TGF-beta2>TGF-beta3>TGF-beta1. The anti-TGF-beta potency of recombinant soluble betaglycan in vitro is 10-fold higher for TGF-beta2 than for TGF-beta1. Compared with a commercial pan-specific anti-TGF-beta neutralizing antibody, recombinant soluble betaglycan is more potent against TGF-beta2 and similar against TGF-beta1. These results indicate that baculoviral soluble betaglycan has the biochemical and functional properties that would make it a suitable agent for the treatment of the diseases in which excess TGF-beta plays a central physiopathological role.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Soluble adhesion molecules in middle ear effusions from patients with chronic otitis media with effusion.

Soluble forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) have been identified in the peripheral blood and other body fluids. These soluble adhesion molecules have been reported to reflect the upregulation of cell surface ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in inflammatory diseases. The levels of soluble ICAM-1 and soluble VCAM-1 in 37 middle ear effusions from 37 patients with chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) were quantitatively determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The levels of soluble ICAM-1 in mucoid effusions were significantly higher than those in serous effusions, but the levels of soluble VCAM-1 did not differ significantly between the two types of effusion. The levels of soluble VCAM-1 in effusions from atopic patients were significantly higher than those from non-atopic patients, whereas the levels of soluble ICAM-1 in samples from atopic patients were significantly lower than those from non-atopic patients. Therefore, our data suggest that an increase in soluble VCAM-1 plays a more important role in the pathogenesis of OME in atopic patients than in non-atopic patients. In addition, soluble ICAM-1 is likely to play a more important role in the pathogenesis of OME in nonatopic patients than soluble VCAM-1.

Adult↗

Serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The rate of release of the soluble form of interleukin-2 receptor (soluble IL-2R) reflects T cell activation in vivo. Since T lymphocytes play a central role in respiratory allergic disorders, the measurement of serum levels of soluble IL-2R may be useful in analysing the disease state of allergic disorders. The study has aimed at investigating the seasonal changes in serum soluble IL-2R in 81 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollens, with special reference to the effect of anti-allergic pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy. Serum samples were obtained twice from each patient, before and during the pollen season, and all the serum samples were simultaneously used for determination of soluble IL-2R and cedar pollen-specific immunoglobin E (IgE). Seasonal elevation in soluble IL-2R was not associated with the good clinical outcome but was associated with the poor clinical outcome, irrespective of pharmacotherapy or immunotherapy. Additionally, successful immunotherapy suppressed seasonal elevation of serum soluble IL-2R more strongly than successful pharmacotherapy, and seasonal increase rates in soluble IL-2R were inversely correlated with the duration of immunotherapy. Seasonal increase rates in soluble IL-2R were significantly correlated with seasonal increase rates in specific IgE in both the medication group and the immunotherapy patients. These results may suggest that seasonal changes in serum soluble IL-2R may serve as an indicator for clinical outcome of seasonal allergic rhinitis, that the magnitude of T cell activation could affect specific IgE production, and that T cell activation could be gradually modulated as immunotherapy proceeds. In conclusion, seasonal changes in serum soluble IL-2R may serve as an objective indicator for clinical outcome of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Adolescent↗

Effects of providing a water-soluble globulin in drinking water and diet complexity on growth performance of weanling pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of providing a water-soluble globulin in the drinking water on growth performance of weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 360 weanling pigs (5.0 +/- 1.2 kg; 17 +/- 3 d of age; PIC) were blocked by initial weight and allotted to one of six treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. Treatments included three diet complexity regimens with or without water-soluble globulin (3 and 1.5% solutions; d 0 to 7 and d 0 to 14, respectively) provided in the drinking water. The 35-d study was divided into three phases (d 0 to 7, 7 to 14, and 14 to 35) with corresponding lysine levels of 1.6, 1.5, and 1.35%. Soybean meal replaced specialty protein and lactose sources to provide three different complexity regimens. From d 0 to 7, a water-soluble globulin x diet complexity interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed (G/F). Increasing diet complexity increased ADG and G/F for pigs provided water, whereas the medium diet complexity regimen optimized performance for pigs offered water-soluble globulin. From d 0 to 14, pigs fed the two more complex regimens had greater ADG and G/F (P < 0.01) than the pigs fed the least complex regimen. Pigs offered water-soluble globulin had decreased (P < 0.01) ADFI, but increased (P < 0.001) G/F from d 0 to 14. For overall performance (d 0 to 35), increasing diet complexity increased (P < 0.03) ADG and ADFI, whereas water-soluble globulin offered from d 0 to 14 had no effect. In Exp. 2, 360 weanling pigs (5.2 +/- 1.6 kg; 19 +/- 4 d of age) were used in a 21-d growth assay. The trial was arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with pigs fed the low- or medium-complexity diets (Exp. 1) with water or a 3% solution of water-soluble globulin offered for 4 or 8 d after weaning. From d 0 to 4, pigs offered water-soluble globulin had increased (P < 0.001) ADG and G/F compared with pigs provided water, whereas from d 4 to 8, pigs provided water had increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G/F compared with pigs offered water-soluble globulin. Pigs fed the medium-complexity diet had increased ADG and G/F (d 4 to 8 and d 8 to 12) compared with pigs fed the low-complexity diet. From d 0 to 8 and d 0 to 21, pigs provided water-soluble globulin for 4 or 8 d after weaning had improved G/F compared with pigs provided water. Results demonstrate that providing water-soluble globulin through the water source of weanling pigs improves ADG and G/F immediately after weaning.

Animal Feed↗

[Serum leptin levels and soluble leptin receptors in female patients with anorexia nervosa].

BACKGROUND: Leptin action in peripheral tissues is enabled by an interaction with specific transmembrane receptors. Several of leptin receptor isoforms were identified, including soluble leptin receptor isoform structurally identical to extracellular domain of the the long leptin receptor isoform. The soluble receptor isoform is released to the circulation and acts probably as leptin-binding factor. The aim of our study was to measure serum concentrations of the soluble leptin receptor in patients with anorexia nervosa and in the control group of healthy women. Relationships of soluble leptin receptor levels to body mass index (BMI), body fat content, serum leptin, TNF-alpha and insulin levels were also studied. METHOD AND RESULTS: 16 patients with anorexia nervosa and 16 age-matched lean healthy women were included into the study. All of the subjects were measured and weighed, the body fat content was estimated from the skinfold thickness measurement. The blood for the determination of leptin, soluble leptin receptor and other hormonal parameters was obtained from all subjects after the overnight fasting. BMI, body fat content, serum leptin and insulin levels in patients with anorexia nervosa were significantly lower than in the control group (BMI: 14.98 +/- 2.32 vs. 22.21 +/- 2.48, p < 0.01, % fat content: 16.43 +/- 4.56 vs. 27.19 +/- 4.59, p < 0.01, leptin: 1.37 +/- 1.85 ng.ml-1 vs. 7.19 +/- 3.49 ng.ml-1, p < 0.01, insulin: 12.97 +/- 2.89 mU.l-1 vs. 17.09 +/- 5.57 mU.l-1, p < 0.05). Serum soluble leptin receptor levels in patients with anorexia nervosa were significantly higher compared the to control group (24.67 +/- 8.3 U.ml-1 vs. 15.71 +/- 2.79 U.ml-1, p < 0.01). No significant differences in serum TNF-alpha levels between the groups studied were found. Serum leptin levels in both groups correlated positively with BMI and body fat content. Serum soluble leptin receptor levels in both groups correlated negatively with BMI only. No statistically significant relationships between serum soluble leptin receptor levels and the rest of parameters studied were found in any of the groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: Serum soluble leptin receptors levels in patients with anorexia nervosa were significantly higher in comparison with the healthy subjects. Except of the negative correlation between serum soluble leptin receptor levels and BMI no statistically significant relationships between serum soluble leptin receptor and the rest of parameters studied were found.

Anorexia Nervosa↗

Soluble asialoglycoprotein receptors reflect the apoptosis of hepatocytes.

Cell death is thought to take place through at least two distinct processes: apoptosis and necrosis. There is increasing evidence that dysregulation of the apoptotic program is involved in liver diseases. However, there is no method to simply evaluate apoptosis in the liver tissue at present. It has been reported that the expression of asialoglycoprotein receptors (AGPRs) increases with apoptosis, but there is no report until now that investigates the influence of soluble AGPRs on apoptosis of hepatocytes. Soluble AGPRs have been reported to be present in human serum under physiological conditions. In the present study, in order to investigate the correlation between apoptosis of hepatocytes and soluble AGPR, mouse soluble AGPRs were detected using SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis was conducted using anti-extracellular mouse hepatic lectin-1 (Ex-MHL-1) antiserum (polyclonal rabbit serum). The mouse soluble AGPRs were present in culture medium and mouse serum when hepatocytes were damaged. The soluble AGPRs increased proportionately, as the number of dead hepatocytes increased. In addition, soluble AGPRs existed more when apoptotic cell death was observed in in vitro and in vivo than when necrotic cell death was observed. The extracellular moiety of MHL-1 exists in the culture medium and mouse serum as a soluble AGPR, but the detailed mechanism of releasing soluble AGPR from hepatocytes has not been revealed yet. We described the first evidence for the relation between quantity of soluble AGPRs with two kinds of cell death: necrosis and apoptosis. Based on the results of our study, soluble AGPRs might become a new marker of apoptosis in the liver tissue and be useful for clinical diagnosis and treatment for liver diseases.

Animals↗

Soluble P-selectin in atherosclerosis: a comparison with endothelial cell and platelet markers.

von Willebrand factor and soluble thrombomodulin are established plasma markers of endothelial cell dysfunction, whilst beta thromboglobulin is an established plasma marker of platelet activity. Soluble P-selectin may be the product of either or both types of cell and levels of all four molecules have been previously found to be increased in atherosclerosis. To determine the relationship of soluble P-selectin to the endothelial cell and platelet products, we measured the four indices in a case control study of 55 patients with peripheral vascular disease and 55 age and sex matched controls. von Willebrand factor (p < 0.0001), beta thromboglobulin (p = 0.0006), soluble P-selectin (p = 0.0021) and soluble thrombomodulin (p = 0.021) were all raised in the patients. Soluble P-selectin correlated with beta thromboglobulin (r = 0.34, p = 0.019) but failed to correlate with either endothelial cell marker. Co-culture of endothelial cells in vitro with bovine thrombin resulted in increased levels of von Willebrand factor in the supernatants but levels of soluble thrombomodulin and soluble P-selectin were not enhanced. Exposure of endothelial cell monolayers to elastase resulted in different patterns of release of von Willebrand factor, soluble thrombomodulin and soluble P-selectin. We suggest that soluble P-selectin is unlikely to arise from the endothelium and may be a new marker of platelet activation in atherosclerosis.

Aged↗