FA Concentration Research Articles

Extension of hypoperfused myocardium correlates with serum concentration of Fas and IL-6 in stable coronary artery disease

Extension of hypoperfused myocardium correlates with serum concentration of Fas and IL-6 in stable coronary artery disease

Subjective Symptoms of Medical Students Exposed to Formaldehyde during a Gross Anatomy Dissection Course

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety of and to try to find the best plan to cope with exposure to FA for students during a gross anatomy dissection course. The FA exposure level and subjective symptoms was estimated. The relationship between exposure to FA and subjective symptoms of irritation were discussed for times; before, in the beginning period, in the middle period, and upon completion of the Anatomy Dissection Course. The geometric means of FA concentration were 32.7 micrograms/m3 (before), 891.3 micrograms/m3 (beginning), 763.3 micrograms/m3 (middle), and 238.9 micrograms/m3 (completion), respectively. Among them, FA-related symptoms were observed in 61.1 percent; 28.0 percent fell strong stress during the course, and 27.4 percent complained that their normal life situation was affected. Our results indicate that such subjective symptoms during the anatomy dissection course were related to the period spent in the anatomy dissection room. Our study suggests that shortening the time of each anatomy dissection practical class and reduction of the number of cadaver tables could help to reduce symptoms.

A simplified method for the measurement of nonmetabolized 2-[18F]F-A-85380 in blood plasma using solid-phase extraction

Quantification of alpha(4)beta(2)* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors using 2-[(18)F]fluoro-3-(2(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (2-[(18)F]FA) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging requires measurement of nonmetabolized radioligand in blood plasma, which was previously accomplished using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Here, we introduce a one-step solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for measuring the concentration of nonmetabolized 2-[(18)F]FA. This method allows many samples to be processed in a short period of time. SPE effectively separated 2-[(18)F]FA from radioactive metabolites typically observed in blood plasma after administration of radioligand in humans. Measurements of the 2-[(18)F]FA parent fraction in healthy human volunteers obtained using the SPE method were nearly identical to those obtained using HPLC (1.3+/-5% average underestimation of SPE), and reproducibility was good within and between runs (2% and 6% coefficient of variation, respectively). SPE recovery of 2-[(18)F]FA from blood plasma was not appreciably diminished (3+/-0.6%) by a larger volume of blood plasma loaded onto the cartridge, suggesting the possibility of increasing the plasma sample volume at later times in a PET study to improve measurement sensitivity. 2-[(18)F]FA was stable in blood stored on ice over 8 h and in saline at low concentrations (<2 MBq/ml) but not at high concentrations (ca. 130 MBq/ml). Using SPE, the elimination half-life and full body distribution volume of 2-[(18)F]FA in healthy human volunteers were estimated as 4.2+/-0.8 h and 220+/-70 L, respectively. These results suggest that SPE is the method of choice for the determination of the plasma 2-[(18)F]FA concentration when measurement of individual metabolites is not required.

Effect of free ammonia on the respiration and growth processes of an enriched Nitrobacter culture

The inhibitory effect of free ammonia (FA;NH 3) on the metabolism of Nitrobacter is investigated using a method that allows decoupling energy generation from growth processes. A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated for the enrichment of Nitrobacter. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that 73% of the bacterial population in the reactor was Nitrobacter, while no Nitrospira was detected. Batch tests were carried out to measure the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) by the culture at various FA levels, in the presence ( OUR withCO 2 ) or absence ( OUR withoutCO 2 ) of inorganic carbon (CO 2, HCO 3 − and CO 3 2−). The FA inhibition on the respiration initiated at below 1 mgNH 3–N L −1 in both cases. OUR withoutCO 2 gradually decreased by 12% when the FA concentration increased from 0 to approximately 4 mgNH 3–N L −1 and remained at the same level till an FA level of 9 mgNH 3–N L −1 (the highest FA concentration applied in this study). This indicates that FA has a limited inhibitory effect on the respiratory capability of Nitrobacter. Starting from a level that is 15% higher than OUR withoutCO 2 when no FA was present, OUR withCO 2 decreased more rapidly than OUR withoutCO 2 reaching the same level as OUR withoutCO 2 when FA was between 6–9 mgNH 3–N L −1. This implies that in this range of FA the presence of inorganic carbon did not cause any increase in the respiration activity of Nitrobacter. The results suggest that, while still oxidizing nitrite at approximately 75% of the non-inhibited rate, Nitrobacter likely ceased to grow at an FA level of above 6 mgNH 3–N L −1. While the real mechanisms remain to be identified, this study indicates that the FA inhibition on Nitrobacter is likely much more serious than suggested by previous studies where OUR withCO 2 (or the equivalent nitrite oxidation rate) was used as the sole measure of the inhibitory effects.

Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma: New Insight into The Detection, Pathobiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Our Youngest Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma: New Insight into The Detection, Pathobiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Our Youngest Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Olivine zoning and retrograde olivine-orthopyroxene-metal equilibration in H5 and H6 chondrites

Electron microprobe studies of several H5 and H6 chondrites reveal that olivine crystals exhibit systematic Fe-Mg zoning near olivine-metal interfaces. Olivine Fa concentrations decrease by up to 2 mol% toward zoned taenite + kamacite particles (formed after relatively small amounts of taenite undercooling) and increase by up to 2 mol% toward zoneless plessite particles (formed after ~200 °C of taenite undercooling). The olivine zoning can be understood in terms of localized olivine-orthopyroxene-metal reactions during cooling from the peak metamorphic temperature. The silicate-metal reactions were influenced by solid-state metal phase transformations, and the two types of olivine zoning profiles resulted from variable amounts of taenite undercooling at temperatures <700 °C. The relevant silicate-metal reactions are modeled using chemical thermodynamics. Systematic olivine Fe-Mg zoning adjacent to metal is an expected consequence of retrograde silicate-metal reactions, and the presence of such zoning provides strong evidence that the silicate and metallic minerals evolved in situ during cooling from the peak metamorphic temperature.

Performance characteristics of the limulus amebocyte lysate assay and gas chromatography–mass spectrum analysis of lipopolysaccharides relative to nitric oxide production by peritoneal exudates of cells

Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay and gas chromatography–mass spectrum (GC–MS) analysis are usually used for the quantification of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from the environment. The LAL assay measures endotoxin units to represent the LPS biological function but GC–MS analysis measures decanoic (C 10:0) and dodecanoic (C 12:0) 3-hydorxy fatty acids (3-OH FA) concentration to represent the LPS chemical composition. A study was carried out using these methods to evaluate their degree of correlation. Using the culture supernatants of 30 independent strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bacterial supernatants gave of 0.53 ± 0.45 and 2.49 ± 1.75 mg/l of C 10:0 and C 12:0 3-OH FA, respectively, compared to 17.96 ± 13.28 mg/l of LPS with the LAL assay (1 ng/ml of LPS ≅ 0.78 EU/ml). The 3-OH FA concentration relative to the endotoxin unit dose in the supernatants exhibited a positive correlation ( r 2 = 0.5182, C 10:0; r 2 = 0.4359, C 12:0). When supernatants having a high level of endotoxin were used to treat peritoneal exudates cells, nitric oxide (NO) was generated in a dose-dependent manner ( r 2 = 0.6174). To determine if either C 10:0 or C 12:0 3-OH FA can act as an indictor of LPS quantity was correlated with this immunostimulatory effect, the correlation of these 3-OH FA concentrations against the produced NO levels was evaluated. This also exhibited a positive correlation; however, the two indicators of 3-OH FA gave different dose-responsible performances ( r 2 = 0.3211, C 10:0; r 2 = 0.4527, C 12:0).

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid type, treatment period, and dosage on differentiation of 3T3 cells

This study was conducted to determine effect of CLA and linoleic acid (LA) on cell differentiation, cellular glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity, and FA accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells (3 isomers x 3 treatment periods x 4 doses). The cells were cultured in 24-well plates for proliferation until confluence. Then they were treated with media containing 0, 10, 35, or 70 mg/L (0, 35, 125, or 250 mmol/L, respectively) of LA, cis9,trans11- or trans10,cis12-CLA during early (day 0-2), intermediate and late (day 3-8), or overall (day 0-8) differentiation periods. Dexamethasone, methyl-isobutylxanthine, and insulin were supplemented to the media only for the early period to induce the differentiation. On day 8 of postconfluence the cells were harvested for Oil Red O staining, analysis of GPDH activity, and determination of the FA Concentration. Cellular LA or CLA was found to accumulate in a dose-response manner, mainly during the intermediate/late period. Treatment with trans10,cis12-CLA lowered (P < 0.05) GPDH activity and the concentration of FA including palmitic acid (16:0) and palmitoleic acid (16:1), especially during the intermediate/late and overall periods, or whenever a high dose of 70 mg/L was applied. This also resulted in a higher (P < 0.05) ratio of saturated FA to monounsaturated FA. Treatment with LA or cis9,trans11-CLA lowered cellular FA only when they applied during the early period at a dose of 70 mg/L. The results demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of CLA on differentiation, GPDH activity, and FA accumulation of 3T3-L1 cells are dependent on the isomer type, treatment period, and dose.

Evaluation of Toxicological Monitoring Markers Using Proteomic Analysis

In our study, we chose three different concentrations of FA (0, 5, and 10 ppm), and cytotoxic (lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation) and genotoxic assays (DNA damage) were carried out on plasma, blood, and liver cells of rats subjected to FA-inhalation treatment. The profiles of plasma protein changes determined using 2-DE analysis were also evaluated to identify potential toxicological monitoring markers in FA-exposed rats. Concern was raised that our genotoxic analyses did not follow previously published research data and that the results of our rat plasma proteomic studies were difficult to interpret because we did not directly determine the plasma concentration of FA. However, we had already determined the concentration of FA using HPLC in an exposure chamber to monitor FA inhalation concentrations. We suggest that our experimental design was suitable to determine the FA effects on rat using an inhalation chamber system. For the similarity of genotoxic effects in lymphocytes and liver cells, we chose to present our data on the general cytological toxic effects on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation which revealed a similarity between plasma and liver cells of FA-exposed rats. We have shown strong correlations between genotoxicity and lipid peroxidation, and lipid peroxidation is known to mediate DNA damage in many in vitro, and in vivo studies. We are well aware of the 'implausibility' of leukemia induction by FA, but for precisely this reason, we feel the need for further study to prove the systemic genotoxic effects of FA.

Effect of maternal exposure to homocystine on sodium valproate-induced neural tube defects in the mouse embryos

Neural tube defects (NTD) are mainly of multifactorial origin. Maternal treatment with valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy induces NTD in susceptible fetuses. Elevated levels of homocysteine are observed in pregnancies with NTD. The mechanism by which homocysteine might cause NTD is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine if homocystine would augment VPA-induced exencephaly in an experimental model. Groups of mice were injected (IP) on gestational day 8 (GD) with a single dose of 75 mg/kg of L: -Homocystine (HC) or a proportionate volume of saline, followed by a single dose of 600 mg/kg of VPA or an equal volume of saline. In a second experiment, mice were treated with a daily dose of 75 mg/kg of HC or an equal volume of saline (IP) from GD 5 and continued through GD 10. These animals had a single exposure to 600 mg/kg of VPA or saline (IP) on GD 8. All animals were killed by cervical dislocation on GD 18. Plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 were determined on GD 8 and GD 10 from single and multiple dose groups of mice, respectively, from additional experiments. The VPA and HC+VPA induced significantly higher rates of embryonic resorption and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) than HC or saline alone. HC + VPA groups had significantly more numerous fetuses with severe IUGR than HC alone or VPA alone groups. Both single and multiple doses of HC augmented VPA-induced reduction in fetal body weight. Successive doses of HC did not augment the rate of IUGR more significantly than a single dose of HC. Incidence of exencephaly was significantly enhanced in the HC + VPA groups compared to that in the HC or VPA alone groups. HC alone was not teratogenic. Plasma homocysteine levels increased several fold both in HC and HC + VPA groups and the increase was not particularly more marked in multiple dose groups than in the single dose groups. VPA did not elevate homocysteine concentration. Both FA and vitamin B12 concentrations were reduced by VPA, HC and HC + VPA, but HC and VPA when combined did not produce an additive effect on vitamin levels. These data indicate that HC and VPA interact in neurulation stage embryos, affect fundamental processes of closure of the neural tube and lead to enhanced incidence of NTD.

Effects of storage time and added antioxidant on fatty acid composition of red blood cells at −20°C

The stability of PUFA in venous red blood cells (RBC) of women aged 25 to 55 years (n = 12) was investigated during storage at -20 degrees C. The RBC sample from each participant was divided into seven portions: one baseline with the antioxidant BHT, another without BHT, samples without BHT stored for 2, 4, 9, or 17 wk, and samples with BHT stored for 17 wk. No difference was found in proportions of PUFA at baseline and after storage for 2 and 4 wk without BHT, and 17 wk with BHT. After 9 wk without BHT the proportion of 22:6n-3 in RBC was lower, and after 17 wk without BHT proportions of all PUFA were lower than at baseline. High proportion of 22:6n-3 in RBC at baseline was associated with more stable concentration of total FA in RBC without BHT during 17 wk. The findings indicate that PUFA in RBC from healthy women are stable at -20 degrees C for 4 wk without BHT and for at least 17 wk with BHT.

Paraoxonase-1 is associated with oxidative stress, fibrosis and FAS expression in chronic liver diseases

We previously reported that paraoxonase-1 activity measurement may be useful for the evaluation of liver diseases. Because oxidative stress plays a role in liver apoptosis, and lipid peroxides are hydrolyzed by paraoxonase-1, we have extended our studies to explore the relationships between this enzyme and oxidative stress, fibrosis and apoptosis. We measured paraoxonase-1 activity and concentration, soluble FAS concentration, serum fibrosis markers, and total peroxides in a group of patients with minimal hepatic changes (n=25), chronic hepatitis (n=51), or liver cirrhosis (n=17). We also measured the Knodell activity index in liver biopsies and performed FAS and PON1 immunostaining. Patients with liver diseases showed an increase in soluble FAS, fibrosis markers and paraoxonase-1 concentrations, as well as a decrease in PON1 activity. Paroxonase-1 activity and concentration were correlated with soluble FAS (r=-0.43, P<0.001 and r=0.27, P=0.007, respectively). Paraoxonase-1 concentration showed a significant inverse association with FAS immunostaining (P=0.013) and a direct association with PON1 immunostaining (P<0.001). These results suggest an active role of PON1 in the regulation of oxidative stress, fibrosis and hepatic cell apoptosis in chronic liver diseases.

Effects of orlistat therapy on plasma concentrations of oxygenated and hydrocarbon carotenoids

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor that is applied for treating obesity. Lipases are required for digestion and absorption of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of orlistat therapy on plasma concentrations of oxygenated (beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin) and hydrocarbon (alpha-, beta-carotene, lycopene) carotenoids. Six patients with a body mass index (BMI) > or = 30 kg/m2 received 360 mg/d orlistat over 4.5 mon. Plasma carotenoid concentrations were determined at baseline (T0) and after 3 (T3) and 4.5 mon (T4.5) along with anthropometric, dietary, and biochemical indices, including plasma lipids, retinol, (alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, and FA. Baseline BMI was 32.7 +/- 1.97 kg/m2. Five of six patients lost weight; the average weight loss was 3.6 +/- 2.4% (P = 0.47). There were no significant changes in dietary carotenoid intakes. In contrast, plasma alpha- and beta-carotene concentrations decreased significantly from T0 to T4.5 by 45% (P = 0.006) and 32% (P = 0.013), respectively. Plasma lycopene decreased from T0 to T3 but increased again from T3 to T4.5, while beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations did not change. There were no significant alterations in tocopherol, retinol, and FA concentrations. In conclusion, even though weight loss was not significant, orlistat therapy was associated with significant decreases in plasma concentrations of the highly lipophilic hydrocarbon carotenoids, alpha- and beta-carotene.

Yeast Polysaccharide Affects Fusaric Acid Content in Maize Root Rot

Protective action of sulfoethyl glucan (SEG), a derivative of the cell wall glucan prepared from the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was investigated in the maize seedlings infected by a plant pathogen Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.). Several markers were assayed with the SEG addition and in the control experiments. Two evaluations were performed on the 7th and the 14th days. Addition of SEG led to the increased productivity parameters of the infected plants and maintained them at the level of non-infected plants during the 14 days of experiment. After seven days of cultivation, concentration of fusaric acid (=5-butylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid; FA) decreased in all infected plants cultivated in the presence of SEG when compared to that detected in the infected plants grown in the absence of SEG. After 14 days of cultivation, polysaccharide addition resulted in the reduction of FA concentration almost to 75% in comparison to the infected plants grown without polysaccharide addition. In the experiment, when exogenous FA was added to the growth medium, its concentration decreased up to 60% in the presence of SEG. Thus, it is feasible to assume that SEG binds and adsorbs FA, and, in this way, reduces its content and exerts protective action in plants against its toxic effect.

Faecal androgen concentrations in adult male spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta, reflect interactions with socially dominant females

Androgens influence many physiological processes in male vertebrates and have been linked to variation in aggression and reproductive behaviour in many species. This study examined relationships between social behaviour and androgens excreted by adult male spotted hyaenas. In this species, males rarely direct reproductive aggression towards other males, but they actively court females that are socially dominant to them. We tested whether intersexual interactions were associated with elevated androgens in adult males. We combined behavioural data collected over 7 years from one large clan in Kenya with analysis of faecal androgens (fA) to determine which of the following were the best predictors of fA concentrations in males: social rank, tenure in the clan, courtship, association with females in particular reproductive states, reproductive aggression among males or nonreproductive aggression among males. We found no systematic influence of age or social status on fA in either adult natal or immigrant males. Concentrations of fA were greater in immigrants when they courted females than at other times, and greater fA concentrations were also associated with male–male aggression involving defence of a female but not with male–male aggression occurring in other contexts. fA concentrations in immigrants were also positively correlated with degree of association with females near the time of conception, but not with lactating females. These findings suggest that androgen concentrations in immigrant male hyaenas are more related to interactions with attractive females than to competitive male interactions. The most important challenge to adult males may be interacting with attractive females to which males are socially subordinate.

Alemtuzumab (Campath 1-H) Exposure Correlates with Risk of Chronic Graft vs Host Disease and CMV Viremia after Allogeneic Transplantation.

Conditioning regimens using in vivo alemtuzumab (Campath-1H, humanized anti-CD52) are characterized by low rates of acute and chronic GVHD, but may also result in delayed immune reconstitution. Optimization of such regimens will depend on an understanding of the relation between alemtuzumab exposure, immune reconstitution and GVHD. We have conducted a prospective study of fludarabine 30 mg/m2/d x 5 days, melphalan 140 mg/m2 x 1 day and alemtuzumab 20 mg/d x 5 days as conditioning for related and unrelated allografts. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we determined serum free and total Campath levels in 46 patients with hematologic malignancies (45) or sickle cell disease (1) on day 0, day 7, day 14, day 28, day 50, day 75, day 100, day 150 and at one year after transplant (HSCT). 26 (57%) had a matched sibling donor, 16 (35%) a matched unrelated donor (MUD) and 4 (9%) a mismatched related or unrelated donor. 44 pts engrafted and are included in the analysis.Median follow up for survivors was 2.8 years. Grade II–IV aGVHD occurred in 8 pts after a median of 42 days (range 22 to 60). Eight pts developed cGVHD after a median of 107 days (range 89–140). 15/41 (37%) at risk pts developed CMV reactivation. The half-life of free alemtuzumab (fA) was 26 days after HSCT with wide interpatient variation in fA pharmacokinetics (e.g. Coefficient of variation was 138% on day 0). On day 0, 1 patient had an undetectable level of fA. By day 28, 50, and 100, there were 6 (14.6%), 12 (35.3%), and 13 (52%) pts with undetectable fA, respectively. Figure 1 shows the fitted means and 95% confidence intervals of fA over time.Using log-rank and Cox proportional hazard models, there was no association between fA on day 0, day 28, or the last available fA, and development of acute GVHD. However, pts with higher average free and total Campath levels in the first month had a lower risk of developing cGVHD (p=0.02). The median fA concentration in the first month for pts with cGVHD was 0.32 (inter-quarter range IQR: 0.22–0.41), as compared with 0.97 (IQR: 0.23–3.31) in those without cGVHD.No significant association between absolute lymphocyte count and fA concentration was found after adjusting for time (p=0.28). Finally, among pts at risk, a higher fA concentration on day 0 (p=0.002), and in the first month (p=0.003) was significantly associated with CMV viremia.In summary, the estimated half-life of serum fA is 26 days after HSCT, but with considerable interpatient variability. Higher concentrations of fA were associated with a decreased incidence of cGVHD, but an increased risk of CMV reactivation. In contrast to a previous preliminary analysis, no association existed between fA and lymphocyte reconstitution. Variation in alemtuzumab pharmacokinetics may predict important clinical outcomes, such as cGVHD and CMV reactivation. Future studies are warranted to determine an optimal alemtuzumab exposure that hastens immune reconstitution while minimizing chronic GVHD. [Display omitted]

Immediate no‐flow ischemia decreases rat heart nonesterified fatty acid and increases acyl‐CoA species concentrations

Tissues changes in FA metabolism can occur quite rapidly in response to ischemia and may require immediate microwave fixation to determine basal concentrations. The present study aimed to quantify the effects of immediate no-flow ischemia on concentrations of individual nonesterified FA (NEFA) and acyl-CoA species in the rat heart. Male CDF 344 rats were anesthetized and decapitated either 5 min prior to being microwaved (5.5 kW, 3.4 s, twice) to produce ischemia or microwaved prior to decapitation (nonischemic). Hearts were then removed and used to measure the concentrations of acyl-CoA species and FA in several lipid classes. The ischemic heart total NEFA concentration was significantly lower than that in the nonischemic heart (11.9 vs. 19.0 nmol/g). Several individual NEFA concentrations were decreased by 31-85%. Ischemic heart total long-chain acyl-CoA concentrations (21.0 nmol/g) were significantly higher than those in nonischemic hearts (11.4 nmol/g). Increased concentrations of individual acyl-CoA species occurred in palmitoyl-CoA, stearoyl-CoA, oleoyl-CoA, and linoleoyl-CoA. Concentrations of short-chain acetyl-CoA and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-CoA were also two- to three-fold higher in ischemic hearts than in nonischemic hearts. The FA concentration in TG and phospholipids generally did not differ between the groups. Decreases in concentrations of individual FA and increases in acyl-CoA species during no-flow ischemia occur very rapidly within the heart. Although it is not clear how these alterations contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemia, it is evident that future studies attempting to quantify basal levels of these metabolites could use microwave fixation.

Associations of Fas (CD95), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and biochemical manifestations in elderly persons

Background This study investigated the relationships of soluble Fas (CD95) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) vs. biochemical manifestations. Methods Serum concentrations of soluble Fas, TRAIL, and biochemical parameters were measured in 171 healthy adults. Results There were no significant age- and gender-related differences in Fas and TRAIL concentrations. However, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase (AST, ALT, and GGT) activities were significantly higher in men with Fas ≥ 429.5 and TRAIL ≥ 63.2 pg/ml than in those with Fas < 429.5 and TRAIL < 63.2 pg/ml (26.8 ± 10.9, 33.2 ± 14.6, and 79.2 ± 46.9 IU/l vs. 17.6 ± 4.6, 20.4 ± 7.8, and 35.3 ± 21.3 IU/l, p < 0.05, respectively). Serum triglyceride, total protein, and uric acid concentrations averaged 172.8 ± 58.4 mg/dl, 7.8 ± 0.3 g/dl, and 4.8 ± 1.1 mg/dl in women with Fas ≥ 352.1 and TRAIL ≥ 64.9 pg/ml, which were significantly above the values of those with Fas < 352.1 and TRAIL < 64.9 pg/ml (116.9 ± 49.2 mg/dl, 7.4 ± 0.3 g/dl, and 3.7 ± 0.7 mg/dl, p < 0.05, respectively). Serum soluble Fas concentrations correlated significantly with AST ( r = 0.36, p < 0.05), ALT ( r = 0.30, p < 0.05), and GGT ( r = 0.29, p < 0.05) in men and triglyceride ( r = 0.34, p < 0.05), protein ( r = 0.27, p < 0.05), and uric acid levels ( r = 0.41, p < 0.05) in women. Conclusion Apoptotic activity seems to have an important relationship to biochemical parameters, especially hepatic enzymes, total protein, triglyceride, and uric acid in elderly persons.

Butterfat fatty acids differentially regulate growth and differentiation in Jurkat T‐cells

Synthetic Conjugated Linoleic Acid mixture (CLA; c9,t11; t10,c12-18:2) has been previously shown to inhibit growth, and enhance apoptosis and IL-2 mRNA synthesis in human lymphoblastic Jurkat T-cells. In this study, two different butterfat types were evaluated and compared for their effects on Jurkat cell viability, oxidative stress, pro-apoptotic activity, and cytokine synthesis: the conventionally produced butterfat (CBF), and organic butterfat (OBF) containing significantly higher amounts of c9,t11 (Rumenic Acid, RA), trans-vaccenic acid (VA; t11-18:1), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and lower levels of linoleic acid (LA). Results from cell treatment with both butterfat mixtures showed comparable oxidative stress (superoxide production, intracellular GSH depletion,and lipid peroxides yield), NADPH oxidase activation, cytotoxicity (LDH release), and IL-2 transcript level, whereas the effects of enhanced growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic activities were associated with OBF treatment. To then investigate each butterfat-induced effect caused by RA, VA, LA, and ALA, cells were exposed to synthetic FA concentrations similar to those from the different butterfats. Higher oxidative stress (superoxide production, intracellular GSH depletion) was induced by alpha-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic (LA) incubation (P<0.01) and superoxide production was suppressed by specific PKCalpha inhibitor (Gö 6976) and linked to increased toxicity and IL-2 synthesis inhibition. By contrast, cell treatment with RA increased apoptosis and IL-2 synthesis. These results suggest that a supply of ALA and LA is responsible for BF-induced oxidative stress via PKCalpha-NADPH oxidase pathway, and that enhanced antiproliferative effects in OBF treated cells is essentially determined by RA-induced pro-apoptotic activity.

Preferential effect of lead exposure during lactation on non‐essential fatty acids in maternal organs

This study determined the effects of lead exposure during the lactational period on maternal organ FA compositions in rat dams that were fed either an n-3 adequate (n-3 Adq) or deficient (n-3 Def) diet prior to conception. On giving birth, dams were subdivided into four groups in a 2 x 2 design with n-3 FA supply and Pb exposure as the dependent variables. Pb acetate (0.2 wt%) was administered in the drinking water from the time they gave birth to weaning 3 wk later. Following weaning, the dams were decapitated, and the liver, plasma, kidney, brain, and retina analyzed for FA composition. The n-3 deficient diets markedly decreased the percentages of total n-3 FA, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and increased total n-6 FA including both arachidonic (AA) and n-6 docosapentaenoic acids in all tissues (P < 0.05). The principal effects of Pb occurred in the liver and plasma, where 20-32% losses in total FA concentration concurrent with increased relative percentages of AA (P < 0.05) were observed. In kidney, the percentages of AA and DHA also increased after Pb exposure (P < 0.05) with lesser effects in the nervous system. There was a diet x Pb interaction for liver, plasma, and retinal 20-C n-6 PUFA (P < 0.05). Generally, shorter-chain saturated and monounsaturated FA concentrations were decreased after Pb exposure. An analysis of the changes in the tissue concentrations induced by Pb indicated that the increases in the percentages of PUFA likely reflected a preferential loss of non-EFA. The mechanisms by which Pb affects saturated and monounsaturated FA concentration are unknown.