Serum Opsonic Activity Research Articles

Assessment of physical stress during the perioperative period of endoscopic submucosal dissection.

The advantage of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is that it is less invasive than surgery. ESD is one of the best treatments for older patients as surgery in this age group of patients is difficult. However, it is unclear how much lower the physical stress of ESD is compared with that of surgery. Thus, objective methods are required to assess physical stress in patients who have undergone ESD. The current review of ESD aimed to summarize the recent advancements in the assessment of physical stress during the perioperative period, focusing on changes in energy metabolism and serum opsonic activity (SOA). Based on metabolic changes, resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured using an indirect calorimeter. The stress factor calculated from the REE and the basal energy expenditure computed using the Harris-Benedict equation can be used to assess physical stress. SOA was assessed using the chemiluminescence method, wherein the use of chemiluminescent probes (i.e., lucigenin and luminol) allowed quantification of reactive oxygen species generated by neutrophils. Using an auto luminescence analyzer, the results were evaluated based on the maximum light emission and area under the emission curve. These quantifiable results revealed the minimal invasiveness of ESD.

Usefulness of serum opsonic activity measured by chemiluminescence method to assess the invasiveness of colorectal endoscopic mucosal dissection

Endoscopic sub-mucosal dissection (ESD) is considered as a low-invasive treatment for early-stage colorectal cancer, but the degree of invasiveness has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical stress due to colorectal ESD based on changes in serum opsonic activity (SOA). SOA was examined by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by neutrophils using lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (LgCL) and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LmCL). Sixty-nine patients were enrolled into the study and examined SOA in the morning of the day of ESD, the next day, and at four days after ESD. The peak height (PH) and area under the curve (AUC) of LgCL showed no significant difference between the day and the next day, whereas the PH and AUC for LgCL were significantly higher four days after ESD than on the day of ESD (p < .05). In contrast, the PH and AUC of LmCL showed no significant changes during the ESD perioperative period. This difference suggests that SOA changes during the colorectal ESD perioperative period involved minor increases in the production of lower-toxicity ROS. This finding supports the position that ESD is a technique that does not generate a great deal of physical stress. On the other hand, a significant increase in SOA at four days after colorectal ESD suggests that care is needed with postoperative management even after the patient has started to eat meals again.

Influence of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection on serum opsonic activity measured by chemiluminescence.

This study aimed to elucidate whether changes in serum opsonic activity measured by lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence are useful for estimating physical stress during the perioperative period of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. Serum opsonic activity in the peripheral blood of 87 patients was examined in the morning of the day of endoscopic submucosal dissection, the next day, and at 4 days after endoscopic submucosal dissection. Peak height and area under the curve for lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence were 106.1 ± 22.7% and 102.0 ± 24.7% on the day of endoscopic submucosal dissection, which increased significantly to 113.6 ± 29.4% and 111.0 ± 29.1% on the next day (both p<0.01), and 112.4 ± 27.0% and 110.0 ± 28.1% at 4 days after endoscopic submucosal dissection (both p<0.01), respectively. In contrast, significant changes were not observed in peak height and area under the curve for luminol-dependent chemiluminescence during the perioperative period of endoscopic submucosal dissection. This difference suggests that serum opsonic activity during the perioperative period of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection is associated with the production of substances with lower oxidizing potential. (The study of changes in neutrophil function and physical stress during the perioperative period of endoscopic operation: UMIN000034514)

The lectin pathway of complement and the contact/kallikrein system are integrated

Two clinical tests – the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the opsonic index – have long been known to non-specifically detect pathology based on their responsiveness to changes in serum proteins. In infections serum levels of specific antibodies increase. However, for healthy subjects Wright held that antibodies contributed minimally to opsonic activity (the complement-enhanced phagocytosis of microorganisms). The activity was present in newborn serum, was increased in the acute phase of an immune response prior to antibody increase, and was less specific. Furthermore, defective opsonization was associated with undue susceptibility to certain infections, for which a genetic basis was later found. With the demonstrations of complement-mediated lysis both of normal cells by foreign (plant) lectins, and of foreign cells (microorganisms) by animal lectins, it now appears that endogenous lectins correspond to the heat-stable component of Wright's serum opsonic activity. His work leads to the lectin pathway of complement activation with specificities limited to the recognition of relatively immutable surface sugars – predictable pathogen characters that contrast with the less predictable targets of the adaptive immune system.

A toddler PCV booster dose following 3 infancy priming doses increases circulating serotype-specific IGG levels but does not increase protection against carriage

BackgroundWe compared PCV7 serological response and protection against carriage in infants receiving 3 doses (2, 4, 6 months; 3+0 schedule) to those receiving a booster (12 months; 3+1). MethodsA prospective, randomized controlled study, conducted between 2005 and 2008, before PCVs were implemented in Israel. Healthy infants were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 3+1, 3+0 and 0+2 (control group; 12, 18 months doses). Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs were obtained at all visits. Serum serotype-specific IgG concentrations and opsonic activities (OPA) were measured at 2, 7, 13 and 19 months. This study was registered with Current Controlled Trials, Ltd. ISRCTN28445844. ResultsOverall, 544 infants were enrolled: 3+1 (n = 178), 3+0 (n = 178) and 0+2 (n = 188).Post-priming (7 months), antibody concentrations were similar in both groups, except for serotype 18C (higher in 3+0). Post-booster (13, 19 months), ELISA and OPA levels were significantly higher in 3+1 than in 3+0 group.Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal cultures were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae in 2673 (54.3%) visits. Acquisition rates (vaccine and non-vaccine serotypes) were similar for 3+1 and 3+0 groups at 7–30 months and for 0+2 group at 19–30 months. ConclusionsPCV7 booster after 3 priming doses increased substantially IgG concentrations but did not further reduced vaccine-serotype nasopharyngeal acquisition, suggesting that protection from pneumococcal carriage does not depend primarily on serum IgG.

Almroth Wright, opsonins, innate immunity and the lectin pathway of complement activation: a historical perspective

Two clinical tests – the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the opsonic index – have long been known to non-specifically detect pathology based on their responsiveness to changes in serum proteins. In infections serum levels of specific antibodies increase. However, for healthy subjects Wright held that antibodies contributed minimally to opsonic activity (the complement-enhanced phagocytosis of microorganisms). The activity was present in newborn serum, was increased in the acute phase of an immune response prior to antibody increase, and was less specific. Furthermore, defective opsonization was associated with undue susceptibility to certain infections, for which a genetic basis was later found. With the demonstrations of complement-mediated lysis both of normal cells by foreign (plant) lectins, and of foreign cells (microorganisms) by animal lectins, it now appears that endogenous lectins correspond to the heat-stable component of Wright's serum opsonic activity. His work leads to the lectin pathway of complement activation with specificities limited to the recognition of relatively immutable surface sugars – predictable pathogen characters that contrast with the less predictable targets of the adaptive immune system.

Evaluation of 6-month periodisation in male ekiden runners by assessment of muscle fatigue and immune function

In order to assess 6‑month periodisation of top university ekiden runner the changes of muscle fatigue and immune functions of 17 male university ekiden runners were investigated in each training period. The investigation was carried out during the normal training period (6 months before the race) before and after the intensive training camp period (3 or 4 months before the race) at the start of the conditioning period (one month before the race) and at the end of the conditioning period (10 days before the race) . Investigation parameters were myogenic enzymes serum opsonic activity (SOA) and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) . Neither levels of myogenic enzymes nor immunoglobulins and complements showed any signifi cant changes in each period. The level of SOA signifi cantly decreased after the training camp compared to before and tended to recover towards the race. SOD levels were signifi cantly higher after the training camp and at the conditioning period compared to before which might be a reaction against the oxidative stress induced by training. Conclusion the subjects had good physical management during the training periods prior to the race from the standpoint of muscle fatigue and immune functions. Furthermore the parameters used in this study may be useful to assess runnersphysical condition during a long season of training.

Changes in immune functions during a peaking period in male university soccer players

The concept of peaking ensures that athletes have trained to attain their absolute peak performance levels prior to a competition. This study investigates the effects of peaking on the functions of neutrophils and lymphocytes in university soccer players during a five-day soccer training camp followed by two weeks of tapering. The study subjects were 22 soccer players who were members of a university soccer club. We carried out our investigation during a five-day training camp and two weeks after the training camp (i.e. the tapering period). We measured body composition, immune-related parameters (leukocyte count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, immunoglobulins and complements), myogenic enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and neutrophil functions [reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytic activity, serum opsonic activity and lymphocyte subtypes]. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts tend to increase after the training camp compared with values before the training camp, and recovered during the conditioning period, although the final values were still lower than those before the training camp. The amount of ROS production per neutrophil and level of SOD decreased significantly during the conditioning period compared with before the training camp (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Levels of Th1 cells decreased significantly during the conditioning period compared with the training camp (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the period of two weeks for the tapering period was considered insufficient to allow the athletes' immune function to recover completely after an intensive training camp.

Effect of glutamine supplementation on neutrophil function in male judoists

Glutamine is an important amino acid for immune function. Though high intensity and prolonged exercise decreases plasma glutamine concentration and causes immune suppression, the relationship between neutrophil functions and glutamine has not yet been found. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of glutamine supplementation on neutrophil function. Twenty-six male university judoists were recruited. Subjects were classified into glutamine and control groups. The glutamine group ingested 3000 mg of glutamine per day and the control group ingested placebo for 2 weeks. Examinations were performed at the start of preunified loading exercise (pre-ULE), then 1 and 2 weeks after ULE (post-ULE). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytic activity, serum opsonic activity and serum myogenic enzymes were measured. Differences between the levels obtained in pre-ULE and post-ULE for the two groups were compared. In the glutamine group, ROS production activity increased 1 week after ULE, whereas it was not observed in the control group (P < 0.001). Though myogenic enzymes increased significantly after ULE (P < 0.001), the glutamine group remained unchanged by supplementation during ULE. Glutamine supplementation has prevented excessive muscle damage and suppression of neutrophil function, especially in ROS production activity, even during an intensive training period.

Effects of soccer matches on neutrophil and lymphocyte functions in female university soccer players

In this study, changes in physical fatigue and biological functions of Japanese female soccer players were investigated by determining changes in neutrophil and lymphocyte functions. Study subjects included 18 female soccer players. Body composition, serum myogenic enzymes, neutrophil function, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability, phagocytic activity (PA) and serum opsonic activity, as well as lymphocyte subpopulation were measured before and after a soccer match. Levels of myogenic enzymes (AST, ALT, CK and LDH) and immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) and complements (C3) increased significantly after the match. In addition, leukocyte, neutrophils and lymphocyte counts increased whereas total PA decreased significantly. The number of T and Th1 cells (subsets of T helper cells) decreased whereas Th2 increased significantly. In addition, the number of B cells increased and NK cells decreased significantly after the match. The match was found to result in degenerative changes in and damage to athlete muscle tissues together with damage- and change-mediated stress. These data also suggest a post-match accelerated inflammatory reaction and potential immunosuppression as indicated by reductions in neutrophil PA and lymphocyte functions.

The Relationship Between Serum Selenium Concentration and Neutrophil Function in Peripheral Blood

We evaluated the relationships between neutrophil-related functions and serum selenium (Se) concentration in the general population. We examined 800 subjects who had participated in the Iwaki Health Promotion Project in 2005 to determine the relationships between serum Se concentration and neutrophil-related functions such as the production capability of reactive oxygen species (ROS), phagocytic activity, and serum opsonic activity (SOA). In nonstimulated neutrophils, i.e., in neutrophils at their baseline condition before the application of the phagocytic stimulus, the serum Se concentration tends to be high and the ROS production tends to be low. With regard to SOA, there was a significant negative correlation between lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence and serum Se concentration in both men and women. Moreover, in women, a significant negative correlation was observed between luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and serum Se concentration. These results suggest that subjects with a lower serum Se concentration may be exposed to a greater chronic oxidative stress due to neutrophil ROS production. In addition, the findings of our study suggest that women rather than men benefit more from Se against oxidative stress.

The relationship between exhaled carbon monoxide and human neutrophil function in the Japanese general population

We have evaluated the relationship between exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) level and neutrophil-related functions such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability, phagocytic activity and serum opsonic activity in the general population. Serum opsonic activity was determined by measuring the effects of serum on neutrophil ROS production capability using lucigenin- and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LgCL, LmCL). LgCL is associated with the detection of O(2)(-) , whereas LmCL mainly detects H(2)O(2) and HOCl, which are higher reactive oxygen radicals. In females, exhaled CO level was found to have positive associations with ROS production capability and LgCL. However, the opposite tendency was seen between exhaled CO level and LmCL in both genders. This result suggests that neutrophil ROS production in females may have contributed to oxidative stress, which led to the increases in intrinsic CO and exhaled CO consequently. Such changes then may have inhibited the process of changing reactive oxygen radicals into higher oxidizing potential levels.

Effect of alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking on neutrophil functions in adults

In recent years, the effects of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption on immune function have been studied, due to a high prevalence of infection or cancer in heavy drinkers, and the combination of smoking and drinking was considered to be a carcinogenic risk. However, the effect of smoking and drinking on systemic immune function has yet to be clearly understood. In this study, we investigated neutrophil functions (reactive oxygen species (ROS) productive activity, phagocytic ability and serum opsonic activity) and their relationship with alcohol consumption or amount of smoking. In total there were 731 male and female adult subjects who participated in the Iwaki Health Promotion Project in 2005. Multiple regression analysis showed a trend of increased ROS production in male subjects and a statistically significant decrease was observed in phagocytic activity caused by smoking in female subjects. In other words, oxidative stress caused by smoking in male subjects may be involved in ROS production from neutrophils. Decreased phagocytic activity of neutrophils caused by smoking suggests that host defense functions were impaired in female subjects. A relationship between neutrophil functions and the amount of alcohol consumption was not observed.

The Potential Role for Protein-Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccine in Adults: What Is the Supporting Evidence?

Vaccination with protein-conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) provides children with extraordinary protection against pneumococcal disease, although the protective effect may be blunted by the emergence of replacement strains. Studies in adults have compared PCV with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) using surrogate markers of protection, namely, serum anticapsular IgG antibody and opsonic activity. Results suggest that PCV is at least as effective as PPV for the strains covered, but a definitive and consistent advantage has not been demonstrated. Unfortunately, persons who are most in need of vaccine do not respond as well as otherwise healthy adults to either vaccine. Newer formulations of PCV will protect against the most prevalent of the current replacement strains, but replacement strains will create a moving target for PCVs. Unless an ongoing trial comparing 13-valent PCV with placebo (not to PPV) demonstrates a clearly better effect than that seen in the past with PPV, cost-effectiveness considerations are likely to prevent widespread use of PCV in adults.

Changes in Neutrophil Immune Functions under Different Exercise Stresses

The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the known effects of exercise on neutrophil immune functions of athletes. We measured three neutrophil immune functions (i.e., phagocytic activity (PA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and serum opsonic activity (SOA)) in various types of exercise. The following is our recent findings. (1) A regular exercise increases ROS production and decreases PA. We call this change a normal pattern, and an abnormal pattern except this change. (2) A prolonged, strenuous activity (e.g., rugby match and marathon) decreases both ROS production and PA. This is one of the abnormal pattern. (3) The exercise loading performed after a camp training decreases ROS production whereas PA does not change. This is another abnormal pattern. (4) When judoists who had stopped judo training for 6 months restarted their training, the exercise loading at the beginning of their training decreases PA whereas ROS production does not change. This is another abnormal pattern. (5) A regular exercise 2 months after the beginning of their training increases ROS production and decreases PA. This change is a normal pattern. SOA showed a similar pattern of changes to ROS under all conditions. The changes in neutrophil immune functions after performing various exercises might result from the balance between external factors (intensity and style of exercise) and internal factors (e.g., fatigue and physical pain). Therefore, the changes in three neutrophil immune functions after exercise might be an index of athletes' condition.

Association between concentration of trace elements in serum and bronchial asthma among Japanese general population

Background and aims A number of previous studies had revealed the association between trace elements in serum and bronchial asthma. However, only a few researches had focused on serum concentration of trace elements in a general population. In this study, an association between trace elements in serum and bronchial asthma was investigated in a general population. Methods Subjects were 1025 volunteers (385 males and 640 females between ages 19 and 82 years old) who had participated in the Iwaki Health Promotion Project 2005. Bronchial asthma was diagnosed based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II according to the self-questionnaires on health conditions of subjects. The serum concentrations of certain trace elements (manganese, copper, zinc, selenium and iron) were measured and compared. Also, an association between serum trace elements level and neutrophil-related functions (oxidative burst activity, phagocytic activity, serum opsonic activity) were determined. Results In males, no significant differences were seen in any serum trace elements concentrations. In females, serum zinc level was significantly higher in bronchial asthma group than in control. A positive correlation was seen between serum concentration of zinc and serum opsonic activity in both genders. Conclusions In female asthmatics, increase of oxidative stress was suggested to be caused by superoxide dismutase pathway (elimination system of reactive oxygen species) rather than serum opsonic activity (production system of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils) pathway, as the zinc concentration in bronchial asthma group was higher than that in control.

Neutrophil chemiluminescence in pneumoconiosis

Neutrophilic phagocytic activity and serum opsonic activity were examined in pneumoconiosis patients. One hundred patients aged 43 to 81 were classified into four types (types 1 to 4) according to the degree of chest X-ray findings. A simultaneous multiple measurement system for luminol-dependent chemiluminescence was used. Neutrophilic phagocytic activity and serum opsonic activity were shown by the time length to reach peak chemiluminescence (PT) and the height of peak chemiluminescence (PH). There were no significant differences of neutrophilic phagocytic activities and serum opsonic activities between normal persons and type 1 cases of mild disease. However, these activities were elevated in cases with more severe disease, and the most severe type 4 type cases tended to show lower activities than type 2 and type 3 cases. PT of total chemiluminescence was influenced by both neutrophilic phagocytic activity and serum opsonic activity, but PH only by neutrophilic phagocytic activity. Statistically significant correlation was observed between serum opsonic activity and serum CH50 levels.

Antibody response and opsonization afer pneumococcal vaccination in splenectomized children and healthy persons.

A significant rise in antibody against pneumococcal types 3, 6A and 25 after pneumococcal vaccination could be demonstrated in 26 of 30 individuals (87%) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Similar geometric mean antibody fold increases were found in splenectomized children, non-splenectomized children and healthy adults for types 6A and 25. Splenectomized children exhibited a somewhat lower, but not statistically significant, geometric mean antibody fold increase against type 3 (p = 0.10), as compared to non-splenectomized children. For the whole group a negative correlation could be demonstrated between prevaccination antibody concentration and antibody fold increase after vaccination. After vaccination an enhanced serum opsonic activity against type 3 was found by granulocyte glucose-l-14C oxidation for the whole group of 30 patients (p less than 0.05) but nine individual patients (30%) failed to exhibit an increase. No differences between the three patient groups were demonstrable. Changes in serum opsonic activity could not be detected by a pneumococcal bactericidal assay.

Effects of summer training camp on serum opsonic activity and plasma cytokine levels in female long‐distance runners

In a summer training camp, strenuous physical exercises are carried out to improve endurance ability. The effects of the training stress on the immune system have been studied extensively. However, less attention has been paid to non-specific immunological changes. Serum opsonic activity (SOA) is a more direct and suitable indicator of non-specific humoral immunity. In this study, we used the luminal-dependent chemiluminescence (LmCL) to measure reactive oxygen species generation from pooled human neutrophils as an indicator of SOA. We also measured plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) and plasma cytokine levels. Twenty-two female college runners took part in this study after giving their written informed consent. There was no significant difference in the physical characteristics and serum enzyme levels. However, significant differences were observed in the changes of blood property and plasma cytokine levels. According to MPO levels, neutrophils in vivo may be deactivated during the camp. Positive correlations between fluctuations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels were observed in this study. According to the results of peak time and peak height of LmCL, SOA seems to increase at first qualitatively and then quantitatively during the summer camp. The increased SOA level may compensate for the decrease in neutrophil activity.

Effects of 2.5‐hour sumo training on serum opsonic activity

Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport, but the effect of actual daily training on neutrophil function is unknown. We evaluated the effect of sumo training on serum opsonic activity (SOA), which is one of the main neutrophil-related functions. Seventeen male university sumo wrestlers participated in the study. Changes in anthropometric parameters, concentrations of serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM), complements (C3 and C4), myogenic enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, asparate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase), white blood cell/neutrophil counts and SOA were measured immediately before and after actual daily training for 2.5 h. Compared with the pre-values, immunoglobulins and complements, myogenic enzymes and white blood cell/neutrophil counts significantly increased (p < 0.01 for all). As for SOA, the values of the peak height and the area under the curve significantly increased after the training when assessed using lucigenin as a chemiluminigenic probe (p < 0.01 for all), but showed no significant change when luminol was used as the chemiluminigenic probe. In conclusion, daily actual sumo training for 2.5 h increases SOA, thus possibly activating the reactive oxygen species production of neutrophils.