Glycolysis in the tumor microenvironment: a driver of cancer progression and a promising therapeutic target.

Even with sufficient oxygen, tumor cells use glycolysis to obtain the energy and macromolecules they require to multiply, once thought to be a characteristic of tumor cells known as the "Warburg effect". In fact, throughout the process of carcinogenesis, immune cells and stromal cells, two major cellular constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), also undergo thorough metabolic reprogramming, which is typified by increased glycolysis. In this review, we provide a full-scale review of the glycolytic remodeling of several types of TME cells and show how these TME cells behave in the acidic milieu created by glucose shortage and lactate accumulation as a result of increased tumor glycolysis. Notably, we provide an overview of putative targets and inhibitors of glycolysis along with the viability of using glycolysis inhibitors in combination with immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Understanding the glycolytic situations in diverse cells within the tumor immunological milieu will aid in the creation of subsequent treatment plans.

Ultrafine grinding improves the nutritional, physicochemical, and antioxidant activities of two varieties of whole-grain highland barley.

Effects of ultrafine grinding on the nutritional profile, physicochemical properties, and antioxidant activities of whole-grain highland barley (HB) including white highland barley (WHB) and black highland barley (BHB) were studied. Whole-grain HB was regularly ground and sieved through 80 mesh get 80 M powder, and HB was ultrafine grounded and sieved through 80 mesh, 150 mesh, and 200 mesh get 80UMM, 150UMM, and 200UMM samples. Particle size of WHB and BHB reduced significantly after ultrafine grinding. As the particle size decreased, moisture content of WHB and BHB decreased significantly, whereas fat content increased significantly. Redistribution of fiber components in WHB and BHB from insoluble to soluble fractions was also observed. Wherein, content of soluble pentosan of WHB and BHB increased significantly from 0.56% and 0.78% (80 M) to 0.91% and 1.14% (200UMM), respectively. Damaged starch of WHB and BHB increased significantly from 8.16% and 8.21% (80 M) to 10.29% and 10.07% (200UMM), respectively. Content of phenolic acid and flavonoid of WHB and BHB and associated antioxidant capacity were increased after ultrafine grinding. Color of L* value increased significantly, a* and b* values decreased significantly, indicating the whiteness of WHB and BHB was increased after ultrafine grinding. Pasting temperature of WHB and BHB decreased, whereas peak viscosity increased. X-ray diffraction patterns of HB showed typical A- and V-style polymorphs and the relative crystallinity of HB decreased as the particle size decreased. Taken together, ultrafine grinding has shown great potential in improving the nutritional, physiochemical, and antioxidant properties of whole-grain HB. Our research findings could help better understand the ultrafine grinded whole grain HB in food industry.

Simple and Rapid Method for the Quantitation of Trace-Level 3-Alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines in Fragrant Vegetable Oils by Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

3-Alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines (MPs) are characteristic aroma compounds found in fragrant vegetable oils, a type of specially processed oils with enhanced flavor. MP contents in these oils are usually at trace level, which makes their quantification a big challenge. In this work, we describe an optimized approach with a double-step acid/alkali extraction for the analysis of such compounds, namely, 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine, 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine, and 3-sec-butyl-2-methoxypyrazine, in those fragrant oils using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The sample preparation conditions including selections and percentages of acids, alkalis, and extraction solvents, as well as the stability of MPs, were optimized and examined. Method validation was conducted with a good linearity (r2 > 0.999), and average recoveries between 93.9 and 109.3% were achieved. The limit of detection ranged from 0.2 to 0.4 µg/kg, and the relative standard deviations varied from 0.4 to 12.2% for samples spiked with the MPs at different concentrations. Overall, the method satisfactorily meets the requirements for the measurement of trace-level MPs in the fragrant vegetable oils via odor activity value calculation, and the results indicate that the improved acid/alkali extraction method is suitable for the routine analysis of MPs in those vegetable oils.

The analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block combined with oral multimodal analgesia in comparison with oral multimodal analgesia after caesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is used increasingly in parturients after caesarean delivery. This is a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of bilateral single-shot of TAP blocks in patients who received multimodal oral analgesia for postoperative pain relief. METHODS: Parturients who were scheduled for elective caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia were recruited and randomized to receive bilateral single-shot of TAP blocks or placebo in addition to multimodal oral analgesia which consisted of regular tramadol, celecoxib and paracetamol, with oral oxycodone used as a rescue for breakthrough pain. Only parturients in the TAP group would receive the TAP blocks with an injection of 15 ml (0.25%) ropivacaine on each side under aseptic techniques. All the parturients were evaluated for pain or related complications in the first 24 h after surgery. The primary outcome is the percentage of parturients who required oxycodone as a rescue analgesia. RESULTS: Eighty and 79 parturients were allocated to the TAP and placebo group respectively. Nine out of 79 (11.4%) parturients in the TAP group and 15 out of 73 (20.5%) parturients in the placebo group required oxycodone for breakthrough pain, P = 0.122. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral single-shot of TAP blocks confer little additional benefit when a multimodal oral analgesic regimen is used for pain control after caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry of China ( http://www.chictr.org.cn ) identifier: ChiCTR-INR-16010130 , retrospectively registered on Dec 12, 2016.

Magnesium sulfate reduces the rocuronium dose needed for satisfactory double lumen tube placement conditions in patients with myasthenia gravis.

BACKGROUND: Using a minimum dose of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) to achieve intubation condition is one of the goals in anaesthesia management of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) for thoracoscopic (VATS) thymectomy. However, tracheal intubation with double lumen tube (DLT) could be challenging if intubation condition is not optimal. This double-blind randomised controlled study was designed to investigate whether magnesium sulfate would reduce the rocuronium dose needed for DLT intubation and improve the DLT placement condition for patients with MG who were scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) thymectomy. METHODS: Recruited patients were randomly assigned to receive magnesium sulfate 60 mg.kg- 1 or normal saline (control) prior to the administration of NMB. Titrating dose of rocuronium was administered to achieve train of four (TOF) ratio less than 10% before DLT intubation. The primary outcome was the rocuronium dose required to achieve TOF ratio less than 10%. The secondary outcome was intubation condition for DLT placement. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients had received magnesium sulfate and 22 patients had received normal saline before rocuronium administration. The required rocuronium dose [mean (standard deviation)] were 0.10 (0.05) mg.kg- 1 and 0.28(0.17) mg.kg- 1 in patients who had magnesium sulfate and normal saline respectively(P < 0.0001). With a similar depth of neuromuscular blockade and depth of anaesthesia, 100% of patients in the magnesium sulfate group and 72.7% of patients in the control group showed excellent intubation condition (P = 0.027) respectively. The patients in both groups had similar emergence characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium sulfate is associated with a decrease in rocuronium requirement for an optimal DLT intubation condition in patients with MG for VATS thymectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry of China ( http://www.chictr.org.cn ) identifier: ChiCTR-1800017696, retrospectively registered on August 10, 2018.

Magnesium sulfate - An effective agent could delay the progression of fulminant malignant hyperthermia.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening disease that occurs during general anaesthesia following exposure to succinylcholine (SCh), a depolarizing muscle relaxant, and volatile anaesthetics. Susceptibility to MH most commonly arises from mutations in the RyR1 gene, the Ca2+ release channel of skeletal muscle. Fulminant MH (f-MH) is the most dangerous form of MH, which presents a hypermetabolic cascade state, including very high temperature and carbon dioxide production, increased heart rate and oxygen consumption, mixed acidosis, rigid muscles, and rhabdomyolysis. Dantrolene is the only specific drug therapy for MH on the market. Without dantrolene, the reported mortality of f-MH is as high as 42.3%. Based on the participation of catecholamine in the hyperhaemodynamic response of f-MH and the demonstrated effective control of catecholamine release of magnesium sulfate, combined with the fact that magnesium and calcium have opposite effects on muscle contraction, I hypothesized that magnesium sulfate could be a choice for delaying the progression of f-MH while waiting for dantrolene treatment.

Highly selective isomerization of cottonseed oil into conjugated linoleic acid catalyzed by multiwalled carbon nanotube supported ruthenium.

Supported ruthenium (Ru) has the capacity to catalyze the conjugation of double bonds in linoleic acid (LA) into conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs). It has been reported that CLAs have shown a lot of benefits to human health. To enhance the selectivity of cottonseed oil (CSO) to CLAs, various Ru catalysts supported by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Ru/MWCNTs) were prepared using a microwave-heated ethylene glycol method. All catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The catalytic efficiency/selectivity of Ru/MWCNTs and two commercially available Ru catalysts (Ru/C and Ru/Al2O3) were investigated in a solvent-free system by catalyzing the isomerization of CSO. TEM analysis showed that Ru nanoparticles with average sizes of 1.0 nm to 1.8 nm were uniformly dispersed on the surface of the supports. Among the as-synthesized Ru/MWCNTs, catalyst S1 (diameter < 8 nm, length 0.5-2 µm) and catalyst S4 (diameter < 8 nm, length 10-30 µm) exhibit excellent catalytic performance for isomerization of CSO with high yield of total CLA (15.91% and 11.56%, respectively) and high turnover frequency (TOF) of 10.39 and 11.38 h-1, which is much better than two typical commercial Ru catalysts (Ru/Al2O3 and Ru/C). It has been revealed that the average particle size and chemical state of Ru on the surface of MWCNTs have influence on the activity and selectivity of the isomerization reaction.

The role of P2X7R/ERK signaling in dorsal root ganglia satellite glial cells in the development of chronic postsurgical pain induced by skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR).

The mechanisms of chronic postsurgical pain remain to be elucidated. We reported here that skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR), a rat model of postsurgical pain, phosphorylated the extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling components c-Raf, MEK (ERK kinase) and ERK1/2 in lumbar 3 dorsal root ganglion (L3 DRG) in rats. Intrathecal injection of ERK specific inhibitor SCH772984 suppressed the mechanical allodynia induced by SMIR. Furthermore, SMIR upregulated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in L3 DRG, which could be inhibited by SCH772984. Intrathecal injection of TNF antagonist Etanercept could also inhibit the mechanical allodynia and the increased ERK phosphorylation in L3 DRG induced by SMIR. In addition, immunofluorescent data showed that P2X7R was located exclusively in GFAP labeled satellite glial cells and was highly colocalized with p-ERK1/2 following SMIR. Pretreatment with P2X7R antagonist Brilliant Blue G (BBG) could also block the mechanical allodynia, inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Raf, MEK, ERK1/2, and decrease the expression of TNF-α. Finally, intrathecal injection of BzATP produced mechanical allodynia and induced ERK phosphorylation in satellite glial cells in L3 DRG. Thus, P2X7R activation in satellite glial cells in L3 DRG, leading to a positive feedback between ERK pathway activation and TNF-α production, is suggested to be involved in the induction of chronic postsurgical pain following SMIR.

Mitigation of 3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol Ester Formation by Radical Scavengers.

The present study investigated the possible mechanism of free radical scavengers on mitigation of 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) fatty acid ester formation in vegetable oils. The electron spin resonance investigation showed that the concentration of free radicals could be clearly decreased in 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycerol (DSG) samples by all four antioxidants (l-ascorbyl palmitate, α-tocopherol, lipophilic tea polyphenols, and rosemary extract) at 120 °C for 20 min under a N2 atmosphere. Moreover, the rosemary extract exhibited the highest inhibition efficiency. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy examination of DSG with α-tocopherol at 25 and 120 °C revealed that α-tocopherol could prevent the involvement of an ester carbonyl group of DSG in forming the cyclic acyloxonium free radical intermediate. Furthermore, the ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis showed that α-tocopherol could suppress the formation of 3-MCPD di- and monoesters. Finally, the four antioxidants could decrease 3-MCPD esters in the palm oil during deodorization. Particularly, the rosemary extract also showed the highest efficiency in 3-MCPD ester mitigation.

Preparation of Diacylglycerol-enriched Rice Bran Oil by Lipase-catalyzed Deacidification in Packed-bed Reactors by Continuous Dehydration.

Diacylglycerol-enriched rice bran oil (RBO-DAG) was produced by deacidification of high-acid rice bran oil (RBO) with glycerol (Gly) using Lipozyme RM IM by continuous dehydration by combination of two enzyme columns (column 1 and 3, used for deacidification) with one molecular sieves column (column 2, used for dehydration). The conditions for three columns were respectively optimized. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the conditions of column 1. The content of DAG and conversion of free fatty acid (FFA) were used as indicators and the effects of the enzyme load (8-12 g), flow rate (0.3-0.6 mL/min), substrate molar ratio (4-6) and reaction temperature (55-75°C) were investigated. The content of DAG and conversion of FFA were significantly correlated to the flow rate and substrate molar ratio. Most desirable conditions of the reaction with respect to the maximal DAG content and FFA conversion was attained under the residence time of 40 min, substrate molar ratio of 5.52 (Gly: RBO) and temperature of 66°C. The conditions for column 2 were investigated by varying molecular sieves load and flow rate, and the maximal dehydration rate of 85.22% was obtained under the optimal conditions. For column 3, the optimum conditions were obtained as: flow rate, 0.2mL/min; temperature, 65°C, and the content of DAG and FFA were 38.99% and 3.04%, respectively under these conditions. The catalytic activity of the lipase was stable in twelve continuous operations with 83.22% of its original ability, demonstrating its potential in the continuous packed-bed reactors (PBRs) system. These results showed that packed-bed reactors combined with continuous deacidification and dehydration in one system had great value in industrial production for high-acid RBO with the improved conversion rate.

Over-expression of P2X7 receptors in spinal glial cells contributes to the development of chronic postsurgical pain induced by skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) in rats.

Many patients suffer from chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) following surgery, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present work, with use of the skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) model, the role of P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) in spinal glial cells in the development of CPSP was evaluated. Consistent with previous reports, we found that SMIR decreased the ipsilateral 50% paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), lasting for at least 2weeks. No injury was done to L3 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and no axonal or Schwann cell damage at the retraction site in the saphenous nerve was observed 7days after SMIR. The results of immunofluorescence showed that both microglia and astrocytes were activated in the spinal dorsal horn following SMIR. In addition, both P2X7Rs and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were up-regulated following SMIR. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that the up-regulated P2X7R immunoreactivity was mainly located in microglia, and to a lesser extent in astrocytes, but not in neurons. Intrathecal delivery of specific P2X7R antagonist BBG (10µM in 10µl volume) or A438079 (10µM in 10µl volume), started 30min before the surgery and once daily thereafter for 7days, prevented the mechanical allodynia. Intrathecal injection of BBG inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and the up-regulation of TNF-α induced by SMIR. These data suggest that P2X7Rs in the spinal dorsal horn might mediate the development of CPSP via activation of glial cells and up-regulation of TNF-α.

Alginate oligosaccharides: enzymatic preparation and antioxidant property evaluation.

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOs) prepared from alginate, by alginate lyase-mediated depolymerization, were structurally characterized by mass spectrometry, infrared spectrometry and thin layer chromatography. Studies of their antioxidant activities revealed that AOs were able to completely (100%) inhibit lipid oxidation in emulsions, superiorly to ascorbic acid (89% inhibition). AOs showed radical scavenging activity towards ABTS, hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals, which might explain their excellent antioxidant activity. The radical scavenging activity is suggested to originate mainly from the presence of the conjugated alkene acid structure formed during enzymatic depolymerization. According to the resonance hybrid theory, the parent radicals of AOs are delocalized through allylic rearrangement, and as a consequence, the reactive intermediates are stabilized. AOs were weak ferrous ion chelators. This work demonstrated that AOs obtained from a facile enzymatic treatment of abundant alginate is an excellent natural antioxidant, which may find applications in the food industry.

Enzymatic production of trans fatty acid free fat from partially hydrogenated soybean oil (PHSO)--theory, strategy and practicability.

Development of an advanced process/production technology for healthful fats constitutes a major interest of plant oil refinery industry. In this work, a strategy to produce trans fatty acid (TFA) free (or low TFA) products from partially hydrogenated soybean oil by lipase-catalysed selective hydrolysis was proposed, where a physically founded mathematic model to delineate the multi-responses of the reaction as a function of selectivity factor was defined for the first time. The practicability of this strategy was assessed with commercial trans-selective Candida antarctica lipase A (CAL-A) as a model biocatalyst based on a parameter study and fitting to the model. CAL-A was found to have a selectivity factor 4.26 and to maximally remove 73.3% of total TFAs at 46.5% hydrolysis degree.

Enhancement of activity and selectivity of Candida rugosa lipase and Candida antarctica lipase A by bioimprinting and/or immobilization for application in the selective ethanolysis of fish oil.

Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) and Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA) with improved activity and selectivity were prepared for use in organic solvent media. CRL bioimprinted with fatty acids exhibited eightfold enhanced transesterification activity in hexane. Combination of bioimprinting and coating with lecithin or with immobilization did not improve the activity further. CALA was immobilized with and without bioimprinting, none of which improved the activity. All modified lipases were tested for selective ethanolysis of fish oil to concentrate omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). None of the preparations, except the immobilized ones catalysed ethanolysis. Immobilized CRL-catalyzed ethanolysis giving 27% (v/v) ethyl esters (EE) in 48 h, of which 43 mol% was oleic acid but no PUFA was detected in the EE fraction. Fatty acid selectivity of CALA was significantly improved by immobilization combined with bioimprinting, resulting in 5.5-fold lower omega-3 PUFA in EE.

Inhibition of isoflurane-induced increase of cell-surface redistribution and activity of glutamate transporter type 3 by serine 465 sequence-specific peptides.

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT) transport glutamate into cells to regulate glutamate neurotransmission and to maintain nontoxic extracellular glutamate levels for neurons. We showed previously that the commonly used volatile anesthetic isoflurane increases the transporting activity of EAAT3, the major neuronal EAAT. This effect requires a protein kinase C (PKC) α-mediated and S465-dependent EAAT3 redistribution to the plasma membrane. Thus, we hypothesize that specific peptides can be designed to block this effect. We conjugated a 10-amino acid synthetic peptide with a sequence identical to that of EAAT3 around the S465 to a peptide that can facilitate permeation of the plasma membrane. This fusion peptide inhibited the isoflurane-increased EAAT3 activity and redistribution to the plasma membrane in C6 cells and hippocampus. It did not affect the basal EAAT3 activity. This peptide also attenuated isoflurane-induced increase of PKCα in the immunoprecipitates produced by an anti-EAAT3 antibody. A scrambled peptide that has the same amino acid composition as the S465 sequence-specific peptide but has a random sequence did not change the effects of isoflurane on EAAT3. The S465 sequence-specific peptide, but not the scrambled peptide, is a good PKCα substrate in in vitro assay. These peptides did not affect cell viability. These results, along with our previous findings, strongly suggest that PKCα interacts with EAAT3 to regulate its functions. The S465 sequence-specific peptide may interrupt this interaction and is an effective inhibitor for the regulation of EAAT3 activity and trafficking by PKCα and isoflurane.

Physical and sensory characteristics of pork sausages from enzymatically modified blends of lard and rapeseed oil during storage.

Physical and sensory characteristic of pork sausages produced from enzymatic interesterified blends of lard and rapeseed oil during storage were evaluated. All three enzymatic interesterified blends (IE90, IE70 and IE50) had ratios of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids within the range of 1.47-2.84 which is favourable for cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Blends of IE90 and IE70 were found to have suitable solid fat content, melting and crystallization profile suitable for sausages production. Sausages were produced from blends of IE90 and IE70 with different muscle types (musculus longissimus dorsi and musculus sternomandibularis) and processing conditions such as cooling rates and final processing temperature. Cooling rate was found to have no significant (P>0.05) effect on hardness of the sausages throughout storage. Both musculus longissimus dorsi and high final processing temperature of 20 degrees C increased the hardness of the sausages during storage. In terms of fat particle size distribution, it was found that sausages IE70 had significantly (P<0.05) lower amount of small fat particles (<4 microm) and higher amount of big fat particles (4-500 microm). This is in agreement with the findings on softer texture of sausages IE70. All the sausages produced from interesterified blends of lard and rapeseed oil had no apparent fat excretion and were rated as having acceptable sensory attributes as compared to reference sausage which was produced from pure lard.

Physical characterization of lard partial acylglycerols and their effects on melting and crystallization properties of blends with rapeseed oil.

This work attempted to examine the effects of lard partial acylglycerols on the melting and crystallization properties of blends with lard and rapeseed oil (LR). Partial acylglycerols [lard-monoacylglycerols (lard-MAG) and lard-DAG] were found to result in different melting and crystallization properties of LR. Lard-MAG exerted slight inhibitory effect on crystallization of LR. Nevertheless, it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In fact, the presence of lard-MAG did not change the solid fat content (SFC) of LR. Lard-DAG, on the other hand, exerted different effects on the crystallization of LR depending on its concentration and degree of supercooling. The presence of a low concentration of lard-DAG was found to significantly (P < 0.05) delay nucleation and crystal growth velocity of LR at low degree of supercooling, which was reflected by a reduced Avrami constant (k) and SFC and increased half-time of crystallization (t(1/2)). Meanwhile, a high concentration of lard-DAG was found to promote nucleation and crystal growth in LR at low degrees of supercooling with increased k and SFC and decreased t(1/2). The characteristics of the blends may have correlations with their properties in potential meat applications.

[Clinical observation on catgut implantation at Shu- and Mu-acupoints for treatment of premature ovarian failure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at Shu- and Mu-acupoints of liver, spleen and kidney on premature ovarian failure. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two cases of premature ovarian failure were randomly divided into a catgut implantation group and a medication group, 66 cases in each group. The catgut implantation group were treated by catgut implantation at She- and Mu-acupoints of liver, spleen and kidney, and the medication group were treated with oral administration of Estradiol Valerate 2 mg, qd, for 20 days, and 10 days later, Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 4 mg was added, b. i. d, for 10 days, averaging 6 months of medication. The therapeutic effects and changes of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, serum FSH and E2 significantly improved in the two groups (P<0.01), with the serum E2 in the catgut implantation group increased more significantly than that in the medication group (P<0.01). The cured rate and the total effective rate were 84.9% and 97.0% in the catgut implantation group and 31.8% and 84.8% in the medication group, the cured rate in the catgut implantation group being better than that in the medication group (P<0.05). Ten month later, the therapeutic effect in the catgut implantation group was kept. CONCLUSION: Catgut implantation at Shu- and Me-acupoints of liver, spleen and kidney has a good therapeutic effect on premature ovarian failure with no side effect.

Isoflurane preconditioning reduces the rat NR8383 macrophage injury induced by lipopolysaccharide and interferon gamma.

BACKGROUND: Isoflurane exposure before an insult can reduce the insult-induced injury in various organs. This phenomenon is called isoflurane preconditioning. The authors hypothesize that isoflurane can precondition macrophages, cells that travel to all tissues and are important in the host defense and inflammation responses. METHODS: Rat NR8383 macrophages were pretreated with or without 1-3% isoflurane for 1 h at 30 min before they were incubated with or without 100 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide plus 50 U/ml interferon gamma for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Flow cytometry was performed after cells were stained with annexin V and propidium iodide. Inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression in macrophages was quantified by Western blotting. RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide plus interferon gamma decreased cell viability by approximately 50%. This decrease was dose-dependently inhibited by aminoguanidine, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Lipopolysaccharide plus interferon gamma caused inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. This expression was inhibited by pretreatment with 2% but not 1% or 3% isoflurane. Isoflurane at 2% inhibited lipopolysaccharide plus interferon gamma-induced accumulation of nitrite, an oxidation product of nitric oxide. Pretreatment with 2% but not 1% or 3% isoflurane improved cell viability. Lipopolysaccharide plus interferon gamma increased the number of propidium iodide-positive staining cells. This increase was attenuated by 2% isoflurane pretreatment. The protective effect of 2% isoflurane was abolished by chelerythrine, calphostin C, or bisindolylmaleimide IX, protein kinase C inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Lipopolysaccharide plus interferon gamma causes an inducible nitric oxide synthase-dependent macrophage injury. Isoflurane induces preconditioning effects that may be mediated by protein kinase C in macrophages.

Monitoring lipase-catalyzed butterfat interesterification with rapeseed oil by Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy.

This work demonstrates the application of FT-NIR spectroscopy in order to monitor the enzymatic interesterification process for butterfat modification. The reactions were catalyzed by Lipozyme TL IM at 70 degrees C for the blend of butterfat/rapeseed oil (70/30, w/w) in a packed-bed reactor. The blend and interesterified fat samples were measured in liquid form at 70 degrees C by transmission mode-based FT-NIR over the spectral region 12000-4000 cm-1. The calibration of FT-NIR for conversion degree (evaluated by the triglyceride profile, which was represented by the triglyceride peak ratio) and solid fat content (SFC) of the interesterified products was carried out using partial least squares (PLS) regression. Good correlations were observed between the NIR spectra and ln (peak ratio), and between the NIR spectra and the SFC at 5 degrees C over the spectral range 5269-4513 cm-1. Overall, transmission-mode FT-NIR spectroscopy performed at 70 degrees C yielded conditions close to those used during the interesterification process, implying that this method could be used to control the enzymatic interesterification process online.