Potential allergenicity assessment after bovine apo-α-lactalbumin binding to calcium ion.

Bovine α-lactalbumin (α-LA) is recognized as a major milk allergen. Generally, α-LA in the natural state combines with a calcium ion, however, some studies have shown that calcium ions can binding the other metal binding sites in α-LA as well. In our study, the optimal condition of calcium ion binding to α-LA and the change of structure and allergenicity were explored. By optimizing the conditions, the maximum calcium binding amounts of apo-α-LA were obtained in a ratio of 1:4. The structure of α-LA after removal of calcium obviously changed by the spectroscopic detection. For the digestive stability, there was no obvious change in three forms of α-LA. While the allergenic properties were characterized by IgG/IgE inhibition ELISA and the human basophil KU812 degranulation assay. The results showed that IgG and IgE binding decreased, and the degranulation capacity of basophils weakened. Based on these results, calcium binding to apo-α-LA can reduce the potential allergenic properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: By optimizing the conditions, bovine apo-α-LA can obtain the most calcium binding amount. And calcium binding to apo-α-LA can reduce the potential allergenic properties. Compared with α-LA in the natural state, calcium binding to α-LA not only can reduce the allergenic properties, but also play a role in calcium supplementation. It might be used to guide the development of hypoallergenic α-LA and provide a method to reduce the potential allergenic properties of α-LA.

[The effects and mechanisms of Forsythia suspense on the expression of Foxp3 on splenocytes and level of Treg in peripheral blood in severely burnt rats].

AIM: To explore the immunity modulation function of aqueous of Forsythia suspense (AFS) and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Rats of burned model group were burned with vapor under 3 mpa pressure and 108 degrees C temperature for 8 seconds to achieve deep partial-thickness burn, to make a thirty percent total body surface area (TBSA) burn. The experiment were divided into five groups: CONTROL GROUP: without any treatment; 8PBH group: 8 h after burn; the rats of AFS1 group, AFS2 group and AFS3 group of them were given AFS 5 g/kg, 2.5 g/kg, 1.25 g/kg once a day by Po. pathway for seven days before burns, respectively. Rats were sacrificed before and 8h after burn, The percentage of Treg cells in CD4(+) T cells was detected by flow cytometry (FCM); the expression of Foxp3 mRNA on splenocytes were measured by RT-PCR, and the protein of Foxp3 activity was evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: Compared with CONTROL GROUP, the expression of Foxp3 mRNA and protein on the splenocytes were upregulated markedly (P<0.01), and the percentage of Treg were significantly increased (P<0.01) in the 8PBH group. AFS1, AFS2 and AFS3 significantly attenuated these increases (P<0.01), which was dose-dependent. CONCLUSION: AFS has immunity modulation function and mechanism of it is corrected with Foxp3 mRNA on splenocytes.

[Effects of osthol on androgen level and nitric oxide synthase activity in castrate rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of osthol on androgen level and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in castrate rats. METHODS: Immature castrate male rats were treated with osthol daily for 20 d. The levels of testosterone(T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum and the activity of NOS, the nitric monoxide (NO) level in penis tissue were determined. RESULTS: T( P < 0.05), LH( P < 0.05) and FSH( P < 0.01) were significantly increased at the high dose of osthol treatment. The high and low dose of osthol treatment significantly enhanced the activity of NOS (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Osthol could increase androgen, gonadotropin and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. It suggested that osthol had androgen-like effect and gonadotropin-like effect.