Study on adsorption mechanism of proteins onto synthetic calcium hydroxyapatites through ionic concentration measurements.

To clarify the adsorption mechanism of proteins onto calcium hydroxyapatite (Hap), the kinetic studies of dissolution and ion-exchange properties of synthetic Hap particles in the absence and presence of proteins were examined at 15 degrees C. In the absence of proteins, Hap particles slightly dissolved to give low amounts of calcium ([Ca(2+)] = 0.09-0.14 micromol m(-2)) and phosphate [PO(4) (3-)] = 0.01-0.08 micromol m(-2)) ions in KCl, CaCl(2), BaCl(2) and AlCl(3) solutions. The [Ca(2+)] increased with increase in the Ca/P ratio of Hap, while the [PO(4) (3-)] decreased. The[ Ca(2+)] and [ PO(4) (3-)] were independent of the ionic strength. Ba(2+) and AI(3+) ions were completely ion-exchanged with calcium ions in Hap lattice within 2 hr. The solution pH was increased by 1.1-1.8 after the dissolution of OH(-) ions on the Hap surface. In the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), the Hap particles dissolved slightly faster than the systems without protein. This fact was explained by a complexation of dissolved ions to functional groups of BSA. The adsorption of BSA induced a reduction of [Ca(2+)] and [ PO(4) (3-)] in the aqueous medium and minima appeared on [Ca(2+)] and [PO(4) (3-)] profiles before the BSA adsorption reached a saturation. This result suggests that the adsorption of BSA onto Hap is governed by [Ca(2+)] ions complexing to BSA molecules (binding effect) together with the operation of [Ca(2+)] ions exposing on the Hap surfaces by dissolution of OH(-) ions, so-called "C-sites". The addition of BaCl(2) and AlCl(3 )steeply increased the amounts of adsorbed BSA (n(BSA)) at the initial adsorption step by the strong binding effect of these di- and tri-valent cations between BSA and Hap. However, after eliminating these cations from the Hap surface by the ion-exchange reaction, the binding effects disappeared and n(BSA) decreased. Since the number of functional groups is small, the binding effect of the counter ions was only slightly detected for the systems with di- and trivalent ions on the adsorption systems of lysozyme (LSZ).

Alanyl-glutamine dipeptide-supplemented parenteral nutrition improves intestinal metabolism and prevents increased permeability in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined the effects of alanyl-glutamine-supplemented total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on mucosal metabolism, integrity, and permeability of the small intestine in rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive TPN supplemented with a conventional amino acids mixture (STD group) or the same solution supplemented with alanyl-glutamine; both solutions were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. On the seventh day of TPN, D-xylose and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran were administered orally. One hour later, superior mesenteric vein (SMV) D-xylose and plasma FITC-dextran concentration were measured. Intestinal blood flow and calculated intestinal substrates flux were measured with ultrasonic transit time flowmetery. RESULTS: Plasma FITC-dextran increased significantly in the STD group. Intestinal blood flow and SMV D-xylose concentration did not differ between the groups. Mucosa weight, villus height, mucosal wall thickness, mucosal protein, and DNA and RNA content in jejunal mucosa were significantly increased in the alanyl-glutamine group. Jejunal mucosal glutaminase activity and net intestinal uptake of glutamine (glutamine flux) were significantly higher in the alanyl-glutamine group as compared with the STD group. CONCLUSION: Addition of alanyl-glutamine dipeptide to the TPN solution improves intestinal glutamine metabolism and prevents mucosal atrophy and deterioration of permeability.

Influence of glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition on intestinal amino acid metabolism in rats after small bowel resection.

Glutamine (Gln)-supplemented total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has been shown to improve mucosal adaptation after massive small bowel resection (SBR); however, its influences on intestinal amino acid metabolism remain unknown. In this study, intestinal amino acid flux, circulating plasma aminogram, mucosal glutaminase activity and protein, and DNA content were measured 7 days after massive SBR in rats receiving either standard (Std) or Gln-supplemented TPN. Sham-operated rats and rats fed chow after enterectomy served as controls. The uptake of Gln and the release of citrulline (Cit) by the remaining intestine was significantly decreased, with reduced mucosal glutaminase activity after SBR in the Chow and Std-TPN groups. Glutamine supplementation resulted in significantly increased gut Gln uptake compared with Std-TPN (P < 0.01). Mucosal glutaminase activity, mucosal protein, and DNA content was also increased by Gln; however, the gut release of Cit remained unchanged (P > 0.05). The subsequent decrease in circulating arginine (Arg) in the Gln-TPN group compared with the Std-TPN group (P < 0.05) was attributed to an insufficient exogenous supply. These findings show that Gln-supplemented TPN improves mucosal growth and gut Gln uptake after SBR. However, the intestinal production of Cit, which remained low in both TPN groups, may lead to an insufficiency of endogenous Arg synthesis. Thus, both Gln and Arg may be essential amino acids after SBR.