Semi-refined carrageenan promotes generation of reactive oxygen species in leukocytes of rats upon oral exposure but not in vitro.

AIM: To assess the ability of the common food additive E407a (semi-refined carrageenan) to enter leukocytes in vitro and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leukocytes as a whole and granulocytes in particular, both during incubation and in experimental animals. METHODS: ROS production was assessed in leukocytes incubated with E407a for 2 h at the final concentrations of 5 and 10 g/L using the dye 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), as well as in cells isolated from rats orally exposed to E407a (140 mg/kg of weight) during 2 weeks (n = 8) and control rats (n = 8), by flow cytometry. Carrageenan uptake by leukocytes was estimated by confocal microscopy using incubation of rhodamine B isothiocyanate-labelled carrageenan with leukocyte suspensions. RESULTS: Uptake of carrageenan by viable neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes was confirmed. Oral administration of the food additive E407a was associated with excessive ROS formation by viable leukocytes (CD45+, 7­aminoactinomycin D- cells) and especially in granulocytes. Unexpectedly, a direct impact of semi-refined carrageenan during incubation for 2 h did not affect ROS production in leukocytes, evidenced by statistically insignificant differences in mean fluorescence intensity values of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein, which is a ROS-sensitive product of intracellular H2DCFDA conversion. Oral intake of E407a and direct exposure of leukocyte suspensions to it decreased the viability of leukocytes. CONCLUSION: Food-grade carrageenan can enter leukocytes without affecting ROS generation as a result of incubation for 2 h with leukocyte suspensions. On the contrary, oral exposure to E407a is accompanied by ROS overproduction by white blood cells, suggesting an indirect mechanism for the stimulation of ROS synthesis in vivo. E407a promotes cell death of leukocytes both in vivo and in vitro.

The relationship of vip level with cardiopulmonary parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in combination with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with hypertension occupy a leading position in morbidity and mortality in the world. The question of studying a single pathological way of their development, the search for diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in this comorbid pathology remains relevant. The aim of the study was to study cardiopulmonary parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with concomitant hypertension, depending on the level of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 99 patients with COPD GOLD 2 were examined, 54 of whom had concomitant hypertension II stage, in which the dependence of lipid metabolism, spirometry and hemodynamic parameters, depending on the level of VIP in blood serum. RESULTS: Results and conclusions: It was established that the smallest values of VIP and the greatest changes in cardiopulmonary parameters, lipid metabolism were found in the cohort of persons with concomitant hypertension. There was a significant decrease in spirometry values and an increase in hemodynamic parameters, respectively, a decrease in VIP levels in patients with COPD in combination with hypertension, which may indicate its role in the formation of these pathologies due to a decrease in its protective function, both in relation to apoptosis of alveolar cells and in relation to progression atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. It was also noted that in patients with the lowest VIP serum levels, a more rapid formation of COPD was observed. The data obtained make it possible to consider VIP as a diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for the comorbid pathology examined.