Anti-inflammatory effect of glucose-mannose binding lectins isolated from Brazilian beans.

Selectins are essential for leukocyte recruitment in inflammation. Because of a lectin domain present in the selectin structure, we investigated the anti-inflammtory activity of six mannose-glucose binding lectins from brazilian beans: Dioclea guianensis-DguiL; D. grandiflora-DgL; Cratylia floribunda-CfL; D. violacea-D.vL; D. virgata-DvirL and Canavalia brasiliensis-ConBr. The lectins were injected intravenously (i.v.) into rats (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg; 30 min before irritants) and its activities compared to E. coli endotoxin (LPS,30 mug/kg i.v.). Three lectins (DvL, CfL and DguiL), although less intense than LPS, inhibited the neutrophil migration induced by carrageenan (Cg, 300 mug) in a dose-dependent manner (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg). DvL activity was reversed by 0.1 M alpha-D-methyl-mannoside (alpha-CH3), but not by 0.1 M alpha-D-galactose. The fMLP (44 ng)-induced neutrophil migration was also reduced by these lectins. Endotoxin contamination of lectin samples could be excluded since alpha-CH3 treatment reversed the DvL effect, but did not modify LPS inhibitory activity. Carrageenan (300 mug)-induced paw oedema was also reduced by LPS or lectin treatments. Conversely, none of the tested lectins inhibited dextran (Dex, 300 mug)-induced paw oedema, a classical leukocyte independent model, or zymosan (Zy, 1.0 mg)-induced peritonitis and paw oedema. LPS showed no effect upon Dex-induced paw oedema and barely reduced (25%) the oedematogenic effects of zymosan. As proposed for LPS, the lectin inhibitory activity was better observed on neutrophil-mediated inflammatory reactions. We speculate that the plant lectin antiinflammatory activity is probably due to a competitive blockage of a common leukocyte and/or endothelial selectin carbohydrate ligand.

Recent trends in the mortality rate from renal disease in children and young adults in New York City.

Analysis has shown that the over-all death rate from renal disease for residents of New York City under 25 years of age has declined from 4.6 per 100,000 in 1950 to 2.3 per 100,000 in 1970. Nephritis and nephrosis was the major disease category accounting for this decrease in deaths. A similar trend was found for the United States as a whole. Other causes of renal disease did not manifest consistent changes in death rates. The decline in deaths from nephritis and nephrosis could not be ascribed solely to changing diagnostic habits or terminology. A possible alternative explanation is a change in the natural history of these diseases. Data of this type might be useful as an index to future trends in the mortality rate from renal diseases and as one basis for projections of potential future needs for dialysis and renal transplantation. Using 1965 data, we estimate the number of such potential candidates in New York City would have been 9 per 1,000,000 for the 5 to 14 year age group and 23 per 1,000,000 for the 15 to 24 year age group. There are significant limitations of projections based on such data. These estimates of potential candidates for chronic dialysis or renal transplantation are the first available for children in the United States.