Mechanism of Anti-rotavirus Synergistic Activity by Epigallocatechin Gallate and a Proanthocyanidin-Containing Nutraceutical.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) of green tea and the nutraceutical CystiCran®-40 (containing 40% proanthocyanidins) of the cranberry plant have been associated with antiviral activity. The purpose of this work was to determine the mechanism of antiviral synergy between each compound. Coliphage T4II (phage T4) and the rotavirus strain SA-11(RTV) were used as model virus systems. Individual and combined flavonoids structural and molecular weight analyses were performed by NMR and HPCL/MS, respectively. A suboptimal concentration of EGCG or C-40 alone or in combination reduced phage infectivity by ≤10%. Similarly, EGCG (30 µg/ml) and C-40 (25 µg/ml), respectively, reduced RTV titers by 3 and 13%. However, RTV titers were reduced by 32% (p < .05) with both flavonoids used in combination. RTV was not recognized in host cells by electron microscopy 24-h post-inoculation. NMR and HPLC/MS findings revealed significant structural and potential changes in molecular weight of the flavonoids in complex.

JNK modulates FOXO3a for the expression of the mitochondrial death and mitophagy marker BNIP3 in pathological hypertrophy and in heart failure.

Bcl-2 E1B 19-KDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) is a mitochondrial death and mitophagy marker, which is involved in inducing cardiac remodeling post myocardial infarction. In this study, we show that BNIP3 expression increases in stressed cardiomyocytes in vitro and in response to pressure overload in vivo, and that its transcription is directly related to JNK activity. BNIP3 expression gradually increased in the first weeks after pressure overload and peaked at the heart failure stage. Ultrastructurally, the mitochondrial area was inversely proportional to BNIP3 expression. Both JNK and AKT activities increased with pressure overload; however, JNK signaling dominated over AKT signaling for the activation of the transcription factor FOXO3a and for the transcription of its effector, BNIP3. 3-methyladenine attenuated JNK signaling and significantly decreased BNIP3 expression and reversed cardiac remodeling in heart failure. Ultrastructurally, the mitochondrial area was significantly increased in the 3-methyladenine group compared with placebo. Moreover, adenoviral gene delivery of dominant negative JNK in a rat model of pressure overload hypertrophy abolished the increase in BNIP3 expression in response to pressure overload. These results suggest that JNK signaling is a critical modulator of the transcription factor FOXO3a driving the expression of its effector, BNIP3, in heart failure and that JNK, through BNIP3, induces mitochondrial apoptosis and mitophagy.

Antiviral effects on bacteriophages and rotavirus by cranberry juice.

Studies were undertaken to investigate the antiviral effects of comestible juices, especially cranberry juice, on non-related viral species. After exposure of bacteriophage T2 to a commercially available cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) juice cocktail (CJ), virus infectivity titer was no longer detectible. After a 60-min exposure to orange (OJ) and grapefruit juices (GJ), phage infectivity was reduced to 25-35% of control, respectively. Similar data were observed for the bacteriophage T4. CJ inactivation of phage T4 was rapid, dose-dependent, and occurred at either 4 or 23 degrees C. Neither pH nor differences in sugar/carbohydrate levels among the juices may be ascribed to the recognized antiviral effects. Further studies were performed to identify the occurrence of antiviral activity by CJ to a mammalian enteric virus. The treatment of the simian rotavirus SA-11 with a 20% CJ suspension was sufficient to inhibit hemagglutination. Under scanning and transmission electron microscopy, CJ was observed to inhibit the adsorption of phage T4 to its bacterial host cells and prevented the replication of rotavirus in its monkey kidney (MA-104) host cells, respectively. The data suggest, for the first time, a non-specific antiviral effect towards unrelated viral species (viz., bacteriophages T2 and T4 and the simian rotavirus SA-11) by a commercially available cranberry fruit juice drink.

Preimplantation diagnosis of a lysosomal storage disorder by in situ enzymatic activity: 'proof of principle' in acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice.

Genetic diagnosis of preimplantation embryos (PGD) can substantially reduce the chance that at-risk couples have children afflicted with inherited diseases. However, PGD requires DNA,which is usually obtained from single cells following embryo biopsy. In addition, PGD requires that the genetic defect(s) causing the disorder be known. We have therefore developed an alternative to PGD, which we term preimplantation enzymatic diagnosis (PED). PED has several advantages over PGD, including the facts that it does not require embryo biopsy and that the gene defect(s) causing the disorder need not be known. We have demonstrated 'proof of principle' for this approach using embryos obtained from a mouse model (ASMKO mice) of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)-deficient Niemann-Pick disease, an inherited lysosomal storage disorder. For this technique, fluorescently (BODIPY)-conjugated sphingomyelin was used to detect ASM activity in situ. Wild-type, preimplantation embryos degraded the substrate following a short 'pulse-chase' period, resulting in markedly reduced fluorescence compared to ASMKO embryos, which retained the fluorescent substrate. Thus, the two embryo types could be easily distinguished by fluorescent microscopy. The fluorescent sphingomyelin was not toxic to the embryos, and the entire procedure could be accomplished within 48 h without embryo biopsy. We suggest that PED may be useful for the preimplantation diagnosis of lysosomal storage disorders, and perhaps other enzymatic defects where similar in situ assay methods are available.

Tissue injury following inhalation of fine particulate matter and hydrogen peroxide is associated with altered production of inflammatory mediators and antioxidants by alveolar macrophages.

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is present in the atmosphere at concentrations known to induce cell and tissue damage. However, inhaled H(2)O(2) vapor should not reach the lower lung due to its high water solubility. It has been suggested that hygroscopic components of particulate matter (PM) may transport H(2)O(2) into the lower lung and induce tissue injury and this was investigated. Ammonium sulfate [(NH(4))(2)SO(4)] was selected as a model for fine atmospheric PM. Treatment of female Sprague-Dawley rats with (NH(4))(2)SO(4) (429 or 215 microg/m(3); 0.3-0.4 microm mass median diameter) or H(2)O(2) (10, 20, or 100 ppb) alone or in combination for 2 h had no major effect on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell number or viability or on protein content or lactate dehydrogenase levels, either immediately or 24 h after exposure, relative to air-exposed rats. However, electron microscopy revealed increased numbers of neutrophils in pulmonary capillaries adhered to the vascular endothelium in rats treated with the combination of (NH(4))(2)SO(4) + H(2)O(2). Exposure of rats to (NH(4))(2)SO(4) + H(2)O(2) also resulted in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by alveolar macrophages. This was observed immediately and 24 h after exposure. Immediately after inhalation of (NH(4))(2)SO(4) + H(2)O(2), a transient increase in production of superoxide anion by alveolar macrophages was observed. In contrast, nitric oxide production by cells from rats exposed to (NH(4))(2)SO(4) + H(2)O(2) or H(2)O(2) alone was decreased, and this persisted for 24 h. Decreases in nitric oxide may be due to superoxide anion-driven formation of peroxynitrite. In this regard, nitrotyrosine, an in vivo marker of peroxynitrite, was detected in lung tissue after exposure of rats to (NH(4))(2)SO(4) + H(2)O(2) or H(2)O(2). We also found that expression of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 by stimulated alveolar macrophages was increased following exposure of rats to (NH(4))(2)SO(4) + H(2)O(2). Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the biological effects of inhaled fine PM are augmented by H(2)O(2). Moreover, tissue injury induced by fine PM may be related to altered production of cytotoxic mediators by alveolar macrophages.

Cathepsin k is a critical protease in synovial fibroblast-mediated collagen degradation.

Synovial fibroblasts (SFs) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are directly involved in joint destruction. Both SF-resident matrix metalloproteases and cathepsins have been implicated in cartilage degradation although their identities and individual contributions remain unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate the expression of cathepsin K in SFs, the correlation between cathepsin K expression and disease severity, and the contribution of cathepsin K to fibroblast-mediated collagen degradation. Immunostaining of joint specimens of 21 patients revealed high expression of cathepsin K in SFs in the synovial lining and the stroma of synovial villi, and to a lesser extent in CD68-positive cells of the synovial lining. Cathepsin K-positive SFs were consistently observed at sites of cartilage and bone degradation. Expression levels of cathepsin K in the sublining and vascularized areas of inflamed synovia showed a highly significant negative correlation with results derived from the Hannover Functional Capacity Questionnaire (r = 0.78, P = 0.003; and r = 0.70, P = 0.012, respectively) as a measure of the severity of RA in individual patients. For comparison, there was no correlation between Hannover Functional Capacity Questionnaire and cathepsin S whose expression is limited to CD-68-positive macrophage-like synoviocytes. The expression of cathepsin K was also demonstrated in primary cell cultures of RA-SFs. Co-cultures of SFs on cartilage disks revealed the ability of fibroblast-like cells to phagocytose collagen fibrils whose intralysosomal hydrolysis was prevented in the presence of a potent cathepsin K inhibitor but not by an inhibitor effective against cathepsins L, B, and S. The selective and critical role of cathepsin K in articular cartilage and subchondral bone erosion was further corroborated by the finding that cathepsin K has a potent aggrecan-degrading activity and that cathepsin K-generated aggrecan cleavage products specifically potentiate the collagenolytic activity of cathepsin K toward type I and II collagens. This study demonstrates for the first time a critical role of cathepsin K in cartilage degradation by SFs in RA that is comparable to its well-known activity in osteoclasts.

The presynaptic particle web: ultrastructure, composition, dissolution, and reconstitution.

We report the purification of a presynaptic "particle web" consisting of approximately 50 nm pyramidally shaped particles interconnected by approximately 100 nm spaced fibrils. This is the "presynaptic grid" described in early EM studies. It is completely soluble above pH 8, but reconstitutes after dialysis against pH 6. Interestingly, reconstituted particles orient and bind PSDs asymmetrically. Mass spectrometry of purified web components reveals major proteins involved in the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles and in membrane retrieval. Our data support the idea that the CNS synaptic junction is organized by transmembrane adhesion molecules interlinked in the synaptic cleft, connected via their intracytoplasmic domains to the presynaptic web on one side and to the postsynaptic density on the other. The CNS synaptic junction may therefore be conceptualized as a complicated macromolecular scaffold that isostatically bridges two closely aligned plasma membranes.

Analysis of the lung pathology and alveolar macrophage function in the acid sphingomyelinase--deficient mouse model of Niemann-Pick disease.

Types A and B Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) are lipid storage diseases caused by the deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM). Type B NPD is associated with progressive pulmonary function decline and frequent respiratory infections. ASM knock-out (ASMKO) mice are available as a model for NPD, but the lung pathology in these mice has not been adequately characterized. This study shows that by 10 weeks of age ASMKO mice have a significantly higher number of cells in their pulmonary airspaces than normal mice, consisting primarily of enlarged and often multinucleated macrophages. These mice also have much higher levels of sphingomyelin in their airspaces at 10 weeks of age, and both cell numbers and sphingomyelin concentrations remain elevated until 26 weeks of age. In these older mice an increased number of neutrophils is also seen. The alveolar cell population in the ASMKO mice produces less superoxide when stimulated, but this can be corrected by providing recombinant ASM to the culture media. Elevated levels of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha were also present in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of ASMKO mice, and this correlated with increased production of these chemokines by cultured macrophages and enhanced immunostaining in situ. Also, lung histology showed increased cellularity in the alveolar walls of ASMKO mice, but no evidence of fibrosis. Ultrastructural analysis of the lungs showed that the ASMKO mice have similar pathologic features to human NPD patients, with variable lipid storage evident in type I pneumocytes, endothelial cells, and airway ciliated epithelia. The alveolar macrophage, however, was the most dramatically affected cell type in both mice and humans. These studies indicate that the ASMKO mice can be used as a model to study the lung pathology associated with NPD, and demonstrate that the cellular and biochemical analysis of pulmonary airspaces may be a useful approach to monitoring disease progression and/or treatment.

Beta(3)-integrin-deficient mice but not P-selectin-deficient mice develop intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury: correlation with leukocyte recruitment to adherent platelets 1 hour after injury.

BACKGROUND: Intimal hyperplasia contributes to restenosis after percutaneous vascular interventions. Both beta(3)-integrins, alpha(V)beta(3) and alpha(IIb)beta(3) (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa), and leukocytes have been implicated in neointimal formation, based in part on the results obtained using antagonists to 1 or both receptors in animal models. METHODS AND RESULTS: The responses in wild-type mice, beta(3)-integrin-deficient mice, and P-selectin-deficient mice were studied in a model of transluminal endothelial injury of the femoral artery. At 4 weeks, beta(3)-integrin-deficient mice were not protected from developing intimal hyperplasia, whereas P-selectin-deficient mice were protected. Within 1 hour of injury, several layers of platelets deposited on the arteries of wild-type mice and a single layer of platelets deposited on the vessels of beta(3)-integrin-deficient mice; in both cases, leukocytes were recruited to the platelet layer. In P-selectin-deficient mice, the platelet layer was less compact and extended further into the lumen but did not recruit leukocytes. CONCLUSIONS: In a model of transluminal arterial injury, absence of early leukocyte recruitment and not deficiency of beta(3)-integrins correlated with a reduction in neointimal formation. Blockade of P-selectins may be an effective therapeutic strategy to decrease restenosis after percutaneous vascular interventions.

A phase 1/2 clinical trial of enzyme replacement in fabry disease: pharmacokinetic, substrate clearance, and safety studies.

Fabry disease results from deficient alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A) activity and the pathologic accumulation of the globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) and related glycosphingolipids, primarily in vascular endothelial lysosomes. Treatment is currently palliative, and affected patients generally die in their 40s or 50s. Preclinical studies of recombinant human alpha-Gal A (r-halphaGalA) infusions in knockout mice demonstrated reduction of GL-3 in tissues and plasma, providing rationale for a phase 1/2 clinical trial. Here, we report a single-center, open-label, dose-ranging study of r-halphaGalA treatment in 15 patients, each of whom received five infusions at one of five dose regimens. Intravenously administered r-halphaGalA was cleared from the circulation in a dose-dependent manner, via both saturable and non-saturable pathways. Rapid and marked reductions in plasma and tissue GL-3 were observed biochemically, histologically, and/or ultrastructurally. Clearance of plasma GL-3 was dose-dependent. In patients with pre- and posttreatment biopsies, mean GL-3 content decreased 84% in liver (n=13), was markedly reduced in kidney in four of five patients, and after five doses was modestly lowered in the endomyocardium of four of seven patients. GL-3 deposits were cleared to near normal or were markedly reduced in the vascular endothelium of liver, skin, heart, and kidney, on the basis of light- and electron-microscopic evaluation. In addition, patients reported less pain, increased ability to sweat, and improved quality-of-life measures. Infusions were well tolerated; four patients experienced mild-to-moderate reactions, suggestive of hypersensitivity, that were managed conservatively. Of 15 patients, 8 (53%) developed IgG antibodies to r-halphaGalA; however, the antibodies were not neutralizing, as indicated by unchanged pharmacokinetic values for infusions 1 and 5. This study provides the basis for a phase 3 trial of enzyme-replacement therapy for Fabry disease.

Fabry disease: preclinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of alpha-galactosidase A replacement in enzyme-deficient mice.

Preclinical studies of enzyme-replacement therapy for Fabry disease (deficient alpha-galactosidase A [alpha-Gal A] activity) were performed in alpha-Gal A-deficient mice. The pharmacokinetics and biodistributions were determined for four recombinant human alpha-Gal A glycoforms, which differed in sialic acid and mannose-6-phosphate content. The plasma half-lives of the glycoforms were approximately 2-5 min, with the more sialylated glycoforms circulating longer. After intravenous doses of 1 or 10 mg/kg body weight were administered, each glycoform was primarily recovered in the liver, with detectable activity in other tissues but not in the brain. Normal or greater activity levels were reconstituted in various tissues after repeated doses (10 mg/kg every other day for eight doses) of the highly sialylated AGA-1 glycoform; 4 d later, enzyme activity was retained in the liver and spleen at levels that were, respectively, 30% and 10% of that recovered 1 h postinjection. Importantly, the globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) substrate was depleted in various tissues and plasma in a dose-dependent manner. A single or repeated doses (every 48 h for eight doses) of AGA-1 at 0.3-10.0 mg/kg cleared hepatic GL-3, whereas higher doses were required for depletion of GL-3 in other tissues. After a single dose of 3 mg/kg, hepatic GL-3 was cleared for > or =4 wk, whereas cardiac and splenic GL-3 reaccumulated at 3 wk to approximately 30% and approximately 10% of pretreatment levels, respectively. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated reduced GL-3 storage posttreatment. These preclinical animal studies demonstrate the dose-dependent clearance of tissue and plasma GL-3 by administered alpha-Gal A, thereby providing the in vivo rationale-and the critical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data-for the design of enzyme-replacement trials in patients with Fabry disease.

Basement membrane alterations in psoriasis are accompanied by epidermal overexpression of MMP-2 and its inhibitor TIMP-2.

Psoriasis is most probably an inherited disease characterized by cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and an inflammatory process. The pathophysiology remains unknown, although an alteration in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion versus an autoimmune process has been proposed as the primary defect. Here, we show evidence of a new mechanism involving basement membrane alterations accompanied by keratinocyte overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2) in both uninvolved and involved psoriatic skin. Immunocytochemistry with antibodies against collagen IV (alpha1, alpha2 chains) and laminins (alpha2, alpha5, beta1, gamma1 chains) revealed gaps, folding, and reduplication of the epidermo-dermal basement membrane. There was overexpression of MMP-2 in the cytoplasm of suprabasal keratinocytes. Gelatin zymography revealed pro-MMP-2 and its activated form, a-MMP-2, in both uninvolved and involved psoriatic skin, whereas pro-MMP-9 was only present in involved skin. TIMP-2 was expressed at the cell surface of psoriatic involved suprabasal keratinocytes whereas it was restricted to basal keratinocytes in uninvolved areas. Western blots showed a marked increase in a-MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in uninvolved and involved psoriatic skin although it was more pronounced in the latter. MT1-MP, known to activate pro-MMP-2, was increased in involved areas. In situ hybridization revealed strong signals of MMP-2 mRNA in both uninvolved and involved psoriatic epidermis. The overexpression of MMP-2 in uninvolved and involved psoriatic epidermis supports the concept that the primary alteration may reside in the keratinocyte. In addition, the presence of the activated form of MMP-2 could be responsible for cell-cell and cell-matrix changes noted in psoriatic epidermis.

Morphometric and electron microscopic analyses of the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment on arteriole size in uterine leiomyomas.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been performed on the vascular changes in leiomyomas from patients treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHAs). OBJECTIVE: To measure luminal diameter and wall thickness of arterioles in uterine leiomyomas using a quantitative stereologic method of analysis. DESIGN: Thirty leiomyomas from 3 study groups were used: (1) patients treated with GnRHAs (10 patient samples), (2) age-matched controls (10 patient samples), and (3) postmenopausal women (10 patient samples). Measurements of arteriolar luminal diameter and wall thickness were made using a video-based, computerized system attached to the microscope, for which a morphometric ad hoc program was written. Electron micrographs were made of random arterioles from the first 2 groups (GnRHA-treated patients and age-matched controls). SETTING: Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. PATIENTS: A total of 30 patient samples were studied, with 3 groups comprising 10 samples each, including patients treated with GnRHAs, age-matched control patients, and postmenopausal women. RESULTS: Arterioles in myomas from patients treated with GnRHAs had slightly larger luminal diameters and significantly thicker walls than age-matched controls and resembled arterioles from postmenopausal women. The thickening was due to smooth muscle cell hyperplasia in the muscularis media. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with GnRHAs causes a thickening of the walls of intramyomatous arterioles, which resemble those of postmenopausal women. This thickening may play a role in the decreased flow of blood reported in GnRHA treatment.

Thyroid organoid formation in simulated microgravity: influence of keratinocyte growth factor.

The generation of artificial human thyroid tissues in suspension (low-shear environment, present in simulated microgravity [MG] and generated by a rotary cell culture system [RCCS]), was enhanced by increasing medium kinematic viscosity with a (3% v/v) suspension of extracellular matrix (basement membrane extract [BME]) in serum-free medium to generate artificial human thyroid organoids. Recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF, 7 ng/mL) facilitated human thyrocyte aggregation and three-dimensional (3-D) differentiation. There was an MG-associated decrease in extractable DNA that was reversed after addition of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). In simulated MG, the increase in extractable DNA after KGF addition was up to 170% over non-KGF control cultures. In contrast, monolayer cultures in unit gravity showed a maximum DNA increase of 39% after KGF addition. Morphologically, differentiated thyroid neofollicles displayed polarization and were located in close proximity after 2 weeks of culture. Immunogold labeling with antibody to human thyroglobulin (Tg) revealed staining of follicular lumina and secretory vesicles, and a time-dependent increase in human Tg was detected in the culture media. Culture under simulated MG thus allowed direct visualization of KGF-facilitated thyrocyte/extracellular matrix interaction. Such artificial human thyroid organoids-generated in MG and in the presence of KGF-structurally resembled natural thyroid tissue. The above findings may have implications for autoimmune thyroid disease where KGF (if, for example, secreted locally by intraepithelial gammadelta T cells among other cells) may contribute to thyroid cell growth.

Correlation of asbestos fiber burdens in fallopian tubes and ovarian tissue.

Evidence suggests an increased risk of ovarian cancer with asbestos exposure. Ovaries and corresponding fallopian tubes were studied by analytic electron microscopy. There was 71.4% agreement between tube and ovary for presence-type of asbestos. The fallopian tube can provide useful information regarding asbestos exposure when no ovarian tissue is available.

Hemispheric language dominance in children demonstrated by functional magnetic resonance imaging.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate hemispheric language dominance in normal children. Fifteen normal children were evaluated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an age-related silent word spelling paradigm. The data were analyzed with the cross-correlation method, and lateralization indices were calculated in language regions as determined by Talairach coordinates. Activation foci were detected in the left inferior frontal area and were strongly lateralized, with language lateralization indices of 0.74 +/- 0.21 (age 7-12 years, nine subjects), and 0.79 +/- 0.18 (13-18 years, six subjects). The indices were similar to those for adults (0.83 +/- 0.21, four subjects). Our study established that language is strongly lateralized to the left hemisphere in children as young as 7 years of age.

Photoinduced dermal pigmentation in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants: histology, electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy.

Two patients had been taking long-term tricyclic antidepressant therapy. Each developed a blue to slate-gray hyperpigmentation in sun-exposed areas. On histologic examination there were refractile golden brown granules free in the dermis along collagen bundles. Similar pigment was present in macrophages and along the basement membrane zone. The granules stained for melanin, but not for iron, and were bleached by the permanganate method. Electron microscopy showed varying size and shaped electron-dense granules within lysosomes and free in the dermis, which, in unstained sections, showed a less dense peripheral halo. This peripheral halo was also evident on light microscopy. Energy dispersive spectroscopy showed these granules to be rich in copper and sulfur (elements present in tyrosinase and pheomelanin, respectively). We believe that this represents a drug-melanosome complex, which is most likely caused by chronic photoactivation.

Presence of asbestos in peritoneal malignant mesotheliomas in women.

Heller DS, Gordon RE, Clement PB, Turnnir R, Katz N. Presence of asbestos in peritoneal malignant mesotheliomas in women. Asbestos plays a causal role in pleural mesotheliomas. The role in peritoneal mesotheliomas is less clear, particularly in women, who are less likely to have an exposure history. Seven peritoneal malignant mesotheliomas in women with no recorded asbestos exposure were analyzed in this report. Tissue digestion was performed on paraffin blocks of tumor. Transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and electron diffraction were performed for tissue fiber burden and fiber identification. Asbestos fiber burdens were present in 6 cases. Two showed crocidolite, 2 showed chrysotile, one showed chrysotile and amosite, and one showed chrysotile and tremolite. Fiber burdens ranged from 56,738 to 1,963,250 fibers per gram wet weight tissue. All fibers counted were between 1 and 5 microns. This study demonstrates asbestos in peritoneal mesotheliomas in women. Asbestos may play a role in the development of these tumors.

Taurine protects rat bronchioles from acute ozone exposure: a freeze fracture and electron microscopic study.

Dietary taurine has been shown to protect rat and hamster lung epithelia from acute oxidant injury. One of the earliest morphologic criteria of oxidant injury is the alteration of tight junctions of the peripheral lung airways. In the present study, we have used this criteria to evaluate whether taurine was capable of protecting rat lungs from ozone exposure. Rats were treated for 10 days with 50% taurine in their drinking water, prior to exposure to 2 ppm of ozone for 3 hours. The lungs from rats pretreated with taurine and exposed to ozone were compared to untreated rats exposed to ozone and air-exposed controls. At 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exposure to air or ozone, rats were anesthetized and the lungs perfusion-fixed through the right side of the heart with a solution of glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde. Light microscopy revealed the typical, mild inflammatory cell infiltrate beginning at 6 hours after ozone exposure in bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and surrounding alveoli which was absent in the lungs of animals treated with taurine. Electron microscopic analysis of thin sections indicated alterations in tight junctions which was confirmed by tracer studies using ruthenium red and lanthanum. Alterations in airway epithelium tight junctions were seen 2 and 6 hours after ozone treatment and only in the 2-hour tissues from animals pretreated with taurine prior to ozone exposure. Freeze-fracture replicas from all exposure groups by electron microscopy revealed that only the 2- and 6-hour groups showed alterations in tight junctions. The alterations were characterized by decreased number of fibrils and breaks in the fibrils. Rats treated with taurine and exposed to ozone exhibited these alterations focally at 2 hours exposure and no changes were noted at 6 hours post ozone exposure. These data confirmed previous findings that injury induced by ozone is transient and that taurine protects the bronchioles from this form of oxidant injury.