Mast cell response to formaldehyde. 1. Modulation of mediator release.

To examine the effects of the atmospheric pollutant formaldehyde on functionally distinct mast cells, peritoneal mast cells (PMC), intestinal mucosal mast cells (IMMC) and mouse bone-marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) were incubated with various concentrations of formaldehyde. Pretreatment for 30 min with up to 100 micrograms/ml formaldehyde was not cytotoxic to mast cells. Formaldehyde (1-10 micrograms/ml) alone induced low levels of histamine release (< 10%) from IMMC and BMMC. Antigen-induced histamine release was significantly increased in both PMC pretreated with low concentrations of formaldehyde (5-20 micrograms/ml) and BMMC pretreated with 10 micrograms/ml formaldehyde but decreased in PMC pretreated with a higher concentration (100 micrograms/ml) of formaldehyde. By contrast, antigen-induced histamine release was decreased in IMMC pretreated with formaldehyde in a dose-dependent manner. Histamine release stimulated with A23187 was also increased in PMC pretreated with a low concentration (10 micrograms/ml) of formaldehyde but decreased in those pretreated with a higher concentration (100 micrograms/ml) of formaldehyde. Pretreatment with 10 micrograms/ml formaldehyde significantly enhanced beta-hexosaminidase release from PMC stimulated with antigen or A23187. Compared to sham-treated PMC, PMC pretreated with formaldehyde expressed a markedly depressed natural cytotoxicity for the tumor target WEHI-164 (an assay of tumor necrosis factor alpha activity). These results suggest that formaldehyde modifies various mast cell functions through alterations in cellular metabolism. Such effects may be important in respiratory and other diseases associated with formaldehyde exposure.

Enhanced antibody production in W/Wv mice exposed to ozone.

To investigate the modulation of defense mechanisms by ozone (O3) exposure, mast-cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/WV and normal WBB6F1(-)+/+ mice were continuously exposed to 0.8 ppm O3 for 7 days. Although no differences in weights of lung, thymus and spleen were shown between exposed and control W/WV mice, antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in exposed W/WV mice was markedly enhanced compared to control W/WV mice. In normal +/+ mice O3 exposure induced an increase in lung weight but did not enhance antibody production. These studies suggest that the susceptibility of W/WV mice to O3 may be different from that of +/+ mice.

Effects of instillation of fly ash in the lung: physiochemical properties and immune responses.

In this study, we examined physiochemical properties of fly ash and aluminum silicate and investigated the effects of these compounds on IgE antibody production and macrophage response in the lung. Fly ash was round in shape, and aluminum silicate was indefinite in shape with respirable size. Both compounds consisted of alumina and silica as the main elements with respirable size. Enhanced IgE and IgG antiovalbumin (OA) antibody production was observed in mice first instilled intratracheally with the aluminum compounds and then given OA aerosol exposure. Histopathologic observations after instillation of fly ash and aluminum silicate showed that a large number of macrophages had ingested the compounds. However, the amount of free compound and the distribution of macrophages were different in mice given fly ash from those given aluminum silicate. These data indicate that particles of fly ash and aluminum silicate instilled into lung act as adjuvant for the production of IgE and IgG antibodies.

[Clinical studies on aztreonam in various infections in obstetrics and gynecology].

Aztreonam (AZT) was administered to 10 patients with obstetric and gynecologic infections to evaluate its clinical effect. Two-four grams of AZT per day (b.i.d.) were administered for the treatment for 4-15 days by intravenous drip infusion or intravenous injection. AZT was effective for 3 cases of pelvic peritonitis, 1 case of pyoovarium and 2 cases of Bartholin's abscess. For 2 cases of intrauterine infection, AZT was effective for 1 case, and the other case could not be judged. For 2 cases of local infection, AZT was effective for 1 case and ineffective for 1 case. Efficacy rate was 89% for the 9 cases excluding the 1 unevaluable case. Microbiological effect was determined for 4 out of 10 cases. Two strains of Haemophilus influenzae and one each of Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Streptococcus intermedius were isolated, but all of them were eliminated for a elimination rate of 100%. Neither abnormal laboratory findings in hepatic or renal functions, etc. nor side effects were recognized.