Changes in protein profile detected in seedlings of Caesalpinia peltophoroides (Fabaceae) after exposure to high concentration of cadmium.

Sibipiruna (Caesalpinia peltophoroides Benth) is a tree of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. It is a flowering ornamental tree widely planted throughout Brazil and indicated for restoration of degraded areas. We examined protein profile changes in leaves of seedlings of C. peltophoroides grown in nutrient solution under greenhouse conditions, after exposure to cadmium (Cd; 32 mg/L). A two-dimensional gel was used to analyze proteins expressed in response to stress 24 and 72 h after initiation of treatment with Cd. Various protein bands were identified that were related to stress response and/or metabolic adjustments, including proteins involved with resistance to stress, including detoxification, degradation, antioxidant, transport, signal transduction, photosynthesis, electron transport, biosynthesis reactions, and transcription regulation. After 24 h of Cd exposure, the genes of most of these proteins were upregulated. These putative proteins were associated with resistance to stress, including heat shock proteins, heat stress transcriptional factor and other transcriptional factors, aquaporins, glutathione transferase and choline monooxygenase. Most of the putative proteins observed after 72 h of exposure to Cd were downregulated. They were mainly photosynthetic process proteins, such as NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase, photosystem I assembly, and photosystem II CP47 chlorophyll apoprotein. There were also proteins involved with degradation, biosynthesis and antioxidant activity, such as ATP-dependent Clp protease, methylthioribose-1-phosphate and glutathione peroxidase 2. Based on preliminary proteomic analysis, we conclude that proteins related to photosynthetic activity are inhibited, decreasing plant performance under stress conditions and that several proteins related to defense mechanisms are activated, inducing the plant defense response.

Sedative, anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of Citrus limon (Burn) essential oil in mice.

We examined the sedative, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of essential oil (EO) of leaves from Citrus limon, which has been used as one of the most popular compounds in Brazilian traditional herbal medicine. The effects of EO were demonstrated by open-field, elevated-plus-maze, rota rod, pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, and forced swimming tests in mice. In the open-field test, EO at the doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, after oral administration, significantly decreased the number of crossings, grooming, and rearing. In the elevated-plus-maze (EPM) test, EO increased the time of permanence and the number of entrances in the open arms. On the contrary, the time of permanence and the number of entrances in the closed arms were decreased. In the rota rod test, EO did not alter motor coordination and, thus, was devoid of effects, as related to controls. In the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time test, EO at the same doses significantly increased the animals sleeping time duration. Since EO, at the doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, did not show a sedative effect in the open field test, these three doses were used in the forced swimming test, producing a decrease in the immobility time, similarly to that of imipramine (positive control). However, the antidepressant effects of EO were not altered by the previous administration of paroxetine. In addition, effects of EO in the forced swimming test were totally blocked by reserpine pretreatment. In conclusion, the present work evidenced sedative and anxiolytic effects of EO that might involve an action on benzodiazepine-type receptors, and also an antidepressant effect where noradrenergic and serotoninergic mechanisms will probably play a role.

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome as a cause of road traffic accidents.

UNLABELLED: Several studies have demonstrated that obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) patients have a higher rate of road traffic accidents. Our study aimed to analyse any differences in OSAS patients between those who reported having had road traffic accidents and/or near misses and those who did not. METHODS: We studied 163 patients with OSAS (apnoea- hypopnoea index (AHI)>10/h) diagnosed using nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG), all drivers, 18.4% of whom drove for a living. Patients were asked at their first clinical interview to self-report road traffic accidents and/or near misses over the past 3 years which had been caused by abnormal daytime drowsiness. This allowed patients to be divided into two groups, those who had had road traffic accidents and/or near misses and those who had not. Both were compared as to age, body mass index (BMI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), daytime PaO2 and PaCO2, Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) test and NPSG data. This latter was total sleep time (TTS), sleep efficiency, sleep stages, arousal index (ARI), AHI, minimal and average SaO2, % of time with SaO2 < 90% (T90), desaturation index (ODI), total duration of apnoea-hypopnoea (TDAH) (T test). RESULTS: Group I (no road traffic accidents) No=89 patients; group II (road traffic accidents) No=74 patients. Age (years) was 57.6+/-11.8 vs. 54.7+/-10.9 (ns); male gender, 75% vs. 78.4%; ESS, 12.3+/-5.4 vs. 17.6+/-4.3 (p<0.001); BMI, (Kg/m2) 36.2+/-8.1 vs. 35.6+/-6.3 (ns); PaO2 (mmHg), 76.1+/-11.4 vs. 78.5+/-12.6 (ns); PaCO2 (mmHg), 42.6+/-5.1 vs. 42.2+/-4.7 (ns); FOSQ, 15.1+/-3.1 vs. 12.9+/-3.4 (p<0.001). NPSG data revealed differences only in AHI: 45.0+/-21.6 vs. 56.2+/-29.7 (p=0.01) and in TDAH (minutes), 98.5+/-63.7 vs. 133.3+/-83.2 (p=0,005). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience patients who had road traffic accidents and/or near misses had a more severe OSAS, with higher AHI, excessive daytime sleepiness and lower quality of life.

Energy costs of flowering, fruiting, and cherelle wilt in cacao.

Groups of 14-year-old cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) trees were hand pollinated, pollinated naturally or had their fruits continuously removed. Wilted and non-wilted cherelles (small fruits) were counted every 2 weeks, fallen flowers were counted weekly and mature pods were harvested monthly from 1983 through 1986. Carbohydrate, lipid and protein contents of wilted cherelles, mature pods and flowers were determined. Continuous removal of fruits caused a constant initiation of flowers and a significant increase in flowering intensity compared with the other treatments. The quantity of cherelles in the hand-pollinated trees was significantly greater than in the naturally pollinated trees. However, the number of mature fruits in both treatments was not statistically different because of increased cherelle wilting in the hand-pollinated trees. The continuously depodded trees allocated approximately 8 and 5 times more assimilate to flower production than the hand- and naturally pollinated trees, respectively. The naturally pollinated trees used only about one third as much energy for the production of flowers and wilted cherelles as the hand-pollinated trees, but about 1.4 times more energy than the depodded trees. It is concluded that fruit set in cacao is regulated by assimilate production and that cherelle wilting is the mechanism whereby the tree adjusts production.

Oral corticosteroids and histamine releasability of basophil granulocytes.

The influence of oral corticosteroid therapy (7.5 and 15 mg prednisolon/day for 8 days) on basophil releasability by antigens was investigated in a series of 16 patients with chronic obstructive airway disease. A significantly smaller histamine release was observed after the treatment. Different types of releasing curves were observed which mostly persisted after treatment.

[Histamine content of the sputum of patients with obstructive bronchitis]. / Untersuchungen zum Histamingehalt im Sputum von Patienten mit obstruktiver Bronchitis.

High histamine concentrations were measured in the sputum of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. The histamine concentration doubles or triples when the sputum is incubated for 24 and 72 h, respectively at 37 degrees C. The antibiotics therapy with doxycycline significantly inhibited the histamine formation in 8 patients, which was mainly caused by bacteria. In the sputum of one patient the histamine formation was reinforced in spite of the doxycycline therapy. The clinical importance of these findings is discussed.

Cell instability in basophil leukocytes of patients with chronic obstructive airway disease.

The histamine release from basophils induced by hypo-osmolarity was investigated in 75 healthy persons and in 43 patients with chronic obstructive airway disease. Leukocyte suspensions were diluted with destilled water in cell/water ratio volumen of 1:1, 1:3, and 1:7. Basophils, sequentially treated with increasing amounts of water, show an activation of the release process. A statistically significant age-dependent hypo-osmolar histamine liberation could be demonstrated. Furthermore, a significant higher cell stability was found for the group of patients.

The correlation between allergen, acetylcholine and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction.

A significant correlation between the degree of bronchial reactivity to ACH, Hi and A.E. was found in a series of 23 dogs. An increase in receptors sensitivity responsible for the organic manifestation of allergy must be assumed. This increased receptors sensitivity is an important phenomenon in asthma clinically relevant.

Effect of histamine, acetylcholine and compound 48/80 on bronchoconstriction and release of eicosanoids in the dog.

The effects of Hi and ACH aerosol and of intravenous infusion of compound 48/80 on bronchoconstriction and plasma levels of Hi, TXB2, KH2PGF2 alpha and KH2PGE2 were investigated in 11 bastard dogs. Administration of Hi and ACH aerosol induced bronchoconstriction accompanied by an increase in the plasma levels of Hi and TXB2. No effect on the plasma levels of KH2PGF2 alpha and KH2PGE2 was detected. Release of endogenous Hi by compound 48/80 induced bronchoconstriction and significant increases in the plasma levels of TXB2 as well as of KH2PGF2 alpha and KH2PGE2. The effects of a second administration of Hi and ACH aerosols after compound 48/80 did not differ qualitatively from the effects of the first aerosol administration. However, quantitatively, the second Hi aerosol induced significantly less bronchoconstriction and TXB2 release. Similarly, effects of the second ACH aerosol tended to be decreased as compared to the first ACH aerosol, although the difference was not significant. The diminished effect of the agonists could be due to receptor desensibilization and/or release of adrenaline, which in turn decreases bronchoconstriction and eicosanoid release.

[Influence of vagus nerve, histamine, prostaglandin and catecholamine on airway obstruction]. / Bedeutung des Nervus vagus, des Histamins, der Prostaglandine und der Katecholamine für die Atemwegsobstruktion.

In three series of experiments, aerosols of acetylcholine, histamine, and Ascaris were administered in a maximal concentration before and after bilateral vagus transection. Vagotomy induced a clear reduction of the dynamic elastance increase by maintaining a constant breath volume. The persisting reaction of the dynamic elastance after vagotomy depends on the intensity of the reaction before vagus transection. Acetylcholine induced the largest reaction. Changes in epinephrine and norepinephrine were found to be variable, but an increase related to dynamic elastance increase could be assumed. Acetylcholine induced a maximal increase in thromboxane B2, and Ascaris induced preferentially a maximal increase in the prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite 15-Keto-13, 14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha. Vagotomy showed no influence on changes of thromboxane B2, prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite, or histamine in arterial plasma. The variability in changes of these metabolites may be the cause of the clinical differences in obstructive airway diseases.

Partial sensory denervation of the upper respiratory tract on allergen- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction.

The influence of partial denervation of the upper part of the respiratory tract on histamine- and antigen-induced bronchoconstriction was investigated in a series of 12 boxer dogs. To achieve this purpose, the superior laryngeal, hypoglossal and glossopharyngeal nerves were sectioned. The prophylactic effect of unilateral transection of these nerves on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction originating in the upper respiratory tract could be demonstrated.

Histamine release into tracheal lumen and bronchial reactivity. Effect of local allergen administration on histamine release and bronchial reactivity.

The influence of tracheal lavage with an allergen on the airway response to bronchial challenge with histamine, acetylcholine, and ascaris extract was investigated in 36 dogs. High histamine concentrations were measured in the tracheal solution after lavage with allergen. This amine, released on the mucosal surface, was observed in only very small concentrations in the circulation. Airway response to acetylcholine inhalation was significantly increased after tracheal lavage with allergen. This hyperreactivity of the lower airways induced by tracheal lavage with an allergen suggests that a reflex mechanism is involved. After histamine inhalation a significantly larger antigen-induced histamine release to tracheal lumen was observed. No influence on airway response was found after tracheal lavage with H2O.

Effects of exogenous and endogenous histamine on the respiratory system.

There is a statistically strong correlation between the increase of the histamine concentration in the arterial plasma and the increase of airway resistance. The histamine causes a reflex bronchoconstriction on the sensory receptors. Histamine in low concentration increases the unspecific reaction in the bronchial system. This can also be achieved using low concentrations of allergen aerosols. Patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis show high concentrations of histamine in the sputum. The bronchoconstrictive potency of this histamine was found to be not always active. Higher concentrations of histamine can be liberated by washing the inner surface of the bronchial tree. Histamine injected in similar concentrations as that measured in the sputum causes bronchoconstriction. There should be high concentrations of histamine receptors as well as mast cells near the surface of the mucosa of the bronchial wall. There are many questions remaining open, which will be discussed.

[Histamine concentration in the arterial and venous blood, plasma and basophile leucocytes on patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis and on healthy persons ]. / Histamingehalt des arteriellen und venösen Vollblutes, Plasmas und der basophilen Granulozyten bei Patienten mit chronisch obstruktiver Bronchitis und gesunden Versuchsperonen.

Patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis (non atopics) show significant increased histamine concentrations in the plasma. In these patients the histamine concentration in the whole blood was also higher. The histamine concentration in the blood reflect primarily the concentration of basophiles. In individual patients very high plasma and whole blood histamine concentrations were found. The concentration of histamine in the venous plasma was about 2/3 of this of the arterial plasma. No difference in basophile histamine concentration was observed between patients and controls. The histamine concentrations in the plasma reflect primarily the high local histamine concentration in the bronchial mucosa. The plasma histamine concentration itself does not act as direct bronchoconstrictor. The histamine dependent bronchoconstriction is believed to be mostly reflex bronchoconstriction by challenge locally the sensoric receptors in the bronchial mucosa.

[Histamine content of the sputa of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis]. / Histamingehalt des Sputums von Patienten mit chronisch obstruktiver Bronchitis.

The sputa of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease show high histamine concentrations with large individual variations. The fluorometric and the biologic method correlate statistically significantly. Histamine concentrations decrease significantly, during 60 min at 37 degrees C, by different amounts in different patients. The measured histamine concentration can cause bronchoconstriction. The histamine and the NaCl control solutions have been found to liberate histamine into the blood, measured as free plasma histamine. There are still many questions open which should be solved because the histamine concentration in the sputum could play an important role in chronic obstructive lung disease.

Chronic obstructive airways disease: clinical evaluation of severity.

A clinical, functional and therapeutic study was carried out in 80 patients with chronic obstructive airways disease. According to the clinical observation on admission they were divided in three different groups: mild, moderate and severe. There were some differences in the amount of sputum, purulence of the sputum, cyanosis and peripheral oedema between the three groups. Group III have had a lower PO2a and higher PCO2a. Airways resistance was nearly the same in all groups. However, the patients of the worse groups (II + III) were significantly older and their disease was of longer duration. "Clinical impressions" do not always agree with single functional tests. To plan a good therapeutic regime all the available data should be considered.

[The compliance-volume relationship in healthy persons and in cases of fibrosis of the lungs and pulmonary emphysema (author's transl)]. / Die Compliance-/Volumen-Beziehung bei Gesunden, Lungenfibrosen und Emphysematikern.

An analysis of the expiratory quasi-static compliance over the whole range of the vital capacity shows that there is a certain range over which compliance is optimal. Compliance-volume relationships were determined in 14 healthy subjects, in 25 persons with fibrosis of the lungs and in 17 cases of obstructive pulmonary emphysema. The volume of the plateau on the compliance curve shows a close relationship with the vital capacity. In persons with pulmonary fibrosis there is a decrease not only of compliance but also of the plateau volume. Their tidal air volume is decreased and amounts to 50 per cent of the plateau volume. In healthy persons the tidal air volume is significantly larger. It amounts to only 23 per cent of the plateau volume. The latter, together with the lung compliance, provides a satisfactory explanation for the decreased ventilatory reserves in patients with fibrosis of the lungs. Although the volume of tidal air is increased in persons with obstructive pulmonary emphysema, as compared with normal subjects, it amounts to 32 per cent of the plateau volume even during quiet breathing.

[The place of attack of beta-2 receptor stimulating bronchodilators. Fenoterol (Berotec) in allergic airway obstruction in dogs, hypersensitive to Ascaris suum]. / Wirkort von beta 2-Receptoren stimulierenden Bronchodilatatoren. Untersuchungen mit Fenoterol (Berotec) bei allergischer Atemwegsobstruktion an gegen Ascaris suum überempfindlichen Hunden.

On dogs sensitive against Ascaris suum extract an increase of the airway resistance can be caused by challenge alone on the upper part or the lower part of the airways by Ascaris suum extract. Fenoterol as beta 2-receptor stimulator is capable to decrease this reaction by deposition of this drug on the upper part as on the lower part of the airways. The effect of Fenoterol on the upper part of the airways is much stronger and lasts much longer than on the lower part of the airways or by intravenous route. A direct effect of the beta 2-receptor stimulator Fenoterol on the sensoric part of the reflex way of the reflex bronchoconstriction must be considered. It will be also discussed that the local application of Fenoterol on the upper part of the airways may influence also the reaction of the bronchial muscles in the lower part of the airways without a direct resorptive-systemic effect. The relationship of these findings for the clinical situation on man has to be investigated.

[Histamine concentration in arterial plasma in the course of repeated antigen challenges of the bronchopulmonary system. Second communication (author's transl)]. / Plasma-Histaminkonzentration im Verlauf wiederholter Antigenbelastung des bronchopulmonalen Systems. II. Mitteilung.

Repeated ascaris extract (A.E.) exposure on dogs sensitized against this allergen at intervals of 90, 180, and 360 min is followed by different increases in the histamine concentration in the arterial plasma. At 90 min, a significantly smaller amount of histamine becomes measurable in the arterial plasma. Edyn increases unproportionally strong. One hundred eighty minutes after the first exposure A.E. inhalation is again followed by a clearly increased histamine concentration in the arterial plasma. Edyn still increases unproportionally strong. Three hundred sixty minutes after the first A.E. exposure another exposure revealed a stronger increase in the histamine concentration in the arterial plasma, the Edyn increase being smaller than at the first exposure. These results are of importance with regard to the sensitivity of the airways and the investigation of antiallergic and bronchospasmolytic drugs.