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Title
Inhibition of candida valida growth by copper ions
Author
Chistiakova TI; Dedokhina EG; Eroshin VK
Source
Mikrobiologiia, 61(4):585-90 1992 Jul-Aug
Abstract
The high toxicity of copper ions for candida valida growth was
established at pH-auxostat regime. The value of mu max decreased
even at the residual Cu2+ concentration 1.0 mg/l. The inhibition
constant (Ki) that characterized a copper ion concentration at
which yeast specific growth rate was halved was equal to 7.7
mg/l. A linear dependence of 1/mu max on a residual concentration
of copper ions indicates that yeast growth inhibition is due
to inhibition of one enzymic reaction which is the most sensitive
to copper. Yeast growth inhibition by copper was accompanied
by accumulation of Cu2+ ions in biomass' a decrease in nucleic
acid and true protein contents' and changes in amino acid composition
of protein. The amounts of cystine and cysteine in protein increased
and tryptophane content decreased with inhibition of yeast growth.
Yeast growth inhibition by copper did not affect the lipid content
but significantly reduced the degree of unsaturation due to a
decrease in the amounts of polyunsaturated linoleic and alpha-linolenic
acids.
Title
Macrophage activation by N-acetyl-cysteine in COPD patients.
Author
Vecchiarelli A; Dottorini M; Pietrella D; Cociani C; Eslami A;
Todisco
T; Bistoni F
Address
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences'
University of Perugia' Italy.
Source
Chest, 105(3):806-11 1994 Mar
Abstract
The effect of in vivo and in vitro N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment
on destructive activity of macrophages against candida from COPD
patients has been evaluated. Patients received NAC (600 mg) or
placebo orally 3 times a day for 15 days and bronchoalveolar
lavage (BAL) fluid and peripheral blood were collected before
and at the conclusion of treatment. In our system' NAC treatment
was not able to modulate antifungal activity of alveolar macrophages'
peripheral blood monocytes (PBM)' and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
On the contrary' in vitro NAC treatment at appropriate doses
(10 micrograms/ml) significantly enhanced antifungal activity
of PBM from COPD patients. This phenomenon is mediated by augmented
phagocytic activity and phagosome-lysosome fusion. The lack of
correlation between in vivo and in vitro studies could be ascribed
to differences in the intracellular concentration of the drug
that in vivo does not reach levels capable of inducing macrophage
activation. We speculate that in COPD patients who undergo long-term
NAC treatment' appropriate schedules and doses of the drug could
augment resistance against microbial infections which are often
life-threatening in these patients.<
Title
The relationship between micronutrient depletion and oral health
in
geriatrics.
Author
Sweeney MP; Bagg J; Fell GS; Yip B
Address
Victoria Geriatric Unit' University of Glasgow Dental School'
Scotland.
Source
J Oral Pathol Med, 23(4):168-71 1994 Apr
Abstract
Changes in the oral microbial flora' some of which are related
to mucosal disease' have been detected in the elderly' but the
causes are not fully understood. This study has examined the
possible role of micronutrient depletions in the reduced colonisation
resistance and oral infection exhibited by some elderly subJects.
The oral health' oral microbiology and micronutrient status of
37 geriatric patients aged 65-91 years (mean 81 years) were examined.
Ten of the patients had no oral mucosal disease. Mucosal pathology
in the remainder included erythema (27%)' denture stomatitis
(24%)' angular cheilitis (16%) and atrophic glossitis (41%).
Those with mucosal pathology had significantly lower serum iron
concentrations (P = 0.02). Serum or plasma concentrations of
zinc' copper' selenium' C-reactive protein' transferrin' caeruloplasmin'
albumin' vitamin A and vitamin E were not significantly different
between those with oral disease and those with healthy mouths.
Similarly' activity of the selenium-containing enzyme' red cell
glutathione peroxidase' did not differ significantly between
the two groups. In both groups' plasma selenium concentrations
(82%)' red cell glutathione peroxidase activity (47%)' plasma
zinc concentrations (58%) and albumin concentrations (44%) tended
to be below the lower limit of the reference interval. The influence
of subclinical infection on these values is discussed.
Title
Susceptibility of mice to bacterial and fungal infections after
intragastric administration of ebselen.
Author
Nozawa R; Arai M; Kuruto R; Motohashi T; Masayasu H
Address
Laboratory of Microbiology' University of Shizuoka School of
Food and Nutritional Sciences' Shizuoka-shi' Japan.
Source
J Pharm Pharmacol, 48(1):64-7 1996 Jan
Abstract
The seleno-organic compound ebselen (2-phenyl-1'2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one)
has anti-inflammatory activity and exhibits glutathione peroxidase-like
activity in-vitro. Ebselen inhibited candidacidal activity over
the same range of concentrations as it inhibited the production
of microbicidal H2O2 by human neutrophils and macrophage-like
cells. Therefore' the long-term administration of ebselen might
be expected to induce an immunocompromised state in the host.
To examine such a possibility' mice (5-weeks-old ddY' male) were
given daily intragastric doses of 0' 10 or 100 mg/kg-1 ebselen
for 21 days and then infected intraperitoneally with candida
albicans (10(8) cells/mouse)' Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.5 x 10(7)
cells/mouse) or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (5
x 10(8) cells/mouse). Ebselen at none of the tested doses affected
the increase in body weight of mice during administration of
the drug. No evidence was obtained that mice became more susceptible
to the various microorganisms after the administration of ebselen
at any tested dose.
Title
Effect of experimental selenium deficiency and its supplementation
on the candidacidal activity of neutrophils in albino rats.
Author
KukreJa R; Khan A
Address
Department of Biochemistry' Nagpur University.
Source
Indian J Biochem Biophys, 31(5):427-9 1994 Oct
Abstract
The role of selenium in the diet of rats has been examined with
respect to the neutrophil functions. Feeding of Se-deficient
diet for 75 days resulted in reduction in candidacidal activity'
superoxide production' oxygen consumption' glucose utilisation
and glutathione peroxidase activity. Supplementing the diet with
Se for 30 days resulted in partial restoration of all the activities. |
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