Insulin or sulfonylurea treatments of the diabetics differentially affect erythrocyte membrane and serum enzymes and extent of protein glycosylation

Erythrocyte membrane protein glycosylation increase by 3.4 fold in diabetes. Insulin or sulfonylurea treatment did not reduce the extent of glycosylation. The serum protein glycosylation was comparable in all the groups including control. Erythrocyte membrane Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity decreased in the diabetics; only insulin treatment partly restored the activity. Erythrocyte membrane acetylcholinesterase activity decreased only in the sulfonylurea treated group. Serum butyrylcholinesterase activity was relatively low in the diabetic and insulin treated diabetic groups. The Km and Vmax of the two components of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase from erythrocyte membranes were differently affected in the diabetic and the two treatment groups. The Vmax of acetylcholinesterase decreased only in the sulfonylurea treated group. Diabetic states resulted in decreased Vmax of components I and II of serum butyrylcholinesterase. In insulin-treated diabetics, component II was absent. Sulfonylurea group resembled diabetics.In vitro incubation with insulin differentially affected the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and serum butyrylcholinesterase activities.     

Hyperlipidemia, increased lipid peroxidation and changes in antioxidant enzymes, Na+−K+-ATPase in erythrocytes of type 2 diabetic patients in andhra pradesh

Plasma levels of lipids, lipoproteins and lipid peroxides and erythrocyte Na⁺−K⁺ ATPase, Mg²⁺ATPase and antioxidant enzymes were measured in type-2 diabetic patients. A significant decrease in Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity was observed in diabetic patients which was negatively correlated with blood glucose and lipid peroxides, while the Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was increased. In the diabetic subjects the plasma concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ were increased where as erythrocyte levels of Na⁺ were increased and K⁺ were decreased. Hyperlipidaemia and increased levels of lipid peroxides were observed in the diabetic subjects. There was a significant increase in erythrocyte catalase activity in diabetics which positively correlated with their lipid peroxides. There was no change in GPx activities between controls and diabetics.     

Role of prostaglandin in the regulation of gastric H+—Transporting system

Prostaglandins and (PG) have been reported to be an important gastric acid suppressive factor. However, the mechanism underlying is yet to be clearly established. In vitro study with gastric microsomes in presence of both PGE₂ and PGI₂ shows a stimulation of gastric H⁺ K⁺-ATPase activity below 1X10⁻⁶M and 2.5X10⁻⁷M concentrations respectively. However, with further increase in concentrations of both PGE₂ and PGI₂, H⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity shows an inhibition but PGI₂ completely obliterates the K⁺ stimulated part of H⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity at higher concentration. The H⁺-ion transport study using chambered frog gastric mucosa shows that both PGE₂ and PGI₂ inhibit H⁺-ion transport at 5X10⁻⁶ M and 10X10⁻⁶M concentrations respectively but the effect of PGI₂ is reversible. These differential effects of PGE₂ and PGI₂ on microsomal H⁺, K⁺-ATPase and on H⁺ transport my be caused by the differential effects of these phospholipid mediators with the gastric mucosal cell membrane. This in vitro investigation shows the role of prostaglandin (s) as a physiological switch/regulator of gastric H⁺ ion transport leading to the cessation of gastric acid secretion.     

Effect ofCrataeva nurvala bark decoction on enzymatic changes in liver of normal and stone forming rats

The influence of Crataeva nurvala bark decoction was studied in calcium oxalate stone forming rats, in relation to oxalate metabolism in liver. The activities of the major oxalate synthesizing enzymes in liver namely, glycollate oxidase (GAO) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly increased in the calculogenic group. Bark decoction treatment lowered the liver GAO activity considerably. Transport ATPases (Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺-ATPases) and alkaline phosphatase were enhanced in rats fed calculi producing diet, while the activities of acid phosphatase, inorganic pyrophosphatase and aminotransferases were slightly reduced. Bark decoction administration produced a marginal decrease in Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and increase in aspartate aminotransferase activities, without significantly altering other enzyme activities. The decrease in liver GAO activity seen during bark decoction treatment, with concomitant decrease in kidney oxalate level, may prove beneficial as a prophylactic measure in preventing stone recurrence.     

Effect of yoga training on plasma lipid profile,R.B.C. membrane lipid peroxidation and Na+K+ ATPase activity in patients of essential hypertension

We conducted a controlled study on effect of selected yoga practive in the control and management of 50 cases of essential hypertension and equal number of healthy (nonhypertensive) controls. Free radical cellular damage is considered to be the underlying common biological factor in essential hypertension. We, therefore, investigated lipid profile lipid peroxidation and Na⁺K⁺ ATPase activities of plasma membrane of subjects with essential hypertension. It was found that hypertensive subjects had an elevated lipid peroxidation and decreased Na⁺K⁺ ATPase activity in plasma membrane as compared to normotensive healthy controls, the specific yoga training protocol which was administered not only helped to decrease blood pressure but also retard the progression of ceellular damage due to free radicals.     

Alterations in rat erythrocyte membrane parameters during Calcium oxalate lithiasis and effect of DL α-lipoic acid

The effect of DL α-lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant was studied in relation to certain erythrocyte membrane parameters in calcium oxalate stone forming rats. Induction of calcium oxalate lithiasis was done by feeding a diet containing 3% w/w sodium glycollate. Erythrocyte membrane (Na⁺, K⁺)-ATPase showed a significant decrease in stone formers whereas (Ca²⁺)-ATPase showed a significant increase. Lipoic acid administration brought about an elevation in the activity of (Ca²⁺)-ATPase. Changes in membrane (Mg²⁺)-ATPase was minimal. Membrane cholesterol and phospholipids were found raised significantly in lithogenic rats. The changes may be attributed to enhanced lipid peroxidative mechanisms and altered serum lipid profile observed in this group. Treatment with lipoic acid reduced membrane cholesterol levels. Phospholipids were also decreased moderately. The above observations suggest that lipoic acid administration to calculogenic rats reduces the erythrocyte strucutral changes observed in this condition.     

Enzymatic changes in liver in Calcium oxalate stone forming rats treated with sodium pentosan polysulphate

The effect of sodium pentosan polysulphate (SPP) in calcium oxalate stone forming rats was studied in relation to enzymatic changes in liver. A significant increase in liver glycollate oxidase (GAO) activity was observed in stone forming rats fed sodium glycollate. SPP treatment lowered the enzyme acitivity in both stone formers and 30 days drug treated control rats. Moderate elevation in LDH activity was seen in the calculogenic group and SPP had minimal effect. The lowering of alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in stone formers was normalised with drug administration. Increases in total, Na⁺, K⁺-and Ca²⁺-ATPase levels in the calculogenic rats was lowered considerably with SPP treatment. Inorganic pyrophosphatase and aminotransferases were slightly reduced in glycollate-fed rats. SPP administration further lowered the pyrophosphatase level. The decrease in liver GAO during SPP administration with a consequent reduction in kidney oxalate may prove beneficial in preventing recurrence.     

Increasing Glucose Concentrations Interfere with Estimation of Electrolytes by Indirect Ion Selective Electrode Method

The estimation of electrolytes like sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) using direct and indirect ion-selective electrodes (ISE) is a routine laboratory practice. Interferents like proteins, triglycerides, drugs etc. are known to affect the results. The present study was designed to look into the effect of increasing glucose concentrations on estimation of Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻ by direct and indirect ISE. Pooled sera was mixed with glucose stock solution (20 g/dL) prepared in normal saline to obtain glucose concentrations ranging from ~100 to ~5000 mg/dL. Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻ levels were estimated by direct and indirect ISE analyzers and results were statistically analysed using ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation. Similar experiment was also performed in 24 h urine sample from healthy subjects. Significant difference was observed between Na⁺ and Cl⁻ measurements by direct and indirect ISE, with indirect ISE values being consistently higher than direct ISE. Besides this, significant difference was observed amongst Na⁺ and Cl⁻ values from baseline values obtained by indirect ISE at glucose concentrations ≥2486 mg/dL. However, no such difference was observed with direct ISE. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ estimation by indirect ISE showed significant negative correlation with glucose concentration, more so, above ~2000 mg/dL. K⁺, however, showed no significant difference with varying glucose. Similar results were observed in 24 h urine samples with a significant difference observed amongst Na⁺ and Cl⁻ values at ≥2104 mg/dL glucose. Thus we conclude that high glucose concentrations interfere significantly in estimation of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ by indirect ISE in serum as well as urine.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12291-015-0522-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effect of (-)epicatechin in modulating calicum-atpase activity in normal and diabetic human erythrocytes

Aqueous extract of the wood ofPterocarpus marsupium, commonly known as ‘bijasar’, is used in Indian Ayurveda system of medicine for treatment of diabetes. The active anti-diabetic principle in its aqueous extract has been found to be (-)epicatechin, a flavonoid. The present work was undertaken to study the effect of (-)epicatechin on erythrocyte membrane Ca⁺⁺-ATPase from type 2 diabetic patients. The activity of erythrocyte Ca⁺⁺-ATPase was significantly lower in type 2 diabetics.In vitro insulin treatment of erythrocyte ghosts, resulted in the increase of Ca⁺⁺-ATPase activity in diabetic patients. Treatment with (-)epicatechin (1mM) resulted in an increase in the activity of erythrocyte Ca⁺⁺-ATPase in both normal individuals and type 2 diabetic patients. The insulin like effect of (-)epicatechin on erythrocyte membrane Ca⁺⁺-ATPase in type 2 diabetics is an interesting finding. Further work is needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of (-)epicatechin on modulation of erythrocyte membrane bound enzymes.     

Changes in blood and erythrocyte membrane parameters in sodium pentosan polysulphate treated urolithiatic rats

The effect of sodium pentosan polysulphate (SPP), was studied in relation to certain blood and erythrocyte membrane parameters in calcium oxalate stone forming rats. Calcium oxalate stones were induced by feeding the rats with 3% w/w sodium glycollate. Fibrinogen, haemoglobin and serum protein levels did not show any variation with the treatment procedures. Serum mucoprotein and protein bound carbohydrates-hexosamine and sialic acid-were increased significantly in the rats receiving calculogenic (CPD) and attained nearly normal levels with SPP treatment. In contrast, hexuronic acid level was decreased in the CPD group and SPP administration increased the level of hexuronic acid in the treated groups. Erythrocyte membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase activity was increased in stone forming rats and SPP administration brought a reduction in the above enzyme activity. Changes in Membrane Mg²⁺- and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPases were minimal. Membrane cholesterol and phospholipids were also raised significantly in stone formers, SPP treatment reduced the membrane cholesterol levels in both controls and stone formers. Phospholipids were also decreased moderately. The above observations suggest that SPP is safe for administration in urolithiatic condition without adverse effects.     

Rat serum electrolytes, lipid profile and cardiovascular activity onNauclea latifolia leaf extract administration

Aqueous extract of the leaf and root ofNauclea latifolia Sm. (Rubiaceae) is used in Nigerian folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension. This work is carried out to investigate the effect ofNauclea latifolia leaf extract on lipid profile and cardiovascular activity of rats. Normal and 10% coconut oil fed rats were treated with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract ofNauclea latifolia leaf for 2 weeks. Forty-eight mature male albino rats of the Wistar strain were divided into two experiments of four groups, each group having 6 animals. Experiment I animals were treated with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract whilst experiment II animals were fed 10% coconut oil meal before treatment with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract. A single oral dose ofNauclea latifolia was 170, 340 and 510 mg/kg body wt/day of the extracts respectively for 2 wks. There was no significant change in the lipid profile of the experimental animals as compared with the controls. There was about 40% relaxation on contracted thoracic aorta that was pre-contracted with 2 μM phenylephrine. The viability of the tissue was tested against 10 μM of acetylcholine. There was no significant (P>0.05) change in Na⁺ concentration in the serum. However, the K⁺ concentration in the serum of the experimental animals showed a significant increase. The study shows that ethanol extract ofNauclea latifolia has vasodilator action on the aorta and that lipid profiles of experimental rats were not affected. Furthermore, the increase in the K⁺ may be contributing to the vasodilator effect ofNauclea latifolia.     

Effect of L(+)-tartrate on liver enzymes in rats fed with calculi producing diet

The influence of L(+)-tartrate on liver cell constituents were investigated, during experimental stone formation in rats. A significant increase in the liver glycollate oxidase activity was observed in the calculogenic group. Tartrate administration had a considerable lowering effect on the liver glycollate oxidase activity and it also lowered the urinary excretion pattern of oxalate. The rats fed with calculi producing diet also exhibited moderately enhanced LDH, (Na⁺, K⁺)—and (Ca²⁺)—ATPase activities. The activities of inorganic pyrophosphatase and aminotransferases were slightly reduced. Acid phosphatase activity was significantly reduced with tartrate treatment. The use of tartrate in urolithiasis as a prophylactic measure to prevent recurrence may be beneficial.     

Perspective on fluorescence cell imaging with ionophore-based ion-selective nano-optodes

Inorganic ions are ubiquitous in all kinds of cells with highly dynamic spatial and temporal distribution. Taking advantage of different types of fluorescent probes, fluorescence microscopic imaging and quantitative analysis of ion concentrations in cells have rapidly advanced. A family of fluorescent nanoprobes based on ionophores has emerged in recent years with the potential to establish a unique platform for the analysis of common biological ions including Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻, and so on. This article aims at providing a retrospect and outlook of ionophore-based ion-selective nanoprobes and the applications in cell imaging.     

The effects of different syringe volume, needle size and sample volume on blood gas analysis in syringes washed with heparin

Introductıon:

We evaluated the effect of different syringe volume, needle size and sample volume on blood gas analysis in syringes washed with heparin.

Materials and methods:

In this multi-step experimental study, percent dilution ratios (PDRs) and final heparin concentrations (FHCs) were calculated by gravimetric method for determining the effect of syringe volume (1, 2, 5 and 10 mL), needle size (20, 21, 22, 25 and 26 G) and sample volume (0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 mL). The effect of different PDRs and FHCs on blood gas and electrolyte parameters were determined. The erroneous results from nonstandardized sampling were evaluated according to RiliBAK’s TEa.

Results:

The increase of PDRs and FHCs was associated with the decrease of syringe volume, the increase of needle size and the decrease of sample volume: from 2.0% and 100 IU/mL in 10 mL-syringe to 7.0% and 351 IU/mL in 1 mL-syringe; from 4.9% and 245 IU/mL in 26G to 7.6% and 380 IU/mL in 20 G with combined 1 mL syringe; from 2.0% and 100 IU/mL in full-filled sample to 34% and 1675 IU/mL in 0.5 mL suctioned sample into 10 mL-syringe. There was no statistical difference in pH; but the percent decreasing in pCO₂, K⁺, iCa²⁺, iMg²⁺; the percent increasing in pO₂ and Na⁺ were statistical significance compared to samples full-filled in syringes. The all changes in pH and pO₂ were acceptable; but the changes in pCO₂, Na⁺, K⁺ and iCa²⁺ were unacceptable according to TEa limits except fullfilled-syringes.

Conclusions:

The changes in PDRs and FHCs due nonstandardized sampling in syringe washed with liquid heparin give rise to erroneous test results for pCO₂ and electrolytes.     

In-vitro effect of a diabetic serum factor on the generation of superoxide free radical,it’s quenching ability and lysosomal degranulation in normal polymorpho nuclear leucocytes

Normal polymorpho nuclear leucocytes (PMNL) when assaulted with diabetic serum factorin-vitro, recorded enhanced generation of oxygen free radical, and lysosomal degranulation. It also caused a decrease in the cytosolic superoxide dismutase activity. Time-plot studies revealed PMNL susceptibility to diabetic serum factor for oxidative injury and concomitant decrease in SOD, consequential for lysosomal degranulation.     

Oxygen derived free radicals in clinical context

Oxygen derived free radicals have been implicated in a number of clinical disorders including atherosclerosis (1), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (2), post ischemic reperfusion injury (3) and respiratory distress syndrome (4). These radical are generated by sequential reduction of molecular oxygen; the primary product being superoxide anion (O₂ ^.−) which is subsequently reduced to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hydroxy1 radical (OH^.) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂). However the evidence for ODFR induced cell damage in various clinical disorders is still debated and rests largely on free radical scavenging studies, through electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic (EPRS) studies have provided direct evidence for ODFR generation following coronary artery ligation (5). By definition, a free radical is an atom, ion or molecule with one or more unpaired electrons (the presence of unpaired electron in a free radical being represented by a superscribed bold dot-R^.) and may be formed as a result of homolytic fission of a covalent bond or by electron transfer reactions, and may have cationic (NH₃ ⁺), anionic (O₂ ^.−) or neutral (NO) characteristics. The most important in vivo source for these radical species have been found to be univalent biochemical redox reactions involving oxygen. (a) A:B→A^.+B^. (b) A:+B→A^.+B^.     

Charmonium and charmoniumlike states at the BESIII experiment

Charmonium is a bound state of a charmed quark and a charmed antiquark, and a charmoniumlike state is a resonant structure that contains a charmed quark and antiquark pair but has properties that are incompatible with a conventional charmonium state. While operating at center-of-mass energies from 2 to 5 GeV, the BESIII experiment can access a wide mass range of charmonium and charmoniumlike states, and has contributed significantly in this field. We review BESIII results involving conventional charmonium states, including the first observation of the M1 transition ψ(2S) → γη_c(2S) and the discovery of the ψ₂(3823) state; and report on studies of charmoniumlike states, including the discoveries of the Z_c(3900) and Z_c(4020) tetraquark candidates, the resolution of the fine structure of the Y(4260) state, the discovery of the new production process e⁺e⁻ → γX(3872) and the uncovering of strong evidence for the commonality among the X(3872), Y(4260) and Z_c(3900) states. The prospects for further research at BESIII and proposed future facilities are also presented.     

Efficient potential-tuning strategy through p-type doping for designing cathodes with ultrahigh energy density

Designing new cathodes with high capacity and moderate potential is the key to breaking the energy density ceiling imposed by current intercalation chemistry on rechargeable batteries. The carbonaceous materials provide high capacities but their low potentials limit their application to anodes. Here, we show that Fermi level tuning by p-type doping can be an effective way of dramatically raising electrode potential. We demonstrate that Li(Na)BCF₂/Li(Na)B₂C₂F₂ exhibit such change in Fermi level, enabling them to accommodate Li⁺(Na⁺) with capacities of 290–400 (250–320) mAh g⁻¹ at potentials of 3.4–3.7 (2.7–2.9) V, delivering ultrahigh energy densities of 1000–1500 Wh kg⁻¹. This work presents a new strategy in tuning electrode potential through electronic band structure engineering.     

伊犁谷地灰钙土和风沙土剖面特性及生态建设意义

西部的生态环境安全关系到国家的生态安全。研究土壤特性及其垂直分布,能对区域生态环境建设和可持续发展提供重要的理论基础和指导。灰钙土与风沙土是新疆伊犁谷地的两种主要土壤类型。本文在对新疆伊犁谷地实地考察基础上,运用42个灰钙土剖面和12个风沙土剖面自然发生层各层的土壤样品测试数据—土壤有机质、pH值、电导率、总盐、八大阴阳离子,研究了灰钙土和风沙土土壤特性的垂直分布,并进行了比较;在此基础上提出区域生态建设中土壤利用和保护的建议。研究表明,伊犁河谷的不同土壤,其土壤特性的垂直分布和变化具有一致性和差异性。一致性体现在有机质和K＋的含量随土壤深度增加而减少,pH值、CO32-、Mg2＋和Na＋的含量随土壤深度增加而增加。差异性体现在两类土壤的有机质、pH值、电导率和总盐在数量上不同。此外,两类土壤的电导率、总盐及SO42-,Cl-,HCO3-,Ca2＋的含量随土壤深度发生变化的趋势不同。     

Role of pump prime in the etiology of cardio-pulmonary bypass associated acidosis

The development of metabolic acidosis during cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) is a well recognized but poorly explained phenomenon. It has been hypothesized that it is purely a development after the delivery of pump prime. A retrospective study was conducted at our hospital on 68 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Sampling of arterial blood was performed at three time intervals: (T₁) Baseline, prior to induction; (T₂) 5 minutes after initiation of CPB and prior to administration of cardioplegia solution; (T3) during rewarming prior to weaning the patient off CPB. Measurements of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, pH, pCO₂, HCO₃ ⁻, Base excess, Anion gap, Strong ion difference at each collection point were performed. Results were analyzed in a quantitative manner. On delivery of pump prime, all patients' developed metabolic acidosis. However, it is very important to distinguish the metabolic acidosis as their management varies. Anion gap has been found to be useful in managing peri-operative metabolic acidosis.