In vitro systems

The first clear-cut effect of an estri enic hormone added in vitro to an enzyme system was reported by Hagerman and Villee (1953) and Villee and Hagerman (1953), who showed that the addition of estradiol-17/3 to slices of human endometrium or placenta incubated in vitro produced an increased rate of oxidative metabolism. In placental homogenates the locus of action of estradiol was considered to be a diphosphopyridine nucleotide-linked isocitric dehydrogenase present in the soluble fraction (Villee and Gordon, 1955). Triphosphopyridine nucleotide did not replace diphosphopyridine nucleotide (Villee, 1955), and a divalent metal cation is required for full 

It suggested that the reversible oxidation and reduction of the steroids themselves constituted a steroid-activated transhydrogenase system according to equation (1). The net effect is the transfer of hydrogen from TPNH 

Attempts to couple the transhydrogenation with lactic dehydrogenase 

In assessing these results, several other factors must be kept in mind. First, we have as yet no information concerning the quantitative importance 

It should be expected that there are probably other mechanisms and sites of action for the estrogens, some of which may require intact cells. 

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The possibility that acute ethanol directly activates PKC would seem to be ruled out by the lack of such effect occurring in various in vitro systems that have been studied. One possibility is the activation of a phosphatase, others are the modulation of the availability and type of activator. It is also possible that ethanol could modify the sensitivity of the ion channel to the effect of PKC phosphorylation or its proteolytic downregulation. 

One of the questions confronting investigators in the HS field is whether fever or other acute phase reactants can induce HS gene expression. In vitro studies utilize extraordinary temperatures of 42 °C and higher. Core body temperatures may approach 40 °C as a result of fever. In most in vitro systems, this temperature does not lead to the HS response. However, there are reports that fever induces the increased synthesis of hsps in peripheral blood lymphocytes (Ciavarra, 1990). This response was observed in mononuclear cells exposed to febrile temperatures and in cells isolated from a medical intern who developed fever. 

The rapid repression of pre-existing protein synthesis caused by anaerobic treatment is correlated with a near complete dissociation of polysomes in primary roots of soybeans (Lin Key, 1967) and maize (E.S. Dennis and A.J. Pryor, personal communication). This does not result from degradation of aerobic mRNAs, because the mRNAs encoding the pre-existing proteins remain translatable in an in vitro system at least five hours after anaerobic treatment is initiated (Sachs et al., 1980). This is in agreement... 

European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), six in vitro systems for chronic neurotoxicity testing are recommended for further consideration (Worth and Balls 2002). These are described as in vitro models that may be suitable for long-term toxicity testing. The systems are... 

The mature red blood cell cannot synthesize protein. Reticulocytes are active in protein synthesis. Once reticulocytes enter the circulation, they lose their intracellular organelles (ribosomes, mitochondria, etc) within about 24 hours, becoming young red blood cells and concomitandy losing their ability to synthesize protein. Extracts of rabbit reticulocytes (obtained by injecting rabbits with a chemical—phenylhydrazine—that causes a severe hemolytic anemia, so that the red cells are almost completely replaced by reticulocytes) are widely used as an in vitro system for synthesizing proteins. Endogenous mRNAs present in these reticulocytes are destroyed by use of a nuclease, whose activity can be inhibited by addition of Ca +. The system is then pro-... 

Methods of detection, metabolism, and pathophysiology of the brevetoxins, PbTx-2 and PbTx-3, are summarized. Infrared spectroscopy and innovative chromatographic techniques were examined as methods for detection and structural analysis. Toxicokinetic and metabolic studies for in vivo and in vitro systems demonstrated hepatic metabolism and biliary excretion. An in vivo model of brevetoxin intoxication was developed in conscious tethered rats. Intravenous administration of toxin resulted in a precipitous decrease in body temperature and respiratory rate, as well as signs suggesting central nervous system involvement. A polyclonal antiserum against the brevetoxin polyether backbone was prepared a radioimmunoassay was developed with a sub-nanogram detection limit. This antiserum, when administered prophylactically, protected rats against the toxic effects of brevetoxin. 

Data from both in vivo and in vitro systems showed PbTx-3 to have an intermediate extraction ratio, indicating in vivo clearance of PbTx-3 was equally dependent upon liver blood flow and the activity of toxin-metabolizing enzymes. Studies on the effects of varying flow rates and metabolism on the total body clearance of PbTx-3 are planned. Finally, comparison of in vivo metabolism data to those derived from in vitro metabolism in isolated perfused livers and isolated hepatocytes suggested that in vitro systems accurately reflect in vivo metabolic processes and can be used to predict the toxicokinetic parameters of PbTx-3. 

In this in vitro system, the presence of serum in cell culture medium is not necessary, but the type of transwell is important (the total amount of H-triglycerides secreted was two-fold higher when using 3 pm versus 1 pm pore size transwells), and oleic acid supplementation is required for the formation and secretion of CMs as well as the transport of 3-carotene through Caco-2 cells. Finally, the presence of Tween 40 does not affect CM synthesis and secretion in this in vitro cell culture system. Thus, CMs secreted by Caco-2 cells were characterized as particles rich in newly synthesized H-triglycerides (90% of total secreted) containing apolipoprotein B (30% of total secreted) and H-phospholipids (20% of total secreted) and with an average diameter of 60 nm. These characteristics are close to those of CMs secreted in vivo by enterocytes. ... 

As mentioned earlier, physiological concentrations of carotenoids in vivo are in the micromolar range, mainly because of limited bioavailabiUty. Also, the antioxidant efficiencies of carotenoids after absorption are probably limited. Concentrations before absorption are much higher and can justify possible antioxidant actions in vivo. To test this hypothesis, Vulcain et al. developed an in vitro system of lipid peroxidation in which the oxidative stress is of dietary origin (metmyoglobin from meat) and different types of antioxidants (carotenoids, phenols) are tested. 

Production of Mucosal Damage 2.3.1.2.1 Cell culture Stimulated neutrophils are known to be cytotoxic to cells in vitro (Dull et al., 1987 Dallegri et al., 1990 Grisham et al., 1990b). Several in vitro systems have been used to demonstrate oxidative damage to intestinal cells. Xanthine/XO increased Cr release and decreased [ H]thymidine uptake by IEC-18 small intestinal epithelial cell monolayers in a dose-dependent manner (Ma et al., 1991). Rat enterocytes show decreased trypan blue exclusion and increased protein release when incubated with neutrophils stimulated... 

The in vitro system we have been using to study the transepithelial transport is cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells (11). When cultured on microporous polycarbonate filters (Transwell, Costar, Cambridge, MA), MDCK cells will develop into monolayers mimicking the mucosal epithelium (11). When these cells reach confluence, tight junctions will be established between the cells, and free diffusion of solutes across the cell monolayer will be markedly inhibited. Tight junction formation can be monitored by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) across the cell monolayers. In Figure 1, MDCK cells were seeded at 2 X 104 cells per well in Transwells (0.4 p pore size) as described previously. TEER and 14C-sucrose transport were measured daily. To determine 14C-sucrose... 

Mechanisms of Intestinal Absorption of Carotenoids Insights from In Vitro Systems... 

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