scholarly journals The Role of Low Molecular Weight Antifreeze Glycopeptides in the Bile and Intestinal Fluid of Antarctic Fish

1983 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. O'GRADY ◽  
J. C. ELLORY ◽  
A. L. DEVRIES

The role that low molecular weight antifreeze glycopeptides play in the physiology of polar fishes has been an open question. In this study, we demonstrate that antifreeze glycopeptides are present in the bile as well as the intestinal fluid of antarctic fishes. Isolation of antifreeze glycopeptides from these fluids by DEAE ion exchange chromatography followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of only low molecular weight glycopeptides (6, 7 and 8). Removal of the gall bladder with subsequent occlusion of the common bile duct eliminated the transport of antifreezes into the intestine. This suggests that antifreeze glycopeptides enter the intestinal lumen by biliary secretion. Measurements of reabsorption, both in vivo and in vitro, indicate that antifreeze glycopeptides are not reabsorbed as intact molecules. Our results suggest that these glycopeptides are excreted. We conclude that low molecular weight antifreeze glycopeptides are necessary to prevent the intestinal fluid from freezing and provide the first clear evidence that low molecular weight antifreeze glycopeptides have a specific biological function in polar fishes.

1998 ◽  
Vol 550 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Santos ◽  
B.D. Freedman ◽  
S. Ghosn ◽  
E. Mathiowitz

AbstractBioadhesive polymers are useful as drug delivery systems designed to adhere to the gastrointestinal lumen. The interaction between polymer and mucosal tissue influences residence time of the polymeric device and greatly affects the bioavailability of encapsulated drug. Poly(fumaric-co-sebacic anhydride) [P(FA:SA)] demonstrated impressive results in a variety of in vitro and in vivo experiments designed to test bioadhesion of microspheres. Among different molar ratios of P(FA:SA), adhesive measurements increased with increasing fumaric acid (FA) content. Using a modified microbalance technique, P(FA:SA)10:90 yielded a tensile work measurement of 82.99±12.76 nJ (mean±SEM) while that for P(FA:SA)70:30 was 453.23±47.73 nJ. A low molecular weight substance, fumaric anhydride prepolymer (FAPP), the oligomer form of fumaric acid, was incorporated into the microspheres and greatly increased the bioadhesive properties of P(FA:SA) as well as those of the relatively non-bioadhesive polymer poly(caprolactone) (PCL). Tensile work of P(FA:SA)20:80 was 32.95±5.42 nJ, and P(FA:SA)20:80 with 25% FAPP yielded a tensile work measurement of 556.28±113.12 nJ. Adhesion testing with PCL yielded a tensile work measurement of 7.93±1.84 nJ, while that for PCL with 25% FAPP was 1629.54±307.55 nJ. The effect of FA on drug delivery was evaluated in vitro using the P(FA:SA):FAPP blend with the everted intestinal sac technique. A low molecular weight drug (sodium salicylate) encapsulated in P(FA:SA)20:80 passed through the everted intestinal lumen to the interior of the sac to yield a concentration of 11.17±0.93 mg/dL, and drug encapsulated in P(FA:SA)20:80 with 10% FAPP yielded a concentration of 16.25±1.68 mg/dL (P<0.05). Unencapsulated drug passed through the intestinal lumen to yield a concentration of 8.09±-0.36 mg/dL. These experiments demonstrate that fumaric anhydride could be a very important component in bioadhesive polymer systems.


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (06) ◽  
pp. 942-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Landolfi ◽  
Erica De Candia ◽  
Bianca Rocca ◽  
Giovanni Ciabattoni ◽  
Armando Antinori ◽  
...  

SummarySeveral “in vitro” and “in vivo” studies indicate that heparin administration may affect platelet function. In this study we investigated the effects of prophylactic heparin on thromboxane (Tx)A2 biosynthesis “in vivo”, as assessed by the urinary excretion of major enzymatic metabolites 11-dehydro-TxB2 and 2,3-dinor-TxB2. Twenty-four patients who were candidates for cholecystectomy because of uncomplicated lithiasis were randomly assigned to receive placebo, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin or unfractionaed heparin plus 100 mg aspirin. Measurements of daily excretion of Tx metabolites were performed before and during the treatment. In the groups assigned to placebo and to low molecular weight heparin there was no statistically significant modification of Tx metabolite excretion while patients receiving unfractionated heparin had a significant increase of both metabolites (11-dehydro-TxB2: 3844 ± 1388 vs 2092 ±777, p <0.05; 2,3-dinor-TxB2: 2737 ± 808 vs 1535 ± 771 pg/mg creatinine, p <0.05). In patients randomized to receive low-dose aspirin plus unfractionated heparin the excretion of the two metabolites was largely suppressed thus suggesting that platelets are the primary source of enhanced thromboxane biosynthesis associated with heparin administration. These data indicate that unfractionated heparin causes platelet activation “in vivo” and suggest that the use of low molecular weight heparin may avoid this complication.


1986 ◽  
Vol 56 (03) ◽  
pp. 318-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Diness ◽  
P B Østergaard

SummaryThe neutralization of a low molecular weight heparin (LHN-1) and conventional heparin (CH) by protamine sulfate has been studied in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the APTT activity of CH was completely neutralized in parallel with the anti-Xa activity. The APTT activity of LHN-1 was almost completely neutralized in a way similar to the APTT activity of CH, whereas the anti-Xa activity of LHN-1 was only partially neutralized.In vivo, CH 3 mg/kg and LHN-1 7.2 mg/kg was given intravenously in rats. The APTT and anti-Xa activities, after neutralization by protamine sulfate in vivo, were similar to the results in vitro. In CH treated rats no haemorrhagic effect in the rat tail bleeding test and no antithrombotic effect in the rat stasis model was found at a protamine sulfate to heparin ratio of about 1, which neutralized APTT and anti-Xa activities. In LHN-1 treated rats the haemorrhagic effect was neutralized when APTT was close to normal whereas higher doses of protamine sulfate were required for neutralization of the antithrombotic effect. This probably reflects the fact that in most experimental models higher doses of heparin are needed to induce bleeding than to prevent thrombus formation. Our results demonstrate that even if complete neutralization of APTT and anti-Xa activities were not seen in LHN-1 treated rats, the in vivo effects of LHN-1 could be neutralized as efficiently as those of conventional heparin. The large fall in blood pressure caused by high doses of protamine sulfate alone was prevented by the prior injection of LHN-1.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 1356-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara P. Schick ◽  
David Maslow ◽  
Adrianna Moshinski ◽  
James D. San Antonio

Abstract Patients given unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for prophylaxis or treatment of thrombosis sometimes suffer serious bleeding. We showed previously that peptides containing 3 or more tandem repeats of heparin-binding consensus sequences have high affinity for LMWH and neutralize LMWH (enoxaparin) in vivo in rats and in vitro in citrate. We have now modified the (ARKKAAKA)n tandem repeat peptides by cyclization or by inclusion of hydrophobic tails or cysteines to promote multimerization. These peptides exhibit high-affinity binding to LMWH (dissociation constant [Kd], ≈ 50 nM), similar potencies in neutralizing anti–Factor Xa activity of UFH and enoxaparin added to normal plasma in vitro, and efficacy equivalent to or greater than protamine. Peptide (ARKKAAKA)3VLVLVLVL was most effective in all plasmas from enoxaparin-treated patients, and was 4- to 20-fold more effective than protamine. Several other peptide structures were effective in some patients' plasmas. All high-affinity peptides reversed inhibition of thrombin-induced clot formation by UFH. These peptides (1 mg/300 g rat) neutralized 1 U/mL anti–Factor Xa activity of enoxaparin in rats within 1 to 2 minutes. Direct blood pressure and heart rate measurements showed little or no hemodynamic effect. These heparin-binding peptides, singly or in combination, are potential candidates for clinical reversal of UFH and LMWH in humans.


2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 6648-6652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Giles ◽  
Charles Czuprynski

ABSTRACT In this study we found that serum inhibitory activity against Blastomyces dermatitidis was principally mediated by albumin. This was confirmed in experiments using albumin from several mammalian species. Analbuminemic rat serum did not inhibit B. dermatitidis growth in vivo; however, the addition of albumin restored inhibitory activity. Inhibitory activity does not require albumin domain III and appears to involve binding of a low-molecular-weight yeast-derived growth factor.


1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 849-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumner M. Robinson ◽  
David A. Hurwitz ◽  
Robert Louis-Ferdinand ◽  
William F. Blatt

A technique is described for hemodialysis of either anesthetized or non-restrained rats. In the apparatus the dialysis plates of an autoanalyzer system are used with only minor modification. The efficiency of this method has been evaluated with regard to the clearance of saccharides, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the extraction of nitrogenous low molecular weight moieties from circulating blood. Approximately 50% of the dialyzable material was obtained in a 1-hour dialysis. Further fractionation of the dialyzate was accomplished by gel filtration (Sephadex G-25).


Marine Drugs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Liu ◽  
Peng Du ◽  
Xiao Liu ◽  
Sujian Cao ◽  
Ling Qin ◽  
...  

The active sulfated polysaccharide from seaweed possesses important pharmaceutical and biomedical potential. In the study, Monostroma sulfated polysaccharide (MSP) was obtained from Monostroma angicava, and the low-molecular-weight fragments of MSP (MSP-Fs: MSP-F1–MSP-F6) were prepared by controlled acid degradation. The molecular weights of MSP and MSP-F1–MSP-F6 were 335 kDa, 240 kDa, 90 kDa, 40 kDa, 24 kDa, 12 kDa, and 6.8 kDa, respectively. The polysaccharides were sulfated rhamnans that consisted of →3)-α-l-Rhap-(1→ and →2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→ units with partial sulfation at C-2 of →3)-α-l-Rhap-(1→ and C-3 of →2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→. Anticoagulant properties in vitro of MSP and MSP-F1–MSP-F6 were evaluated by studying the activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and prothrombin time. Anticoagulant activities in vivo of MSP and MSP-F4 were further evaluated; their fibrin(ogen)olytic activities in vivo and thrombolytic properties in vitro were also assessed by D-dimer, fibrin degradation products, plasminogen activator inhibitior-1, and clot lytic rate assays. The results showed that MSP and MSP-F1–MSP-F4 with molecular weights of 24–240 kDa had strong anticoagulant activities. A decrease in the molecular weight of MSP-Fs was accompanied by a decrease in the anticoagulant activity, and higher anticoagulant activity requires a molecular weight of over 12 kDa. MSP and MSP-F4 possessed strong anticoagulant activities in vivo, as well as high fibrin(ogen)olytic and thrombolytic activities. MSP and MSP-F4 have potential as drug or helpful food supplements for human health.


1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 4374-4381 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. McMichael ◽  
Michael J. Fiske ◽  
Ross A. Fredenburg ◽  
Deb N. Chakravarti ◽  
Karl R. VanDerMeid ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The UspA1 and UspA2 proteins of Moraxella catarrhalisare potential vaccine candidates for preventing disease caused by this organism. We have characterized both proteins and evaluated their vaccine potential using both in vitro and in vivo assays. Both proteins were purified from the O35E isolate by Triton X-100 extraction, followed by ion-exchange and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Analysis of the sequences of internal peptides, prepared by enzymatic and chemical cleavage of the proteins, revealed that UspA1 and UspA2 exhibited distinct structural differences but shared a common sequence including an epitope recognized by the monoclonal antibody 17C7. By sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), purified UspA1 exhibited a molecular weight of approximately 350,000 when unheated and a molecular weight of 100,000 after being heated for 10 min at 100°C. In contrast, purified UspA2 exhibited an apparent molecular weight of 240,000 by SDS-PAGE that did not change with the length of time of heating. Their sizes as determined by gel filtration were 1,150,000 and 830,000 for UspA1 and UspA2, respectively. Preliminary results indicate the proteins have separate functions in bacterial pathogenesis. Purified UspA1 was found to bind HEp-2 cells, and sera against UspA1, but not against UspA2, blocked binding of the O35E isolate to the HEp-2 cells. UspA1 also bound fibronectin and appears to have a role in bacterial attachment. Purified UspA2, however, did not bind fibronectin but had an affinity for vitronectin. Both proteins elicited bactericidal antibodies in mice to homologous and heterologous disease isolates. Finally, mice immunized with each of the proteins, followed by pulmonary challenge with either the homologous or a heterologous isolate, cleared the bacteria more rapidly than mock-immunized mice. These results suggest that UspA1 and UspA2 serve different virulence functions and that both are promising vaccine candidates.


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