Expression and function of human hemokinin-1 in human and guinea pig airways

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human hemokinin-1 (hHK-1) and endokinins are peptides of the tachykinin family encoded by the <it>TAC4 </it>gene. <it>TAC4 </it>and hHK-1 expression as well as effects of hHK-1 in the lung and airways remain however unknown and were explored in this study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>RT-PCR analysis was performed on human bronchi to assess expression of tachykinin and tachykinin receptors genes. Enzyme immunoassay was used to quantify hHK-1, and effects of hHK-1 and endokinins on contraction of human and guinea pig airways were then evaluated, as well as the role of hHK-1 on cytokines production by human lung parenchyma or bronchi explants and by lung macrophages.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In human bronchi, expression of the genes that encode for hHK-1, tachykinin NK₁-and NK₂-receptors was demonstrated. hHK-1 protein was found in supernatants from explants of human bronchi, lung parenchyma and lung macrophages. Exogenous hHK-1 caused a contractile response in human bronchi mainly through the activation of NK₂-receptors, which blockade unmasked a NK₁-receptor involvement, subject to a rapid desensitization. In the guinea pig trachea, hHK-1 caused a concentration-dependant contraction mainly mediated through the activation of NK₁-receptors. Endokinin A/B exerted similar effects to hHK-1 on both human bronchi and guinea pig trachea, whereas endokinins C and D were inactive. hHK-1 had no impact on the production of cytokines by explants of human bronchi or lung parenchyma, or by human lung macrophages.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We demonstrate endogenous expression of <it>TAC4 </it>in human bronchi, the encoded peptide hHK-1 being expressed and involved in contraction of human and guinea pig airways.</p

Lactic acid fermentation as a tool to enhance the antioxidant properties of Myrtus communis berries

Background: Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to Myrtaceae family, which is largely diffused in the Mediterranean areas and mainly cultivated in Tunisia and Italy. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have already considered the use of the lactic acid fermentation to enhance the functional features of M. communis. This study aimed at using a selected lactic acid bacterium for increasing the antioxidant features of myrtle berries, with the perspective of producing a functional ingredient, dietary supplement or pharmaceutical preparation. The antioxidant activity was preliminarily evaluated through in vitro assays, further confirmed through ex vivo analysis on murine fibroblasts, and the profile of phenol compounds was characterized. Results: Myrtle berries homogenate, containing yeast extract (0.4%, wt/vol), was fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum C2, previously selected from plant matrix. Chemically acidified homogenate, without bacterial inoculum and incubated under the same conditions, was used as the control. Compared to the control, fermented myrtle homogenate exhibited a marked antioxidant activity in vitro. The radical scavenging activity towards DPPH increased by 30%, and the inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation was twice. The increased antioxidant activity was confirmed using Balb 3 T3 mouse fibroblasts, after inducing oxidative stress, and determining cell viability and radical scavenging activity through MTT and DCFH-DA assays, respectively. The lactic acid fermentation allowed increased concentrations of total phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins, which were 5–10 times higher than those found for the non-fermented and chemically acidified control. As shown by HPLC analysis, the main increases were found for gallic and ellagic acids, and flavonols (myricetin and quercetin). The release of these antioxidant compounds would be strictly related to the esterase activities of L. plantarum. Conclusions: The lactic acid fermentation of myrtle berries is a suitable tool for novel applications as functional food dietary supplements or pharmaceutical preparations

The scaling-up of processes in the heterogeneous landscape of HEIFE with the aid of satellite remote sensing

The use of satellite remote sensing is indispensable to improving the understanding of the processes of land surface-atmosphere interactions on a scale of 10 000 kmr in HEIFE. Because of their high spatial resolution, Landsat TM observations can be compared directly with surface measurements and be used for this purpose. The relevant data set and a state-of-the-art data processing methodology are discussed. A summer scene of TM was used to produce a set of maps of surface albedo, vegetation index, surface temperature, net radiation and other basic energy balance components of the whole area. Statistical analysis based on these maps revealed some quantitatively significant land surface parameters. Future developments are discussed