Upregulation of acid-sensing ion channel ASIC1a in spinal dorsal horn neurons contributes to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity

Development of chronic pain involves alterations in peripheral nociceptors as well as elevated neuronal activity in multiple regions of the CNS. Previous pharmacological and behavioral studies suggest that peripheral acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) cont

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharide from Chlorella stigmatophora and Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Crude polysaccharide extracts were obtained from aqueous extracts of the microalgae Chlorella stigmatophora and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. The crude extracts were fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose columns. The molecular weights of the polysaccharides in each fraction were estimated by gel filtration on Sephacryl columns. The crude polysaccharide extracts of both microalgae showed anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced paw edema test. In assays of effects on the delayed hyper-sensitivity response, and on phagocytic activity assayed in vivo and in vitro, the C. stigmatophora extract showed immunosuppressant effects, while the P. tricornutum extract showed immunostimulatory effects. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A comparison of electrocatalytic ability of various mediators adsorbed onto paraffin impregnated graphite electrodes for oxidation of reduced nicotinamide coenzymes

Twelve mediators have been modified by adsorption onto the paraffin impregnated graphite electrodes (IGE). The resulting electrodes exhibit electrocatalytic activity of different degrees towards oxidation of 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The electrocatalytic ability of the chemically modified electrode (CME) depends mainly on the formal potential and molecular structure of mediator. The formation of the charge transfer complex between NADH and adsorbed mediator has been demonstrated by the experiments using a rotating disk electrode. An electrocatalytic scheme obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics has been confirmed, and some kinetic parameters were estimated. The solution pH influences markedly the electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode. Various possible reasons are discussed.