A Chinese literature overview on ultra-weak photon emission as promising technology for studying system-based diagnostics

To present the possibilities pertaining to linking ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) with Chinese medicine-based diagnostics principles, we conducted a review of Chinese literature regarding UPE with respect to a systems view of diagnostics. Data were summarized from human clinical studies and animal models published from 1979 through 1998. The...

Towards whole-body ultra-weak photon counting and imaging with a focus on human beings: A review

For decades, the relationship between ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) and the health state of the body is being studied. With the advent of systems biology, attention shifted from the association between UPE and reactive oxygen species towards UPE as a reflection of changed metabolic networks. Essential for this shift in thinking is the...

Measurement of the oxidative potential of PM2.5 and its constituents: The effect of extraction solvent and filter type

The capacity of Particulate Matter (PM) to oxidise target molecules, defined as its oxidative potential (OP), has been proposed as a biologically more relevant metric than PM mass. Different assays exist for measuring OP and their methodologies vary in the choice of extraction solvent and filter type. Little is known about the impact of...

Photon counts statistics in leukocyte cell dynamics

In the present experiment ultra-weak photon emission/ chemiluminescence from isolated neutrophils was recorded. It is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the "respiratory burst" process which can be activated by PMA (Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate). Commonly, the reaction is demonstrated utilizing the enhancer...

Direct cell-to-cell contact between Kupffer cells and hepatocytes augments endotoxin-induced hepatic injury

This study focuses on the importance of direct contact between Kupffer cells (KCs) and hepatocytes (HCs) during the hepatic inflammatory response using an in vitro approach. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in monocultures of porcine HCs and KCs were compared with cocultures prepared either with direct contact between...

Transcription factor NF-kB as a potential biomarker for oxidative stress

There is increasing interest in the involvement of transcription factors, such as of the transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB), in the pathogenesis of various diseases. NF-κB is involved in the control of the transcription of a variety of cellular genes that regulate the inflammatory response by the production of cytokines, chemokines,...

Effects of iron salts and haemosiderin from a thalassaemia patient on oxygen radical damage as measured in the comet assay

Thalassaemia is a group of genetic diseases where haemoglobin synthesis is impaired. This chronic anaemia leads to increased dietary iron absorption, which develops into iron overload pathology. Treatment through regular transfusions increases oxygen capacity but also provides iron through the red cells' haemoglobin. An essential treatment, in...

Suppression of the acute inflammatory response of porcine alveolar- and liver macrophages

During infection and inflammation drug disposition and hepatic metabolism are markedly affected in mammals. Pro-inflammatory mediators play an important role in the suppression of (cytochrome-P450-mediated) drug metabolism. Inflammatory mediators like cytokines, nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and eicosanoids are released by...

Influence of inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis on cardiac function in the newborn lamb after hypoxic-ischemic injury

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of immediate post-hypoxic-ischemic (HI) inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis by N(ω)- nitro-L-arginine (NLA) on cardiac function and reactive oxygen species production. Fifteen newborn lambs were subjected to severe HI. Upon resuscitation 5 received 10 mg NLA/kg, 4 40 mg NLA/kg and 6 a...