Blog Arasys Perfector - Xanya Sofra Weiss

YAKOV VERBNY, CHUAN-LI ZHANG, AND SHING YAN CHIU; 2002

Coupling of calcium homeostasis to axonal sodium in axons of mouse optic nerve. J Neurophysiol 88: 802–816, 2002; 10.1152/jn.00856.2001. Axonal populations in neonatal and mature optic nerves were selectively stained with calcium dyes for analysis of calcium homeostasis and its possible coupling to axonal Na. Repetitive nerve stimulation causes a rise in axonal [Ca2+]i the posttetanus recovery of which is impeded by increasing the number of action potentials in the tetanus. This effect is augmented in 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; 1 mM), which dramatically increases the calcium and presumably sodium load during the tetanus. Increasing axonal [Na]i with the Na-ionophore monensin (4–50
M) and ouabain (30
M) retards posttetanus calcium decline, suggesting that efficient calcium clearance depends on a low level of axonal [Na]i. the posttetanus recovery of which is impeded by increasing the number of action potentials in the tetanus. This effect is augmented in4-aminopyridine (4-AP; 1 mM), which dramatically increases the calcium and presumably sodium load during the tetanus. Increasing axonal [Na]i with the Na-ionophore monensin (4–50
M) and ouabain (30
M) retards posttetanus calcium decline, suggesting that efficient calcium clearance depends on a low level of axonal [Na]i. Posttetanus calcium clearance is not affected by K-mediated depolarization. To further examine coupling between axonal [Na]i and [Ca2+]i the resting axonal [Ca2+]i was monitored as axonal [Na+]i was elevated with ouabain, veratridine, and monensin. In all cases, elevation of axonal [Na+]i evokes a calcium influx into axons. This influx is unrelated to activation of calcium channels but is consistent with calcium influx via reversal of the Na/Ca exchanger expected as a consequence of axonal [Na+]i elevation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that calcium homeostasis in the axons of the optic nerve is strongly coupled to axonal [Na+]i in a manner consistent with the Na/Ca exchanger playing a major role in extruding calcium following nerve activity.

William A. Catterall; 1995.

Voltage-gated ion channels are responsible for generation of electrical signals in cell membranesT. heir principal subunits are memberso f a gene family and can function as voltage-gated ion channels by themselves. They are expressed in association with one or more auxiliary subunits which increase functional expression and modify the functional properties of the principal subunits. Structural elementst hat are required for voltage-dependenat ctivation, selective ion conductance, and inactivation have been identified, and their mechanisms of action are being explored through mutagenesis, expression in heterologous cells, and functional analysis. These experiments reveal that this family of channels is built upon a commosnt ructural theme with variations appropriate for functional specialization of each channel type. (Annu. Rev. Biochem. 64:493-531)

Normal Red Blood Cell (RBCs)

The circulatory system is the means by which oxygen, nutrients, antibodies, and hormones are transported to the cells to keep them alive and functioning. This is how your blood looks when you are experiencing optimum health. The Erythrocytes (cells) are round and separated and move through the capillaries very easily. The average size of healthy RBC is 7.2 microns. The average number of red blood cells in the human body is 25 trillion. The average red blood cell lives 120 days. Your blood makes a complete circuit in your body every 30 seconds.

Protein Linkage

This condition is the first sign of cell stickiness and may progress into rouleau if not corrected. Protein linkage is a sign that excessive protein is being consumed or the protein is not being digested completely. As the cells start sticking together it becomes harder for your heart to push the blood through your veins and arteries.

C. Immerstrand,  E.W.H. Jager,  K.-E. Magnusson, T. Sundqvist, I. Lundstr6m, O. Inganas, K.H. Peterson

Melanophores are dark-brown pigment cells located in the skin of amphibia, fish and many invertebrates. The skin colour of these organisms is regulated by the translocation of pigment organelles, and the pigment distribution can be altered by external stimulL The ability to change colour in response to stimuli makes these cells of interest for biosensing applications. It was investigated whether pigment aggregation in Xenopus laevis melanophores can be detected by impedance measurements performed in transparent microvials. The results show that cell attachment, cell spreading and pigment aggregation all resulted in impedance changes, seen particularly at the highest frequency tested (lOkHz). The mechanisms behind the impedance changes were investigated by the addition of latrunculin or melatonin, both of which cause pigment aggregation. The latrunculin-induced aggregation was associated with cell area decrease and filamentous actin (F-actin) breakdown, processes that can influence the impedance. Lack of F-actin breakdown and an increase in cell area during melatonin-induced aggregation suggest that some other intracellular process also contributes to the impedance decrease seen for melatonin. It was shown that impedance measurements reflect not only cell attachment and cell spreading, but also intracellular events.

James L. Oschman, Ph.D. and Wolf-Dieter Kessler, M.D., Ph.D.

After much skepticism, energy medicine and the science behind it are emerging as rich and fascinating topics with major implications for anti-aging medicine. Those who follow this emerging field are being introduced to new vistas about how the human body works in health and disease, and anti-aging specialists are acquiring valuable new tools. The symposium will summarize the fundamentals of energetics and some of the significant breakthroughs. The fundamentals demystify energetics, answer the logical questions raised by skeptics and provide appropriate answers to patient questions. The breakthroughs are revealing how energetic methods are having a dramatic impact on health and longevity, and helping us solve one of the biggest unsolved problems in biology referenced above. We begin by discussing theories of aging to lay a foundation for new concepts based on discoveries in the fields of cell biology and biophysics.

P. A. Svensson; E. Forsgren; T. Amundsen; Helen Nilsson Sköld

In two-spotted gobies (Gobiusculus flavescens Fabricius 1779), females develop an orange belly as they approach sexual maturity. Bright belly coloration is preferred by males and has been suggested to act as a female ornament. This coloration is unusual in that it originates partly from pigmentation of the abdominal skin but also from strongly pigmented gonads directly visible through the skin. In addition, females have been observed to temporarily become more colourful during courtship and competition. To understand how gonad and skin pigmentation interact in this nuptial coloration, the potential for colour modification via regulation of skin chromatophores was investigated. Noradrenaline caused aggregation of chromatophore pigment and was used to experimentally reduce the contribution of skin chromatophores to the nuptial coloration. Chromatophore pigment aggregation caused bellies to become less colourful and abdominal skin biopsies to become less colourful and more transparent. There was a strong positive relationship between belly coloration and the coloration of the underlying gonads. This shows that belly coloration honestly reflects egg pigmentation, mainly because the transparency of the abdominal skin allows other fish to see the gonads directly. Interestingly, when noradrenaline caused pigment to aggregate and thereby increased the transparency of the skin, the relationship between belly and gonad coloration weakened. We conclude that female G. flavescens have a potential to use skin chromatophores to rapidly alter their nuptial coloration, thereby affecting the efficacy with which information about gonad coloration is conveyed.

J. Oschman

The living matrix is defined as the continuous molecular fabric of the organism, consisting of fascia, the other connective tissues, extracellular matrices, integrins, cytoskeletons, nuclear matrices and DNA. The extracellular, cellular and nuclear biopolymers or ground substances constitute a body-wide reservoir of charge that can maintain electrical homeostasis and “inflammatory preparedness” throughout the organism. Recent research has emphasized the significance of charge transfer in relation to the scavenging or neutralization of free radicals delivered to sites of injury during and after the oxidative burst. Evidence comes from studies of the role of electrons in mitigating the consequences of inflammation when living systems are connected to the earth (earthing). The phenomenon helps explain how bodywork and movement therapies can facilitate the resolution of acute or chronic injuries, and how patients with inflammatory conditions may “deplete” a therapist during hands-on treatments. It is suggested that barefoot contact with the earth as well as hands-on and hands-off therapies facilitate healing by stimulating the migration of charges into sites of acute or chronic inflammation. One hypothesis to explain the effects of earthing is that charges from the ground substance reservoir prevent “collateral damage” to healthy tissues in the vicinity of an injury. A second hypothesis is that earthing allows electrons to replenish charge in the ground substance reservoirs, making electrons available throughout the body.

Ana Lucia M. Britto,  Lars Josefsson, 2 Eliuna Scemes, Maria Aparecida Visconti,  and Ana Maria de L. Castrucci

ABSTRACT. The effects of either cation removal or ionic channel blockade were determined on the doseresponse curve (DRC) to PCH (pigment-concentrating hormone) in Macrobmchium potiuna erythrophores. In sodium-, potassium- and calcium-free salines, the pigment-aggregating responses to PCH were depressed; in the former condition, maximal aggregation was not achieved and the slope of the regression curve determined from the DRC was significantly different from control. Tetrodotoxin, verapamil or tetraethylammonium (TEA) treatments also diminished the pigment-aggregating responses to PCH, and the slopes of the regression curves were different from control in the presence of 10m6 M verapamil or 10m6 M TEA. Interestingly, the DRC determined in the absence of both sodium and calcium ions was not significantly different from control. When verapamil was applied in sodium-free conditions, maximal aggregation was prevented. The erythrophore resting membrane potential ranged from -62 mV to - 78 mV and did not vary during PCH-induced pigment aggregation as compared to the control. Our results suggest that transient modifications of potassium equilibrium potential may interfere with PCH signal transduction, revealing a more relevant role of potassium in the process, and that a sodium influx and an intracellular calcium mobilization are necessary to maintain a cytosolic balance between the ions for normality of PCH-induced responses. (COMP BIOCHEM PHYSIOL 113A;4:351-359, 1996)

Elena B. C. Llambías, Marta B. Mazzetti,  Sandra M. Lelli, Carmen Aldonatti

Hexachlorobenzene produces an experimental hepatic por-phyria in rats, which is similar to human porphyria cutanea tarda, with hyperpigmentation as one of its characteristic features. Alterations in tryptophan metabolism have been previously observed in this chronic porphyria. Melatonin formation from tryptophan via serotonin shows diurnal rhythmicity in the pineal gland, and higher values are observed during the dark phase of an imposed light-dark cycle. The purpose of this study was to determine the contents of tryptophan and its metabolites in pineal gland of normal and hexachlorobenzene-treated rats in order to find alterations potentially related to porphyria cutanea tarda. Results show that in animals with this experimental porphyria some tryptophan metabolite levels (serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) increase only during the light period, whereas tryptophan content remained equal to the controls. Hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity also increases by light in pineal gland from hexachlorobenzene-treated rats. On the other hand, tryptophan is converted to melatonin in the dark period, but this route is not exacerbated in hexachloroben-zene porphyria. The relevance of these alterations is discussed in relation to hyperpigmentation, neoplastic and oxidative stress processes associated with this porphyria.

Andrzej Slominski , Desmond  J. Tobin,  Michal A. Zmijewski, Jacobo Wortsman and Ralf Paus

Melatonin, a ubiquitous methoxyindole, is produced by and metabolized inthe skin. Melatonin affects skin functions and structures through actionsmediated by cell-surface and putative-nuclear receptors expressed in skincells. Melatonin has both receptor-dependent and receptor-independenteffects that protect against oxidative stress and can attenuate ultravioletradiation-induced damage. The widespread expression and pleiotropicactivity of the cutaneous melatoninergic system provides for a high levelof cell-specific selectivity. Moreover, intra-, auto- and para-crine mechanisms equip this system with exquisite functional selectivity. Theproperties of endogenous melatonin suggest that this molecule is animportant effector of stress responses in the skin. In this way, melatoninactions may counteract or buffer both environmental and endogenousstressors to maintain skin integrity