Barbara Płytycz

• Jagiellonian University

Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei are closely related earthworm species that play a crucial part in soil and influence its structure and organic matter cycling. Due to their essential environmental role, they are widely used as model organisms in a vast spectrum of research areas. In this work, we partially sequenced genomes of E. fetida and E. and...

The lumbricid earthworms Eisenia andrei (Ea) and E. fetida (Ef) have been used as model organisms for studies on hybridization. Previously they have been identified by species specific sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene of maternal origin (‘a’ or ‘f’) and the nuclear 28S gene of maternal/paternal origin (‘A’ or ‘F’). In experimental crosses, t...

Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei are closely related earthworm species, capable of asymmetrical hybridization. Those lumbricid earthworms are ubiquitous and highly resistant to a variety of environmental stressors, such as heavy metals. Differences occur in the immune reaction of those invertebrates and may thus differ in hybrids between both spec...

Hermaphroditic lumbricid Eisenia sp. earthworms are ubiquitous and highly resistant to a variety of environmental stressors, including heavy metals. Among the progeny of laboratory mated inter-specific pairs of Eisenia fetida (Ea) and Eisenia andrei (Ef) there are fertile Ha hybrids derived from Ea ova fertilized by Ef spermatozoa and very rare ste...

Eisenia andrei (Ea) and E. fetida (Ef) lumbricid earthworms are simultaneous hermaphrodites potentially capable of self-fertilization and hybridization. We have shown previously that reproductive isolation in these species is incomplete in Ea and Ef earthworms of French provenance, as viable offspring appeared in inter-specific pairs. Fertile asymm...

Eisenia andrei/fetida complex of lumbricid earthworms contains E. andrei (Ea) and two mitochondrial lineages of E. fetida (Ef), referred to as Ef1 and Ef2. These earthworms are hermaphrodites capable of self-fertilization and hybridization as evidenced in laboratory mated earthworms from Ea and Ef1 lineage of Ef. The aim of the present investigatio...

Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei are closely related earthworm species, capable of asymmetrical hybridization. Those lumbricid earthworms are ubiquitous and highly resistant to a variety of environmental stressors, such as heavy metals. Differences occur in the immune reaction of those invertebrates and may thus differ in hybrids between both spec...

Coelomic fluid of Eisenia andrei contains a number of UV-fluorescent compounds. In the present study we have found that four of these compounds showed identical fluorescence excitation and emission maxima at 310 nm and 364 nm, respectively, suggesting they share the same chromophore. NMR and HR-MS spectroscopy of the most abundant fluorophore reave...

COSY spectra of compound 6 in the aliphatic region. (PDF)

Representative 13C spectra of compound 6. (PDF)

Chemical shifts of 13C and 1H in NMR spectrum of compound 6 isolated from E. andrei coelomic fluid. (DOCX)

COSY spectra of compound 6 in the aromatic region. (PDF)

Representative 1H spectra of compound 6. (PDF)

MS fragmentation pattern of compounds 1, 3 and 6. (PDF)

Uniformly pigmented Eisenia andrei (Ea) and striped E. fetida (Ef) lumbricid earthworms are hermaphrodites capable of self-fertilization, cross-fertilization, and asymmetrical hybridization. The latter was detected by genotyping of F1 and F2 progeny of the controlled Ea+Ef pairs by species-specific sequences of maternal mitochondrial COI genes and...

Earthworms live in microbial-rich habitats populated with various bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other organisms. Thus, soil represents an environment with high antigenic pressure, and earthworms have developed potent defense mechanisms. Besides the abundant microbiota, earthworms are also highly influenced by various types of organic and inorganic...

Lumbricid earthworms Eisenia andrei (Ea) and E. fetida (Ef) are simultaneous hermaphrodites with reciprocal insemination capable of self-fertilization while the existence of hybridization of these two species was still debatable. During the present investigation fertile hybrids of Ea and Ef were detected. Virgin specimens of Ea and Ef were laborato...

Lumbricid earthworms are often exposed to simultaneous action of various environmental stressors like soil contamination, temperature fluctuation or predators' attacks, which may induce extrusion of coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid or loss of tail segments. If the injuries are not lethal, renewal of the immune-competent cells and soluble compo...

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of vermicomposting process applied on three different sewage sludge (precomposted with grass clippings, sawdust and municipal solid wastes) using three different earthworm species. Selected immune parameters, namely biomarkers of stress and metal body burdens, have been used to biomonitor the ve...

Lumbricid earthworms are often exposed to polluted soil. They are also commonly subjected to various stimuli and attacks by predators that induce extrusion of coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid and/or the loss of body segments followed by the renewal of immune-competent cells and regeneration of tissues/organs. The aim of our investigations was...

The data described are related to the article “Lysenin family proteins in earthworm coelomocytes – comparative approach” (B. Swiderska, S. Kedracka-Krok, T. Panz, A.J. Morgan, A. Falniowski, P.Grzmil, B. Plytycz, 2016) [1]. Lysenin family proteins were identified based on unique peptides sequenced by tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chr...

Sphingomyelin-binding proteins of the lysenin family were originally identified in earthworms belonging to the genus Eisenia comprised of at least two distinct species, E. andrei and E. fetida, until recently considered subspecies or morphotypes of E. foetida (sic). In the present study the presence of lysenin and lysenin-related protein 2 (LRP-2,...

Stressed earthworms expel coelomic fluid containing several vital cellular and soluble components, thus their post-stress recovery has adaptive value. The present manuscript describes the recovery rates of coelomocytes (amoebocytes and eleocytes) and two fluorophores (riboflavin and 4-methylumbelliferyl β-D-glucuronide, MUG) after experimental extr...

Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly technology, where earthworms are introduced in the waste, inter alia sewage sludge, to cooperate with microorganisms and enhance decomposition of organic matter. The main aims of the present study was to determine the influence of two different earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei, on the changes o...

Ariboflavinosis, that is, vitamin B2 deficiency, is a common problem affecting the populations of both developing and affluent countries. Teenagers, elderly people, pregnant women, and alcohol abusers represent groups that are particularly susceptible to this condition. This study was aimed to determine the effect of different riboflavin concentrat...

Earthworms irritated by various noxious stimuli expel coelomic fluid through dorsal pores in the body wall. Coelomic fluid contains coelomocytes (amoebocytes and riboflavin-storing eleocytes) and soluble factors responsible for immune functions, thus efficient restoration of the depleted coelomocyte system has an important adaptive value for soil-d...

Earthworm decerebration causes temporary inhibition of reproduction which is mediated by certain brain-derived neurohormones; thus, cocoon production is an apposite supravital marker of neurosecretory center functional recovery during brain regeneration. The core aim of the present study was to investigate aspects of the interactions of nervous and...

Parameters like total number of coelomocytes, riboflavin content in coelomocytes, expression of genes implied in metal homeostasis and detoxification mechanisms can be used as biomarkers in order to assess the impact of metals on Annelids. Defense biomarkers (detoxification gene expressions and coelomocyte parameters) were investigated in the ecoto...

Dendrobaena veneta belongs to the earthworm species which coelomic fl uid contains two main cohorts of freely fl oating coelomocytes, namely amoebocytes and autofl uorescent chloragocyte-derived eleocytes, with ribofl a-vin being one of fl uorophores stored in chloragosomal granules. The aim of the present studies was to follow the coelomocyte syst...

The influence of riboflavin on the function of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis during chicken embryogenesis is poorly understood. Therefore, examination of the effects of in ovo riboflavin supplementation on the possible linkage between the thyroid gland function and chick embryonic development seems to be interesting. Eggs on the sixth day...

Earthworms play an important role in biomedical research, and some surgical procedures require anesthesia. Anesthetic treatments used so far usually induce convulsive body movements connected with extrusion of coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid that may affect experimental results. Extensive movements connected with the expulsion of coelomic flu...

Supravital species identification of morphologically similar syntopic earthworms inhabiting dung and compost heaps or those from commercial cultures is difficult. The aim of the studies was to find out non-invasive species-specific markers for proper segregation of earthworm species from a dense mixed colony of waste decomposers. Worms were segrega...

This paper describes selected effects of body contact of earthworms Dendrobaena veneta Rosa with local anaesthetic (LA) drugs used for human anesthesia (lidocaine and prilocaine) and anaesthetics for aquatic animals (MS-222). The findings showed safe and effective immobilization of earthworms with prilocaine at a concentration of 0.25-1%. At the ap...

Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, as a precursor of the coenzymes FAD and FMN, has an indirect influence on many metabolic processes and determines the proper functioning of several systems, including the immune system. In the human population, plasma riboflavin concentration varies from 3·1 nm (in a moderate deficiency, e.g. in pregnant women) to 10·4 nm...

Dendrobaena veneta is an earthworm species capable of consuming a wide range of organic wastes which may be used as a field indicator of municipal sewage sludge applied to land. The aim of the present 8-week laboratory experiment was to check viability, reproduction and the immune system of D. veneta maintained in soil without food additions (contr...

Aims: We compared the effects of riboflavin pre-injection, co-injection and post-injection on several symptoms of zymosan-induced peritonitis in male Swiss mice. Additionally, the effects of i.p. injection of riboflavin itself were elucidated. Main methods: Peritonitis was induced in Swiss mice (50 animals) by i.p. zymosan (Z; 40mg/kg) injection...

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is essential to maintain immune potency in animals and plants. So far is accepted that animals cannot synthesise riboflavin; they rely on plant-sourced diets and intestinal bacteria for their supplies. A unique feature of earthworm 'hepatocyte-like' chloragocytes and chloragocyte-derived eleocytes floating in celomic cavity...

The riboflavin content in extruded coelomocyte lysates derived from Dendrodrilus rubidus may serve as a sensitive bioindicator of soil metal pollution: the vitamin (B2) content has previously been found to be high in worms from unpolluted soil but low in worms inhabiting Zn/Pb mine soils, aerially deposited Ni-contaminated soil, and in worms experi...

We have shown previously that riboflavin is stored in chloragosomes of chloragocyte-derived earthworm eleocytes what may have an adaptive value for worms vulnerable to soil-derived pathogen invasion. Thus, it is important to determine whether riboflavin stores are also present in earthworm species with low eleocyte counts, especially in the chlorag...

Earthworm immune-competent cells (coelomocytes) can be adversely affected by soil metal contamination. The aim of the present paper was to perform comparative studies on the coelomocytes of four lumbricid species dermally exposed for 2days to filter paper soaked with Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, or Pb chlorides (1mM). Coelomocytes were expelled by electro-stimu...

Earthworm immune-competent cells, celomocytes, are easily retrieved for ex vivo analyses. Celomocytes consist of amebocytes and species-specific numbers of chloragocyte-derived eleocytes, the latter accumulating free riboflavin in their chloragosome inclusions. Autofluorescent eleocytes are abundant in Eisenia sp., Allolobophora sp., Dendrobaena sp...

We have shown previously that stubby worms Allolobophora chlorotica are sensitive to environmental stress, including metal-polluted soil. In order to discern the mechanisms of this sensitivity, adult (clitellate) Al. chlorotica were exposed in the laboratory to soil samples soaked with water (control) or Ni (1 and 2 mg/kg), Zn (1.25 and 2.5 g/kg) o...

We investigated the effects of riboflavin (vitamin B2) on the kinetics of zymosan-induced peritonitis in three strains of mice. Peritonitis was induced in males of C57BL/6J, BALB/c and CBA mice by intraperitoneal injection of zymosan (40 mg/kg) or zymosan supplemented with riboflavin (50mg/kg). During the first 45 min of inflammation the pain sympt...

Metal pollution affects earthworm coelomocytes, including their differential counts, riboflavin content and metallothioneins (MT) involved in metal homoeostasis and detoxification. The present work shows effects of Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb at the same molarity (1mM) on coelomocytes of Allolobophora chlorotica after 2-day worm dermal exposure to metal...

Lumbricus rubellus is a cosmopolitan earthworm devoid of riboflavin-storing eleocytes; its immune competent coelomocytes are predominantly amoebocytes. Our aim was to determine whether amoebocyte cytometrics in L. rubellus are robust biomarkers for innate immunological responses to environmental pollutants. Investigations were conducted on populati...

A 6-week reciprocal transfer laboratory exposure experiment was conducted with two populations of the epigeic earthworm Dendrodrilus rubidus; one population inhabited a site approx. 200 m downwind of an active Ni smelter co-contaminated with Ni and Cu (3648 and 977 microg g(-1)d.w., respectively), the other inhabited uncontaminated soil. Worms tran...

The central paradigm says that during inflammation, after completing their function, granulocytes die apoptotically in periphery to avoid destruction of self-tissues. Here we aimed to investigate the kinetic aspect of inflammatory leukocyte apoptosis and verify whether apart from neutrophils also other inflammatory leukocytes numerously undergo apo...

The effect of Pb + Zn on coelomocyte riboflavin content in the epigeic earthworm Dendrodrilus rubidus inhabiting three metalliferous soils and one reference soil was measured by flow cytometry and spectrofluorimetry. A reciprocal polluted↔unpolluted worm transfer experiment (4-week exposure) was also performed. High proportions of autofluorescent e...

Cyclooxygenases (COXs) play important roles during inflammation. While reports on COX-2 function in inflammation preceded those on COX-1, it is now well established that both isoforms participate in this process. During inflammation, COX expression was reported in inflammatory leukocytes, but much less is known about their presence in tissue- resid...

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is a Zn(2+)-dependent endopeptidase that degrades some of the components of basement membranes and extracellular matrix and thus participates in leukocyte infiltration during inflammation. In a model of zymosan peritonitis, neutrophil infiltration in MMP-deficient (MMP-9(-/-)) mice was significantly weaker at the...

Extracellular proteolysis of basement membranes and matrix is required for leukocyte diapedesis and migration to the inflammatory focus. Neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are among the enzymes involved in these processes, as shown in mice genetically deprived of such enzymes. However, studies with MMP-9(-/-) mice reveale...

Earthworms are widely used to assess the bioavailability and deleterious effects of metals in contaminated soils. This book discusses some of the direct and indirect methods that have recently been used to determine the ligand-binding speciation and the extent of the toxicologically-important bio-reactive metal and metalloid fractions in the cells...

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)/gelatinase B plays an important role in neutrophil infiltration during inflammation and cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) and their products are important regulators of inflammation. Recently, we reported that a genetic lack of MMP-9 impairs neutrophil infiltration during early zymosan-induced peritonitis but at l...

A resorbable copolymer of glycolide and L-lactide (PGLA), a terpolymer of glycolide, L-lactide, and epsilon-caprolactone (PGLCL), and a copolymer of glycolide and epsilon-caprolactone (PGCL) were synthesized by ring opening polymerization using zirconium acetylacetonate (Zr(acac)(4)) as an initiator. The structure and physicochemical surface proper...

To investigate a putative role of lymphocytes in a murine model of zymosan peritonitis. Rag-deficient mice (KO) and their counterparts (WT) (13 animals in each group). Mice were injected i. p. with zymosan (2 mg/ml, 0.5 ml/mouse) and sacrificed either 30 min or 6 h post-treatment. At 30 min of inflammation vascular permeability was assessed by peri...

This paper describes F‐based dry etching and resulting surface properties of biocompatible silicone elastomer. The etch rate of polysiloxane and surface morphology was found to be highly temperature dependent. An increase in temperature results in a significantly higher etch rate and a lower surface roughness. Possible mechanisms of the etching pro...

Despite the discovery of many cytokine genes in fish, knowledge on their functional homology is limited. To enlighten the biological function of inflammation-related mediators, we studied their kinetics of gene expression during peritonitis in carp. Zymosan-induced intraperitoneal influx of phagocytes reached a maximum at 24h. In peritoneal leukocy...

Earthworms irritated naturally (e.g. by predators) or experimentally extrude coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid through the dorsal pores of the body wall. In the present study, the earthworms, Dendrobaena veneta, experimentally depleted of free-floating coelomocytes by multiple electric shocks (1 min, 4.5 V) remained fully vital and coelomocyte...

Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is crucial for normal neutrophil infiltration into zymosan-inflamed peritoneum. During the course of zymosan peritonitis MMP-9 is produced in a biphasic-manner as its presence is detectable as early as 30 min post zymosan and then between 2 and 8 h of inflammation. As inflammatory leukocytes were shown to produce MMP-9 w...

Earthworms exposed dermally to heavy metals can accumulate copper, lead, and cadmium avidly, but zinc is efficiently regulated. Allolobophora chlorotica is more sensitive to Cu, and less sensitive to both Pb and Cd ions than Eisenia fetida. During dermal exposure to heavy metals, the elemental composition of E. fetida immunocompetent cells, coelomo...

Coelomic fluid and cells (coelomocytes) were extruded by the electric shock (1 min, 4.5 V) from field-collected individuals of Allolobophora chlorotica (Sav.). Coelomocytes were subjected to bright field and fluorescence light as well as electron microscopy (transmission and scanning). Results of all methods combined, revealed two distinct populati...

Neutral red (NR) is a vital stain accumulating in lysosomes of the cells, exemplified here by the coelomocytes non-invasively extruded from the earthworm coelomic cavity. Flow cytometry allows to distinguish two main populations of earthworm coelomocytes, namely hyaline and granular amoebocytes (A), and eleocytes/chloragocytes (E), the latter exhib...

Increased vascular permeability leading to vascular leakage is a central feature of all inflammatory reactions and is critical for the formation of an inflammatory exudate. The leakage occurs because of gap formation between endothelial cells and breakdown of the basement membrane barriers. The present study aimed to investigate the role of gelatin...

Three-day dermal exposure of Dendrobaena veneta to metal ions differentially disrupts the immunocompetence/pathogen balance. Zn does not accumulate in the earthworm body, Cu accumulation is temperature-independent while Cd accumulation is stronger at 22 degrees C than at 10 degrees C. During in vitro incubation with metal ions at 22 degrees C, grow...

Immunocompetent cells of earthworms (coelomocytes) contain adherent amoebocytes and large eleocytes (chloragocytes); the latter are filled with numerous granules. We have previously shown that eleocytes of several (but not all) earthworm species exhibit strong autofluorescence detectable by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. In the present...

We have recently shown that a large proproportion of earthworm coelomocytes exhibit strong autofluorescence in some species (Dendrobaena veneta, Allolobophora chlorotica, Dendrodrilus rubidus, Eisenia fetida, and Octolasion spp.), while autofluorescent coelomocytes are very scarce in representatives of Lumbricus spp. and Aporrectodea spp. Riboflavi...

Immunocompetent cells of earthworms, coelomocytes, comprise adherent amoebocytes and granular eleocytes (chloragocytes). Both cell populations can be expelled via dorsal pores of adult earthworms by exposure to an electric current (4.5 V) for 1 min. Analysis by phase contrast/fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated that eleocyte pop...

Murine zymosan-induced peritonitis represents a well-defined model of acute inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which leukocytes degrade basement membranes during extravasation into the peritoneum are not clear. Gelatinase B (MMP-9) is thought to participate in cellular migration, yet its role in leukocyte transmigration through endo...

We have shown that supplementation of proinflammatory agent with a high dose of morphine not only abolishes inflammation-related pain symptoms but also inhibits influx of leukocytes to the inflamed peritoneal cavity. Present investigations focused on effects of morphine on proopiomelanocortin and prodynorphin systems during zymosan-induced peritoni...

Morphine coinjection with zymosan inhibits pain and leukocyte accumulation during peritonitis in several strains of mice, and affects systems of endogenous opioids. Present investigations focus on Met-enkephalin (Met-ENK) in the inflamed peritoneal cavity and brain centers of Swiss mice. Males of Swiss mice were IP injected with zymosan or zymosan...

This paper provides direct evidence that earthworm immune cells, coelomocytes, are exposed to bio-reactive quantities of metals within 3 days after dermal exposure, and that they respond by upregulating metallothionein (MT) and heat shock protein (HSP70, HSP72) expression. Indirect support for the hypothesis that coelomocytes are capable of traffic...

Birch (Betula sp.) pollen grains are the main cause of seasonal allergies in northern and central Europe. The allergen particles released from the grains are often well distributed in the air. Due to their size, airborne protein particles can easily penetrate into the lower parts of the respiratory airways and may lead to symptoms of asthma. The pu...

It has been previously shown that local administration of a high dose of morphine together with a proinflammatory agent has anti-inflammatory effects in several (but not all) strains of mice. In the present paper, behavioural and cellular consequences of morphine co-injection are compared between several strains of mice with zymosan-induced periton...

Morphine co-injection has anti-inflammatory effects on zymosan-induced peritonitis in several strains of mice except that of CBA. As peritoneal mast cells (pMCs) are much more numerous in CBA mice than in SWISS mice, therole of pMCs in morphine-modulated zymosan peritonitis is compared in CBA and SWISS males. pMCs were treated in vitro with morphin...

Zymosan-induced peritoneal inflammation was inhibited by morphine co-injection in mice and fish but not in anuran amphibians. In present experiments, an in vitro migration of mouse, goldfish, and frog leukocytes to L15 medium, control serum (S) or zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) was recorded following cell preincubation with L15 or with agonists of m...

SWISS mice, edible frogs and goldfish i.p. injected with zymosan (Z groups) develop peritoneal inflammation connected with a massive intraperitoneal accumulation of leukocytes, which is significantly diminished in mice and fish (but not frogs) by supplementation of zymosan with morphine (ZM groups). In order to check the putative role of resident p...

Adult male mice were kept for one week either one or four animals per cage. Some were maintained under the same social conditions for an additional 9 days (controls); their counterparts were either grouped (4 per cage) or isolated (1 per cage). Changes in housing conditions caused a significant increase of plasma corticosterone measured 30 minutes...

Earthworms are sensitive bioindicators of soil pollution. The aim of present investigations was to study the effects of heavy metals on earthworms and on their coelomocytes involved in the defence reactions. Adult individuals of Allolobophora chlorotica collected in Krakow (K) soil were kept in the laboratory either in the K soil, or were transferr...

Coelomocytes (extruded via dorsal pores of earthworms subjected to 5V electric shock) of adult Allolobophora chlorotica, Lumbricus terrestris, Dendrobaena veneta and Eisenia fetida consisted of species-specific proportions of hyaline amoebocytes, granular amoebocytes, and eleocytes. In all species a significant increase of granular amoebocytes with...

Experimental peritonitis is a convenient model for investigations of the opioid action in the focus of inflammation, as both exudatory fluid and cells are easy for quantitative retrieval from the inflamed peritoneal cavity. During the course of inflammation the changes of Met-enkephalin, beta-endorphin, and dynorphin may be followed in the fluid wh...

Adult Dendrobaena veneta (Annelida; Oligochaete; Lumbricidae), were kept for 2–4 weeks at either 22 °C or 10 °C in control (C) heavy metal-free commercial soil, or in relatively unpolluted Krakow (K) urban soil, or in heavily polluted (Zn>Pb>Cd) Bukowno (B) industrial soil. At the end of exposures, the numbers of coelomocytes, brown bodies, and bac...

The local increase in Met-enkephalin level during zymosan-induced peritonitis may be related to its local production by exudatory leukocytes (as evidenced by our previous experiments) and influx from distal centers, as its level is significantly decreased in blood, inguinal lymph nodes, and some brain areas (striatum, hypothalamus, and pituitary gl...

The concept of the four cardinal signs of acute inflammation comes from antiquity as rubor et tumor cum calore et dolore, (redness and swelling with heat and pain) extended later by functio laesa (loss of function). The contemporary understanding of this process we owe to 19th-century milestone discoveries by Rudolph Virchow, Julius Cohnheim and El...

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The initial phase of zymosan-induced peritonitis involves an increase of vascular permeability (peak at 30 min) that is correlated with high levels of vasoactive eicosanoids, namely, prostaglandins (PGI2 and PGE2) of cyclooxygenase-1 origin (as estimated by RT-PCR) and cysteinyl-leukotrienes. Previously, we showed that the increase of vascular perm...

Stress, a state of threatened homeostasis, may be induced by various physical or psychological factors (stressors), including antigenic stimulation. Stressful experiences may affect both physical/psychological well being and immune functioning of humans and animals; the ongoing immune reaction may affect other physiological functions and psychologi...

Food consumption was measured during the day (lights on) and the night (lights off) and compared between one outbred and 9 inbred strains of mice (CBA/Kw, C3H, DBA2, KP, BALB/c, C57BL, B10.Amst, B10.BR, B10.BR Y-del) in age groups 30-60, 60-90, 90-120, and more than 120 days. Outbred mice and animals from B10 sublines ate significantly more during...

Zymosan- or thioglycollate-induced experimental peritoneal inflammation in mice may serve as a convenient model for investigations of involvement of opioid peptides derived from exudatory leukocytes in the inflammatory processes. During peritonitis, the influx of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages correlated with a sequential appearance of proin...