The proteolytic activities of alpha-chymotrypsin, trypsin, pepsin, bromelain, and an extract from germinating pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita moschata) were determined by their ability to effect the release of 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate bound to internal hydrophobic sites in intact protein substrates. Casein, glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase, urease, catalase, pumpkin seed globulin, and bovine s...

Although neutrophils are not viewed as a principal defense against influenza A virus (IAV) infection, their interactions are both complex and clinically relevant. Activation of the neutrophil is distinctive from that described for chemoattractants. To more fully characterize the pathway by which IAV stimulates the human neutrophil, we have examined its binding characteristics. First, inhibition...

We have observed that treatment of rabbit synovial fibroblasts with proteolytic enzymes can induce secretion of collagenase (EC 3.4.24.7) and plasminogen activator (EC 3.4.21.-). Cells treated for 2-24 hr with plasmin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancreatic elastase, papain, bromelain, thermolysin, or alpha-protease but not with thrombin or neuraminidase secreted detectable amounts of collagenase wi...

This study was conducted to compare the efficiency of different plant proteases for changing biochemical and microstructural characteristics in muscle foods. The meat samples from chicken, giant catfish, pork and beef were treated with four types of proteolytic enzymes: Calotropis procera latex proteases, papaya latex proteases, commercial papain and bromelain at the concentrations of 2 × 10 3 ...

Bromelain, a widely used pineapple extract with cysteine protease activity, has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects in a variety of immune system models. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of orally administered bromelain in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine model of acute allergic airway disease (AAD). To establish AAD, female C57BL/6J mice were sensitized wi...

Protease supplementation has been shown to attenuate soft tissue injury resulting from intense exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of protease supplementation on muscle soreness and contractile performance after downhill running. Ten matched pairs of male participants ran at a -10% grade for 30 min at 80% of their predicted maximal heart rate. The participants consumed t...

The thiol protease, bromelain, an extract from pineapple stem, was suggested to have antithrombotic and anticoagulant activities in vivo. We studied the effects of bromelain on cell size distribution of isolated human platelets in vitro by Coulter Counter measurements. Preincubation of platelets with bromelain (10 micrograms/mL) completely prevented the thrombin (0.2 U/mL) induced platelet aggr...

BACKGROUND Although rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most common cereals produced and consumed around the world, there have been only a few reports on immediate hypersensitivity reactions after ingestion of rice. Few clinical studies on rice allergy in Asia have been reported concerning rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. In this case study, we identify allergens presumably responsible for...

INTRODUCTION The role of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) in diagnostics of occupational allergy remains unclarified and its clinical relevance is still questioned. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of positive response to CCDs in the subjects with suspected occupational allergy and the relationship between other diagnostic test results and final diagnosis. MATER...

The blood of twelve patients with parasitologically proved visceral leishmaniasis was examined for the presence of antibodies against blood cells. The direct antiglobulin test (Coombs' test) was positive in ten. IgG and complement were found on the red cells (alone or combined), but no IgA or IgM. In the serum of two, warm antibodies were found in the bromelin test. Pseudo-agglutination was det...