title: Estimation of endotoxin-like substances in deep seawater by using bioassay.
abstract: Deep seawater has recently been under trial as a fundamental material for mineral water, food, face lotion and an efficacious reagent for the cure of atopic dermatitis in Japan. However, little is known about the biologically effective substances, including toxic compounds in deep seawater. In this study, we investigated the effects of deep seawater on the function of murine macrophages in vitro, and examined the endotoxin-like substances in seawater. Mitochondrial activity and NO production in macrophage cells cultured with stimulants were enhanced in a depth dependent manner by pretreatment with deep seawater. In addition, fractions from deep seawater, enriched by hydrophobic column chromatography, activated the macrophage cells much more than the corresponding fractions from surface seawater. Furthermore, the effects of the fractions on macrophage cells remained significant, even with the addition of polymyxin B. which is a specific inhibitor of endotoxins. These results indicate that endotoxins and unknown substances, which affect macrophage functions, exist in a depth dependent manner in seawater.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biochemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Shizuoka, Japan. takagku@ys7.u-shizuoka-ken-ac.jp
authors.forename: Kuniaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: Tatsumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inamura
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawajiri
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Noya
authors.forename: Yoshitugu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hagiwara
authors.forename: Yasunobu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suketa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003358:Cosmetics; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007249:Inflammation; D007564:Japan; D008264:Macrophages; D051379:Mice; D012623:Seawater / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D004731:Endotoxins; D014873:Water Pollutants