Immunohistochemical changes in morphologically involved and uninvolved colonic mucosa of patients with idiopathic proctitis.

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Abstract

Alterations in secretory component, IgA, IgG, and IgM were studied by immunofluorescent techniques in mucosal biopsy specimens obtained at colonoscopy from inflamed and grossly uninvolved colonic mucosa from 12 patients with idiopathic proctitis. Parotid-salivary secretory component and IgA and serum immunoglobulins were also investigated. Decreased secretory IgA was observed in the epithelium of all grossly involved rectal mucosa and in 40% of proximal normal mucosa. Salivary secretory IgA was not diminished. These observations suggest that a local immune defect may be pathogenetically related to idiopathic proctitis.

Authors

K M Das, W F Erber, A Rubinstein

Effect of acute ammonia intoxication on cerebral metabolism in rats with portacaval shunts.

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Abstract

Rats were made chronically hyperammonemic by portal-systemic shunting and, 8 wk later, were subjected to acute ammonia intoxication by the intraperitoneal injection of 5.2 mmol/kg of ammonium acetate. In free-ranging animals, ammonia treatment induced a brief period of precoma (10-15 min) that progressed into deep, anesthetic coma lasting for several hours and was associated with a high mortality. In paralyzed, artificially ventilated animals that were lightly anesthetized with nitrous oxide, acute ammonia intoxication caused major disturbances of cerebral carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism that correlated in time with the change in functional state. At 10 min after injection (precoma), the concentrations of most glycolytic intermediates were increased, as was the lactate/pyruvate ratio. Citrate declined, despite a twofold rise in pyruvate, suggesting that the conversion of pyruvate to citrate had been impaired. Concentrations of phosphocreatine, and of the putative neurotransmitters, glutamate and aspartate, declined during precoma, but the concentrations of the adenine nucleotides in the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and brain stem remained within normal limits. At 60 min after injection (coma), ATP declined in all regions of brain; the reduction in total high-energy phosphates was most notable in the brain stem. The findings indicate that cerebral dysfunction in chronic, relapsing ammonia intoxication is not due to primary energy failure. Rather, it is suggested that ammonia-induced depletion of glutamic and aspartic acids, and inhibition of the malate-asparate hydrogen shuttle are the dominant neurochemical lesions.

Authors

B Hindfelt, F Plum, T E Duffy

Irreversible bronchial goblet cell metaplasia in hamsters with elastase-induced panacinar emphysema.

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Abstract

A single intratracheal instillation of pancreatic elastase in hamsters induces a lesion resembling human panacinar emphysema. This paper reports the occurrence of irreversible goblet cell metaplasia in the bronchial epithelium of hamsters similarly exposed to elastase. The goblet cell change was dose related; a dose of 0.1 mg/100 g body wt or less at 16 days, produced slight or moderate goblet cell metaplasia in fewer than half the animals, whereas 84% of animals treated with a dose between 0.2 and 0.5 mg/100 g body wt developed goblet cell metaplastic lesions, more than half of which were considered to be severe. The percentage of goblet cells in the epithelium of elastase-treated hamsters (32.5) was significantly higher (P less than 0.005) than that of unexposed (12.2) and saline-exposed controls (18.7). All hamsters examined 6 and 12 mo after elastase treatment showed the lesion. The pathogenesis of the changes is unclear but the possibility is raised that the bronchial changes may be due to disturbance of an endogenous protease-antiprotease system. The findings suggest the hypothesis that, under appropriate circumstances, a single pulmonary insult in man could lead to a permanent lung injury demonstrating the anatomic lesions of both chronic bronchitis and panacinar emphysema.

Authors

T G Christensen, A L Korthy, G L Snider, J A Hayes

Binding of collagen alpha1 chains to human platelets.

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Abstract

We previously reported that purified alpha1 chains of type 1 chick skin collagen induce platelet aggregation. We now describe immunological and biochemical evidence that the peptide binds to intact platelets as an early event in the induction of platelet aggregation and the release reaction. Antibody against alpha1 (I) was obtained by immunizing rabbits with complete Freund's adjuvant mixed with purified alpha1. Immunofluorescence studies showed that alpha1(I)-treated platelets exhibited strong immunofluorescence. The intensity of fluorescence was markedly decreased by the pretreatment of platelets with alpha1-CB5 and glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine. Dose-response curves of platelet aggregation induced by alpha1 and the binding of alpha1 by washed intact platelets are correlated. The biochemical studies showed that the binding of the alpha1 chain to washed intact platelets was platelet concentration and temperature dependent, and that it reached a maximum in 10 min. The process was reversible and specific, with an association constant of 1.7 muM. The inhibitor of alpha1-induced platelet aggregation, glucosylgalactosyl hydroxylysine, inhibited the alpha1 binding. These results suggest that alpha1(I) chains bind to specific receptor site(s) on platelet membranes to trigger aggregation and the release reaction.

Authors

T M Chiang, E H Beachey, A H Kang

Kinetics of serum amyloid protein A in casein-induced murine amyloidosis.

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Abstract

Serum amyloid protein A (SAA), the precursor of secondary amyloid protein, is elevated in chronic diseases which are associated with an increased incidence of amyloid. However, SAA is also elevated in acute bacterial and viral infections and somes forms of cancer. The murine model of casein-induced amyloidosis was studied to determine the relationship between SAA production and amyloid deposition. SAA levels measured by radioimmunoassay were found to be as high as 200 times the normal level in CBA/J mice receiving daily parenteral casein. After a single injection of casein the SAA level was elevated by 3h and peaked by 12-18 h. Similar levels were found in casein-treated A/J mice, a strain less susceptible to the induction of amyloid. Parenterally administered bovine serum albumin, which has low potential for amyloid induction, gave SAA levels in CBA/J and A/J mice comparable to casein treatment. These data show that, while SAA levels are elevated during chronic antigenic stimulation, there are other factors involved in amyloid formation. These factors may include alterations in the degradation of SAA by the reticuloendothelial system caused by substances such as casein. Nude (athymic) mice were shown to attain high levels of SAA after receiving casein parenterally. Therefore, thymus-derived lymphocytes are not necessary for the synthesis of SAA.

Authors

M D Benson, M A Scheinberg, T Shirahama, E S Cathcart, M Skinner

Effects of ionophore A23187 on base-line and vasopressin-stimulated sodium transport in the toad bladder.

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Abstract

The cation specific ionophore A23187 (Io) is a useful tool for studying the role of intracellular Ca++ (Ca++)i in physiologic processes. The present studies explore the role of (Ca++)i on Na transport in the toad bladder. Scraped bladder cells exposed to 1 muM Io for 60 min took up 100% more 45Ca than control cells. Io, 1 muM, added to the serosal side of bladders incubated in standard Ringers containing 2.5 mM Ca++ inhibited short circuit current (SCC) values by a mean of 30% at 60 min and 50% at 90 min. Io did not inhibit SCC significantly in bladders incubated in Ringers containing 0.2 mM Ca++. These data indicate that the effects of Io on SCC depend on the levels of external Ca++ and suggest that entry of Ca++ into cells mediates the inhibition of base-line SCC. PReincubation of the bladders with either lanthanum chloride or pentobarbital prevented the increased 45Ca uptake produced by ionophore as well as theinhibition of SCC caused by the antibiotic. Vasopressin, antidiuretic hormone (ADH). 10 MU/ml, increased peak SCC by 247% in bladders preincubated for 1 h in Ringers with 2.5 mM Ca++ and 1 muM Io and by 318% in control bladders (P less than 0.01). Bladders exposed to 1 muM Io in Ringers with 0.2 mM Ca++ had an increase in SCC after ADH comparable to that observed in controls. Since the effects of ADH on SCC are mediated by cyclic AMP, we tested the effects of Io on cAMP production by scraped toad bladder cells. ADH increased cAMP from 8 to 30 pmol/mg protein in controls but it did not increase cAMP over base-line values in the presence of Io when the Ringers contained 2.5 mM Ca++. Io did not inhibit cAMP production in response to ADH when the Ca++ in the Ringers was 0.2 mM. The results indicate that Io inhibits baseline and ADH stimulated SCC by increasing (Ca++)i or Ca++ bound to the cell membrane. It is suggested that: ()( (Ca++)i or membrane-bound Ca++ plays a key role in base-line and ADH stimulated Na transport in the toad bladder; (2) inhibition of ADH stimulated SCC may be due inpart to decreased cAMP generation in response to ADH when (Ca++)i or membrane-bound Ca++ levels are increased.

Authors

W Wiesmann, S Sinha, S Klahr

Mechanism for calcium urolithiasis among patients with hyperuricosuria: supersaturation of urine with respect to monosodium urate.

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Abstract

Since monosodium urate (NaU) may play an important etiologic role in the formation of renal stones containing Ca in patients with hyperuricosuria, the current studies were undertaken to define some of the physiocochemical factors which determine the formation of NaU. In solutions containing Na, uric acid was rapidly transformed to NaU at pH greater than 6. The results indicated that NaU, and not uric acid, was the stable phase above this pH. A reliable and simple method for the calculation of the state of saturation of urine with respect to NaU was developed from the ratio of concentration products of Na and total dissolved urate (Upi) in the ambient fluid before and after incubation of urine with synthetic NaU. The concentration product ratio closely approximated the ratio of activity products of Na+ and acid urate ion. In contrast, the relative saturation ratio, or the ratio of activity product of original sample and the thermodynamic solubility product of NaU, often differed from the activity product ratio in the individual urine samples. With the concentration product rate, it was found in 45 urine samples that a critical determinant for the supersaturated state with respect to NaU was the high concentration of UT. At UT greater than 300 mg/liter, urine samples were invariably supersaturated with respect to NaU. These results suggest that the nidus of NaU could potentially form in the urine of patients with hyperuricosuria and Ca stones.

Authors

C Y Pak, O Waters, L Arnold, K Holt, C Cox, D Barilla

Immunological and immunoassay studies of the binding protein for vitamin D and its metabolites in human serum.

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Abstract

This study reports the development of a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay and a simple and accurate radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay for the human serum-binding protein for vitamin D and its metabolites (DBP). These immunoassays employed a monospecific antiserum that was prepared in rabbits against human DBP. The radioimmunoassay effectively measured DBP in amounts of 1-10 ng, whereas the RID assay measured DBP accurately in amounts of 0.2-0.8 mug. The results obtained with the two immunoassays on the same samples of serum agreed well with each other. Using the RID assay, the mean (+/- SD) serum DBP concentration observed in 35 normal persons was 422 +/- 27 micrograms/ml. Generally similar levels were observed in 66 hyperlipidemic subjects. In molar terms, the mean DBP concentration (approximately 8 microgramsM) was of the order of 50 times the usual serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) plus vitamin D. Thus, most of plasma DBP circulates as apo-DBP, not containing a bound molecule of 25-OH-D or of vitamin D. DBP and 25-OH-D concentrations were measured in a limited number of patients with hypercalcemia, mild hypocalcemia, and markedly elevated serum 25-OH-D levels due to oral vitamin D supplementation. It was found that major changes can occur in the serum levels of 25-OH-D and of calcium with very little or no associated changes occurring in the serum concentration of DBP, The results suggest that neither serum 25-OH-D nor serum calcium plays an important role in the regulation of the metabolism of DBP. Data were obtained that confirmed and extended an earlier report on the identity of the group-specific component (Gc) protein in plasma with the plasma vitamin D-binding protein. On immunodiffusion against whole serum, the line formed with the anti-DBP antiserum showed a complete reaction-of-identity with the line formed with commercial antiserum against Gc protein. Furthermore, serum that had been depleted of DBP by treatment with Sepharose containing covalently coupled antibodies against DBP was found to be depleted also of immunoreactivity against anti-GC protein antiserum. In addition, the properties of the purified DBP preparation agreed closely with those previously reported by others for Gc protein. Finally, a comparative immunology study showed that sera from several different mammalian orders showed some immunoreactivity against the antihuman DBP antiserum. Thus, proteins immunologically similar to human DBP are present in sera from a number of mammalian species and orders.

Authors

M Imawari, D S Goodman

Enzymatic basis for bioenergetic differences of alveolar versus peritoneal macrophages and enzyme regulation by molecular O2.

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Abstract

Alveolar macrophages (AM) and peritoneal macrophages (PM) originate from common precursor cells, but function in different O2 environments. In the present studies, the impact of different O2 tensions on cell metabolism has been quantitatively determined, an enzymatic basis for these differences established, and a mechanism which regulates enzymatic differences demonstrated. O2 consumption and lactate production were compared in rabbit AM and PM in air and nitrogen. In air, AM demonstrate significantly greater O2 utilization. In nitrogen, (where glycolysis is the major source of energy provision) lactate production is two- to threefold greater in the PM. A comparison of several enzymes of energy metabolism in AM and PM indicate that one basis for the differences in cell energetics is a difference in activity of key enzymes of both the oxidative phosphorlyative and the glycolytic sequences. Exposure of cultivated AM to hypoxic conditions results in changes in the activity of these enzymes such that the AM closely resembles the PM. A key enzyme in oxidative phosphorylation (cytochrome oxidase) shows decreased activity and reaches values similar to those found in the PM. A key enzyme in glycolysis (pyruvate kinase) shows increased activity to values resembling those found in the PM. These alterations in enzyme pattern occur in isolated cell systems, suggesting that molecular O2 modifies the intrinsic cellular regulation of some enzymes of energy metabolism. Alterations in O2 tension may lead to alterations of the rate of biosynthesis and (or) the rate of biodegradation of key enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. In turn, the alteration of enzyme patterns leads to a more suitable bioenergetic pattern as a function of O2 availability.

Authors

L M Simon, E D Robin, J R Phillips, J Acevedo, S G Axline, J Theodore

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate inhibits the availability of arachidonate to prostaglandin synthetase in human platelet suspensions.

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Abstract

When thrombin is added to washed human platelets, one of its actions results in activation of a phospholipase that hydrolyzes arachidonic acid from phospholipids. The arachidonate is converted to the cyclic endoperoxides (prostaglandin G2 and prostaglandin H2) by fatty acid cyclo-oxygenase. These compounds are then converted to thromboxane A2, also called rabbit aorta-contracting substance, by thromboxane synthetase. These labile, pharmacologically active compounds then break down to inactive products including thromboxane B2 and malonaldehyde. Incubation of platelets with either dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (dBcAMP) or prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) before thrombin addition blocks the subsequent formation of oxygenated products of arachidonic acid including thromboxane A2, thromboxane B2, and malonaldehyde. In contrast, when arachidonic acid is added directly to platelets, prior incubation with dBcAMP or PGE1 does not inhibit production of the prostaglandins or their metabolites. Thrombin treatment of platelets also blocks the acetylation of cyclo-oxygenase by aspirin since the hydrolyzed arachidonic acid competes with aspirin for the active site on cyclo-oxygenase. Prior treatment of platelets with dBcAMP or PGE1 reverses the thrombin inhibition of the acetylation of cyclo-oxygenase. We conclude that agents which elevate platelet cAMP levels inhibit the hydrolysis of arachidonic acid from platelet phospholipids. We also find that prostaglandin synthesis can be dissociated, in part, from platelet aggregation and release, and that cAMP has separate actions on these processes. Higher thrombin concentrations are required to stimulate prostaglandin synthesis (0.05-2 U/ml) than are required to induce [14C]serotonin release (0.02-0.1 U/ml). Furthermore, dBcAMP and PGE1 both inhibit platelet aggregation induced by either arachidonic acid or prostaglandin H2 without affecting the production of prostaglandin metabolites from these compounds.

Authors

M Minkes, N Stanford, M M Chi, G J Roth, A Raz, P Needleman, P W Majerus

Inhibition of antigen- and mitogen-induced human lymphocyte proliferation by gold compounds.

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Abstract

Gold sodium thiomalate (GST) inhibited in vitro antigen- and mitogen-triggered human lymphocyte DNA synthesis. Inhibition of responsiveness was observed with concentrations of GST equivalent to gold levels found in serum or tissues of patients receiving chrysotherapy, Inhibition was dependent upon the gold ion itself since GST and gold chloride were both inhibitory whereas thiomalic acid was not. Inhibition could not be explained by nonspecific killing of cells or by an alteration in the kinetics of the responses. GST inhibited mitogen-induced proliferation most effectively when present from the initiation of culture and could not inhibit the responsiveness of cells which previously had been activated by concanvalin A. These findings indicated that GST blocked a critical early step in lymphocyte activation. The degree of GST-induced inhibition of proliferation was increased in cultures of cells partially depleted of monocytes. Moreover, inhibition was reversed by supplementation of these cultures with purified monocytes. These observations suggested that GST blocked thymus-derived (T)-lymphocyte activation by interfering with a requisite function of the monocyte population in initiating such responses. Prolonged incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with GST resulted in diminished mitogen responsiveness upon subsequent culture in the absence of gold. The addition of fresh monocytes restored responsiveness to these populations. Furthermore, preincubation of purified monocytes with GST rendered them deficient in their ability to support mitogen-induced T-lymphocyte proliferation on subsequent culture. These observations indicate that the major effect of GST results from interference with the functional capability of the monocyte population.

Authors

P E Lipsky, M Ziff

Enhanced activity of hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase during dietary restriction in the rat: dependence on age and relation to cell size.

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Abstract

Age-related decreases of hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase activities of rat fat cell plasma membranes (ghosts) have been recently described. Glucagon-sensitive activity was completely lost between 1 and 6 mo, an interval in which fat cell size increases rapidly, while decreased activation by ACTH was gradual over the entire life span of the animal (24 mo), and epinephrine-sensitive enzyme diminished modestly and only during senescence. In the present studies an attempt was made by restricting food intake to assess the importance of changing cell size in the age-related alterations of hormone-sensitive enzyme activities. Enzyme activities were determined before restriction and at monthly intervals for 3 mo for the unstimulated enzyme (basal) and in the presence of maximally stimulating concentrations of glucagon, ACTH, epinephrine, and fluoride. Activities were calculated per milligram ghost protein or per cell. Restriction of food intake for 3 mo starting at 1 or 12 mo produced fat cells equal in size to those of 5-wk-old animals fed ad lib. In young animals restricted for 1 mo, hormone-stimulated activity expressed as fold increase (stimulated/basal) was not merely maintained as the cells were prevented from enlarging, but was enhanced two to three times over the initial values with all three hormones. With continued restriction epinephrine-sensitive activity remained two times increased. Glucagon and ACTH responses subsequently decreased, but even by 3 mo of restriction, responses to the latter hormones, although declining, were still 1.5-3 times greater than the unrestricted controls, regardless of whether activity was expressed as total activity per milligram ghost protein or per cell, or as fold-increase. In the young animals, basal and fluoride-sensitive activities after a 3-mo restriction were unchanged or had decreased only slightly, depending on the base line used. Dietary restriction of adult animals for 3 mo, in contrast to the results in the young, did not increase total hormone-stimulated activity but rather produced either 0% (per milligram protein) or 25% decrease (per cell) for epinephrine-sensitive enzyme, 25 or 50% decrease of ACTH response, and 40 or 60% decreases of basal- and fluoride-stimulated activities. Expression of activities of restricted adults as fold-increase (stimulate/basal) showed an "increase of responsiveness" for all three hormones, but this was a reflection of the marked decrease of basal activity. Nonetheless, the restricted adults showed significant restoration of a small amount of glucagon-sensitive activity (1.8-fold over basal). These results indicate that cell size, per se, is not a dominant factor affecting hormone-responsive adenylate cyclase under conditions of dietary restriction...

Authors

B Cooper, F Weinblatt, R I Gregerman

Neutrophil preservation: the effect of short-term storage on in vivo kinetics.

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Abstract

A rabbit model was developed to study the in vivo viability of neutrophils stored in vitro for up to 72 h. Acid-citrate-dextrose anticoagulated whole blood was obtained from rabbits previously injected with tritiated thymidine ([3H]thymidine), stored under varying conditions, and then injected into recipient rabbits. Neutrophil viability and function were assessed by measuring the ability of the tagged neutrophils to circulate and to migrate into subcutaneous polyvinyl sponges. Unstored neutrophils disappeared exponentially from the circulation with a t1/2 of 3.2 h and gave a zero time recovery of 30.5%. Storage of cells at either room temperature or 4 degrees C for 24 h or longer resulted in temporary sequestration of cells from active circulation. With cells stored for up to 72 h at 4 degrees C, recovery returned to normal values after 1-2 h. Room temperature stored cells, in contrast, showed evidence of irreversible damage at 48-h storage with low recovery for the entire time span studied. With unstored blood, 8.1+/-0.9% of the injected neutrophil label was present in the subcutaneous sponges. The accumulated label progressively decreased as cell storage time increased reaching at 72 h 5.1+/-0.6 and 2.6+/-0.3% for 4 degrees C and room temperature-stored cells, respectively. The results of this study indicate that 4 degrees C storage of rabbit neutrophils is superior to storage at room temperature. The data suggest that it may be feasible to store neutrophils at least a few days without loss of in vivo functions.

Authors

T H Price, D C Dale

The electrophysiologic effects of quinidine in the transplanted human heart.

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Abstract

Using His bundle recording techniques, we examined direct and autonomically mediated conduction system effects of quinidine in five cardiac transplant recipients who have anatomically denervated hearts. We made control conduction interval and refractory period measurements, and then infused 10 mg/kg quinidine gluconate over a 20-min period. At 30 min, we determined the electrophysiologic changes induced by quinidine. Quinidine significantly increased the atrial-His (AH) interval (from 97+/-9 [SEM] to 108+/-7 ms, P less than 0.001), the His-ventricular (HV) inteval (from 43.9 +/- 1 to 52.8 +/- 3 ms, P less than 0.01), the donor heart sinus cycle length (from 599 +/- 38 to 630 +/- 56 ms, P less than 0.08), and the atrial effective refractory period (from 214 +/- 14 to 241 +/- 11 ms, P less than 0.01). Quinidine significantly decreased the innervated, remnant atrial sinus cycle length (from 847 +/- 104 to 660 +/- 96 ms, P less than 0.01) and the blood pressure. The mean plasma concentration of quinidine at the time that electrophysiologic measurements were repeated was 4.37 +/- 0.449 micrograms/ml. We conclude that quinidine's predominant sinus nodal and atrioventricular nodal effects in man are autonomically mediated and opposite to its direct actions upon these structures. On the other hand, quinidine's prevailing effect on atrial refractoriness and His-Purkinje conduction in man is direct.

Authors

J W Mason, R A Winkle, A K Rider, E B Stinson, D C Harrison

Measurement of pulmonary capillary blood flow in infants by plethysmography.

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Abstract

An accurate method for measuring effective pulmonary capillary blood flow (Qc eff) in infants has been developed with an adaptation of the plethysmographic technique. Measurements were made on 19 preterm. 14 small-for-dates, and 7 fullterm normal infants with a constant volume whole body plethysmograph in which the infant rebreathed nitrous oxide. There was a highly significant correlation between Qc eff and body weight, and this relationship was unaffected by premature delivery or intrauterine growth retardation. Mean Qc eff in preterm, small-for dates, and fullterm infants was 203, 208 and 197 ml min-1 kg-1, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. A significant negative correlation existed between Qc eff and haematocrit in the preterm infants. There was no relationship between weight standardized Qc eff and postnatal age in any of the groups. With this technique, it was possible to readily recognise the presence of rapid recirculation (indicative of shunting) in several of the infants, suggesting that rebreathing methods for the assessment of Qc eff should not be applied indiscriminately during the neonatal period. By taking care to overcome the potential sources of technical error, it was possible to obtain highly reproducible results of Qc eff in infants over a wider age range than has been previously reported.

Authors

J Stocks, K Costeloe, C P Winlove, S Godfrey

Effects of hypercapnia and inspiratory flow-resistive loading on respiratory activity in chronic airways obstruction.

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The respiratory responses to hypercapnia alone and to hypercapnia and flow-resistive loading during inspiration were studied in normal individuals and in eucapnic and hypercapnic patients with chronic airways obstruction. Responses were assessed in terms of minute ventilation and occlusion pressure (mouth pressure during airway occlusion 100 ms after the onset of inspiration). Ventilatory responses to CO2 (deltaV/deltaPCO2) were distinctly subnormal in both groups of patients with airways obstruction. The two groups of patients, however, showed different occlusion pressure responses to CO2 (deltaP100/deltaPCO2): deltaP100/deltaPCO2 was normal in the eucapnic patients but subnormal in the hypercapnic patients. Flow-resistive loading during inspiration reduced deltaV/deltaPCO2 both in normal subjects and in patients with airways obstruction. The occlusion pressure response to CO2 increased in normal subjects during flow-resistive loading but remained unchanged in both groups of patients with chronic airways obstruction. These results indicate that while chemosensitivity as determined by deltaP100/deltaPCO2 is impaired only in hypercapnic patients with chronic airways obstruction, an acute increase in flow resistance elicits a subnormal increase in respiratory efferent activity in both eucapnic and hypercapnic patients.

Authors

M D Altose, W C McCauley, S G Kelsen, N S Cherniack

Metabolic clearance and secretion rates of subunits of human thyrotropin.

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Metabolic clearance rates (MCR) of the alpha and beta subunits of human thyrotropin (hTSH-alpha and hTSH-beta) were determined by a constant infusion to equilibrium method. In 15 normal individuals (six men, six premenopausal women, and three post-menopausal women), the mean MCR of hTSH-alpha (68 ml/min per m2) was significantly faster than that of hTSH-beta (48 ml/min per m2) was significantly faster than that of hTSH-beta (48 ml/min per m2); both were two to three times more rapid than the previously determined MCR of hTSH. In patients with primary hypothyroidism, MCR were significantly slower with a mean value of 55 ml/min per m2 for hTSH-alpha and 37 ml/min per m2 for hTSH-beta. However, MCR of subunits were not significantly faster than normal in hyperthyroid patients. Serum concentrations of alpha subunits and hTSH-beta were measured by radioimmunoassay, and secretion rates of alpha and hTSH-beta from the pituitary were calculated using hTSH-alpha and hTSH-beta MCR, respectively. In the normal individuals, alpha secretion rates averaged 91 mug/day per m2, greater than those previously determined for hTSH and human follicle-stimulating hormone. Alpha secretion rates were significantly elevated in the normal postmenopausal women (211 mug/day per m2) and in the premenopausal hypothyroid women (202 mug/day per m2); they were also elevated in the postmenopausal hypothyroid women (277 mug/day per m2). Alpha secretion rates were significantly decreased in the premenopausal hyperthyroid women (66 mug/day per m2). Usually, the secretion rates of hTSH-beta could not be calculated in normal individuals, and the rates in hyperthyroid patients could never be calculated because serum hTSH-beta was not detected. Six normals had detectable hTSH-beta secretion rates (17 mug/day per m2); hTSH-beta secretion rates were significantly increased in patients with primary hypothyroidism (28 mug/day per m2). Although we had previously demonstrated a 50-fold increase in hTSH secretion rates in primary hypothyroidism, there was only a 2-fold increase in alpha and hTSH-beta secretion rates. Thus, increased subunit synthesis appears to be utilized predominantly for production of complete hTSH.

Authors

I A Kourides, R N Re, B D Weintraub, E C Ridgway, F Maloof

Stimulation of hepatic mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme by L-triiodothyronine. Characteristics of the response with specific nuclear thyroid hormone binding sites fully saturated.

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Abstract

Experiments were designed to analyze the relationship of a single i.v. dose of triiodothyronine (T3), the level of plasma and hepatic nuclear T3 attained, and the tissue response as reflected in increased activity of hepatic mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPD) and cytosol "malic enzyme" (ME). These studied were carried out in euthyroid rats by varying the dose of T3 injected and the time at which the animals were killed and the enzyme levels measured. The plasma T3 concentration was determined and the fraction of nuclear sites occupied at any time t was calculated from the known plasma:nuclear relationship. As a first step, the analysis was confined to the limiting situation in which all nuclear sites were effectively saturated. The following additional information was required and obtained: A proportional relationship between the half-neutralizing volume of a specific antiserum to malic enzyme and the activity of malic enzyme was established, thus confirming previous reports that the increase in enzyme activity induced by T3 is due to increased enzyme mass. The absolute refractory period immediately after i.v. injection of T3, during which no enzyme response could be detected, was determined. This was shown to be 13.4 h for alpha-GPD and 8.2 h for ME. Lastly, the t1/2 of the enzyme decay after pulse injection of T3 was measured. This was similar for both enzymes, 2.8+/-0.6 (SD) days for alpha-GPD and 2.7+/-0.6 (SD) days for ME. The results of these studies indicated that the extent of hepatic response appears limited by full occupancy of a set of intracellular receptor sites by T3 which is in rapid equilibrium with the plasma hormone pool. The kinetic properties of the receptors, as functionally defined in these studies, resemble those associated with the recently described specific nuclear T3 sites. These data per se are thus compatible with but do not prove a nuclear site of initiation of hormone effect. Thye do allow the development of an internally consistent mathematical model which permits prediction of enzyme response when the receptor sites are fully occupied for a given length of time after the i.v. injection of hormone. A separate series of studies was carried out in thyroidectomized rats. The response characteristics of alpha-GPD were similar to those observed in euthyroid animals. In contrast, however, the early response of ME to pulse injections of T3 was very much reduced in hypothyroid animals as compared to euthryoid animals in which nuclear sites were saturated for comparable periods. These findings raise the possibility that a factor required for the induction of malic enzyme but not alpha-GPD is deficient in the hypothyroid state.

Authors

J H Oppenheimer, E Silva, H L Schwartz, M I Surks

Angiotensin antagonists with increased specificity for the renal vasculature.

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Abstract

This study was designed to ascertain whether renal vascular angiotensin receptors differ from other systemic angiotensin receptors and whether, on that basis, antagonists with greater specificity for the renal vasculature can be defined. Femoral and renal blood flow and their responses to angiotensin II (AII) and its heptapeptide analogue, 1-des Asp AII (AIII), were measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter in 26 dogs. For the kidney, the threshold doses of AII and AIII were identical (2.5+/-0.27 vs. 2.3+/-0.35 pmol/100 ml renal blood flow, with similar dose-response curves. In contrast, AII had a greater pressor effect (P less than 0.001) and produced more femoral vasoconstriction (P less than 0.001) than AIII. All four antagonists studied (1-Sar, 8-Ala AII [P113]; 8-Ala AII; 1-des Asp, 8-Ala AII; 1-des Asp, 8-Ile AII) induced parallel shifts in the renal blood flow response to AII and AIII. P113 induced greater blockade than 8-Ala AII (P less than 0.001) which, in turn, was more effective than 1-des Asp, 8-Ala AII (P less than 0.001). 1-des Asp, 8-Ile AII was as effective as P113. Each analogue induced an identical inhibition of the renal vascular response to AII and AIII. In addition, AII and AIII induced cross-tachyphylaxis. All lines of evidence suggested that AII and AIII act on a single receptor in the kidney, which differs at least functionally from other systemic vascular receptors. The possibility that heptapeptide analogues represent angiotensin antagonists with greater specificity for the renal vasculature was pursued in a model in which the renin-angiotensin system is activated. Acute, partial thoracic inferior vena caval occlusion was induced in an additional 16 dogs. P113 induced progressive, dose-related hypotension and a limited increase in renal blood flow in this model. The 1-des Asp, 8-Ile AII analogue, conversely, induced a consistent, larger, dose-related renal blood flow increase, with significantly less hypotension over a wide dose range. We conclude that the renal vascular receptor differs sufficiently from systemic angiotensin receptors that heptapeptide analogues of AII will be useful in exploring angiotensin's role in states characterized by disordered renal perfusion and function.

Authors

K J Taub, W J Caldicott, N K Hollenberg

Fluorescence polarization studies of rat intestinal microvillus membranes.

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Abstract

Rat intestinal microvillus membranes and lipid extracts prepared from them have been studied by fluorescence polarization with three lipid-soluble fluorophores: diphenylhexatriene, retinol, and anthroyl-stearate. The degree of fluorescence polarization of diphenylhexatriene, which provides an index of the "microviscosity" of the lipid regions of the membrane, is exceptionally high in microvillus membranes, the highest yet reported in normal biological membranes. Both the membrane proteins and lipids were found to contribute to the high values. With each of the three probes the polarization values are higher in ileal microvillus membranes as compared to membranes from proximal intestinal segments. Temperature-dependence studies of the fluorescence polarization of diphenylhexatriene and anthroylstearate demonstrate a phase transition in microvillus membranes and in liposomes prepared from their lipid extracts at approximately 26+/-2 degrees C. Ambient pH influences markedly the diphenylhexatriene fluorescence polarization in microvillus membranes but has little effect on that of human erythrocyte ghost membranes. The "microviscosity" of jejunal microvillus membranes is maximal at pH 6.5-7.0 and decreases as much as 50% at pH 3.0, an effect which depends largely upon the membrane proteins. Addition of calcium ions to suspensions of microvillus membranes increases the fluorescence polarization of retinol and anthroyl-stearate, but not that of diphenyl-hexatriene. This confirms the localization of the last compound to the hydrophobic interior of the membrane, relatively distant from the hydrophilic head groups of the polar lipids. Microvillus membrane proteins solubilized with Triton X-100 give relatively high fluorescence polarization and intensity values with retinol, suggesting the presence of binding proteins which could play a role in the normal absorptive mechanism for the vitamin.

Authors

D Schachter, M Shinitzky

Leukocyte procoagulant activity: enhancement of production in vitro by IgG and antigen-antibody complexes.

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Abstract

In a variety of immunologic diseases, fibrin-fibrinogen and immune complexes deposit in areas of tissue damage. However, the mechanisms which initiate fibrin-fibrinogen deposition have not been clarified. We find that the procoagulant activity of human leukocytes is markedly increased after incubation with immunoglobulin and immune complexes. This procoagulant activity is evident after 4-24 h incubation in the presence of as little as 0.1 mg/ml of autologous, isologous, or heterologous IgG. At least three of the four subclasses of IgG myeloma proteins are effective. Experiments with purified rabbit and rat antibodies demonstrate that enhancement of procoagulant activity is significantly greater with soluble antigen-antibody complexes than with immunoglobulin alone. In contrast, insoluble complexes are less affective than immunoglobulin alone. Artifacts due to endotoxin contamination of the IgG preparations were excluded on the basis of the differential sensitivities of immunoglobulin and endotoxin to heat and polymyxin B. Evidence is also presented which shows that enhancement of procoagulant activity involves the production, rather than a simple release, of leukocyte procoagulant activity in vitro.

Authors

H Rothberger, T S Zimmerman, H L Spiegelberg, J H Vaughan

Distribution of branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenases in primate tissues.

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Abstract

The specific activity of the branched-chain alpha-keto acid (BCKA) dehydrogenases was measured in normal tissues of the rat, monkey, and man, and in cirrhotic human liver. In the rat, specific activity of the dehydrogenases in liver, kidney, and muscle averaged 33, 26, and 0.4 U/g wet tissue, respectively; proportion of the body's content of the enzyme located in these three organs was 70, 12, and 10%. In the monkey, specific activities in liver and kidney were only one-half to one-third as great as in the rat, whereas activity in muscle was the same; the monkey's body content of dehydrogenase was distributed 50% in liver, 13% in kidney, and 20% in muscle. In man, specific activities in liver and kidney were only 1/15th to 1/25th as great as in the rat, but activity in skeletal muscle was the same. Distribution of the dehydrogenases in man was 30% in liver, 2% in kidneys, and 60% in muscle. In six patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, specific activity of the dehydrogenase in liver was reduced to 20-50% of normal (average, 32%). This reduction may alter the efficiency of BCKA as substitutes for branched-chain amino acids when BCKA are administered orally, but will have little influence on efficiency when they are given intravenously.

Authors

B S Khatra, R K Chawla, C W Sewell, D Rudman

The lipoprotein abnormality in Tangier disease: quantitation of A apoproteins.

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Abstract

In this study we have determined by radioimmunoassay and double immunoelectrophoresis the total quantities and distributions of A apoproteins in three adult patients affected with Tangier disease (hereditary alpha-lipoprotein deficiency). Compared with normal plasma, the total quantities of apoproteins A-I and A-II in Tangier plasma were determined to be less than 1% and 5-7%, respectively. In Tangier patients, approximately 90% of the apoprotein A-I sedimented when ultracentrifugations of plasma were carried out at density 1.21 g/ml KBr. By contrast, more than 95% of the apoprotein A-II floated under those conditions. In normal plasma, approximately 90% of both apoproteins A-I and A-II is found in the 1.063-1.21-g/ml KBr density fraction. These findings suggest that complete dissociation of A apoproteins occurs in Tangier plasma. This dissociation of apoproteins was confirmed by double immunoelectrophoresis with monospecific antisera. Immunochemical and electrophoretic experiments did not provide evidence for a structural abnormality of apoprotein A-I in these patients, The results taken together strongly suggest that normal high-density lipoproteins are absent from Tangier plasma.

Authors

G Assmann, E Smootz, K Adler, A Capurso, K Oette

Relationship of aggregated intramembranous particles to water permeability in vasopressin-treated toad urinary bladder.

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Abstract

It has been previously demonstrated with freeze-fracture electron microscopy that vasopressin induces specific structural alterations of the luminal membrane of granular cells from toad urinary bladder in a dose-dependent fashion. These alterations consist of aggregated intramembranous particles and are observed both in the presence and absence of an osmotic gradient. We examined the effect of methohexital, a selective inhibitor of vasopressin-stimulated water flow, and the effect of phloretin, a selective inhibitor of urea permeability, on the structure of the granular cell luminal membrane. Methohexital treatment of the vasopressin-stimulated toad bladder reduced both the osmotic water flow and vasopressin-induced alterations of membrane structure to the same extent. Phloretin reduced urea permeability but not water flow or particle aggregation. Since neither agent affects vasopressin-stimulated sodium movement, these findings indicate that the phenomenon of particle aggregation is specifically related to vasopressin-induced water permeability and not to changes in urea or sodium permeability.

Authors

W A Kachadorian, S D Levine, J B Wade, V A Di Scala, R M Hays

Induction of arthritis by purified cell-derived chemotactic factor: role of chemotaxis and vascular permeability.

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Abstract

The injection of monosidium urate-induced chemotactic factor into the joint cavities of rabbits induces an acute inflammatory response that resembles the one produced by monosodium urate crystals. The leukocyte accumulation induced by the factor was not accompanied by a measurable increase in vascular permeability as measured by appearance of 125I-albumin in the joint cavity. When histamine was injected into the joints, a marked increase in vascular permeability but no leukocytosis above control levels was observed. The above results suggest that the cell-derived factor is primarily responsible for the accumulation of cells seen in the acute inflammation induced by monosodium urate crystals.

Authors

I Spilberg, D Rosenberg, B Mandell

Thyroid-induced alterations in myocardial sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase, monovalent cation active transport, and cardiac glycoside binding.

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Abstract

The effects of thyroid hormone on guinea pig myocardial NaK-ATPase activity, transmembrane monovalent cation active transport, and cardiac glycoside binding were were examined. NaK-ATPase activities of left atrial and left ventricular homogenates of control and triiodothyronine (T3)-treated animals were determined, and compared to activities of skeletal muscle and liver. T3 administration was associated with a significant increase of 18% in left atrial and left ventricular NaK-ATPase specific activities. This increment was less than that noted in skeletal muscle (+42%) and liver (+30%). To determine if enhanced NaK-ATPase activity was accompanied by increased monovalent cation active transport, in vitro 86Rb+ uptake by left atrial strips and hemidiaphragms was measured. Transition from the euthyroid to the hyperthyroid state resulted in a 68% increase in active 86Rb+ uptake by left atrium, and a 62% increase in active uptake by diaphragm. Passive 86Rb+ uptake was not affected in either tissue. Ouabain binding by atrial and ventricular homogenates of T3-treated animals was increased by 19 and 17%, respectively, compared to controls, in close agreement with thyroid-induced increments in NaK-ATPase activiey. Taken together, these results are consistent with enhanced myocardial NaK-ATPase activity and monovalent cation activt transport due to an increase in the number of functional enzyme complexes.

Authors

G D Curfman, T J Crowley, T W Smith