Neurogenic regulation of lipid metabolism in the rabbit. A mechanism for the cholesterol-lowering effect of acupuncture

Plasma and aortic cholesterol levels are known to fall significantly after needling at the specific point which is innervated by a branch of the deep peroneal nerve. Different types of stimulation were applied to the specific nerve, using solely needling, injection of normal saline with needling and injection of a small dose of novocain with needling at the specific point in several groups of rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet for two or three weeks. Significant decreases in plasma and aortic cholesterol were obtained in the combined acupuncture group after one or two weeks of acupuncture. When the specific point was blocked by injection of a larger dose of novocain or the deep peroneal nerve was cut, then needling at the specific point lost its hypocholesterolemic effect. It is thus suspected that stimulation of sensory receptors of the deep peroneal nerve at the specific point may be the mechanism of the cholesterol-lowering action of acupuncture.

The shape of myosin subfragment-1. A equivalent oblate ellipsoid model based on hydrodynamic properties

The molecular weights of the two heads of myosin subfragment-1, S-1(A1) and S-1(A2), based on sedimentation equilibrium are 120 000 and 110 000. Hydrodynamically, the two heads are indistinguishable, with intrinsic viscosity, [eta], of 0.064-0.065 dL/g and sedimentation coefficient, s(0)20,w, of 5.8 S. Together with the rotational correlation time taken from the literature (235 ns), all three hydrodynamic properties can be better fitted with an equivalent oblate ellipsoid of revolution than a prolate model. The width of the equatorial axis of the ellipsoid is about 135 A (the axial ratio is about 6). Probably, the S-1(A1) and S-1(A2) molecules have a half-doughnutlike or a flattened pearlike shape rather than an elongated one.

Synthesis of 2-pyridyl-alpha-toluenesulfonates as antimalarials

A series of substituted 2-pyridyl-alpha-toluenesulfonates was synthesized for antimalarial testing. They were prepared by treating various 2-pyridinols with alpha-toluenesulfonyl chlorides in the presence of an alkali. In tests against Plasmodium berghei in mice at 640 mg/kg, only 3,5-dichloro-2-pyridyl-alpha-toluenesulfonate was considered active, i.e., doubled the mean survival time.

The observation of cis residues in poly(L-proline) in aqueous solution

Proton Fourier transform NMR spectra at 270 MHz were obtained for three different molecular weight samples of poly(L-proline) in D2O. A weak, but clearly discernable, resonance at 4.3 ppm was observed in each case with an integrated intensity about 2-3% of the Calpha trans proton resonance. Based on the Torchia-Bovey assignment this resonance is attributed to the Calpha cis proton. The presence of cis residues, even in this small concentration, necessitates a reexamination of the conformational properties of this polymer. Definite conclusions cannot be reached from spectra obtained in organic solvents because of the much smaller separation between the cis and trans resonances.