Immunochemical approach to the question of inactive subunits in cases of lactate dehydrogenase B subunit deficiency

If there were enzymatically inactive B subunits in a solution containing lactate dehydrogenase (LD) B4 prepared from the hemolysates of heterozygous individuals with LD-B subunit deficiency, the inactive subunits would compete with normal subunits for antibodies to the B4 subunit. Using the activity of normal LD-B4 as an index, we could ascertain the proportion of free antigen (LD-B4) and antibody-antigen complexes (LD-B4-anti-LD-B4) and calculate the apparent equilibrium constant, Keq. Doing so, we found the value for Keq in LD-B subunit deficiency to be smaller than that for normal controls. Evidently the expected competitive reaction takes place. We conclude that heterozygous individuals with LD-B subunit deficiency do indeed produce variant (enzymatically inactive) B subunits of LD.

Proliferating sites of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in mice by different routes of inoculation evidenced with immunofluorescence

The sites of multiplication of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in mice by different routes of inoculation were investigated by means of immunofluorescence. R. tsutsugamushi (Kato, Karp, Gilliam and Miyake strains) inoculated by intraperitoneal route multiplied significantly in mesothelial and inflammatory cells of the peritoneal cavity of DDD and BALB/c (nu/nu) mice. The rickettsial growth was not detected in parenchymal cells of the liver, spleen, kidneys and lymph nodes of DDD mice, but slightly observed in those cells of the nude mice. When inoculated by subcutaneous route, the rickettsial antigens were detected in small amount in the peritoneal mesothelial and inflammatory cells, whereas a marked proliferation of R. tsutsugamushi was demonstrated in liver cells, Kupffer cells, and endothelial cells of the sinus of spleen and lymph nodes. A specific antibody to Karp strain, administered intraperitoneally, prevented effectively rickettsial growth in the peritoneal cavity of BALB/c (nu/nu) mice challenged intraperitoneally, 6 hours later, with Miyake strain (Karp type) and the animals were infected after a long-term incubation period showing the findings of rickettsial localization similar to that in subcutaneously inoculated animals. This fact suggests a partial involvement of humoral immunity in resistance of mice against R. tsutsugamushi infection. The potential importance of these findings in experimental infection with R. tsutsugamushi was discussed.

A new and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of C3 nephritic factor

C3 nephritic factor (C3 NeF) was measured by assessing its capacity to form complex with C3 and B using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Incubation of C3 NeF with normal human serum in the presence of MgEGTA resulted in a dose-dependent increase of C3-B-IgG complex. No complex was formed in EDTA. The C3 NeF titer estimated in this way was in good accordance with those reported previously by other indirect methods.

Angiographic demonstration of mesenteric arterial changes in postcoarctectomy syndrome

A 32-year-old man developed abdominal pain and the paradoxical hypertension after aortic coarctation repair. Abdominal angiography revealed widespread changes of the branches of the superior mesenteric artery and the celiac axis. After the conservative treatment, both the abdominal pain and the angiographic changes disappeared.

Characteristics of the complex between alkaline phosphatase and immunoglobulin A in human serum

An abnormal band of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by electrophoresis in the serum of a patient with liver cirrhosis, and was shown to be a complex between ALP and immunoglobulin A (IgA) of the lambda type. Physicochemical studies of ALP in the patient's serum showed properties of liver and bone isozymes. The patient's IgA and its F(ab')2 fragment were prepared by column chromatography, and used in in-vitro reconstitution studies with various ALP isozymes. It was found that only the liver and bone ALP attached to the IgA, while the placental and intestinal ALP did not. The ALP was attached to the F(ab')2 fragment of IgA. It is concluded that this complex is the result of an antibody-antigen reaction. Molecular weights of the two complexes, ALP-IgA and ALP-IgA-F(ab')2, suggest that two molecules of monovalent ALP associated with one molecule of divalent IgA.

Circulating immune complex-like materials which bind to heat inactivated C1q interfere with the C1q solid phase assay for immune complexes

C1q solid phase assay (C1q SP) was devised based on the fact that immune complexes (IC) and aggregated human globulin (AHG) bind to C1q. Neither IC nor AHG was found to bind to heat inactivated C1q. On the other hand, circulating immune complex (CIC)-like materials in patients' sera were able to bind to heat inactivated C1q, indicating that these CIC-like materials are not true CIC. Gel filtration analysis showed that molecular size of such CIC-like materials was almost the same as monomeric IgG, while true CIC were in heavy fractions. True CIC did not bind to heat inactivated C1q but bind only to native C1q. The CIC-like activity is not due to rheumatoid factors. About 2/3 of CIC positive sera by C1q-SP are not really CIC positive but are due to interference by the CIC-like materials.

Modified anti-C3 immune complex assay which avoids interference by anti-F(ab')2 antibodies

The present authors and Olds et al. reported that the anti-F(ab')2 antibodies (Abs) in serum interfere with the solid phase (SP) anti-C3 immune complex assay. The anti-F(ab')2 Abs in human sera bind solid phase F(ab')2 anti-C3 of rabbit or goat, and were measured erroneously as C3 bearing circulating immune complexes (CIC). Gel filtration analysis of SP anti-C3 assay revealed that C3 bearing CIC is detected only in heavy fractions and 7S CIC-like activity is not CIC but anti-F(ab')2 activity. As the molecular weight of such CIC is heavy enough to be precipitated by 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG) and IgG anti-F(ab')2 Abs and free C3 are not included in 5% PEG precipitates, 5% PEG precipitates of the test sera were used for SP anti-C3 (Modified SP anti-C3). CIC measured by modified SP anti-C3 were positive in 14/16 at active stage of SLE and positive only in 2/16 at inactive stage. CIC by this test were also correlated well to serum complement activity, and were thought to be clinically reliable and useful.

Immunochemical properties of immunoglobulin G conjugated with lactate dehydrogenase

Quantitative binding affinities of immunoglobulin G (IgG) for the five isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase (LD; EC 1.1.1.27) were determined for IgG isolated from three patients' sera that contained LD-IgG complexes. These three IgGs formed soluble complexes with four (LD 1, 2, 3, 5) of the five LD isoenzymes in two of the patients and in the third they bound with three (LD 2, 3, 4) of the five LD isoenzymes without inhibiting the enzyme activity or precipitating with the enzyme molecules. When rabbit antibody to human IgG was added to these sera, the complexes between the LD isoenzymes and the patients' isolated IgG were completely precipitated. The equilibrium constants for the respective isolated IgG complexes with LD-3 were 0.102, 2.58, and 7.49 X 10(8) L/mol. In these three cases, LD-3 evoked the strongest response from the prepared IgG, demonstrating that the site of antigen recognition of LD-linked IgG was not associated with the structure of individual H and M subunits.

Immunochemical properties of immunoglobulin G conjugated with lactate dehydrogenase

Quantitative binding affinities of immunoglobulin G (IgG) for the five isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase (LD; EC 1.1.1.27) were determined for IgG isolated from three patients' sera that contained LD-IgG complexes. These three IgGs formed soluble complexes with four (LD 1, 2, 3, 5) of the five LD isoenzymes in two of the patients and in the third they bound with three (LD 2, 3, 4) of the five LD isoenzymes without inhibiting the enzyme activity or precipitating with the enzyme molecules. When rabbit antibody to human IgG was added to these sera, the complexes between the LD isoenzymes and the patients' isolated IgG were completely precipitated. The equilibrium constants for the respective isolated IgG complexes with LD-3 were 0.102, 2.58, and 7.49 X 10(8) L/mol. In these three cases, LD-3 evoked the strongest response from the prepared IgG, demonstrating that the site of antigen recognition of LD-linked IgG was not associated with the structure of individual H and M subunits.

A polymorphic repetitive-sequence PR1 family. Evidence for meiotic instability

When EcoRI digests of mouse genomic DNA were subjected to Southern blot analysis with the polymorphic repetitive sequence PR1 as a probe, one satellite-like band of 3.5 X 10(3) base-pairs, designated as PR1 family B, was detected in BALB/c-strain mice, but not in the DDD/1- or MOA-strain mice. Analysis of recombinant phage clones revealed that the repeating unit of the PR1 family B was 13.5 X 10(3) base-pairs long. This family consisted of a tandem array of repeating units and occupied as much as 2% of one BALB/c chromosome. Since the BALB/c-specific PR1 family B is not present in DDD/1 or MOA mice, the unpaired portion of the BALB/c chromosome may be looped out in a synaptonemal complex during meiosis in F1 hybrids of the BALB/c strain with DDD/1 or MOA. To determine the fate of this extra DNA, we examined the genotypes of the F1 hybrid mice and of the segregating populations. Although the PR1 patterns of F1 and most N2 mice are consistent with typical Mendelian inheritance, some N2 progeny showed an abnormal 3.5 X 10(3) base-pair band of unexpectedly reduced intensity. This indicated that the extra DNA of PR1 family B occasionally underwent recombination during meiosis in F1 mice, resulting in its apparent excision. Examination of PstI digests supported this interpretation.

Acute effect of triiodothyronine on the dynamics of thyrotropin release from superfused anterior pituitary cells

The effects of triiodothyronine (T3) on the dynamics of thyrotropin (TSH) release induced by TSH-releasing hormone (TRH) were examined in the presence or absence of a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CX), in a superfusion system using primarily cultured cells of the rat anterior pituitary gland on microcarrier beads. When the cells were continuously stimulated with TRH (10 nM, 180 min), TSH release occurred in a biphasic manner and the profile of TSH release was characterized by an initial sharp peak (phase I), followed by a lower plateau form phase (phase II). Both phase-I and phase-II releases were significantly suppressed in the presence of T3 (1 ng/ml), which was added to the superfusion medium 1 h before initiation of TRH stimulation. The biphasic nature of the release profile was maintained in the presence of T3, suggesting that the site of the T3 action may be common between phase-I and phase-II release. We have already suggested that phase-I release is protein synthesis-independent and phase-II release protein synthesis-dependent using CX in TRH-stimulated cells. In the presence of CX, phase-I release was not suppressed by T3, while phase-II release was still suppressed by T3. The inability of CX to reverse the T3-induced suppression of phase-II release may be masked by the direct CX effect on phase-II release of TSH. The present study indicates that each component (phase I and phase II) of the biphasic release of TSH induced by TRH stimulation was acutely suppressed by T3 and suggests that the T3 action is mediated through protein synthesis.

[Pharmacological studies on schizandra fruits. III. Effects of wuweizisu C, a lignan component of schizandra fruits, on experimental liver injuries in rats]

The effects of wuweizisu C, a lignan component of schizandra fruits, on liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), d-galactosamine and dl-ethionine were investigated by means of serum-biochemical and histopathological examinations in rats. Pretreatment or combined administration of wuweizisu C dose-dependently reduced the elevation of serum transaminase activity and histological changes such as fatty degeneration, cell necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, etc., which were caused by the single administration of 1 ml/kg, p.o., or the repeated administration of 0.2 ml/kg, s.c., daily for 4 days of CCl4, respectively. The effects of wuweizisu C on the liver injuries induced by a low dose (200 mg/kg, i.p.) and a high dose (400 mg/kg, i.p.) of d-galactosamine were compared with those of uridine. Wuweizisu C significantly lowered the rise of serum transaminase activity after the administration of a low dose of d-galactosamine in the serum-biochemical analysis. A tendency was also shown to inhibit cell necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration caused by both doses of d-galactosamine in the histopathological examination. On the other hand, uridine markedly repaired the serum-biochemical and histopathological changes after the administrations of both doses of d-galactosamine. Also wuweizisu C cured the liver injury by the repeated administration of 150 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 4 days of d-galactosamine. After the repeated administration of 250 mg/kg, s.c., daily for 4 days of ethionine, liver cell atrophy, diffuse fatty degeneration and decrease of serum triglyceride were observed, but not cell necrosis. Wuweizisu C dose-dependently inhibited fatty degeneration and decrease of serum triglyceride. These findings suggest that wuweizisu C can be protective and/or therapeutic on hepatocellular phenomena such as cell necrosis, fatty degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, etc., in human hepatitis.

[Experimental study on intrahepatic gas tensions measured by mass spectrometry: effect on temporary occlusion of the afferent hepatic circulation]

In 24 mongrel dogs, a mass spectrometer was utilized to measure intrahepatic pO2 and pCO2 levels subjected to various degrees of inspired oxygen concentration, or interruption of the afferent hepatic circulation. The mean intrahepatic pO2 and pCO2 levels in dogs breathing 70% O2 were 46.0 +/- 13.3(SD) mmHg and 27.4 +/- 13.0mmHg, respectively. Progressive rise of the intrahepatic pO2 and pCO2 was observed with increase in the arterial pO2 and pCO2 when the hepatic circulation was kept constant. When the hepatic artery was interrupted, mean intrahepatic pO2 fell rapidly to 20% of the control value, and mean intrahepatic pCO2 rose to 200%. Rather wide dispersion of the values among the experimental animals during the hepatic artery interruption was speculated to reflect the variety of collateral hepatic arterial supply and various degrees of congestion of portal blood flow. Transient decrease in the mean intrahepatic pO2 was observed following interruption of the portal vein. Intrahepatic pO2 rapidly fell to zero and pCO2 increased in a lineal fashion when the total hepatic circulation was interrupted. The latter rose to 453% of the control value 30 minutes after interruption, then the rate of rise gradually decreased until a plateau was reached one hour later. This decrease in the rate of rise in intrahepatic pCO2 was regarded to reflect the reduction of energy production through the anerobic pathway due to irreversible hepatic parenchymal degeneration. It is suggested that the measurement of intrahepatic gas tensions under various conditions by a mass spectrometer technique is useful for evaluating changes of intrahepatic microcirculation and dynamic aspects of anerobic metabolism of the liver.

Evaluation of cytosolic aminopeptidase in human sera. Evaluation in hepatic disorders

Employing the quantitative electrophoretic separation of cytosolic "LAP" activity (EC. 3.4.11.1), the authors investigated the clinical significances of cytosolic and total "LAP" activities in the sera of patients with several different hepatic disorders and elucidated the previously confusing results of aminopeptidase measurements in clinical laboratories. The dominant aminopeptidases measured in human sera by L-leucinamide as substrate are both cytosolic "LAP" and microsomal aminopeptidase (EC. 3.4.11.2). Total "LAP" activity means the sum of these two aminopeptidases. Different substrate specificities are observed in these two enzymes located in other subcellular fractions and different increasing rates of these enzymes are observed in various hepatic diseases. In cases of acute hepatic cell damage, cytosolic "LAP" accounts for a large percentage of total "LAP" of a patient's serum. On the other hand, in cases of elevation of hepatobiliary enzymes, microsomal aminopeptidase constitutes a large part of total "LAP" activity, and the ratio between cytosolic and total "LAP" activity is very low.

Estimation of the gene frequency of lactate dehydrogenase subunit deficiencies

To detect the frequency of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) subunit deficiency, screening for LDH subunit deficiency was performed on 3,776 blood samples from healthy individuals in Shizuoka Prefecture by means of electrophoresis. The frequency of heterozygote with LDH-A subunit deficiency was found to be 0.185%, and with LDH-B subunit deficiency, 0.159%. The frequencies of both subunit deficiencies were not significantly different. Gene frequencies of LDH subunit deficiencies were calculated by the simple counting procedure, and the results are as follows: gene frequency of LDH-A subunit deficiency was 11.9 X 10(-4), and that of LDH-B subunit deficiency, 7.9 X 10(-4). In addition, the second case in the world of a homozygous individual with LDH-A subunit deficiency was detected by this screening. This case with regard to the characteristics of LDH-A subunit deficiency are summarized herein.

Pharmacological studies on ginger. I. Pharmacological actions of pungent constitutents, (6)-gingerol and (6)-shogaol

General pharmacological studies were performed on (6)-gingerol and (6)-shogaol which are the pungent constituents of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Intravenous (i.v.) administration of (6)-gingerol (at 1.75-3.5 mg/kg) or (6)-shogaol (at 1.75-3.5 mg/kg) and oral administration of them (at 70-140 mg/kg) produced an inhibition of spontaneous motor activity, an antipyretic and analgesic effects, prolonged hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, and these effects of (6)-shogaol were mostly more intensive than that of (6)-gingerol. (6)-Shogaol showed an intense antitussive effect in comparison with dihydrocodeine phosphate. In the electro-encephalogram of cortex, the low amplitude fast wave pattern was observed for 5 min after i.v. administration of (6)-shogaol, and then changed to the drowsy pattern, which was restored after 60 min. In the gastro-intestinal system, (6)-shogaol intensively inhibited the traverse of charcoal meal through the intestine in contrast with (6)-gingerol after i.v. administration of 3.5 mg/kg, but (6)-shogaol facilitated such an intestinal function after oral administration of 35 mg/kg. Both (6)-shogaol and (6)-gingerol suppressed gastric contraction in situ, and the suppression by the former was more intensive than that by the latter. In the cardiovascular system, both (6)-shogaol and (6)-gingerol produced depressor response at lower doses on the blood pressure. At high doses, both drugs produced three phase pattern.

Clinical evaluation of the microporous hollow fiber oxygenator

This report concerns a clinical evaluation for a newly devised hollow fiber oxygenator, Capiox II. It functions on a one-pump system, and is simple to set up and operate. This equipment was used for 118 patients undergoing cardiac surgery at Tokyo University Hospital from February 1982 through February 1983. The gas transfer capacity proved to be satisfactory. The employment of an air-oxygen blender prevented overoxygenation, and reasonable levels of PaO2 and PaCO2 were demonstrated with a FiO2 0.7, V/Q ratio 0.7 at normothermia. The destruction of platelets was much less with the use of this oxygenator, as compared to findings with the BOS-10. Hemolysis by Capiox II appeared to be lower than that by BOS-10, but the difference was not statistically significant. Differences were distinct in the amount of microbubbles; strikingly, no bubble was evidenced in Capiox II by the ultrasound bubble detector, during general procedures. We conclude that Capiox II is of excellent clinical value, and should be used especially for infants as well as adult patients with possible long perfusions. The merits and demerits of this equipment are given attention.