The first stable variant of erythrocyte glucose-phosphate isomerase associated with severe hemolytic anemia

A new variant of glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI) associated with hemolytic anemia, mental retardation, and muscular hypotonia is described. The defective enzyme showed increased affinity for fructose-6-phosphate (F-6-P), decreased affinity for glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) altered electrophoretic and isoelectrofocusing patterns, and shift to the left of the precipitin curve. The enzyme was stable under all the conditions tested (heat, urea, guanidine-HCl, and storage). Optimum pH, Ki for 6-phosphogluconic acid (6-PGA) and for erythrose-4-phosphate (E-4-P), molecular weight, GPI-related antigen concentration, immunodiffusion pattern, and immunoinactivation were in the normal range. This is the first example of the association of a stable mutant GPI with severe hemolytic anemia. Enzyme instability has been present in all previously reported cases.

Metabolic impairment and membrane abnormality in red cells from Huntington's disease

The following aspects have been investigated in 10 patients affected by Huntington's disease )HD): --extensive haematological investigations; --red cell enzyme activities and level of the most important glycolytic intermediate compounds; --protein, lipid and carbohydrate composition of the erythrocyte membrane and membrane polarity; --effects of in vitro aging on red cell membranes. Lack of 4.5 protein band in SDS-PAGE and 14-fold decrease in membrane-bound catalase were found in the in vitro aged red cells from the 10 HD patients examined. Na+ + K+ATPase was slightly higher than normal in all the patients. Red cells from 5 out of 8 patients showed a decrease in reduced glutathione and phosphoenolpyruvate levels and/or an increase in hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and glutathione reductase activities. The haematological investigations, the protein lipid and carbohydrate composition of the fresh red cells, the membrane polypeptide aggregates and the membrane polarity evaluated by microspectrofluorometric analysis were normal.

[Effect of prostaglandins on the cardiovascular system]

Ever since the effect of prostaglandins on vasal tone and cardiac function was discovered, an impressive series of studies has been conducted on their relations with the cardiovascular system. These studies have been extended to the prostaglandin system compounds discovered in more recent times. Of these, particular importance is being attached to prostacycline, though to be implicated in the physiological control of platelet clumping and also in that of renin secretion. Further investigation of the part played by prostacycline and other prostaglandins in cardiovascular disease has given unusually promising interim results.

Cell-mediated immunity in male fertility. Immunological infertility in man

The leukocyte migration inhibition test on agarose was performed on 210 patients with different andrological disorders: oligozoospermia following primarily testicular disorders, oligozoospermia following primarily non testicular disorders and idiopathic oligozoospermia. This test was most applicable in disorders involving testicular damage and in cases of varicocele with altered blood flow. It would appear that cell-mediated immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of the consequences of these disorders.

Quantitative evaluation of the regional left ventricular function in normal subjects by means of cineangiocardiography

A method for analysing left ventricular cineangiograms is described, which not only provides information on the overall ventricular performance, but also evaluates the regional contraction of the left ventricle and the related haemodynamic patterns. This simplified Chapman's method (slice method) makes it possible to calculate the end-diastolic, end-systolic volumes, the stroke volume and the ejection fraction of the zones into which the left ventricle is divided by a longitudinal and by three transverse axes, according to Herman's technique. The hemiventriculograms of 21 normal subjects in the AP projection were evaluated using this method and a 10 of them were also studied in RAO projection. A uniform left ventricular contraction pattern was found for three hemiventricles outlined by the anterolateral, lateral, and postero-medial walls (ejection fraction 71.7 +/- 5.1%, 71.6 +/- 5.9%, 70.4 +/- 5.1%, respectively), the regional and zonal ejection fraction (EFR, EFZ) being similar in both projections. The ejection fraction of the hemiventricle outlined by the septal wall was, however, lower (65.6 +/- 6.0%). The standard zonal function curves of the left ventricle in normal subjects was then calculated on the basis of the results obtained, in order to assess, by comparison, zonal function abnormalities in cardiac patients.

Clinico-pathological correlations in a case of primary angiosarcoma of the pericardium

A case of angiosarcoma of the pericardium in a 30-yr-old man is reported. The clinical diagnosis of pericardial neoplasm was assumed on the basis of angiocardiography. The pathological findings of the heart are shown in detail. A survey of the clinico-pathological data in the 15 reported cases of angiosarcoma of the pericardium is presented.

The effects of manganese on aconitine-induced ventricular tachycardia

Isolated rabbit heart with independent perfusion of a small left ventricular area was used to study the effect of manganese ions on aconitine-induced ventricular tachycardia. Manganese chloride 4 mM in Locke solution exhibited a constant preventive or suppressive effect versus aconitum-induced rhythm disorders. It is concluded that the interpretation of aconitine cardiotoxic effects on the sole basis of phase 3 modifications require further evidence, and that an increased diastolic depolarization rate may well explain, at least in this experimental model, the genesis of arrhythmias induced by this drug.