Effect of glucose administration on various rat hepatic constituents and on the spectral binding of hexobarbital and methadone to rat hepatic cytochrome P450

The administration of glucose to rats for 48 h resulted in an increase in the duration of anesthesia produced by intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital. The effect of this glucose treatment on hepatic glycogen and on microsomal protein, cytochrome P450 (P450), cholesterol, lipid and phospholipid content, as well as on the spectral binding of hexobarbital and methadone to microsomal P450, was examined. The glucose treatment appeared to have no effect on microsomal protein or P450 content. The binding of hexobarbital and methadone by P450 produced a type 1 spectrum in both control and glucose-treated animals. The glucose treatment resulted in a decrease in the spectral dissociation constant (Ks) and in the maximal spectral binding (delta Amax) of hexobarbital to P450 while with methadone there was an increase in Ks and a decrease in delta Amax. Total lipid, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were increased in the microsomal fractions from glucose-treated animals. The changes in the parameters for drug binding to microsomal P450 probably relate to the increased lipid content of the microsomes although changes in the proportion of P450 isoenzymes could be involved. The previously observed decrease in the microsomal metabolism of hexobarbital and methadone following glucose treatment may be due to decreased binding of these compounds to microsomal P450.

Changes of the ductus hepatocholedochus after gastric stimulant. Results of early functional sonography

In a group of 44 healthy probands, the change in bile-duct size after ingestion of a gastric stimulant in the early stage of the regulation was examined. From an empty diameter of 5.62 mm, a statistically significant reduction to 4.00 mm was found after 5 min, followed by a further slight reduction to 3.86 mm after 10 min and to 3.57 mm after 20 min. The physiological basis is the influence of cholecystokinin on the ductus hepatocholedochus and the sphincter of Oddi. This eliminates the long examination and observation intervals typical of radiological diagnostics and justifies early functional sonographic investigation of the bile duct during abdominal sonography, which does not involve an additional time investment.

[Primary malignant tumors of the small intestine--symptoms, diagnosis and therapy]

26 patients with a primary malignant tumor of the small intestine could be found in the cases in the surgical department of the Marienhospital Herne, University of Bochum, from 1978 to 1987. By the anamnesis and findings on admission various symptoms and clinical results only a few cases advising symptoms for a malignant tumor of the small intestine were found. Often the diagnosis only could be found by an emergency operation. An amelioration of the bad prognosis will be possible with shortening the long latency between the first uncharacteristic symptoms and the right diagnosis. After going through the endoscopy and radiology with strong anamnesis and findings, the explorative laparotomy must be done as an compulsory step.

Electrotransfer of proteins after isoelectric focusing (with or without urea) on fabric-reinforced, immobilized pH gradient gels

In the present article a procedure is described which combines the horizontal isoelectric focusing (IEF) of proteins on fabric-reinforced polyacrylamide gels with the subsequent electrophoretic transfer of the proteins to nitrocellulose or Immobilon. The application of a carrier material that is permeable for current and molecules and that serves as a physical support of the IEF gel is one of the central prerequisites for the method to work. Moreover, it is important to fix the pH gradient topographically by the use of Immobilines mainly in order to avoid distortion of the protein pattern during the electrotransfer (Western blot). The Western blot can be performed either in the submerse or in the so-called "semi-dry" blotting system. Our procedure is compatible with IEF protocols employing buffer systems with or without urea. The efficacy of our method is demonstrated by the IEF and Western blotting of several known marker proteins.

Difference in cell surface 5'-nucleotidase activity, protein iodination and membrane properties between mouse lymphoma and rat adenocarcinoma cell variants with low and high-metastatic potential

1. Distinct differences were found for the specific, concanavalin A-inhibitable 5'-nucleotidase activity, exhibiting 2-7 times higher values in the low-metastasizing cell variants. 2. Iodination of the cell surface proteins revealed a more heterogeneous labelling pattern of the high-malignant cell lines in the molecular weight range between 14 and about 35 kDa. 3. The low-malignant cell lines exhibited a significantly higher surface charge as deduced from their higher sialic acid content compared to the high-malignant variants. 4. They also showed a greater membrane lipid fluidity as determined both by the cholesterol to phospholipid ratio and by fluorescence depolarization measurements.

In vitro metabolism of the antimalarial agent primaquine by mouse liver enzymes and identification of a methemoglobin-forming metabolite

From a mouse liver microsomal system, we have isolated and identified a methemoglobin-forming metabolite of primaquine (PQ). Evidence has been found for both O-dealkylation and hydroxylation of PQ to form a metabolite, 5,6-dihydroxy-8-(4-amino-1-methylbutylamino)quinoline, which is highly active in forming methemoglobin in both normal and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient erythrocytes. It also actively decreases glutathione levels in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient erythrocytes. The inhibitor SKF 525-A prevented metabolite formation while iproniazid and carbon monoxide did not inhibit metabolism completely but may have resulted in formation of a different unidentified metabolite. Mass spectrometry, HPLC, NMR, and other more indirect methods were used to help identify the metabolite. It was identified indirectly via a blue compound which results from extracting the actual metabolite from the incubation mixture with organic solvents under alkaline conditions in the presence of light. The blue compound was identified as a quinonimine in which the 8-amino side chain of PQ cyclizes to produce a third ring system.

[Basic data in the application of a new intensity distribution in laser treatment of the upper digestive tract]

A new pattern of intensity distribution of laser beam, in the shape of a "topfkuchen" was found to be satisfactory in avoiding perforation when applied to the gastrointestinal tract. Basic data of the optical and thermophysical properties of the different layers in the stomach of pigs were obtained. Using our distribution pattern of intensity we could see a uniform, superficial zone of coagulation. There were no perforations even after the intact mucosa of the stomach was irradiated by 175 Watts for 2 seconds.