Brain free fatty levels in rats sacrificed by decapitation versus focused microwave irradiation

Values are presented for whole brain free fatty acid levels of rats sacrificed by decapitation vs focused microwave irradiation. Free fatty acids were quantitated by specific colorimetric analysis. Within ca. 1 min of sacrifice by either decapitation or microwave, rat whole brain free fatty acid concentrations ranged from ca. 80-100 mug/g fresh tissue. If the brain remained in the head for a total of 5 min after decapitation, free fatty acid levels increased by over 100%. The free fatty acids at this time were enriched with arachidonic acid. The increase in free fatty acid levels following decapitation was completely absent in rats sacrificed by the microwave irradiation. This microwave technique could be a valuable tool in determining free fatty acid and other heat stable compounds in brain tissue.

High dose frusemide in established acute renal failure

The results of treatment with frusemide in 105 patients with established acute renal failure admitted during the past six years were reviewed and compared with control groups. Daily doses of 2,000 mg of frusemide administered from the day of admission onwards produced a significant increase in the number of patients who attained a diuresis and decreased the duration of oliguria.The reduction in the time spent in hospital and in the number of dialyses required suggests that the use of frusemide in these large doses is indicated in patients with severe established acute renal failure.

Hydroxy fatty acids from cerebrosides of the central nervous system: GLC determination and mass spectrometric identification

A method has been developed for GLC determination of hydroxy fatty acids (HFA) from cerebrosides of the central nervous system.Identification of HFA present in complex biological mixtures was achieved by the use of the combination gas chromatography- mass spectrometry. GLC separations and mass spectrometric determinations were carried out on the trimethylsilyl derivatives of HFA, which show excellent GLC characteristics and favorable cleavages to determine the position of OH groups on the aliphatic chain. The mass spectra of these derivatives present some unusual rearrangement ions, whose composition has been studied with the aid of deuterium labeled analogs.