Experimental approach to the pathogenesis of the anomalies of amniotic disease

By intra-adnexal injection of glucose in the rabbit embryo, we were able to stimulate all the anomalies associated with "Amniotic Disease". Since we were even able to obtain amniotic bands, this study provides an excellent experimental model of this disease. Resulting lesions occur early in development, corresponding to the first trimester of human gestation. All of the anomalies can ultimately be explained by the destruction of the most superficial cells: epiblastic cells of the embryo and the amnion, subjacent mesenchyme, and endothelial cells. The subsequent lack of interaction between these cells and the importance of the anatomical localizations of resulting hematomas can lead to the pathogenetic approach to this disease. In light of the present study, the disease appears to be caused by an external factor within the amniotic fluid. The exact nature of the destructive agent(s) remains a mystery in man.

Survival of pleomorphic sarcoma-37 transplanted virgin female DBA/2J mice: effects produced by high blood glucose levels alone and in combination with drugs

Procedures for producing, monitoring, and maintaining 3-hr 400-500-mg% whole blood glucose levels in Sarcoma-37 (S-37) transplanted virgin female inbred DBA/2J mice are described. Aqueous infused 40% (w/v) dextrose was evaluated as a potential therapeutic factor. The effects of procedural variations on treatment survival and longevity are discussed. One hundred percent infusion safety and 25% increased longevity over nontreated transplanted mice were achieved. Doxorubicin and/or dacarbazine were also evaluated when administered prior to the dextrose infusion. Doxorubicin followed by intravenous dextrose increased survivor longevity by 37%, but this combination was unsafe at the drug dosages employed. A large dose of dacarbazine was safe and effective alone but unsafe when given prior to the infusion, although the survivors lived 29% longer than the untreated transplanted controls. Both drugs were marginally effective, but safe, when given together. When given together prior to the infusion, only 87% survived the treatment. The survivors lived 6 days longer than the controls.

[Treatment of acute pancreatitis by glucagon. Experimental studies in dogs]

The authors made a comparative study of the use of glucagon (4 mg/day IV) in 30 dogs with acute pancreatitis. They found that the mortality and amylasemia were significantly lower in the glucagon-treated group than in the control groups (saline and glucose solution 5%). In the glucagon group, the areas of necrosis were smaller (1.5 cm) and rarely found; microscopically, the areas of necrosis and the inflammatory reaction were much smaller than in the other groups. These findings lead to the conclusion that the beneficial action of glucagon is due to another mechanism other than its hyperglycemic effect and that the administration of hypertonic solutions of glucose does not have a beneficial effect in acute pancreatitis.

Stimulation of insulin secretion by pancreozymin

The peripheral injection of pancreozymin in dogs at doses greater than one-eighth dog unit/kg, has been shown to produce an abrupt rise in portal vein plasma insulin. A dose of 0.5 U./kg. proved to be a more potent stimulus of insulin secretion than 0.5 gm./kg. of glucose. A combination of pancreozymin and glucose produced more pronounced hyperinsulinemia than the sum of the two given separately. Repeated injections of pancreozymin appear to have a decreasing stimulatory effect. Pancreozymin produced a decrease in free fatty acids but did not lower plasma glucose.

Persistent dynamic phase of aurothioglucose obesity

Continuous long-term observations on food intake, body weight, and the development of obesity were made on the survivors of an ld50 dose of aurothioglucose (ATG). ATG-obese mice consumed significantly greater amounts of food compared to ATG-nonobese and control animals from the 2nd to the 13th months of observation. The daily food consumption of obese animals remained relatively constant from the inception of hyperphagia to senescence. Food intake in the two control groups remained constant throughout 18 months of observation. Throughout the latter time period the obese animals had significantly greater weights than their ATG-nonobese and control littermates. No significant differences in weights were noted between ATG-nonobese mice and controls during the total period of observation. Obese mice progressively gained weight until the 12th month, after which a gradual decline was observed. At no time was a weight plateau evident. It is concluded that the long-term progressive weight gain in ATG-obese mice is consistent with a persistent dynamic phase of obesity until senescence.