Neural modulation of ventriculoarterial coupling in conscious dogs

To investigate the role of autonomic reflexes in stroke-work optimization, we studied ventriculoarterial coupling in unanesthetized dogs with the autonomic system intact and blocked. Ventricular contractility was quantified by the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation, ventricular elastance (Ees). Arterial system properties were quantified by the ratio of end-systolic pressure to stroke volume, arterial elastance (Ea). The coupling between left ventricle and arterial system was expressed by the Ea-to-Ees ratio. Changes in arterial blood pressure during nitroprusside or angiotensin II infusion were used to elicit reflex-mediated influences on ventriculoarterial coupling. With the autonomic system intact, Ees doubled during nitroprusside infusion while Ea remained unchanged due to reactive vasoconstrictor forces and tachycardia. Consequently, the Ea-to-Ees ratio fell 50% from baseline. Angiotensin II infusion increased Ea 46% but did not significantly change Ees, resulting in a 26% increase in the Ea-to-Ees ratio. In contrast to ventriculoarterial coupling, stroke work was insensitive to changes in afterload, remaining close to its theoretical maximum. After autonomic blockade, Ees tended to decrease during nitroprusside and increased during angiotensin II infusion in parallel with changes in Ea, so that the Ea-to-Ees ratio did not change from baseline as much as it did with the autonomic system intact. Again, the left ventricle maintained nearly 90% of its maximal stroke work. Thus, over a wide range of afterload, stroke work was kept near its theoretical maximum, independent of autonomic neural regulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Disparate inotropic and lusitropic responses to pimobendan in conscious dogs with tachycardia-induced heart failure

Left ventricular (LV) inotropic and lusitropic responses to a calcium sensitizer, pimobendan, were compared between normal and failing hearts. Heart failure was induced by rapid ventricular pacing in 6 dogs instrumented with a micromanometer and a conductance catheter. The effects of pimobendan were evaluated in the conscious state before and after development of heart failure. Pimobendan dose-dependently increased the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume (P-V) relation (Ees) in both normal and failing hearts, whereas its magnitude was markedly attenuated in failing hearts. Heart rate (HR) was increased by pimobendan in normal heart but did not change in failing heart. LV relaxation, assessed by peak -dP/dt and the time constant of isovolumic pressure decay (Td), was substantially improved to the same extent in failing and normal hearts. Consequently, Ees and Td exhibited a hyperbolic relation over a wide range of contractility states. In normal heart, pimobendan caused a leftward shift of the diastolic P-V relation while maintaining a similar curve. In failing heart, however, this relation shifted directly downward with a concomitant increase in end-diastolic volume, indicating a reduction in the constraints on LV distention and a resultant increase in preload reserve. Thus, pimobendan accelerated LV isovolumic relaxation and improved distensibility in conscious dogs with tachycardia-induced heart failure despite the marked attenuation of inotropic responses.

Importance of total leg muscle mass for exercise intolerance in chronic heart failure

Patients with chronic heart failure symptoms tend to avoid voluntary effort and are thus subject to physical deconditioning. The presence of symptoms in daily life is thought to predispose to physical deconditioning and subsequent skeletal muscle loss. This study was designed to describe the relation among daily physical activities, skeletal muscle loss and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. We studied 14 patients with severe cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%) and 7 age-matched normal subjects. We measured total leg muscle mass by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The patients were divided into 7 asymptomatic and 7 symptomatic individuals using questionnaires for specific physical activities. Peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold were significantly reduced in cardiac patients as compared with normal subjects. The reduction in exercise capacity was greater in the symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients. Leg muscle mass was significantly reduced (-17%) in the symptomatic patients, while it remained normal in the asymptomatic patients. Oxygen uptake in unit muscle mass at the level of anaerobic threshold and at peak exercise was decreased in both the asymptomatic (-21% and -21%, respectively) and symptomatic patients (-27% and -30%, respectively) but the difference between these two groups was not significant. In the asymptomatic patients, the reduced exercise capacity was accounted for primarily by muscle mass-independent factors such as an impaired nutritive blood flow to exercising muscles or metabolic abnormalities within the muscle cell. In the symptomatic patients, the marked reduction in exercise tolerance was attributable to a decrease in leg muscle mass and to hemodynamic or metabolic abnormalities. We conclude that the loss of leg muscle mass plays an important role in exercise intolerance in patients who are prone to physical deconditioning as a result of symptomatic heart failure.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in human milk

The amount of TGF-beta contained in human whey was studied by the colony formation of NRK47F cells. It was noted that a factor inducing colony formation did exist in human whey, and its action was neutralized when anti-TGF-beta antibodies were introduced. This suggests that TGF-beta does exist in human whey. In colostrum, the total amount of TGF-beta was 1365.7 +/- 242.9 ng/ml, of which the active form comprised 728.1 +/- 248.7 ng/ml (n = 21). In late milk, the total TGF-beta was 952.5 +/- 212.6 ng/ml, with an active form of 178.7 +/- 157.3 ng/ml. Thus human milk contains a large amount of active TGF-beta. Furthermore, it was revealed by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction that mRNAs coding TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 exist in human milk cells. These results suggest that both TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 exist in human milk.

Importance of abnormal lung perfusion in excessive exercise ventilation in chronic heart failure

Whether excessive ventilatory response to exercise is related to the maldistribution of pulmonary blood flow was examined in 23 patients with chronic heart failure and nine age-matched normal subjects. With the use of technetium 99m macroaggregated albumin, the resting distribution of pulmonary blood flow was assessed by the scintigraphic counts ratio of upper to lower lung fields. The ventilatory response to exercise was assessed by the slope of the relationship between minute ventilation and carbon dioxide production during exercise. Eight patients (group A) had slope less than 33, the upper limit of the normal range, and 15 patients had slope of 33 or greater (group B). In group B pulmonary blood flow was distributed more to the upper lung, which made the counts ratio (60%) higher than in normal subjects (34%) or in patients in group A (38%). There was no significant difference in pulmonary flow distribution between normal subjects and patients in group A. In group B tidal volume did not increase during exercise as much as it did in normal subjects and in patients in group A; therefore, the respiratory pattern was rapid and shallow. Although the ratio of physiologic dead space to tidal volume fell by 20% during exercise in normal subjects and by 23% in patients in group A, it failed to decrease in patients in group B (-1%), which indicates a relative increase in dead space respiration during exercise. These data indicate that decreased lung compliance and regional ventilation-perfusion mismatch caused by pulmonary vascular and parenchymal abnormalities would play an important role in the excessive exercise ventilation in chronic heart failure.

Effects of acetate on human immune system

The immunopharmacologic effects of Ringer's acetate on healthy persons and cancer patients were investigated. Enhancement of in vivo polyclonal antibody production in peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy subjects and cancer patients was elicited after the intravenous administration of 500 ml Ringer's acetate solution. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction(MLR) and natural killer(NK) activity were also increased in the majority of healthy individuals and cancer patients when administered Ringer's acetate solution but not Ringer's lactate solution.

Limited value of anaerobic threshold for assessing functional capacity in patients with heart failure

Exercise tolerance was assessed in 146 patients with cardiac dysfunction in terms of anaerobic threshold (ATge). Patients were divided into four classes according to the peak oxygen uptake: Class A (72 patients) exceeding 1000 ml/min; Class B (27 patients) 800-999 ml/min; Class C (37 patients) 500-799 ml/min; and Class D (10 patients) below 500 ml/min. An incidence of the ATge breakpoint was lower in patients of Class C (38%) than in those of either Class B (70%, p < 0.05) or Class A (87%, p < 0.05). The ATge could not be determined in any patients in Class D. The V-slope method improved the ability to determine ATge by 20%. In Classes C and D, ATge detection was precluded considerably by the fact that the initial workloads of exercise test involved oxygen uptake levels already close to or above the ATge. An oscillatory hyperventilation pattern was also significantly related to failure in defining ATge in Class C patients. Of the 51 patients whose ATge was undetermined, 9 had an atrial septal defect. In two of these, exercise-induced right-to-left shunting led to progressive arterial hypoxemia, and the consequent hyperventilation masked the appearance of ATge. Thus, ATge is virtually undetectable in patients with severe heart failure largely because of the early onset of anaerobic metabolism or abnormal ventilatory responses to exercise. Accordingly, the clinical application of ATge in the assessment of functional capacity would be limited to patients with mild to moderate heart failure.

Predictive indicators for the therapeutic effect of OK-432 in patients with chronic active type B hepatitis

Twenty-two patients with chronic type B hepatitis were treated with OK-432. Immunological parameters were serially measured to find predictive indicators for the seroconversion from hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBe Ag) to anti-HBe. In patients who achieved the disappearance of HBe Ag associated with or without the appearance of anti-HBe, the numbers of CD8+DR+ and CD4+DR+T cells in peripheral blood increased gradually during OK-432 therapy and then reduced subsequently to the seroconversion from HBe Ag positive to anti-HBe positive. Increases of DR-positive T cells in numbers were significantly correlated with increased amounts of IFN-gamma produced in response to in vitro OK-432 stimulation. In vitro OK-432-stimulated IFN-gamma production and the increase of CD8+DR+T cells in number in peripheral blood could be proposed as predictive indicators for the disappearance of HBe Ag.

Continuous measurement of the pressure-volume relationship in experimental heart failure produced by rapid ventricular pacing in conscious dogs

The contractile function of the left ventricle has been defined within the framework of the pressure-volume relationship. We employed a conductance catheter, together with a high-fidelity micromanometer, to obtain accurate pressure and volume data continuously on a beat-to-beat basis in conscious dogs. Reproducibility of conductance volumetry was proven by repeated in situ measurements of left ventricular volume on separate days in the same dog. Heart failure, produced by rapid ventricular pacing, was characterized by impaired systolic shortening, depressed contractility indices and incomplete left ventricular relaxation. The magnitude of the cardiotonic effects of dobutamine was significantly attenuated after development of heart failure. Dobutamine improved left ventricular early relaxation but did not affect chamber distensibility. In heart failure, the load sensitivity of relaxation was enhanced and the force-frequency response attenuated. This may elucidate the mechanisms of early diastolic dysfunction and the deleterious effect of an increase in heart rate in the failing heart. Thus, the conductance catheter provided a reliable and simple method of obtaining left ventricular volume continuously in conscious dogs.

Dobutamine improves afterload-induced deterioration of mechanical efficiency toward maximal

We studied the effect of increased afterload on the ratios of O2 consumption (VO2) to external work (EW), VO2 to the systolic pressure-volume area (PVA), and PVA to EW at control state and with dobutamine in the left ventricles of open-chest dogs. Left ventricular volume was measured with a volumetric conductance catheter and coronary flow with an electromagnetic flowmeter. Hexamethonium bromide and atropine sulfate were administered before changes in end-systolic pressure (Pes) with an infusion of nitroprusside or angiotensin II. Dobutamine enhanced ventricular end-systolic elastance by 100%. In the control, with increases in Pes, EW/VO2 remained unchanged, PVA/VO2 increased by 48%, and EW/PVA decreased by 26%. Dobutamine increased both EW/VO2 and EW/PVA at any given Pes but decreased PVA/VO2. During dobutamine, EW/VO2 increased significantly with increases in Pes. The ratio of measured EW/VO2 to the theoretically predicted maximal EW/VO2 value for a given end-diastolic volume and contractility was 0.83 at a Pes of 70 mmHg, and this ratio decreased by 33% with increases in Pes in the control. During dobutamine, measured EW/VO2 values were almost equal to each corresponding theoretical maximal value, and the average decrease in the ratio with increases in Pes was 7%. Thus the enhanced inotropic state by dobutamine can restore the afterload-induced deterioration of EW/VO2 toward the normal maximal level.

Ventriculoarterial coupling during exercise in normal human subjects

To examine the relative roles of ventricular contractility and loading conditions for cardiovascular adjustment during exercise, 10 normal human subjects were studied using a framework of ventriculoarterial coupling. Anaerobic threshold was evaluated to determine the work rates of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Ventricular contractile properties were quantified by the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship (ventricular elastance) and arterial system properties were expressed by the end-systolic pressure-stroke volume relationship (arterial elastance). During aerobic exercise, left ventricular end-diastolic volume and stroke volume were increased by 14 and 33%, with plasma norepinephrine levels being doubled. Arterial elastance was reduced by 30%, but ventricular elastance did not change significantly. During anaerobic exercise, ventricular end-diastolic volume returned to the resting value, while stroke volume remained increased by 31%. In contrast to aerobic exercise, ventricular elastance rose substantially by 89% in association with about a 10 times increase in plasma norepinephrine. Arterial elastance remained the same as in aerobic exercise. Thus, the increase in stroke volume was primarily mediated by changes in loading conditions during aerobic exercise and by enhanced contractility during anaerobic exercise.

Immunomodulatory effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on immune responses

Ursodeoxycholic acid was recently recognized as an effective agent in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. Experimental evidence supporting the usefulness of ursodeoxycholic acid as a potentially beneficial therapeutic agent for primary biliary cirrhosis has been reported from the biochemical and physiological aspects. In this study, we investigated the direct effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on immunoglobulin and cytokine production in vitro using plaque-forming cell assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was demonstrated that ursodeoxycholic acid suppressed the production of IgM, IgG and IgA induced by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from healthy subjects and patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and also in human B lymphoma cell lines. Furthermore, ursodeoxycholic acid suppressed interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 production induced by concanavalin A and interferon-gamma production induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, but it did not affect interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 production induced by lipopolysaccharide in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, ursodeoxycholic acid suppressed the concanavalin A-induced thymocyte proliferation mediated by interleukin-1. Cytotoxicity against lymphocytes was not observed at the concentrations of ursodeoxycholic acid used. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in primary biliary cirrhosis is mediated in part by immunosuppression.

Ventricular-load optimization in patients with heart failure

The effects of unloading or inotropic agent in 22 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were assessed in terms of optimal coupling between the ventricle and arterial system. In 13 patients (group A), lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was applied to reduce preload and nitroprusside was used to decrease afterload. In 9 patients (group B), dobutamine was used to enhance inotropic state. In all patients, the direct arterial pressure was simultaneously recorded with left ventricular echocardiogram as the pressure was elevated by phenylephrine. The left ventricular contractile properties were defined by the slope (Ees) of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation. The arterial system properties were expressed by the slope (Ea) of the end-systolic pressure-stroke volume relation. When the Ea/Ees ratio ranged from 0.5 to 1.0, both external work and mechanical efficiency are nearly maximized. In group A, baseline ventricular-load coupling was characterized by an increase in the Ea/Ees ratio (1.96 +/- 1.08) where the heart could maximize neither external work nor mechanical efficiency. Ea/Ees significantly fell to 1.45 +/- 0.77 with nitroprusside, while increasing to 2.37 +/- 1.17 during LBNP. In group B, Ea/Ees was decreased from 1.43 +/- to 0.82 +/- 0.47 with dobutamine. It is concluded that reduction in afterload rather than preload, or augmentation of contractility could restore optimal ventricular-load coupling in patients with severe cardiac dysfunction.

Defect in generation of LAK cell activity under oxygen-limited conditions

In general, the in vitro induction of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell activities by interleukin 2 (IL-2) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMNC) has been performed in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air (20% O2), whereas IL-2-induced LAK cell activities are considerably reduced under concentrations of 5% O2 equal to arterial blood oxygen tension (100 mmHg) and 2% O2 equal to venous blood oxygen tension (40 mmHg). Cultured cell viability, IL-2 receptor-beta expression on large granular lymphocytes (LGL), the percentage of IL-2 receptor-beta positive LGLs and cell proliferation were not affected by oxygen-limited conditions. LAK cells were induced by IL-2 over 5 days at 20% O2, at which time the LAK cells were further stimulated by IL-2 in 2% O2 and 20% O2. Under these conditions the activity of LAK cells in 2% O2 decreased day by day, while that of LAK cells induced in 20% O2 was maintained at least until day 10 of the original culture. LAK effector cell-mediated lysis was not influenced by oxygen-limited conditions. These results point to more successful applications of the combination of oxygen therapy and adoptive cellular immunotherapy in the clinic.

New redistribution index of nutritive blood flow to skeletal muscle during dynamic exercise

BACKGROUND

Cardiac output is effectively redistributed to working muscle by regional changes in vascular resistance. However, there has been no suitable method to quantify blood flow distribution to large working and nonworking muscles involved in ergometer or treadmill exercise.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To quantify the redistribution of blood flow, we compared thallium activity in a bicycle pedaling leg with that in the contralateral resting leg in 10 normal subjects. The regional thallium activity was expressed as a percentage of the whole-body radioisotope activity. Comparison of thallium activity between legs was performed at rest and at the work rates of anaerobic threshold and peak exercise during one-leg exercise. Thallium distribution of both legs was essentially the same at rest. At the anaerobic threshold, thallium activity increased about threefold to fourfold in the exercising thigh and about twofold in the exercising calf. The thallium distribution in these muscles at peak exercise was the same as at the anaerobic threshold. In the nonexercising calf, thallium distribution during exercise decreased significantly, and it was unchanged in the nonexercising thigh. Consequently, the ratio of thallium activity between the exercising and nonexercising thighs increased from 1.1 +/- 0.1 to 4.0 +/- 0.9 at the anaerobic threshold and to 3.3 +/- 0.6 at peak exercise. Similarly, the ratio between the exercising and nonexercising calves increased from 1.0 +/- 0.0 to 3.8 +/- 1.3 at the anaerobic threshold and to 3.5 +/- 1.0 at peak exercise. The ratios at peak exercise, however, did not differ significantly from those at the anaerobic threshold.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the redistribution of blood flow occurs predominantly during mild to moderate exercise; therefore, blood flow in the leg during strenuous exercise would depend primarily upon an increased cardiac output. Thus, the thallium activity ratio of exercising and nonexercising legs reflects the difference in vascular tone of each leg and could provide a noninvasive and quantitative index of blood flow redistribution.

Serial reproducibility of conductance catheter volumetry of left ventricle in conscious dogs

Although the conductance catheter technique has been currently applied to in situ measurement of left ventricular volume, reproducibility of this method has not been examined within the same subject on separate days. Accordingly, serial catheter volumetries (mean 5 days apart) were performed in 10 normal conscious dogs, which were chronically instrumented with the conductance catheter, a micromanometer, and caval cuff occluders. Left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume relationship was also determined during transient caval occlusion. All hemodynamic variables were compared at the same heart rate. There were no significant changes in blood resistivity (10 +/- 7 omega cm, 8%) and the parallel conductance of the surrounding tissues (7 +/- 6 ml, 10%). The mean difference was 3 +/- 2 ml (7%) for end-diastolic volume and 3 +/- 2 ml (11%) for end-systolic volume. Stroke volume and ejection fraction were also reproducible with mean difference of 2 +/- 1 ml (9%) and 3 +/- 2% (8%) respectively. The end-systolic pressure-volume relationships were nearly superimposable with the slope being 6.05 +/- 1.82 mmHg/ml on day 1 and 6.13 +/- 2.22 mmHg/ml on day 2. The difference averaged 0.63 +/- 0.42 mmHg/ml (11%). These results suggest that highly reproducible volume estimates by conductance catheter offer its feasibility of serial assessment of ventricular performance in vivo.

Energy conversion efficiency in human left ventricle

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular mechanical efficiency is one of the most important measures of left ventricular pump performance. Several clinical studies, however, have shown that mechanical efficiency does not fall substantially as the heart fails. To clarify the insensitivity of mechanical efficiency to the change in pump performance, we analyzed human left ventricular mechanical efficiency, applying the concept of left ventricular systolic pressure-volume area (PVA).

METHODS AND RESULTS

PVA correlates linearly with myocardial oxygen consumption per beat (MVO2): MVO2 = a.PVA+b, and represents the total mechanical energy of contraction. We determined MVO2-PVA relation and external work in 11 patients with different contractile states. We also calculated the energy transfer from MVO2 to PVA (PVA/MVO2 efficiency), that from PVA to external work (work efficiency), and mechanical efficiency (external work/MVO2). Left ventricular pressure-volume loops were constructed by plotting the instantaneous left ventricular pressure against the left ventricular volume at baseline and during pressure loading. The contractile properties of the ventricle were defined by the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation (Ees). Pressure elevation raised external work by 41.4%, PVA by 71.2%, and MVO2 by 54.5%. These changes were associated with a decrease in work efficiency and an increase in PVA/MVO2 efficiency. The opposite directional changes in these two efficiencies rendered the mechanical efficiency constant. The slope, a, of the relation between MVO2 and PVA was relatively constant (2.46 +/- 0.33) over the range of 0.8-8.8 mm Hg/ml of Ees, but the oxygen axis intercept, b, tended to decrease with the reduction in Ees. PVA/MVO2 efficiency correlated inversely (r = -0.66, p less than 0.05) with Ees, whereas work efficiency correlated linearly with Ees (r = 0.91, p less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical efficiency is not appreciably affected by changes in loading and inotropic conditions as long as the left ventricular contractility is not severely depressed.

Immunoregulatory effects of transforming growth factor-beta in a prolonged period of culture

It is well known that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) strikingly inhibits numerous immune functions in short-term cultures. In this study we investigated the effects of TGF-beta on the immune responses of murine spleen cells in a prolonged period of culture. The addition of exogenous TGF-beta (0.1 ng/ml) inhibited the proliferation of Con A- or LPS-stimulated spleen cells, polyclonal IgM and IgG antibody production, and NK cell activity during 4 days of the initial culture and subsequently enhanced their responses on Day 10. The augmented polyclonal IgM and IgG responses in murine spleen cells induced by LPS and TGF-beta on Day 10 were suppressed by the secondary addition of TGF-beta on Day 6. These results suggest that TGF-beta acts as an immunoregulator in prolonged period responses by immunoactivators.

A potential approach for gene therapy targeting hepatoma using a liver-specific promoter on a retroviral vector

Recent technological advances made in molecular biology and in vitro culture of human and other mammalian cells have led to broad medical and scientific acceptance of the feasibility of gene therapy for genetic diseases. Cancer might practically be one of the attractive targets for such therapy. For the treatment of cancer, it is important to manipulate the gene of interest such that it is expressed solely in cancer cells. We have developed a tissue-specific gene expression system, based on a tissue-specific promoter on a retroviral vector. A murine ecotropic retroviral vector was constructed in which the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene served as a reporter; it was expressed under control of the albumin enhancer element and promoter. The tissue specificity of this vector was first assessed in vitro, and beta-galactosidase activity was detected exclusively in hepatoma cell lines. This recombinant retrovirus was injected directly into a subcutaneous tumor composed of transplantable murine MH-134 hepatoma cells, and expression of the gene was observed in vivo. Then this recombinant retrovirus was injected via the spleen or directly into the liver, resulting in the gene expression in dividing hepatocytes in partially hepatectomized mice, but not in nondividing hepatocytes in normal mice. Gene transfer specific to dividing hepatocytes and expression by means of retroviral vectors should possess high potential for selective elimination of hepatoma cells surrounded by nondividing normal hepatocytes.

Biological effects of Auger processes of bromine on yeast cells induced by monochromatic synchrotron X-rays

The biological effects of inner-shell ionization in bromine atoms incorporated into DNA in the form of bromodeoxyuridine monophosphate (BrdUMP), induced by monochromatized synchrotron X-rays, were studied using a deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP)-permeable mutant of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The BrdUMP-incorporated yeast cells were irradiated with monochromatic X-rays of 13.51 or 13.45 keV, between which the bromine K-absorption edge (13.47 keV) is located. The cells were 1.07 times more sensitive to irradiation by 13.51 keV X-rays than at 13.45 keV, while dTMP-incorporated cells did not show any difference in sensitivity. In the presence of a radioprotector during irradiation, BrdUMP-incorporated cells showed a larger enhancement (1.20). These enhancements observed in the bromine-incorporated cells cannot be explained only by an increase of the absorbed dose due to a substitution of CH3 group of thymine by bromine. It may be concluded that a major part of the enhancement was caused by inner-shell photoionization, followed by an Auger cascade of the bromine in the DNA. The quantum yield of lethality caused by the photoabsorption of bromine K-shell is not affected by the presence of cysteamine, suggesting the biological enhancement by the Auger processes may not be influenced by chemical protection.

Mechanics of contraction and relaxation of the ventricle in experimental heart failure produced by rapid ventricular pacing in the conscious dog

A model of heart failure produced by rapid ventricular pacing in the conscious dog instrumented with a conductance catheter to monitor instantaneous left ventricular volume has been developed. This experimental model is capable of analysis of the left ventricular pressure-volume relationship on a beat-to-beat basis, and has been used to assess ventricular function serially in the progress of heart failure and effects of pharmacological intervention. In seven dogs the magnitude of cardiotonic effects were significantly attenuated after development of heart failure. These findings support the concept that in the failing heart there is subsensitivity to beta-adrenergic stimulation in proportion to the severity. The failing heart was characterized by incomplete left ventricular relaxation. Dobutamine improved left ventricular early relaxation but did not affect chamber distensibility. In contrast new phosphodiesterase inhibitor, E-1020, improved ventricular distensibility with less marked changes in active relaxation; improved left ventricular relaxation appeared to be mediated by increased systolic shortening with enhancement of internal restoring forces, and improved distensibility by accelerated function of sarcoplasmic reticulum through increased intracellular cyclic AMP.

Human trophoblastic cells metabolize 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in vitro

Human trophoblastic cells (T3M-3) metabolized 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 into two more polar metabolites during in vitro incubations. A two-step high pressure liquid chromatography system revealed two unique elution positions of those trophoblastic cell-derived metabolites that exactly co-migrated with the elution positions of 5(Z)-19-nor-10-oxo-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 5(E)-19-nor-10-oxo-25-hydroxyvitamin D3, respectively. These unique metabolites did not bind specifically to a protein receptor for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Analysis of the immunoactivator sites of parotid protein isolated from bovine parotid glands

Parotid protein (parotin) was isolated from bovine parotid glands. To analyze the active site of parotid protein, the parotid subunit (PS) was digested by trypsin and then fractionated on a Sephadex G-25 column. Fraction A induced mainly polyclonal antibody responses and interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like activities. FrAA-1, consisting of 58 amino acids (LYILYFFQSDNEDKEKVVRQEEGEE-RITALLMNGSALKQEEWWEKEDTDDTAIVLLK) was isolated from fraction A by chromatography on QAE-Sephadex A-25 columns. FrAA-1 was found to possess IL-1-like activity. There was only 29% homology between FrAA-1 and four IL-1 molecules. When 10- and 20-residue peptides based on the amino acid sequence of FrAA-1 were synthesized, P-10.2 (TDDTAIVLLK) alone exerted an IL-1-like effect on C3H/HeJ thymocytes, whereas P-20.1 (SDNEDKEKVVRQEEGEERIT) alone elicted polyclonal IgM and IgG antibody production in human lymphocytes. These results suggest that the active sites for polyclonal B-cell activator (PBA) and IL-1-like activity have different locations in FrAA-1.