Effect of phototherapy on 3H-imipramine binding sites in patients with SAD, non-SAD and in healthy controls

The effect of incandescent light treatment on the density of 3H-imipramine binding sites (Bmax) was investigated in 17 patients with seasonal affective disorder, in eight patients with non-seasonal depression and in six healthy volunteers. A significant increase in mean Bmax value parallel to a marked improvement of the depressive symptoms was found only in patients with SAD. No effect was observed either on mean Bmax value or on clinical symptoms in patients with non-SAD and on mean Bmax value in healthy volunteers.

Inhibition of potassium-induced release of histamine from mast cells by tetraethylammonium and tetramethylammonium

In accordance with our previous results, a marked release of histamine (HA) from rat peritoneal mast cells was initiated by 150 mM KCl in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. This release could be reduced by 20-60 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) or tetramethylammonium (TMA), the non-selective K(+)-channel blockers, Ouabain, the general inhibitor of (Na+ + K+) ATP-ase, failed to produce any changes in this release. The action of TEA discriminated between the initiation of HA release evoked by different agents, producing a blockade of the K(+)-induced but not the 48/80-stimulated HA release. In total, these data suggest the presence of TEA/TMA-sensitive K(+)-channels in the mast cell membrane and their involvement in one of the possible pathways for the initiation of HA release.

Broncho-Vaxom inhibits histamine release from rat mast cells induced by compound 48/80 and ionophore A23187

Broncho-Vaxom (BV) inhibited in dose-dependent manner the release of histamine from and degranulation of isolated rat peritoneal mast cells stimulated with compound 48/80 and the ionophore A23187. Inhibition persisted after removal of BV from the incubation medium before stimulation, but did not occur when bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used instead of BV. Binding of BV to mast cells was observed by electron microscopy on cells that had been incubated with colloidal-gold labelled BV. There was no significant difference between the binding of BV gold and BSA gold to the mast cells. Washing before fixation removed most of the BV gold from the cells. This study establishes BV as an in vitro histamine release inhibitor.

Membrane fluidity of trophoblast cells and susceptibility to natural cytotoxicity

This study examines the relationship between membrane lipid microviscosity and susceptibility of villous trophoblast to lysis by natural cytotoxic cells. Trophoblast-enriched cell suspensions prepared from term human placentae were treated with cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS)--a modulator of membrane lipid microviscosity. CHS-treated cells were more susceptible targets for natural lymphocyte cytotoxicity than were untreated controls. In binding experiments, increased binding of lymphocytes to CHS-treated target cells was found. Preincubation with progesterone prevented membrane rigidification by CHS. Progesterone, cortisol, and estriol restored the impaired resistance of CHS-treated trophoblast cells to lysis. We determined microviscosity and progesterone concentration in villous surface membranes, prepared from placentae from idiopathic spontaneous abortions and normal first-trimester pregnancies. An inverse relationship was found between progesterone content and microviscosity of the membranes. Microviscosity of the membranes from abortion placentae was significantly higher (P less than .01) and progesterone concentration was significantly lower (P less than .001) than those in the membranes of normal first trimester placentae.

Phototherapy increases platelet 3H-imipramine binding in patients with winter depression

The density of platelet 3H-imipramine binding sites (Bmax) was investigated in seven inpatients with winter depression before and after incandescent light treatment and in seven healthy volunteers within a 7-day interval without light exposure. A significantly lower mean Bmax value was found in the depressed patients compared to the controls. After light treatment, parallel to a marked clinical improvement, Bmax increased in each patient and reached or even exceeded the mean values of the controls. These results indicate that in patients with winter depression the decreased Bmax value is state-dependent. The incandescent light treatment has beneficial effect in winter depressives and can influence Bmax values.

The effect of a new antihistamine drug, Loderix (EGIS-2062), on stimulus-evoked histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells

The ability of a new, non-sedative antihistamine drug, Loderix (EGIS-2062), to inhibit stimulus-evoked histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells has been investigated and compared with that of ketotifen (Zaditen). At low concentrations Loderix preincubated with the cells for 10 min prior to the addition of various stimulants (immune aggregates, ionophore A23187 and compound 48/80) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of histamine release, while at high concentrations it induced the release of histamine. The IC50 values were calculated as 0.2, 15 and 50 microM by using immune aggregate, (rat IgG2 alpha + anti rat IgG) calcium ionophore and 48/80 as stimulants, respectively. At the IC50 level Loderix was more effective than Zaditen (100 times more effective when immune aggregate and 4 times when 48/80 were used for stimulation). Both drugs had a dual effect on mast cells. The morphological observations confirmed the pharmacological action of the drugs, showing also that the histamine release at high concentrations is due to their cytotoxic effect.

Serum and CSF cholinesterase activity in various kinds of dementia

The activity of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase was determined in serum and CSF of controls and patients suffering from different types of dementia. A statistically significant decrease in the activities of both esterases was observed in CSF of demented patients, however, primary degenerative and vascular dementia did not differ in their CSF cholinesterase levels. Compared to age-matched controls the serum butyrylcholinesterase activity was also significantly lowered in the overall dementia group. No typical serum and CSF cholinesterase isoenzyme pattern was found for dementia or any of its subgroups. It is concluded that the cholinesterase levels reflect metabolic alterations associated with dementia as a collective group but cannot be used for differential diagnosis of subgroups.

Paraquat (gramoxone) poisoning in south-west Hungary, 1977-1984. Toxicological and histopathological aspects of group intoxication cases

Fifty-six cases of paraquat poisoning were examined during the 8 years 1977-1984. The ratio of cases of accidental to intentional ingestion of the poison was 1:1; 23.2% of the total (13/56) survived several months or years. In 1983, 11 subjects accidentally drank 10-30 ml of gramoxone; eight of 11 died in 2 weeks. Toxicological investigations demonstrated rapid elimination of poison from the blood, as well as prolonged fixation of paraquat in the lung, kidney, liver, and spleen tissues. Histological examinations showed multiorgan failure from renal tubular necrosis and pulmonary hemorrhage with alveolar epithelial injury. Pulmonary proliferative changes were present in only two cases who survived 7 and 10 days and in which artificial ventilation was utilized.

Potassium-induced histamine release from mast cells and its inhibition by ketotifen

Potassium chloride induced a dose-dependent release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells at concentrations from 5 to 150 mM in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Potassium concentrations greater than 150 mM produced less histamine release. The release was energy-dependent and was complete within one minute. The histamine liberating effect of KCl could be inhibited by NaCl and by preincubation with ketotifen. The monovalent cations, Rb+ and Cs+ also evoked histamine release, whereas Na+ and Li+ were ineffective.

A pancreatic-polypeptide-producing tumor of the stomach

A gastric tumor was found in a 64-year-old woman who later developed flushing, tachycardia, headache, and lacrymation. The plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP) level was 700 times normal values, and the majority of the tumor cells were immunoreactive to PP antiserum. Symptoms were alleviated, and PP levels fell after embolization of the hepatic artery for liver metastases. This is the first reported case of gastric PP-producing endocrine tumor.

Urinary excretion of tetrahydroxylated bile acids in children with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and neonatal cholestasis

Urinary excretion of bile acids was investigated in seven infants with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and neonatal cholestasis. The infants were followed prospectively and the bile acid analysis was repeated after 2-8 years in four of the patients. Bile acid excretion during 24 h was quantified by gas-liquid chromatography and the bile acids were identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In contrast to healthy controls, all the patients excreted tetrahydroxylated bile acids during cholestasis and in the postcholestatic period. The patients who developed cirrhosis during the observation period had lower concentration of tetrahydroxylated bile acids than those with a more favourable course. Our findings suggest that tetrahydroxylation of bile acids might be an alternative pathway for elimination of bile acids in cholestasis of infancy, and that those infants exhibiting a good capacity of polyhydroxylation might have a better prognosis.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and juvenile liver disease. Ultrastructural observations compared with light microscopy and routine liver tests

Sixteen children (aged between 1 month and 20 years) with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZ) were investigated by liver biopsy on one or more occasions. Eight patients had suffered from neonatal cholestasis, and two of them were investigated during the cholestatic period as well. The clinical status and liver function tests were compared with the light and electron microscopical findings. According to the light microscopical analyses at the latest investigation, the cholestatic and noncholestatic patients were classified as healthy, fibrotic or cirrhotic cases. All livers displayed periodic acid-Schiff positive, diastase-resistant globules in some but not all periportally located hepatocytes. By electron microscopy accumulation of retained secretory material was found in all PiZ patients. This accumulation was most conspicuous in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency seems to affect some, but not all hepatocytes. In the affected cells disappearance or hypotrophy of the Golgi complex could be observed. The intracellular transport of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) was apparently not affected. The migration block in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency seems to occur before transportation to the Golgi complex. The extent of the involvement was not strictly age-dependent. There was no ultrastructural evidence of subclinical cholestasis as a possible triggering factor in the development of cirrhosis.

Early membrane retrieval following exocytosis in rat mast cells

The fate of the surplus membrane following exocytosis of mast cell granules was studied by the extracellular tracer Ruthenium red (Ru red). Isolated rat peritoneal mast cells were stimulated with 4 micrograms/ml polylysine, washed and maintained in a culture medium for 80 min. Mast cells were observed both with the light microscope after adding Ru red in physiological solution and with the electron microscope after fixation in Ru red-containing fixatives. Whereas all exocytotic cavities were found to be stained with Ru red immediately after stimulation, a gradual lack of staining was observed in the subsequent period. The exits of the cavities were sealed by membrane fusions which resulted in closed vacuoles containing exocytosed granule remnants. These vacuoles often fused with each other to form a few giant vacuoles. The overwhelming majority of the vacuoles were observed to be closed 30 to 80 min after stimulation. In one experiment a quantitative analysis was performed to assess the degree of membrane recapture by sealing of the exocytotic cavities. A considerable portion of the plasma membrane area was retrieved in this way as early as between 15 and 30 min after stimulation. We conclude that the dominant mechanism of membrane retrieval in the early period following exocytosis is the recapture of large membrane areas by sealing of exocytotic cavities.

The effect of triiodothyronine-prednisolone treatment on the development of digestive enzymes in the suckling pig

Thirty suckling pigs of 4 litters were divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental piglets were treated perorally from 14 to 20 days of age with rising doses of triiodothyronine, which were combined with prednisolone for the last 3 days. On the day following the conclusion of the treatment (at 3 weeks of age) the piglets were killed by bleeding for the determination of digestive enzymes. The experimental piglets showed a significant increase of intestinal trypsin (p less than 0.01) and pancreatic amylase (P less than 0.05) activities over the control; a significant decrease of gastric chymosin activity (P less than 0.05) was caused by the great inter-group differences within one litter. Ten of the 11 parameters tested indicated precocious maturation of the digestive enzymes of the experimental piglets, however, most of these differences were not significant. Further studies are required for the possible utilization of this finding in the early weaning practice.