[Concentration changes in PCB isomers in the blood in patients with PCB poisoning]

The blood of 3 yu-cheng patients sampled from 1980 to 1985 and of 14 yusho patients sampled from 1982 to 1988 were analyzed for 7 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) isomers by gas chromatography with a capillary column. The concentrations of PCBs in yu-cheng patients were up to 400 ppb and much higher than those of yusho patients. The high concentration of PCBs were decreased at biological half lives of about 50 months and 2,4,3',4'-tetra-CB and 2,4,5,3',4'-penta-CB were first decreased with time at half lives of about 12 months. Therefore, peculiar gas chromatographic pattern for yusho patients would be formed 3 years after the onset. The concentration and patterns of blood PCBs of yusho patient kept in similar levels during 1982 to 1988.

[Effects of 3-methylsulphonyl-4,5,3',4-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 7,8-benzoflavone on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity]

First, we examined the effects of 3-methylsulphonyl-4,5,3',4',-tetrachlorobiphenyl (3-MSF-TCB, 1.5 ppm) and 7,8-benzoflavone (ANF, 1.4 ppm) on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity in cultured human lymphoblastoid cells and we have obtained the following results: (1) 3-MSF-TCB preferentially inhibited the enzyme activity induced by 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and slightly stimulated the enzyme activity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). (2) ANF reduced well the AHH activities induced by all the three enzyme inducers and more strongly inhibited the PenCDF- or TCDD-induced enzyme activity (about 89%). (3) About 64 and 76% of basal (uninduced) AHH activity was lowered by 3-MSF-TCB and ANF, respectively. Second, we investigated the effect of 3-MSF-TCB (1.5-45 ppm) and ANF (1.4-42 ppm) on AHH activity of hepatic microsomes from the Ah nonresponsive (DDD) and responsive (C3H) strains of mice and we have got the following results: (1) 3-MSF-TCB and ANF enhanced or reduced the enzyme activity depending on both their concentrations and kinds of microsomes, namely, those prepared from untreated mice (control-microsomes) and mice treated with MC (MC-microsomes) or TCDD (TCDD-microsomes). (2) ANF showed higher potency for both the enhancement and the inhibition of the enzyme activity than 3-MSF-TCB. (3) The AHH activity of TCDD-microsomes seemed to be more greatly reduced with either 3-MSF-TCB or ANF than that of MC-microsomes. (4) The effects of 3-MSF-TCB and ANF on the enzyme activity of MC-microsomes of DDD mice and of control-microsomes of C3H mice.

[Analysis of PCB- and PCT-methylsulfones in the blood in yusho patients]

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)- and terphenyl (PCT)-methylsulfones were isolated from the blood of yusho patients sampled in 1987 and characterized by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), electron capture detection (GC/ECD) and flame photometric detection (GC/FPD). GC/MS analysis for PCB-methylsulfones showed that all the blood tested (nine samples) contained the tri- and tetrachloro congeners. The concentrations of PCB-methylsulfones were estimated to be 15-120 ppb. PCT-methylsulfones detected in the same fraction, which were confirmed by GC/MS comparison with authentic samples as well as by GC/ECD and GC/FPD, consisted of tetra-, penta- and hexachloroterphenyl methylsulfone congeners. The levels of PCT-methylsulfones in six samples detected were preliminarily estimated to be 10-270 ppb, on the basis of a PCB-methylsulfone standard. Their origins and biological effects are unclear at present.

Determination of vanillylmandelic acid, vanillactic acid, and homovanillic acid in dried urine on filter-paper discs by high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric electrochemical detection for neuroblastoma screening

We report a method for determination of vanillylmandelic acid, vanillactic acid, and homovanillic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with coulometric electrochemical detection, for mass screening of neuroblastoma. Urine samples were collected on filter paper, dried, and then pretreated. The chromatographic procedure is reliable and fast, allowing for a large sample throughput for routine screening. Intricate extraction procedures and centrifugal separation are unnecessary. Screening for neuroblastoma by HPLC is rapidly gaining acceptance in Japan, and our method is being used at many screening centers. Of 26,571 infants screened in one year in Yokohama City, our method detected five with neuroblastoma.

Determination of vanillylmandelic acid, vanillactic acid, and homovanillic acid in dried urine on filter-paper discs by high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric electrochemical detection for neuroblastoma screening

We report a method for determination of vanillylmandelic acid, vanillactic acid, and homovanillic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with coulometric electrochemical detection, for mass screening of neuroblastoma. Urine samples were collected on filter paper, dried, and then pretreated. The chromatographic procedure is reliable and fast, allowing for a large sample throughput for routine screening. Intricate extraction procedures and centrifugal separation are unnecessary. Screening for neuroblastoma by HPLC is rapidly gaining acceptance in Japan, and our method is being used at many screening centers. Of 26,571 infants screened in one year in Yokohama City, our method detected five with neuroblastoma.

Evidence for a preferential iodination site within the thyroglobulin molecule

Mouse 330 kDa thyroglobulin labeled in vivo was analyzed using a tryptic peptide mapping technique and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 30 min after Na125I injection, one peptide spot (spot 7) on a silica gel plate was the only prominent labeled peptide, followed by other labeled peptide spots after 1 h. HPLC showed that spot 7 was rich in monoiodotyrosine. The ratios between the iodoamino acids were strictly maintained from 1 to 6 h after Na125I injection. Spot 7 was again the first spot that appeared from the samples of iodine-deficient mice. These data indicate that there is some preferential iodination site(s) within the thyroglobulin molecule and also that their iodoamino acid composition is predetermined.

Effects of thyrotropin, carbachol, and protein kinase-C stimulators on glucose transport and glucose oxidation by primary cultures of dog thyroid cells

Thyroid glucose metabolism can provide NADPH and H2O2 for thyroid hormone synthesis. Several agents stimulate glucose oxidation in thyroid slices, but little is known about glucose transport in this tissue. In the present study, various thyroid stimulators were tested on glucose transport and oxidation using primary cultures of dog thyroid cells. After preincubating the cells with the agonists, glucose uptake was measured by adding 2-deoxy-D-[1-3H]glucose [( 3H]2-DOG) for 5 min, and glucose oxidation was assessed during a single 60-min incubation with agonist and D-[1-14C]glucose. TSH (0.1-10 mU/ml), 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA; 10(-8)-10(-6) M), and carbachol 10(-6)-10(-2) M) stimulated [3H]2-DOG transport and glucose oxidation in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of TSH appears to be mediated by cAMP, since N6,2'-O-dibutyryl cAMP, 8-bromo-cAMP, cholera toxin, and isobutylmethylxanthine also stimulated [3H]2-DOG transport. Norepinephrine, which had no effect by itself on either transport or oxidation, inhibited TSH stimulation of [3H]2-DOG transport via an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor. The mechanism of the TPA and carbachol effect does not involve cAMP. A combination of maximal amounts of TSH or bromo-cAMP and carbachol or TPA produced additive effects on transport, while addition of TPA with carbachol produced no such additive effect. Kinetic analysis of 2-DOG transport indicated that all three agonists reduced the Km and increased the maximum velocity. Basal 2-DOG transport was increased in Ca2+-free medium, with or without EGTA, or in the presence of calcium channel blockers such as La3+ or Mn2+. In the presence of such increased basal glucose transport, TSH further stimulated it when Mn2+ was used, had no effect in Ca2+-free buffer plus EGTA, and caused an inhibition with La3+. Such inhibition was not caused when N6,2'-O-dibutyryl cAMP was used in the presence of La3+. Carbachol and TPA did not stimulate transport when the Ca2+ channel blockers were used, but a small increase was seen in Ca2+-free buffer containing EGTA. TSH stimulation of cAMP production was also diminished in the presence of La3+, but enhanced in the presence of Mn2+. The calmodulin inhibitor W-7 and the intracellular Ca2+ blocker 8-N,N-diethylamino octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride diminished the stimulation of [3H]2-DOG transport and glucose oxidation induced by TSH, carbachol, and TPA. These data indicate that thyroid glucose transport and glucose oxidation are regulated by both cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent systems.

Aesthetic camouflage of bilateral cleft lip scars

Two operative scar lines remain after bilateral cleft lip repair. A method has been devised in which the two scar lines are reduced into one. The characteristics of this method include (1) an inconspicuous scar, (2) elevation of the nasal tip using the prolabium, (3) repair of the whistling deformity, (4) a natural-looking mustache, (5) formation of a pout, and (6) psychological benefits. Good results have been obtained with this method. The disadvantage of this method is the maxillary retardation. However, this does not occur in adults and can be corrected easily in children.

Demonstration of calcium-dependent proteases (calpains) and thyroglobulin proteolysis in hog thyroid cytosol

Ca2+-dependent neutral proteases in hog thyroid cytosol were found to digest thyroglobulin. The protease activity was divided into two peaks by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Peak I was eluted at 0.2 M NaCl and required only a micromolar range of Ca2+ for its 50% activation, while peak II, which was eluted at about 0.4 M NaCl, displayed little activity until the Ca2+ concentration was increased at more than 10(-4) M. Among various inhibitors used, thiol protease inhibitors (leupeptin, E-64 and monoiodoacetic acid) were the most effective, whereas a calmodulin antagonist (trifluoperazine) and serine protease inhibitors (phenylmethyl-sulfony-fluoride and pepstatin A) were not effective, indicating that these Ca2+-dependent proteases corresponded to calpains 1 and 2. Among the substrates tested, casein was the best and thyroglobulin was also a good for calpain 2. By using immunoblotting procedure with anti-thyroglobulin antibody, it has been found that calpain 2 degrades thyroglobulin to yield 67 K and 46 K thyroglobulin and further that it also degrades 40 K thyroglobulin.

Capillary gas chromatographic analysis of methylsulphone metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls retained in human tissues

Structures and concentrations of methylsulphone (MSF) metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) retained in the liver, lung and adipose tissue of a yusho patient and of a normal person were studied using capillary gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detection or mass spectrometry. More than 60 isomers of tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexachloro-MSF-biphenyls were detected in the lung of the yusho patient, and the gas chromatographic peaks coincided with those of 40 authentic isomers in retention times by three separate capillary columns, when they were compared with those of 86 synthesized reference compounds. The main components of MSF-PCBs identified in the Yusho patient were 4-MSF-2,5,4'-tri-, 4-MSF-2,5,2',4'-tetra-, 4-MSF-2,5,2',5'-tetra-, 3-MSF-4,5,2',3'-tetra-, 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',4'-penta- and 4-MSF-2,5,2',4',5'-pentachlorobiphenyls, estimated to be 0.7-1.5 micrograms/kg in the lung and 0.3-1.5 micrograms/kg in the adipose tissue.

Effects of phorbol esters on protein phosphorylation and free T3 release by mouse thyroid lobes

Phorbols stimulated 32P incorporation into several proteins in mouse thyroid lobes. Phosphoproteins (34 K and 23 K) were detected by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Among phorbols tested, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was the strongest stimulator of protein phosphorylation. On the other hand, TPA at 50-200 ng/ml significantly stimulated free T3 release by mouse thyroid lobes. The stimulatory effect of TPA was not additive to that of TPA or dibutyryl cAMP. TSH stimulation of free T3 release by mouse thyroid lobes, however, was significantly inhibited by H-7 (an inhibitor of protein kinase C) at a concentration of 50 microM. These results suggest that protein kinase C may play some role in thyroid hormone secretion by phosphorylating the endogenous substrates.

Formation of triazene from sulphonamide and nitrite in acidic solution

Formation of triazene derivatives from sodium nitrite and sulphanilamide, sulphamethizole or sulphamethoxazole in acidic solution containing saliva or canned vegetable juice was studied using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet light detection at 365 nm. At the optimal pH of 3.2-3.7, the mean yield of the triazene formed by reaction of sulphanilamide and nitrite in saliva was 28.8%, calculated on the nitrite content, and there was a high positive correlation (r = 0.993) between the nitrite concentration in the saliva and the triazene yield. In contrast, at the optimal pH values for triazene formation from sulphamethizole and sulphamethoxazole (3.0-3.5 and 2.5-2.9 respectively), triazene yields were much lower, accounting for only 0.9 and 1.0%, respectively, of the nitrite present. Triazene formation was partly inhibited in the presence of vegetable juice.

Iodide-induced hypothyroidism in a patient with anorexia nervosa

A 39-year-old woman who had been suffering from anorexia nervosa was found to have hypothyroidism. Serum T4, free T4, T3, free T3 and TSH were 3.19 micrograms/dl, 0.5 ng/dl, 15.3 ng/dl, 1.2 pg/ml and 162.1 microU/ml, respectively. On careful questioning, she was found to have taken an iodine-rich diet. The serum iodine concentration was 122 micrograms/dl (normal: 4-9 micrograms/dl) and urinary iodide excretion was 13.05 mg/day (normal: less than 2 mg). After withdrawal of the iodine-rich diet, her serum T4 gradually increased and TSH returned to the normal range. She was diagnosed as having iodide-induced hypothyroidism. However, no significant elevation of serum T3 or free T3 was observed. Serum T4, free T4, T3, free T3 and TSH were 7.85 micrograms/dl, 0.8 ng/dl, 13.6 ng/dl, 4.3 pg/ml and 6.02 microU/ml, respectively. The iodide-perchlorate discharge test result was negative. These findings suggest that there exists some unknown mechanism by which a patient with anorexia nervosa may be sensitive to excess iodide. Furthermore, it is of interest to note that in a recovery phase from the hypothyroid state, normalization of serum T4 rather than T3 is well-correlated to TSH secretion.

PCB and PCDF congeners in the blood and tissues of yusho and yu-cheng patients

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) poisonings occurred in western Japan, where it is called yusho, in 1968, and in central Taiwan, where it is called yu-cheng, in 1979. The average concentrations of PCBs in the adipose tissue, liver and blood of yusho patients and in the blood of yu-cheng patients were 1.9 ppm, 0.08 ppm, 6.7 ppb and 99 ppb, respectively. Seven PCB congeners, such as 2,4,5,3',4'-pentachloro-, 2,3,4,3',4'-pentachloro-, 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachloro-, 2,3,4,2',4',5'-hexachloro-, 2,3,4,5,3',4'-hexachloro-, 2,3,4,5,2',4',5'-heptachloro- and 2,3,4,5,2',3',4'-heptachloro biphenyls were identified in the blood and tissues of patients with yusho and yu-cheng and controls. The concentration of 2,3,4,5,3',4'-hexachlorobiphenyl was comparatively higher in the patients than in controls. The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the adipose tissue and liver of yusho patients were 6 to 13 ppb and 3 to 25 ppb, respectively, while no PCDFs were detected in the controls. Major PCDF congeners identified in the tissues and blood of yusho and yu-cheng patients were the 2,3,6,8-tetrachloro-, 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-, 1,2,4,7,8-pentachloro-, 2,3,4,7,8-pentachloro- and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofurans (DFs), of which the 2,3,4,7,8-pentachloro compound was predominant. The concentrations of methylthio-PCB in the liver, lung and adipose tissue of yusho patients were 0.1 to 0.5, 0.2 to 1.4 and 0.5 to 1.0 ppb, respectively, and those of methysulfone PCBs were 0.3 to 0.7, 1.0 to 2.5 and 0.7 to 1.0 ppb, respectively. Some of the major peaks of the PCB methylthio and methylsulfone derivatives were identical in gas chromatographic retention times with those of 4-methylthio- and 4-methylsulfone-2,5,2',5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl PCDFs, especially 2,3,4,7,8-pentachloro DF, appear to be mainly responsible in the poisonings.

A case of hypokalemic myopathy associated with transient hypothyroidism

A case of transient hypothyroidism in the course of hypokalemic myopathy is reported. A 69-year-old woman had severe muscle weakness and marked potassium deficiency associated with alkalosis during treatment with thiazide diuretics. The cause of muscle weakness proved to be hypokalemic myopathy confirmed by clinical findings and muscle biopsy. After the episode of hypokalemic myopathy, serum levels of thyroid hormone were lowered (T4; 3.8 micrograms/dl, T3; 54 ng/dl) and that of TSH was elevated (25.1 microU/ml). Antithyroid microsomal antibody was positive (1:25600) and anti-thyroglobulin antibody was negative. About one month after potassium supplement, her thyroid functions returned to normal, along with normalization of serum potassium level. This is the first documented case report of hypokalemic myopathy accompanied by transient hypothyroidism in a patient with autoimmune thyroiditis. We suggest that this transient hypothyroidism might be induced by hypokalemia during the course of autoimmune thyroiditis.

Transient thyrotoxicosis after unilateral adrenalectomy in two patients with Cushing's syndrome

We found transient hyperthyroidism in the course of hydrocortisone withdrawal in two patients who had undergone unilateral adrenalectomy to resect cortisol-hypersecreting adenoma. A 38-yr-old woman showed clinical thyrotoxicosis 3 months after the operation. Serum T4, T3 and TBG levels were 11.9 micrograms/dl, 310 ng/dl and 16.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. She was given methimazole (MMI) 15 mg/day for 4 weeks. After the cessation of MMI treatment, she eventually recovered to the euthyroid state. The other patient, a 34-yr-old man showed very mild clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism 2 months after the operation. Serum T4, T3 and TBG levels were 10.4 micrograms/dl, 240 ng/dl and 14.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. In this case, no antithyroid drug was given. Two to three months after the onset of hyperthyroidism, he returned to the euthyroid state spontaneously. We carefully eliminated the possibility of factitious thyrotoxicosis in both cases. They had neither neck pain nor fever. Both had low radioactive iodine uptake by the thyroid. Therefore, we diagnosed them as painless thyroiditis induced after the resection of hypersecreting adrenal adenoma.

Analytical method for minute amounts of polychlorinated biphenyl methylsulfones from fatty tissue

Five methylsulfone (MSF) derivatives of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) containing 2 to 6 chlorine atoms were synthesized and fortified in bovine fat. The samples were saponified in sodium hydroxide ethanol solution, extracted with n-hexane after dilution with a double volume of water, and chromatographed on a column of silica gel eluting successively with n-hexane and 5% and 50% diethyl ether in n-hexane. The third eluate was partitioned between n-hexane and concentrated sulfuric acid and back-extracted with n-hexane from 70% sulfuric acid solution. The extract was further partitioned between n-hexane and 90% acetonitrile and back-extracted with n-hexane from 20% acetonitrile solution. The final extract was analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Recovery of the MSF-PCBs from the bovine fat by the clean-up procedure was greater than 93% in most cases. The method can determine 5 ng and 100 ng each of the MSF-PCBs in a 5-g fatty sample with ca. 10 and 6% precision, respectively.

The effect of thyroid hormone on the high affinity Ca2+-ATPase in rat liver plasma membrane

The effect of thyroid hormone on the high affinity Ca2+-ATPase activity in rat liver plasma membrane was studied. The high affinity Ca2+-ATPase activity in plasma membrane was activated by 10(-7)-10(-5) M of Ca2+ and was inhibited by 70 microM trifluoperazine. Thyroidectomy of rats was associated with an increase in the activity of high affinity Ca2+-ATPase. The increased enzyme activity was normalized by T4 administration to the animals. On the other hand, Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the membrane was decreased by thyroidectomy and the decreased enzyme activity was normalized by T4 administration. The results suggest that thyroid hormone inhibits the Ca2+ extrusion system by inhibiting calmodulin-independent high affinity Ca2+-ATPase in liver plasma membrane.

[Effect of thyroid hormones on the beta-adrenergic receptor internalization in isolated rat hepatocytes]

The effect of the thyroid hormone(T4) on the internalization of beta-adrenergic receptors in isolated hepatocytes was examined. Uptake of [3H]-dihydroalprenolol(DHA) by the cells, which were prepared from untreated-rats, was increased by the time-dependent manner in vitro. The amount of incorporated-[3H]-DHA was decreased by further incubation in the presence of 10(-5) M of d, 1-isoproterenol. However, about 30% of incorporated-[3H]-DHA remained in the cells by this treatment. The amount of this [3H]-DHA remaining in the cells was lowered by pretreatment of the cells with methylamine, monodansylcadaverine, d, 1-isoproterenol or d, 1-propranolol. Then the amount of this [3H]-DHA was recognized as an internalized-receptor-hormone(or -DHA) complex. The total uptake(internalized- + membrane bound-) of [3H]-DHA by the cells was not significantly different between the thyroidectomized (TX + Saline) and T4-treated-thyroidectomized(TX + T4) rats. However, the rate of disappearance of incorporated-[3H]-DHA was greater in the TX + T4 animals compared to that in the TX + Saline animals. In the cells obtained from the TX + T4 animals, internalized-[3H]-DHA was significantly higher than that of the TX + Saline animals. The number of membrane associated beta adrenergic receptors was significantly lower in the TX + T4 group. These results suggest that the thyroid hormone induces an acceleration of internalization of beta adrenergic receptors in hepatocytes.

Evidence for the existence of protein inhibitors for S-adenosyl-L-methionine-mediated methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine in rat liver cytosol

The effect of rat liver cytosol on phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis via the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine has been studied. The purified rat liver plasma membrane was used as an enzyme source. The rat liver 105,000 x g supernatant(cytosol) contained two different inhibitors for S-adenosyl-L-methionine-mediated methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidyl-N-mono-methylethanolamine. The inhibitors were inactivated by pretreatment with trypsin or heating at 96 degrees C, but were not inactivated by RNase. The inhibitors did not inhibit the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from phosphatidyl-N-mono-methylethanolamine. The results indicate that two different protein inhibitors for methylation are present in rat liver cytosol fraction and that the inhibition by these proteins may have a role for the regulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis in the plasma membrane.

[Laboratory and clinical evaluation of cefoxitin in children (author's transl)]

Pharmacokinetics of cefoxitin, a new injectable semisynthetic-cephamycin, was studied in 12 healthy children and also was studied cerebrospinal fluid levels in 1 patient with bacterial meningitis received 44.5 mg/kg of cefoxitin and thoracic fluid levels in 2 patients were measured. Cefoxitin was administered intravenously to 50 patients with various types of infections an average dose of 130 mg/kg/day for an average of 9 days. The results were as follows: 1. Favorable plasma levels were obtained comparing with those off conventional injectable cephalosporins after 15 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg of cefoxitin for one shot intravenous injection. The half lives of cefoxitin in the plasma were about 15.9 minutes up to 1 hour and 25.5 minutes up to 2 hours after an intravenous administration of cefoxitin at a dose of 15 mg/kg, and while, those were 15.9 minutes and 27.5 minutes after an intravenous administration of cefoxitin at a dose of 25 mg/kg, respectively. 2. Cefoxitin was excreted with high concentration up to 2 hours after the administration and thereafter, urinary concentration of cefoxitin declined rapidly with the lapse of time. The time course urinary concentration reflected those of plasma levels. Approximately 94.7% and 90.6% of dosed cefoxitin were recovered in the urine for 6 hours after the administration at the dose of 15 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively. 3. The cerebrospinal fluid levels of cefoxitin were only determined in a patient of bacterial meningitis. Therefore, further study should be performed. 4. The thoracic fluid levels with 2 patients were higher than cerebrospinal fluid levels. 5. Among the 50 patients with various infections, cefoxitin was clinically effective in 84% and bacterial response in 87%. 6. As adverse reactions, in total 79 patients included exclusive 29 patients, diarrhea occurred in 1 patient, sweating and cough in 1 patient, rash with fever in 4 patients, vascular pain in 2 patients, and leukopenia was observed in 1 patient, eosinophilia in 1 patient, and increase of GOT and LDH were observed in each 2 patients. The other adverse reactions were not experienced.

Fluorimetric assay for ornithine decarboxylase by high-performance liquid chromatography

A highly sensitive method for the assay of ornithine decarboxylase in sample solutions prepared from rat tissue homogenate is described which employs high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Putrescine formed from ornithine under the optimal conditions for the enzyme reaction is treated by Cellex P column chromatography for clean-up and converted into the fluorescamine derivative in the presence of cupric ion which inhibits the reaction of interfering amines with fluorescamine. The derivative is separated by reversed-phase chromatography on LiChrosorb RP-18 with linear gradient elution. The lower limit of detection for putrescine formed enzymatically is 5 pmol.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of free and total polyamines in human serum as fluorescamine derivatives

A highly sensitive and simple fluorimetric method for the determination of free and total polyamines, spermidine, spermine, putrescine and cadaverine, in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography is described. The polyamines, obtained after clean-up of deproteinized serum by Cellex P column chromatography, are converted to their fluorescamine derivatives in the presence of nickel ion which inhibits the reaction of interfering amines with fluorescamine, and the derivatives are separated simultaneously by reversed-phase chromatography (LiChrosorb RP-18) with a linear gradient elution. The lower limits of detection are 10 and 15 pmole for spermine and the others in 0.5 ml of serum, respectively.