Cortisol status in different types of leprosy

Basal plasma cortisol levels in 12 controls and 60 patients with different types of leprosy were within normal limits. They were significantly lower in multibacillary leprosy patients; this abnormality might be due to long standing stress leading to adrenal exhaustion. The plasma cortisol level significantly increased after the ACTH (Synacthen) stimulation test in all of the varieties of leprosy tested, which suggests that the adrenal reserve is maintained in such cases.

Monoclonal antibodies against lactate dehydrogenase of Plasmodium knowlesi

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of malarial parasites has been demonstrated to be biochemically and immunochemically distinct from the equivalent host enzyme. The polyclonal antibodies raised against the purified plasmodial LDH showed specificity to Plasmodium spp. Six hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies specific to Plasmodium knowlesi LDH have been obtained. The two monoclonal antibodies (2A3B7 and 4A6A7) showed high reactivity with LDH from simian (P. knowlesi. P. cynomolgi), human (P. falciparum, P. vivax) and rodent (P. berghei, P. yoelii) malarial parasites and did not cross-react with red cell LDH as well as with isoenzymic forms of mammalian LDH (A4, B4 and C4). One monoclonal antibody (4A6A7) strongly inhibited the enzyme activity specifically of plasmodial LDH and did not have any effect on the activity of red cell LDH. The other monoclonal (2A3B7) did not show inhibitory effect on parasite LDH. These findings as well as competitive immunoassay studies suggest the presence of at least two parasite specific epitopes on plasmodial LDH.

Morphine stimulates superoxide formation by glomerular mesangial cells

Focal glomerulosclerosis is the predominant glomerular lesion in heroin addicts. We studied whether morphine, a metabolite of heroin, could directly affect the formation of superoxide by glomerular mesangial cells. Mesangial cells preincubated with morphine (10(-8) M) showed a higher (P < 0.001) production of superoxide when compared to control cells (control) 401 +/- 21 vs. morphine 610 +/- 41 nM/mg protein/h). This effect of morphine on mesangial cells was dose dependent. Naloxone, an opiate antagonist, attenuated morphine-induced formation of superoxide by mesangial cells [control, 317 +/- 4; morphine (10(-8) M), 573 +/- 9; and naloxone (10(-8) M) + morphine (10(-8) M), 333 +/- 6 nM/mg protein/h]. We conclude that morphine enhances formation of superoxide by mesangial cells and this effect of morphine seems to be mediated through opiate receptors. Since superoxide has been demonstrated to cause mesangiolysis, we propose that morphine may be playing a role in the induction of mesangial injury in patients with opiate abuse.

Pharmacokinetics of aspirin in aged Indians

The pharmacokinetics of aspirin (ASA) has been studied in elderly Indians (greater than 60 y) of either sex, composing, apparently healthy subjects controlled hypertensives and NIDDM diabetics, in comparison with healthy young subjects. Serum salicylate levels were estimated a 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 & 8 h after ASA. The pharmacokinetics of serum salicylate were not changed in elderly subjects as compared to the young after the first dose or after one week of ASA therapy, although greater variability was observed in the elderly. Various laboratory investigations were unaltered after one week in all the groups, except that one elderly hypertensive patient gained weight, and a young subject showed an increase in SGOT & SGPT.

Simultaneous Dislocations of the Interphalangeal and Carpometacarpal Joints of the Thumb: A Case Report

A case of simultaneous dislocations of the interphalangeal and carpometacarpal joints of the thumb after a fall is described. We believe this is a unique situation not reported before in the literature. The results of operative intervention of the open IP joint and closed CMC joint dislocations resulted in a stable pain-free thumb with a good range of motion.

Antagonism of acute feeding response to 2-deoxyglucose and 5-thioglucose by GABA antagonists: the relative role of ventromedial and lateral hypothalamus

The effect of GABA antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline was studied on hyperphagia caused by 2-DG and 5-TG. The GABA antagonists were administered either SC or into the VMH or LH through stereotaxically implanted chronic cannulae. The peripheral as well as VMH injection antagonised the hyperphagia significantly. In contrast, injection of these agents into the LH failed to produce any effect. These findings show that in a glucoprivic state there might be an increased GABAergic activity in the VMH.

Age dependent changes in the expression of Drosophila mitochondrial proteins

A subset of 43 [35S]methionine labeled mitochondrial proteins, identified on two dimensional electrophoresis gels of whole body extracts of adult Drosophila, were compared between two age groups. These flies, which except for their spermatocytes consist entirely of postmitotic cells, were 6 days old and 38 days old, with the mean life span of this inbred strain being 32.5 days. Qualitative changes in any of these mitochondrial polypeptides were not found, but significant quantitative differences were observed. Quantitation of the 43 mitochondrial proteins was carried out by computer assisted microdensitometry of autoradiograms of the gel patterns. The total amount of isotope incorporated into the mitochondrial proteins of the senescent flies decreased to 71% of that of the young insects. This decrease was heterogeneously distributed among the 43 proteins; however, six remained unchanged and one protein (mol. wt = 75; pI = 7.4) was increased 2.4 times in the senescent flies. These data clearly provide evidence that the age-dependent changes in the expression of mitochondrial proteins are quantitative and not qualitative.

Inhibition of insulin hyperphagia by gamma aminobutyric acid antagonists in rats

The effects of GABA antagonists, picrotoxin and bicuculline were studied on hyperphagia caused by insulin in free feeding rats. It was found that peripheral administration of GABA antagonists inhibited this hyperphagia. These agents were administered in the VMH and LH through stereotaxically implanted cannulae. It was found that the food intake was inhibited when injected into the VMH, but not in the LH. These findings suggest that LH plays a relatively passive role as compared to VMH, where GABA appears to be an important neurotransmitter.

Uterotropic effect of clofibrate and phenylbutazone in immature female rats

The uterotropic effect of clofibrate and phenylbutazone was studied in immature female rats. A significant increase in the uterine wet weight was observed following clofibrate and phenylbutazone administration. Clofibrate but not phenylbutazone synergized with the uterotropic effect of ethinyl-oestradiol. Phenylbutazone pretreatment significantly decreased the pentobarbitone sleeping time. The uterotropic effect of clofibrate and phenylbutazone might involve displacement of 17-beta oestradiol (or ethinyl oestradiol) from plasma albumin binding sites in rats.