Short-term lithium treatment promotes neuronal survival and proliferation in rat striatum infused with quinolinic acid, an excitotoxic model of Huntington's disease

We assessed the ability of lithium to reduce neurodegeneration and to stimulate cell proliferation in a rat model of Huntington's disease in which quinolinic acid (QA) was unilaterally infused into the striatum. LiCl (0.5-3.0 mEq/kg) was injected subcutaneously 24 h before and 1 h after QA infusion. At 7 days after QA injection, lithium significantly diminished the loss of neurons immunostained for Neuronal Nuclei (NeuN) in the injured striatum, but failed to prevent the reduction of NADPH-diaphorase-positive striatal interneurons. Lithium also reduced the number of neurons showing DNA damage or activated caspase-3. This neuroprotection was associated with an upregulation of Bcl-2 protein levels in the striatal tissue and an increase in the number and density of Bcl-2 immunostaining in striatal neurons. Bromodeoxyuridinie (BrdU) labeling in the lithium-treated injured striatum revealed the presence of large numbers of proliferating cells near the QA-injection site, with a reduction of BrdU-labeled cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ). All BrdU-labeled cells in the SVZ and the majority of BrdU-labeled cells near the QA-injection site were negative for either NeuN or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), suggesting that they are undifferentiated progenitor cells. However, a small number of BrdU-positive cells found in the QA-injected and lithium-treated striatum site were positive for either NeuN or GFAP. Our results suggest that lithium is neuroprotective in the QA-injection model of Huntington's disease not only due to its ability to inhibit apoptosis but also because it can stimulate neuronal and astroglial progenitor proliferation in the QA-injected striatum or their migration from the SVZ.

Cinnamon extract prevents the insulin resistance induced by a high-fructose diet

The aim of this study was to determine whether cinnamon extract (CE) would improve the glucose utilization in normal male Wistar rats fed a high-fructose diet (HFD) for three weeks with or without CE added to the drinking water (300 mg/kg/day). In vivo glucose utilization was measured by the euglycemic clamp technique. Further analyses on the possible changes in insulin signaling occurring in skeletal muscle were performed afterwards by Western blotting. At 3 mU/kg/min insulin infusions, the decreased glucose infusion rate (GIR) in HFD-fed rats (60 % of controls, p < 0.01) was improved by CE administration to the same level of controls (normal chow diet) and the improving effect of CE on the GIR of HFD-fed rats was blocked by approximately 50 % by N-monometyl-L-arginine. The same tendency was found during the 30 mU/kg/min insulin infusions. There were no differences in skeletal muscle insulin receptor (IR)-beta, IR substrate (IRS)-1, or phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase protein content in any groups. However, the muscular insulin-stimulated IR-beta and IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels and IRS-1 associated with PI 3-kinase in HFD-fed rats were only 70 +/- 9 %, 76 +/- 5 %, and 72 +/- 6 % of controls (p < 0.05), respectively, and these decreases were significantly improved by CE treatment. These results suggest that early CE administration to HFD-fed rats would prevent the development of insulin resistance at least in part by enhancing insulin signaling and possibly via the NO pathway in skeletal muscle.

[New type pathogenic mycoplasmas isolated from female patients with genital infection in Nanjing, China]

OBJECTIVE

To study if infection of new type pathogenic mycoplasmas, Mycoplasma penetrans (Mpe), Mycoplasma fermentans (Mf), and Mycoplasma pirum (Mpi), exists in the genital tract of gynecologic patients with genital infection in China so as to provide information for clinical diagnosis and therapy.

METHODS

Cervical secretions from 172 patients with infectious diaseses of gentital tract and 172 healthy controls were collected and inoculated in improved SP-4 culture medium. Biochemical reaction, coagglutination test, metabolism-inhibition test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and DNA sequencing were employed to identify the isolated microorganisms.

RESULTS

One strain of Mycoplasma penetrans (0.58%) and two strains of Mycoplasma fermentans (1.16%) were isolated from the cervical secretions of patients, but none was found in healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Mpe infection and Mf infection exist in female patients with genital infection in Nanjing.

Nuclear reconstitution of plant (Orychophragmus violaceus) demembranated sperm in cell-free extracts from animal (Xenopus laevis) eggs

Cell-free extracts from animal Xenopus laevis egg could induce chromatin decondensation and pronuclear formation from demembranated plant (Orychophragmus violaceus) sperm. When incubated with Xenopus egg extracts, the demembranated sperm began to swell and then gradually decondensed. The assembly of the nuclear envelope in the reconstituted nuclei was visualized by means of electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Membrane vesicles fused to form the double envelope around the periphery of the decondensed chromatin. The morphology of the newly formed nuclei, with a double membrane, was similar to that of nuclei after fertilization. The electron micrograph of the whole-mount prepared nuclear matrix--lamina showed the reconstituted nucleus to be filled with a dense network.

[The influence of hydraulic characteristics on wastewater purifying efficiency in vertical flow constructed wetlands]

The hydraulic characteristics of vertical flow constructed wetlands was investigated, and the influence of these characteristics on wastewater purifying efficiency was studied as an emphasis. The results of the experiments in small scale plots and medium scale plots showed the plant roots, with the physical and biological effects, play a significant role in hydraulics and the wastewater purifying efficiency. The other characteristics such as retention time, effluent velocity and influent load also directly affect the wastewater purifying efficiency of constructed wetland. To get a better understanding of the hydraulics will be crucial to the improvement of purifying efficiency and facilitate the practical use of constructed wetland.

Prostaglandin A(1) protects striatal neurons against excitotoxic injury in rat striatum

Prostaglandin A(1) (PGA1) reportedly inhibits NF-kappaB activation and induces expression of heat shock proteins. Since both these effects could be neuroprotective, the therapeutic potential of PGA1 in neurodegenerative disorders, where excitotoxicity may contribute to pathogenesis, was evaluated in rat striatal neurons exposed to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist quinolinic acid (QA). Intrastriatal administration of PGA1 (5-80 nmol) attenuated QA (60 nmol)-induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. The inhibitory effects of a single dose of PGA1 (80 nmol) on QA (60 nmol)-induced DNA fragmentation were observed 12 to 48 h after treatment. PGA1 (80 nmol) also attenuated QA-induced DNA fragmentation when administered up to 4 h after QA exposure. PGA1 significantly decreased the loss of D1 dopamine receptors and GAD(67) mRNA in QA-injected striatum as measured by quantitative receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization histochemistry, suggesting that it reduced the neuronal loss induced by QA. Protection of striatal neurons against QA-induced death by PGA1 was further indicated by Nissl staining 10 days after QA administration. PGA1 (5-80 nmol) significantly inhibited QA-induced NF-kappaB activation by blocking inhibitory kappaB-alpha degradation but had no effect on activator protein-1 binding activity. PGA1 (80 nmol) treatment substantially increased 70- and 72-kDa heat shock protein levels in striatum. These results indicate that PGA1 blunts NMDA receptor-mediated neuronal apoptosis by a mechanism possibly involving the up-regulation of neuroprotective heat shock proteins and inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. In view of its potent neuroprotective activity, PGA1 could prove useful in the treatment of certain neurodegenerative disorders related to excitotoxicity.

[Cholesteatoma of the cerebellopontine angle presented as trigeminal neuralgia]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effective methods of diagnosis and treatment for cholesteatoma of the cerebellopontine angle presented as trigeminal neuralgia.

METHODS

The Clinical data of 13 patients were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

Only 1 case of Cholesteatoma in cerebellopontine and suprasellar cistern was detected with cranial CT scans among 13 patients. Prolonged latency of Wave V and interpeak peak latencies of I-V Wave were recorded in 1 case on auditory brainstem response(ABR). But 9 patients had abnormality in ENG (2 paralysis, 2 paresis). During the operations, we found that cholesteatoma tissue or its capsule wrapped the roots of trigeminal nerves. The cholesteatoma were removed through post-sigmoid sinus approach without partial amputation of trigeminal posterior root. All the patients were clinically cured by extraction of cholesteatoma with following up period of 3 years (10 cases) and half of a year(3 cases). Cholesteatoma extended above tentorium was completely resected with post-sigmoid sinus approach in one case.

CONCLUSIONS

ENG is more sensitive than cranial CT and ABR for diagnosis of cholesteatoma in the cerebellopontine angle. The post-sigmoid sinus approach is the best operative approach. It is unnecessary to have the partial amputation of trigeminal posterior root if cholesteatoma can be completely removed. When cholesteatoma extends above tentorium, it can be removed simultaneously by post-sigmoid sinus approach.

[Observation on curative effect of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease treated with different dosage of ligustrazine]

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical curative effect of acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases (ICVD) treated with different dosage of ligustrazine and to observe the effect of ligustrazine on hemorrheology.

METHODS

Sixty-nine patients with ICVD were randomized into three groups, the Group A, B and C treated with 120 mg, 240 mg and 480 mg of ligustrazine respectively, the clinical curative effect, the changes in nerve function deficit score and hemorrheologic parameters before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTS

The clinical curative effect and improvement of hemorrheologic parameters in Group C were better than those in Group A and B significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively). Ligustrazine also showed obvious effect in lowering blood level of fibrinogen in Group C.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of acute ICVD with large dose of ligustrazine is good in improving clinical effect and hemorrheology, and without side effect basically.

[The effects of lipoproteins on human vascular endothelial gap junctional intercellular communication]

The effects of HDL, LDL and ascorbic acid on cultured human vascular endothelial gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) were observed using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assay under confocal laser scanning microscopy in this study. The results showed that in culture, human vascular endothelial cells could produce functional gap junctions. The fluorescence recovery rates of the LDL group were 6.691 +/- 2.634, 4.153 +/- 2.125 and 2.441 +/- 0.720 respectively; when these rates were compared with the control and with each other, significant differences were found(P < 0.05). When the fluorescence recovery rates of the HDL group and Vitamin C group were compared with the control, no significant differences were found(P > 0.05). The fluorescence recovery rates of the LDL + HDL group were 3.500 +/- 0.890, 4.339 +/- 1.126 and 5.243 +/- 1.278(n = 15) respectively, when these rates were compared with the control and with each other, significant differences were found (P < 0.05). These suggested that LDL should be able to inhibit GJIC in human vascular endothelial cells, and the inhibition could be diminished by HDL or ascorbic acid. Inhibition of vascular endothelial GJIC may be one of the atherosclerogenic mechanisms of LDL, whereas HDL and ascorbic acid may be conducive to the improvement of endothelial GJIC. But it may also be only a compensatory behavior of endothelial cells to injuries.

[Effects of high dose of dynorphin on NMDA receptor and NOS activities in spinal cord of rats]

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in dynorphin (Dyn)-induced spinal cord injury.

METHODS

The NMDA receptor activity was measured by radio-ligand of 3H-MK801. The constitutive and inducible NOS (cNOS and iNOS) activities were assayed by 3H-arginine conversion.

RESULTS

In ventral samples, both 3H-MK801 binding and cNOS activity increased at 0.5 h and persisted for 48 h while iNOS activity enhanced at 4 h after intratheacal injection (i.t.) Dyn A(1-17) at dose of 20 nmol/L. However, the 3H-MK801 binding activity reduced significantly from 4 h to 24 h and cNOS activity did not change at the same time in dorsal samples. 7-nitroindozol (7-NI) and aminoguanidine (AG) inhibited the effects of Dyn A(1-17) (20 nmol/L) on 3H-MK801 binding and NOS activities in ventral samples. N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) did not affect the elevation of Dyn A(1-17) on NOS activities but caused 3H-MK801 binding activity reduction in ventral samples.

CONCLUSIONS

NMDA-NOS pathway might play important role in Dyn spinal neurotoxicity. NOS inhibitors and Dyn might produce cooperative down-regulation on the function of NMDA-NOS pathway in dorsal cord.

Identification of a mutation hotspot in exon 8 of Wilson disease gene by cycle sequencing

OBJECTIVE

To screen for mutation hotspot of Wilson disease (WD) gene in Chinese population.

METHODS

Cycle sequencing was used to detect mutation in exon 8 of WD gene in 30 patients with Wilson disease.

RESULTS

The same missense mutation, Arg779Leu, was identified in 14 WD patients, four of whom were homozygous and the other heterozygous for this mutation. The frequency of this mutation in Chinese patients was 30%.

CONCLUSION

The codon 779 (CCG-->CTG) of exon 8 of WD gene was one of mutation hotspots in Chinese.

NADPH diaphorase and nitric oxide synthase in the corpus cardiacum-corpus allatum of the cockroach Diploptera punctata

Juvenile hormone synthesis by corpora allata is regulated partly by allatostatin containing nerves from the brain that innervate the corpora cardiaca and the corpora allata. To investigate whether NO also participates in the regulation of juvenile hormone synthesis, antibody against NO synthase and the histochemical test for NADPH diaphorase activity, a marker for NO synthase, were applied to the corpora cardiaca-corpora allata of Diploptera punctata. Strong NADPH diaphorase activity occurred in corpus allatum cells but not in nerve fibers in the corpora allata or corpora cardiaca. In contrast, NO immunoreactivity occurred in nerves in the corpora cardiaca but not within the corpora allata. NO and allatostatin were not colocalized. NO synthase and NADPH diaphorase activity were localized in similar areas of the subesophageal ganglion and cells in the pars intercerebralis of the brain. Positive correlation of the quantity of NADPH diaphorase activity with juvenile hormone synthesis during the gonadotrophic cycle and lack of such correlation in subesophageal ganglia suggest that NADPH diaphorase activity reflects the necessity of NADPH in the pathway of juvenile hormone synthesis. These data suggest that NO is unlikely to play a significant role in the regulation of the corpora allata.

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of copper(II) complex with nicotinamido-4-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminobenzaldimine

Nicotinamido-4-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminobenzaldimine (NBAB) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and 1H NMR spectra. The complex of Cu(NBAB)2(NO3)2 was prepared in ethanol and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, IR, UV-Vis, fluorescence, CD and EPR spectra. The characteristic data suggest that the complex has an elongated octahedral structure, and NBAB behaves as bidentate in the keto form. The antitumor activities of NBAB and the complex against L1210 murine leukemia and K562 were investigated with both the MTT method and the colony formation test. The results in vitro indicate that antitumor activities of NBAB are superior to 2,2'-chlorodiethylamine hydrochloride (nitrogen mustard) for L1210, and inferior to nitrogen mustard for K562, but the antitumor activities of the complex for both cell lines are superior to nitrogen mustard.

Identification of a putative effector protein for rab11 that participates in transferrin recycling

We have identified and cloned the cDNA for a 912-aa protein, rab11BP, that interacts with the GTP-containing active form of rab11, a GTP-binding protein that plays a critical role in receptor recycling. Although rab11BP is primarily cytosolic, a significant fraction colocalizes with rab11 in endosomal membranes of both the sorting and recycling subcompartments. In vitro binding of rab11 to native rab11BP requires partial denaturation of the latter to expose an internal binding site located between residues 334 and 504 that is apparently masked by the C-terminal portion of the protein, which includes six repeats known as WD40 domains. Within the cell, rab11BP must undergo a conformational change in which the rab11-binding site becomes exposed, because when coexpressed with rab11 in transfected cells the two proteins formed abundant complexes in association with membranes. Furthermore, although overexpression of rab11BP did not affect transferrin recycling, overexpression of a truncated form of the protein, rab11BP(1-504), that includes the rab11-binding site but lacks the WD40 domains inhibited recycling as strongly as does a dominant negative rab11 mutant protein that does not bind GTP. Strikingly, the inhibition caused by the truncated rab11BP was prevented completely when the cells also expressed a C-terminally deleted, nonprenylatable form of rab11 that, by itself, has no effect on recycling. We propose that rab11BP is an effector for rab11, whose association with this GTP-binding protein is dependent on the action of another membrane-associated factor that promotes the unmasking of the rab11-binding site in rab11BP.

[Curative effect of TCM-WM therapy on Wilson disease with different clinical phenotypes and polymorphisms of ATP7B gene]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the curative effect of TCM-WM therapy on Wilson disease (WD) with different clinical phenotypes and polymorphisms of ATP7B gene.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-two WD patients with different clinical phenotypes were treated with unithiol 20 mg/kg per day and Gandou tablet ([symbol: see text]) for 1 month. Exon 18 of ATP7B gene extracted from patients and 20 healthy volunteers were amplified with PCR technique, mutations and polymorphisms were screened by SSCP analysis.

RESULTS

Four kinds of abnormal migration bands in PCR-SSCP were seen in 37 patients, mutation frequencies of three different clinical phenotypes and curative effect between mutation and non-mutation patients did not show any significant difference, P > 0.05. But total effective rate of patients with Wilson type or pseudosclerosis type was significantly higher than that of patients with hepatic type, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

The exon 18 of ATP7B gene of Chinese WD patients may be one of the regions with higher mutation frequency, most of them are compound heterozygotes and patients with different clinical phenotypes have different response to TCM-WM therapy. It indicate that specific mutations at least in part play a role in influencing clinical phenotypes and curative effect.

[Identification of a mutation hotspot in exon 8 of Wilson's disease gene by cycle sequencing]

OBJECTIVE

To screen for mutation hotspot of Wilson's disease (WD) gene in Chinese.

METHODS

Cycle sequencing was used to detect mutation in exon 8 of WD gene in 30 patients with WD.

RESULTS

The same missense mutation, Arg778Leu, was identified in 14 WD patients, four of which were homozygous and the others were heterozygous for this mutation. The frequency of this mutation was 30%.

CONCLUSION

The codon 778(CGG-->CTG) of exon 8 in WD gene was one of mutation hotspots in Chinese.

Hydrolysis of GTP on rab11 is required for the direct delivery of transferrin from the pericentriolar recycling compartment to the cell surface but not from sorting endosomes

Rab11 is a small GTP-binding protein that in cultured mammalian cells has been shown to be concentrated in the pericentriolar endosomal recycling compartment and to play a key role in passage of the recycling transferrin receptor through that compartment [Ullrich, O., Reinsch, S., Urbé, S., Zerial, M. & Parton, R. G. (1996) J. Cell Biol. 135, 913-924]. To obtain insights into the site(s) of action of rab11 within the recycling pathway, we have now compared the effects on recycling at 37 degreesC of overexpression of wild-type rab11 and various mutant forms of this protein in cells that had been loaded with transferrin at either 37 degreesC or 16 degreesC. We show that incubation at 16 degreesC blocks passage of endocytosed transferrin into the recycling compartment and that, whereas the rab11 dominant negative mutant form (S25N) inhibits transferrin recycling after interiorization at either temperature, the wild-type rab11 and constitutively active mutant (Q70L) have no inhibitory effect on the recycling of molecules that were interiorized at 16 degreesC. This differential inhibitory effect shows that two distinct pathways for recycling are followed by the bulk of the transferrin molecules interiorized at the two different temperatures. The incapacity of the constitutively active form of rab11 (Q70L) to inhibit recycling of molecules interiorized at 16 degreesC is consistent with their recycling taking place directly from sorting endosomes, in a process that does not require hydrolysis of GTP on rab11. The fact that the dominant negative (S25N) form of rab11 inhibits recycling of molecules interiorized at both temperatures indicates that activation of rab11 by GTP is required for exit of transferrin from sorting endosomes, regardless of whether this exit is toward the recycling compartment or directly to the plasma membrane.

Interactions among subunits of the oligosaccharyltransferase complex

The mammalian oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) is an oligomeric complex composed of three membrane proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum: ribophorin I (RI), ribophorin II (RII), and OST48. In addition, sequence homology between the Ost2 subunit of the yeast OST complex and Dad1 (defender against apoptotic death) suggests that Dad1 may represent a fourth subunit of the mammalian OST complex. In attempts to elucidate the structural organization of this complex, we have studied the interactions among its subunits. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we have shown that the luminal domains of RI and RII (RIL and RIIL, respectively) interacted with the luminal domain of OST48 (OST48L), but no direct interaction was observed between RIL and RIIL. These results were confirmed by biochemical assays. Deletion analyses using the yeast two-hybrid system showed that subdomain of RIL or RIIL adjacent to the respective transmembrane domains interacted with OST48L. Of the three equal length subdomains of OST48L, the one at the N terminus and the one next to the transmembrane domain interacted with RIL. None of these three subdomains of OST48L interacted with RIIL. The yeast two-hybrid assay also revealed affinity between the cytoplasmically located N-terminal region of Dad1 and the short cytoplasmic tail of OST48, thus placing Dad1 firmly into the OST complex. In addition, we found a homotypic interaction between the cytoplasmic domains of RI, which may play a role in the formation of the oligomeric array formed by components of the translocation machinery.

Identification of a novel missense mutation in Wilson's disease gene

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the allelic heterogeneity of the ATP7B gene in Chinese patients with Wilson's disease (WD).

METHODS

Exons of the ATP7B gene from 141 WD patients' DNA were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 887-890. Mutations were then screened by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and further identified by sequencing.

RESULTS

The molecular structure of exon 7 of the ATP7B gene from 141 WD patients was analyzed. The same band shift in electrophoretic pattern of 4 cerebral type patients was identified with SSCP and subsequently sequenced. The results showed missense mutation at the second base of the codon as Ser 662 Cys, which is caused by a C to G transversion.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations of the ATP7B gene were investigated for the first time in China and a novel missense mutation was identified in four cases.

In vivo liposome-mediated transfection of HLA-DR alpha-chain gene into pig hearts

Scarcity of suitable donor organs remains a major problem for organ transplantation. Transfer of recipient HLA-genes into animal donor-organs during harvest could induce graft-tolerance without suppressing the recipient immune system.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot study aimed to test the feasibility of an in vivo gene transfer into pig hearts by intracoronary infusion of DNA:liposome-complexes and to detect the gene product by immunohistochemistry.

METHODS

The pcDV1-pL2-vector, containing the basesequence for HLA-DR alpha-chain in plasmids (1.3 kb) was selected. The plasmids were isolated with ethidiumbromide and incubated with lipofectin in a 1:3-ratio for 10 min. The DNA:lipofectin-complex was diluted to 10 cc with physiologic saline and delivered into the left anterior descending artery of 6 farm pigs over 10 min. As a control within the same animal, the same amount of lipofectin alone was infused into the first diagonal branch. Three pigs were sacrificed after 24 h, the other 3 after 48 h. Delivery of DNA:liposome-complexes was detected by oil red 0 staining, expression of HLA-DR alpha-chain-antigen with a monoclonal anti-HLA-DR alpha-antibody.

RESULTS

Transfection of the HLA-class-II DR-alpha-chain occurred in endothelial cells. Infiltrating cells around capillaries stained positively for HLA-DR-alpha. These infiltrating cells were negative for the pan B- and the pan T-cell-marker L26 and UCHL-1. There was no transfection and hypercellularity in the myocardium around the first diagonal branch.

CONCLUSIONS

In vivo intracoronary infusion of the HLA-DR alpha-chain-DNA:lipofectin-complex leads to expression of the corresponding antigen on pig endothelium for 48 h. The infiltrating cells require further characterization.

Clinical curative effects of dimercaptosuccinic acid on hepatolenticular degeneration and the impact of DMSA on biliary trace elements

OBJECTIVE

To observe the biliary copper content of nonhepatolenticular degeneration (HLD) controls and changes in the trace elements in the bile, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine of hepatolenticular degeneration patients before and after dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) treatment in order to further explore the etiological mechanism of HLD and prove the therapeutic effect of DMSA on HLD patients.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 20 patients with HLD were given DMSA orally for 4 weeks. Adult dosage was 1.5 g/day and child dosage 1.0 g/day. Their bile, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine samples were obtained before and after treatment with DMSA through duodenal drainage and lumbar puncture. Biliary samples of 22 non-HLD controls were taken by drainage tube after surgical operation. Hitachi-208 atom absorption spectrophotometer was used to assay the content of copper, zinc and iron of each sample.

RESULTS

DMSA could effectively improve the symptoms such as dysphasia, salivation, dysphagia and darkening of the skin; limb trembling and myotonia came second; but it showed no obvious effect on dysstasia, limb contracture and deformity, and hepatosplenomegaly. It was effective for the patients who were younger and had no obvious hepatic damage. No serious side effects were seen through the course of treatment. Laboratory study showed that biliary copper content of HLD patients was evidently lower than that of non-HLD controls (P < 0.01); DMSA could evidently improve biliary copper excretion besides clearly increase urinary copper excretion (P < 0.01) and had nothing to do with biliary zinc excretion (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary copper excretion disturbance participates directly in the pathophysiology of copper retention of HLD patients. DMSA is a favorable cupruretic drug for patients with HLD.

[Effects of endothelin-1 on the progesterone production of rat preovulatory ovarian granulosa cells]

The effect of endothelin-1 (ET) on progesterone production of isolated rat granulosa cells and its mechanism were investigated. ET could inhibit the hCG-stimulated progesterone production significantly at the concentration of 10(-8) mol/L (P < 0.05, n = 6) and highly significantly at the concentration of 10(-7) mol/L (P < 0.05, n = 6), but ET did not inhibit the basal progesterone production at various concentrations (10(-10)-10(-7) mol/L). Further experiments showed that the inhibitory effect of ET on the hCG-stimulated progesterone production could be reversed by rabbit antiserum to ET (ET-A, 1:1000) or cAMP (10(5) mol/L). ET could decrease the binding sites and the affinity constant (ka) of LH/hCG receptor on granulosa cells. All these findings suggest that ET may be an intraovarian regulatory factor which may inhibit progesterone production stimulated by hCG from rat granulosa cells through inerfering LH/hCG receptor function and cAMP formation.