Risk excess of soft-tissue sarcoma and thyroid cancer in a community exposed to airborne organochlorinated compound mixtures with a high hexachlorobenzene content

Unusually high levels of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were detected in the air and in sera of volunteers of a village located in the vicinity of an organochlorinated-compounds factory (Flix, Catalonia, Spain). A significant increase for specific causes of death was obtained only for neoplasms of unknown origin. However, an excess of incident cases was observed for thyroid neoplasms, soft-tissue sarcoma and brain neoplasms in men. These descriptive findings are in agreement with previously reported associations between soft-tissue sarcoma and human exposure to organochlorinated compounds, as well as with animal experiments relating HCB and thyroid cancer, and add new information on the possible relation between organochlorinated compounds, and particularly HCB, and cancer.

The efficacy and safety of gamma-linolenic acid in the treatment of infantile atopic dermatitis

The efficacy and safety of gamma-linolenic acid in the treatment of atopic dermatitis was evaluated. The children (mean age, 11.4 months) with atopic dermatitis (mean duration, 8.56 months) were openly treated with 3 g/day gamma-linolenic acid, for 28 days. Clinical evaluations were carried out every 7 days, and parents were asked to keep a diary, recording details of symptoms of eczema every day. Blood chemistry and immunological tests were done before and after treatment. None of the children showed complete recovery of symptoms. A gradual improvement in erythema, excoriations and lichenification was seen; significant differences were shown for itching (P < 0.01), and the use of antihistamines (P < 0.01). A significant rise in the percentage of circulating CD8 was found. No side-effects were recorded. Dietetic and pharmacological approaches are the basis of the treatment of atopic dermatitis and gamma-linolenic acid appears to be a safe and efficient additional therapy for infants and young children.

PKU-related dysgammaglobulinaemia: the effect of diet therapy on IgE and allergic sensitization

The effect of diet on the development of immunoallergic signs and symptoms in children with phenylketonuria (PKU) was evaluated. Immunological indices of 58 children with PKU treated with diets were compared to the immunological indices of 58 healthy (non-PKU) children. In the PKU group, 39 children had been placed on diet therapy within the first month of life; 19 children had been placed on diet therapy after 6 months of age. Total circulating lymphocytes; CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ circulating lymphocytes; and serum IgA, IgM, IgG and total IgE levels were measured for each child. Skin prick tests were performed for common inhalant and food allergens. Every 3 months over the 2-year period of this study, the signs and symptoms of eczema, allergic rhinitis and asthma were recorded. The PKU group had lower IgG levels (p = 0.004) and higher total IgE levels (p = 0.0001) than the control group. Significantly lower IgE levels were found in children started on diet therapy within the first month of life compared with those started on diet therapy after 6 months of age (p = 0.0001). Allergic sensitization was significantly more frequent in the PKU group (24/58 vs 13/58, z = 2.00, p < 0.05), but no significant difference in the incidence of eczema and allergic rhinitis was found. Asthma was less frequent in the PKU group than in the control group (5/58 vs 14/58, z = 2.09, p < 0.05). Thus, diet appeared to prevent the development of immunoallergic signs and symptoms.

Changes in the level of blood suppressor CD8+CD57+ lymphocytes, when HIV-1 p24 antigen reappears in the blood

Using the marker Leu2 + Leu7 + to detect the CD8 suppressor cells (CD88+CD57+), we have observed that their blood level, which increases after primoinfection, during the latent period, increases still further just before and when the p24 antigen returns and is present in the blood. Its ratio over cytotoxic CD8+ cells remains high during the AIDS period, though the absolute number decreases.

[Intracavitary echography with a 12.5 MHz microprobe: a new study method in the pathology of the urinary tract]

Endoluminal sonography performed with 12.5 MHz miniature transducer-containing catheters with diameter of 6 or 9 Fr., is a new technique for the study of urinary tract. We studied: U.S. scan of 10 corpes and 10 operatory specimens (bladders and kidneys) with anatomic measurement in vitro. U.S. scan of 20 patients "in vivo" with pathologies involving bladder and upper urinary tract. We studied the normal anatomy of bladder and ureter by U.S. and we detected the structures beyond the ureteral lumen as: vessels, lymph nodes, muscle. Our indications for the utility of this new U.S. technique are: Detection and staging of superficial T.C.C. of the bladder. Detection of dangerous vessels near the U.P.F before endopielotomy. Excretory tract minus (endoluminal ultrasound is helpful in differentiating such pelvic filling defects as blood clots, no opaque stones and transitional cell carcinoma).

Possibility of spontaneous drug abuse tested in rat

Given that a number of the techniques used to test drug abuse liability are not free from criticism, a series of oral free-choice experimental procedures was adopted. When simultaneously offered as alternatives to glucose using the classical polydipsic procedure, no preference for buprenorphine (0.025 mg/ml), morphine (0.5 mg/ml) or fentanyl (0.005 mg/ml) solutions was shown by premedicated rats. The same result was obtained when the two-bottle procedure was used for at least one month to offer etonitazene (10 micrograms/ml), buprenorphine (60 micrograms/ml), cocaine (300 micrograms/ml) and haloperidol (25 micrograms/ml) solutions as simultaneous alternatives to aspartame. This absence of preference was maintained even when the rats showed evident pharmacological effects and, in the case of the opiates, tolerance and withdrawal syndrome. However, when a gustatory marker (quinine) was introduced into one of the two solutions, preference was always shown for the other. Finally, in a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) test, etonitazene (5 or 40 micrograms/kg, i.p.) and haloperidol (0.5 or 2 mg/kg, i.p.) did not induce any reduction in saccharin consumption, while morphine (40 mg/kg) did. Pretreatment with naloxone (120 micrograms/kg, i.c.v.) did not antagonize morphine-induced CTA, while it did antagonize morphine-induced analgesia.

Psychological changes during thyrotoxicosis

Psychological changes during hyperthyroidism are well known. However, no studies were performed in order to quantify or evaluate them in numerical details. We have studied the personality of 15 women with Graves' disease by means of the 16PF Cattell Test, before and after treatment of hyperthyroidism with surgery or radioactive iodine. The first test was performed when patients relapsed the thyrotoxicosis after a period of euthyroidism, achieved through the treatment with antithyroid drugs during one year. At the time of the second test all patients had 6-12 months of euthyroidism. Hormonal circulating levels were as follow (mean +/- SEM): a) at the first test, T3 = 320 +/- 27 ng/dl, T4 = 19.7 +/- 1.2 micrograms/dl, TSH < 0.2 microU/ml; b) at the second test, T3 = 128 +/- 9 ng/dl, T4 = 8.8 +/- 0.8 micrograms/dl, TSH = 1.9 +/- 0.4 microU/ml. Differences between both tests were expressed for each factor as the mean difference +/- SEM (paired "t" test). After treatment patients were: 1) more relaxed and emotionally trustful and cooperative (factor A + 1.06 +/- 0.39, p < 0.02); 2) better and faster intellectual comprehension (factor B + 0.80 +/- 0.31, p < 0.05); 3) more capable of analysis (factor Q1 + 0.93 +/- 0.41, p < 0.05); 4) lower in lingering anxiety and tension (factor Q4-0.87 +/- 0.36, p < 0.05); 5) more independent, less submissive (factor QIV + 0.88 +/- 0.41, p < 0.05); 6) more relaxed (factor QI-0.69 +/- 0.20, p < 0.01). The other factors remained unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Three different hepatocyte transplantation techniques for enzyme deficiency disease and acute hepatic failure

The effects of three different techniques of hepatocyte transplantation were investigated: transplantation of free hepatocytes into the spleen and intraperitoneal transplantation of microcarrier-attached hepatocytes or of microencapsulated hepatocytes. The liver-supportive functions of these transplanted hepatocytes were analyzed using either the Gunn rat (hyperbilirubinemia) or rats with acute liver failure. In the Gunn rat intraperitoneal transplantation of microcarrier-attached hepatocytes resulted in a significant reduction of plasma bilirubin for 28 days whereas intraperitoneal transplantation of microencapsulated hepatocytes was ineffective notwithstanding immunosuppression by cyclosporin A. Intrasplenic hepatocyte transplantation was only effective in reducing plasma bilirubin for 14 days. During acute liver failure, liver support was achieved temporarily by hepatocyte transplantation in the spleen, by intraperitoneally transplanted microcarrier-attached hepatocytes, and by microencapsulated hepatocytes to equal extents, the microencapsulated hepatocytes being the least effective after 8 h of liver ischemia.

Dose-dependent conditioned place preference produced by etonitazene and morphine

The conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm was used to study the reinforcing properties of etonitazene in comparison with those of morphine. Increasing doses of etonitazene (2.5-15 micrograms/kg i.p.) and morphine (1-80 mg/kg i.p.) induced a dose-dependent CPP. High doses of etonitazene (25-40 micrograms/kg) did not elicit CPP. In addition, these reinforcing properties were related to behavioral modifications such as analgesia, assessed with the tail-flick method, and increased catalepsy, evaluated by a scoring system. It is concluded that neither the strong behavioral effects induced by etonitazene nor tolerance to such effects account for the results. These findings are discussed with regard to the possibility that etonitazene could interfere with associative learning motivated by reward.

Quality control of cathepsin-D measurement by the EORTC Receptor Study Group

Cathepsin-D is a lysosomal protease that can serve as an important prognostic cytosolic factor in breast cancer. To evaluate the performance of a commercially available immunoradiometric assay kit, 15 lyophilised cytosol participating EORTC laboratories for preparations containing various levels of cathepsin-D have been sent to 13 participating EORTC laboratories for quality control purposes. The between-laboratory variation, when expressed as coefficient of variation, did not exceed 24%. The within-laboratory variation was assessed by analysing five samples of the 15 specimens containing lyophilised material from a homogeneous cytosol pool. The mean within-laboratory coefficient of variation was 7%. Analysis of human breast tumour cytosols in one of the participating EORTC laboratories resulted in a median within-assay variation between duplicate measurements of 2.1% (n = 408), with a between-assay variation of a pooled human breast tumour cytosol of 4.6% (n = 11).

Immunoradiometric assay of pS2 protein in breast cancer cytosols

We studied the ELSA-pS2 immunoradiometric kit (CIS Bio International) for pS2 protein assay in breast cancer cytosols according to classic validation methods. In addition, we studied correlations between pS2, steroid receptors, and cathepsin-D assays. Repeatability (CV = 1.5% to 4.8%) and reproducibility (CV = 1.6% to 4.9%) were good. The results were linearly related to pS2 concentrations between 205 and 2200 ng/L; the detection limit was 40 ng/L. The accuracy of the assay was measured by assessing recovery; analytical recoveries were near 100% throughout the standard curve. The use of different compounds for cytosol preparation (Tris 10 mmol/L or phosphate 25 mmol/L, KCl 0.4 mol/L, bovine serum albumin 1 g/L) had no effect on pS2 results. pS2 was assayed in breast tumor cytosols from 197 postmenopausal and 92 premenopausal patients. The mean value was 24 micrograms/g of protein; the median and 25th and 75th percentiles were 6, 1, and 23 micrograms/g protein, respectively. We observed a relation between concentrations of pS2 and those of estrogen and progesterone receptors, but there was no relationship between the concentrations of pS2 and cathepsin-D.

Immunoradiometric assay of pS2 protein in breast cancer cytosols

We studied the ELSA-pS2 immunoradiometric kit (CIS Bio International) for pS2 protein assay in breast cancer cytosols according to classic validation methods. In addition, we studied correlations between pS2, steroid receptors, and cathepsin-D assays. Repeatability (CV = 1.5% to 4.8%) and reproducibility (CV = 1.6% to 4.9%) were good. The results were linearly related to pS2 concentrations between 205 and 2200 ng/L; the detection limit was 40 ng/L. The accuracy of the assay was measured by assessing recovery; analytical recoveries were near 100% throughout the standard curve. The use of different compounds for cytosol preparation (Tris 10 mmol/L or phosphate 25 mmol/L, KCl 0.4 mol/L, bovine serum albumin 1 g/L) had no effect on pS2 results. pS2 was assayed in breast tumor cytosols from 197 postmenopausal and 92 premenopausal patients. The mean value was 24 micrograms/g of protein; the median and 25th and 75th percentiles were 6, 1, and 23 micrograms/g protein, respectively. We observed a relation between concentrations of pS2 and those of estrogen and progesterone receptors, but there was no relationship between the concentrations of pS2 and cathepsin-D.

LAV revisited: origins of the early HIV-1 isolates from Institut Pasteur

Two of the first human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) strains isolated were authenticated by reanalyzing original cultured samples stored at the Collection Nationale de Culture des Microorganismes as well as uncultured primary material. Cloned polymerase chain reaction products were used to analyze coding sequences of the V3 loop in the gp120 glycoprotein. The original isolate HIV-1 Bru, formerly called LAV, was derived from patient BRU. HIV-1 Lai was derived from patient LAI and contaminated a HIV-1 Bru culture between 20 July and 3 August 1983. The culture became, in effect, HIV-1 Lai, identifiable by a unique motif in the V3 loop. Because of this contamination two, rather than one, HIV-1 isolates were sent to the Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology at the National Cancer Institute on 23 September 1983. Original HIV-1 Bru was indeed present in the sample marked JBB/LAV. However the M2T-/B sample harbored HIV-1 Lai, a strain capable of growing on established cell lines. The striking similarity between HIV-1 Lai (formerly LAV-Bru) and HTLV-3B sequences remains.

Effect of centrally administered atropine and pirenzepine on radial arm maze performance in the rat

The effect of two anticholinergic drugs administered intracerebroventricularly on acquisition of an 8-arm radial maze task was examined in the rat. Increasing doses of atropine (1, 4.5, 22.5, 45 micrograms/rat) and pirenzepine (4.5, 15, 60, 90 micrograms/rat) significantly impaired performance in the working-memory components of the task. For both drugs this impairment was linearly related to the log of the administered doses and log-dose-response relationship were parallel. The regression lines calculated for each parameter for both drugs were parallel to each other, thus allowing us to calculate the potency of atropine versus pirenzepine: atropine was 5.4 times more potent than pirenzepine for correct arm entries, 10 times more potent for the number of errors and 4 times more potent for the total time taken to complete the task. The relevance of M1 and M2 subtype central acetylcholine receptors in cognitive processes is discussed.

Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates at risk by oral administration of monomeric IgG

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) represents one of the major causes of morbidity in low-birth-weight (LBW) preterm infants. This randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of an oral immunoglobulin preparation (containing monomeric IgG in a concentration of 90%) in reducing the incidence of NEC in infants of LBW for whom maternal breast milk was not available. One hundred and thirty-two formula-fed newborns with a birth weight less than or equal to 1,500 g or a gestational age less than or equal to 34 weeks were randomly studied. Five hundred mg of IgG pro die, subdivided into 5 doses, were given orally to the test group of 65 neonates during the first 2 weeks of life. Although the number of infants included in this group is limited, the results of this study are encouraging: during the first 15 days after birth, none of the subjects developed NEC, while 4 cases were confirmed in the untreated control group. It, therefore, seems possible that oral monomeric IgG administration may prevent the development of NEC in LBW infants.

[Treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia]

Hyperbilirubinemia remains one of the most common and more important pathological conditions in the newborn. The possibility that low levels of serum bilirubin could be responsible for bilirubin encephalopathy in the small premature infant is of great concern for the neonatologist. In fact, premature newborns, as recognized more than 70 years ago by Y1ppo, are prone to develop hyperbilirubinemia. The so-called physiologic of developmental hyperbilirubinemia could be harmful for the small preterm infant, who is at risk of developing bilirubin encephalopathy in the presence of low plasma bilirubin concentrations. Current methodologies for suppressing severe neonatal jaundice include: 1) Attempts to stimulate liver conjugating enzymes by drugs, such as phenobarbital. 2) Attempts to degrade bilirubin "in vivo" by phototherapy. 3) Exchange transfusion. It is too soon to consider Sn-protoporphyrin as a drug for the prevention and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. However, if it can be shown that the use of tin-protoporphyrin can serve as a safe and less costly alternate treatment, a considerable improvement in the management of neonatal jaundice will be achieved.

Recurrent respiratory infections in childhood: experience with a bacterial extract plus bacterial ribosomes (Immucytal)

A total of 60 children (mean age +/- SD 7.6 +/- 3.5 years, range 2 - 14.2 years) with recurrent respiratory infections were treated with bacterial wall extract plus bacterial ribosomes (Immucytal) or placebo sprayed into the nostrils and oropharynx three times a day for 1 or 2-week periods over 3.5 months. The treatment was completed by 58 subjects; two patients in the placebo-treated group were withdrawn, one for poor compliance and the other because of headaches. Respiratory symptoms improved from the first month in the Immucytal treated children, but not in the placebo group, with a reduction in the incidence of infections in the upper and lower airways. No changes were noted in respiratory function parameters. Treatment with Immucytal significantly increased serum immunoglobulin A (P less than 0.02) and immunoglobulin M (P less than 0.01) and enhanced skin response to the in vivo lymphocyte blastization test, but there was no significant change in the circulating lymphocyte subpopulations. Both physicians and the patients' parents judged the bacterial extract to be clinically better than the placebo. Immucytal, therefore, may provide a useful alternative therapy for recurrent respiratory infections in infancy.

Central effect of yohimbine on sexual behavior in the rat

A large range of doses of yohimbine (Y) was administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) (5-100 micrograms/rat) or intraperitoneally (IP) (0.35-10 mg/kg) to male rats and the effects on sexual, locomotor and general behavior were evaluated. For both routes there was a clear-cut inverted-U effect (stimulating/depressing), calculable as parabolic regressions on the log of administered doses. The maximal stimulating doses (15 micrograms/rat ICV and 1 mg/kg IP) significantly shortened mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies and the mean interintromission interval. These data indicate the importance of CNS mechanisms in the sexual effect of Y.

Multi-center study of a new technique for measuring free thyroxin in serum

In a multi-center trial we evaluated the accuracy of a new assay kit for free thyroxin (T4), the Behring free T4 RIAgnost, in 1036 subjects: 379 normal subjects, 536 patients with thyroid dysfunction, and 121 subjects with no thyroid dysfunction but with conditions that potentially could interfere with the assay. The kit combines immunoextraction and the use of a modified tracer. Although some limitations remained in using a direct assay method for free T4 in certain nonthyroid conditions, this test was superior to one based on the use of a T4 analog. This kit seems to be very accurate for the diagnosis of untreated thyroid pathologies.

Multi-center study of a new technique for measuring free thyroxin in serum

In a multi-center trial we evaluated the accuracy of a new assay kit for free thyroxin (T4), the Behring free T4 RIAgnost, in 1036 subjects: 379 normal subjects, 536 patients with thyroid dysfunction, and 121 subjects with no thyroid dysfunction but with conditions that potentially could interfere with the assay. The kit combines immunoextraction and the use of a modified tracer. Although some limitations remained in using a direct assay method for free T4 in certain nonthyroid conditions, this test was superior to one based on the use of a T4 analog. This kit seems to be very accurate for the diagnosis of untreated thyroid pathologies.

Dexamethasone in the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Sixteen chronically ventilator-dependent newborns with BPD were treated with one or more cycles of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg/day). In 11 cases extubation was possible during the therapy period. Ventilatory parameters were lowered in 3 other newborns. FIO2, respiratory rate, PIP, and PEEP, assessed before and after dexamethasone administration, decreased in a statistically significant way. Our data confirm the utility of dexamethasone in the extubation in chronically ventilated infants with BPD.

[Evaluation of the treatment with levodropropizine of respiratory diseases in children]

Sometimes, antitussives can be a valid adjuvant to respiratory tract infections treatment. Although not always needed, this therapeutic support can be extremely useful in selected cases, and when patient is resident and monitored. In this line, the efficacy of a new peripheral antitussive, levodropropizine (Dompé farmaceutici, Milan), has been evaluated in 70 children inpatients of the Pediatric Department at san Paolo Hospital - Milan University - from September 1987 to May 1988. Thirty one male and 29 female children, aged 4 years and 6 months +/- 3 years and 5 months, suffering from various respiratory tract diseases were included in the study. Underlying diseases were represented by 21 acute bronchitis, 20 asthmatic attacks, 18 bronchopneumonia, 11 tracheitis, 6 acute episodes of chronic bronchitis, 2 hypoglottis laryngitis, 1 pertussis, 1 spontaneous pneumothorax. All parents gave their oral informed consent. The basic treatments were antibiotics in 44 patients associated or not with beta 2 agonists (31), theophylline (15), corticosteroids via aerosol (9) or parenterally (3), immunomodulators (2). Treatment with levodropropizine in the oral drops formulation at 2 mg pro kg a day was continued for 5 days and withdrawn according to the clinical evolution. Cough was registered by means of appropriate record forms given to the parents as well as with 120' tape recording whenever possible, i.e. 60 minutes before and 60 minutes after drug administration, on day one and 2. At treatment end, parents and investigator gave an antitussive efficacy judgement. Tolerability was evaluated as per clinical evolution and laboratory parameters.

Histamine as a central modulator of rat intestinal transit

Histamine (HA) injected i.c.v. to rats inhibited intestinal propulsion in linear relation to the log of the administered doses (in the range from 20-100 micrograms/rat). In the same dose range HA also induced a dose-related analgesic effect (tail-flick test). The dose of HA maximally active by the i.c.v. route (100 micrograms/rat) showed neither of these effects when injected i.v. or i.p. HA-induced intestinal inhibition and analgesia were antagonized competitively by i.c.v. mepyramine (10 micrograms/rat), an H1 receptor antagonist, whereas cimetidine (10 micrograms/rat), an H2 receptor antagonist, had no effect. Repeated i.c.v. injections of HA resulted in tachyphylaxis of both intestinal inhibition and analgesia. Pretreatment with i.c.v. naloxone (20 micrograms/rat) antagonized the antipropulsive effect of HA in a noncompetitive fashion, but did not affect its antinociceptive action. The relevance of the central histaminergic system in the modulation of gastrointestinal motility and its relationship with the opioid system are discussed.

Differences in the DNA adducts formed in cultured rabbit and rat dermal fibroblasts by benzo(a)pyrene and (-)benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-diol

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is highly carcinogenic in rats but is without effect in rabbits when administered s.c. The possibility that BaP-DNA adducts could be responsible for this species difference was investigated by comparing BaP-deoxyribonucleoside adducts formed in dermal fibroblast cultures from Wistar rats and New Zealand rabbits. Treatment with [G-3H]BaP (1.2 microM) for 6, 24, and 48 h produced an essentially qualitative species-specific difference. Over 95% of the DNA adducts in the rabbit dermal cell cultures were derived from anti-BaPDE; the major BaP adduct formed (90%) was (+)-anti-BaPDE-deoxyguanosine. This adduct was formed at very low levels in the rat dermal fibroblasts (7%). These cells contained a large proportion of (+/-)-r-7,t-8-dihydroxy-c-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (syn-BaPDE)-DNA adducts (45%) and over 48% of other, unidentified, BaP-DNA adducts. Cells treated with (-)-BaP-7,8-diol (1.2 microM) produced almost exclusively (greater than 99%) (+)-anti-BaPDE-deoxyguanosine in rabbit cells, while the rat cells did not form this product. These results suggest that adducts other than anti-BaPDE-deoxyguanosine may be involved in rat s.c. BaP carcinogenesis; the preferential formation of (+)-anti-BaPDE-deoxyguanosine by rabbit dermal fibroblasts does not directly correlate with the resistance of rabbit dermis to tumor formation.

Splanchnic exchange of amino acids after amino acid ingestion in patients with chronic renal insufficiency

Splanchnic exchange (net uptake or release) of amino acids (AAs) was evaluated by measuring arterial-hepatic venous differences for AAs and hepatic blood flow in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and control subjects before and for 70 min after the ingestion of an AA mixture simulating an animal protein meal. In CRI after AA ingestion, splanchnic exchange area for total nonessential AAs (NEAAs) is increased 135% over control subjects because of an augmented escape of proline, glutamate, serine, glycine, alanine, and cyst(e)ine; contrarily, glutamine shows an increased splanchnic uptake. Splanchnic exchange area for total essential AAs (EAAs) is increased only by 67% over controls because of a higher escape of threonine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and histidine. Abnormalities in arterial areas for AAs parallel those in splanchnic areas except for glutamine and isoleucine. Data indicate that in CRI, at least for 70 min after an AA meal, splanchnic organs metabolize abnormally ingested AAs and export an increased and unbalanced bulk of AAs, severely affecting postprandial arterial profile of AAs.

Supraspinal cerebral areas involved in morphine's intestinal inhibition and analgesia

To explore the neuroanatomical pathways involved in mediating the antipropulsive effect and analgesia of morphine (M) in the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), we examined the influence of the vagus nerve and the role of serotonergic neurotransmission. M-induced inhibition of intestinal transit was unaffected by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. In contrast, electrolytic lesions in the raphe magnus nucleus (NRM) and pretreatment with a selective neurotoxin (5,6-DHT, 15 micrograms/rat) in the same region, both significantly reduced M-induced inhibition of intestinal transit. Analgesia was only slightly affected. p-CPA pretreatment (100 mg/kg IP) induced the same results. Finally some other central brain regions were found to be sensitive to M's intestinal inhibition and analgesia such as the mid-line thalamus, the dorsal and lateral hypothalamus, and the bulbar reticular formation. Negative results were obtained for frontal cortex, caudate and amygdala. Some considerations are put forward about the existence in the central nervous system of selective areas involved in intestinal modulation and their relation with those mediating pain transmission.

Glycosylation of four acute-phase glycoproteins secreted by rat liver cells in vivo and in vitro. Effects of inflammation and dexamethasone

We have studied the role of the liver in the relative increase of Concanavalin A (Con A)-reactive molecular forms of various positive rat acute-phase glycoproteins (APGPs) occurring in serum during inflammation. Secretion media of hepatocytes isolated from inflamed rats showed a 2 to 5-fold increase of the total amounts of four APGPs studied in comparison to secretion media of control hepatocytes. These changes were in analogy with those observed for corresponding sera, except for alpha 1-antitrypsin. All the different Con A-reactive molecular forms were present in the media, with exception of the most reactive form of ceruloplasmin. In vitro and in vivo, dexamethasone augmented the secretion of three APGPs, and especially of the Con A-most reactive forms. The in vitro effect of dexamethasone--augmented secretion of Con A-reactive molecular forms of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin--was comparable with the results obtained for hepatocytes isolated from inflamed rats. In vivo, dexamethasone treatment resulted in an even higher increase of the serum concentration of the Con A-most reactive forms of both APGPs than experimental inflammation did. Although an extrahepatic contribution cannot be excluded, these results suggest that alterations in the Con A reactivity of APGPs as observed during the acute-phase of inflammation have their origin in the liver. A change in the Con A reactivity of glycoprotein indicates a modulation of its glycosylation. Since dexamethasone can affect these changes in vivo and in vitro, glucocorticoids most probably are involved in the regulation of the glycosylation of the APGPs during biosynthesis in the liver.

Genotype-dependent leaf senescence in maize : inheritance and effects of pollination-prevention

Objective of research was (a) to evaluate the influence of pollination-prevention on various metabolic parameters of the two maize inbreds B73 and B14A and their F1, and (b) to gain information on the inheritance of leaf senescence, in response to pollination-prevention. The results show that the visual pattern of leaf senescence, in response to prevention of ear pollination, contrasts markedly between the two inbred lines. Relative to control plants, prevention of ear pollination, causes a premature senescence in B73 and B73 x B14A plants, while leaves of unpollinated B14A remain green and similar in appearance to pollinated controls. Furthermore, prevention of ear pollination induces a sizable reduction of dry matter accumulation of all above-ground material and changes in various metabolic parameters. An accumulation of sucrose in the leaves of unpollinated B73 and B73 x B14A plants is correlated with the development of premature senescence. Finally, the genetic analysis supports suggestions that a single dominant gene is responsible for the differences observed, in the visual pattern of leaf senescence, in response to prevention of ear pollination.

Morphological transformation in three mammalian cell systems following treatment with 6-nitrochrysene and 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene

Two nitroaromatics, 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene (6-N-BaP) and 6-nitrochrysene (6-N-CRY), and the corresponding parent hydrocarbons, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and chrysene (CRY), were studied in in vitro transformation assays with Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells, BALB/3T3 and C3H10T1/2 mouse cell lines. The three cell systems showed different sensitivities to the transforming effects of the chemicals studied, SHE cells being the most efficient, followed by 3T3 cells and the last being C3H10T1/2 cells. In the SHE cell system all compounds were active. Considering the concentrations (in microM) and the transformation frequency BaP was the most active, followed by 6-N-BaP, 6-N-CRY and CRY. In the BALB/3T3 standard assay and in the C3H10T1/2 assay only BaP was clearly active. When used as initiators 6-N-BaP and 6-N-CRY were inactive in the C3H cell system. In conclusion 6-N-BaP appears less active in in vitro systems than the parent compound BaP; 6-N-CRY is probably negative since it is questionable in vitro and negative in mouse skin.

Further investigations on neurotensin as central modulator of intestinal motility in rats

Previous studies have shown that neurotensin (NT) administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) to rats provokes an inhibition of intestinal propulsion linearly related to the log of administered doses. In the present study it is demonstrated that, in contrast to morphine, repeated i.c.v. administrations of NT (2.5 nmol/rat/day) did not result in tolerance to the intestinal effect. Naloxone (Nx) administered i.c.v. fully antagonized the intestinal inhibition of i.c.v. morphine, but did not significantly alter the NT effect. However, centrally administered thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) inhibited NT-induced (but not morphine-induced) intestinal inhibition. Direct microinjections of NT into the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) produced complete inhibition of intestinal propulsion when the microinjections were localized in the dorsal portion. Finally, subdiaphragmatic vagotomy totally abolished the inhibition induced by NT into the PAG, while morphine was not affected. Some considerations are put forward concerning the existence in the central nervous system of a peptidergic pathway modulating intestinal function.

Hemoglobin transition in the anuran Pelodytes punctatus

In the anuran Pelodytes punctatus the larval hemoglobin produces five electrophoretic bands. In the premetamorphic period, two other bands appear which are typical of the adult. They gradually substitute the larval bands completely as in other anurans. The pathway of the hemoglobin shift indicates that the synthesis of the adult fractions does not depend on the thyroid hormones for its activation, whereas the disappearance of the larval fractions depends on the destruction of the "larval" red blood cell line. As in other species of anurans which are considered primitive, the hemoglobinic change of Pelodytes punctatus starts earlier and develops slower than in other more evolved anurans. In normal developing specimens of Pelodytes punctatus the change in the hemoglobin fractions occurs very slowly and finishes 4 weeks after the metamorphosis, whereas in "hibernated" specimens the rate of change is higher and it ends earlier, probably as a consequence in the retarded larvae, of the increased sensibility of the hemopoietic tissues to the metamorphosis factors.

In vitro and in vivo activity of 12-O-3-N-dansylamino TPA

Dansyl-TPA, a fluorescent TPA analogue, which is a label with a high affinity for C3H/10T1/2 cells and induces 3H-choline release from these cells (Tran et al. Nouv. J. Chim 1984, 8, 751-757), has been studied for in vitro promoting activity in the same cell line initiated by a carcinogen MNNG and in vivo short-term mouse skin tests. In vitro, dansyl-TPA expresses transforming effect in its own (without MNNG pretreatment) as well as increases the production of transformed foci in MNNG-treated cells. In in vivo skin tests, dansyl-TPA displays lower effects than TPA on mouse skin. These results indicate a low promoting potential of dansyl-TPA.

Activity and secretion of sialyltransferase in primary monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes cultured with and without dexamethasone

Monolayers of hepatocytes attached on collagen-coated dishes were cultured for 20-24 h and were found suitable to study the activity and secretion of CMP-N-acetylneuraminate:asialo-alpha 1-acid glycoprotein sialyltransferase. A progressive increase of sialyltransferase activity in the culture medium was observed during incubation of the hepatocytes. After 24 h 34-48% of the total sialyltransferase activity of the hepatocyte incubation system was present in the medium. The enzyme activity present in the medium was soluble in nature and could not be stimulated by Triton X-100. The secretion of the enzyme was stimulated about twofold by dexamethasone. The activity of sialyltransferase in the hepatocytes was also increased by dexamethasone. The Km of either hepatocyte or medium sialyltransferase for CMP-sialic acid was only slightly changed by dexamethasone, whereas the Vmax was increased about twofold. The secretion of sialyltransferase could be inhibited partially by the anti-microtubular agent colchicine. The dexamethasone-induced increase of the sialyltransferase activity in cells and media could be eliminated by inclusion of alpha-amanitin in the culture media at 0 h. The inhibiting effect of alpha-amanitin was only partially expressed when the drug was added 4 h after the addition of dexamethasone to the media. The results suggest that isolated rat hepatocytes actively secrete sialyltransferase and that the increase in the sialyltransferase activity in cells and media owing to the synthetic glucocorticosteroid dexamethasone results from increased synthesis of the enzyme molecule. It is supposed that in the intact rat the increased levels of the enzyme activity in serum observed in inflammation may originate from an induction of the synthesis of sialyltransferase in the hepatocytes of rat liver by the increased levels of circulating corticosteroids.

Intestinal effect and analgesia: evidence for different involvement of opioid receptor subtypes in periaqueductal gray matter

Periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) has been shown to be one of the sites in the central nervous system where microinjections of morphine strongly inhibit intestinal transit. To investigate the nature of opioid receptor populations involved in this central effect, selective opioid agonists, FK 33824 for mu, DALA for delta, dynorphin for kappa and tentatively beta-endorphin for epsilon, were microinjected in all PAG areas previously identified as morphine-sensitive for intestinal inhibition. The PAG-induced inhibition of intestinal transit appears to be mediated mainly by mu receptors and possibly by epsilon receptors. kappa and delta receptors seem not to be involved.

Characterization and identification of 6 mutagens in opium pyrolysates implicated in oesophageal cancer in Iran

Previous epidemiological studies have indicated an association between the ingestion of opium pyrolysates, dietary deficiencies, and a high incidence of oesophageal cancer in subjects in north-east Iran. Laboratory studies have shown that pyrolysates of opium and particularly of morphine, a major opium alkaloid, are highly mutagenic in bacteria and induce sister-chromatid exchanges in mammalian cells after metabolic activation. We now report the ability of these pyrolysates to transform Syrian hamster embryo cells in culture and present some evidence for their carcinogenicity in mice and hamsters following topical, subcutaneous, intratracheal and intragastric administration. 6 of the most abundant mutagenic compounds present in morphine pyrolysate were isolated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and 1H-Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These hitherto unknown compounds, all containing a hydroxy-phenanthrene moiety, were identified as: 3-methyl-3H-naphth[1,2-e]indol-10-ol; 1,2-dihydro-3-methyl-3H-naphth[1,2-e]indol-10-ol; 6-methylaminophenanthren-3-ol; 2-methylphenanthro[3,4-d] [1,3]oxazol-10-ol; 2,3-dimethyl-3H-phenanthro[3,4-d]imidazol-10-ol and 2-methyl-3H-phenanthro[3,4-d]imidazol-10-ol. Mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 of these compounds increased in the order listed, the last compound being 35 times more active than benzo[a]pyrene. The mechanisms, by which these mutagens are formed and metabolically activated are discussed.

Cerebral sites of central action of dermorphin on intestinal motility in the rat

Dermorphin (DM), microinjected at 0.4 nmoles/rat into various sites of the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), provokes complete inhibition of intestinal propulsion always coupled with full analgesia and catalepsy. When electrolytic lesions were made in the raphe magnus nucleus (NRM) a slight but significant reduction of intestinal inhibition evoked by DM into the PAG was observed. In contrast, pretreatment into the NRM 10 days before DM with a selective antiserotoninergic agent (5,6 DHT 15 microgram/rat), did not influence intestinal inhibition. As expected, both lesions reduced DM-induced analgesia but catalepsy was not affected. DM-induced inhibition of intestinal transit was therefore unaffected by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Finally, some other central brain regions were found sensitive to DM for the above effects such as the lateral and medial hypothalamus and mid-line thalamus. Negative results were obtained for the supraoptic nuclei and postero-medial cortical amygdaloid nucleus. Some considerations are put forward about the existence in the central nervous system of selective areas involved in intestinal modulation and their relationship with those mediating other opiate behavioural effects.

Central pharmacological activities and opiate receptor binding studies of some dermorphin analogs

A series of dermorphin-like compounds were injected intracerebroventricularly in the rat to assess in vivo their effects on intestinal motility and analgesia. In vitro they were tested by binding assay using 3H-naloxone as radioligand or by guinea pig ileum bioassay. The synthetic peptides were less potent than dermorphin in inhibiting intestinal transit and in producing analgesia, or even inactive up to doses 30 times the dermorphin ED50. This reduction in pharmacological activity was coupled with a decrease in binding potency. The 3H-naloxone binding studies in the absence or presence of Na+ indicated that Na+ reduced the interaction of dermorphin and its analogs with brain opiate receptors. Only the dibenzyl derivative was slightly affected by sodium, suggesting a dual action for this peptide, as confirmed by preliminary data from guinea pig ileum bioassay.

Lack of effect of deflazacort, a novel glucocorticoid, on basal and TRH-stimulated prolactin and thyrotropin levels in healthy subjects

The possible relationship between cortisol inhibition induced by deflazacort, a new glucocorticoid, and impairment of prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) secretion in healthy volunteers has been investigated. In 8 healthy subjects deflazacort pretreatment partly inhibited cortisol secretion but did not affect basal or TRH-stimulated secretion of PRL and TSH in comparison to placebo. After dexamethasone, there was the anticipated complete suppression of cortisol secretion, no change in PRL secretion, either in basal conditions or after TRH, and significant inhibition of the TSH response to TRH. No significant change in GH, aldosterone or renin secretion was observed after deflazacort or dexamethasone.