Studies of non-metabolizable polyamines that support growth of SV-3T3 cells depleted of natural polyamines by exposure to alpha-difluoromethylornithine

A number of synthetic polyamine derivatives that included five achiral gem-dimethylspermidines and two analogous tetramethylated spermines were tested for their abilities to serve as substrates for enzymes metabolizing polyamines and for their capacities to substitute for the natural polyamines in cell growth. It was found that none of the compounds were effective substrates for spermine synthase, and only one, namely 8,8-dimethylspermidine, was a substrate for spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase. However, all of the spermidine derivatives and 1,1,12,12-tetramethylspermine were able to support the growth of SV-3T3 cells in which endogenous polyamine synthesis was prevented by the addition of alpha-difluoromethylornithine. These results suggest that either spermidine or spermine can support cell growth without the need for metabolic interconversion. In contrast with the result with 1,1,12,12-tetramethylspermine, 3,3,10,10-tetramethylspermine did not restore growth of polyamine-depleted SV-3T3 cells. Comparison of the properties of these derivatives may prove valuable in understanding the physiological role of polyamines.

Free fatty acids, lipid peroxidation, and lysosomal enzymes in experimental focal cerebral ischemia in primates: loss of lysosomal latency by lipid peroxidation

Experimental focal cerebral ischemia was produced in monkeys (Macaca radiata) by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). The release of the lysosomal glycosidases, beta-D-hexosaminidase, alpha-L-fucosidase and alpha-D-mannosidase into the soluble fraction in the right basal ganglia of the experimental animals was measured at different periods from 30 min to 12 hr after occlusion and compared with the corresponding sham operated control animals. There was a significant increase in the released lysosomal enzymes in the MCA occluded animals at all periods and particularly at 4 hr after occlusion. The CSF from the experimental animals also showed elevated levels of hexosaminidase and fucosidase. The free fatty acids (FFA) measured in the basal ganglia at 30 min and 2 hr after occlusion showed a 100 fold increase in the experimental animals. The predominant fatty acid released was linoleic acid (18:2) followed by arachidonic acid (20:4). Lipid peroxidation in the basal ganglia measured by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction in the presence or absence of ascorbic acid also showed a significant increase in the experimental animals at all periods with a maximum at 30 min to 2 hr after occlusion. In order to assess whether lipid peroxidation causes damage to the lysosomes and release of the enzymes, a lysosome enriched P2 fraction from the normal monkey basal ganglia was prepared and the effect of peroxidation studied. Maximum peroxidation in the P2 fraction was observed in the presence of arachidonic acid, ascorbic acid and Fe2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of Cassia alata leaf extract on hyperglycemic rats

The oral effectiveness of Cassia alata leaf extract on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats has been studied and the results compared with glybenclamide. While the extract has no effect on glucose levels in normoglycemic animals, it reduced the blood sugar value in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic animals.

A heterogeneous beta-D-glucosidase activator from monkey parotid gland and its use as an affinity ligand in the purification of human salivary beta-D-glucosidase

We have isolated a heat-stable, low molecular weight activator peptide(s) from monkey parotid gland that specifically activated human salivary beta-D-glucosidase. This activator appeared to be heterogeneous on Sephadex G-25 gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. About 45% of the human salivary beta-glucosidase could bind to the activator immobilised on Sepharose and be eluted by Cutscum. The purified enzyme was nearly homogeneous, with a subunit Mr of 46,000 as revealed by SDS-gel electrophoresis and silver staining.

Spinal cord edema, 5-hydroxytryptamine, lipid peroxidation, and lysosomal enzyme release after acute contusion and compression injury in primates

Physical and biochemical changes in the spinal cord of monkeys at 1/2, 2, and 4 hours following 200 g cm contusion injury and 50 g of compression injury and 2 hours of decompression following 4 hours of compression were studied. The pathophysiologic changes were milder in compression compared to contusion injury. Following contusion injury, at 1/2 and 2 hours there was significant increase in % water content, lipid peroxidation, and alpha-L-fucosidase. alpha-D-Mannosidase was significantly increased at all time periods, and beta-D-hexosaminidase was increased at 1/2 and 4 hours. At 4 hours following injury, serotonin (5 HT) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) showed a significant increase. From 10 minutes to 2 hours there was increased platelet aggregation. In compression injury, a significant increase in water content and 5 HT was observed only at 1/2 hour. Lipid peroxidation had increased at all time periods, whereas B-D-hexosaminidase, beta-D-galactosidase, and 5-HIAA were increased at 2 hours. alpha-D-Mannosidase had increased at 1/2 and 2 hours, and alpha-L-fucosidase had increased at 4 hours. After 2 hours decompression following 4 hours compression, water content, beta-D-galactosidase, and alpha-D-Mannosidase were significantly increased. An attempt was made to correlate the findings and to understand the sequential pathophysiologic changes in the first 4 hours following spinal cord trauma, providing a baseline for evaluation of the efficacy of any therapeutic maneuvers.

Hepatic capillariasis

The clinico-pathologic features of Capillaria hepatica infection in a 27-year-old Nigerian woman are discussed. This animal parasite has been encountered only rarely in humans. Less than 30 cases of human infection, mostly in children, having been recorded as far as the present authors are aware. This is the first case of hepatic capillariasis reported in West Africa. The pathologic features of this patient is marked by severe hepatic fibrosis, and this is correlated with disordered liver function. The possibility of histopathologic confusion with schistosomiasis mansoni is discussed.