[Reaction of the pituitary gland to a single GnRH administration in the dependence of energy balance in cattle in the puerperium]

After reviewing the relevant literature about the relationship of negative energy balance post partum and the onset of cyclicity the aim of this study will be described. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the influence of negative energy balance on the sensitivity of the pituitary for GnRH. Two groups of Holstein Friesian cows were randomly treated either with GnRH (Fertagyl) or a placebo. Considering the weekly calculated negative energy balance, the reaction of the pituitary was determined by analyzing LH in 16 blood samples, collected every 20 minutes starting one hour before and ending four hours after treatment. All cows treated with GnRH showed an intensive LH-surge, significantly different from the controls. These data suggest, that the sensitivity of the pituitary gland is not directly influenced by negative energy balance. The hypothalamus has the inhibiting priority over the pituitary delaying post partum cyclicity.

Structure Investigations of Molecular Crystals Containing the Ring System Cyclo-tris(2,6-pyridylformamidine) by Means of X-ray Powder Diffraction and Force-Field-Constrained Rietveld Refinement

A new heterocyclic compound, cyclo-tris(2,6-pyridylformamidine), was synthesized as a highly crystalline powder-like substance from which very small whiskers were produced by a sublimation technique. By rotating-crystal and powder diffraction measurements, a set of structural data were obtained which were fitted mathematically to a structural model. The fitting procedure included geometry optimization byab initiocalculations, crystal structure and X-ray diffraction pattern simulation as well as structure refinement based on the newly developed Rietveld algorithmBGMN®under force-field constraints. A single-crystal structure refinement could not be carried out because of the small size of the whiskers. In order to obtain the atomic coordinates a new procedure incorporating a powder diffraction pattern refinement was used. Cyclo-tris(2,6-pyridylformamidine) crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell witha = 28.18 (1),b = 14.67 (1),c = 4.428 (1) Å, β = 90.10 (2)°. The symmetry was determined asP21/a. The expected threefold symmetry of the cyclic compound was disturbed in the crystallized state, in agreement with solid-state NMR investigations. The best approximation was obtained when water molecules were additionally packed into the unit cell.

Prolonged and enhanced secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (7-36 amide) after oral sucrose due to alpha-glucosidase inhibition (acarbose) in Type 2 diabetic patients

GLP-1, an incretin hormone of the enteroinsular axis with insulinotropic and glucagonostatic activity, is secreted after nutrient ingestion. GLP-1 is mainly produced by intestinal L-cells in the lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT); simple carbohydrates are absorbed in the upper GIT and alpha-glucosidase inhibition leads to augmented and prolonged GLP-1 release in normal subjects. In a cross-over study, 100 mg acarbose or placebo was administered simultaneously with 100 g sucrose to 11 hyperglycaemic Type 2 diabetic patients poorly controlled with diet and sulphonylureas. Plasma levels of GLP-1, insulin, C-peptide, glugacon, GIP, glucose and H2-exhalation were measured over 6 h. Differences in the integrated responses over the observation period were evaluated by repeated measurement analysis of variance with fasting values used as covariates. With acarbose, sucrose reached the colon 60-90 min after ingestion as indicated by a significant increment in breath hydrogen exhalation (p = 0.005). After an early GLP-1 increment 15 min after sucrose under both conditions, GLP-1 release was prolonged in the acarbose group (p = 0.001; significant from 210 to 360 min.). Initially (0-150 min), glucose (p = 0.001), insulin (p = 0.001), and GIP (p < 0.001) were suppressed by acarbose, whereas later there were no significant differences. Glucagon levels were higher with acarbose in the last 3 h of the 6 h observation period (p = 0.02). We conclude that in hyperglycaemic Type 2 diabetic patients, ingestion of acarbose with a sucrose load leads to elevated and prolonged GLP-1 release.

[Rationalizing the organization and structure of a trauma surgery clinic based on rationing of personal and financial resources--analysis, simulation and conversion using modern data processing techniques]

With a system of modeling, simulation, animation of information, communication in medicine (mosaic-m) the structures of organisation and information in a level 1 trauma center were analysed and animated as a virtual environment on screen in a first step. One result: in existing paper orientated documentation 50% of documentation was redundant. In a second step the requirements of the future information system were described systematically, user- and organisation-oriented. All components (hard- and software) were simulated an screen that the user could work virtually in the future working place. With mosaic-m the user is fully integrated in analysing and developing a new information system in the clinic.

Opposite effects on cytosolic Ca2+ of antitumor phospholipids by induction of calcium influx and activation of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase

The ability of four different antitumor phospholipids, 1-O-hexadecyl-2-chloro-2-deoxyglycero-3-phosphocholine (ET16CIPC), hexadecylphosphocholine (C16OPC), hexadecylphospho-L-serine analogs (C16OPS, C16OPS-N-Ac) and cytidine-5'-hexadecylphosphonophosphate (C16PCMP) to modulate the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i was studied in an immortalized human mammary epithelial cell line H184 A1N4. The compounds induced different modes of activity depending on their structure and concentration. ET16CIPC induced between 0.31 and 5 microM a concentration dependent transient increase which was followed by a sustained increase at 10 microM. Studies using LaCl3 and Mn2+ quench of the Fura-2 fluorescence indicated that both effects are the result of an extracellular Ca2+ influx. Low concentrations of C16OPC, C16OPS and C16OPS-N-Ac induced no, or only a small, transient increase, whereas C16PCMP caused a decrease in [Ca2+]i. Thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid, specific inhibitors of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, prolonged the transient [Ca2+]i increase following ET16CIPC concentration dependently, increased markedly the small transient increase following C16OPC and the C16-phosphoserine analogs and converted the decrease in the basal [Ca2+]i level induced by C16PCMP to an increase. The identical effects with thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid provide evidence that the [Ca2+]i response observed is an expression of the balance between the ability of an analog to raise [Ca2+]i and to remove Ca2+ by activation of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. This behaviour might contribute to the antiproliferative effectiveness of antitumor phospholipids.

Action of insulin on the surface morphology of hepatocytes: role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in insulin-induced shape change of microvilli

In previous studies we have shown that the insulin-responding glucose transporter isoform of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, GluT4, is almost completely located on microvilli. Furthermore, insulin caused the integration of these microvilli into the plasma membrane, suggesting that insulin-induced stimulation of glucose uptake may be due to the destruction of the cytoskeletal diffusion barrier formed by the actin filament bundle of the microvillar shaft regions [Lange et al. (1990) FEBS Lett. 261, 459-463; Lange et al. (1990) FEBS Lett. 276, 39-41]. Similar shape changes in microvilli were observed when the transport rates of adipocytes were modulated by glucose feeding or starvation. Here we demonstrate that the action of insulin on the surface morphology of hepatocytes is identical to that on 3T3L1 adipocytes; small and narrow microvilli on the surface of unstimulated hepatocytes were rapidly shortened and dilated on top of large domed surface areas. The aspect and mechanism of this effect are closely related to "membrane ruffling" induced by insulin and other growth factors. Pretreatment of hepatocytes with the PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin (100 nM), which completely prevents transport stimulation by insulin in adipocytes and other cell types, also inhibited insulin-induced shape changes in microvilli on the hepatocyte surface. In contrast, vasopressin-induced microvillar shape changes in hepatocytes [Lange et al. (1997) Exp. Cell Res. 234, 486-497] were insensitive to wortmannin pretreatment. These findings indicate that PI 3-kinase products are necessary for stimulation of submembrane microfilament dynamics and that cytoskeletal reorganization is critically involved in insulin stimulation of transport processes. The mechanism of the insulin-induced cytoskeletal reorganization can be explained on the basis of the recent finding of Lu et al. [Biochemistry 35(1996) 14027-14034] that PI 3-kinase products exhibit much higher affinity for the profilin-actin complex than the primary products, PIP and PIP2. Thus, activated PI 3-kinase may direct a flux of profilin-actin complexes to the membrane locations of activated insulin receptors, where, due to the release of actin monomers after binding of profilactin to PI(3,4)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3, massive actin polymerization is initiated. As a consequence, PI 3-kinase activation initiates a vectorial reorganization of the cellular actin system to membrane sites neighboring activated insulin receptors, giving rise to local membrane stress as visualized by extensive surface deformations and shortening of microvilli. In addition, extensive high-affinity binding of F-actin-barbed endcapping proteins enhances the cytoplasmic concentration of rapidly polymerizing filament ends. Consequently, the actin monomer concentration is lowered and the (cytoplasmic) pointed ends of the microvillar shaft bundle depolymerize and become shorter. The observations presented strengthen the previously postulated diffusion-barrier concept of glucose- and ion-uptake regulation and provide a mechanistic basis for explaining the action of insulin and other growth factors on transport processes across the plasma membrane.

Quantitative trace analysis of interleukin-3, interleukin-6, and basic model proteins using isotachophoresis-capillary zone electrophoresis with hydrodynamic counterflow

A quantitative analytical technique to determine trace concentrations of recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3), recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6), and various basic model proteins is described using isotachophoresis-capillary zone electrophoresis (ITP-CZE). Proteins were separated on coated fused-silica capillaries using a commercial capillary electrophoretic system modified for the application of isotachophoretic preconcentration with hydrodynamic counterflow. The effect of injection time and isotachophoretic focusing time was investigated and compared with predictions from existing mathematical models. Good linearity of the calibration graphs (r > 0.995) was observed for all investigated proteins. The limit of quantification was in the 10(-8) M range using UV detection at 200 nm. Within-day and between-day precision of peak area ranged between 1 and 6%. Precision was unaffected by isotachophoretic preconcentration. In conclusion, the described method is feasible to quantify trace concentrations of rhIL-3, rhIL-6, and basic proteins. Potential applications comprise issues of pharmaceutical quality control.

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine-5'-alkylphosphonophosphates and diphosphates: new orally active derivatives of ara-C

ara-Cytidine-5'-alkylphosphonophosphates and the corresponding -diphosphates were found to be cytostatically active in vitro against the human mammary epithelial cell line H184 A1N4 and the human mammary tumor cell line MaTu. Our results indicate that the replacement of the diphosphate by the phosphonophosphate group has no influence on antiproliferative activity in this case. The compounds were more active than the corresponding cytidine phospholipid conjugates and related compounds lacking a cytostatically active nucleoside, the ara-C prodrug Cytoros, and were slightly less active than ara-C. The cytostatic effect was prevented by 2'-deoxycytidine indicating their action as prodrugs of ara-C. In contrast to ara-C, they increase [Ca2+]1 in H184 A1N4 cells, pointing to a different mechanism of action in addition to their prodrug effect. In combination with phospholipid analogs, synergistic effects could be observed. Further studies within the disease-oriented in vitro Anticancer Screening Program of the National Cancer Institute show selectivity for certain cancer cell lines. The hexadecyl derivatives revealed a significant antitumor activity in vivo against the murine lymphatic leukemia P 388 cells being equally potent or even superior to ara-C. In contrast to ara-C, they were found to be orally active. Side effects measured as leukopenia and body weight reduction were less pronounced than with the parent drug.

A new concept for risk assessment of the hazards of non-genotoxic chemicals--electronmicroscopic studies of the cell surface. Evidence for the action of lipophilic chemicals on the Ca2+ signaling system

Recently, we presented evidence for the localization of components of the cellular Ca2+ signaling pathway in microvilli. On stimulation of this pathway, microvilli undergo characteristic morphological changes which can be detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the cell surface. Here we show that both receptor-mediated (vasopressin) and unspecific stimulation of the Ca2+ signaling system by the lipophilic tumor promoters thapsigargin (TG) and phorbolmyristateacetate (PMA) are accompanied by the same type of morphological changes of the cell surface. Since stimulated cell proliferation accelerates tumor development and sustained elevation of the intracellular Ca2+ concentrations is a precondition for stimulated cell proliferation, activated Ca2+ signaling is one possible mechanism of non-genomic tumor promotion. Using isolated rat hepatocytes we show that all tested lipophilic chemicals with known tumor promoter action, caused characteristic microvillar shape changes. On the other hand, lipophilic solvents that were used as differentiating agents in cell cultures such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide also, failed to change the microvillar shapes. Instead DMSO stabilized the original appearance of microvilli. The used technique provides a convenient method for the evaluation of non-genomic carcinogenicity of chemicals prior to their industrial application.

New nucleoside-5'-alkylphosphonophosphates and related compounds containing 2'-deoxycytidine, thymidine and adenosine as nucleoside component. Syntheses and their effects on tumor cell growth in vitro

Recent studies have shown that phosphono analogs of cytidine-5'-diphosphate diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) possessing a structurally modified lipid moiety exhibit antiproliferative activity in vitro. As an extension of our previous work we tried to elucidate whether the presence of the cytidine component is necessary for cytostatic activity. In this context we have synthesized similarly structured nucleoside-phospholipid conjugates containing nucleoside components other than cytidine, which also do not exhibit cytostatic properties as such. The compounds include 5'-alkyldiphosphates and 5'-alkylphosphonophosphates of 2'-deoxycytidine, thymidine and adenosine with different alkyl chain length as well as selected 3-hexadecyl-2-chloro-2-deoxyglycero-(1)-diphosphates and -phosphonophosphates of these nucleosides. The chemical structures of the newly synthesized nucleoside-phospholipid conjugates were confirmed by fast atom bombardment (FAB) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. It was found that these compounds also inhibit the cell growth of different human cell lines, i.e. the presence of the cytidine component is not a necessary prerequisite for the antiproliferative activity of these nucleoside-phospholipid conjugates.

Modulation of the cytosolic Ca++ concentration by alkylphospho-L-serine analogs: relation to their antiproliferative action

Antiproliferative alkyllysophospholipid (ALP) analogs produced multiple effects on the cytosolic Ca++ concentration ([Ca++]i) in an immortalized human breast epithelial cell line (H 184). The addition of small concentrations resulted in a short transient [Ca++]i response. With higher concentrations the transient rise was followed by a sustained increase. Pretreatment of cells with the ALP analogs for two minutes inhibited the transient [Ca++] response. Increases in [Ca++]i and inhibition of the transient increase were studied in relation to the dose and structure of several ALP analogs. In a series of alkylphospho-L-serine analogs with different lengths of the alkyl chain we found different dependencies of the stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the dose and the structure. The ability to increase [Ca++]i is absent with the C14 and C15 analogs, is low with the C16 and high with the C18 analog. With the exception of the C12 analog, a dose-related inhibition was observed with all derivatives but the effective concentrations differed very strongly and the maximal potency was reached with the C15 and C16 analogs. The antiproliferative action seems to correlate rather with the potency to inhibit the transient [Ca++]i response than with its stimulation.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of cytidine-5'-alkylphosphonophosphates and structurally related compounds

The chemical synthesis of cytidine-5'-alkyl- and cytidine-5'-alkyl (acyl)deoxyglycerophosphonophosphates is reported. The compounds obtained represent a novel class of cytostatically active agents based on phospholipids, which inhibit the growth of various tumor cell lines in vitro. They are phosphono analogs of the cytidine-5'-diphosphate-diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) possessing a structurally modified lipid moiety and a phospholipase C-resistant P-C bond. The antiproliferative efficacy of the cytidine-5'-alkylphosphonophosphates strongly depends on the alkyl chain length. The cytidine-5'-hexadecylphosphonophosphate was found to be the most effective compound tested in this study. Its cytostatic effect was distinctly higher than that of the alkyl(acyl) deoxyglycero derivatives and of the corresponding diphosphates. The structure of the new compounds were confirmed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB). The FAB fragmentation pattern is discussed.

[Prophylactic effect of specific egg yolk antibodies in diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli K88 (F4) in weaned piglets]

In this study, the protective effect of specific egg yolk antibodies on diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli K88 (F4) was investigated with 179 weaning piglets in a double-blind field trial. The piglets were divided into three groups. The antibody group received egg powder with specific antibodies to E. coli K88, K99, 987P, and rotavirus, while one control group was fed with egg powder without specific antibodies and a second control group received no egg powder at all. The piglets were fed ad libitum. The egg powder was offered in a 5% feed ration. Compared with the control groups, the piglets of the antibody group showed significant differences (P < 0.05, chi 2-test) in the parameters rate of diarrhea (17.2%) (antibody group) to 60.7% (control egg group) or 56.7% (control group without egg powder), severity of symptoms (5.2-39.3% or 26.7%) and frequency of additional treatments (8.6-55.7% or 51.7%). Because of the additional treatments, no difference could be found in body-weight gain. In control groups, three piglets died, while no pigs died in the antibody group.

Potential of on-line isotachophoresis-capillary zone electrophoresis with hydrodynamic counterflow in the analysis of various basic proteins and recombinant human interleukin-3

Isotachophoresis-capillary zone electrophoresis with hydrodynamic counterflow was applied to the analysis of various basic model proteins and recombinant human interleukin-3. The use of coated capillaries and simple modifications of a commercial capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) system allowed the detection of concentrations in the 10(-8) M region. The limit of detection was decreased by a factor of 100 compared to conventional CZE. The separation efficiency was unaffected by the preceding isotachophoretic step. Our method is applicable to the analysis of proteins with an isoelectric point higher than 7.0.

Induction of apoptosis in human lymphocytes treated with Viscum album L. is mediated by the mistletoe lectins

Viscum album L. (VAL) is a phytopreparation used in adjuvant cancer therapy with both immunostimulatory and DNA stabilizing properties at low drug concentrations and cytostatic/cytotoxic properties at higher concentrations. The present work examines the cytotoxic effects of VAL extracts produced from mistletoes grown on different host trees and of purified toxic proteins from VAL, such as the D-galactose-specific lectin I (ML I), the N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-specific ML II and ML III, and crude viscotoxins towards cultured human lymphocytes. The decrease in the number of cultured lymphocytes and blast cells treated with whole plant extracts from VAL was host tree-specific. Nevertheless, there was no close correlation to the content of MLs or viscotoxins. Using the purified proteins, it became obvious that the cell killing was mediated by the induction of apoptosis, as measured by the appearance of a hypodiploid DNA peak using flow cytometry. ML III was the most effective to induce apoptosis, followed by ML II and ML I, while the viscotoxins and oligosaccharides from VAL did not. By measuring the surface expression of IL-2R alpha chains, transferrin receptors and APO-1/Fas molecules on non-apoptotic T cells, no significant changes were observed at low ML concentrations (1 ng/ml), but their decrease at higher ones. Our findings suggest that there might be at least two different ways of cell killing operative in VAL-mediated cytotoxicity: (a) the typical apoptotic cell death with the appearance of hypo-diploid nuclei, and (b) a direct or indirect killing by damaging the cell membrane with subsequent influx of Ca2+ and of the DNA intercalating dye propidium iodide and cell shrinkage. These effects might not be exclusive, as they probably occur simultaneously.

Effect of ALP analogs on inositol trisphosphate formation in H184 mammary epithelial cells before and after transfection with v-erb B oncogene

The influence of cytostatically active alkyllysophospholipid analogs with different chemical structure on IP3 (inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate) formation and intracellular Ca++ concentration was studied in human mammary epithelial cells before and after transfection with v-erb B oncogene DNA. Transformed cells showed an increased IP3 formation compared with normal cells. In the presence of ALP (alkyllysophospholipid) analogs IP3 formation is inhibited more strongly in transformed cells than in normal cells, dependent on the structure of ALP analogs. Furthermore, these compounds increased [Ca++]i (intracellular Ca++ concentration) in transformed cells much more strongly than in normal cells. From these results, obtained in pursuit of an oncogene-related cancer treatment, it follows that ALP analogs may inhibit processes in signal transduction in cells more strongly after transfection with a defined oncogene than before.

Multiple effects of antitumor alkyl-lysophospholipid analogs on the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in a normal and a breast cancer cell line

Synthetic alkyl-lysophospholipids (ALP) are a new class of antitumor agents which interact with the cell membrane and the intracellular signal transduction at several sites. We studied the modulation of the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca++]i) induced by two alkylglycerophosphocholines as well as hexadecylphosphocholine and hexadecylphosphoserine in a nontumorigenic and in a tumorigenic breast cell line. We found three distinct [Ca++]i-modulating effects: a transient increase, a decrease and a sustained increase. Their relative contribution to the observed response varies with different cell types, with the proliferation state, with the structure and with the concentration of the ALP analogs. The transient as well as the sustained increase in [Ca++]i depend mainly on extracellular Ca++; however, the Ca++ influx-inducing pathways might be different. The multiple [Ca++]i-increasing and decreasing effects induced by ALP analogs are discussed in relation to their influence on numerous Ca(++)-dependent effects, e.g. proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and cytotoxicity.

Multidrug resistance of murine leukemia cells characterization and correlation with cytochrome P-450 dependent activities, cytosolic calcium and cell cycle state

This paper reports studies on P388 leukemic cells sensitive and resistant to ADR and VCR. The P450 dependent enzyme system and the cytosolic calcium were estimated and are discussed in relation to MDR. It could be shown, in comparison to sensitive P388 cells, that the plasma membrane permeability for fluorescent dyes like rhodamine 123 and fura-2 and the biotransformation of xenobiotics are changed in resistant cells. Whereas the transport behaviour for the dyes is similarly induced in resistant cells independent of the drug which made the MDR, the P450 dependent enzyme activities are strongly increased in P388/ADR in comparison to the P388 and P388/VCR. The cell cycle analysis shows the same effect. Many more cells of P388/ADR are in the S-phase in comparison to P388 or P388/VCR. The LI is also increased in this direction. Therefore, it can be concluded that, depending on the kind of drug which made the MDR, different biochemical mechanisms are activated.