Mechanism of the therapeutic effect of anisodamine in disseminated intravascular coagulation: study of platelet adhesion and aggregation, malondialdehyde, thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and microcirculation

Acute disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a life-threatening condition that may be encountered in many situations, especially in cases of shock with uncontrollable hemorrhage. Anisodamine, an alkaloid extracted from a Chinese herb, is well known for its dramatic therapeutic effect on DIC. Sixty male rabbits were used to establish an acute DIC model. A total of 240 blood samples were taken for laboratory assays of changes in blood coagulation factors, platelet count, platelet adhesion, platelet aggregation, malondialdehyde (MDA), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha). Changes of the microcirculatory status and the rate of the blood flow in the conjunctival capillaries of 60 rabbits were observed with WXS-II microcirculation microscope. Pathological sections of the lungs and kidneys were studied. Our investigation showed the presence of microthrombi in the microvasculature. After treatment with anisodamine, the prothrombin time stayed in the normal range, fibrinogen consumption was lessened, adenosine-diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited, thromboxane B2 and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly lower than in the control group, and the elevated quantity of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was spared. We concluded that the anti-platelet-aggregating, microcirculation-facilitating, thromboxane-B2-inhibiting, malondialdehyde-inhibiting, and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha-sparing effects of anisodamine are the important mechanisms of its dramatic therapeutic effect on DIC.

Oxytocin receptors in bovine mammary tissue

Oxytocin receptors were identified and characterized in bovine mammary tissue. [3H]-oxytocin was specifically bound to the 105,000 X g particulate fractions from 5 lactating cows and 5 non-lactating cows. Binding reached equilibrium by 50 min at 20 degrees C and by 8 hr at 4 degrees C. The half-time of displacement at 20 degrees C was approximately 1 hr. ACTH, TRH, angiotensin I, angiotensin II, pentagastrin, bradykinin, xenopsin and L-valyl-histidyl-L-leucyl-L-threonyl- L-prolyl-L-valyl-L-glutamyl-L-lysine were not competitive in the dose range tested at 20 degrees C. The ability of other peptides to inhibit 3H-oxytocin binding was as follows: oxytocin greater than vasotocin greater than arginine - vasopressin greater than lysine - vasopressin greater than Pen1 Phe2 Thr4 - oxytocin. The Kd of the oxytocin receptor averaged 1.66 +/- 1.19 nMol/L for lactating cows and 0.97 +/- nMol/L for non-lactating cows, respectively. The maximum number of binding sites was 0.14 +/- 0.12 nM/mg protein and 0.15 +/- 0.08 nM/mg protein for lactating cows and non-lactating cows, respectively. Identification and characterization of these receptors now makes it possible to study the dynamics of hormonal binding throughout various physiological states of the animal.

Expression of interleukin-1 in Reed-Sternberg cells and neoplastic cells from true histiocytic malignancies

Interleukin-1, a peptide produced by monocytes, histiocytes, and interdigitating reticulum cells, plays an important role in the regulation of immune function. In this styde, we examined the production of interleukin-1 in 115 patients with a variety of human lymphomas by using a rabbit anti-interleukin-1 antibody and the immunoperoxidase technique. Interleukin-1 was detected in Reed-Sternberg cells from 20 patients with Hodgkin's disease as well as in neoplastic cells from 9 patients with true histiocytic lymphoma or malignant histiocytosis. In the other 86 cases, which included T- and B-cell lymphomas, no interleukin-1 could be detected. This result indicates a close relationship between Hodgkin's disease and true histiocytic malignancies and provides additional evidence to support our hypothesis that Reed-Sternberg cells are related to interdigitating reticulum cells.