Myofibrils and transverse tubules in glycerol-treated frog skeletal muscle

Effects of glycerol (400 mM) on the structure of frog skeletal muscle were reported based on measurements of the diameters of myofibrils and transverse tubules (T-tubules). The diameter of the myofibrils decreased to about 0.58 micron from the normal size of 0.79 micron during glycerol treatment, but the spacing between the myofibrils became wider. The size did not recover to the initial value even after return of the muscle to the Ringer solution. T-tubule diameters increased to 35-55 nm from the normal size of about 30 nm in glycerol-treated muscle, and the size was maintained after return of the muscle to the Ringer solution.

Perisinusoidal cells in a three-dimensional organization of the adrenal cortex in the monkey

The adrenal cortex in the macaque monkey was examined under the SEM and TEM to elucidate the surface fine structure of perisinusoidal cells in a three-dimensional organization of the cortex. Parenchymal cells in polyhedral form were arranged in acini in the zona glomerulosa, or in the laminae of closely stacked cells in the zona fasciculata and reticularis. Those acini and laminae were accompanied by sinusoids lined only with an endothelium. Endothelial cells were composed of a protruded perikaryon and a thin layer of peripheral cytoplasm in sieve plates with numerous fenestrations. The perikaryon was sometimes equipped with groups of fenestrated disc-like protrusions. Fine collagen fibrils were distributed in the perisinusoidal space, which was a continuous, slit-like lacune between the endothelial and parenchymal cells. In the perisinusoidal space or intercellular spaces among parenchymal cells were seen two types of perisinusoidal cells: the stellate interstitial cells with several spiny, or attenuated processes entangled with collagen fibrils, and the monstrous wandering cells usually associated with pseudopodia-like processes. The cytoplasm of the interstitial cells showed a structure similar to that of fibroblasts, and contained small numbers of lipid droplets. Intravenously injected chicken blood cells were phagocytized by macrophages on the sinusoidal lining. The fine cytological structure of the macrophages was almost the same as that of the wandering cells. The present findings suggest that the interstitial cells are fibroblastic in nature and belong to the vitamin-A storing cell system, and that the wandering cells are macrophages derived from hematogenous monocytes.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of cysts in the renal cortex of the macaque monkey

Renal cysts in the cortex of the monkey kidney were observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, in an attempt to determine the three-dimensional structures of the epithelial cells in these cysts. The cysts were composed of a thin wall which limited a large spherical space containing a jelly-like substance and some wandering cells. Rudimentary tufts of glomerular capillaries and/or a mound-like swelling were present on the inner surface of the cyst wall, and the inner surface of the cysts was lined with an epithelium with pedicles. The epithelial cells were podocytes, whose surface structure was similar to that on the glomerular capillary in the normal renal corpuscle. The terminal foot processes were characteristically interdigitated not only on the glomerular capillaries, but also on the mound-like swelling and concave surface of the parietal portion of the cyst. A discrete, smooth-surfaced area was found on the side opposite to the glomerulus or swelling. This area was covered by squamous epithelial cells. At the peripheral zone of the smooth-surfaced area, elongated epithelial cells were demonstrated. Our findings indicate that the podocyte layer of the cyst corresponds to the internal leaflet of Bowman's capsule, and the squamous cell layer to the external leaflet. The mound-like swelling covered by podocytes is considered to represent a stage of possible evagination of the tufts of glomerular capillaries. There was no evidence of an opening of the urinary tubule in the cyst wall.

Susceptibility of Kintoki bean lectin to digestive enzymes in vitro and its behavior in the digestive organs of mouse in vivo

The enzymatic digestion of a Kintoki bean lectin in vitro resulted in neither the extensive hydrolysis nor complete inactivation of the lectin. The majority of [3H]lectin administered to mice by stomach-intubation was found in the digestive tract at levels of 88.7%, 99.4%, 99.5% and 78.6%, after 0.5, 2, 5 and 24h of intubation, respectively. Twenty to forty percent of the administered radioactivity was found combined with the mucosa of the small intestine. After 24 h of intubation, part of the radioactivity was found in the feces. The recovery test of hemagglutinating activity and the molecular weight determination of the lectin administered to and recovered from mice revealed that more than 70% of the radioactivity detected in the digestive tract represented intact lectin. Therefore, it was concluded that most of the Kintoki bean lectin survived its passage through the gastrointestinal tract. The lectin-binding sites in the intestinal mucosa were traced with fluorescence microscopy using the lectin conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The fluorescent sites were found located at the top and upper sites of the villi, but not at the crypt.

Scanning- and transmission electron-microscopic study of lymphatic vessels in the splenic white pulp of the macaque monkey

The fine structure of the lymphatic vessels in splenic white pulp of the macaque monkey was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Lymphatic vessels were slit-like or widened channels which extended along central arteries and their large branches. The walls of the vessels were very thin in comparison with those of nearby arteries. They were composed only of a layer of endothelium supported by underlying reticular cells. Endothelial cells were mostly ribbon-like and extended along the long axis of the vessels. Perikarya of the endothelial cells were slightly protruded into the lumen. The thin peripheral cytoplasm showed smooth surfaces, except for some tiny processes, especially at boundaries between adjacent cells. The basal surface of the endothelial cells was attached to the lattice of reticular cell processes forming the framework of the white pulp. Basal laminae in strands were intercalated between endothelial cells and reticular cells. Perforations were often seen through the endothelial cell cytoplasm. Lymphocytes or processes of macrophages seen in the perforations were considered to be in migration. Large patent openings through the endothelium were not observed. The wall structure of the lymphatic vessels in the splenic white pulp suggests that lymphocytes in the white pulp may move directly into the lymph flow, in addition to moving into the blood flow via the vascular sinuses.

Oral toxicity of Kintoki bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lectin

There are several antinutritive factors in the Kintoki bean such as lectin, trypsin inhibitor, lack of methionine etc. The present experiment has revealed that lectin is mainly responsible for the growth impairment of experimental animals orally fed raw Kintoki bean. Mice fed raw Kintoki bean as the only protein source lost their body weight and died in 8 days, while mice fed the heated bean grew normally. When mice on a 10% albumin diet ingested 20 mg or 40 mg or 60 mg Kintoki bean lectin by daily stomach-feeding, their body weights were reduced to 84%, 74%, 71% of the control group after 5 days respectively and some of them could not live to complete the experiment. The apparent rates of the intestinal absorption of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein were considerably reduced, when rats were fed a diet containing 0.4% lectin. Especially, the rate of protein absorption was decreased to 26.3% from 55.5% of the control rate. The main tissues of mice that had ingested Kintoki bean lectin by stomach-feeding were subjected to microscopic observation. No changes were observed in the liver, kidney, spleen and pancreas. But in the small intestine, the epithelial cells lining the villi were considerably disordered and conspicuously disrupted. These results indicate that the Kintoki bean lectin is one of the most promoting factors for growth impairment in experimental animals and that the first target organ in the case of oral feeding is the small intestine.

[Alteration of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis after intra-arterial one-shot chemotherapy in liver cancer]

Twenty liver cancer patients, including 9 hepatocellular carcinoma and 11 with metastatic liver cancer, were treated by intra-arteral one-shot chemotherapy. Alterations in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were observed serially after one-shot chemotherapy by testing the levels of PT, APTT, FDP, fibrinogen, AT III, alpha 2-macroglobulin, and plasminogen. APTT was prolonged, FDP increased, Fbg increased after a transicent decrease, and AT III, alpha 2-M, and plasminogen decreased. The peaks of these alterations occurred within 7 days after the one-shot treatment; recovery was observed after about weeks. The more advanced the cancer, the greater were the alterations.

Toxic effects of Kintoki bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lectin on cultured animal cells

Effects of a toxic lectin from Kintoki beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, cultivar, Kintoki) on four types of animal cells were investigated. The cells used in this study were mouse L 929, human HeLa S3, and tendon and liver cells from chick embryo. The Kintoki bean lectin agglutinated these cells not only in suspension but also in monolayer, resulting in the marked growth inhibition of these cells. The incorporations of 3H-thymidine and 3H-leucine into trichloroacetic acid insoluble fraction of the cells were considerably inhibited by this lectin. There was, however, some lag period before the revelation of the inhibition. Kintoki bean lectin bound to these cells within 1 hr. The type of the lectin receptor seemed uniform for each cell type and the number of the binding sites per cell was different from cell type to cell type. When Kintoki bean lectin was removed from the culture medium, these cells slowly recovered back to normal growth.

Long-term evaluation of non-surgical treatment of osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint

For 25 patients with osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the course of the clinical symptoms consisting of limitation of mouth opening, pain, joint sound, mandibular deviation and facial deformity was studied throughout a long follow-up period. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiographical and laboratory findings. It turned out that after a long period, only 1 patient still suffered from a disease without any improvement. Clinical signs and symptoms exhibited a tendency of gradual improvement, and the number of patients who did not attend the TMJ clinic further increased gradually after the first year. With regard to pain, only slight occasional pain was observed by 4 patients, 15 patients became free from pain, and the remaining patients did not return to the TMJ clinic after a period of 18 months. Sound produced by movements in the joint were observed in 22 patients at the first examination; at least 5 patients still had this symptom 18 months later, 10 patient only exhibited symptoms on rare occasions or were free from noises, and 7 patients no longer attended the TMJ clinic. 45.8% of the total number of patients recovered from the mandibular deviation, and 80% showed satisfactory mouth opening (more than 35 mm) at the last examination. Facial deformity was observed in at least 4 patients after a long follow-up period.

The lethal protein from Kintoki beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) identified as a lectin

A glycoprotein isolated from Kintoki beans (Phaseolus vulgaris cultivar Kintoki) agglutinated human erythrocytes of all types and erythrocytes of rat, rabbit, sheep, and mouse. The lectin activity was not affected by 1 hr heating at 60 degrees C, but decreased slightly on heating for the same period at 70-80 degrees C and markedly at 90-100 degrees C. The activity was inhibited by galactose, lactose, N-acetyl galactosamine and fetuin. The inhibition was, however, weak, as often found for nonspecific lectins. The activity did not change when tyrosine residues or small parts of amino groups were modified, but decreased considerably when histidine residues or carboxyl groups were modified. This lectin was found to be relatively resistant to trypsin, and, particularly, to pepsin. All mice died within 48 hr when 200 microgram lectin per gram body weight was injected intraperitoneally and 14 microgram intravenously. The toxic activity changed in parallel with the lectin activity upon various treatments of the glycoprotein. In addition, blood analyses of injected mice suggested that the toxicity might be developed by the action of the lectin on blood cells.

Cytophilic antithyroglobulin antibody and antibody-dependent monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity in Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies cytophilic for human monocytes were detected in the serum of 30 of 45 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis using the passive rosette technique. These antibodies conferred on normal monocytes the ability to form rosettes with Tg-coated erythrocyres (E-Tg) in vitro. The percentage of E-Tg rosette-forming monocytes was correlated with serum anti-Tg antibody titers measured by tanned sheep red cell hemagglutination. Most serum cytophilic activities were recovered in the immunoglobulin G fraction and were not affected by heating to 56 C for 30 min or ultracentrifugation at 105,000 X g for 60 min. Passive E-Tg rosette formation by monocytes was immunologically specific and was inhibited by the addition of small amounts of free Tg into the medium but was not inhibited by the addition of normal human serum. The anti-Tg antibody-armed monocytes became cytotoxic against Tg-coated chicken erythrocytes and lysed target erythrocytes by an extracellular mechanism. It was suggested that monocytes might be armed by cytophilic antibodies in vivo, since monocytes of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis showed increased E-Tg binding (rosette formation) relative to monocytes from control subjects. These findings support the possible pathogenetic involvement of monocytes in human autoimmune thyroiditis.

[The effect of gamma-oryzanol on rat pituitary hormone secretion (author's transl)]

gamma-oryzanol (gamma-OZ), a ferulic acid ester of triterpene alcohol, was investigated with regard to its effect on pituitary LH, GH, prolactin and TSH secretion in normal male (M) and ovariectomized female (OVX) rats. gamma-OZ showed a suppressive tendency of LH by a single intravenous injection and also markedly reduced the LH release induced by LHRH when compared with only vehicle-dosed control groups in M and OVX rats. Serum prolactin release induced by TRH was markedly suppressed by 6 days pretreatment with gamma-OZ in OVX rats. These data suggest that gamma-OZ is a potent inhibitor of LH release and may be a weak inhibitor of prolactin in rats.

Effects of nickel ion on the conduction of action potentials in non-myelinated nerve fibre of crayfish

Effects of NiCL2 and PCMB (p-chloromercuribenzoate) on the action potential were examined by the method of extra- and intracellular electrodes, using a single nerve fibre of crayfish. The results obtained were as follows : The conduction of the action potential was blocked by treating the nerve fibre with Ni ion or PCMB. The blockade was easily recovered by replacement with cysteine. The process of the blockade and recovery, which could be repeated several times, was fairly characteristic such that the more repetition led the sooner blockade and the harder recovery. No conduction block was observed by treatment with Ni-cysteine mixed solution nor with PCMB-cysteine solution. The critical concentration for blocking was 1.1 x 10(-4)M for NiCL2 and 5.6 x 10(-6) M for PCMB. The action potential was disappeared without any change in the resting potential by treatment with the chemicals, which gave significant effects on the rising and falling phases of the action potential before the blockade.

Recurrent transient thyrotoxicosis with painless thyroiditis--a case report

A case of a 40-year-old woman who was suffering from painless thyroiditis with recurrent transient thyrotoxicosis is reported. Acute exacerbations occurred four times during the past ten years, two after delivery and two after catching a cold. Serum thyroid hormones increased, though radioiodine uptake by the thyroid was very low and no inflammatory signs were observed. The histological findings of the thyroid were of atypical thyroiditis and not consistent with either chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or subacute thyroiditis. Tanned sheep red cell hemagglutination titers for anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TRC) and for anti-microsomal antibodies (MHA) were negative or low. The disease seems to be rare and the pathophysiology and etiology are discussed.

Nuclear-magnetic-resonance study of aggregations and conformations of melanostatin and related peptides

The 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of melanostatin (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2) and related peptides (Pro-Leu-Gly, Z-Pro-Leu-Gly, Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 and Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-OCH3, where Z = benzyloxycarbonyl) were analysed in a variety of solvents. At physiological pH, the melanostatin molecule is N-protonated in aqueous solution. The concentration dependences of the chemical shifts of amide-proton and carbonyl-carbon resonances and of proton spin-lattice relaxation times were observed in relation to molecular aggregations. In dimethylsulfoxide solution, aggregations were observed for N-protonated melanostatin and Pro-Leu-Gly prepared with HCl and for the Na salt of Z-Pro-Leu-Gly but not for N-protonated melanostatin prepared with HClO4 or HNO3, unprotonated melanostatin, Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2, or Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-OCH3. The leucine NH and glycine CO groups of N-protonated melanostatin are involved in the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of aggregates. The leucine NH group of N-protonated Pro-Leu-Gly also forms the intermolecular hydrogen bond. The solvent and temperature dependences of the chemical shifts of amide-proton and carbonyl-carbon resonances were measured to determine intramolecular hydrogen bonding. In dimethylsulfoxide solution, N-protonated melanostatin molecules in part take the beta-turn structure and the trans carboxamide NH proton and carbonyl oxygen of the proline residue form an intramolecular hydrogen bond.

Hydrogen-deuterium substitution and solvent effects on the nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance of gramicidin S: evaluation of secondary structure

Complete assignments of nitrogen-15 resonances of gramicidin S have been made in dimethyl sulfoxide, trifluoroethanol, and in a solvent mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide (50%) and methanol (50%). The assignments are achieved by utilizing the secondary structure of gramicidin S, by comparing the nitrogen-15 spectrum of gramicidin S with that of di-N-methylphenylalanine-gramicidin S and by taking into account the distinguishable value of nitrogen-15 chemical shift for valine in model compounds. Deuterium substitution for labile peptide protons was performed to delineate solvent shielded and deshielded peptide nitrogens and to substantiate further the signal assignments. The solvent titration on going from dimethyl sulfoxide to trifluoroethanol was also performed and shown to have a large deshielding effect on the peptide nitrogen whose corresponding peptide carbonyl, within the peptide moiety, was accessible to the trifluroethanol solvent.

Scanning electron microscopy of the renal corpuscle of the mesonephros in the lamprey, Entosphenus japonicus Martens

The renal corpuscle of the lamprey mesonephros was studied under the scanning electron microscope. Bowman's capsules with individual spaces are chockshaped sacs closely packed together along a medial artery. The lateral walls of the capsules are apposed to those of neighbouring capsules. Glomerular capillaries from the medial artery extend radially between the apposed walls of neighbouring Bowman's capsules. Bulgings of capillaries into the capsular space are associated with mesangial folds of the capsular epithelium. The transitional zone of the visceral layer with podocytes and the parietal layer of squamous epithelium is bounded by linearly arranged rod-shaped epithelial cells. Apertures of the urinary tubule are lined by cells equipped with a fascicle of cilia.

Scanning and transmission electronmicroscopy of leukemic lymphoma cells without T- and B-cell surface markers

The lymphoma cells from a patient with leukemia lymphoblastic sarcoma (Kiel classification) were observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These cells were also examined by E, EA, EAC rosette-formation tests and by the indirect immunofluorescence technique for surface immunoglobulins. The malignant cells showed failure of rosette-formation or absence of surface immunoglobulins. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that many uniform protrusions were present on the cell surfaces. These surface protrusions were different from those seen on E-or EAC-rosette-forming cells. Ultrastructurally, the malignant cells were characterized by long profiles of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum with regular, narrow cisternae which radiated from Golgi area to the periphery of cytoplasm. These appearances differed from those observed in T-or B-lymphoma cells.

The isolation and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from Kintoki bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

A trypsin inhibitor was isolated from beans of Phaseolus vulgaris, cultivar. Kintoki, and the specific activity increased 200 times as high as that of the crude extract. It was homogeneous on several electrophoreses and the molecular weight was about 13,000. The amino acid composition was characterized by high ratios of cystine, aspartic acid, and serine. It inhibited trypsin in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 and alpha-chymotrypsin in a molar ratio of 2 : 1. It, however, inhibited neither pepsin nor pronase. It was relatively stable to heat treatment in the acidic medium, but not in the alkaline medium. Neither pepsin nor pronase destroyed the inhibitory function.

[Detection of the antithyroglobulin antibody precipitated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) (author's transl)]

It is well known that the antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibody plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis (chronic thyroiditis). The anti-Tg antibody is detected by double diffusion in agar gel, the fluorescent antibody technique and the tanned red cell haemagglutination test (TRC). The most widely used method is the TRC test, but it is negative in about 30 percent of the patients with chronic thyroiditis. In this paper, we have reported the detection of the anti-Tg antibody in serum using a modified Farr's method. In our method, PEG was used instead of ammonium sulfate to precipitate the immune complex formed in vitro between labelled Tg and the autoantibody. Percent 125I-Tg precipitated was 4.7 +/- 3.1 percent in normal controls; 20.4 +/- 11.4 percent in TRC negative sera were detected by this method. A good correlation was found between TRC titer and percent 125I-Tg precipitated by the PEG method in patients with chronic thyroiditis. By this method, the anti-Tg antibody was also detected in the sera of rabbits immunised with human Tg earlier than that detected by the TRC and double diffusion tests. The sensitivity and simplicity of this method provide a useful tool in detecting the anti-Tg antibody in clinical as well as in experimental work.

Influence of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone tartrate monohydrate on plasma gonadotropin concentration of normal males

Synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) tartrate monohydrate was administered by rapid intravenous injection to nine normal males. Plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured before and at selected periods after TRH injection. The mean plasma TSH value immediately prior to TRH injection was 3.5 muU/ml and the level 15 min after injection was 14.8 muU/ml. The mean plasma LH value immediately prior to TRH injection was 8.0 mIU/ml and the level 15 min after injection was 15.0 mIU/ml. The latter elevation was statistically significant (p less than 0.01), although it was just above the upper normal range. The mean plasma FSH value immediately prior to TRH injecion was 7.7 mIU/ml, and a significant difference was not observed after TRH administration. These results revealed that synthetic TRH tartrate monohydrate influenced the release of LH from the anterior pituitary.

Transient appearance of a provocative growth hormone response to L-dopa following incomplete adenomectomy in an acromegalic patient

A 33-year female patient with active acromegaly and hyperthyroidism was examined before and after incomplete removal of a pituitary adenoma. Before adenomectomy the mean basal plasma GH level was 786+/-189 ng/ml. After surgery this value decreased to 251+/-22 ng/ml. Before surgery L-dopa decreased the plasma GH levels, but after adenomectomy normal GH responses were transiently observed to L-dopa. At 10 months after incomplete surgery the GH response to L-dopa became abnormal again despite a lower GH concentration. These findings suggest that the abnormal GH response to L-dopa may be due to a short-loop negative feedback system which was reset by an elevated GH level.

The isolation and characterization of a lethal protein from Kintoki beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

A lethal protein with hemagglutinating activity but without trypsin inhibitory activity was isolated from beans of Phaseolus vulgaris, cultiva, and Kintoki and proved homogeneous by ultracentrifugation, disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sodium dodesyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The molecular weight was estimated to be 104, 000 by ultracentrifugal analysis and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The molecule dissociates into three identical subunits in the presence of 8 M urea or 0.1% sodium dodesyl sulfate. The amino acid composition was characterized by the high content of aspartic acid and the complete absence of methionine and cystine. The carbohydrate content was 8.1%; 5.0% mannose and 3.1% glucosamine. The addition of the lethal protein to a basal diet (0.4%) resulted in the intensive depression of the growth and finally in the death of rats. The intraperitoneal injection of 250 microgram per g body weight of mouse brought about an acute toxicity which caused death of all the injected mice.

[Plasma prolactin and thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) in patients with breast cancer (author's transl)]

In order to investigate plasma prolactin and thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) concentration and pituitary reserve of these two hormones in patients with breast cancer, following examinations were carried out. Plasma prolactin concentration was measured before and 15, 30, 60, 90 minutes after the 500mug of thyrotropin-releasing-hormone (TRH) i.v. injection in 22 patients with breast cancer and 4 patients with benign breast disease. All patients did not take any hormonal therapy and any medication inducing prolactin secretion. Ten healthy females were also tested as controls. Plasma prolactin concentration was estimated by a double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique using hPRL RIA kit provided by NIAMDD. The basal prolactin concentration in patients with breast cancer was 18.6 +/- ng/ml (Mean +/- SEM), and it was slightly higher than the control group (14.7 +/- 2.2 ng/ml), but not statistically significant. In 6 out of 22 patients with breast cancer, high plasma prolactin concentrations more than 25 ng/ml were observed. The maximal plasma prolactin concentration following the TRH injection was obtained at 15-30 minutes after TRH in most patients with breast cancer. The maximal value was 87.4 +/- 9.2 ng/ml, and it was near the upper limit of normal range of prolactin response, and not significantly higher than the maximal value in the control group (59.7 +/- 5.7 ng/ml). In 7 patients with breast cancer, the maximal prolactin values more than 100 ng/ml were obtained after TRH injection. There was no statistically significant difference between early breast cancer group (TNM: stage I & II, N=14) and advanced breast cancer group (TNM: stage III & IV, N=6) in both the plasma prolactin concentration and the pituitary prolactin reserve...

Purification and partial characterization of a protein proteinanse inhibitor isolated from eggplant exocarp

A protein proteinase inhibitor was isolated and purified from eggplant exocarp by heat treatment, ammomium sulfate fractionation, column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 and G-50. The final purified preparation of the inhibitor was found homogeneous by electrophoretic analysis. The inhibitor showed strong and stoichiometric inhibition on trypsin whereas it showed weak inhibition on alpha-chymotrypsin. It displayed no inhibiting characteristics on pepsin. The molecular weight of the inhibitor was estimated to be approximately 6000. This finding, with the trypsin inhibition data, suggested that the inhibitor combined trypsin in the molar ratio of 1:1. The amino acid analysis indicated that the inhibitor is rich in half-cystine, glycine and aspartic acid, and contains no tryptophan, histidine, methionine or valine.

Synthesis of elastin. A rapid formation of lysine-derived crosslinks by chick embryo aorta

Aortas of 13-day-old chick embryo were labeled for 0.5 hr with [14C]lysine and subjected to a serial extraction after chase for 1-24 hr with [12C]lysine. Substantial radioactivity was found in insoluble elastin after 3 hr chase. The effect of beta-amino-propionitrile on labeling with [14C]lysine was also examined. Each fraction was hydrolyzed and applied to a short column on an amino acid analyzer. Radioactivity was found in desmosine and isodesmosine of insoluble elastin as early as 1 hr after the beginning of chase. The radioactivity increased rapidly at 2 hr and very slowly thereafter. A large count, which was separated into five peaks on a long column, was observed in other lysine derivatives at 2 hr and increased steadily up to 24 hr, while the lysine count decreased from 1 : 0.5 to 1 : 6 against lysine derivatives and from 1 : 0.04 to 1 : 0.9 against quarter-desmosine after 24 hr. The oxidation of lysine residues incorporated during the 0.5 hr pulse was almost completed during the first 1 hr of chase, and these oxidized residues were incorporated into crosslinks during the following 1 hr. It is suggested that poorly crosslinked elastin accumulated in the soluble fractions. The presence of crosslinking derived from lysine residues was also indicated in the microfibril fraction.

Two autopsy cases of diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis with ectodermal changes. Cronkhite-Canada syndrome

Two autopsy cases of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome were reported. The caused of hypoproteinemia, electrolyte imbalance and ectodermal changes were discussed with reference to previously reported cases. The mechanism of protein loss was probably due to outflow into the intestinal lumen of the mucous substance in the cystically dilated glands, directly and/or indirectly followed by loss of mucosal surface. Electrolyte imbalance probably developed from gastrointestinal loss as well as poor substitution. The ectodermal changes were probably not a subsequent part of the emaciation or hypoproteinemis, but an inherent part of this disease. Therapy, whether substitution or surgical procedure, should be selected in order to control the general condition of the patient.

Inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on prolactin release induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone in man

Glucocorticoid effect on thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-induced prolactin (PRL) release was studied in female patients with collagen or autoimmune diseases. Long-term, high dose glucocorticoid therapy tended to inhibit the response of plasma PRL to TRH. A negative correlation (r=-0.40) was found between the logarithm of total dose of glucocorticoids received and the magnitude of plasma PRL response to TRH (p less than .05).

Inhibition of intestinal absorption of phenylalanine by phenylalaninol

Plasma phenylalanine and tyrosine levels in rats which had been orally administered L-phenylalaninol and L-phenylalanine were determined. Since these amino acid levels in rats administered L-phenylalanine solution containing L-phenylalaninol were significantly lower than those in rats administered L-phenylalanine alone. L-phenylalaninol appears to inhibit the intestinal absorption of L-phenylalanine. This effect was more potent than that of cycloleucine. L-phenylalaninol inhibited the phenylalanine transport of everted sacs. The Km value of L-phenylalanine was 3.44 X 10(-3) M and the Ki value of L-phenylalaninol was 7.69 M 10(-3) M from Lineweaver-Burk plots. From these two curves, it appeared that L-phenylalaninol may competitively inhibit the intestinal transport of L-phenylalanine. The effects of L-phenylalanine, L-phenylalaninol and cycloleucine on the urinary excretions of Na+ and K+ in rats were also examined. Potassium excretion which increased on oral administration of L-phenylalanine, was suppressed by the administration of L-phenylalaninol but not administration of cycloleucine. L-phenylalaninol alone enhanced Na+ excretion in urine. These results confirmed that L-phenylalaninol shows inhibitory effects as potent as those of cycloleucine on the intestinal absorption of L-phenylalanine.

Conformational and spectral analysis of the polypeptide antibiotic N-methylleucine gramicidin S dihydrochloride by nuclear magnetic resonance

The 220-MHz proton magnetic resonance spectrum of the cyclic decapeptide antibiotic, mono-N-methylleucine gramicidin S, is reported and all the resonances have been assigned to specific protons of the constituent amino acids. Three methods--temperature dependence and solvent mixture (methanol-trifluoroethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide-trifluoroethanol) dependence of peptide NH proton chemical shifts and proton deuteron exchange--habe been utilized to delineate peptide NH protons. The results of the above methods, coupled with the observed vicinal alpha-CH-NH coupling constants and chemical shifts, indicate that in trifluoroethanol the peptide NH PROTONS OF D-Phe4, D-Phe9, L-Orn2, and L-Val6 are exposed to the sovent, and those of L-Val1, L-Orn7, and L-Leu8 are solvent shielded and intramolecularly hydrogen bonded. In trifluoroethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and methanol, the decapeptide has no C2 symmetry, and there are only minor conformational differences in the different solvents. In the proposed conformation in trifluoroethanol, one-half of the decapeptide retained the hydrogen bonding pattern of gramicidin S, i.e. cyclo-(L-Val1 NH--O-C L-Leu8) (a beta turn) and cyclo-(L-Leu8 NH--O-C L-Val1). The second half of the molecule exhibits a different type of stable beta turn involving the ten-atom hydrogen-bonded ring, cyclo-(L-Orn7-NH--O-C D-PHE4).