Respuesta a la carta al Editor

Le agradecemos por darnos la oportunidad de contestar a la carta “Magnitud del tamaño del efecto y su importancia en la investigación pediátrica”1 del Dr. Tomás Caycho. También quisiéramos agradecer por las observaciones y comentarios del Dr. Caycho, a través de los cuales se señala la importancia y necesidad de reportar tamaño de efecto en los resultados de análisis estadístico en las investigaciones y de nuestro trabajo: “Calidad de vida de los pacientes con inmunodeficiencias primarias de anticuerpos”2 publicado en esta revista.

The Mexican consensus on probiotics in gastroenterology

INTRODUCTION

Probiotics are frequently prescribed in clinical practice. Their efficacy in treating gastrointestinal disorders is supported by a significant number of clinical trials. However, the correct prescription of these agents is hampered due to a lack of knowledge of the scientific evidence and to the different presentations and microbial compositions of the probiotics that are currently available.

AIM

To provide the clinician with a consensus review of probiotics and recommendations for their use in gastroenterology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Controlled clinical trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews published up to 2015 were selected, using the MESH terms: probiotics, gastrointestinal diseases, humans, adults, AND children. The Delphi method was employed. Eighteen gastroenterologists treating adult patients and 14 pediatric gastroenterologists formulated statements that were voted on until agreement>70% was reached. The level of evidence based on the GRADE system was evaluated for each statement.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Eleven statements on the general concepts of probiotics and 27 statements on the use of probiotics in gastrointestinal diseases in both adults and children were formulated. The consensus group recommends the use of probiotics under the following clinical conditions: the prevention of diarrhea associated with antibiotics, the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea, the prevention of Clostridium difficile infection and necrotizing enterocolitis, the reduction of adverse events from Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy, relief from irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, the treatment of functional constipation in the adult, and the induction and maintenance of remission in patients with ulcerative colitis and pouchitis, and the treatment of covert and overt hepatic encephalopathy.

Bajo índice de sospecha para deficiencia de anticuerpos en niños sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos de Otorrinolaringología

INTRODUCCIÓN: las inmunodeficiencias primarias están subdiagnosticadas en todo el mundo, aun en centros de tercer nivel de atención. Los defectos de anticuerpos constituyen el grupo más prevalente y suelen manifestarse clínicamente después de los 6 meses de edad como infecciones respiratorias recurrentes causadas por bacterias encapsuladas. Algunas cirugías de oído-nariz y garganta se indican en pacientes con infecciones respiratorias recurrentes o complicadas que no han respondido adecuadamente al tratamiento médico. Estos niños sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos luego de una historia de infecciones respiratorias recurrentes pueden constituir un grupo de alto riesgo para inmunodeficiencias primarias. OBJETIVO: indagar qué tan frecuentes son los defectos de anticuerpos en niños sometidos a cualquiera de tres cirugías de otorrinolaringología. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: revisamos los expedientes electrónicos de niños que hubieran sido sometidos a adenoamigdalectomía (ATT), drenaje endoscópico de senos paranasales (ESD) y colocación de tubos timpánicos de ventilación (TVT) en nuestro instituto durante 2011-2012, en busca de niveles séricos de inmunoglobulinas (IgE, IgG, IgA, IgM). RESULTADOS: encontramos 112 procedimientos quirúrgicos en 87 pacientes, de los cuales la indicación para cirugía fue infecciosa en 37 (21 varones, 1 muerto, edad media 7.3 años), más frecuentemente rinosinusitis (19/37) y amigdalitis (9/37) crónicas. Los procedimientos incluyeron: 24 adenoamigdalectomías, 13 drenajes endoscópicos de senos paranasales y 6 colocaciones de tubos timpánicos de ventilación, para un total de 43; ocho pacientes (21.6%) fueron sometidos a más de una cirugía. La IgE sérica se encontró en el expediente de 27 pacientes (72.9%), y “al menos IgG” en 18 (48.6%). Sólo 70% de las pruebas fueron ordenadas antes de la cirugía. Los resultados anormales incluyeron: IgE elevada en 10/27, IgG elevada en 8/18, IgG baja 1/18, IgM elevada 3/17 e IgA elevada en 5/17. Dos niños con enfermedad granulomatosa crónica fueron identificados a través de esta búsqueda electrónica. CONCLUSIONES: describimos 37 pacientes sometidos a cirugía de otorrinolaringología por una historia de infecciones respiratorias recurrentes, complicadas o refractarias, de los cuales al menos nueve eran alérgicos y al menos dos tenían una inmunodeficiencia primaria. Sólo 18 de esos 37 tenían determinación de IgG como parte de su evaluación preoperatoria; un índice alarmantemente bajo de sospecha para defectos de anticuerpos. Estudios previos en adultos con rinosinusitis crónica han encontrado defectos de anticuerpos. Planeamos completar la evaluación inmunológica de los 37 pacientes, incluyendo para deficiencia específica de anticuerpos (SAD). Banderas rojas como IgE >2,000 IU/mL, neumonía complicada o cultivo de Aspergillus pueden ser útiles para detectar pacientes con inmunodeficiencia primaria no diagnosticada. 

A primer set to determine sex in the small Indian mongoose, Herpestes auropunctatus

To enable the accurate sexing of individuals of introduced populations of the small Indian mongoose, Herpestes auropunctatus, we designed a primer set for the amplification of the sex-specific fragments EIF2S3Y and EIF2S3X. Using this primer set, the expected amplification products were obtained for all samples of genomic DNA tested: males yielded two bands and females a single band. Sequencing of each PCR product confirmed that the 769-bp fragment amplified from DNA samples of both sexes was derived from EIF2S3X, whereas the 546-bp fragment amplified only from male DNA samples was derived from EIF2S3Y. The results indicated that this primer set is useful for sex identification in this species.

Validity of self-reported height and weight in a Japanese workplace population

OBJECTIVE

To assess the validity of self-reported height and weight in a Japanese workplace population, and to examine factors associated with the validity of self-reported weight.

DESIGN

Comparison of self-reported height and weight with independent measurement.

SUBJECTS

In total, 4253 men and 1148 women aged 35-64 y (mean measured body mass index (BMI): 23.3 kg/m(2) in men, 21.9 kg/m(2) in women) were included in the study.

MEASUREMENTS

Self-reported height and weight were obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. Measured height and weight were based on annual health checkups. Sex, age, measured BMI, and the presence of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were examined as potential factors associated with the accuracy of self-reported weight.

RESULTS

Self-reported height and weight were highly correlated with measured height and weight for men and women (Pearson's r for men and women: 0.979 and 0.988 in height, 0.961 and 0.959 in weight, 0.943 and 0.950 in BMI, respectively). For men, mean differences+/-2 s.d. of height and weight were 0.078+/-2.324 cm and -0.034+/-5.012 kg, respectively, and for women 0.029+/-1.652 cm and 0.024+/-4.192 kg, respectively. The prevalence of obesity with BMI > or =25 kg/m(2) based on self-reported data (23.6 and 11.5% for men and women, respectively) was slightly smaller than that based on measured data (24.9 and 12.4%, respectively). Specificity and sensitivity, however, were quite high for both men and women (sensitivity was 85.8 and 85.2%, and specificity was 97.0 and 98.9%, respectively). The subjects with higher measured BMI significantly underestimated their weight compared with those with smaller BMI after adjustments for age in men and women. Furthermore, the presence of diabetes in men and age in women affected self-reported weight. Neither the presence of hypertension nor hyperlipidemia was associated with reporting bias.

CONCLUSION

The self-reported height and weight were generally reliable in the middle-aged employed Japanese men and women. However, it should be remembered that self-reported weight was biased by actual BMI and affected by age and the presence of diabetes.

Meta-analysis of three diabetes population studies: association of inactive ALDH2 genotype with maternal inheritance of diabetes

To date, there have been three population studies that examined the association of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genotype with inheritance of diabetes. Here, we summarize the results by meta-analysis. The study 1 consisted of 212 type 2 diabetics who did not have renal failure. The study 2 consisted of 73 type 2 diabetics who had renal failure. The study 3 consisted of 230 type 1 diabetics. In total, 515 subjects were examined for the association of ALDH2 genotype with inheritance of diabetes. Out of 515 subjects, 307 (60%) had active ALDH2 (ALDH2*1/ALDH2*1) and 208 (40%) had inactive ALDH2 (175 had ALDH2*1/ALDH2*2 and 33 had ALDH2*2/ALDH2*2). As for family history, 25 subjects (8.1%) in the active ALDH2 group had a diabetic mother, compared with 43 (20.6%) in the inactive ALDH2 group. Twenty-nine subjects (9.4%) in the active ALDH2 group had a diabetic father, compared with 14 (6.7%) in the inactive ALDH2 group. The percentage of diabetic mother was higher in the inactive ALDH2 group, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). We hence speculate that diabetic patients with inactive ALDH2 genotype may have underlying background of mitochondria etiology, thereby showing maternal trait of diabetes inheritance. In conclusion, meta-analysis using three diabetes population studies strongly confirmed the association between ALDH2 inactivity and maternal inheritance.

A case of type 2 diabetes with high levels of plasma and urinary C-peptide

By screening 204 diabetes patients, a male with age 38 was found to have increased C-peptide levels in plasma (over 6 ng/ml) and urine (430 microg/day), both of which were the highest among the screened subjects. He developed type 2 diabetes at age 31, without history of obesity (weight was 52 kg and height 170 cm). He had bilateral testicular atrophy. Fasting plasma glucose level was 160 mg/dl and HbA1c was 8% at age 38. There was hypertriglycemia (290-662 mg/dl). There were no abnormal peaks of IRI or CPR in the serum fractionated by gel filtration (Biogel P 30). Molar ratio of p-CPR/s-IRI was 10.8. Islet cell antibody, anti-insulin binding antibody and anti-insulin receptor antibody were negative. LSH and FSH were both elevated, and free testosterone was decreased. TSH and Leptin levels were elevated. Other laboratory data were within normal range. CT scan revealed fatty liver and horse-shoe kidney. These clinical pictures do not match the criteria to known syndromes associated with diabetes. Although the single case report is insufficient to discuss the C-peptide mechanism of action, this case may give us a hint to understand an aspect of the pathophysiology of C-peptide's bioactivity dysfunction.

Long-term body weight variability is associated with elevated C-reactive protein independent of current body mass index among Japanese men

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the effect of long-term weight variability on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of the circulating CRP.

SUBJECTS

A total of 637 Japanese men aged 40-49 y in1997.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum CRP levels, body mass index in 1997 (current BMI), the slope of weight on age (weight-slope) representing an individual's weight trend of direction and magnitude, and the root mean square error around the slope of weight on age (weight-RMSE) representing the weight fluctuation magnitude, as calculated by a simple linear regression model in which each value of the subject's five actual weights (aged 20, 25, 30 y, five years ago, and current) was a dependent variable and the subject's ages independent variables.

RESULTS

After adjustment for age and confounders, including smoking and health status, the odds ratios of elevated CRP (> or =0.06 mg/dl) were 1.83 (95% CI: 1.25-2.69), 2.63 (1.69-4.11), and 10.31 (2.17-48.98) for upper normal-weight (BMI: 22-<25 kg/m(2)), overweight (25-<30), and obese (> or =30) persons, respectively, compared with lower normal-weight persons (18.5-<22). Adjusting for age, confounders, and current BMI, weight-slope was positively associated with CRP level especially among subjects with BMI> or =25 kg/m(2) (trend P<0.01), and weight-RMSE was positively associated with CRP level particularly among subjects with BMI <25 kg/m(2) (trend P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a state of low-grade systemic inflammation not only in overweight and obese persons, but also in normal-weight persons with large weight fluctuation, possibly explaining in part the positive association between weight fluctuation and CVD.

The metabolic syndrome is associated with elevated circulating C-reactive protein in healthy reference range, a systemic low-grade inflammatory state

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the underlying mechanisms between C-reactive protein (CRP) and cardiovascular disease, we examined the association of circulating CRP in healthy reference range (< or =1.0 mg/dl) measured by high-sensitive CRP assay with the metabolic syndrome (MS).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of circulating CRP in adult men.

SUBJECTS

A total of 3692 Japanese men aged 34-69 y.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum CRP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, uric acid, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant positive correlation between CRP and BMI (r=0.25), total cholesterol (r=0.096), triglycerides (r=0.22), LDL-cholesterol (r=0.12), fasting glucose (r=0.088), fasting insulin (r=0.17), uric acid (r=0.13), systolic blood pressure (r=0.12), and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.11), and a significant negative correlation of CRP with HDL-cholesterol (r=0.24). After adjusting for age, smoking, and all other components of MS, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia, diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperuricemia were significantly associated with both mildly (> or =0.06 mg/dl) and moderately (> or =0.11 mg/dl) elevated CRP. Compared with men who had no such components of the MS, those who had one, two, three, four, and five or more components were, respectively, 1.48, 1.84, 1.92, 3.42, and 4.17 times more likely to have mildly elevated CRP levels (trend P<0.001). As for moderately elevated CRP, the same association was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that a variety of components of the MS are associated with elevated CRP levels in a systemic low-grade inflammatory state.

Visible light-induced photoepoxidation of propene by molecular oxygen over chromia-silica catalysts

Highly dispersed chromate species on silica catalyse the selective epoxidation of propene to propene oxide (PO) by molecular oxygen under visible light irradiation with the same quantum yield as that under UV light irradiation.

Inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 worsens glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who drink low to moderate amounts of alcohol

BACKGROUND

Alcohol intake can have hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic effects in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to investigate the glycemic control of male patients with diabetes mellitus from the aspect of the genetic status of alcohol metabolism.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-three men with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the present study. They were all outpatients at the Diabetes Center of Saiseikai Central Hospital. The genotype of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene of each patient was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and the patients were divided into those with active or inactive ALDH2 phenotype. We compared the amount of habitual alcohol intake and clinical data that included physical findings and blood chemistry of the patients in the active and inactive ALDH2 groups. The glycemic control of each patient was evaluated by the serum level of HbAlc.

RESULTS

Of the 163 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 90 patients had the active ALDH2 phenotype and 73 patients had the inactive ALDH2 phenotype. The mean HbA1c level of the active ALDH2 group was nearly the same as that of the inactive ALDH2 group. However, the HbA1c level of the light-to-moderate drinkers (1-400 g/week) in the inactive ALDH2 group was highest and was significantly higher than the HbA1c level of the light-to-moderate drinkers of the active ALDH2 group. The HbA1c of the patients with diabetic complications was higher than the HbAlc of those without diabetic complications in both the active and inactive ALDH2 groups. However, the HbA1c level of the light-to-moderate drinkers without diabetic complications in the inactive ALDH2 group was significantly higher and the incidence of 24 hr urinary C-peptide was higher than the respective level of the light-to-moderate drinkers without diabetic complications in the active ALDH2 group.

CONCLUSIONS

Habitual light-to-moderate alcohol intake worsens glycemic control in diabetic patients who have the inactive ALDH2 phenotype. The data on 24 hr urinary C-peptide level suggested that increased acetaldehyde after light-to-moderate drinking by inactive ALDH2 diabetic patients may increase the HbA1c value by the insulin-resistant condition that resulted in hyperinsulinemia.

Structural features for fluorescing present in methoxycoumarin derivatives

Structural features of fluorescent methoxycoumarins were examined from the viewpoint of substituent effect and ring structure in connection with intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT). The fluorescence of methoxycoumarins depended primarily upon the ICT from a C6-electron-donating group to the substituents at the C3-position of the coumarin ring. Furthermore, the presence of a lactone ring itself, including a carbonyl group, cyclic ether oxygen and ethylenic bond as partial ring structures, was found to be essential for fluorescing in methoxycoumarins according to the fluorescent behaviors of chemically deformed model compounds.

Diabetes mellitus associated with 3243 mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR)) mutation: clinical features and coenzyme Q10 treatment

Diabetes mellitus associated with mitochondrial tRNA mutation at position 3243(DM-Mt3243) is a new disease. Patients have a distinctly different picture from MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes). During observations at the Saiseikai Central Hospital, the following findings were noted in DM-Mt3243 patients: DM-Mt3243 patients are diagnosed earlier with diabetes, compared to NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) controls without family history. DM-Mt3243 patients often need insulin more often than NIDDM controls without family history. Post-treatment neuropathy and insulin edema are often found in DM-Mt3243, and the two phenomena possibly have a similar pathophysiology related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Ambiguous psychiatric disorders of functional psychosis are observed frequently in DM-Mt3243. Mild headache is common in DM-Mt3243 cases. Ambiguous neuromuscular abnormalities such as sleep disturbance, paresthesia of the legs, edema of the legs, and palpitation may be symptoms associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in DM-Mt3243. Coenzyme Q may be effective in the relief of these neuromuscular symptoms.

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase in diabetes associated with mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR)) mutation at position 3243

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain why alcohol is prone to manifest unpleasant effects in diabetes associated with mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR) mutation at position 3243 (DM-Mt3243), we investigated the genotype of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 2 and alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2) in DM-Mt3243.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Nineteen unrelated patients with DM-Mt3243 were included in the study (12 men and 7 women). They were recruited from approximately 700 diabetic patients at three different institutes, without prior information of alcohol habit. ALDH2, ADH2, and 3243 mutation were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. There were 461 unrelated Japanese individuals and 170 non-3243 mutant NIDDM patients enrolled as control subjects.

RESULTS

In the DM-Mt3243 group, 15 (79%) patients had inactive ALDH2 and 18 (95%) had atypical ADH2. The frequency of the inactive ALDH2 genotype was higher than that in the normal control subjects (P < 0.002) and that in the NIDDM control subjects (P < 0.003). However, the frequencies of ADH2 genotype in the DM-Mt3243 group, the normal control subjects, and the NIDDM control subjects were not different.

CONCLUSIONS

Inactive ALDH2 genotype was frequently observed in DM-Mt3243. It suggests that DM-Mt3243 is associated with ALDH2 inactivity. We speculate the trait of acetaldehyde accumulation on ALDH2 inactivity may favor mitochondrial DNA abnormalities, thereby worsening ATP production and impairing insulin secretion. In addition, the interaction of ALDH1 and ALDH2 may alter the retinoid metabolism in the pancreas, thereby influencing insulin secretion and precipitating diabetes. Thus, this association of ALDH2 genotype with DM-Mt3243 provides insight into the etiology of diabetes in the mitochondrial diseases.

Association of aldehyde dehydrogenase with inheritance of NIDDM

To investigate the influence of the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genotype on the clinical features of diabetes, 212 Japanese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (154 males and 58 females aged 17-83 years; mean age 58.2 years) were investigated. Genotyping of ALDH2 was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The pattern of inheritance of diabetes and various clinical parameters was compared between active and inactive ALDH2 groups. Of the 212 subjects, 120 had active ALDH2 and 92 had inactive ALDH2. The percentage of patients with a diabetic mother was higher in the inactive ALDH2 group (32.6%) than in the active ALDH2 group (19.2%) (p < 0.05). The prevalence of proliferative retinopathy was lower in the inactive ALDH2 group than in the active ALDH2 group (p < 0.05). However, other clinical parameters showed no difference. We conclude that maternal inheritance of diabetes was common in the inactive ALDH2 group. The finding is suggestive of a relationship between alcohol intolerance and inheritance of diabetes. We speculate that the interaction between mitochondrial DNA and ALDH2 inactivity causes an increase of mitochondrial DNA mutations or deletions, thereby inducing the maternal inheritance of diabetes. The relationship of the ALDH2 genotype with proliferative retinopathy is interesting, because it resembles that of chlorpropamide alcohol flushing with severe diabetic retinopathy. The interaction of aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzymes might have an aetiological role, since aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 plays an important part in oxidation of retinal to retinoic acid. However, the number of affected patients with proliferative retinopathy was small, hence, our result should be considered as a preliminary finding.

Role of basal insulin in maintenance of intracellular glucose metabolic pathways in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Impairments of both basal and insulin-stimulated oxidative (Gox) and nonoxidative (Nox) glucose metabolism are documented to exist in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Although these defects have been well characterized during insulin stimulation, little is known about the effects of basal insulin or its deficiency on intracellular glucose metabolism in NIDDM. To determine the physiological significance of basal insulin in the maintenance of glucose metabolism in NIDDM, we studied nine subjects with NIDDM in the basal and insulin-deficient state produced by 3 hours of somatostatin (SRIF) infusion (0.08 pmol/kg/min). Glucose turnover rates were quantified by [3-3H]glucose turnover, and substrate oxidation was assessed by a combination of indirect calorimetry and urinary nitrogen measurements. Skeletal muscle glycogen synthase (GS) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activities were also measured in the basal state and during SRIF infusion. Basal glucose levels were maintained during SRIF infusion by exogenous glucose infusion (12.5 +/- 0.9 mmol/L in the basal state v 12.8 +/- 0.8 during SRIF infusion, P = NS). During the last hour of SRIF infusion, plasma C-peptide levels declined by 88% from 0.73 +/- 0.11 to 0.09 +/- 0.02 nmol/L (P < .001), and serum insulin concentrations were undetectable (< 14 pmol/L). During insulinopenic conditions, rates of glucose uptake (GU) were decreased by 12% from basal level of 2.26 +/- 0.13 to 1.99 +/- 0.12 mg/kg/min (P < .05), and were entirely accounted for by reduced rates of Gox (1.01 +/- 0.10 to 0.65 +/- 0.14 mg/kg/min, P < .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intracellular glucose metabolism after long term metabolic control with glyburide: improved glucose oxidation with unchanged glycogen synthase activity

To determine whether improved metabolic control with long term glyburide treatment alters intracellular glucose metabolism independent of effects on glucose uptake (GU), we studied eight obese patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus before and 7 months after glyburide therapy. Indirect calorimetry and skeletal muscle biopsies were performed in the basal state and during 300 pmol/m2.min insulin infusions, with glucose turnover rates determined by [3-3H]glucose turnover. During the glucose clamps, rates of GU were matched before and after treatment using equivalent hyperinsulinemia and variable levels of hyperglycemia. After glyburide treatment, rates of GU were decreased in the basal state [4.16 +/- 0.57 vs. 3.29 +/- 0.37 mg/kg fat free mass (FFM)/min; P < 0.05], but similar during glucose clamps (11.53 +/- 1.42 vs. 11.93 +/- 1.32 mg/kg FFM.min; P = NS) according to study design. In both the basal state and during glucose clamps after glyburide therapy, rates of glucose oxidative metabolism (Gox) increased by 68-78% [1.21 +/- 0.16 vs. 2.03 +/- 0.31 mg/kg FFM.min (P < 0.05) and 3.13 +/- 0.51 vs. 5.58 +/- 0.55 mg/kg FFM.min (P < 0.05), respectively], and rates of nonoxidative glucose metabolism decreased [2.96 +/- 0.68 vs. 1.25 +/- 0.21 mg/kg FFM.min (P < 0.05) and 8.40 +/- 1.50 to 6.30 +/- 1.40 mg/kg FFM.min (P < 0.01), respectively]. Circulating plasma FFA levels and rates of fat oxidation (Fox) remained unchanged in both the basal state and during clamp studies. Skeletal muscle glycogen synthase (GS) activity, expressed as fractional velocity, was unchanged by glyburide therapy (2.2 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.3% in the basal state and 7.3 +/- 1.8 vs. 6.1 +/- 0.9% during clamps; both P = NS). In summary, at both matched (during clamp studies) and unmatched (during basal studies) rates of GU, improved metabolic control with glyburide therapy resulted in marked improvement of Gox independent of the effects on GU. The improvement in Gox was not associated with changes in Fox, circulating FFA, or muscle GS activity. These data indicate that long term metabolic control achieved by glyburide therapy markedly improves Gox, but not skeletal muscle GS activity, in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus independent of GU and Fox.

Occurrence of H1o-like protein and protein A24 in the chromatin of bullfrog erythrocytes lacking histone 5

Electrophoretic analysis of acid-soluble chromosomal protein isolated from the erythrocytes of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana reveals that the nucleated erythrocytes contain five major histones (H1A, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) and three minor histone-like proteins (H1B, R1, and R2). Histone 5, found as an additional major histone of avian erythrocytes, is not detected in the frog erythrocytes. Three minor components of the bullfrog erythrocytes, which are not present in the avian erythrocytes, have been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and characterized by amino acid analysis, NH2-terminal analysis, tryptic peptide mapping, and immunological techniques. H1B extracted with 5% HClO4 along with H1A has a very similar amino acid composition and tryptic peptide map to H1o, a subfraction of lysine-rich histones found in nondividing mammalian cells. Microcomplement fixation also shows that H1B and bovine liver H1o share some common antigenic determinants. R1, a basic protein having a ratio of basic/acidic amino acids of 2.0 and 20 mol % lysine, is distinguished from any chromosomal proteins characterized so far on the basis of electrophoretic mobility and amino acid composition. On the other hand, R2 is identified as protein A24 on the basis of its electrophoretic mobility, amino acid composition, and tryptic peptide map. Since H1o and protein A24 are considered to be involved in the inhibition of DNA replication and RNA synthesis, respectively, H1o-like protein and protein A24 in the frog erythrocyte lacking H5 may have central roles in genetic inactivation during erythrocyte maturation.