饥饿对叶尔羌高原鳅消化道指数及消化酶活性的影响

在探讨饥饿对叶尔羌高原鳅消化道指数和主要消化酶的影响规律。在（20±0.5）℃水温下,将叶尔羌高原鳅饥饿30 d,并测定饥饿第0、1、3、5、10、15、20和30天时其胃、前肠、中肠、后肠、肝脏和幽门的蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶活性,并计算消化道指数。结果表明：叶尔羌高原鳅在饥饿状态下消化道组织有所萎缩,肝指数、肠指数、胃指数和幽门指数均极显著下降（P<0.01）,其中肝指数下降幅度最大;饥饿对叶尔羌高原鳅消化器官和消化道中消化酶活性均有影响,蛋白酶和脂肪酶活力均呈现先升后降的趋势,淀粉酶活力前期变化不明显,随着饥饿时间的延长,消化酶均呈下降趋势,在饥饿的第15～第20天下降幅度最大,此后饥饿虽继续加深,但活性下降不明显。说明,饥饿可显著叶尔羌高原鳅消化道指数和消化酶活性。     

云斑尖塘鳢消化酶活力的研究

本文采用酶学分析方法研究了云斑尖塘鳢在正常摄食状态与饥饿的状态下胃、肠及肝胰脏组织中蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶的活性。结果显示,在30℃的条件下,正常摄食组样本在酸性条件下的蛋白酶活力表现为:胃后肠肝胰脏前肠,中性和碱性条件下:后肠肝胰脏前肠及胃;饥饿组样本仅有胃表现出较高的酸性蛋白酶活性,其他器官的蛋白酶活性均很低。在正常和饥饿实验组中肝胰脏的淀粉酶活性均高于其他器官,胃肠的淀粉酶活性均较低。正常摄食组中脂肪酶活力后肠肝胰脏;而在饥饿组中仅有肝胰脏检测到脂肪酶活性。结果表明,云斑尖塘鳢适度饥饿组较正常摄食组消化酶活性大幅降低;其高蛋白酶活力及中等脂肪酶活力与其肉食性相一致;此外云斑尖塘鳢也具备少量的淀粉消化能力。     

温度对兰州鲇消化酶活性的影响

测定了兰州鲇(Silurus lanzhouensis)胃、肝胰脏、前肠、中肠、后肠在不同温度(15℃、20℃、25℃、30℃、37℃4、2℃、47℃)条件下的蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶的活性。结果表明,随温度的升高,各种酶活性的变化均表现为先增高后下降直至不能检出。消化道各部位蛋白酶的最适温度均为42℃;淀粉酶的最适温度除胃和肝胰脏为37℃外,其他部位均为30℃;脂肪酶的最适温度除后肠为30℃外,其他部位均为25℃。消化酶的最适温度高于其生活水域的水温,反映出消化酶作为酶蛋白的耐热性。最适温度下,蛋白酶活性前肠≈中肠>后肠>肝胰脏≈胃;淀粉酶活性前肠>中肠>肝胰脏>胃>后肠;脂肪酶活性中肠>后肠>前肠≈肝胰脏>胃。研究结果还表明,前肠和中肠是兰州鲇消化蛋白的主要部位,中肠是其消化脂肪的主要部位,而前肠是其消化淀粉的主要部位。在消化酶表现出活性的温度范围内,蛋白酶活性明显高于淀粉酶活性。实验还表明脂肪酶具有活性的温度范围较蛋白酶和淀粉酶窄。     

草鱼摄食两种蛋白质饲料后消化酶活性变动比较

用鱼粉和黄豆饼粉为主要蛋白源的试验饲料饲养草鱼两周,测定摄食前、后肠组织和肝胰脏蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性的变化以及不同时间前、中、后肠组织蛋白酶活性。结果表明:随摄食后时间的推移,鱼粉组肠组织蛋白酶活性迅速增高,到10h 达最大值,黄豆饼组则在15h 以后。两组肠组织淀粉酶活性均在10h 达到最大值。肝胰脏蛋白酶活性均在摄食后立即下降,到5h 降到最低值,随后缓缓升高,淀粉酶活性变化较平缓。肝胰脏蛋白酶与肠组织蛋白酶活性之间存在一种消长关系。总的看来,鱼粉组的蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性均高于黄豆饼组。前肠组织蛋白酶活性最高,中肠次之,后肠最低。       

大豆低聚糖对牙鲆营养效应的研究：Ⅱ 消化率和消化生理

本试验比较研究了不同蛋白源(鱼粉,FM;大豆分离蛋白,SPI)基础饲料中添加大豆低聚糖(SBOS)对牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)消化道(胃、幽门盲囊、前肠、中肠和后肠)和肝脏消化酶活性、饲料表观消化率和消化道(胃、小肠)组织结构的影响。分别以FM、SPI作为主要蛋白源,配制了4种等氮等能饲料。其中,饲料FM、SPI分别以FM、SPI作为主要蛋白源;饲料FMO、SPIO分别在饲料FM、SPI基础上添加10%SBOS(水苏糖：2.61%;棉籽糖：0.61%)。试验表明：①饲料中添加SBOS普遍降低了牙鲆消化道和肝脏蛋白酶活性,但差异均不显著(p > 0.05)。FM基础饲料中添加SBOS显著降低了肝脏脂肪酶活性(p < 0.05),而对消化道脂肪酶活性无显著影响;SPI基础饲料中添加SBOS显著提高了前肠脂肪酶活性,降低了胃和中肠脂肪酶的活性,而对幽门盲囊、后肠和肝脏脂肪酶活性均无显著影响。FM基础饲料中添加SBOS显著降低了中肠淀粉酶活性,提高了胃淀粉酶活性(p < 0.05),而对幽门盲囊、前肠、后肠和肝脏淀粉酶活性无显著影响;SPI基础饲料中添加SBOS显著提高了胃和前肠淀粉酶活性,降低了中肠脂肪酶活性(p < 0.05),而对幽门盲囊、后肠和肝脏淀粉酶活性无显著影响;②FM基础饲料中添加SBOS显著降低了饲料干物质表观消化率(p < 0.05),而对粗蛋白、粗脂肪和能量表观消化率均无显著影响(p > 0.05)。SPI基础饲料中添加SBOS对干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和能量表观消化率均无显著影响;③饲料中添加SBOS对牙鲆胃和小肠组织结构均无明显负面影响。试验结果表明,饲料中添加SBOS对牙鲆消化道和肝脏消化酶活性、饲料表观消化率和消化道组织结构均没有表现出明显的负面效应;大豆蛋白源中含有的SBOS不是影响牙鲆对其利用率差的主要因素。     

大豆低聚糖对牙鲆营养效应的研究：II消化率和消化生理

本试验比较研究了不同蛋白源（鱼粉,FM;大豆分离蛋白,SPI）基础饲料中添加大豆低聚糖（SBOS）对牙鲆（Paralichthys olivaceus）消化道（胃、幽门盲囊、前肠、中肠和后肠）和肝脏消化酶活性、饲料表观消化率和消化道（胃、小肠）组织结构的影响。分别以FM、SPI作为主要蛋白源,配制了4种等氮等能饲料。其中,饲料FM、SP1分别以FM、SPI作为主要蛋白源;饲料FMO、SPIO分别在饲料FM、SPI基础上添加10％SBOS（水苏糖：2．61％;棉籽糖：0．61％）。试验表明：①饲料中添加SBOS普遍降低了牙鲆消化道和肝脏蛋白酶活性,但差异均不显著（P〉O．05）。FM基础饲料中添加SBOS显著降低了肝脏脂肪酶活性（P〈0．05）,而对消化道脂肪酶活性无显著影响;SPI基础饲料中添加SBOS显著提高了前肠脂肪酶活性,降低了胃和中肠脂肪酶的活性,而对幽门盲囊、后肠和肝脏脂肪酶活性均无显著影响。FM基础饲料中添加SBOS显著降低了中肠淀粉酶活性,提高了胃淀粉酶活性（P〈0．05）,而对幽门盲囊、前肠、后肠和肝脏淀粉酶活性无显著影响;SPI基础饲料中添加SBOS显著提高了胃和前肠淀粉酶活性,降低了中肠脂肪酶活性（P〈0．05）,而对幽门盲囊、后肠和肝脏淀粉酶活性无显著影响;②FM基础饲料中添加SBOS显著降低了饲料干物质表观消化率（P〈0．05）,而对粗蛋白、粗脂肪和能量表观消化率均无显著影响（P〉0．05）。SPI基础饲料中添加SBOS对干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和能量表观消化率均无显著影响;③饲料中添加SBOS对牙鲆胃和小肠组织结构均无明显负面影响。试验结果表明,饲料中添加SBOS对牙鲆消化道和肝脏消化酶活性、饲料表观消化率和消化道组织结构均没有表现出明显的负面效应;大豆蛋白源中含有的SBOS不是影响牙鲆对其利用率差的主要因素。     

六种鲟鱼消化酶活性的比较研究

测定了两个生长阶段 6种鲟鱼幼鱼胃、肠道和肝脏中蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶活性。幼鲟消化酶活性在两个生长阶段变化不明显。 6种鲟鱼不同消化器官蛋白酶活性以肠道为最高 ,肝脏为最低 ,肝脏中的蛋白酶活性明显低于胃、肠道 (P <0 0 1)。不同消化器官脂肪酶活性 ,以肠道为最高 ,且肠道脂肪酶活性显著高于胃、肝脏 (P <0 0 1) ,胃中的脂肪酶活性与肝脏中的脂肪酶活性差异不明显 (P >0 0 5 )。不同消化器官淀粉酶活性 ,以肠道为最高 ,且明显高于胃、肝脏 (P <0 0 1)。幼鲟在第一阶段 ,肝脏中没有淀粉酶活性 ,其活性出现在第二阶段 ,且在此生长阶段 ,肝脏中的淀粉酶活性达到胃中的水平 (P >0 0 5 )。对 6种鲟鱼而言 ,除个别存在较大差异外 ,3种消化酶活性大体上都没有明显差异     

温度和pH对白斑狗鱼消化酶活性的影响

目的:通过改变酶的反应温度和pH,离体分析白斑狗鱼体内淀粉酶、蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性变化.方法:分别采用Folin酚法、DNS法和氢氧化钠滴定法测定蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性.结果:在白斑狗鱼肝胰脏、胃二部位,淀粉酶的最适温度均为30℃,肠道淀粉酶的最适温度为40℃;最适pH值分别为4.0、2.0、7.0.肝胰脏、胃二部位脂肪酶的最适温度均为40℃,肠道脂肪晦的最适温度为50℃;最适pH值分别为5.0,4.0、5.0.肝胰脏、胃、肠道蛋白酶的最适温度均为50℃;最适pH值分别3.0、3.0、9.0.结论:在各自最适温度下,脂肪酶、淀粉酶、蛋白酶比活力均为:肠道＞胃＞肝胰脏.     

云南盘鳇消化系统解剖学、组织学及消化酶活性研究

采用形态学、组织学及酶学方法对云南盘逗(Discogobio yunnanensis)成体消化系统进行研究。结果表明, 云南盘逗消化系统有以下特征: 口下位, 口腔上皮分布有较多味蕾及杯状细胞, 食道粗大, 含有大量黏液细胞, 无胃, 肠道较长, 盘旋于体腔中, 成鱼盘旋10回, 肠道系数为5.06±0.61, 肠分为前中后三段, 肠腔中密布肠绒毛。消化腺为肝胰脏, 肝脏分为左右两叶, 胰脏弥散分布在肝脏中。消化系统不同部位消化酶活性大小不同, 脂肪酶活性: 肝胰脏>前肠>中肠>后肠, 胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶、碱性磷酸酶活性: 前肠>中肠>肝胰脏>后肠。云南盘逗口下位, 食道粗短, 肠道细长, 肠绒毛丰富, 肠道含较高的胰蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性, 消化系统所具有的这些特征与其以固着藻类为食有关。     

额尔齐斯河野生丁(鐬)蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性的研究

目的:研究温度、pH、金属离子对新疆额尔齐斯河野生丁(鐬)消化道蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性的影响.方法:酶学和生化法.结果:丁(鐬)蛋白酶活性,后肠＞前肠＞中肠＞肝胰脏;淀粉酶活性,后肠＞中肠＞前肠＞肝胰脏.肠道、肝胰脏蛋白酶的最适温度分别为35℃、40℃,淀粉酶的最适温度均为40℃.消化道各部位蛋白酶、淀粉酶的体外最适pH为7.5.在试验的离子浓度范围,高浓度Ag 、Cu2 抑制酶活力;高浓度Fe3 、Mg2 、Ca2 促进酶活力;Pb 、Ba2 对消化道酶活力影响依浓度和部位而变.结论:消化酶最适温度均高于所处环境温度,最适pH值变化范围偏碱性;不同浓度金属离子对丁(鐬)消化道各部位蛋白酶、淀粉酶活力高低表现出不同的变化趋势.     

The influence of changes in food availability on the activities of key degradative and metabolic enzymes in the liver and epaxial muscle of the golden perch

This study investigated the influence of feeding frequency on the activities of important degradative enzymes and potentially rate-limiting enzymes in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver and white epaxial muscle of Macquaria ambigua . Adult animals were either fed daily to satiety (fed), deprived of food for up to 180 days (starved), or starved for 150 days then fed daily to satiety for 30 days (starved/fed). The activities of lipolytic, glycogenolytic and glycolytic enzymes in the livers of starved fish were maintained as long as liver energy stores were available, but became significantly reduced following their exhaustion indicating a decline in metabolism in response to prolonged starvation. The response of epaxial muscle metabolism to changes in food availability was different to that of the liver, as no significant change in the activities of muscle lipolytic or glycogenolytic enzymes were observed in response to starvation. Muscle tissue metabolism was reduced after 60–90 days of starvation, but then returned to prestarvation levels.     

Acute starvation affects rat adrenal steroidogenesis

To determine how starvation affects adrenal steroidogenesis we measured the activities of 3 adrenal enzymes involved in corticosterone biosynthesis in a group of adult female rats. The animals were either starved for 7 days or fed ad libitum for the same period. Relative adrenal weight and plasma corticosterone levels were increased in the experimental group of animals compared to the control group (40 +/- 2 vs 27 +/- 1 mg/100 g body weight, P less than 0.001, and 45 +/- 4 vs 30 +/- 5 ng/dl, P less than 0.05 respectively). There were no differences in plasma ACTH levels between the groups (34 +/- 5 vs 26 +/- 4 pg/ml). 11-Hydroxylase activity was increased in the starved group of animals (18 +/- 3 vs 8 +/- 2 nmol/mg protein/min, P less than 0.01). 3 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 21-hydroxylase activities were not different between the groups (19 +/- 2 vs 16 +/- 1 nmol/mg protein/min, and 100 +/- 10 vs 110 +/- 10 pmol/mg protein/min respectively). These results suggest that acute starvation in rats produces an increase in adrenal 11-hydroxylase activity.     

Lysosomal enzyme activities in muscle following starvation and refeeding in the saithe Pollachius virens L

Saithe (Pollachius virens L.) were starved for 66 days at 10 degrees C and activities of aryl sulfatase, acid proteinase, beta-glucuronidase, RNAase and acid phosphatase measured in homogenates prepared from fast and slow myotomal muscles. In fed fish, hydrolase activities were generally higher in slow than fast muscles. With the exception of acid proteinase activity in slow muscle, the activities of all the lysosomal enzymes increased by 70 to 100% during starvation. In general, there was a proportionally larger increase in the hydrolase activities in fast than in slow muscle. In a second experiment, fish were starved for 74 days, and refed for up to 52 days. The increases in aryl sulfatase and acid proteinase activity produced in fast muscle with starvation were found to be rapidly reversed by refeeding. Lysosomal enzyme activities in fish sampled after 10 days refeeding were not significantly different from fed controls. Membrane fractions enriched in aryl sulfatase activity were prepared from the fast muscle of 66-day starved fish. These were capable of degrading both myosin heavy chains and actin to lower molecular weight peptides at acid (pH 5.0), but not at neutral pH. The results suggest a role for lysosomal enzymes in the breakdown of myofibrillar proteins during starvation.     

Evidence for the presence of a threshold weight for entering diapause in the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris

Under long-day conditions larvae of Psacothea hilaris (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) pupate after the 4th or 5th instar, while under short-day conditions they undergo 2-4 nonstationary supernumerary molts and eventually enter diapause. To explore the possibility of a threshold weight for entering diapause, P. hilaris larvae were deprived of food on days 0 (day of ecdysis), 4 or 8 of the 4th, 5th and 6th instars under short-day conditions. Within the first 40 days of starvation, 60% of the larvae starved starting on day 0 of the 4th instar died, but all the larvae starved at later stages survived. The incidence of diapause in these survivors was determined by the occurrence of pupation after a temporary chilling at 15 degrees C for 15 days. Diapause incidence increased as the onset of starvation was delayed; from 11% in the larvae starved on day 0 of the 5th instar to 100% in the larvae starved on day 4 and day 8 of the 6th instar. Analysis of the relationship between the initial weight of a respective larva at the onset of starvation and its pupation success revealed that none of the larvae weighing 690 mg did. This finding suggests the presence of a threshold weight (about 600 mg), below which larvae are incapable of entering diapause. We discuss these findings with reference to the life history of P. hilaris.     

Effect of starvation upon baculovirus replication in larval Bombyxmori and Heliothisvirescens

The progression of baculovirus (BmNPV, BmCysPD, AcMNPV or AcAaIT) infection in larval Bombyx mori and Heliothis virescens (1st, 3rd or 5th instar) was investigated following various starvation regimes. When the larvae were starved for 12 or 24 h immediately following inoculation, the median lethal time to death (LT₅₀) was delayed by 9.5-19.2 h in comparison to non-starved controls. This corresponded to a delay of 10-23% depending upon the larval stage and virus that was used for inoculation. When a 24 h-long starvation period was initiated at 1 or 2 days post inoculation (p.i.), a statistically significant difference in LT₅₀ was not found indicating that the early stages of infection are more sensitive to the effects of starvation. Viral titers in the hemolymph of 5th instar B. mori that were starved for 24 h immediately following inoculation were 10-fold lower (p < 0.01) than that found in non-starved control larvae. Histochemical analyses indicated that virus transmission was reduced in 5th instar B. mori that were starved for 24 h immediately following inoculation in comparison to non-starved control larvae. In general, the mass of larvae that were starved immediately after inoculation was 30% lower than that of non-starved control insects. Our findings indicate that starvation of the larval host at the time of baculovirus exposure has a negative effect on the rate baculovirus transmission and pathogenesis.     

Effects of chlorination and heat disinfection on long-term starved Legionella pneumophila in warm water

AIMS: To characterize the efficacy of widely accepted heat and chlorination on culturable and non-culturable Legionella pneumophila in starved and warm water. METHODS AND RESULTS: For L. pneumophila starved for 1 day (S1), heating at 60 degrees C or more for 30 min or chlorination at 0.5-20 mg l(-1) for 60 min, a loss of 6-8 log culturability was observed, whereas only 17-47% of cells had membrane damage. Non-culturability was also observed after heating or chlorinating the cells starved for 14 days (S14). The effect of heating on membrane deterioration was reduced for S14 cells while the chlorination effect remained. Legionella pneumophila entered a non-culturable phase after being starved for 33-40 days. The disinfection effects of both heating and chlorination on non-culturable N4 and N35 cells (which were collected on the fourth and the 35th days of the non-culturability phase respectively) decreased, indicating the development of disinfection resistance among non-culturable cells that had been subjected to starvation for 1-2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Heating and chlorination significantly reduce the culturability of starved L. pneumophila, and damage cell membrane to a much less extent. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study shows the ability of long-term starved L. pneumophila to resist against disinfection treatments, which has implications in terms of public health.     

Nutrition and fetal brain maturation : II. Impact of maternal starvation on changing levels of acetylcholinesterase and enolase in vitro

The impact of maternal starvation during Days 17-20 of gestation was examined in 20-day fetal rat brain tissue cultured for 6 days in MEM and 10% adult rat serum. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were consistently greater in fetal brain cell cultures from starved mothers. When fetal tissues from starved mothers were continuously exposed to 72-h fasted serum, AChE activities increased from 1.03 +/- 0.14 to 1.59 +/- 0.21 mumol/h/mg protein (P less than 0.001). In fetal tissues from fed mothers, lower AChE activities were increased from 0.78 +/- 0.09 to 1.04 +/- 0.07 mumol/h/mg protein (P less than 0.05) when 72-h fasted serum was used to replace the fed serum during incubation. When fetal brain cell cultures from fed mothers were exposed for 6 days to graded concentrations of fed serum (2.5-15%), the activities of AChE fell reciprocally from 1.34 +/- 0.10 to 0.82 +/- 0.12 mumol/h/mg protein (P less than 0.05). The levels of AChE activity in tissues exposed to fasted serum were consistently greater, but fell similarly from 1.62 +/- 0.10 to 0.97 +/- 14 mumol/h/mg protein (P less than 0.01), when serum concentrations were increased from 2.5 to 15%. AChE activities were 30% higher in tissues incubated with cycloheximide 10(-3) M (P less than 0.02). Unlike AChE, fetal brain enolase activities were unaffected by maternal starvation. In fetal brain cell cultures from fed mothers, enolase fell from 1.85 +/- 0.10 to 1.37 +/- 0.12 mumol/min/mg protein following exposure to fasted instead of fed serum (P less than 0.02). In fetal cultures from starved mothers, enolase activities were depressed similarly from 1.76 +/- 0.08 to 1.41 +/- 0.09 mumol/min/mg protein when fasted replaced fed serum (P less than 0.02). Thus, the fetal brain cell cultures appear to maintain enzymatic realignments imposed by maternal starvation for at least 6 days. In addition, serum from fasted animals has significant growth inhibiting properties manifested by heightened activities of AChE and lower activities of enolase.     

Biochemical changes accompanying the long-term starvation of Micrococcus luteus cells in spent growth medium

Changes in the biochemical properties of Micrococcus luteus cells were studied during the transition to a dormant state after incubation in an extended stationary phase. The overall DNA content after 150 days of starvation was similar to its initial level, while the RNA content decreased by 50%. Total lipids and protein, phospholipids and membrane proteins declined rapidly within the first 1–10 days of starvation. After 180 days of starvation, cells contained 43% of the protein and 35% of the lipid initially present. Starvation for 120 days resulted in the loss of phosphatidylglycerol and, to some extent, of phosphatidylinositol, giving a membrane whose phospholipids consisted mainly of cardiolipin. The membrane fluidity declined during starvation, as judged by diphenyl hexatriene fluorescence anisotropy measurements. Oxidase activities declined to zero within the first 20–30 days of starvation, while the dehydrogenases and cytochromes were more stable. The activities of some cytoplasmic enzymes were lost very rapidly, while NADPH-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase had 30% of its initial activity after 120 days of starvation. For all parameters tested there were significant fluctuations during the first 10–20 days of starvation, which may reflect cryptic growth in the culture.Abbreviations MPN Most probable number - DPH Diphenyl hexatriene     

The effect of starvation on phosphodiesterase activity and the content of adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate in isolated mouse pancreatic islets

1. The concentration of cyclic AMP and the activity of phosphodiesterase were measured in isolated pancreatic islets from fed or 48h-starved mice. 2. Two different phosphodiesterases were detected. Neither the maximum activity nor the K(m) values of these enzymes were changed by starvation. 3. The concentration of cyclic AMP in non-incubated islets was the same in islets from fed and starved mice. 4. Incubation with 3.3mm-glucose for 5-30min had no effect on the concentration of cyclic AMP, irrespective of the nutritional state of the mice. Incubation with 16.7mm-glucose for 5-30min raised the concentration of cyclic AMP by about 30% in islets from fed mice. This rise was prevented by addition of mannoheptulose (3mg/ml). Incubation with 16.7mm-glucose had no effect on the cyclic AMP content in islets from starved mice. 5. In islets from fed mice 10min incubation with 5mm-caffeine had no effect on the concentration of cyclic AMP in the presence of 3.3 or 16.7mm-glucose, whereas the cyclic AMP content was increased approx. 150% in islets from starved mice. 6. After 10min incubation with 1mm-3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine in the presence of 3.3 or 16.7mm-glucose the concentration of cyclic AMP was raised by 250% in islets from fed mice and by 400% in islets from starved mice. 7. A threefold function of glucose in the insulin-secretory process is suggested, according to which the decreased islet glucose metabolism is the primary defect in the insulin-secretory mechanism during starvation.     

Silicon metabolism in diatoms. III. Respiration and silicon uptake in Navicula pelliculosa

1. Evidence is presented that silicon uptake in the diatom Navicula pelliculosa is linked with aerobic respiration. 2. Cyanide, fluoride, iodoacetate, arsenite, azide, and fluoroacetate, at concentrations inhibitory to respiration, were also inhibitory to silicon uptake. 3. 2,4-Dinitrophenol (1 to 2 x 10(-5)M) stimulated respiration by 100 per cent, but almost completely inhibited silicon uptake. 4. The respiratory quotient of non-Si-deficient cells decreased from 0.93 to 0.75 after 4 days of starvation in darkness. Glucose (1 per cent) raised the respiratory quotient of such starved cells to 1.05. 5. Silicate (20 mg. Si/liter) stimulated respiration of unstarved Si-deficient cells by about 40 per cent. The effect of silicate on the respiration of Si-deficient cells which had been starved in darkness for 4 days was less marked. 6. The respiratory quotient of Si-deficient cells decreased from 0.8-0.9 to 0.3 after 4 days of starvation in darkness. The addition of silicate to starved cells raised the quotient to 0.5. This represented a 25 per cent stimulation of oxygen uptake concomitant with a 90 per cent stimulation of carbon dioxide evolution. 7. Glucose (1 per cent) caused an increase of respiratory quotient in starved cells from 0.3 to 0.7-0.8. The addition of silicate had no effect on the R.Q. during the oxidation of exogenous glucose. 8. Substrates (glucose, fructose, galactose, lactate, succinate, citrate, glycerol), which caused a stimulation of respiration in starved cells, also stimulated silicon uptake by those cells. However, the stimulation of silicon uptake (50 to 100 per cent) was not proportional to the respiratory stimulation by these substrates (30 to 300 per cent).