蛇毒心脏毒素对荷瘤小鼠的抗肿瘤作用初步研究

目的探讨蛇毒心脏毒素（ＣＴＸ）对荷瘤小鼠Ｓ１８０腹水瘤细胞生长抑制的影响。方法小鼠腹腔接种Ｓ１８０活瘤细胞,连续１０ｄ分别腹腔注射ＣＴＸ０．８ｍｇ／ｋｇ、０．４ｍｇ／ｋｇ、０．２ｍｇ／ｋｇ,分析统计荷瘤小鼠的体重变化和癌细胞死亡率,并用有丝分裂完全阻断法分析体内癌细胞的有丝分裂过程。结果ＣＴＸ各剂量组荷瘤小鼠的体重抑制和癌细胞死亡率均有明显的剂量反应关系,与对照组相比有显著的差异（Ｐ＜０．０１）;镜检发现ＣＴＸ能抑制体内癌细胞的有丝分裂,表现在０．４ｍｇ／ｋｇ和０．８ｍｇ／ｋｇ实验组腹水Ｓ１８０细胞处于有丝分裂前期和中期的细胞数量明显减少,其ＭＩ值分别为０．７１％和０．８０％,比对照组显著减少（Ｐ＜０．００１）。结论ＣＴＸ对Ｓ１８０小鼠体内癌细胞的生长有抑制和杀伤作用,并通过干扰和阻断癌细胞的有丝分裂过程,抑制腹水的生长。     

烟碱对氧化震颤素和槟榔碱流涎作用的调节

氧化震颤素和槟榔碱激动唾液腺Ｍ受体剂量依赖性地诱发小鼠流涎,ＥＤ＿（５０）值分别为１１６．２７±２０．１１μｇ／ｋｇｓｃ和９．０２±１．７５ｍｇ／ｋｇｓｃ。烟碱（０．５,１．０ｍｇ／ｋｇｓｃ间隔５ｍｉｎ）预处理后,氧化震颤素和槟榔碱诱发小鼠流涎作用的量效曲线显著左移,ＥＤ＿（５０）值分别降为４３．２５±１１．５２μｇ／ｋｇｓｃ和４．７５±０．７６ｍｇ／ｋｇｓｃ。以美加明阻断Ｎ受体功能后,能对抗烟碱调节Ｍ受体激动剂的流涎作用。以氯化锂抑制肌醇磷酸酶后,能增强烟碱调节Ｍ激动剂的流涎作用。提示烟碱增强唾液腺Ｍ受体对其激动剂的反应性和敏感性,可能与神经元性Ｎ受体干扰唾液腺磷脂酰肌醇代谢有关。     

蛇毒心脏素对荷瘤小鼠的抗肿瘤作用初步研究

目的 探讨蛇毒心脏毒素（ＣＴＸ）对荷瘤小鼠Ｓ１８０腹水瘤细胞生长抑制的影响。方法 小鼠腹腔接种Ｓ１８０活瘤细胞,连续１０ｄ分别腹腔注ＣＴＸ０．８ｍｋｇ、０．４ｍｇ／ｋｇ、０．２ｍｇ／ｋｇ,分别统计荷瘤小鼠的体重变化和癌细胞死亡率,并用有丝分裂完全民法分析体内癌细胞的有丝分裂过程,结果 ＣＴＸ各剂量组荷瘤小鼠的体重抑制和癌细胞的有丝分裂,表现在０．４ｍｇ／ｋｇ实验组腹水Ｓ１８０细胞处于有丝分裂前期和     

Pb~(+2)、Cd~(+2)、Hg~(+2)对蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)乳酸脱氢酶的影响

Ｐｂ＾＋２,Ｃｄ＾＋２,Ｈｇ＾＋２浓度分别小于５．００ｍｇ／ｋｇ,２．００ｍｇ／ｋｇ,０．５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ时,蚕豆（ＶｉｃｉａｆａｂａＬ．）乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）的活性主于对照组,当处理剂量分别长高超过上述剂量时,ＬＤＨ活性显著地降低,分析不同污染处理条件下ＬＤＨ同工酶,发现其５种同工酶在不同金属以及同一金属的不同剂量处理条件下,有差异表达的特性,其中ＬＤＨ２在小剂量重金属作用下被诱导表达;ＬＤＨ４对     

一种新的α—纤维蛋白原酶对血小板聚集的影响

ＳＤＳ－聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳（ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ）检测中国眼镜蛇毒蛋白酶水解纤维蛋白原的作用方式,发现该蛋白酶可迅速水解纤维蛋白原Ａα链,对γ链作用较弱,对Ｂβ链无作用,是一种新型的α－纤维蛋白原本科,用比浊法测定血小板聚集率,证实中国眼镜蛇毒蛋白酶低剂量（）０．０２５）ｍｇ／ｋｇ）、中剂量（０．０５ｍｇ／ｋｇ）以及高剂量（０．１ｍｇ／ｋｇ）体内给药浓度依赖性地抑制ＡＤＰ（１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）和胶原（１     

毒死蜱对家白蚁毒杀作用的时间与剂量效应

用含不同毒死蜱浓度的毒土对家白蚁（Ｃｏｐｔｏｔｅｒｎｅｓ ｆｏｕｍｏｓａｍｕｓ Ｓｈｉｒａｋｉ）进行了生物测定,浓度范围为０．０１５－０．４８ｍｇ／ｋｇ。观察２周。实验观察发现土壤中毒死蜱浓度为０．４８－０．０６ｍｇ／ｋｇ时,白蚁接触毒土出现的死亡高峰为４小时至２天;在０．０３ｍｇ／ｋｇ时,死亡高峰在１周以后;而浓度为０．０１５ｍｇ／ｋｇ时,２周内仍观察不到白蚁死亡。所获的生物测定数据很好地拟合时     

头端延髓腹外侧区血管加压素在刺激中脑dPAG区诱发防御性升压反应中的…

雄性Ｓｐｒａｇｕｅ－Ｄａｗｌｅｙ大鼠,用乌拉坦（７００ｍｇ／ｋｇ）和氯醛糖（３０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）腹腔麻醉。在双侧头端延髓腹外侧区（ｒＶＬＭ区）每侧微量注射血管加压素（ＡＶＰ）（１０ｐｍｏｌ／０．１μｌ）可引起平均动脉压（ＭＢＰ）升高,心率（ＨＲ）变化不明显,每侧微量注射ＡＶＰ的Ｖ１受体拮抗剂ｄ（ＣＨ２）５［Ｔｙｒ（Ｍｅ）＾２］ＡＶＰ（０．１ｎｍｏｌ／０．１μｌ）后ＭＢＰ和ＨＲ无明显变化。若预先在ｒＶＬ     

反复摄取烟碱对脑肌醇含量的影响

急性实验中,间隔５ｍｉｎ反复注射烟碱０．５,１．０,１．０,２．０,２．０ｍｇ／ｋｇｉｐ,３０ｍｉｎ后大鼠大脑皮层及海马中肌醇含量升高,但纹状体中肌醇含量无显著变化;相同条件下,氯化锂１０ｍｍｏｌ／ｋｇｉｐ３０ｍｉｎ后大脑皮层和海马中肌醇含量显著降低;慢性实验中,烟碱２．０－１０．０ｍｇ／ｋｇｓｃｂｉｄ１４ｄ后,大鼠大脑皮层中肌醇含量显著增高;烟碱２．６９－１１．５３ｍｇ／ｋｇ／ｄｐｏ６４ｄ后,大鼠大脑皮层中肌醇含量也显著增高。表明烟碱的作用不同于氯化锂,反复给予烟碱可使大鼠大脑皮层中肌醇含量增加。     

马铃薯Y病毒组病毒高产量提取方法的建立

本文报道了高产量提取芜菁花叶病毒（ＴｕＭＶ）、莴苣花叶病毒（ＬＭＶ）、芋花叶病毒（ＤＭＶ）和大豆花叶病毒（ＳＭＶ）的提取方法。本方法通过使用高盐浓度的磷酸盐缓冲液以及在缓冲液中加入氯化镁和脲,并用ＴｒｉｔｏｎＸ－１００作为澄清剂,替代常规使用的氯仿和正丁醇,成功的提取到了大量病毒粒子,上述四种病毒提取的得率分别是ＴｕＭＶ为１７３．３ｍｇ／ｋｇ病叶,ＬＭＶ为９６ｍｇ／ｋｇ病叶,ＳＭＶ为１９９．２ｍｇ／ｋｇ病叶,ＤＭＶ为１７６．６ｍｇ／ｋｇ病叶。     

党参原生质体再生植株

党参下胚轴愈伤组织原生质体在附加１．２ｍｇ／Ｌ２,４－Ｄ,０．２ｍｇ／Ｌ ＮＡＡ,０．２ｍｇ／Ｌ ＢＡＰ和０．１ｍｇ／Ｌ ＺＴ的ＭＳ,Ｃ８１Ｖ,ＤＰＤ及ＫＭ８ｐ培养基中进行液体体层培养。在ＫＭ８ｐ中获得了最高的分裂频率。葡萄糖作渗透剂优于甘露醇,两结合使用效果更好。在合适的条件下,原生质体培养３天出现第１次分裂,４周内形成大细胞团,培养６周后形成０．５－１．０ｍｍ大小的小愈伤组织。在附加２％蔗糖     

日粮中不同水平维生素C对团头鲂幼鱼免疫力的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源,豆油为脂肪源配制团头鲂幼鱼基础饲料,制成维生素C水平为0.2、33.4、65.8、133.7、251.5和501.5 mg/kg 的6种等氮等能的试验饲料。对均重为（6.400.05）g的团头鲂幼鱼进行为期90d的饲养试验,以血清相关免疫指标、肝脏抗氧化指标、三种HSPs mRNA表达以及抗病原菌能力等指标为依据,研究Vc 对团头鲂幼鱼免疫力的影响。试验结果表明,与对照组相比,501.5 mg/kg Vc 试验组能显著提高血清补体3（C3）的浓度,133.7 mg/kg Vc 试验组能显著提高补体4（C4）的浓度;65.8、133.7和 251.5 mg/kg Vc 试验组能显著提高肝脏超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性,各Vc 试验组均能显著提高肝脏抗超氧阴离子（ASAFR）的活性;133.7和251.7 mg/kg Vc 试验组能显著提高肝脏HSP60基因表达水平,251.5 mg/kg Vc 试验组能显著提高肝脏HSP70和HSP90基因表达水平（P0.05）;各Vc 试验组鱼的成活率在感染嗜水气单胞菌后12h、24h均显著高于对照组（P0.05）,其中以251.5 mg/kg Vc 试验组效果最佳。在日粮中添加Vc 对鱼体血清碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（Alb）、皮质醇（COR）以及肝脏丙二醛（MDA）的水平无显著影响（P0.05）。综上所述,在试验条件下,Vc 作为免疫刺激剂,其水平为133.7251.5 mg/kg时能有效地增强团头鲂幼鱼的免疫力。       

Effects of emodin and vitamin C on growth performance, biochemical parameters and two HSP70s mRNA expression of Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala Yih) under high temperature stress

In order to study the effects of dietary emodin, high-dose vitamin C (Vc) and their combination on growth of Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala Y.) and its resistance to high temperature stress, 1200 healthy Wuchang bream with initial body weight of 133.44 ± 2.11 g were randomly divided into four groups: a control group fed with basal diet (containing 50.3 mg/kg Vc) and three treated groups fed with basal diets supplemented with 60 mg/kg emodin, 700 mg/kg Vc, and the combination of 60 mg/kg emodin + 700 mg/kg Vc, respectively. After feeding for 60 days, the growth performance of Wuchang bream was measured. Then 25 fish per tank were exposed to heat stress of 34 °C. The biochemical parameters of blood and liver, and expression levels of liver two HSP70s mRNA before and after heat stress were determined and the cumulative mortality of each group under heat stress was counted. The results showed that before stress, compared with the control, the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR), serum total protein (TP), lysozyme (LSZ), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and expression level of HSP70 mRNA significantly increased in emodin and Vc groups while feed conversion rate (FCR), serum cortisol (COR), triglyceride (TG) and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) contents decreased (P < 0.05); liver catalase (CAT) activity also significantly increased in emodin group (P < 0.05). Although serum TP, LSZ, and liver HSP70 mRNA levels significantly increased and liver MDA level decreased in combination group (P < 0.05), no synergism was observed. After heat stress, compared with the control, the serum TP, LSZ, ALP levels, liver SOD, CAT activities, and expression levels of HSC70 and HSP70 mRNAs increased in emodin and Vc groups in varying degrees and serum COR, glucose, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), TG and liver MDA levels decreased to some extent. Although these parameters had similar changing trend as above ones in combination group, it did not show any synergism either. Statistics showed that under heat stress, the cumulative mortalities of emodin and Vc groups, except at 6 h in emodin group, were significantly lower than that of the control (P < 0.05) while the difference between the combination and control groups was not significant (P > 0.05). Thus, the basal diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg emodin or 700 mg/kg Vc could promote the growth of Wuchang bream, reduce FCR, increase non-specific immunity of fish, antioxidant capacity, and two HSP70s mRNA expression levels, and enhance resistance to heat stress in fish. However, the combination of emodin and high-dose Vc showed no better effect.     

The comparative effects of propofol, thiopental, and diazepam, administered intravenously, on pentylenetetrazol seizure threshold in the rabbit.

The anticonvulsant effects of propofol, thiopental, and diazepam, administered intravenously, on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) seizure threshold were studied and compared in the rabbit. The PTZ seizure threshold determined in various rabbit groups during the control phase of conducted experiments, was found to be in the range of 10.1 +/- 2.0 to 13.5 +/- 3.7 mg/kg. Intravenous administration of comparable doses of propofol, thiopental, and diazepam resulted in marked and significant increases in PTZ seizure threshold. At all administered doses (1.25-10.0 mg/kg), propofol was found to be more effective than thiopental in increasing the PTZ threshold dose. However, the anticonvulsant effects of diazepam were more marked than those of propofol, except at a dose of 10 mg/kg where both agents exhibited equipotent activities. These data demonstrate that propofol enjoys a considerable degree of anticonvulsant activity in the rabbit. This anticonvulsant action is greater than that of thiopental at doses ranging from 2.5 to 10 mg/kg and equipotent with diazepam at the 10 mg/kg dose.     

不同类型西双版纳黄瓜果实成熟期营养成分分析

西双版纳黄瓜（Cucumis sativus L．vat．xishuangbannanesis Qi et Yuan）是我国特有的黄瓜变种,老瓜果肉橙黄是区别于普通黄瓜的主要特征之一。本文以不同类型西双版纳黄瓜为研究对象,分析果实成熟期主要营养成分及其变化规律。结果显示,18份西双版纳黄瓜老瓜的平均β-胡萝卜素含量为106．58mg／kgDW,叶黄素0．48mg／kgDW,Vc4．96mg／100g,可溶性糖1．97％,Ca173．21mg／kg,Fe1．28mg／kg,Mg121．89mg/kg,P 339．67mg／kg,Zn1．47mg／kg。不同种质的β-胡萝卜素含量差异较大,变异范围1．34～261．55mg／kgDW,变异系数67．68％。随着果实成熟期的延长,β-胡萝卜素和α-胡萝卜素含量呈显著增高的趋势,而叶黄素含量明显下降。在果实成熟期未检测到番茄红素。β-胡萝卜素积累是西双版纳黄瓜果肉颜色形成的主要原因。     

Monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid: developmental toxicity studies with risk assessment

BACKGROUND: The toxicity of arsenic compounds is highly dependent on the valence and methylation state of the compound. Although there is extensive published literature on the potential developmental toxicity of inorganic arsenic compounds, little exists on organic arsenic compounds and, in particular, studies conducted in accordance with conventional regulatory guidelines appropriate for risk assessment are rare. The organic arsenic compounds, monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV, also called cacodylic acid), are the active ingredients in pesticide products that are used mainly for weed control. MMAV and DMAV are also metabolites of inorganic arsenic formed intracellularly by most living organisms (animals, plants and bacteria). In mammals, this occurs predominantly in liver cells. METHODS: Conventional developmental toxicity studies of orally administered MMAV and DMAV in the Sprague-Dawley rat and New Zealand White rabbit were conducted in commercial contract laboratories in the late 1980 s for regulatory compliance. The results of these studies are summarized and presented to broaden the data available in the public domain. RESULTS: In both species, data shows an absence of dose-related effects at organic arsenic exposures that were not maternally toxic. MMAV doses of 0, 10, 100, and 500 mg/kg/day (rat) and 0, 1, 3, 7, and 12 mg/kg/day (rabbit) and DMAV doses of 0, 4, 12, and 36 mg/kg/day (rat) and 0, 3, 12, and 48 mg/kg/day (rabbit) were administered by oral gavage daily during organogenesis (Gestation Day [GD] 6-15, rat; GD 7-19, rabbit) and the litters examined at maternal sacrifice (GD 20, rat; GD 29, rabbit). After treatment with MMAV, maternal and fetal toxicity were observed at the highest doses of 500 mg/kg/day (rat) and 12 mg/kg/day (rabbit), but no treatment-related developmental toxicity at the lower doses, even in the presence of minimal maternal toxicity in the rat at 100 mg/kg/d. There was no evidence of teratogenicity associated with MMAV treatment. With DMAV, maternal and developmental toxicity were observed in the rat at 36 mg/kg/day, with a higher than spontaneous incidence of fetuses with diaphragmatic hernia. In the rabbit at 48 mg/kg/day, there was marked maternal toxicity, culminating for most females in abortion and with no surviving fetuses for evaluation. There was no treatment-related maternal or developmental toxicity in the rat or rabbit at 12 mg/kg/day. Based on pregnancy outcome, the developmental toxicity no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for orally administered MMAV were 100 and 7 mg/kg/day in the rat and rabbit, respectively, and for DMAV were 12 mg/kg/day in both species. CONCLUSIONS: Margins of exposure estimated based on conservative estimates of daily intakes of arsenic in all of its forms indicate that exposure to MMAV or DMAV at environmentally relevant exposure levels, by the oral route (the environmentally relevant route of exposure) is unlikely to pose a risk to pregnant women and their offspring.     

硫对大蒜生理生化指标及营养品质的影响

采用盆栽试验探讨了硫对大蒜生理生化指标及营养品质的影响．结果表明,土壤硫含量8．41mg·kg^-1时,大蒜叶片硝酸还原酶、POD活性、光合色素含量、光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率较高;可溶性蛋白质含量及CAT活性却是以土壤硫含量为7．92mg·kg^-1时最高;SOD活性以较低土壤硫含量6．45mg·kg^-1时较高．同时,土壤硫含量为8．41mg·kg^-1时,鳞茎中大蒜素、可溶性糖和Vc及蒜薹中大蒜素、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量分别比对照增加33．67％、23．75％、68．82％、40．95％、3．45％和7．45％;较高土壤硫含量9．48mg·kg^-1有利于蒜薹中Vc和游离氨基酸及鳞茎中游离氨基酸和可溶性蛋白质含量的提高,分别比对照高出15．17％、20．93％、6．49％和8．07％．     

Effects of EDTA on trace elements and cardiovascular function in the anesthetised rabbit

The present study was undertaken in order to study the effects of the broad-acting chelating agent CaNa₂-EDTA on plasma trace elements and cardiovascular function in anesthetised New Zealand White rabbits. Trace elements are important for cardiovascular and immune functions and the rabbit is a well-accepted species in cardiovascular studies. The test compound CaNa₂-EDTA was administered intravenously to rabbits at single doses of 4, 20, and 100 mg/kg. In addition, at 20 mg/kg, the effects of a second dose after 3 h were also investigated. Heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature were continuously monitored during a 6-h interval after injection of CaNa₂-EDTA. Immediately before administration (−1 min) and at 3 and 6 h over the period of the experiment, the plasma cytokine response (tumor necrosis factor-α) and trace elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb) were measured. Regardless of dose, blood pressure was found to decrease, but no corresponding changes in heart rate were observed. Both a repeated administration of 20 mg/kg and a single dose of 100 mg/kg were detrimental and caused severe cardiovascular effects and lethality. α-TNF tended to increase, though only at 100 mg/kg. The electrocardiogram and body temperature were not affected by the treatment. The most pronounced trace element change was a dose-dependent increase in Mn that was equally pronounced at all time-points after the dose. There was an initial decrease in Cd at low dose levels (4 and 20 mg/kg) that turned into an increase after 6 h at 20 mg/kg and from 2 h at 100 mg/kg. A similar pattern with pronounced decreases at low dose levels was observed for Zn. Cu decreased similarly at all dose levels. For the other trace elements, no or inconsistent effects were observed. This model allows the study of concomitant cardiovascular and trace element changes during treatment with drugs and chelating agents preceding a possible lethal end point and associated pathophysiologic changes.     

Adrenergic control of lacrimal secretion in rabbits

Stimulation of the preganglionic trunk of the ipsilateral superior cervical sympathetic ganglion with square wave electrical pulses produced secretion from the main excretory duct of the rabbit lacrimal gland. The secretion was inhibited by propranolol (1 mg/kg) and metoprolol (10 mg/kg) but not by phenoxybenzamine (2 mg/kg) and atropine (25 micrograms/kg). The results indicate that the sympathetically induced secretion in the rabbit lacrimal gland occurs through an adrenergic mechanism. The adrenergic receptors in the lacrimal gland is most likely of beta 1-type.     

Reversal of ketamine/xylazine anesthesia in the rabbit with yohimbine

Ketamine and xylazine used in combination have been shown to be effective, easily administered, cost efficient agents for surgical anesthesia in the rabbit. The effect of xylazine on the central nervous system has been shown to be mediated through alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. Yohimbine, an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist has been shown to reverse xylazine induced depression and partially antagonize ketamine in other species. We evaluated the antagonistic effect of yohimbine on ketamine/xylazine anesthesia in the rabbit. Six New Zealand White rabbits were anesthetized with intramuscular ketamine (50 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) to establish baseline parameters including respiratory rate, heart rate, and palpebral, pedal and postural reflex activity. Fourteen days later each rabbit was subjected to the same anesthetic regimen followed 30 minutes later by the intravenous administration of yohimbine (0.2 mg/kg). The duration of anesthesia estimated by the time elapsed between the loss and return of the palpebral reflex was reduced in the yohimbine treated trial (means = 29.7 +/- 1.9 minutes) compared to the control trial (means = 67.0 +/- 13.5 minutes). The palpebral reflex returned within 5 minutes following yohimbine treatment. Our results indicated that yohimbine is an effective antagonist of ketamine/xylazine anesthesia in the rabbit. Yohimbine decreases anesthetic duration after intravenous administration and also may aid in the control of undesirable anesthetic effects and overdosage.     

Proceedings: Influence of tryptophan on the hypotensive effect of arachidonic acid

When arachidonic acid (AA) was given to a rabbit which was previously heparinized, its arterial pressure began to fall. Indomethacin erased this vasodepressive power without modifying the sensitivity of the cardiovascular apparatus to prostaglandins. Thus, it seems to depend on the biosynthesis of the prostaglandins. This hypotensive action is used as an indication of natural factors which modify the biosynthesis of prostaglandins in living subjects. Tryptophan was used on 8 male rabbits who had been fed normally, weighing 2.3-2.8 kg. The standard dose of .12 mg/kg of AA was injected in 80 seconds. 3 experiments were done without heparin, using a manometer in which the liquid had been made incoaguable by citrate. With 5 others, after injection of AA, the isotonic liquid with citrate was replaced by a manometer with heparin (20 mg/kg of heparin to avoid reabsorption of citrate during hypotension). Several injections of AA were given until a constant hypotensive action resulted; then 4 mg/kg of tryptophan were given and 10 minutes later, a new injection of AA. The results were: 1) With .12 mg/kg there was no hypotensive effect in the rabbit without heparin. 2) A previous treatment with 4 mg/kg of tryptophan achieved a fall of 5-15%. 3) In heparinized rabbits, after AA injections, there were falls of pressure which intensified and attained 25% 40 minutes after the heparin injection. 4) The injection of tryptophan obtained hypotensions of 45-50% in 5 rabbits. It is concluded that in rabbits tryptophan is an activator of the biosynthesis of prostaglandins.