Alteration of salicylate binding to serum protein in allergic subjects

The binding of serum protein to salicylate was measured by a Sephadex batch method in the serum of 82 allergic individuals, 30 members of their families, and 24 normals. Subjects with the immediate types of allergy exhibited a significantly (p less than 0.001) increased binding ability corrected for albumin (Alb). The members of their families also showed significantly (p less than 0.005) elevated binding, but this was lower than in the allergic subjects themselves. The binding study with serum proteins fractionated with DEAE-Sephadex A-50 from both allergic and normal subjects using 14C-labeled salicylate showed that the salicylate molecule binds exclusively to Alb. No correlation was observed between the binding ability corrected for Alb and the serum Alb concentration in allergic and normal subjects. From the evidence obtained, there seems to be a certain underlying diathesis related to the Alb binding ability to endogenous inflammatory substances, which may back up the consequences of allergic reactions among allergic individuals.     

Behavior of plasma cortisol during testing with insulin and with LVP in obese subjects compared to normal subjects after resperine administration]

The behaviour of plasma cortisol levels was studied in fifteen overweight subjects with comparison to normal subjects. In eight subjects the insulin hypoglycemic test was performed before and after medication with reserpine (4mg/24HR); the other seven subjects were tested with LVP before and after treatment with reserpine. In both cases, premedication with reserpine significantly reduce the cortisolemic response. This behaviour is similar to the response observed in normal subjects.     

Increased glucose disappearance rate after short-term clofibrate administration in normal subjects and in patients with chemical diabetes

Following seven days clofibrate administration, the glucose disappearance rate during an intravenous glucose tolerance test was significantly increased in 6 normal subjects and in 11 patients with chemical diabetes. Both the acute and the total insulin secretory response were unchanged. Though fasting serum levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol were significantly lowered by treatment, no correlation was found between the decrease in serum lipids and the increase in glucose disappearance rate. It is suggested and clofibrate improves glucose utilization by reducing insulin resistance irrespective of its effects on serum lipids concentration.     

Enhanced erythrocytic lipid peroxides level in rabbits after repeated parental administration of iron

An experiment was conducted in rabbits to evaluate the possible involvement of oxidative stress in iron-overload animals. Ten adult female New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 2 equal groups with 5 animals each. Group II animals received intramuscular iron dextran injections (120 mg/kg body wt/day) on alternate day for 14 days (8 injections), while Group I animals did not receive any iron supplementation to serve as negative controls. The blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture before the start of iron dosing and thereafter, at weekly intervals for 28 days. The samples were processed to measure blood iron concentration, packed cell volume, erythrocytic lipid peroxide (LPO) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. The blood iron concentration showed a rising trend following repeated iron administration, and the mean level recorded on day 14 was significantly higher than respective day 0 value. LPO level remained significantly higher from day 14 onwards till the end of the observation period of 14 more days after cessation of iron adminstration. Erythrocytic superoxide dismutase activities showed a transient significant rise on day 7, and thereafter, showed a declining trend, but remained statistically comparable to respective day 0 or corresponding value of the control animals.