Effects of prolactin and androgens on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in prostate of castrated bonnet monkeys Macaca radiata (Geoffroy).

Effects of prolactin (PRL), bromocriptine (Br), testosterone propionate (TP), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the combinations of these androgens with PRL/Br on the specific activities of caudal and cranial prostatic cellular enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in castrated mature bonnet monkeys have been studied. Castration decreased all the enzymes studied such as hexokinase (HK), 6-phosphofructokinase (6-PFK), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-3-PD), pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) in the cranial and caudal prostates. PRL elevated the activities of all the enzymes above normal except G-3-PD of cranial lobe. In the caudal lobe, PRL brought back the activities of HK, PFK, PK, G-6-PD to normal and 6-PGD above normal except G-3-PD. TP/DHT treatment increased all the enzymes in both the lobes. PRL given along with TP/DHT further enhanced the androgen action with regard to HK, PK, G-6-PD and 6-PGD of cranial and PFK, G-3-PD, PK, G-6-PD and 6-PGD of caudal lobe. Br treatment did not produce any alteration of these enzymes in both the lobes. In the cranial lobe, during Br+TP/DHT treatment, the stimulating effects of androgen were unaffected on all the enzymes except PK. On the other hand in the caudal, the stimulatory effects of androgens were affected and the activities of HK, PFK, PK and 6-PGD were significantly decreased. The present results suggest that PRL has a direct as well as a synergistic action with androgens on enzymes of EMP and HMP shunt in the prostates of monkeys.     

Influence of L-thyroxine upon enzymatic activity in the renal tubular epithelium of the rat under normal conditions and mercury-induced lesions. II. Histochemical studies of lactate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, unspecific esterase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Mercury-induced renal tubular lesions in the rat present histochemically with a decrease of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), and unspecific esterase (UE), but with an increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), indicating a drop of energy supply as well as a switch from oxidative to glycolytic energy production. L-thyroxine has the same effect on SDH, G-6-PD, and LDH, but an inverse effect on MDH and UE, pointing to stimulation of gluconeogenesis. However, administration of L-thyroxine to animals which have been submitted to sublimate intoxication even further decreases the MDH and UE activity while raising or partly restoring the activity of LDH, SDH, and G-6-PD. This observation is interpreted as an attempt of the damaged epithelial cell, as the gluconeogenesis ceases, to gain relatively more energy supply for the benefit of the vitally indispensable tubular Na+ reabsorption.     

Electrophoretic patterns of glucose metabolizing enzymes and acid phosphatase in mouse and human neuroblastoma cells

The electrophoretic patterns of glucose metabolizing enzymes and acid phosphatase in mouse and human neuroblastoma cells were investigated. Mouse neuroblastoma cells had one band of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and two bands of acid phosphatase, whereas human neuroblastoma cells had five bands of LDH and one band of acid phosphatase. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) were expressed as a single band in both mouse and human neuroblastoma cells. The electrophoretic pattern of LDH was similar in mouse neuroblastoma cells grown in culture or in vivo. The electrophoretic band of G-6-PD in mouse neuroblastoma cells grown in vivo appeared to be less dense than that observed in cells grown in culture; however, the reverse was true for 6-PGD. Among all enzymes examined, only the electrophoretic pattern of G-6-PD in cAMP-induced “differentiated” mouse neuroblastoma was different in comparison to control cells.     

Frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and hexokinase deficiency in the Saudi population

The frequencies of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), pyruvate kinase (PK) and hexokinase (HK) deficiency were determined in different regions of Saudi Arabia. G-6-PD deficiency was found to range from 0.045 to 0.220 for the male and 0.020 to 0.125 for the female population. The highest frequencies were found to exist in the regions which are endemic to malarial parasite and have high frequencies of sickle cell and thalassaemia genes. Partial deficiencies of PK and HK were encountered in each region, however, no case of complete deficiency of these enzymes was identified. Further investigations are in progress to determine the clinical manifestations of enzyme deficiencies in the Saudi population.     

Effect of tuftsin on the activity of energy metabolism enzymes in peritoneal macrophages

Cytochemistry was used to measure the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) in rat peritoneal macrophages under the action of the endogenous immunostimulant tuftcin (tre-lys-pro-arg) during phagocytosis of latex particles and at rest. Tuftcin did not affect the activity of the study enzymes in non-phagocytic cells. Elevation of the peptide concentration to 0.25 micrograms/ml and higher in phagocytic macrophages activated G-6-PDH and lowered the activity of LDH. Tuftcin did not alter the activity of SOD in phagocytic macrophages.     

Immunoglobulin synthesis and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as cell markers in human lymphoblastoid cell lines

Multiple lymphoblastoid cell lines were established from each of seven Burkitt lymphoma biopsies and from tonsils, removed from four patients with chronic tonsillitis. The cellular origin of the lines was studied using as markers the pattern of immunoglobulins secreted into the medium and the cells' glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) phenotypes.Lines from the same tonsil biopsy differed from each other by their patterns of immunoglobulin synthesis and G-6-PD phenotypes. All tonsil-derived lines secreted complete immunoglobulins. Newly established lines usually produced several heavy and light chain types, indicating multicellular origin, but the number of components produced decreased during the course of long-term cultivation. G-6-PD phenotypes of lines established from the same tonsil removed from a G-6-PD heterozygote differed—B, A and B/A phenotypes were found. The B/A lines rapidly changed to a single enzyme phenotype (B or A) when maintained in culture.The immunoglobulin and G-6-PD phenotypes in lines derived from Burkitt lymphomas differed from those of tonsil lines in several respects: (1) Some lines produced no immunoglobulins; (2) in immunoglobulin-synthesizing lines, the patterns of heavy and light chain production were more restricted than in tonsil lines; (3) after some months in culture, a uniform pattern of immunoglobulin synthesis was found in all lines derived from the same tumour; (4) lines from G-6-PD heterozygotes had the same single enzyme phenotypes as were found in the tumours.The data strongly suggest that most lines from Burkitt lymphomas are derived from the tumour clones and that most tonsil-derived lines have multicellular origin.     

Interstrain differences in red cell enzyme activities in mice and rats.

1. Interstrain differences in red blood cell enzyme activities were studied in mice (BALB/c, C57BL/6, C3H/He, DBA/2 and ddY) and rats (Donryu, F344/N, SD, Wistar and Wistar/ST), and were also compared with hamster, guinea-pig and rabbit. 2. The enzyme activities measured were: glutathione S-transferase (GST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), NADPH-diaphorase (ND), hexokinase (Hx), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). 3. There were marked variations in the activities of some red cell enzymes (e.g. GST, Hx, ND), while others (e.g. G-6-PD, 6-PGD) were much less variable both within different strains and species.     

Effect of Aloe vera gel extract on antioxidant enzymes and azoxymethane-induced oxidative stress in rats

The present work was undertaken with a view to study the effect of oral feeding of 2% Aloe vera gel extract (AGE) for 30 days on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced oxidative stress in rats. It was observed that AOM administration resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes, with reduction in hepatic glutathione (GSH), vitamin A and uric acid contents. AOM-induced reduction in hepatic GSH and uric acid was brought back to normal by AGE. There was a significant raise in hepatic catalase, superoxide dismutase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activities as a result of feeding of the extract. Ingestion of the extract effected reduction in AOM-induced colonic GSH-peroxidase, G-6-PD and glutathione S-transferase and femur bone marrow micronuclei formation. Hence, it is suggested that Aloe vera gel extract possess the ability to reduce AOM- induced oxidative stress and toxicity in liver.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and sickle cell disease in Brazil.

The frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency was determined in 54 male patients with sickle cell diseases: 31 sickle cell anemia (SS), 14 sickle cell hemoglobinopathy (SC) and 9 HbS/beta-thalassemia (S/B-thal) by a combination of quantitative assay, fluorescent spot test and electrophoresis. Of the 54 patients tested, 7 were found to be G-6-PD deficient (G-6-PD-) (3 SS, 3 SC and 1 S/B-thal) and 47 G-6-PD normal (G-6-PD+) (6 G-6-PD A and 41 G-6-PD B). All the deficient patients were G-6-PD A-. The frequency of G-6-PD deficiency did not differ significantly from that observed in the general population. Compared to patients who were not G-6-PD-, there were no significant differences in the hemoglobin concentration and reticulocyte count in patients with sickle cell diseases who were G-6-PD-.     

Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium, manganese, zinc, and plasma calcium levels in G-6-PD-deficient and normal male children

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency is the most common human enzymopathy in the world. Trace elements are important for normal hematopoiesis and can play a role in acute hemolytic anemia induced by G-6-PD deficiency. For this purpose, we studied two groups consisting of 10 male children who are G-6-PD-deficient and 12 age-matched normal male children to compare plasma and erythrocyte magnesium, manganese, zinc, and plasma calcium levels between G-6-PD-deficient and normal children. All assays were performed under normal conditions free of any oxidative attack that may result in hemolytic crisis in G-6-PD-deficient subjects. All parameters in each group did not differ significantly except for erythrocyte G-6-PD activities. These data show that plasma and erythrocyte trace element contents of G-6-PD-deficient subjects do not differ in normal conditions.     

Zur transspezifischen Variabilität der Glucose-6-Phosphatdehydrogenase (E.C.: 1.1.1.49) der Primaten

Zusammenfassung Bei subhumanen Primaten können auf Grund ihrer unterschiedlichen Wandergeschwindigkeit in der Elektrophorese fünf verschiedene Glucose-6-Phosphatdehydrogenase-Varianten nachgewiesen werden. Die Verteilung dieser Varianten wurde ermittelt.

---

Transspecific variability of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C.: 1.1.1.49) in Primates

Summary On the basis of their different electrophoretic mobility five Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants are detectable in subhuman Primates: G-6-PD D, G-6-PD C, G-6-PD B, G-6-PD E, G-6-PD F. Their distribution in 428 individuals was estimated.

---

---

Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

全自动直接定量法与定量比值法检测红细胞葡糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶活性的比较

目的:与定量比值法比较,探讨全自动直接定量法检测红细胞葡糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G-6-PD)活性的可行性。方法:同时采用定量比值法(即硝基四氮唑蓝定量法)和全自动直接定量法,检测219例肝素抗凝静脉血标本的红细胞G-6-PD活性。结果:定量比值法检测G-6-PD缺乏的阳性率为9.13%,全自动直接定量法检测的G-6-PD缺乏阳性率为9.58%,两种方法检测结果无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:定量比值法简单易行,适用于卫生条件有限的基层医疗单位;全自动直接定量法快速准确,是一种可批量检测的理想筛选方法。     

Frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in sickle-cell disease. A study in Saudi Arabia

The frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency in 50 Hb S homozygotes (SS) and 98 Hb S heterozygotes (AS) was determined and compared with the frequency obtained in individuals with normal haemoglobin (AA). The observed number of SS patients with G-6-PD deficiency was significantly greater than the expected value (p less than 0.05). The frequency of G-6-PD deficiency in AA, AS and SS was found to be 0.172, 0.214 and 0.420, respectively. A statistically significant increase of G-6-PD deficiency was apparent in the Saudi sicklers. The possibility that G-6-PD deficiency and Hb S gene interact, influencing the survival of the carriers of these genetic abnormalities, is discussed.     

The relationship between red cell aging and enzyme activities in experimental animals.

1. The relationship between red cell aging and enzyme activities was studied in rabbit, guinea-pig, hamster, rats (F344/N and SD), and mice (BALB/c and DBA/2). 2. The activities of six enzymes: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), hexokinase (Hx), glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were measured in the red cells of different ages which were obtained either by centrifugation or experimental anaemia. 3. Hx, AChE and GOT activities were much higher in younger red cells than in older cells, hence the activities of these enzymes may be used as an indicator of age of the cells.     

Leucocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity in G-6-PD deficient Chinese

The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) in leucocytes was studied for erythrocyte G-6-PD deficiency using 49 hemizygous males, 16 heterozygous females, and 19 normal controls. The mean G-6-PD activity in leucocytes of the affected neonates (9.2 +/- 5.4 units) and the children (11.2 +/- 5.3 units) were significantly lower than those of normal newborns (22.9 +/- 5.1 units, P less than 0.01). Seventy percent of the effected newborns and 58% of the children with G-6-PD deficiency had the leucocyte enzyme activity of less than 13 IU/10(9)WBC. The leucocyte enzyme activity (14.6 +/- 8.6 units) of 16 heterozygous G-6-PD deficient mothers was also lower than that of normal controls (23.1 +/- 7.0 units). The present study thus concludes that, in G-6-PD deficient Chinese, the enzyme defect is demonstrable not only in erythrocytes but also in leucocytes.     

Purification and kinetics of sheep kidney cortex glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) is one of the important enzymes, which is responsible for the production of NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate. NADPH is used for the biosynthetic reactions and protection of the cells from free radicals. We have investigated some properties and kinetic mechanism of the sheep kidney cortex G-6-PD. This enzyme has been purified 1,384-fold with a yield of 16.96% and had a specific activity of 27.69 U/mg protein. The purification procedure consists of 2', 5'-ADP-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography after ultracentrifugation. The sheep kidney cortex G-6-PD was found to operate according to a Ping Pong Bi Bi mechanism. The kinetic parameters from sheep K(m) values for G-6-P and NADP(+) and V(m) were determined to be 0.041+/-0.0043 mM, 0.0147+/-0.001 mM and 28.23+/-0.86 microMol min(-1) mg protein(-1), respectively. The pH optimum was 7.4 and the optimum temperature was 45 degrees C. In our previous study we have found that lamb kidney cortex G-6-PD enzyme obeys 'Ordered Bi Bi' mechanism. We suggest that kinetic mechanism altered due to the aging since sheep G-6-PD uses a 'ping pong' mechanism.     

Characterization of the inhibition effect induced by nickel on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase

Kinetic characterization of the inhibition effect of nickel on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) (G-6-PD) and glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was made. The effect of nickel on G-6-PD activity is consistent with a mixed-type inhibition pattern, with a competitive character, since the inequality ki,int greater than ki,slope shows an inverse relation between varied substrate concentrations and fractional inhibition. An inhibition effect of nickel on GR activity, when NADPH is the varied substrate, is also consistent with a mixed-type inhibition pattern. However, pure competitive inhibition is found on GR reaction when oxidized glutathione is the varied substrate. This investigation shows the highest sensibility of GR before the inhibitory effect of nickel, in agreement with the experimental values of inhibition constants found in this study, where constants related to the GR system are lower than the ones of the G-6-PD system.     

Characteristics of a new abnormal variant of G-6-PD in human red cells.

Kinetic and electrophoretic properties were studied in 230--300 fold purified preparations of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) from red cells of donors and patients with hemolytic anemia induced by G-6-PD deficiency. In abnormal variant of G-6-PD isolated from red cells of a patient with hemolytic anemia which had not before been described in the literature was found. The abnormal variant differs from the normal enzyme by a decreased Michaelis constant for G-6-P and NADP, by increased utilization of substrate-analogues (2-deoxy-G-6-P and deamino NADP in particular), by low heat stability, the character of pH dependence, and by the appearance of one band of G-6-PD activity during electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. The isolated abnormal variant of G-6-PD has been called "Kremenchug" according to the origin of the patient.     

Insulin secretion in patients deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Intravenous (IVGTT) and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were carried out in 12 men with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency and in 11 normal men. The race, the mean age and body mass index were similar in the G-6-PD deficient and in the normal men. No significant differences were demonstrated between mean plasma glucose levels in the G-6-PD deficient subjects and those in the normal men during IVGTT and OGTT. In contrast the insulin levels were significantly lower for the G-6-PD deficient subjects as compared to the controls at 30 minutes (P less than 0.04) in the OGTT and at 1 min (P less than 0.001), 3 min (P less than 0.001), 5 min (P less than 0.001) and 10 minutes (P less than 0.002) in the IVGTT. All indexes of first phase insulin release were also significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in G-6-PD deficient men. These results emphasize the metabolic importance of G-6-PD in the process of glucose induced insulin release.     

Evidence contrary to the protein error hypothesis for in vitro senescence.

A strain of diploid fibroblasts, obtained from the skin of a male infant, was cultured in vitro and cells were tested throughout their lifespan for the appearance of altered glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) detected either by thermostability studies or by immunotitration. No significant difference was found in the proportion of thermolabile enzyme in 31 young cultures (4.8 +/- 1%, S.E.), in comparison with that in 19 old cultures (4.9 +/- 1%, S.E.). Old cultures had ceased active cell division (49-60 doublings); DNA replication, measured by [3H]thymidine uptake over a period of 24 hours, was limited to less than 5% of these cells. Young cells (5-22 doublings) had a [3H]thymidine labeling index of 75-85%. Titration of G-6-PD activity in extracts of young and old cells with neutralizing antibody directes specifically against G-6-PD failed to detect an increment of enzymatically defective G-6-PD in old cells. The thermostability studies were capable of detecting altered G-6-PD in skin fibroblasts from a female heterozygous for a thermolabile mutant of G-6-PD, and in fibroblasts treated with a proline analogue, azetidine carboxylic acid. The immunotitration technique was also capable of detecting catalytically altered G-6-PD from the thermolabile mutant and G-6-PD inactivated with N-ethylameimide. These findings argue against a protein error catastrophe as the cause of in vitro clonal senescence.