Fragmentation of gamma globulin preparations manufactured in the USSR]

Gamma-globulin preparations prepared by the alcoholic method from the placental and abortion sera were split during storage under the effect of proteases contained in them; fragments with a molecular weight of 50 000 and 60 000 were formed. The most intensive splitting was seen in the preparations obtained from the precipitates of B placental and abortive sera. Some delay in the gamma-globulin fragmentation could be reached by addition to protease inhibitors--epsilon-aminocapronic acid or cyclocapron.     

Morphofunctional changes in the glands of the tracheobronchial system following gamma globulin administration

Morpho-functional changes and synthesis of carbohydrate compounds in the mucous membrane of the rat and cat trachea and bronchi have been studied 2, 4, 7, 14 and 24 days after a single and twice administration of gamma-globulin into the respiratory tract and after repeated intrapleural and intramuscular administration following sensibilization with a complete Freund's adjuvant. Dynamic of the changes observed depends, to a great extent, on the mode and multiplicity of administration of the adjuvant. When gamma-globulin is administered into the respiratory tract or intrapleurally, a more active incorporation of 3H-glucose and 35S-sodium sulfate into chondroitinsulphate A, C, sialic acids and glycogen, which are synthesized by cells of the tracheobronchial system glands, occurs. In 14-24 days after gamma-globulin has been administered by any mode, sulfated glycosamineoglycans (of chondroitinsulfate B and heparin type), as well as proteoglycans and sialic acids resistive to treatment with sialidase are accumulating in discharge from the glands. The accumulation of the sulfated glycosamin sulfates is accompanied with an increased level of serum antibodies specific for the administered antigen.     

Effect of gamma globulin on reactivity of the organism. V. Types of biological activity of gamma globulin preparations]

Biological activity of 110 series of commercial gamma-globulin preparations was studied; they were found to contain placental antigens, group-specific blood substances, gonadotropic hormones and antibodies to them. Placental antigens were found in 12% of placental and abortive gamma-globulin batches in titres of 1 : 2--1 : 16; no placental protein was revealed in donor gamma-globulin. There were group-specific blood substances in all the batches of placental and abortive gamma-globulin studied (in titres of 1 : 138--A, 1 : 112 B in the placental gamma-globulin and in titres of 1 : 48.9--A, 1 : 32--B in the abortive gamma-globulin). In the preparations from the venous blood group-specific substances were either absent or present in lowe titres only (1 : 2). The value of gonadotropic hormones in the placental gamma-globulin batches constituted 873+/-157, and in the abortive--991.4+/-147 IU/l; no gonadotropins were revealed in donor gamma-globulin. The mean titres of antibodies to gonadotropin hormone in the gamma-globulin preparations made of placental blood constituted 1 : 236+/-32, of abortive--1 : 131+/-16.6, and of the venous blood--1 : 46+/-24.7. The presence of biologically-active substances in the gamma-globulin preparations pointed to the necessity of increased requirement of their quality; additional requirements to its standardization proved to be also necessary.     

Effect of multiple gamma globulin administration on the effectiveness of seroprophylaxis in hepatitis A

The data provided by immunological and epidemiological studies carried out to determine the influence of the multiple injections of 10% commercial gamma globulin on the level of antigamma globulin formation and, in this connection, on the effectiveness of the prophylaxis of hepatitis A are discussed. A sharp increase in the titers of antigamma globulin in persons receiving multiple gamma globulin injections is shown. The increased amount of antibodies to gamma globulin, appearing as the result of the multiple use of this preparation, decreases the effectiveness of the seroprophylaxis of hepatitis A.     

Human gamma globulin: Substrate for polyphenol oxidase

In view of the problem of impaired body immunity in senescence the possible oxidation of human gamma globulin by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase was studied. Oxidation of denatured globulin by the enzyme was evidenced and measured by spectroscopic methods. Compounds such as ascorbate that lower the redox potential of body fluids act as inhibitor.