Systemic alkalinisation delays prostate cancer cell progression in TRAMP mice

The microenvironment of solid tumours is extremely acidic and this condition arises since the precancerous stage. This acidic milieu could therefore provide a useful target for both prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. In TRAMP transgenic mice, an in vivo model of prostate adenocarcinoma (AC), oral administration of alkaline water was devoid of unwanted side effects, and when started from an early age was as effective as NaHCO₃ in significantly delaying tumour progression, while when started when prostate tumours were already present, a nonstatistically significant trend in the same direction was detected. These findings indicate that the use of alkalinizing drugs should be considered for chemoprevention and, in association with standard chemotherapy, for treatment of human prostate AC.     

Estimation of metabolic flux rates in liver purine catabolism of tumour-bearing mice by computer simulation of radioactive tracer experiments

Mouse hepatocytes from healthy control mice and from Ehrlich ascites tumour-bearing mice were used for tracer-kinetic studies of purine catabolism of liver cells during different periods of tumour growth. The dynamics of the radioactive tracers were modelled mathematically by a system of differential equations. Computer simulations, i.e. direct fitting of numerical solutions of these equations to the observed time-courses of metabolites and specific radioactivites, enables one to estimate unknown kinetic parameters of a simplified model of pathways of hepatic purine catabolism in tumour-bearing mice. There occurred great differences of metabolic flux rates between control hepatocytes, hepatocytes of mice during the proliferating period of tumour growth (6th day after inoculation of the tumour) and hepatocytes of mice during the resting period of tumour growth (12th day after inoculation of the tumour). The final purine degradation of hepatocytes prepared during the proliferating period was lower in comparison with that of control hepatocytes, but it was markedly higher in hepatocytes prepared during the resting period of tumour growth. The changes in hepatocyte purine catabolism during the proliferating period of tumour growth argue for transitions which aim at the maintenance of high purine nucleotide levels in the liver itself rather than for an increased nucleoside and nucleobase supply for the tumour. This suggestion is in accordance with the increased ATP level of the liver during the proliferating phase of tumour growth. The drastic acceleration of the final steps of hepatic purine catabolism forming uric acid and allantoin during the resting period of tumour growth was predominantly due to increased flux rate from xanthosine and guanine in accordance with increased catabolism of monophosphorylated nucleotides.     

G-proteins of rat liver membranes. Subcellular compartmentation and disposition in the plasma membrane

Summary The distribution of the alpha- and beta-subunits of G-proteins and their disposition in rat liver plasma and intracellular membranes was investigated. Western blotting, using antibodies that recognised the alpha-subunit of the inhibitory and the beta-subunits of most G-proteins, identified 41 and 36 kDa polypeptides respectively in all plasma membrane functional domains, in endosomes as well as in Golgi membranes. Lysosomes were devoid of these subunits. The highest levels of G-protein subunits were found in bile canalicular plasma membranes prepared by density gradient centrifugation followed by free-flow electrophoresis. Separation of membrane proteins into extrinsic and intrinsic components was carried out by extraction of the membranes at pH 11.0 and by partitioning the membranes in Triton X-114/aqueous phases. The results demonstrated that the alpha- and beta-subunits were tightly associated with the hepatic membranes but they could be solubilised by extraction with detergent, e.g. SDS. Prolonged incubation in the presence of GTP analogues also released up to approximately 50% of the alpha-subunit of inhibitory G-proteins from membranes. The beta-subunit was still associated with membranes after alkaline extraction. The results emphasise the strong association of G-protein subunits with liver membranes, and show that these proteins are distributed widely in the plasma membrane and along the endocytic pathways of hepatocytes.     

人G-CSF转基因鼠的稳定遗传与表达

利用人粒细胞集落刺激因子（Ｇ－ＣＳＦ）基因组基因作为目的片段,将其受控于２．６ｋｂ的小鼠乳清酸蛋白（ＷＡＰ）基因的调控区下,通过显微注射法获得了两只整合有人Ｇ－ＣＳＦ转基因小鼠,通过繁殖建立了稳定的转基因系．一些表型参数测定表明转基因鼠与正常鼠无明显差别．通过ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ及Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ检测,在乳腺表达出人Ｇ－ＣＳＦ,为乳腺表达外源蛋白质及今后大动物研究奠定了基础．     

Activity of 2-Acetylaminofluorene as a UDS inducting agent in B6C3F1 mouse hepatocytes in vitro

Summary 2-Acetylaminofluorene (2AAF) is shown to be reproducibly active in inducing UDS in cultured hepatocytes from a B₆C₃F₁ mouse liver.Abbreviations 2AAF 2-acetylaminofluorene - 6BT 6-dimethylaminophenylazobenzthiazole     

Postsurgical adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy with recombinant interleukin-2 and 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosurea on spontaneous metastases of a non-immunogenic murine tumour

Summary The efficacy of the association of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) with chemotherapy has been investigated on an experimental model representative of clinical tumours, i.e. on post-surgical spontaneous metastases of a non-immunogenic tumour. We used the M5076 ovarian reticulum cell sarcoma, which metastatizes to the liver after intra-footpad implantation. Such a tumour appeared to be non-immunogenic by a variety of commonly used in vivo assays. Four clinically widely employed drugs, i.e. doxorubicin,cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, cyclophosphamide and 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosurea (BCNU), were tested and BCNU proved to be the most effective one when administered as single injection at the maximum tolerated dose (33 mg/kg i.p.) 1 day after tumour excision. When moderate doses of rIL-2 (6 × 10⁵ IU in three injections per day for 5 days) were administered at three different intervals after BCNU, namely before the nadir of white blood cells (1 day after BCNU), at the nadir (3 days after BCNU) or at recovery (6 days after BCNU), no increase in BCNU antitumour activity was observed. The same results were obtained by administering rIL-2 for 5 days before BCNU. Higher doses of rIL-2 (1.2 × 10⁶ IU in three injections per day for 5 days), which were always well tolerated in sham-excised non-tumour-bearing mice, proved lethal in two out of four experiments in tumour-bearing animals. In the two experiments in which no lethality was observed, the administration of high doses of rIL-2 1 or 6 days after BCNU significantly increased the antitumour activity of BCNU alone. rIL-2 alone was not active even when administered at high doses. These results indicate that high but not moderate doses of rIL-2 may increase the activity of BCNU against a non-immunogenic tumour. Moreover, they suggest that rIL-2 tolerability is reduced in tumour-bearing mice.     

豌豆乙酰羟酸还原异构酶基因结构、蛋白活性分析及其调控机制研究

用PCR方法获得了G2豌豆AAIR基因的核DNA序列, 分析表明该基因由8个内含子和9个外显子组成, 其中3个内含子带有特征性的富A/T内源启动子区. 分子杂交试验表明, 短日照条件下G2豌豆中AAIR的表达不受生殖生长的影响, 开花前后都维持较高水平的表达. 长日照条件下, 植株开花后AAIR的表达水平迅速下降. AAIR基因表达强度的变化与豌豆乙酰羟酸还原异构酶的活性变化规律相一致. 用乙酰羟酸还原异构酶缺陷型大肠杆菌做功能互补实验发现, 带有豌豆AAIR cDNA的细菌能够在缺少分枝氨基酸的M9培养基上生长, 表明该基因产物确实具有乙酰羟酸还原异构酶活性. 进一步的研究表明, 豌豆AAIR基因产物能显著提高野生型大肠杆菌合成分枝氨基酸的能力. 凝胶阻滞实验表明, AAIR基因的内含子中的富A/T区能与豌豆核蛋白提取物发生特异性结合. 该蛋白在不衰老的短日照G2豌豆顶芽中一直保持稳定表达, 但在迅速衰老的长日照豌豆顶芽中, 开花后该蛋白就迅速降低直至完全消失. 因此, AAIR基因内源启动子区与核蛋白的特异性结合可能是调控该基因表达的重要机制.     

Sex differences in the biotransformation of 2-acetylaminofluorene in cultured rat hepatocytes

Sex-related differences in susceptability to 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) hepatocarcinogenicity and in vivo biotransformation of 2-AAF have been observed. In order to determine the contribution of hepatocytes to these differences, 2-AAF biotransformation was investigated in monolayer cultures of hepatocytes freshly isolated from male and female F-344 rats.In cultured hepatocytes from both sexes, ring and N-hydroxylated, deacetylated and conjugated metabolites were formed. The half-life of 2-AAF was similar at concentrations of 5×10^–6 and 10^–5 M; however, at 10^–4 M a slower rate was observed in cultures from males. Although the total formation of aqueous metabolites was similar, the ratio of sulfate to glucuronide conjugates of 2-AAF formed by hepatocytes from male and female rats differed. Sulfate conjugates predominated in hepatocytes from male rats, whereas in females, glucuronides predominated. The demonstration of sex-dependent variations in the rate of metabolism at a high concentration of 2-AAF and in conjugation provides evidence that in vivo differences are a function, at least in part, of the biotransformation characteristics of hepatocytes.Abbreviations 2-AAF 2-acetylaminofluorene - 2AF 2-aminofluorene - WME Williams Medium E.     

内蒙古达斡尔族舌运动类型的遗传学研究

调查了内蒙古达斡尔族舌运动类型（卷舌、叠舌、翻舌、尖舌、三叶舌）,共480例（男239例,女241例）。研究结果显示：（1）卷舌、叠舌、翻舌、尖舌、三叶舌出现率分别为80．42％、4．58％、31．25％、81．88％、31．46％;（2）卷舌、三叶舌出现率存在性别间明显差异;（3）卷舌基因与翻舌、三叶舌基因间存在互作关系,翻舌基因与叠舌、尖舌、三叶舌基因间存在互作关系;（4）卷舌、叠舌、翻舌、三叶舌的出现率存在民族间或种族间差异。     

Primary cultures of hepatocytes in serum and hormone-free medium: Identification of conditions which stimulate an in vivo-like induction of G6PD

Summary Recent results from several laboratories suggest that complex interactions between hormones and dietary carbohydrate may be responsible for regulating the induction of several hepatic lipogenic enzymes. Elucidation of these interactions requires the ability to culture hepatocytes for several days in serum-free medium where the hormones or carbohydrate or both present is strictly controlled. The functional response of primary adult rat hepatocytes was examined in a medium without exposure to serum, hormones, or carbohydrates and on three substrata commonly used to culture cells in a defined medium. Hepatocytes cultured on a floating collagen gel in which is embedded a nylon mesh possess cell attachment and morphologic characteristics superior to either cells cultured on a collagen-coated or fibronectin(Fn)-coated substratum. Cells cultured on the gel-mesh system retain insulin responsivity, as measured by protein synthesis rates and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) induction, for at least 6 d in culture. Under these conditions, insulin, dexamethasone, and fructose increase G6PD specific activity to levels comparble to that seen in an induced animal. Hepatocytes cultured on the gel-mesh system tolerate restricted medium conditions better than cells cultured on collagen or Fn-coated substratum, and remain viable for sufficient times to allow, for the first time, full expression and maximal induction (i.e. like in vivo), of G6PD in cultured cells. This system represents a satisfactory model for in vivo liver metabolism and a superior system for studying the effects of hormones and metabolites on G6PD levels, as well as other nutritional-hormonally regulated enzymes.     

腓骨肌萎缩症2型(CMT2)小鼠模型的研究进展

腓骨肌萎缩症(Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, CMT)是人类最常见的遗传性运动和感觉神经疾病之一, 全球群体发病率约为1/2500。CMT主要分为脱髓鞘型(包括CMT1, CMT3, CMT4和CMTX1)和轴索型(CMT2)。迄今为止, 先后已有17个CMT2的致病基因被定位和克隆, 然而对这些基因的致病机制所知甚少。建立CMT2小鼠模型是从动物水平研究突变基因致病机制的有效手段。目前已成功构建了近10种CMT2的转基因小鼠、基因敲除小鼠或基因敲入小鼠模型, 其中尤以带有人源致病基因的转基因小鼠模型为多。文章简要介绍了CMT2小鼠模型构建策略, 着重阐述了CMT2小鼠模型的研究进展, 并对个别小鼠模型进行了剖析。     

内蒙古呼伦贝尔盟蒙古族3个群体5项舌运动类型的研究

1997年9月在内蒙古呼伦贝尔盟调查了947例蒙古族3个群体（厄鲁特蒙古族、巴尔虎蒙古族、布里亚特蒙古族）的卷舌、叠舌、翻舌、尖舌、三叶舌形状。研究表明：（1）呼盟蒙古族能卷舌（80.86%）、能尖舌（77.30%）者超过半数,能叠舌（4.86％）、能翻舌（29.25%）、能三叶舌（28.62%）的人较少。（2）除尖舌外,其它4种舌型均不存在性别间的差异。（3）5种舌运动类型间多相关关系。（4）3个群体翻舌出现率具有明显的差异,而另外4项舌运动类型多不存在差异。（5）与其他群体比较,呼盟蒙古族卷舌出现率较高,翻舌出现率较低。     

内蒙古6个人群舌运动类型研究

调查了2760例内蒙古中、西部区6个人群（鄂尔多斯蒙古族、伊盟汉族、锡林郭勒蒙古族、察哈尔蒙古族、乌拉特蒙古族、巴盟汉族）的卷舌、叠舌、翻舌、尖舌、三叶舌特征。研究表明：1）内蒙古西部区人群卷舌率、翻舌率、三叶舌率多低于内蒙古东部区人群;2）乌拉特蒙古族分别与另外3个蒙古族人群的叠舌率、尖舌率、三叶舌率存在显著性差异;3）5种舌运动类型的百分率不存在性别间的差异;4）卷舌与翻舌、卷舌与三叶舌、叠舌与翻舌、翻舌与尖舌存在着相关。叠舌与尖舌、叠舌与三叶舌、尖舌与三叶舌不存在相关。