PGE2 and PGF2α release by human peritoneal macrophages in endometriosis

Objective: To test for differences in the amount and activity of peritoneal macrophages present in the peritoneal fluid of women with, and without endometriosis using prostaglandin release by macrophages in culture as a marker.Patients: Women of reproductive age undergoing laparoscopy for infertility or chronic pelvic pain with postoperative diagnosis of endometriosis and women undergoing laparoscopy for sterilization.Methods: Peritoneal fluid was aspirated during laparoscopy, volume was recorded, macrophages were isolated via a Ficoll Paque gradient and kept in primary culture. PGE₂ and PGF_2α release of the cells were measured before and after stimulation with zymosan.Results: Women with endometriosis had significantly more peritoneal macrophages than controls. Peritoneal macrophages of women with endometriosis released significantly more PGE₂ than those of the control group: 8.4 ± 2.0 versus 1.4 ± 0.4 ng/ml/10⁶cells (mean ± SEM, p=0.0005) and PGF_2α : 10 ± 4.3 (endometriosis) versus 1.8 ± 0.4 (control) ng/ml/10⁶cells (mean ± SEM, p = 0.045).Conclusion: There is a significant increase in the amount of prostaglandins released by peritoneal macrophages from women with endometriosis. These prostaglandins might alter uterine and tubal contractility, thereby affecting fertility.     

In vitro augmentation of cytotoxicity by N-CWS in peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) induced by PSK,OK-432 or N-CWS

Peritoneal polymorponuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were collected from the peritoneal cavity of C3H/He mice 6 hrs after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 2.5 mg/head of PSK, 1 KE (100 µg)/head of OK-432 or 200 µg/head ofNocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (N-CWS). Withoutin vitro stimulation, these PMNs did not show cytotoxicity to syngeneic MM46 mammary carcinoma cells in⁵¹Cr release assay. Cytotoxicity of these PMNs was augmented by the addition of 25 µg/ml of N-CWS but not of PSK or OK-432 to cultures for the assay at the beginning of the culture. H₂O₂ production of PSK-induced PMNs was increased by thein vitro addition of 25 µg/ml of N-CWS but not of PSK. These results suggest that PSK as well as OK-432 and N-CWS can induce PMNs capable of responding further to N-CWS as the second stimulant.     

Primer extension studies on α-amylase mRNAs in barley aleurone. I. Characterization and quantification of the transcripts

Primer extension was used to characterize alpha-amylase mRNAs from aleurone tissue of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) grains. Two synthetic oligonucleotides, specific for the low-pI and high-pI alpha-amylase groups, were used as primers for synthesis of cDNA from total RNA preparations. Between them, these two oligonucleotides appear to account for all major alpha-amylase mRNAs as judged by hybrid-arrested translation of alpha-amylase mRNAs in a cell-free system. Reconstruction experiments indicated that the levels of extended primers (determined by scintillation counting) were directly proportional to the level of input mRNA over a wide range. This indicates that the technique is suitable for quantification of relative levels of individual alpha-amylase from approximately 2% to 100% of maximal levels. The nucleotide sequences of extended primers defined two different alpha-amylase mRNAs in each of the low-pI and high-pI groups, and possibly a third mRNA in the high-pI group.     

Demonstration by lectin cytochemistry of rod and cone photoreceptors in the lamprey retina

Summary Lectin cytochemical analysis was undertaken to examine the distribution of glycoconjugates associated with the short and long photoreceptor cells in the lamprey retina. Concanavalin A bound preferentially to the outer segment region of the short cells. Wheat germ agglutinin bound weakly to both long and short cells. The outer segment regions of the long cells were stained intensely with peanut agglutinin. Pretreatment with neuraminidase to remove sialic acid resulted in decreased binding of wheat germ agglutinin throughout the retina and increased binding of peanut agglutinin to the outer segment region of the short cells and the region of myoid process of the long cells. These results suggest that there is a difference in the distribution of glycoconjugate residues between the long and short cells. A rod-like character of the short cell and a cone-like character of the long are tentatively discussed. Lectin-binding patterns in other retinal regions is also examined.     

Plasma levels of catechols during reflexive changes in sympathetic nerve activity

Relationships between changes in levels of catechols and directly recorded sympathetic nerve activity were examined using simultaneous measurements of renal sympathetic nerve activity and arterial and renal venous concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa), and dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) during reflexive alterations in renal sympathetic nerve activity in anesthetized, adrenal-demedullated rats. Nitroprusside infusion increased renal sympathetic nerve activity by 90%, arterial levels of dopa by 96%, NE by 326%, and DHPG by 141%. Phenylephrine infusion increased arterial DHPG levels by 81% and decreased renal sympathetic nerve activity by 37% and NE levels by 26%; arterial dopa levels were unchanged. Ganglionic blockade by chlorisondamine (with concomitant phenylephrine infusion to maintain MAP) decreased renal sympathetic nerve activity by 65% and NE concentrations by 37%; arterial dopa concentrations were unchanged, and DHPG concentrations increased by 60%. Proportionate responses of arterial levels of NE were strongly related to proportionate changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity. Clearance of DHPG from arterial plasma was prolonged by phenylephrine-induced hypertension and by nitroprusside-induced hypotension. The results suggest that changes in arterial NE levels reflect changes in sympathetic activity; changes in dopa levels reflect changes in catecholamine biosynthesis; and changes in DHPG levels depend on reuptake of released NE and on hemodynamic factors affecting DHPG clearance.     

Blockade of glutamatergic transmission as treatment for dyskinesias and motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease

Summary In animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD), glutamate antagonists diminish levodopa (LD)-associated motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. We sought to investigate if these preclinical observations can be extended to the human disease, by evaluating the effects of three non-competitive NMDA antagonists (dextrorphan, dextromethorphan and amantadine) on the motor response to LD in patients with advanced PD. In four separate trials, adjuvant therapy with these drugs reduced LD-induced dyskinesias and motor fluctuations. These findings support the view that drugs acting to inhibit glutamatergic transmission at the NMDA receptor can ameliorate LD associated motor response complications.     

Recent advances in genetic research on schizophrenia

Evidence for genetic factors in schizophrenia is reviewed with regard to family, twin and adoption studies, and recent advances in molecular genetic technology are applied to explore possible gene loci susceptible to schizophrenia. Application of neuropsychological and neuroimaging methodologies are also reviewed with an aim to develop criteria for defining phenotypes for genetic studies.Plenary Session, Twelfth Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Sciences, April 20, 1997, Taipei, Taiwan.     

Acetyl-l-carnitine attenuates neuronal damage in gerbils with transient forebrain ischeia only when givenBefore the insult

The underlying mechanisms leading to neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia are multifactoral. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of acetyl-l-carnitine, a medication that may enhance metabolic recovery after cerebral ischemia. The 5-minute transient forebrain ischemia model in gerbils was used. Acetyl-l-carnitine was given 30 minutes before the insult in one set of animals and 30 minutes after the insult in a second set of animals with histological evaluation at 7 days (Group A) and 28 days (Group B). Damage assessment was done using a 4-point damage score and Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. Compared to the controls, there was significant protection in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and the striatum in animals treated with the medicationbefore the insult in Group A and Group B Post-ischemic therapy showed little evidence of neuronal protection in either group. Behavioral tests in the Group B animals showed no significant differences between the treated or the saline controls. Our study shows, that pre-ischemic treatment with acetyl-l-carnitine results in neuronal protection. This may have clinical significance in situations (such as bypass surgery) where treatment could be initiatedprior to the insult.