Isolation and partial characterization of a novel form of low molecular weight kininogen from guinea pig plasma

Two kinds of low molecular weight kininogen (termed LK1 and LK2) were isolated from pooled plasma of guinea pigs. When polyclonal antisera raised against the individual proteins were used, immunological cross-reactions were observed between LK1 and high molecular weight kininogen (HK), but not either between LK1 and LK2 or between LK2 and HK. After tissue injury, plasma level of LK1 doubled while those of LK2 and HK remained relatively unchanged.     

Serodiagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in guinea pigs by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Guineapig antibodies to Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPN) serotype 19F were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a simple procedure. In experimentally infected hosts, antibody was detectable as early as 2 to 3 weeks after infection, and high titres were maintained for a long period. Antibodies higher than 1:64 were regarded as specific. In a field study, high antibody titres were shown in SPN enzootic colonies in contrast to negative or low antibody titres in a majority of the animals from non-enzootic and SPF colonies.     

Suppression of postprandial glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) in man by oral administration of a prostaglandin analogue (enprostil)

Enprostil, a long-acting, orally active dehydroprostaglandin E2 with cytoprotective and gastric antisecretory properties, is a potent inhibitor of meal-stimulated gastrin release. Recent data have suggested suppression of additional other gastrointestinal peptide hormones following single doses of enprostil. The current investigation was conducted to further clarify the effects of enprostil administration on gastrointestinal hormones and glucose metabolism under physiologic conditions and to determine whether these effects were present following multiple doses of the agent. Enprostil 70 mcg/d and its placebo were each administered for 7 1/2 days to eight normal male subjects in a study of crossover design, each treatment period lasting 7 1/2 days and separated by a 7 day washout period. Subjects received a test meal on days 1 and 8 and an oral glucose challenge on day 3 of each treatment period following enprostil or its placebo. Following the test meal, there was a delay and suppression of the maximum measured serum glucose levels. Mean overall peak glucose concentrations were lower during the enprostil phase compared to placebo (112 vs. 121 mg/dd, P = 0.025) with a trend toward delay in the time to achievement of peak glucose concentrations. Mean overall peak levels for insulin, C-peptide, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) were significantly suppressed by 36%, 16% and 60%, respectively by enprostil when compared to placebo. The overall integrated postprandial responses for insulin, C-peptide, and GIP were significantly reduced by 42%, 39% and 90%, respectively while that for glucose above baseline was reduced by 44% (P = 0.098). Similar effects were present following the oral glucose challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effects of monensin on membrane lipids of cultured human skin fibroblasts

We have investigated the effects of monensin, a monovalent cationophore, on the metabolism of neutral lipids, fatty acids, ceramide and phospholipids in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Treatment with 1 microM monensin for 18 h reduced the cellular cholesterol ester content to less than one-third of untreated cells, and incorporation of [3H]acetate into cholesterol ester was also reduced, to less than one-fifth. Concomitantly, a greater conversion of [3H]acetate into free cholesterol occurred. There was a moderate increase in free fatty acids, but no change in triacylglycerol content, although the content of the latter appeared to increase in the presence of fetal calf serum in the culture medium. Phosphatidylcholine decreased in content and phosphatidylserine increased among the phosphatides, but ceramide remained unchanged after monensin treatment. These findings suggest that monensin influences the metabolic interrelationships of structural lipids in fibroblasts.     

Changes in plasma fibronectin levels in thyroid diseases

The plasma levels of fibronectin (Fn) have been measured in normal subjects and in patients with thyroid diseases. The mean plasma Fn levels in 62 normal adults was 32.0 +/- 6.0 mg/dl, whereas it was elevated to 62.6 +/- 16.1 mg/dl (mean +/- SD) in 25 patients with hyperthyroidism and decreased to 19.2 +/- 8.0 mg/dl in 9 patients with hypothyroidism. The 9 patients with simple goiter have normal values of 29.1 +/- 8.0 mg/dl. With the administration of anti-thyroid drugs, plasma Fn levels normalized, with a time lag, in parallel with normalization of the thyroid function. Positive correlation was obtained between Fn levels and serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The present findings indicate that measurement of plasma Fn both in the basal state and during treatment provides evidence of altered Fn metabolism in thyroid diseases and serves to follow up the effect of treatment.     

Molecular species of platelet-activating factor generated by human neutrophils challenged with ionophore A23187

Two species of platelet-activating factor (PAF), 1-hexadecyl- and 1-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C16 = 0 AGEPC and C18 = 0 AGEPC) were detected in ionophore A23187-stimulated human neutrophils. The amount of AGEPC in 1 x 10(7) neutrophil cells was 80 +/- 26 pmol (mean +/- standard error) with a range of 14 to 223 pmol (n = 8), and it consisted of 80% of the C16 = 0 species and 20% of the C18 = 0 species. Most of the AGEPC derived from ionophore-treated neutrophils remained cell associated rather than being secreted into the medium, even when the medium contained ample albumin protein, which can trap AGEPC. These results were obtained by a technique of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with selected ion monitoring.     

Production of platelet-activating factor by washed rabbit platelets

Production of platelet-activating factor by washed rabbit platelets under stimulation with the ionophore A23187 was investigated utilizing two groups of platelet preparations. The first platelet preparation contained 0.03 +/- 0.02% contaminating white cells, while the second preparation contained 0.48 +/- 0.27% white cells. The latter preparation produced platelet-activating factor, mainly 1-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 8.3 +/- 6.3 pmol (mean +/- standard deviation) with a range of 2.6 to 21.4 pmol (n = 9), followed by small quantities of 1-octadecenyl- and 1-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. In contrast, there was no production of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine by the former platelet preparation having 0.03% leukocytes. These quantitative analyses were carried out by the selected ion monitoring technique and it was concluded that it is necessary to consider the presence of contaminating white cells in studies on the production of platelet-activating factor by platelets.     

Possible site of flavonoid synthesis in the photosynthetic apparatus (Short Communication)

Chloroplasts were prepared in aqueous suspension from buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) seedlings, and the incorporation of [1-(14)C]acetic acid into quercetin (3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavone) by the isolated chloroplast preparations was investigated.