Might hyperthyroxinemic states exacerbate bronchial asthma by stimulating the production of leukotrienes C4, D4 or E4?

Thyrotoxicosis is known to exacerbate bronchial asthma. Leukotrienes C₄, D₄ and E₄ have the capacity to constrict airway smooth muscle and impair pulmonary compliance. A rationale is hereby suggested whereby thyroid hormones are implicated in the synthesis of leukotrienes C₄, D₄ and E₄.     

Histochemical absence of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in chick brain capillary endothelium

It has been proposed that γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) is involved in amino acid transport across the blood-brain barrier. A controversy exists, however, about whether or not sufficient GGTP activity is present in chick brain capillaries to be demonstrated histochemically. Under conditions in which GGTP was readily demonstrated in chick kidney, hamster kidney, and hamster brain capillaries, no GGTP activity was present in chick brain capillaries. Therefore, it is unlikely that GGTP activity is present in sufficient quantity in chick brain capillaries to account for all amino acid transport across the blood-brain barrier.     

Might hyperthyroxinemic states exacerbate bronchial asthma by stimulating the production of leukotrienes C4, D4 or E4?

Thyrotoxicosis is known to exacerbate bronchial asthma. Leukotrienes C₄, D₄ and E₄ have the capacity to constrict airway smooth muscle and impair pulmonary compliance. A rationale is hereby suggested whereby thyroid hormones are implicated in the synthesis of leukotrienes C₄, D₄ and E₄.     

Enzyme Activity of Human Ejaculates, Relation with Abnormal Liquefaction

Five different enzyme activities were estimated in ejaculates obtained from 96 men visiting our infertility clinic. Sperm count showed a significant positive correlation with aspartate-aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine-aminotransferase (GPT). Acid phosphatase was positively correlated with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) and citrate and negatively with fructose. GGTP showed similar relationships with citrate and fructose. For beta-glucuronidase a low positive correlation with GGTP and GOT was detected. The enzyme activities of 27 ejaculates with a high viscosity were not significantly different from the activities of ejaculates with normal liquefaction. The conclusion is reached that insufficient prostatic enzyme secretion is not the cause of abnormal liquefaction in these patients.     

Inhibition of systemic TNF-alpha cytotoxicity in cancer patients by D-peptidoglycan

The current study was designed to investigate direct inhibitory effects of N-acetylglucosaminyl-muramyldipeptide (GMDP) over the cytotoxic nature of TNF-α. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay of the inhibition of TNF-α cytotoxicity was donein vitro on the following cell lines: A549 (human lung carcinoma cells), A431 (human breast cancer cells) and L929 (mouse breast cancer cells). In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, cancer patients with an elevated activity of all five LDH isoensymes were randomized to receive either a GMDP solution or a placebo; 63 patients were evaluated every third day for the mean daily number of episodes of nausea or vomiting, changes in clinical status, cell blood count and blood chemistry. A 95% inhibition of LDH release was noticed on A549 cells. Other cell lines were less sensitive to GMDP, with an observed 72% dose-dependent reduction in LDH activity.In vivo, LDH activity was decreased by 41% (+/−4%) (mean +/−SD) in all 21 subjects who were given 0.5–1.0 mg of GMDP daily. A lowering of LDH activity by 73.4% (+/−4%) was observed in 23 patients who received GMDP at a dosage of 1.5 mg/kg daily. Correspondingly, a 10% (+/−2%) increase in LDH activity was noticed in 19 patients who were given a placebo (P<0.01). During the follow-up period, the overall clinical condition of all patients treated with GMDP was improved. No side effects were observed. In nine patients who experienced nausea from tumor toxicity before treatment, the symptom subsided. In parallel, an extremely beneficial effect on lipids metabolism was noticed in all patients with elevated cholesterol and trigliceride levels. A dietary supplementation of GMDP has been shown to reduce systemic TNF-α cytotoxicity during tumor shock.     

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of metastases in the liver

During the years 1975-1985, fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the liver was performed in 655 patients. The procedure entailed no complications. In 302 (46%) cases, the samples contained malignant cells; in 238 (36%), liver cells; in 46 (7%), cells suspected of malignancy; in 69 (11%) of cases, the samples were unsatisfactory. The medical records of 242 patients were reviewed. Based on the results of different examinations it was established that 149 patients had liver metastases and 62 did not. In 31 patients, evaluation could not be done owing to insufficient data. The cytological findings were compared with the results of liver scintiscan, Alcaline phosphatase, serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, and histological diagnoses. There were no false-positive cytological diagnoses. False-negative diagnoses were found in 14% of cases. Cytologically positive samples from known primaries were reviewed. It has been established that pallisade-like formations are characteristic for metastases of intestinal carcinoma; usually in these cases, necrotic material and inflammatory cells were found as well.