Ultrastructural stereological analysis of the liver of Muridae from regions with various levels of anthropogenic pollution

Ultrastructural stereological analysis revealed the fundamental reorganization of hepatocytes in Muridae from natural ecosystems exposed to anthropogenic factors. An appreciable decrease of the volume density of mitochondria and granular endoplasmic reticulum was associated with a many-fold increase of the volume density of glycogen. The detected hepatocyte glycogenosis was characterized by a redistribution of organelles and the formation of large depots of glycogen with reduced electron density. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, No. 4, pp. 470–476, April, 1996 Presented by D. S. Sarkisov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Metastasizing of human melanoma on immunodeficient mice. Comparison of cell lines with different metastasizing activity

Two human melanoma cell variats-with low and high metastasizing activity-are obtained by successive passaging on mice with combined immunodeficiency. After the development of a subcutaneous tumor, tumor cells are detected only in the bloodstream of animals with a highly metastasizing tumor, in mice with combined immunodeficiency the number of these cells being much greater than that in nude mice. These results indicate a preeminent influence of the nature of tumor cells on the dissemination of metastasizing cells. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 2, pp. 206–208, February, 1995 Presented by Yu. N. Solov'ev. Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.     

Morphofunctional reorganization of the myocardium of mouse-like rodents in regions with various anthropogenic contamination levels

Morphofunctional analysis (morphological and stereological) revealed stereotypic morphofunctional reactions (hemodynamic disturbances accompanied by considerable cardiomyocyte degeneration) in the myocardium of common field mice and common voles from various Altai regions. Changes in the capillary surface-volume ratio and the stroma/parenchyma volume ratio are typical of tissue reorganization of the myocardium. The nature of these changes depends on the level and type of contamination. Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 6, pp. 708–713, June, 1999     

Role of glycolysis in the maintenance of the energy-synthesizing function of hepatocytes from rats adapted and nonadapted to hypoxia at different oxygen concentrations

It is demonstrated that the lactate-Po₂ dependence is the same in hepatocytes of rats with high and low resistance to hypoxia and does not correlate with phasic changes in the ATP concentration in the 890–50 μM O₂ region. Strong activation of lactate formation against the background of ATP decrease indicates that glycolysis is not the major mechanism determining the steady-state ATP level in the cell and affecting the ATP-Po₂ relationship in a wide range of oxygen concentrations. The intensity of glycolysis in hepatocytes of rats with high resistance to hypoxia is markedly increased after periodic adaptation to hypoxia but remains practically unchanged in the hepatocytes of low-resistance rats. This indicates that fundamentally different compensatory mechanisms are involved in this process in the liver of high- and low-resistance rats. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 1, pp. 28–32, January, 1995     

Glutathione S-transferase activity in the liver of mice with different sensitivity to hepatocarcinogenic effects ofo-aminoazotoluene

Glutathione S-transferase activity was detected in the liver of inbred mice sensitive (CBA) and resistant (CC57BR and C57B1) to hepatocarcinogenic effects ofo-aminoazotoluene. High liver glutathione S-transferase activity was found in CC57BR and C57B1 and low in CBA mice treated with this carcinogen. Thus, interstrain differences in glutathione S-transferase activity probably determine the resistance too-aminoazotoluene-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 2, pp. 174–175, February, 2000     

Nuclear manifestation of prolactin receptors in rat hepatocytes and effect of prolactin

Ligation of the common bile duct induced intense nuclear expression of prolactin receptors in hepatocytes of male and female rats. Bromocriptin abolished this effect in female, but not in male rats. In males with ectopic pituitary transplants, nuclear and cytoplasmic manifestations of prolactin receptors in hepatocytes decreased. It is concluded that prolactin exerted a sex-dependent effect on the content of prolactin receptors in hepatocyte nuclei in rats. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 5, pp. 579–582, May, 1999     

A rapid method of inducing amyloidosis in mice

A new modification of the casein model of amyloidosis in mice is suggested, whereby the time for development of amyloidosis is reduced to 5–10 days.Laboratory of General Pathological Anatomy, Institute of Human Morphology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 634–635, May, 1978.     

Movement of hepatocytes along the hepatic trabecula during physiological regeneration

The distribution of mitoses among hepatocytes and of dying cells along the hepatic trabecula was determined in rats. The relative rate of movement of the hepatocytes along the trabecular was calculated from these distributions. The direction and velocity of movement of the hepatocytes along the hepatic trabecula were obtained by recording the shift of the peak of labeled cells one month after giving the rats six injections of thymidine-³H.Laboratory of Pathology Induced by Alimentary Factors, Institute of Nutrition, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 214–216, February, 1977.     

Use of zinc metallothioneine to protect mice from ionizing radiation

Injecting mice with exogenous zinc-metallothioneine from rat liver at 2 mg/kg 5–10 min before their total-body irradiation resulted in a significantly increased 30-day survival rate. The radioprotective effect of zinc-metallothioneine was not associated with the influence of its constituents, since a model mixture composed of these (albumin, cysteine, and zinc) failed to protect. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 8, pp. 139–141, August, 1994 Presented by B. B. Moroz, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Metastatic phenotype of human melanoma substrain mel-7m grafted into immunodeficient mice

Metastatic phenotype of a new stable human melanoma substrain (Mel-7m) is described. After grafting into beige/nude mice, these cells spontaneously metastasize into the lungs in 84.2% of cases. The strain can be used in experimental oncology. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 12, pp. 655–657, December, 1996     

Absence of amyloid protein from the organs of normal mice

The indirect Coon's immunomorphological test was used to detect specific amyloid protein AA in the organs of mice with experimental amyloidosis and of normal mice (adult, newborn, and embryonic). By using pure antibodies against protein AA, minimal quantities of amyloid protein could be detected in the early stages of amyloid formation. No protein AA could be found in the organs of normal mice (adult, newborn, or embryonic).Laboratory of General Pathological Anatomy, Institute of Human Morphology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 618–619, May, 1978.     

Activity and inducibility of cytochrome P-450-1A in the liver of mice with different sensitivity to hepatocarcinogenic effect of o-aminoazotoluene

Specific activity of cytochrome P-450-1a is detected in the liver of 7 inbred mouse strains sensitive (SWR, C3HA, DD, and CBA) and resistant (AKR, CC57BR, and C57BL) to o-aminoazotoluene-induced hepatocarcinogenesis: 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-diethylase and 7-methoxyresorufin-O-dimethylase, induced by benzo(a)pyrene and o-aminoazotoluene. Mice sensitive (CC57BR and C57BL) and resistant (AKR) to P-450-1a induction were resistant to induction of liver tumor and, similarly, mice both resistant (SWR and DD) and sensitive (C3HA and CBA) to P-450-1a induction were sensitive to hepatic tumor induction. Therefore, there was no correlation between inducibility of cytochrome P-450-1a and sensitivity to o-aminoazotoluene-induced hepatocarcinogenesis at the initial stages of chemical carcinogenesis. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 8, pp. 201–203, August, 1998     

Pattern of age variability of the autoantibody levels in (NZB×NZW) F1 mice

The age variability of the levels of antibodies against structurally different antigens is studied in female (NZB×NZW) F1 mice. It is established that the pubertal period is critical for the number of features studied and the degree of variability of autoantibody levels dependes on the nature of the autoantigen. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, № 3, pp. 287–289, March, 1994     

Membranotropic effects of glucocorticoids. Effect of hydrocortisone on D-glucose uptake by isolated hepatocytes

Hydrocortisone immobilized on polyvinylpyrrolidone did not affect D-glucose uptake by hepatocytes, while free hydrocortisone in a concentration of 10 μM or higher decreased the initial rate of this process. Hydrocortisone-induced inhibition was dose-dependent and related to a decrease in the maximum rate of D-glucose uptake. Polyvinylpyrrolidone-immobilized hydrocortisone potentiated the effects of free hormone. Membranotropic effect of hydrocortisone on D-glucose transport into hepatocytes was associated with a decreased number of glucose carrier molecules or their turnover, rather than with lowered affinity of transport systems for glucose. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 3, pp. 310–312, March, 2000     

Dissemination of human solid tumor cells in the bloodstream of immunodeficient mice

Seven human solid tumor cell lines transplanted into hereditarily immunodeficient mice (nude and beige/nude) were typed for tumor-associated surface antigens and glycoconjugates using fluorescent conjugates of 7 monoclonal antibodies, 5 lectins, and 2 ligands. With this set of 14 selected tumor markers, peripheral blood samples from mice bearing the respective tumors were examined by flow cytofluorimetry for the presence of tumor cells disseminated in their circulation. Tumor cells were detected in the blood of mice carrying a uterine tumor, indicating that the metastatic process can be followed intravitally in immunodeficient animals bearing human solid tumors. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 12, pp. 615–618, December, 1995     

Expression of hepatic estrogen sulfotransferase in hepatocytes transplanted into the spleen of syngeneic animals

An immunohistochemical assay showed patchy expression of liver-specific androgen-dependent estrogen sulfotransferase in hepatocytes of male rats transplanted into the spleen of castrated syngeneic males during 4–5 months after transplantation. Hepatocyte islets not arranged in hepatic lobules were found in the spleen. No regular distribution of cells with the maximum and minimal expression of estrogen sulfotransferase was revealed. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 7, pp. 45–47, July, 1999     

Metastasizing of human melanoma on immunodeficient mice. Tumor cells in the circulation

The subline Bro of human melanoma xenograft with a high metastasizing activity is studied. The data obtained by flow fluorometry after staining with tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies indicate that free melanoma cells are present in the peripheral blood of animals; the largest number of these cells is found in mice with combined immunodeficiencies (beige/nude). Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 8, pp. 188–189, August, 1994 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of tetrahydrocortisol on protein biosynthesis in hepatocytes

Cooperative effect of high-density lipoproteins and glucocorticoids on protein biosynthesis in hepatocytes was associated with the formation of biologically active hormone in Kupffer cells. Apolipoprotein A-I, a constituent of high-density lipoproteins, transported the active hormone from liver macrophages to hepatocytes. Apolipoprotein A-I-induced stimulation of protein biosynthesis was observed only in Kupffer cells. Apolipoprotein A-I alone or in combination with hormones did not change the rate of protein biosynthesis in liver endotheliocytes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 2, pp. 171–173, February, 2000     

Esterase spectrum in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells of the regenerating liver

The esterase spectrum in hepatocytes and Kuppfer cells of the regenerating rat liver was determined by electrophoresis in starch gel. The relative number of Kupffer cells, the percentage of phagocytic Kupffer cells, and the frequency of mitosis in the hepatocytes were determined. The esterase spectrum of hepatocytes isolated from the intact liver consisted of six zones, and that of the Kupffer cells of five zones of enzyme activity. The spectrum of the hepatocytes was simplified 2.5 h after partial hepatectomy, additional bands of activity appeared toward 9 h, and these persisted until 24 h after the operation. The original esterase spectrum was restored 48 h after the operation. A similar reorganization of the esterase spectrum was observed in the Kupffer cells but this was not fully restored 72 h after partial hepatectomy.Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Novosibirsk. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. V. Kaznacheev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 44–46, July, 1977.