Lectin histochemistry of scrapie amyloid plaques

Summary Peroxidase-labeled lectins were used for detection of specific monosaccharide residues in amyloid plaques in brains of scrapie-infected mice. The lectins tested recognize the following residues: -d-galactosyl (Ricinus communis agglutinin 120, RCA-1), -d-galactosyl and -d-galactopyranoside (Bandeirea simplicifolia aggl., BSA), -d-mannosyl and -d-glucosyl (Concanavalin A, Con A), N-acetylglucosaminyl and sialyl (Wheat germ aggl., WGA), sialoglycoconjugates (Limulus polyphemus aggl., LPA), -l-fucosyl (Ulex europeus aggl., UEA-1 and Tetragonolobus aggl., TPA), N-acetyl-d-galactosaminyl (Helix pomatia aggl., HPA). The most intense staining reaction in amyloid plaques was observed with BSA and WGA; it was less intense with RCA-1, Con A, and HPA. This indicates that the plaque material contains glycoproteins with abundance of accessible residues of - and -galactose, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and N-actyl-d-galactosamine, and some types of sialoglycoconjugates recognized by WGA. Such residues, like -l-flucosyl recognized by UEA-1 and TPA, were almost undectectable in the examined plaques.There were also some differences in the staining intensity between small and large plaques (WGA and HPA) and between central and peripheral areas of the plaques.In the wall of micro-blood vessels relatively strong staining reaction was observed with RCA and BSA and less intense with WGA and Con A.Support in part by grant no. 5PO1 AG 04220-03 from the National Institute of Aging, NIH     

Cerebral endothelial plasma membrane alterations in acute hypertension

Summary This study was undertaken to localize oligosaccharide residues on the endothelial luminal plasma membrane of cerebral vessels of normotensive animals and vessels permeable to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in angiotensin-induced acute hypertension. Wistar-Furth rats were injected with HRP intravenously and hypertension was induced by an intravenous infusion of angiotensin amide. Animals were fixed 2.5, 10 and 15 min later and the HRP reaction product was demonstrated in brain slices, followed by lectin localization using the avidin-biotinperoxidase method. Oligosaccharide residues demonstrable on the luminal plasma membrane of cerebral endothelium of normotensive controls and both permeable and nonpermeable vessels of hypertensive animals were: -d-mannosyl, -d-glucosyl, -N-acetylglucosaminyl, sialyl, -d-galactosyl, -l-fucosyl and -N-acetyl-d-galactosaminyl groups. Peanut agglutinin did not bind to the endothelium of normotensive controls or of nonpermeable vessels in hypertensive animals, but did bind to endothelium of vessels permeable to HRP 2.5 min after the onset of hypertension. At 10 min, the luminal plasma membrane of vessels regained their normal characteristics and peanut agglutinin binding was no longer demonstrable. Our studies suggest that increased cerebrovascular permeability to protein in acute hypertension is associated with loss of the terminal sialic acid groups on the luminal plasma membrane of permeable vessels. This results in the observed reduction of charge on the endothelium and an exposure of -d-gal-(1,3)-d-gal N-acetyl groups leads to binding of peanut agglutinin. Both alterations are rapidly reversible and no longer demonstrable 10 min after the onset of hypertension, when blood pressures reach resting levels and the blood-brain barrier is restored.Supported by Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Grant 2-6     

Nachweis und Verteilung der Enzyme: β-d-Glucuronidase, β-d-Galaktosidase, β-d-Glucosidase und Arylsulfatase in Neurinomen

Zusammenfassung In 17 Neurinomen wurden Verteilung und Aktivität der hydrolytischen Enzyme -d-Glucuronidase, -d-Glucosidase, -d-Galaktosidase und Arylsulfatase untersucht.Die höchste Aktivität der Enzyme zeigten die verfetteten Neurinome. Es bestand eine enge Beziehung zwischen Lipidablagerung und Fermentaktivität.Daraus wurde geschlossen, daß die im Neurinom gebildeten Markscheidenlipide unter Mitwirkung der untersuchten Hydrolasen abgebaut werden.

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Demonstration and distribution of the enzymes: -d-glucuronidase, -d-galactosidase, -d-glucosidase, and arylsulfatase in neurinomas

Summary In 17 neurinomas, distribution and activity of the hydrolytic enzymes -d-glucuronidase, -d-glucosidase, -d-galactosidase, and arylsulfatase were examined. Highest enzyme activity was seen in neurinomas stuffed with lipid material. There was close relationship between lipid deposition and enzyme activity. From these findings it was concluded that myelin lipids formed in neurinomas are degradated by means of the examined hydrolases.

     

Lectin histochemistry of plaques and tangles in Alzheimer's disease

Summary Biotinyl derivatives of several lectins and avidin-horseradish peroxidase were used to study the localization of glycoconjugates in amyloid plaques and in neuritic tangles in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Downs syndrome (DS) and Gerstmann-Sträussler syndrome (GSS). The lectins tested recognize the following residues: -d-galactosyl [Ricinus communis agglutinin 120, (RCA-1) and peanut agglutinin, (PNA)]; -d-galactosyl [Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin (GSA)]; -d-mannosyl>-d-glucosyl [concanavalin A (Con A) andLens culinaris agglutinin (LcH)];N-acetyl- andN-glycolylneuraminic acid [Limax flavus agglutinin (LFA) andLimulus polyphemus agglutinin (LPA)];N-acetyl-glucosaminyl and sialyl [wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)];N-acetyl-d-galactosaminyl [Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) andDolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA)] and -l-fucosyl [Ulex europeus agglutinin (UEA-1)]. The majority of lectins listed above bind preferentially to the peripheral area of AD plaques, whereas in plaques of DS they are mainly bound to central amyloid core. In neurofibrillary tangles of AD brains only residues recognized by WGA and HPA or DBA were found, whereas in DS brains, in addition to above mentioned, -d-galactose (RCA-1) and sialic acid (LFA) were also present. In brain microblood vessels the strongest reaction in endothelia appeared with UEA-1 and RCA-1, indicating the abundance of -l-fucosyl and -d-galactosyl residues. In AD brains deposits of amyloid were noted in the wall of some blood vessels, where monosaccharide residues recognized by RCA-1, GSA, UEA and WGA but not by Con A and LFA were present. However, our studies of some organs (liver, kidney, heart and testes) of patients with generalized amyloidosis revealed a lack of these sugar residues. It indicates, that the composition of amyloid present in brains of AD is different to that in other organs in generalized amyloidosis.Supported in part by grant no. AG 04220-03 from the National Institute of Aging, NIH     

Changes in the distribution of endothelial surface glycoconjugates associated with altered permeability of brain micro-blood vessels

Summary Lectin-binding sites located on the endothelial cell (EC) surfaces in unaltered, leaking and resorbing micro-blood vessels (MBVs) in cryo-injured cat brain were studied. Lectin or glycoprotein-gold complexes and brain samples embedded in hydrophilic resin Lowicryl K4M were used. The lectins tested recognize the following residues: -d-galactosyl (Ricinus communis agglutinin 120, RCA and peanut agglutinin, PNA), sialyl (Limax flavus agglutinin),N-acetyl-d-galactosaminyl (Helix pomatia agglutinin and soybean agglutinin, SBA), -d-glucosyl and -d-mannosyl (concanavalin A). The luminal front was labeled with SBA, and both fronts of the EC were labeled with PNA only after neuraminidase digestion. The most abundant and regularly distributed on both fronts of the EC were -d-galactosyl residues (RCA). These residues were also most affected in altered MBVs. The labeling of sialic acid residues was less pronounced on both sides of the EC. Following alteration of the function of the blood-brain barrier by cold-lesion injury, in leaking MBVs which represent increased luminal transport, we observed a conspicuous diminution of the labeling of the luminal surface of the EC with some lectins. On the other hand, in resorbing blood vessels located in the area of edema, where a presumably reverse (abluminal) transport occurs, major changes in the distribution of lectin-binding sites occurred on the abluminal front of the EC and in the basement membrane. The results reported here indicate that luminal and abluminal fronts of the EC change their properties in various functional conditions of MBVs, and that these changes can also be a reflection of functional polarity of brain endothelium.Supported in part by a grant from NINCDS no. 17271-05     

A new form of ovine GM1-gangliosidosis

neurological signs were observed in 3 lambs at approximately 1 month of age, in a flock of 1 ram and 29 ewes with 43 lambs. Deterioration occurred such that the lambs had either died or been killed by 4 months of age. Necropsies of two of these lambs revealed a diffuse encephalopathy in which the most prominent feature was ballooned neurons. Sections of frozen brain showed PAS-positive, oil red O-negative, and weak Sudan Black-positive material in the swollen neuronal cytoplasm. The ultrastructure of the neuronal inclusions showed characteristic whorled membranes, suggesting diagnosis of a gangliosidosis. The underlying enzymic defect was investigated by assaying 11 lysosomal enzymes in extracts of kidney from an affected lamb and from normal lambs. A deficiency (90%) of acidic -d-galactosidase was found in the affected lamb. All other activities, including N-acetylneuraminidase, were normal. A specific deficiency of lysosomal -d-galactosidase was demonstrated by separating the lysosomal and cytosolic -d-galactosidase by chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose. Diagnosis of G_M1-gangliosidosis, analogous to the severe infantile form of the human disease, was made on the basis of the pathology and enzymology. The -d-galactosidase activity in the white blood cells of the ram and several of the ewes was consistent with their being heterozygotes. This disorder is different from a previously described lipidosis in sheep, in which there was a combined deficiency of -d-galactosidase and -neuraminidase.     

Lectin histochemistry of gangliosidosis

Summary Lectin histochemical studies were performed on selected formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of patients affected with the O variant of G_M2-gangliosidosis (i.e., Sandhoff's disease). The purpose was to identify specific sugar residues of undegraded stored substances in cytoplasm of affected cells. We studied neural tissues from 13 patients, visceral tissues from four patients, and placentae from three affected fetuses. Neurons in all 13 cases studied stained withConcanavalia ensiformis agglutinin (Con A) and withUlex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I). Succinylated wheat germ agglutinin (S-WGA) stained affected visceral cells and astrocytes and macrophages in the central nervous system. These results demonstrate that -d-mannosyl and -l-fucosyl residues, which bind Con A and UEA-I, respectively, are present in affected neurons. Furthermore, they revealed the affected nonneuronal cells and astrocytes contain complex carbohydrates with nonreducing terminal -N-acetylglucosamine, which binds S-WGA.Supported by grant NS 2176 from the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke     

Effect ofd,l-α-aminoadipate on the mediobasal hypothalamus and endocrine function in the rat

Summary Using the glutamate analog,d,l--aminoadipic acid (d,l-AA), experiments were conducted to examine the nature, extent, and specificity of its toxicity in the mediobasal hypothalamus and to determine its effect on endocrine homeostasis. Neonatal rats received daily injections ofd,l-AA (4 g/kg BW) on postnatal days 5–10 and were killed at various post-treatment intervals. Sex-matched littermates were given equimolar amounts of NaCl and served as controls. Treated rats killed 18 days post injection weighed slightly less than controls and had reduced testicular, ovarian, and uterine weights, but the differences were not statistically significant. Ind,l-AA treated rats serum and pituitary levels of TSH and PRL were comparable to control values. Pituitary content of LH ('s and 's) and FSH ('s), however, was lower (P<0.05) ind,l-AA treated rats than in controls, but serum levels were not significantly different. Distinct cytopathologic changes were evident in the arcuate nucleus and median eminence ofd,l-AA-treated rats killed at 2 and 6 h post injection only. By 12 h evidence of acute damage had largely disappeared. Both glial and ependymal cells underwent edematous swelling and necrosis, but neurons were largely unaffected. Evidence of reactive changes, such as gliosis, infiltration of microglia, and removal of debris, however, were not very conspicious. A random sample of mediobasal hypothalami of rats killed 18 days post injection failed to show any detectable lesion or residual effects of earlier pathology. Age at the time of exposure to the gliotoxin was found to be an important variable affecting both extent and duration of injury. The most deleterious effects were observed when the gliotoxin was administered in the form of a single injection on postnatal day 5 only. The results suggest that normal neuronal activity and endocrine homeostasis, specifically gonadotropin, may be irreversibly altered as a consequence of transient disruption of the glial compartment.Supported by grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada, the St. Boniface General Hospital, and Mrs. James A. Richardson Research Foundations     

Ganglioside mapping of a human medulloblastoma xenograft

Summary The ganglioside patterns of medulloblastomas have never been established; in this study we report the ganglioside profile of the human medulloblastoma cell line TE-671 grown as a xenograft in nude mice. Gangliosides were isolated and structurally analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectometry following permethylation. Identification of individual gangliosides was also performed by immunostaining of high-performance thin-layer chromatography-separated bands. Total ganglioside levels of 0.20 mol/g of tissue were obtained, consistent with those reported for human glioma cell lines grown as xenografts; predominant monosialogangliosides of TE-671 xenografts were II³--NeuAc-LacCer (GM3) and II³--NeuAc-GgOse₃ Cer (GM2) but there were also relatively large proportions of IV³--NeuAc-LcOse₄Cer (3-isoLM1), IV³--NeuAc-nLcOse₄Cer (3-LM1) and a further ganglioside of the neolactoseries with an extra lactosamine moiety. The only oligosialoganglioside detected was IV³, II³--NeuAc₂-GgOse₄Cer (GD1a).Abbreviations: The gangliosides have been designated according to Svenerholm [18] GM3 II³--NeuAc-LacCer - GM2 II³--NeuAc-GgOse₃Cer - GM1 II³--NeuAc-GgOse₄Cer - 3-LM1 IV³--NeuAc-nLcOse₄Cer - 3-isoLMI IV³--NeuAc-LcOse₄Cer - Fuc-3-isoLMI IV³--NeuAc, III⁴-Fuc-LcOse₄Cer - GD1a IV³, II³--NeuAc₂-GgOse₄Cer - FAB-MS Fast atom bombardment-mass spectometry - GC-MS gas chromatography-mass spectometry Supported by NC1 RO1 CA11898 to Dr. Bigner and B8803X-00627-24B from the Swedish Medical Research Council to Dr. L. Svennerholm     

Skeletal muscle pathology of mannosidosis in two siblings with spastic paraplegia

Summary Deficiency of -d-mannosidase was found in two siblings with muscle weakness and spastic paraplegia. A biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle was studied by light and electron microscopy. Cryostat sections showed mild fiber size variation but no necrosis. Semithin Epon sections revealed many vacuoles in the muscle cells and fibroblasts. Electron microscopy showed that the vacuoles, presumably lysosomal, had a single limiting membrane and contained finely granular or granulo-reticular material, membranous structures, and electron-dense ovoids. The vacuoles were identical with those in lymphocytes and other cells of patients with mannosidosis. Disorganization of sarcomere alignment and widening of intermyofibrillar spaces were also observed. Deficiency of -d-mannosidase is considered to cause slowly progressing degeneration of muscle fibers.     

αB-crystallin in oxidative muscle fibers and its accumulation in ragged-red fibers: a comparative immunohistochemical and histochemical study in human skeletal muscle

Summary The B-crystallin gene is abundantly experssed in the vertebrate lens and at lower levels in various non-lenticular tissues. Among the non-lenticular tissues, B-crystallin is present at high levels in the heart and skeletal muscle. Using a specific antibody against B-crystallin, the cellular localization of B-crystallin was studied in biopsies of human skeletal muscles. Expression of B-crystallin was observed in normal oxidative muscle fibers that show positive reactions for NADH-tetrazolium reductase and cytochrome c oxidase. In muscle diseases increased immunoreactivity for B-crystallin was found in ragged-red fibers, which stained darkly with histochemistry for succinate dehydrogenase. Since B-crystallin is related to small heat-shock proteins and can be induced by various stress conditions, the increased B-crystallin immunoreactivity of ragged-red fibers could result from profound oxidative stress produced by the abnormal mitochondrial metabolism.Supported by NIH grants NS 17125 and EYO9331 (J.E.G.)     

Ultrastructural studies of concanavalin A receptors and 5′-nucleotidase localization in normal and injured mouse cerebral microvasculature

Summary Plant lectin concanavalin A conjugated with ferritin (Con A-F) injected i.v. was used for the detection of the specific monosaccharide residues (-d-mannosyl and -d-glucosyl) on the luminal surface of endothelial cells (ECs) in brain micro-blood vessels (MBVs). Both normal mice and animals with mechanically damaged blood-brain barrier (BBB) were used in this study. In addition, the activity of 5-nucleotidase (5N), the putative receptor for Con A, was studied cytochemically.Various methodologic experiments indicated that the reaction product formed on the luminal plasmalemma of ECs after incubation of samples in the cytochemical medium for the detection of 5N activity results from the action of unspecific phosphatase hydrolyzing both specific and nonspecific substrates. The abluminal side of the wall of MBVs seems to be a major location of 5N activity. Thus, no correlation between cytochemically demonstrable 5N activity and Con A receptor sites on the luminal surface of ECs was noted.After damage of the BBB, extensive internalization of the luminal plasmalemma forming the limiting membranes of pinocytotic vesicles, vacuoles, and endothelial channel-like structures was observed. This process was represented by a relatively rapid translocation of Con A receptors from luminal surface into the interior of the ECs and to the abluminal side of the vessel wall.Abbreviations AP Alkaline phosphatase - 5N 5-nucleotidase phate - AMP adenosine 5-monophosphate - CMP cytidine 5-monophosphate - GMP guanosine 5-monophosphate - UMP uridine 5-monophosphate - Con A concanavalin A - BBB blood-brain barrier - EC endothelial cell - HRP horseradish peroxidase - MBVs micro-blood vessels - NDPase nucleoside diphosphatase Supported in part by a grant from NINCDS No.17271-03     

Ultrastructural studies of glycoconjugates in brain micro-blood vessels and amyloid plaques of scrapie-infected mice

Summary Lectin or glycoprotein-gold complexes and samples of scrapie-infected mouse brain embedded in Lowicryl K4M were used for ultrastructural localization of glycoconjugates. The lectins tested recognize the following residues: -D-galactosyl [RCA,Ricinus communis agglutinin (aggl.) 120], N-acetyl and N-glycolyl neuraminic acid (LFA,Limax flavus aggl.), N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl and sialyl (WGA, Wheat germ aggl.), N-acetyl-D-galactosaminyl (HPA,Helix pomatia aggl., and DBA,Dolichosbiflorus aggl.), -D-mannosyl/-D-glucosyl (Con A, Concanavalin A), -D-galactosyl and -D-galactopyranoside (BSA,Bandeirea simplicifolia aggl., izolectin B₄). Labeling of the majority of micro-blood vessels (MBVs) located outside the plaque area and in the remaining cerebral cortex was similar to that which has been previously observed in non-infected animals. Some MBVs, however, located inside the plaque area and surrounded directly by amyloid fibers showed attenuation of the endothelium, the surface of which was scarcely and irregularly decorated with RCA, LFA, WGA and Con A. These abnormalities in the composition of glycoconjugates can be associated with previously noted increased permeability of some MBVs in the brains of scrapie-infected mice. Some vessels in the plaque area were encapsulated by perivascular deposits of homogenous or flocculogranular material containing several glycoconjugates. A very intimate structural relation between reactive (microglial-like) cells and amyloid fibers suggests the participation of these cells in elaboration of plaque material. Labeling of the cell surface and adjacent amyloid fibers with the same lectins (RCA, WGA, DBA, Con A) suggests the possibility that the glycosylation of these fibers occurs extracellularly. Only WGA and DBA were occasionally labeling some Golgi elements of the reactive cells.Supported in part by a grant from NINCDS No. 17271-06     

Aspartylglucosaminuria II: biochemical studies on brain,liver, kidney and spleen

Summary Brain, liver, kidney and spleen biopsy and autopsy specimens were taken from patients with aspartylglucosaminuria for biochemical investigations. Total cholesterol values for brain and liver were normal as were also the values for N-acetylneuraminic acid in brain. Lipid phosphate was slightly increased both in the brain and liver. The thin-layer chromatographic patterns of brain gangliosides and phospholipids were normal.In the group of fourteen different lysosomal enzymes the activity of N-aspartyl--glucosaminidase was markedly decreased in the brain, liver and spleen but not in the kidney. The activities of a number of other enzymes, especially those of N-acetyl--d-glucosaminidase and N-acetyl--d-galactosaminidase were high in the same three tissues and again normal in the kidney. No consistent abnormalities were recorded in the groups of three microsomal and three other enzymes.The biochemical findings seem to be characteristic to aspartylglucosaminuria and delineate it as a special disease entity.     

Beitrag zur Ätiologie der Trigeminusneuralgie

Zusammenfassung Die von Döring, Magun u. a. postulierte Korrelation von Arteriohypertonie und Trigeminusneuralgie wurde an Hand von 340 gesicherten Fällen von idiopathischer Trigeminusneuralgie der Neurochirurgischen Klinik bzw. Poliklinik des Kantonspitals Zürich überprüft. Unter Verwertung der Normalblutdruckwerte von Master und ebenfalls von Holenstein als Vergleichsgrößen kamen wir zu dem Ergebnis, daß es sich bei unserem Krankengut um keine systematische Abweichung der Blutdruckwerte von der Norm handelt.Mit 3 Textabbildungen     

Hyperkinetic children: Early indicators of potential school failure

Hyperkinetic children are identified as a population-at risk upon admission to kindergarten. The etiology of hyperkinetic behavior is controversial. Organic driveness, hyperkinetic behavior disorder, postencephalitic behavior, brain damage with behavioral and conceptual deficit, Strauss syndrome, have all been used to label essentially similar symptom constellations. Bypassing the area of controversy, a study is reported that demonstrates that children who were identified as hyperkinetic (using behavioral criteria developed in an earlier study) were (1) absent from school more frequently, and (2) did remarkably less well on standardized tests of school readiness than their peers rated nonhyperkinetic. The implications are discussed and suggestions made for the development of intervention programs.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, March, 1967.     

Relationship of maternal parenting behaviors to preschool children's temperament

Mothers of 182 preschool nursery school children rated their own parenting responses on a Parent's Report questionnaire. At the same time the mothers responded to the Behavior Style Questionnaire (BSQ) from which scores were determined for nine categories of temperament. On the basis of category scores the children were grouped into one of five temperament clusters i.e. easy, difficult, slow to warm up, high intermediate, low intermediate. The children's membership in BSQ clusters was independent of sex, age, birth order, and mothers employment status but there was a significantly higher ratio of easy children from higher socioeconomic classes I and II. Mothers of children grouped in either the difficult or slow to warmup clusters were more likely to use guilt inducing and temper-detachment parenting styles than mothers of children grouped in the easy cluster.     

Effect of interferon-α on DOI-induced wet-dog shakes in rats

Summary Acute (1h) intraperitoneal (ip) treatment with interferon (IFN)--2a (300IU/g) significantly inhibited wet-dog shakes (WDS) induced by (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2 aminopropane (DOI; 0.5, 1.0mg/kg), which is mediated by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT)₂ receptor in rats. IFN- did not affect spontaneous locomotion. The inhibition of DOI (0.5mg/kg)-induced WDS by IFN- was dose (90–300 IU/g)- and time (1–6 h)-dependent, and was prevented by 30 min pretreatment with naltrexone (NLTX; 1.0mg/kg, ip), an opioid receptor antagonist. Acute (1h) intracerebroventricular (icv) treatment with IFN- (1,500IU/rat) also inhibited DOI (0.5mg/kg)-induced WDS, and the effect was blocked by NLTX (50g/rat, icv). These results suggest that IFN- may modulate 5-HT₂ receptor-mediated behavior through opioid receptors in the central nervous system.Abbreviations CNS central nervous system - DOI (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2 aminopropane - 5-HT 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) - icv intracerebroventricular - IFN interferon - ip intraperitoneal - IU international unit - NLTX naltrexone - sc subcutaneous - WDS wet-dog shakes     

Effects of zuclomiphene in combination with triparanol and AY-9944 on developing rat CNS morphology and biochemistry

Summary Developing rats were injected intraperitoneally twice weekly with a combination of three hypocholesterolemic agents: Zuclomiphene (formerly calledtrans-clomiphene; dosage, 30 mg/kg body weight), Triparanol (30 mg/kg body weight) and AY-9944 (3 mg/kg body weight). Treatment was initiated at 4 days of age. Biochemical and electron microscopic examination was conducted on animals sacrificed at 20 days of age. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were not seen in the CNS. Isolated edematous changes were seen in myelinated axons. Analysis of the sterol content of the brain and spinal cords of drugtreated animals indicated the presence of abnormal concentrations of five sterols, desmosterol, 5-cholesta-7,24-dien-3-ol, zymosterol (5-cholesta-8,24-dien-3-ol), 7-dehydrocholesterol (cholesta-5,7-dien-3-ol) and 7-dehydrodesmosterol (cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3-ol). Zymosterol and 5-cholesta-7,24-dien-3-ol were minor constituents (5–7% and 1–1.5% of total sterol, respectively). The 7-dehydrosterols represented approximately one-half (44–52%) of the total CNS sterol.     

Canine α-l-fucosidosis: A storage disease of Springer Spaniels

Summary Progressive ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, dysphagia and wasting occurred in a female and a male from the same litter of Springer Spaniels after the age of 12 and 19 months. At autopsy both showed marked enlargement of cranial parts of vagus and cervical nerves and dorsal root ganglia, and there was widespread vacuolation of cells of central nervous system (CNS), some peripheral nerves and of epithelial and mesenchymal cells of many organs; these vacuoles were largely empty in histological material, and were assumed to be of lysosomal origin after electronmicroscopic study. Cultured fibroblasts and peripheral blood leucocytes from the male were shown to be severely deficient in -l-fucosidase, and the mother of these cases was found to have less than half the expected activity of this enzyme in blood leucocytes. This condition is presented as a potential animal model of human -l-fucosidase.