Role of alimentary hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of some disturbances of lipid metabolism

Alimentary hyperglycemia in rabbits is accompanied by elevation of the serum cholesterol and triglyceride level and also by a progressive rise in the serum concentration of pre--lipoproteins, carriers of endogenous triglycerides. Feeding hyperglycemic animals with cholesterol for a short time leads to earlier and more marked atherogenic changes in the body than similar feeding of normoglycemic animals.Laboratory of Pathological Physiology, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Hormone Chemistry, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. A. Yudaev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 81, No. 3, pp. 281–283, March, 1976.     

Action of hemolysate of polycythemic animals on proliferations of bonne marrow cells

Erythrocytic inhibitor from polycythemic rats depressed mitotic activity of cells of of the erythroid series in mice by 40%. The inhibitory effect lasted about 12 h. The inhibitor acted on the G₂ period. The points of application of the inhibitor were not only blast forms of the erythron but also hematopoietic stem cells.Department of Pathological Physiology, Moscow Medical Stomatological Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. A. Fedorov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 3, pp. 337–339, March, 1977.     

Ultrastructure of conjugates of cytolytic T lymphocytes and target cells

Conjugates of target cells and cytolytic T lymphocytes, isolated on the 11th day after alloimmunization, were investigated. Conjugates were formed by small and medium-sized lymphocytes, in the cytoplasm of which mature secretory granules, crystalloid structures, and lipids were found. The lymphocyte was spherical in shape and its area of contact with the target cell did not exceed 5–15%. Cytolysis of the target cells was observed after incubation for 30–60 min. The lymphocyte became flatter, its nucleus became oval in shape, and the area of its contact with the target cell increased. Meanwhile, hypertrophy and a change in the orientation of the Golgi complex were found in the zone of contact with the target cell, fusion of the secretory granules with the lipids and crystalloid structures took place, and immature secretory granules and vacuolar degeneration of the mitochondria appeared. Peeling of the lymphocyte membrane was observed, and structures connected with it and called membranosomes are described. It is suggested that secretory processes are activated in the cytoplasm of cytolytic T lymphocytes during their interaction with target cells.Laboratory of Systemic Blood Diseases, Oncologic Scientific Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Department of Electron Microscopy, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. M. Zhdanov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 560–565, May, 1978.     

Preparation of paraffin sections for immunofluorescence analysis of antigens differing in their chemical nature

A technique is suggested for preparing paraffin sections from tissues fixed with acetone which can be used for the immunohistochemical detection of antigens which differ in their chemical nature, including -fetoprotein, antigens of mouse leukemia viruses, alcohol-soluble antigens of hepatocyte membranes, and certain phospholipids.Laboratory of Immunochemistry and Diagnosis of Tumors, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy, N. N. Burdenko Institute of Neurosurgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR G. V. Vygodchikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 1018–1020, August, 1976.     

Relations between musuclar and connective tissue components of the rat heart in experimental myocardial infarction

After the first day of experimental myocardial infarction in rats the volume and mean number of connective tissue stromal cells are increased in the intact zones of the left ventricle; on the second day of the experiment these indices reach their maximum, and by the 20th day they are equal to the values for the myocardium of control animals. On the third day of the experiment the number of muscle nuclei per standard area of cross section is increased, evidently as the result of amitotic division of the myocyte nuclei, for the number of paired nuclei is increased at the same time.Central Pathological Anatomical Laboratory, 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. 83, No. 4, pp. 486–488, April, 1977.     

Peroxidation of lipids and degeneration of photoreceptors in the retina of rats with avitaminosis E

The formation of peroxidation products of lipids (hydroperoxides, dialkyl peroxides, intermolecular cross linkages) is sharply intensified in the retina of rats with alimentary avitaminosis Ein vivo and degeneration of the photoreceptors (mainly the layer of outer segments of the rods) develops. The experimental results are discussed on the basis of views regarding the antioxidant mechanism of action of -tocopherolin vivo.Laboratory of Physical chemistry of Biological Membranes, Departament of Biochemistry, Biological Faculty, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. Institute of Chemical Physics, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR S. E. Severin.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 4, pp. 411–413, April, 1977.     

Role of injury in the appearance of “activated” smooth muscle cells

In experiments on rats the ultrastructure of the muscle tissue of the inferior vena cava after disturbance of the outflow of blood, of the muscular coat of the stomach after resection of 50% of its fundus, and of the muscular coat of the cecum after constriction of its ascending portion was studied. Activation of smooth muscles was shown to reflect the phase of injury to the ultrastructure of the cells, followed by processes of intracellular regeneration. Analysis of the ratio between DNA-synthesizing and activated cells showed the local origin of the latter from differentiated myocytes.Institute of General Pathology and Pathological Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. No. 4 Main Board, Ministry of Health of the USSR. 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. 84, No. 7, pp. 112–115, July, 1977.     

Electron-microscopic study of interaction between cytolytic T lymphocytes and target cells

Thymocytes stimulatedin vitro in mixed culture were adsorbed by centrifugation on to the surface of target cells for an electron-microscopic study of the cytology of immune T lymphocytes and of the early stages of cytolysis. A well-developed Golgi apparatus and clusters of tubular structures 50–60 nm in diameter, communicating with the cisternae of the granular endoplasmic reticulum, with emptied vesicles, and with the plasma membrane of the lymphocyte, were found in the cytoplasm of the lymphocytes. Over a wide area the plasma membrane formed numerous contacts with the membrane of the target cells, so that closed slit-like spaces were formed. With these data and also modern views regarding interconversion of membranes and intracellular transport in mind, a hypothetical scheme for the mechanism of cytolysis of the target cell by the immune T lymphocyte is suggested.Oncologic Scientific Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR O. V. Baroyan.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 10, pp. 443–447, October, 1977.     

Resistance of the myocardium to adrenalin in rats adapted to hypoxia

The intensity of the changes produced by adrenalin in the myocardium of rats adapted to hypoxia was studied after its administration to the intact animal and perfusion of the isolated heart. The changes were revealed by histochemical reactions for succinate dehydrogenase activity and staining for lipids. After intramuscular injection of a cardiotoxic dose of adrenalin (2.0 mg/kg) into adapted rats no damage to the myocardium was found, whereas perfusion of the isolated heart with adrenalin (20 g/ml) caused the formation of micronecroses of the cardiocytes. However, their volume was statistically significantly smaller than in the isolated heart of intact rats under similar conditions. Differences in the sensitivity of the myocardium in vivo and in vitro indicate that the phenomenon of protection of the myocardium against the harmful effects of adrenalin in rats adapted to hypoxia is manifested at the level of the intact organism. The increase in the resistance of the myocardium itself is probably due to an increase in the power of the metabolic systems during adaptation.Department of Pathological Physiology, Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University. Department of Geographic Pathology, Research 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. 84, No. 9, pp. 265–268, September, 1977.     

Specificity of the estradiol-binding system of the guinea pig uterus

The degree of affinity of steroids of the estrone series for the estradiol-binding system of the guinea pig uterus was analyzed. The factor determining interaction with the receptor system of the guinea pig uterus was found to be the presence of free hydroxyl groups in positions 3 (phenol) and 17 and their mutual orientation. The results suggest that the biological activity of steroids is determined by the character of their structural interaction with the receptor systems of the uterus.All-Union Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ministry of Health of the USSR. Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Hormone Chemistry, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR L. S. Persianinov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 989–993, August, 1976.     

Pattern of antinuclear autoantibodies in diseases with systemic connective tissue lesions

Several types of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were discovered by the fluorescent antibody method in diseases accompanied by systemic lesions of connective tissue and also in certain other diseases and in clinically healthy blood donors, depending on the character of fluorescence in the nuclei. Diffuse fluorescence of nuclei, diffuse fluorescence without fluorescence of the nucleoli, annular fluorescence, fluorescence in the form of granules, selective fluorescence of nucleoli, and fluorescnece in the form of long, thin, interweaving bands with simultaneous fluorescence in the region of the nuclear membrane were distinguished. The last type of ANA was observed only in various forms of lupus erythematosus, and the character of fluorescence in the nuclei differed from the reticular and filamentous types of fluorescence described previously.Department of Pathological Anatomy and Department of Skin Diseases, N. I. Pirogov Second Moscow Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 75–78, July, 1977.     

Effect of adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia in early ontogeny on higher nervous activity

Newborn male and female Wistar rats were adapted to hypoxia in a pressure chamber. Adaptation began at an altitude of 1000 m for 1 h daily, after which the duration and intensity of exposure were gradually increased so that, starting from the 17th day, the animals were adapted to an altitude of 5000 m for 5 h on 5 days a week. After adaptation for two months, a conditioned active avoidance reflex was produced in the animals. In the adapted males a tendency was observed for the reflex to be formed more rapidly and for it to be preserved to a much greater degree than in the control animals. In females adapted to hypoxia under similar conditions no changes were observed in the formation and preservation of the reflex.Laboratory of Pathophysiology of the Heart, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. M. Chernukh.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 902–903, August, 1976.     

Effect of acute hypoxia in the antenatal period on functions of the higher levels of the CNS in rats

A decrease in motor activity, depression of the orienting reflex, and its faster extinction than in control animals were observed in sexually mature rats exposed to acute hypoxia in the antenatal period. Disturbances of conditioned reflex activity indicating impairment of fixation of the temporary connection, weakening of inhibition, and lowering of the mobility of nervous processes were discovered in the experimental rats. When tests involving difficult tasks were presented the experimental rats developed epiliptiform seizures. An increase in predisposition to seizures also was observed after administration of threshold doses of metrazol.Radiology Group, Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry, Ministry of Health of the RSFSR. Laboratory of Neurochemical Mechanisms of the Conditioned Reflex, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR E. V. Shmidt.) Translated from Byulletin' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 928–930, August, 1976.     

Experimental model of a secondary pacemaker center of feeding motivation

The possibility of simulating the functions of the feeding motivation pacemaker by various structures of the limbico-reticular complex was studied in chronic experiments on rabbits. In response to combined stimulation of the feeding center of the lateral hypopthalamus and various formations of the limbico-reticular complex, a secondary pacemaker of feeding motivation excitation was shown to be formed only in the mesencephalic reticular formation.P. K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Department of Normal Physiology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow Medical Institute. Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 86, No. 11, pp. 515–517, November, 1978.     

Isolation and characteristics of a continuous cell culture from human spleen

A continuous line of human spleen cells was obtained. Important factors in the isolation of this strain were seeding a large number of cells and prolonged incubation of the culture; these two factors created conditions for gradual modification of cellular metabolism, without which the cells could not have adapted themselves to prolonged culture. A continuous culture could not be obtained from one colony and a shaking method had therefore to be used. Cultures were obtained only after the addition of 1% phytohemagglutinin to the nutrient medium.Department of Virology, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. D. Solov'ev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 995–998, August, 1976.     

Ischemic damage to the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscles: The role of lipid peroxidation

The development of ischemia was shown to be accompanied by inhibition of the Ca²⁺ enzyme transport system (ETS) (a decrease in the Ca²⁺/ATP ratio and in activity of Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase), which correlates with accumulation of the primary and secondary molecular lipid peroxidation products (POL) in vivo and in the membranes of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of the skeletal muscles. Administration of antioxidants (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, -tocopherol) prevents activation of POL in the ischemic muscle and partially protects the Ca²⁺ ETS against injury. Restoration of the blood flow after prolonged ischemia leads to further inhibition of the Ca²⁺ ETS while the concentration of POL products remains unchanged.A joint research project of the M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University and the I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical Institute.Laboratory of Transplantation of Organs and Tissues, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Department of Operative Surgery and Topographical Anatomy, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow Medical Institute. Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Biomembranes, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. V. Kovanov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 6, pp. 683–686, June, 1977.     

Kinetics and properties of the cortisol-resistant lymphocyte population from lymph nodes of guinea pigs with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Lymphocytes from the cervical lymph nodes of guinea pigs were incubated in medium No. 199 for 24 h in the presence of cortisol in a concentration of 20 or 100 g%. The survival rate of the lymphocytes and their cortisol metabolism were determined and the nucleic acid content estimated cytophotometrically. A considerable decrease was found in cortisol metabolism by the lymphocytes from the 6th day after addition of an encephalitogenic mixture and there was a marked increase in the cortisol-resistant population of lymphocytes in guinea pigs with encephalomyelitis on the 17th–30th days after injection of the complete adjuvant. Cortisol in a concentration of 100 g% lowered the nucleic acid content of the lymphocytes of the intact animals but had no effect on lymphocytes of guinea pigs of the two experimental groups during the period of a considerable increase in the cortisol-resistant population. Progesterone depressed the lympholytic action of cortisol and the metabolism of this hormone by lymphocytes of intact guinea pigs. The ability of progesterone to reduce the lympholytic action of cortisol was weakened in guinea pigs with encephalomyelitis and guinea pigs receiving the adjuvant.Department of General Pathology, N. I. Pirogov Second Moscow Medical Institute. Allergologic Research Laboratory, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. D. Ado.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 200–202, February, 1977.     

Sensitivity to murine toxin and level of macrophagal 5′-nucleotidase activity

N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Mikrob Plague Research Institute, Saratov. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR P. A. Vershilova.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 113, No. 3, pp. 297–299, March, 1992.     

A highly sensitive electroimmunodiffusion method of antigen detection on cellulose acetate films

A highly sensitive electroimmunodiffusion method of detecting antigens on cellulose acetate films is suggested. There are three stages: concentration of the antigen in a discontinuous buffer system on cellulose acetate films; detection of the antigen on the same films by immunodiffusion using a standard test systems; staining the washed films with a protein stain to detect precipitation bands if the reaction takes place in the visible zone, or further treatment by growing precipitates with antiglobulin antibodies or by autoradiography. The method can detect nanogram amounts of -fetoprotein and can be used to discover antigens of different molecular weight and electrophoretic mobility.Laboratory of Immunochemistry and Diagnosis of Tumors, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR G. V. Vygodchikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 121–124, July, 1977.     

Effect of prostaglandin B1 on the systemic and regional hemodynamics

The effect of prostaglandin B₁ (PGB₁) on the cardiovascular system was studied in experiments on anesthetized dogs. After intravenous injection of PGB₁ (40 g/kg in a single dose) arterial hypotension tachycardia, increased myocardial contractility, an increased cardiac output, and a rise of pressure in the pulmonary artery were observed. The total peripheral resistance and total pulmonary resistance were reduced. The work of the right and left ventricles was increased. The coronary blood flow was increased by 29%. The mean velocity of the volume blood flow in the renal and femoral arteries was appreciably increased after administration of PGB₁, but in the common carotid and superior mesenteric arteries the increase was not significant. Changes in the systemic and regional hemodynamics were of short duration.Department of Pharmacology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow Medical Institute. Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. V. Zakusov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 131–133, February, 1977.