Characteristics of the skin lactate dehydrogenase isozyme spectrum after thermal injuries

Activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and its isozymes in the injured zone and in adjacent areas of the skin was investigated at various times after infliction of burns in rats. On the 1st–8th day after burning total LD activity was reduced in the zone of the scab and in the underlying tissues by 70–80% and in the border and intact skin by 50%. These changes were accompanied by changes in the LD isozyme spectrum in the injured tissue: On the 1st day the activity of fraction 5 was sharply increased and activity of fractions 2 and 3 reduced; by the 8th day, on the other hand, some decrease in activity of fraction 5 and an increase in activity of fractions 2 and 3 were observed. By the 14th–22nd day after burning total LD activity remained low, the LD isozyme spectrum in the border and scab was largely restored to normal, whereas in the underlying tissue changes in the relative proportions of LD isozymes were still present (a decrease in activity of fractions 1–3 and an increase in activity of fraction 5).Laboratory of Biochemistry, A. V. Vishnevskii Institute of Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR M. I. Kuzin.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 9, pp. 294–297, September, 1977.     

Histophysiology of ovaries and adrenal glands in rats and brain development in their progeny: Correlation and cluster analysis

Brain weight of 21-day-old rat fetuses positively correlates with the area of the glomerulosa zone, the ratio of this area to the area of the fasciculata-reticularis zone, activity of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the glomerulosa zone, and the ratio of its activity in the glomerulosa and reticularis zones. In the one-day-old newborns these relationships were absent. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 3, pp. 336–339, March, 1999     

Antiischemic activity of immobilized cytochrome C

The antiischemic activity of polyethylene glycol- and dialdehyde dextran-immobilized cytochrome C is experimentally studied on rats. Immobilization of cytochrome C on these matrices enhanced the enzyme activity assayed by restriction of the necrotic zone 4 hours after coronary occlusion. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, No. 5, pp. 533–535, May, 1996     

Some cytochemical peculiarities of the rat brain motor system after space flight

The results of cytochemical cytometry of rat brain suggest that a 9-day exposure of rats to microgravitation conditions lowers the activity of monoaminoxidase in the fibrous structures of layer V of the somatosensory cortex and in the head ofnucleus caudatus, as well as the activity of acetylcholine esterase in the bodies of neurons forming the head ofn. caudatus. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 3, pp. 288–290, March, 1995 Presented by the late O. S. Adrianov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Anatomical evidence for an ascending somatosensory pathway to the telencephalon in crocodiles,Caiman crocodilus

Summary A series of experiments in Caiman crocodilus that outlines an ascending somatosensory pathway to the telencephalon is described. This telencephalic somatosensory area was found to correspond to a region high in succinate dehydrogenase activity.This research was partly supported by NIH grant NS 11006     

A probucol analog protects lipoproteins better than probucol

Using low density lipoproteins, the antioxidant activity of probucol and one of its analogs was examined, and the analog was found to be more effective than probucol in protecting these lipoproteins against oxidation. It is pointed out that the choice of particular probucol analogs for clinical treatment should depend on the antioxidant index of low density lipoproteins in the patient concerned. Translated formByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5, pp. 491–493, May 1995 Presented by E. I. Chazov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of carnosine on the activity of lipoxygenase isolated from rabbit reticulocytes

The effects of the histidine-containing dipeptide carnosine and of histidine on the activity of 15-lipoxygenase from rabbit reticulocytes are studied. It is shown that low concentrations of carnosine (0.5–4 mM) activate oxidation of arachidonic acid by lipoxygenase, while high concentrations (>4 mM) inhibit the enzyme activity. Histidine elicits no activatory effect, although its inhibitory activity is comparable to that of carnosine. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 1, pp. 40–42, January, 1995 Presented by E. I. Chazov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Stimulation of nonspecific resistance of mice by high- and low-molecular-weight fractions of endotoxin in two models ofShigella infection

The ability of the endotoxin ofSalmonella paratyphi B and of its high-(HMF) and low-molecular-weight (LMF) fractions to induce resistance in mice toShigella infection by the intraperitoneal and intranasal route was investigated. After intraperitoneal infection HMF possessed high activity (index of efficacy-IE=9.5), much higher than the activity of the original preparation (IE=5.8) and of LMF=(IE=2.8), and on the lung model all preparations were less active (IE between 1.6 and 1.7). The results suggest that during the study of the phenomenon of induction of nonspecific resistance, separate attention must be paid to conditions leading to antitoxic and antiinfectious resistance.Laboratories of Experimental Microbiology and Biochemistry, Leningrad Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera, Ministry of Health of the USSR. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. I. Ioffe.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 545–547, May, 1978.     

Chitotriosidase as a marker of macrophage stimulation

Serum chitotriosidase activity was determined in different conditions accompanied by macrophage stimulation. Stimulation of macrophages with zymosan, yeast polysaccharide carboxymethylglucan (fraction II), and lysosomotropic preparation Triton WR-1339 1.5–2.0-fold increased enzyme activity. Chitotriosidase activity in intact Wistar rats was similar to that in humans, while in CBA and A/Sn mice this parameter was 5-fold higher. Sharp increase in chitotriosidase activity in the serum from patients with type I Gaucher's disease was probably related to intense secretion of the enzyme by macrophages. Under experimental conditions, stimulation of rat and mouse macrophages (mainly liver cells) caused no increase in chitotriosidase activity typical of patients with Gaucher's disease. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 10, pp. 391–394, October, 2000     

Changes in somatosensory evoked potentials and reflectory reactions of human hand muscles to nociceptive stimulation of index finger before and during ischemia

Somatosensory evoked potentials and reflectory reaction ofm. thenar to nociceptive electrical stimulation of the index finger before and during its ischemia were studied in healthy volunteers. The amplitude of early components of the somatosensory evoked potentials N23-P31 and N50-P120 correlated with stimulus intensity, while the amplitude of N140-P200 did not depend on both stimulus intensity and pain. The nociceptive RIII reflex recorded fromm. thenar was the most reliable index of pain caused by electrical stimulation of the finger. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 3, pp. 265–268, March, 2000     

Localization and fate of thymic epitheliocytes of endodermal origin synthesizing cytokeratin 18

A reaction in the cytoplasm and processes of some cells of the epithelial reticulum is revealed by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies to cytokeratin 18 in the cortical zone of human thymus. In the medullary zone the reaction is observed in spherical elements similar in shape and size to intestinal goblet cells. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Medsitsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 2, pp. 188–190, February, 1994 Presented by V. I. Shumakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Antiarrhythmic activity of befol, suphan, mexidol, and T3-146 in combination with some antiarrhythmics

Antidepressant befol, nonglycoside cardiotonic suphan, succinate-containing synthetic antioxidant mexidol, and pyracetam structural analogue T3-146 were shown to possess antiarrhythmic activity and to potentiate antiarrhythmic effects of bonnecore, obsidan, amiodarone, isoptin, and richlocaine. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii I Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 5, pp. 544–547, May, 1998     

Corrective effect of clotrimazole and β-ionol during exposure to thiophenol

Toxic effect of thiophenol on rats can be prevented by injection of antioxidant β-ionol and clotrimazole, an inductor of phase I and II detoxication enzymes. Both agents increase O-demethylase activity of cytochrome P-450, but do not prevent inhibition of its water-soluble form, and activate cytosol and microsomal glutathione-dependent enzymes. Both agents protected erythrocytes from peroxide damage by thiophenol and simultaneously enhanced its prooxidant effect in the liver. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 11, pp. 555–557, November, 2000     

Use of the Tn903 neomycin-resistance gene for promoter analysis in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Summary The bacterial neo gene from transposon Tn903 (Tn601) was used for dominant transformation of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. It was found that high transformation efficiency was dependent on a high level of promoter activity, mediated by the strong promoter of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe alcohol dehydrogenase gene (adh1), as shown by comparing the efficiency of transformation to G418-resistance, the resistance levels of transformed cells, and the in vitro aminoglycoside phosphotransferase activity. On the other hand, the heterologous promoter of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase I gene (adc1) is shown to be a weak promoter in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, though its activity is significantly enhanced in cells grown on glycerol as a carbon source. This system for selection and detection of promoter-active sequences may provide a useful basis for the analysis of promoter elements in fission yeast.     

Thrombolytic and antithrombotic effects of the low-molecular-weight heparin-serotonin complex

Thrombolytic activity of the low-molecular-weight heparin-serotonin complex is tested in rats. Thrombi are formed in the left jugular vein. The complex, its components, or normal saline is injected in the right jugular vein 5 min after thrombosis. The complex exhibits high thrombolytic activity in comparison with the control (normal saline) and similar to that of heparin. Antithrombotic activity of the complex is higher than that of heparin, normal saline, and serotonin. Thrombolytic and antithrombotic activities of the complex may be associated with its non-enzyme fibrinolytic activity. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 11, pp. 530–532, November, 1996     

Proliferation of capillary endothelial cells in the primary plexus of the hypophyseoportal system in rats during ontogeny

A light-microscopy study of primary portal plexus formation in rats between day 14 of prenatal life and postnatal day 9, carried out using thymidine autoradiography, showed that the formation and growth of capillaries for this plexus occurs through proliferation of endothelial cells whose mitotic activity is highest on days 14–16 of prenatal development. Endothelial cell differentiation and capillary development are characterized by flattening of the endothelium, widening of capillary lumens, and the formation of capillary loops that penetrate into the median eminence. The findings of this study indicate that capillaries of the primary portal plexus mainly develop in rats during the perinatal period. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5, pp. 462–464, May, 1995 Presented by I. B. Zbarskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of blood serum fractions from cancer patients on leukocyte migration from capillary tubes

In more than half of the cases studied the blood serum from patients with carcinoma of the stomach and urinary bladder inhibited migrationin vitro of autologous leukocytes, leukocytes from blood donors and control patients, and also guinea pig macrophages. Chromatography of these sera on Sephadex G-100 showed that activity inhibiting leukocyte migration was present in fraction I (mol. wt. over 100,000 daltons) and in fractions IV and V (mol. wt. under 30,000 daltons). The blood serum of cancer patients and its fractions did not abolish inhibition of leukocyte migration induced by tumor antigens, by contrast with leukocyte migration in medium with control serum without antigens. It is suggested that activity of fraction I inhibiting leukocyte migration is due to an antigen-antibody complex, whereas in IV and V it is due to a factor similar in its properties to the factor secretein vitro by lymphocytes stimulated by antigens or mitogens.Department of Morphology and Immunology, Central Research Laboratory, and Department of Chemical Surgery, Vitebsk Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Zhukov-Verezhnikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 86, No. 11, pp. 568–572, November, 1978.     

Effects of fibroblasts, collagen, and laminin on healing of superficial split wounds

Application of cultured fibroblasts on a superficial split wound accelerates its healing: 3–4 daysvs. 5–7 days with type I collagen or laminin and 7–10 days with conventional dressings and wound-healing means. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 8, pp. 229–322, August, 1997     

Clinical and experimental study of antiarrhythmic and antianginal effects of quaternidine

High antiarrhythmic activity of a new Russian antiarrhythmic drug quaternidine in ventricular arrhythmia was studied in 96 coronary patients by Holter monitoring, bicycle ergometry, and echocardiography. The drug had a positive impact on local kinetics in left-ventricular ischemic myocardium and some parameters of bicycle exercise test. The preparation possesses no arrhythmogenic effect. Experiments on 30 random-bred rats showed that the drug reduced the necrotic zone under conditions of experimental coronary occlusion. Experiments on 14 intact cats demonstrated that quaternidine had no effect on coronary bloodflow. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 11, pp. 581–584, November, 2000     

Effect of asphyxia on adenylate cyclase activity in cat brain cortex

Effect of 1–5-min asphyxia on adenylate cyclase activity in cat brain cortex is studied. Adenylate cyclase activity is measured in cortex specimens obtainedex vivo after 1, 2.5, and 5 min of asphyxia, and 30 and 60 min of reoxygenation by radioassay. Stimulating effects of norepinephrine and NaF on adenylate cyclase activity are assessed. Five-min asphyxia induces phasic changes in adenylate cyclase activity: on the 1st min basal activity of the enzyme increases by 97%, after 2.5 min it returns to the initial level, and increases again by 55% on the 5th min of asphyxia. On the 30th and 60th min of reoxygenation after 2.5- and 5-min asphyxia, basal adenylate cyclase activity does not differ from the initial activity. The stimulating effect of norepinephrine and NaF on enzyme activity is weakened after 5 min of asphyxia and 30 min of reoxygenation after 2.5- and 5-min asphyxia. Even short-term asphyxia affects adenylate cyclase activity and modifies the mechanisms of adrenergic signal transduction in the brain cortex in response to oxygen deficiency and probably to hypercapnia as well as during the early reoxygenation period. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 8, pp. 131–134, August, 1997