Protective effect of tissue ferritins in experimental Escherichia coli infection of mice in vivo.

The effect of ferritins from horse (FH) and bovine (FB) spleen and murine liver (FM) on the survival rate of CFW mice lethally infected with Escherichia coli (strain 8440-78 K 80/B) was evaluated. Ferritins given intravenously 24 h before intravenous inoculation of bacteria, protected mice most effectively from death due to infection. The effect was dose dependent. At 500 micrograms of ferritin per mouse, the maximum survival rates were 86% (FH), 81% (FM) and 79% (FB), while only 5% of the control mice survived up to the 30th day. The survival rates of animals injected with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and heat-inactivated FB were 8 and 25%, respectively. Intraperitoneal injection of FB was as effective as intravenous in enhancing the resistance of mice against bacteria. These data provide evidence for the beneficial role of tissue ferritins in nonspecific antibacterial resistance.     

Stimulation of corticosterone secretion by the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) in the rat

The selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT increased serum corticosterone concentration in rats in a dose-dependent manner. The synthetic corticoid dexamethasone lowered the serum corticosterone level and abolished its rise induced by 8-OH-DPAT. The corticosterone response to 8-OH-DPAT was also antagonized by spiperone, (+/-)- and (-)-pindolol and (+/-)-propranolol, all of which have been shown to have a high affinity for 5-HT1A receptors, though in most cases no complete blockade was found. A partial antagonism of the response was also observed after flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist. On the other hand, the 5-HT1B receptor antagonist 21009, the 5-HT2 receptor antagonists ketanserin and pirenperone, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ICS 205-930, the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine and idazoxan, the beta-adrenoceptor blocker with no affinity to 5-HT1 receptors, atenolol, the dopaminergic antagonist pimozide, the histamine receptor blocker chloropyramine and the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone did not affect the hormonal response to 8-OH-DPAT. The 8-OH-DPAT-induced corticosterone secretion was not affected either in rats pretreated with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase) or p-chloroamphetamine (PCA, a drug-inducing lesion of serotonergic nerve terminals). It is concluded that 8-OH-DPAT-induced increase in serum corticosterone concentration results from its action at a site different than the adrenal cortex and is mediated by postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors, whereas other subtypes (5-HT1B, 5-HT2, 5-HT3) of 5-HT receptors do not participate in this response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Circulating adipocytokines in non-diabetic and Type 1 diabetic children: relationship to insulin therapy, glycaemic control and pubertal development.

AIM: To determine the influence of Type 1 diabetes mellitus on circulating adipocytokines in children. METHODS: The circulating concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, resistin and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured in 91 children, aged 11.1 +/- 2.7 years, with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Ninety-one healthy children were selected as control subjects. RESULTS: Body mass index-adjusted leptin concentrations were higher in the pubertal diabetic children compared with the control children. There was a significant positive correlation between leptin and daily insulin dose in the diabetic group. Circulating adiponectin concentrations were higher in the prepubertal diabetic children and were positively associated with HbA(1c). Resistin concentrations were lower in the prepubertal non-diabetic subjects compared with the pubertal non-diabetic children, whose values were higher than those of the diabetic children. TNF-alpha concentrations were similar in non-diabetic and diabetic children. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating concentrations of adipocytokines are abnormal in Type 1 diabetic children, although the direction of change differs by cytokine. Pubertal development, in addition to insulin treatment and glycaemic control, also influences the concentrations.     

Microbial transformation of azacarbazoles. VI. Conversion of 6-hydroxy- and 6-amino-alpha-carbolines with copper oxidases

alpha-Carboline substituted at C-6 with hydroxy-group is oxidized by human ceruloplasmin and fungal laccase into reactive intermediate which dimerizes, while 6-amino-alpha-carboline subjected to action of both enzymes yields the polymeric products. To prepare sufficient quantities of compounds needed for structure elucidation studies, laccase, immobilised in polyacrylamide gel was employed as a convenient reagent. The resulting products are suggested to be metabolities of 6-hydroxy- and 6-amino-alpha-carbolines formed in vivo.     

"Taurolin-Gel" and Taurolin-Trockengel" in treatment of osseous tissue inflammation]

The activity and principles of administration of Taurolin have been presented. That drug was used in 15 patients with chronic osteitis. Healing by first intention was obtained in 10 patients, necrosis of the skin occurred in 3 patients, recurrence of inflammation was found in one patient in whom accessory sequestroctomy was performed in the last case of osteitis and arteriosclerosis healing was obtained by second intention. The clinical observation of 15 patients has revealed: a) irritating influence of Taurolin on the soft tissue, b) increased phase of secretion of exudate since the 5 day after surgery, c) bactericidal influence of the drug. Sterilization of the focus occurred at 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. The use of Taurolin requires experience, complete abiding by the principles of use of this drug and equipment with a set of Charrier's drains. The authors are carrying on further observation of the use of Taurolin in the treatment of osteitis.     

Benign intracranial hypertension and recombinant growth hormone therapy in Australia and New Zealand

Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is reported in three children from Australia and one from New Zealand, who were being treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Three males and one female, aged between 10.5 and 14.2 y, developed intracranial hypertension within 2 weeks to 3 months of starting treatment. A national database, OZGROW, has been prospectively collecting data on all 3332 children treated with rhGH in Australia and New Zealand from January 1986 to 1996. The incidence of BIH in children treated with growth hormone (GH) is small, 1.2 per 1000 cases overall, but appears to be greater with biochemical GHD (<10IUml ^-1), i.e. 6.5/1000 (3 in 465 cases), relative risk 18.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9-176.1, than in all other children on the database. The incidence in patients with Turner's syndrome was 2.3/1000 (1 in 428 cases). No cases in patients with partial GHD (10–20 IUml ^-1) or chronic renal failure were identified. Possible causative mechanisms are discussed. The authors'practice is now to start GH replacement at less than the usual recommended dose of 14IUm-² week^-1 in those children considered to be at high risk of developing BIH. Ophthalmological evaluation is recommended for children before and during the first few months following commencement of rhGH therapy and is mandatory in the event of peripheral or facial oedema, persistent headaches, vomiting or visual symptoms. The absence of papilledema does not exclude the diagnosis.