Metabolism of native and of lactosylated human low density lipoprotein: evidence for two pathways for catabolism of exogenous proteins in rat hepatocytes.

Human low density lipoprotein (LDL) covalently conjugated with 200-250 residues of lactose per LDL particle (Lac-LDL) was bound and rapidly taken up by the galactose-specific receptor of rat hepatocytes. Uptake of Lac-LDL was associated with inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and stimulation of cholesterol esterification. Uptake of native human LDL had no significant effects on these enzyme activities even when the rates of LDL uptake equaled those of Lac-LDL. When injected into rats, Lac-LDL was selectively removed by the liver (98% of injected dose). The hepatic subcellular distribution of simultaneously injected native 125I-labeled LDL and 131I-labeled Lac-LDL differed significantly, Lac-LDL was associated with fractions enriched in lysosomal hydrolases whereas native LDL was found predominantly in the supernatant fraction enriched in lactate dehydrogenase. Chloroquine (0.1 mM) markedly suppressed uptake of Lac-LDL by cultured rat hepatocytes (> 80%) but had only a small effect on uptake of native LDL. Leupeptin (0.625 mM) inhibited degradation of Lac-LDL more than it did degradation of native LDL. Colchicine (0.25 microM) dramatically suppressed uptake of Lac-LDL (> 70%) but did not affect native LDL uptake even at concentrations as high as 10 microM. Uptake of human LDL by rat hepatocytes occurs largely by nonspecific mechanisms, including fluid endocytosis, whereas Lac-LDL, as shown here, is taken up by a specific receptor-mediated mechanism. The results show further that native human LDL, representing an example of a protein taken up nonspecifically, is processed intracellularly by a pathway qualitatively distinct from that for Lac-LDL, an example of a protein taken up by a specific mechanism. Lac-LDL may serve as a vehicle for specifically delivering drugs, hormones, or radioactive compounds to hepatocytes for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.     

Rare and Well Done: Endoscopic Control of Colonic Hemorrhage in Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Digestive Diseases and Sciences -     

A pertussis toxin substrate regulates alpha 1-adrenergic dependent phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in cultured rat myocytes

The chronotropic response of the heart to alpha 1-adrenergic catecholamines influenced by pertussis toxin under certain conditions. In view of the fact that alpha 1-adrenergic action is mediated by the phosphatidylinositol pathway of hormone action in many cells, we examined the hypothesis that alpha-adrenergic agonists stimulate phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in cardiomyocytes and that this effect is sensitive to pertussis toxin. Addition of norepinephrine to cultured rat ventricular myocytes prelabeled with myo-[2-3H]inositol resulted in rapid and significant accumulation of inositol phosphate (IP1) and inositol biphosphate. Norepinephrine-stimulated IP1 formation was not inhibited by propranolol, but was inhibited by alpha-adrenergic antagonists with an order of potency indicating alpha 1-adrenergic receptor subselectivity: prazosin (alpha 1; 3 nM) greater than yohimbine (alpha 2; 10 microM). The effect of norepinephrine to enhance IP1 formation was markedly attenuated in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin. Pertussis toxin also induced the transfer of ADP-ribose from NAD to a 41,000-dalton membrane protein in these cells. The concentration of pertussis toxin resulting in maximal inhibition of norepinephrine-stimulated IP1 formation correlated well with the concentration of pertussis toxin necessary to completely ADP-ribosylate a 41,000-dalton membrane protein (1 ng/ml). The range over which pertussis toxin inhibited norepinephrine-dependent IP1 formation and ADP-ribosylated the 41,000-dalton substrate was virtually identical. These observations establish a role for a 41,000-dalton pertussis toxin substrate in coupling the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor to phosphoinositol hydrolysis in myocardial cells.     

NIH conference. Lupus nephritis

Nephritis has long been considered one of the most ominous components of systemic lupus erythematosus. Accumulations of immune complexes and lymphoid cells in several locations within the kidney are the best-described elements of lupus nephritis. The extreme diversity of the renal changes indicates that many variables are likely to be involved. Inbred strains of lupus-prone mice have provided homogeneous subjects for study of pathogenesis and response to treatment. Comparable grouping of lupus nephritis in humans according to unique or dominant pathogenetic mechanisms is imprecise and limited by insufficient knowledge of the primary stimulus for the disease. Treatment is also imperfect and, at times, hazardous. Certain regimens incorporating cytotoxic drugs provide a significant therapeutic advantage over corticosteroids alone in the management of this disease.     

Can Achilles and patellar tendon structures predict musculoskeletal injuries in combat soldiers?

Aiming to investigate whether Achilles tendon (AT) structure and patellar tendon (PT) structure are risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in combat soldiers, 168 participants were recruited from an infantry commander's course. The AT and PT were examined pre‐course using UTC to capture the structure of four echo‐type fibers (I–IV). All injuries were assessed by military physicians pre‐course and throughout the 14‐week course. Soldiers who were injured during the course had a significantly higher pre‐course prevalence of AT and PT echo‐type III and echo‐type IV compared to soldiers that were not injured during the course. Variables that were found to be associated with injured/non‐injured participants were echo‐type III + IV of the PT (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.24‐1.68) and echo‐type III of the AT (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.35‐2.12). ROC analyses showed that the best model, exhibiting both high sensitivity and low specificity, was that participants with PT echo‐type III + IV > 10% or AT echo‐type III >8.5% had the highest risk of being injured during the course. In conclusions, the tendon structure at the beginning of high‐intensity activity or physical training program might be a risk factor for subsequent injury during the course. Soldiers and high‐level athletes should be aware of the cutoff points for fiber types in tendon structure that might put them at high risk for future injury. At‐risk soldiers/athletes should be provided with an intervention program before they start their training program, with the aim of improving the tendon structure and preventing subsequent injury.