Hypertonic stress induces alpha B-crystallin expression.

Alpha B-crystallin, a major lens protein, was induced in primary cultures of dog lens epithelial cells and glomerular endothelial cells when they were grown under conditions of hypertonic stress. With Western blot analysis using a specific alpha B-crystallin antibody, we observed a significant increase in the concentration of alpha B-crystallin protein in cells grown for 4-6 days in media supplemented with 150 mM NaCl or 250 mM cellobiose. These supplements increased the osmolarity of the medium from 300 to 550-600 mosmol kg-1. Alpha B-crystallin mRNA was also increased reaching a maximum four-fold increase in lens and 16-fold increase in kidney cells within 1-2 days. These studies demonstrate a type of regulation of alpha B-crystallin expression in cells from lenticular and non-lenticular tissues.     

Beiträge zur Analyse der Chlorpromazin-Wirkungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Rate of formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in IUD-fitted human endometrium--a preliminary report

Endometrial biopsy samples of (i) women (20-40 yr) using no contraceptive methods and (ii) women (25-45 yr) fitted with intrauterine contraceptive devices (CuT/Lippes loop) were analysed for the rate of H2O2 formation. The mean value for a normal proliferative endometrium was 10.56 +/- 1.45 nmoles H2O2 per milligram protein per 2 min, whereas the rate observed for samples of the same phase of the IUCD-fitted group without any bleeding episodes was 14.76 +/- 1.28 and that for members of the same group but who experienced excessive menstrual blood loss (menorrhagia) was 17.26 +/- 2.00, which was significantly higher than that of the control group.     

Biochemical changes in the fallopian tube and uterus of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) under the influence of progestational contraceptive steroids.

The effect of oral administration of progestational contraceptive steroids such as megestrol acetate (MGA), norethynodrel (NE) and ethynodiol dliacetate (EDA), on the reproductive organs of rhesus monkeys has been studied. The ovarian weight was raduced by MGA whereas, NE enhanced the weight of the Fallopian tube, uterus, ovary, adrenal and pituitary and EDA that of the Fallopian tube only.Treatment with MGA caused a rise in the levels of lactic acid and non-protein nitrogen (NPN), fall in the levels of glycogen and no alteration of the protein concentration of the Fallopian tube and uterus. Further, a marked Inhibition of the activities of β -glucuronidase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), alkaline phosphatase, malic dehydrogenase (MDH) and enhancement of those of acid phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) were observed in both tissues.As a result of the treatment with NE, the Fallopian tube and uterus recorded a significant increase in the concentrations of protein and glycogen; however, the NPN level of the tube was diminished and that of the uterus was enhanced. On the other hand, depression of the activities of β -glucuronidase and LDH and stimulation of those of ATPase, MDH and alkaline phosphatase were observed in both tissues. However, acid phosphatase activity of the uterus and G-6-PD activity of the tube were reduced markedly.     

Chemical composition of the deposity formed on the Lippes loop after prolonged use

Solid incrustations appearing on Lippes loops which had been used from 15-40 months and removed for intractable vaginal bleeding were analysed. The quantity of deposit per loop was 8-10 mg. The constituents of the pooled sample were mainly protein, calcium, magnesium, carbonate, and a trace of iron and phosphate. The cause and significance of the deposits are unexplained in this study.     

Analytic performance evaluation of a new turbidimetric immunoassay for carbamazepine on the ADVIA 1650 analyzer: effect of carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide

Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant, requires therapeutic drug monitoring. Recently Bayer HealthCare, Diagnostics Division released a turbidimetric immunoassay of carbamazepine on the ADVIA 1650 analyzer. We evaluated the analytic performance of this assay by comparing values obtained with this new assay in sera of 54 patients receiving carbamazepine with the values obtained by using a widely used fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). The new turbidimetric immunoassay for carbamazepine showed excellent precision. The low control showed a total CV of 4.9% (mean 2.86, SD 0.14 microg/mL), the medium control demonstrated a total CV of 3.5% (mean 7.79, SD 0.27 microg/mL), and the high control showed a total CV of 4.8% (mean 16.15, SD 0.78 microg/mL). The assay was linear up to a carbamazepine concentration of 20 microg/mL. The assay showed excellent dilution recovery and recovery of samples supplemented with carbamazepine (mean recovery 102.2%). We observed an excellent correlation between the values obtained by the FPIA (x-axis) assay and the new turbidimetric (y-axis) assay (y = 0.96 x - 0.46, r = 0.99, n = 54). We also observed excellent correlation between the values obtained by the CLIA (x-axis) and the turbidimetric (y-axis) assay (y = 1.10 x -0.32, r = 0.99, n = 54). However, the slope of 1.10 was higher than the slope of 0.96 observed with the regression equation obtained by using values obtained by the FPIA and the turbidimetric assay. The positive bias obtained with the new turbidimetric assay compared with the CLIA assay resulted from lower cross reactivity of carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide, the active metabolite of carbamazepine, with CLIA. On the other hand, the cross reactivity of the metabolite is similar between the new turbidimetric assay and the FPIA assay. We conclude that the new turbidimetric assay can be used for routine monitoring of carbamazepine in clinical laboratories.     

Effect of ultrafiltrate volume on determination of free phenytoin concentration

Monitoring free phenytoin concentration is clinically useful for patients with uremia, hepatic disease, hypoalbuminemia, and related conditions. Free phenytoin is commonly measured by immunoassay in the protein-free ultrafiltrate prepared by centrifuging serum for 20-30 minutes, using an appropriate ultrafiltration device. We studied the effect of centrifugation time (15-40 minutes) and protein concentrations on ultrafiltration volume, and the related effects on measured free phenytoin concentrations. Temperature was ambient for all studies. The ultrafiltration volumes were directly proportional to centrifugation time and were inversely proportional to the protein concentrations. Although ultrafiltration volume significantly increased with longer centrifugation time, the measured free phenytoin concentrations did not increase proportionately. The concentration of phenytoin in the residual serum retained in the ultrafiltration device did not change proportionally either. Therefore, equilibrium of phenytoin concentrations between the ultrafiltrate and retentate was maintained, regardless of centrifugation time or protein concentration.