Reversal of renovascular hypertension by antibodies specific for angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Goat antibodies developed against pure rabbit pulmonary angiotensin-converting enzyme (peptidyl dipeptidase, EC 3.4.15.1) were administered intravenously to rats with two-kidney Goldblatt hypertension and to normotensive animals. In the hypertensive model these antibodies were associated with a sustained, immune-dependent decrease of blood pressure to normal values. A smaller, but also immune-specific, reduction of blood pressure was observed in the normotensive group. The data suggest that heterologous antibody directed against angiotensin-converting enzyme may provide a biologically specific probe for examining the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system to normal and pathologic circulatory states.     

Rosenthal fibers formation in the central nervous system its relation to Alexander's disease

Summary Subpial and subependymal gliosis with abundant Rosenthal fiber (RF) formation are described in two patients. In one, the process appeared as a narrow band over the entire neuraxis and was not accompanied by neurologic manifestations. In the other, the changes were mostly restricted to the lower medulla and upper cervical cord and displayed invasive features. The glial proliferation with RF in the second patient was associated with an inflammatory component, dense collagen deposition, perivascular Schwannosis and demyelination. Involvement of some of the medullary nuclei and their tracts may explain the patient's vague bulbar symptomatology. The underlying cause which led to astrocytic proliferation with excessive RF in these two patients remains elusive. Possible factors contributing to this phenomenon are discussed in the context of Alexander's disease.This work is supported in part by grant NS-07098     

Myeloma protein synthesis within the CNS by plasma cell tumors

Two patients had centrl nervous system involvement from plasma cell tumor, onr with leptomeningeal infiltraion and the other with solitary intracranial plasmacytoma. In both, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) electrophoresis revealed IgG index consistent with local synthesi of the myeloma protein. the CSF findings were helpful in the diagnosis and evaluation of tumor recurrence.     

Epidemiology of Guillain-Barré syndrome

From 1969 through 1972, a nationwide search for cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is Israel revealed 89 patients. The average annual age-adjusted incidence was 0.75 per 10(5) persons. Overall incidence of the syndrome was similar in Jewish groups of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Arabs had a lower overall incidence than Jews (0.46 per 10(5) persons), perhaps attributable to fewer Arabs at risk in older age groups. Peaks of incidence occurred among individuals over 60 and under 4 years of age when all cases were combined. No clear seasonal or geographic clustering of GBS was evident in Israel during the 4 years of this study. The incidence of GBS in the present study agrees with previous population-based estimates.