A correlative study of the restorative effects of endogenous and exogenous hormones on the Leydig cells, the testis and the epididymis of the regressed hedgehog Effects of hormones on hedgehog Leydig cells

The study of the effects of morphogenesis at puberty on the Leydig cells in the testis of the young hedgehog and of the subsequent changes due to the seasonal varisations, has been done. Furthermore, the restorative changes induced by the exogenous hormones in the Leydig cells and the related sex organs of the regressed hedgehogs have also been studied. It was observed that the Leydig cells from the undifferentiated mesenchyme cell-like nature in the young hedgehog, develop into an adult form possessing large number of lipids, a well-developed Golgi apparatus, complex mitochondria and extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The depletion of the lipids and other regression associated changes are found in the interstitial Leydig cells but not in those situated under tunica albuginea and the latter probably function as lipid storing cells during regression. Pituitary extract, either alone or in combination, but not testosterone, could restore completely the structure of the regressed Leydig cells. Similarly, the restoration of the complete process of spermatogenesis and the structure and function of the epididymis in the regressed hedgehog was found to be dependent upon the synergistic action of both testosterone and the gonadotrophic hormones.     

多柔比星肾病肾损伤早期核因子-κB和血管紧张素ⅠⅡ的表达及关系探讨

目的　探讨在多柔比星 (阿霉素 )肾病综合征 (NS)幼年大鼠肾损伤过程中核因子 (NF) κB和血管紧张素ATⅠ、ATⅡ的表达及其相关性。方法　 4周龄雄性Wistar大鼠单侧肾切除加腹腔注射阿霉素造成NS模型 ,分别以免疫组织化学和原位杂交检测ATⅠ、ATⅡ和NF κB。结果　肾病组随着病变时间的延长 ,NF κB和ATⅠ、ATⅡ表达的强度和部位均呈增强趋势 ,治疗组在相同时间点则两者都有不同程度下调 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　在阿霉素肾病损伤过程中NF κB和ATⅠ、ATⅡ起着介导作用。     

Persistent reversal of diabetes by transplantation of fetal pig proislets into nude mice

Facing the limited availability of human adult and fetal pancreases, fetal pig proislets (pancreatic islet precursors) were investigated in view of several inherent advantages. Six litters of fetuses of mean +/- SE gestational age 75 +/- 3 days were obtained from commercially available farm pigs. Pancreatic tissue was gently digested with collagenase, then a 10-day culture was performed. During culture, fetal proislets showed no insulin response to glucose alone but a significant response to glucose plus theophylline. The insulin content per microgram of DNA in the cultured proislets continuously increased. Histological examination by immunoperoxidase staining showed that, apart from single insulin- and glucagon-positive cells, there were no discrete islets in the pancreatic tissue and the cultured proislets. Diabetes was induced with streptozocin (STZ) in eight nude mice 3-4 wk after proislet transplantation and in another eight nude mice without transplantation. During the initial week, blood glucose levels of mice in both groups increased rapidly. The mean +/- SE peak value of blood glucose levels in the transplanted group was 20.4 +/- 2.0 mM and was 20.1 +/- 1.3 mM in the group without transplantation. Simultaneously, body weight decreased from 29.5 +/- 0.7 to 21.5 +/- 0.9 g and from 27.9 +/- 0.7 to 19 +/- 1 g in the groups, respectively. Afterward, blood glucose levels of mice in the transplanted group gradually decreased, and normoglycemia was achieved in all mice within 50 +/- 13 days after injection of STZ, i.e., 74 +/- 13 days after transplantation. The group without transplantation persistently maintained blood glucose levels greater than 16.7 mM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on human isolated resistance arteries.

1. The action of (1-28) alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was studied on human isolated resistance arteries. 2. Renal, skeletal muscle, omental and subcutaneous resistance arteries were taken from tissue removed at surgery and isometric tension responses were measured with a myograph. 3. ANP (10(-9)-10(-6) M) relaxed precontracted segments of renal and skeletal muscle arteries in a concentration-dependent manner. ANP failed to relax isolated omental or subcutaneous arteries. 4. The effect of ANP on human isolated resistance arteries varies depending on the site of origin of the artery.     

An experimental collagen-impregnated dacron graft: Potential for endothelial seeding

This study evaluates the potential for endothelial seeding of a collagen-impregnated Dacron graft with or without surface modifiers (fibronectin, heparin) to attach and retain these cells during flow. Human umbilical endothelial cells were harvested, cultured, labeled with Indium111-oxine and seeded onto 30 mm X 4 mm diameter grafts. Six graft surfaces were studied: 1) a collagen-impregnated Dacron graft, HemashieldR (C); 2) C + fibronectin (C + F); 3) C + heparin (C + H); 4) C + F + H; 5) HytrelR + F (Hyt + F); and 6) Hyt + F + H. Radioactive loss determined the percentage attachment and then percentage retention of labeled inoculum after a one-hour in vitro perfusion. Scanning electron and light microscopy demonstrated the endothelium on the graft surface following perfusion. Fibronectin-coated grafts had a significantly higher percentage attachment than those without fibronectin (ANOVA, P less than 0.05). However, the percentage retention following perfusion was similar for all Dacron grafts and statistically inferior to the HytrelR grafts studied (ANOVA, P less than 0.05). SEM evaluation of the C + F + H graft surface was qualitatively the most impressive Dacron surface for seeding, yet was inferior to the HytrelR graft. We conclude that fibronectin benefits the initial attachment of endothelium to collagen-coated Dacron rivaling the HytrelR surface. Fibronectin does not improve percentage retention of the HemashieldR surface during perfusion, therefore, some of its initial benefit is lost.     

Synthesis and Properties of Haptens for the Development of Radioimmunoassays for Thioridazine,Mesoridazine, and Sulforidazine

For the separate development of radioimmunoassay procedures for thioridazine and its two major active metabolites, mesoridazine and sulforidazine, three haptens, respectively, 2-methylthio-, 2-methylsulfinyl-, and 2-methylsulfonyl-substituted 10-[2-[l-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-piperidinyl]ethyl]-10H-phenothiazine, were synthesized and characterized. Thioridazine hapten was coupled to bovine serum albumin, whereas the haptens for mesoridazine and sulforidazine were coupled to porcine thyroglobulin. The number of hapten residues per mole of carrier protein was determined in each case by an ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. Polyclonal antibodies to each hapten–protein conjugate were obtained in rabbits, and titers of the antisera were checked by evaluating their binding characteristics to the appropriate tritiated analyte. A hapten for the ring sulfoxide metabolite of thioridazine was also synthesized.