Concentrations of serum total protein and protein fractions during diestrus and pregnancy in Makuii ewes

The aim of this study was to determine the blood protein changes during different stages of pregnancy and to compare with prepregnancy diestrus in ewes. A total of 90 blood samples were taken from ten Makuii ewes (the native sheep breed in Iran) at diestrus and on days 8, 14, 28, 45, 60, 90, 125, and 145 of pregnancy. Serum protein electrophoresis of samples exhibited four fractions: albumin, α, β, and γ fractions in Makuii ewes, which in α- and γ-globulin bands were divided to α1 and α2; and γ1 and γ2, respectively. The mean concentrations (in gram per deciliter) of total serum proteins, albumin, α1-, α2-, β-, γ1-, and γ2-globulin at diestrus period were 7.03, 3.77, 0.18, 0.74, 0.41, 1.56, and 0.41, respectively. Those values fluctuated nonsignificantly throughout gestation until the 125th day of pregnancy. Thereafter, a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in serum protein levels occurred at the 145th day of pregnancy compared to prepregnancy and other gestational time points. It was concluded that blood protein levels declined sharply during late gestation when the nutrient demands of the fetus were maximal.     

2型糖尿病肾病患者血清胱抑素C的检测及意义

目的:检测糖尿病患者血清胱抑素C浓度变化,分析其在糖尿病患者早期肾损伤中的作用。方法:根据24h尿白蛋白排泄率(UAER)的测定结果,将104例糖尿病患者分为3组:单纯糖尿病组(SDM组)、早期糖尿病肾病组(EDN组)和临床糖尿病肾病组(CDN组);46名健康者作对照组;采用颗粒增强散射免疫比浊法测定血清胱抑素C水平,常规测定内生肌酐清除率、血肌酐和UAER,并对全部患者胱抑素C血清浓度与尿UAER进行直线相关分析。结果:SDM组,EDN组及CDN组间血清胱抑素C水平均有非常显著性统计学意义(P<0.01),血清胱抑素C与UAER、内生肌酐清除率及血肌酐值有良好相关性(r值分别为0.772,-0.754,0.785,P均<0.01)。结论:血清胱抑素C水平测定有助于2型糖尿病肾病的早期诊断,优于血肌酐和内生肌酐清除率,具有临床应用价值。     

Serum hormones in male strength athletes during intensive short term strength training

Summary Training-induced adaptations in the endocrine system and strength development were investigated in nine male strength athletes during two separate 3-week intensive strength training periods. The overall amount of training in the periods was maintained at the same level. In both cases the training in the first 2 weeks was very intensive: this was followed by a 3rd week when the overall amount of training was greatly decreased. The two training periods differed only in that training period I included one daily session, while during the first 2 weeks of period II the same amount of training was divided between two daily sessions. In general, only slight and statistically insignificant changes occurred during training period I in mean concentrations of serum hormones examined or sex hormone-binding globulin as well as in maximal isometric leg extensor force. However, during training period II after 2 weeks of intensive strength training a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in serum free testosterone concentration [from 98.4 (SD 24.5) to 83.8 (SD 14.7) pmol · l^–1] during the subsequent week of reduced training. No change in the concentration of total testosterone was observed. This training phase was also accompanied by significant increases (P<0.05) in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and cortisol concentrations. After 2 successive days of rest serum free testosterone and LH returned to (P<0.05) their basal concentrations. Training period II led also to a significant increase (P<0.05) [from 3942 (SD 767) to 4151 (SD 926) N] in maximal force. These findings suggest that in male strength athletes dividing the amount of training into smaller units may create more effective training stimuli leading to further strength development.     

Morphologic evaluation of the liver in hereditary angioedema patients on long-term treatment with androgen derivatives

17 alpha-Alkylated androgens are highly effective in preventing attacks in HAE patients. These drugs, however, seem to be implicated in the development of cholestatic jaundice, peliosis hepatis, and liver tumors. In order to assess the risk-benefit balance of the long-term therapy with androgen derivatives, a follow-up investigation was performed in 13 HAE patients. The results of this study indicate that long-term treatment (15 to 47 mo) with low doses of danazol or stanozolol does not induce significant hepatic damage detectable by laboratory tests or liver biopsy. However, the limited number of patients, although in a rather long period of observation, still suggests a careful control and the use of minimal effective doses.     

Serum and tissue trace elements in Iranian camels (Camelus dromedarius)

There were 26 male and female (nonpregnant and nonlactating) apparently healthy adult (5 to 10 years) field camels (Camelus dromedarius) studied to provide data regarding the normal values of trace elements in serum and different tissues. Blood samples were collected by jugular venepuncture and serum was separated by centrifugation. Tissue samples (liver, heart, striated muscle, spleen, kidney, and hair) were collected during postmortem examinations. All the samples were digested and analyzed for copper, iron, cobalt, and molybdenum using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the highest concentration of iron was present in the spleen and that the concentrations of this element in the liver and kidney were higher than those in the heart, striated muscle, serum, and hair (p<0.05). The lowest mean iron concentration was observed in the serum (p<0.05). The mean copper concentration was highest in liver in comparison to other tissues (p<0.05). No significant differences in cobalt concentrations were detected among different compartments. The mean molybdenum concentration of striated muscle, heart, kidney, spleen, and liver were significantly higher than those of serum and hair (p<0.05). No difference due to sex was detected in different tissue and serum concentrations of trace elements.     

Serum creatine kinase B subunit levels in neurogenic atrophies

Summary This study is an attempt to determine the creatine kinase B (CK-B) subunit levels in neurogenic atrophies. A group of 69 patients was studied and the results were compared with those in a group of 32 patients with muscle disease. The results showed that the CK-B levels are considerably higher in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (P<0.001) and peroneal muscular atrophy (P<0.001). Further studies in the various subgroups of neurogenic atrophies showed that, regardless of the nosological entity, the CK-B activity is considerably higher: (1) in the widespread as opposed to limited forms (P<0.001); (2) in the chronic than in the acute neurogenic atrophies (P<0.001); and (3) in the active as opposed to residual forms (P<0.02). It is suggested that the increase of CK-B in neurogenic atrophies is a strong indication of an active regeneration process in the denervated muscle.     

A double-blind study on the effect of discontinuation of gold therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Summary To assess the benefit of further gold treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had already received more than 6 g of this metal, 24 such patients were included in a double-blind trial. Besides this gold group comprising 11 patients who received gold (Auromyose^®) in the same dosage schedule as before the study, the trial included a placebo group comprising 13 patients who received gold in a suspension diluted 1/100. In either group clinical, laboratory, and radiological data did not differ after 6 and 24 months in relation to the results at entry except for the serum gold concentrations, which were lower in the placebo group. We conclude that discontinuation of the treatment in RA patients who have received more than 6 g gold is not harmful to the patients for at least two years after withdrawal.     

Growth,regression and cell death in rat liver as related to tissue levels of the hepatomitogen cyproterone acetate

Previous studies have shown that xenobiotic compounds such as the environmental pollutant -hexa-chlorocyclohexane (-HCH) and the synthetic sex steroid cyproterone acetate (CPA) induce growth of rat liver by hypertrophy and hyperplasia. After withdrawal of the growth stimuli, liver hypertrophy was usually found to be readily reversible. Conflicting observations were made concerning the fate of liver hyperplasia: hepatic hyperplasia persisted when induced by -HCH but was found to be partially reversible when induced by CPA. The present study confirms the reversibility of hepatic hyperplasia induced by CPA in rats: about 30% of liver DNA present at maximal liver enlargement disappeared within 6 days after cessation of CPA treatment. Simultaneously, a dramatic increase in the rate of cell elimination by apoptosis was found. Glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in serum did not show major increases, suggesting that cell death was not due to lytic membrane damage. Furthermore, if treatment with CPA was continued or resumed, the enhanced DNA content persisted and the number of apoptotic bodies was greatly reduced. These observations suggest that the occurrence of cell death is due to withdrawal of the growth stimulus CPA. It may reflect a regulatory phenomenon serving to maintain homeostasis of cell number.Further studies showed that CPA is rapidly eliminated from rat liver and serum: t 1/2 in the liver is about 11 h. In contrast, -HCH was previously found to be eliminated more slowly: t 1/2 approximately 144 h. The present study revealed that -HCH, CPA and nafenopin lower the number of apoptotic bodies. This suggests that inducers of liver growth can inhibit hepatocellular death by apoptosis. It is concluded that the regression of hyperplasia after CPA withdrawal may be due to its rapid elimination. On the other hand the relatively long persistence of -HCH may result in inhibition of cell death and thereby stabilize hepatic hyperplasia.Abbreviations CPA cyproterone acetate - -HCH -hexachlorocyclohexane - PB phenobarbital - NAF nafenopin - AB apoptotic body - b.w. body weight - p. admin. post-administration - GPT glutamate-pyruvate transaminase - ALP alkaline phosphatase Dedicated to Professor W. Koransky on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Determination of free fractions of tricyclic antidepressants

Summary The plasma protein binding of amitriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine, and their primary demethylated metabolites were studied by means of a method combining dialysis and gas chromatography. Equilibrium in dialysis of serum containing amitriptyline and its metabolite nortriptyline was attained in about 0.5 h with the drug dissolved in the serum compartment, and in about 2 h with the drug passing from the buffer to the serum compartment.The calculation of free fractions was influenced by variations with dialysis time in the volumes of serum and buffer. Increase of pH in serum increased the protein binding of the weakly basic drugs studied, and made the Donnan distribution effects more pronounced. At pH 7.4, the Donnan effect was negligible.Binding parameters for the 6 tricyclic antidepressant substances studied were estimated for the binding to ₁-acid glycoprotein and for total binding in serum. For ₁-acid glycoprotein, the k-values ranged from 1·10⁵ to 8·10⁵ M^–1, and for pooled serum from 0.4·10⁵ to 8·10⁵ M^–1. The determined number of binding sites on the ₁-acid glycoprotein was, on average 0.87 for the 6 substances. In serum, the binding capacity was 2–14 times the concentration of ₁-acid glycoprotein.     

Perioperative Cefamandolprophylaxe bei aortocoronaren Bypass-Operationen Serumkonzentrationsverlauf während der extrakorporalen Zirkulation

Zusammenfassung Eine perioperative antibiotische Kurzprophylaxe mit 2 g Cefamandol intravenös bei Narkoseeinleitung wurde bei 12 Patienten während coronarchirurgischer Eingriffe unter Verwendung der Herz-Lungen-Maschine durchgeführt. Bei Beginn der extrakorporalen Zirkulation (= EKZ) kam es infolge Hämodilution zu einem Absinken der Serumkonzentrationen von 110,96 ± 40,29 mcg/ml auf 70,89 ± 34,65 g/ml innerhalb von 10 min. Im weiteren Verlauf der EKZ war der Abfall der Serumspiegel gleich schnell wie davor und danach. Nach 240 min fanden sich noch Serumspiegel von 16,80 ± 9,32 g/ml. Als Ursache für das Versagen einer antibiotischen Prophylaxe kommt bei einer Operationsdauer von mehr als 4 h das Absinken der Serumspiegel unter die minimale Hemmkonzentration der entsprechenden Keime in Frage.

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Perioperative cefamandole prophylaxis in aortocoronary bypass operations: Course of serum concentration during extracorporeal circulation

Summary Antibiotic prophylaxis with 2 g Cefamandole at induction of anaesthesia was performed in 12 male patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery. Caused by hemodilution, there was a marked decrease of serum concentration at the beginning of extracorporeal circulation, from 110.96 ± 40.29 mcg/ml to 70.89 ± 34.65 mcg/ml within 10 min. During extracorporeal circulation, elimination was as fast as before and after perfusion. 240 min after application, mean serum concentrations of 16.80 ± 9.32 mcg/ml were measured. Failure of antibiotic prophylaxis in operations exceeding 4 h might be due to unadaequate antibiotic concentrations, beyond the minimal inhibitory concentration for the pathogens, reported to cause infections after cardiac operations.