Involvement of the 12-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism in homosynaptic long-term depression of the rat hippocampus

Low-frequency stimulation is associated with long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic efficacy in various brain structures. Like long-term potentiation (LTP), homosynaptic LTD in area CA1 of the hippocampus appears to require NMDA receptor activation, changes in postsynaptic calcium concentration and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) activation. Arachidonic acid (AA) is released after the activation of calcium-dependent phospholipases and free AA is rapidly metabolized to a family of bioactive products (the eicosanoids) which are thought to be both intracellular and extracellular messengers. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of AA metabolism in the formation of homosynaptic LTD in the rat hippocampus. Stimulation at 1 Hz for 15 min was used to produce homosynaptic depression in area CA1 of hippocampal slices. LTD induction was partially blocked by bromophenacyl bromide (50–100 μM), a selective PLA₂ inhibitor, and by the a nonselective lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; 100 μM). In contrast, the specific cyclooxygenase blocker indomethacin (100 μM) did not significantly reduce hippocampal LTD. Since NDGA interferes with LTD formation, we examined whether specific inhibitors of 5- and 12-lipoxygenases were capable of blocking LTD expression. The 12-lipoxygenase inhibitor baicalein at a concentration of 50 μM reduced LTP formation when given in the bath, an effect that was less pronounced with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor AA-861. These data suggest that the activation of endogenous PLA₂ and the formation of 12-lipoxygenase metabolites of AA may be important factors controlling the expression of hippocampal LTD.     

Lung function, smoking and survival in severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, PiZZ

Lung function, smoking, age and mortality data in 158 adult severe alpha₁-antitrypsin deficient, PiZZ individuals, followed from 1963 to 1982 were analyzed. Low initial FEV₁ value was significantly associated with increased mortality (p < 0.005). A 3 yr mortality rate of 40% was found in individuals whose initial FEV₁ values were less than 30% of that predicted. In contrast, the corresponding 3-yr mortality among those whose initial FEV₁ values were between 30 and 65% of that predicted was only 7%. Smokers were found to have significantly lower FEV₁ levels (p = 0.008) and higher mortality (p < 0.005) than non-smokers. The difference between current and ex-smokers in mortality and FEV₁ level were not statistically significant (p = 0.9 and p>0.25, respectively). Cross-sectional analysis of the initial FEV₁ values indicated a significant decline (p < 0.005) of FEV₁ with increasing age. This decline was greater among smokers than non-smokers. Longitudinal analysis of FEV₁ rates of decline in 80 cases with follow-up FEV₁ measurements failed to detect any significant differences between smokers and non-smokers, but was performed late in the disease process. The application of these results to the planning of studies on replacement therapy, smoking intervention strategy and longitudinal follow-up is discussed.     

Chromosomal Mapping of Genetic Locus Associated with Thymus-size Enlargement in BUF/Mna Rats

The thymoma-prone rat of the BUF/Mna strain is a useful model for human thymoma. In this strain thymoma development is regulated by a single autosomal susceptible gene, Tsr-1. At pre-thymoma age, BUF/Mna rats have extremely large thyrauses, when compared to those of other strains of rats. Genetic studies in crosses between BUF/Mna rats with large thymuses and WKY/NCrj rats with small thymuses suggested the presence of a major autosomal gene, Ten-1 , which contributes to thymus enlargement in a backcross population. Linkage studies between Ten-1 and microsatellite markers in backcross rats of (WKY/NCrj×BUF/Mna)Fl×BUF/Mna have led to the localization of Ten-1 in chromosome 1. This result may provide an approach to clone Tsr-1 , which could be allelic to Ten-1.     

三硝基甲苯的代谢物—2-氨基-4,6-二硝基甲苯和2,4-二氨基-6-硝基甲苯的合成

本文报告了2,4,6-三硝基甲苯(TNT)的代谢物,2-氨基-4,6-二硝基甲苯2和2,4-二氨基-6-硝基甲苯3的合成。以邻甲基苯甲酸为原料,经硝化(HNO_3-H_2SO_4)和Schmidt反应(NaN_3-H_2SO_4)得到2,用NaHS还原TNT的方法合成化合物3。     

通塞益脑液治疗急性脑梗塞的机理探讨

本文以结扎左侧颈总动脉造成实验性急性脑梗塞的沙土鼠模型,探讨通塞益脑液治疗急性脑梗塞的机理。发现结扎术前胃饲通塞益脑液者,可降低急性脑梗塞后脑组织中过氧化脂质的含量;结扎术后给药者,可降低脑组织中钙的含量。初步认为通塞益脑液对急性脑梗塞的脑组织有保护作用。     

白芍总甙促干扰素诱生及抗病毒作用的研究

研究白芍总甙的促干扰素诱生及抗病毒作用,结果表明;白芍总甙10 mg·L~(-1)在试管内无直接诱生干扰素(JFN)作用.可促进鸡新城疫互I系弱毒冻干疫苗诱生αIFN,其最适浓度为10 mg·L~(-1)可促进ConA诱生γIFN.当ConA为亚适剂量时,最适浓度为l～10 mg·L~(-1)当ConA为最适剂量时,其最适浓度为0.1 ～1mg·L~(-1),皆可提高IFN效价l～2倍。具有直接抗病毒作用,白芍总甙250 mg·L~(-1)能使水泡性口炎病毒效价下降2.22个对数值。     

Continuous In-Line Monitoring of Oxygen Delivery to Control Artificial Heart Output

In order to evaluate the pump output control based on the oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues, arterial and mixed venous hemoglobin content ([Hb]) and oxygen saturation (SO2) were continuously monitored in three biventricular bypass animals (3-, 6-, and 40-day experiments) with fibrillating ventricles. The specially developed oxygen sensors were mounted in the outflow ports of the artificial hearts to measure [Hb] and SO2. One animal was exercised on the treadmill at 2.0 mile/h for 15 min with pump flows fixed to deliver oxygen of (a) above 13 cc/min/kg, (b) 10, and (c) 9. In (a), the mixed venous saturation (SvO2) dropped to approximately 25% with no increase in the blood lactate level. In (b) and (c), the SvO2 decreased to approximately 10-15% with increase in blood lactate levels from 4 to 10-30 mg/dl. Also, the recovery of the SvO2 in these groups following the termination of the exercise was slower in comparison to (a). The lower limit of the SvO2 level that would create oxygen debt situation in the peripheral tissues was approximately 25-30% for the exercise of 2.0 mile/h. The SvO2 reflects changes in respiratory status, pump output, hemoglobin level, and metabolism, and is thus a useful indicator to diagnose quickly the circulatory status as well as possibly to control the artificial heart output.     

MPTP对鼠肝脂质过氧化作用的影响

本文报道给C57小鼠腹腔注射不同剂量1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)后,发现组3(MPTP35 mg/kg,每天一次,共7天)鼠肝匀浆、线粒体和微粒体的膜丙二醛含量明显增加,与对照组相比分别增加70.5%,67%和51.4%(P<0.01),而组1(MPTP 35mg/kg,每4小时一次,共3次)和组2(MPTP35mg/kg,每天一次,共4天)鼠肝丙二醛含量与对照组相近。结果表明MPTP有明显地促进鼠肝脂质过氧化的作用,并与其剂量有关。     

Structure and Behavior in Hydrophilic Matrix Sustained Release Dosage Forms: 4. Studies of Water Mobility and Diffusion Coefficients in the Gel Layer of HPMC Tablets Using NMR Imaging

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to characterise the water mobility in the gel layer of hydrating HPMC tablets. Water mobility in the gel layer of different HPMCs was studied. Methods. NMR imaging, a non-invasive technique, has been used to measure the spatial distribution of self-diffusion coefficient (SDC) and T₂ relaxation times across the gel layer. Results. It has been shown that there is a water mobility gradient across the gel layer of HPMC tablets. Although SDC and T₂ relaxation times in the outer parts of the gel layer approached that of free water, in the inner parts they decreased progressively. Water mobility and SDC in the gel layer of different HPMCs appeared to vary with degree of substitution of the polymer and the lowest values were obtained across the gel layer of K4M tablets. Conclusions. Water mobility varies across the gel layer of hydrating HPMC tablets and it is dependent on the degree of substitution of the polymer.     

Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA) in acute leukaemia: IL1RA is both secreted spontaneously by myelogenous leukaemia blasts and is a part of the acute phase reaction in patients with chemotherapy- induced leucopenia

Abstract: Blast cells derived from peripheral blood of patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) were cultured in vitro and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA) concentrations determined in culture supernatants. AML blasts derived from patients classified as AML-M4 and AML-M5 subtype showed an increased release of IL1RA. IL1α and IL1β caused a similar increase in AML blast release of IL1RA, and addition of anti-ILl antibodies decreased IL1RA release. IL1RA release from AML blasts was also increased by stem cell factor, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and macrophage colony-stimulating factor, whereas interleukin 3, interleukin 6, leukaemia inhibitory factor and granulocyte colony- stimulating factor did not significantly alter IL1RA release. When investigating IL1RA serum levels, serum concentrations were decreased in acute leukaemia patients with chemotherapy-induced cytopenia compared with healthy controls. Serum levels of both IL1RA as well as IL1β and soluble TNFα receptors increased when the leucopenic patients developed complicating bacterial infections.