Dynamics of beta adrenoceptor induced amylase release and cyclic AMP accumulation in the guinea pig submandibular gland

The dynamics of amylase release from the guinea pig submandibular gland were studied in vitro by applying a multi-channel microperifusion set. This technique makes it possible to measure time related enzyme release more accurately and to take samples of perifused tissue at short intervals. Stimulation of the ^-adrenoceptor with norepinephrine gives rise to a rapid initial enzyme discharge, detectable within 15 s. Administration of propranolol inhibits enzyme release, which is not restored after removal of the agent. Simultaneous measurements of tissue cyclic AMP during norepinephrine stimulation at various time intervals display a significant increase of cAMP as early as 15 s after stimulation of secretion. This increase of cAMP thus coincides with the discharge of amylase. In addition, cAMP continuously accumulates during 30 min of norepinephrine perifusion of the slices. The present study describes a valuable tool with high sensitivity for visualizing the relations between enzyme secretion from the salivary gland and the intracellular biochemical processes. The data obtained further indicate a close correlation between amylase and cAMP during the initial phase of enzyme discharge.     

Pancreatitis coincident with Crohn's ileocolitis

A young woman who developed acute pancreatitis coincident with Crohn's disease is presented. The pancreatitis was documented by pancreatic hyperamylasemia, elevated urine amylase activity, abdominal sonogram, computed tomography, and laparotomy. A cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, however; no etiology other than the Crohn's disease, which was confined to the ileum and colon, could be identified. Surgical removal of the severely involved ileum led to the resolutionof the pancreatitis. A possible relationship between acute pancreatitis and Crohn's disease is proposed, although potential pathophysiologic mechanisms are unknown. The diagnosis of pancreatic involvement in such cases may make an important contribution to therapy.     

急性胰腺炎的早期实验诊断和严重程度判断

目的 探索急性胰腺炎早期诊断和病情严重程度的实验室检测指标.方法 以82例急性腹痛,其中急性胰腺炎39例(急性重型胰腺炎14例和急性轻型胰腺炎25例)和非胰腺急腹症43例,30例健康者为受试者;测定所有受试者血清淀粉酶(Amy)、脂肪酶(Lip)、白介素-6(IL-6),白介素-8(IL-8)和C-反应蛋白(CRP)浓度.结果 方差分析(F检验)显示5个标记物在所观察的疾病组间均存在明显统计学差异(P=0.000).ROC曲线分析显示:对急性胰腺炎的早期诊断,Amy(cut off=93U/L)和Lip(cut off=229U/L)有较高的敏感度(Se),均是94.9%,Lip还有较高的特异性(Sp)是82.2%.曲线下的面积(AUC)分别是0.961和0.935,优于其它标记物.对判断急性胰腺炎的严重度,CRP(cut off=12.3mg/L)和IL-6(cut off=6.5μg/L)的敏感度相近,分别是92.9%和92.7%,IL-8(cut off=76.8μg/L)次之,Se为89.6%,但Sp最高为100.0%.IL-6和IL-8之AUC分别是0.931和0.977,优于其它标记物.结论 Amy和Lip可能是急性胰腺炎的早期诊断指标,IL-6和IL-8可能是其严重程度的判断指标.联合检测Amy(和/或Lip)和IL-6(和/或IL-8)有利于急性胰腺炎的早期诊断和严重度判断.     

甘草RNA提取方法研究

目的从甘草不同组织中提取高质量的RNA,为进一步合成双链cDNA,构建甘草cDNA文库奠定基础。方法采用几种常用方法(高盐溶液法、LiCl沉淀法、CTAB法和SDS法)提取甘草不同组织的RNA,并以1%琼脂糖凝胶电泳和A260/A280,A260/A230的值作为指标。结果LiCl沉淀法对于甘草不同组织中的RNA具有更好的提取效果,条带清晰,完整性较好,且A260/A280和A260/A230值均接近于2.0,根部组织产量达0.220μg/mg,叶片组织产量达0.275μg/mg。结论采用LiCl沉淀法提取甘草不同组织中的RNA具有更好的效果,适于从富含多糖的植物组织中提取RNA。     

The value of biliary amylase and Hepatocarcinoma-Intestine-Pancreas/Pancreatitis-associated Protein I (HIP/PAP-I) in diagnosing biliary malignancies

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Elevated concentrations of Hepatocarcinoma-Intestine-Pancreas/Pancreatitis-associated Protein I (HIP/PAP-I) in pancreatic juice have been reported in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and have been considered as a promising tumor marker. This study was conducted to investigate whether biliary HIP/PAP-I can be used in the differential diagnosis of the cause of biliary obstruction. METHODS: Bile was obtained from patients with bile duct obstruction on the day of biliary drainage. The etiology of biliary obstruction included gallstones (n = 131), pancreatic cancer (n = 32), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 47), papilla Vater cancer (n = 13), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 4) and metastatic cancer (n = 16). In addition to HIP/PAP-I, the samples were analyzed for amylase to check for the presence of pancreaticobiliary reflux. RESULTS: The biliary concentration of HIP/PAP-I was not statistically different between patients with gallstones (median, 9.70 ng/mL; interquartile range [IQR] 1.80-45.75) and cancers (median, 12.70 ng/mL; IQR, 3.85-36.75), P > 0.05. However, the amylase activity in the bile was markedly elevated in patients with gallstones (median, 228 U/L; IQR, 40-1965), compared to those with cancer (median, 32 U/L; IQR; 30-176), P < 0.001. The area under the ROC curve of amylase was 0.751 (95% CI: 0.69 to 0.81). At a cut-off value of 46 U/L, the biliary amylase distinguished patients with malignant obstruction from those with benign obstruction with a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 74%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the biliary HIP/PAP-I measurement is not useful for differentiating causes of biliary obstruction. The divergent extent and duration of biliary obstruction caused by neoplasm and gallstones may contribute to the significant difference in the amylase activity in bile. Thus, amylase in bile represents a candidate marker in the differential diagnosis of the cause of biliary obstruction.     

AMYLASE CONTENT OF MIXED SALIVA IN CHILDREN

Abstract. Rossiter, M. A., Barrowman, J. A., Dand, A. and Wharton, B. A. (Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, Hackney Road, London E.2 and the London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, E.l., England). Amylase content of mixed saliva in children. Acta Paediatr Scand, 63: 389, 1974.–Salivary amylase levels were determined in normal subjects from birth until adult life and in children with conditions sometimes associated with low pancreatic amylase such as malnutrition, coeliac disease and cystic fibrosis. Mixed saliva was collected under carefully standardised conditions and amylase was measured by the method of Dahlqvist. There was a wide scatter of values in the 84 normal subjects, but concentrations rose from very low levels at birth to reach adult levels by the age of 6 months to 1 year. Salivary amylase activity rose normally over ten weeks in one premature infant fed milk by gastrostomy. Thirteen children with coeliac disease and 9 children with cystic fibrosis mostly had normal salivary amylase concentrations. Six out of 12 malnourished children with jejunal villous atrophy of uncertain aetiology had low levels which rose to normal as recovery began.     

急性胰腺炎生化指标与CT分级的对比研究

目的研究CT表现与生化指标改变在急性胰腺炎病程病理变化的诊断价值。方法分析已确诊的急性胰腺炎75例,将CT图像改变分为5个级别,各级别分别与其相应的生化指标数值相比较分析。结果急性胰腺炎生化指标与CT表现对比如下:A级时,生化指标大多轻度升高,B级中度升高,C级显著升高,D级开始下降,E级显著下降。结论CT检查可以准确地反映B、C、D、E级的病理变化,明显优于血清、尿液淀粉酶值的改变,而对A级表现,CT诊断困难,此时应依靠临床症状及体征,结合血清、尿液淀粉酶及C反应蛋白的变化来作出诊断。     

Ultrastructural and biochemical analysis of the effects of alendronate on salivary glands of young rats

IntroductionThe bisphosphonates are drugs known by their antiresorptive potency and are widely prescribed for treating and preventing osteoporosis. In the past years the employment of this class of drugs had spread to other pathologies, and it is being prescribed to patients in a wide range of ages. Some adverse effects of bisphosphonate treatment have been highlighted recently, however, little is known about its potential side effects in salivary glands.MethodsNewborn rats received daily doses of 2.5 mg/kg/day of sodium alendronate during 30 days. On the thirtieth day the animals were stimulated with pilocarpine and their parotid and submandibular glands were collected, fixed and embedded for histological and ultrastructural analysis. Some glands were collected for analysis of protein content and amylase activity.ResultsAt light microscopy, the alendronate-treated animals presented an accumulation of secretion granules in their cytoplasm, which was confirmed by the ultrastructural examination. Biochemical analysis revealed an increase in total protein content and decreased amylase levels of both glands in the alendronate-treated animals in relation to the control.ConclusionBased on the current findings, alendronate is probably interfering in secretory pathways of parotid and submandibular glands.     

Effects of hyperleptinemia in rat saliva composition,histology and ultrastructure of the major salivary glands

ObjectiveTo study the effect of the satiety hormone, leptin, in saliva proteome and salivary gland histology and ultrastructure.DesignIncreases in blood leptin levels were induced through mini-pump infusion in male Wistar rats, during a period of 7 days. Saliva was collected before and at the end of the experimental period, for proteomic analysis, and major salivary glands were collected, at the end, for biochemical, histological and ultrastructural analysis.ResultsImmunohistochemistry revealed the presence of leptin receptors in major salivary glands. Salivary amylase levels and enzymatic activity were decreased in saliva, whereas the enzymatic activity of this protein was increased in the cytosol of parotid gland cells. Transmission electron microscopy allowed the observation of high number of electron-dense granules in cytosol of parotid acinar cells, from leptin treated animals.ConclusionsIncreased levels of plasmatic leptin result in changes in saliva composition and salivary glands function. To our knowledge, this is the first study providing evidences for a potential role of leptin in salivary gland secretion and saliva composition. An understanding of how appetite/satiety factors influence saliva composition and how this composition influences food processing in mouth may be relevant in understanding ingestivebehaviour.