Metabolic inactivation of noradrenaline in human placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes

Summary. Metabolic inactivation of noradrenaline (NA) was studied in human placenta, umbilical vessels, Wharton's jelly and fetal membranes. Highest degradation capacity was observed in the placenta and fetal membranes, where the NA was inactivated by both monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). No MAO and COMT activity was found in the cord jelly and the activities in umbilical vessels were very low.     

Gingival fluid, beta2-microglobulin and protein levels as indicators of periodontal disease

Abstract— β₂-microglobulin (β₂-m), lysozyme and protein concentrations in gingival fluid were analyzed in 19 patients with severe periodontitis and in 19 controls devoid of any clinical signs of inflammation. A significant increase of the total protein and β₂-m levels was found in periodontal subjects. In contrast, lysozyme concentration did not reflect the inflammatory status of the periodontium. Statistical analyses showed significant correlations between β₂-m and protein concentrations in both groups. Furthermore, the values obtained by Periotron 600 closely correlated with the protein and β₂-m contents, indicating that this method is a reliable aid in assessment of the quantity and quality of crevicular exudate and thus the severity of periodontal disease.     

Heart Volume and Myocardial Connective Tissue during Development and Regression of Thyroxine-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats

To determine whether development and regression of cardiac hypertrophy are accompanied by changes in heart volume and to learn whether a change in heart volume is associated with changes in the myocardial connective tissue, cardiac hypertrophy was induced in rats by administration of thyroxine. Rats were given L-thyroxine for 4 weeks. Heart volume was estimated radiologically in vivo at the start of the experiment and at 1- or 2-week intervals for 7 weeks. At each of these stages a number of rats were killed, their hearts were weighed and determinations were made of the myocardial contents of DNA, of collagen measured as hydroxyproline, and of glycosaminoglycans, measured as uronic acid. After thyroxine treatment the ratio of left heart ventricle weight to body weight and of heart volume to body weight rose significantly. The increase in heart weight was greater than the increase in heart volume. At the same time, there was a significant decrease in the concentration of hydroxyproline. After discontinuation of thyroxine treatment heart volume, heart weight and the concentration of myocardial collagen returned to normal within 2 weeks. However, the total amount of myocardial collagen was still less than normal at 2 weeks. The results suggest that the decrease in the amount of myocardial collagen associated with thyroxine-induced cardiac hypertrophy—because it results in a weakening of the supporting properties of the myocardial connective tissue framework— might contribute to a slight increase in in vivo heart volume.     

Effect of nasal CPAP treatment on plasma volume, aldosterone and 24-h blood pressure in obstructive sleep apnoea

Polycythaemia, peripheral oedema formation and hypertension have classically been described in association with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, there is very limited information about blood volume in OSA and how it changes during long-term treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). Plasma (PV) and red-cell volumes (RCV), 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP), 24-h natriuresis and morning plasma aldosterone, renin activity and atrial natriuretic peptide in 11 men with a mean age of 47 y (range 37–55), apnoea index (AI) of 55 (22–106), body mass index of 36 (30–43) and seated BP of ≥140/90 mmHg without any medication were measured. BP-measurements were repeated after 3 weeks and all measurements after 3 mo of nCPAP treatment. Aldosterone and 24-h mean heart rates decreased during treatment. Twenty-four-h BP decreased after 3 weeks but that decrease did not persist after 3 mo of treatment. There was a relationship between changes in night-time mean BP and PV and aldosterone. The haematocrit declined in every patient. No significant changes were found in the mean PV or RCV. They were in all instances lower than has earlier been described for normal, non-obese subjects. These data also suggest that OSA causes divergent individual disturbances in blood volume homeostasis which can be corrected by nCPAP.     

Smooth Muscle Antibodies in Complicated Early Pregnancies*

ABSTRACT: The titer, immunoglobulin class, and staining pattern of smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence in 15 patients with threatened abortion, 46 patients with spontaneous abortion, and 45 normal pregnant women in the first trimester to investigate possible abnormality of humoral immunity. An increased incidence of moderate and high titer SMA was found in both abnormal groups. SMA were mainly of the IgG class and gave a “vessel wall” staining pattern in immunofluorescence. This staining pattern suggests non-actin specificity of SMA. The more precise characterization of the antigen specificity of SMA in complications during pregnancy requires further investigation.     

Adrenal Pheochromocytoma—Ganglioneuroma Producing Catecholamines and Various Neuropeptides

Abstract. A 65-year-old woman presenting with back pain, difficulties in walking and watery diarrhea. A right adrenal tumor and high excretion of catecholamines were found. Laboratory examinations showed raised levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, pancreatic polypeptide, gastrin and calcitonin. Histology showed a combined pheochromocytoma—ganglioneuroma. The neoplastic cell population was immunohistochemically shown to contain tyrosine hydroxylase, neuropeptide Y, met-enkephalin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide. Postoperatively, the patient recovered fully and the hormone levels returned to normal.