Adsorption of Human Recombinant Erythropoietin on Dialysis Membranes In Vitro

Abstract: The adsorptive characteristics of 5 dialysis membranes for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) were studied in vitro in a closed circuit system. For 120 min, EPO added with bovine serum was significantly adsorbed by polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) and polyacry–lonitrile (PAN) membranes but not by Cuprophan, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVAL), or polysulfone (PS) membranes. In addition the EPO adsorptive rate, as well as that of β₂–microglobulin (β₂–MG), was greater with a PMMA membrane than with a PAN membrane. EPO was not detected in the ultrafiltrate at 15 min with 5 membranes. These results indicate that EPO was eliminated by membrane adsorption only with some dialysis membranes.     

The effect of the destruction of the caudate-putamen on the development of amygdaloid kindling and kindled seizures

To elucidate the possible roles of the caudate-putamen (CP) on the development of amygdala (AM) kindling and AM-kindled seizures, the bilateral CP were destroyed by intra-CP injection of ibotenic acid (0.5 or 1.0 microg per side) before the AM kindling or after completion of the AM kindling. Prior destruction of the CP, especially by 0.5 microg ibotenic acid injection, caused a significant delay in seizure development. However, after completion of the AM kindling, bilateral destruction of the CP significantly suppressed AM-kindled seizures in proportion to lesion size, however, all animals reached a stage 5 seizure by additional stimulations and established AM kindling. These findings suggest that the intact CP modulates the development of the AM kindling and the generalization and/or expression of the kindled AM seizures, and that the CP plays an important role in the generalization and/or expression of the kindled AM seizures.     

Effect of magnesium deficiency on lipid metabolism in uremic rats

The effects of acute magnesium deficiency on lipid metabolism were examined in five-sixths nephrectomized uremic rats and sham-operated rats. Three weeks after the surgery, both groups were divided into two subgroups. Half of the uremic and sham-operated rats received a magnesium-deficient diet. The rest of the experimental animals received a control diet. After 2 weeks on this regimen, all animals were sacrificed. In uremic rats, magnesium deficiency increased serum triglyceride levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as in sham-operated rats. Total serum cholesterol levels were higher in uremic rats than in sham-operated rats with or without magnesium deficiency. Serum free fatty acid levels were increased only in uremic rats with magnesium deficiency. These results suggest that magnesium deficiency worsens several parameters of lipid in uremic rats.     

Retrospective diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus infection using umbilical cord

Approximately 90% of infants congenitally infected with cytomegalovirus are asymptomatic at birth, but a number of them later develop central nervous system disorders. However, diagnosis of congenital infection with virologic or serologic evidence had been almost impossible beyond the neonatal period. Recently, dried blood spots on Guthrie cards have been demonstrated to be useful for retrospective diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus infection; however, they are usually stored for only 1 year. In Japan, the umbilical cord is kept clean and dry as a symbol of the mother-to-child bond, and in recent studies, cytomegalovirus deoxyribonucleic acid was successfully detected from dried umbilical cord of two 1-year-old children who were clinically suspected of having had congenital cytomegalovirus infection. This report describes a 4-year-old male with various central nervous system disorders who was diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus infection by detecting cytomegalovirus deoxyribonucleic acid from dried umbilical cord.     

Lipid metabolism in daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats (5)

Lipid metabolism of intestine, liver and kidney was examined in daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats. 1) Phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol contents in chylomicrons were increased in daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats. 2) Cholesterol absorption in intestine (in vivo and situ) was similar in daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats and control rats. 3) Total bile acids levels in bile and portal vein were similar in two groups. 4) There was no difference in incorporation of 14C-mevalonate into cholesterol by liver and kidney slices in two groups. The oxidation of 14CO2 from 14C-mevalonate in kidney slices was decreased in daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats. These results show that the hypercholesterolemia in daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats are not caused by increased absorption of cholesterol in intestine. The increased cholesterol esters in liver are not derived from decreased bile acids catabolism. The increased cholesterogenesis in the liver of daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats may be due to an increased rate at the step prior to mevalonate. The oxidation of 14CO2 from mevalonate by shunt pathway may be decreased in the kidney of daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats.     

High density lipoprotein catabolism in primary cultured hepatocytes from daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats

We investigated into HDL (high density lipoprotein) catabolism with primary cultured hepatocytes to elucidate the causes of increased HDL apolipoproteins in the plasma of daunomycin-induced nephrotic rats (D rats). The phospholipid, triglyceride, cholesterol, cholesteryl ester and apolipoprotein contents in HDL increased in D rats compared with control rats (C rats). The uptake (binding plus internalization) of (125)I-HDL from D rats to two groups of hepatocytes was significantly greater than that of (125)I-HDL from C rats. Uptake of (125)I-HDL from D rats to D rats' hepatocytes was significantly greater than that of (125)I-HDL from C rats to C rats' hepatocytes. The degradation of (125)I-HDL from D rats was greater than that of (125)I-HDL from C rats using two groups of hepatocytes. These results demonstrated that the uptake and degradation of HDL to D rats' hepatocytes were greater than those of HDL to C rats' hepatocytes. The increased HDL apolipoprotein content in the plasma of D rats may not be due to decreased uptake and degradation of HDL in hepatocytes compared with C rats. Copyright Copyright 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel