Altered brain cholinergic enzymes activity in the genetically obese rat

Summary Genetically obese male Zucker rats (fa/fa) and their lean littermates (Fa/-) were used in this experiment. Fourteen-week-old obese and lean littermates were sacrificed and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes were assayed in specific brain regions. The assays of these enzymes indicate that obese animals and a significantly lower ChAT activity in the cerebellum, pons, and cerebral cortex and a significant increase in ChAT activity in the thalamus and hypothalamus. Meanwhile, the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, midbrain, thalamus and hypothalamus of the obese animals showed significantly higher AChE activity than their lean littermates. It was concluded from this study that obesity may be associated with changes in the enzymes of the brain cholinergic system.This work was supported by a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NAG 2-411), a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH RR 0811), and a grant from the Division of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health (NIH Grant RR 03020).     

Effect of stress on choline acetyltransferase activity of the brain and the adrenal of the rat

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was determined in cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, midbrain and adrenal gland of rats exposed to acute or chronic stress. The exposure of animals to acute immobilization and cold stress (4°C) for one hour resulted in a significant decline of ChAT activity in all brain regions examined except for the medulla oblongata. Moreover, the exposure to acute stress resulted in significant increase of the same enzyme in the adrenal gland. However, chronic exposure of animals to cold stress (4°C) for 7 days resulted in no significant changes of ChAT activity in all tissues examined except for a decline in the midbrain and an increase in the medulla oblongata. The administration of corticosterone (2.0 mg/kg) 1 h prior to sacrificing caused an effect similar to that of acute stress on ChAT activity in all brain regions except for the hypothalamus and the cerebellum. It was concluded from this experiment that stress-induced changes in the ChAT activity of specific brain regions might be mediated by the adrenal steroids.This work was supported by a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NSG 2183 and NAG 2-411), a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH RR 0811) and a grant from the Division of Research Resources (NIH grant RR 03020).     

Effect of diabetes on the enzymes of the cholinergic system of the rat brain

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were determined in several brain regions of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The diabetic rats exhibited significant increase in ChAT activity (p less than 0.05) in all brain regions studied except for the cortex and the midbrain. Meanwhile, the diabetes condition was associated with significant increase (p less than 0.05) in AChE activity of the bulbus olfactorius, medulla oblongata and cerebellum. These data suggest that uncontrolled diabetes is associated with significant alterations in the brain cholinergic systems.     

CNS stimulation effect on the sexual maturation of the female rat

Summary In the immature rat, CNS stimulants administration to pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) primed rats resulted in significant (p<0.01) ovarian and uterine hypertrophy when compared to animals treated with PMSG only. Meanwhile precocious puberty was produced by pentylenetetrazol treatment alone. The results of this experiment may indicate that administration of CNS stimulants has a specific action on the release of endogenous gonadotropin.Supported by NIH grant no. RR 8111.National Institute of Health, MBS Graduate Trainee.     

Ovarian serotonin content in relation to ovulation

Summary In the mature cyclic female rat, analysis for ovarian serotonin content reveals comparatively high serotonin content. Fluctuation of serotonin content was observed; peak for serotonin was observed at estrus. In gonadotropintreated immature rats, there was no detected ovarian serotonin using this procedure. It was concluded that ovaries from gonadotropin-treated immature rats are physiologically different from ovaries taken from mature cyclic rats.Supported by NIH Grant RR8111.National Institutes of Health, MBS Trainee.     

Altered brain cholinergic enzymes activity in the genetically obese rat

Genetically obese male Zucker rats (fa/fa) and their lean littermates (Fa/-) were used in this experiment. Fourteen-week-old obese and lean littermates were sacrificed and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes were assayed in specific brain regions. The assays of these enzymes indicate that obese animals had a significantly lower ChAT activity in the cerebellum, pons, and cerebral cortex and a significant increase in ChAT activity in the thalamus and hypothalamus. Meanwhile, the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, midbrain, thalamus and hypothalamus of the obese animals showed significantly higher AChE activity than their lean littermates. It was concluded from this study that obesity may be associated with changes in the enzymes of the brain cholinergic system.     

Effect of diabetes on the vertebral column of rats and its modification by estradiol

Summary In vertebrae of genetically selected sucrose-fed diabetic rats a statistically significant bone deficit was found after diabetes had been present for about 8 months. No osteopenia was observed in diabetic rats following treatment with estrogenic hormone for 5–7 months. The development of osseous centers in the end plates of the vertebrae was retarded in diabetic rats, but was about normal in diabetic rats given estrogen.—No differences were noted in the growth zones or in the tendency to develop articular lesions in rats of the various groups. Possible differences in the amount of GAG in intervertebral discs of diabetic and non-diabetic rats respectively await further confirmation.These investigations were aided by grant No. 2 RO1 EYO 1837-03, of the Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.We are indebted to Professor Dr J. Rüttner, Institute of Pathology, University of Zürich, for his permission to use the calculator.     

Liver esterase abnormalities in hereditary neurological diseases of mice

Zusammenfassung Alle von uns in Mäusen untersuchten vererblichen neurologischen Erkrankungen stellen entweder primäre oder sekundäre gesamtkörperliche Prozesse dar. Verschiedene allelische Substitutionen produzieren spezifische Leber-Esterase-Isozym-Defekte.

---

---

This work was supported in part by NIH research grant No. NB 06448 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases nad Stroke, a grant from the National Foundation for Neuromuscular Diseases, Inc., a grant from the Health Research Fund, United Fund of Schenectedy County, Inc., and an allocation from NIH General Research Support Grant No. RR 05545 from the Division of Research Resources to The Jackson Laboratory.

---

The principles of laboratory animal care as promulgated by the National Society for Medical Research are observed in this Laboratory.     

Failure of cilia of reprogram following segmental ampullary reversal of the rabbit oviduct

Summary Cilia exhibited unidirectional and coordinated movement within microsurgically reversed segments of rabbit ampulla when examined up to 13 months after surgery. The direction of ciliary beating was opposite that of the remainder of the oviduct.This research was supported in part by a grant (HD 09339-06) from the National Institutes of Health and the Bioassay and Smooth Muscle Core Laboratories (NIH grant P30 HD10202).     

Ammoniacal silver staining of normal and inflamed rat synovial membrane

Summary An ammoniacal silver technique was used to detect changes in histone profiles in normal rats and rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Under these conditions histone staining reactions change at times when synovial cells are becoming more metabolically active.Acknowledgments: Supported by Biomedical Research Development Grant No. ISO08RR09016-01 from the National Institutes of Health, by grants to both authors from the Marquette University Committee on Research and by Marquette University School of Dentistry.     

Effect of hyperphenylalaninemia on polyphosphoinositides content of rat brain

Summary Hyperphnylalaninemia (experimental PKU) induced in developing rats by treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) plus phenylalanine (PHE) causes a significant reduction in the triphosphoinositide (TPI) and diphosphoinositide (DPI) content of brain. Since TPI and DPI play an important role in excitable nervous membranes, the functional abnormality in experimental and perhaps in genetic PKU may be related to the reduction in TPI and DPI content.This work was supported by research grant NS14938 from National Institutes of Health.     

Effect of diethylstilboesterol diphosphate on tumour-associated immunity in prostatic cancer. A preliminary report

Summary In continuing studies of the effects of oestrogen on immunologic responsiveness, preliminary evidence of significant suppression of tumour-associated immunity in patients with prostatic cancer has been observed.Supported in part by National Institutes of Health General Research Support Grant RR05524-13 to the Hektoen Institute for Medical Research.     

Variation of the fine structure in granulocytes of great apes

Zusammenfassung Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen der Granulocyten anthropoider Affen ergaben Unterschiede in der Struktur der eosinophilen Granula und eine bisher unbekannte fibrilläre Granulationsform in Orangutan Neutrophilen.

---

---

These studies were supported by U.S. Public Health Service Grant No. FR 00165 from the National Institutes of Health and Atomic Energy Commission grant No. AT (30-1) 3808.     

Microbial methylation of benzenethiols and release of methylthiobenzenes

Summary Three phylogenetically diverse microorganisms methylated several different chloro- and nitro-substituted benzenethiols to yield the corresponding methylthiobenzenes. These products were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In several cases large percentages of the methylthio products were released by intact cells into the medium, suggesting that microbial methylation of xenobiotic thiols may be a significant biotransformation in many ecosystems.Acknowledgments. This investigation was supported by research grant ES 02639 from the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, and an equipment grant (RR07013) from the Biomedical Research Support grant program. Division of Research Resource, NIH. We thank Steve Hawthorne for assistance in performing GC-MS analyses.     

Effect of stress on choline acetyltransferase activity of the brain and the adrenal of the rat.

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was determined in cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, midbrain and adrenal gland of rats exposed to acute or chronic stress. The exposure of animals to acute immobilization and cold stress (4 degrees C) for one hour resulted in a significant decline of ChAT activity in all brain regions examined except for the medulla oblongata. Moreover, the exposure to acute stress resulted in significant increase of the same enzyme in the adrenal gland. However, chronic exposure of animals to cold stress (4 degrees C) for 7 days resulted in no significant changes of ChAT activity in all tissues examined except for a decline in the midbrain and an increase in the medulla oblongata. The administration of corticosterone (2.0 mg/kg) 1 h prior to sacrificing caused an effect similar to that of acute stress on ChAT activity in all brain regions except for the hypothalamus and the cerebellum. It was concluded from this experiment that stress-induced changes in the ChAT activity of specific brain regions might be mediated by the adrenal steroids.     

Elevated kidney glucosyltransferase activity in genetic prediabetic mice

Summary Glucosyltransferase activity in the renal cortex of genetic diabetic KK mice was significantly increased at 40 days of age when compared to that of Swiss albino and F₁ hybrid mice. This increase in enzyme activity in the absence of glucose intolerance can be regarded as an earlier genetic marker for the diagnosis of diabetic microangiopathy.Acknowledgments. This research was supported in part by the General Research Support Grant No. RR-05398 from the General Research Support Branch, Division of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Health Training Grant No. 5-T01-AM-05617-06, Hope for Diabetics Foundation, Inc., and Pfizer Research Laboratories. Dr.R. A. Camerini-Davalos was a Career Scientist of the Health Research Council of the City of New York, and Drs.A. S. Reddi andC.A. Velasco were N. I. H. Trainees in Diabetes Mellitus during part of this study.     

Epstein-barr virus and inflammatory bowel disease

Zusammenfassung Die Häufigkeit und der Antikörpertiter gegen Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) wurde in Patienten mit Ulkus-Colitis und Crohn's Krankheit, eine granulomatische Abnormalität ähnlich zur Sarkoidose untersucht und normale Häufigkeit und Antikörpertiter gegen EBV bei ihnen gefunden.

---

---

Supported by Research Contract No. NIH-69-2078 within the Special Virus Cancer Program of the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, USPHS, National Institutes of Health Grant No. AM 05126 and the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis, Inc., New York, New York.

---

Dr.Grotsky is a recipient of a National Institutes of Health Graduate Training Grant in Gastroenterology, No. Am 05126.

---

Dr.Hirshaut is a recipient of a National Cancer Institute Grant No. CA 08748 an a grant from the New York Cancer Research Institute.

---

Dr.Glade is a recipient of a Research Career Development Award No. A1-46371 of the USPHS.     

Solid phase synthesis and some pharmacoogical properties of 4-Ser-8-Gln-Oxytocin (Glumitocin)

Zusammenfassung Eine neue Synthese des Peptidhormons Glumitocin wird beschrieben, in der die Trägermethode vonMerrifield benutzt wird. Einige pharmakologische Daten des Hormons werden mitgeteilt.

---

---

This work was supported in part by a grant from the Medical Research Council of Canada, Banting Research Foundation, National Science Foundation Grant No. GB 4932X and a General Research Support Grant from the National Institutes of Health.     

In vivo inhibition of citrate cleavage enzyme by polychlorinated biphenyls

Summary Polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1254, PCB) administered in the diet (0.01%, w/v) to rats inhibited citrate cleavage enzyme. The results suggest that the decreased activity might in part account for decreased fatty acid synthesis in the livers of PCB-treated rats.This research was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (ES-00040). Aroclor 1254 was a gift of Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.     

Effects of sera and liver extracts from partially hepatectomized rats on liver slice DNA synthesis

Summary Sera from partially hepatectomized rats (PH) compared to sera from control rats (C) enhance liver slice DNA synthesis but depress kidney slice DNA synthesis. Alone, liver extracts from PH do not affect DNA synthesis; but adding sera to PH extracts stimulates, suggesting that sera and liver factors from PH may participate in compensatory growth.Acknowlegments. Supported by NIH, grant AM 15458, a grant from the Washington Heart Association, and Public Health Service, grant RR 5360 (Medical). The authors wish to express their appreciation to Angelina Vasques for technical assistance and Betty Mendelson, Patti Werr and Susan Dreux for secretarial help.