Alterations of free amino acids concentrations in cat brain induced by rapid eye movement sleep deprivation

Résumé La concentration de certains acides aminés libres au niveau du cerveau chez le chat change sous l'influence de la privation élective du sommeil paradoxal. Ces changements pourraient s'expliquer par l'augmentation d'excitabilité nerveuse associée à la privation élective du sommeil paradoxal.     

Changes in blood tryptophan level during sleep deprivation

Summary Prolonged sleep deprivation elicits a significant elevation of the plasma level of free tryptophan which appears to be involved in increased excretion of 5-HIAA during this state through enhanced 5-HT synthesis.     

Effects of sleep deprivation on the periodicity of tyrosine metabolism in mice

Résumé La privation de sommeil pendant 96 h a crée des ruptures dans la périodicité d'enzyme-tyrosine-aminotransférase du foie, à cause de l'induction. Des concentrations hépatiques de tyrosine ont augmenté alors que sa présence dans le plasma fut sans effet. La privation de sommeil affecte non seulement les rhythmes quotidiens naturels, mais, si elle est prolongée, elle intensifie la réponse de «stress» généralisé peut-être au point d'affecter notablement l'effet de l'acide amidé.

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Acknowledgments. We wish to express our appreciation to SP-5R. Cotter and SP-5 Th.Speitel for their technical assistance.     

Alterations in lipid metabolism following trauma in rabbits

Zusammenfassung Nach Knochenverletzung beim Kaninchen kommt es im Blut zu einer drastischen Erhöhung der gesamten Lipide, freien Fettsäuren und des Cholesterols, während die Veränderungen des Serum-Phospholipids nur geringfügig ist. Die Erhöhung bleibt bis zum 9. Tag nach erfolgtem Knochenbruch.

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Acknowledgments. We are thankful to Dr.L. M. Singh, Officer Incharge, Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Medical Sciences for providing all the facilities.     

Lesions in folic acid metabolism induced by primidone

Résumé Les auteurs ont étudié le mécanisme de la toxicité de la primidone (Mysoline) chez certains microorganismes. Ces recherches montrent que le métabolisme de l'acide folique est inhibé par le primidone et cela en trois étapes: (a) la réduction de l'acide folique en acide dihydrofolique, (b) le métabolisme des ptéridines nonconjugées et (c) la phosphorylation de la thymidine.

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This work was aided by grants from the National Vitamin Foundation, National Association for Mental Health, American Cancer Society, and U.S. Public Health Service. We thank Dr.Th. Robitcher, Ayerst Laboratories, New York, for aid and gifts of primidone and Dr.E. Patterson of the American Cyanamid Co., Pearl River, New York, for the gifts of unconjugated pteridine.     

Long-term motor activity recording of dogs and the effect of sleep deprivation

Summary Motor activity of laboratory dogs was recorded for several weeks with an ambulatory monitoring device. The effect of 24 h sleep deprivation (SD) on motor activity during recovery was investigated. A clear rest-activity rhythm was established. The dogs exhibited a similar mean daily rest-activity pattern: 1) rest occurred mainly in the dark; 2) the amimals were most active after light onset; activity increased during the last two dark hours; 3) a rest period was found at noon and reduced activity during afternoon hours. There was a marked difference in total activity between individual dogs. Activity patterns varied as a function of the day of the week; this may have been a reflection of variations in the level of human activities in the laboratory. There was a significant reduction of motor activity during the 24-h period following SD. This was particularly evident in the first 6 h of the light period immediately following the deprivation.In addition, there was a significant increase in the number of episodes with activity 5 counts during recovery. The study confirms the possibility of measuring motor activity to assess compensatory mechanisms during recovery after SD. Sleep regulation, therefore, does not necessarily need to be exclusively examined by the invasive technique of EEG registration.     

Regulation of tryptophan metabolism in the parasitic wasp,Habrobracon juglandis

Zusammenfassung Die Metabolite und 3 Enzyme des Tryptophanstoffwechsels vonHabrobracon weisen während der parasitären Phase sowie während der Puppenruhe und im Imaginalstadium signifikante Konzentrations-bzw. Aktivitätsveränderungen auf. Diese sind das Ergebnis mindestens zweier Regulationsmechanismen.

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I thank Prof.V. Schwartz and Prof.A. Egelhaaf for helpful advice.     

The effect of sleep deprivation upon variations in heart rate and respiration rate

Summary Variations in heart rate and respiration rate were found to be responsive to total sleep deprivation, particularly under experimental conditions more realistic to everyday life.     

Substrate induced alterations in tryptophan pyrrolase activity in two mouse strains

Summary Total hepatic L-tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity was studied in 2 mouse strains receiving i.p. injections of L-tryptophan. After a single injection, enzyme activity was increased in albino but not pigmented mice. After 3 injections, enzyme activity was reduced in both strains. This work was partially supported by grant No. 3726-22 from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Wichita State University.