Presence of lectin-like substances in the basement membrane of the human kidney glomerulus]

Crude extracts from the human glomerular basement membranes solubilized by pepsin or bacterial collagenase agglutinate normal or transformed human cells. Cytoagglutination is inhibited by N-acetyl-osamines. These properties are reminiscent of lectins. When agglutinated cells are incubated for an additional 20 hrs. period in minimal serum free medium but in presence of these basement membrane extracts, they attach to the glass and spread out.     

Vitamin D3 sulfoconjugate distribution and evolution in pregnant or lactating rats]

24 hrs after intravenous injection of vitamin D3 35S sulfoconjugate the radioactivity in kidney is about twice as much in pregnant Rats as in lactating Rats. It decreases from 24 to 48 hrs in pregnant but increases in lactating Rats kidneys. Hydrolysis of vitamin 3H D3 sulfate is detected in kidney and liver extracts, the ratio of free vitamin D3 on vitamin D3 sulfate is higher in pregnant than in lactating animals. Mammary glands of lactating Rats contain mainly the unchanged vitamin D3 sulfate which can be hydrolysed by new born suckling pups.     

Antibody-dependent adherence of peritoneal cells of the rat to Trichinella spiralis larvae]

Washed peritoneal exudate cells from normal Rats firmly adhere to Trichinella spiralis larvae in the presence of serum containing anti-Trichinella antibodies. This effect is observed when muscle larvae, cells and dilutions of anti-sera are incubated for 1 hr. at 37 degrees C. No adherence takes place at 4 degrees C. Whole serum or its gammaglobulin fraction are active and effect is inhibited by the addition of Trichinella antigens. Complement is not essential since antiserum heated for 2 hrs. at 56 degrees C is active. Washed cells from infested animals do not adhere to the larvae in the absence of antiserum.     

Increase in spontaneous beating frequency in rat heart cells cultured in homologous serum]

Rat serum at different concentrations added to cultured Rat heart cells medium increased spontaneous beating frequency of myoblasts. This increase occurred instantaneously and lasted more than 24 hrs. It was related to the serum concentration used. Electrophysiological recording showed a decrease in the iso-electric phase duration of membrane potential, with no change in action potential. In spite of the beating frequency increase, cells remained sensitive to the chronotrope positive action induced by Isoprenaline. There was no difference between male and female sera. The global results could partly be explained by the action of Ca++ in Rat serum.     

Persistence of added retinoids in organ culture media during induction of mucous metaplasia and glandular morphogenesis in hamster cheek pouches

The retinoid concentration (determined colorimetrically) did not change significantly in retinyl acetate-supplemented (6 micrograms/ml) Eagle's Minimal Essential Medium containing 10% fetal calf serum when stored at -20 or 4 degrees C over 7 days. After the medium was incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h, 37-49% of the retinoid remained, whether or not tissue (neonatal Syrian hamster cheek pouch) was present, and irrespective of explant age. The normal retinoid level in the tissue was approximately 0.25 micrograms per gram. Therefore, neonatal hamster cheek pouches, incubated in medium with the addition of 6 micrograms of retinyl acetate per ml of medium and undergoing mucous metaplasia and some mucous gland morphogenesis, were continually being exposed to retinoid levels which, though gradually decreasing, remained well above their normal physiological level.     

In vivo occupation of estrogen receptors by hydroxylated metabolites of tamoxifen]

We report that after in vivo administration of (3H) tamoxifen, the cytosol and nuclear estrogen receptor sites of Rat uterus and Chicken oviduct are mostly occupied by polar metabolites. One of the major metabolites is 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen which we have identified by cocrystallisation withe non radioactive compound and which is known to display a high affinity for the estrogen receptor. In the Rat uterus, the proportion of the metabolites versus tamoxifen, increases with time with a maximum at 8 hrs. for the 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. Other hydroxylated metabolites (M2) became predominant after 24 hrs. We propose that in vivo, the synthetic antiestrogens act mostly via their transformation into hydroxylated metabolites.     

Effect of light on variations in blood testosterone in the ram: demonstration of a photosensitive phase in diurnal rhythm]

6 groups each of 5 adult rams were subjected in light controlled pens to a pretreatment of normal variations in daylength during May and June. Then one group followed the normal daylength and the other five different "skeleton photoperiods" of 8 hrs of light per day consisting of: 7 hrs continuous light (7 L) + 1 hr light (1 L) situated at different times of the dark period (D) according to groups. Blood samples were taken once each week and hourly during one 24 hr period in June, July and September. Peripheral plasma testosterone measured by radio-immunoassay was used as an index of testicular activity. There was increase in the level of testosterone resuting from a rise in the number of peak release during the 24 hrs. In the different light treatments tested, only the treatment (7L+9D+1L)+7D) stimulated testosterone secretion with the pattern of testosterone of this group being similar to that of the control group. This indicates that there exists a photosensitive phase at 16 to 17 hrs after the beginning of the principal light (the subjective dawn).     

Stimulation of the secretion of LH and FSH and increase in testicular weight at birth in rats]

The evolutions of serum LH and FSH concentrations and of testicular weight have been measured in the newborn Rat before, during and up to 24 hrs. after birth. A sudden and transient increase of LH and FSH is observed at birth. The testicular weight rises rapidly between 2 and 4 hrs.     

Permanent cell culture of a pancreatic carcinoma induced by immunological effect. Comparison of the evolution of secretory specificity and oncogenic power in two homologous strains: in vitro (147-8) and in vivo (7-4)]

A permanent epithelial cell strain, named 147-8, was established in vitro from a pancreatic carcinoma immunologically induced in a mouse. The cells remain isolated and grow actively in suspension: after more than 3 years of life, the doubling time is 14 hrs. Some cells synthetized insulin during the first two months. Later on, the cells contain low but significant levels of amylase and lipase, even during the second year, thus showing some pancreatic specificity. The oncogenic property of this strain is high during the first two years, and later decreases while their multiplication rate remains high. The evolution of 147-8 strain is compared to that of its in vivo homologous strain 7-4.     

Stimulation of the synthesis and non-competitive inhibition of alkaline phosphatase by theophylline in normal hamster fibroblasts and absence of response in transformed fibroblasts]

Theophylline increases the synthesis of alkaline phosphatase in normal Hamster fibroblasts (activity X6 after 24 hours with theophylline 10-3 M). The enzymatic activity of these cells is inhibited by theophylline in vitro (80% inhibition in the presence of theophylline 10-3 M). The inhibition seems to be non competitive, since the apparent Km of the enzyme is not modified. This stimulator and inhibitor effect of theophylline is absent in Hamster fibroblasts transformed by SV 40 virus.     

Sleep and monoamines: differential radioautography of central neurons after systematic injection of tritiated 5-hydroxytryptophane (5 HTP 3H) or of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA 3H)]

In normal cats 90 min. after the intravenous injection of 5 mg/kg of 5 HTP and 3H 5 HTP or DOPA and 3H DOPA a few reactive nerve cell bodies were identified by radioautography. On the contrary, 48 hrs. after p-chlorophenylalanin or subtotal lesion of raphe nuclei, these tracers showed numerous reactive neurons inside or outside the central monoaminergic systems.     

Macroscopic and microscopic study of human corpse skin grafting on athymic mice nu/nu]

32 thin grafts (500 to 700 mu) of different human corpse skin set apart during the first 24 hrs after the death have retaken on athymic Mousse whatever the reason of death and the age of the donor. 20 thick grafts have retaken at 30%. These skins preserve the aspects and behaviour of normal human skin but after 1 month they have a heavy melanic hyperpigmentation. These skins preserve their normal histological aspect during the first 3 days, then, when revascularisation is setting in, superficial areas of epidermic mortification, opposite dermal hypovascularised zones, appear. Between the 15th and the 21st day the epidermic alterations disappear and a heavy melanic hyperpigmentation is set up. The revascularisation is certainly the result of the human dermal vessels repermeabilisation. Till the 76th day neither dystrophy, dysplasia nor important inflammatory process exist.     

Toxicokinetic study of vanadium after intramuscular and intratracheal administration to rats]

The toxicokinetic study, made in the rat with 48V under VOCl2, shows that vanadium does not accumulate in the system. 66% of the radioactivity is found in urines 24 hrs. after the inoculation by intramuscular method. After intratracheal deposit, a part of the vanadium is eliminated very rapidly. The other which is lower is fixed on the pulmonary tissues.     

The effect of actinomycin D on the production of viruses by the protoplasts of Chinese cabbage infected in vitro by the yellow mosaic virus of turnips]

Chinese Cabbage (Brassica sinensis L. var. Cantonner) protoplasts were infected by Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) and inoculated in the presence or absence of actinomycin D. Virus production was determined 40 hrs. after inoculation, the time required for the virus replication cycle to be terminated. While actinomycin D had no effect on TYMV production when present at a concentration of 1 microng/ml, a 50 to 80% inhibition of virus production was noticed at concentrations of the order of 5 to 10 microng/ml, and the inhibition reached 90% with 25 microng/ml.     

In vitro development ofXenopus skin glands producing 5-hydroxytryptamine and caerulein

The granular glands of amphibian skin synthesize and store a large amount of bioactive amines and peptides which are structurally similar to mammalian brain-gut peptides. To investigate the development of peptide- and amine-producing cells in the granular glands, pieces of dorsal skin taken at various stages fromXenopus laevis tadpoles were cultured, and the contents of caerulein and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were measured. When pieces of skin from tadpoles at stages 57 to 60 (Nieuwkoop and Faber stages) were cultured in a medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS medium) or one containing FCS treated with charcoal (chFCS medium), the caerulein and 5-HT levels were increased for the six days of the incubation period. The caerulein content was lower in the chFCS medium than in the FCS medium. Addition of thyroxine to the chFCS medium had no significant effect on the caerulein content. These results show that the caerulein-and 5-HT-producing cells of the granular glands can develop in a culture system with FCS- or chFCS-containing media, and suggest that FCS contains substances which are absorbed by charcoal and stimulate development of the amine- and peptideproducing cells of the glands. In a preliminary search for correlation between caerulein and 5-HT synthesis, addition of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor to 5-HT, to the FCS medium increased 5-HT content and, conversely, caused significant decrease in caerulein content, suggesting that accumulation of caerulein in the granular glands is influenced by the amount of 5-HT synthesis. These studies indicate that this culture system is a useful model for investigating the development of peptide- and amine-producing cells.     

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid and triton-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) significantly decreased cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels in whole serum, serum beta-lipoproteins and liver of Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Therapeutically 50 mg HMG/kg is equivalent to 200 mg nicotinic acid/kg in lowering all these lipid parameters. HMG may exert its hypolipidemic effect through inhibition of lipoprotein synthesis.     

Inhibitory action of estradiol on testosterone production in rat embryo]

Embryos from Rats given an injection of 0,5-1 mg of oestradiol benzoate on days 17--19 of pregnancy show a 3--4-fold reduction in their testicular testosterone content with respect to the control embryos, 24--48 hrs later. OEstradiol most likely acts by inhibiting LH secretion, which in turn results in a lowered testosterone production.     

Role of serum components in the binding and phagocytosis of oxidatively damaged erythrocytes by autologous mouse macrophages

To investigate the role of autologous serum components in the recognition of damaged cells by macrophages, we examined the binding and phagocytosis of damage oxidatively damaged red blood cells with Cu2+ and ascorbate (oxRBCs) by autologous resident mouse peritoneal macrophages. The binding of oxRBCs by macrophages was independent of the presence of serum. However, phagocytosis by macrophages increased with serum concentration, and macrophages showed little ingestion of oxRBCs in a serum-free medium. Macrophages neither bound nor appreciably ingested native RBCs (before oxidation) in either the absence or presence of autologous serum. Mouse macrophages ingested significantly more native as well as oxRBCs in the presence of heat-inactivated fetal calf serum than in the presence of heat-inactivated mouse serum. Pretreated oxRBCs with normal serum were rarely ingested by macrophages in a serum-free medium. Phagocytosis of oxRBCs was significantly inhibited by depletion of IgG or calcium from serum, by heat inactivation of complement, or by antiserum against mouse C3. These results demonstrate that serum components such as IgG, C3, and calcium are involved in phagocytosis of oxRBCs by autologous macrophages.     

Persistence of added retinoids in organ culture media during induction of mucous metaplasia and glandular morphogenesis in hamster cheek pouches

Summary The retinoid concentration (determined colorimetrically) did not change significantly in retinyl acetatesupplemented (6 g/ml) Eagle's Minimal Essential Medium containing 10% fetal calf serum when stored at –20 or 4°C over 7 days. After the medium was incubated at 37°C for 48 h, 37–49% of the retinoid remained, whether or not tissue (neonatal Syrian hamster cheek pouch) was present, and irrespective of explant age. The normal retinoid level in the tissue was approximately 0.25 g per gram. Therefore, neonatal hamster cheek pouches, incubated in medium with the addition of 6 g of retinyl acetate per ml of medium and undergoing mucous metaplasia and some mucous gland morphogenesis, were continually being exposed to retinoid levels which, though gradually decreasing, remained well above their normal physiological level.     

Isoprenaline, modifications of the turnover of ATP in the perfused rat heart]

5 hrs after a single sub-cutaneous injection of the drug in a dose of 5 mg/kg, the ATP concentration was reduced by 15%, the incorporation of 14C adenine was augmented by 20% and the turnover of ATP was accelerated: the reduction of specific radioactivity attained 16%, 75 mn after the period of marquage, instead of 7% in the control hearts. When the drug was added to the perfusion fluid, there was no supplementary reduction of the ATP concentration and the action on the nucleotide turnover only existed if the ATP level was reduced by a pretreatment: the reduction of specific radioactivity then attained 24% after 75 min. of perfusion.