Australian goats detoxify the goitrogen 3-hydroxy-4(1H) pyridone (DHP) after rumen infusion from an indonesian goat

Summary The failure of Australian goats fedLeucaena leucocephala (leucaena) to degrade 3-hydroxy-4(1H) pyridone (DHP), the goitrogenic metabolite of mimosine, was overcome when they were infused with rumen fluid from an Indonesían goat. The leucaena toxicity problem in Australia may well be solved by transfer of specific bacteria capable of degrading DHP anaerobically.We acknowkledge the assistance of R.G. Megarrity in preparation of the goats in Australia and R. Dixon and staff at the CSIRO Lansdown Research Station for preparation of the feed. In Balai Penelitian Ternak; G. Riding, and Suwandi for the metabolism study facilities, Riad the feeding, Miss Leanne Rochanda sample preparation and Mrs M. Young for veterinary assistance. Analyses were carried out by R. Lowe, Jernih Rosida and Wildan.     

Trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid) inhibits the effect of androgens on the rat prostate

Summary Trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid, FA) antagonized the effect of exogenous androgens on the ventral prostate (VP) in castrated rats as well as the effect of endogenous androgens in intact rats. FA, however, had no effect on the seminal vesicles (SV) and levator ani muscle (LAM), nor oestrogenic effect in female rats and mice. FA did not antagonize the receptor binding of testosterone nor inhibit the conversion of testosterone into 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).Supported in part by the project fund (grant 53-403) of Kawasaki Medical School.The authors would like to thank the Central Laboratory, Sankyo Pharmaceutical Co., Tokyo, for supplying 19-nortestosterone-17-ferulate.     

Antiarrhythmic properties of 3-(2-hydroxy-3 isopropylamino-propoxy)-3 phenyl-2 isoindolinone-1, (RS, SR) in the dog]

In the Dog, 3-(2-hydroxy-3 isopropylamino-proxy)-2-phenyl-1-isoindolinone (RS, SR) possesses an anti-arrhythmic activity similar to that of quinidine but at dose levels 2 to 6 times lower than in the case of the latter compound. Furthermore, in contrast to quinidine, at the dose levels where the antiarrhythmic activity is well observed, the compound is devoid of hypotensive activity and of depressive action on cardiac contractility. The first clinical studies of this compound have shown its usefulness in the treatment of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias.     

Trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid) inhibits the effect of androgens on the rat prostate.

Trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid, FA) antagonized the effect of exogenous androgens on the ventral prostate (VP) in castrated rats as well as the effect of endogenous androgens in intact rats. FA, however, had no effect on the seminal vesicles (SV) and levator ani muscle (LAM), nor oestrogenic effect in female rats and mice. FA did not antagonize the receptor binding of testosterone nor inhibit the conversion of testosterone into 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).     

Effects of TA [4-ethoxy-1-(p-tolyl)-s-triazine-2,6-(1H, 3H)-dione] on growth,antheridium differentiation and gibberellin uptake of gametophytes ofAnemia phyllitidis L. Sw.

Summary Synergistic effects of TA on gibberellin-dependent reactions in spermatophytes are not detectable in gametophytes of the fernAnemia phyllitidis where gibberellin substitutes for antheridiogens with regard to induction of male sexual organs and dark germination. In this archegoniate TA caused a significant reduction in growth rate and morphogenesis of the gametophytes, inhibitions that were not abolished by simultaneous application of gibberellin.     

Identification of (3R,4R)-gD 1(6) as an isolation artefact of cannabinoid acids formed by callus cultures ofCannabis sativa L

Summary For the first time we have isolated a major psychoactive cannabinoid, (3R, 4R)- ¹⁽⁶⁾-tetrahydrocannabinol3 from callus cultures ofCannabis sativa L.3 was obtained as an artefact of the actually formed (3R, 4R)- ¹-tetrahydrocannabinol-3- and/or 5-carboxylic acids1 and2 by subjecting the culture material to a decarboxylation step prior to extraction. No attempt was made to isolated acids1 and2. The identity of3 was confirmed by comparison with an authentic sample of (3R, 4R)- ¹-tetrahydrocannabinol. Culture conditions, isolation procedure and identification of the cannabinoid are described.Acknowledgment. The authors are greatly indebted to Dr W. Heller and Dr G. Schroeder-Frey for deriving the callus cultures from seedlings ofC. sativa and to Prof. N. Amrhein for valuable gifts of culture media and growth regulators.     

Increase in in vivo (3H) spiperone binding in the rat hippocampal formation and striatum after repeated treatment with haloperidol

Summary An increase in in vivo (³H) spiperone binding was observed in rat hippocampal formation and striatum after repeated treatment with haloperidol. This suggests that in hippocampus as well as in striatum prolonged blockade of dopaminergic transmission by a neuroleptic agent results in the development of a supersensitivity of the dopamine receptors.Acknowledgments. We wish to thank Mrs J. Krauss for skillful technical assistance, Drs Helmut Bittiger and Rainer Ortmann for helpful discussions.     

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhances concanavalin A reactivity of thymocytes from the low-LPS-responder mouse strain C3H/Hej

Summary The capacity of LPS to enhance Con A reactivity of thymocytes was studied comparatively in the low-LPS-responder C3H/Hej mice and the high-LPS-responder CBA mice. The extent of synergism LPS+Con A was found similar in both strains.This work was supported by a grant from the INSERM (CRL: 76-5-101-1).     

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhances concanavalin A reactivity of thymocytes from the low-LPS-responder mouse strain C3H/Hej.

The capacity of LPS to enhance Con A reactivity of thymocytes was studied comparatively in the low-LPS-responder C3H/Hej mice and the high-LPS-responder CBA mice. The extent of synergism LPS + Con A was found similar in both strains.     

(E)-3-tridecen-2-one,an antibiotic from the interdigital glands of black-tailed deerOdocoileus hemionus columbianus

(E)-3-tridecen-2-one, the major volatile component of interdigital gland extracts from the black-tailed deer,Odocoileus hemionus columbianus, inhibited the growth of gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The bacteria,Propionibacterium acnes, and the fungi,Trichophyton mentagrophytes had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5 g/mL and 25 g/mL, respectively.     

Use of the exo-β-(1→3) glucanase from basidiomycete QM 806 in studies on yeast

Résumé L'exo--(13) glucanasem isolée duBasidiomycete QM 806 a été utilisée avec succès pour l'analyse des polysaccharides de la paroi cellulaire de la levureSaccharomyces cerevisiae et pour la formation de protoplastes à partir deSaccharomyces cerevisiae etWickerhamia fluorescens.

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Acknowledgments. We are indepted to MissE. Sigarlakie and MissE. Wespi for technical assistance during the course of this investigation.     

Histoautoradiographic study of two target organs (epididymis and femoral glands) after injection of 3H testosterone in a non-mammalian vertebrae, the viviparous lizard]

After 3H testosterone injection into castrated males of the Lizard Lacerta vivipara, the radioactive compound is detected by radioautography of epididymis, femoral glands, gut and liver. Between 1 hr. 30 min. to 12 hrs. of retention the 3H material concentrates progressively into nuclei of the glandular cells of epididymis and femoral organs although no particular concentration occurs in gut and liver cells. This submammalian model is consistent with those previously described for mammals.     

2-Amino-6-[(1'R,2'S)-1',2'-dihydroxypropyl]-3-methyl-pterin-4-one,a biologically active metabolite from the anthozoanAstroides calycularis Pallas

Summary 2-Amino-6-[(1'R,2'S)-1',2'-dihydroxypropyl]-3-methyl-pterin-4-one (1) has been isolated from the marine anthozoanAstroides calycularis; its structure was illustrated by spectral analyses including 2D-NMR and by partial synthesis.1 appears to possess cell-growth inhibiting activity.29 December 1986Work supported by C.N.R. (Progetto Finalizzato Chimica Fine e Secondaria) and by Ministero Pubblica Istruzione Italy. — Acknowledgments. Mass spectral data were provided by Servizio di Spettrometria di massa del C.N.R. e dell'Università di Napoli. The assistance of the staff is gratefully appreciated. Finally we would like to thank Prof. C. Pietropaolo for supplying chick embryo fibroblasts.