Differential alterations in branched-chain amino acid decarboxylation in liver of hypophysectomized rats.

Valine decarboxylation was significantly increased and leucine decarboxylation was significantly decreased in rat liver slices following hypophysectomy. In both normal and hypophysectomized rats decarboxylation of leucine exceeded that of valine in slices whereas the reverse was observed with the respective keto acids and mitochondria.     

Plasma branched-chain amino acids in cold-and heat-acclimatised rats

Summary The concentrations of plasma branched-chain amino acids, valine, isoleucine and leucine, were significantly elevated in cold-acclimatised rats, while these values were significantly reduced in heat-acclimatised rats, in both 2-week and 4-week temperature acclimatisation.     

Plasma branched-chain amino acids in cold- and heat-acclimatised rats

The concentrations of plasma branched-chain amino acids, valine, isoleucine and leucine, were significantly elevated in cold-acclimatised rats, while these values were significantly reduced in heat-acclimatised rats, in both 2-week and 4-week temperature acclimatisation.     

Plasma enzyme activities in rats with diet-induced alterations in liver enzyme activities

Zusammenfassung Die Korrelation von Leberenzymen mit entsprechenden Plasmawerten wird diskutiert.

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This study was supported, in part, by a grant from the Medical Research Council of Canada.     

Oxidative photochemical decarboxylation of zaragozic acid A

A unique decomposition reaction of the novel squalene synthase inhibitors called zaragozic acids has been studied. Under very mild conditions, e.g. by merely exposing their solutions to air and visible light at ambient temperature, these compounds, characterized by the 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-4,6,7-trihydroxy-3,4,5-tricarboxylic acid core, rapidly decompose. As relatively stable intermediates in the cascade of decomposition, the biologically active 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-6,7-dihydroxy-4-keto-5-caroxylic acid (or 3,4-decarboxy-4-dehydro) derivatives of these compounds have been isolated in ca. 20% yield. Derivatization on the highly reactive 4-carbonyl group yields stable derivatives, several of which are potent inhibitors of squalene synthase. Further decomposition results in the elimination of C3 and C4 atoms and the carboxylic acid on C5, the oxidation of C5 to carboxylic acid and the liberation of the oxo group on C1. Specific results obtained with zaragozic acid A, a key representative of the family of these potent cholesterol-lowering agents, are presented in this study.     

Corticosterone secretion after neurogenic stress in intact and hypophysectomized rats

Summary The time course of blood and adrenal corticosterone elevation after immobilization stress has been studied in intact and hypophysectomized male rats. The results suggest that the adrenal gland is able to respond to neurogenic stress, increasing the synthesis and release of corticosterone, in the absence of ACTH.     

Somatic growth in hypophysectomized pituitary-homografted rats is promoted by prolactin

Summary Hypophysectomized male rats bearing a homograft of two adenopituitaries under the kidney capsule showed a significant increase in b.wt as compared to hypophysectomized non-homografted animals. Radiommunoassay of growth hormone (GH), ACTH, -MSH,-endorphin and prolactin (PRL) revealed that only the latter was highly increased in the plasma of hypophysectomized homografted rats. These animals showed also increased levels of plasma corticosterone. However, daily injection of corticosterone failed to promote somatic growth in hypophysectomized non-homografted rats. These results suggest that PRL, and not other hormonal factors, promotes somatic growth in hypophysectomized homografted rats, and stress the concept that only PRL is secreted in significant amounts by pituitary homografts.     

Histochemistry of ovarian 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in mature hypophysectomized rats

Riassunto È stato studiato il quadro enzimatico dei corpi lutei (C.L.) di recente formazione nelle ovaie di ratte ipofisectomizzate. In particolare si è constatato come la comparsa dell'attività 20-idrossisteroide deidrogenasica non sia impedita dall'ipofisectomia. Si suggerisce la possibilità che l'ipofisi eserciti una azione inhibitrice sulla comparsa di questo enzima.     

Differential healing periods of the acetic acid ulcer model in rats and cats

Zusammenfassung Methode zur experimentellen Erzeugung eines Magengeschwüres beim Tier, das weitgehend mit dem menschlichen Magengeschwür übereinstimmt.

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This study was supported by the William H. Rorer Gastroenterology Research Fund.     

Brown adipose tissue activity in hypophysectomized rats: involvement of sympathetic system

Summary At thermal neutrality, hypophysectomy enhanced interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) activity (increase of purine nucleotide binding) in the rat. This stimulation is dependent on sympathetic system integrity since surgical denervation of IBAT imparis its thermogenic response.     

Brown adipose tissue activity in hypophysectomized rats: involvement of sympathetic system

At thermal neutrality, hypophysectomy enhanced interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) activity (increase of purine nucleotide binding) in the rat. This stimulation is dependent on sympathetic system integrity since surgical denervation of IBAT impairs its thermogenic response.     

Enzymes of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in liver,brain and kidney ofMacaca mulatta

Résumé Les activités de 9 enzymes ont été définies dans le foie, le cerveau et le rein du rhésus. L'activité de la sérine déhydrase, qui ne se manifest pas dans le rein du rat, a été observée dans le rein du singe. Les activités de la tyrosine transaminase et de l'exokinase dans le foie du rhésus se montrèrent semblables à celles du foie humain, mais les activités du glucose-6-phosphate déhydrogénase et de la glucokinase furent plus élevées que dans le foie humain.     

Esterase alterations in the liver of dystrophic mice

Zusammenfassung Esterase-Isozym-Verluste wurden in Leberzymogrammen von Mäusen mit hereditärer Muskeldystrophie gefunden.

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On leave of absence from the Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical College, Wakayama, Japan.