Monolayer culture of adult mouse hepatic cells secreting albumin and alpha fetoprotein]

Adult mouse liver cells obtained by enzymatic dispersion were maintained in primary cultures for up to 4 weeks. They retained some of the typical morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of hepatocytes. After 2 days of culture, structures similar to bile canaliculi were found and after 6 days clusters of small proliferating cells were noticed in the gaps of the monolayer formed by large well-spread hepatocytes. Almost all 3-day cultures began to secrete alphafetoprotein for about 2 weeks, whereas albumin was secreted throughout the period of culture.     

Binding of γ-aminobutyric acid and other amino acids by particulate fractions of developing rat brain

Résumé La rétention de l'acide -aminobutyrique dans des particules subcellulaires du cerveau dépend davantage du Na⁺ que ce n'est le cas des autres acides aminés. La rétention des acides aminés dans le cerveau est en fonction de l'âge des rats.

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This study was supported in part by a grant from the Eli Lilly Company to the author and by State-Appropriated funds to this Institute.     

Changes of X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activity in developing rat brain.

We found X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activity in rat brain and examined the developmental changes at various ages. The total enzyme activity per brain increased until 4 weeks of age, and then decreased during maturation. Specific activity in young rat brain was higher than that in adult rat brain. The properties of the brain enzyme were different from those of pituitary and other tissues.     

Intracellular localization of alpha-fetoprotein and serum albumin in the central nervous system of the rat during fetal and postnatal development]

The morphological localisation of alphafetoprotein (AFP), serumalbumin (SA), transferrin and immunoglobulins (IgG) has been studied in the developing central nervous system of the Rat by immunocytochemical methods. Evidence is presented of a highly selective staining for AFP and SA, both proteins exhibiting the same topographical distribution. Practically all the areas of the brain and the spinal cord are stained at a given moment of the developmental process. The labeling is cytoplasmic and in the neuronal elements extends to their axonic and dendritic prolongations. The localization of AFP and SA in the nervous system may be related to the well known binding properties of these proteins for varied substances (estrogen and/or fatty acids). The morphological data presented here suggest that both proteins may be actively involved in the uptake of such substances by the cellular structures of the nervous tissue.     

The oxygen uptake of the developing brain in the rat with intra-uterine growth retardation

Résumé Les hémisphères cérébraux des rats normaux et des rats ayant subi un retard de croissance intra-uterin ont une consommation d'oxygène identique à tous les stades du développement. Ces résultats confirment que le cerveau est épargné par l'hypotrophie provoquée pendant la vie ftale tant au point de vue pondéral que métabolique.     

Comparison between serum LH and FSH levels in male and female rats during the perinatal period]

In the newborn female Rat, no transient LH and FSH serum surges were observed between 0 and 2 hrs., as compared with the newborn male. In the newborn female, a progressive increase in serum gonadotropins was observed between 2 and 6 hrs. These results indicate that, at birth, the pituitary-gonadal axis reacts in a different way in male and female Rats.     

Regional variations and particle binding of free amino acids in the rat brain: effects of amphetamine and methaqualone]

Amphetamine and methaqualone affected aspartate level in various regions of Rat brain. Increased aspartate level in cerebral cortex of methaqualone treated Rats was produced in the aspartate fraction whose binding to subcellular particules was Na+ dependant. This work suggest that aspartate level was altered only in brain fraction implicated in the pharmacological effects of the drugs.     

Physiological importance of omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in man. An overview of still unresolved and controversial questions

The 'essentiality' of (omega-6) and (omega-3) fatty acids in mammals is well known. Nevertheless, some important points remain unclear concerning their implication in physiology. After a short discussion about the definition of essential fatty acids deficiency, this brief overview deals with some of these points, pointing out some of the unresolved questions. Different subjects are approached concerning the (omega-6) and (omega-3) fatty acids metabolism: desaturases, eicosanoids, production, as well as some of their metabolic effects on cell membranes, intestinal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, haemorheology.     

In vitro release of free fatty acids by adipose tissue in young and old nephrotic rats

Zusammenfassung Bei nephrotischen Ratten verschiedenen Alters wurdein vitro die Abgabe freier Fettsäuren aus dem Fettgewebe untersucht. Bei jungen Tieren war letztere am grössten, der Fettgehalt des Gewebes am niedrigsten. Diese Resultate stimmen mit an normalen Tieren gewonnenen überein und stützen die Ansicht, dass die nephrotische Lipämie nicht durch Mobilisation des Depotfettes entsteht.

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Supported in part by grant G-13084 from the National Science Foundation.     

Effects of prolonged ingestion of dodecanoic or lauric acid on the secretion of fatty acids in the rat mammary gland]

Dodecanoic or lauric acid (C 12 : 0) ingestion before and during lactation causes profound changes in the fatty-acid secretion by Rat mammary gland. Lauric acid concentration in milk lipids may reach 35% of total fatty-acids; saturated fatty-acids represent 80% of total secreted fatty-acids. When exogenous lauric acid supply is given, mammary tissue does not efficiently regulate the qualitative aspects of fatty-acid secretion.