Effects of progesterone and estradiol benzoate on superoxide dismutase activity in the brain of male rats

The activities of mitochondrial, manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and cytoplasmic, copper-zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) were measured in subcellular fractions of whole brain homogenates prepared from intact and gonadectomized (GDX) male rats, untreated or treated subcutaneously (sc) with a single dose of 2 mg progesterone (P) and/or 5 g estradiol benzoate (EB). Neither MnSOD nor CuZnSOD was affected by the removal of the testes. Similarly, CuZnSOD activity was steady following systemic administration of P and/or EB to intact and GDX animals 2 h or 24 h prior to sacrifice. On the other hand, both P and EB suppressed MnSOD in the brain of either intact or GDX rats. These results suggest involvement of P and EB in the control of MnSOD activity in the brain of male rats.     

Effects of estradiol and cortisol on neural tissue in culture

Résumé L'activité acétylcholinestérasique et la teneur globale en protéines de fragments de cervelet et de moelle d'embryon de poulet de 16 jours diminue lorsqu'ils sont maintenus en culture organotypique dans le milieu standard deEagle. Après addition de cortisol ou d'oestradiol au milieu, les caractéristiques des tissus ne sont pas alterées par la mise en culture.

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This work was partially supported by contract AT (11-1), Project 82, between U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and University of California, Berkeley.     

Specifity of the immunological inhibition of the parathyroid hormone activity

Résumé Des préparations hormonales de parathyroïde humaine, bovine et porcine furent traitées par des sérums anti PTH spécifiques et non spécifiques. Les expériences in vitro et in vivo ont montré que l'inhibition de l'activité biologique du PTH se produit seulement sous l'influence des sérums spécifiques. L'inactivation immunologique n'inhibe jamais complètement l'activité du PTH.     

Effect of orchidectomy and estradiol on acetylcholinesterase activity in rat brain areas and adenohypophysis

Summary Orchidectomy plus estradiol administration decreased acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat cerebral cortex and mesencephalon, while in the amygdala it was increased. In the adenohypophysis, orchidectomy increased enzyme activity, but subsequent estradiol treatment decreased it. The hypothalamus did not respond to either manipulation.     

Effect of orchidectomy and estradiol on acetylcholinesterase activity in rat brain areas and adenohypophysis

Orchidectomy plus estradiol administration decreased acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat cerebral cortex and mesencephalon, while in the amygdala it was increased. In the adenohypophysis, orchidectomy increased enzyme activity, but subsequent estradiol treatment decreased it. The hypothalamus did not respond to either manipulation.     

Effects of several preoperative medications on fat cell lipolysis,and activity of adipose tissue cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase

Summary Effects were examined of atropine, diazepam, pethidene, promethazine, scopolamine, omnopon and papaverine on basal and noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis in rat isolated fat cells and on rat adipose tissue cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity. Papaverine at high concentration (1 mM) inhibited both basal and hormone-stimulated lipolysis, whereas diazepam enhanced basal lipolysis. At a clinical dose, omnopon increased both basal and noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis. Adipose tissue cAMP phosphodiesterase activity was strongly inhibited by 1 mM diazepam, papaverine, promethazine and omnopon (280 g ml^–1). Lack of enhancement of lipolysis by the established cAMP phosphodiesterase antagonist papaverine, is compartible with simultaneous inhibition also of adipose adenyl cyclase. Diazepam-stimulated lipolysis is compatible with its phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity. It is proposed that papaverine-containing omnopon may offer some survival advantages during surgical stress by facilitating a caloric supply.The authours are grateful to Dr D. C. Williams for his continued support and encouragement.     

Effects of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin on carbonic anhydrase location in osteoclasts of cultured embryonic chick bone

Summary The ultrastructural location of carbonic anhydrase has been examined in osteoclasts of cultured embryonic chick metatarsi. In untreated cultures and in those to which parathyroid hormone (PTH) was added, the enzyme was found in close association with the plasma membrane of the ruffled border. After brief calcitonin treatment (10 min) the ruffled border disappeared and the association of carbonic anhydrase with the plasma membrane was diminished. The results indicate that the hormones employed act directly on embryonic bone to alter osteoclast structure and the intracellular location of carbonic anhydrase.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by NIH grants DE04345 and AM20374. Dr Cao was a visiting scientist from the Department of Biology, East China Normal University, Shanghai, The Peoples Republic of China. We thank Kathryn Majarwitz for assisting with the morphometric analysis. The PTH was provided by the National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services.     

Effects of several preoperative medications on fat cell lipolysis, and activity of adipose tissue cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.

Effects were examined of atropine, diazepam, pethidene, promethazine, scopolamine, omnopon and papaverine on basal and noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis in rat isolated fat cells and on rat adipose tissue cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity. Papaverine at high concentration (1 mM) inhibited both basal and hormone-stimulated lipolysis, whereas diazepam enhanced basal lipolysis. At a 'clinical dose', omnopon increased both basal and noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis. Adipose tissue cAMP phosphodiesterase activity was strongly inhibited by 1 mM diazepam, papaverine, promethazine and omnopon (280 microgram ml-1). Lack of enhancement of lipolysis by the established cAMP phosphodiesterase antagonist papaverine, is compatible with simultaneous inhibition also of adipose adenyl cyclase. Diazepam-stimulated lipolysis is compatible with its phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity. It is proposed that papaverine-containing omnopon may offer some survival advantages during surgical stress by facilitating a caloric supply.     

Effects of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin on carbonic anhydrase location in osteoclasts of cultured embryonic chick bone

The ultrastructural location of carbonic anhydrase has been examined in osteoclasts of cultured embryonic chick metatarsi. In untreated cultures and in those to which parathyroid hormone (PTH) was added, the enzyme was found in close association with the plasma membrane of the ruffled border. After brief calcitonin treatment (10 min) the ruffled border disappeared and the association of carbonic anhydrase with the plasma membrane was diminished. The results indicate that the hormones employed act directly on embryonic bone to alter osteoclast structure and the intracellular location of carbonic anhydrase.     

Effects of larval firefly extracts on molluscan cardiac activity

Summary Larval firefly midgut extracts and larval firefly hemolymph extracts were found to produce a potent inhibitory effect when applied directly to the heart of a terrestrial mollusc. It is suggested that such substances could comprise an important part of the paralyzing toxin which is reportedly injected by larval fireflies into their prey.This work was supported by The Graduate School, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.     

Effects of fruit on ribulosediphosphate carboxylase activity inCitrus madurensis leaves

Zusammenfassung An fruchtenden und entblüteten Stecklingen vonCitrus madurensis wurde an vergleichbar inserierten Blättern die Aktivität von Ribulose-Diphosphat carboxylase und der Gehalt an löslichen Proteinen bestimmt. Sowohl die Aktivität von RuD Carboxylase als auch der Gehalt an löslichen Proteinen waren in Plättern fruchtender höher als in solchen nicht fruchtender Planzen.