Age-related differences in the urinary excretion of prostaglandin F2 alpha catabolites in the rat

Tritium-labeled PGF2 alpha was administered i.v. into rats of varying ages (2, 4, 6 weeks and adult). Urine was collected and assayed for radioactive products by thin-layer-chromatography. Results showed a distinctly different urinary profile between the 2-week-old and the adult rat. While the urinary pattern from the 2-week-old rat gave a single less polar product than PGF2 alpha, the pattern from the adult rat gave products more polar than PGF2 alpha. Urine from the 4- and 6-week-old rats gave a mixture of these types of products. These results indicate that some prostaglandin catabolic pathway (likely the omega-oxidative system) is activated in vivo within the 4-6 week postnatal period in the rat.     

Luteolytic potency of 16-phenoxy-derivatives of prostaglandin F2 alpha

The binding of 16-phenoxy derivatives of prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha to rat luteal membranes, and also their abortifacient potency in pregnant rats, have been studied. Competitive binding studies with various PG-analogues were performed in ovaries of juvenile rats pretreated with PMSG and HCG, and in parallel studies the abortifacient potency of these substances was tested in pregnant rats. It was observed that this class of derivatives bound to the PGF2 alpha receptor as well as, or even better than the parent compound PGF2 alpha. Modifications in the carboxyl group at C-1 yielded derivatives with a higher affinity for the receptor, in decreasing order of effectiveness as follows: -COOR greater than COOH greater than OH. The data obtained from the binding studies also compared well with data on the abortifacient potency in pregnant rats. It is concluded that the addition of a phenoxy group to either the lower or upper side chain of PGF2 alpha may augment the binding to the receptor as well as the biological responses induced by the post receptor effect.     

Effect of various solubilizers on angiotensinII receptors in bovine adrenocortical plasma membranes

Summary 3 monionic detergents, Triton X-100, Lubrol WX and NP-40, inhibited binding of [³H]-AT_II to bovine adrenocortical plasma membranes. This effect appeared to be direct and not due to solubilization of the AT_II receptor by these agents. Sodium deoxycholate and the chaotropic ions, ClO ₄ ^– and Br^–, produced effects similar to the nonionic detergents.Supported by grants from the Quebec Heart Foundation and the Medical Research Council of Canada. The authors acknowledge the technical assistance of Mrs D. Michaud and the secretarial aide of Mrs D. Huot-Blais, and Miss L. Leblanc.     

Effect of various solubilizers on angiotensinII receptors in bovine adrenocortical plasma membranes.

3 nonionic detergents, Triton X-100, Lubrol WX and NP-40, inhibited binding of [3H]-ATII to bovine adrenocortical plasma membranes. This effect appeared to be direct and not due to solubilization of the ATII receptor by these agents. Sodium deoxycholate and the chaotropic ions, ClO4- and Br-, produced effects similar to the nonionic detergents.     

Pseudotumoral uterine reaction in the rat treated with a benzofuro-benzoxepin

When orally administered, 5-(3-diméthylamino propyliden)-benzofuro [2,3-c] benzoxepin-1, which antagonizes several biogenic amines, is slightly sedative and has also endocrinological properties in the Rat, induces the appearance of localized lesions of uterine stroma in 2 to 16% of the animals. The cytological picture could suggest a tumorogenesis. In fact, these lesions represent a non-tumoral reactional hyperplasia with nuclear abnormalities due to a hormonal stimulation.     

Alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors in rat myocardium membranes after prolonged ethanol inhalation

Summary After 3 weeks of continuous ethanol intoxication by inhalation, the maximal number and affinity of the -and -receptors of rat heart were unchanged. These data indicate that adrenergic receptor disturbances are not involved in the mechanism of chronic ethanol-induced triglyceride deposition in the heart.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by grants from the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale. We wish to thank Mr M. Clément for skilled technical assistance in performing chronic ethanol inhalation treatments.     

Effect of clofibrate on the enzyme activity of rat liver plasma membranes

Summary The activity of 3 plasma membranes marker enzymes (5-nucleotidase, Mg⁺⁺-ATPase and alkaline phosphodiesterase-I) was determined in plasma membranes isolated from liver of control and of clofibrate-treated rats. A complete identity of plasma membranes enzyme activity in the 2 groups of experimental animals was observed for the 3 enzymes studied.     

Stimulation of gastric secretion by prostaglandin F2 alpha in rats.

In rats with chronic gastric fistulas, prostaglandin F2 alpha stimulated the gastric acid secretion in graded doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 microgram/kg b.wt, while higher doses above 1 mg/kg b.wt tended to inhibit significantly. The gastric antisecretory effect of prostaglandin E1 could not be altered or modified by subsequent treatment of prostaglandin F2 alpha, while the latter alone without any prior treatment of the former, stimulated output of gastric juice, HCl and pepsin without significantly affecting the concentration of these components.     

Endotoxin inhibits the fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of rat liver plasma membranes enriched with bile canaliculi

Summary Escherichia coli endotoxin inhibited the fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of liver plasma membranes enriched with bile canaliculi. Inhibition was of a mixed competitive and uncompetitive type. This effect, which may result from changes of membrane organization, may have relevance in the understanding of endotoxin-cell membrane interactions.     

Effect of fasting on the lipid composition and enzyme activity of rat liver plasma membranes

After 24-h fasting, when the recovery of plasma membrane protein isolated from rat liver was unchanged, the enrichment in 5'-nucleotidase was decreased by 16%. Modifications of the lipid composition were also observed and resulted in a 27% decrease of the cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio.     

Effect of fasting on the lipid composition and enzyme activity of rat liver plasma membranes

Summary After 24-h fasting, when the recovery of plasma membrane protein isolated from rat liver was unchanged, the enrichment in 5-nucleotidase was decreased by 16%. Modifications of the lipid composition were also observed and resulted in a 27% decrease of the cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio.     

Fibrinolytic activity of rat uterine fluid

Zusammenfassung Nach Abbindung des Rattenuterus wird bei relativ grosser individueller Streubreite ein fibrinolytisch hochaktives Sekret produziert. Die Aktivität wird durch einen in verschiedenen Konzentrationen vorhandenen Plasminogenaktivator, der vermutlich im Oberflächenepithel des Endometriums gebildet wird, verursacht.     

Interaction of lipid transfer protein with plasma lipoproteins and cell membranes

Summary The hydrophobic lipid components of lipoproteins, cholesteryl ester and triglyceride, are transferred between all lipoproteins by a specific plasma glycoprotein, termed lipid transfer protein (LTP). LTP facilitates lipid transfer by an exchange process in which cholesteryl ester and triglyceride compete for transfer. Thus, LTP promotes remodeling of the lipoprotein structure, and plays an important role in the intravascular metabolism of these particles and in the lipoprotein-dependent pathways of cholesterol clearance from cells. The properties of LTP, its mechanisms of action, its roles in lipoprotein metabolism, and its modes of regulation are reviewed along with recent data that suggest a possible role for this protein in directly modifying cellular lipid composition.     

Effect of prostaglandin F2α on the secretion of pancreatic juice induced by secretin and by dopamine

Zusammenfassung Die Wirksamkeit von Prostaglandin F₂ (PGF₂) auf die exokrine Pankreassekretion wurde an einem mit Blut perfundiereten Pankreas-Präparat des Hundes untersucht. PGF₂ (100 g) hemmte die durch Sekretin stimuliete, aber nicht die durch Dopamin stimulierte Sekretion.