Neurochemical correlates of alloxan diabetes: I. Ribonucleic acid and protein levels of amphibian brain

Summary The levels of RNA and protein were higher in the brain of alloxan-administered frogs. It is possible that alloxan is responsible for the protein changes in the brain as the protein levels were higher 48 h after alloxan injection than after 96 h. Acknowledgment. I am grateful to the late Prof.K. Pampapathi Rao for encouragement and facilities.     

Zum Problem des Stoffwechsels der Brenztraubensäurein vivo

Summary Following intravenous injection of pyruvic acid (PA) in the form of the sodium salt in the normal rabbit the level of PA in the blood rises, falling again to the initial level after 60 minutes. In the case of the alloxandiabetic animal the elimination of PA administered in equal doses is markedly retarded. If animals are used that suffer from a progredient alloxan diabetes leading to death in coma, an increased endogenous hyperpyruviæmia can be demonstrated. Insulin plays no part in the regulation of PA metabolism; through the application of aneurin, however, one succeeds in enabling the organism to make use of PA. A separate report will deal with the complex relations holding in endogenous hyperpyruviæmia in coma.

---

---

Der Großteil der Experimente wurde mit Unterstützung der Roche-Studienstiftung durchgeführt.     

Mastoparan induces hypothermia in mice

Summary The polypeptide mastoparan, isolated from the venom of the oriental Hornet,Vespa orientalis, induces hypothermia in white mice 15 minutes after its intraperitoneal injection. The hypothermic effect is induced by mastoparan obtained from different hornet and wasp venoms. The normal murine core temperature is lowered by mastoparan from 38°C to as faor as 33°C. This lowering lasts for one hour and is reversible.     

Disparition de la 5-hydroxytryptamine dans les granulations des glandes de la peau deDiscoglossus pictus et deRana temporaria après injection de réserpine

Summary 30 min after an intraperitoneal injection of reserpine (5 or 10 mg/kg) in the frog (Rana temporaria) and in the toad (Discoglossus pictus), a substance which has the properties of 5-hydroxytryptamine (argentaffine reaction, azoreaction, indoreaction and fluorescence in U.V. after formaldehyde) disappears from the skin glands; the histochemical reactions are more positive again 1 1/2 to 2 h after the injection of reserpine.     

Haemolymph ecdysteroids level following the injection of ecdysone or ecdysterone; its relation with tegument and midgut response inAeshna cyanea (Insecta,Odonata)

Summary The haemolymph ecdysteroid level after injection of ecdysone or ecdysterone inAeshna cyanea larvae has been determined by a radioimmunoassay method. The rate of excretion appears to be dependent on both the ecdysteroid injected and the time of injection. In case of ecdysone injection, the secretion of the epidermis cuticle and the differentiation of the imaginal midgut epithelium occur when the ecdysteroid level remains low for many days.     

‘Classical’ and ‘new’ diabetogens—comparison of their effects on isolated rat pancreatic islets in vitro

This study compares functional and morphological alterations caused by application of alloxan, streptozotocin, xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine (generation of reactive oxygen species), or S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP, liberation of nitric oxide) to isolated rat pancreatic islets in vitro. In perifusion experiments, membrane leakage—detected by non-stimulated insulin release—was found after application of all drugs, but showed a substance-specific time pattern. Twenty-four hours after application of the classical diabetogens (alloxan or streptozotocin), potassium chloride- and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were markedly reduced, while a persistent reduction was observed neither after exposure to xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine, nor to SNAP. Morphological analysis of the islets revealed that nearly all β-cells were destroyed following alloxan or streptozotocin treatment, while the majority of β-cells were configured regularly after application of xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine or SNAP. Necrotic cells found after xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine usually differed in morphology from those observed after application of the classical diabetogens. While the former cells were characterised by swollen nuclei, the latter had shrunken nuclei with irregular condensed chromatin. Apoptosis was found only following nitric oxide exposure. Due to these differences, it seems unlikely that alloxan, streptozotocin, xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine, and nitric oxide have a common major feature in their toxic action. Received 16 September 1999; received after revision 15 November 1999; accepted 26 November 1999     

De l'emploi d'isotopes radioactifs artificiels,dans le but d'exercer un effet radio-biologique localisé

Summary One of the authors has previously reported on a method which consists in the utilization of an artifical radioactive isotope (Zn⁶³), suspended in a suitably prepared solution ofpectin, for the production oflocalized biological radiation effects.This « macromolecular occlusion » of the radioactive isotope enables one to perform intraperitoneal injections (in cases of cancer of the ovaries with severe metastatic peritoneal extension), evidently also instillations in cavernous organs, and furthermore direct intratumoral injections, without diffusion of the radioactivity outside the treated areas, as shown both by autoradiographs and controls of blood and urine specimens with a Geiger counter.The authors investigated further whether this procedure would also be suitable for obtaining, by means ofintravenous injections, alocalized radiation effect within thelungs, as presumably the radiozinc, held in the large molecules of pectin, could thus be retained in the pulmonary capillaries. Intravenous injections of such a pectin solution containing radiozinc were performed on rabbits, and autoradiographic controls gave evidence of this expected fixation within the lungs.For the purpose of preliminary clinical investigation 40 millicuries of Zn⁶³ suspended in 6 cm³ of a 3 p. c. isotonic pectin solution were injectedintravenously in a female patient with mainly pulmonary metastases of a previously operated hypernephroma. This patient had been also submitted to X-ray therapy. In spite of a poor general condition, the injection was well tolerated. Autoradiographic controls showed quite clearly that the radioactivity remains precisely localized within the pulmonary areas. No radioactivity whatsoever was demonstrated with the counter in the urine eliminated by this patient after the injection, a fact which points to a rather amazing accuracy of the fixation of the radiozinc in the lungs. This first clinical experience seems quite interesting in view of improving the therapeutic possibilities of pathological, especially neoplastic pulmonary conditions.     

Etude, à l'aide de microsphères,de la distribution de l'irrigation carotidienne chez le rat

Summary The carotid blood distribution has been evaluated using radioactive microspheres in 13 regions of the head and in 10 cerebral structures of rats, and the intracerebral distribution of blood has been studied comparatively after injection of microspheres into the left cardiac ventricle or into the internal carotid artery. The principal results indicate that the cerebral tissue is not supplied by the external carotid blood, whereas about 30% of the internal carotid blood goes to the brain, and that the pontomedullary region receives its blood mainly from the vertebral artery.

---

---

Travail réalisé avec l'aide d'un Contrat de Recherche de la Caisse Nationale de l'Assurance Maladie des Travailleurs Salariés.     

In vivo and in vitro differences between leukocytic uptake of oligodeoxynucleotides

Development and application of therapeutic oligonucleotides rely on proper analysis of binding and uptake. We have used several model oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to analyze binding/uptake by rat and human leukocytes. Here we describe: (1) differences between in vivo and in vitro uptake of ODNs to rat leukocytes, (2) differences after injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), (3) large in vitro differences between primary mononuclear cells in PBS, plasma and blood, and (4) differences of ODN uptake between rat and human leukocytes. Our data show that ODN uptake by primary blood cells was different in PBS, plasma and blood. In addition, LPS treatment increased ODN uptake by leukocytes in blood, indicating that pathological conditions may influence ODN uptake. Furthermore, ODN uptake in rat and human blood is also different, suggesting that preclinical ODN uptake data from rat blood cannot easily be extrapolated to the human condition. Received 17 December 2007; received after revision 16 January 2008; accepted 5 February 2008     

Vitellogenin and lipovitellins inOrchestia gammarellus (pallas) (Crustacea,Amphipoda); labelling of subnuits after in vivo administration of3H-leucine

Summary The distribution of³H-leucine between the various polyopeptide components ofOrchestia gammarellus vitellogenin and lipovitellins, separated by SDS-PAGE, has been stdied after in vivo injection of this amino-acid. The results corroborate the view that, the heaviest components, or native polypeptide subunits of vitellogenin, are progressively transformed into lighter ones.     

Ricerche fisiologiche sulla distribuzione periferica del nervo depressore aortico destro nel cane

Summary The periferal distribution of the right aortic nerve has been studied in physiological experiments on the dog. It has been found that after section of both Hering's nerves and left vago-depressor trunk and after denervation of the baroceptor area ofMuratori-Nonidez lying at the root of the right subclavian artery, the electrical stimulation of one splancnic nerve or the intravenous injection of adrenaline still produces a reflex bradycardia; moreover the cooling of the vagus nerve still results in a rise of the blood pressure. It is inferred that a group of baroceptor fibres of the right aortic nerve originate from areas situated in the aortic region.     

Glomerular filtration rate and kidney blood flow in alloxan and streptozotocin diabetic rats.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), cardiac output, regional blood flow and kidney weight were measured in alloxan and streptozotocin diabetic rats at different times after the administration of diabetogen. A high GFR was found together with increased kidney weight and reduced blood flow.     

Verhütung der Hitzekoagulation von Serumproteinen durch Zucker

Summary Sixteen individuals of different types of sugars have been investigated as to their ability of inhibiting the visible heat coagulation of serum. When bovine serum was diluted with an equal amount of water and maintained at 70° C during half an hour, the following sugars were able to prevent coagulation in a minimum concentration of 5% per volume:l-arabinose,d-ribose,l-ascorbic acid, and digitoxose.     

Glomerular filtration rate and kidney blood flow in alloxan and streptozotocin diabetic rats

Summary Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), cardiac output, regional blood flow and kidney weight were measured in alloxan and streptozotocin diabetic rats at different times after the administration of diabetogen. A high GFR was found together with increased kidney weight and reduced blood flow.     

Effect of vitamin E on post irradiation death in mice

Summary The 30-day survival after exposure to 800 Rad⁶⁰Co gamma radiation has been compared for female mice maintained on vitamin E deficient, vitamin E supplemented or regular lab rations before and/or after irradiation. Pre- or post-irradiation dietary supplementation had no effect on survival; however, injection ofa-tocopherol immediately after irradiation significantly reduced radiation lethality.Acknowledgments. This research was supported in part by a grant from the Committee in Aid of Scholarly Activities of Concordia University. The technical assistance of Miss Jocelyne Dagenais is gratefully acknowledged.     

Sulfamides et granulations de Heinz

Summary In vitro, experiments on sulfonamides show that these substances are without action on the red cells, in respect to the formation of Heinz's corpuscles, at the blood concentration generally obtained in therapeutic practice. In vivo, the presence of Heinz's granules was noted after the injection of large sulfanilamide doses in the white mouse, but not after the administration of sulfopyridine and sulfathiazole. Therapeutical doses of all these drugs did not give rise to Heinz's corpuscles in several patients.

---

---

Aspirant du Fonds National Belge de la Recherche scientifique.     

Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism by the optic tentacles of the garden snailCryptozona ligulata (Gastropoda-Stylommatophora)

Summary The presence of a hyperglycemic factor in the optic tentacles of the snailC. ligulata is reported here. A preliminary characterization based on crude extracts indicates the factor to be water-soluble, heat labile and to be an albumin. The ablation of optic tentacles and injection of optic tentacle extract into operated and normal snails caused a rise in blood sugar, total carbohydrate and glycogen in the foot muscle and mantle and a decrease in hepatopancreatic glycogen. The ablation also caused a fall in blood free amino acids and a rise in the tissues, which was reversed in the blood and foot muscle by injection of the extract. Possible conversion of amino acids to total carbohydrates and glycogen by gluconeogenesis is suggested.     

Diabete da allossana

Summary Insulin deficiency induced by alloxan treatment reduces cocarboxylase activity in the liver of rat. Such enzymatic activity, however, is brought back to the normal speed by fructose injection. It is suggested that fructose, the turn-over of which in diabetic animals is normal, may be capable of furthering the synthesis of A.T.P. and enhancing phosphorylation of thiamine into cocarboxylase.

---

---

Nota N^o 1; Rapporti fra utilizzatione del fruttosio ed attività cocarbossilasica.     

Altered K+ movement in liver mitochondria from alloxan diabetic rats

Summary Potassium movements were monitored in liver mitochondria from control and alloxan diabetic rats with a cationic electrode. There was net accumulation of K⁺ after Ca²⁺ addition to the mitochondria with the diabetic but not with the control.     

Hemolymph proteins in an ascitic condition,induced by lethal1(3)gl tumorous tissue inDrosophila hydei

Summary Drosophila hydei larvae homozygous for the gene1(3)gl may survive to the age of 3 weeks, become bloated and be incapable of metamorphosis. Wild-type flies after the injection of a fragment of the1(3)gl disc, which has been previously culture in vivo for 40–500 days, also become bloated (ascitic reaction). In the hemolymph of both the advanced1(3)gl larvae and ascitic adult hosts the accumulation of a specific protein is observed.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation under Grant No.3.792-0.76 and the Georges und Antoine Claraz-Schenkung. We thank Prof. H. Gloor, University of Geneva, and Prof. P.S. Chen, University of Zürich, for advice and criticism.