Lysozyme activity in female genital tissues of normal and genetically lysozyme-deficient rabbits

The internal genitalia of female normal rabbits and mutant lysozyme-deficient rabbits, which lack genetically the leukocytic isozyme of lysozyme, were assayed for lysozyme activity. The ovaries, uteri, and vaginas of the lysozyme-deficient rabbits had less than 20% of the lysozyme activity of normals. The oviducts, and in particular the caudal portions of the oviducts, had lysozyme activities up to 71% of the levels in normals. These observations suggest that the lysozymes of oviduct and leukocytes of rabbits are under the control of different genes.     

A 'molten-globule' membrane-insertion intermediate of the pore-forming domain of colicin A

The 'molten' globular conformation of a protein is compact with a native secondary structure but a poorly defined tertiary structure. Molten globular states are intermediates in protein folding and unfolding and they may be involved in the translocation or insertion of proteins into membranes. Here we investigate the membrane insertion of the pore-forming domain of colicin A, a bacteriocin that depolarizes the cytoplasmic membrane of sensitive cells. We find that this pore-forming domain, the insertion of which depends on pH, undergoes a native to molten globule transition at acidic pH. The variation of the kinetic constant of membrane insertion of the protein into negatively charged lipid vesicles as a function of the interfacial pH correlates with the appearance of the acidic molten globular state, indicating that this state could be an intermediate formed during the insertion of colicin A into membranes.     

Metabolic implications in the elevation of serum activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in chronic renal failure

The activity of intestinal isoenzyme of serum alkaline phosphatase was evaluated in 21 non-dialyzed patients with advanced renal failure and in 52 patients on regular hemodialysis. In patients without hepatopathy, a significant inverse correlation was found between the enzyme activity and serum calcium levels. Hepatopathy was the most significant variable influencing the enzyme activity in patients on dialysis. Secondary hyperparathyroidism and a decreased rate in enzyme elimination should be assessed for the above-normal activities of intestinal ALP in serum in chronic renal failure.     

Time course study of the changes in blood glutathione induced by acute ethanol intoxication in the rat

Acute ethanol treatment of rats (5 g/kg) has a biphasic effect on the glutathione content of the erythrocyte. After 3 h of intoxication there is a diminution in total GSH equivalents, followed by a recovery to basal values 6 h after treatment. The decrease of total GSH equivalents is mainly due to a diminution of the oxidized form of the tripeptide. Concomitantly a marked increase in the plasma level of glutathione was found at 3 h, followed by a diminution to values obtained at time zero.     

Enzyme activities of a cold-resistant L cell variant

Summary Resistance of mouse L cells to cold increased the activity of nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase, but did not influence the activity of succinate dehydrogenase.     

Depression of experimental gastric ulcers and acute pancreatitis in rats treated by 5-azacytosine, 5-azacytidine and their N-methyl derivatives

Summary 5-Azacytosine, 1-methyl-5-azacytosine and 5-azacytidine administered to rats with a ligated pylorus block gastric secretion, gastric acidity, the extent of hemorrhage and the number and size of gastric defects. The same drugs also depress the development of experimental acute pancreatitis mediated in rats by interstitial administration of 7.5% natrium cholate into the pancreas in vivo. The drugs affected the amount of abdominal fluid and 6 h after the treatment the pathological changes were significantly decreased.     

Biochemical changes occuring during the development of a turpentine granuloma

Zusammenfassung Die Bildung eines Versuchsgranuloms, bei Ratten mittels subkutaner Injektion von Terpentinöl hervorgerufen, wurde verfolgt. Im Verlauf der Bildung des Granuloms erreichten die Spiegel der Desoxyribonukleinsäure und der Hexosamine am fünften und die Spiegel der unlöslichen Bindegewebeproteine am siebenten Tag des Versuches ihren Höhepunkt. Das Terpentinölgranulom zeigt sich als ein geeignetes Modell für das Studium der Bindegewebereaktivität.     

Inhibitory action of trypsin and trypsin-inhibitors on experimental inflammation in rats

Zusammenfassung Die entzündungshemmende Wirkung von einigen in der Natur vorkommenden Trypsin-Inhibitoren wurde an Ratten mit experimenteller Kaolin-Arthritis nachgewiesen. Die entzündungshemmende Wirkung von Trypsin könnte demzufolge auf eine durch die Applikation von Trypsin bedingte, reaktive Mobilisierung endogener Protease-Inhibitoren zurückgeführt werden.