Lipoperoxidation rates and drug-oxidizing enzyme activities in the liver and placenta of some mammal species during the perinatal period.

Lipoperoxidation and drug-metabolizing enzymes were measured in livers and placentas of different mammal species during the perinatal perios. In placentas and fetal livers of rat, rabbit and guinea-pig, cofactor-supported lipoperoxidation was negligible, as were the activities of drug-oxidizing enzymes. Human fetal liver contained an intact drug-oxidizing electron transport chain, and lipoperoxidation activity was accordingly abserved. It is suggested that lesions mediated by lipoperoxidation may be possible in human fetus, but they are less probable in animal fetuses.     

Formation of lipoperoxide in isolated sciatic nerve by chinoform-ferric chelate.

Effects of chinoform and chinoform-ferric chelate on formation of lipoperoxide in isolated sciatic nerve were investigated. Free chinoform did not increase the lipoperoxide level, while chinoform-ferric chelate significantly increased it. Assuming that the lipoperoxide formed denatures the associated protein in the nerve, the effect of chinoform-ferric chelate could explain, at least partly, the demyelination of nerve tissues caused by massive doses of chinoform.     

Levels of alpha1-antitrypsin in the spring and autumn seasons.

In a group of 84 pairs of 11-year-old children of both sexes, the level of the alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) were ascertained in the autumn and spring. Although the mean levels of alpha1-AT in the two seasons hardly differed, the highly significant seasonal changes in the distribution curves of alpha1-AT values were noted in boys, whereas the levels showed higher stability in girls.     

Adrenaline and the electrogenic sodium pump in Rana catesbeiana sympathetic ganglion cells.

The effect of adrenaline on the Na+-pump in bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) sympathetic ganglion cells was studied by use of electrophysiological methods. The rate of removal of excess Na+ injected into a ganglion cell was increased by adrenaline. The K+-activated hyperpolarization of cell membrane, which might be produced by an electrogenic Na+-pump, was also increased by adrenaline. These results suggested that adrenaline was able to accelerate the Na+-pump, possibly the electrogenic Na+-pump.     

Light stimulated 'shunt-metabolism' succinate-alpha-ketoglutarate-isocitrate cycle and accumulation of citric acid in Aspergillus niger.

Studies with light of the visible range had shown that light plays significant role in the biosynthesis and accumulation of citric acid in Aspergillus niger. Accumulation of 14C-labelled carbon atoms in alpha-ketoglutaric, isocitric, succinic and glycolic acids in the cultures grown under illumination suggest a probable 'shunt-metabolism' leading to the succinate-alpha-ketoglutarate-isocitrate (SKI) cycle. This shunt metabolism minimizes the accumulation of citric acid in cultures due to depletion of intermediates.     

Gastric mucus effusion elicited by oral copper compounds: potential anti-ulcer activity.

In rats, both Cu(I) and Cu(II) show an irritancy profile not shared with Cu degrees or Zn(II) or Ni(II). The gastric response to Cu(II), i.e. copius fluid and mucus secretion, can protect the stomach from the acute ulcerative effects of aspirin or physical stress administered subsequently.     

Anionic activation of human salivary amylase.

In all earlier studies on alpha-amylase, the influence of different ions were studied in phosphate buffer. The present report shows the effect of different ions individually with Tris and amino acid. Though it has been claimed recently that sodium ion is an activator of alpha-amylase, this study reconfirms that sodium ion does not activate human salivary amylase.