Changes in red blood cell choline and choline-bound lipids with oral lithium

The influence of oral lithium on the concentration of red blood cell choline (Ch), lecithin, glycerophosphorylcholine (GPCh) and phosphorylcholine (PCh) was studied. The concentration of RBC Ch was significantly elevated and the concentration of lecithin, GPCh and PCh significantly depressed in 16 patients on oral lithium compared to 9 age-matched controls. We conclude that lithium markedly depletes the red blood cell of choline containing compounds including lecithin. These changes may be responsible for both the therapeutic efficacy and the toxicity of lithium.     

Role of lysine side chains in metallothionein

Summary pK_a-Values of lysine residues of mammalian metallothionein were determined by chemical titration measurements of -CH₂ lysine resonances in the¹H-NMR spectra. They are about 0.5 pH-unit higher than the average pK_a-value of a metal-free derivative, suggesting interaction of the positively charged residues with the two three-fold negatively charged metal-thiolate clusters of the metal-containing form. Deprotonation of the lysines leads to circular dichroism changes attributable to an electrostatically induced structural transition of the protein.To whom correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed.     

On the relation between the secretion of the perivascular mast cells and the serum level of mucoproteins

Zusammenfassung Es wurden bei den mit Formaldehyd oder Cortisol belasteten Ratten Sekretionsvorgänge adventitialer Mastzellen beobachtet, und zwar zur Zeit des Ansteigens der Serummukoproteine. Die Beziehungen zwischen beiden Phänomenen wurden besprochen.     

Discrimination characteristics of the turtle's retinal ganglion cells

Zusammenfassung Die Reaktionscharakteristiken von Ganglienzellen der Netzhaut eines Reptils (Emys blandings) wurden untersucht und dabei festgestellt, dass die Ganglienzellen mannigfaltige Detektionscharakteristiken aufweisen.