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.     

Reactivation by glycerol and ethylene glycol of inactivated delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides.

Reactivation effects by glycerol and ethylene glycol of inactivated ALA synthetase of R. spheroids were observed. Accompanying the reactivation of the inactivated enzyme, Km value for PLP decreased to levels similar to those of the freshly prepared enzyme.     

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.     

Myopathic changes at the end-plate region induced by neostigmine methylsulfate.

Administration of large dose of neostigmine caused very quickly marked myopathic changes at the motor end-plate region. With continued injections, however, some recovery of the structural features did occur suggesting the reconstructive changes in the affected regions.     

Der Vitaminbedarf des amerikanischen ReismehlkäfersTribolium confusum Duval

Summary As previously reported the larvae ofTribolium confusum require two unknown factors obtainable from yeast apart from various vitamines of the B-group for normal growth. One of these possesses acidic properties. This factor could be fully replaced by a folic acid preparation of potency 4000 kindly placed at our disposal by Prof.R. J. Williams. This may be regarded as a possibility but not as a proof that folic acid is the reported factor.

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C. A. Grob dankt der Haco-Gesellschaft AG., Gümligen, für die Unterstützung dieser Arbeit.