Monoamine oxidase activity of the hypothalamus and pituitary: alterations after pinealectomy, changes in photoperiod, or additions of melatonin in vitro.

Rat pituitary MAO activity was reduced by constant darkness and by additions of melatonin in vitro and was increased by constant light and by pinealectomy. Hypothalamic MAO activity followed the same pattern but was less dramatically affected. The data suggest that MAO may be a target enzyme for melatonin.     

The absence of an inhibitory effect of metyrapone (2-methyl-1,2-di (3-pyridyl) propan-1-one) on hepatic microsomal hydroxylation in scurvy.

Microsomes from livers of scorbutic guinea-pigs showed a reduced rate of acetanilide hydroxylation. The response of "scorbutic" liver microsomes to the inhibitor Metyrapone (2-methyl-1,2 di (3-pyridyl) propan-1-one) was different from that of liver microsomes from non-scorbutic guinea-pigs.     

The structural relationship of phorbol and cortisol: A possible mechanism for the tumor promoting activity of phorbol

Summary The crucial functional groups of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) are superimposable with those of the glucocorticoid cortisol in a unique manner which suggests a mechanism for PMA activity, i.e. the alkylation of a cortisol receptor.     

Serum enzyme activities in the African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Summary The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, -hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase have been measured in the African elephant. In general, the values were broadly comparable with those of man except that alanine aminotransferase was much lower and creatine phosphokinase higher. No variation due to age, sex, season or location was observed.     

Alpha-receptor subsensitivity of isolated atria from rats following repeated injections of phenylephrine or isoprenaline

Summary Daily injections of phenylephrine or isoprenaline for 4 or 7 days lowered the chronotropic sensitivity of -adrenoreceptors in isolated rat atria.This study was supported by grants from the National Science Council of Finland.     

Struktur-Wirkungsbeziehungen beim menschlichen Calcitonin. III. Die biologische Aktivität verkürzter oder an den Kettenenden modifizierter,synthetischer analoger

Summary Assays of 8 synthetic analogues of human calcitonin in rats showed that their hypocalcaemic activity was drastically reduced by deletion of the C-terminal amide group, chain-shortening or opening of the disulphide ring, but unaffected or enhanced by modification of the N-terminal amino group.

---

---

II. vgl.R. Maier, B. Kamber, B. Riniker andW. Rittel, Hormon. Metab. Res.7, 511 (1975).

---

Die hier verwendete, abgekürzte Schreibweise für Peptide folgt den Empfehlungen der IUPAC-IUB Kommission für Biochemische Nomenklatur, J.B.C.247, 977 (1972). Weitere Abkürzungen: HCT, Human-Calcitonin; PCT, Schweinecalcitonin; Bmp, -Mercaptopropionsäure (Desaminocystein); NMet, Normethionin (S-Methylcystein); -OMe, Methylester.     

Influence of cyclic nucleotides on protein synthesis in vascular smooth muscle

Summary The incorporation of leucice-¹⁴C into protein in bovine mesenteric arteries was augmented by cyclic GMP (10^–3 M) and decreased by cyclic AMP (10^–3 M). There was no effect of 5 AMP (10^–3 M). The phosphodiesterase inhibiting drugs theophylline (10^–3 M) and papaverine (5×10^–5 g/ml) both decreased the leucine-¹⁴C incorporation.We are indebted to Mrs.Lena Burlin for hear assistance. Finacial support has been provided by the Swedish State Medical Research Council (No. 04X-101X-4498).     

Ecdysone 20-hydroxylase from the midgut of the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta L.)

Summary An ecdysone 20-hydroxylase enzyme system that converts -ecdysone to 20-hydroxyecdysone was prepared from the midgut of the tobacco hornworm prepupa. This partially purified enzyme is NADPH dependent and is localized in the mitochondrial fraction of the midgut tissue.     

Effect of 723-1723-1723-1on ethanol withdrawal in mice

Summary ⁹ (10 mg/kg, i.p.) administered to mice immediately after withdrawal from a 3-day exposure to ethanol vapor was found to intensify withdrawal reactions. No effect was seen when ⁹ was administered chronically during the exposure to ethanol.