Effect of cyclic AMP and theophylline on phagocytotic activity ofTetrahymena pyriformis

Summary Dibutyril cAMP and the cPDE-inhibitor theophylline both enhance the phagocytotic activity ofTetrahymena. Theophylline and cAMP-activating histamine are synergistic. It follows that the cAMP-adenylcyclase system functions in the unicellular animalTetrahymena.     

Extractive components from the nutmeg ofMyristica simarum A. DC.: The structure of lignan-ketone: Otobanone

Summary Otobanon obtained fromn-hexane extract ofMyristica simarum A. DC. was elucidated as 1-oxo-otobain by the physical spectra and chemical degradation.Acknowledgment. The authors are indebted to Chemical Research Center for financial support under the project No. CRC-6203, which supported by the National Council on Science Development of China.     

Alternative methods of animal sacrifice: The effect on intestinal function in vitro

Summary The total fluid uptake of everted sacs of rat jejunum was compared in animals killed by stunning and decapitation, or anaesthetised with ether. Fluid transport was significantly higher in the tissue prepared from stunned and decapitated animals. It is suggested that etherization may have adverse effects on the physiological viability of subsequently isolated tissues.     

The loss of biological activity of 5-hydroxytryptamine creatinine sulphate

Summary 5-Hydroxytryptamine creatinine sulphate loses its biological activity when maintained at room temperature. The loss of 5-HT activity (in stimulating sodium transport across frog skin) is greater than the loss of creatinine sulphate activity (inhibition of sodium transport).     

Effect of orotic acid on liver glycogen of different animal species

Summary The effect of orotic acid on the liver glycogen content in the mice, frogs and catfish was studied. It was observed that the orotic acid significantly increases the glycogen content in the liver of mice and catfish as it does in rats. On the other hand it causes a fall of the glycogen level in frogs in experiments made both in autumn and spring. This effect was modified by amino acids administrated together with orotic acid.