Structure and function of hepatocyte lysosomes and peroxisomes of rachitic rats

The submicroscopic organization and activity of acid phosphatase and catalase in lysosomes and peroxisomes of the rat hepatocytes were studied with experimental rachitis. It is determined that total and free activity of acid phosphatase in the liver tissue and certain lysosomes with rachitis increases whereas the catalase activity in the tissue and certain peroxisomes decreases. Permeability of the lysosome and peroxisome membranes rises for enzymes and cations. The process of peroxisome differentiation with rachitis is disturbed: there appear peroxisomes containing the marginal plates, that is not peculiar to the redont peroxisomes.     

Regional blood redistribution following blood loss in unanesthetized rats

The authors describe relative changes in the blood filling of 46 vascular areas of the body in rats after a moderate and severe blood loss. Moderate blood loss caused redistribution of the blood from the skin of the chest and from the skin of the posterior limbs, the majority of the abdominal and pelvis minor organs, muscular and bone tissues of the abdomen, pelvis minor and extremities into the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach and into the muscles of the head and neck. In severe blood loss the changes were analogous, but the blood content in the kidneys and the stomach decreased, and there was also a relative elevation of the blood in the muscles and bones of the chest. The intensity of the redistributive reaction in severe blood loss was less than in moderate blood loss.     

Distribution of CD4+ T-lymphocytes levels in patients with clinical symptoms of AIDS in three west African countries

The characteristics of airway responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) in congenitally bronchial-hypersensitive (BHS) and bronchial-hyposensitive (BHR) guinea pigs were clarified in vivo and in vitro. We measured the change in ventilatory mechanics in response to ACh inhalation by means of the bodyplethysmograph and the contractile responses of isolated trachea to ACh and carbachol (CCh). Further, muscarinic receptor subtypes involved these responses were identified. The basal values for ventilatory mechanics in BHS were not significantly different from those in BHR. Respiratory resistance to ACh was progressively increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner in BHS. The contractile responses of tracheal smooth muscle to ACh in BHS were significantly greater than those in BHR, but CCh-induced responses in BHS and BHR were similar. ACh- and CCh-induced contractions were mediated via M3 receptors. These results suggested that the falling-down of BHS in response to ACh inhalation was caused by the strong constriction of the airway and the reduction in ventilation. Moreover, the airway hyperresponsiveness to ACh in BHS might be partly dependent on the change in acetylcholinesterase activity.     

The functional activity of the portal vein as a reflection of the metabolic changes in experimental chronic kidney failure

Current therapeutic efforts to treat chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease include, for the first time, attempts to regenerate affected nervous tissue using neurotrophic factors. The rationale for using trophic factors includes the understanding that they support neuronal survival and regrowth processes. The potential benefits of trophic factor therapy will be no more realized in the near future than in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is pathologically characterized by the selective degeneration of specific populations of cranial and spinal motoneurons. Evidence for the existence of factors that support motoneurons has come from studies demonstrating that motoneurons receive trophic influences from various tissues, both central and peripheral, within their local environment. Although the identity of these putative tissue-derived factors has remained enigmatic, recent studies have demonstrated that several previously characterized trophic factors exhibit trophic influences on motoneurons. Among these are several members of the neurotrophin family, most notably brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These neurotrophins meet most of the criteria to be considered motoneuron trophic factors: they are locally available to motoneurons in vivo; motoneurons express specific receptors for these factors; and exogenous application of these factors mimicks the effects of the uncharacterized endogenous agents. The clinical use of these factors for the treatment of ALS, therefore, appears to be scientifically justified.