THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY AND BIOASSAY OF PROSTAGLANDINS IN EXTRACTS OF SEMEN AND TISSUES OF THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT.
(65/1706)
By acid ether extraction and thin-layer chromatography, prostaglandins have been separated from biologically active compounds of other chemical groups. The technique does not, however, separate different prostaglandins from each other. The biological activity of the eluates was estimated on the rabbit isolated jejunum and the hamster isolated colon preparations in terms of prostaglandin E(1); the concentrations (thus expressed) of prostaglandin in human semen ranged from 24 to 783 mug/ml. with a mean of 226 mug/ml. No prostaglandins (minimal detectable concentration, 0.5 mug/g) could be detected in the male reproductive organs of several species of laboratory animal. (+info)
ACTIONS OF PROSTAGLANDINS E1, E2 AND E3 ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
(66/1706)
Prostaglandins E(1), E(2) and E(3), injected into the cerebral ventricles of unanaesthetized cats, produced sedation, stupor and signs of catatonia. The threshold dose was 3 mug/kg. Slight sedation was also observed following an intravenous injection, but a dose of 20 mug/kg was required. In chicks, intravenous injections of prostaglandins (10 to 400 mug/kg) caused respiratory depression, profound sedation, loss of normal posture and, with the higher doses, loss of the righting reflex. (+info)
A study on antigenic and allergenic changes during storage in three different biological extracts.
(67/1706)
The stability of three allergens common in tropical countries was evaluated under different storage conditions. Prosopis juliflora (PJ), Rhizopus nigricans (RN), and wheat dust (WD), were taken as representatives of various groups of allergens viz, pollen, fungi and dust. The extracts were stored in buffer containing phenol (0.4%) or glycerol (50%) at temperatures ranging from 4-55 degrees C for 15 to 60 days. Protein content of PJ extract was reduced remarkably when it was stored at 40 degrees C for 45 days. Thin layer isoelectric focusing and rocket immunoelectrophoresis of PJ showed that certain antigenic proteins degrade rapidly even at 25 degrees C as early as day 15. However, two to three proteins of PJ remain stable at a higher temperature (40 degrees C) for two months. Relative radioallergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition showed substantial loss of allergenic activity in all the three extracts, when stored at higher temperatures (25-55 degrees C) even for short durations, i.e., 15 days. Extracts (PJ and RN) containing 50% glycerol were found to be stable, retaining more than 50% activity, even when stored at 55 degrees C for 40 days, while extracts without glycerol lost more than 75% of their allergenic activity. However, addition of glycerol did not change the stability of wheat dust allergenic extract. The present findings indicate that allergenic extracts behave differently when stored. Hence, the stability of each extract should be determined individually. (+info)
Retention of mercurial preservatives in desiccated biological products.
(68/1706)
A variety of bacterins, vaccines, and antisera retained greater than 90% of their original level of mercurial preservative after lyophilization, and this might influence certain uses of these products. (+info)
THE INHIBITORY ACTIONS OF PROSTAGLANDINS ON RESPIRATORY SMOOTH MUSCLE.
(69/1706)
Prostaglandin E(1), in concentrations as low as 1 ng/ml., relaxed isolated tracheal muscle from cat, monkey, rabbit, guinea-pig and ferret. Tracheal muscle from the cat, monkey and rabbit did not exhibit inherent tone and the effect of prostaglandin E(1) on these preparations was seen only after a sustained contraction had been produced by a previous dose of acetylcholine or of another agonist. Prostaglandins E(2), E(3) and F(1alpha) also relaxed isolated cat tracheal muscle which had been stimulated by acetylcholine: their activities relative to that of prostaglandin E(1) were, respectively, 1.0, 0.2 and 0.002. In the anaesthetized cat prostaglandin E(1) increased lung "resistance to inflation" (presumably comparable to bronchial resistance) and the heart rate. In the anaesthetized rabbit and guinea-pig, prostaglandin E(1) antagonized the rise in resistance to inflation of the lungs obtained after vagal stimulation or after the intravenous injection of histamine; it sometimes lowered the resistance to inflation in these species. The possibility that prostaglandin may have a local physiological role in the control of bronchial smooth muscle tone is discussed. (+info)
INTERFERON-LIKE ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS OF HUMAN SPLEEN.
(70/1706)
Extracts of human splenic tissue were found to resemble interferon in (a) their physicochemical properties, and (b) their mode of action when tested in vivo in the rabbit, using vaccinia as the challenge virus. The methods used to obtain (1) the crude extract and (2) a partially purified final fraction are described. The latter was found to be non-dialysable, stable over a pH range of 2-11, and relatively heat resistant. On analysis it appeared to be, or was associated with, a glycoprotein. (+info)
British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register.
(71/1706)
The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) established a register of patients newly treated with biological agents, the BSR Biologics Register (BSRBR), which became active in January 2002. The goal is to register all patients in the United Kingdom with rheumatic diseases, newly starting treatment with these agents and to follow them up to determine the incidence of any short and long term hazards to health. The Register is also recruiting a comparison cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with standard disease modifying antirheumatic drugs to determine the relative contributions of disease factors and other treatments apart from biological agents on any risks observed. (+info)
Therapy of alopecia areata: on the cusp and in the future.
(72/1706)
Over the past decade, basic research has established alopecia areata as a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease and has clarified many of its genetic, cellular, and molecular aspects. Perifollicular and intrafollicular mononuclear cell infiltrates directed at anagen hair bulbs are characteristic and striking histologic features in early alopecia areata. The inflammatory infiltrate is composed predominantly of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, together with macrophages and Langerhans cells. The initiation phase of alopecia areata is mediated by type 1 cytokines, including interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Like other diseases with a strong autoimmune component, alopecia areata has associated with it specific human leukocyte antigens, which determine susceptibility, severity, chronicity, and resistance. New topical immunomodulating drugs and biologic therapies that have been developed, or that are in development, for the treatment of other immune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases will likely be effective in alopecia areata as well. The present discussion addresses the treatment of alopecia areata within the framework of these new modalities. (+info)