Role of serine esterase in hydrogen peroxide-mediated activation of phospholipase A2 in rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells.

Exposure of rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells to hydrogen peroxide cause dose-dependent stimulation of [14C] arachidonic acid (AA) release and enhancement of the cell membrane-associated phospholipase A2 activity as well as of the cell membrane-bound serine esterase activity tested against synthetic substrate p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester. While pretreatment of cells with serine protease inhibitors, viz. phenyl methyl sulphonyl fluoride, diisopropyl fluorophosphate and alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, and antioxidant vitamin E prevents H2O2 stimulation of AA release and the cell membrane-bound serine esterase and PLA2 activities, that with actinomycin D and cycloheximide is devoid of any effect on H2O2 caused stimulation of AA release and the smooth muscle cell membrane associated serine esterase and PLA2 activities. Treatment of the smooth muscle cell membrane suspension with the serine protease trypsin markedly stimulates PLA2 activity. These results suggest that on exposure to H2O2 the smooth muscle cell membrane-bound serine esterase plays an important role in stimulating the cell membrane associated PLA2 activity thereby resulting in an increase in AA release.

Myocardial changes in neonates dying of asphyxia neonatorum.

Ten neonates, asphyxiated at birth, were studied by Apgar score, ECG ischaemic score grading (ECGisg), Cardiothoracic (CT) ratio, biochemical parameters like CPK, CPK-MB fraction during life; and they were subjected to postmortem study with particular attention to the changes in the heart. The study revealed that 7 out of 10 asphyxiated neonates showed variable evidences of myocardial damage; but the extent of damage though well correlated with biochemical parameters, did not correspond well with the extent of asphyxia and the survival period. In rest 3 cases, myocardial damage was not overt though there was evidence of asphyxia and evidence of myocardial damage in the form of elevated CPK-MB level. These patients probably had died of "Biochemical Lesion" as described by Rudolf Peter.

Gemfibrozil in dyslipidaemia.

A new lipid regulating agent, Gemfibrozil was evaluated in different types of dyslipidaemias. Out of a total of 34 patients, all completed 12 weeks' treatment and 26 completed 24 weeks' of treatment. A significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL-c triglyceride and apo-B and an increase in HDL cholesterol and its apoprotein--apo-A were observed. The patients belonged to hyperlipidaemias--types IIa, IIb, and IV. Patients' compliance was good and side effects were minimal.

An echo-cardiographic (M-mode & 2D) analysis of thalassaemia major.

25 cases of thalassaemia major were studied by 2D and M-mode echocardiography. A significantly increased (p less than 0.001) mean value (100.8 +/- 27.37 msec, range 80 to 140 msec) of A2-E (early relaxation period) interval on M-mode was observed in thalassemia in comparison to mean level (82.6 +/- 5.7, range 60 to 100 msec) of control population. No significant differences were noted in FS % (fractional shortening) and EF% (ejection fraction) when compared to corresponding normal values respectively. Mean serum iron concentration (142.2 +/- 29.1 micrograms/dl, range 102 to 192 micrograms/dl) was significantly higher in thalassaemia as compared to normal population (mean 106.3 +/- 11.4 micrograms/dl, range 75 to 120 micrograms/dl). There was also a direct correlation between serum iron concentration and A2-E interval. 11 patients (44%) showed abnormal A2-E interval but only 3 patients (12%) showed abnormal percentage of FS and EF. It is therefore concluded that A2-E interval will help to detect early left ventricular dysfunction much before overt and irreversible heart failure becomes manifest and which will also help to optimise transfusion and chelation therapy.

Serum phospholipid fractions measured by two dimensional thin layer chromatography in normal pregnancy.

Serum phospholipid fractions were quantitated by two dimensional thin layer chromatography in 85 apparently normal pregnant women at different gestational period. Fifteen healthy non-pregnant women matched for age served as controls. Normal chromatogram showed eight spots of serum phospholipid viz., phosphatidic acid (PA, 3.9 +/- 0.5%), cardiolipin (C, 7.2 +/- 0.4%), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE, 10.6 +/- 1.1%), phosphatidylglycerol (PG, 3.2 +/- 0.6%), lecithin (L, 34.5 +/- 1.8%), sphingomyelin (S, 31.0 +/- 1.4%), lysolecithin (LL, 8.6 +/- 1.2%) and phosphalidylionositol (PI, 1.0 +/- 0.2%). Serum total phospholipid which increased with gestational age, being lowest at 6 wk (220.2 +/- 4.8 mg/dl) and highest at 38 wk (290.3 +/- 4.5 mg/dl), started declining at term (275.8 +/- 5.8 mg/dl) and returned to levels in normal nonpregnant women (214.1 +/- 4.7 mg/dl) at 4 wk after delivery (217.2 +/- 3.3 mg/dl). PG was absent in both the first and second trimester and first appeared between 31-32 wk, i.e., in the third trimester of pregnancy when the mean per cent of PG was 0.7 +/- 0.4 per cent. During the first trimester when the L/S ratio was less than 1.2 the PI level was low (0.8 +/- 0.2%). Parallel to the increase in the L/S ratio to 2.0, the content of PI increased to 2.6 +/- 0.4 per cent. PG first appeared (0.7 +/- 0.4%) and PI concomitantly decreased (2.1 +/- 0.3%) when the L/S ratio exceeded 2.0 at 31-32 wk. Sequential analysis of maternal serum phospholipid fractions may be used as an additional tool in predicting gestational age of normal growing pregnancy.

Immunological studies on pulmonary tuberculosis: a preliminary report.

An investigation of 71 patients (61 mantoux positive and 10 mantoux negative) with bacteriologically and radiologically proven primary pulmonary tuberculosis was undertaken for immunological analysis to evaluate cell mediated (E-rosette) and humoral (EAC-rosette and serum immunoglobulins; IgG, IgA & IgM) immune status. 41 age and sex matched normal subjects served as controls. An inverse relationship between cell mediated and humoral immune response was observed in tuberculous patients in general. Defects in cell mediated immune response was pronounced in mantoux negative cases. Fractionation of serum protein revealed a significant diminution in albumin level with a concomitant elevation in globulins particularly gammaglobulin levels. It appeared that there is a definite need to boost up T-cell mediated responses and to control the over activity of B-cell in these cases. Proper handling of the immune system by appropriate therapy might change the course of the disease.

Glycerylphosphorylcholine levels in the coagulational groups of human ejaculates.

The amount of coagulum present in fresh ejaculates of men (among infertile couple) varied directly with the levels of seminal glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC; P less than 0.001), which is secreted predominantly by the epididymis. GPC concentrations (mg/ml) of the normally and poorly coagulating ejaculates revealed close similarities with those of the presumably fertile (1.72 +/- 0.10) and infertile semen (1.13 +/- 0.08) respectively. The study suggests that the degree of coagulation of human ejaculates may be correlated with epididymal function.

Plasma lipids and blood glucose in infants of toxemic mothers.

Maternal and cord blood of 34 toxemic and 27 non-toxemic mothers and their infants were studied for lipids and glucose. All the lipid fractions in cord blood were significantly lower (P less than .001) than that of the mother in all groups due to relative impermeability of the placenta. AFD infants of toxemic mothers had significantly higher (P less than .001) value of FFA and triglyceride as compared with AFD infants of non-toxemic mothers. However SFD infants of toxemic mothers had higher FFA only when compared with that of non-toxemic mother. This is possibly due to sympathetic stimulation related to placental insufficiency with hypoxia and hypoglycemia that lead to mobilisation of adipose tissue into FFA and glycerol in fetus. Plasma phospholipid, cholesterol, HDLC, LDLC of infants of toxemic mothers were significantly lower (P less than .001), more so in SFD infants, possibly due to impaired liver function. 53% of infants of toxemic mothers also had hyperbilirubinemia. Cord blood glucose in toxemic group was significantly lower (P less than .05) than AFD infants of non-toxemic group.