ABSTRACT
Recently, it was demonstrated that one allele (825T) of the gene encoding the G protein beta3 subunit (GNB3) is associated with hypertension in Germans. This study investigates a possible association with obesity in young male Germans, Chinese, and black South Africans with low, intermediate, and high 825T allele frequencies, respectively. In each of these three distinct cohorts, the 825T allele frequency was increased significantly in overweight (body mass index [BMI] > or =25 kg/m2) and obese individuals (BMI >27 kg/m2) compared to those with normal weight. The 825T allele frequencies in these three BMI groups were, respectively, 29.5, 39.3, and 47.7% in Germans, 46.8, 53.9, and 58.6% in Chinese, and 83.1, 87.7, and 90.9% in South Africans. In each of these three distinct groups, the 825T allele was significantly associated with obesity with odds ratios between 2 and 3. More urban than rural black Africans were overweight despite similar 825T allele frequencies in both populations, which underscores the role of both genetic and environmental factors. BP values in young male whites increased significantly with increasing BMI values but were independent of the C825T polymorphism, suggesting that hypertension associated with the 825T allele could be a consequence of obesity. Genotyping of 5254 individuals from 55 native population samples from Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Guinea demonstrated highest 825T allele frequencies in black Africans (82%) and intermediate values in east Asians (47%). It is anticipated that high frequencies of the 825T allele in Africans and Asians may contribute to an obesity and hypertension epidemic if Westernization of lifestyles continues.
Subject(s)
GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics , Obesity/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Alleles , Asian People/genetics , Black People/genetics , Blood Pressure/genetics , Body Mass Index , China/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , GTP-Binding Proteins/chemistry , Genetics, Population , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Obesity/epidemiology , Protein Conformation , Risk Factors , South Africa/epidemiology , White People/genetics , Zimbabwe/epidemiologyABSTRACT
An inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen, adrenaline and thrombin is present in aorta intima extracts. The inhibitor is relatively stable and is not inactivated by prolonged incubation at 37 degrees C or 22 degrees C, but boiling for 15 seconds destroys it. It is not extracted by diethyl ether or chloroform, and is not affected by incubation with indomethacin or tranylcypromine. Platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid is not affected by this inhibitor. These results suggest that this inhibitor is not PGI2 (prostacyclin), a recently described potent anti-aggregatory agent generated by blood vessel microsomes.
Subject(s)
Aorta , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Tissue Extracts/pharmacology , Arachidonic Acids/pharmacology , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Collagen/antagonists & inhibitors , Hot Temperature , HumansABSTRACT
After ingestion of 14C-CH3H4Pte Glu by folate-deficient and folate-saturated subjects, and 14C-CH3H4PteGlu as well as 3H-PteGlu by a normal control subject, the dialysis-resistant (bound) plasma radiofolate fraction appeared increased in folate saturation and decreased in folate deficiency (compared with normal folate status). This suggests that absorbed radiofolate does not admix with the total folate pool before complexing with the plasma binder. As the bound plasma fractions appeared later than did the total biofolate peaks, in vivo plasma folate binding probably occurs independently of the intestinal folate absorption process. It also appears unrelated to postabsorption storage folate displacement, as this biofolate fraction is unbound. A bound radiofolate fraction persisting in plasma for 72 hours in spite of a normal food intake indicates a relatively inert binder complex.
Subject(s)
Folic Acid/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Carbon Radioisotopes , Female , Humans , Kinetics , Male , Middle Aged , TritiumABSTRACT
A case of agranulocytosis in a man with nonspecific seronegative polyarthritis treated with levamisole in the form of a proprietary veterinary anthelmintic is described. At the time of presentation he had a relative monocytosis. Recovery was uneventful and was heralded and paralleled by an increase in monocytes, serum vitamin B12 and total vitamin B12 binding capacity. Levamisole induced agranulocytosis and the significance of monocytosis and serum vitamin B12 binding proteins in neutropenia are briefly reviewed.
Subject(s)
Agranulocytosis/chemically induced , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Levamisole/adverse effects , Blood Cell Count , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
After oral administration of isoniazid (INH) to volunteers, a significant reduction in circulating T lymphocytes and a significant increase in B lymphocytes was found. These findings suggest that INH may be useful as an immunosuppressive agent.
Subject(s)
B-Lymphocytes/drug effects , Isoniazid/pharmacology , Leukocyte Count , T-Lymphocytes/drug effects , Adult , Classification , Drug Evaluation , Female , Humans , Male , Rosette FormationABSTRACT
ADP plays a key role in platelet aggregation and the enzymatic removal of this nucleotide may be important in the pathogenesis of intravascular thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Aortic intima extracts have ADPase activity and is able to remove small quantities of ADP efficiently. ADPase activity was assayed by measuring the catabolism of 2 micrometer 14C-ADP (final concentration) by the tissue extracts. Extracts prepared from normal, moderately and severely atherosclerotic human aortic initimas showed a significant progressive decrease in ADPase activity with increasing atherosclerosis. ADPase activity of the arch, thoracic and abdominal regions of normal aortas did not vary significantly, and thus did not correlate with the anatomical distribution of atherosclerosis. Vascular ADPase activity seems relevant in thrombogenesis since it may be a link between blood platelets and blood vessel wall interaction.
Subject(s)
Aorta/enzymology , Apyrase/metabolism , Arteriosclerosis/enzymology , Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases/metabolism , Aorta, Abdominal/enzymology , Aorta, Thoracic/enzymology , Humans , Platelet AggregationABSTRACT
Commerically available collimators are not suitable for the visual demonstration of the kinetics of 59Fe, because of its physical properties. A locally designed collimator, that provides integral visual information of the whole body distribution of erythropoietic marrow, is discussed. Wholebody scans of 4 individuals are also included to demonstrate the capabilities of the collimator.
Subject(s)
Bone Marrow Diseases/diagnosis , Iron Radioisotopes , Whole-Body Counting , Adult , Anemia, Aplastic/diagnosis , Child , Erythropoiesis , Fanconi Anemia/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Preleukemia/diagnosis , Primary Myelofibrosis/diagnosis , Splenomegaly/diagnosis , Whole-Body Counting/instrumentationABSTRACT
After simultaneous ingestion of equivalent amounts of [3H]folic acid (3H-PteGlu) and [14C]N5-methyl-tetrahydrofolic acid (14C-CH3-H4PteGlu) we were able to demonstrate progressive macromolecular binding of radiofolate in plasma, which appeared to be near maximal at 6 h. Bound radiofolate was predominantly of 14C-CH3H4PteGlu origin, and only at 24 h could 3H incorporation be demonstrated. The binder eluted with albumin from Sephadex DEAE-A50 columns. In urine a smaller bound radiofolate fraction, with approximately equal amounts of 3H and 14C, appeared after 5.5 h. Plasma chromatography showed radio-PteGlu (peak 1) to be rapidly converted to CH3-H4PteGlu (peak 2), with subsequent appearance of two further radiofolate peaks (peaks 3 and 4) the nature of which is as yet unclear. Urine showed similarly placed fractions but their magnitude differed, and urinary peak 3 in particular was much more prominent than its plasma counterpart.
