ABSTRACT
In this study, the experimental model of Wigglesworth was used to limit the maternal blood supply to the rat fetus and induce intrauterine growth retardation. The associated changes in plasma somatomedin activity, insulin, glucose, and cartilage metabolic activity are reported. The mean body weight (+/- SEM) of 108 fetuses in ligated uterine horns was significantly lower than that of 146 control fetuses (ligated, 2820 +/- 50 mg; control, 3180 +/- 50 mg; p less than 0.001), as was mean nose-tail tip length (ligated, 55.6 +/- 0.4 mm; control, 59.4 +/- 0.3 mm; p less than 0.001) and mean liver weight (ligated, 222 +/- 5 mg; control, 274 +/- 5 mg; p less than 0.001). The uptake of [35S]sulfate by fetal costal cartilage in basal culture medium was significantly lower in growth-retarded fetuses than in controls. Plasma somatomedin activity measured by fetal rat cartilage bioassay was significantly lower in growth-retarded than in control fetuses (p less than 0.001). The growth-retarded fetuses were relatively hypoinsulinemic and hypoglycemic compared to control animals. These studies suggest that nutrient supply may become a limiting factor in the release of insulin and the circulating levels of somatomedin activity in the rat fetus, and hence in its growth.
Subject(s)
Cartilage/metabolism , Fetal Growth Retardation/blood , Somatomedins/blood , Sulfates/metabolism , Animals , Blood Glucose/analysis , Body Weight , Female , Fetal Growth Retardation/metabolism , Fetal Growth Retardation/pathology , Insulin/blood , Pregnancy , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , RibsSubject(s)
Blood Platelets/metabolism , Debrisoquin/blood , Isoquinolines/blood , Neurons/metabolism , Sympathetic Nervous System/metabolism , Amitriptyline/pharmacology , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Erythrocytes/metabolism , Humans , Hydroxylation , Hypertension/blood , Models, Biological , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The differentiation between psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can be clinically difficult if there is no manifest psoriasis of skin or nail. In order to clarify this diagnostic problem, the amino acid patterns in seventy-five psoriatic and non-psoriatic nails have been studied. Using gas--liquid chromatographic techniques and discriminant analysis, a high degree of differentiation (96%) has been established between the normal looking nails of patients with psoriatic arthritis and those with rheumatoid arthritis. This biochemical/statistical approach to the fingernail enhances diagnosis in difficult clinical problems, particularly where there are no overt manifestations of psoriasis.
