Lack of changes in beta-endorphin plasma levels after repeated treatment with fluoxetine: possible implications for the treatment of alcoholism--a pilot study.

Clinical and animal studies indicate that selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may help to reduce alcohol intake but investigations led to conflicting results. A few studies indicated that serotonin (5-HT) may modulate the brain beta-endorphin level, which plays an important role in the development of alcohol craving. Our study examined the influence of fluoxetine on the endogenous opioid system. We investigated plasma levels of beta-endorphin in rats with either high alcohol preference (Warsaw High-Preferring; WHP) or low alcohol preference (Warsaw Low-Preferring; WLP) after repeated treatment with fluoxetine (5 mg/kg i.p. for 21 days). We examined the rats 24 hours after fluoxetine treatment in order to determine whether chronic fluoxetine produces a long-term change in the beta-endorphin levels. The animals received either a single dose of ethanol (2 g/kg) or an identical single dose of saline one hour before blood collection. While a few studies observed an increase in the level of beta-endorphin after a single fluoxetine injection, we did not observe any increase in beta-endorphin plasma levels after repeated fluoxetine treatment. We also did not observe any changes in beta-endorphin levels of rats treated with fluoxetine and injected with ethanol. A lack of increase of beta-endorphin levels may explain why fluoxetine has a limited value in the prevention of craving for alcohol.

Anti-inflammatory capabilities of macrolides.

Macrolide antibiotics play a significant role in clinical practise due not only to their antibacterial activity, but also to their accompanying anti-inflammatory effect that is independent of their antibiotic action. Several studies reported in literature show that macrolides affect several inflammatory processes, such as migration of neutrophils, the oxidative burst in phagocytes and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, although the precise mechanisms are not clear. They also inhibit eosinophilic inflammation and may be useful in the treatment of patients with steroid-dependent asthma. Macrolides are also effective in diffuse panbronchiolitis, chronic sinusitis and inflammatory skin diseases.

Characterization of beta-adrenergic receptors in duck cerebral cortex.

beta-adrenoceptor binding sites were characterized in duck cerebral cortex by an in vitro binding technique, using [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) as a receptor-specific radioligand. The specific binding of [3H]DHA to duck cerebral cortical membranes was found to be rapid, stable, saturable, reversible, and of high affinity. Saturation analysis resulted in a linear Scatchard plot suggesting binding to a single class of receptor binding sites with high affinity (Kd = 1.18 nM) and high capacity (Bmax = 162 fmol/mg protein). Competition studies showed the following relative rank order of potency of various compounds to inhibit the [3H]DHA binding: antagonists--ICI 118,551 > S(-)-propranolol >> betaxolol, yohimbine, WB-4101, prazosin, mianserine; agonists--isoprenaline approximately equal to fenoterol > salbutamol >> clonidine, phenylephrine. The obtained data suggest that in duck cerebral cortex beta-adrenergic receptors (like those described in brains of chick and pigeon) are of the beta 2 subtype. This is in contrast to what has been reported for the mammalian brain, where--among beta-adrenoceptors--the beta 1 subtype is predominant.

[Bromocriptine: uses until now and prospects of new therapeutic applications]. / Bromokryptyna--dotychczasowe zastosowania i perspektywa nowych wskazan terapeutycznych.

Bromocriptine is applied for treatment of patients with hyperprolactinaemic disorders, Parkinson's disease and acromegaly. Sometimes, this drug can be useful as adjuvant in patients with prostate hypertrophy, cocaine and alcohol abuse, or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Recently, bromocriptine was found to improve memory. In randomized trials bromocriptine demonstrated improvement of prefrontal cortex function in traumatic brain injury patients. These informations suggest a potential possibility of this drug to therapy for patients with prefrontal damage.

Type III D mucopolysaccharidosis (Sanfilippo D): clinical course and symptoms.

A case of a rare form of Sanfilippo disease, mucopolysaccharidosis type III D is presented. The cause of the disease is a deficit of N-acetylglycosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase. Differences in clinical course and symptoms with type A and B Sanfilippo disease are shown (later presentation of symptoms, milder course, lack of distinct psychomotor regression and differences in characteristic phenotypic traits, such as facial features, joint contracture, tall height). It is suggested that type III D mucopolysaccharidosis be taken into account in the differentiation of mental retardation syndromes with hyperactivity.

Serum chitotriosidase activity in Gaucher patients on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT).

OBJECTIVE: Changes of serum chitotriosidase activity during Ceredase treatment of Gaucher patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Ten Gaucher patients were treated with Ceredase for up to 30 months. Serum or plasma chitotriosidase activity was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-N,N',N"triacetyl-chitotrioside. RESULTS: In untreated patients, serum chitotriosidase activity did not depend on the patient's age and was not a measure of clinical status, type or progress of the disease. Chitotriosidase activity declined during treatment with Ceredase, but still remained high. The largest decline in enzyme activity was observed in patients with type III of the disease who had intact spleens; splenectomized type III patients, and type I patients reacted more slowly. CONCLUSIONS: Serum chitotriosidase activity may indicate that a patient has reacted to treatment, however, it can not be considered a direct marker of treatment effectiveness.

Clinical, biochemical and molecular findings in a two-generation Morquio A family.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (Morquio A) is caused by a deficiency of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS), an enzyme capable of cleaving the sulfate group from both N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate and galactose-6-sulfate. We describe here a two-generation Morquio A family with two distinct clinical phenotypes. The two probands from the second generation showed intermediate signs of the disease whereas their affected mother, aunt and two uncles had only very mild symptoms. Galactose-6-sulfatase (GALS) activity in leukocytes and fibroblasts of the affected family members was clearly deficient. Molecular genetic analysis of the GALNS gene revealed that two different point mutations segregate in the family, which correlated well with the clinical phenotype. The probands with intermediate symptoms were compound heterozygotes for the mutations R259Q and R94G, the latter one being inherited from the unaffected father. The mother and her affected siblings with the unusually mild phenotype were proven to be homozygous for the novel missense point mutation R259Q.

The effect of prolonged imipramine treatment on the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-induced translocation of protein kinase C in the central nervous system in rats.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of prolonged treatment with imipramine (10 mg kg-1/day i.p. for 21 days) on the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) after stimulation of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor. Methoxamine (5-50 mg kg-1) and phenylephrine (0.1-1 mg kg-1) induced a rapid and long-term redistribution of PKC from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction in the rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. The effects of methoxamine and phenylephrine were completely blocked by pretreatment with prazosin. Prolonged pretreatment with imipramine changed the response of PKC to methoxamine and phenylephrine. Much lower doses of alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists were able to induce the redistribution of PKC. Moreover, prolonged treatment with imipramine markedly increased the basal activity of PKC in the membrane fractions of the frontal cortex and hippocampus.

Arylsulfatase A pseudodeficiency--incidence in Poland.

Arylsulfatase A (ASA) pseudodeficiency (Pd) was defined as the in vitro measurement of low enzyme activity in a healthy person. A variable incidence of the Pd allele was found in different populations; it was 10-20 times higher than that of metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). In Poland we estimated the incidence of the Pd allele at 6% and that of isolated 1788 mutation (loss of glycosylation site) at 3%. Out of 8 cases with neurological symptoms and low ASA activity, 2 were found to be homozygous for the Pd allele; 2 MLD patients had healthy siblings homozygous for the Pd allele and another patient's allele bore two mutations, Pd and that causing MLD.

[Urinary beta-hexosaminidase activity as a marker for the monitoring of sobriety]. / Aktywnosc beta-heksozoaminidazy w moczu jako maker naduzywania alkoholu u osób uzaleznionych.

The aim of this study was to check the usefulness of urine beta-hexosaminidase activity determination as a tool of monitoring sobriety in alcohol dependent individuals. The examinations were performed in 93 patients undergoing detoxification treatment after heavy drinking and in 29 individuals who were starting psychotherapeutic treatment after declaring at least 2 weeks abstinence period. Enzyme activity was determined using a spectrofluorimetric method and was referred to urine creatinine level. In the detoxification group the abnormally high beta-hexosaminidase activity was decreasing gradually toward normal values within 2 weeks. In less than 10% of the patients atypical increase was observed in the course of treatment, what could be attributed to an, influence of nonspecific factors or possibly to misbehavior (alcohol drinking or urine samples substitution). Among individuals who declared at least 2 weeks abstinence period (psychotherapeutic group) in 25% of cases abnormally high enzyme activity was detected, what suggested their more recent alcohol drinking.

Lipidoses detected in Poland through 1993.

It is estimated that 70-100 children suffering from a lysosomal storage disease are born in Poland every year. From 1975 to 1993, the activity of various lysosomal enzymes was determined in the leukocytes, cultured skin fibroblasts, or hair roots from 5,594 patients, mainly children, in whom the diagnosis of a lipidosis was suspected. In that material 162 cases of a lipidosis were diagnosed. Metachromatic leukodystrophy seems to be the most frequent of the lipidoses; GM1 gangliosidosis is more frequent than GM2 gangliosidosis and Gaucher and Niemann-Pick diseases appear to be almost as frequent as the former.

Regulation of protein kinase C after stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in rat hippocampus.

Endogenous inhibitor of protein kinases (type II inhibitor, GABA-modulin) blocks the phosphorylation catalyzed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) as a competitive inhibitor of substrate proteins when histone is used as a substrate. Moreover, type II inhibitor blocks the phosphorylation of endogenous membrane proteins by PKC. Stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors induced rapid redistribution of PKC from cytosol to membrane fraction which lasted at least 3 h, accompanied by rapid and short-lasting translocation of type II inhibitor from membrane to cytosol fraction. The cytosol content of type II inhibitor reached maximal level 10 and 20 min and became normal again 40 min after i.p. administration of methoxamine. The above actions of methoxamine were completely blocked by pretreatment with prazosin. It seems that short-lasting redistribution of type II inhibitor from membrane to cytosol fraction allows the effective phosphorylation of membrane proteins by PKC after stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

Serum beta-hexosaminidase and alpha-mannosidase activities as markers of alcohol abuse.

In 25-alcohol-dependent patients in whom detoxication treatment has been introduced serum total beta-hexosaminidase, thermostable beta-hexosaminidase, alpha-mannosidase and gamma glutamylotransferase (GGT) and serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were determined during alcohol withdrawal. The assays were also performed in a group of dependent individuals after a 1 month or longer period of abstinence. Marked increase in beta-hexosaminidase activity was observed in intoxicated patients. The activity decreased rapidly after the cessation of drinking, resembling the decrease in HDL cholesterol level in its dynamics. The alpha-mannosidase activity rise was less pronounced and its normalization was slow, similar to the GGT activity normalization rate. The rise of beta-hexosaminidase activity was mostly due to the thermostable component of the enzyme. Total beta-hexosaminidase or thermostable beta-hexosaminidase activity determinations appear to be simple and reliable markers of alcohol abuse.

[Further steps in regional localization of the gene coding for human arylsulfatase B (ARSB): gene assignment to the section q11-qter of chromosome 5]. / Dalsze badania nad lokalizacja genu strukturalnego arylosulfatazy B (ARSB) czlowieka: przypisanie genu do odcinka q11-qter chromosomu 5.

The structural gene coding for human arylsulfatase B (ARSB) has been assigned to chromosome 5 and then to 5p11-5qter by means of somatic cell hybridization. The somatic cell hybrids used in the present studies were derived from fusion experiments between Chinese hamster, a3 line (TK-) and human leukocytes from a patient carrying the reciprocal balanced translocation t (5;21) (q11;q22) according to the method described previously. About 90 independent hybrid clones were selected for further analysis. They were tested for the presence of human markers employing the methods routinely used. ARSB activity was checked upon as previously. Giemsa banding technique was used to identify human and hamster chromosomes in the hybrid cells. Human ARSB activity was detected in 12 hybrid clones; 6 of them appeared to be informative. Out of 78 clones negative for human ARSB, 3 containing the product of translocation, 5pter-5q11: 21q22-21qter were found. Human superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) activity, a marker for chromosome 21, was found in 27 clones. The informative hybrid clones both positive and negative for ARSB are presented in table I. Six informative clones retained the region 5q11-5qter as the only portion of chromosome 5 and they expressed the activity of human ARSB and hexosaminidase B (HEXB), a marker for 15q13. It seems worth-while to point out that human ARSB activity was found only in the hybrids which retained the product of the translocation carrying 5q11-5qter in high percentage of the cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Postnatal and prenatal diagnosis of Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome.

The clinical course up to 6 years of age is described in a boy with Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome as indicated by the clinical characteristics: increased urinary excretion of dermatan sulphate and deficiency of arylsulphatase B in leucocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts. A subsequent pregnancy of the mother was monitored by enzyme analysis of culture amniotic fluid cells. The prenatal diagnosis of an affected fetus was made and confirmed after termination of the pregnancy.

Prenatal diagnosis of Sanfilippo disease type B.

The prenatal diagnosis of a fetus affected with Sanfilippo disease type B is described. The deficiency of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase in the cultured amniotic fluid cells was shown by a microassay enabling early prenatal diagnosis. In addition an increased level of heparan sulphate was demonstrated in the amniotic fluid by two-dimensional electrophoresis of glycosaminoglycans. The latter result confirmed the value of this test as an adjunctive method in the prenatal diagnosis. The pregnancy was terminated and the prenatal diagnosis was confirmed by enzyme analysis of cultured fetal fibroblasts and fetal liver.

Assignment of the gene for human arylsulfatase B, ARSB, to chromosome region 5p11----5qter.

The structural gene coding for human arylsulfatase B, ARSB, is assigned to 5p11----5qter by analysis of somatic cell hybrids isolated from two separate fusions of human fibroblasts carrying a translocation involving chromosome 5 with the Chinese hamster cell line a3.

Kinetic properties of beta-galactosidase in Morquio B disease.

Some kinetic Properties of beta-galactosidase in crude extracts of cultured fibroblasts obtained from patients with Morquio B disease, GM1-gangliosidosis and from the controls were compared. The main defect in Morquio B seems to be the lowering of enzyme affinity to the substrates, while in the case of GM1-gangliosidosis of infantile type 1 a dramatic decrease of Vmax value concomitant with normal KM value was observed. Based on these observations possible interpretations of the clinical picture are discussed.