Serum apolipoprotein A-II, a biochemical indicator of alcohol abuse.

The possible use of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL phospholipids, apolipoproteins (APO) A-I and A-II as markers of alcohol abuse was studied in 78 intemperate drinkers. The mean value for each of these parameters was higher in drinkers than in control subjects. The most significant increase was observed in the plasma apo A-II levels (+45%). A composite index of gammaglutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) and apo A-II was superior to GGTP alone in discriminating drinkers (+14%). Moreover, apo A-II assay is simple to perform.

[Plasma lipoproteins and apolipoproteins. Value of their determination in the detection of coronary atherosclerosis. Comparison with data supplied by coronarography]. / Lipoprotéines et apolipoprotéines plasmatiques. Intérêt de leur dosage dans le dépistage de l'athérosclérose coronarienne. Comparaison avec les informations fournies par la coronarographie.

Plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins A1 and B were determined in a reference population and in 273 patients who underwent coronary arteriography for evaluation of chest pain. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to arteriographic findings. The 102 patients in group A had normal coronary arteries; the 30 patients in group B had small vascular abnormalities but no significant narrowing; the 141 patients in group C had significant vascular lesions with greater than or equal to 50% narrowing. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were quantified using enzymatic methods. HDL cholesterol and phospholipids were enzymatically analyzed after phosphotungstate precipitation. Plasma lipoproteins were evaluated by quantitative electrophoresis based on densitometric scanning of the lipoprotein bands after separation and visualization by polyanion precipitation. Apoproteins A1 and B were measured by electroimmuno-diffusion assay using ready-for-use plates. Statistical evaluation of the data showed that group C patients had higher betalipoprotein and apo B levels and lower alphalipoprotein and apo A1 levels than subjects with normal coronary arteries. The predictive value of these results was established in relation to clinical findings. Plasma lipid measurements proved inadequate to separate the 3 groups. In contrast, the betalipoprotein/alphalipoprotein ratio and, still better, the apo A1/apo B ratio provided good discrimination. The results suggest that measurement of plasma apo A1 and apo B levels is the best means of assessing the risk of coronary artery disease.

[Changes of serum lipoproteins during the course of human malaria (author's transl)]. / Modifications du lipoprotéinogramme au cours du paludisme humain.

Triacylglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol (TC) and serum lipoproteins (SLP) were studied during the course of 12 cases of human malaria and one case of simian inui malaria. The erythrocytic schizogony induced quickly an increase of TAG, a decrease of TC and modifications of SLP such an increase of VLDL parallel with a decrease or a disappearance of HDL. These modifications, always clear-cut, were not correlated with the intensity of parasitaemia or the species of Plasmodium. They were transient but longer than those described in connection with experimental rodent malaria. The changes of HDL could be associated with defective triglyceride removal of the plasma compartment due to an inhibition of the lipoprotein lipase induced by the parasite.

[Enzymatic and serologic study of human trichinosis. Apropos of a recent epidemic in a suburb south of Paris]. / Etude enzymatique et sérologique de la trichinose humaine. A propos d'une récente épidémie de la banlieue sud de Paris.

An enzymatic and immunologic study of 18 patients with trichinosis leads to the following conclusions: The stage of muscular invasion in trichinosis is accompanied by a release of cellular enzymes representative of striated muscle fibres in nearly all the cases. This release can be observed by a study of the LDH iso-enzymes at a time when immunological techniques are not always significantly positive. The specific aspect of this phenomenon can be proposed with reservations since there does not exist any interference with other enzymatic systems such as the gamma-GT and furthermore no other evident cause of muscular lysis is present. The existence of a blood hypereosinophilia completes the biological picture. These early modifications of the enzymatic activities are most probably transient.