Copper deficiency and hyperlipoproteinemia induced by a tetramine cupruretic agent in rabbits.

The effectiveness of a cupruretic agent, N,N'-bis-(2 amino ethyl)-1,3-propanediamine HCl or 2,3,2-tetramine HCl (TETA), in the induction of copper (Cu) deficiency and the ability of a Cu-deficient diet in the maintenance of the depressed Cu status 10 wk after TETA treatment were examined in this study. In the first experiment, 42 male New Zealand White rabbits, 35 d of age, were randomly divided into three dietary treatments: a copper (Cu)-deficient (2.3 mg Cu/kg diet), a Cu-adequate (13.5 mg Cu/kg diet), and a commercial ration (21.6 mg Cu/kg diet) group. A single oral dose of 100 mg of 2,3,2-tetramine HCl TETA/kg body wt/d were administered to half of the rabbits from each treatment group for 10 d while the remaining rabbits were untreated. In the second experiment, 10 similar rabbits were assigned to three treatments: Cu-deficient plus TETA (n = 4); Cu-adequate plus TETA (n = 3); and Cu-adequate alone (n = 3). The rabbits were fed a TETA dose of 100 mg/d for three 4-d periods over 3 wk, and thereafter maintained on the diets for another 10 wk. Rabbits from the first experiment fed Cu-deficient diet and treated with TETA demonstrated cardiac hypertrophy and markedly reduced plasma and liver Cu concentrations that indicated that the animals were Cu-deficient. Significant elevations (twofold) in low density lipoprotein (LDL) protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B (apo B) concentrations were observed in TETA treated rabbits fed Cu-deficient diet. In the second experiment, the plasma LDL protein level remained elevated, the plasma Cu level was reduced 45%, and the Cu level of the heart when expressed as microgram/g dry tissue was reduced, 10 wk post TETA treatment in rabbits maintained on Cu-deficient diet. Thus, Cu deficiency and hyperlipoproteinemia was rapidly induced by TETA and was still evident 10 wk posttreatment in rabbits maintained on a Cu-deficient diet.

Rates of triolein absorption in suckling and adult rats.

To determine the extent to which suckling animals differ from adults in their capacity to absorb fat, we compared the rate of absorption of orally administered [14C]triolein in 11- to 12-day-old suckling rats with that of 10-wk-old adults by three distinct methods. In the first, the rate of [14C]triolein disappearance was determined by quantitating substrate remaining in the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. In the second, 14CO2 expiration in breath was measured continuously for 6 h after an identical feeding. In the third, intestinal triglyceride output was estimated by the lipoprotein lipase inhibitor, Triton WR-1339. Triolein disappearance, 14CO2 excretion, and intestinal triglyceride output were two- to threefold higher in suckling rats compared with adults (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.0001, and P less than 0.01, respectively). There was also a highly significant linear relationship between 14CO2 excretion and both triolein disappearance and intestinal triglyceride output for both age groups (P less than 0.0001 and P less than 0.003, respectively). These data show that consistent with its high dietary intake, the suckling rat can absorb triolein at rates significantly higher than the adult.

A replica technique for the evaluation of human skin by scanning electron microscopy.

A detailed reproducible procedure has been developed for the replication of human skin for scanning electron-microscopic evaluation. Utilizing a test surface, a number of negative and positive materials were evaluated for consistence and clarity of replication. Optimal replication parameters were determined and the method was successfully applied to the evaluation of human skin in vivo. Furthermore, a method was established which permitted repetitive examination of selected skin sites. Experimental results suggest that this replicating procedure can be used to monitor changes in the stratum corneum over time, and extend the range of stratum corneum magnifications.