Serum ganglioside patterns in multiple sclerosis.

The relative distribution of gangliosides was determined in the serum of 37 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and of 30 healthy subjects. There was a significant increase of GM1 and GD1a, and a decrease of GM3 proportion in the serum of relapsing-remitting MS patients (RRMS) during their first MS attack. The RRMS patients in relapse with a long duration of the disease had a significant decrease of GM1 and an increase of GD1a portion in the serum. An increase of GD1a, one of the major brain neuron ganglioside fraction, suggested the neuron injury in the early and with a long duration RRMS. The finding of an increase of GM1, the main human myelin ganglioside, during the first MS attack in RRMS patients confirms previous evidence for the possible involvement of gangliosides in the early pathological course of demyelination in MS.

The experimental obesity by high-fat feeding--a model for evaluation of the biological value of fats.

The experimental obesity by high-fat feeding of rats, introduced after weaning, was found to be a suitable model for evaluation of the biological value of nutritional fats with different fatty acid composition: butter (group B), lard (L), partially hydrogenated oil (H), lard + sunflower oil 2:1 (LS). The differences in the fatty acid composition of these regimens affect: the efficiency in creating the model of obesity; the hormonal pattern of blood plasma; some metabolic pathways in liver and adipose tissue (especially in group H); the fatty acid composition of some structural, reserve and transport lipids; some biological tests indicative of membrane's phospholipid and fatty acid composition, i.e. the rate of platelets aggregation. A special attention should be paid to the striking differences in the cellularity and morphogenesis of adipose tissue in group B (hyperplastic obesity) in comparison with all other high-fat groups (hypertrophic obesity), irrespective of the identical energy and protein content of the diets. Thus, the early administration of a diet with butterfat (50% of energy) promoted a model of hyperplastic obesity, while the isocaloric diet with lard + sunflower oil caused a hypertrophic type of obesity. The authors have proved the regenerating capacity of the periepididymal fat pad in adult rats after partial lipectomy. The relative contribution of endogenic and exogenic (nutritional) factors in this process is discussed and the modifications in the cellularity of adipose tissue on these conditions are evaluated.

[Cholesterol ester-composition of the adrenal glands of rats in various fat-rich diet regimes]. / Cholesterolester-Zusammensetzung in Nebennieren von Ratten bei verschiedenen fettreichen Diätregimen.

Cells of adrenal cortex (AC) contain in about 80-90% cholesterol esters (CE), related to total cholesterol. It is assumed, that dietary fats can influence the composition of CE and hydrolytic activity of AC, leading to disorders in steroid biosynthesis. Results are presented about fatty acid composition of CE of AC from rats, fed with a fat rich diet containing different dietary fats. 5 groups and 2 subgroups of male rats at the age of 11 months were investigated: group K--control; group Oil--sunflower oil + lard; group Sch--lard; group Bu--butter; group Hy--hydrogenated oil: Every 5 animals from groups Oil and Bu were treated with dehydroepiandrosterone. Lipids of AC were extracted and analyzed chromatographically. The content of CE and other lipid classes did not differ among experimental groups and control. Differences in fatty acid composition of AC--CE, however, reflect the composition of dietary fats. Trans-isomers were detected by Ag+-thin layer chromatography. It can be assumed, that physiological barrier against trans-isomers is low. Possibly fat rich diets inhibits utilization of linoleic acid, leading to a deficit of arachidonic acid, which influences prostaglandin synthesis and causes disorders in steroid biosynthesis. Hormone treated animals showed minor differences in fatty acid composition of CE in AC in comparison to control. The results outline, that fat-rich diets with different dietary fats influence the composition of CE in AC.

[Ester-bound cholesterol composition in high-density lipoproteins]. / Sustav na esterno svurzan kholesterin v lipoproteidi s visoka plutnost (HDL).

Fifty four workers (28 males and 26 females) from a chemical plant were studied. The basic lipid indices--cholesterine and triglycerides were determined. The population group examined was almost homogenous as regards age and lipid state. The level of HDL-cholesterine was determined after HDL separation via dextran sulphate and MgCl2 sedimentation. The analysis was performed after the extraction of the lipid component. In another part of the extract, cholesterine esters were determined via Ag+-thin layer chromatography, according to density rate of fatty acids in its composition. The patients were provisionally grouped according to the data on HDL-cholesterine, namely--under and over and 35 mg% (males) and 45 mg% (females). The level of cholesterine--linoleate and arachidonate were discussed in the thus differentiated groups of the examined. HDL was presumed to eliminate not only cholesterine from the peripheral tissues but to regulate the level of the system linoleic--arachidonic acids, being genetically associated with biosynthesis of prostaglandin-like substances. The high HDL level in serum, regulating the substrate provision for biosynthesis of prostaglandin-like substances is also admitted to contribute to the equilibrium in the physiological activity of prostaglandin-antagonists as well.

[Lipid makeup of the organs of normal white rats]. / Sustav na lipidite v niakoi organi na normalni beli plukhove.

The lipid composition of some tissues and organs of Wistar rats fed on control diet (conventional palets) was studied by a modified thin-layer chromatographic technique for determination of lipid groups and by gas chromatographic analysis of the fatty acid composition of triglycerides and phospholipids in the different organs. Data are adduced on the content of total lipids, esterified cholesterol, triglycerides, fatty acids, free cholesterol and phospholipids in the following organs and tissues: plasma, liver, lung, heart, muscle, adipose tissue, testes, brain, adrenals, bone marrow, thymus, red cells and lymph nodes. The fatty acid composition of these organs, resp. of their phospholipids and triglycerides was also determined. Data are given on five fatty acids, viewed from a physiological background. The data obtained in this assay may be used in comparative studies of lipid changes in rat organs and tissues.

[Serum lipid group response after intralipid loading]. / Otgovor na serumnite lipidni grupi sled obremeniavane s intralipid.

A method is presented for the determination of serum lipid groups changes in conditions of venous fatty tolerance test as well as for time defining in reaching the initial levels of serum triglycerides. A variant of the quantitative thin-layer chromatography is applied, combined with carbonization and densitometry for lipid groups determination in the serum of 40 patients, subdivided into four groups: with chronic ischemic heart disease, with arterial hypertension, with obesity and a control ggroup. Lipid analysis was carried out by the 5th, 20th and 40th minute after the beginning of the test. After loading with Intralipid, it was established to develop quantitative changes not only in triglycerides but in the rest of the lipid groups as well. At the same time, the time for reaching the initial values of triglycerides, calculated by extrapolation, shows significant differences between the control group and those with ischemic heart disease and arterial hypertension. The investigation method adopted guarantees more thorough information about lipid changes after Intralipid infection, than the method with the determination of plasma opasity in corresponding time intervals. The criterion "time for reaching the initial values" characterized more fully the dynamic changes in triglycerides and could be used in the detection of latent anomalies in lipid metabolism.

[Relationship between diet and some risk factors]. / Untersuchungen über Beziehungen zwischen der Ernährungsweise und einigen Risikofaktoren.

The authors evaluated data from the dietary histories of 203 individuals from Sofia and Varna who had been asked identical questions. The results of this investigation show that 42% of these these individuals have no marked liking for a certain diet (group 1), 28% prefer a high protein diet (group 2), 23% are partial to a high carbohydrate diet (group 3), and 6% give preference to a high fat diet (group 4). It was found that the individuals in group 1 showed the smallest deviations from the normal values for serum lipids. Coronary symptoms were most marked in the individuals in group 4, followed by those in the groups 3, 2 and 1. It was stated that men prefer a high protein diet to a greater extent than women. Consumers of alcohol and smokers have no liking for a high carbohydrate diet. Individuals prefering fats and a high carbohydrate diet lack a daily dietary rhythm. The latter also showed marked variations in body weight, i.e., periods of weight reduction and periods of weight increase. The most favourable findings with regard to serum lipids, body weight and dietary rhythm were obtained from individuals with obvious preference for a certain diet, i. e., those with a balanced diet. The present investigation is suited as a model for a more comprehensive epidemiological study.

The influence of egg consumption on the serum cholesterol level in human subjects.

The influence of whole fresh eggs on the serum cholesterol level in men and women was studied independently in hospitalized patients in Sofia, Prague and Urbana-Champaign. The patients were fed two eggs or the equivalent of two eggs in a custard base or milk shake in addition to the foods that were consumed in their diet pattern. The serum cholesterol level was determined before and at periods varying from 5 hr to 54 days after the consumption of the eggs. The mixed fatty acid composition of the total lipids in the serum and the erythrocytes was also determined. In the majority of patients, the serum cholesterol level did not change significantly 5 hr after the consumption of 465 mg of cholesterol in an egg custard base or milk shake or after up to 54 days of continued consumption of two whole eggs per day. The serum cholesterol level of some subjects increased and others decreased at all three experimental sites. A comparison of the mixed fatty acid composition of the total serum lipids obtained from men and women who had received treatment for other reasons than cardiovascular disease with those that had been treated for cardiovascular disease indicated that the serum from both groups contained a substantial amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The lipids extracted from the red blood cells obtained from patients in Urbana-Champaign and Sofia did not differ significantly in linoleic and arachidonic acid content.

[Program for the study of lipids and lipid groups in human biological fluids and tissues]. / Programa za izsledvane na lipidi i lipidni grupi v biologichni technosti i tukani na chovek.

A brief survey of the well known and used methods for separate determination of lipids and lipid groups is presented. A systematic course for lipid analysis is proposed. It has two advantages--lipid extract is used and chromatographic technique is applied. The reliability and accuracy of the analytical results are guaranteed. A scheme is presented for the respective links in the systematic course as well as for their practical application in the clinical practice in obtaining maximal information about the lipid state. A comparison is made between the methodical links included in the systematic course (author's own elaboration) and the methods cited in literature.

[Micromethod for studying lipid groups in the serum]. / Mikrometod za izsledvane na lipidni grupi v serum.

A microanalytical variant for the determination of lipids and lipid groups in serum is described, by the application of chromatographis technique and densitometric measurement of the separated zones. The variant scheme is as follows: lipid extraction, distribution of the extract for determination into total lipids, total cholesterine and chromatographic separation of the lipid mixture. Sulphonamic acid, embeded in the layer is used in the carbonization of the zones from the chromatogram. The conditions of carbonization and densitometry are indicated. The accuracy and reproducibility of the analytical determinations according to the scheme presented meet the requirements. The calculation of the results from the densitogram in the adopted mg per 100 ml is through the usage of test established correction factors. Seven lipid indices could be determined in 0.2 ml serum and manipulation time analysis for 10 samples is two hours. A special advantage of the method proposed is the possibility of accurately studying the dynamic of the lipid group in different morbid states or at experimental work. The method could be adopted, without principal changes for analysis of tissue lipids.

[Several lipid indices in hypertension]. / Niakoi lipidni pokazateli pri khipertonichno bolni

Forty four patients with arterial hypertension were examined. Thorough clinical examinations were carried out. Total lipids, total cholesterin and triglycerides in serum were determined at the laboratory. The lipid-acid composition of erythrocytes was studied by gas chromatography of the same patients. A control group of 10 healthy subjects were also examined. Hyperlipemia incidence among the patients amounts to 75 per cent. The ratio saturated (monoene and monoene) diene fatty acids was found to be increased in erythrocyte lipids of hypertonics. The deficiency of polyene fatty acids in erythrocytes was discussed to correlate to their deficiency in plasma. A relationship was established between the deficiency of polyene fatty acids in erythrocytes and the hyperlipemia present.