Losartan influences behavioural effects of angiotensin II in rats.

The role of the angiotensin AT1 receptors in certain behavioural effects of angiotensin II (Ang II), using their selective antagonist losartan (DuP 753), was assessed. Ang II, given intracerebroventricularly (ICV) at the dose of 1 nmole, significantly improved object recognition, learning of conditioned avoidance responses (CARs), and recall of a passive avoidance behaviour. Losartan alone (1 microgram) was ineffective in any test except for the elevated 'plus' maze measuring anxiety which was diminished by the drug, both in peptide treated and in control rats. Losartan, given 5 min before Ang II, abolished improved after the peptide recall of the passive avoidance and object recognition. Losartan did not influence increased after Ang II rate of CARs acquisition. None of the treatments significantly changed behaviour of rats in the open field. The results point to the considerable involvement of the AT1 angiotensin receptors in the cognition improving effects of Ang II. However, unspecific psychoactivity of losartan should also be taken into account.

Antibody levels to Candida albicans carbohydrate and major cytoplasmic antigens isolated from standard and patient strains.

A solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) and ELISA were used to detect human antibodies to Candida albicans (CA) organisms or purified fractions, namely, carbohydrate-rich fraction (CRF) and cytoplasmic peptides (SSF) of CA. IgG antibodies to either whole organisms or to CRF were found in sera obtained from patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMCC) or digestive candidiasis, as well as in healthy control sera. In patient sera, no correlation between the clinical stage of disease and the IgG anti-CRF levels was found. In contrast, antibodies to SSF were absent in healthy control sera. IgM anti-SSF in the absence of IgG anti-SSF were found in sera of patients with recent digestive candidiasis, and low levels of IgM and IgG Ab were detected in sera of CMCC patients. The lack of correlation between IgG anti-CRF levels and clinical status can, in part, be explained by the individual variability of Candida strains and by the inadequacy of the laboratory standard antigens in the antibody assays used. The clinical relevance of different tests to detect anti-CA antibodies is discussed.

Diagnostic significance of the human antibody response to a major cytoplasmic antigen of C. albicans.

In contrast to the ubiquitous presence of IgG antibodies to mannan or to crude antigen preparations of C. albicans (CA), antibodies to a purified cytoplasmic antigen (SSF) of CA were detected by ELISA only in patients with candidiasis. The differences of mean absorbancy values found in different groups of sera can allow the distinction of normal sensitized controls from patients with candidiasis and can also distinguish between patients with different degrees of C. albicans invasion.

[Determination of active T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood by the AE rosette test. Correlation of the AE and E rosette tests with lymphocyte reactivity in vitro after PHA stimulation]. / Oznaczanie limfocytów T aktywnych w krwi obwodowej za pomoca testu rozetkowego AE. Próba korelacji testów rozetkowych AE i E z reaktywnoscia limfocytów in vitro po stymulacji fitohemaglutynina (PHA).

AE rosette test (Wybran and Fudenberg) detects T lymphocyte subpopulation and correlates with cellular immunity. In this study we found decreased percentage of active T lymphocytes mainly in peripheral blood of newborns, in children with frequent infections and with malabsorption syndrome. We tried to correlate AE and E rosette tests with PHA lymphocyte reactivity in vitro in 231 patients. We found that decreased PHA lymphocytes reactivity better correlates with decreased percentage of active T lymphocytes than with total number of T lymphocytes. Active rosette test (AE) can be usefull in evaluation of cellular immunity in children.