Lipidemic effect of methanol.

The effect of methanol on some of the lipid components in serum was studied in rats. Methanol was administered by stomach tube in doses of 2 and 6 ml/kg b.wt daily for 21 and 6 days, respectively. Methanol was found to accumulate lipids; thus, cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides increased significantly. Concurrently, modification of the lipoid content of organs has been considered. It was concluded that methanol and not only formate, is toxic to rats, inspite of the alleged difference in routes of its metabolism in primates and rodents.

Evaluation of oxyhemoglobin determination on the base of heme-heme interaction band.

Oxyhemoglobin estimation on the base of heme-heme interaction band (spin state band) according to Lambert-Beer's law on 50 normal and 300 traffic policemen subjects gave 82.2% and 72.4% of the total Hb respectively. This method excludes the other derivatives such as HbCo, Mat-Hb and HbS that increased in air pollution and in many diseases as well. Moreover, this method makes it possible to determine the actual degree of anaemia, besides its high reproducibility.

Immunochemical studies of serum, urine and calculus proteins in urolithiasis.

Total serum protein levels in 70 patients with urolithiasis were not significantly different from those in 20 control subjects, although certain variations were detected in individual protein patterns. In contrast, total urinary protein was significantly higher in patients with urolithiasis. 4-6 different components, i.e., albumin, alpha 1-acidic glycoprotein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, Gc-globulin, fibrinogen and immunoglobulin G, were found in the matrices of calculi and in urine, suggesting that proteinuria may play a role in the formation of stones in patients with urolithiasis.

Relation between dietary fat composition and lipid metabolism in the rat.

Three fats were used in a synthetic dietary formula containing 20% of its composition as fat from either lard, peanut oil or maize oil. Twelve groups of rats were included in this study, six groups served as controls; 3 from each sex. Control groups received the same dietary formula except fat content was 10%. Saturated dietary fats in male rats seems to be atherogenic while in females, increasing dietary fat to 20% gave atherogenic picture.

Fibrinolytic activity of an enzyme produced by Bacillus subtilis.

Proteolytic activity of a fibrinolytic enzyme isolated from B. subtilis was tested on fibrin plates plasminogen-free and plasminogen-rich. Results showed that the enzyme is not a plasminogen activator. Inhibitory effect of human serum and plasma was also tested. The plasma and not serum showed a slight inhibitory effect on proteolytic activity of this enzyme.

Purification and properties of a fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus subtilis.

A fibrinolytic enzyme obtained from B. subtilis was purified, using DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The preparation was homogeneous as tested by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, and disc electrophoresis. The molecular weight of this enzyme was 29.400 estimated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The optimum pH for enzyme activity was 7.2 Copper ions significantly increased enzyme activity, while Zn++ and Mn++ caused marked inhibition.

Some properties of two purified fibinolytic enzymes from Bacillus subtilis and B. polymyxa.

Two fibrinolytic enzymes isolated from B. subtilis and from B. polymyxa were purified using a five step method. The pH optimum for the enzyme from B. subtilis was 7.2 and for the enzyme from B. polymyxa was 7.0. Both enzymes were activated by Cu++. The molecular weight of the first enzyme was 29,400 and that for the second enzyme was 18,000 on the basis of gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The enzyme from B. subtilis has higher affinity to buffalo fibrin than towards human fibrin. The enzyme from B. polymyxa has higher affinity to human fibrin than towards buffalo fibrin.

Effect of dietary fats and triiodothyronine administration on the lipid components of serum and tissues in the rat.

Twelve groups of rats were included in this study. Six groups (3 males and 3 females) received high fat diets containing 20% of either peanut oil, maize oil or lard. The other six groups received the same diets plus triiodothyronine. Triiodothyronine T3 added to diets containing peanut oil caused slight increase in total serum lipids in female rats, while in male rats serum total lipids were increased about 20-fold. T3 administration caused almost no change in aortic total and all lipid fractions in male rats kept on diets containing any of the fats used. Female rats kept on lard plus T3 showed a rise in cholesterol free and esterified and phospholipid contents of aorta lipids.

Production physiology and properties of a novel fungal fibrinolytic enzyme.

A potent extracellular fibrinolytic enzyme was obtained from cultures of the imperfect fungus Fusarium semitectum under certain growth conditions. Nitrate addition to cultures increased enzyme production. The enzyme showed a versatile proteolytic activity against several protein substrates including casein, gelatin, haemoglobin, bovine serum albumin, and fibrin from both buffalo and human sources. Optimal fibrinolysis occurred at pH values around 7.0. The fibrinolytic activity exhibited marked heat stability in enzyme samples heated at 60 degrees C, and retained more than 40% of its activity in samples heated to 100 degrees C for 10 min. Fibrinolysis proceeded optimally in the temperature range between 50--60 degrees C. Copper ions significantly activated the enzyme. Other biochemical properties are also reported.