Utilidad de la transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos como marcador del consumo de alcohol frente a la gamma-glutamil-transferasa / Carbohydrate deficient transferrin utility as a marker of alcohol consumption versus gamma-glutamyl-transferase

La ingesta crónica de alcohol interfiere en el metabolismo de varios glucoconjugados de los que la transferrina es la más estudiada, apareciendo isoformas deficitarias en radicales carbohidrato por lo que tienen menos carga negativa y por tanto puntos isoeléctricos más elevados de los normas, siendo fácilmente separables por cromatografía de interambio en microcolumna. Se compara la transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos con una enzima largamente utilizada para descubrir consumos de alcohol, la gamma-glutamil-transferasa aumenta en numerosas circunstancias no relacionadas con el consumo de alcohol y se afecta por la edad, sexo, consumo de fármacos etc., lo que le confiere una baja especificidad y escaso valor en el diagnóstico diferencial. Se han llevado a cabo determinaciones paralelas de transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos y gamma-glutamil-transferasa en 136 sueros de varones, encontrándose un Índice de correlación de Pearson de 0.211. Puesto que la gamma-glutamil-transferasa puede no alterarse con el consumo de alcohol, incluso a dosis elevadas, la transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos es la prueba de elección si pretendemos demostrar consumo excesivo de alcohol, consumos pequeños pero continuados o recaídas en individuos abstinentes (AU)

Effects of inhalation of ethyl-ether on glycemia and on some variables of intermediate metabolism in rats.

The influence of a anesthetic, ethyl-ether, on arterial plasma levels of glucose, insulin and lipids was studied in starved Wistar rats. Ethyl-ether increased significantly (P < 0.05) glucose plasma levels, as a result not only of stress and of the release of catecholamines and glucocorticoids, but also of the decrease in the use of glucose by the tissues. Ethyl-ether did not change significantly the level of triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids. Insulin concentration was not increased, even when hyperglycemia was established. Ketonuria, acidosis and hypercapnia were increased. In these rats the administration of insulin produced a diminution in glycemia. The findings suggest that, under anesthesia with ether, the endocrine pancreas is incapable of recognizing glucose as a specific stimulus to promote the release of insulin.

Influence of dietary protein level on growth: effect of clenbuterol.

1. The influence has been studied of a beta-agonist, clenbuterol, on body weight increase, feed efficiency and muscular tissue growth in Wistar rats of two different weights (70 and 200 g) fed with a diet of differing protein levels (4, 10 and 15%). 2. Treatment with clenbuterol had a negative influence on body growth and feed efficiency when the animals were fed with low protein diets (4%). 3. With a higher protein content (10 and 15%), the situation changed completely, and these indices increased, with a relationship appearing between these changes, the agonist dose and the animal's age. 4. In all the experiments clenbuterol improved muscle/body ratio significantly (P less than 0.001). The favourable effect of clenbuterol on muscle growth is due to a specific increase in protein deposition and not to changes in the water content of muscular tissue, even though these changes may be produced.

Electrodermal activity, hormonal levels and subjective experience during the menstrual cycle.

Changes in electrodermal activity and subjective experience were studied during the menstrual cycle. Sixty-two women, grouped into menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal and premenstrual phases, were presented with 15, 4-s, 80-dB, 1000-Hz tones. Psychological states and psychosomatic symptoms were tested with Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a self-report questionnaire. Two estimation procedures of the hormonal phases were used: one based on the onset of menses and cycle length, and another on the basal body temperature. Subjects were grouped into low or high levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone. There were significant increases in nonspecific response frequency, skin conductance response magnitude, skin conductance level, and a decrease in habituation rate at the ovulatory phase in comparison with luteal and premenstrual phases. No changes between the cycle phases were found in subjective experience. High follicle-stimulating hormone levels were associated with slower habituation rates and low trait-anxiety. The relationship between arousal changes and subjective experience in menstrual cycle is discussed.