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In an effort to determine the effect of side chain conformational restriction on opioid receptor selectivity, the cyclic phenylalanine analogues 2-aminoindan-2-carboxylic acid (Aic), 2-aminotetralin-2-carboxylic acid (Atc), and tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Tic) were substituted for Phe in the potent cyclic opioid peptide analogue H-Tyr-D-Orn-Phe-Glu-NH2, which lacks significant opioid receptor selectivity. Compounds were tested in mu- and delta-opioid receptor representative binding assays and bioassays in vitro. The analogue H-Tyr-D-Orn-Aic-Glu-NH2 was found to be a potent agonist with high preference of mu receptors over delta receptors. Opening of the five-membered ring of Aic in the latter peptide, as achieved through substitution of C alpha-methylphenylalanine or o-methylphenylalanine, resulted in only slightly selective compounds, indicating that the high mu selectivity of the Aic analogue is exclusively the consequence of the imposed side chain conformational restriction. Both diastereoisomers of H-Tyr-D-Orn-(D,L)-Atc-Glu-NH2 were highly mu-selective and, in contrast to the weak affinity observed with the D-Phe3 analogue as compared to the L-Phe3 analogue, both had similar potency. Thus, stereospecificity was lost as a consequence of side chain conformational restriction. Further structure-activity data obtained with analogues containing L- or D-homophenylalanine (Hfe) or 3-(1'-naphthyl)alanine (Nap) in place of Phe3 and consideration of geometric interrelationships between Nap and the L and D isomers of Atc, Hfe, and Phe led to the proposal that the D-Phe3 and the D-Atc3 analogue may have different modes of binding to the receptor. The very low potency observed with H-Tyr-D-Orn-N alpha MePhe-Glu-NH2 (N alpha MePhe = N alpha-methylphenylalanine) and H-Tyr-D-Orn-Tic-Glu-NH2 indicated that N alpha-alkylation at the 3-position is detrimental to activity.

There is increasing evidence that some proteases and protease inhibitors are produced within the central nervous system. It has been proposed that the balance between these two classes of proteins may be an important modulator of brain cell growth and differentiation. Here we report that antithrombin III (ATIII) is produced in brain and primary astroglial cultures. In addition, we show that human astroglial cultures contain prothrombin mRNA, and secrete a thrombin-like protein that makes complexes with antithrombin III.

Recent advances in understanding the molecular etiology of colorectal carcinoma have made possible a discussion of molecular targets for therapy of the disease. The genes for two inherited predispositions, familial adenomatous polyposis and the Lynch syndrome, have been mapped to specific chromosomal locations. At least five of the genes that are altered in structure or expression to give rise to the tumorigenic phenotype have been isolated by molecular cloning: The K-ras and N-ras protooncogenes have been shown to be altered by point mutation, and expression of the c-myc protooncogene is deregulated. The p53 and DCC genes, both tumor suppressor genes or antioncogenes, are deleted or altered so as to be rendered nonfunctional. Although a single tumor may not suffer all these changes, available evidence indicates that most colorectal tumors contain at least one of these alterations. In addition, work in cell culture and animal systems indicates that tumor cells may be converted to nonmalignant cells by reversing the effects of just one of these changes.

Low molecular weight (LMW) heparin preparations have unknown distributions of ATIII-binding material, so mean molecular weights as such might bear little information on their anti-factor Xa and anti-thrombin activities, and on the neutralization of these activities by platelet factor 4 (PF4). These properties were investigated in pure systems with proteins of human origin. Pseudo-first order rate constants of inactivation of factor Xa and thrombin by antithrombin III were determined as function of heparin concentration, in the presence of 4.0 mM CaCl2. Despite a large variation in the mean molecular weights, the ratios of the anti-factor Xa over the anti-thrombin activities were essentially the same for the 4th International Standard for heparin (0.46), the 1st International Standard for LMW heparin (0.32), CY216 (0.42) and enoxaparin (0.50). The ultra LMW heparin CY222 had only a 2-times higher ratio (0.98). Analysis of CY216 subfractions, obtained by gel filtration, showed that the heparin molecules of the upper region of the molecular weight distribution are responsible for the anti-thrombin, but also to a large extent for the anti-factor Xa activities. The results indicate that depolymerization of unfractionated heparin does not result in an increased anti-factor Xa/anti-thrombin ratio, because in the presence of Ca(2+)-ions the rate constants of inactivation of factor Xa are lowered as compared to those of native heparin. PF4-dependent neutralization of anti-factor Xa and anti-thrombin activities of fixed concentrations of the LMW heparins was studied by measuring rate constants as function of PF4 concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of different administration of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) and heparin on ATIII and alpha 2-M in 102 patients with cor pulmonale were studied. The results showed that (1) the level of ATIII in patients was significantly lower than that in the controls (P less than 0.01). Heparin intravenous drip induced ATIII decreased; (2) the level of ATIII:A in patients with heparin vapour inhalation treatment was significantly higher than that with regular treatment and with heparin intravenous drip (P less than 0.05) and (P less than 0.005); (3) SM presents ATIII-like activity, after treatment with SM, the level of ATIII:A was significantly higher than that with heparin vapour inhalation, heparin intravenous drip and regular treatment (P less than 0.05-0.005), heparin may enhance the ATIII-like activity of SM; (4) the treatment combining SM intravenous drip with heparin vapour inhalation is an efficient therapy of anticoagulation on the patients with cor pulmonale. The level of alpha 2-M in each group did not reveal significant change.

To further evaluate a possible abnormality in the reticuloendothelial cells in hemochromatosis, the binding of a monoclonal anti-human liver ferritin antibody to monocytes was studied in 19 patients with hemochromatosis, 8 patients with secondary iron overload, 1 patient with hyperferritinemia without iron overload, and 15 normal volunteers. Binding of the antibody to the monocytes was analyzed using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). Binding of the anti-ferritin antibody to monocytes was demonstrated in 34.7 +/- 4.5% (mean +/- standard error) of the monocytes in untreated hemochromatosis patients (mean serum ferritin = 2294 +/- 415 micrograms/L), 6.75 +/- 2.03% in treated hemochromatosis patients (mean serum ferritin = 263 +/- 85 micrograms/L), 12.3 +/- 2.7% of the monocytes in the secondary iron overload patients (mean serum ferritin = 2476 +/- 867 micrograms/L), 4.1% in the patient with hyperferritinemia (serum ferritin = 1192) and 4.1 +/- 0.5% of the monocytes in the normal volunteers (mean serum ferritin = 55.2 +/- 11.9 micrograms/L). % binding of anti-ferritin antibody was significantly greater in hemochromatosis patients compared to patients with secondary iron overload (p less than 0.05) despite a comparable degree of iron overload in the secondary iron overload group. The addition of exogenous human ferritin to samples from treated hemochromatosis patients and normal volunteers did not significantly increase the % of monocytes binding anti-ferritin antibody. These results suggest that monocytes from iron-loaded hemochromatosis patients express increased surface ferritin which may represent release of ferritin and a metabolic defect characteristic of hemochromatosis.

Eighteen patients with chronic renal failure due to primary glomerular disease undergoing conservative treatment (CRF patients) were studied to evaluate whether coagulation and fibrinolytic activity in plasma are enhanced in the patients. We measured plasma levels of coagulation-fibrinolysis parameters including thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) (an index of thrombin formation), alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2 PI)-plasmin complex (alpha 2 PIC) (an indicator of plasmin production) and cross-linked fibrin degradation products (XL-FDP) (an index of fibrinolysis secondary to coagulation). There was no correlation between plasma levels of TAT, alpha 2PIC and XL-FDP and serum creatinine levels in CRF patients. Both fibrinogen and TAT were found to be significantly higher in CRF patients than in normal controls. TAT was negatively correlated with serum albumin or total protein. Antithrombin III (ATIII) activity was significantly lower in CRF patients than in normal controls. CRF patients showed significantly but slightly higher alpha 2 PIC and XL-FDP when compared to normal controls. These results suggest that TAT, alpha 2PIC and XL-FDP are good indicators of coagulation-fibrinolysis even in patients with decreased renal function. Coagulation activity is significantly increased in CRF patients but fibrinolysis secondary to coagulation is only slightly enhanced.

The plasma levels of several haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters were measured before and after delivery in 61 hypertensive pregnant women of whom 22 developed preeclampsia, and compared to the results obtained in 42 normal pregnant women. In the two last weeks before delivery (D less than or equal to -15) tPA antigen, PAI-1 activity, vWF:Ag/FVIII:C ratio, ATIII activity and platelet count were found to be significantly different in the hypertensive pregnant women with and without preeclampsia. Combined all together, an association of three of these five parameters were found to be pathological (i.e.:tPA:Ag greater than or equal to 19 ng/ml, PAI-1 activity greater than or equal to 58 IU/ml, vWF:Ag/FVIII:C ratio greater than or equal to 2.6, ATIII activity less than or equal to 73%) in none of the hypertensive women without preeclampsia and in only 35% of the preeclamptic group. A positive correlation was demonstrated between vWF:Ag/FVIII:C ratio and tPA:antigen levels suggesting that both tPA and vWF:Ag could be considered as early indicators of a possible micro angiopathy occurring in preeclampsia. However, due to the high dispersion of the results, it appears that the investigated haemostatic and/or fibrinolytic criteria give only presumptive arguments before assigning risk for preeclampsia development among hypertensive pregnant women.

cDNA clones corresponding to an Mr approximately 80,000 receptor (type I receptor) for interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been isolated previously by mammalian expression. Here, we report the use of an improved expression cloning method to isolate human and murine cDNA clones encoding a second type (Mr approximately 60,000) of IL-1 receptor (type II receptor). The mature type II IL-1 receptor consists of (i) a ligand binding portion comprised of three immunoglobulin-like domains; (ii) a single transmembrane region; and (iii) a short cytoplasmic domain of 29 amino acids. This last contrasts with the approximately 215 amino acid cytoplasmic domain of the type I receptor, and suggests that the two IL-1 receptors may interact with different signal transduction pathways. The type II receptor is expressed in a number of different tissues, including both B and T lymphocytes, and can be induced in several cell types by treatment with phorbol ester. Both IL-1 receptors appear to be well conserved in evolution, and map to the same chromosomal location. Like the type I receptor, the human type II IL-1 receptor can bind all three forms of IL-1 (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1ra). Vaccinia virus contains an open reading frame bearing strong resemblance to the type II IL-1 receptor.

Thirty-two patients, nineteen males and thirteen females, mean age 59.4 +/- 11.9 years, 18 with peripheral arteriopathy Fontaine stage II and 14 with cerebral vasculopathy were submitted to treatment with picotamide, 900 mg/die. In basal conditions and after 30 and 60 days of treatment, we evaluated some blood clotting parameters concerning both platelets (circulating platelet aggregates, beta-thromboglobulin, TxB2, 6-keto-pgF1 alpha) and plasma (fibrinogen, plasminogen, ATIII, Factor VIII-C and VIII Ag, prothrombin time, activated thromboplastin time) and some instrumental parameters such as walking distance and Doppler with a post-ischaemic hyperaemia test in patients with peripheral arteriopathy and Doppler of epiaortic vessels with resistance and pressure-perfusion index evaluation in patients with cerebral vasculopathy. Treatment with picotamide significantly reduced circulating platelet aggregates, beta-TG and TxB2 levels, without change of 6-keto-PGF-alpha values, with reduction of F VIII-C and slight increase of plasminogen and ATIII levels. In patients with peripheral arteriopathy after two months, a significant increase in distance and an improvement of arteriolar reactivity were observed, as shown by increase of the perfusion-index and by reduction of the post-ischaemic recovery time. These observations, together with the good tolerance of the drug, justify the use of picotamide in the treatment of patients with atherosclerotic vasculopathy at different localizations.

The murine MHC provides a unique genetic system for studying meiotic recombination. A large number of murine H-2 recombinants cross over within a stretch of the E beta gene referred to as the E beta hot spot. The crossing over of eight such recombinants, derived from the s and k haplotypes, was studied at the nucleotide level. A 3-kb stretch of DNA, 3' to the beta 1 exon of the E beta gene, was sequenced after amplification of the genomic DNA from B10.S (one of the parental strains) by polymerase chain reaction. A number of sequence variations were identified with respect to B10.A (the other parental strain). Examination of these sequence variations by RFLP, simple sequence length polymorphism, as well as direct sequencing after polymerase chain reaction-amplification of genomic DNA from the recombinants led to unambiguous identification of the cross-over sites. Although all eight recombinants crossed over within the beta 1-beta 2 intron, two discrete nonoverlapping sites were involved. Five of the recombinants B10.BASR1, B10.ASR1, B10.ASR12, B10.HTT, and B10.S(9R) crossed over within a maximum of 395 bp of DNA 3' to the beta 1 exon. The remaining three recombinants B10.ASR7, B10.ASR11, and B10.S(8R) crossed over within 950 bp of DNA, adjacent to the cross-over site noted above. Each of these stretches of DNA was completely identical in the two parental haplotypes precluding further dissection of the cross-over sites. These cross-over sites are within those reported for the b and k recombination.

A 50 year-old patient with sickle cell anemia was seen who had received only two units of blood during his lifetime. He had marked iron overloading, cirrhosis of the liver, arthralgia, and mild glucose intolerance. We believe the iron overloading was associated with hereditary hemochromatosis rather than sickle cell anemia because he had HLA-A3 and B7 antigens, and hepatic iron deposits were primarily in parenchymal cells rather than Kupfer cells. The coexistence of either homozygous or heterozygous hemochromatosis should be suspected in sickle cell patients with organ damage from iron overloading.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the faecal stream and stasis on the mucosa of ileal pouches. Nine patients were followed up. Two pouch biopsy specimens were obtained from each at the time of pouch formation, ileostomy closure, and three, six, and 12 months after operation. None developed pouchitis. Two pouch biopsy specimens each were also obtained from 20 patients (six with pouchitis), whose pouches had been functioning for at least a year and in whom pouch evacuation was assessed by radioisotope labelled artificial stool. Biopsy specimens were assessed for the degree of acute and chronic inflammation, mucin type (high iron diamine-alcian blue stain), a morphometric index of villous atrophy (villous height:total mucosal thickness), and crypt cell proliferation (using the monoclonal antibody Ki67). Mean values from the two biopsy specimens were obtained for each parameter. After three months of pouch function, the scores for acute and chronic inflammation, the degree of sulphomucin, and crypt cell proliferation were significantly higher, and the index of villous atrophy was significantly lower (indicating a greater degree of villous atrophy), than at pouch formation or at ileostomy closure. The values at pouch formation and ileostomy closure were similar. For all parameters, the changes seen at six and 12 months were not significantly different from those at three months. There was no significant correlation between the efficiency of pouch evacuation and any of the mucosal changes. It is concluded that exposure to the faecal stream is necessary for changes to take place in the pouch mucosa, although the amount of stasis, as measured by radioisotopic evacuation studies, seems to be irrelevant. The mucosal changes occur soon after ileostomy closure and then remain stable for at least one year.

For quantitative assessments of sex hormone receptors in liver tissue, ligand binding assays are inconvenient, as they require large biopsies (0.5-1.0 g). The present study shows that it is possible to measure oestrogen receptors (ER) quantitatively in needle biopsy specimens as small as 10 mg by modifications of a commercial enzyme immunoassay employing monoclonal antibodies. Sucrose gradient centrifugation and the dextran charcoal method served as reference methods. A consecutive series of needle biopsies from patients suspected of liver disease were investigated. The biopsies (n = 37) had a median weight of 14 mg and cytosolic protein concentrations greater than 1 mg/ml (median 1.28 mg/ml). The median ER concentration was 20 fmol/mg cytosolic protein (range 5 to 57 fmol/mg). The intra-assay coefficient of variation was 8.9%, the inter-assay 13.2%, and the detection limit 2.7 fmol/ml cytosol. Women had significantly higher ER concentrations (median 22 fmol/mg) compared to male patients (median 16 fmol/mg) (P = 0.007). The enzyme immunoassay measures ER in liver specimens as small as 10 mg, compared to the large tissue specimens necessary for the conventional DCC assay, and the method is a convenient tool for further studies of ER in routine needle biopsies from the liver.

To study the role of lysozomal enzyme released from polymorphonuclear leukocytes during postoperative infections, plasma levels of PMNE were measured serially in 53 patients who underwent digestive surgery. The patients were divided into two groups, 18 patients with postoperative infections (infected group), and 35 patients without infections (non-infected group). The PMNE levels in the non-infected group elevated during one week with peak value in one postoperative day, but returned to preoperative levels in two weeks. The levels of fibronectin (FN), C3, C4 and antithrombin III (ATIII) were decreased after surgery, but returned within seven postoperative days. On the contrary, the PMNE levels in the infected group remained high two weeks after operations and elevated higher than those of non-infected group before clinical signs of infections. In infected group, the levels of FN and ATIII were significantly decreased two weeks after surgery, compared to those of non-infected group. Correlations were demonstrated between the amount of PMNE and the decrease in the levels of FN and ATIII. It is suggested PMNE might play a role in the pathobiochemical alterations including of acceleration of coagulation during postoperative infections. The measurement of the levels of PMNE in the postoperative course seems to be an useful index to early diagnosis of postoperative infections.

Thirty-five patients with breast cancer were examined for estrogen receptor (ER) by biochemically and immunohistochemically, and sensitivity to antiestrogen agents was investigated experimentally in order to obtain strict indications for antiestrogen therapy. Biochemically, cytoplasmic and nuclear ER (ERc and ERn) were determined using the DCC method. Immunohistochemical assay of ER (ER-ICA) was carried out using the enzyme-labeled antibody method. Sensitivity to antiestrogen agents was determined by subrenal capsule assay (SRCA). 1. The positive rates were 63.0% for ERc, 40.7% for ERn, and 44.4% for ER-ICA. 2. Anti-estrogen therapy was effective in 64.7% of ERc-positive patients, 72.7% of ERn-positive patients, and 91.7% of ER-ICA-positive patients. 3. ER-ICA was negative in 83.3% of ERc-positive patients who did not respond to antiestrogen therapy. Both of the two patients who were negative for ERc and responded to antiestrogen therapy were ER-ICA-positive. Thus, it seems possible that indications for antiestrogen therapy can be specified more strictly than before, using the results of ER assay by the enzyme-labeled antibody method.