Triacylglycerol in the human erythrocyte: quantification and fatty acyl turnover in normal subjects and chronic alcoholics

1991 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brice Lerique ◽  
Marguerite Gastaldi ◽  
Jean Boyer
Keyword(s):  
Human Erythrocyte ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Neutral Lipids ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Fatty Acyl ◽  
Active Metabolites ◽  
A Value ◽  
Normal Human

1. Triacylglycerol in erythrocytes from normal human subjects was estimated to average 2.7 ± 0.7 nmol/1010 cells, equivalent to 0.07% of total lipids or 0.3% of neutral lipids. 2. The specific activity of triacylglycerol labelling attained by incubating intact erythrocytes with [3H]oleic acid was 10 nmol/μmol, a value 20-fold higher than that of the highest labelled phospholipid, sphingomyelin; as isolated by ultracentrifugation over a density gradient, the youngest erythrocytes exhibited a labelling rate 10-fold higher than that of older cells. 3. The triacylglycerol content was not modified in erythrocytes from chronic alcoholics, whereas the mean rate of triacylglycerol labelling was 31% (P <0.05) higher than that of control subjects, and did not normalize 4 weeks after alcohol withdrawal. 4. These results indicate that triacylglycerol, although a quantitatively minor component, is one of the most active metabolites in the lipid matrix of the human erythrocyte membrane and appears to be implicated in the membrane response to antagonistic agents.

Specialized systems for the processing of mnemonic information within the primate frontal cortex

1996 ◽  
Vol 351 (1346) ◽  
pp. 1455-1462 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Frontal Cortex ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Executive Processing ◽  
Severe Impairment ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Cortical Association Areas

The lateral frontal cortex is involved in various aspects of executive processing within short- and long-term memory. It is argued that the different parts of the lateral frontal cortex make distinct contributions to memory that differ in terms of the level of executive processing that is carried out in interaction with posterior cortical systems. According to this hypothesis, the mid-dorsolateral frontal cortex (areas 46 and 9) is a specialized system for the monitoring and manipulation of information within working memory, whereas the mid-ventrolateral frontal cortex (areas 47/12 and 45) is involved in the active retrieval of information from the posterior cortical association areas. Data are presented which support this two-level hypothesis that posits two distinct levels of interaction of the lateral frontal cortex with posterior cortical association areas. Functional activation studies with normal human subjects have demonstrated specific activity within the mid-dorsolateral region of the frontal cortex during the performance of tasks requiring monitoring of self-generated and externally generated sequences of responses. In the monkey, lesions restricted to this region of the frontal cortex yield a severe impairment in performance of the above tasks, this impairment appearing against a background of normal performance on several basic mnemonic tasks. By contrast, a more severe impairment follows damage to the mid-ventrolateral frontal region and functional activation studies have demonstrated specific changes in activity in this region in relation to the active retrieval of information from memory.

Platelet catecholamines and platelet function in normal human subjects

1987 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Wilson ◽  
C. C. T. Smith ◽  
B. N. C. Prichard ◽  
D. J. Betteridge
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Function ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Noradrenaline Content ◽  
Collagen Concentration ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Wall Interaction ◽  
Local Release

1. We have used high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to measure plasma and platelet catecholamines in 24 normal subjects. 2. In the same subjects platelet function was assessed by measuring platelet aggregation in response to adenosine 5′-pyrophosphate, thrombin, adrenaline and collagen. Platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin was also examined. 3. Platelet noradrenaline showed a positive correlation with extent of aggregation induced by ‘low-dose’ collagen (1 μg/ml). No correlation was seen at the higher collagen concentration. 4. Platelet noradrenaline content also correlated with sensitivity of platelets to prostacyclin. High platelet noradrenaline concentrations appeared to result in decreased sensitivity to prostacyclin. 5. No other correlations were observed. 6. These data suggest that platelet noradrenaline rather than plasma levels may be involved in modifying platelet function in vivo. Local release of platelet catecholamines may affect the platelet/vessel wall interaction, the primary physiological step in platelet activation.

Catechol O-Methyltransferase in Red Blood Cells of Schizophrenic, Depressed, and Normal Human Subjects

1976 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen L. White ◽  
Malcolm N. McLeod ◽  
Jonathan R. T. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Enzyme Preparations ◽  
Human Red Blood Cells ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Isoelectric Ph

SummaryCatechol O-methyltransferase of lysed human red blood cells was assayed under optimal conditions, using saturating concentrations of the substrates, S-adenosyl-L-methionine and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The mean enzyme activity found in 24 normal subjects was 29.2 nmol/hr/ml RBC. The mean activity in blood of 33 female unipolar depressives was not significantly different from normal. However, higher enzyme activities were observed in the blood of 11 schizophrenic patients (38.9 nmol/hr/ml RBC). Partially purified enzyme preparations from blood of normal and schizophrenic individuals were indistinguishable with respect to substrate specificities, isoelectric pH values, and ratios of the two O-methylated products. Therefore it is unlikely that any defect in O-methylation which may occur in schizophrenia can be attributed to a change in the intrinsic properties of erythrocyte catechol O-methyltransferase.

Lithium and erythrocyte membrane cation carrier studies in normal and manic depressive subjects

1977 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Naylor ◽  
A. Smith ◽  
L. J. Boardman ◽  
D. A. T. Dick ◽  
E. G. Dick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Manic Depressive Psychosis ◽  
Manic Depressive ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Potassium Influx ◽  
Erythrocyte Sodium

synopsisChanges in the erythrocyte membrane cation carrier following lithium ingestion in normal human subjects were studied; ouabain sensitive potassium influx fell significantly during the lithium treated phase. Lithium was fed to rats and no change in erythrocyte Na-K ATPase was shown. These findings contrast with studies of lithium in manic depressive psychosis. The fluctuations in the erythrocyte membrane cation carrier were studied in 5 normal subjects over 12 weeks and the correlations between the parameters calculated. The erythrocyte sodium concentration correlated positively with the ouabain sensitive potassium influx. This too contrasts with findings in manic depressive psychosis.

Cerebral metabolism of isotopic glucose in chronic mental disease

1959 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 849-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Sacks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disease ◽  
Cerebral Metabolism ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Main Site ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Average Activity ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

A previous investigation of cerebral metabolism of isotopic glucose in normal human subjects was extended and similar studies performed upon chronic psychiatric patients. With variously labeled glucose-C14 as substrates, average activity-time curves and values for cumulative C14O2 resulting from cerebral oxidation of labeled glucose showed no significant variations between normal and psychotic subjects. A significant difference (P < 0.02) between the two groups did occur in comparing the fraction of brain CO2 derived from glucose. Calculations using individual glucose-U-C14 experiments gave averages of 56% for normal subjects and 36% for mental patients. These values agreed with those derived from composite curves of variously labeled glucose. That less brain CO2 was derived from glucose in psychotic subjects seemed to indicate a greater dilution of some carbohydrate intermediate(s) by protein and/or lipid intermediate(s); and, possibly, a decreased cerebral oxidation of carbohydrate. Theoretical considerations suggested that pyruvate and/or lactate might be the main site(s) of dilution. Submitted on January 28, 1959

Functional magnetic stimulation of expiratory muscles: a noninvasive and new method for restoring cough

1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 1144-1150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vernon W. H. Lin ◽  
Caleb Hsieh ◽  
Ian N. Hsiao ◽  
James Canfield
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Stimulation Parameters ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Lower Thoracic Spine ◽  
Expiratory Muscles ◽  
Stimulation Of

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) for producing expiratory function in normal human subjects. Twelve able-bodied normal subjects were recruited for this study. FMS of the expiratory muscles was performed by using a magnetic stimulator and placing the magnetic coil along the lower thoracic spine. Results showed that peak expired pressure, volume, and flow rate generated by FMS at the end of normal inspiration (102.5 ± 13.62 cmH2O, 1.6 ± 0.16 liters, and 4.8 ± 0.35 l/s, respectively) were comparable to their voluntary maximal levels ( P > 0.1). The optimal coil placement was between T7 and T11, and the optimal stimulation parameters were a frequency of 25 Hz and 70–80% of maximal intensity. We conclude that 1) FMS of the lower thoracic nerves in normal subjects resulted in a significant expiratory function comparable to their voluntary maximum; 2) FMS was noninvasive and was well tolerated by all subjects; and 3) FMS may be useful to produce cough in patients in critical care or perioperative settings, or in patients with neurological disorders.

Perception of changes in breathing in normal human subjects

1981 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Wolkove ◽  
M. D. Altose ◽  
S. G. Kelsen ◽  
P. G. Kondapalli ◽  
N. S. Cherniack
Keyword(s):  
Tidal Volume ◽  
Control Volume ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Respiratory Muscles ◽  
Intrathoracic Pressure ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Volume Changes ◽  
Elastic Load ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Pressure Changes

Respiratory sensation was evaluated in normal subjects from their ability to quantitate changes in tidal volume. Subjects attempted to duplicate or double tidal volumes of different sizes while breathing freely or against a resistive or elastic load. When the mechanical conditions during control and test breaths were constant, tidal volume duplication was accomplished with an error of approximately 100 ml, regardless of the control volume. The error in doubling, however, increased progressively with increasing control tidal volume. There was a greater error in both volume duplication and doubling when the mechanical conditions between control and test breaths were changed. When test breaths against a load followed unloaded control breaths, tidal volume failed to double, but intrathoracic pressure changes twice exceeded control values. Conversely, when unloaded test breaths followed loaded control breaths, pressure changes underwent less than a twofold increase while tidal volume more than doubled. The results indicate that tidal volume changes are normally sensed with considerable accuracy and suggest that both tidal volume per se, as well as the forces generated by the respiratory muscles, are used in the estimation of tidal volume changes.

scholarly journals Lactitol, a new hydrogenated lactose derivative: intestinal absorption and laxative threshold in normal human subjects

1987 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmaraj H. Patil ◽  
George K. Grimble ◽  
David B. A. Silk
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Maximum Dose ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Perfusion Technique ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Gastrointestinal Side Effects ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Jejunal Perfusion

1. In the first part of the study, the absorption of lactitol, a new disaccharide analogue of lactose, was studied using an in vivo jejunal perfusion technique in man. Intestinal uptake of lactitol from isotonic solutions containing 10, 30, 60, and 100 mmol lactitol/l was insignificant.2. In the second part of the study the laxative threshold of lactitol was determined and compared with that of sorbitol in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study on twenty-one normal subjects. Laxative threshold was considered to be either the maximum dose tolerated without unacceptable diarrhoea or gastrointestinal side effects, or when the maximum dose in the study was reached. Increasing amounts of lactitol, sorbitol or placebo were administered in two divided doses each day until subjects developed diarrhoea or severe gastrointestinal side effects. The laxative threshold of lactitol (74 (SE 5) g/d) was similar to that of sorbitol (71 (SE 5) g/d).3. These findings indicate that lactitol is not absorbed by the human small intestine. Although diarrhoea or other gastrointestinal side effects occurred as the dose was increased, 40 g lactitol/d was well tolerated.

THE EFFECT OF ADRENALINE ON THE CELL CONTENT OF BLOOD AND SALIVA OF NORMAL MAN

1952 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. N. GHADIALLY
Keyword(s):  
Single Injection ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lymphoid Tissues ◽  
Cell Content ◽  
Left Shift ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Normal Man ◽  
The Difference

The effect of a single dose of 1 ml. 1:1000 adrenaline hydrochloride on the peripheral blood picture of fourteen normal human subjects was studied and an erythrocytosis and leucocytosis was seen in all the subjects. The magnitude of the variations observed have been recorded. No increase in the percentage of reticulocytes or a left shift in the granulocytes was noted. As the size of the post-adrenaline erythrocytosis and leucocytosis did not diminish in four splenectomized subjects, it is suggested that splenic contraction is not the causal factor of these phenomena in man. It seems that the post-adrenaline erythrocytosis in man is due to haemoconcentration, the granulocytosis to a mobilization of cells from the bone marrow and the lymphocytosis to a mobilization of cells from the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues in the body. The variations in the salivary leucocytes after adrenaline show that, when the effect of the drug begins to wear off and the blood leucocyte level begins to fall, leucocytes are eliminated in the saliva. When repeated injections of adrenaline were given to two normal subjects the magnitude of the lymphocytosis was no greater than after a single injection; on the other hand, a very large cumulative granulocytosis occurred, but no left shift was detected. It is suggested that the difference is probably due to the different rates of elimination and/or destruction of these cells in the body.

scholarly journals The Excitability of Human Corticospinal Neurons is Depressed by Thiopental

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-222
Author(s):  
K. Kong ◽  
C. Ukachoke ◽  
G. McGuire ◽  
D. Wong ◽  
P. Ashby
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Spinal Motoneurons ◽  
Corticospinal Pathway ◽  
First Dorsal Interosseous Muscle ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Dorsal Interosseous Muscle

AbstractBackgroundWe tested the effect of thiopental on the excitability of the corticospinal-motoneuron axis in normal human subjects.MethodsMagnetic stimulation was used to excite the neurons in the motor cortex which give rise to the fast conducting corticospinal pathway. The characteristics of the composite excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs) produced in individual spinal motoneurons by cortical stimulation were derived from changes in the firing probability of voluntarily activated motor units of the first dorsal interosseous muscle.ResultsIn 5 normal subjects, we found that thiopental, in incremental doses sufficient to sustain drowsiness (total dose 75 to 175 mg), significantly reduced the amplitude of these composite EPSPs.ConclusionsThiopental reduced the facilitation of motoneurons from the cortex most likely by depressing cortical neurons.

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