Adam Kolataj

Influence of microcystin-YR and nodularin on the activity of some proteolytic enzymes in mouse liver

The activity of cathepsins D and L, arginine aminopeptidase, dipeptidase II and dipeptidase IV was determined in the lysosomal, microsomal, cytoplasmatic fractions and in the complete homogenate of the mouse hepatocytes following injection of microcystin-YR and nodularin. The effect of both toxins depended on the time of action and on the fraction of cell cytoplasm. Microcystin-YR inhibited the synthesis of the studied proteases and caused a labialization of lysosomal membranes, whereas nodularin induced the synthesis of the enzymes and destabilized the reticulum endoplasmatic membranes.

The effect of small doses of mercury on the level of selected lysosomal enzymes in the plasma and lymphocytes of sheep

1. The 12-month-old ewes, Slovak Merinos breed, were given 40 mg of mercury daily for 28 days in the form of HgCl2. 2. Administration of mercury had a significant influence on the activity of the investigated lysosomal enzymes in the plasma and lymphocytes of sheep.

Effect of benzene and carbon tetrachloride inhalation on osmotic resistance of rabbit erythrocytes

Abstract 1. 1. Benzene and CCl 4 inhalation resulted in a decrease of erythrocytes osmotic resistance in rabbit. 2. 2. It seems that changes observed in parallel of rabbit internal organs were also caused by the toxic effect of these substances.

Effect of insulin on concentration of sulfhydryl groups in chick blood.

Abstract 1. For 1-day-old chicken the 30% decrease of SH-groups concentration was observed at 30 min after insulin injection (5u./kg of body weight) and then, after 240 min, an increase to 90.4% of the control value. The decrease of glucose concentration was maximal at 90 min after insulin injection (30.3%) and after 240 min glucose concentration returned to its original value. 2. For 90-day-old chicken 240 min after the insulin injection (10u./kg of body weight) there was a 22.5% increase of the content of SH-groups. At the same time the decrease of glucose concentration amounts to 54.5% of the control value.

The activity of certain enzymes in the blood serum of rabbits during a histamine and acetylcholine shock

Abstract 1. Observations carried out on the activity of certain enzymes in the blood serum of rabbits during histamine and acetylcholine shock demonstrated that the degree of change in activity depended on the kind of enzyme and the time lapsed since the shock. 2. Thus in both types of shock the activity of lactate dehydrogenase rapidly increases and the activity of alanine aminotransferase decreases. 3. Neither the activity of aldolase nor the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase change significantly during either shock. Aspartate aminotransferase, behaving differently for each kind of shock, did not give a clear picture.

The activity of certain enzymes in the liver of mice, selected for weight gain

SummaryExamining the weight gains of mice in selected and nonselected lines maintained on a low (10%) and high (20%) protein diet, and of their “crossbreds”, it was ascertained that the highest values occurred in selected lines maintained on a high protein level and the lowest in “crossbreds”.Analysing the enzyme activity — aldolase, aminotransferase AspAT and AlAT — in the liver of these animals, it was observed that selected mice maintained on either of the protein levels demonstrated usually values significantly lower than for the nonselected ones.

Blood enzyme activities in different breeds of geese.

1. Enzyme activities were studied in blood plasma from Rhenish, Italian, Landes and Masseubian geese. 2. Strains used for liver production (Landes, Masseubian) showed higher activities of aspartate transaminase (AST) [EC 2.6.1.1], alanine transaminase (ALT) [EC 2.6.1.2] and fructose aldolase (FRA) [EC 4.1.2.13] while breeds with high egg production (Rhenish, Italian) had higher activities of both alkaline phosphatase (ALP) [EC 3.1.3.1] and acid phosphatase (ACP) [EC 3.1.3.2]

Effect of giving insulin and adrenalin alternately on changes in the level of blood glucose in chickens of different breeds

SummaryDifferences in reaction to exogenous insulin and adrenalin were studied among chickens of ‘Leghorn’, ‘White Rock’ and ‘Rhode Island Red’ breeds, using level of blood glucose as indicator of the reaction to hormones. It was found that: 1.) The physiological quantity of glucose in blood in chickens of the three breeds ranged from 157 to 194 mg %. 2.) The reaction of chickens to insulin and adrenalin given alternately, measured by changes of blood glucose, differed according to the breed. The smallest reaction to hormones was in ‘Leghorn’, the biggest in ‘White Rock’. 3.) The chickens of ‘Leghorn’ and ‘Rhode Island Red’ breeds, as well as ‘Leghorn’ and ‘White Rock’ breeds, differed significantly in maximal glucose level after adrenalin, 4.) The correlation between the normal quantity of blood glucose and the body weight of birds appeared highly significant in cockerels of all three races combined.