Anna J. Gibbons

The effect of phenothiazine drugs on the removal of cholinesterase from erythrocytes and on hemolysis by lysolecithin.

Abstract Phenergan, Pyrrolazote, and chlorpromazine in concentrations between 4 × 10 −5 and 2 × 10 −4 M inhibited hemolysis by lysolecithin of human erythrocytes from defibrinated blood. If cells from oxalated blood were used, these drugs usually increased hemolysis by lysolecithin. However, if CaCl 2 were added to these cells, the effect of the drugs was again inhibited. Lysolecithin caused a prolytic removal of cholinesterase from the erythrocyte. This action was inhibited by chlorpromazine. No removal of ChE from the cell by saponin or digitonin could be detected.

Cation transport in erythrocytes treated with lecithinase A.

Abstract 1. 1. Treatment of human blood with lyophilized snake venom (1 μg./ ml.) containing lecithinase resulted in removal of 50–60% of the cholinesterase from the erythrocyte. 2. 2. The glycolytic activity of erythrocytes was unchanged by this treatment. 3. 3. The active transport of K into and Na out of erythrocytes was impaired in venom-treated cells. This impairment is not correlated with any defect in glycolytic activity but may be correlated with a decreased cholinesterase activity.

A comparison of the effects of melengestrol acetate with a combination of hydrocortisone acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate and with other steroids in the treatment of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Wistar rats

SummaryThe following steroids were administered to female Wistar rats (Manor Farms or Purina) either at the time of sensitization or later when experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was established — melengestrol acetate (MGA®), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA or Provera®), hydrocortisone acetate (HCA), estradiol, estradiol cypionate, ethinyl estradiol, estriol, mestranol, testosterone cypionate and nortestosterone.In accord with published work (Greiget al., 1970) MGA proved to be an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of EAE while HCA was less effective. Of the other steroids ineffective alone, did potentiate the action of HCA in reducing the paralysis. Histologically, the combination of MPA with HCA also was superior to either one alone in one experiment; in a second experiment of longer duration in which a higher dose of HCA was used there was little difference.None of the compounds or combinations of compounds was as effective as MGA (25 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks) in the treatment of EAE. This compound appears to have unique therapeutic effects, both clinically and histologically.

I. Activity of LBF (pantethine) in acetylation of sulfanilamide by pigeon liver extract

Abstract 1. 1. Pigeon liver extract as used in the Kaplan-Lipmann assay of coenzyme A can synthesize coenzyme A from LBF (pantethine). 2. 2. Pantethine has no inhibitory activity on this system in the amounts tried.

II. Some observations on the fate of injected coenzyme A

Abstract 1. 1. Parenteral administration of coenzyme A to dogs by the intravenous (femoral vein) route results in the accumulation in plasma and renal excretion of split products of coenzyme A active for the Kaplan-Lipmann assay enzymes. 2. 2. Coenzyme A is apparently not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract as such or as degradation products. 3. 3. Intravenous administration of coenzyme A to dogs resulted in the majority of cases in accumulation of coenzyme A in adrenals, liver, and muscle tissues.

An antidote to cycloheximide (Acti-dione) poisoning☆

Abstract Both adrenal cortex extract and hydrocortisone were effective in protecting rats against a fatal dose of cycloheximide (Acti-dione). Methoxyphenamine (Orthoxine) administered with hydrocortisone further increased the survival rate.

Cholinesterase in experimental tumors.

Abstract Total cholinesterase levels of the Walker 256 rat adenocarcinoma, the Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma, and the Crocker mouse Sarcoma 180 are much lower in general than normal tissues of the tumor-bearing animals.

The effect of catalytic amounts of epinephrine and of adrenochrome on the oxidation of glycine

Abstract Adrenochrome or epinephrine, without tissue, catalyzed the oxidation of glycine to formic acid, CO2, and NH3. Glyoxylic acid and H2O2 appeared to be intermediates. In the presence of rat tissue homogenates or purified catalase the reaction stopped at the glyoxylic acid stage as the H2O2 was destroyed. The possible implication of this reaction in schizophrenia is discussed.

The Coenzyme A Content of Ischemic Dog Myocardium

Summary Acute coronary artery ligation in the dog results in loss of coenzyme A in the infarcted myocardial area. Pretreatment with pantothenic acid does not influence this loss.