Bernard W. Janicki

Effect of Triton WR-1339 on Lipoproteins and Lipoprotein Lipase of Guinea Pig Plasma

Summary Administration of Triton WR-1339 to guinea pigs (300 mg/kg) altered plasma lipoproteins so that they were not cleared by guinea pig lipoprotein lipase. Plasma lipoproteins of normal guinea pigs similarly were rendered resistant to lipoprotein lipase by incubation with Triton in vitro. Comparison of plasma lipoprotein lipase levels in Triton-treated and control animals showed that the former group possessed significantly higher levels of enzyme. The mechanism responsible for the Triton-induced hyperlipemia was discussed in view of these findings.

Enzymatic Determination of in vitro Lysis of Leukocytes by Tuberculin

Summary A method based on release of an intracellular, lysozyme-like enzyme from lysed leukocytes was an acceptable substitute for microscopic cell counts in measuring tuberculin cytolysis of leukocytes from guinea pigs injected with heat-killed, human type. M. tuberculosis.

Influence of prior sensitization with mycobacteria on antibody response to protein antigen in Freund's adjuvants.

Summary Sensitization of guinea pigs to tuberculin by administration of heat-killed human-type, tubercle bacilli 4 weeks before immunization with bovine γ globulin (BGG) emulsified in Freunds complete adjuvant had no apparent qualitative or quantitative effect on the subsequent antibody response to BGG. However, there was an indication that administration of BGG in Freunds incomplete adjuvant to similarly sensitized animals resulted in a response resembling that of animals which received BGG in the complete adjuvant. Evidence was presented to indicate that the mycobacteria used to establish hypersensitivity to tuberculin may also have functioned in an adjuvant role in this case.

Tuberculin Antigens Active in Human Lymphocyte Blastogenesis

Summary Discrete pools of tuberculopoly-saccharide and tuberculoprotein antigens, prepared by continuous-flow electrophoretic separation of an unheated culture filtrate of M. tuberculosis (H37Rv strain), were tested for induction of lymphocyte blastogenesis in cultures of blood leukocytes from healthy individuals who reacted to an intermediate skin test dose of tuberculin PPD. Approximately 80% of the blastogenic activity of the unseparated culture filtrate was found in the pool of protein antigens while only 7% was detected in the polysaccharide pool. As indicated by immunoelectrophoretic and chemical analyses, the minimal activity of the pooled polysaccharides was attributed to their trace contamination by the protein antigens. It was concluded that tuberculin-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis reflects cellular reactivity to tuberculoprotein antigens. The competent technical assistance of Frances E. Soehnlen is gratefully acknowledged.

Influence of Some Nonionic Surfactants on Pancreatic Lipase Activity

Summary Two nonionic surfactants, Triton WR-1339 and Macrocyclon inhibit the hydrolysis of triglycerides in a coconut oil emulsion (Ediol) by pancreatic lipase, Triton inhibiting to a greater extent than Macrocyclon in a ratio of approximately 2:1. HOC-60, also a nonionic surfactant, is not inhibitory. The results of the present study indicate that during its incubation with the surfactant at 37°;C for 1 hour before adding the enzyme, the substrate may undergo a change which would result in an altered substrate molecule that is less reactive to pancreatic lipase. Two suggested mechanisms of the inhibitory action of the nonionic surfactants are discussed; (1) formation of an irreversible complex and (2) formation of a micelle. The ability of these agents to induce hyperlipemia in animals was reflected by inhibition of enzymatic lipolysis in vitro.