David M. Tennent

Plasma Cholesterol Concentrations in Cockerels and Dogs Treated with Bile Acid Binding Polymer and Cholesterol Synthesis Inhibitors

Summary In normocholesterolemic cockerels the bile acid binding polymer, cholestyramine resin (MK-135), lowered plasma cholesterol concentrations when fed in the diet; the hepatic cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, benzmalecene, lowered cholesterol levels when given by injection, but not when fed in the diet. In combination, their effect was additive. In dogs, feeding of cholestyramine resin plus benzmalecene or triparanol (MER-29) had additive cholesterol-lowering effect.

Hormonal hypercholesterolemia in the dog: influence of niacin, niacinamide, benzmalecene, and cholestyramine resin.

Summary Pseudopregnant female dogs exhibited a characteristic hypercholesterolemia that was similar to that seen in true pregnancy in this laboratory. Daily subcutaneous injection of progesterone or prolactin raised blood cholesterol concentrations in male, anestrous female, and ovariectomized female dogs. The two hormones differed in their action. Niacin feeding counteracted the hypercholesterolemia of pseudopregnancy, and lowered plasma cholesterol levels in progesterone-injected or prolactin-injected ovariectomized female dogs. It had no effect on cholesterol concentrations of normal male or progesterone-injected male dogs. Niacinamide generally increased plasma cholesterol levels. Sodium benzmalecene lowered the blood cholesterol of a prolactin and a progesterone-injected female, and of a progesterone-injected male dog. Cholestyramine resin decreased the elevated cholesterol level of a progesterone-injected male dog.

Binding of Novobiocin with Plasma Proteins

Summary 1. Fraction studies with plasma from a dog treated with novobiocin showed that novobiocin is extensively bound to plasma albumin. 2. In vitro experiments with crystalline bovine albumin showed that the binding is a reversible process.

Use of Thermocouples for Determination of the Rectal Temperature of Rats

Summary 1. An apparatus for the measurement of the rectal temperatures of rats while they are free in their cages has been described. 2. An observed instability of readings which was presumably caused by reduction of heat loss or by excitation is avoided with this technic. 3. Typical results obtained at intervals during the day have been presented.