F. G. Sulman

Air-ionometry of hot, dry dessert winds(Sharav) and treatment with air ions of weather-sensitive subjects

Hot dry winds (Sharav) produce increased ionisation of the atmosphere, values for positive and negative ions going up from an average of 1, 000 per cm3 to 1, 500. There was almost always a slight preponderance of the positively-charged small ions. This increased air ionisation induces serotonin release in about one-quarter of the population with multiple complaints of a typical serotonin irritation syndrome. In 75% of 129 subjects suffering from serotonin ailments, the treatment with negative air ions (Ionotron) with an output of 3.5 × 105 ions/(cm3 · sec) at 1 m distance produced prophylactic and therapeutic relief when the patients were kept in a room of up to 4 × 4 m size. These results were controlled by serotonin and 5-HIAA urinalysis.

Anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of dehydroepiandrosterone in rats.

Summary Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and 3α-methoxy − 17α−methyl− 5α −androstane−17α−01 (SC-12790) were studied for their anti-hypercholesterolemic and thyromimetic activities. The following findings were established: 1. DHA (5 mg/kg/d per os for 10 days) was found to be an anti-hypercholesterolemic agent which prevented increase in the serum cholesterol level (SCL) of rats made hypercholesterolemic by propylthiouracil (PTU) treatment. It was also found that the same dose of DHA given over a period of 21 days prevented an increase in SCL in rats made hypercholesterolemic by combined PTU and cholesterol feeding. DHA, however, did not reduce the SCL of normal rats. 2. SC-12790, when given under the same experimental conditions as DHA, did not reduce the SCL of hypercholesterolemic rats. 3. DHA did not produce any change in thyroid weight as did exogenous TSH and T-3. It seems that the anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of DHA cannot be explained by a thyromimetic activity. These findings are of clinical importance since DHA, which is a weak endogenous androgen, is orally active as an anti-hypercholesterolemic agent. The possible mechanism of its action is discussed.

Diurnal Rhythms of Pineal Nucleic Acids and Protein

A diurnal rhythm in pineal protein was found to occur in mature rats. In the male, a peak level is reached about 4 p.m., preceded by a gradual increase during the period of light and followed by a dec

Stimulation of prolactin secretion by perphenazine in pituitary-hypothalamus organ culture.

Summary Pituitary explants on medium “199′”released an average of 0.05 IU prolactin daily. Pituitary-hypothalamus co-cultures released only an average of 0.025 IU/d. Other brain parts in co-culture failed to depress prolactin release, nor did hypothalami of perphenazine-primed rats or hypothalami to which perphenazine was added in vitro. The method described is a valuable tool for appraisal of prolactin releasing or inhibiting agents.

Serotonin content of human placenta and fetus during pregnancy

Abstract 1. 1. In 106 samples of fresh placentas and 14 samples of fetal tissue, serotonin estimation and decomposition of serotonin added to placental tissue were carried out. The placentas were obtained from interruptions, spontaneous abortions, cesarean sections, and normal deliveries. 2. 2. The serotonin content of placentas shows a gradual increase during developing pregnancy. In young placentas it amounted to 6 mμg per gram of tissue, and it rose to 15 mμg per gram of tissue in mature placentas obtained from normal term delivery. The enzymatic activity of placental monoamine oxidase which destroys serotonin shows a reverse proportion. It is highest at the beginning of gestation and gradually drops, reaching the lowest level at term. 3. 3. The possible role of these findings in triggering the initiation of delivery is discussed.

Absence of harmful effects of protracted negative air ionisation.

The absence of harmful effects of protracted negative air ionisation was studied in 5 weather-sensitive women and 5 normal men chosen at random. Negative ions were generated by the Modulion of Amcor-Amron (Herzliya, Israel). The patients were exposed separately during 8 sleeping hours and 8 working hours to the apparatus at 1–2 m distance in a 4 × 4 m room, for 2 months. Thus they were exposed to a daily uptake of 1 × 104 negative ions/cm3 for 16 h/day during 2 months. Urinary 17-KS, 17-OH, adrenaline and noradrenaline excretion was not affected by the negative ionisation. However serotonin, 5-HIAA, histamine and thyroxine excretion — if increased before — diminished by 50% on an average. There were no changes in body weight, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, oral morning temperature, dynamometer grip strength, routine liver function tests, urinary pH, albumen, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, or occult blood, red and white blood count and ECG records. The EEG revealed the typical changes due to negative air ionisation: stabilising of frequency, increased amplitudes, spreading of brainwaves from the perceptive occipital area to the conceptive frontal area and synchronisation of both hemisphere tracings.

The effect of heat on rat pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase activity

Exposure of adult male rats to continuously elevated temperature of 32–34°C caused a significant decrease of HIOMT activity involved in the specific metabolic process of production of melatonin, considered an active pineal hormone. The effect was already evident after 24 h exposure and increased further during the next 48 h. The results obtained substantiate previous data that the pineal gland may be involved in the system regulating adaptation to extreme temperature changes.

Influence of artificial air ionisation on the human electroencephalogram

Exposure of 20 subjects to negative ionisation was monitored by EEG. Negative ionisation was supplied by an Ionotron apparatus (Amcor-Amron, Herzlia-Israel) with an output of 3.5 × 105 ions/(cm3 · sec) at 1 m distance. Objective findings in ten normal subjects showed reduction of the frequency of the alpha-waves from 10 or 11 down to 9 or 8 Hz, increase of the amplitude by up to 20%, advance of the alpha rhythm pattern from the occipital to the frontal area and general synchronisation of the EEG records of both hemispheres. These reactions were suppressed in 10 subjects by tranquillisers. Subjective findings included relaxation, alertness, improved working capacity and relief from the Serotonin Irritation Syndrome produced by the positive ionisation of hot, dry desert winds.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT STEROIDS ON PROLACTIN SECRETION IN PITUITARY-HYPOTHALAMUS ORGAN CO-CULTURE.

Summary Various steroids were added to pituitary culture or pituitary-hypothalamus co-culture in vitro, and their effect on pro-lactin release was studied. 1. Estradiol and hydrocortisone are strong stimulants of pro-lactin release, apparently acting directly through the pituitary. 2. 3-Alpha-hydroxy-11, 20-diketo-pregnane-3-hemisuccinate and, to a lesser degree, progesterone are depressants of prolactin release, acting directly on the hypophysis. 3. Testosterone does not affect prolactin release from the pituitary. Estradiol, 3-alpha-hydroxy-11, 20-diketo-preg-nane-3-hemisuccinate = Meket, testosterone, hydro-cortisone and progesterone were generously supplied by Dr. G. A. Overbeek of Organon-Oss, Holland, and perphenazine (Perphenan) by “Taro,” Pharmaceutical Ind., Haifa, Israel.

The Mechanism of Action and Metabolism of Gonadotropic Hormones in the Organism1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mechanism of action and metabolism of gonadotropic hormones in the organism. A study of the mechanism of action and the metabolism of gonadotropic hormones is of special interest because they are primary hormones which initiate a hormonal chain reaction in the body. A certain amount of chorionic gonadotropin was injected into immature female rats, after which smaller amounts of an antiserum to the gonadotropin were given at various intervals. The minimal dose of antigonadotropin required to prevent the gonadotropic reaction at any given interval indicates the amount of chorionic gonadotropin circulating in the body at that time. A considerable delay of resorption and urinary excretion of chorionic gonadotropin has been obtained with chorionic gonadotropin tannate. The gonadotropic reactions appearing after gonadotropin treatment occur at different time intervals depending upon the species of animal used, the kind of hormone administered and the route of application.