Herman Cohen

Bacterial synthesis of substance similar to human chorionic gonadotrophin.

Summary Our data tend to confirm the observations of Livingston et al. (1) that a microorganism(s) isolated from the urine of cancer patients is capable of producing a human chorionic gonadotrophinlike substance. Chromatographic properties as well as immunologic and receptor assay techniques offer strong evidence for this similarity. We are indebted to Dr. K. Sundaram for his examination of the extracts for in vitro gonadotropic activity, and to Drs. M. Goore and N. Starkovsky for their aid in performing the radioimmunoassay and radioreceptor assay. Also, to Dr. Livingston for supplying us with cultures of the organism as well as samples of her isolates.

Alpha-1 fetoprotein in pregnancy

Abstract Assay of alpha-1 fetoprotein (AFP) by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) is proposed as a simple rapid screening test for fetal distress or death. A study of 298 maternal sera prior to term showed that 291 had less than 250 ng. AFP. Seven sera had over 250 ng. of AFP per milliliter and all 7 were associated with either fetal morbidity or fetal death. Anti-AFP was not detected in any of the maternal sera.

Inhibition of dextran edema by proteolytic enzymes.

Summary Edema of the extremities induced in albino rats by dextran administration, may be prevented by pre-treatment with trypsin and chymotrypsin. Post edema treatment with the proteolytic enzymes causes a regression or diminution of the edema.

A rapid screening test for detection of alpha-1 fetoprotein as an indicator of fetal distress.

Abstract A rapid latex slide test for the detection of α 1 -fetoprotein is described. Application of this procedure as an aid in the detection of fetal distress is discussed and data indicating its utility are presented.

Pancreatic Elastase I. Observations on Cellular Source and Endocrine Influence

Summary 1. Concentration of elastase and lipase in the pancreas of rat and guinea pig responds similarly to various experimental manipulations. The changes are parallel both in direction and degree. Starvation causes an increased concentration, whereas pilocarpine, hypophysectomy, thiouracil treatment result in a marked depletion of these pancreatic enzymes. Cobalt administration to the guinea pig causes a depletion of pancreatic elastase and lipase, whereas in the rat such an effect is not obtained. This is attributed to the relative resistance of the rat to the hypothyroid effect of cobalt. 2. Based on above observations, it is inferred that in the rat and guinea pig, elastase is a digestive enzyme elaborated by the acinar tissue of the pancreas.

Enhancement of adrenocorticotrophic activity.

Summary 1. Subcutaneous administration of purified corticotrophin in gelatin; in phosphorylated hesperidin; and in gelatin plus phosphorylated hesperidin results in an enhanced effect of the hormone upon the adrenal cortex as measured by adrenal ascorbic acid. The combination of gelatin plus phosphorylated hesperidin has been shown to be most effective in extending the duration of effect of the corticotrophin. 2. The mechanism of action is attributed to the antihyaluronidase as well as the anti-proteolytic properties of the phosphorylated hesperidin.

ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN IN URINE OF HEPATOMA PATIENTS

20 urine samples from 9 patients with clinically confirmed hepatoma showed significant amounts of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in the majority of samples. AFP analyses were performed by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (sensitivity 200 ng/ml) and radioimmunoassay using pure AFP labeled with tritiated iodine and a monospecific antibody to the purified AFP (sensitivity 5 ng/ml). There was no relationship between the albumin and AFP content of urine inasmuch as in a given patient samples of urine containing ether 370 or 3600 ng/ml of AFP showed approximately 30 mg/dl of albumin and conversely in another patient urines with either 30 or 300 mg/dl of albumin contained 90-120 ng/ml of AFP. However there did seem to be a relationship between blood level and urinary level of AFP as manifested in several cases (blood 640000 ng/ml and urine 1500 ng/ml; blood 350000 ng/ml and urine 300-3600 ng/ml; and blood 54-104000 ng/ml and urine 110-165 ng/ml). It is suggested that the disproportionate elevation in urinary AFP might be caused by extension of the hepatoma into the renal vein.

Effect of Corticotrophin on Guinea Pig Plasma Corticosteroids.

Conclusion The plasma corticosteroid content of the guinea pig offers a suitable means for evaluating the potency of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, and also the menstrua which may be useful in extending the physiological or pharmacological effect of this hormone. Summary. The response of the guinea pig to exogenous adrenocorticotrophin was determined using plasma steroid concentration as criteria of response. Average steroid concentration for 50 untreated male guinea pigs was 43 ± 1.7. A graded response was obtained after corticotrophin administration which when plotted yielded a straight line with a slope adequate to determine differences between a 1 1/2 to 3-fold increment in dose. Comparison of corticotrophin administered subcutaneously in a gelatin menstruum with that administered in water showed a 2–3 time greater activity when gelatin is employed as a menstruum than when the hormone is dissolved in water. This is in accord with findings in the rat using the adrenal ascorbic acid depletion as a measure of activity, and clinically in the human. Small amounts of glucuronide conjugated corticoids were also found in the plasma.

Possible role of protein binding in failure of antibody to porcine relaxin to react with pregnant rabbit serum relaxin.

Summary Antibody to porcine relaxin fails to inactivate the biological activity of circulating pregnant rabbit serum relaxin. However, treatment of the serum with protein dissociating agents such as glacial acetic acid or 8 M urea makes the circulating hormone amenable to neutralization by the exogenous antibody. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is discussed.

Effect of Proteolytic Enzymes on Granuloma Formation

Summary The parenteral administration of trypsin and chymotrypsin to animals carrying subcutaneous implants of cotton pellets, significantly reduces the size of the gran-ulomas formed around these pellets. Heat inactivated enzyme does not manifest this property.