Hiroharu Matsushita

Comparative immunochemical studies of carbonic anhydrase III in horses and other mammalian species

1. Carbonic anhydrase III (CA-III) from different mammalian species (horse, cow, dog, cat, rat and rabbit) has been analyzed by the immunodiffusion technique with anti-equine CA-III serum. 2. Immunodiffusion demonstrated the absence of cross-reactivity between isozyme CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III. 3. Cross-reactions were observed between the CA-III from all the species examined except the rabbit. 4. Molecular weights and isoelectric points of CA-III from different species were determined by Western blotting.

The immunohistolocalization of carbonic anhydrase III in the submandibular gland of rats and hamsters

SummaryCarbonic anhydrase III has been localized using the avidin-biotin-glucose oxidase complex (ABC) method in the submandibular gland of the rat and hamster. This isozyme, which is predominant in skeletal muscle, was observed in intercalated duct, striated duct and excretory duct cells in the rat submandibular glands. In contrast, only some striated duct cells in hamster submandibular glands were stained.

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF TRITERPENE ALCOHOL, A CEREBRAL ACTIVATOR WITH A STEROID COMPOUND, IN RABBITS AND CATS

The effects of triterpene alcohol, a cerebral activator with a steroid compound, on electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in rabbits and cats were examined in comparison with those of sterol and gammaoryzanol. In rabbits, doses less than 10 mg/kg (orally) of triterpene alcohol caused a slowing of spontaneous EEG activity of low-voltage fast waves for 40 to 50 minutes. In contrast, high doses (20 and 50 mg/kg orally) of the drug induced a dual arousal-resting-arousal EEG pattern but did not affect the EEG arousal response induced by sound stimulation. The animals exhibited an increased interest in their surroundings during the arousal period. The duration of the amygdaloid after-discharge elicited by electrical stimulation of the amygdaloid nucleus was enhanced by triterpene alcohol in rabbits. Gammaoryzanol was nearly as potent as triterpene alcohol, whereas the pharmacologic action of sterol was rather weak. In cats, triterpene alcohol also prolonged the duration of the amygdaloid after-discharge. These findings suggest that triterpene alcohol affects spontaneous EEG activity and markedly increases electrical activity in the limbic system, including the hypothalamus.