Hisako Nishihara

Effects of Protein Depletion and Inanition on Serum Glycoprotein Concentrations in the Rat.

Summary The effects of protein depletion and inanition on serum concentrations of total glycoprotein, seromucoid, albumin polysaccharide, globulin polysaccharide, total protein, albumin, and globulin and on hemoglobin and hematocrit values of blood have been investigated in adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats. Significant decreases were observed in all serum constituents with the exception of the albumin fraction. The response of the protein-bound carbohydrates of serum was similar to that of the serum proteins. A marked hemoconcentration occurred in the fasted group. The results are not in agreement with the hypothesis that tissue degradation is responsible for increased serum glycoprotein concentrations.

Effects of inanition, protein depletion and repletion on serum lactic acid dehydrogenase levels in rats.

Summary The effects of inanition, protein depletion and repletion upon serum lactic acid dehydrogenase (SLD), total serum protein and hematocrit values have been determined in adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats. Significant increases in concentration of SLD concomitant with decreases in serum protein levels followed inanition and protein depletion. Upon repletion, subnormal SLD values occurred in groups fed a diet containing 17% or more of protein. Serum protein values for the groups were significantly increased. The results are discussed with respect to possible causes for observed changes.

Dietary protein and serum electrophoretic patterns of the adult rat.

Summary The effects of inanition, acute and chronic protein depletion and of repletion with several levels of protein on distribution of serum proteins in the adult rat have been investigated by filter paper electrophoresis. Decreases in the albumin, α1-, α2- and β-globulin fractions were observed following depletion regimens. Purified diets containing 17% or more of casein not only restored all values to normal, but elicited significant increases in total serum protein concentrations. A differential response of the α2-globulin fraction upon repletion occurred between groups previously subjected to acute and to chronic depletion. Significantly increased A/G ratios were found in groups repleted with a diet of natural products. Rate of depletion was found to exert a pronounced effect on hematocrit values.

Serum glycoprotein studies in experimental trichinosis

Abstract The effects of infection and reinoculation of adult female Wistar rats with Trichinella spiralis and of two different regimens of treatment with cortisone, upon the serum glycoproteins and proteins have been investigated. The extent of disease as indicated by larval counts was greatest in the groups subjected to cortisone treatment and reinoculation. Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit values occurred in all but one group of infected animals. Significantly increased serum glycoprotein concentrations were found in all animals but those treated with cortisone for 60 days and reflected primarily the increases in the polysaccharide moiety of the globulin fraction. Subnormal seromucoid values were found in all infected groups. The greatest alterations in serum glycoprotein and protein patterns occurred in the groups treated with cortisone and reinoculated. The results are discussed with reference to possible causes of the observed changes.

Respiration of gamma irradiated Brucella abortus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Summary Lyophilized Br. abortus 19 and M. tuberculosis H37RV were exposed to various doses of gamma irradiation from a cobalt-60 source and tested for oxygen uptake on suitable substrates. Cells exposed from 750,000 to 800,000 r failed to grow on appropriate culture media, yet continue to respire at a rate from 40% to 50% of that of the non-irradiated cells.

Effects of protein depletion and repletion on serum electrophoretic patterns of adult rats.

Summary Distribution of serum proteins has been determined by filter paper electrophoresis in groups of adult rats sacrificed at intervals during protein depletion and repletion. In the early stages of protein depletion and repletion, body weight changes were paralleled to a considerable extent by similar alterations in serum protein levels. Such correlation was not apparent during later stages. The albumin and α1-globulin fractions were most sensitive to nutritional influences. The γ-globulin fraction deviated from the general pattern of response.

Serum haptoglobins in experimental coccidioidomycosis — A preliminary report

The level of haptoglobin was determined in control rats and in rats infected withC. immitis. The haptoglobin levels in the infected group were significantly higher than in those in the control group. The possibility that serial determinations may be of value in following the course of this disease is currently being investigated.

Electrophoretic studies of serum proteins and glycoproteins during early stages of experimental tuberculosis.

Summary The systemic effects of acute experimental tuberculosis as reflected by alterations in concentration and distribution of the proteins and protein-bound carbohydrates of serum were investigated by filter paper electrophoresis. Electrophoretic analyses were performed on serum samples from groups of adult female guinea pigs sacrificed 8, 15, 19, 29, and 50 days following inoculation with 0.1 mg M. tuberculosis. Significant increases occurred in total serum glycoprotein levels and in the protein component of the α1-globulin fraction 8 days post-infection. A marked elevation of the polysaccharide moiety of the α2-globulin fraction and a significant decline in albumin protein was observed 15 days following infection. With the exception of significant increases in the components of the γ-globulin fraction in the latter stages of the study, major alterations in the other subfractions of serum had occurred by 15 days postinfection. It is suggested that the early alterations in electrophoretic patterns represent primarily systemic manifestations of the inflammatory response.

Serum glycoproteins in rats with experimental coccidioidomycosis

The changes in the serum glycoproteins and the development of specific antibodies were examined during the course of experimental coccidioidomycosis in rats. The total glycoprotein, seromucoid hexose, seromucoid protein, and haptoglobin levels were signigicantly higher in sera from infected animals compared with sera from non-infected controls. These changes were evident at three days but not at two weeks following inoculation withC. immitis. The non-seromucoid hexose and total protein concentrations were not significantly different between infected animals and controls. The highest percentages of animals exhibiting positive tests for complement fixing and precipitin antibodies and positive cultures forC. immitis in organs at autopsy were found one week after infection.