Jorge A. Kofoed

The synovial fluid hyaluronic acid in rheumatoid arthritis

The intrinsic viscosity of hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid decreases significatively in mild and severe arthritis (24% and 37% respectively). Variation in hyaluronic acid concentration parallels the above results. Chondroitin-6-sulfate can be detected in about 30% of the arthritic fluids.

Acid Glycosaminoglycans and Sialic Acid Content in Salivary Glands of Rats

Sialic acid concentrations were strong in retrolingual and moderate in submaxillary glands. Uronic acid concentrations were high in retrolingual, intermediate in parotid, and low in submaxillary glands. The major fraction in the submaxillary and parotid glands was hialuronic acid, whereas in the retrolingual gland, the major fractions were glycoproteins and dermatan-sulfate.

Enzymes of the tricarboxylic cycle in periodontal tissues of the guinea pig

Abstract The enzymes of the tricarboxylic cycle: fumarase, aconitase, malic and isocitric dehydrogenases and the malic ancilliary enzyme were determined in the gingiva, periosteum and periodontium of the inferior incisor region in guinea pigs and compared with their activities in the liver, kidneys, adrenals, pituitary and testes of the same animals. The activity of all these enzymes in the periodontal tissues was very high. It is suggested that the high metabolism indicated by these intense oxidative activities may bring a mobilization of substrates with possible activation of other enzymatic systems.

Enzymes of glycolytic cycle in periodontal tissues of the guinea pig

Abstract The enzymes of the glycolytic cycle: phosphohexoisomerase, aldolase, phosphoglycerokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase were determined in the gingiva, periosteum and periodontium of the mandibular incisor region in the guinea pig and compared with their activities in the liver, kidneys, adrenals, pituitary and testes of the same animal. The enzymatic activities of the periodontal tissues were generally high. The phosphohexoisomerase and the aldolase activity in periosteum and periodontium was as high as in the other tissues. The phosphoglycerokinase activity of periosteum and gingiva were higher than in the other tissues. The glucose-6-phosphatase activity in periosteum and periodontium was about half as high as the liver activity.

Cervical mucus and serum ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid concentrations during the menstrual cycle.

Abstract Cervical mucus and serum ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid concentrations were studied in 89 women with diphasic cycles. A modification of the Roe and Kuether technique was used, which allowed differentiation between three values: (1) total RK (+) substances; (2) pre-existent RK (+) substances (including dehydroascorbic acid and uronic acid containing substances); and (3) the real ascorbic acid by the difference between the two former values. Pre-existent RK (+) substances concentration in cervical mucus or in serum has a bell-shaped regression curve, which is higher in the middle of the cycle and lower at the beginning and at the end. Real ascorbic acid concentration in cervical mucus or in serum is lower in midcycle and higher at the beginning and end. The total RK (+) substances concentration (or total vitamin C) depended on the algebraic sum of the other two values. In cervical mucus, in which the pre-existent fraction is predominant, the curve is also bell-shaped and similar to the one of that fraction. In serum there was a balance between the two opposite changes and the total RK (+) substances concentration did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle. The importance of the sex steroids, especially the estrogens, as factors which determine the above described changes is discussed.

The acidic glycosaminoglycans of the synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis

Se estudiaron los glucosaminoglucanos del líquido sinovial de la rodilla de pacientes con artritis reumatoidea clásica. El nivel de glucosaminoglucanos totales desciende en la artritis un 55% comparado con los controles. Esto es debido principalmente a la disminución del ácido hialurónico (59%). Se confirmó la presencia de pequeñas cantidades de controidin-4-sulfato y se detectaron trazas de una sustancia similar al condroitin-6-sulfato.

Effects of Testosterone Propionate on Sialic Acid Content of Submaxillary and Retrolingual Glands in the Rat

Castration in male rats decreased and the administration of testosterone propionate to castrated male rats increased the sialic acid concentration in the submaxillary glands but did not change that of the retrolingual glands. Plasmatic sialic acid concentration was increased in the animals receiving testosterone propionate.

Effects of isoproterenol on the glycosaminglycans in salivary glands of the rat

Abstract Various doses of dl -isoproterenol chlorhydrate were administered during 20 days to male white rats. Total uronic acid concentration was determined in the salivary glands. Chromatographic separation of the uronic acid fractions was performed on cellulose microcolumns. Isoproterenol produced hypertrophy of the parotid and submaxillary glands but not of the retrolingual glands. The uronic acid concentrations of the three glands were increased with only the 10 mg daily dose. In the parotid and submaxillary glands, it resulted from an increase in glycoproteins and hyaluronic acid, while in retrolingual glands it resulted only from an increase in the hyaluronic acid fraction.

Further studies on gel filtration of urinary substances

Urine specimens from healthy children were concentrated and filtered through Sephadex G-100 and G-25. The eluate was recovered in fractions of 5 ml each. Total hexoses, galactose, total proteins and total uronic acids were determined on each fraction. Total hexoses and galactose were eluted in 6 distinct peaks. The uronic acid containing GAG were eluted in 4 small peaks on G-25 and 1 peak on G-100. This peak is eluted always with high amounts of galactose containing glycoproteins.

Effects of oestrogens upon the sialic acid in the submaxillary and sublingual glands in the rat.

Abstract The effect of castration and of the daily administration of 1 or 10 μg of oestradiol benzoate during 1 month to spayed female rats upon sialic acid concentration in the submaxillary and sublingual glands and in plasma was studied. The weight and the sialic acid concentration in both glands was not significantly altered by castration. The administration of oestradiol benzoate increased the weight and sialic acid concentration in the submaxillary glands, but it did not affect the weight and decreased the sialic acid concentration of the sublingual glands. The plasma sialic acid concentration was decreased by spaying and increased by the administration of oestradiol benzoate to castrated rats.