Preston L. Perlman

Agar Diffusion Method for Detection and Bioassay of Antiviral Antibiotics.

Summary A procedure has been developed whereby agar diffusion technics used in bacteriology can be applied to antiviral agents. Chick embryo cell monolayers were grown in Pyrex baking dishes, infected with virus and overlaid with agar. Filter paper discs impregnated with the test materials were deposited on the hardened agar surface. After proper incubation the virus produced plaques in the cell sheet, except in the area around a disc containing an antiviral agent. Since size of the plaque-free zone was proportioned to concentration of the antiviral agent present in the disc, bioassays were simply performed in exactly the same manner as done with antibacterial antibiotics.

Microbiological transformation of steroids—X: 1-dehydro analogs of cortical steroids

Abstract The transformation of the principal adrenocortical ormones into the corresponding 1-dehydro analogs by the action of Corynebacterium simplex (A.T.C.C. 6946) is described.

Microbiological transformation of steroids—XI : The action of corynebacterium simplex on non-corticoid steroid substrates

Abstract Corynebacterium simplex (A.T.C.C. 6946) causes the following reactions to occur with appropriate steroid substrates: (1) oxidation of Δ5-3β-hydroxyl to Δ4-3-ketone, (2) oxidation of Δ5-3β-hydroxyl to Δ1,4-diene-3-ketone, (3) oxidation of secondary 17β-hydroxyl to 17-ketone, (4) oxidation of 20β-hydroxyl to 20-ketone, (5) oxidation of 19-nor-Δ4-3-ketone to Δ1,3,5 (10)-triene-3-hydroxyl and (6) hydrolysis of 3- and 21-acetate groups.

Adrenocortical Properties of Δ1,4-pregnadiene-17α,21-diol-3,11,20-trione (Meticorten) and Δ1,4-pregnadiene-11β,17α,21-triol-3,20-dione (Meticortelone).

Summary (1) Meticorten and Meticortelone, 2 new steroids, were studied in animals to assess their adrenocortical activities. (2) Glucocorticoid properties were assayed by the eosinophil response in adrenalectomized mice, by the liver glycogen deposition in adrenalectomized rats, and by the involution of the thymus in immature rats. (3) By all 3 methods, the glucocorticoid activity of Meticorten and Meticortelone was found to be 3 to 4 times greater than that of cortisone and hydrocortisone. (4) Meticorten and Meticortelone were more active than cortisone and hydrocortisone in maintaining the life of immature, male, adrenalectomized rats. (5) Prolonged administration of Meticorten, Meticortelone, cortisone and hydrocortisone to young, male rats produced the following biological changes: a) suppression of somatic growth, b) decrease in thymus, spleen and adrenal weights on an absolute basis as well as per 100 g body weight, c) increase in the relative weights of liver, kidney, testes, thyroid and pituitary and inconsistent changes in the weight of the seminal vesicles, d) inversion of the lymphocyte/polymorphonuclear leukocyte ratio in the circulating blood without consistent changes in total white cell count or hematocrit. (6) Meticorten and Meticortelone were more potent than cortisone and hydrocortisone in affecting organ weights and peripheral blood elements. (7) The changes induced by prolonged administration of the 4 steroids were readily reversible after cessation of treatment.

Influence of Nitrogen Intake on Nitrogen-Retaining Action of Testosterone Propionate

Summary The nitrogen-retaining activity of testosterone propionate in the castrate, male dog is manifested when the animal is maintained at levels above the minimal-maintenance nitrogen level of intake. At the minimal level of.nitrogen, no nitrogen retention could be induced.

Biological properties of a highly purified preparation of 17-alpha estradiol.

Summary 1 The anabolic. The estrogenic and the pituitary gonadotrophin inhibiting actions table of a highly purified sample of α-estradiol have been studied in experimental animals. 2. It appears that α-estradiol has not significant anabolic action and that the weak estrogenic and gonadotrophin inhibiting activities might be due to contamination with a very small amount of the potent β-epimer. 3. If the activity found in this preparation is truly due to α-estradiol has one-two hundred fiftieth the gonadotrophin inhibiting activity of β-estradiol and approximately one-three hundred fiftieth the estrogenic activigy.

Some factors influencing thymus nitrogen content of the immature male mouse.

Summary Neither the stress resulting from a 48 or 60-hour fast nor the administration of cortisone acetate has a significant effect on the total nitrogen content of the mouse thymus gland. On the other hand, it appears that the protein anabolic steroids induce a significant decrease in the thymus total nitrogen content.

Some Metabolic Effects of Δ1,4-pregnadiene-17α,21-diol-3,11,20-trione (Meticorten) Administered Orally to Dogs

Summary 1. In dogs large, prolonged, oral doses of Meticorten induced polydipsia, polyuria, and negative nitrogen balance. 2. Blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance curves were unaffected by the treatment, and no evidence of albuminuria and glycosuria was obtained.