Reduction of Hepatic Tetrahydrofolate and Inhibition of Exhalation of 14CO2 Formed from [Dimethylamino‐14C]Aminopyrine in Nitrous Oxide‐Treated Rats

Kurt A. Black, Viravan Virayotha, Thomas R. Tephly – 1 September 1984 – The exhalation of 14CO2 after the administration of [dimethylamino‐14C]aminopyrine to an organism is assumed to reflect the demethylation of aminopyrine by hepatic mixed‐function oxidase activity. The formaldehyde formed as a result of the demethylation of aminopyrine is then sequentially oxidized to formic acid and CO2.

Bile Salt Structure and Phase Equilibria in Aqueous Bile Salt and Bile Salt‐Lecithin Systems

Martin C. Carey – 1 September 1984 – The hydrophilic‐hydrophobic balance of bile salt monomers can be readily quantified by their elution sequence during reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. Such studies have demonstrated that subtle variations in bile salt structure have profound effects on the hydrophilic‐hydrophobic balance of this important family of detergent‐like molecules. The common trihydroxy bile salt, cholate, is more hydrophilic than dihydroxy bile salts with alpha‐oriented OH groups.

Acetaldehyde Stimulates Collagen and Noncollagen Protein Production by Human Fibroblasts

Kenneth Holt, Michael Bennett, Mario Chojkier – 1 September 1984 – The mechanisms responsible for the increased hepatic collagen deposition in alcoholic cirrhosis remain unknown. The question of whether ethanol or acetaldehyde has a direct effect on collagen and noncollagen protein production was investigated in human fibroblasts with no detectable activity of alcohol dehydrogenase to distinguish the effects of these metabolites. To eliminate environmental factors, protein production by confluent human skin, fetal and hepatic fibroblasts was studied after three passages.

In Vitro Response to HBsAg of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes from Recipients of Hepatitis B Vaccine

Tse Wen Chang, Esteban Celis, Richard W. Miller, Vincent R. Zurawski, Patrick C. Kung – 1 September 1984 – Lymphocytes isolated from recipients of hepatitis B vaccine were studied for their immune response to HBsAg in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMs) from 70 to 80% of 40 vaccinees yielded proliferative indices larger than 2 after 5 to 7 days incubation with HBsAg. This in vitro proliferative response could be augmented by incubating the cells with HBsAg and supernatants of activated T cells for 2 weeks or longer.

Physical‐Chemical Methods for Determining Bilirubin Solubilities in Simulated Bile Systems

Martin C. Carey – 1 September 1984 – This report describes a rigorous physical‐chemical approach to determine the solubilities of unconjugated bilirubin in model bile systems. In the absence of calcium ions, metastable and equilibrium solubilities can be obtained by acidimetric (HC1) titration of excess unconjugated bilirubin in aqueous solutions of simple and mixed conjugated bile salt micelles. The experiments must be performed with degassed water under argon, in dim light and at constant temperature and ionic strength.

Animal Models of Cholesterol Gallstone Disease

R. Thomas Holzbach – 1 September 1984 – There is no genetically susceptible, spontaneous and naturally occurring animal model for human cholesterol cholelithiasis. The disease has been reported to occur spontaneously only rarely in some primates. The human disease is probably multifactorial; therefore, the finding or development through inbreeding of a spontaneous genetic model is unlikely. The two most popular animals in use today as models are rodent species: hamster and prairie dog.

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