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Biomedical subjects

A G Herman

Publications and source records attributed to A G Herman.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Lack of prostacyclin biosynthesis by aortic tissue of the chicken.

The capacity of chicken aorta to produce prostaglandins both from exogenous and endogenous arachidonic acid has been evaluated. The metabolism of arachidonic acid in this tissue is mainly directed to PGE2 and, in contrast to mammalian species, virtually no prostacyclin synthetase is present. However, the capacity of chicken thrombocytes to generate thromboxane A2 and 12-L-hydroxy-5, 8, 10, 14-eicosatetraenoic acid is similar to that observed for the mammalian blood platelets.

Animals↗

Blood levels of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F 1 alpha during endotoxin-induced hypotension in rabbits.

Levels of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-oxo-PGF1 alpha), the non-enzymic degradation product of prostacyclin, were measured in arterial blood from anaesthetized rabbits, before and after intravenous (i.v.) administration of endotoxin (Lipopolysaccharine W E. coli 0111:B4, 5 mg/kg). 6-Oxo-PGF1 alpha was assessed by radioimmunoassay after extraction and separation by thin-layer chromatography. The basal concentration of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha in blood was less than 100 mg/ml in 19 out of 20 rabbits. This indicates that the level of circulating prostacyclin is generally below 100 pg/ml. The administration of endotoxin induced a biphasic hypotension, and increased levels of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha were found in all endotoxin-treated animals during the secondary hypotension after 60 and 120 min. Pretreatment with indomethacin (2.5 mg/kg) prevented the secondary fall in arterial blood pressure and significantly suppressed the rise in 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha. However, indomethacin failed to alter the endotoxin-induced thrombocytopenia and did not modify the endotoxin-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. It is concluded that prostacyclin contributed to the secondary hypotension which accompanied the i.v. administration of endotoxin. Thromboxane A2 seems not to be of primary importance in the endotoxin-platelet interaction.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Quantitative determination of 6-Oxo-PGF1 alpha in biological fluids by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

A selected ion monitoring method for the determination of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, the stable end-product of prostacyclin, in biological fluids has been developed. In this method, biosynthetically prepared [2H6]-6-oxo-PGF1 alpha is used as internal standard. The method involves extraction, thin-layer chromatography purification and derivatization into the methyl ester, methoxime, trimethylsilyl ether derivatives by carrying out the methoximation first. Quantitative gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis is performed in the electron impact mode by monitoring the [M - (TMSOH + CH3O)]+ fragment ions. The use of this method in the measurement of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha in serous fluids and in incubation media of serous tissues is described.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Thromboxane A2 biosynthesis during endotoxin-induced aggregation of platelets from normal and sensitized guinea-pigs.

Endotoxin lipopolysaccharides Escherichia coli O26:B6 and E. coli O127:B8 were weak inducers of aggregation in normal guinea-pig platelet-rich plasma (PRP), even in the presence of Ca2+. Indomethacin hardly inhibited endotoxin-induced aggregation, indicating that biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) was of little importance. In accordance with this conclusion TXA2 was not detectable by means of bioassay during endotoxin-induced aggregation in normal guinea-pig PRP. Pretreatment of the guinea-pigs with endotoxin sensitized their PRP to endotoxin. This was due to a humoral factor with a selectively directed towards the polysaccharide moiety of endotoxin. The combination of this factor with endotoxin indued a marked biosynthesis of TXA2 and concomitant platelet aggregation.

Animals↗

The Schultz-Dale reaction of the guinea-pig ileum: influence by beta-adrenoceptor agonists and theophylline.

One of the organs that can be used to study the Schultz-Dale reaction, is the guinea-pig ileum. The reaction is characterized by a specific pattern: a quick contraction, followed by a quick relaxation and a second, more slow contraction. A description is given of this typical reaction. Selective inhibition of the slow contraction could be obtained using beta-adrenoceptor agonists. Also theophylline inhibited the slow contraction, but this inhibition was only selective within a narrow range of concentration. These findings encourage further investigation about a possible involvement of cyclic nucleotides in the liberation of the mediators involved in the Schultz-Dale reaction of the guinea-pig ileum. Furthermore they provide more information about this preparation which could be used as a screening model for anti-allergic drugs of distinct pharmacological groups.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗