Opsonic requirements for phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) of a laboratory strain of Borrelia hermsii were examined. Intracellular localization of spirochetes was confirmed by electron microscopy and cinephotomicroscopy. Phagocytosis of 3H-labeled spirochetes was increased with higher concentrations of pooled human serum or greater ratios of spirochetes to PMNLs and was unaffected by diminished classical complement pathway activity. Immune rabbit serum markedly increased phagocytosis of spirochetes beyond levels observed with preimmune rabbit serum. Immune rabbit serum also demonstrated direct activity against B. hermsii, which decreased the motility and viability and increased agglutination of the spirochetes independently of complement. Both the direct activity against B. hermsii and the opsonic activity of immune rabbit serum were eliminated by immunoabsorption of immunoglobulins. These observations suggest a role for the alternative complement pathway and for immunoglobulins in the opsonization of spirochetes for phagocytosis by PMNLs. Immunoglobulins may also play a role in the direct clearance of spirochetes.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Treatment of benign fibrocystic disease of the breast with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (CB 154).

A total of 192 patients with benign fibrocystic disease of the breast were studied. Diagnosis was based on the clinical picture, xerography, and/or mammography. Most of the patients were 30-45 years old. Hormonal studies including serum PRL, 17-beta-estradiol, progesterone, and gonadotropins were performed by means of specific and sensitive RIA techniques. Patients were allotted to treatment with 3 x 25 mg p.o. 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (CB 154, Parlodel, Sandoz) continuously for a period of 3 months. In an attempt to establish a possible relationship between PRL levels and the disease, patients were divided into two groups with high or normal levels of PRL. Results indicate an improvement or complete recovery in about 75% of the cases. These results are independent of PRL levels. According to our experience CB 154 seems to be the most effective treatment of this disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

[Urinary infection in pregnancy].

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Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Mutagenesis and transformation of C3H 10T 1/2 cells treated with ethyl methanesulfonate.

Survival, mutagenesis and transformation were measured in mouse embryo C3H 10T 1/2 cells following treatment with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Ouabain-resistant cells and transformed cells were isolated, and reconstruction experiments were carried out to determine the optimum conditions for the measurement of mutation and transformation frequencies. Survival was measured by plating efficiency; mutagenesis was measured in terms of the induction of cells able to form colonies in the presence of ouabain; and transformation was measured by the induction of cells forming either morphologically altered colonies on a monolayer of contact-inhibited cells or of cells capable of forming colonies in semi-solid media. When confluent monolayers were incubated for 4 h after treatment with EMS, to allow excision repair before the resumption of DNA synthesis, survival as well as the frequencies of both mutation and transformation increased. When this repair (or holding) period was extended to 24 h, the frequencies of mutation and transformation both decreased as compared to the 4-h holding period. Thus, the holding periods affect the frequencies of EMS-induced mutagenesis and transformation similarly.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

The analgesic effect of calcitonin in humans: studies on the role of opioid peptides.

The possibility that the analgesic action of calcitonin could be due to variations in beta-endorphin levels in both peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid was studied. A total of 40 microgram of synthetic salmon calcitonin was injected i. v. in four male volunteers undergoing minor operations under rachianesthesia. Beta-Endorphin was determined in blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples that were collected before and at regular intervals after calcitonin injection. No statistically significant variation in beta-endorphin levels was observed either in peripheral blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Since the injected calcitonin was free of contaminants (demonstrated by both high pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay of endorphin made on the injected preparation) and since an increase was observed in the immunoreactive calcitonin in cerebrospinal fluid following calcitonin i. v., self-analgesic action may be hypothesized, even though action through prostaglandins or other systems cannot be excluded.

Adult↗

PubMed1981