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Biomedical subjects

G Fex

Publications and source records attributed to G Fex.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Prealbumin in Swedish patients with senile systemic amyloidosis and familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.

A prealbumin (PA)-like protein was demonstrated in amyloid fibrils both from a patient with senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA) and from a patient in northern Sweden with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). The investigated properties of this protein were similar in the two types of fibrils. The protein had molecular weight, antigenic determinants, and at least one cysteinyl residue in common with the subunit of normal PA. In contrast to normal PA, it contained disulphide-linked subunits and was to some extent bound to the fibril via the cysteinyl residues. The noncovalent forces between its subunits were weaker than in normal PA. It constituted part of the previously described AScl protein of the SSA fibrils. Proteins with lower molecular weight than the PA monomer were major proteins in both SSA and FAP fibrils. These proteins had similar properties in the two kinds of fibril and may be derived from PA. PA in serum from Swedish patients with FAP and SSA was normal with regard to the isoelectric pH of the monomers and tetramers.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Rates of synthesis of prealbumin and retinol-binding protein during acute inflammation in the rat.

The rates of synthesis of prealbumin (PA), retinol-binding protein (RBP), and other plasma proteins were measured in primary monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes isolated from normal rats and from rats 18 h after induction of an inflammatory reaction by subcutaneous injection of croton oil. The inflammatory pattern of protein synthesis seemed to persist in the isolated hepatocytes for 1-2 days. This pattern included significantly decreased rates of synthesis of PA. The rate of synthesis of RBP was probably also decreased, but significantly less than the rate of PA synthesis. The results support the idea that it is mainly the decreased rate of PA synthesis which is responsible for the decreased plasma concentration of PA, and its ligand RBP and retinol during inflammation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Pulmonary arterial-venous differences in lipids and lipid metabolites.

This study was designed to reevaluate the effectiveness of the lungs in taking up lipids from the blood, and to establish whether or not the blood triglycerides so extracted are metabolized. 8 normal human males were studied. With the subject fasting and supine, a percutaneous catheter was placed in the pulmonary artery, another in the superior vena cava, and a third in the brachial artery. Samples of mixed venous and arterial blood were drawn by syringe from the pulmonary and brachial arteries, respectively. Infusion of a triglyceride emulsion (20% Intralipid) into the superior vena cava was begun at 4.7 ml/min. After 12 min of infusion, mixed venous and arterial samples were taken and infusion was discontinued. 15 min following termination of infusion, blood samples were again drawn. Analysis showed the lungs to be retaining about 25% of available triglyceride. Cholesterol concentration was unaffected. Arterial-venous differences in glycerol and free fatty acid were insignificant, suggesting no metabolism of triglyceride by lungs. The lungs apparently serve as a mechanical screen to triglyceride.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Factors affecting the concentration of free holo retinol-binding protein in human plasma.

The total concentrations of retinol, retinol-binding protein and prealbumin were determined in plasma from twenty healthy men and sixty patients with various inflammatory conditions. These concentrations were all strongly correlated to each other and lower in the patient group. The concentration of free (not prealbumin-bound) holo retinol-binding protein, the presumed 'active' supplier of retinol to the tissues, was calculated. It was found not to be decreased in the patient group. Of the measured total concentrations and their possible ratios in the whole material, the retinol/prealbumin ratio showed the strongest correlation to the concentration of free holo retinol-binding protein. The importance of the concentration of free holo retinol-binding protein for the vitamin A supply to the cells was supported by calculations on data from the literature showing that this concentration better than the above-mentioned total concentrations distinguished between patients with normal and abnormal dark adaptation ability.

Adaptation, Ocular↗
PubMed1984

CSF cation changes following subarachnoid injection of iohexol and metrizamide in rabbits.

Forty anaesthetized rabbits were injected subarachnoidally with equimolal doses, 0.48 mmol/kg body weight (= 185 mg I/kg), of iohexol and metrizamide, administered in solutions iso- and hyperosmolal to the CSF. Concentrations of Na, K, Ca and Mg in the CSF were determined before and 3 hours after the contrast medium injections. Iso-osmolal iohexol caused a uniform decrease in all four cations, which was believed to be a simple dilution. The hyperosmolal solution of iohexol caused a significant relative increase in Ca compared with Na, K and Mg. Both metrizamide solutions caused an increase in Ca over its pre-injection level and a significant relative increase of both Ca and Mg as compared with Na and K. The changes caused by the three latter solutions were consistent with an increase in the blood-brain barrier permeability.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Alcohol-related problems in middle-aged men with elevated serum gamma-glutamyltransferase: a preventive medical investigation.

In an ongoing population study in Malmö, Sweden, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was used both as an indicator of alcohol-related problems and as an aid in further investigation and treatment. The study group was consecutively selected from six middle-aged male birth-year cohorts of 8859 screening attenders (76.1% attendance), and comprised a random one-half (N = 317) of the individuals with screening GGT in the top decentile of the distribution. Alcohol consumption was the main cause of GGT elevation in 76% of the study group. Symptoms of alcoholism were frequent in these subjects but were rare in those with normal GGT levels. Marital and occupational measures were similar to those in the general population for subjects who were still in treatment but differed for subjects who had dropped out within 2 yr. Comparisons of medical and social data, the questionnaire results and other screening measures between the study group and the other subjects with screening GGT in the top decentile showed equivalence between the two groups and indicated that the study group was representative of the entire group with significantly elevated GGT values in the screening investigation.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

The increased negative charge of prealbumin in cerebrospinal fluid is acquired in vitro by oxidation of the cysteinyl residues without formation of disulphides.

The reported charge difference between prealbumin (PA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and PA in plasma has been traced to the cysteinyl residues. In freshly drawn CSF and plasma, PA had the same electrophoretic mobility at pH 8.6 and the same microheterogeneity by electrofocusing under denaturing and nondenaturing conditions. No differences in molecular weight were detected on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis between PA isolated from stored CSF and PA isolated from serum. In fresh samples of CSF and plasma almost all half-cystine residues of PA reacted with 5,5'-dithio bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). During storage of CSF and plasma the single cys-10 in the PA subunits acquired an extra negative charge and became unreactive towards DTNB due to oxidation mainly without formation of disulphides. This reaction proceeded faster in CSF than in plasma and explains the reported lower isoelectric pH and the higher electrophoretic mobility of PA in CSF compared to the corresponding plasma.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

Radioimmunological determination of cellular retinol-binding protein in human tissue extracts.

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay was developed for human cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) using antibodies raised in rabbits against purified human liver CRBP. The assay could determine concentrations of CRBP in extracts down to 8 micrograms/liter. CRBP could be demonstrated in all tissues investigated except in serum, and the same immunoreactive CRBP seemed to be present in all tissues. The highest concentrations were found in the gonads. In the gastrointestinal tract, the small intestine had a higher concentration than did stomach or colon. Muscle and skin had low concentrations of CRBP.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1983

Comparison of gamma-glutamyltransferase and other health screening tests in average middle-aged males, heavy drinkers and alcohol non-users.

Physical and biochemical health screening variables were compared in matched, middle-aged male samples of (a) ideological teetotallers, (b) average men, (c) self-reported alcohol abstainers, (d) low gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity, and (e-f) high GGT activity with or without admitted alcohol consumption background. The alcohol non-user groups and the individuals with low GGT had significantly lower mean values of relative body weight, pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, haematocrit, serum urate, triglyceride, cholesterol, and zero and 120 min blood glucose than individuals with elevated GGT and alcohol overconsumption. The average men had intermediate levels. The frequency of increased values of the same tests was notably higher in the subjects with elevated GGT and heavy alcohol consumption than in the teetotallers and the other groups; and was lowest in the teetotallers.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1983

Apolipoprotein A-I and B levels in adolescents; a trial to define subjects at risk for coronary heart disease.

The normal levels of apolipoprotein A-I and B (apo A-I, apo B) were determined in 220 male and 340 female 16-19-year-old adolescents. In addition to these apolipoproteins, total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (total-C HDL-C) were analysed in an attempt to define subjects at high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). The normal levels were for boys: apo A-I 0.96 +/- 0.13 g/l, apo B 0.64 +/- 0.14 g/l; for girls: apo A-I 1.04 +/- 0.18 g/l, apo B 0.65 +/- 0.14 g/l; for girls taking combined oral contraceptives: apo A-I 1.14 +/- 0.22 g/l, apo B 0.72 +/- 0.16 g/l. Subjects with the following high-risk profiles were selected for further follow-up: 1. Total-C and apo B greater than or equal to 95th percentile; 2. Total-C or apo B greater than or equal to 95th and HDL-C or apo A-I less than or equal to 5th percentile. Seven adolescents had the combination of high total-C and apo B. None had any of the other combinations. One girl had lipid, apolipoprotein levels and a family history indicating familial hypercholesterolemia (f.h.). Another two adolescents were suspected of having f.h. while one girl might have abnormal levels secondary to oral combined contraceptives. The study suggests that the analyses of apolipoproteins, especially apo B, are of value to trace adolescents at risk for future CHD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Factors responsible for the decreased plasma concentration of prealbumin during acute inflammation and fasting in the rat.

The concentration of prealbumin in plasma and the elimination from plasma and whole body of intravenously injected 131I-labelled rat prealbumin were followed in normal rats and rats subjected to fasting or acute inflammation. During fasting and inflammation the concentration of prealbumin decreased to about 50% of the initial value. It was concluded from the radioactive tracer experiments that decreased synthesis was responsible for the decreased intravascular prealbumin mass in the fasting rats. In these rats the plasma volume also decreased. In the rats subjected to inflammation, both a decreased intravascular fraction and a decreased synthetic rate of prealbumin seemed to contribute to the decreased intravascular mass of prealbumin. The total catabolic rate was decreased in these conditions.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

Cellular origin of prealbumin in the rat.

The synthetic rate of prealbumin and albumin in primary monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes was measured by immunochemical methods. The isolated hepatocytes synthesized these proteins in the same ratio as that previously found for the whole body synthesis in vivo. It is concluded that the hepatocytes synthesize the main part of prealbumin in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Purification and partial characterization of a cellular retinol-binding protein from human liver.

A protein with binding specificity for retinol was purified from human liver. [3H]Retinol was added to liver extracts and the [3H]retinol-binding protein isolated by conventional chromatographic techniques including ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose, gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and G-50 and preparative isoelectric focusing. The yield was 10-15% in different preparations and the degree of purification was about 3000-fold. The purified protein had a molecular weight of about 15,000 as estimated from both gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate and homogeneous in several electrophoretic systems. Isoelectric focusing of the purified protein gave a doublet band. Only one fluorescent band at pH 4.70 was seen if the protein solution was incubated with excess retinol prior to isoelectric focusing. The isolated protein did not react with antiserum to the retinol-binding protein of plasma. The amino acid composition and the amino terminal amino acid sequence for the first sixteen amino acids of the purified protein differed significantly from that of the plasma retinol-binding protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1982

High density lipoprotein composition versus heredity for acute myocardial infarction in middle-aged males.

The levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI (Apo AI) were determined in 299 men, 48 years of age. We found a significant negative correlation between HDL cholesterol and serum triglyceride concentrations and a significant correlation between serum triglyceride concentration and the Apo AI/HDL cholesterol ratio. A history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was significantly more common than expected among the fathers of men with a low HDL cholesterol level. We also found a relationship between AMI among fathers and high Apo AI level in sons, although this relationship was not as strong as that between AMI among fathers and low HDL cholesterol in sons. No significant relationship was found between AMI among mothers and HDL cholesterol or Apo AI in sons.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed1982

Correlations of serum lipids and lipoproteins with gamma-glutamyltransferase and attitude to alcohol consumption.

The correlation of three markers of alcohol consumption: serum concentration of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GT), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), apolipoprotein AI (Apo AI), and the results of a questionnaire (Mm-MAST) designed to measure the attitude towards alcohol consumption were determined in a population of healthy men aged 48 years. Apo AI (r = 0.27) and GT (r = 0.31) were correlated (P less than 0.001) to the questionnaire score to a similar degree while the correlation between HDL-cholesterol and the questionnaire score was (r = 0.18), somewhat less good but statistically significant (P less than 0.01). There was no correlation between GT and HDL-cholesterol or Apo AI.

Alcohol Drinking↗