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Biomedical subjects

K Williamson

Publications and source records attributed to K Williamson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Effect of LHRH agonist, Zoladex, on ovarian histology.

In a phase I clinical trial Zoladex was used as first line hormonal therapy in premenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Patients on progression of their disease underwent surgical oöphorectomy. The histology of ovaries from 23 women treated with Zoladex has been compared with the ovaries from 34 patients who, before the clinical trial of Zoladex, underwent surgical oöphorectomy as primary therapy. Both groups show similar follicular phase development. Only 13 per cent of the Zoladex group developed corpora lutea while 58 per cent showed evidence of luteinization in the primary oöphorectomy group (P less than 0.01). Non-neoplastic follicular cysts were seen more often in the ovaries of the Zoladex treated patients than in the primary oöphorectomy group (P less than 0.05). Zoladex appears to arrest not folliculogenesis but follicular maturation with inhibition of ovulation, the follicles subsequently undergoing atresia with follicular cyst formation.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1987

A urine inhibitor of interleukin 1 activity that blocks ligand binding.

Urine from febrile patients was found to contain a novel inhibitor of interleukin 1 (IL-1) bioactivity that blocked the specific binding of radioiodinated IL-1 to its receptor in a dose-dependent fashion. Strong inhibition of IL-1 binding was still obtained when cells were preincubated with the inhibitor and washed, thus suggesting that the inhibitor binds to a surface structure (possibly the IL-1 receptor itself). The inhibitor was distinct from IL-1 as determined by both physical parameters (size and antigenicity) and receptor-binding characteristics (apparent affinity and dissociation rate). These data provide evidence for a physiologic regulator of IL-1 activity that functions in vivo via direct interference with ligand binding.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A urine inhibitor of interleukin 1 activity affects both interleukin 1 alpha and 1 beta but not tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Urine from monocytic leukemia and other febrile patients contains an inhibitor of interleukin 1 (IL-1), as measured by prostaglandin E2 and collagenase production by human fibroblasts and synovial cells. With the use of recombinant IL-1, the IL-1 inhibitor was partially purified by using ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion-exchange, and gel filtration chromatographies. IL-1 inhibitory activity elutes with an 18,000 to 25,000 apparent molecular size. The same fractions also inhibit IL-1 assayed by the proliferation of murine thymocytes and human fibroblasts. Both forms of human recombinant IL-1, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, which show only 26% homology, but nevertheless bind to the same receptor, are affected by this natural inhibitor to the same extent. In contrast, human recombinant tumor necrosis factor, which shares some of the biologic activities of IL-1, is not inhibited by the urinary IL-1 inhibitor. This study shows that the various biologic activities of both forms of human recombinant IL-1 are inhibited by a partially purified natural urine-derived factor.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1986

Purification and characterization of human interleukin-1 beta expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli.

The high-level expression of human interleukin-1 beta in Escherichia coli is described. The protein contributes about 12% of the total cell protein and is associated with the soluble cytoplasmic fraction of the cell. A method for the purification of the protein is given which is based on anion- and cation-exchange chromatographies. The isolated protein, shown to be homogeneous by several analytical methods, has been characterized by amino acid analysis, N- and C-terminal sequence analysis and analytical centrifugation. The protein is biologically active as demonstrated by two different in vitro assays, namely, the mononuclear cell factor (IL-1/MCF) assay and lymphocyte activating factor (IL-1/LAF) assay. The specific activities determined with the IL-1/MCF and IL-1/LAF assays, are 2 X 10(7) and 4 X 10(7) units mg-1, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Protein C antigen deficiency and warfarin necrosis.

Recent reports have suggested a correlation between congenital protein C deficiency and tissue necrosis complicating oral anticoagulants (warfarin necrosis). The authors studied blood samples of 13 patients, obtained two weeks to more than six months after warfarin necrosis. Protein C antigen levels were assayed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (Diagnostica Stago, France). Factors II, VII, IX, and X were assayed by functional methods, and IX and X additionally by immunologic methods. The results show that 11 of 13 patients with a history of tissue necrosis had low protein C levels, ranging from 23 to 69%, with the normal range being 70-140%. These results confirm that low protein C antigen levels are implicated in the pathogenesis of warfarin necrosis.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

Prostaglandin E2 and collagenase production by fibroblasts and synovial cells is regulated by urine-derived human interleukin 1 and inhibitor(s).

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) possesses multiple biological activities that may be blocked selectively by different inhibitors. Some known inhibitors block the lymphocyte activating factor (LAF/IL-1) but not the mononuclear cell factor (MCF/IL-1) measured by its capacity to stimulate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and collagenase production. The presence of IL-1 in vivo may be difficult to detect due to the presence of inhibitor(s) and the level of the inhibitor(s) may vary depending upon pathological conditions. We have found that urine from three patients with monocytic leukemia (M5) contained high levels of inhibitor(s) of MCF/IL-1, whereas urine of normal subjects did not contain significant amounts. Urine from two patients with other blood neoplasic diseases also contained little inhibitory activity. The MCF/IL-1 inhibitor(s), which also acts on human recombinant IL-1 beta, is approximately 25-35 kD, is not retained on concanavalin A-Sepharose column and can be partially destroyed with urea and boiling. At this stage of the purification the fraction containing the MCF/IL-1 inhibitor(s) also inhibits the LAF/IL-1 assay. However, this inhibitor(s) is probably distinct from other inhibitors already described.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Studies on the antithrombotic effects and pharmacokinetics of heparin fractions and fragments.

The pharmacokinetics of heparin differ markedly from those of its fractions both in man and in experimental animal models. The route of administration determines the relative availability of different molecular species that exert the anti-Xa, anti-IIa, fibrinopeptide A generation inhibiting actions and the release of tissue plasminogen activator-like activity from the endothelial cell lining. The bioavailability of heparin fractions has proved to be much greater than heparin after subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration. Most of the low molecular weight heparin fractions exhibit sustained antiprotease and antithrombotic actions. The pharmacokinetics of the specific anti-IIa and anti-Xa actions of heparin and its fractions is dependent on the molecular composition of these agents. Even if the fractions are standardized for identical potencies by the in vitro assays, the elimination rate of anti-Xa and anti-IIa actions are significantly different for each fraction. The antithrombotic actions of heparin and its fractions also vary widely in the rabbit stasis thrombosis model. Different fractions show variable antithrombotic actions against defined thrombogenic challenges. Moreover, selection and potency of a thrombogenic agent is of crucial importance in these studies. The primate (Macaca mulatta) model offers a useful preclinical model for the pharmacologic evaluation of the low molecular heparin fractions. Since the coagulation system and heparinizability index of this model approximate a human response, the data may be used to reflect therapeutic and prophylactic responses, as well as to assess toxic effects, such as bleeding.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Antithrombotic actions and pharmacokinetics of heparin fractions and fragments.

During the last few years many reports on the antithrombotic actions of low molecular weight fractions (LMF) have become available and are being tested in the experimental and clinical settings. Although derived from commercial heparins, the mode of antithrombotic actions, pharmacokinetics and physiologic disposition of these agents is distinct from the parent materials. The antithrombotic potency of these fractions is generally assigned in terms of their ability to inhibit serine proteases such as factor Xa and thrombin in the presence of antithrombin III (AT III). However, these agents are also reported to exert their antithrombotic actions via non AT III mediated inhibition of serine proteases (XIIa, IXa), activation of fibrinolysis via the release of plasminogen activators and charge transition on vascular surfaces. In order to evaluate the relative pharmacologic actions of heparin and its derivatives, we utilized defined animal models to obtain data in terms of pharmacologic parameters. Significant differences between heparin and its derivatives were evident. Human studies on the pharmacokinetics and the endogenous actions of these agents confirmed our preclinical findings. These studies suggest that well-defined preclinical studies are an essential element in the development of newer antithrombotic agents.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Neuroaxonal dystrophy in young adults: a clinicopathological study of two unrelated cases.

The clinical and pathological features of two unrelated sporadic cases of neuroaxonal dystrophy occurring in young adults are described. Initial clinical manifestations in both patients were those of primary psychiatric disorders. They subsequently developed extrapyramidal symptoms, dementia, cerebellar ataxia, and corticospinal dysfunction, but neither demonstrated myoclonic seizures. In one patient the diagnosis was made before death by brain biopsy. On pathological examination both patients showed a generalized distribution of spheroids within the central nervous system and, in one, in the peripheral nerves. In both patients, Lewy bodies were demonstrated in the pigmented brainstem nuclei. In addition, one patient showed ultrastructurally verified Lewy bodies in the cerebral cortex. Although these two cases could be considered examples of juvenile neuroaxonal dystrophy, we prefer to regard them as transitional forms in a disease spectrum with classic infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy and Hallervorden-Spatz disease at the two extremes.

Adult↗