Oxygen radical damage is a relevant problem in gerontological research. It has been implicated both in the aging process itself and in aging-related pathologies. Oxygen radicals from catecholamines seem to play an important role in central nervous system and cardiovascular system disorders during aging. Prokaryotic experimental systems have been shown to provide a simple and short term in vitro model for 'oxygen toxicity' from catecholamine oxidation which might be useful also in age-related research. In this paper we show that the synthetic sympathomimetic catecholamine, isoproterenol, oxidizes when added to bacteriological media and that this oxidation process causes bacterial growth inhibition. Both isoproterenol oxidation and the growth-inhibitory activity can be prevented by the addition of antioxidants. The addition of exogenous catalase (CAT), while unable to prevent isoproterenol oxidation, totally suppressed the bacterial growth inhibition; the addition of exogenous superoxide dismutase partially antagonized isoproterenol oxidation and suppressed bacterial growth inhibition although less efficiently than CAT. The model described suggests that besides 'oxygen toxicity' by endogenous natural catecholamines, iatrogenic tissue injury caused by the oxidation intermediates from this class of pharmacological compounds must also be considered.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Whole-cell bacterial peroxidase test with isoproterenol as the hydrogen donor.

The beta-adrenergic compound isoproterenol was used as oxidizable reagent in a whole-cell assay for the detection of bacterial peroxidase activities. Isoproterenol has been shown to constitute a useful reagent for detecting peroxidase activities in enzymatic tests, utilizing standard purified enzymes, and in the microbiological application proposed. The procedure developed is simple and rapid to perform. In contrast to currently used whole-cell tests for bacterial peroxidases, the assay described here does not need preliminary permeabilization; moreover, the compound utilized does not have related toxicological problems. Therefore, the isoproterenol assay may represent a low-cost safe additional peroxidase test in clinical bacteriology.

Bacteria↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Bodily experiences and sexuality in obese women. A clinical study].

The aim of the study was to investigate the centralized impulsive dynamics of 21 obese women in comparison with 21 normal ones, with particular reference to the unconscious bodily experiences and sexuality. Two tests comparing areas of unconscious experience and body organs and classes of feelings, and emotional self-assessment questionnaire and a colour choice test, were given. The statistical analysis of the results showed significant differences between the two groups studied, the obese women being immature, dependent, hypersensitive and introverted with great oral requirements and low autonomous control and with some confusion between food and affection. Their sexuality is pervaded with great aggressiveness and has little connection with its maternal and relational function. Finally, some psychotherapeutic strategies are mentioned.

Adult↗