We have investigated serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoprotein levels in 97 survivors of acute myocardial infarction in order to clarify the characteristics of lipid and lipoprotein disorders in coronary artery disease among Japanese. Although the HDL cholesterol level was lower and the atherogenic index was higher in the myocardial infarction (MI) group than in the control group, in agreement with previous papers, there was no significant difference in total serum cholesterol level between the MI and the control groups. On the other hand, the triglyceride level was significantly higher in the MI group. The MI group also had higher levels of both cholesterol and triglyceride in the VLDL fraction (d less than 1.006) with a statistically significant increase in the ratio of cholesterol to triglyceride compared with the control group. Levels of both lipids in the IDL fraction (1.006 less than d less than 1.019) were higher in the MI group than in the control group. Lipoprotein analysis with PAG disc electrophoresis revealed a more frequent occurrence of a "midband", which appeared as an additional band between the LDL and VLDL positions, in the MI group than in the control group (MI:51% versus control: 25%, P less than 0.02). The midband-positive subgroup had a higher ratio of cholesterol to triglyceride in the VLDL fraction and higher levels of both lipids in the IDL fraction. Isoelectric focusing of apo VLDL revealed that the incidence of the suspected apo E-ND (E3/2 or E4/2) constitution, which was determined by a low ratio (less than 1.1) of the peak area of E3 to that of E2, was three times higher in the MI group than in the control group (MI:25% versus control: 7%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dopamine metabolism in the central nervous system after discontinuation of L-dopa therapy in patients with Parkinson disease.

The dopamine turnover rate in the central nervous system (CNS) of parkinsonian patients was studied by means of the intravenous probenecid test during drug holiday (DH) and alternate day L-dopa therapy (ADDT). After L-dopa therapy was stopped, the dopamine turnover rate decreased more rapidly in patients with the marked wearing-off phenomenon than that in patients without fluctuation of symptoms. The lumbar CSF concentrations of L-dopa and 3-O-methyldopa of patients with and without wearing-off phenomenon were similar during L-dopa therapy. DH improved the effect of L-dopa on parkinsonian symptoms; it did not affect, however, the metabolism of exogenous L-dopa. The dopamine turnover rate in the CNS before L-dopa therapy or on on-days did not differ between patients tolerating and those not tolerating ADDT. However, it was significantly lower on off-days in patients not tolerating ADDT than in those tolerating ADDT. The relationship between dopamine storage in the CNS and the response to L-dopa therapy is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A three-step purification of manganese superoxide dismutase from human liver on both large and small scales.

A new method for the purification of manganese superoxide dismutase from human liver is described. The procedure involves essentially three steps: DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite, and butyl-Toyopearl chromatographies. The method has several advantages: (i) its simplicity and rapidity (it takes less than 3 days), (ii) its high yield (62%) with a high specific activity (5660 units/mg of purified SOD), and (iii) its suitability for both large- and small-scale purifications.

Chromatography↗