A study of the toxic hazard that might be associated with the consumption of green potato tops.

Eating green potatoes has reportedly led to poisoning attributed to potato glycoalkaloids (PGA), primarily alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine. Concentrations of PGA increase during the greening of potatoes but are reportedly much higher in potato tops (leaves). As it is known that members of the UK Bangladeshi community consume potato tops, a study of the toxic hazard that may be associated with the consumption of green potato tops has been carried out.

Distribution of glutamine synthetase and glial fibrillary acidic protein and correlation of glutamine synthetase with glutamate decarboxylase in different regions of the rat central nervous system.

The concentration of soluble glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein and the specific activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) were estimated in 11 central nervous system (CNS) regions of the 90-day-old rat. Marked differences were observed in the regional distribution of these astrocyte marker proteins. The striatum and spinal cord contained the lowest concentration (per g wet weight) of GFA protein and GS activity, respectively, while the olfactory bulbs had the highest level of both astrocytic proteins.

Regulation of in vivo glutamine synthetase activity by glucocorticoids in the developing rat brain.

Induction of glutamine synthetase in vivo by glucocorticoids was studied in different brain regions of the rat during development. Corticosterone treatment resulted in an age-dependent increase in glutamine synthetase activity. In 11-day-old rats, in comparison with controls, the increase was about 80% in the cerebellum, 50% in the olfactory bulbs and 20% in the forebrain.