Reversibility of neurofilamentous inclusion formation following repeated sublethal intracisternal inoculums of AlCl3 in New Zealand white rabbits.

In this report, we describe the clinical, topographical and immunohistochemical characteristics of neurofilament (NF) inclusion formation induced by the intracisternal inoculation of young adult New Zealand white rabbits at 28-day intervals with 100 micrograms AlCl3 over the course of 267 days. The ability to recover following cessation of aluminum exposure has also been assessed. The extent of neurofilamentous inclusion formation was proportionate to the cumulative amount of AlCl3 inoculated and initially consisted of fusiform axonal distention in the ventral spinal cord at day 51 following the initial inoculum.

200 kDa and 160 kDa neurofilament protein phosphatase resistance following in vivo aluminum chloride exposure.

We have used time-course dephosphorylation experiments and two dimensional isoelectric focusing to assess the phosphorylation state of neurofilament (NF) proteins following the intracisternal inoculation of AlCl3. Littermates of New Zealand white rabbits, age 5-6 weeks, were inoculated with either 1000, 750, 500, 250 or 100 micrograms AlCl3 in 0.9% NaCl or 0.

Effects of alcohol withdrawal on responses of platelets from alcoholics--a study using platelet-rich plasma from blood anticoagulated with D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl chloromethyl ketone (FPRCH2Cl).

Platelet responses stimulated by a range of concentrations of ADP or collagen were studied in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from alcoholics 24-36 h and 6 days after cessation of drinking, and in PRP from age- and sex-matched controls. The studies were done using plasma from blood anticoagulated with the specific thrombin inhibitor D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl chloromethyl ketone (FPRCH2Cl, PPACK); the use of this compound permits the study of platelet responses in plasma at physiological concentrations of ionized calcium. Responses of platelets to ADP (primary aggregation) and collagen (aggregation, secretion of [14C]serotonin from prelabelled platelets, and thromboxane formation) were lower in alcoholics 24-36 h after withdrawal of alcohol compared with controls.

Platelet responses to platelet-activating factor are inhibited in alcoholics undergoing alcohol withdrawal.

Platelet aggregation, secretion of serotonin, and formation of thromboxane B2 induced by platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine) were studied in plasma containing physiological concentrations of ionized calcium in eight alcoholics after cessation of heavy drinking. Responses of platelets of four nonalcoholic volunteers, matched with a subgroup of the alcoholics by age and sex, were also investigated. Aggregation of platelets from alcoholics was significantly less throughout the 6-day detoxification period compared with controls.

In vitro effects of ethanol on rabbit platelet aggregation, secretion of granule contents, and cyclic AMP levels in the presence of prostacyclin.

Ethanol, at physiologically tolerable concentrations, inhibits platelet responses to low concentrations of collagen or thrombin, but does not inhibit responses of washed rabbit platelets stimulated with high concentrations of ADP, collagen, or thrombin. However, when platelet responses to high concentrations of collagen or thrombin had been partially inhibited by prostacyclin (PGI2), ethanol had additional inhibitory effects on aggregation and secretion. These effects were also observed with aspirin-treated platelets stimulated with thrombin.