Variations in hemocyte counts in the mussel, Mytilus edulis: similar reaction patterns occur in disappearance and return of molluscan hemocytes and vertebrate leukocytes.

It was asked whether variations in hemocyte counts in a mussel can be explained by mechanisms known to govern the leukocyte number in vertebrates. Hemolymph of 25 freshly collected Mytilus edulis contained (4.2±1.

[The diagnostic validity of non-invasive pancreatic function tests--a meta-analysis].

Background: The paper discusses the non-invasive (tubeless) pancreatic function tests used to diagnose exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EI). Studies evaluating the diagnostic validity of these tests are integrated into a meta-analysis, provided that they comply with the following criteria: The sensitivity (Ss) of a test has to be calculated by comparing it with an invasive function test which is accepted as the gold standard of pancreatic function diagnostics. Furthermore, the test must differentiate between slight (sl), moderate (md) and severe (sv) EI.

Ethanol modifies the actin cytoskeleton in rat pancreatic acinar cells--comparison with effects of CCK.

Background: One of the early events leading to alcoholic pancreatitis seems to be the effect of ethanol on stimulus-secretion coupling. This study examines ethanol-induced modifications of filamentous actin (F-actin) content and localization in acini, the resulting alpha-amylase secretion and the role of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in these processes.

Methods: Freshly isolated acini were treated with different concentrations of ethanol or cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) for different periods.

Role of PGE2 in the development of pancreatic injury induced by chronic alcohol feeding in rats.

Background: Eicosanoids are known to modulate inflammation. Moreover, some studies report that endogenous prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) protects the pancreas against injury. Therefore, we investigated its role in a rat model of chronic alcohol consumption.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation, cytoplasmic calcium dynamics, and alpha-amylase secretion of pancreatic acini isolated from aged and chronically alcohol-fed rats.

Methods: Three-month-old female Wistar rats were fed with 20% alcohol in their drinking fluid over 6-17 mo using an interrupted feeding regimen. At different times, pancreatic acini were isolated by mild collagenase digestion. The concentrations of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (1,4,5-IP3) were determined by a specific radioreceptor assay, before and at different times after stimulation with varying concentrations of CCK-8.