Diabetes alters the myocardial cAMP-protein kinase cascade system.

An isolated perfused working rat heart preparation was used to assess the effect of alloxan-induced diabetes on the cAMP cascade system. Diabetes did not alter basal cAMP, cGMP content, or protein kinase or phosphorylase activities, but depressed (50%) isoproterenol-induced changes in cAMP content and protein kinase activity ratios. In contrast, phosphorylase activation and increased left ventricular pressure (LVP) were unaltered by diabetes.

Studies on cystic fibrosis using isoelectric focusing. III. Correlation between cystic fibrosis protein and ciliary dyskinesia activity in serum shown by a modified rabbit tracheal bioassay.

We have developed a modified rabbit tracheal bioassay for use in investigating a possible correlation between cystic fibrosis protein (CFP) and ciliary dyskinesia factor (CDF) in human serum. The bioassay requires high standards of tissue selection, and all epithelial tissue must be free of underlying connective tissue. When serum samples were collected and processed carefully and warmed to 37 degrees before assay, CDF could be reliably detected in 31 of 31 sera from cystic fibrosis (CF) homozygotes or obligate heterozygotes in 35 min or less without prior fractionation or concentration of sera, whereas 13 of 14 normal control sera were nonreactive.