Effect of gliquidone on insulin binding to rabbit erythrocytes.

A study was made of the effects of acute or chronic treatment of rabbits with 10 mg gliquidone (Glurenorm)/kg body weight on erythrocyte insulin receptors. The binding of 125I-labelled insulin to the population of whole red blood cells was not affected by either treatment. Because of the heterogeneity of the erythrocytes, subpopulations were selected according to their specific gravity, which is directly related to cell age.

Differences between in-vitro and in-vivo potencies of corticotrophins: an interpretation in terms of metabolic stability.

Relative activities of a series of corticotrophin analogues have been measured by means of five different bioassays using the rat. Similarities in the relative potencies of various ACTH analogues determined using lipolysis or steroidogenesis in vivo and for the lipolytic and steroidogenic responses of fat pads and adrenal slices in vitro emerged and support the concept of a close structural relationship between the ACTH receptors in adipose and adrenal tissues in the rat. Potencies based on the steroidogenic response of isolated adrenal cells, adrenal slices or in-vivo experiments differed markedly from each other.

Corticotropic action of an intra-nasally applied synthetic ACTH derivative.

The corticotropic action of a synthetic ACTH derivative, D-Ser1 Lys17,18-1-18ACTH, after intranasal insufflation of 1 mg of the peptide was evaluated in 14 normal volunteers. Plasma cortisol and urinary 17-ketogenic steroids and 17-ketosteroids rose significantly over control values in all subjects (P less than 0.001).

Uterine secretion during the sexual cycle in the rat and its capacity to disperse corona cells in vitro.

It was found that closure of the uterus disturbed the first 2 cycles after the operation; thereafter the normal cycle was resumed. The quantity of uterine fluid was increased at pro-oestrus and oestrus and reduced at met-oestrus and di-oestrus. Slight inverse changes in viscosity were observed.