Enzyme and protein studies of demyelination in diabetes.

Neuropathological evidence of demyelination was found in the brain and sciatic nerve of diabetic patients at autopsy. The activity of acid proteinase was somewhat increased in the white matter but decreased in the gray matter of diabetic patients. No increase was observed in the activity of neutral proteinase in diabetic white and gray matter.

Lysosomal enzymes in the lymphocytes and granulocytes of patients with multiple sclerosis.

The activities of three lysosomal enzymes were measured from the lymphocytes and granulocytes of patients with multiple sclerosis and of controls. The activity of acid phosphatase was increased in the granulocytes and that of beta-glucuronidase in the lymphocytes of MS patients in remission, as compared to those in relapse. No marked increases were observed in the activity of acid proteinase.

Pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Neurochemical and morphological studies on MS biopsies and autopsies.

In the present study, six multiple sclerosis (MS) brain white matter biopsies were analyzed both morphologically and chemically. The purpose of this study was to test the reliability of the earlier postmortem observations. Special attention was given to proteins which were analyzed in polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and to acid proteinase.

Effects of L-tryptophan treatment on central indoleamine metabolism and short-lasting neurologic disturbances in multiple sclerosis.

Twelve MS patients were treated with L-tryptophan with or without decarboxylase inhibitor for 30 days, and the daily dose was either 1.5 g or 8 g. Tryptophan, 5-HIAA and HVA were analysed from lumbar punctures before and during tryptophan treatment.

Interaction between dopamine and phospholipids. Studies of the substantia nigra in Parkinson disease patients.

Interaction between dopamine and phospholipids was studied in the substantia nigra of ten patients with Parkinson disease and nine control subjects. There were no differences in the total content of phospholipids. However, in parkinsonian patients without previous levodopa treatment, the amount of sphingomyelin was increased and the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine decreased.