Net mass transfer of plasma cholesteryl esters and lipid transfer proteins in normolipidemic patients with peripheral vascular disease.

The role of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer and lipid transfer proteins in atherosclerosis is unclear. Recent data suggest both antiatherogenic and atherogenic properties for cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). The overall effect of CETP on atherosclerosis may thus vary depending on individual lipid metabolism.

Human T lymphocytes require lipid as either lipoprotein or nonesterified fatty acid for in vitro activation.

Serum, which is required for activation of T cells in vitro, was fractionated to isolate and identify major supportive components. The serum activity concentrated exclusively with the lipoprotein fractions LDL and HDL. Furthermore, oleic and linoleic acids were equally active supplements, suggesting that resting T cells may require exogenous lipid because they are incapable of synthesizing fatty acid.

T cell growth without serum.

Most in vitro T cell proliferation experiments are performed by using serum-supplemented medium, yet the actual contributions of serum components to cell cycle progression remain ill-defined, thus complicating attempts to fully define requirements for cell division. By utilizing a functional separation between T cell receptor-triggered "competence" and IL 2-promoted "progression" to independently assess serum requirements during each cell cycle stage, it was shown that serum serves an essential, active role only during the early events of the competence phase (G0-G1 transition) of T cell activation. Serum is required for optimal IL 2 production and the cell surface expression of IL 2 receptors after the stimulation of the T3/Ti antigen receptor complex.

Defects in insulin binding and autophosphorylation of erythrocyte insulin receptors in patients with syndromes of severe insulin resistance and their parents.

Genetic forms of severe insulin resistance are often characterized by alterations in binding and/or kinase properties of the insulin receptor. To evaluate whether alterations in insulin receptor kinase of erythrocytes can be used as genetic markers, we studied patients with two apparently inherited conditions of severe insulin resistance (leprechaunism and the type A syndrome of insulin resistance) and their families. In the two propositi, [125I]insulin binding to intact erythrocytes was decreased by 64% and 45%, respectively.

Increased water excretion in hyperprolactinemic rats.

The role of PRL in mammalian salt and water balance remains controversial. To avoid the methodological problems of exogenous PRL administration, endogenous hyperprolactinemia was established in normal rats by implantation of extra anterior pituitary glands under the kidney capsule. To eliminate excess glucocorticoid secretion in these rats, they were adrenalectomized, implanted with corticosterone replacement pellets, and given 0.