Alterations induced by lithium in gfap expression and in the proteinic composition of glial cells in vitro.

In the adult brain, astrocytes account for about 40% of the cell population in the central nervous system. Normal, reactive and neoplastic astrocytes can be identified in immunohistochemical preparations by means of glial fibrillary acid proteins (GFAP) expression. This protein is considered to be a sensitive indicator of xenobiotics toxicity.

Activity of glutathione-s-transferase, gammaglutamiltransferase and catalase in the erythrocytic membrane in arterial hypertension.

Our clinical-biological study has been performed in patients with various clinical forms of arterial hypertension (AHT), as well as with sequelae-type complications from stroke that had occurred during the evolution of the disease. We performed biological determinations of the activity of four erythrocytic enzymes: glutathione-s-transferase (GST), catalase, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The results point to the existence of individual values and also of important differences depending on the presence of arterial hypertension complications.

Lithium action upon Hep2 tumoral cells in vitro.

Previously performed light microscopy studies have demonstrated Hep2 tumoral cells to be sensitive to concentrations of LiCl 1 mM and 2 mM. At those concentrations, LiCl induces morphological alterations consisting in cell hypertrophy, formations of cells with several nuclei similar to syncytium, cytoplasmic projections. This study focuses on the action of LiCl on growth kinetics, cloning capacity and protein composition of Hep2 tumoral cells.

Decreased SOD activity and increased nitrates level in rat heart with left ventricular hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is considered a risk for cardiac failure. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis of antioxidant changes during ventricular hypertrophy, we have used isoproterenol treated rats. Our studies showed that administration of high doses of isoproterenol induced oxidative and nitrosative stress, expressed as decreased level of thiols (SH), decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased nitrates level in the rat heart.

Influence of lithium on the cellular environment.

In order to study the influence of lithium on the cellular environment, we conducted research in multiple experimental models: groups of rats with normal cerebral excitability and groups susceptible to audiogenic convulsion, rat neuroglia cultures and perfusion of dog isolated head. We assumed blood composition to be a good indicator of cell environment composition. Blood serotonin level differs in the two groups of animals.

Determination of erythrocyte and platelet membranary permeability and its importance for the study of arterial pressure in physiological and pathological conditions.

The World Health Organization and the International Society of Hypertension continue to focus on assessing the cardiovascular risk of arterial hypertension and on developing a hierarchy of risk factors. Among the factors involved in the etiopathogeny of arterial hypertension, less attention has been given to the relations between the figurate elements of the blood (red cells and platelets) and the endothelial factors involved in vasomotricity. This motivates further research into the permeability of the erythrocyte and the platelet membrane in physiological and pathological conditions.

Influence of acceleration over the hydroelectrolytic homeostasis in audiogenic seizure-prone rats compared to normoexcitable rats.

This research concentrated on the hydroelectrolytic balance response after centrifugation (+5G/30 minutes, five times) in two lots of rats: one lot made up of animals with normal cerebral excitability, and another one of animals prone to audiogenic seizure. Both before and after centrifugation, we determined: water (ml/24 hrs.) and sodium chloride (mEq/24 hrs.

Visual processing of configuration-dependent spatial characteristics of shapes and patterns. A model useful in the study of the role of the departure from circularity or dispersion of shapes in human visual perception.

In this work a theoretical model was used in combination with testings on normal subjects to get more insight in the role of the departure from circularity or dispersion of the shapes in visual perception. The model was inspired by the observation that the intensity of the effect of a given level of contrast of a shape usually increases, for the same area, with the shape being better concentrated around a center. The model introduces as a measurable characteristic the degree of concentration or dispersion of a shape with respect to a center.

The influence of age on the thermal transition of serum albumine in rats.

Serum albumine from rats at different ages (1, 3, 9, 18 months) undergoes a thermal reversible denaturation in the range of 40-53 degrees C. Thermal transitions of unbuffered solution of native protein show a significant change of pH as they became heat denaturated. The protein molecule has been analysed in melting studies, manifested by cooperative dissociation of protons and it experiences a decrease in temperature transition with the younger the rats.

Research on some metabolic and enzymatic modifications in experimental hypertensive myocardium.

This paper presents our research on metabolic and enzymatic changes in the experimental, Isoproterenol-induced (ISO) hypertensive myocardium of rats. We analyze the effects produced by the simultaneous administration of adenosinetriphosphate (fosfobion) (FOS) and Isoproterenol on the changes in the body weight/heart weight ratio, and on the biochemical changes of cardiac metabolism. We studied the following parameters in the myocardium tissue and blood: plasmatic and tissular creatinin-phosphokinase, Na+K+ ATP-ase in the sarcolemma and the sarcoplasmic reticulum, Ca+2 ATP-ase in the mitochondrial membrane, sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcolemma, as well as plasmatic and tissular lactate.

Influence of increased sodium intake on cerebral excitability.

The purpose of the study has been to observe the influence of an increased dietary sodium intake over cerebral excitability in rats. Research was conducted on two lots of animals: the first lot (PSA) was maintained under the influence of an increased intake of sodium given in the form of physiologic solution, instead of water. That regimen was started during gestation and continued after birth for another 12-14 months before the rats were sacrified.

Voluntary multiplet discharge after the activation test for spasmophilia as an electromyographic sign of a mild form of this disease.

The electromyographic (EMG) diagnosis of spasmophilia is based on the appearance in a susceptible muscle of spontaneous burst (multiplet) discharges after an activation procedure consisting usually in 10 minutes ischemia followed by a pause of a length that varies with the author but does not exceed 5 minutes, and finally by a hyperventilation, again not exceeding 5 minutes. In investigations carried out many years ago we observed that a number of subjects with symptoms of spasmophilia showed no postischemic spontaneous bursts, but responded with bursts to voluntary contraction. In this work we present some findings leading to the conclusion that voluntary burst discharge after the activation procedure can represent a sign of spasmophilia and not a mere manifestation within normal limits.

Interrelationships between the metabolism of thyroid hormones and the liver. Part one.

The paper deals with the biosynthesis of the thyroid hormones and with their metabolism, which takes place in many tissues, mainly in the liver. The liver exerts effects on thyroid hormone distribution, metabolism and disposal. It supplies the thyroglobulin--storage form of thyroid hormones--and the plasma proteins with which they are bound.

Renin and aldosterone reactions after acute hemorrhage.

Among the pressor homeostatic mechanisms that appear after hemorrhage are renin-angiotensin response and aldosterone hypersecretion. Plasma renin activity (PRA) may decrease initially but increase always after a certain interval. Aldosterone secretion increases or decreases in a higher or lower degree.

Phospholipid variation in acute ethanol intoxication in rats.

The effects of acute ethanol intoxication in different rat organs were studied with 32P. Since 32P incorporation in all compounds of cell membrane formation faithfully illustrate their structural and functional integrity, levels of 32P labelled phospholipids, from different organs were investigated in acute experiments. Researches were carried out on male rats, by administering doses of 3.

Biochemical correlations between some organs and the liver after acute ethanol intoxication in rats.

The influence of different doses of ethanol on the phospholipid metabolism in rat was investigated with 32P. Male rats received by oral intubation a single intoxicating dose of ethanol (3.5 or 5.

Electrical activity induced by ischemia in the skeletal muscle of patients with spasmophilia.

The incidence of spontaneous electrical activity during ischemia was studied in normal and spasmophilic subjects with a Bronk electrode inserted in the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Subjects were of both sexes, aged 16 to 65 years. The diagnosis of spasmophilia was established electromyographically by a variant of the Alajouanine test.

Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in hyperthermic rats.

Exposure of rats to an environment of +40 degrees C that increases central (rectal) temperature to about 40 degrees C, importantly decrease the number of thrombocytes, the blood coagulation (the Quick time and Howel time) and euglobulin lysis time (ELT). In order to search for the mechanism responsible for coagulability and fibrinolysis we studied the relations of these changes with the sympatheticoadrenergic system and with the adrenal hormonal secretion. Some parameters were thus explored after adrenalectomy and under the influence of a beta-blocking agent, Eraldin.

The digestive tract of rat after flight in the biosatellite Cosmos 1667.

From the histochemical investigation carried out on the digestive tract of rats after 7 days space flight in the soviet biosatellite Cosmos 1667 it resulted that neutral and acid glycoproteins diminished slightly in the sublingual gland, stomach, small intestine and the colon. Some intestinal enzymes augmented (leucineaminopeptidase, acid phosphatase, adenosinetriphosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase). The changes observed after this flight were less marked than after an 18 day flight (in the Soviet biosatellite Cosmos 936 and 1129) and similar to those revealed after 7 days of hypokinesia.

Systolic time intervals after a seven-day orbital flight.

Heart rate, systolic time intervals (pre-ejection period, left ventricular ejection time , ejection friction, stroke volume and QT interval of two cosmonauts (Leonid Popov--L.P. and Dumitru Prunariu--D.

Small intestine biopotentials in rats after hypokinesia.

To study the effect of hypokinesia on rats small intestine (jejunum and ileum) biopotentials it was first necessary to characterize it. Biopotentials were recorded by intracellular placed microelectrodes from oral and caudal segments of the small intestine. The character of rats small intestine biopotentials differs from that of other species (man, cat, rabbit, dog, e.

The action of simulated and true weightlessness on the digestive tract of rats.

Rats on board the Soviet Cosmos 936 satellite for l8 1/2 days showed a decreased glycoprotein secretion from the salivary mucous glands, stomach and intestine, and an increased leucine aminopeptidase and acid phosphatase content from the small intestine. Grimelius positive cells were activated. One group of rats were centrifuged at 1 g during the flight to simulate terrestrial gravity.

The gastrointestinal tract in hypokinetic rats.

In Wistar rats kept for 15, 30 and 60 days in a hypokinetic state in special cages, alteration of some gastrointestinal glands was studied by means of histochemical and electron microscopic methods. After 15-30 days of hypokinesia, a decrease was found in the muco-polysaccharide content of the submaxillary, gastric and duodenal glands. The intestinal goblet cells appeared vacuolated.