New alterations of serum glycoproteins in alcoholic and cirrhotic patients revealed by high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Plasma protein are synthesized and secreted by the liver. Several reports have shown that excessive consumption of ethanol interferes with the hepatic protein synthesis and/or secretion. This study was undertaken to identify the plasma/serum proteins altered in two groups of patients with different alcohol-related diseases: actively drinking alcoholic patients group without liver disease and alcohol cirrhotic patients group.

Human blood platelet protein map established by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Two-dimensional (2-D) maps of cytosol and enriched-membrane platelet proteins has allowed the identification of more than 25 spots by three different methods: matching of the platelet gels with other 2-D reference maps, immunoblotting with chemiluminescence detection, and N-terminal sequencing. Different G protein (guanosine triphosphate-binding protein) subunits, cytoskeletal proteins, and proteins common to the human liver, red blood cells and plasma were identified. The two platelet protein maps presented here contribute to the project of identification of human cell and body fluid proteins.

Active immunization against insulin affects sleep and feeding in rats.

The effects of active immunization against peripheral insulin on different sleep parameters and food consumption were studied in rats. Insulin coupled to thyroglobulin was used as immunogen and rats immunized with thyroglobulin alone served as controls. Active immunization against insulin is summarized as follows: (a) the number of arousals was reduced; (b) waking time decreased by about 20%; (c) slow wave sleep was increased; (d) The amount of sleep increased during the light and dark period; (e) feeding was decreased; (f) body weight was reduced; and (g) the blood glucose level rised.

Analysis of glycoproteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using lectin blotting revealed by chemiluminescence.

The carbohydrate structures of blotted glycoproteins can be analyzed by probing with lectins. The objective of the present work was to optimize the lectin blotting of human plasma glycoproteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and the detection by the sensitive chemiluminescence method. The proposed detection method was found to be ten times more sensitive than a standard colorimetric reaction.

Pharmacokinetic optimisation of the treatment of psychosis.

Psychosis is a generic term covering (for the purposes of the present article)) schizophrenia, brief reactive psychoses and manic episodes. Traditionally, research has focused on the effect of antipsychotic agents on positive or productive symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. More recently, attention has been focused on negative symptoms such as emotional withdrawal or impairment of social participation.

Determination of human alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase genotypes by single strand conformation polymorphism in discontinuous buffer electrophoresis.

Under appropriate conditions single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products allows the detection of single base mutations in a given DNA fragment. We adapted this method for the routine determination of allele variants of human alcohol and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase without radioisotopic labeling. After PCR amplification of the selected exon, the DNA fragments were heat-denatured and loaded on a polyacrylamide gel containing glycerol.

Regulatory aspects of modified release dosage forms: clinical studies.

In a recently drafted "Note for guidance" of the European Community it is stated that "The therapeutic objective and rationale for developing the prolonged release product should be provided". This implies that any therapeutic claim should be documented by ad hoc clinical trials. Another "Note for guidance" describes "the studies to be conducted in man, which are specific to new extended release forms containing recognized active and safe medicinal substances so as to ensure a more prolonged action than the conventional pharmaceutical forms already marketed".

Persistent impairment of clomipramine demethylation in recently detoxified alcoholic patients.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the metabolism of clomipramine is altered by chronic alcohol drinking. Eleven recently detoxified alcoholic patients were included (experimental group EG) and compared to a reference group of patients with no history of alcoholism (reference group RG, n = 102). Blood concentrations of clomipramine and its metabolites were measured as part of the routine drug monitoring program.

Red blood cell protein map: a comparison between carrier-ampholyte pH gradient and immobilized pH gradient, and identification of four red blood cell enzymes.

The aim of this study was (a) to establish a red blood cell (RBC) protein map with immobilized pH gradient for the first dimension (b) to compare the pattern with previously published RBC protein map obtained with carrier-ampholyte pH gradients and (c) to localize four new enzymes on the map (i.e. 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase).

Clinical pharmacokinetics of clomipramine.

Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant medication widely used in Western Europe. Its pharmacokinetics have been studied essentially in healthy volunteers. By combining published information obtained during observational studies, it has been possible to derive a fairly precise picture of the behaviour of both parent compound and main metabolite (demethyl-clomipramine) in humans.

Reversible in vitro decrease of L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan influx across the human erythrocyte membrane induced by cytochalasin B, the specific inhibitor of D-glucose transport.

For many years, we have been studying, in psychiatric conditions, the influx of tyrosine (TYR) and tryptophan (TRP), the two amino acid precursors of monoamines, across the membrane of human blood cells. We have also attempted to characterize better the transport mechanisms. In a previous paper, we suggested a close relationship between glucose and the two neuter amino acid transports in vitro.