Effect of prostaglandin E on immune function in multiple animal models.

The immunosuppression seen following major trauma and burns has long been attributed in part to prostaglandin E (PGE). This has been due primarily to the demonstration that PGE levels are elevated following burns and that when PGE is added to leukocyte cultures, it impairs multiple types of leukocyte functions. We investigated the effect of a new long-acting PGE derivative, 16,16-dimethyl-PGE, on immune function in multiple animal models.

Induction of hypermetabolism in guinea pigs by endotoxin infused through the portal vein.

Endotoxin has been suspected of inducing hypermetabolism in animals. To delineate its mechanism more precisely, three experiments were performed using male Hartley guinea pigs that involved intermittent or continuous administration of endotoxin intraperitoneally for seven days and continuous infusion of low-dose endotoxin through the portal vein for five days. The doses of endotoxin were 0.

Healing of cutaneous and mucosal wounds grafted with collagen-glycosaminoglycan/silastic bilayer membranes: a preliminary report.

This report describes the healing of cutaneous wounds in experimental animals grafted with collagen-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) matrix/Silastic (Dow Corning Corp., Midland, MI) bilayers; assesses the feasibility of using collagen-GAG matrix as a vehicle for delivering culture-selected, autogenous fibroblasts to cutaneous wound sites; and evaluates the use of collagen-GAG/Silastic bilayers as mucosal substitutes. Cutaneous and mucosal wounds in New Zealand white rabbits were grafted with either acellular collagen-GAG/Silastic membrane or collagen-GAG/Silastic membrane previously seeded with cultured autogenous fibroblasts.

Does exercise stimulate protein breakdown in humans? Isotopic approaches to the problem.

Protein metabolism in exercise has been investigated for 100 yr, yet it is still unclear if exercise induces an increased rate of protein breakdown. We have recently addressed this general question in a series of experiments in human subjects using stable isotopic tracers. In this paper, the results of those studies are reviewed.