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Biomedical subjects

B Manz

Publications and source records attributed to B Manz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The pineal complex in Roman high avoidance and Roman low avoidance rats.

Previous studies have shown that the pineal gland of Roman high avoidance (RHA/Verh) rats is larger than that of Roman low avoidance rats (RLA/Verh). In the present study measurement of enzyme activities (serotonin-N-acetyl-transferase, hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase) revealed that pineals of RHA/Verh rats are twice as active in melatonin production than pineals of RLA/Verh rats. Indoleamine content was also higher in RHA/Verh rats, whereas noradrenaline content was the same in both lines. When values were expressed per mg protein, these differences disappeared except for N-acetyl-serotonin and noradrenaline which were higher or lower in RHA/Verh rats, respectively. Both lines had higher serum levels of melatonin during the dark phase than during the light phase. However, RHA/Verh rats had increased serum levels as compared to RLA/Verh rats during both day and night. Morphometric analysis of the deep and superficial part of the pineal complex revealed, that the volumes of both parts are enlarged in RHA/Verh rats. Electron microscopic studies of pineals collected during day- and nighttime showed higher numbers of synaptic ribbons per unit area in pineals of RHA/Verh rats. In pineals collected during June synaptic ribbons displayed a day/night rhythm in RHA/Verh rats only, whereas in glands of both lines collected during November no daily changes were found. These results show that closely related but divergently selected rat lines may differ in pineal ultrastructure and pineal function.

Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase↗
PubMed1990

Lack of binding of gestodene to estrogen receptor in human breast cancer tissue.

Competition studies with progesterone and estradiol receptors of human myometrial tissue as well as of mammary cancer tissue showed that gestodene bound with high affinity to the progesterone receptor, as did other synthetic and natural progestogens. However, gestodene did not bind to the estradiol receptor. The relative binding affinities of all tested synthetic and natural ligands showed no organ-specific differences and no differences between neoplastically transformed and normal tissues.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1990

Effects of adrenergic agonists and antagonists on the numbers of synaptic ribbons in the rat pineal gland.

In the pineal gland numbers of synaptic ribbons (SR) undergo day/night changes which parallel the rhythm of melatonin synthesis. Since pineal biosynthetic activity is controlled by activation of adrenoreceptors, we investigated the effects of adrenergic agonists and antagonists on pineal synaptic ribbon numbers and N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity, the key enzyme of melatonin synthesis in rats. In vivo application of the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol decreased melatonin synthesis when given during the dark phase but did not affect SR numbers. Treatment during daytime with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol increased pineal NAT activity whereas SR numbers did not change. Norepinephrine stimulated NAT activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, but did not elevate SR numbers. Incubation with an analog of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate increased both NAT activity and SR numbers. These results suggest that the beta-adrenergic system does not play a decisive role in the regulation of the nocturnal increase in SR numbers observed in the rat pineal gland.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

One millisecond of light suffices to suppress nighttime pineal melatonin synthesis in rats.

The effect of a single high-intensity light pulse with a duration of 1 ms on nighttime pineal activity of male Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. 10 minutes after light exposure pineal N-actyltransferase activity and melatonin content were significantly reduced. These results show that the rat pineal is capable of responding to very short light flashes of high intensity.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1989

3H-ZK 98,734, a new 11 beta-aryl substituted antigestagen: binding characteristics to receptor and serum proteins.

Recently, in the laboratories of Schering in Germany a competitive progesterone antagonist, ZK 98,734, was synthetized, which is characterized by a similar antigestagenic activity as RU 38,486, synthezised by Roussel-Uclaf in France, as assessed by inhibition of nidation tests in rats and guinea pigs. However, this compound has a substantially lower antiglucocorticoid activity measured in cell culture systems than RU 38,486. The purpose of this study was to present a comparison of biochemical and physical properties of the complexes formed by the human uterine progesterone receptor with 3H-ZK 98,734 on one hand and with other well-established progestins on the other hand. ZK 98,734 competed in the same order of magnitude as progesterone or RU 38,486 for the 3H-R5020 binding site of progestin receptor, whereas R5020, Org 2058 or progesterone were unable to compete against 3H-ZK 98,734. This apparent contradiction could be explained by means of FPLC-chromatography and sucrose density centrifugation technique. FPLC-chromatography with an anion exchange column (Mono Q, Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) showed that 3H-ZK 98,734 forms at least two stable complexes with uterine cytosol, on one hand with serum albumin, which presents almost 90% of bound radioactivity, and on the other hand with the two native progestin receptor forms, corresponding to 4S and 8S receptor forms in sucrose density gradient analysis. Competition experiments in liver cytosol of adrenalectomized rats with increasing concentrations of unlabeled ligands other than dexamethasone showed that ZK 98,734, RU 38,486 and cortisol displaced 3H-dexamethasone efficiently from the binding sites in the cytosol. Furthermore, results concerning the specificity of 3H-cortisol binding to serum proteins in diluted pregnant serum demonstrated that ZK 98,734 did not compete with 3H-cortisol for serum binding.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Gestodene: a novel synthetic progestin--characterization of binding to receptor and serum proteins.

Gestodene, 17 alpha-ethinyl-13-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4,15-gonadien-3-one, is a new orally active progestational agent, which is available for clinical use in oral contraceptives. The aim of the present study is to make a broad characterization of gestodene at the receptor level and to discuss the results in comparison to those of established progestogens. Kinetic studies of 3H-gestodene uptake show a rapid increase in the amount of specific binding during the first three hours. After saturation, the amount of specifically bound 3H-gestodene remained almost constant up to 24 hours at 4 degrees C. The dissociation of 3H-gestodene from the cytoplasmic myometrial progestone receptor, measured by displacement of labeled steroid with dextran-coated charcoal treatment at 4 degrees C at various times, showed a biphasic or two-component first order dissociation curve. As anticipated, sucrose gradient centrifugation analysis of the 3H-gestodene-labeled cytosol of human myometrial tissue showed that the gestodene binding components sedimented in the 4S and 8S region. A 200-fold molar excess of nonradioactive gestodene reduced only the 8S binding of 3H-gestodene. 4S binding of 3H-gestodene was not reduced, which indicate the existence of a second high capacity binding component. In biological test systems, such as the Clauberg test or Kaufmann test, gestodene has proved to be a very effective progestogen. Among nortestosterone derivatives it is one of the most potent and resembles progesterone biologically in its progestogenic effects. This biologically identical gestagenic activity of gestodene and progesterone is reflected by a very similar behavior in vitro in terms of binding to progesterone receptors of human uterus cytosol. Furthermore, competitive studies indicated that gestodene like other synthetic progestagens also displays some affinity for androgen and glucocorticoid receptors but no measurable affinity for the estrogen receptor. Remarkable is the high binding affinity of gestodene to the binding sites of the mineralocorticoid receptor of rat kidney with a RBA value of 350% compared to aldosterone.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Development and validation of a radioimmunoassay for serum melatonin.

A radioimmunoassay using N-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-[4-hydroxy-3- [125I]iodophenylpropionyl)]-5-methoxytryptamine as tracer for determination of melatonin in the serum of different species is described. Melatonin antisera were raised in rabbits by immunization with a bovine serum albumin conjugate of N-[3-(2-aminoethyl)-5-methoxy indole] hemisuccinamide. A single high affinity, specific antiserum was obtained. In contrast to previous studies, the tracer was synthesised in one step in the absence of water, giving an excellent yield of highly pure product. No chromatographic purification step was needed. Polyethylene glycol in combination with goat antirabbit immunoglobulins was used to separate bound and unbound tracer. Sera were delipidized with Lipoclean prior the extraction of melatonin with diethyl ether. This sample preparation allows the determination of melatonin in the presence of widely varying amounts of lipids in human, rat and hamster serum. Using this extraction procedure, the sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay was approximately 1 ng/l of serum. Dilutions of sera and of synthetic melatonin gave the same parallel response in the radioimmunoassay. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of a serum extract showed only one immunoreactive peak co-eluting with synthetic melatonin. Characteristic diurnal rhythms of melatonin were observed in all species. All assay components including standards and serum controls are stable for at least 1 year at 4 degrees C, thus facilitating the determination of melatonin in a routine laboratory.

5-Methoxytryptamine↗
PubMed1989

Serotonin and melatonin contents in the pineal glands from different stocks and strains of laboratory rats.

In the present study the pineal gland was examined in 2 outbred stocks and 6 inbred strains of rats some of which were pigmented to varying degrees, to see whether inbreeding affects the variability and whether differences exist between albino and pigmented rats. The animals were kept under 12 h light: 12 h darkness (12 L:12 D) and killed 7 h after the onset of light and darkness, respectively. The parameters examined were pineal protein content, serotonin and melatonin levels and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity. All the parameters examined revealed interstrain differences, independently of whether the data were expressed per pineal or per mg protein. The variation coefficients for the various parameters were relatively high. They were mostly smaller when the data were expressed per pineal rather than per mg protein. No striking differences existed between the variation coefficients in inbred and outbred rats. When pineal size and the melatonin-related parameters expressed per pineal were used to assess the melatonin-synthesizing capacity of the pineal glands, it was found that the outbred Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats and the inbred LEWIS-derived (LEW/Han) rats, all of which were albinos, had the most active pineals. Intermediate activity was noted in the hooded E3/Han and BDE/Han and the albino BDII/Han rats. The smallest and least active pineals were found in the totally pigmented BN/Han and DA/Han rats. The results taken together show that different stocks and strains exhibit significant differences in pineal size and melatonin-forming capacity. Albino rats appear to have larger and more active pineals than pigmented rats.

Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase↗
PubMed1988

Day/night serotonin levels in the pineal gland of male BALB/c mice with melatonin deficiency.

Studies from another laboratory have shown that several strains of laboratory mice have a genetic defect for melatonin synthesis. In non-deficient species, melatonin synthesis undergoes a typical, beta-adrenergically regulated day/night rhythm with low melatonin levels during daytime and high levels at night, the precursor serotonin showing an inverse behaviour. This study examines whether a day/night rhythm of pineal serotonin levels exists in melatonin-deficient male BALB/c mice. Mice kept under a lighting schedule of 12 h light (lights on at 07.00 h) and 12 h dark were killed at 13.00 and 01.00 h, respectively. Serotonin amounted to 12-15 ng/pineal and did not show regular day/night differences. Administration of the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, which is known to affect melatonin synthesis in a number of species, was without effect on pineal serotonin levels. Melatonin and two of the melatonin-forming enzymes, serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) were below the detection limit in the pineal. It is concluded that in melatonin-deficient BALB/c mice, pineal serotonin synthesis is apparently intact. In BALB/c mice, serotonin synthesis and release do not appear to be directly or indirectly regulated by beta-adrenergic mechanisms.

Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase↗
PubMed1987

Application of liquid-liquid partition chromatography in the simultaneous purification of sex-hormone-binding globulin and corticosteroid-binding globulin.

Two human serum proteins, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), were purified to homogeneity by the application of a combination of three different modes of chromatography. Human pregnancy serum was fractionated with ammonium sulphate. SHBG (50% pellet) and CBG (80% pellet) were then purified by affinity chromatography on tresyl-activated Sepharose with 15-aminopentadecanoic acid (for SHBG) and 1,12-diaminododecane (for CBG) as spacers and 17 zeta-aminoethyl-5 alpha-androstan-3 beta,17-diol (for SHBG) and 17 alpha-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one-17 beta-carboxylic acid (for CBG) as specific ligands for these two proteins. The eluate was injected into a Mono Q anion-exchange column. Fractions containing SHBG or CBG were finally purified by liquid-liquid chromatography on Lipar-Gel 750. This chromatographic sequence clearly separated SHBG and CBG from other proteins, mainly serum albumin, without a loss of protein or binding activity.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed1987

Radioimmunoassay of 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid.

A direct radioimmunoassay of the methyl ester of urinary and serum 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid is described. The antiserum, raised in a rabbit against a conjugate of bovine serum albumin with 5-hydroxytryptamine hemisuccinamide, contained two antigenic fractions, one binding N-acyl 5-hydroxytryptamine, and the other binding methyl ester of 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid, and N-acyl 5-hydroxytryptamine. The N-acyl 5-hydroxytryptamine binding fraction was removed by affinity chromatography on a N-acyl 5-hydroxytryptamine agarose gel in the presence of excess methyl ester of 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid. The antibody methyl ester of 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid complexes were dissociated and this affinity-purified antiserum was used in all experiments. Polyethylene glycol in combination with goat anti-rabbit IgG was used to separate bound and unbound 125I-labeled Bolton-Hunter reagent- 5-hydroxytryptamine conjugate. Sample preparation (esterification of 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid to its methyl ester) was performed with trimethylsilyldiazomethane in dioxane. In the analysis of urine, the reagents used in the methylation served as diluents, contributing to the final dilution of 1:1100. In the analysis of serum, a deproteination step (ethanol precipitation) prior to methylation was necessary to obtain reproducible results. The methylated 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid was then extracted with ethyl acetate and the extract redissolved in assay buffer. The minimal detectable concentration of methyl ester of 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid was 1.1 mumol/l (0.21 mg/l 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid) urine or 100 fmol/tube.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1987

(Z)-17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-(2-[125I]iodovinyl)-4-estren-3-one: a new specific gamma-emitting ligand for determination of progesterone receptor.

An iodine-125 labeled ligand for progesterone receptor determination was synthesized: (Z)-17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-(2-[125I]iodovinyl)-4-estren-3-one ([125I]SH-D 510). The ligand is stable chemically as well as under the conditions of a receptor assay. The relative binding affinity of the nonradioactive compound towards human uterine progesterone receptor was 7.0 for the Z-isomer (promegestone (R5020) 1.0) and 0.95 for the E-isomer. 4 S and 8 S receptor forms were obtained on sucrose density gradient analysis. Progesterone receptors were assayed in 103 human mammary tumour cytosols, using either [3H]promegestone or [125I]SH-D 510. The coefficient of correlation was r = 0.951.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

3H-cyproterone acetate: binding characteristics to human uterine progestagen receptors.

The availability of tritium labeled cyproterone acetate (CPA) facilitated the systematic investigation of the binding characteristics of this compound for human uterine progesterone receptors (PgR). The binding parameters of 3H-CPA are compared to those of 3H-R5020 and 3H-progesterone. The rate constants of association (k1M-1sec-1) to PgR were 7.8 X 10(3) for 3H-R5020, 4.5 X 10(4) for 3H-progesterone and 4.0 X 10(4) for 3H-CPA. The rate constants of dissociation (k-1, sec-1) were 3.6 X 10(-5) for 3H-R5020, 21.3 X 10(-5) for 3H-progesterone and 17.8 X 10(-5) for 3H-CPA. The Kd-values (M), as obtained by titration analysis and subsequent Scatchard plot analysis were 1.2 X 10(-9) for 3H-R5020, 6.0 X 10(-9) for 3H-progesterone and 5.2 X 10(-9) for 3H-CPA. On sucrose density gradient analysis binding in the 3.5, 5 and 8 S area could be observed using 3H-R5020. For 3H-progesterone and 3H-CPA binding was exclusively found in the 5 S area. The specificity of the steroid binding site of PgR is identical for 3H-R5020 and 3H-CPA. The order of potency of binding for various competitors decreases identically for both radioactive ligands: R5020 less than progesterone less than R1881 less than CPA less than dihydrotestosterone less than dexamethasone less than cyproterone less than 15 beta-OH-cyproterone. CPA resembles progesterone very closely in its binding characteristics to human uterine PgR.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1985

A simple, low-cost computer program for Scatchard plot analysis of binding data in steroid hormone receptor assays.

This paper presents a relatively simple computer program for Scatchard plot analysis of binding data in steroid hormone receptor determination. The program is written in BASIC and adapted to a low-cost desktop calculator. The program is designed to permit data input without demanding extensive technical knowledge of either computer systems or mathematical background of receptor binding assays.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1985

Characterization of a high-affinity, low-capacity androgen binding protein in human term placental cytosol.

A high-affinity, low-capacity androgen binding component in human placental cytosol was characterized. (3H)-R1881, a synthetic androgen, was used as radioactive ligand for characterization and quantification of this placental androgen binding component. Various naturally occurring as well as synthetic steroids were first investigated for their in vitro stability under receptor assay conditions (i.e., an overnight incubation at 4 degrees C). Only the synthetic steroids were found to be metabolically stable. The rate constant of dissociation was found to be 6.42 X 10(-4) s-1 (on the basis of k-1 the rate constant of association was 1.27 X 10(5) M-1 s-1). The concentration of androgen binding protein was measured in 50 human term placentae. The mean concentration was 169 +/- 132 fmol/mg protein, and the average Kd was 5.07 +/- 2.2 X 10(-9) M. Placentae of female fetuses contained significantly higher concentrations (219 +/- 140 fmoles/mg protein) than those of male fetuses (115.2 +/- 101 fmoles/mg protein). The (3H)-R1881-androgen binding protein complex exhibited a sedimentation coefficient of 4S under low salt conditions. The binding site was only specific for androgens and progestins but not for steroids of other classes.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗
PubMed1985

Radioimmunoassay of human serum serotonin.

A radioimmunoassay for extracted, N-acetylated human serum serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is described. Antisera were raised in rabbits against a conjugate of bovine serum albumin with serotonin hemisuccinamide. Polyethylene glycol in combination with anti-rabbit immunoglobulins was used to separate bound and unbound 125I-Bolton Hunter-serotonin conjugate. Ethanol precipitation of serum proteins was used to extract serotonin, which was subsequently acetylated with acetic anhydride to N-acetyl serotonin. The average recovery was 66%. The minimal detectable concentration of N-acetyl serotonin was 0.012 mumol/l serum (25 fmol per tube). The intra-assay precision (CV) was 6.8% (n = 20) at a level of 0.9 +/- 0.06 mumol/l. The inter-assay CV was 10% at a level of 0.49 +/- 0.049 mumol/l, and 25% (n = 10) at a level of 2.16 +/- 0.53. Analytical recovery of serotonin, corrected for losses during extraction and acetylation, was 99 +/- 13%. The only substance cross-reacting with the antibody was endogenous N-acetyl serotonin. This was detectable when the acetylation step was omitted, and it can be removed by extraction before the acetylation. The observed range for the concentration of serotonin in serum was for 59 women 0.45 - 3.46 (mean +/- SD: 1.37 +/- 0.63 mumol/l) and for 59 men 0.19 - 2.8 (mean +/- SD: 1.18 +/- 0.56 mumol/l). All values are corrected for endogenous N-acetyl serotonin: observed range 0 - 0.18 (mean +/- SD: 0.03 +/- 0.03 mumol/l).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

3H-labelled RU 38486: characterization of binding sites in human uterine cytosol.

The behaviour of the antifertilizing synthetic steroid RU 38486 towards human uterine progestin receptor was investigated. RU 38486 competed in the same order of magnitude as progesterone for the [3H]R 5020 binding site of progestin receptor, whereas R 5020 was unable to compete against [3H]RU 38486. This apparent contradiction could be explained by means of HPLC-chromatography. HPLC-chromatography with an anion exchange column (MonoQ, Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) showed that [3H]RU 38486 forms at least two stable complexes with uterine cytosol, on one hand with serum albumin, which presents almost 90% of bound radioactivity, and on the other hand with the two native progestin receptor forms, corresponding to 4 S and 8 S receptor forms in sucrose density gradient analysis. Whether reduced binding of salt-activated RU 38486 receptor complexes to DNA-cellulose is due to reduced activation is still uncertain and remains to be further investigated.

Abortifacient Agents↗