Biomedical subjects
C Alling
Publications and source records attributed to C Alling.
Mechanisms of adaptation to the effects of ethanol on activation of phospholipase C in NG 108-15 cells.
In this study the effect of different times of exposure to ethanol (1-7 days, 100 mM) on bradykinin and GTP(S)-stimulated activation of phospholipase C in NG 108-15 cells and on the binding of [3H]bradykinin to its receptors was investigated. Ethanol attenuated both agonist and GTP-analogue-induced hydrolysis of phosphoinositides for a period of up to 4 days of treatment, while exerting no effect on binding to bradykinin receptors. However, after 7 days of exposure to ethanol, the agonist-induced activation of phospholipase C was completely resistant to the inhibitory effects of alcohol. This finding correlated to a change in the affinity of the bradykinin receptor population after 7 days of treatment. The results indicate that bradykinin-induced breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate adapts to the effects of ethanol, after long-term treatment. Possible adaptative changes taking place at the level of the G protein(s), may induce a shift in the affinity of the receptor population and, consequently, serve as a compensatory mechanism to counteract the inhibitory effect of ethanol.
Serotonin-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in platelets from post-withdrawal alcoholics.
It has previously been reported that serotonin-stimulated second messenger formation is inhibited in platelets from alcoholics undergoing detoxification. Serotonin-stimulated signal transduction was therefore analysed in platelets from young post-withdrawal alcoholics to elucidate whether the previously reported inhibition is a state or trait marker of alcoholism. No difference between post-withdrawal alcoholics and controls was found with regard to serotonin-stimulated [32P]-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis or [32P]-phosphatidic acid formation. The results indicate that the inhibited serotonin2 receptor function seen in alcoholics undergoing detoxification is a state-dependent rather than a trait-dependent marker.
Prediction of suicidal behavior from biologic tests.
Biochemical studies related with suicidal behavior have mainly dealt with monoaminergic and corticosteroidal measures. We used some of these measures in a study of 61 suicide attempters who, except for occasional doses of benzodiazepines, had been medication free for a mean of 16 days. The monoamine metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, homovanillic acid, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol were measured in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We found that violent suicide attempters (N = 18) had 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations below the median of all patients, whereas the concentrations of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol were mainly above the median. We found no significant differences between violent and nonviolent (N = 43) attempters concerning CSF homovanillic acid, 24-hour urinary norepinephrine-epinephrine and cortisol, activity of monoamine oxidase in platelets, or post-dexamethasone plasma cortisol. Four patients completed suicide, and 3 of them had CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations at or below the median. All completed suicides had CSF 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol concentrations above the median. Urinary measures and platelet monoamine oxidase activity of completed suicides were in the higher concentration ranges. Patients who repeated suicidal behavior after the index investigation had low 24-hour urinary cortisol levels more often than those who did not repeat. Because our subgroups of patients are small, we cannot draw any firm conclusions about the value of our CSF and urinary biochemical findings predicting suicidal behavior. However, our CSF findings in violent suicide attempters are similar to those observed in other studies.
A method for maintaining constant ethanol concentrations in cell culture media.
The present study reports on the development of a model for maintaining constant ethanol concentrations over time in cell culture media. When neuroblastoma x glioma cells (NG 108-15) were grown in ethanol containing media under standard cultivation conditions in the incubator at 37 degrees C, a 90% evaporation was observed after 24 hr. To counteract evaporation, the cell culture dishes were placed inside polystyrene boxes together with an open dish containing an appropriate amount of ethanol. By using such procedure, the decrease in ethanol concentration in the culture media was completely avoided. Cultivating cells in ethanol-free media inside sealed plastic boxes did not change their viability, growth rate, protein and phospholipid composition of the cells or the pH of the media, compared to cultures grown outside the boxes.
Effect of sustained-release lithium tablets on renal function.
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Essential fatty acids in chronic alcoholism.
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Perception of parental sex guilt and sexual behavior and arousal of college students.
The present study examined the relationship between perceptions of parental sex guilt and the sexual arousability and sexual activity of 63 single male and 89 single female undergraduates. The results indicate that the same sex parent is perceived as more influential in determining the sex guilt of the child whereas the perceived sex guilt of the mother may have more influence on the sexual arousability of the son and the sexual activity of the daughter.