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Biomedical subjects

D A Weigand

Publications and source records attributed to D A Weigand.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Basal cell carcinoma and melanocytic nevus in the same lesion.

We report a case of basal cell carcinoma and intradermal melanocytic nevus in the same lesion. A review of the literature indicates that the simultaneous occurrence of two or more neoplasms in one specimen is a relatively infrequent finding. The pathogenesis of simultaneously occurring neoplasms remains the subject of speculation. Based on currently available evidence, we believe that the coexistence of lesions in this particular patient is most likely coincidental.

Aged

Leucine as an in vitro precursor to lipids in rat sciatic nerve.

The in vitro incorporation of lucine, isoleucine and pyruvate into lipids was compared and the possibility that leucine might serve as an in situ precursor to the corresponding iso fatty acids in the rat sciatic nerve was studied. The relative incorporation of 14C from leucine into lipids vs. nonlipids was 20%, and the incorporation of label into total lipids from leucine was one-halp that from pyruvate. The incorporation of label from leucine and pyruvate into sterols was nearly equivalent, but the incorporation of label into all other lipid classes from leucine was less than that from pyruvate, and the incorporation of label from isoleucine into lipids was much less in all cases. No detectable label from leucine was incorporated into brached chain fatty acids. It is concluded that leucine may be a substantial in vitro precursor to all major lipids in peripheral nerve, espeically sterols. The possibility and significance of a leucine catabolic pathway in the cytosol in relation to availability of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA for sterol biosynthesis is discussed.

Animals

Studies concerning the specificity of the effect of leucine on the turnover of proteins in muscles of control and diabetic rats.

The protein anabolic effect of branched chain amino acids was studied in isolated quarter diaphragms of rats. Protein synthesis was estimated by measuring tyrosine incorporation into muscle proteins in vitro. Tyrosine release during incubation with cycloheximide served as an index of protein degradation. In muscles from normal rats the addition of 0.5 mM leucine stimulated protein synthesis 36--38% (P less than 0.01), while equimolar isoleucine or valine, singly or in combination were ineffective. The three branched chain amino acids together stimulated no more than leucine alone. The product of leucine transamination, alpha-keto-isocaproate, did not stmino norborane-2-carboxylic acid (a leucine analogue) were ineffective. Leucine and isoleucine stimulated protein synthesis in muscles from diabetic rats.Leucine, isoleucine, valine and the norbornane amino acid but not alpha-ketoisocaproate or beta-hydroxybutyrate decreased the concentration of free tyrosine in tissues during incubation with cycloheximide; tyrosine release into the medium did not decrease significantly. Leucine caused a small decrease in total tyrosine release, (measured as the sum of free tyrosine in tissues and media), suggesting inhibition of protein degradation. The data suggest that leucine may be rate limiting for protein synthesis in muscles. The branched chain amino acids may exert a restraining effect on muscle protein catabolism during prolonged fasting and diabetes.

Animals

Leucine and isoleucine as in vitro precursors for lipid synthesis by rat aorta.

The in vitro conversion of 14C-labeled leucine, isoleucine, and pyruvate to specific lipids was compared in rat aorta, diaphragm, anf fat pad. Total lipid specific radioactivity from all precursors was greatest in aorta. The ratio of label incorporated into polar lipids vs. neutral lipids by aorta was generally several-fold that incorporated by muscle and fat pad. The labeling of sterols in the aorta from 14C-leucine and pyruvate was equivalent. It is concluded that leucine may be a substantial precursor to polar lipids and to sterols in rat aorta.

Animals

Subepidermal calcified nodule. Report of a case with apparent hair follicle origin.

A subepidermal calcified nodule occurred on the face of a 15-year-old Negro boy. Histological examination revealed its apparent origin in mature and immature hair follicles. Previous reports suggest that subepidermal calcified nodules may arise in nevi or in sweat glands. An additional finding in this case was transepidermal elimination of calcium.

Adolescent

Transfollicular extrusion of sebaceous glands: natural phenomenon or artifact? A case report.

A sebaceous gland tumor on the back of a 28-year-old man underwent periodic exudation of yellowish material in association with local irritation. Pathological examination revealed entire sebaceous gland lobes lying subcorneally in the orifices of sebaceous follicles. This case appears to represent transfollicular extrusion of sebaceous gland lobes as a natural phenomenon rather than as an artifact.

Adult

The effect of diabetes, insulin, and the redox potential on leucine metabolism by isolated rat hemidiaphragm.

The oxidation of leucine by hemidiaphragms of control and diabetic rats was studied in vitro. Rats were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin. Hemidiaphragms of diabetic rats produced approximately 50% more 14CO2 during incubation with 0.1 mM [1-14C]leucine than did control muscles. This was observed during incubation with or without glucose and in the presence or absence of a full complement of plasma amino acids. The concentration of leucine in the tissue water of hemidiaphragms from diabetic rats was greater than that in the control muscles before incubation. The specific activity of leucine at the end of 60 min incubation was not significantly different in diabetic and control muscles, indicating that the increased 14CO2 production represented stimulation of leucine oxidation. Hemidiaphragms of diabetic rats released more leucine into the medium during incubation than did control muscles. The stimulating effect of diabetes on leucine oxidation in vitro was reversible by insulin therapy prior to sacrifice. The addition of 5 mM pyruvate to a medium containing glucose inhibited 14CO2 production from [14C]leucine in control muscles, but stimulated leucine oxidation by hemidiaphragms of diabetic rats. Leucine oxidation by hemidiaphragms of diabetic rats was markedly stimulated by the addition of an electron acceptor, 0.02 mM methylene blue, suggesting that the NADH/NAD ratio may be rate-limiting for branched chain amino acid oxidation in muscles of diabetic rats, but not in muscles of controls. We suggest that the accelerated oxidation of branched chain amino acids by muscles may play a role in the acceleration of the muscle protein catabolism and gluconeogenesis which develop during insulin deficiency. The restraining effect of the cellular redox potential on branched chain amino acid oxidation may play a role in the eventual deceleration of protein catabolism during a prolonged fast.

Amino Acids