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E P BENDITT

Publications and source records attributed to E P BENDITT.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

WOUND HEALING AND COLLAGEN FORMATION. IV. DISTORTION OF RIBOSOMAL PATTERNS OF FIBROBLASTS IN SCURVY.

The changes in scorbutic wounds following the administration of ascorbic acid have been investigated using the techniques of electron microscopy, histochemistry, and autoradioggraphy. Particular attention has been paid to the changes seen in the endoplasmic reticulum of the fibroblasts and to the identity of the extracellular filamentous material characteristic of scorbutic wounds. Seven-day-old wounds in scorbutic guinea pigs were examined prior to and from one to 72 hours following the administration of vitamin C. Fibroblasts from wounds of normal animals demonstrate a characteristic configuration of the ribosomes of the endoplasmic reticulum which is suggested to be analogous to polyribosomes described in cells synthesizing protein such as the reticulocyte. Tangential views of the membranes of the ergastoplasm show the ribosomes to be grouped in paired rows which take both straight and curved paths. This configuration is lost in scurvy and can be seen to begin to reappear as early as 4 hours after giving ascorbic acid. With increasing time, the morphology of the ribosomal aggregates approximates that seen in normal cells, so that by 24 hours their reorientation is complete. It is suggested that one of the disturbances in scurvy may relate to an alteration either in messenger RNA, in the ability of the ribosomes to relate to the messenger, or in the membranes of the ergastoplasm. In addition, the lack of formation of hydroxyamino acids necessary for completing collagen synthesis may be related to the architecture of the ribosomal aggregates. Extracellular collagen fibrils appear concomitant with the restoration of ribosomal and ergastoplasmic morphology as early as 12 hours after administration of ascorbic acid, with complete disappearance of the scorbutic extracellular material within 24 hours. Observations of this scorbutic material do not support the concept that it is a collagen precursor.

Animals↗

Carbon tetrachloride poisoning in rats: alteration in ribosomes of the liver.

Microsomes from livers of albino rats treated with carbon tetrachloride were compared with those from normal rats with respect to their ability to incorporate amino acid. Acute carbon tetrachloride poisoning results in depressed capacity of microsomes to incorporate amino acid. From ultracentrifugal data, there is an apparent dissociation of 79S ribosomes into 54S components.

Amino Acids↗

An intracellular defect in protein synthesis induced by carbon tetrachloride.

The morphological and certain metabolic effects of carbon tetrachloride intoxication were studied in the rat with emphasis on liver alterations. Morphological changes were investigated by histological and electron microscopical means. Functional changes were investigated using histochemical and amino acid incorporation, techniques. The liver constituents were examined chemically. Plasma volume alterations were measured using dye and homologous protein dilution techniques. The histological appearance of the liver of treated animals included cellular swelling, dispersal of the cytoplasmic basophilia, and necrosis. Electron micrographs showed an early (3 hours following carbon tetrachloride administration) and widespread dislocation of the ribonucleoprotein particles from the membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, but no apparent alteration in the mitochondrial structure. Histochemical examination of two mitochondrial enzyme systems, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase, revealed no alterations in activities until a later time (6 to 12 hours following carbon tetrachloride administration). ATPase showed a gross quantitative decrease in activity at 6 and 12 hours, but not earlier. There was a decreased amino acid incorporation into two liver-produced proteins, viz., albumin and fibrinogen. This decrease is not explicable on the basis of the inability of the liver to take up the amino acid, an altered dilution volume into which the amino acid or formed protein is placed, or an impaired capacity of the liver to excrete protein once formed. It is concluded that the decreased amino acid incorporation rate reflects depressed synthesis of protein by the liver. Other pathological changes in the liver, including necrosis, fatty change, and mitochondrial alterations may be dependent upon severe impairment of protein synthesis.

Animals↗

Wound healing and collagen formation. II. Fine structure in experimental scurvy.

The sequence encountered in healing skin wounds in scorbutic guinea pigs has been examined by methods of light and electron microscopy. Linear incisions in the skin of female guinea pigs fed a scorbutigenic diet were allowed to heal. The wounds were removed for examination at 1, 3, 5, 9, and 14 days after wounding. The fibroblasts of the scorbutic wounds differ from those of the controls in three major aspects. First, little collagen is present within the intercellular spaces, although small groups of individual collagen fibrils can be found adjacent to some of the fibroblasts; in addition, large amounts of somewhat fibrillar, poorly structured, dense matter are present throughout the extracellular regions. The second alteration consists of large aggregates of intracytoplasmic lipid deposits present within the majority of the fibroblasts. Third, the endoplasmic reticulum of the fibroblasts is altered in form from that of the controls. The profiles of the cisternae are round, non-continuous within the plane of section, and are less extensively developed than in the controls. An increased macrophagic activity of the histiocytes is also described. These changes are discussed in light of the available biochemical data associated with this abnormality of protein synthesis.

Animals↗

Wound healing and collagen formation. III. A quantitative radioautographic study of the utilization of proline-H3 in wounds from normal and scorbutic guinea pigs.

The sequence of incorporation and utilization of tritium-labeled proline has been examined in healing wounds from normal and scorbutic guinea pigs. Linear incisions in the skin of the animals were allowed to heal for 7 days. Each animal was given proline-H(3), and the wounds were excised 30 minutes, 1 and 4 hours, 1, 3 and 7 days after proline administration. The tissues were fixed in osmium tetroxide, fixed again in neutral buffered formalin, embedded in epoxy resin, and sectioned at 1 micron thickness. The sections were coated with nuclear track emulsion, exposed, developed, and stained. The results of grain counts were quantitated as the number of counts per unit area overlying cells, fibers, etc. In both groups the proline reaches a maximum over the fibroblasts within 4 hours and subsequently disappears from the cells. Concomitantly, the proline reaches a maximum over the collagen (in normal animals) and extracellular fibrillar material (in scorbutic animals) by 4 hours, where it remains. The modified technique of radioautography used in this study allows not only resolution of approximately 1 micron, but also minimal background, decreased artifact, and a clear separation of the randomly situated elements within the wounds so that grain counting is facilitated. The results correlated with previous electron microscopic studies are consistent with the utilization of proline by the fibroblasts and its incorporation into collagen (in normal animals) and into the extracellular, fibrillar, non-collagenous material seen in scorbutic animals.

Animals↗