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Biomedical subjects

F J Burger

Publications and source records attributed to F J Burger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

The effect of a subnormal dose of vitamin B6 on plasma lipid in the rat.

The study undertook to ascertain the effect of a subnormal dietary intake of vitamin B6 on plasma levels of total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins and triglycerides. Plasma samples were assessed after 8 weeks in 3 groups of young male Wistar rats receiving a daily pyridoxine hydrochloride intake of 60 (normal control group, A) and 20 micrograms (experimental group C). Group B was the pair-fed control. Vitamin B6 status of all groups was confirmed by measuring plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and pyridoxal. All groups were still in the growth phase at the end of 8 weeks, and since the mean mass for all groups remained within the norm for male Wistar rats, it would appear that caloric intake was not compromised. The fasting triglyceride levels in the normal control group were significantly higher than those of the experimental and pair-fed control groups, although all values remained within the normal range for rats. A subnormal intake of pyridoxine hydrochloride made no significant difference in the high density lipoprotein levels although it contributed to a significant increase in low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels. The plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and pyridoxal values were in accordance with the pyridoxine hydrochloride intake of the different groups.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Zinc, copper and iron levels in tissues of the vitamin B6 deficient rat.

Tissue zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) were determined in three groups of young male Wistar rats that received a daily pyridoxine hydrochloride (PN.HCl) intake of 45, 23 and 0 micrograms respectively in their diets over 8 weeks. No significant differences were found in the Zn and Cu levels in the liver, kidney, skeletal and cardiac tissue of all 3 groups. The Fe levels were significantly higher in the heart and liver and significantly lower in the skeletal muscle of the group receiving no PN.HCl in the diet (P < 0.05). This study indicates that the increased fecal excretion of Zn and Cu observed during a previous balance study on the above vitamin B6 deficient group of animals may be due to a decreased absorption of these elements from the diet rather than their excretion from tissue stores. The changes in Fe levels in the heart, liver and skeletal muscle points towards some alteration in tissue stores of this element during a vitamin B6 deficiency.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Zinc, copper and iron balance in the vitamin B-6-deficient rat.

Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) balance was assessed over 8 weeks in 3 groups of young male Wistar rats receiving a daily pyridoxine hydrochloride (PN-HCl) intake of 45, 23 and 0 micrograms respectively. Although all 3 groups remained in a positive balance throughout the study the Zn and Cu balance, growth and food intake was significantly lower in the group receiving no PN-HCl (p < 0.05). The lowered Zn and Cu balance in this group resulted from a decreased food intake coupled with an increased excretion of Zn and Cu. The group receiving 23 micrograms/d of PN-HCl showed no significant difference in growth, food intake and Zn and Cu balance when compared to the group receiving 45 micrograms/d, indicating that subminimal levels of vitamin may still be exerting beneficial effects on the balance of these trace elements.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Cardiovascular origins of heatstroke pathophysiology: an anesthetized rat model.

Opinion is divided on issues concerning a cardiovascular origin of heatstroke pathophysiology as well as those concerning the mechanism of circulatory failure in heat. Such controversies seem to arise because of insufficient data covering the prodromal period of heatstroke. A reappraisal of the nature and sequence of early circulatory responses to heat stress was, consequently, undertaken by subjecting male albino rats to an environmental temperature of 45 degrees C at 15% relative humidity until overt circulatory failure occurred. Although the initial circulatory responses were normal for mild exertion, an inapparent circulatory crisis developed, probably a result of the abolishment of compensatory splanchnic vasoconstriction. The impending threat of functional hypovolemia was, temporarily at least, obscured by cardiac compensation and the extent of cardiovascular commitments may, therefore, have been underestimated. This also suggests that cardiovascular adjustments during the stress of heat may prove to be an essential feature of heatstroke pathophysiology.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

The changes in activation of intracellular aspartate aminotransferase by pyridoxal 5-phosphate after cell death.

Aspartate aminotransferase activity was measured in plasma, in liver and in heart mitochondrial and cytoplasmic preparations from rats immediately after death and after a post-mortem interval of 15 h. No significant stimulation of activity on addition of pyridoxal 5-phosphate to the assay medium could be demonstrated in any preparations obtained immediately after death. Significant stimulation occurred in both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial preparations of liver and myocardium after a 15-h post-mortem interval, but not in plasma stored for the same period. It appears, therefore, that variations in the intracellular saturation of apoenzyme with coenzyme cannot account for the observed differences in activation of aspartate aminotransferase by pyridoxal 5-phosphate in sera from patients with myocardial infarction and liver disease. Changes in degree of saturation of apoenzyme seem to occur intracellularly after cell death or injury and before release into the circulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

The use of the SI in reporting results in chemical pathology--our experience.

Since 1 April 1974 some units of the SI have been introduced in the reporting of results from this laboratory. A change from the conventional way of expressing results to the new system requires careful planning and reorganisation. Our laboratory is the first in this country to make the change and our approach and experiences up to the present, are recorded. Special attention was given to reorganisation of the laboratory, to information supplied to the clinical staff, and to the procedure to be adopted on the day of the change. The impact on the clinical staff is assessed and some possible problems are discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗