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Biomedical subjects

K Hyland

Publications and source records attributed to K Hyland.

97 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Revised assays for the investigation of congenital lactic acidosis using 14C keto acids, eliminating problems associated with spontaneous decarboxylation.

Improved methods using 14C keto acids for the investigation of patients with congenital lactic acidoses are described. The addition of rat serum to assay media reduces the spontaneous decarboxylation of [1-14C] and [2-14C] pyruvate and alpha-[1-14C]ketoglutarate to low levels. A study of the stability of pyruvate dehydrogenase in fibroblasts has shown that the activity is rapidly lost when cell membranes are broken unless homogenisation is done gently at -15 degrees C. Under these conditions broken cell preparations may be stored for up to 3 hours without loss of activity. Freezing and thawing results in unpredictable changes in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. A quality control solution containing pyruvate dehydrogenase activity has been prepared which is stable for at least 6 months (coefficient of variation = 7.7%). Normal values for pyruvate dehydrogenase in fibroblasts range from 0.59 to 1.26 nmol . min-1 . mg-1 protein (mean = 0.98, n = 8) and pyruvate dehydrogenase deficient fibroblasts can be detected with confidence.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1983

Superoxide dismutase assay using alkaline dimethylsulfoxide as superoxide anion-generating system.

Alkaline dimethylsulfoxide as a superoxide anion-generating system in association with cytochrome c as a superoxide anion-indicating scavenger has been used to develop a new assay for superoxide dismutase. The assay is sensitive (one unit of enzymatic activity is provided by 110 ng of purified copper-containing superoxide dismutase) and highly specific. The nature of this system prevents the usual interferences and its simplicity allows for multiple, rapid measurements of superoxide dismutase activity in biological preparations using either normal or automated procedures.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1983

Autoxidation of the antitumor drug 9-hydroxyellipticine and its derivatives.

In aqueous solution and using molecular oxygen as electron acceptor, the antitumor drug 9-hydroxyellipticine (9-OH-E) undergoes a spontaneous oxidation to give hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the quinone imine 9-oxoellipticine (9-oxo-E), and a dimer of 9-OH-E(9-OH-E2). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments performed either in alkaline Me2SO or in phosphate buffer in the presence of the spin trap 5,5-dimethylpyrroline 1-oxide (DMPO) suggest that the oxidation process involves the initial formation of superoxide anion (O2- .) and the free radical of the drug. In aqueous medium, this step is followed by the dismutation of both O2- . and free radicals of the drug generating, respectively, H2O2 and 9-oxo-E. 9-Oxo-E further reacts with the 9-OH-E remaining in the solution to form the dimer 9-OH-E2 as the terminal product. The autoxidation process is strongly enhanced by superoxide dismutase and manganese ions. In the ellipticine series, all drugs that have an OH group in position 9 exhibit the ability to transfer one electron on molecular oxygen to generate O2- .. This property may be involved in the cytotoxic activities of these drugs.

Alkaloids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma homocysteine levels and folate status in children with sickle cell anemia.

PURPOSE: A sensitive inverse relationship between plasma homocysteine concentration and folate status has been demonstrated. Although children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are at potential risk for folate deficiency, plasma homocysteine levels have not been reported in such patients. Therefore, a study was designed to assess plasma homocysteine levels as a marker of folate status. DESIGN: Plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured in 120 children with SCA (102 in steady state and 18 during an acute complication) who had never received supplemental folic acid. Folate status was directly assessed in 34 of these patients. RESULTS: Plasma homocysteine levels in the patients with SCA and control subjects were similar. The mean value +/- 1 SD was 5.8+/-2.5 micromol/L (range, 1.6 to 14.1 micromol/L) in the patients with SCA and 6.1+/-2.7 micromol/L (range, 1.7 to 15.3 micromol/L) in 73 pediatric control subjects. In a subpopulation of the study group (34 children), simultaneous serum folate, red cell folate, and total homocysteine concentrations were also measured. Their serum folate and red cell folate concentrations were normal: 12.4+/-10.0 nmol/L (range, 1 to 42 nmol/L) and 604+/-374.7 nmol/L (range, 205 to 1741 nmol/L), respectively. There was no correlation of plasma homocysteine concentration with various clinical or laboratory measures or with red cell folate concentration. CONCLUSION: Folate stores in children with SCA not receiving folic acid supplements are adequate despite an underlying hemolytic anemia.

Adolescent↗