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Biomedical subjects

S Kowalewski

Publications and source records attributed to S Kowalewski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Fluid consumption, electrolyte excretion and heart remodeling in rats with myocardial infarct maintained on regular and high sodium intake.

The purpose of the study was to determine effect of high sodium intake on fluid and electrolyte turnover and heart remodeling in the cardiac failure elicited by myocardial infarction (MI). The experiments were performed on four groups of Sprague Dawley rats maintained on food containing 0.45% NaCl and drinking either water (groups 1, 2) or 1% NaCl (groups 3, 4). Groups 1 and 3 were sham-operated while in groups 2 and 4 MI was produced by the coronary artery ligation. In each group food and fluid as well as sodium intake, urine (Vu), sodium (UNaV), potassium (UKV) and solutes (UosmV) excretion were determined before and four weeks after the surgery. Size of the infarct, left ventricle (LV) weight and diameter of LV and right ventricle (RV) myocytes were determined during post-mortem examination. Before the surgery groups 3 and 4 ingested significantly more fluid and sodium, had higher Vu, UNaV, UKV and UosmV than the respective groups 1 and 2. In groups 2 and 4 MI resulted in significant decrease in Vu, UNaV and UosmV in comparison to the pre-surgical level. In Group 4 MI resulted also in a significant decrease of food and sodium intake. The MI size did not differ in groups 2 and 4 while diameter of LV myocytes was significantly greater in groups 2 and 4 than in groups 1 and 3, and in group 4 than in group 2. The study reveals that prolonged high sodium consumption increases fluid and electrolyte turnover both in the sham and in the MI rats and that the MI causes decrease in food and sodium intake in rats on high but not on regular sodium intake. In addition high sodium diet promotes development of greater post-MI hypertrophy of the LV myocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Color Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of tricuspid regurgitation and systolic pulmonary artery pressure in the full-term and preterm newborn.

Color Doppler echocardiography of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a valid, noninvasive method of determining systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP). In a prospective study the authors examined 56 healthy full-term newborns (group I), 36 healthy preterm newborns (group II), and 10 preterm newborns with severe respiratory distress syndrome requiring surfactant replacement therapy (group III). Doppler studies were repeated until the transtricuspid gradient was < 20 mm Hg. In 83.3% of children a reproducible spectral curve was recorded at least once. The authors estimated the transtricuspid gradient delta p (RV-RA) by using the modified Bernoulli equation. Within the first twenty-four hours delta p (RV-RA) was < 20 mm Hg in 72.7%, 50%, and 25% of children with measurable TR in groups I, II, and III, respectively, increasing to 91.1%, 78.6%, and 55.6% within forty-eight hours. There was no significant correlation between SPAP and gestational age, birth weight, mode of delivery, and ductal closing time. Continuous holosystolic envelope tracing of TR was recorded in 16.6%. In these patients delta p (RV-RA) was measured markedly higher (mean of 30.1 mm Hg) than in the others (mean 17.3 mm Hg). The authors conclude that there is a high prevalence of TR in neonates, which allows estimation of SPAP in > 80% of newborns without considerable impairment. Normalization of SPAP takes place within four days in most patients, but there is a delay in preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1997

Effect of a German Poison Control Center on health care cost reductions in harmless exposure cases.

To evaluate the effect of a German Poison Control Center (PCC) service on health care cost reduction in cases of harmless exposures, a prospective telephone survey of 200 callers were asked which medical aid would have been sought if no PCC service had been available. Calculation of savings was based on the total number of calls and standardized fees for medical treatment. Savings in costs for health insurance in these cases was 20 to 50% of the annual PCC budget. The cost effectiveness of this German PCC for this patient group was lower than for North American PCCs. Cost effectiveness might be improved by making efforts to increase the number of public calls.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1996

Biochemical monitoring of fetal distress with serum-immunoreactive erythropoietin.

The ability of parameters like umbilical arterial pH and Apgar score to predict and/or to reflect fetal distress are limited. It is known that erythropoietin (EPO) increases when partial pressure of oxygen is insufficient for metabolic demand. Therefore we studied the levels of EPO in the cord blood of stressed neonates (n = 75). In addition, reference values for EPO were established in a group of healthy term infants (n = 54) (mean +/- SD: 20.02 +/- [mU/ml]) and in premature infants (n = 77) according to gestational age. A significant increase in EPO concentrations was found in the stressed group: 153.4 +/- 418.8 [mU/ml], p < 0.003 (n = 27) in acute stress; and 102.6 +/- 127.1 [mU/ml], p < 0.002 (n = 48) in chronic stress. However parameters like hemoglobin, hematocrit, umbilical arterial pH and Apgar-score did not correlate with EPO values. A sensitivity of 59% and a specificity of 92% was calculated. We conclude that serum EPO concentrations are capable of detecting acute and chronic stress and could be useful as a screening method. In part EPO concentrations also allow us to grade stress in pregnancies that are complicated by diseases like preeclampsia.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1995

Radiation-inactivation analysis of the Na+/bile acid co-transport system from rabbit ileum.

The functional-unit molecular size of the Na+/bile acid cotransport system and the apparent target size of the bile-acid-binding proteins in brush-border membrane vesicles from rabbit ileum were determined by radiation inactivation with high-energy electrons. The size of the functional transporting unit for Na(+)-dependent taurocholate uptake was determined to 451 +/- 35 kDa, whereas an apparent molecular mass of 434 +/- 39 kDa was measured for the Na(+)-dependent D-glucose transport system. Proteins of 93 kDa and 14 kDa were identified as putative protein components of the ileal Na+/bile acid cotransporter in the rabbit ileum, whereas a protein of 87 kDa may be involved in passive intestinal bile acid uptake. Photoaffinity labelling with 3- and 7-azi-derivatives of taurocholate revealed a target size of 229 +/- 10 kDa for the 93 kDa protein, and 132 +/- 23 kDa for the 14 kDa protein. These findings indicate that the ileal Na+/bile acid co-transport system is in its functional state a protein complex composed of several subunits. The functional molecular sizes for Na(+)-dependent transport activity and the bile-acid-binding proteins suggest that the Na+/bile acid co-transporter from rabbit ileum is a homotetramer (AB)4 composed of four AB subunits, where A represents the integral 93 kDa and B the peripheral 14 kDa brush-border membrane protein.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1995

The molecular interaction of sulfonylureas with beta-cell ATP-sensitive K(+)-channels.

The molecular interaction of glimepiride and glibenclamide with the beta-cell sulfonylurea receptor was investigated by kinetic and steady state binding as well as photoaffinity labeling. The novel sulfonylurea, glimepiride, exhibits a significantly higher exchange rate with the sulfonylurea receptor but a 2.5-3 fold lower binding affinity compared to glibenclamide. [3H]Glimepiride was specifically incorporated into a 65-kDa polypeptide under conditions which led to predominant labeling of a 140-kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide. Labeling of the 140-kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide was inhibited by unlabeled glimepiride and, vice versa, glibenclamide inhibited labeling of the 65-kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride. The 65-kDa protein was also specifically photolabeled by the sulfonylurea [125I]35623, whereas an 4-azidobenzoyl derivative of glibenclamide, N3-[3H]33055, exclusively labeled a 33-kDa protein. Solubilization of beta-cell tumor membranes led to a shift of specific [3H]glibenclamide-binding from the 140-kDa to the 65-kDa protein, exclusively and to an increased labeling of the 65-kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride. The labeling of a unique protein is in agreement with similar Kd-values for binding to the sulfonylurea receptor measured for both sulfonylureas upon solubilization of beta-cell membranes. Photoaffinity labeling of intact cultured beta-cells led also to labeling of a 140-kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide and of a 65-kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride. These studies suggest that the beta-cell sulfonylurea receptor consists of at least two protein subunits of M(r) 140,000 and 65,000 which bind sulfonylureas of different structure with different binding affinities and kinetic parameters. Furthermore, the exchange rate of a sulfonylurea determines the insulin releasing activity in vitro more closely than the binding affinity.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1995

Measurements of sodium and potassium in newborns and prematures by ion-selective electrodes and flame photometry: influence of lipid and protein content of blood.

The alternative use of flame photometry and ion selective electrodes for electrolyte determinations in neonatology led to the question how the two methods agree. 104 routine blood samples were taken as matched pairs for a comparison of sodium and potassium determinations. Pre-analytical error was avoided by the mode of blood collection. The influence of the protein and lipid content of blood on the differences between the methods was determined by calculating its water content and making a post-correction of the flame values. Thus the differences for sodium could be reduced, whereas the differences for potassium slightly increased. As long as the imprecision of sodium determination is a meaningful methodological problem, the influence of the protein and lipid content of neonatal blood is not the main factor for differences between ISE and flame photometry.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1995

Epidemiology of ingestions in a regional poison control center over twenty years.

This analysis was conducted to demonstrate the pattern and changes of potential intoxications reported to a German regional poison control center from 1974 to 1993. During this period 155,654 calls were reported of which 111,313 were analyzed. The remaining 44,341 were either of minor importance of preventive calls; 56% referred to children and 44% to adults. Substance categories most commonly implicated were drugs, with a yearly average of 37.6% of the total, followed by household articles (31.2%), plants (9.7%) and chemicals (5.9%). In pediatric cases household articles were the most frequent source of ingestion followed by drugs, plants and nutritional substances, whereas in adults drugs were followed by household articles, chemicals and pesticides. Only 13.4% of all ingestions were classified as toxic or very toxic. There were no major changes in the incidences of the different substance categories during the 20 years. However, there were some changes in the pharmaceuticals, probably due to the introduction of new drugs or the withdrawal of the OTC-status of selected drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Differential interaction of glimepiride and glibenclamide with the beta-cell sulfonylurea receptor. II. Photoaffinity labeling of a 65 kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride.

Glimepiride is a novel sulfonylurea for the treatment of type II-diabetic patients exhibiting different receptor binding kinetics to beta-cell membranes with 8-9-fold higher koff rate and 2.5-3-fold higher kon rate compared to glibenclamide (see accompanying paper (Müller, G. et al. (1994) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1191, 267-277)). To elucidate the molecular basis for this differential behaviour of glimepiride and glibenclamide, direct photoaffinity labeling studies using beta-cell tumor membranes were performed. [3H]Glimepiride was specifically incorporated into a membrane polypeptide of M(r) = 65,000 under conditions, which led to predominant labeling of a 140 kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide (Kramer, W. et al. (1988) FEBS Lett. 229, 355-359). Labeling of the 140 kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide was inhibited by unlabeled glimepiride and, vice versa, glibenclamide inhibited labeling of the 65 kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride. The 65 kDa protein was also specifically photolabeled by the sulfonylurea [125I]35623, whereas an 4-azidobenzoyl derivative of glibenclamide, N3-[3H]33055, exclusively labeled a 33 kDa protein. Competitive Scatchard analysis of [3H]glimepiride-binding and [3H]glibenclamide-binding to RINm5F cell membranes using glibenclamide and glimepiride, respectively, as heterologous displacing compounds yielded non-linear plots. These findings may be explained by cooperative interactions between the 140 and 65 kDa sulfonylurea-binding proteins. The possibility that sulfonylureas of different structure have different access to the 140 and 65 kDa receptor proteins due to the beta-cell membrane barrier was investigated by photoaffinity labeling of solubilized beta-cell membrane proteins. Interestingly, solubilization of beta-cell tumor membranes led to a shift of specific [3H]glibenclamide binding from the 140 kDa to the 65 kDa binding protein, exclusively, and to an increased labeling of the 65 kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride. The labeling of a unique protein is in agreement with similar Kd values measured for both sulfonylureas upon solubilization of beta-cell tumor and RINm5F cell membranes (see accompanying paper). Furthermore, competitive Scatchard plots of [3H]glimepiride binding to solubilized RINm5F cell membrane proteins in the presence of glibenclamide and vice versa approximate linearity suggesting loss of cooperativity between the 140 kDa glibenclamide-binding and 65 kDa glimepiride-binding proteins upon solubilization. The physiological significance of the differential interaction of glimepiride and glibenclamide with different binding proteins was also substantiated by photoaffinity labeling of RINm5F cells leading to labeling of a 140 kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide and of a 65 kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1994

Intestinal absorption of peptides by coupling to bile acids.

Poor intestinal absorption of peptides greatly limits their use as drugs for the treatment of chronic diseases. Since bile acids are efficiently absorbed by an active, Na(+)-dependent transport system in the ileum of mammals, model peptides of different chain length were attached to the 3-position of modified 3 beta-(omega-amino-alkoxy)-7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid. These peptide-bile acid conjugates inhibited Na(+)-dependent [3H]taurocholate uptake into brush-border membrane vesicles isolated from rabbit ileum in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, photoaffinity labeling of the bile acid-binding proteins of M(r) 93,000 and 14,000, identified as the protein components of the ileal Na(+)-dependent bile acid transport system in rabbit ileum (Kramer, W., Girbig, F., Gutjahr, U., Kowalewski, S., Jouvenal, K., Müller, G., Tripier, D., and Wess, G. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 18035-18046) by the photoreactive taurocholate analogue, (3,3-azo-7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta [7 beta, -12 beta-3H]cholan-24-oyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, was inhibited by the peptide-bile acid conjugates. In contrast, the parent peptides and amino acids neither had a significant effect on [3H]taurocholate uptake by ileal brush-border membrane vesicles nor on photoaffinity labeling of the ileal bile acid-binding membrane proteins. The inhibitory effect of peptide-bile acid conjugates on [3H]taurocholate transport and photoaffinity labeling of the bile acid-binding proteins in rabbit ileal vesicles decreased with increasing chain length of the attached peptide radical. By in vivo ileum perfusion in anesthetized rats an intestinal absorption of the bile acid conjugate S3744 of the fluorescent oxaprolylpeptide 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-beta-Ala-Phe-5-Opr-Gly (S1037) and secretion of the intact compound into bile could be demonstrated, whereas the parent peptide S1037 or its t-butylester S4404 were not absorbed. The intestinal absorption of S3744 showed a similar temperature dependence as [3H]taurocholate absorption and was inhibited by the presence of taurocholate indicating a carrier-mediated uptake of S3744 via the ileal bile acid transporter. In conclusion, these results indicate that oligopeptides can be made enterally absorable by coupling to modified bile acid molecules making use of the specific intestinal absorption pathway for bile acids. This finding may be of great importance for the design and development of orally active peptide drugs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Intestinal bile acid absorption. Na(+)-dependent bile acid transport activity in rabbit small intestine correlates with the coexpression of an integral 93-kDa and a peripheral 14-kDa bile acid-binding membrane protein along the duodenum-ileum axis.

The anatomical localization of the Na+/bile acid cotransport system from rabbit small intestine was determined using brush border membrane vesicles prepared from eight different segments of the small intestine. Na(+)-dependent transport activity for bile acids, both for [3H]taurocholate and [3H]cholate, was found in the distal segment 8 only representing the terminal 12% of the small intestine. In contrast, the Na(+)-dependent D-glucose transporter and the H(+)-dependent oligopeptide transporter were found over the whole length of rabbit small intestine in all segments. Photoaffinity labeling with 7,7-azo- and 3,3-azo-derivatives of taurocholate with subsequent fluorographic detection of labeled polypeptides after one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that an integral membrane polypeptide of M(r) 87,000 is present in the entire small intestine, whereas an integral membrane protein of M(r) 93,000 together with a peripheral membrane protein of M(r) 14,000 are exclusively expressed in the distal small intestine correlating with Na(+)-dependent bile acid transport activity. Photoaffinity labeling with the cationic bile acid derivative 1-(7,7-azo-3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta[3 beta-3H]cholan-24-oyl)-1,2- diaminoethane hydrochloride and 7,7-azo-3 alpha,12 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta[12 alpha-3H]cholan-24-oic acid did not result in a specific labeling of the above mentioned proteins, demonstrating their specificity for physiological bile acids. Photoaffinity labeling of the 93- and 14-kDa bile acid-binding proteins was strongly Na(+)-dependent. Significant labeling of the 93- and 14-kDa proteins occurred only in the presence of Na+ ions with maximal labeling above 100 mM [Na+] showing a parallel [Na+] dependence to transport activity. Inactivation of Na(+)-dependent [3H]taurocholate uptake by treatment of ileal brush border membrane vesicles with 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol chloride led to a parallel decrease in the extent of photoaffinity labeling of both the 93- and 14-kDa protein. Sequence analysis of the membrane-bound 14-kDa bile acid-binding protein surprisingly revealed its identity with gastrotropin, a hydrophobic ligand-binding protein exclusively found in the cytosol from ileocytes and thought to be involved in the intracellular transport of bile acids from the brush border membrane to the basolateral pole of the ileocyte. In conclusion, the present studies suggest that both an integral 93- and a peripheral 14-kDa membrane protein, identified as gastrotropin, and both exclusively expressed in the terminal ileum, are essential components of the Na+/bile acid cotransport system in rabbit terminal ileum.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1993

Interaction of the orally active dianionic cephalosporin cefixime with the uptake system for oligopeptides and alpha-amino-beta-lactam antibiotics in rabbit small intestine.

The uptake of two orally active beta-lactam antibiotics of different chemical structure, the zwitterionic alpha-aminocephalosporin cephalexin and the dianionic carboxymethoxyimino-cephalosporin cefixime, by brush border membrane vesicles obtained from rabbit small intestine and their molecular interaction with the H+/oligopeptide transport system were investigated. The uptake of both compounds was stimulated by an inwardly directed H(+)-gradient with a profound pH-maximum for cephalexin at pH 6outside and pH 7.4inside whereas cefixime uptake was maximal below pH 5outside. Modification of histidyl residues of membrane proteins led to a complete loss of pH dependence of transport of both cephalosporins. The uptake of cephalexin was competitively inhibited by cefixime and dipeptides and vice versa that of cefixime by cephalexin and dipeptides. The uptake of cefixime was trans-stimulated by cephalexin and glycyl-L-proline whereas cephalexin uptake could only be trans-stimulated by glycyl-L-proline, not by cefixime. Photoaffinity labeling with [3H]benzylpenicillin as a direct photoaffinity probe of the H+/oligopeptide transport system demonstrated a direct molecular interaction of both cephalexin and cefixime with this transporter in the pH range of 5-8. Thermal pretreatment of membrane vesicles inhibited the cephalexin transport system temperature-dependently, whereas cefixime uptake was not inhibited, but stimulated. Taken together we conclude that dianionic cephalosporins like cefixime bind to the transport system shared by oligopeptides and alpha-amino-beta-lactam antibiotics. Their transport across the enterocyte brush border membrane, however, may occur to a significant extent by a different transport system.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Characterization and chemical modification of the Na(+)-dependent bile-acid transport system in brush-border membrane vesicles from rabbit ileum.

The Na(+)-dependent uptake system for bile acids in the ileum from rabbit small intestine was characterized using brush-border membrane vesicles. The uptake of [3H]taurocholate into vesicles prepared from the terminal ileum showed an overshoot uptake in the presence of an inwardly-directed Na(+)-gradient ([Na+]out > [Na+]in), in contrast to vesicles prepared from the jejunum. The Na(+)-dependent [3H]taurocholate uptake was cis-inhibited by natural bile acid derivatives, whereas cholephilic organic compounds, such as phalloidin, bromosulphophthalein, bilirubin, indocyanine green or DIDS - all interfering with hepatic bile-acid uptake - did not show a significant inhibitory effect. Photoaffinity labeling of ileal membrane vesicles with 3,3-azo- and 7,7-azo-derivatives of taurocholate resulted in specific labeling of a membrane polypeptide with apparent molecular mass 90 kDa. Bile-acid derivatives inhibiting [3H]taurocholate uptake by ileal vesicles also inhibited labeling of the 90 kDa polypeptide, whereas compounds with no inhibitory effect on ileal bile-acid transport failed to show a significant effect on the labeling of the 90 kDa polypeptide. The involvement of functional amino-acid side-chains in Na(+)-dependent taurocholate uptake was investigated by chemical modification of ileal brush-border membrane vesicles with a variety of group-specific agents. It was found that (vicinal) thiol groups and amino groups are involved in active ileal bile-acid uptake, whereas carboxyl- and hydroxyl-containing amino acids, as well as tyrosine, histidine or arginine are not essential for Na(+)-dependent bile-acid transport activity. The irreversible inhibition of [3H]taurocholate transport by DTNB or NBD-chloride could be partially reversed by thiols like 2-mercaptoethanol or DTT. Furthermore, increasing concentrations of taurocholate during chemical modification with NBD-chloride were able to protect the ileal bile-acid transporter from inactivation. These findings suggest that a membrane polypeptide of apparent M(r) 90,000 is a component of the active Na(+)-dependent bile-acid reabsorption system in the terminal ileum from rabbit small intestine. Vicinal thiol groups and amino groups of the transport system are involved in Na(+)-dependent transport activity, whereas other functional amino acids are not essential for transport activity.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1992

Liver-specific drug targeting by coupling to bile acids.

Bile acids are selectively taken up from portal blood into the liver by specific transport systems in the hepatocyte plasma membrane. Therefore, studies were performed to evaluate the potential of bile acids as shuttles to deliver drugs specifically to the liver. The alkylating cytostatic drug chlorambucil and the fluorescent prolyl-4-hydroxylase inhibitor 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-beta-Ala-Phe-5-oxaproline-Gly were covalently linked via an amide bond to 7 alpha, 12 alpha,-dihydroxy-3 beta- (omega-aminoalkoxy)-5-beta-cholan-24-oic acid. The chlorambucil-bile acid conjugates S 2521, S 2539, S 2567, and S 2576 inhibited Na(+)-dependent [3H]taurocholate uptake in a concentration-dependent manner both into isolated rat hepatocytes and rabbit ileal brush border membrane vesicles, whereas the parent drug chlorambucil showed no significant inhibitory effect. The chlorambucil-bile acid conjugates were able to prevent photoaffinity labeling of bile acid binding proteins in rat hepatocytes by the photolabile [3H]7,7-azo derivative of taurocholic acid indicating their bile acid character. The chlorambucil-bile acid conjugate S 2577 was able to alkylate proteins demonstrating the drug character conserved in the hybrid-molecules. Liver perfusion experiments revealed a secretion profile of the chlorambucil-bile acid conjugate S 2576 into bile very similar to taurocholate compared to chlorambucil which is predominantly excreted by the kidney. 4-Nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-beta-Ala-Phe-5-oxaproline-Gly- t-butylester (S 4404), a fluorescent peptide inhibitor of prolyl-4-hydroxylase, was not transported in intact form from portal blood into bile in contrast to its bile acid conjugate S 3744; about 25% of the peptide-bile acid conjugate S 3744 was secreted in intact form into bile within 40 min compared with less than 4% of the parent oxaprolylpeptide S 4404. In conclusion, these studies reveal that modified bile acid molecules can be used as "Trojan horses" to deliver a drug molecule specifically into the liver and the biliary system. This offers important pharmacological options for the development of liver-specific drugs.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1992

Intestinal absorption of beta-lactam antibiotics and oligopeptides. Functional and stereospecific reconstitution of the oligopeptide transport system from rabbit small intestine.

The H(+)-dependent uptake system responsible for the enteral absorption of oligopeptides and orally active beta-lactam antibiotics was functionally reconstituted into liposomes. Membrane proteins from rabbit small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles were solubilized with n-octyl glucoside and incorporated into liposomes using a gel filtration method. At protein/lipid ratios of 1:10 and 1:40, the uptake of the orally active alpha-amino-cephalosporin, D-cephalexin into proteoliposomes was stimulated by an inwardly directed H+ gradient and was protein-dependent. In these proteoliposomes the binding protein for oligopeptides and beta-lactam antibiotics of Mr 127,000 could be labeled by direct photoaffinity labeling with [3H]benzylpenicillin revealing an identical binding specificity as in the original brush border membrane vesicles. The uptake system for beta-lactam antibiotics and oligopeptides showed a remarkable stereospecificity; only D-cephalexin was taken up by intact brush border membrane vesicles, whereas the L-enantiomer was not taken up to a significant extent. This stereospecificity for uptake was also seen after reconstitution of solubilized brush border membrane proteins into liposomes demonstrating a functional reconstitution of the peptide transporter. Both enantiomers however, bound to the 127-kDa binding protein as was shown by a decrease in the extent of photoaffinity labeling of the 127-kDa protein in the presence of both enantiomers. After reconstitution of subfractions of brush border membrane proteins obtained by wheat germ lectin affinity chromatography into proteoliposomes, only liposomes containing the 127-kDa binding protein showed a significant uptake of D-cephalexin whereas the L-enantiomer was not transported. The uptake rates for D-cephalexin into proteoliposomes correlated with the content of 127-kDa binding protein in these liposomes as was determined by specific photoaffinity labeling with [3H]benzylpenicillin. The purified 127-kDa binding protein was also reconstituted into liposomes and its ability for specific binding of substrates as well as stereospecific uptake of cephalexin could be restored. These results indicate that the binding protein for oligopeptides and beta-lactam antibiotics of Mr 127,000 mediates the stereospecific and H(+)-dependent transport of orally active beta-lactam antibiotics across the enterocyte brush border membrane. We therefore suggest that this 127-kDa binding protein is the intestinal peptide transport system (or a component thereof).

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1992

Connatal periventricular pseudocysts in the neonate.

Connatal periventricular pseudocysts are important sequelae of different noxious insults in the developing brain. Accurate diagnosis of those pathologic entities during early life has therefore become of direct concern to the clinician. Our experience with 12 infants of connatal periventricular pseudocysts provides the basis of this study. They belonged to different pathological entities: focal paraventricular pseudocysts (5 cases), subependymal pseudocyst (3 cases), connatal viral infection (3 cases), and chromosomal abnormality (1 case). When present at birth, they suggest an intrauterine pathology. It has only been with the advent of real-time cranial ultrasound that periventricular pseudocystic lesions can be detected in neonates following an abnormal pregnancy. Some obstetric complications during the second trimester can cause paraventricular or subependymal pseudocyst in the foetus. Neurotrophic viral infection and chromosomal abnormalities have also been implicated in the production of cystic lesions in this region. These lesions are not a terminal event in infants but may be a condition of major clinical importance for further neurological development.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1991

[Nosology and ultrasound findings in porencephaly].

Congenital cerebral defects can be classified into two groups of porencephaly. Agenetic porencephaly results from development disturbances during early neuronal migration and can often be observed in the region of the fissura Sylvii. Encephaloclastic porencephaly, which is relatively rare, is a late prenatal or perinatal vascular lesion due to arterial ischemic stroke or venous thrombosis, and is located in the supply areas of the vessels involved. Cerebral defects can always be detected by ultrasonography. High resolution ultrasonic instruments or magnetic resonance imaging are appropriate means to find out disturbed patterns of gyration pointing to early fetal developmental disturbances.

Brain↗