Amount Of Acid Mucopolysaccharides Research Articles

Spontaneous left main coronary artery dissection in pregnancy

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute myocardial ischaemia [1] whose aetiology and pathogenesis have not been fully elucidated. It is defined as hemorrhagic separation of the coronary artery media with creation of a false lumen in the absence of precipitating factors [2]. It has also been associated with intense physical exercise, oral contraceptives and connective tissue disorders [2]. Pregnancy related spontaneous coronary dissection is thought to be related to an excess of progesterone, leading to biochemical and structural changes to the vessel wall (e.g., loss of normal corrugation in elastic fibers, fragmentation of reticular fibers, and decreases in the amount of acid mucopolysaccharides). The physiologic increase in blood volume and cardiac output may magnify shear forces of the blood column in large vessels, resulting in a greater propensity for dissection [3]. SCAD is often fatal and the mortality rate for pregnant patients presenting with SCAD is reported to be as high as 38% [4]. However, the prognosis is favourable for patients who survive the initial event [4,5]. A 33-year-old female 36 weeks into her 3rd pregnancy (Gravida 3, Para 2) was admitted to hospital with left sided pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath and tachycardia. Her pregnancy had been uncomplicated. There were no known cardiac risk factors. On presentation she was haemodynamically stable and her clinical examination was unremarkable with normal fetal monitoring. Initial 12 lead ECG was

Effect of low pH on the morphology and viability of Cryptosporidium andersoni sporozoites and histopathology in the stomachs of infected mice

The genus Cryptosporidium includes many common parasites infecting animals and humans, and is a major cause of diarrheal illness worldwide. The biology of gastric Cryptosporidium spp., including replication in the stomach, has not been well documented. This study evaluated the viability of Cryptosporidium andersoni sporozoites in gastric environments after excystation and examined the endogenous development and histopathological changes in the stomachs of infected mice, using a novel type of C. andersoni. Sporozoites were affected by low pH (61.6% viability after 3h at pH2.0). Electron microscopy revealed developmental parasites on the gastric foveolae but not on the surface of the gastric mucosa. Histopathological examinations at 1, 2, 4 and 12weeks p.i. uncovered three different lesions. The gastric mucosa of foveolae filled with parasites was extended and the amount of neutral mucopolysaccharide at the mucosal surface was decreased with the first type of lesion. The gastric mucosa was atrophied, some gastric glands were disrupted and the amount of acid mucopolysaccharide at the mucosal surface was increased with the second type. Finally, the gastric mucosa was slightly extended and goblet cells were present in the gastric mucosa, indicating intestinal metaplasia, in the third type. No parasites were detected in these areas with increased acidic mucin and indications of metaplasia. The results suggest that C. andersoni parasites could not survive in acidic environments for a long period before invading host cells and preferentially develop in neutral sites of the gastric mucosa, resulting in histopathological changes and chronic shedding of oocysts.

Ａｌｐｈａ‐Ｈｙｄｒｏｘｙ Ａｃｉｄｓ（ＡＨＡｓ）の皮膚に対する薬理作用

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are carboxylic acids characterized by a hydroxy group on the α carbon atom of the molecules. The constituents of AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid and tartaric acid. The profound effect of AHAs on disorders of keratinization was first to report by Van Scott and Yu in 1974. Recently, medium concentrations of AHAs have been used in the chemical peeling of photo-aged skin, acne and some skin disorders in Japan. However, the overall knowledge of the pharmacological actions of AHAs on the human skin remains insufficient. I herein briefly reviewed our data and the most recently reported information. The principal action of lower concentrations (5-12%) of AHAs, when applied topically to human skin, is based on an accelerated detachment of corneocytes. The pharmacological effects of a medium concentration (15-30%) of AHAs are a thickening of epidermis, a decreased number of atypia in basal cells, an increase in the amount of acid mucopolysaccharides in the papillary dermis, and an increased expression of factor XIII a transglutaminase in the dermal dendrocytes associated with an increased level of mast cell degranulation. Ultrastructurally, AHAs-treated photo-aged skin samples show a decreased number of desmosomes and thus results in an accumulation of tonofilaments and opening of intercellular spaces of kerationocytes, while no appreciable changes are observed in the melanocytes. In vitro studies revealed that AHAs could induce an increased degree of fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, while they may also suppress tyrosinase activity in human melanoma cell line. Recently, AHAs are becoming one of the unique rejuvenating agents in Japan. Dermatologists have to establish more effective and safer protocols in order to widely use AHAs and also further verify the action mechanisms of AHAs, utilizing image, biochemical and molecular biological analyses.

Mucoid Vasculopathy of Unknown Etiology

A new vascular disorder with generalized deposition of abnormal amounts of acid mucopolysaccharide (AMPS) material in arteries, veins, and vasanervorum has been observed in a large number of autopsies at the author's institution. It is unlike any of the known vascular diseases and has emerged as a distinct disorder of vascular connective tissue. This has been named "mucoid vasculopathy of unknown etiology." This hitherto unreported entity is described here.

Insertion Tendopathy in Athletes: A Light Microscopic, Histochemical and Electron Microscopic Examination

Tendon tissue of eleven athletes suffering from insertion tendopathy and of two controls was examined. Part of the tissue was prepared for routine light microscopy, a part for enzyme histochemical staining of Nicotinamide-adenine-dinudeotide-diaphorase (NADP-diaphorase), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), beta-glucuronidase and alkaline phosphatase. Small pieces of tissue were also prepared for electron microscopic examination. The removed tissue was edematous and mushy. The normally densely packed parallel or interwoven collagen bundles were loosened by edema, focal necrosis or hemorrhage. Infiltration of fatty tissue and granulation tissue was also present. The amount of acid mucopolysaccharides was markedly increased. The histochemical studies showed strong enzyme activity of NADP-diaphorase and LDH in normal tendon tissue as well as around areas of degeneration and in granulation tissue. beta-Glucuronidase and alkaline phosphatase was present, but in general with lesser activity than the above enzymes. The electron microscopic examination revealed marked degeneration of the fiber systems, focal necrosis, deposit of amorphous masses and mucopolysaccharides and focal mineralisation. The reparative zones showed proliferating capillaries, often with a collapsed lumen and prominent endothelial cells and basement membranes.

Pattern of Urinary Acid Mucopolysaccharide Excretion in Hurler-Scheie Compound

Two sibs, aged 35 and 28 years, respectively, presented a phenotype intermediate between that of Hurler and of Scheie syndromes. Both had severe dwarfism, characteristic facies, corneal clouding, dysostosis multiplex, restriction of joint mobility, umbilical and inguinal hernias, hepatosplenomegaly and normal intelligence. Both were found to excrete large amounts of acid mucopolysaccharides with a major fraction consisting of dermatan sulfate and a small amount of heparan sulfate.Peripheral leucocytes from these two sibs exibited α-L-iduronidase deficiency. In view of these findings, they were diagnosed as Hurler-Scheie compound heterozygosity but the possibility of another mutation at the iduronidase locus might also be considered.

Incipient atrophy of cornea. Experimental study.

The essence of the process in which the corneal tissue disappears in atrophy of the eye has not yet been studied. The authors of this investigation studied the changes in cornea as they developed after a gross perforating injury to the eye in rabbit. They found that the diameter of the cornea had grown smaller by 2 mm and its radius by 0.5 mm. The tensile strength of the cornea had decreased and hydration increased. Histologically there were but little changes and histochemically a decreased amount of acid mucopolysaccharides was ascertained in the corneal stroma. Incorporation of radioactive sulphate (Na2-35SO4) in vivo disclosed decreased biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans. Clinically, even though the eye ball atrophied, complete atrophy with flattening and complete diminution, as in the human eye, never developed. The question arises whether the six-months period was sufficient for rabbit cornea to develop clinically similar atrophy as in human cornea or whether the clinical features are principally different in the two species. Foci of ossification, as found in atrophic eye balls, which are known to develop after a long time, would be evidence of the second alternative.

Histologische Untersuchungen über die Wirkung von Solanum Melongena auf die cholesterininduzierte Atheromatose des Kaninchens im Mittel- und Langzeitversuch: Effect of Solanum Melongena on experimental atheromatosis

In earlier studies [see literature (2, 20, 21, 22)] observations concerning the effect of Solanum Melongena (Sol. Mel.) (violet egg plants) on experimentally induced artheromatosis in rabbits were reported. This study aims to investigate histologically the effect of Sol. Mel. on experimental atheromatosis in mean-term (2--4 weeks) and long-term (8--12 weeks) tests. For details of the test arrangement see AUBOCK and MITSCHEK, Exp. Path. 9, 323--335 (1974). From one portion of the material for histological examination cryostat sections were prepared, the other portion was fixed in Bouin's solution or in Baker's formol and paraffin-embedded at 58--60 degrees C (cross sections of the aorta). The specimens were stained as follows: erythrosin in conjunction with haematoxylin; aqueous or alcoholic solutions of toluidine blue (pH 3.5 to 5, and 7); methylene blue (pH 2.5 to 5, and 8); alcian blue (pH 2.5); Schiff-PAS; alcian blue and PAS in combination; Sudan III; elastica-van Gieson (blue) and Weigert's iron haematoxylin. For demonstration of mucopolysaccharides (MPS) the control sections were pretreated in a 10% Takadiastase solution for 10 minutes at 37 degrees C. In liver sections PAS-reactivity was additionally blocked by dimedone (cyclohexanedione) for elective demonstration of glycogen. The tissue sections were studied in transmission--, incident- and dark field illumination. lipid deposits as demonstrated by surface preparation technique could not be seen in paraffin sections after just one day. In the vascular wall histological changes were earliest visible after 10 to 14 days (enlargement of the subendothelial space and honeycombed edema with fine dispersed lipids). At this stage a "haematoxylin-effect" did yet not develop. Sometimes these alterations were also present in the upper layers of the media. They always first occurred in the aortic arch. At this time the Sol. Mel.-treated animals of group II only occasionally developed superficial edemas. Enlargement of the media with edematous infiltration and loosening of the elastic fibers was similar in both cases (figs. 1a and 1b). Fatty degeneration of the liver was already macroscopically visible on day 14; in untreated animals of group I it was more expressive than in group II (figs. 2a and 2b) -- this likewise applied to the cholesterol content (figs. 3a and 3b). After about 30 days in group I the earliest macroscopically visible plaques occurred prevailingly in the aortic arch and in the thoracic aorta. The development of such small foam cell plaques could be continuously observed with a hand lens (fig. 4a). In group II, however, it was not possible to observe any development of plaques with a hand lens, persistence of edemas was demonstrable with such (fig. 4b). Within these, fine dispersed droplets were present (fig. 5) but exact localization was only possible by electron microscopy [see literature(2)].

Nicotine effects on the acid mucopolysaccharide content of chick embryo cardiac jelly.

Histochemical studies were made on the developing chick embryo heart to determine the effects of nicotine on acid mucopolysaccharide content during the critical stages of the cardiac morphogenesis. Two-day old embryos were injected with the dosages of nicotine ranging from 1.5 to 3 mg per embryo. The embryos were studied on the 3rd and 4th days of incubation. For an evaluation of acid mucopolysaccharides, the staining procedures of Mowry (1958) and Saunders (1964) were employed. It was found that nicotine decreases the content of acid mucopolysaccharide in the developing cardiac jelly. In the control embryos, the cardiac tissues picked up very intense coloration. At lower dosages (Group A; 1.5 mg/egg), the staining response of the treated heart tissues containing acid mucopolysaccharides was moderate as compared to the control embryos. At higher dosages (Group B; 3 mg/egg), the cardiac tissues were faintly colored as compared to the embryos of Group A. It is possible that the cardiac lesions previously reported in the chick embryos following the administration of nicotine (Gilani, 1971) are due to the reduction of the amount of acid mucopolysaccharides in the developing cardiac jelly--a susceptible period of the genesis of heart.

Acid mucopolysaccharide (glycosaminoglycan) at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of mouse embryo salivary glands.

Acid mucopolysaccharide (glycosaminoglycan) has been demostrated at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of mouse embryo submandibular glands by (a) specific staining for polymeric sulfate with Alcian blue 8 GX at various magnesium concentrations, (b) specific staining for polymeric uronic acid by selective oxidation of these residues to Schiff-reactive compounds, (c) electron microscope localization of ruthenium red staining, (d) radioautographic localization of glucosamine-(3)H and (35)SO(4), and (e) by susceptibility of the glucosamine radioactivity at the interface to digestion with protease-free hyaluronidase. Moreover, material labeled with glucosamine-(3)H and (35)SO(4) and with chemical characteristics identical with those of acid mucopolysaccharide were isolated from the glands. Acid mucopolysaccharide is distributed over the entire epithelial surface. The amount of acid mucopolysaccharide, as revealed by the staining procedures, is nearly equivalent at all sites. In contrast, the rate of accumulation of glucosamine-labeled mucopolysaccharide is greater at the surface of the distal ends of the growing and branching lobules. This distribution of newly synthesized acid mucopolysaccharide at the sites of incipient cleft formation suggests that surface-associated acid mucopolysaccharide is involved in the morphogenetic process. A mechanism of branching morphogenesis is proposed which accounts for the distribution of collagen fibers and total and newly synthesized acid mucopolysaccharide at the epithelial surface.

Studies on aminoacetonitrile and its related compounds. 3. Studies of acid mucopolysaccharides in lathyrism.

Alteration of the nature of acid mucopolysaccharide in the lathyritic state developed by repeated administration of aminoacetonitrile was examined using the agar granulomas, implanted into the back of rats, and femur of young rabbits. No changes were observed in the total hexosamine contents in the agar granulomas of rats or femur of rabbits after treatment with aminoacetonitrile. The amount of acid mucopolysaccharide in the supernatant fraction obtained from the extract of femur or agar granulomas by precipitating the acid mucosaccharide complexes with trichloroacetic acid or saturated ammonium sulfate clearly decreased on treating the animals with aminoacetonitrile and a small amount of hyaluronic acid was detected in this supernatant fraction obtained from the agar granulomas of lathyritic rats. The content of acid mucopolysaccharide in the fraction precipitated by saturated ammonium sulfate but not digested with papain increased in agar granulomas by treatment of the rats with aminoacetonitrile.

On the influence of fixations on the normal hydration of rabbit cornea and the total amount of acid mucopolysaccharides in the stroma

The authors studied the influence of fixations on the normal hydration of the rabbit cornea and the total amount of acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS) in the stroma. The following fixatives were used: formol-calcium chloride at 19° C for 24 hours, formolcetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) at 19 and 28° C for 48 hours, Lillie's fixation at 19° C for 24 hours and Carnoy's fluid at 19° C for 30 minutes. The sections of the corneae were stained with Alcian blue, colloidal Fe3+ in the modification according to Rinehart and Abu'l Haj and with toluidine and methylene blue. The amount of AMPS was determined with the method of Rondle and Morgan and the total hydration of the stroma by weighing the corneae before and after using different fixative fluids and by calculation of obtained values on dry weight. The best results were obtained by using formol-CPC at 28° C. At the ordinary room temperature (±19° C) it was the poorest fixation, however, as the corneae in this solution became hydrated. Formol-calcium chloride was the second in the row and it was much better than Lillie's and Carnoy's fluid. The amount of AMPS in the stroma was not essentially changed by the effect of fixatives. Within 24–48 hours formol-CPC at 28° C retained the normal content and formol-calcium chloride caused the 11% decrease of AMPS maximally. The loss of AMPS after other fixatives was minimal. The intensity of staining with cationic dyes in paraffin sections was different after individual fixatives and after the kind of their application and was dependent chiefly on the state of hydration of the corneal stroma: It is impossible to interpret the results of staining reactions in terms of the quantity of AMPS as it was hitherto done.

The state of the ground substance of the arterial walls in experimental atherosclerosis

Twelve dogs with experimental atherosclerosis induced after Steiner and Kendall's method were carried out to study the state of the intermediate substance of the arterial wall. The application of histochemical methods made it possible to show that in experimental atherosclerosis the deposition of lipoids is followed by an increase in the amount of acid mucopolysaccharides and ribonucleic acid in the lipoid patches and plaques. Prior to deposition of lipoids, the intermediate substance shows no visible morphological changes in spite of the presence of hypercholesterolemia.

Acid mucopolysaccharide and hexosamine metabolism in dermal connective tissue of adrenalectomized rats.

SINCE steroids have been reported to be involved in the metabolism of the mucopolysaccharides of the dermis1–3, it appeared interesting to investigate the effect of adrenalectomy on the amount of acid mucopolysaccharides and hexosamines in dermal connective tissue. The investigations were performed on young male rats of the CFE strain. Animals in the experimental group were adrenalectomized when 30 days old; they weighed 95–100 g at this time. Both adrenalectomized and control animals were purchased from Carworth Farms, Inc., New York City, Rockland County, New York. The animals were fed ad lib. ‘Wayne Lab Blox’ (mice and rats) diet. The adrenalectomized rats received 2 per cent sodium chloride in tap water, those of the control group were given tap water alone; both beverages were offered ad lib.

Exchangeable water, sodium and chloride in the skin of mice.

AbstractLanggård, H. Exchangeable water, sodium and chloride in the skin of mice. Acta physiol. scand. 1965. 64. 263–268. – The exchangeability of water, sodium and chloride in skin has been studied in untreated mice, in mice with localized acute inflammatory edema and in mice with estradiol induced edema of the skin. The total amounts of water and sodium were found to be readily exchangeable whereas 15 per cent of the tissue chloride, in untreated mice, was exchanged at a much lower rate. The findings in the mice with acute inflammatory edema and in mice treated with estradiol indicated a possible relationship between the slowly exchangeable chloride and the amount of acid mucopolysaccharides in the skin.