Dehydrogenase Isoenzyme Activity Research Articles

Impact of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity on Gliomas

High-grade gliomas are primary brain tumors with a highly aggressive, invasive phenotype and dismal outcome. Targeting cell metabolism and cancer bioenergetics has emerged as a potential effective therapeutic approach. Selective aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity regulates glioma tumor growth, invasiveness, and resistance to current treatments, and has potential as a therapeutic target.

Evaluation of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity and biochemical profile in cerebrospinal fluid for different types of meningitis

Evaluation of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity and biochemical profile in cerebrospinal fluid for different types of meningitis

Uterine fluid lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity profile

Objective The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzyme activity profile in uterine fluid, and transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in the detection of endometrial cancer in women with postmenopausal bleeding. Patients and methods A total of 200 postmenopausal women with one or more episodes of vaginal bleeding were included in the study after signing informed consent. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt. Patients with recent endometrial sampling, current hormone replacement therapy, uterine fluid collection at TVS, or clinical signs of endometritis were excluded from the study. The TVS and uterine fluid sampling for the LD isoenzyme analysis were carried out as office examinations. Endometrial thickness was classified as greater than 5 mm or less than 5 mm on TVS. The LD isoenzyme activity profile was described as normal or abnormal. The LD isoenzyme profile was subsequently related to histopathological diagnosis. Patients with endometrial thickness greater than 5 mm on TVS were evaluated with diagnostic curettage, and those with endometrial thickness less than 5 mm were evaluated with office endometrial biopsy. Results Endometrial carcinoma was found in 18 out of 200 patients (9%). In total, 162 (81%) were found to have endometrium greater than 5-mm thickness on TVS. The LD isoenzyme activity profile was abnormal for 38 (19%) patients. Histopathological diagnosis revealed 18 cases with endometrial cancer and 20 cases with no malignancy. The LD isoenzyme activity profile has 100% sensitivity, 90.1% specificity, 45.4% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and 88.6% accuracy. TVS for 200 postmenopausal women showed that 162 cases had endometrial thickness greater than 5 mm (81%); 18 of them were diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma (9%) and the remaining 144 cases were diagnosed with benign endometrial pathology (72%); 38 cases had endometrial thickness less than 5 mm (19%) and all of them showed no malignancy (P=0.201). The LD profile showed 38 abnormal results (19%); 18 cases of them diagnosed as endometrial carcinoma (9%) and the remaining 20 cases had benign endometrial pathology (10%). The LD profile showed 162 normal results, all of which had no malignancy (P=0.000*). Conclusion LD isoenzyme profile of uterine fluid could be added as a diagnostic tool for endometrial carcinoma of postmenopausal women. It is a reliable and easy, and is highly tolerable for the patients. At the same time, it can be applied as an office technique. LD isoenzyme profile of uterine fluid could be used as a second step after TVS at a cutoff point of 5 mm, which has proved to be highly reliable. The use of these two methods can reduce the need for curettage and hysteroscopy.

Therapeutic approaches of melatonin in microwave radiations-induced oxidative stress-mediated toxicity on male fertility pattern of Wistar rats

Microwave (MW) radiation produced by wireless telecommunications and a number of electrical devices used in household or in healthcare institutions may adversely affects the reproductive pattern. Present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of melatonin (is well known antioxidant that protects DNA, lipids and proteins from free radical damage) against oxidative stress-mediated testicular impairment due to long-term exposure of MWs. For this, 70-day-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6/group): Sham exposed, Melatonin (Mel) treated (2 mg/kg), 2.45 GHz MWs exposed and MWs + Mel treated. Exposure took place in Plexiglas cages for 2 h a day for 45 days where, power density (0.21 mW/cm2) and specific absorption rate (SAR 0.14 W/Kg) were estimated. After the completion of exposure period, rats were sacrificed and various stress related parameters, that is LDH-X (lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme) activity, xanthine oxidase (XO), ROS (reactive oxygen species), protein carbonyl content, DNA damage and MDA (malondialdehyde) were performed. Result shows that melatonin prevent oxidative damage biochemically by significant increase (p < 0.001) in the levels of testicular LDH-X, decreased (p < 0.001) levels of MDA and ROS in testis (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, it reversed the effects of MWs on XO, protein carbonyl content, sperm count, testosterone level and DNA fragmentation in testicular cells. These results concluded that the melatonin has strong antioxidative potential against MW induced oxidative stress mediated DNA damage in testicular cells.

Effects of added therapy with Chinese herbal medicine Kanli Granule on skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure

The pathological changes of skeletal muscle dysfunction in chronic heart failure (CHF) have caused widespread concern, and evaluating the functional properties of medication to improve these pathological changes has become a common area of study for clinicians. To investigate the characteristics of skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with CHF and the effects of Kanli Granule, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on the skeletal muscle dysfunction based on Western medical treatment in patients with CHF. All patients with CHF enrolled in this study were outpatients or inpatients in Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2005 to December 2007. The patients were divided into Western medicine group (treatment with Western medicine) and Chinese herbs group (treatment with Kanli Granule based on Western medicine) based on their preference. The treatment course lasted for 12 weeks. The grip strength, grasp times, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), estimated heart rate, peripheral blood lactate levels and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme activity in patients were measured. A total of 92 patients were recruited and 12 patients withdrew from the Western medicine group, therefore a total of 80 patients were included in the follow-up study. There were 46 cases in the Chinese herbs group and 34 cases in the Western medicine group. After treatment, grip strength and grasp times increased significantly compared with before treatment. RPE score and estimated heart rate significantly decreased in the two groups, showing greater changes in the Chinese herbs group than the Western medicine group (P<0.01). Peripheral blood lactate levels of the CHF patients in a resting state decreased, and the Chinese herbs group displayed a greater decrease than the Western medicine group (P<0.05); lactate levels 3 min after exercise decreased after treatment in both treatment groups, but no significant difference was found compared with before treatment; LDH1 levels in the two treatment groups were decreased compared with before treatment but showed no statistically significant changes; LDH5 levels in the two treatment groups increased after treatment, and an obvious difference was found in the Chinese herbs group (P<0.01). Treatment with the addition of Kanli Granule can significantly improve the function of skeletal muscle in patients with CHF by improving skeletal muscle energy metabolism.

Diagnostic accuracy of uterine fluid lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity profile and vaginal ultrasound in detecting endometrial cancer in women with postmenopausal bleeding

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzyme activity profile in uterine fluid and transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in detection of endometrial cancer in women with postmenopausal bleeding. Prospective controlled clinical study. One hundred twenty postmenopausal women with one or more episode of vaginal bleeding were studied. Endometrial thickness was classified as >5 mm or <5 mm on TVS. LD isoenzyme activity profile was described as normal or abnormal. LD isoenzyme profile was subsequently related to histopathological diagnosis. Endometrial carcinoma was found in 10 out of 120 patients (8.3%). Sixty-seven patients (56%) were found to have endometrium >5-mm thickness on TVS. LD isoenzyme activity profile was abnormal in 22 (18.3%) cases. Histopathological diagnosis in these cases revealed 10 endometrial cancer and 12 benign endometrium. LD isoenzyme activity profile has 100% sensitivity, 90.1% specificity, 45.4% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and 88.6% accuracy. LD isoenzyme profile of uterine fluid could be added as a marker for endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women with vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickness >5 mm on transvaginal ultrasound. Uterine fluid sampling is easy, highly reliable, minimally invasive, with high patient compliance, and can be performed as an office procedure. Furthermore, this method is insensitive to endometrial thickness, amount of sample, sampling device, and dilution.

Longitudinal study of the effects of chronic hypothyroidism on skeletal muscle in dogs

To study the effects of experimentally induced hypothyroidism on skeletal muscle and characterize any observed myopathic abnormalities in dogs. 9 female, adult mixed-breed dogs; 6 with hypothyroidism induced with irradiation with 131 iodine and 3 untreated control dogs. Clinical examinations were performed monthly. Electromyographic examinations; measurement of plasma creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate, and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activities; and skeletal muscle morphologic-morphometric examinations were performed prior to and every 6 months for 18 months after induction of hypothyroidism. Baseline, 6-month, and 18-month assessments of plasma, urine, and skeletal muscle carnitine concentrations were also performed. Hypothyroid dogs developed electromyographic and morphologic evidence of myopathy by 6 months after treatment, which persisted throughout the study, although these changes were subclinical at all times. Hypothyroid myopathy was associated with significant increases in plasma creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase 5 isoenzyme activities and was characterized by nemaline rod inclusions, substantial and progressive predominance of type I myofibers, decrease in mean type II fiber area, subsarcolemmal accumulations of abnormal mitochondria, and myofiber degeneration. Chronic hypothyroidism was associated with substantial depletion in skeletal muscle free carnitine. Chronic, experimentally induced hypothyroidism resulted in substantial but subclinical phenotypic myopathic changes indicative of altered muscle energy metabolism and depletion of skeletal muscle carnitine. These abnormalities may contribute to nonspecific clinical signs, such as lethargy and exercise intolerance, often reported in hypothyroid dogs.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) Isoenzyme Activity in the Sera of Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Human gastric mucosa contains three classes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isoenzymes: I, III, and IV. Various factors have been found to influence gastric ADH activity. One of them is Helicobacter pylori infection, which is associated with gastric mucosal injury and leads to a decrease in gastric ADH activity. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of H. pylori infection on the serum activity of ADH isoenzymes. Serum samples were taken from 35 patients with H. pylori infection and from 35 healthy subjects. For measurement of class I isoenzyme activity we employed the fluorometric method, with class-specific fluorogenic substrate (4-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde). The activities of class III and IV ADH isoenzymes were measured by the photometric method with formaldehyde and with m-nitrobenzaldehyde as substrate, respectively. Total activity of ADH was measured by a photometric method with p-nitrosodimethylaniline. The total activities of ADH and class IV isoenzyme were significantly higher in sera of patients with H. pylori infection compared to healthy subjects. The serum activity of other tested isoenzymes of ADH did not differ significantly between infected and noninfected groups. We conclude that H. pylori infection of gastric mucosa is reflected in the serum by a significant increase in class IV and total ADH activity.

Transvaginal ultrasound and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity profile in uterine aspirate for diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma in women with postmenopausal bleeding

Postmenopausal patients with vaginal bleeding (n = 72) were evaluated with the combination of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and analysis of the lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzyme activity profile in uterine fluid aspirates. TVS evaluation of the endometrium was classified as <5 mm, > or =5 mm, or poorly defined. The LD isoenzyme activity profile was characterized as abnormal or normal. Pathologic findings were further evaluated with diagnostic curettage. TVS found the endometrium to be > or =5 mm or poorly defined in 44 patients (61%). Endometrial carcinoma was found in 6 of 72 patients (8%). They appeared in the TVS groups endometrium >5 mm (n = 2) and endometrium poorly defined (n = 4) but not in the endometrium <5 mm. The LD isoenzyme activity profile was abnormal in the six malignant cases and in ten benign cases. Thus, the need for further evaluation with hysteroscopy and curettage was reduced to 16 cases. Since TVS had 100% sensitivity but only 42% specificity, it is suitable for first-level examination in patients with postmenopausal bleeding. The second-level method should have similarly high sensitivity but much higher specificity. The LD isoenzyme activity profile in uterine fluid aspirates had 100% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Another important feature is that the method is not sensitive to endometrial thickness, amount of sample, sampling device, or dilution. Thus, it is more reliable than aspiration histology. For every hysteroscopy or curettage that can be replaced by LD analysis, the cost is reduced by approximately EUR 720 or 540, respectively.

Lactate dehydrogenase isoform activity mapping in patients with intra-amniotic infection

Five distinct lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes have been described. We sought to illustrate the specific amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity profiles in women with intra-amniotic infection. Amniotic fluid was retrieved from 82 women who were stratified in the following groups: (1) positive amniotic fluid cultures (n = 23 women; gestational age, 26 weeks [range, 21-32 weeks]); (2) negative amniotic fluid cultures (n = 22 women; gestational age, 30 weeks [range, 16-36 weeks]); (3) second trimester control (normal genetic karyotype; n = 17 women; gestational age, 18 weeks [range, 16-22 weeks]); and (4) third trimester control (fetal lung maturity testing; n = 20 women; gestational age, 36 weeks [range, 31-38 weeks]). The optical density of each isoform was determined relative to a standard with 5 known lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activities. Total lactate dehydrogenase activity was measured by the clinical laboratory immediately after retrieval and by a kinetic UV spectrophotometric assay at the time of the isoelectric focusing. Infection increased total lactate dehydrogenase activity: positive amniotic fluid cultures (median, 762.4 [range, 169.3-3374.8]) vs negative amniotic fluid cultures (median, 203.7 [range, 57.8-1939.3]; U/L; P < .001]). Lactate dehydrogenase isoform profiling identified significant and specific increases in lactate dehydrogenase isoforms 3, 4 (P < .01), and 5 (P < .05) in positive amniotic fluid cultures compared to the negative amniotic fluid cultures group. A selective up-regulation in lactate dehydrogenase isoform 5 was identified at term in healthy subjects. Intra-amniotic infection is characterized by an increase in the activities of lactate dehydrogenase isoforms 3, 4, and 5; advancing gestational age demonstrates an up-regulation of isoform 5 only.

Diagnosis of endometrial cancer in patients with postmenopausal bleeding by analysis of the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity profile in uterine fluid

Objectives. We have previously shown that high activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzymes 4 and 5 in uterine aspirates is a marker for endometrial carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to identify an abnormal activity profile of LD2–5 using LD1 as an internal standard, thereby being able to dispense with measurement of the total LD activity. The profile was subsequently tested for diagnostic power in clinical settings. Methods. We used data from 11 cases of endometrial cancer. Each isoenzyme was estimated relative to the activity of LD1 (LD1 = 1.0). Based on the lowest level found for each of LD2–5 in the 11 cases, the cut-off levels for an “abnormal profile” were identified. The abnormal profile was subsequently tested for diagnostic power in a group of postmenopausal women at risk for endometrial cancer, that is, they had experienced vaginal bleeding ( n = 100). A second group of asymptomatic postmenopausal women ( n = 366) had endouterine aspiration performed as part of a regular gynecologic check up to evaluate the prevalence of an abnormal LD isoenzyme profile. Results. In the group of postmenopausal women who had experienced vaginal bleeding, abnormal profile was found in 27 cases: 14 with adenocarcinoma and 13 with benign histology. All cases with normal profile had benign histology. Thus, sensitivity as well as the negative predictive value was 100%. In the group of asymptomatic women, abnormal LD isoenzyme profile was found in 15 cases (4.1%). All had benign histology. Conclusions. The LD isoenzyme profile detects endometrial malignancy with high accuracy, and equally important, a normal profile excludes malignancy. The profile, which uses relative rather than absolute activity levels, based on LD1 as an internal standard, has the great advantage of being independent of both the dilution factor and the aspiration technique. Larger studies comparing the LD isoenzyme activity profile with ultrasonographic evaluation and biopsy histology are needed.

Differential regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activities in potato.

In plants, Glc-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) isoenzymes are present in the cytosol and in plastids. The plastidic enzymes (P1 and P2) are subject to redox regulation, but mechanisms that adjust cytosolic G6PDH activity are largely unknown. We adopted a leaf disc system for monitoring the effects of various conditions on G6PD isoform expression and enzyme activities in potato (Solanum tuberosum). Cytosolic G6PDH activity remained constant during water incubation in the dark. In continuous light or in the presence of metabolizable sugars in the dark, cytosolic G6PDH activity increased 6-fold within 24 h. Cycloheximide incubation demonstrated that enhanced cytosolic G6PDH activity depends on de novo protein synthesis. Osmotic change, phosphate sequestration, or oxidative stress did not affect cytosolic G6PDH activity. Furthermore, enzyme activity and protein contents closely followed the corresponding mRNA levels. Together with the fact that multiple SURE elements are present in the promoter region of the gene, these results suggest that cytosolic G6PDH activity is regulated by sugar availability at the transcriptional level. Plastidic G6PDH activity stayed constant during water incubation in the light and dropped to minimal levels within 6 h in the dark. Conversely, plastidic G6PDH activity of leaf discs incubated on Paraquat rose to 10-fold higher levels, which was not prevented by cycloheximide. Similar increases were found with nitrite, nitrate, or sulfate. No major changes in protein or mRNA contents of the plastidic P1 and P2 isoforms were registered. K(m) (Glc-6-phosphate) values of plastidic G6PDH activity differed between samples incubated on water or Paraquat, suggesting posttranslational modification of the plastidic enzyme(s). Immunoprecipitation of (32)P-labeled samples with P1 isoform-specific antibodies showed that the chloroplast enzyme is subject to protein phosphorylation. Obviously, in extended dark periods, G6PDH activity in the stroma is restricted but can be stimulated in response to high demands for NADPH.

Evidence for change of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity during infancy and childhood.

The conversion of cortisol (F) to cortisone (E) is catalyzed by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2. The present study was designed to investigate the changes of F and E plasma concentration as an indirect measurement of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in infancy and childhood. Plasma samples were obtained from 262 healthy children and adolescents aged 1 d to 18 y. Plasma F and E were measured, using specific radioimmunoassays after extraction and automated Sephadex LH 20 chromatography. The F/E ratio was calculated to assess 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. During the first year of life, plasma F levels rose significantly (r(2) = 0,24; p = 0.01), and thereafter no further increase was seen until adulthood (r(2) = 0.01; p = 0.86). In contrast, plasma E significantly decreased during the first year of life (r(2) = -0.35; p<0.001) and stayed unchanged thereafter (r(2) = 0.02; p = 0.81). As a consequence, the F/E ratio rose significantly during the first year (r(2) = 0.67; p<0.001) but did not change afterward (r(2) = 0.001; p = 0.99). During the first year of life, there is a change from the predominance of E, with low mineralocorticoid receptor affinity, to F, with high mineralocorticoid receptor affinity. This shift corresponds to the declining plasma concentrations of aldosterone during infancy. The changes may indicate a not yet recognized, significant change of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity or alterations in the secretion of F and E, which may be of relevance for the development of arterial blood pressure in infancy.

Changes in the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzymes during the estrus cycle in the vagina of the rat.

In rodents, the vaginal epithelium undergoes cyclical changes with an alternating pattern of keratinization and mucification. It has been known for decades that vitamin A and its active form retinoic acid are responsible for normal epithelial homeostasis. However, it has not so far been certain which enzymes catalyze the first and rate-limiting step in retinoic acid synthesis. By means of microdissection and ultrathin-layer gel electrophoresis, alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity was determined quantitatively in the various layers of the vaginal mucous membrane. It was found that, in the rat, only alcohol dehydrogenase 3 and 4 are expressed. Marked cyclical changes of alcohol dehydrogenase 4 activity in the stratum germinativum of the vaginal epithelium strongly support the assumption that this isoenzyme is responsible for retinoic acid synthesis, and that it is essential for the changes accompanying keratinization and mucification.

Spatial distribution of human liver aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzymes.

To elucidate the pattern of lesions in the liver parenchyma after ethanol ingestion, the quantitative distribution profiles of both the cytosolic and the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzyme activities were determined by the use of ultrathin-layer electrophoresis. It was found that in human liver parenchyma, both isoforms of aldehyde dehydrogenase are almost homogeneously represented in the liver acinus. These quantitative data are supported by the results of an improved histochemical technique. Moreover, sex differences were not detected either in activity or in the distribution pattern. Consequently, it can be assumed that it is not the activity of total aldehyde dehydrogenase or its isoforms which is responsible for the higher susceptibility of the perivenous zone to alcohol-dependent damage.

Physical exercise, oxidative stress and muscle damage in racehorses

Since it has been suggested that lipid peroxidation following free radical overproduction may be one of the causes of physical exercise-induced myopathies and hemolysis in horses, we looked for the possible relationships between these phenomena and muscle fiber damage. We use a homogeneous group of Maremmana stallions which, after a 3-month training period, underwent a series of physical exercises of increasing intensity. We determined the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), one of the main lipid peroxidation end-products, and glutathione the substrate of one of the most important free radical scavenger enzymes. We also measured creatine phosphokinase and serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activities whose modification may be indicative of muscle fiber damage. The results obtained indicated that the physical exercise we adopted was able to modify both MDA and glutathione contents in blood. However, its effect on some LDH isoenzyme activities suggested possible damage to tissues other than muscle.

A STUDY ON THE REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY OF ERYTHROSINE IN MALE MICE

Worldwide usage of different colouring agents in the food industry prompted us to study their toxicity. The potential adverse effects of erythrosine (ER, FD & C Red No.3) on the spermatogenesis process were investigated in adult mice. Testicular lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity (LDH-X), a pachytene spermatocyte marker of testicular toxicity, was significantly decreased to 71·8% and 68·6% of the control value after daily p.o. administration of ER (21 days) in doses of 68 and 136 mg kg−1respectively. At the same time, the normal average epididymal sperm count as well as the percentage of motile sperms were significantly inhibited by about 50% and 57% respectively.Moreover, ER was shown to disrupt the normal morphology of the sperm head. Thus, after 5 daily p.o administrations of ER in doses of 680 and 1360 mg kg−1(equivalent to 10 and 20% of its LD50) it increased the incidence of sperms with abnormal head by about 57% and 65% respectively. The induced increase in sperm abnormalities could enhance the spermatogenic dysfunction and germ cell mutagenicity. These findings indicate that ER in the used doses has a potential toxic effect on spermatogenesis in mice and in turn, it may affect its testicular function and reproductive performance.

Determination of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in single lymphocytes from normal and leukemia cell lines

This work demonstrates that our previously developed technique for single-erythrocyte analysis by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) can be applied to study individual lymphocytes, with some modification in the cell lysing procedure. A tesla coil was shown to be capable of lysing the lymphocyte cells inside the capillary. The electromagnetic field induced by the tesla coil was believed to be responsible for breaking the cell membrane. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme activities and the relative ratios between different LDH isoenzymes were measured for normal lymphocytes as well as B-type and T-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Both the LDH activity and the isoenzyme ratios show large variations among individual cells. The former is expected due to variations in cell size. The latter implies that single-cell measurements are less useful than the average values over a cell population as markers for leukemia.

Human alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity in the sera of non-alcoholic liver cirrhotic patients.

The activities of class I and II alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzymes were examined in the sera of patients with non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis using a fluorometric method. The analysis of these results shows a statistically significant increase (2,5-times) in the activity of class I alcohol dehydrogenase, and no marked differences in the activity of class II in cirrhotic and control patients. The observed increase in total enzyme activity measured using a photometric method was not very high but confirmed the elevation of class I isoenzyme activity. Activities of both classes of alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzymes have a good correlation with aspartate aminotransferase. Class II isoenzyme activity additionally correlates with alkaline phosphatase. These results suggest that serum activity of class I alcohol dehydrogenase is a better indicator of liver cell destruction during non-alcoholic cirrhosis than total enzyme activity, and is comparable with the value of aspartate aminotransferase.

Efficacy of high-velocity low-amplitude manipulative technique in subjects with low-back pain during menstrual cramping

Previous studies have shown that dysmenorrhea produces low-back pain and an electromyographic (EMG) pattern typical of trauma-induced low-back pain. To determine the effects of high-velocity low-amplitude osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on this type of low-back pain, 12 dysmenorrheic subjects were assigned to a group receiving OMT or to a group not receiving OMT (or both). Eight subjects participated in both groups, the other four being equally distributed between groups. Osteopathic manipulative treatment significantly decreased EMG activity during extension of the lumbar spinae erector muscles and abolished the spontaneous EMG activity. These EMG changes coincided with the patient's report of alleviated low-back pain and menstrual cramping. Osteopathic manipulative treatment did not change the creatinine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase or lactate-dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity, or myoglobin concentration.