The paradoxical action of large doses of cortisone in infective and aseptic inflammation

Summary The author studied the effect of various doses of cortisone on the aspetic (agar-agar) and infectious (B. pneumoniae) inflammation by the method of determination of the degree of the leucocytic activity of the friable connective tissue. The quantitative regularities governing the depression rate of the infiltration by different doses of cortisone were found to be same in both types of inflammation. It gradually rises with the increase of the cortisone dose from 1.3 to 12.0 mg/kg. By increasing the cortisone dose to 20 mg/kg the infiltration becomes still greater. The apparent absence of any effect of large cortisone doses on the inflammation is due (in infectious cases) to a considerable increase in the number of microbes at the site of their introduction and points to the decline in the tissue factor activity of the body resistance.Presented by Active Member Acad. Med. Sci. USSR, V. N. Chernigovskii     

The antibiotic properties of the ejaculates of mammals and man

Summary Fungicidal and bactericidal properties of the secreta of the accessory genital glands in mammals and man were studied.It was found that the secreta of the accessory genital glands in rabbits possess strong fungicidal properties with respect to Actinomycetes (A. alba andA. griseus) and toV. fluorescens.The growth of colonies in the experiments was ten times less than that in the control.Human ejaculate possesses bactericidal properties with regard toStaphylococcus aureus.Presented by Prof. P. S. Kupalov, Active Member of the Academy of Medical Sciences, USSR     

A Sensitive and Reproducible Assay for the Quantitation of Erythrophagocytosis and its Correlation with Reduction in Tritiated Thymidine Uptake in a Tumor Target Cell System Modified by Immunoenhancing or Immunosuppressive Agents

A new and sensitive assay procedure for studying erythro-phagocytosis is described. The assay technique permits quantitation of the in vivo and in vitro effects of chemicals, hormones, and cell, or Gobrial products, on the level of phagocytic activation of glass-adherent cells. The effect of intraperitoneal injection of BCG, Zymosan, Vitamin A, B. pertussis cortisone, estrone, and thioglycollate on phagocytic activation of peritoneal exudate cells harvested from two days up to 28 days following drug injection was examined by this assay. Erythrophagocytosis was compared to the effect of “activated” spleen cells on tritiated thymidine uptake of a tumor target cell suspension.     

State of some indices of nonspecific immunity in rats with nephrotoxic glomerulonephritis

Changes in the interferon response of leukocytes, the bactericidal properties of the blood serum againstEscherichia coli andStreptococcus, and activity of -lysins were studied in experimental nephrotoxic glomerulonephritis produced in noninbred male rats by means of heterologous nephrotoxic serum. With this, experimental model changes in the nonspecific defense mechanisms depending on the pathological process in the kidneys could be studied in isolation. In rats with nephrotoxic glomerulonephritis the most marked changes occurred in the interferon response of the leukocytes. It was reduced by up to 90% of the normal level depending on the duration of the disease. By contrast, a change in the indices of antibacterial immunity was observed during the period of marked activity of the nephritic process.Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. D. Solov'ev.Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 7, pp. 831–834, July, 1976.     

Stimulation of nonspecific immunity by some bacterial polysaccharides

Summary A substance with polysaccharide component was isolated fromAcxylinum, which was called ciine. This substance sharply increases the resistance of white mice to sepsis caused by staphylococcus,E. coli,Pr. vulgaris andB. pyocyaneum. The action of ciine is connected with the participation of a number of body protective systems. Experiments demonstrated the activation of the local peritoneum apparatus, stimulation of the phagocytic activity of the reticulo-endothelial system as a whole and a rise of the blood bactericidal activity. Comparison of the effect produced by ciine with the action of certain other substances of the polysaccharides has made it possible to divide all the substances tested into 2 groups. Ciine, zymosan and polysaccharide obtained from the K-12E. coli, belonged to one group whereas agar, pyrogenal, polyglycine, grysean-to another one. Substances of the first group provoke a protective effect if administered 12 to 96 hours prior to infection of the mice. The protective action of the substances belonging to the second group is weaker, inconstant and is manifested only when administered 12 to 24 hours prior to infection.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR V. L. Troitskii) Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 52, No. 8, pp. 77–81, August, 1961     

The mechanism of immunity to tetanus toxin at early periods after active immunization

Summary Experiments on white rats have established that after primary immunization with a single, relatively large dose of adsorbed tetanus toxoid the resistance of the animals to tetanus toxin develops prior to the appearance of antitoxin in the blood. However, the administration at that period of various substances, such as tetanus toxin andBac. perfringens toxoid, or cortisone, makes the animals react by rapid production of antitoxin in the blood in detectable amounts. This phenomenon is regarded as a nonspecific stimulation of the antitoxin-forming apparatus (regional lymph modes) periods after immunization and in the absence of antitoxin in the blood at the moment of toxin administration.Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR V. N. Chernigovskii     

Immunological correlation between morphine tolerance and the effect of naloxone in rats of different age

In 3–6-week-old morphine-sensitive rats, in which morphine injection produced an analgetic effect, the serum titer of antimorphine antibodies 24 h postinjection is less than half that observed in morphine-resistant animals. Administration of naloxone to morphine-sensitive rats induces hyperalgesia and considerably raises the serum titer of antimorphine antibodies. Chronic injections of the same dose of morphine, which cause its analgetic effect to disappear, increase the titer of antibodies in morphine-sensitive rats 2-fold. In morphine-resistant rats naloxone produces an analgetic effect followed by its gradual decay and disappearance in the course of chronic administration. Subsequent administration of morphine induces analgesia, raises the titer of antimorphine antibodies, and lowers the titer of antiidiotypic antibodies. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 1, pp. 67–70, January, 1996 Presented by K. V. Sudakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Changes in the activity of some serum enzymes during the action of strong stimuli

Summary As established in experiments on rats, hypoxia, hypothermia, aseptic inflammation, burn shock, and septicemia caused byE. coli increased the serum glutaminicopyuvic and glutamico-oxalacetic transaminase and aldolase activity. In conditions of acidosis (asphyxia, hypothermia, closed vessel, convulsions) the action of the stimuli did not increase the activity of these two transaminases and aldolase.Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR S. V. Anichkov Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 55, No. 5, pp. 67–69, May 1963     

The use of cross-reacting microbial antigens to abolish tolerance produced to transplantation mouse antigen

Immunization of CC57BR mice tolerant toCandida albicans antigens and to related C3H mouse transplantation antigens and to group A (type I)Streptococcus containing antigens cross-reacting with the donor's tissues partially abolished tolerance to C3H mouse alloantigens. This was manifested as shortening of the survival of skin allografts and an increase in the rate of elimination of⁵¹Cr-labeled donor's lymphocytes from the lymph nodes and spleen. The immune response toC. albicans antigens was not restored.Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. I. Ioffe.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 9, pp. 1104–1106, September, 1976.     

The action of cortisone on the ovaries of the loach

Summary Injection of cortisone to loaches (Misgurnus fossilis) caused maturation of oocytes without ovulation. The same could be observed in in vitro experiments. With the administration of cortisone and subliminal doses of purified luteinizing hormone the ovulation and oviposition of mature ova occurred 12 to 18 hours earlier than in the instances of large doses of luteinizing hormone without cortisone.Evidently a certain glucocorticoid, similar to cortisone, takes part in the physiological mechanism causing the fish to change into conditions of spawning. It acts directly on the ovaries and is a synergyst of the luteinizing hormone.Presented by Active Member Acad. Med. Sci. USSR, A. P. Nikolaev     

Effect of melipramine on the development of experimental depressive syndrome induced by systemic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

The effects of chronic administration of melipramine on the development of behavioral signs of depression in rats are studied using the model of a depressive syndrome induced by systemic administration of MPTP. Preadministration of melipramine prevents such MPTP-induced behavioral signs of depression in rats as decreased motor activity, reduced total daily liquid intake, reduced preference of sucrose solution over water, and increased depression index. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Giologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o . 8, pp. 160–163, August, 1995     

The effect of cortisone on renal succinodehydrase activity in experimental cytotoxic nephritis

Summary A study was made of succinodehydrase activity in the kidneys of rats suffering from experimental cytotoxic nephritis and treated with cortisone. In untreated nephritis the activity of the enzyme in the epithelium of the convoluted tubules decreased considerably, and was intensified in some of the glomeruli.Cortisone administration before or two days after the injection of the cytotoxic serum caused activation of succinodehydrase in the tubular epithelium without having any effect upon its activity in the glomeruli.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR I. V. Davydovskii) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 50, No. 9, pp, 61–64, September, 1960     

The effect of dimedrol on the development of Shwartzman's phenomenon

Summary It was established that dimedrol averted the development of Shwartzman's phenomenon in rabbits when administered intracutaneously as follows: 1) simultaneously with the preparatcry dose of filtrate ofB. coli, 2) simultaneously with the resolving dose of filtrate ofB. coli and 3) one hour after the administration of the resolving dose of filtrate ofB. coli. Dimedrol did not avert the phenomenon in viscera.Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR V. V. ZakusovDiphenhydramine hydrochloride.     

The study of bacteriostatic and chemotherapeutic action of the antituberculous preparation 1314 and its chlorhydrate

Summary The authors conducted an experimental study of the bacteriostatic and chemotherapeutic effect of the autituberculous preparation 1314 (thiamido--ethylisonicotinic acid) and its hydrochloride. The preparation appeared to be nonactive with respect to gram positive and gram negative microbes in vitro. However, it possesses a high bacteriostatic activity with respect to theMycobacterium tuberculosis including certain strains resistant to other antibiotics. The chemotherapeutic effect of the preparation was checked on white mice with experimentally induced hematogenous tuberculosis. Daily administration of the preparations per os (1–2 mg per mouse) retards the development of tuberculosis. The same results were obtained with administration of the hydrochloride of the 1314 per os and subcutaneously in the dose of 2 mg per mouse.Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR V. V. Zakusov     

Serum bactericidal activity of mezlocillin,ceftazidime, mezlocillin/ceftazidime and mezlocillin/amikacin againstKlebsiella pneumoniae andPseudomonas aeruginosa

Sera of volunteers receiving 1 g mezlocillin, 5 g mezlocillin, 1 g ceftazidime, 3 g ceftazidime, 1 g mezlocillin plus 1 g ceftazidime, and 1 g mezlocillin plus 500 mg amikacin, respectively, were evaluated for bactericidal activity against clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.The titers of bactericidal activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae in serum from subjects receiving ceftazidime were higher than with other regimens both one and six hours after administration. Peak titers of bactericidal activity 18 were also achieved more often against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in sera from subjects receiving ceftazadime than with other regimens. Killing studies confirmed these results. Although the checkerboard technique indicated synergism with the combination mezlocillin plus amikacin in vitro, this was not confirmed in vivo. Single drug therapy with ceftazidime was superior to the tested combinations.     

Barrier-fixing function in germfree animals

The state of, the barrier-fixing function was studied in germfree and ordinary guinea pigs and rats. After contamination withEscherichia coli 055 (in doses of 5·10⁸ and 10·10¹⁰ bacterial cells for subcutaneous and oral administration, respectively) only transient bacteriemia was observed in the ordinary animals in the early stages after infection. Meanwhile the bacteriemia in the germfree animals increased progressively to cause death of the animals in the course of 2–3 days. A reduced fixing and bactericidal power of the regional lymphatic system and of the deep structures of the monocytic-phagocytic system was discovered in the germfree animals. Experimental confirmation of the role of antibodies in the manifestation of the barrier-fixing function was obtained with respect toE. coli. The experiments show the important role of the microbial facotr in the formation of the barrier-fixing function of the body.Research Laboratory of Experimental Biological Models, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow Region. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Zhukov-Verezhnikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 6, pp. 706–709, June, 1977.     

Effect of contamination of germfree guinea pigs by individual members of the intestinal microflora on antibody and complement levels

On the 3rd day after birth germfree guinea pigs were contaminated by one of the following representatives of the normal intestinal microflora:Bacillus mesentericus,Bacillus subtilis,Staphylococous albus, andStreptococcus faecalis. The levels of antibodies against the microorganisms used for monocontamination and also againstEscherichia coli 055, which is pathogenic for guinea pigs, and the serum complement levels were studied in the animals at the age of 2 weeks. Contamination of the guinea pigs byB. mesentericus andB. subtilis did not significantly change the antibody levels against these microorganisms, whereasS. albus andS. faecalis appreciably stimulated antibody formation. Similar results were obtained with respect toE. coli 055. The complement level was significantly increased by the spore-bearing aerobes and byS. albus.Research Laboratory of Experimental Biological Models, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow Region. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. M. Chernukh.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 9, pp. 1100–1102, September, 1976.     

Importance of the degree of aeration of the medium for the antibacterial action of drugs used in tuberculosis

Summary The degree of the inhibiting concentration of isoniazid, kanamycin ethionamide, ethambutol and D,L-cycloserine with regard toM. tuberculosis var. avium increases with a decrease in the oxygen content of the medium. The inhibiting concentration of D-cycloserine does not depend on the oxygen content of the medium. The bactericidal effect of isoniazid on tuberculosis mycobacteria grows with an increase in the aeration of the medium and slows down with its decline. An analogous relationship in a somewhat lesser degree was revealed in experiments with D,L- and D-cycloserine and was manifest slightly, if at all, in experiments with ethionamide, ethambutol and kanamycin.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR, V. V. Zakusov) Translated from Byullenten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 59, No. 3, pp. 63–65, March, 1965     

Reactivation of Chlamydia trachomatis lung infection in mice by cortisone.

To study the latency, chronicity, and recurrent nature of chlamydial infection, we attempted to reactivate Chlamydia trachomatis lung infection in mice by immunosuppressive therapy with cortisone. Mice were treated with subcutaneous injections of cortisone acetate (125 mg/kg) every other day, starting on day 14 after intranasal inoculation of C. trachomatis serotype B (TW-5). C. trachomatis was recovered from the lungs beginning day 6 after the start of cortisone treatment until the end of the observation period on day 12 of treatment. Overall, the reactivation was successful in 8 of 55 mice treated with cortisone, in contrast to 0 of 41 inoculated, untreated mice (P = 0.009) and 0 of 35 uninoculated, treated mice. Cortisone treatment affected the ability of peritoneal exudate cells to respond to migratory inhibition after exposure to purified whole organisms of C. trachomatis serotype B (TW-5) but had little effect on serum antibody titers, indicating a possible role for cellular immunity in resistance against C. trachomatis infection in the lung.