The role of polyamines in interferon and retinoic acid mediated synergistic antiproliferative action.

Retinoic acid alone has no effect on the human breast cancer cell line BT-20 but can amplify the antiproliferative action of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In our system ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity correlates well with growth rate; it was investigated whether the antiproliferative effects of IFN-gamma and IFN-gamma plus retinoic acid could be attributed to suppression of ODC activity. The ODC inhibitor difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), which is active as a single agent did not enhance growth inhibition induced by the biological response modifiers. The substitution of the BT-20 cells with putrescine, the product of the enzymatic reaction mediated by ODC, reversed DFMO induced antiproliferative action. On the other hand putrescine did not affect the proliferation of BT-20 cells treated with interferon alone or in combination with retinoic acid.

[Inhibition of spontaneous uterine contractions by gestagens]. / Hemmung spontaner uteriner Kontraktionen durch Gestoden.

So far, in spite of the well known pregnancy maintaining effect of progesterone, not one of the many trials could succeed, in using progesterone or synthetic gestagens for tocolytic purposes. Therefore we have investigated the tocolytic effect of gestodene, which is supposed to be the most potent gestagene available at this time and which has, in addition, properties very similar to natural progesterone. In 26 uterine strips, obtained during cesarean section, we found a highly significant decrease of spontaneous uterine activity 10, 20 and 60 minutes after application of gestodene 10(-6) M.

[Kallikrein (urine) in pregnancy-induced hypertension]. / Kallikrein (Harn) bei schwangerschaftsinduzierten Hochdruckerkrankungen.

Total, active and inactive renal kallikrein were compared between 25 patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and 25 healthy pregnant women of corresponding gestational age. Values of all three fractions were twice as high in healthy women than in hypertensive patients and differed with statistical significance. A longitudinal examination of renal kallikrein during pregnancy showed a physiological decrease of values from the 16th-20th week until term. Asymptomatic women, who developed hypertension later on, showed decreased renal kallikrein values.

[Induction of uterine contractions by Shigella]. / Induktion uteriner Kontraktionen durch Shigellen.

The uterus-contracting properties of Shigellae in a clinically relevant dose of 10(5) organisms per ml was investigated in 17 uterine strips which where dissected during caesarean section from the lower uterine segment. A highly significant (p < 0.001) increase in uterine activity was observed.