The calcium-phosphate-induced fusion of human erythrocytes.

The calcium-phosphate-induced fusion of normal human erythrocytes with those having increased (above physiological) levels of intracellular ATP was studied. Fusion of erythrocytes was markedly enhanced in the case of increased content of intracellular ATP. Fusion of such erythrocytes results in formation of giant cells up to 130 microm in diameter. Dithiothreitol practically completely inhibited fusion of erythrocytes with normal ATP content and markedly lowered it between those with increased ATP content.

[A new Soviet allergen made from bee venom for the specific diagnosis of allergic reactions to bee stings]. / Novyi otechestvennyi allergen iz iada pchel dlia spetsificheskoi diagnostiki allergicheskikh reaktsii na uzhaleniia pchelami.

Overall 46 patients with allergic reactions to bee stings were examined. As a result of making skin prick, scarification and intracutaneous tests with an allergen from bee venom, allergy to bee stings was revealed in all the 46 patients, whereas only 37 patients responded to an allergen from the bee body. Specific IgE-antibodies using RAST were detected in 29 out of 31 patients. All the 29 patients had positive skin tests with an allergen from bee venom and only 22 with an allergen from the bee body. Specific histamine release was detected in all 13 patients examined by means of the indicated test. 100% coincidence was recorded with the results of intracutaneous tests with an allergen from bee venom. Only 11 out of the 13 patients had positive intracutaneous tests with an allergen from the bee body. Thus, the new Soviet allergen obtained from bee venom is effective in the diagnosis of allergy in response to bee stings.

[Effect of the neurotoxin apamin on ion currents in membranes of heart fibers]. / Vliianie neirotoksina apamina na ionnye toki membran serdechnykh volokon.

It has been shown on auricle fibres of the frog that neurotoxin apamin in extremely low concentrations (10(-10)-10(-9) M) suppresses the current entering in the cell through calcium channels of the membrane, but it increases tonic contraction related to Na/Ca exchange. No significant effects on fast sodium and potassium channels were observed. The results show that the mechanism of apamin effect on the heart is to a large extent conditioned by specific influence on Ca transport through the cell membranes.

[Effect of melittin on ion currents in heart cell membranes]. / Deistvie melittina na ionnye toki membran kletok serdtsa.

It has been shown on auricle fibres of the frog that neurotoxin from bee poison melittin suppresses the ionic currents entering the cell through calcium and sodium channels of the membrane, increases the background potassium current, suppresses phasic and tonic contraction of the fibres. Toxin modifies the kinetics of calcium channels, but does not affect activation and desensitization of beta adrenoreceptors. Effects of melittin are not decreased when adding the inhibitor of phospholipase A2 indomethacin. The results show that melittin directly affects the protein components of the membrane-ionic channels, probably binding with them.

[Rheological properties of the blood and erythrocyte suspension after exposure to zootoxins]. / Reologicheskie svoistva krovi i éritrotsitarnykh suspenzii v usloviiakh vozdeistviia zootoksinov.

The rheological properties of blood (viscosity, suspension stability and deformation of red blood cells) have been studied under the influence of zootoxins. It has been shown that the toxins Apis mellifera, Mesobuthus eupeus, Agkistrodon blomhoffii in vitro exert essential effect on haemorheological indexes.

[Effect of the venom of the toad Bufo viridis Laur. on cardiac hemodynamics in dogs]. / Vliianie iada zhaby Bufo viridis Laur. na kardiogemodinamiku sobak.

The cardiotonic effect of the secretion of the toads Bufo viridis Laur. skin glands and discharged bufadienolidines has been studied in the experiments on dogs under anaesthesia. It has been shown that the toad poison and bufadienolidines administered intravenously produce a marked cardiotonic and vasotonic effect, increasing the intraventricular and aortal pressure, the rate of pressure growth in the ventricles and the contraction index of the myocardium. The cardiotonic effect of poisons has also been noted in the model study of cardiac insufficiency caused by the bandaging of the coronary artery, it has greater effect than that of the cardiac glycoside corglycon.

[Reparative regeneration of rat liver after treatment with bee venom]. / Reparativnaia regeneratsiia pecheni krys pri deistvii pchelinogo iada.

After 70% of the rat liver volume has been resected, certain stimulating effect of a single administration of bee venom (1 mg/kg) on hepatocyte proliferation is revealed. In 4 hours the amount of binuclear hepatocytes increases, and in 22-24 hours increases their mitotic activity. The effect of bee venom is explained as activation of the adenilate cyclase system by means of prostaglandins and adrenal hormones.

[Disorders of neurohumoral regulation in rats exposed to the poison of the scorpion Buthus eupeus]. / Narusheniia neirogumoral'noi reguliatsii u krys pri vozdeistvii iada skorpiona Buthus eupeus.

The intraperitoneal injection of Buthus eupeus to rats (2,5 mg/kg) results in increasing of catecholamines and cyclic nucleotides content in blood. The hyperinsulinemia is observed simultaneously with the development of hyperglycaemia. It is believed that the activation of the cyclic system is a key mechanism of the neuro-humoral disturbances of homeostasis in case of scorpion venom influence.

[Changes in the levels of 3',5'-cAMP and 3',5'-cGMP in brain and heart tissues after exposure to toxins of Buthus eupeus scorpion venom]. / Izmenenie urovnei 3',5'-tsAMF i 3',5'-tsGMF v tkaniakh mozga i serdtsa pri deistvii toksinov iada skorpiona Buthus eupeus.

Toxins isolated from Buthus eupeus scorpion stimulated the generation of cAMP and cGMP in mouse cerebellar and forebrain slices, as well as in isolated guinea-pig heart. Pharmacological analysis of neurotropic and cardiotropic effects of toxins has ascertained the relationship between the increased level of cyclic nucleotides and catecholaminergic and cholinergic effects of toxins.

[Pharmacology of the venom from the scorpion, Buthus eupeus]. / K farmakologii iada skorpiona Buthus eupeus.

Reactions induced by venom from the scorpion Buthus eupeus and by toxin of the venom have been studied on isolated organs and tissues as well as on intact body. It has been shown that substances interfering with the conduction of nerve excitation, with the mediator storage and interaction of the latter with synaptic receptors prevent the reactions induced by the venom and toxin, whereas ganglion-blocking agents do not affect these reactions. The catecholamine content in rat blood plasma has been found to be increased. It is assumed that the venom and toxin that affect the postganglionic nerve terminals release mediator acetylcholine and noradrenaline.