Aqueous humor pentraxin-3 levels in patients with diabetes mellitus.

PurposeTo evaluate aqueous humor (AH) pentraxin-3 (PTX3) levels in diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).MethodsIn this prospective study, patients undergoing cataract surgery were enrolled. The study group was composed of 26 type-2 diabetic patients without DR (group 1), 32 diabetic patients with DR (group 2) and 29 age-matched subjects without any systemic disease (group 3). Fifteen proliferative DR (PDR) and 17 non-proliferative DR (NPDR) patients were enrolled in Group 2. HbA1c levels and duration of diabetes were noted. AH samples were obtained from anterior chamber at the beginning of cataract surgery and PTX3 levels were analyzed with Elisa kit.ResultsBaseline demographic characteristics were similar between groups. The mean duration of diabetes was 11.9±7.9 years in group 1 and 15.8±7.8 years in group 2 (P=0.11). The mean plasma HbA1c levels in group 1 was 9.1±2.6 and 8.2±2.4 in group 2 (P=0.36). PTX3 levels were 5.75±0.41 in group 1, 6.11±1.47 in group 2 and 4.93±0.84 ng/ml in group 3 (P=0.01). PTX3 levels in group 2 were higher than in group 1 and 3 (P=0.06 and P=0.01, respectively). There was no correlation between HbA1c and PTX3 levels (P=0.06 r=0.57, P=0.19 r=0.3, respectively). The mean PTX3 was 6.6±0.3 in PDR group and 5.6±0.5 ng/ml in NPDR group (P=0.04).ConclusionsPTX3 is an important marker especially for vascular endothelial damage. Since diabetic vascular changes are dependent on endothelial cell damage, high levels of AH PTX3 of DR patients may indicate the importance of PTX3 protein in the pathogenesis of DR.

Cardiac structure and functions in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: The data about cardiovascular (CV) changes in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are scarce. AIM: The aim of this study is to compare cardiac structure and functions in patients with asymptomatic PHPT and controls by using tissue Doppler echocardiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with asymptomatic PHPT and 31 sex- and age-matched controls with similar cardiac risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in ejection fraction (EF) between the patients and the controls [64±5.95 vs 62±3.25% (p=0.094)]. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was significantly higher in patients than controls [105.96 (66.45-167.24) vs 93.79 (64.25- 139.25) g/m2, p=0.014]. There was a significant correlation between LVMI and serum calcium (Ca) (r=0.240, p<0.005). Myocardial performance index (MPI) was significantly higher in patients than controls [0.49 (0.35-0.60) vs 0.39 (0.33-0.62), p<0.001]. There was positive correlation between theMPI and serumCa levels (r=0.505, p<0.001), parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (r=0.464, p<0.001) and LVMI (r=0.270, p<0.005). When the normotensive patients and controls were evaluated, the difference between the groups remained statistically significant considering LVMI and MPI [109 (66.45-167.24) g/m2 vs 94.17 (64.25-75.10) g/m2, p=0.03; and 0.49 (0.35-0.60) vs 0.39 (0.33-0.62), p<0.01, respectively]. There were significant correlations between MPI and Ca (r=0.566, p<0.001), and PTH (r=0.472, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results showed that cardiacmorphology and diastolic functions are altered in the patients with asymptomatic PHPT. High serum PTH and Ca levels may have an impact on these CV changes. Whether these subtle CV changes would affect cardiac systolic functions and mortality in patients with asymptomatic PHPT should be investigated in further prospective studies.

Ethyl pyruvate protects colonic anastomosis from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ethyl pyruvate is a simple derivative in Ca(+2)- and K(+)-containing balanced salt solution of pyruvate to avoid the problems associated with the instability of pyruvate in solution. It has been shown to ameliorate the effects of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in many organs. It has also been shown that I/R injury delays the healing of colonic anastomosis. In this study, the effect of ethyl pyruvate on the healing of colon anastomosis and anastomotic strength after I/R injury was investigated. Anastomosis of the colon was performed in 32 adult male Wistar albino rats divided into 4 groups of 8 individuals: (1) sham-operated control group (group 1); (2) 30 minutes of intestinal I/R by superior mesenteric artery occlusion (group 2); (3) I/R+ ethyl pyruvate (group 3), ethyl pyruvate was administered as a 50-mg/kg/d single dose; and (4) I/R+ ethyl pyruvate (group 4), ethyl pyruvate administration was repeatedly (every 6 hours) at the same dose (50 mg/kg). On the fifth postoperative day, animals were killed. Perianastomotic tissue hydroxyproline contents and anastomotic bursting pressures were measured in all groups. When the anastomotic bursting pressures and tissue hydroxyproline contents were compared, it was found that they were decreased in group 2 when compared with groups 1, 3, and 4 (P < .05). Both anastomotic bursting pressure (P = .005) and hydroxyproline content (P < .001) levels were found to be significantly increased with ethyl pyruvate administration when compared with group 2. When ethyl pyruvate administration doses were compared, a significant difference was not observed (P > .05). Ethyl pyruvate significantly prevents the delaying effect of I/R injury on anastomotic strength and healing independent from doses of administration.

Melatonin prevents inflammation and oxidative stress caused by abdominopelvic and total body irradiation of rat small intestine

We investigated the day-night differences in intestinal oxidative-injury and the inflammatory response following total body (TB) or abdominopelvic (AP) irradiation, and the influence of melatonin administration on tissue injury induced by radiation. Rats (male Wistar, weighing 220-280 g) in the irradiated groups were exposed to a dose of 8 Gy to the TB or AP region in the morning (resting period - 1 h after light onset) or evening (activity span - 13 h after light onset). Vehicle or melatonin was administered immediately before, immediately after and 24 h after irradiation (10, 2.0 and 10 mg/kg, ip, respectively) to the irradiated rats. AP (P < 0.05) and TB (P < 0.05) irradiation applied in the morning caused a significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels. Melatonin treatment in the morning (P < 0.05) or evening (P < 0.05) decreased TBARS levels after TB irradiation. After AP irradiation, melatonin treatment only in the morning caused a significant decrease in TBARS levels (P < 0.05). Although we have confirmed the development of inflammation after radiotherapy by histological findings, neither AP nor TB irradiation caused any marked changes in myeloperoxidase activity in the morning or evening. Our results indicate that oxidative damage is more prominent in rats receiving TB and AP irradiation in the morning and melatonin appears to have beneficial effects on oxidative damage irrespective of the time of administration. Increased neutrophil accumulation indicates that melatonin administration exerts a protective effect on AP irradiation-induced tissue oxidative injury, especially in the morning.

Melatonin prevents inflammation and oxidative stress caused by abdominopelvic and total body irradiation of rat small intestine.

We investigated the day-night differences in intestinal oxidative-injury and the inflammatory response following total body (TB) or abdominopelvic (AP) irradiation, and the influence of melatonin administration on tissue injury induced by radiation. Rats (male Wistar, weighing 220-280 g) in the irradiated groups were exposed to a dose of 8 Gy to the TB or AP region in the morning (resting period - 1 h after light onset) or evening (activity span - 13 h after light onset). Vehicle or melatonin was administered immediately before, immediately after and 24 h after irradiation (10, 2.0 and 10 mg/kg, ip, respectively) to the irradiated rats. AP (P < 0.05) and TB (P < 0.05) irradiation applied in the morning caused a significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels. Melatonin treatment in the morning (P < 0.05) or evening (P < 0.05) decreased TBARS levels after TB irradiation. After AP irradiation, melatonin treatment only in the morning caused a significant decrease in TBARS levels (P < 0.05). Although we have confirmed the development of inflammation after radiotherapy by histological findings, neither AP nor TB irradiation caused any marked changes in myeloperoxidase activity in the morning or evening. Our results indicate that oxidative damage is more prominent in rats receiving TB and AP irradiation in the morning and melatonin appears to have beneficial effects on oxidative damage irrespective of the time of administration. Increased neutrophil accumulation indicates that melatonin administration exerts a protective effect on AP irradiation-induced tissue oxidative injury, especially in the morning.

The effects of the sulfonylurea glyburide on glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the heart tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.

Oxygen free radicals have been suggested to be a contributory factor in diabetes complications. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of glyburide on the antioxidant enzyme activities in the heart tissue of diabetic rats. We investigated the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) in the hearts of both control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the heart of diabetic rats, the activity of total superoxide dismutase decreased significantly (p < 0.005), whereas the activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased to a large extent (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.05, respectively) at the end of the fourth week compared with the control group. Glyburide treatment of diabetic rats for 4 weeks corrected the changes observed in diabetic heart. In addition, blood glucose levels of untreated diabetic rats decreased following the glyburide treatment. These results demonstrate that the sulfonylurea glyburide is capable of exerting direct insulin-like effect on heart superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities of diabetic rats in vivo.

Effect of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on the severity of acute pancreatitis: an experimental study in rats.

BACKGROUND: In the management of mild acute biliary pancreatitis, it is generally recommended to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy after the subsidence of the attack during the same hospital admission. The effect of laparoscopy on abdominal organs has been widely investigated but not in acute pancreatitis. This study used an animal model of mild acute pancreatitis to examine the effects of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum on acute pancreatitis in rats. METHODS: Mild acute pancreatitis was induced in 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats by surgical ligation of the biliopancreatic duct. After 2 days, animals were assigned to three groups: sham operation (animals were anesthetized for 30 min without undergoing laparotomy), CO(2) pneumoperitoneum (applied for 30 min at a pressure of 12 mmHg), and laparotomy (performed for 30 min, and then the abdomen was closed). Two hours after the surgical procedures, animals were killed and levels of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, urea, hematocrit, and leukocyte count among Ranson's criteria and levels of amylase, lipase, and total bilirubin were measured to determine the severity of acute pancreatitis. Histopathologic examination of the pancreas was done, and malondialdehyde and glutathione levels of the pancreas and lung were determined. RESULTS: The only significant differences between the groups were in lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, which were significantly higher in the pneumoperitoneum group compared to the sham operation group. CONCLUSION: CO(2) pneumoperitoneum for 30 min at a pressure of 12 mmHg did not affect the severity of acute pancreatitis induced by ligation of the biliopancreatic duct in rats.

Serum levels of vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc in patients with Behçet's disease: a controlled study.

Behçet's disease is a multisystemic disease characterized by activation and remission periods. The etiopathogenesis is not exactly known; a genetic defect in the immunoregulatory system induced by infectious agents, like viruses and bacteria, is thought to cause the disease. In this study, we examine the serum levels of vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc in Behçet's disease patients and investigate the relationship between these serum levels and the activation of the disease. We conclude that adding vitamin E to the treatment of Behçet's disease patients and its effects on the prognosis of the disease need to be further investigated by controlled studies.

Changes in serum selenium, copper, zinc levels and cu/zn ratio in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during therapy.

The effectiveness and success of antituberculosis therapy is mainly measured by its ability to identify the organism in the sputum. In certain cases, available tuberculosis tests are not satisfactory and do not provide enough information on the effectiveness of antituberculosis therapy. Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) are the essential elements that play a crucial role in the immune system. The serum levels of these elements vary in many diseases including tuberculosis. In this study, we investigate whether the serum levels of Cu, Zn, and Se change during antituberculosis therapy. We have included 22 pulmonary tuberculosis cases that were newly diagnosed with positive sputum and 18 healthy subjects. At the beginning and 2 mo after therapy, serum levels of Cu, Zn, and Se were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Despite Se and Cu levels not being affected during the treatment, we found that there was a significant increase in the levels of Zn and a decrease in the Cu/Zn ratio. Serum Zn levels and the Cu/Zn ratio could be used as a valuable laboratory tool for the clinicians to assess response to therapy or effectiveness of the ongoing antituberculosis therapy.

Keratocyte apoptosis and corneal antioxidant enzyme activities after refractive corneal surgery.

PURPOSE: Refractive corneal surgery induces keratocyte apoptosis and generates reactive oxygen radicals (ROS) in the cornea. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the correlation between keratocyte apoptosis and corneal antioxidant enzyme activities after different refractive surgical procedures in rabbits. METHODS: Rabbits were divided into six groups. All groups were compared with the control group (Group 1), after epithelial scraping (Group 2), epithelial scrape and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) (traditional PRK: Group 3), transepithelial PRK (Group 4), creation of a corneal flap with microkeratome (Group 5) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK, Group 6). Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labelling assay (to detect DNA fragmentation in situ) and light microscopy were used to detect apoptosis in rabbit eyes. Glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of the corneal tissues were measured with spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: Corneal Gpx and SOD activities decreased significantly in all groups when compared with the control group (P<0.05) and groups 2, 3 and 6 showed a significantly higher amount of keratocyte apoptosis (P<0.05). Not only a negative correlation was observed between corneal SOD activity and keratocyte apoptosis (cc: -0.3648) but Gpx activity also showed negative correlation with keratocyte apoptosis (cc: -0.3587). CONCLUSION: The present study illustrates the negative correlation between keratocyte apoptosis and corneal antioxidant enzyme activities. This finding suggests that ROS may be partly responsible for keratocyte apoptosis after refractive surgery.

Antithrombin III reduces renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Few studies have pointed out the relationship between ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury and the coagulation system. Antithrombin III (AT) has anti-inflammatory effects in IR injury. We investigated the effect of AT supplementation on renal IR injury in rats achieved by clamping of the left renal pedicle for 60 min and subsequent 24-h reperfusion after right nephrectomy. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated (no IR injury), ischemic controls, and an AT-treated group (250 U/kg before reperfusion). Creatinine values, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and histopathological damage were investigated after 24 h of reperfusion. In addition, the 7-day survival rates in each group were evaluated. Creatinine and MDA levels and MPO activity were significantly elevated and histopathological damage was more severe in controls than in the sham group (P<0.05). Creatinine and MDA levels and MPO activity were significantly lower and there was less histopathological damage in the AT group than in controls. Accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and neutrophils were significantly inhibited by AT treatment. We conclude that AT may attenuate renal IR injury in rats.

Ascorbic acid levels in human tears after photorefractive keratectomy, transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy, and laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the level of ascorbic acid in human tear fluid after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), transepithelial PRK, and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Twenty patients (7 women and 13 men) were included in this study. Traditional PRK with epithelial scraping by a blunt spatula followed by surface ablation (7 eyes), transepithelial PRK (7 eyes), or LASIK (6 eyes) was performed. Tears were collected preoperatively and 1 and 5 days postoperatively. Ascorbic acid levels were measured using 2-4 dinitrophenylhydrazine. RESULTS: Ascorbic acid levels in the tear fluid were decreased significantly 1 day after PRK, transepithelial PRK, and LASIK (P <.05). On the fifth day, the ascorbic acid levels were significantly lower than preoperatively in all groups. CONCLUSION: After PRK, transepithelial PRK, and LASIK, the ascorbic acid levels of the tear fluid decreased significantly. Because ascorbic acid is the major scavenger of superoxide radicals in tears, topical ascorbic acid therapy may help eliminate the harmful effect of free radicals from excimer laser surgery.

Effect of high-dose lidocaine treatment on superoxide dismutase and malon dialdehyde levels in seven diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We report on the use of intravenous (IV) high-dose lidocaine to relieve diabetic neuropathic pain, and the technique's effects on clinical measures of lipid peroxidation. METHODS: Under continuous electrocardiogram monitoring, IV lidocaine (5 mg kg(-1) in 100 mL saline) was administered over 30 minutes to 7 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients suffering from neuropathic pain who reported increased pain within the preceding 6 months. This treatment was performed once a week for 1 month. Blood samples were collected from the contralateral limb to determine plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels on admission and following the final lidocaine administration. RESULTS: Plasma MDA concentrations significantly decreased after the final IV lidocaine treatment (P < .05, paired t-test), whereas SOD levels did not show a statistically significant difference compared with baseline levels. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose lidocaine treatment lessens MDA levels, a marker of free-radical-mediated cell damage. This suggests that one of lidocaine's mechanism of action may be its effect on oxygen free radicals, which in turn impacts lipid peroxidation.

Topical vitamin E and hydrocortisone acetate treatment after photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of topical vitamin E and hydrocortisone acetate treatments on corneal healing response after -10.0 D photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in rabbits. METHODS: Thirty-three New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups and -10 D PRK was performed under in vivo conditions. Following PRK, group 1 (n = 9) received no topical treatment and served as control. Group 2 (n = 8) received 0.1% hydrocortisone acetate ointment twice a day, group 3 (n = 8) received 1% vitamin E ointment and group 4 (n = 8) received both 0.1% hydrocortisone acetate and 1% vitamin E twice a day for a month. At the end of the third month, corneal haze was graded and the corneal hydroxyproline levels were measured, as a crude indicator of new collagen synthesis. Finally corneal samples were examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Non-homogeneously distributed strong haze was identified in group 1 which was greater than in the other groups; haze was least in groups 2 and 4. Corneal hydroxyproline levels were found to be significantly lower in groups 2, 3 and 4 compared with the control (Student's t-test, p < 0.05). Histopathologically, the most aggressive wound healing response was detected in group 1. The corneal wound healing response of group 2 was less than that of group 1 and equal to or more than that of group 4. CONCLUSIONS: Deep corneal photoablation induces an aggressive healing response, and topical hydrocortisone acetate reduces this corneal wound healing effectively. The inhibitory effect of topical vitamin E on corneal wound healing seems to be less than that of hydrocortisone acetate, but combined treatment with these two drugs may have an additive effect in controlling corneal wound healing after PRK.

Effect of arthrocentesis and sodium hyaluronate injection on nitrite, nitrate, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels in the synovial fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of arthrocentesis and sodium hyaluronate (SH) injections on nitrite, nitrate, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBA-RS) levels in temporomandibular joint internal derangements. STUDY DESIGN: Arthrocentesis was performed on 10 patients, and 15 patients received a supplemental injection of SH after arthrocentesis. All these patients received an SH injection 15 days after the first intervention. The synovial fluid samples were obtained before arthrocentesis on the first appointment and before the SH injection 15 days later. Nitrite and nitrate levels were measured with a highly sensitive and specific chemiluminescence detection method, and the concentration of lipid peroxidation products was assessed by means of the thiobarbituric acid reaction. RESULTS: Symptomatic improvement was seen in both groups. Nitrite, nitrate, and TBA-RS levels only decreased significantly (P <.05) with a supplemental SH injection after arthrocentesis. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular injections of SH may reduce nitrite, nitrate, and TBA-RS levels that play a role in the pathogenesis of various temporomandibular disorders.

The beneficial effect of 2'-deoxycoformycin in renal ischemia-reperfusion is mediated both by preservation of tissue ATP and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Renal ischemia injures the renal tubular cell by disrupting the vital cellular metabolic machinery. Further cell damage is caused when the blood flow is restored by oxygen free radicals that are generated from xanthine oxidase. Oxygen radicals cause lipid peroxidation of cell and organelle membranes, disrupting the structural integrity and capacity for cell transport and energy metabolism. In the present study, the possible therapeutic usefulness of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor, 2'-deoxycoformycin (DCF), during renal ischemia and reperfusion injury was investigated. The effects of DCF on renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and ATP levels were studied after 45 min ischemia and 15 min subsequent reperfusion in rat kidneys. MDA levels remained unchanged during ischemia, but increased after the subsequent reperfusion. DCF pretreatment (2.0 mg/kg i.m.) decreased MDA and increased ATP levels during the ischemia-reperfusion period. DCF exerts a dual protective action by facilitating purine salvage for ATP synthesis and inhibiting oxygen radical-induced lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that DCF therapy could be beneficial in the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion renal injuries.

Cytoprotective effect of trimetazidine on 60 minutes of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Trimetazidine (TMZ), a potent antioxidant agent, has been used to protect the myocardium, liver and kidney from ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. We investigated the effect of TMZ, a cellular anti-ischemic agent and a free radical scavenger, on 60 min of warm intestinal IR injury in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: a sham-operated group (no IR injury, n = 8), an ischemic control group (control, n = 8), and a TMZ-treated group (3 mg/kg, n = 8). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and mucosal damage were investigated after 120 min of reperfusion. MDA levels and MPO activity were more elevated and histopathological damage more severe in the control group than in the sham group (P < 0.05). MDA levels and MPO activity were lower and there was less histopathological damage in the TMZ group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and neutrophils in mucosal tissues were significantly inhibited by TMZ treatment. We conclude that pretreatment of rats with TMZ before intestinal ischemia attenuates but does not prevent, histological damage.

Antithrombin III prevents 60 min warm intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.

We investigated the effect of antithrombin III on 60 min warm intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 220-250 g, were divided into three groups: group 1 sham-operated group (no IR injury, n = 8), group 2 ischemic control group (control, Ringer's lactate infused, n = 8), group 3 Antithrombin III treated group (250 U/kg before ischemia, n = 8). Intestinal ischemia was induced in rats by occluding the superior mesenteric artery for 60 min. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) and mucosal damage were investigated after 120 min reperfusion. Elevated MDA levels and MPO activity and severe histopathological damage were observed in the control group compared with the sham group (P < 0.05). Decreased MDA levels and MPO activity and less histopathological damage were detected in group 3 compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and neutrophils in mucosal tissues were significantly inhibited by antithrombin III treatment. We conclude that treatment with antithrombin III before intestinal ischemia prevents histological damage in rats.

The effect of different doses of epidermal growth factor on liver ornithine decarboxylase and Na-K ATPase activities in newborn rats.

1. Ornithine decarboxylase and Na-K ATPase activities were studied in rat livers that were treated with different doses of epidermal growth factor (EGF). 2. The ornithine decarboxylase activities were studied with spectrophotometry, and results were expressed as micromoles of putrescine per hour per milligram of protein. Na-K ATPase activities were studied on the basis of the principle of measuring the amount of inorganic phosphates released by the hydrolysis of ATP, and the results were expressed as micromoles of inorganic phosphate per hour per milligram of protein. 3. When compared with the controls, although the Na-K ATPase activities were decreased at low doses of EGF, their activities were found to be increased at high doses of EGF. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between ornithine decarboxylase activities and EGF doses. 4. The results of this study suggest that, whereas the decrease in Na-K ATPase activities at low doses of EGF can be due to the utilization of the enzyme, the increase in Na-K ATPase activities at high doses of EGF can be attributed to its enhanced synthesis.