Cellulolytic and non-cellulolytic bacteria in rat gastrointestinal tracts.

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species were the predominant organisms isolated from small intestinal (jejunal) contents of rats, and lactic acid was the only organic acid detected. The numbers of cellulolytic bacteria in small intestines were low (approximately 10(3)/g). The fermentation in ceca was different from that in intestines, as, in addition to small amounts of lactic acid, high concentrations of volatile fatty acids were detected. The mixed cecal microflora was able to digest cellulose (pebble-milled Whatman no. 1) and cabbage. High numbers of cellulolytic bacteria were found (0.5 X 10(8) to 12.2 X 10(8)/g; 6% of total viable bacteria). The predominant celluloytic organism isolated was Bacteroides succinogenes. Ruminococcus flavifaciens was isolated from a few animals. The kinds and numbers of the predominant non-cellulolytic organisms isolated from rat ceca were similar to those described by previous workers.

Comparison of batch and chromatographic assays of cyclic nucleiotide phosphodiesterases.

An improved method for the assay of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (CNPases) is described in which residual 3H-cAMP or 3H-cGMP is separated from products by chromatography on thin layers of PEI-cellulose. Comparison of CNPase activity in crude or purified kidney enzyme assayed by the PEI-cellulose method with a batch anion-exchange resin method showed serious underestimation of activity by the latter method. The batch method underestimated CNPase activity by 34-82%. The error was due to substantial binding of nucleosides (adenosine and guanosine) to the resin, which is assumed not to occur by those using this method.

Multiple cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in rat kidney.

Using DEAE-cellulose chromatography and Agarose gel filtration we have partially purified a low Km cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) phosphodiesterase from the 100,000 X g supernatant of rat kidneys. The characteristics of this enzyme included a Km of approximately 4 muM a pH optimum of around 8.0 and a requirement for magnesium. This preparation should be suitable for investigation of possible effects of hormones, drugs and cellular constituents on the cyclic AMP pathway through any direct effects on the low Km enzyme. We have also demonstrated a nonspecific, high Km cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and possibly a specific cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP) phosphodiesterase in the soluble fraction from rat kidneys.