The ontogeny of liver copper metabolism in the guinea pig: Clues to the etiology of Wilson's disease

Surjit K. S. Srai, Andrew K. Burroughs, Bernard Wood, Owen Epstein – 1 May 1986 – The normal human neonate has a copper profile indistinguishable from Wilson's disease, and we have previously postulated that this disease is caused by genetic failure to switch from the fetal to adult mode of copper metabolism. This study validates the developing guinea pig as a suitable animal in which to study copper ontogeny. At birth, liver copper concentrations are 7 times higher than in adults and serum copper and ceruloplasmin are 27 and 21% of adult values, respectively.

Composition of pigmented centers of cholesterol gallstones

Peter F. Malet, Clarke E. Williamson, Bruce W. Trotman, Roger D. Soloway – 1 May 1986 – Most cholesterol gallstones have visually pigmented centers, but it is unclear whether this represents simple co‐precipitation of pigment with cholesterol during stone nidation or nidation on a true pigment stone center. To clarify this issue, we selected from among 67 sets of cholesterol gallstones, 12 sets with the most conspicuously pigmented centers.

Transgenic mouse models for the chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state: Transfection a deux

Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, Jay H. Hoofnagle – 1 May 1986 – In an attempt to establish a model of the healthy carrier state in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, transgenic mice expressing HBV genes were produced. Fertilized one‐cell eggs were microinjected with subgenomic fragments of HBV DNA containing the coding regions for the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and pre‐S and×antigens. Either the normal (HBV) or metallothionein promoters were used to obtain expression of the HBV genes. There was no evidence of viral replication or tissue pathology.

The relationship between glucagon and prostaglandin f in stimulating canine hepatic bile flow

D. L. Kaminski, Y. G. Deshpande – 1 March 1986 – Both glucagon and prostaglandin F2α have been shown to stimulate a chloride‐rich choleresis in dogs. This study was performed to ascertain the interrelationship between glucagon and prostaglandin F2α in stimulating bile flow. The experiments were performed using dogs with chronic biliary and gastric fistulas. Initially, the effects of prostaglandin F2α on serum glucagon levels were evaluated. Glucagon administration increased bile volume andchloride secretion as did prostaglandin F2α.

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