Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was introduced as an esterase inhibitor in the determination of two extremely labile, ultrashort-acting beta-blockers-esmolol and flumolol--in whole blood. SDS was much more efficient than previously used agents in preventing hydrolysis. The assay comprises solvent extraction, perfluoroacylation, and capillary gas-chromatography with electron-capture detection. The ...

1. The muscarinic agonist pilocarpine induced the swimmeret motor pattern in resting isolated preparations of the crayfish abdominal nerve cord and modulated the burst frequency in a dose-dependent manner. 2. Nicotine did not elicit rhythmic activity in resting isolated preparations but increased the burst frequency in active preparations. Nicotine produced higher burst frequencies than pilocar...

BACKGROUND Manifestation of acute edema in hereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized by interindividual and intraindividual variability in symptom expression over time. Flexible therapy options are needed. METHODS We describe and report on the outcomes of the highly individualized approach to HAE therapy practiced at our HAE center in Frankfurt (Germany). RESULTS The HAE center at the Fr...

INTRODUCTION Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a genetic disease caused by C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency, characterized by recurrent attacks of intense, massive, localized subcutaneous oedema that can involve all parts of the body. The aim of this study is a comparison of the clinical effectiveness of conestat alfa, human C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH), and icatibant in the treatment of acute an...

The capacity of human, minipig, and rat skin and liver subcellular fractions to hydrolyze the anesthetic ester procaine was compared with carboxylesterase substrates 4-methylumbelliferyl-acetate, phenylvalerate, and para-nitrophenylacetate and the arylesterase substrate phenylacetate. Rates of procaine hydrolysis by minipig and human skin microsomal and cytosolic fractions were similar, with ra...

We describe here an activable neutral cholesteryl esterase (EC 3.1.1.13) in arteries similar to the hormone-sensitive lipase of adipose tissue and adrenal cortex. Maximum enzyme activity in rabbit aorta was given by cholesteryl ester substrates dispersed as a mixed micelle with phosphatidylcholine and Na taurocholate (molar ratio 1:4:2). A quantitative assay of enzymic activity was obtained wit...

The paper presents a case of family oedema by shortage of C1-esterase inhibitor, characterized by appearance at an early age (8 months), participation in some attacks of nasal mucous membrane, with nasal obstruction and sinusal manifestations and also the abnormally long period, up to 9 days, of some localized oedemas. The crises were absent during pregnancy. The study of four generations of th...

Angioedema is defined as local, noninflammatory, self-limiting edema that is circumscribed owing to increased leakage of plasma from the capillaries located in the deep layers of the skin and the mucosae. Two mediators, histamine and bradykinin, account for most cases of angioedema. Angioedema can occur with wheals as a manifestation of urticaria, and this form is frequently allergic. In the pr...

The rapid breakdown of target cell DNA during CTL-mediated lysis has been difficult to explain by the granule exocytosis model of cytotoxicity. The involvement of CTL granule proteases in this process was strongly suggested by experiments in which CTL were pretreated with the serine protease inhibitor PMSF, in combination with agents that raise the pH of acidic intracellular compartments. While...

The four most important non-specific carboxylesterases from rat liver were assayed for their ability to hydrolyse retinyl esters. Only the esterases with pI 6.2 and 6.4 (= esterase ES-4) are able to hydrolyse retinyl palmitate. Their specific activities strongly depend on the emulsifier used (maximum rate: 440 nmol of retinol liberated/h per mg of esterase). Beside retinyl palmitate, these este...