Histochemical research on metabolic pathways of glucose in some species of Mollusca Gastropoda.

The metabolic pathways of glucose were studied by histochemical reactions in some species of gastropods living in different habitats. The glycolytic pathway is histochemically indicated by positive results for glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and D-lactate dehydrogenase. The enzymes of the Krebs cycle gave different responses: isocitrate dehydrogenase and L-malate dehydrogenase were positive, whilst succinate dehydrogenase was constantly negative. Malate synthetase activity was also demonstrated. Despite L-glutamate dehydrogenase is undetectable, the presence of transaminase indicates the gluconeogenetic route. Phosphoglucomutase and glucose-6-phosphate phosphatase appear also positive. The metabolic meaning of our results were discussed

The digestive apparatus of Murex brandaris (L.) and Trunculariopsis Trunculus (L.).

The histomorphology and histochemistry of the digestive apparatus of Murex brandaris and Trunculariopsis trunculus has been studied in order to clarify the structural features of the digestive tract and the physiology of digestion in these species. Biochemical analyses of polar lipids and of some enzymatic activities were also carried out on the connected glands. (salivary, "framboisé", Leiblein and digestive). Digestive enzyme production is not present in the stomach and intestine. These enzymes are produced not only by the connected glands, but also by a specialized epithelial cell type (granular cell) present in the oesophagus and in the rectum. Absorbtion activity is demonstrable at the level of the rectum

Immunocytochemical study of endocrine cells in the gut of goldfish Carassius carassius (L) var auratus submitted to experimental lead intoxication

In the present study, the effects of experimental lead pollution on gut endocrine cells have been determined in the goldfish Carassius carassius (L.) var. auratus by immunocytochemical reactions. In the mucosa and submucosa, only vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- and 5-HT-like immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed. Endocrine cells displaying immunoreactivity against gastrin, CCK8, metenkephalin, bombesin, neuropeptide Y, pancreatic polypeptide, substance P, secretin, somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide antibodies were detected. No immunoreactivity against glucagon, insulin and 5-HT antibodies was revealed in the endocrine cells. Some modifications appeared evident in the endocrine cells 48-96 h after lead intoxication, and can be summarized as follows: 1) discharge of secretory granules (secretin- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like peptides), up to the extent that the cells appeared to be depleted of secretory material; 2) increase of immunoreactivity in the endocrine cells (met-enkephalin- and pancreatic polypeptide-like peptides) or in the frequency of positive cells (met-enkephalin-like peptide); 3) no variations (gastrin-, CCK8, bombesin-, somatostatin- and substance P-like peptides). The alterations were not enhanced by long term treatment. Nerve fibers did not show modifications

Preliminary studies on haematological parameters in Carassius carassius var. auratus submittede to acute experimental lead pollution as pollution indices

Several haematological (RBC; WBC and thrombocyte count, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC) and serological parameters (lead blood content, ALA-D, glucose, GOT, GTP, Try, Chol, TP, Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca++) have been assayed in specimens of Carassius submitted to sublethal acute exposure to lead(5ppm, 24 and 48 hrs). The following differences were observed between control and treated samples: the number of RBC was decreased after 48 hrs of treatment; haematocrit, haemoglobin percentage and MCHC were also decreased. Glucose and lead concentrations in blood were increased whereas ALA-D, transaminases and calcium were decreased. The decrease of ALA-D is proposed as index of pollution

Effects of acute experimental pollution by lead on some haematological parameters in Carassius carassius (L) var. auratus

Several haematological (RBC; WBC and thrombocyte count, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC) and serological parameters (lead blood content, ALA-D, glucose, GOT, GTP, Try, Chol, TP, Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca++) have been assayed in specimens of Carassius submitted to sublethal acute exposure to lead(5ppm, 24 and 48 hrs). The following differences were observed between control and treated samples: the number of RBC was decreased after 48 hrs of treatment; haematocrit, haemoglobin percentage and MCHC were also decreased. Glucose and lead concentrations in blood were increased whereas ALA-D, transaminases and calcium were decreased. No significant variations in the other studied parameters were observed

HISTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SKIN GLANDS IN BOMBINA-VARIEGATA-VARIEGATA (L) (AMPHIBIA, ANURA)

The skin of Bombina variegata variegata was studied by histochemical and immuno-histochemical reactions in order to identify the production of active substances (5-HT and bombesin) from the two different kinds of glands (with small and large granules) present in the skin of this subspecies. On the basis of the obtained results, the glands with large granules appear to be involved in bombesin synthesis; on the contrary the glands with small granules seem to be the main cell producing of 5-HT