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A Murine Pancreatic Islet Cell-based Screening for Diabetogenic Environmental Chemicals
Published on: June 25, 2018
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF PANCREAS INTOXICATION
1Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, Boston.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
A toxic protein, thermostable and present in dog pancreas beta-nucleoprotein, causes symptoms similar to pancreatic necrosis when injected. This toxic protein is slowly degraded by autolysis in dog pancreas.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- A toxic constituent exists in fresh dog pancreas prior to trypsinogen activation.
- This toxic fraction is associated with beta-nucleoprotein, indicating thermostability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the toxic constituent in dog pancreas.
- To investigate its properties, stability, and effects upon injection.
Main Methods:
- Extraction and concentration of the toxic fraction from autolyzed dog pancreas (24 hours).
- Intravenous and intraperitoneal injections in dogs to observe toxic effects.
- Comparative analysis of autolysis rates between dog, beef, and pig pancreas.
Main Results:
- The toxic material, likely protein in nature, is present in beta-nucleoprotein and is thermostable.
- Injections of 0.05-0.1 gm/kg body weight proved fatal, inducing symptoms of hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis.
- Dog pancreas exhibits slower autolysis of toxic protein and guanylic acid compared to beef or pig pancreas.
Conclusions:
- A toxic, thermostable protein is present in dog pancreas, linked to beta-nucleoprotein.
- Autolysis aids in concentrating and isolating this toxic protein, which mimics pancreatic necrosis symptoms.
- Differences in autolysis rates highlight unique biochemical properties of dog pancreas compared to other species.
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