The protein component of the iron storage molecule, ferritin, contains 24 subunits in form of a hollow shell known as apoferritin. The amino acid sequence has been determined for apoferritin subunits from human liver. The sequence comprises 174 amino acids giving an it4* of 19 900. It shows extensive homology with the primary structures of apoferritins from human and horse spleen and from rat Iiver. Sequence substitutions are discussed in relation to the known three-dimensional structure of horse spleen apoferritin.Evidence for a second minor sequence in human liver apoferritin is presented. Human liver upoferritin

The nature of the factor in Hodgkin's disease involved spleen to which many patients with malignant lymphoma react in the leucocyte migration inhibition test has been investigated. Our results suggest that ferritin from Hodgkin's disease involved spleens is antigenically different to that prepared from normal spleen. Isoelectric focusing shows the presence of more acidic 'isoferritins' in ferritin prepared from Hodgkin's disease involved spleen than in that prepared from normal spleen. Further observations using the leucocyte migration inhibition test suggest that sensitization to the abnormal ferritin, acting as an onco-fetal tumour associated substance, may be responsible for the reaction of patients with malignant lymphoma in this test.

The antianginal effect and tolerability of isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN), 20 mg 2–3 times daily, orally were investigated in an open study in 28 patients, suffering from coronary heart disease and stable angina pectoris. Ergometric exercise tests were carried out before treatment and 2 h after drug intake, every 3 months during the first year and at 6-month intervals during the following 2 years. At the conclusion of the 3-year study the reduction of ST-segment depression, which had amounted to 58% after 1 year, could be improved to 78% (p < 0.01). The frequency of angina was markedly reduced during the treatment with ISMN. While 14 of the patients had more than 3 episodes per day prior to the study, 16 patients were symptom-free at the end of the three years’ therapy, and none of the patients had more than 1 or 2 attacks per day. The consumption of sublingual nitroglycerin diminished by 94% after one year and by 98% after 3 years of therapy (p < 0.01). Headache was the only adverse effect observed in some of the patients (at the initiation of the treatment only). In conclusion this study demonstrated (1) the good tolerability of ISMN, at the doses used, and (2) the fact that the antianginal efficacy may be enhanced during the course of the therapy.

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