P.ll PI'OTEIN SYNTHESIS IN TUMOUR-HOST LIVERS COMPARED WITH OTHER PARANEOPLASTIC CONDITIONS

M. Ternell, C. Lonnroth & K. Lundholm. University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

It is well recognized that malignant tumours are associated with increased hepatic pro- tein synthesis. It is likely that this increased synthesis is linked to the immune re- sponse since immune suppressed tumour-bearing animals lack this activation. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate how transcriptional activity relates to trans- lational activity in the process of hepatic protein synthesis in the tumour condition as related to other paraneoplastic conditions. Method: Adult, non-growing mice were challenged to tumour growth (sarcoma), bacterial and antigenic stimulation (Coryne Bacterium Parvum), chemical stress (subcutaneous terpentine injections) and protein malnutrition (protein-free diet), which are all conditions that are significant factors of the tumour cachexia syndrome. Transcription was measured as the activity of RNA polymerase (form I, II, III) under active transcription of the gene- tic information in the nucleus. In addition, we measured the free form of RNA polymerased which do not transcribe genes at the moment when the animals are killed. The cytoplasmic

;i;;;l;yti;;eo;JY RNA for synthesis of non-secretory and secretory liver proteins was mea- Clphenylalanine flooding technique. The type of mRNA and proteins that

are synthesized were analyzed by in vitro translation of mRNA and subsequent electropho- retie separation of proteins. Results: Tumour-bearing animals and all the animals with paraneoplastic conditions had increased transcription of hepatic genomes compared with freely fed control animals, but different patterns occurred among the groups of animals. Only terpentine-injected animals showed an increased activity of both transcribing and non-transcribing RNA polymerase. Hepatic protein synthesis was high in tumour-bearing animals, but showed a different pattern compared with the other groups. Food restricted control animals had decreased protein synthesis. Differences in protein synthesis among the groups were both quantita- tive and qualitative according to electrophoretic separation. Conclusion: Paraneoplastic activities cannot entirely account for the findings of increa- sed transcription and translation in tumour host livers.

P.12 CHANGES IN TASTE IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG CANCER BEFORE AND DURING THERAPY G.Adam, H. Arnold, H. Ehrle, R. Kluthe, G.W. Lohr (Medizinische Universi- tatsklinik, Hugstetter Str. 55, D-7800 Freiburg, FRG)

Decreased taste and smell and distorted taste are commun symptoms with many diseases in man. Our investigations were performed in 24 patients with carcinoma of the lung (17 small cell carcinoma SCC, 7 squameous cell carcinoma SQCC). Patients with SCC were treated with chemotherapy, patients with SQCC received radiotherapy. Taste threshold of sweet, acid, bitter and salty was investigated according to the method of R. Henkin. In tumour patients we found a significantly elevated taste threshold for all qualities. Simultaneously, level (72.8 ymol/l) in serum were decreased.

zinc level (77pg/dl) and histidine Most patients showed an aversion

to meat, although the taste for bitter (urea) was elevated (normals 300 mmol/l, patients 600 mmol/l). Five patients showed improved taste sensitivity for acid during therapy (90 to 15 mmol/l). This improvement occurred parallelly to a development of polyneuropathia due to oncovine treatment. During radiotherapy, the taste for sweet and bitter deteriorated. Although taste threshold for bitter was elevated, aversion against meat remained constant. In the course of chemo- and radiotherapy disturbance improved .in patients who got a remission of the tumor.

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