Immunocytochemical evidence for phorbol ester-induced protein kinase C translocation in HL60 cells

The ability of tumor promoting 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to redistribute protein kinase C in human promyelocytic leukemic HL60 cells was investigated. It was found that TPA caused a rapid translocation (within 10 min) of protein kinase C from the cytosolic (soluble) fraction to the particulate (membrane) fraction, as determined indirectly by assaying for the enzyme activity or by immunoblotting of the enzyme protein in the isolated subcellular fractions. Immunocytochemical localization of the enzyme demonstrated directly that the TPA caused an enzyme translocation t the plasma membrane. These findings suggest that translocation to the plasma membrane of the enzyme may represent initial events related to the TPA effect on terminal differentiation of HL60 cells to monocytes/macrophages.

Role of intracerebral angiotensin receptors in the regulation of vasopressin release and the cardiovascular system

In order to investigate the physiological role of the brain renin-angiotensin system in the regulation of vasopressin (ADH) release, angiotensin II (Ang II, 10 ng/kg/min) or 1-Sar-8-Ile-Ang II (50 ng/kg/min), an Ang II antagonist, was administered intracerebroventricularly to dogs (n = 42) anesthetized with urethane and chloralose after morphine sedation. The effects of the intravenous infusion of either 0.15 M or 2.5 M NaCl (0.1 ml/kg/min, 75 min) were also studied. In control dogs, artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) was administered at a rate of 10 microliter/min for 105 min. ACSF given intracerebroventricularly plus 0.15 M NaCl given intravenously did not affect ADH release, but 2.5 M NaCl given intravenously raised the plasma ADH level in parallel with the rise in plasma osmolality. Heart rate and blood pressure did not change significantly in ACSF along with 0.15 M NaCl, but heart rate increased significantly in ACSF along with 2.5 M NaCl. Ang II along with 0.15 M NaCl significantly raised plasma ADH and decreased heart rate without any changes in blood pressure. Ang II along with 2.5 M NaCl brought about a significant rise in plasma ADH level, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma osmolality. But simultaneous application of Ang II and 2.5 M NaCl did not result in a larger rise in plasma ADH than that expected from the effects of the two stimulations given separately. Namely, Ang II did not potentiate ADH release elicited by osmotic stimulation. Ang II antagonist given intracerebroventricularly neither affected ADH release and the cardiovascular system in 0.15 M NaCl nor inhibited ADH release in response to osmotic stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of menstrual cycle on cardiorespiratory system during incremental exercise]

According to the results of questionnaires to college athletes, they believe the follicular phase is better than luteal phase for competitive sports. However, it is not clear whether there is significant difference in athletic performance between the two phases of the menstrual cycle. The effects of the menstrual cycle on the cardiorespiratory system were investigated in exercising women who are top players of basketball in Japan. They performed incremental exercise on a cycle ergometer. During the exercise, the ECG and heart rate (HR) were monitored. The expired air was sampled continuously and expiratory gas volume/minute (VE), oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), gas exchange ratio(R) and respiratory rate (Resp. E.) were measured. Blood samples were collected to measure the blood lactic acid concentration during the exercise. HR in the luteal phase is higher than in the follicular phase at rest and throughout the exercise. VE, R and Resp. R. at rest and during exercise indicated a tendency to a higher level in the follicular phase. The blood lactic acid concentration during exercise in the follicular phase indicated a tendency to increase more rapidly than in luteal phase. However, no statistical differences in the cardiorespiratory system were detected when the follicular and luteal phase were compared. These results did not indicate conclusively in which phase it is better for athletic women to take part in competitive sports.

Phospholipid/calcium-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) system: a major site of bioregulation

The substrate specificity determinants of protein kinase C are probed using synthetic peptides encompassing the major phosphorylation site serine 115 in bovine MBP. The results indicate that basic residues arginine 107 and 113 N-terminal to the phosphorylation site are essential for the substrate activity of the peptides. Substitutions of these basic residues by alanine cause a marked decrease in their substrate activity and the resulting peptide analogs become specific and rather potent inhibitors of protein kinase C. Leukemic cells are particularly abundant in protein kinase C and its substrate proteins, and the enzyme system has been shown to play a key role in cell growth. The agents that stimulate protein kinase C include tumor promoting phorbol esters (such as TPA) and mezerein, and the putative second messenger diacylglycerol. Many antineoplastic agents, on the other hand, inhibit the enzyme which include adriamycin, tamoxifen, alkyl-lysophospholipid, selenium, retinal and lipoidal amine CP-46, 665-1. Immunocytochemical studies of protein kinase C in leukemic cells indicate that it is localized in the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus and Golgi apparatus, and the subcellular distribution of the enzyme might be related to the phases of the cell cycle. TPA induces translocation of the enzyme to plasma membrane, suggesting an additional mode of action for the tumor promotor.

[Transfer of cefmenoxime to lung tissue and thoracic muscle in thoracic surgery]

Twenty patients who were performed pulmonary resection for the disease of the lung were administered 2 g of cefmenoxime (CMX) intravenously during the operation. The CMX levels in serum, lung tissue and thoracic muscle were measured by agar-well technique. The CMX levels in lung tissue and thoracic muscle were higher than the MIC80 of CMX for Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae which were commonly as isolated causative organisms from the patients with pulmonary infection. These results indicate that CMX will be useful agent for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary infection.

[Hormonal changes during incremental exercise in athletic women]

Recently, the number of women who participate in strenuous sports has increased rapidly. The evidence indicating a causal relationship between athletic activity and increased incidence of menstrual dysfunction has led to increased interest. Five basketball players who are among the top players in Japan were subjected to an investigation of the endocrinological responses effected by incremental exercise using a cycle ergometer. Serum levels of FSH and LH decreased significantly in the follicular phase, but there was no change in the luteal phase. Estradiol was seen to increase significantly in the luteal phase but no change occurred in the follicular phase. Progesterone did not show a significant change during exercise. Although TSH did not show any significant change, prolactin showed a significant increase in both phases. These results suggest that strenuous daily training leads to a frequent increase of prolactin in athletic women and this frequent increase of prolactin may be one of the major factors in causing menstrual dysfunction.

Effect of haemodialysis on plasma ADH levels, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone levels in patients with end-stage renal disease

Changes in plasma ADH levels and plasma aldosterone levels (PA) were studied in patients with end-stage renal disease (N = 40). The patients were divided into two groups according to their plasma renin activity (PRA) into a low renin (LR, n = 9) and a high renin group (HR, n = 31). The metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of plasma ADH was also investigated in 4 patients and 5 normal volunteers. Additionally, it was examined whether plasma ADH, aldosterone and renin were permeable through the dialysis membrane. Pre- and post-dialysis plasma ADH levels in LR were similar to those in the HR group. However, pre- and post-dialysis PA in the HR group were significantly greater than those in the LR group. Post-dialysis PRA was significantly increased in HR compared to pre-dialysis, but not in LR. Pre- and post-dialysis plasma osmolality was increased in both groups, but effective plasma osmolality (EPosm) was within the normal range. There was a significant correlation between EPosm and plasma ADH level both before and after haemodialysis, but the majority of the abnormally high values of ADH compared to the normal values was found within the normal range of EPosm. The patients exhibited high blood pressure and a rise in body weight, and haemodialysis caused a significant fall in body weight and blood pressure in both groups. MCR of ADH was significantly lower in the patients than that in normal subjects. Plasma ADH proved to be permeable through the dialysis membrane in all cases, but aldosterone in only a few cases. Renin was not permeable.

Resistance of 1-deamino-[8-D-arginine]-vasopressin to in vitro degradation as compared with arginine vasopressin

In order to elucidate the mechanism(s) responsible for the prolonged antidiuretic activity of 1-deamino-[8-D-arginine]-vasopressin (dDAVP), antidiuretic activities of dDAVP and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were determined in the rat following either oral administration or incubation with AVP-degrading enzymes and reagents. Oral administration of dDAVP to conscious water-loaded rats resulted in significant antidiuresis while AVP resulted in slight and transient antidiuresis. In the ethanol anesthetized water-loaded rats, antidiuretic activities of 136pg of AVP and 50pg of dDAVP, which were found to be equipotent, were compared after incubation with digestive enzymes (pepsin, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin), late pregnancy plasma, or sodium thioglycollate. The antidiuretic activity of AVP was completely destroyed by 30-min incubation with trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, or late pregnancy plasma and almost all AVP was inactivated by 0.2 M sodium thioglycollate. On the other hand, the antidiuretic activity of dDAVP was not destroyed by trypsin or pregnancy plasma but was partly destroyed by alpha-chymotrypsin and sodium thioglycollate. Neither the antidiuretic activity of AVP nor that of dDAVP was affected by pepsin. Thus, the antidiuresis observed after oral administration of dDAVP might be brought about by the resistance to digestive enzymes. Furthermore, the resistance of dDAVP to digestive enzymes, late pregnancy plasma and sodium thioglycollate might be responsible for the prolonged antidiuretic action of dDAVP in vivo.

The presence of methionine-enkephalin in plasma and urine in normal human subjects and various patients

The present study was performed to investigate whether or not there were enkephalins in plasma and urine in normal subjects and in patients with various diseases. Two kinds of antisera were developed to detect M-enk and L-enk. One has specific affinity with the C-terminus of methionine-enkephalin sulfoxide (M-O-enk), the oxidized form of M-enk, and the other with the N-terminus of L-enk. M-enk-like substance (MELS) was present in blood and urine in normal subjects, but not L-enk-like substance (LELS). Plasma MELS and its urinary output averaged 38 +/- 14 pg/ml (N = 19) and 605 +/- 235 ng/day (N = 15, M. +/- S.D.), respectively. There was a significant increase in plasma MELS and its urinary output in patients with pheochromocytoma. Plasma MELS did not show any significant increase or decrease in Cushing's disease. Addison's disease, panhypopituitarism or chronic glomerulonephritis. The urinary output of MELS was significantly increased in patients with essential hypertension, renovascular hypertension and primary aldosteronism, but was decreased in central diabetes insipidus.

Inhibition of phospholipid/Ca2+-dependent protein kinase and phosphorylation of leukemic cell proteins by CP-46,665-1, a novel antineoplastic lipoidal amine

CP-46,665-1, an antineoplastic lipoidal amine, was found to inhibit phospholipid/Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (PL/Ca-PK, or protein kinase C), with an IC50 (concentration causing a 50% inhibition) of 10 microM. Its inhibition of the enzyme was reversed by phosphatidylserine, but not by Ca2+. The agent also inhibited the enzyme activity which was further augmented by 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), mezerein or diolein. Phosphorylation of endogenous proteins from HL-60 cells by the enzyme, with or without being further augmented by TPA, was inhibited by CP-46,665-1 as well as by alkyllysophospholipid (an antineoplastic agent). CP-46,665-1, while without effect on cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, also inhibited myosin light chain kinase (a calmodulin/Ca2+-dependent protein kinase). The present findings suggest that inhibition of the Ca2+-effector enzymes may be related in part to the antimetastatic activity of the lipoidal amine.

Enhancing effect of bile and bile acid on stomach tumorigenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The carcinogenic or cocarcinogenic effects of bile or bile acid on stomach carcinogenesis were investigated in inbred W rats. Bile or bile acid was introduced into the stomach by choledochogastrostomy or with food after the administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine [(MNNG) CAS: 70-25-7; 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine] in drinking water. The animals that received MNNG and bile or sodium taurocholate (CAS: 145-42-6; N-choloyltaurine sodium salt) had a significantly higher incidence of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions in the stomach mucosa than did the relevant MNNG-treated controls. The result suggested an enhancing effect of bile and sodium taurocholate in stomach tumorigenesis.

The effects of postural changes on ADH release and the renal handling of sodium and water in patient with idiopathic edema

In order to investigate the role of ADH and the renal handling of sodium and water in patients with idiopathic edema, 21 patients were subjected to acute oral water load tests. Although a normal water diuresis was observed in al patients in supine posture, it was markedly impaired in upright posture with significant decreases in sodium, free water, and osmolar clearances. In particular, two patients exhibited the continuous production of concentrated urine after the water load in upright posture. The fractional reabsorption of sodium at the proximal tubules was significantly increased in upright posture, while the glomerular filtration rate did not change significantly. The constricting of both legs with elastic bandages tended to improve the water diuresis in upright posture, suggesting that the pooling of blood into the lower legs might be contributing to the formation of idiopathic edema. The patients showed normal osmoregulation of ADH release in supine, but not in upright posture: the suppression of ADH release in upright posture was only transient or incomplete despite a sufficient fall in plasma osmolality following the water load. Thus, both an increase in renal sodium reabsorption and the insufficient suppression of ADH release in upright posture might contribute to the retention of body fluid in patients with idiopathic edema.

Enhancing effect of sodium taurocholate on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced stomach tumorigenesis in rats

Male Wistar rats that had received a low dose of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and sodium taurocholate showed a significantly higher incidence of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions in the stomach mucosa than did the MNNG-treated controls. The result suggested an enhancing effect of taurocholate in stomach tumorigenesis.

The role of central alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the regulation of vasopressin release and the cardiovascular system

In order to investigate the role of central alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the control of vasopressin (ADH) release and the cardiovascular system, norepinephrine (NE) (1.4 microgram/kg), methoxamine (1.4 microgram/kg), yohimbine (60 micrograms/kg), and prazosin (40 micrograms/kg) were administered via the cerebral ventricles in urethane-chloralose-anesthetized dogs after morphine sedation (n = 42). In the control study 0.9% saline was administered. NE resulted in a significant fall in blood pressure, heart rate, and ADH release. Methoxamine tended to activate the cardiovascular system, but did not affect the release of ADH significantly. Prazosin decreased blood pressure significantly with a significant rise in heart rate and ADH release. Pretreatment with prazosin did not block significantly the effect of NE on blood pressure, heart rate, and ADH release. Yohimbine did not affect the cardiovascular system and ADH release significantly. Pretreatment with yohimbine completely blocked the effect of NE on ADH release, and brought about a slight rise in blood pressure and heart rate. In none of the experiments could changes in ADH release be attributed to changes in plasma osmolality. These results indicate that central alpha 1-adrenoceptors might act to activate the cardiovascular system, but have no effects on ADH release in anesthetized dogs. On the other hand, central alpha 2-adrenoceptors might act to reduce ADH release and to depress the cardiovascular system.

[Menstrual characteristics in college athletes]

This study investigated the influences of endurance physical exercise on menstrual characteristics in college athletes. 311 college students at the University of Tsukuba (174: college athletes, 137: non-athletes, control students (group C) ) completed questionnaires which inquired about their menstrual history. College athletes were divided into two groups with hard physical activity (group A) and moderate physical activity (group B). The physical profile showed that group A and B had a lower total body water/body weight ratio than group C. The incidences of prolonged menstruation and hypomenorrhea of athletes were higher than those of non-athletes. There was no significant difference in the incidence of dysmenorrhea. However, the incidence of cases which required the medication to treat dysmenorrhea was lower in athletes than in non-athletes. Regarding the menstrual cycle, there was no significant difference in the incidence of oligomenorrhea and polymenorrhea in the three groups. On the other hand, the incidence of irregular menstrual cycles in group A was significantly higher than in group C. Athletes replied that the period of good physical condition during the menstrual cycles occurred in the late follicular and ovulatory phase. On the other hand, the period of bad condition was in the late luteal phase and during the menstrual period. Only 21.4% of athletes desire to regulate the menstrual cycle according to their sports schedule. The specialized physician should be more concerned either about managing the athletes who are suffering from menstrual dysfunction or about establishing a way to control the menstrual cycle.

[Delayed menarche following early onset of athletic sports training]

To investigate the effect of athletic sports training on the onset of menarche, we submitted questionnaires to college students at University of Tsukuba. 311 students (174 college athletes and 137 non-athlete control students (group C) completed the questionnaires. The college athletes were divided into hard physical activity (group A) and moderate physical activity (group B) groups. The average age was similar in each group. The physical profile showed that group A and B were significantly (p less than 0.001) taller and heavier than those of group C. There was no significant difference among the average menarcheal age of group A (12.9 +/- 1.1 years, Mean +/- S.D.), group B (12.8 +/- 1.1 years) and group C (12.6 +/- 1.0 years). However, some of athletes in group A who had begun sports training before menarche had a later menarcheal age (13.1 +/- 1.1 years, p less than 0.001), and others who had begun training after menarche had a significantly earlier menarcheal age (12.1 +/- 0.9 years, p less than 0.001) whereas in group B the average menarcheal ages of premenarche-trained (12.9 +/- 1.1 years) and postmenarcheal-trained (12.3 +/- 1.1 years) students were similar to that of group C. These data indicate that early beginning of hard athletic training delays the onset of menarche.

Superficial carcinoma of the esophagus

Nine cases of superficial carcinoma of the esophagus were described. Although 3 patients complained of abdominal sensations on swallowing or dysphasia, 6 patients did not present with any symptoms related to the esophageal lesion. The radiologic diagnosis is particularly difficult in cases with superficial type esophageal cancer, and no definitive findings were obtained in three such cases. However, esophagoscopy using Lugol spray was far more effective for the recognition of these superficial lesions. Although surgical resection of the esophagus is technically easier in these cases, the indications of surgery should be carefully evaluated. One operative death occurred in our series. In cases that are good indications, however, wide lymph node dissection should be carried out, since metastases occur even to distant lymph nodes, particularly in cases with cancer invasion of the submucosal layer. The histopathologic diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in 8 cases, but in one case it was adenocarcinoma of mucus-secreting gland origin in the mid-thoracic esophagus.

[Successful treatment in an adult case of congenital esophagobronchial fistula]

A case of congenital esophagobronchial fistula in a 46-year-old woman was described. The patient had presented with repeated attacks of pulmonary infection from her childhood and had been diagnosed pneumonia at least five or six times after the age of 18 years. Preoperative examinations including esophagogram by barium swallow revealed the existence of a fistula between middle thoracic esophagus and left B6 bronchus. The fistula was recognized as Type II of Braimbridge and Keith's classification, and successfully resected with left lower pulmonary lobe. Sixty-eight cases with congenital esophagobronchial fistula in adult including our own case have been reported in Japanese literature and about 70 cases in the literature of western countries. From the analysis of these cases, diagnostic basis on congenital origin of the fistula, useful diagnostic methods, types of the fistula and appropriate surgical procedures were discussed.

Phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein phosphorylation system in various types of leukemic cells from human patients and in human leukemic cell lines HL60 and K562, and its inhibition by alkyl-lysophospholipid

Phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (PL-Ca-PK), its endogenous substrate proteins, and regulation of the enzyme system by an antitumor agent alkyl-lysophospholipid were investigated in various types of leukemic cells (chronic myelocytic, acute myelocytic, and acute monocytic) from patients and in two cultured human leukemic cell lines (HL60 and K562). Exceedingly high levels of PL-Ca-PK, largely localized in the particulate fraction, were found in all types and lines of leukemic cells; much lower levels of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase and cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase were also found. Although numerous and similar endogenous substrates for PL-Ca-PK were found in all cell types and lines examined, substrates specific for certain leukemic cells appeared to be present. Substrate proteins for calmodulin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase, cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase, and cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase, in comparison, were much fewer or undetected. The PL-Ca-PK activity and the phosphatidylserine-Ca2+-stimulated phosphorylation of endogenous proteins from leukemic cells were inhibited by alkyl-lysophospholipid, which acted as a competitive inhibitor of the phospholipid cofactor of the enzyme. The findings suggested that the PL-Ca-PK system is a predominant protein phosphorylation system in leukemic cells and that this enzyme system may represent a site of cytotoxic action of alkyl-lysophospholipid.

Incorporation of glutamic acid into protein by a soluble system

A heat-labile, non-dialyzable factor(s) in soluble fractions from Escherichia coli strains and Bacillus subtilis was found to incorporate the radioactivity of [14C]glutamic acid into 95 degrees C CCl3COOH-insoluble fraction. Incorporation catalyzed by a partially purified factor from E. coli B required ATP, Mg2+, tRNA, casein, carbonate, and 2-mercaptoethanol. A mixture of nineteen amino acids other than glutamic acid had no effect on the incorporation. Heparin, spermine and monovalent cations were inhibitory. Incorporation proceeded via glutamyl-tRNA. The incorporation from [14C]glutamyl-tRNA required Mg2+, casein, carbonate, and 2-mercaptoethanol, and there was no incorporation from [14C]aspartyl-tRNA. The reaction product was identified as protein. The incorporated moiety was the glutamyl moiety of glutamic acid and it retained a free alpha-amino group in the product protein. The incorporating factor of E. coli B was demonstrated to be glutamyl-tRNA synthetase.

Metabolism of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine in the mongolian gerbil (meriones unguiculatus)

Adult male gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) received a single s.c. injection of N-nitroso(methyl-14C) methylbenzylamine (2.5 mg/kg body weight). Of the radioactivity injected 46% was exhaled as 14CO2 within 8-10 hours and an additional 21% was excreted as urinary metabolites. Six hours after injection of the carcinogen, methylation of DNA bases was highest in lung (81.5 mumol 7-methylguanine/mol guanine) followed by liver, esophagus, kidney, forestomach, glandular stomach, spleen, colon and small intestine. The brain DNA no alkylation products were detectable. These data differ significantly from those obtained in rats and mice which under similar experimental conditions metabolized N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine preferentially in esophagus and liver respectively.

Substrate proteins for calmodulin-sensitive and phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinases in heart, and inhibition of their phosphorylation by palmitoylcarnitine

At least two substrate proteins for phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase and at least six substrates for calmodulin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase were identified in the cytosol of the guinea pig heart. In the particulate subfractions enriched in nuclei, mitochondria, microsome, or plasma membrane, no substrates for the phospholipid-sensitive enzyme were demonstrated but at least four substrates for the calmodulin-sensitive enzyme were identified. The present studies suggest that phospholipid, acting independently of calmodulin, is likely to be involved in the regulation of Ca2+-dependent protein phosphorylation in the heart. Phosphorylation of endogenous substrates for the two enzyme systems was effectively inhibited by palmitoylcarnitine. When histone was used as exogenous substrate, the carnitine ester inhibited the cardiac phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase but not the cardiac cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases. It is suggested that inhibition of the Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of cardiac proteins, regulated by either phospholipid or calmodulin, is probably related in part to the great increase in this fatty acid metabolic intermediate in the ischemic heart.

Calcium-dependent protein kinase: widespread occurrence in various tissues and phyla of the animal kingdom and comparison of effects of phospholipid, calmodulin, and trifluoperazine

A widespread occurrence of Ca2+-dependent protein kinase was shown in various tissues and phyla of the animal kingdom. Phosphatidylserine appeared to be more effective than calmodulin in supporting the Ca2+-dependent phosphotransferase activity. The phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase activity, distributed in both the cytosolic and particulate fractions, was not inhibited by trifluoperazine, a specific inhibitor of calmodulin-sensitive, Ca2+-dependent reactions or processes. The enzyme activity levels, compared to those of cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases, were exceedingly high in certain tissues (such as brain and spleen) and exhibited a much greater disparity among tissues. The Ka for Ca2+ was about 100 microM in the presence of phosphatidylserine; the value was as low as 2 microM in the presence of phosphatidylserine and diolein. It is suggested that phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase may mediate certain actions of Ca2+ in tissues, acting independently or in a complementary manner with other protein phosphorylation systems stimulated by calmodulin-Ca2+, cyclic AMP, or cyclic GMP.

Elevated plasma and urinary guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate and increased production rate in patients with neoplastic diseases

The plasma and 24-hr urinary levels of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and of cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cGMP) were determined for 19 healthy normal patients, 54 patients with six types of nonneoplastic diseases (cholelithiasis, peptic ulcer, coronary heart disease, hypertension, regional ileitis, and cirrhosis), and 54 patients with five types of neoplastic disease (cancers of the lung, colon, and breast, acute myelocyte leukemia, and Hodgkin's disease). The cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels of urine and plasma in normal subjects, in noncancer subjects, and in cancer subjects did not differ significantly. The cGMP levels in the noncancer group were similarly unchanged from those in the normal group. However, mean cGMP levels in the urine and plasma of patients with neoplastic diseases were, respectively, 2- and 3-fold greater than the normal values (p less than 0.005 for urine and p less than 0.05 for plasma). Pharmacokinetic studies with [3H]cGMP in nine healthy controls and 15 patients with neoplasia showed that the mean production rate of this nucleotide in patients with metastatic cancer was elevated when compared to normal patients, but many values fell within the normal range. In acute leukemia, the production rate was seven times normal, with four of five patients having values clearly outside the normal range. The plasma clearance rate in patients with neoplasia was not decreased when compared to that in normal patients. It is proposed that an increased production rate, rather than any change in plasma clearance, accounts for the increased levels of cGMP in the plasma and urine of some patients with neoplastic disease.

Production of steroids in one case of granulosa cell tumor in culture

The cellular origin and the mechanism of steroidogenesis were investigated on one case of recurrent type of granulosa cell tumor. Light and electron microscopic findings indicated the cell component was non-luteinized granulosal element and neither fibroblastic nor thecal ones. These tumor cells were cultured as monolayers and steroids (estradiol-17 beta, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone) secreted in the medium were measured by radioimmunoassay. Despite low level of estrogen, progesterone or testosterone in the serum or urine preoperatively, the estradiol-17B level in the culture medium after three days of cultivation reached over 900 pg/ml. In both light and electron microscopic observations of the cultured cells, morphological characteristics of activation of steroidogenesis were noted. It is concluded that this type of granulosa cell tumor consisting exclusively of the granulosa element without thecal one has the activity of estrogen production.

Plasma and urine cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate in disseminated cancer

Plasma and 24-h urinary adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) were measured by radioimmunoassay in 12 normal subjects, 33 patients with six types of non-neoplastic disease (cholelithiasis, peptic ulcer, coronary heart disease, hypertension, regional ileitis, and cirrhosis), and 34 patients with five types of disseminated neoplastic disease (acute myelocytic leukemia; Hodgkin's disease; and metastatic cancer of the lung, colon, and breast). In patients with non-neoplastic disease, cyclic nucleotide values in plasma and urine did not differ significantly (P greater than 0.05) from those in normal subjects. In patients with disseminated cancer, cyclic AMP values in plasma and urine likewise did not differ significantly from those in normal subjects. Plasma cyclic GMP, in contrast, was significantly elevated in all five types of cancer patients, and urinary cyclic GMP was significantly elevated (five times the normal mean) in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and Hodgkin's disease.

Enhancing effect of phorbol esters on induction of differentiation of mouse myeloid leukemia cells by human urinary protein and lipopolysaccharide

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a potent promoter of carcinogenesis in mouse skin, enhanced differentiation of cultured mouse myeloid leukemia cells (M1) induced by human urinary protein or by lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella typhosa. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate enhanced differentiation of all the markers tested, such as phagocytosis, Fc rosette formation, lysozyme activity, and morphological change. Other potent tumor-promoting macrocyclic plant diterpenes also enhanced the induction of differentiation, but no-tumor-promoting diterpenes did not. These findings were in marked contrast with generally accepted findings on the inhibitory effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate on terminal differentiation observed in other cell culture systems but consistent with the observations with some kinds of leukemia cells.

[Critical study on dead cases in recurrent early stomach cancer (author's transl)]

35 deaths of 299 operated early stomach cancers have been studied retrospectively. These cases can be grouped in the following categories: 2 deaths directly due to operation, 7 due to recurrence of carcinoma, 19 due to other diseases including cancer in other sites and 7 cases in which the real causes of death could not be elucidated. Special attention was paid on the 7 recurrent cases: In 4 of 7 patients the histological study revealed lymph and blood vessels invasion in their resected stomachs, lymphnodes metastases in 5 patients and positive cut-end in 2 patients. 5 of 7 patients died within 3 years after operation.

Effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, imidazole and phosphate on cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase are different from those on cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases

The effects of various agents on the newly identified cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase (C-PDE) in crude extracts of a number of rat tissues and on the enzyme partially purified from the rat liver were examined. Papaverine and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine were without effects on C-PDE at concentrations that inhibited up to 90% of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (A-PDE) and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (G-PDE) activities. When assayed using 1 micron substrates, theophylline inhibited C-PDE to a lesser extent than A-PDE and G-PDE. 2'-Deoxy cyclic AMP (specific A-PDE inhibitor) and 2'-deoxy cyclic GMP (specific G-PDE inhibitor) were relatively poor and non-specific inhibitors for C-PDE. Imidazole, while augmenting the high Km A-PDE and G-PDE from the liver but not from the heart, was without effect on the liver C-PDE but stimulated the heart C-PDE. Potassium phosphate was more specific in inhibiting C-PDE than A-PDE and G-PDE. The present findings suggest that C-PDE represents a potential site of specific pharmacological regulations, and that C-PDE may be a separate enzyme distinguishable from the purine cyclic nucleotide class of phosphodiesterases.