Isolation and immunochemical characterization of heparan sulfate rich proteoglycan (HSPG) present in the basement membrane of human placenta

We isolated and characterized heparan sulfate rich proteoglycan (HSPG) present in the basement membrane from 7 M urea insoluble materials of the human placenta by CsCl isopycnic centrifugation, anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The molecular mass of the glycosaminoglycan chain from pronase digestion of HSPG was estimated to be 30-100 kDa. The reported glycosaminoglycan moiety of proteoglycans from the lens capsule, glomerular basement membrane and fibroblast consists only of the heparan sulfate chain. However, the glycosaminoglycan of the proteoglycan isolated from human placenta was composed of heparan sulfate (82%) and other glycosaminoglycans (18%). An affinity-purified rat antibody against HSPG specifically reacted with HSPG, but it did not immunoreact with basement membrane components such as laminin and type IV collagen. Indirect immunohistochemical observations of tissue HSPG revealed staining mostly along with basement membrane (basal layer). From these results, isolated HSPG from human placenta appeared to be a constituent of the basement membrane, together with other basement membrane components such as type IV collagen, laminin and nidogen.

[Effect of a novel antiulcer drug, lafutidine, on experimental chronic gastritis in rats]

Oral administration of an ammonia solution (0.01%) or a sodium taurocholate solution (TCA solution, 5 mM) as drinking water for 4 weeks or 13 weeks, respectively, resulted in gastric mucosal thinning and decreased parietal cell numbers. Oral administration of TCA solution also caused cell infiltration in the lamina propria of the mucosa and mucosal fibrosis. When lafutidine (3, 10 mg/kg) was administered orally once daily for one week after the withdrawal of ammonia or TCA solution, the recovery of the mucosal thickness in the fundic gland area and the parietal cell number were significantly accelerated, and the recovery of mucosal thickness in the pyloric gland area also tended to be accelerated. Lafutidine at 10 mg/kg for 1 week had no influence on normal mucosal thickness and parietal cell numbers. At the doses that produce equal or greater acid antisecretory effect than lafutidine, oral administration of cimetidine (30 mg/kg) and famotidine (1 mg/kg) had no effect on either of these atrophy indexes. These results demonstrate that lafutidine, unlike cimetidine and famotidine, can accelerate the healing of mucosal injuries in ammonia- and TCA-induced chronic gastritis models.

Enhancement of the cardiac beta-adrenergic system at an early diabetic state in spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamsters

Serial changes in cardiac norepinephrine content and the beta-adrenergic system were investigated during the development of cardiomyopathy in spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamsters (CHAD strain), in comparison to age-matched control Chinese hamsters (CHA) or non-diabetic CHAD hamster littermates. Cardiac norepinephrine content and beta-adrenergic receptor density significantly increased in short-term diabetics. These changes preceded both the development of cardiac hypertrophy and the enhanced response of adenylyl cyclase to isoproterenol plus 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp (NH)p], sodium fluoride, or forskolin stimulation. However, as the diabetic state developed cardiac norepinephrine content, beta-adrenergic receptor density, and adenylyl cyclase activity returned to control levels. The amount of stimulatory or inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding proteins in the diabetic group was similar to those in the control groups. These data suggest that the cardiac beta-adrenergic system is enhanced by the alterations in cardiac sympathetic activity during early diabetes, which are associated with the duration of diabetes rather than with the degree of hypertrophy or strain differences.

Identification of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in murine neonatal calvariae and osteoblasts

Bone resorption and formation are dynamic processes that occur in both normal and injured bone tissues. Regulation of these processes is mediated at the local level by cytokines and growth factors. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is one of the proinflammatory cytokines that activates macrophages and regulates production of other cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1. We here demonstrate, by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, high expression of MIF mRNA in murine osteoblasts obtained from mouse neonatal calvariae and murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The presence of MIF protein in the osteoblasts was confirmed by Western blot analysis using anti-rat MIF antibody. Moreover, the immunohistochemical study revealed that MIF was localized largely in the cytoplasm. The pathophysiological function of MIF remains undefined; however, the present results suggest that MIF takes part in the osseous metabolism as well as in immunological events.

Capsaicin-induced calcitonin gene-related peptide release from isolated rat stomach measured with a new chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay

The peripheral capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerve has been reported to play an important role in gastroprotection and to release a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). We developed a new chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) for CGRP and measured capsaicin-induced CGRP release from the isolated and inverted rat stomach. The basal CGRP release from the stomach was 0.40 +/- 0.02 pg/mg wet weight in a 30-min incubation. Capsaicin (1 x 10(-8)-1 x 10(-5) M) stimulated CGRP release in a concentration-dependent manner. In the stomach from rats with defunctionalization of afferent neurons, the levels of the basal and capsaicin-induced CGRP release were below the limit of detection. On the other hand, the capsaicin-induced CGRP release was not blocked by tetrodotoxin treatment. The gangliosym-pathectomy abolished the increase in the CGRP levels. However, the capsaicin-induced CGRP release was not affected by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine, a neurotoxin that causes a complete degeneration of adrenergic nerve terminals. In conclusion, the CLEIA system may be useful for detecting the released CGRP and studying the activity of capsaicin-sensitive nerves, particularly the CGRP-containing nerves. Our results also confirmed that although the CGRP-containing nerve runs in the sympathetic nerve trunk, the activity of the nerve is not affected by adrenergic nerves, and the capsaicin-induced CGRP release may be attributable to the tetrodotoxin-resistant component.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequences of cDNA and gene encoding endo-inulinase from Penicillium purpurogenum

A cDNA and a gene encoding endo-inulinase from Penicillium purpurogenum were isolated, and were cloned for the first time. Two oligonucleotide probes, which were synthesized based on the partial amino acid sequences of the purified endo-inulinase, were used to screen a cDNA library. A 1.7-kb DNA fragment encoding endo-inulinase was isolated and analyzed. A single open reading frame, consisting of 1548-bp, was found to encode a polypeptide that comprised a 25-amino acid signal peptide and 490-amino acid mature protein. All the partial amino acid sequences of the purified enzyme were discovered in the deduced ones. The deduced amino acid sequences of endo-inulinase had similar sequences to those of fructan hydrolases. A 3.5-kb chromosomal DNA fragment encoding endo-inulinase was also isolated and analyzed. The same ORF with cDNA clone as identified. There were no introns in the endo-inulinase gene.

[Spontaneous rupture of renal parenchyma caused by renal pelvic and ureteral cancer: a case report]

Two cases of spontaneous rupture of the renal parenchyma caused by the renal pelvic and the ureteral cancer are reported. Case 1 was in a 53-year-old male who had left flank pain 2 weeks before admission to the hospital. In retrograde pyelography, the left upper ureter was visualized irregularly, but the left pelvis was not visualized. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed perirenal hematoma. Left nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff was performed under diagnosis of left renal pelvic and ureteral cancer. The rupture of the left renal parenchyma with extracapsular hematoma was identified. Pathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma, grade 2 and pT1 of the left renal pelvis and the left ureter. Case 2 was in a 57-year-old male who had left flank pain 2 hours after he had enhanced CT study. MRI showed the left pelvic and the ureteral cancer with perirenal hematoma after 4 days. Left nephrourererctomy and partial cystectomy were performed. The rupture of the renal parenchyma with subcapsular hematoma was identified. Pathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma, grade 2 and pT1 of the left renal pelvis and the left ureter.

[A case of ectopic familial pheochromocytoma]

This is a report of the occurrence of familial ectopic pheochromocytoma in two brothers, whose father had bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma. Both brother complained of hypertension. In the first case, a 22-year-old man presented with much higher than normal norepinephrine. Abdominal CT and chest CT scanning and 123I-MIBG scintigraphy revealed an extraadrenal tumor in the chest on the bilateral adrenal grands. Bilateral adrenectomy was performed. In the second case, the 20-year-old brother was found to have an abdominal mass that was diagnosed as ectopic pheochromocytoma originating in the intra-abdominal paraaorta according to abdominal CT scanning and 131I-MIBG scintigraphy. The tumor was resected.

Susceptibility to the development of gastric mucosal damage in OLETF rat not expressing the CCK-A receptor

Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats are a new model of a congenital defect of the CCK-A receptor gene and should be useful for determining CCK-A receptor function. Since the CCK-A receptor plays an important role in gastrointestinal function, in the present study we examined, using OLETF rats, the hypothesis that a defect of the CCK-A receptor may influence gastric mucosal integrity. The gastric mucosal integrity was evaluated by the severity of gastric mucosal damage induced by ulcerogenic manipulations. The severity of gastric mucosal lesions seen after administration of intracisternal thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue, subcutaneous indomethacin, intragastric HCl, or intragastric ethanol was evaluated in OLETF and control LETO rats. Administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue, indomethacin, HCl, or ethanol significantly increased the severity of gastric mucosal lesions in OLETF rats compared with control LETO rats. These results suggest for the first time that gastric mucosal integrity may be impaired in OLETF rats. It is furthermore speculated that individuals that lack of CCK-A receptors are highly susceptible to gastric ulceration.

[Clinical study on urinary cytology in renal pelvic and ureteral tumors]

We analyzed the urinary cytology of 126 patients with renal pelvic and ureteral cancer who were initially treated during the last 10 years. Cytological specimens were stained by the Papanicolaou techniques. Urinary cytology was classified according to the Papanicolaou's classification. Classes IV and V were defined as positive. The cytologic findings were compared with the grade, shape, size, number and stage of tumors. The positive rates were 49.2% in renal pelvic and ureteral cancers. Higher positive rates were observed in high grade, non-papillary and large (> or = 3 cm) tumors. No correlation existed among the positive rates and number or stage of the tumor.

Interaction of 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether with microsomal cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver

We studied the effects of 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (Irgasan DP300) on the kinetics of the cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver microsomes. The activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) in rat liver microsomes exposed to 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) and phenobarbital (PB) respectively, were substantially inhibited by Irgasan DP300. The inhibition profile of EROD was competitive, whereas that of PROD was noncompetitive; the Ki values from Hanes plots were 0.24 and 1.48 microM for EROD and PROD, respectively. Phenacetin O-deethylase (PCOD) and 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase (4NPH) activities in rats exposed to PB were also inhibited by Irgasan DP300, at Ki values lower than those for other microsomes. Irgasan DP300 slightly inhibited testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase (TS6BH) activities in some microsomes. No effect of Irgasan DP300 on lauric acid omega-hydroxylase (LAOH) activity was evident in any microsomal preparations. These results indicated that Irgasan DP300 inhibits MC- and PB-inducible P450-dependent monoxygenase in vitro competitively or noncompetitively, and that the P450 enzymes of the CYP1A or CYP2B subfamily may contribute to Irgasan DP300 toxicity.

[Clinical study of Silver Lubricath Foley catheter]

We evaluated the Silver Lubricath Foley Catheter (silver catheter) coated with silver and hydrogel developed to prevent urinary infection, in comparison with the silicone-coated catheter (silicone catheter). Twelve patients ranging from 71 to 95 years of age (median age, 82 years) were catheterized and the 16 of 18F catheter was replaced every 2 weeks. They answered a questionnaire which included inquiry about the treatment with urinary catheter. Because of less leakage and discomfort to the urethra, the silver catheter had advantages over the silicone catheter. The risk of bacteriuria after 14 days of catheterization was not significantly different between the two types of catheter. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that bacterial biofilm developed on the inner surface of both catheters after 14 days of catheterization. On the other hand, the amount of bacterial biofilm on the outer surface of a silver catheter was less than that on the outer surface of a silicone catheter.

Identification of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in synovial membranes of loosened total joint replacement

Endosteal bone resorption often occurs around loosened total joint replacements. In the process of the loosening, macrophages play an important role by releasing cytokines such as interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and prostaglandin E2. In this study, we investigated the involvement of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the pathological state of the loosening of a total hip replacement. Interface membranes were harvested from bone-cement or bone-implant interfaces of two patients during revision hip surgeries. The tissues were immunohistochemically examined with a polyclonal antibody against human recombinant MIF. This study detected MIF in the cytoplasm of the macrophages in all the tissues tested, though it was not detected in that of interstitial cells. The expression of MIF mRNA in the membrane was also examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, which demonstrated that expression of the MIF mRNA in the interface membranes was higher than that of the normal synovium. Considering these results, it is suggested that MIF is one of important cytokines mediating the inflammatory process during loosening of total joint replacements.

A projection linking motor cortex with the LM-suprageniculate nuclear complex through the periaqueductal gray area which surrounds the nucleus of Darkschewitsch in the cat

Whereas a previous study by one of us (Hicks et al., 1986) suggested that periaqueductal gray (PAG) neurons projecting to the lateralis medialis-suprageniculate (LM-SG) complex might mediate transmission of affective-related nociceptive information, our present work suggests instead, a function in processes related to movement. Cells of the nucleus of Darkschewitsch (ND) are known to have reciprocal projections with the motor cortex (MX), in particular with the hand area of MX, and also to project to the rostral medial accessory olivary (MAO) nucleus (Onodera and Hicks, 1995a). That the ND might be related to saccadic oculomotor function, as well as to the control of hand movements through its connections via the olivo-cerebellar circuit, is indicated by the fact that ND receives a strong projection from the substantia nigra pars reticulata and zona incerta (SNR/ZI) and projects directly and/or indirectly to eye movement nuclei (Onodera and Hicks, 1995b). Thus, ND may function in permitting integration of eye-hand motor coordination. This study focussed on the area of PAG surrounding ND. WGA-HRP was injected into MX and many labelled terminals and large neurones were in ND, with lesser numbers being observed in the area of the PAG surrounding ND. After injections into ND and closely adjacent areas, labelled terminals were observed sparsely distributed with a restricted area of the LM-SG complex. After injections into LM-SG area, small neuronal somata were seen in the area of the PAG surrounding ND, but no labelled somata were detected in ND. Thus if the cells of this PAG area, like those of ND, have similar functions owing to their common reciprocal connections with MX, then the small neurones in PAG projecting to LM-SG may constitute an important link in the circuitry subserving visual processing and/or the regulation of orienting movements of the hand, head and eye.

Purification of a noncollagenous high molecular weight protein from bovine articular cartilage

A noncollagenous high molecular weight protein (HMW) was isolated from bovine articular cartilage by CsCl density gradient centrifugation followed by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular weight was estimated to be 320 kDa and the reduced HMW had a molecular weight of 105 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amino acid composition of HMW showed a high content of aspartic acid, but no hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline were detected, indicating that the protein was not a collagen. Affinity purified rabbit antibody against HMW reacted specifically with HMW, but there was no immunoreaction with cartilage-specific proteoglycan, type II collagen and type I collagen. HMW showed dose-dependent attachment to types I, II, III and V collagens. However, HMW did not bind to fibronectin, decorin and heparin. Furthermore, the binding of HMW to heat-denatured collagens was lower than native collagens. In these observation, HMW may be recognized the triple helix structure of collagen for the interaction.

Patterns of transmitter labelling and connectivity of the cat's nucleus of Darkschewitsch: a wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase and immunocytochemical study at light and electron microscopical levels

Immunocytochemical studies using antibodies raised against a number of probable synaptic transmitters of the mesodiencephalic area, and fibre-tracing studies using wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP), have been performed in adult cats. Glutamate and aspartate immunoreactivity produced a strong labelling of many cell bodies and terminals in the nucleus of Darkschewitsch (ND). gamma-Aminobutyrate (GABA) immunoreactivity in the ND appeared as a moderate label in some small neurones, and as a strong label in a few glial-like cells, in addition to being present in high levels to produce strong labelling in many GABA-immunopositive terminals that possessed pleomorphic vesicles. Some choline acetyltransferase-positive terminals and dendrites and a few substance P-positive fine fibres possessing varicosities also were observed in the ND. Following WGA-HRP injection in the ND, dense terminal labelling was seen ipsilaterally in the rostral half of the medial accessory olive, suggesting that there may be a certain degree of mediolateral and dorsoventral topographic correspondance within the ND-olive projection. In the same cases, many cell bodies containing HRP reaction product also were found 1) ipsilaterally in the motor cortex, anterior pretectal nucleus, and a restricted area of the caudal part of the substantia nigra pars reticulata; 2) contralaterally in the anterior and posterior interposed cerebellar nuclei as well as in a portion of the lateral cerebellar nucleus; and 3) bilaterally in the zona incerta, the posterior pretectal nucleus, the pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei, the spinal trigeminal nucleus, the dorsal column nuclei, and the spinal cord. Details of the interrelationships and functional considerations amongst the ND, adjacent nuclei, and longitudinal zones of the cerebellum are discussed.

Acquisition of a fourth genomic segment in bacteriophage phi 6, a bacteriophage with a genome of three segments of dsRNA

Bacteriophage phi 6 has a genome of three segments of double-stranded RNA enclosed in a polyhedral procapsid. Packaging of individual segments is dependent upon unique packaging sequences near the 5' ends of the segments. We have prepared deletions in segments L and M that decrease their size by half. Phages with these deletions can be propagated on host strains carrying plasmids with complementing genes. The deletion segments are present in two copies per virion. Phage carrying a deletion segment can acquire the transcript of the complementing plasmid if the latter has a packaging sequence. If the packaging sequence is homologous to that of the deletion segment, acquisition occurs at high frequency. If it is heterologous, then recombination exchanges the heterologous packaging sequence for a homologous one or it attaches the transcript to one of the other genomic segments.

Gastroprotective activity of FRG-8813, a novel histamine H2-receptor antagonist, in rats

FRG-8813 ((+/-)-2-(furfurylsulfinyl)-N-[4-[4-(piperidinomethyl)-2- pyridyl]oxy-(Z)-2-butenyl]acetamide) is a novel histamine H2-receptor antagonist with gastric antisecretory and gastroprotective activities. The present study was designed to investigate the property of gastroprotective action. The oral ED50 values for inhibition of mucosal lesions against 1% NH3-, 60% ethanol in 0.15 N HCl-, 100% ethanol-, 0.6 N HCl- and sodium taurocholate in 0.4 N HCl-induced damage were 3.3, 11.1, 14.9, 23.3 and 23.1 mg/kg, respectively. FRG-8813 was gastroprotective despite pretreatment with omeprazole, suggesting that the protective effect is independent of its antisecretory activity. It is unlikely that FRG-8813 works as a mild irritant because it showed a gastroprotective effect after intraperitoneal injection, but oral administration itself did not influence the rat gastric mucosa. Although pretreatment with indomethacin or N-ethylmaleimide did not affect the gastroprotection of FRG-8813, chemical deafferentation induced by capsaicin abolished the gastroprotection. Furthermore, prior administration of tetrodotoxin, the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist hCGRP or NG-nitro-L-arginine attenuated the gastroprotection of FRG-8813 as well as that of capsaicin. In contrast to capsaicin, repeated administration of FRG-8813 neither enhanced the susceptibility of the mucosa to damage nor affected the gastroprotective action of short-term treatment. In conclusion, these results suggest that FRG-8813 has gastroprotective activity independently of acid antisecretory activity and that capsaicin-sensitive nerves may be partially or fully involved in the gastroprotective mechanisms of FRG-8813.

Mesangiolysis associated with severe glomerular endocapillary proliferation of CD57 large granular lymphocytes

A 54-year-old man developed renal failure, with renal biopsy findings of diffuse mesangiolysis with severe endocapillary proliferation. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that CD3-CD56-CD57+ large granular lymphocytes were present predominantly within glomerular tufts. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was more preferentially expressed in the glomerular endothelial cells with severe endocapillary proliferation as compared to those without endocapillary proliferation. These findings suggest that CD57+ large granular lymphocytes caused glomerular endothelial injury by a cell-mediated cytolytic mechanism, resulting in the development of mesangiolysis and microaneurysm formation.

[Quinolone-resistant mutations in Neisseria gonorrhoeae]

For 10 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae exhibiting decreased susceptibility to new quinolones (MIC, > or = 0.1 microgram/ml) isolated and preserved from patients with gonococcal urethritis during the period from February 1991 through January 1992. We investigated the mechanisms for development of resistance to new quinolones. After selecting 3 PCG-sensitive and new quinolone-resistant strains from among these strains, we first carried out transformation experiments of N. gonorrhoeae using a plasmid carrying the E. coli gyrA gene. We then determined the base sequence on the N. gonorrhoeae gyrA gene by PCR method. Of the 3 strains in which transformation experiments were carried out, 2 strains yielded transformants, one of which was 8 times more sensitive to norfloxacin (NFLX) than the original strain, and it was assumed that this strain has a mutation in the gyrA gene. In our study of the base sequence on the N. gonorrhoeae gyrA gene using the PCR method, both strains had the mutation of Ser 83 (TCC)-->Phe (TTC), and in addition to this mutation of Ser-->Phe, one other strain had the mutation of Asp-87 (GAC)-->Gly (GGC). This type of mutation of quinolone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae on the gyrA gene has high homology with the mutations reported for Escherichia coli and other strains and there appears to be a close correlation between the increasing frequency of use of the new quinolones in this country and the spread of such resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae.

[Studies on histamine H2-receptor antagonistic property of FRG-8813, a novel anti-ulcer drug]

The present study was conducted to investigate the histamine H2-receptor antagonistic property of FRG-8813 by using isolated guinea pig right atria, gastric cells and cerebral cortex preparations. FRG-8813 inhibited the histamine-induced positive chronotropic response of the right atria and shifted the concentration-response curve of histamine to the right with suppression of the maximal response. Although the inhibitory effect of FRG-8813 was enhanced in a time-dependent manner and long-lasting, the antagonism was reversible. The potency of FRG-8813 was 2 times and 50 times greater than those of famotidine and cimetidine, respectively. FRG-8813 decreased the histamine-induced [14C]aminopyrine accumulation in gastric cells. Schild plot analysis showed that the slopes of FRG-8813, famotidine and cimetidine were 1.56, 1.40 and 1.07, respectively, suggesting that the mode of the antagonism of FRG-8813 is also unsurmountable in gastric cells. The lack of effect on dbcAMP- and bethanechol-induced [14C]aminopyrine accumulations indicated the selectivity of FRG-8813 for histamine H2-receptor. As in the right atria, the potency of H2-antagonism was 1.5 times and 40 times greater than those of famotidine and cimetidine, respectively. In the [3H]tiotidine binding study of the cerebral cortex preparation, the Ki values showed that the affinity of FRG-8813 was 2 times and 80 times more potent than those of famotidine and cimetidine, respectively. In conclusion, FRG-8813 is an unsurmountable and selective histamine H2-receptor antagonist with 2 times greater potency than famotidine. The antagonistic activity is reversible in spite of the time-dependent increase of the antagonism.