[Effects of buflomedil on survival rate, local cerebral blood flow and glucose utilization after cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats]

Cerebral protective effects of oral Buflomedil administration for 7 days were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). After permanent bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO), the survival rates at 24 hr were 38% and 44% in groups treated with Buflomedil at the doses of 30 mg/kg (n = 16) and 90 mg/kg (n = 15), respectively, which were significantly higher than that in the control group (orally given saline for 7 days), 6%. In rats that survived and given Buflomedil, carbon filling of the brain after BCAO was extended to the territories of the internal carotid artery, while it was restricted to the brainstem and cerebellum in rats died within 3 hr and given either saline or Buflomedil. Local cerebral blood flow (LCBF), monitored by [14C]-Iodoantipyrine autoradiography, was determined at 3 hr after the start of BCAO or at 2 hr after reperfusion in rats orally given either saline or Buflomedil 30 mg/kg for 7 days. Local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU), monitored by [14C]-Deoxyglucose autoradiography, was determined at 2 hr after reperfusion. At 3 hr after the start of BCAO, the LCBF in the Buflomedil group was higher by 71-128% in the cerebral cortex, 61-150% in the amygdala, caudate-putamen, nucleous accumbens and globus pallidus, and 82% in the internal capsule. At 2 hr after reperfusion, LCBF did not differ between groups, but LCGU in the Buflomedil group was significantly higher by 26-49% in the cerebral cortex, cochlear nuclei and vestibular nuclei than that in the control group. From these results, it is concluded that Buflomedil improved survival rate after permanent BCAO and have beneficial effect on local cerebral blood flow distribution after BCAO in SHR.

A rapid enzymatic assay for total blood polyamines

We have designed a rapid, reliable enzymatic assay for total blood polyamines, as based on the combination of substrate specificity of polyamine oxidase (PAO) from Aspergillus terreus and putrescine oxidase (PUO) from Micrococcus rubens. Quinone dye, derived from hydrogen peroxide generated in the oxidation reaction, is measured spectrophotometrically at 555 nm, and total amounts of putrescine (Put), cadaverine (Cad), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) can be readily determined. The minimum detection limit is about 0.4 mumol/L whole blood. Bilirubin, hemoglobin, reducing substances, and anticoagulants show no apparent interference. Analytical recovery averaged 98.5%. Within-run and between-day precisions ranged from 1.02% (61.04 mumol/L) to 2.84% (13.07) and 1.54% (50.67) to 3.27% (14.74), respectively. Results obtained with this method and those by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (r = 0.955) or the enzymatic differential method (r = 0.944) correlated well. In our opinion, this method is superior to other assays being used to determine blood polyamines.

A method of mixed dentition analysis in the mandible

We developed a method of space analysis based on the fact that the measurement between the distal surfaces of the mandibular permanent lateral incisors was approximately equal to that of the combined widths of the mandibular permanent canine and premolars. This method is referred to as Interlateral Incisor Width (I.L.I.W.) Analysis. One hundred and nineteen Japanese children, without malocclusion, were selected for the study. Various measurements of teeth were taken in their mouths with a modified, fine-tipped, electrical, digital caliper and recorded in a Handheld Computer by connecting it to the caliper. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the accuracy of the I.L.I.W., Ono, Moyers, and Ballard and Wylie analyses in the mandibular arch. The summary of the results were: Correlation coefficients for the sum of the actual mesiodistal dimensions of the canine and premolars with their predicted values obtained by each of the four analyses revealed r = 0.63 for I.L.I.W., r = 0.55 for Ono, r = 0.57 for Moyers, and r - 0.55 for Ballard and Wylie. Our I.L.I.W. method presented the best correlation of the four analyses, although each indicated a relatively low correlation. This method does appear to be clinically valid, since it is simple enough to enable the practitioner to estimate the combined dimension of the unerupted canine and premolars by measurement, in the mouth, of the distance between the distal surfaces of both mandibular permanent lateral incisors, instead of on study casts. It is recommended that a radiographic method be used in conjunction with our method to obtain a more accurate estimate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A simple enzymatic differential assay for diamines, spermidine, and spermine in urine and blood

This rapid, reliable enzymatic differential assay method for diamines (putrescine plus cadaverine), spermidine, and spermine in urine and blood is suitable for practical routine use and does not require special and expensive equipment. The method is based on a combination of the substrate specificities of two amine oxidases, i.e., polyamine oxidase from A. terreus and putrescine oxidase from M. rubens. Quinone dye, derived from hydrogen peroxide generated in each of three end-point reactions, is measured spectrophotometrically at 555 nm, and the amounts of the respective amines are simply calculated. Analytical recoveries and precisions are acceptable. The proposed method produces results which correlate with high-performance liquid chromatography. Twenty or more assays can be done within 3 hr by one technician.

An enzymatic differential assay for urinary diamines, spermidine, and spermine

Subsequent to the hydrolysis of urinary conjugated amines by heating with hydrochloric acid, free amines were isolated by cation-exchange chromatography. SPD and SPM in an aliquot of amine extract were first oxidized by PAO from Penicillium chrysogenum, producing PUT and hydrogen peroxide. DIAs, which consist of the initially present DIAs plus PUT produced by PAO, were subsequently oxidized by PUO from Micrococcus rubens, producing hydrogen peroxide. In an another aliquot of the amine extract DIAs and SPD were oxidized by PUO, producing hydrogen peroxide. Quinone dye, derived from hydrogen peroxide generated in each end-point reaction, was measured spectrophotometrically at 555 nm, and the amounts of the respective amines in urine were calculated. Significantly elevated levels of DIA, SPD, SPM, and an elevated DIA to SPD ratio were found in urine from 46 cancer patients, as compared to 34 normal control subjects. An increase in DIA and the ratio of DIA to SPD was found at clinical tumor stage I of the alimentary tract. The levels of DIA remained fairly constant and the ratio of DIA to SPD was consistently decreased with advancing clinical tumor stages. In patients who had undergone curative resection, there were greater decreasing rates (80% of cases for DIA and 80% for SPD) than in patients who had undergone noncurative resection (45.5% for DIA and 36.4% for SPD).

Influence of After-ripening on Phytochrome Control of Seed Germination in Two Varieties of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

The reversible photoreaction on seed germination of two varieties of lettuce differs remarkably not only with the variety but also with the germination temperature and the physiological conditions of seeds caused by after-ripening.Grand Rapids showed reversible photoreaction at 25 C with 0 to 6 months and at 30 C with 5 to 6 months after-ripening. MSU 16 did not show any reversible photoreaction at 30 C with 0 to 6 months or at 25 C with 0 to 3 months after-ripening although they were completely reversible with 4 to 6 months after-ripening.These two varieties of lettuce seeds, however, showed reversible photoreaction at 20 C when they were sown immediately after harvest or after 1 and 2 months after-ripening. The photoreversion decreased after the 4-to 6-month stage.

[Effects of quinazoline-2, 4(1H, 3H)-dione compound, H-88 and pyridopyrimidine-2, 4(1H, 3H)-dione compound, HN-37 on pituitary-adrenal axis in rats (author's transl)]

Anti-carrageenin paw edema effects of 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-quinazoline-2, 4(1H, 3H)-dione [H-88] and 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-ethylpyridopyrimidine-2, 4(1H, 3H)-dione [HN-37] in rats were dissipated or reduced markedly by adrenalectomy. The effects of both compounds on the pituitary-adrenal axis were therefore investigated in male Wistar rats at 5-6 weeks of age. Oral treatments with H-88 in a dose of 100 mg/kg and HN-37 at 10 mg/kg induced the same degree of responses in intact animals, namely, a marked increase of blood corticosterone level at one hr of the peak time (360%), a decrease of adrenal ascorbic acid level at 3 hr (52-59%), an increase of blood glucose level at 6-12 hr (25-59%) and of liver glycogen level at 12-4 hr (97-153%). In addition, a significant hypertrophy of the pituitary and adrenals (p less than 0.05) at 6-12 hr and/or atrophy of the thymus and spleen at 3-24 hr were noted. The effect of HN-37 on blood corticosterone level was approximately 10 times as potent as that of H-88 as well as on the carrageenin paw edema. The effects of both compounds on blood corticosterone level were dissipated by adrenalectomy, and those on blood corticosterone level and adrenal ascorbic acid level were abolished by hypophysectomy. These results suggest that hypophysis-adrenal axis stimulation may play an important role in antiedematous effects of N-88 and HN-37.