Immunosuppression by anti-ICAM-1 and anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies of free and vascularized skin allograft rejection

Immunosuppression by anti-adhesion molecule antibody of free or vascularized skin allograft rejection was investigated in rats. Lewis (LEW, RT11) rats were used as donors and Fisher (F344, RT11v1) rats as the recipients. When F344 rats were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mAb (1A29) (3 mg/kg/day) and anti-leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) mAb (WT.1) (3 mg/kg/day) one day prior to grafting and daily after grafting for nine days, free skin graft survival was prolonged only slightly compared with that in control rats which were injected i.p. with a daily dose of 6 mg/kg of anti-TNP mAbs (H1-6-2) one day prior to grafting and daily after grafting for nine days. (Mean survival time [MST] of the free skin graft was 11.2 +/- 0.6 days in the control group and 13.4 +/- 0.3 days in the 1A29 + WT-1 treated group [p < 0.01], respectively.) On the other hand, the vascularized graft survival was prolonged significantly in anti-ICAM-1/LFA-1 mAbs-treated F344 rats as compared with that in control rats. (The mean vascularized graft survival time was 14.2 +/- 0.7 days in the control group and 21.5 +/- 1.9 days in 1A29 + WT-1 treated group [p < 0.002]). Our results suggest that interaction with ICAM-1 and LFA-1 is more important in the rejection of vascularized skin allografts than that of free skin allografts.

Orthostatic hypotension caused by a localised dorsal medullary tumour

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Comparison of the proliferative capacity of adenomatous hyperplasia and well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma

The identification of nodular lesions, which used to be difficult to differentiate from well differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas, has become frequent since the advent of ultrasonic-guided liver tumor biopsy techniques. This is because adenomatous hyperplasias, which are regarded as putative precancerous lesions, which needed to be differentiated from malignant lesions, often an a nodular. The histological specimens of 52 tumors, obtained from patients with chronic liver injury, were subjected to immunohistological staining for proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Findings obtained by this immunohistological technique were compared with those obtained by histological image analysis. Adenomatous hyperplasias with fatty changes or with a high nuclear cytoplasmic ratio on image analysis were frequently PCNA-positive (P < 0.01). These nodular lesions, whose morphological characteristics were similar to those of well differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas, showed a high potential for growth. It seems that PCNA may be a useful indicator for increasing our understanding of the progress from adenomatous hyperplasia to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Temporomandibular disorders in the adult population of Okayama City, Japan

In order to discover the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in Japan, and the difference in the prevalence among various sex and age groups in the Japanese population, 672 individuals (304 males and 368 females, age range 20-92 years) were selected randomly in Okayama City, Japan, and were investigated by means of questionnaires and clinical examinations. The reported frequency of symptoms was: TMJ sounds 24%, facial-TMJ-jaw pain 11%, headache 27%, teeth clenching 30%, and grinding 34%. The percent frequency of the following signs was: impaired mouth opening 5%, clicking 46%, reciprocal clicking 20%, crepitus 19%, TMJ tenderness 6%, and masticatory muscle tenderness 21%. The subjects with TMJ clicking were more frequently females than males. TMD signs and symptoms were found to be common in all age groups, but they were fewer in the older than in the younger age group. The younger-aged subjects with clicking appeared with significant frequency, whereas crepitus was populated with significant frequency by the oldest age group.

Effect of KBT-3022, a new cyclooxygenase inhibitor, on experimental brain edema in vitro and in vivo

The effect of KBT-3022 (ethyl 2-[4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]pyrrol-1-ylacetate), a new cyclooxygenase inhibitor, on experimental brain edema was studied. In vitro, KBT-3022 (100 microM) and its metabolite desethyl KBT-3022 (10 and 100 microM), but neither acetylsalicylic acid nor indomethacin, inhibited arachidonic acid-induced swelling of guinea pig cortical slices. KBT-3022 (3-100 microM) and desethyl KBT-3022 (3-30 microM), but neither acetylsalicylic acid nor indomethacin, inhibited lipid peroxidation in guinea pig brain homogenate. In vivo, oral administration of KBT-3022 (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 and 30 mg/kg), but not acetylsalicylic acid, prevented brain edema induced by bilateral carotid occlusion and recirculation in gerbils. Indomethacin then prevented postischemic hyperthermia, but not KBT-3022. KBT-3022 (10 mg/kg) and indomethacin (30 mg/kg) inhibited lactate accumulation in gerbil brain after ischemia and recirculation. These results suggest that KBT-3022 prevents development of both cytotoxic edema in vitro and vasogenic edema in vivo.

Occurrence of fumonisins and aflatoxins in corn from Thailand

Eighteen corn samples collected from Thailand were analysed for fumonisins and aflatoxins by high performance liquid chromatography. Fumonisins B1 and B2 were detected in 16 (89%) and 12 (67%) samples at levels ranging from 63 to 18800 ng/g (mean, 1790 ng/g) and from 50 to 1400 ng/g (mean, 251 ng/g), respectively. Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum isolated from Thai corn showed the production of fumonisins in corn grit cultures. Aflatoxins B1 and B2 were found in 15 and 10 samples at mean levels of 72 and 15 ng/g, respectively. It was noted that as many as 72.2% (13/18) of samples were coincidentally contaminated with fumonisins and aflatoxins. Based on these results, the interaction of fumonisin-producers and aflatoxin-producers on kernel infection and contamination of these mycotoxins in corn is discussed. This is the first report on the natural co-occurrence of fumonisins and aflatoxins in Thailand.

Role of yolk sac endodermal cells with special reference to the fetal macrophage differentiation

The morphological and functional characteristics of rat yolk sac endodermal cells, with particular reference to fetal macrophage (M phi) differentiation, were studied in vivo and in vitro using DA rat embryos from 8 to 16 days of gestation. At a very early stage (day 5-6) of gestation, endodermal cells are derived from proximal endoderm as an essential and multipotent organ with various primitive functions. Based on toluidine blue staining properties and ultrastructures, we demonstrated that the endodermal cell layer of 8-16-day yolk sacs consists of two cell types, "clear" cells with clear cytoplasm (10%) and "dark" cells with dark cytoplasm (90%), and hypothesized that the endodermal cell layer is heterogeneous at both the morphological and functional levels. We produced three different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), designated Mar 1, Mar 2, and Mar 3, that recognize rat M phi populations. Mar 1 binds specifically to the cells constituting the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). M phi Mar 3 antigen is a phagocytosis-associated molecule, and Mar 2 antigen is a differentiation antigen of the M phi subset. Application of these mAbs in both in vivo and in vitro studies allowed the functional capability and differentiation of fetal M phis to be assessed. The Mar 3 antigen was expressed first on proximal endodermal cells on day 6 yolk sac and continued to be presented afterward. In vitro culture study demonstrated that the adhesive, phagocytic Mar 3+-Mar1+ M phis differentiate from M phi precursors in the endodermal cell layer after the first 13 days of gestation. Based on these findings, we proposed that clear cells in the endodermal cell layer are derived from precursor dark cells, detach from the layer, move to the mesenchymal stromas, and subsequently migrate to the fetal liver, loose connective tissue, and other intraembryonic tissues, and consequently they differentiate free Mar 1+ M phis during gestation (day 13-15). Thus, the M phi differentiation and the peripherization of the M phis could be almost fully developed during the prenatal period.

Enzymatic synthesis of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand, through N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine pathway in testis: involvement of Ca(2+)-dependent transacylase and phosphodiesterase activities

Rat testis was shown to contain significant amounts of both N-acylethanolamine, including N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide), and N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (N-acylPE), including N-arachidonoylPE. The fatty acid profiles of the N-acyl moieties of the two classes resembled each other. We confirmed that testis microsomes contain a phosphodiesterase activity catalyzing the release of anandamide from N-arachidonoylPE. They also contain an enzyme activity catalyzing the transfer of arachidonic acid from the 1-position of diacylphospholipids to PE to form N-arachidonoylPE. These results suggest that the N-acylPE pathway is important in the synthesis of anandamide in this tissue.

Effects of the mycelial extract of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on in vivo hepatic energy metabolism in the mouse

Mice were given the extract of cultured Cordyceps sinensis (Cs) (200 mg/kg daily, p.o.) for 3 weeks. In vivo phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the liver were acquired at weekly intervals using a surface coil. From 1 to 3 weeks, a consistent increase in the ATP/inorganic phosphate ratio, which represents the high energy state, was observed in the Cs extract-treated mice. The intracellular pH of the Cs extract-treated mice was not significantly different from that of the control mice. No steatosis, necrosis, inflammation or fibrosis were observed in the liver specimens from Cs extract-treated mice.

Protective effect of KBT-3022, a new cyclooxygenase inhibitor, in cerebral hypoxia and ischemia

The protective effect of KBT-3022 (ethyl 2-[4,5-bis-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]pyrrol-1-ylacetate) , a new cyclooxygenase inhibitor, in cerebral hypoxia and ischemia was studied and compared with those of indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Oral administration of KBT-3022 (3-100 mg/kg) and indomethacin (3 and 10 mg/kg) significantly prevented KCN-induced death in mice, while ASA (100 mg/kg) had no effect. KBT-3022 (3 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly prolonged the survival time of mice subjected to normobaric hypoxia, while ASA (100 mg/kg, p.o.) had no effect. KBT-3022 (3-30 mg/kg, p.o.) and indomethacin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly ameliorated delayed neuronal death in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 sector after occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries for 5 min, while ASA (300 mg/kg, p.o.) had no effect. KBT-3022 (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited ATP depletion in the gerbil hippocampus after a 1-min occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries, but had no effect on ATP depletion after a 5-min occlusion and the recovery during recirculation. These results show that KBT-3022 exerts protective effects against cerebral anoxia and hypoxia and ameliorates delayed neuronal death in the hippocampus. KBT-3022 may therefore be useful for prophylaxis of ischemic cerebrovascular disorders.

Acyl-CoA binding and acylation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms of rat liver: their effect on enzyme activity

When [14C]arachidonoyl-CoA was incubated with crude extracts of rat liver microsomes, [14C]arachidonic acid was incorporated into many proteins, suggesting that modification of these proteins with fatty acid, i.e. acylation, occurred. Using a [14C]arachidonyl-CoA labelling assay, 50 and 53 kDa proteins were purified from rat liver microsomes to near homogeneity by sequential chromatography on Red-Toyopearl, hydroxyapatite, heparin-Toyopearl, Blue-Toyopearl and UDP-hexanolamine-agarose. Acylation of the 50 and 53 kDa proteins occurred in the absence of any other protein, suggesting that these molecules catalyse autoacylation. The acylation was dependent on the length of the incubation period and the concentration of [14C]arachidonoyl-CoA. The 50 and 53 kDa proteins also had acyl-CoA-binding activity; initial rates of acyl-CoA binding and acylation were 0.25 and 0.004 min-1 respectively. The proteins also had weak but distinct acyl-CoA-hydrolysing activity (0.006 min-1). These results suggest that the proteins catalysed the sequential reactions of binding to acyl-CoA, autoacylation, and hydrolysis of fatty acid. N-terminal amino acid sequencing analysis showed these proteins to be UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) isoforms. UDPGT activity was inhibited by arachidonoyl-CoA. These results suggest that binding of acyl-CoA and acylation of UDPGT isoforms regulate the enzyme activities, implying a possible novel function for fatty acyl-CoA in glucuronidation, which is involved in the metabolism of drugs, steroids and bilirubin.

2-Arachidonoylglycerol: a possible endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand in brain

The effects of anadamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol and related compounds on the specific binding of a radiolabeled cannabinoid receptor ligand,[3H]CP55940, to synaptosomal membranes were examined. Anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand, reduced the specific binding of [3H]CP55940 to synaptosomal membranes in a dose-dependent manner: the Ki value was 89 nM. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol was also shown to bind appreciably to the cannabinoid receptor in competitive inhibition experiments. The apparent binding affinity was markedly increased when the binding assay was carried out in the presence of the esterase inhibitor DFP or at 0 degrees C. Free arachidonic acid and N-palmitoylethanolamine were almost inactive in terms of binding to the cannabinoid receptor in synaptosomal membranes. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol may be an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand in the brain.

[Asymptomatic unilateral adrenal medullary hyperplasia with a cyst: case report]

A 45-year-old man was admitted with asymptomatic adrenal tumor. He had normal plasma and urinary catecholamine levels. The swelling of right gland was detected by CT scan and MRI. Selective venous samplings were performed and the level of catecholamine into the right adrenal vein were much higher than that into the left one. On July 15th, 1993, a right adrenalectomy was carried out and the right adrenal gland with a large cyst could be found. The ratio of cortical area to medullary area was about 4:1. Therefore, it was pathologically diagnosed as adrenal medullary hyperplasia with a cyst. There are relatively few reports of adrenal medullary hyperplasia. Before the operation, the patients were mostly diagnosed as pheochromocytoma by the results of laboratory studies and their symptoms. The condition of this disease is usually bilateral and often associated with type II multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN II). We describe a case of asymptomatic unilateral adrenal medullary hyperplasia.

[Renal angiomyolipoma: diagnosis and treatment]

In 10 years the diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma (RAML) was made in 14 patients (male-to female ratio 1:3.7) at our institution; 1 case was associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS) and 1 case had regional lymph node involvement. A statistical study was done on data taken from 739 cases of RAML in the Japanese literature, including our cases. The male to female ratio was 1 to 3. Twenty eight percent of the cases were associated with TS. The ratio of bilateral cases to the unilateral one was 1 to 3. The main clinical signs were flank pain, abdominal mass, hematuria and fever elevation. Recently the ratio of nephrectomy has decreased to 30%. The percentage of detecting the fat component by ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging were 88.1%, 86.5% and 80.8% respectively. The percentages of visualizing hypervascularity, aneurysms, absence of arterio-venous shunt and onion peel appearance by selective renal angiography were 77.3%, 71.4%, 48.1% and 4.9% respectively. Small (less than 3 cm), asymptomatic, simple lesions with adipose component may be observed annually by CT and US until more experiences is gained with surveillance of these patients. Embolization was useful for emergency cases or pre-treatment of nephron sparing surgery, but insufficient by itself. As there still remain problems in the diagnosis of RAML, especially in the case of very small tumors, in the case with almost no adipose component and in the case associated with renal cell carcinoma, the diagnosis of RAML should be made synthetically including angiography.

Effect of KBT-3022, a new diphenylthiazole derivative, on platelet functions

The effects of KBT-3022 and its metabolite desethyl KBT-3022 on platelet aggregation were determined in rat, guinea-pig, rabbit and human platelets in-vitro and ex-vivo. KBT-3022 and desethyl KBT-3022 inhibited platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid and collagen in-vitro more potently than aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, platelet-activating factor or thrombin, as well as by acetylsalicylic acid, and their effects were approximately 100 times more potent than those of acetylsalicylic acid. Desethyl KBT-3022, but not KBT-3022 or acetylsalicylic acid, inhibited thrombin-induced aggregation and 5-hydroxytryptamine release from platelets more potently than ticlopidine hydrochloride at higher concentrations. Oral administration of KBT-3022 inhibited both arachidonic acid- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation and reduced platelet retention in a glass-bead column approx. 100 times more potently than acetylsalicylic acid. KBT-3022 showed little or no anti-inflammatory effect on either ultraviolet-induced erythema or arachidonic acid induced ear oedema, and had lower gastro-ulcerogenicity than acetylsalicylic acid. These results suggest that KBT-3022 is a potent inhibitor of platelet activation with weak side-effects.

Fusarium mycotoxins (fumonisins, nivalenol, and zearalenone) and aflatoxins in corn from Southeast Asia

Corn samples collected from the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia were surveyed for the natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins (fumonisins, trichothecenes, and zearalenone) and aflatoxins. Fumonisins B1 and B2 were found in over 50% of corn samples in individual countries, and their co-occurrences with aflatoxins at the incidence of 48% were noted. In addition to these mycotoxins, a trichothecene, nivalenol, and an estrogen, zearalenone, both mycotoxins of Fusarium species, were detected in these Southeast Asian samples. This is the first report on the simultaneous occurrence of two carcinogenic mycotoxins, fumonisins and aflatoxins, together with Fusarium mycotoxins (nivalenol and zearlenone) in corn from Asian tropics.

Platelet-activating factor and its structural analogues in the earthworm Eisenia foetida

The earthworm Eisenia foetida was shown to contain large amounts of ether-containing phospholipids such as alkylacylglycerophosphocholine (61.3% of choline glycerophospholipids) and alkenylacylglycerophosphoethanolamine (66.0% of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids). We also found a substantial amount of ether-containing PAF-like lipid in this animal, its level being increased after the animal is injured. We showed evidence that this PAF-like lipid consists of PAF and PAF analogues containing short chain fatty acids other than acetic acid. Notably, a propionic acid-containing species but not PAF itself, is the most predominant species in this animal. We also confirmed that the earthworms contain enzyme activities involved in the synthesis of PAF and short chain fatty acid-containing PAF analogues. Interestingly, the acetyltransferase activity in earthworms is resistant to high concentrations of the substrate lysophospholipid. Thus, both the structure of the PAF-like lipid and the properties of the enzymes involved in the PAF-like lipid metabolism in the earthworms are somewhat different from those in mammalian tissues.

[Composite arterial conduits with internal thoracic artery and inferior epigastric artery for a myocardial revascularization]

From November 1992 to February 1995, 10 patients were submitted to myocardial revascularization using composite arterial conduit with internal thoracic artery (ITA) and inferior epigastric artery (IEA). The age ranged from 48 to 68 years (mean age, 60.3 years); all patients were male. All patients had double-or triple vessel disease. The mean ejection fraction was 61.8% (range, 43 to 77%). We used 28 arterial conduits including 5 right ITAs, 10 left ITAs, 10 IEAs, and 3 right gastroepiploic artery. 10 IEAs were anastomosed to one ITAs and 10 composite arterial conduits were constructed (branched in 3, lengthened in 7). In 5 patients a double ITAs were used in a single patient. There was no operative mortality and fetal complication. Early postoperative angiographic controls demonstrated 100% patency of composite grafts in 9 of 10 patients. The composite arterial graft using ITAs and IEAs is feasible and the anastomoses so performed are completely safe.