Development of muscarinic potassium current in fetal and neonatal rat heart

Single atrial myocytes were isolated from fetal, neonatal, and adult rat hearts. The muscarinic K+ current activated by rapid application of acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine (Ado) was recorded under the whole cell voltage clamp. The current density (pA/pF) of ACh-induced K+ current increased from gestation day 12 to the maximum on neonatal day 20 and decreased in the adult myocytes due to greater increase of the membrane capacitance. The development of Ado-induced K+ current followed a similar time course except for a remarkable decrease after neonatal day 10. No significant change was found in single-channel properties during the development. Receptor subtypes were M2 and A1 receptors for ACh and Ado, respectively. In the dose-response relationship, the half-maximal concentration for ACh-induced current markedly decreased with age, from 1.44 (fetus) to 0.17 microM (adult), whereas that for Ado increased from 0.45 (fetus) to 0.99 microM (adult). These changes of the muscarinic K+ current were discussed in relation to the functional development of cardiac myocytes and underlying mechanisms.

[Correlation of semiquantitative analysis of the distribution of pulmonary perfusion with pulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

We carried out ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy and pulmonary function tests in 56 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 19 healthy volunteers. We used 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin for the perfusion scintigraphy and 33Xe gas for the ventilation scintigraphy. The lung volume image was created by computerized summation of the radioactivity in the rebreathing phase. Regions of interest (ROIs) were set automatically on lung volume image, which included each whole lung, and on perfusion image, including areas with relatively high radioactivity, with cut-off levels of 50%, 70%, and 90%. The number of pixels in each RO1 was used as an index of lung volume (L) or perfusion (P). Perfusion per unit of lung volume (P/L) was also used as an index of perfusion. P70 and P70/L showed the better correlations than the other parameters, including significant correlations with vital capacity, FEV1.0, peak flow rate, RV/ TLC, diffusing capacity and arterial oxygen partial pressure. The significant difference in P70 and P70/L between patients with hypoxemia and those without hypoxemia suggested that P70 and P70/L are useful indicators of the severity of COPD. We conclude that semiquantified values of pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy are significantly correlated with pulmonary function and the severity of COPD.

[Genetic testing of BRCA1 for familial ovarian cancers]

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal kind of gynecological malignancy. Though combination therapy has improved, the prognosis is still poor. It is a risk factor to have a member affected with breast or ovarian cancer in one's family or to have been affected with these diseases. Genetic testing will more effectively enable earlier diagnosis and cure of such diseases. Including the selected results of familial ovarian cancers, we discuss the effectiveness and difficulty of genetic testing of BRCA1 in Japan.

Renal excretion of vancomycin in rats with acute renal failure

We have investigated the renal excretion of vancomycin in rats with acute renal failure (ARF) induced by uranyl nitrate or cisplatin. The renal clearance of the antibiotic after uranyl nitrate or cisplatin injection was separately evaluated by calculating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and secretory clearance. The reduced renal clearance of vancomycin in these ARF rats was a result of a decrease in both GFR and secretory clearance. The extents of the decreases in GFR and in secretory clearance were not, however, proportional, the extent of the decrease in secretory clearance being more pronounced. These results suggest that the renal tubular secretion of vancomycin was reduced more predominantly than glomerular filtration in these ARF models.

Renal hemodynamic changes induced by captopril and angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism

We studied the relationship between renal hemodynamic changes induced by a single acute administration of captopril (50 mg p.o.) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in 27 healthy human volunteers, 7 with DD genotype, 10 with ID, and 10 with II genotype. The increase in effective renal plasma flow (p < 0.02) and the fall in renal vascular resistance (p < 0.01) in response to captopril were significantly less in subjects with the DD genotype than in subjects with the other genotypes. These data suggest that intrarenal ACE inhibition by captopril differs according to ACE gene ID polymorphism in healthy humans.

[Causative factors resulting in intractability of congenital hydrocephalus--analysis of psychomotor development and MRI findings of the brain in sixteen congenitally hydrocephalic patients]

Sixteen patients out of 58 children with congenital hydrocephalus were retrospectively investigated in terms of their psychomotor development and morphological findings of the brain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and morphological backgrounds of the brain in patients affected by "intractable hydrocephalus" were intended to be clarified. The 16 patients were primarily diagnosed as having aqueductal stenosis or communicating hydrocephalus during the era before introduction of MRI. On the basis of the rate of head growth, sixteen patients were divided into three groups; group-1: overt neonatal hydrocephalus (5 cases) ; group-2: rapidly progressive hydrocephalus with normal head circumference at birth (5 cases); and group-3: slowly progressive hydrocephalus with its onset after the neonatal period (6 cases). Psychomotor development of the 16 cases was analyzed by using various methods including the Tanaka-Binet intelligence test and WISC-R. Four cases in group-1 and all cases in group-2 were found to have IQ or DQ below 50, while the other remaining cases were found to have IQ of 82 in group-1 (one case) and IQ ranging from 67 to 113 in group-3. MRI performed in those 9 cases with IQ below 50 revealed various morphological abnormalities of the brain. Those abnormalities were characterized by disturbance of organogenesis and/or histogenesis of the brain dating from the first 20 weeks of fetal life. It is strongly suggested that in the pathogenesis of intractable hydrocephalus developmental malformation of the brain occurring during the first 20 weeks of gestation are involved. Functional and morphological impairments of the brain possibly caused by progression of fetal hydrocephalus and delay of CSF diversion before and after birth seem important in the pathogenesis of intractable hydrocephalus.

Cloning and functional expression of the rat brain KIR6.2 channel

We obtained cDNA encoding KIR6.2 channel from the rat brain cDNA library. The reconstituted K+ channel with KIR6.2 and SUR1 genes retained properties similar to those reported in the native ATP-sensitive K+ channel including run-down and recovery of channel activity. When KIR6.2 was co-expressed with CFTR or MDR1, no K+ channel activity was recorded.

[Axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells]

We have developed retinal culture system of adult mammals to investigate neural regeneration from adult retinal ganglion cells (RGC). In this culture system, neurites were regenerated from RGCs of adult retinal explants. Investigation of neurotrophic effects on the neural regeneration showed that some interleukins and neurotrophins enhanced neurite regeneration from adult rat RGCs. We also found that the adult human retina had the ability of neural regeneration and that neurotrophins enhanced this ability. A novel neurotrophic factor secreted by adult rat hepatocytes also enhanced neurite regeneration not only in adult mice but also in aged RGCs. This result indicated the novel hepatocyte secreted factor is an activator which enhances neural regeneration of the aged retina. We concluded that even adult aged RGCs had the ability of axonal regeneration after injury and that neurotrophic factors might enhanced these abilities. Therefore neurotrophic factors might have practicable applications in drug treatments for intractable disease of the neural retina and optic nerve. Future progress of neuroscience is expected to rescue the retina from various diseases, and to render possible the transplantation of the retina and optic nerve.

Clinical application of three-dimensional myocardial imaging: evaluation of efficacy of medical treatment on myocardial perfusion

To investigate the clinical applicability of the three-dimensional (3D) myocardial imaging using a newly developed system (the Application Visualization System-Medical Viewer), thallium-201 myocardial single photon emission computed tomography was performed in 19 patients with previous myocardial infarction before and after treatment with nisoldipine. We have developed a new method for automatically reconstructing 3D imaging for the stereoscopic evaluation of myocardial perfusion. The left ventricular myocardial volume with a radioisotope count > or = 50% of maximum was calculated by using the conventional surface rendering method. With these images, the effect of nisoldipine on myocardial perfusion was assessed and the myocardial volume with a radioisotope count > or = 50% of maximum was compared. In fifteen (88%) of 19 patients, myocardial perfusion increased in the infarct areas after nisoldipine treatment. Nisoldipine significantly increased the myocardial volume with a radioisotope count > or = 50% of maximum from 141 +/- 17 to 153 +/- 18 ml on the stress 3D imagings. These findings indicate that nisoldipine improved myocardial perfusion during exercise. 3D imaging provided stereoscopic assessment of the changes in myocardial perfusion following treatment with nisoldipine and also detected transient enlargement of the left ventricular lumen induced by exercise.

In-vivo clearance study of vancomycin in rats

The renal handling of vancomycin in rats and the effects of various drugs (probenecid, cimetidine and quinidine) on urinary excretion of the antibiotic were investigated by in-vivo clearance. The vancomycin-to-inulin excretion ratio (ER) was greater than unity at various infusion rates of vancomycin. Quinidine, co-administered with vancomycin, significantly decreased the total, renal and net secretory clearance of the antibiotic. Cimetidine also decreased, though not significantly, the secretory clearance of vancomycin by about 20%, but probenecid did not. These results suggested that vancomycin is secreted in renal tubules in rats, and that quinidine decreases the total clearance of vancomycin partly by inhibiting its tubular secretion in the kidney.

Cholesterol modulates organic cation transport activity and lipid fluidity in rat renal brush-border membranes

The role of cholesterol in organic cation transport was studied in rat renal brush-border membranes. H+ gradient-dependent uptake of the organic cation tetraethylammonium in brush-border membrane vesicles was stimulated by cholesterol enrichment in a dose-dependent manner. The dissipation rate of the H+ gradient, a driving force for organic cation transport in brush-border membranes, was reduced by cholesterol enrichment. Tetraethylammonium uptake in the absence of H+ gradient was also stimulated by cholesterol enrichment. These findings indicate that cholesterol modulates tetraethylammonium uptake by affecting the intrinsic activity of the organic cation transporter and the H+ gradient dissipation rate. Therefore, cholesterol content should be an important determinant for organic cation transport in renal brush-border membranes.

Induction of hydrotropism in clinorotated seedling roots of Alaska pea, Pisum sativum L

Roots of the agravitropic pea (Pisum sativum L.) mutant ageotropum show positive hydrotopism, whereas roots of Alaska peas are hydrotropically almost non-responsive. When the gravitropic response was nullified by rotation on clinostats, however, roots of Alaska peas showed unequivocal positive hydrotropism in response to a water potential gradient. These results suggest that roots of Alaska peas possess normal ability to respond hydrotropicallly and their weak hydrotropic response results from a counteracting effect of gravitropism.

Expression of low-molecular-weight kininogen mRNA in human fibroblast WI38 cells

Expression of the low-molecular-weight kininogen (L-kininogen) mRNA in the human fibroblast cell line WI38 was examined by means of the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting using human L-kininogen cDNA as a probe. The results demonstrated that WI38 fibroblasts expressed L-kininogen mRNA and that the expression was stimulated by 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP or 10 microM prostaglandin E2. Dexamethasone (1 microM) inhibited the stimulatory effect of prostaglandin E2. These results suggest that human fibroblasts supply L-kininogen, a protein precursor of the inflammatory mediator kinins, to connective tissues in response to inflammatory stimuli and that glucocorticoids may exert the antiinflammatory effect in part by inhibiting the local production of L-kininogen.

Effect of CYP2C polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of phenytoin in Japanese patients with epilepsy

We examined the effect of CYP2C9/19 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of phenytoin in 17 Japanese patients with epilepsy. The maximal elimination rate (Vmax) of phenytoin was slightly decreased (up to 14%) in patients with CYP2C19 mutations for the defective allele. The Vmax values in patients with a CYP2C9 mutation for the heterozygous Ile/Leu359 allele were 40% lower than those in patients with wild-type CYP2C9 for the homozygous Ile359 allele. These findings suggested that the genetic polymorphism of CYP2C isoenzymes plays an important role in the pharmacokinetic variability of phenytoin, and that the mutation in CYP2C9 proteins is a determinant of impaired metabolism of the drug.

Regulation of p-aminohippurate transport by protein kinase C in OK kidney epithelial cells

We studied the effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a phorbol ester which activates protein kinase C, on p-aminohippurate (PAH) transport in OK cells. PMA (10(-7) M) almost completely inhibited the transcellular transport of PAH across OK cell monolayers from the basal to the apical side, as well as the accumulation of PAH in the cells. The uptake of PAH across the basolateral membrane of OK cells was inhibited by PMA in a time-and dose-dependent fashion. Exposing the cells with other protein kinase C activators such as active phorbol esters and diacylglycerols also resulted in a significant inhibition of basolateral PAH uptake, but the inactive phorbol ester, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, had no effect. The inhibition of basolateral PAH uptake by PMA was blocked by staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. Cycloheximide, actinomycin D, colchicine, and cytochalasin D did not affect the inhibitory effect of PMA on basolateral PAH uptake. These results suggested that the PAH transport system in OK cells is under the regulatory control of protein kinase C.

cDNA cloning and functional expression of a novel rat kidney organic cation transporter, OCT2

A cDNA encoding a novel organic cation transporter, designated as OCT2 was isolated from the rat kidney. The rat OCT2 cDNA (2,205 bp) had an open reading frame encoding for a 593-amino acid protein (calculated molecular mass of 66 kDa) which shows 67% identity with the rat OCT1. Northern hybridization and reverse transcription-PCR analyses revealed that the rat OCT2 mRNA transcript was expressed predominantly in the kidney, at higher level in the medulla than in the cortex, but this transcript was not detected in the brain, heart, lung, liver, small intestine or spleen. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, rat OCT2 stimulated the uptake of tetraethylammonium, and the uptake was markedly inhibited by the presence of cimetidine, procainamide and quinidine. These findings suggest that OCT2 is responsible for the transport of cationic drugs in the kidney.

[An application of semiquantitative analysis of pulmonary scintigram to pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae]

We performed ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy in 13 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae and 21 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We used 99mTc-MAA for perfusion scintigram and 133Xe gas for ventilation scintigram. We added the radioactivities during the rebreathing phase of the ventilation scintigram to make a computerized image of the lung volume. Regions of interest (ROIs) were derived from radioactivities on each image. ROIs included each whole lung on lung volume (L) image and areas where radioactivity was greater than 70% of the highest radioactivity on perfusion (P70) image. We counted the area of ROIs on L and P70, and used the ratio of perfusion to lung volume (P70/L) as a parameter of pulmonary perfusion. P70/L in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae was significantly higher than that in those with COPD. This suggested that the area of high pulmonary perfusion is larger in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae as compared with those with COPD.

Modulation of organic cation transport and lipid fluidity by benzyl alcohol in rat renal brush-border membranes

PURPOSE

Organic cations are actively transported in renal brush-border membranes (BBM) by the H+/organic cation antiport system. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between membrane fluidity and organic cation transport in the BBM.

METHODS

The effects of benzyl alcohol, a membrane fluidizing agent, on the organic cation tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake were studied using renal BBM vesicles isolated from rat kidney. BBM fluidity was assessed by fluorescence polarization technique.

RESULTS

H+ gradient-dependent uptake of TEA in BBM vesicles was inhibited by benzyl alcohol in a dose-dependent manner, with an apparent half inhibitory concentration of 18mM. The decrease in fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene in BBM, which represents the increase in membrane fluidity, was correlated with the decrease in TEA transport activity. The dissipation rate of H+ gradient, a driving force for organic cation transport in BBM, was increased by benzyl alcohol. In addition, H+ gradient-independent TEA-TEA exchange was also inhibited by benzyl alcohol. These findings indicate that benzyl alcohol inhibits the uptake of TEA by affecting the intrinsic activity of the organic cation transporter and the H+ gradient dissipation rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The membrane fluidity should be an important determinant for organic cation transport in renal BBM.

[High uptake of N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) demonstrated by dynamic SPECT in some cases of glioma]

Selective high uptake of N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) in the brain tumors is not common, the mechanism of uptake in the brain tumor is not yet clearly understood. Among 26 cases of gliomas investigated by dynamic SPECT, 4 cases including 2 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and 2 cases of oligodendroglioma, showed high uptake of 123I-IMP. New three detector type camera which enables us to investigate rapid successive scanning, was used in our study. In dynamic SPECT, 15 successive scans of 2 minutes interval were made for 30 minutes after administration of 123I-IMP. In addition, quick dynamic SPECT was tried in 2 cases, in which 10 quick successive scans of 24 seconds interval were investigated for initial 4 minutes immediately after administration of 123I-IMP. Radioactivity in the region of interest inside the tumor (T) and radioactivity of the corresponding site in the contralateral hemisphere (C) was measured respectively, and T/C ratio was calculated. Time course change of radioactivity (time activity curve: TAC) was analyzed in all cases. Radioactivity was always higher in the tumor and the average T/C ratio was 1.40. TAC showed rapid increase of 123I-IMP in the tumor during initial 2 minutes after administration and keeping its high plateau level for 30 minutes. Angiography in these cases revealed a remarkable tumor stain. On the other hand, these gliomas showed no or slight enhancement effect in CT or MRI. These findings are interpretable as that early high uptake of 123I-IMP in some gliomas is attributable to an increased vascular bed and blood flow with no or minimal derangement of blood brain barrier in these tumors.