Higher frequency of Smad4 gene mutation in human colorectal cancer with distant metastasis

We have previously detected an increased frequency of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 18q during progression of colorectal carcinomas. To clarify the target of 18qLOH, mutation of Smad4 and Smad2 genes was analysed in 176 colorectal tumors with different stages, including liver metastasis, from 111 sporadic, 52 familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and nine hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) patients. Mutation of other Smad gene families in the TGF-beta signaling pathway was also examined. Twenty-one Smad4 mutations and one Smad2 mutation were detected, whereas mutation of Smad3, 6 and 7 genes was not detected. Smad4 mutations included seven frameshift, one inframe deletion, four nonsense and nine missense mutations, 95% of which resulted in alteration of Smad4 protein regions included in homo-oligomer and hetero-oligomer formation. Frequencies of tumors with Smad4 mutation were 0/40 (0%) in adenoma, 4/39 (10%) in intramucosal carcinoma, 3/44 (7%) in primary invasive carcinoma without distant metastasis, 6/17 (35%) in primary invasive carcinoma with distant metastasis, and 11/36 (31%) in distant metastasis (metastatic/non-metastatic: P=0.006 approximately 0.01). Loss of the other allele was observed in 19 of 20 (95%) invasive and metastasized carcinomas with Smad4 mutations. In four cases both primary and metastasized carcinomas in the same patients showed the same mutations. The present results suggest that Smad4 gene is one of true targets of 18qLOH, and that its inactivation is involved in advanced stages, such as distant metastasis, in human colorectal carcinogenesis.

Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes as a pharmacophore. Novel potent retinoidal agonists

The synthesis and biological evaluation of the dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (carborane) derivatives of retinoids are described. Retinoidal activity was examined in terms of the differentiation-inducing ability toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. High retinoidal activity (agonist or antagonist for the retinoid receptor RAR) requires a carboxylic acid moiety and an appropriate hydrophobic group located at a suitable position on the molecule. 4-[4-(1,2-Dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)phenylamino]b enzoic acids and 4-[3-(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)phenylamino]b enzoic acids showed potent agonistic activity at concentrations of 10(-8)-10(-9) M. The results indicate that carboranes are applicable as the hydrophobic moiety of biologically active molecules.

Somatic mutation of the APC gene in thyroid carcinoma associated with familial adenomatous polyposis

We report the existence of both germline and somatic mutations of the APC gene in thyroid carcinomas from familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients. One papillary thyroid carcinoma from a 210-year-old woman, with germline mutation of the APC gene (TCA to TGA at codon 1110), showed a somatic mutation of AAAAC deletion between codons 1060 and 1063. Another somatic mutation of CAG to TAG at codon 886 was also found in one of multiple thyroid carcinomas from a 26-year-old woman with attenuated FAP and germline mutation at codon 175 (C deletion). This is the first evidence that total absence of the normal function of the APC gene is involved in development of thyroid carcinomas in FAP.

Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes as a pharmacophore. Retinoidal antagonists and potential agonists

Synthesis and biological evaluation of the first dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (carborane) derivatives of retinoids are described. Their retinoidal activity were examined in terms of the differentiation-inducing ability toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. High retinoidal activity (agonist or antagonist for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) requires a carboxylic acid moiety and an appropriate hydrophobic group located at a suitable position on the molecule. The 4-carboranyl-substituted compounds (7, 11) showed antagonistic activity but no agonistic activity even in the presence of the potent synergist HX630. On the other hand, the 3-carboranyl-substituted compounds (8, 12) showed potential agonistic activity, but no antagonistic activity. The results indicates that carboranes are applicable as the hydrophobic moiety of biologically active molecules.

[Mapping-guided focal cryoablation and endoaneurysmorrhaphy for a case of ischemic ventricular tachycardia with left ventricular aneurysm]

A 74-year-old woman admitted with exertional dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed the giant left ventricular aneurysm. In the hospital course, she fell into sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Coronary angiogram showed complete obstruction of the LAD. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 20%. The origin of tachycardia seems to be at infero-apicallateral area of LV by electrophysiology study. Because of the failure of RF energy ablation, we planned mapping-guided cryoablation, CABG and endoaneurysmorrhaphy. To prevent air embolism and myocardial ischemic damage for long aortic cross clamp, intraoperative endocardial mapping was carried out on beating heart due to continuous normothermic coronary blood perfusion (300 ml/min) from the aortic root cannula under aortic clamping. Cold crystalloid cardioplegia changed into the root cannula after EPS, focal cryoablation (-100 degrees C) was performed 3 times on cardiac arrest. Sustained VT was not inducible in the following study. CABG and endoaneurysmorrhaphy was performed on repeated cardiac arrest during single aortic clamp. Postoperative course was uneventful, and she discharged 8 weeks after the operation.

Amino acid release during spreading depression in a flow-compromised cortical area

The glutamate concentrations in dialysate samples obtained from microdialysis probe implanted in the cortex were assayed during artificially induced spreading depression (SD) and SD with hypoperfusion. The glutamate concentrations did not differ even after SD induction with hypoperfusion (all p>0.05 cf. control), whereas anoxic depolarization caused significantly high glutamate release. Prolonged SD in hypoperfused area did not expose cerebral neurons to high glutamate concentrations.

Mechanical stress-induced Ca2+ entry and Cl- current in cultured human aortic endothelial cells

A fluid stream through a microtube was applied to cultured human aortic endothelial cells to investigate the endothelial responses of both the ionic currents and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) to mechanical stimulation. The fluid stream induced an increase in [Ca2+]i that was dependent on both the flow rate and the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Gd3+ and niflumic acid inhibited the fluid stream-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, whereas Ba2+ and tetraethylammonium ion exhibited no effect. The fluid stream-induced [Ca2+]i increase was accompanied by the activation of an inward current at -52.8 mV. The reversal potential of the fluid stream-induced current shifted to positive potentials when the external Cl- concentration was reduced but was not affected by variation of the external Na+ concentration. During the exposure to the fluid stream, [Ca2+]i was voltage dependent, i.e., depolarization decreased [Ca2+]i. We therefore conclude that the fluid stream-induced current is largely carried by Cl- and that the Cl- current may thus play a role in modulating the Ca2+ influx by altering the membrane potential of endothelial cells.

Follow-up study on urinary type IV collagen in patients with early stage diabetic nephropathy

Type IV collagen is a major component released from the glomerular and tubular basement membranes. To investigate the alteration of renal type IV collagen turnover in early stage diabetic nephropathy, urinary type IV collagen was measured by a highly sensitive one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Urinary samples were obtained from 94 diabetic patients without overt proteinuria. Among those patients, 61 were normoalbuminuric and 33 patients were in the microalbuminuric group. Levels of urinary type IV collagen were serially examined at the start of this study and again one year later. The levels of urinary type IV collagen in patients in the microalbuminuric group were significantly higher than those in the normoalbuminuric group (P < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the concentration of urinary albumin and urinary type IV collagen in both groups (P < 0.05). Twenty-eight patients (45.3%) in the normoalbuminuric group who showed an abnormal elevation of urinary type IV collagen in comparison to the reference range of normal healthy adults (normal range; less than 3.5 microg/g x Cr). Seven (25%) out of these 28 normoalbuminuric patients with increased urinary type IV collagen progressed to the microalbuminuric group one year later. The levels of urinary type IV collagen in such patients were significantly increased. In the 21 patients who stayed within the normoalbuminuric group, the urinary type IV collagen levels were significantly decreased one year later. It appears that the levels of urinary type IV collagen might reflect ongoing alteration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover and might define more specifically the early stage diabetic nephropathy than the detection of microalbuminuria. It is concluded that the serial measurement of urinary type IV collagen can be a useful marker for detecting renal injury in diabetes.

Significance of urinary type IV collagen in patients with diabetic nephropathy using a highly sensitive one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay

Urinary concentrations of type IV collagen in patients with diabetic nephropathy were measured by a highly sensitive, one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Samples from 298 patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 80 healthy controls were examined. In diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria or renal insufficiency, the concentrations of urinary type IV collagen were significantly higher than those of diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria or healthy controls (P < 0.001). Urinary type IV collagen concentration in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria was significantly higher than that in diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria or that in healthy controls (P < 0.001). In contrast, there were no significant changes in the concentration of serum type IV collagen between microalbuminuric patients and normoalbuminuric patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the urinary type IV collagen concentration was equivalent to that of urinary albumin. It was concluded that urinary type IV collagen concentration determined using this method might be a useful marker for the early detection of diabetic nephropathy.

Circulating blood volume measured by pulse dye-densitometry: comparison with (131)I-HSA analysis

BACKGROUND

Pulse dye-densitometry (PDD) is a newly developed technique for monitoring the arterial concentration of indocyanine green. Using this method, circulating blood volume (CBV) can be calculated without using radioisotopes. In this study, the CBV value obtained by PDD was validated by comparison using the human serum albumin ((131)I-HSA) dilution method.

METHODS

Eleven healthy volunteers underwent placement of cannulae into the radial artery and antecubital vein for withdrawal of blood samples and injection of indicator. Probes for PDD were attached to the right nostril and the right index finger. Indocyanine green (20 mg), dissolved in 4 ml water, and 25 microCi (131)I-HSA in 1 ml distilled water were injected simultaneously into the left antecubital vein. Blood samples were withdrawn 3, 6, 10, 20, 30, and 45 min after injection, then processed for spectrophotometric measurement of indocyanine green and scintillation counting.

RESULTS

The blood dye concentration correlated well with the values obtained by PDD (r=0.986, imprecision 0.04+/-0.11 mg/l, 10.0+/-31%. The imprecision of the CBV value obtained by PDD (nose probe) and by the (131)I-HSA dilution method was 3.99+/-10.54%, 0.259+/-0.593 l. The imprecision of the CBV obtained by in vitro spectrophotometry compared with PDD was 2.47+/-9.00%, 0.100+/-0.446 l.

CONCLUSIONS

This newly developed, less invasive method can measure CBV with an imprecision of 3.99+/-10.54%, 0.259+/-0.593 l (nose probe), and thus is also as accurate as the conventional radioisotope method.

The implication of anthracosis in the development of pulmonary adenocarcinoma

The relationship between anthracosis, which is the deposition of black dust matter in the lung parenchyma, and the development of pulmonary adenocarcinoma has not been fully characterized. In order to clarify whether background black dust matter deposition could be implicated in the development of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, we measured the level of anthracosis at autopsy in 47 patients who had died of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Both lungs of all 47 cadavers were examined. Twenty-micrometer sections were cut from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of the largest cut surface of each lung. Black dust matter was extracted from the sections and blotted onto a nitrocellulose membrane. The density of the blotted black dust matter was then analyzed using an imaging densitometer. There were no significant differences in the density of black dust matter deposition between lungs affected by pulmonary adenocarcinoma and control lungs. However, well differentiated adenocarcinomas tended to develop more frequently than poorly differentiated ones in lungs showing less deposition. We found a very strong correlation between the degree of black dust matter deposition and smoking history. Patients with severe anthracosis tended to have a poorer prognosis than those with mild anthracosis.

Relationships between glutamate release, blood flow and spreading depression: real-time monitoring using an electroenzymatic dialysis electrode

Spreading depression (SD) in a flow-restricted area of the brain may be prolonged and may become potentially harmful by releasing glutamate. We induced SD in an oligemia model and examined the subsequent glutamate release. In 18 anesthetized male Fischer rats, a laser Doppler flowmeter, an electroenzymatic electrode for continuous measurement of glutamate, and a calomel electrode for measuring DC potential were placed through a cranial window positioned 3 mm away from a second window where KCl-soaked cotton was placed to initiate SD. The left carotid artery or both the common carotid arteries were ligated to suppress reactive hyperemia of SD. SD produced an increase in glutamate from 24.8 +/- 13.8 to 33.5 +/- 25.3 microM (peak value) (P < 0.0001). After ligation of both carotid arteries, the duration of SD increased from 1.5 +/- 0.6 min (before ligation) to 6.4 +/- 5.1 min (P < 0.05). Glutamate reached a peak level of 63.9 +/- 72.3 microM, then quickly returned to the control value. However, there was no positive correlation between the duration of SD and glutamate concentration. It is concluded that prolonged SD is not accompanied by a progressive increase in glutamate. Therefore, glutamate release induced by SD may not exert harmful effects on neurons.

Intracellular nucleotide-mediated gating of SUR/Kir6.0 complex potassium channels expressed in a mammalian cell line and its modification by pinacidil

1. We have examined the properties of intracellular nucleotide-mediated gating of K+ channel constructs composed of the sulphonylurea receptor 2B and the inwardly rectifying K+ channel subunits Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 (SUR2B/Kir6.1 and SUR2B/Kir6.2 complex K+ channels) heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells. In the cell-attached form, both types of K+ channel were activated by pinacidil. 2. In inside-out (IO) patches, the SUR2B/Kir6.2 channels opened spontaneously and were inhibited by intracellular ATP (ATPi). Pinacidil attenuated the ATPi-mediated channel inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, the SUR2B/Kir6.1 channels required intracellular nucleoside di- or tri-, but not mono-, phosphates for opening. The potency of adenine, guanine or uracil nucleotides to activate SUR2B/Kir6.1 channels was enhanced by pinacidil. 3. In the presence of pinacidil, adenine and guanine, but not uracil, nucleotides exhibited bell-shaped concentration-dependent activating effects on SUR2B/Kir6.1 channels. This was due to channel inhibition caused by adenine and guanine nucleotides, which was unaffected by pinacidil. 4. From power density spectrum analysis of SUR2B/Kir6.1 currents, channel activation could be described by the product of two gates, a nucleotide-independent fast channel gate and a nucleotide-dependent slow gate, which controlled the number of functional channels. Pinacidil specifically increased the potency of nucleotide action on the slow gate. 5. We conclude that Kir6.0 subunits play a crucial role in the nucleotide-mediated gating of SUR/Kir6.0 complex K+ channels and may determine the molecular mode of pinacidil action.

Chloride-sensitive nature of the histamine-induced Ca2+ entry in cultured human aortic endothelial cells

1. Whole-cell currents and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were recorded in cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) to study the mechanisms underlying Cl--sensitive Ca2+ entry. 2. In the absence of histamine the membrane potential ranged between -90 and +5 mV and showed bimodal distribution with peaks at -17.8 and -67.5 mV. 3. Histamine (1-100 microM) activated an outward current, followed by a sustained inward current at -50 mV. The reversal potential (Vrev) was more negative than -60 mV for the initial outward current, and approximately -30 mV for the sustained inward current with normal Tyrode solution and internal solution containing 30 mM Cl-. 4. Vrev of the sustained inward current was hardly affected by varying the external concentrations of K+, Na+ and Ca2+, but was greatly changed by varying the external Cl- concentration ([Cl-]o). The relationship between Vrev and log[Cl-]o showed a slope of -44.8 mV per tenfold increase of [Cl-]o. 5. The Cl- channel blockers 9-anthracene carboxylic acid (1 mM), N-phenylanthranilic acid (0.1 mM) and niflumic acid (0.1 mM) all depressed the histamine-induced inward current. The non-selective cation channel blocker Gd3+ (10 microM) was without effect on the current. 6. In the absence of histamine, [Ca2+]i was not affected by varying the membrane potential. During the continuous presence of histamine, however, hyperpolarization increased and depolarization decreased [Ca2+]i, indicating that Ca2+ entry through the plasma membrane was activated by histamine. 7. Vrev of the histamine-induced Cl- current, measured by the gramicidin-perforated patch clamp method, was -28.4 +/- 6.6 mV (n = 8), which gave an intracellular Cl- concentration of approximately 34 mM. Under the current clamp condition, the membrane potential varied from cell to cell in the control, but application of histamine induced either depolarization or hyperpolarization, depending on the membrane potential before histamine application, and the membrane potential became stable near the equilibrium potential for Cl-. 8. We conclude that the histamine-induced inward current is carried mainly by Cl-. Although Ca2+ entry was also activated, we consider that its amplitude was too small to be resolved by the patch clamp method. The Cl- current may play a functional role in the sustained [Ca2+]i elevation by providing a constant driving force for Ca2+ entry in the presence of histamine.

Macroscopic osseous changes in the temporomandibular joint related to dental attrition in Japanese macaque skull

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between osseous changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and dental attrition in the Japanese macaque. One hundred and thirty Japanese macaque skulls (54 male and 76 female) from animals which had been bred in the same environment, were randomly sampled from a collection at the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University. The age at death had been recorded in all cases. TMJ osseous changes were independently evaluated by three examiners, and were defined as an irregular surface or a perforated compact bone layer with a markedly irregular surface on either the temporal or condylar components. Age was a significant factor in predicting TMJ osseous changes (P < 0.001). A strong relation was observed between age and dental attrition (P < 0.001), while dental attrition was not a significant factor in predicting TMJ osseous changes (P = 0.334). The prevalence TMJ osseous changes in male animals was slightly higher than in females (P = 0.057). The results of this study suggest that osseous changes in the macaque TMJ are mainly related to age, not to dental attrition.

Involvement of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in osteoclastogenesis: a possible role in direct interaction between osteoclast precursors

In our search for molecules involved in the process of osteoclast differentiation, we examined the surface phenotypes of the preosteoclast-like cells and osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (MNCs) formed in bone marrow cultures, using monoclonal antibodies recognizing different antigen molecules expressed on hematopoietic cells. Among these cell surface antigens, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were highly expressed on mononuclear cells in the cultures for forming preosteoclast-like mononuclear cells. The double detection of these two antigen molecules with osteoclast-specific antigen and with calcitonin receptor, using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter or autoradiography technique, revealed that LFA-1 and ICAM-1 were expressed on the preosteoclasts. The expression of ICAM-1 was detected on both preosteoclasts and osteoclast-like MNCs, whereas the expression of LFA-1 was restricted to preosteoclasts. We designed a peptide with the sequence of the binding site of ICAM-1 against the ligand LFA-1. In the whole bone marrow culture system for forming osteoclast-like MNCs, a significant inhibition of MNC formation was observed by the addition of this peptide. These results strongly suggest the involvement of an LFA-1/ICAM-1-interaction in osteoclastogenesis.

Prediction of postpartum onset of rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prediction of the postpartum onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Two thousand five hundred and forty seven healthy pregnant subjects were examined prospectively and the relation between serum rheumatoid factors (RF) and postpartum onset of RA was observed. Rheumatoid factors were measured in early pregnancy by the antihuman IgG latex agglutination test (Latex test) and antirabbit IgG haemagglutination test (RAHA test).

RESULTS

Latex test and RAHA test were positive in 26 (1.0%) and 64 (2.5%) pregnant subjects, respectively. Four hundred and ten subjects of 2547 pregnant women could be followed up for one year after delivery. None of 401 subjects without RF, or with only one RF on either Latex test or RAHA test, developed RA after delivery. Two (22.2%) of nine subjects with both RFs developed RA at one and three months postpartum, respectively. Transient arthralgia was found within 12 months postpartum in three of nine (33.3%) subjects with both RFs and this prevalence was significantly higher than that in RF negative subjects (8.1%).

CONCLUSION

Postpartum onset of RA was found in at least 2 of 2547 healthy subjects (0.08%) and onset was predicted by positive test for rheumatoid factors.

Laminin, a major basement membrane component of the blood vessel, as a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis

Laminin, the major basement membrane glycoprotein of the blood vessel, inducing many cellular responses, inhibited the differentiation of osteoclasts in a rat bone marrow culture system when immobilized on the surface of the culture wells, showing that laminin acts as a negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation in a nonsolubilized form. Laminin inhibited the process of preosteoclast formation from early progenitor cells in bone marrow. This laminin-mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis was blocked by the addition of laminin fragment YIGSR, indicating that the inhibitory effect of laminin was mediated via laminin receptors. This finding suggests a significant role of basement membrane laminin of the blood vessels as a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis.

Successful detection of active osteoclasts in situ by systemic administration of an osteoclast-specific monoclonal antibody

Cell-surface proteins preferentially expressed on osteoclasts are thought to play important roles in the functional modulation of the osteoclasts. Recently, we found a novel cell-surface antigen designated Kat1-antigen (Kat1-Ag) specifically expressed on rat osteoclasts. It would be useful to regulate the functional activity of the osteoclasts directly via an osteoclast-specific antigen expressed on the cell surface of the osteoclasts. In order to establish the basis of such an application, in the present study we established a method for the direct detection of osteoclasts in situ by a systemic administration of the anti-Kat1-Ag monoclonal antibody (mAb Kat1) to rats, and we successfully detected functional osteoclasts in situ. Prior to performing in vivo experiments, we examined the reactivity of the mAb Kat1 to the isolated rat osteoclasts. Approximately 40-80% of the osteoclasts were reactive with mAb Kat1, suggesting that this mAb recognizes osteoclasts in a specific differentiation or functional state. Calcitonin treatment of osteoclast-like cells formed in vitro from bone marrow cells resulted in a conversion of Kat1-positive osteoclast-like cells into Kat1-negative multinucleated cells, showing the positive correlation between the Kat1-Ag expression and the potential bone-resorbing activity of osteoclasts. Administration of this lineage-specific mAb to the peritoneal cavity of newborn rats resulted in a successful recruitment of mAb Kat1 to the newly formed osteoclasts and functional osteoclasts in a highly specific manner. Detailed analysis by immunoelectron microscopy revealed that this mAb specifically bound to the basolateral side of the active osteoclasts, which were identified by their typical ruffled border and clear zone, whereas the mAb did not react to postfunctional osteoclasts. These findings demonstrate a high potential utility of mAb Kat1 in osteoclast-targeted regulation of bone remodeling.

Induction of abundant osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells in adjuvant arthritic rats with accompanying disordered high bone turnover

The development of an in vivo system for investigating osteoclast differentiation is important because molecular events occurring in vivo can be observed during the differentiation of the authentic osteoclasts. In adjuvant arthritic rats, an experimental model of human rheumatoid arthritis, extensive bone resorption is observed in the distal diaphysis of the tibia. In the area of extensive bone resorption, it is always accompanied with clusters of numerous multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) as well as bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Here we characterized the morphological properties of these MGCs with the use of enzymehistochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Extensive destruction but also a marked formation of the inner and outer bone surfaces were the predominant features in the tibiae of such arthritic rats 4 weeks after the adjuvant injection. Numerous MGCs were frequently clustered in the bone marrow spaces located apart from the bone matrices. Although the MGCs lacked ruffled borders, these cells were rich in mitochondria and vacuoles. These multinucleated cells revealed a positive reaction for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase but a negative reaction for non-specific esterase staining. Most of these MGCs expressed the Kat 1-antigen, an immunological marker specifically expressed on the cell surface of rat osteoclasts. In a dentin resorption experiment using a cluster of MGCs excised from the bone marrow tissues of the tibial distal diaphyses of rats with adjuvant arthritis, many resorption lacunae were formed on dentin slices after a 3-day culture. These results suggest that the majority of the MGCs are osteoclasts but not macrophage polykaryons.

Prolonged hepatic warm ischemia in non-heart-beating donors: protective effects of FK506 and a platelet activating factor antagonist in porcine liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Prolonged warm ischemic injury in non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) significantly affects hepatic allograft function after liver transplantation (LTx).

METHODS

The effects of FK506 and the platelet activating factor antagonist E5880 on postoperative function of hepatic allografts procured from NHBDs were evaluated in porcine orthotopic LTx. In donors, livers were subjected to 90 minutes of warm ischemia and a subsequent 4-hour cold preservation. Group 1 (n = 6) was the untreated control group. In group 2 (n = 4), donors were pretreated with FK506 (0.3 mg/kg). In group 3 (n = 4), donors and recipients were treated with E5880 (0.3 mg/kg). In group 4 (n = 6), pigs were treated with both FK506 and E5880.

RESULTS

All of the recipients in group 1 died within 12 hours. In groups 2 and 3, half of the recipients survived more than 12 hours. In group 4, all of the recipients survived more than 2 days (p < 0.01 compared with group 1). The improved survival seen in group 4 was associated with a reduction in the serum concentrations of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and lactate, and a restoration of hepatic energy charge.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that FK506 and E5880 can improve the function of hepatic allografts subjected to prolonged warm ischemia in NHBDs, and that the protective effects of the two drugs seem to be synergistic.

Scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemical observations of the vascular nerve plexuses in the dental pulp of rat incisor

BACKGROUND

The innervation of rat incisors, which are continuously erupting teeth, is quite unique. Although many reports have documented the neural control of the pulpal blood flow, only a few studies have examined the structure and distribution of vascular nerves in the rat incisors. This study examined the nerve plexuses and the spatial relationship of nerve terminals to smooth muscle cells of the pulp vessels of rat incisors.

METHODS

The innervation of the pulp vessels of rat incisors was studied using immunohistochemical evaluations of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and neuropeptide-Y (NPY). The three-dimensional ultrastructure of nerve meshworks and terminals on smooth muscle cells of pulp arterioles were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a KOH digestion method.

RESULTS

The blood vessels were associated with many nerve fibers immunoreactive for CGRP and NPY. Some NPY and frequent CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the labial odontoblast layer. Three different morphologies of nerve fibers could be distinguished: fine nerve fibers with numerous terminal varicosities, medium-sized fibers associated with occasional or much scarcer varicosities, and thick fibers that had no varicosity and sometimes ran apart from blood vessels. The SEM observations identified five vascular segment types: terminal arterioles, precapillary arterioles, capillaries, postcapillary venules, and muscular venules. Nerve meshworks were observed around the large terminal arterioles; these meshworks were very comparable to those revealed by immunohistochemistry. The vascular smooth muscle cells were closely attached by one or more terminal varicosities.

CONCLUSIONS

It has become evident that the large terminal arterioles in the rat incisors receive a dense nerve supply and provide well-developed wall architecture, suggesting an important role of neuronal regulation on the vessels.