Enhancement of parasympathetic cardiac activity during activation of muscle metaboreflex in humans

We measured the changes in heart rate (HR) variability estimated from the standard deviation of the R-R intervals to evaluate cardiac parasympathetic tone noninvasively before and during activation of muscle metaboreflex induced by postexercise muscle ischemia. Eight healthy male subjects performed sustained handgrip at 50% maximal voluntary contraction followed by forearm occlusion. Mean arterial pressure, cardiac stroke volume, and ratio of cardiac preejection period to left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) were also measured. During the 2-min occlusion after 60 s of handgrip with voluntary respiration, HR variability and mean arterial pressure were significantly increased from baseline (54.4 +/- 6.1 to 80.1 +/- 12.8 ms and 81 +/- 1 to 99 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively) and PEP/LVET was decreased from resting level of 0.404 +/- 0.022 to 0.363 +/- 0.036. During occlusion and recovery, HR did not change from baseline level in any experiment. There was no influence of occlusion itself or of cessation of exercise per se on any parameters. Although overall enhanced HR variability was seen, probably due to lower breathing frequency and larger tidal volume, similar results were also obtained from an experiment with controlled respiration, showing that the increase in HR variability was not due to the changes in tidal volume or breathing frequency during occlusion. In conclusion, the HR variability is increased during activation of the muscle metaboreflex induced by postexercise muscle ischemia in humans. This finding shows that the parasympathetic cardiac tone is enhanced during activation of the muscle metaboreflex in humans and balances enhanced cardiac sympathetic activity to result in an unchanged HR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Studies on chemical modification of monensin. V. Synthesis, sodium ion permeability, antibacterial activity, and crystal structure of 7-O-(4-substituted benzyl)monensins

7-O-(4-Substituted benzyl)monensins (3a-g) were synthesized from monensin (1), and their lipophilicity, antibacterial activity, and Na+ ion permeability were examined. 7-O-(4-Ethylbenzyl)monensin (3e) showed the largest Na+ ion permeability, but 3c,f,g showed smaller Na+ ion permeability than 7-O-benzylmonensin (2) in spite of higher lipophilicity. An X-ray study of the sodium salt of 3e revealed that the benzyl group was located over the position between the D and E rings, and that the ethyl substituent on the benzyl group was close to the C(28) methyl group on the E ring.

Development of bioactive functions in hydrangeae dulcis folium. III. On the antiallergic and antimicrobial principles of hydrangeae dulcis folium. (1). Thunberginols A, B, and F

From the less polar fraction of Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium, the fermented and dried leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla Seringe var. thunbergii Makino, Eight antiallergic and antimicrobial principles were isolated together with several known compounds. Among the newly isolated bioactive constituents, the chemical structures of thunberginols A, B, and F have been determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Thunberginols A, B, and F were found to exhibit more potent antiallergic activity than phyllodulcin, hydrangenol, disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), and tranilast. In addition, these thunberginols showed antimicrobial activity against oral bacteria.

A modified fluid percussion device

This report examines a modified fluid percussion device with specific improvements made to address deficiencies found in previously reported devices. These improvements include the use of a cylindrical saline reservoir made of stainless steel, placement of the reservoir in a 15-degree head-up position for the easy release of air bubbles, placement of the fluid flushing outlet and the pressure transducer close to the piston on the same plane, with both perpendicular to the direction of the piston, and adjustable reservoir volume to vary the waveform of the pressure pulse, and a metallic central injury screw secured to the animal's skull over the exposed dura. Using this device, midline fluid percussion (MFP) and lateral fluid percussion (LFP) injuries were performed in 70 rats. Histopathologic findings included diffuse axonal injury in the MFP model and cortical contusion in the LFP model. Survival rate was 41.4% in MFP animals and 100% in LFM animals when the device settings were 178 mm3 of the cylindrical reservoir and 50 degrees-60 degrees in height of the pendulum. Our results suggest that this modified fluid percussion device may offer significant improvements over previously reported fluid percussion models for use in experimental head injury.

Determination of trace amounts of albumin in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluids by fluorometry with chromazurol S

Fluorometry using chromazurole S (CAS) was applied to determine trace amounts of albumin in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). The calibration curve was linear in the range of 5-60 micrograms/ml of albumin. The CAS method was proven to be much more selective for albumin than for IgG. Freezing of BALF samples did not affect albumin analysis by the CAS method after storage at -20 degrees C for 80 days. This finding suggests that albumin in the BALF samples is stable under these conditions. The correlation was highly linear (r = 0.966) between the albumin levels in concentrated BALF samples (n = 47) determined by the CAS method and by radial immunodiffusion. The CAS method is sensitive enough to determine albumin levels in unconcentrated BALF samples, whereas radial immunodiffusion often requires concentration. The former method is more suitable for measuring albumin in BALF samples than the latter, because concentration by ultrafiltration results in poor reproducibility. The concentration of albumin in BALF samples of healthy volunteers (n = 5) and patients with sarcoidosis (n = 32) was determined by the CAS method. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) in the albumin levels in BALF samples between healthy subjects and patients with sarcoidosis at a clinically active state (n = 15). This finding shows that the determination of albumin levels in BALF samples is useful for investigating lung diseases and that the CAS method is promising in the determination of trace albumin in BALF samples, because it is simple, sensitive and precise.

Mechanism of an early lysis by fatty acids from axenic Phormidium tenue (musty odor-producing cyanobacterium) and its growth prolongation by bacteria

We have previously demonstrated that bacteria-containing Phormidium tenue, a cyanobacterium which produces musty odor 2-methylisoborneol, grew beyond 8 weeks, whereas axenic alga perished suddenly between the 3rd week and the 4th week while being cultured in the laboratory. This mechanism was investigated. It is assumed that when algal cells grow beyond a certain level, the supply of CO2 becomes inadequate and results in the rapid lysis of axenic alga. At that time, inhibitory substances liberated from algal cells kill the surviving alga. Since the process occurs continuously, this alga is finally annihilated. On the other hand, since inhibitory substances are metabolized or degraded by bacteria coexistent with alga, bacteria-containing P. tenue maintains growth for a long time. The growth-inhibitory substance was found to be unsaturated free fatty acids.

Crude drugs from aquatic plants. IV. On the constituents of alismatis rhizoma. (2). Stereostructures of bioactive sesquiterpenes, alismol, alismoxide, orientalols A, B, and C, from Chinese alismatis rhizoma

Following the characterization of the triterpene constituents in Chinese Alismatis Rhizoma, we investigated the chemical structures of orientalols A, B, and C, isolated from the less polar fraction of the crude drug together with two known sesquiterpenes, alismol and alismoxide. On the basis of the chemical and physicochemical evidence, the structures of orientalols A, B, and C have been determined and those of alismol and alismoxide were revised. All five sesquiterpenes were found to show an inhibitory effect on the contraction of isolated bladder smooth muscle induced by carbachol.

A case of non-tuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis diagnosed with new skin tests and PCR

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) cervical lymphadenitis has been rarely reported in Japan. We report on a case of a 15 month old child with NTM cervical lymphadenitis who was diagnosed with new skin tests containing NTM antigens and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. These two diagnostic methods were highly useful in the present case, therefore we anticipate they will become available to other Japanese physicians to expedite the diagnosis of NTM lymphadenitis.

Potassium and calcium channel involvement in induction of long-lasting synaptic enhancement by calyculin A, a protein phosphatase inhibitor, in rat hippocampal CA1 region

In the Schaffer collateral-CA1 pathway in rat hippocampal slices, exposure to calyculin A induced a long-lasting potentiation of the extracellular field potentials with a transient increase in glutamate release. The synaptic enhancement produced by calyculin A was blocked by staurosporine and nicardipine, but not by D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate. In dissociated CA1 pyramidal cells, calyculin A blocked the action-potential repolarization and fast after-hyperpolarization, and increased spike frequency. These results suggest that calyculin A-induced long-lasting potentiation is triggered by the blockade of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels, the transient increase of glutamate release and the consequent activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and is maintained by increases in protein kinases activities.

Absolute stereostructures of hydramacrosides A and B, new bioactive secoiridoid glucoside complexes from the leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla Seringe var. thunbergii Makino

Two new bioactive secoiridoid glucoside complexes named hydramacrosides A and B were isolated from the leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla SERINGE var. thunbergii MAKINO. The absolute stereostructures of hydramacrosides A and B were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence which included the application of the 13C NMR glycosylation shift rule of 1, 1'-disaccharides and the modified Mosher's method. Hydramacrosides A and B exhibited inhibitory effect on the histamine release from rat mast cells induced by antigen-antibody reaction.

[Significance of rimmed vacuoles in neuromuscular disorders--a comparative immunohistochemical study of inclusion body myositis and distal myopathy with rimmed vacuole formation]

Of 3,403 muscle biopsies from patients with a variety of neuromuscular disorders, 87 (2.6%) had at least three muscle fibers with rimmed vacuoles in a single low power field (magnificantion x 20). The rimmed vacuole formation may be a crucial pathologic findings to understand the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis (IBM), distal myopathy with rimmed vacuole formation (DMRV), Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome and oculopharyngodistal myopathy, because the muscle fibers in these biopsies showed no striking necrotic and denervating changes. Since Congo red positive material and ubiquitin- and beta-amyloid protein-positive deposits were found in muscle fibers with rimmed vacuoles in DMRV and various neuromuscular disorders besides IBM, these findings may have no disease-specific significance and may be not helpful in differentiating DMRV from IBM.

Comparison of circadian oscillation of melatonin release in pineal cells of house sparrow, pigeon and Japanese quail, using cell perfusion systems

We compared the circadian oscillation of melatonin release from cultured pineal cells in Japanese quail, pigeon and house sparrow, to determine whether the pineal gland of these species retains the circadian oscillator function in vitro. After dissociated pineal cells have been cultured for 4 days under 12 h: 12 h light-dark (LD) cycle, they were perfused at a flow rate of 0.25 ml/h for 6-7 days under LD or constant darkness (DD). Melatonin release increased during the dark period and low during the light period in all pineal cell cultures. Under DD conditions, the circadian rhythm of melatonin release persisted for up to 3-4 cycles in pigeon and house sparrow pineal cells, but the amplitude of the rhythm decreased gradually. However, in Japanese quail pineal cell culture the circadian oscillation of melatonin release was weak or abolished under DD conditions. These results strengthen the argument that the avian pineal gland's role in circadian organization differs between species. The direct demonstration of species-specific differences in the mechanism of the circadian oscillation of melatonin release from pineal cells should provide a useful model for the analysis of the pineal's circadian system at the cellular level.

Classification of papillary cancer of the thyroid based on prognosis

Between 1965 and 1988 there were 2953 patients with papillary carcinoma treated at Noguchi Thyroid Clinic. Among them 761 patients were excluded because the primary tumor was < 10 mm in maximum diameter, the patient's age was > 80, or the patient underwent noncurative surgery. The remaining 2192 patients, 192 men and 2000 women, were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 12.5 years. Total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, lobectomy with or without isthmectomy, and less than lobectomy were performed in 2.3%, 40.3%, 44.2%, and 13.2%, respectively. Modified radical neck dissection, partial node excision, and no node excision were performed in 77.8%, 6.4%, and 15.8%, respectively. Men and women were separately analyzed because their risk factors and prognosis were significantly different. Multivariate analysis was carried out according to Cox's regression hazard model. Independently significant factors affecting prognosis in men were aged and gross nodal metastasis; and age, gross nodal metastasis, tumor size, and number of adhered tissues or organs were the factors in women. Based on those risk factors patients were classified into three groups. For men, 65.6% were classified in the excellent group and their 10-year survival was 98.4%; 17.2% were classified as intermediate and 17.2% as poor with survival rates of 90.1% and 74.4%, respectively. For female patients 69.6% were classified in the excellent group, 18.6% in the intermediate group, and 11.9% in the poor group with 10-year survivals of 99.3%, 96.4%, and 88.8%, respectively.

[Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment (G-CSF) of antithyroid drug-induced granulocytopenia: granulocyte count measurement after 4 hours of G-CSF injection is useful for the detection of recovery from granulocytopenia]

The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the usefulness of granulocyte count measurement after 4 hours of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) injections for the detection of recovery from granulocytopenia. Four Graves' patients with antithyroid drug-induced granulocytopenia (granulocyte count between 500 and 1000/mm3) and three Graves' patients with antithyroid drug-induced agranulocytosis (granulocyte count < 500/mm3) each received a daily dose of 75 mu g of G-CSF administered subcutaneously. In all granulocytopenic patients, after 4 hours of G-CSF injection the granulocyte counts increased to 5623, 4050, 8923 and 4647/mm3, and the granulocyte count after 24 hours of G-CSF injection was 3008, 4634, 4854, 4200/mm3. In one of the three agranulocytic patients, the granulocyte count increased from 238/mm3 to 5982/mm3 after 4 hours of G-CSF injection, and the granulocyte count after 24 hours of G-CSF injection was 4800/mm3. Although the granulocyte counts before G-CSF injection of the remaining two agranulocytic patients were 138 and 126/mm3, the granulocyte counts after 4 hours of G-CSF injection were 837 and 59/mm3 and those after 24 hours of G-CSF injection were 817 and 0/mm3. These results indicated that granulocyte count measurement after 4 hours of G-CSF injection was useful for detecting the recovery from granulocytopenia and agranulocytosis.

Direct binding of myosin II to phospholipid vesicles via tail regions and phosphorylation of the heavy chains by protein kinase C

Recent cloning and sequencing studies suggest that heavy chains of all non-muscle myosins II have a protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation site within their tail regions. A fragment of human macrophage myosin heavy chain, encompassing its COOH-terminal 396 amino acids (MIIAF46), was expressed in Escherichia coli to provide a model system for study of PKC-mediated phosphorylation. PKC phosphorylated this fragment when phosphatidylserine (PS) liposomes were present, but not when liposomes made from PS/phosphatidylcholine (PC) were used. The reaction required Ca2+, but not other activators such as diacylglycerol (DG) or phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Phosphorylation of MIIAF46 was not observed in the presence of micelles of PS or PS/DG. Similar results were obtained using native myosin II purified from bovine brain and chicken intestine brush border. Phosphorylation of light chains, in contrast, occurred even with PS/PC liposomes if DG was present. Addition of the PS and PS/DG liposomes significantly increased the turbidities at 340 nm of MIIAF46 and native myosin II, and the extent of increase depended upon the type of myosin used. Also, PS and PS/DG liposomes shifted the gel filtration elution positions of MIIAF46 and myosin II. In contrast, liposomes of PS/PC and PS/PC/DG gave only a slight increase in turbidity with all myosins and fragments and did not noticeably shift their gel filtration elution positions. These results suggest that myosins II bind to PS liposomes via the COOH-terminal regions of their heavy chains with affinities specific to each myosin isoform, that the binding is dependent upon the PS composition, and that PKC phosphorylates the PS-bound heavy chains.

Elatoside E, a new hypoglycemic principle from the root cortex of Aralia elata Seem.: structure-related hypoglycemic activity of oleanolic acid glycosides

A new inhibitor named elatosides E (which was shown to affect the elevation of plasma glucose level by oral sugar tolerance test in rats) was isolated from the root cortex of Aralia elata Seem. together with elatoside F. The structures of elatosides E and F were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. The hypoglycemic activities of oleanolic acid and nine oleanolic acid glycosides obtained from the root cortex of Aralia elata have been examined, and some structure-activity relationships have been found.

Relationship between mean arterial pressure and muscle cell pH during forearm ischaemia after sustained handgrip

Recent evidence suggests that there is a close correlation between the physiological responses to muscle chemoreflex and the decrease in intracellular pH during ischaemia after handgrip. This study evaluated whether the relationship is linear or has an apparent threshold. We measured muscle cellular pH through phosphorous nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-NMR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) during ischaemia after sustained handgrip exercise at 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Contraction was sustained for 15, 30, 45 and 60 s, followed by 2 min of circulatory arrest, respectively. Muscular pH during the ischaemia decreased linearly with increasing contraction time, from the base-line level of 7.11 +/- 0.03 units (U) to 6.98 +/- 0.03, 6.90 +/- 0.04, 6.72 +/- 0.06 and 6.54 +/- 0.06 U after 15-, 30, 45-, and 60-s contractions, respectively. The MAP was 86 +/- 2 mmHg at rest and did not change during the ischaemia after 15- and 30-s contractions. However, it significantly increased to 95 +/- 2 and 107 +/- 2 mmHg, after 45- and 60-s contractions, respectively. These data indicate that the relationship between MAP and pH is not a single linear relationship, showing one breaking point around the pH of 6.90 units. It suggests that the muscle chemoreflex has a clear threshold around 6.90 units of muscle pH, and below this pH, MAP increased linearly with decreasing muscle cellular pH.

Escins-Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIa, bioactive triterpene oligoglycosides from the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum L.: their inhibitory effects on ethanol absorption and hypoglycemic activity on glucose tolerance test

Five triterpene oligoglycosides named escins-Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIa were isolated from the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum L. and their chemical structures were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Escins-Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb were found to exhibit inhibitory effect on ethanol absorption and hypoglycemic activity on oral glucose tolerance test in rats. Among them, escins-IIa and IIb showed the higher activities for both bioassays, while desacylescins-I and II had no activity.

[Development of bioactive functions in hydrangeae dulcis folium. II. Antiulcer, antiallergy, and cholagoic effects of the extract from hydrangeae dulcis folium]

In order to develop new bioactive functions of Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium, the fermented and dried leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla Seringe var. thunbergii Makino, effects of the methanolic extract from the crude drug on antiucler, antiallergic, cholagoic, and various pharmacological actions were investigated. Consequently, the methanolic extract was found to exhibit potent antiulcer, antiallergic, and cholagoic activities. By monitoring with these activities, it was found that the active constituents were contained in the lipophilic portion of the methanolic extract. Furthermore, the known lipophilic constituents such as phyllodulcin and hydrangenol were found to show little antiulcer and cholagoic activities, while it was also found that they showed antiallergic activity on Schultz-Dale reactions.

Thyroglobulin and lactic dehydrogenase isozymes in cystic fluid of thyroid nodules

Although fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is most valuable in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, it is hampered by the fact that no specimen suitable for cytological examination can be collected from all cystic lesions. Often inadequate aspirates, consisting only of fluid or a few foamy cells and lacking the necessary epithelial cells, are all that an aspirationist is able to collect. Therefore an alternative method of determining the benign or malignant characteristics of cyst fluid is of vital importance. In this study we examine thyroglobulin (Tg) concentrations and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) isozyme patterns of cyst fluid and discuss how these variables help us estimate the probability of malignancy. Fifty-three differentiated cancers (39 papillary and 14 follicular carcinomas) and 72 surgically resected benign thyroid nodules (40 adenomas, 19 colloid goiters, and 13 cysts) were analyzed. Only 28 (53%) of 53 malignant lesions were correctly diagnosed by FNAB. The mean logarithmic value for the Tg concentration (log10 Tg) was significantly lower in malignant cyst fluid than it was in benign nodules (mean +/- SD: 5.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 6.8 +/- 1.0; P < 0.001). The LDH 1 and 2 isozyme percentage was greater in the malignant group than in the benign group (49.1 +/- 12.7% vs. 38.1 +/- 16.9%; P < 0.01). In multiple logistic regression analysis, log10 Tg and the total of LDH 1+2 percentage was significant in estimating the probability of malignant nodules. The results of our study suggest that determining the Tg concentration and the LDH isozyme patterns of cyst fluid could provide new information for the evaluation of cystic thyroid nodules.

Effect of IL-1 receptor antagonist and antiserum to TNF-alpha on LPS-induced plasma ACTH and corticosterone rise in rats

Using an antiserum against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and an interleukin (IL-1) receptor antagonist, we studied putative roles of these cytokines in mediating the endotoxin-induced elevation of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone levels in freely moving rats. Intravenous administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels in a dose-dependent manner. The plasma corticosterone reached to its highest level among a series of experiments after the administration of even the smallest dose (0.03 microgram/kg) tested. Plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels in these rats were completely inhibited by the intravenous administration of anti-murine TNF-alpha-rabbit antiserum (anti-TNFAS) after the administration of LPS but not by the intravenous administration of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). On the other hand, both recombinant human IL-1RA and anti-TNFAS significantly inhibited plasma ACTH increase stimulated with 10 micrograms/kg LPS. These findings indicate that 1) when the plasma corticosterone increase induced by intravenous LPS remains below its maximum, the effect is exclusively mediated by TNF-alpha, and 2) when a larger amount of LPS is administered, both IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha participate at least in part in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation.

Stomachic principles in ginger. III. An anti-ulcer principle, 6-gingesulfonic acid, and three monoacyldigalactosylglycerols, gingerglycolipids A, B, and C, from Zingiberis Rhizoma originating in Taiwan

An anti-ulcer constituent, 6-gingesulfonic acid, and three monoacyldigalactosylglycerols, gingerglycolipids A, B, and C, were isolated from Zingiberis Rhizoma, the dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe which was cultivated in Taiwan, together with (+)-angelicoidenol-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Based on chemical reactions and physicochemical evidence, the structures of 6-gingesulfonic acid, gingerglycolipids A, B, and C have been determined. In addition, the absolute stereostructure of (+)-angelicoidenol-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside was clarified on the basis of its synthesis from d-borneol. 6-Ginesulfonic acid showed weaker pungency and more potent anti-ulcer activity than 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol.

Determination of plasma tissue factor antigen and its clinical significance

To investigate the clinical significance of determination of plasma tissue factor (TF) antigen, we have developed a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for plasma TF, using two different monoclonal antibodies against TF apoprotein, 6B4 (catching antibody) and 5G9 (detecting antibody), and tetramethyl benzidine/H2O2 as substrates. Titration curves of recombinant human TF in buffer containing Triton X-100 were linear within the range from 50 to 2000 pg/ml. The total assay time was 3 h. Ultracentrifugation and immunoblot analysis indicated that human plasma and urine contained 50,000 g sedimentable and non-sedimentable forms of TF, both of which were detected by our ELISA method. Plasma and urine concentrations of TF in healthy subjects and patients with various diseases were measured by the ELISA method. In healthy subjects, plasma and urinary TF levels were found to be 149 +/- 72 pg/ml (n = 30) and 175 +/- 60 pg TF/urine creatinine mg (n = 95), respectively. TF was increased in plasma of patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, vasculitis associated with collagen diseases, diabetic microangiopathy and chronic renal failure receiving haemodialysis, but not in the plasma of endotoxaemic patients without DIC. The plasma TF/serum creatinine ratio did not show a positive correlation. Measurement of TF antigen in plasma may be useful for evaluating the endothelial damage and cell destruction in TF-containing tissues.