Adrenoceptor antagonists, but not guanethidine, reduce glucopenia-induced glucagon secretion from perfused rat pancreas

This study was designed to investigate (1) whether norepinephrine is released in response to glucopenia in vitro, thereby stimulating glucagon secretion and, (2) the modulating effects of norepinephrine on insulin and glucagon secretion, using isolated perfused rat pancreas preparations. Simultaneous addition of the adrenergic receptor antagonists yohimbine, prazosin and propranolol, each at a concentration of 10-(5) mol/l, significantly potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (6.23 +/- 0.76 vs. 2.11 +/- 0.72 (control) nmol/min, P < 0.01), and suppressed glucopenia-induced glucagon secretion (0.59 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.34 + 0.18 (control) ng/min, P < 0.05). Also, 10-(5) mol/l yohimbine alone significantly potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (4.86 +/- 0.50 nmol/min, P < 0.05). The norepinephrine release inhibitor, guanethidine, significantly inhibited tyramine-induced secretion of both norepinephrine (7.86 +/- 0.77 vs. 49.7 +/- 2.3 nmol/min, P < 0.01) and glucagon (0.31 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.21 +/- 0.15 ng/min, P < 0.01), but exerted no effects on glucopenia-induced secretion of either norepinephrine or glucagon. We conclude that these results further support the concept that the neurotransmitter norepinephrine is released in response to glucopenia in vitro, and modulates insulin and glucagon secretion. Our data do not, however, provide evidence indicating that glucopenia-induced glucagon secretion is mainly mediated by activation of sympathetic nerve terminals around the alpha-cells in the isolated perfused rat pancreas.

Multiple primary malignant neoplasms in urologic patients

One hundred and four patients with multiple primary malignant neoplasm (MPN) with at least one genitourinary organ involved were analyzed. The 104 patients represented 0.9% of all cancer patients and 9.0% of all urologic tumor cases. Tumors of the prostate and bladder in urologic cancers and tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly stomach cancer, in non-urologic cancers were predominantly involved. In 79 cases (76.0%), the second tumors were discovered within 5 years from the diagnosis of the first cancer. Renal cell carcinoma tended to be discovered incidentally and concomitantly. In contrast, bladder cancer tended to be an initial primary tumor presenting with symptoms, and tumor of prostate tended to be found incidentally, as a second cancer in metachronous cancer associations. All second tumors of the liver were found incidentally with ultrasonographic examination after a small interval. Strict follow-up at regular intervals at least the initial 5 years are essential for the detection of second malignant neoplasms.

Anti-emetic principles of Poria cocos

The triterpenes isolated from P. cocos and their derivatives were examined for anti-emetic activity. Some of these triterpenes inhibited emetic action induced by oral administration of copper sulfate pentahydrate to leopard frog. The triterpenes having an exomethylene group at C-24 showed anti-emetic activity to frogs.

Blood vessel invasion in metastatic nodes for development of liver metastases in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We assessed the importance of blood vessel invasion (BVI) by cancer in the metastatic lymph nodes for the development of liver metastases in colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The presence of BVI in the primary growth and in the lymph nodes was reviewed in 384 specimens.

RESULTS

In cases with and without BVI in the nodes, the incidence of liver metastases was 49% and 10%, respectively (p < 0.01). The highest incidence of liver metastases was observed in patients with BVI both in the primary tumor and in the metastatic nodes. The next to the highest incidence was observed when BVI was present not in the primary lesion but in the metastatic nodes. When considering the number of metastatic nodes, the incidence of liver metastases was high in cases with BVI in the nodes regardless of the number of metastatic nodes.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the BVI in the metastatic nodes is an important factor for the development of liver metastases.

Frequent development of murine T-cell lymphomas with TcR alpha/beta+, CD4-/8- phenotype after implantation of human inflammatory breast cancer cells in BALB/c nude mice

Tumors developed quite frequently in some of the visceral organs, including spleen and liver, in BALB/c nude mice upon subcutaneously xenografting surgical specimens from five different inflammatory breast cancer patients. All of these tumors developed within two and a half months to one year after the subcutaneous inoculation of surgical specimens. From these tumors, five independent transplantable tumors, including tMK-2, tHK-1, tYK-1, tYK-2 and tTY-1 have been established. Chromosome analysis, morphologic studies by light and electron microscopy and phenotype analysis indicated that these tumors are of mouse origin. The tMK-2 tumor was highly metastatic to the spleen and liver when it was subcutaneously transplanted into the right scapular region. In addition, the region where the tMK-2 tumor cells were subcutaneously inoculated showed an apparently inflammatory process represented by erythema. After subcutaneous inoculation into the right scapular region, tHK-1, tYK-1, 2, and tTY-1 tumors also metastasized to some of the visceral organs, including spleen and liver. From these tumors, in vitro cell lines were established. The cells grew in a stromal-cell dependent manner under in vitro culture conditions. The cells were again tumorigenic at the inoculated region and metastasized to various organs, including liver and spleen, of BABL/c nude mice. Histological examination revealed that the tumors showed features of malignant lymphoma. Phenotypically, these five tumors expressed early T lymphocyte markers as revealed by anti-mouse anti-TcR alpha/beta, anti-CD3, CD4 and CD8 monoclonal antibodies. To our knowledge, these cell lines are the first T-cell lines showing the phenotype of extrathymically differentiated T-cells in the liver.

Analysis of an epitope sequence recognized by a monoclonal antibody MAb-5H4 against a porcine zona pellucida glycoprotein (pZP4) that blocks fertilization

The zona pellucida glycoprotein that surrounds the mammalian oocyte has several target antigens that have potential use in the development of a contraceptive vaccine. In the present study, an epitope sequence recognized by a monoclonal antibody to the porcine zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP4 was determined. Three candidate peptides were synthesized, based on an epitope mapping by cDNA and an analysis of chain flexibility of porcine ZP4. Only one synthetic peptide, corresponding to amino acid positions 50-67, reacted with the monoclonal antibody; the other synthetic peptides, corresponding to positions 60-79 and 70-100, did not react. The reactive epitope was identified as CTYVLDPENL, corresponding to positions 50-59 of porcine ZP4. The peptide inhibited the reaction of the monoclonal antibody binding to native ZP4 in a dose-dependent manner. When the synthetic peptide 50-67 was used to immunize mice, the resultant antisera reacted not only with the synthetic peptide but also with native pig zona pellucida. In addition, anti-peptide 50-67 antibody inhibited porcine fertilization in vitro. It is thus concluded that the peptide identified as an epitope for the monoclonal antibody would be a promising candidate for the development of a contraceptive vaccine.

Fetal loss in the first trimester after demonstration of cardiac activity: relation of cytogenetic and ultrasound findings

A retrospective comparison of cytogenetic and ultrasound findings in first trimester spontaneous fetal loss after demonstration of cardiac activity was made. The crown-rump length (CRL) was measured twice for each fetus resulting in spontaneous abortion: (i) CRL was measured in the viable state while demonstrating cardiac activity, and the growth deviation was expressed as the measured/expected CRL ratio (M/E CRL ratio); (ii) in the same fetus, CRL was measured after confirmation of fetal death, and designated as the post-mortem CRL. The chorionic tissues of these abortuses were karyotyped. The CRL of fetuses which resulted in normal deliveries were also measured as controls. As a result, 16 of 24 abortuses displayed an abnormal chromosomal analysis (67%). The mean M/E CRL ratio of still-viable fetuses was smaller than that of control fetuses (0.74 +/- 0.20 versus 0.98 +/- 0.13 respectively, P < 0.01). The differences in ratio between karyotypically normal and abnormal abortuses were not statistically significant. The post-mortem CRL of dead fetuses was > 20 mm in four of five monosomy X, two of three 21-trisomy, one of three triploidy and none of eight embryos with normal karyotype and five other trisomies. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the M/E CRL ratio could be used as a predictor of spontaneous abortions, although it does not discriminate abnormal karyotypes from normal ones. The embryos with a post-mortem CRL more than 20 mm have a higher likelihood of suffering monosomy X or 21-trisomy. The ultrasonographic findings might offer a cytogenetic clue as to a possible cause to the developmental arrest.

Laparoscopic retrieval of disconnected ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheters: report of two cases

Two patients previously treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus had the distal catheters disconnected, and they migrated to the free peritoneal cavity. The signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure occurred as a result of mechanical failure of the shunt system. Both patients successfully underwent a laparoscopic retrieval of the catheters using endoscopic grasping forceps, and revision of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt by inserting the new catheters into the peritoneal cavity was performed through a small entrance for the laparoscope. Recently, conventional laparotomy has been often replaced by laparoscopic surgery, and general surgeons are well familiar with the laparoscopic procedures. The significant advantage of this procedure is the ability to explore the entire peritoneal cavity for both diagnosis and treatment, and it is by far a less invasive approach than conventional laparotomy. The present report describes the laparoscopic procedure for removal of the migrated catheters and discusses its advantages over conventional laparotomy.

Sperm immobilizing antibodies interfere with sperm migration from the uterine cavity through the fallopian tubes

PROBLEM

It is well known that sperm migration in cervical mucus is impaired by sperm immobilizing antibodies secreted in the mucus. However, it is not clear yet whether sperm migration from the uterine cavity through the fallopian tubes to the peritoneal cavity is impaired by sperm immobilizing antibodies. To test the possible impairment of sperm migration in the tubes, laparoscopic examinations were carried out and the presence of motile sperm in the peritoneal fluid after intra-uterine insemination was investigated.

METHOD

Peritoneal sperm recovery tests were performed in 28 infertile women with sperm immobilizing antibodies in their sera, and the results were compared with those in 322 infertile women without the antibodies. Both the sperm immobilizing antibody titers (SI50) and complement activities (C'H50) in peritoneal fluid were compared with those in patients' sera. In some experiments, the supernatant of the peritoneal fluid was used as a source of complement for the sperm immobilization tests instead of guinea pig serum.

RESULTS

Among couples with normal semen characteristics by the criteria of WHO, sperm recovery in the peritoneal fluid was observed in only 3 (11.1%) of 27 patients with sperm immobilizing antibodies, compared with 72 (34.0%) of 212 patients without the antibodies (P < 0.025). The antibody titers of the patients with the sperm recovery were very low by the quantitative sperm immobilization test. In most patients, a similar amount of sperm immobilizing antibodies was present in the peritoneal fluid and the sera. Though the complement activities in the peritoneal fluid were less than those in sera, the former were still found to be sufficient to immobilize sperm in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the complement-dependent sperm immobilizing antibodies could interfere with sperm migration in the female genital tract at the level of the fallopian tubes.

[The effect of indomethacin suppository in preventing mesenteric traction syndrome]

Mesenteric traction syndrome consists of cutaneous hyperemia with hypotension and tachycardia. NSAIDs could inhibit the phenomenon, but there are few reports about when to administer these drugs. In this study, we evaluated the effect of indomethacin on preventing mesenteric traction syndrome when administered preoperatively and just after induction of anesthesia. Thirty-six patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy were studied. Patients were randomized into three groups. Group C (n = 12); control, group T (n = 12); indomethacin 50 mg suppository just after induction of anesthesia, group P (n = 12); indomethacin 50 mg suppository about 90 min before incision. The effect of indomethacin was evaluated from the extent of cutaneous hyperemia. MTS was suppressed in group P, but not in group T (P < 0.05). We concluded that indomethacin suppository just after induction could not prevent mesenteric traction syndrome.

[Assessment of bone mineralization of hemodialyzed patients with SPA and DPA--different effect of PTX with the site]

We analyzed the bone changes at each site of secondary hyperparathyroidism (2 degrees HPT) on hemodialyzed patients using both single photon absorptiometry (SPA) and dual photon absorptiometry (DPA). The subjects were 35 hemodialysis patients (12 male, 24 female) with 2 degrees HPT. The bone mineral densities (BMD) of 1/3 radius, head, total body and 3rd lumbar spine were measured before and after parathyroidectomy (PTX). Before PTX, the BMD of 2 degrees HPT patients were lower than the normal range of all sites, especially at the radius which mainly consisted of cortical bone. After PTX, the BMD at all sites increased especially in the head. The BMD of the radius also continued to increased up two years after PTX, but it was not as increased as the BMD of head. The BMD of the lumbar spine which consisted of cancellous bone mainly increased after PTX for one year and decreased thereafter. This decrease was influenced by age. There was a difference with the site of BMD after PTX. The determination of changes of BMD of head and radius was considered useful for the judgment of treatment.

Direct production of the Fab fragment derived from the sperm immobilizing antibody using polymerase chain reaction and cDNA expression vectors

PROBLEM

Sperm immobilizing antibodies cause infertility mainly through complement dependent sperm immobilization. To analyze any effect of sperm immobilizing antibody on fertilization, we had already established cell lines that secrete IgM monoclonal antibody (MAb H6-3C4) and IgG monoclonal antibody (MAb EnBCMGS). The latter was a class-switched recombinant IgG antibody that shares the same variable region as MAb H6-3C4. The biological effects of the IgG antibody were also reported previously to eliminate sperm immobilizing or sperm agglutinating activities. However, the method of chemical digestion of IgG had some disadvantage to prepare the purified Fab fragment stably and in large quantities. This time we report a unique method to obtain the recombinant Fab fragments (Fab EnBCMGS) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cDNA expression vectors.

METHOD

Two kinds of PCR primers were designed to make a truncated heavy chain (Fd) gene of MAb EnBCMGS. The amplified Fd gene and light chain gene were ligated into cDNA expression vectors and then transfected into mammalian cells.

RESULTS

Expression of the Fd gene and light chain gene were confirmed by Northern blotting. Secretion of the recombinant Fab fragment from mammalian cells was also confirmed by Western blotting. The Fab fragment showed biological activity as is expected by FACS analysis.

CONCLUSION

This method enables the stable production of genuine Fab fragments of IgG in mammalian cells without any chemical treatment that may be time consuming and affect the quality of the Fab fragments.

Mammalian 60-kDa stress protein (chaperonin homolog). Identification, biochemical properties, and localization

Mammalian chaperonin homolog (HSP60) was purified from porcine livers cytosol using a tandem ATP-Sepharose column and Mono Q column chromatography. A partial amino acid sequence (96 amino acid residues) of this protein was determined and coincided with those of human HSP60 with 96.9% homology, which was deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA. The sequence of the NH2 termini of the purified protein (5 amino acid residues) coincided with the signal sequence of HSP60. These facts led to the identification of the 60-kDa liver protein with the chaperonin homolog. Dihydrofolate reductase was able to form a stable complex with the liver chaperonin homolog. The liver chaperonin homolog was detected by at least five spots around pI = 5.6 on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Immunoblotting studies using an antibody against chaperonin homolog showed that the chaperonin homolog was localized in the cytosol, mitochondrial, and nuclear fractions of porcine liver. The chaperonin homolog was localized both in the mitochondria and cytoplasm of rat kidneys at the electron microscopic level. The chaperonin homolog in the cytosol, but not in the other subcellular fractions, was cross-reacted with an antibody against the synthetic peptide corresponding to the signal peptide of HSP60 as well as the purified chaperonin homolog on immunoblotting. These results suggested that the functional chaperonin homolog in the cytosol may be transported into the mitochondria and the protein may be processed to mitochondrial HSP60 in the organella.

Progesterone treatment decreases sulfate carbohydrate antigen on endometrial carcinoma cells and inhibits the cell binding to laminin

To investigate the effects of progesterone on endometrial carcinoma, sulfated carbohydrate antigen was studied using a monoclonal antibody, termed E8, that reacts with sulfatide. The reactivity of monoclonal antibody (MAb) E8 with endometrial carcinoma tissues decreased when patients were treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). A reduction of reactivity of MAb E8 with endometrial carcinoma cells was also observed in in vitro examinations using an endometrial carcinoma cell line, Ishikawa cells incubated in MPA-containing medium. Sulfated carbohydrate, such as sulfatide, is the site of binding with laminin. The binding of cell surface components with laminin is thought to be an initial step in the invasion and metastasis of carcinoma cells. The MPA-treated Ishikawa cells bound to laminin-coated dishes less [corrected] efficiently than nontreated cells. MPA treatment of endometrial carcinoma reduces the sulfatide carbohydrate on the carcinoma cell surface and may be clinically more effective in reducing cell binding to laminin.

Detection of beta cell-specific DNA damage in streptozotocin-treated rats by in situ nick translation with immunostaining of alpha cells

In situ nick translation with immunostaining of alpha cells could demonstrate the specific localization of streptozotocin- (STZ) induced DNA damage in beta cells using in vivo materials. The extent of DNA damage was determined through autoradiography by counting the number of grains in the nucleus of the alpha, beta, and exocrine cells of the rat pancreas. Subsequently, in situ nick translation with immunostaining of alpha cells was carried out in a pancreas pretreated with STZ. The number of grains observed in the beta cells of the STZ-treated groups was significantly higher than that in the control group. DNA damage of pancreatic beta cells due to STZ could be detected visually using in situ nick translation with immunostaining of alpha cells. Moreover, it was also possible to compare the DNA damage in the individual cells of the pancreas.

Effect of motilin on colonic motor activity in the interdigestive state in conscious dogs

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of motilin at various doses on colonic motility in the interdigestive state. Colonic motility was investigated in five dogs equipped with strain gauge force transducers on the gastric antrum, and on the proximal, middle, and distal colon. Exogenously infused motilin (0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg-hr) dose-dependently increased colonic motility, but the doses of motilin that significantly enhanced colonic motility were 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg-hr in all areas of the colon. Motilin at 0.2 microgram/kg-hr increased the plasma motilin concentration to almost equal to the physiological peak values. The excitatory effect of motilin (2.0 microgram/kg-hr) was abolished by atropine but was not affected by hexamethonium. These results indicate that exogenously infused motilin, which increased plasma motilin concentration to above the physiological peak level, stimulated colonic motility by affecting postsynaptic cholinergic neurons.

Early postoperative evaluation of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Early postoperative evaluation was prospectively performed in 35 gastric cancer patients after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) between 1989 and 1991, comparing the results with those of 29 patients who underwent conventional distal gastrectomy (CDG). Surgical stress, including the duration of operation (149.0 +/- 4.3 minutes) and the total volume of bleeding at operation (97.0 +/- 11.2 g), was significantly less in the PPG patients. Early postoperative complications were seen in 31% after PPG and in 35% after CDG. The most frequent complication in PPG patients was remnant gastric stasis (23%). Endoscopy showed redness or erosion (or both) of the gastric remnant in 17% after PPG and in 81% after CDG. Bile regurgitation was demonstrated in 11% after PPG and in 62% after CDG. In PPG patients, the pyloric ring opened and closed during the examination. Gastric pH was 4.2 +/- 0.4 in PPG patients but was significantly lower in CDG patients. The resting gallbladder area, examined by ultrasonography, demonstrated no changes after PPG but was significantly enlarged after CDG (from 11.3 +/- 1.2 cm2 to 15.8 +/- 1.5 cm2 at 2 weeks). The percentage of the original resting gallbladder area at 20 minutes after injection of cerulein increased slightly in PPG patients but recovered thereafter, whereas in CDG patients it increased significantly (from 39.4 +/- 8.3% to 66.7 +/- 9.1% at 2 weeks). No gallstone formation was detected throughout the observation period after PPG, whereas after CDG it was detected in two patients at 1 year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Gastric emptying of semi-solid meal in normal man with special reference to relationship between plasma acetoaminophen concentrations and gastric emptying time]

Correlation between gastric emptying time measured by a radioisotope method and plasma acetoaminophen level was studied in 11 preoperative early gastric cancer in semisolid meal. A significant correlation was found between both gastric emptying half-time and plasma acetoaminophen level at 30, 45 minutes after ingestion of meal, and plasma acetoaminophen level at maximum. We conclude that acetoaminophen analysis is useful to measure gastric emptying at semisolid meal.