Effect of the anticomplementary agent, K-76 monocarboxylic acid, on experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis in rats

We examined the effect of the anticomplementary agent K-76 monocarboxylic acid (K-76COOH), which is known to inhibit C5 activity, on immune complex glomerulonephritis in rats. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) nephritis was induced in rats by subcutaneous immunization and daily intravenous administration of BSA. K-76COOH (30 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally twice daily for 4 weeks. It was shown that K-76COOH would significantly reduce the development of proteinuria in the early stage of BSA nephritis, but it failed to suppress proteinuria in the late stage. There was no significant difference in glomerular changes between treated animals and non-treated controls. These findings suggest that C5, and the terminal complement components may play a significant role in protein excretion in the early stage of immune complex glomerulonephritis.

Effects of antifibrotic substances on pancreatic fibrosis following acute necrotizing pancreatitis

This study was designed to search for a way to inhibit pancreatic fibrosis following acute pancreatitis. Experimental necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by a freezing procedure in the pancreas of male Wistar rats. After the freezing procedure, the rats were divided into 3 groups: nothing addition was done to the control group, while the other 2 groups received daily intraperitoneal administration of antifibrotic substances (colchicine or L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (AZC)) for 6 weeks. Pancreatic enzymes in the serum were not markedly influenced by administration of antifibrotic substances, and there were no differences in the ratios of dry to wet weights of the pancreas between groups with and without these drugs. After freezing, the hydroxyproline levels in the pancreas of the control group increased from 1 to 4 weeks and then decreased during the 5th and 6th weeks. All groups receiving colchicine or AZC exhibited a significant decrease in the hydroxyproline levels at 2 to 4 weeks compared with the control group (P less than 0.01). Histological examination also showed the inhibition of pancreatic fibrosis, agreeing with changes in the hydroxyproline levels in groups receiving colchicine or AZC. These results suggest that administration of antifibrotic substances, colchicine and AZC, have the possibility of inhibiting pancreatic fibrosis following acute pancreatitis.

Properties of postsynaptic potentials evoked in hypoglossal motoneurons by inferior alveolar nerve stimulation

The properties of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs) produced in cat hypoglossal motoneurons by inferior alveolar nerve stimulation were studied. The percentage magnitude of a short- and a long-lasting component in inferior alveolar-induced IPSPs was measured by application of double shocks separated by 80- to 90-ms intervals to the inferior alveolar nerve. As a result, the protruder motoneurons received synaptic input primarily from the afferent fibers in both the ipsilateral and the contralateral inferior alveolar nerve generating the long-lasting IPSP. In addition, the retractor motoneurons received afferent fibers from the bilateral inferior alveolar nerves to generate the short- and the long-lasting IPSP. With respect to the properties of EPSPs, we have demonstrated that the amplitude of inferior alveolar-induced EPSPs decreased greatly with depolarization.

Cardiovascular effects of ketanserin in conscious rabbits

The antihypertensive effects of intravenous injection of ketanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, were assessed in conscious rabbits. In intact rabbits, ketanserin lowered blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. The antihypertensive effects of ketanserin were also observed in rabbits with two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) hypertension and with one-kidney, one clip (1K1C) hypertension. The effect was more marked in the 1K1C rabbits with low plasma renin activity (PRA) and high plasma norepinephrine (PNE) than in 2K1C rabbits with high PRA and normal PNE. The heart rate was not changed. Ketanserin suppressed the pressor response to exogenous norepinephrine (0.6 micrograms/Kg) 15, 30 and 45 min after the injection of ketanserin (1 mg/Kg). It also suppressed the pressor response to phenylephrine (3 micrograms/Kg) 15 min after the injection, but it did not suppress the pressor response to angiotensin II (0.15 micrograms/Kg). In order to investigate baroreceptor function, balloons were placed around the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava and inflated alternately. Thus, the mean arterial pressure vs heart period-logistic curve was obtained under steady-state conditions. There were no changes after the drug administration in the range of heart period and the gain (the slope at midpoint of the curve). These results suggest that the inhibition of pressor response of norepinephrine has effects in addition to a direct vasodilatory action and that an alteration of baroreceptor function is not involved in the antihypertensive effects of ketanserin.

Cortically and lingually induced postsynaptic potentials in trigeminal motoneurons after axotomy

The membrane properties and the efficacy of excitatory and inhibitory synapses were studied in cat masseteric motoneurons (Mass Mns) after axotomy. In axotomized Mass Mns the slope of the primary range in the frequency-current relationship showed a higher gain than that of normal Mass Mns. The safety of antidromic invasion was increased and the initial segment component of antidromic action potentials could not be separated from the soma-dendritic component. In normal Mass Mns a single shock delivered to the orbital gyrus or the lingual nerve induced long-lasting inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). In two-thirds of Mass Mns explored 30 days after axotomy, a single shock delivered to the orbital gyrus or the lingual nerve evoked a mixture of inhibitory and excitatory synaptic potentials. In Mass Mns 50 days after axotomy, we have demonstrated that the major fraction of the total sample of explored Mass Mns showed long-lasting excitatory postsynaptic potentials followed by IPSPs. The results suggest that in Mass Mns, axotomy is followed by the decline of synaptic efficacy of inhibitory rather than of excitatory synapses.

Familial aggregation of red blood cell cation transport systems in Japanese families

The rate of lithium, sodium, and potassium transport in red blood cells is thought to be associated with essential hypertension. In order to investigate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to cation transport, their correlation was analyzed in 60 parent-offspring pairs and 17 husband-wife pairs in Toyama City, Japan. Lithium-sodium countertransport and sodium-potassium cotransport rates were significantly correlated in parent-offspring pairs (r = 0.52, p less than 0.01 and r = 0.46, p less than 0.01, respectively) but not in husband-wife pairs. Sodium pump rates were significantly correlated in both pairs (r = 0.48, p less than 0.01 in parent-offspring pairs, r = 0.46, p less than 0.05 in husband-wife pairs). Therefore, lithium-sodium countertransport and sodium-potassium cotransport were found to have a substantial genetic component and the sodium pump to have a substantial environmental component. Sodium pump rates were significantly correlated with sodium/creatinine (r = 0.21, p less than 0.05) and sodium/potassium (r = 0.32, p less than 0.01) in casual urine.

Glomerular deposition of IgA in experimental hepatic cirrhosis

Wistar rats rendered cirrhotic with carbon tetrachloride excreted significant proteinuria and hematuria. Serum levels of IgA and IgG were significantly elevated in cirrhotic animals. They showed mild mesangial proliferation and immunofluorescent studies revealed deposits of IgA and IgG predominantly in mesangial areas and along capillary walls. These findings were very similar to those seen in patients with hepatic cirrhosis or IgA nephropathy. The deposits of IgA were also found in hepatic tissue from cirrhotic animals. The intensity and distribution of glomerular IgA deposits were not diminished after treatment with acid buffer. These results suggest that glomerular IgA are IgA polymers and decreased hepatic clearance of hepatic IgA polymers may be responsible for the glomerular deposition of IgA.

Acute interstitial nephritis with bone marrow granulomas and uveitis

A case of interstitial nephritis with bone marrow granulomas and uveitis was presented. A 53-year-old woman was found to be uremic in the course of rheumatoid arthritis. The renal biopsy revealed acute interstitial nephritis with eosinophilic infiltration. She also had bone marrow granulomas and uveitis. These findings were compatible with those of the syndrome described by Dobrin et al. The etiology and the pathogenesis of this syndrome remain unknown. However, the elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, raised levels of serum immunoglobulins, presence of circulating immune complexes and decreased T-cell population observed in this patient suggest the involvement of immunological disorders.

Membranous glomerulonephritis associated with enterococcal endocarditis

An autopsy case of membranous glomerulonephritis associated with enterococcal endocarditis was reported. Although enterococcal antigen was not identified in glomerular deposits, the eluate from the patient's renal tissue was shown to specifically recombine with cells of the enterococcus isolated from his own ante mortem blood. Hypocomplementemia, circulating immune complexes and antienterococcal antibodies were also observed. These findings suggest that enterococcus-related immune complexes played a role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis associated with enterococcal endocarditis in this patient.

Cortically induced postsynaptic potentials in hypoglossal motoneurons after axotomy

Cortically induced postsynaptic potentials were studied in normal and axotomized cat hypoglossal motoneurons. In normal protruder motoneurons innervating tongue protruder muscles, we have demonstrated that stimulation of the orbital gyrus, at the point optimum for inducing lapping movements of the tongue by repetitive stimuli, produced inhibitory postsynaptic potentials or excitatory postsynaptic potentials followed by predominant inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. The cortically induced excitatory postsynaptic potential in normal protruder motoneurons was composed of only the short-latency component. In protruder motoneurons 30, 40, 60 and 80 days after axotomy, we have demonstrated that the number of protruder motoneurons responding with two components of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (the short- and the long-latency component) to cortical stimulation increased in correspondence with the lapse of days after axotomy and that the amplitude of cortically induced inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in axotomized protruder motoneurons was reduced in size as compared with normal protruder motoneurons.

Effects of captopril on the renal hemodynamics during aprotinin infusion in anesthetized dogs

The effect of captopril (SQ 14,225) on the renal hemodynamics, cortical plasma flow (CPF) and noncortical plasma flow (NCPF), was studied in sodium-replete anesthetized dogs during aprotinin infusion. Mean blood pressure (MBP) increased by aprotinin (p less than 0.05) and decreased by captopril (p less than 0.02). Renal vascular resistance (RVR) tended to increase by aprotinin and decreased from 1.29 to 0.86 mm Hg/ml/h (74.7%) by captopril (p less than 0.05). Renal vein renin activity (RRA) inclined to decrease by aprotinin and increased from 17.8 to 47.2 ng/ml/h (278.2%) by captopril (p less than 0.05). Although the administration of captopril alone did not alter the renal hemodynamics despite the reduction of MBP, captopril made a recovery of renal plasma flow (RPF), CPF and NCPF which had decreased by aprotinin. Especially, CPF showed a significant recovery from 45.4 to 55.6 ml/min (123.6%) by captopril (p less than 0.02). These results indicate that the inhibition of endogenous angiotensin made a preferential increase in CPF and suggest that the renin-angiotensin system plays a major role in the effect of captopril of the renal hemodynamic changes.

Heritability of erythrocyte Na+-Li+ countertransport in relation to essential hypertension

The Na+-Li+ countertransport system in erythrocytes was investigated in patients with essential hypertension and control subjects. Furthermore, studies on the pairs of parent-offspring and husband-wife were added in order to evaluate heritability of the countertransport. The Na+-Li+ countertransport of patients with essential hypertension and normotensive subjects with the family history of hypertension was significantly increased in comparison with that of normotensive subjects without the family history. The correlation coefficient of the countertransport in pairs of parent-offspring was significant but not between husband-wife. These results support the concept of a genetic determinant for the countertransport system.

Correlations among culture times, sugar composition and biological activities of Sporothrix schenckii antigens

Glycoproteins were isolated by ethanol precipitation, Con A-sepharose 4B and DEAE-sephadex A-50 chromatography from culture filtrates of Sporothrix schenckii ATCC 10268 at incubation periods of 2, 7, and 14 days, and their chemical and immunological properties investigated. Sugar composition of the isolated glycoproteins varied with time of culture, i.e. from mostly mannose on the 2nd day of culture to increasing amounts of rhamnose and small amounts of galactose in addition to mannose on the 7th and 14th day. The changes in sugar composition also were observed to be closely related to the growth morphology of the organisms. The isolated glycoproteins showed different serological reactivity in immunodiffusion tests against rabbit anti-S. schenckii antiserum. In addition, they showed varying degree of cross-reaction with rabbit anti-Klebsiella pneumoniae K47, anti-Cladosporium werneckii and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antisera. The immunodiffusion results correlate well with sugar composition and strongly suggest the possibility that rhamnose, galactose and mannose determinants participate in the serological reaction of S. schenckii. In delayed hypersensitivity skin tests in guinea pigs immunized with S. schenckii, only Con A-binding glycoproteins were reactive. These fractions also resembled each other in amino acid content. The results from the present work indicate that the immunochemical properties of S. schenckii glycoproteins vary with incubation period, and suggest the need for standardization of sporotrichin test antigens.

Synaptic efficacy of inhibitory synapses in hypoglossal motoneurons after transection of the hypoglossal nerves

In cat hypoglossal motoneurons after axotomy the synaptic efficacy of inhibitory synapses made by the lingual nerve afferent fibers was studied. The amplitude of the short- and the long-lasting inhibitory postsynaptic potential produced in tongue protruder motoneurons 24 days after axotomy by stimulation of the lingual nerve was significantly reduced in size as compared with the control on the unoperated side. In most protruder motoneurons 40 days after axotomy a large excitatory postsynaptic potential and a spike was produced by stimulation of either the ipsilateral or the contralateral lingual nerve. We have demonstrated that the decline of synaptic efficacy of inhibitory synapses for the short-lasting inhibitory postsynaptic potential was more prominent than that for the long-lasting inhibitory potential in the motoneuron 24 days after axotomy. After the cut axons of protruder motoneurons were re-united to tongue muscles, we have demonstrated that the decline of synaptic efficacy of inhibitory synapses for the short-lasting inhibitory postsynaptic potential was less prominent than that in axotomized protruder motoneurons.

Coexistence of hyperplasia of renomedullary interstitial cells and juxtaglomerular cells after acute occlusion of renal artery

A left renal artery aneurysm was found in a 45-year-old normotensive man. In an attempt to evade the possible occurrence of aneurysmal rupture, aneurysmectomy in addition to left renal biopsy (first surgery) was performed. This vascular operation led to a virtually complete renal artery stenosis concomitant with the development of hypertension. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and levels of plasma prostaglandins were also increased following this failed surgery. Reconstruction of the affected renal artery was technically so difficult that left nephrectomy was carried out (second surgery). Renal specimens obtained at the first surgery revealed no histological abnormalities. Discriminating histological findings of the kidney obtained at the second surgery were remarkable; hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular cells producing renin and hyperplasia of the renomedullary interstitial cells which had pecularities similar to cells known to secrete renal prostaglandins. High levels of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and plasma prostaglandins after the first surgery were reduced following the second surgery. It is suggested that acute constriction of the renal artery led to a hyperplastic change of the juxtaglomerular cells and the renomedullary interstitial cells and stimulated an inappropriate release of renin and renal prostaglandins.