Properties of NADPH oxidase in specific granule-rich fraction prepared from guinea pig neutrophils

Both the plasma membrane-rich fraction and specific granule-rich fraction prepared from human neutrophil lysate by Percoll centrifugation have been reported to contain cytochrome b558, a membrane activation factor for NADPH oxidase. In this study, the plasma membrane-rich fraction and specific granule-rich fraction of guinea pig neutrophils were prepared, and the abilities of both fractions to activate NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system consisting of either fraction, cytosol and arachidonate were compared. There was no difference in the Km value for NADPH between NADPH oxidase activated by specific granules or by plasma membranes. Optimum concentrations of arachidonate for the activation of NADPH oxidase in both the fractions were also the same. However, after freeze-thawing, the specific granules markedly lost the ability, compared to plasma membranes. Such instability of specific granules was also observed on hypotonic- or deoxycholate-treatment. The inactivation by freeze-thawing was not suppressed by proteinase inhibitors, and gp91-phox, a large subunit of cytochrome b558, was not degraded by freeze-thawing. Freeze-thawed specific granules did not affect the ability in plasma membranes, indicating the absence of an inactivating factor in specific granules. The increase in the amount of cytosol in the cell-free assay mixture did not compensate for the markedly decreased ability of freeze-thawed specific granules. Translocation of p47-phox, one of the cytosolic activation factors, to specific granules was not affected by freeze-thawing. We found that the ability of specific granules to activate NADPH oxidase was fragile, though it is unclear what is responsible for the instability, at present.

Glucose hypometabolism and neuropathological correlates in brains of dementia with Lewy bodies

Cerebral glucose metabolism using positron emission tomography (PET) with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose was examined in 11 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD), 6 patients with probable, and 1 patient with autopsy-confirmed dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) as well as in 10 age-matched normal control subjects. Among widespread cortical regions showing glucose hypometabolism in the DLB group, the metabolic reduction was most pronounced in the visual association cortex compared to that in the AD group. Using a metabolic ratio of 0.92 in the visual association cortex as a cutoff (mean-2 SD of normal control subjects), DLB could be distinguished from AD with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 91%. In contrast, apolipoprotein E4 allele frequency and cerebrospinal fluid tau levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. In order to further dissect out neuropathological correlates of the dysfunctional occipital lobe, postmortem brains from 19 patients with AD and 17 with DLB as well as 11 brains from normal controls were examined. A distinct and extensive spongiform change with coexisting gliosis was variably noted throughout cerebral white matter with relative sparing of gray matter in DLB. Notably, the white matter spongiform change and gliosis was most prominently and consistently found in the occipital region of DLB, and the severity of the spongiform change in each brain region generally paralleled to the regional difference in reduced glucose metabolism between the living AD and DLB patients. These findings suggest that (1) among several potential antemortem biomarkers in the diagnosis of DLB, measures of the glucose metabolism in the occipital cortex may be an informative diagnostic aid to distinguish DLB from AD; and (2) a pathological process that generates widespread spongiform change and gliosis in long projection fibers may contribute, at least in part, to the characteristic imaging features of DLB.

Circulating cytokines and hormones with immunosuppressive but neutrophil-priming potentials rise after endurance exercise in humans

To investigate the mechanisms of exercise-induced immune perturbations, we measured promising immunomodulatory hormones and cytokines in plasma of 16 male marathon runners before and after a competitive 42.195-km race. Interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) concentrations remained unchanged after the marathon. The cytokines IL-12, IFN-alpha and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) could not be detected even using highly sensitive specific immunoassays, indicating at least that overshooting responses of these cytokines had not occurred after exercise. As mechanisms for the small changes in these cytokines, we demonstrated for the first time a significant rise in concentrations of inhibitory cytokine IL-10 in addition to the immunosuppressive hormone cortisol, although concentrations of IL-4 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were unaffected by the race. Furthermore, concentrations of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and IL-6, which are negative-feedback inhibitors of cytokine production, increased by more than 100 times. As for humoral mediators of neutrophil mobilization, concentrations of growth hormone (GH), cortisol and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) increased significantly. In addition, concentrations of neutrophil-priming substances (IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF, GH and prolactin) also increased significantly and the induction of IL-8 and G-CSF with exercise was demonstrated for the first time in the present study. In contrast, IL-2 concentration decreased, by 32%, and this was correlated with the induction of nitric oxide (NO) production. Muscle damage, monitored using changes in concentrations of creatine kinase and myoglobin, was also observed. These results suggested that exercise-induced pathogenesis including previously reported immunosuppression and neutrophil hyper-reactivity might be attributed, at least partly, to the systemic dynamics of the above bioactive substances.

Inhibiting effects of theanine on caffeine stimulation evaluated by EEG in the rat

In this study, the inhibiting action of theanine on the excitation by caffeine at the concentration regularly associated with drinking tea was investigated using electroencephalography (EEG) in rats. First, the stimulatory action by caffeine i.v. administration at a level higher than 5 micromol/kg (0.970 mg/kg) b.w. was shown by means of brain wave analysis, and this level was suggested as the minimum dose of caffeine as a stimulant. Next, the stimulatory effects of caffeine were inhibited by an i.v. administration of theanine at a level higher than 5 micromol/kg (0.781 mg/kg) b.w., and the results suggested that theanine has an antagonistic effect on caffeine's stimulatory action at an almost equivalent molar concentration. On the other hand, the excitatory effects were shown in the rat i.v. administered 1 and 2 micromol/kg (0.174 and 0.348 mg/kg) b.w. of theanine alone. These results suggested two effects of theanine, depending on its concentration.

Role of epididymal secretory proteins in sperm maturation with particular reference to the boar

This review considers the role of proteins secreted by the epididymis on post-testicular sperm maturation and storage. Two-dimensional gels show that 150 to 200 proteins are secreted into the epididymal lumen. Most are secreted in relatively small amounts; in rams, for example, fewer than ten contribute 90% of the total secretion and only two contribute 52% of the total protein secreted. Most of the proteins are confined to specific regions of the epididymis. The changing pattern of protein secretion along the epididymis corresponds to change in surface protein on spermatozoa, but no epididymal proteins have been identified that appear to be directly involved in modifying the sperm membrane. Most of the major proteins that have been identified seem to be playing a homeostatic role in maintaining the epididymal milieu for spermatozoa.

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of amyloid beta-peptide1-42, but not tau have positive correlation with brain glucose metabolism in humans

To address the question of whether assay for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amyloid beta-peptide 1-42 (A(beta)1-42) and tau allow us to monitor the neurodegenerative processes that lead to a progressive and massive death of neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD patients, cerebral glucose metabolism using 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose was quantified by positron emission tomography in fifteen AD patients and nine non-AD patients with defined levels of CSF-A(beta)1-42 and CSF-tau. The CSF-A(beta)1-42 levels, but not the CSF-tau levels, in both AD and non-AD patients consistently and significantly correlated with global and, in particular, temporal lobe glucose metabolism. Results from our study suggest that the CSF-A(beta)1-42 levels may reflect residual brain function and help monitoring progression of dementing disorders.

Simultaneous determination of baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin, berberine, coptisine, palmatine, jateorrhizine and glycyrrhizin in Kampo medicines by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography

An ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of four flavonoids, namely baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein and wogonin, and four berberine-type alkaloids, namely berberine, coptisine, palmatine and jateorrhizine, and glycyrrhizin in Kampo medicines is described. The analysis can be accomplished within 30 min with a Wakosil-II 5C18 HG column by linear gradient elution using a mobile phase containing aqueous phosphoric acid, sodium dodecyl sulfate and acetonitrile at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml x min(-1), a thermostatic oven at 45 degrees C, and detection at 265 nm. The method was applied to quantifying these components in three Kampo decoctions: Oren-gedoku-to, San'o-shashin-to and Hange-shashin-to. The decoctions were diluted with 65% methanol at the final stage because a large quantity of precipitate, mainly from baicalin and berberine, was formed. The within-day relative standard deviations were less than 2.02% (n=10). The recoveries of these compounds were 90.3-102%. The detection limits of these compounds were 0.02-1.96 microM per injection (5 microl).

Decavanadate inhibits the cell-free activation of neutrophil NADPH oxidase without affecting tyrosine phosphorylation

NADPH oxidase was activated by arachidonate in a cell-free system consisting of membrane and cytosol fractions prepared from guinea pig neutrophils. Vanadate apparently inhibited the NADPH oxidase activity in the cell-free system (IC50=2 microM) without phosphotyrosine accumulation. The pH dependency and stability of the inhibitory effect observed for vanadate solution indicated that decavanadate, an isopolyanion of vanadate, was responsible for the inhibition. Pervanadate (vanadyl hydroperoxide) also inhibited the oxidase activity but at a higher concentration (IC50=0.2 mM). Decavanadate lowered the Vmax but did not affect the Km value of NADPH oxidase for NADPH. Decavanadate inhibited the activation process of NADPH oxidase but not the oxidase activity itself. Decavanadate-pretreatment of membrane and cytosol fractions irreversibly decreased the abilities of both fractions to activate NADPH oxidase in the cell-free system. Translocation of p47-phox, one of the cytosolic activation factors of NADPH oxidase, from cytosol to membrane, was little affected by decavanadate. These results suggest that decavanadate inhibits the activation of NADPH oxidase in the cell-free system without affecting the phosphotyrosine phosphatase, and that decavanadate can bind to both the membrane and cytosolic activation factors when they are in a dormant state, but not to the active oxidase complex.

Purification and properties of major alpha-D-mannosidase in the luminal fluid of porcine epididymis

A lysosomal type alpha-D-mannosidase was successfully purified by DEAE-Sephacel, Red-Amicon and Superdex 200 column chromatographies from porcine cauda epididymal fluid. The purified enzyme consisted of 63 and 51 kDa subunits at equimolar amounts. It cleaved alpha1-2 linked mannosyl residues and less but significantly cleaved alpha1-3 and alpha1-6 linked mannosyl residues in the high-mannose oligosaccharides. The optimal pH to hydrolyze oligosaccharide was in the acidic pH range (pH 3.5 approximately 4.0). Total alpha-D-mannosidase activities in the porcine epididymal fluid increased from proximal to distal caput epididymis, which maintained to cauda epididymis. At least two kinds of alpha-D-mannosidase (lysosomal type enzyme and 135 kDa alpha-D-mannosidase (MAN2B2)) were contained in the porcine epididymal fluid. The activity of the lysosomal type enzyme is much higher than MAN2B2 at the physiological pH. These results suggest that the lysosomal type alpha-D-mannosidase is the predominantly active enzyme in the luminal fluid of porcine epididymis and that it participates in the glycoprotein modification on the sperm surface during epididymal transit.

New findings in pharmacological effects induced by antihistamines: from PET studies to knock-out mice

Antihistamines are efficacious drugs to be used for the symptomatic relief of allergic diseases. The safety issue of antihistamines is of central importance because of their widespread use in current medical practice. To better understand the pharmacological effects of antihistamines on the central nervous system (CNS), we used two kinds of new methods, positron emission tomography (PET) and gene targeting regarding on histamine H1 receptors. The histamine H1 receptor occupancy was examined in young male volunteers with[11C]-doxepin (a potent H1 antagonist) after the oral or intravenous administration of antihistamines. In other studies, the cognitive performance was also measured tachistoscopically before and after taking antihistamines. The mutant mice lacking H1 receptors were used in the behavioural and neurochemical experiments to re-evaluate the role of H1 receptors. The H1-receptor occupancy in the human frontal cortex caused by antihistamines is significantly correlated with the reported values of incidence of sleepiness in clinical trials, and the occupancy is well proportional to the impaired cognitive performance. The behavioural studies of the H1-receptor knock-out mice confirmed the role of H1 receptors in arousal, the sleep-wake cycle, locomotion, nociception and aggressive behaviour. The pharmacological effects induced by H1 antagonism were re-evaluated by the PET and gene-targetting. Although any serious effects could not be observed in mice by the destruction of the H1-receptor gene, the cognitive performance was impaired in humans after taking first generation antihistamines in recommended doses.

Cerebrospinal fluid tau protein levels in demented and nondemented alcoholics

The tau protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF-tau) were examined in 27 patients with alcohol dependence (20 demented and 7 nondemented), 36 age and dementia severity-matched patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 23 age-matched normal control subjects. The CSF-tau levels in the demented alcoholic group (alcohol-induced organic brain disorders, 25.4 +/- 10.2 pg/ml) was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) than that in the AD group (96.1 +/- 53.3 pg/ml), but not significantly different from that in the nondemented alcoholics (18.1 +/- 10.2 pg/ml) or the controls (19.2 +/- 12.9 pg/ml). Using a 44.9 pg/ml as a cut-off value (mean + 2 SD of the normal control group), only one patient with alcohol-induced organic brain disorders exceeded the value, whereas 3 of 36 of the AD group showed CSF-tau levels less than this level. These findings suggest that alcohol-induced organic brain disorders are a group of dementias that are characterized by normal CSF-tau levels, and that the CSF examination for tau in combination with other clinical findings may help in differentiating alcohol-induced organic brain disorders from AD.

A porcine homolog of the major secretory protein of human epididymis, HE1, specifically binds cholesterol

A porcine homolog of the major secretory protein of human epididymis, HE1, was for the first time purified from the porcine cauda epididymal fluid. The HE1 homolog was secreted into the epididymal fluid as a 19-kDa glycoprotein, whose sugar moiety was gradually processed to form a 16-kDa protein during transit through the epididymis. The HE1 homolog mRNA was detected only in the caput and corpus epididymis among the porcine tissues examined. The purified HE1 homolog specifically bound cholesterol with high affinity (Kd=2. 3 microM). The binding stoichiometry was determined to be 0.94 mol/mol, suggesting that 1 mol of cholesterol binds to 1 mol of the protein. It was also found that the HE1 homolog is a major cholesterol-binding protein in the porcine epididymal fluid. The possibility that the HE1 homolog is involved in the regulation of the lipid composition of the sperm membranes during the maturation in epididymis is discussed.

Simultaneous determination of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine and methylephedrine in Kampo medicines by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine and methylephedrine (ephedrine alkaloids) in Kampo medicines which contain Ephedrae Herba was established. The analysis can be accomplished within 25 min with a Wakosil-II 5C18 HG column by isocratic elution using a mixture of water, acetonitrile and sodium dodecyl sulfate (65:35:0.4) as the mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml min(-1), and detection at 210 nm. The detection limits of ephedrine alkaloids are 0.37-1.06 microM per injection (5 microl). This method was applied to analyze the quantities in eight Kampo decoctions; Mao-to, Makyo-yokukan-to, Makyo-kanseki-to, Yokuinin-to, Sho-seiryu-to, Keima-kakuhan-to, Kakkon-to and Kakkon-to-ka-senkyu-sin'i. The concentration (per Ephedrae Herba gram) of ephedrine alkaloids was higher in the Makyo-kanseki-to decoction than in the others. Calcium sulfate from Gypsum Fibrosum raised ephedrine alkaloids dissolution in the Makyo-kanseki-to decoction.

Additional O antigens of Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio furnissii

A total of 297 strains of Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio furrnissii, which were collected from various countries for the past 15-year period of 1984-1998, were serogrouped. Of those examined, 239 strains of V. fluvialis and V. furnissii were classified into 29 known O serogroups; 9 strains were found to belong to R-form cultures, and the rest of the 49 strains could not be serogrouped. Of those serologically untypable strains, 26 novel O serogroups (O36 to O61) were established and added to our reference of the V. fluvialis and V. furnissii antigenic scheme. As all antisera against the O reference strains of the organisms contained some amount of antibody to the rough (R) antigen, all diagnostic O antisera were absorbed with the reference rough strain, V. fluvialis GF25.

Participation of cytosolic protein phosphatase in regulation of NADPH oxidase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Calyculin A, a protein phosphatase inhibitor, enhanced phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide anion (O2-) production and translocation of the cytosolic NADPH oxidase factor, p47phox, to the plasma membrane in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). When PMNs were treated with t-(5-isoquino-line-sulfonyl)-3-methyl-piperazine (H-7), a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, after exposure to PMA, inhibition of O2- production and of translocation of p47phox to the membrane fraction in PMA-stimulated PMNs were observed. When calyculin A was added to the PMA-stimulated PMNs after the addition of H-7, O2- production was again observed, and translocation of p47phox to the membrane fraction also occurred. The activity of NADPH oxidase, the amount of p47phox and the level of phosphorylation of p47phox in the membrane fraction prepared from PMA-stimulated PMNs, were reduced by the addition of the cytosol fraction from unstimulated PMNs. These reductions were attenuated by calyculin A. These results indicate that the active form of NADPH oxidase in PMNs can be reconstituted after the active complex of the enzyme has disappeared once, and that one of the mechanisms of regulation of this enzyme activity involves the phosphorylation of p47phox in the cyotosol and dephosphorylation of phosphorylated p47phox in the NADPH oxidase complex by protein kinase and protein phosphatase, respectively.

Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of puerarin, daidzin, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde and glycyrrhizin in Kampo medicines

We report a high-performance liquid chromatographic method to determine the quantities of puerarin, daidzin, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde and glycyrrhizin in Kampo medicine. All seven compounds were separated in less than 30 min with a Wakosil-II 5C18 AR column by linear gradient elution using 0.01% (v/v) phosphoric acid acetonitrile (0 min 90:10, 10 min 88:12, 22 min 70:30, 30 min 30:70) as the mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min(-1), and detection at 250 nm. The detection limits of these compounds are 0.15-0.3 microM with response linearity. This method was applied to determine the quantities in eight Kampo decoctions; Mao-to, Makyo-yokukan-to, Makyo-kanseki-to, Yokuinin-to, Sho-seiryu-to, Keima-kakuhan-to, Kakkon-to and Kakkon-to-ka-senkyu-sin'i. Glycyrrhizin content was lower in both the decoction and the methanol-diluted decoction of Sho-seiryu-to compared with the others. Low pH due to organic acids of Schisandrae fructus in the decoction caused inhibition for glycyrrhizin dissolution in Sho-seiryu-to.

Molecular typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a university teaching hospital

Plasmid analysis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were used to study the epidemiologic relationship among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital. We found that 263 of 276 MRSA isolates had plasmids, which could be classified into 30 different patterns according to the number and plasmid molecular weight. Strains which harboured a single plasmid of approximately 13.4 Mds in molecular weight were the most numerous (55.7% of the isolates). These strains were isolated from 14 of 17 hospital wards. The largest number of strains with this plasmid pattern (33 strains) were isolated from a single ward. PFGE typing was then performed to further confirm the relationships among these 33 strains. The PFGE banding patterns of these strains were highly similar. The antibiogram profiles of these strains were also correlated with the PFGE pattern. Thus, the results suggest that these strains are epidemiologically related and spread throughout the ward. Combined plasmid analysis and PFGE were effective for discriminating the various MRSA isolates.

Pervanadate activates NADPH oxidase via protein kinase C-independent phosphorylation of p47-phox

We studied differences between the NADPH oxidase activation pathways triggered by pervanadate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C activator, in guinea pig neutrophils. Previously, pervanadate has been shown to activate NADPH oxidase via the tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway (Yamaguchi et al. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 323, 382-386, 1995). Both pervanadate and PMA induced superoxide anion (O-2) production, translocation of the 47-kDa protein component of the phagocyte oxidase (p47-phox) to the plasma membrane, and phosphorylation of p47-phox in the membrane. A selective protein kinase C inhibitor, GF 109203X, markedly inhibited PMA-induced O-2 production, p47-phox translocation, and p47-phox phosphorylation, but did not inhibit pervanadate-induced O-2 production and only slightly suppressed pervanadate-induced translocation and phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that pervanadate activates NADPH oxidase independently of protein kinase C. Phosphopeptide mapping of p47-phox revealed differences in the mechanism between pervanadate-induced and PMA-induced phosphorylation. Furthermore, some protein kinases which phosphorylate p47-phox-derived peptide are activated by pervanadate. These results suggest the existence of novel protein kinases responsible for the phosphorylation of p47-phox and the activation of these protein kinases by tyrosine kinase.

Six-month repeated oral toxicity study of NK-104 in rats

NK-104 is a novel potent inhibitor of the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, and has been shown to be a highly effective agent in lowering blood cholesterol. In the present study, NK-104 was orally administered to Wistar rats at a dose of 0.3, 1, 3 or 010 mg/kg for 6 months for examination of toxicity. Additional recovery groups of 8 rats each of both sexes receiving 0 and 10 mg/kg were maintained without treatment for 1 month in order to assess recovery. As a result, no toxicological changes were observed in general signs, body weight, food intake, ophthalmological examination, urinalysis, hematological and blood chemical examinations for organ weights. An autopsy revealed thickening of the forestomach mucosa in both sexes at a dose of 1 mg/kg or more. This change was microscopically recognized as hyperkeratosis and hypertrophy of the spinous layer associated with both cell infiltration of the mucosal propria and edema of sub-mucosa in the forestomach in both sexes at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg. Forestomach changes were not observed in any cases after 1 month cessation of drug treatment. The non-toxic dose of NK-104 in the 6-month repeated oral toxicity study in rats is estimated to be 1 mg/kg/day.

[Functional neuropharmacology in the human brain using positron emission tomography: PET imaging of impaired cognitive performance induced by sedative antihistamines]

Antihistamines are the efficacious drugs to be used for the symptomatic relief of allergic diseases. The safety issue of antihistamines is of central importance because of their widespread use in current medical practice. Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to better understand the pharmacological effects of antihistamines on the central nervous system. The H1 receptor occupancy was examined in young male volunteers with [11C]-doxepin after the oral or intravenous administration of antihistamines. In other studies, the cognitive performance was also measured tachistoscopically before and after taking antihistamines. The H1 receptor occupancy in the human cortex caused by antihistamines is significantly correlated with the reported values of incidence of sleepiness in clinical trials, and the occupancy is well proportional to the impaired cognitive performance. To understand the brain mechanism of antihistamine-induced "sleepiness and impaired cognition", the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during the task was measured using 3D-PET and H2(15)O before and after administration of d-chlorpheniramine. After its administration, the rCBF was significantly decreased on the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, midbrain and anterior cingulate. These findings suggest that H1 receptor blockade would be affected on the activity of the attention and cognitive system in the brain.

A common phosphorylation site for cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C in human placental 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

Human placental 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (HP2K) was phosphorylated by incubation with [gamma-32P]MgATP and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC). Approximately 0.8 mol of phosphate per mol subunit of HP2K was incorporated by either PKA or PKC. However, with additional incubation with PKA following incubation with PKC or vice versa, no additional phosphate was incorporated into the HP2K. The phosphorylation sites for the two protein kinases were identified by peptide mapping and microsequencing following digestion of phosphorylated-HP2K with clostripain. Evidence is also suggested for a common phosphorylation site (Ser-460) for PKA and PKC.

Post-meiotic expression of the mouse dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 3 (DRP-3) gene during spermiogenesis

The dihydropyrimidinase-related protein (DRP) family, originally identified in humans by their homology to dihydropyrimidinase, contains at least four members. Genes of this family, and their counterparts in other mammals and chickens, are expressed mainly in fetal and neonatal brain, suggesting that the encoded proteins have a physiological role in the development of the central nervous system. In addition, the DRP-3 gene is expressed in testis as a shorter mRNA than the brain form. As a first step in understanding the extra-neuronal function of DRP-3, the structure and expression of testis DRP-3 were examined. Testis DRP-3 cDNA showed the same sequence as brain DRP-3 cDNA, except for the 5'-terminal end, which encodes a 5'-untranslated region and the 11 N-terminal amino acid residues, indicating that the two forms of DRP-3 mRNA were transcribed from a single copy gene. Northern blotting analysis detected DRP-3 mRNA in 30-, 40- and 70-day-old, but not in 10- and 20-day-old testes. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that the expression of DRP-3 in testis is restricted to post-meiotic round spermatids. This is the first report of the expression of DRP genes in extra-neuronal cells.

An inhibitor of aldose reductase and sorbitol accumulation from Anthocepharus chinensis

A flavonoid glycoside was isolated from Anthocepharus chinensis. Its structure was elucidated by spectral data and determined to be myricetin 3-O-(4"-acetyl)-alpha-fucoside. This flavonoid glycoside and its aglycone showed potent inhibition against rat and porcine lens aldose reductase. The flavonoid aglycone also inhibited sorbitol accumulation in human red blood cells.

Expression of human placental-type 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase in various cells and cell lines

The expression of the human placental-type 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (HP2K) in various human cells and cell lines was investigated at the levels of transcription and translation. Analyses by both Northern blotting and a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that BeWo, U-937, SupT1, H9, HeLa, HepG2, and human mononuclear cells, as well as human placental chorionic cells, expressed HP2K mRNA. All the nucleotide sequences of RT-PCR products from these cell lines were identical to that of HP2K. The expression of HP2K protein was determined by Western blot analysis of fractions from POROS-HQ column chromatography of the cell extracts from U-937 cells, which was used as an example of HP2K-mRNA positive cell lines. As with the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase activity of HP2K, the activity of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase in extracts of U-937 cells was not inhibited by glycerol 3-phosphate, a known 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase inhibitor of liver- and testis-type isozymes. These results strongly suggested that various cell lines, in particular U-937 cells, express functional HP2K enzyme. Furthermore, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase in U-937 cells was found to be activated by treatments with isoproterenol and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, indicating regulation of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase activity in U-937 cells by protein kinases A and C.

High concentration of glucose causes impairment of the function of the glutathione redox cycle in human vascular smooth muscle cells

We demonstrated that high glucose reduced H2O2 scavenge activity in human vascular smooth muscle cells. In the cells exposed to high glucose, the intracellular glutathione content decreased, although the NADPH content was unchanged. The rate of uptake of cystine, which is a rate-limiting precursor of the glutathione synthesis, decreased in the high glucose group compared with the control group. These decreases were shown to be dependent on glucose concentration. It was suggested that high glucose causes impairment of the function of the glutathione redox cycle in human vascular smooth muscle cells, resulting in reduced H2O2 scavenge activity.

[A study on the effects of physical load placed on high school baseball managers during midsummer games]

We examined the influence of physical load placed on high school baseball managers during midsummer games under extremely hot and humid conditions. The factors used to determine physical load were the following: body weight, oral temperature, amount of walking, pedometer count, heart rate, and serum biochemical elements. These factors were measured before and after the games. Twenty-two managers participated in this study. All games were played under high temperatures of 32.4 +/- 3.5 (mean +/- S.D) degrees Celsius dry-bulb, 27.1 +/- 3.0 degrees Celsius wet-bulb, 33.8 +/- 3.6 degrees Celsius black-glove, 29.1 +/- 3.3 degrees WBGT, which are likely to cause heart-related illness. The results were as follows. 1. After the games, significant body weight loss and oral temperature rise were found. Those findings were thought to be caused by the rise in oral temperature in a hot environment which was accompanied by hyperhidrosis. 2. The average hemoconcentration ratio based on the changes in total protein during the games was 105 percent, suggesting that hemoconcentration and dehydration were caused by sweating in a hot environment. 3. A significant increase in total protein, albumin, LDH, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, calcium, hemoglobin, and a decrease in triglyceride were observed after the games, which were thought to be influenced by sweating and by increased metabolism in a hot environment. 4. The values of triglyceride, Fe, uric nitrogen, calcium and hemoglobin after the games which were adjusted by the hemoconcentration ratio were significantly lower than those before the games. 5. A prolonged game time caused a significant increase in total protein value during the games and a decrease in hemoglobin between the level before the games and the adjusted level after the games compared with those values in the short game time group. From the above, even though high school baseball managers join in practices in a hot environment and become accustomed to it, we found that they had a great physical load on their bodies during the games in midsummer.

[A study of the effects of physical load on umpires during the national high school baseball games--the effects of physical load on umpires at the Koshien stadium in a summer-heat environment]

This study attempted to measure the physical load on national high school baseball umpires during games played at Koshien stadium under extremely hot and humid conditions in the summer. Thirty-one umpires participated in this study. Thirteen of them were evaluated twice while eighteen were evaluated only once. The factors used to determine physical load were the following: body weight, oral temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and serum biochemical elements. These were measured before and after the games. Heart rate was measured at one-minute intervals. The results were as follows. 1) All the games were played under conditions of extremely high temperatures--32.1 degrees celsius dry-bulb, 27.0 degrees celsius wet-bulb, 36.8 degrees celsius black-globe, 29.5 degrees--WBGT which are likely to cause heat-related illnesses. 2) The physical load of baseball umpires during the game showed a 1.69 percent decrease in average body weight due to perspiration, a 0.43 degrees C increase in oral temperature and an increase in heart rate. An examination of the serum biochemical elements showed that muscle deviation enzymes changed due to muscular activity and blood condensed due to perspiration. The physical load levels of baseball umpires were influenced by extreme heat and physical activity during the game. 3) There were no observable differences in either the amount of physical activity or the extreme heat environment among the umpires of different field positions. But the chief umpire's physical load showed a greater decrease in body weight, more blood condensation due to perspiration as a result of the heavier equipment he wore, more muscular activity and higher energy consumption than his counterparts on the bases. 4) The umpire's heart rates were higher during games than before games. The moment they were on the playing field. Their heart rates rose to an average of 134. It remained above 115 for about two hours, apparently caused by physical activity and heart load.

Stage-specific expression of a mouse homologue of the porcine 135kDa alpha-D-mannosidase (MAN2B2) in type A spermatogonia

The cDNA encoding a mouse homologue of porcine epididymis-specific 135kDa alpha-D-mannosidase (MAN2B2, D28521) was cloned from the mouse testis cDNA library. It was found that 1018 amino acids were coded in its open reading frame, and 62% of the amino acid sequence was identical to that of porcine MAN2B2. In the adult mouse, testis contained higher amounts of mRNA encoding the MAN2B2 homologue than the epididymis, though porcine MAN2B2 was mainly expressed in the narrow region between the caput and corpus epididymis. mRNA of the mouse MAN2B2 homologue was localized exclusively in spermatogonia in the testis. It was specifically expressed in type A spermatogonia at stages IX-XI of spermatogenesis and was detected there until the cell developed into type B spermatogonia. We conclude that the expression of the MAN2B2 homologue can serve as a good marker for the late stages of type A spermatogonia and may have an important role to play in the early step of spermatogenesis in mice.

Concept of segmentation in nosocomial epidemiology: epidemiological relation among antimicrobial-resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Typing studies on 271 clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the University Teaching Hospital were conducted to obtain their serotypes, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and plasmid profiles. These strain typing data were arranged through multivariate statistical analysis by computation to classify individual strains. Plots in the scatter diagrams obtained from both principal component analysis and quantification theory type III expressed the clinical strains of P. aeruginosa with various degrees of antimicrobial resistance. Epidemiological relation among these clinical strains was analysed in those scatter diagrams by segmentation, in combination with their epidemiological information (date and place of isolation, type of specimen, etc.). The results showed that the serotype E strains both with high-level resistance to gentamicin and with a plasmid of 3.9 x 10(6) dalton, and the strains resistant to more than five antimicrobial agents, were colonized and localized each in certain clinical wards for inpatients. It was suggested that segmentation analysis could be of practical use in the management of nosocomial infection control against P. aeruginosa with antimicrobial resistance.

Human placental fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase: its isozymic form, expression and characterization

The nucleotide sequence of 1981 bp cDNA containing the entire coding region of a human placental fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase was determined. The sequence encodes 469 amino acids and, based on homology to the rat testis enzyme, appears to be the testis-type isozyme expressed in placenta. The enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) by using a T7 RNA polymerase-based expression system and purified to homogeneity. The expressed enzyme was bifunctional with specific activities of 75 and 80 mU/mg of kinase and phosphatase, respectively. Kinetic parameters of the expressed enzyme are similar to those of the rat testis enzyme.

Direct evidence for the secretion of lactoferrin and its binding to sperm in the porcine epididymis

Lactoferrin has been for the first time purified from the porcine cauda epididymal fluid as a 70 kDa protein. Both Western and Northern blot analyses show that lactoferrin is synthesized in the regions from the distal caput to the cauda epididymis and secreted into the luminal fluid. Lactoferrin is first secreted as a 75 kDa glycoprotein and its carbohydrate moieties are gradually digested to form 70 kDa protein in the cauda epididymis. Lactoferrin has already bound to the surface of the epididymal sperm because the anti-lactoferrin antiserum induces the mature sperm tail-to-tail agglutination. These results strongly suggest new physiological functions of lactoferrin on the sperm maturation in the epididymis.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the epididymis-specific glutathione peroxidase-like protein secreted in the porcine epididymal fluid

The epididymis-specific glutathione peroxidase was purified from the porcine cauda epididymal fluid in order to analyze its enzymatic activity and roles in the epididymis. The purified protein was found to consist of four identical 23 kDa subunits. The complementary DNA encoding the 23 kDa subunit was cloned from the cDNA library of the porcine proximal caput epididymis, only where the 23 kDa subunit is expressed. Although the selenocysteine codon (TGA) is contained in the cDNA of the other cytosolic type of glutathione peroxidases, it is replaced by cysteine codon (TGT) in the 23 kDa subunit cDNA, similarly to the results previously obtained for cDNAs encoding the epididymis-specific form of the secreted glutathione peroxidases of mouse, rat and monkey. By the direct analysis of the selenium, the purified protein was proved to contain no selenium atom in the molecule. The activities of the purified epididymis-specific glutathione peroxidase toward hydrogen peroxide or organic hydroperoxides were by far lower than the activity of cytosolic selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (less than 0.1%). In addition, the concentration of glutathione in the porcine epididymal fluids was about 20 microM, which is much lower than the optimal concentration for the glutathione peroxidase activity of the purified protein. These results strongly suggest that this protein is enzymatically quiescent at least in the porcine epididymal fluid. An immunocytochemical study showed that this protein was found to bind to the acrosomal region of the epididymal sperm and to disappear during the acrosome reaction. Furthermore, this protein significantly retarded the acrosome reaction induced in vitro. The possibilities have been discussed that it protects sperm from the premature acrosome reaction and maintains sperm fertilizing ability in the epididymis.

Characterization of a human placental fructose-6-phosphate, 2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

A full-length cDNA, which encodes a human placental fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase/ fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed protein, purified to homogeneity, showed a molecular weight of 58,000 by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, compared to the deduced molecular weight of 59,410. The N-terminal sequence of 15 amino acids coincided with that of the deduced sequence. The active enzyme was a dimer as judged by molecular sieve filtration. The expressed enzyme was bifunctional with Vmax values of 142 and 0.2 milliunits/mg for the kinase and phosphatase activities, respectively. The phosphatase activity was extremely low, because one phosphatase active site residue was mutated, and consequently the kinase/phosphatase ratio was the highest among the known isozymes. Furthermore, the enzyme was phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C and also by [2-32P]fructose-2,6-bisphosphate. Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C increased the maximal Fru-6-P,2-kinase activities by 1.8- and 1.1-fold, respectively. These results suggested that placental fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase/ fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase is important in maintaining and regulating a relatively high rate of glycolysis in placenta.

Direct and indirect thalamic afferents arising from the vestibular nuclear complex of rats: medial and spinal vestibular nuclei

We examined the afferent pathways and terminations in the thalamus from the medial vestibular nucleus (MVe) and the spinal vestibular nucleus (SpVe) with anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHAL) and retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). Following PHAL injection into the MVe, many anterogradely labeled fibers and terminal-like boutons were recognized in the central lateral nucleus of the thalamus. Sparse projections were found in the zona incerta, the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and the compact region of the laterodorsal thalamic nucleus. When PHAL was injected into the SpVe, labeled ascending fibers ran along the lateral lemniscus forming a loose bundle, and terminated in the medial part of the rostrocaudal extent of the medial geniculate body, and the posterior and ventral thalamic nuclei. Furthermore, a few fibers projected to the central lateral nucleus. In order to confirm the indirect thalamic afferents via the spinal trigeminal nucleus, we injected WGA-HRP into the submedius nucleus of the thalamus after PHAL injection into the SpVe. Many anterogradely labeled terminal-like boutons from SpVe were recognized apposing retrogradely labeled spinal trigeminal neurons. Thus, the present results indicate the existence of dual vestibulo-thalamic pathways; a direct projection to the thalamus, and an indirect projection to the submedius nucleus via the spinal trigeminal nucleus.

Development of photosynthesis and respiration measurement system using mass spectrometry

A closed gas-exchange system was developed to measure gross photosynthesis and respiration discriminately and simultaneously. The system developed in this study included a high performance mass spectral analyzer for gas measurements. The gas-exchange system consisted of a 3L assimilation leaf chamber, a 1L flexible metallic bag, gas supply apparatus, and a lighting system. The lights were turned on and gas measurements were started after the initial 12CO2 concentration level was increased to 500 ppm. The 13CO2 gas was added to the chamber 10 min after the start of the light period. The lights were turned off 15 min after the addition of 13CO2. The 12CO2 and 13CO2 concentrations in the chamber during the light and dark periods were measured for pothos and maize leaves. The 13CO2 absorption rate by the leaves was larger than that for 12CO2 during the light period. It was assumed that the 13CO2 absorbed by photosynthesis was not evoluted by respiration during the first 25 min from the start of the light period. Based on this assumption, gross photosynthetic rate and respiration rate were estimated by calculating the difference in uptake rates of 12CO2 and 13CO2 during the light period.

Characterization and identification of proteins secreted in the various regions of the adult boar epididymis

The synthesis and secretion of proteins by the boar genital tract were studied in vitro by incubating epididymal tissues with [35S]methionine and cysteine. Characterization of the major neosynthesized proteins was performed electrophoretically by one- and two-dimensional PAGE analysis, and an epididymal protein cartography was established. Some of the proteins secreted were found to be unregionalized. Polarization studies of the secretions in the epididymal tubule were carried out by in vitro incubation of isolated tubules, and most of these unregionalized proteins were found not to be secreted in the epididymal lumen. Inside the epididymal lumen, protein secretion was highly regionalized, and electrophoresis analysis detected few proteins secreted at all points along the organ. A total of 146 epididymal proteins, covering 220 spots, were found to be secreted by the epididymis. The distal caput showed the highest number of spots, the lowest number of proteins secreted being found in the proximal caput and cauda. Most of the epididymal proteins analyzed are highly polymorphic in terms of both isoelectric point and molecular mass. The presence and importance of the different compounds in the various regions of the epididymis were established. Several distinct secretory regions of the epididymis can be determined by the presence of major characteristic proteins. The concentrations of a given protein in the fluids of various regions were not related to the respective secretion intensity of that protein. Identification of some major epididymal proteins was accomplished by N-terminal amino microsequencing and by the use of specific antisera. Of the various major proteins, clusterin, glutathione peroxidase, retinol-binding protein, lactoferrin, EP4, beta-N-acetyl-hexosaminidase, alpha-mannosidase, and procathepsin L were identified and localized along the organ. Several polypeptides found in this study remain unidentified.

Sphingosine inhibition of NADPH oxidase activation in a cell-free system

The effects of sphingoid bases, sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine, which are protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, on NADPH oxidase were examined in a cell-free system. The bases inhibited cell-free activation of NADPH oxidase by arachidonic acid at lower concentration than N-acetylsphingosine. Thus, positive charge in the molecules may play a critical role in inhibition of the oxidase. Sphingosine did not change the Km value for NADPH, but shifted the optimum concentration of arachidonic acid for activation of the oxidase. Moreover, sphingosine suppressed the translocation of p47-phox, one of the cytosolic components of the oxidase, to the membrane fraction, suggesting that the base inhibits the assembly of the components.

Differences in mechanisms for cell-free NADPH oxidase activation between arachidonate and sodium dodecyl sulfate

Mechanisms for the cell-free activation of NADPH oxidase by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and arachidonate were compared in relation to their responsiveness to short chain diacylglycerols. The plasma membrane and cytosol prepared from guinea pig neutrophils were used for the cell-free system. The activation of NADPH oxidase by SDS was enhanced about 5- to 10-fold by 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC8), but not by either 1,2-dihexanoylglycerol (diC6) or 1,2-didecanoylglycerol (diC10). However, none of these diacylglycerols potentiated the NADPH oxidase activation by arachidonate. The maximal extent of activation by the combination of SDS and diC8 was similar to that by arachidonate alone. In the presence of sufficient amounts of diC8 and SDS, GTP gamma S potentiated the activation of NADPH oxidase. The potentiating activity of diC8 was preserved in the membrane fraction, not in the cytosol fraction. These results suggest that arachidonate may possess the functions of both SDS and diC8 in the activation. In addition, diC8 and GTP gamma S seem to independently enhance the NADPH oxidase activation.

Required thermal environments for the quadriplegic persons: Analyses of questionnaires and experiments on their daily life

A physically disabled person often has additional disabilities on adaptation to the thermal environment. Since 1976, our group has carried out a series of studies to find required thermal conditions for disabled persons on several typical disabilities. This paper reports on the results of our latest questionnaire and experiments on daily thermal environment for quadriplegic persons. Among 292 quadriplegic persons with valid questionnaire, 184 (63%) were fully paralyzed. Nearly 90% of these and 60% of partially paralyzed patients were dissatisfied with the thermal environment and sweating. Several suggestive differences were found according to the broken positions of vertebrae. The results of 48 hours of field measurements on three quadriplegic subjects are compared with those obtained from questionnaire.

[Experimental studies on the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin and in vitro invasion of endometrial carcinoma cell lines]

The enhancement of the in vitro invasive ability and the morphological changes caused by anti-E-cadherin antibody HECD-1 were investigated by in vitro invasion assay and electron microscopy in three human endometrial carcinoma cell lines. The cell lines were NUE-1 (E-cadherin negative and high in vitro invasive ability), HEC-1BE and HEC-108 (E-cadherin positive and low in vitro invasive ability). In NUE-1 invasive ability was not enhanced by HECD-1, but in HEC-1BE and HEC-108 invasive ability was enhanced to 223 +/- 41.2% and 307 +/- 173% by 5 micrograms/ml HECD-1. Morphologically NUE-1 invaded the extracellular matrix (Matrigel) with a long micro villis. But in HEC-1BE and HEC-108 the villis did not invade the Matrigel, the whole cell invaded it. Together with HECD-1, HEC-1BE and HEC-108 were changed to become similar to the NUE-1 cell line with high invasive ability and the micro villis invaded the Matrigel.

Growth of cultured human bronchiogenic epithelioid CCD-14 Br cells and dermal fibroblasts, NB1 RGB treated with ginseng tetrapeptide and its isomer

The configurations of the component amino acids in ginseng tetrapeptide 1 isolated from Panax ginseng were determined by HPLC with an optical resolution column and the structure of 1 was established to be H-L-Val-gamma-D-Glu-D-Arg- Gly-OH. Synthesis of the ginseng tetrapeptide, 1, and of the configuration and conjugation isomers, H-L-Val-gamma-L-Glu-L-Arg-Gly-OH (2), H-L-Val-D-Glu- D-Arg-Gly-OH (3), and H-L-Val-L-Glu-L-Arg-Gly-OH (4) was carried out by a solid-phase method using the Fmoc strategy. The effects of 1-4 on the proliferation of baby hamster kidney (BHK)-21 cells, normal female bronchiogenic epithelioid (CCD-14 Br) cells, and normal human epidermal fibroblast (NB1 RGB) were examined. Only 1 showed 32 and 23% enhancement of BHK-21 and human CCD-14 Br cells growth, respectively, at a concentration of 13.6 microM and 41% enhancement of NB1 RGB cells growth at a concentration of 32 microM under the conditions employed. It was shown that both the configuration of the component amino acids and the peptide conjugation at a gamma-position of D-Glu in 1 are important for proliferation of the cells. Compound 1 exerted a prominent effect on cell stimulation and growth rate without any morphological change and showed no cytotoxicity.

Effect of Polygonum hydropiper sulfated flavonoids on lens aldose reductase and related enzymes

The sulfated flavonoids in Polygonum hydropiper showed potent inhibiton against lens aldose reductase. Among these flavonoids isorhamnetin 3,7-disulfate (5) was most potent. Kinetic analysis showed that 5 exhibited noncompetitive inhibition against both dl-glyceraldehyde and NADPH.