Energetic costs of bipedal and quadrupedal walking in Japanese macaques

We investigated the energetic costs of quadrupedal and bipedal walking in two Japanese macaques. The subjects were engaged in traditional bipedal performance for years, and are extremely adept bipeds. The experiment was conducted in an airtight chamber with a gas analyzer. The subjects walked quadrupedally and bipedally at fixed velocities (<5 km/hr) on a treadmill in the chamber for 2.5-6 min. We estimated energy consumption from carbon dioxide (CO2) production. While walking bipedally, energetic expenditure increased by 30% relative to quadrupedalism in one subject, and by 20% in another younger subject. Energetic costs increased linearly with velocity in quadrupedalism and bipedalism, with bipedal/quadrupedal ratios remaining almost constant. Our experiments were relatively short in duration, and thus the observed locomotor costs may include presteady-state high values. However, there was no difference in experimental duration between bipedal and quadrupedal trials. Thus, the issue of steady state cannot cancel the difference in energetic costs. Furthermore, we observed that switching of locomotor mode (quadrupedalism to bipedalism) during a session resulted in a significant increase of CO2 production. Taylor and Rowntree ([1973] Science 179:186-187) noted that the energetic costs for bipedal and quadrupedal walking were the same in chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys. Although the reason for this inconsistency is not clear, species-specific differences should be considered regarding bipedal locomotor energetics among nonhuman primates. Extra costs for bipedalism may not be great in these macaques. Indeed, it is known that suspensory locomotion in Ateles consumes 1.3-1.4 times as much energy relative to quadrupedal progression. This excess ratio surpasses the bipedal/quadrupedal energetic ratios in these macaques.

Basal Membrane Localization of MRP1 in Human Placental Trophoblast

The placental trophoblast is considered to act as a barrier between mother and fetus, mediating the exchange of various materials across the placenta. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug-resistance protein (MRP) are expressed in the placenta and function as efflux transport systems for xenobiotics. In the present study, we aimed to determine the localization of MRP1 in the human placenta in comparison with that of P-gp. Western blotting analysis with human placental membrane vesicles indicated that P-gp and MRP1 are localized on the brush-border membranes and basal membranes, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis with human normal full-term placenta showed that anti-P-gp monoclonal antibody F4 stained the brush-border side of the trophoblast cells, whereas anti-MRP1 monoclonal antibody MRPr1 stained the basal side. These results confirm that P-gp and MRP1 are located on the brush-border membranes and basal membranes, respectively, of human full-term placental trophoblast. MRP1 was also detected on the abluminal side of blood vessels in the villi. Accordingly, MRP1 may play a role distinct from that of P-gp, which is considered to restrict the influx of xenobiotics into the fetus.

Identification of chemotherapeutic refractory cases based on human chorionic gonadotropin values among patients with low-risk persistent trophoblastic disease treated with 8-day methotrexate-folinic acid

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to establish the accurate cutoff points of post-treatment serum beta-hCG values in identifying chemotherapeutic refractory cases among patients with low-risk persistent trophoblastic disease (PTD) treated with 8-day methotrexate-folinic acid as the primary therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The values of serum beta-hCG measured before initiating treatment and weekly thereafter in 26 patients with low-risk PTD undergoing 8-day methotrexate-folinic acid treatment were analyzed. Thereafter, we determined the weekly cutoff points to identify the patient refractory for treatment by means of receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) plots analysis.

RESULTS

The values of cutoff points in the pretreatment, the post-treatment 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week were 18.6, 15.0, 5.4, 3.4, and 2.0 ng/ml, respectively, and the value of accuracy during these weeks was appropriate (> 80%). When using the cutoff points of one and two weeks after initiating treatment, the accuracy in identifying chemotherapeutic refractory patients was 87.5% and 88.0%, respectively, with the highest values exceeding 85%. The sensitivity and specificity at one week were 92.9 and 80.0%, respectively. Similarly, the sensitivity and specificity at two weeks were 93.3 and 80.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the cutoff points of one and two weeks after initiating treatment are useful in identifying chemotherapeutic refractory patients among low-risk PTD patients, receiving 8-day methotrexate-folinic acid treatment.

Association between RCAS1 expression and clinical outcome in uterine endometrial cancer

RCAS1, which acts as a ligand for a putative receptor on immune cells such as peripheral lymphocytes and natural killer cells, is strongly expressed in human cancers. RCAS1 can induce these cells to undergo apoptotic cell death, which suggests that RCAS1 expression may prohibit the stromal reaction occurring in a tumour. To clarify the clinical significance of RCAS1 expression in uterine endometrial cancer, we analysed the association between RCAS1 expression and clinicopathologic variables by statistical methods. With the use of immunohistochemical techniques, we performed a retrospective study of RCAS1 expression in resected tumour tissue from 147 patients with uterine endometrial cancer. We evaluated the statistical correlation between RCAS1 expression and clinicopathologic variables. RCAS1 was expressed in 106 of 147 patients with uterine endometrial cancer; 30 of these 147 patients showed RCAS1 overexpression. Overexpression of RCAS1 was significantly correlated with age at surgery, stage, extent of myometrial invasion, and positive peritoneal cytologic results. Multivariate analysis revealed that RCAS1 expression and metastasis were clinically significant prognostic factors for the overall survival. These findings indicated that analysis for RCAS1 expression can provide crucial information about the clinical behaviour of uterine endometrial cancer, which may be valuable for the management of patients with this disease.

Variation in CO2 assimilation rate induced by simulated dew waters with different sources of hydroxyl radical (*OH) on the needle surfaces of Japanese red pine (Pinus densifora Sieb. et Zucc.)

The hydroxyl radical (*OH) is generated in polluted dew on the needle surfaces of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.). This free radical, which is a potent oxidant, is assumed to be a cause of ecophysiological disorders of declining trees on the urban-facing side of Mt. Gokurakuji, western Japan. Mists of *OH-generating N(III) (HNO2 and NO2-) and HOOH + Fe + oxalate solutions (50 and 100 microM, pH 5.1-5.4) simulating the dew water were applied to the foliage of pine seedlings grown in open-top chambers in the early morning. Needles treated with 100 microM N(III) tended to have a greater maximum CO2 assimilation rate (Amax), a greater stomatal conductance (g(s)) and a greater needle nitrogen content (Nneedle), suggesting that N(III) mist acts as a fertilizer rather than as a phytotoxin. On the other hand, needles treated with 100 microM HOOH + Fe + oxalate solution showed the smallest Amax, g(s), and Nneedle, suggesting that the combination of HOOH + Fe + oxalate caused a decrease in needle productivity. The effects of HOOH + Fe + oxalate mist on pine needles were very similar to the symptoms of declining trees at Mt. Gokurakuji.

Purification and identification of monoubiquitin-phosphoglycerate mutase B complex from human colorectal cancer tissues

Ubiquitin-conjugated proteins in human colorectal cancer tissues were analyzed by the immunoprecipitation with the antibody FK2 against conjugated ubiquitin followed with SDS-PAGE. In these immunoprecipitable proteins, a 38-kDa protein was abundant in the tumor regions but almost absent in the adjacent normal regions in 17/26 patients, thus we attempted to purify it. Using immunoaffinity chromatography with the antibody FK2 followed by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, approximately 10 pmol of this protein was separated from 34 g of the pooled cancerous tissue and transferred onto a PVDF membrane. The 38-kDa protein was further digested with Achromobacter protease I, resulting in several peptide fragments. Amino acid sequences of these peptides showed complete sequence identity to those derived from either ubiquitin or phosphoglycerate mutase-B, suggesting that the 38-kDa protein is monoubiquitinated phosphoglycerate mutase-B, whose calculated mass is 37,369 Da. Western blot using an antibody against phosphoglycerate mutase-B revealed the presence of the 38-kDa protein in the anti-ubiquitin immunoprecipitates derived from the tumor regions, but not from normal counterparts. In addition, part of non-ubiquitinated phosphoglycerate mutase-B (29 kDa) was also found in the anti-ubiquitin immunoprecipitates, whose levels were higher in the tumor regions than in the adjacent normal regions. These results suggest that monoubiquitination of phosphoglycerate mutase-B as well as formation of a noncovalent complex containing ubiquitin and phosphoglycerate mutase-B increases in colorectal cancer and novel modification of phosphoglycerate mutase-B might have a pathophysiological role.

Endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the uterine corpus in women younger than 50 years of age can be divided into two distinct clinical and pathologic entities based on anatomic location

BACKGROUND

This study used the clinicopathologic profiles of Japanese women younger than 50 years of age with endometrial carcinoma to distinguish the clinicopathologic features of carcinomas of the lower uterine segment (LUS) from those of carcinomas of the corpus mucosa proper (CMP).

METHODS

Eighty-eight endometrial carcinomas in women younger than 50 years old (25.3%) were selected from our file of 348 Japanese women with endometrial carcinoma. Seventy-two were classified as carcinomas of the CMP and 16 carcinomas of the LUS. A tumor was judged to be a carcinoma of the LUS when it involved a continuous area ranging from the lower corpus to the upper cervix with or without intervention of a portion of uninvolved LUS.

RESULTS

The mean ages of women with carcinomas of the CMP and LUS were 41.2 and 39.0 years, respectively. In comparison to carcinomas of the LUS, carcinomas of the CMP were more strongly associated with reproductive risk factors including parity (P = 0.01) and polycystic ovary syndrome (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in body mass index or the incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension between women presenting with carcinomas of the CMP and LUS. Histologically, carcinomas of the LUS more frequently showed a high-grade endometrioid tumor (P = 0.02) with deep myometrial invasion (P < 0.01) and were less associated with endometrial hyperplasia (P < 0.01) than those of the CMP.

CONCLUSIONS

Carcinomas of the LUS occurred predominantly in women younger than 50 years of age and had clinicopathologic features distinct from carcinomas of the CMP in women younger than 50 years of age.

Identification of two distinct structural motifs that, when added to the C-terminal tail of the rat LH receptor, redirect the internalized hormone-receptor complex from a degradation to a recycling pathway

We show that most of the internalized rat LH receptor is routed to a lysosomal degradation pathway whereas a substantial portion of the human LH receptor is routed to a recycling pathway. Chimeras of these two receptors identified a linear amino acid sequence (GTALL) present near the C terminus of the human LH receptor that, when grafted onto the rat LH receptor, redirects most of the rat LH receptor to a recycling pathway. Removal of the GTALL sequence from the human LH receptor failed to affect its routing, however. The GTALL sequence shows homology with the C-terminal tetrapeptide (DSLL) of the beta2-adrenergic receptor, a motif that has been reported to mediate the recycling of the internalized beta2-adrenergic receptor by binding to ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein-50. Addition of the DSLL tetrapeptide to the C terminus of the rat LH receptor also redirects most of the internalized rat LH receptor to a recycling pathway but, like the recycling of the human LH receptor, this rerouting is not mediated by ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein-50. We conclude that most of the internalized rat LH receptor is degraded because its C-terminal tail lacks motifs that promote recycling and that two distinct, but homologous, motifs (DSLL at the C terminus or GTALL near the C terminus) can reroute the internalized rat LH receptor to a recycling pathway that is independent of ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein-50.

The effect of nulliparity on survival in endometrial cancer at different ages

OBJECTIVE

Nulliparity is a major independent risk factor for endometrial cancer in Japan. We examined the effect of nulliparity on survival in endometrial cancer at different ages.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 328 Japanese women with endometrial cancer was performed. The subjects were divided into two groups: a younger age group (women < 50 years) and an older age group (women >/= 50 years). Parity was analyzed for its influence on survival.

RESULTS

No effect of nulliparity was observed on survival in the younger group. In the older women, nulliparity did not affect survival in 189 subjects with surgical stage I and II tumors (P < 0.27). In contrast, the cumulative 10-year survival rates associated with nulliparity, a parity of 1 or 2, and a parity of 3 or more were 7.7, 48.0, and 56.2% in 54 subjects with surgical stage III and IV tumors, respectively (P < 0.03). In these 54 subjects, the cumulative 10-year survival rates associated with < 6-month and > 7-month delays in diagnosis were 57.1 and 16.6%, respectively (P < 0.02). The prognostic impact of parity disappeared after adjustment for delay in diagnosis. Multivariate analysis including histopathological variables, parity, and delay in diagnosis showed no independent prognostic variable in the older subjects with surgical stage III and IV tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The negative effect of nulliparity on survival was observed in the older subjects with advanced-surgical-stage tumors. Delay in diagnosis contributed to the prognostic impact of nulliparity.

Relationship between age, histological type, and size of ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relationship between age, histological type, and size of ovarian tumors.

METHOD

A review was made of 1648 cases of histopathologically diagnosed ovarian tumors and tumor-like lesions, and information on the age of the patients and size of the tumor was obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis tests or Mann-Whitney U-tests.

RESULTS

There were 840 (51%) cases of benign tumors, 73 (4%) cases of tumors of low malignant potential (LMP), 268 (16%) cases of malignant tumors and 467 (28%) cases of tumor-like lesions. The age of the patients was significantly different among tumor-like lesions (34.6+/-8.1 years), benign tumors (39.8+/-16.4 years), LMP tumors (45.2+/-18.3 years) and malignant tumors (51.9+/-13.0 years) (P<0.0001). The maximum diameter of the tumors was significantly different among tumor-like lesions (7.1+/-3.3 cm), benign tumors (10.9+/-5.6 cm), malignant tumors (13.6+/-6.5 cm) and LMP tumors (18.5+/-6.8 cm) (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The distribution of tumor histological type (tumor-like lesions, benign, LMP and malignant) was correlated against patient age and lesion diameter, with tumors in older patients or larger tumors more likely to be malignant.

Dystrophin-deficient myocardium is vulnerable to pressure overload in vivo

OBJECTIVE

Dystrophin provides mechanical reinforcement to the membranes of myocytes. Dystrophin abnormalities are known to cause cardiomyopathy and skeletal muscle disorders; however, the pathogenesis of these abnormalities remains unclear. Dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle is vulnerable to stresses such as stretch and hypo-osmotic shock. We investigated whether the myocardium of dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice shows increased vulnerability to acute pressure overload in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Abdominal aortic banding was performed in 12-week-old mdx and control mice. The aortic pressure was measured by cannulation of the right carotid artery at the time of sacrifice. Systolic pressures in mdx mice at 0, 1, 2, 7 and 14 days after aortic banding were 100 +/- 11, 119 +/- 7, 123 +/- 4, 134 +/- 11 and 130 +/- 10 mmHg, respectively. Microscopic analysis revealed focal lesions in the left ventricular wall in banded mdx mice. These lesions consisted of damaged myocytes and inflammatory cells, and also of fibrosis at a late stage. Similar lesions were not observed in non-banded or banded control mice. The proportion of areas of lesions to total left ventricular area increased over time: 1.0 +/- 0.6% in mdx mice without aortic banding (sham, n = 6), and 1.7+/-1.4% 1 day (n = 6, vs. sham, NS), 2.6 +/- 1.9% 2 days (n = 7, vs. sham, P < 0.05), 6.3+ /- 6.5% 7 days (n = 13, vs. sham, P < 0.05) and 9.9 +/- 8.3% 14 days after aortic banding (n=15, vs. sham, P < 0.01). Furthermore, linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between percentage of lesion area and systolic pressure in mdx mice (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dystrophin-deficient myocardium is more vulnerable than normal myocardium to pressure overload in vivo. This result has two clinical implications: (1) the patients with dystrophynopathy, such as the Duchenne and the Becker types of muscular dystrophy and X-linked type of dilated cardiomyopathy, who develop arterial hypertension should be treated aggressively, and (2) they should avoid stresses that elevate blood pressure.

Prognostic Factors of Stage IV Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis to elucidate the prognostic factors of stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In November 1999, 24 Japanese institutions received questionnaires regarding stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Eligibility criteria included all patients with stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer who were surgically confirmed and initially treated in each institution between January 1990 and December 1997. Data were collected regarding age, performance status, tumor histologic subtype, site of metastasis, preoperative CA125, cytoreductive surgery, residual disease after cytoreductive surgery, and response to primary chemotherapy. Survival analysis and comparisons were performed by univariate and multivariate methods.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-five patients with stage IV ovarian cancer were identified. The median age of the patients was 54 years. The most common site of extraperitoneal disease was malignant pleural effusion (39.6%). Of the 225 patients who underwent an attempt at surgical debulking, 70 (31.1%) were optimally cytoreduced. Most patients received platinum-based combination chemotherapy for primary chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, performance status, histology, and residual disease after cytoreductive surgery were independent prognostic predictors of outcome. The overall median survival for optimally debulked patients was 32 months compared to 16 months for suboptimally debulked patients (P < 0.0001, hazard ratio: 0.415).

CONCLUSION

Optimal surgical debulking, performance status, and histology appear to be important prognostic factors of survival in patients with stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer.

Isolation of ubiquitin-E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme) complexes from erythroleukaemia cells using immunoaffinity techniques

A variety of ubiquitin-associated (or conjugated) proteins, including substrates and enzymes for the ubiquitin system, are present in eukaryotic cells. In the present study we developed a simple method for their isolation, consisting of immunoaffinity chromatography using the monoclonal antibody FK2, which recognizes the conjugated ubiquitin molecule. Using this method followed by gel filtration, we isolated multi-ubiquitinated proteins with high molecular masses (>30 kDa) and also ubiquitinthioester-linked and mono-ubiquitinated forms of ubiquitin-conjugating (E2) enzymes, UbcH7 and UBE2N, together with mono-, di- and tri-ubiquitin molecules, from the cytoplasmic extract of heat-shock-treated K562 erythroleukaemia cells. We also demonstrated that the FK2 antibody was capable of precipitating a ubiquitin-UbcH7 thioester, but not free UbcH7, which enabled the measurement of the respective cellular levels separately. The immunoprecipitable ubiquitin-UbcH7 thioester was found only when the cells were treated with heat-shock. These results suggest the usefulness of the immunoaffinity techniques for identifying and analysing the cellular enzyme/protein-ubiquitin complexes.

Interaction of phytoestrogens with estrogen receptors alpha and beta

The human estrogen receptor (hER) exists as two subtypes, hER alpha and hER beta, that differ in the C-terminal ligand-binding domain and in the N-terminal transactivation domain. In this study, we investigated the estrogenic activities of soy isoflavones after digestion with enteric bacteria in competition binding assays with hER alpha or hER beta protein, and in a gene expression assay using a yeast system. The estrogenic activities of these isoflavones were also investigated by the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Isoflavone glycoside binds weakly to both receptors and estrogen receptor-dependent transcriptional expression is poor. The aglycones bind more strongly to hER beta than to hER alpha. The binding affinities of genistein, dihydrogenistein and equol are comparable to the binding affinity of 17 beta-estradiol. Equol induces transcription most strongly with hER alpha and hER beta. The concentration required for maximal gene expression is much higher than expected from the binding affinities of the compounds, and the maximal activity induced by these compounds is about half the activity of 17 beta-estradiol. Although genistin binds more weakly to the receptors and induces transcription less than does genistein, it stimulates the growth of MCF-7 cells more strongly than does genistein.

Urinary incontinence in women seen in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic

The aim of this study was to present the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in women seen in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic and to describe their behavioral characteristics. A UI-specific questionnaire was administered to 1222 randomly selected women who came to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of our institution and 15 affiliated hospitals, all located in the island of Kyushu, Japan, for reasons other than incontinence. The prevalence of UI was 31%. Body mass index, parity and menopause significantly influenced the prevalence of UI. The majority of these women (78%) suffered from the stress type of incontinence. A direct relationship was found between the patient's assessment of the severity of her incontinence and the degree of effect on daily activities. The duration, frequency of incontinence and the number of pads used influenced their consultation attitude. Only 25% of these women consulted a physician, often a gynecologist.

Aging increases, and duodenal ulcer reduces the risk for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus in Japanese patients with dyspepsia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The classification of gastritis by using the revised Sydney system suggests that there are two types of Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis. The aim of the present study was to examine the risk factors that might be involved in the presence of either atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus of Japanese patients.

METHODS

Biopsy samples were obtained from the gastric corpus in 154 patients with dyspepsia, and the degree of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was determined histologically. The correlation between several variables and presence of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was evaluated by using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 11 variables, which included age, peptic ulcer diseases and H. pylori infection, H. pylori infection was the major risk factor associated with the presence of atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus. In contrast, duodenal ulcer (DU) disease reduced the risk of contracting both conditions. Age was an independent risk factor only for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus. When 128 H. pylori-positive subjects were analyzed, DU and age were similarly associated with the presence of both conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that DU reduces the risk for contracting atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, and age is an independent risk factor for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus in dyspeptic Japanese patients.

The clinical significance of tumor-associated antigen RCAS1 expression in the normal, hyperplastic, and malignant uterine endometrium

OBJECTIVE

A tumor-associated antigen, RCAS1, is recognized by 22-1-1 monoclonal antibody. It was found in carcinomas derived from the uterus and ovary and was especially strongly expressed in invasive cancers. A previous investigation showed the RCAS1 expression to be correlated with a poor prognosis in uterine cervical adenocarcinoma. In this study, we examined whether the expression of RCAS1 is associated with the progression of the uterine endometrial neoplasms.

METHODS

The expression of RCAS1 was evaluated by an immunohistochemical analysis. The tissue specimens used in this study included 46 cases of normal uterine endometrium, 40 cases of hyperplasia, and 121 cases of adenocarcinoma. The relationship between RCAS1 expression and several clinicopathological variables (clinical stage, histology, grade, myometrial invasion, lymph-vascular space invasion, and lymph node metastasis) was also assessed in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

RCAS1 was positive in 26% of the normal uterine endometrium specimens (12 of 46 total cases), in 32% of the hyperplasia specimens (13 of 40 total cases), and in 68% of the adenocarcinoma specimens (83 of 121 total cases). As a result, the expression of RCAS1 was statistically higher in adenocarcinoma than in the normal and hyperplastic endometrium (P < 0.0001). RCAS1 was statistically detected more frequently in grade 3 than in grade 1 or 2 (P < 0.05); however, there was no correlation between the antigen expression and the clinical stage, myometrial invasion, lymph-vascular space invasion, or lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSION

RCAS1 expression might thus be associated with the malignant transformation and poor differentiation observed in uterine endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in rat granulosa cells

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) is a vital mitochondrial protein that is indispensable for the synthesis of steroids. To study the mechanisms of regulation of StAR in rat granulosa cells, we used granulosa cells obtained from diethylstilbestrol-treated immature rats. Northern blot analysis revealed two major transcripts of about 3.6 kb and 1.6 kb of rat StAR mRNA. Rat StAR mRNA had strongly increased within 2 h due to the treatment of FSH or 8-Br-cAMP in this culture, a parallel increase of transcripts of both sizes was observed. Compared to the control, StAR mRNA levels increased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of increasing concentrations of FSH (1-100 ng/ ml) and 8-Br-cAMP (0.25-5 mM). Although co-treatment of rat granulosa cells with FSH and TGF-beta did not change FSH-induced StAR mRNA levels, these levels in granulosa cells were markedly increased by pretreatment with TGF-beta before being acutely (2 h) stimulated with an effective dose of FSH. The stimulatory effect of TGF-beta was time- and concentration-dependent (1-30 ng/ml).

Hepatoprotective and hepatotoxic activities of sophoradiol analogs on rat primary liver cell cultures

As a part of our studies of hepatoprotective drugs, we prepared kaikasaponin I (2), sophoradiol monoglucuronide (SoMG, 3) and sophoradiol (4) from kaikasaponin III (1). We examined the hepatoprotective effects of these analogs, using immunologically-induced liver injury in primary cultured rat hepatocytes and found that compound 1 was more effective than soyasaponin I (1a) while 2 was more effective than 1. On the other hand, 3 was less effective than 2 at 30-200 microm. Further, compound 3 was strongly cytotoxic at 500 microM while 4 exhibited hepatoprotective activity at the same dose, although less potent. When the cytotoxicity toward hepatocytes of these analogs was tested, only 3 was cytotoxic at doses of 200 and 500 microM. This is the first example of an oleanene glucuronide (OG) which is cytotoxic toward hepatocytes. Compound 3 exhibited hepatoprotective activity at 200 microM, while it was also cytotoxic at the same dose without antiserum. Therefore, the hepatoprotective activity of OG represents a balance between a hepatoprotective action and its cytotoxicity toward hepatocytes.

Anti-herpes virus activity of fabaceous triterpenoidal saponins')

Anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) activity of oleanane-type triterpenoidal saponins obtained from some fabaceous plants were examined. Among sophoradiol glycosides, the order of potency was kaikasaponins III>I>>sophoradiol monoglucuronide. It was suggested that the trisaccharide group showed greater action than the disaccharide group. Neither the monoglucuronide of sophoradiol nor that of soyasapogenol B showed activity. Among the trisaccharide group of soyasapogenol B, the order of activity was azukisaponin V>soyasaponin II>astragaloside VIII>>soyasaponin I. Therefore, the saponin having a glucosyl unit in the central sugar moiety seemed to show greater action. In comparison with the activities for a group having the same trisaccharide, the potency of the sapogenol moieties was found to be in the order of soyasapogenol E>sophoradiol>>soyasapogenol B. Hence, the carbonyl group at C-22 would be more effective than the hydroxyl group in anti-HSV-1 activity, while the hydroxyl group at C-24 could reduce the activity.

Expression of gonadotropin and activin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in human ovarian epithelial neoplasms

Activin receptors (ActRs) and gonadotropin receptor mRNA expression were investigated in 18 human ovarian epithelial neoplasms. Northern blot analysis showed the presence of 3.0-kb type Ia ActR, 6.0- and 3.0-kb type IIa ActR, and 5.0-kb type IIb ActR mRNA transcripts in total RNA prepared from the cancer tissues. One carcinoma showed two major transcripts of a follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) gene, 4.1 and 2.4 kb, whereas the other two carcinomas showed two major transcripts of the luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LH-R) gene, 5.4 and 2.4 kb. These results were further analyzed by studying the corresponding PCR-amplified FSH and LH-R cDNA obtained by reverse transcription of total RNA. Expression of FSH-R mRNA was confirmed in about half of the cancer tissues. The size of the FSH-R reverse transcription-PCR product was the same as in normal ovarian follicles. Similarly, expression of LH-R mRNA was also detected in about half of the cancers. Normal ovaries and cancer tissues were homogenized, and activin concentrations were measured in extracts. Activin levels in normal ovarian tissue were around 0.59 +/- 0.01 ng/mg protein (mean +/- SE; n = 5), and activin production was detected in every cancer tissue, except one--serous adenocarcinoma. The findings in this study demonstrated that activin and ActRs are present in and synthesized by human ovarian epithelial neoplasms. Thus, activin seems to be available as an autocrine/paracrine factor in epithelial neoplasms and may contribute to the expression of FSH-R, although the roles of activin and gonadotropin in tumorigenesis has yet to be defined.

Ovarian endometriosis associated with ovarian carcinoma: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the incidence, the histopathological characteristics, and the proliferation activity of endometriosis and atypical endometriosis associated with ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

Microscopic slides of primary lesions from 127 patients with primary ovarian carcinoma were reviewed. The presence or absence of endometriosis and the transitions from typical endometriosis to atypical endometriosis and from atypical endometriosis to carcinoma were also histologically evaluated. Ki-67 immunoreactivity of typical and atypical endometriosis and carcinoma was examined. In addition, endometrial metaplasias were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 127 patients, 37 had endometriosis: 70% (30/43) had clear cell adenocarcinoma, 43% (3/7) had endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 7% (4/60) had serous adenocarcinoma, and none (0/17) had mucinous adenocarcinoma. Thirty-three cases showed typical endometriosis and 29 cases had atypical endometriosis (25 cases had both). Tufting and the stratification of the lining epithelium were observed in 25 and 23 cases, respectively. The transition from typical endometriosis to atypical endometriosis was observed in 22 cases, and the transition from atypical endometriosis to carcinoma, in 23 cases. Only one case showed a direct transition from typical endometriosis to carcinoma. The mean Ki-67 indices were as follows: ovarian carcinoma, 23.1; atypical endometriosis, 9.9; typical endometriosis, 2.7. In 18 cases with metaplasia in endometriosis, eosinophilic metaplasia and ciliated metaplasia were the most common types. Five cases had two types of metaplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

Ovarian carcinomas, especially clear cell and endometrioid adenocarcinomas, are highly associated with endometriosis. Atypical endometriosis shows proliferation activity intermediate to those of typical endometriosis and ovarian carcinoma, suggesting it is a precancerous status.

The effect of being overweight on survival in endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium at different ages

The effect of being overweight on survival in endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium was examined at different ages in this article. The body mass index [body weight/height(m2)] was evaluated in 287 Japanese women with endometrioid carcinoma. Overweight individuals were defined as those with a body mass index of 24.5 or more. The subjects were divided into two groups, including a younger age group (women less than 50 years of age) and an older age group (women 50 years of age or more). Being overweight was thus analyzed to see if it had any influence on survival. The body mass index ranged from 15 to 40 (mean +/- SD; 23.0 +/- 3.9). Twenty-six (32.1%) of 81 subjects in the younger age group and 78 (37.9%) of 206 subjects in the older age group were found to be overweight. In the younger age group, we could find no effect of being overweight on survival. In the older age group, the cumulative 10-year survival rate was 75.2% in normal weight subjects and 89.4% in overweight subjects (P < 0.02). However, the histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, lymphovascular invasion, ovarian metastases, and lymph node metastases showed no significant difference between normal weight and overweight subjects in both the younger and older age groups. In a multivariate analysis, being overweight was a better independent prognostic factor in older age group. Being overweight may contribute to the heterogenous etiology of endometrioid carcinomas in the older age group.

Effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptors during cell differentiation in cultured granulosa cells

Dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; TCDD) is a common environmental pollutant causing public concern. Using a cell culture system derived from rat granulosa cells that provides unique advantages for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of TCDD, the influences of TCDD on FSH receptor (FSH-R) induction were examined. The treatment with FSH produced, as expected, a substantial increase in specific FSH-R expression, whereas concurrent treatment with the environmental amount of TCDD (10 pM) resulted in a significant decrease in FSH-R after being cultured from 24-72 h. Cotreatment with FSH (30 ng/ml) and increasing doses of TCDD inhibited the levels of FSH-induced FSH-R messenger RNA (mRNA) in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 8-Br-cAMP (1 mM) produced a significant increase in FSH-R mRNA; concurrent treatment with TCDD (10 pM) produced a significant attenuation of 8-Br-cAMP action. These findings suggest that the ability of TCDD to interfere with FSH action, as regards the induction of FSH-Rs, is exerted at sites distal to those involved in cAMP generation. Because a single transcript of 5.2 kb was seen for the Ah receptor in this granulosa cell system, the effects of TCDD may be mediated by this specific receptor. The rates of FSH-R mRNA gene transcription, assessed by nuclear run-on transcription assay, were decreased by the addition of TCDD. The effect of TCDD on FSH-R mRNA stability was determined by measuring the decay of FSH-R mRNA under conditions known to inhibit transcription. The decay curve for the 2.4-kb FSH-R mRNA transcript was not significantly changed after the addition of TCDD. These findings showed that the effect of TCDD on FSH-R mRNA was, at least in part, the result of decreased transcription.

Effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the expression of luteinizing hormone receptors during cell differentiation in cultured granulosa cells

Dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, TCDD) is a common environmental pollutant causing public concern. By use of a cell culture system derived from rat granulosa cells that provides unique advantages for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of TCDD, the influence of TCDD on luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) induction was examined. Treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) produced, as expected, a substantial increase in specific LHR expression; concurrent treatment with TCDD (10 pM) resulted in a significant decrease in LHR after 24 h. Cotreatment with 30 ng/ml FSH and increasing doses of TCDD inhibited the levels of FSH-induced LHR mRNA in a dose-dependent manner, and 1 pM TCDD inhibited FSH-induced LHR significantly after 48 h. The rate of LHR mRNA gene transcription, assessed by nuclear run-on transcription assay, was found to decrease after addition of TCDD. The decay curves for the 5.4-kb LHR mRNA transcript showed a significant decrease after addition of TCDD.