[Scanning electron microscopic studies on the cell surface and cell synchronized culture of human endometrial adenocarcinoma (HEC-1) cells]

The cell cycle of cultured human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells were observed with a SEM using the synchronous culture method and the following results were obtained. In the M phase, the cells changed morphologically to become a minimum size and rounded in shape. Filopodia became thin and straight and reached their maximum length. Moreover, blebs reaches their greatest number. In the G0+1 phase, the cells developed from a round shape to an oval shape, and finally became polymorphic. The ends of the filopodia degenerated and became shortened. The number of blebs was decreased only in this stage. During the S phase, the cells became slender and reached maximum size. Short filopodia reappeared. No blebs but the largest microvilli were found. When we compared the late G1 with the early G2 phase, we found polymorphism of the cells and coexistence of microvilli and blebs common to both phases. However, ruffles were observed only in the former phase, while in the latter phase renewal of short filopodia together with thick and bent filopodia was evident. When we compared the late G2 with the early G1 phase, we found that the cells were small in size and round shape, and that the existence of blebs was common to both phases. However, the tips of the filopodia were destroyed in the latter phase, while in the former phase thick and bent filopodia were observed.

Kallikrein in the male reproductive system

Male genital organs were stained by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method to know the location of kallikrein. Sertoli cells of the testis, epithelial cells that existed from the body to the tail of the epididymis, and glandular cells of the prostate were specifically stained showing that kallikrein was produced in these cells. The concentration of kallikrein in the semen specimens mainly from patients with male sterility and from those who were subjected to vasoligation and in the prostatic fluid specimens from normal controls were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results of column chromatography suggested that kallikrein combined with the other substances to form a high molecular compound in the semen. The kallikrein level in the semen from the normal control was 40.4 +/- 21.3 ng/ml, which was more than 10 times that in the blood. The value tended to increase with the decrease of the number of spermatozoa. The kallikrein level in the semen from patients with azoospermia was 74.2 +/- 23.5 ng/ml, which was significantly higher than that of the normal control. There was no significant correlation between the kallikrein level and the sperm motility. The kallikrein level in the semen from the patients subjected to vasoligation, which did not contain the semen originated from the testis, and that in the prostatic fluid from the normal control were 20-28 ng/ml. That amount was considered to be secreted from the prostate. The oral administration of hog kallikrein tablet augmented seminal human kallikrein and Acid-P secretion. Moreover, an improvement of seminalysis was observed following long term administration of 600 U/day of hog kallikrein in the male infertile patients. This drug might be useful to treat the male infertile patients with this disorder.

Nutritional design for repletion of liver and muscle glycogen during endurance exercise without inhibiting lipolysis

The effects of fructose (F), a glycogen precursor, and arginine (A), a stimulator of insulin secretion, on glycogen stores in liver and skeletal muscle and lipolysis were studied in endurance exercising rats, in comparison with that of glucose (G) and A. The addition of citrate (C), which previously has been shown to stimulate liver and muscle glycogen repletion after exhaustive exercise, was also tested. Rats were meal-fed twice daily and underwent treadmill running 6 days a week for 3 weeks (experiment 1) or treadmill running for 3 days and the usual voluntary wheel running of 3 days a week for 5 weeks (experiment 2). On the final days of experiments, rats were given one of the following water solutions; a 3.3 g F + 0.5 g A per kg bw, a 3.3 g G + 0.5 g A per kg bw and water (experiment 1) and a 3.3 g F + 0.5 g A + 0.5 g C per kg bw (experiment 2), at the 1.5 h point during a 3 h treadmill running course at 26 and 32.5 m/min up a 7 degree incline, respectively. There was a significant reduction in liver and soleus muscle glycogen during the period of exercise. The administration of either F + A or G + A during exercise was useful in preventing the further depletion of liver and muscle glycogen stores. The administration of G + A significantly suppressed an increased adipose tissue lipolysis caused by exercise, when compared with that of either F + A or water (experiment 1). The addition of C to F + A appeared to spare more soleus and liver glycogen stores during exercise, when compared with G + A (experiment 2).

[Responsiveness of brain tumors to chemotherapeutic agents in the subrenal capsule assay]

The 6-day subrenal capsule assay was used to determine chemotherapeutic sensitivities of brain tumors. Twenty-nine brain tumors were obtained at the time of surgical resection. A minced tumor fragment (1-mm cube) was implanted under the renal capsule of 5- to 8- week-old normal female ddY mice. Each fragment was measured at two diameters using ocular micrometer unit (10 omu = 1.0 mm). The animals were randomized, usually 5 to 7 per group, and treated with anticancer drugs on day 1 through 5. On day 6, the mice were killed. The kidney was exteriorized and the tumor was again measured. The change in tumor size was obtained for each animal by ratio of the final tumor size/the initial tumor size. Sensitivities of tumors to anticancer agents were determined by comparing differences in mean values of the change in tumor size between control and treated group. Twenty-seven out of 29 specimens (93%) were submitted to evaluable assay. The response rate of 11 malignant gliomas (grade 3 and 4) was 44% and that to anticancer drugs tested were as follow: 5-FU 78%, ACNU and CPA 50%, VCR 40%, CDDP 36%. The response rate of 3 medulloblastomas was 36%: MTX 67%, CPA 50%, ACNU and CDDP 33%. That of two low-grade gliomas (grade 2) was 29%, while that of 4 malignant brain tumors (2 metastasis, chordoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma) was 60%. Four neurinomas and 3 meningiomas were not sensitive to Tamoxifen and none were determined for estrogen receptor. In histological analysis, the transplanted tumor retained similar characteristics to the original tumor in the cases of neurinomas, meningiomas and some gliomas. Lymphocytic infiltration was observed in many cases. In the cases of metastasis (adenocarcinomas), considerable mesenchymation and lymphocytic infiltration was observed, tumor cells were reduced in number with poor preservation. Clinical response in 9 cases treated with sensitive drugs were 1 complete response, 2 partial response, 5 stable and 1 progressive disease in CT examination. The subrenal capsule assay is therefore considered to be very useful for determining suitable chemotherapeutic agents for brain tumors.

[Pharmacokinetics of adriamycin vaginal suppository in uterine cervical cancer]

Vaginal suppositories of Adriamycin (ADM, 5 mg), for reducing the capacity for repair from sublethal damage of X-ray-irradiated cells, were prepared using Wipepsol S-55 as the vehicle, and were intravaginally administered to patients with advanced uterine cervical cancer, and their pharmacokinetics and clinical effects were studied. The ADM concentration in the uterine cervical cancer tissues indicated high levels (17 to 566 micrograms/g), and migration into the cardinal ligament and regional lymph nodes was noted. However, little ADM was detected in serum (0 to 0.14 micrograms/g), probably because of its molecular weight and excellent tissue absorbance, and no side effects, such as cardiotoxicity and myelosuppression due to consecutive administration were detected. Histologically, the effect obtained when administered alone was limited, administration in combination with radiotherapy being more effective. Accordingly, radiotherapy of advanced uterine cervical cancer with concomitant administration of ADM vaginal suppositories seems to bring about a more powerful antitumoral effect with fewer systemic side effects.

[Tissue polypeptide antigen in gynecological cancer]

Serum tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), CEA and IAP were measured simultaneously in cervical cancer, corpus cancer and ovarian cancer. TPA levels were increased (more than 110 U/1) in 39% (32/82) of the cervical cancer and in 46% (6/12) of the corpus cancer patients, respectively. In ovarian cancer, TPA levels were elevated (146 U/1 or higher) in 64% (13/22). The positive rate of CEA was somewhat lower than that of TPA and LAP levels were as high as TPA. Moreover, TPA levels were correlated in clinical course. In immunohistochemical examination, TPA was present in cancer cells and absent in normal tissue.

Dietary effects on liver and muscle glycogen repletion in exhaustively exercised rats: energy composition and type of complex carbohydrates

Previous reports have indicated that administration of a glucose-citrate (G-C) drink after a bout of exhaustive exercise results in more effective glycogen repletion in liver and skeletal muscle in rats as compared with administration of glucose alone. The present studies report the effects of the energy pattern and the type of carbohydrates, dextrin or starch from rice, in diet given following the G-C drink after exercise, on further glycogen repletion in the tissues of rats. Rats were adapted to meal-feeding 3 times a day and trained with light swimming for 7 to 10 days. On the final day of experiments, rats received the G-C drink after 2 h of exhaustive swimming and were then fed on diets with different energy patterns or carbohydrate types. Results showed that a high-carbohydrate diet is more effective than a high-fat diet for further glycogen repletion in liver and skeletal muscle. In addition, dextrin was revealed to be superior to starch as a carbohydrate source in tissue glycogen repletion. As compared with the high-fat diet, the high-carbohydrate diet, however, resulted in a lower serum free fatty acid concentration 4 h after ingestion of food possibly by decreasing adipose tissue lipolysis.

Concentrations of non-glucose polyols in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from apparently healthy adults and children

Six non-glucose polyols--mannose, fructose, 1-deoxyglucose, mannitol, glucitol, and inositol--were identified and evaluated in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid by gas-liquid chromatography and by gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Concentrations of fructose, mannose, and inositol in the serum of healthy persons or children without metabolic diseases varied with age, as already reported for 1-deoxyglucose. Fructose, inositol, and glucitol concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid significantly exceeded those in serum. The method described here for determining polyols and for evaluating polyol patterns in serum, as well as the resulting data on children and healthy subjects, should be useful in investigations of the clinical and physiological significance of polyols.

Concentrations of non-glucose polyols in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from apparently healthy adults and children

Six non-glucose polyols--mannose, fructose, 1-deoxyglucose, mannitol, glucitol, and inositol--were identified and evaluated in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid by gas-liquid chromatography and by gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Concentrations of fructose, mannose, and inositol in the serum of healthy persons or children without metabolic diseases varied with age, as already reported for 1-deoxyglucose. Fructose, inositol, and glucitol concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid significantly exceeded those in serum. The method described here for determining polyols and for evaluating polyol patterns in serum, as well as the resulting data on children and healthy subjects, should be useful in investigations of the clinical and physiological significance of polyols.

Histopathological correlation between the QRS axis and disposition of the atrioventricular conduction system in common atrioventricular orifice and in its related anomalies

Serial sections of the atrioventricular (AV) conduction system were microscopically studied in 12 autopsied hearts: four with complete type common AV orifice (CAVO), two with atrial septal defect of the ostium primum type (ASD-I), two with ventricular septal defect of the persistent common AV canal type (VSD-C) and four without heart disease. The anatomic findings were semiquantitatively compared with the normal control using Feldt's method and correlated to the mean frontal QRS axis on ECG. The cases of CAVO or VSD-C with left axis devation invariably showed similar patterns regarding the location and course of the AV conduction system: (1) posterior displacement of the AV node, (2) relatively short distance between the AV node and the beginning of the left bundle branch (LBB), and (3) postero-inferior displacement of the bundle of His and the LBB. The postero-inferior displacement of the LBB seemed to be responsible for left axis deviation. The cases of ASD-I showed some additional findings: (1) impaired contiguity between the AV node and the bundle of His might have caused the occasional advanced AV block in one case, and (2) the posterior radiation of the LBB traversed down through the branch-free muscle bundle, which was assumed to be related to the right axis deviation in the other case. These findings suggest that the disposition of the AV conduction system in CAVO and in its related anomalies were basically the same whatever the type of defect, and this was considered to be correlated to the established ECG pattern.

[Immune complex and complement levels in spontaneous abortions and normal pregnancy]

We gave attention to the following as specific immunological tolerance factors in pregnancy: a) the serum levels of circulated immune complex (IC), b) serum complement levels (C1q, C3, C4, C1-Inhibitor). The results were as follows: In spontaneous abortions measured by C1q binding test (Zubler et al.) IC levels did not differ significantly from those in normal pregnancies in the first trimester, but in both cases, IC levels were slightly higher than the levels in nonpregnant women. C1q and C1-Inhibitor levels in normal pregnancies were significantly lower than in nonpregnant women, and both levels in spontaneous abortions were significantly higher than in normal pregnancies. In cases of artificial and spontaneous abortions, increased IC levels were rapidly lowered to the normal range within 7 days after treatment and lowered C1q and C1-Inhibitor levels also returned to the normal range within 7 days. But these trends were more remarkable in artificial abortions. However, C3 and C4 levels did not change after treatment in either case. A negative correlation between complement levels (C1q, C3, C4) and IC levels in the third trimester was demonstrated in our study.

The location and course of the atrioventricular conduction system in common atrioventricular orifice and in its related anomalies with transposition of the great arteries--A histopathological study of six cases

The location and course of the atrioventricular (AV) conduction system were studied histopathologically in 6 hearts by sectioning serially, 4 having common AV orifice (CAVO) with complete or partial transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and 2 having ventricular septal defect of the persistent common AV canal type (VSD-C) with complete TGA. Two cases of CAVO with TGA and asplenia syndrome (Cases 1 and 2) had 2 discrete AV conduction systems, being posterior and anterior to the site of the defect, respectively. In these 2 cases posterior AV conduction system well developed, whereas the anterior one was hypoplastic. In another case of CAVO with TGA and asplenia syndrome (Case 3), only the anterior AV conduction system existed near the base of the great arteries. In the other case of CAVO with TGA and polysplenia syndrome (Case 4), the posterior AV conduction system was found to have a congenital interruption of the AV bundle of His. Two cases of VSD-C with TGA but with no splenic anomaly (Cases 5 and 6) showed the posterior AV conduction system with communication-free accessory bundles. The posterior AV node, bundle of His and left bundle branch inevitably shifted postero-inferiorly, except in Case 3. The bundle branches were always distributed appropriately to their morphologically matched ventricles. The superiorly oriented vector in the mean frontal QRS axis in Cases 1, 5 and 6 seemed to be related to the postero-inferior displacement of the posterior AV conduction system, whereas those of the left-inferior oriented vector in Cases 2 and 3 were thought to be responsible for the excessively unbalanced size of ventricles. The complete AV block in Case 4 was correlated with the interruption of the bundle of His. The morphogenesis of the anterior AV conduction system was discussed in relation to the asplenia syndrome.

Diurnal changes in glycogen stores in liver and skeletal muscle of rats in relation to the feed timing of sucrose

Diurnal changes in tissue glycogen stores were determined in rats in relation to the feed timing of sucrose. Rats were daily meal-fed on a 35% sucrose diet at 20.00-21.00 and a basal diet at 08.00-09.00, or meal-fed on the same diets at the reversed time for 7 weeks. Half of the animals were allowed voluntary wheel-running between 21.00-08.00, but the remaining animals were restricted to exercise for 24 h. At the end of the feeding period, both groups of rats were killed at 4-h intervals. Glycogen stores in liver and soleus muscle of sedentary rats showed sharp increases over 8 h after the sucrose meal regardless of its feed timing. The increases continued for only 4 h in exercised rats given the sucrose diet at the evening meal time. In contrast, glycogen stores in these tissues did not show any noticeable increase after the basal diet regardless of its feed timing. Thus, the feeding of sucrose at the evening meal time seems to be more preferable than at the morning meal time in order to have higher glycogen stores in liver and skeletal muscle during the physically active phase of the day in rats. Diurnal changes of glycogen contents in heart and adipose tissue differed from those in liver and skeletal muscle.

Variations of 1-deoxyglucose(1,5-anhydroglucitol) content in plasma from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The concentration of 1-deoxyglucose(1,5-anhydroglucitol) in plasma from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was measured by gas-liquid chromatography with an all-glass capillary column. Twenty-one plasma samples were obtained from 21 patients before insulin therapy, and 34 more from 13 patients receiving insulin therapy. 1-Deoxyglucose was generally not detectable in plasmas of diabetic patients before they received insulin; it was measurable in the patients who had received insulin, although its concentration was low compared with that of healthy subjects. We therefore suggest that the absence of 1-deoxyglucose in plasma is one of the markers of metabolic states of diabetes, perhaps reflecting a disturbed function of carbohydrate metabolism; its presence in plasma within a normal range may reflect the better control of diabetic patients.

Variations of 1-deoxyglucose(1,5-anhydroglucitol) content in plasma from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The concentration of 1-deoxyglucose(1,5-anhydroglucitol) in plasma from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was measured by gas-liquid chromatography with an all-glass capillary column. Twenty-one plasma samples were obtained from 21 patients before insulin therapy, and 34 more from 13 patients receiving insulin therapy. 1-Deoxyglucose was generally not detectable in plasmas of diabetic patients before they received insulin; it was measurable in the patients who had received insulin, although its concentration was low compared with that of healthy subjects. We therefore suggest that the absence of 1-deoxyglucose in plasma is one of the markers of metabolic states of diabetes, perhaps reflecting a disturbed function of carbohydrate metabolism; its presence in plasma within a normal range may reflect the better control of diabetic patients.