Prenatal diagnosis of steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency by analysis of polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) profiles

The polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) profile analysis could be applied to the prenatal diagnosis of steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency. We designed PCR primers to amplify most of the 21-hydroxylase gene, including all the mutations previously reported. PCR-SSCP analysis in eight patients showed at least one polymorphic site in each case. We confirmed that the mobility shifts in SSCP in an affected kindred were transmitted as a Mendelian trait. As these results indicated that PCR-SSCP profiles could be used for DNA-based diagnosis, we attempted to use this technique for prenatal diagnosis. DNA was obtained by chorionic villus sampling of a fetus and PCR-SSCP profiles were analysed in the PCR-amplified fragments in which the mobility shifts had been observed in the SSCP of the proband. We concluded that the fetus was a carrier. Direct nucleotide sequencing and allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization confirmed that the fetus was heterozygous. At birth, the infant showed no signs of virilization or of abnormal endocrine findings on laboratory study. The results suggest that this new application of PCR-SSCP has advantages over conventional RFLP analysis and is useful in making a prenatal diagnosis of steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency both rapidly and accurately.

Technical report: coaxial catheter: a new technique for sequential spiral CT during arterial portography and hepatic arteriography

PURPOSE

To evaluate a coaxial catheter method to sequentially acquire spiral-computed tomography (CT) during arterial portography (CTAP) and hepatic arteriography (CTA) at a single transfer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixteen patients with malignant hepatic tumours (12 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, four with metastases) were studied using spiral CT. Depending upon the vascular anatomy revealed by conventional coeliac and superior mesenteric arteriography, an outer and inner catheter were selectively placed to perform CTA and CTAP, respectively. CTAP images were obtained first, while injecting contrast material through an inner catheter followed by the acquisition of the CTA images during injection through an outer catheter. In three patients, the resected specimens were available for comparison with the imaging findings.

RESULTS

In 12 patients with standard hepatic arterial anatomy, high quality images of CTAP and CTA were obtained. More lesions were detected by the combination of CTAP and CTA than by CTAP or CTA alone in five patients. In one patient with breast carcinoma and a left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery, numerous hepatic metastases were delineated on both sets of images. In three patients with replaced or accessory right hepatic arteries, evaluation of the whole liver was difficult on CTA. These procedures were well tolerated by all 16 patients and no complication or technical failure was experienced.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary data support this new technique as a promising method of performing CTA and CTAP in patients with standard hepatic arterial anatomy with a single catheter insertion.

Scan findings of various myocardial SPECT agents in a case of amyloid polyneuropathy with suspected myocardial involvement

A 31-year-old male having familial amyloid polyneuropathy underwent a Tc-99m(V)-DMSA study to evaluate the myocardial involvement. The patient also underwent T1-201, I-123-BMIPP and I-123-MIBG myocardial SPECT studies to evaluate blood perfusion, fatty acid metabolism and sympathetic function of the heart, respectively. Tc-99m(V)-DMSA SPECT showed uptake to the myocardium indicating myocardial involvement of amyloidosis. Both T1-201 and I-123-BMIPP studies showed normal uptake indicating normal blood perfusion and fatty acid metabolism but I-123-MIBG SPECT showed no uptake to the heart, indicating severe impairment of sympathetic function.

Prognostic value of proliferative activity of ovarian carcinoma as revealed by PCNA and AgNOR analyses

Proliferative activity of a malignant tumor is known to reflect its biologic aggressiveness. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a marker of cellular proliferation, and silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) have been shown to correlate with ploidy and proliferative activity of cells depending on the method of assessment; the mean number of AgNORs per nucleus reflects ploidy, whereas the mean percentage of nuclei with five or more AgNORs per nucleus indicates proliferative activity. In ovarian carcinoma, the prognostic value of these markers has not been well defined. We studied PCNA expression and the AgNOR count in 43 ovarian carcinomas (25 serous, 13 mucinous, and 5 clear cell types) to assess their potential prognostic significance compared with the stage of disease and histopathologic features of the tumors. Eight benign (four serous and four mucinous) and six normal ovarian tissues were also evaluated. A standard colloidal silver staining and an immunohistochemical method were used. The mean percentage of PCNA positivity (PCNA index), the mean number of AgNORs per nucleus (mAgNOR), and the mean percentage of nuclei with more than five AgNORs per nucleus (pAgNOR) for each lesion were determined. In univariable analysis, PCNA indexes and mAgNOR and pAgNOR values were significantly higher in benign ovarian tumors compared with normal ovarian tissues and in adenocarcinomas compared with benign ovarian tumors. In multivariable analysis, PCNA indexes were significantly associated with histologic grade (P=.003), whereas associations of mAgNOR and pAgNOR values were highly significant with both histologic grade and disease stage (P=.0001). Histologic grade, but not subtype, was also associated with disease stage at a significant level (P=.008). Our findings indicate that differences in biologic behavior of ovarian carcinomas may, in part, be defined by differences in their ploidy and proliferative activity, and that whereas PCNA expression is of limited value, assessment of AgNORs holds promise in providing valuable prognostic information on the biologic behavior of the tumors.

Effects of vinconate on age-related alterations in [3H]MK-801, [3H]glycine, sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate, [3H]FK-506 and [3H]PN200-110 binding in rats

We investigated the effects of age and (+/-)-methyl-3-ethyl-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1 H-in-dolo[3,2,1-de] [1,5] naphthyridine-6-carboxylate hydrochloride (vinconate), an indolonaphthyridine derivative, on calcium channels, neurotransmitter receptor systems and immunophilin in Fischer rat brain using quantitative receptor autoradiography. [3H]MK-801, [3H]glycine, sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate, [3H]FK-506 and [3H]PN200-110 were used to label N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, glycine receptors, excitatory amino acid transport sites, FK-506 binding proteins (FKBP) and voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels, respectively. [3H]Glycine and sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate binding significantly decreased in the frontal cortex, parietal cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, thalamus, substantia nigra and cerebellum of 24 month old rats in comparison with 6 month old animals. In contrast, [3H]MK-801, [3H]FK-506 and [3H]PN200-110 binding showed no significant changes in the brain of 24 month old rats. Intraperitoneal chronic treatment with vinconate (10 and 30 mg/kg, once a day for 4 weeks) dose-dependently ameliorated the significant reduction in [3H]glycine and sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate binding in the brain of 24 month old rats. These results demonstrate that glycine receptors and excitatory amino acid transport sites are more susceptible to aging processes than NMDA receptors, immunophilin and voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels. Furthermore, our findings suggest that vinconate may have a beneficial effect on age-related changes in glycine receptors and excitatory amino acid transport sites.

High accumulation of elements in the human femoral artery

The relative contents (RCs) of elements in the femoral arteries as well as the thoracic aorta, coronary, basilar, and radial arteries from 26 subjects within the age range between 55 and 92 yr old, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The RCs of calcium and phosphorus in the femoral arteries started to increase before the age of 60 yr. The RCs of magnesium increased after the age of 70 yr. However, the RCs of sulfur did not change significantly within the age range between 55 and 92 yr. With regard to localization of the mineral accumulations in the femoral arterial wall, it was found that the accumulations of calcium and phosphorus occurred only in the tunica media, only in the tunica intima, or in both the tunica media and the tunica intima. The manner of accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in the femoral arterial wall was different from that in the aortic wall. The average RCs of calcium in the 26 specimens were the highest in the femoral artery, followed in descending order by the thoracic aorta, coronary, basilar, and radial arteries. The average RCs of phosphorus were highest in the thoracic aorta, followed by the coronary, femoral, basilar, and radial arteries. It is noted that the accumulation of mineral elements never occurred uniformly in all the arteries.

Mutational analysis of BRCA1 gene in ovarian and breast-ovarian cancer families in Japan

We analyzed the alteration of BRCA1 in DNA obtained from 83 individuals of 13 Japanese site-specific ovarian cancer families and 6 breast-ovarian cancer families. Six germline mutations were detected in 7 families, which consisted of 4 breast-ovarian cancer and 3 site-specific ovarian cancer families, by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by direct sequence determination. The mutations included three frameshifts, two nonsense mutations, and one missense mutation causing loss of a zinc-binding motif. The frequency of loss of heterozygosity at the microsatellite markers on the BRCA1 gene was 57% (8 of 14 cases) in site-specific ovarian cancer families, and 100% (6 of 6 cases) in breast-ovarian cancer families. All tumors of the patients carrying a mutation of BRCA1 showed deletion of wild-type alleles, implicating BRCA1 as a tumor suppressor gene. These results suggest that germline mutations of the BRCA1 gene play an important role in the carcinogenesis of breast and/or ovarian cancer in a majority of breast-ovarian cancer families and in some site-specific ovarian cancer families.

Cell display library for gene cloning of variable regions of human antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen

A novel cell display system was developed for cloning the variable region (V) genes of antigen-specific human antibodies. The system is based on an antibody library displayed on the surface of COS cells, using a plasmid vector designed to direct expression of membrane-bound antibodies. COS cells expressing antigen-specific antibodies were separated using a flow cytometer for their binding to a fluorescent dye-labeled antigen. To test the performance of this system. We cloned V genes of 4 antibodies directed against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from a library prepared from peripheral blood lymphocytes of a vaccinated donor. These membrane-bound anti-HBsAg antibodies were easily converted to soluble forms, all of which showed a size similar to human serum IgG in SDS-PAGE and the same specific binding to HBsAg as membrane-bound forms in ELISA. All VH and VK gene segments of the 4 clones isolated in this study belonged to VHIII and VKI subgroups, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential and selection capabilities of our cell display system for cloning the V genes of antigen-specific human antibodies.

Intraosseous ganglion communicating with soft tissue counterpart

We report the imaging and pathological findings of a rare case of intraosseous ganglion communicating with extraosseous counterpart. Both counterparts contain air and show rim-enhancement on T1-weighted images. Histopathologically, the enhanced-rim consists of reactive proliferation of capillary vessels due to degeneration.

Age-related changes in [3H]nimodipine and [3H]rolipram binding in the rat brain

Ageing is associated with changes in neurotransmission which might be correlated with abnormal calcium metabolism. Because there is evidence that nimodipine can enhance the learning abilities of ageing animals and rolipram can enhance the excitability of neurons, providing a functional basis for cognition-enhancing activity, age-related alterations in the binding of voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels and calcium/calmodulin-independent cyclic adenosine monophosphate-selective phosphodiesterase (cyclic-AMP PDE) were studied in 3-week- and 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month-old Fisher 344 rats by use of receptor autoradiography. [3H]Nimodipine and [3H]rolipram were used to label the voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels and calcium/calmodulin-independent cyclic-AMP PDE, respectively. [3H]Nimodipine binding showed no obvious change in all brain areas of 12- and 18-month-old rats, as compared with 6-month-old animals. In 24-month-old rats, however, [3H]nimodipine binding increased significantly in the striatum and hippocampal CA3 sector. In contrast, [3H]rolipram binding showed no significant change in most brain areas during ageing, except for a transient change only in the hippocampal CA1 sector of 12-month-old animals. [3H]Nimodipine and [3H]rolipram binding showed a significant increase in some brain areas of 3-week-old rats compared with 6-month-old animals. The results indicate that in rats voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels are more susceptible to ageing processes than calcium/calmodulin-independent cyclic-AMP PDE. Our data also demonstrate that voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels and calcium/calmodulin-independent cyclic-AMP PDE might play roles in developmental processes. These findings might help further elucidation of the relationship between age-related neurological deficits and behavioural pharmacology including cognitive function.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: preoperative assessment with helical CT versus dynamic MR imaging

PURPOSE

To compare helical computed tomography (CT) and dynamic, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dynamic MR images obtained with breath holding, 256 phase- and 512 frequency-encoding steps, 5-mm section thickness, phased-array multicoil, and double-dose gadolinium were available from 21 patients. Dynamic MR images were retrospectively compared with helical CT images in the evaluation of tumor detection, local tumor extension, and vascular involvement.

RESULTS

Tumors were detected on dynamic MR images of 19 of 21 (90%) patients and on helical CT scans of 16 (76%) patients. Dynamic MR imaging had equal or better sensitivity, accuracy, and agreement of tumor grade than did helical CT in the comparison of imaging findings and histopathologic findings. Dynamic MR imaging also had equal or better specificity than had helical CT in determination of local tumor extension and vascular involvement, except in the factors of duodenal invasion and portal venous system involvement. However, there was no statistically significant difference among any of these measurements.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic MR imaging may be better than helical CT in the preoperative detection and evaluation of local tumor extension and of vascular involvement of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas.

Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on age-related changes in second messenger systems and calcium channels in rats

We investigated the effects of age and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), on protein kinase C (PKC), adenylyl cyclase, calcium/calmodulin-independent cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase (cyclic-AMP PDE) and voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels in Fischer rat brain using autoradiography. [3H]Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), [3H]forskolin, [3H]rolipram and [3H]PN200-110 were used to label PKC, adenylyl cyclase, cyclic-AMP PDE and calcium channels, respectively. [3H]Forskolin binding significantly decreased in the striatum, hippocampal CA3 sector, dentate gyrus, hilus, thalamus, substantia nigra and cerebellum of 24-month-old (aged) rats, as compared with 6-month-old (adult) animals. [3H]Rolipram binding also showed an age-related reduction in the thalamus and cerebellum in rats. In contrast, no age-related changes were observed in [3H]PDBu and [3H]PN200-110 binding in the rat brain. Chronic treatment with L-NAME (5 mg/kg, once a day for 4 weeks) showed no significant changes in [3H]PDBu, [3H]rolipram and [3H]PN200-110 binding in aged rat brains. However, this treatment significantly increased age-related decreases in [3H]forskolin binding in the frontal cortex; striatum and hippocampal CA1 sector in rats. The results demonstrate that [3H]forskolin binding in the rat brain is more susceptible to aging processes than [3H]PDBu, [3H]rolipram and [3H]PN200-110 binding. Furthermore, our study shows that chronic treatment with NO inhibitor increases the age associated changes in [3H]forskolin binding in most brain areas of aged rats. These findings suggest that NO may play a key role in the regulation of adenylyl cyclase system during aging processes.

Ion transport systems in the uptake of 99Tcm-tetrofosmin, 99Tcm-MIBI and 201Tl in a tumour cell line

The kinetics, intracellular distribution and effects of ion transport inhibitors on the uptake of 99Tcm-tetrofosmin, 99Tcm-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (99Tcm-MIBI) and 201Tl were investigated in a tumour cell line. Both uptake and washout of the tracers were measured at specific intervals. Cells were treated with ouabain, dimethyl amiloride (DMA) and bumetanide to observe the effects on uptake, while carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) was used to study the release of the tracers. The tracers showed similar uptake and washout kinetics. Ouabain inhibited 55-67% of 201Tl, 16-22% of 99Tcm-tetrofosmin and 8-14% of 99Tcm-MIBI. DMA inhibited the uptake of both 99Tcm-tetrofosmin (30%) and 99Tcm-MIBI (21%). Bumetanide stimulated the uptake of 99Tcm-tetrofosmin and 99Tcm-MIBI but inhibited that of 201Tl (37%). When cells were pretreated with various combinations of these ion transport inhibitors, the uptake of 201Tl was related to Na+,K+ pump, Na+,K+, 2Cl- co-transport systems, whereas the uptake of both 99Tcm-tetrofosmin and 99Tcm-MIBI was related to the Na+,K+ pump, Na+/H+ antiport systems. Addition of CCCP released 55% and 90% of accumulated 99Tcm-tetrofosmin and 99Tcm-MIBI respectively, indicating that the percentage released was related to mitochondrial uptake.

Tc-99m-MIBI scintigraphy for detecting parathyroid adenoma and hyperplasia

We performed scintigraphy with technetium-99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) in 10 patients with parathyroid adenoma (7 lesions) or hyperplasia (9 lesions). Correlation between an amount of accumulation of MIBI and histological types of the lesions were evaluated with special reference to an amount of oxyphilic cell in the lesions. Selected lesions were also evaluated for mitochondrial density by electromicroscopy and showed increased mitochondrial density in the oxyphilic cells. All lesions equal to or above 220 mg showed positive scintigraphic results despite differences in cell types. Undetected lesions were all equal to or below 100 mg. The scintigraphic results for 2 lesions with abundant oxyphilic cells were both positive although those for 11 lesions with abundant chief cells only 6 were positive, probably because these lesions were smaller in the hyperplasia group. In conclusion, MIBI uptake in parathyroid lesions was not dependent on the cell type but either on the size or functional state of the lesions.

The biochemical studies on phalloidin-induced cholestasis in rats

We investigated sequential changes in bile flow, serum and biliary biochemical parameters in phalloidin-induced cholestasis in rats. Intrahepatic cholestasis was induced by administration with phalloidin (500 microg/kg) for 7 days, and then the animals were allowed to survive for 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days after the last treatment. In phalloidin-treated rats, bile flow significantly decreased up to 4 days of recovery, compared with the control animals. In contrast, serum ALP activity, LAP activity, cholesterol concentration and phospholipid concentration exhibited a marked elevation throughout the recovery periods. For biliary parameters, bilirubin excretion rate was unchanged but, cholesterol excretion rate showed a marked decrease throughout the recovery periods. These results demonstrate that some parameters, particularly important indexes of cholestasis (serum ALP, cholesterol, bile flow and so on), continued significant changes at least 4 days after the last administration of phalloidin. These results demonstrate that successive treatment with phalloidin can cause damage in most of serum and biliary parameters at a chronic stage of cholestasis. Thus, our findings may provide useful information for diagnosis of drug-induced cholestasis and help to further elucidate the biochemical mechanisms of drug-induced cholestasis in humans.

Fetal plasma lipid peroxide levels in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia

Fetal levels of a representative lipid peroxide malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured as an index of oxidative stress in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (n = 19) and in normal pregnancy (n = 23). PO2, PCO2 and pH were also measured in umbilical venous blood obtained by cordocentesis. Plasma MDA levels rose an average of 26% above those of normal pregnancy (p < 0.05) and the elevation correlated inversely with umbilical venous PO2 and pH. The results indicate that fetal oxidative stress occurs in preeclampsia before the onset of labor.

Age-independent constancy of mineral contents in human vertebra and auditory ossicle

To elucidate age-related changes of mineral contents in human bones, element contents of human vertebrae and auditory ossicles were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry. The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae were removed from 12 vertebral columns. The mallei of auditory ossicle were removed from 27 cadavers. It was found that average relative contents (RCs) of calcium and phosphorus in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae remained almost constant within ages ranging from 46 to 99 y. In addition, it was found that the RCs of calcium and phosphorus in men's and women's mallei remained constant within ages ranging from 40 to 98 yr. These results support the view that there is no significant age-dependent change of mineral contents in human bones.

Age-related changes of sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate and [3H]FK506 binding in rat brain

We investigated age-related changes in excitatory amino acid transport sites and FK506 binding protein (FKBP) in 3-week-, and 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month-old Fischer 344 rat brains using receptor autoradiography. Sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate and [3H]FK506 were used to label excitatory amino acid transport sites and immunophilin (FKBP), respectively. In immature rats (3-week-old), sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate binding was lower in the frontal cortex, parietal cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, whole hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellum as compared to adult animals (6-month-old), whereas [3H]FK506 binding was significantly lower in only the hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellum. 3[H]FK506 binding exhibited no significant change in the brain regions examined during aging. However, sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate binding showed a conspicuous reduction in the substantia nigra in 18-month-old rats. Thereafter, a significant reduction in sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate binding was found in the thalamus, substantia nigra and cerebellum in 24-month-old rats. Other regions also showed about 10-25% reduction in sodium-dependent D-[3H]aspartate binding. The results indicate that excitatory amino acid transport sites are more susceptible to aging process than immunophilin. Further, our findings demonstrate the conspicuous differences in the developmental pattern between excitatory amino acid transport sites and immunophilin in immature rat brain.

MR of the endolymphatic duct and sac: findings in Menière disease

PURPOSE

To compare the visibility of the endolymphatic duct and sac on high-resolution MR images with the symptoms and clinical course in patients with Menière disease.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients with unilateral Menière disease were sorted into two groups on the basis of the clinical stage of their disease at the time of imaging. Group 1 included patients in the acute phase, who presented with vertigo. Group 2 comprised patients in the nonacute phase of the disease, who were studied 9 days or more after an episode of vertigo.

RESULTS

During acute attacks, the endolymphatic duct and sac were not adequately visible in the affected ear but were visible in the unaffected ear. During remission, the endolymphatic duct and sac were not observed in clinically advanced patients, but they were seen in patients in the early and intermediate stages.

CONCLUSION

High-resolution MR imaging can be used to evaluate the endolymphatic duct and sac: visible abnormalities and lack of a visible endolymphatic duct and sac correlate with the clinical course of Menière disease.

Anti-atherogenicity in women does not prevent restenosis after balloon angioplasty

To test the hypothesis that anti-atherogenicity in women exerts beneficial effects to prevent restenosis formation after coronary angioplasty, we studied 493 men (988 lesions) and 81 women (159 lesions), aged 40-60 years, who had undergone successful balloon angioplasty and had follow-up angiography, 4.9 +/- 4.1 months later. We compared the extent of restenosis between men and women, and between pre- and post-menopausal women, which was assessed by a categorical definition of restenosis (more than 50% diameter stenosis at follow-up) and by percent diameter measured immediately after angioplasty and at follow-up. Hypertension was more frequent in women and a significantly lower percentage of women smoked. In women, the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher. The location of dilated lesions, frequency of angioplasty for lesions with chronic total occlusion, and frequency of emergency angioplasty in patients with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction were similar in men and women. Restenosis formation, estimated by the categorical definition or percent diameter, did not differ between men and women, or between pre- and post-menopausal women. Menopausal status or sex was not an independent predictor of restenosis by multivariate analysis. Thus, the benefit of anti-atherogenicity in women does not play an important role in preventing restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

Effects of chronic treatment with a cyclic AMP-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram, on excitatory amino acid neurotransmission systems in young and aged rat brains

Rolipram selectively inhibits cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase, and leads to an increase in cyclic AMP levels in the brain. In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic rolipram treatment on excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmission systems in young and aged Wistar rat brains. We used in vitro autoradiography with [3H]MK-801, [3H]glycine, D[3H]aspartate, and [3H]muscimol to label N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, glycine modulatory sites, glutamate transport sites, and gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA) receptors, respectively. Rolipram (0.01 or 0.1 mg/kg, per os) or its vehicle (distilled water) was administered once a day for 4 weeks. The highest binding of [3H]MK-801, [3H]glycine, and D-[3H]aspartate was seen in the hippocampus in vehicle-treated rats. No significant differences in these binding activities were seen between young and aged rat brains. [3H]Muscimol binding was the highest in the cerebellum, and decreased in many brain regions in aged rats. The chronic rolipram treatment resulted in (1) an increase in [3H]MK-801 binding in the dentate gyrus in both young and aged rats, (2) remarkable reductions in D-[3H]aspartate binding in many regions of both young and aged rats, and (3) no or minimal changes in [3H]glycine and [3H]muscimol binding. These results suggest that the chronic rolipram treatment modifies the excitatory amino acid neurotransmission system.

Effects of vinconate on neurotransmitter receptor systems in aged rat brain

We investigated the effects of age and (±)-methyl-3-ethyl-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1 H-indolo[3,2,1-de][1,5]naphthyridine-6-carboxylate hydrochloride (vinconate), an indolonaphthyridine derivative, on neurotransmitter receptor systems in the rat brain using quantitative receptor autoradiography. [(3)H]Quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), [(3)H]hemicholinium-3 (HC) and [(3)H]muscimol were used to label acetylcholine receptors, high-affinity choline uptake sites and γ-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors, respectively. [(3)H]QNB, [(3)H]HC and [(3)H]muscimol binding decreased in any brain areas of 24-month-old (aged) rats in comparison with 6-month-old (adult) animals. Chronic treatment with vinconate (10 and 30 mg/kg, i.p., once a day for 4 weeks) partly ameliorated the reduction in [(3)H]QNB, [(3)H]HC and [(3)H]muscimol biding in aged rat brains. This effect was especially noted in [(3)H]muscimol binding. The results suggest that vinconate may have beneficial effects on age-related changes in neurotransmitter receptor systems.

Maternal theophylline administration and breathing movements in late-gestation human fetuses

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relation between maternal administration of theophylline and breathing movements during late gestation in human fetuses.

METHODS

After a 1-hour control period, 17 women with normally grown fetuses at 33-38 weeks' gestation were given 400 mg of sustained-release theophylline orally. Maternal plasma theophylline and glucose concentrations were measured every hour, and the incidence of fetal breathing movements and breathing rates were measured continuously during the next 8 hours. Results were compared with those of a similar control group that did not receive theophylline.

RESULTS

The maternal plasma theophylline concentration increased to detectable levels after 1 hour, reached therapeutic levels of 6.9 +/- 0.4 micrograms/mL (standard error of the mean) after 6 hours, and thereafter averaged 8.3 +/- 0.3 micrograms/mL, significantly higher than initial control values (P < .05). The mean glucose concentration was unchanged during the first 6 hours (79.2 +/- 1.1 mg/dL) and then decreased somewhat, averaging 75.8 +/- 1.1 mg/dL in the 7-8 hour period. The incidence of fetal breathing increased 26.4 +/- 1.9% after 5 hours and remained elevated during the next 3 hours at levels significantly higher than in the initial control period (P < .05) and higher than in the control group that did not receive theophylline. The mean hourly breathing rate averaged 40.9 +/- 1.3 breaths per minute after ingestion of theophylline, a nonsignificant change.

CONCLUSIONS

Ingestion of theophylline by pregnant women in late gestation is associated with an increase in fetal breathing movements. Theophylline has been used widely in the management of asthma in pregnancy, and the assessment of fetal breathing movements is used routinely for evaluation of fetal status. Therefore, account must be taken of changes in breathing movements caused by maternal theophylline administration.