[Protective effect of a human immunoglobulin preparation on mouse experimental infection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus]

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) selectively increased by extensive chemotherapy is now one of the major causative agents of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Immunotherapy should be applied because this infection is based on the immunocompromised state of the patients. But this therapy has not been applied because S. aureus is known to have protein A which binds to the Fc portion of IgG and blocks phagocytosis through Fc receptor of phagocytic cells which plays the major role for the killing of infected bacteria in vivo. It should be known that MRSA strains often did not express protein A. Recently isolated MRSA strains were collected from three medical institutions and examined for their expression of protein A. Incidences of protein A-negative strains were different among institutions. It was found that more than a half of the strains from a general hospital which expressed typical heat sensitive methicillin resistance did not express protein A, but that incidences of protein A-negative strains were around 20% in the MRSA strains of a complicated history from a university hospital and a research center. All protein A-negative strains were found to be agglutinated by a commercially available immunoglobulin preparation (Venilon). And this immunoglobulin was proved to have a protective effect for the mouse experimental infections of these protein A-negative MRSA strains.

[A human monoclonal antibody cocktail for experimental mouse infection with clinically isolated strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa]

A human IgG monoclonal antibody cocktail against Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes A, B, E, G, I, and M (MCA5) was tested for its therapeutic effect on the infected mice with clinically isolated P. aeruginosa strains. More than 80% of the collected strains were found to belong to the above six serotypes. Direct agglutination with MCA5 gave slight reduced rates, but over 70% of the strains were agglutinated with MCA5. Fifty percent lethal doses of the representative strains to mice (LD50) were estimated, and 50% protective doses of MCA5 to the infected mice with 5 LD50 of the strains (ED50) were determined. MCA5 was found not to be protective to all the infected mice with above six serotypes but protective only to the mice infected with the agglutinated strains. Confirmation of the agglutination of the causative organism with MCA5 is required for the treatment by MCA5. ED50 for a clinically isolated strain and the virulent stock strain were determined under the various challenge doses. It was found that ED50 increased in parallel with the increase of challenged doses but did not change depending on the virulence of the infected strains. These results indicated that this cocktail worked as opsonin. Opsogenic anti-O IgG antibody could be most effective to protect the opportunistic infections caused by the bacteria which have not so powerful exotoxins.

Mechanisms of endothelin-induced macromolecular leakage in microvascular beds of rat mesentery

Microvascular responses to endothelin-3 were investigated in the rat mesentery under fluorescence microscopy. Endothelin-3 in a range of 0.1-100 pM induced arteriolar constriction in a dose-dependent manner, and stimulated Ca2+ mobilization, demonstrated by fura-2-associated fluorography, in both arterioles and venules. Cyclo(-D-Trp-D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu-) (BQ123), and endothelin ETA receptor antagonist, at a concentration of 10 microM inhibited the endothelin-3 (100 pM)-induced arteriolar constriction and Ca2+ mobilization in arterioles but not in venules. In venules, an early onset leakage of FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)-labeled albumin and subsequent reduction of red blood cell velocity without arteriolar constriction were observed after the superfusion of endothelin-3 with BQ123, suggesting that a non-endothelin ETA receptor mediates macromolecular leakage followed by a decrease in blood flow. Endothelin-3 with BQ123 neither stimulated leukocyte adhesion nor activated luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in venules, showing that endothelin-3-increased permeability may be induced by leukocyte-independent and oxyradical-independent mechanisms. These microvascular alterations of permeability and red blood cell velocity were significantly attenuated by the addition of phalloidin, an F-actin stabilizer, suggesting the involvement of endothelial cell contraction. Nicardipine (1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-[3-nitrophenyl]methyl-2- [methyl(phenylmethyl)amino]-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid ethyl ester), a dihydropyridine-type Ca2+ channel antagonist, eliminated endothelin-3-induced arteriolar constriction; however, it did not affect albumin leakage promoted by endothelin-3 with BQ123, suggesting that a non-voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel(s) is involved in non-endothelin ETA receptor-mediated Ca2+ mobilization and contraction of venular endothelial cells. Overall, it is conceivable that endothelin ETA receptor and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel are involved in endothelin-3-induced arteriolar constriction. In addition, the present results suggest that Ca2+ mobilization in venular endothelium, which is mediated by a non-endothelin ETA receptor, possibly endothelin ETB receptor and regulated by non-voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel(s), may cause endothelial cell contraction and subsequently increase macromolecular permeability in microvascular beds treated with endothelin-3.

Influence of fatty acid absorption on bidirectional release of immunoglobulin A into intestinal lumen and intestinal lymph in rats

Effects of absorption of long and middle chain fatty acids on IgA secretion into the intestinal lumen and intestinal lymph and the factors which evoke changes in IgA secretion during the absorptive process were examined in rat small intestine. Bidirectional secretion of IgA from the intestinal mucosa into the intestinal lumen and intestinal lymph was continuously observed in the control condition. Perfusion of oleic acid (a long-chain fatty acid) micelle into the jejunal loop induced a significant increase in IgA output into the intestinal lymph. In contrast, lymphatic output of IgA was significantly decreased when oleic acid micelle was administered intraduodenally. Absorption of octanoic acid, a middle-chain fatty acid, did not produce any significant changes in IgA output into either direction. CR1505, a CCK-receptor antagonist, significantly attenuated the oleic acid-induced increase in IgA secretion into the intestinal lumen, but did not affect the oleic acid-induced decrease in lymphatic IgA secretion. Pluronic L-81, an inhibitor of chylomicron formation and secretion, significantly attenuated the decrease in IgA output into the intestinal lymph during oleic acid absorption without affecting the luminal IgA output. The rate of release of IgA into the intestinal lumen is stimulated by absorption of long-chain fatty acids possibly through the influence of locally released CCK, while the transport process of IgA into lymphatics is controlled by a different mechanism which is closely correlated with the intracellular formation and secretion of chylomicron.

Crossover comparison between the depressor effects of low and high work-rate exercise in mild hypertension

1. The relationship between work-rate and the antihypertensive effect of exercise in hypertensives, and the mechanism of that effect, were investigated by a crossover clinical trial. 2. Ten mild hypertensives were randomly divided into two groups. One group performed low work-rate exercise (LWE) on a cycle ergometer for 10 weeks (blood lactate threshold; approximately 50% of maximum oxygen consumption [Vo2max]). After a 10 week interval without exercise training, these subjects were then switched to a high work-rate exercise (HWE) regimen (4 mmol/L of blood lactate; approximately 75% of Vo2max) for another 10 weeks. In the other group, the order of exercise training was reversed. Since two patients withdrew from the protocol during HWE periods, statistical analysis was performed on the data from the remaining eight patients. There were no order effects observed in any of the data from the two groups. 3. During both LWE and HWE, resting blood pressure (BP) fell significantly after the initiation of exercise therapy (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the overall effects of 10 weeks of LWE and HWE on BP were not significantly different. 4. The work-rate at the lactate threshold, which reflects physical fitness, had increased significantly by 16 W (P < 0.01) after the LWE period and by 11 W (P < 0.01) after the HWE. 5. During the LWE period, changes in haemodynamic and humoral variables were not significant, except for a reduction in plasma norepinephrine at week 10 (P < 0.05). In the HWE period, changes in haemodynamic and humoral variables were not significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunity to jellyfish venoms: suppression of venom-induced immune responses in ultraviolet B-irradiated mice

Lymph node and spleen cells from mice immunized with sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) venom exhibited a proliferative response after exposure to the homologous antigen or that of a related jellyfish, Physalia (Portuguese man-o'-war). Native venom was a more effective stimulant than heated, non-lethal venom. Ultraviolet light treatments administered to the skin either before or after venom sensitization suppressed the proliferative response of these internal immune cells.

Increased expression of nucleoside diphosphate kinase/nm23 and c-Ha-ras mRNA is associated with spontaneous lung metastasis in rat-transplantable osteosarcomas

The relationship between expression of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDP kinase)/nm23, c-Ha-ras, and c-myc genes and metastatic potential was assessed in rat-transplantable osteosarcoma lines, derived from spontaneous and chemical carcinogen (4-hydroxyamino quinoline 1-oxide)-induced osteosarcomas in Fischer 344/NS1c rats. These osteosarcomas possess metastatic potential and highly metastatic lines spontaneous osteosarcoma-selected lung metastatic lesions and 4-hydroxyamino-quinoline 1-oxide-induced osteosarcoma-selected lung metastatic lesions were respectively established by selectively transplanting lung metastatic lesions. Northern blot analysis revealed that the levels of NDP kinase/nm23 and c-Ha-ras gene expression were increased in line with metastatic ability; thus transcript levels were remarkably greater in both spontaneous osteosarcoma-selected lung metastatic lesions and 4-hydroxyamino-quinoline 1-oxide-induced osteosarcoma-selected lung metastatic lesions highly metastatic lines than in their respective low metastatic spontaneous and chemical carcinogen (4-hydroxyamino quinoline 1-oxide)-induced osteosarcoma counterparts. c-myc mRNA expression was observed in all tumor lines, without any correlation with metastatic ability. Southern blot analysis did not show evidence of gross rearrangement or amplification of NDP kinase/nm23, c-Ha-ras, or c-myc genes suggesting regulation of their gene expression at the transcriptional and/or posttranscriptional level. These results indicate that NDP kinase/nm23 and c-Ha-ras might be cooperatively involved in a positive manner in signal transduction processes, especially involving G-protein reactions, responsible for metastasis of rat-transplantable osteosarcomas.

[Systemic adjuvant chemo-endocrine therapy after breast conservation treatment for breast cancer]

The majority of patients who have undergone breast conserving surgery proved to be node-negative. Node-negative breast cancer has a fairly good prognosis, achieving a 10 year disease-free survival rate of 88%. Patterns of recurrence and relapse in node-negative cases are characterized by a higher ratio of hematogenous metastases after relatively longer disease-free intervals. Such cases have been considered the best indications of systemic adjuvant therapy. Postoperative adjuvant trials using cyclophosphamide (CPA) and/or tamoxifen (TAM) were conducted at the Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, and the following results were obtained concerning adjuvant treatment for early-stage (node-negative or stage I) breast cancer; (1) In the post-menopausal group, CPA and/or TAM administration was recommended as the treatment of choice. (2) In the postmenopausal group, TAM was evaluated as the key drug. After TAM alone or TAM plus CPA administration, an improvement in the disease-free survival rate was expected. (3) After administration of CPA alone in the postmenopausal group, there were no demonstrable benefits. On the contrary, adverse effects were suspected. (4) The risk of contralateral breast cancer was reduced to two-thirds when TAM was administered as an adjuvant therapy.

[A case of interferon-alpha-induced pneumonitis]

We report a case of interferon-alpha-induced pneumonitis. A 61-year-old man was diagnosed as having recurrence of renal cell carcinoma and treated with 3 x 10(6) unit of interferon-alpha daily for 8 weeks. On the 55th injection, he presented with a high fever and mild dyspnea, and his chest CT films revealed diffuse reticulonodular shadows in both lung fields. We suspected interstitial pneumonitis due to interferon-alpha, and started steroid therapy. He showed rapid improvement of symptoms and diffusing capacity, and the pulmonary infiltrates in his chest CT were markedly reduced. Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) revealed slightly thickened alveolar walls and small granulomatous-like lesions. These granulomatous-like lesions showed marked accumulation of macrophages. To our knowledge, this is the first report of interferon-alpha-induced pulmonary injury in Japan.

Post-synaptic potentiation of vagal contractile responses by neurokinin A

We have studied the effect of neurokinin A (NKA) on tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) contraction caused by administration of acetylcholine (ACh) intra-arterially (ia) into the tracheal circulation, or bilateral stimulation of the vagus nerves, in 26 mongrel dogs. The tracheal contractile response to 10(-7) mol NKA was 3.12 +/- 0.48 g/cm, 6.3 +/- 0.7%AChmax. Plasma histamine concentration was measured in the right atrium at the peak response following administration of NKA. Plasma histamine concentration was 3.33 +/- 2.05 ng/ml after 10(-7) mol NKA (vs. 1.82 +/- 0.54 ng/ml for control, P > 0.10). A frequency-response curve was generated by electrical stimulation of the caudal ends of cut cervical vagi over the range of frequencies 1-20 Hz (constant 30 V) at 15 s intervals 10 min before and 10 min after administration of 10(-8) mol NKA. Substantial augmentation of tracheal contractile responses to 10(-10)-10(-7) mol ia ACh was obtained 10 min after administration of NKA (P < 0.05). Significant potentiation of tracheal contraction to vagal stimulation for 10-20 Hz was also observed after administration of 10(-8) mol NKA (P < 0.05). We have demonstrated a substantial contractile effect of NKA on canine tracheal smooth muscle that is not related to histamine release from respiratory mast cells. We have also demonstrated that NKA causes augmentation of the parasympathetic tracheal contractile response induced by ia administration of ACh and efferent vagus nerve stimulation. These data suggest that potentiation of vagal contractile response by NKA is related to post-synaptic activation of the parasympathetic nerves.

Nitric oxide mediates lipopolysaccharide-induced alteration of mitochondrial function in cultured hepatocytes and isolated perfused liver

The influence of endogenous nitric oxide, which is generated by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, on the mitochondrial energization of rat hepatocytes was investigated in vitro and ex vivo. Using a fluorescence microscope equipped with a silicon intensifier target camera, we visualized fluorescence of rhodamine-123, a mitochondrial energization-sensitive fluorescence probe, in individual hepatocytes and measured the fluorescence intensity with a digital imaging processor. Although addition of Kupffer cells or lipopolysaccharide in a range of 0.1 to 1.0 microgram/ml caused no significant alteration in the fluorescence in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells plus 1.0 microgram/ml lipopolysaccharide reduced fluorescence intensity in the cocultured hepatocytes. The alteration of rhodamine-123 fluorescence in the hepatocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide-activated Kupffer cells was significantly inhibited by the addition of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis. The transportal infusion of lipopolysaccharide also decreased rhodamine-123 fluorescence in perfused rat liver. The decrease was significantly enhanced in the pericentral regions. Autofluorescence of NADH was elicited by continuous infusion of lipopolysaccharide; this reaction was also enhanced in the pericentral regions. We showed the main site of uptake of infused lipopolysaccharide in the hepatic lobule to be in the periportal regions with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lipopolysaccharide. Our results indicate that the inhibition of mitochondrial energization occurs mainly in pericentral regions, which are distant from the lipopolysaccharide uptake site. The continuous administration of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine significantly attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced decrease in rhodamine-123 fluorescence and increase of the NADH contents of the hepatic lobule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Modeling approach to eliminate the need to separate arterial plasma in oxygen-15 inhalation positron emission tomography

A mathematical model has been developed to predict the arterial metabolite concentration curve using the whole blood radioactivity curve in positron emission tomography (PET) during 15O2 inhalation. Production of arterial H2 15O due to aerobic metabolism in the body was modeled as a single rate constant, which was determined from 200 steady-state values of plasma and whole blood concentrations recorded during continuous inhalation of 15O2 and C15O2. Comparison of this method in eight 15O2 inhalation studies (four at rest and four during motor stimulation) performed on four subjects resulted in: (1) arterial H2 15O curves that were well matched in shape to those measured by the frequent plasma separation and (2) cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were consistent with those obtained by the frequent plasma separation procedure (maximum difference was 3%). An error sensitivity analysis was also performed and demonstrated that errors expected in this modeling approach caused only negligible errors in CMRO2 and CBF estimates. Thus, the arterial H2 15O concentration curve can be accurately predicted using the whole blood time-activity curve; hence, plasma separation can be avoided in 15O2 inhalation PET.

Regional differences in microvascular response in rat intestine during acute elevation of portal pressure

The effect of acute elevation of portal pressure on the blood flow of rat intestinal microvessels was studied using a laser Doppler velocimeter and in vivo microscopy. The total intestinal blood flow decreased when portal pressure increased more than +15 cmH2O above the basal value. Blood flow in villus capillaries did not change at portal pressures of +5 to +15 cmH2O, but did decrease at +20 cmH2O. Blood flow in muscle capillaries decreased at all steps of portal hypertension. Red blood cell velocity was decreased by portal hypertension in large venules, but not in small venules of the submucosa. Large venules, but not small venules, dilated in acute portal hypertension. Large arterioles in the submucosa constricted, while small arterioles dilated at portal pressures of +10 to +15 cmH2O. In conclusion, the intestinal microvascular flow response differs according to the degree of portal hypertension and the location on the microvascular tree. Blood flow in villus capillaries and in small submucosal venules is maintained at a small degree of portal hypertension.

Hepatic granuloma with progressive calcification: CT appearance

Calcification in the liver is uncommon but not rare in clinical practice, and may be caused by many pathological conditions. We report a patient with hepatic mass on abdominal sonogram and CT scan. The mass was shown as a hypoechoic lesion on abdominal sonogram and as a well-marginated hypodense mass on pre- and postcontrast CT. Inflammatory granuloma was diagnosed by pathological examination following percutaneous needle biopsy. A follow-up precontrast CT scan was performed 22 months after the initial examination, and the hepatic granuloma could be the cause of hepatic parenchymal calcification.

Xanthine oxidase-mediated intracellular oxidative stress in response to cerulein in rat pancreatic acinar cells

Intralobular oxygen radical formation was examined in cerulein-stimulated rat pancreatic acinar cells by digital imaging microscopic fluorography using a hydroperoxide-sensitive fluorescent probe, dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) diacetate. The isolated pancreatic acinar cells loaded with DCFH diacetate were microscopically observed, and the dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence yielded by DCFH oxidation via hydroperoxides was digitally processed. Within the initial 20 min after the application of cerulein (10 microM), intracellular oxidative stress was observed as indicated by the increase in DCF fluorescence intensity and reached its maximum at 60 min. DCF fluorescence intensity was then gradually decreased until 80 min, followed by a marked increase in propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence, suggesting irreversible cell death. Allopurinol (1 microM), a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, significantly attenuated the early increase of DCF fluorescence intensity as well as the late cell damage. Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (PO2 300 mm Hg) also significantly attenuated both the increase of DCF fluorescence and the number of PI-positive cells. The results suggest that xanthine oxidase-mediated oxygen radicals may play an important role in cerulein-induced intracellular oxidative stress in pancreatic acinar cells of rats.

Nitric oxide mediates vasoactive effects of endothelin-3 on rat mesenteric microvascular beds in vivo

In order to clarify whether the vasoactive effects of endothelin-3 (ET-3) on microvessels are associated with the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in vivo, the authors examined the effects of L-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA), an analog of L-arginine, on low-dose ET-3 induced hemodynamic changes in the mesenteric microcirculation of male Wistar rats. The intravital observation revealed that ET-3 100 pM induced a remarkable and periodic vasoconstriction in arterioles, and the constriction was sustained for approximately fifteen minutes. No remarkable change was observed in the microvessels after the superfusion of 1 pM ET-3. Superfusion of 1 pM ET-3 with 100 microM L-NMMA elicited the vasoconstriction in arterioles, and the arteriolar diameter recovered to the control level within ten minutes in spite of continuing the superfusion. The vasoconstriction induced by low-dose ET-3 with L-NMMA was suppressed by the additional superfusion of 200 microM L-arginine. The present study suggests that the recovery of arteriolar diameter after the ET-3-induced constriction may be mediated by nitric oxide at least in the early phase.

Preferential inhibitions of hepatic P450IA2 expression and induction by lead nitrate in the rat

Male F344 rats were treated with lead nitrate and changes in the expression and induction of P450IA subfamily enzymes and a placental form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P) in the liver were assessed by means of a bacterial mutation test, immunoblotting with a monoclonal antibody reactive to P450IA1/IA2 and anti-GST-P sera and Northern blotting with P450IA2 cDNA as a probe. Treatment of rats with lead nitrate (20, 50 or 100 mumol/kg body wt) decreased P450IA2 mRNA and protein in the liver in the dose-dependent fashion and also decreased the microsomal activity for P450IA2-dependent mutagenization of aromatic amines. Pretreatment of rats with lead nitrate suppressed the inductions of both P450IA2 mRNA and protein by an inducer of P450IA subfamily enzymes in the liver. In addition, amount of the induced P450IA2 was decreased along with increase in that of the induced GST-P.

Nitric oxide mediates Kupffer cell-induced reduction of mitochondrial energization in hepatoma cells: a comparison with oxidative burst

The metabolic changes in rat hepatoma cell line, AH70 cells, after coculturing with Kupffer cells were visualized using a silicon-intensified target camera and subsequent processing with a computer-assisted digital imaging processor. In cocultured tumor cells, nonactivated Kupffer cells reduced mitochondrial energization as indicated by the decrease in the fluorescence intensity of rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and induced lipid peroxidation as shown by the dichlorofluorescein (DCF) activation. The reduction in Rh123 could be eliminated by addition of an analogue of L-arginine (NG-monomethyl-L-arginine), suggesting the involvement of nitric oxide (NO.) in the decrease in mitochondrial energization. Superoxide dismutase did not inhibit the reduction in Rh123 but significantly inhibited DCF activation. These findings indicate that the latter reaction was mediated by superoxide anion. Two h after the cells were cocultured, propidium iodide-positive, severely injured tumor cells significantly increased in number. This increase was significantly attenuated by addition of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine but not by superoxide dismutase, suggesting that NO. may be greatly involved in Kupffer cell-mediated injury of AH70 cells. In another set of experiments, the culture medium of Kupffer cells caused no significant alteration of Rh123, DCF, and propidium iodide-associated fluorescences in AH70 cells. In addition, ultrastructural observation revealed that the membrane-to-membrane attachment between Kupffer cells and tumor cells occurred within 30 min after coculturing. These results suggest that Kupffer cell-derived NO. release, triggered by the close contact with tumor cells, may induce damage to tumor cells via inhibition of mitochondrial energization.

Oxyradical generation from leukocytes during endotoxin-induced microcirculatory disturbance in rat mesentery--attenuating effect of cetraxate

By using the intravital microscope equipped with digital imaging processor, we investigated the granulocyte-mediated oxidative burst during the endotoxin-induced microvascular derangement in rat mesentery. The leukocyte behavior after the injection of acridine orange was detected by using a silicon-intensified target camera, the erythrocyte velocity was measured by using a high-speed video camera system, and the luminol-dependent photoemission was visualized by an ultrasensitive photon-counting camera in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated microvascular beds. At 60 min after the LPS administration, a significant leakage of FITC-labeled albumin was observed along mesenteric venules under a fluorescence microscopy. The number of sticking leukocytes increased in association with the decrease in erythrocyte velocity after starting the LPS infusion. The luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in microvascular beds gradually increased over that recorded prior to LPS exposure and was fourfold higher 60 min after the start of LPS infusion. The distribution of the photoemission clearly corresponded to the venular endothelium, to which leukocytes adhered. In blood samples taken from the mesenteric vein at 60 min after the LPS administration, a decrease in the number of granulocytes and increases of total and individual chemiluminescence activities were observed. These results suggest that LPS induces oxidative burst from granulocytes on the venular endothelium. Cetraxate, an inhibitor of proteases including plasmin, significantly inhibited the leukocyte activation and prevented alterations in microvascular hemodynamics induced by LPS in vivo, whereas it had no effect on the LPS-induced oxyradical generation from adherent leukocytes in vitro. The present study demonstrates that proteases such as plasmin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced microvascular disturbances.

[The effect of soluble fiber dietary supplement on constipation in 3 patients with dysphagia who suffered from cerebral infarction with special reference to serum diamine oxidase activity]

Dietary supplement with soluble fibers was given to 3 patients with stroke and dysphagia and obtained improved defecation condition. These clinical effects of soluble fibers should reduce the burden of the patients and families. Long-term inaction of the gastrointestinal tract or continuation of supplementary diet without fibers will induce atrophic intestinal mucosa and abnormal intestinal function. The addition of dietary soluble fibers into supplementary diet can improve the atrophy of the intestinal mucosa and the decline in function of the intestine, constipation and meteorism. The serum diamine oxidase activity, which is regarded as a parameter of intestinal mucosal atrophy, increased with the improvement of constipation and meteorism after addition of dietary soluble fibers. We think that dietary soluble fibers are necessary, especially for the patients who have low diamine oxidase activity. The measurement of serum diamine oxidase activity should be an effective method to evaluate intestinal mucosal atrophy and estimate dietary fibers. We selected a supplementary diet, Enrich-SF, which contains Fibaron, a kind of soluble fiber, galactomannan purified from guar, because this canned supplementary diet has only one kind of soluble fiber. Some consider that soluble fibers are fermented to short-chain fatty acids in the intestinal tract, and improve the disordered bacterial flora in the intestine, resulting in more regular intestinal function. Attention should be paid to dietary fibers in cases of long-term tube feeding.

Immunohistologic analysis of the extracellular matrix components of the fibrous stroma of human colon cancer

In order to elucidate the gross composition of fibrous stroma and to better understand the obstructive nature of advanced human colonic cancers the extracellular matrix components of its stroma were analyzed immunohistologically, emphasizing the process of fibrosis and possible tissue constriction. Collagenous material, identified by Masson's trichrome stain, was distributed mainly in the invasive area, where type I and III collagens and chondroitin 4-sulfate stained intensely in the periacinar area, and further, fibronectin stained. Conversely, in the invasive area away from tumor acini type III collagen stained weakly and fibronectin not at all. Type V collagen and myofibroblasts stained in the periacinar area and did not stain in the invasive area away from tumor acini, the findings of myofibroblasts being prominent in cases with obstructive type carcinomas. In conclusion, the invasive area, especially the periacinar area, displayed signs of active ongoing fibrosis and tissue contraction, which may be responsible for the genesis of obstructing type colonic carcinomas.

Attenuation of endotoxin-induced intestinal microcirculatory damage by eicosapentanoic acid

The major objective of this study is to investigate whether oral administration of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) has any preventive effect on endotoxin-induced microcirculatory damage of rat small intestine. EPA in a daily dose of 300 mg/kg was orally given to male Wistar rats for 3 wk. Submucosal microvessels of the ileum were observed by intravital microscopy equipped with a high-speed video camera system after the intra-arterial infusion of endotoxin at a dose of 2 mg.kg-1.h-1. The number of sticking leukocytes was significantly increased at 30 min after the treatment of endotoxin especially along the smaller branch of intestinal venules. It reached the maximal plateau at 45 min after treatment. The pretreatment of EPA significantly attenuated the increase in sticking leukocytes induced by endotoxin. A platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist 2-[N-acetyl-N-(2-methoxy-3-octadecylcarbamoyloxy propoxycarbonyl) aminomethyl]-1-ethylpyridinium chloride (CV-6209) significantly prevented the increased leukocyte sticking to the same extent as EPA treatment. Thirty minutes after endotoxin infusion, red blood cell (RBC) velocity was significantly decreased in both arterioles and venules. RBC velocity appeared to be continuously decreased thereafter and reached its minimum value at approximately 60 min. EPA treatment was revealed to prevent the decrease in RBC velocity of microvessels induced by endotoxin. CV-6209 also significantly attenuated the decreased RBC velocity. The remarkable elevation of PAF content in the ileal mucosa as observed by endotoxin infusion was also significantly attenuated by administration of EPA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fluorographic study on the oxidative stress in the process of gastric mucosal injury: attenuating effect of vitamin E

In vivo oxidative change was visualized in the gastric mucosa of rats and the alteration was analysed by using a fluorescence microscope equipped with a digital imaging processor during the development of mucosal damage. Dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-associated fluorescence increased after the repeated electrical stimulation on the gastric artery (irritation), suggesting the occurrence of lipid peroxidation. The increase was enhanced in the mid-zone of two adjacent collecting venules. Allopurinol attenuated the oxidative stress in mucosa, showing the involvement of xanthine oxidase. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence value in the blood taken from gastric vein was elevated by the irritation, suggesting that leucocyte-generated oxygen radicals also participate in this oxidative process. alpha-Tocopherol attenuated both the DCF activation and the increase in chemiluminescence value and prevented gastric mucosal injury. The present results suggest that alpha-tocopherol may be useful for the prevention of oxidative alteration in gastric mucosa.