Modification of energy metabolism by the presence of the gut microflora in the chicken

Whether the association with gut microflora modifies the energy metabolism of chickens was investigated by varying the metabolizable energy consumption level from zero to above the maintenance requirement in the germ-free and conventional states. Single comb White Leghorn chicks were either fasted for 3 d (Expt 1), or fed for 6 d at a fixed daily meal intake of 2, 5 or 8 g/d (Expt 2), or 5, 10 or 15 g/d (Expt 3). Changes in carcass energy deposition and heat production indicated that when no dietary energy was available the presence of the gut microflora could benefit the birds by reducing energy losses, whereas when dietary energy was supplied the efficiency of energy utilization was reduced by the presence of the gut microflora. It was concluded, therefore, that the heavy burden of the gut microflora modifies energy metabolism by exerting a buffering or a counter-productive action on the energy utilization of the chicken.

[Effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on eosinophil adhesion to plasma-coated glass using eosinophilic cell lines (EoL-1, EoL-3)]

Adhesion molecules on various inflammatory cells, especially on eosinophils are now considered to play an important role in allergic inflammations such as bronchial asthma. In this study, we examined the effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on eosinophil adhesion to plasma-coated glass using eosinophilic cell lines (EoL-1, EoL-3), since PAF might be an important mediator as an eosinophil chemotactic agent in bronchial asthma. PAF markedly augmented adherence to plasma-coated plates. This finding suggests that PAF might up-regulate the inflammatory reaction in bronchial asthma through its action as an augmentative agent for eosinophil adhesion as well as its action as an eosinophil chemotactic agent.

Neurotensin excites basal forebrain cholinergic neurons: ionic and signal-transduction mechanisms

The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to investigate the effect of neurotensin on cholinergic neurons cultured from the rat nucleus basalis of Meynert. Neurotensin excited the neurons by inducing an initial inward current carried, at least in part, by Na+ and by reducing inwardly rectifying K+ conductance. Reduction of the inwardly rectifying K+ conductance was mediated by a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein.

[VEPs induced by binocular disparity stimulus of the retinal nasotemporal overlap]

The human visual evoked potentials (VEPs) elicited by retinal disparity stimulation of the nasotemporal overlap area of the fundus, where ipsilaterally and contralaterally projecting retinal ganglion cells intermingle, were recorded bilaterally at the cortical hemispheres, and the contribution of the nasotemporal overlap to the mechanism of stereopsis was studied. The stimulus was a slit of a stereogram or correlogram applied to the center of the fovea of the right eye, or 3 degrees or 6 degrees nasal or temporal to the fovea. The negative waves of the VEPs evoked by the stereogram were located at O1 and O2. The VEP amplitudes evoked by the stereogram markedly exceeded those by the correlogram. In comparing the VEP amplitude of O1 with that of O2, when the slit of the stereogram hit the nasal side of the nasotemporal overlap O1 exceeded O2, and on the temporal side, this was reversed. The difference between the amplitudes at O1 and O2 was significant at 3 degrees from the fovea. These results showed electrophysiologically that the width of the nasotemporal overlap in the human retina is more or less 4 degrees and that the activity from the overlap area converges to disparity selective neurons in the visual cortex, suggesting that the overlap area is the region where cues to depth perception are obtained in the front-posterior plane of the fixation point.

BE-23372M, a novel protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. II. Physico-chemical properties and structure elucidation

BE-23372M, a new protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been obtained as a reddish orange solid. The compound, C17H12O6, HRFAB-MS: m/z 312.0625 (M)+, is an acidic substance, showing UV (MeOH) lambda max (epsilon) 266 (8,800), 426 nm (20,400), and IR (KBr)vmax 1752(C = O) and 3298(OH) cm-1. The structure of BE-23372M, (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-5-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2(3H)-fur anone, has been elucidated by 1H and 13C NMR studies.

Serial transcranial Doppler flow velocity and cerebral blood flow measurements for evaluation of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Serial transcranial Doppler (TCD) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) examinations were performed in 73 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm to evaluate cerebral vasospasm. Twenty-six (35.6%) of the 73 patients developed ischemic neurological symptoms associated with cerebral vasospasm, which were reversible in all except four patients (5.5%) who demonstrated low-density areas associated with vasospasm on computed tomographic scans. In general, the flow velocities in the middle cerebral arteries began to increase soon after onset of SAH, reaching the maximum between days 8 and 10, subsequently decreasing gradually. There was no significant difference in the highest value and the time course of flow velocities between symptomatic vasospasm and asymptomatic vasospasm patients. Patients with symptomatic vasospasm demonstrated two typical time courses of flow velocities: rapid increases in flow velocities that preceded the clinical manifestations of vasospasm (16 patients, 61.5%), and no rapid increases in flow velocities despite the presence of ischemic symptoms (10 patients, 38.5%). In the latter, angiograms demonstrated vasospasm in segments distal to those evaluated by TCD examination. These results showed that the degree of cerebral vasospasm cannot be assessed only by the absolute flow velocities. CBF was measured two to 10 (mean 4.7) times within 3 weeks of SAH using the 133Xe intravenous injection method. The CBF value remained stable even during the period of major risk of vasospasm. However, the CBF was significantly lower in patients with symptomatic vasospasm on days 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, and 15, when compared with patients without symptomatic vasospasm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

BE-23372M, a novel protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. III. Synthesis

In a preceding paper, the physico-chemical properties and structural elucidation of BE-23372M, a potent novel protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, were described. In this paper, we report the synthesis of BE-23372M from 3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzoyl)propionic acid and veratraldehyde or 3,4-diacetoxy-benzaldehyde. The structure of BE-23372M was confirmed to be (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-5-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2(3H)-fur anone.

Characteristics of Ki1769, a novel vasodilator, in isolated rat aorta

The vasorelaxant mechanism of a newly synthesized vasodilator, Ki1769 [N-cyano-N'-(2-phenethyl)-3-pyridinecarboximidamide], was studied in isolated rat aorta in comparison with cromakalim. Ki1769 (10(-8)-10(-5) M) and cromakalim (10(-8)-10(-5) M) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation and the EC50 values for Ki1769 and cromakalim were (8.60 +/- 1.90) x 10(-7) M and (1.36 +/- 0.18) x 10(-7) M, respectively. Ki1769- and cromakalim-induced relaxations were competitively antagonized by glibenclamide with pA2 values of 6.83 and 6.93, respectively. Charybdotoxin, apamine, atropine, propranolol and indomethacin did not affect the Ki1769-induced relaxation. An increase in 86Rb efflux was induced by Ki1769. Glibenclamide attenuated the increase in 86Rb efflux produced by Ki1769. These results suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of Ki1769 is based on the glibenclamide-sensitive K channel-opening action.

Relationship between endotoxin antibody levels and portal systemic shunt evaluated by per-rectal portal scintigraphy

The reasons for the high frequency of endotoxaemia in cirrhosis, whether poor liver function or abnormal portal circulation, are not known. Accurate measurement of endotoxin itself is difficult. Instead, in this study an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure levels of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies to endotoxin in patients with chronic liver disease and underlying hepatic viral infection. The relationships between the results and clinical symptoms or the presence of a portal systemic shunt were investigated. The median level of IgA antibodies was not different in patients with chronic hepatitis and those with cirrhosis, and the same was found for IgM, but the median level of IgG antibodies was significantly higher in the patients with cirrhosis. When patients with cirrhosis were grouped by the presence or absence of ascites or hepatocellular carcinoma, no significant difference was observed in any of these antibody levels. However, in cirrhotic patients with varices, the level of IgG antibodies to endotoxin was significantly higher than in patients without varices. For evaluation of the portal systemic shunt, the per-rectal portal shunt index was calculated. There was a significant correlation (R = 0.431, P < 0.001) between the per-rectal portal shunt index and the level of IgG antibodies to endotoxin. That is, the degree of abnormality in the portal haemodynamics was correlated with the level of IgG antibodies to endotoxin in patients with liver disease.

Tumor-localizing fluorescent diagnostic agents without phototoxicity

In order to develop tumor-localizing fluorescent diagnostic agents without phototoxicity, various heterodimers linked by some spacers between a chlorine derivative and its Mn or Cu complex were synthesized. The representative agent of them was named HAT-DO1 and has a molecular formula of m-phthalyl-([13,17-bispropanoic acid-3-ethenyl-8-formylethylidene-7-hydroxy-2,7,12,18-tetramethyl- porphyrinate]-manganese (III))-[3'-ethenyl-8'-formylethylidene-7'-hydroxy-2',7',12',18'-te tramethyl- porphine-13',17'-bispropanoyl aspartic acid]-bishydrazone.

Characteristics of bone marrow cells of patients with eosinophilic pneumonia

Bone marrow features were studied to clarify the pathogenesis of peripheral blood eosinophilia in eosinophilic pneumonia. We observed (1) increases in the number of nucleated cells in patients with this disease as compared with that of control subjects (205,944 +/- 104,253 versus 118,154 +/- 76,306) (P < .05); (2) increases in the myelocyte to erythrocyte ratio (6.95 +/- 4.06 versus 4.02 +/- 1.36) (P < .05) mainly due to a marked increase in the eosinophilic series; and (3) an increase in the eosinophilic series with advance in the maturation process, the degree of increase becoming greater with the increase in eosinophilic maturation. These findings suggest that differentiation and maturation of the precursor cells into mature eosinophils were accelerated in the bone marrow in eosinophilic pneumonia by some lymphokines as eosinophilopoietic growth factors.

Pharmacological characterization of a potent nonpeptide endothelin receptor antagonist, 97-139

The endothelin (ET) receptor antagonist activity of 97-139 [27-O-3-[2-(3-carboxy-acryloylamino)-5-hydroxyphenyl]-acryloylo xy myricerone, sodium salt] was studied. In rat aortic smooth muscle A7r5 cells that express ETA receptors and human Girardi heart cells that express ETB receptors, 97-139 displaced specifically bound [125I]ET-1 with the Ki values of 1.0 +/- 0.2 and 1000 +/- 200 nM, respectively. The compound caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of ET-1-induced increases in intracellular Ca++ levels in A7r5 cells, but not in Girardi heart cells. 97-139 also inhibited ET-1-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation in A7r5 cells (IC50 = 0.92 +/- 0.48 nM). In rat aortic rings, 97-139 produced parallel rightward shifts in the ET-1 concentration-response curve without affecting the maximal contractile response (pA2 = 8.8 +/- 0.4). Administration of 97-139 (0.03-1.0 mg/kg) i.v. to pithed rats resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of the pressor response to ET-1. The in vivo potency of 97-139 was almost the same as that of BQ-123, although the potencies of 97-139 in binding assays and in vitro functional assays were about one order of magnitude higher than those of BQ-123. This discrepancy might involve high binding toward albumin in plasma because 95% plasma and 4% albumin reduced the apparent binding affinity of 97-139 by 22- to 24-fold, but not of BQ-123.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A case of mixed connective tissue disease combined with sarcoidosis

Images

The C-terminal region of the vitamin D receptor is essential to form a complex with a receptor auxiliary factor required for high affinity binding to the vitamin D-responsive element

The human vitamin D receptor (hVDR) requires another nuclear protein(s), designated receptor auxiliary factor (RAF), for optimal binding to the vitamin D-responsive element (VDRE). To determine the region in hVDR required to form a heterodimer with RAF on the VDRE, mutant hVDR cDNAs were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and transfected into COS-7 cells. A truncated hVDR, lacking 25 C-terminal amino acids (delta 403-427), showed complex production in combination with endogenous RAF in COS-7 cells. Complex development was markedly enhanced by adding a rat liver nuclear fraction, which contains RAF activity, or either the alpha or beta form of the retinoid-X receptor, which has been reported to be closely related or identical to RAF. In contrast, either a C-terminal truncation of 46 amino acids (delta 382-427) or single point mutations at lysine-382, methionine-383, glutamine-385, or leucine-390 dramatically reduced the ability of hVDR to heterodimerize with RAF. Binding of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] hormone was undetectable in delta 382-427 truncated hVDR, whereas the delta 403-427 mutant hVDR exhibited significant 1,25-(OH)2D3 ligand binding, although the dissociation constant was approximately 10-fold higher than that of the wild-type receptor. Surprisingly, the delta 403-427 mutant hVDR did not mediate measurable transcriptional activation in cotransfection experiments with a VDRE-GH reporter gene construct. These results indicate that hVDR residues between cysteine-403 and serine-427 are required for very high affinity 1,25-(OH)2D3 ligand binding and transcriptional activation, but are not involved in heterodimerization. The region of hVDR between lysine-382 and arginine-402, probably the domain containing heptad 9, plays an essential role in the heterodimerization of hVDR with RAF. However, based upon additional point mutagenesis experiments, it is likely that other regions of the hormone-binding domain, such as that including heptad 4 (leucine-325 to leucine-332), also contribute to the protein-protein interactions required for the high affinity, specific binding of hVDR to the VDRE.

Cultured neurons infected with an HSV-1-derived vector remain electrically excitable and responsive to neurotransmitter

Vectors derived from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) have allowed foreign genes to be expressed in differentiated postmitotic neurons, but the usefulness of these infected neurons for electrophysiological studies has not been examined. Using a latent, non-pathogenic recombinant HSV-1 virus, we expressed E. coli beta-galactosidase in identified rat cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons in culture. The electrophysiological properties of the infected cholinergic neurons were examined. The neurons remained electrically excitable and responsive to neurotransmitter.

Effect of low-intensity argon laser irradiation on mitochondrial respiration

We studied influences of low-intensity argon laser irradiation at various wavelengths on mitochondrial respiration in vitro. Isolated guinea pig liver mitochondria were suspended in an isotonic buffer solution (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C). The mitochondrial suspension was introduced into a constant temperature reaction chamber in which an irradiation fiber, a thermocouple, an oxygen electrode, and a stirrer were installed. Under respiratory conditions of state 4, state 3, and uncoupled respiration, mitochondrial oxygen consumption was measured during low-intensity argon laser irradiations at 351nm, 458 nm, and 514.5 nm. The 351 nm and the 458 nm irradiations at 200 mW inhibited uncoupled respiration by 19% and 11%, respectively, and the irradiation at 351 nm inhibited state 3 respiration as well by 10%. In contrast, the 514.5 nm irradiation enhanced both state 3 and uncoupled respiration by 6-7%. Temperature reference experiments indicated that the thermal effect alone could not account for the effects of laser irradiation on mitochondrial oxygen consumption. These results suggest that the 351 nm and the 458 nm laser irradiation may injure the mitochondrial inner membrane, while the 514.5 nm laser irradiation may slightly promote the rate of ATP synthesis.

Induction of expression of adhesion molecules on an eosinophilic cell line (EoL-1) by the supernatant of lymphocytes stimulated with specific allergen from asthmatic patients

Recently, adhesion molecules have been considered to play an important role in inflammatory processes in bronchial asthma. To extend our understanding of the high-intensity expression of adhesion molecules (CR3, LFA-1 alpha, LFA-1 beta, ICAM-1) on hypodense eosinophils, which was observed in our previous study, we examined whether the supernatant of lymphocytes from mite-allergic asthmatic patients is involved in adhesion molecule expression using an eosinophilic cell line (EoL-1). These characteristics of adhesion molecule expression were induced by the supernatant of lymphocytes obtained from mite-allergic asthmatic patients cultured with specific allergen as well as a combination of recombinant cytokines (IL-3, GM-CSF, IL-5). Thus, we could conclude that some lymphokines produced by specific allergen in asthma might be involved in the high-intensity expression of adhesion molecules on hypodense eosinophils in asthma or allergic disorders.

Measurement of portal systemic shunting by oral and per-rectal administration of [123I]iodoamphetamine, and clinical use of the results

OBJECTIVE. We used a method by which the portal shunt index via the superior mesenteric vein (SI-S) and that via the inferior mesenteric vein (SI-I) could be evaluated simultaneously. The clinical usefulness of the method was studied.

METHODS

Scintigraphy was done 3 h after subjects took an enteric-coated capsule containing [123I]iodoamphetamine. At that time, the radionuclide was injected into the rectum. Counts for the lungs and the liver were used to calculate the two shunt indices.

RESULTS

The mean SI-S and SI-I tended to be higher for disorders that were more severe, increasing in the order of chronic persistent hepatitis, chronic aggressive hepatitis, and cirrhosis. In cirrhotic patients, the SI-I was higher than the SI-S (p < 0.001). The SI-S and SI-I were both higher in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices than in such patients without varices (p < 0.05 and < 0.001). The SI-S and SI-I were higher in cirrhotic patients with ascites than in such patients without ascites (p < 0.001 and < 0.01). Correlation between either of these indices and classical indicators of functional reserve was high. The correlation of SI-S with the Child-Turcotte classification and total bilirubin level was higher than the correlation of the SI-I and these indicators of functional reserve.

CONCLUSIONS

This method permits assessment of the portal hemodynamics in a relatively noninvasive way, and is clinically meaningful.

Effect of platelet-activating factor and platelet factor 4 on eosinophil adhesion

The effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) on the adhesion of isolated human eosinophils or eosinophilic cell lines (EoL-1, EoL-3) was examined. Both PAF and PF4 augmented eosinophil adhesion to plates coated with AB plasma or recombinant soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (r-sICAM-1). These findings suggest that PAF and PF4 not only modulate chemotactic activity of eosinophils but also intensify the function of eosinophil adhesion. Since PAF and PF4 induce the expression of adhesion molecules (LFA-1 alpha, LFA-1 beta, CR3) on eosinophils, we could conclude that PAF or PF4 are closely related to eosinophil accumulation not only as chemotactic agents but also as augmentative agents for eosinophil adhesion through involvement in functional eosinophil adherence as well as surface expression of adhesion molecules on eosinophils.

RANTES augments radical oxygen products from eosinophils

RANTES, which is released from thrombin-stimulated platelets, is a member of the 8-kD cytokine family that has been shown to possess chemotactic activity for eosinophils. Thus, in this study, we examined the effect of RANTES on radical oxygen products from eosinophils. RANTES treatment resulted in the enhancement of peak value and integrated value of productivity of eosinophil-mediated radical oxygen products determined by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of EoL-3 cells stimulated with A23187. In addition, the radical oxygen products of EoL-1 or eosinophils showed similar results. Thus, we could conclude that platelets might play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation through the involvement in the selective eosinophil infiltration and eosinophil activation by releasing RANTES.

The effect of sho-saiko-to on concentration of vitamin E in serum and on granuloma formation in carrageenin cotton pellet-induced granuloma rats

The effect of Sho-saiko-to on the concentration of vitamin E in serum and on the granuloma formation in Carrageenin cotton pellet-induced rats was investigated. As a result, in the granuloma rats of Sho-saiko-to group, a significantly improved inhibitory effect on granuloma formation and a higher concentration of vitamin E in serum, cholesterol and phospholipid were observed compared to the control group. Despite this lipid-increasing action by Sho-saiko-to, the concentration of serum lipid peroxide was significantly lower than in the control group. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between the concentration of vitamin E and granuloma weight was observed. These results suggest that vitamin E plays an important role in promoting the anti-inflammatory effect of Sho-saiko-to.

[The managements of nutrition for hepatic cirrhosis]

Hepatic cirrhosis is the end stage in chronic liver diseases and this condition cause the patient's death because of hepatic failure. A prognosis of patients with hepatic cirrhosis depend on the liver function, especially the function of mass of residual hepatocytes and this function expressed by level of serum albumin, cholinesterase (Ch E) or ICGR-15. This function is improved a management of nutrition because hepatocytes are regenerate by intake of protein. In compensated hepatic cirrhosis, hepatocytes are regenerate by dietary intake of 100-120 g/day of protein and the function of mass of residual hepatocytes is increased. The prognosis of these patients with compensated hepatic cirrhosis are improved by this management of nutrition.