Basic fibroblast growth factor inhibited Ca2+ ionophore-induced apoptotic cell death of cultured cortical neurons from embryonic rats

The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on apoptotic cell death of cultured cortical neurons from embryonic rats induced by ionomycin, a potent Ca2+ ionophore, was investigated. bFGF inhibited Ca2+ ionophore-induced neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. bFGF also reduced the degree of fragmentation of DNA of Ca2+ ionophore-treated neurons. These findings strongly suggest that bFGF inhibited ionomycin-induced neurotoxicity by preventing apoptosis.

Galanin-immunoreactive nerve terminals innervating the striated muscle fibers of the rat esophagus

Galanin (GAL) immunohistochemistry combined with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry was applied to demonstrate the innervation of the rat esophageal muscle coats. GAL immunoreactivity was found in a number of nerve cell bodies in the myenteric ganglia and in numerous varicose and non-varicose nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus and around blood vessels. Many GAL-positive varicose fibers ran in the internodal strands and along the striated muscle fibers. They often ramified and terminated on the muscle fibers to form arborizing structures, which were most abundant in the thoracic portion of the esophagus. Such GAL-positive terminals were localized in most (87.7%) of AChE-reactive motor endplates on the esophageal striated muscles. Left supranodose vagotomy caused a significant decrease of the GAL-arborizing terminals on the striated muscles of the esophagus. This suggests that they are terminals of efferent fibers in the vagus nerve.

Renal lesion of type Ia glycogen storage disease: the glomerular size and renal localization of apolipoprotein

In order to investigate the glomerular size and renal localization of apolipoprotein in type Ia glycogen storage disease, a renal biopsy was performed in two proteinuric patients. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimens revealed focal sclerotic glomerular sclerosis in both patients. The mean glomerular area was 21.6 +/- 11.6 x 10(3) microns 2, indicating enlargement of the glomeruli. Immunohistochemical staining of the specimens for apolipoprotein showed localization of apolipoprotein AI on the inner side of the glomerular capillary wall, and in proximal tubular epithelial cells. In one patient with a history of several episodes of hypoglycemia, treatment with corn starch improved the carbohydrate and lipid metabolic profile and reduced the daily urinary protein excretion from 2.23 to 0.5 g. These results suggest that focal sclerotic glomerular lesions associated with type Ia glycogen storage disease may be related to disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Effects of macrophage depletion on the induction of histidine decarboxylase by lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor

1. Our previous work has shown that injection into mice of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the cytokines interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) induces histidine decarboxylase (HDC), the enzyme forming histamine, in various tissues such as liver, lung, spleen and bone marrow, but not in the blood. The induction of HDC also occurs in nude mice and mast cell-deficient mice. On the other hand, haematopoietic cytokines such as IL-3, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) only induce HDC in the haematopoietic organs, i.e. bone marrow and spleen. In the present study, the effect of macrophage depletion on the induction of HDC was examined. 2. On day 1 after a single intravenous injection of a macrophage depletor (liposomes encapsulating dichloromethylene diphosphonate, which is toxic when ingested into macrophages), macrophages were almost completely depleted in the liver and reduced by about 50% in the spleen and bone marrow, but not significantly affected in the lung. On day 3, the degrees of the depletion were similar to those of day 1. In the spleen, macrophages were depleted in the red pulp, and there was a structural destruction. 3. In macrophage-depleted mice, the induction of HDC by LPS, IL-1 alpha or TNF-alpha was not impaired in the liver, and was potentiated in the lung and bone marrow. The induction of HDC was decreased only in the spleen at day 3. 4. HDC was not induced by LPS in the spleen of the adult rat, which is correspondingly inactive in haematopoiesis.5 These results indicate that the major cells in which HDC activity is induced in response to LPS, IL-1 and TNF are not circulating granulocytes, circulating monocytes, T cells derived from thymus, mast cells or phagocytic macrophages. Based on these results, we discuss the possibility that the major cells in which HDC was induced in non-haematopoietic and haematopoietic organs were endothelial cells and haematopoietic precursor cells respectively.

[Chronic subdural hematoma with bleeding tendency; clinical analysis of 11 surgical cases]

Eleven patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) with bleeding tendency (BT) were surgically treated in the last 12 years. To study the clinical problem of CSDH with BT, 11 surgical cases were divided into 3 groups, Group A; CSDH with primary BT (1 case of hemophilia A), Group B; CSDH with BT secondary to a basic disease (3 cases of leukemia, 2 cases of malignant tumor with DIC, 1 case of chronic renal failure and 1 case of liver cirrhosis), Group C; CSDH with BT by anticoagulants (warfarin) (2 cases of replacement of mitral valve, 1 case of A-C bypass). Evacuation of the hematoma was performed by means of one or two burr holes with irrigation of the hematoma cavity and a drainage tube was placed in the subdural space. The outcome was excellent in Groups A and C. In Group B, two patients with DIC due to gastric cancer and prostatic cancer died, and 3 patients with leukemia recovered dramatically from CSDH, but the poor course of the disease itself resulted in death. The outcome of other patients in Group B was excellent. Since CSDH with BT is often fatal, those patient had usually been treated conservatively. However, from this analysis, we stress that CSDH with BT should be surgically treated after checking the blood conditions carefully to determine whether or not the patient has need for surgery.

Soft-diet feeding during development enhances later learning abilities in female rats

We investigated whether a decrease in masticatory work affected not only jaw bone growth but also radial eight-arm maze learning, and whether there was a sexual difference in this effect, if any. Male and female rats, weaned at 3 weeks of age, were fed either pelleted or powdered chow until 16 weeks of age and learning experiments were conducted at 10-13 weeks of age. Almost all of the five dimensions of the jaw bones were greater in rats fed pelleted chow than in rats fed powdered chow in both sexes. The number of correct choices in the last five trials was significantly greater in female, but not in male, rats fed powdered chow, and the number of trials to attain at least seven correct choices in the first eight choices in five consecutive trials was greater in female rats fed pelleted chow than in female rats fed powdered chow and in male rats fed either powdered or pelleted chow. These results suggest that 1) a decrease in masticatory work due to soft-diet feeding during development enhances later learning ability preferentially in female rats, and 2) the reported sexual inferiority of female rats in learning and memory functions is due to hard-diet feeding as the standard laboratory condition.

Molecular cloning of murine pig-a, a gene for GPI-anchor biosynthesis, and demonstration of interspecies conservation of its structure, function, and genetic locus

Many membrane proteins are anchored to the cell membrane by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). The core structure and biosynthesis of the GPI anchor are well conserved in eukaryote cells. We previously cloned a human PIGA gene that participates in GPI anchor biosynthesis. We have now cloned complementary and genomic DNA of Pig-a, the murine homologue of PIGA, and compared its function and gene structure with those of PIGA. The deduced amino acid sequence of mouse PIG-A is 88% identical with that of human PIG-A. Transfection of Pig-a cDNA complemented the defects of both a PIG-A-deficient murine cell line and a PIG-A-deficient human cell line, demonstrating that functions of mouse and human PIG-A are conserved. Like human PIGA, the chromosomal Pig-a gene has six exons and spans approximately 16 kb. Moreover, Pig-a was mapped to X-F3/4, which is syntenic to human Xp22.1, where PIGA is located. Thus, murine Pig-a provides a good animal model to study paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a disease caused by a somatic mutation of PIGA. Database analysis demonstrated that a yeast gene, SPT14, is homologous to Pig-a and PIGA and that these genes are members of a glycosyltransferase gene family.

Potent cholesterol-lowering effect by human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in rabbits. Possible implications of enhancement of macrophage functions and an increase in mRNA for VLDL receptor

The mechanism by which granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) lowers plasma cholesterol levels is not well understood. We tested recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF) on plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in rabbits and attempted to determine the mechanisms of the cholesterol-lowering effect. rhGM-CSF (20 micrograms.kg-1.d-1) was administered to normal and cholesterol-fed rabbits for 2 weeks and to Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits for 1 week. The administration of rhGM-CSF markedly lowered cholesterol and triglycerides, an effect that persisted in normal and cholesterol-fed rabbits even after termination of treatment. The cholesterol-lowering effect of rhGM-CSF was also observed in WHHL rabbits. rhGM-CSF was capable of stimulating granulocyte-macrophage colony formation in vitro in rabbits with an effect comparable to that in humans. Northern blot analysis with rabbit very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor cDNA revealed that rhGM-CSF increased the levels of VLDL receptor mRNA in muscle of rabbits after only 1.5 hours of treatment compared with control (2.6-fold), with the 1.5-fold increase following a 5-day administration. No changes in the levels of LDL receptor mRNA in liver, spleen, and bone marrow were observed in the treated rabbits. These findings suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effect of rhGM-CSF may be mediated by enhancement of macrophage functions in lipid metabolism and the increase in mRNA for VLDL receptor in rabbits.

"Myocardial stunning"-like phenomenon during a crisis of pheochromocytoma

A woman with a pheochromocytoma crisis initiated by cardiogenic shock showed severely impaired left ventricular contraction at the time of admission. Heart failure was improved rapidly, and an endomyocardial biopsy performed on the 11th day of admission showed findings compatible with "catecholamine cardiomyopathy". Regarding the pathogenesis of short-duration left ventricular dysfunction, catecholamine-induced cardiotoxicity would probably be the initial consideration. However, in this case, after considering the electrocardiogram on admission and a series of left ventriculograms, "myocardial stunning" following diffuse coronary vasospasm induced by catecholamine crisis may have also contributed to the dysfunction.

Enhancement of human papillomavirus type 18 gene expression in HeLa cells by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, 3 beta,5 alpha-dihydroxycholestan-6-one, and cholesterol

Human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) is involved in the genesis of cervical cancer through expression of its viral oncoprotein in infected cells. A tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), was found to increase the level of HPV18 transcripts in an HPV18-harboring cervical cancer cell line, HeLa. A similar increase in HPV18 expression was also observed on treatment of the cells with an oxygenated cholesterol, 3 beta,5 alpha-dihydroxycholestan-6-one (yakkasterone). The effects on HPV18 expression elicited by TPA and yakkasterone were repressed by a protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine. Treatment of the cells with cholesterol under serum-free conditions also resulted in an apparent increase of HPV18 expression.

Immunohistochemical expression of manganese superoxide dismutase in hepatocellular carcinoma, using a specific monoclonal antibody

The expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) was studied immunohistochemically, using a specific monoclonal antibody, in surgically resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and noncancerous tissues from 47 patients (2 with well-differentiated HCC, 36 with moderately differentiated HCC, 8 with poorly differentiated HCC, and 1 with undifferentiated carcinoma). Cancer cells in 44 patients (93.6%) were positive for Mn-SOD. The staining pattern of cancer cells was mostly homogeneous in well-differentiated HCC, whereas it was heterogeneous in poorly differentiated HCC. Moreover, strongly positive immunoreactivity was observed in noncancerous liver tissues in all patients, especially in normal hepatocytes surrounding HCC, regenerative small hepatocytes in the tumor boundary, and mononuclear inflammatory cells in the necroinflammatory lesions. The positive immunoreactivity for Mn-SOD in patients with HCC appears to reflect increased production of the enzyme protein.

Teleocidins and benzolactams inhibit cell killing by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)

Teleocidin B-4 and structurally related synthetic benzolactams were found to be potent inhibitors of cell killing by HIV-1. One of the benzolactams, (-)-BL-V8-310, showed a high selectivity index.

[Phenoxenium ions: generations and reactions]

The acid-catalyzed reaction of N-acyl- and N-sulfonylhydroxylamines with benzene proceeded smoothly to give C-C products; 2- and 4-hydroxybiphenyls. The reaction and the thermolysis of N-aryloxypyridinium salts involve common intermediates. The results of product analysis, the orientation of the reaction, effects of substituents on the nitrogen atom and on the phenyl ring suggested a mechanism involving a phenoxenium ion. The positive charge of the phenoxenium ion localized not on the oxygen atom but on the ortho and para carbons of the benzene ring. C-O product: diphenylethers are formed when the heterolysis of the N-O bonds is slow and the aromatic solvent has high nucleophilicity, suggesting an SN2-like reaction on the oxygen atom. The phenoxenium ions are also concerned with a rearrangement of O-arylhydroxylamine to 2-aminophenol. An ion-molecule pair involving phenoxenium ion and ammonia as an intermediate of the intramolecular ortho rearrangement.

Ca2+ ionophore-induced apoptosis on cultured embryonic rat cortical neurons

The neurotoxicity of ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore, was investigated in cultured cortical neurons from embryonic rats. While about 90% of neurons survived 2 h after exposure to ionomycin, the surviving neurons had decreased by about 30 to 40% at 16 h. Both RNA and protein synthesis inhibitors blocked this neurotoxicity. Furthermore, c-Fos immunoreactive neurons increased not only in number but also in the intensity of immunoreactivity. These results suggest that ionomycin-induced neuronal cell death is an active process which requires de novo transcription and translation. In addition, the ultrastructural changes, such as shrinkage of cell body, compaction of nucleus, condensation of chromatin, and membrane blebbing, were observed by electron microscopy. These morphological changes are indexes of apoptosis. Furthermore, DNA fragmentation, a biochemical marker of apoptosis, was also observed. All the results suggest that ionomycin-induced neuronal cell death is apoptotic.

[The active conformation of teleocidins: design and synthesis of new active molecules]

This review deals with structure-activity relationships, conformational analysis of teleocidins and creation of new active compounds for the determination of active conformation of teleocidins. Phorbol esters containing 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and teleocidins which are classified as TPA-type tumor promoters exhibit potent tumor-promoting activity as well as many important biological activities connected with cell prolification and cell differentiation. Teleocidins are known to exist in an equilibrium between two conformational states in solution, the twist and the sofa forms. The low energy barrier between the two conformers makes it difficult to identify the mode of interaction of these promoters with common macromolecular targets. Design and synthesis of molecules having a new skeleton (benzolactams) and producing two conformations of teleocidins solve the problem. Benzolactams become the simplest molecule reproducing the conformation and activity of teleocidin, and will be a useful tool for the study of tumor-promotion and cell differentiation.

New technology for continuous intravenous infusion via the central and portal veins in the rat

Total parenteral nutrition via the central vein is a technique used extensively in basic and clinical research. Recent research has also focused on the administration of various drugs and nutrients via the portal vein. To date, however, no technique which would permit prolonged continuous infusion simultaneously through both the central vein and the portal vein in the rat has been reported. The development of such a technique would open up new possibilities for utilizing the advantages of each of these two routes and contribute to progress in metabolic and nutritional research. To establish such a technique, the authors implemented several unique improvements such as the application of clamps to minimize bleeding during catheter insertion and an increase in the number of sutures to prevent catheter dislodgment. With these improvements, it was possible to continuously administer specified doses of infusion solution in both veins for 6 days in 156 of 158 rats (99%) in the main experiment. We herein describe the techniques used and some of the results obtained with this experimental system.

Confluentic acid and 2'-O-methylperlatolic acid, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors in a Brazilian plant, Himatanthus sucuuba

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors were isolated from the bark of a Brazilian plant, Himatanthus sucuuba (SPR.). Assignments of the 1H- and 13C-NMR data using two dimensional (2D)-NMR techniques showed the active components to be known lichen depsides, confluentic acid (1) and 2'-O-methylperlatolic acid (2). The depside (1) showed selective inhibition of MAO-B with IC50 value of 0.22 microM.

Biophysical parameters of glucocorticoid-binding proteins from rat inflammatory tissues

The complexes of [3H]glucocorticoid and cytoplasmic proteins of the inflammatory tissue were characterized by the gel filtration and by the sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Protein-bound [3H]cortisol sedimented at about 4 S with a Stokes radius of about 4 nm and an apparent molecular weight (Mr) of about 70 kDa, irrespective with the presence of 0.4 M KCl. The complex of [3H]triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) and protein sedimented at about 7 S and showed about 170 kDa of Mr and about 6 nm of the Stokes radius in the absence of 0.4 M KCl. In the presence of 0.4 M KCl, the [3H]TAA-protein complex changed into a smaller form (4 S) with about 4 nm of the Stokes radius and about 60 kDa of Mr. This suggests that the so-called glucocorticoid receptor of the inflammatory tissue associates with a 110 kDa protein.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with splenic metastasis developing after 16 years of chemotherapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia: a case report

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which developed during chemotherapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), is presented. A 55-year-old Japanese man, who had received an alkylating agent for 16 years, was diagnosed as having HCC with clinically evident splenic metastases. The patient died of the HCC rupture three months after diagnosis. The autopsy revealed the HCC to have developed from the non-cirrhotic liver. In the present case, DNA damage due to the long-term chemotherapy with the alkylating agent for CML may have endowed the HCC induced by post-transfusion hepatitis and alcohol abuse with an aggressive proliferative potential. This is the first report on HCC in association with CML.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmitted by a cadaveric dura mater graft

We report a case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease developing in a 31-year-old woman 56 months after she received a cadaveric dura mater graft after the removal of a giant pituitary adenoma. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was confirmed by a brain autopsy and the existence of an abnormal isoform of prion protein, verified by both immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. Moreover, prion protein gene analysis was shown in this case to possess a wild-type genotype. The characteristics of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease after a cadaveric dura mater graft are reviewed and discussed.