Primary nonfunction of fatty livers produced by alcohol is associated with a new, antioxidant-insensitive free radical species

The formation of free radicals after orthotopic liver transplantation in the rat correlates with graft failure. Fatty livers from alcoholics transplant poorly, so these studies were designed to examine the effect of alcohol on free radical formation in a rearterialized rat liver transplantation model. Treatment of rats for 3-5 weeks with either a high-fat or an ethanol-containing liquid diet caused characteristic pericentral lipid accumulation. After storage in University of Wisconsin cold storage solution (UW) and transplantation, a reperfusion injury characterized by increased postoperative AST levels (greater than 1500 U/l in about 3 hours) was observed in rats fed high-fat or alcohol-containing diets, whereas parenchymal cell injury was seen much less in low-fat controls. Survival was around 63% in the low-fat group but decreased to 12 and 18% in the high-fat and alcohol groups, respectively. Furthermore, intracellular lipid content correlated inversely with survival. In untransplanted livers, the spin trap alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) was infused, and blood samples were collected and extracted with chloroform:methanol. Signals indicative of carbon-centered PBN radical adducts were barely detectable in all untransplanted groups studied by electron paramagnetic resonance. In contrast, a robust 6-line complex spectrum was obtained from all groups studied immediately after 48 hours of cold storage in UW solution and transplantation. A mixture of 3 radical species was identified. Two had coupling constants similar to lipid-derived free radicals, whereas the third is a new species with unique coupling constants and is most likely oxygen derived. In low-fat controls, the signal was reduced significantly by superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase; however, SOD/catalase had no effect on free radicals in lipid-loaded livers. Thus, both dietary high fat and alcohol exposure produce a unique SOD/catalase-insensitive free radical species that may be involved in the mechanism of failure of fatty livers after orthotopic liver transplantation.

[Percutanous transluminal coronary angioplasty for unstable angina]

Percutanous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in 190 patients with 250 diseased vessels and 278 lesions from Dec. 1987 to Feb. 1994. All the patients had unstable angina (UA). There were 52 (18.7%) type A lesions, 175 (62.9%) type B lesions and 51 (18.3%) type C lesions. Of the 190 patients undergoing PTCA, 134 (70.5%) patients had dilatation of a single vessel, 46 (24.2%) of two vessels and 10 (5.3%) of three or more vessels. In 121 patients with multivessel disease, 98 (81.0%) had incomplete revascularization of the ischemia-related vessel (the culprit vessel) and only 23 (19.0%) had complete vessel revascularization. Kissing balloon technique was used in six patients and autoperfusion balloon in five. There were four patients undergoing directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) and four intracoronary stent. The clinical (patient) success rate was 94.7% (180/190) and technical (vessel) success rate 95.2% (238/250). The average degree of vessel stenosis was 88.7% +/- 8.3% before PTCA and the residual tenosis was 17.9% +/- 9.2% after PTCA. Acute vascular complications occurred in 18 (6.5%) lesions. 15 were managed successfully, two developed Q wave myocardial infarct and one died. None needed emergency coronary bypass operation. PTCA was not successful in 10 patients. In 180 patients with successful PTCA, 165 (91.7%) were free from UA, 15 (8.3%) patients had symptoms improved and oxygen need reduced. During a six-month follow-up, 26 patients had chest pain again with confirmed restenosis, repeated PTCA was performed successfully.

[The result of re-resection of lung cancer]

In 38 cases of primary lung cancer with post-operative recurrence and metastasis or second primary lung cancer, re-resection was performed. The time interval between the first operation and re-resection was 2 months-9 years. The resectibility rate was 89.5%. Postoperative complication rate was 23.7% and the operative mortality rate within 1 months was 5.3%. With radical re-resection the one, three and five year-survival rate were 80%, 45.8% and 35% respectively. The survival time depends more on the thoroughness of resection than on the histologic type of the tumor and the time interval. It is of the opinion that wherever recurrence and/or metastasis occur. Radical reresection is the treatment of choice.

Antibiotics prevent liver injury in rats following long-term exposure to ethanol

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Kupffer's cells participate in alcohol-induced liver injury, and endotoxemia is observed in human alcoholics and in a rat model. This study evaluated the effect of reducing bacterial endotoxin production by intestinal sterilization on alcohol-induced liver injury.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were exposed to ethanol continuously for up to 3 weeks via intragastric feeding. The gut was sterilized with polymyxin B and neomycin.

RESULTS

Fecal culture of stool samples from ethanol-fed rats treated with antibiotics showed virtually no growth of gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxin levels of 80-90 pg/mL in plasma of ethanol-fed rats were reduced to < 25 pg/mL by antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment also completely prevented elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels and significantly reduced the average hepatic pathological score in rats exposed to ethanol. Oxygen tension on the surface of the liver measured in vivo was decreased significantly from control values of 48 +/- 1 to 39 +/- 1 mumol/L in ethanol-treated rats. This hypoxia was prevented by treatment with antibiotics. Moreover, the increase in rates of ethanol elimination due to long-term ethanol treatment was prevented by antibiotic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Intestinal sterilization prevented alcohol-induced liver injury in the rat, supporting the idea that hypermetabolism and consequent hypoxia caused by activation of Kupffer's cells by endotoxin is involved in the mechanism.

Pseudo-dissection in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a well-established and effective treatment modality for significant coronary artery disease. Because it enlarges the arterial lumen by plaque disruption, minor wall dissection is not infrequent. Complex dissections are, however, uncommon but may lead to acute vessel closure with its attendant major clinical morbidity and mortality. We describe here a case of pseudo-dissection and its potential for misinterpretation and subsequent inappropriate management.

Role of carboxy-terminal region in proofreading function of methionyl-tRNA synthetase in Escherichia coli

The synthetic and editing functions of three forms of Escherichia coli methionyl-tRNA synthetase with different C-terminal sequences have been compared in vivo and in vitro. These forms include a full-length wild-type dimer (MRS676), a truncated monomer (MRS547) believed to be equivalent to the biologically active large tryptic fragment, and a third form denoted MRS581*. DNA sequencing revealed that MRS581* is predicted to contain 18 additional amino acids from the wild-type full-length sequence at the carboxy terminus of truncated form MRS547, and this is then fused to an additional 16 amino acids encoded by vector pBR322. Both MRS676 and MRS581* were found to edit endogenous homocysteine about 20-fold more efficiently than MRS547 in vivo. However, the three methionyl-tRNA synthetases edited exogenously supplied homocysteine in bacterial cultures to similar extents. Purified proteins exhibited no significant differences in editing function in vitro. Synthetic activity of purified MRS676 in vitro was found to be about 2.5-fold higher per subunit compared to the shorter forms of the enzyme. The C-terminal region in E. coli methionyl-tRNA synthetase is thus suggested to play an important role in editing in vivo, most likely by allowing interaction of the enzyme with the methionine biosynthetic pathway. These data support a model of channeling of at least some metabolites in bacterial protein synthesis.

Inactivation of Kupffer cells prevents early alcohol-induced liver injury

It is well recognized that consumption of alcohol leads to liver disease in a dose-dependent manner; however, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Hypoxia subsequent to a hypermetabolic state may be involved; therefore, when it was observed recently that inactivation of Kupffer cells prevented stimulation of hepatic oxygen uptake by alcohol, the idea that Kupffer cells participate in early events that ultimately lead to alcohol-induced liver disease became a real possibility. The purpose of this study was to test that hypothesis. Male Wistar rats were exposed to ethanol continuously by means of intragastric feeding for up to 4 weeks using the model developed by Tsukamoto and French. In this model, ethanol causes fatty liver, necrosis and inflammation--changes characteristic of alcohol-induced liver disease in human beings. Kupffer cells were inactivated by twice weekly treatment with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3), a selective Kupffer cell toxicant. AST levels were elevated to 192 +/- 13 and 244 +/- 56 IU/L in rats exposed to ethanol for 2 and 4 wk, respectively (control value, 88 +/- 7). This injury was prevented almost completely by GdCl3 treatment. Fatty changes, inflammation and necrosis were also all reduced dramatically by GdCl3 treatment. The average hepatic pathological score of rats treated with ethanol for 4 wk was 4.3 +/- 0.6, which was reduced significantly in ethanol- and GdCl3-treated rats to 1.8 +/- 0.5 (p < 0.05). Rates of ethanol elimination were elevated 2- to 3-fold in rats exposed to ethanol for 2 to 4 wk. This elevation was blocked by GdCl3 treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Luffin-S--a small novel ribosome-inactivating protein from Luffa cylindrica. Characterization and mechanism studies

We purified and characterized a novel RIP (ribosome inactivating protein), Luffin-S from the seeds of Luffa cylindrica. Different from Luffin-A and B, which are RNA N-glycosidases with molecular weights of 27 and 28 kDa, respectively, Luffin-S has an M.W. of only approx. 10 kDa, much smaller than any other RIPs so far investigated. Its abundant resources, toxicity similar to TCS in a cell-free protein synthesis system and unique mechanism as phosphodiesterase, like alpha-sarcin, promisingly make it a potential toxic moiety of immunotoxin.

New reactive oxidizing species causes formation of carbon-centered radical adducts in organic extracts of blood following liver transplantation

alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-t-butylnitrone (4-POBN) radical adducts from Folch (chloroform:methanol) extraction of blood of transplanted livers exhibited a large 6-line electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum. Slow EPR sample preparation involving freezing and thawing prior to extraction over 15 min yielded a spectrum assigned as a lipid-derived free radical species, whereas rapid (< 1 min) extraction without a freeze-thaw cycle yielded a mixture of radicals, one with coupling constants similar to the alpha-hydroxymethyl-4-POBN adduct (4-POBN/.CH2OH). Extraction with purified chloroform, however, yielded a much weaker, probably lipid-derived signal. Use of 13C-methanol in the Folch extracting solution yielded a 12-line EPR spectrum, indicating that a new, highly reactive oxidant species from blood following liver transplantation can convert organic solvents used in tissue extractions to free radicals. This hypothesis was supported by simulation of EPR spectra of free radicals extracted rapidly with Folch, which indicated that the spectrum contained two carbon-centered species, one with hyperfine coupling constants similar to the alpha-methylhydroxyl-4-POBN adduct, the other probably lipid-derived. Because the former originates from methanol in the Folch, extraction of samples with alcohol-free organic solvent is most likely superior when the potential for formation of stable oxidant species exists, such as after liver transplantation.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Its success rate and affecting factors

From December 1987 to October 1983, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in 302 patients with 392 diseased vessels and 440 lesions. The success rate was 93.71% in 302 patients, 94.90% in 392 diseased vessels and 95.00% in 440 lesions. The success rate was 98.92% in Type A lesion, 95.71% in Type B lesion, and 86.57% in Type C lesion (A vs B P = NS, A vs C P < 0.01). There were 55 lesions with total or subtotal occlusion, the success rate was 89.09% (93.10% in Type B lesion and 84.62% in Type C lesion). As to the diseased vessels, the success rate was 95.65% in LAD, 94.38% in LCX and 93.75% in RCA. The results showed no significant difference. In this series, acute ischemic complications were found in 6.59% (29/440). Of these 29 lesions, 23 were treated successfully, 5 developed Q wave myocardial infarction and 1 died.

Development of a new method for hepatic rearterialization in rat orthotopic liver transplantation. Reduction of liver injury and improvement of surgical outcome by arterialization

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple new method for rearterialization to compare rearterialized and nonarterialized models of liver transplantation in the rat in the same laboratory with the same surgeon. Hepatic rearterialization in the rat was completed by connecting the proper hepatic artery with a splint of polyethylene tubing (PE 10). With this technique, no extrahepatic arteries or modification of other organs was required. Further, the recipient's gastroduodenal artery remained intact to minimize bile duct hypoxia, and the anastomosis was completed rapidly (< 3 min). Postoperative arterial thrombosis and bile duct necrosis occurred with low frequencies with this model (< 15%). For comparison, the nonarterialized model of Kamada was used. With the nonarterialized method, survival of livers stored for 24 hr in cold University of Wisconsin solution was approximately 85% (6/7), whereas survival of livers stored for 48 hr was poor (< 10%; 1/16). Rearterialization improved survival following 48 hr of storage in UW solution from less than 10% to 50% (3/6), and reduced early enzyme release (AST) by about 50%. Rearterialization also reduced enzyme release following 24 hr of cold storage by about 50%. We conclude that this new technique is a simple and reliable method for hepatic artery reconstruction that may be particularly useful in studying the mechanism of primary graft non-function. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that hepatic rearterialization minimizes hypoxic injury to parenchymal cells postoperatively, most likely by increasing oxygen delivery.

GCR1, a transcriptional activator in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, complexes with RAP1 and can function without its DNA binding domain

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, efficient expression of glycolytic and translational component genes requires two DNA binding proteins, RAP1 (which binds to UASRPG) and GCR1 (which binds to the CT box). We generated deletions in GCR1 to test the validity of several different models for GCR1 function. We report here that the C-terminal half of GCR1, which includes the domain required for DNA binding to the CT box in vitro, can be removed without affecting GCR1-dependent transcription of either the glycolytic gene ADH1 or the translational component genes TEF1 and TEF2. We have also identified an activation domain within a segment of the GCR1 protein (the N-terminal third) that is essential for in vivo function. RAP1 and GCR1 can be co-immunoprecipitated from whole cell extracts, suggesting that they form a complex in vivo. The data are most consistent with a model in which GCR1 is attracted to DNA through contact with RAP1.

The dynamics of aging and mortality in the People's Republic of China, 1957-1990

The Strehler-Mildvan modification of the Gompertz relationship between aging and mortality predicts a negative linear relationship between the theoretical logarithm of the mortality rate at birth (log R0) and the exponential rate of increase (alpha) in the age-specific mortality rates under specified conditions. This prediction has been generally validated using mortality data from the United States with respect to general and many disease-specific age-specific mortality rates by the method of longitudinal Gompertzian analysis. Estimated age-specific mortality rates from the People's Republic of China for seven years from 1957 to 1990 were analyzed using the method of longitudinal Gompertzian analysis. The results in this population further validate the Strehler-Mildvan modification of the Gompertz relationship between aging and mortality.

Tn5-Mob transposon mediated transfer of salt tolerance and symbiotic characteristics between Rhizobia genera

Rhizobium meliloti 042B is a fast-growing, salt-tolerant and high efficiency nitrogen-fixing symbiont with alfalfa. Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 grows slowly, and cannot grow in YMA medium containing 0.1M NaCl, but nodulates and fixed nitrogen efficiently with soybean. Eighty-six transconjugants, called SR, were obtained by inserting Tn5-Mob randomly into genomes of 042B using pSUP5011 and helper plasmid RP4. Selecting 4 SR strains randomly and introducing DNA fragment of SR into USDA110 with helper plasmid R68.45 by triparental mating, 106 transconjugants, called BSR, were constructed. Most of BSR strains had the fast-growing phenotype and could tolerate 0.3-0.5M NaCl generally. Some of them produced melanine. When soybean and alfalfa were inoculated with these transconjugants BSR, 47 out of 90 BSR were found to nodulate in both of these plants, but no nitrogenase activity was observed with alfalfa; 26 strains could only nodulate and fix nitrogen in soybean; 13 strains could nodulate in alfalfa but did not fix nitrogen; 4 strains failed to nodulate in either soybean or alfalfa. Among them, 4 transconjugants which tolerated and fixed nitrogen efficiently in soybean were constructed.

Evidence that free radicals are involved in graft failure following orthotopic liver transplantation in the rat--an electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping study

The purpose of these studies was to determine whether free radicals were formed as a consequence of reperfusion during orthotopic liver transplantation and whether their formation was related to graft failure. Grafts were stored for 18 hr in Euro-Collins solution or for 48 hr in University of Wisconsin solution (nonsurvival conditions) and reperfused with blood containing the spin trap alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN). Venous blood samples (4-5 ml) were collected, and serum was extracted with chloroform and methanol (2:1) and analyzed for radical adducts by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. In samples from livers stored under nonsurvival conditions, EPR spectra were detected indicating the presence of PBN radical adducts. In contrast, radical adduct formation was 3- to 4-fold lower in similar experiments performed with untransplanted livers or with livers stored under survival conditions (1 hr in Ringer's solution or 24 hr in UW solution). Oxygen radicals are more likely involved in the production of radical adducts because formation was nearly completely prevented by superoxide dismutase plus catalase or Carolina rinse, which contains glutathione, desferrioxamine mesylate, and allopurinol. Radical adduct formation was much greater in a blood-free perfusion system where oxygen delivery was high, suggesting that blood elements are not necessary for radical adduct formation. An inverse correlation between survival of livers stored in UW solution and radical adduct signal was observed in this study. Thus, it is concluded that free radicals formed during reperfusion are involved in the mechanism of graft failure following liver transplantation in the rat.

Food restriction increases detoxification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the rat

It is well known that food restriction diminishes tumor formation, but mechanisms responsible are difficult to define because multiple physiological changes result from dietary alterations. Studies in this report were designed to focus specifically on the effects of food restriction on hepatic metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons following liver transplantation. By placing livers from food-restricted and untreated rats into naive controls, the effects of diet could be restricted to the liver. After a 15 min infusion of [3H]benzo[a]pyrene under these conditions, food restriction increased polar metabolites in liver (70 pmol/g) and blood (8 pmol/ml) compared to controls approximately 2-fold. Four hours after liver transplantation, levels of polar metabolites in blood were diminished by approximately 50% but were still approximately 2-fold higher in the food-restricted than in the control group. Lung, kidney, spleen, adrenal, ovary, colon, heart and brain also contained higher levels of polar metabolites in the food-restricted than in the control group. The more hydrophobic glucuronides and sulfate conjugates accounted for most of the elevation in polar metabolites in blood from the food-restricted group. In spite of the increase in circulating metabolites in blood of food-restricted animals, DNA binding in liver, lung and kidney was identical in tissues from control and food-restricted groups. In order to evaluate the hypothesis that food restriction stimulated the release of hepatic benzo[a]pyrene metabolites, a liver perfusion model was employed. Maximal rates of release of polar metabolites into the effluent perfusate were approximately 30 and approximately 45 nmol/g/h in livers of control and food-restricted rats respectively. Moreover, rates of metabolism of the model compound p-nitroanisole and glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol were also approximately 2-fold higher in livers from food-restricted than control rats. However, rates of monooxygenation were the same in microsomes prepared from livers of food-restricted or control animals. These results support the hypothesis that food restriction enhances the supply of cofactors which stimulate metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This detoxification process may be an important mechanism involved in the protective action of reduced food intake.