Circadian rhythm of catecholamine excretion in rats after phase shift of light-dark cycle

To clarify the time course of circadian rhythm adaptation to a phase shift of the light-dark (LD) cycle, urinary excretion of catecholamines was measured in rats before and after a 12-hour or 6-hour phase delay of a 12-hour light and 12-hour dark schedule. In rats under a basal condition, distinct circadian rhythms in catecholamine excretion were observed, especially in adrenaline excretion. During the 1st and 2nd days after a 12-hour phase delay, the acrophase and amplitude of adrenaline rhythm remained almost unchanged, but thereafter the acrophase was retarded and the amplitude was reduced. The acrophase once again became constant after 5 or 6 days, but the ratio of amplitude to mesor in the circadian rhythm of adrenaline excretion and the ratio of light-period to 24-hour noradrenaline excretion were readjusted to the new LD schedule on 11th or 12th day. IN the 6-hour phase delay of the LD cycle, similar findings were observed, and the results suggested adaptation on the 5-6th day. It is considered that the circadian rhythms of the sympathetic adrenomedullary function are restored, at the latest, 12 days after a 12-hour delay of the LD cycle, and 6 days after a 6-hour delay, suggesting that rats need approximately 1 day to adapt to a 1-hour phase shift.

Generation of hydroxyl radicals during dismutation of superoxide by SOD model compounds

The reactivities of copper(II) complexes with cimetidine (Cim) and cyclo(histidylhistidyl) (CyHH), both of which are SOD model compounds, toward active oxygen species such as superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were investigated by electron spin resonance-spin trapping and thiobarbituric acid methods. At physiological pH values, low concentrations of Cu(II) complexes (0.025 mM) with Cim and CyHH could scavenge O2-, but high concentrations of these compexes (0.25 mM) yielded hydroxyl radicals (.OH) during dismutation of O2-. These Cu(II) complexes could directly react with H2O2 to yield .OH. From these results, it is indicated that .OH formed during the dismutation of O2- by high concentration of SOD model compounds may be caused by the reaction of H2O2 generated form dismutation of O2- with Cu(II) complexes. Further, DNA single-stranded breakage was observed during the reactions of H2O2 with these Cu(II) complexes.

Intramuscular metastasis of carcinoma

Four cases of intramuscular metastasis of carcinoma are reported. The preoperative clinical diagnosis of all four cases was soft-tissue sarcoma. Definitive diagnoses, made by open biopsy, were uterine carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, lung carcinoma, and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. All patients died from lung, liver, or brain metastasis several months after open biopsy despite surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Case reports of macroscopic metastases to muscle are rare, and the authors report four such cases experienced during a 15-year period.

Dissociation of catecholamine and corticosterone responses to different types of stress in rats

To examine hormonal response patterns to various stresses, urinary excretion of catecholamines and corticosterone was measured in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats (WKY) under the following conditions: immobilization, restriction to a small space, introduction of new rats, and noise exposure. In WKY rats, immobilization caused a marked increase in urinary corticosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline and a decrease in dopamine excretion. Restriction to a small space induced a less pronounced but still obvious increase in adrenaline and corticosterone and a decrease in dopamine. When other rats were introduced into the animal room, the senior rats showed an increase in adrenaline alone, while noise exposure produced an increase in corticosterone alone. These findings suggest that while severe stress, such as immobilization, causes marked changes in all 4 hormones, relatively mild stress produces changes in one to three, not all, hormones, and that catecholamine and corticosteroid responses are dissociated in some forms of the mild stress. It is considered that neuroendocrine responses to stress vary according to both the type of stress and its intensity. In SHR rats, the hormone response to severe stress was greater than in WKY rats, and the response was somewhat less than in WKY rats when exposed to mild stress. These findings do not imply that stress-induced hyperactivity of sympathetic adrenomedullary system participates in the development of hypertension in SHR rats.

Inadvertent tumor violation during musculoskeletal sarcoma surgery and risk of recurrence

During the limb preserving procedure for musculoskeletal sarcoma, the course of action that should be taken when a tumor or tumor-cell-contaminated adjacent tissue is violated remains controversial. From January, 1973, to July, 1989, 120 patients with musculoskeletal sarcoma were treated by limb salvage surgery and, in 40 of them, such violations inadvertently occurred during surgery. Follow-up studies on the patients have been conducted for at least one year after the violation. Soft tissue sarcoma was noted in 24 cases (low grade, 4; high grade, 20) and bone sarcoma in 16 (low grade, 6; high grade, 10). To treat the violation, re-excision with a clean margin and copious lavage was generally conducted after careful closure of the violated site. Sixteen cases in the soft tissue sarcoma group and eight in the bone sarcoma group were treated in this way. Local recurrences were found in 13 of the 40 cases (33%), but the percentage was reduced to 13 in cases treated by re-excision with a clean margin. In the present study, there was no significant effect of adjuvant therapy after violation. The survival rate in cases of local recurrence was very low, and not at all improved by adjuvant therapy.

Limb salvage for bone sarcoma of the proximal tibia

We have treated 12 cases of high grade malignant bone tumours of the proximal tibia by various methods of limb salvage. Nine osteosarcomata and 3 malignant fibrous histiocytomata were included. Muscle flaps were needed in all cases except in the one arthrodesis, and reconstruction of the extensor mechanism was carried out. In nine cases an endoprosthesis was inserted. There were poor results due to loss of movement or failure to regain extension power. A two-stage method of reconstruction of the knee joint is described.

[Evaluation of workload in middle-aged steel workers by measuring urinary excretion of catecholamines and cortisol]

To evaluate physical and mental workload in middle-aged workers, urinary excretion of catecholamines and cortisol and self-reported scores of fatigue, stress and arousal in middle-aged steel workers were compared with those in young steel workers. Noradrenaline excretion in daytime of the day-off was higher in middle-aged workers than that in young workers. In the work days, noradrenaline excretion during working hours increased in both age groups when compared with that in the day-off. The work-related increase in noradrenaline excretion was more evident in the middle-aged group than in the young group. Adrenaline excretion during working hours was greater in the middle-aged group than that in the young group, whereas the adrenaline value in the day-off was almost the same in the two age-groups. Age-difference was hardly observed in dopamine and cortisol excretion. These findings suggest that the workload in middle-aged workers was greater than that in young workers. However, self-reported scores of fatigue and stress in middle-aged workers were less than those in young workers, suggesting inconsistency between subjective score of workload and urinary levels of catecholamines. These age-related differences in urinary levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline were not so obvious in workers engaged in automated and mechanized work (vigilance task) when compared to workers engaged in less automated and less mechanized work. It is considered that factory automation might reduce the workload in middle-aged workers.

Chemotherapy of soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities

A retrospective study on chemotherapy against soft-tissue sarcomas in the extremities was carried out on 98 patients. The local recurrence rate was 10.3% with intensive chemotherapy in post-1980 patients with high-grade sarcomas but 46.7% without chemotherapy--a fairly significant difference (P less than 0.01). The survival rate was significantly higher with intensive chemotherapy in post-1980 patients with high-grade sarcomas. Thus, intensive chemotherapy based on a new protocol should be given in cases of high-grade sarcoma. Considering surgical margin, the local recurrence rate was 33.3% in post-1980 cases inadequately operated upon but 8.6% in those adequately operated upon, which shows a significant difference (P less than 0.05).

Current management, local management, and survival statistics of high-grade osteosarcoma. Experience in Japan

To report the current management of high-grade osteosarcoma in Japan, the authors studied the results of 55 cases treated in the authors' institutions and data provided by Osaka University (59 cases), Chiba Oncology Group (97), and Sapporo National Hospital (70). Twenty-five of the 55 cases in the authors' series were treated by limb-salvage surgery, 27 by amputation, and the remainder by chemotherapy. In all 226 cases from the three institutes, 106 were treated by amputation and 120 by limb-salvage surgery. Two local recurrences (4%) were found in the authors' series, three in the Osaka series, and eight in the Chiba series. Five-year accumulative survival rates in this study showed some differences, depending upon the institution or upon the protocol employed: in the authors' series it was 60% overall and 68% for a stronger chemotherapy group; in the Osaka series, it was 50% in a mild chemotherapy group and 72% in an intensive chemotherapy group; and in the Sapporo series, it was 36% and 73%, respectively. This study showed that local control of IIB osteosarcoma was successfully achieved by preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and wide resection, and that an intensive chemotherapeutic combination of high-dose methotrexate, cisplatinum, and doxorubicin is promising.

Melorheostosis of the toe: a case report

A case of melorheostosis in a 57-year-old Japanese woman is presented. This case is noteworthy because of its unusual radiographic features and local findings and its unusually long follow-up period of more than 29 years. Melorheostosis progresses very slowly over a long period of time, and can show bizarre features, simulating malignant tumor.

Adrenaline in various organs of the rat: its origin, location and diurnal fluctuation

In order to examine the origin and location of adrenaline in peripheral organs of mammals, adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured in several organs of the rat after adrenalectomy, guanethidine treatment and imipramine injection. One week after bilateral adrenalectomy, adrenaline disappeared almost completely from the heart, spleen and submaxillary gland. Chronic administration of guanethidine caused decreases in both noradrenaline and adrenaline in the peripheral organs. Injection of imipramine induced a reduction of adrenaline concentration in the spleen and submaxillary gland. It is considered that adrenaline in the peripheral organs of mammals is mostly derived from the adrenal gland and that circulating adrenaline is taken up by sympathetic nerve endings in the organs. The adrenaline content of the peripheral organs increased after electric foot-shock and changed according to the time of day. The peak of the circadian rhythm appeared about 6 hours after the peak of the urinary adrenaline rhythm. These findings suggest that adrenaline in body organs plays some role in the responses of the sympathetic nervous system to stressful conditions or even to daily activities.

Effects of adrenalectomy and chronic guanethidine treatment on tissue adrenaline concentrations in swimming-exposed rats

Adrenaline is known to increase in extra-adrenal peripheral organs as well as urine and plasma in the rat after swimming stress. In order to clarify the physiological significance of adrenaline in stress responses, the origin and location of adrenaline in the peripheral organs were examined by measuring adrenaline in the heart, spleen, submaxillary gland and some other organs after adrenalectomy or guanethidine treatment. After bilateral adrenalectomy, adrenaline in the peripheral organs mostly disappeared. Swimming stress caused no increase in the adrenaline content of the organs in the adrenalectomized rats, while a marked increase was observed in the sham-operated animals. In guanethidine-treated rats, the adrenaline content of the peripheral organs was extremely low as compared to that in the saline-treated animals, and the swimming-induced increase in adrenaline level in the organs was greatly suppressed. These observations suggest that the organ adrenaline, which exists in sympathetic nerve endings, is mostly derived from the adrenal gland. It is considered that adrenaline would be involved in sympathetic neurotransmission, especially under stressful conditions.

[Effects of 4-(o-benzylphenoxy)-N-methylbutylamine hydrochloride (MCI-2016, bifemelane hydrochloride) on coagulation, fibrinolysis, hemolysis, hemorheological properties and platelet aggregation]

MCI-2016 showed little influence on coagulation (APTT) and fibrinolysis (plasma clot lysis activated by urokinase) at doses (concentrations) as high as 300 mg/kg, p.o. or 8.6 X 10(-4) M. Hemolytic action of MCI-2016 was only observed at the concentrations above 2 mM. The drug also showed no influence on blood glucose level (30-300 mg/kg, p.o.). Effects of MCI-2016 on hemorheological properties were studied either in vitro or ex vivo. Above the doses (concentrations) of 100 mg/kg, p.o. and 10 microM, MCI-2016 suppressed the mechanical hemolysis and accelerated the membrane filtration rate. These effects of MCI-2016 were superior to those of cinepazide, Ca-hopantenate, meclofenoxate and pentoxyfylline. MCI-2016 also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen with the IC 50 of 35 to 60 microM (rabbit and human platelets). Secondary aggregations of ADP and epinephrine were also inhibited by MCI-2016. As for reference drugs, bencyclane showed inhibitory patterns similar to MCI-2016. Other drugs examined exhibited little effect. In summary, it may be suggested that MCI-2016 exhibits beneficial influences in the clinical fields of cerebrovascular diseases.

Decrease in adrenaline content of various organs of the rat after 6-hydroxydopamine

To examine the location of adrenaline in peripheral organs of mammals, adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured in several organs of rats treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or vehicle. After the administration of 6-OHDA, there was a marked decrease in the content of both adrenaline and noradrenaline in the heart, spleen, submaxillary gland of the rat. This finding suggests that in rats adrenaline is present in noradrenaline neurons in these organs.

Accumulation of adrenaline in sympathetic nerve endings in various organs of the rat exposed to swimming stress

Swimming produced a marked increase in adrenaline content, but produced no change or slight decrease in noradrenaline content in the heart, spleen and submaxillary gland of the rat. Pretreatment with desmethylimipramine abolished the swimming-induced increase in adrenaline in the three organs. It was also found that the administration of 6-hydroxydopamine caused almost complete depletion of both adrenaline and noradrenaline from these organs of control and swimming-treated rats. Furthermore, a differential centrifugation study revealed that the microsomal fraction had the highest concentrations of both adrenaline and noradrenaline in the heart and spleen of control and stress-treated rats. These findings suggest that adrenaline, like noradrenaline, exists in sympathetic nerve endings in the peripheral organs of the rats under basal conditions, and the adrenaline contents in the nerve endings are increased under stress situations.

Time course of the changes of catecholamine levels in rat brain during swimming stress

The time course of the changes in the levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine was investigated in rat hypothalamus, ponsmedulla and midbrain during 4-h swimming at 35 degrees C. The adrenaline levels showed gradual decrease whereas the noradrenaline and dopamine levels were kept in almost steady-state during the swimming. These findings suggest that brainstem adrenaline levels are not so fast adaptive as the noradrenaline and dopamine levels under the stress.

Changes in free amino acid contents of rat brain induced by exposure to methyl bromide

Rats were exposed to methyl bromide (MB) for 24 h at 10-120 ppm or for 3 weeks at 1-10 ppm. Changes in free amino acid contents of rat midbrain were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). MB increased glutamine and aspartic acid contents dose-dependently by short-and long-term exposure. Alanine content was markedly increased by long-term exposure to 10 ppm MB. Glycine was dose-dependently increased, except at 120 ppm. The harmful effect of MB on the central nervous system is discussed in relation to the changes in amino acid metabolism.

Significant changes in monoamines in rat brain induced by exposure to methyl bromide

Rats were exposed to methyl bromide (MB) gas for 24 hr or 3 weeks continuously. Norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), acetylcholine (ACh), cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) contents in dissected brain regions were measured after MB exposure. MB produced remarkable reduction in NE contents of hypothalamus and cortex + hippocampus at 100 ppm or higher concentration after 24 hr exposure and at 10 ppm after 3 weeks exposure. At the same concentration of MB, DA, 5-HT and ACh contents were only slightly affected by the exposure. Change in neurotransmitter content was specific to NE. MB-induced changes in NE contents lasted for at least 24 hr after the cessation of exposure. cAMP was increased and cGMP was reduced by MB exposure. These results suggested that MB might have enhanced the stimulation of DA receptors and weakened the stimulation of ACh receptors in the brain.

Aggressive behavior of the rat induced by repeated administration of cadmium

Muricidal behavior of the rat was induced by repeated s.c. administration of cadmium (Cd) for 15 weeks. The number of muricidal rats increased with increase in the duration of Cd administration in association with greater accumulation of Cd in the olfactory bulb than in any other region of the brain. The whole brain norepinephrine (NE) level of the rats which had been given Cd for 15 weeks was significantly greater than that of the control rats; neither dopamine (DA) nor serotonin (5-HT) level was changed. The Cd-induced muricide is discussed.