Postnatal hepatic and renal consequences of in utero exposure to halothane or its oxidative metabolite trifluoroacetic acid in the rat

In utero exposure of rats to low levels of the anaesthetic halothane has been reported to produce ultrastructural changes in the liver and kidney at birth. The current study examined the postnatal functional capacities of the liver and the kidney following prenatal exposure to halothane. Halothane or its oxidative metabolite trifluoroacetic acid (TFAA) were given to Sprague-Dawley rats on gestational days 10-20. Halothane was administered by inhalation at concentration of 50 or 500 ppm 6 h-1 day-1, and TFAA was administered by gavage at doses of 75 or 150 mg kg-1 day-1. The exposed offsprings were examined on postnatal days 3, 12 or 49 for hepatic and renal biochemistry and/or function through measurements of several serum and urinary parameters. Neither halothane nor TFAA treatments had statistically significant effect on litter size, neonatal survival or postnatal growth. Both prenatal halothane and TFAA exposure produced changes in liver biochemistry of newborns, as indicated by significant increases in the serum activities of glutamate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase. In addition, TFAA caused a functional deficit of the proximal tubule in newborns, as evidenced by the significant increase in the urinary excretion of beta 2-microglobulin. However, these hepatic and renal alterations were restricted to the early postnatal period and were no longer observed by postnatal day 49. It is concluded that prenatal exposure to relatively low levels of halothane can cause slight and transient changes in the neonatal rat liver.

[Effects of ulinastatin on experimental ulcerative colitis in rats]

We examined the effect of ulinastatin in comparison with prednisolone (PSL) and salazosulfapyridine (SASP), well-known drugs for ulcerative colitis (UC), on two experimental UC models induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) or trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNB) in rats. Ulinastatin at the doses of 3000 approximately 10,000 units/kg/day (i.v.) significantly ameliorated the formation of erosion and infiltration of inflammatory cells in colonic mucosa in DSS-induced rat UC models. Moreover, ulinastatin at the dose of 10,000 units/kg/day (i.v.) significantly suppressed inflammation with ulcer in the colonic mucosa in TNB-induced rat UC models. PSL at the dose of 1 mg/kg/day (p.o.) also was as effective as ulinastatin on the above two UC models, while SASP at the dose of 100 mg/kg/day (p.o.) was less effective than ulinastatin and PSL. In addition, ulinastatin inhibited the activities of elastase and cathepsin G from human leukocytes, and it suppressed TNF alpha, IL-8 and superoxide production by rat macrophages and rabbit leukocytes in vitro. These results suggest that the suppression of inflammatory mediators produced by leukocytes is involved in the mechanism of the anti-UC action of ulinastatin.

Bronchial responsiveness and inflammation in guinea-pigs exposed to toluene diisocyanate: a study on single and repeated exposure

The question of whether or not toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in the guinea-pig is accompanied by neutrophil influx into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was addressed. Two modes of exposure were studied; (1) acute exposures where animals were exposed to 3 ppm TDI for 1 h and experiments were carried out 30 min, 4 h, 24 h, 48 h and 1 week after the TDI exposures; (2) subacute exposures where animals were exposed to 0.080 and 0.046 ppm TDI for 48 h 1 week, respectively, and experiments were carried out 24 h after the TDI exposures. The changes in airway responsiveness to increasing doses of intravenous acetylcholine (ACh) in anaesthetized and tracheotomized spontaneously breathing guinea-pigs were examined. In order to elucidate the possible relationships of airway responsiveness to cellular infiltration, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in additional group of guinea-pigs exposed to the same conditions. After acute exposure to 3 ppm TDI, increased bronchial responsiveness was evident within 30 min, lasted 48 h, but had vanished 1 week after the exposure. An influx of neutrophils occurred into the BALF within 1 h after exposure. The influx of neutrophil into BALF lasted 48 h and vanished 1 week after the end of exposure. After 48 h of exposure to TDI at 0.080 ppm, or 0.046 ppm for 1 week, increased bronchial responsiveness was evident 24 h after the end of the both modes of exposure, but no influx of neutrophils was observed into the BALF. It was concluded that even though the neutrophil influx and hyperresponsiveness evolve in the same way after acute exposure to a high concentration of TDI (3 ppm), this is not the case after subchronic exposure to low concentrations of TDI, where a bronchial hyperresponsiveness is observed without detectable neutrophil influx.

[Studies on the synthesis of cholecystokinin A receptor antagonists. III. Synthesis and cholecystokinin A receptor inhibitory activities of naphthyl sulfone derivatives]

A number of naphthyl sulfone derivatives were synthesized and tested for cholecystokinin A (CCK-A) receptor inhibitory activity in order to study structure-activity relationships. Significant CCK-A receptor inhibitory activities were found in sulfone-carboxylic acid derivatives (7) having very hydrophobic sidechains. As the most preferred compound, (R)-4-[N-(3-methoxypropyl)-N-pentylcarbamoyl]-5-(2-naphthylsulf onyl) pentanoic acid ((R)-7c) was selected.

[Studies on the synthesis of cholecystokinin A receptor antagonists. II. Synthesis and cholecystokinin A receptor inhibitory activities of sulfur-containing amide-carboxylic acid derivatives]

A number of sulfur-containing amide-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized and tested for cholecystokinin A (CCK-A) receptor inhibitory activity in order to study structure-activity relationships. Significant CCK-A receptor inhibitory activities were found in only two series, that is, sulfoxide-carboxylic acid derivatives (9) and sulfone-carboxylic acid derivatives (10). As the most preferred compound, 5-(3,4-dichlorophenylsulfonyl)-4-(N,N-dipentylcarbamoyl)pent anoic acid (10n) was selected.

Use of Mishell-Dutton culture for the detection of the immunosuppressive effect of iron-containing compounds

Mishell-Dutton culture, known as an in vitro model for the evaluation of the humoral immune response of mice spleen cells to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), was used to study the immunosuppressive effect of iron-containing compounds. This response was indicated by the number of antibody forming cell (AFC) per million nucleated cells. Ferrous sulfate and ferric citrate (0.1 mM), when continuously present in Mishell-Dutton culture, significantly decreased the SRBC AFC response by approximately 63% and 86% of the control values, respectively. Ferric citrate, preincubated (24 h) with spleen cells and followed by lavage, significantly decreased the SRBC AFC response by approximately 54% of the control values. Primary and iron-treated coal, in concentrations ranging from 40 micrograms.ml-1 to 120 micrograms.ml-1, significantly decreased the SRBC AFC response when continuously present in Mishell-Dutton culture. Iron-treated coal, suppressed this response, in dose-dependent amounts, to a greater extent than did the primary coal:73% versus 54% at 120 micrograms.ml-1. We concluded that Mishell-Dutton culture is suitable for studying the immunotoxicity of iron and these results may contribute to explain a decrease of host resistance against parasitic and bacterial infection in workers exposed to iron.

Nephrotoxicity mechanism of 1,1-dichloroethylene in mice

Male Swiss OF1 mice were administered orally with a single dose (200 mg/kg) of 1,1-dichloroethylene (DCE). Examination of cryostat kidney sections stained for alkaline phosphatase (APP) revealed damage to about 50% of the proximal tubules at 8 h following DCE administration. Pretreatment with the anionic transport inhibitor probenecid by i.p., (0.75 mmol/kg, 30 min prior to and 10 min and 5 h following DCE administration) and with the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) inactivator acivicin by gavage and i.p. (50 mg/kg, 1 h and 30 min prior to DCE administration) failed to prevent DCE-induced renal toxicity. Pretreatment with the beta-lyase inactivator amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA) by gavage (100 mg/kg, 30 min prior to and 10 min and 5 h following DCE administration), and with the renal cysteine conjugate S-oxidase inhibitor methimazole by i.p. (40 mg/kg, 30 min prior to DCE administration) reduced the number of damaged tubules by approximately 50 and 60%, respectively in mice treated with DCE. The results suggest that the DCE undergoes biotransformation by NADPH-cytochrome P450 to several reactive species which conjugate with glutathione (GSH). After arriving in the kidneys, the resulting conjugates reach the renal cells by a mechanism which depends on neither GGT, nor on an anionic transport system which is sensitive to probenecid. Once in the cells, the presumed GSH conjugates and/or their derivatives undergo secondary modification by beta-lyase and cysteine conjugate S-oxidase to reactive metabolite(s).

A case of secondary syphilis with mucous patches on the hard palate

A rare case of secondary syphilis showing mucous patches on the hard palate is reported. A 31-year-old male had two erosive patches which were slightly raised on his hard palate. A linear lesion was also present on the inside of his right alveolar process. Many red-brown macules on his abdomen and bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy accompanied these symptoms. The serological tests for syphilis were positive: VDRL test 1:512, TPHA test 1:20,480, and IgM-FTA-ABS test 1:40. Immunohistochemical staining with rabbit monoclonal antibody to Treponema pallidum by the biotin-streptoavidin system detected treponemal organisms in the paraffin-embedded specimen from his mucous patch. A diagnosis of secondary syphilis was made, and he was given amoxicillin (AMPC) at 750 mg per day for 4 weeks. His eruptions, including the mucous patch, healed in a week.

Olfactory responses of chum salmon to amino acids are independent of large differences in salt concentrations between fresh and sea water

In chum salmon captured at the coastal sea and the natal river, the magnitudes of the olfactory nerve responses to the amino acids after perfusion of the olfactory epithelium with artificial pond water (APW) were similar to those after perfusion with artificial sea water (ASW), although the concentrations of Na+, Cl- and Ca2+ in ASW were 986, 430 and 27 times higher than those in APW, respectively. The findings suggest that the permeability of these ions across the apical membranes of olfactory cells do not essentially contribute to the transduction mechanism in the salmon.

Polymannosylation to asparagine-19 in hen egg white lysozyme in yeast

Complementary DNA encoding hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) was subjected to site-directed mutagenesis to have the N-glycosylation signal sequence (Asn19-Tyr20-Thr21) by substituting Arg with Thr at position 21. The mutant lysozyme (R21T) was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae carrying the yeast expression plasmid inserting the mutant HEWL cDNA. The mutant lysozyme was expressed in the glycosylated forms which are mainly a polymannosyl form with a small amount of oligomannosyl form. The polymannosyl lysozyme was susceptible to Endo H cleavage of the carbohydrate chain. The length of the polymannose chain was predicted to be approximately 340 residues/mol of lysozyme from carbohydrate analysis. According to the estimation with low-angle laser light scattering combined with HPLC, the average molecular weight of polymannosyl lysozyme was 75 kDa, which is consistent with the value obtained from the carbohydrate analysis. The size of polymannosyl lysozyme R21T is similar or somewhat larger than that of G49N reported previously. Thus, it was confirmed that the unusually large polymannose chain was attached to heterologous mutant lysozyme, regardless of the N-linked position, in yeast.

[The development of a new central monitoring system for the operation room]

We developed a practically new central patient monitoring system for the operating room based on a system which had been developed in 1982. Since we introduced this system on May 19, 1992, we have utilized the system in more than 2,000 anesthesia cases. This system has been operating smoothly and accepted well by not only anesthesiologists but also surgeons and nurses. This system is easy to operate, and works automatically, contributing to the early detection of abnormalities in patient's condition. By introducing this system, the anesthesiologists have succeeded in controlling the patient during the operation more elaborately and effectively than before. Automated anesthesia recorder has reduced anesthesiologist's burden of the manual recording.

Nephrotoxicity mechanism of cis-platinum (II) diamine dichloride in mice

Male Swiss OF1 mice were injected subcutaneously with 20 mg/kg of cis-platinum (II) diamine dichloride (cis-platin). Examination of cryostat kidney sections stained for alkaline phosphatase (APP) revealed damage to about 10, 20, 40 and 50% of the proximal tubules after 7, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Pretreatment with the glutathione synthesis inhibitor, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), (i.p. 3 mmol/kg) potentiated the tubule damage of cis-platin. In contrast, pretreatment with organic anion transport inhibitor probenecid (i.p. 3 x 0.75 mmol/kg) reduced the number of damaged tubules by approximately 80% at 72 h after cis-platin injection. Pretreatment with the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) inactivator acivicin (AT-125, 50 mg/kg p.o., plus 50 mg/kg i.p.) failed to prevent cis-platin induced renal toxicity. Pretreatment with the beta-lyase inactivator aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA, 2 x 100 mg/kg p.o.) and with the renal cysteine conjugate S-oxidase inhibitor methimazole (40 mg/kg i.p.) reduced the number of damaged tubules by approximately 40% and 75%, respectively in mice treated with cis-platin. The results suggest that the platinum-sulfhydryl group complexes formed are taken up by the kidney cells through an organic anion transport mechanism which is probenecid-sensitive. In the cells these complexes are stable for several hours, depending on the intracellular glutathione (GSH) level, and gradually undergo transformation to reactive metabolite(s) by renal intracellular beta-lyase and S-oxidase.

[Recent advances in imaging diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasma with special reference to early diagnosis of the cancer]

Recent advance in various diagnostic imagings has enabled the early diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. In pancreatic cancer, the tumor-demonstrability by US, CT, and MRI has reached 80% in the recent 6 years, which is superior to the rate in the past decade from 1978 and 1987. However, the prognosis of pancreatic cancer is still poor even if the cancer can be resected. To improve the outcome of surgical intervention, early detection of small cancers (< or = 2 cm in diameter) and appropriate intervention based on preoperative diagnosis of the tumor extension are proposed. The tumor detectability of small pancreatic cancer by US, CT, MRI was 67%, 25%, 20%, respectively, and thus US was the most valuable tool. In the prediction of tumor extension of serosal invasion (S factor), retroperitoneal invasion (Rp factor) and vessel invasion (PV factor), both US and CT were efficacious with an accuracy of more than 70%. In conclusion, recently-advanced imaging seems to be useful for detecting a small pancreatic cancer and evaluating the tumor extension, but it remains difficult to diagnose a carcinoma in situ; a truly early cancer.