Effects of repeated stress on expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-6 receptor mRNAs in rat hypothalamus and midbrain

We examined the effects of single and repeated stress on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) mRNAs in the rat midbrain and hypothalamus using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Following a single episode of restraint stress for 4 hours (1R) or 4 hours per day on two (2R) or three (3R) consecutive days, the hypothalamus and midbrain were removed immediately and the levels of IL-6 and IL-6R mRNAs in both regions were determined. Regional differences in stress-related changes in mRNA levels were noted. The expression of IL-6 mRNA in the hypothalamus did not change in 1R group but decreased in 2R and 3R groups. The expression of IL-6R mRNA in the same region significantly diminished in all groups. In the midbrain, the expression of IL-6 mRNA increased in 1R group and decreased in 2R and 3R, while the expression of IL-6R mRNA significantly diminished in 1R and 3R groups but was not different from control in 2R group. Our findings indicate that repeated stress in rats produce changes in IL-6 and IL-6R mRNAs in the midbrain and hypothalamus that are different than those of a single stress episode.

Antagonistic activity of tamsulosin against human vascular alpha1-adrenergic receptors

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the vascular effect of tamsulosin hydrochloride (INN, tamsulosin), a selective alpha1A-adrenergic receptor antagonist, in humans, we examined the alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonistic activity against blood vessels after oral intake of recommended and higher doses of the drug and evaluated the relation between its plasma concentrations and the effect.

METHODS

Nine healthy men ranging in age from 21 to 38 years received tamsulosin (0.2 mg or 0.6 mg) or lactate capsule as a control after breakfast in a randomized crossover fashion. Seven hours after administration, their fingertip vasoconstrictor response to contralateral hand cooling and vasoconstrictor response of the dorsal hand vein to phenylephrine were examined, and blood samples for the measurement of plasma drug concentration were obtained.

RESULTS

The fingertip vasoconstrictor response was significantly reduced and the infusion rate of phenylephrine producing a half-maximal constriction was significantly increased by 0.6 mg tamsulosin but not by 0.2 mg tamsulosin. There were significant positive correlations between plasma drug concentrations and the changes of these parameters.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that although the alpha1-adrenergic receptor-blocking effect of tamsulosin on blood vessels is relatively small, it is clearly correlated with plasma drug concentration and a higher dose of the drug could cause systemic adverse effects.

The functions of circulatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes in diabetic patients with and without diabetic triopathy

We determined circulatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) functions of superoxide anion production, adhesion and aggregation in 38 type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic triopathy. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-stimulated superoxide production and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-stimulated aggregation in diabetic patients with triopathy were significantly greater than those in diabetics without triopathy. The more diabetic complications existed, the more TNF-alpha-stimulated superoxide was produced by PMN. These results suggest that the activated PMN contributes to a progression of diabetic triopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

Identification and characterization of a novel cAMP receptor protein in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Three open reading frames of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 encoding a domain homologous with the cAMP binding domain of bacterial cAMP receptor protein were analyzed. These three open reading frames, sll1371, sll1924, and slr0593, which were named sycrp1, sycrp2, and sypk, respectively, were expressed in Escherichia coli as His-tagged or glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins and purified, and their biochemical properties were investigated. The results obtained for equilibrium dialysis measurements using these recombinant proteins suggest that SYCRP1 and SYPK show a binding affinity for cAMP while SYCRP2 does not. The dissociation constant of His-tagged SYCRP1 for cAMP is approximately 3 microM. A cross-linking experiment using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide revealed that His-tagged SYCRP1 forms a homodimer, and the presence or absence of cAMP does not affect the formation of the homodimer. The amino acid sequence reveals that SYCRP1 has a domain similar to the DNA binding domain of bacterial cAMP receptor protein in the COOH-terminal region. Consistent with this, His-tagged SYCRP1 forms a complex with DNA that contains the consensus sequence for E. coli cAMP receptor protein in the presence of cAMP. These results strongly suggest that SYCRP1 is a novel cAMP receptor protein.

Enhanced responsiveness of circulatory neutrophils after cardiopulmonary bypass: increased aggregability and superoxide producing capacity

Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a whole body inflammatory response that sometimes leads to postoperative organ dysfunction, and neutrophil activation plays an important role in this reaction. Neutrophil priming has been described as a change in neutrophil status such that neutrophils show enhanced responsiveness to a second activating stimulus. We hypothesized that neutrophil priming occurs by cardiac surgery with CPB and is temporally related to the neutrophilia after surgery. To evaluate primed circulatory neutrophil status, we measured aggregation activity stimulated by N-formyl-methyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine (FMLP) and free radical producing activity by tumor necrosing factor (TNF) alpha in peripheral blood samples. Eleven adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with CPB were studied. Blood samples were taken before surgery, at the end of bypass, 12 h after surgery, and 7 days after surgery. Aggregation activity and superoxide generation were significantly elevated 12 h after surgery when compared to presurgery values, indicating that cardiac surgery is associated with circulatory neutrophil priming. The number of neutrophils markedly increased at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass and reached a peak 12 h after surgery. The circulatory neutrophils of cardiac surgical patients become primed after surgery, coincident with the peak neutrophil count. These results suggest that circulatory neutrophils after cardiac surgery with CPB have enhanced responsiveness and are predisposed to systemic inflammation.

Kinetics and equilibrium for thermolysin-catalyzed syntheses of dipeptide precursors in aqueous/organic biphasic systems

The initial kinetics for the syntheses of N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-alanyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (ZAPM) and N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (ZDPM) in an aqueous/organic biphasic system, using free thermolysin were elucidated, both experimentally and theoretically. As model organic solvents, ethyl acetate and tert-amyl alcohol were used. The substrate concentration dependencies of the initial rate of syntheses for ZAPM and ZDPM observed in the biphasic system were well simulated using the overall partition coefficients of the substrates and product taking into consideration the effect of the formation of ion-pair complexes between the acid and amine components of the substrate, the initial rate equations determined in an aqueous buffer saturated with the organic solvent, and the pH dependence of the rate constant. The equilibrium yield for the synthesis of ZDPM was also in good agreement with the calculated result using the overall partition coefficients and equilibrium constant measured in the aqueous buffer.

Effects of environmental level magnetic field exposures on transcription of CMV immediate early promoter DNA in a cell-free in vitro transcription system

Effects of environmental levels of magnetic fields (MFs) on RNA synthesis have been investigated by using a cell-free system for in vitro transcription. Transcription reaction mixtures containing CMV immediate early promoter DNA plus HeLa cell nuclear extracts were exposed to each of three different MF field strengths, i.e., 10, 50, and 100 microT. Each MF exposed extract was paired with a simultaneous sham-exposure control. The present results show no significant differences in amounts of RNA synthesis in extracts of MF exposed compared with that in the sham controls. This finding is in contrast to results of prior studies of DNA synthesis in cell-free systems that showed MF exposure effects. The results of the present cell-free system studies suggest that the marked differences of MF exposure effects on DNA and on RNA synthesis direct attention to the complexity involved in confirming significant effects of exposures to environmental levels of MFs in biosystems in vivo and in vitro.

Chronotherapy of high-dose 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism: a single-dose study

BACKGROUND

A high-dose oral intermittent vitamin D (pulse therapy) is widely used for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with kidney failure. However, hypercalcemia by vitamin D sometimes interrupts this treatment. Because serum calcium concentration possesses a circadian rhythm, a chronopharmacologic approach of vitamin D may have merit for avoidance of adverse reactions.

METHODS

Six female secondary hyperparathyroidism patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis received a single oral dose of 2 microg 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 at either 8 AM or 8 PM in a crossover design. Serum concentrations of ionized and total calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D3 were determined for a 48-hour period after administration. We also measured serum intact parathyroid hormone before and 48 hours after dosing as an index for efficacy.

RESULTS

A single oral administration of the drug caused an increase in concentration of ionized calcium, serum calcium, and phosphate. However, the area under concentration-time curve from zero to 48 hours [AUC(0-48)] and peak concentration of these variables were markedly lower after dosing at 8 PM. Pre-dose concentrations of these variables were lower at night. The AUC(0-48) of serum vitamin D3 of the morning and night trials did not differ significantly. Reduction of intact parathyroid hormone concentration was also similar between the two trials.

CONCLUSION

The administration of vitamin D3 at night may reduce the occurrence of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, whereas the pharmacokinetics and intact parathyroid hormone-lowering effect of the drug does not vary with dosing time.

Effect of pretreatment with FTY720 and cyclosporin on ischaemia-reperfusion injury of the liver in rats

The effect of pretreatment with FTY720 (2-amino-2-[2-(4-octylphenyl)ethyl]-1,3-propanediol hydrochloride) or cyclosporin, or both, on neutrophil-mediated injury has been examined by use of a rat model of transient clamping of hepatic flow. Pretreatment with FTY720 alone or with cyclosporin induced a marked reduction of circulatory lymphocytes, whereas the use of these drugs in combination was very effective at suppressing the elevation of the number of peripheral polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) after reperfusion. Pretreatment with cyclosporin, with or without FTY720, significantly reduced hepatic damage, whereas FTY720 alone tended to prolong hepatic damage. Pretreatment of cyclosporin alone, but not in combination with FTY720, significantly reduced the accumulation of PMN and led to lower myeloperoxidase levels in the damaged liver. In conclusion, pretreatment with cyclosporin, with or without FTY720, reduced hepatic damage after warm ischaemia-reperfusion, whereas pretreatment with FTY720 alone tended to prolong this damage.

A case of infantile rhabdomyofibrosarcoma with immunohistochemical, electronmicroscopical, and genetic analyses

A case of infantile rhabdomyofibrosarcoma arising on the buttocks of a 15-month-old boy is reported with histological, immunohistochemical, electronmicroscopical, and cytogenetic findings. Histological examination showed a proliferation of spindle-shaped cells in a fasciculated pattern, with occasional rounded rhabdomyoblastic cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells expressed desmin and MyoD1 but were only weakly positive for myoglobin. No clear rhabdomyoblastic features were observed by electronmicroscopic examination. Chromosome analysis showed a clone of 46, XY, der(2)t(2;11)(q37;q13), different from any karyotypic abnormality in the original report of this neoplasm. Loss of heterozygosity at 11p15.5, the most frequent genetic alteration in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, was not detected. The low degree of striated muscle differentiation and tumor localization supported the diagnosis of infantile rhabdomyofibrosarcoma rather than spindle-cell rhabdomyosarcoma in this case. The present case has been uneventful as of 25 months after surgery. The rather long recurrence-free period, which has not been reported in previous cases, may be attributable to chemotherapy-induced rhabdoid differentiation of the tumor cells.

The mechanisms of immune suppression by high-pressure stress in mice

The effects of high-pressure stress on the induction of anti-sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and of plaque-forming cells (PFC), and on thymus weight, were studied in BALB/c mice in-vivo and in-vitro. The efficacy of high-pressure stress in suppressing PFC and thymic involution was maximum when the stress was applied 1 h day(-1) for 2 days before immunization with SRBC. Both effects were blocked by administration of indomethacin, atropine, naloxone or phentolamine before the first application of stress, whereas hexamethonium and propranolol had no such effect. Hexamethonium, naloxone and propranolol administered before the second application of high-pressure stress blocked both effects. Prostaglandin and acetylcholine given 24 h before application of high-pressure stress caused a marked reduction in PFC count, but not in thymus weight. The reduced PFC count caused by acetylcholine was blocked by pretreatment with indomethacin. When adrenaline was injected 24 h after application of high-pressure stress a marked reduction in PFC was observed, but without thymic involution. When adrenaline was injected 24 h after prostaglandin injection the PFC count was also markedly reduced, but not thymus weight. The decrease in PFC caused by two exposures to stress or one exposure to stress plus injection of adrenaline was blocked by diethylcarbamazine before the second exposure to stress or the injection of adrenaline. In addition, normal spleen cells, were induced as suppressor cells when incubated with the serum of stressed mice, but not when supplemented with anti-leukotriene C4, D4 antibody. These data suggest that mice fall into a pre-stress condition via the release of prostaglandin after the first stress, and then immunosuppression is induced in these prestressed mice via the release of leukotriene C4, D4, caused by the activation of the autonomic nervous system by the second exposure to stress.

Angiotensin II in human veins: development of rapid desensitization and effect of indomethacin

1. The present study investigated whether rapid desensitization (tachyphylaxis) develops after exposure of human hand veins to angiotensin (Ang)II and whether pretreatment with indomethacin affects its development. 2. Venoconstrictor responses to increasing (2-256 ng/min) and constant (50 ng/min) doses of AngII and noradrenaline (NA) infusion were obtained in six healthy male subjects using the dorsal hand vein technique. After pretreatment with indomethacin and placebo, venoconstrictor responses to 50 ng/min AngII infusion were obtained in eight healthy male subjects. 3. The maximal mean (+/- SD) venoconstrictor response to NA (obtained with 256 ng/min NA) was 93.1 +/- 4.7%, whereas that to AngII (obtained with doses between 16 and 128 ng/min) was 43.8 +/- 12.2%. Continuous infusion of NA induced constant venoconstriction, whereas the venoconstrictor response to AngII peaked 3 min after the beginning of infusion and, thereafter, was attenuated. 4. Venoconstriction in response to constant AngII infusion after indomethacin pretreatment was significantly larger than that after placebo from 6 to 18 min after the initiation of infusion. 5. These findings show that rapid desensitization to AngII develops in human hand veins and this is compatible with the hypothesis that vasodilator prostaglandins are involved in the development of this desensitization.

Extracellular adenosine increases Na+/I- symporter gene expression in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells

We studied the effect of extracellular adenosine on iodide (I-) transport in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. I- accumulation increases after a 48 h exposure to adenosine in a concentration-dependent manner, reaching a maximum of 7.9-fold basal levels at 72 h after the addition of 300 microM adenosine. Neither I- efflux nor intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation is affected by the exposure to adenosine. The stimulation of I- transport by adenosine is partly as a result of an increase in Na+/I- symporter (NIS) mRNA and protein levels. Northern blot analysis revealed that adenosine increases NIS mRNA levels at 24 h, reaching a maximum at 36 h. Western blot analysis demonstrated that adenosine increases NIS protein levels at 36 h, reaching a maximum at 72 h, in parallel with the kinetics of adenosine-induced I- transport. Adenosine increased the promoter activity of a full-length NIS promoter-luciferase chimera, suggesting that the effect of adenosine on NIS mRNA levels is transcriptional. The stimulatory effect of adenosine on NIS mRNA levels, is mimicked by N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl) adenosine (PIA), an A1 adenosine receptor agonist, and inhibited by 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine, an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, suggesting that the effect is mediated via the A1 adenosine receptor stimulation in FRTL-5 cells. Incubating cells with islet-activating protein inhibited the adenosine-induced NIS mRNA levels. In sum, extracellular adenosine increases NIS gene expression and stimulates I- transport via the A1 adenosine receptor-Gi/Go protein signal transduction pathway.

Decreased expression of p33ING1 mRNA in lymphoid malignancies

The ING1 is a newly cloned putative tumor-suppressor gene, which is involved in the p53 signaling pathway. We found decreased expression of ING1 mRNA in 4 of 5 T-cell lines and 5 of 11 B-cell lines including two Burkitt lymphomas and two myelomas. These observations suggest that decreased ING1 expression might play an important role in the development or progression of some lymphoid tumors. Polymerase chain reaction-SSCP and sequencing analyses found neither point mutations nor small deletions in the ING1 gene, suggesting that decreased expression is due to transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms.

Experimental analysis of recently transposed insertion sequences in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The genome DNA of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 carries a number of insertion sequences (Kaneko, T. et al. 1996, DNA Res., 3, 109-136). We analyzed one of the abundant ISs (ISY203 group of IS4 family) in the common three substrains of Synechocystis and found that the four ISs with identical nucleotide sequences were present only in the "Kazusa" strain, whose complete genome sequence had been determined, while absent in ancestral strains (the original strain from Pasteur Culture Collection and its glucose-tolerant derivative). Three of these ISs were found in the genomic sequence as transposase genes of sll1474, sll1780 and slr1635. The fourth was on the plasmid, pSYSM. On the other hand, all three strains had a novel IS (denoted ISY203x), of which the nucleotide sequence was totally identical to the four ISs found only in the Kazusa strain. Since the flanking regions of ISY203x did not match any part of the genome or of the known plasmids of Synechocystis, it is presumably located on a yet uncharacterized plasmid. These suggest that the four ISs in Kazusa strain were recently transposed from ISY203x. Apparently, the transposition inactivated four preexisting genes, of which modified forms are presented as putative genes (sll1473, sll1475, slr1862, slr1863, slr1635 and ssl2982) in the list of the complete genome (CyanoBase: http://www.kazusa.or.jp/cyano/cyano.html). The possible effects of transposition of ISs in Synechocystis are discussed in relation to phenotypic mutations and microevolution.

Effects of restraint stress on alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and midbrain of the rat

We examined the effects of restraint stress on alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA expression in the rat brain using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After rats had been restrained for 10, 30, 60, 120 or 240 min, the hypothalamus and midbrain were removed immediately and alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA levels in these regions were determined by RT-PCR. Blood samples were also collected for simultaneous measurement of serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone. Restraint stress resulted in a variety of changes in the hypothalamus and midbrain. In the hypothalamus, 30 and 60 min of stress resulted in a significant fall in the level of alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA relative to the control. This was associated with a rise in serum ACTH and corticosterone. In the midbrain, significant elevation of alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA was noted after 60, 120 and 240 min of restraint stress. Our findings indicated that the influence of restraint stress on alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA level in the hypothalamus is different to that of the midbrain region in rats.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulation of thyroid transcription factor-1 and Pax-8 in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is known to modulate the expression of thyroid-specific genes, such as thyroglobulin (TG), contributing to the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. In the present study, we show that TNF-alpha suppresses DNA-binding activity of thyroid transcription factors, Pax-8 and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), which is, in part, involved in TNF-alpha-induced decrease in TG gene expression. Transfected into rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells, the activity of reporter plasmid containing the rat TG promoter ligated to a luciferase gene was significantly suppressed in the presence of TNF-alpha. In gel mobility shift analyses, protein-DNA complexes formed by TTF-1 and Pax-8 were reduced when the nuclear extracts prepared from TNF-alpha-treated FRTL-5 cells were used. The suppressive effect of TNF-alpha on TTF-1-DNA complex formation is, in part, caused by suppression of TTF-1 gene transcription by TNF-alpha. Expressions of TTF-1 messenger RNA and protein, which were assessed by Northern blot and Western blot analyses, respectively, were decreased by TNF-alpha treatment of FRTL-5 cells. In contrast, TNF-alpha did not affect the expression of Pax-8 messenger RNA. Treatment of FRTL-5 cells with TNF-alpha caused a decrease in Pax-8 protein in nuclear extracts and accumulation of the protein in the cytoplasm, as assessed by Western blot analyses. Mutation of the TTF-1/Pax-8-binding site lost the TNF-alpha-induced decrease in TG promoter activity in a transfection experiment. These results indicate that TNF-alpha suppresses the activity of TTF-1 and Pax-8 by different mechanisms, which, in part, seem to be involved in TNF-alpha-induced decrease in TG gene expression.

Decreased expression of p33ING1 mRNA in lymphoid malignancies

The ING1 is a newly cloned putative tumor-suppressor gene, which is involved in the p53 signaling pathway. We found decreased expression of ING1 mRNA in 4 of 5 T-cell lines and 5 of 11 B-cell lines including two Burkitt lymphomas and two myelomas. These observations suggest that decreased ING1 expression might play an important role in the development or progression of some lymphoid tumors. Polymerase chain reaction-SSCP and sequencing analyses found neither point mutations nor small deletions in the ING1 gene, suggesting that decreased expression is due to transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms.

[Factors for the onset of and the exacerbation of tuberculosis. 6. Recent socio-medical characteristics of tuberculosis and their perspectives in Japan]

In the late 1970s the decline of TB incidence rate has begun to slow down among both elderly population and younger one. This phenomenon mostly owed the reactivation of dormant M. tuberculosis infection among the elderly people and small TB outbreaks in the younger generation. The micro-epidemics among adolescent and young adults have been reported since 1980. The latest data showed the TB incidence in 1997 was 33.9 per 100,000 population, increased from 33.7 per 100,000 in 1996. To explain the situation above, several sociomedical factors were discussed as follow: (1) Age distribution of TB: The highest peak of newly registered TB patients shifted to the elder age cohorts and was the age group between 65 and 74 years in 1997, contrasting small peaks observed in 20-29 years age group remained unchanged. (2) Characteristics of infection route: Overall incidence rates of smear positive TB cases slightly increased in 1980s and leveled off thereafter. However, the number of smear positive cases among persons elder than 70 years old sharply increased, 1,779, 3,744, 5,728, in 1977, 1987 and 1997, respectively. Several papers showed that about one quarter of TB patients was diagnosed as TB while being treated for diseases other than TB. This may have contributed to the current TB infection. (3) Delay in case-finding: Patient's delay in symptomatic smear positive cases, especially among male patients in 30-54 age group, has been increased during last 10 years. This may also contribute to the current TB issue to the younger people. (4) TB problems in the cities: TB incidence rate in a certain area of some big cities was much higher than the other areas and the regional difference became magnificent due to serial socioeconomic problems of vulnerable population there. (5) Notification of TB: One study using mailed questionnaires showed that only 76 percent of medical doctors knew the TB notification system under the TB control law. It concluded that contact tracing would become more important issue in case-finding and the 100 percent of TB notification in medical institutions would be indispensable.

DNA typing of HLA class II genes (HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP) in Japanese patients with histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease)

The pathogenesis of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL), which was reported first by Kikuchi et al. and Fujimoto et al. in 1972, is as yet unknown. HNL is frequently reported in Asian countries including Japan, however it is rare in Europe and North America. To elucidate whether the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and haplotypes are associated with HNL, we performed DNA typing of HLA class II genes (HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP) in 86 patients with HNL and 525 unrelated healthy Japanese controls with polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR-SSOP). In this study, we found DPA1*01 and DPB1*0202 allele frequencies in HLA class II genes are significantly higher in HNL patients than in normal controls. It is known that the frequency of DPB1*0202 alleles is extremely low or absent in Caucasians (e.g., French 0.4%, Italian 0.8%) and Negroid (e.g., South African 0%, Hottentot 0%), but relatively frequent in Asians (e.g., Korean 9.9%, Japanese 4.5%). Previous reports have said the incidence of HNL is frequent in Asians but rare in other races. In light of this background, HLA class II genes of HNL and the incidence of HNL in Asian countries, including Japan, might have a positive relationship to DPA1*01 and DPB1*0202 allele.

Effects of single and repeated stresses on the expression of mRNA for alpha1-adrenoceptors in the rat hypothalamus and midbrain

We examined the effects of single or repeated stress on the expression of mRNA for alpha1-adrenoceptors in the rat hypothalamus and midbrain using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Single stress significantly increased the mRNA level for alpha1-adrenoceptors in the midbrain, but had no effect on mRNA levels in the hypothalamus. Repeated stress significantly decreased mRNA levels for alpha1-adrenoceptors in both regions.

Levothyroxine-induced liver dysfunction in a primary hypothyroid patient

Here we report a case of levothyroxine-induced liver dysfunction. T4 (levothyroxine) has been more commonly used for the treatment of hypothyroidism than T3 active hormone (triiodothyronine), because with the former drug a stabler plasma concentration is obtained after oral administration. Although there are few reports on levothyroxine-induced liver dysfunction, we treated a primary hypothyroid patient with high serum aminotransferase after administration of levothyroxine. Liver dysfunction was improved after cessation of the drug administration. Antibody to T4 was found in the serum of the patient after this event. From clinical course and laboratory data of the patient, the episode of liver damage was considered to be induced by levothyroxine. We then administrated triiodothyronine, and it did not induce liver dysfunction. Changing levothyroxine to triiodothyronine resulted in a successful clinical course in this case, as re-administration of the doubtful drug is strictly limited.

A comparison of the antagonistic activities of tamsulosin and terazosin against human vascular alpha1-adrenoceptors

Tamsulosin, a selective alpha1A-adrenoceptor antagonist, and terazosin, a non-selective one, are effective for the treatment of urinary disturbance due to benign prostatic hypertrophy. In the present study, their alpha1-adrenoceptor-blocking effects on blood vessels, which may cause orthostatic hypotension, were investigated in 10 healthy males. After the subjects took orally 0.2 mg of tamsulosin, 1 mg of terazosin or a lactate capsule as the control in a randomized cross-over fashion, their finger tip vasoconstrictor response to cold stimulation and vasoconstrictor response of the dorsal hand vein to increasing doses of phenylephrine were examined. The finger tip vasoconstrictor response was significantly reduced and the infusion rate of phenylephrine producing a half-maximal constriction was significantly increased by terazosin, but tamsulosin had no significant effect on these parameters. These data suggest that the usual dose of tamsulosin exerts little alpha1-adrenoceptor-blocking activity on blood vessels, and orthostatic episodes might be mild, if any, during the treatment with tamsulosin.