[Successful treatment of hepatic metastasis of gastric cancer with 5'-DFUR and Lentinan]

Satisfactory therapeutic effects are rarely obtained with oral chemotherapy for gastric cancer. We have experienced successful treatment for synchronous hepatic metastasis of gastric cancer with 5'-DFUR and Lentinan. The patient was a 78-year-old female, diagnosed as having gastric cancer with multiple hepatic metastases, who underwent gastrectomy. Immunohistochemistry of the resected specimens with anti-thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) antibody yielded positive results for dThdPase in the primary tumor as well as the hepatic metastases. Two months after surgery, administration of 400 mg of 5'-DFUR per day and 2 mg i.v. of Lentinan every other week was started. Four months after discharge, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in plasma showed an abrupt logarithmic decline. Furthermore, a 99% reduction in hepatic metastases was demonstrated by abdominal CT. At present, 22 months after surgery, the patient is managed on an outpatient basis with no complaints of any side effects. Immunochemotherapy using 5'-DFUR and Lentinan may be effective against gastric malignancies expressing dThdPase activity.

The conformation formed by the domain after alanine-155 induces inversion of aspartic acid-151 in alpha A-crystallin from aged human lenses

A new cleavage site, which is a post-translational modification, was found between residues His-154 and Ala-155 in alpha A-crystallin from the aged human lens. After trypsin digestion of alpha A-crystallin two peptides that include Asp-151 were obtained and have remarkable differences. That is, the stereo-configuration of the Asp-151 in the normal length peptide was predominately inverted to the D-isomer of beta-aspartyl form (D/L of 5.7). However, the stereoconfiguration of the Asp-151 in the cleavage peptide, that lacks the sequence following Ala-155 to the C-terminus, remained predominately in the L-isomer form as indicated by a D/L value of 0.3. The results suggest that the secondary structure in the region of Ala-155 to the C-terminus may constitute a field that causes the inversion of the Asp-151 to the D-isomer form. Since this kind of cleavage was not found in alpha A-crystallin from young lens, the cleavage between His-154 and Ala-155 is probably the result of aging.

Chronic treatment with prazosin causes a subtype-specific increase in the alpha 1-adrenoceptor density of the stressed rat cerebral cortex

The effects of chronic treatment with prazosin and of immobilization stress on the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in rat cerebral cortex have been examined. Prazosin-treated rats were allowed free access to tap water containing two different concentrations of prazosin (16 or 156 mg L-1) for 5 weeks. The mean plasma concentrations of prazosin were 5 ng mL-1 in groups treated with a low dose and 8 or 14 ng mL-1 in those treated with a high dose. Immobilization stress (2 h day-1, 2 weeks) or chronic treatment with a low dose of prazosin caused no significant change in the affinity for [3H]prazosin or in the maximum number of alpha 1-adrenoceptor sites (Bmax). However, treatment with prazosin (low dose) combined with stress increased the density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors with low affinity for prazosin. Treatment with a high dose of prazosin increased the density of alpha 1L-adrenoceptors, irrespective of stress loading. The densities of alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors with high affinity for prazosin were increased only after treatment with a high dose of prazosin in combination with stress. These results indicate that three distinct alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes, alpha 1A, alpha 1B and alpha 1L, might be affected differently by treatment with prazosin and by stress.

Specific racemization and isomerization of the aspartyl residue of alphaA-crystallin due to UV-B irradiation

We have reported that the aspartyl (Asp)-151 residue in alphaA-crystallin in human eye lens was inverted to the D-isomer and isomerized to beta-Asp residue with age. We report here that ultraviolet (UV)-B irradiation induces the racemization and isomerization of the Asp-151 residue of alphaA-crystallin from lenses of 6-week-old rats to form D-isomer and beta-Asp residue. Simultaneous racemization and isomerization of the specific Asp residue indicate that the reaction proceeds via formation of a succinimide intermediate. This modification was not observed in UV-A irradiated and normal lenses. UV-B irradiation induced the racemization of only the Asp-151 residue and did not affect the other Asp residues in alphaA-crystallin. On the other hand, the high molecular weight fraction of the lens protein increased upon UV-B irradiation. Modification of the Asp residue would affect the three-dimensional packing array of the lens protein.

NMDA receptor clustering in rat prefrontal cortex revealed by in vitro calcium macroimaging

Living coronal brain slices were prepared from the rat prefrontal cortex (pFC) to determine the topographical distribution of the functional calcium-permeable N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in vitro using calcium macroimage analysis with fura-2 AM. NMDA (0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 x 10(-4) M for 30 s) bath application showed a dose-dependent [Ca2+]i increase from the steady-state level in several portions selected from the whole hemisphere slice. This regional response was suppressed by D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (10(-4)M) and reinforced by glycine coperfusion (5 x 10(-6) M). Image analysis showed that the cluster responsive to NMDA lay locally on the medial or lateral pFC even in the presence of tetrodotoxin.

Lasting effect of NO on glutamate release in rat striatum revealed by continuous brain dialysis

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on glutamate release in the brain of freely moving rats was investigated using a new, high time-resolution microdialysis system. Coperfusion with veratridine (VER) and NO donors increased glutamate release above than that obtained with VER alone. When steady-state levels were regained after co-perfusion, perfusion of VER alone further potentiated glutamate release. The effect depended on the initial level of VER-induced glutamate release, and was maximum for intermediate glutamate levels. These results suggest that NO influences the glutamate release system by affecting the level of neural activity and that its effect lasts and increases when steady-state levels are regained in rat striatum.

Cloning, functional expression and tissue distribution of rabbit alpha 1d-adrenoceptor

We have cloned a cDNA encoding rabbit alpha 1d-adrenoceptor from the rabbit liver cDNA library. The deduced amino-acid sequence of this clone encodes a protein of 576 amino acids that shows strong sequence homology to previously cloned human, rat and mouse alpha 1d-adrenoceptors. The pharmacological radioligand binding properties of this clone expressed in COS-7 cells were similar to those of rat alpha 1d-adrenoceptors. Competitive RT/PCR assays revealed wide tissue distribution of the alpha 1d-adrenoceptor mRNA in rabbit, especially abundant in vas deferens, aorta, prostate and cerebral cortex.

Cloning, functional expression and tissue distribution of rabbit alpha1a-adrenoceptor

A cDNA clone, which has an open reading frame of 1398 nucleotides encoding a 466-amino-acid peptide, has been isolated from rabbit liver cDNA library. Compared with the peptide sequence, it shows high homology to alpha1a adrenoceptors of human, bovine and rat. We expressed this clone in COS-7 and investigated the pharmacological properties, revealing similarity to those of human alpha1a adrenoceptors. Competitive RT/PCR has detected the mRNA in variety of rabbit tissues, especially abundantly in liver, vas deferens, brain, and aorta, but not in heart.

Chronic nicotine treatment delays the developmental increase in brain muscarinic receptors in rat neonate

Developmental increase in the muscarinic receptors ([3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate binding sites) of rat neonate brain (cerebral cortex and cerebellum) was significantly inhibited by chronic nicotine treatment of the dams during pregnancy and lactation. However, development of the nicotinic receptors ([3H]cytisine binding sites) was not inhibited and rather was up-regulated in the cerebral cortex and brainstem by the nicotine treatment. Such inhibition and up-regulation were not seen in nicotine-withdrawn rats after birth. These results suggest that nicotine treatment during lactation may cause a remarkable delay in development of muscarinic neurotransmission in rat neonates.

[Role of peritoneal lavage smears and gastric wall brushing smears in gastric cancer surgery]

Examinations of peritoneal lavage smears (LC) and gastric wall brushing smear cytology (BC) appear to be important for determining accurately the stage of gastric cancer. We have been carrying out such examinations during gastric cancer surgery for 7 years. In the present study, we evaluated the results obtained from 287 patients with gastric cancer. Tumor invasion and peritoneal dissemination were correlated with a positive incidence of cancer cells in LC and/or BC. Gastric cancer showing serosal invasion was classified into positive for LC and/or BC and negative for LC and/or BC. Patients positive for LC and/or BC had a poorer prognosis. For future gastric cancer treatment, patients positive for peritoneal cytology are expected to be targeted for intensive treatment during or before surgery.

Transient brain ischaemia provokes Ca2+, PIP2 and calpain responses prior to delayed neuronal death in monkeys

To clarify the mechanism of postischaemic delayed cornu Ammonis (CA)-1 neuronal death, we studied correlations among calpain activation and its subcellular localization, the immunoreactivity of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and Ca2+ mobilization in the monkey hippocampus by two independent experimental approaches: in vivo transient brain ischaemia and in vitro hypoxia-hypoglycaemia of hippocampal acute slices. The CA-1 sector undergoing 20 min of ischaemia in vivo showed microscopically a small number of neuronal deaths on day 1 and almost global neuronal loss on day 5 after ischaemia. Immediately after ischaemia, CA-1 neurons ultrastructurally showed vacuolation and/or disruption of the lysosomes. Western blotting using antibodies against inactivated or activated mu-calpain demonstrated mu-calpain activation specifically in the CA-1 sector immediately after ischaemia. This finding was confirmed in the perikarya of CA-1 neurons by immunohistochemistry. CA-1 neurons on day 1 showed sustained activation of mu-calpain, and increased immunostaining for inactivated and activated forms of mu- and m-calpains and for PIP2. Activated mu-calpain and PIP2 were found to be localized at the vacuolated lysosomal membrane or endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial membrane respectively, by immunoelectron microscopy. Calcium imaging data using hippocampal acute slices showed that hypoxia-hypoglycaemia in vitro provoked intense Ca2+ mobilization with increased PIP2 immunostaining specifically in CA-1 neurons. These data suggest that transient brain ischaemia increases intracellular Ca2+ and PIP2 breakdown, which will activate calpain proteolytic activity. Therefore, we suggest that activated calpain at the lysosomal membrane, with the possible release of biodegrading enzyme, will cause postischaemic CA-1 neuronal death.

Subtype selectivity of a new alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, JTH-601: comparison with prazosin

The existence of alpha 1-adrenoceptors with low affinity for prazosin (alpha 1L group: alpha 1L and alpha 1N subtypes) has been proposed in addition to alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes with high affinity for prazosin (alpha 1H group: alpha 1A, alpha 1B and alpha 1D subtypes). A newly synthesized alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, JTH-601 (N-(3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2,4,5-trimethylbenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(4-hydro xy-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-phenoxy) ethylamine hemifumarate) showed approximately a 10 times higher affinity for the alpha 1L group, a similar affinity for the alpha 1A subtype, but a more than 10 times lower affinity for the alpha 1B and alpha 1D subtypes when compared with prazosin. These results provide a further pharmacological evidence that alpha 1-adrenoceptors with low affinity for prazosin exist in addition to those with high affinity for prazosin, suggesting that JTH-601 may be useful for characterising the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes.

[Prognostic evaluation of peritoneal lavage smears and gastric wall brushing smears in gastric cancer surgery]

We investigated the correlation of intraoperative peritoneal lavage smear and gastric wall brushing smear cytology with macroscopic and histologic findings and prognosis, in 216 patients with gastric cancer. Some 196 of these patients underwent gastric resection and 20 did not. The incidence of positive cancer cells determined by these methods was significantly correlated with gastric resection, tumor invasion, and peritoneal dissemination. Among patients without macroscopic peritoneal dissemination, four were found to have positive peritoneal lavage smears or gastric wall brushing smears, respectively. The prognosis of these patients did not differ from that of patients with metastases to the adjacent peritoneum but not the distant peritoneum. These results suggest that peritoneal lavage smears and gastric wall brushing smears are useful for predicting the peritoneal cancer dissemination. Therefore we intend to target patients with no peritoneal metastases (Po) showing positive peritoneal cytology for intensive treatment.

Alteration of brain nicotinic receptors induced by immobilization stress and nicotine in rats

Immobilization stress (2 h.day-1, for 2 weeks) caused downregulation of the nicotinic receptors ([3H]cytisine binding sites) in the rat brain (cerebral cortex and midbrain). However, chronic nicotine treatment abrogated stress induced downregulation of the [3H]cytisine binding sites, suggesting that chronic nicotine treatment may block stress activated nicotinic receptor-mediated neurotransmission.

Effects of propranolol and atenolol on immobilization stress-induced hypertension and down-regulation of central beta-adrenoceptors in rats

Effects of chronic treatment with propranolol or atenolol on stress-induced changes in blood pressure, body weight, and cerebral beta-adrenoceptors in rats were examined and compared with the effects of chronic treatment with prazosin. Immobilization stress (2 h daily for 2 weeks) induced a moderate elevation of blood pressure, loss of body weight gain, and downregulation of cerebral beta-adrenoceptors, but produced no changes in the cerebral alpha 1-adrenoceptors. Chronic administration of propranolol (5 or 50 mg.kg-1), atenolol (5 or 50 mg.kg-1) or prazosin (2 or 20 mg.kg-1) inhibited stress-induced hypertension but did not affect loss of body weight gain. Propranolol increased the density of cerebral beta-adrenoceptors by 77% and reduced the downregulation induced by stress. Atenolol also increased the density of cerebral beta-adrenoceptors by 34% and abolished the stress-induced downregulation in cerebral beta-adrenoceptor density. In contrast, prazosin had no effect on the cerebral beta-adrenoceptors in nonstressed or stressed rats. These results suggest that the antihypertensive action of propranolol and atenolol may be partly associated with the inhibition of stress-activated central beta-adrenoceptor transmission.

Temperature-dependent Ca2+ mobilization induced by hypoxia-hypoglycemia in the monkey hippocampal slices

Mobilization of [Ca2+]i in the monkey hippocampal slices during transient hypoxia-hypoglycemia and KCl-induced depolarization was analyzed by microfluorometric imaging and anti-PIP2 immunohistochemistry. Hypoxia-hypoglycemia provoked the largest [Ca2+]i mobilization of CA-1 temperature-dependently whereas [Ca2+]i mobilization by KCl-induced depolarization occurred independent of the temperature in CA-2. Immunohistochemical analysis of the hippocampus after hypoxia-hypoglycemia showed an increased PIP2 staining preferentially in the perikarya of CA-1 neurons. These data suggest that release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores caused by PIP2 breakdown may induce elevated [Ca2+]i.

Heterogeneity of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in adrenergic contractions of dog blood vessels

1. We determined the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in adrenergic contractions of eight different blood vessels isolated from the dog. 2. Noradrenaline produced concentration-dependent contractions in all the blood vessels tested, which were competitively inhibited by prazosin, WB4101, HV723 and 5-methylurapidil. However, there was considerable difference between the vessels with regard to the pKB values for all the antagonists. The alpha 1-adrenoceptors of dog vertebral and carotid arteries had high affinity for prazosin (pKB > 9.0) but low affinity for WB4101 (< 8.5), 5-methylurapidil (< 7.5) and HV723 (< or = 8.5). By contrast, HV723 had higher affinity (> 9.0) than prazosin (< 8.3), WB4101 (< 8.7) and 5-methylurapidil (< 8.2) in the portal vein, mesenteric artery and vein, and renal artery. In the femoral artery and vein, however, the four antagonists showed pKB values in the range 8.0-8.7. 3. Chloroethylclonidine (10 microM) produced a remarkable reduction of the contractile responses to noradrenaline in the vertebral and carotid arteries as compared with those in the other vessels. Nifedipine inhibited the responses to noradrenaline in all the tissues tested, and had marked effects in the portal vein. 4. Sympathetic adrenergic contractions induced by transmural electrical stimulation were also inhibited by prazosin and HV723 at different potencies among tissues. The relative potencies of both the antagonists paralleled the relationship in inhibiting the responses to exogenous noradrenaline in each vessel. 5. According to recent alpha l-adrenoceptor subclassification, the present results suggest that the contractions of blood vessels induced by endogenous and exogenous noradrenaline are mediated through different alpha l-adrenoceptor subtypes heterogeneously distributed in each vessel; presumably, the alpha 1 B subtype in the carotid and vertebral arteries, the alpha IN subtype in the visceral region and the alpha IL subtype in the femoral region. Regionally different expression of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes may be in part associated with the regional heterogeneity of sympathetic responses in the blood vessels.

Effects of bevantolol HCl on immobilization stress-induced hypertension and central beta-adrenoceptors in rats

Effects of chronic treatment with bevantolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker, and of repeated immobilization stress on blood pressure, body weight, and [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding to the cerebral cortex were examined in rats. Systolic blood pressure increased to approximately 150 mmHg when stress was applied for 14 days (2 h day-1). This increase was inhibited by chronic treatment with bevantolol (250 mg kg-1 daily). However, bevantolol did not suppress the inhibition of body weight gain by stress. The maximum number of [3H]DHA binding sites (Bmax) in the cerebral cortex was decreased by stress without changing the affinity, and the decrease in Bmax mainly reflected the reduction of beta 1-adrenoceptors. Bevantolol treatment (250 mg kg-1) increased the Bmax to 137% and completely inhibited the downregulation of beta-adrenoceptors by stress. These results show that bevantolol can inhibit both the hypertension and downregulation of the central beta 1-adrenoceptors induced by stress.

Difference in blood flow volume of the common carotid artery between vascular and non-vascular dementia detected by colour duplex sonography

Using colour duplex sonography, blood flow volume in the common carotid artery was measured in 72 demented patients and 28 normal controls. Thirty-five patients with a Hachinski's ischaemic score of 7 or above and marked ischaemic lesions on CT were assigned to the vascular dementia (VD) group. Thirty-three patients with probable Alzheimer's disease according to the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, 2 patients with Parkinson's disease, 1 patient with spinocerebellar degeneration, and 1 patient with Pick's disease were assigned to the non-vascular dementia (nonVD) group. The sum of blood flow volume in the bilateral common carotid arteries (CCA flow) in the nonVD group and in the VD group was lower than that in the control group. The CCA flow in the VD group was lower than that in the nonVD group. Comparison of patients matched for both age and the Hasegawa's dementia rating scale also revealed lower CCA flow in the VD group than in the nonVD group. Linear discriminant function analysis showed that nearly 90% of the demented patients were correctly diagnosed as having VD or as having nonVD. These results show the usefulness of colour duplex sonography in the differential diagnosis of patients with dementia.

Habituation of lactate release responding to stressful stimuli in rat prefrontal cortex in vivo

The extracellular level of lactate is mainly dependent on functional glucose metabolism in most brain cells regulated in part by neuronal activity. We investigated the effect of environmental stimuli on lactate release in rat medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) by in vivo brain microdialysis. Lactate release was clearly demonstrated to increase immediately and transiently from its steady-state levels after various stimuli (tail pinch for 1 min, 100-dB white noise for 5 min, and immobilization for 5 min). These stimuli-induced increments were depressed after a second trial 1 h later in a manner consistent with dishabituation to a novel stimulus and "below-zero" habituation by several repetition. Likewise the local perfusion of dopamine or norepinephrine transiently increased and then diminished the second perfusion-induced increase in MPFC lactate release consistent with desensitization. These results suggest the possibility that stressful stimuli produce one-trial habituation of lactate release in MPFC via a mechanism involving the regulation of the catecholaminergic system.

Modulation of cerebral acetylcholine metabolism by the dorsal diencephalic conduction system in the rat

We investigated the effects of interruption of the impulse flow in the habenulopeduncular pathways by local infusion of tetrodotoxin on the acetylcholine and choline content in selected dopamine rich regions in the forebrain and midbrain in rats. The tetrodotoxin infusion caused a marked increase in acetylcholine content in the medial frontal cortex, striatum and ventral tegmental area+interpenduncular nucleus, but not in the limbic area or the substantia nigra, whereas choline content was reduced only in both the striatum and ventral tegmental area+interpeduncular nucleus. There was an increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid content in the striatum after the manipulation. These findings suggest that the dorsal diencephalic conduction system may be involved in the integration of the activity of cholinergic neurons in the forebrain and midbrain regions and striatal dopanine neurons may play a role in the modulation of cholinergic neurons.

Selectivity of bevantolol hydrochloride towards alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in rat cerebral cortex

Selectivity of bevantolol hydrochloride (NC-1400) towards alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor subtypes of rat cerebral cortex was examined in binding experiments and compared with propranolol. Bevantolol biphasically displaced the 3H-dihydroalprenolol binding. The affinity of bevantolol to beta 1-adrenoceptor was equal to that of propranolol. Bevantolol displaced 3H-prazosin binding monophasically but not 3H-p-aminoclonidine binding. These results suggest that bevantolol is a beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist with a relatively high affinity to alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes.

Frequency of the hypercalcemia-leukocytosis syndrome in oral malignancies

There have been a number of reports over the last 15 years of patients with cancer who develop both leukocytosis and hypercalcemia, particularly in patients with cancers of the oral cavity. In this study, the authors report the frequency of hypercalcemia and leukocytosis in 225 patients with oral malignancies. Ten patients (4.4%) had hypercalcemia, 11 patients (4.9%) had leukocytosis, and five (2.2%) had both hypercalcemia and leukocytosis. The occurrence of these two distinct paraneoplastic syndromes in the same patients was greater than could have been expected from chance alone (chi-square = 45.8, P less than 0.0001). This study demonstrates that although hypercalcemia and leukocytosis are relatively uncommon in oral cancers, when they do occur they are frequently associated. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first report in which the frequency of the association hypercalcemia and leukocytosis is studied in detail in large numbers of patients with oral cancer.

[Multiple malignant tumors combined with oral cancer from annual of the pathological autopsy cases in Japan, 1984-1988]

During the 5-year period from 1984 to 1988, a total of 944 cases had been presented multiple (3 or more) primary malignant tumors in annual of the pathological autopsy cases in Japan. Forty-one cases (4.3%) had lip and oral cancer. Of this group, triple were described 36 cases, quadruple 3 cases and more discrete multiple 2 cases, respectively. It is more frequent in men than in women, the ratio being 12.7:1. The age range is from 34 to 86 years with a mean of 66.9 years. In these cases with oral cancer, the another primary site is almost always found in digestive system (90.2%), e.g. esophagus (36.6%), stomach (34.1%) and colon and rectum (34.1%).

[Lymphoepithelial cyst of the upper neck: report of a case]

A case of lymphoepithelial cyst of the upper neck is presented. The patient was a 77-year-old woman. After her lesion was extirpated under clinical diagnosis of salivary gland tumor, identified as lymphoepithelial cyst (so-called branchial cyst). Histopathologically salivary gland was observed in the cyst wall composed of lymphoid tissue and was demonstrated highly active amylase-enzyme (S type) in the cyst fluid. These findings are convicted that our case originates ductal epithelium entrapped in cervical lymph node (inclusion theory of Bhaskar).

[Adenoidcystic carcinoma of the palate in pregnancy: report of a case]

The Patient was a 28-year-old woman with 8th month of her pregnancy. She had noted a swelling of her palate (6-region) about 3 years before. Incisional biopsy was done in 8th month of her pregnancy and histological diagnosis was confirmed; adenoidcystic carcinoma. After normal health baby was born with cesarean section in 34 weeks, partial maxillectomy was performed. She is now free of the disease. The baby is now 1-year-old and enjoying the good health.

In vivo release of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity in rat frontal cortex under freely moving conditions

Release of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity (CCK-LI) was measured in rat medial prefrontal cortex in vivo by brain dialysis and enzyme immunoassay under freely moving condition. Perfusion of 50 mM K+ resulted in the increase of CCK-LI in the dialysate. The data on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the dialysate showed that the increase of the CCK-LI was mainly due to the increase of CCK octapeptide sulfate itself. In the preliminary experiments, we applied this brain dialysis method for determination of CCK-LI release with drug treatment. After treatment with sulpiride (i.p.), a D2 dopamine receptor antagonist, a significant increase of CCK-LI was observed, indicating that this brain dialysis technique is applicable to detect change in the level of CCK-LI release after a certain drug treatment.

Cholecystokinin system in striatal-nigral neuronal networks: infusion of quinolinic acid into rat striatum

Unilateral infusions of quinolinic acid (QUIN) into the rat striatum led to an increase in cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfate-like immunoreactivity (CCK8S-LI) in the striatum and substantia nigra 4 days later. These changes were suppressed by the injection of gamma-aminobutyric acid into substantia nigra 30 min before sacrifice. Intraperitoneal administration of haloperidol 40 min before sacrifice also suppressed the effect of QUIN on CCK. These results suggest that nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons regulate CCK neurons via presynaptic sites in the striatum, and also that striatonigral GABAergic neurons interact with CCK neurons in the substantia nigra.

Effect of bile duct ligation on bile acid and cholesterol metabolism in rats

The effects of bile duct ligation on bile acid and cholesterol metabolism were examined in male Wistar strain rats. Quantitative and qualitative changes of bile acids and cholesterol in serum and urine occurred; beta-muricholic acid predominantly increased in serum and urine and the ratio of urinary cholic acid and beta-muricholic acid changed from about 5:3 on day 1 to about 1:8 on day 5 under biliary obstruction. The form of the increased urinary bile acids was mainly taurine-conjugated and partly sulfated. Under conditions of bile duct ligation on day 5, 14C-labeled 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic, lithocholic, and chenodeoxycholic acids were intragastrically administered to the rats after pretreatment with antibiotics and the metabolites of these three acids were investigated. 3 beta-Hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid was most efficiently converted to beta-muricholic acid. The present study strongly suggested the presence of an alternative metabolic pathway induced by bile duct ligation, which caused the change in composition of urinary bile acids, and especially the marked increase in beta-muricholic acid formation. A possible alternative pathway for bile acid biosynthesis under biliary obstruction in rats is postulated.