Amelioration of murine experimental colitis by inhibition of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1

Mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) is an adhesion molecule that mediates recruitment of lymphocytes into the gut mucosa. Attenuation of excessive expression of MAdCAM-1 in the inflamed mucosa could be useful for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody has a prophylactic effect on experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Colitis was induced by orally feeding BALB/c mice 5% DSS (mol. wt. 5000). Mice were sacrificed at intervals up to 21 days after administration to evaluate the changes over time in intestinal damage. The infiltrating lymphocytes and their subpopulations, and the expression of cell adhesion molecules were determined by immunohistochemistry. In another set of experiments, the attenuating effect of i.p.-injected anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody on colonic lesions was evaluated on day 14. Significant histological damage with shortening of crypts was observed on day 14 in colonic mucosa of DSS-treated mice. Before mucosal inflammation had become significant, expression of MAdCAM-1 was already increased in the microvessels of lamina propria on day 7. Significant infiltration of beta7-integrin-positive T and B cells in the mucosa was then noted on day 14. Administration of anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody significantly reduced colonic injury as well as the infiltration of beta7-integrin-positive lymphocytes in the colonic mucosa. This antibody also was effective when given 7 days after the start of DSS treatment. In the present study, we demonstrated that anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody significantly ameliorates DSS-induced colitis, suggesting that MAdCAM-1 may be useful for control of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Metabolism of 26,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 26,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,23(S)25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 in ROS17/2.8 cells transfected with a plasmid expressing CYP24

1. To clarify the possibility that the metabolism of 26,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [F6-1,25(OH)2D3] to 26,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,23(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 [F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3 and that of F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3 to 26,27-hexafluoro-23-oxo-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [F6-23-oxo-1,25(OH)2D3] are catalysed by 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase (CYP24), ROS17/2.8 cells transfected with a plasmid expressing CYP24 [pSVL-CYP24(+)] and a corresponding blank plasmid [pSLV-CYP24R(-)] were used. 2. Incubation of [1 beta-3H]-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 for 2 and 5 days with ROS17/2.8 cells transfected with pSVL-CYP24(+) generated a metabolite that co-migrated with authentic F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3 in both normal phase and reversed-phase HPLC systems. 3. Incubation of [1 beta-3H]-F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3 for 5 days with pSVL-CYP24(+)- transfected ROS 17/2.8 cells generated a metabolite that co-migrated with authentic F6-23-oxo-1,25(OH)2D3. In contrast, the metabolites F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3 or F6-23-oxo-1,25(OH)2D3 were not generated in the cells transfected with pSVL-CYP24R(-). 4. The results indicate that CYP24 catalyses the conversion of F6-1,25(OH)2D3 to F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3 and that of F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3 to F6-23-oxo-1,25(OH)2D3.

Afferent mechanisms of acute responses of renal sympathetic nerve activity to microgravity

Exposure to microgravity is thought to induce an alteration of autonomic function through several afferent pathways. First, a removal of all hydrostatic gradients, which results in a large cephalad fluid shift. The fluid shift may induce an increase in transmural pressure in the cardiopulmonary region, which stimulates cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors and baroreceptors, and elicits neurogenic responses. Secondly, an alteration of the vestibular input may modify sympathetic output via the vestibulosympathetic reflex. However, there is a lack of direct evidence for the role of cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors, baroreceptors, and vestibular system in autonomic responses to microgravity. Accordingly, responses of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RNA) to microgravity, produced by free drop, were examined in anesthetized rats. To examine the afferent pathways of the RNA responses, the same experiment was performed in rats that had undergone labyrinthectomy, sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation (SAD), vagotomy, or SAD plus vagotomy.

Acute responses of renal nerve activity to microgravity induced by free drop in anesthetized rats

To examine acute cardiovascular and autonomic responses to microgravity (microG), arterial pressure (AP), aortic flow velocity (AFV), central venous pressure (CVP), and renal nerve activity (RNA) were measured in anesthetized rats during 4.5 s of microG produced by free drop. A smooth and immediate reduction in gravity occurred during free drop, microG being achieved 100 ms after the start of the drop. Acute microG elicited an immediate and striking, but transient, decrease in RNA with no significant change in AP and AFV, but a significant decrease in CVP. The decrease in RNA lasted 2 s, then RNA recovered to the control level despite the G value remaining at < 0.001 for 4.5 s. The RNA decrease was attenuated or completely abolished by sinoaortic denervation, vagotomy, or sinoaortic denervation plus vagotomy. These results suggest that acute microG conditions stimulate sinoaortic and cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors and suppress RNA.

Role of the vestibular system in sudden shutdown of renal sympathetic nerve activity during microgravity in rats

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of microgravity (muG) on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RNA) in rats. Additionally, we estimated the participation of the vestibular system in the response of RNA to muG. Eight normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and five chemically and bilaterally labyrinthectomied SD rats were used to measure RNA during free-drop examination (4.5-s duration of muG); arterial pressure (AP) and aortic flow velocity (AFV) were additionally monitored. Although AFV showed no particular change, AP tended to decrease during muG in the later phase. Prior to this AP fall-off, RNA was immediately and markedly attenuated by muG. This attenuation was transient and RNA returned to 1G level within the mu;muG condition. Interestingly, this phenomenon remained even in labyrinthectomied rats. In conclusion, cephalad shift of the body fluid by loading of muG may cause cardiopulmonary low-pressure receptor activation and consequent RNA attenuation, but the participation of the vestibulosympathetic reflex in this phenomenon is not obvious.

Hepatoportal bumetanide-sensitive K(+)-sensor mechanism controls urinary K(+) excretion

To determine whether a K(+)-sensor mechanism exists in the hepatoportal region, periarterial hepatic afferent nerve activity responses to intraportal injection of KCl were examined in anesthetized rats. Hepatic afferent nerve activity increased in response to intraportal injection in a K(+) concentration-dependent manner, and the increase was attenuated by inhibition of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter by bumetanide in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that a bumetanide-sensitive K(+)-sensor mechanism exists in the hepatoportal region. Stimulation of this mechanism by intraportal KCl infusion elicited an immediate and powerful kaliuresis with no significant change in the plasma K(+) concentration; this was significantly greater than the kaliuresis induced by intravenous KCl infusion and was attenuated by severing the periarterial hepatic nervous plexus. These results indicate that a hepatoportal bumetanide-sensitive K(+)-sensor mechanism senses the portal venous K(+) concentration and that stimulation of this sensor mechanism causes kaliuresis, which is mainly mediated by the periarterial hepatic nervous plexus.

Role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis

BACKGROUND

Different authors have postulated both toxic and protective effects for nitric oxide (NO) in the pathophysiology of active inflammation.

AIM

To examine the role of NO, especially that produced by the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), by investigating the effects of NOS inhibitors and NO donors on inflammation in experimental acute colitis.

METHODS

Acute colitis was induced in rats by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). White blood cell counts and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactants in the portal blood were determined, as were histological changes in the colonic mucosa. We then evaluated the effects of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine (AG) and an NO donor on DSS-induced changes in these inflammatory parameters.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of NO production by either L-NAME or AG worsened DSS-induced inflammation, suggesting a protective role for NO in acute colitis. On the other hand, a NO donor also exaggerated DSS-induced inflammatory parameters, suggesting that acute colitis may be aggravated by either too much or too little NO. These results suggest that medical treatment of ulcerative colitis must aim for maintenance of appropriate NO levels in the intestinal mucosa.

Modulation of H reflex of pretibial muscles and reciprocal Ia inhibition of soleus muscle during voluntary teeth clenching in humans

A previous study has demonstrated that the soleus H reflex is facilitated in association with voluntary teeth clenching in proportion with biting force in humans. The present study tried to elucidate the functional significance of this facilitation of the soleus H reflex, by examining 1) whether the facilitation of the H reflex is reciprocal or nonreciprocal between the ankle extensors and flexors and 2) whether the reciprocal Ia inhibition of crural muscles is facilitated or depressed in association with voluntary teeth clenching. The H reflex of the pretibial muscles was evoked by stimulation of the common peroneal nerve in seven healthy subjects with no oral dysfunction. The pretibial H reflex was facilitated in association with voluntary teeth clenching in a force-dependent manner. The facilitation started preceding the onset of electromyographic activity of the masseter muscle. Stimulation of the common peroneal nerve at low intensities subthreshold for evoking the M wave of the pretibial muscles inhibited the soleus H reflex after a short latency corresponding with a disynaptic inhibition, indicating that the reciprocal Ia inhibition was depressed in association with voluntary teeth clenching. Thus, the present study has shown that voluntary teeth clenching evokes a nonreciprocal facilitation of ankle extensor and flexor muscles and attenuated reciprocal Ia inhibition from the pretibial muscles to the soleus muscle. It is concluded that voluntary teeth clenching contributes to improve stability of stance rather than smoothness of movements.

Growth factor usage patterns and outcomes in the community setting: collection through a practice-based computerized clinical information system

PURPOSE

Although use of colony-stimulating factor (CSF) is widespread and guidelines for use have been disseminated, actual practice patterns of medical oncologists are unknown. The purpose of this study was to collect these data using an office-based computerized clinical information system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were collected on patients at 10 community-based oncology practices. Information regarding CSF use was captured at the time of prescribing through a computerized clinical support tool and stored in a data warehouse, and an analysis was carried out retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 6,813 cancer regimens administered to 5,034 patients were evaluated for growth factor use. Overall, CSFs were used in 14% of regimens, with breast, lymphoma, lung, and ovarian being the most common cancers for which CSFs were used. In 49.4% of regimens, CSF was initiated during cycle 1, with an average duration of 1 week, and was used in two or three cycles per regimen. Afebrile neutropenia is rarely followed by CSF initiation. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is associated with fewer dose adjustments, delays, and hospitalizations when compared with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). There is wide variation among oncologists in CSF use, and several substantial differences were noted between the prescribing behavior of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) survey-reported oncologists and actual clinical practice, as captured by the computerized clinical information system.

CONCLUSION

Computerized clinical information systems can collect detailed information regarding practice patterns of medical oncologists. ASCO physician practice survey data do not accurately reflect actual practice patterns and must be interpreted with caution. Substantial deviations from ASCO growth factor guidelines remain, and oncologists' use of CSFs demonstrates wide variation. There may be important clinical differences between G-CSF and GM-CSF, but definitive phase III trials are needed for confirmation.

Detection of triazolam and its hydroxy metabolites in rat hair by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A sensitive method using reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) for simultaneous determination of triazolam (TZ) and its hydroxy metabolites in hair has been developed. After the addition of deuterium-labeled 1 -hydroxymethyltriazolam (1-HT-d4) as an internal standard, analytes in hair shaft and hair root samples were extracted with a basic medium, CH2Cl2/MeOH/28% NH4OH (20:80:2), at room temperature overnight. The chromatographic separation of the analytes was achieved using a 3-microm micro HPLC column (100 x 2.0-mm i.d.) with a gradient of acetonitrile in water containing 1% acetic acid as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.15 mL/min. The mass spectrometer was operated in selected-ion monitoring mode at quasi molecular ions [M+H]+ of TZ and its metabolites. Under the proposed conditions, the ranges of quantitation of TZ, 1-HT, and 4-HT were 0.1-10 ng/0.2 mL. The method has been applied to determine the hair shaft and hair root incorporation of TZ and its metabolites into Dark Agouti rats administered with 3 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg intraperitoneally twice a day for five days. Judging from the retention behavior by the chromatography and the mass spectra of the peaks detected, TZ, 1-HT, and 4-HT were incorporated in the hair shaft and the hair root. The concentration of 4-HT was the highest of all compounds detected. An unknown substance thought to be 1,4-diHT also appeared in both hair shaft and hair root samples. This substance was obtained from in vitro metabolic studies of TZ using rat liver microsome fraction and was accompanied by the other two metabolites, 1-HT and 4-HT. Structural elucidation was performed with online high-performance liquid chromatography-MS after acetylation of the substance with acetic anhydride and pyridine. This is the first report of the detection of the hydroxy metabolites of TZ in hair. The method has been found to be useful as a screening procedure of TZ intake in humans.

Hypoxia-induced pulmonary blood redistribution in subjects with a history of high-altitude pulmonary edema

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypertension has been suggested to play an important role in development of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and individual susceptibility has been suggested to be associated with enhanced pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia. We hypothesized that much greater pulmonary vasoconstriction would be induced by acute alveolar hypoxia in HAPE-susceptible (HAPE-s) subjects and that changes in pulmonary blood flow distribution could be demonstrated by radionuclide study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy in 8 HAPE-s subjects and 5 control subjects while each was in the supine position and acquired functional images of pulmonary blood flow and ventilation under separate normoxic and hypoxic (arterial oxygen saturation, 70%) conditions. We also measured acceleration time/right ventricular ejection time (AcT/RVET) with Doppler echocardiography under each condition in both groups. Moreover, we assayed human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles serologically in the HAPE-s group. Pulmonary blood flow was significantly shifted from the basal lung region to the apical lung region under hypoxia in HAPE-s subjects, although no significant change in regional ventilation was observed. With Doppler echocardiography, HAPE-s subjects showed increased pulmonary arterial pressure during hypoxia compared with control subjects. The magnitude of cephalad redistribution of lung blood flow was significantly higher in the HLA-DR6-positive than in HLA-DR6-negative HAPE-s subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that acute hypoxia induces much greater cephalad redistribution of pulmonary blood flow that results from exaggerated vasoconstriction in the basal lung in HAPE-s subjects. Furthermore, pulmonary vascular hyperreactivity to hypoxia may be associated with HLA-DR6.

Biological hydrogen potential of materials characteristic of the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes

The purpose of this study is to investigate the biological hydrogen production potential of individual organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW) by batch experiments. Seven varieties of typical organic solid wastes including rice, cabbage, carrot, egg, lean meat, fat and chicken skin were selected to estimate the hydrogen production potential. Among the OFMSW, carbohydrate produced the most hydrogen through biological hydrogen fermentation compared with proteins or lipids. Subsequently, the biological hydrogen production potentials of some individual carbohydrate were measured: cabbage, 26.3-61.7 mL/g-VS; carrot, 44.9-70.7 mL/g-VS; and rice, 19.3-96.0 mL/g-VS. The hydrogen percentages of the total biogas produced from cabbage, carrot and rice were 33.9-55.1%, 27.7-46.8% and 44.0-45.6%, respectively.

Effect of moisture content on anaerobic digestion of dewatered sludge: ammonia inhibition to carbohydrate removal and methane production

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of moisture content on anaerobic digestion of dewatered sewage sludge under mesophilic condition. The moisture contents of sludge fed to reactors were 97.0%, 94.6%, 92.9%, 91.1% and 89.0%. The VS removal efficiency changed from 45.6% to 33.8%, as the moisture content of sludge fed to digester decreased from 97.0% to 89.0%. The carbohydrate removal efficiency also decreased from 71.1% to 27.8%. Methane production decreased when the moisture content of sludge was lower than 91.1%. The number of glucose consuming acidogenic bacteria was decreased from 3.1 x 10(6) to 3.1 x 10(8) (MPN/mL) as the moisture content decreased from 91.1% to 89.0%. The numbers of hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenic bacteria decreased by one order of magnitude when the moisture content was lower than 91.1%. The decrease in numbers of glucose consuming acidogenic bacteria and methanogenic bacteria was found to correspond to the decrease in the carbohydrate removal efficiency and the accumulation of propionic acid. Batch experiments showed that acetoclastic methanogenic bacteria were acclimated to high ammonia concentration, on the other hand, glucose consuming acidogenic bacteria were inhibited.

Endothelin receptor blockade attenuates air embolization-induced pulmonary hypertension in sheep

We investigated the effects of two types of endothelin receptor antagonists on pulmonary hypertension induced by pulmonary air embolization in awake sheep. We prepared awake sheep with indwelling catheters inserted in blood vessels for continuous monitoring of pulmonary artery pressure, left atrial pressure and systemic arterial pressure. Cardiac output was measured every 30 min. The study consisted of two experiments, one with FR139317 (100 microg/kg/min; (R)2-[(R)-2-[(S)-2-[1-(hexahydro-1H-azepinyl)]-carbonyl]amino-4-++ +methy l-pentanoyl]amino-3-[3-(1-methyl-1H-indolyl)]propionyl)amino-3-(2-pyr idyl)propionic acid), a selective endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonist, and the other with TAK-044 (100 microg/kg/h; cyclo[D-alpha-aspartyl-3-[(4-phenylpiperazin-yl)carbonyl]-L-alanyl -L- alpha- aspartyl-D-2-(2-thienyl) glycyl-L-leucyl-D-tryptophyl] disodium salt), an endothelin ET(A) and ET(B) receptor antagonist. In the paired experiments, air was continuously (4.06 ml/min) infused into the main pulmonary artery for 3 h after the baseline pressures were stabilized. Sheep were treated or not treated with FR139317 or TAK-044. Pulmonary artery pressure was significantly higher than the baseline pressure after the start of air infusion. Both FR139317 and TAK-044 significantly attenuated the increase in pulmonary artery pressure during air embolization. Plasma endothelin -1 levels in both pulmonary and systemic arteries were equally and significantly increased after the start of air infusion. The results indicate that endothelin-1 release is attributable to the development of pulmonary hypertension during the course of air embolization in awake sheep.

Separation of 17 DL-amino acids and chiral sequential analysis of peptides by reversed-phase liquid chromatography after labeling with R(-)-4- (3-isothiocyanatopyrrolidin-1-yl)-7-(N, N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole

Seventeen DL-amino acids labeled with a fluorescent chiral labeling reagent, R(-)-4-(3-isothiocyanatopyrrolidin-1-yl)-7-(N, N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (R(-)-DBD-PyNCS), were separated by reversed-phase chromatography and detected fluorometrically at 550 nm (excitation at 460 nm). The reagent reacted with amino functional group in dl-amino acids under basic medium. The thiocarbamoyl derivatives were converted to thiohydantoin via thiazolinone in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solution. The epimerization ratios during the reaction of the cyclization were less than 37% in all dl-amino acids tested. The resulting thiohydantoin derivatives of individual dl-amino acids were completely separated with isocratic elutions using acidic mobile phase involving 0.1% TFA. The separations of the thiohydantoins yielded from acidic, basic, neutral, hydroxyl, and aromatic amino acids were good enough for the identification of dl-amino acid. The method using the reagent was adopted to identification of dl-amino acid sequences in eight peptides. The separation and identification of the thiohydantoin derivatives liberated from the peptides labeled were performed by the isocratic elutions. The applicability of the proposed procedure to sequential analysis of peptide was demonstrated with [D-Ala(2)]-leucine enkephalin, [D-Ala(2)]-deltorphin II, d-Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-amide, and Phe-D-Met-Arg-Phe-amide. D-Ala, D-Phe, and D-Met in the peptides were positively identified with the proposed procedures. [L-Ala(2)]-leucine enkephalin, beta-lipotropin, Asp-Ser-Asp-Pro-Arg, and Pro-Asp-Val-Asp-His-Val-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-amide were also analyzed as the references without D-amino acid.

The effect of low molecular weight chitosan on bone resorption in vitro and in vivo

We studied the effect of low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) on the formation of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) in the co-culture of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells in the presence of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1alpha,25(OH)2D3]. LMWC at 440 microg/ml inhibited the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive OCLs induced by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. We prepared OCLs in the co-culture of osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. The effect of LMWC on pit formation by OCLs was examined using dentin slices, and LMWC inhibited pit formation at 440 microg/ml. Oral administration of the LMWC to ovariectomized rats prevented a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebra without affecting the body and uterus weights. These results suggested that LMWC prevented a decrease in BMD in vivo by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption.

[A model of quality of life in the patients with Crohn's disease]

PURPOSE

To identify the integrated impact of psychological, social, and clinical factors onto the quality of life (QOL) in the patients with Crohn's disease.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Two hundred twenty two out-patients participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in which health-related QOL (SF36), disease-specific symptoms, psychological adaptation and social support were measured. Multi-variable regression models were used to test the impact of clinical, psychological, and social factors on the patient's QOL and symptom reports.

RESULTS

The patient's symptoms and health-related QOL were significantly associated not only with disease activities, but also with the patient's psychological adaptation and the quality of social support.

CONCLUSION

The results strongly suggest that a psychoeducational intervention may be useful in combination with a clinical intervention to improve the patient's QOL.

Two cases of inflammatory bowel disease with multiple myeloma

A significant increase has been reported in reticuloendothelial neoplasms in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. We present two rare cases of multiple myeloma in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. One was in a 58-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis, and the other was in a 59-year old woman with Crohn's disease. In both patients, multiple myeloma occurred during long-term observation of inflammatory bowel disease and during the inactive stage of intestinal inflammation. The multiple myeloma appeared to have resulted from monoclonal gammopathy of undertermined significance in both patients, and was diagnosed by characteristic serum and bone marrow findings. Our findings suggested that multiple myeloma should be particularly considered in women of middle or advanced age with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis and serum monoclonal gammopathy.

Presinusoidal vessels predominantly contract in response to norepinephrine, histamine, and KCl in rabbit liver

In rabbit livers, it is not well known which segments of the hepatic vasculature are predominantly contracted by various vasoconstrictors. We determined effects of histamine, norepinephrine, and KCl on hepatic vascular resistance distribution in isolated rabbit livers perfused via the portal vein with 5% albumin-Krebs solution at a constant flow rate. Hepatic capillary pressure was measured by double vascular occlusion pressure (Pdo) and was used to determine portal (Rpv) and hepatic venous (Rhv) resistances. A bolus injection of either histamine or norepinephrine dose-dependently increased portal venous pressure but not Pdo, resulting in a dose-dependent increase in Rpv and no changes in Rhv. KCl (50 mM), when injected in anterogradely perfused livers, contracted the presinusoidal vessels selectively with liver weight loss. Although KCl significantly increased Rhv in retrogradely perfused livers, the increase in Rpv by 400% of baseline predominated over the increase in Rhv by 85% of baseline. In the retrogradely perfused livers, KCl produced an initial liver weight loss followed by a profound weight gain. We conclude that histamine and norepinephrine selectively contract the presinusoidal vessels. The results on KCl effects suggest that this selective presinusoidal constriction might be possibly due to predominant distribution of functionally active vascular smooth muscle in the presinusoidal vessels rather than the hepatic vein in rabbit livers.

Sigmoid colon cancer associated with primary hyperparathyroidism: report of a case

We present herein a case of sigmoid colon cancer associated with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). PHP is known to be associated with malignancy, and decreased intracolonic calcium (Ca) resulting from increased vitamin D (VD) levels may play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis. PHP was diagnosed in this patient by preoperative screening blood chemistry examination. The blood level of intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) was elevated and a parathyroid gland scintigram demonstrated abnormal uptake near the right lower lobe of the thyroid. There was no evidence of bone metastasis, and a sigmoid colectomy was performed with curative intent. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course without a critical elevation of the serum Ca level. This case report suggests that a relationship exists between PHP and colon cancer, and the possible mechanisms of this association are presented in our discussion.

Evaluation of local excision for sessile-type lower rectal tumors

BACKGROUND/AIMS

A study was undertaken to evaluate the surgical morbidity and risk of recurrence in patients undergoing local excision for rectal carcinoma.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty patients with well or moderately differentiated lesions less than 6 cm in diameter, which were difficult to remove endoscopically but had no clinically involved regional nodes, were eligible for local excision.

RESULTS

The transanal approach was simple and had few complications. After posterior parasacral excision, 3 patients developed rectocutaneous fistulas, and 1 of them died. None of the 12 patients with cancer extension limited to the lesser depth of the submucosa died of rectal cancer. Among 8 patients with cancer invasive into the greater depth of the submucosa or deeper, 5 underwent additional radical resection, and regional lymph node metastasis was revealed in 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Transanal excision is suitable for curative resection of lower rectal tumors when the cancer extends only to the lesser depth of the submucosa. The procedure should be defined as a total excisional biopsy until the results of histologic examination are obtained.

Low-density lipoprotein apheresis retards the progression of hyperlipidemic overt diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia has recently received attention as being involved in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Low-density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL-A) can remove a large amount of plasma lipid directly from the patients in a short time.

METHODS

Fifteen type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy received LDL-A in two different manners: short-term intensive therapy (SIT) for nine patients and long-term intermittent therapy (LIT) for six patients.

RESULTS

The changes in the monthly decline rates of reciprocal serum creatinine (1/Cr) were -0.035 +/- 0.020 in the three-month period before SIT, 0.047 +/- 0.041 during and until two weeks after SIT, and -0.035 +/- 0.015 after a period of two weeks from the therapy. The mean duration of LIT in six patients was 8.2 +/- 7.4 months, and the mean monthly decline rates of 1/Cr significantly decreased during the period of LIT as compared with the six-month period before the treatment.

CONCLUSION

LDL-A can retard the progression of overt DN, especially when it is performed repeatedly for a long period at two-week intervals.

A 21-aminosteroid, U-74006F, attenuates endotoxin-induced lung injury in awake sheep

The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of U-74006F, a 21-aminosteroid, on lung dysfunction induced by endotoxaemia in awake sheep with lung lymph fistula and haemodynamic monitoring. We measured pulmonary haemodynamics, lung lymph balance, circulating leucocyte count, arterial blood gas tensions, and levels of thromboxane (Tx) B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha in plasma and lung lymph. We performed two experiments. In experiment 1 (n = 6), we intravenously infused Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin (1 microgram/kg) over 30 min and observed the parameters over 5 h. In experiment 2 (n = 6), we pretreated sheep with an intravenous bolus of U-74006F (2 mg/kg) 30 min before the infusion of endotoxin in the same manner of experiment 1, and continuously infused U-74006F (0.5 mg/kg per h) over 5 h after the bolus during the experiment. The U-74006F significantly suppressed the early pulmonary hypertension, the late increase in pulmonary permeability and the elevations of TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in plasma and lung lymph during the early period following endotoxaemia, although the compound did not change the time course of leucocytopenia and hypoxaemia. These findings suggest that the administration of U-74006F attenuates the lung dysfunction induced by endotoxaemia in awake sheep.