Measurement of chemiluminescence from neutrophils in a 96-well microplate using Lumi Box U-800 II

We have developed a microplate photon counting system based on a cooled charge-coupled device (Lumi Box U-800 II) jointly with Maikurotekku Nition Company (Chiba, Japan). The system makes it possible to quantify chemiluminescence (CL) in a 96-well microplate automatically and simultaneously in a single experiment. We studied the measurement conditions for a luminol-dependent CL assay from neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan (OZ) using this system. Parameters examined included the effect of OZ dose per well, mixing speed, mixing time and detection time on CL responses. The results indicated that this system allows the measurement of CL from phagocytes on a large number of samples using small amounts of sample and regents.

Integrated optic head for sensing a two-dimensional displacement of a grating scale

An integrated optic sensor head was proposed for sensing a two-dimensional displacement of a scale consisting of crossed gratings. Two interferometers, crossing each other, are constructed by the integration of two pairs of linearly focusing grating couplers (LFGC's) and two pairs of photodiodes (PD's) on a Si substrate. Four beams radiated by the LFGC's from the sensor head overlap on the grating scale, and the beams are diffracted by the grating scale and interfere on the PD's. The period of the interference signal variation is just half of the scale grating period. The device was designed and fabricated with a grating scale of 3.2-μm period, and the sensing principle was experimentally confirmed.

[Drug induced hemolytic anemia associated with agranulocytosis]

A 27-year-old female was admitted to a hospital because of severe anemia (hemoglobin 4.9 g/dl) after taking PL (a drug for common cold consisted of Salicylamide, Acetaminophen, Caffeine and Promethazine methylene di-salicylate) and Cefadroxil (an oral antibiotic) for ten days. History and laboratory data leaded to a diagnosis of drug induced hemolytic anemia. 6 units of concentrated red blood cells were transfused and the suspected drugs were discontinued immediately. Though resolution of anemia and no further hemolysis were observed, progressive leukocytopenia developed since four days after the admission. Bone marrow aspiration revealed marked decrease of granulocytic series. The patient was transferred to our hospital and was isolated under laminar air-flow to prevent her from bacterial and fungal infections. She was treated with prednisolone and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. She recovered from leukocytopenia in two weeks without suffering from any life-threatening infection. We extensively analyzed the suspected drugs and mechanism of hemolysis and granulocytopenia. Cefadroxil is turned out to be contributed to hemolysis by an immune complex mechanism. Cefadroxil and Salicylamide were suggested to be involved in granulocytopenia by the induction of antibodies against the leukocytes to which these drugs were bound. Thus Cefadroxil was regarded as a causative drug of both hemolysis and granulocytopenia. This case is of interest for analyzing drug-induced blood abnormality because it is very rare that two lineage of blood were injured by one drug at the same time as far as we know.

Effect of the highly selective and nonpeptide delta opioid receptor agonist TAN-67 on the morphine-induced place preference in mice

The effect of 2-methyl-4a alpha-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12, 12a alpha-octahydroquinolino [2,3,3,-g]isoquinoline (TAN-67), a selective non-peptide delta opioid receptor agonist, on the morphine-induced place preference was examined in mice. Morphine (1-5 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a dose-related place preference in mice. In contrast, administration of TAN-67 (5-20 mg/kg, s.c.) did not result in a preference for either the drug- or vehicle-associated place. When TAN-67 (5-20 mg/kg, s.c.) was coadministered with morphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.), the morphine-induced place preference was enhanced dose dependently, and this effect of TAN-67 was suppressed by the pretreatment with naltrindole (1 mg/kg, s.c.), a nonselective delta opioid receptor antagonist, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), a selective delta 1 opioid receptor antagonist, and naltriben (0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), a selective delta 2 opioid receptor antagonist. In biochemical study, morphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or TAN-67 (20 mg/kg, s.c.) alone did not modify dopamine turnover in the limbic forebrain. Coadministration of TAN-67 (20 mg/kg, s.c.) with morphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) increased DA turnover in the limbic forebrain. This increase in DA turnover in the limbic forebrain was suppressed by pretreatment with naltrindole (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), but not by naltriben (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). Our results demonstrate that coadministration of TAN-67 with morphine enhances the morphine-induced place preference via activation of both delta 1 and delta 2 opioid receptors, suggesting that both delta 1 and delta 2 opioid receptors may modulate the morphine-induced rewarding effect. In addition, we also found that although both delta 1 and delta 2 opioid receptors may be implicated in the modulation of rewarding effect of morphine, the mechanisms involved may be different for each receptor subtypes, i.e., mu-delta 1 interaction may mainly modulate the rewarding effect of morphine by enhancing neurotransmission of mesolimbic dopamine neurons, although modulation by mu-delta 2 opioid receptor interaction may involve some other dopamine-independent mechanisms.

Comparison of measured nutrients with the values calculated by the weighing method and duplicate method

The values obtained by the weighing and duplicate methods were compared with those obtained by direct chemical measurement to evaluate the validity of these methods on 27 meals in an agricultural village in Aomori Prefecture. Using the Fourth revised edition of the Japanese Standard Food Consumption Table, the lipid, protein, carbohydrate and energy content of each meal were calculated by each method, and the values were compared with the direct, chemically-measured values. The values for nutrients except protein obtained by the weighing method were slightly lower than those obtained by the duplicate method or direct measurement. A higher correlation with the directly-measured values was noted for the values obtained by the duplicate method. Among analyzed nutrient values, the highest correlation was noted for protein, followed by energy.

Inhibitory effects of N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine on the early stage of the enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis caused by coadministration of ethionine and a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet in rats

Effects of N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), an antioxidant, on liver carcinogenesis caused by a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet containing ethionine were studied in Fischer 344 rats. Male animals, 6 weeks old, were fed a CDAA diet, a choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet or a CDAA diet containing 0.05% ethionine with or without 0.2% DPPD. Histological changes and lesions positive for gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) were analyzed 12 weeks after the beginning of the experiment. The levels of 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHGua) in DNA and 2-thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) were measured as the parameters for cellular oxidative damage after 4 and 11 days of treatment. Expression of c-myc and c-Ha-ras was also investigated in relation to cell proliferation after 2, 4, 8 and 11 days. Histologically, development of diffuse fatty liver observed in rats fed a CDAA diet was inhibited, while massive oval cell proliferation and cholangiofibrosis resulted from the addition of ethionine with/without DPPD. The sizes but not numbers of GGT-positive lesions seen in the liver of rats fed a CDAA diet were increased and the levels of 8-OHGua formation and TBARS generation were also increased by the ethionine supplement. Both numbers and sizes of GGT-positive lesions were decreased and the level of TBARS, but not 8-OHGua, was decreased by adding DPPD. The increased expression of c-myc and c-Ha-ras detected in the liver of rats fed a CDAA diet was further increased by addition of ethionine and again reduced by DPPD. These results indicate that an antioxidant DPPD can inhibit the early stage of enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis caused by coadministration of ethionine and a CDAA diet, by blocking cellular oxidative damage as well as c-myc and c-Ha-ras expression.

Inhibition by acetylsalicylic acid, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, and p-bromophenacylbromide, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, of both cirrhosis and enzyme-altered nodules caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet in rats

Effects of inhibitors of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism on the development of fatty liver, cirrhosis, glutathione-S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive nodules and the generation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet, were examined in male Fischer 344 rats by feeding CDAA diets supplemented with the inhibitors for 12 and 30 weeks. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (at doses of 0.1 and 0.2%) and p-bromophenacylbromide (BPB) (0.1 and 0.2%) were used as inhibitors of, respectively, cyclo-oxygenase and phospholipase A2, and quercetin (QU) (0.75 and 1.5%) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) (0.1 and 0.2%) as inhibitors of lipoxygenase. None of the inhibitors affected the development of fatty liver caused by the CDAA diet. ASA at a doe of 0.2% almost completely prevented the appearance of cirrhosis, GST-P-positive nodules, 8-OHdG and TBARS in seven out of 11 (63.7%) rats. BPB at a dose of 0.2% also exerted inhibitory effects on all of these lesions but to a lesser extent than ASA. QU and NDGA exerted inhibitory effects limited to the GST-P-positive nodule case. The results indicate that a perturbed AA metabolism, particularly of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway, derived secondarily from depletion of labile methyl groups or phosphatidylcholine, might play key roles in the cirrhosis, hepatocarcinogenesis and oxidative stress caused by a CDAA diet. The results also indicated a possible involvement of the lipoxygenase pathway in hepatocarcinogenic processes.

Effects of cell proliferation and cell death (apoptosis and necrosis) on the early stages of rat hepatocarcinogenesis

An experiment was performed to investigate whether, during regression of the liver hyperplasia induced by a direct mitogen, apoptosis differentially affects replicated and non-replicated hepatocytes. After a single dose of the direct mitogen lead nitrate (LN), male Wistar rats were given repeated injections of tritiated thymidine, and were killed either 3 days (time of maximal hepatic DNA increase) or 15 days (complete regression of the hyperplasia) after mitogen treatment. Determination of liver DNA radioactivities and labelling indices (LIs) at the two time points revealed an approximately 40% loss in total liver DNA radioactivity, a 20% decrease in the specific activity of DNA, and a 20% reduction in the cell LI. Three days after LN administration 64% of the apoptotic bodies contained thymidine grains in their nuclear fragments. The results indicated that apoptosis affects both hepatocytes that replicated, and those that did not replicate, the former being slightly more sensitive. A second experiment was then performed to investigate whether and to what extent different types of cell death (apoptosis versus necrosis) influence the growth of hepatocytes initiated by a chemical carcinogen. Male Wistar rats were given a single dose of diethylnitrosamine, and 2 weeks thereafter either a single dose of LN, or a necrogenic dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Bromodeoxyuridine was next infused for 5 days, and some of the animals were killed at this time point, and others after an additional 3 weeks. Administration of CCl4 resulted in an increase in both the average size and the percentage area occupied by placental glutathione S-transferase-positive lesions. In contrast, administration of lead nitrate resulted in a strong reduction (50%) in the number of positive lesions with no remarkable change in the percentage area occupied by them. These differential effects occurred even though comparable LIs were observed in rats treated with the two agents. The results suggest that lead nitrate leads to a loss of initiated hepatocytes, due to the apoptosis that occurs during regression of the LN-induced hyperplasia.

Disturbance of the cell cycle with colchicine enhances the growth advantage of diethylnitrosamine-initiated hepatocytes in rats

The effect of cell cycle disturbance due to colchicine on the induction of enzyme-altered foci during liver regeneration in rats was studied. For initiation, diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at a dose of 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally and partial hepatectomy (PH) was performed 4 h thereafter. Colchicine at doses of 0, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally 1 and 3 days after the initiation, followed by application of selection pressure consisting of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. As end point lesions, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)-positive enzyme-altered foci were assayed at week 5. There was no significant effect of colchicine on numbers of foci. However, a significant, dose-dependent increase in the area of GGT-positive lesions in the groups treated with colchicine was observed. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling indices were higher in foci induced in colchicine-treated rats than in the untreated rats. In a separate experiment, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase was not increased significantly after DEN and colchicine treatment, and the mitotic index at 6 days after PH was increased in the liver of colchicine-treated rats. These results suggest that the cell cycle disturbance induced by colchicine causes more pronounced selective growth of cells initiated by DEN and colchicine, and this experimental model may be useful for analyzing the mechanisms underlying that growth advantage and the effects of cell cycle abnormalities in liver carcinogenesis.

Effects of oxidative stress induced by redox-enzyme modulation on rat hepatocarcinogenesis

Inducibility of oxidative stress by menadione-associated redox cycling activation under redox-enzyme modulated conditions was examined in F344 male rat liver, by monitoring 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in DNA and hepatocyte injury. Further, the treatment-associated liver tumor-initiating, -promoting and -progressing potentials were assessed in terms of development of enzyme-altered preneoplastic foci, neoplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas. With or without menadione, redox-enzyme modulation consisting of increased cytochrome P450 reductase by phenobarbital (PB), depletion of glutathione by phorone, inhibition of DT-diaphorase by dicumarol, with or without further supplement of iron, caused both 8-OHdG production and hepatocyte necrosis. Thus-induced oxidative stress exerted liver tumor promoting-activity in N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA)-initiated rats, but neither initiating activity when promoted by 0.05% PB diet for 64 weeks, nor progressing activity when the oxidative stress was given for 33 weeks to preneoplastic nodule-bearing rats which was induced by DENA.

Initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis by endogenously formed N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine, N-nitrosodiethanolamine and N-nitroso-2,6-dimethylmorpholine in rats

Initiation activities of endogenously formed N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (NBHPA), N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) and N-nitroso-2,6-dimethylmorpholine (NDMM) were investigated in a modified short-term assay for rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Male Wistar rats were fed 1% bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine, 0.5% diethanolamine or 0.25% 2,6-dimethylmorpholine in the diet plus 0.3% sodium nitrite in the drinking water. Two weeks after starting the experimental regimen they underwent 2/3 partial hepatectomy and were then maintained on the respective diets for a further week. Following a 2 week recovery period on basal diet rats were subjected to a resistant hepatocyte regimen consisting of 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene in the diet for 2 weeks and 1 mg carbon tetrachloride/kg body wt by gavage at the midpoint. Initiation activity was assayed by measuring hepatic foci positive for gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. Numbers of such foci per cm2 were significantly increased in the groups given the secondary amines together with nitrite compared with values for groups given each precursor or nitrite alone. Further, the numbers of lesions were essentially similar to those found in rats given carcinogenic doses of NBHPA, NDELA and NDMM. The results clearly of demonstrate hepatocyte initiation activities of endogenously formed carcinogens, presumably NBHPA, NDELA and NDMM.

Comparative changes in the liver of female Fischer-344 rats after short-term feeding of a semipurified or a semisynthetic L-amino acid-defined choline-deficient diet

Groups of female Fischer-344 rats were fed a semipurified choline-deficient (CD) diet, or a semisynthetic L-amino acid-defined choline-deficient (CDAA) diet, for up to 12 wk and effects of the 2 diets on the liver were compared. Steatosis was diffuse and more severe throughout in rats fed the CDAA diet than in rats fed the CD diet. Greater elevations in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities were also present in the former rats, along with higher 2-bromodeoxyuridine labeling indices in the liver. Discrete amounts of 8-hydroxyguanine were detected in liver DNA, but were not significantly different in rats fed the 2 diets, or from those present in a group of control rats killed at 0 time. Glutathione S- transferase placental form-positive focal lesions were not observed in any of the rats. The results show that the CDAA diet causes more severe degrees of steatosis and liver cell death and proliferation than the CD diet, raising the possibility that it may, in contrast to the CD diet, result in the eventual induction of hepatocellular carcinomas in female Fischer-344 rats.

[Free radical generation in electron transport system of mitochondria after cold preservation in UW solution]

In the liver transplantation one of the causes of primary graft nonfunction is likely associated with lipid peroxidation at reperfusion after cold preservation. In this study, we investigated whether free radicals produced in mitochondrial electron transport system would result in lipid peroxidation after cold preservation in UW solution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Under anesthesia, the liver of male Wistar rat was flushed via the portal vein with cold Ringer lactate, and then placed in 4 degrees C UW solution for 24 hr. After cold preservation, we examined mitochondrial respiratory control ratio (RCR), free radicals (O2-) from mitochondrial electron transport system by MCLA induced chemiluminescence, and lipid peroxidation by chemiluminescence (CL) after reoxygenation.

RESULTS

RCR gradually decreased up to 24 hr preservation. O2- generation from mitochondrial electron transport system was not recognized at any length of the time after cold preservation up to 24 hr. At 6 hr, CL values were slightly higher than those of the control, but significantly decreased at 24 hr.

CONCLUSION

O2(-)-generated in electron transport system of mitochondria did not increase with cold preservation up to 24 hr, therefore, the radical from mitochondria did not cause a lipid peroxidation at reperfusion injury.

Effects of a highly selective nonpeptide delta opioid receptor agonist, TAN-67, on morphine-induced antinociception in mice

The effects of a potent and highly selective nonpeptide delta opioid receptor agonist, 2- methyl-4a alpha-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12a alpha- octahydroquinolino [2,3,3,-g] isoquinoline (TAN-67), on morphine-induced antinociception were examined using the warm-plate (51 degrees C) method. When a peptide delta 1 opioid receptor agonist, [D-Pen2, Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE), was co-administered with i.c.v. morphine, low-dose morphine-induced antinociception was significantly increased. In contrast, i.c.v. co-administration of a peptide delta 2 opioid receptor agonist, [D-Ala2]deltorphin II (DELT), with morphine did not affect the morphine-induced antinociception. When morphine and TAN-67 were co-administered i.c.v., low-dose morphine-induced antinociception was significantly increased. Moreover, when TAN-67 and morphine were co-administered s.c., the morphine dose-response curve shifted to the left and the ED50 value of morphine decreased. These effects DPDPE and TAN-67 were antagonized by the delta opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (NTI) and the delta 1 opioid receptor antagonist 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) not by the delta 2 opioid receptor antagonist naltriben (NTB). Moreover, the mu opioid receptor antagonist beta-FNA also antagonized the effects of DPDPE and TAN-67. These results suggest that the effect of TAN-67 may result from the activation of central delta 1 opioid receptors, since the effect of TAN-67 was antagonized by NTI and BNTX, but not NTB. Furthermore, since pretreatment with beta-FNA also antagonized the effects of both DPDPE and TAN-67, a beta-FNA-sensitive site, i.e. a mu-delta complex site, may play an important role in the modulation of morphine-induced antinociception.

The effects of delta-opioid receptor agonists on synaptic transmission in hamster submandibular ganglion

The effects of agonists for delta-opioid receptors on synaptic transmission in hamster submandibular ganglion were studied in vitro, using an intracellular recording technique. [Met5]enkephalinamide (17 microM), [D-Ser2¿Leu-enkephalin-Thr (14 microM) and [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin (10 microM), delta selective agonists caused reversible depression of the fast EPSP amplitude in 10 of 30 cells tested. The inhibitory actions of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin were antagonized by ICI 174,864, a delta selective antagonist. Naloxon a non-selective antagonist and ICI 174,864 both also potentiated the fast EPSP amplitude in 5 of 11 cells tested.

Viability of partial liver graft from living donor in pigs

For evaluation of the viability of partial liver graft from a living donor, we investigated energy production of mitochondria and radical scavenging enzyme activities in partial and whole liver transplantation in pigs. The values of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and total adenine nucleotide (TAN) of the partial liver graft were higher than those of the whole liver graft, whereas the hypoxanthine of the partial liver graft was lower than that of the whole liver graft. There was no statistical difference in the radical scavenging enzyme activities between the two groups. The values of respiratory control ratio (RCR) in both groups were above 3.0 and there was no statistical difference. The survival rates of pigs received partial liver and whole liver graft with 2 to 3 hr cold preservation was 71% and 91%, respectively and there was no statistical difference between two groups. These results suggest that viabilities of the partial liver graft from the living donor are satisfactory enough, compared with those of whole liver graft from a cadaver.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin (MMP-7) was induced by activated Ki-ras via AP-1 activation in SW1417 colon cancer cells

The matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin (MMP-7) is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase gene family, which is believed to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. We have previously found that matrilysin mRNA is specifically expressed in colorectal cancers and adenomas and that its message is localized in the tumor cells themselves. We examined the effects of activated Ki-ras oncogene on the expression of matrilysin in colon cancer cells. We showed that both mRNA and the enzymatic activity of matrilysin were induced by the introduction of activated Ki-ras into SW1417 colon cancer cells. To understand the mechanisms regulating this induction, we analyzed alterations of AP-1 activity induced by activated Ki-ras, using the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. AP-1 activity in SW1417 cells expressing activated Ki-ras was higher than that in control cells. The gel-shift assay also showed higher levels of AP-1 binding protein in SW1417 cells expressing activated Ki-ras than those in control cells. Our results suggest that activated Ki-ras may play a role in inducing expression of matrilysin through an AP-1-dependent pathway in colon cancer cells.

Effect of beraprost sodium (BPS) on the postischemic neuropathological changes and stroke index after left carotid artery occlusion in gerbils

We investigated the effect of beraprost sodium (BPS), a new prostacyclin analog, on behavioral and neuropathological changes induced by a 10-min occlusion of the left carotid artery in gerbils. Gerbils were treated orally with BPS (1-100 micrograms/kg) 30 min before occlusion. Pathological evaluation of neural damage in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was performed 7 d after the ischemic insults. In the symptomatic group, in which the stroke index score was > 10, symptomatic behaviors, such as head cocked, splayed out hind limb, circling, and various similar behaviors, were observed. Pathologically, almost all CA1 neurons were destroyed 7 d after ischemia in the symptomatic group. BPS improved the stroke index during ischemia and neuropathological changes 7 d later, with statistical significant improvement occurring at a dose of 100 micrograms/kg.

Effect of beraprost sodium (BPS), a prostacyclin analog, and dizocilpine (MK-801) on repeated ischemia-induced chronic cortical atrophy in gerbils

We investigated the effect of beraprost sodium (BPS), a new prostacyclin analog, and dizocilpine (MK-801) on repeated ischemia-induced cerebral atrophy and chronic cortical neuronal loss in gerbils. The left common carotid artery of gerbils was repeatedly occluded (for 10, 7, 7, and 7 min) at intervals of 24 h. The thickness of the cerebral cortex of the ischemic hemisphere diminished with increasing time of reperfusion after an ischemic insult. The animals were given BPS (1-100 micrograms/kg, po) or MK-801 (3-300 micrograms/kg, sc) after the first ischemic insult, and then twice daily for 4 wk. Increases in the amount of neuronal loss and acidophilic neurons, and progressive atrophy were observed with increasing time of reperfusion in the cerebral cortex of the ischemic hemisphere. Cortical sections revealed no astrocytes positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), whereas the hippocampal CA1 area showed neuronal loss accompanied by GFAP-positive astrocytes. In control animals at 4 wk survival, the area ratio (area of ischemic cortex/area of opposite cortex) and the cortical neurons ratio (number of neurons in ischemic cortex/number of neurons in opposite cortex) were 89.8 +/- 3.0% and 74.6 +/- 3.4%, respectively. BPS was found to inhibit atrophy and chronic cortical neuronal loss in the ischemic hemisphere in a dose-dependent manner, whereas MK-801 showed no inhibitory effects at any dose tested. These results may suggest that the nature of neuronal degeneration differs between the cortical and hippocampal areas, that cortical neuronal degeneration might not involve glutamate pathways with NMDA receptors in this model, and that prostacyclin could play an essential role in prevention of ischemia-induced progressive neuronal loss.

Selective 8-hydroxyguanine formation in pancreatic DNA due to a single intravenous administration of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide in rats

8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) formation, a possible initiating event, was determined in pancreatic and liver DNA and compared with the genesis of acinar cell and hepatocyte necrosis in male Wistar rats given a single intravenous administration of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide (4-HAQO). At the non-necrotic but tumorigenic dose of 7.0 mg/kg body weight, 8-OHG was selectively generated in pancreatic DNA, in the absence of acinar cell necrosis, at the 6 and 24 h time points and repaired by the 48 h time point. When rats were exposed to 4-HAQO at a necrotic dose of 14.0 mg/kg body weight, 8-OHG was also selectively formed in pancreatic DNA with the same time-dependence of generation and repair, while acinar cell necrosis became evident at the 24 h time point and progressed thereafter. Whereas no hepatocyte necrosis was detected in any rats, 8-OHG values for liver DNA merely expressed slight increases only at the 24 and 48 h time points in rats given 14.0 mg/kg body weight of 4-HAQO. The present data suggest that formation of oxidative DNA damage, assayed by 8-OHG, in pancreatic DNA is independent from toxicity and may be involved, along with quinoline adducts, in mutational events underlying 4-HAQO-induced rat acinar cell carcinogenesis.

Prevention by acetylsalicylic acid of liver cirrhosis and carcinogenesis as well as generations of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet in rats

Effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (aspirin) on the pathogenesis of fatty liver, cirrhosis and hepatocarcinogenesis caused by a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet were examined in male Fischer 344 rats fed a CDAA diet supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8% ASA for 30 weeks. ASA at concentrations of > 0.2% prevented the development of both cirrhosis and preneoplastic and neoplastic nodules, but without any directly associated prevention of fatty changes. ASA also prevented hepatocyte proliferation and the generation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine caused by feeding the CDAA diet, analyzed, respectively, after 1, 12 and 12 weeks. The results clearly indicate that the anti-inflammatory drug ASA, which is not a lipotropic factor, can prevent the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and hepatocarcinogenesis caused by a CDAA diet, which is possibly partly associated with the prevention of reactive oxygen species production.

Different roles of 8-hydroxyguanine formation and 2-thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance generation in the early phase of liver carcinogenesis induced by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet in rats

The present study was performed to assess the roles of hepatocellular oxidative damage to DNA and constituents other than DNA in rat liver carcinogenesis caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet by examining the effects of the antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The parameters used for cellular oxidative damage were the level of 8-hydroxy-guanine (8-OHGua) for DNA and that of 2-thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance (TBARS) for constituents other than DNA. A total of 40 male Fischer 344 rats, 6 weeks old, were fed the CDAA diet for 12 weeks with or without DPPD (0.05, 0.10 or 0.20%) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 0.25%). In the livers of the rats, the numbers and sizes of glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) placental form (GSTP)- and/or gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT, EC 2.3.2.2)-positive lesions and levels of 8-OHGua and TBARS were determined. The GSTP-positive lesions of 0.08 mm2 or larger were all stained positively for GGT as well in cross-sectional area, whereas the smaller lesions were generally negative for GGT. DPPD and BHT reduced the size of the GSTP-positive lesions without affecting their total numbers. At the same time, they reduced TBARS generation without affecting 8-OHGua formation in DNA. The present results indicate that oxidative DNA damage (represented by 8-OHGua formation) and damage to constituents other than DNA (represented by TBARS generation) may play different roles in rat liver carcinogenesis caused by the CDAA diet; the former appears to be involved in the induction of phenotypically altered hepatocyte populations while the latter may be related to the growth of such populations.