[A case of adenoid cystic carcinoma presenting with stridor and which was treated by reversed gamma type stent placement]

A 66-year-old man was admitted to Saiseikai Suita Hospital with stridor and dyspnea. The flow-volume curve showed central airway obstruction pattern. Although a P-A chest roentogenogram was normal, chest tomogram demonstrated a tumor shadow in the lower portion of the trachea. Chest CT examination demonstrated a tumor arising from the posterior wall of the lower portion of the trachea and stenosis with wall thickening extending from the lower portion of the trachea to both main bronchi. Bronchofiberscopic examination revealed polypoid tumors obstructing the lower portion of the tracheal lumen, and biopsy was subsequently performed. On the night immediately after the bronchofiberscopic examination, the patent suddenly choked, and emergency intubation was performed. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was diagnosed on biopsy and we decided to place a spiral Z-stent. A reversed gamma-type stent placement was used. The first spiral Z-stent extended from the trachea to the right main bronchus and the second spiral Z-stent was placed in the left main bronchus through the first stent. Following the spiral Z-stent placement radiotherapy was performed. Spiral Z-stent placement resulted in dilation of the stenotic trachea and both main bronchi.

Peroxisome targeting signal type 1 (PTS1) receptor is involved in import of both PTS1 and PTS2: studies with PEX5-defective CHO cell mutants

To investigate the mechanisms of peroxisome assembly and the molecular basis of peroxisome assembly disorders, we isolated and characterized a peroxisome-deficient CHO cell mutant, ZP139, which was found to belong to human complementation group II, the same group as that of our earlier mutant, ZP105. These mutants had a phenotypic deficiency in the import of peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1) proteins. Amino-terminal extension signal (PTS2)-mediated transport, including that of 3-ketoacyl coenzyme A thiolase, was also defective in ZP105 but not in ZP139. PEX5 cDNA, encoding the PTS1 receptor (PTS1R), was isolated from wild-type CHO-K1 cells. PTS1R's deduced primary sequence comprised 595 amino acids, 7 amino acids less than the human homolog, and contained seven tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs at the C-terminal region. Chinese hamster PTS1R showed 94, 28, and 24% amino acid identity with PTS1Rs from humans, Pichia pastoris, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively. A PTS1R isoform (PTS1RL) with 632 amino acid residues was identified in CHO cells; for PTS1R, 37 amino acids were inserted between residues at positions 215 and 216 of a shorter isoform (PTS1RS). Southern blot analysis of CHO cell genomic DNA suggested that these two isoforms are derived from a single gene. Both types of PEX5 complemented impaired import of PTS1 in mutants ZP105 and ZP139. PTS2 import in ZP105 was rescued only by PTS1RL. This finding strongly suggests that PTS1RL is also involved in the transport of PTS2. Mutations in PEX5 were determined by reverse transcription-PCR: a G-to-A transition resulted in one amino acid substitution: Gly298Glu of PTS1RS (G335E of PTS1RL) in ZP105 and Gly485Glu of PTS1RS (G522E of PTS1RL) in ZP139. Both mutations were in the TPR domains (TPR1 and TPR6), suggesting the functional consequence of these domains in protein translocation. The implications of these mutations are discussed.

[Cytokine producing ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the clinical course of pulmonary tuberculosis]

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing ability of peripheral blood plastic-dish adherent cells and non-adherent cells obtained from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (N = 17) and healthy controls (N = 14) upon stimulation with purified protein derivatives (PPD) were assessed. Adherent cells and non-adherent cells were obtained two times from each patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis without any underlying diseases, on admission before the initiation of administering anti-tuberculous drugs and 2 months later from the negative conversion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum culture. ELISA was performed to measure IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels in culture media of adherent cells and non-adherent cells stimulated with PPD. IFN-gamma levels produced by non-adherent cells on admission were significantly higher than that of healthy controls (p < 0.001). Elevated IFN-gamma levels on admission was reduced after treatment for tuberculosis (p < 0.03), but still remained higher than that in healthy controls. IL-10 levels of non-adherent cells of patients were lower than those of healthy controls, although the difference was not significant. IL-10 levels produced by non-adherent cells on admission correlated with the time needed for negative conversion of bacilli in sputum culture (p < 0.05). IL-10 level produced by adherent cells from nutritionally normal patients were significantly higher than that of healthy controls (p < 0.05), and elevated IL-10 level was significantly reduced after therapy (p < 0.05). In the normonourished patients, the time needed for negative conversion of the bacilli in sputum culture of patients kept higher level of IL-10 of non-adherent cells (N = 5) was significantly longer than that of patients reduced IL-10 level after therapy. These results suggest that IL-10 produced by monocytes may diminish the TH1 responses of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Familial macrothrombocytopenia with unusually elongated mitochondria

We report a familial case of macrothrombocytopenia without inclusion bodies in polymorphonuclear cells or any congenital abnormalities. The results of the hemostatic and platelet function tests were all normal except for the platelet retention rate. The number of megakaryocytes increased slightly and some were relatively small. Electron microscopic studies revealed a unique morphological abnormality of the platelets' mitochondria.

[Effects of terguride, an ergot alkaloid derivative, on the central nervous system: biochemical and behavioral studies]

Effects of terguride, a 9,10-dihydrogenated derivative of lisuride, on the central nervous system were investigated in rodents in comparison with those of lisuride. In vitro binding studies in rat brains showed that terguride, similar to lisuride, had a high affinity for D2-, 5-HT1A-, 5-HT2-, alpha 1- and alpha 2-receptors. Terguride, as does lisuride, induced hypomotility and yawning at low doses in rats, suggesting its presynaptic D2-agonist action. Terguride, unlike the postsynaptic D2-agonist lisuride, induced neither hypermotility nor stereotypy in rats and guinea pigs, but suppressed the hypermotility and stereotypy induced by apomorphine. Terguride suppressed haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats and induced contralateral rotations in unilaterally 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, as does lisuride. These effects may be due to the postsynaptic D2 partial agonist action. Terguride, unlike lisuride, neither induced the serotonin syndrome nor generalized to the discriminative stimuli of the 5-HT1A- agonist 8-OH-DPAT in rats. Terguride did not induce head twitch in mice. Terguride blocked noradrenaline-induced lethality and clonidine-induced hypothermia at high doses in mice. Repeated administration of terguride did not affect the behavioral actions in rats. Thus, the effects of terguride on the central nervous system seems to be produced by mediation of the agonist and partial agonist actions at presynaptic and postsynaptic D2- receptors, respectively.

Effects of prolonged application of isoprenaline on intracellular free magnesium concentration in isolated heart of rat

1. The effect of prolonged application of isoprenaline on intracellular free-Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) was examined by use of 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-n.m.r.) in rat isolated hearts. Left ventricular pressure (LVP) was simultaneously measured. 2. [Mg2+]i was estimated from the separation of the alpha- and beta-ATP peaks, using the dissociation constant of MgATP 38 microM (established previously). In normal (phosphate-free, Krebs-Henseleit) solution, [Mg2+]i was approximately 0.4 mM. 3. When isoprenaline was applied for 100 min, a transient increase in [Mg2+]i was observed during the initial 25 min, whilst concentrations of ATP ([ATP]) and phosphocreatine ([PCr]) decreased and [Pi] correspondingly increased. During the subsequent 75 min of isoprenaline application, [Mg2+]i decreased below its resting levels. Washout of isoprenaline restored [Mg2+]i and [PCr], but [ATP] remained low. These changes elicited by isoprenaline were not observed in the presence of propranolol, a typical alpha-adrenoceptor blocker. 4. Isoprenaline increased both LVP and heart rate. The increased LVP and heart rate slowly returned to lower values during prolonged application of isoprenaline, but remained higher than those before application. 5. The transient rise in [Mg2+]i elicited by isoprenaline could be attributed to the decrease in [ATP] resulting in a release of Mg2+. The subsequent decrease in [Mg2+]i during the prolonged applications suggests that beta-adrenoceptor stimulation itself facilitates Mg(2+)-extruding mechanism(s).

[Anti-inflammatory effects of methylprednisolone aceponate in animals]

In the case of dermal application of the drugs to croton oil-induced ear edema in rats and picryl chloride-induced delayed type hypersensitivity in mice, the anti-inflammatory effect of methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) was slightly weaker than those of clobetasol 17-propionate and diflucortolone 21-valerate, but stronger than those of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate and hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate. Betamethasone 17-valerate applied dermally was less and more effective than MPA to ear edema in rats and delayed type hypersensitivity in mice, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect of MPA was weaker in subcutaneous administration than in topical application to the two inflammatory models. It was suggested that MPA has strong anti-inflammatory effects and weak systemic effects by topical application. Methylprednisolone 17-propionate (MP-17P) and methylprednisolone (MP), unesterified in only the C-21 position and in both the C-17 and 21 positions of MPA, respectively, showed weaker anti-inflammatory activities than MPA by topical application to croton oil-induced ear edema. The ratio of the anti-inflammatory effects by topical application to subcutaneous administration of MPA was higher than those of MP-17P and MP. The excellent characteristics of MPA as a dermal anti-inflammatory drug are suggested to be derived from di-esterification of MP, which has a weak activity intrinsically.

Positive inotropism in hypothermia partially depends on an increase in maximal Ca(2+)-activated force

We investigated the contribution of maximal Ca(2+)-activated force to the positive inotropism induced by mild hypothermia. Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that neither energy-related phosphorus compounds in myocardium nor intracellular pH was responsible for the change in contractility. Maximal Ca(2+)-activated pressure (MCAP), the intact-heart correlate of maximal Ca(2+)-activated force, was determined in isolated perfused rabbit hearts by measuring isovolumic left ventricular pressure during tetani at extracellular Ca2+ concentrations greater than or equal to 10 mM. Tetani were elicited by rapid pacing after exposure to ryanodine. MCAP increased by 2.17 +/- 0.28% (mean +/- SE, P less than 0.001, n = 19) for each degree of myocardial cooling between 30 and 38 degrees C. Our results indicate that a primary change in myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness underlies the positive inotropism in hypothermia. The increase in maximal Ca(2+)-activated force may explain the observation of positive inotropism without an upward shift in the relation between oxygen consumption and pressure-volume area, as previously reported for cooled whole hearts.

[Anxiolytic effects of lisuride and its agonistic action to central 5-HT1A receptors]

Effects of lisuride, a derivative of ergot alkaloid, on central 5-HT1A receptors were investigated biochemically, behaviorally and electroencephalographically (EEG) in rats and rabbits. Effects of lisuride in water-lick conflict tests were also investigated in rats. Lisuride was found to strongly inhibit the bindings of [3H]8-OH-DPAT to 5-HT1A receptors in the raphe nucleus, hippocampus, cortex, amygdala and hypothalamus of rat brain. Inhibitory effects of lisuride on bindings of [3H]8-OH-DPAT in the hippocampus was almost the same as that of 5-HT (Ki = 0.5 nM) and stronger than those of the 5-HT agonist 5-MeO-DMT (Ki = 2.1 nM) or other ergot derivatives (bromocriptine and pergolide, Ki = 3.0 nM). Lisuride (0.1-0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), like 8-OH-DPAT, dose-dependently induced a 5-HT behavioral syndrome in rats. Lisuride affected locomotor activity in rats, whereas 8-OH-DPAT did not. In hippocampal EEG of rabbits, lisuride (0.01-0.03 mg/kg, i.v.), like 8-OH-DPAT and diazepam, dose-dependently inhibited rhythmical slow activity (RSA) induced by acoustical stimulation (3100 Hz) and also inhibited the RSA increased by administration of anxiogenic FG7142. In water-lick conflict tests, lisuride (0.05-0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), like diazepam, increased the number of shocks. These findings indicated that lisuride acts as a strong agonist on central 5-HT1A receptors and suggested that lisuride might be a potential anxiolytic.

[Effects in animal models of depression of lisuride alone and upon coadministration with antidepressants]

Effects of lisuride, a central dopamine and serotonin agonist of the ergot type, in animal models of depression were investigated in comparison with those of desipramine, mianserin and rolipram. Lisuride, like desipramine and mianserin, inhibited reserpine-induced hypothermia in mice (0.5-5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and suppressed muricide in olfactory bulbectomized rats (ED50 = 0.16 mg/kg, i.p.) in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-muricidal effect was slightly enhanced by the repeated administration of 0.25 mg/kg lisuride. Lisuride (0.05-0.25 mg/kg, i.p.), like desipramine, dose-dependently reduced the duration of immobility in rats forced to swim, and this effect was antagonized by haloperidol. The reduction of immobility time was enhanced by the repeated administration of lisuride; at the same time, the ambulation in rats increased. Furthermore, the immobility-reducing effects of desipramine and rolipram were markedly enhanced by the co-administration of a low dose of lisuride (0.025 mg/kg, i.p.), which by itself had no effect on the immobility time. These results indicate that lisuride may be useful for the treatment of depression and indicate that a low dose of lisuride may enhance the clinical effectiveness of antidepressants such as desipramine.

[Neurotropic effects of non-ionic contrast media]

Effects of non-ionic contrast media on the central nervous system were compared in order to clarify any differences due to the side-chain structures among iopamidol, iotrolan, iocibidol, iohexol, iopromide, iosimide and metrizamide. The study included a primary screening test based on Irwin's method, antielectric convulsive tests using mice, measurement of the blood pressure using rats and electroencephalography using rats and rabbits. The general behavior of mice in the primary screening test revealed that tolerance to iopamidol, iotrolan and iocibidol was excellent; that to iopromide and iohexol was moderate; and that to iosimide and metrizamide was poor. Iosimide and iohexol suppressed the transient increase of blood pressure upon intravenous administration in the normal rats but not in the pithed rats. Electric stimulus increased the mortality of mice pretreated with iosimide and iohexol. Abnormal EEG with epileptic seizures, slow wave and/or flattening were observed with the administration of iopromide, iosimide or metrizamide as well as ionic contrast media. From these results, it was concluded that iopromide and metrizamide were not well tolerated in general behavior and EEG; iohexol, in general behavior, electroshock and blood pressure; and iosimide, in all experiments, while iopamidol, iotrolan and iocibidol were well tolerated. Therefore, small differences in their side-chain structures among these contrast media are considered to cause different effects on the central nervous system.

The effect of a selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram, on muricide in olfactory bulbectomized rats

In order to evaluate the potential usefulness of the drug as an antidepressant, acute and chronic effects of rolipram, a selective inhibitor of Ca2+- and calmodulin-independent cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase were investigated on muricide in olfactory bulbectomized (OB) rats. Upon single administration to OB rats, rolipram at a dosage of 1 mg/kg body weight suppressed the muricide for 2 hr after its administration. As a consequence of daily administration of rolipram, however, the incidence of muricide at 24 hr after the administration was decreased, and more than 60% of the rats did not exhibit the muricide on the 12th day. After the cessation of the administration, the incidence of the muricide returned to the initial level. The suppression of the muricide was not antagonized by several kinds of neurotransmitter blockers. Administrations of phosphodiesterase inhibitors and dibutyryl cyclic AMP as well as desipramine and clomipramine also suppressed the muricide dose-dependently. Repeated administration of desipramine also gave results similar to those of rolipram: repetition of a short suppression on the muricide was followed by the appearance of a long-lasting suppression. Differently from rolipram and desipramine, dibutyryl cyclic AMP did not cause long-lasting suppression, and even the direct effect (75% suppression) observed 30 min after its administration on the first day disappeared during its repeated administration for 14 days. From these results, rolipram was considered to show an antidepressant effect through the inhibition of Ca2+- and calmodulin-independent cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.

Changes of metabolism and substrate-binding spectrum of emorfazone between immature and mature guinea-pigs

Km values for oxidative metabolism at two types of carbon atoms adjacent to nitrogen and oxygen of the morpholino moiety of emorfazone (alpha- and beta-oxygenation) were 1.2 X 10(-2) and 3.0 X 10(-4)M in immature male guinea-pigs, and 8.6 X 10(-3) and 2.5 X 10(-4) M in mature male guinea-pigs, respectively. Vmax values of alpha- and beta-oxygenation were 0.409 and 0.229 mumol/4 nmol cytochrome P-450 in immature male guinea-pigs, and 0.391 and 0.061 mumol/4 nmol cytochrome P-450 in mature male guinea-pigs, respectively. Substrate-binding difference spectrum was composed of type I and reverse type I(RI) spectra both in immature and mature animals, but the spectrum pattern was different. The type RI spectrum was predominant in immature animals, but the spectral pattern in mature animals gradually changed from type RI to type I with increase in substrate concentration. alpha- and beta-Oxygenation may be attributed to two kinds of cytochrome P-450 with different affinities, and the proportions of these cytochrome P-450 species and their spinstate change with maturation of guinea-pigs.

[Central dopaminergic function in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP): I. Alteration of locomotor activity and swimming ability]

The possible alteration of central dopaminergic (DA) function, which accompanies the development and persistence of hypertension, was studied in SHRSP by measuring the lisuride-induced locomotor activity and the swimming ability. 1) When administered at a dosage of 50 micrograms/kg, lisuride, a DA agonist, induced significant increases of the locomotor activity in one- and 2-month-old Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), but not in the 6 month-old rat. Differing from the response of WKY, SHRSP showed only a moderate increase in the locomotor activity at the age of one month (means of systolic blood pressure: 128 mmHg) and apparently no increase at the age of 2 months (176 mmHg). In 6 month-old SHRSP (238 mmHg), hypomotility but not hypermotility was induced by the lisuride administration. 2) Though no significant difference was detected at the age of 4 months, the swimming ability of SHRSP at the age of 8 months was deteriorated significantly as compared to that of WKY, and the impaired swimming performance of SHRSP was improved by the administration of lisuride. These results indicate that some alterations in the synaptic sites of the central DA neuron occurred already at an early stage of the hypertensive development, followed under persistent hypertension by the progressive deterioration of the motor-coordination ability as detected in the swimming ability.

[Central dopaminergic function in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP): II. Effects of chronic treatment with lisuride on the impaired swimming ability]

Eight month-old SHRSP were treated s.c. with lisuride (50 micrograms/kg per day) for 5 weeks to examine the effect of the central dopaminergic agonist on the deterioration of swimming ability that occurred and progressed under persistent hypertension. General observations on signs and symptoms and histopathological examinations were also carried out with the same rats to evaluate the drug effect on the deterioration of hypertensive symptoms. The poor swimming performance of hypertensive SHRSP was improved significantly by the direct action of lisuride with a maximal effect at the 2nd week of the treatment, although the progress of the deterioration itself was not prevented by the chronic treatment. One week after the drug treatment, 2 out of 8 rats in the control group but none in the lisuride-treated group exhibited the abnormal behavior with aggressiveness, a typical sign of the occurrence of cerebrovascular lesions. Furthermore, macroscopic and histopathological examinations carried out 2 weeks after the drug treatment revealed that severities of the histopathological lesions such as myocardiac necrosis and arteriolosclerosis in the kidney, adrenal and testis were significantly lower in the lisuride-treated group than in the control.

[Effects of an ergot derivative, lisuride, on the central dopaminergic system -- studies of behavioral pharmacology]

The central dopaminergic (DA) activity of lisuride hydrogen maleate (lisuride) was investigated from the view point of behavioral pharmacology in rats and mice. Lisuride exhibited a biphasic action on locomotor activity in mice and rats; with low doses lisuride caused hypomotility, whereas higher doses produced locomotor stimulation. The hypomotility induced by lisuride (0.00625 mg/kg, s.c.) was antagonized by a low dose of sulpiride (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in rats, and the lisuride (0.05 mg/kg)-induced hyperactivity was inhibited with haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.). The stimulatory effect of lisuride on locomotion was not affected by the combined pretreatment with reserpine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. The hyperactivity of mice induced by methamphetamine was inhibited by pretreatment with lisuride. In the rat lesioned unilaterally in the nigro striatal pathway by a local injection of 6-hydroxydopamine, a low dose of lisuride induced rotational behavior contralateral to the side of the lesion, and the rotational behavior was inhibited by pretreatment with haloperidol. These results indicate that lisuride at low doses effectively stimulates pre-synaptic DA receptors and the post-synaptic DA receptor under supersensitization in the mesolymbic and nigro striatal systems.