[Food and food additives hypersensitivity in adult asthmatics. II. Oral allergy syndrome in adult asthmatic with or without Japanese cedar hay fever]

OBJECTS

The aim of this study was to investigate whether oral allergy syndrome (OAS) in Japan has a particular association with Japanese cedar (JC) hay fever and which kinds of food allergen cause OAS.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

The questionnaire was answered by 463 adult asthmatics. Each patient was submitted to skin scratch tests with fresh foods and commercial food extracts.

RESULTS

Of the 463 patients 45 (9.7%) were diagnosed as OAS. The foods, which most often provoked a reaction, were in order of frequency, melon, kiwi, crab and shrimp. The prevalence of OAS was higher in patients with JC hay fever than without JC hay fever. However, a higher prevalence of OAS was also found in house dust mite antibody positive patients than negative patients. There was no difference in the prevalence of OAS between JC hay fever and house dust mite antibody positive patients.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that OAS has no particular association with JC hay fever. OAS in Japan is associated with different foods from other countries such as Scandinavia where apple is frequently associated with OAS.

A clinicocytopathologic study of adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the nature and the clinical course of adenoma malignum (the so-called minimal deviation adenocarcinoma) of the uterine cervix by conducting a retrospective study of 6 cases consecutively treated in a single institute.

METHODS

The pathologic classification of adenoma malignum was performed according to the WHO classification (1994).

RESULTS

These tumors accounted for only 1.32% (6/453) of invasive cervical adenocarcinomas. All the cases showed either a watery discharge or atypical genital bleeding, or both, at the time of diagnosis. The preoperative cytologic diagnosis of adenoma malignum was made in 83.3% (5/6) of cases. The preoperative punch biopsy, on the other hand, failed to confirm the diagnosis of adenoma malignum in all cases, although the presence of the disease was suspected in 2 cases (33%). The 5-year survival rate and 5-year disease-free survival rate were 100 and 83.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This series demonstrates that cytologic examination is a potent screening method to detect this rare disease. When the presence of this disease is suspected by the cytologic examination, a deep biopsy is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. An ordinary cervical biopsy is usually insufficient to detect deeply positioned tumor glands. The prognosis of the disease may be better than that for ordinary cervical adenocarcinoma.

[The advance of ultrasound guided prostate biopsy--comparison between 4 quadrant and 6 sextant biopsy]

Although systematic biopsy has increased the detection rate of prostate cancer, the optimal method of biopsy has not yet been fully established. The number and site of cores, and the biopsy route are controversial in terms of cancer detection and complication. We briefly review the advances in prostate biopsy, and present the results of our biopsy methods. Our study showed that the difference of cancer detection rate between 4 quadrant and 6 sextant biopsy was not significant. There was little value in systematic transition zone biopsies. However, such biopsies proved useful in patients whose first systematic biopsies was negative and who have persistently elevated PSA values. It is recommended that the biopsy protocol for routine prostate cancer detection be targeted to the peripheral zone.

[PSATZ (prostate specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume)]

This brief review discusses the diagnostic ability of prostate specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume (PSATZ) for the detection of prostate cancer in patients with intermediate prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. PSATZ was defined as the quotient of the PSA value and the calculated transition zone volume. In comparison with standard parameters including PSA and prostate specific antigen density, PSATZ could be a useful indicator for the detection of prostate cancer in patients with PSA values between 4.1 and 10.0 ng/ml, especially in those with normal digital rectal examinations. Similar observations consistent with our results have been also reported by other investigators. PSATZ has some disadvantages including volumetry and expensive cost. Further study is necessary to discuss whether PSATZ is superior to other new modalities such as free-to-total PSA ratio with regard to diagnostic cost and efficacy.

Localization of tumor suppressor activity important in nonsmall cell lung carcinoma on chromosome 11q

Loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 11q23 is observed at high frequency in human nonsmall cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs), suggesting the presence of a tumor suppressor gene. Previous analysis of DNA from 79 patients identified a commonly deleted segment of 5 centimorgans. Complementation analysis was used to further localize a putative tumor suppressor gene. Three yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones spanning the minimal loss of heterozygosity region were modified, and spheroplast fusion was used to transfer them into human A549 NSCLC or murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell lines. The resulting yeast x human hybrid cell lines containing an intact copy of a 1.6-Mb YAC, 939b12, showed reduced growth in vitro. Injection of parental A549 cells into athymic (nu/nu) mice resulted in tumor formation at 27 of 28 injection sites. In contrast, two independent 939b12-containing cell lines formed tumors at only 3 of 20 injection sites. 939b12 also suppressed tumor formation by LLC NSCLC cells in nude mice, but YACs 785e12 and 911f2, which flank 939b12, had no suppressor activity. Further localization of tumor suppression activity on 939b12 was accomplished by introduction of defined fragmentation derivatives into A549 cells and by analysis of YACs that were broken on transfer into LLC cells. This complementation approach localized tumor suppression activity to the central 700 kb of 939b12 and provides a functional assay for positional cloning of this tumor suppressor gene.

[Nutritional intake by the oldest elderly Japanese. Tokyo Centenarian Study 6]

Rapid demographic aging has made caring for the elderly an increasingly important social issue in Japan. To study current conditions of the oldest elderly citizens, we investigated the dietary practices of centenarians in the Tokyo metropolitan area. First, we compared the food intake of centenarians with that of octogenarians. Next, to identify dietary trends, we investigated whether food intake by centenarians had changed significantly between 1981 and 1995. Nutritional intake by the centenarians and octogenarians in 1995 was about 60% and 75% that of the control, respectively. However, the nutritional intake of well nourished centenarians was similar to that of the octogenarians. Cognitive function and daily activity have an influence on nutritional intake. The centenarians were similar to the control subjects in their consumption of dairy products, sweets, and fruit. However, their intake of cereals, meat, fish, and fatty oils was loss than 60% that of the control, which indicates their preference for soft and sugary foods. The pattern of dietary practices of centenarians in 1981 was similar. Although the total food intake of centenarians amounted to 60% of the control in 1995 energy intake per kilogram of body weight averaged over 30 kcal. As to dietary trends, centenarians in 1981 are more cereals, eggs, algae products, and legumes than did their 1995 counterparts. This finding seems to reflect a generational difference in dietary habits.

Vascular endothelial growth factor in brains with periventricular leukomalacia

Vascular development was studied by means of immunohistochemistry, using a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody in human normal and periventricular leukomalacia brains. In the cerebral cortex, VEGF was expressed transiently in the endothelial cells of vessels in the leptomeninges, cortex, deep white matter, subependymal germinal layer, ependymal cells facing the lateral ventricles, and choroid plexus epithelia. In the leptomeninges, VEGF was expressed from 20 to 40 weeks gestation. In the cerebral cortex and deep white matter, VEGF was expressed from 17 weeks gestation, increased with maturation, was highest between 24 and 28 weeks gestation, and decreased gradually thereafter. In the subependymal germinal layer, VEGF was expressed the earliest at 9 weeks gestation, increased with maturation, was highest between 20 and 24 weeks gestation, and then decreased. In the ependymal cells and choroid plexus epithelia, VEGF was expressed between 22 and 40 weeks gestation and between 9 and 37 weeks gestation, respectively. VEGF may be transiently expressed in the vessels in the fetal and neonate periods in connection with vascular maturation and proliferation. In periventricular leukomalacia brains, VEGF was expressed in both astrocytes and endothelial cells in vessels that comprised neovascularization around foci of necrosis. VEGF plays important roles in embryonic angiogenesis and neovascularization around foci of necrosis.

Value of the free to total prostate specific antigen ratio and prostate specific antigen density for detecting prostate cancer in Japanese patients

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the free to total serum prostate specific antigen (f/t PSA) ratio and prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) in detecting prostate cancer in Japanese males with a PSA level between 2.5 and 20.0 ng/mL in a community-based urology practice.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients with clinically localized prostate cancer and 44 patients with histologically-proven benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were studied. The serum levels of free PSA (fPSA) and total (t) PSA were determined using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The f/t PSA ratio was calculated by dividing the fPSA value by the total PSA value and was compared with the PSA and PSAD via the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

Patients with prostate cancer had a significantly lower f/t PSA ratio than patients with BPH. The PSAD was a superiordiagnostic tool over PSA (P< 0.01) when analyzed by ROC curves. The f/t PSA ratio was also superior to PSA, but lacked significance (P=0.12), and similarly, the PSAD was superior, but not significant, to the f/t PSA ratio. Using a cut-off value of 0.19, the PSAD had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 82%. With a cut-off value of 14.0%, the f/t PSA ratio had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 66%.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that PSAD alone improved cancer detection significantly better than PSA. However, it is still unclear whether the f/t PSA ratio is superior to PSA or PSAD in the discrimination between BPH and prostate cancer in Japanese male patients.

Gastric cancer with metastases to the distant peritoneum: a 20-year surgical experience

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The efficacy of palliative gastrectomy in gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases remains uncertain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the benefits of gastrectomy on the postoperative course of patients with gastric cancer and simultaneous metastases to the distant peritoneum.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 122 patients who had gastric cancer and metastases to the distant peritoneum were studied with respect to survival.

RESULTS

The extent of peritoneal metastases did not significantly affect the prognosis. Moreover, multivariate analysis indicated that surgery without gastrectomy was the only significant prognostic factor (relative risk, 2.587).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the decision to perform gastrectomy does not depend on the extent of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer. Furthermore, palliative gastrectomy, if feasible, seems to have a beneficial effect on the postoperative course and is indicated for patients regardless of metastasis to the peritoneum, if the primary tumor is surgically resectable and there is no evidence of liver metastasis.

[Food and food additives hypersensitivity in adult asthmatics. I. Skin scratch test with food allergens and food challenge in adult asthmatics]

OBJECTS

The aim of this study was to investigate in adult asthmatics, which kinds of food allergen can cause a positive reaction by skin scratch test and cause symptoms when administered as a food challenge.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

Three thousand one hundred and two adult asthmatic patients were submitted to skin scratch tests with housedust mite. Japanese cedar extracts and 33 types of food. Sixty one adult asthmatic patients with a history of immediate, adverse reactions after food ingestion underwent open food challenge.

RESULT

Six hundred and twenty five of 3102 subjects (20.1%) had a positive test to one or more food allergens. The commonest food allergens were shrimp (27.7%), crab (27.7%), yeast (23.8%) and buckwheat (15.8%). The positive tests of shrimp, egg and cow's milk were highest in patients under 20 years and decreased with age, however the test rates of crab and soybean were not influenced by age. Positive food challenge responses occurred in 30/60 subjects (50%). The foods, which most of ten provoked a reaction, were buckwheat, shrimp, crab and bread.

CONCLUSION

Skin scratch test results in adult asthmatics were different from those in atopic children where the commonest foods with positive tests were egg, cow's milk and soybean. Except for patients with a previous life-threatening reaction. Food allergy should be diagnosed by food challenge where a patient's history of adverse reaction to food, positive skin test and RAST strongly support specific food reactivity.

Conservative management of acoustic neurinomas: prospective study of long-term changes in tumor volume and auditory function

Recently reported retrospective analysis on the natural courses of acoustic neurinomas have disclosed that 26-86% of tumors show very slow, or no, growth for many years. To our knowledge, however, there have been no prospective analyses of the natural course of these tumors. We prospectively analyzed tumor growth as well as auditory function changes in 12 patients (13 tumors) managed conservatively. All 12 patients were advised to undergo both pure tone audiometry and magnetic resonance imaging at 3-4 month intervals for the first follow-up year and at 1-2 year intervals thereafter. Then, in the event of either significant tumor growth (> 20% volume increase) or hearing deterioration (> 10 dB), a decision would be made as to whether the patient should undergo either surgery or radiosurgery. A significant increase in tumor volume was confirmed in seven of the 13 tumors during the mean observation period of 564 days (88-1269 days). In another patient, though neither tumor growth nor worsening of auditory acuity was significant, the patient complained of subjective change in the symptoms. Therefore, we decided to treat eight (62%) of the 13 tumors. In contrast, neither tumor growth nor worsening of auditory acuity has as yet occurred in the remaining five tumors (38%) which have been observed for a mean period of 627 days (342-1377 days). Careful follow-up of these five patients is ongoing. Although further long-term follow-up is clearly necessary, conservative treatment appears to be a reasonable alternative to immediate treatment for selected patients with acoustic neurinomas.

The correlation between coronary stenosis index and flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery

We examined the relationship between flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Using high-resolution ultrasonography, we measured FMD and nitroglycerin-induced brachial artery dilation. We studied 121 patients (77 men, 44 women; mean age 64+/-11 years, range 25-79 years) who underwent coronary arteriography. The extent and severity of CAD were assessed by the coronary stenosis index (CSI). The adjusted FMD correlated inversely with CSI (rs=-0.63, p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the adjusted FMD was an independent predictor of CSI. The adjusted FMD was 10.2+/-4.8% in patients without CAD (n=32), 7.7+/-6.0% in patients with single-vessel disease (n=31), 5.2+/-5.5% in patients with double-vessel disease (n=29), and 2.0+/-3.9% in patients with triple-vessel disease (n=29). The adjusted FMD was significantly lower in the double- (p<0.01) and triple-vessel (p<0.0001) disease groups than in patients without CAD. The adjusted FMD was significantly lower in the triple-vessel disease group than in the single-vessel disease group (p<0.001). Based on our results, as coronary atherosclerosis becomes more severe, the adjusted brachial artery FMD becomes more severely impaired.

All-trans retinoic acid modulates Fas antigen expression and affects cell proliferation and apoptosis in combination with anti-Fas monoclonal antibody in the human myeloma cell line, U266B1

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a vitamin A derivative that induces the differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo. Several investigators have recently reported that ATRA downregulates the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the expression of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and also inhibits the proliferation of myeloma cells. It has also been reported that myeloma cells express Fas antigen, and in some of these cells apoptosis was induced by treatment with anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb). In the present study, we demonstrated that ATRA increased Fas expression in the human myeloma cell line, U266B1. We observed that both apoptosis induction and growth inhibition were enhanced in cells exposed to a combination of anti-Fas mAb and ATRA compared with cells exposed to either treatment alone. We also examined whether ATRA modulated bcl-2, an anti-apoptosis protein, in U266B1 cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the mean fluorescence intensity of bcl-2 protein was slightly decreased in cells treated with ATRA. These results indicate that in U266B1 cells, combined treatment with anti-Fas mAb and ATRA enhances the induction of apoptosis by modulating the expression of Fas and bcl-2 by ATRA.

[Treatment of prostate cancer in patients aged 75 or older]

In view of the increasing incidence and mortality rate of prostate cancer in Japan, the management of elderly patients with prostate cancer is an important issue now. We therefore analyzed the clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes of 182 patients with prostate cancer, aged 75 or older, in order to establish the treatment strategy for this age group of patients. There were more patients with advanced disease (stage C-D) than those with localized disease (stage A2-B), and the patients with moderate to poorly differentiated tumors were more numerous than those with well-differentiated tumors. The overall survival curve of the patients with localized prostate cancer was in line with the age-matched expected survival curve, while that with advanced prostate cancer was far below the expected survival curve. These results demonstrated that advanced prostate cancer in elderly patients is as harmful as in younger patients, indicating the necessity for early detection and treatment of prostate cancer among the younger generation. On the other hand, localized prostate cancer in elderly patients should be treated less invasively to maintain their quality of life.

Interstitial laser coagulation for management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a Japanese experience

PURPOSE

The principle of interstitial laser coagulation is to shrink the prostate by generating intraprostatic necrosis without damaging the urethra or causing tissue sloughing. The clinical efficacy and durability of interstitial laser coagulation in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From December 1993 to June 1996, 76 patients with symptomatic BPH were treated with interstitial laser coagulation. A neodymium:YAG laser was used in combination with a specially designed interstitial thermotherapy light guide. The tip of the light guide was inserted into each lobe of the prostate transurethrally under direct vision. All evaluations were made at baseline and then 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after therapy. Treatment outcome was evaluated by International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), flow rate and post-void residual urine volume. Disease specific quality of life was assessed via a quality of life assessment score and a BPH impact index. Independent of symptom assessment, a self-reporting questionnaire was prepared at 3 months postoperatively regarding satisfaction with treatment and sexual function.

RESULTS

Among 44 patients followed to 12 months the mean I-PSS significantly decreased from 20.4 at baseline to 7.4, representing 64% improvement (p <0.001). Peak flow rate increased by 50% from a preoperative average of 7.4 to 11.1 ml. per second at 12 months in 42 patients (p <0.001). The post-void residual volume decreased by 57% from 102 to 44 ml. at 12 months in 40 cases (p <0.001). Steady and progressive improvement was observed on quality of life assessment and BPH impact index scores at 3, 6 and 12 months. No patients reported new onset of erectile dysfunction. No serious side effects were observed, except for loss of ejaculation in 3 cases and seminal vesicle abscess in 1. Only 6 patients (8%) required re-treatment for persisting obstructive symptoms during 12 months of followup. A recent change in methods towards more aggressive treatment plausibly influenced the outcomes to require less repeat treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

After the interstitial laser coagulation procedure satisfactory results were obtained and improvement lasted through 12 months. Although the optimal number of fiber placements for each prostate is not known, more aggressive treatment appears to provide better outcomes.

Interstitial laser coagulation for management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a Japanese experience

PURPOSE

The principle of interstitial laser coagulation is to shrink the prostate by generating intraprostatic necrosis without damaging the urethra or causing tissue sloughing. The clinical efficacy and durability of interstitial laser coagulation in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From December 1993 to June 1996, 76 patients with symptomatic BPH were treated with interstitial laser coagulation. A neodymium:YAG laser was used in combination with a specially designed interstitial thermotherapy light guide. The tip of the light guide was inserted into each lobe of the prostate transurethrally under direct vision. All evaluations were made at baseline and then 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after therapy. Treatment outcome was evaluated by International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), flow rate and post-void residual urine volume. Disease specific quality of life was assessed via a quality of life assessment score and a BPH impact index. Independent of symptom assessment, a self-reporting questionnaire was prepared at 3 months postoperatively regarding satisfaction with treatment and sexual function.

RESULTS

Among 44 patients followed to 12 months the mean I-PSS significantly decreased from 20.4 at baseline to 7.4, representing 64% improvement (p <0.001). Peak flow rate increased by 50% from a preoperative average of 7.4 to 11.1 ml. per second at 12 months in 42 patients (p <0.001). The post-void residual volume decreased by 57% from 102 to 44 ml. at 12 months in 40 cases (p <0.001). Steady and progressive improvement was observed on quality of life assessment and BPH impact index scores at 3, 6 and 12 months. No patients reported new onset of erectile dysfunction. No serious side effects were observed, except for loss of ejaculation in 3 cases and seminal vesicle abscess in 1. Only 6 patients (8%) required re-treatment for persisting obstructive symptoms during 12 months of followup. A recent change in methods towards more aggressive treatment plausibly influenced the outcomes to require less repeat treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

After the interstitial laser coagulation procedure satisfactory results were obtained and improvement lasted through 12 months. Although the optimal number of fiber placements for each prostate is not known, more aggressive treatment appears to provide better outcomes.

Role of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in the cytokine-induced sustained myocardial dysfunction in dogs in vivo

Studies in vitro suggested that inflammatory cytokines could cause myocardial dysfunction. However, the detailed mechanism for the cytokine-induced myocardial dysfunction in vivo remains to be examined. We thus examined this point in our new canine model in vivo, in which microspheres with and without IL-1beta were injected into the left main coronary artery. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was evaluated by echocardiography for 1 wk. Immediately after the microsphere injection, LVEF decreased to approximately 30% in both groups. While LVEF rapidly normalized in 2 d in the control group, it was markedly impaired in the IL-1beta group even at day 7. Pretreatment with dexamethasone or with aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase, prevented the IL-1beta-induced myocardial dysfunction. Nitrotyrosine concentration, an in vivo marker of the peroxynitrite production by nitric oxide and superoxide anion, was significantly higher in the myocardium of the IL-1beta group than in that of the control group or the group cotreated with dexamethasone or aminoguanidine. There was an inverse linear relationship between myocardial nitrotyrosine concentrations and LVEF. These results indicate that IL-1beta induces sustained myocardial dysfunction in vivo and that nitric oxide produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase and the resultant formation of peroxynitrite are substantially involved in the pathogenesis of the cytokine-induced sustained myocardial dysfunction in vivo.

Free-to-total prostate specific antigen ratio in clinical staging of prostate cancer

The value of the free-to-total serum prostate-specific antigen (f/t PSA) ratio was compared with that of the total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) value for the prediction of clinical stage in patients with prostate cancer. The f/t PSA ratio was obtained from the frozen sera of 56 untreated patients with histologically proven BPH and 78 patients with prostate cancer. The clinical stage was organ-confined in 36, locally advanced in 20 and metastatic in 22 patients. Serum levels of free PSA (fPSA) and tPSA were determined using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The f/t PSA ratio was calculated by dividing the fPSA value by the tPSA value and was compared with tPSA and fPSA in the correlation with clinical stage via the Spearman rank correlation test. Patients with prostate cancer had a significantly lower f/t PSA ratio than patients with BPH. The f/t PSA ratio did not differ between patients with clinically localized and metastatic cancer. tPSA and fPSA reflected the clinical stage and the extent of bone metastasis more accurately than the f/t PSA ratio. The extent of bone metastasis had no effect on the PSA ratio. The f/t PSA ratio had no additional value in clinical staging compared to tPSA. Our study suggests that the f/t PSA ratio does not reflect tumor load.

Effect of YM435, a novel dopamine DA1 receptor agonist, in a canine model of acute congestive heart failure

1. The effects of YM435, a dopamine DA1 receptor agonist, were evaluated in a canine model of acute congestive heart failure. 2. The model was induced in open-chest anesthetized dogs by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, volume loading, and intravenous infusion of angiotensin II. This resulted in a moderate and stable congestive heart failure characterized by reduction in cardiac output and increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and total peripheral vascular resistance. 3. Intravenous infusion of YM435 (1 microgram/kg/min) significantly decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, total peripheral vascular resistance and mean blood pressure and significantly increased cardiac output and renal blood flow in this model. 4. These results indicate that intravenous infusion of YM435 can improve hemodynamics and cardiac function in a canine model of acute congestive heart failure. YM435 may be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of congestive heart failure.

Detraining effects on bone mass in young male rats

The effects of exercise training and detraining on bone mass were assessed in young male Wistar rats. The rats were divided randomly into sedentary control (C) and exercise training (T) groups. The T rats were trained for 10 weeks followed by a 10-week detraining period. Training consisted of running exercise on a rodent treadmill at 35 m/min, +5-degree inclination, 60 min/day, 5 days/week. Training induced significant gain in fat-free dry weight and length of bones (femur, tibia, humerus and coxa) and bone mineral content (femur, tibia and humerus). Histological analysis at the tibial mid-shaft revealed a significant increase in total and cortical areas without a significant change in marrow area in the T group. Bone mass acquired through running exercise was retained for 10 weeks after cessation of training. These results indicate that running exercise leads to increased cortical bone associated with enhanced periosteal bone formation which is also maintained even after stopping exercise training, and suggest that training effects on the skeleton in bone mass level do not diminish immediately after cessation of training.