[Dietary fiber intake and intake patterns among the general population in Aomori, calculated using modified Southgate and Prosky methods]

Based on the result of the Aomori Nutrition Survey, we have calculated daily dietary fiber (DF) intake using modified Southgate and Prosky methods. Result obtained were as follows: DF intake in Aomori was 23.7 +/- 8.4g by the modified Southgate method, and 22.2 +/- 8.5g by the modified Prosky method. As for supply sources of DF, 32.3% was from grains; 22.7%, vegetables; 15.6%, beans; and 7.8%, fruits calculated by the modified Southgate method, and 31.3%, vegetables; 19.0%, grains; 18.0%, beans; and 11.6%, fruits by the modified Prosky method. As to types of DF, intake of hemicellulose was 11.5 +/- 4.2g, cellulose 7.8 +/- 3.0g and lignin 4.4 +/- 2.3g. In the group with DF intake below 10.0g, DF came mainly from grains and fruits, while the group with DF intake above 30.0g took DF from various foods.

[The significance of HPV 16, 18 infection and the DNA ploidy associated with the progression of uterine cervical dysplasia]

We investigated the significance of HPV 16, 18 infection and DNA ploidy in the progression to malignancy of uterine cervical dysplasia. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded surgical and biopsy specimens obtained from 59 women were examined. The 59 women were classified into two groups: one of progression cases and the other regression cases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dot blot hybridization (DBH) were used for the detection of HPV 16/18 DNA, while flow cytometry was used for the analysis of the relative cellular DNA content in samples prepared by Hedley's method. Eight out of 29 progression cases (27.6%) and 3 out of 30 regression cases (10.0%) exhibited HPV 16/18 DNA, whereas 14 out of 29 progression cases (48.3%) and 2 out of 30 regression cases (6.7%) involved a DNA aneuploid population, representing a DNA index in the former above 1.5 and in the latter below 1.5. The proportion of cases having a population of DNA aneuploid together with the presence of HPV 16/18 DNA was 20.7% (6/29) in the progression group and 0% (0/30) in the regression group. These results indicate that the DNA aneuploid population coupled with simultaneous HPV 16, 18 infection may be used as a marker for progression in uterine cervical dysplasia.

Establishment and characterization of a monoclonal antibody recognizing the Dewar isomers of (6-4)photoproducts

We established a monoclonal antibody (DEM-1) that recognizes UV-induced DNA damage other than cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers or (6-4)photoproducts. The binding of DEM-1 antibody to 254 nm UV-irradiated DNA increased with subsequent exposure to UV wavelengths longer than 310 nm, whereas that of the 64M-2 antibody specific for the (6-4)photoproduct decreased with this treatment. Furthermore, the increase in DEM-1 binding was inhibited by the presence of the 64M-2 antibody during the exposure. We concluded that the DEM-1 antibody specifically recognized the Dewar photoproduct, which is the isomeric form of the (6-4)photoproduct. The DEM-1 antibody, however, also bound to DNA irradiated with high fluences of 254 nm UV, suggesting that 254 nm UV could induce Dewar photoproducts without subsequent exposure to longer wavelengths of UV. Furthermore, an action spectral study demonstrated that 254 nm was the most efficient wavelength for Dewar photoproduct induction in the region from 254 to 365 nm, as well as cyclobutane dimers and (6-4)photoproducts, although the action spectrum values in the UV-B region were significantly higher compared with those for cyclobutane dimer and (6-4)photoproduct induction.

Plasmid-mediated AmpC-type beta-lactamase isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae confers resistance to broad-spectrum beta-lactams, including moxalactam

Klebsiella pneumoniae NU2936 was isolated from a patient and was found to produce a plasmid-encoded beta-lactamase (MOX-1) which conferred resistance to broad spectrum beta-lactams, including moxalactam, flomoxef, ceftizoxime, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime. Resistance could be transferred from K. pneumoniae NU2936 to Escherichia coli CSH2 by conjugation with a transfer frequency of 5 x 10(-7). The structural gene of MOX-1 (blaMOX-1) was cloned and expressed in E. coli HB101. The MIC of moxalactam for E. coli HB101 producing MOX-1 was > 512 micrograms/ml. The apparent molecular mass and pI of this enzyme were calculated to be 38 kDa and 8.9, respectively. Hg2+ and Cu2+ failed to block enzyme activity, and the presence of EDTA in the reaction buffer did not reduce the enzyme activity. However, clavulanate and cloxacillin, serine beta-lactamase inhibitors, inhibited the enzyme activity competitively (Kis = 5.60 and 0.35 microM, respectively). The kinetic study of MOX-1 suggested that it effectively hydrolyzed broad-spectrum beta-lactams. A hybridization study confirmed that blaMOX-1 is encoded on a large resident plasmid (pRMOX1; 180 kb) of strain NU2936. By deletion analysis, the functional region was localized within a 1.2-kb region of the plasmid. By amino acid sequencing, 18 of 33 amino acid residues at the N terminus of MOX-1 were found to be identical to those of Pseudomonas aeruginosa AmpC. These findings suggest that MOX-1 is a plasmid-mediated AmpC-type beta-lactamase that provides enteric bacteria resistance to broad-spectrum beta-lactams, including moxalactam.

Comparison of the lateral diffusion constant of hepatocyte membrane proteins in two wild mouse strains of considerably different longevity: FRAP studies on liver smears

The liver cells of male and female wild mice (Peromyscus leucopus and Mus musculus) have been studied in young, adult, and old age groups. Because P. leucopus displays a life expectancy of 7-8 years, the age groups of this strain were from 5.5 to 68 months. M. musculus survives only to about 2.5 years; therefore, the age groups of this strain ranged from 6 to 27 months. Protein lateral diffusion in hepatocyte membranes was measured by means of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) in liver smears. The peroxide-induced autofluorescence was utilized as a fluorescent label, which in H2O2 treated liver smears is caused by the oxidation of riboflavin bound uniformly to all proteins of the cell membrane. This way the average lateral diffusion constant (D) and the fractional recovery of those proteins can be measured. In both males and females of both strains D displayed a negative linear age correlation. Intraspecies sex differences were small and statistically insignificant. However, interspecies comparisons of males or females resulted in a strongly significant difference: although the intercept points of the regression lines describing D were identical in both strains (3.1 x 10(-10) cm2/sec), the decay of D with aging was about 2.5 times faster in the short-living M. musculus than in the long-living P. leucopus. By the end of life expectancy, both strains reached practically identical values (about 1.9 x 10(-10) cm2/sec). The results lend further support to the membrane hypothesis of aging.

Defenestration of the sinusoidal endothelial cell in a rat model of cirrhosis

We characterized the structural and immunohistological changes of sinusoidal endothelial cells that occur during cirrhosis in rats made cirrhotic with thioacetamide. Thioacetamide (200 mg/kg body wt) was injected intraperitoneally three times a week into male Wistar rats. Two, 4, 6 and 12 wk later, rat livers were observed under transmission and scanning electron microscopy and regular microscopy and immunostained with laminin and von Willebrand factor (factor VIII-related antigen) antibodies. The diameters and numbers of sinusoidal endothelial fenestrations did not change significantly after 2 wk in the thioacetamide-treated rats; however, they decreased within 4 wk after thioacetamide treatment. A basement membranelike structure in Disse's space was noted 6 wk after thioacetamide treatment. Laminin was detected in Disse's space after 4 wk. In vitro, in cultured sinusoidal endothelial cells, the diameter of sinusoidal endothelial fenestrations was significantly lower at 6 wk in thioacetamide-treated rats. von Willebrand factor was detected in the cytoplasm as granular fluorescence after 6 wk of thioacetamide treatment. These results suggest that as fibrosis develops in cirrhosis, the structural and immunohistochemical characteristics of sinusoidal endothelial cells change.

[Chemotherapy with cisplatin and daily administration of UFT for unresectable non-small cell lung cancer]

A combination chemotherapy of cisplatin and UFT was administered to fourteen patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer. To determine the maximum safety dose of UFT combined with CDDP (80 mg/m2), patients were assigned to three groups as follows: step 1: UFT (400 mg/m2) from day 1 to day 14; step 2: from day 1 to day 21; step 3: from day 1 to day 28. Cisplatin was administered on day 8 in each group. Myelosuppression with grade 3-4 and gastrointestinal toxicity of grade 3 were observed in one and two patients, respectively. The other toxicity was mild. There was no difference in the degree of toxicity among the three groups. The response rate of twelve evaluable patients was 50%; CR 0, PR 6, NC 4 and PD 2. Thus, chemotherapy using cisplatin 80 mg/m2 with daily administration of UFT 400 mg/m2 was considered to be well tolerated and effective in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

The roles of GABA in the central regulation of AVP and ANP release and blood pressure in hypertonic saline infusion and hemorrhage

In order to assess the central effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on arginine vasopressin (AVP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release and cardiovascular function, the following two experiments (Exp) were carried out in conscious rats (n = 24). Experiment I: GABA (10 micrograms/kg.min) was intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered into conscious rats receiving an intravenous (i.v.) infusion of 2.5 M NaCl, and the vehicle alone was i.c.v. administered under i.v. 2.5 M NaCl in the control group. Experiment II: GABA (12 micrograms/kg.min) was infused i.c.v. in conscious rats during hemorrhage (1.6% of BW) and the vehicle alone was i.c.v. administered during hemorrhage in the control study. In Experiment I, plasma AVP and ANP and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) increased in response to 2.5 M NaCl, but heart rate (HR) slightly decreased. I.C.V. GABA attenuated the AVP and ANP responses, but did not affect MABP and HR. In Experiment II, plasma AVP increased due to decreases in MABP induced by hemorrhage, but plasma ANP and HR never changed. I.C.V. GABA did not affect plasma AVP and ANP, MABP and HR. These results show that i.c.v. GABA has an inhibitory effect on AVP and ANP release in response to hypertonic NaCl, but not to hemorrhage, but never affected hypertonic NaCl-induced increases in blood pressure.

Potential role of thymoma and other mediastinal tumors in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis

Ten non-myasthenic thymoma patients and 12 patients with other mediastinal tumors were compared with 19 myasthenic thymoma patients with regard to an increase in circulating CD4+CD8+ cells and the presence of anti-acetylcholine receptor and anti-skeletal muscle antibodies. Although seven non-myasthenic thymoma patients showed positive results, the proportion of myasthenic thymoma patients who were positive for more than one parameter was significantly larger than that of non-myasthenic thymoma patients (89% vs. 40%). Moreover, one patient with a non-thymomatous mediastinal tumor showing a high CD4+CD8+ cell level had a recent history of seronegative myasthenia gravis. The results indicate that measurements of these parameters may predict the risk of the development of MG in patients with thymoma and other mediastinal tumors.

Sclerosing peritonitis associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, pleurisy, and secretory otitis media

A male case of sclerosing peritonitis of unknown cause, associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, pleurisy, and secretory otitis media, is presented. These unusual complications are very similar to the adverse reactions to the beta-adrenergic blocking agent, practolol, which is known to cause sclerosing peritonitis. This similarity suggests an etiological association between the sclerosing peritonitis of this case and that caused by practolol. The sclerosing peritonitis of this case may be considered to occur as part of some systemic disorder, and thus casts doubt on the hitherto accepted hypothesis that sclerosing peritonitis results from infectious peritonitis.

Functional expression and characterization of a Xenopus laevis peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase, AE-II, in insect-cell culture

The alpha-amidating reaction of peptide hormones is a two-step process which is catalyzed by peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) and peptidylhydroxyglycine N-C lyase (PHL). There are three types of mRNA for these amidating enzymes in Xenopus laevis, namely AE-I, AE-II and AE-III. AE-I encodes only PHM and AE-III encodes both PHM and PHL. AE-II seems to encode subtypes of both PHM and PHL. While AE-II mRNA is present in high amounts in frog skin, the actual enzymes originating from AE-II have not been detected. When we expressed AE-II in cultured insect-cells using the baculovirus expression vector system, the expressed enzyme was specifically localized to the membrane fraction due to its hydrophobic transmembrane domain. Alternatively, when the transmembrane-domain-deleted AE-II (Met1-Ile731) was expressed, the enzyme was secreted into the culture medium; this secreted enzyme was purified to homogeneity by a simple two-step procedure. We have verified that the reaction product of the purified enzyme was the amidated peptide, indicating that AE-II has the ability to catalyze the entire amidating reaction.

A case of squamous cell lung carcinoma with high concentration of parathyroid hormone-related peptide in serum and pleural effusion presenting hypercalcemia

A 57-year-old man with lung squamous cell carcinoma revealed hypercalcemia, hypophosphoremia, elevation of nephrogenous cAMP and metabolic alkalosis. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations were not elevated. These findings were consistent with those in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM). PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) concentrations were determined using N- and C-terminal specific radioimmunoassays (PTHrP-N, PTHrP-C), and elevation of both PTHrP-N and PTHrP-C concentrations in the serum was noted (PTHrP-N, 27 pmol/liter (normal < 5); PTHrP-C, 1408 pmol/liter (normal < 50)). High concentration of PTHrP (946 pmol/liter for PTHrP-N and 5983 pmol/liter for PTHrP-C) was also found in the pleural fluid obtained at autopsy. Immunohistochemical study, using paraffin-embedded sections of the tumor tissue obtained at autopsy, revealed numerous PTHrP-positive cells and expression of PTHrP gene was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. These findings indicate that PTHrP, produced in the tumor tissue, was secreted into the blood stream, which caused HHM in the patient. Gel permeation chromatography of the serum and pleural fluid revealed several peaks of both PTHrP-N and PTHrP-C. Molecular forms of PTHrP-N were larger than those of PTHrP-C in the serum as well as pleural fluid. These findings indicate that multiple forms of PTHrP molecules are present in the serum and pleural fluid. Granulocytosis was also noted in the patient. However, granulocyte- and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor were not detected in the serum, and the mechanism of the granulocytosis in the patient was unclear.

Treatment and prognosis of primary thymic carcinoma

From 1972 to 1990, we treated eight cases of thymic carcinoma (6 squamous cell and 2 small cell carcinomas). According to the classification by Masaoka et al., they consisted of one stage I, four stage III, one stage IVa, and two stage IVb. A complete resection of the primary tumour could be done in only three patients; the others had diagnostic biopsy and then radiation treatment. Four of five patients had a prolonged regression of the primary tumors after irradiation at 40-61.2 Gy. Six patients suffered from extrathoracic metastases. All patients received systemic chemotherapy with different regimens to counter either metastatic or locally recurrent lesions. Only two patients (with a regimen including cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine) obtained a partial response. The median survival of the eight patients was 70 months after surgical operation. The identification of an effective drug combination may thus improve the long-term prognosis of thymic carcinoma since radiotherapy is able to control primary lesions, even in the case of unresectable advanced disease.

Novel missense variants of prion protein in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or Gerstmann-Sträussler syndrome

We found 3 novel missense variants in the open reading frame of the prion protein (PrP) gene. The codon 105 point mutation (proline to leucine) was found on a codon 129 (Valine) PrP allele in 4 patients from 3 different Japanese families with Gerstmann-Sträussler syndrome. The codon 180 variant PrP (valine to isoleucine) was found in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) patients with a similar clinical course to that of codon 178 mutation. The codon 232 variant PrP (methionine to arginine) was documented in the CJD patients with typical clinical and pathological findings. These variant PrP molecules were not detected in 200 normal Japanese PrP alleles. PrP has a large repertoire of variant forms, and each primary structure of PrP corresponds to the distinct phenotype of prion diseases.

Endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices compared with injection sclerotherapy: a prospective randomized trial

Fifty cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices underwent endoscopic treatment in a prospective randomized trial carried out to compare variceal ligation with injection sclerotherapy, with respect to safety, efficacy, and complications in the initial session. Twenty-five patients each were treated using endoscopic variceal ligation or endoscopic injection sclerotherapy in the initial session and then only endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for all following sessions. Ligations numbered 4.1 at the initial session. The total number of sessions of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy was 4.0 +/- 1.3 in the endoscopic injection sclerotherapy group compared with 3.6 +/- 1.4 in the endoscopic variceal ligation group. The total volume of the sclerosant used by the end of all the sessions was 23.9 +/- 10.3 ml in the endoscopic variceal ligation group and 39.0 +/- 11.5 ml in the endoscopic injection sclerotherapy group (p < 0.0001). In all patients, complete eradication of the varices was achieved, and at 7 to 15 months follow-up no evidence of recurrence was seen. Adverse effects such as pyrexia, chest pain, and pleural effusion after the initial session were significantly lower in the endoscopic variceal ligation group (p < 0.05), and total bilirubin, serum creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and urinary beta 2-microglobulin were significantly increased and PaO2 decreased after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (p < 0.05). This study shows that endoscopic variceal ligation significantly decreased the adverse effects associated with endoscopic injection sclerotherapy in the initial session, and it is recommended as an alternative to sclerotherapy.

DNA ploidy pattern of each carcinomatous component in adenosquamous lung carcinoma

The relationship between adenocarcinomatous and squamous carcinomatous components in 12 surgically resected adenosquamous lung carcinomas was analyzed using DNA flow cytometry. Well-preserved parts of the tumor showing either adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma were identified on paraffin blocks. The cells obtained from each component were stained with propidium iodide for DNA flow cytometry. In the analysis of DNA flow cytometry, both components in the same tumor were defined as being related to each other when they showed diploidy or when at least one DNA index of abnormal clones between two aneuploid components was identical. According to these criteria, 8 (67%) of the 12 tumors showed a relationship between adenocarcinomatous and squamous carcinomatous components. This suggests that, despite the different phenotypes, both components of some adenosquamous lung carcinomas may share similar biological characteristics.

Laparoscopic ligation of splenic artery aneurysm

Efforts should be made to avoid splenectomy because host resistance is maintained by the spleen. We describe here a 50-year-old woman in whom laparoscopic ligation of a splenic artery aneurysm 3.0 cm in diameter was successfully performed, without major complications. Computed tomography performed 5 months later revealed no infarction in the spleen. For this patient with liver cirrhosis and cholelithiasis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed at the same operation. Laparoscopic surgery is most feasible when the splenic artery is markedly tortuous and protrudes from the pancreas.

The structure and expression of the FGF receptor-1 mRNA isoforms in rat tissues

In this paper, we describe the structure of rat FGF receptor-1 mRNA isoforms and their expression in a variety of rat tissues. The rat FGFR-1 has the characteristics of FGFR-1 as well as mouse, human and chicken homologs. FGFR-1 mRNA was detectable in all the tissues examined by Northern analysis or polymerase chain reaction, indicating that FGFR-1 mRNA is widely expressed in rat tissues. The rat FGFR-1 mRNA has isoforms in both the extracellular and intracellular regions. The extracellular isoforms which have two or three immunoglobulin-like domains, are expressed almost equally in the tissues except for brain. However, the large form is a major form in the brain. Furthermore, in the brain, half of FGFR-1 mRNAs have the six nucleotides, which encode a potential serine-threonine kinase phosphorylation site in the intracellular juxta-membrane region, deleted. In contrast to the brain, the deletion isoform is a minor form in the other tissues. The tissue-specific expression of the isoforms indicates that they have different physiological functions. Although other isoforms of FGFR-1 mRNA in tumor cell lines have been reported, the isoforms were undetectable in all rat tissues examined, indicating the isoforms are products of abnormal alternative splicing in tumor cell lines.

Albumin inhibits hemolysis of erythrocytes induced by ethanolamine oleate during endoscopic injection sclerotherapy

In attempts to avoid hemolytic nephropathy following injection of 5% ethanolamine oleate during endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for esophageal varices, the relationship between serum levels of albumin and hemolysis induced by ethanolamine oleate was investigated. The rate of hemolysis at various concentrations of ethanolamine oleate and albumin was examined using a spectrophotometer in ten cirrhotic patients and five healthy volunteers (controls). Hemolysis induced by ethanol-amine oleate increased in an ethanolamine oleate concentration-dependent fashion (p < 0.01) but was dose-dependently inhibited by albumin (p < 0.05). The state of liver function was unrelated to the rate of hemolysis. The relationship between hemoglobinuria and serum albumin levels in seventy-nine cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices treated by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with ethanolamine oleate was also examined. Hemoglobinuria was evident in 20 out of 24 patients (83.8%) in whom the serum albumin level was less than 3.0 g/dl, and in 24 out of 55 (43.6%) in whom it exceeded 3.0 g/dl, the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.01). On the day after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy, creatinine clearance fell from 81.6 +/- 33.8 m/l min to 60.1 +/- 31.4 ml/min in the hemoglobinuria-positive patients (p > 0.01) and two went into acute renal failure. The creatinine clearance ranged from 79.5 +/- 27.9 ml/min to 83.0 +/- 39.9 ml/min in the hemoglobinuria-negative patients (p < 0.1). In the light of this evidence we correct the serum albumin level cut off point to 3.0 g/dl prior to endoscopic injection sclerotherapy in order to maintain renal function.

Nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding nucleoside diphosphate kinase II from spinach leaves

The primary structure of nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase II, one of the two isozymes found in spinach leaves, has been deduced from its cDNA sequence. NDP kinase II comprises 233 amino acid residues and has a molecular mass of 26,107 Da, which is larger than that of the purified NDP kinase II subunits (18 kDa) by about 8 kDa, suggesting that NDP kinase II might be post-translationally processed. Homology was found between the sequence of spinach NDP kinase II, and the sequences of spinach NDP kinase I, rat NDP kinases alpha and beta, Dictyostelium discoideum NDP kinase, the human Nm23-H1 and Nm23-H2 proteins and the awd protein of Drosophila melanogaster.

Chronic treatment of (-)deprenyl prolongs the life span of male Fischer 344 rats. Further evidence

Seventy male Fischer 344 (F-344) rats were treated with s.c. injection of (-)deprenyl (0.5 mg/kg, n = 35) or physiological saline (n = 35) 3 times a week from the age of 18 months until the time of their natural death. The fifty percent survival time was 28 months in control animals and 30 months in the deprenyl treated group. The mean survival time after the start of treatment (18 months) and after 24 months were 378.3 +/- 97.4 days (mean +/- SD) and 196.3 +/- 97.4 days, respectively, in deprenyl treated rats and 328.7 +/- 108.8 days and 146.7 +/- 108.7 days in control rats. The increases in average life expectancies caused by deprenyl treatment (15% from 18 months and 34% from 24 months) were both statistically significant (P < 0.05, two-tailed t-test). The average body weights were comparable for both groups but the variation of body weight was greater in control groups, thus excluding the possibility that the life prolonging effect of deprenyl results from reduced dietary intake. The results confirm those of two previous studies (1,2) which reported a significant life prolonging effect of deprenyl in aged rats and lend added support to the results of a study on male F-344 rats where the effect was only marginally significant (16% increase after 24 months, P = 0.048 by one-tailed t test) (2).

Experimental murine model for autoimmune myocarditis using Klebsiella pneumoniae O3 lipopolysaccharide as a potent immunological adjuvant

Experimental autoimmune myocarditis could be produced in mice by repeated injection of syngeneic heart extract together with Klebsiella pneumoniae O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) as a powerful adjuvant. Histological changes in the cardiac lesions were characterized by infiltration with mononuclear cells in the myocardium, degeneration and loss of myocardial fibers, and replacement of granulation tissues. No such cardiac lesions were produced in mice receiving injections of heart extract alone or KO3 LPS alone. Development of the autoantibody and the delayed type-hypersensitivity (DTH) against syngeneic heart extract was found in mice immunized repeatedly with the mixture of heart extract and KO3 LPS. Moreover, definite cardiac lesions were produced in normal recipient mice by transfer of sensitized spleen cells from hyperimmunized mice. Therefore, it was suggested that those cardiac lesions were caused by the autoimmune mechanism. Our methodology provided a new experimental murine model for autoimmune myocarditis.