Immunohistochemical demonstration of parathyroid hormone-related protein in thyroid gland of sheep

Thyroid and parathyroid glands from normal adult sheep and sheep with vitamin D3-induced hypercalcemia were evaluated immunohistochemically for the presence of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and calcitonin (CT). Thyroid follicular cells, C-cells, and parathyroid chief cells stained moderately to strongly positive for PTHrP in both groups of sheep. C-cells were identified as cells positive for cytoplasmic staining of CT. Staining of C-cells for calcitonin in hypercalcemic sheep was diminished in intensity. The data demonstrated that PTHrP is present in the sheep thyroid and parathyroid glands. PTHrP may function as a local paracrine factor in these organs, but its staining intensity was not affected by the induction of hypercalcemia.

Methylprednisolone inhibits increase of interleukin 8 and 6 during open heart surgery

It has been reported that interleukin 8 (IL-8) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are two of the chemical mediators causing myocardial injury. It is not clear whether treatment with corticosteroids in vitro in these patients can prevent the production of interleukin 8 and 6. This prospective study was conducted to investigate whether methylprednisolone (MP) pretreatment (30 mg.kg-1 before CPB and before declamping of aorta) influenced the production of IL-8 and 6 in the peripheral circulation in 27 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. The IL-8 and IL-6 concentrations were measured by ELISA kit. We also studied the effect of MP pretreatment on postoperative cardiac function. Serum concentration of IL-8 in non-MP-treated patients (37 +/- 44 pg.ml-1 preoperatively) increased to 169 +/- 86 pg.ml-1 60 min after declamping of the aorta (P < 0.001). The increase was greater than the increase from 22 +/- 8.9 pg.ml-1 to 52 +/- 35 pg.ml-1 in the MP-treated patients (P < 0.01). Serum IL-6 concentration in non-MP-treated patients increased from the preoperative value of 59 +/- 30 pg.ml-1 to 436 +/- 143 pg.ml-1 60 min after declamping of the aorta (P < 0.001). The increase was greater than the increase from 36 +/- 15 pg.ml-1 to 135 +/- 85 pg.ml-1 in the MP-treated patients (P < 0.01). Furthermore, postoperative cardiac index in MP-treated patients (3.6 +/- 1.1 L.min-1.m-2) was higher than 2.3 +/- 0.8 L.min-1.m-2 of non MP-treated patients (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of novel, nonpeptide vasopressin antagonists on progressive nephrosclerosis in rats

Effects of novel, nonpeptide vasopressin V1 and V2 receptor antagonists on partially nephrectomized and salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), which develop severe hypertension and progressive nephrosclerosis, were investigated. SHR were 5/6-nephrectomized and fed a high salt diet. The rats were divided into four groups: group 1 was an untreated control, group 2 received the V1 antagonist OPC-21268, group 3 received the V2 antagonist OPC-31260, and group 4 received both the V1 and V2 antagonists. The V1 antagonist alone or combined with the V2 antagonist significantly decreased the increase in blood pressure (BP) of groups 2 and 4 rats, but the V2 antagonist alone did not reduce the increase in BP of the group 3 rats. The V2 antagonist alone or combined with the V1 antagonist induced a significant diuresis of rats in groups 3 and 4. The increase in urinary protein excretion and the progression of renal hyaline arteriolosclerosis were attenuated by the V1 antagonist with or without the V2 antagonist in rats in groups 2 and 4, but not by the V2 antagonist alone in rats in group 3. This implies that the progressive nephrosclerosis in SHR with partial renoablation and salt-loading was associated with V1 agonism.

Therapeutic effect of CDDP and VP-16 against human bladder cancers

In order to evaluate the anticancer effect of combination chemotherapy (CDDP and etoposide) against human bladder cancer xenografts transplanted in nude mice, we tried an experimental chemotherapy. The tumor was aseptically cut and subcutaneously transplanted into the backs of the nude mice. When the weight of each tumor reached 300 mg, CDDP (day 1; 4 mg/kg) and etoposide (day 1-5; 2 mg/kg) were given intraperitoneally as single agent or in combination and repeated every 3 weeks. The estimated weight (mg) was obtained by (larger diam. x smaller diam.2) x 1/2. A continuous significant effect was observed in CDDP combined with etoposide against bladder tumor. Therefore, these results suggest that the combination chemotherapy using CDDP with etoposide is an efficacious treatment against human bladder cancer.

[Effect of erythromycin on macrophage functions]

Recently, it has been suggested that macrolide antibiotics act as immunomodulators. In this study, we evaluated the effect of EM on macrophage function. We used the mouse macrophage cell line, J774.1. The following direct effects of EM on macrophage function were evaluated: chemotaxis to EM, chemokinetic effect by EM, and the effect of EM on macrophage growth. In order to examine the indirect effects of EM on macrophage functions, we preincubated macrophages with several concentrations of EM and then removed the EM. Thereafter, the phagocytosis of beads, cytocidal activity against Candida albicans, and chemotaxis to lipopolysaccharide were evaluated. EM (at the concentration between 0.04 and 0.2 microgram/ml) directly stimulated macrophage chemotaxis and chemokinesis. In addition, EM dose-dependently stimulated the growth of macrophages. EM pretreatment (for 4 hours at the contractions between 0.04 and 0.2 microgram/ml) stimulated macrophage phagocytosis, cytocidal activity against Candida albicans, and chemotaxis to lipopolysaccharide. These results suggest that EM has direct and indirect effects on macrophage functions.

[DNA fingerprinting by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus]

Recently, nosocomial outbreaks of MRSA have become an important social problem in Japan. To examine the routes of transmission of MRSA, the establishment of accurate MRSA typing system is essential. However, more recently, because MRSA strains with type II coagulase have been increasing, it is difficult to discriminate MRSA strains by the coagulase typing method. Under this background, our study was designed to evaluate the clinical significance of DNA fingerprinting by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR). Several MRSA strains isolated from patients in our department were used in this study. To optimize the condition of AP-PCR, the differences of amplified products by AP-PCR were evaluated according to the following conditions: extracting methods of DNA from MRSA strains, buffer conditions, the temperature of AP-PCR, cycles of AP-PCR, and several primers. As a result, the optimal conditions of AP-PCR were as follows: extracted DNA using the InstaGene kit, amplified DNA by two-step AP-PCR using a M13 reverse primer with a buffer condition of 3.5 mM of magnesium chloride, and a pH of 8.5. The results of AP-PCR correlated well with the results of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In conclusion, DNA fingerprinting by AP-PCR seems to be useful in examining the nosocomial MRSA outbreak.

Noninvasive measurement of cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolic rate in the rat with high-resolution animal positron emission tomography (PET): a novel in vivo approach for assessing drug action in the brains of small animals

The cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in rats were estimated noninvasively with a high-resolution animal positron emission tomography (PET) system that we recently developed. Qualifications of CMRglc and CBF were attempted with radiotracers, 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose and 15O-water, respectively. From the data obtained with PET, the CMRglc and CBF values under pretreatment conditions were respectively calculated as 51 +/- 14 mumol/min/100 g and 61 +/- 7 ml/min/100 g under pentobarbital-anesthesia. These values were in close agreement with published data obtained with the autoradiographic technique. Moreover, an increase of 69% (mean) in CBF was detected after i.v. acetazolamide administration. The results indicate that this high-resolution animal PET scanner holds great potential for the assessment of drug-related metabolic and circulatory effects in intact and experimental animals.

[A case of small cell lung cancer that developed during therapy for myasthenia gravis]

A 56-year-old man had been complaining of progressive proximal muscle weakness and bilateral ptosis before his first admission to our hospital. He received an injection of edrophonium chloride, which resulted in remarkable improvement of muscle strength. Electromyographic studies revealed a compound muscle action potential that decreased after repetitive stimulation at a high rate (15 Hz). He was regarded as having myasthenia gravis (MG) rather than Eaton-Lambert syndrome because of these findings. Eighteen months after successful treatment of MG with oral anticholinesterase medication, he complained of an abdominal mass. The mass was found to be a tumor that had metastasized from a primary small cell carcinoma of the lung. Cases of MG with small cell carcinoma of the lung seem to be very rare, and the details of the relationship between them remain unknown. In this patient, MG may have developed by paraneoplastic mechanisms. This hypothesis is interesting, since it has been demonstrated recently by molecular biological techniques that small cell carcinomas of the lung express nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Apoptosis of HIV-infected cells following treatment with Sho-Saiko-to and its components

Baicalein and baicalin are components of Sho-saiko-to (SST), a Chinese medical drug which is claimed to be therapeutically effective in treating HIV-infected patients. Although 20 micrograms/ml of baicalin was not cytotoxic to CEM cells, a cultured T cell line, it proved to be cytotoxic to HIV-infected CEM cells (CEM-HIV) with a higher HIV-releasing capacity and DNA fragmentation was detected within 24 hr of incubation. However, after incubation of CEM-HIV with a lower dose of baicalin (0.1, 0.3 and 2 micrograms/ml) for 24 and 48 hr, the viable cell number increased by about 25% and the p24 release into the medium was 25% lower than that of the control. After further incubation in the presence of the agent for 6 and 9 days, only cells with a lower HIV-releasing capacity survived. Baicalin might selectively induce apoptosis of CEM-HIV cells which have a high virus-releasing capacity, and stimulate proliferation of CEM-HIV which have a relatively lower capacity of HIV-production.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome and psoriasis vulgaris in a case of OKT4 epitope deficiency

We report a 29-year-old female OKT4 epitope deficiency patient with primary Sjögren's syndrome and psoriasis vulgaris. Immunological investigations during the prolonged clinical course of her herpes zoster revealed that she has OKT4 epitope deficiency and primary Sjögren's syndrome. She had been treated for psoriasis vulgaris for 17 years without systemic immunosuppressive therapy. Flow cytometric study revealed that her OKT4 deficiency is heterogeneous and excluded interference with the OKT4 epitope by anti OKT4 autoantibodies. The rare coexistence of primary Sjögren's syndrome and psoriasis implicates an immune disturbance due to an unusual phenotype of CD4.

Effect of nonpeptide vasopressin receptor antagonists on developing, and established DOCA-salt hypertension in rats

Efficacy of orally available, selective vasopressin V1 and V2 receptor antagonists on the developing and established stage of DOCA-salt hypertension was investigated. Twenty-nine Wistar rats were heminephrectomized, and administered DOCA (50 mg/kg; intraperitoneally twice a week) and salt (5% NaCl diet) from week 0 to the end of study. Group 1 rats were served as control. Group 2 and 5 rats were given a V1 antagonist, and groups 3 and 6 rats were given a V2 antagonist, while groups 4 and 7 rats received both V1 and V2 antagonists. Each drug was started to groups 2, 3 and 4 at week 0, and to groups 5, 6 and 7 at week 4. Significant amelioration of the increase in blood pressure was observed in groups 3 and 4 at week 10, and a reduction in blood pressure occurred in groups 6 and 7 at week 10. Otherwise, a V1 antagonist alone slightly attenuated blood pressure rise in the group 2 without significance, and failed to lower blood pressure of the group 5 during the study. These results suggest that both V1 and V2 agonisms are involved in an increase in blood pressure at the developing stage of DOCA-salt hypertension, and that V2 agonism, but not V1 plays a major role in the maintenance of high blood pressure at the established stage.

Senile dementia-Alzheimer's type and estrogen

Some reports have suggested the ameliorative effects of estrogens on clinical symptoms, such as short memory, in women suffering from senile dementia-Alzheimer's type, in vivo. The action mechanism of estrogen remains to be clarified, but 1) an anti-depressive effect, 2) improvement of cerebral blood flow, 3) direct stimulation of neuron, 4) development of gliacyte and 5) suppression of apolipoprotein E have been suggested. Some mechanisms may be combined, contributing to the beneficial effects on clinical symptoms.

Novel antitumor indolocarbazole compound 6-N-formylamino-12,13-dihydro-1,11- dihydroxy-13-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-5H-indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4- c]carbazole-5,7(6H)-dione (NB-506): induction of topoisomerase I-mediated DNA cleavage and mechanisms of cell line-selective cytotoxicity

A new indolocarbazole antitumor agent, NB-506 [6-N-formylamino-12,13-dihydro-1,11-dihydroxy-13-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) -5H- indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole-5,7(6H)-dione], enhanced the DNA cleavage catalyzed by HeLa S3 topoisomerase I at 0.01 microM but not the cleavage by topoisomerase II at 300 microM. It also caused single-strand DNA breakage in intact cells at 0.08 microM and more. Unlike the known topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin, NB-506 intercalated with DNA. However, the binding affinity to DNA and the inhibition against DNA polymerase alpha and RNA polymerase II were marginal compared with those of Adriamycin or actinomycin D. NB-506 inhibited the growth of various tumor cell lines at two micromoles or less, and its cytotoxicity was found to be cell line selective. This selective cytotoxicity of NB-506 was not fully explained by the differences in topoisomerase I activity in these cell lines, but there was some relationship between the amount of NB-506 accumulated in these cell lines and its cytotoxicity toward them. In conclusion, NB-506 is a potent topoisomerase I poison, acting selectively on tumor cell lines accumulating NB-506.

Cloning of a swelling-induced chloride current related protein from rabbit heart

Recently, pIcln has been reported to be a regulator of a swelling-induced chloride conductance. We have cloned a cDNA RCL-H1 from rabbit heart, of which primary structure is highly homologous to that of pIcln. Outwardly rectifying currents were recorded in oocytes expressing RCL-H1, which is consistent with the result of pIcln. RNA blot analysis revealed the widespread expression of RCL-H1 mRNA in rabbit tissues. RCL-H1 may play an important role in regulating cell volume and give a clue to revealing molecular structure of swelling-induced chloride channel(s).

Suppression of natural killer cell activity by monocytes following immunotherapy for recurrent spontaneous aborters

PROBLEM

Natural killer (NK) cell activity has previously been shown to decrease in normal pregnancy as compared with the nonpregnancy state. The purpose of this study was to determine NK cell activity in recurrent aborters and to investigate the kinetics of NK cell activity following immunotherapy.

METHODS

Recurrent aborters (N = 17) were immunized with husbands' mononuclear cells (1 x 10(8)) twice during the early stage of current pregnancy. NK cell activity of recurrent aborters as well as that of normal pregnant (N = 12) and nonpregnant (N = 6) women (controls) was determined by 51Cr release assay. Monocytes were depleted from the mononuclear cell fraction and its effect on the NK cell activity was determined as well.

RESULTS

At around 5 wk of gestation, NK cell activity in recurrent aborters before treatment was significantly higher (28.0 +/- 5.1%) than that in normal pregnancy (18.9 +/- 4.3%) (P < 0.01). Following immunotherapy, NK cell activity of recurrent aborters (N = 13) who maintained their pregnancy decreased significantly (21.7 +/- 8.9%) (P < 0.05). In contrast, NK cell activity of recurrent aborters (N = 4) who aborted their current pregnancy did not decrease. Depletion of monocytes resulted in a significant increase in NK cell activity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the immunotherapy induces suppression of NK cell activity which may contribute for the maintenance of pregnancy. Moreover, monocytes may be involved in this suppression.

Endometrial oestrogen and progesterone receptors and their relationship to sonographic endometrial appearance

The present study was undertaken to evaluate a possible relationship between the endometrial concentrations of oestrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR), and the sonographic appearance of human endometrium. Sonographic assessments and aspirations of the endometrium at the time of or prior to ovulation were made in 48 cycles of 45 infertile women. Endometrial patterns were classified as A, triple line pattern, or B, not triple line, on the basis of echogenicity. We did not find a correlation between ER or PR and serum oestradiol or endometrial thickness. Furthermore, serum oestradiol concentrations were not correlated with endometrial pattern or thickness. The only significant correlations were found between the concentrations of ER and PR in the pattern A endometrium (r = 0.80, P < 0.01) and in the pattern B endometrium (r = 0.49, P < 0.05). There were no differences in the mean concentrations of ER and PR despite differences in endometrial pattern and thickness. However, PR was measured at > 800 fmol/mg protein in 12 out of 38 pattern A endometria, while PR was < 800 fmol/mg protein in all pattern B endometria. These data suggest that high PR expression in the pre-ovulatory period is related to an adequate endometrial growth and thereby increases the responsiveness of the endometrium to progesterone stimulation after ovulation.

[Effect of a combination treatment using imipenem/cilastatin sodium with G-CSF on infections in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies]

The clinical effectiveness of a combination treatment using imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) with G-CSF was studied in neutropenic patients (< 500/mm3) with hematological malignancies and secondary infections. Thirty seven patients were entered in the trial, and 30 patients were eligible. This combination was effective in 20 patients, thus the overall efficacy rate was 66.7 percent. The combination was effective in all 6 cases with septicemia, in 10 case out of 15 cases with fever after chemotherapy (efficacy rate; 66.7%), in 3 out of 8 cases with respiratory infections including 7 cases with pneumonia (efficacy rate; 37.5%), and a case with laryngopharyngitis. According to the order of the administration, the efficacy rates were 60.0% in 5 cases in whom G-CSF treatment was started before IPM/CS, 66.7% in 21 cases given both G-CSF and IPM/CS simultaneously, and 75.0% in 4 cases in whom IPM/CS was started before G-CSF. The difference was statistically not significant on the efficacy rates in the three groups. The efficacy in 18 cases treated with monotherapy on antibiotic was 72.2% and that in 12 cases treated with IPM/CS in combination with other antibiotics was 58.3%, and the difference in the efficacy rates in these two groups was not statistically significant. According to the neutrophil counts before and after the treatment, high response rate (60.0%) was obtained in cases of severe neutropenia (less than 100/mm3). Bacteriological examinations showed that all of bacteria detected as pathogens (10 strains of Gram-positive bacteria and 6 strains of Gram-negative bacteria) were eradicated, though 3 strains were replaced by other pathogens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Treatment of recurrent uterine endometrial cancer in adjuvant therapy with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in addition of etoposide]

In recent years, we treated recurrent uterine endometrial cancer by combined therapy including CDDP. But in poor cases, like renal failure and such, it is difficult to perform the therapy. Two cases of recurrent uterine endometrial cancer treated earlier with MPA were presently treated with an addition of etoposide. The first case was given etoposide (50 mg/m2/day 4 times for 21 days by oral administration). The target tumor mass was reduced in size, occult blood vanished, and the tumor marker was reduced. The other case was treated with etoposide, 50 mg/body/day for 21 days by oral administration, but because of diarrhea, the dose had to be decreased to 25 mg/body/day every day. The tumor marker was reduced and genital bleeding vanished. These cases suggested that etoposide-MPA combined therapy might be effective for recurrent uterine endometrial cancer of well-differentiated type.

Ultrastructural and histomorphometric evaluations of gallium nitrate on bone in nude mice bearing a canine adenocarcinoma (CAC-8) model of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy

Gallium is a group IIIa transition metal that lowers serum calcium by an unknown mechanism and has been utilized in the treatment of cancer-associated hypercalcemia. The purpose of this study was to histomorphometrically investigate the ultrastructural effects of gallium nitrate on osteoclasts and osteoblasts in trabecular bone of normal nude mice and nude mice with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. Two groups of normal nude mice (n = 7 and n = 8, respectively) and two groups of hypercalcemic nude mice (n = 9) bearing a serially transplantable canine adenocarcinoma (CAC-8) were treated with vehicle or gallium nitrate. Osteoclasts were hypertrophied in vehicle-treated tumor-bearing nude mice as compared with vehicle-treated nontumor-bearing nude mice. Osteoclasts from tumor-bearing nude mice treated with gallium nitrate were significantly decreased in size and had fewer intracytoplasmic vesicles as compared with osteoclasts from vehicle-treated tumor-bearing nude mice. Degenerate osteoclasts, characterized by pyknotic nuclei and increased cytoplasmic vacuolation, were observed in both groups of gallium-treated nude mice. Osteoblasts from vehicle-treated tumor-bearing nude mice were hypertrophied and had extensive lamellar arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum as compared with osteoblasts from vehicle-treated nontumor-bearing nude mice. Osteoblasts in gallium-treated nude mice (tumor-bearing and nontumor-bearing) were small and flattened with poorly developed cytoplasmic organelles. This investigation demonstrated that osteoclasts and osteoblasts in nude mice treated with gallium nitrate had ultrastructural evidence of decreased metabolic and functional activity. The results suggest that gallium nitrate lowers serum calcium by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption.

[Changes in intraoperative and postoperative colloid oncotic pressure after open heart surgery especially in relation to non-blood priming or blood priming]

In order to evaluate the colloid oncotic pressure (COP) is useful index of hemodynamics and respiratory recovery after open heart surgery, cardiac index (CI), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), (A-a) Do2 and COP were measured in 34 patients during 48 hours after the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The patients were divided into non-blood priming group: 11 patients and blood priming group (23 patients). In addition, blood priming group divided into two groups, one with dopamine (more than 15 micrograms/kg/min), epinephrine or intraaortic balloon pumping (severe blood subgroup, n = 6) and the other without these treatments after open heart surgery (slight blood subgroup n = 17). The COP levels in the non-blood priming group were significantly higher than those in the blood priming group from aortic cross-clamp to 10 minutes after aortic declamping (p < 0.01). From 1 to 48 hours after CPB, COP in the non-blood priming group and slight blood subgroups was significantly higher than severe blood subgroups (p < 0.05). CI and COP-PCWP levels were significantly higher in the non-blood priming group and slight blood subgroups than those in the severe blood group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that COP is useful index of hemodynamics and respiratory recovery after open heart surgery and our priming system without blood is effective in order to eliminate the blood transfusion.

Biodegradable microspheres in drug delivery

General aspects of biodegradable microspheres prepared from natural and synthesized polymers used in drug delivery systems are reviewed first from various viewpoints: characteristics of biodegradable polymers (physicochemical properties, bioerosion mechanism, biocompatibility), preparation method for the microspheres, drug release from parenteral products and briefly nonparenteral products. The relationship between release pattern and pharmacological activity of therapeutic peptides and proteins and rational controlled release design are also discussed. In the latter half, successful sustained release depot formulations of peptides, leuprorelin acetate, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), utilizing poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic/glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres are reviewed with respect to preparation, drug release, biocompatibility, pharmacological effects, and results of clinical studies. Thereafter, studies on antitumor therapy by chemoembolization using PLGA microspheres containing an angiogenesis inhibitor (TNP-470) are described as an example of targeted drug delivery with biodegradable microspheres.

Endemic occurrence of glomerulonephritis associated with streptococcal impetigo

We report here a case of type 1 mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis as well as a case of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis associated with streptococcal skin infection superimposed on atopic dermatitis. Both were endemic occurrences of postinfectious glomerulonephritis developed after repeated dirty-skin treatments for atopic dermatitis performed by unauthorized individuals under unsanitary conditions. Of 20 patients who were similarly treated and subsequently admitted to our hospital because of skin infection and fever, 8 (40%) showed urinary abnormalities. Four patients had renal dysfunction with acute nephritic onset. Almost all showed a decrease in CH50 values and an increase in levels of antistreptolysin O and IgE. In the 2 cases presented here, the disease eventually regressed in association with improvement of the skin infection. Although the occurrence of postinfectious glomerulonephritis has recently become uncommon, we must take care to note urinary abnormalities as early as possible in order to prevent the progression of glomerulonephritis.