Cytochrome b in human complex II (succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase): cDNA cloning of the components in liver mitochondria and chromosome assignment of the genes for the large (SDHC) and small (SDHD) subunits to 1q21 and 11q23

Complex II (succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is an important enzyme complex in both the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the aerobic respiratory chains of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic organisms. In this study, the amino acid sequences of the large (cybL) and small (cybS) subunits of cytochrome b in human liver complex II were deduced from cDNAs isolated by homology probing with mixed primers for the polymerase chain reaction. The mature cybL and cybS contain 140 and 103 amino acids, respectively, and show little similarity to the amino acid sequences of the subunits from other species in contrast to the highly conserved features of the flavoprotein (Fp) subunit and iron-sulfur protein (Ip) subunit. From hydrophobicity analysis, both cybL and cybS appear to have three transmembrane segments, indicating their role as membrane-anchors for the enzyme complex. Histidine residues, which are possible heme axial ligands in cytochrome b of complex II, were found in the second transmembrane segment of each subunit. The genes for cybL (SDHC) and cybS (SDHD) were mapped to chromosome 1q21 and 11q23, respectively by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

High density culture of immortalized liver endothelial cells in the radial-flow bioreactor in the development of an artificial liver

Liver endothelial cells are important components of the tissue along the hepatic sinusoid. They are responsible for microcirculation in the liver and scavenger functions. It would therefore be important to include these cells in any hybrid type of artificial liver in addition to hepatocytes. However, it is difficult to culture these cells in vitro. The development of a liver endothelial cell line, which maintains the characteristics of the primary culture, would thus be of great benefit in the development of an artificial liver. In the present study we established immortalized liver endothelial cells from the liver of an H-2Kb-tsA58 transgenic mouse, which harbors the SV40 TAg gene. Hepatic sinusoidal cells isolated from H-2Kb-tsA58 mouse proliferated in the presence of gamma-interferon at 33 degrees C. Four clones were established, out of which clone M1 had the highest amounts of PGI2 production, as well as plasminogen activator activity and internalized acetylated low density lipoprotein. On culture dishes the M1 cells grew individually and spread. Sieve plates on the cell surface were not readily visible, but small pores were detected under electron microscopic observation. These results suggest that M1 clone cells originated from liver endothelial cells. Moreover it was possible to culture the immortalized liver endothelial cells in a radial-flow bioreactor for 5 days, with a maximum 6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha production of 25 microg per day. This suggests that immortalized liver endothelial cells and a radial-flow bioreactor can prove useful tools in the development an artificial liver.

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography in pancreatic diseases: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to clarify the usefulness of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography in pancreatic diseases.

METHODS

The subjects comprised 37 patients with pancreatic diseases: 11 with ductal cell carcinoma, 10 with mucin-producing tumor, five with pseudo-cyst, four with islet cell tumor, four with chronic pancreatitis, and three with serous cystadenoma. After endoscopic ultrasonography, Albunex (0.22 ml/kg) was injected intravenously at a rate of 1 ml/s into the right median vein, and observation was continued for 10 min. The presence or absence of enhancement of the lesion was determined in each disease. Because all the patients with ductal cell carcinoma, islet cell tumor, chronic pancreatitis, and serous cystadenoma, as well as five with mucin-producing tumor and three with pseudo-cyst, underwent angiography, vascularity was compared between angiographic images and those of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Enhancement of the lesion was observed in all patients with islet cell tumor and serous cystadenoma, in eight with mucin-producing tumor, and in three with chronic pancreatitis. However, no enhancement effect was observed in the patients with ductal cell carcinoma and those with pseudo-cyst. Comparison between the images of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography and angiographic images showed three patients in whom angiograms were hypovascular, but enhancement effect was observed on ultrasonographic images.

CONCLUSION

The combined evaluation of plain and enhanced images of endoscopic ultrasonography may be useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases.

Plasma natriuretic peptides as indicators of left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction

To investigate the relationship between natriuretic peptides and left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction, left ventriculography and blood sampling were performed on admission, after 1 month and after 3 months in 33 patients with acute myocardial infarction (15 anterior and 18 inferior). Plasma atrial and brain natriuretic peptide concentrations at 1 and 3 months were higher than those of controls (P<0.01). Brain natriuretic peptide concentrations correlated with changes in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index after 1 and 3 months (1 month: r=0.57, P=0.003; 3 months: r=0.47, P=0.006). Atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations also correlated with changes in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index after 1 and 3 months (1 month: r=0.40, P=0.02; 3 months: r=0.61, P<0.001). Our results indicate that natriuretic peptide concentrations increase in the chronic phase of acute myocardial infarction and may relate to left ventricular remodeling. Thus, atrial natriuretic peptide as well as brain natriuretic peptide concentrations may be useful biochemical markers in identifying asymptomatic patients at risk for heart failure or sudden death after acute myocardial infarction.

Paraphyletic status of Polychaeta suggested by phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequences of elongation factor-1 alpha

In order to judge whether or not Polychaeta is a paraphyletic group, I determined almost the entire amino acid sequence of elongation factor-1 alpha from thirteen polychaetes, two oligochaetes, two hirudineans, two vestimentiferans, and two molluscs. Phylogenetic analysis by the neighbor-joining (NJ) method and the maximum likelihood (ML) method indicated the monophyly of Clitellata (the oligochaetes and hirudineans). In both the NJ and ML trees, vestimentiferans and clitellates were derived from polychaetes independently. The present results strongly suggest that Polychaeta is a paraphyletic group.

Effects of codeine on the agitating force and gastrointestinal transit time in dogs, for use in drug absorption studies

Drug absorption studies using dogs have been difficult because of different gastrointestinal(GI) conditions between dogs and humans, including dogs' shorter intestinal transit time and strong agitation force in the GI tract. We attempted to modify the agitation force and GI transit time in dogs using codeine. The agitation force was examined based on the in vitro/in vivo correlation for a CR tablet of acetaminophen showing agitation-dependent release. Codeine improved the GI condition better than atropine or loperamide, employed previously.

Molecular cloning and expression of the canine metallothionein-III gene

We have isolated and determined the complete nucleotide sequence of canine metallothionein-III (MT-III) cDNA. The predicted amino acid sequence of the canine MT-III showed a high homology (93%, 87% identity) to that of human and mouse MT-III. The canine MT-III had 2 insertions relative to known mammalian MT-I and MT-II: a threonine after the 4th amino acid and a block of 6 amino acids near the carboxyl terminus. Expression of the canine MT-III mRNA was found exclusively in the central nervous system, where neurons in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus and cerebral cortex showed predominant signals.

Neuroanatomical correlates of the assessment of facial attractiveness

Frontal cortical damage can lead to changes in affective aspects of personality. However, the difficulty of dissociating such abnormalities from cognitive disorders has overshadowed most previous findings. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured with positron emission tomography (PET) while normal subjects were assessing facial attractiveness. Two left frontal regions showed a significant increase in rCBF while assessing facial attractiveness. The increased rCBF in the left anterior frontal cortex correlated with the overall percentage of assessments of a face as unattractive, while that in the left fronto-temporal junction correlated with the percentage of assessments of a face as attractive. These findings provide direct evidence that the left frontal regions are engaged in the assessment of facial attractiveness.

Construction of mono- and bivalent human single-chain Fv fragments against the D antigen in the Rh blood group: multimerization effect on cell agglutination and application to blood typing

An expression system for mono- and bivalent single-chain Fv fragments (scFv) of a human antibody against D antigen in the Rh blood group system was established in Escherichia coli. The cDNA encoding the Fv fragment of the anti-D monoclonal antibody D10 was cloned using the polymerase chain reaction and expressed in E.coli by fusing with a peptide tag link in the C-terminus of the light chain variable region. The scFv fragment expressed by the bacteria produced specific agglutination of human D positive red cells in the presence of an anti-peptide tag antibody. Flow cytometric analysis clearly indicated that the bacterially prepared scFv showed high specificity and affinity for D antigen, which was identical with that of the parental IgG. In order to construct bivalent D10 scFv for use in direct cell agglutination, the scFv was fused with a dimeric protein, bacterial alkaline phosphatase (BAP). The fusion protein produced significant agglutination of human red blood cells with D antigen, confirming that the bacterially expressed fusion protein is a functional bivalent antibody fragment. Specific agglutination of D positive red cells by D10 scFv-BAP was enhanced in the presence of anti-BAP antibody, suggesting that further multimerization of scFv led to highly efficient cell agglutination. By grafting BAP enzymatic activity into the scFv fragment (enzyme-linked scFv), blood typing could conveniently be performed. These results indicate that bacterially expressed scFv and scFv-BAP would be of practical use in blood typing. The system reported here could also be applied to the examination of other cell surface antigens and cell agglutination.

Localization of metallothionein-I and -II in hypertrophic astrocytes in brain lesions of dogs

To study the neurophysiological functions of metallothioneins (MTs), localization of MT-I and -II was examined immunohistochemically in a variety of brain lesions in dogs, including infarct, laminar cortical necrosis, hemorrhage, invasive growth of tumour, inflammatory lesions in granulomatous meningoencephalitis and distemper encephalitis. MT-I and -II were demonstrated in both nucleus and cytoplasm of hypertrophic astrocytes in most brain lesions examined regardless of the type, size, localization and duration of the lesions. In addition, MT expression was stronger in a population of hypertrophic astrocytes localizing inside of the surviving brain tissue rather than those localizing at the boundary between the surviving brain tissue and necrotic area, where severe inflammatory changes were developing. These results suggest that MT-I and -II may play roles not only in protection of neurons from metals and free radicals ubiquitous in the inflammatory lesions but also in repair of injured neural tissues.

Treatment of MPS VII (Sly disease) by allogeneic BMT in a female with homozygous A619V mutation

A 12-year-old girl with Sly disease (mucopolysaccharidosis VII; beta-glucuronidase deficiency), who is homozygous for the A619V mutation, had a successful allogeneic BMT, donored by an HLA-identical unrelated female to replace the deficient enzyme. Within 5 months after BMT, the enzyme activity of the recipient's lymphocytes increased to normal range. No signs of acute or chronic GVHD were observed. For the successive 31 months post-BMT, beta-glucuronidase activity in her lymphocytes was maintained at almost normal levels and excretion of glycosaminoglycans in the urine was greatly diminished. Ultrastructural findings demonstrated no abnormal vacuoles and inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm of her rectal mucosal cells. Coincident with the restoration of the enzyme activity, clinical improvement was dramatic. Especially notable were improvements in motor function. The patient was able to walk alone for a long time without aid, and she even became able to ride a bicycle and take a bath. In addition, recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract and the middle ears decreased in frequency and severity, and dyspnea on exertion, severe snoring and vertigo have substantially improved. Thus, allogeneic BMT in this patient produced a better quality of life and provided a more promising outlook.

Detection of bcr/abl fusion transcripts by semiquantitative multiplex RT-PCR combined with a colormetric assay in Ph positive leukemia

We studied the feasibility of the clinical application of a new bcr/abl analysis system, C-TRAK t(9;22), consisting of a multiplex RT-PCR and a colormetric assay. With this system, bcr/abl transcripts could be detected in all of 24 cytogenetic Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) positive leukemia patients and in none of eight Ph negative patients. Multiple bcr/abl transcripts could be detected in three of the 24 Ph positive patients, the fusion of bcr exon 1 to abl exon 2 (e1a2 junction) dominated that of bcr exon 13 to abl exon 2 (b2a2 junction) in two cases and that of bcr exon 14 to abl exon 2 (b3a2 junction) and b2a2 dominated e1a2 in one case. This system was sensitive enough to be able to detect even one bcr/abl transcript-producing cell in 50000 bcr/abl negative background cells, thus making it suitable for semiquantitative evaluation. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was monitored in one Ph positive leukemia patient who underwent allogenic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). After allo-BMT, a weak positivity of the bcr/abl transcript continued with no clinical relapse; this result was consistent with that of a conventional nested PCR assay using ethidium bromide staining. Including all the procedures for RNA extraction, it took only about 10 h to detect the bcr/abl transcripts. Our findings indicate that this bcr/abl analysis system provides a quick and sensitive method for screening bcr/abl transcripts and possibly for monitoring MRD in Ph positive leukemia patients.

Retrograde multiple and multifiber accessory pathway conduction in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: potential precipitating factor of atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION

The determinants of susceptibility to atrial fibrillation (AF) and the existence of accessory pathway conduction have remained unidentified in the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that excitation inputs into the atrium over a retrograde multiple or multifiber accessory pathway during AV reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) could precipitate initiation of AF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two hundred fifty consecutive patients with WPW syndrome underwent electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency catheter ablation. The patients were classified into two groups according to the study results: 29 with retrograde multiple or multifiber accessory pathway (MP) and 221 with retrograde single accessory pathway (SP). Compared with the SP patients, the MP patients showed a significantly higher incidence of clinical AF (MP vs SP: 19/29 vs 51/221, P < 0.01), induced AF (12/29 vs 32/221, P < 0.01), and initiated AF during ventricular pacing and AVRT (10/12 vs 17/32, P < 0.05). There were no differences between the two groups in incidence of clinical and induced AVRT (24/29 vs 200/221 and 25/29 vs 206/221, respectively), mean cycle length of induced AVRT, or electrophysiologic parameters of the accessory pathway. AF inducibility during AVRT or ventricular pacing was eliminated by partial ablation in 7 of 10 patients with MP. After total ablation, the incidence of induced AF was similar between the two groups (MP vs SP: 1/29 vs 11/221).

CONCLUSION

The existence of a retrograde multiple or multifiber accessory pathway in patients with WPW syndrome is associated with a higher incidence of clinical and induced AF. Successful ablation of the retrograde multiple or multifiber accessory pathway can eliminate the induction of both AVRT and AF.

Acute myocardial infarction with simultaneous occlusions of two major coronary arteries in a young man

Simultaneous formation of the thrombi in two different coronary arteries is a very rare event. We present a 34-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction due to simultaneous occlusion of the two major coronary arteries. His only risk factor was smoking 40 cigarettes daily. Emergency arteriography revealed a total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx). We performed primary angioplasty to the LAD and instituted thrombolytic therapy to the LCx. During intra-aortic balloon pumping and medical treatment, the patient had no symptoms of angina. He underwent a second catheterization 4 weeks after primary angioplasty. After intravenous ergonovine provocation, coronary arteriography revealed diffuse vasospasm of the LAD and the LCx. These data suggest that habitual heavy smoking and coronary spasm may have been causatory factors for myocardial infarction in this case.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome after allogeneic or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for childhood malignancies

Of 193 children who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for various malignancies, 10 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) 1 1/2-5 months later. All 10 had microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and impaired renal function. Six of 10 presented with pericardial effusion, while three presented with hypertension. No child required plasma exchange, and all patients have survived without life-threatening long-term sequelae. By univariate analysis, the underlying diagnosis of neuroblastoma and a history of cisplatin (CDDP) administration were significantly associated with the development of HUS (P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis using logistic regression, neuroblastoma and use of total body irradiation (TBI) as a conditioning regimen were significant contributing factors for HUS (P = 0.0001 and 0.036, respectively). Although CDDP administration could not be evaluated because of its strong correlation with the underlying diagnosis, we speculate that CDDP may enhance the nephrotoxicity of TBI, leading to a high incidence of HUS in patients with neuroblastoma.

Plasma levels of adrenomedullin in patients with acute myocardial infarction

1. Adrenomedullin, a newly identified vasorelaxant peptide, participates in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. To investigate the pathophysiological significance of adrenomedullin in patients with acute myocardial infarction, we measured plasma levels of adrenomedullin. 2. Cardiac catheterization was performed on admission, after 1 day, and after 4 weeks in 36 patients with acute myocardial infarction. We measured plasma levels of adrenomedullin, atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide in the right atrium, pulmonary artery and aorta. 3. Plasma levels of adrenomedullin in the right atrium (mean +/- SEM) were significantly increased on admission (4.2 +/- 2.6 h) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (10.6 +/- 1.0 pmol/l) compared with controls (5.2 +/- 0.3 pmol/l, P < 0.01). In addition, plasma levels of adrenomedullin were further elevated in patients with congestive heart failure (12.3 +/- 1.4 pmol/l) compared with patients without congestive heart failure (7.8 +/- 0.6 pmol/l, P < 0.01). In patients with congestive heart failure, plasma adrenomedullin on admission significantly correlated with atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide. 4. These results suggest that plasma adrenomedullin increases in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction and that volume expansion may be one of the additional stimuli for the release of adrenomedullin in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by congestive heart failure.

Effect of high molecular mobility of poly(vinyl alcohol) on protein stability of lyophilized gamma-globulin formulations

The protein stability of lyophilized serum gamma-globulin (BGG) formulations containing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and dextran was studied in relation to the molecular mobility as determined by proton NMR. The critical temperature, Tmc, at which the Lorentzian relaxation process due to liquid polymer protons appears in these lyophilized formulations was lower than the glass transition temperature, Tg. Above Tmc, protein aggregation in the formulations was related to the Tmc according to the Williams-Landel-Ferry equation by replacing Tg with Tmc. Protein aggregation appears to occur substantially in a "rubbery-like" state even below Tg, if the formulations become microscopically liquidized above Tmc. Lyophilized BGG formulations containing PVA with a lower water content were less stable than those containing dextran with a higher water content. The difference in stability can be explained by the difference in the Tmc of these formulations. Tmc that is determined by NMR relaxation measurement appears to be a useful parameter for the characterization of protein formulations, for which the Tg cannot generally be determined by standard calorimetric techniques. Furthermore, Tmc appears to be more closely related to protein stability than does Tg.

Solution structure of Der f 2, the major mite allergen for atopic diseases

House dust mites cause heavy atopic diseases such as asthma and dermatitis. Among allergens from Dermatophagoides farinae, Der f 2 shows the highest positive rate for atopic patients, but its biological function in mites has been perfectly unknown, as well as the functions of its homologs in human and other animals. We have determined the tertiary structure of Der f 2 by multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Der f 2 was found to be a single-domain protein of immunoglobulin fold, and its structure was the most similar to those of the two regulatory domains of transglutaminase. This fact, binding to the bacterial surface, and other small pieces of information hinted that Der f 2 is related to the innate antibacterial defense system in mites. The immunoglobulin E epitopes are also discussed on the basis of the tertiary structure.

[Assessment of stability variation among batches, packaging, and formulations--application of matrixing and bracketing]

Assessment of shelf-life equivalence among batches, packaging or formulations of pharmaceutical products, which was based on the range of shelf-life estimates, was proposed as an alternative method to an analysis of variance (ANOVA). The power of this analysis was not significantly affected by assay error, whereas that of ANOVA decreased markedly as assay error increased. Thus, ANOVA exhibites a tendency to overlook the stability variation from stability data of a larger assay error, but this is not the case for the proposed method.

Therapeutic effects of water-soluble echinocandin compounds on Pneumocystis pneumonia in mice

The therapeutic effectiveness of water-soluble echinocandin compounds obtained from Coleophoma empetri F-11899, which has a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of fungi, was examined in nude mice with experimental Pneumocystis pneumonia. The studies demonstrated the potential usefulness of the compounds.

Inhibitory effects of prior low dose X-ray irradiation on Fe(3+)-NTA-induced hepatopathy in rats

Blood activities of hepatocellular enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) peaked at 12 hours after a single intraabdominal injection of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe(3+)-NTA) in rats. Enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and leucin amino peptidase (LAP) originating in the capillary bile ducts or bile secretory liver cells were also released into the blood between 6-24 hours after intraabdominal injection of Fe(3+)-NTA in rats. Furthermore, hyperoxidation of lipids occurred in rat hepatic cell membranes, reaching a peak 6 hours after intraabdominal injection of Fe(3+)-NTA. It was found that a single prior 0.5 Gy whole body X-ray irradiation significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and suppressed above-mentioned symptoms of transient hepatopathy in rats.

Effect of postural change on urine volume and urinary sodium excretion in diabetic nephropathy

Fluid retention develops relatively early in the renal insufficiency of patients with diabetic nephropathy. The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of postural change on urine volume and urinary sodium excretion in diabetic nephropathy. Subjects consisted of 16 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (five with diabetic nephrotic syndrome [DNS], five with nonnephrotic overt diabetic nephropathy [NNODN], and six without overt diabetic nephropathy [ODN]) and 11 patients with nondiabetic renal diseases (five with nondiabetic nephrotic syndrome [NDNS] and six without nephrotic syndrome). Patients were studied during 60 minutes of recumbency, followed by 60 minutes of standing. Mean blood pressure decreased in the standing posture only in patients with DNS and nondiabetic renal diseases. Urine volume decreased in the standing posture in the three groups of diabetic patients. Urine volume showed no changes in the standing posture in nondiabetic patients with and without nephrotic syndrome. The decreases in mean blood pressure and urine volume and the percentage decrease in creatinine clearance were significantly larger in patients with DNS than in those with NDNS and NNODN. The increase in free water clearance was significantly smaller in patients with DNS than in those with NDNS and NNODN. Urinary sodium excretion decreased in the standing posture in diabetic and nondiabetic patients, while no differences in the magnitude of changes were noted among patients with NDNS, NNODN, and DNS. It is concluded that the standing posture causes a greater decrease in urine volume due to orthostatic hypotension in patients with DNS compared with those with NDNS and NNODN, and that the presence of orthostatic hypotension in patients with DNS is likely responsible for the greater fluid retention of this group compared with other nephrotic patients with similar degrees of hypoalbuminemia.

The mechanisms of nickel uptake by rat primary hepatocyte cultures: role of calcium channels

The present study was designed to clarify the mechanism of nickel (Ni) uptake in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Exposure of the hepatocytes to Ni (2-50 microM; as NiCl2) for up to 6 h was not cytotoxic, as assessed by the tetrazolium-based dye (MTT) assay. Hepatocytes were treated with 10 microM NiCl2 in the absence or presence of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) (1 mM). Ni uptake was increased by 19% in medium lacking Mg or Ca and was increased by 37% in Ca- and Mg-free medium. The role of Ca channels on Ni uptake by the hepatocytes was investigated. Pretreatment with nicardipine or verapamil (200 microM), potent inhibitors of Ca channels, decreased Ni uptake by 20%. This effect was only observed when the cells were incubated in the absence of Ca. Pretreatment with vasopressin (100 nM), a well-known Ca channel agonist, significantly increased Ni uptake by the hepatocytes (24%). To determine the involvement of carrier-mediated processes on Ni uptake, the effect of temperature was also investigated. At 4 degrees C the Ni uptake was decreased by 20% compared to uptake at 37 degrees C. These results indicate that Ni uptake by the hepatocytes occurs, at least in part, through the Ca channel transport processes. Further study will be required to assess what other mechanisms are involved.

A close association between brain lacuna infarction and renal surface irregularity

This study was undertaken to examine the association between brain lacunae examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the severity of renal ischemia, evaluated by computed tomography (CT). We reviewed 114 cases, out of 1694 brain MRI studies and 2861 kidney CT studies undertaken between May 1994 and March 1996 in which both brain MRI and kidney CT were examined. Brain lacunae were defined as low intensity areas between 5 mm and 10 mm in diameter with the T1-weighted image. The severity of irregularity of the renal surface was classified as one of three grades: absent, mild, or severe. The prevalence of brain lacunae in cases with the renal surface irregularity classified as absent, mild, or severe was six of 45, 14 of 45, and 17 of 24, respectively. There was a highly significant relationship (P < .001) between the prevalence of brain lacunae and the severity of the renal surface irregularity. This relationship persisted, even when the subjects were restricted to include hypertensive patients > 60 years old. The irregularity of the renal surface is mainly caused by ischemia due to arteriosclerosis in the renal arteries. The results reported here suggest that brain lacuna infarcts are closely associated with renal ischemia, implicating a causative role of renal ischemia for brain lacunae.