Enteroglucagon. A putative humoral factor inducing pancreatic hyperplasia after proximal small bowel resection

The present study evaluated pancreatotrophic factors after massive small bowel resection. Specifically, we examined the role of enteroglucagon in compensatory pancreatic hyperplasia after proximal small bowel resection (PSBR) by using rats fed a fiber-free elemental diet or an elemental diet containing pectin. PSBR increased the net pancreatic weight as well as the protein, DNA, RNA, and amylase contents, and elevated plasma enteroglucagon levels. Pectin addition to the diet provoked a further increase in these parameters and significant positive correlations were found between the plasma enteroglucagon levels and the protein, DNA, and RNA contents of the pancreas. Plasma gastrin and CCK levels were not affected by the small bowel resection. These results indicate that enteroglucagon may exert a potent trophic effect on the pancreas after PSBR.

Serum levels of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in patients with chronic pancreatitis

To investigate the role played by cytokines in chronic pancreatitis, we examined serum levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 33 patients with definitively diagnosed chronic pancreatitis. All the patients, who had received either no treatment or only digestive enzyme products for their chronic pancreatitis, had significantly elevated serum IL-1 beta levels (38.5 +/- 28.8 pg/ml, mean +/- SD), compared to normal controls (16.0 +/- 6.7 pg/ml; P < 0.01); however they showed no changes in serum IL-6 levels. Changes in IL-1 beta and IL-6 serum levels were not correlated with the etiological features of pancreatitis or with complications due to liver diseases. Serum IL-1 beta and IL-6 levels were also not correlated with the activity of any pancreatic enzymes in blood or urine. However, in the patients with chronic pancreatitis, serum IL-6 levels were correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP), whereas serum IL-1 beta levels were not correlated with CRP or with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These results suggest that serum IL-1 beta is involved in the progression and reduction of chronic inflammation of the pancreas, and that the serum IL-1 beta level may be useful as a marker for chronic pancreatitis.

[Effects of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 on pancreatic exocrine function in vivo and in vitro in rat experiments]

The effects of exogenous and endogenous prostaglandin on rat pancreatic exocrine function were investigated in vivo and in vitro. Under stimulation by endogenous CCK or exogenous caerulein, protein output was significantly reduced by intravenous drip infusion of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (DMPGE2), and under stimulation by exogenous secretin, volume and bicarbonate output were markedly reduced by DMPGE2. Amylase release from isolated pancreatic acini was significantly reduced by DMPGE2 under stimulation by 10(-11)-3 x 10(-11) M CCK-8, and was not influenced by DMPGE2 under stimulation by secretin or by indomethacin under stimulation by caerulein. Basal amylase release was not influenced by DMPGE2 or indomethacin. Basal cellular cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP contents were not influenced by DMPGE2, and elevated cyclic GMP content under stimulation by caerulein was significantly reduced by DMPGE2. These findings suggest that pancreatic enzyme secretion is reduced by DMPGE2 under stimulation by physiological or pharmacological concentration of CCK, and one of which mechanism is direct effect of DMPGE2 on pancreatic acini, may be coupling with phosphatidylinositol breakdown system and without cyclic AMP.

Evaluation of diamine oxidase activity (DAO) in the rat intestinal mucosa by measuring expired 14CO2 after oral administration of 14C-putrescine

This study was performed to investigate whether mucosal diamine oxidase activity could be assessed by measuring expired 14CO2 after oral administration of 14C-putrescine. Immediately after giving 5 mu Ci of 14C-putrescine, the 14CO2 was collected at 1-h intervals for 8 h into a vial containing 1 ml of 10 mM hyamine hydroxide, 2 ml of ethanol, and an appropriate amount of phenolphthalein dye. The expired 14CO2 caused the color to disappear. The amount of 14CO2, determined by scintillation counting, reached a maximum 1 h after 14C-putrescine administration, and gradually decreased thereafter. A positive correlation between the mucosal diamine oxidase activity and the maximal expired 14CO2 value was obtained. There is no doubt that this test can be used to easily detect mucosal DAO activity and avoid the necessity of mucosal biopsy.

The trophic effects of long chain triglycerides on the atrophic ileal mucosa of rats

Rats with atrophic intestinal mucosa due to enteral nutrition supplied by an elemental diet (ED) for 4 weeks or more, received a fat-enriched ED containing 10% long chain triglycerides (10% FED) orally. The atrophic ileal mucosa became trophic 4 weeks after administration of the 10% FED. Ornithine decarboxylase activity in the ileal mucosa increased 3 days after the administration of 10% FED. Rats with atrophic intestinal mucosa that had undergone a 70% proximal jejunoileectomy, received an oral ED containing 4% long chain triglycerides (4% FED). In the jejunoileectomized rats, marked proliferation of the remaining ileum was observed irrespective of diet, when compared with the transected control group. In the transected group, the 4% FED had trophic effects on the ileum, but in the jejunoileectomized group, the 4% FED had no significant trophic effect on the remaining ileum. In conclusion, long chain triglycerides had mild trophic effects on ileal mucosa and were effective in the treatment of atrophic intestinal mucosa. However, the trophic effects of fat were apparently masked by the marked proliferation of the ileal mucosa following jejunoileectomy.

[Effect of KSG-504, a new synthetic cholecystokinin receptor antagonist on ethionine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats]

KSG-504, a new synthetic cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonist derived from proglumide, has superior selectivity and affinity to CCK-A receptors. We have investigated the effect of KSG-504 on ethionine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats and the influence of endogenous CCK on evolution of pancreatitis and regeneration of pancreatic acinar cells. Reduction of pancreatic proteins and digestive enzyme contents was dose-dependently prevented by subcutaneous administration of KSG-504. The inhibition of evolution of pancreatitis was demonstrated histologically in KSG-504 treated rats. The effect of KSG-504 on pancreatic regeneration was evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine labeling index (B.L.I.) of acinar cells. There was no significant difference of B.L.I. between KSG-504 treated and non-treated rats. These results suggest that KSG-504 has a beneficial effect on ethionine-induced acute pancreatitis by blockade of endogenous CCK.

Differential cytokine regulation of complement C3, C4, and factor B synthesis in human intestinal epithelial cell line, Caco-2

In the intestinal tract, the local synthesis of C3 and components of both the classical (C4) and alternative (factor B) C activation pathway has previously been demonstrated in vivo. However, the cellular source of this local C synthesis has not been identified. In this study, we demonstrated the syntheses of C3, C4, and factor B in the human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2, which is regarded as a good experimental model of normal human intestinal epithelial cells. The results of metabolic labeling experiments indicated that the intra- and extracellular molecular sizes and subunit structures of Caco-2-derived C3, C4, and factor B were compatible with previously reported values for these components in other cells. The functional activities of C3 and C4 in the supernatants were also demonstrated by hemolytic titration assay. Furthermore, C syntheses in this line were independently upregulated by several human cytokines: C3 synthesis was dose-dependently enhanced by the addition of IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha; C4 synthesis was enhanced by the addition of IL-6 or IFN-gamma in the same manner; and the addition of IL-1 beta or IL-6 also induced a dose-dependent increase in factor B synthesis. These enhancing effects were confirmed to be specific for individual cytokines by experiments using anti-human cytokine antibodies. It is likely that intestinal epithelial cells are local production sites of C3, C4, and factor B, and that local C syntheses in the intestine are independently regulated by several cytokines, derived from monocytes/macrophages and T cells resident in the mucosal microenvironment.

Differential cytokine regulation of complement C3, C4, and factor B synthesis in human intestinal epithelial cell line, Caco-2

In the intestinal tract, the local synthesis of C3 and components of both the classical (C4) and alternative (factor B) C activation pathway has previously been demonstrated in vivo. However, the cellular source of this local C synthesis has not been identified. In this study, we demonstrated the syntheses of C3, C4, and factor B in the human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2, which is regarded as a good experimental model of normal human intestinal epithelial cells. The results of metabolic labeling experiments indicated that the intra- and extracellular molecular sizes and subunit structures of Caco-2-derived C3, C4, and factor B were compatible with previously reported values for these components in other cells. The functional activities of C3 and C4 in the supernatants were also demonstrated by hemolytic titration assay. Furthermore, C syntheses in this line were independently upregulated by several human cytokines: C3 synthesis was dose-dependently enhanced by the addition of IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha; C4 synthesis was enhanced by the addition of IL-6 or IFN-gamma in the same manner; and the addition of IL-1 beta or IL-6 also induced a dose-dependent increase in factor B synthesis. These enhancing effects were confirmed to be specific for individual cytokines by experiments using anti-human cytokine antibodies. It is likely that intestinal epithelial cells are local production sites of C3, C4, and factor B, and that local C syntheses in the intestine are independently regulated by several cytokines, derived from monocytes/macrophages and T cells resident in the mucosal microenvironment.

[Effect of combination chemotherapy for elderly patients with malignant lymphoma]

The remedial effect in elderly patients with malignant lymphoma in two groups treated with combination chemotherapy, one including doxorubicin (ADM) (A group) and the other excluding ADM (V group) were compared. Forty patients aged 65 years or more with malignant lymphoma were entered from January 1982 to December 1991. The A group was made up of 10 patients and the V group of 18 patients. As to pathological classification, two of the A group had low grade malignancy lymphoma, four had intermediate grade and three had high grade. Four of the V group had low grade, eight had intermediate grade and five had high grade. In terms of clinical stage, three of the A group were in stage II, 3 in stage III and 4 in stage IV. Two of the V group were in stage II, 7 in stage III and 9 in stage IV. The effective rate for the A group was 90% and the V group was 61%. The survival rate over five years in the A group was 37.5% and 21.8% in the V group. There were no adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in the A group. No significant differences of effects were shown in this study, however, the A group showed a higher tendency in terms of the CR rate and the survival rate. Cases of early death during chemotherapy were few and the quality of life of the patients was raised by discharge in the A group. Combination chemotherapy including ADM appears to be satisfactory in aged patients with malignant lymphoma.

Effect of epidermal growth factor by different routes of administration on the small intestinal mucosa of rats fed elemental diet

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the rat small intestinal mucosa by three different routes of administration. Four-week-old rats were fed elemental diet for 4 weeks and were administered EGF either subcutaneously, intraluminally or intraperitoneally with mini-osmotic pumps for a week. Intraperitoneal administration of EGF resulted in a significant increase of mucosal wet weight, mucosal content of protein and DNA, villus height, crypt depth and crypt cell production rate. Intraluminal or subcutaneous administration of EGF tended to increase those morphological and proliferative parameters, but did not cause any significant change. We conclude that EGF caused the hyperplasia of the small intestine of rats maintained on oral elemental diet and that this trophic effect was clearly shown by the intraperitoneal route of administration, rather than by the intraluminal route. These results suggest that EGF receptors located in the basal portion of crypt cells play a more important role than those located in the microvillous membrane.

The human colon cancer cell line CaCo-2 produces secretory components during enterocytic differentiation

A human colon cancer cell line CaCo-2 differentiates spontaneously by expressing enterocytic phenotypes after the confluence of the culture. The authors examined a production of secretory components (SC) by CaCo-2 in relation to its differentiation. The SC production showed an increase immediately after the cells came to confluence, and reached its peak production during the 6th to the 9th day after confluence of the culture. SC production decreased remarkably after the 10th day. On the other hand, the activity of alkaline phosphatase of CaCo-2 showed a gradual increase up to the 18th day after confluence. The production of SC was not affected by the presence of dimeric IgA in the culture. Interferon-gamma enhanced SC production of CaCo-2 with dose-dependent manner. These observations indicate that capability of SC production of CaCo-2 is enhanced in the early stage of differentiation but is reduced in the late stage. Moreover, CaCo-2 provides a useful model for studying the regulation of SC production in enterocytic differentiation.

Relationship between amino acid transport and protein synthesis in rat isolated pancreatic acini under stimulation with cholecystokinin

The effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK8) on amino acid transport and protein synthesis in the pancreatic acini were determined. The question of whether those effects differed between amino acid transport systems A and L was also investigated. The influx of alpha-[3H]aminoisobutyric acid (AIB, system A) and [14C]cycloleucine (system L) into isolated rat pancreatic acini and the incorporation of [14C]alanine (system A) and [3H]leucine (system L) into trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable protein in pancreatic acini were studied in the presence of various concentrations of CCK8. CCK inhibited the amino acid transport across the basolateral membrane of pancreatic acini. This effect was mediated by Ca2+, and was more responsive to amino acid transport system L than to A. CCK also inhibited protein synthesis in pancreatic acini in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of protein synthesis by CCK was thought to be mainly due to the inhibition of amino acid transport by CCK. Therefore, the predominant utilization of extracellular amino acids in protein synthesis was suggested.

Nutritional management of Crohn's disease with a peptide-based enteral formula

We examined a nutritional approach to the therapy of Crohn's disease with an enteral formula ('Enterued', Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) which contains low molecular weight peptides as a protein source. Total protein, albumin, transferrin, prealbumin and retinol-binding protein levels were significantly increased as indices of the nutritional status, when compared with those observed before treatment. White blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein (CRP) as the indices of inflammation levels were reduced significantly after the termination of the treatment, when compared with those observed before treatment. The International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) assessment scores decreased in all cases, except for one case out of 51 cases evaluated. Deterioration in nutritional status was not observed in any patient, but rather was maintained or improved; 42 out of the total 51 cases (82.4%) exhibited at least moderate improvement. Treatment was discontinued on account of side effects such as abdominal distension, abdominal pain and diarrhoea in five cases (8.1%). The enteral formula 'Enterued', utilizing low molecular weight peptides as a nitrogen source, appears to improve nutritional status and encourage remission of the inflammatory process with minimal side effects.

Effect of reconstituted basement membrane on growth and secretory function in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells

This study investigated the influence of extracellular matrix on growth and secretory function associated with cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells, using reconstituted basement membrane derived from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor. The cells were cultured with basement membranes of two different thickness, 1 mg/ml protein equivalent (thick RBM) and 50 micrograms/ml protein equivalent (thin RBM). In cells cultured with thin RBM, the secretory function and the number of CCK receptors increased, but cell growth did not increase significantly. Cells cultured with thick RBM showed remarkable cell growth, but secretory function and the number of CCK receptors were reduced. There was little change in CCK receptor affinity. It was concluded that the extracellular matrix plays a crucial role in the proliferation and differentiation of AR42J cells and further, the quantitative difference of matrix components strongly influenced the up- and down-regulation of CCK receptor in the cells via cell-matrix interaction.

Polydextrose and activities of brush-border membrane enzymes of small intestine in rats and glucose absorption in humans

We investigated the effect of polydextrose, one of the water-soluble non-digestible polysaccharides, on the activities of brush-border membrane enzymes of small intestine in rats and on glucose absorption with relation to the thickness of the unstirred water layer in humans. Rats were fed a 5% polydextrose-supplemented elemental diet for 2 or 4 wk. The mucosal alkaline phosphatase, maltase, and sucrase activities were measured in the upper, middle, and lower intestine. There was no significant difference between control and polydextrose groups. The potentiometric tube was inserted orally in the jejunum. Glucose absorption was measured by perfusion with the solutions with or without 5% polydextrose. There was no significant difference in the glucose absorption rate or the thickness of the unstirred water layer between control and polydextrose solutions. The increase in viscosity of the polydextrose solution was negligible. This study indicated that polydextrose had no effect on the thickness of the unstirred water layer and did not inhibit glucose absorption in humans.

[A case of amylase producing lung cancer]

The patient was a 72-year-old man, who was admitted to our hospital because of cough. Chest X-rays showed a mass shadow in the right lower lung field. Amylase activities in serum and urine were extremely high. Amylase isozyme pattern identified salivary type amylase. Cytological examination of the sputum suggested adenocarcinoma. Amylase activities in serum and urine gradually decreased with the administration of chemotherapy. Afterwards, pleural effusion increased, and the amylase activity in pleural fluid was also extremely high. Pleural fluid also showed adenocarcinoma. Enzyme-labeled antibody method (PAP) on this specimen from pleural fluid proved that tumor cells were producing amylase ectopically.

Effect of intrinsic CCK and CCK antagonist on pancreatic growth and pancreatic enzyme secretion in pancreaticobiliary diversion rats

When pancreaticobiliary diversion (PBD) surgery was performed in rats, plasma CCK level increased, the pancreas grew mainly by proliferation, and pancreatic trypsinogen showed a remarkable increase, although amylase and lipase synthesis were somewhat decreased. The sensitivity of amylase release against CCK-8 in the pancreatic acini decreased when plasma CCK level was high. These changes in pancreatic growth and pancreatic enzyme secretion caused by PBD were completely inhibited by the CCK-receptor antagonist loxiglumide. From these results, intrinsic CCK was considered to play an important role in both pancreatic enzyme synthesis and proliferation.

Treatment of ulcerative colitis with camostat mesilate, a serine protease inhibitor

We were able to induce and maintain remission with camostat mesilate, a serine protease inhibitor, in two patients with ulcerative colitis, to whom salicylazosulfapyridine could not be administered due to previous side effects. The enzymatic activity of proteases from granulocyte, pancreatic juice and bacteria is possibly harmful to the inflamed colonic mucosa. Camostat mesilate can be expected to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the damaged mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease.

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) enhances complement component C3 production by human monocytes/macrophages

The third complement component, C3, is an important factor in the host defense mechanism in which monocytes/macrophages participate as the primary phagocytes. Monocytes/macrophages are the principal extrahepatic producers of C3, and this C3 production is thought to be regulated by several cytokines. In the present study, we demonstrated that human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) enhanced C3 production by human peripheral monocytes in serum-free culture. Analytical immunoblot and ELISA showed that the presence of M-CSF increased the production of intracellular pro-C3 and extracellular C3 for 24 h in a dose-dependent manner. To confirm the rapid effect of M-CSF on C3 production, we performed metabolic labeling of C3 with [35S]methionine. The production of [35S]C3 for the first 6 h in the presence of M-CSF was also increased as compared to that in the absence of M-CSF. In addition to the previously reported effects of M-CSF on monocytes/macrophages, such as the enhancement of C3 receptor expression and C3 receptor-mediated phagocytosis, we consider that the effects of M-CSF demonstrated in this study are of importance in the local immune system organization of C3 and monocytes/macrophages.

[Multiple myeloma with a mass formation in a pacemaker pocket]

A 74-year-old female was diagnosed as having multiple myeloma in August 1989 and was treated with combined vincristine, melphalan and prednisolone. Subsequently, she was followed followed up in the outpatient clinic using interferon-alpha. On August 6, 1990, she had a transvenous demand pacemaker inserted because of severe atrioventricular block. The pulse generator was placed in a subcutaneous pocket in the left pectoral area. On February 3, 1991, she developed a mass overlying the pulse generator. This tumor was diagnosed as plasmacytoma by histological examinations. A myelogram showed 5.1% plasma cells with 5.5 x 10(4) nucleated cells/microliter. The amounts of serum protein and IgA M protein were 6.8 g/dl and 1.8 g/dl, respectively. The tumor responded to combined chemotherapy, but reenlarged to the initial size 3-4 weeks later. On August 6, 1991, this tumor, including the pulse generator was removed. By October 1991, the patient had systemic subcutaneous tumors and a right maxillary tumor suggesting the aggressive phase. On December 19, 1991, she died due to cardiac failure. In this paper the discussion focussed on the etiopathogenesis of plasmacytoma arising in the region of pulse generator pockets.

Promotion of healing by orally administered glutamine in elemental diet after small intestinal injury by X-ray radiation

Glutamine was administered orally to rats with damaged small intestinal mucosa as the result of injury by X-ray radiation at 10 Gy to the abdomen. The healing effects of glutamine on the injured mucosa were studied serially from the day of radiation (Day 0) to Day 4. The rats received two types of isocaloric elemental diet, Gln( + ) containing 2% glutamine and Gln( - ) containing no glutamine, by paired feeding. From Day 2 to Day 4, the wet weight, protein content, and DNA content of the jejunal mucosa were significantly greater in the Gln(+) than in the Gln(-) group. On Day 3, when the damage of the intestinal mucosa was the severest, the crypt cell production rate in the jejunum was significantly higher in the Gln(+) than in the Gln(-) group. The permeability of the intestinal mucosa to 51CrEDTA, administered to the rat stomach through an oro-gastric tube, remained significantly lower in the Gln( + ) group . Light microscopic findings showed that oedema in the lamina propria mucosae of jejunum and fusion of jejunal villi were milder in the Gln(+) group on Day 4. when the mucosal mass began to recover. The arterial and portal blood glutamine concentration, and glutamine extraction by the gut from arterial blood and phosphate-dependent glutaminase activity in the jejunal mucosa, were higher in the Gln(+) than in the Gln(--) group. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was increased in both the jejunum and the ileum from Day 3, but no difference was observed between the two groups. These findings suggest that, after X-ray radiation injury of the intestinal mucosa, the oral administration of the elemental diet containing 2% glutamine improved glutamine metabolism of the body, promoted the proliferation of jejunal epithelium, accelerated the recovery of the mucosal mass and the morphology of villi, and then contributed to maintaining the barrier function of the intestine from an early stage after the injury.

Trisomy 4 in a case of acute lymphocytic leukemia (L1)

Trisomy 4 has been identified previously as a chromosome abnormality associated with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) with myelomonocytic lineage and in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We report a case of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) (French-American-British, FAB L1) in a 42-year-old Japanese man, with trisomy 4 as the sole chromosomal anomaly. Immunophenotypically, the leukemic blasts demonstrated reactivity with CD2, CD5, and CD7 and indicated on early stage of T cell.

Effect of pectin on formyl methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-injured intestinal mucosa of rat

(1) We investigated the trophic effect of pectin on the intestinal mucosa injured by formyl methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), a chemoattractant produced by the intestinal bacterial flora. (2) We first demonstrated that oral administration of FMLP for 7 days reduced the disaccharidase activities and increased the permeability, measured by fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran, of rat small intestine. (3) After 7 days of FMLP administration, rats were divided into fiber-free group which was given liquid elemental diet (Elental) and the pectin group which was given Elental supplemented with 2.5% pectin. (4) After 3 days of feeding (Day 3), the maltase activities of the pectin group was significantly greater than that of the fiber-free group and than that of the initial level just after the 1 week administration of FMLP. At Day 7, there was no difference of maltase activity between the two groups. The sucrase activity of the pectin group was also significantly greater than that of fiber-free group at Day 3. (5) Plasma enteroglucagon was significantly increased in the pectin group. We conclude that pectin-supplemented diet promoted the recovery of disaccharidase activities in the FMLP-injured intestinal mucosa which may be mediated by enteroglucagon.

[Experimental study of the mechanism of auranofin-induced diarrhea]

To clarify the kinetics of cell membrane and intracellular mediators in the process of auranofin (AF)-induced diarrhea, we perfused electrolyte solution containing the oral gold preparation AF, which is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, through the rat jejunum, and studied net water and electrolyte transport, Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity, and c-AMP and c-GMP concentrations in the jejunal mucosa. In addition, change in Ca+ concentration in isolated intestinal cells was evaluated using fura-2-acetoxyl-methyl ester. AF significantly suppressed water and electrolyte transport. Mucosal secretion was increased due to elevation of the intracellular Ca+ concentration early in the perfusion period, then due to reduction in the Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity, and increase in the c-AMP concentration late in the perfusion period. Therefore, these cell membranes and intracellular mediators are considered to be involved in the mechanism of AF-induced diarrhea.

[Ileal absorption of various amino acids and dipeptides in rats administered cyclophosphamide--using the short-circuit current method]

Transport of amino acids; glycine, L-alanine, L-leucine, L-proline, L-lysine and dipeptides; gly-gly, gly-L-pro, gly-L-leu, L-leu-gly was investigated by measuring the short-circuit current in control rats and the rats 3 days after intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CPM) 300 mg/kg. For determining active transport using the short-circuit current method in injured intestinal epithelia the short-circuit current measured should be corrected for the decrease in the mucosal resistance of CPM group. Jmax values for transport of glycine and L-alanine in ileum are significantly decreased in CPM group than in control group. Contrariwise, there are no differences in Jmax values for peptides transport in ileum between two groups. The results indicate that the glycine transport carrier is more sensitive to CPM injury than the peptide transport carrier for glycine-containing dipeptide, suggesting the clinical usefulness of the peptide nutrition during chemotherapy.

[A study on the mechanism of indomethacin induced intestinal ulcer--from a viewpoint of unstirred water layer]

We subcutaneously injected indomethacin (IDM) to rats and evaluated its effects on the unstirred water layer (UWL) of the small intestine. One hour after IDM administration at a dose of 4, 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg, the thickness of UWL decreased dose-dependently. Serial measurement of UWL 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after the administration showed early thinning of UWL after 1-3 hours. Many IDM-induced ulcers were shown 24 hours after the injection of IDM at a dose of 10 mg/kg. However, in the group given food during the latter 3 hours between 12 and 15 hours after the drug administration, the number of ulcers was significantly decreased compared with those in the group given food ad libitum or in the group given food during the early 3 hours. When pectin, a soluble dietary fiber, was given together with solid stock food, ulcer formation was significantly inhibited. Synthesis of mucus glycoprotein by tissue organ culture was also decreased in the jejunum in the IDM-treated group. These results suggest that the formation of IDM-induced intestinal ulcer is related to the thing of intestinal UWL and the decrease of the synthesis of intestinal mucus glycoprotein.

Flow cytometric assay for phagocytosis of human monocytes mediated via Fc gamma-receptors and complement receptor CR1 (CD35)

We developed a simple flow cytometric assay for phagocytosis by human monocytes that is mediated via Fc gamma receptors and the complement receptor CR1 (CD35), using fluorescent latex beads carrying IgG and complement components C4b and C3b. To prepare fluorescent latex beads carrying IgG(BA), BSA-coated latex beads (B) were incubated with diluted rabbit anti-BSA IgG. To bind complement components, BA-particles were incubated with whole human serum pretreated with K-76 monocarboxylic acid (K-76COOH). K-76COOH inhibits the activities of C5 and factor I (12,13), resulting in the deposition of C1,4b,2a,3b on BA-particles (BAC1,4b,2a,3b). Further incubation of BAC1,4b,2a,3b with EDTA-GVB at 37 degrees C gave particles carrying IgG and C4b,C3b (BAC4b,3b). The C3 fragment, C3b, was confirmed to present on BAC1,4a,2a,3b particles by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot, and these particles were calculated to have approximately 25,000-30,000 C3b molecules per particle. To evaluate the particle attachment, the phagocytic assay was performed with 3 microM cytochalasin D treated cells. The percent cells with ingested particles and the number of ingested particles/100 cells for 60 min were estimated, being 5.1% and 5.4 for B, 12.3% and 26.7 for BA, 42.5% and 108.7 for BAC4b,3b, and 42.6% and 112.5 for BAC1,4b,2a,3b, respectively.

The trophic effect of epidermal growth factor on morphological changes and polyamine metabolism in the small intestine of rats

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the morphological changes and polyamine metabolism in the atrophic small intestinal mucosa of rats caused by feeding elemental diet (ED; Elental, Ajinomoto, Tokyo) for several weeks. Four-week-old Wistar male rats were given ad libitum ED (1 kcal/ml) for 4 weeks. The body weight increased to the same extent as the control group fed a pellet diet. However, the small intestine became atrophic: the mucosal wet weight of the jejunum decreased to 70%, while that of the ileum decreased to 60%. EGF (10 micrograms/kg) was subcutaneously injected into these rats every 8 hours. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activities of the jejunal and ileal mucosa rose within 12 hours of the initial EGF administration. Mucosal DNA specific activities tended to increase. Next, EGF (30 micrograms/kg/day) was intraperitoneally administered with a Mini-osmotic pump for one week. The wet weight, protein and DNA contents of the ileal mucosa increased significantly compared with those of the saline administered controls, while the crypt cell production rate (CCPR) also increased. Histologically, increases in both villus height and crypt depth were confirmed. These findings indicate that EGF causes mucosal proliferation through polyamine metabolism even in the atrophic small intestine of mature rats after ED administration for 4 weeks.

[Flow cytometric analysis of immunophagocytosis using sensitized fluorescent microspheres bearing C3b]

We analyzed the phagocytic activity of purified human monocytes using fluorescent latex beads sensitized with IgG or IgG.C3 by flow cytometry. To prepare IgG-sensitized latex beads (BA), BSA-coated latex beads (B) were incubated with diluted rabbit IgG anti-BSA. To bind complement components, BA were incubated with whole serum pretreated with K-76 monocarboxylic acid (K-76COOH). K-76COOH inhibits the activity of factor I and C5, resulting in deposition of C1, C4b, C2a, C3b on BA (BAC). Phagocytic activity was assessed by percent phagocytosis and phagocytic index (PI). To eliminate the effects of non-phagocytosed latex beads, subtraction of the data at 4 degrees C from 37 degrees C was performed. Percent phagocytosis for 60 min. was B 5.0%, BA 18.3%, and BAC 57.5%, and PI (ingested latex beads/100 cells) was B 7.9, BA 36.8, and BAC 152.7, respectively. In addition, K-76COOH caused dose dependent inhibition on IgG.C3 mediated phagocytosis. Comparison of inhibition pattern on BAC and BA indicated that K-76COOH directly inhibited C3.C3-receptor binding.

[Effect of pancreatico-biliary diversion on endogenous CCK secretion, pancreatic enzyme synthesis, and amylase release]

Pancreatico-biliary diversion (PBD) by jejunal transposition in rats caused pronounced hyperplasia of pancreas. The increase of pancreatic trypsinogen contents exceeded the pancreatic growth, while pancreatic lipase and amylase contents relatively reduced. The high level of plasma CCK at the early period of PBD gradually decreased. The plasma secretin levels remained unchanged for 14 days after PBD. The plasma CCK levels were not elevated in fasting, but increased after intrajejunal infusion of 0.1 N HCl or Clinimeal. In acini prepared from PBD rats, the responsiveness to CCK8 was decreased when amylase release was expressed relative to DNA. The dose-response curve for CCK8 was shifted 3 fold toward higher concentrations of CCK8 4 days after PBD, but on 7 and 14 days after PBD returned to the same curve as the transected rats (control).

Role of polyamines in the early adaptive response to jejunectomy in the rat: effect of DFMO on the ileal villus:crypt axis

To study the role of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine and of the enzymes controlling their synthesis (ornithine decarboxylase; ODC) and degradation (diamine oxidase; DAO) along the villus:crypt axis at the crucial early stage of the ileal adaptive response to jejunectomy, we measured polyamine concentrations and the activities of ODC, DAO and alkaline phosphatase (a marker of enterocyte maturity) in epithelial cells isolated by the Weiser technique from villus tips, mid villi, lower villi and crypts 4 days after surgery in transected control (TRC) and jejunectomised rats untreated or given the specific ODC blocker, alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine (DFMO, 2% in drinking water beginning 3 days before surgery). In the TRCs, there was a diminishing villus tip-to-crypt gradient not only in alkaline phosphatase but also in ODC and DAO activities. After jejunectomy, there were up to 93% increases in mean enterocyte ODC activity when compared with the corresponding cell fractions from the TRCs, but in both the control and jejunectomised rats, DFMO treatment markedly inhibited ODC activity (p less than 0.05-0.01) and reduced spermidine and particularly putrescine concentrations (p less than 0.005-0.001) in all four cell fractions. Only 4 days post-operation, jejunectomy stimulated a significant increase in ileal wet weight but DFMO treatment completely prevented this adaptive response and significantly reduced segmental intestinal weight (mg/cm) in the TRCs. These results (i) extend our knowledge of polyamines and related enzymes along the villus:crypt gradient in the normal intestine, (ii) provides the first data on these variables after resection, and (iii) lend further support to the hypothesis that changes in enterocyte ODC activity and in putrescine and spermidine concentrations play an important role in initiating the ileal adaptive response to proximal small bowel resection in the rat.

Effect of fasting and feeding on polyamines and related enzymes along the villus: crypt axis

Fasting and feeding have profound effects on crypt cell production and small bowel mucosal growth but the mechanism whereby food stimulates villus tip enterocytes to influence crypt cell production is unknown. We therefore measured the activities of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), diamine oxidase (DAO) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP--a marker of enterocyte maturity) and polyamine concentrations in epithelial cells from villus tips, mid villi, lower villi and crypts of small intestine in non-fasted controls and 18-24 h fasted rats. Fasting reduced crypt cell production and caused villus hyperplasia, DAO activity (mU/g) increased in control villus tips from 9.6 +/- (SEM) 0.8 to 12.3 +/- 1.5 after fasting (NS), from 7.6 +/- 0.4 to 13.9 +/- 3.0 in mid villi (p less than 0.01), from 5.7 +/- 1.0 to 10.4 +/- 7.4 in lower villi (p less than 0.01) and from 5.4 +/- 0.9 to 12.8 +/- 1.5 in the crypts (p less than 0.001). ALP showed a similar pattern of results. In contrast, fasting lowered ODC activity (pmol/mg protein/h) dramatically from 319 +/- 82 in control villus tips to 16.7 +/- 3.0 during fasting, from 297 +/- 59 to 10.7 +/- 3.6 in mid villi, from 224 +/- 45 to 6.3 +/- 2.8 in lower villi and from 150 +/- 31 to 5.8 +/- 3.3 in the crypts. Fasting reduced putrescine concentrations in all fractions but particularly in the crypts and in general was associated with increases in spermidine and spermine concentrations. The role of DAO in the maintenance of low putrescine concentrations during fasting is unclear.

Effects of pectin on fatty acid and glucose absorption and on thickness of unstirred water layer in rat and human intestine

Effects of pectin, a soluble dietary fiber, on fatty acid and glucose absorption were studied in vivo in rats and humans by perfusing the intestine with linoleic acid and glucose solutions with and without pectin. Linoleic acid and glucose absorption decreased with increasing concentrations of pectin. The reduction in linoleic acid absorption was not caused by binding of linoleic acids by pectin or impaired micelle formation due to binding of bile acid by pectin. The unstirred water layer expanded with increasing concentrations of pectin. These results suggest that enlargement of the unstirred water layer is closely associated with the reduction of absorption of fatty acid and glucose ingested with pectin.

[Study on the trophic effect of camostate mesilate on ethionine-induced pancreatic injury rat]

Pancreatic injury was induced to rats with intraperitoneal injection of ethionine 60 mg per 100 g BW twice or three times weekly for 6 weeks. These rats were given 100 mg/kg of Camostate mesilate (CM) via a gastric tube daily for 14 days. CM administration resulted in an increase of pancreatic wet weight, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of acinar cells, and an increase of exocrine pancreatic function. Acini prepared from CM and ethionine-treated rats exhibited increased response to caerulein, but decreased sensitivity to caerulein. The plasma CCK level in rats with CM administration 24 hours later was higher than that without CM administration. However, there were no significant changes in plasma CCK and secretin level thereafter. We concluded that CM had a trophic effect on the pancrease with ethionine-induced pancreatic injury, and CCK was considered playing the same role in injured pancreas as the normal rat pancreas. Studies using CCK receptor antagonist are needed for further clarification.

[Effect on uptake of D-glucose, L-leucine and L-leucylglycine into intestinal brush border membrane vesicles isolated from rats fed either oligopeptide or amino acid elemental diet]

The uptake of D-glucose, L-leucine and L-leucylglycine into intestinal brush border membrane vesicles isolated from rats was investigated. They were fed either oligopeptide (SP group) or amino acid (AA group) elemental diets for four weeks. The results are as follows. As for L-leucine uptake, there was no significant difference in Km value between SP group and AA group. But Jmax value of SP group is significantly 1.7 times as large as that of AA group. As for L-leucylglycine uptake, there was no difference in Km value between the two groups, but Jmax value of SP group is significantly about twice as large as that of AA group. There is however, no difference in Km value and Jmax value between the both groups. These results indicate that L-leucine and L-leucylglycine transport carriers in the brush border membrane significantly increased in SP group compared with that in AA group, and that these carriers might be induced by oligopeptides as intraintestinal substrate.

Effect of pectin, a soluble dietary fiber, on functional and morphological parameters of the small intestine in rats

We investigated the effects of pectin, a soluble dietary fiber, on functional and morphological parameters of the small intestine in rats. A control group and a pectin-fed group were given a fiber-free elemental liquid diet and an elemental liquid diet containing 2.5% (w/w) pectin, respectively, for 2 weeks. The ileal mucosal specific activities of maltase, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly in the pectin-fed group. Maltose absorption of the ileum, studied in vitro by the method of everted sacs and disaccharide-dependent potential difference, increased significantly in the pectin-fed group. The length of the small intestine as well as the villus height and crypt depth of both the jejunum and the ileum were significantly greater in the pectin-fed group. The crypt cell production rate of the jejunum and the ileum was also significantly greater in the pectin-fed group. Plasma enteroglucagon, but not gastrin, increased significantly in the pectin-fed group. These data suggest that pectin feeding results in hyperplasia of the small-intestinal mucosa and a significant increase in the enzyme activities of the brush border membrane of the ileum.

[Effect of feeding a small-peptide elemental diet on amino acid absorption and its mechanism--study by measuring the transmural potential difference in guinea-pig small intestine]

The effect of feeding a small-peptide elemental diet on brush border membrane aminopeptidase activities and amino acid absorption in guinea-pigs was investigated. The latter effect and its mechanism were studied by measuring the transmural potential difference. Aminopeptidase activities on brush border membrane were significantly higher in the group fed a small-peptide elemental diet (SP group) than in the group fed an amino acids elemental diet (AA group). In the SP group, the absorption of both glycyl-L-leucine and L-leucine was greater than that in the AA group. The increase of delta PDmax of L-leucine in the SP group indicated that the acceleration of mucosal uptake of an amino acid in the SP group was due to an increased number of carriers.

Clostridium ramosum, an IgA protease-producing species and its ecology in the human intestinal tract

A bacterial strain isolated from feces of a patient with ulcerative colitis, which had been shown to produce a novel immunoglobulin A (IgA) protease (cleaving both the human IgA1 subclass and IgA2 subclass of A2m(1) allotype) extracellularly, was identified as Clostridium ramosum. By using a selective medium (propionate-rifampicin-gentamicin-colimycin-polymyxin medium) devised for C. ramosum, analysis of the population level of this organism was performed to determine its ecology in the human intestinal tract. C. ramosum was isolated in 20 of 25 fecal samples (80%) from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (I.B.D.) and in 112 of 135 samples (83%) from patients without I.B.D. (control group). C. ramosum was also isolated from 6 of 11 biopsy samples (55%) of the inflamed rectal mucosa from patients with ulcerative colitis and from five of 15 samples (33%) from the intact mucosa of the control group. The population levels of C. ramosum in most of the biopsy samples ranged from 2.3 to 5.0 log10 per gram. The IgA protease-positive C. ramosum was found in only four of 135 fecal samples (3%) and one of 15 biopsy samples (6.7%) from the control group. These results indicate that IgA protease-positive C. ramosum is not likely to play a role in the induction of I.B.D., unless the organism is first isolated from the patient with I.B.D.

A novel IgA protease from Clostridium sp. capable of cleaving IgA1 and IgA2 A2m(1) but not IgA2 A2m(2) allotype paraproteins

Three bacterial strains of Bifidobacterium and Clostridium sp. from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (I.B.D.) and Streptococcus pneumoniae from a patient with pneumonia were identified to produce extracellular proteases cleaving IgA into Fab and Fc fragments. Although the proteases from the Bifidobacterium and the Streptococcus pneumoniae showed the characteristics of typical IgA1 proteases, cleaving the IgA of only the IgA1 subclass, the protease from Clostridium sp. revealed a dual substrate specificity, in that it cleaved both IgA1 and IgA2 of the A2m(1) allotype. The latter protease, however, did not show any activity with respect to the IgA2 of the A2m(2) allotype. Fc fragments isolated from the IgA1 and the IgA2 A2m(1) by digestion with the Clostridium sp. protease were identified to have an identical amino terminal residue of valine. The site of cleavage in both the alpha 1 and the alpha 2 of A2m(1) by the protease was assumed to be an identical peptide bond at Pro(221)-Val(222), which is a common one present just before the hinge of both the alpha 1 and the alpha 2 of the A2m(1) but not of the alpha 2 of the A2m(2). The protease was sensitive to ethylene-diamino tetraacetic acid, a chelating agent, similar to other already reported IgA1 proteases.

A novel IgA protease from Clostridium sp. capable of cleaving IgA1 and IgA2 A2m(1) but not IgA2 A2m(2) allotype paraproteins

Three bacterial strains of Bifidobacterium and Clostridium sp. from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (I.B.D.) and Streptococcus pneumoniae from a patient with pneumonia were identified to produce extracellular proteases cleaving IgA into Fab and Fc fragments. Although the proteases from the Bifidobacterium and the Streptococcus pneumoniae showed the characteristics of typical IgA1 proteases, cleaving the IgA of only the IgA1 subclass, the protease from Clostridium sp. revealed a dual substrate specificity, in that it cleaved both IgA1 and IgA2 of the A2m(1) allotype. The latter protease, however, did not show any activity with respect to the IgA2 of the A2m(2) allotype. Fc fragments isolated from the IgA1 and the IgA2 A2m(1) by digestion with the Clostridium sp. protease were identified to have an identical amino terminal residue of valine. The site of cleavage in both the alpha 1 and the alpha 2 of A2m(1) by the protease was assumed to be an identical peptide bond at Pro(221)-Val(222), which is a common one present just before the hinge of both the alpha 1 and the alpha 2 of the A2m(1) but not of the alpha 2 of the A2m(2). The protease was sensitive to ethylene-diamino tetraacetic acid, a chelating agent, similar to other already reported IgA1 proteases.

Experimental protein-losing gastroenteropathy: role of tissue plasminogen activator

The tissue fibrinolytic activity of intestinal mucosa was studied in rats with protein-losing gastroenteropathies experimentally produced by X-irradiation, 5-fluorouracil treatment, or ligation of the thoracic duct. The first two models showed an increase of fibrinolytic activity and of 131I-polyvinylpyrrolidone excretion and the third showed normal fibrinolysis. In addition, it was demonstrated that 131I-polyvinylpyrrolidone excretion in the first two groups was markedly reduced by injections of trans-4-aminomethyl cyclohexane carboxylic acid, a potent antiplasmin agent. This finding affords strong support to the authors' previous clinical observation that tissue fibrinolysis in the digestive mucosa plays an important role in the pathogenesis of protein-losing gastroenteropathy associated with diseases of the mucosa.

Tissue plasminogen activator in the pathogenesis of protein-losing gastroenteropathy

Tissue fibrinolytic activity, mainly due to activator of tissue plasminogen was increased in the biopsied gastric mucosa of patients with protein-losing gastropathy. Antiplasmin therapy with trans-AMCHA (trans-4-aminomethyl cyclohexane carboxylic acid) was dramatically effective, except in the case of a patient with intestinal lymphangiectasia. These findings suggest that increased fibrinolysis in the gastrointestinal mucosa may play an important role in enhancing mucosal permeability to plasma proteins.