Effect of peptide YY on gastric motor and secretory activity in vagally innervated and denervated corpus pouch dogs

In this study, we examined the mechanism by which constant intravenous infusion of physiological doses of PYY affects gastric secretion and motility in the vagally innervated (Pavlov) and denervated (Heidenhain) corpus pouch. As a result, only in the Heidenhain pouch, PYY at a dose of 100 pmol/kg-h significantly inhibited gastric secretion in the interdigestive and postprandial states. A dose of 300 pmol/kg-h inhibited the gastric secretion in both types of pouch, but inhibition in the Pavlov pouch was less than in the Heidenhain pouch. The inhibitory effect of PYY on phase III contractile activity was dose-dependent and significant, except in the Heidenhain pouch, and no dose of PYY had any effect on postprandial gastric motility. After all, vagal denervation enhanced the inhibitory effect of PYY on gastric secretion, but abolished the inhibitory effect on phase III contractile activity. Our findings strongly suggest that the inhibitory effect of PYY on gastric secretion is in part mediated by a non-vagal pathway and the inhibitory effect of PYY on gastric motor activities is completely dependent on vagal innervation, but the vagus nerve acts as an inhibitory modulator of the inhibitory effect of PYY on gastric secretion.

Role of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine in the regulation of gastric contractions by motilin in dogs

It has been suggested that 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptors are involved in the control of phase III contractions in the stomach. We examined the effect of depletion of endogenous 5-HT by p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) on spontaneously and motilin-induced phase III contractions in conscious dogs, and the effect of 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (5,6-DHT) in an isolated perfused dog stomach. Three-day treatment with pCPA significantly reduced plasma 5-HT concentration and 5-HT content in the stomach, and strongly suppressed the spontaneous and motilin-induced phase III contractions in the stomach. When spontaneous phase III contractions recovered in the stomach after a 3-day treatment, exogenous motilin induced typical phase III-like contractions, and the 5-HT content in the muscle layer was recovered to the normal pretreatment level. In the perfused stomach, 5,6-DHT decreased 5-HT content in the muscle layer alone and abolished motilin-induced contractions. In conclusion, endogenous 5-HT, probably in 5-HT neurons, plays an important role in the control of interdigestive phase III activity by motilin in the stomach.

[Chest wall reconstruction after the resection of primary chest wall tumors]

Between April 1983 and June 1994, we performed chest wall reconstructions on 9 patients (7 males and 2 females) out of 27 all of whom underwent the radical resection for the primary chest wall tumors. Histological diagnosis of tumors included 6 chondrosarcomas, 1 Ewing's sarcoma, 1 plasmacytoma and 1 giant cell tumor. Six lesions were located on the rib and 3 on the sternum. For the materials for reconstruction of the chest wall use a polyethylene plate in 2 patients, a Marlex mesh in 5 patients and a Marlex mesh with a methyl methacrylate utilizing the sandwich method in 2 patients. The polyethylene plate proved to be satisfactory for maintaining stability of the chest wall. However, our experience using this plate showed intensive foreign body reactions, and discovering these we have not use the polyethylene plate. Marlex mesh had an affinity with human tissue and was very easy to use and produced no complications. We use Marlex mesh for flat surfaces on the anterior or posterior chest wall. Marlex mesh and methyl methacrylate utilizing the sandwich method, combined the solidity and shaping of methyl methacrylate with the benefit such as easy fixation and excellent incorporation of the mesh.

Syringohydromyelia in Hajdu-Cheney syndrome

We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with typical manifestation of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome. MRI demonstrated syringohydromyelia involving almost the entire spinal cord, although neurological symptoms had not yet developed. Syringohydromyelia is considered to be a sequel to progressive basilar invagination and is one of the essential features of this rare osteolytic bone dysplasia.

Control of gallbladder contractions by cholecystokinin through cholecystokinin-A receptors in the vagal pathway and gallbladder in the dog

The mechanism of CCK action on gallbladder contractions in the physiological condition is unclear. Gallbladder contractions were monitored by means of chronically implanted force transducers in conscious dogs. Postprandial gallbladder contractions were partially inhibited by atropine and hexamethonium, and completely inhibited by devazepide. In vitro contractile response of canine gallbladder muscle strips to CCK-8 was also studied. CCK-8-induced muscle strip contraction was atropine and tetrodotoxin resistant, but was completely eliminated by devazepide. The existence of CCK receptors in the vagal nerve and gallbladder was examined by means of autoradiography. Forty-eight hours after ligation of the abdominal vagus, CCK-8 binding sites were found to accumulate in the subdiaphragmatic vagal nerve immediately proximal to the ligature, and similar binding sites were also found in the gallbladder smooth muscle layer. These binding sites were displaced by the addition of 10(-7) mol/1 unlabeled CCK-8 and devazepide, but L-365,260 had no effect. In conclusion, it is considerable that postprandial CCK-induced gallbladder contractions are controlled through CCK-A receptors both on the vagal nerve in stimulating endogenous release of acetylcholine and on the gallbladder directly to stimulate muscle contraction in the dog.

Elucidation of nucleus-cytoplasm interaction: change in ability of the nucleus to express sexuality according to clonal age in Paramecium

The expression of sexual activity in Paramecium caudatum is repressed for about 50 fissions after conjugation. The ability of the macronucleus to affect the expression of sexual activity according to the age of clonal development was investigated using the macronuclear fusion-reorganization method. When a mature macronucleus was transplanted into an immature cell and fused with a macronucleus in the immature cell, the clones derived from the recipient showed sexual immaturity. In a reverse experiment, an immature macronucleus was transplanted into a mature cell, and the clones also showed sexual immaturity. The ability of the macronucleus to transform mature cells to immature cells was clonal age-dependent. The characteristics of the immature-mature hybrid macronucleus indicate that the immature macronucleus is dominant over the mature macronucleus with respect to the ability to express sexual activity. On the other hand, in cells of the early immaturity period, the micronucleus, known as the germ nucleus, shows the ability to undergo meiosis and eventually to produce progeny under control of the mature macronucleus. The expression of sexual activity is thought to be governed by the clonal age of the macronucleus and not by the clonal age of the micronucleus or cytoplasm. The macronucleus seems to determine the ability to express sexual activity by counting post-conjugation divisions and keeping track of the age of the clone.

Stimulatory mechanism of EM523-induced contractions in postprandial stomach of conscious dogs

BACKGROUND & AIMS

EM523, a motilin agonist, is intended to be used as a gastroprokinetic during the postprandial period, but the mechanism(s) by which EM523 stimulates postprandial contractions in the stomach has not been studied before. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism of contraction-stimulating activity by EM523 in fed dogs.

METHODS

Contractile activity in the gastric antrum of 5 dogs was monitored using a long-term implanted force transducer and measured by integrating the area under the curve. Test materials were continuously infused or injected intravenously.

RESULTS

EM523 (1-30 micrograms/kg) induced a dose-dependent increase in fed-type contractions. EM523-induced contractile activity was partially inhibited by atropine, hexamethonium, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, and substance P antagonist. Atropine-resistant and EM523-induced contractions were further inhibited by 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and substance P antagonist, and the combined use of the two antagonists completely eliminated the atropine-resistant and EM523-induced contractions.

CONCLUSIONS

EM523-induced contractions in the fed stomach are quite different from phase III contractions in the fasted state and are mediated partially through the cholinergic pathway. The noncholinergic pathway involves 5-HT3 and neurokinin 1 receptors.

[A case of localized fibrous tumor of the pleura with bloody pleural effusion]

A 25-year-old female came to our hospital with the chief complaint of right dorsal pain. On her initial chest X-ray, the tumor (5 x 3 cm) was recognized in the right lower lung field. The tumor grew rapidly during the three month period between the initial X-ray taken on her first visit and her getting admitted in the hospital. A preoperative diagnosis was done by percutaneous aspiration biopsy. Initial diagnosis of spindle cell tumor was made. Partial resection of right lower lobe with chest wall resection was carried out. There were about 500 ml of bloody pleural effusion. Macroscopically, the tumor was encapsulated, measuring 8.0 x 6.0 x 5.0 cm. The cross section was of a yellowish brown solid tumor. The histological diagnosis was of a low grade malignant fibrous mesothelioma. Only 14 cases of localized mesothelioma with pleural effusion including our case have been reported in Japan. She is still alive nine months after surgery. This patient should be carefully followed for the recurrence of the disease.

Kinetics and mechanism of photocycloaddition of deoxyuridines to 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene

The mechanism of photocycloaddition of 2'-deoxyuridine (1a) and thymidine (1b) to 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (Bu) in acetonitrile by UV irradiation has been studied. The reciprocal quantum yield for the cycloaddition increased linearly with reciprocal concentrations of Bu in acetonitrile to give limiting quantum yields at infinite concentration of Bu as 0.030 and 0.0096 for 1a and 1b, respectively. This shows that the cycloaddition proceeds in a two-step mechanism between the triplet state of 1 and Bu through biradical intermediates. Addition of cis-1,3-pentadiene quenched the reaction obeying the Stern-Volmer equation. The above quenching experiments and laser transient spectroscopy revealed that the triplet state of 1a reacts with Bu with much larger rate constant (1.3-1.6 x 10(9) M-1 s-1) than that of 1b (4-5 x 10(7) M-1 s-1) reflecting larger steric hindrance exerted in the reaction of 1b than that of 1a.

Distribution of enteric neural peptide YY in the dog gastrointestinal tract

Various regions of the dog gastrointestinal tract were investigated for the distribution of peptide YY (PYY) neurons using immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. PYY neurons that encircled non-PYY-immunoreactive neurons were mainly observed in the myenteric plexus from the stomach to the colon. There was more PYY-like immunoreactivity in the muscle layer of the stomach and ileum than in the other intestines. The results of high performance liquid chromatography revealed that neural PYY-immunoreactive substance is identical to authentic PYY. PYY was not localized in the cholinergic neurons. These results indicate that PYY, as a neuropeptide, is involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal function.

Inhibition of motilin-induced phase III contractions by pentagastrin in Heidenhain pouch dogs

We compared the inhibitory effects of histamine and pentagastrin (PG) on motilin-induced upper gastrointestinal phase III activity in conscious dogs that had surgically prepared Heidenhain pouchs (HP). Contractile activity was measured by means of chronically implanted force transducers, and changes in pH of the perfusate through the HP were monitored simultaneously. Intravenous infusion of PG (4 micrograms/kg-hr) inhibited motilin-induced phase III activity both in the main stomach and in the HP, whereas histamine (40 micrograms/kg-hr) inhibited activity only in the main stomach. Famotidine (0.3 mg/kg, i.v., the dose that completely inhibited gastric acid secretion by PG or histamine) blocked the inhibition of phase III activity induced by histamine but did not affect PG-induced inhibition. L-364,718 (1 mg/kg, i.v.), which had no effect on the PG-induced decrease in the pH of the perfusate lowered by PG, reversed the inhibition of phase III activity by PG in the HP but not in the main stomach. However, L-364,718, when combined with famotidine, potently reversed the PG-induced inhibition of phase III activity both in the main stomach and in the HP. These results show that the inhibitory effect of PG on motilin-induced phase III activity is brought about by two distinctive mechanisms, gastric acid and the cholecystokinin receptors-dependent mechanism, whereas the histamine-induced inhibition is mediated only by gastric acid. In the vagally denervated HP, however, gastric acid is not involved in an inhibitory effect of PG.

Pathologic dislocation of the hip in von Recklinghausen's disease: a report of two cases

We report two cases of von Recklinghausen's disease in which hip dislocations occurred gradually without trauma. In one case, the right hip joint dislocated at the age of 8 years, and in another case, the left hip dislocated at 2 years and the right hip at 3 years. Each case was accompanied by bone changes around the affected hips, vertebral deformity, and spinal tumor. One case had hemihypertrophy of the involved lower extremity. Both structural changes around the hip joint and paralysis may have resulted in the hip dislocation.

Vagovagal inhibition of motilin-induced phase III contractions by antral acidification in dog stomach

Gastric acidification at pH 1.0 strongly inhibits the spontaneously occurring and motilin-induced phase III contractions in canine and human stomach. In this study, we examined inhibition by gastric acidification in dogs following gastrojejunostomy, truncal vagotomy, and antrectomy. As a result, gastric acidification with 0.1 N HCl solution at pH 1.0 for 30 min at a rate of 1.0 ml/min significantly inhibited motilin-induced phase III activity to 23.5 +/- 5.9% of the control in the normal intact dogs and to 17.2 +/- 3.4% in the gastrojejunostomized dogs. In the antrectomized dogs, gastric acidification did not significantly inhibit the action of motilin (81.7 +/- 10%), but, in the vagotomized dogs, gastric acidification inhibited the action of motilin to 72.0 +/- 4.9%; the inhibition was much weaker than in the intact and gastrojejunostomized dogs but was significant. The duodenal acidification had no effect at all on the action of motilin (94.6 +/- 12.5%) in the gastrojejunostomized dogs. These findings strongly suggest the existence of a vagovagal reflex in the inhibition of motilin-induced phase III contractions by gastric antral acidification, although the involvement of sympathetic regulation cannot be completely ruled out.

Inhibition of phase III activity by acid in canine stomach

Very few phase III activity of the interdigestive migrating contractions (phase III) occurs in the stomach of fasted duodenal ulcer patients. But the mechanism is not well understood. In this study, we studied the effect of gastric and duodenal acidification on the spontaneous phase III activity in the upper gastrointestinal tract of conscious dogs. Gastric and duodenal motor activity in 5 conscious dogs was monitored by means of chronically implanted force transducers. Intragastric pH changes were measured by placing a pH glass electrode in the gastric antrum. Intragastric and intraduodenal acidification was achieved by i.v. infusion of histamine, and by intragastric and intraduodenal instillation of acidic solutions of different pHs. The plasma motilin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Histamine (40 micrograms/kg/h) inhibited spontaneous phase III activity, but the histamine-induced inhibition was completely prevented by pretreatment with famotidine, a potent histamine H2 receptor antagonist (0.3 mg/kg, i.v.). Intragastric acidification at pH 1.0 strongly inhibited spontaneous phase III activity, but an acidic solution at pH 2.0 had no effect in inhibiting phase III activity. Intraduodenal acidification at pH 1.0 also inhibited spontaneous phase III activity. Histamine injection and gastric and duodenal acidification at pH 1.0 strongly suppressed motilin release. It is concluded that gastric and duodenal acidification at pH 1.0 inhibits the occurrence of the spontaneous phase III activity, and the suppression of endogenous release of motilin due to gastric and duodenal acidification at pH 1.0 is involved in this inhibitory mechanism.

Inhibition of phase III activity by acidifying stomach in vagally denervated and innervated dogs with gastric pouches

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Intragastric acidification at pH 1.0 strongly inhibits phase III contractions in the dog, but this mechanism is not well known. We studied the mechanism in conscious dogs.

METHODS

Vagally denervated and innervated gastric pouch dogs were prepared. Force transducers were chronically implanted on the serosa of the pouch, main stomach, and mid-duodenum. The pH of the perfusate was monitored.

RESULTS

Administration of histamine (40 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 intravenously [i.v.]) and instillation of acidic saline at pH 1.0, but not pH 2.0, into the main stomach strongly inhibited the motilin-induced (0.1 microgram/kg i.v.) phase III activity in the main stomach and the innervated pouch but did not influence contractions in the extrinsically denervated pouch. Famotidine completely reversed the histamine-induced inhibition of phase III in the main stomach and Pavlov pouch. Acidification of the pouch itself or duodenum at pH 1.0 did not affect contractions in the main stomach and pouch of either type.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanism of inhibition of motilin-induced phase III activity by acid in the stomach involves the intact vagovagal reflex, but sympathetic participation is not completely ruled out. The inhibition of motilin-induced phase III activity may originate in the antral mucosa of the stomach.

A novel class of platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists. II. Modification of the 2-position of the glycerol backbone of PAF-sulfonamide isosteres

In a continuing effort to obtain more potent platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists, we tried to synthesize a series of PAF-sulfonamide isosteres in which the substituent at the 2-position was modified to an acetoxy equivalent other than the methoxy group. These modifications produced highly active PAF antagonists. Compound 3-[2-(5-methyl-2H-tetrazol-2-yl)-3-(octadecylcarbamoyloxy) propylaminosulfonyl]propylquinolinium iodide (52) showed the most potent activity in the in vitro inhibitory effect on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in rabbit platelet-rich plasma (IC50 = 125 nM) and also in the in vivo protective effect on PAF-induced lethality in mice, with prolonged duration of action. Optically active enantiomers of this compound were synthesized and the (S)-(-)-isomer (IC50 = 87 nM) was found to be three times more potent that the (R)-(+)-isomer (IC50 = 289 nM), clearly exemplifying the enantioselectivity in the PAF-antagonist action of this novel compound.

A novel class of platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists. I. Synthesis and structure-activity studies on PAF-sulfonamide isosteres

New platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists, 3 were synthesized by replacing the charged phosphate and trimethylammonium moieties with sulfonamide and heterocyclic quaternary ammonium functionalities, respectively (PAF-sulfonamide isosteres). Darmstoff phosphatidic acid analogues of this class (Darmstoff-sulfonamide isosteres), 6 were also synthesized. The activity of these compounds as PAF antagonists was evaluated from their in vitro inhibitory effect on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in rabbit platelet-rich plasma. Among the compounds tested, some of the 2-methoxypropane derivatives with an octadecylcarbamoyloxy or octadecylcarbamoylthio side chain at the 1-position and a propylsulfonamide function bearing a terminal polar substituent such as a quaternary quinolinium or substituted quinolinium group at the 3-position were found to be the most potent (IC50 = 0.3-0.6 microM).

Synthesis of thromboxane receptor antagonists with bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane ring systems

Thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists 11a, 15a, 26a, 30a, 34a, 36a, 46a, 52a, 61a, 72a, and 82a, which contain 6-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, 6-thiabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, or 6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexane ring systems with heptenoic and (phenylsulfonyl)amino side chains, and their corresponding sodium salts and methyl esters were synthesized. This study then examined the inhibitory effects of their sodium salts for the platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid with rabbit platelet-rich plasma and platelet aggregation induced by collagen with rat washed platelets.