Bile acid synthesis in young and old rats

Bile acid synthesis from orally administered (14)C-cholesterol or from (14)C-mevalonic acid administered intravenously were examined in male and female 2-, 12- and 24-month-old rats. About 5-9% of the '4C-cholesterol administered was recovered as bile acids from the small intestine 3 days after administration. The value in the case of (14)C-mevalonic acid was about 1/10 that of (14)C-cholesterol. Major bile acids were cholic acid and beta-muricholic acid, and the formation ratio of cholic acid increased in aged rats, although no further difference was found between 12- and 24-month-old animals of either sex. Male rats formed more beta-muricholic acid than females at all ages examined. In addition, no significant difference was found in the bile acid composition between both precursors, (14)C-cholesterol and (14)C-mevalonic acid.

Effects of beta-lactam antibiotics on intestinal microflora and bile acid metabolism in rats

Wistar male rats were treated for six days with broad spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics, latamoxef, and cefotaxime. On the seventh day, the number of fecal anaerobic microbes decreased, total fecal bile acids decreased, and bile acid pools increased. Secondary bile acids such as beta-hyocholic, hyodeoxycholic, lithocholic, and deoxycholic acids decreased in the feces while the primary bile acids, cholic, beta-muricholic, and chenodeoxycholic acids, became predominant. Coprostanol, a microbial metabolite of cholesterol, also disappeared from the feces during the treatment. The cecum enlarged to almost twice the size of that in control rats, whereas the liver weight was not significantly changed. After treatment was stopped, the number of fecal microbes returned to the initial counts within a week, but restoration of bile acid and cholesterol metabolism required at least three weeks.

Influence of cholesterol feeding on bile acid metabolism in young and aged germ-free rats

The effects of cholesterol feeding on serum and liver cholesterol levels, fecal and biliary bile acid levels, bile acid pool size and bile acid composition were examined in 2-, 12- and 24-month-old male germ-free rats. The major bile acids in these animals were cholic and beta-muricholic acids. Cholesterol feeding increased synthesis of bile acids by 3- to 4-fold, especially that of chenodeoxycholic acid (mainly beta-muricholic acid in the rat), decreasing the cholic acid/chenodeoxycholic acid (CA/CDCA) ratio in all rats regardless of age, even though the CA/CDCA ratio increased as a linear function of age in both diet groups. Cholesterol feeding increased the serum cholesterol level markedly in aged rats. This hypercholesterolemia may be produced by the increase in CA/CDCA ratio in aged rats.

An importance of carbohydrate ingestion for the expression of the effect of alpha-glucosidase inhibitor in NIDDM

OBJECTIVE

To examine the usefulness of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in glycemic control of patients with NIDDM. The involvement of carbohydrate ingestion in manifestation of the effects of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors was also investigated.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 41 patients hospitalized with NIDDM (22 patients receiving sulfonylurea and 19 receiving insulin therapy) were given alpha-glucosidase inhibitors during the period when their blood glucose levels were well controlled. They were followed for 3 weeks as inpatients and for an additional 6 months as outpatients. They were retrospectively divided into two groups according to the percentage of carbohydrates in all sources of calories during outpatient management: the < 50% group and the > 50% group. Between these two groups, we compared circadian variation in blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and urine C-peptide.

RESULTS

Treatment with alpha-glucosidase inhibitors during the hospital stay markedly improved circadian variation in blood glucose levels and HbA1c and decreased urine C-peptide in both groups. While HbA1c returned to its pretreatment level at 6 months after the treatment in the < 50% group, HbA1c had further improved in the > 50% group at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors are useful for glycemic control in patients with NIDDM and the percentage of carbohydrate in all calorie sources is an important factor for the expression of their effects.

Usefulness of high-resolution CT for differential diagnosis of multi-focal pulmonary consolidation

To determine whether high-resolution CT (HRCT) is useful for diagnosing patients with multi-focal pulmonary consolidation observed on chest radiography, we reviewed the HRCT scans of 80 patients with various kinds of diseases. The patients were divided into three groups: those with infectious diseases (group A, n = 28), those with non-infectious diseases in which the use of corticosteroids was the treatment of choice (group B, n = 33), and others (group C, n = 19). Centrilobular branching structure, small nodules within the consolidation, and segmental distribution were specific or more prevalent in group A. Ground-glass attenuation, air-bronchiologram, and non-segmental distribution were more prevalent in group B. Consolidation composed of central homogeneous area and its surrounding small nodules was specific for group C, especially for sarcoidosis. In conclusion, HRCT provides more useful information in diagnosing patients with multifocal consolidation than does chest radiography or conventional CT.

[Measurement of serum catalase activity and its clinical significance]

Catalase (CAT) is an enzyme to scavenge H2O2 and to protect peroxidation of cell wall lipid and lipoproteins. The increase in its activity has been observed in several diseases as an compensating reaction. The decrease in its activity may be related to some pathophysiologies of diseases. However, there has been few reports on the measurement of serum CAT activity. We formerly reported the method to measure CAT accurately with an automated analyzer. In the present experiment, we measured CAT in various kinds of diseases and healthy controls by this method. By an analysis of serum samples which were obtained from randomly selected 1,051 patients at Chibune Hospital for 12 months (from January to December, 1993), we obtained following results. The CAT of neuromuscular, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases were significantly high (p < 0.01). The CAT of psychiatric and otorhinopharyngologic diseases were significantly low (p < 0.01). There was significant relationship between CAT and some biochemical markers. CAT is thought as a protector against tissue injuries or circulatory insufficiencies. These results indicate that CAT increases in some kinds of diseases as a protection reaction to the injury, and that the decrease of CAT may cause some kinds of diseases.

Establishment of a daunorubicin-resistant cell line which shows multi-drug resistance by multifactorial mechanisms

We established a daunorubicin (DNR)-resistant cell line derived from human leukemia cell line K562, (K562/D1-9), which also shows multidrug resistance (MDR). K562 cells were cultured with serially increasing concentrations up to 1.0 microM of DNR and then cloned by the limiting dilution method. K562/D1-9 cells were found to be 28 times more resistant to DNR than their its parent cells. Intracellular accumulation of DNR in K562/D1-9 was less than in the wild type, and P-glycoprotein (PGP) was overexpressed. Both DNR resistance and its intracellular accumulation were partially reversed by addition of verapamil to K562/D1-9 cells, but not to K562 cells. Topoisomerase II (Topo II) activity was decreased in K562/D1-9 cells. In contrast to other drugs, such as doxorubicin and vincristine, verapamil could not reverse drug resistance to VP-16 in the K562/D1-9 cell line, suggesting the importance of Topo II as the target of MDR. Protein kinase C (PKC) level was higher in K562/D1-9 than in K562. These findings suggested that the mechanism of MDR in this cell line might be multifactorial, including PGP, topo II and PKC. The K562/D1-9 cell line may be a good model for studying drug resistance in leukemia chemotherapy.

Effect of acarbose on blood glucose profiles and plasma 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol in type 2 diabetes poorly controlled by sulfonylurea therapy

Sixteen patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled by glibenclamide (7.5-10.0 mg/day) were treated with acarbose (100 mg tds) for one week and the effect on the blood glucose profile, 24-hour urinary glucose excretion, plasma fructosamine, and plasma 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG) level was determined. The blood glucose profile was more stable and levels were lower during acarbose administration. In some patients, this improvement was maintained after discontinuing acarbose. The M-value, an indicator of blood glucose fluctuations, decreased significantly from 33.2 +/- 3.0 (mean +/- SEM) in the run-in period to 13.4 +/- 2.4 during acarbose therapy (P < 0.001), and rose again to 26.5 +/- 4.4 (P < 0.001) in the follow-up period. The 24-hour urinary glucose excretion and plasma fructosamine decreased similarly (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) during and after acarbose therapy. Plasma 1,5-AG levels did not change significantly during acarbose therapy, but increased markedly afterwards (from 19.3 +/- 3.1 mumol 1(-1) to 25.0) +/- 3.1 mumol l-1, P < 0.001). Plasma 1,5-AG levels were significantly correlated with urinary glucose excretion one week earlier (r = 0.513, P < 0.006). These findings suggest that acarbose may improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients poorly controlled by sulfonylurea therapy and that plasma 1,5-AG might be used as a marker of glycemic control cooperating with other markers such as fructosamine and urinary glucose determination for monitoring the short-term response to antidiabetic therapy.

Altered bile acid metabolism related to atherosclerosis in alloxan diabetic rats

Normal and alloxan diabetic rats were kept on a 0.25% cholesterol diet for 12 months and the changes in serum cholesterol levels, and fecal excretion of sterols and bile acids were examined to elucidate the influence of changes in bile acid metabolism on manifestations of hypercholesterolemia and development of atheromatous lesions. Diabetic rats fed the cholesterol diet showed increases in bile acid synthesis and in the cholic acid group/chenodeoxycholic acid group (CA/CDCA) ratio, and developed significant hypercholesterolemia and atheromatous lesions. In contrast, normal rats showed increased bile acids synthesis but a decreased CA/CDCA ratio after feeding with the cholesterol diet, and developed neither hypercholesterolemia nor atheromatous lesions. Fecal sterol excretion and the cholesterol/sitosterol ratio decreased in diabetic rats. Positive correlations were found between the cumulative serum cholesterol level and the atheromatous lesion area, and between the fecal CA/CDCA ratio and the serum cholesterol level, in the latter of which the correlation was higher in rats on the cholesterol diet than in those on the standard diet. These findings suggest that alteration of bile acid metabolism with increases in cholic acid synthesis and CA/CDCA ratio in diabetic rats enhances cholesterol absorption to produce significant hypercholesterolemia, which in turn leads to development of atheromatous lesions.

Intraoperative ultrasonography in the diagnosis of hepatic metastases during surgery for colorectal cancer

Approximately 20-25% of colorectal cancers have hepatic metastases at the time of operation and occult liver secondaries appear in 10-30% of curatively operated cases. Intraoperative liver ultrasonography has been reported to be the most accurate method for detecting colorectal metastases. A consecutive series of 119 colorectal cancer patients was studied by routine extracorporeal preoperative ultrasound (EUS), inspection and palpation of the liver at laparotomy and intraoperative liver ultrasound (IUS). 19 patients had liver metastases at the time of surgery. In eight, diagnosis was by EUS. Inspection and palpation yielded a further seven, and IUS alone a further four. Additional lesions were detected in 3 patients after preoperative ultrasound and in 6 patients following intraoperative palpation of the liver. In a further 4 cases IUS demonstrated additional metastases. Follow up for a median 38 months (12-59) was by clinical examination and six monthly liver ultrasound. During this time 8 patients, who were thought to have a clear liver, developed hepatic metastases. The mean time from surgery to the detection of occult hepatic metastases was 14.7 (8-26) months and 4 of these appeared in the second year. Intraoperative ultrasonography is a sensitive and useful method in detecting liver metastases, and may improve clinical staging and the selection of patients for further therapy. However some occult hepatic metastases will remain undetected.

High-resolution CT findings of lung disease in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis

The purpose of this study was to determine the type and distribution of interstitial lung disease seen in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis, using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The presence and distribution of high-resolution CT findings were retrospectively evaluated in 25 patients with polymyositis/dermatiomyositis. In 14 patients, a pathological diagnosis of pulmonary disease was obtained. Three lung specimens were also studied. Results showed that 23 patients had abnormal HRCT showing the following abnormalities: ground glass opacities (92%), linear opacities (92%), irregular interfaces (88%), airspace consolidation (52%), parenchymal micronodules (28%), and honeycombing (16%). A relatively high prevalence of airspace consolidation (52%) and a low prevalence of honeycombing (16%) were observed. Two patients with extensive consolidation proved to have diffuse alveolar damage; eight patients with either subpleural band-like opacities (n = 5) and/or airspace consolidation (n = 7) had bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia; four patients with honeycombing had usual interstitial pneumonitis. We conclude that HRCT findings in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis are nonspecific. However, a high prevalence of airspace consolidation and a low prevalence of honeycombing were observed. Predominant HRCT patterns are suggestive of the pathologic processes occurring in polymyositis/dermatomyositis.

Improved production of phenomycin by a genetically engineered Escherichia coli

We established an improved production of an antitumor polypeptide anti biotic, phenomycin (PHM), by using a genetically engineered Escherichia coli. Phenomycin consists of 89 natural amino acids without intramolecular disulfide bridge. PHM gene was synthesized as a fusion gene in which PHM at the C-terminus and the residues 1 approximately 20 of Hirudin variant 1 (HV1) at the N-terminus connected by a factor Xa recognition sequence (Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg). E coli JM 109 transformed with a plasmid containing the synthesized gene expressed a fusion protein and the trypsinization of the fusion protein purified by ultrafiltration and ion-exchange chromatography gave efficiently recombinant PHM at a final yield of 50 mg/liter of culture. This PHM yield was six times higher than that obtained by a natural PHM producing strain of Streptoverticillium baldacci. Recombinant PHM was not distinguishable from natural PHM in all aspects observed.

Dynamic range control processing of digital chest images. A clinical evaluation

PURPOSE

The clinical usefulness of an advanced image-processing system called "dynamic range control processing" was investigated, with which selected parts of the dynamic range of digital chest images could be controlled.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comparative study of 3 different post-processed formats of storage phosphor (SR) images was performed in 35 patients with abnormalities in the chest. The 3 formats were SR images with standard mode (SR-standard), SR images with strong edge-enhancement (SR-enhanced), and dynamic range controlled SR images (SR-controlled).

RESULTS

For lung abnormalities, there was no difference among the 3 SR image formats. For normal mediastinal structures and lung abnormalities covered by the heart or diaphragm, SR-controlled and SR-enhanced images were significantly superior to SR-standard images, while no difference was found between SR-controlled and SR-enhanced images except for the trachea and bony structures.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic range control processing appears to be a useful method for displaying SR chest images with an extremely wide dynamic range.

Lipase activities in post-heparin plasma and tissues, and susceptibilities of lipoproteins in experimental diabetic rats

Heparin administration to diabetic rats caused no change in VLDL, an increase in IDL and a decrease in LDL on electrophoretic analysis of plasma lipoproteins, while the administration to control rats markedly decreased VLDL and increased IDL and LDL. Both hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities in the postheparin plasma were lower in the diabetic rats than in the controls, and the reduction of HTGL activity was greater than that of LPL activity in the diabetic rats. The LPL activity in the adipose tissue was lower in the diabetic rats than in the controls, but the activities in the cardiac and skeletal muscles were similar in the two rats. The HTGL-catalyzed fatty acid (FA) releases from the diabetic VLDL and IDL were lower than those from the normal rat VLDL and IDL, while the LPL-catalyzed FA release in the diabetic rats was not different from those in the controls. The decreases in LPL and HTGL activities and the markedly impaired susceptibility of IDL to HTGL coincide well with the postheparin changes in plasma lipoproteins in diabetic rats, an increase in IDL and a decrease in LDL.

An aldose reductase inhibitor, TAT, reduces ADP-induced platelet hyperaggregation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with neuropathy

To investigate the relationship between metabolic and vascular factors, especially polyol pathway and platelet aggregation, in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy, the effects of a novel potent aldose reductase inhibitor, TAT ((5-(3-thienyl) tetrazol-1-yl) acetic acid monohydrate) on adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation, polyol contents in platelets, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), and sciatic nerve blood flow (SNBF) were examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats demonstrated hyperaggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate, accompanied by sorbitol and fructose accumulation and myoinositol depletion in platelets. Treatment with TAT improved these abnormalities in diabetic rats. A delayed MNCV and a reduced SNBF in diabetic rats were normalized by the administration of TAT. These observations suggest that increased polyol pathway activity plays an important role in platelet aggregation in the development of diabetic neuropathy and that aldose reductase inhibitor is useful for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy from the viewpoint not only of metabolic factors but also of vascular factors.

An aldose reductase inhibitor, TAT, prevents electroretinographic abnormalities and ADP-induced hyperaggregability in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were oral given TAT, a potent aldose reductase inhibitor, at a dose of 10 mg kg-1 day-1 or 40 mg kg-1 day-1 for 30 days. Prolongation of the peak latency of oscillatory potentials in the b-wave of the electroretinogram (ERG), which is associated with retinal Müller cell dysfunction, was significantly improved by treatment with TAT as compared with untreated diabetic rats [sigma(O1 + O2 + O3) was 106.8 +/- 1.8 ms in normal controls (NC), 118.2 +/- 1.1 ms in diabetic controls (DC) (P < 0.001 vs. NC), 110.8 +/- 1.5 ms with 10 mg kg-1 TAT (P < 0.001 vs. DC) and 111.4 +/- 1.6 ms with 40 mg kg-1 TAT (P < 0.01 vs. DC)]. The improvement in ERG abnormalities in diabetic rats was accompanied by partial reduction of elevated sorbitol levels in the retina and erythrocytes, and by correction of platelet hyperaggregability. The authors' findings suggest that a better understanding of the mechanism by which TAT acts may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of hyperglycaemic retinal dysfunction and contribute to establishing effective therapy for diabetic retinopathy.

A method of estimating the rate of miniature end-plate potential occurrences based on parametric time series modeling

This paper presents a parametric method of estimating the rate of miniature end-plate potential (MEPP) occurrences. We consider the case where the rate of MEPP occurrences is raised by the constant deporalization of presynaptic terminals by using high-concentration potassium solutions. Under such conditions, since MEPP occurrences cannot be identified by eye due to waveform superposition, it is necessary to estimate the rate with the aid of statistical techniques instead of counting the occurrences by eye. In this paper it is assumed according to the literatures that the MEPP data are modeled as a stationary Poisson impulse process filtered by the linear system the impulse response function of which is the sum of two exponentials. Then, the discretized MEPP data are shown to be a second-order autoregressive (AR(2)) process, driven by the sum of 2 first-order moving average (MA(1)) processes (the residual time series). An explicit formula for estimating the rate can be derived by combining the second- and third-order moments of the residual time series. The validity of the proposed estimation method is verified through Monte Carlo simulations in which the rate is varied ranging from 100 to 10,000 s-1. Likewise, the proposed method is applied to estimation of the rate of actual MEPP data, which were observed at the frog's neuromuscular junction under high-concentration potassium solutions.

[Clinical outcome of radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection]

Between September, 1987 and September, 1993, a total of 44 consecutive patients had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer. The patients were between 56 and 77 years (mean, 68 years). Eleven patients had clinical state A2 disease, 21 had stage B disease, and 12 had stage C disease. Fourteen of the 44 patients (32%) had positive lymph node metastases. The 5-year survival rate for patients with pT1, pT2 and pT3 was 100%, 71% and 87%, respectively. It was 77% in patients with positive node disease and 90% in patients with negative node disease. The 5-year disease-free survival rate for patients with pT1, pT2 and pT3 was 82%, and 78%, respectively. It was 54% in patients with positive node disease and 88% in patients with negative node disease. In 14 positive node patients, metastases were located in obturater nodes in 8 patients (57%), hypogastric nodes, in 6 patients (43%), external iliac nodes in 6 patients (43%), common iliac nodes in 4 patients (29%) and presacral nodes in 2 patients (14%). We confirmed that radical retropubic prostatectomy is effective treatment for locally confined prostate cancer and removal of obturater, hypogastric lymph nodes and the internal chain of external iliac lymph nodes is important in detecting metastases.

Neurotropin prevents neurophysiological abnormalities and ADP-induced hyperaggregability in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Neurotropin, a non-proteinaceous extract from the inflamed dermis of rabbits inoculated with vaccinia virus, was administered for 8 weeks to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The physiological and biochemical changes of the nerves were studied as well as ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Neurotropin improved the caudal motor nerve conduction velocity, R-R variability, sciatic nerve blood flow, and platelet hyperaggregability in diabetic rats, despite having no effect on sorbitol and fructose accumulation or myoinositol depletion in the sciatic nerve. The correlation between nerve conduction velocity, R-R variability, nerve blood flow, and platelet aggregation were significant between each two parameters (p < 0.0001). Thus, the mechanism of action of neurotropin differed from that of aldose reductase inhibitors. These findings suggest that vascular factors may play an important role in the development of diabetic neuropathy, and that neurotropin may be useful for the treatment of this condition.

[Activities of antipseudomonal agents against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa]

Using clinically isolated 114 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were collected from April to October 1994, activity of antipseudomonal agents against these organisms was determined using the method of liquid microdilution. In addition, antimicrobial activities of the agents were graded according to serological groups of organisms. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. Many strains of P. aeruginosa were isolated mainly from sputum, pus and urine. 2. Serological group G organisms of sputum origin, group I of pus and bile origin, and group E of urine origin were isolated most frequently. 3. The most powerful antipseudomonal agent was cefclidin. Its MIC50 and MIC90 were 0.78 and 6.25 micrograms/ml, respectively. The second most powerful agent was ciprofloxacin whose MIC50 and MIC90 were 0.39 and 12.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. 4. The proportions of resistant strains ranged from 0.9% for cefclidin to 40.4% for ofloxacin. The antipseudomonal agents to which 30% or more of strains were resistant were cefpirome, gentamicin and ofloxacin. 5. Cefclidin showed the most powerful activity against strains that were resistant to ceftazidime, imipenem, gentamicin and ofloxacin. Its MIC90 against all strains resistant to ceftazidime, gentamicin and ofloxacin was 6.25 micrograms/ml. The MIC90 of cefclidin and tobramycin against imipenem-resistant strains was 3.13 micrograms/ml. 6. Group E organisms were found among strains resistant to ceftazidime, gentamicin and ofloxacin at high rates, but no group E strains were found among imipenem-resistant organisms. 7. Agents with highest activities by serological group of organisms were cefclidin against group A, tobramycin and ciprofloxacin against group B, imipenem against group E, ciprofloxacin against group G, and cefclidin and ciprofloxacin against group I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Long-term changes in body mass index in rural inhabitants: Takasu study]

Based on community health examination data (1975-1992) of Takasu, a rural town in Hokkaido Prefecture, long-term changes in body mass index (BMI) were studied and contour maps were developed. The results were as follows: 1) A high median BMI, 23 or more, appeared in female age groups from 50's to 70's during the observation period, whereas the high median BMI appeared in male age groups 30's and 40's after 1981. 2) Median BMI in age groups 30's and 40's at the time of the initial observation increased gradually with age in both sexes.

Transport of nattokinase across the rat intestinal tract

Intraduodenal administration of nattokinase (NK) at a dose of 80 mg/kg, resulted in the degradation of fibrinogen in plasma suggesting transport of NK across the intestinal tract in normal rats. The action of NK on the cleavage of fibrinogen in the plasma from blood samples drawn at intervals after intraduodenal administration of the enzyme was investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting analysis with an anti-fibrinogen gamma chain antibody. The 270 kDa fragment carrying antigenic sites for the binding of the anti-fibrinogen gamma chain antibody appeared within 0.5 h and was then degraded gradually to a 105 kDa fragment via a 200 kDa fragment. This suggests that fibrinogen was degraded to a 105 kDa fragment via several intermediates (270 and 200 kDa). In parallel with the degradation process, plasma recalcification times were remarkably prolonged NK was also detected in the plasma from blood samples drawn 3 and 5 h after administration of the enzyme by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis with an anti-NK antibody. The results indicate that NK is absorbed from the rat intestinal tract and that NK cleaves fibrinogen in plasma after intraduodenal administration of the enzyme.

[Serum lipoprotein and atherogenicity--relationship with particle size and composition of low density lipoproteins, and their modifications by oxidation and glycation]

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been recognized commonly as an atherogenic lipoprotein. Especially, small dense LDL is considered to be more atherogenic than large buoyant LDL. It is contained in polydisperse LDL with various sizes and densities. Although the causative mechanism of LDL heterogeneity has not been elucidated clearly yet, it is supposed to be derived from the heterogeneous mechanism of metabolic processing of the VLDL(very low density lipoprotein)-LDL cascade different from the common pathway. It might be due to quantitative and qualitative abnormalities of secreted VLDL, different susceptibilities to lipoprotein lipase as well as hepatic lipase, and the change of receptor binding abilities of LDL. The development of polydisperse LDL has a genetic background. However, it must be influenced by some environmental factors, since the heterogeneity of LDL is restored completely to a normal monodisperse pattern concomitantly with the decreased serum triglyceride level by dietary caloric restriction. LDL is well known to be oxidized or glycated spontaneously in vivo and in vitro. Such modified LDL loses the binding affinity to the classical LDL receptor and is taken up by monocyte-derived macrophages through scavenger receptors. Since the scavenger receptor system is not down regulated, it promotes the formation of foam cells in the arterial wall accumulating cholesterol and other lipids by excess LDL uptake. Small dense LDL is considered to be easily oxidized or glycated compared with large buoyant LDL. Therefore, it might increase further the atherogenic potency by such modifications.

Striatonigral degeneration combined with olivopontocerebellar atrophy with subcortical dementia and hallucinatory state

We present an autopsied case of striatonigral degeneration (SND) combined with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) with subcortical dementia and hallucinatory state. A Japanese woman without a remarkable family history showed hand tremor at the age of 35 years, followed by bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, orthostatic hypotension, neurogenic bladder and pyramidal signs. No obvious cerebellar symptoms were found. Various antiparkinsonian drugs were administered, but were not markedly effective for the parkinsonism. She developed a mild dementia characterized by mild memory disturbance with preservation of orientation, slowing of thought processes, emotional lability toward sadness, impaired ability to manipulate acquired knowledge and poor calculating, and by the absence of aphasia, apraxia and agnosia. The features in this patient were consistent with those seen in subcortical dementia. She also had auditory hallucinations. MRI revealed hypointense T2 signals in the putamina and substantia nigra. T1-weighted MRI demonstrated atrophy of both the pons and cerebellum in addition to atrophy of the putamina and substantia nigra. EEG showed slowing of background activity. She died of cardiac failure at the age of 47. Autopsy disclosed brain stem tegmental atrophy, SND, OPCA and many glial cytoplasmic inclusions in the central nervous system, but well-preserved cerebrum. We discuss the relationship between the psychiatric symptoms and pathologic findings of brain stem tegmentum.

Compositions of very low density lipoprotein subfractions from patients with polydisperse low density lipoproteins

In some hyperlipidemic patients, low density lipoprotein (LDL) shows several peaks (polydisperse) on polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoreses, though LDL usually shows a single peak (monodisperse). In order to clarify the relationship between the LDL polydispersion and VLDL heterogeneity, LDL and VLDL were prepared from hyperlipidemic patients sera with mono- and polydisperse LDL by sequential ultracentrifugation and fractionated by gradient ultracentrifugation and their compositions were analyzed. Polydisperse LDL was rich in triacylglycerol (TG) and poor in esterified cholesterol (CE) as compared with monodisperse LDL and consisted of the lowest and the medium density subfractions when the LDL was separated into six subfractions. The monodisperse LDL was composed of a single major subfraction of a medium density. VLDL from the patients with polydisperse LDL was relatively rich in the dense and poor in the buoyant subfractions as compared with that from the patients with monodisperse LDL. The subfractions in the former contained more CE and less TG than the corresponding subfractions in the latter. There were no significant differences in the apolipoprotein compositions between those VLDLs. The results suggest that polydisperse LDL might be originated from VLDL that differs in particle sizes, densities and compositions from ordinary VLDL.

[Changes of type IV collagen 7S and fibronectine in a patient with isolated ACTH deficiency]

A 60-year-old man presented with waste, muscle weakness and pain of knees and shoulders. Endocrinological investigations revealed low plasma cortisol and ACTH levels, delayed response of plasma cortisol to ACTH, no response of plasma ACTH to CRF and normal response to other pituitary hormone to corresponding stimulate test. He was diagnosed as isolated ACTH deficiency. Then we examined plasma type IV collagen 7S and fibronectin, because experimentally, corticosteroid regulates the extracellular matrix structure composed of type IV collagen, fibronectin and so on. These parameters were elevated and rapidly decreased to the normal range with the replacement of hydrocortisone, simultaneously his arthralgia was improved. These parameters can reflect the biochemistric change in cortisol deficiency state.

Frequent p53 accumulation in the chronically sun-exposed epidermis and clonal expansion of p53 mutant cells in the epidermis adjacent to basal cell carcinoma

p53 expression was studied immunohistochemically to identify a precursor lesion of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the epidermis adjacent to BCC. With two different anti-p53 antibodies of CM1 and DO7, p53 expression was frequently detected in the epidermis adjacent to BCCs arising on the face and in the normal epidermis with usual sun exposure. In the epidermis adjacent to BCC, stained cells were occasionally clustered in a small area, but no cluster was found in the normal epidermis with usual sun exposure. The expression was less frequent in the normal epidermis with rare sun exposure. Ten cases of normal skin with usual sun exposure, showing CM1 staining in the epidermis, were screened for p53 gene mutations with polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis using DNAs obtained from the epidermis. No mutation was detected in exons 2 to 10 of the p53 gene in these 10 cases. The epidermis flanking three BCCs that was stained with CM1, on the other hand, carried a missense mutation of C to G transversion at a dipyrimidine site of codon 249. This alteration replaced arginine with threonine. The mutation of codon 249 was not detected in the three BCCs. Our results first suggest that ultraviolet light irradiating the skin in a daily life induces p53 accumulation in the epidermis and secondly that the frequent clonal expansion of p53 mutant cells occurs in the epidermis adjacent to BCCs. This clonal expansion of mutant p53 may provide a molecular basis for high risk of developing subsequent new skin cancers in patients with BCC.

The antagonistic effects of khellactones on platelet-activating factor, histamine, and leukotriene D4

Khellactones of Peucedanum praeruptorum DUUN., including praeruptorins A (= Pd-Ia, 2) and B (= Pd-II,11), had an antagonistic effect specifically on platelet aggregation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) among various aggregating agents examined, and represent a new class of PAF antagonists. We examined the effects of twenty compounds on PAF-induced platelet aggregation and on histamine- and leukotriene D4 (LTD4)-induced contractions in isolated guinea pig ileum. Compounds 2, (+/-)-cis-3',4'-diacetylkhellactone (3), (+/-)-cis-4'-acetyl-3'-crotonoylkhellactone (5), (+/-)-cis-4'-acetyl-3'-tetrolylkhellactone (6), (+/-)-cis-4'-acetyl-3'-tigloylkhellactone (7), (+/-)-cis-4'-acetyl-3'-(2"-methylbutyryl)khellactone (8), (+/-)-cis-3',4'-ditigloylkhellactone (10), and 11 all strongly inhibited PAF-induced platelet aggregation. (+/-)-cis-4'-Acetyl-3'-(2"-methyl-2"-dodecenoyl)khellactone (9), (+/-)-cis-4'-ethyl-3'-tigloylkhellactone (13), (+/-)-cis-4'-ethyl-3'-[N-(2"-triethylammonio)ethylcarbamoyl] khellactone iodide (16), (+/-)-trans-3',4'-diacetylkhellactone (18), (+/-)-trans-4'-acetyl-3'-crotonoylkhellactone (19), (+/-)-trans-4'-acetyl-3'-valerylkhellactone (20), (+/-)-trans-4'-acetyl-3'-isovalerylkhellactone (21), and (+/-)-trans-4'-acetyl-3'-tigloylkhellactone (22) were weakly inhibitory. Most of the compounds exhibited noncompetitive antagonist actions on histamine- and LTD4-induced contractions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Colonic J pouch-anal anastomosis after rectal excision for carcinoma: functional outcome

A consecutive series of 23 patients with colonic J pouch-anal anastomosis for low rectal cancer (17 men; mean age 64.4 (range 44-76) years) was studied prospectively. The mean distance from the pouch-anal anastomosis to the anal verge was 3.5 (range 2.0-4.5) cm. During follow-up one patient died from an unrelated cause and four developed metastases, two local and two hepatic. In 19 surviving patients a mean of 7 months after ileostomy closure mean bowel frequency was 2.1 (range 1-4) per day, five patients had urgency and four had mild faecal seepage up to three times per week, and seven patients had some degree of incomplete evacuation. In 13 patients there were no manometric differences before and after surgery with respect to maximum tolerated volume or maximum resting pressure, but maximum squeeze pressure was significantly lower after surgery (mean 189 versus 132 cmH2O before and after surgery respectively, P < 0.05). Colonic pouch reconstruction should be considered as an alternative to straight coloanal anastomosis in patients undergoing very low anterior resection.

Reduction effect of theanine on blood pressure and brain 5-hydroxyindoles in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effect of theanine, one of the components of green tea, on the blood pressure and brain 5-hydroxyindoles in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) was investigated by intraperitoneally administering theanine. The effect of glutamine, which is structurally similar to theanine, was also examined. When SHR were injected with various amounts of theanine (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kg), the change was dose-dependent, and a significant decrease in blood pressure was observed with the high doses (1500 and 2000 mg/kg). A dose of 2000 mg/kg of theanine did not alter the blood pressure of WKY, while the same dose to SHR decreased it significantly. On the other hand, glutamine administration to SHR did not change either the blood pressure or the heart rate. The brain 5-hydroxyindole level was significantly decreased by theanine administration to both WKY and SHR, the decrease being dose-dependent.

[The efficacy of endopyeloureterotomy via a transpelvic extraureteral approach]

To evaluate the efficacy of endopyeloureterotomy via a transpelvic extraureteral approach for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction or upper ureteric stenosis, we analysed the results of 85 patients treated with this procedure between Aug. 1988 and June 1993. Eighty-five patients underwent 87 procedures. Each patient has been followed-up more than 6 months postoperatively. Of 87 procedures, 71 were performed in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and 16 were in patients with stenosis of the upper third ureter. Primary disease was 59 and secondary disease was 28. Twenty-one procedures were performed in patients with the stenotic segment over 2 cm. The operative procedure was performed by first incising with a 22 Fr. urethrotome (ACMI Co.); the dilated renal pelvic or ureteral wall posterolaterally as long as 1-1.5 cm junction from the stenotic segment toward ureteropelvic junction, then bringing the urethrotome out retroperitoneally through the incision and finally incising the stenotic segment with the cold knife under direct vision. A 12-16 Fr. PTCS tube (Sumitomo Behkuraito Co.) was left in place for 3 weeks as a stent. Mean operative time was 101 min and average length of incised segment was 3.7 cm. Complication included pneumothorax (1 case), pseudo ureter (1 case) and renal arterial anexryma (1 case). Followed-up period ranged from 6 to 64 months with the average being 26 months. Of 87 procedures, 80 (92%) achieved a disappearance or improvement of the obstructive change and 7 failed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heme oxygenase-2. Properties of the heme complex of the purified tryptic fragment of recombinant human heme oxygenase-2

Recombinant human microsomal heme oxygenase-2 was expressed in Escherichia coli. Tryptic digestion of the membrane fraction, in which the wild-type enzyme was localized, yielded a soluble tryptic peptide of 28 kDa, which retained the ability to accept electrons from NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and the enzymatic activity for conversion of heme to biliverdin. The tryptic fragment, when purified to apparent homogeneity, bound one equivalent of heme to form a substrate-enzyme complex that had spectroscopic properties characteristic of heme proteins, such as myoglobin and hemoglobin. Optical absorption, Raman scattering, and EPR studies of the heme-tryptic fragment complex revealed that the ferric heme was six coordinate high spin at neutral pH and six coordinate low spin at alkaline pH, with a pK alpha value of 8.5. EPR and Raman scattering studies indicated that a neutral imidazole of a histidine residue served as the proximal ligand in the heme-heme oxygenase-2 fragment complex. The reaction with hydrogen peroxide converted the heme of the heme oxygenase-2 fragment complex into a verdoheme-like intermediate, while the reaction with m-chloroperbenzoic acid yielded a oxoferryl species. These spectroscopic properties are similar to those obtained for heme oxygenase-1, and thus the catalytic mechanism of heme oxygenase-2 appears to be similar to that of heme oxygenase-1.

[Progression of senile aortic valve calcification: echocardiographic and clinical assessment]

Factors involved in the progression of senile aortic valve calcification were evaluated by analyzing the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients older than 69 years with senile aortic valve calcification. The patients were divided into three groups; group 1: 46 male and 40 female patients with calcification of one cusp and almost normal pliability of three cusps, group 2: 48 males and 55 female patients with calcification of two or three cusps, mildly reduced pliability of calcified cusps, and aortic valve area (AVA) > or = 2.0 cm2, group 3: 26 male and 31 female patients with calcification of two or three cusps, significantly reduced pliability of calcified cusps, and AVA < or = 1.5 cm2. There were no significant differences in age, weight, height, left ventricular dimension, or left ventricular wall thickness between these three groups. For male patients, the end-diastolic maximum left ventricular outflow tract dimensions (LVOT) in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 20 +/- 2 mm, 19 +/- 2 mm (p < 0.01 vs group 1), and 17 +/- 3 mm (p < 0.001 vs group 1, p < 0.01 vs group 2), respectively. For female patients, the LVOTs of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 18 +/- 2 mm, 16 +/- 2 mm (p < 0.001 vs group 1), and 16 +/- 2 mm (p < 0.001 vs group 1), respectively. Reduction in LVOT was not associated with left ventricular hypertrophy or decrease in dimension of aortic annulus. In female patients, the frequency of mitral annular calcification of group 3 was 61% [p < 0.05 vs group 1 (35%), p < 0.01 vs group 2 (25%)].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interpretation of subtle interstitial chest abnormalities: conventional radiography versus high-resolution storage-phosphor radiography--a preliminary study

To evaluate the reliability of digital chest radiography in diagnosing subtle interstitial lung abnormalities, we performed several clinical studies including a comparison of conventional screen-film radiography and storage-phosphor radiography (2 K x 2 K pixels, 10 bit), and a comparison of conventional screen-film radiography and film-digitized radiography (2 K x 2 K pixels, 10 bit). From these previous studies, a spatial resolution of 0.2-mm pixel size was considered inadequate to diagnose subtle interstitial lung diseases. Under these circumstances, the newly developed Fuji Computed Radiography system (FCR 9000; Fuji Photo Film, Tokyo, Japan) has recently become available. This system provides 0.1-mm pixel size (4 K x 5 K pixels, 10-bit depth) and life-size hard copies (14 x 17 inches). To evaluate the reliability of new high-resolution storage-phosphor radiography (FCR 9000) in diagnosing simulated subtle interstitial abnormalities (including simulated lines, micronodules, and groundglass opacities), the differences among radiologists in interpreting conventional screen-film radiographs and life-size high-resolution storage-phosphor radiographs were studied. Observation was made by eight experienced chest radiologists and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. There was no significant difference in detecting in subtle simulated interstitial abnormalities between conventional film-screen radiography and high-resolution storage-phosphor radiography. For all three types of abnormalities, there was no significant difference between conventional and storage-phosphor radiography. In conclusion, the high-resolution storage-phosphor chest radiography (0.1-mm pixel size, 10-bit depth) may be substituted for conventional chest radiography in the detection of subtle interstitial abnormalities.

Isolation of mouse complement component C7

Mouse complement component C7 was purified from serum by a sequential procedure of fractionation precipitation by ammonium sulfate, followed by DE-52 anion exchange chromatography. Protein G affinity column chromatography, Mono S cation exchange chromatography and Superdex 200 gel filtration. The final product contained a highly purified mouse C7 component showing a single band on SDS-PAGE at the apparent Mrs of 90 kDa and 100 kDa under non-reduced and reduced conditions respectively. The yield of C7, which was measured by the biological activity, was 7.0%

In vivo microdialysis for pharmacokinetic investigations: a plasma protein binding study of valproate in rabbits

The use of microdialysis to study the binding of valproate (VPA) to plasma proteins was evaluated in rabbits. Prior to an in vivo microdialysis, in vitro relative recovery of VPA respectively from Ringer's solution, 5% (w/v) of albumin solution and plasma sample via a microdialysis probe was examined. The in vitro relative recovery was defined as a ratio of the VPA concentration determined in the dialysate to the free VPA concentration in the sample solution surrounding the membrane of the microdialysis probe. When the sample solution was well stirred at 700 rpm and maintained at 37 degrees C, the in vitro relative recovery of VPA was significantly different among them. It increased in the order of Ringer's solution (34.3 +/- 2.6%) > 5% (w/v) of albumin solution (25.7 +/- 4.6%) > rabbit plasma sample (15.8 +/- 1.2%). Thereafter, pharmacokinetics of VPA was determined using both microdialysis sampling via the rabbit femoral vein and collection of whole blood via the rabbit ear vein after intravenous administration of VPA at a dose of 43 mg/kg. Free concentrations of VPA in plasma were determined by ultrafiltration method as opposed to microdialysis method. There was no difference in the elimination half-life of VPA determined by microdialysis, 1.09 +/- 0.22 h, or ultrafiltration, 1.22 +/- 0.21 h. The AUC of VPA in dialysate was 15 +/- 4 micrograms.h/ml, which corresponded to 15% of that in ultrafiltrate (103 +/- 17 micrograms.h/ml). The value was in good agreement with the in vitro relative recovery of VPA from plasma sample (15.8 +/- 1.2%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[End stage polycystic kidney disease: the study for upper urinary tract infection & hemorrhage into the cysts]

The results have been reviewed of 41 patients with end stage polycystic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis. The patients ranged in age from 34 to 83 years with an average age of 55 years and 25 patients were male, 16 were female. The duration of maintenance hemodialysis in the patients was from 1 to 200 months with an average time of 69 months. Infection of the cysts and pyelonephitis occurred 22 times in 13 patients (32%) and hemorrhage into the cysts occurred 15 times in 13 patients (32%). To control the infection, bilateral nephrectomy was required in 10 patients and 1 patient was undergone unilateral nephrectomy. Of 13 patients with the hemorrhagic cysts, 5 were undergone bilateral nephrectomy and 2 were undergone unilateral nephrectomy. Six patients died during follow up and the cause of death were 1) cardiac failure, 2) cerebral hemorrhage, 3) cardiac infarction, 4) pneumonia after nephrectomy, 5) massive bleeding after second operation for adhesive ileus due to first nephrectomy, 6) unknown. Fourteen patients but one undergone bilateral nephrectomy were followed for an average time of 70 months after nephrectomy. Such as complication due to bilateral nephrectomy, anemia occurred in 13 patients (93%) and hypotension occurred in 5 patients (33%). Bilateral nephrectomy was effective procedure in safety for end stage polycystic kidney patients with the infection and the hemorrhagic cysts because anemia and hypotension which occurred usually after bilateral nephrectomy now can be controlled goodly.

Morphological changes in the tectorial and basilar membranes of aged rats

Using both light and transmission electron microscopy presbycusic degeneration of the cochlea was observed in particular in the tectorial and basilar membranes, in naturally aged rats. These animals showed a descending auditory pattern as determined by auditory brainstem response. Ultrastructurally, the number of collagen fibers in the tectorial membrane was reduced and straight type A fibers were increased relative to branched, coiled type B fibers. The basilar membrane in the basal turn was also thickened by an increased homogeneous ground substance. These findings indicate that the specificity of vibration of the tectorial and basal membranes is very different in aged and young rats.